"A few tales, names recited as solemly as words of a prayer, the fading memory of a red door..."

Dany loved to read. Although it hadn't been long since she first managed to read a whole book on her own, for a girl of five (nearly six), Dany knew she was a good reader for her age. Her mother said so. Her mother wasn't really Dany's mother, but she called the kind woman who had looked after her for as long as she could remember mother anyway. The little girl couldn't understand how the woman wasn't her mother, she shared the same eyes as her, even though her mother made it a point to remind her she was Daenerys Targaryen, the Stormborn and not Dany the bookworm.

The sun was shining through her window, and the urge to go outside and enjoy the sunlight was too great. Dany loved the sun, although they didn't get as much as she would have liked where she lived (Braavos, the city was called, she had read it in a book). Running through the manse, she passed a couple of the servants, who chuckled as she ran past. She knew all of them by name, and played with their children - the very same children she hoped would be outside for her to play with.

Emerging out to the garden, she quickly spotted her sister playing sticks with the cook's son, Tye. While Dany liked books, Aly seemed to live outside. If it wasn't playing sticks, Aly would be climbing trees or exploring every inch of their garden or their manse. She knew her sister had climbed almost every single one around the manse, and she had seen how well she could climb. Her mother, who wasn't really her mother, had sat both of them down a few moons ago and told them both that Dany was aunt to Aly, who was really Alysanne Targaryen. But that didn't really make sense - Dany was only a few weeks older than Aly, who shared her eyes and hair - so they must be sisters. Aly's hair was darker than Dany's, and Dany swore in the right light Aly's eyes would appear grey (Aly did after all have darker eyes) but in her mind the differences were small and did not matter.

Aly was her best friend. They often spent the whole day together and Dany loved to explore with her sister, though she preferred exploring the manse, where they often found books or other fascinating objects around the place. A couple days ago, they had found a crown on the top shelf in one of the older rooms and Aly had climbed the shelf and brought it down. She had been so brave, even though she had nearly lost grip on the crown as she climbed down. They had stared at the crown in wonder and had each taken turns in holding it. They must have been in the room for a while, as Sir Willem came searching for them. Sir Willem was a kind man, and even though he could not see very well and walked slowly with a limp, the other guards (Dornishmen, she remembered) still seemed to greatly respect him.

"And what are my ladies up to today?" he had asked and Dany had excitedly replied that they found a crown. When his eyes gazed over and found the crown, a mix of awe and longing had taken over his features. "That was your mother's crown, Daenerys" he had replied, "and one day will be yours". Aly had huffed then, and asked about her own crown and Ser Willem had laughed and told her not to worry, "a crown awaits my little lady too, across the sea". He then took the crown from them, telling them he would need to find a new spot to keep it safe.

That had been two days ago. Now she ran to play with her sister, who noticed her and grinned. "Now I have a Princess to defend from the evil monster trying to take her away away" she said happily.

"Why am I always the monster?" Tye whined, "why can't I be the knight for once?".

"Because she's my sister, so I get to be the knight". Dany could almost hear her say the word stupid, and giggled. But Tye was now in a huff, and knowing Aly would be upset if he were to stop playing she tried to keep him happy.

"You can be the knight tomorrow, Tye," Dany said, to which Aly gave her an annoyed look. She recovered quickly, telling Tye, "you might be the knight tomorrow but I'm the knight today" and grinned as she managed to land a blow on Tye. He grinned back, and starting playing more enthusiastically.

Dany hoped things would never changed. She loved living at the house with the red door.

She watched the children play from her window with a smile. Living so far from everyone she knew or loved was hard for Ashara, but seeing how happy the children were told her she had made the right choice. They would never be safe in Robert's realm, but at least here they could live in peace and not have to worry about assassins at every corner. The Dornish guards helped, courtesy of Doran. She was thankful of his support and knew he believed the parents' actions should not judge emotions toward the child. Oberyn had had differing opinions on the matter, at least initially. She still remembered his demeanour when he had first come, to negotiate a betrothal on behest of his brother. His shock on seeing her alive had not surprised her, indeed it was a good thing even Dorne believed her dead, but the meeting had been anything but joyful.

His remarks had been cutting, and for the duration of his visit his face was marred in a permanent smirk which held no affection he had once for her as Elia's closest companion. It was clear the only thing that kept him there was his hatred of her killers and by extension, of Lord Tywin and House Lannister. If he was cold to her, he was downright furious when Arthur made an appearance, challenging him to a duel on his beloved sister's honour.

"I loved my sister," he had said, "more than anything in the world. She was good, she was kind and YOU LET HER DIE."

It had been the closest she had ever seen Arthur to tears. His attempts to explain were rebuffed, and she feared they would never called Oberyn friend like they had for most of their lives again. Only when he had come across Aly, who came up to him, looking up at him with the large eyes holding curiosity found only within children, had his restless prowling come to a halt. Daenerys had toddled behind her niece, even then following Alysanne's lead. She had feared his reaction, but to both her and Arthur's surprise his expression changed into something much softer and he had picked by the girl and her aunt and placed them on each of his arms - spending the whole day with the girls. Whatever his quarrels with the two of them, he refused to blame the little girls for anything. He had also spent time with Viserys, and she was sure he was constantly judging the boy. She had caught him on multiple occasions staring at him.

Is it Rhaegar you look for within him, or the mad king? She may never know.

In the end, they had finally come to terms with their individual losses, and Oberyn finally seemed not to resent their very presence. It would still take time for him to call them friends once more but she was sure they were getting there with every new visit made by the Red Viper, of which he had made three. Oberyn must have found what he was looking for, because he had agreed to Viserys being promised to his niece Arianne.

Doran had subsequently provided men, and would send regular stipends for their upkeep. It was through Doran's encouragement that Arthur became a merchant (much to Oberyn's amusement) and decided to try his hand at trading. It hadn't gone well at first, nay Arthur had been truly shit at bartering, but he had learnt - in no small part due to help from merchants loyal to Doran teaching him how to haggle. She still liked to tease her brother on how green he had been when it came to the art of trading, and took no small amount of pleasure doing so. He was away currently, business had taken him to Pentos, and he had taken Egg with him like has done for the last four years.

They called Viserys Egg because Arthur always made sure to keep his hair shaved. Arthur had decided rather than dye the boy's hair black like he did for himself, it would instead be easier to keep him bald. As a result, they had taken to calling him Egg. And anyway, her brother always said, it will help keep him humble. Though in fairness Egg had come a long way from the entitled brat they had first come across more than five years ago. Ashara knew he was pampered at court, and unprepared for a life in exile, and so hadn't been surprised by the tantrums and his authoritative behaviour he had often thrown at the start.

She also knew he missed his mother.

So, along with the two babies, she had cared for him and allowed him to sit with her when she played with the babes. He had asked after the second babe, who he said looked like Dany but couldn't possibly be her sister because he was there when Dany was born. And she had explained to the boy of nine that he was an uncle along with being an elder brother. He had held Aly in pure wonderment and had puffed out his chest and proclaimed as long as he was alive he would protect her. She had laughed then, her first true laugh in many months, and had affectionately told the boy she believed him.

But perhaps what had surprised her the most was Egg's dedication in learning how to fight. In those first few months in Braavos, when they barely knew each other, her brother had offered to teach the former Princeling how to fight. To the surprise of both of them he had promptly accepted. A dragon must know how to properly defend himself, he had said, and I am the last dragon. Such talk would have worried her had she not caught the look he send the babes; one of pure determination to protect them and perhaps to also claim his birthright. He had thrown himself into learning, and always listened to her brother's words - following his teachings to the best of his ability. She knew he had admired Rhaegar, and since Arthur had always been alongside Rhaegar - he too held a certain degree of admiration from Egg. He had even allowed Egg to hold Dawn once, and the boy's face had been a sight to behold.

Over the past few years Egg had grown up a quite boy, who nonetheless was affectionate to the two little girls. He had once asked if he would marry one of them, and Ashara had been quick in telling him his bride awaited him across the Narrow Sea. He seemed placated then, and didn't seem to mind that he wouldn't marry one of them. Ashara had internally breathed a sigh of relief at that. Arthur had wanted to teach him skills other than how to fight with a sword, and thus Viserys became Egg the merchant boy. When Arthur had first taken him to business within the city, he had scrunched up his nose and declared such work was beneath him. Arthur told her he had to patiently explain to the boy that such skills would be valuable in ensuring he could obtain the best deal for the future people he ruled when it came to matters of trade. Egg had seemed unsure but, as with all things Arthur, had eventually listened. At least he won't have to go through what I did, he brother later joked.

She supposed her life could be worse, and felt grateful she still had the support of her brother, and the love of two little girls who called her mother and a boy who, athough didn't call her his mother, still gave her the love and respect given to one.

But she still missed home. Sometimes she would see the sun shining on the waters of the Narrow Sea and imagine she was back at Elia's side in the Red Keep, still a lady in waiting. At other times while in the markets of Braavos she would imagine herself in the markets in King's Landing, still admist the familiar hustle. But it was the cold winds that blew from the north that brought the greatest swell of emotion within her. For the cold reminded her of Eddard Stark, the man honourable to a fault. Though she knew of his not so honourable side; the playful and sometimes downright naughty side kept hidden to all apart from those closest to him. She smirked, Lady Catelyn is a lucky woman.

She hoped her son would grow up to be a good man under his care, and hoped his wife may perhaps come to care for the child - though she knew that my be too much to ask for. She couldn't, no, wouldn't blame Lady Stark if she could never love the boy as long as she was never cruel to her son and let him enjoy his father's love. It was all she could hope for.

Perhaps one day I will see you Jon. Would you forgive me? Overlook me being a terrible mother? The thought often kept her up at night, and in her lowest moments she prayed that the Seven allow her to see her son at least once before the died, to tell him how sorry she was and to give her a chance at explaining things. In those first few lonely months, she had cried more times than she cared to remember, missing the comfort of her quiet, northern wolf. Faking her own demise had ironically killed her on the inside, and spreading rumours of her own death had been one of the hardest things she had ever had to do. Leaving Westeros had been even harder, knowing that she may never see her son or his father ever again.

She felt her eyes moisten, surprised such a thing was even possible after all that crying and moaning. Gods, the shit Oberyn would give me. She had things to do; she and the cooks needed to prepare food and she had to ensure the house was cleaned and the guards regularly given and break and to ensure they still trained in Arthur's absence and...

Oh, she nearly forgot. She was to gain a new cupbearer soon.

It has been a while, a very long while. I do apologise, it was not my intention to leave it a year and a bloody half late.

So as you can see, Ashara is not dead. And Dorne (specifically Doran and Oberyn) haven't left Dany and Viserys out to the crows. Arthur has had to learn some new things to survive, or more specifically for his ego to survive, and the oddball family of sorts seem to be doing just fine. I hope the chapter comes across as believable and it is clear for all to see that Dany would always have her nose up a book if given a proper childhood ;)

I cannot promise when the next update will be, but I do plan on reworking the first two chapters (mainly the opening chapter - I might clean it up a bit and split it into two). Here's to the next update not being in another year and a half.