*ITALICS = DOTHRAKI
**BOLD = DRAGONS TALKING**
Two months had passed since Rhaesa revealed her secrets to Drogo, Dany, Ser Barristan and Ser Jorah. Within that period, three things happened. Drogo decided that if they were going to travel to Westeros, they would need money to hire ships. So, he and his men started raiding villages for gold and slaves to sell.
The second thing that happened was that Rhaesa's belly had grown more significant as she reached her ninth month. She was not permitted to go with Drogo on his raids for fear that Rhaesa would be injured or go into early labor. Drogo had Rhaesa confined to their tent and guarded by Ser Barristan at all times. He was not going to chance another assassination attempt.
The third thing that happened was that the hatchlings had grown in size quickly from the scope of cats to the size of Saint Bernards and could now fly. It was not uncommon to see Daenerys' dragons soaring above Vaes Dothrak playing tag in the air. They would sometimes be joined by one or two of the male dragons, never all three of them at once. Balerion Meraxes and Drogon had taken it upon themselves to help guard their mother and sibling while their father was away. So, one of them was always with Rhaesa making sure she was alright.
Since Rhaesa was confined to her tent, there was nothing for her to do but worry about Drogo and plan how to keep her family safe. She thought that if the Usurper were to learn that she and Dany had survived the assassination, he would undoubtedly send more killers. So, before Robert found out they were alive, Rhaesa would have the guild of the Sorrowful Men destroyed. Rhaesa sent a letter to the temple of the Many-Faced god in Braavos with two words written down, Valar morghulis (all men must die). Jaqen H'ghar also sent back a two-word reply, Valar dohaeris (all men must serve.) Once Rhaesa received his response, she informed him of who she wanted to be killed, The Sorrowful Men. By the end of Rhaesa's eighth month, she received a letter from Jaqen H'ghar. It only had three words; It is done.
After the situation with the Sorrowful Men had been dealt with, Rhaesa and Daenerys talked about how they were going to handle the Lannisters and Baratheons. With the help of Ser Barristan and Ser Jorah, they decided that Renly Baratheon and Tyrion Lannister would be allowed to bend the knee since they were both only children when the rebellion took place. But the Lannisters, Robert, and Stannis Baratheon would be shown no mercy, especially Tywin Lannister. He would be executed for what he did to their family.
"Tywin Lannister will die by dragon fire," Daenerys said.
"No, I want him to suffer, as Elia and her children suffered," Rhaesa said. She turned to her dragons, "He will slowly be eaten alive by the dragons; it's only fitting."
"What of the other Kingdoms that were involved in the rebellion, Khaleesi?" Ser Barristan asked.
"They will all be given a chance to swear allegiance to House Targaryen, or they will be stripped of their titles, lands, and sent to the Wall," Rhaesa said, "And if worse comes to worst, we will show them how our ancestors conquered Westeros. Though I would like to avoid as much bloodshed as possible."
"That may be unavoidable, Khaleesi," Jorah stated.
"You may be right, Ser Jorah."
In Rhaesa's ninth month, things got a little complicated. Her energy level started to decrease. Her nausea came back, and she had to force herself to eat. Rhaesa spent most of her time asleep with one or all of her dragons curled up next to her bed. When she was awake, Rhaesa worried endlessly about Drogo. There had been no word from him for two months, but she thought that no news was good news. But Rhaesa couldn't shake the feeling that something terrible was going to happen. She would have nightmares of her husband's death, and she would often wake up screaming and shaking. It got so bad that at night, Daenerys would sleep with her sister.
Rhaesa's nightmare was finally realized when Haggo, Drogo's closest ally, and a stalwart warrior, came riding hard into Vaes Dothrak yelling that a healer and priestess were needed as Khal Drogo was dying.
Doreah burst into Rhaesa's tent, "Khaleesi, Haggo has arrived. He says that Khal Drogo is dying."
"What?! What happened to my husband?"
"Haggo said that the Khal got into a fight with one of his men that insulted you and was wounded. He left the wound untreated and came down with a fever. A slave offered to treat him, saying that she was a healer, but it turned out she was a witch and made Khal Drogo worse. Now he is slowly dying, but the Khal insisted that he be brought home so that he may die with you by his side and hopefully see his son. They are bringing him on a pallet right now."
"No," Rhaesa whispered.
A few moments later Rhaesa could hear a commotion outside, Ser Barristan and Dany helped her up, and they went to see what was going on. When they stepped out of the tent, Rhaesa saw Drogo being carried towards their tent by his bloodriders. They wouldn't allow anyone else to touch their Khal. The healer and priestess were already fussing and chanting over Drogo.
*Bring him in quickly, and lay him down on the bed,* Rhaesa ordered.
The bloodriders did as they were commanded. Instantly the healer and the priestess went to work, but it is evident that this infection was beyond their skill. They gave their Khaleesi a sympathetic look, *We are sorry, Khaleesi, but whatever the witch did to our Khal is beyond our abilities. He will die.*
Rhaesa started crying hysterically and fell to her knees beside Drogo. He was pale and sweating, his face gaunt. The dragons began to screech in pain as they felt their mother's distress and their father slipping away. The dragons growled at the healer and priestess, making them back away. They then crowded around their father.
Rhaesa took Drogo's hand in hers when he felt her warmth, he opened his eyes and smiled, *I did not think I would see you again, Moon of My Life, before I left this world.*
*You are not leaving me, My Warrior Love. I will save you.*
Drogo shook his head, *It is too late for me, my wife. I only wanted to see you one last time.*
*NO! I did nothing when my mother was dying; I am not going to sit here and watch you die.*
*Khaleesi, there is nothing we can do for the Khal but make his final moment comfortable.*
Rhaesa glared at the healer, *You may not be able to heal him, but I can.*
With those words, Rhaesa leaned in and placed both hands over Drogo's festering wound. Black lines could be seen spreading towards his heart where the witch had probably poisoned him.
Rhaesa closed her eyes and concentrated her healing power on Drogo's wound. Her hands started to glow pink, and the more energy she poured into Drogo, the more the pink glow would spread throughout his body. The priestess and healer looked on in awe and fear, not knowing what was going on.
*She's a witch,* The healer declared openly.
*We must get her away from the Khal,* The priestess said.
Rhaesa paid them no mind. Her only focus was Drogo and healing him. The women moved to pull Rhaesa off of her husband, but the dragons came to their mother's defense. They put themselves between the women and their parents and began hissing. Balerion went as far as inhaling, making his chest glow with dragon fire, even though he had never blown fire before.
The scared women scurried out of the tent. When they got outside, they found that the entire Khalasar had gathered to hear if they were able to save their Khal.
*There is nothing we can do. But the witch is doing something to his body.*
*Witch? What witch?* Haggo asked.
*The Khaleesi is a witch!* The priestess yelled.
The Khalasar was in an uproar at the priestess' words. They began to demand that Rhaesa be killed before she desecrated Khal Drogo's body. As they were about to storm the tent, Daenerys' dragons landed between them and the tent, not allowing anyone to come near.
Daenerys pushed her way towards the tent, *My sister is not a witch, she is a healer, and she will save the Khal!* Dany yelled, *And I will not let you come near this place and interrupt her work.*
At her words, the female dragons began to screech and act more aggressively.
Meanwhile, in the tent, Rhaesa continued to work on Drogo. Slowly she was drawing the poison out of his body. It was taking every ounce of energy that she possessed, and Rhaesa was beginning to weaken. But she refused to give up; she was not going to let Drogo die under any circumstances.
Finally, Rhaesa was able to draw out all of the poison and heal Drogo's wound. The color started to return to his face; he stopped sweating and was now resting more comfortably. Rhaesa slumped against him, her energy almost gone. Drogo opened his eyes when he felt a weight on him. He saw Rhaesa laying against his chest; she looked very uncomfortable with her enormous belly in the way. Drogo brushed Rhaesa's silver-blonde hair out of her face.
Rhaesa opened her eyes and sighed when she saw Drogo staring back at her; she gave him a tired smile, *Are you alright, My Warrior Love?*
Drogo ran his finger down Rhaesa's cheek; *Am I alright? Are you alright?*
*I'm fine, only a little tired. The witch poisoned you when she treated your wound. It took a great deal of effort to draw out the poison.*
At the sound of his voice, the dragons turned and scrambled towards their father, they surrounded him and their mother, **Father, you are well!** Drogon cried, **We were all so worried about you and for you, Mother.** Meraxes tells his parents.
*Why were you worried about me?*
Balerion's eyes narrowed, **The two females that were in here began to speak in angry tones and came at you, Mother. They looked like they wanted to hurt you.**
*Did you hurt them?*
**No, Mother, we only kept them away from you while you healed Father. But we did hear Aunt Daenerys say that you were not a witch, that you were healing Father.** Drogon explained.
Drogo and Rhaesa looked at each other, the healer and priestess must have told the Khalasar that Rhaesa was a witch, and now the Khalasar was in an uproar. At that moment, Ser Barristan came into the tent. He bowed to Rhaesa and then walked up to where Khal Drogo was lying down.
*I'm sorry for interrupting, Khal, but you must go outside and calm down the Khalasar. They think the Khaleesi is a witch and that she's desecrating your body. The Princess and her dragons are keeping them at bay for now, but only seeing you will calm them down.*
Drogo threw the furs off of him and sat up. Rhaesa pushed on his chest to get him to lie down again, *Don't, My Warrior Love, you must rest.*
*I have rested long enough; the Khalasar need to see that I am fine. I will not have them call you a witch and cause you harm,* Drogo said as he cupped Rhaesa's face and kissed her lips, *Rest, Moon of My Life, you look exhausted.*
Drogo stood up and helped Rhaesa lie down, *Barristan, stay here with the Khaleesi. Do not let anyone come into the tent unless I say so.*
Ser Barristan bowed, *As you command, Great Khal.*
As Drogo was walking out, the dragons made to follow him, he looked at his sons, *Stay with your mother,* Drogo commanded the dragons.
The dragons surrounded their mother and laid their heads close to her. When Drogo was satisfied that the dragons would protect their mother, he left the tent. Stepping in front of Daenerys and her dragons, Drogo addressed the Khalasar, *What is the meaning of this?!*
Those closest to the front gasped at the sight of their Khal standing before them. A murmur went through the mob that Khal Drogo was alive. But the priestess and healer stepped forward, *You are not Khal Drogo, our Great Khal was dying. You are a monster of the witch!*
*You dare deny that I am your Khal?!* Drogo growled. *Look at me, do I seem any different from the Khal that has always led and protected this Khalasar?*
*But you were dying,* Someone in the crowd cried.
*Does it look like I'm dying now? My wife is not a witch; she is a healer. Your Khaleesi has great healing power and has used it to save me. I will not allow you to insult my wife and endanger her or my son! I will handle any harm that comes to her or my son.*
*You are not our Khal you are a monster controlled by the witch!* Another person yelled.
The Khalasar started to shout in agreement until one man stepped forward, *If you are Khal Drogo, then fight me and prove it.*
Without hesitation, Khal Drogo attacked the man grabbed him from behind and broke his neck, killing him instantly. The mob was rendered silent.
*Is there anyone else that doubts me?*
Haggo stared at Drogo then stepped forward, *No, you indeed are the great Khal Drogo.* With his declaration, the rest of the bloodriders stepped forward to stand at Drogo's side.
Haggo stepped in front of Khal Drogo, *Our Great Khal has been saved! Praise be to our Khaleesi who brought him back to us!*
The Khalasar began to chant for their Khaleesi, praising her for her healing abilities.
As this was going on outside, inside the tent, Rhaesa was resting peacefully. She opened her eyes and looked at Ser Barristan, "What's going on, Ser Barristan?"
"It seems that Khal Drogo was able to calm the Khalasar down and assure them that you are not a witch. They are now praising you for saving their Khal."
Rhaesa nodded then closed her eyes. She placed her hand on her belly when she felt something ripple through it. Rhaesa had been feeling odd for two days, she kept feeling a bizarre sensation across her stomach and back, but she ignored it. By the second day, the sensation had turned into something uncomfortable. As the day progressed, the awkward feeling got worse and worse until it was an ache in her back and stomach. The ache had turned into pain by nightfall. But when Drogo was brought in, dying, Rhaesa ignored her pain and began to heal Drogo.
Now she was tired and weak, lying in bed resting. Rhaesa suddenly feels a rush of warm liquid between her legs and her first real contraction. She lets out an agonizing scream, and the contraction rips across her belly.
The celebration outside the tent is cut short by Rhaesa's scream. Ser Barristan comes out of the tent, *The baby is coming, Khal Drogo.*
Dany dashes into the tent and makes her way towards Rhaesa. The dragons begin to screech in fear; they have never heard their mother in pain.
**Mother, what's wrong?** Balerion questions.
"It's alright, my sweets, it's time for your sibling to come into the world," Rhaesa tells the dragons in a strained voice.
**What can we do to help, Mother,** Drogon asks.
"Nothing, I need you three to stay out of the way and let the healer work."
Meraxes growls, **The ones who tried to hurt you, Mother?**
"Yes, but nothing will happen, your father, Aunt Dany and Ser Barristan will be here, not to mention the three of you. Don't worry; everything will be fine," Rhaesa says while panting through another contraction. She squeezes Dany's hand.
A few moments later, Drogo rushes into the tent, followed by the healer. Drogo falls to his knees next to Rhaesa, taking Dany's place, while the healer hesitantly approaches, eyeing the dragons warily.
Drogo takes Rhaesa's other hand, *Do not worry, Moon of My Life, I am here, and I am not going anywhere.*
*Great Khal, you cannot be here for the birth,* The healer tells him.
Drogo, glares at the healer, *I will not leave my wife. I don't care what you say.*
The healer nodded, *In that case when need to get the Khaleesi up and to walk, it will help speed up her labor.*
Drogo helped Rhaesa stand, and they began walking around the tent. Rhaesa would pause and groan whenever she would have a contraction and grip onto Drogo harder. When it would pass, they would continue to walk around the tent until Rhaesa got tired.
Drogo helped her lie down then wiped the sweat from her brow with a damp cloth. Dany handed him a cup of water to give to Rhaesa. She drank deeply then settle back on the furs to rest. After a while, the healer checked Rhaesa's progress and had them get up to repeat the process.
The process repeated for several hours until a fiery spasm ripped through Rhaesa's lower belly, and a savage need to push took up inside her.
Drogo was quickly at your side, *You must leave now, Khal.*
*NO! Please, Drogo, do not leave me!* Rhaesa cried.
*I will never leave you, Moon of My Life. I will be right here with you.*
The healer sighed, *If you are staying, then you are going to help.*
*What must I do?*
*Get behind the Khaleesi and help her push.*
The healer and Daenerys leveled you up so that Drogo could slip in behind you. He spread his legs so that Rhaesa was nestled between his legs. Rhaesa's hands settled on Drogo's bent knees, she sunk back against his chest; automatically finding the indentation of his shoulder for her head. Tears bloomed in Rhaesa's eyes, and she dug her fingers into Drogo's muscled thighs.
The healer looked between Rhaesa's legs, *You're ready, Khaleesi, you need to push.* She shouted.
Rhaesa hands clawed into Drogo as she screamed, feeling her body splitting apart. The pressure between Rhaesa's legs was building as she felt like a watermelon lodged inside her; she tried to lean forward.
*That's it, Khaleesi, let your body tell you what to do.*
Rhaesa's body was telling her to inhale, waiting. Leaning back against Drogo, Rhaesa let his strength support her. She clawed Drogo's legs, spread her legs wider, braced her feet against his, and bunched every muscle in her body.
*That's it,* The healer encouraged.
*Come on, Rhae, you can do it,* Dany said.
Rhaesa was on the edge of an enormous cataclysm; her heart thumped against her rib cage. Her lungs burned with the want to let go of her breath, but still, she waited perched on the brink until the message passed from her brain to her body.
Now!
Rhaesa let go of everything and pushed. Something wet rushed out, and the tightness between her legs loosened, only for something more extensive to lodge between her pelvis.
*One more, Khaleesi,* The healer leaned between Rhaesa's legs, and she felt her twist something. Rhaesa screamed and pushed, just wanting it over, wanting this thing out of her. The slippery slide of something pulled at Rhaesa's body, then relief. Then the sounds of the first cry of a newborn.
*It's a boy.*
*A son, we have a son, Moon of My Life, just as you said.*
Drogo proud words pressed against Rhaesa's slick temple mingled with his soft kisses. Drogo carefully lowered Rhaesa to the bed. She watched as Drogo cut the cord between Rhaesa and their son.
Rhaesa's husband cradled his boy, now shrieking up a storm, in his large hands. There was a beautiful smile on Drogo's face as Rhaesa watched him fall in love with his son. The healer took the baby from Drogo so he could be cleaned. Then he was wrapped in a soft fur and given back to his father.
Drogo kneeled next to Rhaesa and showed her their son. She smiled at the baby and ran a finger down his chubby cheek, *Rhaego,* She whispered. Drogo smiled and kissed Rhaesa tenderly on the lips.
"Thank you." He said in the Common Tongue, *Rest now, Moon of My Life. I shall return in a moment.*
Drogo got up with the baby in his arms and went outside where his Khalasar was gathered. He held the baby high for everyone to see.
*My son, Rhaego!*
The Khalasar started cheering and chanting Rhaego's name, while Drogo smiled and walked around still hold the swaddled baby high. His smile dropped when he heard Rhaesa scream. Drogo turned and rushed back into the tent.
*What's happening?!* He yelled.
*My Khal, there is another child,* The healer tells him.
Drogo hands Rhaego to Dany and rushes over to Rhaesa to get behind her again. Rhaesa shakes her head weakly, *I cannot do this, I am too tired.* Rhaesa tells Drogo.
He kisses her temple, *Yes, you can, Moon of My Life. You are the strongest person I know. I know you can do this, now push!*
Rhaesa throws her head back and screams; she pushes as hard as she can and feels a second body slip from her. Rhaesa slumps back against Drogo when she hears the sound of a baby cry.
*Another boy!*
*Did you hear that, Moon of My Life, another son!*
Rhaesa smiles as Drogo once again lowers her down on the bed and cut the cord for his second son. He takes his son in his arms and smiles. They are identical, both with his color hair, and by the looks of it, they will have their mother's eyes.
The healer once again takes the baby to clean him up. Drogo kneels beside Rhaesa, *You did so well, Moon of My Life.* "Thank you."
*What do you want to name him,* Rhaesa asks.
Drogo thinks for a moment, *Reuel,* Drogo tells her.
Rhaesa smiles, *I like that, Rhaego and Reuel.*
When the healer has finished cleaning and swaddling the baby, she hands him to Drogo, who shows him to Rhaesa. Rhaesa runs her finger down the baby's head; she looks up at her husband.
*He has your hair.*
*And they both have your eyes,* Drogo says then leans in to kiss Rhaesa.
Dany comes over to hand Rhaego to Rhaesa. The baby is starting to whimper out of hunger. The healer piles some furs behind Rhaesa so that she can sit up and feed the baby while Drogo goes out to show off his second son.
*A second son! The Great Stallion has blessed me twice!*
Haggo walks over to Drogo, *What is his name, Great Khal?*
*His name is Reuel,* Drogo shouts.
The Khalasar begins cheering and chanting the baby's name.
Meanwhile, in the tent, while Rhaesa is feeding Rhaego, Balerion, Meraxes, and Drogon come closer to see one of their siblings.
**What is it, Mother?** Drogon asks.
"You have a brother, my loves."
**And the other one?**Meraxes asks.
"Is also male."
**What are their names, Mother?** Balerion asks.
"This one is Rhaego, and the one your father has is Reuel."
**They are so small,** Drogon observes.
"Yes, and very helpless. They will not grow as fast as you do, my loves," Rhaesa explains.
**We will protect our siblings, Mother.** Meraxes declares, and the other two dragons agree.
"I'm glad to hear that. Dany?"
"Yes, sister?"
"Will you take Rhaego. He's finished nursing, and I'm exhausted."
"Of course, sister, I'll take care of my nephew while you rest."
"Thank you, sister."
With that, Rhaesa drifted off to sleep. She was sure that they would wake her when Reuel got hungry. Outside the tent, the Khalasar were celebrating the birth of the Khal's sons. While they celebrated, no one noticed Viserys skulking around in the shadows with a scowl on his face.