DISCLAIMER: Chapter prologue.
Chapter rating: T
XXVII
(Qarth)
Daenerys smiled as she read her sister's letter, feeling a bit better at reading the familiar handwriting.
"Khaleesi?" Irri asked, curious at her smile.
"Yes?" she perked up. Her loyal maid always aiding her. Softly indicating her curiosity to the letter Daenerys smiled. "It's from Rhaenyra," she claimed as her maid smiled, having heard about her sister from her leader. "We have come to an understanding and fixed a misunderstanding from before," she spoke reassured as Irri beamed, softly embracing her Khaleesi who giggled and hugged her back. "She has dragons too," she whispered as Irri looked stunned. "Bigger," she looked longingly at her own growing hatchlings.
"They will grow Khaleesi," Irri swore as she got to cleaning before Ser Jorah appeared.
"Khaleesi," he greeted.
"Ser Jorah," she smiled. "It appears I chose right in listening to your advice. She wrote a letter to tell me what has happened. While Robert has been trying to kill me, Cersei has taken to trying to kill Rhaenyra," Daenerys revealed as Ser Jorah frowned. "Lord Stark was falsely accused and wrongly killed. She has also explained her situation with her own dragons," she spoke, folding the letter and slid it in a hiding spot.
"I am glad Khaleesi. Family should always stay together," he spoke as she nodded.
"But she's also revealed treachery within her own ranks," she claimed as Ser Jorah frowned.
"Who?" she shook her head with a shrug.
"She's not sure yet. She does not have all the proof," Daenerys spoke as he sighed softly. "She needs my help and I cannot get to her," she sat dejectedly on the couch.
"You will, Khaleesi, when you are able to and with your own army," he reassured her. "And I have found something out," he spoke as she looked up interested.
XXVII
(King's Landing)
Tyrion sighed as he entered the council chambers the nearing of the Baratheon army was terrifying not only the people but the nobles as the army was large. But it was reported Renly's would stay behind, Stannis would be using Blackwater Bay. He noticed the strange assemble around the table, confused he approached as a guard bowed his head at spotting him.
"What is going on?" Tyrion asked as he noticed a box with a note attached.
"A Lannister guard appeared with this note on a box," Varys spoke quickly when no one else did. "He looked quite spooked," he noted when Tyrion frowned.
"From Oberyn Martell," Grandmaester Pycelle read. As Cersei took the note the box fell apart as they jumped back with disgust as a burned rotted head fell out.
"'Congratulations, you were able to sneak some men in but almost none made it out'," she froze while reading. "'Many more will be returned like this murderer's stead should you continue to try and steal our pet lion'," she snarled as Tyrion froze. This was one of his four he sent and he was deeply alarmed at realizing a dragon took this man's life. "'Others feared when he screamed as they recoiled from the blue flames…'" she trailed off at that a frown on her face that followed by the others.
"Blue flames?" The Grandmaester chuckled. "It seems that the Prince Oberyn is war riddled. Must be losing his wit," he smirked as Varys frowned.
"I read somewhere that dragonflames used to vary in color, usually matching their scales," he spoke sharply.
"Balerion the Dread's fire was black," Tyrion commented as he watched Cersei scream and knock the box and head off the table in rage.
"Jaime is still caged! They called him their 'pet lion'," she snarled as they froze. "Your little men couldn't do what you hired them for and now Jaime could be blamed for what happened," she snarled over Tyrion who looked up in slight shock at her speed.
"What guard returned?" He asked suddenly, sidestepping his sister who glared.
"Some youngster who looked like he saw a ghost," the guard who must've brought the box in spoke softly. "Said one of the Sand Snakes picked him," he commented as another led the shaking guard in.
"Ah, please sit. Has Maester Pycelle taken care of you?" Tyrion asks softly as the younger nodded softly.
"Yes, Milord," he answered.
"Do you know what was in that box? The one you delivered?" Tyrion asked softer seeing the young man jump and flinch when he looked at the box that released its item when it fell from the table.
"It was… one of the men who tried to free the Kingslayer," he claimed before seeing the frown on Tyrion's face.
"Tried? He was unsuccessful?" Tyrion questioned, fearing for Jaime.
"Your brother refused to leave his daughter," the soldier commented softly, not seeing the look Cersei threw him, hearing the words.
"His daughter?" Tyrion asked, eyes widening.
"Baela Snow," he answered as Tyrion sighed softly. "Someone claimed that they have been talking since his capture," he added as Tyrion nodded. "Baela had been down there with him when the murderer attacked and wounded Baela. Ser Jaime must have found her help because a guard said she was recovering after the queen returned to Riverrun," he pales at mentioning the Targaryen woman.
"What about the queen?" Tyrion asked as the others came closer. "Did she do this? The others too?" He motioned to the man's head.
"Her dragons had returned to the castle before she did. They had already burned through a good portion of our men who were fighting. But it was only when a lord had told them who attacked the girl, is when the queen burned him. The others were hung," he claimed as Tyrion breathed sharply. Baela must be Valaena's daughter, for the Targaryen girl to react as strongly.
"How big were these dragons?" Grandmaester Pycelle asked cautiously but also disbelieving.
"The size of hounds maybe bigger, I couldn't tell they were fast, they fed on the men, some as they still burned, even the direwolf fed from the burned corpses," the young man claimed. Horror in his tone. "They say the dragons were getting bolder. Attacking the men with no hesitation," he added as the small council realized they were screwed as far as getting Jaime out from the northern clutches.
"What will you do now Tyrion?" Cersei asked, anger clouding her tone and body as she thought about the girl who held her blood but wasn't hers. And that woman was still alive and could get to Jaime freely as the Targaryen whore's maid.
"I don't know," Tyrion spoke as they looked to each other. Not sure what to do now. A maid had removed the box and head when a guard had cleaned it up for her.
XXVII
(Riverrun)
Rhaenyra sighed as she trotted through the forest, Tyene and Ser Barristan closeby as her dragons flew overhead, hunting for deer as they were hungry. Having not left since before Robb's return, she knew what he was going to pick and also knew what her lords would prefer. But also knew her dragons would be better in the North, bigger prey and colder climates meant they'd be safer from Southern armies who couldn't handle the snow.
"You do know she will rage when Robb gives the decision," Tyene warned, many assumed the Dornish would return home or continue on their own. But Oberyn planned on returning with Robb, so did his daughters.
"Yes I do. But like I've said before. She's not the queen nor a lord," Rhaenyra decided as she felt her baby shift. The dragons were seen gorging on the remaining stag, Rhaella snapped at her sisters, stealing the remaining. Rhaenyra watched as they fought, she knew better than to lead her horse near them so she led Corlys around the hissing dragons. It broke her heart to leave Sansa and Arya but their people needed them too. They could not just ignore them. She was awaiting her sister's letter, hoping she appeased her and gained her trust once more.
"You're doing what you think is right," Ser Barristan claimed, seeing the defeat in both his King and Queen's faces as they talked about going back. The true family bonds they held in the highest value made him admire the family who raised them. But he knew family value was more from Catelyn Tully, but loyalty was another, one from Ned Stark.
"Winter is coming," Rhaenyra commented softly. "And we best be ready when it finally hits," she claimed, eyes hardening about the winter heading their way. With how long their summer was, winter might be longer. Almost a decade of summer.
"You Northerners know it the best," Tyene commented as Ser Barristan agreed. Hearing Robert say if any fight in the North happened, you better hope the people of the North were on your side. Otherwise you will disappear, unlike Dorne where sand hid your body, the snow might hide it but it was the animals that scavenged bodies and the bones. You were lucky if you escaped the cold and even luckier if you survived the winter unless you were born for the weather.
"The Starks know it best," she reminded as they chuckled while continuing. Rhaenyra was stroking Corlys mane as she bickered while continuing to move through the forest, occasionally nipping something to eat or pausing when she heard a strange noise.
XXVII
(Arya)
"Arry are you sure we are heading in the right direction?" Hot Pie asked as he followed Arya. They'd been free from Harrenhal for a few days, he and Gendry followed their female friend as she marched to where Riverrun, her mother's home.
"For the thousandth time, yes," she turned to face her porky friend who jumped as Gendry softly nudged both to continue. He wholeheartedly agreed with heading towards the North as Tywin had left Harrenhal pretty quickly. Something happened and it seemed to startle the man who ordered a full retreat to King's Landing. But Arya has secured their freedom from Jaqen H'ghar when he pointed in the direction they had started, the strange man disappeared when a high howl came from the forest, but not before commenting that wolves were on the heels of lions, it confused the small group when he disappeared. Arya instantly started in the direction of the noise, terrifying her fiends who followed and tried to get her to go a different way. But the wolf girl was determined to follow her house creature's call, they have for the last few days as they would find dead rabbits around. Gendry didn't trust them before watching Arya skin one and examine the bite marks on it's skinned body with fascination.
"Maybe we passed the Fork," Hot Pie called out as Gendry sighed, knowing Arya would hit him soon for continuing to complain.
"It's a hundred feet wide," she started, facing morphing into one of astonishment. "How could we have passed it?" (Couldn't help myself. I love sassy Arya) she asks wanting to be sure as Gendry saw Hot Pie freeze in answer before another sound caught his ears.
"Quiet," the elder ordered. Ushering them into the bushes as whistling could be heard.
"Sounds like a minstrel," Hot Pie spoke up softly before being shushed at by Arya, the song started to be clear. "They have money. We can take 'em," he reasoned before Gendry hissed at him. Arya picked up more footsteps as the singing got closer before an arrow came out of nowhere as Gendry silenced her tiny yelp with his quick reflexes as Hot Pie silently screamed.
"What do we have hiding behind those bushes?" a voice called out as the three froze. Gendry tightened his grip on Arya as she flinched at being caught.
"Maybe a lion?" A man spoke.
"Or a wolf?" They laughed at those choices.
"Just dirty little cubs I think," a third piped in as Arya heard the stretch of bow string.
"Don't!" she called out, using her girl voice as Gendry fought to keep her hidden before she won and shot up into view while the two remain hidden. Beric brightened at seeing the girl, her features so similar to a man who sent him on a mission and a King he recently met.
"We have a small pup," he spoke up silencing his men who looked to him curiously.
"You sure?" Thoros asked cautiously. Beric nodded as he stared into the eyes of Ned Stark's daughter. "How about your friends join us?" he asked, turning back to look at the girl as well.
"What friends?" she asked acting confused.
"Your partner and your friend," Thoros commented lightly with a smirk and raised eyes as Arya frowned before Gendry bit his lip before shooting up to be a bit in front of Arya as she looked alarmed when Hot Pie was yanked into view. Beric smirked at Gendry before nodding, Anguy nodded back and ushered them out.
"Why should we go with you?" Gendry asked sharply. "You're the Brotherhood Without Banners," he claimed as Arya looked to them and locked eyes with Beric Dondarrion who tilted his head softly as his one eye stared into hers. A soft howl broke through the forest as everyone drew weapons but Arya and Thoros who looked to her when she looked around to pinpoint the sound.
"Let's go with them," Arya decided as Gendry paused. Staring her down for the moment, twirling the sword in his hand while locking eyes with her and nodded softly.
"Fine," he agreed as Anguy chuckled, watching the display.
"We have a surprise for you when we reach our destination. Princess Arya Stark," Beric spoke, bowing his head respectively as she gave a confused 'huh?' Inciting laughter from the men and a smirk from Gendry who forgot her brother being King named her Princess.
XXVII
(Riverrun)
"How dare you?!" Catelyn screamed as Rhaenyra dismounted her horse and froze at her good mother's temper and sighed softly.
"Here we go," the queen steeled herself with a firm sigh and stalked to her caregiver as her maids and knight and guard duo closed around her. The dragons, thankfully, flew off, because what happened could have ended badly. Catelyn caught her off guard as her hand hit the queen's cheek horrifying people and Robb who came out when he realized his mother was out in the open with his wife.
"Mother!" he as Catelyn and Rhaenyra were quickly separated. Rhaenyra felt stunned pain enter her face before wincing as Baela and Valaena freaked out while Lynara glared at the stunned, horrified Catelyn who was being yelled at by her uncle and brother.
"Rhae?" Robb asked worried as Rhaenyra blinked back the tears, clearing her throat as she shook her head, the red mark starting to shine on her pale skin. Catelyn felt an iron sit in her stomach, she was angry at her good daughter for suggesting it but she had not meant to hit her. "My mother is confined to her chambers," he ordered, voice cold, as his men nodded, leading the stunned redhead away.
"It's okay, Robb," Rhaenyra weakly reassured her husband before walking away as many asked after the queen in worry but she ignored them and continued on her way to her chambers. Ignoring her maids and guards who called out for her she entered her room and closed it as Valaena decided to go to the Tully woman herself as Ser Barristan settled himself at the door, he listened to Rhaenyra sniffle softly inside her chambers. He frowned as Catelyn's actions were completely uncalled for, as he continued to think about this, Robb's footsteps were quick and loud as he jogged up the stairs and down the hall, he looked to the knight who shook his head.
Robb entered quickly to see his wife sitting in her chair, holding her cheek with a wince as she sniffed before realizing Robb had come in. Sniffling softly she wiped her eyes before shaking her head when he frowned at her. "Don't you dare-"
"I don't want to-" he cut her off with a tight hug as she whimpered, not in pain but shock. "I-I wasn't expecting that reaction," Rhaenyra cried softly as Robb shook his head.
"I wasn't either. None of us were, she was upset, aye. But-" he frowned as a knock came from the door. "What?" Robb's tone cold and sharp making Rhaenyra frown
"Robb-"
"Hush," he soothed as Ser Barristan's cautious voice came in.
"A guard has come claiming Lady Catelyn would like to talk with the Queen," he spoke, tone not happy about interrupting his rulers as Robb tensed in Rhaenyra's arms.
"Robb, don't," she ordered as he looked to her. "Tell her the Queen doesn't feel well and will not see her for now," Rhaenyra's tone was firm and calm as Ser Barristan agreed to relay the message. "Ignore that, how did the meeting go?" she asked as her husband sighed softly.
"Good. Everyone agrees to go defend our lands. They were pleased when I told them of King's Landing's decline without food sources," she smirked at that while thinking about Sansa's health and safety. "Still no word from Stannis or Renly Baratheon," he added as she frowned.
"I hope they are well," she prayed as he nodded, kissing her forehead as she kissed his chin.
"Come, let you rest," he ordered as she smiled softly. He helped her strip down to nothing as he joined her, cuddling her as she slept, tears continued as Robb rubbed her hair as he hummed softly, pressing kisses to her face as she slowly fell asleep. He felt anger boiling in his veins at his mother who should have gotten a worse punishment but his wife's attitude made him worried. She accepted it because of the girls, his mother's anger and desperation in letting Jaime Lannister go, as she pleaded with them to do so.
"You would willingly sacrifice your sisters?!" Catelyn yelled as many sighed.
"Mother, raiders and rapers are going after our own people and lands! Everyone has migrated to Winterfell at Bran's request after Oberyn told me to warn them. He even noted to the other lords to at least think about it when we first heard of the Ironborn. So the few days after that Maester Lyon had been sending ravens out all over to get them to head to Wintefell. As that is where we are ALL going. Jaime's going with us. It will be even harder for his father to try and get him," Robb spoke up as Edmure frowned.
"R-" at his uncle's glare. "Your Grace, we are more than capable to keep the Kingslayer here-"
"You've already had someone break in and almost released him back to his family. The only thing that stopped that is his daughter being wounded or you would have lost the King's most prized leaverge," Oberyn spoke up loosely as Greatjon motioned in his direction of agreement. "It would be better to move him North or take him to Dorne, not even Aegon could invade us as we killed his sister and her dragon Meraxes," he voice smoothed over the angry Tully man as Robb quickly spoke up.
"My Lords," he called tiredly, faintly hearing the screech of the dragons in the distance, they would return soon. "Do I have your consent to halt our march South, so we can march back home and save our people?" Robb knew he shouldn't ASK permission but these people were older, more seasoned in battle and he craved their insight on how to do this.
"Your our King," Roose Bolton spoke up. "We do what you command," he reminded, Robb knew he should be cautious how he took the Bolton family but this man seemed to know how to control the situations he is a part of.
"If it is our opinions," Oberyn threw out, once more aiding Robb in finding the right phrases to gain the answers he needed from his men. "I say, march against the Greyjoys. But I am not a northerner," he reminded, watching the men but kept his head aimed at Robb as Catelyn seethed in her spot.
"You have a smart choice, Prince Oberyn," Roose spoke quickly. "I agree, march North," he voted as others started to join.
"Aye," Karstark, Umber, Manderly and Mormont quickly joined as other northerners joined as well.
"What shall you do against Tywin Lannister then?" Brandyn asked curiously.
"With the Baratheons going against King's Landing I overhear that Tywin is going there to protect them," Oberyn popped in once more as many murmured about him retreating.
"Then it's decided," Robb spoke as Catelyn shook her head.
"Robb," she spoke softly.
"We are to march North to relieve our people. So that maybe we can put some order back into our home," he finished, overriding his mother as the men cheered and pounded the table while Edmure took his sister's hand in comfort knowing that they would rest up and march back North soon.
"I hear that Tywin has been roosting in Harrenhal," Lord Karstark commented as Robb nodded. The shrieking was now much closer so he decided to end the meeting as the lords all congregated in small groups while Theon and Oberyn followed Robb, Catelyn was seething and knew who had told Robb to do this.
He was not prepared for his mother to attack his wife, he could not understand how she thought that was okay. Robb planned to tell Rhaenyra they aimed to head in Harrenhal's direction.
XXVII
(Arya)
Arya held on as Beric led her through the forest, they had gotten some horses and a few wagons when they passed through a village, Hot Pie had asked if he could be on the wagon, he didn't like riding. Thoros picked the one closest to the front where his friends were, he rode beside Gendry who seemed more at ease on a horse.
"You've really seen them?" she asked Thoros who nodded with a smile.
"Quite snarly if you ask me," Anguy piped in as Beric laughed.
"I am just grateful they listened and were not giants who eat everything in sight," Beric reminded as they all murmured their own agreement about their sizes.
"How big?" Gendry asked as Thoros thought.
"Possibly bigger than hounds by now," he thought out as Arya looked in the distance, she could hear something.
"I hear them too," the leader spoke softly as the group spoke amongst themselves. "They've been trailing you for quite some time now," he added as a light furred creature was barely visible to the girl who saw glowing gold eyes disappear.
"I think I know who it is," Arya spoke as he hummed in interest.
"I hear that you brother means to march home Little Princess," Anguy spoke up as Arya frowned.
"What about Sansa? Wasn't he going to King's Landing to save her?" she worried for her sweet sister who was left at the hands of Crazy Joffrey.
"The Ironborn have been raiding your homelands. He chose to retreat home so that they could save them," Beric spoke as Arya looked down, realizing that she hadn't thought of her home, the home she missed dearly.
"Worry not, Princess," Thoros spoke up seeing her distress. "The Ironborn belong on the sea, not the land, and besides you northerners know the North and winters better than anyone," he reminded with a smirk.
"Where are we going?" Hot Pie asked worried as Beric smirked leading his horse through a stream as Arya looked around.
"Somewhere you three will be safe," he claimed as Arya realized they were headed in Riverrun's direction.
XXVII
(Riverrun)
Rhaenyra sighed softly as she laid in her husband's protective arms as they both slept. Everyone has been packing up and preparing everything for the march back home. Robb had been sleeping less and less as he makes his rounds in ensuring all the preparations were in place. He had offered for Oberyn to return back to Dorne but he denied saying that he and his army would stay with Robb for however long they were needed. Rhaenyra was now into her fifth month of pregnancy, she hid it for some time so many were surprised to see her stomach grow already. As they normally sleep naked as it was cooler for the expecting mother, she seemed to overheat quite a bit at night as Robb learned a few weeks ago. He had pulled her close when they slept and it was actually the last night she wore a slip to bed before sleeping bare with her husband. But just his presence alone made her very hot and uncomfortable as she continuously wiggled in his arms before she woke up sweating. Removing his arms and getting up to walk around, he tried to keep her in their chambers so she opted for standing beside their open window, allowing the cool breeze to cool her body.
Even now as she laid on her right, it seemed to already soothe her fussy child inside, she carefully stood to stand at her open window. Watching in the morning light as Rhaenys shrieked, her gold body glowing as the early sun shone off her golden scales. Alysanne liked to sleep in the mornings enjoying the cool mornings, spotting Rhaella just resting along the banks, she could see it washing against her red dragons large wings as her tail softly moved through the water, steaming would come off her skin as she'd purr.
"It's quite alarming when a wife is not in bed," Robb spoke suddenly, having gotten up quietly to wrap his arms around her waist and focused on her growing belly. His hands rested on either side of her stomach as she hummed. "The lords and I will march to Harrenhal to see if anyone is still there," Robb revealed as Rhaenyra moaned softly, his warm hands rubbed her hip bone while he kissed her temple.
"I don't want to pass by the Twins when we leave Robb. If we take the road that rides past Harrenhal we can go around them. Please, I know if we go in the Frey's direction something bad will happen," Rhaenyra begged softly as she turned to him, using her large eyes to appeal to her smirking husband.
"All you have to do is ask Rhae, of course I will try and march around them. For you, anything," he swore as she kissed his lips softly as he continued to trail his hands down her sides. His large hands spreading across her swell. "My little one is growing big," he chuckled as she grinned.
"Maester Lyon and Ellaria say I must be carrying him low. She carried Tyene low and her other two higher where you could not tell she was pregnant unless she sat a certain way," she revealed as he hummed softly in interest.
"I remember how Mother carried Arya, Bran and Rickon. All differently," he remembered how big his mother was when she was expecting Rickon.
"Great, that means that I will become a whale," she spoke with a laugh as he joined, kissing her happily as she embraced him. "I had a dream about Arya," she smiled as he grinned a tiny bit.
"What was she doing?" he asked softly while leading her back to bed.
"Running in the forests with a group, she was dressed like a boy still. I once heard the name 'Arry' in one of my dreams," she revealed as he hummed in interest.
"Come back to bed, we shall be going soon," he urged as she sighed tiredly.
"I will be tired throughout this entire pregnancy," she growled as he laughed softly.
"That is alright by me," he chuckled as she groaned softly, rubbing her face against his chest as he kissed her temple while hugging her tightly to himself. "Come on," he urged, softly guiding her back as she allowed him to tuck her in before joining her as she snuggled up to him as she dozed off, listening to her husband's breathing and heartbeat.
XXVII
End of chapter! I hope it was good~ Please tell me what you think.
jumingmanatee: Good choice!
ej101: I'm glad you enjoyed it! We'll see~ Oh I hated how they dealt with Nymeria in season 7, wish she would have came back. Oh trust me I have a plan for Jaime which I hope you all enjoy. But I do like your idea~ As for Robyn, I do have a plan.
RHatch89: Glad you like it!
hateme101: Well she is in her own right. I hope you enjoy what's to come~
NicoleR85: Yep, her pregnant queen nature is bursting out. Please enjoy!
StormNightSS: So do I. I love Targaryen sister power! I hope you like what I put out.
LunaDoesArt: Yes it would! Something I've dreamed of seeing that on this show, never happened. Oh she will get what's coming believe me~
ABEBOABDU: Here you go!
~Rusty14~