What IF

Chapter 24

The Old Bear

Jorah was brought to the main tent where his king and queen stood. The Sultan stood just behind them; her tiger was mingling with the white direwolf towering over everybody within their vicinity.

They were nearing the North with all their armies mobilized but when the dragons had arrived, the King had asked for one day of rest before they rode hard for Winterfell.

'Your graces' he said with a bow wondering why there was only pensive silence besides the fire burning.

The King and Queen said nothing; the Sultan was the one who stepped towards him.

(Blonde Bear) she said in Dothraki as her dark eyes assessed him. 'That's what they call you.'

Jorah shot his eyes at his Khaleesi but her expression was cool. He had seen that face before; she had worn it whenever she was in the sight of her enemies. Jorah took a shuddering breath, dread filling him that they knew.

Rhaenys was smiling at him, which she has never done. In fact a smile from the Sultan was worse than her fearsome gaze.

He met the queen's eyes one more time and there was a flash of rage that screamed everything.

She knew.

His face went ashen at that.

'Judging by your facial expression I can tell that you have figured out why you were brought here, so we shall not stand on ceremony' the Sultan stated.

She beckoned a guard forward to disarm him. Jorah knew better than to fight.

His long sword was removed along with his Dothraki blade. The Sultan took it and assessed them.

'This sickle is a weapon that is lethal for the uninitiated but you are initiated Ser Jorah. You helped fight with the Dothraki and all our other armies. And you betrayed us' Rhaenys spat, her smile hadn't evaporated.

'Truth be told, I never much trusted you, or how you looked at my aunt and good-sister. I let it go because my queen trusted you and trusted that you were one of us but people are fickle aren't they' Rhaenys said.

Jorah could only bow his head, weeping would not help him now. Every urge in his body wanted to go in front of his Khaleesi and fall to her knees but he knew that wouldn't work. So instead he turned to the person that would least likely help him.

'Your grace allow me to explain myself before you take my head' he said to the King.

The man's grey eyes looked just as stormy as the Uncle who had banished him from these very same lands but there was a flicker of interest. He dared not to look at the Queen even as the King nodded.

'When I met your brother I was under the employ of the Spider, who tasked me to spy on the Queen and Prince Viserys. Robert wanted their heads but Varys wanted otherwise as you know. I pretended to serve Viserys and I did not mind doing so because your Uncle was a mad man, we all knew it. Robert was a better bet for me to go home because there was no one better but then I met you and you brought the Queen out of her shell to become the rulers that this realm needs. I understand I made a mistake but I swear to you I have devoted my life in fighting for House Targaryen' Jorah stated.

The King stood up from his chair and looked at his fire.

'You didn't fight for House Targaryen, you fought for my wife' he said not looking at him.

'I serve...' Jorah tried to protest but Jon cut him off.

'My wife, you served my wife and only her for your gain, you don't care what happens to any of us' Jon finished.