A/N: GRRM owns all.
Chapter 33 Daenerys VIII
Daenerys
Across the Great Hall that was thousands of years old came the sound of beating hammers and shouts. Servants were rolling kegs of ale and wine from the cellars, cooks were preparing tonights feast while other servant girls were setting up the ordained tables and lighting the candles. Men were on ladders, hanging down Stark tapestries along the walls - grey direwolves running across a field of white. Daenerys never thought of a prettier sight. She loved the Stark tapestries as much as her own. Yet even so, as she watched Sansa bark out orders to servant girls and boys alike, Daenerys Targaryen was as happy as she had ever been. My last name is Stark as well, I must remember that. Yet the Targaryen would never die in her.
It was a busy day in Winterfell.
Outside she knew Lady Catelyn and Myrcella were preparing the courtyard for the men's arrival. Raising tapestries against the outer walls, cleaning up the Great Keep where the families would stay, all had to be cleaned and presentable. Lady Catelyn had made sure to have fresh vegetables and fruit picked from the glass garden. Daenerys had picked some herself. She tried to help as best as she can, but the women shooed her away saying that she should be spending time with Cat. They had received a raven two weeks past telling them that the men had taken Deepwood Motte and were on their way home. Daenerys smiled at the excitement of seeing her husband again, of presenting their newborn daughter to him. She envisioned the smile on his face when he would hold her in his arms for the first time.
Dany looked down at her arms and smiled now, seeing her month old babe asleep in her arms, wrapped in heavy furs. Wisps of brown could be seen on her head - a light brown that was close to Eddard's hair - but her eyes gave away her Targaryen ancestry. Her eyes were a light violet, much like Dany's, but her features were of her father, she could tell. Cat had a long face, or would so when she was older, but her nose was of her mother's. Baby Catelyn - or just Cat as everyone calls her - was a quiet child, at odds with her older brother and sister. She hardly made a noise and sometimes Daenerys forgot she was there.
Ned and Rhaella had been excited to have a new sibling. Rhaella always wanted to hold her, touch her face and hair - it was all loving, Daenerys knew, but sometimes she'd be too rough. Dany had to admonish her each time, but Rhaella understood. Ned was different, he just liked to watch as Dany fed her or as she napped. At times he'd ask questions about her name, why she was named after his grandmother, and finally he'd ask whether their father knew or not. Dany didn't even know if James knew about Daenerys giving birth.
"Daenerys!" Sansa called out to her in the middle of the Great Hall. Daenerys was busy watching two men put up a tapestry when she heard her good-sister call her out by name.
Dany turned to her and smiled. Sansa was in a dress of deep purple with a head-band in her hair that pushed it back. She looked beautiful. For Jon, no doubt. Daenerys had wished to have James's favorite red dress about her - the ones that bared her shoulders and sent his blood pumping, but that was left behind in King's Landing. Being worn by Selyse Baratheon, maybe. "Hello, Sansa."
Sansa smiled and gave her a hug before looking down at the babe in her arms. She pushed back the furs to get a good look at Cat. "How is my niece doing?"
"Quiet and sleepy," Dany replied. She laughed. "Sometimes I forget she is in my arms, the girl is so quiet. So unlike how the twins were."
"Edric always cries," Sansa told her. "Arya says he often wakes Robert and Lya, which leaves her with two more children to take care of."
"Cat cries in the night, too, but only Rhaella ever awakes. Ned is-"
"-A heavy sleeper, I know," Sansa said with a smile.
Dany meekly smiled at that. She could remember when Ned would sleep in Sansa's bed, and not hers. Today though was a different story. Ned did not need Sansa as much as he had used to. He had Robert and sparring to fill the void that his aunt left. Of course that is not to say that they do not have a relationship, they do - in fact he listens to her better than Daenerys. But, Dany has her son back and she couldn't ask for much more.
"Ned still loves you, Sansa. Do not worry."
"Oh, I know he does," she assured. "Anyway, Daenerys, I have to get back to fixing up the Great Hall now. I'll see you when our men return."
Dany nodded and watched as the auburn haired beauty walked back towards a group of servants who were talking, and she ordered them to get back to lifting up the candles. They scurried off to their duties like rats, and Daenerys had to try and stifle a laugh. Cat began to wail in her arms, and Daenerys knew it was time to feed her. Already she could tell the child would be persistent and headstrong. And so Daenerys went off to the side in the Great Hall and fed the babe.
She watched as it latched on to her nipple and suckled the milk out of her, she did not think their was such a beautiful sight. As she watched Cat feed, Dany watched the tapestries being hung again, making sure the furs covered the babe and bared breast. The Stark tapestries were white as snow, and were intricately sowed - grey direwolf in a snarl. They're very beautiful, Dany observed. Now she thought back to her children once again. Rhaella was off at her needlework lessons with Lyanna, and Ned was probably sparring with Robert. Dany had not seen her son spar with his cousin yet, but she had promised him to. Today was going to be the day.
Both of them were excited for their father to come back, Rhaella especially. She could not sleep last night at the thought, constantly asking Dany when during the day James would arrive. "Tomorrow, my sweet," Dany kept reassuring her. As if she was not only reassuring the four year old girl, but herself. Rhaella finally went to sleep soon after.
Daenerys found her son at the practice yard in Winterfell. The practice yard was small and was below a balcony. Their were arrow targets at one end, a sparing square in the middle, and a bench beneath the balcony where one could watch. Dany followed the clang of wooden swords. It was there she saw her son and nephew in the practice square, learning to spar. Ned was dressed in light padding, wooden sword in hand. His cousin Robert was equally as dressed. Robert was taller and stronger than Ned, and a year older. According to Rickon it is why he always seemed to best Ned, whenever they sparred. "Not much sparring," he told her once. "They're still young and must learn the grips, stances, moves. Do not worry, Daenerys."
She saw the boys being instructed on how to grip by the Captain of the Guard. Rickon was the master-at-arms at Winterfell, but since he was the Castellan and acting lord, he did not have time to teach them. So, the job was left to a man named Edmund. He had been part of Winterfell's guard for years now, and was promoted by Bran. He was tall with dusty brown hair, a wild brown beard to match. He was muscular and very skilled according to Rickon. The man looked to be as old as James, maybe older.
Dany walked towards the practice yard and saw Rickon standing aside with Arya, arms crossed as they watched. Arya was standing next to him in grey furs. Dany walked up next to them and said, "Hello, Rickon. Arya."
"Hello, Dany," said Arya with a smile. Daenerys stood between them now and just watched their children.
Rickon turned to see her and smiled, a hand on his chin. Rickon's eyes were of a light blue, his hair as auburn as Sansa's. He had a light beard of the same shade. "Hello there, beautiful."
Dany laughed at that. Rickon was always the flatterer ever since their talk on the balcony, and they'd become great friends. He has always loved me, Dany realized long ago. Ever since I dismounted Drogon and asked James to be my king he has always loved me. Rickon was handsome for his age - Dany imagined Robb looking like him, and she would have taken him as a lover had she not met her husband. She could once recall telling James that she thought of taking a paramour, but he was so livid she struck the thought from her mind. "King's have taken lovers before, why not queens?" She proposed to him. James only laughed and said, "Why feel the need if you love me?" To which Daenerys did not bother him anymore.
Dany saw Ned watching intently as Edmund moved his fingers along the wooden swords grip. He saw Dany and smiled before returning his attention back to Edmund.
Robert saw Daenerys and waived. "Hello, Aunt Dany!"
Dany smiled and waived back. "Hello, Robert."
"How have they been doing?" Dany asked Rickon in a whisper, moving the babe in her arms to her shoulder.
Rickon saw the babe and smiled, reaching over to gently stroke Cat's back. He then answered, "Well. Ned is learning quick, but Robert is a natural. I fear that boy will be a very skilled fighter when he is older."
"Are you going to give him a hammer like his father?"
Rickon laughed, arms crossed. "That would be funny, would it. Why not? His grandfather and father used one."
"I suppose so," said Dany. She moved Cat back to snuggle against her chest. Daenerys could not wait to gift Ned with his first sword, something that James has been speaking of since the twins were born.
"I know Robert will want a hammer when he is of age," Arya told her. "He likes to look at Gendry's from time-to-time, so he can try and hold it up, but he just struggles and struggles. Sometimes Gendry will help him lift it."
Dany laughed at that. "Ned always likes to look at James's sword, when he can. He likes the direwolf pommel on it - a snarling grey head with black eyes, much like Jon's sword, Longclaw."
"Longclaw is Valyrian steel," said Rickon. "It's a bastard sword, meaning it is longer than a long sword, but shorter than a great sword. Truly a beauty, that one."
"That sword used to belong to Ser Jorah," Dany explained. "He told me about it once, I believe."
Dany then saw Arya reach over to get a good look at the sleeping babe in her arms. She stroked the forehead with two light fingers and said, "What a quiet little babe. If only Edric were as quiet as this one, I might get some sleep."
"Where is Edric?"
"Sleeping with Jaime," said Arya. "The boy is napping and Myrcella is looking after them both. I just wanted some time to see Robert spar. He's been asking me to come watch, but I haven't had the time with Edric. Lyanna and Rhaella have been asking me to watch them with needlework, too." Arya chuckled. "To think my own daughter would have liked the thing I hated the most at her age. It's truly funny."
"Little ladies, those two," Rickon said, his gaze still locked on the boys. Ned and Robert were preparing to spar by the looks of it, "but I love them all the same."
Dany meekly smiled at that while she turned her attention to the boys who were now sparring. Ned was faced sideways, flat against the air while Robert was holding his wooden sword with two hands, clearly fighting in the Westerosi style.
"Ned!" Dany called out to her son. He looked over at her and cocked his head saying, "Yes, Mama?" His tone was of annoyance.
"Do not use that tone with me!" Dany snapped. "I just wanted to tell you to be careful and good luck! I love you!"
Robert laughed at that, and so did Arya. Rickon was scowling, too, but Ned only rolled his eyes and nodded while he re-gripped his sword. Edmund nodded in a approval of his grip and gave the order to begin sparing. And so it began, Robert swung forward and gave a heavy slash but Ned only went to the side. They were clumsy at this, Dany could tell. The only thing of sword fighting they saw were their father's, who had been practicing for years.
Rickon nudged her and whispered, "Way to embarrass your son in front of everyone, Mama."
Dany turned to him and saw him smiling, blue eyes piercing. "I did not embarrass him," she corrected. "I was, merely, giving him some words of encouragement."
Rickon scoffed, re-crossing his arms. "Telling him that you love him and to be careful is embarrassing, Dany. He is a boy - boys enjoy beating each other up with wooden swords."
Dany saw Robert gaining the upper-hand now, brutish strength against Ned's quickness. Daenerys continued to watch as these boys sparred each other. Robert was hacking at Ned, who just kept ducking and trying to dodge. He tried to strike like a cat, quick and light.
Robert tried to hit him, but he caught it with his hand. "You can't do that!" Robert yelled in frustration. "Ned, you can't grab the sword!"
"Yes I can!" Ned screamed back. "It's only wood."
Dany heard Rickon tsk. He approached Dany's son and squatted. Rickon then explained, "It may be made of wood, Ned, but in a real fight you'd cut your hand badly. You can only grab a blade if you are wearing an armored gauntlet." Ned looked to the floor and kicked the dirt, but Rickon put a hand on his shoulder. "It's okay, lad, just try again. Here, resume."
Rickon Stark backed off and took his position next to Daenerys. Edmund yelled to resume and the boys continued their sparing, well five-year-old sparing as Dany liked to call it. Robert lunged at Ned again, swinging his wooden sword to the right, as Ned tried to parry but missed, Robert's sword hitting him in the arm. He winced in pain and clutched it. It looked as if he wanted to cry, and Dany couldn't let him be in pain. She was about to step forward when Rickon blocked her and shook his head. "He needs to learn, Dany."
Daenerys nodded while Edmund came up and showed him the proper parrying technique, telling him to meet the sword in the middle. The sparring went back and forth for quite a while. The boys would try to spar, but usually one would make a mistake and Edmund would have to show them the proper way. Soon they sparred again, and baby Cat began to stir in Dany's arms, wanting milk. This child is always hungry!
"Come on, Robert!" Arya yelled. Her boy was distracted for a second and Ned took the opportunity. He raised his sword and hit Robert in the stomach with it, knocking him over. Ned smiled and put the sword to his neck. Dany would have clapped, but she had her newborn in her arms.
"Good job, Ned!" Dany screamed with a smile, happy for her son. He smiled at her and nodded. Robert pouted and swiped the sword away from his neck.
"That's enough sword fighting for today," Edmund announced. Ned and Robert help put away the swords and soon her son ran over to her with a giant smile on his face. Robert was pouting as he walked over to Arya, head hung low as he walked and kicked the dirt. Arya only laughed and bent down to hug him, flattening his hair and whispering words of encouragement.
"I beat Robert, Mama!" Ned announced with glee as he clung to her skirts and looked up at her. Dany wished to bend down and press a kiss on his cheek, but she couldn't.
So instead she cupped his cheek. "I saw, my love. Come, let's go see your sister."
He nodded and she clutched his hand. They bid Rickon, Robert, and Arya farewell, reminding them that the men were coming home today, before walking across the courtyard over to the Great Keep where Rhaella would be with Lyanna learning her courtesies. Daenerys knew some ladies courtesies when growing up - well at least what Viserys taught her - but she truly only knew so much as Arya did. Dany liked dresses, to some extent, but there were days where she dressed preferred Dothraki clothing or a simple tunic with breeches. Rhaella loved dresses, loathed tunics and breeches - she hated it so much upon the River Road - and was just so much like Sansa that James didn't know what to do. "I want her to be like Sansa to some extent," he expressed to her once, "but I also want her to be a lot like Arya in a way. I want her to be courageous and smart and strong, not growing up thinking that life is all just a big song."
And Daenerys agreed with him upon that much. She thought that Rhaella deserved a normal childhood, deserved to love lady things, but at the same time she didn't want it to consume her. Dany and James were determined to raise them as Starks, sure one of them had a Targaryen name, but they'd be Starks all the same. They'd be instilled with honor and courage. And living in Winterfell would best achieve that…
Ned tugged on her skirts, getting her attention. "Do I have to see Rhaella do boring needlework?"
"Yes," Dany said firmly. "She has been asking for us to go watch since her and Lya have started. It is only fair, Eddard."
He pouted like the four-year-old he was. "Papa wouldn't make me go."
"Is your father here?"
"No."
"Than you'll do as I say, and like it."
He crossed his arms while Dany sat on a bench to feed Catelyn. She'd been crying for a while now and needed to be fed. Ned sat upon the bench next to her and watched a flock of pigeons that were in the courtyard. He ran over to them and shooed them away, laughing as he did. Ned ran into the group of pigeons with the excitement only a four-year-old could muster about that sort of thing. He ran after a few and tried to even catch one as they ran away from his grasp. Daenerys only smiled and waited until he returned to sit next to her. She could still hear the maegi's prophecy in her head whenever she looked upon her children. Dany could still hear the coldness in her voice as she recited the prophecy. When the seas go dry and mountains blow in the wind like leaves. When your womb quickens again, and you bear a living child. But she was wrong, as Dany had seen in the Dothraki sea.
Some castle folk walked by them and dipped their heads in respect, taking Dany out of her thoughts. Some of them asked how her child was doing, and asked Ned how he was doing. They loved them for some reason, Daenerys did not know. She figured it was because she used to be the queen not too long ago, and Ned a prince.
"Mama…" Ned said, poking at her arm with his tiny fingers.
Dany turned to him, Cat still feeding. "Yes, Ned?"
He played with his thumbs, and found the courage to ask, "Do I have to go see Rhaella do needlework?"
Dany lifted Catelyn onto her shoulder to burp her and replied, "Yes you do. Ned, your sister loves you very much and wishes for you to attend. Why can't you do that?"
"Rhaella doesn't love me," he said in a small voice. He shoved his tiny hands in his pockets and his brown hair was covering his face. It made him look years older than he really was.
Dany was taken back. "Why would you say a thing like that? She is your twin sister!"
"Rhaella always says I'm stupid," he complained. "She always tells me that papa loves her more!" He now was in a whisper. "And she likes to tease me. Throws food at me, steals my wooden swords. Rhaella doesn't love me."
"Oh, Ned, come here."
Her and James's son scooted over to Dany and laid his head on her arm while Catelyn had finished burping. Dany kissed him on the head and sighed heavily. "Rhaella loves you, Ned. She may tease you and steal your sword, but it is all out of love. One day, she'll stop, I promise." Dany kissed his head again. "And who said that papa loves her more than you?"
"She does!" He explained. "Whenever papa hugs her or kisses her, she looks at me and sticks her tongue out, saying he loves her more."
"That isn't true," Dany corrected, using her right hand to tilt is head to look at her. "Your father loves you and Rhaella equally. Yes, he may call Rhaella his princess or beautiful, but that doesn't mean he does not love you, Eddard. You know he'd die for you."
"He would?" He asked quietly, silver eyes piercing hers. James's eyes…
"Yes, of course. I would, too, Ned."
"Oh."
Dany flatted his hair. "I'll talk to Rhaella about that, Ned. I didn't know it bothered you so much."
"It does," he admitted. "It hurts my feelings."
Dany sighed with a smile. "You're just like your father, Eddard. He has a heavy heart as well."
Ned looked up and smiled. "Papa is coming home today!"
"Yes, child, I know. Are you excited?"
He nodded. "Yes. Now he can watch me spar Robert!" Ned looked to the baby cradled in her arms. "And meet baby Cat."
Dany laughed. "Yes, he can."
The child was awake for a few minutes and so Daenerys cradled her in her arms so Ned could see her. He enjoyed seeing the baby. He liked when she grasped his finger with her tiny hand. Eddard reached over and placed his finger over her hand. Cat looked up at him with her violet eyes and just grasped his finger. She was studying Ned's hand with wide eyes, her mouth slightly parted. Ned only watched her with intrigue and curiosity until he bent down to kiss her on the forehead. Dany's heart swelled to the size of Drogon. My boy…
As soon as Cat was back asleep, Dany turned to Ned and said, "Come. Let's go see Rhaella do needlework now."
Ned sighed and rolled his eyes. "But-"
"-Ned…" Dany said sternly. "Do I have to repeat myself?"
"But, Papa wouldn't-"
"-Your father would agree with me!" Dany snapped. "I won't have this insolence, Eddard Stark. Now, come with me to. see. your. sister."
Ned dipped his head in defeat and replied, "Yes, Mama." His voice was so soft and low he sounded as if he was a babe. Sometimes Daenerys forgot how fast he'd grown. One moment he was a babe in my arms and now he is playing with swords.
They found Eddard's twin sister in the sewing room within the Great Keep of Winterfell. The room was small, chairs laid about in a sewing circle and there was Rhaella, Lyanna, and Casella, Edmund's daughter. Casella was of the same age as Rhaella and Lyanna, and she had brown-reddish hair, more red than brown with hazel eyes. She was very comely for her age, and already Ned had sort of a little crush on her. He'd always grow shy around her, hiding behind Dany's skirts sometimes or he'd get nervous and not look at her. Sometimes, he'd say hello, but he was such a shy boy, always had been.
Dany walked into the room with Ned by her side as she heard the Septa instructing the girls in sewing. The Septa was a middle aged woman, tall and graceful even. Her hair was raven black but had wisps of grey in it. "Now, Rhaella, this is how you sew this stitch," Dany heard the Septa instruct when she walked in. The Septa was bent down over Rhaella's shoulder while the little girl showed her work so far. It was a single line of stitches down the middle, but they were still learning.
Dany cleared her throat and all three girls looked up at her. Rhaella smiled widely and yelled, "Mama!" While she waived at Daenerys with her free hand. Dany turned around and grabbed Ned from behind her skirts to nudge him forward. He meekly walked into the room, hands behind his back, and stared at the floor. "Hi, Ned!" Rhaella waived at him, too. "Hi, Rhaella!" He waived back. Lyanna was smiling at Dany, who just gave a tiny waive at her. She waived at Ned, too, who smiled and waived back at her. Ned seemed to be closer with Lya than he was his own twin sister. Dany knew Rhaella teased him a little bit, but she didn't know Ned took such an offense. Dany thought nothing of it. She figured it was just siblings being siblings, but Ned took it to heart. Much of his father in him.
"Hello, Ned!" Casella waived at him. Ned grew nervous and looked away, but surprisingly found the courage to waive back. Daenerys waived at the girl and bid them to return to the needlework. She took Ned and sat over on the small bench that was in the side of the room. They sat there and watched in silence while the girls learned their curtsies and sowed. Dany could tell that Rhaella wanted to come over and show them her work, but Daenerys would waive her away and tell her to learn. Sometimes she would notice Casella glancing over at Ned, but the boy wasn't paying attention. He was finding ways to pass time - humming to himself, fiddling with his fingers, blowing his breath up to his hair so it would fall back up and down. Once though, he caught her gaze and grew nervous, like a turtle going into its shell.
Dany smiled and nudged him, whispering, "Isn't Casella very pretty?"
Ned wouldn't answer.
"I see the way you look at her. She is very beautiful."
Ned grew embarrassed. "Mama…"
"Oh, I'm just kidding Ned. But you should really talk to her and stop being so shy. Your father didn't win my heart by being shy…"
Eddard gave her a small smile at that, such a quiet boy. "I don't like her," he corrected. "She is just my friend."
Dany chuckled. "Friend, is she? That isn't what Lyanna says…"
"What does Lyanna say?"
"That you like her."
He pouted. "Lya is stupid. I do not like, Casella."
"Ned!" Dany admonished. "Don't call your cousin stupid." She sighed. "Gods, why do you say these things? Do you know how much Lyanna loves you?"
He had the decency to look ashamed. "I'm sorry, Mama."
"That's good to know. I won't have you speaking ill of family again, Eddard. You've known Lyanna since you were both babes - she is practically your sister."
He nodded and stayed quiet.
Bells began to ring then. The bell of Winterfell did not boom like the ones in King's Landing, but they were loud enough to alert the whole castle to attention. Everyone grew quiet as the bells tolled and Daenerys did not know what was wrong. It wasn't the bell to supper, she knew, the sun was still out and it was mid-afternoon.
Suddenly she saw the girls scurrying from their sewing circle over to the large window that overlooked the courtyard. Ned scurried after them and soon Dany followed. She stood by Ned with baby Cat in her arms and looked down at the courtyard. People were scurrying around like rats in a sewer, sweeping, preparing, hastily moving into position for something. In the middle of the courtyard Dany saw two auburn haired woman and a blonde looking Lannister. It was Catelyn, Sansa, and Myrcella. Jaime was in her arms. The reason hit Dany like a storm. She had forgotten who was supposed to be coming home today.
James!
"Why are they tolling the bells?" The Septa asked.
Before Dany could answer they heard a knock on the door. Everyone turned their heads to see Arya standing there with baby Edric in her arms, and Robert at her feet. Her smile was from ear-to-ear, Dany already knew the answer by then.
"They're on the Kingsroad," Arya told them.
"Who's on the Kingsroad, Mummy?" Lya asked.
Arya smiled. "Your father, Lya. Daddy is home!"
And with that the children began to shout in excitement. Lyanna ran over with her family and hugged her mother and brother. Ned tugged on Dany's skirts with fervor and hugged her legs, while Rhaella ran over to hug her brother and Dany, too. Daenerys saw Casella by the Septa, visibly distressed at not knowing what to do.
To Dany's surprise Ned ran over to her and tugged on her hand, saying, "My papa is here, Casella. Come meet him!"
Casella smiled. "Ok, Ned." She looked at Dany. "Can I, Lady Targaryen?"
"Of course, sweet child," Dany said. Casella and Ned ran over to her and Rhaella. They soon joined Arya, Lyanna, and Robert to make their way to the courtyard. Daenerys's heart threatened to beat out of her chest, her breathing was labored, a smile constantly tugged at her face, she was nervous. The day was finally here. The day she'd being praying for - envisioning in her mind like a dream, was finally happening. James was home, her husband was home. It was almost too good to be true. Part of her couldn't believe it, Dany wanted to pinch herself just to make sure it was not a dream. "You'll meet your father today, little one," Dany whispered to baby Cat.
The courtyard was bustling with castlefolk. The last minute preparations were being made for the Lord of Winterfell's arrival. The nobles and ladies of Winterfell were standing in rows in the courtyard, preparing to receive their lord. It reminded Daenerys of when James and her came to Winterfell for Brandon's wedding, or when Dany came to take James to King's Landing for her coronation. How that felt like such a lifetime ago. In the middle the women were huddled in a group and barking orders. Servants were laying out more gravel, Stark guards were huddled against the gates and around the nobles. They wore half helms and bore grey shields with the direwolf of Stark upon them.
Dany, the children, and Arya came up beside Lady Catelyn and the rest of the women, all were practically jumping for joy. Sansa hugged Dany with the excitement of a giddy girl. Catelyn was smiling and asking her grandchildren if they were excited, but Myrcella was stoic…so stoic. She did not say anything but to smile as she held Jaime in her arms, and Daenerys realized it had been over a year since she had seen Bran. Dany could not imagine a year without James by her side.
Dany looked around the courtyard to noticed Rickon was missing. "Where is Rickon?" Dany asked. "Shouldn't he be here to receive them?"
"He's up there!" Sansa told her, pointing up at the ramparts above the gate. Above Dany could see an auburn hair man beside a guard. He was against the rampart and pointing at the road.
"Rickon!" Dany yelled above the commotion. "How close are they?"
Rickon turned to them and screamed back, "They're nearing the gate! They should be within the courtyard soon! They're bringing the whole northern host with them!"
"The whole host?!" Catelyn replied. "How many?"
"In the thousands, Mother!" Rickon yelled. "Not to worry, they'll stay outside the castle walls. Well, all but the lords!"
Catelyn nodded and soon it was time to receive the Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North. The women scurried over at the head of the column in front of the nobles, heads held high in anticipation. Ned and Rhaella stood in front of Daenerys, while she held Cat in her arms. The child was asleep. Arya was to Dany's left with Edric and her children, while Lady Catelyn was to her right. Next to Catelyn was Rickon, as befitting the acting lord, and to his right was Myrcella with Jaime. Sansa was next to Myrcella and never had Dany seen her so happy. She looked beautiful, radiant even, and Dany recalled how she once told her that she always had to look beautiful in front of Jon. James will always think I am beautiful. Even when we were upon the River Road and my hair was a big mess with leaves in it he still told me I was beautiful.
How Daenerys had missed him.
"Do we have to kneel for them?" Dany asked Arya in a whisper. The question sounded stupid, Bran was merely a lord and not a king. But, perhaps she had to.
Arya scoffed. "I'm not kneeling for my brother. I have a babe in my arms." She cradled Edric. The boy had Gendry's dark hair, but her grey eyes. "Plus, Bran's only a lord not a king."
Dany nodded and cradled her child closer.
Daenerys looked down and saw her twins bursting with excitement. Rhaella was smiling and looking up at Dany every so often, as if she was looking for reassurance that her father was finally here. How she'd missed him these past six moon's. The tears, the cries of anguish could finally be over. Ned was next to her, Casella having gone back to be with her father. Before she left she gave Ned a hug and a kiss on the cheek, making her son blush red like a maiden. How James would be proud of him if he saw that.
Dany could hear the sound of hooves crossing against wood as she knew Bran had just crossed the bridge over the moat. Her heart was beating faster, beads of sweat forming on her brow, but the smile pulling on her face was ever constant. This was like a dream, it felt like a dream. Time seemed to move slow, the cold nipped at her skin harder than it had before, her breathing was even slow. It was as if she was drunk. All of Winterfell was quiet in anticipation. Nobody said a word, nothing at all. It was so quiet all you could hear was the blowing wind and chirping birds.
Suddenly the hooves slammed onto the courtyard and Brandon Stark came riding in on his destrier, his brother's behind him, looking like he was their generals. Bran's auburn-brown hair was flowing down to his shoulders and his beard was neatly trimmed. All of their beards were trimmed, they all looked alike. Bran was wearing a grey doublet with black breeches, direwolf sown onto it. He was also wearing furs, like all the men. Gendry was broader of shoulder now, he looked like a warrior. His hammer was slumped across his back, and he looked truly Baratheon. Dany figured it was how Robert Baratheon used to look when he was in his youth. And Jon Snow looked cold and hard like the north, he looked as youthful as he did when Dany first met him - the boy who was the Prince that was Promised, or Azor Ahai, or maybe Dany was the Prince who was Promised, they both thought they were the same thing, but nobody figured it out, even James couldn't. Jon's hair was black, down to his shoulders. The scar over his eye was not as noticeable and his beard was longer than everyones. Tyrion came in behind Jon, upon a small horse. He was proudly clad in Lannister crimson. Everyone gasped when they saw him.
And then there he was, like a ghost from her past. Her heart skipped as she saw James ride into the courtyard atop a brown destrier. His brown-black hair was as long as it had been when she first met him, and he looked as youthful as ever - they all did. He was wearing a white tunic with brown breeches, a silver direwolf sown upon the tunic, furs covering his shoulders. It was Dany's favorite choice of clothing upon him. James's beard was neatly kept like when he was king, but he looked stronger, not as strong as Gendry but bigger than Jon, even Bran was bigger than Jon from pushing his chair. Dany smiled when she saw him, but wanted to sob at the same time. It had been six moon's since she had seen his face. The blood of the dragon does not weep, she reminded herself. Just the sight of him threatened to break her into one-million tiny pieces.
The children began to jump up-and-down with excitement and only Dany could hold them back. The men wheeled their horses in a fine line, each of them smiling at their family. James caught Dany's gaze and grinned quickly. Dany did not even have time to smile back before Jon motioned for him to help Bran. The men and Bran's guards dismounted to help him down. Dany felt bad for him at times, felt bad that he could not walk around like his brother's. Bran had regained the use of his legs through the help of the children, but….it was a price he had to pay to keep the Others away. James was holding Bran by one arm and Gendry the other as they lowered him onto the chair, Dany knew Bran hated being seen in the thing, but he had no other choice. Tyrion was in front and was strapping down his legs, considering he was at a height with them.
"Can I go to him?" Ned asked her.
Dany shook her head. "Wait until he helps your uncle into his chair."
Once Bran was helped onto the chair, Rhaella screamed, "Papa! Papa!" The girl was waiving with fervor and not even the Wall could hold her back, but Dany was.
James quickly waived at his daughter before bending down to secure Bran's foot in his chair. The castle folk and nobles had dipped their heads while Bran passed, and after some words of thanks from their lord, they all left the courtyard soon after, leaving only the Stark family. Now it was time for the men to reunite with their women. Myrcella walked forward with Jaime towards Bran and their reunion was sweet. She presented their son to him and kissed him without a care in a world. Jaime sat in his father's lap and watched while his parents reunited. He looked upon Bran like a stranger, but Dany knew it would change in time.
Jon ran over to Sansa and threw himself in her arms, holding each other ever so tight. Sansa buried her face into his shoulder, no doubt sobbing her eyes out at him being here. Lyanna and Robert were already in Gendry's arms in the middle of the courtyard. He was bent down on both knees and holding them close. Arya was behind them and he stood up to see Edric for the first time. His eyes were wide and his smile large. Tyrion was over by some guards and was barking out some more orders. James was giving some instructions to some Stark men before he could turn his attention on them.
He strode across the courtyard with a smile as Dany felt Rhaella and Ned tug on her skirt. "Can I go see papa now?" They both asked.
Dany only smiled and nodded, she could feel Cat stirring in her arms now, and Daenerys again forgot she was there the girl was so quiet. Her children smiled and sprinted over to their father. James was saying hello to Arya and looking at Edric when he noticed Ned and Rhaella running over at him. He broke off with Arya and ran over to get on both knees to embrace his children. James was kissing them both on the head, flattening their hair, holding their faces to look at them. Rhaella was crying of course and James only held her. Ned was crying, too, to Dany's surprise. "Time to meet your father," she whispered to Cat before walking over to him.
"It's okay, my children, I'm home now," James was comforting their children who were each crying into one of his shoulders.
"Don't leave again!" Rhaella wailed to him.
"Papa, don't go back!" Ned said between whimpers, he pulled back to wipe his nose.
James smiled and held them both by the shoulders while their crying subsided. "I'm not going anywhere," he told them. "Ned, Rhaella. I missed you both so much and I love you. I'm not leaving again, I promise."
He hugged them again when Daenerys finally walked up to him. He kissed Rhaella on the cheek and wiped her tears when he looked up to notice Daenerys. Dany's heart threatened to burst when James stood up to look at her. He was finally here, finally home. He stared at her with a smile, not saying a word. His hands were at his sides and he was just looking at her every being.
But before he could even say hello, Catelyn walked over to embrace him. "Mother!" James yelled, embracing her. "I swear age refuses to catch up with you!"
Catelyn laughed. "You're too modest, James. It does me good to see you strong and back home, my son."
"It's good to be home," he said. James exhaled and looked around. "Winterfell. It feels like a lifetime since I've been here."
"It's been since Bran was wed, James."
"Such a long time ago."
Catelyn looked back and noticed Daenerys. "Oh, I'm sorry. Here, Dany…"
"It's okay, Mama," Dany assured.
James embraced his mother once more and now Sansa came over to say hello to him with Jon. Sansa laughed and threw herself into James's arms as Jon walked over to Daenerys.
"Dany!" He exclaimed with a smile. He embraced her and kissed her on the cheek. Jon pulled back and noticed the babe in her arms. "And who is this?"
"Catelyn," Dany told him, presenting the babe to him. Jon looked down at the child and stroked the sleeping child's head.
"She looks like her father."
"But has my eyes," Dany said. "Her eyes are violet like mine."
"A beautiful child, no doubt. Has, James met her?"
"Not yet. I haven't even had a chance to-"
"Uncle Jon!" Rhaella yelled, running over to Jon. Jon bent down and picked her up before kissing her on the cheek.
"My dragon! You've grown more beautiful, I didn't think that was possible."
Rhaella laughed. "No, I haven't."
"Yes you have. You're more beautiful than your mother."
Soon Ned came over to him as well to say hello to Jon. Dany only sighed heavily and smiled to herself as she watched this moment. Her children were happy now, never had she seen them so happy. She did not want to leave Winterfell now, it had become her home. Her children liked it here, they were happy and content - happier than they were in King's Landing. Daenerys did not want to go across the Narrow Sea now, she wanted to before, but now…there was no turning back. There was something powerful and old about Winterfell. As if old powers existed here, a power that made you felt at ease and at home. And Winterfell was home.
"Dany Stormborn…" A familiar voice said behind her. His voice was husky and he mumbled it out. Dany could tell he was nervous, as he had been on their wedding night.
Dany smiled to herself before she turned around, knowing that James would be there to greet her. And there he was, in the white tunic and brown breeches with the grey direwolf. James was smiling affectionately and he stepped forward towards her.
He noticed the baby. "Oh, Dany….our child."
"Meet your new daughter, James."
"A girl!" He exclaimed with a smile. "What's her name?"
"Catelyn, like we spoke of. She has your hair and my eyes."
James took the child in his arms and cradled her close. He kissed the child on the head and Dany was surprised to see some moisture in his eyes. James never cried easily. The only time Dany had seen him cry was the birth of their children, when he apologized for mistreating her after Ros was killed, and finally when Rhaella was almost murdered. "Baby Cat," he whispered. Jon walked over beside him and congratulated him.
"Can I hold her?" Jon asked him.
James nodded and carefully placed her in Jon's arms. Sansa came over beside Jon and they both looked down at Cat together. James was smiling and watching them, he was distracted when Dany's resolve finally broke. She took him by surprise when she picked up the hems of her dress to run over and jump in his arms.
Her husband was startled for a second as Dany climbed up him like a rope, acting like a love sick girl in front of everyone, but by now Dany was beyond caring. It felt so good to have his arms wrapped around her once again, how she'd missed his touch and his smell. James held her firmly by the bottom as Dany kissed him. She raked her hands through his hair and his mouth tasted of sweetness, as it always did. Dany broke off the kiss and pushed the hair from his face, she noticed a scar on his forehead.
"This scar, James, where did you get it?"
He smirked. "An Ironborn dirk tried to graze my head. Paid the bastard back with mine in his skull."
Dany laughed at that and kissed him again. After the kiss she buried her face into his shoulder and hummed appreciative noises into his neck. She knew everyone could see her, but why should she care? Was she not his wife, a Lady of Winterfell? Dany pulled herself from his shoulder to examines his face again. She cupped his cheek and raked her hands through his hair. Dany traced a finger across the scar on his cheek and James just closed his eyes. "I missed you," she whispered to him. Dany held his face. "Gods did I miss you."
James laughed. "You told me you weren't going to."
He said the same thing when he returned from the Stormlands. "I lied, my love. Don't you know that?"
He smirked again. "Are you a liar now?"
Dany shrugged. "Maybe…"
She sighed and hugged him again. "Don't ever leave me again," she whispered into his neck. "Don't ever do that to our children again."
"I would never think of it," he whispered back. Dany once again held his face and smiled at him.
James kissed her again. "Lovely girl. You've grown more beautiful, Dany."
Dany gave him a playful slap. "Ever the flatterer, I see."
"The squids could not take that."
Daenerys laughed as he placed her back on the ground. She took his hand. "Come. Let's go to our chambers in the Great Keep…"
"And do what?"
Dany raised an eyebrow at him. "Are you going to make me say it?"
"Say what?"
Dany tugged his hand. "Six moon's is a long time. Let's go, now."
James shook his head. "They'll be time for that tonight, Daenerys. Come, let's spend time with our family."
Dany nodded, but felt rejected. "Fine. Let's."
Tyrion was reuniting with the Starks when Dany turned around to the group. Baby Cat was in Catelyn's arms, Dany could see, and Tyrion was laughing and jesting with Arya and Gendry. The cousins were off playing with each other and Gendry came over to say hello.
"Daenerys!"
"Gendry!"
He hugged her. "Congratulations on Catelyn. She's a beautiful babe."
"Thank you. Congratulations on Edric."
"I kept James safe like I promised," Gendry jested with a smirk.
James came up beside Dany and wrapped an arm around her. "I took care of myself, you bastard bull!"
Gendry punched him in the chest. "Maybe you did, but who saved you from that squid axe in Torrhen's Square?"
James laughed. "That wouldn't have happened if Jon didn't scare me by having Rhaegal screech."
"Rhaegal?!" Dany exclaimed. She looked up at James. "James, where is my child?"
He shrugged. "Off feeding, no doubt. Where are Drogon and Viserion?"
"At Dragonstone. They have lairs there under the volcano."
Tyrion waddled over to Daenerys and said, "I can see you had another dragon, Daenerys. Did you have to walk into a funeral pyre to hatch this one?"
Dany laughed. "No, Tyrion." She bent down to hug the dwarf.
"Where is Bran?" James asked.
Gendry shrugged. "I think he went with Cella and Jaime over to the Great Keep. We will see them a the feast, I'm sure. James, Robert wants me to come see him spar with Ned."
"Oh, than we must go see our sons spar each other, Gendry."
"James!" A voice called out from behind Gendry. Dany looked over to see Rickon booming over at James with a smile and a laugh.
"Rickon!" James yelled, laughing as he shook his younger brother's hand and clapped the boys back. "Or should I call you Robb? Gods, it's like seeing a ghost."
Rickon laughed. "So, Mother has told me." He motioned to Dany. "I took care of her, Brother. Just like you asked."
James clasped his shoulder. "And I thank you for that, Rickon. Now, tell me how…."
And as if he forgot Dany was there James began to walk with Rickon down towards the practice yard as they jested and laughed, never had Dany seen him so happy. He should be happy enough to be with me, Dany thought. It's as if I don't exist. Daenerys felt sadness crash over her at this moment, she felt rejected. It was as if James wasn't even happy to see her, or be with her. Dany could remember when he came back from the Stormlands and did not leave her side for a fortnight. He would constantly fawn over her, kiss her, hug her, fuck her, call her beautiful and told her he loved her, but now…he would rather spend time with Rickon and not the woman who'd just labored half-a-day to bring their newborn girl into this world.
Gendry picked up on her distress and eyed her wearily. "Is everything all right, Daenerys? You're shaking…"
He laid a hand on her shoulder, but Dany shrugged it off. She didn't mean to be so mean as she was in that moment. "I'm fine, Gendry." Dany put on a smile. "Come, let's go see our sons spar one another. It's truly great to watch."
And so they did. While she walked with Gendry he talked to her briefly about how the trip up north had been, and about how James always wore the flowers she sent him. "The men sniggered behind his back and at his face," Gendry told her. "They called him the flower wolf, and James did not care. He thought of you and the children day-and-night, Daenerys." But by James's actions this morning in the courtyard, Dany did not believe it.
The Stark family watched Ned and Robert spar again at the practice yard. Everyone was there - except Bran and Cella who was with Jaime - and the sparring had already begun. The men were cheering the boys on as they sparred. James was leaning against Rickon and cheering, with Gendry and Jon next to them. Catelyn was holding a sleeping Cat in her arms, Sansa and Arya were with Edric. Dany figured it was time for Cat to feed again soon. Rhaella and Lyanna were with the men and were cheering for their brother's, Dany saw Casella by them. Dany came up beside a cheering James and he only smiled when he noticed her, returning to cheering on their son. "Come on, Ned!" He yelled. Dany looked forward and saw that they were clumsily sparring, like green boys. She turned and walked towards Catelyn to take Cat in her arms.
Dany walked away from the sparring. "Dany!" James called out to her. "Where are you going?"
"The child needs to be fed," she replied, "and then I'm going to take a nap. I'll see you at the feast….seems you're already happy where you are."
James was hurt by that. "Dany, I…"
"Go watch your son spar, James. He's been thinking about nothing but it since you left."
Daenerys Targaryen turned on heel and walked away from her husband who was hurt. She knew James would have come running after her had Ned not been there, but he would not hurt his son by leaving. Dany stormed across the courtyard towards the Great Keep with Cat in her arms, and found her way to her chambers. She closed the door behind her and wanted to cry. But, Dany did not give in to the urge. I am the blood of the dragon, she told herself over and over again. I am the blood of the dragon, and the dragon does not weep. Daenerys sat down on the bed and proceeded to feed Cat. She watched as the babe latched on and drank the milk. Only her children made her happy now, it seemed. Ned and Rhaella and now Catelyn were her world, and nothing else mattered.
Once Cat was burped and asleep in her crib, Dany decided to do some of her own. She did not have much time for sleep since the babe was born, and now was the only time she would have left. By the time she awoke again it was by a knock on the door. Dany lazily walked out of the bed and noticed it was dark out. She went over to the crib first and saw Cat was still soundly asleep. The knock came again and she walked over to find Lady Catelyn standing on the door with a dress in her hands. It was violet in color and looked soft.
"Hello, Mama," Dany said lazily, rubbing her eye and yawning. "Have I slept the whole day away?"
Catelyn nodded. "Yes, child. It is time for the feast. Already all the northern lords and nobles are within the Great Hall. May I come in?"
Dany nodded and stepped aside to let her in. She laid the violet dress down upon the bed and said, "I had this dress made for you. I know how much you loved that violet dress you had down in King's Landing. One of James's favorites, I heard."
Dany nodded again, not wanting to talk of her husband. Catelyn, picked up on her distress. "Are you mad at him, Daenerys?"
She nodded again.
Catelyn sighed and bid her to sit on the bed, and so she did. Dany sat next to Catelyn and she turned to her. "What did he do this time?"
"It's as if he isn't happy to see me, Mama. James would rather spend time with Rickon than with me."
Catelyn gave a meek smile. "James has been at war, Dany. You didn't think he'd be the same man when he returned, did you?"
Dany shook her head. "No. I'm not a child to believe he'd be the same, but I also didn't think he'd rather go jest with Rickon than spend a moment with me. Me, Mama. The woman who carried our child while he was off at war, the woman who labored half-a-day to bring Cat into this world. And how does he repay me? He just says few kinds words, kisses me a few times and then walks off with Rickon, jesting and laughing. He didn't even pay me more than five minutes of notice."
Catelyn Stark wrapped a hand around her shoulders and said, "Oh, my Dany. I can see how this hurts you. James still loves you, and he knows how you feel."
"He does?"
"Yes. Sansa told him as much after you walked away from the practice yard. She gave him a proper scolding, much like she used to when they were children."
Catelyn stood from the bed. "Come to the feast. Wear the violet dress, pin up your silver hair, wear the crown of blue roses, and James won't be able to stop looking at you. And Myrcella has Jaime and Edric sleeping in a room with an army of wet nurses about them. Take Cat there so you can enjoy the feast."
Dany nodded while Catelyn took the sleeping babe from the crib and strode out of the bedroom. When Catelyn left, Daenerys put on the dress she had made for her. The fabric was soft and it wove through her fingers like water. It clung to her, the violet dress did, and it reminded Dany of the one she kept in King's Landing. She sat down on her chair in front of a mirror and pined her hair up with bows and ribbons. Once she was done she placed the crown of blue roses on her head, looking very much like how a young Lyanna Stark would look like. Dany went to the crypts one day, by herself. She took a torch and went down when she was heavy with Cat, to look upon the Starks of old. Rows upon rows of nameless men lined the walls, the Kings of Winter and the North, and at the end she saw Lyanna Stark, James's grandfather Rickard and his uncle Brandon, and finally she saw Lord Eddard, and she even saw a young Robb Stark. Bran had a tomb in there for their brother as well, but his tomb was a cenotaph.
Lord Eddard's face was cold and unnerving, much like it had been in life according to James. "Papa," she had called out to his likeness, gently touching the face. There was no sword at his feet, but a direwolf stood there nonetheless. Dany talked to the statue of Eddard Stark. Told him about how she was married to his eldest son, told him about his grandchildren. It was very sad.
Than she turned to a youthful Robb Stark. A hand was tightly holding the grip of his sword, while he looked valiant and proud with a direwolf statue of his feet. The stonemason had carved long hair flowing down to his shoulders, and a light beard was etched in. Upon his head was the crown that he had worn in life - the crown James had worn as king. Nine black iron spikes in the shape of longswords stared back at here. Dany walked up to Robb Stark and felt the edge of his sword, the intricate detailing of Grey Wind's fur, and finally his face. Dany cupped his face and looked at it, imagining a time when he was alive. "Good-brother," Dany had whispered in the gloom. "We miss you."
The Great Hall of Winterfell was hazy with smoke and heavy with the smell of roasted meat and fresh-baked bread when Daenerys Targaryen came walking through the doors. Its grey stone walls were draped with banners and tapestries still hung from this morning. A sea of white and grey draped the walls, the direwolf of Stark unmistakable. A singer was playing the high harp and reciting a ballad, but down at this end of the hall it could barely be heard. Dany walked by the lords, servants, and castle folk who had been admitted into the feast. She dipped her heads at some, and smiled at others. Out of the corner of her eyes she could see boys staring at her, men looking too long - some were subtle, some were not, and Daenerys knew she looked beautiful.
The Stark family was at the end of the hall, seated upon the dais with Bran and Myrcella. James was at the lower table with Gendry, Jon, and Rickon. The four men were laughing, jesting, drinking. James was ripping into some meat while Rickon was making them all laugh. Sansa was beside Jon and laughing too while a servant girl filled her glass of wine. Arya was next to Gendry and was drinking ale as well. Dany searched for her children while she neared and saw them sitting beside Catelyn, eating. Rhaella, Casella, and Lyanna were talking and laughing. Ned and Robert were trying to lean in and listen on what the men were speaking of, Dany smiled at that. Both wanted to be so much like their father's.
Daenerys took her seat beside James while everyone stopped talking to look at her. James was laughing and wiping tears from his eyes while he looked up at Dany. He meekly smiled at her and took her hand. She sat beside him and the men resumed talking to one another. A servant came by and placed a meal of meat, bread, potatoes and a soup in front of her. Another filled her glass with wine. James turned to her and grabbed her hand, smiling. Dany could see in his eyes that he was trying to say sorry. Years of being married formed this unspeakable communication between the two, as if they could read each other's thoughts.
"I'm sorry," his eyes told her. "I love you."
"I know."
"You look very beautiful," the smile that tugged on his face conveyed. "Please forgive me."
"I could never stay mad at you, James," Dany's hand that stroked his told him.
Dany leaned in and whispered, "Come to the godswood with me after I finish eating."
James looked at her and nodded before returning back to listening Gendry recount a story about moving north. He told them about how James lead a squad of men over the broken wall at Deepwood Motte, acting like a madmen void anything of care. Dany just wanted this feast to be over with. She enjoyed feasts, like most people, but she wanted to be alone with her husband now. Everything had kept her from him today.
After Dany had finished eating her meal and had drank five cups of wine, she was drunk. It was the first time she had been in gods knew how long, but it felt good. Her head was spinning, her cheeks were flushed, and everything was funny. James was as drunk as her by the looks of it. His eyes were glossed, he was laughing at most of what Gendry was saying. Dany laughed at some jest that Jon made when she looked over at her children. Rhaella was drifting in and out of sleep, an arm on the table propping up half-open eyes. Lyanna was fast asleep beside her, slummed against Rhaella's left side. Ned and Casella were both asleep on the table, Ned had an arm wrapped around her body and snuggled against her face. Dany smiled at that, her son was already having his first love at four.
Having seen her son being so affectionate, Dany turned to her husband and clenched his hand from under the table. James turned to meet her, he'd just been racing Rickon in a drinking contest, and had lost to the boy. Sansa and Arya were laughing along with them. "Seen you've been playing your drinking games!" James jested, as he wiped his mouth with his sleeve. "Boy is better at drinking than me and Jon combined."
Dany saw the boys laugh at that as he gave her his full attention. "What?"
"Come to the godswood with me," Dany pleaded. "Please, James. Come with me."
Her husband sighed, yet nodded all the same. "Fine. Let me tell the boys."
James bid his brother's and Gendry good-bye before getting up to follow Daenerys out of the Great Hall. Dany passed him by the children, and she saw Catelyn and a few servant girls picking them up. Ned was snuggled against Sansa's neck while she picked him up from the chair. Seeing that image reminded Daenerys of times when Ned had forgotten how to love her, and the thought made her solemn and sad. Ned still had a relationship with Sansa, and the boy loved her dearly, but it was still Dany he loved in the end. Rhaella was being taken away by a servant girl, Robert as well, and Lyanna was being held by Lady Catelyn. Lyanna was Lady Catelyn's favorite grandchild, that much Dany knew. Everyone thought it would be Jaime because Bran had always been her favorite and Jaime was Bran's son, but Lya seemed to hold that spot above the rest.
The northern air was crisp and cold when her and James arrived outside in the courtyard. The cold wind felt like ants crawling up her skin and the courtyard was illuminated by moonlight. Dany turned around to see James hugging himself for warmth and his breath was showing in the air. Daenerys came over and wrapped an arm around his waist saying, "Come, I'll keep you warm. My dragonblood is hot enough for the both of us."
James laughed at that and walked with her towards the iron gate of the godswood. "This is the first time we have been alone all day," he said while they approached the door. "I'm sorry I did not give you the time earlier."
"It's quite alright," Dany said as she felt the cold-iron of the door. It was plain and did not have any markings upon it. James pushed the gate open and it gave a loud creak, causing a few horses at the stables to neigh in response. Dany took his hand again and lead him inside the airy godswood of Winterfell. It was very beautiful.
Three acres of trees grazed the godswood, creating a canopy that almost covered the stars yet some peeked through. The godswood looked eery and scary at night, the moonlight that shone upon it made it look as if shadows danced in the dark. James was laughing as Dany lead him through. He then said, "Ros and I often came here at night, as we are now. After all these years I'm still scared to be here at night."
Dany smiled at that. "When you were young and in love…"
"As apparently is our son," James observed. "Who is that girl he was with at the feast? She was very pretty."
"Her name is Casella," Dany told him. She moved to walk over a rock and towards the weirwood. "She is Edmund's daughter and loves our Ned. He was very shy around her at first, but today he's been very affectionate."
"Edmund? The Captain of the Guard."
Dany nodded as they were approaching the Heart Tree. The face looked sad, weeping tears of red sap. "Is he married?"
"Unforunately, no. His wife died giving birth to little Casella."
Dany felt James's hand tense. "Oh, no, that's such a shame. You know…never mind."
"No, what?" Dany asked him, stopping in their tracks. She turned to him. "James, tell me. What's wrong?"
Her husband sat her down in front of the Heart Tree upon the leaves and grass. Dany sat down across from him and picked up a read leaf between her fingers. Feeling the softness under her skin. Her head was spinning and it had been hard to walk here, but she still felt happy. "Now, tell me why you grew solemn when I mentioned that Casella's mother died in child birth?"
"Because I feared the same for you," he said in a tiny voice. "I sometimes imagined that you'd bleed out giving birth to our child and I wasn't there. I thought of what if that happened and the last time I spoke to you was in front of Riverrun, saying goodbye. Getting the blue roses was the only thing to let me know you were still alive and well."
War has made you more open, James. Dany held his hands and felt the callousness of his palms. "But I didn't die, and we have a new child because of it. I feared that you would die up on the road north. Sometimes I thought of what if an ironborn arrow would hit you astray, or a sword would cut too deep. Sometimes that thought was too much to bear."
James nodded and looked at the Heart Tree now, saying, "Many a time I saw my father where we are sitting, after he'd have to take a man's head. He'd sit upon that log and clean Ice with a cloth, brooding in his northern thoughts."
"I came here and prayed for you everyday, you know." Dany said to him. She pointed to the stump in front of the weir wood. "I'd kneel right there and pray for you to come back into my arms. Did you ever pray for me?"
"Must I really answer that?"
"Yes."
"I did. I prayed for you every morning and every night, to whatever god was listening."
Dany looked down and saw James's fingers intertwine with hers, and Dany felt how cold they were. "You're cold, sweetling," Dany said to him.
James only let out a breath and said, "That's because I am cold, Daenerys. I'm only wearing a tunic and breeches."
He then chuckled. "Sweetling. You've never called me that before. I thought you hated those names."
"I did, but…" she solemnly smiled, "now I do not care." Dany cleared her throat and then asked, "Why did you leave me? Why did you feel the need?"
"I felt the need because it was my chance for redemption."
"Redemption? For what?"
He sighed heavily, his fingers brushing against hers in the darkness. "For letting King's Lading fall. For letting all those people die - those people that I swore to protect. For letting Stannis Baratheon make a fool of me."
Dany reached out and cupped the side of his cheek, her thumb grazing over the stubble of his beard. James looked up at her now, and his grey eyes reflected in the moonlight, he looked as if he was a wolf come out from the gloom. His eyes froze, conveying the true nature of his guilt. Even now he blames himself. "James…the Narrow Sea…"
He shook his head. "Winterfell, is home now. Our children - Ned, Rhaella, Cat - deserve to grow up around their family. Today I saw them happier than I ever have since Riverrun, and I wouldn't take that from them."
Dany nodded. "My thoughts exactly, James."
Her husband looked around again and pointed to the spot in front of the Heart Tree. "This is where I would lay down with Ros and we'd look at the stars while we spoke of whatever took our fancy."
"How was she, really? Was she really as cruel as she seemed to be. Did I ever tell you what she told me, when I had Ser Jorah find her for me?"
"Dany…don't-"
"-No, I want to get this out. I want to say this."
James nodded.
Dany cleared her throat and explained, "I shared love with him, Your Grace. She mocked me. I made him who he was, and that is something you can't take away from me." Dany swallowed her throat. "She then told me that you climaxed on her belly, no more than two days before…"
James reached out and took her hand. "But I never did such a thing, Dany. I know, listen, I know how you must have felt in hearing that. Just take solace in that it never happened." He then grew stern. "But to answer your question, she was very kind when she wanted to be. Ros had an attitude about her, she aspired to be more than her station. She was cunning, smart, at times a bit mean, but she knew how to show love. She was...something else."
"Was she better than me?"
"No. I never had children with her. And until that moment that I do, she'll never be better than you."
Dany smiled at that. "Now, we can have more children and raise them together in Winterfell. Cat doesn't have to be the last one."
James laughed. "Nor will it. I told Gendry we'd have more children than he will."
"Do him and Arya want more?"
"I think so," James said with a shrug. "Sansa will have more now that she and Jon can be married in Winterfell like they wanted."
Dany smiled. "I know, she's so excited. It's all she's ever wanted."
"I know. Her other marriage…with-"
Dany waived her hand. "I know. She told me all about that, and you, too, James."
His eyes widened as big as the moon. "Sansa…she told you?"
"Why didn't you tell me?"
James pulled away from her grip and stood up from the godswood floor, walking away. Dany shot up from the ground and ran after him. "James!" She screamed. "James, where are you going?"
He kept running but Dany yelled, "James Stark, come back here now! Please…don't leave me again."
Daenerys heard his feet stop into the ground when she said that. Her husband turned around and meekly walked over to her, head dipped down at the ground in shame. Dany saw their son in that right now, exactly how he had been when he sat with his mother on the bench in the courtyard. Dany extended her hand out to him and he took it. She lead him over to a patch of ground on the godswood floor where there was less of a tree canopy. Dany laid him down on the ground and she laid down next to him, placing her head on his chest. James sighed and wrapped an arm around her.
"Tell me," she pleaded, looking up at him. In the moonlight she could see his face, stoic and serious. James looked up to the stars with solemn eyes. "James, why didn't you tell me you were married to her?"
He remained quiet for a while. His gaze was upon the sky when he eventually said, "You know, when I was told I was to be married to her…I was sort of happy. I hated her, but I still was happy." He looked down at Dany with piercing eyes. "What she did to my family, I could not forgive nor forget. It gave me a chance to dominate her in life, much as she had myself and others. She had to do as I say or face the wrath of her father. But in the end, she still held me tight. I was a fool, a fool to believe it could have become more. I dreamt of having children with her, when the days grew so lonely. It was all that kept me sane. I was their prisoner, their captive, their fool. I don't like thinking about it, I don't like talking about it." James bent down and kissed her, stroking her hair and saying, "Please don't be jealous or angry. She was-is nothing to me, Dany. Believe that."
Daenerys nodded at him. "I do. I'm just disappointed you said nothing."
"But you must understand what I went through during that time. I never, ever like to speak of it. The things we both went through there, I didn't know I had it in me to go back…"
"I know, James, I know. We've both been through horrible times in our life. We've both lost loved ones and children. Family, friends. And when we were the king and queen, it brought our family nothing but pain. You were almost killed, Rhaella, my baby…was almost killed. Ser Jorah was killed. My bear…killed for my child, saving my own blood. It was how he repaid me for his treachery earlier in life. My nephew Aegon is dead as well. What was it for?"
"We were mad," James said to her. "What else could it have been?"
"Then I'm glad we were mad together, my love."
And with that they began to kiss with passion, and Dany missed the six moons without his touch. He began to push the hair behind her ear as his tongue dipped into her mouth. His mouth tasted of wine and cloves, it was a good taste. Dany soon climbed on top of him and began to unlace his breeches. James grabbed her by the shoulders and looked at her. "Not here, Dany. You don't know who could be watching…"
"You took Ros here," Dany pointed out to him. "You had her under the stars, why not me? The Dothraki say that everything of importance in a man's life must be done under the stars."
James laughed, soft and sweet. "I'm not a Dothraki, Dany."
"Just let me have this," she pleaded with him, unlacing the first knot in his breeches. "Please."
And with that, he let her. Dany had him in every way she wanted upon the floor of the godswood in that night, and James gave himself willingly. She did all the things that she was taught as a girl, long ago, and rode him as fierce as she ever did her silver. And when it came for the time for James's pleasure, he called out her name…her name tumbling from his lips like the sweetest profanity.
And once they were finished, both intertwined in each others arms, naked on the godswood floor, his seed still wet inside her, Dany sent a prayer to the Mother for his seed to quicken again. She was still young, she wanted to give him another son with their new daughter. Soon the woman he had once been married to, was thought of no more.
The next morning Dany's head hurt and she did not remember what happened after the godswood. The cries of a babe awoke her this crisp northern morning in Winterfell. Dany could already smell the dew in the air. It was a sweet smell that made you truly feel as if you were up north. Along with the cries of a babe, the morning sun was shining through the grey shades, illuminating the cloth. Daenerys cringed her eyes at the light and gradually sat up in the bed, her hair a tangled mess and her head pounding. Beside her was an empty imprint of where James would've been sleeping. Dany rubbed the sleep out of her eyes and saw that he was sitting on the rocking chair with Cat in his arms. James was wearing nothing but his smallclothes and was looking down at their child. Cat was holding his finger with her hand, and was staring up at him. James was smiling down at her.
"Couldn't sleep?" Dany called out to him.
He shook his head. "Sleep does not come as easy as it used to."
"It will come back to you in time."
"Aye, I hope so."
Dany felt the coverlets fall to the bed, exposing her chest. The air nipped at her skin. "Was it bad, the fighting?"
"At times."
"Did you lead men into battle?"
"Aye, I did."
"And some died."
"It is war, after all. Men will die."
"Do you blame yourself?"
"Yes."
Daenerys sighed and rose from the bed, stretching. The cold air immediately nipped her naked skin. Dany threw on a robe from her peg on the wall and wrapped around her waist.
James smiled. "But I like it when you have that off."
Dany returned it in kind and walked over to stand in front of him, their child still awake in his arms. "She looks like you."
He chuckled. "But her eyes are yours. So violet, they are."
"But she has your face," Dany pointed out, her finger tracing the babes soft rosy cheek.
"How can you tell she has my face? She is only a month born."
"The same way I was able to tell that Ned had mine when he was still a newborn."
"Ah, another girl I can spoil and coddle."
"It's what you've wanted since Rhaella."
"Rhaella will always be special to me, Dany. I love Cat all the same, but, Rhaella…"
"Yes, I know." Daenerys sat down on his right thigh and cradled herself close to him. She watched over their daughter now and she was still awake. Dany leaned over and kissed her husband before wrapping an arm around his shoulder. She leaned her head close to his and said, "Do you know what Ned told me yesterday?"
"What?"
"He says that Rhaella teases him, that she doesn't love him." Dany sighed. "Ned complained that she says that you love her more than him."
The father of her children grunted. "That isn't true. I love them both equally, Cat too." He looked at Dany now. "Why does she tell him that?"
"Because perhaps it is true," Dany whispered. "You do show her a lot more affection than you do our son."
"I do not!"
"You do, too."
"Is the crow calling the raven black?" James sniggered. "Ned is clearly your favorite child, don't deny it."
Dany slapped his shoulder. "He is not! I love my twins equally."
"Lying is not betting a lady, Dany."
A knock came on the door and Dany walked from the chair to go and open it. It was Catelyn at the door with her twins, and Rhaella in her arms. Ned came walking through, still drowsy from sleep. Eddard reached up to Dany with both hands and so she picked him up.
"They were calling for you," Catelyn told her as Ned kissed her on the cheek and placed his head on her shoulder. Rhaella was groaning against Catelyn's neck. She looked at James. "My son. Their was a raven from King's Landing this morning. Once you are ready, Bran calls for you in his solar."
Dany felt her heart sink when Catelyn said that, but before she could open her mouth, James asked, "Who is the raven from?"
"King Stannis Baratheon," Catelyn Stark mocked. "The contents you will want to hear."
"I'll be over when I can."
Catelyn nodded and placed Rhaella on the ground before striding down the hall. Rhaella walked into the chambers, rubbing tired eyes, and walked over to sit up on James's lap next to the babe. "Hello, my daughter. How are you this morning?" James asked Rhaella.
"Tired, Papa."
Rhaella leaned against him and looked over at the babe with them. James looked at Ned and said, "Eddard. How are you my son?"
Ned looked up from Dany's shoulder. "Fine, Papa. How are you?"
"Doing well, Ned."
"Mama, can you stroke my hair?" Ned asked her.
"Of course."
Dany sat down on the bed, Ned perched in her lap, and lightly stroked the ends of his light-brown hair. It rested just above his shoulders. James looked at them and smiled. "Ned!" He called in a teasing voice. "Did I give you permission to sit in my wife's lap?"
"I don't need permission to sit in Mama's lap," Ned answered with dignity.
"That's right, Ned," Dany encouraged. "You tell him!"
James laughed. "Sharp tongue, this one. I can see why Casella likes you."
Dany giggled as she saw Ned stiffen at the mentioning of her name. James continued the teasing. "She is very pretty, Ned. I approve."
"I don't like her!"
"Yes you do!" Rhaella teased now in a soft voice. "Ned likes Sella."
"I do not, Rhaella!" Ned yelled back. "Stop teasing me!"
"Okay, enough," Dany admonished now. Rhaella stuck her tongue out at Ned who only grew angry and crossed his arms. "Rhaella, stop it!"
"Stop teasing your brother, Rhaella," James admonished now. "You can see he doesn't like it."
Rhaella pouted this time. She was harder to deal with than Ned; Dany mused it was the dragons blood that was in her. Ned was easier to deal with, he was quiet, usually obedient, and was good-hearted. Rhaella was difficult at times, teasing, but was sweet all the same.
"I saw you hugging her in the courtyard," James said to Ned again. "Ned, it's okay to like a girl. Or, at least you will when you're older."
"I don't like her, Papa!"
James cocked his head. "Then why did you fall asleep next to her at the feast yesterday?"
Ned turned shy. "We were tired, and Casella rested on my shoulder..."
James laughed. "Your first love, Eddard. Cherish it."
Daenerys dressed the kids and James for the day. James placed on a grey doublet with grey breeches, cape of wolf fur strapped on his back held together by a silver direwolf brooch. He shook out his brown-black hair and sat on the bed to put on his black boots. James walked over to the pegs on the wall and strapped on his sword belt, even though he did not need it in Winterfell. Ned stood beside him wearing a white tunic, brown breeches that brought out his hair, and Dany thought he looked handsome. Rhaella wore a violet dress that was the same shade of her mother's. Baby Cat was wrapped in furs.
They walked to Bran's solar in the Great Keep. The Stark family was there upon arrival, all of them. Jon and Sansa were sitting at the table, holding hands and talking to each other. Catelyn was talking to Jaime on her lap, the babe looking up at her with a rattle in his hand. Arya was sitting with Gendry and their four children. Beside them was Rickon, who was holding Edric. While Bran was with Myrcella, reunited with her after a year of their absence. Tyrion was talking with Arya, both of them acting like friends.
"About time you four-I mean, five, show up," Tyrion jested when they entered. Dany smiled and sat down with her family when she noticed a raven scroll sitting on Bran's lap.
"I say he is neutral," Gendry said now. "Stannis is not coming to raze Winterfell?"
"Raze Winterfell?" James asked.
"Didn't you hear, Brother?" Bran said. "Stannis rides to Winterfell. A whole host behind him."
James sighed heavily. "To make peace, or war?"
"We aren't sure," said Tyrion. "The message is vague."
"We must make preparations then," James said, drinking more water. "Bring at least five-hundred men within Winterfell. Father always said five-hundred men could always hold Winterfell against ten-thousand."
"Already seen to," Bran told him. "But we will not let this hold us back."
"Hold us back from what?" Dany asked him, Ned bobbing on her knee.
"From seeing Sansa and Jon wed," Arya said, "in front of the Heart Tree."
A/N: Here you are. Next chapter will see Sansa's wedding to Jon (finally) and we'll be visiting Stannis, too. There are not too many chapters left by now. About three left. Once I'm done with this story, I will be going back to write the Black Wolf, pt. 2.