I'm back! Finally! It's only been over a year, give or take six months lol.

I've been focused on so many other projects, both fanfiction and not. But I've missed writing what started it all for me on this site, and I'm done ignoring my baby. Forgive me if this chapter feels disjointed, I literally threw myself back into it. I've also begun polishing up the first installments, so expect updated/edited chapters from all four stories (Fireborn, Desert Embers, Flares of Freedom, and Blazing Liberation).

Alright. In this chapter we have a bit of everything. it follows the plot of episode eight of season 4, but of course is expanded on since Jae gets her own story in all this. One part of the question is answered, and a secret is revealed that rocks Jae to her core.

As always, all I own is Jae, Davvi, and Vimor. If it's in quptes and italicized, it's Valyrian. Bold is Dothraki, though I haven't used it in this chapter.

"Jae! Jae!" A small voice shouts, and I look around the library. I've been in here all day, first reading about prophets to help me learn more about my strange dreams. It wasn't as helpful as I'd hoped. My work really began when I ventured past my usual shelves to the last large wall. It was full of scrolls - all of them records of slavery laws, including the names of the slavers. I've spent the past few hours going over the first scroll, searching for information for the men responsible as I write my notes on a blank piece of parchment.

It's been over a fortnight since Daario was sent to Yunkai. From the letters he's sent, I can only assume the wave of slavers itching to own again has begun to settle. I wish I could be there, helping. My sister has her reasons for keeping me here. I know this, I understand. But it hasn't stopped me from also believing I'm needed in Yunkai.

Of course, it's the small voice shouting for me that reminds me what's most important. Vimor, the wild thing who seems to have escaped his guardian for the afternoon; Ser Barristan.

I peer around, frowning. Perhaps Ser Barristan's just distracted by Robb, the older man having taken him under his wing to help rebuild the Stark's strength. He's good with him - patient when the younger man closes himself off in fear, encouraging and believing in him no matter his temperament. My sister made a few faces when she first learned of Ser Barristan's mentorship, but when I told her it made me happy to see Robb progressing even after a few days she let it go. Well, I'm sure she's still against it. She's been kind enough to keep those opinions to herself.

"Vimor, what is it? Did something happen? Are you hurt?" I ask, setting down my quill I rise from the chaise.

The child I've come to think of as my own pants, catching his breath. I crouch down and take his hands in patience. When he's recovered, Vimor smiles.

"No. Am not hurt. It is Robb."

My eyes grow wide. "What happened?"

"He takes a bath! Not short, long!" The boy gleefully shouts. "He is bathing, Jae!"

I blink. "What?" Robb's been bathing, yes, but from what the healers have told me they rarely last longer than a few minutes. "How long of a bath?"

"Nearly an hour. Cut hair, too!"

"Oh." I tilt my head. "He asked for a haircut?"

"Yes!" Vimor insists. "Trimmed beard. He smiled!"

"Oh." I repeat, letting the news wash over me like a gentle wave.

"Vimor, where did you run off to?" I jolt at the voice, Vimor huffing in irritation.

"Told you! Finding Jae!" He shouts back, the shy child I first met only a distant memory.

"Yes, well, I'm not familiar with this place like you are, so I'd appreciate - oh, Princess Jaenarys. Jae."

I blink up at Robb, mouth slightly ajar. The man's hair has indeed been cut, now reaching just below his chin. It falls in auburn curls, no longer tangled at the ends. His beard is almost the same length as Daario's, though it's trimmed a little shorter. Our walks in Meereen have helped brighten his complexion, and for the first time since he was brought to Essos, Robb looks like the man I saw in my vision. "Robb." I exhale, smiling gently. "You look good."

The tips of his ears flush red, my stomach fluttering like it's filled with dragons. "Thank you, Jae." He glances around, suddenly looking remorseful. "I'm sorry, are you busy? I didn't mean to interrupt, I was just making sure Vimor wasn't missing."

I eye the little boy, who grins up at me. I'm too happy that the child I've taken in looks unafraid of potential punishment to scold him. I never want to fill him with doubt of his safety, and this brings me faith that I've succeeded this much. "He just wanted to tell me the good news." I stroke the Vimor's hair and kiss his forehead, smiling when he wraps his arms around my middle. "And don't worry, I'm not busy. Just doing a bit of reading."

"Oh. Good. Not that you need to read. I mean, it's good that you can! I just -"

"Robb?" I quietly interrupt, smiling as I peak over Vimor's head.

Robb lets out a flustered laugh. "Sorry."

"You have nothing to apologize for."

Vimor releases me in favor of running over to the shelves of texts. He runs his hands over the scrolls and bound books, curiously feeling the texture and reading what he can see. The scholars, translators, Missandei, and I haven't just been teaching the freed slaves common tongue. In the recent weeks we've become more focused on reading in both High and Low Valyrian. Merchants and various visitors may be easier to converse with in the common tongue - depending on who's visiting - but everyone deserves to know how to read and write in their own language.

"What are you reading? Aside from the whole library." Robb gently teases me, nodding down at the piles of books nearly toppling off the table.

"A few texts on prophets. Most of them are about the history of Meereen and Essos." I explain, lifting up a scroll. "And this is one of the earliest slave laws written in Meereen." Shaking my head, it goes right back to it's spot on the table. "The rest of the collection," I nearly spit at the word, "takes up five long walls. I'm seriously considering using them to feed the fireplace."

"So why haven't you?" Robb questions, though it isn't accusatory.

"I want to read them all." Lifting up a parchment and my quill, I gesture back to the scroll. "I'm copying down the names of those who wrote the laws. I want to keep a record of every person responsible for allowing men, women, and children to be owned and treated worse than livestock. Those who come after us need to know what was done, and need to know just what we did to these monsters."

Robb hums. "That's a lot of names. It could take a long time."

"It's worth it." I tell him as I finish writing the last two names from the first scroll.

Minas of House Pahl, who allowed for slaves to be whipped at their master's behest, unclothed as to teach a permanent lesson. His descendant, Thesus Pahl, voted for the nailing of children to the mile posts as directions to Meereen. He in turn was nailed to a post around the city, his eyes plucked out by birds.

I write it in High Valyrian, Low Valyrian, and common tongue. I want everyone to be able to read exactly what these men did. "There. All done. Now I'm really not busy."

"I'm fine, there's no need for you to entertain me if you want to get more work done." Robb argues, but his heart isn't in it. My eyes meet his and I send him a patient frown.

"What happened?"

Robb shakes his head. "Nothing." Not wanting to push, I nod and glance over at Vimor. He's picked out a book, and I watch as he struggles through reading the first page. He doesn't give up, though. "My family." I look at Robb, watching as he stares blankly down at his hands. "I'm thinking of my family. Talisa and our unborn baby. What my life would have been like had I honored the deal I made with Walder Frey. So many are dead because of my mistake. My siblings are left across the Narrow Sea to survive on their own, if they're even still alive." He shakes his head before burying it in his hands. "If my father could see me now. 'The lone wolf dies, but the pack survives' indeed. I've failed him, and my people. I cost us the war." We sit in silence, both of us watching Vimor walk around the library. After a few tense moments, he continues speaking. "I loved her. Truly and deeply. But I cannot forgive myself for what became of it."

"Robb?" I ask, voice barely a whisper. He looks down at me, startled.

"Yes?"

With an inhale, I slowly place my hand over his. "Your crime was falling in love. It is the greedy who hold the most blame."

"It was selfish of me to love her." He argues.

"That doesn't make you greedy." Removing my hand, I glance towards Vimor again. "I would do anything I could to keep the people I love safe. I've done it before, and I'll do it again. I don't doubt that you would've done everything possible to keep your family from harm. Sure as the sun rises and sets, I know you fought for them. Don't tarnish Talisa's memory. Allow yourself to remember all the reasons you loved her." I sigh. "Love isn't a weakness - I mean, of course it can make you weak. But you can draw strength from it as well. My love for my family keeps me human. I think it keeps me sane."

"What do you mean?"

I inhale and glance over at Robb, shifting my weight so I'm facing him completely. "What did you think when you first saw me?"

He tilts his head. "That you're a Targaryen?"

I nod. "I'm not blind to the madness that runs in my family. Inbreeding only fueled the fire." I wrinkle my nose. "I saw you, you know. The horrified expression on your face when you realized who my sister and I are. You didn't just think 'Targaryen'. You thought of the madness, and Aerys, and death."

"Jae-"

"I'm not just a Targaryen. I'm one of the last. I have a dragon, my sister has three. She wants to reclaim our throne. That will mean death, and dragonfire. I don't want there to be any madness, too." I stare off into nothing, remembering each and every man I'd cut down in battle. "I've killed."

"As have I." I look at Robb.

"That's different -"

"No. It isn't. We may have been fighting different battles, but there's probably more blood on my hands than yours." He inhales. "You're a Targaryen. Right down to your white hair and purple eyes. Yes, I was scared. I nearly shit myself. I thought I'd traded one cruel fate for a worse one. I saw you with your swords and your anger, and I readied myself for the notion that I'd soon be dead." Robb smiles. "But it never came. Your anger was not towards me, but the slavers. All you've been is kind to me. I admit, it took me far longer to see just how big your heart is. I'm sorry for that."

Before I can respond, a yelp fills the library. "Jae, Jae!" Vimor shouts. I stand up and rush over to him, nearly tripping over my dress in my haste.

"What's wrong?"

"Cut!" He holds up his finger, and I frown.

"Give me the name of the book that did this. I shall slice its binding."

Vimor giggles. "No, Jae."

"Has the book apologized?"

"Yes!" He laughs again. I hum and lift the skirt of my dress, ripping off a piece of red fabric to wrap it around his finger. He holds up the crudely bandaged wound and I kiss it, just as Dany and I would each other's injuries all those years ago.

"Better?"

"Yes. Thank you, Jae." Vimor skips off to the other end of the library and I straighten, jumping when I notice Robb hovering behind me. He just stares at me like I'm a stranger, like it's his first time seeing me. It's so different from how he looked in my sister's throne room. There's a light in his eyes that wasn't there before.

"What?" I ask, crossing my arms.

Robb smiles, then shakes his head. "There's absolutely nothing mad about you."

I blush and look towards Vimor. "For now."

Wood clacks against wood. The room is thick with hot air, my opponent and myself breathing harshly. My bones ache like never before, my whole body drenched in sweat. I grit my teeth and fight harder, trying my best to ignore the Unsullied behind the walls of Meereen.

My sister had kept her word to Hizdahr zo Loraq. As I spar, our army is taking the former Masters down from their posts, to be buried. I understand why, I'm even sure it's right. Everyone joins the earth eventually. But most of those men were responsible for horror beyond measure. I don't like acquiescing to the requests of former slavers.

Jorah clips me in the ribs and grunt, grabbing the would-be wound. "Focus, little dragon."

"I'm trying."

"No." He grunts as he blocks my attack. "You're distracted. The moment your mind takes you out of the fight is the moment you lose." I yelp as he swings up, quick to parry. Jorah sighs and steps back, lowering his weapon. I do the same, reclipping my hair as he crosses his arms. "What's on your mind?"

"Loraq. The slavers. Yunkai. Take your pick." I snipe bitterly, going over to the table to pour myself some water. I do the same for my friend, who accepts it with a quiet thanks.

"I suppose it wouldn't do you any good to be reminded that all three are out of your control?" He questioned with a warm smile. I scoff. "The only thing you can control at this moment is the swing of your blade."

"Is it really a blade if it's made of wood?" I question. He rolls his eyes and wipes at his forehead with a cloth. I do the same, rubbing it on my arms and the back of my neck as well. It comes back soaked and I wrinkle my nose. "One more round?"

Jorah sighs and nods, walking back to the center of our training room. I join him, spinning my sword behind my back before holding it up in position. With a quirk of his lips, Jorah shifts his weight and lunges. I parry and spin, blocking once more as he goes for my throat. I turn as he attacks, our blades clashing behind my back as he twists. One well placed kick to the back of my knee has me crumpling, and it's sheer luck that I catch his blade with my own before it comes down on my neck again. I roll over my shoulder and onto my feet, body leaning forward as I meet his attack head on.

"Good. Remember, focus on only what you can control - yourself."

I nod at his words, lifting my sword. Jorah grins and attacks. Three swings later and we've disarmed each other, our wooden swords on the ground. Unsure of what to do I shrug. "Tie?"

"I fear it's the best either of us will do." Jorah picks up the blades and goes to put them away. I return to the table, pouring us more water before dabbing at my skin. I smell as though I haven't bathed in a fortnight, gagging a little at the scent. Jorah notices and laughs, gently patting my shoulder. "I think you're in dire need of a bath, young Princess."

"You're probably right." I laugh, then groan as it jostles my sore ribs. "Would we be able to cancel our training tomorrow?"

"Of course. I don't want you to burn out, or your sister will have my head."

"I'm a dragon, remember? I don't burn."

Jorah snorts. "Go bathe, Jae." I bow my head and start to walk away. "Jae?"

"Yes, Jorah?" I ask, turning around. He sends me a soft smile, eyes shining.

"I'm proud of you, young dragon."

Blushing at his words, I hurry out of the room and back to my own chambers. Too strung to want to be around anyone else, I prepare my bath alone. It takes a while, but it's worth it as I sink into the steaming water, my muscles already relaxing. I dip underneath and rise back up, rubbing sweet scented oils into my wet hair, massaging any part of my body I can reach. Davvi chirps from the balcony and I grin, watching her stick her head through the doorway.

"I am fine, love. Only sore."

As I speak to my dragon, my mind drifts to yet another thing distracting me from my duties.

I smile up at the sky, arms crossed under my head. The blades of grass tickle my bare skin, the sun warming me to the bone. A dragon flies high above me, but it's not Meraxes. Her scales are black, her wings tinted bronze. She dips into the water and back out, spinning through the air to shake off the excess liquid. Davvi lands beside me, puring. She's larger than before, her body as long as the boulders behind her. She snuffs, smoke billowing out of her nose. I smile and pat her snout, stroking soothingly.

"You are good with her."

I hum and roll my head away from Davvi. Rhaenys smiles, propping herself up on one hand while the other rests on Meraxes's paw. "She makes it easy. It's as though I've known her longer. I can't imagine my life without her, now, and I can't help but wonder what my childhood would've been like had she been by my side. Probably easier. Less lonely, even with Dany by my side. But Viserys -"

"Was no dragon." Rhaenys cuts in. "A would-be conqueror, one my Aegon would have despised. He was weak. You are strong."

"I try to be."

Rhaenys rises to her feet, holding up her hand. "Come." In a blink, we are on top of a mountain, our dragons flying around us. Below us stands a large city, a wall separating it from the sea. It's no place I've come across yet, though there's still so much I haven't seen.

"Westeros. King's Landing, to be specific. There." Rhaenys lifts my hand and points it towards a formidable castle. "The Red Keep. Home to the Kings and Queens of Westeros, and our beloved Iron Throne." She scoffs. "My brother and sister cared more for it than the people we were meant to lead."

"You were a good ruler." I tell her. "I read about you. Viserys made sure Dany and I at least knew where we came from. You were always my favorite of your siblings. You're memory helped shape me, I think."

She smiles and cups my cheek. "I know."

We sit in silence, and then I turn to her. "If I asked one question about all this, would you answer truthfully?"

"It depends on the question."

"What makes me so special?" I finally ask. "I'm nobody. I'm barely a princess. So why me?"

"Why not you?" Rhaenys counters. I glower. "You never needed more."

I pause. "I don't understand -"

Rhaenys shushes me, taking my hands in her own. "All you ever wanted, you knew you had. You crave adventure, yes. But you don't wish to rule, and cover it up with aspirations of returning to a home you never knew. All you have is enough for you, and that is something rare." She smiles. "That is what makes you special." I chew on my lip. "You will understand in time. You are good, my Jaenarys. Do not forget this."

"Jae?" I gasp and splash at the water in shock, mind back in my body. "It's Missandei."

"Come -" I cough. "Come in."

The door clicks open and my friend enters, bowing to Davvi who nods her head back. I smile at the sight, but my glee fades as I take in the look on Missandei's face. "Deia?"

She inhales sharply, then her face crumples. "I'm so sorry, Jae. It's - it's about Jorah." I pale and rise, watching Missandei explain without really hearing her.

Jorah. Spy. Traitor. Liar.

I stand at my sister's side, refusing to look down at the entrance of the throne room. My sister exudes raw anger. I haven't seen her like this since Qarth, when we were nearly refused by the merchants. This was the promise of fire and blood, of death and suffering. This was rage wrapped in pain.

I just feel broken. Lost. A mix of everything. I want to believe it's a lie, even though Ser Barristan has no reason to lead us astray. The words of Jorah's pardon were clear, as was the signature of the late King Robert Baratheon.

Footsteps march towards us, but I refuse to look down. They continue up the stairs, stopping as Ser Barristan and Grey Worm come forward.

"Why did the usurper pardon you?" Dany asks, voice steady.

"If we could speak alone -"

"No." She bites, and I close my eyes. "We will speak here. Explain it to us."

"Who do you think sent this to Meereen?" Jorah poses in return, voice raspy. "Who profits? This is the work of Tywin Lannister. He wants to divide us. If we're fighting each other, we're not fighting him."

"The pardon was signed the year we met." I respond, eyes opening to gaze at the stone across me.

"Why were you pardoned?" My sister asks when more words fail to spill from my lips. "Unless you're saying this document was forged."

"It is not forged."

My breath hitches, and my lips trembled. Still, I stand tall. "Why, then?" Dany questions.

"I sent letters to Varys." Jorah confesses. "The spymaster of King's Landing."

"What was the content of these letters?"

"Information." Another stab to my heart, sharper than any blade.

"What information?" Dany speaks with a clear - but dangerous - tone.

"When you, Jaenarys, and Viserys arrived in Pentos." Jorah's voice wavers. "His plan to marry you to Khal Drogo. When you were married. When your brother died."

"You told him I was carrying Drogo's child?"

Jorah inhales sharply. "I -"

"Yes or no?"

"Khaleesi."

"Don't call me that. Did you tell him I was carrying Drogo's child?"

"Yes."

Daenerys rises, brushing past me. Her fingers trail briefly over mine, a small comfort. "That wine merchant tried to poison me because of your information." She begins her descent.

"I stopped you from drinking his wine." Jorah tries.

Dany scoffs. "Because you knew it was poisoned."

"I suspected."

"You betrayed me from the first. You betrayed us."

"Forgive me." Jorah pleads. "I never meant - please, Khaleesi. Little Princess. Forgive me." He begs, but I can't look at him. I won't. That would make this all real.

"You sold my secrets to the man who killed our father -"

"I have protected you -"

"And stole our brother's throne."

"Fought for you, killed for you -"

"And you want me to forgive you?" She spits out.

Jorah sighs. "I have loved you."

"Love?" My sister scoffs. "Love? How can you say that to me? Any other man, and I would have you executed. But you, I don't want you in my city dead or alive. Go back to your masters in King's Landing. Collect your pardon if you can."

Jorah's belt clinks as he walks up the stairs. "Daenerys, please -"

Grey Worm and Ser Barristan step forward, and I hear them drawing their blades. "Don't ever presume to touch me again or speak my name. The same for my sister. You have until dusk to collect your things and leave this city. If you're found in Meereen past break of day, I'll have your head thrown into Slaver's Bay. Go. Now."

I close my eyes again, flinching as Jorah's footsteps echo in the throne room. As soon as Dany exhales, I collapse onto myself. Before anyone can stop me I'm rushing out the back of the room, ignoring my sister and Missandei. With tears blinding my vision I stumble through the winding halls, forcing myself through a doorway and onto a balcony facing the mountains. It's only then that I roar, loud and full and pained. All I can see is Jorah - his smile, his words, the lessons he taught me - he was like a father to me, and now he's gone. A traitor, a liar, but I know he loves us. But how could he - why would he -

With a raspy sob I fall to my knees, rocking back and forth as I cover my face with my hands, screaming into my calloused palms.

"Jae?" I sob harder, shoulders shaking as I struggle to breathe. Distantly, I feel two large hands carefully peel mine off my face. Rough thumbs brush under my eyes. More tears fall, snot dripping from my nose and spit on my lips. "What -" I shake my head, frantic. "Shh, shh. Okay. It'll be alright." I shake my head. "I promise. Whatever this is -"

All sense of control lost, I launch myself at Robb, crying into his neck. His arms wrap around me and he holds me close, silent as I get lost in my grief.

Ahhh don't hate me!

As for Jae's reaction to Jorah's banishment - obviously she's hurt. Badly. Like I hope I've shown in past chapters, he really is the closest thing she has to a father. So this isn't a one-and-done thing in terms of her feelings about Dany's decision. She's hurt, yes, but we know Jae. Do you really think she's not going to try and fight for the people she loves? Not to sound like Kaa from The Jungle Book, but please trust in me.