A tale of wolves and dragons

A Cure

Sam and Jon spoke of Daenerys' ill health as the fear inside Jon grew. There wasn't any uplifting news from Sam, nor was there any sign that this was all going to pass. Sam could not guarantee she would wake - and those words were enough to shoot a fire through Jon's bones. He wasn't looking for promises - he just needed some hope. But that all seemed inconsequential at that point.

Sam had administered another dose of milk of the poppy. If Daenerys did wake, she'd surely spend the next few days recovering from withdrawals.
In seeing his best friend's dread - Sam offered a small, half- hearted relief "She is the Mother of Dragons, Jon. I'm sure she'll pull through..."
Jon appreciated his friends attempt, but sighed slowly and said "lying was never your strength, Samwell Tarley...."

At that moment Sam and Jon were interrupted by Gilly. Little Sam had fallen ill with a fever. Jon insisted Sam be with his son, somehow moved by Jamie's speech about a fathers bond with his children. Sam had that - he had a son and a good woman to love. The insistence in Jon's eyes was enough to convince him, and he agreed.

Jon sighed heavily. There was nothing more he could do for her. The realisation of her condition began to settle in. The weight of his responsibilities began to settle in. He wondered why he'd tried so hard to fight it until now. He knew he must sign the Deed. There was no better choice to be made.

He sought out Davos and told him what needed to be done. Davos reluctantly agreed. Jon requested Davos make the necessary arrangements with Tyrion but was adamant the matter be kept strictly private. No more than Tyrion, Varys, Sansa and Davos were to know of it. There would be no pomp or ceremony - this was not something to be celebrated. Davos nodded intently and went about his duty. He left Jon be to mull over the task before him.

There was nowhere he really needed to be. The repair efforts were in good stead. His friends were resting or healing after the battle. He didn't have anyone to be with, other than his Queen. Although he had not succeeded in finding her children, Jon returned to Daenerys' bedside. He wanted to savour the moments he had left with her. He returned to her room and took his seat next to her bed. He found her hand and brought it to his mouth, planting gentle kisses on her delicate skin and along her wrist. He longed for her - he ached for her. But he could do no more for her now.

Flashbacks of conversations between them kicked in. The private discussions they'd had about the similarities in their individual journeys and of all the great feats Daenerys had achieved so far. He wondered if he was worthy of being her heir and hoped, from the pit of his heart, that she would forgive him for signing before she had asked. After gazing at her for a time, he noticed a small pile of books near her dresser, books about the history of Westeros. He'd recognised one that he'd read as a child and the memory bought a small smile to his face. He sat back down at her side and began to read aloud to her.

After a time, Sansa came to find him to inform him Tyrion and Varys were ready. Jon looked glumly at Daenerys and acknowledged he must go. He gazed at her again - such an exotic beauty she was. He didn't need to say anything at that point, he only leaned over to her and sweetly kissed her lips, lingering a moment too long to compose himself before turning to his sister. He couldn't care who knew about their love anymore, but he had to be strong now. In that moment, Sansa witnessed a side to her brother she had not seen for many moons. Jon was always a gentle and respectful boy, but she had only known him as a battle-hardened man this past year since their reunion. Shed watched him nearly kill Ramsey Snow before her, witnessing his fury. She'd never seen Jon with a woman before, even though she knew many young ladies had sought out his attention and affections. But this was something more. And although she was not fond of the woman he chose to love, Sansa's heart began to break for her brother.