A Targaryen Game - Aemond x Reader Fanfiction

VII

''Why did you dare such a duty? Did you even think about it when you volunteered?'' Aemond scolds me once we are alone.

''I can do it, I'll be safe.''

''And how would I know that? I'd better come with you-''

''I don't need you to come with me! I... I'm not a child anymore, Aemond, I've taken on this duty.'' I raise my tone unwillingly.

He looks at me coldly, angry. ''You have ventured into something too dangerous. What are you trying to prove?

''Lord Stark's unexcused absence. Maybe you, Rhaenyra or Daemon don't care, but I do. That's why I want to go, and now you know. You stay here, take care of yourself and the children. Please.''

''I'm not talking to you as a husband anymore, Daemera, I'm talking to you as an elder brother. I'm telling you that you're putting your heart into a totally insignificant matter. You'd better think it over and reconsider your choice.''

''And I'm telling you as your sister that I won't do that. I'll be back tonight. Information or not. I'd rather try than assume. I'm not a quitter.'' I say, walking out of the room, leaving him alone with his nerves.

I understood him, somewhat. He was worried about my well-being, but he didn't have to be. I would return in good health, perhaps with details of Lord Stark. Maybe I'm too much of a pressure on this business, which I shouldn't have to deal with, but I do care, I am. And when something presses me, I make sure it's all right.

I put on my gloves, walking out of the fortress. At the entrance, in the sky, Viselor circles impatiently. When he sees me, he lets out a roar, then lands. I pat him on the head, then sit on his neck, taking flight into the sunrise sky.

-

''They vanished without a trace, Your Highness.'' Says Talia, servant of Queen Alicent.

''Where could they have gone?'' Ser Criston asks, distressed by the whole situation.

''You're the King's Hand to give me advice, not to ask me questions.'' Says Aegon, who's sitting with his face in his hands, annoyed to the core. ''Helaena, you have not spoken to Daemera? About where she might go?''

''No, but she'll be back... angry.'' Helaena whispers the last word.

Alicent mutters something, then sighs quietly. That gets Aegon's attention. ''What is it? Do you know something?''

She turns and answers. ''No, I was just thinking. What if they've gone to Dragonstone?''

''Why would they go there? They don't need anything.''

''I know, but...haven't you thought about it? They never wanted you as King. And now that you've kidnapped their daughter, maybe they've had enough.''

Aegon remains silent. ''And what could they be doing there?''

Everyone remains silent. They figured out the answer. Ser Criston rested his hand on his sword. Aegon raises his head. ''Ser Criston, send word to the Lords. I want an emergency council summoned.''

Ser Criston does likewise, walking out the door. Alicent leaves the room as well, followed by Helaena, leaving Aegon alone in his room.

''Bastards...'' He whispers through his teeth.

-

The clouds were thick and dense. But with no trouble at all, Viselor flew like a bird through them, letting the increasingly cold breeze carry him North.

We were flying without a saddle, so we were somewhat more difficult. I realized that Viselor wasn't too keen on the saddle, so I decided to do things differently on this one. Now, he felt much better, more comfortable and more free.

When I finally felt we were getting close, the clouds started to get thicker and snowflakes fell from them. That's how we knew we had to land soon.

 The air was getting colder and colder, and my tunic seemed to be no longer able to withstand the strong winds. Before I knew it, my skin was completely freezing under my coat.

Before long, I could see the Wall. It was far, far away, but I wasn't going to get there. Closer, visibly closer, was Winterfell, home of House Stark. This was probably where the head of House Stark, Cregan, would be. He was younger than Aegon and four years older than me. In other words, we were close in age, so, I reasoned, our conversations would go more smoothly.

Viselor landed at the castle gates. It was snowing heavily, it was drizzling; some soldiers approached, struggling in the thick layer of snow. They had warm fur coats, like the lords of the North, but somewhat thinner, and not very long.

''Milady?'' One shouted, against the gusts of wind.

''I have come for Lord Stark!'' I announce, raising my hands. ''I am harmless, and my dragon will not attack unless I command it!''

''Who's looking for him?''

This time, a woman's voice is heard, somewhat thin. I could tell by the voice that it was a young woman, perhaps a young lady. Perhaps she was Lord Cregan's wife?

No. It was his sister, Sara. Sara Snow.

I approached with small steps, holding a hand to my face to keep the big snowflakes from getting in my eyes. Dream makes a few screams, approaching with small steps. At one point, it stops in its tracks.

It's only then that I can see her. She was a somewhat tall woman, her long hair stretched over her fur cloak in brown curls. She was very beautiful. She had the eyes of a Stark girl, grey in colour. I didn't know who they were or what their parents looked like. I didn't know Rickon Stark, their father, but I probably looked like him. And she sees me, then her eyes get warmer.

''Daemera? What are you doing here?''

''I need clarification.''

She nods affirmatively without hesitation. She motions for the guards to retreat, and for me to follow her. Finally, Viselor takes flight, making himself invisible in the blanket of cold clouds. We enter the castle, and I follow her down corridors even darker than those in Red Keep. I say nothing though, following her quietly.

''You're looking for Cregan, I presume?" she says, continuing to walk.

''I...yes. I've only seen Lord Cerwyn at Dragonstone, so I was wondering.''

She stops answering, doesn't tell me anything more until we reach a somewhat large room. There, Sara beckons a maid to summon Lord Cregan. She nods humbly, then goes off to her work.

Sara turns to me, taking my hands in hers. ''I haven't seen you in so long. How beautiful you are...''

She spoke to me like Mother. In the past, I'd been to the North a few times, and here I'd made friends with a pale, shy, pretty little girl. She showed me snow, which I had never seen before, taught me about the culture of the First Men, which I found fascinating, and I told her about my culture, about Valyria, and about the warm weather in the South. However, for some years, we lost touch, but we remained friends. And Sara has not forgotten me.

''I don't compare myself to you.'' I smile warmly at her, feeling my face warm and my cheeks flush. She smiles back at me.

''I heard you gave birth...Yaemon by name? A beautiful one.''

''Ah, that was a long time ago. Yaemon is all grown up now. Yaehaera and Aerys were born in the meantime, and most recently I gave birth to Aerena. It's for her that I'm here.'' I say, less excited.

Sara notices me, and her gaze becomes serious. ''Is something wrong?''

The door opens wide, and two soldiers step out of the door, sitting on either side of it. Here he was; the head of the Stark clan. Tall, handsome of face, eyes still grey to blue, and wearing a long, thick, fur cloak. He was somewhat sweaty and pale-faced, with visible dark circles. He looked at me with an indecipherable look, placing one hand on the sword in its scabbard.