The Aeronaut's Daughter

A New Name

In the cave, the children huddled against the wall to keep warm. Serafina tended to her fellow witch who had nearly been devoured by the Spectre. "I hope she's okay," (Y/N) worried.

The other witch: Lena said, "She's come back to us,".

The hyperventilating witch Reina gasped. "When they had hold of me, I felt numb and so cold. Life or death meant nothing,".

"Just rest," soothed Serafina. "Stay calm. Give yourself a chance to heal,".

"It isn't safe for you three to journey with us," (M/C) said solemnly. "You should leave now whilst you can,".

"Now children we will not leave you," Serafina was not afraid. "But Will, once we find your father and Lee Scoresby, we must leave this world,".

"Then let us hope they can arrive where we'll find them fast," (Y/N) hoped. "I just hope they're okay,". Lyra hugged her to keep her hopes strong.

Serafina eyed the knife still clutched in Will's good hand. "Your knife frightened those Spectres,".

"It frightens everyone," Will said, looking a little frightened himself.

"We should get some sleep," (M/C) announced. "But I felt something admits out there beyond the valleys,".

"I will take the first watch," the witch queen said. The children went to bed and (Y/N) unfurled her wings to cover them again like a warm blanket. A fire was lit up and Aster, Pan, Leo and Roger were curled up together beside it. One child however couldn't sleep. Will gently rolled out from under (Y/N)'s wing and sat against a wall, lost in thought.

"Are you scared?" Aster walked up to them in his Arctic fox form.

Will felt like he could talk to him. "I saw my father, and I'm scared,". He confessed.

"I still remember when I saw your father when he defended (Y/N) and her grandmother. he was brave and caring. She thinks you're so much like him. And I bet he'll be so proud of you when he sees you,".

Will wondered what would happen once he saw his father again. Still, he could feel fear clenching him like iron. Aster knew something to save. "(Y/N) thinks you're the bravest fighter she's ever seen. As brave as Iorek Byrnison, king of the armoured ears,".

Will chuckled. "Iorek Byrnison, that's a compliment. I still think she, Lyra and (M/C) are much braver than me,".

"We all get scared sometimes," Aster told him. "We can't always be brave,".

"They're the best friends I've ever had," Will smiled. "Not that I've had many friends,".

"You're their best friend too," Pan walked over to them in his ermine form. "I think we're all the bestest friends each of us has ever had. Now sleep you two. We'll feel a lot better in the morning. Come under (Y/N)'s wing again Will. It's so comfy,". He rejoined Lyra under (Y/N)'s wing and Will crawled back over, catching a glimpse of (Y/N)'s open eye. She smiled and he smiled back.

...................................................................................................................

The sun rose early the next day. But it was not a happy start for the balloon crashers. "How does that feel?" Jopari unravelled a makeshift bandage from Iera's broken paw.

"Much. Thank you," Iera said. "How's the balloon, Lee?".

Lee had gathered all his remaining supplies from the wreck. "I'm no longer an aeronaut. We're insects now travelling the world just like all the others,".