"Your grace, there will be a meeting amongst all the Lords in the North later today. The Lord Snow has requested you sit with them." Dominic explained to the Queen as they stood on one of the many balconies overlooking Winterfell.

Her hands clenched around the wooden bannisters, eyes on the entrance as her mind wandered in pure worry. "Lord— have you heard anything?"

He smiled calmly and nodded his head, "they'll arrive soon, your grace, your cousin will see to it. Your babes will be back in your arms before the night."

She nodded, her stomach settling knowing that her children were with Amina and Elaine, women who loved her children nearly as much as she did. Her stomach had been in knots since the war had ended and the Starks has taken Winterfell once more. This had been the longest time her children and her had been separated. She'd barely slept in the night, knowing that they were somewhere out of her sight.

Even the incoming footsteps did little to gain her attention as Monterroso cleared his throat to seemingly tell her someone was approaching. "Lord Snow, your grace, I'll leave you."

She gave him a half smile, knowing when he said leave he didn't actually mean it. Since the red wedding and the birth of her twins it was an odd day when Monterroso was not nearby, and if it was not him then her Queensguard was close.

"You look worried, I've never seen you brood that much." Jon spoke to her, noticing how her mouth was set in a permanent  frown and even though the pink to her cheeks indicated she was beyond freezing nothing seemed to move her from her stance. Jon took the time to get a long hard look at her face, remembering the girl that he'd grown up with. One of the last times he'd seen her she was very well drunk, soft giggles had left her lips repeatedly as she's held to him for dear life. That had been a girl however, one naive and free the women he met yesterday as she'd gotten off her horse and helped him to get medical assistance was different. He saw it in the darker hue to her iris's and the thin lines that were setting around her eyes as well as the crown on her head. She was still beautiful, but a different kind, like maturity had given her a certain lust.

Victoria finally looked at him, a small sheepish smile appeared as she turned away and took his arm. Jon offered her the crook to his arm and the two walked, the Lady speaking. "I left some people behind in case this went to shit, luckily, it didn't and now I can't stop thinking about them until they arrive."

"You're the Queen of Dorne, the ruler of your country and you're telling me there was someone of more value left behind then you." Jon seemed to crack a smile at that notion, wondering just who it was that the royal was worried for.

"Yes! Have you not been listening to me speak, Jon?" She playfully quipped back. They came to the main level of the fortress, watching as Lords looked their way as they began to arrive and Sansa appeared with Lady Brienne at her side. She could feel the eyes on her golden crown, how they seemed to trail from her to its position over her head and then to Jon. She knew that her ascension to the crown had been a shock to most northerns which was why the next surprise would be needed to carefully be calculated.

Victoria decided that telling them about her children would be less enjoyable then actually surprising them with the twins so she changed the subject. She turned so she stepped in front of Jon and he stopped walking. "You look exhausted, Jon, you should be resting your battle wounds not overseeing the arrival of guests."

It worked as Jon's attitude grew serious. "These men haven't come to see me sleep, they've come to negotiate new terms for the North."

Victoria looked around, seeing many northern Lords talking together and occasionally looking their way. "With all the shit they've put you through they bloody well deserve to wait a day or two. They didn't come to your families aid when you needed it, they pledged their lives for the Starks and turned their backs when you needed it the most and now they've come because you saved all their asses. Had you not put a stop to the Boltons all these Lords would have been at the hands of Ramsay."

"I'm not a Stark." Jon respondes back.

Victoria looked at him and touched his cheek with her gloves hand, smilingly smugly and winking, "this is a Stark home, and no one deserves the name more then you. You've fought for its right, bastard or not Stark blood runs in your veins."

"OPEN THE GATES!"

The booming announcement has Victoria whipping around to see just show as arriving. Jon looked confused, his eyes flashing to an approaching Sansa who also seemed intrigued. The trio watched as a small carriage came in, it would have nearly passed for the ride of a commoner has the sealed windows not been a constant reminder. Victoria briefly caught a glimpse of her family colors under the conductors dirtied cloak and she was dashing towards it as it came to a stop.

Jon and Sansa followed behind, losing the women for a brief second as she ducked to the left with Monterroso behind her. The doors screeched open and a first of voices yelled out, "MAMÁ!"

Victoria's cry of cheer follows before Sansa and Jon got the slightest clue of what occurred and when they finally managed to see neither of the two knew what to say.

Victoria dropped to her knees, arms clutching two little kids to her chest. They could only see the tops of their heads, a thick coil of dark, nearly brown with hints of copper hair. Both were the same height, clearly twins, yet one was a beautiful girl with loose ringlets and the other was a boy. Victoria pulled her arms back and then covered their faces with her hands, kissing both children as emotions flooded through her. "Thank the gods you've come back to me peacefully."

"How'd it go mama? Is Winterfell ours?" The girls voice was chipper, like happiness radiated.

Victoria smiled brightly and choked back tears, "yes, my loves, and I'd love you to meet two people very special to me. They are family."

Jon felt stunned at the revelation, and it didn't take a genius to know what Sansa's immediate reaction would be as well. The redhead had stopped in her tracks, jaw slack as she watched these twins turn and meet their eyes.

Sansa couldn't remember much of a boyish Robb before meeting the eyes of these two little lords but one good look at them and she knew, Robb Stark was alive and well in the spirit of the twins clutching her brothers previously intended. Victoria was glimmering with tears, biting back a sob and composing herself when all of Winterfell stopped to gaze.

Not many could remember the last child here, after the Greyjoy's sack it was a desolate place that saw more carnage then happiness, but now with it back in rightful hands they could see how much more alive it felt with younglings. Winterfell had once been filled with the children of Ned Stark and his father before him, although the Starks were sometimes as cold as winters they are loyal until the very end.

Victoria breathed deeply and smiled at Jon and Sansa, "Valeria, Aleksander these are your fathers siblings... Sansa and Jon."

Jon took a few steps forward, eyes on the boy, he was exactly like Robb, tanner skin and lighter hair but the face was identical. If he was delirious he'd guess that they were children again, gifted another chance to make things right, to keep everyone alive.

The little girl stepped forward and curtsied, much in the way her mother once had, slightly off balanced but determined as her eyes set on Jon Snow.

"Hello, my lady, my lord," her voice was very soft but strong, that of a child with perspective.

Her brother, although much more stern faced followed and grinned, "Lord Stark, Lady Stark."

Jon lifted a brow at his change, but he took a knee, and both came closer to look at him," I'm not a Stark, but it's very good to meet you both."

"So formal," Victoria laughed lowly, and squeezed the tops of her children's shoulders with a caring nature, "hug your uncle."

It seemed like their mother explaining to them the relationship and confirming for them the relation was the final wall that guarded the twins. They both jumped forward and hugged Jon to them. Thick coats and tuffs of hair enveloped Lord Snow and he grunted the surprise but took it happily. They smelled like rich lavender and hints of fruit, like every gift Victoria had brought him from Dorne and the way the halls of Winterfell would smell for a week after the Dornish arrival.

Sansa lowered herself beside him, her dress pooling around her as she inches closer and came to eye level with the twins. She saw in them hope and thrill, everything she had once desired.

"I like your armor, Lord Snow" the little boy, Aleks, said to Jon as he touched the straps of his cloak.

"Call me Uncle Jon," he spoke softly, the little boys cheeks were flush from the winter but it seemed not to both him. He grasped both his arms, "you're tall for your age."

"You have pretty hair." Valeria said to her aunt, her hand daintily reached for one of long locks.

"Yours is prettier." Sansa said softly, and the undeniably dark auburn tone of the girls hair was evident.

Victoria blinked away what little tears wanted to appear, this was the moment she'd waited for, the ones she'd craved at her most desolate. When was the last time she even thought about the still breathing Starks? It felt like the moon had stopped turning, much like her heart had stopped hoping.

She breathed a deep sigh and looked away, a hand pressed against her wrist and she turned to look at Amina who smiled at her.

"My queen," she curtsied, "I hope all is well."

"Now it is." Victoria gave her a soft smile. "The Northern Lords will be hosting a meeting today. We have been asked to join."

"As you wish, your grace." Amina bowed, "can I assume we will also be staying?"

"The Starks have been gracious enough to gift me my old quarters." Victoria responded, "please have all our items moved that way."

"Your old quarters are too small for your court, I'm moving your things to Robb's old quarters." Sansa states and stood. Her smile was directed towards the children, a certain warmth in the look.

"That's not necessary." Victoria lifted a hand, she was quite certain her halls would be cramped but at least everyone would be together and the idea of being anywhere near her former lovers presence made her breath shaky.

"Yes it is," Jon said, he lifted off the ground. "Come on, it's cold, let's get the twins inside."

Sansa took Valeria's hand, pulling her along while Jon and Aleks continued to speak about war and battle. Victoria did not move. She cautiously stayed firm in the courtyard while her children went alongside their blood, and northerners watched, with hints of pride in their eyes

"They blend right in." Amina voiced.

Victoria snapped her head towards her, "not here. Not where the northerners can hear, they won't have my children."

|•|•|•|•|

The clouds above their heads were beginning to darken, tiny speaks of snow were just floating down when the Queen, and her heirs walked the Godswood.

She hummed lowly, a Dornish tune she once heard her father sing. He often hummed Dornish tunes in Winterfell, she liked to think it reminded him of home just like she so desperately clung too.

Valeria and Aleks both ran around the Godswood, their laughs and stomps of feet interrupted the soft melody to their mothers song but ensured they followed her trail.

Victoria turned back, finding that her guards were holding lanterns and illuminating a pathway.

She stood underneath Godswood, it's red leaves were bright amongst the gloomy surroundings and contrasted to the cannery yellows of her coat. She swallows the knot in her throat and called out, "Aleks, Valeria, come here please, I'd like to show you something."

No sooner had she spoke was there feet running at her, they wove around the guards until they stood both in front, Aleks a bit faster then his sister, who held the frown as she approached. The mother stares at both her children with such a tenderness, the eyes of both twins seemed to match her.

"Do you know what this is?" The mother pointed up, to the crimson tree and it's white bark. The small pond beside it was now frozen over, something that hadn't happened in quite some time.

"The Old Gods." Valeria stated confidently, her eyes traveled the large tree, swirling the drastic color change.

"Aye," Victoria took a seat on the bench underneath the tree, bringing the twins closer. The coat her father had once gifted her had now been deconstructed into separate sweaters for the two children with room for them to grow into them longer. She stared at the thick material she'd now used to conceal their identity and now showed proudly and protected. "I spent many days here, back during the long summer. My papa would bring me to Winterfell often, it was where I was to be married, where you to be raised but seasons have changed and the war took the future once promised." She blinked the few tears away as the memories flooded her. "The gods are harsh at times, and sometimes they grant gorgeous destinies. What was promised became something anew, but it would be something I had to show victory and valor for and be unbowed, unbent, unbroken. You two, are my greatest future. Our family words are not just that, within them is a strength unknown to most common man, and here in the north I fear you two must show that worth. I understand that bloods calls to blood, and being here, meeting blood relations must be strong but you mustn't let that fool you, the Northeners are not as welcoming as you might think. They will want you to become apart of them, now that it is known who your father is but you must promise me you will stay true to yourself. Remember who you've come from and what we've done, remember why we are here. Above all, remember that this is not our home, no matter how much they may tell you otherwise."

"Aunt Sansa said we are apart of a pack now, is that not true." Valeria said softly, her eyes seemed observant, like she awaited an explosive reaction.

Victoria lifted a brow, she took her daughters chin in her hand gently, "oh my sweet summer frost, what do you think?"

Valeria took a moment, she had indeed mulled over the words much of the day, and only one conclusion came to her. "I think I already am."

"Aye," Victoria winked at her, "you're panther, you're serpent, and you are dragon, but you also have a bit of a Direwolf in you. However to them you're an outsider still, no matter what she says most will only ever be able to see you in that light."

"We are of royal blood, we have that much over the commoners." Aleks spoke up, his voice was strong, like this was his faith.

Victoria attempted not to laugh, so she smiled softly, "I'd have care of who you say that too, my sweet boy, those words have not faired well for those who use it in the wrong light. You are very right, we have royal blood on both sides, conquerors and warriors are our descendants but that does not give us an instant right to do and say whatever we want, and that lessen will be taught here. Be kind to these people, and if you want learn from your ancestors here but never forget where you come from. The South is our home. Dorne is our home, that is where you both will rule and reign in my name. I love you both, immensely, you must trust me when I say that everything I ask of you is for the greater good of your home, of our people, and of us."

A moment of silence ran through the air, the first she'd ever felt so vulnerable for the two of them. Winterfell, and the Stark's, they retracted the softest of her soul out, often at her anguish, but years had passed and she'd learned better.

Aleks and Valeria shared a look and together they came forward to hug her, overwhelmed by furs and the smells of spices it was easy to envision Dorne in the winter storm.

"Whatever you say, mama." Aleks said softly.

"Whatever you want, mama." Valeria mirrored.

Victoria pulled back softly, seeing their loyalty and nodded, "come now, Uncle Jon wants us to sit with him and the Lords of the North, we mustn't be late."

|•|•|•|•|

Victoria and the twins walked closely, joined by the Queensguard they made quick work back from the Godswood and nearest the stables. They were rounding the corner when Victoria noticed a women, dressed in dark red cloak, saddling a horse. She seemed familiar in that moment, dark burgendy and crimson colors contrasting to the navy and black that was most common scene in the North. The women was working quickly, not removing her gaze from saddling a horse.

"Hello," Victoria called out, smiling once she'd looked up. "Going so soon? Are you sure you wouldn't prefer to stay here where it is warm?"

The women was stunningly beautiful, long tendrils of hair peaking out underneath the cloak, her skin was a porcelain white, and the choker on her neck prominent. She studied Victoria for a moment, switching her gaze to the twins and bowing, "your Grace."

"Thank you friend, have we met?" Victoria softly questioned.

"My lady," Aleks said softly. Valeria stared at the women in silence, tilting her head slightly as if she was gathering information simply by appearances.

"No, your Grace." The women said, her accent wasn't local, certainly not from Westeros. "I am Melisandre, it is an honor."

Victoria gave her a tight lipped smile, the name was as unfamiliar as her accent. "Well, Melisandre, if the northerners have not been kind to you, you're welcome to camp with us, we will head south soon."

"I must go now," Melisandre attempted to softly reject, although there was a sense of desperation in her eyes the longer she spoke. "It was an honor."

"You're not from here," Valeria spoke up, she stepped closer, her dark eyes stared right into Melisandre's without fear.

The women dropped the horse reigns, her eyes never strayed from the child's, she lowered to the ground, fearless of the Queensguard who took a step forward until the Queen stalled them. Victoria breathed slowly, watching and waiting, "I am not, my little Queen, I am from Assaih. You'll know it one day, you'll understand."

"You're a red priestess, a follower of the lord of light. I've seen your kind in Dorne, preaching, converting." Victoria concluded, she briefly flashed back to her many council meetings where the Lord of light and his followers were discussed, they didn't much bother, in fact they calmed much.

"I've heard you've treated us with kindness, thank you, your grace." Melisandre bowed her head to Victoria with sincerity.

Victoria reciprocated and watched as the women stood once more, "you should know, you'll be welcomed in Dorne. I imagine a bit of warmth will be better then this snow."

"My queen," one of her Queensguard stepped forward and pointed at Amina who waited for her near the great hall.

Th Queen signed, "duty awaits, Melisandre, if you decide to go south please tell the boarders I've sent you, they'll provide you with help, I will have someone send word."

"You're much too kind," Melisandre nodded her head, she seemed to pause for a moment. The wind nipped at both women in the silence and Victoria swallowed thickly. The red women dropped her gaze to the children, Aleks who stood tall and guarded his mother, Valeria who stared intrigued and then right back to the mother who was intelligent but held no ideas of what future was in her hands. She seemed to unknowingly ask for anything, so as a sign the women spoke, "he is proud to see you grinning once more, even if it is here. He is proud."

Victoria crinkled her brows, her throat suddenly tightened, the followers of R'hllor were meant to see more then the natural eyes. She'd heard stories, rumors of them seeing the future and hearing the voices of the past, but hearing and seeing were different things. Those words, she's know them anywhere after all, he was engraved in the fine lines of her heart.

It was like the very Marcos Trout has spoken those words to her in that moment, he was there again, by her side, protecting.

Victoria swallowed the lump in her throat and nodded softly, "thank you. I appreciate your candor. Stay safe."

|•|•|•|•|

"Jon." Victoria smiled at her childhood friend, flickering between him and his red headed sister. "Sansa."

Jon and Sansa stood, "your Grace".

Victoria fought the smile that came to her lips as her chair was pulled out, "that's something I will never be accustom too."

"You're queen now," Jon spoke lowly as the rest of their guests settled.

"Yes, but I was first your friend. Please call me Victoria, if anything for my sanity." Her joke was lighthearted and soft, like when they were young.

Jons eyes trailed upwards, towards the golden crown sitting in her chocolate brown hair, looped around the small pieces, almost concealed. He laughed lowly, "alright, but the crown is hard to ignore."

Victoria crinkled her nose in an amused way, both biting back laughter as the room filled.

"The children?" Sansa shot out.

Victoria blinked her way, "they were quite hungry, Lady Elaine took them to the kitchens."

"They should be here, it would do them well to meet northern lords." Sansa commented, her eyes stayed on the entering men, all of whom stared hard at them.

Victoria squeezed the end of the table, something within her sparked with slight fury. Sansa was playing a game here, every word she said was calculated, ever look was given with thought. She cleared her throat, gaining the redheads gaze and she smiled softly. "They will," and her voice became very serious, "when I deem it necessary and right."

If Sansa didn't approve the answer she showed no emotion, instead she nodded and looked away.

A hand touched hers, relaxing the tightened grip. Amina gave her a knowing look, it was one they'd often share when dealing with the sand snakes. Victoria lifted a brow, both knowing but thoroughly confused but as the stare hardened, she knew exactly what Amina was saying, watch out for that one.

"I appreciate you being here, I imagine running an entire country is quite difficult." Jon murmured softly.

If there was a further conversation to have with Amina, it was silenced in that moment, as both women immediately looked from one another, the hand standing and walking to the guards.

Victoria turned right back and smiled at her companion, "insanely so, however I do have quite the team assembled to help me run it."

"Really?" He said softly, "with your hand being here, who would you trust to keep Dorne functioning."

"Elaria Sand," Victoria said rather bitterly, of which was noticed by her friend, as she elaborated. "Despite our differences, and the fact she killed my uncle and cousin, we both want the same thing, and she knows no one supports her claim to the Dornish throne."

"She tried to overtake you?" Jon whispered now.

Most of the lords were present then, so Victoria kept her face neutral, "she tried to kill me and my children." Jon's shock was clear, his disdain even more, and she nodded softly, "yes I know. However, the enemy of my enemy is my friend, and after I was crowned not a single Lord gave her an audience, much less support. She knows it's only because of me she's still here, and despite our hatred... we work well together."

"You trust her to be in your court then? Near the children? Near you? That's brave." Sansa made the comment quite suddenly, surprising the pair who seemed to be captivated in their own worlds.

"I trust no one around the twins, let me make that clear." Victoria said quite forcefully. She didn't like the implications in that statement, much less the wording. "What I trust is the people who I've instilled in my circle to keep me informed. And besides, they're the most loved twins in the realm, no one comes near them without being vetted by me."

"Not yet at least." Sansa murmured.

"Not ever." She said curtly. "I appreciate your worries Sansa, but these are my children, they have never so much as seen a trial by combat and until I say so, they never will. They are my only blood, I would sooner lose my life then put them in danger."

Jon cleared his throat, uncomfortable between both women, when they broke eye contact to look at him his head nodded towards the now full room.

Victoria subtly nodded, exhaling softly and looking forward, shaking the rush of emotions. She'd never so much as argued with Sansa as children and now it seemed like everything she said was met with contradiction, not only that but her eyes, they were hardened. It felt odd, she imagined after years in the grasp of the enemy she would be defensive, but never this... combative. If she was cautious before, now she felt paranoid.

She gulped and adjusted, it reminded her of fighting with Robb, except this time her opponent seemed much more equipped to duel.

Jon seemed to looked around, nothing how all eyes were on him, he breathed out any stress and spoke, "thank you all for being here, I appreciate everyone for making the trip. I know we have much to discuss, so the floor is open to whoever would like to start."

Victoria shifted in her seat, he had much to learn, a leader had to command the room, not allow others to take precedent. She didn't want to step over her bounds seeing as how she was as much a guest as the lords sitting across from her, but maybe she could give him tips. Out of the corner of her eyes she noted Sansa also seemed to shift in a dissatisfied way, like she wished to add.

One of the Vale Lords stood quickly, a man she was not entirely familiar with although judging his attire he had to be Lord Royce, and he began candidly l, "You can't expect Knights of the Vale to side with wildling invaders."

The Dornish Queen lifted a brow, finding his words very abrupt and distasteful considering together they'd just killed a tyrant. From the walls, a giant red headed man stepped forward, his demeanor was casual but menacing, voice gruff, "We didn't invade. We were invited."

Victoria lifted a hand to her face to hide her smile at his unconcerned words.

Lord Royce seemed not to take it as softly and curtly responded, "Not by me."

Jon seemed to quickly catch on, and before the argument began he stood, commanding attention.
"The free folk, the northerners, and the Knights of the Vale fought bravely, fought together, and we won. My father uses to say we find our true friends on the battlefield."

The words settled in quickly, and soon it seemed whatever antagonist nature had taken on the men from all walks of the realm was gone. Another stood, this one with more obvious matters needing to be dealt with. "The Boltons are defeated. The war is over. Winter has come. If the maesters are right, it'll be the coldest one in a thousand years. We should ride home and wait out the coming storms."

Jon lifted a hand up, shaking his head. "The war is not over. And I promise you, friend, the true enemy won't wait out the storm. He brings the storm."

Puzzled, Victorias eyebrows creased, what was she missing? He hadn't said a word to her about anyone else?

"Jon? What do you mean?" She whispered as the rest of the men began to talk amongst themselves in the same confused and concerned nature.

"I have much to tell you," he said, his head turned slightly to her, and the worries look in his eyes left her with a tightening pit in her stomach.

Victoria looked back to Amina, searching for answers, anything really to settle her worries but she found her hand was now standing, speaking to a guard and being handed a scroll. Out of sight she could not tell exactly who it could be from, all she noticed was the change in Amina's facial expressions. Her cousin took one look at the unopened scroll, her face dropping from its normal relaxed nature to tightened eyebrows.

"Amina?"

Amina blinked, and looked back at her, "forgive me, your grace, I will have to excuse myself. I will come back when I have more information."

Victoria nodded, "alright, go on."

Victoria looked at her tightness fists, her heart was beating quickly, soon the murmurs behind her began to fade as her worries grew and she nearly began to let her mind unravel if not for someone else.

A tiny girl, no child, stood in the center. Her chin held high and shoulders squared, she dared anyone to look her in the eye as she spoke."Your son was butchered at the Red Wedding, Lord Manderly. But you refused the call. You swore allegiance to House Stark, Lord Glover, but in their hour of greatest need, you refused the call. And you, Lord Cerwyn, your father was skinned alive by Ramsay Bolton. Still you refuse the call. But House Mormont remembers. The North remembers." Victoria leaned forward, this girl, spoke the words of a thousand years of knowledge. Her heartbeat was steady, there was a sense of ease as she awaited the child's finale. She could feel the tension building, these men not only respected her dear friend but they owed their lives to him, and things like that were rewarded in infinite ways. How many men from history had this many by his side? How many had fought wars and won, taken land from the cruel and insane only to help it prevail. There was only one solution to build on this legacy.

"We know no king but the King in the North whose name is Stark. I don't care if he's a bastard. Ned Stark's blood runs through his veins. He's my king from this day until his last day."

The men resume murmuring, it seems as if Lady Mormonts words were being debated, although none of their words seemed to disagree, suddenly Lord Manderly stands.

"Lady Mormont speaks harshly and truly. My son died for Robb Stark, the Young Wolf. I didn't think we'd find another king in my lifetime. I didn't commit my men to your cause 'cause I didn't want more Manderlys dying for nothing. But I was wrong. Jon Snow avenged the Red Wedding. He is the White Wolf. The King in the North." He lifts his sword, the top touching the cold ground as he bent the knee to Jon.

Victoria peered from the corner of her eye, she noted Jon's expression was mute except for his hands, fists tightened. She could see this was not expected, he did not want this. Softly, as to not cause too much distraction she lifted her palm and placed it over his, signaling her support to his claim. Jon peered and she gifted him an encouraging smile.

Lord Glover followed swiftly, "I did not fight beside you on the field and I will regret that until my dying day. A man can only admit when he was wrong and ask forgiveness."

Victoria withdraws her hand before his speech is over, and Jon quickly returns his attention, he nods and speaks kindly. "There's nothing to forgive, my lord."

Glover turns to the rest of the men in the hall, "There will be more fights to come. House Glover will stand behind House Stark as we have for a thousands years. And I will stand behind Jon Snow... the King in the North!"

He too draws his blade, bending the knee and shouts with pride. "The King in the North!"

Suddenly, like a wave the rest of the men stand and begin to shout. "The King in the North! The King in the North! The King in the North! The King in the North! The King in the North! The King in the North! The King in the North! The King in the North!"

Victoria smiles, she feels elated now to see someone she considers family receiving what was long earned. A part of her throat tightens, she'd been here before, listening to chants for another of the same blood. This was like going back in time, only this time she felt certainty and glee. After a moments hesitation she too chants, "the king in the north!"

Jon's head looks her way, seeing her encouragement and the subtle nod she lends him he stands, accepting his new fate.

Victoria is distracted, enough so to not notice Amina is back, and she leans in close enough to her ear.

"My queen," Amina says softly and pats her shoulder.

Victoria stops chanting and looks towards her cousin, her face reads nothing, likely in an attempt to keep the northerners clueless.

"Yes, Amina?" She says over the chants.

Amina leans forward once more and speaks directly into her ear. "The dragon queen is coming to Westeros. The sand snakes have met with one of her advisors, she wishes to see you at Dragonstone. She states, she wants to meet her family."

Victoria swallows thickly, the chants of a new king, the descent of a new queen, and her, recently lost in her own kingdom.

|•|•|•|•|

I really liked this chapter.
-Ash 🤍