A Son of Ice and Fire

Chapter 15: The start of the end

Hiccup

I tossed and turned, unable to shake the feeling of hurt and betrayal inside my mind. No wonder Father didn't tell me, or Robb. I laid back on the bed, trying to block out the pain. It wasn't late, but I just needed the escape of sleep. As time ticked by, every time I closed my eyes all I could see was an image of mother being killed, and then followed by an image of King Robert lying dead, my sword through his heart. The visions sprung me awake, in a fit of shaking and tears. I rolled the furs off, grabbed my heavy coat and some supplies, before storming out of the room.

The sun had set as a I left the castle. With the scroll tucked neatly inside the thick fur coat, I ran out of the castle. The guards had called out after me, but I just had to go. I ran, and I ran. For miles and miles. Out into the wilderness and into the forest. I fought my way through the undergrowth. Summer was ending and the chill in the air was only a reminder winter was around the corner. I rushed through the dirt, scrapes and scratches from stray twigs and sharp bushes branding themselves along my hands. I didn't even feel that, just the cold wind brushing along my cheeks. This forest was where I went when I just needed some space. Some time away from the horrors and pain in the world. The trees in front of me parted, and I banked right. My foot got caught in a vine and I tripped. I held my arms out, clasping at the rock to stop me from falling. I untangled the vine from around my ankle and slid my hand along the smooth surface of the tall white rocks. It was only a few more steps and I squeezed between an opening in the rocks, and I was finally at the entrance.

The cove was a silent as I needed it to be. It was double the size of the courtyard of the castle, with a small lake in the centre. A small waterfall on one side dripping into the large pool which was shimmering and shining in the moonlight. It was the clearest water you'll ever see, but only the reflection of the moon could be seen at this hour. I slowly clambered down the ungainly rocks and stepped down on to the soft grass. I had found this place by accident when I was little, when I'd done something father disapproved of, which was practically everything at that age, and I had run out of the castle away from everything. I had hidden here for days, just happy for the peace and quiet. Boy was he mad at me when I came back. Not even happy that I was safe, and alive, just mad because I had disobeyed him. Ever since then this is where I would come to just get away, and this was no exception. I pulled out the letter, reading the words aloud to myself. I only wish she was here. What would life have been like if she was?

I soaked my hands in the cool water, splashing it over my face. I lay my pack down on the ground and sat down on the tree stump by the water. The camp I had made the last time I was here was still intact, so I gathered the few twigs at my feet and worked on starting the fire. I pulled the small amount of meat I had brought, out of my bag, and held it above the now blazing fire. I stared into the flames, watching the orange and yellow curves dance away. The light flickered, as the sparks buzzed. Then I saw it, if only for a moment, but it was there. The flames had merged into one single shape, and that was clear. The shape, of a dragon…

The sun rose early the next morning. The peaceful tranquility of the cove was a refreshing change to the mayhem of mornings in Dragon's edge. I washed in the lake, packed up my gear and began to climb up the rocks out of the cove. The forest was glowing at this time, the bright greens of the leaves shining. The stroll back took a while, I was never in a rush to get home. I couldn't stop thinking about last night. My father, my mother, that dragon in the flames. For once I wish I wasn't alone in that cove. Would be nice to have someone to talk to about this but no-one would understand. My train of thought was interrupted by the soft sound of flapping wings above me. I looked up as the raven glided effortlessly overhead. I wasn't far from home now, it was just over the next hill. I ran the rest of the way home as I knew a raven at this time couldn't mean anything good.

I walked through the gates to a loud announcement from father.

"Welcome back to Dragon's edge son." He boomed rom the perch overlooking the courtyard. I steadied to a walk, and made my way up towards him, eventually standing at his side. "I know it was a lot to take in, son, and you needed some space. Are you okay?"

"You could have told me you know, I could have handled the truth." If I'm honest, I don't know what I would have done if I had of known all along. Would I have been less upset? Or even angrier?

"I know you could have son, but I didn't want that for you. You have your mother's kindness and compassion and I needed you to grow up with that. You have my stubbornness, my determination, and my sense of honour and duty. You are all I have left of her, and you didn't need my grief and anger about losing her to be rooted in you. I wanted you to remember her with love, nothing should get in the way of that."

"You never talked about her. I know it was hard but keeping it all inside just made her fade away faster. You could have told me stories of how you met, the adventures you went on. I wanted to know. So, I keep her alive. Y'know, in here," I said softly, holding my hand towards my heart.

"I tried son. You know how hard it was for me. I pushed you away. I tried to push all my feelings down, but every day she wasn't here just made every day so much harder. She was all I ever wanted. When she was taken from me, nothing could fill the hole she left behind. I tried so hard to fill it with you, and this place," he said, arms outstretched, pointing towards the corners of the castle, "but I failed. I failed you, son, and I will never be able to forgive myself for that."

"You can't turn back time, can't rewrite the past. For all it's worth, I forgive you father," I said, tears swelling my eyes. He didn't reply, just pulling me in for a hug. I could feel his heart beating so fast, even though his heavy fur coat. His rough beard brushing the back of my head, as he placed his chin on top of my head. I could feel his heavy breathing down the back of my neck as we held there. It was still a very abstract feeling having my dad act like this, and I could only imagine how different my life would have been if mother was here.

As we headed into the castle chatting away, we were interrupted by the maester. The man was very tall and skinny, a scraggly grey beard and missing a few teeth. His hair was out of control and his eyes were darting back and forth in a panic until he finally plucked up the courage to speak. "My lord, a raven has come from Winterfell. It's urgent." The old man opened his hand to reveal the letter.

Father reached out to try to grab the letter, "Don't just stand there like that Mildew, pass it over."

The maester stood there for a moment, then stretched his arm a few inches to pass on the letter. As he was about to hand it over, the maester dropped the letter before father could take it. "Oh, I am sorry my lord, old hands." He said coldly, before backing up and shuffle away at a considerable pace, no attempt to pick the letter back up.

"Don't know why we still have him here, he's nothing but a nuisance." I grumbled.

"Oh, I know son, he's been a thorn in my side since I've been lord here." Dad sighed, as he lent over and picked up the letter, inspecting the seal which was marked with the Stark wolf sigil. "I've had to look after the edge since I was only a young man, not much older than you are now. Mildew isn't someone that I have a high opinion of, but you can trust him."

"Hmmm, if you say so." I said unconvincingly.

"The edge has survived far worse than Mildew, son." Dad laughed. As he spoke, all I could think was that I knew nothing about the history of the castle, or the family history in general past a few generations.

"There's something I've always wanted to know, why is the castle called Dragon's edge? I mean, the name Winterfell makes sense. Highgarden, Casterly Rock, Storm's end. They all sound right, but Dragon's edge is just a bit, odd." I enquired.

Father had broken the seal and was about to open the letter when he heard my question and started laughing. "You know son, honestly I have no idea. My father used to tell me stories but that's about it." I leant in, as in to encourage him to continue. After a short pause, he did. "Our castle isn't as old as most in this country, it was only a small keep before the Targaryen's came and made it into what it is today. My father said that this was the northmost Targaryen stronghold in Westeros, and as far North as they ever went, hence the name Dragon's edge. But to be fair, he also said that our castle has a natural warmth because there are a family of dragons living underneath the castle. All I know for sure, is that it at least made you mother feel at home. I suppose the castle has a much to do with her family's history, as ours." He said softly, giving a slight smile.

"I wish I could see a dragon, like an actual dragon." My mind skipped back to the cove, and the dragon in the flames. Perhaps I was going insane.

"Wouldn't that be a sight," father chuckled. He resealed the letter, and stuffed it inside his coat.

"Aren't you going to read that?" I asked in surprise.

"I'll read it later, right now we have more important news to discuss."

Dad ushered into me into a room and took his seat. I sat down across from him, with only the small wooden table between us. He interlocked his hands and placed them on the table in front of him then looked up to me.

"Right son," he started, "I don't want you to be angry at me, but just to let you know, a lot of effort has been put into this."

"Dad?" I replied, his look was unnerving and I was starting to get a little worried now. "What have you done?"

"Look son, I know you said you didn't want to get married, but I need you to promise you'll give this a shot."

"Give what a shot." I snapped back. What has he done?

"Nothing is set in stone yet. Just trust me, you will like her."

Her. Her. No he hasn't. He hasn't betrothed me. No. No. "Dad I'm not marrying whoever this is, whatever agreement you have signed, un-sign it. "

"Calm down son, you're not getting married yet. I won't ever force that on you. I turned down quite a handful of potential partners until I found your mother. I knew she was the one the first time I looked into her eyes. All I'm asking is that you give it a shot. I've known this young lady's parents for a long time and we used to be good friends. They've asked for my permission to allow her to visit and to well, get to know you. Please Hiccup, at least try. For me." Father's eyes were sincere, pleading for me to accept. It was strange to see 'Stoick the vast' so emotional, but that must have been the side of him he lost when he lost mum. I really wasn't ready to marry, but at least with this there was no pressure. No oaths. No vows. I suppose I had to start somewhere.

"Okay dad, I'll try. Promise you won't force it." I saw his serious expression turn almost instantly into a wide grin.

"I knew you wouldn't let me down son. I knew it."

"Dad, promise me."

"Fine, fine, I won't interfere. Can't get in the way of young love," he joked.

"Shouldn't you open that letter now." I asked, more to change the subject than anything."

"Ah yes, let's see what was so urgent they had to send it out from Winterfell at this hour." He chuckled, reaching inside his coat to retrieve the letter, and rolling it out onto the table in front of him. As his eyes glazed over the words and he followed the writing to the bottom, I saw him freeze. His eyes were fixed to the scroll in his hands, continuously reading and re-reading the words.

"Dad what is?" I asked gingerly.

"He's dead son. King Robert is dead…"