What If Daemon Targaryen Survived Into Game of Thrones and Claimed Jon as His Heir? - Part 3

In Chapter 5 of this alternate Game of Thrones timeline, Jon Snow lies awake at Castle Black, haunted by dragonfire, dead men, and the old knight who named him heir. At the weirwood beyond the Wall, Jon swears the Night’s Watch oath under the eyes of the old gods—while Daemon Targaryen watches, unbowed and unblinking, weighing the boy who carries both wolf and dragon in his blood.

Back in the corridors of Castle Black, Daemon pushes Jon to question what vows really mean when the living are at stake. Far away in Qarth, Daenerys Targaryen hears the first rumours of a rust-red dragon over a wall of ice and realises she may not be the only Targaryen fire left in the world. In Winterfell, Eddard and Catelyn Stark confront Jeor Mormont’s letter, the revelation of Daemon’s true identity, and the implications of Jon’s hidden parentage as the North quietly arms itself with dragonglass and resolve.

Jeor, Benjen, Aemon and Daemon plan a desperate ranging to the Fist of the First Men, hoping old magic and old stone can buy them answers. Daemon finally opens his long-hidden chest, drawing out a Valyrian steel sword meant for worthier hands. In the training yard, Jon receives and names Longclaw—and at the gate, he rides north with Benjen, Ghost, Daemon, and a column of black cloaks beneath the distant shadow of Caraxes, while Jeor and Aemon watch from the Wall, knowing the old stories are walking again.

0:00 – Sleepless in the barracks: Jon broods on Caraxes, Daemon, and what he’s become

11:30 – Oath in the snow: swearing the Night’s Watch vows at the weirwood beyond the Wall

23:00 – Vows vs. truth: Daemon corners Jon in the corridor about oaths, heirs, and hard choices

34:30 – Across the sea: Daenerys hears of a rust-red dragon over a wall of ice

46:00 – Winterfell’s reckoning: Ned and Catelyn read Jeor’s letter and face Jon’s true parentage

57:30 – War council at the Wall: Jeor, Benjen, Aemon and Daemon plan the ranging to the Fist

1:09:00 – The old sword: Daemon opens his chest and draws Valyrian steel for a new hand

1:20:30 – Naming Longclaw: Jon accepts the blade and the weight that comes with it

1:32:00 – 1:43:00 – Riders in black: the ranging departs for the Fist as Jeor and Aemon watch Caraxes’ shadow pass over the frozen North