The Gathering Storm | Aemond Targaryen

Chapter 22

"No! No you can't leave! It's too soon!" Elyse cried, her small body sat atop the chest at the foot of the bed as She watched Haera move swiftly around the room collecting the few things she had brought with her. Although now she was leaving with a second bag as well, packed with all the fur clothes that Cregan had  gotten for her during her stay.

"Elyse I must go, I have matters to attend to." Haera paused, inhaling deeply as she made sure she had everything.

Throwing herself off the large chest, the young girl only frowned. "Like what? Why can't you stay here forever? I don't think Lord Stark would mind-"

Unable to keep the smile from crawling up her lips, Haera looked over her shoulder at the serving girl behind her. "Lord Stark is very busy as well. I need to leave him to his work."

"Can Stormdancer at least stay? I promise to feed him."

"I'm afraid that's not possible little one. He has to come home with me."

Elyse only pouted. "But why do you have to leave? Can you take me with you?"

Bless the seven this girl was going to be the death of Haera.

Taking another deep breath, Haera knelt to the ground in front of Elyse. She had to get her to ease up or she was afraid she might try and crawl onto the back of Stormdancer with her.

"I'll tell you but you have to promise to keep it a secret. No one must know about it, do you understand?"

Eyes now suddenly bright, Elyse nodded her head quickly. "Yes! I won't tell anyone I promise. My momma says spreading secrets can get you killed."

"Oh-" trying hard to hide her startled face, Haera nodded her head.

"What's the secret?"

The next words practically pained Haera to say them, but she hopes it would do the trick to get the girl to calm down. "Well you see, I have to go home and get married. There is to be a grand wedding and I cannot miss it."

A part of Haera felt bad for lying because not a second later the young girl was letting out a shriek of delight that had her slapping her palms over her ears.

"Shh, shhh- no one must know yet."

Elyse quieted almost immediately, her head tilting as she did. "Why not?"

"Because it's sort of a surprise?"

"Ohhhhh. . . Can I come with you?! Maybe I can meet a Prince and get married too?"

"I have an even more important job for you." Haera spoke, taking the child's hands gently in her own. "I need you to look after Cregan for me. And perhaps if you do a good enough job I will sent an invitation to the wedding to you."

At that Elyse gasped, nodding in delight. "For me?"

"Yes, but right now you have to help me get out of here without being seen. Deal?"

"Deal."

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Elyse held true to her deal because not ten minutes later Haera was in a saddle besides Cregan Stark, her belongings strapped tightly to the back of her horse. And like before her sword was strapped to her back and she was dressed entirely in black, apart from the thick cloak with the deep red fox pelt that Cregan had gifted her.

"Will you come visit?" Elyse looked up, her big blue eyes bearing into Haera as she did.

"I'm sure I'll be back in the north before you know it, young one. Now go on, I know you have work to do."

The young girl nodded once more before she gave one last deep curtsy and ran out of the stables.

The moment both lord and princess were beyond the oak gates of Winterfell they kicked their horses into a run.

The cold bit at Haeras face as the two of them raced across the rocky landscape, making for the ravine in which Stormdancer had been dwelling. On the distant northern horizon, dark clouds had begun brewing and with it strong icy winds.

Neither person spoke the whole way, not until they were slipping down the steep walls of the ravine and into the dried river bed.

In Cregans arms he carried both of Haeras bags, each one bound tightly with buckles and strings to make sure nothing came loose on her journey. "There's a storm coming. Maybe it would be best for you to wait it out."

"And have someone turn me in for an absurd amount of gold? I'll pass." Haera breathed, smiling a maoment later when Stormdancer came crawling out of the deep cavern in which he had been sleeping.

The dragon let out a shriek at the sight of his rider, shaking his wings out as he did. Having grown more comfortable with him, Cregan helped strap the bags on the larger saddle of the dragon, holding his hand out a few minutes later to assist Haera up.

"I know your dragon is fast but do not fly through the night. Winter storms move fast and they will catch you. Aim for White Harbor. There you should be able to rest for the night." Cregan explained, watching as Haera buckled her waist and legs into the saddle. "If the storm does hit you, wait it out. It will do you no good flying blind in a blizzard."

"Yes, of course. Is there anything else dear?" Haera mocked, rolling her eyes as she wrapped the reins thrice around her gloved hands. Cregan merely looked at her was amusement.

Stepping back down to the ground, the young lord looked up at the dragon rider. "I know it is far in the future but I look forward to seeing the Queen you will become. You are going to make Westeros better, I know it."

"Are you saying if the time comes you'll pledge your banner to me Lord Stark?" Haera mused, looking down at the man before her.

"I already have. And know that they are your mothers as well." His tone enough to make Haera melt slightly in her saddle. "And it's Cregan. You know this."

With one last smile and knowing look, Haera nodded her head and smacked the reins. With a simple valyrian command Stormdancer rose onto his legs, spread his wings, and with one swift movement launched himself into the overcast sky.