Author's Note: Hey everyone, I'm still here - I promise! I'm sorry this chapter took so long to get out. Between summer school, the start of a new school year and replanning my COVID wedding/getting married things have been a little crazy! Anyway, I hope those who celebrate had a good Thanksgiving. Special thanks to darkwolf76 for always helping me out.

Enjoy the chapter!

Chapter 32: It's Time

"I've been trying to get her used to my touch," Rhaenys explained, showing Daenerys how she carefully ran her hands down Meraxes' spikes and over her wings. "There's a spot just… here." She smiled as Meraxes snaked her neck forward, a rumbling sound coming from her chest that sounded almost like a purr. "It's her favorite spot."

Rhaenys marveled at how much Meraxes had grown in the short time since they had been in Mereen. She was now roughly the size of a medium size dog. It probably came as such a shock to Rhaenys because Meraxes had been spending a lot more time with Daenerys' dragons than she did with her. It was really hard to tell when a dragon was happy, but Rhaenys could somehow sense that Meraxes was happy being with the other dragons. She was still significantly smaller than them still and had to work hard to keep up, but they accepted her well enough. It almost reminded her of a younger version of herself tagging along after her older sister and cousins.

Drogon screeched and Meraxes hissed in response, smoke billowing from her nose. Rhaenys' eyes lit up and she turned toward Daenerys. "Did you see that?" She asked eagerly. "I've never seen her do that before!"

Daenerys chuckled at the look on her face. "Yes, I saw. She might be ready to start breathing fire."

Excitement coursed through her veins. "Really? How?"

"Drogon," Daenerys called from where she was seated on the bench. She waited until the black dragon looked over at her before she said, "Dracarys."

Rhaenys, recognizing the High Valyrian word for 'dragonfire' watched the dragon, fascinated, as Drogon lifted his head towards the sky. Black and red fire streamed from the Drogon's mouth - Rhaenys could feel the heat of it from where she stood. "Amazing," she breathed, her eyes alight before turning back to her own dragon.

"What do you think, Meraxes?" Rhaenys asked quietly, running a hand over her spikes once more. "Do you think you could do that? Dracarys." Meraxes' head came forward once more, her mouth opening and closing several times, smoke billowing from both her nostrils and her throat. "That's it," Rhaenys encouraged, stepping back to give her more room. "You can do it! Just like Drogon did. Dracarys."

She watched with bated breath as Meraxes mouth opened once more and this time fire shot from her mouth, the flames white, red and gold. Rhaenys' was smiling so wide that her cheeks hurt. Meraxes closed her mouth when she ran out of flames then opened it again to let out a loud, fierce roar, ruffling her wings and looking extremely pleased with herself.

She bounded along the wall of Daenerys' terrace screeching at Drogon and nipping at him playfully before launching herself into the sky. Drogon roared in response taking off right after her. Rhaenys laughed, lacing her fingers underneath her growing bump as she watched the two dragons flying and diving through the air, both of them breathing fire all around them.

Rhaenys looked over as Daenerys moved to stand beside her. "Meraxes is always teasing and playful with Drogon. I was a little worried the first couple of times she did it as Drogon can be a bit… temperamental," she said carefully. "He lets her know who's in charge, but he's never tried to hurt her."

"We could spend years studying dragon's and never truly understand them," Rhaenys murmured quietly, "So much knowledge has been lost. Knowledge that we need and could really use. How old are they when we can ride them? How do we ride them safely? How big will they grow? How much will they need to eat? How do we train them to fight from the air? How are we possibly supposed to stay on them when they flip and spin through the air?"

"As much as I wish there was, there's no guide on how to train a dragon," Daenerys said, looking amused by the thought. "We're going to have to learn by trail and error." They stood there silently for a moment before Daenerys looked over at her, taking in what she was wearing. "How do you like the dresses Kezza made for you? I love this color on you."

Rhaenys looked down, running a hand over the material. She was wearing a sleeveless dress of deep red that was form-fitting around her breasts and cinched together just above her belly before it flowed down to the floor giving her belly room to grow. "Kezza is very talented, you're lucky to have found her. I love the material that she used, it almost reminds me of the dresses that we had in Dorne."

"What is Dorne like?" Daenerys asked curiously.

"Oh, you'd like Dorne," Rhaenys said instantly, a bittersweet feeling coursing through her as she thought about her home. "The weather and the climate is similar to Mereen, where the sun is always shining," she said with a smile, tilting her face up towards the sky and relishing the feel of the sun on her skin. She missed the heat and the warmth. "My father rules Dorne from Sunspear, a beautiful castle located on the Broken Arm and surrounded by water on almost every direction. My favorite part of Dorne, though, is the Water Gardens. Oh, you'd love it Dany! There are lovely pink marble walkways that leads out to the gardens and the courtyard, the pools and fountains are shaded by delicious blood orange trees. Children from all over Dorne play in the ocean and the pools so - " She stopped talking when she noticed her aunt looking at her with a strange expression on her face. "What's wrong? Are you alright?"

"Yes!" Daenerys blinked and attempted to smile. "I'm fine. It's just - my brother used to call me Dany."

Rhaenys instantly felt awkward. Daenerys had told her a little bit about her brother, enough to make her realize that her relationship with him was… complicated. Abusive and disgusting were better descriptions, but Rhaenys had to continually hold back her judgement. "I'm sorry! I guess I've just begun to feel so comfortable with you ever since our talk a few weeks ago - "

"No, no don't apologize!" Daenerys hurriedly assured her, placing a hand on her arm. "I… don't mind it, actually," she admitted, sounding surprised. "It's been so long since I've made an effort to get to know someone."

Rhaenys smiled at her, feeling pleased. They had made so much progress since Rhaenys trusted her enough to tell her about the baby. She learned that Daenerys refers to her dragons as her own children, she speaks High Valyrian, the Ghiscari tongue and the Dothraki language from her husband. She had a lonely childhood, moving from place to place with only her poor excuse for a brother as company. The biggest thing that Rhaenys noticed, was that even though Daenerys was younger than she was, she acted older than her years. She built a wall around herself, both to keep people out and to hide any weakness or vulnerabilities. It sounded all too familiar.

"Your Grace," Ser Barristan Selmy called as he walked out on the terrace. "Prince Aegon is here to see you."

"You have got to stop calling me that, old man," Aegon drawled as he strolled out behind him. He stopped short when he noticed Rhaenys standing there and Rhaenys tried hard not to feel offended when his expression darkened.

"Your father was a prince, which makes you a prince, whether you like it or not," Ser Barristan retorted before heading back inside. It sounded like they had had this argument several times over.

"Aegon, come, join us," Daenerys greeted, gesturing with a smile. "Meraxes just breathed fire for the first time."

Aegon hesitated before slowly moving forward to join them. His lilac eyes were still as unreadable as ever, his silver gold hair could use a good cut and there was a cut on his lip that made her wonder if he was still getting into fights. Rhaenys opened her mouth to greet him, but a loud cry beat her to it.

Viserion, who had been napping and lounging under the biggest tree on the terrace, woke up at Aegon's entrance and jumped, gliding towards them. He landed on the wall near Aegon and gave another softer cry, snaking his head forward in greeting. Rhaenys watched with wide eyes as Aegon put a hand on Viserion's head, leaning forward to murmur things that she couldn't hear.

Bewildered, she turned towards Daenerys. "Aegon has…. bonded with Viserion," she explained slowly.

"Bonded," Rhaenys repeated, turning to look back at her brother.

"He's been coming up here a couple of times a week to spend some time with Viserion. Rhaegal doesn't want anything to do with him and Drogon won't let him come close. Meraxes is a bit more tolerant of him, but that might be because he's your brother and he's known her longer. It's certainly not the level of trust that Viserion is already showing him."

"But… how?"

Rhaenys expected Daenerys to shrug and shake her head and was surprised to see her looking thoughtful. "In Qarth I entered the House of the Undying and had several… visions while inside. I saw my brother. Rhaegar." Rhaenys' head snapped around to look at her, now hanging on her every word. She saw Aegon shift slightly and realized he was listening but trying not to appear too interested. "Aegon had just been born and was being nursed by what must have been Elia Martell. He called Aegon "the prince that was promised" and said there must be one more… the dragon has three heads."

Rhaenys shook her head, perplexed. "Three heads? What does that mean?"

"I'm not really sure. I have some guesses, but I'm not sure we'll ever be certain."

"What are your guesses?" Aegon asked, glancing over at them. Viserion shook out his wings before jumping into the sky and joining his brother.

"I have three dragons," she said. "I can only ride one of them. What if… what if Aegon is destined to ride Viserion and someone else is destined to ride Rhaegal?" She glanced at Rhaenys apologetically. "I don't think he took you or Meraxes into account."

"What else is new," Rhaenys mumbled under her breath, feeling the familiar flare of anger as she thought about her father. She pushed it away. "How are we supposed to find the other rider for Rhaegal?"

Daenerys shrugged. "I don't know."

"Your Grace." Ser Jorah was now standing on the terrace. "There is a - " he glanced at both Rhaenys and Aegon. "A matter that requires your attention."

"Please, excuse me." Daenerys sent them an apologetic smile and followed Ser Jorah out.

"Don't go getting any ideas in your head," Aegon warned as soon as she was gone, his eyes narrowed slightly. "I don't want to be Viserion's rider. We had a deal - I would go with you on your journey, but as soon as it was over I was free to go my own way - "

Rhaenys snapped.

"I asked you to come with me so that I could get to know my little brother," Rhaenys interrupted, nostrils flaring. "This is probably the longest amount of time we've spent together in the same vicinity. You have avoided me at every fucking turn Aegon." She could hear herself getting louder as her anger and frustration at her brother came surging forward, but she couldn't stop it. "I have lost count of the amount of times that I attempted to talk to you or do things with you. I try to catch up with you after a sparring session but you slip away, I try to break my fast with you but you're fucking some whore. I don't know what else to do to get through to you and I'm tired of feeling hurt by the fact that you want nothing to do with me. If you're just biding your time and waiting for this to be over than just go, Aegon!" She shouted at him, shoving him in the chest and causing him to stumble backwards in surprise. "You're free! I release you from your brotherly duties. You officially have no family - congratulations."

She could feel the tears threatening to spill down her cheeks but she used everything within her to hold them back. Aegon took a step toward her, a cautious hand outstretched. "Rhaenys - "

"What are you still doing here?" She demanded in a slightly hysterical voice. "Go, Aegon! Leave! Get the fuck out of Mereen!"

Aegon stepped back, staring at her with an unreadable expression on his face before he clenched his jaw tightly and stormed away. Rhaenys spun around, angrily swiping the tears as they spilled down her cheeks. While part of her was already regretting her outburst, she couldn't deny how angry and frustrated she was. She didn't know what else to say to him or how else to try to get to know him, especially when he was resisting her at every turn. Her patience only went so far.

"Your Grace," she heard a soft voice murmur behind her. Rhaenys casually wiped her face, clearing her throat before turning around to see Ser Barristan coming towards her, his face sympathetic. "I couldn't help but overhear - are you alright?"

"I'm fine," she lied with a watery smile. "I guess you can't force someone to be part of your family, can you?"

"Your brother is lost, Your Grace. Don't give up on him - he may still come back to you." They stood there together in silence for a moment, looking out over the city. "I still do a double take when I see him sometimes. He looks so much like Prince Rhaegar."

Rhaenys' jaw clenched, but she bit back the anger on the tip of her tongue. "Did you know my father well?"

"Not as well as Ser Arthur Dayne, perhaps. Prince Rhaegar… he was a complicated man. He was incredibly intelligent and loved to read from the time he was a boy. He fought with a sword almost as well as he played the harp." A reminiscent smile crossed the older man's face. "He used to make women weep with joy or sadness whenever he played. Rhaegar was determined, honorable and the kind of man who would have made a wonderful king."

Rhaenys felt nothing but irritation. "And yet he was also the kind of man who would abandon his family, kidnap Lyanna Stark, and start a war that killed thousands upon thousands of people."

"I never believed the prince kidnapped Lyanna," Ser Barristan said, shaking his head. "He was not the type of person that would do something as sinister as kidnap a Lady. No, I believe that Prince Rhaegar loved Lyanna Stark and they both ran away so that they could be together." Rhaenys' chest was tight and for a long moment she felt like she couldn't breathe. Loved her? Her father had fallen in love with another woman besides her mother? Ser Barristan caught the look on her face and grimaced apologetically. "Your mother was a wonderful woman, Your Grace, but their marriage was arranged. I don't think Prince Rhaegar loved your mother as anything more than a friend and a companion."

Rhaenys swallowed the hard lump in her throat and looked away. Everything that she thought she knew about her parents had completely been thrown into question, but she pushed it to the back of her mind. She would think more about what he said when she was alone. "And what about my grandfather? Did you know him? Was he really as mad as they say?"

Ser Barristan's expression grew weary. "When Aerys first took the throne, he showed great promise, but as the years went on we saw small lapses of madness. It wasn't until the Defiance at Duskendale that he really began to change."

Rhaenys thought back to the lessons that she learned as a child. "The Defiance at Duskendale. When King Aerys was held captive and you single handedly managed to save him. Every child in Westeros knows that story."

Ser Barristan nodded. "The Darklyns surrendered but the king went on to kill the entire family - men, women and children included." She saw the remnants of horror and grief reflected in his blue eyes. "He grew more paranoid from that moment, believing that everyone was conspiring against him. He did…terrible, horrible things."

"So why did you continue to serve him?" Rhaenys challenged. "If he was so awful, why did it take Jaime Lannister to put an end to his reign of terror?"

"I swore an oath to protect the king," he answered simply, though she wasn't sure if she detected a hint of regret in his voice. "I take all my oaths seriously, and protected and served every king in recent memory with honor, no matter what I may have felt."

Ser Barristan caught the expression on her face and continued. "I served terrible kings, it's true. Maybe I should have done something, maybe I could have saved innocent people. Believe me, the maybe's and the what if's haunt me at night. But when that boy king dismissed me from his service, I finally, finally have the chance to choose who I serve and fight for someone I believe in."

"And that's Daenerys?"

"It is."

Rhaenys nodded slowly. "I've grown fond of Daenerys since my time in Mereen, but do you ever wonder…. What if she's like her father? What will you do? Will you sit by and watch like you did in the past?"

Ser Barristan's shoulders straightened at the challenging tone in her voice. "When I first found Queen Daenerys I disguised myself as Arstan Whitebeard, an old squire for the eunuch Belwas. I waited and I observed her and I only told her my true identity when I was certain there was no taint of madness in her. Viserys had the taint, you could see it even at an early age, but Rhaegar didn't and neither does Daenerys."

"That's good," Rhaenys said, feeling relief spreading through her. "Westeros already had a Mad King…it definitely doesn't need a Mad Queen as well."

Robb groaned, then winced as the sound reverberated through his head. What in the seven hells… His mouth was dry and he could instantly tell that his breath was rancid. It took an enormous amount of effort to pry his eyes open, so he lay there for a moment, slowly blinking and trying to get his mind to start working properly.

He managed to roll up onto one elbow in order to look around the room. Not only was he still in his bloody clothes, but broken glass and wood littered his bedchambers. His memories from the day before were fuzzy. While Karstark's beheading would be burned into his mind for the rest of his life, the details of what happened after were not so clear.

He remembered how furious he was when he realized Karstark's men had left. He remembered pouring drink after drink, trying to drown out the overwhelming feeling of hopelessness.

When Robb was a young boy, he had wandered away from his parents and fell into the pool in the godswood. The water was cold, so cold that it numbed his small limbs almost instantly. He flailed, coughing and choking as he tried to stay above the water.

He felt the same way now - he was flailing, drowning, just trying to stay afloat as his army and his purpose came crumbling down around him. He didn't know how he was going to defeat the Lannisters, but there was one thing that he could do - he could march his army back north and take back his home. In order to do that, however…. He would need Olyvar Frey.

Gritting his teeth, Robb forced himself to get out of bed, poked his head out of the door in order to request someone draw him a cold bath. He sputtered and cursed every moment the water was touching him, but when he was finished he felt more alert. He sent for Olyvar and then cleaned up the mess that he made while he got his thoughts in order.

By the time Olyvar was announced into the room, he knew what he had to do.

"Your Grace," Olyvar greeted, bowing slightly.

Robb looked at him, noting that he looked almost as bad as Robb felt, though he didn't remember Olyvar drinking anything. There were bags under his eyes which made Robb think that he hadn't slept at all, his normally neat hair was mussed and he looked paler than usual. "Olyvar, thank you for coming."

"Of course. How are you feeling?"

"Like I've been trampled by a dragon," Robb snorted. "Please, sit." He offered Olyvar the only intact chair, insisting that he preferred to stand. "First, I want to apologize for my behavior yesterday. I should never have acted that way and you should never have had to witness me like that." Olyvar made to speak, but Robb raised a hand. "Some of the details from last night are foggy, it's true, but I do remember you being there for me and I remember…. I remember what you said."

Olyvar leaned forward. "I meant every word of it," he said earnestly. "My father will not let you return north to Winterfell unless you marry Roslin." Something flickered across Olyvar's face and he hesitated. "How - how much do you remember from last night?"

Robb frowned, thinking back. "I remember yelling," he admitted, feeling ashamed at his loss of control. "And I remember you telling me about your sister. Why? What else happened?" He asked, slightly concerned at the look on Olyvar's face.

"We - we were talking about Queen Maliya," Olyvar began nervously. Just hearing his wife's name sent a painful twinge through Robb's chest. "And you said that she didn't die. You said she's still alive and she left somewhere."

Robb turned to hide his stricken expression and moved toward the window in what he hoped was a casual manner. Seven hells. Damn my bloody loud drunk ass mouth. Shit, shit shit. "Alive?" Robb repeated. "That's not funny, Olyvar. My wife is dead, you were there when we buried her. I can't believe that you would - "

"Robb," Olyvar interrupted in an uncharacteristically stern voice. It surprised him so much that Robb turned to face him. "Your Grace," Olyvar acknowledged, softening his tone. "You may have been drunk, but I heard what you said. Why would you say that your wife is still alive?"

Robb shook his head. "You seem different from the rest of your family, Olyvar, and while my gut says that I can trust you - "

"You can, Your Grace," he insisted earnestly, leaning forward. "I have no delusions regarding my family, I know their reputation and I know who they are better than most. With the exception of Perwyn and Roslin… you have become more like family to me than any of the rest of them ever were." He slowly stood, shoulders straightening and a determined look in his eye. "I swear on the old gods and the new, that I will counsel you as best I can and keep your secrets until my dying breath. You can trust me - I will never betray you."

Robb looked at him, hesitating slightly. A strong urge to tell him the truth about Rhaenys swept through him. The knowledge that his wife was out there somewhere weighed on him with the strength of what felt like a mountain. It was the not knowing was nearly driving him to the point of insanity. Was she still alive? Did she find her aunt? Was she bleeding and hurt somewhere? Were Dacey and Damon keeping her safe? Where in the seven hells was she and when was she going to come home?

"My wife…" Robb finally said when he made up his mind, feeling slightly reckless. "She did not die at that inn. I saw her. She was injured, but she was very much alive." He could still picture her so clearly. Her hair haphazardly cut short, her brown eyes imploring as she tried to make him understand.

"Where is she, Your Grace?" Olyvar asked gently when he fell silent.

"I don't know," he admitted, still lost in the image of Maliya's eyes. He remembered her face clearly enough… but was he forgetting the sound of her voice? The feel of her touch? "We guessed that the men who attacked the inn were Lannister men. She felt that there was nowhere safe for her to hide so she left Westeros."

"And you just… you left her go?" Olyvar asked, trying and failing to hide the tinge of disbelief in his voice.

Robb let out a snort, then winced and put a hand to his head as it throbbed painfully. "I know you didn't know my wife well, Olyvar, but there was no stopping her from doing something once her mind was set." He angrily ran a hand through his unruly hair. "I should have fought harder to stop her. Our marriage wasn't perfect, we were going through some things and I just remember feeling so angry at her - I didn't even tell her that I loved her before she left. What kind of husband does that? What if she's scared, or hurt or - or what if she died thinking that I didn't love her?"

Olyvar shook his head, looking slightly uncomfortable. "I'm sure that she's alright - "

"I pray everyday that she is and I know I have to have faith that she'll come home to me… but am I just supposed to wait? Walder Frey will not let us return north unless I marry your sister and I'm in no position to bargain with him. If I refuse him I'm putting Winterfell and my men at risk. But how am I supposed to marry someone else when I know my wife is out there somewhere?" Robb heard the pain and despair in his voice and while his brain begged him to stop, once he started there was no stopping it. Thoughts that had been tormenting him for moons, thoughts that kept him awake most nights were just pouring out of him. "But then say that I do marry Roslin so we can head back north - what if Maliya comes back? I know my wife. While she might understand why I have to do it, she will never forgive me. It would break us, Olyvar. There's no coming back from that." He ran his hand through his hair again as he shook his head. "Ever since she left I've felt like someone has reached in my chest and tore out my heart. What in the seven hells am I supposed to do?"

Olyver shook his head, pity and sympathy in his eyes. "Only you can answer that question, Your Grace. To me… it sounds like you have an impossible decision to make."

"My heart or my people…" Unfortunately, he knew what needed to be done. He'd known since Frey had first made his offer. His already fractured heart broke even further, but he pushed the pain away as best as he could. "I know what I have to do."

Oberyn relished the feeling of the heat against his skin and the smell of the salty ocean breeze that blew through his hair. He loved traveling and visiting different places, but there was something about Dorne that called to him, called to his blood. And there was no place in Dorne that was more beautiful that the Water Gardens, with the beach in the background, the beautiful palace and the sparkling pools and fountains.

"Oberyn!" He looked up and a bright smile crossed his face as Ellaria came running toward him, looking as sexy and attractive as ever. He slid down off his horse and met her halfway, catching her as she threw herself at him. Peace spread through him as he buried his head in her neck, breathing in her scent.

Always impatient, Ellaria gave him a couple of seconds before pulling his head back and kissing him in a way that made him want to take her right there in the middle of the road. It had been so long since he'd seen her and he was more than willing and ready to go, but he had business to take care of before he could give in to pleasure. Regrettably, he pulled back. "I've missed you, my love," she murmured breathlessly. "I am so so sorry to hear about Maliya. Dorea and Loreza have been practically inconsolable since they heard the news."

There was a disgusted noise to their right and they both looked around to see Tyene handing the reins of her horse to a stable hand. She shot her father a furious look before sweeping past them and into the palace.

"What was that about?" Ellaria asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I have no idea," Oberyn said, though that wasn't exactly true. Tyene had accused him of not properly mourning Maliya's death on the journey back to Dorne. He had tried to make her feel better, he had tried to tell her everything was going to be okay, but every time he did she just got mad. He had wanted to tell her that Maliya - Rhaenys - was still alive, but there was someone he needed to talk to first. He looked back down at Ellaria. "I promise you I will come find you the minute I am finished talking with my brother."

Ellaria nodded solemnly and he pressed one more kiss to her lips before striding off to the palace. He walked through the corridors with a frown and it took him a moment to figure out what was bothering him. It was a clear, beautiful day - on a day like this, children could be heard laughing and playing in the pools and fountains. Comparatively, the silence around the palace was almost deafening.

While the mood in Sunspear had been somber when they rode through, things were positively bleak and grim at the Water Gardens.

"Your Grace," Areo Hotah greeted when Oberyn stopped outside the sitting room. The large, broad shouldered guard was without his usual smile. "Your presence is sorely needed during these dark and difficult times."

"Dark times, indeed," Oberyn murmured. "How is he, Areo?"

"I don't know if you remember what he was like when Princess Elia died because you were dealing with your own grief, but this… it seems worse somehow. He's effectively shut down the Water Palace and some days he doesn't leave his room. He's barely eating… Princess Arianne has stepped up and is helping with the day to day affairs, but everyone is concerned."

Oberyn's face darkened as he nodded. "Let me speak with my brother."

Areo opened the door for him and Oberyn stepped inside. Oberyn's eyes trailed over the plate of uneaten food on the table, to the drawn curtains making the room darker than it should be on this beautiful sunny day and finally landing on the hunched figure of his brother, sitting in his chair.

Oberyn slowly walked around the room, his eyes taking his brother's appearance with dismay. There was significantly more gray streaked through his hair and his clothes hung off his thin, ashen frame. "Hello, brother."

"Oberyn," Doran greeted, his voice raspy from disuse. The despair and agony was etched so clearly into his face that it made it hard for Oberyn to look at him. "It is good to see you… you look well." Oberyn wanted to make a jape about how he did not, but it definitely wasn't the right time for that. "Did you - " Doran broke off, looking away as his face spasmed in pain. "Did you bring her body back? We should - we need to say goodbye to her properly."

"I didn't," Oberyn told him, matter of fact. "Because our niece is still alive."

Doran's eyes snapped back to his, frozen. "Explain yourself, Oberyn."

Oberyn settled across from him, his elbows on his knees. "Maliya was attacked in that inn, but she didn't die."

"There he is," Rhaenys whispered, elation running through her. She looked down at the bundle of blankets in her arms and couldn't help the smile that crossed her face. Her baby girl was all her father - the skin tone, the auburn wisps of hair, and especially the bright blue eyes. She was absolutely beautiful. "Your papa is going to be so happy to see you," she murmured, pressing a light kiss to her daughters forehead.

She could just make out Robb standing on the shore as their ship pulled in. She could just barely see him, looking every inch of a king with his nicest cloak on, his crown upon his head and his sword buckled at his waist. The ship finally docked and Rhaenys found herself hurrying towards her husband. It had been so long since she had seen him and she could not wait to be in his arms again.

It wasn't until she drew closer to Robb that she registered the expression on his face. His eyes were brutally cold and distant, his face severe and unyielding. Her stride faltered slightly, but she quickly put the smile back on her face.

"Robb," she greeted breathlessly. He just stared at her, making no move to greet her. "I - I want to introduce you to our baby girl - "

"What baby?" Even his voice was cold, there was none of the warmth in it that he usually reserved just for her. "You've killed this baby just as you killed the last one."

Confused, Rhaenys looked down. Her baby's skin was a mottled gray-blue and those blue eyes that once held so much life stared unseeingly up at her. "No," Rhaenys gasped, horrified. "Please, no!" Her knees buckled, but her eyes never left her baby. She gently shook her, tapping her shaking fingers against her cheek. "Wake up, wake up, wake up." Shaking her head, tears streaming down her face, she looked up at Robb. "I didn't do this, I didn't mean to - Robb?"

Blood was spilling from the multiple puncture wounds on his body and as she watched his face turned white, his blue eyes filling with agony and sadness. "You've killed us both." All of the sudden Rhaenys' arms were empty and Robb was holding her dead baby. "Why did you have to leave?" He whispered as his life blood continued to seep out of him. "Where were you when we needed you most?"

Rhaenys' heart shattered into a million pieces and all she could do was open her mouth and scream.

"Rhaenys! Rhaenys!" Rhaenys sat up with a gasp, looking around wildly. Aegon was sitting next to her on the bed, his hands still on her shoulders from having to shake her awake and an alarmed look on his face. It took half a second to recognize her bedchambers in Mereen and another to realize that tears were freely streaming down her face. Her shaking hands went automatically to her belly and she let out a shuddering breath as she felt her small bump.

Remembering Aegon, she moved to pull away from him. "I'm alright," she croaked, trying to brush his hands away. "I didn't mean to wake you. I'm fine, honestly, you can go - "

He didn't say anything for a long moment, and then completely surprised her by pulling her against his chest. Rhaenys sagged against him with a shuddering sob and wept.

It was just a dream, she reassured herself over and over again. This was the sixth night in a row that she had a nightmare like that. Either her baby, Robb or both of them feature in her nightmares and they always die. One night Robb had his throat slit, one night a masked assassin stabbed her unborn baby still in her belly - the scenario didn't matter. They always died and she was never able to save them.

She didn't know how long she cried, but when the tears finally stopped flowing, her eyes were puffy and she was pretty sure she had snotted all over the front of Aegon's shirt. Face red with embarrassment, Rhaenys pulled away from him. "Sorry," she muttered, looking everywhere but at him as she wiped her tears away.

Aegon looked uncomfortable too, but he didn't flee like she expected him to. "Do you want to talk about it?" He asked quietly. "I overheard Dacey say that you've been having night terrors."

An image of her dead family flashed in her mind and her eyes burned with more tears. She hesitated, then shook her head. "It's nothing I can't handle," she finally said, not wanting to burden him further.

His lilac eyes watched her for a long moment, but let it go. "Don't think I haven't noticed that you've been avoiding me," he said lightly. Rhaenys met his gaze, then quickly looked away again. "I've been trying to find you to tell you…." He took a deep breath. "That you were right. I haven't given you the chance to get to know me - "

"But why?" Rhaenys broke in, unable to help herself. "Do you dislike me as a person? Do you miss being a pirate that much? Or do you just enjoy fights and confrontation?"

Aegon tilted his head to the side as he thought about her questions. "I miss the freedom that comes with being a pirate. I never had to try so hard with anyone before and Red pretty much let me do whatever I wanted. I've done some pretty terrible things over the last couple years, Rhaenys. What if - " He looked at her fully, an uncertain expression on his face. "What if you try so hard to get to know me and you don't like the person that I am?"

"Is that what this has been about all these moons? Because you're afraid?" She shook her head, mystified. "Aegon, you are my brother. I know that you had a tough childhood. I know that you've had to deal with pain and loss and so much more than a child should have to go through. But when it came down to choosing between the captain that you had known and served for years and saving my life… you chose to save me. I don't think there's anything that you can say or do that would make me dislike you."

Aegon nodded though he didn't look convinced. "I can't promise you long talks over tea while we share our thoughts and feelings, but I can promise to try and do better - be better." Rhaenys nodded, hoping she looked a bit more convinced than he did. "Do you want to talk about what you were dreaming about?" He looked down to where she was still cradling her belly protectively. "Does it have to do with the baby? Cause everything's going to be alright, the little prince or princess will be just fine."

Rhaenys frowned, shaking her head. "You don't know that," she said, her voice strained. "I have this - this pit in my stomach that I haven't been able to get rid of the past couple of days. It's almost like… dread. Like something bad is going to happen." Her eyes went down to the her belly. "I've felt love before. I love my family and my husband. But this is something different. I've never even met my son or daughter but the amount of love I already have for him or her is…. overwhelming. I would do anything to keep him or her safe."

"Sounds like the way a mother should be," Aegon told her with a sad smile.

A knock sounded at their door, interrupting their conversation. Rhaenys and Aegon shared a startled look. "Who could that be at this time?" She asked, mystified. She rose from the bed, grabbing her robe from a chair and slipping it on, tying it around herself. "Daenerys!" She exclaimed in surprise. The silver haired queen's hair was completely down, free from any braids and she was wearing a long blue robe. "Is everything alright? It's the middle of the night!"

Daenerys said something to the Unsullied guards behind her and swept past Rhaenys into her room, closing the door behind her. "There's something I - oh!" She spotted Aegon sitting on the bed and stopped mid-sentence. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt."

"No, you weren't - I just had - nevermind," Rhaenys said, waving a hand.

Daenerys' eyes flitted between the two of them. Rhaenys frowned as she looked at her. She looked both worried and nervous, which caused a flutter of anxiety to go through her. What could Daenerys possibly be doing at her bedchambers in the middle of the night? "May I speak with you privately, Rhaenys?"

Rhaenys hesitated for a moment before making eye contact with Aegon once more. He sent her a small smile as he rose from the bed. "I'll uh - I'll be around if you need anything." She nodded at him and he slipped out the door.

"I debated for a while about whether I should say anything," Daenerys said as soon as the door closed. She moved further into the room, her fingers unconsciously playing with the edges of her robe. "I have these… dreams, or visions. I dreamt of a black dragon before Drogon hatched, I dreamt of my brother Rhaegar telling me about the three heads of the dragon, I dreamt of the Irone Thron and my unborn son. I don't always know what it means, but I have to believe they have some significance."

Rhaenys frown deepened even as her heart rate picked up speed. Something was very wrong. What did Daenerys dream about?

"Part of me is selfish and I don't want to tell you," Daenerys confessed, looking slightly ashamed. "I've come to think of you as a friend and I don't want to lose you."

"Lose me?" Rhaenys repeated, eyebrows crinkling. "Dany, what in seven hells did you dream about?"

"There was a feast," Daenerys told her, purple eyes watching her closely. "Everyone was dead. Some corpse's didn't have limbs, they were covered in blood, food was everywhere and the place was a mess. On the throne there - there was a man. Except… he had a wolf's head instead of a human head and he was wearing an iron crown. Didn't you tell me your husband has a direwolf?"

Rhaenys blinked, a dull roar in her ears. "A wolf?" She croaked. "Are you sure it was a wolf? A throne, a crown and a wolf.. do - do you think it's about Robb? What does that mean? Is he in danger? Is something going to happen to him?"

"Take a breath Rhaenys," Daenerys murmured soothingly, coming over and rubbing her hands up and down Rhaenys' arms. "I'm sorry, I'm not sure what it means - I don't know if it even means anything! But with the amount of dead bodies and blood that I saw, I thought that you ought to know."

Fear was quickly spreading through her, all of the deaths that Robb had been through in her dreams flashing through her mind. Swallowing the panic in her throat, Rhaenys shook her head. "If there's even a chance that this has to do with Robb, I can't take that risk. I'm sorry Daenerys… but I think it's time we head home."

Author's Note: Lots of big decisions happening this chapter! Rhaenys is finallyyyy heading back home to Robb... just as he makes the decision to possibly marry someone else. Of course. Is there anything you guys want to see happen in Mereen with Daenerys before they leave? Or is there anything else you want to see incorporated into the story?

I hope you all are staying safe out there! Please don't forget to leave me a review to let me know what you think and to make sure someone out there still cares about this story lol! :)

Guest1 - Glad you liked the chapter! I loved that little backstory between Dacey and Jorah as well. It's fun to take already existing characters and give them a little bit more depth. I also love writing Dany and Rhaenys :)

Guest2 - Thanks for the review! Haha you'll just have to wait and see!

leo - Thank you so much for those kind words, you have no idea how much it means to me! I'm so glad you're enjoying the story so far. Lol I don't like to give spoilers so my lips are sealed when it comes to Robb's fate. You'll just have to keep reading to find out! I appreciate your love and prayers. It's a scary and uncertain time for sure, but my loved ones and I are staying safe and healthy! I hope you and yours are as well!

Guest3 - Thanks for the review, I'm happy you're enjoying the story! Can you picture all 4 dragons flying together? How cool would that be!