Author's Note: I'm super excited for you guys to read this chapter! Most of it is completely original and I would love to hear what you think of it. Thank you to everyone who favorited and followed my story, but especially to those of you who took the time to review :)
Special thanks to Dannylionthe1st and Maddie Rose!
See the Author's Note at the end of the chapter for a few statements and questions! Enjoy!
Chapter 9: Destiny
Glancing over her shoulder to make sure that no one was following her, Maliya clutched the books from the library tower to her chest as she hurried back to her bedchambers. When she opened the door, she was relieved to see that Robb still wasn't back yet. Feeling that same mixture of curiosity, excitement and fear, she let the books topple onto their small table before grabbing some candles and lighting them.
Taking a deep, calming breath she sat down and began to reach for one of the books detailing the Targaryen history. The flicker of the candle flame caught the corner of her eye, capturing her attention. A flash of the library tower flames formed in her mind's eye, and her heart began pounding for a completely different reason. Almost without realizing what she was doing, Maliya stretched her hand forward, hesitated for a half a second, then let her fingers drift into the flame.
It took a while, but several heartbeats later and Maliya hissed in pain, yanking her hand back and sticking her fingers in her mouth. Alright, so obviously she wasn't fire-proof. So why in the seven hells did she escape unscathed from the library tower?
Shaking the matter from her mind, knowing she may never find the answer, she pulled the book towards her instead, focusing on a problem she could solve. She skimmed through the beginning and the middle of the book, flipping through the pages until she found dates and names that were familiar to her.
257 AC - King Jaehaerys Targaryen II commands the marriage between his son, Prince Aerys II and his sister, Princess Rhaella.
Maliya wrinkled her nose when she read that her grandfather had to marry his own sister. She was glad that she didn't have to continue that tradition at least. Her heart gave a painful pang, sorrow cloaking her like a blanket at the next name that popped out at her.
Prince Rhaegar Targaryen, son of King Aerys and Queen Rhaella Targaryen. Silver-white hair and purple eyes. On the day that he is born, Summerhall burns to the ground and King Aegon V Targaryen and his eldest son, Prince Duncan Targaryen are killed.
She never knew that her father was born of blood and fire. There was so much that she wanted to know about him… and so much that she was afraid to find out. Not that she ever would now.
Her grandfather, King Aerys, was crowned in 262 AC, but what Maliya read next made her frown. After her father was born, Queen Rhaella suffered three miscarriages, two stillborn births and three babies who only lived a few months to a year over the next seventeen years. Maliya didn't yet understand what it was like to be a mother, but she didn't believe that anyone should go through losing eight babies.
Shaking off the emotional pain that Queen Rhaella must have gone through, she continued to read.
Prince Viserys Targaryen, son of King Aerys and Queen Rhaella – Maliya's eyes froze on the name, dumbstruck, feeling like she had just been hit in the head with something heavy. Her father had a younger brother. And she had an uncle. He was only a few years older than her, which was strange, but the mysterious letter writer was correct, it seems. The letter also mentioned…
Maliya's eyes skipped ahead a bit for a mention of a daughter, when her own name caught her eye, which might have been even more strange to read in a book than the fact that she might still have family alive.
Princess Rhaenys Targaryen, daughter of Rhaegar Targaryen and Elia Martell. Has an appearance similar to that of her mother. Black hair, brown eyes, olive skin. Killed at three years of age during Robert's Rebellion.
Prince Aegon Targaryen, daughter of Rhaegar Targaryen and Elia Martell. Has an appearance similar to that of his father. Silver-white hair, purple eyes and pale skin. Killed as an infant during Robert's Rebellion.
Maliya's sorrow deepened when she came across her brother's name. She had nightmares, sometimes, where she heard the wail of an infant, the sound of a man's grunt and the terrible crunch of his fragile skull hitting the wall. She had a hard time wrapping her mind around the kind of monster that would murder a helpless, innocent baby and then rape and murder it's mother with the blood and brains still on his hands. Her hands were clenched on top of the table. Gregor Clegane deserved a special, slow and painful death and she prayed that it would come soon.
It took her longer than it should have, but Maliya eventually managed to get her rage and sadness under control in order to remember what she should be looking for.
Princess Danaerys Tagaryen, daughter of King Aerys and Queen Rhaella. Silver-white hair and purple eyes. She is born on Dragonstone after Robert's Rebellion during a great storm. Her mother dies during childbirth.
During the assault on Dragonstone by Stannis Baratheon, Viserys and Danaerys were nowhere to be found. Location is believed to be somewhere in Braavos.
Mind whirling, Maliya sat back in her chair, her expression stunned. An aunt and an uncle… the letter was right after all. They may have been half a world away, but she was not the last Targaryen. Relief filled her at first, relief that she wasn't alone, but that quickly faded, replaced with worry and uncertainty. If the Targaryen madness really existed, then what if her aunt and uncle were as crazy as their father apparently was? Another voice in her head spoke up. Did it really matter? Maliya would probably never meet these people, so was it really her problem if they were mad?
After crossing the room to where she had tossed her cloak on the bed, she rummaged in the pocket for the letter and hurried back to sit at the table to read it once more by candlelight even though she had already memorized it.
… a pact made of ice and fire… She had already found the answer to that riddle.
…your aunt and uncle across the sea… Still surprising, but also true – if they were still alive all these years later. It was the last riddle that was confusing her.
Dragons have been known to survive the ice and snow… What dragon has had to survive in the north? Could the person who had written this letter tied two of his or her riddles together? The information that Maliya had learned from the Pact of Ice and Fire mentioned Prince Jacaerys Targaryen flying on his dragon, Vermax, to Winterfell to treat with Lord Cregan Stark. Could Vermax be the dragon the writer was talking about?
With another stunned jolt, Maliya realized that Lord Tyrion had also mentioned Jacaerys and his dragon along with a rumor about a missing batch of dragon eggs. Maliya mentally hit herself, unable to believe that she didn't recognize the name sooner.
A strong surge of excitement and determination suddenly filled her, her eyes lighting up and a grin beginning to cross her face. She stood tall, walking over to the fireplace and tossing the letter inside, watching it burn and disintigrate.
Maliya wanted to find those dragon eggs. But how? Winterfell was a very large castle, and any clues as to where they might be hidden would have burned down in the library tower. They were still sorting through the wreckage to see if any of the books had survived the fire, and who knew how long that would take. Was she just supposed to start opening doors and drawers?
She sat back on the edge of the bed, staring into the flames as she wracked her brain as to figure out where to start. Nothing came to her, however, and it sent a mixture of frustration and hopelessness through her. Rubbing her hands wearily over her face, she gave it up for the night and began to get ready for bed. While she had no idea how to find those dragon eggs, she did know one thing. Whoever had written that letter had given her some incredibly useful information that was meant to help her. She was willing to admit to herself that the writer might actually be a friend instead of someone who would let the world know her secret.
She found herself hoping that he or she would write her again soon. She was going to need all the help she could get.
"Good morning, Rickon," Maliya greeted, ruffling his unruly hair as she slid into the seat next to him.
Rickon playfully smacked her hand away, looking up at her with an actual smile. "Hi, Maliya!" He replied cheerfully, picking up his water and finishing it. "Bye, Maliya!"
Maliya frowned, watching him clamber off the bench. Shaggydog, who had been lying patiently under the table at his feet, leapt up at once, watching his Master faithfully. "You're leaving already?" She asked in dismay. "Now who am I going to break my fast with?"
The boy looked around, his eyes lighting up when he saw someone approaching. "Maester Luwin!" he told her with a grin, before taking off with Shaggydog.
Shaking her head with an exasperated smile, she began to pile her plate with food, pausing to look up at Master Luwin when he stopped in front of the head table. "Maester Luwin," she smiled politely, taking a bite of bacon. "To what do I owe this pleasure? If you're looking for Robb, I'm afraid he's not awake yet."
Maester Luwin gave her a small smile. "I'm here for you actually, My Lady. Robb has been working hard, he deserves a morning to himself."
"I agree," Maliya told him, lacing her fingers under her chin. "So why have you been looking for me?"
Maester Luwin reached inside his cloak and pulled out a tightly rolled piece of parchment. "This came for you this morning. It bears the Martell seal."
Maliya's heart leaped into her throat, her eyes widening as she slowly reached out to take the letter that he offered. "I feel as if I wrote them so long ago…"
"The distance between Dorne and Winterfell is a long way to travel, even for a flying raven," Maester Luwin reminded her gently. He bowed his head slightly. "I do hope everything is well with the Martells."
Maliya watched him slowly exit the Great Hall, her eyes then flickering around the mostly empty tables before she excitedly turned her attention to the letter. It definitely bore the Martell seal. Was it from Arianne or her father? She unrolled the parchment and began to read.
Greetings Lady Stark,
I apologize, I couldn't resist! I can't even begin to tell you how excited I am to hear from you! We all miss you so much here. Believe it or not, but not much has changed. Obara, Nym and Tyene all send their love. They still train obsessively and create chaos wherever they go. Father and Uncle Oberyn seem sadder with you gone though they're putting on a brave face. And Trystane…you wouldn't believe how much he has grown. We've been spending a lot of time together lately – I think he's been missing you as well, though he has never admitted it.
Tyene is looking over my shoulder as I'm writing this. She says that you should just spread your legs for your good looking husband already because you have no idea what in the seven hells you're missing.
Maliya rolled her eyes at the crude image, though her lips did tug up at the corners – it was such a Tyene thing to say that she shouldn't even be surprised.
I, on the other hand, know you, Maliya, probably better than you know yourself. It's not shocking to me that you might have to trust your husband before you lay with him. From what it sounds like, both of you weren't entirely pleased with this marriage to begin with. And I also know that months have probably passed since the time you wrote your letter until the time that you receive mine. So I hope that things between you and Robb have gotten better. If they haven't, then I would suggest doing whatever it takes to break down that invisible barrier.
If things have gotten better – and I sincerely hope that they have – then I will be glad to hear it! I've done a lot of asking around and rumor has it that your man is as good and honourable as he is handsome. Falling in love can be a scary thing, it's true, but it can also open you up something incredible, something that you didn't know you were waiting for, something that you can't live without.
And I know you're always rolling your eyes when we say this, but sex can be just as incredible if it's with the right person! So you need to ask yourself a simple question. Do you trust him? Trust him to be gentle with you? Trust him to treat you right? Because listen to me when I say that it is okay if you like your husband!
You are not betraying yourself or your family. You deserve to be happy, Maliya Martell Stark. So take a chance, sister. Take a risk. You deserve to find someone who loves you and would do anything for you, but more importantly, someone who you can trust and someone you can count on for everything. And I deserve some nieces and nephews! (I just laughed at the look that is probably on your face right now.)
In all seriousness, my dear complicated sister, I wish I could be there to help walk you through this and deliver my advice in person. I'm proud of everything you've done and how strong you are. And while I'm jealous that you have a new family, they do sound wonderful. I hope that I get to meet them one day.
I miss you everyday. Write me back soon,
Arianne
A tear slowly trickled down Maliya's face as a sharp pang of homesickness shot through her. She wished more than anything else in the world that her sister was sitting right next to her.
"Princess? Is everything alright?" Startled, Maliya jumped, hastily brushing her tear away and plastering a smile on her face as she looked up at her concerned husband, who sat down next to her on the bench with a frown.
"Yes, of course," she told him, brushing away his worry.
"News from home?" Robb questioned quietly, nodding at the letter Maliya was folding and hiding, considering that the contents were mostly about him.
"Yes," she sighed, hiding her pain with a smile. "From my sister, Arianne. Everything seems to be going well in Dorne." She glanced over at him from underneath her eyelashes and saw his worried blue eyes still on her. "I'm fine, Robb, honestly. You don't need to worry about me."
Robb turned to face her, an expression on his face that Maliya had never seen on his face before and one she couldn't quite read. "You are my wife, Maliya," he reminded her in a slow, sincere voice, placing his hand on hers atop the table and causing her heart to break into a sprint. "I am going to worry about you from now until the day that I die."
Maliya's lips parted at his words, her wide brown eyes flickering from the warmth of his hand on hers, his thumb brushing a sensual pattern into her skin, and back up to his face, at a loss for words.
She was saved from having to make a response by the reappearance of Rickon, his face flushed red and his eyes alight with excitement. "Robb, Maliya!" He cried, skidding to a stop in front of them and grabbing their hands, inadvertently pulling them apart. "You have to come quick!"
"What?" Robb asked in alarm, searching his little brother for any sign of injury. "What's wrong? Are you hurt?"
Annoyance crossed Rickon's face as he swatted Robb's hands away. "No, Robb – stop! I'm fine! Have you looked outside yet? It's snowing!" He crowed, nearly bouncing on the balls of his feet. "Can we go outside, Robb, please? I already got my cloak, and yours and Maliya's! Please say yes!"
"Of course we can," Robb grinned, swinging his legs back over the bench and standing. "Did you know that Maliya has never seen snow before?"
"No way," Rickon breathed, his eyes growing incredibly wide. "Well, come on then! Snow is so much fun!"
He threw their cloaks at Robb and took off, whooping loudly as he ran out of the Great Hall. Maliya chuckled and shook her head, watching him run. "I wish I had half of the amount of energy that your brother has," Maliya mused, her expression fond.
"Yeah. I don't remember any of the others being quite as spirited as Rickon. Except for maybe Arya, but she was more of a troublemaker." She turned to Robb to see that he already had his cloak on and was holding hers extectantly. "So, Princess? Are you ready for your first snowfall?"
Maliya grimaced and crossed her arms. "Would you hate me if I said no?"
Robb chuckled, shaking out her cloak and swinging it around her shoulders. She watched him, holding her breath as he fastened it for her, his fingers lightly brushing her neck. That look came back into his eyes again as he pulled her cloak tighter around her shoulders, sighing. "Honestly," he murmured, lightly running a knuckle down her cheek. "I don't think I could ever hate you." Maliya blinked up at him, completely bewildered by all the things he was saying. Something about him had changed but Maliya wasn't quite sure what it was. He grinned at the stunned expression on her face. "Come," he said, grabbing her hand and lacing their fingers together. "It's time for me to change your opinion on snow."
"You can try all you like, Robb," Maliya began, finally having found her voice once they were out of the Great Hall, even though her heart was still hammering in her chest, all too aware of his fingers laced with hers. "But I don't think I'm ever going to like – oh!"
Maliya unconsciously slowed as Robb opened the door that led outside and she was blinded by white. Her eyes opened wide in wonder as she looked around; everything was blanketed by a rapidly growing blanket of snow. It covered everything – the bare branches of the trees, the tall towers of Winterfells castle. She let go of Robb's hand to walk farther out into the open field, tilting her head back, her eyelashes fluttering as she tried to see where the snowflakes were coming from.
"So?" Robb asked, watching her with her head tilted to the side and an amused smile on his lips. "What do you think?"
Her eyes were alive, her cheeks already flushed red from the cold as she turned to look at him, holding her hands and watching the snowflakes hit them and melt. "You were right," she breathed, grinning wide. "It's beautiful… it's magical, it's – quiet. How is it so quiet?"
"It's one of those mysteries," Robb answered, walking towards her, the snow already covering his reddish brown curls. "But can you say that other part again? The part where you said I was right? I have a feeling I should get that in writing so that I can use it during future disagreements."
Maliya cocked an eyebrow in amusement. "Do you plan on starting many disagreements with me, husband?"
"Well, wife," he murmured, reaching her and placing his hands on her waist, her hands resting on his arms as she looked up at him. "Based on what your uncle told me and the incredible person that I'm getting to know, then… yes." Maliya let out a surprised laugh, smacking him playfully on the chest and making his smile widen. "You're a passionate person, Princess. I don't want a boring marriage and I welcome any disagreements where I get to prove that I'm right."
"Once again, you can try all you like," Maliya told him, her voice dropping to a whisper as she realized that his face was drifting closer to hers. Was he going to kiss her? More importantly… did she want him to?
She didn't get a chance to find out because at that moment, a cold, wet ball of snow was lobbed in the air and managed to hit both Maliya and Robb in the face. Gasping in shock, Maliya blinked and wiped the snow away with her sleeve, looking around to see Rickon with his hands on his knees, his laughter at the look on their faces breaking through the silence.
Maliya and Robb looked at each other, an unspoken agreement passing between them. Rickon's laughter trailed off as they both turned to face him. "Rickon Stark," Robb thundered in a loud voice, causing Rickon's eyes to widen drastically. "You better run far. And you better run fast!"
Giving a wild yell, Rickon took off, Robb lunging after him. Maliya crossed her arms, pulling her cloak tighter around her to ward off the chill, chuckling quietly to herself as she watched the two of them wrestle around in the snow. "Come on, Maliya!" Robb yelled, wrapping his arms around a struggling Rickon and holding him up. "I'll hold him still, you shoot!"
"No!" Rickon squealed, laughing as Robb began to tickle him as well. "No, Maliya!" He squirmed, trying to break Robb's hold as Maliya approached them, bending to pick up a pile of snow and shaping it into a ball. "You're supposed to be on my side, remember! You said you would always be there if I need you, and I need you!"
She knew that this wasn't a serious situation, but it was a promise that she had made to him and it was a promise that she was going to keep. So when she drew her arm back and let go, it hit the intended target – Robb's face. His look was comical and now Rickon wasn't the only laughing. He gave a triumphant yell and wiggled free, running to Maliya's side. "You know what this means, don't you?" Robb grinned, shaking his head and wiping the snow out of his eyes. "This means war!"
"Run, Rickon!" Maliya shouted dramatically, bending to scoop up some more snow as Robb hurriedly did the same. "Save yourself!"
"No, I won't leave you to deal with this monster alone!" Rickon shouted back.
"Monster?" Robb gasped in outrage, unable to stop his own laugh from escaping. "I'll show you a monster!"
He ducked under the snowball that Rickon threw, dodged Maliya's and it all escalated from there. Maliya couldn't remember the last time she had laughed so hard – it certainly hadn't been since she had arrived in Winterfell. Before long she was covered in snow from head to toe, breathless from laughing so hard and both sweating and freezing at the same time.
At some point Rickon had collapsed, exhausted, lying back in the snow and staring up at the sky. Shaggydog chose that moment to come bounding up to him, nudging him playfully and pretending to run away again. Rickon laughed and pushed him away, but it wasn't until Shaggydog pulled off one of his gloves and ran away that Rickon got up, yelling after him and leaving Maliya to fend for herself.
"Ready to admit defeat yet?" Robb taunted, blue eyes sparkling through the thickly falling snow as they circled each other.
"Never," Maliya smirked, pelting him with the snowball that she had made before quickly making and throwing as many as she could. Robb threw his arms up to cover his face, stumbling blindly towards her. She laughed as he wrapped his arms around her, still moving, and then yelped as they both lost their balance. Still feeling breathless, Maliya's eyes fluttered open and widened at Robb's face above her. She was overwhelmed by him. His magnificent blue eyes captured hers, she could feel the length of his body pressed against hers as he held himself up by his elbows and all of the sudden she wasn't cold anymore. Warmth spread through her, starting in her lower belly and working it's way to her fingers and toes – and now she was breathless for a different reason. "Well, this feels oddly familiar," she whispered, her eyes searching his face as the memory of their almost kiss came floating back to her.
"I don't want to be friends with you," Robb blurted out of nowhere. Maliya frowned, her eyebrows pulling together as a flash of hurt ran through her. "No, no!" He frantically hurried to explain, shaking his head. "No, I want to be friends with you! I've already told you that I've been enjoying getting you know you, Princess, and I really like the person that I've married." He huffed, closing his eyes in exasperation. "I'm really messing this up."
Feeling immensely confused, wondering if he could feel her heart beating rapidly in her chest, she shook her head. "Robb – "
"I want to be more than that," Robb interrupted her, his blue eyes burning with an intensity that took Maliya aback. "You're smart, you're courageous, you're beautiful and most importantly, you have a good heart. And more often than not, I find myself wanting to kiss you."
"Then why haven't you?" Maliya asked him quietly, without even meaning to.
"Because neither of us wanted this marriage. Because we had an understanding that we would start over and focus on getting to know one another. And honestly, I wasn't sure if you wanted me to." Maliya watched him, mesmerized, as he brushed hair and snow away from her face, his tone thoughtful. "I told you on our wedding night that I will not do anything with you, unless you want to. So what do you want, Maliya Stark?"
Do you trust him? Arianne's words drifted through her mind. Trust him to be gentle with you? Trust him to treat you right? Maliya already knew that answers to those questions. Take a chance, sister. Take a risk.
Eyes carefully flickering between the two of his, Maliya raised a slightly shaking hand and lightly cupped his cheek, her thumb brushing back and forth slowly. Her gaze drops to his mouth when he unconsciously licks his lips and she realizes just how close his mouth is. So close that their breath mingles. Her gaze flicks back up to see a curious, slightly pained expression in his eyes as he waits, and Maliya knew that Robb would never take from her, not unless he knew she wanted it too. "Maliya," he breathed, barely a whisper of a sound.
Lifting her head slowly, her eyes still captivated by his, she brushed her lips against his. She felt it down to her toes, even though it was barely a touch. Robb sucked in a breath, his body freezing in place, so Maliya did it again. She was more confident this time, more sure, and she applied more pressure, clinging to his lower lip. Robb softly groaned deep in his throat and he finally moved. Placing his weight on one elbow, Robb threaded his hand through her tangled, half frozen hair, holding her in place as he deepened the kiss. It was a warm, melting exploration, lips meeting and parting in a slow rhythm. Maliya's arms came up to circle around his neck, pulling him closer to her as she ignited, burning brighter than the sun. Taking her completely by surprise, sensation, want and need surge through her on a whimper that was lost in his mouth.
She feels him shudder in her grasp as he deepens the kiss even further, their tongues meeting and clashing and Maliya was lost. She was drowning, unsure which was was up, the only thing that mattered in that moment was Robb. Gasping for breath, his cheeks flushed red and his eyes dark with lust, he pulled away and Maliya lowered her head back to the ground, slowly coming back down to herself. "It's better," he panted, the corner of his mouth lifting as he pressed another kiss to her mouth.
"Better?" She mumbled against his lips, not understanding.
"Kissing you," he clarified. "It's better than I imagined."
Maliya's heart leaped in her chest at his words, and she couldn't stop the smile from spreading across her face. "Then shut up and kiss me again," she demanded, fingers tangling in the curls at the base of his neck as he lowered his head and captured her lips once more.
"Robb? Robb – well, well, well. What do we have here?"
Robb pulled away at the sound of the man's voice, groaning and burying her head in her neck. "Maybe if we ignore him he'll just go away," Maliya whispered, giggling slightly even as her cheeks flamed red in embarrassment.
"Go away, Theon!" Robb ground out in annoyance, pulling back and glaring at Theon.
"As much as I would love to so you two can finally get it on – even I'm impressed with how public this all is – I have news that you're going to want to hear," Theon pressed, crossing his arms.
Robb rolled his eyes in irritation. "What could possibly be so important – "
"Bran's awake."
Robb's head snapped around to stare at Theon with wide eyes, frozen in shock for a long moment before he scrambled up off Maliya, helping her to her feet as they both headed towards the castle, peppering him with questions.
"When did he wake up? Why didn't you come find us sooner?"
"Is he alright? Is Maester Luwin with him?"
"He's not in any pain is he? Can he talk?"
"Whoa, slow down," Theon complained, jogging behind the pair of them as they half ran, half walked through the corridors and up to Bran's bedchambers. "I haven't even seen him yet, Old Nan was with him and she sent someone to find Maester Luwin and you."
Maliya lifted her soaked skirts with one hand to avoid tripping on them, the other still tightly encased in Robb's hand as he picked up the pace. Worry, hope and relief warred through her but she couldn't even imagine what Robb was feeling right now.
He let go of her hand when he burst into Bran's room, hurrying over to his bedside, his eyes frantic as they searched him up and down. Maester Luwin stepped back as they approached and Maliya hovered at the foot of his bed, throat tightening when Bran's brown eyes found hers, looking between the two of them in confusion. "What happened to you guys?"
Frowning, Maliya looked down at herself and then over at Robb and had to bite back a smile at their appearances. She wasn't sure if she wanted to know what her hair looked like but Robb's glistened slightly from the snow and ice mixed into it, and both of their outfits and cloaks were stiff with snow and soaking wet. They must have looked like quite the sight. "You've woken up just in time for the first snow fall, Bran," Robb told him proudly, a happy grin on his face that faded as he took a closer look at his brother. "How are you feeling?" Bran looked away from them, his expression going flat as he shrugged. Robb's own expression fell in response, and without turning around, he barked. "Leave us. Everyone." They bowed slightly, Maliya following suit, but just as she made to leave Robb spoke again. "Not you, Maliya."
Swallowing thickly, Maliya hesitated for a moment before closing the door behind Theon, Old Nan and Maester Luwin. Lacing her fingers in front of her, she moved back across the room to stand beside Robb who had gingerly sat on Bran's bed, his face serious. "Bran, I've seen you climb a thousand times," he began, shaking his head. "In the wind… in the rain. A thousand times. You never fall."
"I did though," Bran protested in a quiet voice.
"Do you remember anything?" Maliya inquired gently. "From… before you fell?"
Bran slowly shook his head and Maliya could practically feel Robb deflate in disappointment. Playing with the covers of his fur blanket, Bran looked up at them, his eyebrows furrowed. "It's true, isn't it? What Maester Luwin says about my legs?"
Maliya helplessly looked to Robb, whose jaw was clenching and unclenching, his eyes so sad. When he nodded after a moment, Bran looked away again, and Maliya realized that he had been holding out a small bit of hope. That he wouldn't believe it unless the older brother that he trusted most told him it was true. And now that hope was crushed. "I'd rather be dead," Bran muttered in an emotionless voice.
Robb recoiled as if he had been punched in the gut. "Don't say that," he snapped, blue eyes flashing. "Don't ever say that – "
Bran turned his head to look him in the eye, his gaze unflinching. "I'd rather be dead," he repeated in a slow voice, making sure Robb heard every word.
Robb looked completely shattered. "Bran…"
The boy looked away again, dismissing them. "I'd like to be alone."
"Bran – "
"I said," Bran snarled, eyes flashing. "I'd like to be alone."
"Robb," Maliya quietly interrupted, when he opened his mouth to say something else. "Robb let's go."
"But – " he tried to protest again, but Maliya caught his gaze and shook her head. Nostrils flaring slightly, Robb rose from Bran's bed and stalked out the door, throwing it open so hard it bounced off the opposite wall.
Maliya made to go after him but paused, turning back to Bran to see him staring at the ceiling above his bed. "He's been so worried about you Bran," she told him quietly. "I know you're hurting right now, but we're both here for you. And we're so glad that you're awake."
"Father?" She whispered in a trembling voice, tugging on the sheets that covered his bed. "Father, wake up!"
With a grumbling sigh, her father rolled over to face her, blinking his violet eyes open and focusing on her, sitting up with a frown. "What is it? Are you alright?" Biting her lip to keep from crying, she slowly shook her head. Frown deepening, her father reached down to pick her up, placing her on his lap, and putting his arms around her. "Now. What's wrong with my little Rhae of sunshine?" He murmured, tapping her on the nose.
"I had another nightmare," she whispered in a small, ashamed voice.
Her father sighed, trying to hide the worry in his eyes. "What about this time?"
"I don't remember what happened," she told him, scrunching her nose. "I just remember feeling scared. You're not going to leave me, are you father? You and mother and Aegon? We'll stay together forever, won't we?"
"Of course we will, sweet girl, you have nothing to worry about," her father promised, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. "I love you very much, you know that right?"
She giggled as his long silver-white hair tickled her neck when he leaned forward. "I love you too, Father."
The wail of a baby came from the room next door and the both of them looked up. Her mother rolled over at the sound, frowning as she was pulled from her slumber. "Rhaegar?" She mumbled sleepily.
"I've got him," he told her, kissing Rhaenys' head one more time before picking her up and putting her in the space between him and her mother. "Be right back."
"Rhaenys?" Her mother questioned, noticing her sitting there in bed, and she winced as she struggled to sit up against the pillows. "Is everything alright?"
"It is now," Rhaenys answered, snuggling into her mother's open arms, closing her eyes happily as her mother weakly hugged her. "Are you going to be able to get out of bed soon, Mama?"
"I hope so, sweet girl. It's just taking me a bit longer to recover from giving birth to your brother."
"Are you mad at him for it?" Rhaenys asked innocently.
"Oh honey, of course not!" Her mother reassured her, smiling and sitting up more as her father entered the room again, carrying a bundle of blankets in his arms. "Look at your brother, Rhaenys," her mother said gently, as her father sat back down on the bed. Rhaenys sat up on her knees, shifting closer to her brother and looking down at a now quiet Aegon. His violet eyes blinked up at her, gurgling happily as Rhaenys gently reached out and touched the soft whisps of his silver-white hair. "He's as perfect as you were when you were born. And I love you both very much."
"Your brother is a very important baby, Rhaenys, and not just to us. The bleeding star that we saw on the night of his birth signaled his arrival as the prince that was promised. But you are just as important."
"I am?" Rhaneys questioned quizzically, looking away from her brother and up at her father's face.
"Of course you are," her father answered, lifting Aegon to press a kiss to his forehead before passing him along to her mother with a smile. He gracefully rose from the bed, his smile sad as he held his hand out to her. Rhaenys looked up at him with wide, adoring eyes and slid off the bed, taking his hand and following him as he crossed the room. "Your journey will be difficult, Rhaenys, but I have faith in you. It's important to know that you will not make this journey alone. Trust your heart and your instincts and you will go far." He paused with his hand on the bedchamber door handle and looked down at her. "Are you ready?"
"Ready for what, father?" Rhaenys asked, tilting her head. "I don't understand – "
"I know, sweet girl. But you will soon. Because this is where your journey starts." Her father pulled the door open and lead her through it.
Instead of the corridor that she was expecting, she found herself in some sort of long, underground room with a dirt floor. It was somewhat dark down here, the only light from the occasional flickering torch on the walls. Great big statues of men lined the walls, swords on their laps and wolves at their feet. "Where are we, Father?" Rhaenys asked in a small, voice, peeking around the room even as she shrank into her father's side. "I don't think I like it down here."
"Don't you feel it, Rhaenys?" Her father questioned, his violet eyes flashing in agitation. "That strange pull? Stop fighting it!" Her father placed his hands on her shoulders and guided her to one of the statues and she found herself looking up into the face of a solemn man, whose stone eyes seemed to pierce through her. "You are the one who fulfilled the Pact of Ice and Fire and only you can follow this path that destiny is leading you towards."
Confused, Rhaenys shook her head. "Father? I still don't understand. Father?" Tearing her eyes away from the statue, she looked for her father but he was nowhere to be found.
He was gone and she was alone once again.
Gasping, Maliya's eyes snapped open as she sat upright in bed, sweat dripping down her neck. Feeling confined and unable to breathe, Maliya shoved the covers off her and staggered out of bed, placing a hand on the wall and taking deep, shuddering breaths. What in the seven hells was that dream? Was it… was it possible that the beginning, the part with her family, had been a long forgotten memory? Even if it wasn't, it still caused a sweet, sharp ache in her chest. Her family had been alive in that moment, they'd been happy and she was so sad that it had ended.
But the end of the dream… the part where her father took her down into what she now realized was Winterfell's crypts. Was he trying to tell her something? The image of Lord Cregan's Starks tomb, because somehow she knew whose it was, was burned into her mind and it seemed like too much of a coincidence to just ignore. She didn't have an inkling of what an old, dirty crypt was supposed to do for her, but she wasn't going to ignore it if her father was trying to help her from beyond the grave.
She glanced over the bed, taking in Robb's still sleeping form, his face buried deep in his pillow. The memory of their kiss came back to her and for a moment Maliya had to struggle to subdue the urge to wake him up and relive the incredible feeling. Instead, she pulled on her cloak and shoved her feet into a pair of boots, tiptoeing across the room and carefully opening and closing the door behind her.
She hurried through the empty corridors of Winterfell, grateful that it was the middle of the night and everyone seemed to be asleep. She knew the castle well enough by now to know how to avoid the guards that Robb posted and she made it through to the crypts without being noticed. After grabbing a torch off the wall and hiding a shiver at the strange pull she felt, Maliya descended down the stairs, passing the first level which held Robb's grandfather, Lyanna and Brandon as well as the other empty tombs waiting for the current generation. She passed the second level, following the pull and got off at the third.
Holding the torch high, she slowly walked along the row of statues, examining each face until she found the one that she was looking for. The pull grew stronger as she stopped in front of Lord Cregan Stark's tomb. Her eyes ran over his face, the sword on his lap and down to the wolf curled at his feet. Her father said that her journey started here, that destiny was leading her down a certain path. What was it exactly that she was supposed to find? She looked at the tomb and snorted doubtfully. Dragon eggs? But why would dragon eggs be hidden in Cregan's Stark tomb?
Knowing this pull would never go away unless she figured out what it was, Maliya placed the torch in one of the holders on the wall and got to work. She ran her hands over every inch of the tomb. She tried to push it open, even though she was completely grossed out if the eggs were with his decaying body. She pushed and poked and prodded until she was exhausted, dirty and pissed off.
"Skoriot ūja?" Where is it? She yelled into the face of the dead Lord, her voice eerily echoing through the crypt. "Skoriot drōmons? Sīkudi nopāzmi!" Where are the eggs? Seven hells!
With a shout of frustration, Maliya curled her hands into fists and slammed her hands down on the stone, her hair covering her face as she bent over, closing her eyes and trying to control herself. Her hands throbbed, reminding her of what an idiot she was. She had seriously thought that her dead father had tried to help her find some dragon eggs that most likely didn't exist in the first place.
A low noise echoed through the crypts, making Maliya jerk her head up in surprise and look around wildly. It was a strange sound, like stone sliding over stone, and she didn't understand where it was coming from until she realized that a small hole was opening up next to Cregan Stark's tomb. Eyes widening incredulously, Maliya looked down to see that she had hit one of the stone jewels on his sword, which apparently was a button to a…. secret passage?
With her heart threatening to pound straight out of her chest, Maliya stepped down off the statue, feeling breathless with both excitement and anticipation as she plucked the torch off the wall and crouched down, holding the light out and trying to see where the small tunnel led. It looked just big enough for a grown man to crawl through, but other then a disturbing amount of cobwebs, Maliya couldn't see what was on the other end.
Hoping that the tunnel wouldn't collapse on her, Maliya held her breath held out the torch out with one hand to burn away the cobwebs and awkwardly crawled through. It wasn't a very long tunnel thankfully, and it only took two or three minutes before she was out on the other side. The pull inside her grew stronger and stronger as she stood and looked around.
The light from the torch flickered off what looked like a small, manmade circular room built into the stone. Her eyes ran over some old swords, some women's jewelery and silverware, trinkets that were probably valuable at some point, but ones that she had no interest in now. A large, impressive sword caught her eye and she had just started to head over to it curiously when her foot gently kicked something across the floor. Frowning, she bent down to pick it up, unable to tell what it was. Holding it closer to the light, Maliya realized it was a dark blue color with small ridges carved into the stone, that looked oddly like… scales. "No," Maliya breathed in horror, feeling all the blood drain from her body. "No, no, no, no!"
Shining the fire light around frantically and moving around the room, Maliya's eyes darted around, her body freezing when they fell on a section of the room that appeared to have caved in from above. Hurrying over and falling to her knees beside the large stone pile, Maliya placed the torch against a portion of the wall that was still standing. Her hands hovered over the rubble, her eyes searching through it and not liking what she saw. Carefully sifting through it, Maliya pulled out other colored pieces of what felt like stone, but she knew better. This was Vermaxes' clutch of dragon eggs… or at least, it used to be. It appeared that the eggs had turned to stone over time and couldn't withstand the weight of the cave in. Now these pieces were all that were left.
Feeling helpless and dejected and a bit like she was going to cry, Maliya continued to go through the large pile of stone and collected the pieces of what looked like three dragon eggs, blue, red, and green. When she couldn't find any more pieces, muscles trembling, she blinked a tear down her cheek as she felt a great sense of loss.
Why? What was the point of all this – the pull, the dreams, the letter – if it led her to broken dragon eggs? And why would Cregan Stark, if it even was him, hide the eggs here? What if no one had ever found them? Sighing, she collapsed back against the wall, cursing as she knocked the torch over and it rolled away from her. The flames flickered oddly around the room as it rolled, and she shifted onto her knees crawling over to where it stopped next to a metal battle helmet. She reached for the torch, about to pick it up, when something caught her eye.
Mouth dropping open, Maliya moved the helmet out of the way and gasped when she revealed another dragon egg, one that was whole and perfectly unblemished. Dimly she realized that it must have gotten knocked away in the collapse, but the thought fled her mind as quickly as it came as she reached out with two shaky hands to pick it up.
Her whole body pulsed with heat and when she finally did pick it up, the pull that had been driving her insane was immediately gone. Eyes wide with wonder, disbelief and triumph, Maliya ran her hands over the egg, turning it over and inspecting it carefully to make sure it was unblemished. It was a perfect, pearly white color with veins of gold running through it, and with a jolt that shook her entire system, she realized that she had dreamed of this egg before, only she hadn't remembered it until just now.
Her father was right. It had been her destiny to fulfill the Pact of Ice and Fire. Was it also her destiny to somehow get this egg to hatch and bring dragons back to Westeros?
Author's Note: Ahhhhh, I can't believe it! Maliya has found the missing dragon eggs and though some of them were broken she only needs one, I guess. As for where the dragon eggs were… I completely made that up. Since the eggs were only a rumor and probably won't exist in canon, I did my best to make it realistic. I know the rumor says it was in the crypts but not where. If it was someplace obvious they would have been found already. I'm leaving the 'why' it was left in the room up to you guys, since we can't ask Cregan Stark or whoever put them in there.
And what did you guys think about that kiss?! And how would you feel about bumping the rating up to M? *waggles eyebrows*
I know some of you are very…opinionated about certain parts of my story, but I hope everyone is enjoying it so far! I am always so excited about sitting down to write the next chapter and I hope to continue this story for a long time!
As always, don't be afraid to share any future ideas for the story! You guys are amazing! :)
Boramir - Thanks for your review! As far as Jon's parentage is concerned, you have to remember that the story is being told from Maliya's POV. In my mind, she has no reason to believe that Jon isn't Ned's son, and she would have no idea where to begin as far as his mother is concerned. I can tell you, that as of right now, Jon's parentage won't be reveal for quite a long while!
Guest 1 - Thanks for your review. I'm sorry, but I have to admit that it completely confused me. You wanted Ned to arrive in Maegor's Holdfast to save Elia and her children, cut the Mountain's children and then marry Elia? I'm afraid that your flights of fancy are not part of my story plot :(
guest - Thanks for your review, I'm glad you liked the chapter! And thank you for letting me know about my mistake, I fixed it right away!
Guest 2 - I'm so happy you liked the chapter, thanks for reviewing! I hope you liked what Maliya did with the contents of the letter.
Boramir 2 - Are there two of you? It's a very unique guest name lol, but thanks for reviewing! From Maliya's POV, there are six people who know her real identity. Herself, Doran, Oberyn, Ned, whoever smuggled her out of King's Landing and the person who wrote the letter (she doesn't know that they could be the same person). You are correct in mentioning that Viserys and Danaerys know nothing about Maliya's identity, people were only told what they needed to know. And don't worry, we will find out who tried to assassinate Bran! Hope you liked this chapter!
Guest 3 - Thanks for such a great compliment! It's the biggest form of praise to hear that you think i've flawlessly added Maliya into the story.
Anna.B - I continue to love your reviews! I really enjoyed hearing all your thoughts on the chapter and have to admit that some of them give me ideas for future chapters! For instance, I'm still sorting out my plot for future season and you mentioning Doran and Oberyn Martells feelings about their niece going to war has already sparked ideas in my brain! I hope you like this chapter just as much as the last!
Guest 4 - Thanks for reviewing! I hope you liked this chapter!