DISCLAIMER: Chapter prologue. I've wanted to thank everyone that's favored and reviewed the story! 30 chapters! I think that's a record for me~
Chapter rating: T
XXIX
(Riverrun)
Rhaenyra woke to shrieks and snarls, the girls were more active in the mornings now, enjoying the cool breeze no doubt. But the arm around her waist made her think a bit more straight before she spotted her husband's sword and slowly started to turn. There lay her husband who slept with ease now that he was cuddled to her, he worried and panicked mostly for her as her pregnancy progressed. Robb had awoken an hour earlier and just watched her sleep, her belly was big and he softly laid his hand over the bulge. He could feel the movements lightly if he focused on it. It was then that he felt the multiple kicks, it was more than one babe he figured because he'd feel three jabs at once. So that was how Rhaenyra woke to her husband as she gave him soft kisses, he grinned as he woke to that. Rhaenyra glowed in the morning light, with her pregnancy glow as well he felt like a fool in love everytime he was with her.
"Good morning, My Love," she greeted as he cupped her face.
"Good morning as well, Rhae," they laid, cuddled to one another for a few moments as they basked in relief they were safe and together. It took some time to encourage her husband to go visit his mother, but he felt the need because of his grandfather's passing. Together they were seen walking through the halls together with Grey Wind at their side. Ser Barristan came with them as Tyene looked up to see them approaching.
"Welcome back, Your Grace," she greeted Robb who smiled to her with a pleased smile.
"Hello Tyene," he greeted. It was in fact Tyene who approached the door and called out.
"My Lady, your son is here," she smiled as she called out when the door opened quickly. His mother was still in her dressing gown with a robe over it but her hair was pulled into a loose braid.
"Robb! I overheard you returned last night," she embraced him as he held her close.
"Hello Mother, I am so sorry," he frowned as she pulled away with tears and a sad smile.
"He is no longer in pain as Uncle claims, he is with our family," she spoke as he nodded.
"Robb?" a voice made both women smile as Robb looked shocked before his mother moved allowing him to enter and gasped at seeing Arya sitting on their mother's bed, rubbing her eyes no doubt just waking up.
"Arya?" he asked confused, but happy as she looked up a moment before leaping up and embracing her brother. Both were now alert that they focused on their missing sibling. "What are you doing here?" he asked as Catelyn urged Rhaenyra to sit down as her stomach looked uncomfortable but to the queen it felt normal and a bit heaviness in her pelvic section.
"I escaped King's Landing," she started as she told Robb everything. From escaping, to being apart of the march north to the Wall, telling him that Yoren knew of the gathering of northern folk in the North, then being captured by the Lannister soldiers and held at Harrenhal, he now understood they must've escaped during the attack as he found bodies everywhere. The Brotherhood Without Banners, who still remained at the castle, helped and took care of her and her two companions. Both, Robb paid attention too so he could go talk to them later on, but Rhaenyra paid attention was when Arya mentioned Gendry she looked skittish for a moment and realized that the girl was in love with the older boy.
'Oh no,' Rhaenyra feared as she suddenly remembered the conditions of their crossing with Walder Frey, not only their firstborn son, but Arya must marry a son of his. And Rhaenyra had a sick feeling that a Frey soldier will send word they have her and Walder Frey will demand her to be married, despite their status they have men on the inside. They had to get her back to Winterfell, now. That feeling settled in her chest and ignited the need to protect her sister, it refused to leave and she forced her smile on to appease her family. Hoping it fooled them for now.
XXIX
Rhaenyra held Arya's hand as she and the girl, who was washed and dressed a bit normal now, not like a girl, at Rhaenyra's request to appease the girl. Arya wanted her to meet her friends, Rhaenyra held no objections as it gave her something to do while Robb finished the preparations for his grandfather's funeral. He started to worry the moment he overheard his very pregnant wife has refused advice to rest and not overwork herself, so his request/order was for her to relax and spend time with Arya.
"Hot Pie is a large lump but a good cook, he's a coward though. He almost wet himself when he saw your dragon," she continued on as Rhaenyra tried to slow her talking as the woman herself took a few deep breaths to calm her racing heart.
"Arya please slow down, ever since I became pregnant, my heart races like we used to on horseback," Rhaenyra took some breaths as Arya practically froze and glued to her side. "So tell me about this Gendry," behind them Ser Barristan grinned, having been talked to by the queen when she told him her fear. He swore to help protect Arya and always keep an eye on her, he didn't trust the Freys to not warn their lord that she returned to Robb. Anything to up their status with the army.
"He is a blacksmith," Arya spoke as they walked. "He worked in King's Landing, under one of the best," she finished as Rhaenyra watched her. Her eyes were scanning the crowd, looking at the Brotherhood that were mingling with the army.
"And is he who you are looking for?" she asked as they paused while Arya looked away. "It's alright to admit it, let's go find him," Rhaenyra encouraged as her guard looked to her worried. He knew if Arya was to be married to the Frey boy she could not indulge in the fantasies many young have.
"I think he was around the forages," Arya muttered. They continued on as many greeted the queen, others looked at Arya with curiosity, they knew instantly who she was. She resembled her father more than her siblings, maybe Jon took after the Stark side as well. But as they continued they could see a young man standing watching a blacksmith and talked with him as the man showed him a sword he was fixing. "That's him."
"I see that," remembering what the young man the day before looked like, she spotted the resemblance instantly. "Gods," Rhaenyra cursed softly as Arya looked to her as Ser Barristan also spotted the young man who came with the princess. "He looks just like-"
"-he doesn't see it," Arya spoke up suddenly to their surprise. "I tried a while ago, but he refused to see it," she looked to them as they continued to approach.
"Your Grace," the blacksmith quickly greeted her when he saw her behind Gendry who whipped around and fell into a bow for Rhaenyra who sighed and pulled him up. Ser Barristan felt a mirror image of Robert staring back at him, a younger version.
"Your Grace," he greeted as she smiled.
"Hello, Gendry, right?" she asked he nodded, surprised that she knew who he was. "Walk with us, will you?" she asked, keeping her smile friendly.
"Yes, of course, Your Grace," he nodded and walked on the other side that Arya wasn't on. But Rhaenyra was planning on testing something. Ser Barristan realized where they were walking but noticed the riverbanks were empty, he frowned and looked around, he didn't hear anyone either.
"Why did you bring us out here?" Arya asked instantly suspicious as Gendry tried to stop her.
"I always walk along the banks," Rhaenyra defended herself, which was partly true, only her children were nowhere to be seen. "I actually like it, very soothing," she told them as Arya watched her with confusion and still held the suspicion in her face. Shrieking cut them off as all four froze and backed away as Rhaella landed, roaring at them. Raising herself to look down on the humans; two of which were used to her dominant nature, the other two were slowly backing away. Arya just met the dragons and despite the awe in finally seeing a live, fire-breathing dragon, three of them in fact, she knew this one was like Shaggydog, sharp tempered. Gendry just felt fear and terror at being faced with the beast as she growled and hissed, that bone chilling terror as she lowered her already large head as she smelled Arya deeply a few times before turning her gaze to the unknown male, her eyes darkened as she lowered her head a bit more to him. She inhaled the smell more as Gendry all but wished he could run and truly avoid the female dragon who lost interest in his smell, rearing her head back, worrying the group for the moment. But pushed off the ground, flying off. Not only surprisingly but pleasing Rhaenyra, she just met two strangers she never met, much older and more isolated from the army.
"What is her deal?" Arya asked as they watched her fly around Riverrun.
"She has been acting out since I became pregnant, I think. But they are beasts, so they might lash out," she continued as they watched two more dragons join the sight. Arya still stared in shock, she knew the rumors to be true and seeing them now only confirmed that. It terrified her, deeply, but she trusted her sister and knew that Rhaenyra would never cause them harm.
"You Grace, I-" Gendry stuttered as he spotted her looking to him with interest.
"What do you think of them Gendry?" Rhaenyra asked as Arya looked to him, interested as well.
"They are… beautiful, Your Grace. The first anyone would see in over a hundred years," his eyes remained on the flying creatures as they fought over a deer carcass. "I do not know what else to say," he looked to her before down muttering a 'Your Grace.'
"No one else ever does, I simply love hearing their first responses," she grinned as Grey Wind approached them, face covered in blood. "And he will have most likely just made a fresh kill," she surmised as they looked to her before back to him quickly. The direwolf approached and nudged his pregnant mistress, softly sniffing her belly as well as she rubbed his large fluffy ears. Before suddenly, he turned and trotted down the stream where Rhaenys landed with the carcass, shrieking at him. But she nudged the remains to him as he started to eat more.
"They take care of each other?" Arya asked as she watched the golden dragon watched the direwolf eat. She found it interesting how the dragon that was technically bigger than the wolf still aided in feeding him.
"He was more like a surrogate feeder for them when I could not feed them in time. He treated them like we saw the dogs treat their pups," Rhaenyra spoke as Gendry looked shocked. "They scorched their own food but they needed the food so a parents fed them until-"
"They can feed themselves. Like the direwolves," Arya spoke as Rhaenyra winced suddenly. "Rhae, what is it?" she asked instantly.
"N- it's nothing," she smiled before wincing, and taking a sharp breath. "I think it's the baby moving, just random jabs," the queen just softly leaned against a tree as Rhaella landed nearby shrieking at her sharply, growling. "Jikagon!" (Go!) she ordered as the dragon growled but a final glare from her own mother quickly made her snarl before flying off and around the castle.
"Alright, you are going back inside, now," Ser Barristan demanded, knowing the closer a due date is, the more likely an active woman's baby will become early. He has been around pregnant women of noble blood quite a bit so he knew when some women were confined much earlier to prevent a loss or a too early birth. Together the three got her back inside the castle were Robb quickly ran over, alarmed at seeing the pain in his wife's face.
"What is going on?" he asked as Arya went off to find her mother and the maester.
"I believe it is false pain the queen went through it with each pregnancy," Ser Barristan told them as they quickly guided her inside. Her pain was still present but easier to handle as they guided her into the chambers as Gendry left when Robb joined but stood nearby to keep an eye out for help.
"Are you sure it is not-"
"No, it's too early and I should have felt something," Rhaenyra denied as her maids raced in. Ser Barristan instantly left, knowing he was not needed.
"You need to go Robb," Valaena ordered.
"No, it's too early!" Robb denied as a stern look from the maid who raised them all.
"It's fine, we just need to change her shift and make sure everything is alright, that is why the Maester is coming," Baela quickly soothed her friend who sighed and left to wait for his mother.
"Valaena, what is going on?" Rhaenyra asked, fear in her voice as her maids helped her undress before changing into a new slip.
"I don't know sweet. We might be confined here within the castle longer until the birth," Valaena winced as she felt her queen's belly, the baby shifted so the impending birth must be happening soon, to their alarm.
"You must be farther along than we thought," Maester Lyon spoke as he and Maester Vyman quickly came in.
"Your Grace there is a good chance you are pregnant with twins with how large you are, no offence meant please. But maybe you were pregnant a month before you went to Dragonstone," Vyman prodded as Lynara frowned.
"So she is what?" the door cut them off.
"Seven months," Catelyn claimed as she entered with a fearful Arya both with bowls of water. "But your refusal to remain still during your pregnancy and needed to be constantly moving," she aimed her look at her wincing daughter by law. "Has caused stress upon yourself and the child."
"So she is going into labor?" Baela asked confused as hell.
"Not yet, but if she does not slow down she will," Maester Lyon ordered as Rhaenyra frowned.
"Meaning no travel," she winced as the mother of her husband nodded.
"I am afraid so, Your Grace," Maester Lyon frowned, knowing the queen had wanted to return back home to Winterfell.
"Seven Hells!" Rhaenyra cursed softly but winced suddenly from the false contractions, it appeared, she thought. Now remembering Catelyn went through this with Arya's carry.
XXIX
(Daenerys)
The young Targaryen eagerly took Jorah's letter and gasped softly in shock. "Khaleesi?" he asked worried.
"She is going to have her baby soon," she smiled, her dothrak nearby smiled, hearing the familiar words their leader spoke as her dragons crooned to her as she continued to read. "And Robb's youngest sister, Arya, has rejoined the family," Daenerys read out in interest, thinking. "How many children did Ned Stark have?" she asked.
"Three trueborn sons, two daughters and a bastard boy," Jorah read off from hearing the family count. "Their mother hails from the riverlands-"
"House Tully," Daenerys finished remembering the family name her sister sent years ago and the castle rulers that she was taught. "I overheard the Iron Throne held both daughters captive but now they only hold the eldest."
"She was engaged to the eldest Baratheon child, Joffrey, before all this. I assume she is still in line to be married off to him, despite the rumors of her father," he paused in thinking the right way to say this.
"She is of noble blood," Daenerys finished, knowing how things worked in the King's city. "Any news?" she asked.
"The city is failing, with no food source and the King is not in favor. There are riots almost every day and no royal can walk the streets without being attacked," he smirked as she hummed while petting Drogon's cheek.
"So I really am in no rush," she smiled softly. "She was right," Daenerys turned to her curious knight. "Rhae suggested I stay here a bit to allow my dragons to grow but to gain a good alliance to bring. So that's what I am going to do," her let her dragon go fly with his brothers; Rhaegal and Viserion. "What city is next?" she asked.
"Astapor," Ser Jorah spoke as they turned their heading in that direction. Daenerys hoped her sister and child would survive, childbirth had severe endings for their family. Their mother was the last one.
XXIX
(Riverrun)
Rhaenyra has been put on bedrest until the funeral, Maester Vyman had delivered both Catelyn and her siblings all early and feared for doing the same when the queen gives birth. He all but ordered the queen to stay in bed as well as her husband and Maester Lyon, and the three women who raised her. Rhaenyra had laughed when she told a grinning Ellaria, who had warned her this was bound to happen when she refused to calm herself and even walk further into the forest when she was not supposed to. Rhaenyra knew that she should have rested and stopped but did not like doing that, she was already scolded by her husband when he settled her into bed as the maids entered.
"Are you well, Love?" Robb asked as he gave her something to drink as she sighed, irritated.
"Yes," she grumbled. He smirked, knowing she was already fidgety and wanting to go outside, Ser Barristan had admitted that she went outside quite a few times a day to see the dragons and now he understood their attitude changes as Arya commented that Rhaenys hissed at quite a few people already.
"I am sorry, Rhae," he frowned, wishing he could help her with it.
"Why must I remain in bed though? Should I not be moving?" she asked as he laughed softly. Of course she used the excuse that Catelyn had given her when she was in her earlier pregnant months.
"The maesters have ordered you to stay in bed," he spoke, sitting beside her as she sighed. "The only time they want you up is when we send Grandfather off," he finished, making her growl in anger. "Rhaenyra, you are pregnant and by the words the maesters are saying with twins. You must rest and move only when necessary, believe me, I know you would rather be walking outside and being with the girls but you need to think about your human children as well," Robb ordered as she sighed, tears welling up. "Oh no."
"No, no. My emotions are just all over the place," she laughed. "It's not you, Robb," she took his hand as he sat next to her. "I promise. I promise to put our children before the dragons, always," Rhaenyra swore as Robb smiled giving her a kiss, she held him closer for a moment before letting go with a sad sigh.
"I will come see you for lunch," he pressed a kiss to her forehead. She sighed and laid against her pillows while retrieving a book Oberyn gave her. His paramour quickly replaced her husband's presence and kept the queen company, she told her how the dragons were doing and what was going on. Walder Frey found out that Arya was in their camp and demanded she be sent to the Twins to be married. That she should not have known because a growl left the queen's scowling face as she ordered her sister to be brought to her.
"Do you want me to be here for this?" Ellaria asked about to get up from the bed she was relaxing on.
"No, please stay. She will most likely run away and scream at me, I might cry or be calm, at least you will have a funny story," sharing a grin they beamed at a cautious Arya who came closer and frowned at seeing the look.
"Princess," Ellaria bowed her head as Arya groaned.
"My Lady," she greeted back before sitting on the bed and smiled at the growing belly. Rhaenyra knew what she wanted and took her hand before laying it on the top of her belly, Arya frowned as she felt the movement under the skin and shivered a bit before pulling back her hand.
"Arya there is something I must tell you, it was a deal that was struck, by your mother, between her and Walder Frey when we marched from the north," Rhaenyra started off. Ellaria smirked as Rhaenyra spoke about Catelyn being the one who agreed to everything. As they progressed Arya's face dropped more and more before exploding into a rage. Despite both their attempts to keep her in the room, the youngest raced out to go talk to her mother about it. "Damn it," Rhaenyra cursed softly, not as upset as she thought. "That will go over well with my husband and his mother," she shrugged and leaned against her pillows while Ellaria laughed softly, laying her head across the girl's shoulder.
"Do not worry about it, it should have come from her mother. I would have told her the moment I laid my eyes on her," Ellaria muttered as she drank her wine. She disliked the ale, finding it harsh and heavy.
"Ellaria?" Rhaenyra asked suddenly, the woman hummed as she took a big gulp. "When you are put on bed rest, do you stay?" she hated asking.
"For the first few weeks, possibly. Sometimes it could last until the end. But only if you do not stress about anything, it will only get worse if you do," she glared at the soon-to-be mother who sighed in weariness.
"I hate sitting in bed," she muttered.
"So did I, during my first birth. I remained in bed from my sixth month to labor with Tyene, my very first," Ellaria spoke with a small smile, she softly brushed the white hair away from her face.
"I will rest more, I have already promised Robb," Rhaenyra nodded with conviction as Ellaria smirked, happy that the queen is a good one.
"So, tell me about your plan for Sansa," Ellaria asked wanting to know everything.
XXIX
Rhaenyra woke to her husband nudging her softly, she had been resting a few days with her family and friends as company, her maids have been a more comforting factor as Valaena applied personal ointments she created or oils that aided in healing or calming her when she got too excited or became stressed. Today was the day they lay Hoster Tully to rest, or his body burns while it goes down the river.
"Come along, Love," Robb muttered softly, trailing his fingers down her temple and cheek. The Maesters had checked her over and claimed she was doing better and if all went well today she'd be off bed rest until it was much closer to her due date. Robb had told the girls he'd help her dress, ever since his return he'd been attached to her belly as their day goes on. As they slept Robb would have her close, hand always resting against the growing bulge.
"Is it time?" she asked softly as he nodded. Slowly she got up and he helped her dress in her slip, dress and she did a loose braid before he slid her crown on, the band holding her hair down and resting against her forehead. She was dressed in a beautiful red and black dress with a steel crown resing on her forehead. Sighing softly she took her husband's arm as he aided her in walking out to be greeted by the small line, Ser Barristan, Theon and her maids who'd follow, Sauna's face was already red from crying for her former lord.
"Let us go," Robb decided as they walked in line, their small group merged with the others marching to the dock to see Hoster Tully off. A few others aided in helping Rhaenyra down, wanting their queen safe as Rhaella surprised many by flying overhead. Arya was spotted talking with Beric and Thoros who were offered to join in mourning the former riverlord. Beric had been quite fond of the former lord, so he immediately accepted, Thoros had agreed, mostly for Beric but also for Arya, who he knew was the granddaughter. Catelyn didn't hold Rhaenyra accountable like the young queen thought she would, she agreed she should have told Arya, who refused to talk to her mother until today when she embraced her and held her and Robb's hands while they sent their family off. Rhaenyra breathed softly as she saw her dragons flying overhead, curious about the congregation of the army. The northern lords stood behind as the riverlords stood alongside them but closer to their ruling family. But her dragons did not stop nor attack they just flew overhead, crying out and singing as they sent Hoster Tully's body down the river; Robb, Bryden, Edmure and another guard. When they returned to their original spots, Edmure retrieved the bow and arrow to light and attempt to fire at his father's body. Robb looked down as Rhaenyra bit her lip when the third arrow hit the water, they watched as Black Fish tore the bow and arrow away, lighting. He looked to a flag as shrieks filled his ears, he aimed as the wind shifted and fired as it flew before striking above the head, it caused the boat to slowly alit itself as the dragons followed, roaring as they watched it burn. Catelyn sniffed as Robb embraced her and Arya while Rhaenyra watched her daughters, they returned shrieking and singing once more. But a sudden snarl from a direwolf made her turn around as Ser Barristan pulled his sword out at a man approaching with Grey Wind alongside him, puffed out and teeth bared.
"State your business with the Queen," he demanded as Robb pulled his wife closer, a much deeper growl came from above as Rhaella hovered over the man. A bone-rattling growl escaped as she huffed and hissed at the man who shivered in the presence of a dragon. The other two continued to fly above with their own agitation.
"I have a message," he started shakily. "From Dragonstone," Rhaenyra frowned and tensed when he didn't say a royal. "It's specifically for Queen Rhaenyra," he emphasised as Ser Barristan took it. He opened it for the queen, refusing to allow her to touch it for fear it might have a poison on it, he wore gloves at least.
"It's from Shireen," she revealed, taking the parchment when she confirmed the owner. "Her father died during the battle," she breathed heavily. Robb groaned softly that was their alliance. "Her Uncle Renly has pulled all his forces onto Dragonstone for their protection, he does not claim his brother's throne though," she read as Robb came closer before allowing him to finish it.
"But he requests the agreement remain, with Shireen and Rickon," he spoke as Black Fish hummed in interest, knowing they'd all been waiting on hearing the results of the Blackwater battle. "But he does call for a meeting, he wishes to meet up with us once we start to move," he claimed.
"Harrenhal," Catelyn spoke suddenly as they turned to her. "Meet up at Harrenhal once we start marching," she suggested as Robb thought, he nodded when some agreed, liking the neutral ground.
"Come everyone, let's go," Robb called out as the group started to leave and some decided to stay and watch the water. Others chose to watch the dragons as Rhaella took to the skies once more, lightly shoving her sister, Alysanne, with her talons. It started a game of tag as Rhaenys produced a charred stag, joining.
XXIX
"Robb," Rhaenyra called out as her husband aided her in returning to bed, she was a bit worn out and knew it'd get worse the further her pregnancy went.
"Yes, Love?" he asked as she laid against her pillow as he pulled the blankets up a bit. He took his shirt off and stripped his breeches, climbing into bed he pulled his wife closer as she laid her head on his chest. His fingers ran down her back as his other rested on her stomach.
"I have to tell you something," she spoke as he looked to her curious. Reaching over to where she kept her letters from Daenerys hidden, she took the last few her sister sent her. "I didn't know how to bring this up while you were gone, I'm not going behind your back about anything. But with Stannis gone and Renly refusing to claim, we need someone in the South, we go home yes, but this is what she is suggesting," Rhaenyra gave him the few letters as he read them interested. Instantly he saw the worry and fear in her writing before seeing the warmth back in it when they became later and on the last one he read a copy of his wife's last one. And understood everything. "So?" Rhaenyra asked softly, seeing him finish.
"She'll stay in Essos, until the time is right?" he asked, wanting to be sure if her sister came back to rule the South he hoped she would not demand all the lands like Joffrey is intent on doing.
"Yes, I know she will," Rhaenyra knew in her bones Daenerys would agree, she had a plan on seeing. But she would have to be bigger, Rhaenyra knew Robb would fight her on this but she had an idea she hoped he agree with.
"Then, yes. When Daenerys comes and agrees to Stannis' terms we made for him. We will support her," Robb spoke as Rhaenyra gave him a small smile. "For now, let's focus on Renly and what he wants," Robb claimed as she nodded. She laid on him as he pulled her closer, kissing her forehead, he smirked softly as she grumbled about going outside tomorrow. "We'll see and if you can handle it maybe we might make it home or you will give birth here, where I was born," he grinned as she chuckled happily.
"I wouldn't mind now, so long as you're with me," she mumbled slowly falling asleep as he followed.
XXIX
End of chapter! I hope you enjoyed it! Please leave a review I would love to hear your thoughts!
RHatch89: I'm glad you liked it!
NicoleR85: Thrilled your enjoying it, hope you like what's next.
UnknownReaderHasJoined: I do have something planned for everyone, including the sisters, I just hope you like it! And yes I was going to do something for the Baratheon brothers. I HATED what they did to Daenerys I did like her, but I didn't even see it coming, they didn't look like that originally when we see sweet little Dany in season 1. They so could have done that better between Ice and Fire, I liked what everyone was thinking instead of what they did in the show. But I see her and Robb not really caring what's passed their borders (the North & Riverlands) and we'll be seeing Arya's reaction real soon, but yes, yes I do have a plan for the Freys.
Svenion: She just has an attitude, more than the other two.
recey2010: I'm glad you like! And it took me a moment to reunite the brother-sister, I had a few ideas, but hope you enjoy the rest~ I can only describe them as random visions for now, whatever show I watched is where her visions can change the next dream.
Crystal-Wolf-Guardian-967: Glad you like it!
~Rusty14~