Chapter 13:

Author's Notes: I'd just like to warn you in advance I don't think I'm very good with dialogue so if this doesn't flow with the rest of the story, I apologise in advance. So here is my attempt at good dialogue…

"I won't ask you to tell me your story again. I will ask the same from you as I did with the men before you." Ashley said. "Did you know about any of this? I want the truth just as before."

Spencer took her time. She was not sure how this would go. She knew how she felt but to say that now would be a mistake. So what can I say? "Yes and no." Upon seeing Ashley's confusion, Spencer continued. "I had seen Arstan before, when I was at King's Landing and I informed Ser Jorah about my suspicions. He did not believe me at first but he began to keep a closer eye on him."

"And the letters?"

"I was not certain that he was reporting back to Westeros. He seemed to be loyal to you but he would try and hide his reports from me, knowing my…distain for the current king."

"At no point did you deem it fit to inform me of what he was doing? I am your Khaleesi after all. Or am I?"

"I did not know how to approach you. If I had told you it would have revealed who I really was and even though we…were enjoying each other's company, I did not know how you would feel if you found out who I was. I did not want for your trust in me to disappear."

"That seems irrelevant now does it not? You still lied to me, and yes, I might have not been welcoming to you as I once was if you had told me then who you were but how can I trust you again now? You hid so much from me." Spencer could see that Ashley was struggling to not break in front of her. Always the dragon.

"I do not know what else to tell you except I am loyal to you. I lied about my name, where I was from, and I hid things from you when I should have been honest. I am your servant, if you will have me. If you can forgive me I will happily serve for the rest of my days."

"Your father served the Usurper. He turned against my brother and murdered my family. So many Westeroi have destroyed my faith in the nation. I now have to wonder if you are any different."

"I am Khaleesi. I will do what it takes to show that I only have your best interest at heart. I am loyal to you."

"And if we cross the Trident and your family faces me on the other side of the battlefield. Will you serve me then? If I commanded you to return to them, kill them in their sleep, and present their heads to me. Would you do it?"

Spencer winced at the venom in Ashley's voice. She had questioned herself over the same thing ever since she realizes that she was feeling something more for Ashley. It had plagued her mind over and over again, and in her weakest moments she would cry silently as others around her would sleep peacefully. I pray it will never come to that.

"Would you?" Ashley asked again.

Spencer opened her mouth, closed it and looked down to her feet. "I love my family. We were placed in a position not of our choosing but because we value honoring our word, to whomever we have sworn to help. If you asked me that…if you needed me to do that, I would prefer you killed me then and there. To choose between you or my family would be too big a command. Death would be welcome then."

Ashley studied the girl in front of her. She had known her request would be hard on Spencer but she had to be sure. "Look at me." When Spencer raised her head again, Ashley continued. "I will not ask you such a thing. I know what it feels like to watch your family die at your hand and I would not wish that on anyone. I needed to see how far you would go for something you believe in or feel for."

Spencer could feel hope rise feebly in her heart. She knew that this night was not over yet but maybe she had a chance to turn things back to what they were.

"I have my doubts still Spencer. You have taken something I do not give freely and toyed with it, not seemingly caring for the consequences." Ashley rubbed a hand over her forehead. "As for your punishment, there is none. You proved to me ever since we first met that you have my safety and peace of mind at the forefront of the things you do. So as to your forgiveness, I will not speak of this again. It is done and we are starting over. Will it be the same as before? I do not ever think that will happen…but maybe, we can build again with a sure foundation."

"Yes Khaleesi. Thank you."

"You may go now. We have all had a long day and I need to rest and think over a few things."

Spencer turned and began to walk away from Ashley. She had dared to hope for a good outcome but there it was. Ashley had forgiven her and given her another chance to be near her again. Ashley had offered her another chance to gain her trust, and her heart, I hope. She would not fail her again.

She walked towards her recent accommodations. Her mind raced with what she would do now and how she could repair what had happened. A hand grabbed her arm.

"So she let you go as well? I should've known."

Spencer was now standing in front of an enraged Ser Mormont. "What do you mean?"

"I rescued you. Took you in as a favor to your father, who was an honorable man. Now though, I doubt if that honor resides within his children. You wormed your way into her heart and maybe into her bed as well."

Spencer frowned. "I did no such thing and you know it. All I ever offered was friendship and companionship. I never sought for more from Ashley and never asked for more either. You however, tried everything you could to gain her love, whatever means necessary."

"Oh it is Ashley now, not your Khaleesi. What a Westeroi whore you have become. Did Cersei teach you deception while you were at King's Landing, that way you would be perfect for that foolish boy who now sits on the throne."

"I've heard enough, Mormont. It is up to the Khaleesi what she does and who she forgives. Now, please let go of my arm, I need rest."

"You are not going anywhere until you tell me how you managed to sway her and what your intentions are!" Ser Mormont countered, his hand tightening on Spencer's arm.

"Did I not say you should go and pack Mormont?" Ashley stated as she walked up to the pair, her bloodriders flanking her. "I will not say it again."

"Shall I slay him now Khaleesi?" Jhogo asked.

"No, he is leaving I am sure of it," Ashley said.

Ser Jorah let go of Spencer and with one last look continued to his tent.

"Jhogo follow him and make sure he leaves. Do not let him see you." Ashley commanded. She waited until the Dothkari had left before facing Spencer. "Did he harm you?"

"No," Spencer stated as she rubbed her arm down.

"Good. Carry on with your journey." Ashley said as she began to walk again. "Oh and Spencer, I shall want your presence again in a few days."

Spencer hid her smile until all had passed, glad she still had a chance to set things right once and for all.

strprincess: The threefold betrayal is three separate people. After Khal Drogo died, some of the bloodriders turned on Ashley because one of Drogo's captains decided he should be king (the blood betrayal). Mormont's betrayal was for love so there's one betrayal left (gold.)

DaPhoenix: Ashley's baby died in her womb i.e. she had a miscarriage. I talked about it in a previous chapter but I guess I wasn't too clear on it. Ashley struck a bargain with a witch to help save Drogo when he was dying but no one was allowed to enter the tent while the witch was casting her spell. Mormont thought that Ashley wanted to see her husband so he took her into the tent, even though she was telling him not to, he thought she was delirious so he took her in anyway. That messed up the spell and caused her to have a miscarriage. The spell also messed up Khal Drogo because he became a vegetable afterwards and Ashley had to kill him in the end, to stop his suffering. Got it now?