𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝕯𝖗𝖆𝖌𝖔𝖓 [𝗥𝗼𝗯𝗯.𝗦]

25

LETTING GO

ARES smiled at the sight of them, the hot summer sun bearing down on the four dragons and their mother. The little boy rolled around in the mud with Vhagar, one of the dragons that only calmed at the touch of either Rickon or Visenya. They were ferocious beasts that were frightening to anyone with half a brain.

"They're happy here," murmured the old knight. He didn't know him personally, but Ares found his company tolerable. The same couldn't be said for Daeron fucking Targaryen. The boy was a spoilt brat.

And he held little fondness for him.

"I almost wish I could ask you to take them with you..."

Ares shook his head, knowing Visenya would never allow herself to be dragged of into the sunset as a feeble maiden. She was a dragon rider, or she very soon would be.

"She wouldn't come." He said with a shake of his head. "But if she wishes too, I'll be coming back in a few months time. You'll let her know, won't you?"

"Or you could tell her yourself," quipped Ser Barristan as he eyed the two Starks coming their way.

And he saw it for the first time in a very long while, life lived in her veins. The sense of joy that he hadn't seen in a while, and it was positively luminous. A grin stretched wide and far across his lips, but perhaps it couldn't quite be helped.

"Tell me what?" Asked Visenya softly, those beautiful purple eyes of hers gazing into his own.

"I'm leaving," blurted out Ares. A blush rising to his cheeks, of the like that hadn't occurred in seven years.

He flinched at the thought.

"But I'm coming back, in about three months time. I'll be heading to Braavos, if you wish to see me there."

Visenya's smile faded from her eyes, but Ares would bet half the money in his vaults that it was because of her reluctance to be alone with Daeron Targaryen of all people! Tedious company to keep, she would come with him when he returned. Ares was so sure of it. Confidant, in fact.

"You will be coming back?"

He nodded.

"To Braavos?"

Ares smiled softly at the beautiful woman, looking much like her namesake with that sword of hers attached at the hip.

"Yes."

Visenya's eyes gleamed under the light of the beaming sun, burning bright but truly. Life lived in those purple eyes of hers, and it was well and utterly marvellous.

"Then I shall be there."

Ares could only grin like a fool, he was truly grateful his mentor wasn't here. The man would've slapped him silly, no man with a respectable  reputation smiled around like a love-struck fool.