Everything aches and my body feels as if it was split in half. I manage to push myself up into a sitting position, my arms shaking with exertion. My hair hangs down my back in twisted knots and my skin feels clammy and smells strongly of sweat and blood. I can hear the sounds of our Khalasar outside mixed with the screeches of our dragons. I touch the soft mound of my stomach. I get brief flashes of agonizing pain and then the sweet sound of my little Baelor crying and the touch of his silky skin. A baby crying pierces through the warm cocoon of the tent and my breasts tingle, before I feel the familiar leak of milk.
"Yes little one, I know you are hungry." Drogo pushes aside the tent and my heart stutters in my chest. My massive husband, so fierce, holds our tiny babe in his large hands and coos sweetly at him. The babe protests loudly, his fists shaking angrily in the air. My arms long to hold my beautiful little babe when Drogo finally looks up. His eyes brighten and he rushes to my side. He grips me in his arm and holds me tight to his chest, Baelor nestled safely in the crook of his elbow. I wrap my arms tightly around him and breathe in his scent.
"I love you." I squeeze him tighter and brush a kiss to his collarbone. I pull away to look at Baelor and he watches me with a curious look, his violet eyes narrowed. I reach out a hand and gently trail my fingers over his face. He inherited the elegant sweep of his cheekbones from me, but the arch of his nose and sharp chin are all Drogo. His fine silver hair shines in the low light of the brazier. He is breathtaking.
"He's beautiful." I murmur quietly and Drogo smiles.
"Of course he is beautiful, he looks just like his mother." I huff in amusement. Baelor takes this moment to thrash his tiny legs and arms and let out a mighty wail. My breasts ache with milk and I hold out my arms. Drogo carefully hands me Baelor and I hold him close, breathing in his sweet smell.
"Hello little one, I'm your mommy." Baelor blinks at me and slowly places his hand on my cheek. My breath sticks in my lungs and I stare, mesmerized at my little babe. He gurgles and smacks his lips. I place a small kiss to his brow and pull down my vest. Baelor immediately latches onto my nipple and suckles hungrily. I continue to touch my little babe while he feeds, unable to look away from the little miracle in my arms.
"I was worried you would not survive the birth." I look at Drogo and he watches us, a frown twisting his lips.
"I was not sure I would survive either. All I could think about was saving him." Drogo plays with Baelor's foot and he kicks it back and forth for him. My heart hurts just thinking about losing my little Baelor.
"Irri is unsure if you are able to become pregnant again. She also believes that if you were to get pregnant again that you might not survive." The ache between my legs suggested as such but hearing it aloud still stings. I nod slowly, my eyes memorizing Baelor's sweet little face.
"I fear what will happen if you do fall pregnant again." Drogo trails his fingers through my tangled hair and I close my eyes.
"Before I met you I feared nothing. To this day nothing truly frightens me, no beast or man, I can slay any enemy with nothing but steel in my veins." I open my eyes and look at him. He watches me with utter rapture on his face.
"The one thing that freezes the blood in my veins, that steals the air from lungs, is the thought of losing you and our sons." Tears prick my eyes. Drogo cups my cheek in his hand and I lean into his touch.
"The mere thought of losing you destroys me. That is why I need you to promise me something." Tears flow down my cheeks and I nod at him, already suspecting what he wants me to promise.
"I want you to promise to the Great Stallion that you will take the herbs." My heart aches at the thought of never carrying a babe again, but I look down at my little son. Rhaego and Baelor need me. They need their mother and Drogo needs his wife. I trace the curve of his chin and close my eyes. I nod my head and Drogo lets out a whoosh of air.
"Swear to the Great Stallion that you will take herbs for the rest of your bleeding years." I open my eyes and tilt my head to the sky.
"I swear to the Great Stallion and the ancestors that I will be around for years to come." Drogo huffs at my improvised words and wraps his arms around us. I snuggle into his embrace and he kisses my head.
"I'm sorry to force this on you." I pull back to look up at him and looks at me with guilty, shame filled eyes. I place a hand to his cheek and brush a kiss to his pouting lips.
"I chose this for myself. If I objected do you truly think I would agree to it?" I look at him pointedly and Drogo's shoulders release their tension. I pat his cheek and smile slightly.
"This is true. You are very stubborn." I mock scowl at him and he chuckles.
"As much as I love carrying our babes, I know that our sons need me and that you need me. I would never leave you if I could avoid it." Drogo pulls me to him and kisses me fiercely. His lips crush mine and his tongue shoves deep into my mouth. He tastes me and I moan in his arms. My body heats and I tremble in his embrace. He grips my chin, forcing himself deeper, our tongues dancing in unison. Drogo rips his mouth from mine and pants against my throat.
"I love you moon of my life. Always." I kiss his jaw and smile brightly.
"I will always love you my sun and stars." A giggle scream pierces our little bubble and Rhaego rushes into the tent. Irri pokes her head in briefly before shutting the flap behind her. Rhaego hurries to my side and leaps quickly to the furs, before settling between Drogo and I. He watches Baelor with wide, astonished eyes.
"Little brutter?" Rhaego stutters slightly on the word brother and I giggle quietly. I run my hand through his small braid and nod.
"Yes Rhaego this is your little brother, his name is Baelor." Rhaego reaches out a hand to touch Baelor before he stops himself. He looks at me questioningly and I nod. He reaches out to softly poke Baelor's cheek. The babe releases my nipple and watches Rhaego before smiling at him. He gurgles happily and Rhaego giggles sweetly. Rhaego places his head on Baelor and holds his little fist.
"I protect brutter." My heart feels full to bursting with love. I look at Drogo and his eyes shine with tears. I lean against Drogo and we watch, as Rhaego chatters at Baelor.