Choices Chapter 1

Choices    Chapter 1

Note: I am saving this here because of issues at AO3

He was awake, but he chose to lay still. The early morning sun filtered in through the tent flaps. He could hear the sounds of the camp awakening, people moving and talking in hushed voices, horses neighing for their breakfast, the smell of meat being fried.

She moved in the bed next to him. She rolled unto her side facing him, smushing her face into the pillow, eyes still closed in sleep.

He still wondered how she came to be his bed partner. She was the opposite of what he was normally attracted to, dark hair, dark eyes, dark skin, and yet they had traveled half of Essos together.

She had been a Khaleesi once, than a member of the Dosh Khaleen. when Daenerys had returned to Vas Dothrak, amassing a great khalasar, she had offered to bring her west with her. Karcia, still being young, agreed.

That is how Jorah met her, just one of many new faces surrounding his Queen. Daenerys had forgiven him, and allowed him to become a member of her Queensguard. However, things were not the same, he was no longer her most trusted adviser and she often did not heed his counsel. She was constantly surrounded by men vying for her attention. He had often seethed with frustration.

One night, after an irritating council meeting he found Karcia alone by the fire. He found himself telling her his thoughts, about his mistrust of the council members, his resentment of his position and his unrequited love for Daenerys. She had comforted him, and that night they shared a bed for the very first time. The next day she moved her things into his tent.

They were moving in a great mass of humanity across Essos, Daenerys' mighty horde, a strange mix of Dothraki, Unsullied, sellswords and freedmen, plus hundreds of women and children. When she had decided to leave Meereen behind, Daenerys had said any who were able to make the journey were free to join her. It had taken many weeks, but soon they would reach Pentos, meeting Daenerys' ships, that would take them across the Narrow Sea, that would take him home.

Karcia stretched in bed, than opened her eyes and smiled at him.

"Good morning, Jorah the Andal." She said giving him a quick kiss. She almost always called him that, like the Dothraki did. The only time she slipped, and called only by his first name, was in moments of passion.

She crawled out of bed, and began to dress.

"I will see about getting us some food." She returned a short time later with a plate heaped with meat and bread.

"You are still abed?"

"I find myself reluctant to leave it this morning."

"Then we shall break our fast in bed." She slide across the bed offering him first choice of the food.

"Do not worry, Jorah the Andal, soon we reach Pentos, and then you go home." He gave her a wistful smile. They ate in silence for a while.

"Tell me about your home, Jorah the Andal."

"I have told you many times."

"No" she insisted "you have told me about Westeros. I want to know about your home, where you grew up, Bear Island I believe you call it."

"Bear Island is wild, but welcoming, cold, but beautiful. I lived in Mormont Keep, a castle" she gave him a confused look "a building like you would find in Meereen or Pentos, but not nearly so grand. Bear Island was a good place for a boy to grow up. I learned how to hunt, fish, sail" he sighed "I only wish I had appreciated it more. When I was a young man I dreamed of going south, of adventure in far flung places."

"It is only natural for a son to want to see more than his father, to venture further a field."

"Perhaps, but now all I want is to return to a home where I might not be wanted." She thought about it for a moment.

"Even if you never see Bear Island again, it must be nice to know you had a home, and it will always be there. The only home I ever knew was my parents tent."

"What about the Khal's tent?"

"No" she said adamantly "that place was never a home." He had thought as much. She rarely talked about her time as a Khaleesi, and she never mentioned the Khal.

"I have know few enough places to call home, only my parent's tent ... and this one" she quietly added. She considered being with him at home? Before he could think how to respond, she had taken the plate and exited the tent.

Change   Chapter 3

Merlin stayed close to Gwen for the next little while. He interrupted any interactions between Gwen and Sir Leon, sometimes using magic, but sometimes his presence was enough to stop any romantic interludes. They were obviously not ready to share their affections in public, and Merlin was now sure there was an attraction between them. They would often seek each other out to converse privately, Leon would often try to touch Gwen, but Merlin found ways of preventing him. Merlin knew this wasn't a long term solution to the problem, but it was all he could come up with at the moment. Merlin had tried studying the old books to see if there was any spell that would make two people dislike each other, but the only ones he could find were to break an existing curse, which he didn't think they were under, or for them to feel disgusted and repelled, which he didn't want want either, it would look most strange if the Queen and one of her trusted advisers suddenly feel out.

On Friday morning Merlin exited his room, tried from another long night studying the books.

"Merlin" called Gaius " can you do something for me today?"

"Depends."

"I need you collect feverfew for me, my supply is running dangerously low." Merlin sighed.

"Can't David do it for you?"

"David's mother is ill, nothing serious, but she needs his care. Haven't you noticed that he hasn't been around for the last few days?" To tell the truth he hadn't noticed.

"I'm sorry Gaius I can't today, Gwen needs me."

"Does Gwen need you or do you need to be around Gwen?" Merlin fidgeted.

"I don't know what you mean."

"What I mean is every day you leave here early in the morning and spend your day by Gwen's side or close by, and don't come back until she has retired for the evening. Do you realize it has been almost two weeks since you visited your cottage? This is the longest you have gone without visiting it since you made it your home. In the past if I asked you to collect herbs you would have done so happily, so that afterwards you could spend the night at your home, than bring me the herbs the next day."

"Well, I don't know if I'd say happily" Gaius raised an eyebrow. "Look Gaius, I understand what you are saying. I will visit the cottage, and collect your herbs, but not today."

"When? Merlin you can't continue to follow Gwen around like a lost dog, others will begin to notice, if they haven't already." At that moment a knock sounded at the door. Gaius bid them enter. The door opened revealing one of Camelot's guards.

"Good morning gentlemen, Merlin the Queen would like a word with you in her private chambers." Merlin and Gaius exchanged a look.

"Of course" said Merlin as he followed the guard out of the room.

(chapter 1) (chapter 2)

Don’t save her, she don’t wanna be saved

(insp)

OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF BABES   DARYL & CAROL

They were in the living room, Rick, Michonne, Daryl, Carl, Carol and Judith. Everyone was talking, but Carol wasn't really paying attention, she had Judith in her lap. She held Judith's hands as she tired to stand, but she would ultimately flop back down onto her bottom. Judith grabbed Carol's collar and patted her face, than something unexpected happened.

"Mama" Carol froze "Mama, Mama" Judith repeated. The room grew quiet as they all tuned to look at Judith. Carol felt something tighten in her chest as she looked at the babbling infant smiling back at her.

"Excuse me" she said, as she passed the little girl over to Michonne. She got up and went out the front door to stand on the porch, leaning against one of the posts to give her support. She could feel tears burning at the back of her eyes, but she didn't want them to fall. She heard the door open behind her, and his footsteps approach.

"You okay?"

"Yeah" she responded, but her voice betrayed her, sounding strained and cracked. He came to stand beside her, not touching, but his presence was a comfort.

"When Sophia first called me that I was so happy. She never said Dada, even though experts often claim that it usually a child's first word, but Ed spent very little time with her, so that wasn't much of a surprise. No, it was always Mama, right from the beginning." Daryl was thoughtful for a moment.

"You spend the most time with her, outside of Rick and Carl."

"Yeah, I understand, but it stills hurts." They stood there for a few moments, Carol fighting her emotions, Daryl trying to be supportive, then Carol felt the tears falling unbidden down her cheeks. Daryl put his arm around her, she turned and finally let herself sob upon his shoulder.

(A03)

Change   Chapter 5

After his meeting with Gwen Merlin walked the castle grounds for a time, thinking about all she said, before returning to Gaius. Gaius was seated, supposedly reading, but he looked up as soon as Merlin entered.

"How did it go?" Gaius inquired.

"You were right. She noticed my strange behaviour, and the magic I thought I had hidden so well." Merlin told Gaius everything they had discussed, Gaius nodded frequently, but did not interrupt until he was finished.

"Gwen is turning out to be an astute Queen for one so young and with all the trails she has had to face."

"But, is she right?"

"About Sir Leon or Arthur?"

"Either." Gaius sighed.

"Merlin death is never an easy thing. When someone dies it can feel like the world should stop, but life continues, the crops must be harvested, animals need to be feed, the sick must be tended to, and finding love is part of life."

"But, Arthur isn't dead, not in the true sense."

"We are all aware of the dragon's prophesy, but we can not suspend our lives waiting for it to occur. Arthur himself had to deal with death, he had to continue on after his father passed, he had to adapt to a new life. Do you really think that if Arthur came back today that he would be angry at Gwen for living?" Merlin didn't answer Gaius, but he thought long and hard about what he said. That night when they were preparing for bed Merlin asked

"How are you so wise?" Gaius allowed himself a small smile.

"Wisdom comes from age and experience. You are a great deal wiser than when we first met, and someday when you are my age you will know things beyond my comprehension." He gave Merlin's shoulder a squeeze, and headed to his bed. Merlin walked towards his room, but stopped on the threshold and turned.

"Thank you, Gaius."

"For what?"

"For always being there for me."

"It's been an honour Merlin, it truly has."

From that day forth Merlin no longer interfered between Gwen and Sir Leon. Actually, he made sure that the servants and members of the court gave them the privacy they required. It was not always easy, he often doubted himself, but then he would think back to that conversation with Gaius. He knew the answer to Gaius' question, Arthur would not be angry at Gwen, he would want her to live and find joy. Also, by helping Gwen he came to realize he himself wasn't living a full life, he had been living a partial life, a suspended life, waiting on Arthur's return. It was time for him to make some changes, if Arthur would want happiness for Gwen, he would want the same thing for Merlin too.

The End

(chapter 1) (chapter 2) (chapter 3) (chapter 4)

Choices   Chapters 3

Jorah did not see her for two days. His anger had long since burned away, now he was just worried about her.

He saw her on the third day in early evening, she was carrying a bundle of firewood.

"Karcia" he called. she turned at the sound of her name, when she saw who it was it looked like she wanted to turn and flee, but she didn't. He jogged over to her. She kept her bundle between them.

"Karcia, I was worried. Are you alright?"

"Yes, I have been staying with a friend."

"A man friend?"

"Yes" he felt a bolt of jealousy shoot through him "and his wife and three children." Relief washed over him.

"I'm sorry I yelled at you."

"I'm sorry too. Perhaps we can continue this somewhere more private." He came to realize that they were drawing their fair share of interested stares. He took the bundle out of her arms and placed it on the ground, than he took her hand and lead her through the camp, back to their tent. Once they were alone and standing face to face she couldn't seem to look at him, she looked around and than began to pace.

"Jorah the Andal, I don't know if you noticed lately, but I am different."

"Different?"

"Quick to smile, quick to anger, quick to be jealous. There is a reason for this" she took a deep breath "I am with child." Jorah's legs grew week. He sat on a wooden stool, the only thing other than the bed and floor to sit on.

"My child?" He asked, half question half statement. She faced him, looking him directly in the eyes.

"Jorah the Andal, you are the only man I have been with. The first lover I have had in many years." A child. He didn't know what he felt, shock, confusion, fear and happiness. Karcia sat down on the bed facing him, her face solemn.

"Are you not happy?"

"I am afraid" She looked off in to the distance, she seemed to be deciding something "I was pregnant once before, with the Khal. I gave birth to a beautiful baby boy. He was perfect in every way, except one leg that twisted inward. Do you know what my people do with babies not considered normal?" she asked in a detached manner. He nodded, any babies born with deformities were left in the wilderness to die.

"I begged the Khal not to, I said in time the leg may heal, but he would not listen. When he took my son from me I screamed, and screamed. Later the women would tell me they had never heard such screams, like a tormented animal. Afterwards I prayed to the Great Stillion, I prayed that he would not send me another child. He answered my pray, for I never again bore a living child for the Khal. But now..." He got on his knees in front of her, his hands caressing her face.

"Please listen to me, I am not the Khal. No matter what happens I will never abandon our child, I will defend them with my dying breath if need be." She gave him a sad smile, her eyes filled with tears, and he pulled her into a desperate embrace.

(chapter 1) (chapter 2)