CHAPTER 62 | GORGEOUS BEASTS

SOMETIMES when Maia really couldn't sleep, she'd find herself curling close to Jon's snoring form and wrapping her arms underneath his. Jon was a heavy sleeper; he wouldn't wake up even when she moved his arms. This, honestly, was the only way to help her fall asleep. She would sink her head against the feather pillows and listen to his soft snores. His stubble would tickle her forehead, but Maia would feel content.

In her late hours of restlessness and guilt, Maia did this same routine. Her hands hesitantly clutched the end of her stomach, feeling nothing. She wondered so much about the child at night – if it was a boy or girl, what Jon would think of it, what they would name it, if it would have his same surname. She let the guilt clog her mind.

On this night, she could hear a dragon or two screech. Maia swung her arms around Jon's, relishing in his warmth. Even the sound of the waves outside their open window couldn't help her. Only Jon could, and it was finally then that she dreamed.

She was in the snow again. Deep within the mountains and piles of it. Maia pushed herself from the snow, digging her hands in the ice, but she felt no cold. Her hands were covered with Jon's gloves. Her fur cloak kept her warm, but it did nothing against the wind smacking flakes on her face. Maia pulled her hood up, though it was no use.

When she looked up at the sky, all she saw was white. There were no clouds. No sun. Not even a night-time sky. She saw the blank canvas that was a winter sky. Maia hugged her arms around herself as snowflakes brushed over her eyelashes and the wind began to push her in all directions. She turned around.

Blue eyes. That was all she saw. An army of dead men, frost and rotten skin clinging to their forms. Thousands of glowing, blue eyes staring at her. They didn't move, only stared. There were too many of them. She didn't want to count the numbers. Some stood; some sat on top of horses, in the same condition as them; one was even riding a giant ice-spider. All un-moving, which was the scariest part.

A scream rose in her throat, but she kept it in. Maia only stared back at them. She didn't know what to do. She didn't know if she could run away, or if they would catch her. She couldn't fathom if this was even a dream or not. It seemed too real.

"MAIA!"

Her name was suddenly being called from all angles. It was echoing in her ears. A dozen different voices calling her name, but only one was the most prominent: Jon's. She heard Jon scream her name every second. She heard an infant's wailing as well. And then she felt the quaking.

From the background of the White Walkers stood the Wall, and Maia was surprised she hadn't even seen it. The ground began to shake. Bits of ice dropped quickly down from the seven-hundred-foot wall. It crumbled slowly as the band of Wights watched her expression turn blank. Maia held her hands over her ears, trying to silence both the Wall and the screams lodging themselves in her ears. She fell to her knees again.

"MAIA!"

She heard Jon once again, but this time, louder than ever before. Maia stood and spun in the snow. Although, the person she saw was not Jon, but a male's shadow. Instantly, the sword in the shadow's hands lit up, igniting a bright flame. Maia's mouth dropped, and suddenly, she didn't feel the cold anymore. She didn't feel the Wall falling. She didn't notice the White Walkers beginning to march towards her. Everything was silent at the sight of the shadow before her.

That was the moment she woke up.

•••

Maia had the continuous dream of the Wall falling for all the nights Daenerys was away. The castle had a strange, dark aura when the dragon queen wasn't around. Jon was gone most days while mining for dragonglass with Davos, leaving Maia to herself most days. She missed him a lot, and found herself clinging more to him in the night while they slept in the same bed. She had so many opportunities to tell him of their child while Daenerys was away, but he was off, doing things he deemed more important. Maia couldn't blame him, she guessed. It wasn't like he knew his lover was carrying his bastard.

She enjoyed talking with her handmaidens and learning simple Dothraki words from them. Talli and Tashi were people that she really grew fond of. She met the likes of Theon Greyjoy, a man she remembered watching on her own television, being tortured by Ramsay Bolton. She knew of all his struggles, and to witness how broken he was before her left her feeling numb. Maia also liked speaking with Tyrion, for the dwarf really knew how to strike up a conversation. Most nights while Maia was alone, Tyrion invited her to dinner with him, Missandei, and Varys. He was very witty, she had to admit.

After many days, Maia finally heard the familiar roar of Drogon arriving to Dragonstone. It was morning when Maia had woken up next to Jon, because he had slept in. She kissed his forehead, and it was then that Jon remembered how much he loved waking up next to her in the morning. When they heard the arrival of Daenerys, the two quickly dressed themselves to prepare for her.

They stood on a cliff outside the castle, allowing the wind to shove back their cloaks. Maia hooked her arms around Jon's as they watched Drogon soar towards Dragonstone. His whole body was larger than Maia expected, and it seemed that he had no damage from the fight that ensued days ago.

"He's amazing," Maia whispered.

Jon didn't answer. They turned their bodies to Drogon flying overhead, meaning to land close to them. Maia, quite honestly, couldn't believe her eyes at this moment. It was something out of a literal dream. Drogon's scales shined a bright red hue in the daylight.

The dragon pounced on the ground before them, landing with a slam. Maia didn't expect for Drogon to land so close to them, and found herself instantaneously jumping to hide behind Jon. Seeing a dragon this close was something she always wanted to happen, but now that it was before her, she cowered in fear.

Daenerys tried to steer Drogon to halt his movements, but the dragon continued to inch forward towards Jon. And then, Drogon was just feet in front of his, roaring in Jon and Maia's face. Maia clutched her arms around Jon's torso, eyes going wide at the sight of the extremely large dragon. Drogon bared his teeth, releasing another shriek.

Jon made no moves. He didn't even step back as the dragon inched his head forward. Drogon took a large sniff of Jon's scent, who breathed out heavily as Maia secured her arms around him tightly. The dragon bared his teeth again, just a bit. Daenerys watched the exchange carefully. The last thing she needed was her child eating her main ally.

Jon then removed one of his gloves. He took a moment to think of what he was about to do before lacing his fingers with Maia's and bringing their hands forward. Maia wanted to pull away as she held onto him tighter than ever before. Jon hesitated for a moment, looking over his shoulder at Maia's terrified stare. Together, their hands moved towards the dragon's snout.

But when their hands touched Drogon's scales, there was nothing but peace. The dragon almost smiled and released a happy groan. Maia slowly heard the name, Jaehaerys, in her ears again.

She was almost sure that the only reason this dragon wasn't biting her hand off was because of Jon. He always had a way with animals. Their hands smoothed over Drogon's soft scales. Maia's intertwined fingers felt the warmth that radiated underneath Drogon's skin. When she looked up, she noticed the dragon was staring right at Jon, and she felt herself shiver.

Jon slowly moved their hands away from the dragon. Drogon then looked up at his mother climbing down from her seat on him. When her feet landed on the ground, Drogo gave Jon and Maia one last glance before flying off to his brothers. Maia's hand was still with Jon's. Her mouth continued to hang open in shock.

Daenerys walked towards the couple, sending them a smile. She clasped her hands together and bowed her head, before looking off at her dragons. "They're beautiful, aren't they?"

"Stunning," Maia breathed out, watching the other dragons soar above the castle.

"Wasn't the word I was thinking of, but ..." Jon was tugging on his other glove when he looked up at Daenerys' angered expression. "But yes, they are. Gorgeous beasts."

Daenerys raised her chin slightly. "They're not beasts to me. No matter how big they get; no matter how terrifying they are to everyone else. They're my children." She glanced to Maia quickly. "Your handmaiden, Talli, has mentioned your fascination with dragons once, Lady Maia. I'm glad you think of them the same way as I do. Maybe one day you can meet Drogon's brothers, and you as well, Lord Snow."

Maia sent her a genuine smile. "I would like that, Your Grace."

She then looked to Jon, giving his hand a squeeze. Maia wanted to explain everything then to them. She wanted to tell them of her dream, even if it was real or not. She wanted to ask about Jaehaerys. She wanted to question everything all at once, but all Maia did was walk with Jon and Daenerys. She kept her mouth shut, for war was not the time for things such as predictions.

•••

A/N: Keep scrolling for ANOTHER CHAPTER! I'm updating with two chapters today!!! I decided this because this chapter was very bland (in my opinion), so I wanted to give y'all another chapter. Also, my home and school life hasn't been great this week, and honestly, seeing all your comments always makes me feel better. It's been really hard to stay positive this week, but I knew that it makes me feel better to write and give more chapters to you guys. I hope you enjoy the next one 😄