A Song of Fire & Snow (GOT)(Jon Snow)

Chapter 51: Alarys

~Ashes, Kings, & Queens~

Alarys Martell stood by the window of her chambers in Winterfell, gazing out at the stark, snow-capped landscape that had been her refuge. The biting cold air filled her lungs, but it was the dread in her heart that chilled her to the bone. She could feel the weight of the world pressing down on her, a force so heavy it threatened to suffocate her. The news had been unrelenting, each raven that arrived bringing fresh fears and uncertainties.

"Alarys, are you ready?" Sansa's voice broke through the fog of her thoughts, drawing her attention away from the wintry expanse beyond the glass. Sansa entered the room, her expression a blend of determination and apprehension that mirrored Alarys's own. "We need to talk about what happens next."

Alarys nodded, forcing her mind to focus. They had to be pragmatic. Jon was fighting in King's Landing, and they had been carefully crafting their plans in case everything went awry. But with each passing day, the specter of violence and betrayal loomed larger, and Alarys could feel her heart race at the thought of what could befall him.

"Of course," she replied, her voice steady even as her insides churned. She turned to face Sansa, who was meticulously arranging scrolls and parchment on the table, her fingers moving with practiced precision. It was a task that spoke of urgency, and Alarys felt the fire of determination spark within her.

"Have you thought about what we'll do if Daenerys becomes a threat?" Sansa asked, meeting Alarys's gaze with an intensity that made her heart flutter. "If she decides to eliminate anyone who poses a challenge to her claim, that includes us—especially you and Jon."

Alarys swallowed hard. "I have, but it feels unreal. I never imagined it would come to this. She seemed so—so determined to build a better world."

"And look where that's led us," Sansa replied, her voice tinged with bitterness. "Look at what she is going to do to King's Landing. We cannot afford to overlook her potential for tyranny."

The thought sent a jolt of fear through Alarys. "What if Jon can stop her? What if he can talk her down?" But deep down, a voice whispered doubts. Jon was loyal, but his loyalty to Daenerys was becoming increasingly complicated. The vision she had of their love and their future felt fragile, teetering on the brink of a precipice.

"I hope he can," Sansa said, a shadow passing over her features. "But if he cannot, we must be prepared to act. He may find himself in a position where he has to choose between her and the realm, and we must ensure he knows where our loyalties lie."

The room fell silent as Alarys contemplated Sansa's words. They had spoken of their fears before—of Daenerys's insatiable hunger for power and control, and how that could extend to those closest to her. But this time felt different. This time, it felt real.

Suddenly, the sound of the door creaking open drew both their eyes. The servant rushed in, breathless, a raven clutched tightly in his hand. "My ladies! A raven from King's Landing!"

Alarys's heart raced as she took the parchment from the servant, her fingers trembling. She tore it open, scanning the words with a sinking feeling in her stomach. Her breath caught in her throat as the weight of the message crashed over her.

"King's Landing has fallen to dragon fire. Daenerys has unleashed her fury, and the city is in ruins," she read aloud, her voice trembling with horror. "The Golden Company has been decimated, and the Lannister forces have surrendered."

Silence enveloped the room, heavy and oppressive. Alarys felt the walls closing in around her as the implications of the message settled in. "What does this mean for Jon?" she whispered, fear clawing at her insides. "If Daenerys has finally shown her true colors, what does that mean for all of us?"