Game of Thrones 1. Chapter 1:Love That Burns

**Chapter 1: Love that Burns**

**Disclaimer: **I do not own Avengers or GoT (maybe in another lifetime).

**Pairing: **Loki/Daenerys

**Summary: **This is a sequel story. It is a follow on from my first story **'The Flame Maiden of Hygard'** so if you haven't read this, you may wish to or else parts of this sequel may be hard to follow. This story is set after season 3 of GoT and follows the exploits of Daenerys Targaryen as she strives to take back the Iron Throne with the God of Mischief at her side. Reviews are absolutely welcome!

...

Three dark, silent shapes swooped and weaved in the night sky, soaring toward a formidable castle and the perilous cliffs upon which it rested. They flew unnoticed past its murky windows, landing softly against some ocean rocks as they growled up at the sinister fortress like a trio of watchful guardians. A slimmer, more petite form dismounted from the largest of the magnificent beasts and stepped over the slippery stones to regard Dragonstone, former island and stronghold of the Targaryen line.

Daenerys Stormborn, heir to the Targaryen Throne and rightful Queen of the Andals stood watch over her family's fortress, seething over the usurpers who had taken up residence there. Although she had come here for a very different reason, to retrieve a book lost within its walls, now that she stood here, Daenerys couldn't deny the overwhelming urge to reclaim her family's stronghold.

She hushed her dragons as they seemed to sense the importance of this place, gnashing their teeth and gazing at the castle that would have been their home once upon a time. "_Calm_," she told them in Valyrian. _"Be calm._" She needed to be smart about this. Even though she had three dragons at her command, Dragonstone was capable of hosting a small army if necessary. The last thing Daenerys needed was for several hundred soldiers to overwhelm her and her young dragons. Not when she had the element of surprise for the first time since the war of men had begun. At a distance, and when acting in sync, her dragons were a deadly combination. Up close, their youthful scales could still be penetrated by a strong blade. Daenerys was not about to risk the lives of any one of her beloved dragons, not even for a chance at her family's former stronghold.

The fragile life within her womb stirred as well, a gentle reminder that she had even more to protect than her dragons. She placed a delicate hand against her stomach, feeling the small yet evident bulge which now pushed against her dress. It was not obvious unless you were looking for it but Daenerys doubted that she would be able to hide her condition for much longer. It was certainly progressing much faster than an ordinary pregnancy, most likely as a result of Loki's unusual heritage. Although she did wonder how the baby's growth would eventually affect her body, not once did she question whether it was worth it. Daenerys loved the blossoming life within her unconditionally and she vowed she would destroy any who threatened to take her child from her.

A soft mewling from her dragons brought her thoughts back to the task at hand and she watched the fortress with stormy eyes. Even as a child, Viserys would tell her how he one day planned to conquer Dragonstone through use of the catacombs that extended beneath its stone foundations. According to her brother, there were narrow escape tunnels that spiralled up its walls and he was confident that if someone was as aware of the exact layout of Dragonstone as he was, it was quite possible for that person to move about the fortress undetected for years. Daenerys was counting on her lessons as a child to get her into the stronghold and with any luck she would be able to retrieve the diary of Daenys Targaryen without incident. If the opportunity presented itself and there were few enough soldiers guarding the place, she would also reclaim her rightful guardianship of Dragonstone.

Daenerys breathed deep, flexing her hands as she attempted to call forth the element of fire. She could feel her palms grow hot and she raised them in front of her but to her disappointment no flames sprung forth from her hands. Drogon suddenly gave an impatient huff and smoke snorted forth from his nostrils. This gave Daenerys an idea and she raised a coaxing hand toward her largest dragon with one simple request. _Dracarys_.

As Drogon obediently breathed fire into her open palm, Daenerys moulded the flames into a small ball. It stayed that way, shaped like a flaming piece of fruit and she smiled in satisfaction. For whatever reason, she was better at controlling fire than creating it. If need be, she could always borrow fire from her dragons but she was hoping even that wouldn't be necessary. Avoiding any interruption upon entering the stronghold would be crucial in her plans since she knew she had quite a search ahead of her. When the Baratheons had claimed Dragonstone as their own, they did away with most of her family's treasures, either selling them or throwing them into the sea. What remained they had abandoned in the dungeons to be forgotten over the years. They had committed similar appalling acts in Kings Landing, storing the skulls of her family's dead dragons in dirty old prison cells as though they were unwanted furniture. The only reason she suspected the skulls were not ground into powder was because the Baratheons were a proud family. With the dragons gone, their skulls were all that remained of the dragon dynasty and by keeping their skulls, it was almost like a sick reminder that the Baratheons had outwitted and outmanoeuvred the great Targaryen family. No one seemed to care or even realise that while her father had lost all sense as a ruler, there were still innocent children who paid the price for the Baratheon's betrayal.

One of the Baratheon brothers now sat atop Dragonstone as though he owned the place, licking his wounds over his latest war failures and listening to rants about the Red God from his Priestess. Daenerys had heard talk of this Fire Priestess... this insane Red Woman. Word travelled surprisingly quickly across the sea and Daenerys was informed of the exploits and measures that Stannis Baratheon had taken to ensure his support. He had allowed this Red Priestess to burn innocent people at the stake for supporting the Old Gods, claiming them to be false idols. While Daenerys harboured no strong feelings for the Gods herself, these were _her_ people Stannis and the Red Woman were burning and that she would not stand for.

Daenerys turned toward her dragons again, filled with nothing but steely determination and resolve as she mounted Drogon and urged him toward the castle. _It was time._

...

_Loki_

It was strange to think that the people of this world had so little experience with storms. Loki had grown quite accustomed to it over the years, particularly owing to the fact that his brother controlled lightening better than a musician could direct a symphony. The storm that raged now was so similar to the ones he had seen before that, had it not been for the shouts of alarm which sounded throughout the city, he would not have thought there was anything unusual about it.

But like so many times before, it was the sudden onset of the storm, the way it came out of nowhere that gave his brother away. Loki still cradled Daenerys' youngest dragon, Loreley, and he carried her with him as he stalked through the dark city, ignoring the way the Yunkish people cowered in their homes, shielding themselves from some unknown terror and the foreign weather that it brought.

When he reached the city limits, Loki kept going, trekking up the mountain where he knew Thor would easily find him. Loreley kept her sharp pin claws imbedded firmly in Loki's cloak, staring through the black downpour of rain with an enviable night vision. Remarkably the dragon heard it before Loki did, that subtle swoosh which signalled that someone else was moving about in that cyclonic weather, someone who knew their way around a storm. The moment Loreley angled her sharp, little reptilian head to the East, Loki's ears tuned in properly and he heard the distinctive sound of a weapon being thrown. He counted to two in his head, timing his retreat perfectly and stepped back at the just right moment. A split second later, a heavy weapon soared past him and embedded itself deep within the mountain slope, spraying the area with mud and plant debris. The hammer was all too familiar to Loki and he almost smiled as the obedient hunk of metal pulled itself free of the mud and rocketed back in the direction it had come from.

Loreley growled and moved out of sight under his cloak as Loki stood patiently, watching as a tall and broad shouldered figure finally emerged from the darkness with a cascade of water pouring from his armour. Although the tempest carried on around them, it was as if the pair was now in the eye of the storm and an eerie calm rested upon them.

"Long time, no see," Loki murmured, waiting as his adoptive brother stopped short several feet away, his fingers gripping tightly to his signature hammer. His blonde hair was plastered to his face as a result of the heavy rain and his cloak remained waterlogged against the back of his armour.

Loki expected the self righteous speech, the deep throaty voice which would inevitably reprimand him on his selfish plans but Thor said nothing as he regarded Loki with a detached coldness. The icy glare that Thor wore was so unlike the compassion of his brother that Loki couldn't help but smirk. "We have to stop meeting like this," Loki quipped, enjoying the way Thor's jaw ticked. "Come on now. Don't tell me I've finally pushed you too far?"

"I'm not here to offer you clemency this time, Brother," Thor said softly and Loki was surprised at the sadness that laced his words. "In fact, I'm under strict instructions by our Father to kill you if you defy him any further."

"How often you forget that you speak on behalf of your father and not mine," Loki reminded him through gritted teeth. "My father already left me for dead. And failed."

"You're to return with me to face trial in Asgard as was planned before you made your escape," Thor stated, ignoring Loki's jibe. "Only there will be no leniency granted now. In all likelihood, you will be sentenced to death. If you come with me now and do not resist, I promise I will do all I can to sway Father otherwise. I'm sorry."

"Can't do that, Brother," Loki replied evenly, deliberately referring to Thor's familial side in an attempt to appease him. "There's too much at stake here."

"Then we agree on something," Thor said coldly. "You will not bring your fury upon this world as you did with Earth. I won't let it happen again. Last chance."

"You heard me," Loki reaffirmed.

Thor's blue eyes looked crestfallen for a moment but he blinked it away as his face hardened. "So be it."

Loki was prepared but before Odin's son could so much as raise his hammer, Loreley seemed to sense the danger and immediately leapt forth from under Loki's cloak. The tiny reptile landed on the ground between them, growling obscenely for such a delicate little creature and snapping her teeth in what only she could possibly deem to be an intimidating manner.

Thor stared down at the young dragon, hammer raised mid air and his angry scowl still frozen on his face. His eyes darted briefly to his brother's and Loki couldn't hold back his grimace as Loreley actually attempted to bite Thor's toes through his boot.

"What... is... that?" Thor enunciated slowly, moving his boot back to which Loreley promptly followed, still gnashing her teeth. Loki sighed and slammed his sceptre down into the ground harshly, lodging it deep into the mud of the rocky hillside. He then stepped forward, scooping Loreley up before Thor could make a move against her and tucked her back under his arm.

"My responsibility," Loki said firmly, daring Thor to challenge him. When Thor continued to look confused Loki held Loreley out at arm's length, letting his brother get a good look at her at eye level. At this height, it was far easier to see the silver and lilac scales that adorned her body, the divine blue eyes and the small, yet impressive horns that jutted from her head. "I know almost all things seem to pale in comparison to your importance but I thought even you might recognise a dragon when you see one." As soon as he said it, Thor's expression morphed into one of astonishment.

"Impossible," Thor argued, shaking his head in denial.

Loreley did something then that astounded both of them. With an odd noise that sounded remarkably like a hiccup, Loreley snorted flame through the gaps in her teeth. It shot forward several feet, making Thor retreat to a safe distance whilst Loki stared at her with a mixture of surprise and pride. It was her first flame.

"Satisfied?" Loki asked Thor, cradling Loreley back against his chest.

"Those beasts have been extinct for thousands of years," Thor insisted stubbornly. "It must be a close relative."

"Like what?" Loki said sarcastically. "A fire breathing gargoyle, perhaps?"

Thor glared at him and raised his hammer defensively again causing Loreley to strain in Loki's arms, growling protectively. Loki couldn't help but feel some slight admiration towards the young creature, amazed that she would even try to defend him. The bond that Loreley felt for her mother, Daenerys, was stronger than ever and it could be seen by the way she fiercely protected Loki. This more than anything reassured him that Daenerys was safe, at least for now.

When Thor noticed that he would not be able to hurt Loki without injuring the young dragon in the process, he gave a grunt of annoyance and slammed the hammer into the ground where it remained discarded along with Loki's sceptre.

"Excellent," Loki said with forced cheer. "Now perhaps we can talk like civilised immortals."

"I don't know what you have planned for this world," Thor said gratingly. "Or the dragon for that matter." He jerked his head in the direction of Loreley who responded with an indignant snap of her jaws. "But your schemes are likely to fail as they always have."

Loki gave a dark chuckle. "Fail, Brother? Why I'm exactly where I should be. It is you who is out of your element."

"Just because you are the first Asgardian to travel to this world in a millennia does not mean you may claim it as your own," Thor interjected harshly.

Loki gave him a sly look. "As always, you assume the worst of me when really you have no idea what I have planned for this world."

"Same Loki," Thor said defiantly with a shake of his head. "Maybe with a few new tricks..." His eyes flickered briefly toward the dragon in Loki's hands once more and then back to his face. "But we both know how this fable ends."

Loki's determined expression wavered for a moment and he knew that Thor saw it. He turned away and set Loreley down on some rocks, watching as she turned around in several circles before settling into a comfortable sitting position. "It may have started out that way," Loki admitted softly as he turned back to Thor. "But things are different now."

Thor snorted brutishly. "Right. Next thing you'll tell me, some fair maiden has stolen your heart."

Loki's face remained serious and sincere. "Actually I gave it to her. Freely."

Thor crossed his arms in front of his broad chest and it was all Loki could do not to roll his eyes. It was funny how his brother could talk of how he hadn't changed when in fact Thor was every bit the same now as when he was battling bilgesnipes. He still resorted to his brawny muscles when things didn't go his way.

"You?" Thor echoed disbelievingly. "You expect me to buy that Loki of Asgard actually cares about someone other than himself?"

Loki spread his arms in a harmless gesture. "Hey, if it could happen to Thor Odinson..." Loki's eyes sparkled with his roguish insinuation.

"Leave Jane out of this," Thor snarled.

"You always wished that I was more like you," Loki reminded him grimly. "But now the shoe is on the other foot and I've found a world where I can escape the confines of your shadow, you want to drag me back. Forgive me if I'm reluctant to comply."

"You were taken back to Asgard to answer for your war crimes on Earth," Thor said savagely. "Your being here has nothing to do with a woman! You're here to appease your insatiable need to rule!"

"You're not even half right this time, Brother," Loki hissed through his teeth. The winds picked up around them, reminding Loki that Daenerys was still out in the storm, probably over half way to Dragonstone by now. He edged backward ever so slowly, knowing Thor would notice if he moved too suddenly. He didn't actually want to hurt Thor and he had no need to if his brother made no move against him.

"Believe what you will," Loki continued, his eyes flashing dangerously. "It makes no difference. But there is someone out there right now who needs me. And you're keeping me from her."

Thor's eyes lightened a bit and he seemed to consider Loki's words. "Why should I believe you?" he asked suspiciously but Loki noticed the way his hand was more relaxed now.

There was nothing else for it. Loki knew there was only one way to convince his brother. He strode forward before Thor could misinterpret his actions and placed a hand directly against his brother's chest. Thor still looked doubtful as his eyes flicked awkwardly to the hand against his chest.

"I have used no trickery, Brother," Loki said honestly. "I am as you find me. Come if you must, but I am going to find her." He removed his hand and waited for the knowledge to sink in as Thor debated his options.

"If what you say is true," Thor said carefully. "It does not absolve you of your other sins. I'm not sure I will ever be able to forgive you."

"I didn't ask you to," Loki said, trying to keep the impatience out of his voice. "Make no mistake, I don't pretend to suddenly be a noble pillar of virtue. I have not changed. I've just found something I want more than the throne of Asgard." It was the first time he had admitted it so openly but Loki recognised the truth in his own words as soon as he said it. What's more was Thor could hear it too. And even though his brother would no doubt search for some underlying motive (and he could hardly blame him), even Thor could not find what simply did not exist. "I'm still selfish by your standards," Loki warned him. "I have no plans to return with you and face trial. Everything I want is here and I will stop at nothing to get her back."

"Whether you shall return with me or not isn't your decision to make," Thor determined but his voice had softened considerably. "Who is she?" he asked, unable to keep the curiosity from leaking into his voice.

"A princess," Loki murmured reverently. "A Queen... A Targaryen."

As it did when Loki first heard the name, the title struck a chord within Thor. Names held value in Asgard and a name such as that of Daenerys' family held true power regardless of the world you came from.

"Targaryen?" Thor repeated. "It sounds..."

"Powerful," Loki admitted. "She is."

At this realisation, Thor's expression turned guarded once more, not trusting Loki's motives in regards to this mystery woman. Thor looked at the dragon that Loki had been carrying as he slowly began to make the connection and his eyes narrowed on his brother once more.

"If I was going to take this world, I'd need an army, not a woman," Loki pointed out. "She is powerful, I won't deny it. But she is not even yet fully aware of her own capabilities."

"And you hope to mould it for your own benefit?" Thor accused.

"Hardly," Loki said softly. "If I were to use her for the deeds you accuse me of, it would destroy her. She values life in a way that we do not. I could never ask her to do the things I have done. And I never will."

A moment of silence passed between them before Thor gave his gruff reply. "I'll help you find this woman. But Odin help you if you are lying to me."

"I just want to find Daenerys," Loki replied honestly and Thor jerked in surprise upon hearing the maiden's name. "She is all that matters."

"In that case you were wrong, Brother," Thor responded to which Loki raised his eyebrows questioningly. "Something within you has changed."

...

**End of the first chapter! I always liked the idea of Thor and Loki working together instead of against each other! Even if it is a strained truce. They are brothers right? **


	2. Chapter 2: The Dead Rise Again

**Chapter 2: The Dead Rise Again**

_**You only have power over people so long as you don't take everything away from them. But when you've robbed a man of everything, he's no longer in your power – he's free again.**_

_- Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn_

The darkness would have been overwhelming if not for the light which shone faintly in the cheeks of Daenerys' young dragons. They were not breathing fire as they usually would, but instead allowed a glimmer of flame to burn just behind their jaws. The tunnel was so dark that even the faint glow seemed bright enough for Daenerys as she crept through the catacombs of the keep. After climbing down from the cliffs with the aid of her dragons, it hadn't taken long to find the entrance to the sea cave. Dragonstone was so far removed from the rest of Westeros that the proud Stannis had not even bothered to guard all of the entrances into his borrowed domain. Beyond the cave, vast tunnels extended beneath the fortress as the passage led directly into Dragonstone. The Targaryens were well known for their resourcefulness, determination and of course their strong dislike of having their backs against the wall. As such, they had built their strongholds upon vast undergrounds, constructing passages which only their own blood could successfully navigate.

Daenerys could hear the faint sounds of tinkering and hammering overhead and she gauged her position as somewhere beneath the blacksmith. _One day_, she thought to herself, _one day I shall bring back the smithing of Valyrian steel. The book of Daenys Targaryen will yield the forgotten secrets of how the precious metal was forged. Through fire and power_. She smiled at the idea as she pushed on and the blacksmithing sounds faded into the darkness.

Daenerys was relying on the sketches she had seen of Dragonstone as a child since she had never actually laid eyes on the fortress herself. Even at an early age however, the sketches of the castle had always reminded her of The Great Wall in the North. It was tall for a fortress and although its stone base was met with water instead of snow, it still looked like the edge of the world just like the Wall. Viserys had once told her that the only way for an outsider to conquer Dragonstone was to first conquer the ocean around it. Dragonstone was perched perilously close to the jagged sea cliffs and yet somehow the great stone construct remained standing. It should have been reclaimed by the sea hundreds of years ago but still it endured, acting as an eternal reminder of the dragons that had once lived in its towers.

A soft growl from Viseryion had Daenerys freezing in her tracks as she strained to listen in the darkness. Her dragons paused as well, huffing for a moment before the fire in their cheeks extinguished completely, leaving Daenerys blind in the catacombs. She held her breath, not daring to move and listened intently. She found herself subconsciously reaching for the dagger which she had tied hastily to her sash when she left Yunkai, feeling the comforting weight in her hand. Despite Viseryion's growl, the only sound that could be heard was the faint wind which echoed down the tunnel from the distant sea cave entrance. Daenerys let out a small sigh of relief and relaxed her shoulders.

A bright flame suddenly sprung out of the blackness, illuminated in the hand of a tall woman as Daenerys leapt back in shock. A roar signalled Drogon's fury and flames erupted from his jaws, shooting in the direction of the woman. She reacted quickly, holding her arm out, palm extended so that the fire did not reach her body. Daenerys watched in amazement as the woman guided the flames around her body so that Drogon's scorching breath did not burn her in the slightest. Daenerys' largest dragon snapped his jaws shut with an indignant snarl and growled at the woman instead. The woman lowered her arm ever so slowly, still producing the flaming embers in her hand though not as brightly. Daenerys' eyes widened as the tall woman regarded her curiously and Daenerys also took the chance to run her gaze down the woman's figure. She was dressed entirely in a blood red gown and her hair which fell loose over her shoulders was also unmistakeably red. _A red woman with control over the fire_. Daenerys put two and two together rather quickly, seizing the dagger from her belt and holding it in front of her defensively. Her powers of heat were of little use against a woman who could control the flames as well as herself, perhaps even better. But Daenerys still had one advantage that the Red Woman did not. Daenerys could not be harmed by fire but she was willing to bet this woman could and that's why she would not let her dragon's flames reach her skin. And more importantly, the woman could still be hurt with a blade.

The Red Woman stared at the Mother of Dragons with evident interest but she did not appear afraid even as Daenerys gripped the blade tighter. "Daenerys Targaryen," the woman acknowledged and to her great astonishment, the woman dipped into a low curtsy although she kept her gaze trained on Daenerys. Straightening, the woman took a step forward and Daenerys responded by narrowing her eyes and pointing the dagger threateningly. The woman's eyes flashed to the weapon briefly before a coy smile curved her lips.

"There was a time where you may have needed that against me," the woman said as her face turned serious once more. "But it is not now, Mother of Dragons. Now, time is running out."

"For you maybe," Daenerys responded as her eyes sparkled in warning. She stepped toward Drogon and the dragon nuzzled her shoulder protectively. Viseryion and Rhaegal bared their teeth savagely at the Red Woman, moving into a protective stance in front of their Mother. "I wonder how your magic would fair against the claws and teeth of my dragons." Drogon gave an answering hiss, opening his jaws in appreciation.

The Red Woman truly was fearless even as her own demise stared her in the face. "Not very well," the woman said calmly, noting the size of Drogon's incisors. "But you stand to gain nothing by my death. I can help you."

"I disagree," Daenerys challenged, ignoring the small part of her that acknowledged the truth in the woman's words. _Why did the woman not simply attack?_ "No one can know I am here."

"But I knew you would be here," the woman continued. "I foresaw it some time ago. Although I must admit, I envisaged you coming here in a very different manner. Regardless, this moment was always destined to come to pass. It was the last vision I had before the apparitions in the flames disappeared. Surely even you can see the merit of this?"

"Perhaps you foresaw your own doom," Daenerys suggested dangerously, still not lowering her dagger. The Red Woman smiled and her hand moved to her dress. The movement caught Daenerys off guard and she stepped back in case the woman produced a weapon. But the woman instead retrieved a large, packed leather bound book from within her robes. Its pages were aged and frayed and the green colour of the leather was definitely fading, but miraculously the journal had withstood the vestiges of time and was otherwise undamaged. A Valyrian steel lock completed its cover and since the woman produced no key, Daenerys could only assume it had not been opened in some time. Daenerys gasped as she recognised the book immediately. It was the journal of Daenys Targaryen.

"You could only have one purpose in coming here willingly and without an army to escort you," the woman determined, holding the book out toward Daenerys. She waited for Daenerys to take the journal but she remained frozen in place, unsure of the Red Woman's motives.

"Why?" she demanded. Everything she had heard about the Red Woman didn't add up to the woman who stood in front of her now. "You serve the Red God. I despise everything about your hateful Lord of Light, from the unshakable devotion of his followers to the burning of innocent people at the stake. Why would you help me?"

"I serve the realm," the Red Woman corrected, although it seemed to take some effort on her part to admit this. "My faith in the Lord of Light has always been in the interests of Westeros, regardless of what others may think of my motives. However the Lord of Light no longer serves the realm. Perhaps he never did. He will see this world burn. I will not condemn us all to torment and ruin. Not even for the Lord of Light."

"So this is a question of faith?" Daenerys said coldly. "You expect me to believe that?"

The woman raised a calculative eyebrow. "Believe what you will, but it is not a question. The Lord of Light is the only being with enough power to end this world. And he will. The war is coming and it will not be a battle of Kings that sweeps this Earth. It will be fire reigning down upon a savaged wasteland of blood and death. He will meet the Great Other in a final confrontation and the war of fire and ice will begin. That is what awaits us."

_The Great Other?_ Something tugged in the corner of Daenerys' mind, something that told her the Great Other was more important than she knew, but she tried to ignore it as she stared at the Red Woman defiantly.

"You knew this when you joined the order of the Red Priesthood," Daenerys accused. "This version of how the world will end is nothing new. I give no credence to it. No one can possibly know how the world will fall, not even your Red God."

"Then you are a fool," the Red Woman snapped harshly. "You've seen proof of his powers yet you would still deny them? This has been set down since this world breathed its first breath."

"All I've seen so far," Daenerys said bitterly. "Is a group of deluded individuals dressed all in red garb, following a God they are convinced is the right one. Do you know how many gods there are? How many religions?" Daenerys did not give the woman a chance to respond as she ploughed ahead. "I could care less which god is the true God. This is _my_ realm. It belongs to the people and the gods have no right to it."

"Did you ever think the Lord of Light might have killed all the other gods?" the Red Woman stated bluntly and Daenerys blinked. The woman's calm demeanour faltered a bit as she continued. "I admit, I did not consider it myself for a long time but it is the only explanation that makes sense. The Doom is always remembered as the cataclysmic event that ended the dragons. I believe it may have been the first battle of the gods."

Daenerys could see this woman was fully invested in what she believed and though some of it unfortunately made sense, it also meant that everything that had happened was preordained by some cosmic power. Daenerys was firm of the mind that their destiny was in their own hands and she would fight for it every step of the way. "No," Daenerys denied. "If this was set down from the beginning then your Red God has already won. There wouldn't be any point in fighting anymore."

The Red Woman's gaze softened and it was an odd expression to see on her harsh face. She glanced down at the book in her hands once more before holding it out to Daenerys again. "Maybe when you've read this, you'll change your mind," the Red Woman said softly. "This war I speak of was never envisioned by the gods. It was predicted by your ancestor, Daenys Targaryen."

The words fell on Daenerys like a cold stone pillar and she shivered involuntarily. "Daenys believed that the war between the Great Other and the Lord of Light would bring about the end of the world," the Red Woman continued hastily, now that she could see she had Daenerys' attention. "She wrote it in her journal so that her family would never forget. But when the Doom destroyed Old Valyria, the book was lost. It was found some years later by a group of starved priests who took the journal into their possession."

"Daenys believed in the Red God?" Daenerys echoed in horror.

"She believed in what she foresaw," the Red Woman confirmed. "And so she wrote it down. Translations of her visions filtered down through the temples over the years until a new brotherhood was born."

"No," Daenerys whispered. "No, Daenys would never have founded the Red religion."

"Not intentionally," The Red Woman admitted. "But you must understand her visions were so accurate, and at times quite frequent, that many perceived her to be a Seer of the gods. Her foresight saved your family from the Doom, Daenerys. As the last blood mortals with a connection to the dragons, the Targaryens were inevitably able to conquer Westeros."

"I know my history," Daenerys snapped, unintentionally lashing out.

The Red Woman tilted her head apologetically. "I entreat your pardon. I did not mean to question your knowledge of your ancestors. I'm sure you are aware that Daenys' visions were only ever intended for her family which is why she sealed the contents within this journal." She held up the book for emphasis. "It has never been opened. Not since Daenys first closed it before the Doom."

Daenerys looked at her suspicious dragons who awaited her command and then back at the book in that the woman held in her hands. "How can the Red Brotherhood have supported a religion based on a book that has not been opened in centuries?"

The Red Woman looked away and Daenerys detected a vague hint of uncertainty. "As I have said, loose translations were transcribed throughout the years. But it is also well known within our factions that a servant to the Targaryens was left behind during the conquering of Westeros. He even remained here at Dragonstone as a Ward after the formation of the Seven Kingdoms. When word reached his ears of the journal that the old priests had discovered in the ruins of Valyria, he offered to translate some of the visions which he himself had witnessed years before. It is understood however that he decided to respect the Targaryen's wishes that the journal never be opened except by their blood. Even though the journal remained closed, he was able to transcribe a decent number of the visions that Daenys had had over the years since he had been witness to most of them. He also translated the words on the cover of the journal, including the words of your house. Fire and Blood."

"And I suppose the Red Brotherhood kept the journal sealed all these years out of the goodness of their hearts?" Daenerys quipped doubtfully.

The Red Woman allowed a flicker of a smirk to ghost across her lips. "Some have tried," she confessed. "But the lock is of Valyrian steel. Nigh impenetrable. And it would be impossible to open the book by other means without compromising the pages and contents."

Daenerys felt a tad smug at these words, feeling quite proud of her ancestors for their attempts to protect their family secrets. "You said there have been other translations over the years," Daenerys voiced curiously. "These scripts talk of the final battle with the Red God?"

"The Lord of Light," the Red Woman corrected. "But yes, essentially it tells of the final confrontation which will cover the world in fire and ice."

"And this Great Other?" Daenerys prompted, dreading the answer. "What of him?"

The Red Woman's lips pulled back into a thin line and Daenerys could see she was uncomfortable with this line of inquiry. "Very little is known of the Great Other," the Red Woman said as her knuckles turned white against the journal she clutched. "He is known to us only as the god of Death and his coldness and cruelty brought about the existence of the White Walkers. His true form is that of a frozen demon, a being of ice and death."

_Loki_. Daenerys could not help the unbidden thought that entered her mind as she thought of Loki's other form, the one that turned his skin blue and his eyes red.

"How can you be certain that the Great Other is evil?" Daenerys argued, feeling her womb flutter with discomfort. She resisted putting a comforting hand against the young life within.

The Red Woman narrowed her eyes. "What else could he be?"

"You stood by your Red God for years," Daenerys insisted. "You call him the Lord of Light because he commands fire and because you thought he would protect you against the Long Night. But you were wrong. In the end, what makes fire any more noble than ice?"

"I am not convinced either side would be of benefit to us," the Red Woman determined. "The Lord of Light has deceived his followers for a long time so that he could meet his rival in battle. You should know that they _want_ this to happen, Mother of Dragons. Neither God cares what will happen to the mortal world once this is all over."

"But you cannot be certain," Daenerys challenged. "Perhaps it was the Great Other who was always destined to protect us against the Red God."

The Red Woman stared at her doubtfully. "If that was true, then what use would he have for the White Walkers? Why raise the dead to maim and kill mortals if he was destined to protect them?"

Daenerys could not argue with this logic however she refused to believe that Loki would have anything to do with the White Walkers. _So why is it that they have returned so soon after Loki's arrival?_ A betraying voice nagged in the back of her mind and Daenerys pushed it away with all the force she could muster. _No_, she thought savagely. _Loki is good. He wouldn't do anything like this._

"Neither God intends to help us," the Red Woman said with certainty, oblivious to Daenerys' internal struggles. "The White Walkers are an abomination of the Great Other. They are his servants in the eternal night and the fact that they have risen again means that the final battle is upon us."

"Risen again?" Daenerys demanded, ignoring her doubts for the time being. "What do you mean?"

The Red Woman abruptly brandished flames in the air, making Daenerys step back in alarm but all that appeared was a fiery script, charred at first but the parchment quickly reformed itself in the flames. The paper then fell into the Red Woman's outstretched hand, completely untouched and with no indication that it had been burned at all. "A letter from the Wall," the Red Woman uttered, holding it up so that Daenerys could read the untidy scrawl written across the page. "The White Walkers have been sighted in the North. The dead march against the living and the Long Night will begin again."

Daenerys stepped back, feeling her dread creep through gut like an icy blade. "The White Walkers have really returned?" she whispered in horror, her childhood stories of terror flickering through her memory. "If they have risen again then..." She trailed off, thinking of the soldiers who would undoubtedly be slaughtered as they tried to defend the Wall. Their frozen corpses would not even get the chance to rot before they were claimed by the darkness and they would rise against the comrades they had once fought beside. To be killed by a White Walker was a fate worse than death for even as your lifeblood ebbed away, your carcass would live on, killing and maiming in your place.

Everyone knew the horrors of the White Walkers but they had not been seen for thousands of years. Many believed, or hoped maybe, that the Walkers were a myth told by the First Men to frighten their children and prevent them from wondering off into the Long Night. But the warnings were told in every culture, in every religion and it was quite possibly the only tale that all mortals could agree upon. The coming of the White Walkers meant certain death.

"I see now you are taking my words seriously, Mother of Dragons," the Red Woman said in a scornful tone. "I warned you that you would need my help."

Daenerys stood taller and with one look to her dragons, they crawled forward and hissed menacingly. The Red Woman took a tentative step back, enough for Daenerys to see that she had finally broken through her smug demeanour. The Red Woman was afraid.

"Let me be quite clear," Daenerys told her firmly. "I do not trust you in the slightest. You may claim to serve the realm but you and I both know the truth. You're in this to save your own skin. I know your abhorrent God has abandoned you. Why else would you suddenly turn on your faith?" Daenerys could see her words were having an effect on the Red Woman and she continued mercilessly. "You have never hesitated before to serve him. I have heard talk in Slaver's Bay of your despicable deeds. The Red God commanded you to burn people, _innocent _people, at the stake and you never once questioned the immorality of those acts. There is only one reason why you would turn against your precious Lord of Light now."

The Red Woman opened her mouth to argue but a warning growl from Rhaegal immediately halted her words. "Because you are a woman scorned," Daenerys said resolutely. "Nothing more. Serving the realm means serving the people and you have no idea what it means to serve anyone but yourself or your Red God. Daenys warned me about you my dreams. If you think I am going to take your word over the advice of my ancestors, than you are sorely mistaken."

Daenerys held her hand out for the book. "The only thing I want from you now is my ancestor's journal," she finished firmly. "You can keep your life for what it's worth. I have a feeling you won't be much of a threat to either side now."

The Red Woman gazed at Daenerys in mutual respect and hatred. It was quite extraordinary really that the Mother of Dragons had so easily been able to read her when so few had any clear idea of her motives. It was true that she did want to keep her own life and that the Lord of Light had spurned her devotion to him, but still she stood to gain nothing if the White Walkers returned. She would perish as surely as any mortal and she was certain now that the Lord of Light would not mourn her death.

"I can still be of use to you," she tried again, holding the journal out as requested. Daenerys snatched the book from her hands, holding it carefully in her palm as her eyes took in the solid lock.

"We're done," Daenerys finished coldly, before turning from the Red Woman to leave. Her dragons growled as a warning not to follow and the Red Woman panicked as she saw her last chance to stop the war walking away from her.

"R'Nhor is alive," she cried out and her words had the intended effect on Daenerys as she took in a sharp breath.

"You're lying," Daenerys hissed as she rounded on the woman.

"I'm not," the Red Woman said truthfully. "He is here at Dragonstone. He has come at the bidding of the Lord of Light. To do his will."

"And you tell me this now?" Daenerys said angrily.

"I had every intention of telling you," The Red Woman protested. "But you are rather quick to judge, Mother of Dragons."

"Why?" Daenerys demanded. "What purpose does the Red God have for a dead man?"

"He is the vessel," the Red Woman admitted grudgingly. "He will carry the Lord of Light's godly essence and harbour it in his own flesh and blood form. I initially believed it to be Stannis for that is what my visions showed me. I have since discovered that R'Nhor is the true vessel. Stannis was used as a decoy to keep your enemies distracted."

"You believed Stannis Baratheon, the shunned, older brother of the man who claimed my family's throne, was the vessel of a God?" Daenerys echoed in disbelief. Out loud it was hard to deny the absurdity of the statement but the Red Woman looked entirely serious.

"Stannis has more power than even he knows he is capable of," the Red Woman defended. "In hindsight he would have been a good vessel if the Lord of Light had pure intentions. As it is, R'Nhor is exactly what he needs. I promise that I had no idea, Daenerys-"

"Stop calling me by my name," Daenerys snapped at last, feeling her fury get the better of her. "You have no right to address me so informally and you will gain no power over me by doing so."

The Red Woman blinked, astonished the Mother of Dragons knew the power of a name and she immediately recanted. "Would it help if you knew my name as well?" she asked respectfully.

Daenerys' eyes flashed in spite. "You may tell it to me but I stand by what I said. You will not address me by my name. Ever."

"Very well, Mother of Dragons," the Red Woman conceded. "If it will help gain your favour, you may know my name. I am called Melisandre."

Daenerys had no intention of referring to her as Melisandre but she was glad that the Red Woman would henceforth refrain from addressing her by her own name. Names were composed of power and personal feelings, just as Loki had told her, and she did not wish to share either with this woman.

"If R'Nhor is indeed the vessel," Daenerys questioned as she thought over the woman's words. "Then the Red God intends to become flesh?"

Melisandre nodded once. "It is the only way for him to achieve his goals. He must meet the Great Other in battle in corporeal form. There is no other way."

"Then he can be killed," Daenerys determined, feeling her hope lifting.

"Yes," Melisandre confirmed. "As can the Great Other. If they do not kill each other first that is."

"What happens if the final battle begins?" Daenerys asked, not really wanting to know the answer.

"If the Lord of Light meets the Great Other in battle, they will lay siege to the world in their attempts to destroy each other. The prophecy goes however that the Gods chose a hero who would act as a shield against death, a warrior who would wield a weapon called Lightbringer. The warrior was chosen to defend the mortals against the siege of the White Walkers." Melisandre closed her eyes then and began to recite, as though from a text:

"_When the red star bleeds and the darkness gathers, Azor Ahai shall be born again amidst smoke and salt to wake dragons out of stone_."

Daenerys froze, feeling her own breath escape her as she heard the prophecy which to effect had awoken her dragons. With fire and blood, she had hatched her three children and within days she had glimpsed the red comet in the sky. More than one person had been certain the red comet was a sign of the Gods. _Was it possible_?

"And this Azor Ahai..." Daenerys murmured in dismay. "This warrior was male, I assume?"

"Yes," Melisandre answered. "A warrior reborn to fight against the Others. The White Walkers."

Daenerys breathed a small sigh of relief, not wanting to be named as the reincarnated warrior directly opposed to the Great Other, in case the prophecy should be referring to Loki after all.

Melisandre's next words however left Daenerys feeling uncertain once more. "Azor Ahai is to wield the weapon Lightbringer when the final battle commences. Many versions of the prophecy determine that Lightbringer is a sword which Azor Ahai forged by killing his wife and imbuing the steel of the sword with her soul."

Daenerys glared at Melisandre in outrage, horrified at the idea that this man should be thought of as any sort of hero. "But," Melisandre continued as she noted Daenerys' fury. "The more popular belief among the Red Brotherhood is that Lightbringer is a three headed dragon which Azor Ahai rides against the Others, burning them away and returning them to the corpses they once were."

"There has never been a three headed dragon," Daenerys said uncertainly.

Melisandre shrugged. "It is the words of the prophecy, transcribed by priests over hundreds of years and as you can see there are many interpretations and contradictions. The only certain prophecy lies in that book." Melisandre gestured to the journal in Daenerys' hands.

"That's why you need me to open it," Daenerys realised.

Melisandre gazed up at the ceiling of the tunnel as though trying to see the stars. "Now you see why I have come to you," she said in a hushed voice. "It is the only way to know for sure and I suspect it is the only way we will ever win this war against the Gods. We have to read the prophecy that was first predicted by Daenys Targaryen all those years ago."

Daenerys took a deep breath, knowing this was what she had come for but still unable to believe the person who had come to her as an unlikely ally.

She held up a warning finger. "Betray me," Daenerys said, her eyes intent and focused, "And my dragons shall burn you until not even your ashes remain."

Melisandre smiled, impressed with the strength of the woman before her and she tilted her head in acknowledgement. "If I betray you, there will be nothing left of this _world_ but ash," she told Daenerys firmly.

Daenerys nodded as she looked at the journal in her hands. "Only my blood will unlock it," she echoed thoughtfully. "I guess we will have to see how literal this really is." She looked at Melisandre quickly. "Do you have a copy of the transcribed prophecy here at Dragonstone?"

Melisandre cocked her head in acknowledgement. "Retrieve it," Daenerys commanded. "We may need to compare it to the journal to see what parts have been mistranslated over the years."

"There is a room not far from these tunnels," Melisandre suggested. "R'Nhor is unaware of it because it was intended as a means of escape only for Stannis if an army was to storm this place. It has a draft but it has the necessary light as well as the books we will be needing."

"Lead the way," Daenerys offered.

Melisandre turned to lead Daenerys down the tunnel but paused momentarily. "There is something else you should know," she said, turning back to Daenerys with a dark expression. "The Lord of Light has plans for you, as I'm sure you're aware."

Daenerys scoffed. "His plans for me fell through, don't worry. I have already hatched my other dragon."

Melisandre looked to the dragons behind Daenerys, possibly wondering where the younger dragon was, before she returned her gaze to the young Queen. "I'm afraid that was merely the tip of his schemes. If R'Nhor had succeeded in his plans when he captured you, you might be in a very different place right now."

"I don't understand," Daenerys voiced uncertainly.

"He didn't just want command of your youngest dragon," Melisandre warned darkly. "He wanted command of all your dragons as well as your allegiance. You are the last Targaryen heir, the last mortal with a blood connection to the beasts. For him to gain control of them, to use them in battle against his nemesis, there would need to be a new heir. _His _heir."

Daenerys could feel the bile threatening to rise in her chest as the full weight of what Melisandre was implying began to sink in. "You mean he wanted me to..." Daenerys couldn't utter the last words, feeling sick to her stomach.

"Yes," Melisandre spoke quietly. "As far as I know, his plans have not changed. He still intends for you to carry his progeny if he gets a hold of you." Daenerys swallowed in revulsion, her hands going around her womb protectively. "All I'm saying," Melisandre said gently. "Is you may come to wish you were dead if R'Nhor finds you again. Once we are through here, you need to get as far away as you can. Do you understand?"

Daenerys nodded as her stomach churned, disgusted by the idea that someone would wish to use her in this way and yet relieved that at present there was nothing the Red God could do. She already carried Loki's child and she was certain that Great Other or not, Loki would never allow for her or his child to be harmed. Satisfied that Daenerys had heeded her warning, Melisandre turned to lead her back down the corridor. "Remember," Melisandre cautioned as they traipsed back along the tunnel with Daenerys' dragons in tow, guarding against potential threats. "A man who seeks power is dangerous. A God who seeks power is something else entirely."

"And what about a Mother protecting her young?" Daenerys quipped much to the amusement of Melisandre. "What do they say about that?" Melisandre, of course, did not suspect that Daenerys was not only referring to her dragons but also the fragile life growing within her.

_Besides_, Daenerys thought with a hopeful smile_, the Red God is already too late_. _Loki is the father of my child and he is the only God who will have a say in their destiny._

...

**Hey guys! I am so so sorry this took so long but it was awfully hard to try and fit all of the prophecy stuff into this story in a way that makes sense! I hope it is not too confusing for you and I hope this chapter wasn't too boring. There will be more action in the next chapter, I promise. For now, see if you guys can guess as to how Loki fits into all of this. Is he the Great Other or is it something else? And what about Daenerys? Is she Azor Ahai or is it her child? Hehe I know I'm mean for playing with you all but I can't help it. And if you have any questions, please feel free to ask and I will try to answer them in the next chapter without giving too much away. **


	3. Chapter 3: He Comes

**Chapter 3: He Comes**

_**Loki**_

"Surely we are there by now?" Loki yelled above the roaring weather. Thor and Loki were hurtling through the sky at lightning speed, carried on the air currents by Thor's legendary hammer. Loreley did not seem to mind this method of travel at all as she gleefully stuck her head out from under Loki's cloak while it whipped out behind him. Or perhaps it was merely the fact that as a dragon she was predisposed towards flying.

"Soon!" Thor shouted in response. "That's assuming you know where you're going!" He held his right arm aloft, gripping the mighty hammer tightly whilst he clung to the shoulders of Loki with his free arm. The storm had died down somewhat and as they shot past mountains and clearings, the sky was gradually becoming clearer. It was almost dawn and Loki noticed the first rays of sunlight peaking across the horizon.

"Trust me!" Loki determined, his eyes nearly tearing up on account of the speed at which they were travelling. "We are close. I can feel her as I have felt no other before. We're connected."

"You're what?" Thor bellowed, trying to drown out the sounds of the howling wind. "Say that again!"

"I said we're connected!" Loki shouted in frustration. "Can't you just land now? We're practically on top of them!"

Thor grunted in response and redirected the hammer toward the ground.

"Wait!" Loki cried in alarm but it was already too late. Both brothers plummeted toward the earth and Loki braced himself for impact. Loreley seemed to sense the danger and with a light growl, she launched herself from Loki's shoulders before she could be crushed by his weight.

The hammer lodged itself deep within the soil and Thor and Loki slammed into the ground with enough force to kill an ordinary man. In the case of the immortals however, it was merely a jarring impact as the brothers broke through rock and dirt on their landing. Loki felt it more than his brother did, as he did not possess the same resilience to the hammer's power. He groaned as he raised his head, unable to believe the mouthful of dirt he had managed to collect on his way down. He spat it out harshly and glared at his brother who was also sitting up. Thor however was wearing a triumphant grin and Loki hurled a decent sized hunk of dirt at him to wipe the smirk off his face. Thor easily caught it and chuckled at his brother as he tossed it aside.

"You did that on purpose," Loki accused as he stood and retrieved his fallen sceptre, groaning once more as he felt his limbs all pop back into place.

"Maybe," Thor smiled.

"If you are so determined to punish me in some way," Loki growled, "You might first give a thought to Daenerys' young dragon next time!"

Thor's smile immediately fell and he glanced up to see the youngling hovering on her delicate wings in the air. She was evidently still getting used to her own wings and consequently they couldn't carry her very far yet. She landed softly a few feet away from them and blinked at Thor curiously.

"She's alright," Thor said quietly. "I apologise. I did not think."

"As usual," Loki snapped, holding out his arm to which Loreley promptly flapped her wings again and launched herself up onto his shoulder.

"Careful, brother," Thor groused. "Do you wish for my help or not?"

"I'd just as soon see you return to Asgard now," Loki replied in annoyance. "I thank you for getting me this far but I think I can fetch Daenerys on my own."

Thor remained where he was standing as an awkward expression crossed his face. Loki smiled suddenly as he recalled his own lack of strength when he first arrived in Hygard. He knew it would be a while before his brother could actually return to Asgard since both his physical and supernatural strength were severely diminished for the time being. "Oh, but you can't," Loki murmured with barely contained amusement. "You'll need some time to regain your strength before you can return."

Thor's eyes narrowed. "Until that time," Thor growled. "I'm not letting you out of my sight. I still haven't made up my mind as to whether you shall return with me yet."

Loki stared at the dark trees around him and breathed deep, smelling the distinct scent of salt on the air. His heart flared with a hot reminder that the woman he sought was close, almost close enough to touch. "Maybe this will help you decide," Loki told his brother as he stalked past Thor and shoved aside some thicker branches. Thor came to stand behind him and took in a sharp breath as he witnessed the sight before him.

A few miles off, perched several hundred feet above the waves and atop perilous cliffs was a stony fortress. Its dark towers loomed with an ominous presence and Loki could picture what once must have been a mighty castle. Now it was just a ghost. The warm sensation in his chest intensified and Loki smiled in relief. Daenerys was alive and she was without a doubt somewhere within that castle.

"What is that place?" Thor asked, evidently just as impressed by the ancient construction as Loki was.

"Dragonstone," Loki responded resolutely.

**...**

_**Daenerys**_

Huddled in the corner of a darkened room, Daenerys sighed with frustration as she attempted once more to pry open the journal of Daenys Targaryen. Her left hand bore the faint traces of dried blood, evidence of her last attempt to open the book with her sliced palm. Her dragons lay several feet away, sharpening their claws against the stone wall.

"Perhaps the phrase that only Daenys' blood would open the journal wasn't meant to be literal," Melisandre suggested from her position by a nearby desk. The Red Woman was sorting through an enormous pile of scrolls as she attempted to decipher the limited translations of Daenys' journal that already existed.

"I'm starting to think that myself," Daenerys said through gritted teeth as her nails bent back when she yanked on the cover once more. She let out a curse and let the book tumble into her lap. She closed her eyes in resignation and leaned back against the wall.

"Read the inscription again," Melisandre said and Daenerys opened her eyes to see the Red Woman staring at her intently. Daenerys sighed, turning the book over to read the Valyrian words carved into the front.

"What was sealed in dragon's flame," she translated in the common tongue. "May only be opened by the blood of its heir."

"The blood of its heir?" Melisandre repeated as she rifled through the papers. "Who was the dragon who forged the lock on the journal?"

Daenerys blinked, startled as she realised what the Red Woman was getting at. "I don't know," Daenerys admitted. "I hadn't thought of it that way."

Melisandre gave a calculative smile. "The dragon's heir does not necessarily translate to your family. There are actual dragons that exist as well."

Daenerys felt a twinge of embarrassment at her assumptions but she pushed it away stubbornly. "Is there anything in your scrolls that mentions the dragon that forged the Valyrian lock?"

Melisandre glanced at the translations in front of her as she shook her head regretfully. "Very little is known about the dragons your family commanded aside from their physical descriptions such as size and colour," she informed Daenerys. She looked at the lock of the journal as it rested in Daenerys' lap. "It really is a fine crafted lock. If you had to hazard a guess, which dragon do you think could forge something so strong and beautiful?"

Even as she said it, Daenerys thought of the dragons that her family had ridden as they conquered Westeros long ago. Her thoughts drifted to the largest of them all, the most terrifying. His wings were so large, they were said to have covered entire towns as he flew over. His shadow was larger than a castle and his teeth were the size of swords.

"Balerion," she answered softly as she gazed at her dragons. "Balerion, the Black Dread."

"And his heir?"

Daenerys sighed. "As far as I know, he never sired any. He was the largest dragon known to man and there were none to equal him before. Or since."

Melisandre frowned as she stood, barely able to contain her frustration. "Then we shall never open this journal," she said, her eyes flashing dangerously as she strode over to the fire place. Her red hair shone with its imbued tones as the flames danced across the wood.

Daenerys lifted her chin in determination. "There has to be a way," she insisted as she stared at the journal in her hands. "My ancestors would not leave a journal behind, only for it never to be opened."

Melisandre all but scoffed. "Perhaps they had planned for Balerion to father hatchlings then. Maybe it never happened." She resumed her place by the desk, her slender fingers tracing the papers scattered across the table. "The largest dragon," she said again, echoing Daenerys' earlier words. "Fire as black as his scales, but with the eyes and claws of the North."

Daenerys had heard similar descriptions from her brother years ago but she tilted her head when Melisandre mentioned the North. Her brother's description of Balerion had never extended beyond the size of his jaws and his striking dark colourings. "His eyes? How do you mean?"

"His eyes were light in comparison to his scales. They were a penetrating blue. Like the ice and skies in the North. And his claws were a frosted silver and tougher than the thickest ice. Or so I've read." Melisandre gave a bitter chuckle. "A bit of an ironic contrast if you think about it."

Daenerys froze at her words. _Blue eyes with claws of silver?_

"Maybe we should test the blood of your three dragons here," Melisandre continued as she watched the beasts curl up together. "Just a drop or two, so we can be sure," she hastened to add.

Daenerys shook her head. "That won't be necessary. I believe Balerion may have had an heir after all."

Melisandre's eyes sparkled with evident interest. "Tell me."

Before Daenerys could respond however, a deafening crash thundered above the room and echoed down throughout the walls. The ceiling cracked and Daenerys gasped as the room rumbled with an unseen force. "What's happening?" she cried. Drogon roared and shielded Rhaegal and Viseryion from a chunk of ceiling as it fell away.

"Oh, no," Melisandre whispered. Her eyes were wide with terror and this more than anything sparked the fear within Daenerys. The Red Woman was frightened. "It's starting," she hissed as she moved away from the wall which was beginning to become unstable. "He's here!"

"Who?" Daenerys was afraid to ask as she swallowed the lump in her throat. She placed her hand against the trembling back of Drogon as he protected her smaller dragons.

"The Lord of Light," Melisandre said darkly as she watched another part of the ceiling fall away. "R'Hllor."

"He's coming here?" Daenerys voiced in horror. "Now?"

"Remember what I told you about the vessel?" Melisandre said as she quickly swept the most integral scrolls on the desk into her arms. "Well, there are three rituals which R'Nhor has to complete before he can awaken R'Hllor. It sounds like he may be at the final stage." Her eyes searched the room frantically. "But I don't understand how he could have finished the first two rituals already."

"What would he require?" Daenerys demanded.

"The first is marked by the blood of the servant and the birth of flame from stone. I admit, I am unsure how this could be accomplished."

Daenerys felt her chest seize with panic. "My dragon," she gasped. "That's why he needed me to hatch the egg. To awaken a dragon from stone. He carved some sort of symbol into his arm after I emerged from the fire with my youngest dragon."

Daenerys could see her own fear mirrored in the eyes of the Red Woman. "Then we are too late," Melisandre said in anguish. "All that is required for the second rite is for the vessel to pledge unswerving fealty to the Lord of Light and prove his loyalty through an act of utter devotion."

"How?"

"To test his faith, R'Nhor must pass into the Land of the Dead and return once more."

"No..." Daenerys trailed off as she realised her own mistake.

"Now you understand," Melisandre said, her voice filled with unease. "R'Nhor has already been killed once. If he had completed the first ritual by then, be assured that he has now completed the second."

"We played right into his hands," Daenerys realised with horror. She felt a cool shiver wrack her body and she grasped her upper arms tightly. "What about the third ritual?" she asked, dreading the answer.

"The death of a betrayer," Melisandre answered. "More specifically, someone who has committed treachery against their own family."

"Me," Daenerys said with certainty. "I am responsible for the death of my brother."

Melisandre shook her head. "It can't be. Your death serves no purpose to him right now. It has to be someone else." Melisandre stepped forward reaching for Daenerys' arm as she did so. "We have to get out of here," she warned. "The room is going to collapse and if R'Nhor finds you here, I can't help you."

As the floor trembled beneath them, Daenerys nodded quickly and ushered her dragons ahead of her. "Go!"

They made it back out into the catacombs and Melisandre hastened to conjure fire in her palm as the darkness overwhelmed them. The floor and walls still trembled with the force of the ritual upstairs but at least the tunnels seemed more structurally stable. Drogon stared at the ceiling and growled in warning as Daenerys bent to comfort her dragons.

"You must go," Melisandre urged her. "Get far away. I'll be damned if R'Nhor get what he wants." She looked at the journal in Daenerys hands. "Keep the journal safe. Find the key to defeating him and just maybe, I won't have failed this realm after all."

Daenerys hesitated and she couldn't believe the next words that left her lips. "What about you?"

Melisandre looked at the tunnels behind her and then back Daenerys. "I must find Stannis and get him to safety. If nothing else, he is still my king. I chose to follow him."

Daenerys felt her body go rigid as something terrible occurred to her. "Didn't Stannis murder his own brother?"

Melisandre frowned as her lips pulled back into a tight line. "No," she snapped defensively. "I did. He was a threat to Stannis' power. How did you come to know of this?"

Word of the shadow demon that the Red Woman had somehow produced had reached the Slaver's cities some time ago. The death of Renly, the younger brother of the throne usurper Robert Baratheon was certainly not news to be swept under the rug. It was part of why Daenerys had hated the Red Woman so much. Throne usurper or not, Renly had committed no harm. Daenerys felt some of her earlier resentment for this woman return.

"Your family comes first," Daenerys said bitterly. "Always. Regardless of whether you carried out the deed or not, Stannis was responsible for his brother's death. He had his brother murdered for a throne!"

"It didn't belong to him," Melisandre disputed even as the floor shook beneath them.

"And it doesn't belong to Stannis either!" Daenerys hissed. Her dragons felt her unease and resumed their positioned behind her, growling and ready to strike if necessary.

Melisandre stepped back as she seemed to sense the power radiating from the woman in front of her. "You're one to talk," she replied gallingly. "Did you not have your own brother killed?"

Daenerys did not even bat an eye. She had no regrets. Viserys had threatened her son and her own life. "I did not kill my brother for the Iron Throne," she said coldly. "Viserys may have been blood, but he was no longer family. He threatened the life of my unborn child and the lives of countless others. He would have been a tyrant!"

Melisandre met her cold stare with one of her own. "Stannis has his faults but he truly does want what is best for the realm. I assure you."

"Then you'd better help him," Daenerys said as she stared down the Red Woman. When Melisandre stared at her in confusion, Daenerys gestured to the walls that continued to shudder around them. "Who do you think the Red God plans to sacrifice so that he may possess his vessel? Who murdered his own brother for the sake of a throne?"

The Red Woman's eyes flooded with a dreadful realisation as the scrolls tumbled from her arms. "Stannis..."

Before Daenerys could stop her, Melisandre quickly tore past her, racing down the tunnel towards her doomed king. Daenerys called after frightfully but the Red Woman ignored her and the fire she held in her palm quickly faded away into the darkness. Drogon tittered softly and ignited the heat in his cheeks so that Daenerys could see once again. She stared at her dragons as they crawled forward, resting their scaly heads against her hip and she took a deep breath. R'Nhor was somewhere in the fortress above her, calling on the God that would most likely bring this world to ruin. As of now, R'Nhor had no idea she was here and if she left now, she could almost certainly get away.

Daenerys felt her breath coming quicker as she placed one protective hand against her belly and the other against the head of Rhaegal, the dragon that was closest to her. She had an important decision to make.

**...**

_**Loki**_

"Tell me that wasn't you," Loki commented dryly as they ascended the stairs into Dragonstone. The moment Loki had put one foot on the stone step, the entire fortress had begun to quake and shudder as Thor and Loki froze.

Thor hesitated. "This woman of yours... Exactly how big are her other dragons?"

Loki narrowed his eyes and was about to retort when another great tremor rocked the castle and caused the steps in front of Loki to fracture. The brothers looked at each other in alarm and Loreley whimpered against Loki's shoulder.

"That's not natural," Loki argued as he raced up the trembling steps. The doors were enormous and Loki gave a satisfied smirk as he raised his sceptre, preparing to blast the doors right off their hinges. A split second before he could discharge his weapon though, Thor interceded again and threw his mighty hammer against the doors, shattering the handles. The doors fell apart and Loki whirled on his brother.

"Really?" he demanded in exasperation.

"Go!" Thor reminded him, shoving him forward urgently. They raced through the splintered doors and Loki almost slowed as he was met with the ancient and grand architecture of Dragonstone. Enormous stone dragons lined the halls and even as they shook with tremors, Loki could see the fiery red jewels embedded in their skulls, serving as their eyes.

The fortress quaked around them and Loki paused, his eyes frantically searching the great hall as pieces of the ceiling began to tumble away. "Daenerys!" he shouted in panic. If Daenerys was within the fortress, he had little time to find her before the entire structure fell down around them. "Daenerys!"

"Loki!" Thor thundered back. "She's not here!"

"She is!" Loki shouted back. He could feel the heat in his chest which seemed to become an inferno whenever he felt Daenerys was threatened. She was definitely here... She had to be.

A bloodcurdling scream suddenly echoed off the walls and Loki strained to hear where the sound had come from. Another shout followed, this one deeper and more masculine, and Loki quickly raced toward the doorway at the far end of the hall.

"Loki!" Thor bellowed after him but Loki ignored him as he only had ears for the frightened screams he could now hear clearly echoing throughout the hall. _Daenerys_. The doorway quickly turned into a long, dark corridor and Loki was guided only by the glowing tip of his sceptre. He could faintly hear the sound of Thor's muttered string of curses as well as the dull thumping which signalled that his brother was following him.

When he reached the end of the corridor, the mouth of it opened up into another wide hall, this one smaller and less grand than the first. But it was neither the size nor the splendour of this hall which made it extraordinary. It was the spectacle in the centre of the marbled floor, the blood gushing forth from the corpse and the dark man who stood above it all wearing a feral grin on his face. When he saw the identity of the man with blood on his hands and an evil glint in his eye, Loki halted in his tracks. Loreley growled at the man and quickly retreated under Loki's cloak for cover.

"Impossible," Loki snarled from his position in the doorway. "I killed you!"

"Perhaps you've heard the phrase," the man said as he turned and revealed his full visage. R'Nhor's contemptible smirk had not changed. "Never wound what you can't kill."

"Except I did kill you," Loki repeated as he took a step further into the room, eying the corpse at R'Nhor's feet.

R'Nhor followed Loki's eyes and gave a dark chuckle. "Ah, yes... that," he murmured, giving the body a decent kick to the side and watching with amusement as an intestine fell out of the gaping wound across the man's belly. "Stannis Baratheon. Do you know him?"

Loki had a look of disgust across his face. He was certainly not an amateur when it came to killing and not so long ago, he had even found it to be fun. But the way R'Nhor had torn this man apart belied his animalistic nature. A god or even a real man should not have to get his hands so bloody to get the job done. This man was a monster.

Loki's attention was momentarily diverted by the sound of a soft moan. "Daenerys?" he asked hopefully, turning to see a slender woman gripping a nearby stone pillar for support. Loki's disappointment consumed him as he saw immediately that this woman was certainly not Daenerys. She had flaming red hair and was dressed in a scarlet gown, much like R'Nhor was. But judging by the way this woman was groaning and blanching at the sight of the dead man, she was anything but his ally.

"Stannis..." she moaned over and over again. "Stannis... Stannis."

Loki heard an awful gurgle from the corpse at R'Nhor's feet and it was then that he realised the horrible truth. The man was not yet dead. He was certainly beyond the point of recovery yet even as his guts hung out of the wound across his stomach and his blood continued to pool on the floor, the man somehow continued to live. If Loki was mortal or even a compassionate god, he might have felt sick.

"Odin's beard!" Thor appeared in the doorway behind Loki and was greeted with the same gruesome sight. "What have you done?"

Another great tremor trembled across the floor and shook the walls but R'Nhor looked positively amused. "Odin's beard?" he asked with a harsh laugh. "You foreigners have no place here." He shook his head as though the entire spectacle was somehow entertaining before turning from them and bending toward the dying man.

"I should thank you Stannis," he said quietly, so soft that Loki could barely hear him. R'Nhor lifted the Stannis' arm and he groaned as his flesh parted and more intestines slipped out. "It won't be much longer. It's a pity for you that the blood needs to be fresh and pumping. But you should feel proud. I have given you a great honour. With your death, my Lord shall return. And this world will belong to him once more."

Loki cursed as it finally dawned on him what was truly happening here. It was a ritual, a blood sacrifice to bring forth an ancient god. He turned to the cowering woman, unsure of her place in all this. "Daenerys," he whispered to her. "Have you seen her?"

The name seemed to stir something within the woman and she blinked at him. "She was here," she admitted in a whisper. "She's probably long gone by now. I told her to get away."

Loki felt his impatience simmering beneath the surface but he pushed it away. "She's still here," he said through gritted teeth. "I can feel her. But I think the tremors are making it harder for me to find her."

The woman stared at him with newfound respect. "I know you," she said, standing a little straighter and not leaning against the pillar for support any longer. "You're hers. The one who protects her."

Loki found himself almost smiling, even given the circumstances. "Yes, I'm hers."

A beat passed between them before the pillar to the right of the woman suddenly crumbled and toppled toward her as she gasped in panic. Loki quickly seized her around the waist and pulled her out of the way, shielding her with his body as the greatest tremor yet shook the fortress. A roaring wind suddenly rushed through the hall as the window panes shattered and the castle began to fall apart around them.

"He's coming!" R'Nhor shouted with excitement and madness gleaming in his eyes. "He will soak the world in blood and meet the Great Other in the final confrontation! There is nothing you can do to stop it!"

"Let's go!" Thor shouted to his brother, running forward and seizing Loki's arm in a vice. "Grab your woman and let us be gone! Now!"

"I haven't found her yet!" Loki snapped back at him. At seeing Thor's apparent confusion, he then understood. He glanced at the red-haired woman and realised what shielding her must have looked like to his brother. "This isn't Daenerys."

"Then where is she?" Thor demanded in exasperation. A mad laughing reached his ears and Loki looked past his brother to see R'Nhor reaching into Stannis' gaping belly. Stannis let out a choked cry as blood spilled from his mouth and R'Nhor pushed his arm deeper into his chest. He began to pull his arm back and, as Stannis' eyes closed for the last time, R'Nhor retracted his arm completely and pulled out the man's heart. He held the bleeding organ in his fist before dropping it to the floor with contempt and staring at Loki gleefully. "You're all dead," he promised them in a macabre whisper.

A blinding light shot forth from beneath the floor, breaking it apart and obliterating the bloody heart. The light turned into a raging, fiery inferno as it tore up towards the ceiling and broke through the roof. R'Nhor stood before it, holding out his arms reverently as though preparing to embrace it.

"It's over," the red-haired woman gasped from behind them. "It's too late!"

"Not from where I'm standing," Loki growled. Without hesitating he shot forth a powerful blast of energy from his sceptre aiming straight for the madman. The energy glanced off of the mortal similar to a fly off a tiger, rocketing into the wall instead as Loki gripped his hands in fury. R'Nhor's eyes were closed in admiration and he did not appear to have felt the energy surge in the slightest.

"What is he?" Thor demanded as he stared at the tornado of flames that bellowed up from the floor.

"Our end," the Red Woman moaned much to Loki's agitation. But if he had to be honest, even he was beginning to doubt that this would end well. R'Nhor turned toward them all, still smiling obscenely as blood began to seep forth from his skin in rivulets, staining his skin red and his eyes, which were once a russet brown, now gleamed with a flaming orange.

Loki gasped suddenly as he felt a searing heat grip his chest and he almost convulsed. Thor looked to his brother in alarm but it had passed just as quickly as it had come. _What-?_

"Hey!" A familiar voice shouted above the chaos and Loki's breath left him as he and the others all turned simultaneously towards the door and Loreley gave an excited shriek as she once more peaked out from Loki's cloak.

"Haven't we killed you once before?" Daenerys stood defiantly against the steps, her silver hair whipping around her beautiful face as the inferno roared in front of her. Beside her, three terrifying and obedient dragons stood larger than horses and with teeth sharper than a whetted blade. And right now, their furious growls were directed right at the man who stood covered in blood and leering at them all.

"Daenerys," R'Nhor murmured, only it was no longer R'Nhor's voice. It was deeper, darker somehow as though he were possessed by a demon. "You're just in time to enjoy the show."

Without another word, he stepped backward into the flames and the fire seemed to absorb him just as Daenerys' dragons let loose their own fire with a vicious roar.

"You're too late." A dark voice resonated across the room as the walls finally collapsed and the night sky could be seen through the broken windows of the crumbling fortress. "He awakens..."

...

**I don't know about you guys, but even I cannot wait for the next chapter! My mind is already envisioning it and I can only hope that I will transform it into proper writing. I feel like a whole lot happened in this chapter so I hope it was not too rushed. The next chapter has big things coming so it might be longer than usual but I'm sure you guys won't mind that. **

**I also promised a few of you some answers in the last chapter so I will answer them individually below.**

**Shuuwai****: Thanks for the thoughtful review! If I had to be honest, I'm not really sure how long I plan to keep Thor in there! Him and Daenerys will definitely meet but whether he stays until the end or not will be a job for my overactive imagination. It changes its mind sometimes...**

**ChairmanJeong****: Westeros is still there but it will soon feel the coming of the Red God. It's going to get bloody, especially with the White Walker coming from the North and the Red God finally awakening.**

**Nightmareofcat****: I know you technically didn't have any questions but I feel like you deserve a special mention. Like seriously! You have been with this series since its inception almost and you continue to leave awesome and thoughtful reviews. So here's a shout out to you and also a special promise... more smut and action to come soon XD**


	4. Chapter 4: Revelations

**Hey everyone! I won't bother with a long list of excuses or anything like that but I can honestly say that I am just as disappointed as you that I haven't been able to update! No, really I mean it! I have been pretty sick this past fortnight as well as trying to get everything sorted for my trip to the UK in august and pulling overtime at work... wow okay so I did kind of list off a few lame excuses after all haha. But I made a promise! I will not leave this story unfinished, you have my word. I never intend for you guys to have to wait this long so bear with me! I honestly don't even mind a little reminder now and then so feel free to email on the fanfic account. Anyway here it is, chappie number four! **

**Chapter 4: Revelations**

Daenerys could feel her heart in her throat as she stared across the ruined hall towards the man she loved. His fury for the Red God was powerful but she could see the brief flicker of joy that broke across his features as she emerged from the corridor. He was braced against the far wall with another blonde man whom she did not recognise but Loki seemed familiar with him. She had no idea how he had managed to find her yet again but she was beginning to understand that they shared a deep, emotional connection which allowed Loki to feel her when she was close. The roar of flames reclaimed Daenerys' attention and she gaped in horror at the tornado of flames that threatened to engulf them all as it shook the fortress of Dragonstone. Her gaze was momentarily drawn to the Red Woman as she suddenly lurched away from the column she was leaning against and stumbled towards the crumbling corridor. It took Loki by surprise but he reacted quickly and he seized her arm. "Where do you think you're going?" he demanded. "The only way out now is the way we came in!"

The Red Woman gestured frantically. "The princess!" she gasped. "Stannis' daughter! I have to save her!"

_Gods! There was a child here? _Daenerys felt her feet move of their own accord however she only got a few steps before the ground quaked and sent her reeling to the floor. Loki's eyes flashed in alarm and he quickly released the Red Woman. "Go then!" he said dismissively. "For all the good it will do you." The Red Woman did not waste another moment as she tore off down the corridor and Loki hurried towards Daenerys. He easily dodged the falling pieces of stone as the roof fell away and he dove to her side. His hands grasped hers firmly and Daenerys breathed a small sigh of relief as the fear in her chest abated a little.

"How did you get here?" she managed to shout above the chaos and she was not surprised to see the responding fury that glinted in his eyes. It was then that she noticed a small face peeking out from behind his cape and the young dragon gave a happy cry when she saw her mother. Daenerys felt a spark of anger of her own. "You brought Loreley?" she demanded, outraged.

Loki chose to ignore this last part. "Me?" he growled. "What do you think _you're_ doing here? You're risking your life like some crazy harlot!"

Daenerys gasped. "A harlot? You son of a b-"

He cut her off as he yanked her to her feet and shoved her towards the tall blonde man. "Go!" Her dragons pressed in behind her, eager to obey Loki's command and usher their mother to safety before the fortress could collapse on top of them.

She paused in confusion, however, as she eyed the armoured man from his thick, blonde hair and ridiculous red cape all the way down to his long black boots. He hefted a hammer in one hand and held his other hand out to her urgently. Daenerys' eyes snapped back to Loki as though questioning if this unknown man could possibly protect her better than _**he**_ could. Loki's expression remained firm as she eyed him sceptically. "He'll protect you," Loki assured her. "Thor's my brother. He'll get you to safety."

Daenerys' lips parted but she had no time to question it as a demonic voiced roared above them, louder than the flames "No one is going anywhere!" As if to prove a point, a ribbon of fire shot forth from the central inferno and ignited the walls. The fire was hot enough to melt stone and Daenerys all but screamed in frustration as the only remaining doorway collapsed under the searing heat of the flames.

Loki whirled on the fire furiously. "Enough of this!" he shouted. "If a god must hide behind fire, he must have a poor, true form indeed!"

The voice laughed and the dark malice it held was enough to cause Daenerys to shiver despite the heat that was now eating up the room. "Poor?" the demon questioned silkily. "How about terrifying? Your mortal eyes would be burned out of your skulls if they glimpsed my true form! No, this is just a vessel. A temporary hunk of flesh and limbs to house my essence for the coming war! When I meet my equal in the open battlefield, then this world shall suffer my true form!"

"Then show us your vessel!" Loki roared back at the flames. "Show us the corpse of the man you're possessing!"

The tremors stopped momentarily and the fire thinned enough to reveal the dark outline of a man through the flames. Daenerys held her breath expectantly as the flames began to die down only to be replaced by thick, black smoke which quickly spread and engulfed the room. Loki seized Daenerys' hand again as the swirling smoke billowed across their bodies and obscured everything from view. She could hear her dragons growling in anger and the brief flashes of light she caught in her peripheral vision signalled that they were trying to abate the smoke with their own fire. The smoke began to soon disperse on its own however to reveal the smouldering body of a man whose skin appeared to be stained red with blood. The charred remains of his clothes fell away from his body and Daenerys couldn't help her shudder of revulsion as she recognised the similarities between the arrival of this monster and the way she had hatched her dragons. She heard her dragons growl uneasily behind her and this only strengthened Daenerys' feeling of horror. What kind of fiend was this that it could frighten her dragons?

The demon's eyes opened to reveal bright orange pupils and the thing wearing R'Nhor's face grinned evilly. "Does this form make you more comfortable?"

To Daenerys' shock, Loki smiled. "Not really," he said with a triumphant smirk. "I just needed a better target." With a quick gesture to his brother, Loki stepped back and pulled Daenerys with him just as Thor hurled his enormous hammer at the Red God. It shot forward with such speed and accuracy that Daenerys thought it must have landed its mark as a deafening crack echoed throughout the ruined hall. Some more debris fell away as a result of the hammer's impact and Rhaegal snarled in alarm, using his snout to shove Daenerys and Loki out of harm's way.

Viseryion unfurled his wings and quickly encircled the pair to shield them from the crumbling dust but Loki pushed out from under the safety net so that only Daenerys was protected. Daenerys peered out of the gap between her dragon's wings in disbelief as she saw that the Red God had stepped out of the hammer's way at the last moment. The weapon had instead gone straight through the stone wall behind him and the wall of the next room as well. Daenerys didn't know whether she was more shocked at the force that Thor had used to throw the weapon or the fact that the Red God had been fast enough to somehow dodge the weapon. Viseryion lowered his wings warily but kept close to Daenerys as Drogon growled a warning.

The demonic God stared at the wall behind him before he slowly turned back to regard them all, wearing an expression of equal parts anger and bewilderment. "Did you really just throw a _hammer_ at me?" he demanded incredulously. Before Thor could respond, the Red God raised his right hand and shot forth molten fire at Thor's torso. The flames blazed a path across his armour as though it were alive and quickly attacked his neck as Thor howled in agony. "I am R'Hllor!" The demon shouted above Thor's pain. "God of Flame and Shadow! Heart of Fire! No mortal weapon shall touch _**me**_!"

Daenerys screamed and Loki's face turned murderous as he blasted the God with another deadly surge of energy from his sceptre. The energy seemed to dissipate before it could connect with its target, melting away from R'Hllor's frame harmlessly as he smirked back at Loki. Thor was grounded, clutching his throat as R'Hllor laughed at his expense. Another motion from the demons' hands shook the chamber again and Loki changed tactics, racing towards his brother in order to defend him from the next attack. The Red God responded by raising both palms, ready to douse them in molten flames again and Daenerys panicked.

"_Dracarys_!" she shouted in Valyrian while R'Hllor was distracted by the brothers. Her dragons reacted to their mother's courage and growled, drawing themselves up to full height. All three of them opened their impressive jaws and shot forth their own fire at the demon. Reflexively, R'Hllor whirled upon them and raised his hands to direct the flames away from his body. The fire scattered, fanning out in an impressive spiral but the flames did not scorch the God as intended. This did not amuse Drogon, who was not used to his prey remaining unscathed from his fiery breath. Daenerys' largest dragon roared in fury and surprised her by taking flight and quickly dive bombing the demon. It must have taken R'Hllor by surprise too because Drogon slammed into him with 4000 pounds a raw dragon hide before he could defend himself against the larger creature. R'Hllor hurtled through the wall with enough force to widen the hole left previously by the hammer and Daenerys inwardly cheered her dragon. She did not have enough time to harp on this however as she hurried over to the brothers to see what condition Thor was in.

Loki held Thor by the shoulders and had managed to help him to his feet but Daenerys blanched when she saw the damage done to the skin of his neck. Although the skin had not actually been breached, large welts had risen up from his throat as though he had been poisoned by some toxic plant. White pustules blanketed the underside of Thor's chin and a thin trickle of blood could be seen leaking from the side of his mouth. "Is he alright?" Daenerys asked in a hushed voice, watching as Thor's eyes fluttered in and out of consciousness. Loki raised his right index finger and Daenerys watched in fascination as it turned blue. He touched the finger to one of the welts on Thor's neck and hissed, pulling it back almost immediately. "We need to leave," Loki said urgently. "That demon's magic is parasitic! It's draining Thor's energy!"

Drogon huffed behind her and Daenerys quickly placed a hand on his scaly neck, guiding him around so that his back was presented to Loki. She watched as Loki hefted Thor's bulky frame as though it weighed nothing and draped it across Drogon's back. "His hammer," Loki said softly as though just remembering the weapon. He turned towards the crater in the wall and froze as he saw the Red God gripping the sides of the stone with long, sharp claws. He looked more demonic and demented than ever and Loki seized Daenerys' arm in a vice.

R'Hllor took note of this and smiled with pointed teeth. This demon no longer resembled R'Nhor in the slightest. "Did you really think a little rock would hurt me?" he snarled at Loki. "Besides, you can't leave just yet. You see, you have something of mine..." His fiery orbs drifted towards Daenerys and Loki's hand tightened on her protectively. He pushed her behind him and kept his sceptre positioned in front of them defensively.

"You're not getting her," Loki said viciously.

R'Hllor moved faster than Daenerys would have thought possible, appearing beside them in one fiery streak. He seized the shaft of Loki's spear. "Wasn't asking," he said dangerously. He yanked hard on the sceptre, throwing Loki and his spear to the side whilst simultaneously pushing Daenerys against the wall. Loreley screeched and leapt out from under Loki's cloak just before R'Hllor swept his palm over the ground and the floor opened up beneath them. Loki had only a second to meet Daenerys' gaze and all she could see was fierce determination reflected back at her in those icy blue irises of his before he disappeared into the chasm that R'Hllor had created.

"Loki!" she screamed, making for the chasm but R'Hllor pushed her back against the wall, leering at her as she struggled in his grasp. "Let go of me!" she spat at him but he just chuckled darkly. Her dragons roared and scrabbled towards them but R'Hllor was suddenly in motion, sweeping Daenerys into his arms and carrying her through another remote crevice that had opened up in wall beside them. It was too narrow for her dragons to follow and, though Daenerys resisted, his grip on her remained firm. She looked behind her at the small, dark opening of the crevice to see her dragons scratching at the entrance and breathing fire after them but it was to no avail. She couldn't see Loreley or Thor but she could only hope that her larger dragons would defend them as R'Hllor carried her further into the darkness. He set her down after several hundred feet yet he did not release her. The darkness was momentarily lit up as R'Hllor conjured flames all around them. The fire danced up the walls and Daenerys was startled to realise that they were back in the catacombs where Melisandre had first led her.

The Red God sneered at her as her gaze returned to his. "Did you think that I didn't know where you were this entire time?" He leaned closer and Daenerys felt her stomach seize uncomfortably. Evil did not even begin to describe the horror of what was before her. His smile deepened as he saw her lip curl in disgust. "I've been watching you your whole life." When she stared at him in horror, he chuckled again. "Well, most of it. Recently, I've had other more pressing issues."

"Thankfully, I've never had to see your wretched form until now," she argued back, delighting in the way his eyes narrowed at the insult. He seized her hair, yanking it to the side and she tensed, waiting for him to yank the tendrils out by the roots. Instead he kept her pinned there, letting her feel the heat of his palm seep into her skull.

"So strong," he murmured, leaning into her hair and inhaling deeply. "So defiant. And yet..." He pushed a claw against the smooth skin of her collarbone and Daenerys whimpered softly as she felt his nail pierce her flesh. "So fragile."

He pulled back to glare at her again, keeping a tight grip on her hair. "I'm sure you know what I want by now."

Daenerys couldn't help the shudder of revulsion that coursed through her body. "I've been made aware." She glared at him hatefully. "But it's not going to happen."

"I don't really need your permission," he whispered with awful promise. Daenerys struggled harder as he pressed himself into her. They both felt the weight of the diary in her inner cloak pocket as he pushed his body closer. "You're little book won't help you either," he murmured as though reading her thoughts. "There is no magical solution for what I'm going to do to you. But if you're a good little mortal and you give me what I want..." His breath hissed through his teeth. "Maybe you can have a place in my new world."

"This world hasn't been yours in a long time," Daenerys said, her eyes flashing at him spitefully. "Your old world is gone!"

"It was mine once!" he snarled, pressing a claw into the cut he had made on her collarbone. "It will be mine again!" He pulled back the claw containing her blood and wiped it along his tongue languidly. It was an obscene gesture and Daenerys closed her eyes at the sight. The demon sighed. "You taste so sweet. I'd forgotten." He said it almost reverently and he shook her slightly so that she was forced to look at him again. "You always hear how a virgin's blood is always the best," he commented lewdly. "But I've never tasted any better than a _dragon's _blood." His eyes lit up at her horrified look. "Yes Daenerys. The blood of a _Targaryen, _the blood of your family is the best I've feasted upon. None of the sacrificial burnings can ever make up for the power I felt every time a Targaryen was slaughtered in my name. And there have been many. More than you'd ever dream."

His words were like a knife to her gut and Daenerys renewed her struggles, letting out a cry of frustration at her own helplessness. She watched as he dipped another claw in and licked the blood clean, feeling sicker by the minute. Strangely enough though, R'Hllor was frowning now as he tasted her blood, as though he had sampled something sour.

"Your blood," he murmured. "The first taste was sweet but... under that..." His frown was quickly turning into fury and Daenerys cried out when he suddenly leaned forward, letting his teeth scrape her collarbone as he lapped up the blood. He pulled back with a curse, eyeing her shoulder dubiously and she craned her neck, trying to catch a glimpse of the gash he had managed to make. What she saw made her heart stand still and she felt the first stirrings of hope blossoming in the pit of her stomach. The wound was quite shallow yet before her very eyes it was slowly knitting itself back together and the blood which was spattered across her collarbone was now shining with familiar icy, blue tones. The wound looked beautiful as it slowly, miraculously repaired itself until her skin was smooth and pale once again.

"You whore!" he exclaimed suddenly and Daenerys looked back at the Red God in alarm, startled to see that he was now glaring at her stomach. His eyes flew to hers accusingly. "You're _his_, now aren't you?" He ground out. "You let that filth touch you and now you carry his disgusting spawn!"

Daenerys felt the heat in her belly fan into a flame. "The only filth around here is you," she hissed at him. "And no matter what you do, this world will never be what you want it to be." She smiled with more confidence than she actually felt. "You've already lost."

His claw in her hair suddenly seized her slender neck and he shoved her back against the wall. "I may not get the progeny I desire," he growled. "But neither will you." The threat was clear and before Daenerys could stop him his hand was reaching toward her belly. Her struggles were futile as, physically, he was stronger but she was like a wild cat now, fighting him with all she had. Still his hand drifted closer but just before his nails could scrape her stomach, those same blue tinges that had speckled her collarbone now streaked across her stomach like flaming embers. The Red God cursed, pulling his hand back as he eyed the sapphire flames. "Blue fire," he hissed.

Daenerys had no idea what it meant but somehow, her child had just saved both their lives. The Red God dropped her suddenly and as his hand balled into fists. "You won't win," he told her maliciously as she pushed herself up from the floor. "If I have to, I'll bury you beneath this castle, Whore!"

He never made good on that promise however as the walls exploded inward and three vengeful dragons crashed into the room. Daenerys pulled away from the demon as he turned to face this new threat, raising his hands defensively to ward off their impending fire. They opened their jaws expectantly and unleashed their fire and rage only for R'Hllor to once again divert it.

Something flashed beyond the flames that her dragons breathed upon their foe and Daenerys squinted, feeling her hopes lift. Blue ice suddenly broke through the fire, striking R'Hllor on the shoulder and sending him reeling back a few steps. The God's fury contrasted with Daenerys' relief as Loki stepped through the pyre unharmed, his red eyes gleaming as his Frost Giant nature emerged. His cobalt skin shone with perspiration as he strode forward and drove both his fists hard into the chest of R'Hllor. The God did not crumble under the pressure of Loki's fists but his dawning expression of apprehension gave Loki the opening he was looking for. "You!" The demon hissed. "You're not human!"

"Not even a little," Loki rasped, his red eyes gleaming triumphantly. His icy hands glowed with power and the cold of his body seeped across R'Hllor's skin, staining it blue. The demon quickly yanked himself away but Loki's attack had distracted him, leaving him vulnerable to Daenerys' dragons. The fire which he had temporarily been containing now blazed effortlessly across his body and oddly enough it seemed to burn him. R'Hllor snarled and redirected his attention to the dragonfire which scorched across his body, shoving it back so that it was at a safe distance once again. His skin healed over almost immediately but Daenerys had already seen the damage the dragonfire was capable of.

"Odd, isn't it?" Loki murmured with a victorious smile. "How your own element can hurt you..."

"Not for long!" The demon bared his teeth as he retreated and pointed one terrifying claw at Daenerys. "You won't be able to protect either of them in the coming war. Your death is upon you! All that remains is where you shall meet with your reaper!"

Fire suddenly erupted from his scarlet fingertips, igniting his entire being and momentarily blinding Daenerys as she shielded her eyes. After a few moments, she chanced a peek through her fingertips and found that the demon had vanished into the flames, leaving them alone in the dark chamber with the dying embers. She slowly lowered her arms and glanced over at Loki to see that he was breathing harshly as his skin gradually resumed its human countenance. He opened his eyes to find Daenerys staring at him in gratitude and he quickly crossed to her and enveloped her in his strong arms. She could still feel the cold remnants of his skin and she leaned into it gratefully, feeling that it was a unique comfort that only Loki could provide.

"Why did he leave?" Daenerys murmured uncertainly.

"Because he's vulnerable," Loki told her as she turned her face into his chest. "At least for now. I don't think he was expecting that. He underestimated us and because of that we found his temporary weakness. He's powerful, but not invincible. He'll need to regain his strength if he's planning to fight a war." Loki glanced down at her, his gaze intense. "I don't suppose you know where he plans to initiate this confrontation do you?"

Daenerys shook her head regretfully and Loki's face softened.

"Are you all right?" His hand cradled her head gently and he pulled back to brush the stray strands of hair away from her face. Although still shaken by the God's threat towards her child, Daenerys took a deep breath and managed a nod, hoping it would placate Loki. His expression remained unconvinced however as he stared into her wide eyes and felt the rare tremor in her hands which signalled that she was afraid. His eyes swept over her form uncertainly and he reached out his hand to gently tilt her chin up to meet his gaze. "Daenerys?"

"I'm fine," she whispered. "He scared me, that's all." She could feel the tears behind her eyes that threatened to fall but she gritted her teeth and blinked them away as best she could. "I'll be fine." She thought that the more times she said it, perhaps the truer it would become but the words sounded empty even to her ears.

"What did he mean?" Loki asked quietly as he traced a finger over the back of her hand. Daenerys blinked at him in confusion for a moment but then his question became clear as he gestured back at the dying embers on the ground. "He said I wouldn't be able to protect _them_. Who was he talking about?" His eyes were boring into hers and Daenerys knew that she had to tell him. "Daenerys?"

Daenerys lifted a soft palm to his cheek as she drew his other hand against her stomach. She let him feel the evident bulge that was hidden beneath her dress and watched his eyes widen with wonder. He stared at her in astonishment and she gave him a weak smile. "It's yours," she whispered in confirmation.

Loki's lips moved soundlessly as his cool palm rested against her stomach and he finally managed to form one coherent word. "Mine?" he croaked, gliding his hand over the miracle that was growing inside Daenerys' belly.

Her own hand moved over his skin, her fingers lacing through his so that when the baby kicked, they both felt it. She almost laughed when Loki pulled back, startled by the foreign movement. "Yours," Daenerys promised him, leaning up to press her lips against his. He responded, bringing his hand up to cup her cheek as he tilted her head back, slanting his mouth over hers and deepening the kiss.

Neither of them noticed the single tear that slipped from Loki's eye, falling gracefully onto her curved stomach to become a part of the delicate life that they had created together.

...

**I think I said this chapter would be longer but I actually cut it shorter in the end. I wanted to end on the high note of Loki finding out about his baby XD **

**Also an ENORMOUS thank you to all my followers! 'The Flame Maiden of Hygard' has now hit over 100 favourites! I never thought that would happen on my first fic, especially one that crosses over two universes so thanks so much for that guys. And please leave a review! I love them and they are part of the reason I enjoy writing so much... to hear back from you guys Until next time!**


	5. Chapter 5: Lessons

**Hey guys! Time for another chapter update ;) I'm working hard on the next one already so I should have it up sooner than you know! Probably sounds silly but I only just found those grey dividers to help make the chapters look tidier haha so I will be using those from now on.**

**Chapter 5: Lessons**

* * *

><p><em>Loki<em>

The sound of rubble collapsing shook Loki from his reverie and he gently withdrew his hand from Daenerys' stomach. His initial joy was momentarily marred by his mounting fury that she had dared to threaten her own safety as well as that of their unborn child. Gritting his teeth he resisted the urge to shake her as he pushed past her purposefully and strode back through the tunnel to where he had left his brother. He felt more than heard Daenerys follow behind him silently, evidently sensing his anger.

The sound of Daenerys' dragons scrabbling across the rocks after them however spoiled the effect and Loki ground his teeth in irritation. Drogon growled lightly as he felt his Mother's unease, only quieting when they stepped out of the wall crevice and Daenerys was finally able to lay a soothing hand against his neck. Loki could feel her eyes burning into his back as he bent to examine his brother. Thor's breathing had become less harsh now that his energy was no longer being siphoned off by the parasitic demon however it had still taken quite a toll on his strength. He was severely weakened and Loki noticed that Loreley had curled up against Thor's arm, nuzzling his hand as it shook with tremors. Rhaegal and Viseryion pushed in closer to Daenerys, inspecting her for injuries as she waited for Loki's reaction.

"Aren't you going to say anything?" Daenerys asked quietly.

Loki let out an involuntary, harsh bark of laughter but he offered no response.

Daenerys did not share his humour. "Loki, I just told you that you're going to be a father. You really aren't going to say anything?"

"Have you given it a name yet?"

Daenerys froze. "W-what?"

Loki stood slowly and turned toward her. He took one menacing step forward. "Have you named our child yet?"

He watched as confusion flickered across her face before understanding dawned in her eyes. "No," she answered softly, shaking her head once so that her silver tresses brushed against her cheek.

Her answer cut Loki to the core and anguish broke through his anger briefly before he rearranged his features into a passive mask once more. "So you dove headfirst into danger, regardless of the consequences... without even bothering to name our child?"

Hurt flashed in those violet depths. "Don't do that," she hissed. "You know I had my reasons for leaving!"

"Really?" Loki's jaw clenched. "Because I'd love to know what they are. It must be quite an explanation that you're hiding to risk so much."

"You don't understand," Daenerys whispered.

"Then explain it to me!" Loki advanced on her and Daenerys flinched, quickly raising a protective hand against her stomach. He could tell it wasn't intentional; merely a natural instinct but it halted him in his tracks all the same.

She raised her eyes to his defiantly but he knew that his actions had scared her. "See?" He prompted her furiously. "_That_ should have been your instinct from the beginning!"

"I know that!" she cried at him and Loki felt his stomach twist uncomfortably at her accusatory tone. Her eyes shimmered with tears and he felt his anger quickly fading away to be replaced with concern over her fragile condition. Even though Thor was unconscious, Loki could practically hear his brother's brazen tone join the storm of emotions that swirled inside of him. _She needs you._

He forced his shoulders to relax as he unclenched his hands. "I could never hurt you," he said uncomfortably as Daenerys drew in deep, shaky breaths.

She didn't look at him but she nodded her head in understanding. "I know," she admitted. "You're right though. I do owe you an explanation." She raised her eyes to his and Loki quirked his lips slightly at her fiery, violet glare.

"I suppose I should have known you'd do what you want after I left you alone anyway," he continued with a sigh. "You're infuriatingly stubborn."

Daenerys smiled weakly before reaching into the confines of her cloak and pulling out an old leather book, sealed with a metal lock. Loki's brows knitted together in a frown as she held it out to him.

"What's that?"

"The journal of my ancestor," she explained warily. "Daenys Targaryen. She was a seer, I think. Or at least she had prophetic visions often enough to convince people that she was."

Loki eyed the worn book dubiously as his lips spoke the name aloud. "Daenys Targaryen?" His eyes widened slightly as he recognised the link. "Daenys Targaryen. _Daenerys_ Targaryen?"

Daenerys bobbed her head in confirmation. "I was named after her."

"Why do you have her journal?" Loki asked, raising one eyebrow at the book in her hands.

"It's rumoured to contain all of the visions that she had over her lifetime," Daenerys told him. "Including the ones relating to the Doom and the Red God."

Loki's hand extended subconsciously to take the book from her. His fingers ran over the smooth, untarnished lock and he tried to pry it open. When it didn't budge he looked to Daenerys questioningly. "Valyrian steel," she explained.

Loki traced the intricate design of the lock once more. "I'm beginning to admire this type of mortal metal."

"You still say things like that," Daenerys murmured with a concerned frown. "Like mortality is beneath you."

"And you're still reckless," he growled back at her but his tone no longer held the severity that it did before. "You came back to Dragonstone for this journal?"

"Yes," she responded. "And before you ask how I knew it was here, Daenys came to me in a dream." She raised her eyes to his and wasn't shocked by his evident look of disbelief. "I don't care how it sounds," she continued hastily. "The visions in my family have been known to come to pass! And it wasn't just the dream itself! I saw..."

Loki's lips pulled back into a thin line. "You saw what?"

"The raven," she said softly, drawing in a shaky breath. "I saw the three-eyed raven." Upon seeing that this did not perturb Loki, she sighed in frustration. "It was an omen, Loki," she said desperately. "Do you not recall how I reacted when you sought me out to comfort me?"

"How could I forget?" he said sarcastically. "So you saw an omen. It was a bird, what does it matter?"

"It's an omen of death!" she cried in a shrill voice. "And it was clinging to you like a shadow!"

"Daenerys," Loki voiced doubtfully.

"No!" she interrupted him and she seized the journal from his hands. "I don't care if you don't believe me!" She held up the journal anxiously. "This was the only way I knew how to protect our unborn child! The journal was written to protect my family and I know Dragonstone better than most!" Her eyes flashed furiously and Loki could see that she was becoming frantic. He raised his hands in an attempt to calm her but she continued on relentlessly. "I didn't know that R'Nhor would be here!" Her voice shook and Loki ached to take her in his arms to chase away her grief. "I swear I wouldn't have come otherwise! I've never wanted to protect anything more in my entire life!"

Loki's jaw ticked and he wrapped his hands around the book once more, gently but firmly withdrawing it from her grasp and placing it on a stone table beside them. His fingers laced through hers as he raised his other hand to brush against her cheek. "Of course I believe you," he assured her in a quiet voice as he tried to soothe her. "That was never a question. What I don't understand is why you couldn't simply tell me all of this? I would have protected you. I would have gotten the journal for you."

"He would have killed you," she said in a hushed voice as she leaned into his embrace. "I came to tell you everything. I did. But death had you in its embrace and the raven appeared the moment I even thought to come to you."

"Did you see that in your dream?" Loki asked as he held her. "My death?"

Daenerys tilted her head to gaze at him uncertainly. "No," she confessed. "But I told you I saw the three-eyed raven. It means death."

"Maybe here it does." A voice groaned at them and Loki whipped around to find his brother struggling to push himself up, his arms shaking under the strain of his bulky armour. Loki moved to assist him but Daenerys pushed past him and Loki stared at her incredulously as she knelt to help Thor into a sitting position. She unstrapped some of the armour at his chest so that he could breathe easier and Loki's eyes narrowed as he reminded himself that Daenerys was helping Thor out of kindness and not anything else.

"Loki's brother," she addressed him with timid smile. "Thank you for bringing him here and for helping us."

"It's a pleasure to meet you my lady," Thor wheezed and he nodded at her gratefully as she unclasped his red cape which seemed to have tightened around his neck during his struggles. "I am known as Thor Odinson. You are Daenerys?"

"Daenerys Targaryen," Loki felt the need to add. Daenerys glared at him and Loki smirked as Thor raised his eyebrows at their exchange. "This is your world, Daenerys. He should address you by your true name during your first meeting. It is respectful." Thor looked to Daenerys almost apologetically but she ignored both of them as she stood, brushing dust from her dress and cloak.

"I'm going to prepare Drogon for flight," Daenerys said crisply, ignoring the way Loki smiled at her irritation. "Dragonstone is gone." She allowed herself a moment to mourn the loss of her family's former stronghold before she held her head high. "We'd best return to Yunkai as soon as possible."

She left them in search of material to serve as a saddle for her dragons and Loki turned to find Thor staring at him now. "What?" Loki demanded as he felt his skin prickle uneasily.

Thor smiled grimly. "Nothing," he dismissed. "It's just... who would have thought Loki of Jotunheim would find a woman who could look beyond his ill-fated flaws and see the man underneath?"

"Yes well," Loki retrieved his spear from the ground as he regarded his brother. "She is no ordinary woman."

"Are you sure it wasn't those pretty, violet eyes of hers?" Thor commented. "Or perhaps the exotic silver hair?" He could tell his brother meant it as a jest but it struck a chord within Loki, bringing something savage to the surface that he thought he had buried long ago.

"Careful where your _own_ eyes stray, Brother," Loki growled. "I would hate for our alliance to end so quickly."

Thor frowned at his brother's defensiveness. "You know that your presence here endangers her," Thor warned him. "Father will send more men after you if I do not return with you in custody."

"He can try," Loki bit off savagely.

"And you and I both know he will succeed," Thor said truthfully.

"What did you mean before?" Loki asked, diverting Thor's attention to another topic. "About the three-eyed raven?"

Thor looked at him as though he had sprouted another head. "Do I really need to explain to you the significance of the raven?" Loki kept his face impassive as Thor wiped the back of his hand across his forehead in exasperation. "I cannot believe I have to explain to you yet another lesson that Father taught us as children."

Loki's signature smirk reappeared. "And I cannot believe that you actually listened to something your Father told you for once."

Thor grumbled before reeling over in a coughing fit and spitting blood onto the ground. He wiped away some residual blood that lingered in the corner of his mouth and Loki's smirk disappeared. "I'll be fine," Thor assured him, mistaking his disgust for concern. "I can already feel my wounds beginning to heal."

"Tell me about the raven," Loki stated when Thor was able to breathe evenly again.

"It's one of Father's crests," Thor said. "It means protection."

Loki froze as he processed Thor's explanation. "Why would Daenerys be seeing a three-eyed raven? What is the significance of that?"

"I am unsure of why the raven would possess three eyes," Thor admitted. "But in truth, she should not be able to see such an omen at all. Unless she possesses the Sight, she would need to have a connection with Odin to see what she has seen."

"What sort of connection?" Loki pried.

"A familial link," Thor explained. "Like that of a son." His eyes slid to Loki. "Or even an adoptive son. There might have been a time where you may have been able to see that omen yourself, had you not turned your back on him."

"That explains it then." Loki's breath left his lungs in a hiss. "She's pregnant."

Thor's jaw dropped but he was unable to formulate a reply because Daenerys stood before them now, hefting the remains of a curtain draped across her arm. "Are you ready?"

"Yes," Loki cut across before Thor could reply. "We're ready." Daenerys nodded and she was about to bend to help Thor but Loki laid a gentle hand on her arm. "Let me. Don't strain yourself." He gave her a cheeky wink as she rolled her eyes at him but she stepped away so that Loki could slide an arm under Thor's shoulders. With some effort, he heaved his brother to his feet.

"My hammer," Thor reminded him. "I'm the only one who can lift it." Loki led Thor to where the hammer lay abandoned and Thor grunted with exertion as he grasped the weapon in his hand.

"Stop!" Daenerys cried in alarm. "That's going to be far too heavy for you to carry!"

"Actually it barely weighs a thing when Thor carries it," Loki explained.

"But he's in pain," Daenerys stuttered, not understanding.

"Because he has third degree burns," Loki snickered. Daenerys was shocked by Loki's lack of concern and seemed even more surprised when Thor smacked him upside the head in retaliation. He grimaced with the effort it took but he didn't seem offended by Loki's jibe. "It's alright, Daenerys," Loki assured her when he saw her horrified expression. "He will heal. You need not be so concerned."

Daenerys breathed a sigh of relief and at Loki's urging she gently took Thor's hand and guided it towards the muscled shoulders of her largest dragon. "This is Drogon," she told Thor as she placed his hand against the dragon's hard scales. "He is my strongest dragon and he will carry you." She pulled the curtains across Drogon's back as a makeshift saddle and indicated for Thor to mount the beast. Thor seemed uncertain and Daenerys smiled encouragingly. "He won't hurt you and he won't let you fall. I assure you, he is safer than any horse you will ever ride."

"It's not that," Thor said quickly as though worried he had offended her.

"What then?" she asked curiously. "Does he frighten you?"

Loki snorted with laughter and Thor immediately scoffed. "Of course not!" Thor insisted but still he hesitated. "It's just that dragons are a mighty race. The age of dragons was thought to be over and yet here I stand beside the very mighty beasts which I thought to be long extinct. They are truly magnificent. It is astounding that you have managed to tame them."

This time Daenerys laughed and she stepped towards Drogon and stroked the scales near his horns while her dragon purred with appreciation. Loki grinned at the way Thor's eyes widened over her casual treatment of dragons, remembering that he too had experienced a similar reaction. "Our bond is not based on ownership," Daenerys said softly. She smoothed her hand down Drogon's neck and held her palm out to her other two dragons as they nuzzled closer. "We have a mutual respect for each other based on trust and love."

Thor's eyes lit up as he smiled at her. "You truly care for your dragons, don't you?"

"I have raised them from hatchlings," Daenerys said as she stared at her dragons reverently. "How could I not?

Thor looked at Loki, all traces of doubt removed. "Help me up."

Loki heaved Thor onto the saddle and Drogon shifted accordingly to accommodate Thor's bulky frame and weight. Once settled, Loki shook his head sarcastically as Thor visibly relaxed when the dragon didn't turn around and rip him in half. He even appeared to be a tad smug as he wrapped his thick arms around the dragon's neck.

"Hold on tight," Daenerys reminded him as she in turn mounted Rhaegal and Loki climbed onto the back of Viserys.

Her dragons gave an answering call and spread their wings as Daenerys uttered a single command.

"_Fly_."

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><p><em>Ser Jorah Mormont<em>

"The Khaleesi has to know about this immediately!" Ser Jorah's voice cut across the hall as one of the Unsullied held a messenger bird in his hands. Word had just been received that the throne usurper of Westeros, Joffrey Baratheon had fallen victim to poison at his own wedding. The question of who would succeed the throne after him was more critical than ever since it provided Daenerys with the perfect opportunity to return home.

Ser Barristan stepped forward. "We have no way of knowing where she is," he said regretfully. "How do you propose we get word to her?"

"We know that she intended to reach Dragonstone," Ser Jorah responded. "Perhaps we can send Kaz's bird? The boy is a Warg. He could carry a message to her if necessary."

Missandei stood beside Daario Naharis and Ser Jorah smiled faintly, observing the way Daario traced his finger comfortingly against her arm. He was happy for the young girl, if not a little envious that his own Queen refused to see the love he bore for her. Regardless, safety and comfort had been all too rare in Missandei's life and the attention that Daario paid to her was important in times such as these.

"But Loki went after her," Missandei spoke up. "Should we not wait for him to return with her?"

Ser Jorah shook his head. "She will need us to be prepared the moment she returns. It is best we get word to her sooner rather than later. Westeros is vulnerable and the people will need their true Queen."

Ser Barristan looked at Ser Jorah in alarm. "Then we shall not march on Meereen?"

"We shall let the Khaleesi decide," Ser Jorah affirmed. "But truthfully we may not get an opportunity like this again. Westeros is rife with rumours and the people are tired of tyrannical rule. If she wishes to reclaim the Iron Throne, she should strike now."

"I agree," Daario said and Ser Jorah looked at the young captain in surprise. "The Second Sons are known for taking advantage of a good opportunity when it arises. I believe this will be the first time that our assertiveness will benefit someone else other than ourselves. Westeros deserves a merciful leader; a true Queen."

Ser Jorah gave a respectful nod. "Well spoken."

A frantic hammering on the doors of their chambers had them all turning in bewilderment to stare as one large wooden door creaked open and a small face peered into the room. Missandei stepped forward as she recognised the anxious young boy. "Kaz?" she gasped. "What's wrong?"

"Smoke!" he cried out as he ran into her arms. "Smoke is coming from the mountains!"

Ser Barristan gaped at Ser Jorah in alarm and both warriors hurried out towards the balcony to gaze out across the sand. Hoping that the boy was mistaken, Ser Jorah felt his stomach immediately plummet as he saw the evident, black cloud which billowed forth from the mountains like a deadly asp leeching away at their fears. He squinted at the distant smoke plume that rose up from the ground in the hopes that this awful mirage would disappear.

"Invaders?" Daario guessed as he came to stand beside the older man.

"It's hard to tell from this distance," Ser Jorah said gruffly. "But it's certainly too large to be coming from a campfire."

"No." Ser Jorah turned as Missandei's soft voice reached his ears and Daario moved to put his arm around her shoulder in concern. Kaz followed her out onto the balcony and wrapped his small arms around her legs. She could barely feel it however even when Daario gave her a gentle shake. "What is it, love?" Daario prompted her.

"Meereen," she murmured, pointing a terrified finger towards the rising smoke. "That is where the city of Meereen lies." Ser Jorah closed his eyes in dismay as he heard Daario bend to kneel against the stone and address Kaz.

"Fetch your bird, Kaz," he ordered softly. Kaz whimpered and Ser Jorah opened his eyes to find Daario had placed both his hands on the young boy's shoulders. "It's going to be alright," Daario told him. "Be brave for your Queen. Go and fetch your bird."

The fire returned to Kaz's eyes and he nodded once, wiping a quick hand across his eyes before darting back inside. Daario looked at Ser Jorah and a look of understanding passed between them as they both looked to the woman in front of them. Missandei's hands quivered but her face was nothing but steely determination as she glanced at the smoke angrily, her eyes brimming with furious tears.

"Missandei," Ser Jorah intoned and she turned her watery eyes toward him. "Will you be alright to send a letter?"

She nodded without pause and Ser Jorah admired her loyalty. He took a deep breath as he informed her of all that the letter would contain.

"We write to the Queen," he said in a low voice. "In Valyrian in case unwanted eyes should come across the letter." Although the tongue of Old Valyria was not rare in Slavers Bay, there were very few who could read it. Aside from the Queen herself, Missandei was the only other person he had encountered who could easily interpret Valyrian symbols.

"Tell her that Joffrey Baratheon is dead. Tell her that smoke rises from the mountains. The city of Meereen burns."

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><p><em>Daenerys<em>

About a half day into their journey, Daenerys tilted her head against the wind before turning to gaze behind her, eyeing the way Drogon was tilting from side to side haphazardly on the air currents. She turned her head back, gently gripping Rhaegal's neck on his right to guide her dragon in that direction so she could see what was causing Drogon's unusual flight path. As Drogon pulled ahead slightly, she noticed that Thor was barely hanging on anymore and that Drogon's twists and turns were to keep his bulky cargo from plummeting off his back.

She gripped the scales of Rhaegal's shoulders and her dragon obeyed her unspoken command to land. Rhaegal angled his body downward and spread his wings out wide to slow his descent towards the ground. He flapped his wings harder when the ground was close enough and used his back claws to grasp at the dirt as he laid his belly low enough for Daenerys to dismount. A few moments later, Drogon and Viseryion landed a short way off and Daenerys waved to Loki as he slid off his mount.

"Your brother needs some proper rest," Daenerys interjected before Loki could get a word out. "Drogon still can carry him but I think the ride won't do him any good until he's healed some more."

Loki nodded in agreement as he looked over to Drogon where he laid in the sand with Thor draped unconsciously across his back. Loreley emerged from under Thor's cloak and gave a playful screech, making Daenerys smile with affection. "He needs actual sleep," Loki commented as he followed her gaze. "The constant motion is slowing down the healing process and wearing him out. If we let him be for a few hours, he should be okay to fly again."

Daenerys raised a hand against the sun, letting her gaze rove over the rocks until she spotted a shallow crevice that was wide enough to support them. She directed Loki's attention to the cave and he gazed up at it, his lip curling distastefully.

Daenerys smiled in amusement. "Are you pouting?"

Loki growled at her playfully. "Never."

"Come on then." She reached out to take his hand but he remained stock still, eyeing her stomach. "What?" she asked nervously.

"When did you last eat?" he asked warily.

Daenerys blinked, startled as she realised that it had been well over a day since she had eaten food. She had only taken a small amount with her when she left Yunkai, having expected to be back by now. "A day or so," she responded honestly. "But truly, I haven't felt very hungry."

Loki's jaw clenched. "I was afraid of that," he said heatedly. "We need to get you some food." His hand reached out to grasp hers firmly and he guided her up to the crevice. "This isn't a normal pregnancy," he explained as he helped her over the rocks. "You won't be craving the usual things like food because your body has been tricked into thinking its full."

"What do you mean?" she asked nervously. She saw Loki's eyes furrow in response to her concerned expression and he offered her a reassuring smile.

"Nothing to worry about, Little Dragon," he hushed her and she felt her stomach flutter at the affectionate nickname. "But you have to remember to look after yourself because your body won't be able to."

Daenerys swallowed reflexively. "Why?"

Loki tried to shrug nonchalantly but it seemed to Daenerys that he was hiding something. "The births where I come from are very different," was all he said.

Daenerys planted her feet firmly to prevent Loki from dragging her any further as she narrowed her eyes at him. "Loki," she said meaningfully.

Loki sighed. "The world where I'm from is not entirely dissimilar to your vast North. It's frozen and cold."

"I remember," Daenerys said, nodding as she recalled his warped bedtime stories from a couple of months back. It seemed like a lifetime ago now.

"Pregnancies on that world are of a similar nature." He gestured towards her slightly swollen belly. "Your stomach may even feel a bit cold. And as I said before, your body won't recognise the feeling of hunger. At least not until after you have given birth."

"Oh," Daenerys responded as she glanced down at her own belly. "It doesn't feel cold though." She shivered at the idea as she wondered how hard this pregnancy might actually be.

Loki's hand was suddenly under her chin and he tilted her face up to look at him. "I promise that I'm not trying to scare you," he murmured. "This pregnancy will just seem a bit strange to you. And I don't want you to forget to look after yourself. Everything else will be relatively easy after that."

Daenerys raised her eyebrows in disbelief. "Of course a man would say that," she said as she shook her head mockingly. "A good thing your gender has never had to give birth. It's supposed to be excruciating."

A look of confusion momentarily crossed Loki's features and he suddenly let out a chuckle. "This won't be a mortal birth, Daenerys," he said, his eyes alight with mischief. "One of the benefits of carrying my child is that it shouldn't hurt at all."

"How is that possible?" she asked with a confused frown.

"Frost Giants are not born in a physical sense," he explained. "When it is time for you to deliver, the child's essence should flow from your body freely and the first time you see your baby will be when you are holding it in your arms."

Daenerys' eyes lit up with wonder. "That sounds so..."

"Clean?" Loki smirked. "Now do you believe me when I tell you that mortality is messy?"

She gave him a playful slap, letting out a small sigh as she felt an overwhelming sense of relief. "Good," she breathed as she looked at him happily. "So the blue fire then? That's all normal?"

Loki's smile faltered for a moment. "Blue fire?"

"Yes. My belly lit up with blue fire when the Red God attempted to touch it."

Loki's features flickered with alarm, then anger and finally uncertainty. "I suppose," he said slowly. "It makes sense that the baby would have some of your genetics as well."

Daenerys placed a delicate kiss against his chin. "More than genetics," she said with a cheeky grin. "I have a feeling our child may have inherited my stubbornness. The blue fire erupted when the Red God tried to touch my belly." Another thought occurred to her and she seized Loki's hand, dragging it to her collarbone. "And here." She placed his hand against her smooth skin. "My skin healed when he cut me."

Loki's hand suddenly gripped her shoulder. "He cut you?" he snarled.

"I'm fine," she reminded him, placing a reassuring hand on his cheek. "But you should have seen it! It was a miracle. It was..."

"Beautiful," Loki supplied for her as he kissed the hand against his cheek.

"It's like our baby was protecting us," she gushed, her eyes alight with amazement. "Even from in the womb!"

"That's my boy," Loki said proudly before he could stop himself.

Daenerys blinked at him as a small smirk played at the corner of her lips. "Boy?"

"Or girl," he quickly corrected himself. "You never know."

Daenerys responded by leaning up and kissing him deeply. He opened his lips immediately, letting his tongue slide along her lips until she gasped and allowed him entrance. Her mouth felt hot and her insides melted as Loki deepened the kiss, his hands wrapping around her back and tilting her so he had better access. After a minute or so, she felt him groan into her mouth and he finally relented, pulling away so that she could stare into his lustful eyes. He resumed dragging her towards the crevice before he set her down against a smooth rock and turned back towards her dragons.

"Where are you going?" she asked curiously.

"To drag the bulky boulder that is my brother into the shade where he can rest," he muttered angrily as he stalked across the sand towards Drogon.

"And then?" she prompted.

"Then I'm going to hunt for some food for you so you can finally eat," he grunted as he lifted Thor's arm across his shoulders and heaved his brother to his feet.

Daenerys batted her eyelashes teasingly as Loki met her gaze once more. "And then?" she smiled coyly.

Loki's expression darkened. "Then I'd better return to find you naked and willing to spend the night with a certain blue-eyed, handsome Immortal."

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><p><strong>How do you like the idea of a painless birth for Daenerys? XD sigh if only it were that easy in reality. In case you hadn't already guessed, lots of smut to come in the next chapter!<strong>


	6. Chapter 6:When Ashes Rain Down

_**Hey everyone! I know I don't write much POV from a lot of the other characters in GOT (mainly because I like to keep it Loki and Daenerys centric) but I will be changing that up over the next few chapters. The story is entering a new phase with the Red God on the loose so I will be keeping track of what else is happening in Westeros. That said, if any of you have a special request for a character appearance, I may just oblige ;) Also I am diverging from the books AND the TV series here a bit because I have an ending in mind and the books haven't quite extended that far yet haha. Not to mention they don't include a certain God of Mischief...**_

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><p><strong>Chapter 6: When Ashes Rain Down<strong>

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><p><em>Loki<em>

From the moment he had laid eyes on her, his little dragon had always been a feisty little tease and tonight was no exception as Loki returned to camp and found Daenerys clothed only in the silk of her cloak. Thor was safely stashed away in the shelter of the rocks, sleeping under the watchful gaze of Daenerys' three dragons whilst he recovered. _How fortunate for you Brother_, Loki mused as he gazed at the alluring siren that was Daenerys. _If you saw her like this, I wouldn't hesitate to rip your eyes out of your thick skull._

Daenerys looked up as Loki approached and he knew she couldn't possibly mistake the desire that reflected in the depths of his icy irises. The two desert hares he had been carrying over his shoulders dropped to the ground in front of him as he pointedly stared at her cloying, feminine figure. He hissed in annoyance when she shot him a taunting smile, content not to come any closer as she trailed a hand across her collarbone suggestively. His jaw shuddered in a masculine purr as he moved toward her just as she responded by taking a step back. Her eyes lit up with delight as he cocked his head at her little game. He watched her for another moment, his eyes trailing over her cloak and the skin it hid from his prying gaze. The sensation was indescribable; to feel his body shudder with anticipation, his mouth drying up on the spot and his blood pounding through his groin as every fibre of his being pulled him towards this temperamental beauty.

It almost chased away his reasoning but Loki forced himself to take a deep, shuddering breath even as his body clenched and throbbed in response to the proximity of his mate. Willing himself to be patient, Loki reigned in his beast and attempted to focus on the meat he had laid at his feet. He heard her sigh of displeasure and he smirked, fully intending to use her own impatience against her later when he would have her writhing in his arms. For now, he began piling wood, trying in vain to ignore her as he attempted to ignite a fire to cook the hares.

This proved to be a more difficult task than he'd anticipated however because, although his mind was somewhat focused, his body desperately yearned for the woman behind him. After several minutes of attempting to light the dry branches Loki felt his irritation get the better of him as he broke a particularly thick bough in half, cursing at the tight confines of his pants. "How am I to ensure that you are fed and rested when you are dressed like that?" he growled wistfully.

Soft giggles reached his ears and he turned, narrowing his eyes at the soft curves that tilted and swayed mere metres in front of him. He was about to reach forward and drag those inviting hips toward his own when soft embers sparked behind him, lighting the wood so that a hearty fire now burned hotly.

"Been practicing have we?" he murmured half impressed, half thwarted.

Daenerys came closer, a satisfied smile curving on her full lips. "You did say I had to eat." She moved to sit on the smooth rock beside him, unaware or simply uncaring of the protective cloak which now slid away to reveal her smooth legs and upper thighs.

In an instant, Loki had her pressed back against the sand, his mouth on her neck and she gasped in appreciation. "Wait!" she intoned breathlessly.

"You overestimate what little self restraint I possess," he murmured into her hair.

"No, wait," she said again. She moved her neck slightly out of his reach so that he was staring into her face. She rolled her eyes in the general direction of where Thor laid resting. "Your brother?"

Loki heaved a sigh of frustration and pushed off from her. "And you still need to eat," he reminded himself. He stalked back toward the fire and picked up a long, sharp stick. Daenerys watched in fascination as he also withdrew his Valyrian steel knife and within moments had skinned one of the hares and skewered it from head to rear. He placed it over the fire on a stake in order for it to roast.

"Do you know when the meat is properly cooked?" he asked absently. "That is, do you know what to look for?"

Amusement graced her features. "I am a Khaleesi. I travelled with the Dothraki for months on end," she said with a proud smile. "Of course I know when meat is cooked."

Loki gave her a wolfish grin. "Good." He stood then and helped her to her feet. He spoke as he guided her towards the flickering flames. "Eat as much as you can. Then come to me."

She raised her eyebrows in question. "Where are you going?"

"Not far," he responded before leaning in close to whisper into her ear. "Just out of earshot."

The full weight of what he was inferring made Daenerys blush but she quickly composed herself. "And what if your brother should awake to find us gone?"

Loki's smile turned wicked. With a quick flick of his wrist, an apparition appeared and Daenerys scoffed as she saw her own image smiling back at her. Without a word, the false Daenerys turned in the sand only to lie down and cushion her head against a rock, closing her eyes. Another image appeared and a duplicate Loki joined her side so that the pair appeared to be sleeping. Their chests rose and fell convincingly and the soft sounds of snoring could even be heard coming from their noses.

Daenerys' gaze returned to Loki indignantly. "I do _not_ snore," she huffed.

Loki's eyes lit up as he quietly laughed at her. "Thor doesn't know that."

Daenerys planted her hands on her hips in annoyance. Whether she was aware of it or not, the gesture was utterly adorable and Loki resisted the urge to kiss away her puckered frown. "I don't need my brother thinking you're more perfect than you already are."

"You're worried about your brother?" she asked incredulously. "Around me?"

He walked right up to her and planted a gentle kiss against her lips. "I'm worried about everyone around you." Daenerys opened her mouth to argue but he silenced her with another kiss. "But," he admitted as he pulled away from her tempting mouth. "Thor has a rather traditional sense of nobility. He wouldn't dare make a move on you." Another thought occurred to him and he frowned quizzically as he vaguely recalled the name of the mortal that Thor was so infatuated by. "Regardless, he has a woman of his own. Jane."

"Odd name," Daenerys commented and Loki quirked his lips.

"It would seem an odd name to you I suppose." He laughed quietly before gesturing back toward the fire once more. "Eat," he commanded again before turning to stride off into the gathering darkness.

"And how will I find you?" she queried.

He was suddenly behind her, breathing hot against her neck and she shivered. "I'll find _you_," he promised.

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><p><em>The Wall – Castle Black<em>

"Something's happening out there." Jon Snow stood before the council of the Night's Watch, tall and broad shouldered and fierce. "And we need to be out there too!" He had no doubt that he would be mocked again for his tendency towards gallantry but he was tired of having to drag the fight out of his men. If they couldn't take a stand on their own and they couldn't recruit more men they had to get warning to Westeros.

"We've been over this, Snow," Ser Alliser Thorne griped, his eyes flashing with hatred. "We defend the Wall. We _remain_ at the Wall." The council of the Night's Watch sat at the High table, holding session as they discussed the impending war. Currently, the foot soldiers had the floor.

"And what about the people beyond the Wall?" Jon demanded, stepping forward and jabbing his hand out toward the window for emphasis. "Who protects them?"

"Their armies," Ser Alliser hissed. "They have men. Their weapons will hold against the Wildlings once they reach King's Landing."

"And the innocent people between here and Kings Landing?" Sam Tully spoke up and Jon turned to his friend, nodding in agreement at his contribution. "Are they just to die?"

"Grown some balls now have we Tully, eh?" Ser Alliser sneered. "Now why couldn't you have developed those before coming to the Wall? Maybe then we would have had an extra man to fight." Jon's jaw clenched and he moved to defend his friend but a soft kick from Pip made him pause. They needed the Acting Lord Commander to listen to reason and he was unlikely to do so if Jon continued to gall him.

Gritting his teeth, Jon thrust his head in the direction of the icy wilderness beyond Castle Black's windows. "You think it's only Wildlings out there? The crows are cawing. Something else moves beyond the Wall."

Ser Alliser raised his eyebrows expectantly and Jon saw that this was his opportunity. "Our scouts returned a few hours ago. But they didn't come across any Wildlings." As more heads rose in evident interest, Jon pressed on. "They say they saw the White Walkers."

"We already know they've come." Master Aemon's tired voice sounded around the chamber. His voice, no matter how haggard, demanded respect and the Hall fell silent. His counsel was so valued that even the strongest brute would stop what he was doing to listen to his wizened tone. He had served in the Night's Watch for so long that people often forgot that he was of Targaryen blood and yet he still held every ounce of respect from the people who knew him as when the Targaryens had been in power. "That is why the Wall was built, to hold them back. We can withstand them for as long as it would take for them to tear down the Wall. That is a very long time."

"With respect, Master Aemon," Jon Snow began, bowing his head to acknowledge his superior. "All the White Walkers need do is channel their forces towards one gate. Their icy exterior will shatter those metal grates like glass."

"And how would you propose we beat them back?" Ser Alliser's deep voice once again took precedent. "The wildlings have the advantage in the North. We have the advantage here. That is all we can do to withstand Mance's armies and the Walkers."

"It's not our only advantage," Sam said quickly as he came to stand beside Jon. "The White Walkers can fall to fire. I've seen it. Isn't that why we burn our dead?"

"To keep them from rising again," Ser Alliser corrected gruffly.

"And like the ones who turned them, they can be hurt by fire," Sam explained.

"Well when you can find us enough fire to burn an army out here in this cold, Tully, you let me know," Ser Alliser said cruelly. "No weapon still standing can fend off any army of Wildlings _and_ White Walkers."

"Dragons," Jon said so softly that for a moment even he wasn't sure he had spoken the word aloud. He glanced up to see the men of the Night's Watch staring at him in interest and he cleared his throat. "Dragons," he said again. "Their fire can withstand even the coldest of winters."

There was a short pause before Ser Alliser broke out into a roar of laughter and the other council members soon followed suit. "Dragons!" Ser Alliser scoffed as he shook his head in dark amusement. "Really? Dragons! Got one of those handy, do you?"

"The Targaryen girl," Jon continued, ignoring the raucous laughter as he stared at Master Aemon meaningfully. He noticed that Master Aemon was the only member of the council who was not laughing. The aged man stared out into empty space, unable to focus his blind gaze directly on Jon but the young crow knew that he was listening intently. "In the East. She controls three of them."

"No one controls dragons, Boy!" Ser Alliser suddenly roared no longer amused. "The Queen of the East has no business here at the Wall! This is a battle of men!"

"But White Walkers are _**not**_ men!" Jon's voice was rising too. The idea had only crossed his mind fleetingly but now that he had said it, he was becoming surer of it by the second. "We have to consider all of our options!"

"Bringing the enemy to our gates is not an option!" Ser Alliser snarled as he slammed his fists against the table. "It's war!"

"A war of men is nothing when the Dead are coming!" Jon was unable to hold back as he strode up the steps leading to the High Table. He stood directly before Ser Alliser as the room fell silent.

Both men were breathing hard when at last Master Aemon stood as well, causing both Jon and Ser Alliser to abruptly seat themselves. It occurred to Jon that the wise man may have taken offence at Ser Alliser's declaration of the Targaryen's as an enemy. "We are men of the Night's Watch," Master Aemon said gravely. "The only enemy that concerns us is beyond the Wall. The council will retire and decide our fate."

The council stood and began to file out of the room and the soldiers gradually dispersed. Jon refrained from kicking the bench on his way out when the soft voice of the wise Master Aemon reached his ears. "Not you, Jon." The young man turned, his eyebrows raised in surprise as Master Aemon reached out a hand to the stone wall, using its grooves and edges to guide himself towards Jon. As the Master got closer, Jon reached out his hands to grasp the older man's arms gently but firmly as he steered him towards the bench. "Jon, I need you to fetch a crow," he said tiredly as he sat back against the smooth stone.

"A crow?" Jon questioned doubtfully.

"And ink and parchment," Master Aemon prodded him.

Jon's eyes lit up in understanding. "You know how to contact her, don't you?"

Master Aemon smiled mysteriously. "I have not lost all of my family connections. Perhaps it is time to revisit my roots."

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><p><em>Essos Wilderness<em>

_Loki & Daenerys_

Treading carefully over the stones beneath her feet, Daenerys ventured out into the darkness, listening to the wild beasts as they grunted and called in the night. She was wearing her gown again, cautious of the fact that Thor might wake up while she was eating and she had stopped to put on her boots as well before leaving to find Loki. Wisps of fog curled before her and the mist seemed to clear a path as she ventured further into its depths. "Loki!" Daenerys whispered furiously into the gloom. Her shoulders trembled slightly as her eyes sought to make out the black shapes that loomed in front of her and she felt a chill as she imagined the thousands of eyes that must be watching her right now. She attempted to ignite the torch she held in her hand, watching as the flames flickered briefly for a moment before an unseen force abrubtly blew them out.

"Loki!" she snapped again furiously. "Damn you, this isn't funny!"

She heard a slight snigger on the wind and something slipped past her back. She whipped around, swinging her arm out and attempting to connect with the object but it quickly darted out of reach. Although she knew he was only toying with her, she couldn't keep the tremor out of her voice. "Loki, please," she whimpered. "I don't like the dark and cold."

His arms were around in an instant, pressing her smaller back into his broad chest and she allowed herself to breathe a soft sigh of relief. "Don't like the dark and cold?" he mused and she felt his chest vibrate with his voice. "Perhaps you should have chosen a different suitor."

She turned in his arms, burying her head against his chest and breathing in the strong, masculine scent of him. "Perhaps I should have," she teased.

His hand wound its way into her hair and he fisted the luscious tendrils, pulling her head back slightly so she could see the feral gleam in his eye. "A good thing you didn't," he said gently but there was a definitive warning to his tone.

Daenerys smiled, standing on her tiptoes to press her soft lips against his own. His hand slid from her and settled on the nape of her neck, holding her in place as he deepened the kiss. His tongue slipped past her teeth and his leg mimicked the same action, sliding between her legs so that she could press her quivering thighs against him. She felt her knees almost buckle beneath her and Loki was soon sweeping her up into his arms and carrying her through the darkness. "You can't see a thing out here," she complained as she wrestled her lips away from his.

"I can see just fine," he responded as he effortlessly glided through the mist.

"Where are we going?" she asked uncertainly.

Loki placed a quick kiss against her forehead. "You'll see."

"Except I can't," she reminded him but she soon lapsed into silence. After a few minutes he set her down again and she was surprised to find that she was laying on something soft. It reminded her of a feather bed and she ran her hands experimentally over the soft material. "What is this?" she asked curiously.

She could only make out his figure vaguely so she jerked slightly when he placed his arms against her shoulders. "Lie back," he commanded softly and Daenerys felt her body willingly oblige. As she lay back on the heavenly material, Loki's form loomed over her. She was about to complain that she still couldn't see very well when he placed a hand against her mouth, effectively silencing her. "You don't need to see," he whispered coaxingly, as though reading her mind. "You just need to feel."

And without another word, his lips crashed down upon hers. His hands slipped under the straps of her dress, pushing it off her shoulders as she mewled against him. The moment she felt his bare skin against hers, Daenerys realised that Loki was right. She didn't need to see, not when she could feel everything right there in front of her. She could feel his passion and his love for her in the way he held her. She could feel his own heart hammering in his chest as he gasped her name. And she could feel the delicate life in her womb, the one that they had created together.

As the thought occurred to her, Loki pulled back slightly to stare into her eyes. "I won't hurt the baby," he whispered to her soothingly. "I promise."

"You always know," she murmured, her eyes lighting up with delight and wonder. "You always know what I'm thinking."

She felt one hand cup her face tenderly whilst the other reached down to slide a long finger into her entrance and she gasped. "That's because you were made for me, Little Dragon," he said huskily. He leaned down to latch onto her pulse point, sucking on it gently as he slipped two fingers inside of her. He pumped them in and out, feeling her tightness and her unyielding need for him. She was quivering under him and he relished the chance to show her how to feel and forget everything else at the same time. He pushed his thumb gently against her pleasure nub and smirked when she jumped at his touch.

He sat back and at last stripped himself of the rest of his clothing, smiling in satisfaction as he heard Daenerys do the same. She might not have been able to see anything but Loki's eyes couldn't miss the way her porcelain skin gleamed in the darkness. She was ethereal in that moment and Loki sucked in a breath as he took in her beautiful figure. He wanted to fortify that image in his mind for eternity. "Trust me," he was whispering to her again. "Trust me."

Daenerys nodded, unsure if he really could see anything in this pitch black but her uncertainty soon gave way as she felt something much larger pushing against her folds. She pressed her lips together in anticipation, waiting for that wonderful feeling of fullness as he slowly entered her. He had only pushed the tip of himself inside before he stopped and Daenerys whined in dismay. She moved her silken legs against his hips, trying to coax him forward but his hand suddenly gripped both her thighs and held them in place. "I'm always going to want you, Daenerys," he groaned, gritting his teeth to restrain himself from thrusting into her heat. "Just like this. And every other way possible."

Daenerys moaned as he slid inside another inch, torturing her with his godly touch. "I love you," he breathed as pushed forward again and still he managed to hold back. "I swear by all the powers of this universe, I love you."

"I love _you_," she whimpered back and Loki froze, knowing she couldn't see the look of pure joy written on his face but wishing that she could. For a moment, Daenerys thought that he would stop but then he was surging forward with utmost abandon. She clasped onto his arms as he positioned himself over her, thrusting all the way in until she could feel the end of him bumping against her cervix. It should have been painful but Loki would never allow Daenerys to feel that and she cried out in pleasure as he ground himself into her. He grabbed one slender leg, lifting it above his shoulder as his cock plunged into her. Her walls gripped him tightly and she quickly felt herself become overwhelmed by the burning desire in her belly.

Loki felt the change in her a split second before she acted, hooking her free leg around his thigh and flipping them so that she was riding him. She sucked in a breath at this new angle but continued to move her hips against his, never stopping as they both panted with the effort. Her overwhelming heat and tightness was almost too much for Loki but he was far from done with her. As he ran his hands up the thighs that clamped around him so deliciously, he rotated his hips, angling them a little lower so that he could reach her sensitive bud once more. He grinned in the darkness as an idea occurred to him and he continued to pound into Daenerys.

At first she didn't feel it, too lost in the sensation of Loki's cock as it stretched her, but soon she was moaning in appreciation as she felt the ghostly fingertips that began to stroke her plump clit. Her eyes had been closed in ecstasy but they now snapped open as it occurred to her that both of Loki's hands were firmly clasping her thighs as she rode him yet somehow, he could feel his fingers working at her core as well. "How do you do these things?" she gasped in between breaths, almost bucking against him as her bud was teased relentlessly. "You must tell me someday!"

Loki offered her no response except for a sly chuckle as he thrust up and into her with increasing speed. The strokes were no longer teasing now but torturous as they pushed Daenerys so close to the brink without actually allowing her release. The combined feeling of Loki's huge dick as it swelled within her and the insistent fingers flicking her bud was pushing Daenerys into a new realm of bliss and she cried out with the sheer intensity of it. Still he went on, holding her in place so that she was forced to feel all of it, almost in tears with her need for release. Just when she thought she couldn't possibly take any more Loki sat up quickly, tilting her back so that his cock slid impossibly deeper. Within moments he had resumed his place on top of her, mounting her with inhumane strength and tenderness. She could feel his cock becoming hot, straining with his seed as he fought to hold out for just a few more moments. "Loki!" she screamed and his head bent to suck one beautiful nipple into his mouth as her walls exploded around him.

Daenerys shattered into a million pieces as she felt his hot mouth on her nipple, the fingers gyrating against her clit and the swollen cock that continued to piston into her. Loki's dick continued to slide through her creamy passage as she came down from her high and she wondered dazedly how he had managed to hold out for this long. She didn't have to wait long however as Loki's thrusting was becoming frantic now. He couldn't hold back his roar of pleasure as his cock suddenly burst, spurting his godly seed deep within her channel. He shuddered above her, breathing raggedly as he was finally spent and lowered his head onto her collarbone with shaky arms.

Her fingers raked through his raven strands as they both fought to calm their breathing, feeling elated and exhausted at the same time. Daenerys opened her eyes, smiling when she realised that she could at last see his shape more clearly as the early hours of dawn approached. It was still too dark to make out his expression but she could distinctly see the rise and fall of his shoulders as he breathed against her. He eventually pulled out of her but kept himself positioned above her so that he could stare into her eyes, one finger twisting a strand of hair behind her ear.

After a while, Daenerys kissed his lips one final time before gently pushing against his chest and urging him off of her. With some reluctance he complied, shifting to the side so she could sit up and breathe the early morning air. Her eyes squinted as they adjusted to the dim light and she stared at the distant pink and orange streaks across the horizon which signalled dawn. "We should get back," she said softly. She felt Loki move beside her, standing to gather their strewn clothing as she continued to watch the approach of the sunrise. A tiny speck on the horizon caught her attention, gradually growing bigger as it approached them and she frowned slightly, rubbing her eyes to remove the illusion. When she opened her eyes again she could still see it and she placed a questioning hand against Loki's leg. He glanced down at her for a moment, following her gaze until he too could see what had caught her attention.

At its approach, it became obvious that the speck was a odd shaped bird however it was flying too directly to be wild. "It's a messenger bird," Daenerys voiced softly as she recognised that the unusual shape was due to the scroll it was carrying.

Loki's keen eyesight however was able to see the visible markings of the bird even at this distance. "It's Kaz," he informed her, offering her a hand as he helped her to her feet. Within minutes the enormous raptor gave a shrill shriek as it angled its sharp body towards them. Loki held out a strong arm as it descended, catching its piercing talons against the thick material of his sleeve. Daenerys quickly relieved the bird of its burden, untying the scroll from its legs as Loki made soft coaxing noises at the beautiful creature. She unravelled the scroll and immediately recognised the tidy scrawl of Missandei as her eyes scanned the page. She felt her grip on the delicate paper tighten as she read the Valyrian words and felt the blossoming fear in her chest. Loki extended a hand onto her shoulder, supporting her as he noticed the anxious quiver in her lips. "What is it?" he intoned.

Daenerys looked up at him, lowering the page before her shaking hands could tear it in half. "Do you have any ink?"

He raised his eyebrows at her unusual request before gesturing at the raptor on his arm. "Relay your response to the bird and Kaz will receive your message."

Daenerys took a deep breath to calm her voice before turning and looking firmly into the bird's golden eyes. "Bring the armies," she said with conviction. "We will meet you at the gates of the burning city. Do not stop for anything."

The bird blinked as though confirming her thoughts before it gave another screech and leapt from Loki's arm, soaring off into the early rays of dawn.

Loki stared at her for a moment as he processed her words. "We are not returning to Yunkai," he stated.

Daenerys shook her head. "We make for the city of Meereen," she said grimly. "The capital is on fire."

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><p><em><strong>*Dramatic pause* Haha sorry if you thought you'd all find out what happened to Meereen in this chapter but I promise you will in the next one. I just KNEW so many of you were dying for some good old smut so I didn't want to disappoint! As much as I love GoT I nearly cried when Dany locked up her dragons! Their crying was so heart wrenching! And if you were wondering at my absence it is totally my fault these past couple of weeks. I have been catching up on Walking Dead and Teen Wolf since I have fallen behind in a lot of my beloved shows <strong>__** My internet took a bit of a hit after all my downloading so when I tried posting a little while ago, it kind of crashed. Glad its up and running again so I can get back to all you lovelies! Really gonna work hard on the next chapter to get it out to you guys as soon as possible!**_

_**REVIEW! I LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU!**_


	7. Chapter 7: Murderous Deeds

_**Update! No I'm not dead. Yes, I really did have a broken laptop. No I can't afford one the next day even though I would like to. And yes that is because I was on holidays in the UK for 6 weeks and I was understandably short on cash. Yes I DID say an October update. *checks* calendar. WOW LOOK AT THAT! It's still October... Sorry peeps. I know I have kept you waiting and I thank you all for your patience. I can only say that I am sorry for unforseen delays but please try to remember that I do other things other than write fan fiction. This is a hobby of mine that I do in my spare time... but I am not required to devote ALL of my spare time to this. I have received some emails and many of them are positive so thanks a bunch :D and keep em coming! A couple of emails were less than inspiring but hey gotta take the good with the bad right? **_

_**I promise that I don't cause delay on purpose so I'm sorry once again if some of you feel that I am not committed enough to this story. But if you are expecting a 4000-6000 word update every week, that just isn't possible with my schedule no matter how much I would like it to be. If it helps, I am going to post a timeline at the end of each chapter from now on to let you know when I can post the next chapter. I will do my absolute best to stick to this timeline for you guys because I really do want you all to enjoy this story. Thank you all so much for the encouraging reviews and emails. Adieu!**_

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><p><strong>Chapter 7: Murderous Deeds<strong>

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><p><em>Ser Jorah<em>

The determined march of an army headed to war is unmistakable, but the stride of soldiers who do not know their own fortune is a grim sight indeed. This is exactly what the combined ranks of the Unsullied and the Second Sons looked like to Ser Jorah. _A grim sight_. He wished with every fibre of his being that Daenerys was here to lead her army even though he knew she had promised to meet them at Meereen. The army felt empty and lacking purpose without its Queen. Even with Ser Barristan and Daario Naharis bringing up the rear of the army, Ser Jorah felt odd without the older man and the young captain by his side. His unease only grew with every step they drew closer to the great city and still its distinctive pyramids did not come into view. Everything, even the desert in front of them was covered by the thick and perilous smog that billowed across the land. By Ser Jorah's reckoning, the city itself should have come into view several hours ago. The smoke however was so thick that it now obscured their own feet from view as horse and soldier alike traipsed across the sand.

"Sajo!" Ser Jorah called, bringing his horse to a halt and angling his head towards the soldiers that marched behind him. The front lines stopped immediately and brought their spears and shields up in a salute as their lead scout stepped forward. "This wretched fog is unnatural." Ser Jorah's eyes searched the haze frantically and he held up a warning hand as he sensed something malevolent up ahead. "I need your men to scout ahead, but be on your guard." Ser Jorah looked to Grey Worm who nodded in affirmation before translating his orders to the men. Sajo bowed his head in acknowledgement, signalling for a dozen scouts to follow him into the smoke.

Ser Jorah felt less than comfortable about sending men ahead of him when he was unsure of his own surroundings but the Unsullied Scouts were trained for all sorts of perilous circumstances. If there was indeed some unseen danger ahead, the Unsullied Scouts stood a far better chance of overcoming it before the main army came into range. As the soft sounds of the scouts' footsteps faded, Ser Jorah dismounted his horse, feeling that he had an unnecessary advantage over the Unsullied and the Second Sons. Grey Worm came to stand beside him and Ser Jorah felt a small measure of comfort as the Unsullied general stood staring fearlessly into the smog. After a few dreadful minutes of silence, he heard Sajo call, signalling that it was safe to move forward. Ser Jorah breathed a small sigh of relief, pulling the reigns of his horse forward as he signalled for the army to follow suit. Not for the first time, he felt grateful for his decision to leave Missandei and Kaz back in Yunkai. If this ended bloody he wished the two of them every happiness, knowing they would be safe as ruler regents of the slave cities.

But his relief quickly crumbled with the sight that met his eyes as the smog cleared and he raised a hand to cover his nose at the dreadful stench which accompanied the sordid scene. Spread before him like an overturned board of checkers lay the ruins of the great city that had once been Meereen, still smoking from whatever malevolent siege had laid claim to it. The pyramids lay toppled, the enormous gates hanging from their hinges and the stone walls littered with the burned and broken bodies of its city watchmen. Ser Jorah barely registered the curse that Grey Worm uttered beside him, staring hopelessly at the macabre sight as he tried to process what could have possibly caused this devastation.

"What did this?" Grey Worm murmured in disgust. "What army would do this?"

"None." Ser Jorah's lips moved of their own accord even as his mind searched for a feasible answer. "No army could do this." He knew he was right as he studied the beaten and battered bodies that lay hanging from the stone walls. Like the city itself, the people lay burned, abused and strewn across the ground and rubble. Their bodies were covered in third degree burns, some scorched to the point that their remains were almost unrecognisable. The stench of cooked flesh was ripe in the air and Ser Jorah moved toward the city gates, heedless of the army who had come to an absolute standstill behind him. He froze however as a beastly screech suddenly echoed from within the wreckage of the city and his hand instinctively flew to the scabbard at his side.

He withdrew his hand from his blade however when he recognised the enormous dark wings that stretched behind the stone walls. "Khaleesi," he breathed, quickly mounting his horse and urging his steed forward as he desperately sought the sight of his Queen. He briefly heard Grey Worm utter the command for the army to remain in place but he could have cared less if the soldiers followed him or not in that moment. The remaining smog stung at his eyes but he refused to stop until his horse was well within the city gates and he could see Drogon for himself, settled over the remains of what looked to be a fallen tower. The giant reptilian head turned to regard Ser Jorah as he approached however his hopes were dashed when the Khaleesi didn't immediately appear from behind the safety of the dragon's great haunches.

"Where is she?" he whispered to the dark dragon, feeling his stomach plummet as he envisioned all manner of dangers that might have befallen Daenerys. As if understanding his words, Drogon blinked his dark eyes and angled his neck towards the harbour, drawing Ser Jorah's gaze to the two distant figures that stood silhouetted against the smouldering docks.

Ser Jorah dug his heels into his mount again, steering the horse towards the docks now as he saw the distinctive glint of silver hair caught in sunlight. The minutes seemed like hours before he finally reached the harbour and he couldn't help but gag in revulsion at the smell of the dead all around him. With his arm held over his nose, he dismounted pausing briefly at the sight of Daenerys kneeling by the water's edge, her arms hanging limply in her lap. Loki stood a ways off, watching her silently as he held Daenerys' youngest dragon in his arms. Loreley mewled miserably, her sad eyes reflecting the posture of her surrogate mother and the sight tore at Ser Jorah's heart. He had only taken two steps however before he was drawing his sword again as a tall man with thick blonde hair stepped out from behind the pillars to his right. Ser Jorah blinked at the impressive man, eyeing the enormous hammer he held clenched in his fist and the dark red cloak that draped his shoulders and swirled around his feet.

"Announce yourself, stranger," the blonde man boomed, causing Ser Jorah to take a hesitant step back. He looked past the blonde man to where Loki stood, unsure of how to proceed but Loki remained unmoved. _Did Loki know this blonde giant?_ Ser Jorah's grip around his sword tightened but he recognised that the man stood defensively rather than aggressively.

"Are you friend or foe?" the man pressed but before Ser Jorah could respond, Loki at last intervened for him.

"Let him pass, Thor," Loki said quietly, turning from the sad figure of Daenerys as he approached the two of them. The man named Thor lowered his hammer immediately and gave a brief nod of apology, stepping back to allow Ser Jorah to pass.

"What's wrong with her?" Ser Jorah demanded, trying to brush past Loki in order to reach Daenerys. A cool hand clamped down upon his arm and thrust him back, not harshly but just enough to keep him from reaching his Queen.

"You mustn't approach her now," Loki told him, keeping a firm grip upon his arm. "She is too overcome by grief."

Ser Jorah followed Loki's gaze to the devastation all around them and then back to Thor. "And who is this?" Ser Jorah asked carefully.

"A friend," Loki responded vaguely. "He will not harm you."

Thor stepped towards Ser Jorah and offered him a warm smile. "I am Thor Odinson of Asgard," he affirmed. "And if you are indeed a friend of Daenerys Stormborn, then you are also mine."

He held out a strong arm, palm extended to shake Ser Jorah's hand and after a moment of hesitation Ser Jorah took it. Loki observed this with detached amusement and Ser Jorah realised then that Thor had not acknowledged his relationship to Loki. Ser Jorah tried not to let his curiosity on this matter show as he returned his attention to the ashen city. "Did anyone survive?" Ser Jorah asked softly. "Is there anything left?"

Loki's expression grew dark. "No," he said bitterly. "We were far too late for that."

"But you know what happened here," Ser Jorah stated, casting his eyes back to Daenerys who remained kneeling against the docks, her gaze fixed on the sea.

"She blames herself," Loki said through gritted teeth. "The Red Priest who took her before, R'Nhor, we encountered him again at Dragonstone. The man is now possessed by some... demon. He's the only one who could have done this. To punish her."

Ser Jorah's brow furrowed. "A demon?" he demanded incredulously. "You are telling me that a possessed man brought about the ruin of one of the greatest cities ever to be built?"

"This isn't just any possessed man," Loki said, narrowing his eyes. "He calls himself the Lord of Light. He's gathered quite the following here in Essos despite the unseemly sacrificial burnings in his name."

"He is a _demon_," Thor insisted harshly. "Not a Lord. He may have been a man once but he is mortal no longer. Only a creature of darkness could draw upon such power."

This seemed to amuse Loki once again. "Only a creature of darkness, Brother?"

This caught Ser Jorah's attention and he stared at Thor once again in appraisal. The two men could not have looked more different if they tried and Ser Jorah was left to presume that the term was intended as an acknowledgement to a 'brother in arms.'

"His power is parasitic," Thor argued. "He draws his magic from darkness and the misfortune of others. That is not a godly virtue."

Loki nodded his head in agreement. "It matters little to the mortals who worship him," Loki said grudgingly. "Their naive devotion is what keeps him in power." Loki frowned for a moment as though something else had occurred to him. "Although, I do not think it coincidental that the Red God should rise when dragons have once again been born unto this world."

The three men turned once more to the wistful woman kneeling on the docks. "No," Ser Jorah murmured, shaking his head in denial. "She cannot have had anything to do with this."

"Not Daenerys," Loki corrected. "Her dragons. The Red God gains his powers from the darkness but... I believe he may be siphoning power from the dragons as well."

"Does she know?" Thor asked timidly and Loki whirled upon him.

"You will not say a word," he instructed angrily. "Neither of you will give her any reason to feel worse than she already does. It is not the beasts' fault that this demon is leeching power from their dragonfire. Nor is it hers. Besides," he continued, turning back towards the city. "That same dragonfire may be the key to killing him."

"Is that even possible?" Ser Jorah breathed, daring to hope. He stared at the ashes beneath his feet and breathed the smoke of the air. "How can you kill something this powerful?"

"Everything has its time," Loki murmured with confidence. He pulled something from beneath his cloak then and Ser Jorah stared as Loki held out a book to him. "Daenerys recovered this from Dragonstone," Loki told him. "The journal of Daenys Targaryen. It contains all of the predictions that she made over her lifetime."

Ser Jorah's eyes grew wide in amazement. "Then?"

"Yes," Loki said, correctly interpreting Ser Jorah's shocked expression. "It contains the original interpretation of Daenys' vision concerning the final confrontation. It will tell us the truth about the Red God and this Great Other he is supposed to fight." He dug under his cloak again and also retrieved a small vial. Ser Jorah leaned forward in order to see it properly, tilting his head at the unusual red and silver contents.

"Its dragon blood," Loki supplied before Ser Jorah could ask. He gestured to the small dragon that was perched upon his shoulder. "Hers to be exact. Lucky she is a heavy sleeper."

Ser Jorah raised his eyebrows and Loki sighed with impatience. "We will need the blood to open the journal," he explained. "Daenerys believes that Loreley may be the heir of Balerion the Dread." Loki looked back toward the woman in question for a moment before returning his attention to Ser Jorah. "I know that you ache to go to her," he said slowly. "But I ask you to refrain until I have spoken with her. It is not just for her guilt that I ask this. She is fragile in her condition."

Ser Jorah stared at Loki in confusion. "Her condition?"

Loki stared at him, seeming to realise that Ser Jorah had no idea what he was referring to. He opened his mouth to reply but seemed to think better of it, instead gesturing to the army that lay beyond the ruined gates , awaiting instruction. "Never mind that for now," he decided. "We need to leave here. As soon as we determine where this final confrontation will occur, we need to be ready."

"You mean to fight this demon?" Ser Jorah asked in disbelief.

Loki's lips pulled back into an unpleasant smile. "I mean to send him back to the Hell he crawled out of."

* * *

><p><em>Daenerys<em>

The sea rose and swept with utter abandon, peaceful and complacent in a world savaged by demons and darkness. At least this was how it appeared to Daenerys. She wished she could throw herself into that untameable ocean, letting the salty water wash away her fears, her regrets and her guilt. With a pained gasp, she reflected once again upon the moment she had set eyes on the city, still in shock over the devastation it had revealed.

Meereen had risen out of the smoke like a ghost city, blackened and charred and littered with bloodied corpses. And through the tears and her tortured cry of distress, Daenerys realised why she was here. The moment her anguished eyes had gained sight of the ruined city she knew _exactly_ why she had been called to this place. _This was her punishment._ R'Hllor was determined to ensure that the Mother of Dragons would be left no port to take refuge in, no ally to return to. Daenerys sucked in a ragged breath as her eyes filled with tears again and she sobbed quietly for all the lives lost on her behalf. She had made a vow to free every slave in Essos and instead, she had inadvertently brought about the deaths of hundreds of thousands of innocent people. _They did not deserve to die_. _Not this way._ Her conscience screamed at her and no amount of soothing words from Loki or comforting embraces could wash away their blood from her hands.

Without thinking of the danger she had guided Drogon directly into the city, heedless of Loki's cry of alarm as she swept down into the ashen ruins. But Loki needn't have worried because there was nothing left to attack her. Even with a great dragon gliding down into the city, not a soul stirred. In her heart, Daenerys knew the truth; there was not a soul left to stir. The great pyramid had caved in on its side, every sentry tower lay scattered and burning and the bodies that were not charred beyond recognition lay bloodied and bent at unnatural angles. She did not even remember sliding from Drogon's back or the moment when she approached the docks. She only remembered coming to a standstill by the sea and gazing out towards the most disturbing sight of all. Someone had once told her that Meereen had over ninety ships in its port. But the number of ships that still floated in that vast harbour, their flags and sails still blazing on fire for all to see were immeasurable. It wouldn't have mattered if there were a thousand ships. They were all burning.

Daenerys had been hysterical, clawing at Loki's wrists when he attempted to restrain her as though he was the one responsible for all of this destruction. When she heard his slight hiss of pain however she ceased her fighting and simply let herself sink to the ground. Loki had stayed with her, cradling her shaking form until she eventually pushed him away, needing to be alone in her misery. She knew that her dragons, Viseryion and Rhaegal, had not eaten for some time and that they had left her alone in order to hunt but a small part of her couldn't help but wonder if they were as shaken by the dead as she was. Perhaps they could not stand the stench of the rotting bodies and this was the real reason that they had taken flight. She continued to gaze off into the distance, barely registering that someone was softly calling her name.

Again and again, she heard that soft melodious voice trying to reach her and finally she forced her eyes to concentrate. She blinked and Loki came into focus in front of her, kneeling at her height and wearing an expression of grave concern. When he saw her eyes focus on him however he breathed an audible sound of relief.

"Little dragon," he sighed, leaning forward to kiss her forehead. "You had me worried there."

She glanced up at him in a daze. "Loki," she said softly, watching the way his eyes lit up upon hearing his name on her lips. Her lips pulled back into a scowl then. "I told you to leave me alone."

Loki refused to budge however. "Well that's too bad," he told her simply. "You can try to shut the whole world out if you like, but you won't be rid of _me_ that easily."

Daenerys stared at him. "Look around," she hissed at him. "_This_ is what happens to the world when we get involved." She could hear her voice shaking as she pressed her hands to her face. "He killed them. He killed them all... because of _me_!"

Loki seized her face in his hands. "Don't you dare!" he growled at her and Daenerys was startled to hear the anger in his voice. "Don't you dare take the blame for this!" Daenerys' lips quivered and his tone turned softer but his words were firm. "I would not have this guilt upon you, Daenerys. I beg you, free your heart of his poison! He is not worth it."

"All those people," Daenerys whispered, her eyes shutting as the tears slipped free. "I promised to free them. But all I've brought them is death."

"And you'll keep that promise," Loki assured her. "We'll avenge them, I swear to you. Don't let this break you. Don't let their deaths be in vain."

"What do I do?" she whimpered. "Please, tell me how do I do this?"

"Use it," Loki told her. "Use your anger and throw everything you have at him."

Daenerys swallowed, her delicate hands gripping Loki's upper arms with surprising strength. "You have power, my Dragon Queen," he murmured to her. "More than you will ever know. More than you could possibly dream of, and still it continues to grow inside of you." He looked at her belly as he said these last words and Daenerys' hand drifted to her stomach, gently stroking the skin which protected her unborn child. "You're showing," Loki added as he watched the indecision dancing in her eyes.

Daenerys felt a small smile tug at her lips despite herself. She could still feel the tears drying against her face and now that she was able to think clearly she felt rather ashamed that she had behaved like a child by shutting Loki out. "Damn," she muttered as she wiped her eyes. "Wretched hormones."

Loki shook his head. "Your heart is as fierce as the dragons you ride," he said reverently. "And yet your compassion runs more deeply than any I have ever known." He brushed a hand against her cheek. "Never lose it."

Daenerys took a deep breath, closing her eyes as she leaned into the cool comfort of his palm.

"Khaleesi."

Her eyes snapped open and she tilted her head around Loki's body. "Jorah?"

Ser Jorah's boots came into view as he too knelt by her side, even managing a bow at half his height. "My Queen." Loki helped her stand on shaky legs, moving aside so that she could embrace her most trusted advisor. She clung to Ser Jorah for a moment, surprised by how much she had actually missed him on her journey, before finally releasing him.

"I'm sorry for your pains," Ser Jorah acknowledged. "But you must know that none of this is your fault."

Daenerys knew they both meant well, but on some level she wished they would stop trying to ease her burden. She may not have been directly responsible for this heinous act but perhaps if she had not made such an erratic decision to go off on her own in the first place, she might never have placed this city in danger. "I appreciate sentiment," she said, forcing herself to lie. "But the pain remains."

She noticed Thor coming up behind them and realised that Ser Jorah must have arrived some time ago, since Loki's brother seemed familiar with Ser Jorah already. Thor offered Daenerys a smile, evidently gladdened to see that she had regained her composure.

"It seems I have made a good choice in company," Daenerys said, acknowledging the three men by her side. "You lend me strength even when it seems I have none left."

Her gaze drifted to her dragons and she could feel her heart manifestly warming at the sight of Drogon. Her belly fluttered as if her child concurred with her and she felt her determination returning to her. "This slaughter will not stand," she said, happy to find that her voice also sounded stronger now. "We shall find where this Red Demon plans to make his stand and we shall bring the fight to him."

Ser Jorah looked less than pleased by this decision while Thor looked thoroughly impressed. Her eyes sought Loki's however and she expected an immediate rejoinder on his part. Loki however seemed to be weighing up his options and Daenerys noticed the way his eyes slid to her stomach.

"We have time," he said finally. "Perhaps it is best to wait."

Surprised that he was even considering this, Daenerys could hardly believe she was daring to argue the point. "We don't know that," she said uncertainly. "The truth is we don't know how much time we have. And even if we had time, who's to say the Red God wouldn't kill thousands more before meeting the Great Other in battle?"

"Daenerys." Loki's voice held a warning and Thor turned to his brother.

"You couldn't stop her once, Loki," Thor reminded him. "Your woman has a mind of her own." Daenerys tried not to bristle at being referred to as such but she appreciated his support. "She will be much safer once the Red God has been vanquished. They both will."

Loki's head whipped towards his brother and Daenerys let out a soft gasp as she realised that Thor must know of her pregnancy. Her stomach dropped as she tried to imagine how she would have to explain this to Ser Jorah. She wasn't sure if she was ready given she was still getting used to the idea herself. Thor was quicker on the uptake however, hastening to add, "Both her and her baby dragon may not seem fit to fight but they remain in danger so long as the Red God lives." Daenerys felt her relief fan over her body and she breathed evenly again. She watched as Thor gestured towards the destruction of the city. "Unless you have some other reason for stalling?"

Ser Jorah watched the brothers now with evident interest and anything he was going to say immediately died upon his lips. The silence stretched between them until finally Loki leaned forward, pressing his fingertips to the barely healed wounds against his brother's neck. Thor immediately pulled back with a sharp hiss of pain and Daenerys seized Loki's arm, pulling him away before he could inflict more damage. "Is that not reason enough?" Loki demanded, ignoring Daenerys' chastising glare as he watched Thor clutch at his neck. "You want to run headfirst into a confrontation with a demon that downed the mighty Thor in a matter of seconds? Be my guest!"

"Loki!" Daenerys berated him.

"We have the journal," Loki reminded her. "Soon we will know exactly where this demon plans to enact his conquest. Can't we just... wait?"

His hands were now gripping hers tightly but his eyes seemed to be begging something from her and finally she understood. _After_, his eyes implored her, _after you deliver_. _When the baby is safe._

"Until we know more," she conceded and Loki's relief was evident as his grip on her palms relaxed.

"Messenger birds," Thor said suddenly and Daenerys turned to him with a look of confusion. Thor lifted one mighty hand in response, pointing past the docks towards a disassembled tower about a half mile away from them. "Those are not wild birds over there. They are looking for a perch."

Ser Jorah stepped up next to Thor, squinting at the rubble that he was pointing at. "That's a downed messenger post," Ser Jorah said with realisation. "He's right."

"Then help the poor creatures," Daenerys said, dismayed at the thought that whoever was meant to receive the birds was in all likelihood dead with the rest of the city.

"They are not injured," Thor assured her. "Merely confused as to where they should go. They probably arrived only shortly before we did, but after the massacre."

Daenerys took a few steps towards the tower but Ser Jorah held out a restraining hand. "Let me send men to fetch the birds," he offered gently. "I need to assure the Unsullied and the Second Sons that you are safe and well regardless."

Daenerys gave her assent but Loki also had words of advice. "Be careful," he warned Ser Jorah. "It's quite possible that those birds were intended for Daenerys. And I would be wary of anyone who knew that she was planning to travel to Meereen."

As Ser Jorah departed, Loki held out the aged book that belonged Daenys Targaryen and Daenerys took it with shaky fingers. "I think it's time we opened your ancestor's journal," he murmured, leaning forward to embrace her. "Wouldn't you agree?"

Daenerys nodded against his chest, but she pulled back slightly as a thought occurred to her. "Yes," she said softly. "And the next time we encounter the Red God, I want to send a clear message not only to him and his followers, but to the whole world."

"And what is that?" Loki asked, quirking an eyebrow.

Daenerys let her eyes wander to the broken city around her, imprinting the face of every murdered innocent into her mind forever to use it against her enemies as Loki had told her to do. Her gaze returned to Loki's, fierce and determined.

"That no deed against me and mine goes unpunished."

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><p><em><strong>Soon guys soon! I cannot drag this out much longer haha so the big battle will soon be upon us. Hmmm wonder who those messenger birds could be for? ;) Should only be about 2 weeks before the next update! Already started writing it <strong>_


	8. Chapter 8: Betrayal Becomes Us

_**WOW! Look at that! Plowed through this chapter quickly haha lucky readers! Enjoy!**_

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><p><strong>Chapter 8: Betrayal Becomes Us<strong>

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><p><em>Ser Barristan <em>

It felt as if he were walking on sand again, for everything had turned to ash beneath his feet, but Ser Barristan refused to look down, keeping his eyes fixed firmly ahead as he ventured deeper into the dead city. He feared if he were to stop and take in his surroundings properly that he would surely go mad from the sight of the charred and broken corpses that littered the ground. He had once been told that blood would boil rather than burn but he felt certain that the victims of Meereen had in fact burned in their own blood. He shuddered despite the dry heat around him and his eyes sought the only life to be found in this doomed city. Ahead of him two large birds cawed and circled before settling against the remains of an old messenger post, futilely awaiting the return of the message master who was surely buried beneath the rubble.

"How do we know they are not simply scavenger birds?" The voice of Daario Naharis interrupted his thoughts and the elderly knight glanced to the young captain on his left.

"Ser Jorah seemed quite certain," Ser Barristan answered confidently. "As did Loki." Now that he could see the birds for himself, he was likewise convinced that they were indeed messenger birds. What gave him pause however was that they were not the messenger birds one would expect to encounter in Essos. One of the birds was lightly coloured, its markings suggesting that it was from King's Landing for it was undoubtedly a royal falcon. Even more curiously however, the other bird was much darker in contrast and upon closer inspection Ser Barristan realised that it was a crow.

"It's from the Wall," Ser Barristan stated, his curiosity mounting by the moment.

Dario Naharis stared at him sceptically as they drew closer. "You mean that giant hunk of ice that's supposed to protect the South from Wildlings?"

Ser Barristan gave the man an easy smile. "That Wall was designed to keep out far more sinister creatures than Wildlings. If I was to hazard a guess, I would say that you have never seen it?"

Daario Naharis shook his head slowly. "I have been to the South," he admitted. "To King's Landing. But I didn't venture much further beyond its docks." He scoffed as he described the capitol to Ser Barristan. "I was there with the intention of recruiting men for the Second Sons, but all I got were cowards or men who had already sworn loyalty to the Kings Guard."

Ser Barristan glanced at the young captain in amusement. "I do hope that you don't harbour so poor an opinion towards _all_ men who have served in the Kings Guard," he commented, his hand subconsciously drifting towards the distinctive sword at his hip.

"On the contrary," Daario Naharis corrected, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "I value loyalty above all other virtues. But loyalty must be earned or deserved; else it may be traded just as easily as a sellsword company."

Ser Barristan gave a low chuckle as they came to a stop at the foot of the crumbled tower, staring intently at the two birds perched atop the rubble. Daario Naharis gave a low whistle.

"So," he ventured. "Any ideas on how to entice them down?"

Ser Barristan frowned slightly when both birds did not immediately fly down to them but it was possible that they were a bit disoriented by the smoke and residual ashes of the city. An idea occurred to Ser Barristan and he pulled his sword into view, allowing the distinctive metal to flash in the sunlight. The tawny falcon immediately caught sight of this and, its previous reluctance forgotten, flew down to Ser Barristan's outstretched arm.

"Seems you have a way with birds, Ser," Daario Naharis said, eying the agile creature.

Ser Barristan gestured to the sword at his side, being careful not to dislodge the bird from his arm. "I think he just needed reassurance," he mused, watching as the bird's eyes pinned. "With all this death around, I imagine that something familiar is a welcome relief."

He moved to relieve the bird of the note tied to its leg, stepping back as Daario approached the crow and tried to coax it down as well. The tidy writing looked familiar to him but it was the name scrawled across the front which made his stomach turn.

Ser Jorah Mormont.

The recognisable seal of the Hand of the King was also stamped across the envelope and Ser Barristan's fears were confirmed. As he had suspected, the letter originated from King's Landing and yet Ser Barristan could not think of any noble reasons for why Tywin Lannister, Hand of the King, would be writing to Ser Jorah. He glanced quickly at Daario Naharis but the young man was still occupied with trying to entice the stubborn crow from its perch and regretfully his eyes returned to the letter in his hands. His next actions would surely betray the trust of a man he had come to regard as his friend but if he did not open the letter, he would be gambling on the safety and wellbeing of his beloved Queen. With his mind made up, he sucked in a breath, ripped through the seal quickly and unfolded the letter. Another parchment fell from his hands, having evidently been concealed inside the first letter and he bent to retrieve it with shaky hands. As his eyes scanned the page, he almost wished he had decided not to open the letter for he knew in his heart that this would only bring more pain to Daenerys.

"Wait here," he muttered to Daario, and the young captain looked at him in surprise.

"You might have a better time of trying to coax the crow down than I will," Daario pointed out but Ser Barristan was already striding towards the docks.

"I must see the Queen," he said loudly as Daario watched his retreating back. "Urgently."

"I'll stay here then," Daario called after him. "You go ahead."

Ser Barristan could hear the sarcasm in his voice but he was already hurrying towards the docks, his heart sinking by the minute. He slowed his stride for a moment as he contemplated the parchment in his hands. The unfortunate letter brought two pieces of new; one would surely bring relief and satisfaction to Daenerys whilst the other would surely shatter her spirit. He decided he would seek out Jorah first, feeling it was a cowardly act to report this behind his back.

But he wished with every fibre of his being that he didn't have to do it.

* * *

><p><em>Ser Jorah<em>

The map in front of Ser Jorah seemed out of place, so pristine and colourful amongst all the broken and charred remains of the city. He studied it with some thought, glancing up every now and then towards the tent that the men had set up for Daenerys so that she might read her ancestor's journal in private. Of course she permitted Loki and himself entrance but unlike her fierce lover Ser Jorah politely declined, feeling it was invasive for him to be privy to all the lost secrets of her ancestors.

His eyes returned to the map in front of him and he absently bent to retrieve a rock, using it as a paper weight to spread the map out more evenly. Until Daenerys was certain where the Red God would strike next, Ser Jorah thought he would be more useful scouting out a tactical approach to Kings Landing since this seemed the most likely place the Red God would think to attack. He felt someone approach and glanced up to see Ser Barristan making his way towards him, his mouth set in a grim line. He bent his head slightly to acknowledge Ser Barristan but the expression he sent Ser Jorah in return was bitter and unmoving. "Ser Barristan."

The older knight stopped in front of Ser Jorah but he did not acknowledge the greeting. If anything, Ser Barristan refused to meet his gaze directly. The uncomfortable expression did not leave his face and Ser Jorah began to feel a dreadful tightening in his stomach. He tried to ignore it and once again prompted the older man. "Did you retrieve the birds?"

Ser Barristan's eyes snapped to attention then and he pulled something out from the sleeve of his coat, placing it directly atop the map that Ser Jorah had just been studying. It was a scroll, the seal already broken but Ser Jorah could easily read the tidy scrawl of his name across the top. That dreadful feeling tugged painfully at his gut again. "What's this?" He felt that his mouth had gone dry and he swallowed reflexively against the lump that had begun to form in his throat.

"A royal pardon." Ser Barristan sounded as though he almost felt sorry for Ser Jorah but there was also undeniable anger in his words. "Signed by Robert Baratheon."

Ser Jorah's fingers felt numb and they moved of their own accord to grasp the parchment, unfurling it so that he could see the contents for himself. He stared at the pardon which he had once longed for more anything else but now he wished for nothing more than to burn it.

"You spied on her," Ser Barristan stated coldly.

Ser Jorah glanced up towards the tent and then back to Ser Barristan. "Have you told her?"

"I wanted to tell you first," Ser Barristan informed him, taking the parchment back. "Man to man, rather than go behind your back."

Ser Jorah could see his chance and he hastened to seize it. "Let me speak to her in private," he begged. "Please."

Ser Barristan glared at him dispassionately. "You'll never be alone with her again."

Without another word he left Ser Jorah, moving towards the tent to inform the Queen of his betrayal. Ser Jorah felt sick beyond anything he had ever felt in his life. The pardon was of course from a long time ago but his Khaleesi would hardly see it that way. She valued loyalty and compassion and she had shown him both, a feat which not even his previous king could commit to. It was what made him switch sides in the first place; that he had been present to witness Daenerys grow from a fragile young woman into a fierce and determined Queen. She was the Mother of Dragons, the Breaker of Chains and a far better ruler than anyone in Westeros or Essos could ever hope to be. And he had betrayed her... for a worthless scrap of paper.

* * *

><p>Time didn't seem to mean anything to Ser Jorah as he sat with his face in his hands, huddled against the sand and ash. At some point, Daario Naharis walked by his chosen gravesite sending Ser Jorah a rather curious look as he passed. He disappeared into the tent as Ser Barristan had and Ser Jorah sucked in a ragged breath, knowing he would soon never set eyes on his Queen again.<p>

"Jorah." The word was spoken so plainly, so softly against the wind that Ser Jorah should not have been able to hear it but in his wretched state, Daenerys' voice was the only thing that could get through to him. He stood on shaky limbs, brushing the sand from his padded armour and walked towards the tent, feeling as though he were dragging a huge catapult behind him.

As he brushed aside the entrance to the tent, the sight that greeted him was rather formal and though Daenerys did not appear angry, he knew this was a mask which she had carefully mastered over the time. She wore it now with grim determination, seated on a small collapsible pedestal with Loki, Ser Barristan and Grey Worm at her side. Daario stood behind them and he looked more uncomfortable than anyone, but one glare at Ser Jorah and he knew that the young captain would be of no help to him. His eyes reluctantly returned to Daenerys and he bent his knee, kneeling at her mercy.

"Why did the usurper pardon you?" The icy tone to her voice made Ser Jorah flinch and he looked once more to her advisors and to Loki, hoping that someone might speak for him. No one did.

"If we could speak alone," he beseeched her, hating the way her usually kind eyes now regarded him with such detachment.

"No," she responded firmly. "Speak to me here." He watched the way her fingernails dug into her palms, feeling his regret overwhelming him. "Explain it to me."

Ser Jorah tried to reason with her, ultimately knowing it would do him no good. "Who do you think sent this to Meereen?" he asked. "Who profits?"

He took a hesitant step forward, hoping to draw her attention to the facts. "This is the work of Tywin Lannister," he said, struggling to keep his voice calm. "He wants to divide us. If we're fighting each other, we're not fighting him."

Daenerys stared at him for a moment, just long enough for Jorah to see the regret in her face. His spirits lifted slightly as he thought maybe he could convince her after all.

"The pardon was signed the year we met," she said and Ser Jorah's hopes plummeted. He sucked in a breath, wondering if the others could see how much it cost him not to fall on his own sword to beg her forgiveness.

"Why were you pardoned?" Daenerys demanded again as her eyebrows drew together. "Unless you're saying this document was forged?"

Ser Jorah saw Loki tilt his head in curiousity, evidently wondering if he would deny it or leap upon this potential lifeline.

"It is not forged," Ser Jorah admitted, feeling he owed her the truth at least. Even if he had lied, he was sure that Loki would somehow have sensed it.

"Why then?" The mask that Daenerys had so carefully put in place was beginning to slip and Ser Jorah could see the anger and hurt reflected in the tight line of her lips.

"I sent letters to Varys, the spymaster of King's Landing," Ser Jorah said carefully.

Her jaw twitched. "What was the content of these letters?"

"Information," Ser Jorah responded, swallowing reflexively.

"What information?" Daenerys was relentless as she bore down upon him, awaiting his explanation.

"When you and Viserys arrived in Pentos," he told her. "His plan to marry you to Khal Drogo. _When_ you were married and," he paused, "When your brother died."

A thought crossed her features and Ser Jorah knew where this was headed. "You told them I was carrying Drogo's child?" she asked, raising her eyebrows.

Loki's eyes flicked from Ser Jorah to Daenerys and even in the circumstances, Ser Jorah could see the jealousy that he barely contained towards the man who had been her first love. He wisely chose to keep his mouth shut but it was obvious to Ser Jorah that Loki was plagued by Daenerys' painful past.

Ser Jorah opened his mouth. "I-"

"Yes or no?" She cut him off.

"Khaleesi," Ser Jorah pleaded with her.

"Don't call me that," she hissed at him. "Did you tell them I was carrying Drogo's child?"

Ser Jorah's lips trembled as tears of shame sprang into his eyes. "Yes," he whispered in defeat.

Daenerys stood then, ignoring the way Loki and Ser Barristan moved to assist her as she stepped towards Ser Jorah.

"Daenerys," Loki spoke gently but whether it was on Ser Jorah's behalf or not, no one could tell.

She held up a hand to silence him as her gaze never left the man kneeling in front of her.

"That wine merchant," she said, her eyes flashing furiously, "Tried to poison me _because_ of your information."

"I stopped you from drinking his wine," Ser Jorah said quickly, hoping this would placate her.

Instead, this seemed to infuriate her. "Because you _knew_ it was poisoned," she accused.

"I suspected," Ser Jorah murmured.

Her emotions battled for dominance across her features, flickering between anger, confusion and finally despair. She turned from him and though he longed to reach for her, he stayed where he was. Daenerys stepped towards Loki instead who held out a comforting hand to her. Ser Jorah waited, frowning slightly as he watched her hand drift towards her stomach. It seemed an odd gesture but Ser Jorah realised that the memory of the death of her child to Drogo was likely still fresh and painful.

"You betrayed me," she finally said, whirling upon him. "From the _first!_"

Ser Jorah fell forward, placing his hands on the ground in front of him so that he was no longer kneeling but practically lying at her feet. "Forgive me," he implored her. "I never meant..." Whatever he was going to say however died upon his lips as he realised that it wouldn't be enough. It could never be enough.

"Please, Khaleesi," he whispered. "Forgive me."

"You sold my secrets to the man who killed my father and stole my brother's throne..."

"I have protected you," Ser Jorah spoke through her pain. "Fought for you. Killed for you."

"... and you want me to forgive you?" She stared at the ceiling of the tent unable to hold his gaze as her eyes filled with angry tears.

"I have loved you," Ser Jorah confessed, uncaring if Loki would now run him through with his sceptre.

"Love?" she said, baring her teeth as Ser Jorah looked at the ground. "_Love_? How can you say that to me? Any other man and I would have you executed."

Ser Jorah did not move, practically waiting for the sword to drop on his neck. He heard her sharp intake of breath and he glanced up to see her eyes shining with regret, loss and furious resignation.

"Go back to your masters in King's Landing," she ordered him. "Collect your pardon if you can. I'm done with you."

"Daenerys please," Ser Jorah begged her one last time, standing slightly so that he might reach for her hand.

A pale arm descended upon his, halting his intended path and throwing him back against the ground. Ser Jorah stared in shock at the looming figure of Loki and yet it was not hatred he saw in Loki's eyes but pity. Loki _pitied_ him. He did not speak up for Ser Jorah nor point out that Daenerys was harsh in her sentence but he seemed to be looking at Ser Jorah with some level of understanding. He recognised that Ser Jorah had tried to change but he also knew that it was too late. It was far, far too late.

"Do not presume to touch me or speak my name again," Daenerys warned him. "Take your horse... and _go_."

Ser Jorah remained frozen in place for a moment but the scathing looks from the men who had once been his comrades had him scrambling to his feet and retreating out of the tent. He had nowhere to go since he very much doubted that the pardon would stand now that Robert was dead. In any case, he had no desire to return to King's Landing. He was after all leaving the only person he cared about behind.

The desert was as good a place as any and as he mounted his horse he couldn't ignore the accusatory stares of the Unsullied as he rode past them all. He stopped briefly by the city gates, gazing back towards the Queen he was leaving behind and her dragons as they growled and bickered amongst themselves. The bulky figure of Thor was even visible at this distance as he tried to settle the great beasts, evidently sensing their mother's distress.

"Protect her," Ser Jorah whispered. "For I can no longer."

And with these final departing words, Ser Jorah spurred the reins on, galloping off into the eternal sands.

* * *

><p><em>Daenerys<em>

She let out her breath in an audible gasp, no longer able to hold back the overwhelming grief that threatened to consume her.

"Daenerys!" Loki moved to her side quickly, his hands grasping her upper arms to hold her steady.

"I'm alright," she murmured, gently pushing him away as Ser Barristan also approached her. "Really, I'm okay."

Loki looked far from convinced. "No, you're not."

Her eyes narrowed. "He betrayed me. I care nothing for him anymore. If I say I'm fine, I'm _fine_."

"Daenerys, your hands." Loki gestured to her palms, his expression rather anxious.

Daenerys followed his gaze, staring at the blue fire that was crackling at her fingertips. "What?" she breathed in alarm. She clenched her fists, willing the flames to go away and within seconds they extinguished themselves. Her skin looked the same, unburnt as it had always been, but this new fire was certainly far from her usual power. _Like the blue fire that stopped the Red God from ripping open my belly_, she thought.

"What in the Seven Kingdoms was that?" Ser Barristan demanded, rounding upon Loki. Grey Worm looked the same as he always did, his face a perfect mask of composure, while Daario looked positively stunned.

"Do I look like I know?" Loki asked, his lip curling in annoyance. "I don't exactly have blue fire shooting from _my_ fingers now do I?"

"But surely you must know," Ser Barristan blustered and Loki raised an eyebrow as the older knight mimicked the gesture that Daenerys had just made with her own hands. "You have powers," he insisted. "And I've _seen_ your skin turn blue."

"Have you?" Loki asked, still keeping his eyebrow quirked.

Ser Barristan glared at Loki. "I'm an old man, Loki," he said. "I've been around a long time and I've seen things. Yours may be a different kind of magic but it is not the first I have seen."

Daenerys stepped between them. "Now is not the time to discuss this," she said firmly. She held her hands out in reassurance. "I'm fine."

Loki stared at her hands for a moment before his gaze darted to her belly. His eyes returned to her face, an unspoken question on his lips. "I think so," she mouthed quietly in answer. Her hand shifted to her abdomen and when she felt the reassuring kick inside, she suddenly turned to the rest of the men in her tent.

"I'm carrying Loki's child," she blurted, deliberately ignoring Loki when he suddenly dropped his sceptre. "It's true," she continued when Ser Barristan stared at her with wide eyes. "And I believe the baby may possess powers like his father... and like me."

It was Daario's long drawn out whistle that eventually broke the awkward silence that followed. "Way to announce that," he remarked, pointedly averting his gaze when Daenerys glared at him.

"If any of you have a problem with this, you had best speak up now," Loki threatened as he regained his composure. "There is no point going to war against the Red Demon if any of you have any fear of magic!"

Ser Barristan looked doubtful for a moment. "Ser Barristan?" Daenerys prompted, feeling unnerved by his silence.

"I am with you my Queen," he assured her immediately. "Until the end. Do not mistake my silence for doubt. But," and he glared at Loki. "I merely question his competency in placing you in such a vulnerable position. You truly plan to go to war in your condition?"

"You question my _competency_?" Loki interjected furiously. "My _competency?!_"

Daario sniggered. "I think the fact that he got her pregnant isn't really a question of his _competency_."

Daenerys shot him a look of pure contempt which she quickly shifted to Grey Worm when she noticed her Unsullied General fighting not to smile. His face immediately became impassive once more as she returned her attention to Ser Barristan and Loki.

"I meant that I question his decisions," Ser Barristan corrected, pausing briefly when Thor entered the tent.

Thor halted in his tracks when he was met with identical uncomfortable expressions. "The dragons are content for now," he said carefully, his eyes scanning the faces in the tent. "Everything alright in here?"

"Daenerys just announced her pregnancy," Loki responded before Daenerys could say anything and she inwardly groaned. "And she banished her advisor, Ser Jorah, for betraying her."

Thor did not seem surprised by this last piece of news. "I saw him ride off before. I'm sorry," he acknowledged softly, speaking to Daenerys.

"He is no longer our concern," Daenerys said offhandedly but she knew in her heart that was a lie. "The Red God is our priority. And I believe I know where he plans to make his final stand."

At last, everyone's attention seemed riveted upon her and their expressions were serious. She pointed to the journal on the table which now lay open, its lock broken by the blood of her youngest dragon Loreley. "Before Ser Barristan came to tell me the news," she began. "I was reading through the pages of the journal. It seems that the prophecy concerning the Red God was the last prediction that Daenys ever made. Or at least the last one she was able to write down."

"It is written in Valyrian?" Ser Barristan questioned.

"Yes," Daenerys confirmed with a flick of her eyes. "Although I now see why there are so many interpretations of the prophecy." She moved closer to the table which held the journal, running her fingers gently down its pages. "I do not know whether she purposefully wrote it this way or if Daenys' visions were as confusing as she has written them, but the exact interpretation is unclear. It reads more like a riddle."

"How do you interpret it then?" Loki asked, his gaze upon the journal as well.

"She talks of the Red God, of course. And his light. But she has written that it is a light so terrible that it burns away the flesh of man and it will blacken this world until there is nothing left. Unless the Great Other meets him upon the white field."

"The white field?" Ser Barristan and Loki echoed together.

Daenerys nodded, lifting the book from its perch and reading the exact inscription aloud. "_Pi Rullor gaomagon un asha valar grest __bē__ timpa parmon __dōrī__bēuvaedagon__._"

She paused for a moment, before translating in the common tongue. "The Lord of Light shall meet the Great Other upon the White Field and then his song shall sing no more."

"The North," Ser Barristan said aloud and Daario and even Grey Worm nodded in agreement. "Past the wall. But surely he will be at a disadvantage there? Is that not the territory of his rival?"

"Perhaps," Daenerys said warily. "And I might've thought that he would avoid that at all costs except he _wants_ this fight to happen. He needs it to prove that he is dominant, that he is invincible."

"It is a display of his power," Loki muttered. "A way to assert his control over this world. That's all it is. Hopefully he will die for his arrogance."

Daenerys noted that Loki was deliberately avoiding Thor's gaze at the moment and her lips curved into a curious smile when she saw that Thor was smirking at his brother. Her eyes returned to the journal in front of her.

"Sȳndor," she murmured as she continued to read. "Suvion. Zaldrīzes... Hāre Drakarys."

This last word sparked Loki's attention for he knew what it meant. "Daenerys?"

"Sorry," she murmured, clearing her throat and reading once again in the common tongue. "Ice will meet shadow and flame upon the dragon of three souls."

"Not a three-headed dragon?" Ser Barristan mused. "I guess they got that part wrong."

"That part is quite clear," Daenerys asserted. "The dragon of three souls. And..." she scanned the page, "Azor Ahai will be the deliverer. Specifically Azor Ahai will deliver the dragon of three souls unto the Lord of Light. That is how it shall be."

Daario Naharis suddenly cleared his throat and Daenerys glanced in his direction. "I wonder," he said, staring at the journal in Daenerys' hands. "... if there is a description of this Great Other in the journal?"

Daenerys shook her head. "It would certainly be useful," she agreed. "But why do you ask?"

"Could the Great Other be referring to more than one enemy?" Daario asked nervously. "Say perhaps an army?"

"An army of what?" Daenerys did not like where this was headed.

"White Walkers," Ser Barristan filled in. He glanced sharply at Daario as though just remembering something. "Do you have the letter from the crow?"

Daario handed over a scroll, watching as Daenerys quickly slit open the parchment and scanned the contents. "It is a cry for help," she read, her brow furrowing in dismay. "The wildlings march for war upon the Wall. But there is something else that moves in the dark."

"Who would ask request help from you to defend the Wall?" Ser Barristan seemed puzzled. "Why not King's Landing?"

Daenerys stared at the bottom of the page, smiling softly in spite of herself. "Master Aemon," she answered gently. "It seems he has not forgotten his Targaryen roots."

"It seems the old man may fear more than just the Wildlings," Ser Barristan said decisively. "If he needed men he would have written to the Usurper King. The new one," he added as an afterthought. "Since Joffrey Baratheon is dead."

Daenerys stared at the pages of the journal as they lay open in front of her, lost in thought. It seemed she had received so much information in so short a time and she was struggling to process it all. She had almost forgotten that the letter from King's Landing also contained a eulogy of the late Usurper King, murdered at his own wedding. At any other time she may have found this news joyful but in light of Jorah's betrayal she had only felt an aching emptiness.

"The Red Demon," she said as she collected her thoughts. "He knew I had the journal. Therefore he knew I might figure out where the final battle would take place. He didn't just burn this city for revenge." She looked to her advisors with a mounting fury. "He wanted to ensure I had no way of escorting my army across the sea to Westeros."

"He burned all of the ships," Ser Barristan realised. "So that you would have none."

"I have dragons," Daenerys said hotly.

"Dragons cannot carry an army, my Queen."

"There are men on the Wall are there not?" Daario argued. "Can they not adequately defend the ice Wall?"

"Not against this demon," Thor interjected, startling Daenerys for a moment as she had forgotten he was there. "This will be unlike anything your world has ever seen. There is a _reason_ that gods should only be worshipped as entities and not corporeal demons. They have power beyond your reckoning and a demon as twisted and evil as this will wreak havoc upon the mortals at the Wall. No matter how high or how grand it is." He glanced at Daenerys then. "Your dragons may certainly lend a hand but I fear that will not be enough."

"You and I might even the odds out a bit," Loki said smugly, eying his brother and his hammer with satisfaction.

"Even then," Thor said hesitantly and Daenerys could see the anxiety written across his features.

"What do you mean Thor?" Daenerys held up a hand to prevent anyone else from interrupting, staring at him uncertainly. "Why will it not be enough?"

Thor stared at them all as if they were missing something entirely obvious. "Do you not think this Red Demon has an army of his own?"

* * *

><p><strong>Before any of you ask... YES! Hahah I DID look up some online words from the High Valyrian dictionary and I already know that the sentence doesn't make any sense. I kind of just looked up some of the words and strung them together (and had quite a bit of fun doing it as well!). I was going to make this chapter even longer but I thought HEY I could get this out to you early and finish it here :D Probably another 2-3 weeks til the next one guys but hey I might have some free time and get it out even sooner like I did this time. See what happens when you all make me feel guilty? Haha it won't work every time though! I am sorry to send Ser Jorah away for now but I had a few requests to tie this in more to the original storyline (not sure why since you could just watch game of thrones to get that bit) so that's what I've done. I won't be able to do it for much more though since the inevitable battle is nearly upon us... aaaah!<br>**


	9. Chapter 9: Prophecy of Change

**Merry Christmas everyone! XD Hope you like the chapter. Epic stuff to come!**

* * *

><p><strong>Chapter 9: Prophecy of Change<strong>

* * *

><p><em>Davos Seaworth<em>

"This is not the way." The soft words of the terrified, young girl by his side gave the old man pause but he did not stop his stride. The girl clung on tighter to his cloak but it was only when she dug her heels in that Davos Seaworth finally relented and let her rest. He slowed his pace, allowing the girl to settle against a cool rock as he relinquished his hold upon her.

"We cannot stop for long, Princess," he told her gently as he bent down to her level. "We must continue on." Shireen looked up at him then and he saw the faint traces of tears in her eyes, but there were no words of comfort left in his empty heart. His King, Shireen's father and the one true King of Westeros was dead. And in the chaos of Dragonstone falling, Shireen had also tragically lost her mother. For all the flaws that Shireen's mother saw in her own daughter when she was alive, Davos could hardly argue that Shireen was better off as an orphan.

"Princess?" he prompted her after a moment but her eyes became glazed as she succumbed to her grief.

"You should not call her that." The voice that reached his ears was not a welcome one and Davos whirled upon the Red Woman who accompanied them, still questioning his decision not to run her through with a blade as she stepped up beside Shireen. The young girl gave no indication that either of them were there as she stared off into the distance, her hands rubbing together to fight off the impending cold.

"She is the only living child of Stannis Baratheon," he barked harshly, shrugging out of his cloak as he draped it over Shireen's shoulders. "The sole heir to the throne of Westeros. I shall address her by her formal title... as will you!"

Melisandre straightened slightly, inclining her head towards the shivering child. "Her father is dead," she said plainly. "And with him dies any claim she had to the throne. The people will say she is not fit to rule. You know why." Her eyes flickered briefly to the stony and taut skin that marred the left side of Shireen's face and Davos felt his protective side leap to her defence. But again, Shireen's soft and gentle words stopped him.

"Good," Shireen whispered as her eyes stared blankly ahead. "I don't want the throne."

Davos bent towards her again. "Never say that, Princess," he scolded her, his fingers gently tracing the Greyscale on her face. "You're condition is nothing to be ashamed of. It means you're a survivor."

He turned towards Melisandre again, his eyes radiating pure fury. "You dare not speak of her in such a way again. You are not here by invitation."

Melisandre stared at Davos without flinching, even as his hand inched towards the sword at his side. "You still see me as your enemy, Davos Seaworth," she murmured coolly as she eyed the blade at his hip. "Even after I saved you?"

"One good deed does not absolve you of a thousand sins," he replied angrily. "My life is nothing compared to the greater good of this kingdom. And you and your Red God have thwarted the greater good for a _long_ time."

"And Shireen's life?" she questioned calmly. "Is that also worth nothing to you?"

"It is worth everything to me," Davos reminded her grimly. "And it is the only reason you are still alive."

"Stop it." Melisandre and Davos turned to Shireen, watching as she stood on shaky legs and her sad eyes pleaded with them. "Please." She came forward then and tugged on Davos' arm. "Leave her be," she beseeched him. "She saved me. She tried to save my father too."

Davos glanced up at Melisandre expecting to see a triumphant smile upon her face but the Red Woman remained impassive under his stare, merely awaiting his judgement. "Davos," Shireen begged him again. "_Please_."

"It's alright little Princess," he reassured her, taking her small hand in his. "I will not forget all that she has done." He said these last words with emphasis, staring at the Red Woman meaningfully but Shireen missed his veiled threat as she nodded at him thankfully. She released his hand then and stared through the chilly air towards the water as it lapped the shores. They were a long way from Dragonstone now and Davos could see that Shireen was nervous in this unfamiliar territory.

She turned back to him uncertainly. "This isn't the way," she repeated her earlier words, frowning in confusion. "You said we were going just north of King's Landing. But we are much further than that."

Davos sighed, knowing he couldn't keep their true destination a secret any longer. Shireen may not have been well-travelled for a girl her age, but she had a vast knowledge of the land from all the books she had read and all the time she had spent perusing maps in her forced solitude.

"No, Princess we are not going north of King's Landing." Davos drew a line in the dirt with his hand, sketching a rough diagram of the coastline. He marked where Dragonstone was and their current position. "We continue North, sticking to the coastline and avoid the major roads," he illustrated, tracing a hand forwards and marking their next destination. "Until we reach White Harbour. Hopefully we can either buy or borrow some horses at this port." He took a deep breath. "And then I shall continue alone to Castle Black."

Shireen's eyes grew wide with horror. "You're leaving me?" she cried. "Why?"

"Because the Wall is no suitable place for a young girl," Davos told her firmly. He tried forcing a smile when he saw her look of utter devastation. "Even one as smart and brave as you."

"But why must _you_ go?" she whined. "Why can't you stay with me where it's safe?"

"Because I made your father a promise," he said. "No matter what, I promised to protect you and defend his kingdom at all costs. That means getting you to safety and following through on his wishes to secure the Wall against the Wildlings."

Shireen's expression grew curious even as her lip trembled. "And how will you do that?"

Davos smiled at her. "Because your father was a powerful man," he told her proudly. "And he has powerful friends who will avenge his death even if it is the last thing they do."

"Davos." Melisandre's voice cut across his words of reassurance and he glared at the Red Woman irritably. "May I speak with you in private?" she asked, her eyes flashing in a way that suggested her request was non-negotiable.

He stepped away from Shireen but not before placing a comforting hand against her shoulder. "I'll be right back," he promised. He gestured towards some fallen logs, knowing that Shireen drew comfort from mediocre tasks that required her vast expanse of knowledge. "Why don't you get started on making us a fire?" As he had hoped, Shireen's expression brightened slightly as she set about gathering branches and small twigs for their fire.

"What is it?" he demanded as he moved to block Shireen from the Red Woman's prying gaze, instead directing her towards the cover of the trees.

"You know as well as I that there is little you can do against the Wildlings who march upon the Wall," she stated plainly. "And you also know that a far greater enemy resides there."

"And whose fault is that?" Davos demanded.

Melisandre stood defiant under his gaze but her eyes did hold a trace of regret. "My part in this was never to bring this kingdom to ruin," she responded. "Quite the contrary. And if you see fit to punish me when this war is over then so be it. But if you hope to protect Shireen whilst you do battle upon the Wall then you will be greatly disappointed."

"What would you have me do?" Davos growled. "Spend out the rest of my days with her while the Wildlings claim the ashes of this land?"

"Yes." The look that Melisandre levelled at him was enough for him to realise that she was serious.

When he opened his mouth to argue however she held up a hand. "You were not meant to do battle against the Lord of Light," Melisandre insisted. "And if you go to the Wall, you will not return. You will never see Shireen again." At his hesitation, she stepped forward angling her head towards the sea. "There is a great army that lies across these waters. They need only the means to cross, and we shall have a way to do battle with the Wildlings."

"What army?" Davos asked cautiously.

"The Second Sons," Melisandre responded. "And over eight thousand Unsullied, led by Daenerys Targaryen."

This was news to Davos and his eyes widened considerably. "The Targaryen girl lives?"

Melisandre peered at him as her brow furrowed, evidently confused by his surprise. "Stannis knew of her existence. How is it that you did not?"

"I knew she was expecting a child," Davos said. "And that King Robert had planned to have her executed. Word was he summoned a poisons master to slip her a toxin while she was in Essos. I presumed he had succeeded because I have not received word since."

"Then you are one of the few who have not," Melisandre concluded with a raised eyebrow. "Daenerys Targaryen rides at the head of an army. She has conquered Slaver's Bay and set free its inhabitants."

"Impossible," Davos breathed. "It can't be done."

"But it has," Melisandre told him calmly. "Essos follows a new Queen now."

"How?"

"Through an age old tradition that's been used by her ancestors for centuries." Melisandre waited until a look of dawning comprehension lit Davos' eyes.

"Dragons?" he asked, mouth agape.

"Three of them," Melisandre confirmed. "Well, four now. And her cause continues to gain followers by the day."

Davos stared out at the ocean as though the vision of Daenerys and her dragons would appear at any moment. "She means to reclaim the throne," he realised. "With Stannis and the Stark boy dead, her last obstacle is at King's Landing. The Lannisters."

"But she does not ride for King's Landing," Melisandre informed him. "Her army is without ships, her men stranded in Essos at the edge of a crumbling city. She has her dragons but these may not be enough in the coming war."

"How do you know of this?" Davos asked suspiciously. "I thought you had fallen out of favour with your Red God."

"I still maintain fragments of my own powers," Melisandre said, lifting her fingers wearily and rubbing them together. "I cannot see the Lord of Light any longer but I can see the Mother of Dragons." Her eyes narrowed then and Davos was reminded of the power that this woman could wield. "Alone, you cannot hope to stop the force that attacks the Wall. But if you help Daenerys, you will have provided an army that can keep the Wildlings at bay."

"And what of this Red God?" Davos was reluctant to have cause to talk about the abhorrent Lord of Light but he knew there was a bigger threat than even the Wildlings. "How will mortal armies fare against _him_?"

"That is another battle, Davos," Melisandre said gently. "One that you would not survive. Your part in this can be quite simple. Send word to Salladhor Saan as you did once before. He has more ships at his command than most Kings will ever know in their lifetime. If Daenerys can get her army to the Wall, you will have fulfilled your pledge to Stannis to secure the realm, _and_ your promise to look after Shireen."

"I do this," Davos considered slowly, "I can leave with Shireen." Melisandre nodded, watching as Davos reflected upon his choices. His eyes flicked to hers, unable to keep the disdain from his voice. "And you would not seek to follow us?"

He could see that his words cut deep into the Red Woman as her posture stiffened even though her face remained impassive. For all her evil magic and the blood upon her hands, even Davos could see that Melisandre cared somewhat for Stannis' daughter. "Shireen has not had an easy life," she conceded at last. "She deserves to be happy and I would never seek to hinder that. If you go, you have my word that I will not follow."

"Then it's settled. I'll write word to Salladhor immediately." Davos went to stride past Melisandre but she quickly whipped out an arm to halt his path.

"That will take too long," she warned before he could bluster about her sudden movement. She held her hand out, allowing a small lick of flame to curl in her palm. "I can get word to the Mother of Dragon within moments."

Davos hissed in anger that she was using black magic in his presence but Melisandre ignored him now, stepping away from him and moving further into the darkness. He watched her go with a dual sense of euphoria and apprehension but as she slipped further into the shadows he decided he had best return to Shireen. He made his way back towards the beach, glimpsing the merry fire that Shireen had built for herself through the trees. As he ventured into the sandy clearing, he saw her sitting against some smooth stones, stoking the fire as her eyes shone with the flickering flames. Davos had neither the patience nor the need for gods when he knew there were people as capable and gentle as Shireen. Stannis' daughter was inspiring and he truly believed that Westeros was missing out on an heir who could've grown into a magnanimous leader.

But in the end, it was Shireen's choice and Davos had heard the truth in her words when she said she did not want to rule. It did not matter how he felt about it. "Are we going to help her?" Shireen's soft voice startled him and he moved to sit with her by the fire, tucking the ends of his cloak around her more securely.

"Help who, sweet girl?"

"The Mother of Dragons."

"You know about her?" Davos stared at her in shock.

"I read about the dragons and the Targaryen line in my studies," she said wistfully. "I've dreamt about them for a long time." Her hand went to her face then and Davos thought she was reaching for the Greyscale but instead her fingers touched the smooth planes of her unscarred cheek.

"I traced my lineage," she admitted as her fingers trailed down her cheek bone. "I have Targaryen blood. Maybe that's why I have all those dreams. Maybe I was meant to help her." Her hand dropped back into her lap. "And when I heard my father talking about her..." she trailed off as she stared into the flames. "Do you really think she could win?"

Davos followed her gaze, drawn to the fire even as he watched warily for signs of supernatural interference. "She has dragons," Davos said as he considered her words. "And an army. She certainly stands a better chance than most."

"Would they even fight?" Shireen turned to face him then, her forehead creased with concern. "If the Usurpers even knew what was really coming, would they fight?"

It was odd hearing Shireen refer to the Lannisters as the Usurpers since she was always so formal with titles. But something had changed within her since her father's death and Davos could see the blossoming maturity and vigilance within her. He wasn't sure if it was a good thing yet but he was beginning to realise that he wouldn't be able to protect the young girl forever.

"Would you?" Davos asked, unable to keep the curiosity out of his voice.

"I would," Shireen said firmly, her eyes shining with sheer determination. "And I think we should help the Mother of Dragons."

Before he could reply, Shireen was grabbing his hand, her face lighting up with such hope that Davos doubted he would be able to deny her anything. "I know my father saw her as a threat," she said quickly. "But she never did anything to him. I think she just wants what's best for the people. She freed all the slaves in Astapor and Yunkai. Imagine what she could do here! I would want to help someone like that. Wouldn't you?"

Davos couldn't help but admire the courage of the young girl before him, the Greyscale which marred the left side of her face only serving as a reminder of how strong she was. Her eyes pleaded with him and Davos could already feel himself falling under her spell. He had cared for Shireen like his own daughter long before Stannis had passed and, like her father before her, she had treated him with far more respect than he deserved.

"Daenerys," he said at last, watching as Shireen tilted her head in curiousity. "The woman you speak of. Her name is Daenerys Targaryen." He smiled at Shireen as he placed a gentle hand against her cheek, delighting in the way her face lit up at his words. "And we _will_ help her."

* * *

><p><strong><em>In the ruins of Mereen<em>**

_Daenerys_

The Khaleesi's hands were trembling as she tightened the leather straps against her largest dragon, securing the makeshift saddle which she had placed upon his back. Drogon could feel her unease and he tilted his giant reptilian head down to Daenerys, gently nudging the side of her face with his snout. His soft purr of reassurance made Daenerys smile but her anxiety did not abate. There was far too much at stake for that.

"I wish you'd reconsider this," Ser Barristan implored his Queen as she stepped back to examine the position of the saddle. "You have an army of Unsullied at your command and each and every man here would lay down his life for you." His voice broke slightly at the end and Daenerys turned to the older knight feeling her guilt wash over her when she saw the dismay upon his face. "Your men love you," he told her, taking a deep breath to steady his tone. "They would gladly walk into the arms of death if it would prevent you from meeting yours."

Daenerys' felt her eyes shining with tears as she placed a comforting hand against his shoulder. She felt an involuntary yet instinctual urge to hug Ser Barristan but she held herself back; Queens did not do that. "This is the only way," she said, forcing her words to be firm. "We don't have the time or the resources to get an entire army across the Narrow Sea. If we don't fly now, Westeros will fall."

Her eyes fell to the book of prophecies tucked into the sash at her waist. "It has to be us," she whispered as her fingers fell against the leather cover of Daenys' journal. "I will not leave my people to die."

Strong hands slowly crept across her waist, drawing her gaze to the man who stood behind her. Loki placed a chaste kiss against her temple and Daenerys leaned back into his embrace. His chest was a wall of solidarity and Daenerys drew strength from it, breathing in the cool scent of him. "We should go," he murmured into her hair. "While we have the light."

Daenerys nodded, not trusting herself to speak as she lifted her head, gazing past his shoulder to her other dragons, Rhaegal and Viseryion. They stood proud and fierce, tossing their heads like young stallions as they snorted fire through their teeth. They were tethered with saddles similar to Drogon's, each made to fit their frame and revised from a combination of several horse saddles in order to support their subsequent riders.

In many ways, Daenerys felt that Loki being sent to her was initially a sign from the Heavens but now she realised with a growing sense of clarity that her and Loki's meeting was beyond providence. Their destinies may have been entwined but Daenerys knew now that Loki's choices would also decide the fate of Westeros, and if nothing else brought her comfort than that idea alone did. As if to confirm her thoughts, Thor stepped up beside Loki and the two brothers shared a rare look of mutual trust and respect for each other, creating an imprint within Daenerys' mind which would be seared into her memory forever.

"I must admit," Thor said as he clapped a brawny hand against Loki's shoulder and making his brother wince slightly. "Other than detaining you, I didn't really come to this world expecting a fight."

"Always do seem to find one though," Loki said, half teasingly. The grim set of his lips however spoke volumes and Daenerys noted the distinct tightening of his hand against his sceptre. Thor noticed it too and his eyes flicked to his own hammer and then to the dragons who waited patiently several feet away.

"Do you think we could win?" Daenerys asked, interpreting the look of contemplation upon Thor's face.

"We have three dragons, my lady," Thor said confidently. "And a master of illusions." He slapped a hard hand against Loki's back once more for emphasis and Loki growled in irritation. Thor removed his hand, smirking unapologetically at his brother. "That combined with our weapons of power and your own magic should be enough to make any army cower with terror."

Loki raised a decisive eyebrow at his brother, turning on his heel and pointing the tip of his spear accusingly at his brother. "_You_ were the one who suggested that our combined forces might fall short of defeating a demonic army," Loki affirmed. He nodded his head in the direction of Ser Barristan and Daario Naharis who stood at the front of Daenerys' army, awaiting their final instructions. "Do you think false words of hope and pretty lies will bring comfort to them now?"

"I think that any book of prophecy which asserts that a victory could go either way is a sign that our fate is in our own hands," Thor said firmly. Daenerys felt her fingers touch the cover of the journal again and despite her anxiety, she felt her hopes lift at Thor's words. She glanced up to see that Thor was watching her closely or more specifically the swollen contours of her belly. Daenerys saw a flicker of something strange in his eyes as Thor gazed at her womb. "I think that if fate has decided to give Loki, son of Laufey, a second chance," Thor said softly, "Then there must be a reason for it."

Loki looked as if he was about to scoff at his brother's words but he paused when Daenerys laced her fingers through his. "I believe we can do this," she whispered to him, her eyes shining with pure trust. "I believe in us."

Loki was speechless and she returned her gaze to Thor's, feeling the need to thank him as well. Thor after all did not owe them anything. This was not his war and regardless Loki's involvement Daenerys did not take Thor's decision to stand by their side lightly.

"Your faith is inspiring," she professed. "I am forever indebted to your decision to stand by our side in this war. I won't forget it."

"You owe me nothing, Daenerys Stormborn," Thor argued and Loki nodded his approval. "I would not idly stand by while a demon ravages a mortal world with an army of fire. I am sworn to protect the realms, whether they are a part of the nine or beyond that."

"Still," Daenerys insisted. "You didn't have to but you did. And I know that our odds are much stronger with you amongst our ranks."

An odd look crossed Thor's face then but Daenerys dismissed it as apprehension about the upcoming battle. "We shall see," Thor said at last.

"What are we going to do about them?" Loki asked, tilting his head subtly in the direction of the forlorn army of Unsullied and Second Sons. It broke her heart to be leaving her army behind but Daenerys knew that without the means of transportation across the Narrow Sea, her men could do far more good here to keep the peace.

"They are under the charge of Ser Barristan now," Daenerys responded. "He will lead them back to the Free Cities and they will keep the peace. They will ensure the slave trade is never operational again."

Loki was about to respond when his brow suddenly furrowed with concern. Daenerys stared at him in confusion as his gaze was momentarily drawn to the ground a few metres from her. She didn't understand what had diverted his attention until she heard it too; a dull whining and then the rocks at her feet started to tremble. "Get behind me!" Loki bellowed as Daenerys stared at the ground in alarm. She forced her feet to move, stumbling within reach of Loki as he thrust her behind him protectively. The ground in front of them cracked and a flicker of fire leapt from the earth. Thor shouted a warning and the Unsullied and Second Sons responded almost as quickly as Loki, raising their spears against this new threat and ready to leap to the defence of their Queen. The fire fanned out into a willowy flame, not threatening but oddly coaxing as it fluttered in the air before them.

Loki growled a warning as though the flame itself were alive and meant to harm them but Daenerys felt no immediate threat and she was strangely curious about this fire. She stepped around Loki as she attempted to peer into its depths but Loki hastened to block her path.

"What are you doing?" he hissed. "Stay behind me!"

"It's not him," Daenerys assured him, surprised to find that she trusted her own words. "It's not the Red Demon."

Loki still seemed hesitant and Daenerys took the opportunity to slip around him as she stepped toward the flame. It beckoned to her and flickered to a dull shade of red when she drew nearer as if sensing her presence. A figure danced within the depths of the fire and she heard Loki suck in a breath of alarm. She knew what he feared and she dug her feet into the ground in case Loki should try to drag her away by force. She continued to gaze into the fire until the figure within became clearer and more corporeal. "Melisandre?" she asked uncertainly, her eyes betraying her surprise.

The image immediately became apparent and Daenerys could see that it was indeed the Red Woman who stood in a fiery vision within the flames. "Mother of dragons," the fire mage of Melisandre addressed her. "We meet again."

Loki seemed less enthused to see her. "What do you want?" he snarled, his hand seizing Daenerys' arm in case he should need to intervene for her safety.

It was hard to miss the mocking way that the Red Woman gazed at Loki's hand, the way he clasped Daenerys' wrist as though he could shield her from the world. "I come in peace," the vision of Melisandre informed them. "In fact, I come bearing a solution to your predicament."

"And what would you know of our problems?" Loki sneered.

"You have no ships," Melisandre observed and Daenerys could feel the early brimming of elation within her chest. "And you have no port." Her gaze flicked past the Mother of Dragons to the army that lay behind her. "All the power in the world at your fingertips and yet you have no way of getting that power to the Wall. And without your army Daenerys, you can have no chance of victory."

"What do you propose?" Daenerys asked eagerly before Loki could intercede.

"There is a pirate, Salladhor Saan," Melisandre said, casting out a fiery arm towards the shore. "His ships lie just North of here in a sheltered bay, awaiting the instruction of Stannis Baratheon. Those instructions will never come."

"And what good are they to us if they are loyal only to Stannis?" Loki demanded. "Their leader is dead. They will not heed our call."

A flicker and then, "I have his daughter in my possession."

Daenerys blinked in astonishment. "You have Stannis Baratheon's daughter in your custody?"

"She wishes to help you Mother of Dragons," Melisandre offered. "She offers you these ships in good faith."

"On what terms?" Daenerys asked, unable to help the small spark of suspicion that leapt within her chest.

"That you use them to sail for Westeros," Melisandre answered. "And you do everything in your power to claim victory on the white battlefield. Smite the Red Demon and avenge Shireen's father."

Daenerys pulled back in shock, hardly daring to believe that Melisandre had finally made the transition of referring to her old God as the Red Demon instead of the Lord of Light. Mistaking her lack of a response for hesitation, Melisandre appealed to her again. "Shireen is every bit as strong willed and resourceful as Stannis," the Red Woman assured Daenerys. "But unlike her father, she has no desire to rule and would much rather back a competitor who stands a chance of defending Westeros from this plague of fire. Will you accept her help?"

Daenerys looked towards Thor who gave an encouraging nod, then to Ser Barristan who subtly shook his head. Divided, her gaze fell upon Loki but if she was hoping that she would see resolution within his eyes than she was sorely disappointed. His lips were set in a determined line and his expression only mirrored one thing. _This has to be your decision._

The fiery vision of Melisandre began to wane and Daenerys battled against her uncertainty. She could detect no apparent ploy within the Red Woman's offer but Daenerys had been fooled before and her heart tugged painfully at the memory of Ser Jorah. "Choose quickly, Mother of Dragons," Melisandre warned, her voice sounding further and further away. "My ability to maintain this form grows weaker."

"You can sense a lie," Daenerys stated as she stepped towards Loki imploringly. "Tell me, is her offer genuine? Will my men be safe?"

"Her words ring of truth," Loki said and Daenerys felt the ghost of hope kindling within her chest. "But that does not mean your men will be guaranteed safe passage. There are many dangers between here and the Wall and the journey is just as perilous by sea as by air."

"We are willing to take the risk." Daenerys glanced up sharply at the confident voice who spoke out from the Unsullied. Grey Worm stood with his helmet in his hand, his spear poised above his heart. "We took an oath to follow you Daenerys Targaryen and we shall accompany you into battle even if it is our last." At his words, there was a deafening crash of metallic echoes as spear and sword alike clashed against shields and every man in her army sounded their agreement.

Daenerys felt touched by the loyalty of her men and she looked back to the fire as it flickered weakly, the flames fading fast. "We will await the ships," she spoke into the blaze. "If Shireen will offer her assistance, then we will gladly accept it. In return, we offer her our protection in the coming war."

To her great surprise, the fading image of Melisandre shook her head, the flames flickering as her form distorted. "No. You can't wait." Melisandre's words were but a whisper now and Daenerys leaned forward anxiously until she was almost touching the flames as she strained to hear.

"What?" Daenerys asked, panicking slightly as the flames began to die. "What cannot wait?"

The fire ebbed away, shimmering in weak embers now and Daenerys could no longer see Melisandre's form. Her words were barely recognisable now as she struggled to maintain the enchanted flames. "Fly... now. Coming...soon. Coming...don't wait..."

The last spark of fire flickered out of existence and Daenerys' breathing hitched with Melisandre's three chilling words of finality.

"He is here."


	10. Chapter 10: The Darkness

_**Hello my patient readers! Your wonderful reviews have kept me going in these hard times. I made a promise which I intend to stick to and no matter how long it takes believe me I still intend to finish this story. If any of you were wondering about my prolonged absence, I apologise but it was for personal reasons. I have had a very difficult few months and without going into the deep details too much, I will say that I lost someone very close to me recently. I could not return to writing for a long time because I felt like I had lost a piece of myself which I will never get back. But writing is my dream and there is no way I am losing another part of myself by giving up on it. I even had the courage to start an original piece of work the other day and although it may take a long time to complete, I'm certain it will be worth the effort. **_

_**So I'd like to devote this chapter to a friend who I've known for 17 years. The time we spent together will never be enough but it meant the world to me and I'd give anything to see your beautiful smile one more time. And if you're somehow watching over me and able to see what I'm typing right now, I'm sorry about all the times I sat in your spot. It'll always be yours and never forget that!**_

_**This chapter is largely inspired by the fanmade video "Frost Killing Hour" of Elsa from Frozen and Jack Frost. The song by Natalie Merchant is beautiful and it fits this chapter perfectly. **_

_**My Skin ~ Natalie Merchant.**_

* * *

><p><strong>Chapter 10: The Darkness<strong>

_Take a look at my body  
>Look at my hands<br>There's so much here  
>That I don't understand<em>

Your face saving promises  
>Whispered like prayers<br>I don't need them

I've been treated so wrong  
>I've been treated so long<br>As if I'm becoming untouchable

* * *

><p><em><strong>North on the Wall, <strong>_

_**Eddison Tollett**_

"They've got giants." Weary and solemn eyes flickered from one exhausted body to the next as the men of the Night's Watch spanned the Wall in sparse numbers. The Wildlings would look for any weak spot along the wall and Edd noticed with some dismay that it would not be hard to find one with their numbers so scarce. Frost and resignation beat against the men's bodies and although many of them refused to cower to fear, they also knew that most of them would fall to the slaughter this night. The black emptiness of the North showed them no pity and the war fires of the approaching Wildlings would deliver no mercy.

A skinny boy with beady eyes flinched every time the wind howled and Edd rolled his eyes as the young coward eyed them all dubiously. "Giants," the leech emphasised again. "And some of their men..." The boy shivered with emphasis and Edd resisted the urge to strike him upside the head for instilling more fear into the men's hearts, "Some of their men, they say, eat their victims. Don't even cook 'em. Just eat 'em raw... like they was nothin' but steaks."

"What about their blood?" Another boy asked, voice quivering with terror. "I heard they drink blood instead o' wine!"

Edd rubbed his hands together, wincing slightly as his worn gloves chafed across his skin. "Well aren't you lot just a bunch of optimists?" he grumbled, hitching the collar of his cloak higher upon his shoulders.

"It's true," the coward continued. "They even say that the Wildlings can't die! They made some sorta pact with the White Walkers!"

"Yeah?" Edd said between gritted teeth. "Imagine what they say about us!"

The leech cowered under Edd's heated glare. "Look I'm jus' saying..."

"Would ya shut your gob?" Edd growled at last, shoving past him in annoyance. "Ya got a better place to be?"

He didn't really expect an answer but at that moment he didn't really care as he had caught the gaze of Jon Snow. A subtle jerk of Jon's head and Edd immediately strode to his side, ignoring the grumbles and gripes of the men behind him.

"They're getting restless," Edd responded to Jon's prying gaze.

"They're afraid," Jon lamented, his gaze fixed upon the white expanse of the North and the dark army of fire that marched ever closer to the Wall. "The Wildlings will be here in a few hours."

"They really have giants?" Edd couldn't help the nervous curiosity that seeped into his voice.

Jon turned his head slightly to regard his friend and gave him a solemn nod. "Saw them with my own eyes," Jon admitted, chuckling slightly as Edd stared at him in astonishment. "Sorry," Jon apologised. "Just thinking that if it weren't for the circumstances... this would probably be the most impressive thing I've ever seen."

"You're a strange one, ya know that Snow?" Edd pointed out, grinning with his crooked teeth.

"Admit it," Jon smiled. "Where else would you see such things? Giants or White Walkers? Putting the war aside for a moment, this is as close to a miracle that the likes of you and me are ever gonna see."

"Jon!" Both men turned at the hysterical voice of Samwell Tarly, bewildered at the impressive pace that the larger man was able to keep up as he shoved past the other rangers. "Jon," he huffed as he stumbled to a stop in front of his comrades. "You better come quick." His gaze drifted momentarily to the view of the approaching army and he visibly paled.

"What is it, Sam?" Jon reached his hands out the steady his friend as Sam sucked in a breath.

"Riders," Sam gasped, returning his attention to Jon. "From the South. Three of them."

"So?" Edd snorted. "What? King's Landing couldn't spare us an army I suppose?"

Sam's eyes were wide as he shook his head frantically. "I don't think they're those type of riders. They're certainly not from King's Landing."

Edd raised an eyebrow as Jon looked down towards the gates. "What type of riders then?" he demanded.

"Well," Sam stuttered. "I don't know really. I haven't seen people like these before."

"Damn it Tarly, what did they look like?" Edd finally growled impatiently.

"Oh. There were two men," Sam said quickly. "Both quite impressive really. I think one was carrying a hammer."

"A hammer?" Jon echoed in confusion.

"Not a builder's hammer," Sam explained. "Like a war hammer. Biggest I've ever seen."

"You said there were three riders," Edd reminded him.

"Right," Sam huffed. "There was this real pretty lady too. With long silver hair. She wanted to speak with whoever was in charge."

"Where are they now?" Edd asked as Jon remained silent.

"With Master Aemon," Sam responded, tilting his head when he too noticed Jon's frozen expression. "You alright, Jon?"

"Silver hair?" Jon repeated in amazement.

Sam nodded. "Just like they described in the Targaryen lineage," he said excitedly. "I've always wanted to see hair like that. And to meet a Targaryen, of course. I mean Master Aemon is a Targaryen but his hair is more grey than silver really. " Sam drifted off then as he realised his mistake.

"That's Daenerys Targaryen, isn't it?" he blurted in astonishment.

But Jon was already moving, his boots almost slipping on the ice as he shot down the stairs, ignoring the bewildered looks of the other rangers.

"And here I thought you was the smart one, Tarly," Edd sighed as he shuffled past to follow Jon. He could swear he heard the faint roars of a giant as he slipped down the icy steps after his commander but that may have just been his imagination...

* * *

><p><em>Contempt loves the silence<br>It thrives in the dark  
>With fine winding tendrils<br>That strangle the heart_

They say that promises  
>Sweeten the blow<br>But I don't need them  
>No, I don't need them<p>

* * *

><p><em><strong>Daenerys <strong>_

She had never been to the Wall herself but Daenerys knew where the fabled 'edge of the world' was located, almost as far North as North could go. It was a giant structure of ice and power, built to withstand the assault of a thousand White Walkers or so it was foretold. _On_ _this night, we might very well be putting that legend to the test_, she thought to herself.

She could feel the cold as any mortal could but the fire in her veins burned away the chill as though it were simply a cool breeze. As they neared the great Wall of the North, Daenerys, Thor and Loki descended upon foot, not wishing to cause alarm by approaching on the backs of dragons. They were greeted at the gates by several startled men of the Night's Watch who opened the doors somewhat uncertainly when she announced her title. Daenerys couldn't help but watch for Loki's reaction as he was introduced to the man-made wonder of the Wall. His eyes were alight with some unfamiliar emotion but he made no comment as they were led to the main council chambers. She requested the presence of Maester Aemon immediately as well as that of the Lord Commander but she was still unprepared when the last known Targaryen, other than herself, was led into the room by his steward.

Before she knew it, her feet were carrying her forward and much to the surprise of Thor and Loki, she knelt before Maester Aemon and grasped his hands in front of her gently. What Loki and his brother were unaware of however was that this was a gesture of familial respect, an act to honour the elders of one's house.

"It is an honour to meet you, Maester," Daenerys whispered to the man of the Night's Watch who shared her blood. Even though she knew he couldn't see it, she smiled warmly at Maester Aemon as he grasped her delicate hands in his withered palms before coaxing her to rise. Thor and Loki stood back as Daenerys was reunited with the last surviving member of her family. By law, he was no longer a part of the Targaryen line since he was sworn to serve the Night's Watch until the end of his days. But the dragon in her recognised the blood of her kin and she swore she could feel the child within her pulling on that connection, savouring the unique power it provided.

"I never again thought to encounter one such as you," Master Aemon croaked as the men of the black cloth gathered around them. "The last dragon heir."

Her smile widening, Daenerys guided his palm subtly to the swell of her belly and watched his face light up with delight. "Or perhaps not the last," he consented with evident joy.

His hand drifted to her face then, tracing the delicate features of her jaw and nose as he smiled in contentment. "Beautiful just like your Mother."

Daenerys forgot herself for a moment as her eyes brimmed with tears. "Did you know her?"

"She was a strong woman," Maester Aemon murmured. "Even until the end."

Daenerys at last noticed the curious murmuring of the men around her and she shifted her gaze to the rangers and stewards of the Night's Watch. She noticed Loki curl his lip distastefully at a few of them, evidently not impressed with their choice of black garb. She frowned at him, her eyes warning him to be respectful of these men and all that they did for the realm. He smirked at her and glanced away, content to keep his opinions to himself for the meantime.

"I received your letter," Daenerys said, returning her attention to Maester Aemon. "We've come to help you fight."

She heard several sniggers from the men around her but a look from Thor silenced them. "We _can_ help," Daenerys emphasised, shooting the men a glare of her own. "We have brought weapons that will to help defend the Wall."

"The men of the Night's Watch defend the Wall," a sour man interjected suddenly and Daenerys' gaze flashed to his furiously. "Men," he hissed again. "You're a _woman_." He spat the word as though it were distasteful or offensive in some way. "And you have no business here."

Daenerys heard a soft growl behind her and she curled her fist, hoping that Loki would get the message and not retaliate. She was pleased when he did not intercede since that would only confirm what this vulgar ranger already thought about her. Maester Aemon's blind eyes shifted in the direction of the man, a soft sound of disapproval escaping his throat. "Ser Alliser," he acknowledged by way of introduction. "Acting Lord Commander."

Daenerys regarded the man in front of her with cool detachment. "And yet without this _woman's_ help, you will not survive until morning," she responded smoothly.

"The men of the Night's Watch have defended the Wall for thousands of years," Ser Alliser retorted harshly.

"So imagine the embarrassment if the defences were to fall in one night," she said, her eyes narrowing. "_Acting_ Lord Commander." She put the same emphasis on his title that he had placed upon her gender, smiling triumphantly when she saw a muscle tick in his aged jaw.

She ignored him then and glanced at the men around her. "You are mistaken to think that I am your enemy. I do not come here to relieve your commanders of their duty or to disrespect the defences you have upheld. I come merely to offer assistance against the army that marches upon the Wall. I know the White Walkers have come."

Ser Alliser snorted. "Are you daft, girl?" he demanded. "An army of Wildlings marches upon the Wall. Crazed savages, not White Walkers."

"Is that so?" she asked calmly, refusing to cower to his will. She noticed that many of the men looked uncomfortable with the way he was addressing her but still they held their tongues. They were either very loyal or very fearful of this man. It seemed that they were still unaware of who she was or at the very least they were uncertain of what to make of her. One thing for certain was that she could see the conflict in their eyes; the respect they held for Maester Aemon battled against their sense of duty to their Lord Commander.

"It is so. Pray tell, what weapons does a silver wench such as yourself have that would be of any use to us?" Ser Alliser hissed.

"I'd be happy to demonstrate," Loki spoke at last, unable to withhold the warning tone that seeped through his words. He could hardly believe the gall of this man and it was only for the love of the woman in front of him that he did stake the Lord Commander upon the ice.

"This is your kingdom," Thor spoke up as well, his large arm jutting towards the colossal icy fortress outside the chambers. "But mark my words when I tell you that it will fall within hours if you do not listen to this woman."

Daenerys eyed Ser Alliser once more before turning from him, impatient with his failed attempts at negotiations.

"I want to speak to the man in charge," she demanded.

"I am the Acting Lord Commander," Ser Alliser growled.

"Someone else in charge," she said in a bored tone.

Maester Aemon's lips quirked in a proud smile. "Samwell Tarly," he called loudly as a door to his right banged open, nearly making Daenerys jump.

A rather large steward came bustling in to stand beside Maester Aemon, his eyes widening a fraction when he encountered the sight of Daenerys, Loki and Thor. He did not have the typical build or appearance of a man of the Night's Watch but he had a kind face.

"Yes, Maester?" he queried, smiling nervously at Daenerys when she met his gaze.

"Fetch Jon Snow from the top of the Wall," Maester Aemon requested. "Tell him we have guests from the South that he should meet. It cannot wait."

The steward hurried out without another word and Daenerys returned her focus to the Acting Lord Commander as his face grew red with rage.

"You _dare_ undermine my authority?" he said between clenched teeth.

Sensing the inevitable retaliation from Loki, Daenerys stepped right up to the Lord Commander until the crown of her head almost grazed his chin. As a reflex, he stepped back, not out of fear but so she would not bump against him inappropriately. Daenerys noted each of his movements with satisfaction, pleased with her assessment of this man. He was rude, ignorant and cruel in his command but he did not act out of selfishness or disdain for the realm. The years had taught him to be harsh but Daenerys had nothing to gain from him being hurt by Loki simply because he had offended her.

"Enough," she whispered dangerously. "Far be it for me to have to prove myself to someone like you, but if you truly wish to see the weapons that I speak of... then follow me."

She strode past without another word and several dozen men scrambled and clamoured to follow her out into the courtyard. It was not a question of loyalty to their Lord Commander anymore but plain curiosity and perhaps even a vain hope for victory that the men held in their hearts. Her boots sank into the soft snow as she walked across the court yard, attracting the stares of some of the younger boys who had yet to encounter her.

"Open the gates," she ordered, coming to a stop in front of the giant metal doors. A shout from further up signalled that the gates were about to open and as the metal groaned in protest from the weight of being lifted in the frozen air, Ser Alliser came to stand beside Daenerys cautiously.

"Is this a trick?" he asked her directly as Loki and Thor came to stand on her other side, eyeing the creaking gate with wary interest.

"No trick," Daenerys responded. "I wouldn't gamble with this many lives."

Daenerys paused for a moment as the men peered through the gates into the seemingly empty white landscape beyond the doors. As the gates opened fully, she looked to Loki and gave him a short nod. His eyes sparkled with mischief and he dropped the illusion that had been shielding her dragons from sight since they had reached the Wall.

Snow and fire suddenly exploded into the keep and the alarmed shouts of the Night's Watch could be heard across the grounds as three fierce and snarling dragons tumbled through the gates. Her largest, Drogon, slid across the snow with his claws, coming to a halt in front of his Mother as he eyed the foreigners dangerously. Rhaegal and Viserion stopped behind Loki and Thor consecutively, tilting their giant reptilian heads in every direction as they surveyed their surroundings.

"Do not harm them," Daenerys said loudly as she stood her ground whilst the men of the Night's Watch scrambled for either cover or their swords. "And they will not harm you."

"By the Gods," Ser Alliser moaned, pulling himself to his feet from where he had fallen in the snow. "Dragons." He marvelled at the creatures before him, his gaze roving from their sharply curved claws to the flickers of flame that slipped through the gaps in their teeth. His eyes at last fell upon Daenerys and she searched his face for signs of fear or violence but she was unable to find any.

"It's true," he whispered as a deadly silence fell over the keep, the men too afraid to make any sudden movement in front of the deadly beasts. "You are the Mother of Dragons."

Blue fire erupted at Daenerys' fingertips, travelling up her arms as she lifted her palm to Drogon's neck. The flames danced from her skin to the scales of her dragon but her beast did not flinch, trusting her completely not to hurt him as she stroked the scales by his face.

"I am," Daenerys responded and she prayed to whatever Gods were listening that this man would see sense. If she couldn't convince the Night's Watch to stand beside her in the battle, she feared they would not make it.

Ser Alliser remained frozen in place for a long while before astonishingly he sank to his knees in the snow. His men were dumbfounded, looking at Ser Alliser and then to each other in confusion as their Lord Commander knelt before Daenerys.

"What are you all doin'?" Ser Alliser abrubtly growled, glaring at his men from his position in the snow. "Bend the knee to your Queen."

And just like that, the entire black keep of the Crows bent in unison to the young dragon Queen. Thor smiled at the sight, turning his attention to his brother but Loki was not watching the men who bowed to Daenerys. His eyes were only for his Dragon Queen, the one who carried his child and wept for the deaths of mortals. Her gaze was drawn to his in turn and he saw the relief in her eyes. It was not their obedience she desired but their cooperation and she had just gotten both. Despite this small victory, Daenerys still felt a brimming uncertainty within her as she had yet to see Melisandre, the red priestess among the company of the Night's Watch. _Hadn't she said that the Red God would be here?_

The clamber of footsteps momentarily drew her focus to the base of the keep as a ranger with dark curly hair appeared in the door, turning his head to regard the sight before him. His dark gaze met with Daenerys and she suddenly felt another spike in power as her stomach contracted tightly. Her surprise nearly overwhelmed her and she wondered for a moment what had caused the familiar sensation of her blood calling to another.

As the ranger approached however, she felt the sensation again and her lips parted in amazement as she realised that this man must somehow share her blood. She heard the dismissive grunt of Ser Alliser in front of her as he turned to see what had caught her gaze. "The wolf," he commented snidely and she saw that the ranger did indeed have a ghostly white Dire wolf trailing along behind him.

Her lips then turned up in a smile as the ranger stopped in front of her and she faintly recognised the delicate features of the Targaryen lineage in his handsome face.

"A dragon," she whispered and the ranger tilted his head slightly as though confused by her words.

More footsteps and a thinner ranger appeared behind the dark one. He froze as he reached the bottom of the steps, taking in the sight of a small, silver haired woman flanked by three enormous dragons.

"Well I'll be damned," he muttered audibly. "What was that you were saying about miracles again Snow?"

* * *

><p><em>I'm a slow dying flower<br>Frost killing hour  
>The sweet turning sour<br>And untouchable_

Do you remember the way  
>That you touched me before<br>All the trembling sweetness  
>I loved and adored?<p>

* * *

><p><em><strong>Daenerys<strong>_

"Do they have names? Your dragons, I mean?" the large steward asked Daenerys once they were all settled back within the council halls. They had only a small window of opportunity to discuss their plan of attack and yet the men seemed more interested in her dragons rather than war itself. She was seated at a large table with Ser Alliser, Maester Aemon and the young Targaryen ranger as well as several stewards as they all eyed her expectantly. It felt odd, having such a placid and casual conversation with trained warriors when a war was approaching but she found herself fast becoming attached to her new comrades. She glanced at the steward who had spoken, having since learned that his name was Samwell Tarly and that she had been right in her assessment of him. He was a kind soul and oddly loyal to this Jon Snow, the young ranger who also happened to share her blood.

"Yes," she responded with a pleasant smile. "Would you like to hear them?"

Sam nodded in excitement as some of the other men chuckled at his eagerness. "Well, Drogon is the largest," she said. "His colouring is quite dark, you'll notice. Some even call him the Winged Shadow."

She almost laughed when some of the other men leaned forward in interest and she wondered when was the last time they had heard a story or had some light conversation. "Rhaegal is my gentle dragon," she explained. "Named after my older brother who was always so kind to the people he cared for. His colouring is green and bronze. Then there is Viserion, named after my other brother, mostly for his temper. His markings are gold and cream."

"And what do you call the little one?"

Daenerys snapped to attention when Sam spoke again, following his gaze to her youngest dragon who was now sitting contentedly upon Loki's lap a table away from them. Loki sniggered when he saw her furious glare, for she had been unaware of Loreley's presence up until then.

_Damn illusions,_ she thought angrily.

"You brought Loreley?" she hissed in accusation, knowing he could hear her. He shrugged helplessly from his position before getting up and bringing the young dragon to her mother.

"You try refusing this creature," he smirked at her, rubbing the purring dragon affectionately under her neck scales. Like her other dragons, Loreley had gotten bigger over the time and Daenerys knew that soon she would not even fit upon Loki's lap.

"She's just a baby," Daenerys said angrily as she held her hands out for her youngest dragon who happily crept along her outstretched arm and onto the back of her neck, wrapping around her like some ethereal and bizarre neckless.

"Incredible," Sam breathed as he gazed in awe at Loreley. "Just incredible."

He returned his gaze to the men at the table as he smiled at them confidently. "We're going to win," he said with conviction. "The White Walkers won't stand a chance against the fire of these dragons. And the Wildlings? They'll take one look at these creatures and run back to their Mothers' breasts like scared little children!"

There was a resounding chorus of approval across the room and Daenerys felt her heart sink as she realised she would have to tell them the awful truth. An army of fire demons would soon be upon them if it wasn't already and they would in all likelihood tear this keep apart and burn the remains. Ser Alliser and the rangers began arguing tactics as they planned their front lines of defence for the White Walkers rather than the Wildlings and Daenerys pressed her lips together, unable to force this new horror upon them.

"You don't seem very reassured, my Lady," the quiet voice of Jon Snow reached her ears and she turned to regard him.

"The Wildlings are not a concern to me," she murmured softly and he nodded as though he realised it too.

"There are other things that move in the dark," he agreed. "They belong to the cold. They _are_ the cold and they bring the darkness with them."

"There's more," she said regretfully. "The Red God has awoken. A false god; a demon with immeasurable power. He plans to meet the leader of the White Walkers in battle. Their slaughter and thirst for bloodshed will rip this continent apart."

"Can you be sure of this?" he breathed, aghast.

"I have seen it myself," she said, unable to keep the tremor from her voice. "I have seen what he can do. His wrath tore apart the city of Meereen. Not even the bones of the dead survived."

Jon Snow stared at her in horror. "If that's true, then Gods save us. How are we to do battle with two immortal armies on the same front? And hold off the Wildlings?"

"You need them on your side," Loki interjected quietly, having heard Jon's concerns. "The Wildlings and your people share a common enemy now. They have the numbers. And you'll need numbers to fight an immortal army."

"How?" Jon asked, staring at Daenerys and Loki. "I was a man on the inside for several months. I fought beside them, I watched them die beside me. I was one of them for a time and I could not convince them not to go to war against the South."

"They want to be on the other side of the Wall, correct?" Loki stated and Jon nodded slowly. "They'll have three rather large and angry dragons to get through if they want to be on the safe side of the Wall. I'm sure they can be sawyed."

Jon seemed to recognise the sense in his statement but he still remained unconvinced. "They still won't fight for us," he said quietly. "They're proud of their freedom and they won't give it up fighting White Walkers. What makes you certain you can change their minds?"

"Give me ten minutes with them," Loki said with a sadistic grin.

* * *

><p><em>I need<br>The darkness  
>The sweetness<br>The sadness  
>The weakness<br>I need this_

_I need_  
><em>A lullaby<em>  
><em>A kiss goodnight<em>  
><em>The angel sweet<em>  
><em>Love of my life<em>  
><em>Oh, I need this<em>


	11. Chapter 11: Possession

**Chapter 11: Possession**

* * *

><p><em><strong>Jon Snow<strong>_

"Something's out there," Samwell said softly, staring out at the darkness. Jon squinted in the direction that Samwell indicated, blinking his eyes against the softly falling snow. They were atop the Wall once more, keeping watch for signs of disturbance. From up there, all that could be seen were the distant flames of the wildling camp. They hadn't gotten any closer over the past couple of hours and Jon wondered if something else was holding them up.

Jon swallowed. "It's just the Wildlings, Sam," he lied, casting his eyes elsewhere as he remembered Daenerys' warning. _Demons. Demons and an army of the dead were coming for them._

"No, it's not" Sam said, shaking his head. "And it's not the White Walkers either. I know now." He twisted his hands nervously. "We might die tonight," he whispered miserably. "We might actually die and all I can think about is how glad I am to have come here."

Jon's lips pulled back in a bemused smile. "What?"

"Think about it," Sam said, as though it made perfect sense. "I wouldn't have survived that long at home, the way I was going anyway. I had no friends and my own family were ashamed of me."

Jon felt anger at his words but he did not interrupt. "But," Sam added a tad more cheerfully. "Now I have Gilly." Jon's eyes flicked to his and he smirked when Sam went bright red. "I mean I don't _have_ Gilly of course," he stuttered. "I just meant that… I met her and everything was different. I had meaning… do you know what I mean?"

"Yeah, Sam," Jon smiled, thinking of Ygritte. "I know what you mean." _She was out there right now._ He tried not to think of what might happen if they were to meet in combat.

"I was a coward before I met her," Sam admitted quietly. "I'm still a coward in some ways."

"You're not," Jon bit out harshly. He placed one cold glove against Sam's shoulder. "It's different; you were just afraid. Fear doesn't make men cowards."

Sam's lips twitched gratefully. "And what does make a man a coward then?"

"The absence of hope." Jon turned towards the voice that had spoken, moving aside swiftly as the cold man with piercing blue eyes strode out of the darkness. He did not dress as the others did and Jon found it oddly powerful. The snow did not cling to him as it did the other men either and Jon eyed him warily, recalling how this was the man who had offered to turn the Wildlings for them. Sam stepped closer to him, almost reflexively. Although this man was Daenerys' comrade, and perhaps even lover, there was something very unsettling about him.

"It's odd isn't it?" the man said, tilting his head as he peered over the edge of the Wall. "When a man has nothing to hope for, he has nothing left to fight for. You'll see it before the night is done. Men will flee. Men will always flee. But cowards will throw others to the slaughter. They will crawl over the bodies of their comrades just for a few precious seconds of life."

"Perhaps some men simply weren't made for war," Jon said stonily, feeling as though his statement of cowards applied to more men in the Night's Watch than he would care to admit.

The man smiled, his teeth bared in an aggressive manner. "Of course not," he said, chuckling as though to some private joke. "Men go to battle; women wage wars."

He moved past them then, hoisting himself onto the ledge and Jon froze in alarm. Sam's mouth dropped as the man poised on the edge of the Wall, sceptre in hand as though he were about to leap off.

"Careful," Jon hissed. "More cautious men than you have tumbled from this Wall!"

The man angled his head slightly but kept his gaze trained on the darkness. The corners of his eyes glittered with something unnatural, something dangerous. "I'm not a man," he said quietly. The words hung in the air like a deadly promise before the he threw himself off the edge, vanishing into the cold blackness.

Jon felt all the breath leave his lungs as he lunged toward the railing. His hands gripped the icy barrier uselessly as he stared after the spectre, unable to comprehend how a man could so carelessly throw his life away. He half expected to hear the sound of bones shattering along the exterior of the Wall but all that could be heard was the howling of the North wind and his own ragged breathing.

"Well," Sam cleared his throat after a few moments. "He's a bit of an odd one isn't he?"

"He's dead, Sam," Jon growled. "No one could survive that."

"But he's not a man," Sam repeated, clearly under the illusion that this man had his head on straight.

"Sam," Jon scolded.

"You've just seen three dragons come billowing into the Keep like they were a couple of trained dogs," Sam admonished. "There's an army of Wildlings, Giants and White Walkers almost at our doorstep. Not to mention that unsettling bond you have with Ghost."

Jon's eyes narrowed somewhat defensively at the mention of his wolf but Sam just chuckled. "I'm just saying that someone jumping off the Wall, man or not, seems kind of ordinary at this point."

Jon was quiet for a moment, staring first at Sam, then the railing and then back to Sam again. "Well I'm not about to try it myself," he grumbled lightly.

Sam chortled with laughter. "Of course not," he gasped. "You'rea _man_!"

Jon cuffed him playfully upside the head and they returned their gaze towards the distant wilding army. There seemed to be less war fires then before and Jon frowned for a moment as he noted one of the fires extinguish before his eyes.

"He couldn't be there already could he?" Sam asked uncertainly at his side.

A series of screams echoed from below and Jon whipped his head towards the sound. Sam paled even further before scrambling after Jon as they both made a mad dash for the lift.

* * *

><p><em><strong>Daenerys<strong>_

A man of the Night's Watch stood before them all, blade drawn not against his brothers, but poised against his own neck. His eyes appeared endless, the pupils clouded over in a dark, inky abyss. His mouth hung open in a crazed gasp, blood and drool dripping from the corner as though he were being torn apart from the inside.

Daenerys had been thrust behind Thor's mighty form, hammer poised defensively as all the men in the Hall fell back in in horror. There, strewn across the floor were the bodies of six men, butchered by their own knives and bleeding black and red all over the stone. The force with which they had cut their own necks was so strong that they had nearly severed their heads from their bodies.

"Fools," an unnatural voice tore from the throat of the man who stood before them now, blade pressing against his own vulnerable jugular. "You think to rise against _me?_" The man laughed, an awful wet sound of blood that was welling within the man's lungs. Daenerys felt her body wracked with a terrible shudder at the sound of bones snapping within the man's body. But still he stood, the possession keeping him from physically dying.

"You are all merely in my _way_." Blood spilled from the man's eyes now and Daenerys couldn't take anymore. This was beyond torture.

"Stop!" she cried but she was met with only sinister laughter. Thor's grip tightened on her as she fought against his hold. "Let him go!"

_Where was Loki? _She thought desperately.

A couple of the Night's Watch piled forward, intent on helping their brother but screamed and fell back at once as flames suddenly erupted, licking up the stone. The possessed man cackled madly, pressing the blade further into his neck until the tip disappeared through the skin. The fiery barrier burned unnaturally across the stone and though it must have provided some measure of warmth in this icy fortress, the men did not dare approach it.

"Coward!" Daenerys shouted shoving Thor's arm aside to his utter astonishment. She drew her Valyrian steel blade from the strap at her thigh and moved towards the flames, aware that she may be the only one able to cross them.

Thor made an attempt to grab her arm but let out a quick curse and withdrew as his fingers touched her searing skin. "Do your own bidding," she snarled as she neared the fire, eyes fixed on the bloody man. "Present yourself in the flesh!"

"It is _all_ flesh to me," the possessed man rasped, eyes flashing. He lifted the hand not pressed against his own neck, sweeping it around in a gesture. The flames burned taller, brighter. "All of you are nothing but meat… meat for burning!"

"You can't burn me!" Daenerys threatened as she stepped through the fire, ignoring the panicked cries of the men behind her.

The man smiled then, his face splitting open from lip to ear and Daenerys felt her stomach turn.

"You're very eager aren't you Mother of Dragons?" He sneered, pulling the blade from his neck now and twirling it leisurely. His black, bleeding eyes flickered briefly to the flames, ensuring they burned hotly enough so no one would disturb them. Daenerys could hear Thor calling her name and the sounds of scuffle behind the crackling flames, but she ignored them as she concentrated on the creature in front of her.

"So eager to prove yourself to all these men," the possessed man murmured as he stepped toward her. "There's a name for women like you who require an audience." He stared at her blankly. "_Whore."_

"You're the one wearing a man like an accessory," she spat and she lunged then, aiming for his jugular to put the man out of his misery.

Even in his wretched state, he easily dodged her attack so that she stumbled past him. She whirled, raising her dagger and charged for him again. This time he swatted her blade aside, his bloodied hand coming up to seize her neck. She gasped and he drew her in close, so close that the blood from his mouth spilled across her collarbone.

"Your blue flames cannot help you when I am in this form," his voice hissed at her. He ran a slippery finger across her neck, mimicking drawing a blade across her skin. "I could slit your pretty throat right now. After all, you are no fighter…"

An odd rattling sound escaped his mouth then and Daenerys was able to wrench herself from his grasp. She stared with wide eyes, bracing herself for whatever horror would come spilling from that gaping hole. Her eyes travelled downward however to the silver blade now jutting from the man's chest.

Jon Snow stepped out from behind the man, grunting with effort as he tugged the great sword free. The body slumped to the floor, the dark eyes fading into dull pupils once again. The fire soon followed, bleeding down to nothing but smoke and revealing the carnage left behind.

"Are you alright milady?" Jon asked, moving quickly to her side as his hand came up to brace her shoulder.

"Thank you," Daenerys whispered, ashamed of how close she had come to defeat.

Thor rushed forward, unencumbered now and shoved Jon aside as he whipped Daenerys into a fierce hug. "That was foolish," he thundered against her neck and her body quaked with his anger. His hold soon gentled however as he felt her shaking against him. She moved her face from his shoulder, surveying the damage left behind.

Men lay bleeding and scattered all over the place, many still alive but there were more dead than before Daenerys stepped through the flames. "What happened?" She trembled.

"He took a hold of some more men," Thor said in disgust. "Used them to turn on each other." He shook his head. "I've rarely seen power like this."

"He could have finished us all," Daenerys admitted, the idea was terrible to her but true. "He had us. And he wasn't even in his true form." She gazed at the dead possessed men and then to Jon who was helping some of his injured brothers. She bent to a man near her feet, arranging his head upon her lap as he breathed raggedly, bleeding from a gash on his forehead.

"Your sword," she said, raising her voice so that Jon turned to her. "What is it made of?" She waited, certain she already knew the answer.

Jon's eyes flicked to the weapon that lay at his side. "Valyrian steel," he responded, frowning at her in confusion. Daenerys' gaze travelled over his body, taking note of the lack of burns which should have scorched his flesh.

Jon seemed uncomfortable under her scrutiny and he stood, raising his eyes to her in question. "Valyrian steel is forged from dragon's fire," she said slowly, her gaze returning to the bloodied metal of the blade.

Jon's eyes widened. "How do you know that?" he demanded. "I thought the methods of making Valyrian steel were lost."

"It is known by my family," she said, propping the man in her lap against the wall, "but not many others." She dabbed at the cut on his head with the hem of her cloak, breathing a small sigh of relief when he winced but opened his eyes a little woozily. He blinked at her and gave her a crooked smile. Assured he would recover, Daenerys stood.

Jon picked up his sword, gazing down its length and the distinctive metal ripple of the blade that identified it as Valyrian steel. "This demon can be hurt by dragonfire?" he guessed. "How is that possible when he wields his own fire?"

Daenerys felt her stomach drop however at the mention of the word 'dragonfire.' _Her dragons!_

She tore past Jon, followed closely by Thor as she raced out to the courtyard. _If he had hurt them…_

She yanked open the door at the foot of the stairs, and skidded to a halt in the snow that caked the path. What she saw in that moment was both welcoming, terrifying and confusing all at once.

She heard Thor crash to a stop as well but she couldn't tear her gaze away from the sight before her.

"What in Odin's name?" She heard him breathe. "What happened?"

Loki had the sharp end of his sceptre lodged deep into the icy ground, a blue hue tinging the snow around him. Daenerys' three dragons crouched behind him, their great forms taking up most of the courtyard and yet they seemed to be oddly immobile. Loki, for his part, kneeled behind his sceptre, his hair matted and sweat beading across his forehead. The dragons growled, tossing their heads in irritation but still they remained firmly in place, their claws scrabbling and grating into the snow.

"Loki?" Daenerys murmured, a cold feeling gripping her insides. Loki did not answer her, his gaze fixed firmly upon the snow in front of him. He was panting, as though with exertion and his eyes were glowing that fierce red when he was fighting his Frost Giant side. "Loki?"

Thor tilted his head. "Brother?" he questioned uncertainly. "What are you doing?"

"What does it look like I'm doing?" Loki hissed at last, clenching his teeth as it cost him some of his strength. "I'm trying to keep these damned beasts from destroying us all!"

Thor finally realised what held Daenerys in thrall and he raised his hammer slowly on the defensive. Her dragons all glared at them fiercely, growling at their icy captor, growling at _their mother._

Their eyes were black.

* * *

><p><em><strong>Until next time! Mwah!<strong>_


End file.

Game of Thrones, Romance, Supernatural