1.1 EXT: KING’S LANDING – DAY

An excited crowd of commonfolk fills the square. The gallows have been specially crafted for the occasion: atop the wooden platform, the bow of a ship tilts at an angle, the bowsprit serving as the gallows from which the noose hangs down over a trapdoor built into the raised platform. CERSEI LANNISTER and EURON GREYJOY emerge onto a balcony overlooking the square. EURON waves to the people, revelling in the adulation.

S.E: cheering, applause

EURON

Here we are: best seats in the house!

CERSEI [UNIMPRESSED]

I don’t see why we couldn’t just lock her in the black cells and be done with it.

EURON

Now now, lover. I don’t tell you how to play with your toys…

S.E.: booing, jeering.

A pair of hooded executioners lead YARA GREYJOY up onto the platform, flanked by a pair of Lannister guards. The executioners place the noose around YARA’s neck and stand back, awaiting EURON’s order. Unnoticed, a cloaked rider sits a horse in the shadows behind the platform. On a flight of stairs overlooking the square, two more hooded figures elbow their way to the front of the crowd.

EURON

Good people of King’s Landing! Before you stands – and soon hangs – Yara of House Greyjoy, whose insatiable lust for power led her first to murder my beloved brother Balon and seize his throne, then make alliance with the Dragon Queen to wage her terrible war upon the good people of the Seven Kingdoms and usurp your rightful Queen, Cersei Lannister. All this while drinking, pillaging, and lying with those of her own sex against all the laws of gods and men! Yara of House Greyjoy, in the name of Queen Cersei, first of her name, I sentence you to die!

YARA closes her eyes and prepares for the drop. The first executioner places his hand on the lever to open the trapdoor. Suddenly, the two hooded figures in the crowd produce crossbows from beneath their cloaks and expertly dispatch YARA’s guards.

S.E: shouts and screams.

The second executioner pulls a short-sword from his cloak and buries it to the hilt in the first executioner’s belly. With one quick swing, he severs the rope tethering YARA to the bowsprit overhead, then promptly pulls the lever to release the trap-door. The cloaked rider kicks his mount to a gallop and arrives just in time to receive YARA after a short, sharp shove from the executioner sends her plummeting through the platform floor. EURON glares down from his balcony, watching in impotent rage as the charging stallion parts the frantic crowd and escapes the square into the city beyond.

With her hands still bound, YARA pulls back the hood of her mysterious rescuer.

YARA

Theon!

THEON

Hold on!

THEON GREYJOY spurs his horse to a gallop. Through the busy streets and winding lanes of King’s Landing the Greyjoy siblings outpace the pursuing City Guard as they descend Aegon’s High Hill towards the harbour and Blackwater Bay beyond. Looking quickly down the alleyways to their left and then their right, YARA spots mounted City Guard pulling ahead on the streets parallel to their own.  She tugs at THEON’s sleeve. Recognising the trap about to close across their path, THEON reigns up the horse and turns it down a side-street. He recognises his mistake immediately: two-hundred yards ahead, the street dead-ends in the solid stone of the city walls. One glance over his shoulder is enough to confirm that their exit is already filling with City Guards. Undeterred, THEON drives his mount forward, reigning it up seconds before collision. THEON dismounts beside his sister THEON cuts YARA’s bonds with a short-sword from his pack then makes her a gift of the blade, preferring for himself the bow and quiver he untethers from the saddle.

THEON

Up there!

A narrow flight of steps offer escape to the top the city walls. As YARA begins the climb, THEON draws his bow and brings down two of the gold cloaks charging down the alley towards them, then follows after his sister. YARA cuts down the first of the City Guards descending the steps to meet them, then sidesteps the second’s clumsy sword swing and barges him over the ledge. She makes it atop the walls, THEON close on her heels, but there finds both directions blocked by a posse of gold cloaks.

YARA

Now what do we do?

THEON

We jump!

YARA peers over the edge at the waters of Blackwater Bay far below.

YARA

You are completely mad!

THEON

Trust me, I’ve survived higher.

Taking one another’s hand, they throw themselves from the walls. Their pursuers rush to the edge, watching in disbelief as the Greyjoys drop likes stones into the waters of the bay.

1.2 EXT: BENEATH THE WALLS OF KING’S LANDING – DAY

YARA and THEON explode to the surface, gasping for air. Two-hundred yards behind them, the city walls are filling with gawping commonfolk. Two-hundred yards ahead, a pair of Ironborn row a small fishing boat to their rescue.

YARA

I can’t believe you did that.

THEON

I should never have let Euron take you.

YARA

You came back for me now. That’s all that matters. Thank you, little brother.

1.3 EXT: YARA’S SHIP – DAY

S.E.: cheers.

As soon as YARA sets foot on the ship’s deck her crew swallow her up in a celebratory mob. Somewhere between bawdy greetings and bearhugs of welcome, YARA notices her brother’s absence. Finding him standing apart, alone at the bow, she pushes her way through the press of bodies.

YARA [READING HIS FACE]

You’re not coming with us, are you?

THEON

I’ll always have seawater in my veins, but the Iron Islands haven’t been my home since I was a child. Winterfell is my home, and I have to help defend it.

YARA looks her brother over with pride, and nods her understanding.

THEON [CONT’D]

I could use a lift, though.

YARA

What is dead may never die…

THEON

But rises again…

THEON & YARA [TOGETHER]

…harder and stronger.

INTRO

1.4 INT: SAM’S AND GILLY’S CHAMBERS – DAWN

SAMWELL TARLY sits at the window to the modest room he shares with GILLY and LITTLE SAM, pensively watching the southern approach to Winterfell. GILLY rolls over in bed. Finding SAM missing, she sits up and rubs the sleep from her eyes. Moving stealthily to avoid disturbing the sleeping LITTLE SAM, she wraps herself in a fur and joins SAM at the window.

GILLY

All those books you read and you can’t find one that tells you how get a good night’s sleep?

SAM

I know. I’m sorry.

GILLY

Will you at least talk to me about it?

SAM

Imagine if you knew something about me, something I didn’t know, and if you told me it could cause…problems…between Jon and somebody else…Ed, say. What would you do?

GILLY

It’s far too early for riddles, Sam.

SAM

Just imagine.

GILLY

Do I know for certain how Jon is going to react?

SAM

Not for certain, no, but you have an idea. It’s more Ed that’s the problem, really.

GILLY

Do I know how Ed’s going to react?

SAM

Not a clue.

GILLY [YAWNING]

Then I’d talk to somebody who knew Ed better than I did. Somebody I could trust.

Turning back to the window, SAM peers apprehensively at the horizon. The first light of dawn illuminates the snow-covered fields of the Northern landscape.

SAM

I was afraid you’d say that.

1.5 EXT: APPROACH TO WINTERFELL – DAWN

The Kingsroad is crowded on either side by Northerners watching with cold curiosity as the Targaryen forces march toward Winterfell. The expert ranks of the Unsullied march at the procession’s head, the mounted Dothraki at the rear. At the centre, DAENERYS TARGARYEN rides beside SER JORAH MORMONT, TYRION LANNISTER and VARYS paired behind. Bringing up the rear, MISSANDEI and GREY WORM bridle under the locals’ abrasive scrutiny and exchange a loaded look.

GREY WORM

These people have no love for our queen.

DAENERYS

My brother believed the people of Westeros prayed to the gods for a return to Targaryen rule. He said they would dance in the streets and sing songs to welcome us home.

TYRION

As your Hand, I feel it my duty to clarify that we are not in Westeros, Your Grace, we’re in the North: a different country entirely. And I’ve never known a Northerner to sing or dance for any reason, least of all a Targaryen. Wouldn’t you agree, Mormont?

JORAH

Most of these people will go their whole life without ever experiencing the world beyond their borders. The south is nothing to them but the place their beloved Starks go to die. When outsiders do come riding north it typically means a new king, a new tax, or a new war.

VARYS

The second and third tend inevitably to follow on from the first, in my experience.

TYRION

And in mine, Lord Varys. Words like “King’s Landing” and “Iron Throne” have as much bearing on their daily lives as “temperance” does a barkeep or “celibacy” a pleasure-house madam. You cannot expect them to fall at your feet simply because you have the strongest claim to the crown.

DAENERYS

Even when I delay that claim to defend their lives against an army of the dead? Even when I come at Jon’s invitation?

DAENERYS’ gaze finds JON SNOW further up the line, deep in conversation with the Stark captain that has come to meet him on the road.

VARYS

They’ve heard nothing but lies for years now, Your Grace. From Joffrey, from Cersei, from the Boltons…when you’re cut off from the rest of the world you’re easy prey for those that mean to poison your mind against the unfamiliar.

TYRION notices a group of children laughing and pointing at him. Their mother appears and shoos them away protectively, firing TRYION a death-stare as she follows after them.

MISSANDEI

Forgive me, Your Grace, but perhaps it was a mistake to ride into Winterfell. Perhaps flying would have made the more…purposeful impression.

DAENERYS

If I must earn these people’s love, then so be it. I will not demand it from atop a dragon.

TYRION

Have you and Jon discussed his sister?

DAENERYS

Which?

TYRION

You know very well which: the one that could make things very difficult for us politically should she take the notion.

DAENERYS

Sansa is loyal to her brother. Her brother is loyal to me.

TYRION

You’d do well to forge your own bonds with her.

TYRION’s gaze finds JON up ahead.

TYRION [CONT’D]

For both your sakes…When I last spent any time with Sansa, she was a fool, naïve and pliable. She was also possessed of an exceptional instinct for survival. If rumour is to be believed, only one of those two things still holds true today.

DAENERYS

If I can tame three dragons, I don’t foresee one young she-wolf proving too difficult.

S.E: dragon screech.

As though on cue, Drogon and Rhaegal crest a hill and make their entrance. The Northern crowd gasps and cowers in fear. JON, by comparison, is entirely undisturbed by events over his head, barely sparing an upwards glance as he rides back down the line. JORAH discreetly drops behind to allow JON’s horse to fall into step alongside DAENERYS’.

JON

Everything is ready for our arrival. Welcome to Winterfell, Your Grace.

1.6 EXT: WINTERFELL BATTLEMENTS – DAWN

SANSA STARK tracks the dragons from Winterfell’s battlements. She shows no fear, nor does she marvel at their majesty. Instead, she considers the dragons soberly, as an engineer might survey a river that needs fording. Turning her attention to the arriving army, she sighs and dutifully assumes the guise of gracious host.

1.7 EXT: WINTERFELL’S YARD – DAWN

DAENERYS and JON ride through Winterfell’s gates side by side, the queen’s retinue trailing behind. The residents of Winterfell are lined up and waiting to greet their guests. SANSA stands in the Lady’s place at the head of the line; BRAN STARK sits in his chair beside her. Dismounting, JON makes a beeline for his brother: he wraps BRAN up in his arms, kisses his forehead, then holds him at arm’s length, just taking in the sight, as though he fears BRAN might vanish at any moment.

JON

I hardly recognised you.

BRAN

I haven’t gotten taller…

JON doesn’t know how to take this; he looks to SANSA for help.

SANSA

That was a joke, Jon.

JON checks with BRAN, sees the hint of a smile at the corner of his mouth.

BRAN

Welcome home.

DAENERYS steps forward. JON regards her with the same look of pride with which he surveyed Winterfell.

JON

Daenerys Targaryen, this is my little brother, Bran.

DAENERYS

Jon has told me so much about you, Bran.

BRAN

Not quite enough, I suspect.

JON

And this is my sister, Sansa. Sansa, Queen Daenerys Targaryen.

SANSA [BOWING SLIGHTLY]

Your Grace.

DAENERYS surprises SANSA by enveloping her in a warm embrace.

DAENERYS

Lady Sansa. Jon talks often of the North, but truly he could never hope to do justice to its beauty. Or your own.

SANSA

You’re too kind, Your Grace.

A white streak lopes across the yard and barrels into JON. He kneels to let Ghost lick excitedly at his face.

JON

Hello, boy! Gods, I’ve missed you!

DAENERYS

And this must be Ghost.

DAENERYS crouches down and Ghost doesn’t hesitate to include her in his slobbery greeting.

DAENERYS [CONT’D]

I guess this means he likes me?

JON

He always was a good judge of character.

JON grins at SANSA; she smiles thinly, indulging her brother. He stands and surveys the new additions to Winterfell. The walkways have been extended to allow for greater capacity, while broad wooden ramps provide easier access to the battlements for men and supply carts alike.

JON

I see you’ve been busy.

SANSA

We’ve cleared the northern approach for a quarter mile. We put the lumber to use for shields and spears and reinforcing the inner battlements. The smithy has been working through the night making weapons ready for your dragonglass.

JON

Excellent. I knew I was leaving things in a safe pair of hands.

JON smiles at DAENERYS encouragingly. It is clear from SANSA’s expression, however, that JON’s patronising tone is less than appreciated. 

JON [CONT’D]

Let’s make a start on our plan of battle, shall we? I assume we’re using the Great Hall?

SANSA

I thought perhaps you and I would give Her Grace a little time to make herself at home.

JON [OBLIVIOUS]

No need. The sooner we make a start the better. I noticed on our ride up –

DAENERYS [INTERRUPTING]

Your sister is right. I could use an hour or two to see that everything is in order after our journey. Take some time with your family.

JON looks from DAENERYS to SANSA, aware that some unarticulated understanding has just passed between them but failing to grasp its import.

JON

As you wish, Your Grace.

DAENERYS and SANSA make eye-contact, SANSA every-so-slightly inclining her head in acknowledgment of their unspoken complicity. JON searches the welcome party, turns to SANSA expectantly.

JON

Where’s Arya?

1.8 EXT: BENEATH WINTERFELL’S WALLS - DAWN

ARYA STARK stands at the edge of the clearing that Drogon and Rhaegal have taken as their own. A team of Dothraki unload goat and sheep carcasses from the back of a wagon and hurriedly scramble to a safe distance as the dragons begin to feast. ARYA studies them closely.

S.E.: fire, dragons dining

As ARYA watches on, GENDRY silently approaches from behind.

GENDRY

Incredible, aren’t they?

ARYA

Wasn’t the word I was thinking of.

ARYA answers without turning to face him.

GENDRY (A LITTLE HURT)

You don’t sound surprised I’m here.

ARYA

I saw you arrive.

GENDRY

I didn’t see you.

Finally, now, ARYA turns to face GENDRY.

ARYA

No, you wouldn’t have.

GENDRY

You look good.

ARYA

You’ve changed. You look taller.

GENDRY

You don’t.

After a moment’s awkward pause, ARYA grins. GENDRY does likewise, but speaks seriously.

GENDRY [CONT’D]

You do look different, though.

1.9 EXT: WINTERFELL BATTLEMENTS – MORNING

SAM puffs his way up the steps to the battlements.

SAM

Oh. Sorry.

GREY WORM blocks SAM’s path.

SAM [CONT’D]

I, er, I just wanted…

GREY WORM stands silent and impassive.

DAENERYS stands at a remove with JORAH and MISSANDEI, looking out over the vast camp erected to Winterfell’s east to accommodate the Northern army.  

DAENERYS

What do you make of Winterfell, Ser Jorah?

JORAH

She seems sturdy enough, and we’ll certainly see the enemy coming. I’ll need to take a more thorough look before I can make a proper report.

DAENERYS

Very well. I’d like Grey Worm’s opinion, too.

JORAH notices SAM at the end of the battlements.

JORAH

Your Grace, if I may?

DAENERYS

Is that him? Randall Tarly’s son?

JORAH

Samwell.

DAENERYS

You have my leave.

JORAH

Thank you, Your Grace.

SAM perseveres, smiling awkwardly at the stoic GREY WORM.

SAM

This your first time in Westeros? 

SAM [CONT’D; AFTER A PAUSE]

Weather’s not great, is it?

SAM [CONT’D; AFTER A PAUSE]

What do you think of Northern hospitality?

GREY WORM

I think it would be a good idea.

JORAH

Sam! You’re looking well.

SAM

Thank you. You certainly look stronger than the last time I saw you. I wonder if I might have a word? In private, I mean.

JORAH

I was actually about to ask you the same.

JORAH [CONT’D; TO GREY WORM]

Torgo Nudho, Her Grace would like your impressions of Winterfell and its defences. I’ll come find you when I’m free.

GREY WORM nods, and JORAH and SAM start down the steps.

SAM

You wanted to talk to me about something?

JORAH

I think perhaps you had best go first.

1.10 INT: BRAN’S CHAMBERS – MORNING

The fire in BRAN’s chambers is well fed; JON pulls off his gloves and holds his hands to the flames appreciatively. He nods his head at BRAN’s fur-covered bed.

JON

The last time I saw you, you were lying right there, under a pile of furs. Summer sat outside, guarding your door, and your mother sat there, making you a prayer wheel with twine. I remember thinking how small you looked. How frail. Now look at you: you’re a man grown.

BRAN

You told me we would go walking beyond the Wall, if I wasn’t afraid.

JON

How do you know that? Did you see it in one of your…visions?

BRAN

I could hear everything. I heard father saying goodbye before he left for King’s Landing, then Sansa and Arya. Then mother when she followed after them. I was awake when Robb left, at least.

JON

I’m so sorry I wasn’t there when you needed me.

BRAN

I saw you, you know. At Craster’s Keep, when you killed the mutineers and avenged Lord Commander Mormont. I wanted to call out to you, to let you know I was alive.

JON

Why didn’t you?

BRAN

I still had a long way to go. We both did.

JON

You’re father’s heir, now. Lord of Winterfell.

BRAN

In name, perhaps. But Sansa is the real head of our family. She doesn’t much care for your Dragon Queen.

JON

She doesn’t know her. Daenerys is a good woman, and she’ll make a good Queen.

JON waits, but BRAN offers no reply. JON lets the moment pass, then moves to depart.

                        JON [CONT’D]

I should go find Arya.

BRAN

You’re hurt she wasn’t there to greet you.

JON

Surprised, is all. 

BRAN

Be gentle with her, Jon. The world has been hard on Arya, and she had to learn to be hard too. She’s afraid you won’t like what she’s become.

JON

She told you that?

BRAN

She’s become very difficult to read. But not impossible. You’re the last person alive that always understood her. Maybe she’s afraid you’ve changed too.

JON

One day soon, when this is all over, we’ll sit all down together and share our stories. They might not weigh so much if we aren’t carrying them alone.

BRAN

People keep their secrets for all kinds of reasons, including those we can never entirely understand. Remember that, Jon.

1.11 EXT: WINTERFELL BATLEMENTS – MORNING

SANSA has returned to the battlements. She watches intently as DAENERYS’ dragons feed on a fresh wagonload of sheep. ARYA appears like a shadow at her side.

SANSA

Well?

ARYA

It won’t be easy, but it can be done.

SANSA

We know it can be done: she had three, now she has two. If it comes to it…could you do it?

ARYA

Their hide is tough, like old leather, and those scales will stand up to most steel. But get through that and they’re just a sack full of organs, same as everything else. If it comes to it…I can find a way.

ARYA joins her sister at the crenelations. She considers the dragons from this new elevation, then turns her head and looks northward, levelling her gaze on the horizon.

ARYA [CONT’D]

Don’t you think we’re getting a little ahead of ourselves? We have the Night King to contend with first.

SANSA

Of all the lessons Littlefinger taught me, there’s one that I keep coming back to: “Don’t fight in the North or the South. Fight every battle everywhere, always, in your mind.”

ARYA

I’ve done my fair share of that. Nowhere near as satisfying as the real thing, though.

The Stark sisters amble slowly along the battlements. Stopping at the space only recently vacated by DAENERYS and MISSANDEI, they watch as the queen’s men busy themselves adding their own tents to those of the Northern camp. Below, DAENERYS greets JON as he exits the castle. SANSA watches with a cool gaze as they fall into step together, chatting intimately and touching one another with the casual familiarity of lovers.

SANSA

He was looking for you, you know.

ARYA

I know.

SANSA

She already has him completely under her spell. Gods help us if she decides to marry him.

ARYA

You could marry him.

SANSA

Arya! He’s my brother!

ARYA

Half-brother, as you’ve always been so quick to point out. Or did you have a more strategic partnership in mind?

SANSA follows ARYA’s eyeline to find TYRION climbing the steps towards them.

ARYA [CONT’D]

He’s Lord of Casterly Rock now, at least in name.

SANSA

He’s not the worst man in the world. He’s not even the worst man in his own family. But finding a husband is the last thing on my mind.

ARYA

It used to be the only thing on your mind: marrying a rich and handsome prince and bearing his children, living a life of lemon cakes and pretty dresses.

SANSA

It’s like I’m listening to you describe an entirely different person. Some silly little girl that still believes in fairy tales. She sounds unbearable.

ARYA

She was. I like you much better.

TRYION

Lady Stark, might I have a moment?

SANSA nods to ARYA and she departs.

TYRION [CONT’D]

The Lady of Winterfell: as formidable as she is beautiful. You’ve come a long way since we last saw one another.

SANSA

You almost sound proud.

TYRION

I do allow myself a certain satisfaction at recognising early your fortitude of spirit. You survived Joffrey, even if your escape at his wedding did leave me in rather a compromising position.

SANSA

Surely you don’t blame me for taking the opportunity?

TYRION

No, I don’t blame you. We all do what we must to survive. And if we hadn’t suffered everything we have, we wouldn’t be the people we are today.

SANSA

If I had the power, I’d undo it all in an instant.

TYRION

So would I. But we tell ourselves these little lies to get us through the day.

SANSA

My head used to be full of little lies. I used to imagine the world was exactly as I wanted it to be.

TYRION

And now?

SANSA

Now I know it for what it is.

TYRION

You remind me of a younger me. There was a time I prided myself on my brutal honesty.

SANSA

And now?

TYRION

I suppose I came to the realisation that the world was brutal enough without my contribution.

SANSA

If you learn to expect the worst from life, you’ll never be disappointed. Or unprepared.

TYRION

You really have changed. If only you’d adopted these lowered expectations sooner, perhaps our marriage might have worked out after all.

1.12 INT: SAM’S CHAMBERS – MORNING

SAM checks the corridor for eavesdroppers, then closes the door as quietly as he can and joins JORAH by the hearth.

JORAH

What’s on your mind, my friend?

SAM

At the Citadel, you told me you once had to make a choice between your honour and the woman you loved.

JORAH

Go on…

SAM

If you had to make the same choice today, would you choose differently? 

JORAH

That decision cost me more than just my honour. I lost my family, my home, my self-respect. There’s not a day goes by I don’t wish I could make it over again.

SAM

I’m going to tell you something, but I need you to give me your word, as an anointed knight and as a Mormont that you won’t tell another living soul.

JORAH

Alright.

SAM

I need to hear you say the words.

JORAH

Sam, I –

SAM [INTERRUPTING]

Ser Jorah, please!

JORAH

On my honour as an anointed knight and on my honour as a Mormont, I give you my word…nothing you tell me will ever leave this room.

1.13 EXT: WINTERFELL BATTLEMENTS – MORNING

JON ascends the steps and joins his sister and the Queen’s Hand atop the battlements.

JON

Either Winterfell has grown in size or Arya has gotten better at hiding since we were children: I couldn’t find her anywhere.

SANSA [ICILY]

She’s not with Daenerys, then?

Recognizing a certain edge to SANSA’s tone, TYRION flashes JON a quick glance of sympathy and bids a hasty exit.

TYRION

If you’ll excuse me, I think I deserve a cup of wine after our long, cold ride.

JON

Sprinkle in a few cloves then heat it over the fire. It’ll take some getting used to, but your insides will thank you for the warmth.

TYRION nods his thanks and leaves the Stark siblings alone. JON regards SANSA warily.

JON

It’s like Arya’s avoiding me.

SANSA

I can’t imagine how frustrating that must be for you.

JON regards SANSA warily.

JON

You want to talk: let’s talk.

SANSA

We’ll have more privacy in my chambers.

JON

Aye, but I’ll feel safer out here with witnesses.

Seeing his sister’s complete lack of amusement, JON’s smile quickly withers. SANSA strides past, and JON reluctantly follows.

1.14 INT: SANSA’S CHAMBERS – MORNING

SFX: door opening, footsteps, door closing.

JON

You’re angry with me. You think I made a mistake bending the knee to Daenerys.

SANSA

You left here a king, and came back a consort. My anger can wait; let’s begin with an explanation. 

JON

We need her army and we need her dragons. It’s as simple as that. Bending the knee was the price I had to pay.

SANSA

The price she demanded.

JON

If you like.

SANSA

What would she have done if you refused? Watched comfortably from Dragonstone as the dead slaughtered us like sheep?

JON

Of course not.

SANSA

I thought Kings and Queens had a responsibility to protect their people? Or does that only apply to those that demonstrate sufficient subservience first?

JON

What exactly do you think happened? Do you picture me down on my hands and knees grovelling at her feet?

SANSA

Not exactly. I imagine you asked permission before you knelt.

JON glares at her, but SANSA is uncowed.

SANSA (CONT’D)

When you had to choose between putting your crown or your people first, you chose your people. 

JON

And would do again.

SANSA

Then why doesn’t it concern you that she wouldn’t even do it once? That asserting her dominion over the North was her first priority, defending it her second?

JON

Nothing concerns me right now except the Night King and his army.

SANSA

That’s a soldier’s luxury: you only have to think about the next battle. But a leader has to consider the inconvenient possibility that we survive. A leader has to prepare for all the enemies still to come.

JON

It’s not the next battle. It’s the only battle. You can’t go through life thinking there’s always going to be another enemy to fight.

SANSA

Every time father told us that winter was coming, do you still think he was only talking about the weather? There’s always another enemy.

JON

Daenerys is not your enemy.

SANSA

Everyone who isn’t us is our enemy.

JON

And in this new worldview of yours: am I an “us” or am I a “them”?

Civilizations rise and fall in the time before SANSA deigns to break the frigid silence.

SANSA

You love her, that’s plain enough. But does she love you?

JON [WEARILY]

Why does it matter?

SANSA

You wouldn’t be the first man she’s manipulated. Arya heard all kinds of stories across the Narrow Sea.

JON [HALF-SCOFFING, HALF-WARY]

What stories?

SANSA

How she seduced a Dothraki Khal into murdering her brother and stealing his dragons, then smothered her Khal in his sleep and claimed his men for her own. How she married a highborn Meereenese to secure his titles then had him butchered in the fighting pits by her sellsword lover.

JON [AMUSED; DISMISSIVE]

None of that is true.

SANSA

How do you know?

JON

Because I know her.

SANSA

And I know strong and calculating women with a thirst for power. You can’t make it far in a world built for men if you refuse to use the best weapon a woman has.

JON

You can when you have three dragons at your back.

SANSA

Now she has two dragons at her back, and a lovesick puppy at her heel.

JON

That’s not what this is. I bent the knee, aye, but I’m her ally, not her servant.

SANSA

How do you know? How can you be sure she’s not just using you too?

JON

You want proof? Alright.

Without another word, JON turns and marches purposefully out of the room.

SANSA

Jon?!

Exasperated, SANSA follows quickly after her brother.

1.15 INT: SAM’S CHAMBERS – MORNING

JORAH leans on the edge of the table, his head lowered, staring at something a thousand miles away.

SAM

Ser Jorah?

JORAH

Hm?

SAM

You haven’t said anything for quite a long time now.

JORAH straightens up, seems to rediscover his surroundings.

JORAH

Does Jon know?

SAM

Nobody knows except me and Bran, and now you. That’s why I came to you first, to try and learn what Jon can expect when Daenerys hears the truth.

JORAH

You can’t tell him. Not yet.

SAM

He deserves to know.

JORAH

And he will, but first I need some time to properly think this over.

SAM

I can only avoid him for so long. Eventually he’s going to realise something’s wrong and if he asks me, I won’t be able to lie to him. I’ve never been very good at lying.

JORAH takes a step closer and fixes SAM with an iron gaze.

JORAH

Please, Samwell. This information will turn both their worlds upside down. The least we can do is take some time to consider how best to break it to them.

SAM

So you think she’ll take it badly?

JORAH

If you were told Gilly was actually your aunt, how would react?

SAM

It wouldn’t be the first unpleasant thing I learned about her family, but I take your meaning.

JORAH

And Jon?

SAM

I’m not even sure I can make him believe it.

JORAH

What about his claim to the throne? He already gave up one crown for Daenerys; would he give up a second?

SAM

Would she ask him to? More to the point…what if he said “no”? What would she do then?

The question hangs in the air like an over-ripe fruit.

SAM

What about you?

JORAH [ALREADY LOST IN THOUGHT]

Hm?

SAM

You said you had something you wanted to tell me?

JORAH

Oh, yes. Forget about that for now. It can wait.

1.16 EXT: BENEATH WINTERFELL’S WALLS – MORNING

JON strides across the open ground towards Drogon and Rheagal, SANSA hurrying behind.

SANSA

What are you doing?

JON

You want proof Daenerys isn’t just using me for her own ends? Proof she sees me as more than just another ally?

SANSA watches with alarm as Rhaegal raises up and swings his head around to face JON. She stops in her tracks at what she adjudges a safe distance, but JON doesn’t break his stride.

SANSA

Jon! Stop!

As though he’s done it a thousand times, JON casually climbs onto Rhaegal’s back. JON shoots his sister a look of pointed challenge.

JON

Valahd!

At JON’s command, Rhaegal takes two lurching steps and launches himself into the air. SANSA watches in disbelief as JON and his dragon climb towards the clouds.

1.17 EXT: WINTERFELL’s YARD- MORNING

TYRION, VARYS, and DAVOS SEAWORTH stand together in Winterfell’s yard, watching as JON guides Rhaegal in a series of elegant manoeuvres. JORAH exits the castle and furrows his brown in confusion at the sight of every head tilted skyward. He follows suit, and his jaw drops open in horror.

JORAH

When did this happen?

TYRION

Every night since we landed. I thought it best he learn in private, without an entire army there to see him fall on his backside.

JORAH

The dragon refused him?

TYRION

Quite the opposite, actually. I think Rhaegal had grown rather jealous of Drogon; he took to Jon immediately.

JORAH does not take this news well: with each pass JON makes over the castle, a little more colour drains from the old knight’s face.

DAVOS

Lord Tyrion, perhaps you could let me know in advance the next time you decide to let my king learn by trial and error how to ride a dragon? Just as a courtesy between Hands, you understand.

VARYS [IN WONDER]

It’s like he was born on the back of a dragon. 

TYRION

Something wrong, Mormont?

JORAH swallows heavily and slopes away without a word. TYRION watches him go, then turns back to discover that somehow ARYA is now standing beside them. The expression on her face could not be further away from JORAH’s: she watches JON’s demonstration with an admiring smile.

1.18 INT: CERSEI’S CHAMBERS – NIGHT

CERSEI and EURON sit at either end of a long banquet table, the light of the table’s several candles dwarfed by the high-vaulted ceilings and cavernous recesses of the grand and stately chamber. A small feast has been laid out, but CERSEI’s plate remains untouched. Instead, she drinks liberally from a glass of wine, the jug close to hand for regular refills. EURON, by comparison, is making the most of his meal: his plate is overladen, but still he reaches out and grabs new portions to add to the pile before him. CERSEI regards him with disdain from the far reaches of the table head.

CERSEI

You’re taking your niece’s escape rather well.

EURON

Easy come, easy go. You have to learn to accept life as it comes, if you want to stay looking youthful. You should try it. Maybe cut back on the wine, too.

A serving girl enters to remove a few of the trays but EURON clicks his fingers and shoos her away.

CERSEI

Aren’t you worried for your crown?

EURON

I already picked the Iron Islands clean of its fighting men to serve on my ships. If they want to see out their days on a pile of shit-stained rocks playing king and queen to ugly women and inbred children, who am I to stop them?

CERSEI

And if she sails back to Daenerys? Raises another fleet?

EURON

Then I’ll sink that one, too, except this time I’ll do it with half as many ships. Won’t that be impressive?

CERSEI

Mm. And when exactly should I expect the other half’s return?

EURON

They left Pentos a week ago. With good winds they’ll arrive with your shiny new soldiers before the moon turns.

CERSEI

Then we shall have two reasons to celebrate.

EURON takes a second to catch on, but finally the realisation dawns. He licks his fingers clean and walks the length of the table to kneel before CERSEI. He presses his head to her stomach.

EURON

My son. My heir.

He leans back, looking up into CERSEI’s face.

EURON [CONT’D]

My queen.

EURON returns his head to CERSEI’s stomach. She places her hand on top of his possessively, reassured of his commitment.

1.19 INT: GREAT HALL OF WINTERFELL – DAY

The principals of the coming war file silently into the Great Hall of Winterfell. SANSA enters and take the right-of-centre seat, the spaces to her left filled by DAVOS, BRIENNE OF TARTH, LYANNA MORMONT, YOHN ROYCE, and SAM. DAENERYS takes the left-of-centre seat and TYRION, VARYS, and MISSANDEI arrange themselves to her right. JON enters last: he hesitates when he spots that both his siter and his lover have left a seat beside them for him to fill. Every pair of eyes in the room watches with interest to see how JON will decide. Deftly dodging the issue, he walks with purpose to the centre of the room.

JON

Let’s make a start, shall we? Bran? You had something you wanted to say?

JON moves aside and a Stark guard pushes BRAN forward in his chair. TYRION and VARYS share a quick look of appreciation at Jon’s evasion as he forgoes sitting entirely, and opts instead to remain standing beside his brother. 

BRAN

You have to go north.

TYRION

I thought we just did.

MISSANDEI [WHISPERING]

Lord Varys, this isn’t the north?

BRAN

You need to go north of the wall.

JON

Bran, we’ve been north of the wall.

DAENERYS

I lost a dragon north of the wall.

BRAN

You need to go as north as north goes, to the Land of Always Winter.

SAM

The precious few accounts we have of the Long Night all agree: that’s where the White Walkers first appeared from, and that’s where they returned.

SAM notices JON’s questioning glance – why hasn’t his friend sought him out since his return? – and quickly looks away.

BRAN

North of the Frostfangs, on a great plateau of ice by the sea, surrounded by mountains on three sides, sits a palace made entirely of ice. If you’re looking for answers to the Night King, that’s where you’ll find them.

DAENERYS

That’s all you can tell us?

BRAN

I wish there were more, but every time I get close, the vision suddenly ends. It’s like a door slamming shut in my face.

SANSA

How long would it take to reach this palace of ice?

JON

A month just to reach the Frostfangs. Another two weeks to make it over the mountains. Beyond that, it’s impossible to say.

SANSA

So it’s hopeless?

BRAN

No. There is a way.

DAENERYS [AFTER A LONG SILENCE]

On the back of a dragon.

BRAN

Two dragons, I thought.

TYRION

The Night King is almost upon us and you’d have us send away the only hope we have of defeating him? We’d be gambling with the lives of every living soul in Winterfell.

JON

If only that were all we’d be gambling.

DAENERYS

Twice in my life I’ve experienced dark forces beyond our understanding. When the warlocks of Qarth stole my dragons, when Mirri Maz Duur…On both occasions I underestimated the extent of my enemy’s powers. That is not a mistake I intend to make a third time.

JON

When my brother in the Night’s Watch came for the Lord Commander, I learned that wights are vulnerable to fire. At Hardhome, I saw for myself how the Night King raises the dead to serve as soldiers in his army. And north of the Wall we discovered that destroying a White Walker also destroys his thralls. Each encounter made me better prepared for the next, because I had new information to work with.

DAVOS

I’ve never encountered the undead first-hand…

As these words leave his lips, DAVOS’ gaze unconsciously shifts and settles on JON. JON shoots back a scowl and DAVOS hurries on.

DAVOS [CONT’D]

…but I certainly can attest to the power of black magics. As can you, Lady Brienne.

BRIENNE

I would have defended Lord Renly against the Stranger himself, but no swordsman alive could hope to win a fight against a shadow.

DAVOS

Whatever weight the opinion of an old smuggler might hold in this esteemed company, I cast my vote in favour of learning everything we can, while we can.

VARYS

Lord Snow said it himself: destroy a White Walker and you destroy all the wights he created. We destroy the Night King, we destroy his armies. What more do we need to know?

BRAN

Tell me, Lord Varys, is there a limit to how far a wight can roam from the White Walker that created him before his strings snap? Did the Night King create the White Walkers? If so, is their fate tied to his the same way a wight’s is to the White Walker that raised it from the dead? How do we know the Night King is even vulnerable to dragonfire?

SAM

How do we know there’s only one Night King?

The room falls into a contemplative silence. Without speaking the words, all present collectively decide this is simply too bleak a scenario to entertain and quickly move right along.

SANSA

What about your abilities? Can they help us at all?

VARYS

If I may, what precisely are these abilities of…forgive me, I’m not sure how I should address you. Lord Stark? Lord Raven?

BRAN

How about just “Bran”?

VARYS

Bran. Very good. What I would like to know…what we all need to know…is the precise nature and extent of your…magic, and how it might serve us in the war to come. Can you see everything that ever was? Everything that ever will be?

TYRION

Can you transform me into a windmill or make a cockerel speak High Valyrian?

BRAN

There are limits to my abilities. I’d have thought the chair made that rather plain.

VARYS

Forgive me, but I think -

BRAN (INTERUPTING)

You don’t trust magic, or those that practice it. I can understand that, considering what was taken from you in its service.

VARYS looks to TYRION, who shakes his head in denial: if BRAN knows the story of VARYS and the sorcerer, he didn’t learn it from TYRION. 

BRAN [CONT’D]

Magic is only a tool, to be used for good or ill. And only as effective as the one who wields it. The Night King put an end to my training when he destroyed the last Three-Eyed Raven.

TYRION

And your abilities can’t tell us anything about the Night King that might save us having to send our two greatest weapons to try and find a snowflake in a snowstorm on the eve of battle?

BRAN

The Three-Eyed Raven that came before me learned to unmoor himself from the present and travel backwards and forwards to witness both the past and the future. He was able to summon a specific moment at will…I don’t have anything close to that kind of control.

TYRION

So your visions of the past are totally random? The past is a frustratingly big place, Bran.

BRAN

Not random, no. I don’t see, so much as I am shown. They’re too specific, too…relevant to be random. It’s always the same places, the same people…Visions of events yet to occur are even more personal: I’ve yet to witness anyone’s future but my own. It’s as though some great invisible hand directs my gaze, only permitting me as much or as little as it will allow.

SANSA

In theory, given the right vision, could you change the past? Alter the course of events to prevent any of this from ever happening?

BRAN

I don’t think it works like that.

SANSA

But it has before…What happened to Hodor…

JON

You can do that? Bran, if you really are that powerful…

BRAN

When I have influenced the past, it didn’t change the future so much as confirm it. My actions merely provided the missing link in the chain that tethers the past to the present.

TYRION

But you’re not certain? If you don’t entirely understand the limits your abilities, perhaps with more practice…

JON

We need you to try, Bran. Whatever you can do, whatever you can tell us…

SANSA

Is it dangerous? Inside the vision, I mean?

BRAN

When I told you the Night King had appeared to me only once before…there was one other occasion, in the very early days of my studies. I thought I was beyond the limits of his perception. I was wrong.

BRAN pulls back his sleeve and holds up his wrist so the room can inspect the black imprint of the NIGHT KING’s grip.

BRAN [CONT’D]

I bear his mark now. He can always find me, wherever – or whenever – I might be.

SANSA [CONCERNED]

Bran…

BRAN

It’s alright, Sansa. You need me to try.

DAENERYS looks to VARYS and to TYRION, both of whom appear far from convinced at BRAN’s designs for Daenerys and her dragons. She looks to JON, her question plain on her face. JON nods.

DAENERYS

And we need to give ourselves the best possible chances of defeating the Night King. To do that, we need all the intelligence we can gather. Jon and I will ride as far north as north goes.

TYRION

Your Grace, I really must –

DAENERYS (INTERRUPTING)

We’ll decide on our plan of battle this evening, once my commanders have completed their survey of Winterfell. Jon and I will depart at first light.

TYRION bites his tongue, but looks about the room in a silent plea for support.

DAVOS

You told us you’ve witnessed your own future. Tell me: is it a long and happy future?

BRAN

I don’t know. I’ve never seen beyond this conversation. And that door opening…

[LONG SILENCE; COUGH]

JON

Bran, you said you –

SFX: door opening.

The doors to the Great Hall swing open and TORMUND GIANTSBANE and BERIC DONDARRION burst in.

TORMUND

We rode day and night. The dead are through the wall!

BERIC

And the Night King has your dragon, Your Grace.

OUTRO.