The Death of Duty

Chapter 3

BRAN

Once his ravens had crossed the Narrow Sea they all diverged into different paths in search of Drogon. Each day Bran had searched for him and each day Bran had been unsuccessful. One raven flew over the ruins of Old Valyria but found nothing there once again. Many flew over the Dothraki Sea but found no trace. It was the one that flew over Volantis that made Bran stop. Drogon wasn't in sight but something drew him to the city. He sent his raven down to perch on a nearby rail where he saw what was drawing him.

A woman was wandering the streets, offering food and money to poor children and playing in the streets with them. When he saw her face he knew exactly why he was drawn to here. Daenerys Targaryen is alive. Whilst she seemed peaceful she has been reborn again. Bran can see that her coin has been flipped once again and continues to teeter on the edge, and after everything that's happened to her she won't be stopped if she wished to burn the entire world.

When he warged out Tyrion was sitting beside him like he always did. "Call our banners," Bran said.

"You've found the dragon?" Tyrion asked as he sat up from his chair and started slowly stalking towards him.

"Not exactly."

JON

Jon finally agreed to attend the hunting trip. In all honesty it was probably good for him to do something to keep his mind off of her. It was really just him, Tormund, and Ghost. It wasn't nearly enough to bring home enough food for everyone but it wasn't really supposed to. This was about getting Jon out of his hut and to possibly enjoy his life to an extent.

Jon and Ghost sat behind a rock viewing a deer from behind while Tormund sat behind a rock in front of it. Once Jon gave him the nod Tormund ran out from behind his rock and charged the deer from the front causing it to run in the opposite direction towards Jon. Once it was close enough Jon and Ghost jumped out from behind the rock and cut the deer down.

Jon hauled it back behind him and towards Hardhome while Ghost went ahead to feed himself. For the first time in a long time Jon didn't think about her, about her beautiful snow white hair and her loving purple eyes. Or the way she'd look at him every morning they woke up together on their boat. Suddenly he started to become sad again and Tormund noticed this and attempted to take his mind off it. "Tomorrow's the day you're allowed to visit home correct?"

Jon gave him a small but grateful smile and gave him a nod. "You must be excited to see your sister again."

"I am, it has been quite some time," Jon responded.

"Better clean yourself up, you look like a squirrel who just got right fucked by a bear."

Jon finally gave him a genuine smile and even a real laugh, he hadn't laughed in quite some time and it felt good to do it again. He hadn't laughed in so long but this day really helped him take his mind off of everything that had been plaguing his mind since that terrible day.

That night he joined everyone for the nightly feast and Tormund attempted to make it clear to all the Wildling women that Jon wasn't interested, but that didn't stop a few brave souls from trying. But any woman who got too close was thankfully immediately warded off by Ghost.

Jon enjoyed that night, the deer that they caught was one of the best things he'd tasted in a long time and the entire night went by without a single thought of Daenerys.

He was awoken early the next morning by Tormund shaking his body around mercilessly. "Time to get you ready," Tormund grunted as he held up a blade.

Jon nodded and rose to a sitting position so Tormund could shorten his hair. Once Tormund's hard work was completed Jon made his way over to the water to observe how he looked and saw remnants of his old self. His raven black hair was curly and flowing, the same hair Daenerys loved running her hands through. He had a nicely trimmed beard on his hair, the same beard that Daenerys would brush her cheek against if it was itchy. But these memories for once brought a slight smile to his face when he thought about them.

Tormund was behind him holding a horse in place for him and Jon smiled gratefully. When he mounted it Ghost was quick to his side and they both rode off towards the faint image of a wall in the distance. He got a few waves from the people at Castle Black when he passed through and onward to Winterfell.

He took the route that his sister had instructed him to take as he rode towards his former home. Once he arrived, ,l'

\=the gates immediately opened as the guards seemed to recognize him. When he entered he immediately saw Sansa waiting for him alone, dressed in less fancy clothing than he would have expected. Her eyes seemed watery with unshed tears and she was wearing a toothy smile. Jon immediately hopped off his horse and ran towards her hugging her so tight he swore he was gonna break her ribs.

When they pulled away Jon gave her a quick kiss on her forehead. "I missed you," Jon smiled.

"I missed you too," Sansa sobbed. "Come, let's get you some real food."

Sansa lead Jon to the great hall where the typical food of the North was waiting at the head table. Jon sat with his sister and they talked and caught up on their lives.

"How is the North?" Jon asked.

"Good," Sansa murmured with three lemon cakes shoved in her mouth. "We're thriving under our new independence, we don't have to worry about the complicated politics of the south."

"And how is the south?" Jon asked.

Sansa stopped eating and pushed her food away a bit. "Not so good, Bran sort of fails to empathise with the people and it can lead to poor communication," she said. "But it's at least better than Cersei, absolutely nothing terrible has happened."

"Well that's good at least."

"Well that's enough about me, tell me how the real north is."

"Cold," Jon smiled. "But there's absolutely zero politics I have to worry about there and you should know that I absolutely despise politics."

"Yes I know," Sansa laughed.

Ghost placed his head on Sansa's foot as he lay under the table and snored. "I missed you too," she said as she stroked the wolf's belly.

"Your grace," a guard entered the hall, interrupting them. "Lord Wyman Manderly has arrived, and there's some ravens that require your attention."

Sansa nodded and gave her brother an apologetic smile. "Thank you," she said. The guard gave a quick bow and left. "If it's not too much trouble could you retrieve the raven scrolls, I need to meet with Lord Manderly."

Jon raised from his chair and Ghost joined him as he went to the tower. Winterfell had undergone very little change, just simple repair and the castle was restored to what it was as best as Sansa could. Walking through the castle grounds brought back many lost memories that made Jon smile to himself. He remembered everywhere, where he used to spar with Robb, where he would secretly teach Arya to spar with a sword, and where he broke his arm punching a tree he stubbed his toe on.

When he reached the tower he retrieved the scroll with the crowned direwolf on it, meaning it was from Bran. He knew this was for Sansa but seeing as he wouldn't be able to see Bran he decided he would have a quick look at the scroll, just to read his brother's writing.

Queen in the North, Sansa I Stark

I summon your banners to the capital to venture across the Narrow Sea.

Daenerys Targaryen is alive.

King Brandon I Stark