[For Jorah/Hannibal] Homecoming

[tyrelltempest]

In Essos, Daenerys had given birth to a healthy and lively baby girl. She had her father's dark eyes but the light hair and full face of her mother. It was shortly after her birth that a letter arrived from across the Shivering Sea - too far for a raven to fly. It came from King's Landing and bared the Bolton seal. The letter invited Daenerys back to Westeros, but not to reclaim the Iron Throne. Apparently, Hannibal Bolton had taken control of King'sLanding, and the Starks had all but been demolished. The Lannisters, in turn, had also been eradicated.

Daenerys was shocked. But more than that, she suspected treason. As did Tyrion Lannister. With her newborn daughter to her breast, Daenerys took council with Jorah, Grey Worm, Missandei and Tyrion.

"Who does this Bolton think he is?" She snapped. "Inviting me back without promising to relinquish the throne to me? It is mine by birthright, I will not allow some savage northman to take what is mine."

Lannister, Baratheon, Bolton - the name didn't matter. A thief was a thief.

"If he took King's Landing and defeated the Lannister army, my queen, then we can conclude that he indeed has a powerful army of his own," Tyrion pointed out.

****

A few weeks had gone by, and Margaery's belly had begun to swell only slightly with their fourth child. Of course Olenna could spot this a mile away and was already declaring name options. Aenar was with the pair of them while they took tea in the gardens overlooking the ocean. The boy was now sitting up on his own in his mother's lap, but still feed from her breast. The twins were studying with their tutors.

"So tell me child," Olenna sipped her tea. "What is your husband's intention by inviting the Targaryen girl back here?"

Aenar cooed when Roose came close and he patted his hands over the dragon's nose. Margaery glanced up to her grandmother, who added more to her question.

"Don't tell me he means to surrender his throne to her, now that they have a confirmed common lineage?" Olenna scoffed.

"Certainly not, grandmother," Margaery replied sharply. "Do you honestly think my husband is the type of man to relinquish power? No. But if you're so curious, all him yourself, he should be joining us shortly."

Comments

[notavegetarian]

Hannibal smirked as he pulled back from the kiss slowly. "Why don't we go on another hunting lesson tomorrow? I expect my niece to arrive in a fortnight providing a storm does not strike." He said.

[bearinshiningarmor]

Jorah kissed her tenderly. "I will not make the choice for you. However, it is an option for you to still take. Even if we go there it is an option to return." He said softly. He wanted her to know that he would support whatever decision she made.

[tyrelltempest]

Margaery's eyes lit at the suggestion and she nodded eagerly. "Grandmother, would you care to join us? You could see how the children have improved with their hunting."

"Oh hunting is not for me dear," Olenna scoffed.

"We could have a picnic!" Margaery exclaimed. "We could bring the servants and open roast whatever we catch. What do you think, my love?"

[notavegetarian]

Hannibal chuckled at her excitement. He gave a slow nod of agreement. "That could be quite a deal of fun. We would need to hunt deer for hat many people with an open roast. I think the children would be excited to test their growing bow skills." He dropped his voice lower, "I think Reina will make the killing shot." He said with a wink.

[tyrelltempest]

Margaery smiled and nodded eagerly. She chuckled at Hannibal's last remark. Rhys and Reina were both becoming skilled hunters, but Rhys would get excited and miss his mark in his eagerness to make the kill. Reina kept herself calm and was better able to ground her thoughts and focus.

"Well, if it's a picnic we're planning yet, I can hardly say no!" Olenna smiled.

[motheroftitles]

She hadn't thought of that. Daenerys had always assumed that when she returned to Westeros that she would never leave. It was her kingdom by birthright after all. Slowly she nodded and smiled to Jorah before kissing him softly. "Thank you, my love. I needed to hear that."

[notavegetarian]

Hannibal smirked widely at that as he kissed the tip of her nose. "Rhys! Reina!" He called. They approached quickly and answered yes papa.

"If you complete your studies for the day we will go on a picnic tomorrow. We will hunt a deer to eat while on the picnic. Mimi will be going with us as well." He said.

[tyrelltempest]

Rhys and Reina both cried out and clapped excitedly before they scurried off to finish their studies. Margaery smiled, loving seeing her children so happy.

Olenna watched as the children ran off just as quickly as they had arrived. "Well then, I suppose I had make sure the carriage is in working order." She summoned a servant to check the stables and do precisely that.

[bearinshiningarmor]

Jorah smiled as he kissed her tenderly. "I will always be here for you my Queen, my love." He said.

***

It was a week after they had sent their response when a fleet of ships bearing the kraken arrived in the port. None of the sailors were armed and they seemed to come with peaceful intentions. Other than some knives necessary for survival on a ship, they could be considered unarmed.

The captain of the head ship had requested an audience with her grace and was waiting for admission. She called herself Yara Greyjoy, ruler of the iron islands. She said nothing else of her purpose or intentions.

[notavegetarian]

Hannibal looked to her in surprise. "Reina will be disappointed. She has been wanting to ride with her Mimi on her horse." He teased. He knew she had not ridden a horse in a long time. He knew she would ride in the carriage and Margaery would consider it in her condition.

[motheroftitles]

Daenerys had not expected the kraken sails to grace her borders. She feared invasion, but then they sent the message to speak with her.

She allowed them.

Daenerys waited in the throne room, looking the very picture of royalty in a flowing dark blue gown. She sat at the top of the staircase with her daughter in her arms. Waiting for Yara.

[tyrelltempest]

Olenna laughed. "It has been many years since I've ridden a horse. I don't think my old bones could take it. I will break the news to my Reina. She will understand, she's a good girl."

Margaery nodded in agreement. "Perhaps Reina will ride with us, grandmother. Back from the hunt of course."

[bearinshiningarmor]

Jorah stood just behind Danaerys as Yara entered. He found it unusual that she had arrived. Tyrion and Varys were standing nearby as well as Grey worm and Missendi at the foot of the stairs.

Yara came in with a confident swagger. She looked over this mother of dragons and did not hide her interest in the slender woman. She was quite attractive Queen Margaery would not like being replaced in certain circles with dirty talk about this younger woman. She bowed at the bottom of the steps. "It is a great pleasure to meet you. I have been sent by Lord Bolton. He has requested that I personally escort you and as many of your men as you desire to bring with you upon my ships. His only request is that any arms brought are left upon the ships once we make berth at King's Landing." She paused for a beat before adding. "He also ordered me to personally ensure you and your family's safety in this journey. My ship has been fortified to carry the weight of your dragons aboard. However, that limits the amount of people you can have aboard my command ship with you." She said.

Jorah saw that look in her eyes. He had heard about some being bold with their intentions. However, she was being far too bold for his tastes.

[notavegetarian]

Hannibal chuckled in amusement. "It is settled then." He said.

***

The next day started off well. Everything was in place for their picnic and the children were excited to hunt and eat what they killed.

They rode and Hannibal called a halt. Margaery joined him on his mount as Olenna fussed over the servants setting up camp. He took the children and Margaery into the woods to find their meal.

They had left young Aenar sleeping in her arms.

[motheroftitles]

The confident swagger and the raking look were not lost on Daenerys Targaryen. She knew what that look meant; men had looked upon her in such lust. She flashed a smile, but otherwise didn't engage.

"I'm curious," It was Tyrion who answered first. "You said 'Lord Bolton'. As a resident of the Seven Kingdoms, doesn't that make him your King?"

Daenerys had noted that as well. But she was more concerned about the mention of her dragons. Her violet eyes narrowed and she leaned back in her throne.


"My dragons can fly. The distance across the Shivering Sea won't disturb them," Daenerys shrugged. "But why should I trust you? Why should I trust that the Northman has any intention of delivering me alive? For all I know, you plan on taking me aboard your ship, back to the Iron Islands to spill my innards on the rocks." Or worse, throw her to the crew.

[tyrelltempest]

For the majority of the journey, Margaery rode in the carriage with Olenna. But when they arrived and Olenna supervised the camp setup, Margaery carefully climbed into the saddle with Hannibal. She rode sidesaddle, hoping to keep the pressure off her abdomen, not that she was showing yet. But still, she didn't want to risk it.

Aenar was cuddled in her arms, his face buried into his mother's breast.

Margaery kissed over his head and leaned into Hannibal as they rode out into the woods. Reina and Rhys were vigilant, arrows notched as they listened and looked. Waiting for prey.

"They're so attentive," she whispered to Hannibal.

[bearinshiningarmor]

Jorah too was suspicious of her intentions. He waited quietly.

Yara heard Tyrion, but did not look at him. Her eyes stayed locked on the beautiful woman in front of her. There was a slight smirk on her face when she saw that moment of fear. "Aye he is King of the seven Kingdoms. I have struck a bargain with him. He allows me to rule my islands as I see fit. In return my people only ravage wildlings. They are more of a challenge anyway." She relaxed her stance a bit and hooked her thumbs into her belt. "I swore to bring back Lord Bolton's beloved niece. After how he took a full two weeks to finally let the Lannister twins die, I'd rather not cross him." She came off as amused and casual with her words and demeanor. However, there was the slightest glint of fear in her eyes for someone who spotted it quick.

[notavegetarian]

Hannibal nodded with a smile. "Indeed they are. They have been training very well indeed." He said with pride. He that they had caught onto the trail of a herd of deer. He kissed her temple tenderly. "They have begun their tracking. We will see how close we are to the herd." He said.

[tyrelltempest]

Margaery nodded and smiled, cuddling in close to him. She kissed along his jaw. The twins went farther ahead, Rhys pointing out tracks while Reina spied broken brush where the deer had run. The deer weren't far. Rhys pulled out a small horn that mimicked the call of a buck, and blew into it.

[motheroftitles]

Daenerys did indeed spy that glint. She said nothing, she just watched and listened. This man must indeed have some power and fear he gripped the people with. Daenerys found herself very curious to meet this Hannibal Bolton. But she was impressed...and suspicious...that Yara Greyjoy did not call him king.

"Beloved niece..." she growled. "He claims the Targaryen name. I don't care what Maesters sign their names to verify. He is no relative of mine."

"Let us not be so hasty to refuse an invitation," Tyrion advised softly. "So you will be escorting us back to Westeros?"

"When do we leave?" Daenerys added.

[notavegetarian]

Hannibal watched with pride as his children worked diligently to lure the stupid deer closer. He was very proud as he watched his son expertly mimic the sound of a male buck. He was even prouder of the fact that it was an exact replica of a male challenging another male. He was curious which creature would answer the challenge. He guided Margaery to stand beside his horse on the ground. He pulled out his bow and had an arrow notched as well. Natural predators could also be drawn in by these calls. He wanted to be certain his children were safe. Vhagar and the other dragons were close by, but it would take at least thirty seconds for them to be here. Hannibal did not sense danger, but he was prepared just in case.

[bearinshiningarmor]

Jorah frowned, they had received that bit of news just yesterday. He had Varys and Tyrion looking into it to check the authenticity.

Yara didn't bat an eye, nor did she seem the least bit concerned about the growl from Danaerys. She wasn't intimidated in the least. "I don't trust Maesters either. However, I can't argue with what I see with my own two eyes. His twins both have a natural streak of silver hair that they proudly show off. His youngest son, I swear could be your brother. He has the exact same eyes as you." She said honestly.

She shrugged her shoulder at the question of when to leave. "As soon as the ships can be supplied with extra water stores and some food rations we will be ready to sail." She said.

Jorah raised an eyebrow. "Extra water?"

Yara chuckled, "How many of your military have sailed? The sea is not kind. She is an angry bitch who will do her best to humble the saltiest of sailors. I have a feeling some of your men might have difficulty finding their sea legs. Extra water is good to keep men alive who find themselves perched at the rail." She answered frankly.

[tyrelltempest]

Margaery followed as Hannibal guided her to stand beside the horse. She watched carefully, Aenar was startled and awakened by the sound of the call his brother made, but he didn't cry. He just looked up at his mother with wide eyes.

Sure enough, a large, 12-point buck approached, answering the call Rhys had issued. The twins didn't hesitate, they'd been taught better than that. Rhys fired, striking the creature in the shoulder - Reina fired, striking the creature in the eye.

Margaery's eyes lit as they made the first kill of the hunt. She bounced excitedly and grinned madly.

[motheroftitles]

Daenerys looked to Jorah, also wary of the recommendation that they bring extra water. But she nodded her approval. It wouldn't be that much more difficult anyway. It was the news that the children of this man were displaying Targaryen traits made her suspicious.

"That doesn't mean he's Targaryen," she pointed out. "His wife may be of some Targaryen descent." The Tyrells had fair and lovely women after all.

But there were other things to focus on. Daenerys sighed and looked to Yara. "Prepare your vessels then. I will prepare my troops."

[bearinshiningarmor]

Jorah had noted that she seemed to mention three children. He had thought they only had two children.

Yara bowed again. "Very well, I shall give my men their orders. If your dragons will fly on their own the distance, then more of your men can come aboard my ship. I will keep in mind that one might desire to rest for a bit though. Too much weight would sink my ship." She said. Her cocky smirk returned to her face. "We will be ready to set sail at dawn. If it pleases you to leave at that time, I will gladly welcome you aboard my ship." There is something in her eyes that hints at a double meaning to that phrase.