𝑭𝑹𝑶𝒁𝑬𝑵 𝑭𝑳𝑨𝑴𝑬 | Maura Stark x Aemond Targaryen

[PROLOGUE 2]

Maura Stark sat at the long wooden table beside her big brother as their parents indulged themselves in chatter and wine with the Targaryens. Storm had become restless from being cooped up inside the tavern all evening and was jumping up and down onto Maura's lap to get her attention.

"Maura, honey, take the wolf outside he's going to break something if he continues that" Her mother said, ushering the wolf off with her hands.

"Yes mother" Maura said as she jumped off her chair and called for her pup, "Come Storm" she ordered and then began strutting towards the Tavern door.

Aemond watched the dark haired girl disappear out the tavern with her Direwolf at her heels and decided to follow her. Aemond hopped down from his chair and stepped swiftly after the Stark girl.

"Go on then Stormy" Maura said, referring to Storm by his nickname, gesturing for her wolf to run off and play.

The white dire wolf licked her hand before hopping off, disappearing into the darkness of the night.

"Are you not worried he'll run away?" Aemond asked from behind Maura, startling her slightly.

She turned and face the silver haired boy, "Not at all, Storm is a good boy, he always comes back" she replied. "What do you Targaryens do to keep your dragons from flying off?".

"We have a Dragonpit that they're chained up in" Aemond replied.

"Sounds sad, like a dragon prison" Maura frowned.

Aemond shook his head, "Nothing like that, the dragons are well cared for everyday and are flown regularly by their riders" he explained.

Maura thought for a moment, keeping a silence between her and Aemond. She pressed a finger to her chin as her mind wandered before eventually she raised her eyes to meet Aemond's again, "Will you take me for a ride on your dragon?" She asked.

Aemond frowned in confusion, "What?".

"When you get a dragon later on in the future, will you take me for a ride on it?" Maura repeated herself, a sweet smile on her face.

"You still believe I'll get a dragon one day?" He questioned.

"I don't believe it, I know it" She corrected.

"Well then of course I'll take you for a ride" Aemond smiled.

Maura returned his smile, "You won't forget about me in the years to come? It could be a long time before you get a dragon" she said.

"How could I forget one of the only people that are actually kind to me" Aemond replied.

"You're a prince, I'm sure there are many who would show you kindness" Maura said.

Aemond kicked at the dirt a little bit, his head cast down in embarrassment, "You would think so, wouldn't you?" He said in a smaller voice now.

Maura stepped so she was at his side and grabbed his hand in hers with a soft smile, "Well, I'll always be kind to you, we're friends now, aren't we?" She asked.

Aemond lifted his head to look at the girl, a smile appearing on his lips, "Indeed, we're friends" he agreed.

The roar of dragons outside Winterfells walls caught Maura's attention. She looked at Aemond momentarily before running off towards the sound.

"Maura!" Aemond called after her in distress.

His calls only fell on deaf ears, Maura was much to focused on finding the dragons so she may finally see them up close. She turned through the exit gate of Winterfell and then around the corner, following along the outer wall for a while before she could see two large silhouettes just a way in front of her.

"Maura you can't!" Aemond called again as he chased after her, but once again, she hadn't heard him.

Maura stepped closer to the large beasts in front of her, the bigger of the two hardly took any notice of her and was intent on sleeping, however, the other one, the golden one was far more interested in the dark haired girl.

Sunfyre let out a low growl towards the small girl in front of him before opening his jaws, to reveal a golden light in the pit of his throat.

Maura's eyes widened in fear as she realised what this dragons intentions were. She froze in fright as the golden light was becoming larger in the dragons jaws.

"Maura!" Aemond called again, sprinting towards her.

Finally, she had heard him and turned to face the silver haired prince, but at the same time she did such, Sunfyre used the opportunity to spit his magnificent golden flames. Aemond jumped towards Maura and dove into her, forcing the both of them out of the range of Sunfyre's flames, that were now setting the small twigs on the ground alight, as well as melting the snow blanketing the ground.

Aemond then quickly got to his feet and grabbed Maura's hands, dragging her off with him, away from the dragons.

Once they were back inside the walls of Winterfell he spun to face her, "What were you thinking?!" He questioned.

Maura seemed confused, "Why did he try to hurt me?" She asked sadly.

Aemond's expression softened as the Stark girl became upset, "You cannot just approach the dragons, they don't take kindly to anyone that isn't their rider, especially Sunfyre" he explained as he kept his hands held softly on Maura's.

A guilty expression soon painted Maura's face, "I'm sorry.." she said.

Aemond shook his head, "It's alright, as long as you aren't hurt?" He said.

Maura shook her head, "No, he didn't get me, thanks to you" she said.

Aemond then chuckled in an attempt to make her feel a bit better, "You owe me now" he said.

Maura tilted her head with a frown, "I owe you?".

"For saving your life."

Maura rolled her eyes, "Alright, how do I repay you?" She asked.

Aemond hummed in thought for a moment, "I'll have to get back to you on that." He said.

....

Maura was awoken the next morning when Storm stood over her, licking her nose playfully so she would give him some attention. The girl giggled at her dire wolf as she fought against his snout to push him away, "Alright you win, I'll get up" she chuckled.

The white dire wolf then excitedly jumped off her bed and stood at the door to go outside, his tail wagging.

Maura hopped out of bed and pulled on her white fur coat over her sleeping gown, then she moved over and slipped her feet into her slippers before opening the door and stepped outside. Storm followed closely at her heels as she wandered about Winterfell, her hands rested behind her back.

She quickly began fast walking when she noticed the Targaryens were all piling back into their carriages, she didn't realise they would leave so soon after arriving.

"Father, what's going on?" Maura asked as she ran to her fathers side and tugged at his shirt.

Rickon chuckled before ruffling his daughters hair, "The King and Queen have urgent matters to attend back in Kings Landing" he explained.

"But I just made a friend" Maura pouted in disappointment.

Her father laughed, "Who is your friend my sweet?" He asked.

Maura then turned to seek out Aemond, who was climbing into the carriage. Maura pointed towards the silver haired prince and pointed, "Aemond's my friend" she said, loud enough for Aemond to hear.

The boy paused halfway up the steps to look where his name had been spoken. His eyes laid upon Maura and he smiled softly at her, raising a hand and waving a goodbye to her.

Maura frowned sadly as she returned his wave.

Aemond then continued up the steps and disappeared into the carriage with the rest of his siblings.

Maura crouched down and ran her hands across Storms soft fur as she petted him, trying her best not to look disappointed that her friend was leaving. She was aware they may never meet again, seeing as Aemond lived so far away from Maura, but she hoped they would indeed meet again.