Game of Thrones: Fanfic: East meets North
Mar. 22nd, 2018 07:30 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
Title: East meets North
Fandom: Torchwood
Characters: Daenerys, Jon, Tyrion
Author: m_findlow
Rating: PG
Length: 1,079 words
Content notes: none
Author notes: Written for m_findlow's prompt "Game of Thrones, any, nothing hurts like the truth" at fic_promptly
Summary: Dany doesn't like to be refused.
'But you won't bend the knee?' Dany repeated, watching the grave looking pair of men standing at the end of her great hall. Funny how she already thought of it as hers. Dragonstone was where she had begun life, and now that she was returned to Westeros, it seemed only appropriate her temporary seat of power be here, in the halls of her forefathers.
"No." It was just one word, but it incensed her nonetheless. Many men of power had denied her in the last few years, but none had ever lived long enough to enjoy their insolence. Viserys, the Masters of Quarth, Hizdhar Zo Loraq. She kept her expression neutral, just as this game had taught her. Who was this Jon Snow? Not even a king, not by rights. A king in the North was no more a king than the queen that sat upon her Iron Throne. Usurpers and fools, all of them.
He was young, she noted. Young men who chose bold actions rarely became old men. Only knights like her brave Ser Barristan had ever proved such sayings false. What did this King in the North know about ruling? She had only requested him here on Tyrion's insistence.
"The King in the North is young, but he has the hearts of many. He would make a powerful ally if you intend to take the throne from Cersei. You need allies in Westeros, Daenerys. Jon Snow is a sensible and valuable ally to have. Request an audience with him."
She looked hard at this Jon Snow again. She did not see a leader, nor a battle hardened warrior. He looked to still hold the arrogance of youth and the belief that what he held was his, not to be given up to anyone. All this talk of monsters north of the Wall was just a distraction. A way to avoid the real reason for her request.
'You told me you liked him,' she seethed, glancing ever so briefly at Tyrion.
'I do,' he replied, keeping his own voice even. He knew Jon for being stubborn. It was a quality he admired. Stubborn bastards and dwarves made their foes irate, prone to flights of anger and underestimating them, finally bringing their own plans undone. Do not underestimate Jon Snow, my queen, he thought. It was not by chance alone that he survived the Wall and what lies beyond it, became their Lord Commander, and now held the entire North. Fortune may have had its own influence on matters, but with Starks holding the North once more, there was more to be feared from a lack of allies than a union with them.
He cast his own glance at the Northern lord. He was intrigued by his choice of companion, this Davos Seaworth. A smuggler, and perhaps a former enemy, Hand to that fool king Stannis. How quickly arrogance fell into ruin these days. He only prayed that Dany did not make those same mistakes. It was his task to make sure she did not.
'I cannot ask my people to fight a war for a throne that has given them nothing but death and suffering,' Jon replied.
He was no fool. He knew that it was this very battle for power that had lead them all into war in the first place. Most of his family were dead and lost to him on account of it. And all the while, the greater enemy slept right on their doorstep, preparing to take back not only the North, but everywhere. Petitioning King's Landing had been a fruitless endeavor, even when he'd been Lord Commander of the Night's Watch. Now that he was in direct opposition to them, his pleas for alliance would go unheard. He didn't want a war with Cersei or anyone else who intended to claim the Iron Throne. If he could bring peace to the North, he would happily have left the rest of them to fight over whatever was left. But none of it would matter if they didn't stop the enemy that was coming for them all.
Only an army from Essos could provide them with any hope of facing what was still to come. The North couldn't afford to treat with the Iron Bank of Braavos. It's only hope lay in the army on Dragonstone. Now he was being asked to pay the price this army would exact.
No, he wouldn't bend the knee for some Targaryen calling herself queen. For all he knew she was no better than her father, the Mad King. Trust came hard these days, and he wouldn't put his trust in some stranger. It wasn't why he'd come here. If he couldn't ally himself with their army, he needed the one other thing they had on Dragonstone and nowhere else: Dragonglass.
He watched the way Daenerys held her face firm. His outright refusal vexed her, that much was clear. She was clearly accustomed to people bowing and saying yes to her demands for fealty. He'd be flayed alive if he handed over the North to her. His people wanted their own leader, not for him to give them all over to another claimant for the throne. He'd come here against the advice of his court, yes, but he would not dishonor them.
'I mean no offense, Your Grace,' he said, 'but I don't know you.'
Daenerys glared at Tyrion again. This Northern King had insulted her and had the audacity to tell her she needed his help. Yes, she could take King's Landing right now with her army, but it would come at a terrible price. He knew why she resisted and the accusation stung. He thought she was weak because she would not do the hard things. She would not be weak in front of this boy.
She was about to suggest that she take her dragons and show the North what she thought of open rebellion when the messenger interrupted her.
'You must forgive my manners. You'll both be tired after your long journey. We'll have baths drawn for you and supper sent to your rooms.' It was not weakness she intended to show them, but the courtesy of giving them time to reconsider.
'Am I your prisoner?' His words cut deep. Another test of her will. A queen would imprison her enemies.
'Not yet.' Her words left nothing to be questioned. Bend the knee, Jon Snow and I shall let you live to return to your people.