Alyx IV

Alyx Bolton was finally starting to feel at home at the Dreadfort when her new husband was called away. She found herself moping in her chambers after unnecessarily going over accounts for the third time. It had always been her dream to be a great lady, and now she was all but mistress of a strong castle with plenty of coin to play with. There were moves to be made, for a certainty, and yet the days had lost their savor with her bed empty. Mordaena, as ever, proved a comfort.

"It will not always be thus," she assured Alyx and Nym both. "Our man is a man of action, and we love him for it, yes?"

They both nodded.

"Well, by my eyes, the realm is still unstable. King Stannis is new to the throne, and men such as our Domeric will oft be called upon to set the land to rights." Her smile turned as sharp as a dagger, making her look oddly beautiful, though she was still struggling with the baby weight from little Yesenys, Domeric's first daughter. "He has a reputation to uphold, after all. Once the men of iron are cast down, he shall return to us."

"I hope so," complained Lady Nym, who was great with child. It might be any day now. "I still crave his touch, you know. Even like this."

"It was much the same when Yesenys was growing in my belly," Mordaena agreed. "Dom disdains not a plump woman, and we lay together often enough when my time was near. Even as I am now, he visits my bedchamber some nights."

Will it be my turn soon? Alyx wondered. Though it seemed no time at all, they spent many a night abed after their wedding. The feel of his strong body atop her, his seed in her, his skilled touch that was like to set her skin afire, Alyx Bolton could hardly sleep without it, not now that she knew what she was missing.

Then a miracle happened!

***

"Do you really think he'll like this?" Alyx asked Mordaena uneasily. One of their Crannogmen hunters reported that Ser Domeric's host was coming up the causeway even now. Mordaena contrived for them to greet their man at Barrowton, whose fresh-cut stone keep was complete at last, though the curtain wall still had some gaps, it must be admitted.

"It does seem rather...theatrical," Barbrey Martell added.

"Oh, my noble ladies, I assure you Ser Domeric appreciates grand gestures after this manner. He shall be pleased to no end. This I vow!"

Well, if she was sure.

Domeric rode his horse right into the hall and dismounted with a flourish, looking at once handsome, graceful, and deadly. "Auntie! Mordaena! Alyx! I'm so pleased to see you all." His face fell suddenly. "Is Nymeria well?"

"Nymeria?" asked the Stark girl, one of his squires. "You mean my wolf?"

"The other Nymeria, child," Prince Oberyn corrected gently. "My daughter, who is paramour to your master."

"The very same. Is Lady Nym well?" Dom asked again.

"She is," Alyx confirmed. "Nym is just too far along to travel. She rests at the Dreadfort, preparing to give you a child. Speaking of which..." Alyx looked to Mordaena on her left and Barbrey Martell to her right. They each locked eyes and nodded. Very well. On three. "3-2-1-"

"We're pregnant!" cried Alyx, Barbrey, and Mordaena together.

Dom's eyes went wide, and he staggered back. The stunned look on his usually confident face made him seem half a boy. "You...all three...truly?"

Stolen novel; please report.

"Yes," Lady Barbrey confirmed. "I thought I was too old."

"But apparently not," Prince Oberyn said with a self-satisfied chuckle.

"And I have our second child in my belly," Mordaena stated proudly. "No wonder I couldn't lose the weight!"

"So soon," he said in awe. "I had thought...and Alyx as well!" he boomed in sudden recognition. His eyes on her alone set her skin afire.

"Aye, our first. Every one of your women is with child, and your aunt as well."

Without another word, he rushed forward, gathered all three in his arms, and embraced the lot with fierce strength. "It's a blessing from the gods," Domeric declared thickly. Gods, even his hand on her hip drove her wild.

Yet by the feast that night, her husband's joy had deserted him. "Gods, I won't be there when Nym has her baby. I missed Yesenys, and now this."

"You are a great knight," Mordaena said gently, taking his hand in her own, "and knights are called to battle. There will be a time when the battles are done, and we shall be together as one family."

Dom sighed tiredly. "I hope so, Mordaena, but this seems a different sort of battle I'm called to now. Lord Commander Mormont swears the dead rose. Some of my men laughed when they heard, but I know there are powers in this world, things we don't understand."

Prince Oberyn leaned forward in interest. "I have some knowledge of these things. At the Citadel, they are called the 'higher mysteries.' But never have I heard of dead men walking. It seems a tale. Could not some wildlings have feigned death to get close to the lord commander?"

Her husband shook his head. "There are too many details. They said when an arm was hacked off, it tried to climb up Mormont's leg and throttle him. Only fire put them down for good. That's extra strange, don't you think? Mormont has a pet raven, trained to speak a few words. 'Fire!' it cried, over and over, until one of the men thought to fling a lamp at the creature. Might be the bird was a messenger from the gods. Lord Blackwood said the ravens are drawn to heart trees."

"The comet!" Arya Stark said suddenly. "I dreamed of it, only it was like a red key, unlocking a door. All kinds of awful things poured out from behind that door, dead things and cold things, even dragons."

That silenced the whole table. Domeric was the first to find his voice. "Arya, this is the second time. Do you remember when you dreamt of Lannisport burning? The gods may be sending you visions. I want you to keep some parchment and ink in your saddlebags, and write down every dream you remember. Tell me immediately if you dream of something queer. Ah, and always listen to your wolf. Your wolf is a gift from the gods, I'm sure. If they can speak through ravens, why not wolves?"

The girl nodded seriously. "I'll do it, Ser."

Domeric sounded far away. "This world just got a lot more complicated. There is so much we don't understand, but the gods have a plan; never doubt it. I'm so sorry to leave you all like this, but Lord Stark and the Night's Watch need me."

"But you'll be careful, yes?" Alyx's hand drifted to her stomach.

Dom saw. "I will, and I will be there when you have your baby. Give my love to Lady Nym. Tomorrow, we ride for Castle Black!"