After the Long Night, instead of venturing South, Dany sailed back to Essos. If the North isn't loyal to her after helping them from the Dead, and Jon began rejecting her, how is King's Landing any different? By doing so, Jon was left uncertain of his own actions and decided to live up to his birth name. 11 Years later, finally a King of the Seven Realms, he sailed to Essos to find her again, only to find that she's not entirely alone. Post Season 8x03.
Available at AO3 & .
Updated: 2 Nov 2020
8 years.
That was how long he last saw her, the last time he hurt her, unintentionally. Jon Snow regretted it every day, asking himself what he could've done differently. He realized that she had done everything to keep him alive, she sacrificed everything, something that a true Queen does. He is the leader of the North, he should've been able to move everyone that she is different than the rest of the Southerners.
Instead, he kept his mouth shut, and she left. Not only leaving Westeros in danger again because of the Lannister queen but leaving him uncertain.
He knew he had to do something right. He had had enough of being looked down on by everyone, it is time to wake the dragon.
After her departure, he did whatever he can to find a plan to destroy Cersei once and for all. His youngest sister Arya gave him the perfect opportunity, to sneak in King's Landing and assassinate her. There is no other way, and that plan was orchestrated by both of them after she told him what her capabilities are.
And Arya Stark executed the plan perfectly, without being noticed by Qyburn or even the Mountain. She stayed hidden as Cersei Lannister for quite a while until Jon signal the monstrous guard to an empty field where the Stark armies finally took him down. Taken down with multiple stabs and finally, burned him alive.
That was her signal to take down Qyburn and reveal herself. Telling the whole kingdom that the queen is no more, that is when she sent a message to Jon that the deed was done.
Jon was satisfied with the result and soon, he marched South and was crowned king by the council. Bran vouched for him, so did the dwarf, whom the Dragon Queen decided to let him go to be with his brother. In the end, Jon Snow is in favor to be King.
But that didn't move him at all. He never wanted to be King, but someone has to make things right. He learned from his wrong and strives to be the better leader the people voted him to be.
He did his duties as King with no Queen. He had one, like his father before him, he married one of the Sand people, Ariane Martell. But unlike the late Elia Martell, she was a pure snake, which was why their marriage never worked out. No one was capable to endure a King with dragon children, for no man can ever control a dragon.
He made sure the Realms are all back at their feet on his own reign, he let the Wildling stay, making Tormund the leader of the new House Mormont. It wasn't easy to convince the folks at first, but after a long discussion and mingling with both parties together, the Wildlings are allowed to stay together. He had really lived up to his birth name, the name that brought Westeros up.
Many things have changed as well to replace the dying houses, it wasn't easy. It took Jon many years to stabilize a growing peace in Westeros, to smoothen trades, to fix the hierarchs, and many more…..without a proper Queen by side.
He didn't like the job, he's good at it, but it gave him a sense of satisfaction that: this is what he fought for.
The nation is finally back on its feet since Robert Baratheon's days as King, before everything went down, everyone seems satisfied.
After a while, he thought of someone with whom he would like to repair his relationship. Back then, he was young and naïve. Now, he would like to think that he is wiser than before. Every ally in the past matters and that includes the one whom he parted with terribly when he couldn't accept his heritage.
And here he is, sailing to Essos, tomorrow he will arrive. He brought with him Ser Davos and Tormund, along with his new direwolf partner that Ghost and Nymeria bore together, Greywind. Ghost's fur stands out too much during the seasons aside from winter, which is why he traveled with one of his pups.
During his duties, he didn't know much of her movements. He had only heard the news about her, how she manages Essos, how she too brought the same thing that he brought to Westeros. And that she was married.
It stings at first to hear that she found someone else to be her King. Bran told him that it looked like it was for political reasons, but still…
Jon asked whether she is safe, to which he nodded. Then he asked whether she had any intention to wage war against Westeros again, to which he shook his head. At least she is safe and, presumably, happy, he thought.
He didn't hear much about her again, or rather, he was distracting himself from her as he focused on rebuilding Westeros to the way it was once was before all went down to hell.
And somehow, repairing that broken relationship was at the top of his head. It doesn't matter if she is married to someone else, the least he can do is to be open for an allegiance for both nations if she ever needs one, though he doubts it. Like the dragon he is, she is strong.
But….will she still wants to see him? Or will she kill him? It doesn't matter, all he had ever wanted is to see her again.
That was his last thought as he looked up at the empty ceiling in his room before he fell asleep.
As expected, he wasn't really welcomed at Mereen. He left Greywind with some of his Kingsguard that he brought with him at the ship and went with only Ser Davos and Tormund, and their coming isn't pleasant. They gave him unsettling glares and sneers, but nothing violent happened, thankfully. Was this what she felt the day he brought her to Winterfell?
The Unsullied stopped them from entering the city, stopping in front of the gates. He wanted to debate with them before a woman in red stopped it from happening. She looks like Melisandre, must be another red priestess, but she seems to be on his side.
"I have been waiting for you, Jon Snow," she proudly said, "Or must I call you, King?" she declared in front of the Northerners and the Unsullied.
Jon was exasperated at first, it's as if she was expecting him.
She continues, "You are here for the Dragon Queen, am I right?"
He had no choice but to answer, "Aye."
She nodded, then she turned to the Unsullied, "Ivestragī zirȳ rēbagon, issi daor se qrinuntys (Let them pass, they are not the enemy)." And at that, the soldiers obediently moved away from the gates, allowing them a passthrough. The red lady nodded at them and faced him, "I am Kinvara, Priestess of the Red Temple. Come, I shall bring you to her. She is waiting at the Pyramids."
Dany is waiting for him. Could it be? But from his experience, people like her aren't to be trusted, so he didn't let his hopes high. The Northerners looked at one another and nodded. Then they followed her to the Pyramids.
She brought him to the garden of the Pyramid. It was full of tall plants, trees, flowers, and grass, trimmed to perfection and blooming in lushes. It reminded him of King's Landing, except it's more full of life here than there.
Kinvara stopped at the entrance of the garden and turned to them, "Wait here," then she walks into the garden and disappeared behind the plants.
While waiting for her, Jon began to feel nervous and his heart is pounding. He is going to see her again after all these years. They part in bad terms, and he hates to relive that moment. Will they still be able to talk like they used to? Will she still accept him? Will he ever forgive him?
"Nervous, King Crow?" his Wildling friend walks to his side, breaking his train of thoughts.
He nodded, "It's been so long."
"Well, you brought it upon yourself," he gruffed, making Jon groan. Remembering that he told him how he parted ways with her. Tormund slapped his shoulder, "Grow a pair."
"Thanks for the comfort," he remarked sarcastically.
Ser Davos walked closer to him as well, "Whatever comes later, know that this is how much you fought for. You've come a long way."
Jon nodded, "Aye."
Not long later, Kinvara came back, hands clasped together politely, "She's ready to meet you, only you."
He quirked an eyebrow up, "Does she know whom she is meeting?"
She shook her head, "Better that way, trust me."
Great, this might not start well, he thought.
As if reading his mind, she adds, "She won't kill you, if that's what you are worried about."
"Thank you for the heads up," he grunted, here goes.
He followed Kinvara, they walked a few turns until she stopped. As she stopped, he found who he has been searching for. However, something feels….off, based on her appearance.
There, where it seems to be the center of the garden on a stone bench, sits a silver girl reading a book. She wore a simple white dress and her silver hair shone under the sunlight. He would've thought that it was her, except that … she looks too young to be the Dany he used to know. Far too young to be the woman he once loved. Is she really Daenerys Targaryen?
"Lyanna," Kinvara suddenly called to her, making the lady perk up. Her grey eyes found them, "Your mother's guest is here, do keep him company while I fetch your mother."
"Oh, of course, Lady Kinvara," she closed her book and stood up. She is the same height as Daenerys, but her looks are just too young.
Mother? What is going on here? "You said that she is ready to see me," he whispered to her.
"She is," the red woman said calmly again, "She went back inside for a while to grab her shawl, after all, she was spending time with her daughter. She'll be here soon." And before Jon can further protest, she disappeared to another entrance. Damn red women, he should've known better.
"Who are you?" the young girl suddenly went up to him, making him quickly face her. She looks like a child of 10 years old, and her face looks similar to her, but those grey eyes….
Jon was at a loss for words.
"You don't look like you are from around here, are you?" she innocently asked, "What business do you have with the Queen?"
"Umm… yes. I…. am not of this country," he regained his composure, "I used to know the Queen back then, used to work with her, and I'd like to see her again. We last saw each other at Westeros."
"Westeros?" The girl said, "Muna didn't like that place, so I hope that you come here on good terms."
"Muna?"
"That's what we call her," she answered his silent question, "She is my mother."
"What?" Jon's eyes widened.
"Isn't it obvious?" she smoothened her hair, "I have her hair."
"Oh yes, of course," a slight hurt in his heart, seeing this other part of Dany, this girl whom he did not father…. It stings to know that he broke her heart all those years ago and now she found someone else. Most importantly now is that she is happy, with her husband. "Where is your father? The King?"
"Dead," the girl simply said, making Jon taken aback, "Though he's not really our father."
"What do you mean?"
"Muna said that his name was…"
"Jon?" another voice entered the garden, making the two of them face the source.
There now, is the woman he recognizes. The woman he fell for all those years ago. She wore a rather thin blue dress where her stomach can be seen and sleeveless, her shawl hung on her shoulders trailing down to her hands. How much he wanted to just run to her and kiss her, telling her how stupid he was, how much he truly loves her.
But her face wouldn't allow that. She looked at him in horror and her violet eyes widened. The red woman beside her only looked at him calmly, giving him a warm smile. Is it a fake smile or generous, he can't tell.
"Oh Muna," Lyanna said as she happily turned to Dany, "Kinvara said that he is your guest from Westeros," She innocently told her, then the little turn back to him, "I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name."
But it seems that Jon isn't listening to her, nor Dany is as well, for her face turned sour, "Give me one good reason why I shouldn't tear you apart," she menacingly threatened him.
And at that, Jon swallowed. This is the reaction that he expected, though it's good to see her fire again, he turned to her, but couldn't find the words to give her a proper answer, "I…. I…," he stuttered, "It's good to see you again." He managed to say.
From the corner of his eyes, he can see Lyanna's turned worried. She began to move behind him.
"If you are here for good time's sake, then you are wrong," she spat at him, "Leave this place."
"Dany, I- "
"DO NOT CALL ME THAT!" she shouted at him, "What is lost can never be found back again."
"Dan-, Your Grace," he tried to talk his way out, he is never good at dealing with something like this. Let alone to a Dragon Queen. But he tries to ease the tension, "I just want to see you."
"Well, as you can see, I am perfectly fine. Until you showed up," she snapped, "Now your task is done. Leave this place."
"Please, Your Grace, I'd like to speak with you," he insisted, he came all the way to Essos. But there is no way that this is just it.
"No, we don't," she declared, "You made it clear before I left, the whole lot of you! I am done doing business with your people or even Westeros itself, and now, I ask you one last time. Leave!"
Jon isn't backing out either, "Daenerys, please, if you can just let me explain – "
"What's going on here?" another voice came.
The people in the garden turned behind Dany, revealing a rather young boy nearly the same height as Dany. He wore simple green tunics and brown breeches, a sword hung at his side of his hip.
His facial appearance though, made Jon's eyes widen. He has the feature of a Northerner, but he has violet eyes, just like her. But most importantly, he has similar dark curls as him and Robb. He could've sworn that this boy is of the North, and he looks like a similar age as the young girl here.
Wait… 8 years ago, they were born. Grey eyes like him, dark raven hair, and Northern features like him…Could it be… that… No.
He walked to Dany, "Muna, is this man bothering you?"
But she didn't say anything, rather still looking shocked to see Jon again. He can't blame her, not after what he did to her.
The young boy walked past his mother and stood in front of her and pulled his own sword out. He furrowed his brow and points his sword at him with both of his hands, "Who are you, and what do you want with the Queen?"
"I..," he stuttered, "I just want to speak to her."
"And you did, but your presence brings ill upon her, so I would kindly ask you to leave," he menacingly said.
"Rhaegar, put your sword down," Lyanna suddenly chimed behind Jon.
"Not until he leaves," he replied, but his violet eyes never leave his, "I'll count to three, and if you don't leave, this sword goes into your chest and I'll - "
"Enough," Daenerys finally said, cutting his son's words off. She placed her hand on his shoulder, "you can't do that," her tone shifted from anger to sadness.
"And why can't I?" The young man asked.
"Because," she sighed sadly, "he is your father."
And at that revelation, the time seems to stop moving as her words hung on the air. The young boy turned to meet her eyes, then back at him. Lyanna slowly walked in front of Jon, her brow furrows just like her mother, the way he remembered. And her grey eyes, by the gods, she has his eyes.
Lyanna gasped after a while, then she ran to the entrance.
Rhaegar sheathed his sword and draped his arm around his mother's shoulder, leading her out of the garden. He gave him one last glare before disappearing inside, leaving him and Kinvara alone.
Jon Snow processed what he just got himself into. She was pregnant, she bore twins, sired with him. She raised them on her own, leaving them fatherless. That last part made him feel sick, he had sworn he will never let any children not know their parents just like him, and yet…
All this time, he is a father. Father of two, with Daenerys. On one side, he felt happy, but on the other, he was confused.
As he thought of this, Kinvara placed a hand on his shoulder, "I shall prepare a guest room for the three of you." And at that, she left him alone.
He wanted to protest, but she may be right. Everything just happened so quickly.
Today he realized that he had fathered two children. Twins.