ACT TWO
EXT. TARGARYEN CAMP – DAY
Unsullied, Dothraki, and common folk alike are breaking camp to continue marching to Winterfell. Excitement grows with each moment. Some people are only a day away from hot baths. Others are only a day away from brothels. And a lucky few are only a day away from loved ones.
Daenerys mounts her horse. Jon and Arya are already mounted on theirs.
With a screech, the dragons take to the air, circling lazily. Arya watches them go.
ARYA STARK
I thought all those stories Old Nan told were fantasy. The dragons. The White Walkers. The Children.
JON SNOW
Aye.
ARYA STARK
Can you picture her face if she could see this?
JON SNOW
I imagine we’d be in for a bit of ‘I told you so.’
The dragons swoop close to the procession.
ARYA STARK
I wish father could see them.
JON SNOW
I wish he could see you.
Jon reaches over and clasps her hand.
JON SNOW (CONT’D)
Come on. Let’s go home.
They urge their horses forward, but Daenerys is motionless as she watches two dragons fly overhead where three should be.
INT. CASTLE BLACK – LORD COMMANDER’S STUDY – DAY
Beric sits at the Lord Commander’s desk, surrounded by paper, ink, and quills. Tormund and Dolorous Edd crowd him, leaning over his shoulder to look at the paper.
DOLOROUS EDD
Don’t forget to tell them our numbers. They’ll come if they know how fucked we are.
TORMUND GIANTSBANE
How many men will we have if all the crows come to Castle Black?
DOLOROUS EDD
Maybe two hundred and fifty, all told.
TORMUND GIANTSBANE
Fucking Jon Snow. He said you had thousands on the Wall. We could have taken this place years ago.
BERIC DONDARRION
Quit bellyaching, I’m trying to write.
DOLOROUS EDD
What are you writing?
TORMUND GIANTSBANE
Did you tell them about the dragon?
BERIC DONDARRION
I think I managed to remember that part.
TORMUND GIANTSBANE
And the giants? The huge fucking giants?
BERIC DONDARRION
Do you want to write it yourself?
TORMUND GIANTSBANE
Do you think we had a fancy lad school north of the Wall? Just tell them about the fucking giants!
Beric dots the paper with a flourish and holds it up.
BERIC DONDARRION
Here. I told them about Eastwatch, and the dragon, and the bloody giants. I asked them to come to Castle Black so we can march south.
Edd takes the paper and studies it.
TORMUND GIANTSBANE
What are you doing? You can’t read it.
DOLOROUS EDD
Shut up. Give me a quill.
Edd scratches his “X” on the paper and hands it to Tormund.
DOLOROUS EDD (CONT’D)
Send this to Shadow Tower.
Tormund shakes his head as he leaves.
TORMUND GIANTSBANE
(muttering)
Catching ravens for crows.
DOLOROUS EDD
(to Beric)
Next. Winterfell.
Beric sighs and reaches for another slip of paper.
EXT. KING’S LANDING – FLEA BOTTOM – DAY
THREE YOUNG CHILDREN play in the street, ragamuffins with bare feet and bedraggled hair. Two boys sword fight with wooden sticks.
A LITTLE REDHEADED GIRL, maybe seven years old, climbs onto a crate.
LITTLE GIRL
I am Daenerys Targaryen, the Unburnt! Kneel to me or I’ll eat you with my dragons!
Passersby laugh as they go about their business. In the shadows, a Queensguard overhears and draws his sword. He stalks toward the child.
EXT. WINTERFELL – BROKEN TOWER – DAY
A RAVEN perches on the top of the broken tower, chattering at other birds. Abruptly its eyes turn milky-white, and it takes flight. A glittering train of movement becomes visible in the distance, curving along the road.
INT. WINTERFELL – GREAT HALL – DAY
Bran’s eyes transition from milky-white to their brown as he comes out of his warg.
BRAN STARK
They’re here.
Sansa, who was eating her breakfast, stands.
SANSA STARK
I’ll tell the Northern lords.
Sansa and Bran share a look before Sansa leaves.
EXT. WINTERFELL – COURTYARD – DAY
Sansa and Bran wait to receive the visitors. The Northern lords flank them, grim-faced and silent.
Ser Jorah, Ser Davos, and the Hound enter first. Sansa recognizes the Hound immediately, but her face betrays nothing.
Then Sansa spots Tyrion, and her face flickers with — something. Tyrion nods to her, then takes in the clenched jaws and tense shoulders of the receiving party.
TYRION
A warm Northern welcome.
Jon, Arya, and Daenerys ride through the gates. The Northern lords bow to Jon, but they refuse to do the same for Daenerys.
Jon dismounts and helps Dany off her horse. He guides her to Sansa, who curtsies to the Dragon Queen.
SANSA STARK
Your Grace. Welcome to Winterfell.
DAENERYS TARGARYEN
Thank you. I’ve heard much about it on the journey from Dragonstone.
Jon leaves Dany with Sansa and moves to Bran. He hugs his brother. When Jon pulls back, he studies the changes in the boy now a man grown.
JON SNOW
Bran, the last time I saw you…
BRAN STARK
You said, ‘We could go walking beyond the Wall, if you’re not afraid.’
JON SNOW
You heard me.
BRAN STARK
Not then, but I did go beyond the Wall. Now I see things.
JON SNOW
Arya said you’ve changed.
BRAN STARK
Yes. Winter is here.
Jon pauses, taken aback. But Daenerys glides to his side, breaking the spell. Jon introduces her.
FROM HER HORSE, Arya smiles as she watches. Everyone she loves who is still alive is gathered here, right now, under her protective gaze.
Sansa intervenes with Bran and Daenerys.
SANSA STARK
I hope Winterfell will please you. If there is anything you require, you need only ask.
Arya dismounts nearby.
ARYA
I’d recommend the ale.
Sansa shoots her a reprimanding look. Daenerys tries to hide her smile.
Bran grabs Jon’s wrist as Jon moves toward the Northern lords.
BRAN STARK
I need to speak with you.
JON SNOW
Of course. Later. I need to address the lords.
(to Sansa and Daenerys)
Let’s adjourn to the Great Hall. There is much to discuss.
Sansa gives him warning look. Jon nods.
INT. WINTERFELL – GREAT HALL – DAY
The Great Hall is stuffed to the eaves with Northern lords. Missandei, Jorah, Varys, and Tyrion fill the space behind the great table. Bran and Arya watch from the side as Jon stands before the lords, flanked by Daenerys and Sansa.
Jon motions to servants. They heave blocks of dragonglass onto the tables for all to see.
JON SNOW
Dragonglass. As promised. We’ve already begun to fashion it into weapons.
LORD MAZIN
And the Targaryen? Was she a nice little prize that came with it?
TYRION LANNISTER
You are addressing Daenerys Stormborn, Queen of the Andals and the First Men, the Unburnt, Breaker of Chains, and Mother of Dragons.
LORD MAZIN
She’s just a Targaryen here.
JON SNOW
She is my guest, and you will treat her with respect.
LYANNA MORMONT
Respect is earned. House Stark has the respect and loyalty of Bear Island. But we don’t recognize this Southern ruler as Queen of the Andals and the First Men.
DAENERYS TARGARYEN
That’s fair.
Everyone turns to look at Dany.
DAENERYS TARGARYEN (CONT’D)
None of you know me. All of the North remembers the past misdeeds of my father. I am not my father.
(a beat, to stare them in the eyes)
Your king came south to ask me for dragonglass. I gave it. He asked me to fight the Army of the Dead north of the Wall. I went. He asked me to come to Winterfell with my armies and dragons to defeat the Night King. I came. That’s what the North should remember about Daenerys Stormborn. I am a friend to the North, not your enemy.
LORD MAZIN
A daughter of the Mad King is no friend of ours.
JON SNOW
Children should not answer for the sins of their fathers.
From the crowd, SAMWELL TARLY stands. Jon is surprised — and pleased — to see him.
SAMWELL TARLY
I’d like to speak. My name is Samwell Tarly.
Varys and Tyrion look at each other. They recognize that name. This is not good.
JON SNOW
Yes, Sam. You have the floor.
SAMWELL TARLY
I received a raven not long ago at the Citadel. It said that my father and brother had died.
TYRION LANNISTER
(sotto)
Fuck.
SAMWELL TARLY
My father was no great loss. A bad man, he was. But my brother – he wasn’t like that.
LORD MAZIN
We’ve all lost loved ones, but why are you whinging about them?
SAMWELL TARLY
Because they were killed by Daenerys Targaryen.
All eyes turn to Daenerys, who is completely blindsided.
TYRION LANNISTER
(sotto, to Daenerys)
The dragon fire. Father and son.
Dany remembers.
SAMWELL TARLY
My father and brother refused to bend the knee, so Daenerys Targaryen had her dragons roast them alive.
Murmurs run through the Great Hall. Stunned, Jon turns to Dany. Then he looks back to Sam.
JON SNOW
Sam, my deepest sympathies.
LORD MAZIN
So is that the plan? Bend the knee or turn us to ash?
JON SNOW
Of course not.
DAENERYS TARGARYEN
(to Sam)
My lord, I am sorry for your loss. Your brother and father fought against me. I assure you, I took no pleasure in their deaths.
LORD MAZIN
What a relief.
TYRION LANNISTER
Hear her out. You may find you like what she has to say.
LORD MAZIN
And why should I heed the advice of a kinslayer? Am I supposed to trust a man who shoots his own father while he’s taking a shit?
JON SNOW
Tyrion has my trust.
LYANNA MORMONT
You trust the Lannisters. You trust the Targaryens. Why should we have confidence in a king who has been blinded by our enemies?
JON SNOW
I assure you, my eyes are clear.
DAENERYS TARGARYEN
My desire is the same as yours. We will defeat the Night King and the Army of the Dead.
LORD MAZIN
You don’t know our desires. You are not of the North.
LYANNA MORMONT
House Mormont only has one leader
–– the King in the North. Either your alliance ends, or House Mormont will be going back to Bear Island in the morning.
NORTHERN LORDS
Aye!
Disheartened, Daenerys and Jon look at the steadfast Northern lords.
END OF ACT TWO