The Conquest

Mounds of green stood tall, surrounding the impressive fortress at the top of the snaking path. In all his years, Jon had never seen a place like this where green and gold met with such beauty. The lush greenery seemed to pour down from the hills in a rush to meet with the warm, soft sands of the shores. He watched his men, or, perhaps it was more accurate to refer to them as Daenerys' men mine the dragon glass from beneath the mounds of land. He had noticed a seriousness befall the place since the dawn. He assumed it had something to do with the Queen's attack on Casterly Rock.
Jon let his feet lead the way as he watched swathes of the Unsullied rush to and forth. War was afoot to say the least.

"I wouldn't if I were you." Davos' voice warned, it was only then that Jon realised his steps had led him to a small door at the side of the fortress. He believed it led to the baths. Sir Davos was slumped on a rock to the left of the door.

"We're not prisoners." Jon shrugged.
"We will be if we pry."
Jon frowned, he was not prying. If anything he was just taking a stroll around the grounds.
"Has there been any word from Sansa?"

Sir Davos shook his head. The news intensified a slow growing sense of dread which slithered through Jon's veins. He had left his sister with Littlefinger. The thought of the man made him squirm with repulsion.

Jon pushed open the side door to the baths. The door let out a resonating groan. Jon stepped into the cool baths and was immediately met by the vision of Danaerys in the baths. She seemed unbothered by the intrusion, her army however jabbed their spears into Jon's face. Jon's cheeks reddened. He turned away.

"Forgive me, Queen."

He kept his gaze low, unaware the Mother of Dragons was eyeing his chivalry with bemusement. Any other man would have looked much longer. She held up a hand and her guards lowered their spears. Jon stepped back outside, the cool breeze soothed his burning cheeks.

Davos chuckled.
"I tried to warn you."
Jon threw him a silencing glare.
"Are you blushing?" Davos teased, Jon scowled at Davos. Angry at himself for being so transparent, but angrier at Davos for taunting him. The door groaned open for a second time.
"You could have said some thing!" Jon scolded Davos in a hushed voice.
"I did!" Davos smirked. "She's unmarried, if you were wondering."
"I wasn't." Jon bit back.
"Charming." Daenerys's voice chimed with a hint of amusement. Mustering his courage, Jon turned on his heel to face her. She stood before him with wet blond locks, and long a navy gown that made her blue marble-like eyes seem like an endless sea.

Jon tore his eyes away from her and settled them on the ground. He had never, in a million years thought the Mother of Dragons would be a beautiful woman like her. Nor had he imagined her to be as smart as she was.
"Walk with me." Daenerys said as she strolled along the path. Jon watched her lead the way. "I wasn't asking."
He didn't notice the small smile on her lips, nor did he notice the silent curiosity she regarded him with. He was too busy staring at his boots. He hadn't felt like this in a long time, in fact, he hadn't felt anything but anger in a long time.

"Queen, I regard you with the utmost respect. Again I request you forgive me."
"Will you bend at the knee?"
"Then I much prefer this be settled by getting even rather than forgiven."
Jon's mouth hung open for a beat before he realised she was playing with him.
"For a King you're quick to blush."
"I'm not blushing…" Jon objected, "I'm warm here. It's warm." He asserted as they walked along the path. He glanced at her, a smile tugged at the corner of her lips. Jon returned his gaze to the ground as they paced.
"You received some bad news?" Jon asked, tentative not to over step.
Daenerys remained stoic, refusing to give anything away.
"How many men did you lose?"
"Enough." She answered.
"There you are!" Tyrion's voice shot from the top of the path. Jon looked up to see the only Lannister he could tolerate bounding toward them. He noticed Daenerys grow rigid. Something had gone wrong with their plans to take Casterly Rock.
Tyrion paused then narrowed his eyes at Jon then looked at Daenerys.
"You're returning from the baths."
Neither Jon or Daenerys addressed the sentence.
"I was just—"
"—Sightseeing." Daenerys finished for him. Tyrion gave Jon a curious look, sensing something awry but he knew his place and it wasn't to ask. Not just yet.
"Hmm. What did you think?" Tyrion asked turning to the dipping valleys around them flowing with lush greens. Daenerys fought back a smile as a deep red bloomed across Jon's cheeks.
"Men from all across the kingdom bow down to its astonishing beauty." Tyrion explained as he eyed the coast.
"I can see why." Jon said.
"Could you excuse us?" Tyrion asked Jon. Daenerys looked to Jon.
"He can stay if he wishes."

Jon remained silent for the discussion and allowed Tyrion to suggest his schemes and watched Daenerys bat them down. They were blindsided by an attack on Braavos in which the Lannisters had seized Highgarden. Daenerys discussed the entire matter with an air of disdain, it wasn't until Tyrion mentioned the fatal poisoning of Olenna Tyrell that Daenerys looked concerned.
"She was a good woman. Strong. May she rest in peace." Tyrion sighed with a mournful expression.
"You are my hand, Tyrion. I would hate to think you are blinded by your hatred of Cersei to such an extent that it is influencing your ability to advise."
"My Queen, no matter how well I know my sister, I did not foresee this. For that, I ask for your forgiveness."

The Mother of Dragons scoffed and looked at both men. "Why do men always err then ask for forgiveness? Why not err in the first place?"
Tyrion and Jon both opened their mouths to answer, but Daenerys didn't wait for their response. She continued, her frustration simmered as she spoke.
"We lost an ally and an army. The same ally who told me not to have mercy."
Tyrion frowned as he realised what troubled his Queen.
"This isn't your fault—"
"It is. We should have foreseen this. If you'll excuse me, I'd quite like to be alone."
Tyrion nodded his head and stepped back. He gave Jon a pointed look. Jon bowed his head and joined Tyrion in watching the Queen walk away.
"She's mad at me." Tyrion winced.
"No she isn't. She mourns for Lady Tyrell."
"And her lost army."
Jon looked at Tyrion, Tyrion shrugged.
"Jon Snow, if you're fooled by those pretty eyes and that beauty, then you know nothing." Jon furrowed his brow at Tyrion. "My Queen is a lot more than looks. She's got the heart of a warrior, and the mind of one. Believe me when I tell you, she mourns more for the defeat in warfare than for the loss of Lady Tyrell."
Jon bit his tongue. Tyrion was her hand afterall, he knew her better than Jon did.
"I should get back to mining."
"Yes, go mine for your mythological weapon against the mythological evil while my Queen and I try to salvage our defeat against a very real evil."
"Your ill-planning is not my problem." Jon declared. Tyrion rolled his eyes.
"I need a drink. Maybe four." The Lannister muttered and walked away.

Jon stepped out of the bath and pulled on a robe.
"So it's true." Daenerys said. Jon spun round to face her. He hadn't noticed the intrusion, nor did he welcome it.
"You took a dagger to the heart."
She stepped closer to him, eyeing his scar with the interest of a child with a toy. Jon stepped back.
"My condolences for Lady Tyrell."
Daenerys's eyes snapped from the scar on Jon's chest to his warm brown eyes. Her eyes searched his for something. There was an edge to them, something just beyond his grasp, she had a fire in them.
"Tyrion said you're more upset about losing her army."
"And you want to know if it's true." She studied him. Water dripped from his chin, he brushed it aside and held her gaze. She circled him slowly and tilted her head at him. The pair seemed lock in a battle of wits, trying to learn each other as one learns a dance.
"What do you think?" She asked.
"I think Lady Tyrell struck a nerve with you, and you mourn her. Outside of that, all is fair in love and war."
"'You're a dragon. Be a dragon'." Daenerys repeated Lady Olenna Tryell's words to Jon, he wore a grave expression on his face.
"I decided not to be a dragon, and it got her killed."
Jon nodded. "And if you had, you would be as bad as Cersei, or worse. People would bend at the knee from fear, not love."
Daenerys looked at him, with surprise.

"Love?"
"I've seen how the people here regard you. Love, respect, admiration and honour." Jon said.
"You're trying to make me feel better. I appreciate it, but I don't feel much anymore, Jon Snow."
Jon smiled dryly.
"You're not alone when it comes to that."
There was something about his wording that struck a chord with her. She was beginning to grow fond of Jon Snow.
"Good night, Jon Snow."
"Good night, Queen."
"-Daenerys." She said. Jon nodded politely. She looked him up and down.
"Oh and Jon? Now we're even." She gave him a mischievous smile and walked out of the bath. Jon felt a bemused smile spread across his lips as a familiar blush crept across his cheeks. He shook his head as he gathered his clothes and headed up to his chambers.
The King of the North and the Mother of Dragons? He scoffed, fire and ice? No chance.
As Daenerys reached the door to her chambers, she noticed Tyrion drunkenly staggering through the halls.
"My Queen, I bid you good night. Tomorrows will be a better day." He promised.
"Good night, Tyrion."
Tyrion opened his mouth to speak, then looked as though he had changed his mind. He turned to leave but then suddenly turned back.
"My Queen…" He held up a single finger. "I think he likes you."
"Who?" Daenerys asked, feigning ignorance.
"Snow. He just doesn't know yet."
"Do not be ridiculous. He is barely an ally, if even that. Good night Tyrion." Daenerys said and hurried into her chambers. She pulled the doors shut and slumped onto the bed. She had spent so long allowing herself to only feel desire and attraction, that the softness she felt toward Jon Snow was entirely alien to her. It scared her. It was a matter requiring more attention than she had available. She pushed the thoughts of Jon out of her mind, but did make the intention to reciprocate the same respect he treated her with. Maybe the King of the North was worthy of being a King after all.