The Restoration of House Targaryen Chapter 12

See the end of the work for notes

All characters involved are over 18 years old.

---------

Daenerys had no intention of really leaving Jon to his fate, which is why as soon as she finished leaving the last group of children safely on the edge of the city and far enough away from the fighting. She quickly ordered Drogon to return to White Harbor as quickly as possible so she could join Jon in the battle. It didn't take her long to reach New Castle, but it was just as she landed on Drogon on one of the castle walls that Daenerys heard a terrible, thunderous roar that no doubt came from one of her children.

Raising her gaze to the heavens which was where the terrible roar of pain came from, Daenerys was able to see the exact moment where her precious and most gentle of her sons plummeted, a huge ice stake embedded in his side and leaving a huge trail of blood in his path until he finally crashed hard into the ground. Drogon, her other son let out a roar of sadness and anger as he watched his brother fall to his death. On the other hand, Daenerys was completely petrified at what she had just witnessed, it had never even crossed her mind that this scenario could even be possible. She had always thought that her children were the most powerful creatures in the world, unreachable in the skies and with the ability to destroy everything in their path.

Only a dragon could kill another dragon.

And there were no other dragons in Westeros or the known world that could stand up to them. So, she could not have been more confident, what had happened in Dorne three hundred years ago had been pure luck, nothing more. Something that never happened again, but now because of her arrogance and having overestimated her enemy, it had cost her the life of her precious child. But having no choice but to swallow her pain and sadness, Daenerys fixed her gaze straight ahead and ordered Drogon to fly in search of Jon and Rhaegal.

She felt her heart break in two as she flew over Viserion's lifeless body, he had always been the most loving, docile and gentle of her children. The color of his scales reflected his spirit and warmth, now he lay lifeless on a battlefield in a strange, cold place. But the moment Daenerys saw a dozen wights begin to surround her son, Daenerys did not hesitate to descend and command Drogon to unleash his flames upon them, turning them into ashes.

Her son's body was no trophy of any kind for them to take.

After getting rid of the wights, Daenerys took flight again, but not without saying a last goodbye to her son before going to look for Rhaegal and Jon, once she found them, together they could take revenge on those who had killed Viserion. 

Thinking that the best way to cover more ground was to soar above it, Daenerys ordered Drogon to rise to a higher altitude. Flapping his huge wings, the largest of her children obeyed her command and soared almost above the clouds so that she could have a much more panoramic view of the entire area. Daenerys began to effusively examine the entire battlefield until she was finally able to find her target in the distance.

But her excitement of having found Jon quickly faded as she saw his condition, he was on his knees looking severely wounded, surrounded by white walkers and with the Night's King in front of him. With enormous urgency, Daenerys ordered Drogon to quickly descend to his aid. The huge black dragon began to plummet, descending at incredible speed, but he would not arrive in time. Just as she watched the death of her son, Daenerys had to watch the moment when the Night King took Jon's sword and plunged it deep into his chest, piercing him with it.

“JOOOOON!!!”

Daenerys screamed at the top of her lungs the name of the man she loved, her scream was filled with anger, pain, hurt, sorrow and despair. Once again, she had to watch helplessly as one of her loved ones was killed in front of her. All the rage and pain she felt were transferred to Drogon through their bond, both rider and dragon were more than ready and eager to rain fire on their enemies.

He can't be dead, he can't. He will survive this, as he always does.

Daenerys had to tell herself that multiple times. For, if she felt she did not, she would fall completely into despair and madness.

Drogon opened his great jaws, his throat lighting up and glowing bright red, ready to unleash his incandescent flames upon his enemies. But when Daenerys noticed that the Night King would not move away from Jon's fainting body, she commanded her son not to release his flames. Observing this, the cursed monster sent her a challenging, mocking smile as he tightened his grip on Jon's body. As if he knew very well that she would not try anything as long as Jon could be hurt by the crossfire.

Daenerys gritted her teeth and clenched her son's scales hard as she found herself trapped in this terrible situation, especially since with each passing second, Jon's chances of survival were rapidly diminishing. But despite the passing seconds, Daenerys could not think of any way to save Jon, but it was then, when something happened that she, nor anyone else could have seen coming.

An arrow flew directly towards the Night King and although he had enough reflexes to catch it before it hit his face, he could not foresee what would happen next. For he noticed that the arrow had a fuse that burned out only a second after he caught it, causing it to explode violently right in his face. Although, this was not something that could really hurt him, but more of a distraction for what would come next. Since now completely blinded and disoriented by the explosion, he could not defend himself from the next arrow that this time hit him cleanly in his shoulder, causing him immense pain since it was made of dragon-glass. Making him drop Jon's body and move away from this new enemy as he recovered.

The white walkers beside him, quickly assumed defensive positions, but these not as powerful as their master and with the stranger still hiding in the storm, they had little to do. For the rider used his explosive arrows on them and although like the Night King they did not fall by this attack, it was enough to stun them as well. Striding like lightning on his horse, the unknown rider attacked them with a weapon that she had not seen before, it looked like some kind of a flaming lantern attached to a chain that the man controlled almost perfectly. He quickly dispatched the white walkers, but he didn't seem that interested in fighting it, because once he crippled them, instead of finishing them off, he passed quickly through them and rode to where Jon's body was.

Picking him up, he hoisted him onto his horse before beginning to ride towards her. Finally reacting and seeing the unknown rider approaching with Jon's body, Daenerys quickly ordered Drogon to crouch down so that she could receive him.

Turning his gaze back, to make sure he was not being followed, he ordered his horse to speed up. He knew he was no match for the white walkers, much less the Night King, but at least he could save Jon.

He had to survive any way he could. Both he and the Targaryen girl would be of the utmost importance in the war for the dawn.

And speaking of her, he certainly couldn't help but marvel for at least a second at the sight of her, in her black armor and on the back of her dragon. There was no doubt that this was what the conqueror's sisters must have looked like, no doubt he would have liked to have gotten to meet such an impressive woman, but unfortunately there was no time for that. Braking his horse, right next to her dragon, he got off and took Jon. But before handing him over to the Targaryen girl, he grabbed the hilt of the sword and with a swift, clean motion he removed it, eliciting a pained, choked gasp from Jon.

At the same time, he heard the indignant and angry woman berate him for his action, but there was no time to explain. Acting quickly, he pulled from one of his horse's pouches everything he needed and went to work, quickly removing his armor and breastplate, cutting his gambeson with a knife. He quickly stopped the bleeding and sealed the wound the same way the children of the forest had done with him to keep him alive when they found him.

He couldn't save him here, but he could at least make him live long enough so they could help him in Winterfell. Finishing applying the salve on both sides, Jon let out a very weakened groan before passing out again.

“What are you doing to him?” the woman asked him again, this time much more impatient and her dragon roaring beside him dangerously.

Having finished what, he had to do to keep him alive, he took Jon's body in his arms and handed it to the woman on top of the dragon. Daenerys took the body of her beloved and managed to lift him on top of Drogon with the stranger's help, arranging him as gently as possible. Sadness flooded her again when she saw the horrible wound he had right in the middle of his stomach, she tried to make him react, talking to him softly and gently patting his cheek, in the hope that he would open his eyes and talk to her again.

But seeing that he did not seem to react in any way, tears began to spill from her eyes, but she was stopped and pulled out of her state of shock and despair when she heard the man say to her.

“He's still alive, but you have to get him back as soon as possible so they can save him, he doesn't have much time.”

Turning to where the white walkers were and seeing that they were almost fully recovered and the Night King looking much angrier now, he reiterated to her again.

“You need to leave, now! Get him out of here, I'll hold them off long enough for you to escape.”

Before ordering Drogon to take to the skies, Daenerys couldn't help but contain her curiosity at the man who had saved Jon and asked him.

“Who are you?”

Climbing onto his horse and drawing his weapon, swinging it around in preparation for the confrontation, still glaring at the enemy, he answers her.

“My name is Benjen Stark, son of Rickard Stark, Lord of Winterfell.” Turning to look at her one last time, the man adds. “It was a pleasure to have met you in person, Daenerys Stormborn, please take good care of my nephew.”

“You are Jon's uncle.” Daenerys said genuinely surprised, as the man had long been presumed dead. Jon had told her that he had disappeared on one of the expeditions beyond the wall, never to be seen again afterwards. And deciding that she could not leave Jon's kinsman to his fate she said to him.

“Come with us, you don't have to die here, I can still save us all.”

Not being able to hold back a slight smile, but all the same returning his gaze to where the white walkers were and how they were beginning to approach them, Benjen replied to the Queen.

“I appreciate the offer, but there is nothing to save. I died a long time ago; I had to go through the wall the same way the dead did. To be able to have seen my nephew and save him from death was more than I could have asked for. Please tell Jon I'm sorry for leaving him alone on the wall, I'm sure it must not have been easy for him, but I'm glad to know I'm leaving him in good hands now.”

Ready to face his fate, one he had long since escaped, he told her one last time.

“Go now, save Jon. The fight of the two of you has barely begun and despite this defeat, I am sure you both can end the long night."

Seeing that there was no way to convince him and raising her head and seeing that the Night King had his gaze fixed on her and her dragon. Even though, it was Benjen who attacked him, Daenerys shouted the order to Drogon to take flight.

“Sōvegon!”

The huge black dragon spread his great wings and flapped them loudly with a roar creating strong wind currents as he gathered momentum in order to soar. At the same time one of the white walkers handed another ice spear to the Night King, but as he was about to launch it, it was again interrupted by one of Benjen's explosive arrows. The spear was deflected at the last second and failed to hit its target. Barely, grazing the Queen's dragon. It only took a few seconds for the dragon to be completely out of the Night King's reach and Benjen watched this with a smile on his face.

Finally, the Night King turned his angry gaze towards him, but having achieved his goal, Benjen simply smirked back at him as he approached him, defiant and without any fear of death. Although, he wished he had had more time with his nephew and could have said a proper goodbye, seeing him again and knowing he was well brought a warmth to his heart, one he hadn't felt in a long time. He was sure Jon was the one who would end the long night.

After all, he was the son of ice and fire.

Besides, he was glad he didn't have to carry that burden alone. The image of the Targaryen Queen came to his mind. With nothing to lose, Benjen dodged the attack of the first walker, but the second one went for his horse causing it to fall and Benjen as well. But he quickly pulled himself together and counterattacked with ferocity, just as in the beginning his target was not the white walkers. After all, if he killed the one who controlled them, all the others would fall. So, pulling out his dragon glass dagger, he dodged a couple more attacks before slashing his way through and practically leaping at the Night King with every intention of plunging his dagger deep into his frozen skull. But this time, not being a surprise attack, the Night King parried his onslaught easily, holding him by the neck and the arm with which he held his dagger. But that was exactly what Benjen wanted.

Giving him one last defiant, mocking smile, Benjen spoke his final words.

“You're going to lose, you're destined to.”

Taking advantage of his free hand, Benjen ignited his last grenade as he dropped the others he carried with him from his bag. Seeing the look of fear and surprise on the Night King's face was completely worth it. A second later, all the grenades exploded creating a powerful explosion.

Despite the distance she was in, Daenerys turned her face as she heard the loud boom that sounded in the distance and despite the storm, she could see a bright glow in the distance before it faded. Knowing who it was, Daenerys again mentally thanked the man. For without his help, she would not have been able to save Jon and returning her gaze to her beloved, Daenerys analyzed the ointment Benjen had applied to him. He said it would keep him alive long enough for her to reach Winterfell and she trusted the man, but Jon's condition seemed to be very delicate nonetheless. Lovingly running a hand over his face, she said to him.

“You have to hold on, my love. Just hold on a little longer, we'll be in Winterfell soon and they will be able to help you there."

Daenerys urged her son through their bond to fly even faster. She would make sure that Benjen's sacrifice had not been in vain, Jon was going to survive and once he recovered, they would face that monster again and this time, they would make sure to come out victorious. They would both take revenge for all that the Night King had taken from them and all the lives he had taken.

---------

After the smoke and dust dispersed, the champion of the great other stood completely unharmed. Despite taking the powerful blast head-on, he had suffered no damage.

Fire could not kill him.

The foolish human who died trying had exploded into thousands of pieces. Wiping the dust from his hands, the Night King advanced towards his real target and the true trophy of this battle. Even as he walked, he could still control his army of the dead, which had already broken through the castle's defenses, his soldiers had orders to kill any living thing they found, with no survivors. Although, there were supposed to be many more, apparently the three-eyed raven had managed to warn them in time for them to escape on their ships.

No matter, sooner or later, they would all join his army, his storm was advancing and expanding with each passing day, it wouldn't be long before his magic would cover the world and no trace of light or warmth would remain. He would rule in an eternal winter and this beast would help him do so. In fact, he should thank the humans, they had given him the perfect mount.

Approaching the fallen dragon, the Night King placed his hand on the beast's snout and began to inflict his dark magic upon it. Ironic, he thought. This creature was practically the complete opposite of him, made of fire and light. But now in death, it would serve him, eventually they all do.

After a few seconds, Viserion opened his eyes again, but this time, he was no longer the dragon he once was. His skin would continue to rot, but he would not die. His breath, though still devastating, would no longer glow an incandescent red as it once had, his once golden eyes were now an icy frosty blue. The Night King knew that with this beast his victory was almost assured, he would soon march towards the only place where the last resistance of the humans was to be found. Once he crushed them, there would be no one left to oppose him. After all, who else would have the chance, he had just defeated and humiliated his strongest protector.

Soon this world would belong to him.

---------

Bran watched with great distress all that had happened, from the moment Daenerys and Jon arrived in White Harbor and began to organize the evacuation of the people. Their own desperation at the imminent danger marching towards them. Of course, while all this was going on, he had sent a flock of ravens to scout the area. Unfortunately, it wasn't long before one of his ravens spotted the Night King and his army rapidly approaching White Harbor. He quickly sent a raven to warn Jon of this, his intention was for both he and Daenerys to escape from the place, but he underestimated the reaction of the monarchs. Since both decided to stay and try to defend the castle.

He watched as Jon did his best to defend the castle walls with the few men, he had to create more time for as many people as possible to escape. After the battle began, Bran saw the moment when Rhaegal was struck and knocked down by an arrow shot from a giant, only for moments later an ice spear thrown by the Night King to strike directly at Viserion and kill the young dragon almost instantly.  

He watched the confrontation between Jon and the white walkers, seeing him defeat three of them, but when the Night's King himself stepped forward and decided to face him himself. Bran witnessed the obvious difference in strength and speed between the two.

Jon was no match for the Night's King.

His cousin never stood a chance and that was proven when he was left on his knees, completely helpless before his enemy. Without hesitation, the Night King took Long Claw from Jon's hands and used it to stab him in the chest, leaving him on the verge of death. Fortunately, his uncle Benjen arrived just in time to help Daenerys and rescue Jon, now Daenerys was flying at full speed to Winterfell. But sadly, the bad news did not end there.

For without the support of Daenerys and Jon and that of his dragons, the city was completely defenseless against the Night King and he did not hesitate to slaughter the poor people who could not escape in time. The dead easily broke down the gates and slaughtered every man, woman and child in their path until no one was left alive. And as if that wasn't enough, those poor people found no peace even after death. For the Night King used his cursed magic and brought them all back as his slaves, the same way he used to turn the Queen's dragon.

There was no doubt that they were in a terrible situation, they had lost a dragon and the enemy had now gained one. And although Rhaegal had managed to escape, he was still badly wounded, almost half of the population in White Harbor had been killed and turned into wights for the Night King's army, further increasing their numbers. Jon was in a critical state and his life was hanging by a thread, if it were not for the medicine of the children of the forest that his uncle Benjen used on him, he would undoubtedly have died a second time.

And no matter how powerful the powers that the three-eyed raven had given him, they would be of no use in trying to heal Jon. Nor would the maester of Winterfell's abilities be of any help. There was only one person who could help Jon and fortunately for them, she had just arrived in Winterfell.

---------

Snapping out of his raven’s mind, Bran asks Sam to take him outside, he needed to go out to greet their guest. And to also notify Arya and Sansa that the White Harbor mission went worse than thought, Jon is wounded and Daenerys would soon arrive at Winterfell. That he should make sure he has soldiers waiting for them and that they can help the Queen.

Sam didn't understand exactly what Bran was referring to, but he obeyed him anyway. After all, if he was saying it, it was for a reason. And though he tried to ask him exactly how things had gone wrong and how badly Jon was hurt. The young Stark replied curtly that there were now more important things to attend to. Sam nodded and positioning himself behind him, pushed his chair and took him to meet this 'guest'.

In the courtyard of Winterfell, the Stark sisters found Brandon and quickly began to question him about what had happened in White Harbor, but moving on, Bran simply replied that they should prepare for the arrival of Jon and Daenerys. But Arya would have none of it, as standing in his way she told him in a stern tone.

“Bran, you have to tell us what happened to Jon and Dany. We deserve to know too.”

Seeing his sisters' insistence, Bran finally relented and told them everything that had happened in White Harbor from the moment Jon and Daenerys had landed on their dragons. The evacuation of the people, the arrival of the army of the dead, the battle that followed and how they had managed to bring down Rhaegal and how the Night's King had managed to slay Viserion. With every word she said her sisters' expression of anguish grew more and everything got worse when she got to the part about the confrontation between Jon and the Night King and the terrible loss he had suffered.

“Is Jon still alive?” Sansa asked desperately.

“Yes, he's still alive. Thanks to Uncle Benjen's help, Daenerys was able to get Jon out and now she's flying here in a hurry."

“Wait, you said Uncle Benjen. He's still alive? How is that possible?” Arya was the one who asked this time.

But finally drawing a line, Brandon raised a hand and told them.

“That's a whole different story, one for which we really don't have time.”

Arya pursed her lips, no doubt wanting to protest, but simply settling for one last question, she asked him.

“Uncle Benjen also managed to escape?”

To which Brandon responded by sadly shaking his head.

Arya nodded heavily and moved out of the way.

“If Jon is hurt, we should inform the maester.” Sansa suggested, but Brandon stopped her by saying.

"The maester won't be able to help him, conventional medicine won't do here. Only she has the power to heal him now.”

“Who?” Arya was the one who asked, but before Brandon had a chance to answer, one of the guards approached them to inform Sansa.

“Forgive me, my Lady. But a-”

“Open the gates, let them through.” Bran interrupted the man. He looked clearly confused and still looked expectantly at Sansa, waiting for her confirmation.

Trusting her brother, she said to the guard.

“Open the gates.”

The soldier nodded and left to carry out his orders. The large, reinforced gates of Winterfell opened and let in a contingent of soldiers. Nearly everyone working in Winterfell's courtyard stopped their activities to watch the new arrivals, the soldiers entered at a martial pace, perfectly timed. They were clad in foreign armor, bearing no banners of any House of Westeros, if not carrying the symbol of a flaming heart. The huge shields they carried also had the same symbol of their Lord engraved on them and had their faces covered by masks. Like the Unsullied, their only weapon seemed to be long, sharp spears.

When the last of them managed to enter the courtyard of Winterfell, they all turned around and split into two groups, leaving space in the middle so that only one woman could pass. She was dressed in a long, thin red dress, which was certainly not designed for the weather, as it exposed much of her shoulders and revealed a very wide neckline, proudly displaying her enormous breasts. The closer the woman came towards them, Sansa could appreciate even more her incredible beauty, her hair was black and long, her lips were full and red, but what stood out the most about her were her bright red eyes. The woman stopped when she was in front of them, analyzing them as if she was looking for someone specific, her gaze lingered for a few more seconds on Bran, but finally she formally addressed the three of them, but without bowing to them.

“My ladies, my lord. I am High Priest Kinvara of the temple of R'hllor and I have come from afar with but one purpose, to serve and aid the prince who was promised. I offer him my men and myself, all with the goal of defeating the great other."

---------

I think I shouldn't have taken this fic so seriously and I should have treated it the same as the rest, because I feel like I'm making it more complicated than it should be. Or maybe I'm overthinking it too much, I always tend to do that. But anyway, we're getting closer to the war and with that to the fun part that I'm sure a lot of people are waiting for. I promise you we are getting there. As always I would like to know what you think in the comments, I am always reading them. By the way, the next update will be an exclusive update featuring Catelyn, until then.