[Nope, no question marks. He is so buttmad she won't talk to him and when she does it's all "Viserys I have opinions listen to them but don't contribute anything I'm doing it anyway whether you like it or not" — this is all Jorah's fault.]
in the first game i had him in u had to deliver letters instead. but that's so raven;
[Trying to kiss her makes sense. She's super attractive.]
I want to know what has happened to make her so outspoken. She would never have talked to me like this before, and now she will not talk to me except to tell me how things are to be. This is not my sister. Did you use some magic to replace her, to make her what you wanted her to be?
[The magic of being loved by a group of people who knew what that was, does that count.]
[ Well, she didn't really appreciate it. Made things kind of awkward, really. Jorah sort of regrets it now. It started something of a downward spiral for their relationship.
When have you ever told me the truth? When have you ever looked at me the same way you looked at my sister? [Oh wait. No. No, no. That's not what he meant.] You always followed her, never me. Here there are liars in great abundance, Starks and that brat of a false king, a Tyrell who does not recognize the name of Targaryen for what it is. [IGNORING JAIME FOREVER] What truths can be worse than what that thing with my sister's name has become?
[ This is indeed something they can do. If Viserys ever learns about Daario, then much bonding, wow. ]
When you first arrived in the city, I told you that you had missed a great deal, but I'm not certain you realize just how much.
Your sister has led a Khalasar of her own, small though it may have been. She has conquered entire cities, and she has taken an army of ten thousand men under her control. Her people look to her as a mother and a queen. I have offered her my counsel, but all final decisions she has made are her own.
'That thing with your sister's name' is your sister, free of your control.
[Sad life for Jorah: the only Targaryen who wants anything to do with him is Viserys.]
With ten thousand men, a true Targaryen could take back the Iron Throne and kill all those who dared to overthrow our family. [Yes, this is a slight against her. A "true" Targaryen would have done it by now, and if he wasn't the last Targaryen, his brother is dead...then has his sister lived up to their name?] It could be done with five thousand. The blood of the dragon is strong and unstoppable. So she has conquered entire cities. So she has an army. So she has a Khalasar. Does she have what is ours, or is she too busy being free of my control?
[Who does Jorah think he is—next in the line of questioning.]
It is a shame there are so few of us left. We would not need to worry if there was more true Targaryens, loyal and purely bred. [Because no one else counts other than family that was family before they were family and had more family, of course.] I spoke to her, Ser Mormont. She said that the child of her and Khal Drogo had died. What happened? She did not want to tell me. She seemed very surprised to see me at all.
[She touched him, even. When was the last time that happened?]
[ Jorah is hesitant to respond. He's shared far too much of Dany's business with the world, and considering he's trying to get back into her good graces.... ]
Perhaps it still pains her to speak of it. The child was stillborn. Khal Drogo died from a battle wound not long after.
[ It's not a lie, but it isn't the complete truth. It was a mistake to trust Mirri Maz Duur. Jorah knew that from the start, and Daenerys surely must realize now. Viserys doesn't need to know how or why Khal Drogo and Rhaego died; not from Jorah. ]
[Drogo dead. Drogo dead. One of his murderers, dead. This pleases him, as much as it's possible to really pleases Viserys Targaryen. And yet, he cannot let that slip. He cannot risk Dany thinking of him as, what? Going behind his back for information? It's not that he cares that she might become angered with Jorah for it, but he hardly wants her to think he's...afraid...to speak to her so bluntly.]
I was always told that Khal Drogo was one of the most fearsome warriors among the Dothraki. To hear his life was taken in battle is quite startling. He never struck me as one who would easily lose. [But there are knives here, and who is Viserys to refuse to twist one? He cannot stab with a physical knife, hands too shaky. Fingers that wriggled too much. All he has ever had were words, and eventually even those failed him.] I see it more sensibly now that you have told me this. She was very hesitant to speak more on the child. I thought you knew him well. His people seemed to quite like you, to respect you. The loss hit you hard as well, did it not? That sounds very terrible, Ser Mormont. You had others to help you with the burden, I hope.
[He's not apologizing. Not yet. He does not imagine Jorah will take it for genuine, and he shouldn't. Sensibly? Hah. As if Viserys sees much at all in a rational light.]
[ On second thought, maybe Jorah shouldn't have mentioned Drogo at all. He had thought that leaving out the details might twist the story enough to not give Viserys something to gloat about. The Dothraki are not honorable men by Westerosi standards, but Jorah found a great deal of respect for Drogo. The Khal deserved a far more honorable end than he got. ]
He did not lose easily.
[ And, no, Jorah does not take his words as genuine. He was around Viserys for long enough to have a vague idea as to which subjects Viserys will and will not speak genuinely of. Drogo and the Dothraki do not fit into the genuine category. He thinks it wise not to say anything more on the matter. Subject change. ]
Other quarters can be arranged for you, should you wish to be distanced from the Usurper's son.
[The Dothraki were a means to an end, just like his sister. Just like Jorah's sword. Just like, well...most everything he could try and manipulate. Unfortunately for him, the one that he could manipulate the most and best eventually got free of him and
well, here they are. A second chance at life for him, one he's desperate (and in desperate denial about it having happened) to make work in some way, all the while fighting off that madness he denies just as much.]
I would not expect him to. [Jorah wants a subject change? Fine. Pressing much more would not get him anywhere.] Where would you have me go, Ser Mormont? To you? To my sister, who has already offered and I have already denied? Do you fear that the Usurper's son will hurt me? Do you think me so easily overcome? He is a boy. A boy! Surely you do not think so little of me that you worry a boy could see to my suffering.
[ He promised Dany he would keep a watchful eye on both Viserys and Joffrey, but that isn't likely to do much good. He can't watch them all day everyday. He doesn't trust Joffrey not to murder Viserys, and he doesn't trust Viserys to defend himself. Not only would keeping them more than a door's width apart would make his job far easier, but it would ease Dany's worries as well. ]
The Baratheon boy is known for his cruelty. He enjoys killing and does it dishonorably. [ Meaning he could get you in your sleep, pal. Not even Jorah 'Dishonorable' Mormont would do that. ]
There are other men from Westeros here. Men who have either staked their own claims for the Iron Throne or men who have made no claim but aid those who have. Do not make yourself an easy target for them. If you will not reconsider your sister's offer, something else can be arranged.
Edited (WORDS) 2014-01-31 06:19 (UTC)
http://i.imgur.com/F2HynYX.gif are you ready for this
[Viserys is no knight, nor anywhere close to one. His experience with a sword is keeping a hold of its hilt, no matter how ridiculous it looks, and carrying one when he's not supposed to. His experience in combat is nonexistent. What violence he knows is that which he's used against his sister and the lies (not lies, but delusions he must live in or risk proving the talk of Targaryen madness true) that have been spread about his family. He can spit words, cruel words, but when it comes to defending himself or others?
Isn't that a joke.
But still, he can't afford to look as weak as he is, nor come across as frightened. Unfortunately, Jorah knows him better than he'd like him to (and, perhaps, he knows Jorah better than Jorah would like him to, though it's more related to a certain thing than him as a person overall), and so he can't argue on that point. What he can argue on, though:]
I do not care if the Usurper's spawn is known for cruelty or great wealth or keeping the smallfolk in fear or being full of love. [He hopes that sounds familiar. He's counting on it, actually.] I am not trained in any sort of a warrior's way, Ser Mormont, because I never had that chance. [Well...] I grew up in exile, fending for both my very young sister and myself in a fashion that would have surely made both my honorable father and brother very disappointed. To act as though I have no means to defend myself from a boy is far more insult than anything else. There are no men from Westeros who have a right to the Iron Throne. My sister seeks a truce; she is a right fool and has learned nothing.
They are all of them traitors and liars, and they will take any opportunity to carve a smile in her neck. Why would I run from a boy I could handle on my own into her embrace when she does this? She would make it as if we had truly been run through in our beds as children. What else is there, Ser Mormont? You and I together again? No horses, no Dothraki, just my sister to bind us together? Why, it would be as though we had never left!
[If Jorah can't have one Targaryen, does he want the other? Probably not, but he's not going to go that far. Not yet.]
[ Jorah is a patient man. He's very careful (when his heart isn't ruling his head, that is) and rarely acts on impulse, but his patience is beginning to wear thin with Viserys. Surely there has been no House more stubborn than House Targaryen.
Damn though, son. Dredging up old words. Jorah has no long speak to retaliate with. Instead, he gets as straight to the point as he possibly can: ]
She does not wish to see you dead.
[There's another part of that sentence hanging in the air: again. She does not wish to see you dead again. Jorah won't say it. Neither he nor Dany have any proof that Viserys remembers the situation at all. ]
only if you tell me a bedtime story about my awesome family
[What patience Jorah had was rather always lost on Viserys, but his words are not. They cut, they burn, they do nothing but hurt him, though that is hardly anything new. And yet, somehow, they dive straight through the bitterness and anger he's used as motivation to live. Jorah is speaking to him because his sister thinks him weak and fool, not because of any concern. Jorah surely has no concern for him.
He has concern for her and her wishes, nothing more. It was always about that sweet sister.
But—what? If she did not wish to see him dead, why did she allow it? Such a harsh punishment, he thought. Surely not befitting him, a crown so hot it killed. But does this mean she feels regret? Does it mean she might want him again?
It cuts and burns and hurts but it makes sense, or he makes it make sense in his mind. Of course she wants him alive and well. He is her brother. He is the rightful king. She is nothing without him. Without him, she would be dead as a child. Without him, she would not have found her new family. Without him...
She was better off. The day he admits it, however, is the day he's truly lost his mind, and hopefully a day that never comes.]
I see. [He sees nothing. It is known.] Where would you have me go, Ser Mormont? Where would you put me instead?
[ It's true. Jorah will never admit it to Viserys's face, but everything he's done, he's done for Dany. Not once has it ever truly been about Viserys, and never did he truly follow the elder Targaryen as a possible King. He doesn't actually realize how very obvious it is, either. Daenerys doesn't wish to see Viserys dead, so Jorah takes it upon himself to make sure she never does again. Viserys himself really has nothing to do with it. ]
If not to your sister, where do you wish to go? [ He's pretty much offering to pay for paid housing for you, pal. The things he does for khaleesi. ]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRTSZZgCUik — it's just this, isn't it
[It must be rather obvious if a man as blinded as Viserys can pick up on it—then again, it involves his sister. What's hers was his, and the more obvious it became that what was his was no longer her...]
I do not know where there is to go, Ser Mormont. [He wants to go home, same as he always has. There's no more home for him, though. There is nothing for him—did they even cremate him in the ways of his family?] That is why I asked you. You seem to have been here much longer than I. Is it really so difficult to believe I am deferring to your wisdom in this one regard?
[He's deferring for a moment, yes. For a moment, and then he'll most likely chew him out for treating him like a child and tell him off before saying no, he'd rather stay where he is.
It is the way of things, after all. No one help Viserys Targaryen. He won't let them.]
[ It certainly helps that Viserys, for all his faults, is not a stupid man. Anyone who spends enough time with Jorah can probably see it, or imply it, or get a mere inkling of it. He is very obvious. ]
Choose a district. Your sister stays in Hel, I stay in Freya. If neither of those are to your liking, quarters can be arranged for you in any of the remaining districts.
[ He gets it. Viserys is stalling. For one reason or another, he doesn't really want to leave Baldr. But Jorah can be just as stubborn. Regardless of his short patience, he isn't taking that for an answer so easily. ]
Edited 2014-02-04 05:32 (UTC)
adventure beyond compare in the dothraki sea, naturally
What I wish for, Ser Mormont, and in all truthfulness, is this: stop treating me like a child. Both you and my sister, you seem to think of me in such a way. Here you are now, why do you care what happens to me if not for her? I will not die. I have no fear of the Usurper's spawn. He is a child, nothing more.
[In short...]
No. I do not need this. I do not need this from you or her or anyone else. If I need you, I will ask of you. In this manner, I do not need you.
[So caustic, so bitter, and he's trying not to make it obvious his last memories. He has a second chance. Will he do well, or will he go madder than ever? The last one, most likely, but he's going to try in ways that most would say he never tried before.]
Even though I am very against this idea and upset about the manner in which you approached me with it, I do appreciate the offer, even if I doubt that it comes from genuine concern for me. What you may not understand, Ser Mormont, is that I am a Targaryen, and he is the son of the Usurper. Fleeing him would reflect poorly on our family. I am not afraid of him. He is no threat to me. I will not have my family's name stained because I let myself be pulled away and was taken as being frightened.
[In honor of the Earth holiday centering on love, Freya sends out a little gift around this time.
A small box containing a piece of chocolate will appear on your pillow during the day. When consumed, the chocolate’s magic will lift your mood for a short period of time. It’s accompanied by a note.]
Where love might bring about sorrow, it also welcomes joy.
[ In honour of the god centering on love being a giant frilly prissypants, Loki sends his own little gift just a few hours after hers.
His box of chocolate will look, smell, and taste exactly like Freya's did, appearing right next to where Freya's was or is if you haven't picked it up yet. The only difference between the two is that Loki's won't lift your mood; it'll give you loud and embarrassing flatulence for the next three hours.
It's also accompanied by a note. ]
Where joy might bring about yearning, it also welcomes wonder.
[He's spoken to Robb Stark, though vaguely. There are others here, others he doubts will listen. He cannot imagine Ser Jaime would listen to him much at all. What he thinks of him...it must be that he thinks of him as Aerys' son.
He does not take it as an insult. But what happened, how Ser Jaime saw him die...he knows it is an insult.]
Ser Mormont, I must ask you a question. I must ask that this question never gets back to Dany [No, that is not a name he tells much. It's for her, from him. But he's upset and he cannot think of anything else that would help show as much to, what? Him regressing in fear? Panic? That much, he hopes, shows through.] There are many here who would feed my sister hate and spite, all to see her suffer for things she never did or would have any knowledge of, being so far away and born without having met our father. I told her our history, but I have to know, Ser Mormont. Have you ever spoken to her of this rumor they call the Targaryen Madness? The Westerosi speak of it, there is no doubt about that. You are from there. I do not know how long you were gone, but I imagine you heard such things. Did you ever tell her of it? If you did, what did you say?
[He's hardly sincere, and his treatment of his sister was really quite poor. This, though? This is completely sincere. He knows, he knows. He knows and can't let her know. What has she been told? Has she already heard of it? He worries not that she hears mentions of it. She worries that either someone she trusted spoke of it or, even worse: the others here will say it, repeatedly, and all she'll have to fall back on is "but Viserys said, he didn't say that, he would tell me, he would tell me" and...
[ The conversation between Viserys and Baldr is one Jorah has been keeping a close eye on, just in case he should need to reel Viserys in. He had come close to requesting Baldr not to provoke Viserys so openly, but the conversation had luckily been brought to an end before he could intervene. The old knight is surprised to find a message from Viserys so soon after, though. And on the subject of the Targaryen Madness? Hooo boy. Jorah does not look forward to this conversation ]
Aye, the men of Westeros do speak of such.
[ And not just of Aerys. Aerys's rule is merely freshest in the minds of the people of Westeros. There were many mad Targaryen kings, princes and queens before him. There are many who would feed Daenerys lies and hate and spite, but the Targaryen Madness is a historical fact. Jorah certainly believes in it. ]
Would be that she has heard whisperings, though none of my own. We have met many men on our travels--men of Westeros and the Free Cities alike. Often times, rumors travel more quickly than ravens.
[ It's all he can say. The Targaryen Madness is no secret. The way Jorah sees it, Daenerys never needed to be told; she witnessed it first hand in her brother. ]
[Viserys does not need babysitting. He can speak freely, and if he feels he cannot? He can contact someone in private. In fact, he has.]
I spoke to the Stark boy about it, Robb. He is named for the Usurper. I know what has been said about my family, and I know the names of ones they would say to her to "prove" such a claim. I will do what I must to make sure she never has to hear it spoken of at length. I taught her our history as any true Targaryen should speak of it.
[Which is to say, he spoke of them as worthy, as superior, as deserving the Iron Throne and the adoration that comes with it. Which is to say that, those members of his family others might cite, have been omitted from his teachings. Which is to say that, while he is a Targaryen and has done his best to deny, justify, and not think of it too much, he knows what must be said. He knows that there is some truth in it, as much as he hates it. He knows that many speaking to her when she has only him to fall back on could confuse.
He knows he means nothing and if too many agree on this, she may see him as more of a liar than he ever was before.]
Others have appeared that would say the same. I would do my best to silence them in this matter against my sister. Whatever they might say to me is nothing I have not heard before. I can take care of myself against their spite and hate and attempts to hide their treachery for what it is. My sister, however, must never hear of it too deeply. I will not allow it. You love her, Ser Mormont. I saw as much. I said as much. You never denied it or said that I was correct. I love her, too, whether you believe otherwise or not. I do love her. She became my everything when all that I knew was taken away. I am glad to hear you kept this from her.
If you know any others here that might listen to you, I request you see that they never mention this. The Kingslayer has spoken to her already. She knows not to believe a word he says. I made sure of that. She also knows he was there with my father. If he speaks too much, if she thinks on it too much, he might do the most damage. He is good at seeing to the suffering of Targaryens. She is a true Targaryen. For all the hate I fed her about him, she may begin to think he might have merit, having seen it for himself.
[Mentioning Jorah loves her? Yes, he knows. Maybe it's taken the wrong way. This time, however, he's careful not to mention the idea that Jorah really wants nothing more than to strip her naked and dine on her. He wants something other than his ire.
Had he spoken to her of this, perhaps he would lived. He cannot change that. He cannot change his death. And even though she did it to him, and even though he sometimes hates her more than he could ever love her? He will not stand for their name being soiled and her coming to believe it.]
[ Dany and Jorah seem to think Viserys needs babysitting. Viserys weaves his words well, indeed, but he doesn't quite get that it's possible to weave too many words--or the wrong words.
Bringing Jorah's love of Daenerys into the conversation hits a sore spot. After all the trouble it's caused, the old knight has been trying his best to push that into the back of his mind, but it just isn't working out for him. He loves her too fiercely. He vaguely wonders if Viserys realizes that it's more than just lust--but then again, he really doesn't like how well Viserys knows him already. Just gonna...not...answer that bit thx. ]
I understand why you wish to keep this from her. The men of Westeros speak poorly of your House, and they have done for many years. But half of Westeros is in this city now, and I ask you: what good does it do to shelter her from these rumor?
You sister has seen and experienced a great deal. Certainly you have noticed that she is no longer the young girl you last saw in Vaes Dothrak. I believe she can handle a mere tale.
[ Except she totally knows about it being real. Gotta sugarcoat things for Viserys, though. ]
[He doesn't know Jorah's story, not his history, not his past, and certainly not his future, what would be his future to him, dead as he is. As for love and lust? What does he know of the difference? He had once loved.
Once.
She took it away, took it all away, a mother in pain and a storm raging. How could he ever love again? He won't press.
Yet.]
I've never breathed a word of it to her, Ser Mormont, nor did I ever intend to. I would rather have cut out every tongue that would dare speak of it once we returned home, every mouth that opened with that nonsense ready to spill out of. Sew them shut, burn them off, anything to keep them quiet.
You have not spoken to her of it, you say. I have not either. If all of Westeros here tells her as much and agrees on it, there is only you and I to look to for assurance it is not true. Do you want that, Ser Mormont? You from Westeros, I the last of a dynasty? We would know. She would be able to conclude that. Do you want her to realize we knew these whispers and kept them from her?
[Yet again, he drags Jorah down on his level. He has not heard of his exile, has no idea about it. He tries to show that he's concerned for both of them, tries to make it seem that way. Jorah may take it for something else: Viserys is begging for his sister to not think even worse of him for keeping this secret, and he'll drag Jorah into that "fear" if he has to.
Is it for her this time, or is it for him?
Both. Neither. As far as he's concerned, it's for one thing: the name Targaryen.
Something he's ruined and sullied as gold rained down on him, didn't he?]
Edited (how OCULD he ever love again? no one knows) 2014-02-25 16:07 (UTC)
[He wants so badly to set the record straight for Viserys. To lay it all out there and explain that none of this needs hidden from Dany because Dany has already seen the Targaryen madness at work. ]
[ Each time he speaks to Viserys, Jorah has to muster every ounce of the patience he has ever had within him. If this were anyone else, he might have told them the truth of it from the start: that the Targaryen madness is real, that Daenerys knows, that she's seen it grow and consume her elder brother.
But Viserys is mentally fragile, to say the least. It's easier for Jorah to subject himself to stooping down to his level than it is to argue until he sees things as they actually are. ]
I will say nothing. You have my word.
[ He actually does, though. Jorah doesn't just go around spouting off comments about the Targaryen madness.
Except for the fact that Viserys could not sweep a stable with 10,000 brooms. ]
[That's all he wants to say. He should be obeyed, should have everyone's word or have their heads for refusing. That is his right, it is in his very blood for him to have that power, to have absolute authority. He has no need to say "please" or "thank you" and certainly doesn't feel as if he has to. He has never needed those words unless they were on behalf of his survival, a "please" for a loaf of bread, a "thank you" if he thought it would get him another if he needed to return to the same place...
He wasn't taking advantage by not being grateful. He was doing what a king should have done, he was doing
nothing to earn favors, apparently.]
Thank you.
[Had he ever said that to Ser Mormont before? He can't remember.
When was the last time he said it, truly?]
I am certain we will see each other again eventually.
[Maybe with 50,000 brooms.
And a Dothraki screamer for each of them. Maybe.]
mood music http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GwjfUFyY6M
[ Telling someone makes her less of a crappy sibling for not feeling worse about it, right? Unfortunately the list of possible recipients for this message is uh... short. ]
text; never. all targaryen spam is precious. if it's not from viserys.
No, there was not. [ Those are basically Dany's own thoughts on the matter. Hearing them echoed makes her feel a bit better, discounting the source (as much as that can be done). ]
Others have disappeared. Ser Barristan was the last to arrive and no one else with him. [ Gone is the man of the Night's Watch and a couple of Starks by her count on the bracelet. ] Perhaps Asgard has finally lost its taste for our world. [ This is wishful thinking, and selfish. This world needs soldiers, even if they are traitors and liars and all around shitty people. ]
[ Which he silently kicks himself for. He has no love for Barristan, very little trust, and perhaps a small amount of jealousy now. After all, he was forgiven for his deception. He was not too stubborn to bow. ]
Perhaps Asgard has grown tired of the bickering of Kings and Princes. Only time will tell, I'm afraid. Viserys aside, do you have any notion of who else has disappeared?
It was only just after the funeral. I was not wrong to put my trust in him. He served me well in Meereen.
[ Both of her knights, as much as they dislike each other, had ended up giving her the same counsel. And naturally she had ignored it both time.]
Jon Snow of the Night's Watch. Sansa Stark's name has also been removed. [ Those two she is most sure of - Ygritte announced the former's disappearance. ]
[ Barristan is older, therefore Jorah can continue to call him "the old man". ]
I hope he continues to serve you well.
[ Really, he does. He still doesn't trust Barristan, but he would like to know that Daenerys has been left with an advisor who won't try to lead her purposefully astray. Regardless of how little advice she usually takes. ]
Catelyn Stark's name seems to be gone as well. It would appear the city has not lost its taste for throne claimants at all; merely for Starks.
[ Admittedly, Jorah has found no reason to dislike the Stark children, regardless of their parentage. He's even managed to find some respect for Robb. Family name aside, he's found little reason to dislike Stannis, nor Renly. Jaime, however, all arrogance and confidence, knows how to twist the knife where it hurts. He hates Jaime. ]
Tales will often exaggerate, and I've little doubt that Viserys had a gift for exaggerating what has already been exaggerated.
But some men are skilled in putting on false faces. True intentions can be difficult to decipher.
[ Because despite everything, he still doesn't trust any of them. ]
Stannis and Renly Baratheon bared their true faces briefly to the entire city after one cup too many. Only death awaits the latter of the two, and many of the Starks upon their return.
To be done with this city and return home, or to make this world their new one. Those intentions I believe to be true enough. The handful that gave me their word that they would not carry their wars or blood feuds to this realm have not broken those promises yet. [ The same promise Dany had reluctantly made herself. She doesn't exactly trust any of them either, but the circumstances are more complicated.
They are of a similar mind on the subject of the Kingslayer, at least. ]
The both of them are more like their brother than they might care to admit. It would seem foolishness is a trait that runs in the family just as much as dark hair.
The Usurper's son aside, who has not given you that word?
[ Joffrey speaks for himself, really, but with Baratheons, Lannisters, Tyrells and Starks all up in this joint, more than one isn't going to make that promise. ]
Did you know them? [ Before exile 1.0 - you were on that side of the usurping. ]
Of the ones that answered, only him. [ With Viserys gone there's not much to worry about with that now. The boy was never an actual threat to anyone else. ]
I would not go so far as to say I know any of them, but of the three, I was most familiar with Robert. I fought alongside him in Greyjoy's Rebellion. He gave me my knighthood for my participation in the siege of Pyke. As for the other two, Renly was but a boy when I left Westeros and if there is a man out there who truly knows Stannis Baratheon, I have yet to meet him.
Was the Kingslayer among those who answered? [ Because really, Jaime is his biggest concern right now. Whether he's given Dany his word or not, Jorah doesn't trust it.
[ Two of them dead, and there is always the chance the Usurper might turn up. What a day that will be. ]
He was. [ It was deeply irritating (and slightly embarrassing). There is a deep sigh on the other end of this text that he cannot hear. Have a pause between messages instead. ]
At the time he claimed to hold no desire to harm neither myself, nor Viserys, among other things.
[ Like a dick. Tl;dr he told her to sleep with a knife under her pillow if she was rooming with her brother, among other awkward encounters she doesn't wish to speak of. ]
While I remained in the Welcome Hall of House Hel he had ample opportunity to cause me harm and did not take it. We have had no trouble since then.
[ Blunt, and from the mouth (or fingers, rather) of a man whose knowlegde of Jaime Lannister is drawn from tales and rumors and a tourney that took place when they were both much younger. But Jorah is stubborn, and he doesn't intend to give Jaime the benefit of the doubt. ]
Perhaps it will not happen tomorrow, but do not let him fool you. I fear he gives you false words.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
text? what even does letter mean. fuck it. raven;
[Nope, no question marks. He is so buttmad she won't talk to him and when she does it's all "Viserys I have opinions listen to them but don't contribute anything I'm doing it anyway whether you like it or not" — this is all Jorah's fault.]
in the first game i had him in u had to deliver letters instead. but that's so raven;
[ Except try to kiss her and sort of deliver information about her to Westeros for like a year but that's all done now, yo. ]
What is this about?
excuse you viserys is not very raven;
I want to know what has happened to make her so outspoken. She would never have talked to me like this before, and now she will not talk to me except to tell me how things are to be. This is not my sister. Did you use some magic to replace her, to make her what you wanted her to be?
[The magic of being loved by a group of people who knew what that was, does that count.]
well everyone knows viserys isn't raven at all;
But really wtf Viserys are you okay ]
The truth may not be what you wish to hear.
too skinny not enough psychic powers;
When have you ever told me the truth? When have you ever looked at me the same way you looked at my sister? [Oh wait. No. No, no. That's not what he meant.] You always followed her, never me. Here there are liars in great abundance, Starks and that brat of a false king, a Tyrell who does not recognize the name of Targaryen for what it is. [IGNORING JAIME FOREVER] What truths can be worse than what that thing with my sister's name has become?
jorah is more raven than viserys;
When you first arrived in the city, I told you that you had missed a great deal, but I'm not certain you realize just how much.
Your sister has led a Khalasar of her own, small though it may have been. She has conquered entire cities, and she has taken an army of ten thousand men under her control. Her people look to her as a mother and a queen. I have offered her my counsel, but all final decisions she has made are her own.
'That thing with your sister's name' is your sister, free of your control.
viserys is stark raven mad rn;
With ten thousand men, a true Targaryen could take back the Iron Throne and kill all those who dared to overthrow our family. [Yes, this is a slight against her. A "true" Targaryen would have done it by now, and if he wasn't the last Targaryen, his brother is dead...then has his sister lived up to their name?] It could be done with five thousand. The blood of the dragon is strong and unstoppable. So she has conquered entire cities. So she has an army. So she has a Khalasar. Does she have what is ours, or is she too busy being free of my control?
[Who does Jorah think he is—next in the line of questioning.]
STARK raven huh;
that's pretty sad, actually. But I guess they are at least closer in age amirite? OTP. ]
The blood of the dragon may be unstoppable, but it is not unspillable.
Perhaps an army of five thousand strong could take the throne, but Daenerys does not only intend to take back what is hers. She intends to keep it.
i'm glad you liked that;
It is a shame there are so few of us left. We would not need to worry if there was more true Targaryens, loyal and purely bred. [Because no one else counts other than family that was family before they were family and had more family, of course.] I spoke to her, Ser Mormont. She said that the child of her and Khal Drogo had died. What happened? She did not want to tell me. She seemed very surprised to see me at all.
[She touched him, even. When was the last time that happened?]
always;
Perhaps it still pains her to speak of it. The child was stillborn. Khal Drogo died from a battle wound not long after.
[ It's not a lie, but it isn't the complete truth. It was a mistake to trust Mirri Maz Duur. Jorah knew that from the start, and Daenerys surely must realize now. Viserys doesn't need to know how or why Khal Drogo and Rhaego died; not from Jorah. ]
okay snape;
I was always told that Khal Drogo was one of the most fearsome warriors among the Dothraki. To hear his life was taken in battle is quite startling. He never struck me as one who would easily lose. [But there are knives here, and who is Viserys to refuse to twist one? He cannot stab with a physical knife, hands too shaky. Fingers that wriggled too much. All he has ever had were words, and eventually even those failed him.] I see it more sensibly now that you have told me this. She was very hesitant to speak more on the child. I thought you knew him well. His people seemed to quite like you, to respect you. The loss hit you hard as well, did it not? That sounds very terrible, Ser Mormont. You had others to help you with the burden, I hope.
[He's not apologizing. Not yet. He does not imagine Jorah will take it for genuine, and he shouldn't. Sensibly? Hah. As if Viserys sees much at all in a rational light.]
shh;
He did not lose easily.
[ And, no, Jorah does not take his words as genuine. He was around Viserys for long enough to have a vague idea as to which subjects Viserys will and will not speak genuinely of. Drogo and the Dothraki do not fit into the genuine category. He thinks it wise not to say anything more on the matter. Subject change. ]
Other quarters can be arranged for you, should you wish to be distanced from the Usurper's son.
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
well, here they are. A second chance at life for him, one he's desperate (and in desperate denial about it having happened) to make work in some way, all the while fighting off that madness he denies just as much.]
I would not expect him to. [Jorah wants a subject change? Fine. Pressing much more would not get him anywhere.] Where would you have me go, Ser Mormont? To you? To my sister, who has already offered and I have already denied? Do you fear that the Usurper's son will hurt me? Do you think me so easily overcome? He is a boy. A boy! Surely you do not think so little of me that you worry a boy could see to my suffering.
;
The Baratheon boy is known for his cruelty. He enjoys killing and does it dishonorably. [ Meaning he could get you in your sleep, pal. Not even Jorah 'Dishonorable' Mormont would do that. ]
There are other men from Westeros here. Men who have either staked their own claims for the Iron Throne or men who have made no claim but aid those who have. Do not make yourself an easy target for them. If you will not reconsider your sister's offer, something else can be arranged.
http://i.imgur.com/F2HynYX.gif are you ready for this
Isn't that a joke.
But still, he can't afford to look as weak as he is, nor come across as frightened. Unfortunately, Jorah knows him better than he'd like him to (and, perhaps, he knows Jorah better than Jorah would like him to, though it's more related to a certain thing than him as a person overall), and so he can't argue on that point. What he can argue on, though:]
I do not care if the Usurper's spawn is known for cruelty or great wealth or keeping the smallfolk in fear or being full of love. [He hopes that sounds familiar. He's counting on it, actually.] I am not trained in any sort of a warrior's way, Ser Mormont, because I never had that chance. [Well...] I grew up in exile, fending for both my very young sister and myself in a fashion that would have surely made both my honorable father and brother very disappointed. To act as though I have no means to defend myself from a boy is far more insult than anything else. There are no men from Westeros who have a right to the Iron Throne. My sister seeks a truce; she is a right fool and has learned nothing.
They are all of them traitors and liars, and they will take any opportunity to carve a smile in her neck. Why would I run from a boy I could handle on my own into her embrace when she does this? She would make it as if we had truly been run through in our beds as children. What else is there, Ser Mormont? You and I together again? No horses, no Dothraki, just my sister to bind us together? Why, it would be as though we had never left!
[If Jorah can't have one Targaryen, does he want the other? Probably not, but he's not going to go that far. Not yet.]
go back to your cart viserys
Damn though, son. Dredging up old words. Jorah has no long speak to retaliate with. Instead, he gets as straight to the point as he possibly can: ]
She does not wish to see you dead.
[There's another part of that sentence hanging in the air: again. She does not wish to see you dead again. Jorah won't say it. Neither he nor Dany have any proof that Viserys remembers the situation at all. ]
only if you tell me a bedtime story about my awesome family
He has concern for her and her wishes, nothing more. It was always about that sweet sister.
But—what? If she did not wish to see him dead, why did she allow it? Such a harsh punishment, he thought. Surely not befitting him, a crown so hot it killed. But does this mean she feels regret? Does it mean she might want him again?
It cuts and burns and hurts but it makes sense, or he makes it make sense in his mind. Of course she wants him alive and well. He is her brother. He is the rightful king. She is nothing without him. Without him, she would be dead as a child. Without him, she would not have found her new family. Without him...
She was better off. The day he admits it, however, is the day he's truly lost his mind, and hopefully a day that never comes.]
I see. [He sees nothing. It is known.] Where would you have me go, Ser Mormont? Where would you put me instead?
how about a bedtime story about mormonts
If not to your sister, where do you wish to go? [ He's pretty much offering to pay for paid housing for you, pal. The things he does for khaleesi. ]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRTSZZgCUik — it's just this, isn't it
I do not know where there is to go, Ser Mormont. [He wants to go home, same as he always has. There's no more home for him, though. There is nothing for him—did they even cremate him in the ways of his family?] That is why I asked you. You seem to have been here much longer than I. Is it really so difficult to believe I am deferring to your wisdom in this one regard?
[He's deferring for a moment, yes. For a moment, and then he'll most likely chew him out for treating him like a child and tell him off before saying no, he'd rather stay where he is.
It is the way of things, after all. No one help Viserys Targaryen. He won't let them.]
....how did you know
Choose a district. Your sister stays in Hel, I stay in Freya. If neither of those are to your liking, quarters can be arranged for you in any of the remaining districts.
[ He gets it. Viserys is stalling. For one reason or another, he doesn't really want to leave Baldr. But Jorah can be just as stubborn. Regardless of his short patience, he isn't taking that for an answer so easily. ]
adventure beyond compare in the dothraki sea, naturally
[In short...]
No. I do not need this. I do not need this from you or her or anyone else. If I need you, I will ask of you. In this manner, I do not need you.
[So caustic, so bitter, and he's trying not to make it obvious his last memories. He has a second chance. Will he do well, or will he go madder than ever? The last one, most likely, but he's going to try in ways that most would say he never tried before.]
Even though I am very against this idea and upset about the manner in which you approached me with it, I do appreciate the offer, even if I doubt that it comes from genuine concern for me. What you may not understand, Ser Mormont, is that I am a Targaryen, and he is the son of the Usurper. Fleeing him would reflect poorly on our family. I am not afraid of him. He is no threat to me. I will not have my family's name stained because I let myself be pulled away and was taken as being frightened.
bear island is nothing but adventures
-"You are a child, Viserys. There is a reason I treat you as such."
-"You have already reflected poorly on your family. Have you forgotten so quickly?"
-"You will not die--though you already have."
He, of course, doesn't say any of them. His response is a resignition. He is clearly getting nowhere with Viserys. ]
You know how to contact me should you change your mind.
no subject
A small box containing a piece of chocolate will appear on your pillow during the day. When consumed, the chocolate’s magic will lift your mood for a short period of time. It’s accompanied by a note.]
Where love might bring about sorrow, it also welcomes joy.
backdated to Day 400
His box of chocolate will look, smell, and taste exactly like Freya's did, appearing right next to where Freya's was or is if you haven't picked it up yet. The only difference between the two is that Loki's won't lift your mood; it'll give you loud and embarrassing flatulence for the next three hours.
It's also accompanied by a note. ]
Where joy might bring about yearning, it also welcomes wonder.
shortly after his talk with baldr, text;
He does not take it as an insult. But what happened, how Ser Jaime saw him die...he knows it is an insult.]
Ser Mormont, I must ask you a question. I must ask that this question never gets back to Dany [No, that is not a name he tells much. It's for her, from him. But he's upset and he cannot think of anything else that would help show as much to, what? Him regressing in fear? Panic? That much, he hopes, shows through.] There are many here who would feed my sister hate and spite, all to see her suffer for things she never did or would have any knowledge of, being so far away and born without having met our father. I told her our history, but I have to know, Ser Mormont. Have you ever spoken to her of this rumor they call the Targaryen Madness? The Westerosi speak of it, there is no doubt about that. You are from there. I do not know how long you were gone, but I imagine you heard such things. Did you ever tell her of it? If you did, what did you say?
[He's hardly sincere, and his treatment of his sister was really quite poor. This, though? This is completely sincere. He knows, he knows. He knows and can't let her know. What has she been told? Has she already heard of it? He worries not that she hears mentions of it. She worries that either someone she trusted spoke of it or, even worse: the others here will say it, repeatedly, and all she'll have to fall back on is "but Viserys said, he didn't say that, he would tell me, he would tell me" and...
He's not so much to her.]
text;
Aye, the men of Westeros do speak of such.
[ And not just of Aerys. Aerys's rule is merely freshest in the minds of the people of Westeros. There were many mad Targaryen kings, princes and queens before him. There are many who would feed Daenerys lies and hate and spite, but the Targaryen Madness is a historical fact. Jorah certainly believes in it. ]
Would be that she has heard whisperings, though none of my own. We have met many men on our travels--men of Westeros and the Free Cities alike. Often times, rumors travel more quickly than ravens.
[ It's all he can say. The Targaryen Madness is no secret. The way Jorah sees it, Daenerys never needed to be told; she witnessed it first hand in her brother. ]
text forever, etc.
I spoke to the Stark boy about it, Robb. He is named for the Usurper. I know what has been said about my family, and I know the names of ones they would say to her to "prove" such a claim. I will do what I must to make sure she never has to hear it spoken of at length. I taught her our history as any true Targaryen should speak of it.
[Which is to say, he spoke of them as worthy, as superior, as deserving the Iron Throne and the adoration that comes with it. Which is to say that, those members of his family others might cite, have been omitted from his teachings. Which is to say that, while he is a Targaryen and has done his best to deny, justify, and not think of it too much, he knows what must be said. He knows that there is some truth in it, as much as he hates it. He knows that many speaking to her when she has only him to fall back on could confuse.
He knows he means nothing and if too many agree on this, she may see him as more of a liar than he ever was before.]
Others have appeared that would say the same. I would do my best to silence them in this matter against my sister. Whatever they might say to me is nothing I have not heard before. I can take care of myself against their spite and hate and attempts to hide their treachery for what it is. My sister, however, must never hear of it too deeply. I will not allow it. You love her, Ser Mormont. I saw as much. I said as much. You never denied it or said that I was correct. I love her, too, whether you believe otherwise or not. I do love her. She became my everything when all that I knew was taken away. I am glad to hear you kept this from her.
If you know any others here that might listen to you, I request you see that they never mention this. The Kingslayer has spoken to her already. She knows not to believe a word he says. I made sure of that. She also knows he was there with my father. If he speaks too much, if she thinks on it too much, he might do the most damage. He is good at seeing to the suffering of Targaryens. She is a true Targaryen. For all the hate I fed her about him, she may begin to think he might have merit, having seen it for himself.
[Mentioning Jorah loves her? Yes, he knows. Maybe it's taken the wrong way. This time, however, he's careful not to mention the idea that Jorah really wants nothing more than to strip her naked and dine on her. He wants something other than his ire.
Had he spoken to her of this, perhaps he would lived. He cannot change that. He cannot change his death. And even though she did it to him, and even though he sometimes hates her more than he could ever love her? He will not stand for their name being soiled and her coming to believe it.]
no subject
Bringing Jorah's love of Daenerys into the conversation hits a sore spot. After all the trouble it's caused, the old knight has been trying his best to push that into the back of his mind, but it just isn't working out for him. He loves her too fiercely. He vaguely wonders if Viserys realizes that it's more than just lust--but then again, he really doesn't like how well Viserys knows him already. Just gonna...not...answer that bit thx. ]
I understand why you wish to keep this from her. The men of Westeros speak poorly of your House, and they have done for many years. But half of Westeros is in this city now, and I ask you: what good does it do to shelter her from these rumor?
You sister has seen and experienced a great deal. Certainly you have noticed that she is no longer the young girl you last saw in Vaes Dothrak. I believe she can handle a mere tale.
[ Except she totally knows about it being real. Gotta sugarcoat things for Viserys, though. ]
no subject
Once.
She took it away, took it all away, a mother in pain and a storm raging. How could he ever love again? He won't press.
Yet.]
I've never breathed a word of it to her, Ser Mormont, nor did I ever intend to. I would rather have cut out every tongue that would dare speak of it once we returned home, every mouth that opened with that nonsense ready to spill out of. Sew them shut, burn them off, anything to keep them quiet.
You have not spoken to her of it, you say. I have not either. If all of Westeros here tells her as much and agrees on it, there is only you and I to look to for assurance it is not true. Do you want that, Ser Mormont? You from Westeros, I the last of a dynasty? We would know. She would be able to conclude that. Do you want her to realize we knew these whispers and kept them from her?
[Yet again, he drags Jorah down on his level. He has not heard of his exile, has no idea about it. He tries to show that he's concerned for both of them, tries to make it seem that way. Jorah may take it for something else: Viserys is begging for his sister to not think even worse of him for keeping this secret, and he'll drag Jorah into that "fear" if he has to.
Is it for her this time, or is it for him?
Both. Neither. As far as he's concerned, it's for one thing: the name Targaryen.
Something he's ruined and sullied as gold rained down on him, didn't he?]
no subject
[ Each time he speaks to Viserys, Jorah has to muster every ounce of the patience he has ever had within him. If this were anyone else, he might have told them the truth of it from the start: that the Targaryen madness is real, that Daenerys knows, that she's seen it grow and consume her elder brother.
But Viserys is mentally fragile, to say the least. It's easier for Jorah to subject himself to stooping down to his level than it is to argue until he sees things as they actually are. ]
I will say nothing. You have my word.
[ He actually does, though. Jorah doesn't just go around spouting off comments about the Targaryen madness.
Except for the fact that Viserys could not sweep a stable with 10,000 brooms. ]
no subject
[That's all he wants to say. He should be obeyed, should have everyone's word or have their heads for refusing. That is his right, it is in his very blood for him to have that power, to have absolute authority. He has no need to say "please" or "thank you" and certainly doesn't feel as if he has to. He has never needed those words unless they were on behalf of his survival, a "please" for a loaf of bread, a "thank you" if he thought it would get him another if he needed to return to the same place...
He wasn't taking advantage by not being grateful. He was doing what a king should have done, he was doing
nothing to earn favors, apparently.]
Thank you.
[Had he ever said that to Ser Mormont before? He can't remember.
When was the last time he said it, truly?]
I am certain we will see each other again eventually.
[Maybe with 50,000 brooms.
And a Dothraki screamer for each of them. Maybe.]
mood music http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GwjfUFyY6M
I am not sure exactly how long it will take to arrange, but you should be relieved of any duties involving him soon.
[ That might be exaggerating, but whatever. ]
omg /exactly/
Aye. Should you need anything more from me regarding your brother, you need only ask.
text; targaryen spam, throw it in the traaaaash
[ Telling someone makes her less of a crappy sibling for not feeling worse about it, right? Unfortunately the list of possible recipients for this message is uh... short. ]
text; never. all targaryen spam is precious. if it's not from viserys.
text; actually is viserys WHAT A TWEEST
Others have disappeared. Ser Barristan was the last to arrive and no one else with him. [ Gone is the man of the Night's Watch and a couple of Starks by her count on the bracelet. ] Perhaps Asgard has finally lost its taste for our world. [ This is wishful thinking, and selfish. This world needs soldiers, even if they are traitors and liars and all around shitty people. ]
text; oh god oh man oh god oh man OH GOD
[ Which he silently kicks himself for. He has no love for Barristan, very little trust, and perhaps a small amount of jealousy now. After all, he was forgiven for his deception. He was not too stubborn to bow. ]
Perhaps Asgard has grown tired of the bickering of Kings and Princes. Only time will tell, I'm afraid. Viserys aside, do you have any notion of who else has disappeared?
text; no one notices
It was only just after the funeral. I was not wrong to put my trust in him. He served me well in Meereen.
[ Both of her knights, as much as they dislike each other, had ended up giving her the same counsel. And naturally she had ignored it both time.]
Jon Snow of the Night's Watch. Sansa Stark's name has also been removed. [ Those two she is most sure of - Ygritte announced the former's disappearance. ]
text;
I hope he continues to serve you well.
[ Really, he does. He still doesn't trust Barristan, but he would like to know that Daenerys has been left with an advisor who won't try to lead her purposefully astray. Regardless of how little advice she usually takes. ]
Catelyn Stark's name seems to be gone as well. It would appear the city has not lost its taste for throne claimants at all; merely for Starks.
text;
Strange. They have a Stark on their throne. [ The resemblance is uncanny. ]
text;
There is certainly a noticeable resemblance, isn't there? Perhaps the Starks mistook him for Robb one too many times and he took personal offense.
text;
one way to tell them apart.Truthfully she feels sorry for the Stark children. ]They are not as I thought they would be. The Starks, Baratheons. The Kingslayer.
[ Traitors to her family, yes, but not exactly the monsters from the tales told to her as a child. Only men. ]
Well. The Young Usurper is as I thought he might be.
text;
Tales will often exaggerate, and I've little doubt that Viserys had a gift for exaggerating what has already been exaggerated.
But some men are skilled in putting on false faces. True intentions can be difficult to decipher.
[ Because despite everything, he still doesn't trust any of them. ]
text;
To be done with this city and return home, or to make this world their new one. Those intentions I believe to be true enough. The handful that gave me their word that they would not carry their wars or blood feuds to this realm have not broken those promises yet. [ The same promise Dany had reluctantly made herself. She doesn't exactly trust any of them either, but the circumstances are more complicated.
They are of a similar mind on the subject of the Kingslayer, at least. ]
text;
The Usurper's son aside, who has not given you that word?
[ Joffrey speaks for himself, really, but with Baratheons, Lannisters, Tyrells and Starks all up in this joint, more than one isn't going to make that promise. ]
text;
Of the ones that answered, only him. [ With Viserys gone there's not much to worry about with that now. The boy was never an actual threat to anyone else. ]
text;
Was the Kingslayer among those who answered? [ Because really, Jaime is his biggest concern right now. Whether he's given Dany his word or not, Jorah doesn't trust it.
Then again, he does have only one hand. ]
text;
He was. [ It was deeply irritating (and slightly embarrassing). There is a deep sigh on the other end of this text that he cannot hear. Have a pause between messages instead. ]
At the time he claimed to hold no desire to harm neither myself, nor Viserys, among other things.
[ Like a dick. Tl;dr he told her to sleep with a knife under her pillow if she was rooming with her brother, among other awkward encounters she doesn't wish to speak of. ]
While I remained in the Welcome Hall of House Hel he had ample opportunity to cause me harm and did not take it. We have had no trouble since then.
[ She'll give him that much, reluctantly. ]
text;
[ Blunt, and from the mouth (or fingers, rather) of a man whose knowlegde of Jaime Lannister is drawn from tales and rumors and a tourney that took place when they were both much younger. But Jorah is stubborn, and he doesn't intend to give Jaime the benefit of the doubt. ]
Perhaps it will not happen tomorrow, but do not let him fool you. I fear he gives you false words.