Dark Wings (Sandor Clegane)

Chapter Fifty-two

The arrival in Winterfell for Daenerys and he armies was the cold and untrusted one Jaslin had expected. Nothing of the giddy excitement the people had shown when King Robert came to visit Ned. No, the northern people did not know this silver-haired woman their king now called his Queen and they feared her and the dragons which soared high above them.

Once inside the courtyard of the castle, jaslin had been the first to slide off her horse and run into the arms of Arya and Sansa who stood waiting for them.

"I received your letters" Samsa whispered in her ear, referring to the word Jaslin had sent her on the events at Kings landing and on ship

"Just bite your tongue and remain welcoming" she reminded her as she released Sansa and turned to see Jon and Daenerys approaching them.

The three girls stood calmly as they approached. Daenerys then spoke first in offering a compliment to Sansa and her beauty.

"Winterfell is yours, your grace" was all she spoke in response.

Once all the necessary pleasantries had been completed, Sansa and Jaslin walked the walls of Winterfell.

"And he still will not speak with you?" Sansa asked in concern.

"I questioned his queen and woman. Not to mention his ego and sense of duty"

"Speaking on egos, I must inform on the fate of Lord Baelish".

Jaslin listened in silence as Sansa told her the story or his trial and executions with a cool smile. It was only then in that moment she realized the young girl she had left had finally turned into the strong woman she knew she could always be. It would not be Sansa who would need protecting in the wars to come.

"This dragon queen. What is she like? Can we trust her? I know nothing of her, yet the northern people and I are now expected to bend the knee to her?".

"She saved Jon and the rest of the men who went north of the wall at the expense of one of her dragons. She has also brought her armies here to help us fight against the dead when she originally returned to these lands with another cause. You have every right to be suspicious of those we do not know, especially after everything we have been through, but in the days to come we need all who are willing to help. Remember that".

Jaslin wasn't sure Sansa had taken in the words she had spoken to her, but there was not much else she could do, especially when she also did not completely trust Daenerys and more so her relationship with Jon. Later that day she had hoped to return to her old room within the walls of Winterfell and lay in the arms of Sandor as they warmed each other against the cold air, but that would have to wait as she was called to speak to Daenerys in private.

"They do not like me" Daenerys sighed as she paced back and forth past the roaring fireplace. 

"They do not know you".

"They do not need to know me. I am their Queen, I deserve their respect and loyalty".

Jaslin couldn't help but smile to herself as she stretched out her feet. "You are in the north now my grace. The people here know a hard and fair life, they put their respect and loyalty in things they have seen with own eyes, from things that benefit them. You have arrived here with your dragons and armies, but how will that keep their children from freezing to death in the winter, how will that put food on their table when the lands die under 10 feet of snow". 

"They love Sansa... they love you".

"Sansa and I have grown up here and have the north in our blood. Together with Jon and our armies we won back our home and reunited the North. Trust me, when they see how you protected them, fought for them in the battle against the dead then I am sure they will love you also".

Finally, Daenerys slumped down into the chair next to Jaslin and sighed heavily. Slowly she reached out her hand and rested her forehead on their joined hands. "Tyrion is my hand, but you have provided me more logic and calming advice than any, other than Jorah. Your word is like gold to me Jaslin. When I take back my throne I will need you more than ever. Will you be there for me?".

For the first time ever, Jaslin could see a vulnerability in her eyes, a true and honest fear. That look scared her more than the usual bold and confident stare she gave to the rest of the world. Jaslin almost pitted her in that moment, despite the thousands of deadly soldiers that followed her in complete loyalty, she had no one expect her council and dragons, no one of her same age and sex, a true friend she could confide anything in. Softly, Jaslin stroked her free hand over Daenerys silver hair and smiled "Of course your grace". 

A/N - short and filler chapter, but as you can probably guess it's building up to the big battle. Hope you enjoyed this one though and let me know what you think of in the comments. I'm still not over the fact that the TV is done!

BIG SIDE NOTE - I have started my first ever rory mccann fanfic, I've not been able to find any on wattpad so decided to make my own. Hope you guys enjoy it. It's called Sail Away With Me, the first chapter is up now, so please please please go check it out and dont forget to vote ;)