A Son of Ice and Fire

A/N: I know I'm a bit late in posting this chapter, but I have already written another two chapters ahead of this one which I couldn't post before as the timeline would have been a bit messed up. Anyway, sorry for the delay and I hope you enjoy the chapter. As always, all reviews will be greatly appreciated, and favourite/follow if you want to keep up to date with the story :)

Chapter 14: The adventure begins

Astrid

"Wish you would have told me you could fight," I giggled, "We could have been doing this this much sooner."

"I couldn't agree more." Heather chuckled, swiping at me with her double-ended axe. I'd never seen a weapon like it. It had a long wooden handle, to be held like a staff. At each end were petal shaped blades, razor-sharp. It was designed so it could fold in half, easier to hold and carry on the road. I couldn't help feeling jealous. She told me she'd made it herself, and if I'm lucky I hope she'll make me one for me for my birthday.

I dodged the strike and swiped back, knocking her momentarily backwards, "The fact you've got two axes should be considered cheating," I teased, "I have to admit that weapon is truly amazing."

Heather blushed, the red tint painting across her cheeks before she steadied herself and came back with a flurry of blows, twirling her axe rhythmically with her hands, "Thanks Astrid, I would have brought mine from Essos, but I didn't want to give off the wrong first impression."

I parried off her blows as she backed me up. I saw the determination in her eyes as she advanced. She was good, probably better than Finn, but still inexperienced. I had learned her tactics, learned her rhythm and was just about to counter her back when she turned side on. She swiped one of the blades towards my right leg which I blocked with my blade. However, as she spun back round, the other end of the axe was free to hit me. I raised the handle of my axe, blocking it with the wood, but as my grip slid off, Heather's axe swung up, digging into my shoulder just below my shoulder pad piercing the skin. Heather immediately shot back, dropping her weapon, "I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to go that far."

"Hey, it's only fun if you get a scar out of it," I reassured her. I reached my right hand across to cover the wound. It was only a shallow cut, nothing serious. I'd got scrapes and scratches all over my body already from years of training with Finn, this was just a new one to add to the collection. I could see she was shaking, obviously feeling guilty so I just ran up to hug her. I think she thought I was attempting to tackle her to the ground or something, as she just shot back. In the action, our feet got tangled and we both ended up sprawled on the floor. As I rolled off of her, we were both now laying on our backs in the dirt. I started laughing uncontrollably, breaking the silence. I just laid there, staring into the deep blue sky, giggling like a child. I looked over to see Heather's emerald eyes staring at me in disbelief, before I saw her puzzled look turned to a large grin as she burst into a fit of giggles.

"Are you two done?"

Finn stepped into view, arms crossed, and an eyebrow raised, "I see you too are getting along."

"Apart from her trying to take my head off, we're good." I chuckled.

"I don't think that's exactly how it…" Heather tried to keep a straight face, but looking over to me just made us burst out laughing again.

"What's up Finn?" I asked after about a minute of laughing.

"There's someone who very much wants to see Heather." He offered out his arms, and me and Heather grabbed them and pulled ourselves up, "a lady Oswaldson."

Her eyes almost popped out of her head at the name. She turned to me, literally bouncing with excitement. She jumped at me, pulling me in sharply for a hug, then jumped up kissing Finn on the cheek, making him turn bright red. We were just stood in shock, as she ran off. Before she got out of sight, she turned back with a loud squeal before running off again, "She's here. Mother's here…"

As me and Finn headed across to the other side of the castle, we found Heather in the arms of a tall, slender woman. The woman's long brown was hair tied behind her back and hung to her waist, similar to Heather's. By the time we had reached them, I could see Heather's cheeks were wet with fresh tears,

"I thought I was going to lose you," Heather whimpered softly.

"Never my dear. Never." The woman's voice was soft and calming, and she ran her fingers through her daughter's hair while humming to her softly. Heather soon seemed to relax and wiped away the tears, before turning towards us and leading her mother towards us.

"Astrid. Finn. This is my mother, lady Valerie Oswaldson," Heather announced. I offered a curtsey and Finn bowed, before he started to speak up,

"Very nice to meet you my lady, Heather has told us such good things about you."

"Oh, you are too kind my lord, I'm just happy she's been able to adjust to such a big change. The last time she wrote to me, she only spoke good things of you." Both Finn and Heather soon turned a few shades redder, I could only watch on and started chuckling, "Oh, and you too Astrid." With that I could feel the warmth in my cheeks, as I could feel myself going red, allowing Heather a little chuckle at my expense. "You know I didn't want to send her away, but I couldn't be happier to know she's been well looked after."

"And well looked after she will always be, we'll make sure of that." My father emerged to a smile and a long hug from Heather's mother. I was told they used to be good friends before Heather's mother vacated to Essos and I could see father's joy at having her back in the country.

"Arthur!" The lady cheered. "You don't know how happy I am to see you." Father walked up and hugged her.

"You are always welcome here Valerie, you can stay here as long as you want."

"Thankyou so much for all you've done for us. I'd be so happy to stay, but you know I… we'll have to go."

"I know that, but just leave it a few weeks. You are safe here. You and your daughter need time to reconnect. Just lay low for a while and then we'll give you all you need for your journey."

"Okay, if you insist. Come on Heather, I've been looking forward to hearing of your adventures." Valerie held out her hand out. Heather turned and smiled at us, giving a gentle wave, before taking her mother's hand as father led them inside.

"Do you know what just happened?" Finn asked, looked as confused as I felt inside.

"Not really, but at least she seems to like you." I replied, shrugging my shoulders, "Come on, let's just get inside."

I leaned on him as we walked inside. We reached the hall where the group had gone, with mother and a few other family friends joining as we toasted to lady Valerie's return. All was going really well which could only mean one thing in my life. Soon something had to go wrong.

However, everything went well for the rest of the night. Heather was as happy as we'd seen her and we all enjoyed listening to her and her mother talk about their home in Volantis. The meal ended on a positive note, and I decided to retire to my room. I took a slow lap round the castle, loungily strolling as my hand ran along the stone of the walls. The castle was dying down for the night, but as I ran my hand over a locked door, I heard the familiar voice of my father inside. I know I shouldn't, but I couldn't help myself. I checked to see no-one was around, before I preceded to place my ear to the wood.

"Are you sure you won't stay longer?" Father asked.

"You know I can't. I have been running for so long now. Now he's dead, I may have a chance to start to actually live again. Heather needs this." I hadn't known her long, but this was definitely Heather's mother speaking. Who are they talking about? I strained my neck, forcing my ear as close as physically possible to the crack in the wood.

"Although Robert is gone, that doesn't mean you will now be safe. But if you are going back so soon, can I ask you for a favour. She's been so happy since Heather has been here, both my children have. All I'm asking is that when you go, can Astrid go with you. I can't keep her here forever, and there is always a chance of a… more permanent solution." What was dad on about now? Which Robert is he on about. King Robert? Go where? What is happening? The more I heard, the more I wished I had kept on walking. Now I had to sleep with all this on my mind. Damn it. I hate myself sometimes.

"If that's what you want, she is more than welcome to come along. From what Heather has told me, they have made quite a special bond, like the sister she never had." My heart melted at lady Valerie's words. It was true, I have cherished having Heather here, but hearing she tell her mother this, truly told me how grateful I was she was in my life. I regained control enough to hear her finish, "He is special, I just hope she will see that. Heather's marriage worked out well by the looks of it, but Astrid won't marry unless she wants to, I know that."

"Marriage," I whispered, clearly too loudly, as the locked door opened inward and I nearly fell through. As I sharply rose to my feet, Father was just standing there, arms crossed in front of him, chuckling to himself while shaking his head.

"Well, y'know, I was just having a stroll around. Minding my own business. Definitely just keeping to myself y'know." I mumbled so utterly unconvincingly, if my scarlet red face hadn't already given away my embarrassment.

"Astrid. Astrid." Father simply walked over and rested his hands on my shoulders to calm me down. "You heard that didn't you." I sheepishly nodded. "Look, I know you said you didn't want this. However, I know Heather really would love you to go with her, and both her and her mother will have to go either way. What's the worst that could happen?" I gave him a disapproving look, but he shrugged it off, and soon I was starting to feel as if I was the one in the wrong. I could see the look in his eyes and I knew I couldn't decline.

"What exactly I am letting myself in for here?" I asked sheepishly.

"I'm not forcing you into anything, you'll only be gone for a few months, then there is nothing stopping you coming back here. I know we'll all miss you, but I think that it would be a good change for you to go out into the world. Will you do that for us?" He asked softly.

"Okay dad, I'll go with them. Never was one to miss out on an adventure, was I?" I replied cheekily, offering father a smile. Clearly lady Valerie was happy to see that I would do this, more for Heather than anything. I turned to face her, "My lady, this is all a bit sudden, could you tell me whereabouts are we actually going?" I asked her.

"Pack your fur coats, my lady, we're heading north…"