The Dragon & The Wolf

II

The young Lady Stark's ribs took several weeks to heal, during which she was prohibited from any swordplay by her Lord father. Rather than sulk in the training yard while watching the boys, she took to the library when not in lessons with her Septa. The library of the Red Keep was grand and full of so many books that Alys didn't know where to start. She was thankful when Aemond found her looking over about eight different titles, trying to decide which to pick up first.

"Might I recommend this one?" He offered, plucking a book covering the history of dragons throughout the Seven Kingdoms. She gave the boy a smile and took the book from him.

"Thank you, my prince," she spoke, "It was ultimately between this one or 'Deciphering High Valyrian'." Alysaria missed the annoyed glance Prince Aemond gave her as she opened the book at the beginning and her eyes soaked up the preface.

"Ria, please, just call me Aemond when we're alone together, will you? I recall you admitting how you hate others calling you by your title, so why am I different?" The prince asked with a furrowed brow. Lady Alys stopped her reading and looked into the prince's violet eyes. They were mesmerizing to her and she found them so much more beautiful than her own dull grey ones.

"I apologize, Prince Aemond, I just don't want somebody to potentially overhear and think I'm disrespecting you," she whispered as though it were a dark secret. Violet eyes rolled and he swiped both the book on dragons she had begun and the book on High Valyrian, walking toward the exit. "Hey! What's that for?" She questioned, a fire igniting in her.

The young prince turned around, walking backwards, and called out, "If you want these books or for me to teach you how to speak High Valyrian, then you will address me how I wish to be addressed!" Then, he spun around and began running out of the library and to his chambers.

"That little cunt," Alysaria huffed under her breath before taking off after him. When she finally reached his chambers, she had just seen him close the door and heard a latch lock into place. Her small fits banged on the door as she caught her breath, trying not to breathe too deeply and irritate her broken ribs. "Fine, you want me banished? Let me in and I will say your name before they cart me off," she spoke to the heavy wooden door.

"Do you really think I'd let them do that?" Alysaria heard from the other side. The latch unhooked and the door opened a jar, Aemond's face was filled with slight hurt. "I'd never let anyone lay a hand on you, Ria. You should know that." The young lady pushed past Aemond and into his chambers. She turned to look at him as he shut the door.

"I know that, my p-... I know that, Aemond," she sighed. "However, your mother is quite scary," the two of them giggled in agreement.

"You've got that right," Aemond seconded before handing the books back over to Alysaria.

She inspected them for a moment before meeting his gaze. "Did you mean it?" She questioned.

"What?"

"That you'd teach me High Valyrian?" She breathed out, grey eyes sparkling. Aemond decided he quite liked how she appeared in that moment - excited and hopeful. He pretended to mull over it for a few moments, causing Alysaria to groan with impatience.

"I suppose so," he began, "but as long as you drop the titles when you're talking with me. Please."

The prince was met with a smile and a nod from Lady Stark, "Alright Aemond, you have a deal. Also, when you get a dragon, I want to go on a ride."

Prince Aemond stuck out his hand and the two shook on it, "Deal."

***

Over the next few weeks, Aemond and Alysaria grew closer as friends as the Stark girl was taught High Valyrian by the young prince. Though, he frequently poked fun at her atrocious accent, Alys was able to remember key words and phrases Aemond had taught her.