Stannis' Defeat Spreads (Page 81)

~~~(POV: Daenerys Targaryen)~~~

~~~(Location: Narrow Sea, Bedroom, Dragonstone)~~~

~~~(Current Age: 17 Years)~~~

~~~(Date: 301 AC)~~~

It's been a month since I last held my brother in my arms. The lifelessness and listlessness fill me to the point of struggling to get out of bed. I was strong the first week, but realizing how long we'll be apart sunk in.

The silk sheets and warm sea air coming from the window entice me to remain in bed all day. But the slender arm of my sister-in-law wrapping around from behind me wakes me. Margaery and I have been sharing the bed.

If Rae knew that, he'd probably get excited at the prospect. He'll find disappointment since all we've done is comfort each other and sleep.

My fellow Queen is in a similar state to me, but she's had a slightly easier time than me. I find her rubbing her stomach more and more as the days pass. She's still a month or two from the due date.

According to the Maesters, it'll still be a while before they're born. I'm convinced she's got more than one in there; the size she's taken proves that.

"Let's not get up yet, Dany... The sun hasn't finished rising over the ocean outside..."

Her protests at my movement to get out of bed are apparent. I can only chuckle as I gently remove her arm from me. Feeling her stomach on my back had stirred the desire for another child even more than before Rae left.

I didn't want to be the wife that stayed back, making children and raising them. I've come to love the very thought I hated. Sure, I still want to be out there with Rae. But being here with my children is as important.

"I'm sorry, but the churning in my stomach beckons the call to the bathroom all the more loud, Margaery. We don't want to replace the sheets again, right?"

Her eyes immediately open, and she no longer protests as she gets up. The mention of the bathroom causes her to race to the door in her current condition. She's bigger than I ever was when I was pregnant.

Now that I'm alone in the room, my hand runs along my navel. I'm late from my bleed by a great deal, and the morning sickness only proves that I'm with child again.

"He'll have good news to come back to..."

When Margaerys birth nears, Rae should be returning. It'll be at the end of next month. I'm looking forward to seeing him again and sharing the news that I'm with child. The family has grown so much...

I race to the bathroom that isn't taken by Margaery and use it for everything a pregnant lady needs. Throwing up, peeing, and other such things. After getting out, I go down to my children's room.

As I open the door, I see the sleeping forms of Aly and Jae. They've become very close in Rae's departure. Finding comfort with each other. They don't know it now, but it won't remain innocent forever.

Aly and Jae miss their Daddy more than me sometimes. Daenys is the only one that's unaware of the absence. She's growing bigger every day.

Once I'm on the edge of Aly's bed, I run my hand along Jae's back. They've been sharing the same bed since the night Rae left. They're still very young, but they know that Daddy will be gone for a long time.

Just as I'm about to wake them up, the door opens slightly. Revealing a man in armor. Jorah is right next to him. I'm about to admonish them, but I see the looks on their faces.

I quickly stand up and make my way to them. Closing the door softly behind me. I look at them with concern in my eyes and can only worry that something has happened to Rae. It's the only thing my mind jumps to.

Looking back and forth between the two only frustrates me since neither speaks.

"Out with it; what's happened."

Jorah takes on a softer expression and is about to speak. But a voice from down the hall beats him to it. Giving me a message I've been dying to hear since Rae left. The owner of the voice is Ellaria.

"Raenon has killed Stannis and dismantled his army. All that's left is for Raenon to take the capital. We've received the message he'll be coming back early. He wants to wait until after Margaerys children are born."

All I can do is smile and smile. I do my job of holding back the tears. He'll be coming back early... He's coming home early!!

I'll finally get to see him again!!

~~~(POV: Robb Stark)~~~

~~~(Location: Small Council Tent, The Riverlands, Westeros)~~~

~~~(Current Age: 21 Years)~~~

~~~(Date: 301 AC)~~~

Everyone around the table has distraught looks... We were not expecting news like this. Not before Stannis took the capital, but he never made it. Raenon cut him off on the King's Road, at the border between the Riverlands and Crownlands.

We've received intel that Raenon is heading back to Dragonstone. He'll resume his campaign after the birth of his children by his second wife.

It gives us time to prepare for our eventual confrontation with Raenon. My fellow Lords have pushed me that we must fight, but my Mother and sister have made it clear that living is better than burning.

My temples flex in anger as I pinch the bridge of my nose. Edmure and Brynden have been quiet since we got the news an hour ago. They've been the biggest voices of support for me taking the throne.

Now that Raenon has killed the only remaining threat to his claim, it's clear he'll be changing strategies. I can only guess what he'll do. The only thing I can think of anymore is reaching out to the Black. They have men there that can help us.

The Greyjoys refused to join us, instead taking the side of Tywin at the promise of gold and the hand of Cersei Lannister.

"Raenon will come for us when he's done taking the capital. We need to discuss the eventuality that awaits us. Will we fight for our freedom against Targaryen Madness, or will you force us to kneel and be ruled by dragons again?"

The voice of Edmure takes me from my thoughts and forces me to look at the man. He's cost me much in my attempts to win against Tywin. Thankfully, I was able to take back the North. Now that I have it, I can't lose it.

"I'll speak with my remaining family, and when we've decided, I'll inform all of you."

They look at me with disapproval. They wouldn't understand. They believe grit and willpower will win against Raenon, but I'm not foolish enough to believe we can win against a dragon.

~~~(POV: Tyrion Lannister)~~~

~~~(Location: Carriage, Outside Kings Landing, Westeros)~~~

~~~(Current Age: 37 Years)~~~

~~~(Date: 301 AC)~~~

Only in my wildest dreams did I believe I'd be here... My eyes look at Kings Landing in the distance. The night makes it possible to see the thousands of lights from candles burning in the people's homes. The walls can be seen over from the hill we're on.

My companion in this carriage silently watches with me. It's been a long time coming to this point. Varys revealed his allegiances when the news came this morning and offered me something I didn't think I'd take.

"You don't need to worry about Kings Landing. When Raenon takes the throne, peace and prosperity will be all Westeros knows. Essos has blossomed thanks to Raenon."

It still turns my stomach that I'm betraying my family, but they've never done anything but hate me.

Except Jaime...

He's still lost in the North... We don't even know if he's alive... If he is, I hope he forgives me for this one day. Apparently, Varys has been smoothing the way for me to join Raenon for a long time.

I'm the only Lannister he might not kill.

"Time will tell if we've made the right choice this day, my friend... I fear the power dragons will bring to the Targaryen family. Madness will always be prevalent in the family."

Just because Raenon and Daenerys aren't as mad as their Father doesn't mean they lack it. Their children and children's children could be what finally kills Westeros. I'm doing this for the people of Westeros.

I can help Raenon rule better than another before him. I know I'm an intelligent man, and I know what it takes to run Seven Kingdoms.

"Raenon is not a cruel man. He's liberated millions. Brought untold wealth to the people he runs. He leads in front of his men. Many think his actions unbelievable, but it's not like it hasn't happened before."

He's not wrong. Thanks to Aegon the Conqueror, Westeros exists as it does today. The Targaryens built this continent. I haven't agreed to join Raenon yet, and I know Father won't take me back after this.

For all intense and purposes, this is a last-ditch effort for me. My only chance to survive and gain something of value out of this war.