Jon and Dany Imagined Scenes

The Proposal

"You did what?!," Ser Davos exclaimed, irritatedly. The older man did not like to appear to contradict or scold his young king, but at this moment, Ser Davos wanted to take Jon Snow outside and whip him like a small boy. Unfortunately, Jon was King of the North, so such behavior would not do, and more importantly, there was no where private to go on the small ship that carried him from Eastwatch towards King's Landing.

The King of the North, Daenerys Targaryen, her Hand of the Queen Tyrion Lannister and Davos has been discussing strategy in her cramped private quarters, gathered around the glowing stove there. The task at hand, landing on a convincing argument for Cersei Lannister to join their effort against the threat to humanity beyond the wall, was interrupted by Ser Davos' flabbergasted reaction when Daenerys casually mentioned that they should consider keeping Jon's position as a loyal subject a secret, as a more solid alliance between them would prove a threat to Cersei. Apparently, Jon had pledged his fealty to her while lying in recovery from his chilly ride through the North.

"Your grace," began Ser Davos, gently but pointedly, "may I ask what has changed your mind? What of your stubborn lords to the North?"

"I never wanted to be king. I just want to protect my people. Daenerys has proven herself to be a brave and worthy leader, and we can't win this war without her. She gave one of her own children to support my cause. If all she needs is my loyalty in return, I freely give it. The northern lords will come to see what I have seen in her."

Perhaps the boy had been addled in the brain, Ser Davos thought. But no, this was just the sort of honorable selflessness that inspired men to follow him unbidden. It was also what had gotten Jon killed.

Ser Davos hedged, "Aye, you have seen the queen ride fiercely into battle, and it has impressed you. Quite understandable." In fact, Davos could see the extent of that admiration plainly in Jon's gaze, which had been transfixed on Daenerys as he spoke. He caught Tyrion's watchful eye, and saw that the dwarf had noticed, as well. "But your men, like you, are also men of action, not men of words. They did not name you King in the North until after you had fought alongside them. They will see it as a betrayal if they think you have bent the knee with nothing in return. Will they still stand together to fight against an enemy they have not seen? Will you risk their lives to find out?"

"Would you have me take back my promise, after I have already given my word?" Jon's disdain was palpable.

"Ser Davos has a point," Tyrion interjected, more to Daenerys than to Jon. "The King in the North's support will mean little to us if he loses faith with the Northern lords. If he is to be a true ally, and if we are to have any hope of drawing on the support of the ten thousand fighting men amongst them once the war to the north is ended, we should do what we can to help him garner the support of his men, as well. If we succeed, then we will have rallied many of the people living in the seven kingdoms to your side."

"And won't riding alongside them on a dragon make impression enough, Ser Davos?", Daenerys, finally speaking up, seethed.

"Not if they have scattered in anger before they can do so," Ser Davos was quick to respond, ending rather belatedly with a half bow of his head, "my queen." Daenerys looked on, frostily. Jon shifted uncomfortably, realizing the truth in his advisors words.

"It would leave the whole seven kingdoms vulnerable to attack from the north," continued Tyrion more reasonably. Now that Daenerys was committed to vanquishing the army of the undead, and Jon posed little threat to her throne, Tyrion wanted to steer them to Daenerys's original instinct to treat Jon as a trusted ally and speak frankly before him and Ser Davos. "There would be little to rule over should the dead make their way south. Not even your dragons can fight them alone."