(Too Much Love Will Kill You, by Queen).
I'm just the pieces of the man I used to be
Too many bitter tears are raining down on me
I'm far away from home
And I've been facing this alone for much too long
Oh, I feel like no-one ever told the truth to me
About growing up and what a struggle it would be
In my tangled state of mind
I've been looking back to find where I went wrong
Too much love will kill you
If you can't make up your mind
Torn between the lover and the love you leave behind
You're headed for disaster 'cos you never read the signs
Too much love will kill you every time
I'm just the shadow of the man I used to be
And it seems like there's no way out of this for me
I used to bring you sunshine
Now all I ever do is bring you down, oooh
How would it be if you were standing in my shoes
Can't you see that it's impossible to choose
No there's no making sense of it
Every way I go I'm bound to lose, oh yeah
Too much love will kill you
Just as sure as none at all
It'll drain the power that's in you
Make you plead and scream and crawl
And the pain will make you crazy
You're the victim of your crime
Too much love will kill you every time
Yeah too much love will kill you
It'll make your life a lie
Yes too much love will kill you
And you won't understand why
You'd give your life you'd sell your soul
But here it comes again
Too much love will kill you
In the end
In the end.
Winterfell 305 AC.
Aegon.
He knelt in front of the tree and beseeched the gods to tell him why and to explain to him why they'd shown him such things. For two days he'd come here first thing in the morning and just before he retired for the night, Dany accepting his word that he felt the need to pray and to thank the gods for their success. As he'd knelt and spoken to them though he'd done anything but thank them. Aegon cursing them instead for what they'd revealed to him.
No matter how much he pleaded they didn't answer, the gods gifting him with nothing but silence and memories. Each one of those was like the knife to the heart that he'd plunged in the woman he loves chest. Aegon now clearly seeing just how truly Dany had fallen and though his anger was directed at everyone. Those who'd enabled her fall, those who'd caused it, the gods for not stepping in to stop it, but he reserved his true disdain and disgust for himself.
" How could I?"
" Why was I so blind?"
" Was she bearing our babe?"
The last question always the one he found himself going back to and the one which just as it had the first time he'd thought it, now once again had him emptying the contents of his stomach into the dark waters of the pool. It was a question he needed the answer to and one he dared not find the truth of. The thoughts of being a kinslayer twice over ones that should he find the truth of would be the end of him.
Eyes closed he reached out and touched the Weirwood and was once again transported in time, his hair grey and his skin old and wrinkled, while the cold bite of the northern air chilled him to the bone. In front of him was a very different Weirwood, older, bigger and Aegon felt himself kneeling at it just as truly as if it was the one he was kneeling at in Winterfell. He felt the regrets, the shame, the anger, and the hopelessness the old man felt as if he and the man were one. Something he knew now to be true and then as the man in Winterfell faded away, Aegon opened his eyes to see he was no longer there or himself but he was now the old man by the tree.
He wrote the words on the tree using the soot, the words that named him by both his true name and what he was and after doing so he closed his eyes, and then once again he saw her own. For once it wasn't the color that drew him in or even the looks of love she wore in them that he remembered so well before he'd thrown it all away. No, it was the understanding, the way she seemed to look deep inside of him and just knew what it was he was feeling. There was no recrimination, no anger, true there was some regret but mainly it was a look that told him that she knew, she understood, and for Aegon that was even better than forgiveness.
Forgiveness was too much, it was a step too far, something he didn't wish for or wouldn't accept and something he knew he didn't deserve and so to see it in her eyes would only make her untrue. He didn't think he could bear that, she was the only true thing he'd ever known, and to see her even now, even after all he'd done still being who she was, was a blessing. Aegon longed to hear her voice, to feel her touch, to hold her in his arms one final time but they were just dreams and he'd long accepted that his life was merely a nightmare of his own choosing.
" Not just yours my love." the voice rang out into the night and Aegon opened his eyes to see where it had come from.
" Dany?" he called out hopefully though he knew it hadn't been her voice he heard.
" No my son, it's not." the woman said as she walked from the cave, Aegon seeing her dark hair and grey eyes and not needing to ask her name.
" I failed. Every step of the way, everything I did in my life, I failed." he said as his tears fall and he looked to her and waited to be judged.
" Good, now go fail again." she said and Aegon looked on as she faded from his view.
" Mother." he called out but the sound that returned was not the voice of a woman or a man, it was a sound he'd not heard in almost fifty years and it was coming closer.
He stood up and held his arms out fully extended to his side, he then bowed his head and waited for him to come. Truth be told he'd expected him long before now, he wondered did he wait until he had suffered enough and was ready to give in. Aegon had come here to die, his time was up and his strength sapped. He'd seen it all again over the past few moons, the betrayals, her fall, his mistakes, and their true intent. Bran wanted only to live, Sansa wanted a crown, Arya was so lost inside herself and just wanted to be free. Sam wanted revenge and a comfortable life while Tyrion wanted a woman he couldn't have. Others wished for things too, Varys waned the realm to be secure and the people safe, Davos wanting an end to the wars and to people's suffering, and Jaime Lannister wanted a reason to live rather than a reason to die.
Dany, Dany had wanted him, she'd wanted to have a family and to have a man who loved her and not the Dragonqueen she had at times to be. As for him, What did he want? What had he always wanted? It had taken him until the end of his life to realize it. It wasn't to be a king, to wear a crown, to be Lord of Winterfell, or to be a Stark. Nor was it to have the respect of the man he thought was his father or was it the love of his brother and sisters.
" You know nothing, Jon Snow." the voice called out, and as he heard the dragon land he smiled.
Aegon opened his eyes and looked into the deep red ones of Drogon, the dragon the only one whose judgment he'd accept and the time for that judgment was now finally upon him. As he saw the flames rise in the back of Drogon's throat, Aegon saw the images flash in front of his eyes. Dragonstone, Dany, Winterfell, Dany, the cabin of a ship, Dany, the Waterfall, Dany, he saw her smile, heard her laugh, and almost felt her fingertips on his face. As Drogon's flames came over him and the Weirwood, as he and the tree both were engulfed, Aegon knew exactly what it was he wanted.
" I want another chance." he said as the flames burned both him and the tree away.
He felt the shaking and looked up to see Jaime Lannister with his hands on his shoulders, a panicked look on the knight's face. It took him a moment to realize that he was dripping wet and then he was covered in a cloak and helped to his feet. By the time he reached the keep, he'd found out that he'd been dragged from the water by Jaime and he was making excuses for why he'd fallen in. Aegon saw that while Jaime didn't believe them, he at least accepted them for now.
"Thank you Ser Jaime." he said and the knight nodded as he helped him to his room.
As soon as she saw him she was on her feet, Dany moving him to the fire, and she and Jaime both insisting that he get out of the damp clothes. Aegon was glad when the knight left with a nod to him and soon enough he was sitting by the fire wrapped in a blanket and yet he felt no cold. He should be shivering, shaking and yet he felt no cold. His wife looked worriedly at him and he saw her go to speak to Ser Jaime, Aegon readying for the shouting when she came back. It wasn't what she did though, instead, she simply knelt down and looked into his eyes, that understanding look on her face was there once more and he knew he had to tell her some of the truth.
"I had a vision, I think I fell into the pool because of it." he said and she looked at him a little worried now.
"Is this like the other?" she asked.
"More of it, we have much to do, Dany, much to do." he said reaching out to take her hand and pull her close as he began to tell her some of what he'd seen and what they needed to do.
Winterfell 305 AC.
Ser Davos.
Seeing Winterfell's walls in front of him made him almost feel as if he was coming home. Davos wondering if that was the place or the man he was heading to see, quickly deciding it was the latter. After losing his sons, he'd been lost and had sought some meaning for everything that he'd given up while following Stannis to the ends of the realm. He'd found that in Jon Snow, no Aegon Targaryen, but he'd found something else also, he'd found someone he considered a son.
It was strange as he'd not particularly liked the boy when he first met him, Davos thinking him too rigid and set in his ways, something he laughed at now. The very traits he'd respected in Stannis he'd found annoying in Jon Snow and it had taken him time to figure out why that was. Here in the North, he'd found out the reason for it, the boy was not being true to himself and was almost a shadow of who he should be. Seeing him grow and become who he was always supposed to be was like watching the sun rise on a dark day and Davos was happy to be a part of whatever was to come because of it.
Arriving at the gates he saw the Dornish men who'd passed them on the road, the young Dayne lad sparring while others watched. He looked to see Tormund speaking with Lyanna Mormont and her mother and smiled when the man caught his eye. Tormund's voice soon booming across the yard as he came toward them.
"The Onion Knight." Tormund shouted as Davos climbed from his horse and helped Missandei down from hers, her own eyes searching the yard before finally seeing who she sought.
"Forgive me Ser Davos." she said as she moved from him and walked towards Grey Worm.
"The Half Man." Tormund said and Davos turned to see Tyrion hurrying his way.
"The fight?" Davos asked before Tyrion arrived.
"Was glorious, Davos, The Dragonqueen rained down fire, the cockless men fought a mighty battle and the Horselords ran over those dead fuckers like they were nothing." Tormund said smiling.
"The king?" he asked.
"Stabbed that icy fucker through the heart, jumped from his dragon onto the other one's back, and took him to the ground." Tormund said still smiling broadly.
"You saw this?" Tyrion asked breathing deeply as he stopped beside them.
"The Dragonqueen saw it and I saw the dead fall." Tormund said looking down at Tyrion.
"My brother?"
"Is alive and well, as are far more of us than should be." Tormund said with a loud laugh.
Grey Worm and Missandei walked over after having their own reunion and Davos was then told of the losses they suffered. Lord Yohn Royce's death brought a frown to Tyrion's face while he was saddened by Lord Beric's and Lord Reed's. All in all, though they'd lost only a few thousand men, even less than Stannis had lost at Blackwater Bay, and Davos felt his pride rise at what his king and queen had accomplished.
"Where's Ghost?" Missandei asked and Davos turned to look for the wolf not seeing him anywhere.
"Make your way to King Crow's door and you'll no doubt find the white wolf." Tormund said with a chuckle.
Davos looked to Missandei and Grey Worm who seemed just about to do that and so he nodded to them and began to walk with them. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Lord Wyman speaking to the Mormont's and as they entered the keep he saw Ser Jorah heading their way. He didn't wait to hear what the man said to Tyrion but he was sure that the dwarf would not be joining them in meeting with the king and queen. When they reached the room and were let in Missandei quickly brushed past him, Davos watching as she and the queen greeted each other with a hug. His own greeting with his king seemed to be a bit more formal he thought before he too was welcomed just as Missandei had been.
"It's good to see you, your grace, both of you." he said looking to Daenerys who was speaking to Missandei and so barely noticed him.
"You too, Davos, you've heard?" Aegon asked.
"The battle? Aye, did you really jump from a fucking dragon's back?" he asked admonishingly, hearing the queen's laugh as he did so.
"I try to tell him not to risk himself so, Ser Davos but it seems even an order from the queen isn't enough to make my husband listen." Daenerys said taking her seat as Missandei did likewise.
"We won, didn't we?" Aegon said rolling his eyes and making both the queen and Missandei laugh a little more fully.
He took his seat and told of their time on the road, of Sansa Stark riding off, and of Tyrion keeping to himself. Missandei saying that she didn't like the looks he gave them both nor how silent he remained while they were heading south.
"What did he say when he realized you weren't going to White Harbor?" Aegon asked.
"It caught him by surprise your grace and he was not best pleased." Missandei said.
"Good, we can use that." Aegon said as he looked at him curiously before speaking "Do you wish to get settled in or would you prefer to work?"
"Work first, that way I won't be worrying about what I'm supposed to be doing." he said to a chuckle from the king.
Aegon got up from his seat and walked over to place a kiss on his wife's lips before telling Missandei how happy he was to see her back, something the queen clearly agreed with. Then he nodded to him and looked to Ghost who Davos hadn't even noticed was curled up by the fire. Aegon walked to the door and let the wolf run off while he followed him from the room. They left the keep and walked out onto the walkway and stood there looking down at the courtyard, Aegon motioning to the unsullied to guard both ends of it so they'd not be disturbed.
"When you're settled there's something I need to speak to you about, Davos, something I need to speak to someone about." Aegon said his voice shaky as he leaned on the wooden handrail, his posture stiff and unyielding.
"Of course, your grace." he said and saw how his shoulders seemed to relax.
"For now we have other matters at hand. Soon we'll be heading south to King's Landing. We'll deal with all of those who stand between my wife and her throne and then we can finally begin to heal this realm and see its people prosper." Aegon said.
"I had thought our losses would be much steeper, your grace, given they are not, we have more than enough men and we have the dragons too. I doubt Cersei Lannister or Euron Greyjoy can stand against her grace and yourself."
"They are not the only enemies we have." Aegon said drawing his attention to Tyrion "Nor as luck would have it are the forces here the only allies we can call upon either." Davos looking on as Aegon smiled at Ned Dayne who was using Dawn to hold two men at bay.
"What is it that Dorne wants, your grace?" he asked.
"Justice, vengeance, Cersei Lannister's head on a pike with Euron Greyjoy's beside it. We promise them that and they'll swear to Daenerys." Aegon said and Davos noticed that he'd not mentioned himself.
"But not you?" he asked.
"For now, Ser Davos, for now." Aegon said with a smile.
"Your grace, fancy a spar?" Ned Dayne called up when he noticed them watching.
He chuckled when he saw the smirk on Aegon's face, Davos seeing him nod before he turned to him and leaned in close.
"After we've eaten tonight, meet me in the Godswood." Aegon said and he nodded as the king turned to walk away from him before he stopped to look back "Davos, it's good that you've returned, truly it is." Aegon said before he walked away.
As much as he'd have enjoyed watching the spar, he felt the chill in the air and felt ready to get comfortable in his room for a bit. The thoughts of ale and a warm fire were ones he found most pleasing. He turned to walk from the walkway when he saw Jaime Lannister and Tyrion heading out the gate. Davos wondering where the two men were going and then looking on surprised as Ghost followed out silently after them. Aegon looking up at him as he reached the courtyard and Davos saw the look on his face that told him the wolf was about the king's business this day.
Shaking his head as he laughed a little, he walked into the keep and down to his room. Inside he found the fire to be already lit, while a large jug filled with ale and a plate of cold meat and cheese lay on his table. Davos took a seat as he then noticed the small note that lay beside the ale and food. Pouring himself a mug of ale he opened the note and read it.
Rest up Davos, we have much to do,
Jon.
The Vale of Arryn 305 AC.
Sansa Stark.
She hated riding, the discomfort, the cold, even sitting on the horse itself was something she disliked immensely. When you added in the smells that came from the horses and from the men who rode with her, not that she herself had been able to bathe properly either for days, it made her long for carriages once more. In the future when she was queen she'd insist she traveled in a manner becoming of one. A large wheelhouse like the one Cersei Lannister had was to her the only way a true queen should travel.
Only a savage who lived among other savages would think a queen should ride a horse. It was just another example to her of why Daenerys Targaryen wasn't fit to be queen. She spent her time among filthy savages, she drank and ate with them even went so far as to drink that foul drink that the wildings were known for. No, a queen was supposed to be above it all, she looked down over her people and gave them something to aspire to. When she ate she did so delicately, picking the food from her plate and washing it down only with the finest wines.
Cersei Lannister was a mad, cruel woman but she was far more of a queen than the Draognbitch could ever be. Sansa though would put them both to shame, she'd be thought of as Good Queen Sansa, would be beloved by her subjects and admired by the ladies of the realm. She'd be lusted after by knights and lords and yet none would ever stand the slightest chance of gaining her favor. Sansa shuddering at the thoughts of a man ever touching her again and yet she knew that she'd have to let one do so in the future.
"The Bloody Gate, Lady Sansa." Ser Daveth said taking her from her daydream and Sansa looked to see the large wall that stood in front of them.
"Is there a keep inside?" she asked not seeing anything other than the parapets and the covered bridge.
"There's a small garrison and while the accommodations aren't up to a true keep, they're far better than those we've stayed in to get here my lady." Ser Daveth said.
Sansa though displeased accepted that, the idea of a warm fire, a bed and a bath, and some hot food one something she could appreciate. They rode to the gate itself and she looked up as a man loomed large over them, his armor was dark and grey and she remembered that her uncle had once served here. The Knight of the Blood Gate she'd heard Robb name him once, Sansa briefly felt sadness thinking she'd never met the man only for it go as she remembered he'd not come to her aid when called.
"Who would pass the Bloody Gate?" the knight shouted and Sansa looked to see that there was a Septon standing beside him, something that she found most strange.
"Ser Daveth Hersy, escorting the Lady Sansa Stark to meet with Lord Robert." Ser Daveth said and Sansa saw the knight on the bridge nod and the gate was then opened.
Theon helped her from her horse and her escort all dismounted as the knight who'd greeted them from the bridge headed their way along with some guards. Sansa looking and trying to see and recognize the sigil he bore. The broken black wheel was on a green field and her mind went quickly to the books she'd read when she had stayed with her aunt and cousin. Smiling as she soon remembered it was from House Waynwood but she could not place the man's name.
"Ser Daveth, I had not expected to see you back so soon, Lord Yohn, the others?" the knight asked.
"Readying for battle Ser Donnel," Ser Daveth said.
Donnel, Ser Donnel Waynwood, Lady Anya's second son, Sansa's mind quickly placed the man and she thanked Littlefinger for his insistence that she learn as much as she could about the Vale. What his original plans were for her there she had never known, only that something had caused them to change. Sansa still feeling the effects of that change today she thought as she almost felt the scars.
"Lady Sansa, a pleasure." Ser Donnel said and Sansa smiled when he kissed her offered hand, the knight was plain and homely but he at least understood the courtesies she was most pleased to find.
"Ser Donnel." she said and looked to Theon who watched the knight's every move, Sansa thankful for his protective stare as she spoke to the man.
They were quickly brought into the keep which she found was far larger than Ser Daveth had said and Ser Donnel soon had a room and a bath prepared for her. Sansa was delighted to see that there were oils and scented soaps laid out by the servants for her and before she knew it she was relaxing in the warm water. She drank some wine and ate some grapes and some candied fruits as she lay there. Finding that by the time she was ready to climb out the water had begun to cool. Sansa dried and dressed herself but she allowed the servant to brush her hair before she headed to the small hall for the evening meal.
In the hall it was as if she was in a different world, the food was plentiful, the wine flowed and though she was the only highborn lady present, it didn't diminish her enjoyment of the meal she ate or the night ahead of her. Sansa even dancing with Ser Donnel, some of the other knights, and Theon. Though she had to almost drag him to the floor to do so as he seemed more nervous here than he had been in Winterfell. She welcomed the advances of the knights though politely turned them down, still, it was comforting to find that she was much desired. That had been one of her greatest worries because of all she'd been through. The idea that the scars she covered up could still be seen in her features was one that filled her with dread.
She needed to be desired, to be wanted, to play on men and use that weapon that Cersei had told her they all possessed. Her name alone wasn't going to be enough to get her what she wished and should the truth of her position reach the Vale before she made her move then she'd be done for. But a man's desire was a useful tool to use and seeing how the men in the hall looked at her, it was one that she'd be able to take advantage of still.
"Lord Robert will be so pleased to see you, my lady, I fear he's missed family these past few moons." Ser Donnel said as they sat the high table.
"As will I to see my cousin too, Ser Donnel. I find myself missing true family more and more." she said truthfully.
"We'll arrange to change the horses on the morrow, Lady Sansa. I wish I could offer you a carriage of some sort but all we have are carts and that's no way for a lady such as yourself to travel." Ser Donnel said with a smile.
"I thank you good Ser, I must beg your forgiveness though, I find myself most tired and in need of rest." she said smiling back at the man and noticing his disappointed look at her leaving.
Theon escorted her back to her room and she welcomed the feel of the warm bed as she lay down upon it before she quickly undressed. Her sleep was far more peaceful than it had been while on the road and she wondered was it because she was now closer to her goal. When she woke the next morning she was eager to be on her way, moving quickly to break her fast and almost hurrying the others along. She could see that Ser Donnel and the other men were less pleased she was leaving and she wondered how many of them had thoughts of her the night before.
"Ser Donnel, thank you for making my stay here most pleasant, I'll be sure to inform my cousin of your gallantry and attentiveness." she said with a smile and saw the man's chest puff up.
"You were a most welcome guest my lady, most welcome." the knight said kissing her outstretched hand.
It took them another two full days to arrive at the Gate's of the Moon, Sansa feeling all the good work the bath and warm bed had done her had been for naught. Her hips and thighs ached, she smelt once more and her hair was in dire need of a wash and a brush. She felt it even more keenly when she was greeted by a beautiful woman with quite a large bust that she had clearly on display, alongside another dark-haired girl and some knights.
"Ser Daveth?" one of the knights said while the dark-haired girl moved forward.
"My father, Ser?" the girl asked.
"Lord Yohn has stayed in Winterfell to take part in the fight to come my lady, he tasked me with escorting Lady Sansa to her cousin, Lord Robert." Ser Daveth said.
"Lady Sansa, forgive me." the girl with the large bust said as she moved forward to greet her.
"There's nothing to forgive, Lady?" she asked with her eyebrow raised.
"Lady Myranda Royce, May I present Ser Mychel and Lady Ysilla Redfort and Ser Harrold Hardyng." Myranda said and Sansa was greeted politely by Ser Mychel and suspiciously by Lady Ysilla, though most warmly by Ser Harrold.
"Lady Sansa, a pleasure, truly." the blond-haired blue-eyed man said kissing her hand, Sansa finding herself lost in his eyes for a moment before she caught and steadied herself.
"Ser Harrold, Lady Myranda, perhaps I can be escorted to my cousin?" She asked to a slight frown from Ser Harrold.
"This way, Lady Sansa." Myranda said and Sansa followed her and Ser Harrold with Theon walking behind her while Ser Mychel, Lady Ysilla, and Ser Daveth stayed back and spoke to each other.
She was led into the Great Hall and was surprised by just how full it was. Knights, lords, ladies, it seemed she'd arrived in the middle of a feast or ball of some sort. She looked to the high table and saw her cousin, Robin looking just as weak and sickly as he ever had though when he saw her he smiled brightly.
"Sansa?" he called out happily.
"Oh cousin, it's so good to see you." she said her smile and the flushing of her eyelids soon drawing an even bigger one of his own.
He insisted she sat beside him and over the course of the next few hours they spoke, she touched his arm, his shoulder, and even briefly his leg. She laughed at his japes which weren't funny and leaned in close to speak into his ear. At the end of the night, he escorted her to a room he'd had made up for her near his own and when he leaned in to place a kiss on her cheek, she moved her face so he made contact with her lips. Sansa welcoming the surprised look on his face when she did so.
"I hope we can spend lots of time together, Robin, lots of time. I so wish us to be close, don't you." she said brushing his hand and moving his hair from his face, Robin staring at her with widened eyes.
"I do, cousin, very much so." he said and this time she leaned forward and placed a kiss on his lips herself before turning to walk into her room.
Men were easy she thought as she readied for her bed, Cersei had been so very right about that. All they truly wished for was what was between a woman's legs and Robin already wanted what was between hers. Soon enough he'd give her everything she wished for just on the off chance that she'd allow him what he desired. It was a small price to pay she thought as she lay down and covered herself with the sheet, a small price to pay for what it was she truly desired.
Winterfell 305 AC.
Tyrion.
He was stunned by what he heard, they'd won so easily. Was the threat not as great as he'd been led to believe? Was it some sort of mummery that Jon Snow had played out? He needed answers and it was clear he wasn't going to get them from the king or queen, not yet at least. Which left him but one option, Jaime. That his brother had survived and was unharmed was a huge relief though given he was beginning to doubt just what odds they'd faced, perhaps not. Still, he was happy when Jaime agreed to join him for a drink in the tavern in Wintertown.
Walking from the keep with no guards irked him once more, though again not because he feared he was in any sort of danger. More it was yet another acknowledgment that his safety was not something his queen concerned herself with. Another sign of just how far he'd fallen and how much trouble he was truly in if he couldn't gain access to the inner council. Without his position he was nothing, his name unlike Jaime's wouldn't bring him favor and he wasn't a warrior who could inspire men to fight for him. He didn't even have the gold to pay them to do so which was yet another reason he needed to be close to power. Destitution was not something he looked forward to.
"I'm afraid you'll have to pay." he said with a chuckle as he and Jaime entered the tavern, his brother nodding and soon enough they sat over ale and warm food.
Jaime didn't eat or drink while he did much of both, gladly accepting the second mug of ale when it was offered. His brother looked different to him, Jaime was focussed on something that were he not so concerned with his own prospects, Tyrion may have inquired about. But he'd not come here to discuss his brother, not truly. After finishing the food and starting on his third mug of ale, he began to ask some of the questions that preyed on his mind.
"The battle?" he asked.
"Like none I've ever known, Tyrion. To see them all, to see so many of them come at you, gods, I'd not be here today were it not for their graces." Jaime said.
"It was truly that bad?" he asked surprised.
"I don't know how many were in the army but we burned thousands, tens of thousands. At the end, I had lost my sword and I would have fallen." Jaime said reaching out and taking the first swallow from his own mug.
"What happened?" he asked moving forward in his seat.
"The king happened." Jaime said with a smile.
Tyrion listened as he was told the same story that he'd heard, Jon Snow jumping from a dragon's back and taking down Viserion before slaying the Night King. It was a wondrous tale and yet Jaime like others didn't see it, something his brother wasn't best pleased with his doubts when he brought it up.
"I care not for what you or anyone else says on this Tyrion, I, those there, we know what we know. We may still have won, our numbers were greater than theirs by the end but we'd have lost so many more to do so. As it was we lost enough, you head of Podrick?" Jaime asked.
"No?" he said before realizing what Jaime was saying "He fell?" he said softly.
"He fell." Jaime said sympathetically.
They sat in silence for a few moments, Jaime taking another swallow of the ale and Tyrion thinking back on the boy who'd saved his life so many years earlier. He raised his mug and offered a toast that Jaime joined in with and then he swallowed down what was left in the mug and ordered a refill. He was trying to think of how to bring up his issues with Daenerys and Jon Snow when the bolt struck the wall, Jaime turning his head as Bronn stepped out of the shadows with the crossbow still in his hands.
"Ser Bronn of the Blackwater, where's your drink." he asked before looking to his expression "What are you doing North?"
"What are you doing with that?" Jaime asked looking to the crossbow as Tyrion finally recognized it.
"Oh this, this if for you both of ya, a gift from your sister. Unfortunately like all gifts that come from cunts this one has a price too. Your sister offered me Riverrun to end you both."
"If you believe Cersei will keep to any promise she gave you then you're a fool and you should just fire that fucking crossbow." Jaime said his voice angry though not at Bronn, Tyrion noticed."
"Which is why I'm fucking here. Your sister was dead the moment those dragons arrived and any fucking hope she had of winning went out the door after that mad fucker jumped from the dragon's back. So where does that leave me? An offer to a castle that right now is worthless or another lie from two cunts who I've spent years wiping their arses for and to no reward."
"You're Ser Bronn of the Blackwater." Tyrion said looking directly at him.
"That's worth about as much as a pile of that dragon shit outside Winterfell's walls. No, it's time Ol Bronn here took matters into his own fucking hands. Cersei will lose unless all of a sudden some of the Dragonqueen and the Bastard's top men start falling and to get my fucking castle I'll make lots of you fucking fall." Bronn said.
"We made a deal long ago, do you remember?"
"Aye, if anyone paid me to kill you then you'd give me double. What's double Riverrun?" Bronn asked.
"Highgarden, you could be Lord of the Reach." Tyrion said though he wasn't sure how he'd pull it off, still, Bronn being here gave him options he'd not had up to now.
If Bronn was truly willing to kill for Riverrun then what would he do for Highgarden? Jon Snow would beat the man in a straight-up fight but Bronn didn't fight straight up and unlike other king's, Jon was lax in his own protection. With him gone, Tyrion would be in a position not only to give Bronn Highgarden but to see himself set too. He smiled when he thought that of all people who'd come to his aid it was Cersei who'd perhaps giving him all he truly needed.
"Highgarden, are you mad? Jaime asked.
"Better than being dead." he replied.
"He's not going to kill us, he wouldn't be talking…" Jaime said as the bolt flew from the crossbow and barely missed his head.
"Way I see it, I only need of the Lannister brothers alive." Bronn said as Jaime glared at him.
"Highgarden will never belong to a cutthroat, the Reach won't stand for it and neither will the king or queen." Jaime said.
"No, who are your ancestors? The ones who made your family rich, cutthroats, thieves, killers, and vagabonds. You may have risen high you golden cunt but your House like mine started very fucking low." Bronn said.
"Aye, they did." Tyrion said to a glare from Jaime.
"Highgarden, give me your word." Bronn said.
"You have my word." Tyrion answered "But none of this means anything until we take King's Landing, we could use the help of the former Commander of the City Watch." Tyrion said.
"Oh no, my fighting days are done, but I still got a few killing days left you hear me? "Bronn said as he got up and began to back away.
He didn't see it, never heard it, how it managed to not just get into the tavern but to sneak up so completely on a man who prided himself on knowing where and when there was a threat to his life, Tyrion couldn't tell. Bronn barely had a chance to reach out and open the door. The arm with the crossbow was ripped off so quickly and so silently, other than the screams from Bronn himself there was no sound and Tyrion almost pissed himself. The screams didn't last too long either as in the blink of an eye Ghost had torn Bronn's throat out.
The sounds of the last gurgles of Bronn's breath and the pooling of the blood along with the crackling of the logs in the fire were the only noises in the tavern. Even as the great white wolf moved towards them, its red eyes staring deep into his own and its snout covered in Bronn's blood, not a sound could be heard. When Ghost reached the table he felt sure it was the end and he felt a few stray drops of piss roll down his leg. To say he was relieved when the wolf turned to Jaime and when it licked his brother's hand wouldn't do justice to how he felt. Tyrion looking on as the white wolf behaved like some grey puppy as his brother fed it some of the meat from the table.
On the floor, almost right at the door, Bronn had stopped moving. His lifeblood was pooled all around him and Tyrion reached for his mug and emptied it in one swallow. All the while Jaime fed Ghost pieces of meat and the white wolf's red eyes just stared at him as if it was giving him a silent warning. Be wary those eyes said, be wary because you've just seen what happens to those who are not. It was a warning that he intended to take very much to heart.
Winterfell 305 AC.
Dany.
There was something on Aegon's mind that for now at least he wasn't sharing with her. That it was all he wasn't sharing did at least make her believe that whatever it was, he would tell her when the time was right. After the feast they'd come back to their room, they'd lain together and spoken of the future. Aegon had surprised her when he got up and walked to the chest he kept the dragon egg in and when he then brought it over to her.
" Do you feel it?" he asked as he handed it to her, Dany feeling the dragon moving inside, the egg even warmer now than it had been.
" It's more alive?" she asked.
" I know now why I have that egg." Aegon said.
" Because your father wanted you to have it." she said and he shook his head.
" It's for the babe, Dany, the dragon in that egg is the babe's mount." Aegon said and she looked to see he was smiling as he did so.
" How do you know?" she asked.
" I feel it, Dany, it calls when you're in the room, the egg it was never alive for me, it was always for the babe." Aegon said as Dany moved the egg closer to her stomach. She felt it then, the dragon inside her and the one in the egg almost seemed to be moving towards each other.
She was telling Missandei this as her friend fixed her hair, Dany chuckling at the frown on her face when she had seen her own efforts at the elaborate braids that Missandei was so adept at. This more than anything she had missed when her friend was on the road. Their time spent together as Missandei fixed up her hair was never about that alone. It was about them sharing their concerns, speaking of their hopes and dreams, and for Dany that even more than the good advice she gave was why she loved her friend so. There was no one, apart from Aegon now, that she could share her thoughts with so completely and with Missandei there were things she could share with her that she couldn't even with her husband.
They spoke of her time on the road, Dany listening as Missandei told her of how Ghost saved her life and how he'd protected and fed her while they traveled south and then back north. She laughed freely when Missandei said that not only had the white wolf being her protector but he'd been her blanket too, its soft white fur keeping her far warmer than any fire. When she spoke of Tyrion and Sansa, Dany felt her anger rise, more at the latter than the former. They'd given her every chance and would now be forced to deal with her once and for all, Dany worrying just how Aegon would take it when they finally did so.
"There, all done my queen." Missandei said and Dany looked into the looking glass, finally looking just how she had when she had arrived here all those moons ago.
"Shall we take a walk?" she asked and Missandei nodded, both of them leaving the room and strolling through the keep.
This was yet another thing she had missed, the simplicity of walking with her friend, almost as if they were just two friends and she was not a queen with a kingdom to conquer and enemies to deal with. She'd tried doing the same with Aegon and had found him to be far less good company than her friend was. Only his sister Arya coming close to offering her the same feeling as her walks with Missandei did.
"Is that his grace?" Missandei said and Dany looked to see Aegon readying to face Ned Dayne in a spar, a crowd of Northmen, Free Folk, Unsullied, and Dothraki, along with the Dornish all gathering to watch.
"It seems my husband wishes to put on a show, should I give him some encouragement?" she asked feeling a little wicked.
"I think he'd most enjoy that your grace." Missandei said with a smirk.
"A gold dragon on Lord Dayne." she called out and giggled when Aegon's head turned so fast towards her that she thought he'd snap his neck.
"Mine own wife, you wound me so my love." Aegon said feigning hurt only to smile and tease her back "Though I find myself most in need of a gold dragon and so I'll take that wager."
She turned to Missandei and leaned in close, asking her to send for a gold dragon, and both of them almost falling into a fit of giggles as she did so. The crowd that now gathered for the spar was even larger and Dany noticed Ned Dayne's cousin t be looking at her far more intently than he was at the spar that was about to begin. He'd flirted and came very close to crossing the line at the feast. Dany though had enjoyed her husband's jealousy too much to set him straight but given how he looked at her and what she'd just done, she worried that he may get the wrong idea. It was something she'd address at a later time she thought as the spar began.
Dany was not someone who truly understood swords, she did though appreciate the men who wielded them greatly and she could tell an impressive blade from one that was not. Ser Jaime and Lady Brienne both carried Valyrian Steel, as did Jorah now also thanks to Aegon, and her husband's own blade Longclaw was dark and impressive. She had to admit to herself though that none of them came close to the beauty of Dawn, its milky white blade shining brightly as it reflected the sun. She knew that she was not alone in giving it an admiring glance or two and even Aegon himself had seemed awed by it.
Not that it took his focus from the fight in front of him, Dany watching eagerly as the two blades clashed together and the sound reverberated around the courtyard. The sound itself was otherworldly, Dany hearing it almost as if it was a musical note being played by a really well-made instrument and she found she quite enjoyed the song it sung. Almost as much as she enjoyed the way her husband moved. Aegon was lithe and graceful and while Ned Dayne was no slouch and quite accomplished, her husband danced as he too heard the song.
"He's very good." she heard Ser Jorah say as he walked up behind her and Missandei.
"He is the Sword of the Morning, Ser Jorah, just as his uncle was before him." Dany said knowing it was Ned Dayne he was speaking of and not Aegon.
"I saw Ser Arthur fight once, just in a spar like this but he was an artist. I've only ever seen two men come anywhere close and only one who could have matched him." Jorah said.
"Ser Barristan was one, who was the other, Ser Jorah?." Missandei asked and Dany smiled a sad smile thinking on her fallen knight.
"His Grace." Jorah said motioning to Aegon.
The thoughts that had threatened to go down a slightly dark road at the mention of Barristan now traveled down a much different one. Dany looking on as Aegon danced away from Dawn's blade and as the Northmen, Free Folk, the Unsullied and Dothraki all cheered their king on. While not playing with him, Ned was too good for that she suspected, Aegon was fighting within himself. Dany had seen his true skill when he faced the Night King. Here he was laying traps, spinning away from Ned's attacks and parrying his blows. He was feinting and not truly attacking and then all of a sudden he was.
"It's over." Jorah said.
Dany watched as Longclaw began to move ever faster, as Aegon pushed forward and Ned Dayne struggled to keep him at bay. The two blades were barely seen so fast were they moving, one pressing the attack and the other fighting desperately to stave it off. It was a futile effort as she heard the loud cheers when Dawn was knocked to the ground and Aegon held the tip of Longclaw's blade no more than an inch from Ned's neck.
"I yield, your grace." Ned said with a beaming smile as Aegon took Longclaw away and bent down to pick Dawn up and hand it back to its owner.
"You must forgive me Lord Dayne, but being from the North I know the value of coin and a gold dragon is a gold dragon." Aegon said to loud laughs as he slapped Ned warmly on the back.
Dany looked to Missandei and nodded as the girl handed her the coin, she then leaned forward and held it up for all to see.
"To the victor go the spoils." she said as she threw it in the air.
The coin flipped over and over as it fell and she soon found herself laughing as Arya Stark raced forward and caught it. Aegon looking to his sister who had a mischievous grin on her face as she ran, her husband looking anything but a king as he chased after her to more laughs. It was good to see it she thought, both from Aegon and Arya but also from the rest of those who'd fought the dead. They deserved to be happy and to have moments like this. Given what they'd gone through they deserved it far more than most.
She and Missandei continued on their walk, Dany speaking to women and children, Ser Jorah, Grey Worm, and Qhono soon joining them and speaking on the spar. By the time she made it back to her room, it was almost nightfall. She'd been so caught up in listening to children, in visiting with mothers with young ones, especially that she'd lost track of time. Watching mothers feed their babes at their breast as she spoke to them stirring up far different feelings than the sight once had. After Rhaego she'd only felt sad when she saw such a sight, the knowledge that they were doing what she could not cut her deep. Now she felt excitement, eagerness, and hope, the knowledge that she'd soon be doing the same only filled her with increasing joy. Dany soon expressing that joy as she stood in front of the looking glass and thought of the babe that grew inside of her.
King's Landing 305 AC.
Cersei.
He was accomplished far more so than she had imagined and his mind was as devious and cruel as her own. The things he'd promised her he'd do to the Dragonbitch, to the Wolf Whore, the Bastard, and the brother who'd abandoned her made her wet. What he promised to do to the Imp actually was enough to make her come. The thoughts of Tyrion falling into Euron's hands made her have no need of her own or anyone else's. Cersei actually feeling herself come the first time he told her and surprisingly the second and third too.
It made her think she was wrong to have Qyburn send Bronn to kill them both though she would take satisfaction in hearing that Tyrion was dead. Knowing Jaime was would be interesting to see how she actually reacted and was in truth the only reason she'd asked for it to be done. She needed to know if she could feel sadness or what regret tasted like, she needed to know if she could feel anything but hate anymore. So even if it cost her Jaime, her other half who'd left her all alone, she'd pay the price to find out who she was now.
She walked to the window and looked down at the city, her city, hers, not Sansa Starks, not her bastard brother's, and certainly not that Dragonspawn. Younger and more beautiful, neither of them would be either by the time Euron was finished with them. After looking around and not finding any wine she called for the servant who then quickly set off to right that wrong. The girl who'd cut her hair to resemble her was one of the few that she had any time for and one who'd warmed her bed more than once. Cersei finally finding someone who knew the only reason why she'd care whether they had a tongue or not.
"Your grace." she heard the soft voice and turned to see Qyburn had entered along with the girl, Cersei waving her off and pouring the wine herself as her Hand took a seat when bid.
"What is it?" she asked.
"Word from the North, your grace." Qyburn said as she bid him continue "The Army of the Dead has been defeated."
"See, I told you this was naught but a distraction, send my men North, hah, as if I'd do such a foolish thing. What losses did they suffer, a Dragon perhaps? The cockless heathens or the savages?"
"Minimal, your grace." Qyburn said as she glowered at him.
"Minimal, Minimal, are you telling me their armies are nearly intact?" she almost screamed.
"They are your grace." Qyburn said.
"Bronn?"
"Should be there by now your grace."
"What other news, my brother?" she asked feeling worried over Jaime now.
"Survived as did the Imp." Qyburn replied.
"The Wolf Whore?" she asked hoping that at least one of them had suffered.
"Sansa Stark wasn't in Winterfell your grace, she's traveled to the Vale."
She felt her chest tighten, the girl's cousin ruled the Vale and they'd not fought on any side if she could bring them to bear….no. no, that it would matter she supposed extra numbers wouldn't be what won the next war. No, if it came down to numbers alone then she was already done for but she was her father's daughter and she'd learned at his hands. Numbers don't win wars, leaders win wars and she was born to lead.
"We have people in the Vale?" she asked and Qyburn nodded "See it done, bloody if possible but as long as the Wolf Whore dies I care not."
"Of course your grace, there is something else, a strange letter from Dorne." Qyburn said handing it to her.
She opened it read it and reread it, the words not making any sense to her or to be more truthful not very much sense.
"Of the night, the star that burns brightest is not the one you see but the one you do not. What is this some kind of jest?"
"I believe it's from Ser Gerold Dayne, your grace, he refers to himself as the Darkstar, a play on House Dayne." Qyburn said.
"And how would he be in a position to see this done?" she asked curiously.
"He and his cousin along with a party from Dorne sailed to White Harbor your grace, as I told you a number of weeks ago." Qyburn said and she waved him off and bid him continue "I believe he would see it done your grace, were we willing to match his price."
"Dorne." She said with a sneer.
"We need someone there we can rely on your grace, Princess Arianne is not that person, her brother may very well be and Ser Gerold claims that Prince Quentyn will soon arrive with men to see Dorne is taken." Qyburn said.
"With our help." she said shaking her head "He does ask for the Iron Fleet and the Golden Company in return does he not?"
"He also promises to deliver us Jon Snow and Daenerys Targaryen or the key to their downfall." Qyburn said.
"Very well, make the deal. We can always change the terms later." she said with a smile as Qyburn nodded.
She drank her wine as her Hand set off to see her will was done, Cersei smiling broadly and then even more so when she heard his footsteps behind her. His hand dipped straight between her legs and she knew he'd find her wet and ready for him, lately, she always was. Some of it was the man himself, the words he spoke, and the promises he made but most of it was the fact she was a queen, a true queen, and soon she'd stand and watch as all her enemies fell before her eyes. Cersei closed her eyes as she came on his fingers, the image of King's Landing covered in green flames playing out in her head.
" Burn them all" the voice in her mind called out "Burn them all."
Winterfell 305 AC.
Aegon.
He'd enjoyed the spar and the chase with Arya, Aegon finding himself walking with his sister down into the crypts, the two of them alone and Arya leaned close against him when they reached the statues. While she stood silently in front of her father's he moved to his mother's almost expecting to hear her voice once more. The silence was welcome though and he told her that he understood and that he wouldn't waste the second chance he'd been given.
"When will you march?" Arya asked taking him from his thoughts.
"Within the week." he said.
"And Winterfell?"
"Will need its lady." he said looking to her and seeing her shake her head.
"No, that's not me, that's not who I want to be, please Jon, don't… please." she said moving to him.
"I'd not name you against your will and I won't ever ask you to be what you're not, Arya, you know me better than that." he said and saw the relief on her eyes.
"I thought you were going to say, but." she said making them both laugh.
"No, I'll not say that. What I will is this, all your life you didn't want to be a lady because of how you thought a lady was supposed to be. How she had no say in her life, no right to make decisions without her husband's approval, no power but that given to her by her position and her marriage. There are other ladies too, Arya, Lady Maege, Lyanna Mormont, do you see any making their choices for them?" he asked and she shook her head.
"No."
"No. People I've spoken to, people who knew my mother told me that she was very much like you. She was wild, free, and refused to accept the choices that others made for her. Our Grandfather and her brothers, all of them other than Uncle Benjen failed her Arya, they tried to make her do what she didn't want to and because of that, I swear I'll not fail you.
But were it to be something you wished for then I'd name you Lady of Winterfell and Wardeness of the North. You'd be the most powerful person in the entire North and aye, while there would be responsibilities and like any of us at times you'd have to what you may not enjoy. No one would tell you who to be, Arya, no one but you." he said mussing her hair and getting a slap in return.
"I don't want it, Jon, I want to go with you and Dany when you go south, I want to see you crowned, after that I don't know, but I don't want to be a lady, Jon, Not even that kind." she said softly.
He grabbed her in his arms and kissed her forehead and then hugged her tight, feeling her arms go around his back and her head lean closer to his chest. A part of him knew she'd never accept and it left him in a quandary, for now, he could name a castellan and they could name a different Warden but there must always be a Stark in Winterfell and it would seem that they had run out of Starks. Aegon knowing there was no way he'd ever name the only other one to the seat.
Leaving the Crypts he saw Tyrion and Jaime walk in through the gates and that Ghost was walking alongside them. The look on both men's faces letting him know that the wolf had done as he'd asked. Aegon held his hand out and Ghost raced towards him, the blood on his snout all the evidence that was required to show that Bronn was now dead. Nodding to Arya he moved toward Jaime and Tyrion, hating what he was about to do but knowing the need for it and glad that Dany had agreed with him. They needed him close enough so that he had the opportunity to betray them and so they could manage that betrayal.
Aegon was certain now what form that betrayal would take, after all, he'd had years to think about events and play them out in his head. Sansa's betrayal was of him, the secret he'd told her and she'd sworn to uphold the form of that betrayal, Tyrion's was far more devious. He'd cost Dany far more than any other and he'd try to do so once more, though this time Rhaegal, Missandei, and his queen would not suffer at the hands of the imp.
"Busy day." he said with a smile as Jaime and Tyrion looked at him.
"Did you send your wolf, your grace?" Tyrion asked.
"Send him Lord Tyrion?" he asked confused.
"My brother and I were sharing a drink in the tavern in Wintertown, your grace. We were set upon by a man we both trusted, Ser Bronn of the Blackwater, and were it not for Ghost." Jaime said though it was clear Tyrion didn't agree with his brother's assessment by the look on his face.
"Ghost can be a law on to himself Ser Jaime, while I have some control over him, he knows far better than me where danger lurks, don't you boy." he said rubbing the wolf's head.
"Well, we're most grateful for his help, your grace." Tyrion said sounding anything but.
"I'll be sure to reward him suitably." He said before he looked to Ser Jaime and then to Tyrion "Perhaps we can speak later Lord Tyrion, we'll soon be making our plans to march south and I'm sure her grace and I will welcome your thoughts."
"I'll be more than happy to help any way I can your grace." Tyrion said smiling.
"Ser Jaime, perhaps you'd care to join me." he said turning to walk away, Tyrion hurrying off into the keep and almost skipping as he did so.
He walked to the smithy's and saw her as soon as he got there, Brienne speaking to the Hound and to Arya who'd unsurprisingly to him rushed straight here after they'd spoken. His sister would discuss the offer with Gendry and so perhaps all was not yet lost in that regard. Though the idea of having her with him was one he found most appealing should she not change her mind.
"Your grace." Brienne said and Aegon tried to put her at ease, something the Hound was very much already at, the man standing there eating from a plate of chicken and with a large jug of ale on the barrel beside him.
"Ser Brienne I was wondering if Ser Jaime and I may have a word?"
"Of course your grace." she said moving towards them both immediately.
"Perhaps the Godswood would be best." he said and she nodded.
"That alright, no need to say hello." Arya said smirking at him and then laughing when he stuck his tongue out at her.
Aegon, Jaime, Ghost, and Brienne all left the smithy with smiles on their faces and to the sounds of Arya's laughter. They walked silently into the Godswood, Aegon sure that Brienne was asking Jaime what this was about and he wondered if the knight himself even knew what he was about to ask. He guessed that he might and given the smile that was still on his face when they reached the Weirwood, it seemed he very much approved.
"We in the North have a special connection to the Weirwood's Ser Brienne. We use them to speak to our gods and we believe they see us through them." he said as he reached out to touch the tree.
"I've heard it spoken of your grace." she said.
"It's said that an oath sworn in front of a Weirwood can't be broken on the pain of death and should a lie be told in front of one the Old Gods would know and curse the man or woman who spoke it. A strange thing I've always thought, oaths should never be broken and lies, well some lies are necessary." he said trailing off lost in thought for a few moments.
"Your grace?" Jaime asked when he didn't speak for some time.
"Forgive me, Sers, I don't know whether it's ghosts of the past or simply the memories of it that make me lose myself here." he said as he shook his head "You hold true to oaths do you not, Ser Brienne?" he asked.
"I try to, your grace." she said.
"My wife and I are in need of those who do, of those who can be trusted to hold to the oaths they swear. It means more to us both than any skill with a blade or prowess on the field, though possessing both doesn't hurt either." he said with a small laugh.
He could see that Jaime if he'd not known what he was planning, certainly did now though Brienne was still a little lost.
"My wife intends to break the wheel, figuratively at least. Westeros is not yet ready for it to be broken completely and so I've convinced her to add more spokes to it. To make changes that in time will lead to more changes, one of those changes brings me to why I've asked to speak to you today.
Ser Brienne of Tarth, in my own name and in the name of my wife, I would like to extend to you the offer of a place on our Royal Guard, Kingsgaurd or Queensguard it matters not as both are equal and so is the same with knights." he said and heard her gasp.
"Your grace, I'm not worthy of such an honor." she said dropping to her knee.
"My wife believes you are, as do I and as does Ser Jaime. Take some time to think on it and let us both know on the morrow." he said moving to touch her shoulder.
He left her and Jaime by the Weirwood and then walked from the Godswood with Ghost and was soon walking into the keep, nodding to Ned Dayne and to his cousin who both looked his way as he did so. As he walked through the corridors he saw Grey Worm and Missandei hurrying to the former's room, eager to get reacquainted no doubt and he smiled as he remembered Dany telling him that just like he did with her, they too did many things together. Reaching his door, the unsullied guards opened it for him and he stepped inside. Ghost going to the fire to lay down in front of it while he looked for his wife. Aegon finding her standing in front of the looking glass with a beaming smile on her face and so he moved up behind her.
"My wife smiles so, yet I'm not here? What pleases her and should I be jealous that it's not, I?" Aegon said kissing her neck as he stood behind her.
"Perhaps you should Aegon, for I find there may be someone whom I love even more than you." she said smiling still as she took his hand and placed it on her belly, the swelling having grown just a little more in the past few days.
"On this, I can find no fault in my wife's choice and no jealousy in my eyes or my heart, only love, full and unconditional. Only love, little dragon." Aegon said as knelt down and placed a kiss on her stomach.