The Gathering Storm | Aemond Targaryen

Chapter 18

Haera slept well into the next morning, a deep dreamless sleep settling over her the moment she had climbed into the mountain of furs that covered her bed. She had burrowed deep into them, so much so that the next morning Elyse had to somewhat dig her out to find her.

The young serving girl had clearly taken a liking to Haera, her eyes always filled with wonder whenever she was in the room with her.

"I brought breakfast, I wasn't sure what you liked so I brought some of everything." Elyse explained quickly, waving her hand towards the table that was almost overflowing with food. The sight making Haeras eyes widen as she lifted her head up slightly to peer over the furs and blanket covering her.

"You did not need to do that, I would have been perfectly content with piece of warm bread." Haera smiled, slowly rising from her bed as she once more wrapped her dressing gown around her.

"But you're a Princess, you deserve it."

Picking up a sweet roll from one of the platters, Haera licked a bit of icing off her thumb. "You need not treat me different because I am a Princess. Treat me as you would anyone else. In the end I'm just a girl, nothing more. Plus, I don't have a large enough stomach for all this food."

Elyse tilted her head, stray strands of blonde hair falling in front of her eyes. She couldn't be more than ten. The same age Haera was when she first came here.

"You are not what I thought you'd be."

"How so little one?"

"You're kind. My father always told me Princes and Princesses where stuck up fools who only cared for themselves."

"Well," Haera paused, swallowing a bite of sweet roll. "I know some of us are such as my uncles, but other than that we can be quite nice. My brothers are as sweet as they come, unless you beat Jace in a sword fight, then he just becomes a whiney baby."

At that Elyse giggled, still looking up at Haera in wonder. "Are they handsome?"

"Quite. Though I think I'm the prettiest out of the three of them. But don't tell them I said that." Haera winked, getting another giggle out of the girl.

"Lord Stark says he finds you quite beautiful." Elyse whispered, slapping a small hand over her mouth a second later.

At that Haera felt her cheeks heat up. "Oh did he now? And how do you know that?"

"He told me last night. He asked me what I thought of you. When I said I found you pretty he agreed."

No longer able to suppress her full grin, Haera let out a sweet laugh, the crows feet around her eyes crinkling.

"You best run along young one, I will see you later. And if you happen to see your Lord tell him I find him pretty as well."

Elyse let out a giggle once more before turning and dashing from the room, leaving Haera to get dressed.

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Haera found Cregan in the courtyard not long after, the two of them both wrapped in thick winter cloaks.

"Goodmorning Princess, how did you sleep?" Cregan bowed his head and she walked towards him, pulling on a pair a mink gloves as she did.

"Like a baby. Though your young serving girl Elyse practically had to dig me out of all the furs.

"She is a sweet little thing is she not?" Cregan mused, the two of them walking side by side across the yard.

"Very."

"Would you join me on a ride through the Wolfs-wood Princess? It is quite beautiful this time of year."

"I would like nothing more, though I do need to return to my dragon. He grows restless when I'm away for two long. The last thing we both need is him swallowing some poor Northman that stumbled upon him."