A Son of Ice and Fire

A/N: Now we start getting into the main bulk of the season, and expect a lot more GOT characters from here on out for :)

Guest: Plenty of relationships will start forming as more characters meet each other, but you'll just have to wait and see which end up lasting to the end.

Odinson: Ruff probably deserves it, but I think Tuff would be more happy to see her than angry enough to smack some sense into her XD

Guest: Ruff and Tuff are on their own for now, but I won't leave them separate for ever ;)

Guest: I thought Tuff just learned a few random phrases in other languages and didn't speak it fully, but it would be quite funny if he actually was multilingual.

Eye: Tuff does have his dreadlocks, but not his helmet at this point.

Sam Hill: Yeah, I set it up a bit in the previous 2 seasons, but unfortunately I don't think it'll last. It makes sense for Ruff after all she went through, but I think the need for her to get back to Tuff will be more important.

Guest: Mala will appear in one of the next two chapters. I don't intend for her to have that big of a part for now, but I'll establish where she is in the world and put some steps in motion for her role later on in the story.

Guest/Batmd: A Toothless/Ghost scene would be quite funny to write. I'll have to note it down to include later on.

Guest: I can see Hiccup getting a long list of titles and nicknames, but I think he'd play it down whereas Daenerys likes to use them to boast.

Guest: I'm still not sure on whether I'm going to include every dragon, but I don't have every single detail planned out so it wouldn't be hard to add the rest in if I want later down the line.


Chapter 54: Ghost of Harrenhall

Astrid

We were so close, but as sunlight began to fade, we had to rest for the night. The scorched ruins of Harrenhall were within reach, only a few hours ride away, but we couldn't risk it in total darkness. Heather and Valka probably need more time to compose themselves as well. Tomorrow must be a daunting prospect for them both. I just sat and stared into the distance, watching as the tips of men's heads passed along the top of the battlements. Even at this distance, the size of the northern army was clear to see. The entire castle, it seemed, was lit with fires, and the flagpoles carrying the House banners were planted outside the main gates. The direwolf of House Stark stood in the centre, with the flayed man of House Bolton to one side and the red dragon of House Haddock to the other. Other House's sigils were planted further to each side, but those three stood above the rest. Seeing the dragon fly once more warmed me, if just ever so slightly. I couldn't bear watching it fall again.

I was so fixated on what was going on miles away, it took me a moment to register I was no longer alone. Heather slumped down next to me, and leant so her shoulder rested against mine. She was stiff, and I could see the tension in her face as she absently stared out at the castle.

"Nervous?" I asked. Heather jut nodded, and pulled her knees up to her chest.

"What am I supposed to say? To do? What if he hates me?" She sputtered, covering her face with her hands. "Oh, hey Dad, how ya doing? It's just me, your nineteen year old daughter you never knew existed, fancy a chat?" She blathered in a goofy high-pitched voice.

I could barely hold my chuckle, "Don't be so dramatic. He'll love you." As I wrapped my arm around her waist, she rest her head on the side of my neck.

"If you say so," she murmured disparagingly.

"Don't you do that," I snapped. "There is no reason why he wouldn't love you. Sure, he'll be shocked, at first, but then he'll come around. If he doesn't, just bring him to me and I'll knock some sense into him."

"If you say so…What?" She pulled away and sat up to face me, "what do you mean bring him to you. You're coming with me," she demanded.

I placed a firm hand on her shoulder, "You know I can't do that. Your father might be honourable. The high Lords might be honourable. The King in the north might be honourable. That doesn't mean they won't lock me up the second I get near the castle. I'm a Hofferson. At the very least, I'll be a valuable hostage."

"That won't happen," Heather protested, shaking her head adamantly.

"There's a high possibility it will. I may be treated fairly, but with the thousands of men there, the truth is that it just isn't safe," I replied dejectedly.

"I'm a Hofferson as well, you'll be safe with me," Heather urged again. There was panic behind her eyes, and I couldn't help but feel guilty. She must stay with her family, and I need to be with mine.

"Your father will protect you. Me, on the other hand, why should they protect me?" I asked her. She attempted to answer, but all that came out was a defeated sigh. "If Hiccup was here, maybe that would have been enough leverage for me to stay, but he's not."

"So you're just going to leave?" Heather asked, as she closed her eyes and dropped her head.

"He wanted me to keep you and his mother safe. I've done that. But this…" I turned and pointed towards Harrenhall, "…this is where you belong. Be with your family. You never know how much time you have left with them." I began to stand up, but as I rose to my feet, Heather pulled me into a tight embrace.

"Then I'm coming with you!" She exclaimed loudly. "I won't let you just go off into danger alone. I won't!" Come with me, are you serious Heather?

"No. You need to be with your parents. They'll protect you better than I ever could. With them you'll be safe," I stated bluntly.

"BUT YOU WON'T BE!" She yelled, and I could feel her shaking against me, as she snivelled against my shoulder, "I can't lose you too."

"Hey. Hey. You won't lose me," I reassured her, pulling her in closer. "But we're too close for you to run now. You need to see your father. I won't stop you doing that."

Heather composed herself, and then pulled away slowly. "You're right. I can't leave without at least giving him a chance. But after I've seen him, me and you can go back to your castle. Just wait here for a day or two, then I'll come back here and I'll go with you."

"Heather, I…"

"Please Astrid, my mum will be safe with Stoick, I hope so anyways. But you will be alone. At least together we can make it back. We have to protect one another. That's how this works," she professed boldly.

"Are you sure?" I asked gingerly.

"I am," she answered firmly, eyes filled with determination. I let out a deep breath, but gave a small nod.

"Okay," I reluctantly agreed.

"Okay? Does that mean you're with me?" She giggled excitedly.

"If this is what you want?" I asked once more. Last chance to back out Heather.

"YES!" She squealed. "But you have to wait for me. You better believe I'll chase after you, if you're not here when I return."

"I promise I'll wait for you," I smiled, but my eyes flicked past Heather to the sombre looking Valka sat by the fire. I turned back to Heather, "I think you better talk to your mother, this will be especially hard for her. Especially now you're not going to be staying." Heather nodded, giving me one last smile, before she turned and headed towards Valka. As darkness finally fell, I returned to sitting on the soft grass. My gaze drifted from the castle's outline to the full moon that shone above. I hope I'm not making a mistake taking her with me. If she gets hurt, I could never forgive myself.


Stoick

The room was loud and the arguing was already giving me a headache, even this early in the morning. King Robb was scanning the map of Westeros on the table, where key locations and strategic positions had been pinpointed, but the other Lords were simply squabbling among themselves.

"ENOUGH!" Robb finally yelled, when Lord Bolton's and Lord Karstark's argument had pushed it too far. "Two hundred northmen were butchered here, and all you're doing is arguing like children. We need to get justice, and we can't do that if we're at each other's necks. The Lannisters have been running from us since Oxcross, and they'll keep running. We need to draw them out into the open, where we can surround them and kill them." Robb said frimly, prodding at the map firmly.

The Lords were all nodding in agreement, and it still amazed me what a great leader Robb had become. Younger than Hiccup, but yet he was comfortable leading men double his age with decades of experience. It only seems like yesterday the King and my son were playing in the courtyard of Winterfell together. How times have changed. Maybe one day, Hiccup can finally step up. I know he has it in him, I just hope I can get back to see it. My eyes drifted down to a spot on the map, west of our position, where Robb was pointing.

"Is that where the Mountain is?" I asked him. He looked up and gave me one swift nod, as he pressed his finger against the specific location.

"There are still small Lannister contingents all around the Riverlands right now, but this place, this is where we will find Tywin's mad dog. If Lord Edmure stays put, we will be able to crush the Mountain's small garrison at this mill, and have his head on a spike. Once he's gone, we have free reign to march south," Robb declared.

"Your Grace, couldn't we just give the command to Lord Edmure to take the Tully forces and go after the Mountain?" Lord Bolton suggested.

"We do that…" Robb started, shaking his head. "We do that and he can run. We need him cornered. Then there will be nowhere left to run."

"Unless you let him go with a slapped wrist, as you did the Kingslayer?" Lord Karstark muttered bitterly under his breath.

Robb zeroed in on the older Lord, who's eyes were filled with contempt. "What was that, my Lord?" Robb growled.

"Nothing, your Grace," Lord Karstark replied sourly, running a hand through his long, dishevelled beard. Robb took a step towards the man with clenched fists, but resisted the urge to argue any further and just returned to staring at the map for any hidden advantage.

A few minutes of silence passed, as everyone crowded around the table trying to work out the best possible way to put the plan into action. The loud clattering of footsteps coming towards the room snapped everyone's eyes to the door, and everyone stared intently towards the entrance. Three knocks in rapid succession struck the wood and a squire came rushing in. He offered the King a quick bow, before he turned to face me. I looked at him puzzled, and he seemed to take a moment to catch his breath. The words that finally came out of his mouth, however, drew my blood to the boil instantly. "Lord Haddock, there's someone who has demanded to see you. She says she's your wife."

"MY WIFE?" I bellowed, slamming my fists so hard on the table that anything not attached to the map jumped up from the surface. A few of the other Lords backed off a stance, and my face almost immediately burned red. My knuckles glowed bright white as I clenched my fists even tighter. With my teeth gritted, my heavy breathing sounded only as heavy bursts venting from my nose, as I glared daggers at the squire. He looked terrified, and I had to calm myself down to not give the poor lad a heart attack. It's not his fault. I know that. "My wife has been dead for nearly twenty years," I finally grunted. "But bring this imposter to me. They will pay for this."

"My Lord…" Robb started.

"…Bring this imposter to me," I repeated louder to the squire, who nodded sharply and rushed back through the door.

"Lord Stoick, I know that this isn't what you want to hear, but I think we have bigger things to deal with than this, right now," Robb said calmly. I looked over to the open door, then back to the King.

"I know. It's just… I can't believe that someone would be that sick they would even do something like this," I growled with such rage that I missed the shadow sweeping across the room. "I mean, what kind of vile, spiteful, twisted…" I began, but as I turned my head back towards the door, I had to blink ten times before I could actually take in what I was seeing. A ghost. Valka. My Valka. It can't be. No, this is a trick. This is a lie. I saw her lifeless body. She died. This must be a dream. This can't be real. It's not real. Wake up, Stoick. This can't be real.

My hands were shaking at my side, and I physically rocked back and had to grab onto the table to support myself. I couldn't take my eyes off of her. Just like every other part of me, they were paralyzed, and I couldn't even speak. She looked warily around at the other Lords, but slowly began to move into the room. Her hair flowed seamlessly down the back of her leather coat, just like when she was younger. Her eyes were still bright purple, and as full of life as they had always been. "V-Val?" I managed to croak out, but the sound was weak and barely above a whisper. She must have heard, as she gave the faintest of smiles, but then and a tear trickled down her cheek.

Only then did I see a second figure enter cautiously into the room, almost hiding behind Valka. I had to squint to get a better view, but when she popped her head out shyly, it was as if I had gone back to the day me and Val first met. The young woman wore her hair exactly like Val used to, only that this girl's was more black than Val's chestnut brown. Her eyes were a bright luminous green like my son's and the way she hugged Val's arm could surely only meant one thing. Is this her daughter? With a million questions flooding my brain, I somehow managed to force myself to take a step forward. Then another. Then another. "Valka? How?" I mumbled, as I pushed myself closer towards her. I didn't get an answer, but instead she just barrelled towards me and planted her head firmly into my shoulder as she wrapped my arms around me. I pulled her in close, rocking her gently. The feeling of warmth against my skin so foreign, yet so natural, but then I felt something more. I didn't even realise what it was for a moment, until the sound of her crying explained the dampness soaking through my shirt. As she wept, I had no idea what to do, especially when the only words she kept repeating were 'I'm sorry.'

I just closed my eyes and held her. I could hear people shuffling past us, and when I finally opened my eyes, me, Valka and the young woman with her, were the only ones left in the room. I slowly led her across towards the table, pulling out a chair so she could take a seat. The girl rushed to her side and clutched her hand tightly, as I pulled a chair around and sat across from them. I reached my hand across and took her free one within mine, but as I did so, she looked up at me with tearstained cheeks, "I'm so sorry."

"You don't have to be sorry," I smiled at her, "I don't know how you're here, but all I care about is that you are. Gods I've missed you Val. I still don't believe this is real."

"I couldn't protect him. It's a mother's job, and I couldn't protect him," she blubbered, as another tear rolled the full length of her face, all the way down to her chin.

"Don't blame yourself. I don't know what happened all those years ago, but somehow you're back. We can go home. Be a proper family again," I said optimistically, but then she dragged her hands away and used both to cover her face.

"You don't get it!" She snapped.

"Get what? What's wrong?" I asked. Am I missing something completely obvious here?

"THERE'S NO HOME TO GET BACK TO!" She roared, before she burst into tears once more. The girl wrapped her arms around her, but even that didn't halt the stream flowing down Val's cheeks.

"What do you mean?" I asked once more, but this time it wasn't Valka who replied.

"Dragon's edge… It's gone," the younger woman said bluntly. Gone. GONE?

"What do you mean... Gone?" I questioned, narrowing my eyes at the raven-haired girl.

"We were then, when it fell. The Ironborn came, and it was twenty men against hundreds. Hiccup got us out, but…" She started, but couldn't finish and instead just stared at the ground.

"But?" I asked in a panic. No. No. He's not dead. He's not. I'd know. Surely I'd feel it if he was gone. I got no response, so I repeated it, more aggressively this time, "BUT?"

"He…He never made it out. We watched the banner fall, and we waited and we waited but he never came. Now I'll never see my brother again," she whimpered. No. This isn't true. I don't believe it. And the last thing I ever did was shout at him. I looked ashamedly down at the floor, but I couldn't hide the tear that had escaped. I just sat there in silence, trying to process it all. Brother? She said Brother. So, she is Val's daughter. The girl looked at least mid-to-late teens, so she must have been born not long after my wife 'died.'

My eyes were flicking between the two women, and when Val finally looked up, she must have noticed. "Stoick, this is… this is my daughter, Heather." Valka said, pausing midway through as she turned to Heather and they locked hands again.

"So you remarried?" I asked quietly, not really wanting to get the confirmative answer. All those years I mourned you, all those years I hated myself for not being strong enough to protect you and you were out there all along. No word to tell me you were alive. No single shred of evidence to stop my believing you were dead. How could you do this to me? Despite every thought that made me want to hate her, I couldn't dare do anything lose her again.

"Yes, but…" she replied instantly, "I think it's time I tell you the truth," she sighed. I just nodded, and leaned forward as she began to speak. She told me how close she and Hiccup had come to dying in the castle at the end of the rebellion, and that she realised she would have to leave to stop putting me and Hiccup in danger. She told me how she wrote the letter for him to open if she didn't make it, and then she told the whole story of how she faked her own death.

"You should have told me Val, I would have done everything to protect you," I said, as her eyes softened and she nodded.

"I knew you would, that's why I couldn't tell you. If I stayed, we'd all be dead by now. When I left the edge, I rode hard for the west coast, and boarded a boat at White Harbor. Then I sailed to the south, and stayed with Lord Arthur and Lady Ingrid for a few months. After that I went across the narrow sea.."

"Lord Arthur and Lady Ingrid? So you stayed with the Hoffersons? And all this time, they never said a word to me. They wanted to unite our two houses and they couldn't even tell me my wife was alive!" I scowled.

"Bit late for that," Heather chuckled under her breath.

"What?"

"Nothing," she smirked, stealing a glance at her mother.

"Anyway," Val said firmly, "On the boat journey down there, I started feeling sick. I assumed it was just because I was at sea, but it persisted even after we had docked. When I saw the maester at the Hofferson castle, he told me that…" She paused, and I caught her sneaking a look at her daughter. Her daughter that looks a year or two younger than Hiccup, at most. The daughter that shares the hereditary Haddock eye colour, just like Hiccup. The daughter that… My eyes were already widening, and as she finished, I felt as if I was about to faint. "He told me that I was pregnant. Heather, she's your daughter, Stoick…"