Please be aware this chapter is a time jump. Rhaego, Baelor and Jiri are older. Rhaego is almost 9, Jirri is 7 and Baelor is 6. Enjoy!
I sit in the shade and watch as Baelor chases Jirri with a worm. She shrieks and runs away from him. He gives chase and giggles devilishly. I sit aside my leathers but before I can tell him it's not nice to chase our friends with wiggly worms, Rhaego shields Jiri and plucks the offending worm from Baelor. He bends down and gently drops it in the soft dirt. Jirri clings to Rhaego's back and he smiles reassuringly at her. She grins shyly at him and he turns his attention back to Baelor. He pulls Jiri from behind him and holds her hand.
"It's not nice to chase our friend with something that scares her. You should say your sorry." Baelor scuffs the tip of his boot in the dirt and looks properly admonished. He pops out his bottom lip and throws his arms around Jirri. She squeaks and her face flushes red. Irri and Alva stop their sewing and watch with amused expressions.
"I'm sorry Jirri. I was only playing and I didn't mean to scare you." Jirri smiles at Baelor and gently hugs him back. Baelor releases Jirri and flings himself at Rhaego. Rhaego smiles indulgently at Baelor and ruffles his hair.
"It's ok little brother. Let's go see if papa has any new hunting tips for us." The boys race away to find Drogo with Jirri following closely behind. I pick up my leathers and reflect back on the time that has passed. It feels almost unreal that my sons are growing up. Rhaego looks more like Drogo everyday. His long black hair twisted into a novices braid and his brave heart. Baelor is my little baby no matter his age and he still occasionally clings to my skirt when he is unsure or frightened. He idolizes Rhaego and tries his very best to be just like him. Rhaego in turn watches out for his baby brother and dotes on him. It warms my heart to see my sons so caring for each other and for others. Jirri is blossoming into a beautiful young woman and I know that Irri and Rakharo couldn't be happier with their sweet daughter.
"It seems almost strange to think so much time has passed. I feel like just yesterday they were squalling babes." Irri muses quietly beside us and her nimble fingers work quickly on a sun dress for Jirri. Alva mends one of Jorah's boots and nods along. I see Drogo weaving between the tents, Baelor and Rhaego swinging from his massive arms, with Rakharo carrying Jirri on his shoulders. The children are full of laughter as Drogo swings them back and forth. They stop in front of us and Drogo leans down to kiss me.
"Papa found old skulls and brought them back for us mama." Gone is the air of seriousness he tries so hard to mimic from Drogo. Instead a boyish smile graces Rhaego's lips and I tickle his sides. He scrunches up his body and giggles sweetly.
"Well don't let me keep you then. I'm sure your impatient for your papa to explain what animal they came from." Baelor wiggles closer to me and I brush a kiss to his cheek. He smiles sweetly at me and I smooth back his silvery hair.
"I'm going to learn everything and tonight I can tell you a story instead." I smile and kiss Rhaego's brow. Baelor nods along, his eyes wide with excitement.
"I expect a full report tonight on your findings." I poke his belly and he laughs. Drogo kisses me again before departing. Jirri sits on Rakharo's shoulders, braiding his hair and chattering about what she hopes to find.
The sun is starting to set and I stand and stretch my tired muscles. We worked all day on our sewing and I am proud to say that I made new tunics for the boys and for Drogo. I bid farewell to Alva and Irri and stop in to make sure our dragons have been fed. I sit with them while they eat, just enjoying the quiet time with my other children. After I've seen them properly fed and I rub their wings for them I head back towards the center of camp. The cool night air blows through my slightly sweaty hair and I close my eyes to enjoy the quietness. I'm startled from my little bubble of peace to the sounds of shrieking. Stampeding shadows with torches race towards camp and I break into a run. That sound can only mean one thing. We are under attack from rival Dothraki. Heart pumping wildly in my chest I push my way through the screams and shouts of our frightened Khalasar. I see our fighters slaying rogue Dothraki but I also see some of our own laying in puddles of their own blood. I search for my family and try to rub the smoke from my eyes. Tents are aflame all around me but I have to keep looking. A frightened scream sounds from my right and I change course, ducking under swinging arakh and grappling warriors. My heart stops in my chest when I see Baelor huddled behind Rhaego as a rogue Dothraki advances on them, his arakh swinging through the air ready to strike down my children. Rhaego shoves Baelor back and raises his tiny blade that Drogo gifted him for his eight name day. My body is moving before my brain registers it. I jump onto his back and drive my dagger into his chest. I sink my teeth into his ear and savagely rip a chunk off. My arm loops around his throat in a choke hold and I pull my dagger free from his chest before driving it back in deeper. My vision flashes red and I stab him until he falls dead to the ground. I spit out the blood pooling in my mouth and grab Rhaego and Baelor. They cling to me, their little bodies trembling with terror.
"Climb on and don't let go." Baelor climbs up my back and clings to me and I grab Rhaego's hand. My hair sticks to my face with blood and my hand is sticky but Rhaego holds tight as Baelor cries quietly against my neck. We run through the camp as we search for Drogo. I spot Irri pinned against a tree, Jirri pressed behind her, shielding her from the two Dothraki warriors advancing on her. She wields a discarded arahk, her arms trembling. I pull my arm back and aim for one of them. My blade strikes true and embeds deep in his neck. The other whirls around and Irri takes her chance. She shoves the arahk into his gut and he staggers forward. I hurry to her side and pull my dagger free before stabbing through his throat. I pull my dagger free and wipe the blood on my leggings.
"Are you alright?" Irri grabs Jirri and presses kisses to her tangled hair. Jirri clings to her mother, her sobs wracking her small frame.
"Yes. Thank you Khaleesi." I hug them briefly and Rhaego holds Jirri's hand. He looks at her sternly.
"It'll be ok Jirri. I won't let anyone hurt you." Jirri wipes at her eyes and nods. Fierce pride surges through me. Drogo will be so proud of our brave little son.
"We have to find Drogo and Rakharo. Have you seen Alva or Jorah?" Irri shakes her head and Jirri scrambles up her back. She picks up her arahk and puts one hand under Jirri to help support her weight. Baelor has stopped trembling against my back. I look at him and he rubs his face on my tunic.
"I'll be brave like Rhaego mommy." I place a kiss to his hand and he tightens his hold on me. He only calls me mommy when he's really scared. Rhaego pats his leg and smiles reassuringly at him.
"I know you will baby. You are both so brave." Baelor smiles a little at my praise. I heft him higher on my back and we hurry to find Drogo.
...
Drogo's POV:
My blood boils with the adrenaline of battle and the fear for my family. I swing my arahk slicing off heads left and right as I search for them. The rogue Dothraki came out of nowhere with the intent of killing my sons. They apparently want to make a name for themselves, at least that's what the rogue said before I ripped out his throat. Rakharo falls back against me and we face off against a horde of enemies. Blood coats my skin and the stench of death fills my nose. I grip my hilt tighter and surge into the fray. I have to end this quickly and find Daenerys and our sons. I can't believe I let us be separated. One of the rogues takes my moment of distraction and an arrow strikes me in the shoulder. I hiss in pain and whirl around and throw a dagger. He falls from his horse, dead before he hits the ground.
"Daddy!" Baelor's voice rings out from the cries of battle and I swing around to see him clinging to Daenerys, his eyes trained on me. Rhaego stands beside her, his small blade poised, ready to fight. Daenerys swings out her dagger and catches a rogue in the chest. He falls back before another one advances, his fist striking her in the cheek before she can move. Baelor cries out again and Rhaego slashes with his blade, his eyes blazing with rage. He stabs his blade into the rogues leg and he howls in pain. Daenerys takes this moment to drive her blade deep in his gut. He gurgles and falls to his knees. Daenerys strikes out, slicing his throat open. I finally clear an opening and rush to them. Daenerys pants and collapses to one knee, sweat and blood glistening on her once pale skin. Rakharo follows close behind and he grabs Irri and Jirri into his arms, holding them tight. Baelor slides off Daenerys and clings to her chest, his eyes wide with terror and his lower lip trembling. Rhaego stands guard over her until I can finally take them all in my arms.
"Moon of my life." Baelor and Rhaego crushed between us, I take her mouth. I kiss her like my life depends on it and she trembles in my embrace. Baelor sniffles and rubs his eyes. Rhaego hugs close to me and I pull away to kiss both of their foreheads, finally feeling like I can breathe again now that I know they are safe. "My brave sons." Rhaego beams with pride and Baelor smiles weakly at me. A cry echoes through the camp, signaling the battle is over. I release my family and look over the fields to see the last of the rogues fleeing. Rakharo murmurs reassurances to his family and we spot Jorah limping beside Alva, one arm slung over her shoulders for support. I look down and see Baelor tugging at my belt.
"I was brave Daddy. I didn't cry once and listened when mommy told me not to let go." I smile at him and rub my hand over his silver braid.
"I know my boy. You did very good." Baelor leans into my touch before once again clinging to Daenerys. She holds him tight and whispers lovingly to him. Rhaego sheathes his tiny blade and looks up at me.
"You were very brave Rhaego. I am so proud of you for protecting your mama and Baelor." Rhaego puffs up his chest and I pat his back. His smile falters before he launches himself into my arms. His small body shakes and I hold him close.
"I was so scared papa." He rubs at his eyes to keep his tears away and I shush him. I rub his back and kiss his hair. I catch Daenerys's eye and she smiles at me. Her eyes roam over my body, looking at my many cuts and contusions no doubt. I gather them all back into my arms and say a silent thank you to the Great Stallion for keeping them alive.