The Dragon in the North - Aemond Targaryen

9.

Vyara's POV

"My lady, you need to wake up for the day," I hear a little voice, it is one of the serving girls. I open my eyes.

"I'm very sorry to trouble you my lady, but a note came for you last night regarding plans this morning, so I thought it best to wake you now," she looks a bit frightened. I hate when the servers fear me.

I yawn, "Of course my dear, thank you," she gives me a tiny smile and that makes me feel a bit easier. I take the scroll from her and read it.

My stomach clenches, "What time is it?"

"It's 8.30am my lady, I have run you a bath."

I get up quickly to get into the bath. I feel conflicted, I do not want to spend more time with Aemond, I don't know what it is about him. Am I scared of him? Everyone else seems to be. I'm not sure that is it, he hasn't done anything to scare me. I'm not easy to scare.

Aside from that I am full of anticipation. I cannot wait to see Azar. There is nothing I'd rather do today than see my dragon, I've never gone so long without seeing him, I usually have to tend to him daily. I feel a pleasant sense of joy in my stomach, and I check myself. In truth, I've been trying to avoid happiness for the last few years. It can so easily be snatched away from you. It is easier just being sad all of the time than feel the disappointment.

I get out of the bath and go to my wardrobe, thankfully my leathers have been included in the collection that has been sent down from Winterfell. I pick my favourites, black with silver clasps, which covers me fully, I wear black riding trousers underneath. I double check that none of my scars are on show. I have my hair fully pleated in the Targaryen fashion to keep my hair out of my face. It flows down my back in a long, intricate braid.

I down my potion from the Maester in one. I have a look in the mirror and feel some excitement, I've decided I'm going to try and enjoy the day seeing Azar, I don't know when I'll see him again. I know I'm going to punish myself for enjoying it later, but I put the thought to the back of my mind.

Surprisingly I am early, and I decide to go to the dragon pit. I haven't been permitted to leave the castle before. My guards have clearly been informed it's OK and tell me there is a carriage waiting for me. I insist I must have a horse; I hate travelling in a litter like an old crone.

They grant me my request and a palomino palfrey is taken to the castle doors for me. They follow behind on destriers, as if I can't handle a warhorse? I shrug it off.

They take me through the streets, surprisingly one of the guards carry my Manderly banner. I suppose this is how lords and ladies are usually transported around the city.

As we exit the castle gates and down into the city, people start exiting buildings to stare. Five minutes, there are crowds being shooed away from my guards. Some women approach and throw flowers, a little girl holds one out to me sweetly and I take it and smile at her, not sure what is going on. I'm taken aback, is this how all lords and ladies are treated? People in the crowd start to shout, "The Lady of the North!" randomly and cheering. I look at the guard closest to me, Jorah, and raise my eyebrows.

"My lady the story of your escape has spread the Kingdom, it looks like you have many fans," he smiles at me. I look back at him dumbfounded, if anything I thought the people would dislike me, being the sister of a traitor. This continues and my eyes well up. I'm not sure if it's happiness or sadness, maybe a mixture of both.

I see the vast building of the dragon pit now and trot up the hill, away from the crowds. I remember I must ride Vhagar with Aemond today. Being in close proximity to my cousin isn't on my list of things I want to do, the last time I almost died.