[It's no comfort to hear, reminding him only of something that he wanted desperately to forget.]
It's no great gift, your grace.
[He speaks as a man that would know.]
Yes. My father believed that the man that passes the sentence should swing the sword. It was something that he instilled in us from a young age.
Having a man killed should never be a light matter. When you raise your sword, it has to be because you must use it.
[He watches her carefully, well understanding her anger.]
I won't presume to offer you advice or counsel, Daenerys. [He will address her as an equal for perhaps the first time.] If I had the chance to face the men that murdered my father and brother, I can't say that I would show them mercy.
I can only promise you that I will support you, whatever decision you make.
[ It's not an unwelcome lapse in manners, this familiarity, a credit to its timing, that she has so many other thoughts and associated feelings looming as mountains in her mind. Her gaze dips side of the device as he gives his pledge of support, simple and uncomplicated.
More and more, this decision doesn't feel entirely hers to make, something that exists beyond the space of herself and Jaime Lannister, but Jon at least sees it as such.
She breathes out. ]
A decision will be made. Sooner, rather than later. [ He doesn't offer his counsel, and she doesn't ask for it. There's quite enough counsel happening for one queen to handle. Her mind turns to something else, and her gaze lifts. ] Would you tell me of your father?
[It should disturb him to meet another claimant for the throne, someone who doesn't understand the north or the freedom that his people want. He likes her and feels drawn to her, something that neither of their crowns manages to complicate.
There is a wisdom and fearlessness in her that he recognizes, as well as an honor that is every bit as strong as his own. She had the makings of a good queen and someone that he could trust, far more than others in this world.]
He was a good man, honorable. [Which is what everyone has said. She wants something else.] The decisions he made in his life were because he thought they were right and for the protection of his family. He didn't wish to serve as Hand of the King and he didn't want honors of any sort. He wanted to live free in the north with his wife and children.
He was quiet and thoughtful, but kind to all who served him. He believed firmly in justice.
[He paused.]
He didn't have to raise me. Most men who father bastards don't bring them to live in their keeps or have them grow alongside their trueblood children. He did me a kindness to give me the life I had.
[It's a risk to tell her this, but he adds.]
Despite the part he played, I think he would have liked you.
[ And she listens. And moves out of frame at one point, the video feed showing only where the wall meets the ceiling, a fragment of curtain. The sound of glass clinking nearby indicates she has not wandered out of hearing range.
When she returns, she has a glass of wine, and drinks as she listens.
This final comment gets a narrow look over her glass, somewhat accusatory. Of pandering, of manipulation, but she lacks the conviction to actually form it into words.
Instead; ]
A good man, moved to behave terribly in the name of justice.
[ Because beheading criminals is a terrible thing. Crusading against the throne is a terrible thing. War is terrible. Leading is terrible. She isn't sure what would be more terrible, and what would be justice: to spare the Kingslayer's life, or let him at least feel what it's like to die before the science of this world brings him back. ]
I would have liked to have spoken of my father as you speak of yours. But I know I cannot. I know what sort of man he was. And the sort of king he was. One that created a world in which good men do terrible things, and bad men do worse than that.
My world will be better. Better, too, than the one the Lannisters would create.
[He wasn't the sort to flatter mindlessly. If he complimented, there was some measure of truth to what he said. The fact was, Ned would have respected and liked Daenerys. Perhaps not for her house, but because she lived by a code of her own, one that was honorable and just.
She was the sort of ruler his father would respect.
The conversation was shifting into territory that could leave them arguing and angry. Rather than risk her temper, he backed down from his talk of his father or of the past.]
I cannot speak for his decisions then or what lead to the rebellion. I only know of the man he became in his later years.
[He hoped that it was true what she said. If there was a world left to rule. It was not so simple as that.]
There is no better chance than now to follow through with that intention. The smaller decisions will influence your larger choices in the future.
Do you have any idea what you will do with the Kingslayer in this world?
[It would have to be when it came to justice and vengeance, but he kept silent. She had advisors to look after her and counsel her on the right course.
That wasn't why he contacted her.]
Do you intend to do so alone?
[It wasn't what he feared she might do, it was a matter of compassion. She was to face the man that killed her father, someone she had heard of since she was a child.
[ She thinks of Drogon, who might well be there, to help her dispense justice or otherwise lend her his strength. Ser Jorah. She isn't certain Tyrion should be there, lest it cloud her judgement beyond his words. Lord Baelish might be, as much as that possibility feels more as though she has an audience in attendance rather than support.
She thinks of these entities for a moment before asking; ]
It's not implication. There's no secret that I support you, but that isn't why I would be there.
[He knows her pain, the feeling of anger and need for justice. He lost his father and had nearly abandoned his post to go to Robb. Whatever she did, it was no less than what he had wanted to do.]
[ She isn't sure which label would be more presumptuous. An adviser is such a role a queen bestows upon a person herself. But a friend connotes personal knowing. Empathy. Kinship.
In the video feed, she doesn't drop her gaze, mouth forming a line. But there's no rebuke, and thus, no denial. ]
There may not be room for friends, on the day the Kingslayer is brought before me. But if there is-- then I shall remember.
[He overstepped his bounds, but he didn't linger overlong on it. Whatever might happen in the future, she was someone that he felt drawn to. He wanted to know her better, to see the parallels of their lives.
He said nothing, nodding his head in acknowledgement to the dismissal.]
Don't let him bait you.
[Advice born from experience.]
He has an arrogance that is untempered by his current circumstances. He will find a way to get beneath your skin.
His brother says he is missing memories, [ she agrees, although she knows that's not exactly how it works. Still. An earlier point in time.
It doesn't mean a lot to her, but it's worth noting.
She would, at his point in time, be a mere whisper in the rumour mill. The slave-wife of the Dothraki, perhaps, or an even worse threat than that, a pregnant one. But then, even if she was a formidable and known force sailing a fleet of a hundred strong ships, perhaps it wouldn't make a difference to this man. ]
Fortunately for us all, I've dealt with scores of arrogant men who thought they understood the girl they were dealing with. They all tend to lack imagination in similar ways, too.
[ Jabs at her womanhood. Threats of rape. Suggestions for what she could give them in demand for the things she wanted. Dismissal as to her experience. Disdain for her history, her titles, her legacy. On and on it goes. ]
He is. He's unaware that his father is dead or that his sister's children [and possibly his own] are dead. I don't know if that makes the situation easier or worse. I wonder if the loss of most of his house has humbled him from my point of time. I wonder if that is even possible.
[It didn't matter at this moment. Jamie Lannister was here and still arrogant. Daenerys was a strong woman, there was no question of that, but this was different than the usual men that she likely dealt with.]
I hope that proves to be true with him. It's not easy to stand before someone who harmed your family and keep your temper in check. [He could still feel Ramsay's face against his fists and the rage that had boiled over in him.] Don't underestimate him as well.
[ Shifting the conversation into a lighter territory, Dany's delivery of the wry question is not as barbed as it could be. Those of Essos know to be wary of her from the things they have seen her do. Those of Westeros have tales alone, and the reputation of Targaryen rage.
Regardless-- ]
I thank you for your counsel. No matter the outcome.
I think any man would be fool to test your temper.
[Everyone knew how hot a dragon's blood could run. He smiled at her, glad they had moved into a less serious conversation. He would never forget that she is a queen, but he could at least see in these instances how young she was.]
You have a number of wise men around you, I'm just one voice among them.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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It's no great gift, your grace.
[He speaks as a man that would know.]
Yes. My father believed that the man that passes the sentence should swing the sword. It was something that he instilled in us from a young age.
Having a man killed should never be a light matter. When you raise your sword, it has to be because you must use it.
[He watches her carefully, well understanding her anger.]
I won't presume to offer you advice or counsel, Daenerys. [He will address her as an equal for perhaps the first time.] If I had the chance to face the men that murdered my father and brother, I can't say that I would show them mercy.
I can only promise you that I will support you, whatever decision you make.
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More and more, this decision doesn't feel entirely hers to make, something that exists beyond the space of herself and Jaime Lannister, but Jon at least sees it as such.
She breathes out. ]
A decision will be made. Sooner, rather than later. [ He doesn't offer his counsel, and she doesn't ask for it. There's quite enough counsel happening for one queen to handle. Her mind turns to something else, and her gaze lifts. ] Would you tell me of your father?
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There is a wisdom and fearlessness in her that he recognizes, as well as an honor that is every bit as strong as his own. She had the makings of a good queen and someone that he could trust, far more than others in this world.]
He was a good man, honorable. [Which is what everyone has said. She wants something else.] The decisions he made in his life were because he thought they were right and for the protection of his family. He didn't wish to serve as Hand of the King and he didn't want honors of any sort. He wanted to live free in the north with his wife and children.
He was quiet and thoughtful, but kind to all who served him. He believed firmly in justice.
[He paused.]
He didn't have to raise me. Most men who father bastards don't bring them to live in their keeps or have them grow alongside their trueblood children. He did me a kindness to give me the life I had.
[It's a risk to tell her this, but he adds.]
Despite the part he played, I think he would have liked you.
video;
When she returns, she has a glass of wine, and drinks as she listens.
This final comment gets a narrow look over her glass, somewhat accusatory. Of pandering, of manipulation, but she lacks the conviction to actually form it into words.
Instead; ]
A good man, moved to behave terribly in the name of justice.
[ Because beheading criminals is a terrible thing. Crusading against the throne is a terrible thing. War is terrible. Leading is terrible. She isn't sure what would be more terrible, and what would be justice: to spare the Kingslayer's life, or let him at least feel what it's like to die before the science of this world brings him back. ]
I would have liked to have spoken of my father as you speak of yours. But I know I cannot. I know what sort of man he was. And the sort of king he was. One that created a world in which good men do terrible things, and bad men do worse than that.
My world will be better. Better, too, than the one the Lannisters would create.
video;
She was the sort of ruler his father would respect.
The conversation was shifting into territory that could leave them arguing and angry. Rather than risk her temper, he backed down from his talk of his father or of the past.]
I cannot speak for his decisions then or what lead to the rebellion. I only know of the man he became in his later years.
[He hoped that it was true what she said. If there was a world left to rule. It was not so simple as that.]
There is no better chance than now to follow through with that intention. The smaller decisions will influence your larger choices in the future.
Do you have any idea what you will do with the Kingslayer in this world?
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[ A little droll. Grimly humoured, but flat. ]
But all I know is that I will see him. I will speak with him.
[ She pauses, then says, a little quieter; ]
Not everything is political, you know. Even for the daughters of mad kings and the men who slew them.
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That wasn't why he contacted her.]
Do you intend to do so alone?
[It wasn't what he feared she might do, it was a matter of compassion. She was to face the man that killed her father, someone she had heard of since she was a child.
She shouldn't be alone.]
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She thinks of these entities for a moment before asking; ]
You would implicate yourself so? By attending.
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[He knows her pain, the feeling of anger and need for justice. He lost his father and had nearly abandoned his post to go to Robb. Whatever she did, it was no less than what he had wanted to do.]
I'm not adviser, only a friend.
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In the video feed, she doesn't drop her gaze, mouth forming a line. But there's no rebuke, and thus, no denial. ]
There may not be room for friends, on the day the Kingslayer is brought before me. But if there is-- then I shall remember.
[ A slightly clumsy decree, but there it is. ]
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He said nothing, nodding his head in acknowledgement to the dismissal.]
Don't let him bait you.
[Advice born from experience.]
He has an arrogance that is untempered by his current circumstances. He will find a way to get beneath your skin.
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That is the disposition I'd expect of a Lannister and a knight.
[ Not just a kingslayer. ]
You know him.
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[He frowned, feeling himself bristle as his face darken with disgust. The Kingslayer could garner a reaction, even by mention.]
Not well. He was at Winterfell and spoke to me briefly. Similar to how he greeted me in this world.
[The word "bastard" was no longer a weapon that grated him.]
I don't know when he is from, but it must be near the point in time when he was my brother's prisoner. Before Robb was killed.
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It doesn't mean a lot to her, but it's worth noting.
She would, at his point in time, be a mere whisper in the rumour mill. The slave-wife of the Dothraki, perhaps, or an even worse threat than that, a pregnant one. But then, even if she was a formidable and known force sailing a fleet of a hundred strong ships, perhaps it wouldn't make a difference to this man. ]
Fortunately for us all, I've dealt with scores of arrogant men who thought they understood the girl they were dealing with. They all tend to lack imagination in similar ways, too.
[ Jabs at her womanhood. Threats of rape. Suggestions for what she could give them in demand for the things she wanted. Dismissal as to her experience. Disdain for her history, her titles, her legacy. On and on it goes. ]
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[It didn't matter at this moment. Jamie Lannister was here and still arrogant. Daenerys was a strong woman, there was no question of that, but this was different than the usual men that she likely dealt with.]
I hope that proves to be true with him. It's not easy to stand before someone who harmed your family and keep your temper in check. [He could still feel Ramsay's face against his fists and the rage that had boiled over in him.] Don't underestimate him as well.
[That had been his mistake with Ramsay.]
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[ Shifting the conversation into a lighter territory, Dany's delivery of the wry question is not as barbed as it could be. Those of Essos know to be wary of her from the things they have seen her do. Those of Westeros have tales alone, and the reputation of Targaryen rage.
Regardless-- ]
I thank you for your counsel. No matter the outcome.
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[Everyone knew how hot a dragon's blood could run. He smiled at her, glad they had moved into a less serious conversation. He would never forget that she is a queen, but he could at least see in these instances how young she was.]
You have a number of wise men around you, I'm just one voice among them.
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