Chapter 59

It was always so dark and damp. Dread, hopelessness and fear were the only emotions left. That and the overwhelming love felt for the little soul there in the dark. Would this ever end?

The evenings feast was to be on a terrace garden. It was filled with all manner of exotic flowers and fruit trees. When Sandor and Shalene arrived, he quickly scanned the area, noting where everyone was. An area had been arranged for the children and their nurses, no one was left out of this gathering. He noted, with satisfaction, that Jaxell had guards mirroring the ones that were there for The Dragon Queen. Maybe it wasn't needed, but there was no need to chance it. His children were here after all.

He watched Sansa sitting in the garden with Elezbeth, showing her how to make crown of flowers. Sansa had K'Alenedor on her lap, all three girls had flowers woven in their hair. He smiled at his daughters, they were such pretty things. He thought about how much Sansa had grown and blossomed into a young woman. 'Not a little bird anymore, is she?' He had always known she would grow into a very beautiful woman and indeed she had. He was thankful that they had been able to save her from that shithole of King's Landing. She had already shown signs of the strong and determined woman she would eventually become. 'Maybe we all had to suffer to get where we need to be.'

Missandei announced the arrival of The Queen and they all stood, giving her the respect and honor that was due her. He couldn't help but give her an appreciative look, she was dressed in the manner of the noble women of Meereen, a sheer, silky lavender dress that left one breast exposed. Her long silver hair was flowing down her back. Her violet eyes were sparkling and alert. He glanced down and saw the amused flash of Shalene's eyes, 'Bloody Hells, now she is going to want to dress like that. Fuck!' He wasn't sure he wanted her to, knowing how men would be looking at her but also knowing that if he tried to stop it, she was so damned stubborn she would do it any way. He almost laughed at the embarrassed look on Brienne's face.

Jaime was lost to this young woman the moment she walked into the room. It wasn't a lustful feeling, although she was most definitely astoundingly beautiful and graceful. It was something deeper. He didn't have words for it, he just couldn't shake the feeling of the broken pieces of his life shifting into place. That was such a useless, foolish notion. She would more than likely have his head any day now. She had promised his children's safety, he believed her. He couldn't see any part of Aerys in her. She was more like her sweet Mother. Maybe there would be time to tell her about how good and kind her Mother was. Ser Barristan had been there, but he had seldom guarded the Queen, that was delegated mostly to Jaime and Ser Arthur Dayne.

His attention was quickly brought back by The Queen," Everyone, please sit. Tonight, there will be no need for titles. I want us to be at ease with each other, we have a great deal to learn among us, so there will be no talk of anything except family and friends, hopefully new friends. The formality of titles will just be in the way. Tonight, I am Daenarys or Dany, whichever you prefer. I hope that I may use your names also."

Everyone made themselves comfortable, in agreement to the informality. It did seem to ease the tension in the room. Daenarys had Grey Worm dismiss all but three of the Unsullied, Sandor had Jaxell do likewise. Sandor almost stopped Elezbeth when she got up from her seat, he saw Sansa's mild shake of her head and stopped. He watched his little girl walk up to The Dragon Queen with the flower crown she had made, "Mother Daenarys, I have something for you." Dany knelt down in front of Elezbeth, her hand smoothing back a strand of curls that had come free from her ribbon, "What is your name, sweet child?"

"Elezbeth Clegane. My papa is Sandor and my mother is Shalene. You have purple eyes! They are so pretty! Can I give you this?" She showed Daenarys the flower crown. Sandor felt his chest was going to burst from love and pride at moment, his sweet little child...

"Elezbeth, I would be honored to wear your crown." She tilted her head down and Elezbeth placed it on her silver hair. When she looked up, her smile was so radiant, it seemed to brighten the room. Sandor noticed then, that the little Queen had the cutest dimples he had ever seen. He was reminded, in that glance, how young she was. Around the same age as his wife.

Dany hugged Elezbeth so tightly. 'If this child is any indication of how the rest of these people are, I have indeed been given the greatest blessing of all. They will see me home and keep me safe.'

The child was true to form as she kissed The Queen on the cheek instead of using the curtsy as Sansa had taught her to. Dany was deeply touched by the trust from the girl. She went back to her seat, the dinner was slow to ease but as the night wore on, it turned out to be quite informal and personal. Sandor felt Shalene's hand on his thigh and when he glanced at her, he saw her eyes flick towards Jaime. He couldn't rightly say why it didn't surprise him to see Jaime and The Queen talking, what did surprise him was the look of curiosity and what he felt was an underlying current of lust coming from both of them.

Curiosity must have gotten the best of The Queen for she said," Before the night gets too late, I would like to know whose children are here. I have had the pleasure of meeting the beautiful Lady Elezbeth, but I would like to know the others, if it please you."

Jaime said, "Daenarys, you have already met my children, Myrcella and Tommen." Dany let herself enjoy the tingle that coursed through her body by the way her name rolled off his tongue. She had a quick image of him naked and golden over her, his emerald eyes filled with love and desire, her name, a whisper on his lips as he made love to her. She was shocked at the thought and quickly pushed it to the back of her mind.

Tyrion walked over to the nurses and took his daughter and proudly presented her , " Dany this is my daughter Lady Vivianna Lannister." Dany took the baby, gently holding her, touching her dark hair and soft cheek. Vivianna yawned and opened her eyes. Dany looked up at Tyrion then back down at the baby her smile widened. He knew what she was going to say so he spoke first," Yes, thank The Gods the only thing I passed to her was my eyes!"

Tyrion watched the young Queen, her face was serene and glowing, he thought,' She would be a good mother. The Gods can't be so cruel as to honor a curse from a hateful woman and leave this child barren.' He had seen the easy way that she and Jaime had been talking, he had also noted the looks that passed between them. He hoped it was a good sign, she was talking to him, his head was still where it should be, if they could get past the Mad King situation, they would be a regal couple. His brother was definately able to father children. Dany kissed Vivianna's head before she gave her back to Tyrion who took her back to the nurse.

Sandor nudged Shalene, he wasn't going to get up and do any of this, Shalene was the twins mother, she could introduce them. The nurse for the twins brought them to Shalene as she made her way to where Dany was sitting. She took K'Alenedor from the nurse and passed her to Dany, much to everyone's amusement, she then took Dexcian and handed him to Ser Barristan who was so shocked all he could do was take the boy and try to not look as inexperienced as he was. Dexcian, of course, was grasping everything his little hands could find, no one made a move to rescue him. Jaime's laughter was the loudest of all.

"These are Sandor's and my children. Our son is Dexcian, our daughter is K'Alenedor." Daenarys looked at her for a moment," I wasn't aware that you had so many children, My Princess. You and I are of the same age are we not?"

Shalene looked to Sandor, who nodded his consent, " Khaleesi, my husband adopted Lucian while he was still in King's Landing. Emerald Bay has an orphanage that we visit frequently, that is where my husband met Elezbeth. As you can see, she's hard to resist. He adopted her also." Daenarys looked up at Sandor, there was a new softness in her eyes. "The twins are Sandor's natural children by his paramour, Kolenee'. She gave her life giving life to them." Sandor didn't want to talk about any of that, he looked away from them all. He heard The Queen tell him that she was sorry, the only response he gave was to nod.

Sandor turned back after a few moments and watched the little Queen, noting that she had the same response to his daughter as everyone did. It was as if his daughter and The Queen were the only two in the room. Vivid green eyes met haunting purple ones. If he had to say what he felt was going on it could only be that they were reading each others souls. His daughter's little hand reached out and touched The Queen's lips then her chin. It was so strange watching this little baby being so focused on the woman. Her little hand then touched Dany's silver hair. He thought how curious that it was when his child then nestled into the Queen's arms and her little hand started rubbing The Queen's stomach. He had seen his daughter rub her own tummy before but never anyone else's. If Daenarys was bothered by this, she gave no indication to it. Shalene went to moved the baby but Daenarys said, "Please, let me hold her, if you don't mind." Sandor nodded. Shalene couldn't help but laugh at the totally confounded look on Ser Barristan's face when she handed Dexcian back to his nurse.

Jaxsan took that moment to run from his nurse to his favorite person other than his parents, Jaime. Of course Jaime picked him up and let him make all manner of mess with food on the table, he never seemed to be able to discipline any of the children, Sandor shook his head. Dany laughed as she watched Jaxsan and Jaime battle over Jaime's wine goblet. Jaxsan was a big boy, the older he got, the more evident it was who his father was but Sandor would never take that joy from Jaxell. Dany smiled, "I have heard about this one. Which of your Unsullied is a husband and father?"

Sandor turned to Jaxell and OnIese, who came forward to The Queen. " Khaleesi, This One is Jaxell. This is my wife OnIese." He looked proudly at the messy little boy on Jaime's lap, " He is This One's Son, Jaxsan."

Dany looked at the boy, taking in his size and coloring then looked at Sandor. It didn't take much to figure out who had fathered the boy. It gave her another level of respect for the Prince. If he would give something so intimate to this couple and to not interfere in any way, was another testament to what type of man he was. She took in the dark skinned woman, noting that she looked very happy, then for some strange reason, she knew that the woman was pregnant. She didn't know how she knew, but she did. She smiled at her, " When is your baby due?" This seemed to surprise everyone except the couple. She also noted how quickly Jaime grabbed his goblet and started drinking. 'Hmmm, the first has a Clegane as a sire, the second a Lannister.' She glanced at Jaime and couldn't help the smirk that crossed her lips.

"I am almost three moons, Your Grace," Tyrion hadn't missed the look or how quick his brother tried to separate himself from the conversation. 'Lucian was right, we need to start charging stud fees!'

Everyone's attention was drawn to the doors that opened, Sandor felt Shalene tense as her past walked through the door. 'Fuck! If that Imp knew he was here, I'm going to cut that little bastard's head off!'