The Dragon in the North

The Hatchling in Winterfell

6 Years Time Skip (120 AC)

Six years have passed since they arrived in Winterfell and a lot has happened. Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen kept her word and visited her daughter in Winterfell as often as she could, telling Daenys about her younger brothers. Jacaerys Velaryon was born a few months after Daenys, Lucerys Velaryon over a year after her and Joffrey Velaryon three years ago. Rhaenyra and her family now lived on Dragonstone. Laenor Velaryon also came to Winterfell when he had the chance, as did his mother Rhaenys Targaryen. His sister Laena Velaryon married Daemon Targaryen in 115 AC and moved with him to Pentos, where she gave birth to twins in 116 AC. Cregan Stark's younger brother died one year ago. Septa Ona and Nora Stark were right, Cregan and Daenys became inseparable and did a lot of things together. Cregan himself took his role as a big brother to Daenys more than seriously. Over the last six years, the Silver Duo had also become more and more accustomed to the cold, as had the Northerner to the two dragons. Daeny's bond with her two silver dragons grew stronger and stronger and with the first flight with both dragons, this already inseparable bond became a deep and unbreakable connection.

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"Cregan, Cregan. Wait for me!" "Oh, Daenys, is everything okay?" "You sent for me, or have you forgotten about it?" Now Daenys was slightly confused. Cregan had told one of the knights to let her know that he wanted to see her. "That's right, there was something. Sorry Eny, I'd completely forgotten, but Father said he had a surprise for us." "A surprise?" "Yes, but I don't know what kind of surprise. Come on, let's find out." With that, the duo from Winterfell made their way to Lord Stark, who was already waiting for the two children.

"You could have told me what your surprise is, brother" "And risk you blabbing to Daenys? I know you well enough, little sister, to know that Daenys knows exactly how to get something out of you." "You're probably right. She's very clever for her age. Septa Ona is very enthusiastic about Daenys' progress in High Valeryon. Her thirst for knowledge is also remarkable. And one day she'll beat Cregan on the training field. Ah, I think the two of them are coming." Cregan and Daenys ran up to the two adults. "Father, here we are. What is this ominous surprise?" Both looked at Lord Stark with a questioning and demanding gaze.

"Cregan, Daenys my men have found two Direwolf pups in the Wolfswood and brought them here. I'll allow you two to each choose one of the pups for yourselves. You too, Daenys. You may be a Targaryen, but you are also a young girl from the North." "Thank you, Lord Stark, that means so much to both of us." No sooner said than done. Daenys, Cregan, Lord Rickon Stark and Nora Stark went together to the puppies, who stuck their heads out curiously at their visit.

One of the pups had dark grey fur with black stripes, which would give him the advantage of sneaking up unnoticed. The other puppy had light grey fur with brown patches. Daenys and Cregan moved closer to the pups and settled on the floor to give the pups a chance to get to know the two humans.

After a while, the two puppies stirred and walked towards the two children, who were still sitting patiently on the floor. The light grey puppy made his way straight to Cregan Stark, who cuddled the puppy overjoyed. The dark grey puppy was a little more cautious, but he also made his way to one of the children. Daenys was also overjoyed when the little pup cuddled up to her. "Your name will be Shadow. How do you like it?" Shadow barked happily, letting Daenys know that he loved his name. Daenys and Cregan sat like that for a while, playing with the puppies while the two adults talked about other things.

Lord Stark allowed the children to take the puppies to their respective rooms. There, Daenys was sitting on the floor in front of the crackling fire of the fireplace, Shadow next to her. "Princess, I brought the book about Aegon the Conqueror. Shall I read it to you tonight as a bedtime story?" "That would be wonderful, Septa Ona. I love the stories about my ancestors." "Let's get you ready for bed then." When Daenys was changed and lying in her bed, snuggled deep in her blankets, Septa Ona began to read her the story that Daenys had wanted for days.

The next day, Daenys took her puppy with her to introduce him to her two most trusted companions.

Sitting on the ground and playing with Shadow, Daenys waited for the arrival of her two dragons. Meraxes and Silverwing were only a short time away and landed elegantly in front of Daenys and Shadow. The latter didn't look scared or frightened. He was very calm, because he adapted directly to the calmness that Daenys radiated and understood that nothing would happen to him. Meraxes and Silverwing were also very interested in the new member and accepted him at Daenys' side.

This continued for the next few days. Daenys visited her dragons in the morning to train with both, followed by sword training with Cregan and Ser Flint and lessons with Septa Ona in the afternoon.

"Daenys, I need to talk to you." "Lord Stark, is everything all right."

"A raven came from Driftmark with a message for you, Princess." Daenys, at the age of six, realised immediately that the expression on Lord Stark's face couldn't mean anything good.

And her hunch turned out to be true!

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I'll try to upload another chapter before the end of this week. 😊