MEMORIES OF YOU (Game of Thrones)

-8-

Three days had passed since her brother's letter. She had moved every piece into play and had written to the allies she had on the Stormlands, the reach, and the West, even those in Essos and Braavos. She had received word of the Targaryen Dothraki queen who was raising an army from Varys, believing that she was the rightful queen. If she did land in Westeros, Cassana would welcome her, after all, she owed Rhaegar that. Though, if she was asked to bend the knee, she would have a council created to see that she was the rightful heir.

Robb had been very helpful on these stressful days. They had not received word from the wall, and the lords of the North were beginning to gather. She had treated them with hospitality and had seen potential marriages. She wanted her ladies to ally with important people from the South, Stormlands, The Vale, The Reach, or the Riverlands.

Theon and Maester Luwin had also helped to fill the spot of Ser Velaryon, his absence being noted. She missed her friend and confidant, her sworn shield. Although Ser Royce and Mormont had been appointed to the position too, none of them had been as forward as Rhogar, and none had tried to even consider a friendship from duty.

She was in her chambers, she had gotten fresh linen for the bed. Her thoughts drifted to the time she had her first blood. She had been terrified that Cersei would marry her to someone despicable. She did not care if it was improper, but she had pulled Ser Cole inside, to help her flip the cushion to the side that wasn't stained and the sheets to be thrown away. She did not realize she had been crying, and Ser Cole had sent a lady to fetch her brother, not Cersei. He had told her that they were not going to marry the realm's delight, she continued to sob until her brother had rushed inside, thinking the worst. Her sheets had been bloodied and he almost thought an attacker had gotten through the walls. Her eyes teared up.

"Please don't send me away, brother, please don't marry me off to an old lord!", she had said, clinging to her brother.

"Child, who told you I will marry you off? I could never have my little doe leave me. Ser Cole, clear the sheets and have no one know. Bring our fast here instead of my room, and make sure you fig cakes brought for Cassana", he said, sitting and rubbing her back.

Cassana snapped her head, smiling at the memory fondly. She had brought linens, but she hasn't had her blood yet. Her breath faltered. She ran to her journal, where she always tracked her cycles, the pages flipped furiously. Her last moon had been two months ago. The week that followed her marriage, just before she was injured.

"Ser Royce, please fetch Maester Luwin, do it discretely", she commanded, her hands trembling.

The Maester arrived fastly, his worry for Cassana was evident. She pushed her journal towards him.

"I've missed two of my bloods. My accident, I haven't felt the babe move, what if its a stillbirth—", she rambled, her anxiety peeking.

"Princess, I need you to calm down. This is not helping your condition. I will examine you to the best of my ability, and I will determine if the babe is fine", he had said, not giving too much hope to the baby that had been under distress numerous times.

Silence ensued as Cassana's tears clouded her eyes. She had wished her brother to be here, even comforting her. She had dismissed Ser Royce so the Maester could treat her. A few minutes passed until the Maester stood up.

"You are with child, my princess. From what I can tell, there is a heartbeat, and your babe is alright, despite your accident and distress. This is truly a miracle. In your soon departure, you need to avoid riding. There are books about pregnancies in my study, I shall bring them to you promptly. I am sure you would like to share the news with Lord Stark", he said, his eyes twinkling.