MEMORIES OF YOU (Game of Thrones)

-22-

Cassana Baratheon was restless. Once there was one leathered boot on the shores of Driftmark, and she was running to High Tide. Rhogar followed after her, laughing lovingly at the show of affection a mother would go for her son.

If there was a change in their relationship, Lord Stark found it best not to comment. He was happy that the girl he saw as a daughter finally came out from her dark shell. During the first two weeks aboard, he could not see how things would get better, how little of her could remain to win this war. All was worse when Varys informed him of the Targaryen who was blooming in the free cities.

She was quickly gaining strength and popularity. However, she wasn't Westerosi. Cassana Baratheon is a fellow Westerosi and one who is highly respected by most. A Targaryen who claims to come and rule with fire and blood is no true king or queen in his eyes. He would only bow to Cassana and his son. He would have bowed for his son. He would bow to his grandson, the small human who kept him sane in his pain and grief.

"Cas, fireheart, you need to slow down—"

"Rho, I need to see my son. He is almost a year old now. Oh, gods, will he recognize me?", she said, skipping the stairs to enter the castle.

"He will. Although I am no expert in babe language, I am sure I have sat with him long enough to tell him about his brave and fierce parents", he jested, leading her to the chamber where he had placed the child.

And there he was. Onyx hair had started to curl, much like Robb's, and his eyes... they were the exact replica of his. He had her nose, but the rest of the features were clearly Robb's. She watched the child wake up and stare at Rhogar. His eyes shifted warily to the unknown woman. But all he did was extended his arms to be carried by Cassana.

She let out a joyous sob, carrying her son in her arms once again. It felt like she was whole again. As if she had not been torn to pieces once. As if the scars on her back weighed nothing. As if the burden on her shoulders somehow dissipated. And it was because for a moment it did. For a moment, she felt a hand on her shoulder where there was none.

For a moment, he was here too. Robb had been there. Taking care of his son.

The tears that left her eyes shamelessly, cascaded down her cheeks, but she made no effort in cleaning them. All she cared about was having her son back in her arms.

"He is just as beautiful as I left him. Rho, I cannot thank you enough. You saved a piece of me and him, although it was not yours to do so", a gentle smile on her face.

"Cas, I would have done it even if you didn't ask me. He was my friend and the man you loved. A token of your marriage filled with love and happiness, despite the circumstances. And he is your son. The son of the woman I love", he said, kissing the crown of her head lightly.

She smiled at her son, who began to drift off in her arms. From the door, Ned Stark watched the couple. He could not be mad. Cassana Baratheon deserved happiness and so much more. She deserved his honor before, but he had let Robert kill Rhaegar, and his anger to kill the two little kids that Elia Martell died protecting. Then, he broke his promise to Lyanna. She sent Cassana back to King's Landing.

"Fireheart, you are tired. Please let me show you to your chambers. I have to settle some things before I sleep—"

"Please, stay with me. Please—"

She did not stand sleeping in silence. Sleeping in the dark, waiting for someone to light a torch near her face. Or waiting for Joffrey to come and torture her. Waiting for the nightmares to rid her of sleep.

"I told you, we are doing this together. Even if I have to chase away your nightmares, we will do that together", he said, as he offered his arms.

She quickly leaned her head on his chest. For a second, she felt as if everything would be alright.