Bastard of Winterfell

Jon's gaze reached up to the top of the wall, where he could see men in cloaks, but little else from the ground.

He stood alone from the thousands of wildlings grouped behind him, making it clear to his brothers that he's alive and well.

They better open the bloody gate.

Jon took a glance behind him. The first group was made up of spear wives and children. His gaze returned to the Wall.

No time to spare, ninety thousand need to settle south of the Wall, in just three days.

More minutes passed and Jon's ire grew with it.

A fierce, feminine voice broke the tension. "What's taking them, crow?"

Jon turned around to find a woman stepping forward. She stuck out with her blonde hair and fair face.

Her name, Val was it? Hard to remember them all, so much happened since last night.

"They'll open it, no need to fret." She hardly seemed convinced, but she backed up anyways.

He turned out to be half right. As the gate opened, men on horseback emerged and pressed forward. Some were holding Stag banners.

Baratheon banners? Joffrey's men? Or are they for Stannis?

Jon heard the free folk growing restless behind him. Jon turned his head and raised his voice.

"Stay calm! Let me speak to them." Jon took several steps forward before the horses reached him.

Three riders emerged out in front. A woman dressed in red from head to toe. A bearded man dressed in a simple brown and green garb. And an aging man with a receding hairline and uncompromising glower.

"Jon Snow, is it?"

"It is. Who's asking?"

The plainly dressed man spoke up, "This here is Stannis Baratheon, the one true King of the Seven Kingdoms."

A King? Seven Hells.

Jon swallowed before speaking up. "My apologies, your grace. May I ask why you're here?"

"There's a King beyond the Wall, threatening my realm. I've been called to quash this threat once and for all." Stannis glanced in the Red Woman's direction. Jon's eyed followed to meet hers. Her gaze was piercing right through him.

Not good. None of this is. Jon took another quick glance behind him. The free folk have not moved an inch. Thank the gods they're out of hearing distance.

"Your grace, did those within Castle Black fill you in on our recent decision?"

"They did. I was surprised to hear a son of Ned Stark is responsible for such a cowardly and dishonorable proposal."

Jon bristled at those words. "Call it what you will, your grace. But you have not seen what we have seen. This is all to help protect the realm from an even greater danger."

"Greater danger? Greater than the King beyond the wall?" The red woman beckoned her horse to take a step forward, her face shining with curiosity.

"Aye, my lady. Far greater. An army of dead men further north. Led by White Walkers."

"They have already gathered? So soon?" Jon blinked. She believes me?

"…They have. It is why the free folk have banded together. To escape south and survive the coming storm."

"Or so they told you. Why are you placing your trust in savages?" This king is no fan of wildlings.

Jon shook his head. "I don't have to. I have seen dead men and a walker with mine own eyes. And I am not the only brother who has." Stannis started grinding his teeth as Jon finished speaking.

"Melisandre, your visions showed living savages fall. Not dead men, correct?"

Visions?

"Yes, your grace. Wildling blood must be spilt before Bolton banners fall in Winterfell. You are the prince that was promised, but it is not yet time to lead the fight against the Long Night."

Of all the reinforcements, we get a king following the crazy whims of some red witch.

"The Boltons are next on my list. And if Wildling blood must first be spilt, then it will." Jon's blood went cold.

Will there be a fight? Right here? Only seems to be a hundred or so men on horseback behind them.

"Forgive me, your grace, but how many men did you bring to accomplish this task?"

The King's facial features tightened at the question. "More will come each day. The Iron Bank's cowardice will not be enough to stop us. At the very least, one northern lord knew his place. It may take several trips, but my full army will be here by the next full moon."

"If I may ask, how many are here so far?"

"Five hundred is enough to hold the Wall for now."

Five hundred more on the Wall. If our truce breaks now, there will be a bloodbath on both sides. Just another win for the dead.

"So, you will be defending? Not attacking?" Stannis frowned.

"For now, but if a few weeks pass and the savages still persist, I will send out what I have."

"How many are in your army, your grace? Ten thousand? Less?"

"Fewer."

"…"

"Five thousand is all I need to bring this savage King to his knees and to send the rest of them fleeing like the craven they are."

"There will be blood on both sides, your army will suff-."

"No matter. Wildling blood, then Bolton banners fall, this is certain."

His mind is set. Jon's stomach fell before swallowing to quell the lump in his throat.

"Understood, your grace. And I take it you want me to deal with the group behind me?"

"We came here to bring you back alone. The group behind you hardly matters. The gate can close before they could get within five hundred feet of it."

That would mark the end of the truce. Mance's words came to mind. "Right now, Jon Snow, you and the dead are on the same side"

Jon grit his teeth.

"I am grateful, your grace. But like my father, I cannot go back on my word. I promised safe passage, and now there is none. I will let the free folk decide my fate."

The man in the green rags bristled at this, "Do not be a fool. They will take their anger out on you. Skinned alive most likely. There cannot be a more pointless death."

"Aye, it is pointless. But all the same, I cannot go back on my word." At least, not again.

Stannis sniffed in distaste. "So be it, boy. If you have a chance, shove your sword in that Wildling King's gut. Make your death worth something." And with that, he turned his steed back. The man in rags muttered something under his breath as he moved to follow.

All turned back. All but the red witch. Her stare was somehow more unsettling than before.

"The Lord of Light is not yet done with you, Jon Snow. We will meet again."

"Forgive me if I don't look forward to that." She let a smile grace her lips before turning to catch up.

Now what?

"What took you all so bloody long? Getting stiff standing still out here."

Jon nearly jumped out of his skin. The blonde woman was just a few feet away now. Jon gave her a disparaging look, but his face quickly grew solemn.

"Things have changed." Val scowled at that.

"How so, crow?"

"A southern king has arrived to defend the Wall unannounced. So things have changed." The wildling's face grew furious as she gripped the spear on her back.

"You bloody fucking cheat. You planned this, didn't you? We could have had Castle Black by last night, but you stalled us!"

What?

"Now hold on-."

"We were fools to trust a crow!" By this point her spear was pointed at his throat, and several other free folk were fast approaching.

"Wait one-"

Val twisted her spear and jabbed straight at his shin. Jon gasped as he fell to his knees. Blood stained the snow beneath him. Words won't work here.

Thank the gods Ghost is still hunting. If he was here, I would be fearing for his life.

Jon looked up, expecting more fury from the woman, but he saw something else entirely. He's seen a face like this before, how could he forget?

Hurt. She feels hurt. She feels betrayed. More footsteps drew near.

But the fault is not mine. How could I have known this would happen? I could never.

Even so, Jon felt sick to his stomach. Unbidden memories came to mind. "Don't ever betray me."

Have I been cursed by those words?

Something heavy struck his head. Then Jon felt nothing at all.

Mother of Dragons

"You know I make you happy." Has he? Pleasant banter to lighten my days. Fearlessly fighting at my behest. A body to warm my bed. Yes, in his own way, he has.

But it's different. Not like before. I know what love is, I felt it with Drogo. I should not have, with how our marriage began. But all the same, I loved him by the end. Daenerys broke out of her thoughts as she noticed her loyal mercenary waiting for her answer.

"If I am going to rule in Westeros, alliances are key. The best way to forge alliances is through marriage." Daario sniffed at that.

"You think you need marriage to forge alliances? You're a dragon queen. A dragon queen with a rightful name and powerful armies at her back. They will know a losing side when they see one."

The sellsword graced his hand near her face, pushing a stray strand of hair back into place, grinning all the while. "You are not that losing side." The corners of her mouth turned up. Always the charmer.

"Perhaps, but fear only gets a ruler so far." Daario stayed close as he shook his head. Too close.

"With dragons, there's an exception. Your family's history is well known. As long as they had dragons, they had little trouble ruling however they pleased." Yes, and without them, we are nothing special. Dany shook herself from these thoughts, before any more doubt creeped in.

"My children are still young, and Drogon is still lost to me." She swallowed before continuing. "If I am going to conquer my homeland now, I cannot rely on them so heavily."

"Your dragons will grow fast as we sail east. Feed them well and two will be more than enough. Besides, you underestimate the reputations of your armies. The Unsullied alone are fearsome foes, and my men are surely nothing to scoff at." Yes, our armies are powerful, but even still.

"Fear can work both ways, Daario. Our foreign armies might manage to unite the realm against us. I will not take that chance." The sellsword's smile left his face before moving back. A sigh left his lips before continuing.

"So who will be the lucky noble husband at the end of this alliance?"

"I do not know, maybe no one."

"But you need to lure the noble houses to the table? Are you a queen or fishbait?" Dany shot him a look of disbelief.

"I cannot have a lover and forge alliances at the same time. Putting marriage aside, lords, ladies, even the common folk will lose respect for a queen fooling around during her conquest."

"They can all go fuck themselves." Dany blinked at this. Her sellsword reeled himself in before continuing.

"If you were a king, they wouldn't think twice about it."

"So that is what you want? To be my mistress."

"I care little for what perfumed aristocrat sits beside you in the throne room. I do not want a crown. I want you." Daario grabbed her hand and interlaced hers with his.

"Let me stay by your side." He let a small smile grace his lips. "You know I can be discreet when I want to be. No one will know, not unless you want them to." He's fallen for me, hasn't he? Guilt creeped into Dany's consciousness. She reached out and laid a hand on his face before giving him her answer.

"I cannot." Daario's smile slipped once more. He pulled his hand away as he moved to stand up. His jaw visibly tightened.

"Guess your mind is long made up." That would be right. She shifted uncomfortably in her seat, which Daario gave notice to. He plastered a smile on his face.

"Do not worry, I'm not angry. Just full of self pity! Who comes after you? Who can ever follow the dragon queen herself?" Dragon queen. That's all I ever was. Danaerys let out a sigh.

"A man like yourself should have no problem finding another." Daario kept quiet after that. That's a first. Daenerys continued on.

"Not long ago, you pledged to me your life and your sword. Does that still hold true?" Daario sent her a weary glance before nodding.

"I would still like you to fight alongside me. I appreciate your council as well as your fearlessness in battle." Daario smiled ruefully as she finished.

"Don't know how the old Bear did it." Dany stiffened at the reminder of her old friend. A friend that betrayed my trust. She diverted her thoughts before they wandered to a darker place.

"So that pledge was conditional? To stay loyal as long as I lay with you?" This time Daario was the one to stiffen up. Daenerys continued.

"If that is not the case, then I ask you, once again, to fight by my side. And do not forget, I will generously reward those that fight in my name." A long pause met her words.

"...I will help you get your throne back. But after that, I ask you allow me to renege on my pledge. Sellswords like myself are more suited for conquering, not keeping peace." Dany felt disappointment sweep through her before nodding her head.

"...Very well."

"We will take the throne, I'm sure of it. I hope it brings you happiness."

Of course it will, I was born to rule. This is what I was meant to do. But her own reassurances did nothing to soothe the sudden tightening she felt in her gut.

Of course it will make me happy... Of course it will..

Bastard of Winterfell

It hurts.

"-own soft on this boy, Mance. The tribes want blood."

"We wait until we hear his side. He could have fled, but he chose to stay."

My head, it hurts.

"..He's up."

Jon eyes opened. Everything is blurry. Jon moved to sit up, but a hand pushed at his chest.

"Stay down." The hand did not move until Jon relaxed and closed his eyes.

Half a minute passed before anyone spoke. Jon's head throbbed through that time.

"You back yet?" Jon moved to open his eyes. Still blurry, but he could make out Mance and Tormund leering over him.

"…Yes."

"Why did you stay?" It took a moment for Jon to understand what Mance meant.

"I made a promise."

"Aye, and now that promise will never come true. Not with that new army coming to save the day. There's no way out but through blood and death."

Wildling blood. Then Bolton banners fall. Why did that come to mind-

Jon froze in place.

"It doesn't have to be that way."

"How's that? You got an army south of the wall, and they sent our group back. Seems their choice is clear."

"We bargain with Stannis."

"Stannis? That the King with the army?"

"Aye." Tormund cut in before Jon could say more.

"The hell do you mean by bargain? Is that not what happened the other day?"

"A new bargain. Just this time, there will be more fighting."

Mance's eyes flared in anger.

"What are you getting at?"

"This new King plans to fight the Warden of the North. To take Winterfell."

"…You want us to fight for him."

"Aye."

Tormund grabbed Jon's shoulder, "That hit to your head must have knocked out any sense left in you. We are free folk. We do not kneel." Jon shrugged the hand off.

"There is no need to kneel. This is no different from before. You were still going to fight the dead with us."

"No, it is different and you know it." Jon paid this no mind.

"It is not different. Southerners were always going to be a threat. There was no guarantee they would listen to Night's Watch pleas to stand down against wildlings settling south. No lord or king believes in white walkers. No one but Stannis."

"If he believes in the dead army, why is that cunt worried about some Winterfell?"

"He has some witch whispering in his ear. He wants to fight the dead, but he is following her visions to get there."

"So Winterfell is one of those visions?"

"Aye, and if we help him in his battle, that works for another one of the visions."

"Fighting for a southern king still sounds a lot like kneeling to me."

"You would fight with a southern king. Not for one. It is just another alliance. And once this warden is dead and gone, your stay south would be that much safer."

Mance finally broke his silence. "How do you know this Stannis will agree to your deal? Does he even need our help?"

"He will need help. Winterfell is nigh impregnable when properly manned, I would know. Winter is nearly here, his only hope alone is a long siege, but they would freeze or starve before their foe would." Jon paused before continuing.

"I saw one of your giants lift the Wall's gate like it was nothing. Winterfell's gate could not survive a siege with giants."

Several moments passed between the three. The air was tense with uncertainty. Was that enough? Was I making any sense at all?

Mance was the first to break the silence.

"So, once again, it comes down to convincing the clans." Tormund looked at Mance with questioning eyes, which he returned with a small shrug, then a long sigh.

"You really make my life tiresome, Jon Snow."

Mance wiped the blood from his fists as he walked away from the Lord of Bones.

Guess you can't be a slouch at fighting if you want to be King Beyond the Wall. Violence must be the only way to get these fuckers to listen.

Jon felt glad he chose to keep his distance this time. After Stannis, trust for crows was at a new low. Not to mention the pain in his right leg. Fighting would be rather difficult.

Jon heard dead leaves crunch behind him.

"Mance might trust you, but I know better." Val. Jon's leg pain grew worse.

"This is your people's best chance at living."

"So you say. Could also be a trap you set up to finish us off." Jon snorted at this.

"Letting you group up south of the Wall. Brilliant trap, indeed."

"Laugh it off all you want, crow." Jon felt her spear poke his side.

"But if you give me one more reason not to trust you, my spear won't be as nice as before." Jon turned to look at her. Faint moonlight was streaming through the trees, turning her hair pale silver.

Pretty. But Jon felt no less empty for noticing. He gave her a sad smile.

"I wouldn't blame you."

Sunlight streamed above as he stopped just meters from the gate. They took no time to open. Of course, now that I come alone.

Jon limped into the icy passage. He did not get far before being met with an embrace. Sam.

"Thank the gods, Jon. You're alive!" Jon smiled despite himself.

"Good to see you, Sam." The embrace quickly changed as his best friend moved to grasp his shoulders, hard.

"What were you thinking, staying behind?" Jon blinked at this.

"You sound like a worried mum."

"Oh very funny. How could I not be worried! We lost enough brothers just a few days back. If we lost you, over such a stubborn reason as a broken promise, I-" Jon cut him off.

"Wasn't just the promise, Sam. We can salvage the truce. I just need to talk to Stannis." Sam gave him a baffling look. The portly brother lowered his voice so only Jon could hear.

"Salvage the truce? Forgive me, Jon but I don't see how that's possible."

"It's possible. I have a plan. Do you trust me, Sam?" The portly brother paused before nodding several times. Jon gave him a tired smile.

"I must speak with the King."