The Dragon in the North - Aemond Targaryen

2.

Winterfell

Vyara's POV

I lie awake in bed, staring at the tapestry covering my four-poster bed. I have zoned out from the world, from my own thoughts. I can't process my reality, it is too painful. I fear if I truly think about it that I will take the knife from the side of my bed and stab it through my heart rather than breathe for another moment.

I hear a quiet tapping on my door. I sit up and take my knife from beside my bed. It must be 4am and no one would call on me now. I fear it is my brother.

I edge open the door to see little Brienne, looking terrified. She puts her finger to her lips as I slide the door open just enough for her to slip in.

"What's the matter Brienne? Have you been hurt?" I gulp, I like this little girl who has been in my service for the last few years.

"Promise me you won't hurt me, My Lady," she says to me with wide eyes.

I am stumped by this, I have never hurt any of my servants, "Of course," I whisper, her fear is penetrating me.

She takes a scroll out of her pocket and hands it to me shakily. I take it and look at the seal. Red wax with a dragon. My anxiety builds in my stomach. Why was the King writing to me?

I tear open the scroll and devour the words on the page. I read it three times and take a deep breath.

Lady Vyara Stark,

I am writing to you, Prince Aemond Targaryen, Heir to the Iron Throne and the Seven Kingdoms.

All in the Seven Kingdoms are shocked by the actions of your brother the Pretender Eddard Stark.

I have reason to believe, that you too, are shocked by his actions and hold them in contempt.

If you are truly willing to leave your brother side and join the true King then we could put it in place that you were kept in safety. If your brother Rickon, as Heir to Winterfell, was willing, I would ensure his succession to Winterfell.

Decisions need to be made quickly, if no reply is received, we will regard you as a traitor alongside your brother.

Regards,

Prince Aemond Targaryen

"Sit Brienne, I am not going to hurt you," I point to my couches and I sit with her, "You are a spy?"

"My Lady, Lord Strong, he has workers in every castle in the realm, he never had any real need for me until your brother proclaimed himself King. I promise I haven't said anything to betray you, I want to help you, I hear you cry, I know you are unhappy, that is all I have told them. I'm not sure if there are more like me in this castle, I was told to deliver this to you, I haven't read it," she says quickly.

I put my hand on hers and squeeze. 

"You have done the right thing, little one, thank you," she slumps with relief.

I breathe again. This could be a way out. If I could safely take the dragons South, my brother wouldn't stand a chance. He may not even get far enough to cause much destruction. I am positive, without the dragons, the men will revolt against him.

And then what? My brother will die. I have a flashback of Eddard, Rickon and I on our dragons flying above Winterfell, us all laughing as we race one another, and it feels as though I've been punched in the stomach. Can I really be the one who causes my brother's death?

I read the letter again Decisions need to be made quickly.

The fact that the Heir to the Throne has reached out means they see us as a legitimate threat. We would never be able to defeat them, but our three dragons could do a lot of damage, especially Azar. Not that I have ever thought of actually going through with my brothers plans. I would gladly die over doing as he asks.