A/N: Sorry I killed Tyrion, but I can't resurrect him. I don't own any of this.

Chapter 27 James VII

James

James Stark was sitting under a tree in the clearing that was off to the side of his camp. He wanted to be alone, cherished the quite that he wanted desperately. All he could hear was the rustling of leaves, the sound of animals in the distance, the chirping birds, and his thoughts. Even Stannis can't take that away from me. He had awoken at dawn, the morning dew fresh upon the grass, and walked around the camp to make sure everyone was doing well. James had fallen asleep on his watch again, he knew. The Stark family was asleep around a now smoldering fire, and he decided to take some time alone. Now he could hear them rustling up to cook their breakfast, or what little provisions they had left. James Stark decided to recline his head agains the tree now and close his eyes, to try and catch up with what little sleep he could manage to squeeze in before walking the road again.

But sleep would not come easy. Five minutes later he felt a hand shake him and he awoke to find his sister standing before him. She was still wearing the same riding tunic and breeches for the same week, as everyone was, and her hair was in a braid. Lyanna was creeping behind her leg and was clinging to her mother. She appeared scared and James flashed his niece a smile, and she returned it in kind. I still can't believe Arya is a mother. James blinked his eyes open again a few times and rubbed the sleep out of them. James had fallen asleep during his shift again, and Arya never liked it when that happened. Each time he did so, Arya, made sure to wake him up in the most obnoxious way possible. The last time it happened she woke him up by dumping water all over his head that she found by a nearby creek. He and Arya had grown closer since King's Landing fell, and it was a shame that it took that event to do so. Each day they'd go over provisions and made sure that everyone was doing well. Arya had become his Hand of the King, as of late. Former king.

"Arya?" said James, still groggy from sleep. "Did I fall asleep again?"

"Yes, stupid!" she admonished. "Now, wake up!"

"Do I have to?"

She sighed. "Wake up, we need to get going!"

"Where is everyone?"

"Their cooking some breakfast over at the fire," Arya answered, she pointed over to a huddled group of people over at a fire in the middle of the clearing. "Now get up, and let's get going."

James sighed and stood up, wiping the mud and leaves off his breeches. He noticed the sweat stains on his tunic and felt his mattered hair. His beard had begun to become too long and it was unruly. He felt like some wildling. I need to shave and cut my hair. I can't risk anyone on the road recognizing me. He looked down at Arya and nodded, stretching himself fully awake before he scooped his niece up and slumped her on his shoulders. Lyanna let out a laugh and was holding on to his hair with tiny hands. Arya laughed and walked side by side with them, while they walked over to the fire. Over in the distance he saw some of his family laughing and pointing at them. James felt proud to be a good uncle, a good father, a good husband, a good brother, or so they told him. But a bad king…Now the history books are writing, "Stannis Baratheon," under my name, and will no doubt taint my reign.

The Stark family were deep in conversation when they arrived. All were huddled in a circle around the tiny fire, but nobody was eating. Jon was sitting, Rhaella perched on his lap, with Sansa next to him, who did not have Ned with her, and Gendry was sitting with Robert next to him. Eddard was with his mother, and she was feeding him. James had noticed they were spending more time together, and that caused some animosity between Dany and Sansa. Ned was Sansa's "baby", as she called him, and had grown too attached to him. Dany had spoken to James about how she felt distant with her own son who used to cling to her, and she planned on fixing that.

So, each night when they'd go to bed, Ned would sleep with them instead of Sansa, and once James found his sister crying because of it. "Ned is like my son, James," she had admitted to him with tears. "I know that Dany wants to be close with him…but I feel like she is pushing me out of his life, and I don't want that. I may not have pushed him out but I've taken care of him all the same. When you and Dany were with Rhaella, I fed him, took care of him, bathed him, and rocked him to sleep. I loved him like he was my own." And James had told her that he understood, and that it must be hard for her. So that night he spoke to Daenerys about it, as they always spoke before bed, and she only shook her head, telling him that was not her intent. "I don't want to push her away, I just want to grow close with our Ned again. You remember how he clung to me like he did her. I just want that same feeling again."

And so life went on, and their was nothing James could do about the situation. He didn't want to push Sansa out, but at the same time Ned was his and Dany's son. Now it seemed Rhaella was filling the empty void in her life, as he watched her feeding his daughter a piece of bread while she sat on Jon's lap. Practicing for the real thing, are they? James walked over to his family and put Lyanna down before taking his seat in-between his wife and Sansa. Daenerys smiled at him and gave him a kiss, before returning to his son. She still looked beautiful to him, even though her silver hair was in an unkept braid and her riding tunic sported mud all over it. But the wilderness couldn't take Dany's beauty, Stannis couldn't take that either. James mused his boy's hair and sat cross-legged on the floor. He bid everyone else hello, and Sansa gave him a meek, "good morning," she was still sad about Ned. Arya sat down next to Gendry and Lyanna had ran over to sit in her mother's lap.

Over in the corner he saw the horses tied up to a tree and eating grass, while next to Daenerys he saw the knapsacks they had brought from King's Landing. The medical supplies had been hardly touched, but James knew another thing of value was in there: the crowns. I never want to wear it again. James still noticed that nobody was eating.

"Why isn't anyone eating?" He asked.

"Because their isn't any food left," Jon swiftly answered.

"What do you mean their isn't any food?"

"I mean that their isn't any food," he repeated. "The only thing left were a few pieces of bread and we fed those to the kids. We need to find food somehow."

"Or an inn," Arya threw out. "That could be the best case scenario."

"I don't want to risk an inn," Sansa admitted. "I mean, what if they recognize us?"

"Or recognize me," added Dany. "Or recognized my daughter's silver hair. I can't risk any of our lives anymore."

"Each day we are risking our lives," Gendry truthfully told. "We need to find an inn for the children. We need to sleep in actual beds and not the cold floor."

Everyone nodded in agreement, but Daenerys was still apprehensive. She did make a good point, nobody in the realm was known for silver hair more than the Targaryens. And their were two of them within this very group. Rhaella and Daenerys were so Targaryen that it would give them away in a heartbeat. Jon looked too Northern, as did Ned, and nobody would recognize Gendry or Arya or Sansa. And then their was James. Surely they'd recognize the former King of Westeros.

"I'm going to shave and cut my hair," James blurted.

"What?" Dany asked. "Why would you…"

"They're right, Daenerys," replied James, "we need to find an inn to stay at. I don't want to risk them recognizing me, and I've always sported this beard with my long hair since my coronation."

"I agree," Jon said, "and I'll do it with you."

"As will I," Gendry added.

Dany pouted. "But I like your hair that long."

James couldn't help but laugh. "It is only hair, Dany. It will grow back along with the beard."

"If you say so."

"And who is the best at cutting hair?" Jon asked.

"I'll cut your hair," Arya answered. "I used to cut my own from time to time, before Gendry told me he liked it long."

"And what about me?" asked her husband. "As the Lord of Storm's End, I demand it!"

She sighed. "I'll cut yours too, stupid. Don't sound like such a child."

James cleared his throat. "I demand equal trea-"

"I'll cut your hair," Dany interrupted. "I used to trim Khal Drogo's mustachios and got quite good at it. Of course, I never cut his actual hair, seeing as he was never defeated in combat, but I can cut your beard and hair nonetheless."

As I was defeated in combat. I'm no, Khal Drogo. "Sure."

Arya smiled now and whipped out her dagger. "Now who is first?"

Jon raised his hand. "I'll go, but I need to say goodbye first."

Sansa laughed. "You need to say goodbye to your hair?"

He nodded. "Of course. It has been apart of me since I was born."

"It is not going anywhere," Arya pointed out. "It will grow back."

"Nevermind all this," James said. "We still need to feed ourselves."

This time Gendry smiled. "I suggest we men go on a hunt."

A hunt? I could go for that. James had gone boar hunting before in the North when he was a child. Lord Eddard would take him, Theon, Robb, and Jon with him, and the boys would spend days hunting them. You had to scare them out of their holes and then ambush them with spears. The only problem was they had no spears, or bows, or arrows. All they had were daggers and sword. However, they didn't have to hunt boar. A deer or rabbit would do just as fine.

"A hunt?" Dany said in disbelief. "Can you risk it?"

"Last I checked, hunting rabbit is not life risking," said Gendry.

Jon nodded. "We'll hunt a few rabbits and that's all. It'll give us some food for a couple of days. Now let's cut my hair."

Jon got up and walked over to Arya, who was still brandishing her dagger. Daenerys handed over Ned to Sansa, who looked at her in such disbelief that James thought she was going to cry right then and there. "He should spend some time with his aunt," Dany said when she handed him over. Sansa only tried to suppress a smile and nodded, before Ned jumped into her arms, and James figured she felt whole again. His sister held him so tight and showered him with kisses, causing him to laugh. Dany smiled too and stood over James, extending a hand. He took her small hand and pulled himself up. By this point the first locks of hair had been cut from Jon's head, and James just watched while Dany lead him away. She wanted to do this in private, he knew, because she probably just wanted to talk. They had little time to do that nowadays. It also left little time for love making, as they did not have the privacy to do that either. Hopefully we will find an inn…

Daenerys led him into a tiny clearing off to the side, and bid him to sit down. James did as commanded and handed pulled out his dagger, he then began to try and cut his own hair just to get a rise out of her.

"What are you doing?" She asked, arms petulantly crossed. "I told you I'd cut it for you."

"Just trying to look civilized," James answered. "Don't want you to cut yourself."

"Oh, shut up and let me help you!"

And with that she snatched the dagger out of his hand and got down on both knees. She realized the tunic would get in the way, and took the hems of it to pull it over his head. Dany's eyes danced over his bare chest for a moment, no doubt inspecting the scar on his chest like she always did, before she hesitantly took the knife to his hair. I'd tell her if she asked it of me. I'll tell her the story of how I got it.

But James spoke before she cut the first strand, "How can I trust you with my dagger? How do I know you aren't just in league with Stannis?"

Dany sighed. "Just stop making jests and let me do this. Tilt your head forward."

James tilted his head forward, and Dany scooted herself forward to get a better angle. Now he could completely look down her tunic and her breasts were inches from his face, his breath began to hitch. A nice view while getting your hair cut. It's better than when Tommy would do it in Winterfell, hacking with his butcher's knife. Daenerys, however, worked with a certain grace and minutes passed as strands of James' beloved hair fell to the floor. Even though her hair had not been washed in weeks, James could still smell the lilacs she was prone to use.

"We have been married for three years now," Daenerys began as she continued to cut, "and somehow everyone knows more about you, than I do."

"That isn't true," James pointed out, his eyes closed in the eternal bliss that was this. "I have kept nothing from you, Daenerys. I have been nothing but truthful. Every single dark deed in my past I have told you."

Dany ran her hands through his hair, and pulled more strands up to cut. "Not everything. I have yet to hear about how you received said scar on your chest, or why you joined the Night's Watch. Are your sisters more important that they get to know, but I don't?"

James sighed with his closed eyes. "Daenerys, they were there, as was Gendry. I will be glad to tell you how I've got this scar on my chest, if you so wish to hear."

"And it took three years to hear those words," she scolded with a hint of sarcasm. "While it must have taken Jon about five minutes, once you reunited with him again."

"Dany…" said James with a sigh, "my love, I will tell you all you wish to hear. Ask for the moon and I'd wrestle it from the heavens, if that is what you want."

Dany let out a small laugh, tilting his neck forward to cut his neck hairs. "Flattery. You of all people should know that doesn't get anywhere with me."

James snapped his eyes open to look at her. "And what can I do to make my wife happy? I live only to do so."

Dany remained unmoved. "Tell me. While I shorn your beard you will tell me how you received," she began to jab at his chest with her finger, "that. damned. scar."

James laughed. "As my lady wife commands."

And with that he began to tell her about how he received the scar. Dany shorned his beard and just sat there with him as he explained the story. How he received it while on the Kingsroad with Sansa and Arya. Gendry had saved his life with that of another man, the foreigner James couldn't recall. The one with the red and silver hair.

And so she gave him back the dagger. "You still look handsome despite the being beardless and the short hair."

James laughed again. "You're my wife, and are obligated to say that."

"I suppose you're right," she said with a slight chuckle. "The kids will barely recognize you."

James gave a feign smile, at the thought of his children. Now that he wasn't the King of Westeros, James Stark didn't know what to do with his life. Bran was the Lord of Winterfell, and would remain so, even though James was the elder. He didn't want it, and knew Bran was better at it, as demonstrated by leading his men as Robb did. Arya would eventually return to Storm's End, maybe, and Jon will stay at Winterfell and marry Sansa. James didn't know where that left him. Without the dragons or anything he couldn't re-take the Iron Throne. Half of him wanted to, but the other half told him to let Stannis keep it. James never wanted the crown in the beginning, never wanted any of it, but falling in love with Daenerys was not what he expected, and if he wanted to wed her…being king was a small price to pay. Often than not at night he dreamed of crossing the Narrow Sea with Dany and the children. To escape whatever wrath Stannis would send against them, and to prevent further harm from coming to his family.

Dany noticed that he was distressed, as she placed her hand on his chin and raised his face to look at her. "What is wrong, James? Tell me."

"I've been thinking," he said.

"About what?"

"Where are lives go from here."

"What do you mean?" Dany asked, she took her hand off his chin and crossed her arms. "James Stark…what do you mean?"

"I don't think we can stay in Westeros, Daenerys…"

And the words came out like a curse to his wife, a curse he should not have muttered. Dany's mouth formed into a thin line, she shook her head and crossed her arms even further. She couldn't look at him, couldn't do so. James wasn't sure if it was because she had spent all her life in Essos or because of how he said it. All was unclear to him, but Dany will tell him how she truly felt.

"I can't believe you just suggested that," she finally said. "To think I'd ever go back to Essos…"

"Do we have a choice?" James questioned. Did I ever have a choice? "I don't want to bring further harm upon my family. I can't risk that."

"Risk what?" She asked in despair. "Risk what? Aegon is not the king, Stannis is!"

"What will we do with our lives, Daenerys? What will we do?"

"What do you mean?" Dany shouted. "We live our lives out and raise our kids! We watch Eddard and Rhaella grow into adults! We take care of their grandchildren!"

"And will they marry?" said James. "Daenerys, who will they marry? We can't betroth them to any house we want, because we aren't a house anymore. The Targaryens are all but lost, we don't even know if Aegon is alive. The last living ones are twenty feet away."

"Then we take it back," she spat. "We take back what was ours with…with fire and blood. The blood of the dragon does not run away so easily."

"The blood of the dragon…" cursed James. "Are you always so desperate to live up to your families name? What if we weren't meant to hold the Iron Throne. Stannis will be a better king than I was."

"Than what do you suggest we do? Nothing?"

"I suggest we live, for now."

Daenerys was angry now. "I suggest we don't act like cowards."

"This doesn't make us cravens."

"Yes, it does."

James sighed. "You want to know what my father always said?"

She shook her head.

"The lone wolf dies, but the pack survives. Tyrion…died, Irri died, Edric died, Rhaella almost died, I almost died, but you all lived on. We must take care of our own before we can think of plunging Westeros back into seven hells."

"Ok," Dany began. "Ok, what if you were to just go back to Winterfell? What would you even do there. Become the Lord?"

James shook his head. "Bran…will be the Lord of Winterfell, Dany. If you're thinking I was going to take that from him, than I'm afraid you're mistaken."

Daenerys immediately turned away at that. You can't be serious? You can't…oh, Dany. "You're the elder. I was just hoping that…"

"…That I'd take that from my brother? Bran has proven himself if you haven't noticed. He took the Moat on his own! On his own! I couldn't even hold King's Landing."

Dany remained quiet. She crossed her arms and refused to meet his stare, visibly disappointed. Daenerys liked power, he figured, liked the feeling of being in charge, she was meant to be in charge. Perhaps she envisioned herself as the Lady of Winterfell once Catelyn passed with James upon the high seat in the Great Hall.

"Look," James began. "Bran will be the Lord of Winterfell, Sansa will marry Jon at Winterfell… and Rickon will marry into a prominent family and become one of Bran's bannermen. And…Arya may have to go back to Storm's End with Gendry. Stannis will let him keep that much, he won't take that away from him. He has no sons to give it to, nor an heir." James sighed. "That leaves me….with nothing. I gave up the right to be the Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North at seven and ten."

She looked at him now. "But you're no longer a man of the…"

James shook his head. "It doesn't matter, Dany. It never really mattered to me. I never wanted to be the Lord of Winterfell or a king."

"Then why did you say yes to me?"

"Must I really answer that?"

"No. You don't."

"Consider it, Daenerys. Sleep on it. If Stannis doesn't let us bend the knee, which I think he will, than we have to flee to protect our family."

Dany nodded. "I'll consider it. We will see."

"Imagine the cabin on the beach with a red door when you sleep tonight. Do you remember what I told you on the balcony? That is what we could have."

"But you'd be giving up your family."

James laughed. "Winterfell isn't going anywhere. We will always be welcome there."

They both got up and walked out of the clearing. He took the time to run a hand through his hair and hated how short it felt now. His hair was just above the ear and it reminded him of when Aegon almost had him killed. James had kept his hair long all his life, never had he worn it short, and he'd sported a beard since he could grow one. Jon, Robb, Bran, even his father never sported short hair. James scruffed a hand on his face and it felt naked, a feeling he hadn't felt in years. Daenerys clutched his hand and led him out of the brush. His family was around the fire still, and he laughed out loud when he saw Gendry and Jon, freshly shorn like sheep. They turned around and pointed at him, laughing all the way. James and Dany walked over to them and watched his kids reaction to him. He got down on one knee to look at his son, who grew nervous when he saw him. "Ned, it's me. It's your father." From Sansa's lap he looked up at him apprehensively, but Rhaella had recognized him immediately, and asked where his hair went. "It ran away." He told her.

And after that James and the men went rabbit hunting, brandishing rocks and daggers to catch them. They went inside the forest and looked around, everyone laughing at how they looked like green boys with their shorn faces. Jon and James always had beards, but Gendry never did. A couple of hours past and Jon had set up some tracks using twigs and a rock that would land and crush the rabbits head. Gendry had managed to kill a squirrel with his dagger, but Jon's traps yielded only two rabbits. They were hoping for at least four or more, so they could feed the children and themselves at least something. During the hunt they told Jon about the battle, and the men that they killed. "They were all so young," Gendry admitted. "And they all died for nothing, which is the worst part. All for nothing…"

Jon felt that he was a craven for not fighting by his side. "I fought the Others," he said to James, "I should have fought." James could hear the resentment in his voice when he admitted his feelings on not fighting the second battle of King's Landing. Jon wanted to fight, should have fought, had a right to…James realized. But if James were have to died, if it all went horribly wrong, he wanted someone with them he could trust, and that man was Jon Snow, his brother. Their was nobody he trusted more to help raise his children. James had the decency to at least tell him the truth of why he made Jon go back to Maegor's Holdfast. Jon tried to hide a look of content when James told him, and he seemed happy to have taken up the role. "I trust no one more than you and Sansa," James told him. "And Dany feels the same way too."

When they returned to the camp, a few hours later, the afternoon sun was beginning to rise in the sky, and James knew they had lingered in one spot too long. The men took out their daggers and quickly gutted and skinned the squirrel and rabbits they caught. They divided the meat up and cooked over the fire so it wouldn't spoil. Qhorin Halfhand had taught James about smoking meats in order to preserve them. The family ate on the rabbit with mad hunger, and James couldn't help but do so as well. The grease from the rabbit's leg dripped from his fingers, and he wiped it off on his breeches. Rabbit meat had a gamey taste to it, but the fat and grease at least gave it some flavor. The children at least managed to try some of it, Lyanna, Ned, and Robert liked it but Rhaella didn't. She spit it out and cried for bread, but their was none left to give. So, Dany forced her to eat some of it, and their daughter cried for minutes because of it. "You have to eat!" Dany admonished, but the girl just tried to shake her head away from it, James had to help her eat.

Soon the fires were stamped out and everything was loaded, the horses mounted, and they were on the road again. James asked Jon to ride out a bit and see what was ahead of them. As the morning grew old James was leading his horse with Dany on it, their son in front of her, Ned just sat watching the countryside go by, keeping an eye on whatever struck his fancy; pointing at birds he'd see or animals that would scurry across the road in front of them. He was the most calm child there, and never really complained at all, while the others grew restless on the saddle. More than once they met people coming south and all said the same thing - turn around. "War is that way." One of them said to James, pointing back towards the Riverlands. Towards noon Jon came back with news saying that he saw some smallfolk coming up the road, armed with pitchforks and carrying wagons with food. James ordered that Dany lift up her shall that she carried in her pocket from King's Landing. Sansa had made sure to cover Rhaella's hair with her tunic, and the girl didn't understand what was happening.

When the group of smallfolk appeared on the hill, they began to discuss to each other and eyed them wearily. James felt his heart beating fast when they walked by, his hand on his sword hilt and his gaze unnerving. He hoped the mud on his face, his shorn face, and short hair might make him pass for a commoner, and his family also.

The group of men eyed them warily and moved off the road as they passed, keeping their distance, especially after they saw the weapons they had. They were a mixed bunch of boys and men, and they were mostly in rags and had poor weapons. No one said a word and soon they were far behind them.

"We should have taken them out," whispered Jon after they passed by. "They will cause trouble for many unarmed smallfolk down the road."

"Aye, maybe. I don't want to risk any of us getting hurt or killed."

Jon nodded. "No, you're right. It was a foolish notion; best not get into any fights that we cannot win."

A few hours passed on the road without anyone saying a word to each other. The dark experience they were going through at the moment, did not leave too much room for happiness. James could not feel the pang of guilt that felt like eight stone upon his shoulders. This is all my fault, he scolded to himself, if I had only held the city…if Tyrion hadn't stood upon the ramparts…if Stannis hadn't betrayed us. He had vowed to keep the city, vowed to keep his people safe, and failed at doing so. Sometimes he wished that him wearing the crown was just a horrible nightmare. It was all just some big dream.

But something always held him back: his family. Images of his family cursing him for doing so, cursing him for leaving them, also ruined the bliss he imagined for himself and Daenerys. James wanted to leave Westeros behind, and wanted to go, but it was the imagine of his family crying that stayed his hand. After this they would never want to be separated from each other again. James knew he had to tell someone, felt he owed it to them to at least say, "I'm considering what is best for my family."

"Arya." He heard himself blurt out. James felt like someone else had just taken control of him, but he realized it was his guilt doing the talking. He'd tell Sansa, usually, but she would tell everyone in her grief. Arya had become his adviser.

"Yes?" She called out from her horse. James turned around and saw her look at him with intrigued eyes, as if she was thinking why he called her name out so randomly.

"Can I speak to you, please?"

She nodded.

James looked back at Daenerys and handed her the reigns. She nodded and wrapped them around her hands, while holding Ned to herself. James walked back beside her horse, and Gendry stepped forward to give them a moment. He took the reigns and slowed down her horse, so that they might be given more privacy. James just walked her horse and whistled to himself, hoping her impatience would force her to breech words before he had to. Now it was just a waiting game.

"You said you wanted to talk," Arya finally said, her patience had worn thin by now.

"Yes. I did say that."

Arya sighed. "And what about?"

James drew in a small breath. "About what I've been thinking about the past few days before I go to sleep," he sighed. "About the future of my family…my children."

"What do you mean?"

He turned to her. "I mean what the future holds for me."

"I still don't understand."

"I don't think I'm going to stay at Winterfell, Arya."

Arya was taken back by that, it was the last thing she expected to hear. "And where else do you propose to go? King's Landing?"

James snickered. "No, I think not. I may think of going across the Narrow Sea."

Arya stammered. "You can't…can't be serious, James?"

He nodded. "I am. I spoke of it with Daenerys and she is considering it. I'm just thinking about what is best for me and mine."

Arya shook her head. "You sound so foolish right about now, I hope you know that. Why would you…"

"I don't want this anymore," James swiftly admitted, motioning to the road around him. "I don't want to do this anymore. I want to live my life in peace now, I don't want to worry about Stannis attacking my family until I'm dead, I want peace. I can't leave you in danger, anymore."

Arya laughed. "What danger? I don't understand…"

"This is just a warning, is all. I don't know what the future holds."

"Why are you telling me this?"

"Because you're the only one I can trust with this right now, my Hand of the King. When we get to Riverrun, I'll tell the rest of them. Mother, Bran, and then I'll tell Rickon at Winterfell. I promise."

Arya nodded and sighed at the same time, she was visibly disappointed in his decision. James knew that they would take it hard, the Starks wanted nothing but to just be a family unit again after all they experienced, and he understood that. However, he knew that Arya wasn't going to stay in Winterfell forever too, Gendry was the Lord of Storm's End and would have to return once Stannis relieved the Martells siege. To James's knowledge, Trystane Martell still held Storm's End, and he knew that forcing him to lift it would be Stannis's first priority. He figured that Stannis would let Gendry keep his Lordship now that he was the king. It was just a matter of time, and James felt that Arya knew this, she was smart and probably just didn't want to bring up such a sensitive subject at the moment.

After a while they entered a forested area, and had to cross many streams and brooks, most with small wooden bridges across them. At mid-afternoon they halted and had a quiet lunch of rabbit and cheese, washed down with water. The rest of the day was cool under the forest and the road soon narrowed and more and more folks were heading south, none as dangerous looking as the group of cutthroats they had passed. Many hours later the road widened some and they came upon a large stream and a stone inn with a waterwheel attached and several low lying outbuildings.

"Look, an inn!" Sansa had exclaimed when it came within eyesight. Everyone shouted out in joy and wanted nothing but to stop there and sleep in a proper bed. James pulled out the coins he had brought with him, a mixture of coppers, stags, and a few dragons. I hope this is enough to get a few rooms. They spoke of how they'd like to split rooms between the three of them. The thought of Jon and Sansa sharing a bed made James feel nauseous inside, for some odd reason. He knew that Sansa would probably wait for their wedding night to…to…he didn't want to think about it. Everyone agreed and went to the inn, James told Dany to keep the shall up at all costs, and to guard Rhaella too. There would be a bathhouse and ale and real food, they also had enough money to possibly buy some more food the road ahead. James hoped this would all end soon.

They finally arrived at the inn and handed off the horses to a stable boy who was waiting just outside, James watched him tie them up. Arya took the provisions and handed them out to everyone. Daenerys held on to her daughter and tried to avert her gaze to anyone who looked upon her face. If anyone caught sight of who she actually was, it could spell disaster.

The inn had a large common room with many tables and benches and a large stone fireplace with a roaring fire over which a large pot of stew was cooking. The innkeeper was a red-faced portly fellow with a jolly manner and a wide grin. He invited them in and seemed to know they weren't just common smallfolk. Soon they were seated at tables and had mugs of strong ale and bowls of mutton stew with bits of carrot, potato, and onion in it. James found himself seated with Daenerys and the rest of his family. The kitchen servants offered the children some apple tarts, and James thanked them for their kindness. The innkeeper soon joined them. The innkeeper did not ask for his name as he filled them in on the news about what was happening around the realm.

"How old are the children?" The innkeep asked in a husky voice while his family ate the mutton like ravaged dogs. Daenerys had her shall up, and was feeding tiny bites of mutton to their daughter, while Sansa had a hold of Ned.

"Three of them are only three years old and one is four."

"Young babes," the innkeep replied. "We'll make sure to give you some sweets before you go on your way."

"You are too kind," Arya told him with Robert on her lap.

The inn keep smiled. "It is of no issue."

After a few moments of silence the inn keep spoke up again, "Did you hear their was a second battle in King's Landing?"

"It's what we're running away from," said Gendry, making his voice sound like that of a common folk. "The city was ablaze when we fled, the wildfire exploded and set mi'house on fire. Me and mi family had to flee."

"Aye. I have had a lot of refugees from King's Landing coming into my inn, as of late, and the lot of them speak that Stannis Baratheon has taken the Iron Throne. Apparently he has sent a raven to all the Lords and demanded they bend the knee."

"We've heard the same," James admitted. "Heard he took the city right from under the wolf king."

The inn keep laughed, his chin bobbing. "So they've been telling me, too. They say the wolf king and his dragon wife have not been found. Some say they fled the city with the Lord of Storm's End when it all went to shite."

James nodded while he cut a piece of potato in half, and stuck in into his mouth. He chewed like he had never done so before, and savored the taste of real food in his mouth, the ale wasn't too great but it would do.

"You lot look like ya haven't eaten in weeks."

Arya nodded this time. "Aye, we didn't have the chance to bring food with us from King's Landing. Our house caught ablaze before we had the chance to snag some." James tried to hold back a smile at her use of the word "Aye."

"A bloody shame," the inn keep admitted. "A bloody shame that war is upon us again. I haven't seen things this bad since the War of the Five Kings."

"Aye," James agreed. "I haven't seen it this bad since then."

"Have you other news?" Jon asked the inn keep. "Anything else?"

The inn keep nodded while he drank some ale. "Aye. They say that the Lord of Winterfell has taken Moat Cailin. Some smallfolk that have come from the Riverlands tell us that the Tyrells still lay siege to Riverrun, but that the Northern host is headed towards it."

"Bran…" Arya muttered to herself.

"Have the Northern army taken relief of Riverrun?"

Innkeep shrug while he refilled James's mug. "I haven't the slightest idea, good ser. Some say they have, other say they haven't. One thing we know is that the Northmen are marching south again, just like the days when Robb Stark was calling himself King in the North."

Everyone grew sad at Robb being mentioned, James felt the familiar feeling of sadness when somebody mentioned, Robb. He could still remember his younger brother he'd get in trouble with, or being the one to get him in trouble. James could remember when him and Theon first took Robb and Jon to the tavern in Winterstown, or the brothel, too. He missed Robb everyday.

The inn keep seemed to pick up on their sadness. "Pardons if I offended you somehow…I didn't mean."

"None taken," James swiftly countered, drinking his ale. He noticed that Dany had refused her ale, instead opting to drink water. James thought that to be weird, Daenerys always liked to drink when the time came up for it. He looked at the inn keep again. "So the Northern army is coming upon the Riverlands again?"

He nodded. "That much I am sure of, ser. Other than that…we have no news."

James looked over at Arya and nodded, both reaffirming to each other that Riverrun is where they needed to head. The family sat down in silence for a few moments and finished eating their much needed mutton and ale, after days of just having sausage, rabbit, squirrel, bread, and cheese, even water got dull. Soon after the innkeep offered them rooms, and after some begging from his family, James relented and paid the inn keep enough for three rooms. Jon and Sansa were to be in one room, with Arya and Gendry in another with their children, and James and Dany with their children in a third. Sansa, not thinking it to be proper for her to share a bedroom with Jon until they were married, offered to have the children sleep in their room on top of the bed, while Jon and Sansa slept in different cots that were within the room. "You and Dany should have some time alone together," she had said to them. "And, Arya and Gendry should as well. It is only proper for married couples to spend time with one another, we all know that you haven't had time for each other in the past couple of weeks." James was gracious for that much.

The innkeep told them that they were free to use the bathing facilities he had, and everyone was happy to clean themselves. The women went first and took the children with them too, while the men bathed after. James would have much preferred to bathe with his wife, but he was just happy to finally scrub the damn mud off his face, arms, and hands, even the dirt under his nails. The bathing was naught after they realized they would still have to wear the dirty clothes they'd been wearing since they left. James asked the innkeep if their was anywhere they could wash the clothing, but he said their wasn't, and that he was sorry for that.

After bathing, James, went to the common hall with his brother and good brother and they decided to get happily drunk for the first time in awhile. James knew his promise to Daenerys about not drinking anymore, but he figured after what they had to endure the past couple of weeks, getting drunk should be the least of his concerns. She had expressed to him her displeasure in seeing him drunk, when he told her that was what he was off to do with his brothers. "Dany," James had begun, "just let me have some fun." He then laughed. "I haven't drank in such a long time, and I just want to do this with my brothers one more time." She nodded and told him that she will be waiting for him in their room, and to not come back too late.

By the time the night was winding to a close, James, Jon, and Gendry were happily drunk. Not the kind of drunk where you grow angry or clumsy or melancholic, but the kind where everything was funny and you were happy. Their was a musician with a lute who would sing songs, and the men would drink and sing along with him. There were also a few other people in the inn, too. Smallfolk and men who just wanted to get drunk. Jon and James told Gendry stories of how they'd often go to the tavern in Wintertown, Robb would join them too. "I remember the first time I went with James and Theon," Jon recounted. "I recall getting so drunk that James had to walk me back to my chambers, and that was after we were done in the brothel." Gendry laughed at that and slammed his tankard on the table, exclaiming that if they would have asked him ten years back that he would've gone to one with them. James sometimes forgot that Gendry was at an age with Jon, and that he was just as much a man as they were. He was fortunate that Gendry treated Arya well, and he never dishonored her. Some lords aren't so honorable, James wasn't either. Than Jon brought up a story that he had never before, "Do you remember when Dany came on to me?" he told with a laugh. "When she was drunk at Winterfell and kissed me?" James grew hard at that, narrowing his eyes at him. Gendry was just laughing the whole way. "Remember when you used to call Sansa, 'sister.'" And with that Jon just grew serious.

The night died down and the men were too drunk for this, so they decided to call it a night and retreat to their chambers. James arrived into his chambers and opened the door with not so much grace. He bolstered through and stumbled a bit, before laughing to himself. Daenerys shot up from the bed, rubbing sleep from her eyes, and her hair was disheveled. She was still in her riding clothing and sat up on the side of the bed to eye him inquisitively. James figured in this moment she looked angelic, or like some child, possibly even a rare treasure.

"I must have fallen asleep waiting up for you," Dany said when she awoke. "I was waiting for you."

James laughed, more a childish laugh than anything else, as he stared upon her sitting on the side of the bed. Still beautiful. "My queen!" He yelled, throwing his arms wide. "My lady! You are a great beauty, and I wish for the honor to…to I don't know, come into your castle."

Dany stared at him with narrow eyes. "Have the gods taken your wits? Did you hear what you just said?"

James nodded really hard, it made his neck hurt. "I did, I did. And I want your permission to unleash my direwolf upon you…to stick my sword in your sheath…to awake my dragon!"

"How drunk are you?" she asked him while she cocked her head. Dany's eyes remained narrow, but she looked annoyed. James knew he got that way when drunk. "Do you know how ridiculous you sound?"

"Do you know how ridiculous you sound?"

Dany sighed. "Come to bed, James. You're too drunk to 'unleash your direwolf' right now, gods know what that means."

James laughed like a child as he walked over to her and stumbled upon the bed. Daenerys sighed again and got down on her knees to remove his boots, as she always did.

"You know what's funny?" James said while she removed the tunic over his head.

"And what is so funny?"

"That we now have to remove our clothes for bed, where we had servants to do that for us."

She chuckled. "I guess that is the new life we have to grow accustomed to."

"A life I never wanted," James admitted in his drunken stupor. "Yet falling in love with you wasn't part of the plan."

Dany kissed him for the kind words and began to take off the rest of his clothing. "Remember when we courted, Dany? Why can't life be that simple again."

Daenerys laughed while she untied his breeches. "Courting you was a lot of fun, I remember. The way we fawned over each other for three months, the romantic you were. Doesn't it feel like that was a lifetime ago?"

James sighed. "Yes, it does. What feels like even longer than that was when we had that conversation in the Godswood after your coronation. That was when I opened myself up to you."

"I'll remember that night until I die, James," Dany admitted as she stood up and removed her dirty clothing and climbed on to the bed.

She then crawled into the bed with him and kneaded his back like she used to, removing the ache that had been building up for weeks. James had jested that she need not do that anymore for he wasn't king, but she said it made her happy. Her small hands moving in circles in his back, kneading out the ache he had there since they fled King's Landing. She only kneaded his back once upon the Kingsroad, but the children wanted to help her, and they jumped on his back, only making it worse. James couldn't stay mad at them, not that he even was in the first place. In the world he had lost himself in, James, could not remember when he had fallen asleep, but he did. It was then that he found himself dreaming, dreaming of his guilt again:

James found himself clad in the black of the Night's Watch again. His black hair was long again, and he had stubble upon his face. He felt the strength in his hands and wiggled his toes, but he couldn't not see. James felt younger in this dream, felt like he did in his youth, so full of energy and life but his mind was that of himself. Finally his eyes shot open and he realized where he was: the Godswood in Winterfell. James looked around and saw that it was snowing, and it looked almost errely beautiful as it always did when it was snowing within the Godswood. He looked around and saw nobody, only the wind, the trees, and the rustling of leaves was all he could hear.

"Daenerys!" He called out. "Is there somebody there? Anybody? Daenerys!"

"Daenerys…." The Godswood echoed back to him. "Daenerys…" He could hear the leaves echo him.

"Daenerys…" James heard someone mutter, but the voice was not his own. It was a familiar voice, yet he knew who it was.

He turned around to find her standing there, all in black. The flakes contrasting in her red hair as they always did, and she looked as youthful as she did when he was only four and ten. And just as beautiful.

"Daenerys," she said again. "Have you not thought it odd that she chose you…like a knight chooses his horse…"

"Ros?" James asked of the thing, he didn't know what it was. "What are you doing here?"

"I used to live here," she replied while she pointed to her surroundings. Her red hair was pinned up to the back, like she used to wear it around James, and she was dressed in a black mourning dress, but it covered her neck. "We used to come here all the time, if you recall. You used to love me, or did you forget?"

"I forget nothing," James said. Ros stood at a distance from him, but he found he couldn't move. "I remember when I first entered you, and the last. I remember when we used to meet here in secret to just talk and nothing more. I don't forget what we used to have."

"What we used to have…" Ros echoed. "But now you love another, and I am just a distant memory, like dust to the wind."

"I have never forgotten about you," James admitted. "I loved you."

"You loved me," she mocked. "You loved me so much that you did this!"

And with that she pulled down on the part of her dress that exposed her neck, and James felt his eyes widen as he saw the scar upon her neck. The scar he had given her when he took her head, when he took Ros's head.

"I didn't want that to happen," he told her. "Daenerys, she…she was jealous and I don't know why she sentenced you to…"

"Yet you killed me all the same," Ros scolded, her green eyes pierced through him. "You're the one who swung the sword, James Stark, not your wife. Not the woman you apparently claim to love. What will you tell your children when they grow? Will you tell them of me? Will you tell your son, when he has his first woman that you lost your virtue to a whore! Will you tell them how you killed me like they did your father!"

"I didn't mean to," said James, moving closer to Ros. "I thought it a kindness to have me kill you and not her. Dany…Dany would have burned you alive with dragon fire, she would have done so much worse. I didn't want that for you, you didn't deserve that, Ros."

"No you're right, I didn't deserve this, Your Grace," another voice said from behind the Godswood. James snapped around to see a figure step out from behind a tree, it was Edric. The boy still had his brown hair short and he was lean and tall for a boy of only five and ten. James noticed the arrow that was sticking out of his chest.

"Edric?" said James in shock and sadness. "Lad, what are you doing here?"

"I am dead," he flatly said. "I am dead because one of Stannis's men shot me while I was on the beach. I am dead because you failed as king."

James shook his head. "I'm sorry, boy. I never meant for any of that to happen, I wanted to have you knighted in the morning by one of the Kingsguard. You were a good squire and a good boy, I would have traded my life for yours."

"But you didn't," Edric quickly said. "You only sent me to my death upon the shore. I was to be a knight, a knight! I loved your family and considered them my own. I could remember when you let Lord Gendry choose a squire for you, and I was happy to have the honor. I considered you like an uncle, Daenerys like an aunt, and your children and niece and nephew like my cousins. But now I can ever be a knight, or a lord, or a husband, I can no longer bear children."

"Edric," James began, "I'm sorry for all of that. I considered you like a son to me, I'm sorry…"

"You're sorry?" Another voice said from the Godswood again. James whipped his head around to see a small figure jumping from the trees, he rolled when he hit the ground and stood up. It was Tyrion. His face still did not have a nose and the scar was still there, but now half of his face was burned off. He looked like the Hound.

"No, no," James said in disbelief. "Are the gods so cruel…"

Tyrion laughed, that mocking laugh that James heard for three years. "That is why they're gods, James."

James kept quiet in disbelief, he did not say anything, could not, and now he knew what Illyn Payne felt like all these years. Not being able to even scream.

"I shouldn't have been on the ramparts," Tyrion admitted. He then laughed out loud. "Arya told me that the wildfire was a stupid idea, and I should have listened. You should have listened to her."

"I know that," James told him. "I take Arya for granted. I took her for granted upon my small council."

"As you took us for granted," Tyrion threw out. "As I took you all for granted. You were my family, but I was too proud to admit that. I never thanked you for treating me as one of your own, for being my friends and family."

"Tyrion, I tried…I tried to warn you to jump off the battlements, but it was too late."

"You should have known that Stannis was going to betray us," Edric said, as he stood next to Tyrion, even Ros was standing next to them. "You should have known he was going to the moment he let Aegon free."

"He didn't let him free…"

"Did he?" Ros countered. "Do you really think Aegon just escaped? No, he didn't. Stannis let him go, and Stannis betrayed him also. He was supposed to be Aegon's Hand of the King, but he took the Throne for himself. You fool."

James threw himself on his knees, before them and looked up at them. he was actually at a height with Tyrion. "This is all my fault…I didn't save you all, I should be dead, I should be-"

"As you should," Edric spat.

"It's all your fault, James," Ros said, "I loved you and it was your fault I died. I told you that I never loved you, but I lied. I cried myself to sleep at night when I saw you kiss her at your coronation."

"Ros…" James said, slipping his hand into hers, but hers was cold. Now she stepped away from him and walked away, walking back into the Godswood. "Don't forget me."

"Nor me." Edric added.

"Or me." Tyrion said. "And tell Myrcella I love her."

"I will."

"Goodbye now, James Stark."

Tyrion began to walk away, but James called out to him. "Tyrion! Tyrion! Don't go, we need you, all of us need you! I'm sorry…."

"It's not your fault." Tyrion said with a smile.

"But it is…"

Heart pounding, James jerked awake, and found himself in the chamber, the room dark, save the glow from the moonlight coming through the window. He could taste something in his mouth and he was naked and shivering with sweat, hold and cold at once. His head was pounding from the ale, and in the darkness he could see Ros's head floating with the scar upon her neck. He suddenly felt tears well up in his eyes, he raked his hands through his hair and whimpered. She is dead, it was all just a dream, it wasn't my fault. Their was nothing I could have done… Right now he wanted nothing but to be four again, back when he'd crawl into his mother's bed when he had a nightmare.

A small hand touched his back, and James felt himself shiver. He turned and met Dany's violet eyes, her silver hair reflecting in the moonlight. She gently rubbed his arms. "It was just a dream," she said in a small voice. James felt embarrassed, he knew he must've looked ridiculous.

"I'm sorry I woke you, Dany," he apologized quietly, his eyes diverting her gaze. James felt a weird feeling towards Daenerys at the moment, not anger, but resentment, resentment for what she did to Ros. He had suppressed those feelings for a while, he knew he couldn't stay mad at her forever, and when he was almost killed he couldn't stand the thought. But the dream had brought something out again, it had awoken those feelings again. I can't do it though, don't do it…

"No need to be sorry," Dany whispered back, moving her hand up and down his forearm and lightly threading her fingers into his hair to calm him down, she always knew how to do that well. "What were you dreaming of? Was it Rhaella again?"

James shook his head no, but didn't want to tell her the truth. He felt like this dream should belong to himself, like some secret. But some madness made him spew the words out.

"I dreamt of them," he said quietly, as he continued to avert her gaze. "I was…I was in the Godswood in Winterfell, the snow falling around me, clad in Night's Watch black. Tyrion appeared…half his face was melted, and Edric was there too, an arrow in his chest. They told me it was my fault, all but Tyrion…It was my fault.."

He felt the bed shift as Dany moved in front of him, and rested her hand on his cheek, raising his face to finally look at her. "This isn't your fault, James."

James shook his head in disagreement.

Dany sighed while she crawled closer to him and opened her arms, calling for him to take her embrace. "Come here," she said. James, in his grief, moved into her arms and let her hold him against her chest, her bare breasts were soft beneath his cheek, and all she did was kiss and stroke his hair. James wrapped his arms around her waist, holding her small body tightly against his, the desire for comfort overcoming his resentment. All of the resentment he felt before dissipated in her arms.

"Their deaths were nothing you couldn't have prevented."

James sighed against her chest. "But if I didn't allow him to start building the wildfire, maybe…just…maybe."

Dany kissed his head. "You're too hard on yourself, James Stark. You cannot predict the future, none of us can. I did not think that Tyrion would have died the way he did, or Edric, or Irri too."

He remained quiet and accepted his guilt.

"Why were you screaming?" she asked gently as she stroked his hair.

James shook his head, not wanting to tell her the truth. "Nothing you need hear, Daenerys."

Daenerys sighed. James didn't want to tell her he dreamt of Ros, that was the last thing he wanted to do. He didn't want to invoke those emotions from Daenerys about mentioning "her" name. She always grew uncomfortable when Ros is ever mentioned, and he didn't want to do that to her. Dany grew so melancholic that she would sometimes well up in tears from the guilt. When James had refused to speak with her after the execution, she came up to him and admitted her guilt. She cried and told him she dreamt of her head every night, that it wasn't fair. And Dany didn't cry for just anyone.

Daenerys cares. She cares for my well being, cares that I am all right. Tells me what I want to her, but I can't accept it. It is all my fault. As James held his wife in his arms, he couldn't help thinking about his nightmare, he wanted to share it with somebody. She sighed at his stoicism again, and just kept quiet. He knew that she wanted to know, she wanted him to open his heart to her, and James did not do that so often. He was a Northmen.

"Tell me…" Dany pleaded from him. "Please, James, tell me. I want to comfort you, help you get through it. Please…"

And with that he relented. "I dreamt of her," he admitted. "Ros came out of the clearing in black and had a scar upon her neck where my sword landed. She told me that she still loved me, and had always done so, no matter how many times she denied it." James looked at her now, her eyes welling with some moisture. "She told me she was at my coronation in the crowd, and cried herself to sleep that night when she saw us kiss. Ros than scolded me for forgetting about her, for forgetting the love we once shared, and blamed me for her death. I told her that I loved her too, nor did I forget her."

James felt her exhale on his head. "Have you ever loved me as much as you loved her?"

"Have you ever loved me as much as you did Drogo?" He asked her in kind. That thought always weighed heavy on James's mind.

"Yes," she whispered. "I didn't think it was possible, but I do."

"Yet he is forever on your mind," said James as if his mind was not of his own. "He is always on your thoughts. You look at our children and think to yourself what Rhaego could've looked like at their age. You kiss me and think of Drogo, and how he would kiss you. When I'm inside you, you probably see his face looking down back at you instead of mine...you will always love Drogo more than me."

Daenerys pulled his face to look at her. "That isn't true," she said. "I don't know why you just said those things, but it isn't true. I don't look at our babies and see Rhaego or Drogo. I see me and you, James and Daenerys. No more, no less."

James sighed, and pressed his head between her chest again, accepting her answer. It's the resentment talking.

"You never answered my question," she pressed again.

"What question?"

"You know of what I speak, James. Don't play coy with me."

"I'll alway love her, Dany," said James against her chest. "She meant quite a bit to me, Ros did." James could not close is eyes, he peered away into the darkness just over Dany's shoulder. "I can still remember the day I first met her. Sitting on my bed, bought by Theon for a night to take my virtue from me, as if it was a prize. 'You need to have your first girl,' he told me one day in the practice yard. So when I saw her...I thought she was so beautiful, as if she was the only beautiful girl within the North. I fell for her, hard. Hard and fast."

James felt Dany's hands tighten in his hair, as if she was visibly distressed at him talking about this. But James needed to get it out, he needed to speak his mind. His arms tightened around his wife's waist, as if she was the anchor that held him while he continued to lose himself in thought, "And so when I first saw her again after seven years, seven years, Daenerys I didn't know what to think. It was like seeing a ghost come out and haunt me."

Dany remained silent as he continued to lose himself in thought, continuing, "I thought it a kindness, what I did. I thought it was a mercy to take her head. I didn't want to see her burn alive by dragons or...worse. I couldn't do that to her, I couldn't. When I had the sword in the air, when I looked in her eyes, all I could think about was when I opened the door to my chambers and saw her sitting there on my bed. How that moment changed my life, forever."

Now James looked up at Daenerys, who was looking off in the distance in distress. "And I don't hold it against you anymore, I don't in truth. I swung the sword, and you didn't force me. I could have just dropped the sword and walked off, but I didn't. I killed her anyway, I killed the ghost of my past. But I forgot one thing: you can't kill ghosts. So now she haunts me, Ros haunts me." Now he scoffed. "This is just the ale talking."

Dany looked at him now. "My jealousy killed her, James. You didn't kill her...I did."

"We both did."

"Yet you never answered me question. Do you love her more than me?"

"Never."

Dany didn't press him for anymore details. She merely held him tighter. James closed his eyes and nuzzled in against her breasts. She rested her head on top of his and ran her fingers through his hair, and over his back. It was absurd, but the feel of her skin against his, of her fingers threading through his hair, made him feel safe.

She smoothed her hand over his hair and kissed the top of his head. He could hear her heart beating as he rested his head against her chest and allowed her to hold him. "You're a good man, James," she whispered quietly. He tilted his head up and was startled to see her violet eyes staring right at him. Before he could react, she lowered her head to his, kissing him softly. He returned her kiss, gently moving his mouth over hers. The longer he kissed her, the more he forgot his pain and began to feel desire. James was never one for taking a woman slowly and gently, but he found that Dany's soft touches made him feel so good, that he wanted it to last as long as possible.

James slowly moved to lay her on her back beneath him, never breaking contact with her mouth. He felt Dany's legs wrap around him and moaned against her mouth. He broke their kiss and began placing soft, open-mouthed kisses on her neck and shoulders. James nuzzled against her neck, inhaling her scent and began to feel at peace. They made love that night for the first time in a while and James hoped they could conceive a child. He would always whisper that to himself after he had sex with Daenerys, as if it was a prayer. This time, however, he heard himself say it aloud. "I hope that we made another child," he whispered into her ear, he had hoped for that much since his twins. Dany only smiled at him when he whispered those words while he shuttered in release.

He rolled onto his back, wrapping his arm around her as Dany stretched out next to him, gently peppering his chest with kisses. "Thank you," James said seriously, resting his head back into her chest. "I never say those words enough to you." He wanted to say more to her, but the words didn't come out.

"I don't like seeing you in pain," she said, her hand stroking his hair again. "And your pain is my pain." Dany sighed again. "You taught me how to love again, James. I thought whatever love I had left died with Drogo, but you woke me up again. I take you for granted and don't appreciate you as much as you do me, and for that I say sorry. I love you, James, don't ever forget that."

"As I love you," he whispered into her chest. "And I hope we can grow old and have more children together."

Daenerys remained quiet, but James could feel her arms tense around him, as if something was wrong. He kept his eyes closed and tried to lull himself to sleep.

"I'm pregnant…" Dany muttered into his hair. "I'm pregnant, James."

He felt his eyes shoot open and he backed out of her touch. He looked at her and found she wasn't lying, her gaze was unnerving and she was smiling. "Are you sure?" he asked. "Don't let this be a cruel jest."

She shook her head. "Arya was the first to notice," she said, "and I knew before the battle when I had missed my moonsblood, and Arya saw my morning sickness. I had to make sure before I told you."

James smiled and kissed her again, holding her so tight he never wanted to let go. This news was the best thing he'd heard, and all the guilt he felt over the deaths washed away. He and Dany were to share a child again, and he wanted to give her the world. "I can't wait to tell everyone in the morning."

"That is the thing," Dany began. "I don't want you to tell anyone, James. Arya already knows and I know she won't tell anyone, but Sansa will. I want to tell everyone at Riverrun with your mother and brother present."

James nodded at her again and continued to hold her, willing to do anything for her in this moment. He crawled into her arms again and they spent the next hour speaking about their new child, all while he kept a hand on her stomach. They spoke of names and what they thought the sex was going to be. "I hope it's another girl," James said. "I want to maybe name her, Catelyn." Dany laughed and said that would be ok, but she wanted a boy. "Can we name him Rhaegar?" James only sighed, thinking about how Jon would feel about that. He never gave thought to Dany's older brother, not truly. "Sure."

Sleep was very little for both of them for the rest of the night. They spoke of the battle as well, James giving her the details about the men he killed. Dany had been in battle before too, so death was nothing new to her. Flying on Drogon's back, she had killed men too and had them killed as well. Her of all people would understand, unlike Sansa. She listened as he described his charge on the Mud Gate towards Aegon's men, with his Kingsguard behind them. He could remember the look on a boys face as he slashed his sword across his chest, or when he stabbed one in the face with his dagger. "Some of them were so young, Dany. Some as young as Edric…and they all died for nothing. For nothing, truly." It was then that James wanted to ask her if she had made a decision, if she had said yes to going across the Narrow Sea. But he couldn't find the courage. Daenerys hated his persistence more than anything, and James just wanted to let her make her own decision.

When the morning came, the light peering through the windows, James found himself awaking slowly with Dany asleep on his chest. The air in the chamber seemed cold, although the hearth was still smoldering. Now he knew it was just a matter of time before Sansa knocked on the door with the children. They had to awake and get going as soon as possible, and they still had a long journey to Riverrun. Dany looked like a newborn babe when she slept, almost angelic like. Then he felt his head aching, and his stomach hurting as if he wanted to throw up, it was the ale. Daenerys stirred awake soon afterwards, batting her eyes open until she sat up and looked at him. The coverlet fell to expose her breasts, James couldn't stop staring but he averted his attention elsewhere.

"I feel like shite," he told her. "As if someone punched me in the head."

Daenerys laughed. "That is what happens when you drink too much ale."

He nodded in agreement and then placed a hand on her stomach, as if he was trying to feel the life that was radiating inside her. Knowing that it was something they had created. Daenerys only placed her hand on top of his and smiled.

"We created this," she said under her breath. "And it is about time."

James laughed while she caressed the top of his hand. "When do you think we created this?"

Daenerys shrugged, looking off in the distance. "Too many choices for me to narrow it down." She smiled at him.

James snickered. "Maybe when we did it in the bath?" Now he laughed at seeing Daenerys blush at that memory.

Her husband decided to change the topic, "You know what Jon reminded me about last night when we were drunk?"

She shook her head, silver hair bouncing.

James laughed to himself. "He reminded me about the feast for Arya's wedding, where you told me you were barren. Remember?"

Daenerys sighed and nodded at the same time, she did not like this memory. James kind of figured she knew where he was going with this. Sometimes James liked to bring this up for no reason, just to see Dany's reaction to this.

He laughed again. "Jon told me, 'do you remember when Daenerys come on to me and kissed me at Winterfell? I still remember how she took off my clothes.'"

James watched her eyes grow wide, and she just threw her face in her hands, shaking her head. "Gods, what a shit my nephew is, to boast about when I almost took him to my bed. It was him who refused me and made me realize what a mistake I was making." She smiled at him. "And he said that you loved me, and that you were going to say yes. To be honest I don't remember that night fully, I was too drunk…"

"As I was last night," said James with half a laugh, crawling over to sit at the side of the bed. He laughed, hunching over to place his face in his hands. "If you and Jon got together that night, I don't think I would have ever talked to him again." James sighed. "But that was a long time ago, so it doesn't matter anymore. Now we have to get going to Riverrun again."

James felt the bed move as Daenerys scurried over to sit next to him, placing her head on his shoulder. "Do you think Bran knows about the capital falling?" She asked in a whisper.

"I'm not sure," James answered truthfully. "I know that my mother will take it hard if she hears the news. Catelyn will fear the worst, as she always does."

"Maybe they sent a party to scour the Riverlands, maybe they will find us."

"No, I don't think so, Daenerys," James shook his head. "Trying to find us in the Riverlands would be like trying to make Rhaella not tug at Ned's hair. It's just too improbable."

She laughed at that. "I guess so. I was just being foolish is all, to think that there was any glimmer of hope."

James could hear the hope in Dany's voice, the hope that their family could get out of this mess. My fault, it's my fault. He knew that Bran probably didn't know, their was no way to know unless the word had gotten around already. James didn't send a raven, an envoy, no means to communicate to his younger brother. Catelyn, he knew, wanted Bran to bring his army down to King's Landing once he took the Moat, but James knew that he couldn't do so. Bran had to take Riverrun before he moved down south, had to relieve the ancient Tully seat. His army would need to resupply before they could move down to King's Landing, and that would take time. Bran would also have to treat his wounded from the battle, and bury the dead, too. James understood how all of it worked, his father had taught him that much. Catelyn often let her love for them cloud her judgement, she had shown so when she took…him. I can't even say his name out loud.

His wife felt him tense and she slipped her arm through the crook of his. She nuzzled her head into his shoulder even further, caressing the palm of his hand lightly with her fingers. The sensation was almost erotic, but she did it to ease his pain. Daenerys could tell when he was angry, she was his best friend. She seemed to know him more than anyone else, she knew his vices, his likes and dislikes, and his personality. James figured they were so alike in many ways. Ice and Fire.

"What is bothering you?" Dany asked, she wanted to know. Daenerys always wanted to know. Well she is my wife. Sometimes James just wanted to be left alone to his thoughts.

"Nothing."

"Must you always been open one second and closed another? Why are you so inconsistent?"

"I'm not inconsistent," James said. "I just don't feel like talking about it."

Daenerys sighed. "Sometimes I wish you weren't so damn stoic. You Starks and your stoicism."

James got up from the bed, putting on his small clothes and his breeches. He began to lace them up while Dany still sat on her bed, naked as her name day. She just sat there and watched him, her hands against the bed with her legs crossed and head cocked to the side.

"Well, Dany," James began, slipping on his sweat-stained tunic. "Are you going to sit there and watch, or get dressed? You know the kids will be up at any moment and we will break our fast and get going."

Dany shrugged and stood up from the bed. She walked over to her riding clothes and put them on, throwing on the tunic and tying her breeches in contempt. Daenerys did not like wearing the same clothing everyday, but they did not have a choice. James sat down and took his boots, but Dany walked over once she was done dressing and helped him put them on. "Let me do that for you," she said, sitting James down on the bed while she slipped on his boots and tied them for him. Both of them remained quiet while she daintily laced them up and they waited for their children.

The knock on the door came ten minutes later and Sansa was at the door with Jon, whose head was aching as much as his by the looks of it and they had their children with them. Ned was happy when he awoke, playing with Sansa's hair, but Rhaella was in a terrible mood. She was rubbing her eyes and crying constantly, James took her from Jon. "She hardly got any sleep last night," said Sansa. "Rhaella just wouldn't go to sleep, James. She kicked Ned once and the boy wouldn't stop crying, so I let him sleep in the cot with me. Rhaella still couldn't fall asleep and I tried to rock her, but that didn't work. Lyanna and Robert managed to sleep through the night, fortunately for us, but it took Jon to coddle her to sleep. It's always Jon she cares for." James only laughed, telling her that he warned Jon about that happening, and he scooped his daughter in his arms, she fell asleep upon his shoulder and they all went downstairs to the common hall.

Arya and Gendry were already down there, dressed in their riding clothes with the knapsacks, and had already began breaking their fast with their children. They turned around to say hello to them, when James turned to Daenerys and reminded her to wear the shall, but it was too late. The inn keep was standing there serving Arya some ale when he took a good hard look at the silver hair of a Targaryen.

It hit him like a storm, James saw, and his eyes grew wide. "You're…you're-the…Targaryen queen." He pointed now to James. "That means you must be the wolk king. You're James Stark."

And with that James watched as Gendry sprinted from his seat, knocking over his tankard and grabbing the inn keep by the collar. James ran over to him and Jon too, all of them staring at the inn keep. Gendry had his dagger to the man's throat, and he was looking at them with shocked eyes. "You will tell nobody we were here," Gendry threatened. "If you want your family to live you don't want to tell anyone we were here. Understand?"

The inn keep nodded vehemently. "Yes, yes, I understand. I won't tell a soul you were here, my king…I mean lords. I swear it on the seven."

"Stannis might have sent parties to seek us out in the Riverlands, understood? The City Watch might be sending parties out to look for us as well, do you hear? I'd keep your mouth shut if they came knocking."

"Yes, I understand, my lords. I won't say I word to anyone, mouthes closed."

"Good," said Gendry. "Now serve us some breakfast before we go hungry, and give us some food for the road."

He sheathed his dagger and walked over to the table with James and Jon. A servant girl was already on the floor wiping the spilled mead, and plates of food had already been served. Daenerys was feeding their son with the shall still over her head, and the women were feeding the rest of the children. It was if nothing had just happened. James took his seat between Arya and Dany and began to eat. He had some buttered toast with boiled eggs, bacon, and ale. The bread was fresh and tasted good in his mouth, it had been too long since they had a proper breakfast and James was savoring it. The inn keep had come back with food for the road: cheeses, some sausage, bread, water, and some other meat he could manage. Sansa told him it was more than enough and was thankful for his hospitality. The man treated James as if he were still king, and even bowed to him while they were getting ready to leave. The women tended to the knapsacks and the children, while the men strapped on their weapons and were ready to move.

And just then the door burst open and the stable boy from outside began to yell. "Ser!" He said, panting and out of breath. "Their is a party of six Gold Cloaks outside, and a few men-at-arms. They're here looking for someone!"

"For who?" He asked the boy.

He pointed at James and his family. "For them."

"Very well, lad," the inn keep said. "Tell them I'll be right out there to speak with them personally."

James turned to see the innkeep walking towards him. "Get your family out of here," he advised him. "I'll hold them for some time, milord, but not too long. Escape out of the back." He pointed over to a door in the back of the inn that lead outside.

"Thank you," said James, handing him a few coins while he shook his hand. The innkeep gave him a slight smile and nodded as he walked out of the door, closing it behind him.

With that the women began to panic and James bid Arya to come over. She swiftly walked over to him in a few strides, her stomach had grown, James noticed, and she was showing through her tunic. She wrapped her braid down her right shoulder and stood in front of him to listen.

"Take the women and children out the back door, we'll stay here for a minute," James told her. "Ride down the road on the horses and we'll meet you there. And keep that sword on you."

She nodded. "Ok, ok. I'll take them to a clearing we can find down the road. Look for the horses."

And with that he gave his sister an embrace and let her go. Gendry and Jon said goodbye to them and the children, while James quickly kissed his wife and children, hugging Sansa before he stood at the front door with the men. He turned and watched, Dany nodded at him once more before walking out the door with Arya leading them, sword drawn. James stood agains the door with the men while they listened to the inn keep. By now things were getting heated and James could tell they were on to him.

"We heard the wolf king was seen down this road!" One of them barked at the innkeep. "Has he stopped here?"

James pressed against the door and listened. "Our scout told us that he saw a man and his family enter here last night. Claims one of them had silver hair. Now, tell me who in the Seven Kingdoms have silver hair, what family?"

He heard mumbling and figured the inn keep muttered an answer, the only answer that was correct: the Targaryens.

"That is the Dragon Queen!" The inn keep yelled out loud. "And who is the Dragon Queen married to? Who?"

"Louder!" Another soldier yelled.

"James Stark," the inn keep said.

"James Stark," the man repeated. "And who is James Stark?"

"The former King of Westeros."

"He is here, isn't he?" Someone new questioned.

James looked over and saw Jon peering out of a window. "The innkeep is pointing to the inn!" he yelled. "James, they're onto us."

Gendry drew the hammer on his back and James his sword. "If we don't kill them, they'll follow us. We need to kill enough of them to scare them off. Let's not do anything stupid."

They backed off by the door and stood there when the door opened. A fiery heart upon the soldiers chest. They stumbled in, six of them, while James noticed the Gold Cloaks were waiting outside. Perhaps they'll still be loyal to me, although I doubt it.

That was when James heard one of the soldiers scream. He saw Gendry hit one in the chest with a bolstering swing from his hammer. The man let out a scream, or was that one of the servant girls? James heard a clay jug crash onto the floor when he focused and swung his sword at another soldier who was still disoriented as to what was happening. He sliced it into the nape of his neck and the blood sprayed everywhere. He turned his attention back to Gendry who was now backing up as the remaining three soldiers came into the room.

James heard a scream then. He turned around to find Jon on the floor, with blood on his tunic and sword, clenching his wound. A soldier dead at his side.

"Jon!" He yelled.

James looked forward to see the Gold Cloaks coming through the door.