Last chapter before the fighting begins, woo! Got a lot going on here and a surprise for the characters. A couple of side notes first, I'm trying to find a fic about Lyanna surviving giving birth to Jon but instead of him going with Ned he goes with Howland while Lyanna goes with Ned to King's Landing. When they get there, Robert knows about Jon. ring any bells? Let me know please.

Also, for those of you reading my other fic, the Ghost, and saw the announcement, I'm in need of a new beta, someone who can handle the complexity and vastness of what is going to be planned. If you are interested, send me a message.

Enjoy and leave a review!


Daenerys

The reconstruction of Winterfell was moving along steadily. The storerooms had been the first to not only be rebuilt but also improved upon. Given that the opportunity was present, the Starks had decided to have things improved to better suit the long winter they were still enduring. Now the storerooms could hold much more food. And as luck would turn in their favor, there were plentiful yields of game being brought from hunts. Some of the Free Folk spearwives went out and returned with plant roots that could be eaten and sustain the body. They tasted horrible, but it was something minor to bear in order to get through until spring.

The Great Keep was the next to be under reconstruction. It would be rebuilt as it had been. The supply of stone had been light as of late so the progress was being halted. To keep the cold out, wood was used as material to act as a plug until enough mined stone was brought back to do the entire job.

The mood had been much better since the armies had left. Things were not as bleak, but the knowledge of being at war still kept many in a state of worry that they would not see many of those who left return home.

Even though Winterfell was not Daenerys's seat, she helped Rickon and Sansa however she could with matters that needed their attention. Sansa was keeping most of her focus on the repair of the castle while Daenerys helped Rickon settle the matters brought from the people.

They sat together at the High Table in the afternoons and listened to what troubles were among the people from all over the North. Some representatives from various villages were requesting either to be sent food or men to hunt. Others with no homes equipped well enough for the winter asked for shelter. Even some of the crannogmen had traveled to report strange movements in the swamps that they could not explain.

There were some men from the Winterfort, the once proud seat of House Bolton, requesting permission to have some of the men of the Night's Watch who previously served the Bolton's to assist with the cleaning out of the despicable tools of torture that were kept secret. They're timing, however, was rather perfect because a raven had come from the Night's Watch with a report from their small encampment at the opening of the Wall saying that a great number of beasts including shadowcats, mammoths, and packs of direwolves were coming south.

"I don't trust any of the soldiers who served the Boltons," Rickon stated. "I won't allow them to have leave from the Wall."

"That's a bit of a hasty decision," Sansa argued, "If the men can provide assistance, then they should be put to use instead of watching for beasts coming south of the Wall. If we keep the number small and under supervision of Loyal Men of the Watch then it shouldn't be a worry."

Rickon sighed as slumped in his seat. "Very well. But should they even try to run they are to be brought here for justice." Rickon told everyone with a firm voice.

"You have our thanks, milord." One of the Winterfort men said.

After them, one of the Winterfell guards had come forward. "Your grace," he said to Daenerys, "There is a Dornishwoman at the gates. She says her name is Sarella Sand, Bastard of Oberyn Martell, and claims that she was summoned by you."

This was wonderful news for Dany to hear. "She has been. Allow her into the castle grounds and have her settled in first. Afterward, see to it that she is brought before us."

"As you command, your grace." He withdrew himself from the room before Sansa had ordered that it to prepared for Tyene's trial. It was time for Ser Jaime's attack to be answered for.

It didn't take long for Sarella to be brought to the Great Hall. Except for the obvious Rhoynish features, Sarella did not look much like Tyene. They had the same eyes and hair but their figures were different. Whereas Tyene was short and slender with sizable breasts, Sarella was tall and lean. She was taller than Jon even. Her hair was cut short like a boy's and she had a rather square face. She almost looked like a man herself. Her skin was a slightly darker shade than her sister's was.

Tyene was escorted in chains shortly after her half-sister's arrival by one of Edric Dayne's personal guard and Edric himself.

The moment Sarella laid eyes on her half-sister, she spat insults at her. "You dumb bitch. You never think ahead of your actions, do you!? All of our sisters are dead because you, Obara, Nymeria, and your idiot mother killed a little girl!"

"That bitch deserved it!" Tyene hissed back.

"Enough!" Sansa called out. "You will remain silent until you are asked to speak." Her voice was hard and fierce like a direwolf and the two women could feel it.

Edric was replaced by one of the Winterfell guards as he joined the Starks and Queen at the High table. As acting Lord Paramount of Dorne, he had a right to be part of the trial.

Daenerys stood from her seat and walked out in front of the table. Even though Sarella stood taller than her, Daenerys did not feel herself being looked down on.

Sarella did a bow instead of a curtsy when she faced her. "Your grace. I beg your forgiveness for my outburst."

"I am curious as to that. She is your sister, even if it is only by half, and you hold animosity towards her."

Sarella nodded. "While I share my family's desire for vengeance against the murder of Elia and her children, I would not be like my half-sisters and spit on the ideals of our father. He believed a child to innocent of the sins of the father. If that bitch Eliara truly loved him then she would have respected that."

"Don't you speak about my mother that way!" Tyene exclaimed.

Sarella continued. "Myrcella was never born when the events with Elia and her children occurred. My sister had no right to kill her. However, Ser Jaime, on the other hand, was there for it all. I spent much time at the citadel researching every account of what happened the day he stabbed his sword into the Mad King's back and not once did I ever read of him going to protect Elia or her children. I do not believe he conspired with his father to have them killed, but I do demand he answer for his negligence and failure to protect those he was sworn to."

"And you think Tyene's attack against him was justified then?" Daenerys asked.

"No, I do not. But have you never desired revenge against Robert Baratheon for killing you elder brother?"

"I have, every day of my life until I heard of his death. And even then, I kept on wishing for it. King Robert was, as you said, the one who killed Rhaegar. Ser Jaime had nothing to do with the murder of your sisters."

"No, he did not." Sarella's eyes fell to the ground and her tone changed. "By all rights, she is guilty and should be sentenced to death. But I ask, no, I beg of you not to let that be so." Sarella got on her knees now which came as a surprise from Tyene.

"And why should I let your sister go unpunished for her crimes?"

"Unpunished, no. But alive... because she's is all I have left in the world. And I can't handle losing another sister." Sarella bowed her head in submission and waited.

Daenerys turned back to the High table to confer with the others presiding over the trial. "Lord Dayne, by the law, Tyene must die."

The Lord of Starfall stood from his seat and stepped forward. "Sarella, unfortunately, there is not much you can do to keep true to your promise. By now the Citadel knows who you are and while I do not have any issue with you for your deceitful induction into the order of Maesters, they do and will not allow you to return. What will you do that can give us an assurance that you will be able to keep a dutiful watch over Tyene?"

Sarella looked up to Edric, desperation clear in her eyes but in a humbling way. "I will do whatever I can, anything I can. Though I do not know what that may be."

"I can name something that will work," Edric started. "As the eldest of the remaining Martell blood, you are subject to possibly inherit Sunspear and the rule of Dorne. You will be legitimized as a Martell, take a husband and birth children to continue the line of one of the great houses of Westeros. As punishment for her crimes, Tyene Sand will be forbidden to ever return to her homeland from this day until her last day, regardless of the reason or circumstances unless deemed permissible by the crown. Should she be discovered to have broken this condition, she will be delivered to Lord Jaime Lannister for execution." He turned to face Daenerys. "Will this be just enough for the crown?"

Daenerys took a moment to think it over. This was a way to show mercy while also ensuring that justice cannot be escaped. "The terms given are acceptable. But we will need a way of keeping the accused under watch.

"I have an idea," Sansa said. "Tyene shall remain betrothed to Lord Bronn of the Blackwater and she will be his responsibility to look after. Should it be discovered that he fails to do so or that he allows her to break the terms willingly, he shall have forfeit of his title as a Lord and join the Night's Watch."

That was motivation enough to make sure Tyrion's sellsword friend keeps his word. "That is acceptable." Daenerys looked down to Tyene. "Will you accept the offer given to you or face death?"

Tyene had much fury in her eyes as there was sadness. Dorne was her home and Daenerys was taking that away from her, something Robert Baratheon had done.

"Sister," Sarella said, "I don't want to see you die. And I don't want to left alone in the world." Despite the anger the other woman had shown earlier, now it was clear how much she loved her sister. "I understand she would no longer be allowed in Dorne, but would I still be allowed to visit in her husband's keep?"

Dany looked to Sansa. Both of them had lost siblings and both knew the pain it had caused their hearts. With a nod from Sansa, the Queen agreed. "And I know that Ser Bronn was upset at the thought of losing you. I do hope you take this deal and live a better life with your betrothed."

Tyene sighed and let her eyes fall to the ground. "I accept the terms."

Sarella showed relief as the guards unchained her sister. "Am I to be made a Martell before I leave today?"

Before Edric could speak, Daenerys intervened. "There is one condition I have to that. For the past several years, the true colors of many noble houses have been displayed. House Martell has been riddled with kinslaying and usurping over matters of revenge and fell from the mighty power it once was to point of extinction. I will not let such acts go unchecked and for them, the kingdom of Dorne will no longer be ruled by a Prince or Princess but a Lord or a Lady. And I am willing to do what Lord Dayne has suggested and name you, Sarella, daughter of Oberyn Martell, Lady Sarella of Sunspear. Will that acceptable for you or shall I make Lord Edric so that he is no longer the acting Lord Paramount?"

Sarella shook her head. "That will not be necessary. I will accept those terms."

"Wonderful. Then I will have our maester draw up the papers and have you naturalized as Sarella Martell, Lady Paramount of Dorne."

Sarella bowed to Daenerys as did Tyene. "Thank you for your courtesy and mercy, your grace. I will not forget it."

With everything taken care of, it was now time for supper. The Great Hall filled with people and was soon loudened by conversation and gossip. Tonight's meal was a venison stew with the bitter roots as a side. The cook had tried something to get rid of the bad taste. From what he said, it was still terrible but not as much as it first was.

Daenerys decided to start with the roots first so she could end her meal with something tasty. The cook was right. It was still bad but now the taste reminded her less of mud and leaves and more of what horse heart tasted like.

"Blegh!" Rickon nearly spat his root out but forced himself to keep it in his mouth. At least that was what he was trying to do. His mouth was wide open with the half-chewed roots just sitting there. He was gazing out into the distance with sad eyes. "I can'h do ih." He nearly cried. "Ih's so bad."

Daenerys nudged him to look over to one of his friends who was one of the Wildlings, a young girl with her little sister. They were eating the roots and not showing complaints at all. "Are you going to let the girls do better than you?"

Rickon groaned and forced himself to eat it. He swallowed hard and ate it all in one mouthful but was stricken with a fit of coughing after nearly choking. "Why do I have to and not Sansa?" Rickon asked.

Daenerys turned to look at Sansa and saw that she hadn't touched any of her food. She had one hand to her head massaging her temple.

"Are you feeling well, Sansa?"

"Just light headed is all. I've been sick all morning. I might have a bug of some sort." She finally started to eat, starting with her roots too. But when she bit into them, it was like hers had no bitterness at all. She was showing just as much resilience to the taste as the Wildlings did. It was impressive but seemed accidental at the same time.

Sansa groaned after swallowing the bite. "Pardon me, I am not feeling well." She was beginning to turn paler than she already was when she left the table.

"Are you alright, Sansa?" Daenerys asked as she rose after Sansa.

Sansa jerked her body around with an angered expression. "I just said I'm not feeling well!" she hissed before her eyes began to droop. She took a deep breath. "Forgive me, your grace. I did not mean to raise my voice towards you." Sansa retreated from the eyes that were watching and almost stormed out of the Great Hall.

Daenerys sat back down, still worried. Sansa only acted this way when she was bothered greatly. Perhaps she was feeling worse than she looked or the ongoing war was taking a toll on her. It didn't feel that way though. The way she acted was so sudden and without a hint.

"I guess she really couldn't handle the roots," Rickon jested. Daenerys gave him a look that took him out of his humorous mood. "Sorry."

"I think she just needs some time to herself right now. Too much has been going on. One can only bear so much."

"I don't think so," Rickon argued as he ate his soup. "Sansa's lived in King's Landing. There's no worse place than that in the world. And she had to put up with Ramsay too. He was worse than Joffrey was to her. Ramsay knew what he was doing compared to that prick."

"Watch your language." Daenerys chided.

"What? It's true," Rickon said with all seriousness.

Daenerys heard enough about Joffrey from Tyrion to know how his cruelty was just that of a spoiled child. And from all she knew of Ramsay, he was an artist with pain as a brush and a victim as his canvas.

Perhaps it was something involving Edric. As far as Daenerys and everyone else could see, the two of them had been acting rather normal to one another while only Daenerys knew what happened between them. It was possible they had a conversation that ended badly.

Daenerys finished her meal and turned in for the evening. Her business today had kept her from her babies and she was eager to be with them again.

Her children were both awake but on the verges of falling asleep. When she held them, she felt utterly blissful and wishing for nothing else in the world except for Jon to be with them as well.

Daenerys sat in a chair made especially for her to relax as she let her children feed at her breasts. They both made tiny noises as they sucked. Aemon was the first to finish and Daenerys had him burped before doing the same for Matthias. With their stomachs full and the last bit of light dimming from the sky, both of the babes had tuckered out and fallen asleep.

As Daenerys rocked her children in her arms, there was a soft knock on her door. "Come in," Daenerys said quiet enough as to not disturb her children. The door opened and Sansa entered, dressed into a loose nightgown now but looking just as sickly as she did at dinner. "How are you feeling?" Sansa didn't answer. "Are you ill?"

"It's nothing contagious. Just side effects." She looked very worried about something. "May I sit down with you?" She asked. Daenerys nodded and Sansa took a seat in a chair next to her.

"Would you like to hold one of them?" Daenerys asked warmly to her good-sister.

Sansa had forced a smile upon her lips when she took Aemon into her arms. She rocked him gently in her arms and kept her gaze fixed on his little face. "I'm sorry about what happened at dinner."

"Sansa, I won't pry if do not want me to, but as your family, I want to do what I can to see you be happy." Matthias began to fuss in Daenerys's arms before he started to cry out. Daenerys rocked him and held him closer to her. Daenerys wiped away his little tears as she calmed him with her voice. "It's alright," she said softly, "it's alright." she looked back to Aemon to see if he had been disturbed by his brother but remained still and asleep.

What took Daenerys's attention after that was the wetness of Sansa's gown at her breasts. "Sansa, I think you're lactating."

Sansa looked down but didn't look as surprised as Daenerys thought her to be. Something clicked in Daenerys's mind and she had an idea about Sansa's distress.

"You're pregnant…"

Sansa nodded silently as she sat back. "I find out just now. My breasts have swollen and I've been sick every morning for almost a fortnight."

Daenerys almost a dozen different things, trying to understand which one to express first. But based on the way Sansa was looking, she was not sure whether to be happy for her or not. She certainly was when she found out she could have children again, but Sansa had no indication of joy whatsoever. "Does Edric know?"

"No. Only you and Maester Wolkan. I'd like to keep that way for now at least."

"Why though?" Her thoughts went to Jon and everything he went through because of the lie of his birth. "Is it because it will be a bastard?"

Sansa neither nodded nor shook her head. "I don't know. I don't know how to feel right now and it scares me. There is just so much." She looked down to Aemon and smiled at him. "I feel joy to your babes, Dany, but when I think of the one inside me I only feel anxious. How will I be viewed because of this? How will my child be viewed?"

"Will he be seen as a stain like Jon was?" Daenerys added.

"I remember how he kept himself away from my mother. He knew she hated and scorned him", she replied. "And it wasn't just my mother. I grew up treating him as less because of the lies. I followed my mother's example and it pleased her. Now, I think I would be a hypocrite if I treated my child differently."

"Sansa, I know enough of you that you would never be like that."

But it seemed the other woman did not hear Daenerys' words. "There is still the shadow of Ramsey that hangs over Winterfell, and me. He was determined to get a son out of me and I was equally determined that would never happen. And what of Edric? He may see this as some scheme I fell upon to trap him into a marriage he has no desire for, especially so soon after his wife's murder." Even in the calm tone she was speaking with, Sansa was nearly hysterical.

"Sansa, Sansa," Dany called out, taking her good-sister's hands in her own. "You must not even bring that mad dog into your thoughts. He is dead and gone and can never hurt you again." Sansa's eyes, which had been wet with tears, began to clear. "And as for Lord Edric, I think you do him an insult to believe he would think such things of you. Remember, he is Dornish. They have a very different way of viewing bastards."

"But we don't. This child will grow up knowing what it is and be just like Jon. Keeping away from us… from me."

"And that is something I will do my best to change. For too long, it has been permissible to treat children born in such a manner with fear and contempt. They have been blamed for their state, not the parents who created them." It was one of the things that Daenerys the Queen was determined to change. Even before she had known of Jon, of what he believed he was, it was a ridiculous notion to treat bastards in such a manner.

"And as to the matter of Lord Dayne, I think you should tell him you are with child. I do not think it fair to him to keep this a secret. It may be more harmful in the long run."

"But what if I can't do it? What if I can't be a mother?" Sansa asked. "It is a sad irony that being a mother was all I ever wanted to be when I was a girl. I dreamed of the golden children I would give a prince as we traveled to King's Landing all those years ago. And now, I am actually afraid of the mere idea."

Daenerys set Matthias down in his crib and Sansa placed Aemon next to his brother. Her children were both asleep so peacefully, not exposed to the problems or evils of the world. Dany took Sansa's hand and held it warmly. "We are are a marvelous people, Sansa. We have more magic than white walkers or dragons, or any gods do. We have the magic to grow life within us, to nurture it, and raise it into something great. It our gift we are born with and our choice how we use it. I plead that you make the one you won't regret."

Sansa wandered over to the bed and sat down. She gazing at her hands while pondering over what she should do. Then Daenerys saw something set in on the redhead's face. "You have given me much to think on. Your Grace. It is late and I think you need your rest as much as I, so I shall say goodnight to you," she smiled towards the crib, " and my nephews."

Sansa got up to leave, but Daenerys gently halted her. "Would you like to stay with me tonight? I find myself feeling lonely without my husband and I do think you to feel the same, especially with what you are going through."

Sansa smiled lightly and nodded. "I would like that, Dany."

Daenerys laid with Sansa on her bed across from her children when she was ready to sleep. She looked into their ironwood crib and simply watched them as she used to her dragon eggs. Both Matthias and Aemon remained still and calm, continuing to rest. She reached her hand out to Aemon and gently stroked her thumb across his cheek, feeling the soft warmth of his skin.

She began humming Jon's song to her babies. She wanted them to feel the soothing powers that the melody had with the dragons. Although it seemed that Jon's voice was the only one that could truly calm the dragons down. In her attempts to connect with Drogon, Daenerys tried to sing the song to him but he ignored her multiple times.

She felt herself begin to doze off, so she reached her head out and lightly kissed each of her children before falling asleep. The tune of the song seemed to linger in her mind when she fell into the blissful darkness. The music had then turned into thoughts, thoughts that were not hers.

A voice like Drogo's had been speaking in her mind. It echoed constantly and the words were reaching out to her. 'You are a coward. You fought until now, before the end. Why don't you finish it? Answer me, mother!'

Daenerys blinked awake as the words rung in her head. She felt overtaken by them and shuddered in her furs. This wasn't just a dream, it was someone speaking to her. It was Drogon. She got out of her bed and walked to the window and looked outside. She could see a silhouette of Drogon resting in the open fields of snow. She could finally understand his rage and anger. It was at her because she did not go south to fight, to finish what she had set out to do when she hatched him, Rhaegal, and Viserion.

Daenerys felt a wave of guilt over herself. She wanted to go, truly she did. But she wouldn't just leave her babies. She didn't want to leave them. They were another miracle like her dragons and she didn't want to leave them.

She closed her eyes and reached out to her dragon with her feelings. She felt his wroth and shame he had at her, but did he ever feel her worry?

She could feel the bond with Drogon strengthen and his emotions began to calm finally now that she understood his reasons for them. She knew he was understanding her now and what she felt from him then was an absolute surety that she would return. Drogon would not let her part from her children forever. He wanted to fight for them with his mother.

Daenerys opened her eyes and could see Drogon had gotten up and was looking in her direction. He arched his neck up and roared out. It wasn't loud, but it was enough that some may have woken from their sleep. That was his promise to her.

Being resolute now, Daenerys got out of bed and began changing into her warmest clothes. She didn't take heed to the noise she made and woke Sansa.

"Is something wrong?" Sansa asked as she sat up?

"Yes, there is. I've been here at a castle when I should be where I need to be." She turned to the bed. "Sansa, I apologize, but I need to leave immediately and I need you to take care of my children while I'm gone."

"Where are you going? Not to the battle, are you?"

Daenerys pulled her fur dress meant for hard use over her and began to work the laces as best she could. "I understand why Drogon has been acting as he has been. I have not fought and endured so much just to let others finish what I started. I'm going to go fight."

Sansa got out if the bed and surprisingly began helping Daenerys dress. She wasn't objecting. "Don't think wrong of me for asking you of this. But if the fighting has already started when you get there, burn them all."

Though she understood the other woman's sentiment, her words still sent a chill down Daenerys' spine. But she said nothing to the fact. She departed from the castle grounds. Some of the soldiers were shocked to see her leave the gates and asked her to not go for her own protection. She ignored them as she looked for Drogon's whereabouts. She found him soaring high above Winterfell, higher than she had ever flown. She focused her mind and reached out to him, trying to mend the connection they had as a dragon and rider.

Dany knew that her feelings made it to her dragon because Drogon had changed in the pattern in which he flew and dived down at the castle, letting out a roar as he did. He swooped down and the force of which picked up much snow and caused would be considered a small blizzard. He landed hard, shaking the very earth and loomed over Daenerys. He looked down on her and growled lightly as if asking if she was sure about this.

Daenerys reached up and caressed Drogon's snout, just like Jon did the first time he met her dragon. "I'm sorry, Drogon. Will you let me fight with you again?" His growl turned into a purred and he lowered himself to mounted.

Daenerys hadn't ridden him in months because of her pregnancy. Her desire and determination nearly turned into excitement. She climbed his skin and positioned her herself with tight grips on his spikes. "Vlahd."

Drogon spread his wings. From where Daenerys was, it looked like they could cover the entire castle of Winterfell. Force of them was so great that the snow was blown from the ground like a blizzard before he charged forward and took to the air. He climbed up high and circled Winterfell before heading south for war.