Wolf's Blood | Daenerys Targaryen |

Chapter Seven

Healing

  There was a large difference in things Donner was good at and a list he was bad at. Dealing with emotions was on the list of things he was bad at. Once he was far enough away from the camp, he found himself sitting next to a river. A river that practically bordered Yunkai.

  He wished he had stayed in Winterfell. At least he would have died with his brother. At least joined the Night's Watch. Anything but Essos. He hated Poka.

  He hadn't even realized that Alice was next to him until he heard her mournful howl. If Robb was dead, he figured Greywind was as well, “Fuck.” He cursed, “Fuck.” He threw a large rock into the river, splashing the cold water on his skin.

  “You’re hurting.” He whipped around to see Daenerys alone behind him. He opened his mouth to retaliate but could come up with nothing, “Donner, we didn't get off on the best start. The only thing I can do is apologize for what my father did to your uncle and grandfather. Let's start anew. Talk about it.”

  He sat down on the cold grass, staring into the river, “If we're starting on a new foot, I feel it's only right if I actually bend the knee.”

  She reached out, grasping his hand, “We can always do that tomorrow. Today, I want to know what's bothering you.”

  “It's not a pleasant story. I don't feel as if you'll want to see it. On a side note, i also want to apologize for--”

  Daenerys interrupted him, “Tomorrow. Remember today is just for talking.”

  “Technically I am talking,” he joked, “okay. Where should I start? The old hand died. Jon Arryn. The fellow was almost like a second father to my father. I think it was murder, but I can't be the judge of that. King Robert traveled from King's Landing to Winterfell because he goes way back with my father. My father accepts. That's all I need to tell you for now.”

  She gave his hand a light squeeze before saying, “If you ever need anyone to talk to, I'll be there for you.”

  “I guess I'll remember that.” He shrugged. Even if he had only told her a small part if his problem, it felt better.

  “While we're here, could you tell me about Winterfell?” She asked.

  Donner pursed his lips, “I will if you answer one question.”

  “I'm listening, ” she said.

  “I've known you for two weeks. Why are you so interested in me?” It was a genuine question? She wasn't blind to his drinking problem and he wasn't blind to her longing gazes.

  He could see the gears spinning as Daenerys thought of something to say, “Quite honestly I don't know. When i called you strange I meant it. You're a strange person but in a good way. Now, what about Winterfell?”

  “It's cold. Even in the summer, there's always a cold breeze, but it's comforting. I'm going to guess you've never seen snow?” Daenerys nodded. She barely remembered her days in Westeros. All she knew were the hot days in Essos, “In Winterfell, it snows in the summer. There are old towers that my younger brother used to climb. Sometimes I used to think that the boy was a monkey.”

  “What did you do to pass time?”

  Donner glanced at Alice who was currently staring at the water, somehow knowing Greywind was gone, “I raced my brothers on horses, fought in sword matches, explored the crypts below Winterfell. It was all so simple.”

  “If you could go back and change it all, would you?”

  The Stark shrugged, “War is inevitable. Have you ever heard of the butterfly effect?” She shook her head, “Basically the war would still occur. My family would still die. You can say ‘not today’, but he will come ‘tomorrow’. Any other questions, or could I ask a few?”