GoT: Siblings

 //A little flash-forward. She doesn't have to hide her survival anymore. Besides, it's been a while since I had her converse with Jon Snow. 

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"Greetings, Bäahal." -Jon's voice echoed through the walls of the war room. She was caught looking at the beautiful maps carved on stone and painted by the finest painters of the kingdom.- 

She let her fingers run over her dress and bowed before her king and sibling Jon Snow. It had been quite a while since she was able to spend some time with Jon. His duties kept him busy and the growing unrest caused by Daenerys opponents was wearing him down. Bäahal took the opportunity of Jon isolating himself in the warm room to meet him there. As usual, the princess didn't announce her arrival and simply stormed into the room with no clear idea of what she wanted to talk to Jon. He recognized her footsteps and simply welcomed her with half a smile and a warm gaze. 

"Greetings... Jon." -She whispered, tucking some silver locks behind her ears- "I haven't seen you in quite a while now. I decided that it was time I paid you a little visit."

"You know you could have come to me sooner? I'm not exactly hard to find." -She chuckled and shook her head.- "What? Am I?"

"No, you're not. Trouble just seems to find you very easily." -She grinned and walked closer to the table.- "You always seemed to have something going on, I didn't want to interrupt. Now seems to be the right time to have a little conversation." She sat to his right and put both of her arms on the table. "I didn't have the opportunity to thank you for what you did for me. Finding the Redwynes... confronting them and punishing them for the siege and what they did to me." She swallowed a lump and bit her bottom lip.

"It was the least I could do, Bäahal. When news of the siege reached out to us... Your sister wanted to ride Drogon and burn them to a crisp. It took Ser Tyrion and me to convince her otherwise. I... I was worried about you. I was hoping that you survived the ordeal."

"By a strand of hair." She added, chuckling awkwardly as she didn't know what to say. She then dropped her head and twirled some of the silver strands that spilled on the table- "Jon... I came to see you because...We never really talked about Jaime. I am very aware of what he did to your family and in no way I would try to absolve him from his sins. He did what he did...And you have every right to be angry at him, to hate him, or to wish him death. I hope..."

"We love who we love, Bäahal. You found something to love in Jaime Lannister and I commend you for keeping such a kind heart. I would not deny the pain and shock I felt when I first heard that you were in love with him and wanted to marry him. I wasn't certain that he was the right choice for you. I failed to see the good in him because he inflicted so much pain on my family and Dany when he killed your father. It took some time for me to come around and see how genuine your feelings for him were. When I see you when I see you.... all my concerns just went away." -Bäahal blinked and covered both cheeks with her hands. Her purple eyes averted from the table to Jon's face and she gave him a sheepish smile.-

 

"It is such a relief, Jon." -She sighed and slowly put her arms down on the table- "I haven't been able to sleep well since I confessed to Dany."- She then tucked some hair behind her ear and tilted her head to the side- "Jaime has a side that very few people are aware of.  You worked together on the Redwyne's case.. perhaps this helped you see a side of him you've never seen before?"

"He is a man of honor. Working with him forced me to see him for who he was in the present day. I can't forgive him for what he did or his family but...I acknowledge that he is far more than the person I thought he was." -He tilted his head to look at the princess and noticed she was so nervous because her fingers started to tap against the wooden table. Jon outstretched his arm to gently place his hand above hers- "Hey... Everything is alright. Everything is alright. You're not in trouble."

Bäahal looked at him and put her hand over his. Jon had always been kind to her and she felt relieved to hear that he was not upset at her for picking Jaime as her soul mate. Jon was sincere when he said that he acknowledged that Jaime was a better man than he first thought. He was sincere when he told the princess that she could love him and he wouldn't be upset at her for doing so, at least, not anymore. He was sincere because he noticed how much they loved each other. Jaime cared for his sister. He saved her from the siege, he helped nurse her back to health and he brought her back to the Red Keep. Jaime risked everything for Bäahal's safety and when he had to defend his love to Daenerys, his words were touching and Jon was convinced that he was true to her. Wasn't it the most important? 

-TBC-

Regular GoT: shots of love

 My dear Golden Lion, I remember the day you told me that you were impressed that after all this time, suffering from the vileness of mankind, I still retained hope. I still saw the world for everything it was able to give. I remember I was surprised when you told me that because to me it didn't seem that way. It took a while before I started to see things differently from the Long Night. Do you remember how I was ready to die?  I thought I only had value in a warrior's death but I was mistaken. 

My world was grey before you came to me and slapped some sense into me. You brought the colors back.  you brought the colours back and it stayed with me. 

We are going to face a lot together, and I know that in the end, we might not get what we actually want, but I want to Try. I want to give it my all because there is not a life where I wouldn't want to be with you. it simply doesn't exist for you are my life, you are my world, in this life or another.  

xxxxx

I would give these two the world. I would give these two my everything. I remember looking at them whenever I could, catching the small glances and the subtle smiles as they were attracted towards one another like magnets.  I remembered the warmth I felt upon learning they finally trusted one another and gave me another chance at Life. 

In a world where I had lost everything, I suddenly found a family. I suddenly found people who cared for me and would give everything to help me should I need it.  I don't think you'd understand how it is, to go from an orphan to someone who found a home, to bond with people who understand loss better than anyone. To bond with people who would never give up on you. I found this and I would never stop loving them. 

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I believe in second chances and we have both deserved it. Long before we met, we both experienced something traumatic. You've lost and loved and crumbled but always kept moving forward. I remember the knight I met, long before the Long Night. You were the shadow of your past-self, or so I was told. You were supposed to be a man who had lost everything, from his honour to the love of the people to even his own future. you had lost everything to Death and yet you still came. I was baffled by the sight of you, left dumbfounded and smitten over you. Yes, I think it probably was this moment Fate chose to bring us together, the moment you stole our first kiss. you lost so much, Jaime, that I believe you deserve a second chance at life. you deserve to be proud, to be happy, to be loved above all else.  and It is an honour to love you, with all I have. it is an honour to adore you. it is an honour to be with you. 

GoT: Family (Jon x Bäahal)

GoT: Family (Jon x Bäahal)

A/N: Because it's bound to happen, here's my take on that moment she learns he is family.

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The night was young, but already the sharp claws of winter clutched at the princess' body. She didn't expect to hear a knock on her door. She threw around her slender frame a fur coat and opened the door, half-expecting Lord Varys or Lord Tyrion to be at the other side of it. Her purple hues grew wide as she realized it was Commander Snow who was standing in front of her. She cleared her throat, bit her tongue and planted her purple eyes into his black orbs. What was he doing here? She tried to remember the last time he actually spent time with her, it was a long time ago when he was trying to convince Daenerys that he was sincere and honest about the Wrights. Ever since Jon had spent most of his time with her sister.

« Daenerys isn't with me Lo—Jon Snow. » She said, half expecting he was looking for her sister. « I believe she's in her room, which is on the other side of the castle. »

« I know where she is. I wasn't looking for her, your grace. » He started with, his eyes still staring at her. « I wanted to talk to you. Can I come in? »

« Me ?... » She was dumbfounded and for a minute, broke the eye contact with Jon. She lowered her head, shifted her eyes from left to right before she returned to her bed and let the door open. « Suit yourself. »

What could he possibly want to talk about? Her heart started to race, the unknown felt terrifying for a mere second. Maybe he found out she was upset by Jaime Lannister's departure and wanted to scold her for feeling something for the enemy? Maybe he realized she had been withdrawn since the war against the Night King and wanted to understand what was going on. She cursed herself for this, for eventually making people worry about her but truth be told, how else could she react to what she witnessed when they fought Death itself? She sat on her bed and held onto the sheets as he sat on the chair near her vanity. Silence had settled between the two of them, an uncomfortable one filled with unasked questions and dread for the answers. Bäahal moistened her plump lips and knitted her brows together.

« What is it about, Jon ?... » -Her voice was light, almost a whisper as her purple hues once again stared at Jon's black ones.-

« We haven't had the time to talk since.....Dragonspit. I did apologize for Viserion's death to your sister, but not to you personally. »Ah! Viserion. He wanted to talk about Viserion? She shook her head vehemently and put her hand to her heart.

« It wasn't your fault. His life was to end at this moment and I know he did his best to protect me....to protect you. I... I miss him every day, Jon, but we were fighting Death itself...I am just glad he now can finally rest in peace. » She took a deep breath and looked away from Jon so he wouldn't see the fresh unshed tears that formed against her eyes.

« I am sorry Bäahal...You've been different since then. » He did notice she was different since the loss of Viserion. The change was subtle, but it was there. Her brows were still knitted as she looked at him, feeling remorseful. « I can't help but feel responsible for it. »

« It isn't your fault. » She repeated as she moved her hand towards his. « I hold no grief against you. Besides, you survived, what more could I ask for? » She chuckled and patted the back of his hand. « You make my sister happy, I can see it. » A faint smile crept on her lips. « I can feel it in the way she's looking at you or the tone of her voice when she's talking about you. » She tapped the tip of her nose and then looked at their hands. « And this connection is important to me as well... »

« Princess... I didn't come here just to talk about Viserion. » His face, which lit up for a moment and allowed a smile to cross his lips, became stern again and he took a deep breath. « I am the bearer of grave news... »

« Is Lord Jaime Dead? » She instinctively asked, before she heard her words and blushed hard. « Nevermind if he's dead, right ?... » She quickly added but it sounded so fake that it left Jon perplexed for a minute.

« No. It has nothing to do with Jaime Lannister. »

Her question was out of pocket to say the very least. The way she asked it, the concern in her tone betrayed her true emotions. Jon wasn't stupid, he knew already that the princess was attached to their enemy in ways he couldn't understand. He knew she was forcing herself to accept the current situation they were in and her devotion to the queen was unquestionable. He just found it very unfortunate that the woman's first free choice was to fall onto their very enemy and someone he'd rather see dead than alive. She recoiled at the corner of the bed, feeling ashamed of her own outburst but unwilling to confirm it as being true, she quickly said.

« Then, please, tell me what it is about because I have no clue. You come here in the middle of the night, asking to talk to me? Is it something you haven't told Daenerys yet? » -Jon shook his head-

« She's aware of the situation. You were the second person I had to inform. »

« I see... I am listening, Jon. » She said, swallowing a lump. Her fingers fidgeted with the helm of her dress as she didn't know what to do with her hands. Jon cleared his throat and decided to say things as they were, without artifices.

«My brother Bran is a seer now. His visions revealed my true lineage. I am a Stark, believe it or not, son of Lyanna Stark...and.... » He paused for a second preparing himself to say the rest of his sentence but Bäahal beat him to it.

« Rhaegar Targaryen...You are a Targaryen as well... » She whispered, her eyes grew wider than before and she put her hand against the warm lips of hers. Jon was nervous, she could tell by his body language. He was tense because he didn't know how she would react. Daenerys accepted him, but he knew she needed time to adjust, especially since he potentially could claim the throne for himself. He assured the queen he wasn't looking for it and didn't want to sit on the Iron Throne and she seemed to believe him, which wasn't certain with Bäahal.

« Yes, I am. » Was all he could say.

Silence settled for what seemed an eternity. It wasn't per se, just a few seconds spent without a word said by any of them. Bäahal was staring at her sibling, her eyes still wide as a shock was washing through her whole being. It implied a lot, Jon being a sibling that was. For someone who had been a slave, a product of a violent act and an orphan at an early age, she found a sister in Daenerys and now a nephew in Jon Snow. Bäahal was one of the very first to accept Jon when he first came to Dragonspit. She believed him and convinced Daenerys to eventually listen to him. She was the first to show him support and while their relationship took a turn when Viserion died, she was fond of him still. She had always been from the moment they met and that strange connection she felt months ago was now justified, explained, understood. It was blood. Blood acknowledged blood and he was her kin.

« How did they name you? » She asked, her eyes now lit with a flame he had not seen before.

« Aegon...but I'd go by Jon because that's who I am. » He insisted, to which she nodded.

« Of course, Jon... » She stood up and walked towards him. He wanted to stand up but she shook her head and sat on her knees in front of him. She held his hands and smiled at him, a large and loving smile. Maybe one of relief.

« Are you... upset? » He asked, uncertain of how she took it. She seemed to be rather content with the news.

« No.. not at all... » She said with a smile. « Actually, I am very happy because my family keeps on growing. You are my brother, and because of the blood you share with Sansa, Bran, and Aria, they are my siblings as well...for someone who spent her life alone since mother died, I have found more than I could have asked for. » She leaned her forehead against his hands and pressed a few kisses on the back of them. « You're my family Jon. I accept you, I accept the news, I accept everything... » She unwillingly sobbing.

« You are as well... » He let out. « You've always been accepting of me from the start. I couldn't leave you in the dark since I learned the truth. You are family, always have been from the moment you accepted me. Now, things are just more...official. » She nodded and pulled away from his hands. « Please, your grace, do not cry. »

« Those are tears of joy, Jon... Tears of Joy. » She said as she wiped them off of her face and slowly stood back up. « I am grateful you decided to tell me the truth. Thank you. » The princess added while she wiped her tears away. Jon stood up and nodded.

« Of course. I couldn't keep you in the dark. Especially not when it's a family matter. I am relieved you chose to take the new well. I said to Dany that I wasn't challenging her, the Iron Throne doesn't interest me. I wanted to assure you that I would not try and take the crown from her. »

« I believe you Jon Snow... » She said with a smirk and gently patted his arm while she was busy wiping the tears off of her face. « Would you be so kind and leave my room so I can get myself back together? »

« Yes, I would. » He said as he walked towards the door. « But, princess...I believe we'll have to talk again. You don't seem to be doing very well. »

« War... what you see is the result of it. » She quickly said as she followed him to the door. « Let's make it a conversation for another day, Jon. »

« yes, let's make it so. » He said with a faint smile on his lips. He was concerned, she could tell by the way he was looking at her but he was relieved she chose to welcome him too and Bäahal wanted it to be the last memory of the night. Just when they were about to say goodbye, the princess pulled him into a hug, which first shocked him, and then made him smile. He wrapped his arms around her frame and planted a kiss on top of her head. « Goodnight Princess. »

« Goodnight Jon. » She said as she pulled away and closed the door behind her.

-TBC-

GoT: What do I truly desire?

Jon Snow asked me, after learning about my true identity like the rest of them, what was it that I truly desired. I remember the words we exchanged on the stairs as I was trying to vent my frustration. We met by accident but instead of running away, I remained at my place and so did he. He joined me and we watched the dragons dance in the sky. That was where we spoke the truth revealed and what it meant for me. I was a Targaryen now, I was a half-breed reunited with the full-blooded heir to the throne. I was her sister, the product of an unwanted union between the mad king and my mother. A former slave, liberated by my own sister, who happened to be riding dragons. Irony never wore a better face. I hated the name, I hated the people. Targaryens were nothing more but glorified humans who could ride dragons and not burn in flames, for those of them who had the « dragon blood. ». They were nothing more but wizards and witches, who draped themselves with self-righteousness and a fake veil of virtue while they were sinning just like the rest of us. I didn't want that name, for it was an open wound for both my mother and me.

Jon was the first person I eventually talked to, aside from Missandei who knew me since we were children, Jon was the first to know how I truly felt about being thrown into the spotlight. I had a name, I had a family again...Why did speak to him so freely while I would have been better keeping it to myself? I guess, it had to do with his honest eyes. Jon was unlike people of his sex. He wasn't lying, he wasn't cheating, he wasn't trying to take advantage on me. He had no other interest but speak truly and freely and share a moment with me. An honest one at that. So, I let him in. I let him talk to me and I learned something that would stay with me for all eternity I suppose? He told me that I wasn't like my father, the burden I carry wasn't mine to carry. I wasn't the sin of Aerys II. I wasn't the demon's spawn, although, I was, figuratively speaking. He told me I could forge the future I wanted to have, that I could turn this name into something else, become something better. He spoke to me as if I was his equal and perhaps, that did charm me a lot, enough for me to drop some of my walls, experience emotions I never knew I could: relief, gratitude, and comfort.

Yet, his question made me freeze. What was that, that I desired the most?? I had freedom already. So much freedom that I was scared. I didn't know what to do with it. I had freedom, well, factually I was free. In my head,d I still was in shackles. I knew it would require some time for me to finally feel free. I knew it would require a lot more from me to finally open up to my sister, build strong relationships.. eventually be happy ? I don't know. All I knew at this moment was that I wanted to serve. I wanted her to achieve her goal, fulfill her dreams. I was devoted to her and it suited me at the time, because it was something I knew. I knew how to serve. I felt comfortable doing what I knew but deep down, I was aware that it would limit me. Deep down I knew that the dreams I had and the desires I buried inside would come out in a fury and would explode in my face, like the green fire my father wanted to use on his people. I would have to know what I wanted, I would have to face my own desires. I would have to see myself as my sister's equal, Jon's equal, a human being. I couldn't answer his question and because I quickly became frustrated, I became colder and ran away.

What did I truly desire ?..

Bäahal and Jon (GoT)

Life worked in mysterious ways. One minute you were an orphan and the next you had a family. She had always seen the honesty in his eyes, a rare quality for people of his sex. She had always trusted him, again, a rare occurrence in her life. At the brink of a potential extinction, when everything might be lost to Death itself, she was starting to feel more alive than she ever did. From the ashes and burnt bridges came something new, something beautiful. Jon was the bearer of bad news, but somehow he brought Life along with him. Life worked in mysterious ways, indeed, one minute she was an orphan, the next one, she had a family and before she knew, here he was, standing before her, guiding her through well-timed bits of advice, cementing her very existence in their shared line of ancestors. Here he was, family."

GoT: The truth unveiled -Aftermath-

A/ N: That is the last solo I felt I had to write after Lou wrote me a beautiful Dani x Bäahal piece. <3 Thanks so much Lou for helping me feel less like a shitty writer. <3 You always inspire me and always say the right words! So this is for you <3 I haven't been in Bäahal's head in ages so I didn't know how to write my response to the wonderful solo written by Lou. I will try to do it Justice but I am not sure I would be able to. Anyway, it takes place right after your scene. And with this, I would have written all I owed you <3 All the usual disclaimers

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Tyrion watched as Bäahal ran away from the throne room as she sought some fresh air Everything went so fast that she didn't have the time to sit and think clearly. He turned to Daenerys and cleared his throat as he prepared to speak. The queen glanced at him, her purple eyes filled with an emotion she hadn't felt before. In her pursuit of power, she who thought she had lost her family ended up finding one. Bäahal's lineage always had been the focus of many rumors and legends. Only very few of them were close to the truth. Sunni, the beautiful albinos' slave attracted the eye of Aerys « the mad king » when she entered his court. Sunni was a slave from Naath, known for her beauty and grace and her dancing skills. Unlike many servants, she exclusively danced or sang to entertain Aerys court and distract Rhaella. Shortly before he vowed to remain faithful, he took Sunni against her will and the two conceive a child but the mother kept it a secret for as long as she could. She escaped from the King's wrath; when he killed a mistress he accused of Rhaella's stillbirth; and returned to Naath so she could quietly give birth to her daughter and live safely. Her hopes of a peaceful life quickly vanished when the baby was born with white hair and purple eyes, a sign that it was Targaryen. Rumors started and followed Bäahal ever since.

When they met her, she was dying her hair red to avoid being noticed but Tyrion wasn't duped and didn't trust her. Her eyes were purple and no amount of hair dye could change that fact. Besides, he often caught her intensely stare at Daenerys when the queen wasn't looking, which made him even more suspicious. He asked Varys about her since he seemed to know everything and was dumbfounded to realize that the bald spy knew of her lineage long before they left Mereen. Tyrion was upset that such a secret was kept from him and planned to tell the truth to his queen. A bastard Targaryen might not be a threat to the throne in itself since they couldn't pretend to the title BUT they could be a threat to the queen herself. He had noticed how close to Bäahal his queen and Missandei became and he didn't want her to have a bad influence on them. The queen was already difficult to advise as it was, he didn't want her to listen to a so-called relative because she would feel inclined to. Varys advised against it, saying that Bäahal's lineage didn't affect their plan or the queen and revealing it now would only complicate everything.

She saw something in Jon Snow and demonstrated a curiosity Tyrion recognized as the same she had for Daario. It made the Queen even more unpredictable than before. Tyrion didn't listen and today couldn't contain himself but reveal Bäahal's lineage. He confronted her in front of everyone, accusing her of wanting to take advantage of the queen and misguide her. That was unlikely to him to act on such an impulse but he realized he was losing ground to Jon « Perfect » Snow. The young lad caught the queen's attention and Tyrion foresaw that if he didn't manifest himself quickly, she might stop listening to him altogether. Bäahal was suffocating, the pressure she felt in the throne room as the truth about her lineage was revealed to Daenerys was depriving her of air. She held her neck, scratching it as she would have in the past when the shackles and chains were wrapped around her neck to remind her of her place. She shut her eyes tightly as Daenerys words echoed in her mind.

« How long have you been living in the shadows, You won't have to do it ever again, Bäahal, step into the light as my friend... my sister. »

It was too much to handle for the half-breed who couldn't stare at Daenerys and stay in the same room as everyone else. She felt naked, stripped off of her pride and dignity when Tyrion told her story to the crowd. They didn't need to know the circumstances of her birth. They didn't need to know the suffering of her mother or hers. They didn't have to take away the small pride she finally found after the Targaryen queen took her with her. It wasn't, per say, the humiliation of being confronted to such horrible past that bothered the woman. It was the sight of Daenerys being horrified to her ordeals that Bäahal couldn't take. She glorified the queen, her half-sister, admired her for her journey and transformation. She wanted nothing but respect from her sibling and instead, thanks to the insecurities of a troubled man, that respect was gone and was replaced with Pity. She couldn't tell what went through the silver-haired queen but she knew that Daenerys was feeling some sort of guilt for what her father did. She was just a baby when Viserys and her were taken away from Dragonstone. Too young to have met her father and way too young to fully be impacted by her genitor's actions. He was a despicable man, she was aware of that and she was aware of his ways and determined not to repeat the same things. The circumstances of Bäahal's birth wasn't her burden to carry over but she knew the woman and felt empathetic to her ordeals.

She might not have lived a life of servitude, she was sold like cattle to Khal Drogo. Before any of them could get to know each other, he treated her like property. She had to earn his respect and she owes it to herself to have succeeded. Her whole life was a battle she had to lead for her survival, from the moment she left Dragonstone to the day she came back to the castle. Even now, she was going to war in order to reclaim what was hers.. her birthrights.. the Iron Throne. She understood Bäahal's life of servitude and what it entailed. She knew of the violence Bäahal had to face on a daily basis and she understood why she became this hardened woman who knew a thing or two about throwing knives. Daenerys understood her solitude and for all of that, she wanted to make her feel welcomed like Missandei was. She wanted to tell the woman she was safe with her and that she acknowledged her as a sibling, maybe half-breed but with the heart in the right place. She trusted Bäahal who demonstrated nothing but pure devotion to the queen, to the point of ignoring her own interest. That was the reason why the mother of dragons carefully chose her words when she addressed her, much to Tyrion's dismay who expected a different outcome.

Far from the throne room, in the nice stairs that gave them a beautiful sight of the land and the dragons flying in the sky, Bäahal found a little bit of solace. She was able to think clearly after a while and stared at Drogon that was flying at a distance. The breeze was fresh, enough to make her nose wet. It was good. Daenerys didn't take the new as bad as she thought she would. She welcomed her. The former slave put her hand on her chest and felt a presence she wasn't familiar with. It prompted her to grab the dagger she kept hidden against her inner thigh and turn around to face the unknown presence. It was Jon Snow. After the reveal, Ser Davos and he decided to leave the queen so she could talk to Tyrion and Varys. It was none of their business and he would rather not get involved in anything that wasn't about him or the people of the North. As he left the tension-ridden throne room, the bastard of Ned Stark as some still said when referring to him, thought that a little walk would actually help him take a break. They were running out of time, Daenerys was still insisting on making him bend the knee and it was frustrating. Today was a change of pace, something new happened that disturbed the dynamic that had settled between them.

« It is just you, your grace. I apologize. I am not used to people coming on my back unannounced »

« You don't have to apologize. I should have announced myself. I didn't mean to scare you. » He said, looking at the horizon and the flying dragons that kept growing. « ….. » He watched as she became tense and shifted her gaze away to stare at Drogon flying towards them. « You seem to feel better. »

« I sure am. » Bäahal purple gaze stared at him before she looked away. « What you heard in the throne room doesn't change who I am. I serve Daenerys Targaryen as her handmaid... eventually her friend if she allows me. She set me free from a life of servitude. I owe the rest of my life. » She said as she allowed her fingers to run through the edge of her white locks.

« So are you saying you follow your queen because you feel indebted? » She shook her head.

« No. She didn't ask me anything. I chose to follow and serve her the best I can. That's what I do best, I'd rather put my skills in service of the best person. »

« The best...or the right person? » He asked, walking closer to her so he could have a better view of the dragons. Drogon was literally above them, casting a huge shadow that engulfed both of them.

« The best and right person. She isn't like most kings...Certainly not like those of Westeros. She doesn't see people like me as expendables. She never made me feel like I was. » Her voice was strangled by her throat, as emotion was overwhelming her. She put her dagger back into the sheath tied to her thigh.

« I heard she had that effect on people. »

Jon said, looking at the sky and then at Bäahal. She gave him a tight smile, her purple eyes now focused on his face. He was handsome, young but determined. She knew he was a good man but the honesty in his eyes and the humble stature of his body. When he came to Daenerys for the first time, Bäahal realized that he was different from most men she'd seen before. He didn't come as a conqueror who knew better than the queen. He didn't come to make her submit, he came to ask for help. Such honesty and drive were intoxicating and if she didn't know better, she would be pulled towards him by the force of his magnetic charm. He was charming but Bäahal noticed the way her sister looked at him and decided not to let her own emotions drive her. He noticed the change in the atmosphere. She hardened her features and looked back to the sky.

« She is Your grace. She is something like you've never seen before. Be patient with her... We all know what's at stake and we all have demands but we have to be a little bit more patient. »

« I don't have the luxury to wait, Lady Bäahal. The very threat we are up against is not waiting. »

« It is simply Bäahal your grace. I am no lady. » She said in a breaking voice, looking down at her hands.

« ... » Jon looked at her. He wanted to comfort her but he didn't know how. She had been nothing but kind towards him since they arrived, often making sure he and Davos had everything they needed. He noticed the way she looked at him but mistook it for genuine attention. Jon was peculiarly oblivious to anyone being interested in him but not naive enough to ignore the obvious signs. So far, Bäahal had been discreet and he didn't know her well enough to have an opinion on her, not to mention that he clearly had more urgent matters. However, he knew she needed to be comforted given the way she stormed out of the throne room and how she kept talking about herself. « You are nothing less of a lady. » He finally said, giving her a small smile which made her unclench her jaw and smile back at him. « You said we all had demanded. I suppose you can tell me what yours are ?. »

« Thank you, your grace. » She said, bowing slowly to him before she shrugged as she felt his hand brush over her shoulder. « You want my queen's help to protect you from the white walkers. She wants you to bend the knee and pledge allegiance to her in order to stop Cersei. Am I wrong? »

« Not at all. You are not wrong, but I think you didn't understand the question well. » He looked into her purple eyes. « I said, what are your demands. I wasn't talking about your queen. I was talking about you. » Her eyes grew wide and she took a few steps on the side, to get away from Jon's hand.

« I got what I wanted. I desired freedom and Daenerys gave it to me. » She turned on her back so she could hide behind her white mane. « I even got more than I could have expected. I now have a family in her, your grace. » She said, slowly placing a hand on her belly.

« That was before when you were... » He didn't continue his sentence. He didn't want to remind her of being a slave.

« You can say it. When I was a slave. Yes, I dreamed of freedom and got it. »

« But you're not a slave anymore. What is it that you want, for yourself? »

She shifty-eyed, the question hurt more than she thought it would because she realized that she never asked herself the question. What did she want? She wanted Daenerys to succeed in her conquest. She wanted to see her crowned and she wanted her to be happy again. She knew chemistry when she saw one and Jon had some chemistry with Daenerys. He made her lower her defenses and there was no way she would interfere in that. There was more to the world than one insignificant life's desires. She took a deep breath and turned around to face Jon.

« I want Daenerys dream to come true. I do not need anything else in my life. I do not want to dream or plan or even conceive how life could be tomorrow because it comes and goes. We never know what the Seven gods have in store for us and it would be presumptuous to want to decide for ourselves. I don't know if I would be alive, I don't know if I would be dead. I don't know if Westeros is set on fire and drowned in blood. I want her to be happy, that is my most secret desire and I do not care if you do not believe me. Ser Tyrion didn't want to believe me and this is why he revealed the truth in front of everyone. I know what I know. I stand by my words. Don't ask me this question again. »

She said as she ran off. Jon watched and furrowed his brows. He didn't know what he did to actually set her off but her words echoed in his mind. She returned to the throne room and found Tyrion in the hallway leading to it. He gave her an apologetic look to her before walking away, his face defeated by what seemed to have been an hour-long session of Daenerys arguing with him. Varys followed, this time with a satisfied smile on his lips as he slightly bowed to her, which was odd to the woman who wasn't used to a demonstration of respect towards /her/. She closed the door behind her and cleared her throat to announce her presence. Daenerys was sitting on the throne, her hands on her temples as Missandei was watching over her and Grey-worm was standing still next to her. Bäahal closed the distance between them and her quickly and knelt on both knees in front of her.

« Your grace, I apologize for leaving so abruptly earlier. I was overwhelmed with emotion. I didn't expect my secret to be-- »

« Stand up. » She said to Bäahal who swallowed a lump and did as she was told. « Come closer. » Her face was unreadable and Bäahal realized that a million thoughts might have crossed her. She walked closer to her and Daenerys grabbed both of her hands. « Look at me in the eyes Büu. » her nickname. The mother of dragons gave Bäahal a nickname shortly after she rescued her, it was a way to get her to talk and make her feel comfortable around the Targaryen queen. It worked even now since the former slaved relaxed, looked up to the queen and gave her sister a soft smile. « There you are. I am not blaming you for storming out of the throne-room. I am not blaming you for not telling me either. I meant my words when I said it was time for you to step into the light and live as your true self. You no longer need to dye your hair when you are with me. You no longer need to wear the name Snow. I cannot change the circumstances of your birth, but I certainly can offer you a new start....and a family. »

« You are too kind to me, your grace. I am nothing but a half-breed. I am a bastard, from a woman was viewed as a curiosity because her skin was like Ivory and a king who imprinted history as being the Mad King. I myself, am not... » Daenerys held onto her hands tighter and gave her a determined look.

«You are. » She paused. « ... And I command you, from now on, to think of yourself as more than you give yourself credit for. It'll come to you, the same devotion you have for me, I command you to have it for you. » She smiled at her and brought her hands to her lips. « Do you understand? »

« Yes, your grace. I do » Bäahal smiled back and looked at Missandei who was grinning from ear to ear.

It was an interlude, a little moment lost in time before the real work began. Bäahal was still not used to this dramatic change in her life, but she was ready for the war to come. All her life led to this moment, to helping Daenerys sit on the Iron Throne and vanquish her enemies. Bäahal knew she would have to work on accepting her new life and consider herself as more than just a former slave or a useful tool. She had the will to survive and fight inside of her, that kept her alive for many years, it gave her the nickname « Bäahal the resilient » so she knew she would survive it. She would survive it...because she wasn't alone anymore.

-END-