A Dance of Frost and Flame

Chapter 3. Visenya & Winterfell

Dawn seeped through the curtains of Visenya's room, the sun bringing in light as she stirred in bed. Her hair, still braided, spread across her pillow. She blinked away her tiredness and then stretched before rising. Her hands fumbled with the ribbon in her braids, undoing them until her silver hair lay curled against her back.

Moments later, a soft knock came. She stood and grabbed hold of the robe beside her bed. Upon opening the door, her nose caught the scent of eggs and fresh fruits. It was Amaya, the serving girl from the day before. Visenya allowed her entrance, and she placed the platter on her table: "Lord Stark and Prince Jacaerys have departed for today's hunt. I was sent to inform you that your dragons have been refusing meals."

Visenya had expected such. She walked over to the food, using a wooden skewer to stab and pick up the fruit, "Thank you, Amaya. I will see what I can do for them." She took a bite, the sweet and sour hitting her tastebuds immediately, and she swallowed. "Have they left any inclination on how long they will be away?" She asked.

Amaya's head only lowered, "I am sorry, Princess. M'lord did not say. When he leaves for hunts, it may take the good part of a day if the land provides them well. If not, Winterfell usually does not see him for days on end."

The silver-haired girl only nodded, then proceeded to dismiss her. Amaya quickly left, the door closing softly behind her. Visenya suddenly felt rather alone; she had been allowed on the occasional hunt with her stepfather but feared it would seem unladylike had she joined the two men on their current outing. Not to mention, she wasn't invited. 

She finished breakfast and got dressed for the cold weather. Once out of her room, she opened the door to Jace's chambers. Finding it empty only heightened her loneliness. Sighing, she exited back into the hallway. Her eyes fixed on the opposite side where Cregan had said his chambers were located the night before. She parted that way with a quick glance to be sure nobody was near.

Before coming upon his room, there seemed to be a living area with wolfskin rugs and stools; the thick wooden benches had cushions laid out on top. It smelt earthy and aromatic, giving her an odd sense of warmth and nostalgia. She peered through the open door, finding an old woman holding a young babe and a tiny wooden sword in the other hand. 

She immediately knew it was Rickon Stark, Cregan's first and only son. His hair was a deep brown, and his light gray eyes were like his father's. The woman's head jeered upwards, "Princess Visenya!" She spoke, surprised. Her wrinkled face soon formed a small, polite smile.

Visenya greeted her then welcomed herself into the room, sitting beside the young boy and older woman. She offered her hand out and the lady gave her the tiny sword toy, "So this is little Rickon?" She spoke softly as the babe stared at her with curious, rounded eyes. The Velaryon girl moved the toy up and down, catching his attention.

"Yes, Princess. Cregan left him in the care of me and the wet nurses, as I had once cared for him when he was but a boy." She replied with a strong northern accent.

"You were here when Cregan was younger?" The girl asked, eyes still fixed on Rickon, he had formed a wide smile as she moved the toy this way and that, fascinated.

The woman was humored; she replied, "I was here long before he was born when his uncle and father before him were Lords of Winterfell. This has always been my home."

Visenya looked at her and nodded, "It was nice meeting this little one, and you. I'm afraid I must tend to my dragons now," She stood, placing the toy in Rickon's tiny palms. As she walked out, she heard noises of disappointment from the young boy.

She was in the outer courtyard now, where four boys around her age were practicing with their swords. Amaya was seated on a bench nearby next to a much younger, skinnier girl, watching the boys have their fun. She joined them, her hooded cloak covering her Targaryen hair.