Going to answer some questions:
Martin Gui: Visenya is more civilized. If you recall...she doesn't bring her dragons to do negotiations. While they may be nearby, and fly overhead...they are not standing behind her awaiting for her to give the word for them to attack. She doesn't really mention them only when asked...as we saw when she was negotiating with Lord Whitehill when he taunted her asking where her dragons were. Visenya, being the diplomatic woman she is, told him she didn't want to bring them to intimidate or scare the man...she'd rather be diplomatic before striking and burning down her enemies. In that regard, and in the regard of how much she cares for the North and the people of Westeros, she is wise and intelligent...and again, nothing like Daenerys. Let me know if you have any other questions.
While Sansa, Brienne, and Podrick went to speak to Edmure and the Blackfish on both Visenya and Jon's behalf, the rest of the party headed to Bear Island to try and convince House Mormont to join the fight.
Bear Island was nothing like Visenya thought it to be. From the stories she heard from those who traveled there, she expected a barren wasteland of nothing but a snow landscape, with little to no vegetation at all. So upon docking their galley along the shores of Bear Island, Visenya was completely suprised at the island's beauty.
While it wasn't as beautiful as Dragonstone (nothing would ever be as beautiful as it, at least in her mind), it still was remarkable. The island was filled with lakes, streams, and creeks, and she noticed that there were small villages briefly scattered throughout. What truly surprised her, was the fact that there were many waterfalls...including some, just below the castle, where House Mormont resided.
"Have you met Lady Mormont before?" Visenya asked Jon from atop her horse as they rode down the path that led to the castle with the rest of their party.
"I have not." He began. "I remember when she was born. They named her after Lyanna Stark."
Visenya sighed. "Yes, I remember that as well. I also remember her mother, who fought alongside Robb. Maege Mormont was her name."
"Wasn't her uncle the Lord Commander of the Night's Watch at one point?" Jaime asked, joining in on the conversation. "It's been a while since I saw the man...but the last time I saw him, he was Lord Commander at Castle Black."
"He was." Jon said with a nod. "He died fighting beyond the Wall."
"What is beyond the wall?" Mira asked in curiosity. "I was always told it was filled with Wildlings and giants that could tower above The Red Keep."
"There are Wildlings, and Giants...but also The White Walkers...who can't be killed normally." Jon explained. "They can be killed by fire, Valyrian steel..."
"Then when they come, we have the dragons burn them to smithereens...just like they will do to the Bolton's." Tormund suggested earning a glare from Visenya.
"She only uses her dragons when necessary." Bronn explained placing a hand on the man's shoulder. "Because I've said the exact same thing to her...and got the exact same reaction."
"And Dragonglass." Jon explained making Visenya snap her head to him. "Though it is extremely rare."
"Dragonglass?" She asked in disbelief. "There's a large mine of it, within the dragonmount on Dragonstone."
"We should mine for it." Davos suggested. "We don't have enough men to do the manual labor though."
"Agreed." Melisandre nodded. "You need more men to defeat the White Walkers...and that requires more Dragonglass."
Visenya let out a sigh as they got closer to the castle. "I'll think of something...but right now, we all need to focus on the task at hand."
As soon as they arrived, they were greeted by two guards, who ushered Jon, Visenya, Davos, and Jaime inside to speak with Lady Lyanna Mormont.
Who was only ten years old, but still intimidating, as she sat at a long table, facing the party, with a maester and a commander on each side of her.
Jon smiled. "Lady Mormont."
"Welcome to Bear Island." She replied coldly with a nod.
"I remember when you were born, my lady." Jon continued, trying to flatter the young girl. "You were named for my Aunt Lyanna. It was said she was a great beauty. I'm sure you will be, too."
She immediately scoffed in annoyance, making Visenya turn to Jaime with slight surprise. "I doubt it. My mother wasn't a great beauty or any other kind of beauty. She was a great warrior, though. She died fighting for your brother, Robb."
"I served under your uncle at Castle Black, Lady Lyanna." Jon continued. "He was also a great warrior and an honorable man. I was his steward. In fact-" "I think we've had enough small talk." She sternly replied. "What are you here?" Jon sighed. "Stannis Baratheon garrisoned at Castle Black before he marched on Winterfell and was killed. He showed me the letter you wrote to him when he petitioned for men. It said, 'Robb is gone, but House Stark is not. And it needs your support now more than ever.' I've come with Princess Visenya, whom I consider to be my sister, to ask for House Mormont's allegiance."
Lyanna turned to her maester and began to whisper to each other, making Davos hold his breath in worry that she will immediately deny it, and Jaime gently brush his left hand against Visenya's shoulder as he noticed she began to pick her cuticles again. Lyanna then turned back to Jon and Visenya.
"As far as I understand, you're a Snow and Princess Visenya is a Targaryen and an outsider. Or is she a Lannister?" She asked before gesturing to Jaime. "I've heard conflicting reports...and the fact that she brought her one-handed attack dog with her, confirms them." Visenya looked to Jaime and sighed before stepping forward. "I am a Targaryen, my Lady. I have always been a Targaryen. However, I consider Jon and the rest of the Starks as my family, as I was raised in the North. I may have been born in the South to a Southern family, but I consider myself more Northern than the rest of my family."
"If you say so." Lyanna shrugged. "In any case, you don't just want my allegiance. You want my fighting men."
Visenya turned her head to Jon, as she knew he'd take over. "Ramsay Bolton cannot be allowed to keep Winterfell, my lady." Jon began. "It is our duty to stop him. Even more so because he holds our brother Rickon Stark as prisoner. What you have to understand, my lady, is that- " I understand that I'm responsible for Bear Island and all who live here. So why should I sacrifice one more Mormont life for someone else's war?"
Jon turned to look at Visenya who let out a sigh, and in that moment, Davos stepped forward, tired of the banter and insults exchanged between both parties. "If it please, my lady, I understand how you feel." Davos explained. "I don't know you, Ser…?" Lyanna trailed off. "Davos, my lady, of House Seaworth." He said with a nod.
Lyanna looked to her maester, who nodded at her, before turning back to the group of people. "All right, Ser Davos of House Seaworth." She confirmed with a nod. "How is it you understand how I feel?" "You never thought you'd find yourself in your position. Being responsible for so many lives at such a young age. I never thought I'd be in my position." He explained. "I was a crabber's son, then I was a smuggler. And now I found myself addressing the lady of a great house in time of war. But I'm here because this isn't someone else's war. It's our war." "Go on, Ser Davos." Davos let out a sigh before continuing. "Your uncle, Lord Commander Mormont, made that man his steward. He chose Jon to be his successor because he knew had the courage to do what was right, even if it meant giving his life. Because Jeor Mormont and Jon Snow both understood that the real war isn't between a few squabbling houses. It's between the living and the dead. And make no mistake, my lady, the dead are coming." "Is this true?" Lyanna asked, turning her attention back to Jon and Visenya.
Jon and Visenya both nodded. "Your uncle fought them at the Fist of the First Men. I fought them at Hardhome. We both lost." Jon explained. "As long as the Boltons hold Winterfell, the North is divided. And a divided North won't stand a chance against the Night King. You want to protect your people, my lady. I understand. But there's no hiding from this. We have to fight and we need to do it together." Visenya began, taking over for Davos. "I know what it's like to loose your mother. I've lost two...I know what it's like to loose members of my family to war...but even in the worst times, I still fight for the future of my House. I may be a Targaryen...but my true family has been and will always be the Starks. I will not stand for Winterfell and the rest of Westeros be destroyed by an army of the dead."
Lyanna fell silent as her maester whispered in her ear, but eventually waved him off, as she had already made up her mind. "House Mormont has kept faith with House Stark for 1,000 years." She confirmed with a nod. "We will not break faith today."
A small smile appeared on Visenya's face as she turned to Jon.
He nodded. "Thank you, my lady. How many fighting men can we expect?"
Lyanna then leaned toward her military commander and began to whisper to each other, before they turned back to the party in front of them.
"62." She confirmed with a nod. "62?" Jaime questioned, thinking what she said was a joke. "We are not a large house, but we're a proud one." She began with pride. "And every man from Bear Island fights with the strength of 10 mainlanders." "If they're half as ferocious as their lady, the Boltons are doomed." Davos confirmed with a small smile making Lyanna smile and nod.
Satisfied with what they have done, and the fact that they rallied another house, once they reached the mainland, they headed toward Deepwood Motte, where House Glover was seated. Once again, the same individuals who stood in front of the Lady of Bear Island, were standing in front of Robett Glover, trying to persuade him to join their cause.
"The answer is no." Robett began. "Lord Glover, if you could just hear us out." Jon pleaded. "I've heard enough." The man immediately replied. "We've only just taken back this castle from the Ironborn. The Boltons helped us do it. Now you want me to fight against them? I could be skinned for even talking to you." "The Boltons are traitors. Roose Bolton-" Visenya began. "Have other northern houses pledged to fight for you?" Robett asked ignoring Visenya completely. "House Mormont." Jon sighed. "And?" "We sent raven to Houses Manderly-" The man scoffed in annoyance. "I don't care about ravens. You're asking me to join your army. Who is fighting in this army?" "The bulk of the force is made up of wildlings." Jon sighed making the man immediately laugh. "Then the rumors are true. I didn't dare believe them. I received you out of respect for your father."He began before turning to Visenya. "I'm surprised you had the stomach to bring the Dragon Queen along with you, considering she is an outsider of the North. Now I would like you to leave. House Glover will not abandon its ancestral home to fight alongside wildlings and a couple of dragons...led by a Targaryen and a bastard of all people." "Lord Glover." Jon pleaded. "There's nothing else to say." He explained as he started to walk away. "I would remind you that House Glover is pledged to House Stark. Sworn to answer when called upon." Visenya practically snapped at the man, making Jon glare at her, as the older man turned on his heel and walked up close to Visenya. "Yes, my family served House Stark for centuries." He began. "We wept when we heard of his death. When my brother was lord of this castle, he answered Robb's call and hailed him King in the North." He then took a closer step to Visenya. "And where was King Robb when the Ironborn attacked this castle? When they threw my wife and children in prison and brutalized and killed our subjects? Taking up with a foreign whore. Getting himself and those who followed him killed."
The man then looked to Jon and then back to Visenya.
"I served House Stark once, but House Stark is dead." He practically sneered at the girl, before he turned back around, climbed the stairs to a door, and walked through it, slamming it behind him. Visenya looked to Jon who shook his head in sorrow, sad to loose a house based on fear.
Once they were back on their horses, Visenya decided to make an executive decision.
"You should head North." She explained to Jon. "Mira, Jaime, Bronn, and I, can travel to Ironwrath and Highpoint to speak with House Forrester. I am certain they will be on our side, considering what I have done for them."
"Do you need more protection?" Jon asked gesturing to the four individuals.
"We have two knights, two fully grown adult dragons, and two of the most famed and dangerous swords in Westeros." Bronn explained before receiving a cough from Mira. He rolled his eyes before gesturing to Mira. "And we have Mira."
"Head to the encampment...and once House Forrester is sworn to work with us...we will head that way." Visenya explained with a smile. "Be careful, and I will see you soon."
Jon nodded. "And to you."
Each of them then rode off in different directions, with the hope they could secure the support of more houses to fight on the side of the living.
A/N:
Let me know if you have any questions, concerns, or ideas, and fill free to comment.