Targaryen Dynasty

Ease your pain

A.n
This one is a bit longer, but had much fun writing it. Tell me what you think :)

"Wrong, you are leaving your left side too open" Jon said, and tapped Davis lightly on his left hip with his wooden sword, at the same time dodging his clumsy attempt to hit him with a thrust. "The more you think, the easier to read your moves get. Try to be less predictable" Jon continued, and swung his sword right above the boy's head, and turned his blade downside, almost scratching his left arm. "You see? No one thinks that you would go for the head with a sword in a duel, and when they would try to react to that accordingly, you are already attacking his other side, that being your plan from the beginning" he explained, gaining an awe expression from Davis. "But it's hard, to think in advance all the time while maintaining positions and all of that. My grace" He added quickly, blushing a bit, and earning a laugh from Jon
It was two days after their war meeting, and Jon revealing his secret to everybody else that was gathered there. Jaimie send out the scouts for mission planned by Jon, and their armies were regaining their strenght bit by bit. The rest of them tried to enjoy this peaceful moment, knowing that when they will move out of Winterfell, they wont get any significant rest.
They were standing in the courtyard of Winterfell, him and Davis, with Jon trying to teach him the basics of swordfighting. Boy really grew in Jon's eyes, and now he began to get out of his shell, or at least he did not tremble being in Jon's presence, which was a start. He was the one that came to Jon, and asked him if there is anyone that could teach him how to fight, and that he would pay it off any way its possible. Jon wasn't expecting that to say the least, but after a moment of thinking the idea over, he agreed and offered the boy that he would personally be his teacher. Davis was not so keen on the idea in the beginning, saying that he does not want to waste king's time or strenght for that matter, but he finally gave up, and Jon began training him, starting with some basic stances and positions. He was picking it up really quickly though, so they quickly started implementing some beginner moves to make their trainings more interesting.
"He is showing off, don't feel too bad about yourself" voice from behind Jon said, making him turn around. Daenerys was standing behind him, with a playful smile on her face, which made Jon smile in return.
"Your grace, I'm sorry" Davis quickly bowed, only noticing Daenerys now, his voice sounding as he offended her, but Daenerys shook her head.
"You were busy, it's not wise to turn your eyes from the opponent. A thing that your teacher surely still has to learn" Daenerys said towards Davis, offering him a warm smile.
"How many times are you going to bring that up, Your Grace?" Jon said with tired voice, knowing that she was talking about his last duel with Jaimie.
"As long as I will find it funny I guess" she jested, and looked towards Davis once again, "Davis, can I borrow your teacher for a while? I have something to discuss with him" Dany said, earning an almost instant nod from the boy.
"We were about to end it anyway. Davis, I'm expecting you to learn all those stances by evening. And I'm not going to go easy on you, so get ready." Jon said and Davis eyes lit up with fire. There was just something about this kid that touched Jon in special way, but he wasn't sure what was the reason of that. Maybe he was just imagining things.
They moved away from the training area in the courtyard, leaving Davis behind and he immediately resumed his training.
"You really like this boy, don't you?" Daenerys asked Jon, and he laughed in return
"I guess I do. Maybe he just reminds me of myself when I was younger." Jon responded, and undid his hair, making it fall losely on his shoulders "Do you want to go somewhere specific, or was it just an excuse for a stroll?" he asked, making Daenerys blush.
"Maybe it was, my lord. Maybe your queen was just bored of watching you from afar and decided to act." Daenerys returned the favor, and this time Jon was the one to look away in embarassement. She loved teasing him like that, it always made her heart race and at the same time felt so natural instead of being forced.
"We could visit Godswood, if you would like your majesty. You have not seen the place before, am I right?" Jon proposed, and looked towards the crowns of the trees on the other side of Winterfell. He was right actually, Daenerys has been here for quite a while, but never actually visited the place. She was curious about it of course, but she did not want to impose on a place that was sacred to northmen, or Starks for that matter.
"I did not if I'm being honest. But I would gladly see it, especially in your company" Dany answered, blushing once again but hiding it very well. Something she had to learn if she wanted Jon to be around her. Jon lended her his arm, and she gladly took it , entertwining it with her own.
After few minutes of walk and receiving a few bows from soldiers and servants that passed them, they finally arived at the entrance to the woods. The moment they crossed the border, Daenerys instantly felt the atmosphere change. It was like a gateway between two worlds, no voice to be heard, no person to be seen. It felt like the wind was their only companion, as he was dancing between the branches and leaves of those ancient trees, sometimes hitting one of them with a sudden gust, inviting them to join his dance.
"It is.. unbelievable." Dany finally muttered some words, knowing how sheepishly and childish she must sound and look, but Jon did not laugh, only offered her an understanding expression, knowing very well how he felt when he entered this place for the first time.
"I remember how I felt when Eddard brought me here. His wife, Catelyn hated me for being her husband's bastard, and a living proof of the only time when Ned Stark tarnished his honor." Jon said, and looked around him, feeling the nostalgia make it's way to his heart. "He brought me here after a huge argument he had with her, and back then I did not understand what was really happening, or why she despised me so much. I was 8, or 9 at most " he continued, and they made another turn, "and then he explained it to me. What a bastard actually means, and how my presence only turned things upside down. And that was exactly here." Jon said, as they reached the centre of the Godswood.
Daenerys gasped. She was in absolute awe of the place. Entire woods were filled with so many trees that were entangling with each other, that it almost felt like labirynth of some sort, but this was the only place that was almost empty. Almost, because of the giant tree in the centre of the clearing. It's leaves were red, and there was a face carved on it, but there was something more to that. It felt like it was older than the other trees, older and wiser.
"Weirwood tree. Not so many of them left" Jon said, and touched the tree remembering everything that Bran showed him here, not so many days ago.
"It looks.. ancient" Daenerys said, still in awe of the mysterious tree. She could almost feel it's presence between Jon and herself, like it was a living being as much as they was.
"It is. They taught us that these trees are the places closest to the gods. Old ones, of course." Jon added, and closed his eyes remembering all the times he played here as a child, "This was also my father's favorite place. He loved to sit there " he said, and pointed towards a root that was making its way out of the earth and was big enough to sit on it, "I can't remember how many times we played here with the rest of the children" Jon finished, and took a deep breath, letting the cold air enter his loungs.
"It sounds like fun memories" Daenerys responded, not wanting to interrupt him, especially when she saw how happy he was when he talked about his siblings.
"Aye, those were the easier times. How many times I've beaten Robb here with the training swords we stole from the armory. How many times Rickon ran here to avoid listening to Catelyn and my father's bickering." he said, knowing that it says nothing for Daenerys, but wanting to just say it out loud. He missed his brothers. Especially Robb.
"Your brothers, what were they like?" Daenerys asked politely, hoping that she is not intruding on a subject that should be left untouched, but Jon, to her surprise, smiled.
"Rickon was the youngest of all of us. He wasn't much younger than Bran though" Jon said and sat at the place where Ned used to sit, "He was a good kid that hated arguing, and always had this beaming smile on his face " he continued, and looked down on the ground "and that's how I want to remember him. The next time I saw him was right before Ramsey's arrow pierced his chest, and heart. Right in front of me" he finished, and felt his grip on the branch tightening. "He died because of my foolishness. And that is something I won't ever forgive myself for." he finished, and took a pause. Daenerys made her way to him, but instead of sitting beside him, she walked behind his back and embraced him from behind, placing her chin on his shoulder. She was not going to rush him, and she knew that there is nothing that she could say to make it easier for him. She embraced him harder, hoping that her presence makes the pain at least a little more bearable. She felt his hand touch her own, and she smiled.
"And Robb.." Jon continued, picking up where he left off, "Robb was the handsome one in our family, stole the looks from everybody else it would seem" he jested, and Daenerys giggled feeling the atmosphere lighten up, at least a bit. "He was the oldest one of us, and you could see it in a way he acted. He always tried to defend me from his mother tempers, and always took a blame on himself whenever something bad happened. Shortly after I left for the Wall, he started ruling in Winterfell after our father went to King's Landing to serve as king Robert's hand." Jon paused and swallowed hard enough for Daenerys to hear it, "And then, he was the one that called the banners when our father got imprisoned by Lannisters. He was the one that they named king in the north, and young wolf." he continued, his voice almost a whisper at this point.
"I have never seen him again. The last time we saw each other was the day I left for the Wall. Later I heard that he was killed, betrayed by his allies." He finished, and clenched his teeth. It still hurt him, no matter how many time has passed already. He knew that he would not change much, he was only a man. Yet he felt that he should've been on Robb's side, the same way he always was on his.
"They both sound like a great men. One in the making, and other one already great" Daenerys stated, and sat down beside him, leaning her head on his shoulder. She was happy to learn more about Jon's past and family, but at the same time it left her heartbroken, knowing how much he's been through.
"Aye, they were. Or they could've been, if the time would let them" he said back and smiled sadly towards Daenerys, breaking her heart even more
"I wish there was something I could say that would put you at ease, but I know that words wont change a thing" Daenerys said softly and carresed Jon's hand, "I can only promise you that I am here for you. Now and always." she added, and Jon nodded.
"I know Dany. I've made a lot of mistakes towards this point, but now I want to make sure that I won't lose anyone else that's important to me. Especially you." Jon said and stood up, just to kneel in front of her. "There is nothing in this world that would stop me from getting back to you. You gave me the peace I was looking for for so long, and did this knowing how much you can lose. You waited for me even when I tried to push you away, and I can never thank you enough for that. But there is something I can do, and that is to stay by you no matter what you are going to encounter in the future. To stay by you now, and always." He finished, knowing that his mind is made up, and there is nothing nor anyone that could make him change his decision.
Daenerys felt her heartbeat getting faster, and breath quicken, suddenly realizing what is about to happen. The tears were starting to gather in her eyes, but those were the happy tears. Tears that a woman could shed no matter if she is a queen or not. Jon took a deep breath, grabbed her hands, and looked her directly into eyes, the same ones he saw when he woke up after nearly dying behind the wall, and the same ones that he loved more than anything in this world.
"Daenerys Targaryen. I will give you everything I have, being it both my sword, and my life. Will you marry me?"