STRANGER ━ Jon Snow

SIXTY FOUR

He stared at her with narrowed eyes. Jon wanted to believe her – truly, he did – but premonitions were just that: premonitions. They were not facts. He needed solid evidence, even though in his heart, he believed her. It was his head that didn't. "That can't be true," he finally said.

"What happened the last time you didn't listen to me years ago?" She asked, raising a brow. "You almost died at Hardhome, and then your own Watch brothers murdered you."

Jon swallowed down his own pride and looked away.

Maia thought over her words, regretting them. She didn't mean for them to come off that way, and she knew she needed to stop blaming her sudden bitterness on her hormones. Maia stepped forward and hesitantly took Jon's hands in her own. "I'm sorry for mentioning that. I know I'm not always right but –" Maia paused when his eyes connected with hers "– we cannot ignore this. Your raid will not end well, and that is something I am sure of. I cannot stand by and watch you go on a suicide mission, just to prove something to a woman who will not listen."

"You made a promise to me," Jon replied, squeezing her hands. "You promised me that you would stand by me no matter what."

Maia shook her head. "Not this," she said and closed her eyes. The anger was swelling up in her stomach, overpowering her very conscious. "Are you only accepting her orders because you think she will be impressed? Or surprised?"

Jon looked at her with crazed eyes. Even Maia couldn't believe that she had said that, for Daenerys had been nice to her – somewhat. It was unnecessary to say, and yet she felt the need to let it out. Jon released her hands, staring with confusion. "Why are you acting like this? You know this is something I have to do. You know."

The words were going to come out. Maia couldn't stop her mouth from revealing them. She opened her lips and exclaimed, "It's because I'm –"

"Beg your pardon, Your Grace."

Maia shut her eyes at the sound of Davos' call. She swallowed hard as Jon sighed, turning to his trusted advisor. When Maia opened her eyes to stand beside Jon, she stared daggers at Ser Davos. "You've survived King's Landing," Jon smiled falsely, though underneath he was fuming.

Maia stood on her tiptoes to notice a man standing behind Davos. He was a short, young man, probably not much younger than herself. He had only a bit of hair and smallfolk clothes. He looked familiar, but she couldn't pinpoint his name.

"Yet again," Davos replied. He gestured to a man that had followed behind him. "Your Grace, Lady Maia, this is –"

"It's Gendry, Your Grace," the man introduced. "I'm Robert Baratheon's son – bastard son."

Jon's wide eyes immediately went to Davos. Maia's mouth hung open as Davos said, "He was meant to keep that to himself."

"Our fathers trusted each other." Gendry pointed out. "Why shouldn't we?"

Jon nodded slightly. "I saw your father once at Winterfell."

"I met yours, in my shop."

"You're a lot leaner."

"You're a lot shorter."

Maia held her hand in front of Jon's body. "It's a pleasure to meet you here, Gendry," she said, "but why exactly has Ser Davos brought you here? For the mining, I presume?"

"Possibly," Jon answered for him, before smiling towards Gendry. "You know, I grew up on stories about them."

Gendry smiled from ear to ear. "All I ever knew was that they fought together and won. Ser Davos told me where you're going, Your Grace, and why. Let me come with you."

"Don't be a fool," Davos scoffed. "You're not a soldier."

"No, but I'm a fighter." Gendry quipped. "And you won't be needing a smith with a sword like that."

Jon cocked his head to the side. "You know how to use one?"

Gendy shook his head.

"Well, that's a problem."

"I prefer a hammer," he then said.

Jon looked to Davos once again, who clarified, "He can handle himself."

"We can use the help," Jon retorted, after a moment of silence.

Davos grinned. "As my father used to say, it's better to be a coward for a minute than dead for the rest of your life."

"I owe you my life," Gendry said to Davos, leaving Maia to understand that they had a lot of history. "That's why it's over. But if what you said is true – about what's up there – I can't wait out this war."

Maia tried balancing on both feet. "It is true," she muttered, just loud enough for everyone to hear. Gendry viewed at the blonde woman. "And as much as I think this mission is utterly stupid, I have not seen the Wights face-to-face, but I know they're true." She lifted her head and rested her eyes on the other bastard. "So best be prepared, Ser Gendry."