𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 ; act two

───────────

     NYMERIA'S FINGERTIPS GENTLY GLIDED OVER HER SWOLLEN STOMACH, eyes glued to the scribbled words of Westeros history, slowly reading them aloud as if her unborn babe could hear her words, body propped up on the pillows that were behind her back, bed dipping beneath her weight.

  On orders of the Maester — technically Jacaerys after he threatened said Maester — Nymeria was to remain a bed until the babe had been born into the world, and as much as Nymeria pretended to be confident about the matter, she could feel the swelling dread deep inside of her gut as the day drew closer. Her mind reeled constantly over the possibilities of things going wrong, running over every scenario where she lost her baby — which was something Nymeria was sure she could not bear to live through. The mere thought of losing a child that had been with her for nine moons had sent her into more crying fits than she liked to admit aloud, and each time those thoughts plagued her mind, she was thinking of her mother and the brother she would never have.

  Her brown eyes scanned the same line of the history book, a soft sigh escaping from her lips as she slowly lost focus on what she had been reading. Her words had slowly died in her throat, fingers continuing to rub her swollen stomach, already picturing the babe she was to have. One that would be entirely her and Jacaerys. One that would have their brown hair, their brown eyes, one that would have the blood of the wolf and the dragon flowing through their veins — one that would be ice and fire.

  She could picture her babe playing on the sandy beaches of Dragonstone with Jacaerys and Lucerys, training with Ser Vorian — no matter if the babe was born with or without a cock, Nymeria would be sure that her babe was trained properly — and she could imagine taking her babe to the North, where they would meet Cregan, where they would roll around in the winter snow with her and Kalea. Nymeria's mind could paint the picture vividly, a soft smile forming on her face. She once despised the thought of birthing a babe, and now, it seemed to be her source of happiness alongside Jacaerys.

  "You are rather joyful this morrow, Nymeria." Lady Erena's voice was comforting in Nymeria's ears, the older woman entered her bed chambers with a smile, hand slowly stroking Nymeria's brown hair.

  Nymeria smiled up at her, hand never once leaving her swollen stomach, "I am simply thinking about my babe." Nymeria's brown eyes shone beautifully, happiness radiating off of the Stark girl like a wave, infecting those around her in the purest way.

  Lady Erena's hand met Nymeria's on her swollen stomach, a fond smile on the woman's face as her eyes flickered from Nymeria to her stomach, "Any day now, Nymeria."

  At those words, Nymeria felt her heart sink with dread. Any day now something could go wrong within her womb, or even outside of her womb when the babe had been born. Her mouth seemed glued shut as Lady Erena looked down at her with a sudden worry.

  "Nymeria?" Lady Erena questioned softly, taking a seat beside the worried Princess, her hand gently taking Nymeria's, "Sweet girl, what is the matter?"

  Nymeria swallowed thickly. She had never spoken about her feelings of dread about her situation, and she never quite intended to, but deep down she knew she could never lie to the woman she called a mother. She could look the woman in her eyes and deceive her — never. "What. . ." Nymeria swallowed every bit of her pride, eyes glued to her swollen stomach as tears bubbled inside of her brown eyes, now dull with sorrow, "What if I cannot bring a child into this world? If my babe were to die, Erena, I do not believe I could live."

  Lady Erena frowned softly, tightening her grip on Nymeria's hand. She knew this feeling all-too-well. She knew the feeling of cradling a bloody, stillborn babe. She knew the feeling of receiving the news of a babe dying inside of their cradle. She knew the feeling of gazing into a babe's beautiful eyes only for those eyes to dim as its breathing dissipated, as the life left it's body. She knew the feeling all-too-well.

  Lady Erena's hand tightened as a tidal wave of memories washed over her instantly, a small lump beginning to form at the back of her throat, "Nymeria," Her voice cracked slightly, "Sweet girl, look at me." Nymeria's head turned slightly, eyes meeting Lady Erena's, "Childbirth can be hard. It can be so very difficult, that is no secret. Every woman around the world goes through the hardships of this bed... But it is not always tragic. It is hard, not tragic. Not all the time. No matter the outcome of your childbirth, Prince Jacaerys will forever be by yourself, cradling you and holding your hand, Ser Vorian will be here as will I." Lady Erena's voice was cracking softly as tears poured down her cheeks, all she ever needed was for someone to hold her hand through her grief, for someone to hold her and allow her to cry violently, instead, she was cast aside and told she was a useless woman with a poisoned womb.

  Nymeria was heaving for air now, hot, salty tears slowly running down her red cheeks, lips wobbling as air attempted to filter into her gaping lungs. Her fingernails dug into Lady Erena's arm, panic shooting through her chest, the kick of her stomach was unmistakable, the striking pain of cramps entering her body, the feeling of water soaking her bedding. Her brown eyes flickered up to Lady Erena instantly, fear swirling beneath them, "Get the Maesters."

  Lady Erena shot up, her heels clicking against the stone floors of Dragonstone as she rushed out of Nymeria and Jacaerys' shared bed chambers in order to find a Maester. Nymeria's heart beat violently in her chest as pure, unrivaled panic shot through her. She found herself slowly walking out of her bed, hand gripping onto her swollen stomach, other hand gripping onto the top of a plush chair, fingernails digging into it violently as her knuckles turned white. Her body curled over the chair, back blazing in pain as if she had been lit on fire, her abdomen was curling into itself, pain overtaking her senses.

  Her mind had grown foggy as Lady Erena's arms wrapped around her leading her towards her damp bed, Maester Gerardys was beside Lady Erena, a gentle smile on his face as he looked at the woman in labor. Her ears were ringing violently, fingernails digging into Lady Erena's arm as she wailed out in pain. Panicked brown eyes darted all around the room, searching for a specific person only to find nothing. "Where's Jacaerys?" Her voice cracked, tear stained face turning towards Lady Erena with pure fear. Jacaerys had to be there. He had to be beside her, holding her hand, kissing her sweaty forehead. He had to be there when their child was born. Nymeria wouldn't survive if he wasn't there. She couldn't survive.

  "He will be here. Princess Rhaenyra has gone to find him." Lady Erena assured the terrified woman, taking her hand gently and placing a soft kiss on it, "I swear he will not miss this, My Princess."

  Nymeria could only allow more tears to flow freely down her red cheeks. Her abdomen had been clenching violently as a scream ripped through her chest, heart pounding at a scarily fast pace as sweat rolled down from her hair line to her neck, salty tears mixing with the sticky sweat. She was scared, above all, scared of the outcome, scared of Jacaerys not making it in time to be with her, scared that she would die and the babe would never see her. Scared that her babe would come out sickly and weak, unable to live past a night. She could not live with herself if her babe died. She would be stricken with grief, fallen into her own sense of madness as she envisioned her babe's life that had yet to be fulfilled.

  "Let me see her!" The sound of shouting caused Nymeria's head to snap up towards the door of her chamber, the sound of a dragon screeching outside and a wolf howling came through an open window, "She is my wife and I will see her!"

  Nymeria's head snapped towards Lady Erena, a silent message going towards the woman she often called a mother — let him inside before I break. Lady Erena dropped Nymeria's hand, and the Stark woman quickly found herself gripping the blood-stained, wet, sticky sheets beneath her, her knuckles turning a pale white as a guttural groan ripped through her, eyebrows scrunching up in pain, forehead growing wrinkled.

  A soft kiss was placed on her forehead, hand gripping her's, the familiar scent of dragon rushing into her nostrils. Instantly, her head fell onto Jacaerys' shoulder, hand gripping his tightly, but Jacaerys never once rejected the feeling. He never spoke a word of his own pain as Nymeria let out another high-pitched scream, hand tightening around Jacaerys', both of their hands turning a pale white.

  The time ticked by slowly, and Nymeria could feel her body slowly giving out by the time the babe was ready to come out of Nymeria's womb. She was tired, her bones were aching as well as her muscles, her eyes were drooping as she stared up at Jacaerys in fear. The scent of blood was making her mind grow foggy, she felt as if she were floating in the air, everything felt like a distant reality, like if she were to reach out, everyone would disappear into thin air beneath her fingertips. Mayhaps, this was it. Mayhaps, this was finally the moment the Stranger would take her hand and take her away from her new family. Or mayhaps it wasn't her time. Not yet.

  Nymeria didn't recall pushing her babe out, nor did she recall the sound of a babe crying out into the air, or the joyous tears that streamed down her tired face. Her arms gently wrapped around her new babe, a girl. Jacaerys was crying, she did recall, as was Lady Erena. Nymeria's brown eyes stared down at her freshly born girl, tears running down her face as she battled the exhaustion that threatened to whisk her to sleep. "My sweet girl." She cooed out, her finger was shaking as she gently stroked the babe's blood-soaked cheek.

  Nymeria's happiness was short-lived as a wave of pain rushed through her body, and instantly, she transferred the babe into Jacaerys' arms, brown eyes staring up at Lady Erena with terror.

  "'Tis the after-birth, My Princess, no need to fret." Maester Gerardys assured softly, but the pain was racking Nymeria's body as if she was giving birth to another child. More blood soaked the white sheets beneath her sweat-filled body. "Princess, the pain will last for around a day or two. If there are any complications, send for me instantly." The words were directed towards Lady Erena and Prince Jacaerys as The Maester slowly poured Milk of the Poppy down Nymeria's aching throat. The pain slowly subsided to a dull ache in Nymeria's abdomen. The Maester offered a curt bow before exiting the blood scented chambers.

  Nymeria's head slowly turned towards Jacaerys, who was still standing beside their shared bed, rocking their newborn babe back and forth slowly, a gentle smile on his kind face as he cooed down at her.

  Jacaerys' sweet brown eyes turned towards Nymeria, "Have you thought of a name, my dear?"

  Nymeria's brows furrowed tiredly. She had not thought of a name. She had been too riddled with panic and worry to even ponder over a name that would suit their newborn babe, and yet, that panic was still instilled into her heart. Her babe would not die in her cradle without a name. Nymeria would not allow such a thing.

  "Lucera." Nymeria whispered slowly, her eyes slowly closing as she lost her battle with exhaustion, "After her uncle, Luke." Then black engulfed her vision, mind finally allowing some peace after her hard labors.

───────────

  Lucera's excited footsteps ran across the floors of Dragonstone, her wild brunette hair flowing in the wind, brown eyes gleaming with mischief and happiness as she ran. She was freshly two years old, her name-day celebration was to happen in Winterfell to honor her mother's side of the family, and today was the day they were to sail/fly to the cold North.

  The young girl was jumping off the walls with excitement, hands clapping happily as Jacaerys picked her up, throwing her into the air with a wide smile. Their brown eyes were the same, happiness swirling inside of them as Jacaerys walked towards Vermax and a baby Charaya, Lucera's light pink dragon.

  The smaller dragon was eagerly squawking up at Vermax, small teeth digging into the larger dragon's hind legs, and Vermax simply stared at Jacaerys with boredom laced into his dragon features. Jacaerys snorted at the look on his companion's face, it was the same look that Kalea, Nymeria's dire-wolf, had when one of her pups attempted to play with her.

  "Now, issa byka zaldrīzes, you are to ride in the ship with your mother and grandmother, and you are to be on your best behavior." Jacaerys spoke softly, but sternly as he looked at his only daughter. ( my little dragon )

  Lucera pouted. Jacaerys could practically see the mischief swirling in Lucera's brown eyes. She wanted to fly with Jacaerys, he knew, his daughter loved to be on Vermax, in the air, more than she loved to be on the ground — something Nymeria wasn't too fond of, but could do little to change her stubborn daughter's mind. Nymeria could only watch from the ground as she listened to the distant laughter of her daughter and husband, fingers gently petting Kalea and her wolf pups — one of which belonged to Lucera (even if the little girl claimed to own them all).

  "You cannot fly with me to Winterfell." Jacaerys stated firmly, "The journey is far too long, it will be safer for you to be on the ship with your mother, but when we arrive in Winterfell, you and I can go on a flight together." Jacaerys smiled softly, gently poking Lucera's side as the girl's face broke out into a giddy grin.

  When Jacaerys set his daughter down, the girl was quick to run towards her tiny dragon and Jacaerys' larger dragon. Vermax had grown accustomed to the feeling of Lucera's tiny hands poking and petting his scales, as well as Charaya's annoying nips at his wings, hind legs, and tail.

  Nymeria slowly walked towards her husband, a gray dire-wolf pup in her arms, Kalea hot on her heels, a spotted black and white dire-wolf pup trailing behind the older wolf. She greeted the Velaryon Prince with a soft kiss on the cheek, brown eyes shining as she stared at her young daughter playing with Vermax and Charaya. "Vermax looks quite bored." Nymeria jested softly, lips turning upward.

  Jacaerys' arm was quick to wrap around Nymeria's waist, looking down at her with a small smile, soft and loving, eyes shining with pure adoration as he took in her features, never once would he become bored of admiring her. "That he does." Jacaerys allowed a soft chuckle to tumble from his lips. "Two pups?"

  Nymeria nodded, "My brother's wife is with child, and I wished to bring her and the unborn babe a gift." Nymeria smiled down at the gray dire-wolf pup, the gift for her dear brother and his lady wife, fingers weaving their way through the pup's soft fur.

  "Lord Cregan will appreciate the gesture as will Lady Arra." Jacaerys replied softly, placing a kiss on Nymeria's temple before Princess Rhaenyra and Prince Daemon were rushing them onto the ships to sail towards the North.

  Jacaerys and Lucerys flew in the air happily, and occasionally Daemon would join them on Caraxes while Lucera pouted. Though, she had fun on the ship, running around with her spotted wolf pup, Aneria, and the gray wolf pup that would go to her uncle and good-aunt for when her cousin was to be born. She had fun sword-fighting with little Aegon, Rhaenyra and Daemon's son, who was seven years her senior, and Viserys, Rhaenyra and Daemon's second born son, who was five years her senior.

  Nymeria watched from the side, sitting with Princess Rhaenyra and Lady Erena, the three women sipping on wine as they spoke about a range of topics. From the Princess Rhaenyra's children to Princess Nymeria's freshly two year old daughter and rounding back to Lady Erena and her travels before Nymeria and Dragonstone.

  It had become moments like these that Nymeria had treasured dearly. The moments where her head was thrown back with laughter, the moments where she tenderly wiped away the blood that Lucera had gained from playing with her elder uncles, the moments where she lovingly looked at Jacaerys. The moments when she could embrace Cregan in a bone-crushing hug, brother and sister reunited where they had been born. The moment when she could embrace Cregan's new wife, Lady Arra Norrey, gifting her and her dear brother with a soft gray dire-wolf pup. The moment when she could smile along with Lady Arra as she gently cradled the wolf pup, the moment when Lady Arra was officially a member of the Stark family.

  It was moments like these when Nymeria wished time would freeze and she could simply stay in that moment forever.

  Unfortunately for the Stark woman, time could not be frozen, and heartbreak could not be stopped. 

─── NOTE ;
happy mother's day everyone!

also, updates will not be as often
unfortunately. it's finals week for
the next two weeks and i am slumped
with work and exhaustion so writing is
like in the back of my mind