Author's Notes: Thank you all for your warm and encouraging responses! I know Season 8 ending poorly was a blow for the vast majority of us and I will do my best to make sure this fic doesn't follow in those toxic footsteps.
On that note, this fic has reached an unbelievable milestone! I have officially broken 200K words. Readers, I know you see it has way more than 200K words already, but I didn't count that because I've had several lengthy notes apart of my chapters (like this one) which inflated the word count. We're here though! It's been a pleasure!
Guest - Ah, thank you for reminding me. This is NOT a MadQueen!Daenerys fic. It's difficult to believe that I actually have to put that down now. I haven't approved the direction of Daenerys' character since Season 7, so the plan was always to deviate from that. I think most people will find that her path varies enough that it's perfectly plausible. And even if you don't think that's plausible: too bad, it's my story, I can do what I want.
jackjones15660 - No, I don't think so. After all, Doran was angling for his daughter to dominate Viserys in marriage to control him. He didn't care that Viserys was mad, he wanted his daughter to be queen and he was ready to back Viserys with his army, but he perished and he subsequently sent his son Quentyn to try to marry Daenerys.
I would like to think Zia2345 for beta-ing this chapter for me.
Chapter 49
Catelyn II
Catelyn stared wistfully as Bran, a handful of men, Meera, and Jojen Reed trotted out of the gate for a hunt. Bran's direwolf Storm loped behind him, so named due to the wolf howling in time with the thunder of a rare summer storm. A tug on her dress jarred her from her thoughts and she looked down at Rickon's teary eyes.
"I wanna go on da hunt!"
"You're not quite old enough, my darling. One day. You'll be hunting with the best of them soon. You'll see," she ran a hand through his hair, but he scowled and wandered off, kicking rocks as he came to them. Shaggy Dog yipped and trotted in step with him.
She sighed. Rickon was having trouble adjusting to the emptiness of Winterfell. For that matter, so was she. There were only a handful of servants in the yard now and Catelyn beat a hasty retreat. She steered herself towards the glass gardens. Perhaps a walk among the flowers would soothe her heartsickness. Ned, her firstborn, and her beautiful girls had left Winterfell seven months prior for war. Some war, she thought.
By some miracle of the Gods, King Aemon Targaryen with his Hand Lord Jaime Lannister had swept up the Seven Kingdoms in a bloodless tangle of alliances. She would admit to being impressed. If there was no further proof of the Seven, this would be enough to satisfy that. And yet, she was unsettled. It was too good, too easy.
Lord Jaime Lannister had indeed been successful at securing the Westerlands and the Reach. Robb was to be married in two months and little Sansa would wed in two years. It baffled her that the Kingslayer - for that's what he'd always be - would secure Aemon's allies with marriages not even from his own family, but all for the sole benefit of House Stark. It was suspicious to say the least. There had to be an ulterior motive. Was this a trap?
She had turned it over in her mind countless nights and couldn't come up with anything feasible, especially as Jaime Lannister continued to act the steadfast ally that King Aemon claimed he was. The letters she received from Ned had initially been worded in frustration, but then the letters had taken a turn once they had entered the Keep. Ned made a point of singing Jaime's praises with his daring raid to capture Renly Baratheon with no shed blood. It made her wonder if Ned's wine had been spiked. She had written him a letter back with more than a few words of caution. Ned was becoming too docile in that den; he needed to keep his wits about him if he and their son was to return with both of their heads in tact. It made her itch to travel to King's Landing to ensure Ned's and Robb's protection.
However, Ned was adamant that she stay North.
King Aemon has everything under control here. I am confident in both his and Lord Jaime's abilities to guide the Seven Kingdoms to a peaceful future. It's just a matter of time before they secure Lord Stannis Baratheon's, Dorne's, and the Iron Islands' cooperation. We'll be heading home in a matter of months.
It is good to hear that Bran is doing an admirable job of being lord of Winterfell. You've done well coaching him. It warms me to hear that Meera and Jojen Reed are there to provide company to him. I know it must be lonely having to be the lord of Winterfell while Robb and I are far away.
Rickon sounds like he is getting big! He'll be ready to start training with a sword by the time we return. We may need a new Master-of-Arms. Ser Rodrick Cassel is likely to be serving as ambassador at Castle Black for some time.
Take care, my love
Ned
Catelyn had smiled faintly at the letter, longing to see Ned once more. It faded as she had read the letter over. Why is Ser Rodrick Cassel serving as an ambassador to the Night's Watch? It had puzzled her from the very beginning that King Aemon would venture there first before turning South. Ned had mentioned that his great grand uncle was still the Night Watch's resident maester, so it seemed obvious that he wished to reconnect with living family. What was less obvious was why he needed all of the heads of houses to accompany him when they were better served leading the army to Moat Cailin.
Could that have something to do with the Long Night? She mused. She was there when King Aemon had made his statement against Lord Jon Umber, seeming to summon the Gods' aid to win his battle. She had shivered at the fire in King Aemon's eyes as he brought his sword down and delivered a blow like thunder, cleaving Umber's sword in two. Apart from the Gods' blessing, little of interest came from the counsel. While the king had insisted the Gods had bequeathed him a vision warning of the Long Night, many still seemed skeptical, including her.
She was obviously not unfamiliar with the Stark words, but they were simply good advice. Winter, especially here in the North, was never to be trifled with and preparations were always paramount to surviving a hard winter. Could the Night King truly be waiting north of the Wall? She shook her head, banishing the thought. Night King or no, the Wall is still there. Even without the Night's Watch at full strength, the Night King surely can't get past the Wall.
"Ah, Lady Stark." She was interrupted from her thoughts by Maester Luwin. He gave her a slight bow. "A letter has arrived for you."
"Thank you, Maester Luwin," she replied. It seemed odd to receive a letter so soon after the last one Ned sent. She flipped it over and felt the smile slide from her face at the Lannister seal. She looked again at the front to find it was indeed addressed specifically to her.
She retired to Ned's Solar holding the parchment out in front of her like she expected it to burst into flame. The Stark's relationship with the Lannisters was cordial for the moment, but she was ready to doubt every single word they had written.
Lord Jaime Lannister had proved himself quite capable in the game of politics, so he had to know that she would relay his words to Ned. She breathed in, steeling herself, and then broke the seal.
Lady Catelyn of House Stark,
On behalf of House Lannister I would like to thank you for allowing Joffrey, Myrcella, and Julianna Waters to stay as extended guests in your home. A monthly allotment of 300 Gold Dragons will be sent to House Stark to cover their expenses. I trust you will continue to provide for them and treat them as would befit any guest of your House.
I was recently informed by King Aemon Targaryen, First of His Name, King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men, that he has made arrangements for you to take care of the babe my sister is pregnant with. I expect him or her to be treated just as well as the other children. Once the child arrives from Bear Island, the monthly allotment of Gold Dragons will increase to 400 Gold Dragons a month in total.
However, I have an extra duty I wish you to conduct in regards to this babe. And it can be only you. I intend to send letters to the babe and I want you to read them to him or her. No others may be present when you do this and you may not disclose the content of the letters to anyone else. If I should learn that this agreement has been violated, there will be consequences.
I await your reply,
Lord Jaime Lannister, Hand of the King
Catelyn's lips were pursed by the time she reached the end and she felt irritation smoldering in her chest. Who does he think he is, demanding such of me? She was to read his letters to his bastard? How insulting! Was he then intending to legitimize this bastard as his heir? He was currently unmarried, but he was still young and there were almost certainly as many women lining up to court him as King Aemon. She now pitied the poor woman who ended up with him. It had been insulting enough to accept a bastard into her own home, believing that he was born from a woman Ned loved, but to be forced to accept a bastard born of incest by rape? It might be kinder if the Gods would relieve the child of life the instant it was born.
But Jo-Aemon had not turned out to be a bastard, she reminded herself and she worked to reel in her temper. At least this one wasn't her husband's. It was simple enough to care for Cersei's ill-begotten bastards. They were old enough to function on their own. She had assigned an old maid to be their caretaker and usually never saw them. It was for the best.
Lately, however, the little one, Julianna, enjoyed playing out in the courtyard with Rickon. She allowed it for now, but though Rickon may be two times the spare, she would be damned to allow the little girl to get it into her head to marry the third Stark son. As long as she was breathing, no Stark child of hers would marry anything less than another lord's legitimate child. She was certain she could get Ned to agree with her on this, even if they seemed to agree on little else these days.
But now Jaime Lannister seemed intent on insulting her once again by demeaning her status to care, not only for a child that was not the family's, but for a bastard. When she had received the first letter from Aemon, she had instantly returned a letter in protest to Ned. While his words had been gentle, there was a clear warning:
Cat, you must do this on behalf of King Aemon and Lord Jaime Lannister. I am still earning forgiveness from Aemon for not revealing his heritage sooner. Your crimes against him are much more grievous. If you wish to prove your loyalty then serve your penance by doing this favor. Prove that you can grow and learn from your mistake of mistreating Aemon for so long.
It certainly would not do to mistreat Lord Jaime's bastard if the intent was to legitimize him as heir one day.
The threat in the letter also got her back up and it caused her mind to reel. Admittedly, it was vague and she imagined it was like that for many reasons. What would happen to me? A purging of the Starks like Tywin purged the Reynes and the Tarbecks, or a simple denouncement? It wouldn't do for King Aemon's two closest allies to be at odds. It was rather risky to put any kind of threat, vague or not, in the letter, but Jaime Lannister clearly had strong feelings on the matter and she would be a fool to disregard them.
She sighed. Whether she liked it or not, she would be forced to do Lord Jaime's bidding if she did not want to cause trouble for her or Ned. Grudgingly, she pulled out a piece of parchment and wrote a short reply, acquiescing to his demands. It had been eight months since that incident; Cersei's time was near.
Cat melted the wax and pressed the Stark seal onto the letter, then carried it down to Maester Luwin. She smiled sweetly at him. "Please, maester, send this at your first available opportunity."
"Of course, My Lady," he replied with a short bow.
She was on her way to the glass gardens once more when the bell started tolling an alarm. Her heart skipped a beat and dashed to the courtyard. She could see the hunt arriving once more, but Bran was propped up on a man's horse, a bloody cloth wrapped around his head.
"Oh, Gods, Bran! My baby! What happened?!"
Meera Reed intercepted her as the men worked to pull Bran back down.
"Apologies, Lady Stark, but there was an incident. We ran into some wildlings. When they attacked, they startled Lord Bran's horse. He fell and hit his head on a rock. He's still alive; we've done what we could," she said sheepishly. "I am truly sorry, My Lady."
She gasped and followed the men hauling her son inside. What did Bran do to deserve this?
|-The Dragon's Roar-|
Daenerys IV
She stood up and looked towards the trackless sands of the Red Waste from a raised point in the dusty ruins of Vaes Tolorro. She had led her khalasar here following the red trail of the comet. Her maids had relayed to her that the people felt the comet an ill-omen and after all that had happened, perhaps they were right. But there was nowhere else to go. Though she had declared them a khalasar, they were little more than a ragtag band of a handful of warriors and a great many slaves. There were other, more powerful khalasars to the north, Pono's khalasar to the east, and the Lhazareen to the south.
They happened upon this abandoned city and she was glad to take advantage of it to give her people some rest and to also hide from the sun when they could. Then she had sent her bloodriders, Rakharo, Jhogo, and Aggo, forth to search for help. They had been gone for a day with no sign of their return.
I hope they are successful in their efforts, she prayed. In just the few days since the khalasar had broken apart, many of the slaves had fallen to the elements. She did her best to distribute what they had, but most of those left were old and enfeebled. They lacked the necessary manpower to carry those who could not carry themselves and were forced to leave their bodies in the dust. If they did not find a path soon, then Vaes Tolorro would likely turn into their graveyard.
The only ones who did not seem perturbed by the circumstances were the dragons. They playfully snapped at each other and scampered around the ruins, rooting through the cracks and crevices for what she assumed must be bugs.
Although it had been a few days since their birth, watching them left her with an unreal feeling. Beasts that had been extinct for two hundred years were now stumbling around like kittens. Though they lacked for many resources, she doted on them. They will undoubtedly be our saviors, she thought. She was the only one in the world with dragons. They were a curiosity that many would like to see and she could use that to her advantage.
Daenerys broke off a piece of meat from her meal to grab the dragons' attention. They clambered over to her, making a crooning noise that she assumed was used to beg for food. She tossed it and the black dragon leapt off his feet to snatch it out of the air. She named him Drogon. She could tell that he was already bigger, swifter, and had a more domineering personality. He also frequently perched himself in a way that reminded her of Drogo sitting on his horse, regal and dangerous. It had been an easy fit.
The cream colored one had been less easy to name. She considered naming him after her brother Rhaegar, but unlike Drogon, nothing she could recall about Rhaegar seemed to fit. He was gentle, soothing, and an intellectual. While she could see intelligence in his eyes, she saw nothing about the cream dragon to suggest he would be anything soothing or gentle.
They're dragons. Viserys would probably be a more apt name. Just even thinking about her brother brought such a rage that she had to close her eyes and clear her thoughts of him to stop the shaking in her hands. She breathed in and out slowly, willing her heart to slow its frantic pace. No, her dragons did not make her angry, so she should not name them after one who did.
Then she considered her father's name, Aerys, but much like Viserys, the little she had heard of the 'Mad King' sounded like something she should not bequeath to her dragon. She also considered names of past dragons, but it deserved its own name to characterize. She was drawn back to her earlier assessment of the dragons acting like kittens. They were curious and playful and engaged in antics of a baby.
My niece died when she was little more than a babe. She loved cats and had a kitten named Balerion, she thought and smiled wistfully. I shall name you Rhaellon. She did not live long enough to leave her mark, but you shall carry on her legacy. She held out the piece to him and he took it gently from her, snapping it up eagerly.
"Khaleesi."
She turned to see Ser Jorah Mormont climbing up to her. By contrast to the others, he seemed almost invigorated by the dire circumstances they were in. Though he had fought hard and nearly died defending her against Drogo's bloodriders, the healing that Mirri Maz Duur had provided him must have actually worked. She had no bones to pick with him, she thought with no small amount of anger, but Mirri Maz Duur had apparently been under the impression of doing her a favor.
"If I may, Khaleesi, have you thought about what will happen when you reunite with your nephew, King Aemon?"
Dany stared at him inquisitively. She studied him for a moment and then shook her head. She had been consumed by her losses and bent on keeping the khalasar alive. Returning to Westeros, returning to the last living family member she had left had always been a desire and she didn't see how life could get any worse.
"Ser Jorah, you yourself said he was unlikely to be cruel."
"I also said that he did not appear Targaryen," he said. He looked at her dragons with undisguised fear. "He might try to take your dragons from you."
She stiffened. "But they are mine! I hatched them! They see me as their mother! They will not accept another."
Ser Jorah shrugged. "You won't be queen Khaleesi. He will marry you off, just like your brother did."
She stared at her dragons, but didn't see them. Would she be forced to marry a Westerosi noble once more and without a say? She felt her shoulders tightening at the prospect and her jaw clenched. Hadn't she suffered enough at the whims of others? I wish to control my destiny.
"What would you have me do? He's the only family I have left."
"I'm not saying you shouldn't go. You should be prepared for any eventuality," He replied earnestly. When she said nothing, still staring at her dragons. "Khaleesi?"
"I will think on what to do next. He is still my family and I wish to meet him," she declares. I may change how we meet, she mused.
