The Targaryen Princess

V

Natari's POV:
The journey is harder than I thought it would be. The Kingsroad is taken care of making it a relatively easy ride, but it is the constant riding that exhausts me. I was never allowed to leave the Keep for lessons or, later, leisure. Jaime did his best to teach me in the confines of the Royal Garden, but I never rode such long distances. The knights keep us at a fast pace and we ride from dawn well into the night. We only stop for about ten minutes at noon to eat, but we don't complain. The men are probably used to this kind of schedule, and I force myself to keep my mouth shut regarding the conditions; I have lived a good life, and it would be entitled of me to say anything so many have it worse than me. It was wise of me to bathe before leaving though. We have never rested at an inn on account of our stopping so late in the night; they are all closed by then.

In a week, we have covered half of the trip. Though we are making great time and riding fast, my escorts press me on. They shout at me every time my horse's rate drops below a canter. It can get quite annoying, but I hardly blame them. They were tasked with bringing me safely to Winterfell as fast as possible. The orders came directly from Robert. These men are escorting the King's favorite to the North. Whose to know what wrath Robert would pour out on them or their families should they stray from their purpose. This may be their most important assignment ever, and they refuse to fail.

Lucky for me, these two men keep quiet, and I take the chance to embrace the solitude. I adjust to the riding soon enough, and use this as an opportunity to rest my mind. I realize here just how taxing playing the game of thrones is. The lying and constant alertness put my mind on edge in a way that I didn't even know was possible. In fact, it is only in the peace of travel do I see just how much it hurt me. I pray that it is not played in the North and that this time will be a chance to re-cooperate. I might be able to live a normal life there, and forget about the horror that is Kings Landing.

The trip both tires and relaxes me. At the end of a long day, all I want to is sleep, but as soon as I wake, I can't wait to ride again. It is a strange cycle, but one I need, and love to repeat. My desire to get back on the road only strengthens when I see the wonders of Westeros. I thought the land outside of Kings Landing was amazing, but how dull it looks in comparison to rest of the Seven Kingdoms. I am constantly awestruck by the beauty of my home. I want to see everything that Westeros has to offer, but I know I will not be able to. However, on the last day of our trip, I am too satisfied by what I did witness to think about what I did not.

The air is colder up here and I pull out my cloak . The men tell me that we will stop at an inn along the road, so we can bathe and send word of my approach ahead of time. I perk up at the thought of being clean and sleeping in a warm bed. I have slept terribly outside since we got where ii is cold. I may be impervious to heat, but I still get cold and I have yet to get used to it. We stop earlier tonight so we can get rooms before everywhere is closed. We find one ten miles south of Winterfell and settle into our new arrangements. I go downstairs after putting my bags down in search of something to eat. I reach the main floor and don't see my escorts. "They probably ordered food," I think. I sit at a table in the back with my hood pulled up, hoping no one notices my white hair. The waitress comes to me and I order a chicken leg and a baked potato. As she walks away, I tense up, feeling someone's eyes on me. I don't look in that direction and wait for them to make the first move. They stare, no doubt trying to figure out who I am. At last, I hear them get up and walk this way. I put my hand on the hilt of my sword that is hidden safely beneath my cloak. It is only when I see their feet in front of me that I look up.

"Excuse me," he directs at me in a Essos accent. "Are you Natari Targaryen?" He is lanky and would have trouble holding a sword properly. There is no doubt in my mid that I could kill him, so I think for a moment before answering.