In Sunday night’s “Game of Thrones” episode, “Stormborn,” things are looking bleak for Ser Jorah Mormont (Iain Glen), who is afflicted with a severe case of Greyscale. It’s a (usually) fatal disease that covers the infected’s skin, making it rough, scaly and stone-like to the touch and causes a slow, painful demise.
Jorah has arrived at the Citadel — where Samwell Tarly (John Bradley) is studying to become a maester — with the hope that the maesters will be able to cure him. Archmaester Marwyn (Jim Broadbent) says that Jorah’s case is incurable, but when Sam learns that Jorah is Jeor Mormont’s son, he’s determined to help him. Remember, Jeor Mormont was Lord Commander of The Night’s Watch before Jon Snow (Kit Harington).
Before Sam steals into Jorah’s room to perform secret, forbidden surgery, we see Jorah writing a letter. “Khaleesi,” it begins. But the candle-lit room is dark, and it’s difficult to make out the rest of the letter. Jorah was banished by Danaerys (Emilia Clarke) for betraying her, but when he helps save her in Season 6 from the Khalasar, she orders him to cure himself of Greyscale.
Here’s what his letter says to Dany in full (via HBO’s “Making Game of Thrones”):
“Khaleesi,
I came to the Citadel in the last hope that the maesters could treat me, as you ordered. Even with all their arts, I am beyond any cure but the grave. I have had a longer life than I deserved, and I only wish I could’ve lived to see the world you’re going to build, standing by your side. I have loved you since the moment I met you.”
Although Dany is in Westeros, she’s far from the Citadel. If Sam’s attempted cure works, and Jorah is able to leave, there’s little doubt his first order of business will be to find Dany, whether she’s still at Dragon Stone or somewhere else — adding to the list of reunions we’re hoping for this season.