𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐧𝐝...

Chapter Thirty Six

I was still stressed from that dream, even after an hour in a calming bath. I did not know why was it making me this anxious, it was only a dream.

After getting out of the bath, I wore something appropriate to walk around the castle. I wanted to get my mind a rest.

I walked outside of my room and was thankful that the boys were not guarding as I ordered them. I went across from the Great Keep, where my chambers were, through the main Courtyard to the Library Tower.

I've spent quite some time scamming all through the library and then finally found couple of books I'd like to read or found interesting. I brought the books and scrolls to the ground level of the Library Tower and sat on a table next to the fireplace and just in front of the doors. I started reading one of the books, an hour passed, and I was already drowned by the book.

Suddenly, the doors of the Library Tower swung open. "Princess? I apologize. I'll leave you to it" Lord Benjen Mormont, stated surprised. "No please Lord Mormont! Join me" I called for him, before he left hurriedly. "Princess? I am more than happy to leave you to read in peace. I'll come another time" he stopped by the doors, with a polite smile and nod. "Nonsense... pick a book and read, you'll not bother me. Please, it feels eerie in this tower alone" I explained. "Yes it does feel uncanny whenever you are alone here" he chuckled. "Yes, now come inside and close the door... how it could be this cold when we are in the middle of summer" I complained. "Welcome to the North, your Highness" he snickered and entered, closing the doors behind him.

Lord Mormont has picked only two books and some empty parchment scrolls to write on them. He sat by the table next to mine, wanting to give me space. "Reading for work or...?" I questioned, turning to look at him. "Work... the Maester said that I need to broaden my view on medicine as well. not only politics he said" he sighed tiredly. "You are an advisor for the Lord of the North, why would you need to know about medicine? There are enough Maesters here!" I chuckled. "Can you command them? Pleaseee you Highness" he joked and I chuckled. "I'd love to save you Lord Mormont but that is your friend's job" I smiled and he snickered, still smiling. "What about you?" he asked. "Reading for pleasure... or rather to get my mind off of certain things" I coughed. "Can you tell me what books or scrolls you're reading, princess?" Lord Benjen became interested.

"The Edge of the World by Maester Balder, The Nine Voyages of Corlys Velaryon by Maester Mathis, Dragons, Wyrms, and Wyverns: Their Unnatural History by Septon Barth, and finally Winter's Kings, or the Legend and Lineages of the Starks of Winterfell by Maester Childer," I told, and he looked at me impressed and nodding. "Good collection, but isn't it too much for one night?" he smiled. "When I pick a book, I drown in it until I finish it... plus some here I've read before so it's easy" I stated.

For another hour, each of us was busy with our readings until I got bored. I stood up and walked to the front of where Lord Mormont sat and read. He raised his head slowly to me and had a questioning look on his face. "I'm bored. Are you seriously reading this?" I asked. "No I'm just merely spending time in the Tower so the Maester would be fooled, princess" He chuckled at himself. "Then let us talk instead of reading," I said. "That sounds perfect to me" he laughed and closed the book in front of him.

I do not know how the conversation turned into speaking about Lord Cregan's Stark stories. But nonetheless, I enjoyed it. Cregan was a free-spirited boy when he was young, a troublemaker, both him and Lord Benjen. His pranks on his all too serious father, the Maesters, and his Septas. "But he changed when his father died and when his uncle was robbing him of his titles. I am not saying that Lord Cregan is a bitter man now, not at all, he is fun to be around but only to the people he likes and trusts." Benjen retold. "I do not blame him if he changed, no one deserves to fight their family to give their own rights." I sighed. "Yes," he agreed. After some silent moments, I sighed and looked at him. "Can I trust you with an information?" I asked. "Of course, your Highness. I will not tell a soul" he declared, becoming serious. "Earlier today, on the stroll in the Wolfswood with Lord Stark, he confessed to me about something" I was too embarrassed to look him in the eye. I heard him snicker lightly and quietly. I looked up to him, and saw that he was suppressing a chuckle. "YOU KNEW!" I gasped, smiling. "Princess, I was his childhood companion and best friend long before I came to be his advisor and council. Of course, I already knew. He came running to me like a teenage boy, enthusiastic" He chuckled lightly.