Dragon Dreamer 🗡 Cregan Stark fic

Chapter Eight

Their morning routine continued when they woke like it was second nature. Cregan braided her hair carefully, Dusk and Morningstar took to curling up right next to each other (though Daenys could not understand why, the both of them had tended to avoid each other since they had met), and they packed up their belongings before they rode further toward the wall. Cregan estimated about nine more days left in their trip, eight if the weather favored them. Daenys had found that she was scarcely listening to his words, mind feeling like it was underwater. She continued through the day with little conversation and less focus, simply allowing Mylo to guide the way for them as he followed Red and Dusk.

Cregan stole glances at her throughout the day and hunted alone when he noticed her spacey, far away gaze had not shifted even once. He left her in the care of Dusk and Morningstar while he set his traps, returning to wait for them to take effect while he sat by Daenys. He was torn between talking her out of her state or leaving her in her thoughts. They had time, after all. Time that seemed to slip between his fingers the closer they got to the wall. Only another nine days before the Princess returned home to Dragonstone to report to the Queen. He was almost tempted to stall their journey, though it was a juvenile idea that he forced away quickly.

Daenys sat against the hard scales of Morningstar, listening to the loud purrs emanating from the beast. It vibrated against her back, almost soothing her to sleep. Cregan soon joined her in her reprieve, watching her fingers twist and pull away at the twig in her hands. Her eyes were staring at a point above her hands, simply fiddling with the stick as something to occupy her. She winced when a splinter stick itself into the pad of her thumb. Cursing slightly, she brought her thumb to her mouth to try and pry the thing out, stopped by a large hand bringing it next to her. Cregan studied her finger under the light of the sun, assessing where the splint lodged itself into her skin. He squeezed it out quickly, saying nothing as he did. Daenys only stared at his eyes while he focused on the trivial task. In the light, she noticed one was a darker shade than the other. More of a blue than the other, which was a perfectly slated grey. Had they always been like that, or was it a trick of the light and his lashes?

Cregan eventually left after she whispered her thanks, checking on his traps for their lunch and supper. Beside her leg, Dusk whined like a pup for attention. A few days ago, Cregan told her of how he used to be a silent companion, only barking for attention when he found whatever his owner sent him to search for. Daenys could hardly believe such a thing. The wolf was perhaps more vocal than Morningstar, always whining and chuffing for her attention and praise. She smiled as she stroked between his ears, pinky softly stroking from his muzzle to his forehead while he rumbled against her stomach. The actions reminded her much of a child, similar to Aegon or Viserys, who could not yet speak but found ways to ask for attention from those around him. They always succeeded, too, doted on by every member of the family greatly.

Daenys smiled slightly to herself, wondering how a babe of her own would act and look, perhaps as doted on and spoilt as her brothers, or independent and quiet. The thought left her mind quickly, watching Cregan stride back into the camp with a few rabbits hanging from a string. He attached them to Red's saddle, nodding for Daenys to come to one. Cregan lifted her by her hips onto Mylo, who shifted at the weight added. "Spotted some bear tracks around this area. We'll skip lunch and keep moving." He told her.

They walked slightly into the night, chill in the air increasing without fire's warmth or sunlight. She figured that Cregan wanted to get a few extra hours away from the bear, wherever it might be. She saw the tense look on his face beside her, knowing it was because of her. She wasn't afraid of a mere bear, not when Dusk and Morningstar could easily take one that wandered into their camp, but mayhaps he thought she would be keep awake at the thought of a grizzly beast crawling into her tent.