A Wealth of Whispers

Daenerys

Despite now having their Council of Seven, Jon and Daenerys would often arrange other meetings if required, especially in regards to the spying news - both their own and what Cersei was gleaning from her own whispers. Now that Sam had arrived, it made sense for them to invite him along to the next one of these, just to make sure that everyone was kept fully up to date.

"On Sansa's advice, I have continued the idea of keeping Jon's true role and abilities hidden," Varys told them. "It served the north well before and his status as Bastard of Winterfell means that there are many, including Cersei, who would automatically dismiss him anyway.

Dany worked hard to not look at her husband at that, Jon having asked her and Sam to keep the information about his parents to themselves until he decided what he wanted to do with the news.

"And the reason for that?" Jon asked. "Is it still simply to mislead?"

"That is part of it, yes," Varys replied, "but also because it is better for us if Cersei's attention is focused elsewhere. She already thinks it was Arya who battled Euron during the Oldtown battle and that the only reason Daenerys did not marry Bran was because he would not be able to give her children. She believes you to be the queen's last resort which leads her to underestimate you and that could be useful to us in the future."

"I'm assuming that Cersei does know about Lyaella now?" Daenerys asked.

"She does but … she's misunderstood that a little too."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, it appears that the news has reached her that the princess is ... unusual and so she has assumed that it means …" Varys winced. "Excuse me … that her mind is soft in some way."

Dany glowered on hearing this whilst, next to her, her husband quietly scoffed.

"But that's good," Tyrion insisted. "We want her to dismiss Lyaella in the same way as she has Jon. If Bran is right and the princess is to be the Warg Monarch then, well, the prophecy talks of her 'overthrowing the old order and ruling the whole of Westeros' and I can assure you that my sister will do anything in her power to stop that from happening. Whilst she believes it to be you, Daenerys, she will at least remain cautious because of your dragons. She knows you are not an easy target and that keeps your daughter safe, and the fact that she continues to dismiss Jon is helping in all sorts of unexpected ways, especially considering ..." He paused, wincing

"Considering?" Jon pushed, glowering at the dwarf. "Tell us what you've heard, Tryion."

"Cersei has been asking for news of Lyaella and of any other children you might have. That she believes the princess to be sickly and that you have not ... yet been blessed with another, helps to confirm her thought that your union is both unhappy and unfruitful."

Dany felt her insides clench at this. She actually had mixed feelings about the fact she had not fallen pregnant again. In many ways it was good for her to be able to deal with all the defence preparations without such a distraction, but she did want another - at least one more - and she worried that perhaps the healers in Essos had been partially correct and that it was only fate - or some such nonsense - that had gifted them Lyaella, simply to fulfil the prophecy.

"It is far too early to worry about such things," Jon replied quietly. "And, considering our daughter's unique gifts, I think it's actually good that we're able to spend so much time with her without a baby dividing our focus and attention."

"That is very true," Daenerys said brightly, suddenly determined to lighten the mood. "Although having more heirs would certainly be in the realm's interest and so Jon and I promise to continue practising just as often as we can."

Unfortunately, Sam had chosen that moment to take a sip of his drink and spluttered in shock whilst Tryion chuckled and Varys rolled his eyes. Jon glared at his wife for the comment, although his lips were twitching, all the same.

"And Sam has come to us from the Citadel with a huge amount of useful information," he said, leaning over to pat his friend on the back as he continued to cough. "His family assume he's spying for them, of course, so we were hoping you could feed him some information? Something true but unimportant perhaps, as well as some actual misinformation?"

Varys nodded and smiled. "Nothing easier."

"And did you manage to find out more about Cersei's mystery Wargs?" Tyrion asked their visitor.

"I did," Sam replied. "I gather you already know about Qyburn and his history with the Citadel? His abilities are not exceptional, possibly because of how early he was forced to leave, but he is totally faithful to Cersei. The last one is more interesting and ..." Sam frowned. "We did wonder what had happened to our head tutor at the Citadel. One day Ebrose was teaching as normal and the next he had 'taken leave', which just seemed so out of character for someone who lived and breathed his work and had no living kin to return to."

"You believe he has been pressed into Cersei's service?" Varys asked.

Sam nodded. "That was the impression I got, yes."

"And all three survived our attack?" Dany asked.

"Yes," Sam confirmed. "After all, over-Riding is very rarely fatal, not unless there is some other factor involved."

"Such as pregnancy?" Jon asked, glancing briefly at Dany.

"I wasn't unable to find any definite confirmation," Sam admitted with a small frown. "But all available evidence points to added risks for both mother and child, yes."

So, it seemed Rhaegal had been right to worry about Lyaella's safety during the King's Landing battle.

"More importantly, do we know if Cersei has any more Wargs on her side?" Jon asked.

"Not that we are aware of," Varys replied. "Wargs are exceptionally rare, as you know. We understand she is still searching though. Last we heard she'd sent Euron over to Essos to see if he could find any on that continent and persuade them to come back over."

"Euron is the one we really need to worry about," Jon told them. "He was exceptionally powerful. The other two, not so much. The only reason they were able to affect Daenerys at all was because they were working together."

"Yes, but that's why it's vital that we keep an eye on them," Tryion said. "The council may have voted to defend for now but experience tells us that Cersei will not just sit meekly by and let us live and govern in peace. She would not have done so anyway but now she is genuinely fearful of this prophecy as well as being quite convinced that it can be broken."

"Can it?" Jon said. "Is it not set in stone?"

"Fate? Destiny?" Varys said, shaking his head. "That some seer once said it would happen and nothing can push us off that path?" He sighed. "I would say not and, although we might wish this one to be true and that Princess Lyaella will one day overthrow Cersei, there are a great many other prophecies in existence that we should be very grateful have failed."

"However," Tryion said, "despite what I said earlier, I admit that I'm not at all happy about having Cersei so convinced that Daenerys is the Warg Monarch. I know my sister and I know how single-minded she is. Having spent all these years working to keep the queen safe, I worry about how we can continue to do so once my sister has set her mind on destroying her."

"I have the dragons, my armies and Jon to protect me," Daenerys replied, "plus Bran's unique abilities and all of you to advise me. As you said earlier, Tyrion, it's far better that Cersei focuses her attention on me rather than Lyaella."

"But we do need to check on these military rumours," Jon said. "Which means it probably is time for us to fly south and see for ourselves."

"Is that safe?" Tyrion asked. "Having the dragons fly over the enemy?"

"They've been doing so anyway," Dany said. "I've had the pair of them head off to various, random places recently, both so that they can relay some information to me and also to mislead Cersei into thinking I'm down there. We'll stay high when flying over the south itself, of course, but Jon and I mostly need to oversee the strengthening of our defences at The Neck, and being able to get there quickly by dragon will be very helpful in that regard."

"Where is your dragon?" Varys asked. "I haven't seen him recently."

"They've both been on Dragonstone," she replied, "although I've just called Drogon back and, fortunately, he always allows Jon to ride on him with me."

"But your other one doesn't?"

She and Jon exchanged a look. "No, he's not a bonded animal and so ..." She shrugged, unwilling to explain their thoughts about that. "Rhaegal will probably join us anyway, as he is always happy for any chance to fly."

~o~0~o~

With Lyaella often finding her way into their bed and already highly empathic, Jon and Dany were struggling to find time to be alone together. The recent conversation about heirs had highlighted one reason why they needed to remedy that, whilst their own morning session in the Broken Tower had reminded them of just what they had been missing. So, whilst Jon headed off to set up their old tower room as a more isolated sanctuary for them, Daenerys consulted with Missandei about the princess' sleep routine and how she and her husband could schedule some nights together without their daughter interrupting.

They also had a number of plans they wanted to make as a family and would need to decide how to fit those in around the bigger plans for the north's defence. Tonight was an excuse for them to discuss these things, as well as spend some personal time together without being disturbed by either their daughter or their advisors.

"Hopefully we can fly down to Dragonstone with Ella after Jon and I have completed our scouting," Daenerys told Missandei.

"Why not encourage your green to come up here?" she suggested. "You know Lord Tyrion will question the need for you to travel there if it is not of vital military importance."

"There are a number of reasons why that won't work," Dany replied, "but we really do need to ensure Dragonstone's defences remain in place too." She sighed. "It won't be easy, whatever we decide, but that's the price we pay now that we hold the north, the neck and one tiny island in the south."

"I understand," Missandei said. "Hopefully all these whispers will continue to play in our favour."

Lyaella got bored of her current game then, approaching the two ladies with her arms held high, and Daenerys immediately crouched down to give the little girl the hug she was silently asking for. "But you'll take Ella this evening?"

"Of course," Missandei replied with a small smile. "I know the two of you have … a great deal to catch up on."

Lyaella looked up suddenly, her gaze flitting between the two ladies curiously. 'Why can't I play games with you and Jae?' she asked.

Dany winced, having forgotten that her daughter could easily pick up her emotions nowadays. "Because sometimes your father and I need to spend some time alone with each other," she replied promptly, knowing full well that it was futile to attempt to keep anything from her.

The little girl frowned before nodded very seriously. 'All right, but it's not time for me to have a baby brother yet.'

"Your Grace?" Missandei asked, seeing the look of total shock on her queen's face. "What is it?"

Daenerys shook her head. "Proof that Jon and I really need to have this talk," she replied before turning back to Lyaella. "Now, off you go and be a good girl for Missandei."

'I'm always a good girl,' she replied, slipping a hand in the advisor's and for once heading off without making a fuss, whilst Dany rolled her eyes at the inaccuracy of her daughter's words.

~o~0~o~

"Here," Jon said with a smile and a wide sweep of his arm. "Our own private meeting room."

"Hmm," Dany said, surveying the dusty room at the top of the Broken Tower. "No table or chairs, I see?"

"You expect me to carry furniture up all those ancient stairs?"

She smiled sweetly at him. "You did want to get fit, didn't you?"

"I seem to remember that you were the one who said that and, anyway, I have far more interesting ways in mind to exercise."

"Oh, do tell."

He smirked. "Later. First though, we have everything we actually need for this meeting. Look, somewhere to sit ..." He pointed to the large pile of furs he'd brought up, "… a map. Food and wine."

"That's good," Dany said, completely ignoring the items as she walked over to her husband, draped her arms around his neck and kissed him gently on the lips. "Do I need to change for this meeting?"

Jon smiled as he kissed her back, one hand on her cheek whilst the other gently skirted down her arm. "Depends on whether you want to start with the serious stuff straight away. If you do then it's probably best we don't remove any layers or neither of us are going to be able to concentrate."

"I'm not sure I'll be able to concentrate anyway," she declared running her hands through his curls and rubbing herself up against him. "I think we perhaps need to switch the itinerary around." And she released him abruptly, took one step back and slowly began to untie her dress. "So, let me get comfortable."

"At least it's not as cold up here as it was when we first started to do this," Jon replied, starting to strip off his own clothes as he moved towards the furs.

"Yes, that is good news," she replied, briefly struggling with one of the fastenings on her dress. "Bring all of that a little closer so we don't have to move, Jon. I think that, afterwards, we should stay here to talk."

"After what?" he asked slyly, removing his trousers very slowly whilst making no attempt to turn around or cover himself. Dany paused in the act of removing her under-shift, suddenly highly distracted by the sight of her now naked husband. "I seem to remember you making some comment about my needing to get fitter," he said, pointedly.

"I did?" she asked, still staring. "I'm not sure I can see anything to complain about right now. Although I do believe it was you who accused me of putting on weight." She let her slip slowly fall off her shoulders.

"I also made a mistake," he said as he took his turn to admire her nakedness.

"You most certainly did," she replied. "In fact, I think you need to apologise for being so rude to your wife."

"You're quite right," Jon said, licking his lips. "Why don't you lie down on those furs and let me get on with that."

She laughed brightly, lying on top of the makeshift bed, opening her legs wide and inviting Jon to crawl between then, which he did with no further prompting, his hands sliding up the insides of her thighs whilst his lips quickly followed, and Dany was certain he was deliberately tilting his head to allow his beard to brush against the sensitive skin there. Then he moved higher still, his tongue flicking out as his lips continued to explore, and she lost all desire to tease him further, content to let him get on with the act of pleasuring her in his favourite way.

He was being far too gentle, Dany decided, squirming on the furs as the kissed and licked and then paused, stroking her gently with his fingers before moving his head away slightly to kiss her thighs. "Please, Jon. Please don't stop … I need to finish."

"What's the rush?" he asked, looking up at her coyly through his dark lashes, his eyes showing his desire, despite his voice sounding annoyingly calm. "I thought the whole point of this evening was for us to be able to spend time together and I really want to take my time with you."

He teased her again, touching her most sensitive spot but so, so very gently that she nearly screamed with frustration. She started to move then, determined to take control, but Jon was having none of it, a firm hand on her stomach holding her still.

"I hate you," she grumbled.

"Aw, really?" he teased, moving his lips closer again whilst his dark gaze held hers. "Are you quite certain you want me to finish you already?"

"Gods, yes," she gasped. "Please. It's not as if you won't be doing so again tonight."

"Oh, will I?"

"Several times, I hope," she gasped as he dived back down. "Yes, there … just like that ..."

Once down from her high, Dany opened her eyes to find Jon lying next to her, smirking in that self-satisfied way he had. "Your turn," he whispered, his voice low and tempting. "How do you want me, my love?"

She bit her lip, wondering what would be the best way to tease him, before inspiration struck. "On your back," she ordered, quickly kneeling up.

"Uh-oh, I know that look. Should I be worried?"

Daenerys just laughed as she quickly straddled his hips but, rather than enveloping him inside of her, she instead rubbed herself slowly up against him. Still highly sensitive after what he'd just done to her, she was quickly able to find her pleasure again, whilst Jon threw his head back against the furs, groaning in frustration. He moved his hand between their bodies a couple of times - either wanting to position himself to enter her or to pleasure her himself - but she slapped him away each time, willing to forgo having him inside her just to get her own back. Soon she was shuddering again, kissing him hard as she found a second release in a very short space of time.

"Enjoying yourself, are you?" he asked.

"Yes, thank you," she replied, smirking. "Do you think it's time for our meeting yet?"

He growled, flipping her over onto her back. "Not quite yet," he declared, entering her in one hard thrust and then stilling over her, watching her closely with a smirk of his own. "I can be gentle if you're still a bit too sensitive?"

"Don't be ridiculous," she gasped. "Take me hard and I'll race you. Last one to finish has to deal with the next set of early morning scrolls."

~o~0~o~

Drogon appeared over Winterfell the next day, flying lazy circles over the castle and quite obviously enjoying the attention his dramatic arrival was causing. The dragon's appearance here was the king and queen's cue to fly south to scout, and they spent much of the day talking to their troops at The Neck and surveying their defences, before travelling even further south to confirm the reports of various armies moving northwards towards their position. The next few days were then taken up with more flights between Winterfell, Cailin, Pyke and their own armies, making sure their planned defences would be ready for the inevitable attack on them. Finally, exhausted, the couple returned to Winterfell, knowing they only had a matter of days before their lives would once again be taken up entirely by military matters.

The following morning saw them leaving Winterfell even earlier, this time with Lyaella in tow, hoping not to attract attention by heading to the Wolfswood from the North Gate in order to formally introduce their daughter to Ghost and Drogon. They had done this before when she was a baby but had then decided to keep her apart from most Familiars, hoping it might help her to have a 'normal' childhood. However, events and comments from her recently had proven that that was no longer going to be an option and, with the imminent conflict making future family time a lot less certain, the royal couple had decided to deal with the matter once and for all.

Ghost was the first to greet the little family, acting more like a pet dog than a direwolf, his excitement perfectly visible to Dany, whilst Jon laughed at his Familiar's reaction.

"Silly wolf. I'm not sure if he's more excited to meet her or cross with me for keeping her away for so long. Slowly, Ghost, she's only little."

'I'm not afraid,' Lyaella said, holding her hand up high up towards his large head. 'He won't hurt me.'

"Not intentionally," Jon agreed, "although he might just knock you off your feet with his tail the way he's going about it."

'Very special pup,' Ghost declared. 'Although … mostly dragon.'

Jon laughed at the direwolf's confusion as he relayed the comment to Daenerys.

"Missandei did say that all the Familiars seem to recognise her," she said.

"Well, if Bran's correct about her, then I suppose that makes sense."

"Well, young Ella," Dany said. "I suppose if you are mostly dragon, then it's time to meet a real one."

'Drogon and I have been talking already,' she declared as she looked up in awe at the dragon. 'He really is very big.'

"What do you think, Drogon?"

'Small dragon. Big power.'

"So will you fly all three of us to Dragonstone?"

To her surprise, her Familiar seemed reluctant. 'Brother wants to fly her.'

"I'm sure he does," she replied, "but there's no time to wait for him, I'm afraid. We're on a tight time schedule here."

'Yes, but little dragon must not Ride my mind. Brother upset.'

Dany looked at her daughter who was now frowning. "Do you understand?" she asked.

Lyaella nodded. "I'll try not to.'

"What's the problem?" Jon asked her.

"I think Rhaegal is jealous that Ella gets to fly with Drogon first and not him?"

"Huh," her husband huffed in reply. "Well, let's get her up on his back and then we can fly down to Dragonstone so she can meet him properly."

~o~0~o~

Their daughter didn't seem the least bit scared of being so high up; her expression and reaction strangely passive considering, with just a small smile on her face throughout most the journey south. However, that quickly changed as they approached the island and Lyaella finally saw the other dragon on the cliff top waiting for them.

'Down, down!' she urged, suddenly acting like the typical, excitable three year old she really was, whilst Daenerys reminded her not to force her own wishes into Drogon's mind.

Jon dismounted first so he could help ease Ella down and attempt to hold and calm her until Dany reached the ground, both parents constantly reminding their daughter just how dangerous this was and how she needed to be very careful. Rhaegal then edged forward, obeying their instructions to go slowly, even though his eyes were shining with an excitement that matched the little girl's.

'Finally,' he seemed to say as he moved his muzzle close to the child and Dany felt tears sting her eyes as she sensed the Rider bond click firmly into place. She glanced up at Jon who appeared equally effected as he obviously recalled his own experience, swallowing hard and nodding as their daughter reached out one hand to gently touch her new Familiar's giant muzzle.

"Rhae-gal," she said.

"What?" Daenerys turned to Lyaella, shocked on hearing the first true words her daughter had ever uttered out loud.

''My dragon has another name," she continued silently, "but … I don't understand it yet.'

Which made sense, of course. A Familiar's true name was only ever revealed to their Rider and was often a concept or emotion which would probably be too difficult for a three year old to grasp. After all, Daenerys had been seven when she'd bonded with Drogon and that had been considered exceptionally young at the time.

'Fly?' Rheagal asked then.

"No," Dany replied firmly. "She is far too young to go up there on her own." She paused, looking at the green dragon intently. "Unless you would be willing for me or Jon to fly with her?"

There was a very long pause. 'Will consider,' he replied before both dragons suddenly took to the wing on their own, leaving Lyaella holding both arms up towards them, looking both bereft and awed.

'Fly … fly,' she said, her lower lip starting to quiver.

"Come," Jon said, moving quickly forwards in the hope of staving off a tantrum, "You'll be hungry after that. I certainly am. Let's find our chambers and settle in." And they walked their daughter back to the castle, each holding one of her hands and swinging her between them as they went, keen to distract her from all thoughts of Rhaegal for the time being.

This was to be a short holiday for the little family and they couldn't relax entirely anyway - not so close to enemy territory – with the two parents taking it in turns to spend time with their daughter whilst the other worked. Jon would go down to visit the soldiers and guards assigned here, check the island's defences and also collect and send messages, whilst Daenerys continued to fly Drogon west to check on the Lannister's troop movements. The couple would then meet back up in the castle in the evenings, spending time with Ella before her bedtime and then a precious hour or two with each other before it was time to sleep.

~o~0~o~

"How is she?" Daenerys asked as Jon got back into bed on the morning of their last day on Dragonstone, shivering at the feel of her husband's cool skin next to hers as he snuggled up against her back.

"She got back to sleep eventually," he replied sleepily, "but that seemed to be an especially bad nightmare."

"The curse of the Rider," Dany said with a sigh. "Especially us Wargs. Now she's connected to Rhaegal I imagine that they will happen even more frequently."

"Aye." He yawned and wriggled a little closer. "I'm going to try to sleep for a bit now, love, but I think you need to get up?"

"Yes," she replied. "One last scout before we return north this afternoon."

Jon's reply was little more than a grunt, already half asleep, and she smiled, twisting in his arms to kiss him gently on the lips before getting out of bed and starting to dress for her ride.

Rhaegal decided to join them this morning and she pushed the pair quickly west, determined to get this scouting over and done with so she could return to her family and the safety of Winterfell. Unfortunately, the sight of a large fleet of enemy ships heading north from Oldtown meant a sudden change of plan and so, with a few choice curse words, Daenerys urged Drogon northwards along the west coast towards the Iron Islands, determined to warn Yara and discuss this new sea bound threat with their ally and her captains.

However, she had only just flown over The Crag when a terrifying shriek from Rhaegal had her reeling from the force of his emotions, reminding her of that horrific day six years ago when Viserion had fallen from the sky beyond the Wall. She turned her gaze first to the dragon and then to the ground, convinced that he must have been hit by some weapon, despite the very great height they were currently flying at.

'Brother not hit," Drogon explained. "Brother upset and angry.'

"What happened?"

'Not certain. Too upset.'

Another shriek and Rhaegal was suddenly flying back south-east. "What's going on?" Dany pushed.

'Not certain. Will follow.' And, before she had even confirmed it, Drogon had turned in pursuit of his brother. 'Wolf message,' he said soon afterwards.

Dany started to panic now. "Ghost? What does he say?"

'Too far. Mate angry too.'

"Dragonstone! Something's happening at Dragonstone. Drogon?"

She felt it then, a sudden mental jolt as her dragon finally connected with the other two Familars and she received the full, emotional burst of pure fury, fear and heartache from them and from her husband. Drogon flew even faster then, slowly gaining ground on the small, green fleck in the distance.

'Little dragon is taken,' her Familiar said, confirming her worse fears.

"Lyaella!" Daenerys cried. "What do you mean, 'taken'?"

'Stolen. Gone from island.' Drogon snarled, his own anger now very obvious. 'Mate needs us.'

~o~0~o~

A/N: Sorry! :/ (runs and hides)

Getting close to the end now and so it's time to ramp up the tension. What on earth happened back on Dragonstone?

Finally we find out about the mystery Wargs and get a better understanding of Rhaegal's motivations during the battles. If you look back you'll find that the Familiars never specify Dany being in danger, despite Jon interpreting that way at the time. Rhaegal actually needed Jon to save HIS Rider - the unborn Lyaella.

Did you notice Lyaella giving away a spoiler? She's going to drop a few more soon too! Oops! :D

Despite still being unwell and having only written half a chapter in the last three weeks, the next two and a half chapters are basically written (that's a scarily small cushion for me) and so updates will go ahead as usual. Really hoping I can find a bit more focus this weekend though.