I've received a few questions about the name I chose for Robb and Dany's baby. Iagan is from Celtic (also Scottish) origin. Some of the meanings of the name include little fire, fiery, brightness, and splendor. Also, I liked the sound of it, because I believe it could go well with the Targaryen list of names and Starks do remind me of Scottish people (not only because Richard Madden is actually Scottish).
As always, thank you for your lovely reviews. I particularly enjoy your opinions since this is taking such a different route from the original storyline.
Chapter 18 : Battleborn Wolf
The columns of smoke reached the sky as arms begging for help. The cloudy day was frowning at those who were trying to destroy Winterfell and the wind carried the cries through the air. It wasn't the scene Robb Stark was hoping for when he decided to listen to his wife's letters; he wished for her to be wrong but she had never been so far, which scared him more than it should have had.
Two hundred men followed him, most of them people from his kingdom who were as furious as him at the sight of the ironborn destroying their homes.
Jorah, at his side, just looked at him before he ordered to dive into battle. Grey Wind ran with ferocity as the small army decided to destroy those men who dared to put foot in their lands to pillage their homes.
He didn't know which one was the real reason behind the cruelty in which his men punished the invaders. It could have been because they were defending their homes, their families, or also because they were losing the feeling of sympathy after so many battles.
A man cried in agony as Grey Wind sunk his teeth in his throat, but he choked on his own blood as the direwolf tore it apart. At his side, Robb wielded his sword, stabbing another enemy and cutting his stomach open. The only thought in his head was making his way to his family, wife and brothers.
His eyes hurt with the smoke and blood splattered all over his face as he kept advancing towards the gates.
It was true. They weren't expecting an army to fight them. Balon Greyjoy had clearly sent his men hoping to have no resistance as they were still fighting in the South but he had not imagined that Daenerys would be there, ready to fight back and call him before anyone could even know about the plan of the Iron King.
He had no explanations as to how she had seen the future in her dreams but he was glad she had given him a chance of saving his kingdom and people.
The poor fighting techniques of the ironborn showed. They lacked the training and skills most of his men had; they were already growing used to the weapons in their hands thanks to the many battles they had already faced. Besides, as they spilled more blood, their thirst and hunger only grew more and more.
"King in the North!" the people shouted as they saw him riding his horse, opening his way through the field and into the castle without looking back, without sparing a life. He could taste the metallic flavor of blood in his tongue and smell the fire burning houses and flesh mixed with the humidity in the air.
As some tried to escape from the rage of the Young Wolf, Robb's eyes fell upon the woman swinging a mace and cracking a skull open. Dacey was leading the forces keeping the enemies out of the inner castle, which made him quite happy, since he had chosen the right woman for the job of defending his home. What surprised the King was the sight of no other than Jaime Lannister fighting with her, back to back as they ended life after life of those who dared to go near. But there was no time to dwell on that then, he still had to end the fight and show Balon Greyjoy that he was not going to give up, that he would fight him if he had to.
And as soon as the war was over, he would go to the Iron Islands, and just like his father did before him, he would defeat the ironborn and show them that this king had no mercy for those who didn't obey.
-o-
When Jaime Lannister smirked at him, wiping a drop of blood off the corner of his mouth, Robb wanted nothing more than to drive his fist through the man's face. It unnerved him that the Lion could stand there, looking as if his spirit hadn't been broken.
Clenching his jaw, Robb dismounted his horse.
"You should probably hurry, Your Grace," Jaime offered as he cleaned his sword, a piece of metal that had clearly seen better times but that had reached the glory again in the hand of the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard. "She's giving birth to the pup as we speak."
Dacey elbowed the man hard between the ribs, glaring at him. She didn't care if he shitted gold or not, she just kept him in line. "Show some respect. You seem more like a snake than a lion, Kingslayer."
Jaime said something back, taunting her and making suggestive comments, taking advantage of Dacey's gender. She was a very beautiful lady, especially for someone who was such an avid fighter. But Robb didn't pay attention to their bickering, since he had to run through the halls and climb down the stairs as fast as he could with Grey Wind on tow.
He came face to face with Summer and Shaggydog, both guarding the entrance of the crypts. He had to assume they all had hidden in there since it would be the last place where people would look for them. Some were more scared of the dead than the living.
When he approached, he could hear the grunting of someone. A flicker of light led the way, a torch illuminating a corner next to the figure of Harlon Stark, the King in the North who stopped the Boltons from rising up against them many years before.
"Robb!" Rickon was the first to jump on his feet and run to him, clinging to his legs tightly, while Robb lifted his head to see Maester Luwin knelt in front of Daenerys who was sweating profusely as her handmaidens sat next to her on the ground.
"Wolf, you came," Daenerys murmured as she panted weakly, all her strength focused on the task at hand. She was giving birth to their child.
"Your Grace, please take the children with you if it's safe," Maester Luwin asked politely as he sent one of Dany's maidens to look for water and towels now that it was safe to abandon their hiding spot.
Robb, instead of taking his brothers to their chambers, felt onto his knees next to Dany. "Osha can take them. Hodor," he called at the gentle giant who smiled at him with recognition.
"Hodor!"
"Take Bran to his room." Robb looked at his brother, the one who had been in charge of Winterfell since his departure. They shared a look that spoke louder than words. The affection between them may have not been shown in words or hugs but it was immense nonetheless. And Robb knew Bran was not a little lad anymore, and would not appreciate being treated as such. "We'll talk later."
And as they were left alone, Dany screamed freely as she pushed. Robb had never seen a woman giving birth, and he shouldn't have if he had followed traditions but in that dark place, between the old dead Kings in the North, was the perfect place for their child to be welcome.
Dany's legs were held by Irri and Jhiqui while Doreah kept drying the sweat off her forehead.
"Again, my lady," Maester Luwin commanded and Daenerys whimpered before taking a deep breath, preparing herself for that final moment.
The strong, piercing war cry of the babe echoed through the crypts as if he were scaring the enemies away. It was a boy like Dany promised, he was covered in blood just like his father but for very different reasons; he had come to this world while his father had ended the lives of people who threatened them, sending their souls to hell.
Maester Luwin was about to place Iagan on Daenerys chest but she refused. "Give him to his father who fought for him, who came to us when we needed him just like he promised. My Wolf deserves to hold him."
And so he did. The small and fragile creature, the Battleborn, the Ice Dragon as he would be known, was safely placed in Robb's arms.
Iagan was just as Daenerys had described. The scarce hair on his head was white as the snow and his skin pale. He barely opened his eyes and in the dark he saw the shine of a steely blue.
Robb could already imagine him growing to be a strong warrior and a magnificent king, loved by his people and feared by his enemies. He would make him proud. He would teach him everything he knew, all those things his own father had taught him.
"Khal?" Irri spoke softly and for a moment, Robb didn't relate the word to him until she called it again. "I should clean him for our khaleesi. She needs to feed him."
Robb turned to Dany, who looked tired but happy. She chuckled at his wide eyes.
"You have finally earned their respect." She sighed, curling on her side and wincing in pain as her bloodied dress tangled around her calves.
"She needs to rest," Maester Luwin told him, as he wiped his hands on a rag. "It was a very difficult birth considering the stress and… the danger. She was very brave."
"She's the dragon," Robb commented, smiling softly before crouching down to pick her up in his arms. Her arms looped around his neck and her head fell against his shoulder. "She's stronger than anyone."
He made the way out of the crypts and into the castle with her on his arms. People stared at them in silence as he took each step with his head high, hoping that his enemies could hear about this, about his son born amidst battle and his fury against those who threatened his wife.
Taking the first steps into the castle, the people outside cried in victory, the roar traveling down his spine, making him stronger.
It didn't take long for the crowd to call for the newest Stark, clamoring for the Ice Dragon until he lifted the boy in his arms, letting them see the healthy heir of the North, the rightful King of the Seven Kingdoms.
And the North grew stronger than before, because even when everything was against them, they survived. Even if winter was coming, they prevailed.
-o-
She breastfed Iagan because she refused to give him to some wet-nurse. "He will not be fed with another woman's milk. To grow strong, he needs to be fed by the dragon," Dany claimed and Robb allowed it because this was her son too and she would raise him while he was away.
He was amazed by the child and how Grey Wind's gaze softened at the sight. The direwolf kept an eye on him, always close as if he were his guardian, as if he were his brother. The dragons did pretty much the same, as if they knew this brother would be the strongest of them all.
Rickon was a different story. In his innocence, he believed the baby was weak and small. He was upset because he wouldn't be able to play with him, that it would take too long for him to just walk around.
It pained Robb to see the hurt in Bran's eyes despite his smile as Iagan clung to his furs. This was a boy with a whole future ahead of him, who moved his legs and could become a warrior like Bran had always wanted. But Robb knew that Bran would always love his nephew; his brother had always been quiet but observant. Bran would probably become his son's best ally.
"Do you love him?" Daenerys asked from the bed as she looked at their child.
"More than words can describe." He leaned forward and kissed her forehead. "And I love you for giving him to me, for protecting my family and our kingdom."
"Robb," she whispered as his hand caressed Iagan's head.
"You must have had a good reason to release the Kingslayer, and I hope that defending us will be enough for the banners to forgive some of his sins," Robb murmured, his blue eyes locked with her violet ones.
"He owes me. I'm making him pay his debts."
"Do you believe he will honor his word?"
Dany smiled mischievously. "If not, Dacey will deal with him."
Robb snorted a laugh. It was certainly amusing to see the Kingslayer dealing with a strong woman like Dacey, who had no qualms about saying what she thought about him.
"How long are you staying?" Dany asked coyly, brushing a finger against the baby's cheek as he latched on to her breast, curling comfortably against her warmth.
"Not long enough." Robb sighed. "But I'm glad I met him as soon as he came to this world. To share this moment with you."
Moments later, the two of them laid in bed with the small child between them, wishing that it wouldn't take long for them to enjoy times like that, together in their own world while the one outside bowed to them.