The Children of Spring

Mia III - Planning a Trip

The journey to Winterfell went calmly by and was surprisingly fast. It was not a long journey, still Mia had thought that it would be slower, because it had always been, normally the trips she had taken to Winterfell would take ages, at least it was what it had always seemed to her. Mia did not know if it was because of having ended up a long journey or if she simply had not just felt the time flying by, but it was definetively a short trip. Mia was really happy that her family was all together again, eventhough the battle had been harsh, her father and uncle had been hurt and they were all still tired from the fight and also because they hadn't slept in a proper bed for quite a long time. Mia suspected that the adults were a bit used to it or at least that it reminded them of the old times, she did not say anything though. Mia was starting to get really curious to ask her parents and aunts and uncles about the past, still she knew that they had to get the book first, which meant that they would probably had to wait until they were back at KingsLanding. Mia hoped that she could keep herself from not asking the million questions she had on her mind to her parents, until then.
When Mia had arrived to camp, after the whole crazy journey she had been in, she had hoped that the battle would be a little less crazy, but, from the moment she had not been able to see neither Brandon, nor Rickon or anyone else, just from that, she had known that everything would be like it had been until then. Still, when she had seen Brandon and Rickon coming to camp, she had been so relieved, seeing they were alright. She had no doubt that they would make it, they were both strong warriors, but Brandon was her little brother, just like Eddard, and Rickon was, well, Rickon. He was her cousin and, probably, the man she loved. They had a history together, not that anybody knew of it, because, unlike Galladon and Jenny, they could hide it very well, eventhough Mia was pretty sure that her mother and her aunt Sansa knew about it, which meant that her father and her uncle Tyrion knew about it as well. As no one ever told them anything, Mia and Rickon just kept doing what they had been doing for a year by then, which involved just kissing and spending time with each other in a place where they could be alone, talking outside of earshot, without anyone knowing it. They were both very kept to themselves about that, at least, by then, because when they were children, they were very opened about everything. However, while growing up, they understood that maybe there were things that they should talk a little less about.
Dispite that, after all that had happened, Mia had missed him so much and had been so worried, for there had been times in which she really had felt that it was the end, that she had thought, Oh, I don't care. We're 15, what can they do?, then she had done the thing she wanted to do since she had left the Free Cities and had kissed him. Everything had been alright and everyone had been happy for them, even if it was a surprise. Everything would be better if her brothers and Jeyne had not started to tease them about it later, but Mia did not complain, it was funny sometimes.
After a day of traveling, they stopped for the night, there were just a day's ride away from Winterfell. They probably could have done the trip in that very day, but they found it was a better idea to stop for the night. Mia did not mind to stop, it was good for them to cook a plan for they knew that as soon as they arrived at Winterfell, they would start to be asked questions and Mia knew that her, Rickon, Thomas, Joan and Lyanna had a better plan. Still, their plan was probably what everybody was thinking, she would see to it in a bit, after dinner.
At dinner, for the first time in a very long time, at least that was what seemed like to Mia, she noticed that her parents and aunts and uncles as well as Tormund Giantsbane, Missandei and Grey Worm and some more lords and ladys, were talking about the old times, such as the wars, wether wins or defeats. Her family was all there, only her uncle Bran was not, he was in KingsLanding, still she had heard a little bird saying that a special person, as her uncle Sam had said, had asked permission to go see him. Mia was curious to know what the Lady of the Greywater had to say to her uncle.
In the army that was returning to Winterfell and the rest of the North, could be seen Free Folk, as well as members of the houses Mormont, Karstark and even Manderly.
Mia was distracted hearing someone telling some story about the Free Folk, when Rickon came to her and said to her hear,
"Come on, it's meeting time."
"Already?" Mia said standing up and turning to him and he nodded. Then she kissed him and said,
"Let's go then."
They went to the meeting place, a good thing was that the adults had told them that as long as in the morning they were ready to moove, then they could do whatever they wanted. Perhaps, if they knew what we're going to plan, they wouldn't have told us that, Mia thought.
As they arrived, most of the people were already there, there were only Jorah and Lyanna left, due to the fact that they had to make sure that Kingly and Sky ate. They waited a bit, the teasing had started again and at that Mia realized that her brothers would not give her rest. It was starting to get a little bit anoying.
After some time, Jorah and Lyanna finally came to them and the meeting started.
"So... the plan?" Lyanna asked.
"We have to get the book first." Jeyne said.
"How can we do that? It's in KingsLanding." Gerion said.
"I can fly in Rhaenys and get the book." Rhaella said.
"Will you be back in time for dinner, if you leave after lunch?" Eddard asked.
"Possibly." Rhaella said.
"I'll go with you. I can get the book from the White Tower." Jorah said and she nodded.
"Still, we have to be very secretive about it or everyone will suspect something is happening." Mia said.
"We have to buy time, then." Catelyn said.
"How do we do that?" Rickon asked.
"We can tell them something that'll keep them ocupied." Joan said and then looked at her brother and Jenny. Not a chance they will ever agree to that, Mia thought. She knew that Jenny and Galladon would only tell their parents about their engagement after they told them what happened in the journey.
"No!" Jenny and Galladon said right away.
"Why?" Brandon asked.
"Because we have to make them understand why we want to do this. And this is not something that can be used to buy us time." Jenny explained.
"Fine, you're right." Catelyn said.
"Any other ideas?" Galladon asked.
"We can always lock ourselves in our rooms all day." Lyanna said.
"That way they'll suspect." Mia said.
"Let's see... Well, aunt Dany and uncle Jon and aunt Sansa and uncle Tyrion will be busy, right? We've just finished a war, there're matters to be taken care of. So that leaves, my parents, aunt Brienne and uncle Jaime and aunt Arya and uncle Gendry. If we could find a way of distracting them until Rhaella and Jorah come back, then it'll be fine." Thomas said thinking.
"I can distract my parents, I think." Mia said. Maybe that way she would get some answers sooner than she thought.
"I can distract my parents too." Joan said, it might be a good idea to tell them that she and Jorah had worked things out, because, if afterwards Galladon decided to tell them that he and Jenny wanted to get marry, there was a small chance that the shock would be more light. Besides, Catelyn would help her.
"You're not thinking about telling them, are you?" Jorah asked Joan unsure, he had not tell his parents yet, eventhough it was a bit obvious.
"It'll be fine." Joan said and Jorah nodded. He knows he can't change her mind, Mia thought a bit amused. She always found it very admireable from Joan that she always did what was in her mind, no one could change her ideas.
"I think me and Mary can distract our parents too." Jenny said.
"You can distract mother. I have an idea." James said smiling. I really wonder who does he take after in these things..., Jenny thought. Everytime that there was a mischief back at Casterly Rock, it was James's idea, eventhough, when they were little, normally it was Jenny's. Still, more recently, everytime all of them were together, wherever it was, the possibly dangerous ideas always came from: James, Jorah, Catelyn, Gerion and Mia.
We have a certain gift to have some not so bright ideas from time to time, Mia thought, thinking about the old days. At least, they don't know some of the things me, Jen and Jon did back then, Galladon thought.
"No way. You think he'll just tell us like that?" Thomas asked. What are they-, Mia was thinking.
"We're almost 15. Besides, if he doesn't, at least, by the time the conversation is over, Jorah and Rhaella will be back." James explained. Oh. What Tormund told us, right..., Mia realized, remembering the conversation they had had with Tormund.
"Anyway. It's done then. We have a plan." Marianne said.
"But how can we take Rhaenys without being found out?" Jorah asked.
"I'll cover for you. Don't worry." Lyanna said and Rhaella and Jorah nodded.
"One more thing. Gal, Jen, Rickon and Jorah, please, don't put your foot in it, while you're lying." Catelyn said softly, still with some seriousness.
"We won't. We promise." Galladon said, still he really hoped it was true, for they were really terrible liars. They stayed talking for some more time to clear out all of the details.
After that, everyone went about their bussinesses. Mia was tired from the journey of the day, so was Rickon, therefore they agreed to go to sleep, said goodbye and went to their tents. However, Mia was walking to her tent, when, suddenly, it strucked her, What am I doing? I went from the Wall to the Free Cities and back, I fought warlocks and I haven't seen him for months, he's been on the battlefield for all these months..., At that she stopped walking and looked back to where his tent was, I won't miss the chance to spend time with him, before going back to the sea again, Mia thought as she started to walk towards his tent. In that moment, Mia realized that sometimes she had to do what she could do at the time and not wait, for if she waited too long, then she would be back to the sea and then only after months would she see Rickon again. Thus, she decided that she would spend as much time with him as possible. Normally, she would never do that because they had been trying to keep it a secret, but the secret was out and she did not know how much time she had before leaving again, as always.
After walking a bit, Mia was at the treshold of Rickon's tent, she asked,
"Rickon, can I come in?"
"Sure." She heard him saying and she entered. Rickon was ready to go to sleep, he had taken his jacket off and he was wearing only a shirt and pants.
"Mia, is everything alright?" Rickon asked confused, looking at her.
"Yeah, I just..." Mia was saying when her voice trailled off. She did not know what to say to him, they had never done this without planning it before.
"You just? You're scaring me." Rickon said confused and surprised, even though he was glad for her being there, he had missed her a lot and maybe they had few time left, for he would stay in Winterfell and she would go on another trip, therefore he just wanted to spend time with her before that. It had been hard missing her and not being able to talk to someone about it.
"It's just that I don't know how much time we have left before I leave again, so... I thought that..." Mia was saying a bit clumsly, she had never been very good in talking about her feelings. Rickon knew that.
"We could spend time together? To make the best of the time we have left." Rickon finished and she smiled, he smiled too.
"Exactly. So, what do you say, Rick?" Mia asked smiling.
"Make yourself comfortable, then." Rickon said smiling and she chuckled, going to him and kissing him. He kissed her back. Then she took off her jacket too, it was Spring and the days and nights were starting to get warmer, besides they were inside of a tent, it was not a large tent, so it was not even cold. They kissed again, that time it was longer and depper. Mia felt she was on the edge of the ship, feeling the abiss betwen her feet and the waves... A chill was running through her spine and she could not think, just feel and embrace that feeling. She held hard on Rickon and felt her chest against his, his heart pounding like hers. Latter on she could not describe what had happened after that. It was as if the world had exploded around them in a wirlpool of lights. They both sat in the bed roll, she leaning her head on his shoulder. Will our nights be always like this, someday?, Mia thought unbidden and then got surprised for thinking that, it was not like her thinking that sort of things.
"You didn't call me Rick since we were 12." Rickon said with a chuckle.
"It's our thing." Mia said with a chuckle too.
"If you say so, sweetheart." Rickon said.
"How do you think it'll go when we put the plan into practice?" Mia asked.
"Well. If I keep my mouth shut." Rickon said with a chuckle and she laughed.
"You're not that bad." Mia said.
"I really am. But I think they will find out, eventually. I mean Bran couldn't fool uncle Jon and uncle Pod, while we were in the camp and I didn't even speak a word. So..." Rickon said.
"It's normal, 'cause they saw us growing up, they know us. That's why we will keep them ocupied and not lock ourselves in our rooms." Mia explained.
"That's true, though." Rickon said with a chuckle and she laughed a little.
"I still don't know what I'm going to say to my parents." Mia said thinking.
"You'll know, don't worry." Rickon said, putting an arm around her.
"Can I tell you something?" Mia asked.
"Anything." Rickon said.
"I don't want to go on another trip." Mia confessed. She didn't, she just wanted to stay in Storm's End for once, just to know how it was, just to be on land for a time and be able to go to wherever her family was without waiting until the next meeting. She loved the trips, she loved the sea, still she felt it was time to take a break for a while.
"You don't? I thought you love the trips." Rickon said surprised.
"I do. I just liked to stay on land for a while. Just to see how it was and to be able to go wherever I want and to see my family more often. Actually, I don't really think that my parents want to get back to the trips." Mia explained.
"That I don't know, but I'd like that you stay on land for while. Maybe we could see each other more often." Rickon said.
"That would be one of the advantages of it." Mia said. They talked for some more time, ending up falling asleep.
Mia was sleeping more peaceful than ever, it felt inexplicably good and comfortable to be in his arms. It was like they were the only two people in the world, she did not hear anything outside, just his breathing and his heartbeat. In her dreams, Mia wished at least a thousand times that they would have more moments like that one and that her parents decided to stay on land for a while. However, despite the peace she was feeling, she woke up startled, when she heard Rickon mumbling something nervously in his sleep. As she woke up, she realized that his heartbeating was rising and he was starting to sweat. When she was fully awake, Mia became aware that Rickon was having a nightmare.
"Rick... Rickon." Mia said shaking him slightly, but he did not wake up, "Rickon, wake up. Wake up."
"No!" Rickon said waking up abruptly heavely breathing.
"It's alright, it was just a nightmare." Mia said trying to calm him down.
"Y-yeah... you're right..." Rickon said.
"Rick, will you be alright?" Mia asked concerned, she had never seen him like that.
"I will... It was just a nightmare." Rickon said.
"Have you been having nightmares lately?" Mia asked, seeing that his expression showed his surprise for having nightmares.
"No. Actually, tonight was the first night I slept properly in months." Rickon confessed.
"What? Why didn't you say anything?" Mia asked.
"I'm used to it by now. It was nothing special. It's a family trait, actually." Rickon answered. Mia took his hand and said,
"Rickon, I'm here for everything. Next time, just tell me, maybe I can help." Rickon smiled and squeezed her hand. Then he looked at her and said,
"I know, it means a lot. I'm here for you too. But you know what?"
"What?" Mia asked.
"I didn't think I would sleep tonight, I thought that I would be up all night thinking about Wintefell. But I slept, because you were here with me. So, even with the nightmare, I could rest thanks to you." Rickon explained and Mia smiled and kissed him, him kissing her back. They curled up together and got back to sleep peacefully.
In the morning, everyone was ready to leave and, for the first time in years of doing those trips, no one disapeared or got late. After a day, they arrived at Winterfell, as it was night and late, after the reception and the reunions and final introdutions, they all agreed to go to sleep. Mia went to Rickon's room again that night, for they had agreed that they would spend as much time together as they could. Besides, Mia knew that Rickon could only sleep with her by his side, eventhough he would never tell anyone but her or ask her to do that, for he knew how hard it was for her to deal with feelings. Somehow, Mia was glad that Rickon helped her with that.
The next day, Mia, Rickon and their siblings and cousins woke up earlier than everyone else, they had to take a quick meeting before putting the plan into practice. In that meeting, the final details were established and they had all of it planned to the detail, by then they just had to be credible. The ones who did not have to distract anyone were at least happy for not having to lie most of the day, even if it implied they had a lot of other works to do, someone had to take care of their duties. Besides, they were family and they helped each other always. Lyanna was going to help them, when she finished to cover for Jorah and Rhaella.
During the morning, all of them were afraid that their parents would want to finally talk about what had happened, however, they did not and, as that happened, they realized that the conversation would only happen the next day. Mia was relieved to know that for it meant they had time to read the book, before the questions started.
Everyone kept it discrete for most of the morning and, after lunch, Jorah and Rhaella took the chance to go to Rhaenys and leave to KingsLanding and so it started their plan...
Everyone went their ways, thinking careful about what they were going to say and ask, Mia went to find her parents. She found them in one of the halls, she went to them and said,
"Hey."
"Hey, sweety." Her parents said.
"Everything's alright?" Arya asked.
"Yes, I was just passing by and I saw you. Father, is the shoulder better?" Mia asked. So far, so good, Mia thought.
"Yes, just two days more and I can take the sling off. Don't worry." Gendry said.
"I'm really glad to hear that." Mia said smiling.
"Where are your brothers?" Arya asked.
"They're helping the others with something." Mia said.
"Alright..." Arya said a bit suspiciously.
"By the way, can I ask a question?" Mia asked.
"Of course, you can." Gendry said.
"Will we go back to the trips?" Mia asked. Arya and Gendry looked at each other and then at their daughter. They had indeed talked about it and they had reached a decision, they were just looking for the right time to tell it to Mia, Brandon and Eddard, for they did not know how they would react to the news, mostly Brandon and Eddard, who were the youngers and loved the trips with all their hearts.
"Well, me and your father have been talking lately and we are thinking of staying in land for a while, at least." Arya explained. Mia did not mean to smile, still she did it anyway, for she was more than happy to hear that, it was all she wanted to hear.
"Really?" Mia asked with controled excitement.
"Yes, even more so, because we also have news." Gendry said and, at that, Mia suddenly got confused. News?, Mia thought.
"What news?" Mia asked confused and also a bit curious.
"Well, if everything goes as plan, you're going to have another little brother or sister." Arya explained and Mia was so overcome with joy that she did not know what to say, she loved the idea of having another little sibling. She hugged her parents, saying,
"Oh, Gods! Congratulations! I'm so happy!" Her parents hugged her back and were very happy to know that she was joyceful to have another little sibling, by then there were just their boys left to tell the news to.
"We're really happy to know that." Gendry said smilling.
"We really are." Arya said also smilling.
"Boy or girl? Please, say girl." Mia asked her mother, she wanted to have a little sister, she already had two brothers, it was enough. Eventhough, that if it was a boy, she would still be happy.
"I don't know yet. But I didn't know you wanted a little sister." Arya said.
"It was good to have another girl at home, we're two against three." Mia said with a chuckle and Arya laughed.
"That's good to hear." Gendry said.
"Sorry, father, but it's true." Mia said and they laughed again.
"I'd like to have another girl as well." Arya said.
"Yeah, I agree with you two. But Bran and Ned will have a different opinion." Gendry said, later that day Brandon and Eddard would say they wanted a baby brother, instead of a sister, but if they indeed had a sister, then they would protect her until the end of time.
"Still, everyone in this family that had a sister, either had an awful relationship when they were children or lived long enough to regret it." Arya said and Mia chuckled a bit, mostly because she did not know what her mother was talking about.
"This time it'll be different." Mia assured her smiling.
"It's what we have been saying for years." Gendry said and they stayed talking for some more time, reaching the conclusion that if it was a boy, his name would be Robb and if it was a girl, her name would be Shireen.
Being it as it was, through the all castle their whole plan was on motion.