Chapter 103

How are we ever to convince Lady Stark to allow Bran to remain here at the Wall?

Jon was beginning to regret his part in convincing Daenerys that her dragons were better off remaining at the Wall, protecting the Realm from the White Walkers. They were not suited to life in the Capitol, and Jon had spoken truthfully when he told her that it would make his patrols easier to have use of the dragons. And the Queen had agreed that, until the Spring came, there was a continued threat of White Walkers moving South and that the safety of the Realm was best served if the dragons remained in the North to prevent any more deaths. That was what she said, but Jon knew that she also recognized the dangers of keeping the dragons in the capitol, and that Drogon, Viseron and Rhaegal would remain at the Wall forever.

Now that it was done, Jon was worried. He would need Bran – and his gifts – if he had any hope of controlling the Dragons and keeping them from destroying the Wall. Lady Stark had only just got her sons back after years of believing them dead. She would not let one of them go again, without a fight. And Jon didn't know what he could do to convince her that Bran would be safe at the Wall and that it would be good for him to have this responsibility of protecting the Realm through his control of the dragons. Bran certainly wasn't having any luck convincing her on his own.

"Mother, I don't wish to return to Winterfell," Bran said, yet again, his voice getting increasingly desperate. Jon could see that the very thought of returning to Winterfell upset Bran. Jon had allowed Bran to speak to his lady mother on his own at first – to make his case to remain at the Wall - but Jon knew he would have to step in soon if there was any hope of Lady Stark allowing Bran to remain at the Wall. She thinks he's just being a willful child.

"Brandon, you are to be Lord of Winterfell one day. It's your duty."

"I'm not good at it," he said quietly.

"What do you mean?" Jon asked, breaking his silence. Bran had never expressed to Jon that he had reservations about being Lord of Winterfell. He had only said that he wanted to remain at the Wall because he had dreams that made him believe he was destined to protect the Realm. And that was only after several days of prodding him for a reason why he wished to remain at the Wall.

Jon had initially scoffed at the idea of living one's life based on dreams and visions, but Tyrion Lannister had given him Rhaeger Targaryen's journals. Jon had set the heavy tomes in his chamber, and just stared at them for a time. He didn't know why he should care about the words of a man he had never met, but curiosity got the better of him, and Jon had begun to read the thoughts of the man who fathered him. Prince Rhaeger had written things similar to what Bran had said about his dreams and visions. I only exist because Prince Rhaeger believed in and pursued his visions.

"I was to hold Winterfell for Robb…when he went South," Bran said, his voice dull and hopeless. "And I wasn't able to. Theon took it from me…it wasn't even hard for him. I shouldn't be Lord of Winterfell. It should be Rickon. He'll be able to defend it when he's grown. The Northerners will follow him."

Lady Catelyn knelt before her son. "You were only a boy when the Ironborn captured Winterfell. It wasn't your fault. It was wrong of us to leave you to rule the North in our stead. I wish I could change that. I wish I had remained with you in the North. But you will grow to be a man and you will learn how to –"

"I don't want to," Bran whispered. "Mother…I was meant for something else. I can control animals – and people, too – with my mind. No one else can do that. And Jon – Jon needs me here to help him with the dragons. I would be nothing but a cripple if I were to return to Winterfell but here…here I would be able to protect the entire Realm."

Bran spoke so earnestly that it was hard not to grant his wish. Jon watched Lady Stark visibly deflate as she turned her face away from Bran and looked down at the stone floor. Just as she could not stop Bran from climbing as a child, she could not stop him from remaining at the Wall. She must see that he truly believes being here is his purpose.

"Lady Stark," Jon began hesitantly, not wishing to provoke her anger. "I promise you…if you allow Bran to remain here, I will look after him. And I'll bring him to Winterfell from time to time. To see you and Rickon and Arya. You have my word."

She rose to her feet and walked toward Jon, leading him away from Bran. "You can't convince him otherwise? Please?"

"From the moment I found the boys, until you arrived, I have tried to convince him that his place was as Lord of Winterfell. He's not faltered in his insistence that he belongs here. Some dreams he's had." She nodded, visibly defeated. "He may not be my brother but…I love him as if he is and…we do share the same blood. I would never let anything happen to him. I swear it to you."

She just looked at him for a long moment before looking away, tears beginning to form in her eyes. "You're so like Ned," she whispered, before looking at him again. "You always have been. Even when you were a little boy…I would look at you and see him." Jon had always known that she saw Lord Stark in him. He hoped that perhaps it did not hurt and anger her as it had before. Now that she knew Jon was not the product of her husband's betrayal.

With great difficulty, Lady Stark conceded that Bran could remain at the Wall to "visit" with Jon and help him with the dragons. Jon knew that she believed Bran would change his mind one day – that he would miss her or his siblings so much that he would ask to return to Winterfell. But Jon knew that, no matter how much he might miss his family, the Wall would always be Bran's home. Perhaps Lady Stark needs to believe this is not forever in order to leave him.

As much as he wished his younger brother would have happiness and a life away from the isolation of the Wall – that he would marry and have children - Jon was glad to know that he would not be alone anymore. That he would have a small part of his pack with him again.

…

Sansa covered her face with her arm as the morning sun danced across her face. She turned onto her side, trying to shield her eyes from the light, and noticed a warm little body lying next to her. Sansa opened her eyes, knowing it was too small to be Jaime, and smiled at the sight of little Julianna curled up beside her. She must have snuck into our bed in the night. Sansa curled her own body around her daughter's and ran her fingers over her hair and cheeks until she opened her beautiful green eyes. She smiled sleepily when she saw her mother's face.

"Good morning, baby girl," Sansa whispered and Julianna snuggled even closer to her, burying her face against Sansa's chest. She glanced over her shoulder and saw that she and Julianna were alone in the bed. "Where's your father?"

Julianna shrugged and buried her face in the pillows. Sansa carefully rolled onto her back and looked around the room. The babes' little basket was gone as well. Sansa's eyes finally stopped on Jaime sitting in the large armchair across the room with his feet propped up on a footstool. The babes were resting on his legs and she saw that Jaime was studying them intently as they pressed their feet against his chest and looked back up at him.

The day before, Sansa had feared that Jaime wouldn't be able to love their twin boys. It was plain to her that he was reluctant to hold them and that he had begun to distance himself from them while she lay ill. She saw that he had blamed them for the difficult birth. She lay there quietly, watching Jaime studying their boys. She wondered how long he had been sitting with them, running his hand over their hair and down their arms. Sansa smiled, her heart filling with warmth at the sight of her husband and their twin babes that look like miniatures of him. She knew if he would only let himself, he would love his sons as much as he loved Julianna.

Jaime must have felt her gaze, for he turned his head toward her and smiled when he met her eyes. She struggled to sit up, grimacing in pain as she moved to lean against the headboard. Julianna snuggled up next to her, wrapping an arm around her thigh, as she continued to sleep. Sansa saw that Jaime had managed to pick up both twins – one cradled in each arm – and was bringing them to her. As soon as he was close enough, Sansa reached for the babe nearest her, taking him from Jaime. She smiled, noting the babe's green eyes.

"Good morning, Gerion," she whispered, bending to kiss his forehead. "Good morning," she murmured, happily accepting Jaime's kiss as he sat on the bed beside her.

"You were sound asleep and…our little cubs didn't appear hungry, only…restless." Sansa smiled to herself to hear Jaime called the twins "cubs." He wouldn't call them that if he wasn't beginning to feel a bond with them. "I don't know when she joined us," Jaime said, nodding toward Julianna.

"You were exhausted. The babes woke in the night and you didn't budge. You were looking at them so intensely just now," Sansa said, trying to appear casual as she unbuttoned her dressing gown to allow the babe to nurse.

Jaime nodded. "With Joffrey and Myrcella and Tommen…I never got to hold them. I wanted to…I reached for Joffrey when he was born and she pulled him away…I never really looked at any them carefully." He looked sheepish as he met her eyes. "I know I stared at Julianna plenty but…I've never really looked at an infant and seen my own face before."

"It's amazing isn't it?" She knew what he was referring to, having been similarly moved to see herself in Julianna's little face. Jaime nodded, kissing the top of Rickard's head and snuggling under the covers.

Once she had finished nursing the babes, Sansa decided that she wanted to sit outside and enjoy the warmth of the day. She knew that it was only the day before that she had been near death, but she felt much better and had no interest in being confined to a bed. Jaime had insisted on carrying her out onto the terrace, despite her protests that she could walk. He gently placed her on the large chaise, making certain that the awning would shield her and the babes from the sun. Then he had carried the babes out to her, settling them well within her reach.

Sansa could tell that Jaime thought he should remain with her, but she had assured him that she was fine on her own for a time. He had scarce left her side and she knew he must have to attend to the business of their household that had been neglected during her illness. He had persuaded Julianna to join him in his solar while he wrote a letter to Ser Addam. Sansa appreciated the time alone with her new babes, staring out at the blue ocean and feeling the cool breeze on her skin. Both Pia and the nursemaid checked on her several times, bringing her food to snack on and helping her tend to the babes.

She felt someone watching her and looked towards the villa. Tommen was standing just at the edge of the large doors leading out to the patio and pool. He and Jaime both are rarely serious but when they are…they look so alike. Sansa could see that he was wondering if she would welcome his company. She smiled at him and she saw that he was waiting for her to invite him over. My poor, sweet boy. He must feel so lost.

Jaime had not told her exactly what he and Tommen had discussed the night before, but she knew that he had confessed to Tommen that he was his father. She had wished that she were not feeling so poorly so that she could hold and comfort the boy that she loved as one of her own. I'm glad he came to me.

Sansa held her finger to her lips, so Tommen knew not to wake the twins, before she beckoned him over. He happily scampered over and stood beside Sansa. Waiting. She didn't know why he was keeping his distance, but she would have none of it. She patted the cushion, gesturing for Tommen to sit beside her. That was all the invitation he needed. He immediately scrambled onto the chaise beside her, sitting as close to her as he could. Sansa wrapped her arm around him and hugged him tightly, kissing the top of his head.

"Are you all right, darling boy?"

He nodded and wiped his eyes. "Did Uncl- did he tell you?"

"Yes, he told me," she said gently. "And I'm glad he finally told you the truth, sweetling. But I'm sorry that it's hurting you." She hugged him tighter and wished that she could take away this sweet boy's pain.

"You're not mad at me?"

She looked down at him in surprise. "Why would I be mad?"

"He told me…when he told me how…to make babies…he told me that making babies is for lords and their lady wives." Tommen spoke slowly and quietly, a blush on his face, before he looked up at Sansa. "And you're his lady wife."

Sansa sighed, not wanting to discuss bastards and trueborn children with him. Though, she did want to assure Tommen that his parentage didn't matter to her. "You were born long before I even met Jaime. And I happen to like having you around. I love you very much. And Julianna loves that you are her big brother. I'm glad she has you to look out for her and protect her. And you'll be a good brother to the twins."

Tommen looked over at the sleeping babes. "They look like Unc—they look like him."

Sansa carded her fingers through Tommen's blonde curls. "They look like you, too. And you can call him Uncle, still, if you wish," she said in a whisper and Tommen nodded. I suppose Jaime is, technically, his uncle. And his father. Oh, Jaime…you and Cersei made a mess of things. She knew Tommen must be confused, and was determined to do all she could to help him.

"Sons are supposed to look like their fathers, aren't they, Sansa? I didn't look like…King Robert."

"No, you didn't. You look like Jaime and…your mother and Lord Tywin. And you look like your little brothers."

"My septa said that the Targaryens angered the Gods because they wed their siblings and their children were abominations." He looked up at Sansa. "Does that mean the Gods hate me?"

Sansa didn't know what to say to him, and saw that he was about to cry. "No one could ever hate you, Sweetling." Sansa simply held him as the tears began to fall. Tommen was one and ten years old, but she had found that he liked to be cuddled like a much younger boy. She looked over and saw Jaime walking out onto the terrace, Julianna holding his hand and skipping along happily beside him. Jaime froze when he saw the state Tommen was in, but Julianna dropped his hand and ran over to them, throwing her arms around Tommen.

"Why's Tommen crying?" Sansa smiled as Julianna hoisted herself onto the chaise and climbed into his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck. She worried that Tommen wouldn't want Julianna to see him in such a state, but he held his sister tightly as Sansa stroked both their hair. "Pia…Pia has lemon cake," Julianna volunteered earnestly and Sansa tried not to laugh. It was sweet to see Julianna doing what she thought would cheer Tommen.

Sansa leaned over and kissed his cheek. "Lemon cakes always make me feel better," she whispered in his ear. "They're in the kitchen."

Tommen smiled despite himself and nodded, getting up and taking Julianna by the hand. She chatted happily to him as they walked back into the villa. Jaime patted Julianna's head as they walked past him.

"She's such a good girl," he murmured, sitting beside Sansa.

"She loves him. She loves all of her family." Sansa reached over and tousled Jaime's hair. "That includes you. That little girl loves you fiercely. I try not feel hurt that you're her favorite person…Are you all right?"

"Is he all right?"

"He will be, Jaime. He's…he's lost right now. He's trying to figure out where he belongs. I assured him that he belongs here with us. With his brothers and sister and…his father. Though," Sansa didn't know how to say it without hurting Jaime's feelings, "He's not comfortable calling you 'Father,'" she said gently. "I said it was all right if he called you 'Uncle.'"

Jaime laughed bitterly. "He shouldn't call me 'Father.' I've done nothing to earn it."

"That's not true," she said, snuggling against him. "He's been with us for well over a year and…you've loved him and taken care of him. You've been a good father to him."

"You've done that. I'm glad he has you to comfort him, Sansa."

She didn't understand how Jaime could be so unbelievably arrogant about some things, and then think so little of himself when it came to others. "You don't give yourself nearly enough credit, Jaime. You're a good father, Jaime. He'll come around and…Jaime, I really do believe that one day…he'll be happy to be your son." He nodded absently, and Sansa could see that he wasn't convinced. How does he not see how desperately Tommen wants to be like him? She kissed him and nestled her head against his chest. "I'm here to comfort you as well," she whispered with a smile.

"So you are." She could hear the smirk in his voice as he wrapped his arm around her and held her close. The babes beside her began to fuss, and Sansa lifted little Gerion out of the basket and carefully handed him to Jaime.

"Hold your son," she whispered, pressing the babe against his chest as she turned to lift Rickard into her arms, nestling him between them once she had settled back against Jaime. She absently stroked the babe's back to comfort him and felt Jaime doing the same to her, though she suspected he was touching her more to comfort himself than her.

Sansa tipped her face up to look at him and Jaime kissed her soundly. "I love you, sweet girl. And…thank you for this family. I don't deserve it but…I promise you, I'll fight with my dying breath to keep it."

"I love you, too, Jaime," she murmured, cradling Gerion against her chest, while Jaime did the same to baby Rickard. Though she wished that both Jaime and Tommen could be spared the uncertainty and pain that came with the truth, she was glad that there were no more secrets in their family. Perhaps now we can have a truly peaceful life here in this paradise.

…

Daenerys shivered and pulled her fur cloak tighter around her body. She was grateful that they would soon return to the Red Keep. The icy cold of the North held little charm for her, though she knew it would be difficult for her to leave, regardless. She looked over at her dragons and felt a pang of guilt. How can I leave my children here?

She knew in her head that the dragons would be fine with Jon. He knew how to command them and care for them. And Daenerys had spent several hours with him and young Brandon Stark, ensuring they knew all that she did about her dragons. Despite that, she couldn't seem to push aside the feeling that she was giving her children away. She walked toward the dragons, approaching Viserion first, stroking the top of his head and running her fingers over his scales. She spoke softly to each dragon in turn, hating the tears that were forming in her eyes. I can't be weak. I have to be strong. I'm a Queen, not a scared little girl. These dragons gave me my throne and now I have to give them this…their freedom. At the Wall, and under the guidance of the Stark boy, they would be able to fly for miles and miles without danger of harming anyone.

"I understand what you're feeling, your grace." Daenerys turned her head at the sound of Jon's voice. She had been shocked that he did not wish to take his rightful place as her nephew. As Rhaeger Targaryen's son. She did not understand why he would prefer to remain at the Wall as Eddard Stark's bastard. Daenerys had fought with everything that she had to sit on the Iron Throne – to attain her birthright – and Jon had not the slightest interest in claiming what was his.

"How could you understand what I'm feeling?" she asked quietly, continuing to pet the dragons.

"If I had to leave Ghost behind… I feel foolish saying it aloud…he's a pet but…it would hurt to lose him. As if I were losing a part of myself. Sansa and Arya both lost their wolves on the trip to King's Landing. When I heard I wondered what they felt. To lose…"

"Their connection to their House," Daenerys finished. "The wolf is more than just your sigil," she said, turning to face him. "Just as these dragons are more than mine."

"I promise you that they will be safe here. That I'll take care of them and with Bran's help…they'll do well here."

She nodded, turning away as she felt herself give in to the tears once again. "You know I lost a babe. Rhaego died before he breathed his first breath. And…there won't be any others. These dragons were my children. The only ones I'll ever have." She cleared her throat, realizing that she was speaking to familiarly with him. Sharing too much. He may be my blood, but he has no interest in such intimacy.

"What about the Baratheon girl? Shireen? You saved her from the dragonfire that killed her parents. You took her on as your ward. I saw how fond you are of her when we traveled to King's Landing."

"She's a sweet girl. She's very…innocent. Despite losing both her parents…being around that awful Red Woman…she is still good-natured. Her shield, Ser Davos, tells me she's just as she was before the war. Probably because she was locked away for almost all of it."

Jon smiled. "She reminded me of Sansa as a girl. Before…everything that she went through with the Lannisters. Sansa was just as sweet and optimistic about the future. She was a lady even as a little girl. She would only play with me and Robb if she could be the princess."

Daenerys couldn't help feeling jealous. Not only because she did not have such warm memories of her own childhood but because of Jon's obvious affection for the girl raised beside him as his sister. I'm as much his blood as she is. "You care for her. Lady Sansa. Even after she married the Kingslayer and had a child with him, you still think of her as your sister." Daenerys didn't understand how Jon could forgive her for marrying an enemy of their family. If she had done such a thing, Viserys would have killed her without a second thought.

"Sansa and I were never close but…I've always loved her. I always knew that Sansa would marry a rich lord and be lady of a great castle." Daenerys wondered if Jon realized how happy he seemed when he spoke of home and his childhood. "Sansa…I remember she told me to always compliment a lady when I learned her name. That I was to say 'that's pretty' no matter what the name. Sansa only ever wanted to live in a world that was pretty and happy. Now…after everything. I don't know what's so wrong with that. I can't blame Jaime Lannister for falling in love with her. Any man with any sense would."

Daenerys wondered what it was like to have a brother like Jon. She wondered if Rhaeger would have such kind words for her had he lived. Had they ever met. "She's lucky to have you as her brother," she said quietly, forcing herself to walk away from her dragons. She couldn't allow herself to be seen as weak – crying over her separation from her dragons. I am a Queen, not a girl.

In the end, Daenerys climbed into the saddle of her horse with Ser Jorah's help. She didn't object when his hand lingered a bit too long on her thigh. He loves me. She knew that. She had known that for some time. Ever since Quarth she had known, and watched his love for her grow each day. Daenerys was torn. She did care for him very much and knew that he would do anything for her. But she didn't know if she could really love again after losing Khal Drogo. And, more pragmatically, she knew that she would have to make a political marriage. Ser Jorah would never be accepted by the Realm as consort to their Queen. She squeezed his hand, letting him know she was all right, and ready to leave.

Once she gave the signal to leave, the Unsullied led the way – their Queen safely protected within their hoard with her loyal knights on either side of her. She heard the sound of dragons screaming and turned her head back to see all three dragons flying high above Castle Black. She smiled sadly, watching them joyously chasing one another through the air, before forcing herself to look ahead. Toward her future.

..

As always, thank you for reading and for your reviews.

Next Chapter: Tyrion encounters a face from the past as he and the Royal Party travel South