season six
At Castle Black, the mutineers from the Night’s Watch have left Jon Snow's dead body where he fell. Jon’s direwolf Ghost is scratching at the door in grief and howling, which gets the attention of several people, including Ser Davos, who leaves his room to investigate the commotion. Davos then finds Jon's dead body just before Eddison Tollett and some other Black Brothers arrive. They take the body inside where Edd clears a table and angrily curses Alliser Thorne after closing Jon's eyes. Davos convinces Edd to go bring Ghost in, deciding that they need all the help they can get. Melisandre then arrives in shock, stating that in the flames she saw Jon fighting in Winterfell. Davos rhetorically states his doubt that Jon could now do such a thing and she solemnly returns to her room. Later, Davos notes that Alliser Thorne is sure to have made his move by now. In response, Edd states he doesn't care and will rally the loyal brothers to take out Thorne in revenge. Davos responds they are hopelessly outnumbered but then reminds them that there are others nearby who owe Jon their lives. Realizing he means the wildlings, Edd instructs them to bar the door and not let anyone in while he sneaks out to get help. Afterwards, Thorne and senior members of the Watch approach the room and through the door Thorne offers full amnesty to the brothers inside and Ser Davos with a fresh horse and safe passage. Davos mocks what he knows to be an insincere offer by requesting mutton, though Thorne does promise him food but notes that the offer will expire by sundown.
Nightfall has arrived and the band of Black Brothers loyal to the fallen Lord Commander have not yet surrendered. When Ser Davos refuses a final ultimatum from Thorne, the acting Lord Commander orders the door to be battered down with a sledgehammer. Before the mutineers can break in, however, Eddison returns with a wildling leader named Tormund Giantsbane and a small army of his supporters. Though Thorne demands that the Watchmen stand and fight, only one of them is stupid enough to try it and is almost immediately cut down by an enraged Tormund, enabling an almost bloodless takeover. One archer foolishly looses a crossbow bolt into the giant Wun Wun's back, which only results in the angry giant dashing him against a stone wall before throwing the mangled body at Thorne's feet. The Watchmen, seeing this, quickly throw down their arms and surrender. Thorne then tries to attack while young Olly angrily rushes Tormund with a sword, but Thorne is seized and Tormund easily disarms Olly, pushing him into waiting arms. The mutineers are then led away to the ice cells of Castle Black as Eddison brings Tormund to see Jon's corpse. Noting the many wounds, Tormund quietly says that he'll have his men start gathering wood for the funeral pyre.
Some time later, Ser Davos visits Melisandre and asks her if reviving Jon is possible, saying that he cares nothing for Red Gods, Drowned Gods or the Seven, but he does believe in her power. Melisandre admits to having seen it done, but insists that she cannot do it, having lost faith in the Lord of Light due to the failure of her predictions regarding Stannis Baratheon to come true. After Davos implores her simply to try, she reluctantly agrees and joins Davos, Eddison and Tormund in the room where Jon’s body lies. Melisandre washes his wounds clean and then after cutting and burning his hair, she attempts to revive Jon using murmured High Valyrian incantations. However, it seems that they have no effect, as Jon still lies there lifeless. After a few moments, Tormund frustratedly leaves, and Melisandre offers a final "please" in the common tongue, but leaves the room, despondent. Eddison and finally Davos follow her a moment later, with all hope dashed. Once the room is empty, however, the direwolf Ghost, who had been sleeping underneath the table upon which Jon was lying, perks up when Jon suddenly awakens in panic, gasping for air.
Moments after his resurrection, a shocked Jon still finds his breath as he slowly sits up and scans the room. He then looks down and is horrified by his stab wounds. Ser Davos, having returned to the room upon hearing the commotion, is also shocked but relieved to find him alive. Davos quickly helps Jon as he struggles to walk and then if he remembers anything. Jon, still processing the trauma, says that he does. An astonished Melisandre then enters and asks Jon where he was after his death. Jon replies he saw nothing, much to her disappointment. However, with her faith restored, she insists that the Lord of Light brought Jon back for a reason. Davos asks Melisandre to leave them alone so Jon can adjust to his revival. After some time, Davos is in attendance as the resurrected Lord Commander oversee the public hanging of the traitors responsible for the mutiny. Alliser Thorne says he had a choice: to betray his Commander or the Night's Watch, adding that Jon bringing the wildlings was a dangerous problem and had to be stopped. Alliser then warns Jon that he will be fighting their battles forever. Jon then cuts down the rope, killing all four traitors. He then takes off his cloak and hands it to a confused Eddison, informing him that can do whatever he wants with it, unofficially designating Edd as the new Lord Commander of the Night's Watch.
Some time later, as Jon packs up his things after his recent resignation, a new visitor arrives through the gates: Sansa Stark, Jon’s half-sister. She is accompanied by Brienne of Tarth, who once served as Kingsguard to Renly Baratheon. Later on, Davos asks Melisandre whether she will stay at Castle Black and she replies she will do as Jon commands. Davos asks what happened to Stannis and she replies that he was defeated in battle by House Bolton. When he then asks about Princess Shireen, Melisandre is reluctant to speak. Their conversation is interrupted by Brienne, who recognizes them both as Stannis' former entourage. Still bitter over the death of Renly, Brienne warns Melisandre that she does not forget or forgive. She also confirms to them that she was the one who executed Stannis after he admitted using blood magic to assassinate his brother. Afterwards, the ever-growing war council discuss the need for more men to defend them, since the Karstarks and Umbers, two vassal houses in the North, have now declared for Ramsay Bolton. Jon points out that they can summon the rest of the minor houses in order to rival their enemies. Sansa states that "the North remembers," adding that the people of the North are still loyal to her house and will risk everything for the name Stark. After preparing for departure, Davos joins Jon, Melisandre and Sansa as they ride out of Castle Black to recruit more Northern support for their battle against House Bolton.
Some weeks later, Ser Davos, Jon and Sansa begin searching for allies, starting with the wildlings at their camp along the Wall. With assistance from Tormund and the giant Wun Wun, Jon speaks with the wildlings, and their elders led by Dim Dalba, who are still indebted to Jon for saving them at Hardhome from the army of the dead. Jon asks for their help in the coming battle against Ramsay Bolton. Though Tormund stands by Jon, Dalba is skeptical, citing that they were allowed into the North to help fight against the White Walkers, not the Boltons. Jon agrees this isn't their fight and he shouldn't be asking for their help but points out that if Ramsay wins, he will wipe them all out anyway. Tormund speaks up for Jon, saying he died for the wildlings' well-being and if they don't help him, they are "cowards". The wildlings agree after Wun Wun stands up and says "Snow", confirming his allegiance. When the meeting disperses, Jon asks Tormund if he's sure that the Free Folk will join him, and Tormund responds: “We’re not clever like you southerners. When we say we'll do something, we do it.” Prior to traveling to Bear Island, Ser Davos reminds Jon and Sansa of the letter sent by the young House Mormont leader, Lyanna, rejecting Stannis' previous plea for assistance.
Afterwards, Davos, Jon and Sansa then travel to Bear Island, where they meet with the ten-year-old Lyanna. Sansa and Jon try to flatter her with small talk about her mother Maege. Jon then tells Lyanna of his friendship and service in the Night's Watch under her uncle, the deceased Lord Commander Jeor Mormont. However, Lyanna is unimpressed and aggressively brushes them off, demanding to know their business in Bear Island. Lyanna initially rejects their request for help and stresses that House Stark is dead and that she needs her forces to garrison Bear Island. She also remarks that Jon and Sansa cannot be considered Starks since the former is a bastard and the latter has been married twice into enemy houses, House Lannister and then House Bolton. Jon reveals that Ramsay is holding his brother Rickon Stark hostage but Lyanna is initially unconcerned about the threat of Ramsay and House Bolton. However, before Lyanna can dismiss them, Ser Davos intervenes. After briefly discussing his background, Davos manages to convince the young Lady Mormont that they need to defeat Ramsay in order to unite the North against the coming White Walkers, as he then warns her of the dangers the army of the dead pose to the living. Lyanna agrees and supplies them with sixty-two men, the remaining force of House Mormont, promising that each will fight with the worth of ten men.
Later, the trio then travel to Deepwood Motte to secure the allegiance of House Glover. They receive a frosty reception from Robett Glover, who points out that the late Robb Stark failed to protect his home from the Ironborn. Despite his being one of the Starks' most loyal bannermen, Robb did not come to his aid when the Ironborn invaded Deepwood Motte, imprisoned his wife and children, and brutalized his subjects, unaware that this was Robb's intention, but he was persuaded otherwise by Roose Bolton. When Sansa tries to highlight the fact that the Glovers had pledged fealty to House Stark, Robett responds that he received them out of respect for their father Eddard Stark but warns them that they have outstayed their welcome. In the end, Jon and Sansa are only able to recruit a small number of minor houses, only adding a few hundred extra soldiers to their army. Later on, at their camp, Lady Lyanna and her men are seen among the Stark and wildling forces. When Ser Davos leaves to deal with a brawl among the wildlings, Sansa expresses her concerns with Davos’ council. Jon assures her of his experience. Despite being heavily outnumbered, Jon is adamant that they attack Winterfell as soon as possible before Ramsay rallies more forces and before the weather turns on them. Sansa disagrees, instead opting to try and recruit more houses.
Weeks later, outside of Winterfell, Ser Davos, Jon, Sansa, Tormund and the Northern lords that declared for House Stark request a parley with Ramsay Bolton, Harald Karstark and Smalljon Umber before they commence battle. Ramsay offers surrender terms, saying he will pardon Jon for deserting the Night's Watch and the Northerners in Jon's forces for rebelling against him if Jon hands over Sansa. Jon refuses and offers Ramsay a chance to settle their dispute in one-on-one combat. Ramsay rejects a one-on-one combat with Jon, noting that he doubts he can best Jon in a duel but he is confident his numerically superior forces will triumph in battle. Jon counters that Ramsay's men may not want to fight for him if he will not fight for them. In response, Ramsay threatens Rickon Stark. Jon and Sansa are wary of whether Ramsay actually has their brother, to which Umber throws out his direwolf Shaggydog's head as proof. Sansa refuses the terms of surrender and tells Ramsay he will die the following day. As she rides off, Ramsay comments to Jon that she is a fine woman and will enjoy having her back in his bed after the battle. Ramsay adds that that they are all fine-looking men and his dogs are ravenous, as he then ponders what body part will they attack first, before riding off himself.
Late night, Jon holds a war council meeting when Ser Davos mentions that if the other houses sense weakness on Ramsay’s part, they will stop fearing him. Jon adds that fear is his weakness as well, noting that his men don’t want to fight for him, they are being forced to. He ponders what would happen to Ramsay’s allegiance if the tide turned away from him during battle. Tormund interrupts to express concern over Ramsay’s number of horses, explaining that was how the wildlings were hit the hardest when they were attacked by Stannis. Jon assures as they are digging trenches along their flanks so it shouldn’t result in the same catastrophy. They then discusses their battle plan is to let the Boltons attack the middle of their formation in order to encircle their army. After exiting the meeting, Davos and Tormund discuss their time serving Stannis and Mance Rayder respectively, with both acknowledging that they may have been serving the wrong king. After parting ways, Tormund goes to drink and Davos takes a walk. As the sun rises, Davos comes across the same pyre on which Princess Shireen was sacrificed, and in the remains, finds the wooden stag he carved and gave to her the last time they were together. He finally then realizes how she died.
The armies gather the following morning as Ramsay brings out Rickon. After raising a knife, Ramsay cuts Rickon's bonds and tells him that they are to “play a game.” The only rule is to run towards his brother Jon. As Rickon does so, Ramsay pulls out a bow, prompting Jon to urgently ride out and try to save Rickon. Ramsay appears to have no intention of hitting Rickon with his first few shots but, just as Jon approaches his brother, Rickon is struck in the back with an arrow and is killed. Enraged over his brother's murder, Jon charges towards the Bolton army, followed by the Stark calvary. The Bolton archers fire at Jon and strike his horse. With Jon now defenseless in the middle of the battlefield, Ramsay orders the Bolton cavalry to charge at him. As Jon brandishes his sword and prepares to fight to the death, the Stark cavalry smashes into the Boltons, narrowly saving Jon from being trampled. In the rear, Ser Davos belays his order to his archers to release arrows into the melee of infantry, as he announces that they would kill his men, engaged in close-quarter fighting, as well the enemy. He eventually sends the archers forward to be of more use in the middle of the battlefield. Ramsay, however, has no such compunction; he has twice the men to lose and little concern for killing his own. He repeatedly orders arrow fusillades that kill all combatants in the middle of the field, apparently in an effort to create a strategic barrier of human death in the center of the battlefield. The Stark forces seem unaware of this strategy and developing trap. Bolton soldiers are ordered forward to create an impenetrable horseshoe formation of tall shields and spears that surround three sides of the Stark forces against the death mound and progressively compresses them into a helpless and dysfunctional mass. Simultaneously, Smalljon Umber leads a group of soldiers across the mound of corpses to attack the beleaguered Stark infantry from behind and complete the deadly envelopment. While Wun Wun is able to kill a few Bolton soldiers, it is not enough to break their phalanx. Panic sets in and Tormund, sensing futility, urges his wildlings backward towards the pile and possible escape. Amidst all of this, Jon is trampled by his own forces, nearly suffocating under a group of men crawling on top of him, but is eventually able to get back to his feet. At this point, where the Stark forces face imminent destruction, a horn sounds out in the distance as Sansa and Lord Petyr Baelish arrive with the Knights of the Vale, waving banners bearing the House Arryn sigil. On horseback, they begin to cut down the Bolton soldiers from behind to disrupt the encirclement. Smalljon, momentarily distracted by the arrival of the Arryn forces, is caught off-guard by Tormund, who bites out his foe's throat and then kills the stricken Northman, stabbing him multiple times in the face with a dagger.
As Ramsay sees his soldiers being cut down, he decides to retreat inside Winterfell. His general insists the battle is lost but Ramsay assures him they still have Winterfell, and the Stark Army is too weak for a siege, despite the Vale reinforcements. Wun Wun, however, is able to break down Winterfell's gates, allowing wildling archers to pour into the castle; the last vestiges of the Bolton garrison are quickly overwhelmed and slaughtered. The giant is nevertheless overwhelmed by arrows and finally killed by Ramsay's shot. As Jon approaches, Ramsay fires three arrows at him with his bow but Jon blocks them all with a Mormont shield that he picked up from the ground. Before Ramsay can fire the fourth arrow, Jon gets close enough and smacks the bow out of Ramsay's hands before striking him in the chest with the shield with enough force to send Ramsay down. Before Ramsay can stand up, Jon pounces on him and proceeds to savagely beat him with his fists, while Ramsay uncharacteristically does not attempt to defend himself and fight back, merely grinning maniacally. Jon stops upon noticing Sansa, realizing she has more right for revenge, and subsequently orders Ramsay locked up as a prisoner. The Bolton banners on Winterfell are torn down and the Stark banners are raised in their place. Melisandre looks over the courtyard while Davos glares at her from below, clutching Shireen's burned stag he found. Jon orders Rickon's body to be buried next to his father in the crypts as Sansa demands of Jon to tell her where he is keeping Ramsay prisoner.
Some time after settling into Winterfell, Melisandre and Jon are in the Great Hall when Ser Davos angrily strides in and tosses Princess Shireen’s burned wooden stag to the Red Priestess. At first, she is silent, but as Davos loses his composure, she admits that she convinced Stannis to sacrifice his daughter to the Lord of Light. Melisandre defends herself by saying that it needed to be done as Stannis' forces were stranded by the storms, adding that both of Shireen's parents made the decision as well. Davos quickly dismisses this defense and goes on to exclaim that her god is evil and tearfully admits that he loved Shireen as his own daughter. Fighting back tears, Melisandre concedes that she made a mistake. Davos states that because of her mistake, not only did an innocent child die for a lost cause, so did many soldiers. He then demands Jon to execute Melisandre for her actions. She insists that she only followed the Lord of Light, who she implies is also responsible for bringing Jon back to life and insists she can still be of use in the battles to come against the Night King, the leader of the army of the dead. Greatly displeased, however, Jon exiles Melisandre and tells her to ride south, or he will hang her as a murderer. Davos adds that he will personally execute her if she ever shows up in the North again.
Some time later, the surviving heads of all the Northern vassal houses convene in Winterfell's Great Hall. They debate what to do next as Jon emphasizes that the war is not over and the Night King doesn't wait out the storm, he "brings the storm." The assembled begin to argue amongst themselves as Lyanna Mormont rises to shame those who did not join Jon and Sansa in helping defeat House Bolton. She reiterates that the North knows no king but the King in the North, whose name is "Stark." Lyanna continues by saying that Jon may be a bastard but she doesn't care and he is a Stark in her eyes. She then hails Jon as the new King in the North. Lord Wyman Manderly, rises to apologize, saying he didn't send aid before because he didn't want to send his men to die for nothing. However, he goes on to call Jon "the White Wolf" and he too proclaims him King. Lord Robett Glover then apologizes profusely, saying that he dishonored himself by not aiding him before, and he only didn't help Jon because he thought he had no hope of winning. All of the gathered lords of the North and the Vale of Arryn then draw and raise their swords and hail Jon as the new King in the North. Ser Davos also swears his allegiance. Surprised, Jon shares a look with Sansa, who returns Jon's smile as he stands.
“I've never been much of a fighter. Apologies for what you're about to see.”
— ‘Home’
“Jeor Mormont and Jon Snow both understood that the real war isn't between a few squabbling houses. It's between the living and the dead. And make no mistake my lady, the dead are coming.”
— ‘The Broken Man’
“Fuck him, then. Fuck all of them. I'm not a devout man, obviously. Seven Gods, Drowned Gods, Tree Gods, it's all the same. I'm not asking the Lord of Light for help. I'm asking the woman who showed me that miracles exist.”
— ‘Home’
“Maybe that’s our mistake: believing in kings.”
“You were dead. And now you're not. That's completely fucking mad, seems to me. I can only imagine how it seems to you.”
— ‘Oathbreaker’
“If he commands you to burn children, your Lord is evil! … I loved that girl like she was my own! She was good, she was kind and you killed her!”
season seven
Some time later, the new King in the North, Jon Snow, organizes the defense against the Night King and his army. Jon asks that all maesters start searching for dragonglass, stressing it is now more valuable than gold due to its effectiveness against the White Walkers. Jon also requests Tormund Giantsbane and his wildling supporters to man Eastwatch-by-the-Sea and orders for all able-bodied men and women in the kingdom to be trained in combat. While Robett Glover balks at the idea of arming his young granddaughter, young Lyanna Mormont gives her assurance that every girl on Bear Island will be trained alongside the boys. Jon notes if the Wall is breached the castles of Last Hearth and Karhold will be the first affected. Lord Yohn Royce of the Vale opines that the castles should be demolished as they supported House Bolton, but Sansa interjects that the children committed no crimes and urges Jon to instead strip the Umbers and Karstarks of their castles as punishment for turning against the Starks. However, Jon advocates forgiveness and summons Ned Umber and Alys Karstark - both of whom played no part in their father's betrayals. He asks them to reaffirm their loyalty to House Stark as they kneel before Jon.
Some days later, Jon, Sansa and Ser Davos discuss a letter they’ve received from the imp, Tyrion Lannister, who is now the Hand of the Queen to Daenerys Targaryen. Jon asks for Sansa's opinion and while Sansa remembers that Tyrion was kind to her and was unlike the rest of his family, she wonders if the message is truly from Tyrion. Jon confirms the letter's authenticity as it ends with the line "For all dwarfs are bastards in their fathers' eyes," which is what Tyrion told Jon when they first met. Even so, Sansa worries it is too big a risk and Jon concedes that now is not the right time to go to Dragonstone. Davos opines that Daenerys will make a good ally in the war to come as, “what creatures just happen to breathe fire?” Afterwards, upon receiving a message from the Citadel, Jon gathers the Northern lords to announce that the letter reveals there is dragonglass located beneath the island of Dragonstone. He then announces his decision to travel there and convince the dragon queen to join their fight. Jon accepts that he is taking a risk, but stresses the need of Daenerys' aid if the North is to be saved from the army of the dead. Sansa reiterates her objection to Jon going, and Jon tells Sansa that he is appointing her as ruler of the North in his absence. Outside, Davos, Jon and several horsemen prepare to ride south to White Harbor while Sansa witnesses their departure from the battlements.
Days after travelling south, Jon and Ser Davos arrive at the island of Dragonstone, and are immediately greeted by Tyrion Lannister and Missandei, an advisor to Queen Daenerys. Upon meeting, Tyrion addresses Jon as the “bastard of Winterfell”, while Jon addresses him as the “dwarf of Casterly Rock” – the two share a friendly grin. Jon observes that Tyrion has picked up some scars. Jon also introduces Davos while Tyrion introduces Missandei, who requests that they surrender their weapons. Jon and his entourage hand over their weapons to Daenerys' Dothraki guards. On the walk to the castle, Missandei walks with Davos and tells him that she comes from the island of Naath. Davos remarks that it was a paradise full of palm trees. Jon and Tyrion talk about Sansa's brief marriage to Tyrion as Jon is assured that it was a sham that was never consummated. Tyrion remarks that Sansa is a lot smarter than she lets on, to which Jon agrees. While Jon is aware of the fate that the previous Starks were met with upon meeting a Targaryen, Jon insists that he is not a Stark. Suddenly, Jon and Davos are startled at the sight of two dragons, Drogon and Viserion, as they fly low over the causeway and dive to the ground, while an amused Missandei and Tyrion retain their composure. Offering Jon a hand up, Tyrion says he wishes he could tell Jon he'll get used to the dragons – but no one is quite used to them except their mother, who is waiting for Jon inside.
In the throne room, Missandei introduces Daenerys with her many titles and in stark contrast Ser Davos hesitantly introduces Jon simply as the King in the North. Daenerys thanks Jon for traveling so far but insists that he is a mere Lord. Davos begs to differ but Daenerys responds that there has been no King in the North ever since Torrhen Stark bent the knee to Aegon the Conqueror and adds that an oath lasts for perpetuity. She then demands for Jon to bend the knee. Jon expresses agreement with Daenerys' view that children should not be punished for the crimes of their parents, but argues that he is not beholden to his ancestors' oaths. Jon tells her that he has come because he needs her help as he reveals the army of the dead is their true enemy. Daenerys is skeptical, but Tyrion vouches for Jon. Jon says that they need to make cause to fight against the army of the dead. When Daenerys reiterates that she is destined to rule the Seven Kingdoms, Jon retorts that she will be ruling over a graveyard if the Night King is not defeated. Tyrion says they cannot split their forces. Davos then speaks up insisting that it doesn't matter who bends the knee, as if they don't put aside their enmities to focus on the undead they will all die, but Tyrion doesn't see the point of Jon's refusal to submit. When Jon disputes Daenerys' claims to queenship, Dany responds that he is in open rebellion since he has declared himself King in the North and orders Missandei to give Jon and his followers food and lodging. When Jon asks if he is a prisoner, she says "not yet".
Some days later, Jon leads Daenerys on a tour of the long-abandoned Valyrian dragonglass mine that the Citadel told him about. After exiting the cave, Davos joins the pair as Tyrion and Lord Varys arrive with grave news regarding an attack made on her major allies. In retaliation, Daenerys plans on assaulting Queen Cersei and the capital, however, Jon argues against such a course of action when she asks him his opinion. He asserts that if she uses her dragons to "melt castles and burn cities," she’ll be no different from her tyrannical ancestors who came before her. Afterwards, Davos tells Jon he seems attracted to Daenerys but Jon brushes Davos' observation aside, saying he doesn't "have time for that.” Jon stresses that they need to ally with Daenerys, because the North itself is largely depleted of soldiers. Missandei then joins them on the causeway as they proceed to discuss marriage and bastards, neither of which are of custom in her home of Naath. Davos remarks that it sounds liberating. They are interrupted with the arrival of Theon Greyjoy and his small remaining Ironborn fleet, who are in allegiance with Daenerys. As Theon is stunned to see Jon, whom he hasn’t seen since betraying the Starks, a factor that nearly destroyed their house and contributed to the death Jon's brother, Rickon. A furious Jon grabs Theon by his coat, but eventually relents for the sake of their united cause.
While holding a war council meeting, Daenerys is informed by Jon about the news of his sibling’s recent returns to Winterfell. He urges to return home, concerned by a vision Bran Stark had, which warns that the army of the dead are getting closer. Daenerys notes that Jon doesn't have enough men to fight the army of the dead and he asks her again to join him. However, Dany is worried that Cersei will take advantage and march in if she turns her focus. Tyrion proposes bringing a wight south to King's Landing in order to prove that the army of the dead is real and convince Cersei, so they can form a truce. Lord Varys opines that it is suicide trying to appeal to Cersei but Tyrion argues that he can persuade his brother Jaime. Ser Davos, as the only one who might be able to smuggle Tyrion into King's Landing, reluctantly agrees to. Ser Jorah Mormont then volunteers to go north with Jon to help capture a wight. Upset over the idea of Jon leaving, Daenerys responds that she did not give Jon permission to depart, but Jon reminds her that he is the King in the North. He tells her she has the power of life and death over him but that he trusted her as a stranger. Jon pleads with her to now return the favor by trusting him.
Some time after sailing to the capital, Ser Davos and Tyrion arrive at a secluded beach close to the Red Keep. Tyrion remarks that he murdered his own father Tywin the last time he was here, with Davos remarks that Tyrion murdered his son Matthos the last time he himself visited the city, reminding Tyrion of the wildfire explosion during the Battle of Blackwater. As Tyrion goes to speak with his brother Jaime, Davos himself arrives in the slums of Flea Bottom to pay Gendry Baratheon a visit at the smithy. Joking that he thought Gendry might still be rowing after his assisted escape from Dragonstone years ago, Gendry confirms that no one has given him a second glance and realizes that Davos has come to him for something important. Having never been happy with serving the Lannisters, who tried to have the bastard killed, Gendry explains that he's been preparing for such a moment and readily agrees to leave with him. Afterwards, on the shore, Davos and Gendry prepare to leave but are spotted by a pair of Gold Cloaks. Davos pretends to be a smuggler and bribes the guards with coin. They’re cover is blown, however, upon the return of the recognizable Tyrion. Before the guards can react, Gendry kills them both by smashing their skulls in with his Baratheon-styled war hammer. Ser Davos, slightly exasperated, then introduces Gendry to Tyrion, who wryly states: "he'll do".
Some time later, Ser Davos and Tyrion return to Dragonstone with Gendry. At the dragonglass mines, Gendry meets Jon, who is supervising the diggings and excavations. Gendry remarks that Jon is a lot shorter than he expected – and immediately blurts out his true parentage, on the assumption that Jon will value honesty and will appreciate the idea of Eddard Stark and Robert Baratheon's bastards joining forces. Gendry volunteers to accompany Jon and Davos on their mission to the North to capture a wight and convince Queen Cersei that the true war lies to the North. Afterwards, as Davos, Gendry, Jon and Ser Jorah prepare to depart on boats for Eastwatch, Daenerys and Tyrion arrive to bid them farewell. Jon playfully quips to Daenerys that if their mission is unsuccessful and he doesn’t return she at least won’t have to deal with the King in the North anymore. Daenerys responds that she’s "grown used to him," hinting that she may have feelings for him. Jon wishes her good fortune in the wars to come before he leaves. Daenerys and Tyrion watch as the hunting party depart on their boats for Eastwatch.
After landing at Eastwatch, Jon and his party meet with Tormund Giantsbane, who thinks that Jon's new plan is suicidal, and mockingly asks which of the two ferocious Queens is it they need to convince, as Jon replies both. Ser Davos volunteers to stay behind at Eastwatch because he regards himself as a liability, given his age and relative lack of fighting ability. Afterwards, Jon learns that the Night's Watch has detained a handful of members of the Brotherhood Without Banners, including Ser Beric Dondarrion, Thoros of Myr and Sandor "The Hound" Clegane. Jon and his team meet with the prisoners in the cells beneath Eastwatch, where the entire group swiftly establish their reasons for hating each other, given past histories. They all agree, however, to set aside their differences for the mission, as they all set off beyond the Wall. Some time later, after landing in a dangerous position and needing rescue, an exhausted Gendry rushes back to Eastwatch on foot, as Ser Davos then commands for a raven to be sent to Daenerys. Following her rescue mission, the party was successful in capturing a wight to bring down to King’s Landing. However, after encountering the Night King, Daenerys’ dragon Viserion has been killed and Jon has been left for dead. Upon the party’s return to Eastwatch, Daenerys stands on top of the Wall as her other two dragons, Drogon and Rhaegal, have been sent to scour the surrounding mountains for Jon. From above, Daenerys then sees a wounded Jon approaching on horseback. After boarding him on the ship, Davos and Gendry remove Jon’s garments and tend to him, as he’s suffered severe hypothermia and several minor injuries.
After Queen Cersei agrees to a summit meeting in King's Landing, Ser Davos, Tyrion and Jon arrive in the capital some time later with their various allies, while the Unsullied and Dothraki armies amass outside the city walls awaiting to attack in case the truce gets broken. In the harbor, Davos, Tyrion, Lord Varys, Jon and Missandei nervously sail past Euron Greyjoy's fleet. The group arrives and are escorted to the Dragonpit, the location of the summit. Tyrion comments on the Dragonpit itself, which used to hold several dragons during the Targaryen dynasty. He states that it used to be the most dangerous place in the world, as Davos then notes that it still could be, as the Lannister guards approach. Ser Bronn escorts the united party inside the Dragonpit, where they await the arrival of Cersei. The Lannister queen eventually arrives with her party, including her brother Ser Jaime as well as Euron Greyjoy, and she glares hatefully towards Tyrion. She then quickly grows impatient with Daenerys’ late arrival, only for the dragon queen herself to make a dramatic entrance on Drogon moments later, with Rhaegal flying overhead. Once the various factions are all seated, Tyrion and Jon attempt to convince the Lannister queen of the greater threat coming from the North; according to Tyrion, one million people all live crammed together in the city. They will soon become one million more soldiers in the army of the dead. Cersei callously responds that it will likely be an improvement for most of them, her flippancy noticeably angering the normally stoic Jon. Although Daenerys promises to uphold a truce with the Lannisters until the Night King has been dealt with, Cersei dismisses their claim concerning the dead, saying they are simply attempting to strengthen their position while she is standing down. Tyrion replies that they have something to show her, as Sandor Clegane then brings out the wight that was captured beyond the Wall. When Sandor kicks the crate over, the enraged wight spills out and launches itself out towards the nearest target - Cersei herself. Jon then demonstrates how to efficiently kill with either fire or dragonglass. Shaken by what she has witnessed, Queen Cersei at first seems willing to accept a truce, but only if Jon Snow agrees to have the North remain neutral and support neither Cersei nor Daenerys. To everyone’s surprise, including Ser Davos, Jon replies that he cannot do so, as he has already bent the knee for Daenerys. In response, Cersei leaves the summit. Furious, Tyrion rebukes Jon for not being able to make a small lie in order to secure them a political and military advantage. Despite Daenerys’ protests that she will have him murdered - Tyrion declares that he will go and speak with Cersei alone or else they will be right back where they started. Some time after Tyrion speaks with Cersei, the three Lannister siblings return to the Dragonpit. Queen Cersei announces that has agreed to work with Daenerys, but not by keeping her troops back: the Lannister army will march north to fight alongside the Starks and Targaryens in the coming war against the army of the dead.
Afterwards, upon returning to Dragonstone, Daenerys and her court discuss logistics in the Chamber of the Painted Table. It will take the Dothraki a fortnight to reach Jon’s home of Winterfell, and the plan is to have him and the Unsullied army cross the sea by ship and meet them at White Harbor. Jorah Mormont points out, however, that the North is not really safer for her to travel than anywhere else, as someone with a memory of Robert's Rebellion could easily take her out with a single crossbow bolt. Jorah suggests that she fly to Winterfell to avoid any potential unpleasantness. Jon then counters that Daenerys ride with him and Davos so the North can see her as a liberator and ally. After a moment's consideration, Daenerys decides to sail north with Jon. Ser Jorah, suspecting a different reason for her decision, throws her a look, which she notices but avoids. Later that evening, after setting sail to Winterfell, Jon and Daenerys consummate their budding romance, proving Jorah’s suspicions correct.
“Fire kills wights, you told me. What breathes fire? … What if the army of the dead makes it past the Wall? Do we have enough men to fight them?”
— ‘Stormborn’
“A good heart? I’ve noticed you staring at her good heart.”
“All those things you don't believe in, he faced those things. He fought those things for the good of his people, he risked his life for his people, he took a knife in the heart for his people, he gave his own… If we don't put aside our enmities and band together, we will die, and then it won't matter whose skeleton sits on the Iron Throne.”
“As my father used to say: it’s better to be a coward for a minute, than dead for the rest of your life.”
— ‘Eastwatch’
season eight
Some weeks later, after a long journey, Ser Davos returns to Winterfell with Jon, Queen Daenerys and her large army. As they pass through the local village of Winter Town, the townspeople cast Daenerys several suspicious looks as the hordes of Unsullied and Dothraki march in behind her. Jon reminds her that Northerners have a long-established distrust of outsiders. Immediately following this exchange, Drogon and Rhaegal fly overhead, startling the townspeople and causing Daenerys to smile proudly at her children. Once inside the courtyard of Winterfell, Davos witnesses Jon’s reunion with his half-brother Bran Stark, whom he hasn’t seen in several years since he initially left Winterfell. He kisses Bran's forehead and then embraces Sansa, who keeps a wary eye on Daenerys as Jon introduces her to the dragon queen. Sansa formally welcomes Daenerys to Winterfell, however, makes it apparent that it’s a begrudging invitation. Despite the steely reception, Daenerys politely thanks her, remarking that Jon told her about the beauty of the North and Sansa herself. Bran then interrupts, insisting that there isn’t any time for pleasantries, and informs Daenerys that the Night King has resurrected her deceased dragon, Viserion, who has become part of the undead army that have now breached the Wall and have marched into the Seven Kingdoms.
After settling back into the castle, Ser Davos attends a meeting with the Northern lords in the Great Hall where Jon tries to organize their defense against the undead. Lady Lyanna Mormont voices her anger that many lords share towards Jon bending the knee to Daenerys since they named him their King in the North. Jon gravely answers that he said he would protect the North, and the only way they could do that is with allies. Tyrion Lannister then insists that they'd all be dead already without Jon - and that the remaining Lannister army will soon arrive to reinforce them as well, upon which the lords resume their objections. Tyrion insists that although House Lannister are their enemies, they must come together now in the face of the coming war: “we must fight together now, or die.” Sansa then asks in frustration how they are meant to feed Daenerys' large army, and scoffs: "What do dragons eat, anyway?" Daenerys snarkily retorts: "Whatever they want.” Afterwards, as Jon and Daenerys inspect the new defenses being put up around Winterfell, Davos, Lord Varys and Tyrion view them from afar, remarking that a marriage-alliance might help cement their alliance, especially in terms of appeasing the Northmen's distrust of Daenerys, as well as the wildlings. Varys then surmises that their influence is overestimated. He explains that while they are respected by youths, the aging are kept at a distance as they are a reminder that nothing lasts.
The following day, Tyrion’s brother, Ser Jaime, arrives at Winterfell and stands before Daenerys in the Great Hall. She begins by saying that when she was a child, her late brother Viserys Targaryen would tell her a bedtime story about Jaime, the man who murdered their father King Aerys. Daenerys also remarks to him that his sister Cersei had pledged to send her army north, but that all she sees is “one man with one hand,” appearing that Cersei has lied with regards to her support. Jaime makes it clear that she lied to him as well, adding that she never had any intention of sending her army. Tyrion tries to step in but Daenerys quickly stops him as Tyrion misjudged his sister as well. However, when Brienne of Tarth steps forward, she vouches for Jaime as a man of honor. She then looks to Sansa and adds that without Jaime she wouldn't be alive. Sansa eventually agrees that they should let Jaime stay and Jon asserts that they need every man they can get. Daenerys eventually acquiesces and she exits the meeting with Tyrion, Ser Jorah and Varys, venting her anger about Cersei's betrayal. Both Daenerys and Tyrion equally agree that he was a fool in this matter. She informs Tyrion that if he can’t help get her on the Iron Throne, she'll find another Hand who can.
As more Northerners arrive seeking sanctuary, food stalls are set up in the courtyard. When Ser Davos and Gilly assist by serving food, a young girl named Teela approaches, reminding Davos of his beloved Shireen. As she is willing to fight despite her age, Davos and Gilly both persuade her to defend the crypt where all the non-combatants will be gathered. The horn then blows to announce the arrival of Tormund and the remaining Night’s Watch members, who informed Jon that the army of the dead will reach Winterfell before daybreak. As night falls, the defenders all gather to discuss battle strategies. Jon notes that even with dragonglass weapons and the defenses they’ve laid, the army of the dead outnumbers the living too heavily for them to have a chance at winning a conventional battle. When Ser Jaime asks what they can do, Jon suggests they target the Night King. Bran Stark then interjects that the Night King will come for him, as he's tried to kill the Three-Eyed Raven many times before. Bran explains that the Night King's ultimate desire is to erase all memory of the world of men, something which he now possesses as the raven. Tyrion declares that he and Ser Davos will signal Jon and Daenerys at the right time to ignite the trench around Winterfell, but Daenerys overrides him, declaring he will be in the crypts for his own safety. After everyone leaves the meeting, Tyrion pulls up a chair next to the crippled Bran, showing interest in how the young boy became the raven.
That evening, with the army of the dead sure to arrive within hours, Ser Jaime and Tyrion are drinking near the large fireplace in the main hall of Winterfell castle. At one point Tyrion says he would have loved to have sees their late father Lord Tywin’s face when they decided to defend Winterfell. Brienne of Tarth and her squire Podrick Payne then join the Lannister siblings for a drink, followed by Ser Davos and Tormund. The subject eventually turns to knighthood, and Tormund, unsure of the concept of becoming a knight, asks Brienne why she isn't one - she simply replies, “tradition.” Jaime then states that any knight can make a knight. At first, Brienne isn't sure what to do, but eventually stands up and kneels before Jaime. Bringing his sword with him, Jaime gives Brienne her knighthood, before adding “arise Brienne of Tarth, a knight of the Seven Kingdoms”. While Davos and the rest of the group applaud her, she stands and gives a tearful smile. Their merriment, however, is then interrupted by the horn blows, signalling the arrival of the army of the dead. A panicked Tyrion is joined on the rooftop by Jon and Daenerys, who then quickly run off to prepare for battle, as does the rest of the castle.
The united armies brace for battle as night has fallen at Winterfell. Daenerys and Jon ride the dragons away from the castle, so as not to alert the enemy to their presence. The moonless darkness is impenetrable and eerily silent - until a lone rider appears moments before battle: Melisandre. The Red Priestess rides up to Ser Jorah and asks him to command the Dothraki soldiers in their language to raise their arakhs. When they do, she starts praying to the Lord of Light in High Valyrian. The army's arakhs suddenly burst into flame, sweeping from one side of the field to the other. Melisandre then withdraws within Winterfell, as Ser Davos intends to kill her for the death of Princess Shireen. However, Melisandre tells him not to bother, as she expects to be dead by dawn anyway. Emboldened, the Dothraki cavalry charge ahead into the night, until they crash into the seething horde of wights. In the shadowy distance, Dothraki war cries turn to screams of terror and the flames from their swords are quickly extinguished. The army of the dead advance in earnest and like a tidal wave they quickly overrun the defenders. During the battle, Davos gives the signal to light the trench, but remains unseen by Daenerys and her dragon. With the attempts by flaming arrows and torches being unsuccessful, the trench is finally lit using Melisandre’s magic again. Instead of the hordes of wights rushing through the fiery trenches, the Night King psychically directs them into a concentrated charge across one spot: many hundreds burn, but eventually their sheer mass extinguishes the flames, breaching the defenses. Thousands of them start swarming around the base of Winterfell and climb over each other in a mass up the castle walls. Meanwhile, in the godswood, the Night King stares down in triumph at his age-old nemesis, the Three Eyed Raven. As the Night King draws the sword sheathed on his back for the killing blow, a sudden wisp of wind catches the attention of one of his lieutenants. Arya Stark manages to slip past the other White Walkers and launches a surprise rear attack with her Valyrian steel dagger. She plunges it into his heart, causing the Night King to shatter into ice. As predicted, with his death, the entire army of the dead begin to fall, as the magic animating them dies with their king. Afterwards, when dawn finally breaks around the devastated castle, Melisandre walks out of the gates and towards the empty field, passing by hundreds of dead bodies. Ser Davos follows, ready to kill her. Melisandre, however, removes her magical choker and the glow from its gem fades. Davos is then astonished to see her transform into her true, centuries-old appearance. Now having used all of her magic defending Winterfell, she takes a few more faltering steps, then collapses, and her body crumbles away into dust- fulfilling her promise to Davos that she would die before dawn.
Following their victorious battle, Winterfell has been cleared of the thousands of corpses in and around it. The fallen are gathered into funeral pyres, as Jon then gives a eulogy that it is the duty of those who survived to keep them alive in memory for generations to come. Afterwards, a feast is held and the mood is somber at first. Daenerys calls on Gendry and, as a reward for heroism, appoints him as the new Lord of Storm's End and legitimizes him as a Baratheon. Quietly at the main table, however, Tyrion notes to Daenerys - with approval - that this wasn't an altogether altruistic move, but politically wise. Tyrion then talks to Ser Davos, who tells him about Melisandre’s death, wondering what this all means. Davos explains that he hated Melisandre, but she had a real connection to some sort of “higher power,” but whatever it was, their last connection to it ended with her. Why, he wonders, would this divine power directly intervene in their affairs - only to then leave them after the great danger passed? With the White Walkers defeated, what are they supposed to do now? Tyrion says he doesn't think pondering this subject will make him any happier. Davos asserts that he's not trying to be happy, as Tyrion remarks that this is good a thing: "we have defeated them but we still have us to deal with."
The following day, Daenerys, Jon and their remaining leaders hold a war council. Grey Worm informs that half of the Unsullied and most of the Dothraki were killed in the battle as Jon adds about half of the Northern armies were destroyed as well. Daenerys says that they must attack King's Landing, and rip out Cersei root and stem. Tyrion warns her that a direct assault would result in so many civilian casualties that it would make the smallfolk hate her, so their focus should be to turn them against Cersei instead. Sansa also counters that they are not in a strong position to immediately mount a new offensive as most of their soldiers need rest. Daenerys tells her: "I came north to fight alongside you at great cost to my armies and myself. Now that the time has come to reciprocate, you want to postpone.” Jon interjects that the North will honor its allegiance to Daenerys, whom he has bent the knee to, and they will just have to leave the badly wounded back home and march south with a smaller army. Daenerys declares to the war council that this will be the last war they have to fight in the Seven Kingdoms - adding "ALL of them.” Afterwards, Jon and Davos depart Winterfell and ride south to the capital. Meanwhile, during her journey south, Daenerys’ fleet is ambushed by Euron Greyjoy on Cersei’s command, ultimately resulting in the deaths of her dragon Rhaegal as well as her advisor Missandei.
After traveling overnight by boat, Ser Davos, Jon, Tyrion and the united army arrive and set up camp on the coastal outskirts of King’s Landing, eagerly awaiting battle. The following morning, the Unsullied, Dothraki and Northmen wait outside the walls of the capital as Tyrion tells Jon and Davos that when they hear the bells, to call off their men. Meanwhile, a select score of citizens from the capital have been crowded inside the gates of the Red Keep in order to protect them the coming invasion. Cersei overlooks the city and sees her plan coming to fruition: she intends to keep the vast swath of innocent civilians in the path of the castle, seeing if Daenerys will truly burn the city and all the inhabitants with it. In Blackwater Bay, the Iron Fleet wait in silence as the deafening quiet permeates throughout the rest of the city. Suddenly, however, Daenerys, riding atop Drogon, ambushes Euron’s fleet by diving directly out of the sun, obstructing their view. The Ironborn then fire their scorpions, but are unable to land a hit, for their target is far too fast for them. With his flames, the mighty dragon all but destroys the Iron Fleet, though Euron himself is able to escape by jumping into the sea. As the armies wait at the gates for the bells to ring, Daenerys and Drogon suddenly burst through the gates in a fiery blast, quickly scattering the Golden Company mercenaries Cersei had hired. Davos, Jon and Grey Worm lead the united army as they charge the gate and take care of what remains of the Golden Company's men. In the mayhem, Grey Worm himself impales a fleeing Captain Strickland in the back with his spear, killing him. As Davos and the united army takes to the streets of King's Landing, taking out any and all enemy soldiers in their path, Daenerys and Drogon strafe the city walls, destroying the remaining scorpions. They make their way to the gates of the inner-most part of the city, where Lannister soldiers are waiting. The two opposing armies come to an intense standstill. Daenerys perches Drogon atop one of the walls. Realizing their chances of winning are dwindling fast, the Lannister soldiers throw down their weapons and surrender. Davos and Jon are both visibly relieved as the battle is seemingly finished. The citizens of the city cry out for the bells to be rung. The city goes quiet again, awaiting the bells with anticipation. Eventually the bells are finally rung, signaling what appears to be the end of the sack of King’s Landing. While the bells keep ringing, however, Daenerys stares at the Red Keep with a look of pure hatred in her eyes, becoming more unstable by the second. Without uttering a single word, Daenerys takes Drogon to the skies, and in a terrifying display of rage, proceeds to burn down the entirety of King's Landing, scorching entire buildings and neighborhoods, killing both soldiers and innocent civilians alike as Davos and Jon witness in horror. Grey Worm takes his spear and throws it at a Lannister captain, impaling him through the chest. With that, it becomes the call to arms as the Unsullied and Dothraki begin attacking and killing surrendered forces. Jon, horrified by this action, orders his own men back and tries to get them and the Unsullied and Dothraki to stop fighting. Unfortunately, the Northmen are in no mood to be merciful towards House Lannister and join their new allies in the slaughter. Chaos erupts as the Unsullied, Dothraki, and Northmen alike charge into the inner-most parts of the city, killing anyone, soldier or civilian, as well as raping women they come across. Davos is caught up in the disorder, deflecting attacks while Jon himself finds one of the soldiers grabbing an innocent woman and intervenes to stop the soldier from raping her. The soldier attacks Jon and he is forced to kill him. Meanwhile, Daenerys continues to wreak havoc as Drogon destroys the crumbling Red Keep in a few breaths of dragonfire, resulting in the deaths of both Cersei and Jaime Lannister who were still inside the castle. Ser Davos and Jon are reeling at the carnage and fire surrounding them as caches of wildfire explode. They share a look of devastation and Jon orders his forces to fall back. He and Davos then rush people out of the city as fire rains down upon them from above. The historical last words of the Mad King Aerys Targaryen, "Burn them all," comes to life at his daughter's hand as King's Landing burns to ashes.
Hours after the flames have burned down to ashes, Ser Davos, Jon and Tyrion walk through the devastation, with charred bodies of civilians and soldiers everywhere. Tyrion leaves them and walks alone towards the Red Keep, to find his siblings, whom he eventually finds buried under the rubble of the castle. Meanwhile, Davos and Jon find Grey Worm about to execute the remainder of the Lannister forces and they try to stop him, telling him it's over. Grey Worm asserts that it won't be over until Daenerys' enemies are defeated, but Davos asks him, "How much more defeated do you need them to be? They're on their knees!" Grey Worm tells Davos that he only obeys the queen's commands, as Jon then asks Grey Worm what those commands are. Grey Worm insists that he has orders to kill all who follow Cersei Lannister and that these men chose to fight for her. Grey Worm takes out his knife to execute the men, and Jon tries to stop him. Immediately, all of Daenerys' soldiers take aim at Jon, while the Northerners accompanying Jon draw their swords. Davos diffuses the confrontation, telling Jon they should speak with Daenerys. As Jon and Davos leave, Grey Worm starts to slit the prisoners' throats one by one. Later, in the demolished throne room, Daenerys is blinded by her quest for power and illustrates to Jon that she cannot be trusted to lead. In anguish he stabs her in the stomach. An enraged Drogon roars in grief, however, he does not kill Jon and instead focuses his rage towards the Iron Throne and melts it down. He then proceeds to pick up his mother's body and flies away in the gloomy sky, still bellowing in despair.
Some weeks later, Ser Davos and the leaders of the Great Houses meet in King’s Landing to discuss Jon and Tyrion’s punishment for their treason against the assassinated dragon queen. Jon is not in attendance, though Tyrion has been escorted to the trial. When Sansa asks where Jon is, Grey Worm asserts that he decides what to do with their prisoners as the capital now belongs to the Targaryen forces. Sansa explains that there are thousands of Northmen outside the city gates and, as result, harming Jon wouldn't be in Grey Worm's best interest. However, Grey Worm informs that there are also thousands of Unsullied soldiers as well. Yara Greyjoy sides with Grey Worm as the Ironborn agreed to follow Daenerys, and wants Jon executed. However, Arya warns her not to say another word about killing Jon or she'll cut her throat. Grey Worm insists his army needs justice for Daenerys' assassination and insists Jon cannot go free. Tyrion reminds him that he does not get to decide that as the power rests with their new king or queen. When it's pointed out there currently isn't one, Tyrion insists that as the most powerful lords and ladies gathered, they can elect one of themselves. Grey Worm eventually relents and tells the assembly to decide their new ruler. After some discussion, Tyrion is told that perhaps he wants the crown himself, though Tyrion disagrees as he is hated by half the people for serving Daenerys and the other half for betraying her. When asked his opinion, Tyrion responds that “stories” is what unites people. Proposing an elective monarchy, he concludes, “There's nothing in the world more powerful than a good story… And who has a better story than Bran the Broken? A crippled boy who crossed the wall and became the Three-Eyed Raven. He's all our memory. Who better to lead us into the future?" Sansa, however, expresses concern by mentioning the fact that Bran cannot father any children. Tyrion asserts that this is good since sons of kings are often cruel. He then asks Bran whether he will accept the crown, as Bran replies, "Why do you think I came all this way?" Tyrion waits for the reactions of the other leaders, as they all slowly start saying "aye" one by one. Davos, while unsure he can even vote, assents anyway. Representing the North, however, Sansa is still hesitant. She states her belief that Bran will be a good king, but asserts that the North will once again be an independent kingdom. Her brother gives his assent to her demand, as he understands the importance of the region’s independence that Jon and their late brother Robb Stark had fought for over the years.
Some weeks following the election, as King’s Landing is in the process of being rebuilt, King Bran’s new Hand, Tyrion Lannister, reforms the small council, now consisting of Ser Davos as Master of Ships, Ser Bronn as Master of Coin, Samwell Tarly as Grand Maester and Brienne of Tarth as Lord Commander of the Kingsguard. Samwell gifts Tyrion with a book he partly wrote about the War of the Five Kings named “A Song of Ice and Fire.” Tyrion assumes that this historical reference doesn’t paint him in the best light, as Samwell awkwardly informs that he is not mentioned at all. Brienne and the new king then arrive, as Bran enlists his advisors to find Masters of Whisperers, War and Law, while he himself will look for Drogon with his gift of greensight, who was last spotted flying east. He leaves the room with Ser Podrick, who has now been knighted. Following King Bran’s exit, Davos asks for funds for rebuilding the navy, as they then discuss the rehabilitation of the city, providing clean water, food to civilians, and the reconstruction of the Royal Fleet and its ports. Bronn then discusses using some of the gold to rebuild the city's brothels, which is met with opposition. Davos the rest of the small countil continue planning the reformation of a fractured Six Kingdoms, marking the dawn of a new era.
“A proposal is what I'm proposing. On the off-chance that we survive the Night King...what if the Seven Kingdoms, for once in their whole shit history, were ruled by a just woman, and an honorable man?”
— ‘Winterfell’
“The Lord of Light. We play his game for him. We fight his war, and win. And then he fucks off. No signs. No blessings. Who knows what he wants?”
“Look, I made it through most of my years without ever getting near a fight. But then I survived the Battle of the Bastards, right outside these walls. If I can live through that, you can live through this.”
— ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’
“Friends, please! We’ve been cutting each other’s throats long enough… We’ve had enough war. Thousands of you, thousands of them. You know how it ends. We need to find a better way!”
— ‘The Iron Throne’
“I figured I could wait to die freezing my balls off out there, or wait to die nice and warm in here.”
— ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’
“We have. These projects will begin as soon as the Master of Coin and Lord of Lofty Titles provides funding.”
— ‘The Iron Throne’