.INDOMITUS. | Jacaerys Velaryon x OC x Cregan Stark |

Chapter Thirty-Six: The Old Gods Bear Witness

{Winterfell}

On the morning of Rhaenys and Cregan's wedding, the bride was spotted leaving the keep in her riding gear. Moments later, the Cannibal was seen flying over the keep and towards the rock valleys and the ravines. The Black beast seemed less murderous as it glided through the skies with it's rider on it's back. The dragon landed close to a frozen waterfall, waiting for it's rider to reach the snowy ground before shaking it's body. The large reptile let out the equivalent of a sneeze before settling down, watching it's bond with tired eyes.

Rhaenys felt free when she was in the air, feeling the wind blow through her hair and the cold bite at her face. She felt wild as she held onto Morghul's spikes with no saddle or way to guide them other than through trust. She felt as light as a feather as she slid down their wing and landed on the white ground. In the middle of nowhere with no one but her bonded dragon, Rhaenys could breathe.

Out there with nothing but the wind and the trees to accompany them, Rhaenys felt calm enough to think about the days ahead of her. Winterfell was so loud and so busy, and different. With the space to think clearly, she thought about her family. How Baela would love the training grounds and fighting with squires and other Lords. How Rhaena would appreciate the difference in culture, the fashion and the festivities. She thought about how little Joffery would react upon seeing snow for the first time, and how Luce would immediately throw some at Jace.

Jace. Her Jacaerys. Despite the moment that the trio had experienced just hours earlier in front of the Weirwood Tree, Rhaenys still felt as though she were betraying him. Not only that, but her sweet Baela as well. Once the news reached Dragonstone, her mother would be furious, and Baela would no longer have a betrothed. Jacaerys would have been a safe match for her sister, and in time they could have learnt to love one another. But Rhaenys had been selfish, too caught up in her own desires to realise the impact it would have.

Before she could completely disappear into her mind, Rhaenys heard the nasally screech of a familiar dragon. Turning her head she saw Vermax land near the waterfall, and their rider approach despite Morghul's growl of warning. "You missed breakfast" Jace greeted her with a kiss to the crown of her head before sitting down alongside her. Morghul let out a series of grumbles before rising and stomping away, settling down a good distance from the twins but close enough to protect his rider. "You'll love me eventually!" The brown haired man shouted to the black beast, who simply flicked their tail in front of their eyes in response. Rhaenys couldn't help but let out a giggle at the interaction before laying her head on Jace's shoulder. The younger twin wrapped his arm around his older sister's shoulder and pulled her close, the two enjoying the peace while it lasted.

"Are we doing the right thing?" Rhaenys asked after a moment, staring straight ahead. Jace didn't need to ask what she meant. "I love you, and you love me, yes? And we both hold love for the hunk of a man you're to marry" Jace sighed. The previous night's conversation rang through their minds as they sat. "The histories say that Aegon married Visenya for duty and Rhaenys for love, but that he did love both of them. You're doing the very same, Rhae" Jacaerys urged, holding his twin tighter. "But Baela..." Rhaenys trailed off sadly, and Jace knew he had been caught. With neither having anything left to say on the matter, they stayed silent until the sun had fully risen and the water began to melt on the waterfall.

Jace stood, and held his hand out so that he could help his sister to her feet. "Come on" he said softly, not letting her go. "I don't know about you, but I don't think the Old Gods would appreciate you being late to your own wedding" he teased, coaxing a smile out of Rhaenys. He bent his head downwards and captured her cold lips in a gentle kiss, hoping to put all his unsaid words into it, Rhaenys doing the same. The two pulled apart when a shadow loomed over them, and Rhaenys let out a laugh as she saw a grumpy Morghul with a layer of snow covering their horns. The dragon shook their head with a snort, causing the snow to land on top of the twins. "Uncalled for" Jacaerys whined as he ruffled his hair to remove the snow. Rhaenys remained in a fit of giggles as she clambered onto her dragon's back. "Race you!" She called to her brother before allowing the beast below her to take flight. Jacaerys watched fondly as his beloved sister took off on dragon back, seeing her happy made him content. Shaking his head, Jace jogged over to Vermax and mounted them, attempting to catch up with Rhaenys and the Cannibal.