A/N: Here we are, new chapter for all you lovelies. I hope you enjoy it!
unnamed visitor: Yeah, Oberyn might be a liberal dad, but even he has a protective streak when it comes to his daughters. No, Trystane and Karenza won't be at the Water Gardens, it is a trip for Elia and Jon to be on their own for a while. You can bet Aedan will be a little monster when it comes to having siblings, but I imagine he will get used to it eventually. Right now he's a little young to understand exactly what's going on, but I'm sure he can sense changes are happening. Yes, Ned and Cat will indeed be finding out that they're going to be grandparents again, and Tywin and co. will be arriving at the Rock. Thanks so much as always, hope you enjoy the update.
helewisetran: I don't have much else planned to be honest, this fic is winding down, so it will mostly be happiness and contentment. That was my original purpose for this story - an actual happy GoT fic, haha!
Guest: Thank you!
Boramir: Thank you! Yes, you can bet that a trip to Winterfell will have to be planned sooner rather than later. And, no, Tywin definitely won't be hosting any tournaments while at the Rock haha. Yes, Tyrion definitely needs something now that Jaime has a son, and don't worry, I do have plans for that. Yeah, Jon is being a bit naive when it comes to the man who broke Elia's heart. There would definitely be more than one person capable of ending that particular problem.
Guest: Thank you. I see your point about Theon, but he was never intended as a main character in this fic. He is still heir to the Iron Islands of course, so he does have that future waiting for him at some point. There isn't going to be much left of this fic, but I'm glad you've been enjoying it.
Right-ho folks, on we go!
:)
Home
Jon exhaled deeply in satisfaction as he stretched himself out in the sun, feeling it warm his bare chest as he lounged on the lush grass. He could hear a fountain tinkling away in the background, and he turned his head to appraise the woman lying next to him. Elia had her eyes closed, and he allowed his eyes to roam her body, which was clad in an almost sheer shift which only fell to just above her knees. The way she was lying had it sneaking up her glorious thighs, and his mouth was instantly dry as he felt a wave of desire for her flow through him. Almost as though she had sense him looking at her, she opened her eyes, a smile coming to her face at once. "What?" she asked him lazily. "I still can't quite believe how incredible this place is," he replied, exhaling deeply and grinning at her. "It is my favourite place in this world," Elia told him, meeting his eyes and holding them fast.
"Have you ever left the borders of Dorne before?" he asked her in an amused tone. "Well, no," she admitted, smiling slightly sheepishly at him. "I cannot claim to have been everywhere," he said in response, "but of everywhere I have travelled this is by far my favourite." Elia's eyes widened at that, and for a moment he wondered if he had said the wrong thing. "Truly?" she asked him in a whisper, rolling onto her side so she could better face him. "Truly," he said, "nothing compares to this, to being here with you."
"Not even home?" she asked him, her brow furrowing. "I always thought I belonged in the North, with my family," he told her quietly, and she nodded her head. "Then I found out the truth about who I truly am, and suddenly all those memories I had were tainted," he continued, and her frown deepened. "I know it sounds stupid," he said, before she could comment, "but I can't help but feel like I don't belong at Winterfell anymore. In the North at all. I love my family, of course I do, and I will journey back and see them as often as I can but…"
"But you don't want to live there anymore?" Elia asked him, her brows raising now. "I don't think so. I suppose…" he hesitated slightly, wondering how honest with her he should be. "Suppose, what?" she asked him curiously. Jon took a deep breath, remembering her father's parting words to him. "Fight for her, Jon." "I suppose it depends on us," he told her, and she inched closer to him. He reached his arm out to snuggle her into his side, stroking his hand through her silky hair. "Are you saying that you would stay here, with me?" she asked him, and he wondered if he was imagining the hopeful tone of her voice. "If that's what you want," he replied, and she squeezed herself even closer to him in response. "I want you more than I have ever wanted anyone," she told him, "but I don't know how to promise you forever."
"I don't need you to promise me forever, but it is waiting for you if you decide on it," he said quietly, turning his head and pressing a kiss to her forehead. "I have never met anyone like you, Jon," Elia sighed against him, and he smiled widely. "Can I assume that that is a good thing?" he asked her in an amused tone, and she lifted her head up to meet his eyes. "You can assume it is a very good thing," she said teasingly, leaning into him and pressing her lips to his. He kissed her back slowly, savouring everything about the way she felt and tasted in his mouth. When he pulled back he smiled at her, and she returned the gesture, running her hand firmly through his hair. "Why did you come to Dorne?" she asked with a raised brow. "I can't believe I have never asked you that before," she added before he could comment, rolling her eyes.
"You were too intent on seducing me before," he told her in an amused tone, and she grinned wickedly. "True enough," she agreed with him, "but I am asking you now. Would you tell me?" He stilled his hand in her hair, taking a breath and trying to find the words to answer her. "Several people thought it might do me good to travel, after finding out the truth about everything, I mean," he began, and she nodded her understanding. "Amy, my bro- Robb's wife, she told me that her uncle came here and thoroughly enjoyed himself –"
"Oh! Tyrion!" Elia's eyes lit up, and Jon frowned slightly. "Father got on with him immensely well, he was such a funny man. Do you know him well?" she asked him with a wide smile. "No, not at all, only what Amy has told me of him. I do know that he is married with a son now," he answered her, and her smiled widened even more. "How lovely," she said happily, and he nodded. "Anyway," Jon continued, "given my status, and given how everyone is seen as equal here, I thought it would be a good adventure for me. When the King asked if I would accompany the princess, I couldn't refuse. Free travel, you see," he winked, and Elia giggled deliciously.
"And that's it?" she raised a brow. "You just wanted to be treated equally? From what you have said of your family it sounds as though you were always made to feel welcome." Jon smiled slightly at her astuteness, stroking his fingers slowly down her cheek. "There was also the thought of Starfall, my mother's family," he told her quietly, seeing sympathy well in her eyes. "Do you still intend to visit?" she asked, and he shook his head slightly. "She's dead," he said bitterly, "and those she left behind didn't want me. They may be family, but they could never be what the Starks are to me. I don't think I will gain anything but misery from going there, seeing the place where she…" he tailed off, unwilling to speak of his mother taking her own life.
"I can understand why you would find it difficult," she said soothingly, "but you know, if you ever changed your mind and wanted to go there…I would go with you." He flickered his eyes to hers at that, seeing the sincerity shining in them. "Would you really?" he asked her, not able to quite keep the tone of surprise from his voice. "Of course I would," she told him, almost laughing, "just because I'm not ready to be your wife and bear you children, it doesn't mean I don't care. That I don't want to be there for you if you need me."
"You're wonderful," he breathed, leaning in and kissing her again. "I'd like to meet the Starks one day too," she said when he pulled back, "perhaps you could show me the North? The Wall, even?" Her eyes were wide at that, and Jon chuckled. "I am not taking you to the Wall," he said, "do you have any idea of the kind of men who serve there? It is the last place I would take a woman, especially one as beautiful as you."
"You're sweet," she said simply, pressing her lips back to his and slipping her hand down his bare chest. He groaned into her mouth as she reached the laces of his breeches and slid her hand beneath them. "The guards could come across us any moment," he murmured against her lips. "That makes it all the more fun, don't you think?" she asked with a raised brow, pressing her lips to his again before he could utter one word in response. He decided against arguing with her. He was powerless against her will. Weak to her every want. He would do anything for her, because he had slowly come to realise that anywhere could be home to him. So long as Elia was with him.
Tywin dismounted his horse, his eyes drifting towards the keep at once, a smile twitching his lips as he saw Jaime and Tyrion stood waiting for him. Their wives were absent, as were his two new grandsons, and he was glad of it. He would much prefer to meet the pair of them in private, away from all the prying eyes. "Jaime, Tyrion," he greeted as he walked towards them, hearing the carriage carrying Cersei and Eleanor come to a halt behind him. "Father," his sons both greeted him in turn as he clasped their hands in turn. He gave them both a swift smile before they all turned their attention to the door of the carriage opening. Eleanor hopped down first, her blue eyes sparkling as she looked about the place again. There was a slight apprehension about her, but it swiftly evaporated as she clapped eyes on Jaime and Tyrion.
"Uncle Jaime, Uncle Tyrion!" she exclaimed, picking up her skirts and running towards them. Jaime caught her in a swift embrace, before she moved to Tyrion. "Where are the babies?" she asked then, to which Jaime chuckled. "Inside," Tyrion informed her, "we shall go right in when your mother – ah – there she is." Tywin flickered his eyes back towards where his daughter was descending with the hand of one of the guards. The apprehension in her eyes was far more distinguishable than that of her daughter's, though she brought a smile to her face for her brothers. "Jaime, Tyrion," she nodded to them, and they inclined their heads in turn. "Congratulations," Cersei added, her smile widening. "Thank you," Tyrion said brightly, and Jaime nodded again. "Welcome back," her twin said, and she nodded determinedly in response. "Will you show us in?" Tywin spoke up. "I believe I have grandchildren to meet."
Jaime agreed readily, him and Tyrion turning to lead the way back into the keep. Eleanor bounded up after them, and Tywin offered his arm to Cersei as they followed on. His daughter was carrying herself rather stiffly, but other than that there was no indication that she was feeling uncomfortable about being here at the Rock again. She had always been poised and good at masking her feelings. He supposed that was one of the traits that had made her such a good queen. Up the stairs and along the hallways they went, Eleanor chattering incessantly to her uncles as they went. Tyrion and Jaime both seemed in good spirits, and Tywin could only assume that fatherhood was suiting them both. They came upon the door to the nursery after a few minutes, and Tywin swallowed hard as Jaime pushed open the door and gestured for him to enter first.
Cersei tightened her hand around his arm and he took encouragement from it, smiling slightly at his sons as he made his way passed them and into the nursery. Lanette and Geanna were on their feet at once, Geanna bobbing a little curtsey but Lanette merely smiled at him. Tywin couldn't help but smile back at her, before his eyes slid back to Geanna. "There is no need for that, not with family," he told her, and she smiled tentatively at him. He inclined his head in response, his eyes sweeping the room. "Well, don't keep me in suspense, where are the pair of them?" he asked, and Cersei laughed slightly at his side, releasing his arm. "Right over here," Lanette beckoned him to where two cradles were stood side by side under the large window.
He followed after her, his eyes widening slightly when he looked down on the two golden-haired, green eyed little lords. They could be twins if it weren't for the difference in size. The bigger of the two waved his fists up in the air, and Tywin couldn't help but smile at him, moving his hand to gently clasp one of his little hands. "A pleasure," he murmured, and the baby gurgled happily in response, continuing to wave his fists in the air. He took a little step to the side to contemplate the small baby, the boy who would one day be Lord of the Rock. Willem blinked slowly up at him, his lips twitching up slightly into a half smile. Tywin's first thought was that he seemed a much more relaxed baby than Amy had ever been. Whenever she had been awake she had been sure to let the whole castle know about it. Her son seemed much the same, but her little brother appeared to be quite the quiet, calm little thing.
"Wonderful," Tywin said when he finally tore his eyes from the pair of them, turning to face the rest of the gathered family. "The four of you must be proud, and rightly so," he said, smiling between his sons and their wives. They were a picture of content happiness. Jaime and Lanette stood gracefully with their arms looped around one another's. Geanna stood at Tyrion's side with her hand resting gently on his shoulder. Cersei and Eleanor had smiles on their faces as they stood a little aside. It struck Tywin that it would make a fine portrait with the addition of a few more. Perhaps one day all the family would be together in the same place. "Shall we all sit and relax?" Lanette asked after a moment of silence. "I'm sure you're all weary from travelling so long, Geanna has already called down for some wine and a light luncheon."
"How thoughtful," Cersei smiled, and Tywin nodded his agreement, moving to take a seat. The other's followed suit, gathering on the armchairs and sofas that sat around the low table. "Such a shame we missed Amy and Robb," Cersei spoke up again when they were settled, "if I had known she wouldn't be coming back to the Capitol then I would have made more fuss about her leaving. Still, that's Steffon for you, he tells me nothing."
"It was rather a surprise for her when Robb told her they would be going back to Winterfell, but then, I think they were both rather glad of the new arrangement," Lanette replied, and Tywin didn't miss the look she shared with Jaime. Something was afoot, he knew well enough. Sure enough, Jaime turned to him in the next moment, the look on his face telling him that there was news. "Amy would have like to have stayed to tell you this in person," his son said, and Tywin nodded to encourage him to continue. "But she and Robb wanted to return to Winterfell as soon as possible, given the fact that she is expecting again," Jaime said, and Tywin's eyes widened, "twins, this time."
"By the Gods," he murmured, his stomach tensing for a moment. It was good news. Wonderful news. He could already imagine how thrilled his granddaughter must be. How excited she would be. He himself was pleased for her. She was a wonderful mother, it was only right that she should be blessed with more children. Twins, though. That was dangerous whether he liked it or not. He thought of Joanna. She had managed it. It had not been Jaime and Cersei who had robbed her of life. He closed his eyes and took a long, deep breath. "That is wonderful," he finally spoke again, seeing the worry fading a little from Jaime's eyes. "Yes, indeed," Cersei agreed, "all the more reason for me to speak to Steffon about a visit to the North. It will be nice for the Starks to have all their grandchildren in one place, and for us all to be together."
"That's a wonderful idea," Geanna said warmly, and the others murmured their agreement. "We'd best hope winter staves off for a while longer," Tyrion said, and again there were murmurs of agreement. "Amy left a letter for you," Jaime said, reaching inside his doublet and passing it over to him. Tywin took it, holding it tightly in his hand to quell the shake. "I will read it later," he said, slipping it into his own doublet as a knock came at the door. Lanette called for their visitor to come in, and three servants filed in with wine and trays of food. Geanna thanked them, Jaime leaning forwards at once to begin pouring glasses of wine for everyone. They were passed around, and Tywin took his with vague thanks, thoughts of the letter in his doublet distracting him somewhat. He would stay here long enough to raise a toast, but then he knew he would have to excuse himself and read his granddaughter's words in private.
"Do we all have a glass?" he asked, looking around to see that even Eleanor had a very small measure of wine. "Good," he smiled slightly, "then I would like to propose a toast to the health of Tybolt and Willem Lannister, and the good ladies who birthed them. And to Amy, and the two new Starks who will no doubt soon be upon us – to family!"
"To family!" his toast was echoed, glasses clinking against one another's before everyone took a drink. His nerves were lessened somewhat after a large mouthful of wine, his fears for Amy abating slightly. It did no good to think the worst, he knew that. He also knew that Robb would do everything in his power to make sure she was safe and well looked after. Jaime caught his eye, smiling reassuringly as he did so. He imagined that his son would have had his own panic about his daughter carrying twins, but it seemed his fears had been abated. For now at least. Tywin sighed, taking another long drink of wine as he relaxed back into the chair. He would read Amy's letter a little later on, right now he found himself enjoying letting the resumed chatter between his family wash easily over him.
Robb hopped down from the carriage first, unable to keep the smile from his face as he looked around the familiar sights of Winterfell. He barely had a minute to take them in before his mother was upon him, a slightly strangled cry leaving her before he found himself in her tight embrace. "Gods, you don't know how thrilled we are to have you back!" she exclaimed, and he chuckled slightly, extricating himself gently from her as his father approached behind her. "You're back," Robb smiled, "I had half expected you to still be at the Wall."
"Things are as settled there as they can be," his father reported, embracing him briefly. "Likely we will need to keep a close eye on them, but there are men up there and dragonglass, that is all we can do for now," his father continued and Robb nodded seriously. "Never mind that now, you've just got home. Where are Aedan and Amy," his mother interrupted, looking passed him towards the carriage. "He's grown so much mother, and he's crawling now," Robb told her as he turned back to the carriage, Amy passing Aedan down to him in the next moment. "Oh, give him here!" his mother demanded at once, and Robb passed his son to her arms before turning back once more and offering his hand to help Amy down.
"He looks even more like you," his father commented as Amy placed her hand in his. Robb offered his father a smile before turning to make sure Amy was alright getting down. She was four months pregnant now, and there was no denying her condition. Robb wondered if he ought to say something to his parents as she stepped down onto the courtyard, but his mother appeared to have spotted it already. "Oh, Amy!" she exclaimed, and Robb couldn't help but smile at the sheer happiness on his mother's face. "I told Robb there would be no need to announce it," Amy said happily, smoothing her hands over her stomach. "By the Gods! Congratulations!" his mother smiled, having to raise her voice over Aedan's squawks. "Yes, congratulations," his father added in an amused tone, "another little one about the place. We will be running out of room soon."
"Sooner than you think," Robb said, slipping his arm about Amy's shoulders, "since there will be two new little ones about the place." His parents' eyes widened at that, his father blinking rather rapidly as his mother stared. "Twins?" she finally found her voice, Amy nodded happily at his side. "Oh, Amy!" she said again, and Amy giggled slightly, moving towards his mother as she shifted Aedan onto her hip and held her free arm out to her. Robb smiled as they embraced, his father's hand coming to clap him heartily on the back. "Twins," he said disbelievingly, "that is quite something."
"It is indeed," Robb agreed, seeing Aedan stretch towards Amy, his wife taking him into her arms at once. She settled him above her rounded stomach, pressing kisses to his cheeks as he exclaimed happily and nonsensically. "I think someone is glad to be home," Amy said in an amused tone. "Just as glad as we are to have you home," his mother said, and Robb beamed. It truly was amazing to be back here. Yes, there was a chill in the air, and it was far greyer and drizzly than the colourful brightness of the Capitol, but this was his home. He sighed happily, deciding that he would never again leave here for so long. "There will be a feast tonight," his father interrupted his thoughts, "no doubt you want to get settled before it starts."
"Aye," Robb agreed, "where are the others?" It suddenly struck him that his siblings were not present. "Lessons," his mother told him, "they will be finished soon, I'll send them up to you if you like?" Robb nodded at that, moving to place his hand on the small of Amy's back. "We'll be in the nursery," he directed towards his mother before he turned his attention to his wife. "Here," he said, "give him to me, I don't want you straining yourself unnecessarily." Amy rolled her eyes at him, but obliged him, shifting their son into his arms. Robb promptly moved him onto his hip, taking Amy's hand with his free one and setting off towards the keep.
"Glad to be home?" she asked him, and he smiled widely. "Most glad," he confirmed, "and you?" She squeezed her hand more tightly around his in response. "Very," she told him, the simple word only serving to make him smile even more. "I hope Aedan settles quickly," Robb said as they climbed the steps, "you need rest more than anything, and he is enough of a handful during the day."
"Don't worry yourself," Amy said exasperatedly, "we have his nurse, remember? If I need a rest then others can watch him. I will have three children soon enough, if you don't stop your fussing then you will make yourself sick – never mind me." Robb smiled slightly at that. He knew he was being overprotective of her, more so than he had been with Aedan, but he couldn't help himself. She was in perfect health though, and so were the babies. That was the main thing, the thing he had to keep reminding himself of every time the fear would creep up on him. "Just, humour me," he said almost pleadingly, "just promise you won't overdo things, please?"
"I won't," she soothed him as they walked along the hallway to the nursery. "But you need to promise me in return that you won't drive me mad with your fussing. I know my body, Robb. You need to trust that I know what I'm doing."
"I know you do," he agreed with her, dropping her hand so he could open the door of the nursery and gesture her in first. Aedan exclaimed happily again as they made their way in, already squirming to be let down. Robb placed him carefully down in the middle of the room before retreating to seat himself next to Amy on the sofa. They watched as Aedan looked about the place, and Robb wondered if he could possibly remember it. His eyes fixed on a box of toys in the next moment, and he set off crawling at once towards it. "He is definitely happy to be home," Robb said in an amused tone, Amy's hand coming to find his. "He is not the only one," she said, bringing his hand to the swell of her stomach. He started, wondering if he had imagined the light pressure pushing against his palm.
"Did you feel that?" Amy asked him expectantly, and he nodded mutely. "Told you they were strong, didn't I?" she said in a proud manner, and again he nodded, turning his head so he could meet her eyes. "You did," he found his voice, rubbing his hand gently over her stomach. "Now, will you stop worrying?" she asked him in an amused tone, and he smiled. "Never," he replied, and she rolled her eyes, "but I do believe you when you say that the three of you will be just fine. You have to be, I cannot consider anything else. Not ever."
A/N: Hope everyone enjoyed! More at the same time (more or less) next week!
:)