FIVE : ASHARA (II)

She lay between her two children, stroking their curls back, lost in thought.

If she accepted the offer from Mace — which, she supposed, as also an offer of peace between Houses Tyrell and Dayne, as well as the Reach and Dorne; she was deciding the fate of not only two people but two kingdoms — Allyria would no doubt wish to get to know her future home. Which meant that she would be staying here, in Highgarden, away from Ashara and the children — and who knew how long that would go on for? Who knew when Allyria would return? It pained Ashara to even consider it, but she had told Aron she would be the one deciding who Allyria married. And it was, without a doubt, a wonderful match.

Aside from that, there was of course Lady Olenna, who clearly remained loyal to the Targaryen dynasty. Ashara, of course, had not specified which twin was of the blood of the dragon nor whether or not it was even true, but it was incredibly important to establish certain alliances; especially with those who might one day be family.

With the knowledge of Olenna's loyalties and by extension those of Mace Tyrell, and the friendship she bore with Alerie, she was certain that her sister would be in caring hands. And yet, she was still hesitant; Allyria was only eight years old, as was Willas. Could they not wait?

And yet...

"Mother?" Alys was laying on her side, curled up on a mound of pillows and silky blankets. Ashara turned to look at her, careful not to jolt a fast-asleep Jon. "Will I marry Garlan?"

Ashara smiled. It was just like her daughter to worry. "I think not, my sweet," she said softly. "You are too young to think of such things, anyway."

"Margaery said I might be her handmaiden," Alys went on, shifting. "She said that, that way I could get to know her brother and one day I might come to love him. Do you think she was right? Will I be her handmaiden, Mother?"

This was all news to Ashara, of course. She frowned deeply. "Nothing has been settled," she said, "but you are so little, now. Being a handmaiden would not happen for some years."

Or ever, if I have any say, Ashara thought darkly. She kissed her daughter on the brow. "Sleep, Alysanne."

Morning dawned bright and early. Light crept in through the many windows and seemed to pour across the wooden floor. Ashara woke with her two children splayed across the large bed. Jon's head was buried under the pillows, and Alysanne — for whatever reason — was clutching his foot.

Ashara rubbed the sleep from her eyes and roused them. Jon begged for another five minutes, but Alyanne shot awake and begged to see her new friends as soon as she was presentable.

Ashara set to work with her children; washing them, combing their hair, helping them dress. Alysanne slipped on a blue, green, and purple gown that Alerie had ordered the seamstress to make. It was of the finest material, and lined with silver thread.

Jon rolled his eyes as his sister twirled around the room. Ashara straightened his head so that he was looking straight at the vanity as she removed the tangles from his hair. "You are a stubborn little boy," she told him as he winced.

"It hurts," he complained.

"There is nothing he loves more than his hair, Mother," Alysanne giggled.

Jon scowled at her. "Shut up, Sanni," he grumbled, and moped through the rest of the process with his arms folded over his chest. Ashara couldn't help the smile that broke her face. That only made Jon more upset.

Ashara led them down the halls of Highgarden. Alysanne skipped the whole way, while Jon walked beside Ashara. They looked out at the expansive fields of golden roses, and then the orchards of peaches, apples, and apricots — depending upon which side of the castle they were.

Margaery met them in the middle of a marble colonnade, chasing her little brother Loras around the fat columns. She squealed when she saw Ashara's children and embraced them both. Jon blushed, but Ashara suspected it had more to do with a girl hugging him than being smitten with her.

"They're adorable, don't you think?" Alerie slid up next to her in a gown of grey and red that complimented both her house and silver hair.

"They are," Ashara took the hand of her friend and they circled the playing children. "I have considered Mace's proposal..."

"And?" Alerie sent her a coy look.

"I will accept," Ashara told her. "On the condition that Allyria remains in Starfall until she is flowered. Once she is a woman grown, they will marry, and not before."

"Reasonable terms," Alerie nodded seriously, though her eyes were dancing with contained joy. "I wish the very same for my own daughter." They stopped at the head of the colonnade. Alerie plucked an orange and pink rose off of the nearest column and handed it to Ashara, who inhaled the perfume gladly.

Willas and Allyria were walking around a trickling fountain, pointing at the tadpoles in the water. Allyria laughed when a frog broke the surface. Her arm was looped around Willas's. Already they were acquainted.

"I will bring Mace the news before dinner," Alerie told her. "How long will you stay?"

Ashara tilted her head to the side. "Perhaps a few weeks? I want all of the children to enjoy themselves before we go."

They stayed at Highgarden for another fortnight, and then visited Cider Hall for another week. By the end of their stay at the Reach, Margaery and Alysanne were the best of friends, Jon had opened up to Garlan, Loras, and Willas, and Allyria was adoring of the oldest Tyrell boy.

None of them wanted to part. The night before leaving Nightsong, to which the Tyrells had travelled with the Dayne party, Margaery proclaimed that all of the children would sleep in the same bed. Indeed they did, clinging to each other the whole night through; telling stories and singing songs.

Ashara had settled the terms with Mace, who gladly accepted them and announced to his entire hall that Willas and Allyria were henceforth betrothed. The two seemed happy with the arrangements. Ashara wondered if it would last.

In the morning both Alys and Margaery cried at having to leave one another. Ashara promised the Tyrell children that they were more than welcome to stay in Starfall should they wish it. Both of the girls brightened at that.

Ashara bid Alerie, Olenna, and Mace goodbye. Then she mounted her horse, as did her sister and children, and they departed Nightsong.

It took two weeks to reach home. At the sight of it, Jon and Alys cried out with joy and pushed their horses forward. Ashara followed, just as eager. She had missed her brother. She had missed her bed, her view, her home.

Aron greeted them in the courtyard. He picked up the children and spun them around, to their great delight. Then he embraced Allyria. "Congratulations are in order, if I have heard correctly?" He set their sister down.

"I have a husband-to-be," Allyria confirmed.

Aron turned his attentions to Ashara. He kissed her cheeks. "It is wonderful to have you all back," he told them. "These halls have been so quiet."

Ashara smiled. "I expect you have been lonely," she said. "No more of that, I promise you."

Aron draped an arm through her own and led her and the children back to the Great Keep. "What were the terms for the marriage?" He asked in a low voice.

"Allyria will stay in the Reach once she is flowered," Ashara replied. "And then, I expect about two years after that, they will marry in the Sept of Highgarden — or perhaps the Starry Sept; it has not yet been decided."

Her brother nodded. "Very well," he said. "My sister, you have been gone for two months, and in that time, my wife has returned from the Water Gardens with my son."

Oh, Seven Hells... Melina Dayne, her good-sister, was a pain in the backside, that was plain enough for all to see. The woman had stayed here for a year while pregnant with her son, and the entire time she had shamed Ashara for bearing bastards and staining the legacy of House Dayne. Ashara had no wish to be in the company of Melina again. She hoped, though, that her son Edric was not as horrid as she. "The boy is nearing on three, is he not?"

"Yes," he confirmed. "A bright spirit, I assure you." He sent a pointed look in Ashara's direction.

Ashara nodded as they walked, ascending the tile staircase to the bed chambers. The children quietly walked behind them, looking a little solemn. Aron followed her gaze and frowned. From his pocket he pulled two candied plums. Their little faces lit up and they sucked them eagerly.

"You are too indulgent," Ashara laughed. "You will spoil your own son!"

Edric Dayne lay in a plain wooden cot. Apparently, Melina would not allow any carvings for she worried the babe might cut himself. Ashara found that ridiculous.

Edric was a pale little thing, with light sandy hair and, when he woke, she saw that his eyes were a deep blue — almost purple. She smiled and knelt before him. "A true heir," she said fondly, poking his nose lightly.

The little boy laughed and looked to his Father, who picked him up without a moment of hesitation.

Jon and Alys stared at Edric. "He looks funny," Alys claimed.

Jon jerked his head solemnly as though this was the wisest thing he had ever heard. "His cheeks are fat."

"Be kind," Ashara chastised. "Edric is your cousin, your family. And all babies have a bit of fat on their faces, Jon."

The children rolled their eyes and ran off, bored with the spectacle already. She heard their voices echoing off the walls. They spoke of their Tyrell friends and the journey there and back, and Alysanne boasted of all her new dresses.

Ashara eyed her brother as he bounced his son. "How have you been, brother?"

"Well," he said, looking up. "I assume all was pleasant with the Tyrell family?"

"Oh yes," Ashara seated herself on a wooden chair by the window and looked out at the rushing, sparkling rivers and a group of little girls playing beside it. "The Tyrells were very hospitable. Jon and Alys have made friends for life, I think."

Aron nodded. "That is good," he said, setting his son down to play with his toys.

"Yes," Ashara watched her nephew, smiling, but it melted when through the door stepped Melina. The woman was taller than Ashara remembered, wearing all black though she was not in mourning. Her hair was braided in a rather unflattering fashion, and her plain face was scowling.

How Aron managed to keep his spirits up, Ashara did not know.

"Ashara," she said stiffly, by way of greeting. "I passed your bastards on my way here. They were being rowdy, as usual. It seems to me that you failed to tame them in my absence."

Because this was my goal, good-sister. Ashara could do little more than keep her face from glowering. "Yes," was all she said.

Aron looked between them. "Wife," he said suddenly, "would you not care for a walk along the riverside?"

Melina turned up her nose. "Nothing would please me more than to leave the presence of your disgraceful sister," she said, not even bothering to veil her slight. Ashara bristled, but she kept her composure; the bitch was only trying to rile her. She would not give her the satisfaction of stooping to her lowly level.

Aron and Melina left. Ashara ruffled Edric's hair and summoned his nursemaid, Wylla, who had been his wet nurse previously.

3 years later — Starfall

He came during a storm, wrapped in leather armour with that solemn look she had so quickly forgotten.

Ashara did not bother to greet him upon his arrival, for she knew not that he was even on his way, but instead sat in the library with her two children, who were now seven years of age and growing taller with every day that passed. She studied them, drinking in their appearance with reverence and deeply buried fear.

Alysanne was lanky, but beautiful, with Ashara's hair and a mixture of both her and Ned's eyes. She was always smiling, and had proved to be very bookish of late. Jon was the same, but on a rather more subdued level. He was fascinated by dragon-lore, an expansive subject in the Dayne library, and currently was pouring over a tome now.

Alys' quill was scratching against her parchment. A letter to Margaery, Ashara knew. They had been writing since they knew how.

How she had been blessed with these sweet children, she knew not. They were her light.

The door opened and Maester Justyn slipped in, followed, slowly, by none other than Lord Eddard Stark of Winterfell.

He was older than she remembered him to be; his brown beard was peppered with bits of grey and his hair, the same, was wet from the rain. Her sweet Ned, so good and kind and brave, who had slain her brother and left her here with Jon and Alys to raise alone, without a Father.

She did not know what he was thinking, but she knew that she was terrified; what if he took them from her? What if he ripped them from her arms? Her little babies...

Quickly she wiped her tears and stood, setting aside her needlework in haste. The twins looked up from their respective works. They both frowned, for of course they did not recognise him. Ashara felt as though the wind had been knocked out of her.

"Ned..." She whispered.

He smiled, but it was strained and forced. He looked so worn and weary, and yet, so was she. Many years had passed, and with them had come things such as bitterness and resentment. Ashara blinked and composed herself. "Children," she said, "this is Lord Stark. Your father."

Their eyes widened, and they scrambled to their feet. Ashara saw that Ned already adored them absolutely, despite only having been in their company for less than a moment. "Maester Justyn," she said, "you may leave. I thank you."

Justyn smiled and nodded, shuffling out. He was ageing, but still quick enough.

Then they were alone; the four of them. Jon took Alys' hand. "Lord Stark, may I introduce to you Jon and Alysanne Dayne?"

She took pride in speaking the name of her House in reference to her children. They had been legitimised only last year, but still the high from her victory had not worn off. Ned knelt before them so that they were of the same height and smiled. "It is a pleasure to meet the both of you," he told them. "You have grown so much since I last laid eyes on you."

They exchanged glances. "That's..." Jon trailed off lamely, forgetting his courtesies in his shock.

"To be expected," Alysanne breathed.

Ned laughed in that way that sent chills up and down her spine. "Yes, I suppose it is," he agreed. "Would you mind... Could I hug you?"

Immediately they both leapt into his arms. Ned let out a soft sigh, almost in relief, she thought. They stayed that way for at least a minute, and then Jon pulled away. "Why haven't you come before?"

"Jon, remember you are speaking to a lord," Ashara said.

Ned shook his head. "It's perfectly alright, Ashara," he said, smiling for real this time. His gaze turned to Jon, and with affection he pushed their son's tangled hair away from his eyes. "I would have come, but as a Lord I have duties to the north, and as a father I have other children—"

"Children more important than us?" Alysanne asked suddenly, backing away. Ashara put her hand on Alys's shoulder and urged her forward, toward Ned, instead. "M'sorry, my lord." She looked down at her feet.

"You needn't be sorry, Alys," Ned promised her. "I am your father. I should have done better by you. To tell it true, I would have come sooner. I planned to visit a couple of years ago, but I heard you went to visit Highgarden?"

"If we'd known you were coming—" Alys began, almost hysterical.

"None of that," Ned took her hand. "The Tyrells are surely better company than I. I am sure you enjoyed yourselves immensely."

Alys nodded eagerly. "Oh yes! Margaery and I are wonderful friends! I was just writing her a letter, actually..." She broke off, looking behind her at the unfinished missive, biting her lip.

"You can finish it, if you like," Ned told her.

"No," Alys slowly turned back around and beamed. "I'd rather spend time with you, I think."

Ned's smiled widened, if that was possible. Ashara, however, was not so easily appeased. "Ned," she said sharply, "a word outside, please?"

They slipped away from their children, closing the door to the library to be sure that they were not overheard. Ashara led Ned far enough away and then turned around to face him. "What are you doing here?"

She had meant to sound intimidating, furious... What came out was a weak and impatient pleading. Ned softened and moved his hand upward, as though to touch her cheek, but thought better of it. "I needed to see them."

"You sent no warning!" Ashara hissed, now frustrated at last. "I had no time to prepare myself or the children! Do you have any idea what this could do to them? To see their father for the first time in seven years only to have him ripped away again?!"

Ned looked down. He took her hand, and out of her own curiosity she did not draw away. He was cold as he always had been. Did she still love him, she wondered? Even after all of these years alone and without him?

"I... I am sorry, Ashara. I should not have come without warning... But I worried that you would not let me see them."

"You have had seven years to see them!" Ashara ripped her hand out of his grip. "You have had all of this time! Why now, Ned? Why all of the sudden?!"

Ned sighed shakily. "I want to take them back north with me."

"No."

"Ashara—"

"No!" She stepped away. "No, Ned! They are my children! I raised them, I love them! You have only left them to long for you. I did everything, Ned, on my own, and now you will take them from me? You will have me lose them?"

Ned sighed. "You are welcome at Winterfell," he told her softly, but then his eyes hardened, "I will be taking them back with me — if only for a short time. I promise that, with or without you, they will return here to Starfall. I only wish for them to meet their brothers and sisters."

Ashara shook her head in disbelief. Her cheeks were wet. "You will take them, even if I do not want you to?"

Ned looked almost regretful. "I have to."

"You do not!" Ashara reached up and slapped him, clear across the cheek, for she was so angry that she could not stop herself. "You could stay here, but you choose to rob me of my son and daughter instead? You could get to know them in Starfall! You could have brought your children here with you!"

Ned touched his cheek lightly and then looked upwards, defeated. "My intention was to introduce them to the north; to show them the lands from which their father was born. I wanted them to know the rest of their heritage."

"Alysanne is leaving for Highgarden in a week," Ashara informed him wildly, silently thinking both the gods and Alerie for their perfect timing. "She is to become a handmaiden for Margaery."

"Then I will just take Jon."

"He is my—"

Ned leaned close enough to kiss her. "He is not," her former-love reminded her. "He is my sister's son; of no relation to you."

"I don't care," Ashara hissed. "I love him as my own. He loves Alys as his sister. Your words are wind, Lord Stark. You do not know them, nor do you know me. You have no right."

"I have claimed them as my children."

Ashara was breathing heavily. She rubbed her sore hand, mind racing, fear pumping through her veins. "Please, don't do this..."

"I must."

AN: And there, my lords and ladies, is chapter 5. I'm a bit insecure about it. Review, and tell me what you thought. I don't think there are any more mid-chapter time skips after this, but I could be wrong. Either way, I don't like them very much, but I wanted to leave the whole Reach visit a bit vague so that you could all form your own opinions on what the kids got up to.

Much love! xx