Dragon Dreamer 🗡 Cregan Stark fic

Chapter Four

Daenys and Cregan traveled for three days thus far. Daenys was proud to say that she had adjusted well to the temperature of the day, while they were traveling. Night, however, was a different story.

The first night, she tried to sleep in the tent that Cregan kindly set up for her, insisting that a princess should not have to do such a tedious task. She didn't sleep for a single minute, riding her horse like a dead girl walking. The bite of the air exempted her from sleep, although she considered no sleep better than waking up in the midst of a nightmare again.

The next night, she planned to sleep under Morningstar's wing, but the dragon had insisted on leaving after the tents were set up, apparently having a strong dislike for Dusk. The direwolf felt the same, protectively hovering in Cregan's vicinity. A cute effort, seeing as the dragon made him look like a mere pup, but Daenys would never say that aloud. So, she spent another sleepless night in her tent.

The second day, she had fallen asleep right on top of Mylo. The sudden 'thump' of weight falling onto the snow was what alerted Cregan to the princess on the floor. Mylo stopped, too, concerned at the weight leaving his back.

Daenys awoke to a worried Cregan cradling her face, thinking her dead from frostbite. When she opened her eyes, he just sighed heavily and sat back on his haunches. "What happened?" She asked, sitting up to meet his eye.

"You tell me," he grumbled, standing. "You fell off your horse with no warning, I thought I'd have to rush to the Winterfell's maester." His voice was low and stern, but clearly the stress from the situation had burdened him greatly.

"Do I still need to?"

"No, of course not. I must simply be tired." She took the outstretched hand gratefully, standing and dusting snow from her clothes.

"That's a gross understatement." Cregan deadpanned, not letting his gaze leave her, hands hovering to catch her in case she fell again. "Have you not been able to sleep, princess? Why haven't you come to me?"

"To you?" She flushed, "Why would I?"

"I could keep you warm. Isn't that your problem, the night's chill?" He asked gently, innocently.

"I..that is most improper. We can not be alone in a tent together, even with good intentions." Daenys told him, making a point to avoid his stare.

"This is the North, we are not so prudish that we forget our health for our 'modesty.'" He laughed, then hesitated slightly. "What about your first night at Winterfell? You didn't seem to mind that I stayed with you, then."

"I wish not to speak of that night. I hope you forget it." She spat, speaking quick and precise. She should not have left her chambers that night. She should have tried harder to resist her mind.

He pursed his lips, nodding slowly. "If you wish, princess."

"But, if you're so uncomfortable with it, I can command Dusk to sleep in your tent."

Daenys glanced at the direwolf, who had gone ahead of the stopped party to scout. She just barely made out his brown shape amidst the snow. "Thank you."

He helped her back onto Mylo, then mounted Red himself. "We will just travel a little more, I know a place that we often camp at just ahead. I need to hunt anyhow, while you rest."

Cregan left no room for arguing, gesturing for her to walk side-by-side to him instead of behind.

Cregan hunted after setting the tents up, taking Dusk with him. Morningstar rested her wings in the clearing, huddled between the thin trees awkwardly. Daenys sat next to her neck, stroking the dragon absentmindedly, "such a trouper, my girl. Never complaining." The dragon purred at the praise.