A Dragon in Disguise

by justsmile17

The world believed her to be dead, murdered with her mother and brother, but Rhaenys Targaryen is alive, living in disguise as a Princess of Dorne. Everyone knows her as Maliya Martell, yet she has never forgotten the cruelty done to her family. Her rage and hatred grow every year and now she finally has a chance to get revenge. Nothing will stand in her way.. not even Robb Stark.

24. Reborn in Fire and Blood

Author's Note: Fastest update ever, woo hoo! I wish I always had this much free time on my hands! Thank you to everyone that read the last chapter and special thanks to those of you who took the time to review.

I'm going to admit something to all of you – I have never been more nervous for all of you to read a chapter than I am right now. I spent countless hours trying to make this chapter perfect and I'm taking a huge risk with the direction this story is going. I am very proud of the way this came out and I really hope everyone here likes it as well.

There is a short M rated scene in the beginning of this chapter. If you don't like those scenes, feel free to skip it. So, on to season three! Please note that there has been a small time jump of about one month since the last chapter. Read and review :)

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Chapter 24: Reborn in Fire and Blood

Maliya was surrounded. Her enemies were gathered around her, their faces cold and cruel. She could name most of them – Tywin Lannister and his children Cersei and Jaime. Robert Baratheon, Gregor Clegane, and Amory Lorch. There were others there as well: her father was standing next to a woman with dark hair who looked oddly like an older version of Arya. His purple eyes were sad as they watched her, and the woman's white gown was dripping with blood. Hundreds of thousands of faceless men stood behind them, swords in their hands and murder in their eyes.

She was surrounded, about to die, and yet she felt calmer than the Summer Sea on a clear, cloudless day. A savage grin crossed her face as a shadow passed over her. Glancing up, she caught sight of a magnificient white dragon flying through the air. She watched as its wing dipped, turning it back around once more, opening its mouth and letting out a terrifying roar. Looking at her enemies once more, she spread her arms and murmured, "Burn in hell."

The dragon had stopped, hovering above her as fire shot from its mouth. Her grin grew so wide that her cheeks hurt as they went up in flames, screaming in both pain and terror. She let their screams wash over her, the bright orange flames dancing in her eyes and she felt power surge through her.

She could feel the sting of the burn as the flames drifted closer to her but it felt wonderful, like nothing she had ever felt before or could have conceived of. The dragon roared again and she looked up to see it drifting lower until it dropped in front of her, making the ground tremble under its immense weight. Smiling at it with love and pride, she climbed up its extended leg, taking care of its spikes before settling into the saddle on its back. It leapt back into the air, its powerful wings pumping up and down and bringing them higher and higher.

"Are you satisfied yet, niece?" Maliya looked over to see a woman with silver blonde hair and purple eyes flying on the back of a black dragon even bigger than her own.

Maliya smiled at her, not wanting to let this feeling go, this feeling that was both terrible and magnificent, a burning laced with pleasure. "Not even close."

"Good," her aunt grinned, and both of them looked over to see two other dragons approaching them, each with riders on their back. She couldn't make out their faces but the sight of them brought her a sense of familiarity and joy. "Because together, we can accomplish anything. Together, we are unstoppable."

Maliya jerked upright in bed, gasping for air. Robb was immediately beside her, a hand on her back, asking her what was wrong. Her eyes were wide and unseeing, however, and she couldn't answer right away. The power, that fiery power, was still thrumming through her veins, causing her heart to race and make her feel more alive than the past moon since her miscarriage. When she finally blinked, Robb's hands were gripping either side of her face, his blue eyes concerned. "Maliya?" It was probably the hundredth time he'd spoken her name. "What is it? What's wrong?"

"I'm alright," she breathed, reassuring him. Her hands automatically reached for him, curling around his biceps before moving up past his neck and fisting in his hair. "It was just a dream."

"What – " He was abruptly cut off as Maliya pulled him forward and crashed her lips to his. He froze for a moment in surprise, only moving into action when she bit his lip hard enough to draw blood. They both groaned as he deepened the kiss. It had been so long since they had been like this that the heat and attraction between the two of them flared to life with alarming intensity.

Robb grabbed her hips and pushed her down on the bed, settling between her legs. "No," Maliya growled, threading her legs around his hips and surprising him by flipping them both over. She grabbed his wrists and pinned his arms above his head, nails digging into his skin. "Do not fight me on this, husband," she ordered in a low and dangerous voice, holding onto the commanding feeling from the dream.

His blue eyes were wide in the darkness, but he nodded hesitantly. "Anything you want," he breathed shakily, a strong undercurrent of excitement in his voice. Maliya liked being on top, but Robb was a typical male and usually liked to be the one in control, which she never minded. Today, though, he had no choice.

A small part of her wanted to take her time, but she knew that was going to be near impossible. The lust that was burning through her was a small imitation of the burning from her dream dragon's fire. She hastily freed Robb from his small clothes, moved her own to the side and sank down onto him, gasping and shuddering at the contact, which she had desperately missed.

Her nails dug into his chest, drawing more blood as she rode him, slowly at first before quickly picking up the pace. Robb must have felt the intense build up just as much as she did because he cried out each time their hips slammed together. His hands moved to her waist but she just grinned, lacing their fingers together and pinning them above his head once more. "Maliya," he gasped frantically, eyes rolling back into his head and Maliya grinned exhultantly before slamming her lips to his once more.

Their teeth clashed, tongues meeting and withdrawing as she picked up her pace even more, near addicted to this feeling of control and power. The coil was spiraling tighter and tighter inside her, driving her higher and then it broke. She cried out as her forehead rested against his, her eyes squeezed tightly shut, her body tensed for a long moment before it began to shake. She vaguely heard Robb groaning as he finished inside her, his hands squeezing hers tightly.

Her body swayed as the tremors faded and she unlaced their hands, collapsing against his sweaty chest. "Fuck," Robb gasped, a shaky arm coming up to rub her back. "Fuck, I've missed this - missed you so much. What in the seven hells were you dreaming about?" He asked with a breathless laugh.

"I'm sorry I've been so distant," Maliya whispered, neatly avoiding his question as she wearily nuzzled her head into his neck. She hadn't quite found the strength to move the rest of her body just yet.

"Are you sure everything's alright?" Robb asked for the millionth time, brushing her hair back from her face. "I've been so worried about you, you've been so withdrawn and distant."

"I'm alright," she assured him, speaking the truth for the first time in a moon's turn. "I've been going through a few things but everything's alright now, Robb. I promise." And it was. It had taken her a long time to dig her way out from the guilt of losing that baby – it hadn't faded completely, but she knew such things were out of her control. She knew Robb had been worried. It was several days before she could let him touch her and this was the first time they were intimate since it happened. It wasn't that she didn't want to, but she had been so afraid of falling with child again. What if she lost another one?

"Good," Robb whispered, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "I hope – I hope that one day you will be able to tell me what was going on. Until then, just know that I am here for you." Nodding and yawning, Maliya snuggled deeper into her husband as he pulled the furs up over them and drifted off into a content, dreamless sleep.

---

It was late morning when the northern army made camp several days away from Harrenhal. It had been a long journey back east – her muscles were sore from riding for so long and her dress was filthy from the heavy rains they had experienced. She could really use a warm bath to soak away the layers of dirt coating her skin but she would have to settle for a change in outfits. Taking her sword and bag from Shadow's saddle, she followed the guard to her and Robb's tent, grateful that there's was usually one of the first to be set up. "I've sent a few riders ahead to scout out Harrenhal, see what their defenses are like, how many men they have," Robb informed her, following her into the tent. He tossed his bags on the bed as she placed her sword and bag on the table, opening it to pull out a new dress.

"That's smart," Maliya said, laying the dress out the bed and turning her back to Robb, moving her hair out of the way so he could undo the laces of her riding dress. "Where's Grey Wind?"

"He's hunting." He placed a kiss to her bare shoulder after undoing her laces and she shrugged out of the dress before slipping the new one on. "He's been sticking so close to me lately that he was growing restless. He should be back by tonight."

"Good," Maliya nodded, tying laces that were in the front of her dress this time. "I've been so used to having him around that I feel uneasy when he's gone for long periods of time. He's become an extension of you."

"Lord Bolton, Your Graces," the guard announced. Maliya and Robb looked around as Lord Bolton stepped inside the tent. Maliya crossed her arms as his pale, unnerving eyes fell on her, that same strange feeling spreading through her every time he looked at her. Maliya's gaze searched his unsmiling, almost grave expression before falling to the two letters that he had in his hand.

"News from Riverrun…" he paused, his eyes moving to Robb. "And from my bastard at Winterfell."

Maliya looked to Robb as well, who just stood there for a long moment, unmoving. She was sure that he was just as aware of the negative waves emanating from Lord Bolton. Her heart rate began to increase; she was almost positive that whatever was written in those letters was bad news. Robb finally moved, taking the letters from Lord Bolton with a nod.

Robb waited until Lord Bolton had left the tent before reading the letters. Maliya watched him impatiently, her mind going through all the terrible scenarios, each one worse than the last. When he was finished, when he looked up at her, Maliya lost her breath at the agony in his eyes. "My grandfather, Hoster Tully, has died," he informed her in a dead sort of voice, shoving the letters at her as he stalked past her. "And Bolton's bastard… when he got to Winterfell, the Ironborn had already massacred everyone and put the castle to the torch. Bran and Rickon," his voice broke and she took an unconscious step towards him. "They haven't been found."

Fear spread through her. "Maybe," she said, thinking quickly. "Maybe Theon took them with him or maybe they escaped – "

"We've heard no word from Theon," Robb spat furiously, slamming his fist down onto the table making the dishes rattle and making Maliya jump. "We would have gotten word of a ransom or from one of the nearby houses if they sought shelter. Fuck!" He roared, sweeping everything off the table. Her bag, cups, dishes, a pitcher of water and wine, all of it went crashing to the floor.

Maliya watched Robb snap and break under the pressure and the grief. His face was a mask of pain, a snarl on his lips as he repeatedly punched one of the wooden beams holding the large tent in place. "Robb," she murmured, putting the letters down and walking closer to him, but he didn't seem to hear her. "Robb, stop!" He stilled as her hand touched his shoulder, hunched over and panting. "Let me see," she said gently, turning him around to face her. He wouldn't look at her as she took his hand, wincing at his bloodied and swollen knuckles.

"I'm fine," Robb muttered, pulling his hand back. "I'm going to tell Lord Bolton to send word to all the Houses surrounding Winterfell, to tell them to keep an eye out for Bran and Rickon. I'll – I'll be back to clean up this mess."

"Alright, but I'm going to send for Lady Talisa and have her bandage your hand!" She called after him as he stalked out of the tent. "Find Lady Talisa and bring her here, please," Maliya asked the guard, pulling back the tent of the flap slightly. "Tell her to bring some bandages." The guard bowed and took off and Maliya stepped back inside.

She sighed heavily, putting a hand on her aching heart. Bran and Rickon… maybe she never should have left Winterfell to join Robb in the South. If she had stayed, could she have prevented this from happening?

Where were they? Were they with Theon? Somewhere else? Or were they… No. She refused to think it, refused to even acknowledge the possibility. They were alive and they were somewhere in the north, it was just a matter of finding them. Besides… with his father dead, his mother betraying him and his sisters in the clutches of the Lannisters, she didn't know if Robb could continue on if he believed that his brothers were dead as well. There was only so much that a person could handle as evidenced by Robb's small breakdown just now.

"Your Grace?" Lady Talisa asked, stepping inside the tent. Her eyes widened when she saw the mess, slowly sweeping around before landing on her again. "What happened here? Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," she assured her, feeling slightly embarrassed about what happened and what Lady Talisa was now witnessing. She bent to pick up the cups from the floor as Lady Talisa slowly walked further inside the tent, putting her bag on the table and looking around. "There was a slight incident, but no one was injured." She placed the cups on the table and moved on to the now empty pitchers. "Well, no one besides Robb's knuckles, which is why I asked you to – "

She stopped talking abruptly as she straightened, looking around at Lady Talisa to see her crouching near the bed. Maliya's gaze darted from where her bag was lying partially hidden behind the bed, dresses spilling out of it, to the open box in Lady Talisa's hands. Maliya was frozen, unable to think, unable to move, unable to breathe. Her bag must have gone flying when Robb swept everything off the table, and it hadn't been closed because she had been dressing... her eyes widened, darting back to the bag where she hoped that her egg was still hidden.

Finally jolting herself into action, Maliya placed the pitchers on the table and slowly walked towards Lady Talisa. "Tansy, mint, wormwood, honey and pennyroyal…" Lady Talisa's fingers trailed over each of the ingredients before frowning up at Maliya, who bent to pick up her bag. She was reassured by its heavy weight and a dizzying wave of relief flooded through her when she realized that the egg was still in her bag. "How long have you been drinking Moon Tea, Your Grace?"

Maliya's mouth parted to say something, anything, but it wasn't her voice that they heard.

"Moon Tea?" Robb repeated in a strangled voice.

She whirled around to face him, paling considerably when she realized he was indeed standing there and that he had heard what Lady Talisa had said. "Robb!" She said, attempting to put a smile on her face.

"Your Grace," Lady Talisa murmured, shutting the box as she stood and bowed, sending Maliya a panicked look out of the corner of her eye. Maliya was so focused on the look on Robb's face that she completely missed it.

"Lady Talisa is here to bandage – "

"Don't fucking change the subject, Maliya," Robb snapped, his voice cold and his blue eyes flashing. He raised his arm to point a finger at the box in Lady Talisa's hands. "Why do you have a box of ingredients for Moon Tea? Isn't that used to end pregnancies?"

"I – " Maliya stammered, fear making her voice and hands shake. "Well yes, technically, but – "

"Did you use these ingredients to make the tea?"

"Yes," she answered in a small voice, clutching her bag and the egg to her tightly.

"Did you drink it?"

"…Yes."

"For how long?" Robb asked, unable to hide the crack in his voice.

"Robb – "

"For fuck's sake, Maliya, how long?" Robb roared, eyes wild and spit flying from his mouth. His fists were clenched, blood still dripping from one of them.

Maliya felt Lady Talisa jump in fear next to her, but Maliya's eyes just drifted shut, her lips trembling. "Since the beginning," she whispered, opening her eyes in time to see the flash of pain and betrayal on his face once more. He actually staggered back a step from her and that hurt Maliya more than anything. "Robb, please," she pleaded, holding a hand out to him. Everything was spiraling out of control and she could feel him slipping away. "Please just let me explain, I'll tell you everything, I – "

"You've been taking Moon Tea for almost a year now and lying about it?" His voice cracked like a whip through the tent, lashing her with pain with every word that she said. "Seven hells, Maliya, you've been murdering any child that we created!" Tears filled Maliya's eyes at his words, spilling silently down her cheek as her mind flashed back to that little bean that she had created and killed.

She couldn't breathe. Her chest was tight with fear and anxiety as her worst nightmare was coming true right in front of her eyes. She could see the revulsion and hatred in Robb's gaze as he glared at her and she couldn't think of the right thing to say to make him understand. She was losing her husband, the man she was never supposed to love, and the thought made her want to scream.

Holding her hands out in front of her as if that would calm him down, Maliya began to speak to him in a trembling voice. "I started taking the Moon Tea because I never thought I could be a mother – "

Robb's cheeks were now red with anger as his eyebrows furrowed. "So all those times we talked about having children, when I told you how excited I was to become a father, was that just some big joke to you? Did you laugh behind my back because you knew it would never happen?"

"No!" Maliya cried desperately, horrified that he thought she was capable of that. "No Robb, please, you must believe me, I – "

"Believe you?" He repeated, staring at her as if she had lost her mind. "How can I, Maliya? You were supposed to be the only person that I could trust. After losing my father, being separated from Sansa and Arya and now – " His voice broke again, and his expression was more upset and heartbroken than angry now. "And now with everything that's happened with my mother and with Bran and Rickon missing – you were supposed to be my Queen, my other half." She forced herself to keep their gazes connected even though her heart was shrieking with pain and the anxiety of how this was going to end made her feel dizzy and off-balance. She deserved this. She deserved everything that was she was getting.

"I am, Robb, I am! Please, let's just talk about this," she pleaded, stumbling forward toward him. "Let me explain – "

"Stop!" He ordered in a cold voice, making her freeze in her tracks. "I don't want to hear what you have to say, it will probably end up being just another lie. We are supposed to be husband and wife, Maliya, we're supposed to share everything! But you've been so distant lately and now this…I don't know if I can ever trust you again." He shook his head, looking defeated. "It's like I don't even know who you are anymore." Maliya was horrified to see that his own blue eyes looked watery as he looked at her. "I don't even want to look at you," he admitted, sounding both disappointed and defeated. The floor tilted dangerously under her and she had to reach out to steady herself, gripping the table with one hand. There was a long moment of silence in the tent. "I'm sending you to Riverrun," he announced finally, sounding broken. "We'll meet you there after we take care of things at Harrenhal. You're not needed here and I need some… time to think. Pack your things. I'm going to pick out your guards and get the horses ready."

And then he was gone. The tears still streamed down her face, but when he left, it was like he took something with her – she felt strangely empty. Her husband hated her for killing any of their children and for lying. When she thought of all the other things she was keeping from him, she had to swallow the hysterical laugh that bubbled in her throat. How would he have reacted if he knew the entire truth?

"Your Grace." Feeling oddly detached, Maliya turned and was mildly surprised to see Lady Talisa still standing there. She had witnessed the entire fight but Maliya couldn't find it in her to care. The healer's face was pale and her eyes were wide with regret. "I'm sorry, I never meant – "

"You've done enough," Maliya cut her off, taking the box from her hands. "You're dismissed."

"I'm sorry," she whispered tearfully again, inclining her head before scurrying out of the tent.

The idea that she had to pack her things was laughable – all she had was this one bag with her most prized possessions in it. Her biggest secrets. One of them had been spilled open for Robb to see and now he was sending her away. Truth was, however, she couldn't find it in herself to get mad. If she had been in his position, she probably would have done a lot worse. Robb had so many people that had hurt, betrayed, and lied to him lately that she couldn't blame him for hating her and wanting some space to think.

All she could do was pray that he wouldn't decide to do anything too drastic. The thought of losing him forever was unimaginable – even the thought of not seeing him for a fortnight or two was hard to wrap her mind around. Taking a deep breath, shoving all her hurt, her fear and her guilt deep down inside her, Maliya hastily brushed the tears from her face with the back of her hand. There was something she needed to do before she was sent away.

Grabbing her cloak, she fastened it around her neck before moving over to where her sword was lying on the floor. She buckled it around her waist before shoving the box in her bag and slinging it over her shoulder. "Tell the King that he can find me in my uncle's tent," she informed the guards as she left.

---

"Uncle?" He heard his niece call from outside his tent. "It's Maliya, may I come in?"

"Of course," he answered with a smile, turning around to face her as she stepped inside, a bag over her shoulder. "I'm glad you're here, I was just about to come find you! I received interesting news –" He stopped abruptly as she lifted her face to his, revealing her tear-streaked face. Even if he hadn't noticed that, however, the look in her eyes immediately told him that something was seriously wrong. Her brown gaze held none of the warmth or spark of life that it usually did – they were deadened, somehow, empty. The look made a shiver go down Oberyn's spine. "What is it?" He asked at once, his body on high alert as he examined her for injuries. "Are you hurt? Who did it? I'll kill them."

"Robb found out about the Moon Tea," she told him in a voice as empty as her eyes. "His grandfather died and he's sending me ahead of the army to Riverrun. He says he'll meet me there after he takes care of things here at Harrenhal."

Oberyn's eyes narrowed. "He can't just send you away. I'll speak with him, make him see sense – "

"You will do no such thing," Maliya interrupted firmly. "Robb is a King and he can do whatever the fuck he pleases. Sending me away wasn't the worst thing he could have done after he just found out I've been murdering his children and and keeping this from him for the better part of a year."

Oberyn's eyes widened in shock at the harshness of her words. "Murdering his children? Did he say that to you?" He asked, aghast. "Maliya – "

"It matters not," she said, shaking her head dismissively. "What's done is done. I'm here to say goodbye but I also wanted to ask you to watch out for Robb while I'm gone. There's been two assassination attempts on his life already and I don't think they will be the last. If something happens to him and I'm not there… I don't think I would be able to live with that."

"Of course I'll look out for the King," Oberyn told her impatiently. "There's never any question about that. But we should talk about this, Maliya, I know how you can get when something like this happens." Maliya just stared at him blankly and Oberyn's waved a hand in her direction. "This is exactly what I'm talking about. Whenever something like this happens, whenever you're hurt or afraid, you retreat inside yourself behind an impenetrable wall. It builds and builds until finally you snap."

"I can't," Maliya whispered. When she looked up at him this time, Oberyn was able to glimpse behind the wall, and he saw the agony and terror in her eyes and knew how much this was affecting her. "I can't talk about it right now because I'm not entirely sure what I'm feeling and if I try and analyze it, then I'm going to break down. And I can't do that right now. Not yet." She took a deep breath, clearing the tremor in her voice. "Robb needs some space to think and I'm going to give that to him. Hopefully by the time he gets to Riverrun he'll be ready to talk, and when I explain myself I'm going to have to tell him everything. I can wait until then. I have to. He's not ready to hear what I have to say right now. I've never seen him look so angry or so hurt." She looked away from him, jaw working. "All I can do is pray that he'll be able to understand. I don't want to lose him like I lost Tyene."

"You didn't lose Tyene," Oberyn told her gently, putting a knuckle under her chin and turning her head to face him. "She understands why you kept your identity a secret, she's just feeling hurt that you didn't trust her enough to tell her."

It was never about trust, Maliya wanted to scream. It was about survival! "She's been keeping her distance from me, but I don't blame her. It will take a while to win back her trust and probably even longer to win back Robb's. I just hate that I've hurt both of them so deeply," she admitted, glancing at him and then away just as quickly. She put her bag on the floor and rummaged through it. "Here," she muttered, thrusting something at him. He looked down to see the box of Moon Tea ingredients that he had gifted her back before he had left Winterfell. "I'm not taking this with me to Riverrun, so do with it what you will. Burn it, throw it away, give it to Tyene, I don't really care, I just don't want to see it again."

Oberyn took the box, nodding, and placed it on the table beside him. "Are you sure there's nothing I can do, Maliya? Maybe I should come with you. I can't help but feel like this is partially my fault. I'm the one who gave these ingredients in the first place - "

"That's kind of you to say, uncle, but that's utterly ridiculous. The blame lies with me and me alone." Maliya managed a shaky smile, shaking her head. "I need you here, to help Robb and to continue to lead Dorne's army. Can you tell Tyene what happened? Robb will be here at any moment and I'd rather her hear it from you then from the rest of the camp." She let out a sigh of relief as he nodded. "Please keep Robb safe. He's hurting right now and he's vulnerable and I'm afraid someone will take advantage of that. I'll see you all at Riverrun within the moon's turn."

"I love you, sweet niece," Oberyn murmured sadly, pulling her in for a hug and holding her tightly. "I'm sorry that this has happened."

"I love you too, Uncle Oberyn," she breathed in a sorrowful voice as she returned his hug. "But I deserve far worse."

Seeing his niece like this, barely holding herself together, made his heart damn near break. Half of him wanted to gather her close and protect her so no one could ever hurt her again. The other half of him wanted to wring that Young Wolf's neck even though he knew full well that none of this was his fault.

Maliya was like one of his own – he had helped raise her and train her. He remembered little Rhaenys Targaryen during that first year she was brought to Dorne. The girl barely spoke for the first several moons, eating little and watching everyone around her with wide, frightened eyes. He watched her grow into a fierce, confident woman that reminded him so much of her mother. He adored Maliya and anyone that hurt her, hurt him. He would keep an eye on Robb Stark, save his life if need be, but he did not agree with the Kings decision to send Maliya away. It made them weaker, not stronger.

---

"Your Grace," they heard Dacey Mormont call from outside the her uncle's tent. "King Robb is waiting for you by the horses."

"I'll be right there!" Maliya called back. Taking a deep breath, Maliya looked to her uncle one more time, feeling nervous butterflies flutter in her stomach. "Well, this is it," she whispered, rubbing her sweaty palms on her dress before lacing her fingers in front of her.

"I'm coming with you," Uncle Oberyn said immediately, and a wave of love and gratitude washed over Maliya, making her knees weak. She was married and a Queen and he would still do anything to protect her. It meant more to her than he would ever know, especially since she was terrified to see Robb and say goodbye. He must have caught some of that fear on her face because he squeezed her hand in reassurance. "It's going to be alright, Maliya, you will get through this." She nodded, though she wasn't entirely sure that she believed his words. "Wait!" Her uncle suddenly blurted, a hand clamping over her arm before she could leave. "There's something I have to tell you before you leave. I was just about to find you before you walked in."

"What is it?" Maliya asked, mildly intrigured at the look of excitement on his face even after what just happened.

He pulled her further from the tent's entrance so they wouldn't be overheard and dropped his voice to a whisper. "Ever since our talk about revealing your true identity, I sent letters to a few contacts that I have across the Narrow Sea in Braavos, Pentos, Lys, and Qarth asking about your aunt and uncle."

Maliya's heart began to beat faster. "And?" She asked urgently, eyes searching his hopefully. "What did you hear?"

"Rumors, mostly," he told her. "No one has seen them with their own eyes. But, they say that your Uncle Viserys is dead, the 'Beggar King' they called him."

A flash of sadness went through her when she heard about the uncle she never met, but she quickly pushed it aside. "And what of my Aunt Daenarys?" Maliya pressed, her mind flashing back that dream that she had had not two days past.

"She lives," her uncle confirmed and Maliya let out a breath of relief at his words. A strange glint entered her uncle's eyes. "There are rumors starting in Qarth and spreading from city to city… rumors that she managed to hatch not one, but three dragons."

"Three?" Maliya gasped, eyes widening and heartbeat racing. Her brain was whirling, already thinking of the possibilities and what it could mean. "But how? How did she get them to hatch?" Her uncle shook his head but Maliya was already moving on, beginning to pace back and forth, suddenly very aware of the egg in her bag, pressed against her back. "If she knows how it's done, then she can help me hatch mine and then we could…" she trailed off, her excitement fading as she came crashing back to reality. "What am I thinking?" She sighed, rubbing a frustrated hand into her forehead. "My aunt is half a world away and she doesn't even know that I'm alive. Even if she did, I don't know what she's like or if she would help me. And I can't just leave, Robb would never let me go, especially not after everything that's happened."

"But she has dragons, Maliya – "

"Please, uncle," Maliya interrupted in a weary voice. "Thank you for telling me, but I can't think of this now. I promise that I will speak to Robb about it once he reaches Riverrun and we will decide what to do then." She could tell her uncle wasn't exactly pleased with her answer, but he nodded and said he understood. Squaring her shoulders and pushing all thoughts of dragons from her mind, Maliya left the tent with her uncle close behind her.

Dacey Mormont was waiting outside along with two guards, making Maliya frown. Her eyes trailed from Dacey's solemn expression to where each of the guards had a hand on their swords. Did Robb think she was going to resist his order in front of the entire camp?

"An armed escort?" Uncle Oberyn drawled. There was a smirk on his face but his dark glinted dangerously. "Is that really necessary?"

The warrior woman shifted uncomfortably and twitched a shoulder up and down. "I'm not really sure, my lord, I'm just following orders."

"And what orders were those, Lady Dacey?" Maliya asked, following her through the camp, Uncle Oberyn by her side as the other guards trailing behind them. She recognized Lord Karstark and Lord Bolton watching them pass by and had to avert her eyes. Did they know what was happening?

"Just Dacey, please, Your Grace," the taller woman said, glancing over her shoulder. "The King has asked me to find you and bring you to where he's waiting by the horses. After that, he's asked me to escort you to Riverrun until he can join you there. That's all he's told me," she finished, glancing back at Maliya again. She could see the curiosity in Dacey's eyes and knew the older woman was wondering why Robb was having her go to Riverrun without him. "Forgive me if I'm overstepping my bounds, My Queen, but is everything alright?"

Maliya thought of everything that had happened since Lord Stark's head had been chopped off and sadness entered her eyes. "No," she answered honestly, grief threatening to take over her once more. "No, it is not."

Dacey glanced at Maliya one more time but didn't press any further. "King Robb is waiting for you at the edge of camp."

And so he was. Her eyes found him immediately, standing beside Shadow with his arms clasped behind his back, looking every inch like the King of the North. She found herself taking him in one last time, starting from his auburn curls that she was so envious of and moving to his close cropped beard that made him look slightly wild and even more ruggedly handsome. His broad shoulders in the direwolf armor that she had made for him for his nameday, the fur cloak that added to his regalness. When she thought of him in the coming fortnight or so, however, she hoped that she wouldn't recall the impassive look on his face as he gazed at her, or the cold, distant look in his icy blue eyes. She'll picture those eyes that she loved so much gazing at her with that twinkle he reserved just for her and his happy, carefree smile that usually hid a hint of a laugh.

Their small party stopped in front of him and there was a short, tension filled moment where Maliya and Robb just stood there, looking at each other. "Dacey has agreed to accompany you to Riverrun along with a handful of my best guards." He gestured to the men who stood beside him, already astride their horses, all packed and armored.

Uncle Oberyn stepped forward. "I trust Your Grace won't object if I send a few of my own men as well. Riverrun isn't far from here, but my niece's safety is of the utmost importance," he said, placing a hand on Maliya's shoulder. There was nothing in her uncle's tone to suggest that he was displeased with this entire situation, but she knew Robb understood anway. She could only imagine the look the Red Viper was giving Robb right at this moment. He had a way of sounding casual and being threatening at the same time.

"Of course not, Prince Oberyn," Robb said, inclining his head slightly. "I would be comforted to know that there are a few more men keeping our Queen safe."

"Wonderful," her uncle replied smoothly. "I think an even ten sounds like a solid number. I shall inform them right now."

Maliya watched her uncle stride away before reluctantly turning back. She glanced at Robb and just as quickly looked away. Carefully stepping around him, Maliya approached Shadow, rubbing his nose and murmuring, "Hey, boy." Reaching on her tiptoes, Maliya heaved her bag up onto his back, taking the time to make sure it was properly secured and would not fall off. She tied her sword on next to it, taking longer than usual and then she couldn't delay any longer and had to face Robb.

Dacey caught the tension between the two of them and headed towards her own horse, busying herself. Maliya was all too aware of the audience that they had, and knew that she couldn't say speak openly. Do not fall onto your knees and beg him to listen, Maliya coached herself, straightening her spine. Do not weep and beg for his forgiveness. Do not say or do anything to embarrass either of you.

"I shall see you at Riverrun soon, My King," she said in a voice that was as casual as if she were asking about the weather. And then when shall talk, were her unspoken words. Then you shall know everything and we shall see what you decide.

"I look forward to that day," he responded easily and Maliya couldn't help but think that anyone overhearing this conversation would assume that they barely knew each other. Without thinking about it, she moved forward as if to embrace him, but he stiffened, something shifting in his eyes and she froze, flushing hotly at the rejection.

Thankfully her uncle and his men arrived at that moment, interrupting Maliya's pain and distracting her. All five men were already horsed and packed. She did not know four of the men, but a small smile graced her face when she saw Daemon Sand was among them. "It only makes sense that my uncle would choose one of the finest swords in Dorne to accompany me on my journey," she said to him, causing him to grin and wink at her. "I am glad that he chose you, Ser Daemon. Are you sure that you do not need him here?" She asked, turning to her uncle.

"Guarding you is more important," he said, joining her side.

"I am honored to be part of your royal escort, Your Grace," Daemon graciously said. "It shall be an adventure, like the time we crossed the Mander to visit Tyene's mother." Maliya's smile widened despite everything and she was honestly happy that he was joining her. Maybe he would be able to stop her from spiraling down into a deep depression.

"Safe travels, Maliya," her uncle whispered, pulling her into another hug and pressing a kiss to the top of her head. "We shall see you soon."

"See you soon," Maliya repeated, throat burning once more, savoring his hug for as long as she could before she had to pull away. She turned to Robb once more as her uncle stepped up to Daemon's horse, grabbing the man's arm and pulling him close so he could whisper something in his ear.

"Goodbye," Robb murmured. Maliya's heart leapt for a moment as he opened his mouth again, his eyes full of something she couldn't understand, but he stopped and disappointment flooded through her.

"Goodbye, Robb," she breathed, staring at him for a long second. When tears began to prick the corner of her eyes, she turned away walking back towards Shadow. Grabbing the horn of the saddle with one hand, and sticking her foot in the stirrup, Maliya swung herself up into the saddle and gathered his reins in her hands. She nodded to Dacey that she was ready and she signaled to the other guards. Maliya turned Shadow around, falling in after Dacey and Robb's guards as her uncle's men fell in behind her.

Even though she warned herself not to, she couldn't help turning around one last time, meeting Robb's unreadable gaze. Taking a shaky breath, she faced forward once more, reaching behind her head to pull up the hood of her cloak. Only when her face was hidden from view did she finally allow the tears to spill over once more.

---

Three days. It had been three days since Robb found out about the Moon Tea, three days since he had sent her away. She barely said a handful of words since they left and in turn, her small group didn't speak much. The combination of Robb and her uncle's soldiers offered a strange dynamic – there were two very obvious groups and if Maliya cared to notice, she would have found the entire situation awkward.

Truth was, Maliya was too wrapped up in her own problems to pay much attention to anything. She felt lost, untethered to reality and all she could do was replay both Robb and Tyene's reactions over and over again, causing her mood to darken further. She had also been trying desperately to come up with a speech to tell Robb when he reached Riverrun, one that exposed all her secrets and laid everything out on the table. Unfortunately, everything she thought of sounded completely idiotic to her and she was almost positive that Robb would think she was insane.

Movement caught her eye and she looked up from where she was sitting against a tree to see Daemon approaching her, a cautious smile on his face. "Hi, 'Liya," he murmured, using her childhood nickname. He sat down next to her slowly as if he didn't want to startle her. "The riders that we sent ahead should be returning at any moment. They'll find a safe place for us to stop for the night." She nodded silently, looking around. The horses were grazing in what grass they could find, while the guards were stretching out their limbs and drinking water from the leather canteens. Dameon bumped her shoulder gently, capturing her attention again. "I don't presume to know what happened between you and the King and I'm not trying to pry. But if you want to talk about it, I'm here."

Maliya looked over to him and managed a smile, putting a hand on his arm. "Thank you, Daemon. I really appreciate it."

"Here, Your Grace." Maliya looked up to see Dacey standing above her, a leather canteen held out in her direction. "You should drink something." Maliya took it gratefully, murmuring her thanks. "May I join you?"

"Please," Mailya said, gesturing with her hand.

"Thanks." Dacey settled across from them, arms looped around her legs. "You two look familiar with each other, if you don't mind me saying. How do you know each other?"

"Daemon and I grew up together," Maliya answered, taking a swig of water.

Dacey made an involuntary face as she looked between the two of them and Maliya heaved a sigh, sending Daemon an aggrieved look. "I was warned that people in the North don't treat bastards the same," he chuckled, shrugging it off easily.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean – " Dacey broke off, looking slightly guilty. "It's just… well I've heard that you were called the Bastard of Godsgrace and…"

"And Maliya was a Princess," Daemon said, finishing her thought. "You know, before she became Queen, Maliya and I used to used to roll around naked in the fountains of the Water Gardens together," Dameon informed her, leaning forward and speaking in a conspiratorial whisper, as if it were some big secret.

Maliya rolled her eyes as Dacey's widened drastically, giving Daemon the exact reaction that he was looking for. She gently smacked his arm as he leaned back against the tree, smiling broadly. "What my dear friend has conveniently forgotten to mention," Maliya said loudly over his snickers. "Is that we were children at the time and that my father opens up the fountains to many children in Dorne, both highborn and lowborn alike. Even though he was a bastard, Daemon grew up and became my lord uncle Oberyn's squire and was eventually knighted by him."

"I'm sorry," Dacey apologized again, cheeks coloring a bit. "I didn't mean any disrespect. Bastards are just… treated differently here."

"Look at us, Your Grace, educating northerners one person at a time," Daemon joked, blue eyes glinting. Maliya just rolled her eyes again, though she couldn't hide the smile playing on her lips.

"Oh look, the riders are back," Dacey said with relief, jumping to her feet and hurrying over to see what they had found.

"It's nice to see you smile, 'Liya," Daemon murmured, rising to his feet and holding a hand out to help her up.

"Have I mentioned how glad I am that you are here?" Mailya asked, brushing off her dress.

"Your Grace, you should come hear this," Dacey called, waving them over. "Go ahead, tell her what you told me," she said to one of the guards when they joined them.

"Your Grace," he murmured, bowing slightly. "We rode a league or two and came across a small inn. The closest town is a mile away and it looked to be pillaged and mostly abandoned, possibly by The Mountain and his men. An older woman and her daughter and son run the inn by themselves, the husband died in one of the raids. They have several rooms available if we want to stay the night. They seemed eager for the money; it looked like times have been hard on them."

Maliya nodded, frowning thoughtfully. "What do you think?" She asked, looking to both Dacey and Daemon for their advice.

"It seems like a relatively abandoned area, so we wouldn't have to worry about attack," Daemon offered, shrugging. "I think it should be alright."

"I agree," Dacey said with a nod. "Plus, it would be nice to have a hot, cooked meal and a roof over our heads for the night. The horses would also get some much needed rest after riding steadily for a few days."

"Alright, then it's decided. We'll spend the night in the inn and continue on our journey in the morning."

"You heard the Queen, men, saddle up!" Dacey shouted, rousing the men with a grin. "Say a prayer that this inn has hot food and good ale!"

The men gave a cheer as they climbed back on their horses once more. Looking around at them, Maliya noticed that their spirits seemed to have lifted with the news and she felt shame trickle through her. Straightening her spine and shaking her head, she resolved to do better and to pay more attention. She hadn't been acting like a Queen, she had been acting like a petulant woman who has been moping about an argument with her husband. From now on, she was going to handle her pain on her own time when there weren't people counting on her. She was not the type of woman to fall apart because her husband was furious with her. She would fix things between them. She had to.

It was dark by the time they reached the inn. As soon as Maliya looked at the place she knew that these people had seen hard times. It was an obviously older two story building, made completely of faded timber. Whatever sign had been hanging above the crooked front door was missing and the stables behind the inn looked even smaller and run down.

Even so, the crumbling chimney had a plume of smoke rising from it, indicating that somewhere inside, a fire was lit and the small family that ran it came outside as they approached. "Welcome," the mother greeted, eyes darting between them with a nervous smile. She was a plump woman with brown hair that was beginning to turn gray. Maliya's gaze took in the way her daughter stood slightly behind her mother, brown eyes looking fearful or the way the boy watched them with an expression that was both fierce and sullen at the same time. "My name is Sheran and this here is my daughter Celia and my son Tobas."

Maliya dismounted from Shadow and approached her, both Dacey and Daemon doing the same in order to flank her. "It is a pleasure to meet you," Maliya responded with what she hoped was a calming smile. "My name is Maliya and these are my companions. I've been told that you have a few rooms that we can rent for the night?"

"Yes," Sheran nodded, sounding eager to please. "We have five available rooms on the second floor and I've made some beef and barley stew in case you decided to stop here."

"Wonderful," Maliya said, her mouth watering as her stomach rumbled. She turned to look at Dacey. "Dacey, if you would please pay this woman for the rooms as well as enough to cover the meals for all the men."

"Of course, Your Grace," Dacey nodded and went to her bags where she retrieved a bag of coins that Maliya knew Robb had given her.

"Your Grace?" The boy repeated, somehow sounding accusatory. "What are you, some kind of Queen?"

"Tobas!" His mother scolded, smaking the boy upside the head before sending Maliya a wide eyed look, her daughter shrinking behind her even further. "I am so sorry, he's been acting out ever since his father passed – "

"He didn't pass, he was murdered," Tobas pointed out fiercely, cheeks red and his eyes daring someone to say something.

"Tobas – "

"It's quite alright," Maliya interrupted kindly, holding up a hand as the mother sent her another fearful look, as if Maliya were going to give the order to have her son killed right here. "Yes, I am a Queen, I apologize for not introducing myself properly. It's a relatively new title to me. My full name is Maliya Stark, Queen in the North."

"Your Grace," Sheran mumbled, dropping into a clumsy curtsy and elbowing her children to do the same. "You are most welcome here. We owe our allegiance to Lord Tully and anyone who is the enemy of the Lannisters are friends of ours."

"It was Lannister men who killed my father," Tobas informed them darkly.

"I'm very sorry for your loss," Maliya told him softly. "Lannister men killed my aunt and cousins as well as my good-father. I promise you, we're doing everything we can to get justice for the people that we've lost."

"Good," he responded venomously, crossing his arms over his chest.

Grinning at his reaction, Daemon turned to Maliya as Dacey stepped forward to put a handful of coins in Sheran's hand. "If it's alright with you, Your Grace, I'll have someone take your things up to your room." Maliya nodded and he turned to his fellow Dornishmen. "You two, take Her Grace's things up to the nicest room. We're going to set up a watch rotation as well, you three will start the night and you will be relieved shortly so that you can eat."

"Tobas, help the men with the horses," his mother ordered, pushing him forward gently. "Celia, help me put some more logs into the fire and get the stew ready." Her children and the rest of Maliya's group sprang into action. Dacey ushered her inside after Sheran and Celia, taking her cloak and handing it to the man who was taking her things upstairs.

Maliya wondered how long it had been since Sheran had any customers. The place was absolutely deserted and she could even see cobwebs hiding in the in the corners. "He – here you are, Your Grace," Celia muttered, her face aflame as she placed a bowl of stew and a mug of ale in front of her.

"Thank you!" Maliya called after the girl as she practically fled. She looked after her, frowning.

"Don't look so confused, Maliya," Daemon chuckled, digging into his stew with gusto. "Not everyone has met a Queen before and it can be quite intimidating. Not to me, of course," he clarified at the look on her face. "It's hard to find someone intimidating when you remember their awkward, frizzy haired, bony limbed years."

"Careful Daemon, I could probably still take you," Maliya warned, pointing a fork in his direction.

"I'm not so sure about that, Your Grace," he grinned, taking a swig of ale before looking over at Dacey. "Have you ever seen our Queen fight, Dacey?"

"Once," Dacey admitted, glancing at Maliya. "During the Battle of the Whispering Wood. She dressed as a man and took on the Kingslayer."

Daemon burst out laughing, his fist hitting the table. "That honestly doesn't surprise me in the slightest. Have you ever heard the story of how Maliya used to sneak out of her lessons with the Maester to join Prince Oberyn in the fighting ring?"

Hiding a smile, her mood slightly lifted, she listened to Dacey and the rest of their men as they talked and ate. The warm atmosphere was much more preferable to sleeping in a tent on the cold ground.

"Seven hells, I cannot believe I've eaten three bowls of stew," Maliya moaned, sitting back and putting a hand on her stomach. "You are a very good cook, Sheran," she complimented as the older woman came over to collect her empty bowl.

"That is kind of you to say, Your Grace. I – " Maliya looked up as she stopped speaking and noticed that her expression had changed and was guarded once more. Frowning, Maliya followed her gaze to see that a handful of men had entered the inn. Sheran hurried over to speak to them before bringing them bowls of stew and ale.

"What is it?" Maliya asked quietly, picking up on the tension emanating from both Dacey and Daemon.

"They're wearing all black, with no telling colors or house sigils," Dacey informed her in a low voice, picking up her mug. "Each one of the men is carrying a sword."

"It could be nothing," Daemon added. "Times are tough and it isn't smart to travel without carrying a weapon. Though it's a little odd that this place hasn't had any visitors in a long time and now the place is full. Just the same, pretend that nothing is amiss, Your Grace, we don't want to overreact."

Maliya tried her best to keep up with the conversation between the three of them as Dacey covertly alerted the rest of the men as to the potential situation. Maliya's right hand rested on her thigh, over the dagger she had hidden under her dress. She desperately wished that her sword wasn't currently lying upstairs with the rest of her things. Her stomach was twisted with anxiety as she watched the men from the corner of her eye, wondering who they were.

One of the horses outside suddenly gave a piercing whinny. "Tobas, check on the horses, will ya?" Sheran called from behind the bar, where she was refilling some mugs and where Celia was wiping down some tables. Tobas huffed a sigh at the order, but did as his mother asked, slamming the door behind him to show his displeasure.

Maliya reached for her mug and took a sip of ale, hoping to moisten her parched mouth. Her heart was pumping rapidly, adrenaline rushing through her body. The door opened again and even more men walked in, no colors, no distinct sigils. She counted them quickly. If these men wanted to do them harm, they were no outnumbered two to one.

"Where has that boy gotten to?" Sheran grumbled as she and Celia rushed to get more ale for the newcomers. What occurred next seemed to happen in slow motion. Sheran had paused by the window to glance outside for Tobas and startled them all by letting out a terrified, ear-splitting shriek. One of the newcomers swiftly stood, pulling his sword free, yanking Sheran's head back by her hair and slitting her throat. Her scream was cut of with a gurgle as she dropped to the ground.

The sound of steel being drawn rang through the inn as everyone leapt to their feet. Maliya quickly hiked up her dress far enough to pull her dagger from the thigh holster, gripping it tightly in one hand. There was no longer any doubt as to whether these men had ulterior motives as all of their eyes suddenly turned to her.

"We need to get the Queen out of here," Dacey hissed urgently.

"The boy and the men outside are dead," Daemon muttered under his breath, shifting in front of Maliya, lifting his sword after glancing outside. "And they're blocking the only exit."

"Then we fight our way out," Dacey snarled.

Maliya counted one heartbeat, then two before everything went to hell. By some unspoken agreement both sides attacked at the same time and the echoes of swords crashing against each other rang through the inn. Daemon and Dacey did their best to try and form a protective ring around her so that she would stay away from the fighting but there were simply too many men.

Maliya watched with calculating eyes, trying to see everything at once as she maintained a death grip on her dagger. She watched as one of her men killed one of the assailants before he himself was killed. Another one of her men cried out as he was cut on the shoulder while taking on two men at once. Actually, a quick glance showed all of her men taking on two assailants while Daemon himself took on three. Still, however, that wasn't enough.

One man slipped through swinging wildly at her. She ducked under his first swing, leaped backwards at the second and easily side-stepped the third. She wondered what exactly he was doing before it dawned on her that his main goal was separating her from her men and she fell into his trap. Narrowing her eyes in frustration, Maliya knocked his sword arm to the side and raised her leg to kick him in the chest, causing him to stumble backward and slam against the wall. She leaped forward towards him, holding his wrist away while she thrust her dagger up under his chin, causing him to choke and gurgle on his own blood.

Breathing heavily and spinning, she quickly surveyed the room, spotting a man coming up behind Dacey. Without even thinking about it she brought the dagger back and let it fly. She was aiming for his throat but hit him in the chest instead. Still, it did the trick because Dacey heard them man's cry and was able to whirl and thrust her sword through his heart.

"Shit," she muttered, realizing that she had no weapon now and two men were rushing her. She dove for the sword of the man she killed and knelt, bringing it up to block a downward swing. She didn't calculate the weight of the sword though, and was too slow in bringing it up. She managed to knock the sword to the side, but it still cut the outside of her shoulder, making her hiss in pain.

Maliya swept her leg out, catching his ankles and making him crash to the floor. She brought her sword back for the killing blow but the second man blocked it. Gritting her teeth, Maliya surged to her feet, engaging him with a flurry of quick blows. Blows that would have been quick with her sword anyway. Her brain was moving faster than the heavy sword in her hands and she miscalculated a block, receiving another cut on her leg for her mistake.

Frustrated, Maliya shoved a chair in his direction, which did not hurt him at all, but it distracted him enough to allow Maliya to effectively disarm him. "Who sent you?" Maliya growled, the tip of her sword pressed against his throat. The man sent her a crazed grin and she watched in horror as he gripped the sword with his bare hand, and began pushing it away from him with blood dripping down his arm. He slammed his head forward, connecting with hers and causing her to cry out, pain blossoming behind her eyes. He wrenched the sword from her grip as she staggered backwards, throwing it to the side and throwing a punch at her face. She managed to duck, stumbling away now, knocking into chairs and tables.

The man tackled her, causing her to grunt in pain as she hit the ground hard, landing on her stomach and knocking the breath out of her. Gasping for air, she swung her elbow back, hitting the man in the face and feeling satisfied when she heard his nose crack. He loosened his grip on her and she wriggled forward as best she could, struggling to free herself from his grip. Her eyes darted around frantically, trying to find anything to use as a weapon, but there was nothing near her except the fireplace. She looked to the right and was froze for a moment when she saw Celia hiding behind the bar of the inn, her face white and her eyes wide with terror.

Hands suddenly closed around her throat, his body pressing hers into the floor so she couldn't move. Choking in surprise, Maliya's hands scrabbled around the fingers tightening around her neck, trying to pry them away, but he was too strong. The blood from the cut on his hand covered his fingers and her neck and she couldn't get a good grip. She tried to kick, tried to squirm away, but it was no use. Maliya eye's bulged and she sputtered, automatically trying to draw in some air. Her legs stopped kicking as she lost her strength and terror belatedly filled her when the edges of her vision began to go black. The darkness crept in closer and closer – Maliya was certain she was going to die, when suddenly the pressure around her neck and on her body lifted.

Maliya coughed and gasped, her vision returning though there was a strange ringing in her ear. Eyes wide, still sucking in air that had never tasted so good, Maliya flipped over to see Celia standing over the man, a pitcher raised in her hand and a crazed look in her eyes. It appeared that she had smashed the pitcher across the man's head, hard enough to cause him to slump off her, but not strong enough to knock him out or kill him. Celia dropped the pitcher with a gasp when she realized what she had done and the man groaned, reaching for Maliya once more even though his eyes weren't properly focused.

"No," Maliya rasped, willing strength back into her body as she feebly tried to kick his hands away. Desperately searching around, not wanting to die, Maliya gritted her teeth and did the one thing she could think of. She scrambled on her stomach, reaching forward as she plunged her hand into the roaring fireplace, grabbing a flaming log and turning over to thrust it in the man's face. He screamed and flailed as it burned his face, his arms knocking against the log and causing his clothes to go up in flames in seconds. The burning log was knocked out of her hands, rolling across the floor and coming to a stop against the wall.

She forgot about it immediately as she rose to her feet, still feeling incredibly shaky. She quickly took in the room once more, allowing herself a moment of relief when she saw that Daemon and Dacey were still on their feet, bruised and bloody but still fighting. Her eyes darted towards the exit which was still blocked by fighting and then to a man who started in their direction, blood streaming down his face and a snarl on his lips.

Maliya stepped in front of Celia, empty arms spread to the side and she slowly backed them up, quickly thinking through her options. "Upstairs," she muttered, turning and pushing the younger girl ahead of her. "Go, quickly!" She shouted, her voice hoarse. The girl ran for the stairs and Maliya followed her, lunging forward as the man brought his sword up and slashed downwards diagonally. She cried out in pain as she felt the sharp, stinging bite of the steel as it cut from her right shoulder to her left hip. Catching herself against the steps, Maliya spun so she was seated and kicked out, catching the man in the face. Plunging her hand in her boot for her other dagger, she pulled it out and jammed it through the man's eye, causing him to scream and reel backwards.

Maliya let go of the dagger, staggering the rest of the way up the stairs, banging into the walls as she reached the top level. "Celia?" She called, beginning down the hallway, searching. She forced the pain from her mind as best she could, feeling the hot blood streaming down her back.

"In here," came the girl's frightened voice and Maliya hurried into the first room on the left.

Maliya slammed the door shut behind her and quickly locked it, scanning the room, and noting her sword and bag on the bed, which somehow made her feel better. "Quick, help me with the dresser," Maliya panted, moving to one side of it and throwing her good shoulder against it with all her strength to get it to move. Her back screamed in pain and her injured leg gave out from under her, causing her to crash to her knee with a cry.

"Oh gods, your back!" Celia gasped, voice trembling. "You're covered in blood and you grabbed a burning log out of a fire and and oh gods, my mother! And Tobas!" The girl's eyes were wild as she took quick, shallow breaths. "Oh gods, we're going to die, aren't we – " She broke off with a scared scream as there was a sudden pounding on the door, obvious attempts to break it down.

"Celia!" Maliya said urgently, going over to the girl and shaking her shoulders to snap her out of it. "Celia, I need you to take a deep breath. We are not going to die, alright? Now, I need you help to move the dresser in front of the door so that man can't break in here. Do you think you can do that?"

Celia nodded with wide eyes and they both moved to the dresser, grunting and groaning as they pushed with all their strength, moving the dresser inch by inch until it was in the proper place. Gasping and exhausted, they both sank to the floor, trying to regain their strength. The door continued to rattle behind them as the man tried to break in.

Maliya closed her eyes for a moment, feeling strangely dizzy and still having a hard time drawing a proper breath. Celia began coughing next to her and when she opened her eyes again, she found that smoke was quickly filling the room. "Look!" Celia cried, pointing at the walls of the room, where flames were beginning to flicker. "The inn is on fire!" Coughing, Maliya stumbled to her feet again, an elbow held over her nose as she tried to think. She could hear shouting and screaming underneath them as the fire spread. The man was still outside the door and there was no other way out of this room. "I – I can't breathe," Celia gasped, peering through the black smoke one hand held out in front of her as she moved along the walls, searching.

"What are you – fuck!" Maliya shouted, as Celia suddenly threw open the shutters in the room, letting in the outside air and causing what felt and sounded like a small explosion. Maliya staggered backwards but Celia was thrown into the opposite wall where she collapsed and didn't move again. Maliya wasn't sure what had just happened but it seemed to have caused the flames to accelerate ten times faster. They now leapt across all the walls in the room, moving towards the roof and surrounding her completely. "Shit, shit, shit," Maliya whispered frantically, going over crouch by Celia's side. "Wake up. Celia! Celia, wake up!" She pleaded, shaking the girl, slapping her lightly in the face, but nothing worked.

Gritting her teeth in frustration, she went back to the dresser and tried to push it out of the way, deciding that she would rather face the man outside the door than burn or suffocate to death, trapped in this room. Panting, she stopped and rested her forehead against the dresser. It was no use. She was too weak to move it on her own.

"Maliya!" Maliya picked her head up and looked towards the door. "Maliya!" Dacey screamed, hitting the door with what sounded like the pommel of her sword. "Can you hear me?"

"I can hear you!" Maliya shouted back, wincing at the pain in her throat.

"I'm going to – " Dacey broke off, coughing. "I'm going to break the door down – ah shit," she swore and Maliya guessed that she had just burned herself.

"The door is on fire, Dacey, it's no use! We moved a dresser in front of the door to stop that man from getting in and now I can't move it again. Just go! Leave while you still can!"

"Fuck that, Your Grace, I'm not leaving you here!" Dacey screamed, sounding furious.

Maliya's lips managed to twitch despite the situation that she found herself in. "That is an order from your Queen, Dacey Mormont," Maliya snapped loudly, putting as much authority in her voice as possible. "Find Daemon if he's still alive and leave this inn, right now! Tell Robb – " she broke off, her breath catching in her throat. "Tell Robb I love him and that I'm sorry." Maliya paused for a moment, waiting, but she could hear no sound other than the roaring of the fire. "Dacey?"

"I'm sorry!" The woman shouted in a strangled voice, sounding scared and upset. "I'm sorry that I failed you. I'll – I'll tell him. It was an honor to fight alongside you, My Queen."

Tears pricked the corner of Maliya's eyes. "Goodbye," she murmured, moving away from the door. Feeling dazed and scared, Maliya moved towards the bed and grabbed her bag, settling on the floor. She gazed around the room, taking in the bright orange flames as they danced. It was a beautiful, yet terrible sight as she watched it eagerly consume the inn. She closed her eyes, feeling the heat of it on her skin, causing her to sweat and her hair to stick to the face and the back of her neck.

She didn't want to die. She didn't want to acknowledge that it was over, that she would never see Robb or the rest of her family again, that she would never really get the chance to live without the burden of her need for revenge. It was somehow poetic in a way, though. She was half Targaryen, about to burn to death with all her secrets sitting in her lap. Ignoring the flames for a moment, she opened her bag and laid them all out before her, tossing her spare dresses to the side. The poison from Tyene, Lord Stark's letter, her crown and finally, her egg.

She picked it up and hugged it to her tightly, waiting for the end. Celia sat up, suddenly, gasping and coughing and making Maliya jump in surprise. She screamed when she saw the fire, terror in her eyes and she tried to scurry away from the approaching flames but it proved impossible. Her dress caught fire and when she tried to bat it away, it spread. Maliya's lips trembled as she shut her eyes, not wanting to watch. I'm sorry, she thought desperately as the girl's dying, agonized screams washed over her. Your death is my fault. If I hadn't have come here, then this wouldn't be happening to you. They lasted far longer than Maliya would have thought possible and she found herself rocking back and forth slightly.

The flames reached her then, and Maliya felt them engulf her completely.

Holding the egg tightly to her chest, Maliya forced herself to think of the people that she loved. Her uncle's and her father's proud faces. Arianne, Trystane and the Sand Snakes laughing and joking during supper back in Dorne. Sansa, Arya, Bran and Rickon all snuggled with her on the bed as she told them the story about Nymeria. Jon's smiling face and solemn grey eyes. And finally, Robb. Robb's hopeful face during their picnic in the Glass Gardens of Winterfell. Robb's twinkling blue eyes during their snowball fight in the snow. Robb's eyes full of lust and passion as he hovered above her and the look of love on his face as he held her close. She loved them all and she would have given anything to see them one more time. But, she was glad that it was her that was trapped in this room and not them. It was a short life, but it was a good one and she wouldn't trade it for anything.

Something moved against Maliya's chest and she frowned, eyes still closed. It happened again and she blinked, tilting her head to the side and looking down. It took a moment for Maliya's brain to register what she was seeing.

There was a crack in the egg.

Holding the egg in both hands, she registered that there was a heat emanating from the egg even hotter than the fire that was currently engulfing her. Her jaw dropped to her chest when she realized that her dragon egg was actually hatching. All thoughts of dying fled her mind as her heart broke into an excited sprint. Shifting onto her knees, she placed the egg on the floor in front of her. "Come on," she murmured encouragingly, bending over it eagerly, her eyes alight. "Come on, you can do it."

The egg shook slightly and with Maliya's face so close to the egg she could hear the scrabbling sound coming from inside it. Another crack appeared in the egg's pearly white surface, forming a circular shape at the top. The circle trembled as it was pushed against from the inside and Maliya's heart was in her throat. "You can do it," she urged encouragingly, smiling now. "You're almost there." The egg wobbled again, with more force this time as a section of the top fell to the floor. "Oh," Maliya breathed, her breath whooshing out of her as a small, white dragon head poked through the hole. She watched, tears in her eyes, as the dragon shook its head, stretching its wings and cracking open the rest of the egg.

It was small, smaller than she thought it would be, about the same size as a kitten. But it was absolutely perfect. The tiny scales that covered its body were the same pearly white color as the egg was. Maliya also caught the gold markings on its body, along the outer edges of its wings, and shadowing the white ones down its neck and back. Its wings, legs and tail were all perfectly proportioned and unblemished.

It sat up, tilting its head slightly to the side as it looked at her through golden eyes. "Beautiful," she murmured, reaching out with a shaking hand to touch it. She jumped in surprise as a sharp flash of pain ran from the palm of her right hand, up her arm to her chest, but just as quickly it was gone and the dragon was nuzzling its head into her hand.

The smile on her face broadened as the dragon willingly stepped into her hand, its small claws digging into her skin as it climbed up her arm and onto her shoulder, giving a small cry as it perched next to her head.

Sitting here, in the middle of a raging fire, she looked over at her dragon and knew that everything was different. Her priorities had shifted drastically and her mind jumped all over the place as she tried to figure out what to do next.

Her first thought was that she had not even an inkling of how to care for or train a dragon. She didn't know what it ate, how it hunted, when it could learn to fly or breathe fire. And so, her second immediate thought was her Aunt Daenerys. Her aunt who had three dragons of her own and who was the only other person in the world who knew how to care for one.

Then her brain switched gears again. 'I see you standing in the middle of a raging fire, mouth opened in a silent scream. Only a lion pelt is wrapped around you, its claws digging into your flesh as rivulets of blood stream down your body.' The Red Woman's words came back to her and Maliya finally grasped their meaning. She saw this fire, which meant that the lion pelt must refer to the Lannister men who had come to kill her. It meant that Robb wasn't the target of the previous two assassination attempts and that realization gave her a giddy sense of relief. That was one thing that she didn't have to worry about anymore.

It also meant, however, that someone had found out that she was actually Rhaenys Targaryen and judging by the previous attempts, they wouldn't stop until she was dead. So if she survived this fire, she was putting everyone she loved at risk. Again. Both her and Robb would have died the night the intruder came into their tent, and Robb had mistakenly received the poisoned wine that she now knew was meant for her.

Robb had to live. His life was infinitely more valuable than hers. His family needed him to fight to bring everyone home safely and his army needed him to win their Northern independence from the Iron Throne. She couldn't put him in any more danger, not when so many people needed him.

And now… not only were the Lannister's were coming for her, but once word got out that she had a small, defenseless dragon… they would be coming in droves to either steal or kill it.

In her mind, there was only one thing for her to do.

She slowly stood so as not to startle the dragon, realizing that the fire had completely burned the clothes she was wearing and she was completely naked except for the sun necklace around her neck. She held her hand up in front of her face, watching as the flames licked over her skin. She could feel the heat of against her, but her skin wasn't blistering and she wasn't in pain. "Magic," she whispered, glancing over at the dragon who made another soft noise, opening its mouth and exposing small, yet sharp teeth.

Moving quicker now, she took off the necklace and moved towards where Celia's already unrecognizable body was lying. She felt terrible sadness fill her as she carefully placed the necklace around the girl's neck, grimacing and trying not to look at her too closely. The girl had been several years younger than her but she was roughly the same height. The thought was, hopefully if anyone came looking for her, they would assume this body was her own and that she was dead.

"I'm sorry," she whispered, mentally adding another life lost due to her real identity, before standing.

She cautiously reached out and picked up the dragon. It made a displeased noise when she placed it on the ground and muttered, "Stay," before picking up her sword and turning towards the dresser. It was relatively easy to chop her way through the burning wood and pull the wreckage out of the way before hacking into the door and clearing a path.

She tossed back her messy, unruly braid without thinking and hissed in pain as it made contact with the large cut on her back. Making an annoyed noise in her throat, she took her long hair in one hand and chopped it off with her sword, throwing the braid into the flames. Running her hand through her now uneven, shoulder length hair, she reluctantly place the sword next to Celia hoping that it would convince whoever had been sent to kill her that she was actually dead. She picked up the crown next, staring down at it for a long moment before tossing it on the ground next to the sword.

Each one of those items were a part of her identity. Her sword was given to her by her uncle and represented her past. The necklace was an engagement gift from Robb, a symbol of hope and love that she hadn't been parted from since she she put it on. And finally, the crown was her symbol of her future as the Queen in the North. An odd feeling filled her then, as if she were leaving behind these pieces of her identity in order to go on this new journey and start this new phase in her life.

Parts of the roof were beginning to fall inwards when Maliya picked up the dragon again, putting it back on her shoulder. She gathered the pieces of the dragon egg as well as the poison, lamenting the fact that Lord Stark's letter was non-existent now. It didn't matter, though, because Maliya had read it so many times that she had memorized it. She left the room and walked down the stairs, which proved tricky as the wood was giving way and splintering beneath her.

Taking her time, though, she picked her way across the first floor of the inn, stepping over the dozens of bodies that littered the floor and stepped outside, closing her eyes and breathing in the fresh air.

"Maliya?" Her eyes opened and she turned her head to see both Dacey and Daemon standing off to the side, gaping at her. There were tears streaming down Dacey's face and Daemon looked incredibly upset. "You're alive!" Dacey cried, her eyes trailing over her naked, bruised and cut yet somehow unburnt body before realizing what she was doing and jerking her eyes back up to Maliya's face. "How did you – what – this is impossible – " she stammered, eyes wide as Daemon hurriedly shrugged off his slightly burned cloak and jogged over to her.

Maliya turned to face him fully and the dragon gave an angry cry as he approached. He cursed violently, trying to stop his feet and slipping slightly, a hand thrown out to catch his fall. He straightened immediately, his blue eyes moving from the dragon to Maliya and back again. "Either I'm hallucinating or there's a fucking dragon sitting on your shoulder. Dacey, are you seeing this?"

Dacey's face was pale as she slowly approached them. "I see it, but I'm not sure I fucking believe it," She said in a hushed voice.

Maliya took the time to carefully look them both over while they stared at the dragon incredulously. Both were filthy and covered in sweat, ashes and cuts. Dacey had a limp in one leg and a hand pressed against her ribs while Daemon was sporting a black eye, a split lip and a possible broken wrist. It was a testament to their fighting skills that they managed to escape without any serious injuries.

As she stood there, the excitement and adrenaline fading from her body, she became aware of her own injuries. Her back felt as if it were still in that roaring fire and her throat hurt every time she drew a breath. Not to mention that her head was pounding in time with the other various cuts on her body. The panicked whinnying of horses came from the other side of the inn, capturing her attention. She would focus on her injuries later. Right now, they needed to leave here. A huge fire in the middle of the night would draw attention that she didn't want or need.

She hurried around the inn, intent on freeing the horses before the fire grew out of control and overtook the stables. She passed the three guards that had been stationed outside while they were eating their supper. It appeared that the assassins snuck up on them in the night and slit each of their throats so they couldn't shout a warning.

"Oh gods, Maliya, look at your back," Daemon muttered in horror as they hurried after her. "And did you cut your hair - "

"What are you doing, Your Grace?" Dacey asked in confusion, her voice sounding slightly higher pitched than usual as she talked over Dameon. "How did you survive that fire? And how is it possible that there is a dragon sitting on your shoulder? They're supposed to be extinct!"

"Help me free these horses," was all Maliya said. They swallowed their questions for the moment as the frightened horses came into view, their eyes rolling as they reared up or kicked the walls of their stalls. One by one, the three of them threw open the doors to the stalls, quickly moving out of the way as they eagerly escaped the stables and ran off into the night. "Free all of them save for your own," Maliya called over the noise. "Even the ones tethered outside."

Shadow was the last horse that she came to. He reared as she approached and the dragon hissed in annoyance as he whinnied, its claws digging into her shoulder. "Easy, boy," Maliya murmured, stopping in front of the door as he came back down, snorting uneasily. "That's it," she encouraged gently, slowly unlocked the stall door and stepping inside. "Shadow, I'd like you to meet.. my dragon," she said, realizing she needed to come up with a name for it. "Dragon, this is Shadow. Play nice."

She carefully reached a hand out, stroking his neck soothingly and praying the dragon didn't make any sudden movements. She put the bottle of poison and the egg shells into her saddle bags before grabbing Shadow's reins and leading him out of the stables. Dacey and Daemon were waiting outside with their own horses. Now all they could hear was the roaring of the fire and the occasional sound of the inn breaking apart.

Daemon approached her again, holding out his cloak to her. The dragon lifted its head, its golden eyes narrowed dangerously as it watched him. Daemon stopped short as it gave another loud, warning cry, spreading its wings. "Protective, isn't it?" He asked nervously, wide eyes watching the dragon with apprehension.

"Yes, I suppose it is," Maliya murmured with a smile, running a finger along the back of the dragon's head as it folded its wings once more, looking proud of itself. "Thank you, Daemon." She took the cloak and clasped it around her neck, covering herself as best she could while shifting the dragon. His cloak was too long and she still felt terribly exposed, but it was the best she could do. All her dresses burned in the fire. "Which direction is the Narrow Sea?" She asked, looking at Dacey and Daemon curiously. Dacey gave her a look that clearly worried for her mental health before pointing back the way that they had arrived several hours ago. "Right. First thing's first, I need to find proper clothes and we need to clean and dress our wounds."

Dacey tossed her a blanket from her own saddle bags that Maliya also used to cover herself as she carefully swung herself up onto Shadow's back, blinking rapidly as the vision tilted dangerously. Damn it, she had lost too much blood. Sharing a bewildered look, Dacey and Daemon hurried to clamber on their own horses. "We can stop at a nearby village, Your Grace, and I'm sure we can have some dresses made for you when we return to Harrenhal – "

"We are not returning to Harrenhal," Maliya informed them, interrupting Daemon mid-sentence as she pushed her heels into Shadow's side and began to put some distance between them and the still roaring fire.

"Not returning – " Dacey cut herself off, pushing her horse into a trot to see Maliya's face. "Where in the world do you plan on going?"

Her strange, recurring dream came back to her. Her uncle had been right, she didn't understand what it had meant until this moment, with her dragon on her shoulder and her uncle's news about her aunt and her three dragons still ringing in her mind.

Her dragon settled against her contently, curling its body around her neck, its head lying on her left shoulder and his tail long her right. She smiled as it nuzzled her face for a moment before yawning and knew she was making the right decision. "Astapor." She told her shocked and bewildered companions. "I'm going to Astapor."

---

Author's Note: *Peeks out nervously* So? What did you think? Did anyone see this coming?

Lots of things happened here: Robb found out about Maliya's Moon Tea, and my heart hurt just to write that scene between the two of them. I think we all could have guessed that he would react impulsively! Also… we have a DRAGON! You all have been asking me when that dragon would hatch and I hope I was able to surprise some of you with this scene. It was one of the first scenes I pictured when starting this story.

Alright, friends, I need your help. I have many ideas about Maliya's journey and interactions with her aunt, but I want your input. What do you want to see? This is unchartered territory here and I feel like we can make full use of this adventure, so tell me! I'd love to hear your ideas :)

Next chapter: Maliya begins her journey to Astapor to meet with her aunt, they encounter an unexpected danger and more of her "dreams" become a reality. Robb, Oberyn and Tyene come across a burned down inn and must face the truth of what they find.

Charlie: I'm so glad you loved the chapter :) I tried my hardest to make sure you guys felt Maliya's pain - one of my main goals each chapter is to make sure all the characters emotions come through. When Jon sees Theon... oh man, I don't picture a good reaction on that front. And you were right about the dragon! Hope you liked the hatching and I can't wait to write more about it!

Momo: I definitely agree, a baby in the middle of the war would probably be the worst case scenario. But, like Cat said a few chapters ago, you never know what can happen so you can't put your life on hold. Yes, Maliya has good "reasons" for everything! There's definitely some fear and a sense of shying away from dealing with her problems head on lying underneath those reasons. I don't like to comment on the Red Wedding because I want an element of surprise, but I like your predictions as to who the man with the tattoo and earring is! No ideas are stupid :) I wish that I could give Maliya two dragons, but I thought it was already a bit of a stretch that she had one lol. Thank you for reviewing and I hope you liked this chapter!

Guest 1: As you can see from this chapter, Tywin getting involved was definitely bad for everyone - so many people died! Thanks for your review!

guest 2: Glad you loved it, thank you for your review!

Guest 3: Hahaha when you list all the things that she's dealing with and going through right now, it's not wonder she had a miscarriage! I'm surprised she hasn't had a heart attack! Maliya is... flawed lol it's going to take her a while to come to terms with everything that she's done and keeping from Robb. Thanks for reviewing!

Anna: Yeah, the scenes in both the books and the show with Theon and Ramsay were hard to watch and read. It definitely made me sick to my stomach turn and I couldn't picture myself writing about it. Yeah, Maliya is dealing with way too much at the moment - we'll see how she deals with it within the coming chapters. Thanks for taking the time to review!

Guest 4: Here's the next chapter!