I'm terribly sorry for leaving you abandoned for a while here, but I had a serious case of writer's block for this particular story. To fix this, I tried to write some original material that might or might not be awful (if you want to check that out, go to my profile and you'll find a link. I know it won't be everyone's cup of tea since it's mostly teen fiction but there it is).

Hopefully you will enjoy this.

Chapter 43 : Where Loyalties Lay

She was dry heaving while hugging a bowl to her chest. Lyanna held her hair for her and a wide eyed Iagan stared up at her, feeling helpless as he wrung his tiny hands together. Needless to say, Daenerys had not imagined she would be in this position again. It had only been a few times she had shared the bed with Robb after the incident that left a scar on her body, but that had been enough to place a new child inside her.

It was not the time to announce it, though. She would keep this one her secret for as long as she could.

"It must have been the cheese," she muttered while wiping her forehead with a wet towel. "I've never managed to make my stomach accept it very well."

Lyanna hummed while nodding her head. "I'll take Iagan with me and let you rest. We could sure make ourselves useful somewhere else." The girl grinned as she tickled Iagan's side, making the boy giggle and squirm.

"Mama?" he asked as he held to her skirts to keep his balance.

"I'm fine, my sweet boy. Go play." Dany brushed a hand over the platinum curls covering her son's head. His cheeks were tinted of a healthy rosy tone and his blue eyes looked bright. He was growing so fast, she could see the day he would start wandering around freely. She just hoped by then they would not be fighting this war. More than anything, she didn't wish her fate for her children.

By then, Robb's victory over Stannis had traveled all over the Seven Kingdoms. Many versions with the same outcome, but only Robb had written to her the truth. It was only one sentence carried by a raven. Jaime murdered Stannis, but the witch escaped. It was a warning too. She had to be careful, even if she was living in friendly territory.

Stannis's troops had mostly disbanded, but some of his allies decided to join Robb's side. Now the only possible step for Robb to take was to travel South and join Randyll Tarly and Oberyn Martell against the Lannisters. It would be the last leg of a very long journey.

Winter was approaching quickly. She felt it in her bones when the wind hit hard on Bear Island, when snowflakes seemed heavier as the fell. Sometimes it spooked her, mostly because Iagan didn't seem affected by it.

Dany wanted to go back to the fight, to not depend on Robb and let him be the only one in the middle of the action. She had not fought this hard to only become a wife, bearing children and being locked away so she never had to face danger. She had decided she would ride back to Westeros and join their army. She would go and fight the murderers of her family.

A new wave of nausea washed over her and she had to hold onto the bowl.

If she could only get over the awful feeling this new child was bringing.

She snorted a laugh and rubbed her belly lovingly.

"You will be trouble, little one. More so than your brother, if you keep doing this to me."

-o-

"He will not come," Dacey said with certainty as Berit happily sucked from her mother's breast. She was a strong girl and loud whenever she demanded things. A true daughter of the Bear, Dacey's sisters said. She brushed a knuckle along Berit's chubby cheek and smiled. "At least not until he has finally made up his mind."

Dany sat near a window, looking at the cloudy sky and imagining how hard it would be to ride on the back of Drogon back to Westeros, to follow Robb. He knew quite well he would never be able to stop her. He had known that from day one, when they were strangers and held no love for the other – that had been very long ago.

"Do you think he could still go back to his father and fight with him?" Dany's violet eyes fell on her friend and she smiled at the sight. She wished every mother in the Seven Kingdoms to have this, their children safe in their arms with no worries of what could happen tomorrow. Robb had said it well once, the poor fought wars and the nobility only played a game for honor and power. Every one of their enemies thought they were fools for worrying for their subjects.

"He could. He feels it's his duty to defend his family." Dacey snorted a sad laugh and her daughter seemed to look at her for a moment, as if the little babe knew her mother was hiding her true feelings. "Under all that armor and witty remarks, Jaime is foolishly loyal, even to the man who has outlined his whole life, giving him no room to follow his wishes."

"Dacey?" The question left her lips because of the lost look in Dacey's eyes.

"The only reason why he could come here, it's because he has chosen to have Berit as his daughter. She's the only thing that could change the place where his heart lays."

"A woman wasn't enough?"

"A man isn't enough. You should know this better than I do." Dacey lifted Berit and covered her chest. Berit's head touched Dacey's shoulder softly and she snuggled against her mother. "Is Robb just a man for you?"

"He's a king."

"That's not what I mean."

And Daenerys understood. In her eyes Robb was not a man, not just a man, but much more. And even that wasn't enough. Had he been just a man, their union wouldn't have lasted. They had built and done things together, making their union stronger. Even with all that, it wasn't enough for her. That was why she needed to return to a battlefield. That was the reason he fought against everyone who got in his way. There was more than just a woman or just a man.

"Mama! Mama!" Iagan entered the room wobbling but as quickly as he could, smiling as he stretched his arms towards her. Then it was that she noticed the small wooden sword in his hand. He was too young for such, but Dany also knew that sooner rather than later he would be trained to be the best warrior in the known world, like a prince should be. Like a dragon had to be.

"Iagan," Dany cooed sweetly. "What is that?"

In his best voice, the boy tried to explain that Ser Barristan had given the gift to him. He swung the sword around and hit his knee. The boy bit on his bottom lip to suppress the urge to cry, but his ocean-like eyes filled with tears. He would become a brave fighter, but for now he only provoked the laughter in Dacey and Lyanna, while Dany just praised his moves.

She would never coddle him to the point in which he saw life easy. He had to understand from early age that life was a constant battle, filled with pain and hardships. But those were the ones that made victories that more joyful.

One day, that small boy swinging a wooden miniature sword would ride dragons and be surrounded by direwolves. He would carry himself with grace and honor his ancestors. He would become king and legend. Iagan would become the Ice Dragon, but for that they needed to end this war first.

-o-

Danerys woke up early in the morning thanks to her queasy stomach. She had done a good job hiding her sickness, but it was as always thanks to Irri, who kept her secrets and did everything in faithful silence.

"I need fresh air," she muttered after checking on a sleeping Iagan. "I'll be back soon."

"I'll not let you by yourself, khaleesi. He'll never forgive me if something happens to you."

Dany chuckled. Irri was not only loyal to her, but had grown to admire Robb as well. She believed that the only way to earn the dothraki's respect was by proving their worth, and Robb had done so. Her handmaidens also liked the way he could be soft with her and hard in battle. Dothraki men were tough everywhere, all the time, including with their women. They didn't show love to their children, but pride when they were taught to hunt and fight. They were shocked to see Robb holding the babe and playing with him.

"Let's go, then."

And so they draped furs over their shoulders and slipped their feet into the leather boots they had such hard time accepting.

The wind was strong, but pleasantly cooling for Daenerys. She could smell the salt in the air and the sound of the sea soothed her, like a rhythmic lullaby. It reminded her of Pentos when the sea salt clung to her skin and hair; she only missed the sun kissing her pale skin.

After taking some time to check on Drogon and feed him, Dany and Irri ambled around the island, close to the castle and under the watch of guards. It had been a long time since she could move without someone watching her every move.

Since it was early, there was fog all around and it made it impossible for them to see more than a few feet ahead, which was why Irri kept herself closer than usual.

Dany was so absorbed in her plans than she was startled when her handmaiden grabbed her by the arm and hide her behind herself.

"Khaleesi," she whispered harshly, motioning towards a hooded shadow in the thick fog, moving slowly, but approaching deliberately.

Her hand instinctively reached for the small dagger she hid under the cinch of her dress. She no longer walked around unarmed. Never.

"Who is there? Reveal yourself!" Dany shouted in a hard voice.

The figure only ducked his head and kept on walking towards her while Irri moved her backwards. Daenerys knew she couldn't run, and her best shot was alerting the guards. Just as she was about to open her mouth to scream and call for help, the shadow finally was close enough so she could recognize it.

He tugged the hood covering his head off and smirked at her. His face was covered by an incipient beard that made him look older and much less like the golden knight he had been.

"Have you already forgotten me, Your Grace? No woman had forgotten me so quickly. I must admit, you hurt my feelings."

"Jaime." She didn't remember ever addressing him by his name, but he was proving to be their ally. At least for now.

"You do remember me."

"Why are you here? What are your intentions now that Stannis has been defeated?" Daenerys moved around Irri and confronted him. "Are you here to finish your father's work?"

His smirk vanished and a forlorn look crossed his features.

"Has he sent anyone? How are they?"

"Answer my questions first."

"I want to meet my daughter. I've risked everything coming here, knowing what my father and Cersei could do to Dacey and… the babe."

"Your child. Berit." She reminded him harshly. It seemed like he still couldn't fully accept the fact that he was father of a child he could call his own.

"I need to see them."

"Give me a reason I should trust you're speaking the truth."

"Wasn't enough that I killed Stannis when he wanted to end with the life of your husband? When the witch wanted to take your dragons? Everyone knows why they wanted to join you, destroy you from within." Jaime looked at her intently. "And I don't have time to keep this pleasant conversation, Your Grace. I want to meet my child."

"I can't assure you that you'll be welcome with open arms."

"I expect nothing like that from Lady Mormont," he said almost jokingly.

"She could have your head on a spike before you even think of opening your mouth."

"Nothing better awaits from me if I return to King's Landing now. If you excuse me, Your Grace." He moved towards the castle, but Dany stopped him.

"They'll attack. Come with me and don't make me regret what I'm about to do."

Dany led him into the castle, ignoring the way Irri glared at the Kingslayer. Apparently it hadn't been very hard for her to sympathize with Dacey's problems, even if dothraki children were raised by the community, Irri had realized the importance of family when they were much smaller than a khalasar.

"What I'm a needed for? I was not supposed to hold a-" Dacey was speaking when she caught sight of the man standing behind Dany. Her gaze hardened and her stance straightened. She was ready to face him. "You look like a beggar, Kingslayer. What are you doing here?"

Jaime approached Dacey, but at the moment he was at arm's reach, she took a step back. He didn't move.

He snorted a laugh. "This is a much better welcome than I had expected. A knife to my throat would have been more your style."

"Keep speaking and you might receive that treatment."

"I only want to meet my child." He paused enough so Dacey's gaze averted from his. "Our child. And give her my name."

"She's a Mormont. Daughter of the Bear."

"She's mine." Jaime hissed and grabbed Dacey by the arm forcefully.

Dany was about to intervene when she heard the hushed plea from Jaime's mouth.

"I won't let you take her from me. I'm not going to lose her too."

It was only then that Dany comprehended it. Jaime did not have it all. He had lost his mother at early age, and had been sent away like most noble born children were. The only comfort he had found had been in his own sister's arms, and those children she had given birth to were never his, even if they were his spitting image. For a Lannister who claimed to be the richest family in the Seven Kingdoms, Jaime had very little.

Berit was the only person he could call his. His refuge and only redeeming action.

"Maybe you should let them meet," Dany said in a soft voice, not ordering Dacey to do anything, but suggesting it. "We both know what it's like to grow without a father. Don't be the one taking him away from her."

Dacey allowed it grudgingly. Daenerys understood she had been hurt by Jaime's rejection, but she was big enough to put the well-being of her daughter before her pride.

With Dany, Dacey watched from the hall as Jaime gazed into Berit's crib. There was a look of pure devotion when his eyes drank the image before him. There lay a perfect little girl half his, a girl who could cost him everything, but she had also become everything worth fighting for. He knew that if he was loyal to Berit, if he was good to her, she would return his love unquestionably.

He reached for her with his good hand and the babe stirred before making a whimpering sound. Her green gaze looked attentively at his.

"May I hold her?" Jaime asked in a voice Daenerys had never heard from him. It was void of all his sense of superiority. It was him, without an armor or shield.

Dacey nodded silently, but it was Irri who gently took Berit and placed her over the Kingslayer chest. He hugged her to him the best he could as the babe curled against him, her whimpering subsiding as her pudgy hand grabbed his long and dirty hair.

Dany turned to face Dacey, but she just shook her head and left quickly.

"I'll keep you safe, do you hear me?" Jaime whispered for his daughter. "And when you grow, I'll teach you to be strong as your mother." With reluctance he stopped staring at the child and looked at Dany, obviously searching for Dacey. "I'll stay here. For her. For them."

"Now you're paying your debts, Kingslayer."