With the departure of the northern delegation, most of the nobles that had not been given an official function in King's Landing had returned to their lands. The royal court settled into a routine. The small council concentrated on domestic affairs for a while and many economic and trade issues were resolved. While they counted the days until news from the Stormlands would arrive, unexpected tidings came from the Vale. Lord Royce wrote that Lord Robin of House Arryn was very sick and Lady Arryn was losing her senses for real this time. They had to double the guards to protect the little Lord since his mother was raving about flying out of the moon door with him so they could be together forever. Lord Royce had stopped bringing the little Lord up to the Eyrie for visits with his mother. He wrote that his wife had grown fond of the boy and they had taken Robin to live with them at Runestone for now. He needed the King to confirm that these actions met with royal approval. His wife was confident that the sea air would benefit the heir to the Vale greatly. Two days later, a raven arrived that Lord Royce had needed to use violence to put down a revolt of a few minor Lords accusing him of foul play when Lady Arryn had been found dead in her bath tub with two cut wrists. Jon sent his unconditional support to Lord Royce and also the Crown's best wishes for a swift recovery for Lord Arryn. He would not send a royal emissary to the Vale for now but would send support if Lord Royce still had trouble maintaining order in two moons' time. Only if Lord Royce explicitly requested it, would the Crown intervene in the domestic affairs of the Vale.
Gendry was working a few days every sennight in the forge and kept the building under lock and key. The first time that the dragons needed to heat the fires, they had done so at night after everyone had gone to bed. However, a few servants had noticed anyway, and word had spread that they were experimenting to make stronger steel with dragonfire. Varys manipulated the rumours so consensus was that they were making large super strong catapults to put on the walls of the city to defend King's Landing from a possible attack by hostile forces led by Lord Stannis Baratheon. It had the extra benefit that this helped reassure the people that their new King was going to protect them while hiding the main purpose of the renovated forge at the same time. For now, nobody suspected that they were on the brink of forging the first new Valyrian steel weapons in centuries. Gendry however had considered the ruse an extra challenge and was forging the iron parts for two large catapults from a batch of normal steel and if it was up to him, before the moon was out, two large catapults would be ready to be mounted very visibly on the two corners of the defensive wall that separated the Red Keep from the city.
A few days later, Varys warned King Aegon that Tobho Mott had voiced his suspicions discreetly seeking out Varys personally and Gendry received permission to invite his old mentor to inspect the renovated forge and disclose what they were doing. When Tobho Mott had recovered sufficiently from the shock that his former apprentice was a legitimized high Lord, the master was awed when he was allowed to witness the second time that the dragons melted the mix of steel and dragonglass. He had expressed his regret that he still needed to attend to his own workshop, otherwise he would have offered his services on the spot. Afterward Gendry had discussed this with Jon. Jon had cautioned him that it would only draw more attention to his secret activities if Tobho Mott suddenly closed his famed workshop without any forewarning to assist a young smith in King's Landing. Perhaps they could find a compromise in the foreseeable future but for now all had to stay as it was.
The next day the small council had to deal with attacks on caravans distributing food to the city and a minor outbreak of red fever in Fleabottom. But all this did not prevent Jon from anxiously awaiting an official declaration from Lord Stannis of House Baratheon.
Dany had her task cut out tonight to get Jon to relax before they retired from their sofa to the large bed. He had apologised twice already when she complained once again that he was not paying her due attention, admitting that his mind was occupied with other things. As he mentioned that he suffered from a headache, she started to massage his temples. "Perhaps you should shorten your sessions with Bran." She ventured. "Contacting him every other day would probably be productive enough."
"Perhaps," he hesitated. "I know I kept our link open too long today and that is why my head aches but you see, my cousin had some crucial things to impart."
"Why didn't you lead with that instead of letting me talk about small matters? No wonder you were not paying attention. Can you tell me what news Bran shared with you?"
"I enjoyed listening to your voice. Even if I didn't pay attention to the actual words, it was soothing and that way I had extra time to figure out whether what my cousin relayed to me was good or bad news. I am leaning toward good news though. You might even consider it great news."
She stopped massaging his temples and looked a bit put out when he did not continue. "Do you need me to beg?"
He startled. "No, of course not! I just needed a bit more time. You know me, Dany. I will not keep anything from you unless it would break a vow. Let me start with the practical piece of information that my cousin told me." Jon collected his thoughts. For a sennight now, he and Bran had attempted to connect regularly by warging with their respective direwolves and making use of the bond these animals shared. It had been difficult at first, at least at Jon's end. Warging into Ghost was second nature but keeping a connection open to Summer who was travelling further away each day and sharing thoughts to and from was a different exercise altogether. They had lost their connection more than once in the middle of their first sessions but after a sennight he had been getting better at it. Still it asked a substantial mental effort and he was dreading the moment that Bran would disappear behind the magical barrier of the great wall of ice. Lord Reed had warned them that if not the ever growing distance between the wolves would put an end to this manner of communication, then chances were that the magic embedded in the Wall would prove to be too much of an obstacle.
"Bran warned me that he had a vision regarding the Red Priestess, who as you know is presumed to be in hiding somewhere in the Stormlands. He believes that she has a role to play in the Great War. He urged me to make sure that she survives the clash with Stannis Baratheon." He tugged Dany closer to his side when he felt her startle and he immediately knew why. "Yeah, my cousin is certain there will be a clash. So much for our hopes of a diplomatic solution."
Dany stayed still, her eyes begging him to continue. She was clearly eager for him to reveal the good news that had gotten him so distracted. Jon gave in to her silent plea. "Another vision featured you though." He took her hand to help her deal with was he was going to impart. "My little cousin saw you riding Viserion into battle." He nodded when she looked up at him with a question in her eyes. "He was very sure. You were defending the ground troops near the Wall at Castle Black. More importantly Bran did not see a green dragon and sensed that I was not in the vicinity but the morale of the troops was great. Everyone fought expecting to win. That reassured him of my fate. When I insisted that he ought to reveal all he knew and not spare me, he just repeated that in that vision you and Viserion acted as one, as a rider bonded with her dragon. He wished for me to focus on the focal point of the vision." When he looked up at her he saw a teardrop falling down her left cheek. He enveloped her in his arms and wiped the small drop away with his thumb.
"I'm not there yet," she confessed quietly against his chest. It was the first time either of them openly voiced their doubts out loud since her first few solo flights on Viserion. "I never told you but he only tolerates me and doesn't respond to my signals. I know that you must have felt it when you share Rhaegal's mind and through him feel what Viserion feels and that you do not mention it to spare my feelings. Everyone was so happy to see me riding him that I didn't dare to disappoint them all." She raised her head and looked into his dark grey eyes. "Bran is sure of this?"
Jon nodded while he stroked her hair in a soothing manner. "He was. I asked him twice. We will keep practising, Dany. Perhaps we can arrange another short trip to Dragonstone or the Driftmark. We'd be left in peace if we practiced there. We're safe from gossip mongers over there. They would not betray the strange tests and exercises I would put you through. I just need to give Ser Gerold time to arrange for adequate protection to reach the island before we do."
"This is such welcome news. Why ever did you hesitate to tell me?" She gently extracted herself from him and turned slightly so she faced him.
"The vision Bran described worried me, Dany. You were fighting the enemy in the air without me. You were in a dangerous situation and I was not there to protect you. I was trying to figure out what circumstance would force such a thing to become reality. I can't come up with a single explanation good enough to result in me abandoning you when the enemy attacks in full force."
She looked at him. "I gather Bran did not know how that situation will come to pass?"
"No, only that he felt that all was as it should be. He sensed that there was no cause for alarm and that I should keep having faith in you, in him and in Viserion."
Dany nodded. "Isn't it good news that he is seeing the future again? I thought you mentioned that they couldn't anymore."
"They haven't experienced visions beyond the Great War. This was during." Jon answered honestly.
They held on to each other for a while. Jon was the first one to break the silence. "I will do everything in my power to help you with Viserion. We'll intensify our sessions. I promise I won't rest until we've figured it out. But can we talk about something else now? I have analysed Bran's words for the most part of this day and it only made my headache grow worse. I need to relax before we can retire to our bed." He kissed her hair once more.
Dany nodded and considered this for a moment. Then she lifted her eyes to his face and spoke up keeping her tone light. "Did you hear the latest gossip? Half the court is convinced that Princess Arya is soon to be betrothed to Lord Baratheon if she isn't already. The other half believes that she is helping him woe Princess Sansa."
Jon smiled when he heard that. "That's probably Lord Varys' doing. The other half, I mean. We do not want Arya to feel any pressure. No rumours about a betrothal between Lady Shireen and Lord Newton have surfaced yet?" Jon released a breath and relaxed some when she shook her head.
"None that reached my ears, which means that my ladies-in-waiting are being very discreet." She added proudly. "And that, despite the fact that Shireen can't stop talking about him whenever we find a bit of time to spend together in private."
"What about Lady Roslin? Has Lord Tyrion made any progress? Is she considering him as a possible suitor?" Jon stroked her hand and entwined their fingers.
Dany looked down at their hands in his lap and leaned her head against his shoulders. "She doesn't talk about it. I am not sure. Lady Ashara has seen them together in the library talking quietly. Her brothers have left to bury their father but agreed to leave her behind. At the very least they will not force a betrothal on her while their House is in mourning. The death of her father gave her a period of grace. Chances are that the new Lord of the Crossing will be less desperate to marry his female kin off. When asked, Varys told Lady Ashara that Lord Stevron has already reduced the dowry of one of her cousins who is set to marry a certain Lord Myatt. Are you familiar with House Myatt? It is a minor house sworn to House Lannister?"
"House Myatt," Jon nodded. "Their sigil is a spotted yellow-and-black treecat, on a mud-brown field. I recommend Lady Ashara for taking such good care of her younger charges. Appointing her was a stroke of genius," Jon commented.
"Lady Ashara is quieter than usual though." Dany's voice had taken a more serious tone and she raised her head to look him in the eye. "I haven't dared to mention Uncle Benjen in her presence. Not after she had tears in her eyes when I made an innocent comment on her dance with him during the farewell feast for the Northern Lords."
"Uncle Benjen asked me to give them time and I faithfully promised not to interfere," Jon confessed meeting her gaze. It had felt good to hear her referring to Benjen Stark as her uncle so casually. "I agreed because I believe all is not lost. I detected hope in his voice when he asked for my word so I am exercising restraint. I wouldn't want him to start avoiding me. I think this must be about the longest we have lived in the same place together. I am enjoying his company immensely."
"I didn't realise you two spent much quality time together? Except for the small council meetings I've hardly seen you two together."
Jon's thumbs stopped stroking her hands. "You know of our rides on the beach of course. He also regularly attends my morning trainings, annoying my squires by taking over some of their duties. We often meet in the Godswood when there is some time left before supper and you are busy with your evening toilette in the company of your ladies. We men need far less time to change for dinner." He leaned into her, a teasing light in his eyes.
Dany playfully chastised him by ducking his attempt to kiss her. She only succeeded because Jon was still focussing on answering her question. "Uncle Benjen does have a knack for finding me when I am in between duties. Sometimes I suspect that he is bribing Varys or has his own little birds working for him. I could get used to it though. I'm glad he likes living here in King's Landing and we get to see each other often. But I do wish for him to know happiness with a woman and experience at least a fraction of the joy that I experience with you every day."
Dany visibly moved by his words, now initiated a kiss herself. Jon released her hands so he could hold on to her to keep her from returning to her previous position. When they separated their heads, his hand still cupped her cheek and he enjoyed feeling her lean into it while she pondered the issue. "We can't force them to talk about it with us but we can keep bringing them together in the same space with other people present. Nothing too obvious of course but I could make subtle changes to the seating arrangements making sure that they can at least observe one another? We can get them to join group conversations and get them to talk indirectly with each other, small things like that."
This time Jon leaned in to kiss her once more. When their lips separated, he kept close to her and murmured against her mouth. "I had thought to address the subject with Ser Arthur but I worry that that will do more harm than good."
Dany put her arms around his neck. "He must be deaf and blind if he hasn't noticed that something is going on between them by now. If I were you, I would give it time, just as Uncle Benjen asked you to do. There are subtle changes in their behaviour. I am also inclined to define these as progress."
Jon nodded and rubbed her back with one hand, his hand slowly venturing lower, the other was once more cupping the back of her head. He felt much more relaxed now and smiled against her lips when he felt her move closer to him. He gave her another short kiss and whispered something in her ear. She got up immediately and held out her hand to help him up. As soon as he was on his feet he swept her up and carried her in his arms to their large bed. There was one more thing that he had to do before he could close his eyes and sleep the night away. But this was one royal duty he would never tire of and which would make him even more relaxed.
***
Day 70 in the reign of King Aegon the Sixth
The first batch of Valyrian Steel was almost ready for testing when word finally came from 'King Stannis Baratheon the First of his Name.' It came in the form of an official scroll bearing the seal of a crowned stag engulfed in flames. It mentioned that King Stannis was willing to attend a parlay to discuss terms with the Usurper of his brother's rightful throne. After King Robert's death, the Iron Throne was now by right his to claim as the King's eldest living brother. The Baratheon King would only agree to a parlay on the terms laid out in this message. The one that claimed to be Aegon Targaryen had to be willing to come to a place of King Stannis' choosing and bring only a small retinue under a white banner to a still to be determined location in the Stormlands.
"You can't seriously be considering this!" Ser Gerold exclaimed visibly upset after Sam had read the terms for the parlay that 'King Stannis the First of his Name' had just sent them during a quickly assembled extra session of the small council. "They tried to kidnap her Grace, the Queen. You can't trust them not to try something underhanded. A meeting on their territory hands them all the tactical advantage!"
"What is the alternative?" Jon argued as he took hold of Dany's hand under the table because he saw her biting her lip. "We keep the stalemate? You know I want-- no--we need to avoid bloodshed. We can't give Stannis Baratheon more time to find other allies. He will attack the moment he is confident enough that he stands a chance."
"Perhaps you used the wrong tactic then. You made him believe that he is stronger than he actually is. We know he doesn't stand a chance, not against your dragons combined with the might of the other Kingdoms." Davos' calm voice interrupted them. "Why not refuse the parlay and battle it out. Use the strategy we put in place. We will squash his meagre forces the moment he attempts to cross into the Crownlands. Move your troops there right now. We will make sure every commander knows that they need to keep bloodshed to a minimum."
"Jon hopes to get Stannis Baratheon to surrender without a fight if he sees with his own eyes how big and powerful the dragons have gotten." Sam defended his friend.
Jon nodded. "And if that doesn't do the trick, we can give him the facts. I mean we will explain to him exactly how large an army he will have to face. Let him know that we have him trapped on all sides."
Lord Varys shook his head. "I have a bad feeling about this, your Grace. Stannis Baratheon is too confident. There is talk of a wizard who can neutralize your dragons. If you show up to a parlay on his territory and he does have a way to subdue or--the Gods forbid --kill your dragons, then you will be outnumbered, no matter how skilled your Kingsguards and you yourself are with a blade."
"I concur," Ser Gerold nodded his head vigorously.
Jon looked pensive. "I want this situation dealt with. Soon the reports from the Wall will change. I have told you before that each time that a short message arrives announcing that nothing has changed yet again, I am itching to fly up there for a few days to check whether they are not being fooled by the Night King in some way or another. It has been unnaturally calm over there. But as matter stand, I can't leave yet. Not for as long as I have to deal with a deluded fanatic who threatens my rule and the safety of my people."
"What if you showed up with an army at your back and made a small adjustment to the location of the parlay?" Tyrion spoke up and all eyes turned to the dwarf. They had quickly learned that he was an asset to the council and not only for his way with numbers. He sometimes even interrupted the whirlwind of ideas Sam and Jon threw at each other at great speed during one of their brainstorming sessions and more than once had offered them a fresh perspective when they had gotten stuck.
"How do you propose we do that and still get Stannis to agree to show up for the parlay?" Jon looked skeptical.
"You are the stronger party in these negotiations, your Grace. You need not give in to their demands completely. I propose that you accept to keep the location of the parlay on Baratheon's territory but change it to a clearing within view of the border with the Crownlands. That is a fair demand." Jon saw Tyrion mentally grow two inches when Davos and Ser Gerold considered his proposal in earnest. The dwarf spoke with more determination when he continued. "Take a large army with you and let them make camp on your own lands near the border. Only you and your small retinue will cross the border and venture onto their territory adhering to the wording of their terms. You can hold the parlay well in sight of your army but on the Stormlands' side of the border. A clever compromise if I say so myself."
"It will take time to arrange all that." Jon replied, mentally reviewing the time needed for the messages to reach his bannermen and how quickly a large enough army could be mobilised.
"I bet they will grant you that time. Something tells me that our enemy wants this parlay to happen more than we do." Tyrion was quick to defend his proposal. "Besides, what is their alternative? As far as I see it, they have none. If they can't get you to agree to some form of peace treaty, you will unleash the might of the combined armies of your Kingdoms and your dragons on them for sure."
Davos exchanged a short glance with Jon and when his King nodded, his Hand addressed the Master of Whispers who hadn't stopped looking worried. "Lord Varys before reaching a decision, we will need all the intel you can gather. Is there no word of the whereabouts of the Red Priestess yet? She can't have gone up in smoke."
"It appears as if she has." Varys answered apologetically. "Thoros of Myr has a theory about that. He informed me that the more powerful priestesses have the ability to mask or perhaps even change their appearance entirely. My little birds tell me that Stannis Baratheon is looking for her as well to no avail. He is rumoured to be desperate for additional guidance from the Lord of Light. Thoros suspects that she is hiding somewhere in the Stormlands in plain sight. But I will keep up my efforts to gather more information."
Jon took over from Davos. "Thank you, Lord Varys. Maester Pylos, can you send out a call to our bannermen? Write to everyone south of the Neck. Ask the Lords to mobilise half of their fighting men each. That should be more than sufficient. Sam and I, we will compose the messages to be sent to Dorne and the Reach."
"I'll see to it, your Grace." The young Maester was quick to respond.
"Then we prepare for war." Jon said these words with a grave face. "I need you all to think of the task ahead of us. We need to plan the logistics, wagons, horses, tents, supply lines. I will let you all draw a list of what you think you can contribute to this. We reconvene tomorrow to decide on a timeline and assign all the tasks necessary to plan this campaign. I will use that opportunity to submit to your approval the reply to Stannis Baratheon that I will have drafted before I have it sent out." Jon rose and everyone followed his example.
"Should we not invite Lord Renly of House Baratheon to attend our next meeting, Jon?" Sam asked.
Jon considered this for a moment. "I'll inform him afterward. I want to make the decisions without his interference for now. That said, I'll make sure that he hears about the coming conflict with his brother before we send out the ravens to mobilize our bannermen. As matters stand, he is not an asset to our war council." Jon expecting no one to object, gave Dany a significant look and walked to the door without her. "Oberyn, join me in my study if you will?" Jon turned to his Hand as soon as the Dornish Prince nodded his consent. "Davos, I'd appreciate it if you would join us there as well."
The three men walked the short distance from the meeting room to the King's study in silence. Davos nodded to Ser Oswell and Ser Gerold, and closed the door. The three men took a seat. Jon positioned behind the large desk opened the conversation. "You were rather quiet in there, Oberyn. If you did not wear such bright colours, I would have overlooked your presence in the council room."
Oberyn looked at the rich, ochre pigment of the robe that he wore over a light blue tunic. "The others voiced all the concerns that I had. I saw no need to repeat them."
Jon watched Oberyn's vibrant personality emerge when the Prince smiled slowly. The Dornish Prince already looked more like his normal self now that he was shedding the apathy that he had exhibited earlier. After all these years, Oberyn's behaviour still confused Jon at times. He did not let this affect his tone when he spoke with authority. "I expect Stannis will ask Lord Tarly to move his troops to a location near the border between the Reach and the Stormlands, perhaps eve invite him onto his lands the very moment that he learns that I have called my banners. He will probably ask the same of Dorne. I want to be kept informed of the slightest movement of the Dornish forces. We'll discuss the most practical location the Dornish commanders can suggest to Stannis Baratheon tomorrow."
Oberyn narrowed his eyes. "You made me come here for that? You could have asked me this easily in front of the others earlier or during tomorrow's meeting."
Trust Oberyn to be sharp as always. His earlier apathy had not lulled his brain to sleep. Jon gave him a wan smile and exchanged a glance with Davos. "I could have. You guessed correctly that I asked you here for another reason. What can you tell me about the political situation in Dorne?"
Oberyn gave him a quizzical look but indulged him for now. "Still the same as when I briefed you not that long ago. My brother has put into writing that he accepts your claim to the throne and will help you fool Stannis Baratheon. There is no need to enforce the conditional abdication that he signed unknowingly."
"And where is Prince Quentyn? Is he still enjoying life at his father's court?"
Oberyn relaxed visibly. "Is this about him not receiving a harsh enough punishment for disrespecting Daenerys in Pentos? I heard my nephew's pirate wife has made it her life's purpose to make him as miserable as she possible can. And Jon, remember that no real harm was done to Daenerys and he won't rule Dorne. You do not have to receive him at your Court. I'll personally make sure that Quentin stays away and both you and Daenerys will never have to lay eyes on him."
Jon exchanged another glance with Davos. Davos gave him a tiny nod as encouragement. Jon scraped his throat. "I have given the matter some thought, Oberyn. I have come to the conclusion that I have been remiss in not dealing with this earlier. Prince Quentyn is not the sole culprit here. He acted on orders, orders from your brother, Prince Doran, the current ruler of Dorne. Varys reported to me how Prince Doran does not repent his actions. He only deplores how they backfired. How can I let such a man rule over trusting subjects? How can I not punish the man who ordered a Princess of House Targaryen to be raped so he could gain more influence?"
"My brother, he, uh," Oberyn faltered. He tried again. "Things are not black and white, Aegon. My brother, you see, he is constantly in a lot of pain. His affliction is getting worse and his suffering clouds his judgement at times. He wanted to make sure that he left a strong Dorne to his successor. He went about it the wrong way. I know that. You know that. I don't believe however that I can make him apologize to both of you formally."
"You make our case for us, Prince Oberyn." Davos decided to help his King to stand his ground against his former mentor and close friend. "Your brother can't rule a Kingdom if his judgements are impaired by the pain he suffers from his incurable ailment. His medical condition will only get direr. Besides, just imagine that his son had succeeded in forcing himself on the Princess in Pentos. Is Prince Doran's crime less severe because his son failed? He gave the order and does not repent. If anything we were told that he chastised his son for not getting the job done."
Prince Oberyn's sagged a little in his chair and looked at Jon, his eyes troubled. "Presented that way, you are right of course. What would you have me do, Aegon?"
"How is Prince Doran's health now?" Jon asked softly. "Is it not possible to invoke the hidden clause in the abdication papers? Convince him that you are doing it because he needs to enjoy the limited time he has left to live? If what Varys says is true, he will die in a few moons' time if not sooner."
Oberyn sighed dejectedly but acquiesced. "I suppose I have to thank you for allowing him that and not calling for a public punishment." He lifted his eyes not hiding his inner conflict from the young King. "You know that my loyalty first and foremost is to you, Aegon, even if you were to ask for my brother's head. I am ever so grateful that you are not though."
Jon nodded. "Our friendship and your unwavering loyalty is the only reason your brother is given a chance to abdicate with his dignity intact, if not in his own eyes, then at least in the eyes of his people, of the realm and of posterity who will read a noble version of his abdication in the history books. I trust you to handle this without delay though. And I want to hear of an adequate punishment for Prince Quentyn. Use your creativity. I give you leave to hide his downfall from the outside world but make sure that it is a punishment befitting his crime. I want it made indisputable that neither he nor his descendants can ever rule Dorne, whatever happens to his elder sister, the Princess Arianne. You can be her heir if she dies without any issue. Or if you forgo this, your eight daughters in logical order."
Oberyn stood with purpose. "You will receive a report of my brother's abdication for medical reasons soon, your Grace. I'll check the strength of the Dornish army that will pretend to be loyal to Stannis Baratheon's cause. I'll also oversee the gathering of a second force that will be yours to call upon if need be. These soldiers will stay hidden on the ships and will act only if you send the agreed upon signals. The matter concerning my nephew may require a bit more time but count on me to carry out your wishes in that regard."
Jon was relieved that Oberyn took it so well and more than anything wanted to reassure the Dornish Prince that all was still well between them. He kept his tone friendly and encouraging. "I do count on you and trust you. You are my friend, Prince Oberyn. That is why we are discussing this between the three of us. I do not want House Martell to be disgraced. I hope with all my heart that Princess Arianne will be a good ruler and that House Martell and House Targaryen will enjoy a long and fruitful collaboration. When this situation in the Stormlands has been taken care of, you must arrange an introduction. I have yet to meet your niece. And I take this opportunity to remind you once more that my offer to legitimate your daughters still stands."
Oberyn nodded but only fleetingly met Jon's eyes. There was no longer any sign of arrogance or smugness. "If you permit me, Aegon, I will take my leave now and see to business."
Jon admired his friend's composure. A casual observer would think nothing was amiss, but Jon spotted the troubled look in Oberyn's eyes that betrayed severe inner turmoil. He was quick to give his permission. "Of course, Oberyn. Will you still be present tomorrow morning when we reconvene our war council?"
"I'll be there, my King. I'll make arrangements to leave immediately after." Oberyn bowed and hurried out of the room.
Jon got up and circled his desk. He leaned against it and faced Davos. He ran his hand through the curls on his head and sighed. "I hated putting him on the spot like that."
"It was long overdue, my King. It would have been disrespectful toward the Queen to let Prince Doran's actions remain unpunished for much longer. I was relieved that Daenerys exempted herself from this meeting. As soon as we are done here, go find her and tell her how it went. I'm sure she'll be relieved to know that you and Prince Oberyn are still on friendly terms."
"Thanks for your support, Davos."
Davos chuckled. "I didn't do much. But by all means, be grateful to me. It warms my old bones."
"Then I gather we are done here?"
"Not so fast, son. Why don't you sit down next to me?" He patted the chair that Oberyn had just vacated. His words were more a gentle order than a suggestion.
Jon obediently took the two steps that separated him from the chair. Before he sat down, he angled it so it faced his Hand's position.
Davos nodded his appreciation with his charge's compliance but his face remained serious when he spoke next. "I want you to repeat to me again, word for word what warning young Bran Stark gave you in his last uh missive. I'm not happy with what was decided in there just now. Did you not tell me that you know that they will not honour the fact that it is a parlay although both parties will carry a white banner?"
"We need to do something to get this conflict resolved, Davos. I will heed Bran's advice and bring Rhaegal, Viserion and Ghost along. They will be my eyes and ears. Bran stressed the importance of combining my strength with my dragons and direwolf. He also warned me to be aware of foul play. He said something about not trusting that our superior numbers would win the day if the enemy resorted to trickery ormagic. Combined with his earlier warning that bloodshed would strengthen the magic of the Others, his words have rattled me more than I would like to admit. I pestered Varys for intelligence this morning until the man almost lost his patience with me and that is saying something. I have also written to Yara Greyjoy asking her if she heard rumours about Euron Greyjoy having a wizard and or any magical objects but I haven't heard back from her yet."
"I am but a simple man who knows close to nothing about magic or about your bond with your dragons and direwolf. But is there a way that you could strengthen this bond with them even further? I don't know, do some mental exercises like you once told me that you did with your dog Max when you were just learning to communicate with small animals?"
Jon shook his head. "Rhaegal and Ghost, I'd like to think that we are as close as we can get. Ghost is an extension of me and obeys my every command without question and Rhaegal and I, when we open our minds to each other, we are one entity. How do you improve on that?"
Davos shook his head not taking his eyes of his King. "I don't know. But Bran Stark warned that they would go for a weakness of yours and despite the fact that I am still struggling with this whole concept of a young boy knowing and understanding more than we do, I believe him. I will do my utmost to ferret out what he means with this weakness of yours."
Jon ran his hand through is curls a second time, a sign that he was getting agitated. "My love for Dany is my weakness. They attempted to kidnap her at least once already. We must keep her safe by all means."
Davos put a hand on Jon's shoulder for support. "Even if you didn't love her, you would shield her from harm, just as you would go to any lengths to keep your kin, hells to keep all your subjects safe, Jon. But this weakness is also your strength, your biggest asset! Most of your subjects know of your reputation by now. 'The King of the people' they call you. Nobles and smallfolk alike sing your praises. They will fight and die for you if you ask them to, Jon. If necessary, Dany will put your interests, the interests of the Kingdom before her own as well."
"I do not like what you are implying, Davos. I understand what you are hinting at but let us try to come up with a strategy that will ensure that it will never come to that."
"Then I will go and do my homework, just as you instructed your small council to do. Now go and tell your wife of Oberyn's loyalty and willingness to punish his father and his nephew."
Jon briefly hugged Davos and hurried out of the room in search of Dany.
***
A few days later
Jon swallowed another spoonful of a delicious stew and looked at the three young women that kept him company. After Uncle Ned and Aunt Catelyn had left, Jon and Dany had added this new routine to their schedule. At least once every sennight, the royal couple invited the King's cousins Sansa and Arya to share the midday meal with them in private, just the four of them and Ghost. Arya always begged to have the direwolf sit next to her. She spent time with Ghost whenever she could get away with it and consequently was often found in the Godswood when Jon was holding meetings.
More than once she had slipped away from the knights that were supposed to be keeping her safe only to resurface when it was time for the next meal. It had taken a while before Ser Gerold admitted that he could not get a grip on the situation and agreed to bring Ser Jorah's worries to his King's attention. Jon had sympathized with their plight admitting that Arya was not the easiest person to safeguard and had promised to handle the matter. He studied Arya who was feeding Ghost a piece of meat from her plate. He loved his young cousin dearly. He was also proud of how readily she had taken his admonishments in stride. She had given in as soon as he had been able to convince her that she could be used against the King and that it was Jon who would end up being harmed if anyone succeeded in capturing her. She had promised to stop testing her protectors.
It had also helped that Jon didn't restrict her activities overly much and that the lesson plan she had been subject to in Winterfell had been cut in half while she lived at court. She was allowed to spend the bulk of her time either training or in company of the people she preferred, these mostly being Gendry, Shireen and of course Jon whenever he could spare her some time. He also allowed her to take Ghost along with her when he didn't need his direwolf to protect Dany. Varys had stopped him in the hallway this morning and had whispered in his ear that Arya had been spotted playing hide and seek with her guard in the Godswood. Jon had just smiled knowing that this time it was a rather creative adaptation of an assignment Syrio Forel had given her. Ser Gerold made sure to include the short reports from Syrio Forel in the King's morning briefing at least twice every sennight ever since his King had interfered and solved the matter of his younger cousin's safety.
"Jon, can I leave now? I promised Shireen and Gendry that I would join them for a walk. If I don't go now, we won't be able to reach the beach before I have to return for my lesson with Syrio Forel."
Jon eyes wandered from Arya's empty plate to her hopeful expression. He sighed and asked in an exaggerated tone with a ridiculous pout on his face to make sure that she immediately understood that he was only teasing her. "Then it has finally come to that? You prefer Gendry and Shireen's company to mine, Cousin? And I reckon this traitor," he stared severely at Ghost, "will abandon me as well?"
Arya approached him with a pleading look in her big grey eyes. "Gendry asked after him. He likes Ghost almost as much as I do." The direwolf had wormed his way under the table his big head rested on Jon's thighs.
Jon looked down and scratched Ghost behind his ears a few times. He conceded without looking up. "And I owe Gendry for looking after Ghost when I left him in his care at Eastwatch. All right, it will do him some good to run outside. Ever since Summer left, he has been getting rather lazy." He let Ghost lick his hands before he raised his head and saw Arya's happy face. He changed his tone and used his royal voice to speak with mock authority. "You have the Crown's permission to withdraw, esteemed Princess of the North."
Arya kissed his cheek. "Thanks, Jon! Bye, Daenerys. See you later, Sansa. If not before than certainly at supper. Come on, Ghost!"
"Say hello to Gendry for me and inform him that I will visit him in the forge later today!" Jon called after her and smiled indulgently when Arya and Ghost disappeared without casting another glance in his direction.
"It is better this way than that that she is miserable and misses her parents." Dany remarked softly making Jon swallow the words he wanted to utter in defense of his cousin's impulsive manners. It seemed they were not necessary. Dany had taken no offence. He squeezed her hand but Dany had already turned her head and addressed his other cousin who had watched the entire scene play out without commenting. "Do you miss your parents, Sansa?"
"Sometimes," Sansa replied honestly after putting down her knife and fork gracefully. "Mostly before I go to sleep. I sometimes spend the night in Shireen's room so we can talk each other to sleep. She misses her mother as well."
Jon nodded pensively knowing Shireen missed her secret betrothed even more. Lady Ashara had informed her Queen that sometimes the ladies-in-waiting slept in each other's rooms. Sansa had occasionally shared a room with Lady Ilsa of House Ruthermont as well before that Lady had left a few nights ago. Sansa had also shared a room with Lady Roslin at least once that Varys knew of. Lady Ashara had assured Daenerys that it was all very innocent and when Dany in turn had informed him, Jon had seen nothing strange in it. It had resulted in him sharing more about the year that Robb had fostered with him at Greywater Watch and how they had shared the same room without ever entertaining the thought of sleeping in separate quarters. He still considered that year as the happiest of his younger years.
"There is nothing wrong with keeping each other company when you feel lonely, Sansa." Jon smiled reassuringly at her. "Perhaps we should have made you share rooms as a rule."
"And get their wardrobes mixed up?" Dany joked. "That could start a domestic war, Aegon."
Jon held up both hands, palm's facing towards her and Sansa to signal that he surrendered.
Sansa smiled warmly when she witnessed the banter between the royal couple. "I like it here, Jon. Will I have to leave once Mother and Father return to Winterfell?"
Jon looked at Dany who helped him out by answering the question in his stead. "You are a lady-in-waiting now, Sansa. Until I release you from your duties, your mother is obliged to let you stay here. I will of course let you leave if you prefer to return home or if you need to do so after your marriage."
"Like Lady Myrcella stayed and Lady Ilsa left?"
"Exactly. Lady Myrcella was able to stay with us since her husband's duties allow them to stay in King's Landing. Lady Ilsa didn't have that choice. The moment she agreed to marry, she knew that she would have to go live with her husband."
"Will you appoint another lady in her stead, Daenerys?" Sansa asked the question that the other ladies-in-waiting had not dared to voice out loud yet. But here in this private setting among family where Sansa was allowed to speak to them less formally, she felt brave enough to ask.
"I do not feel the need." Dany replied after exchanging a glance with Jon. "I believe there are still enough of you left."
Sansa nodded and gave Daenerys a sweet smile. "I never imagined being a lady-in-waiting would be like this. I thought we would have to perform the duties of handmaidens but Irri takes care of most of those and the servants keep your rooms clean and tidy. The few tasks you ask of us are more like things I would do for my siblings and that I enjoy doing like sewing a new colourful ribbon to one of your gowns, helping you making yourself beautiful for a stately banquet or simply keeping you company. Now that we are on the subject, I would love to braid your hair one day, Daenerys. Irri has been teaching me the more difficult arrangements and I have been practising on Shireen. Only her hair isn't as long as yours." She held her breath when she realised what she had dared to ask.
Dany however looked unperturbed. "I don't see why not. You can assist Irri and one day when she is indisposed for some reason, it will be handy to have your expertise at my disposal." Jon had taken a hold of her hand again under the table to show her how much he appreciated her words. Dany met his eyes shortly before once more addressing her good-cousin. "Can we ask you something, Sansa? You need not reply if you feel like you are betraying a confidence."
"Of course, Daenerys." Sansa dutiful as always replied immediately.
Jon released Dany's hand and gently gripped her upper arm to stall her and motioned for Ser Rosby to take up guard outside the room. Dany nodded and waited until the door closed again before she continued the conversation. "Has Lady Roslin conveyed to you anything at all about her suitors?" Dany was the one to ask but Jon eyed his cousin without concealing his interest in the topic.
"She doesn't regret their departure, if that is what you meant to ask. I don't think she would mind me telling you that she rejected further attentions of Ser Lucas Corbray after she heard he had been bedding a servant girl the entire time that he was courting her and he didn't deny it when she confronted him."
"Can you tell us whether there is anyone in particular that she prefers now, or is she heartbroken?" Dany asked gently.
Sansa shook her head. "She said that she realised that she wasn't really in love with Ser Corbray, only with the idea of being in love. Roslin also told me that it didn't matter anyway since she will withdraw from dancing and entertaining suitors during the period of deep mourning. She won't break protocol and will formally grieve for her father even if uh," Sansa faltered.
Jon guessed she had been about to reveal that Lady Roslin did not have much love for her father and helped her out by cutting in. "Thank you, Sansa. We appreciate your willingness to help us."
"I am helping her though, aren't I?" Sansa frowned. "You will not force another suitor on her now that I told you all this? She hopes she will be left alone for at least until the end of the period of deep mourning."
Jon nodded a bit at a loss for words after Sansa's pertinent remark.
"Can I ask, your Graces a question?" Sansa asked formally.
"Of course, Sansa. You can ask us anything when in private. No need to go all stiff and formal on us." Dany smiled encouragingly at Sansa and Jon squeezed his wife's hand once more under the table to communicate his gratitude for handling this.
"Is Arya secretly betrothed?" Sansa bit her lip.
"Of course not!" Dany and Jon exclaimed simultaneously. "Why ever would you ask that?" Dany added after exchanging a glance with Jon.
Sansa hesitated at first but then started to explain softly. "Mother hinted at it. She asked me to chaperone Arya but not to hinder her if she wanted to spend time with Lord Gendry of House Baratheon. She stressed that I should encourage it if I could do so without making it too obvious. I almost laughed in Mother's face. Arya always says she does not want to learn how to be a lady of a keep and vows that she will not let herself be married off to a man who only wants to put babies in her."
Jon gestured to Dany that he would answer this time. "I'm going to be completely honest with you, Sansa. Your father talked to me about the possibility of betrothing her with my friend Gendry in a few years' time. I advised him to allow Arya the opportunity to make up her mind first. We are trying to keep all rumours away from her so she doesn't get spooked. The only way we will ever get Arya to say vows to a man before a heart tree is if she thinks it was her own idea and that she is doing it of her own free will. She likes Gendry in an innocent way now and he is her friend and that is encouraging. I would ask you not to address the subject with her at all. If she is the one to bring it up, then let her come to me. I'll talk to her. Arya is still young. Her wishes and ideas regarding marriage might change as she matures. Then again, they might stay exactly the same. Promise me that you will send her to me if she starts asking questions?"
"I promise, Jon," Sansa answered. Then she straightened herself and his normally so docile cousin used a defiant tone he hadn't heard from her before. "Will Father allow me the same courtesy? Will I be allowed to make up my own mind as well?"
Jon heard the jealousy in Sansa's voice. He weighed his words carefully. "Your father has not exactly given Arya free reign. He just agreed with me that he could wait a few years yet to make a decision and Gendry is a high Lord." Jon sighed. He had been meaning to mention Edric's latest letter to her when he found an opportune moment. He reckoned that this was as good a time as any. Dany looked at him questioningly and he rubbed her thigh under the table signalling that he could handle this.
"I received a letter from Lord Dayne this morning." The words had hardly left his mouth when two pair of eyes turned to him.
"Is he all right?" Dany asked quickly to spare Sansa from having to beg her cousin for information.
"He is well," Jon was quick to answer and reassure Sansa. "He asked me to convey his greetings to you both. He enquired whether I would be willing to convey a written message to a certain Lady." He nodded gently towards Sansa. "My friend Edric pleaded that it would be safe now that that lady's parents were in another Kingdom. He ascertained me that he would be willing to let me read what he wrote to her first."
Sansa looked at him with moist eyes. "I would love to hear from him. I feared that you were not entirely truthful when you informed me that he left King's Landing because he was needed in Dorne. It was suspicious that we missed each other by just a few days. I figured that you were sparing my feelings and that he was avoiding me because he, because…"
Dany handed a napkin to Sansa when her eyes overflowed with tears. "Aegon can vouch for Lord Dayne," she offered in a soft tone. "Perhaps Lord Dayne is as unsure of you as you are of him? Can you imagine how he feels when reports reach him of your activities here? He will have learned by now that you attended banquets and danced with several eligible suitors."
Sansa carefully dabbed her eyes. "I don't have any serious suitors. Their ardour cools easily enough when I reply to their flattery only with one word sentences and make no further effort at conversation. Prince Oberyn gave me that advice. These noble Lords must all think me a dimwit." She smiled through her tears and looked at her cousin pleadingly. "Jon, please allow me to write a few lines to Edric or if not then at least quote a message from me in your next letter?"
Jon looked at Dany who smiled and then he nodded at Sansa. "Write a small message but don't seal it. I will allow you to exchange short messages as long as Dany and I are allowed to read them as well. Consider us your chaperones to a written conversation. I will write to your father and inform him that you and Lord Dayne are writing each other with my consent and under my strict supervision."
He was surprised when Sansa got up and circled around the table to hug him and kiss his cheek. He had received several spontaneous hugs from Arya but Sansa was usually more circumspect in her behaviour. He leaned over slightly when Sansa whispered in his ear. "Robb was right all these years ago. You are the best cousin we could ever have."
Jon turned a bit pink and gently pulled back. "Thank you, Sansa. I always had your best interest at heart, even when I was forced to refuse Edric's first request to overrule your father's authority."
"I understand that now. Mother was not so good at explaining it back at Winterfell but Father did a much better job in person after I arrived in King's Landing. I apologize if I caused you grief."
"No harm done. Just promise me that you will tell me honestly if over time you happen to change your mind about Edric. You are only friends for now and are not bound to him yet. Keep an open mind, Sansa. So when the time comes to make a choice, you can make a well-founded one."
Sansa blinked a few times and nodded. She had barely returned to her seat when Daenerys rose. "The King and I need to prepare ourselves for a scheduled court session. I will see you later, Sansa. Make sure to tell Irri about our plans."
***