A Son of Ice and Fire

Chapter 18: More than friends

Astrid

Above the canopy of the trees, the stars are shining brightly. The night was dark, but the bright flames lit up the forest. I sat my back against the log and the warmth of the fire soaked into my boots. I stared up to the sky and breathed gently, as the heat from the fire washed over me. The quiet chatter from the men, and soft neighing of our horses in the distance, were muffled out by the loud crackling from the fire. This was the first night I'd spent away from all of my family, and the cold of the night was so much more intense without four walls to shelter me. When I'd been to King's landing, or Highgarden, to see Margaery most of the time, my brother had always insisted on being there if my parents weren't. It's strange to be alone, but at least I have Heather with me.

It felt weird leaving home. Father had ordered twelve of his best men to protect us on the journey, despite my protests. It was only two days ride to the port, where we could board a boat. After that, it was a long journey by sea, then an equally long ride to the castle. Most of which would be at lot easier without a dozen soldiers treating us as some sort of precious cargo. I had to agree though, or dad wouldn't have let me go. I kissed him and mother goodbye, heavens knows when I'd next see them. I hugged Finn, who blushed as Heather ran up and kissed him before she climbed onto her horse. It was early morning, but it seemed like the entire castle had came to see us off. It had been a long day, but at least now we had made camp and had chance to rest. Heather had found some of the men's secret stash and we had drunk into the night. I wasn't really one for alcohol, except the odd bit of wine on special occasions, but we had gone through a lot more of it the mead than we had thought.

I felt a gentle nudge, and I looked over to see Heather resting her head on my shoulder. Her raven-black hair pressed firmly against my bare arm. I reached over and placed my arm around her waist, pulling her closer, and she wiggled before resting her head on my chest. She hummed blissfully, and I saw her blinking rapidly to try and keep herself awake.

"Thankyou Astrid," she murmured drowsily.

"What for?" I asked, while running my fingers through her hair.

"You… forced to come… with me… away from… home. I'mmm sorry." Heather slurred. Guess the drink had hit her a lot harder than me.

"Hey, I volunteered, I wanted to come."

"Really?"

"Of course, no-one could force fearless Astrid Hofferson to do something she didn't want to." I replied proudly.

"Fur… less… Sass… trid… Hoffson," she murmured as she reached her arms around me, almost squeezing me to death.

"Close enough," I giggled. "You picked your battle name yet?"

"Hmmmm. How… 'bout… Fur… less Heather Hoffson. Sound good?"

"Oi, that one's mine missy." I chuckled. She started giggling, then pressed herself closer to me, causing her to make a sound that sounded more like a snort than a laugh. That only made us start laughing even harder, even though her cheeks turned a deeper shade of scarlet in embarrassment.

"Astrid, please give him a chance," Heather said softly.

"Him? Who's him?" I asked, a bit confused at her change of topic.

"The other reason you're coming with us, dummy." Heather teased, earning her a soft punch in the shoulder.

"I'm here for you, and your mother. Not some guy halfway across the world I don't even know."

"Awwww, I love you Astrid." She said softly, as she squeezed me again.

"Love you too, sister." This time I squeezed her back and she let out a high-pitched squeal in delight.

"Sis… ter. I have a sister," she squealed excitedly. "I HAVE A SISTER!" I saw the bright shine in her emerald eyes as she lifted her head up to look at me, before firmly replanting her head back into my chest.

"Ow, thanks for the headbutt." I giggled, causing Heather to burst out laughing again, "does my brother enjoy getting beaten by you as well."

"He's gotten used to it. I think. Your husband will have to as well, no doubt about that."

"My what? Now I know you've had too much to drink."

"Astrid, you're seventeen like me, you'll have to take the plunge sooner or later."

"Gods, didn't know my father had came with us." I replied with a frustrated groan. "What makes you think I will ever marry? EVER?"

Heather finally released her grip, and sat up to look at me, "I've been living with you for months Astrid." She moved closer, grabbing my braid, and running her fingers up and down it as it hung in front of my left shoulder. "You are one of the strongest people I know, but you don't have to put on an act in front of me."

"An act?"

"You act tough, and put up all these shields, but deep down you're as soft as the rest of us." That earned heather another jab to the shoulder. I should never have le her get drunk. What was I thinking? I wanted to tell her she was wrong, just drunk and babbling, but I knew she was right. Only Finn had ever known me well enough to know the real me, but somehow Heather saw straight through me.

"Hey, I have a reputation to keep up y'know. Don't you start blabbing your head off."

Another huge grin whipped onto Heather's face, "so you'll give him a chance then, my lady."

"Uuuhhhhhh. Fine." I moaned begrudgingly, "why are you so keen to matchmake us anyway?" She was about to speak, but I softly punched her shoulder again, "and that's for calling me 'my lady'."

Heather was stunned for a moment, then just started shaking in a fit of laughter. She put her finger on my lips, "you won't tell anyone, will you sis?"

"Tell anyone what?"

"A secret. You won't tell anyone will you?" she asked giddily.

"Heather?"

"Okay, okay. Well I don't know exactly how to say this. To tell you that. To tell you that the secret I have to tell to you is…"

"Heather!" I snapped, grabbing her shoulders, and shaking her gently, as she couldn't stop giggling. "Just tell me."

"Well, Astrid, this guy halfway around the world that you are so against going to see. Well, he is… my brother."

As I just sat there in shock, Heather just couldn't stop laughing, as she was in some sort of drink-induced giggling fit. It must have worn her out, as after about ten seconds she gave one last bubbly smile before collapsing onto me. Her head resting on my stomach, and her hands grasped around my waist, I ran my fingers down her braid. She purred like a cat on my lap, and then her eyes closed, and she was out for the night.

CRUNCH. A loud sound echoed from the bushes, before Heather's mother emerged carrying a handful a firewood. She looked at me, a nod of the head enough for her to let me know she had heard enough of our conversation.

"I'm sorry for eavesdropping, but I didn't want to disturb the two of you." Lady Valerie said softly

"No, I'm sorry. She wasn't supposed to tell me that was she?"

Valerie shook her head, then walked over to us. She placed the wood carefully by the side of the fire, then almost silently headed towards us. She took a seat next to us, looking contentedly over at her daughter, who was sprawled across me.

"I need to see my son. When I left home he was just a baby. Westeros is on the verge of war once more, but this time I will end it at my son's side. In Volantis, our family adopted a young man in need and that helped fill the hole in my heart, but it was never enough. I could never lose the image of my boy growing up without me. He doesn't even know he even has a sister, or that, I… I am even alive."

"I'm so sorry, I didn't know."

"Heather didn't, until we left Volantis. I am sorry we didn't tell you, but Heather told me not to. She said you would be safer if we kept it only between the two of us, but I guess that bird has already flown. When we first arrived at your gates, Heather wrote to me, begging me to take her away. To leave in the night and head north. You and your brother made her so happy, she considered not leaving at all. She wouldn't have gone at all if you hadn't come with us, I can't thank you enough for that."

"Of course, anything I can do for her I will." I replied with a chuckle. Smiling as I gestured to her daughter sprawled over me.

"I trust you Astrid. Thank you." Lady Valerie said with such sincerity.

Gracefully, she reached into one of the bags we had fetched with us, and pulled out two blankets. She got up and kissed he daughter on the cheek and draped the green sheet over her. She tucked the blue one behind my shoulders, and over as much of me as she could without disturbing Heather. She offered me a kind smile, then lay back down next to us.

"Goodnight Lady Valerie," I mumbled sleepily, finally feeling the effects of the long ride.

"Goodnight Astrid. Oh, and you don't have to call me Valerie, I would much prefer Valka…"