Not To Be Dramatic // Jon Snow

23. Bitter

"All rulers demand that people bend the knee. It's why they're rulers. She gave Tarly a choice. A man who had taken up arms against her. What else could she do?" Tyrion countered.

"Not burn him alive alongside his son." Varys questioned

" I am her hand, not her head. I can't make her decisions for her." Tyrion countered

" That's what I used to tell myself about her father. I found the traitors but I wasn't the one burning them alive. I was only a purveyor of information." Varys added getting a drink "It's what I told myself when I watched them beg for mercy, "I'm not the one doing it." As the pitch of their screams rose higher, "I'm not the one doing it." When their hair caught fire and the smell of the burning flesh filled the Thone Room, "I'm not the one doing it."" he sat the drink down beside him again.

"Daenerys is not her father."

"I saw a man named Janos Slynt drag father down past all the people shouting at him throwing things at him". Selma recalled. "Father kept his head down the whole walk to the stage. I remember that mans awful face as he delivered father to joffrey. His smile as ilyn cut his head off. I wished someone braver than I would come and save him". She whispered. "But I lost hope in heroes for a while. "

"I knew that man". Jon spoke. Selma turned to him. "I cut his head off". Selmas smile grew. "He-"

"I don't even care what he did". Selma assured. "He deserved it if you did it yourself."

"He did." Jon assured kissing her temple.

"I knew you were my hero all along jon." He held her a moment longer.

"I cant imagine what you went through at the capital." Jon whispered

"I can't imagine what you went through at the wall." Selma countered kissing his chest.

"You ever think about what might have been if we never left?"

"I would have been married to you by now." Selma agreed. "We wouldnhave at least two kids. A boy and a girl. The boy would be older so he could protect his little sister." Jon smiled down at her. "Father would have walked me down the aisle robb would have given you the dont you dare hurt her or I hurt you talk." Selma decided. Jon nodded he coulf picture it now. "And... we would be happy. There wouldnt be a war because if we were in love and together then the rest of the world would have to behave."

"I like that." Jon agreed kissing the top of her head when a knock sounded at the door.

"Ignore it." Selma countered. "Im in fantasy land."

" I thought Arya was dead. I thought Bran was dead." Jon remarked baffled as he read the letter over and over again.

" I'm happy for you. You don't look happy." Daenerys realized.

"Bran saw the Night King and his army marching towards Eastwatch. If they make it past the wall --" Jon rasped shaking his head. Selma couldnt breathe. Not just rickon and sansa were there but now the night king was pushing forward. Getting closer. Her little rickon and bran.

" The Wall has kept them out for thousands of years. Presumably --" Varys offered

""We need to go home." Jon interupted.

" You said you don't have enough men." Daenerys reminded him.

"We'll fight with the men we have. Unless you'll join us." Jon agreed

"Which she wont." Selma murmured. It seemed like a wasted trip but at least they mined dragonglass. Her arms were sore but it would be worth it if they survived.

" And give the country to Cersei? As soon as I march away she marches in." She scoffed

"Perhaps not. Cersei thinks the Army of the Dead is nothing but a story made up by wet nurses to frighten children. What if we prove her wrong?" Tyrion suggested

"I don't think she'll come see the dead at my invitation." Jon corrected.

"I could ask but we werent buddy buddy." Selma added.

"So bring the dead to her." Tyrion agreed

" I thought that was what we are trying to avoid." Daenerys countered

"We don't have to bring the whole army. Only one soldier." Tyrion suggested

" Is that possible?" Davos asked jon. Selma didnt like the sound of that. It seemed dangerous.

" The first White I ever saw was brought into Castle Black from beyond the Wall." Jon recalled thinking it through

"Bring one of these things down to King's Landing and show her the truth." Tyrion agreed

" Anything you bring back will be useless unless Cersei grants us an audience and is somehow convinced not to murder us the moment we set foot in the capital." Varys countered

"The only person she listens to is Jaime. He may listen to me."

"Didnt you murder your father before fleeing?" Selma countered. Tyrion stared at her.  "Maybe he forgot. It seems a forgettable thing like when joffrey murdered my father. Im not still bitter about that. Oh wait..."

" And how would you get into King's Landing." Daenerys countered

"I can smuggle you in, but if the Goldcloaks were to recognize you, I'm warning you, I'm not a fighter." Davos agreed at the pointed looks from the group in his direction.

" Well, it will all be for nothing if we don't have one of these dead men." Daenerys agreed

"Fair point. How do you propose to find one?" Varys pondered

"With the queen's permission I'll go north and take one." Jorah said breaking the silence.  "You asked me to find a cure so I could serve you. Allow me to serve you."

"The free folk will help us. They know the real north better than anyone." Jon agreed

" They won't follow Jorah." Selma countered. "I met your furry friend. He doesnt like southerners."

" They won't have to." Jon assured

"What does that mean? What does he mean?" Selma demanded.

" You can't lead a raid beyond the wall. You're not in the Night's Watch anymore. You're King in the North." Davos objected

"Jon!"

"I'm the only one here whose fought them. I'm the only one here who knows them." Jon corrected grabbing her hand

" I haven't given you permission to leave." Daenerys demanded. Selma scoffed   This bitch was still on that? Selma looked to jon as he stepped closer.

"With respect, Your Grace, I don't need your permission. I am a king." Jon clarified. Damn right you are selma wanted to clap. "And I came here knowing that you could have your men behead me or your dragons burn me alive. I put my trust in you, a stranger, because I knew it was the best chance for my people, for all our people. Now I'm asking you to trust in a stranger because it's our best chance."