I own nothing
I hope you like it. I now have a major fire under me. I have a personal goal to finish this story before the house of dragon aires. With any luck and the next chapter will be out sometime next Sunday or sometime the following week.
Jon stared in a state of shock like seeing a ghost. No amount of letter stated that Ned was not dead after hearing he was beheaded could not prepare Jon for seeing him in the flesh. He dismounted walking toward Jon with a slight limp. Jon came down to meet Ned halfway hugging him tightly. Before, Jon saw Robb again who was helping his wife down. Robb once Rae was on the ground, turned to greet Jon in the same tight hug. Jon looked beyond Robb as he hugged him. Beside Ned, Robb Rae there was a lady maid who looked shocking like a Targaryen and a foreign-looking woman he assumed a midwife. Samwell Tarly stood by Ed by Ser Allister. He made his way over to Rae but was blocked by Starlight and Greywind. Rae's eyes traveled around Castle Black. This would not do. Her eyes linger on all the men. This was their last defense, and it was in a sorry state. Until her eyes landed on a pair of eyes, they reminded her of Evalyne eyes. She gave soft smile to meet his eyes. There was a handful of Stark and Umber soldiers and two Kingsguards.
Ser Allister woke out of his stupor at the sight of a Targaryen Queen. Rae's hand traveled to rest on her belly. Greywind and Starlight circled close to her. Their eyes took in everyone, but they were very protective and watchful of Rae. They were uneasy here to be fair Rae also felt the same way. Something was brewing here. Ser Allister approach her when Greywind and Starlight got in between them and let out a low deep growl.
"Direwolves should be locked up or beyond the Wall," Ser Allister growled.
Rae's eyes swung to him with fire resting in her amethyst eyes. He could almost see the dragon that was before him. It was like seeing Rhaegar's eyes once again. Robb and Ned and even Jon looked at Ser Allister. Ned and Robb waited with bated breath to see Raenera's reaction to him.
"They are here for my protection Ser. Do you have a problem with that," Rae stated leaving no room for argument.
Rae leveled him with one look. She stated that like the queen she was. He quickly backtracked bowing to her. Jon looked slightly impressed as he and Robb exchanged a look.
"Forgive me, Your Grace, they do not seem very tame. I am Ser Allister Thorne first Ranger of Night Watch," Ser Allister said bowed to her.
"They are as tame as any wolf can be," Rae said sinking her hands in Greywind and Starlight's dense fur. Robb moved over to her. He placed his arm around her belly. His hand got kicked by the child within. He smiled kissing the crown of her head. "They are a bit protective of me in my delicate state," Rae relented.
"Come, sweetheart," Robb said turning her way from Ser Allister.
Robb led Rae over to Jon. Their eyes met for the first time. A flash of beyond the wall Landscape from the land of always flashed before her eyes. She shook her head. Ned noticed the far-off look in her eyes. He placed his hand on her back.
"Your Grace" Sam started noticing the look on her face.
"Rae," Ned asked.
"I'm fine," Rae said too quickly.
Robb and Rae exchanged looks. She nodded her head with his question in his eyes. If she saw something. He nodded and move her over to Jon reassured that she was not in labor. Ser Allister even moved closer to them.
"Jon I like to introduce you to my wife and queen Raenera. Rae sweetheart this is Jon my brother," Robb introduced them.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Jon," Rae said with a true smile.
"The pleasure is mine, your grace. This is Samwell Tarly and Edd my brothers of Night watch you have already met Ser Allister," Jon said pointing out them.
"A pleasure," Rae said.
"The pleasure is your grace" Sam and Edd said together.
"What brings you to Castle Black?" Jon asked.
"I wish to see the state of our last defense for myself, and my husband and father-in-law have a matter to take care of with you Lord Commander," Rae said.
"You must be tired from your journey I can show you to your cambers for your stay with us," Ser Allister tried.
"You must have a more important responsibility than to see to me, First Ranger. Samwell isn't would you be so kind as to show me around and to my chambers. I love to see the top of the wall if I'm allowed. I leave you to your great matter," Rae started. She leaned up kissing Robb. Robb deepen the kiss his hand stayed on the swell of her belly. She pulled away and nodded to Ned and Jon. They had decided not to have her there when they discuss Jon's parentage. Her eyes met Jon's she bowed her head to him in respect. She then turned moving toward Samwell. "So, Sam may I can you Sam? Your sister has given me a letter for you she was beside herself that she was not able to come here and see you again," Rae started to converse with him as they walked away the direwolves followed her along with most of Umber's guards and some of Stark guards and Ser Howar followed them.
Later Rae stood looking out on the land of always winter. Sam who had become a friend to her along with Edd stood by flames on top of the wall. She pulled her fur-lined cloak closer to her body. There was only a crackle of flames noise. The snow was lightly falling.
"Cold, Your Grace," Edd asked noticing her pulling her cloak closer.
"I am, Edd, I don't plan to spend more time up here. Just one more look in the unknown," Rae answered him looking at him.
She looked back to the land of always winter. Sudden she was in a place she did not recognize. There was a Weirwood tree in the center of a symbol of the swirl outward of stone. A mountain in the background and waterfalls with babbling water. There were the children of the forest. Suddenly her eyes locked on a man tied to the tree as one of the children came forward with what looked like a shard of dragonglass in her hand. The shard pierced the man's breastbone blood pouring down his chest. Her eyes locked with blue eyes as they turned into the inhuman eyes of Whitewalkers and the Night King. His face turned into the Night King's face. Suddenly the landscape changed from a lush green landscape to a desolate winter landscape the mountain was still in the background the Wierwood tree was now gone. The waterfalls were nothing but frozen rocks.
"Only here can the weapon be forged to stop them" A voice echoed.
Suddenly Rae was back on top of the wall. She felt a little bit faint. Ser Howar had his hand on her back supporting her. He knew about her visions and he knew her wonder signs of one.
"Your Grace," Ser Howar addressed her.
"I am fine, a little hungry," Rae said as her belly growled.
Ser Howar nodded to her. Sam instantly started to guide them to the lift to take them down to the dining hall.
Tyrion was in the Tower of Hand of King reading over reports. Daenessa came into the room wrapping her arms on his shoulders. She peppered his neck with kisses. She was now wearing Lannister red southern gown with golden dragons and lions sewn on the bodice of the gown.
"How is my little lion," Nessa purred into his neck.
"I'm working, my dragoness," Tyrion stated.
"I know," Nessa walked around the table pouring herself and him a goblet of wine.
Nessa walked back over to him. Offering him it. He shook his head taking the goblet as she coyly sat across from him taking a grape from the plate of food in front of him. She then leans on the table giving him an eyeful of her full breast. Tyrion was reading the paper and every once and while looking up at his lover. A knocking sound at the door. It caused her to sit up straight. Tyrion and Nessa exchange a look. She moved to head over to the balcony so she was just out of sight.
"Enter" Tyrion called out.
"Forgive the intrusion My Lord Hand," Lord Varys said as he came into the room.
"What is it Lord Varys, Nessa darling you can come out," Tyrion called.
Nessa came into the room taking the chair she vacated earlier. Lord Varys and Nessa eyed each other. She looked every bit the Blackfyre she was. She was a beautiful woman it was clear to see. She rested her hand on Tyrion's. Tyrion smiled at her. Lord Varys took mental notes of the fact that Daenessa seemed to be truly in love with Tyrion. And there was never any doubt that Tyrion was in love with her.
" I am afraid I bring grave news My Lord Hand," Lord Varys started
Tyrion stopped what he was doing. He took a large drink from his goblet. Nessa seemed to take note of Tyrion's mood. She eyed Lord Varys wearily. Her purple eyes looked over to Tyrion with questions in her eyes. He patted her hand. He took a deep breath. He nodded for Varys to continue.
"Grand Maester Pycelle has passed away, and our New Grand Maester Davith has begun his journey here. But I have reason to believe that Maeagary time will come before his arrival," Lord Varys finished.
"We have multiple midwives here and lesser maester here. All we can do now is pray to new and old gods her time comes once Grand Maester Davith arrives," Tyrion said taking in the news.
Lord Varys nodded bowing leaving Tyrion and Nessa with their thoughts. Tyrion sighed and started to rub the bridge of his nose once Lord Varys was out of the room.
Robb and Ned found her in the dining hall. Rae was fully belly laughing at one of the men of night watch crude joke. She was surrounded by bastards and many of them criminals but she was allowing herself to get to know these men and raise their spirits a bit. Greywind and Starlight were very close by to her. They seem to be still on edge like they could sense something. Rae turned when Robb and Ned entered the room. He came over to her kissing his hand going to her belly. This was the Rae that Ser Barristan told him about one day while he was guarding him. She was comfortable with all people, just the children starving during the war. She was truly the people's queen.
"How did it go?" Rae asked.
"As well as you can think," Robb replied.
"Do want me to talk to him," Rae asked.
"I don't know what you can say to him. He is so lost with emotion right now," Ned told taking the seat next to her.
" I have been where he is before, I can help him," Rae tried.
"I know sweetheart," Robb tried taking her hand to bring it to his mouth kissing the top of her hand.
They met eyes. They both knew she was going to talk to him on her own regardless of what he thought. He knew her well enough to know that. Robb partly wants to give Jon time to process that information on his own. Knowing how Jon was he did not want to be put in a place where he felt he had no choice. He also knew Rae would not force him, but at times she could be a bit much.
Jon stood on the top of the Wall as night had fallen. So many thoughts and emotions raced through his mind. He was staring off into the vase land beyond the wall in the land of always winter. He heard the lift come to the top of the wall. He thought it was another man of the night watch come to take over the watch. He then felt the brush of fur on his hand. He looked down and saw a white direwolf with amber eyes staring up at him.
"I'll be fine Ser Allister," Rae said.
"Your Grace," Ser Allister said bowing slightly to her. He turned looking over to Jon. Jon stared at Rae. Her hair was down her amethyst eyes locked on his. She had a heavy fur line cloak over her dark red winter gown. The swell of her child was very visible. In her eyes all the weight of the world. "Lord Commander," Ser Allister said bitterly as he turned departing them.
"Ser Allister," Jon replied.
Ser Allister stared unhappily look. Rae caught the look. She made her way over to Jon. She stood by the fire. She looked out on the land of always winter. Jon turned back to look at the land beyond the wall. He did not want to get to know her, but she was giving him no choice in that matter.
"Your grace," Jon addressed her.
"Jon, may I call you Jon," Rae asked. Jon looked at her as she looked at him with a real smile. He nodded. Her eyes seem to see through his mask he tried to keep up after learning the truth. So many emotions were flipping from one to the other in his head. She was truly seeing him for him all his rare emotions and all. "You can call me Rae after all we are family by marriage and blood" Rae finished after looking around to make sure they were alone.
"Rae," Jon said it felt foreign on his tongue.
"I see you met Starlight," Rae said
"She reminds me of Ghost. Funny a dragon queen with the symbol of the north," Jon stated.
"I am more than just a dragon; Jon just like you are than just a Stark," Rae told him.
"Yeah, my father kidnapped raped, and left my mother for dead," Jon roared letting his dragon-like temper come forward.
"Is that what Robb and Ned told you?" Rae quietly asked.
"They told me I was the child of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark. That my father rather my uncle kept the secret to keep me safe. But he lied to me my whole life," Jon answered.
Jon paused taking a deep breath let it out. His breath came out as fog. He caught her staring at him. They locked eyes as she came closer to him. He shook his head and turned to look away from her. She touched his chin turning his head to look at her.
"My brother married your mother Jon. They loved each other. They ran off together. I have letters to prove it. You are the product of that love. Remember that. By the way, we are more alike than you know," Rae said releasing his chin.
Rae moves heading back toward the lift. Her words were finally processed in his mind. He looked at her in disbelief.
"Really, your grace how are we alike," Jon called out jokingly.
"We are ice dragons. My mother was Lilliyan Umber your mother's best friend. While your mother went willingly my mother was a captive of Mad King. Believe me, you are lucky that your Uncle, or rather your father took you away from the Red Keep. You grew up away from the game. I grew up believing I was the bastard daughter of Lord Jon Arryn and a Dayne until I was five years old when I learned the truth. I had to face that my real father was not the man I loved. But man by all accounts seemed more of a monster than man. Lord Arryn's words to me maybe can help you now. Nothing has changed. You were this person, an hour ago, two days ago same as you are this person now. All that has changed is now you know the truth. What you do with that truth is what truly matters. The throne is yours if you want it. If you don't, we are here for you all the same. Whatever you decided Jon you are not alone," Rae explained.
"I'm not a King" Jon called as Rae entered the lift.
"Just like I'm not a Queen," Rae called as the lift started to go down with a slight smile gracing her lips.
Her words rang true in Jon's mind. He looked back towards the lands of always winter. He still trying to figure out what to do. He did not know how to feel or what to feel. One part of him was relieved that he was not the product of rape but rather love. But on the other hand, his whole life was a lie. What he would give to have his uncle Benjen or Maester Aemon now to tell him what to do. Her words gave him some hope. But he was no king. He looked toward the sky so many questions echoed in his mind. At least he knew Robb made a good choice in his wife and mother of his children. "Kill the boy become the man," Aemon's words echoed in his mind. Could he really take the throne? It would help with the war with the great other. Having one that could know what was coming would do a world of good. But he made vows, he was a man of honor. The lift came to the top of the Wall. He turn as Olly came over to him looking worried.
"Lord Commander it's one of the wildings you brought back he says he knows your Uncle Benjen. Says he's still alive," Olly stated.
"Are you sure he's talking about Benjen?" Jon asked seriously.
"Said he was First Ranger" Olly started. That got Jon moving Olly following behind him toward the lift. Ser Allister met them at the lift. "He said knows where to find him" Olly finished.
Jon looked to Ser Allister not thinking anything was up. Ser Allister looked at him seriously before continuing with his plan. Never thinking over what could go wrong with Stark and Umber soldiers here. Seven hells The Queen and King of Seven Kingdoms here.
"Man says he saw your uncle at Hardhome at the last full moon," Allister stated gravely.
"He could be lying," Jon said.
"Could be, there are ways to find out" Allister said as the lift came to the ground.
"Where is he?" Jon asked.
"Over there," Allister said pointing to where a large group of members of Night Watch was gathered.
Jon made his way over to the center of them only to find a cross with the word Traitor on it.
Rae and Robb were getting ready for bed in their chamber in Castle Black. She seating by the fireplace. Where the three other dragon eggs now rested. The ice dragon one sat in chest open near the bed. Robb was half-dressed his sword leaning against the wall. He was sitting on the bed taking off his boots. Rae was brushing out her hair she was still dressed in a red fur line dress. Her jewelry was all taken off. Starlight and Greywind were laying near the door as if they knew something was up. Rae looked over to Robb. She reach out taking a goblet of watered wine and taking a sip of it.
"Do you think he'll do it?" Rae asked.
"I do not know," Robb started but suddenly a mournful cry echoed through Castle Black.
Robb and Rae's exchange looks as Greywind and Starlight return the cry. They started scratching at the door. Robb quickly grabbed his cloak picking up the sword on his way out of the door Rae quickly followed after him. In her heart, she felt something was majorly wrong and rage started to fill her. At that very moment as they hurry out of the room. The ice dragon egg that rested by the bed started to crack