CHAPTER 6 – DANY

A few hours after she had left Jon Snow to his own devices, Daenerys stormed out of the Chamber of the Painted Table after having dismissed all of her allies. Allies who two weeks before had insisted that they would support any decisions she made. Yet as soon as she had started talking about the North, and began describing the creatures that had been spotted beyond the Wall, all had lost interest. Olenna Tyrell had just laughed, Ellaria Sand had deemed it an attempt for Jon to scaremonger them into leaving the Iron Throne alone, while Tyrion and Varys had tentatively mentioned a lack of proof. Yara Greyjoy had pointed out that her fleet of Ironborn would be of little use in such a fight. It had also been mentioned that perhaps the so-called King in the North should have been there at the meeting, if the threat was so imminent. None of them had taken her seriously.

Daenerys had to consider Jon himself. A whole mix of thoughts and feelings came to mind where the broody King in the North was concerned. She could not allow herself to forget that the man was technically her nephew and as such had a stronger claim to the Iron Throne than she did. But in just the few times she had spoken to Jon, she noticed the aura of reluctance that surrounded him. She could tell that this was a man who did not want to rule, who had found himself in power rather than striving for it. When she looked at him, she did not see competition for the throne. She saw the last surviving member of her family. She saw a fellow visionary who wanted to help people and do what was right. And Dany wanted to get to know him better.

What she couldn't understand or describe was how she had developed such a strong affinity for Jon so quickly. She felt more for him than was appropriate for a political ally, honoured guest or even long-lost relative. Dany admired him and wanted to be closer to him. Their familial ties did not worry her – after spending the majority of her childhood believing she would marry Viserys; the greater distance in relation was fine. She also remembered faintly that the Starks had intermarried, especially with cousins. Yet part of her knew that Jon would be bothered by finding out they were related. Daenerys knew she needed to tell him. Part of her wanted to wait for the right time, part of her, selfishly, wanted to wait for an alliance. There was also the issue of her current allies, as well as the threats in the North.

Needless to say there was a lot going on in her mind as she walked, speeding around her head at lightning pace. Indeed, Dany was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't register where she was going until she walked straight into someone.

Jon.

The King in the North held her at arm's length, studying her with an expression of concern.

"Are you alright, Your Grace?"

It took effort not to flush at their proximity.

"I'm fine," she started to say, but then shook her head as she realised the obviousness of the opposite. "I've got a lot on my mind."

Jon Snow smiled gently. "I can understand that." He nodded in the direction of where she had come, towards the Chamber of the Painted Table. "I take it things didn't go to plan."

Dany sighed in irritation. "Let's just say they do not believe in the threat you speak of."

Jon considered her carefully. "Do you?"

"I don't know," she murmured, truthfully.

He smiled at her. "To be honest, Your Grace, after our first meeting, I'm surprised you're even willing to consider it."

She smiled back, but without mirth. "Why else would you be here?" Irritation was rising again, and she did not want to take it out on Jon.

"Listen," he said softly, sensing the storm. "I know how you feel. I know what it's like to have people profess undying loyalty to you, only to then pick apart your next move."

She blinked, curiosity getting the better of her. "What did you do? After they picked it apart?"

He huffed out a chuckle. "I defied them anyway. I'm here, am I not?"

Dany thought for a moment. "You haven't been King in the North for long, then?"

He shook his head.

"Tyrion said you were in the Nights Watch," she said. "Is it true you were Lord Commander?"

He appeared uncomfortable, looking at his feet as he nodded. "Aye."

Courage and curiosity overtook her earlier annoyance. "How did you become a king?"

His demeanour didn't change. "It's a long story, Your Grace."

She stepped towards him. "I told you mine."

Jon stepped backwards, just as he had done in the cave, but met her eyes as he spoke. "And I'll tell you mine, I swear it. But not now. Not today. You've got enough on your mind already, Your Grace."

Dany nodded in defeat but straightened her posture. "Call me Daenerys."

He smiled and nodded, then made to leave her.

"Wait," she called after him. "There's to be another meeting tomorrow. Be there – please."

He nodded in assent and continued on his way.

Dany carried on walking in the opposite direction, feeling a sudden urge to get some air. As she arrived outside and made towards the top of the steps, she encountered the Red Priestess, Melisandre. She was swaddled in a thicker cloak, with a matching red headscarf, and appeared very wary.

"Daenerys Jelmazmo," she greeted. "I am leaving for Volantis now. I wanted to thank you for your hospitality, and for following my advice."

"You are welcome," Dany replied, slightly taken aback by the suddenness of the address. After a few seconds, she found her voice. "You asked me to summon Jon Snow and I did… yet I can't help wondering why you haven't met with him. He has been here for two days."

Melisandre cast another vigilant look behind Dany before answering, with a lowered voice. "I will be honest with you," she said, "I did not part on good terms with the King in the North." She looked carefully around herself as well. "Nor his adviser."

"Ser Davos?" Daenerys said with surprise. While slightly brash during their first meeting, she thought Jon's Hand relatively mild-mannered.

The Red Priestess only grimaced in response.

Dany took a step closer. "Why?"

She lowered her gaze. "Because of mistakes I made. Terrible mistakes." Instead of elaborating, she recovered herself. "I thank you again, Daenerys Stormborn."

Dany nodded. "Safe travels. Farewell."

Melisandre gave her a searching look. "We will meet again," she said simply, and then she was gone.

Even more bewildered by this point, Daenerys made her way around the castle onto the cliffs, to overlook the sea. Finally, peace overtook her as she stared into the horizon, the wind in her hair, sun on her face. The smell of the sea air enveloped her senses like an embrace. The silhouettes of the three dragons were just visible, and Dany watched them swirl and dive for a while. For a while, she could shrug off the titles and just be Dany – a rare treat in these times.

But this was only to be for a while. This time it was a group of Dothraki who approached her where she stood. As two of the men at the front parted as they got close to her, Dany spotted a dark-cloaked figure. Jorah Mormont. She broke into a wide grin.

"This man says he is your friend, Khaleesi," one of the Dothraki intoned in his native language.

"He is my friend," she replied similarly, smiling as the group nodded to one another and departed, leaving her alone with Jorah on the cliff.

"Your Grace," he said immediately, bending the knee before standing again to look her in the eye. Ser Jorah was slimmer than he had been when she last saw him, especially thinner in the face, yet there was no denying it was him.

"You look strong," she told him, as they started to walk slowly along the cliff edge. "I'm guessing you found the cure?"

He smiled slightly at that. "I wouldn't be here if I hadn't. I return to your service, my Queen. If you'll have me."

Dany grinned at him again. "It would be my honour." She hugged him. "Welcome to Dragonstone, Ser Jorah."

"I see you've found yourself many allies already," he said with pride, gesturing in the direction of the beach, where many of the flagships were docked. "The Tyrells, the Greyjoys, the Dornish... and was that a Red Priestess I just saw you with?"

She nodded. "Melisandre has just left. Her fellow Lord of Light worshippers helped to bring peace to Meereen, so I have said any are welcome here." She paused. "Though I cannot help but be wary… their powers…" Dany didn't know how best to put it into words, the unease she had felt. Wariness at how much the Red Woman knew, about the past and the future, what else she knew and had not divulged. The way Dany felt as if Melisandre could see right through her, read her mind, know her thoughts. It was… weird.

"I know what you mean," the knight said darkly. "I've encountered a fair few in my lifetime, and it doesn't get easier." He frowned as they walked. "I must say, Khaleesi, I was very surprised to see a Stark banner on the waters. I did not think the North would vouch for your claim, especially not so soon."

Dany grimaced, knowing this would come up eventually. "They haven't," she said softly. She pondered whether to tell Jorah the truth she had found out about Jon, then thought better of it. "Jon Snow and his men are simply honoured guests here." They turned a bend as they walked, now back towards the castle. "He is also calling himself King in the North." She watched the knight's face as he processed this.

"Ned Stark's bastard son?" he said to begin with, and Dany silently bit back the urge to correct him. "I heard many years ago that his eldest, Robb Stark, had been named King. I also heard he was murdered under guest right at a wedding."

She frowned. Tyrion had told her as much, during one of his many evening-time drunken ramblings at sea, on route to Dragonstone.

"King Jon, though?" Jorah continued. He looked over at her. "What do you think of the title? Of him?"

"I don't know," she confessed honestly. "He seems to be a good man. Honourable, just, strong. Reluctant to lead, yet capable…"

Ser Jorah pressed her. "But…?"

Dany sighed. "I don't know. Nobody else here takes him seriously. I've been chastised for not punishing him for refusing to join my cause. Everyone else seems to think I'm naïve, or just plain stupid, for even considering the possibility of the threats he speaks of North of the Wall."

He stopped walking. "North of the Wall?"

She sighed again. "Night Kings, and White Walkers. The dead, he says. The whole North is rising, ready to fight them."

Jorah looked very severe. "Really?"

She nodded. "Apparently so, and that's why he refuses to bend the knee or join the fight here. I believe he intends to mine enough dragonglass – that can be forged into weapons that destroy them – and then be on his way back to Winterfell."

"The man who cured me of my greyscale was a member of the Night's Watch," Jorah told her. "Training to be the next Maester at Castle Black. He would have known if the threat were real, but I only thought to ask after you." He paused. "My late father was Lord Commander. Were he alive, I could have sent a raven for confirmation."

"Jon Snow was Lord Commander of the Night's Watch too," Dany mused. "He must have succeeded your father."

Jorah frowned. "Lord Commander? Then how come…?" he trailed off. "I don't suppose it matters. But if I can advise you on one thing, Khaleesi, let it be this. If the issue is so serious that Ned Stark's son has come all the way here to seek your help, the threat he speaks of should not merely be taken with a pinch of salt."

Dany nodded seriously, feeling a sudden chill. "I told him I wanted to help, but take the Iron Throne first so that I have the power to command more forces. The rest of my allies do not believe in the threat at all, so I doubt they would want to join the fight." She shivered as they made their way towards the castle. "There is to be another meeting about it tomorrow." She smiled at him. "And besides, you need to rest."

She handed him over to a group of Dothraki women, with instructions for the provision of food, a bath and a room. Then she made her way to her own chamber, deciding she had officially had enough for one day.

A/N: Wow, it's been a while! There's a million-and-one reasons I decided to take a break from writing, but I am happy to say I'm back now! Thank you all so much for your support for my stories, and the messages and reviews you left in my absence.

I hope you like this chapter; the next one will also be in Daenerys' POV.

Thanks for reading – don't forget to review. Until next time (which won't be anywhere near as far off!) :)