Northern Conqueror

Chapter 39: Wants And Doubts

Chapter 39: Wants And Doubts

Daenerys was disappointed she couldn't sit through supper with Dragon's Song on the table, but thought it too improper even for her. Now that Jon had given them their gifts Gendry had started on the next batch with help from Arya and a few others they trusted. They would also make scabbards for each of the new swords.

Throughout their dinner, she found herself smiling at Jon as she watched him speak with others. She felt half child and half fool, her heart aflutter from a present, and a sword at that. She worried it painted her as caring only for gilded gifts, but it wasn't that simple.

He'd remembered their discussion of Visenya, knew she was disappointed that House Targaryen had lost their ancestral swords, knew how important it had become for her to have a role in the lineage of their family. Even if she never could bear him a child, she could pass her sword to his and Sansa's, let them carry her will with them to carve a new future for their family.

Once she'd had her fill Daenerys turned to Missandei, giving her a look that asked if she would be spending the night with Grey Worm. When she shook her head, Daenerys rose and excused herself, making her way to her room with her handmaiden.

"King Jon is very kind," Missandei said as she poured herself and Daenerys wine.

"He is," Daenerys nodded, looking at the sword resting on the table against the wall of her room.

Jon had taken them to the yard to get a feel for the swords and told them while he'd helped with all the weapons and hilts of the others, the pommels for Dragon's Song and Lady's Tear were done by him alone. "Though there are a few mangled dragon and wolf heads in the forge now," he admitted with a laugh.

"I had assumed he would make arms for his own lords first," Missandei said bringing Daenerys' glass to her. "Maybe you, as a gift, but not Grey Worm or Dirgo."

"Perhaps he feared I wouldn't appreciate a sword as a gift and thought the favor of my captains would earn my affection," Daenerys said with a smirk as she took the wine.

She clearly didn't believe that, which was obvious to Missandei. "You speak as if he did not have it the moment you spoke to him, your grace."

"When he called me a fool for wanting to be queen?" Daenerys reminded her.

"I meant when you first spoke to him as yourself," Missandei clarified, "Daenerys Stormborn, not Queen Daenerys."

Taking a drink, Daenerys looked to the hearth and thought back on their conversation at Widow's Watch where he'd reminded her of Rhaegar. It had been brief, but she'd found it easier to speak with him after that, even bringing him in to help her when they lost Highgarden. Since then that spark of affection had continued to grow, she'd even found herself enjoying the company of her soon to be sister-wife while he had been busy on their gifts.

She spent most of the evening speaking with Missandei of what they'd learned of the lords in their time there. So many Targaryens seemed to ignore the North and though she knew Jon never would she wanted to make sure she didn't either.

Once Missandei left, Daenerys finished off her glass of wine and sat on her bed with a sigh. Just as she'd started to reach for the laces of her dress, she heard a knock at her door and got to her feet.

Opening it she found looked up and met Jon's eyes, staring at one another until she took her hand from the door and he entered, turning to close the door and meet her gaze again. She held it until she saw his hand rise to latch the door, a hesitant smile taking her lips.