Meeting and Goodbye

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter and The Game of Thrones. They belong to their respective authors. This is written purely for entertainment. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

A/N: I would like to apologize for any mistakes in advance as I do not have a beta. I would request you to please do not copy this story.

Next Morning

"What do they eat?" Robb asked eying the dragons warily from the corner of her chamber. To say that he had been petrified after seeing four dragons… even if they were babies, in Elsa's chamber was an understatement. It took him a long time to even open his mouth and ask where did they come from or how for that matter. It had taken both Elsa and Jon to reassure him that they wouldn't harm anyone. Though, he was still baffled that somehow, El had found petrified four dragon eggs and hatched them in a day!

Right now, they were chirping up at Elsa, like a babe demanding food from its mother.

Elsa shook her head, frowning when once again they turned away from the pieces of meat she had gotten. "I thought they'd eat meat."

"But what kind? It could be anything!" Arya exclaimed.

The dragons made a clicking sound at Elsa, looking at her almost accusingly. Then a thought occurred to her. Of course, no one knew for sure, but she remembered it from the tales Old Nan used to tell them that Aegon Targaryen's dragons produced dragon-fire, which meant that the meat was scorched due to the insides of the dragon being extremely hot. This meat was uncooked. Could they possibly use their fire to char the meat for themselves? Being the creatures of the wild, they had to.

She kneeled to their level and whispered, 'Dragon-fire.'

The dragons stopped their hissing and flapping. Cocking their heads to the sides as if confused, they stared at her silently.

'Dragon-fire.'

She whispered again slowly and nodded towards the pieces of meat, making sure they understood she was talking to them.

It took them a moment as they looked back to her and then towards the meat before opening their jaws and screeching. A small puff of smoke came out, but they did it again. Screeching with more intensity and far more concentration. It wasn't much, but this time the fire was undoubtedly noticeable. As soon as the small pieces caught on fire, the dragons didn't wait and attacked the meat with gusto.

Elsa grinned, delighted until she saw the dumbfound faces of Robb and Arya, who looked pale all of a sudden and asked, "What?"

"You can speak dragon tongue?" Robb asked faintly.

"Dragon tongue?" she asked confused.

He replied, "Yes. You were speaking to them in a different language and they clearly understood."

Her eyes widened and she gaped, "I spoke a different language?"

"It didn't exactly seem like a language. It sounded like you were – hissing, mostly." Robb told her slowly, looking somewhat scared.

"Hissing?" Elsa looked at Arya for confirmation, who nodded and her mouth fell open. Confused, she stammered, "But — but — I didn't realise — how can I speak a language without its knowledge?"

Her siblings shared a look, not knowing what to say and Elsa felt her fear increasing, once again feeling like an abomination of nature. As if feeling her rising alarm, the black dragon, Balerion, trotted towards her before climbing up her arm. He nuzzled her cheek with his head and started purring when she stroked his chin with her fingers.

Before the Feast

Her first thought was that 'she shouldn't have been here, especially because the king was glaring at her like she had challenged him for his throne.'

Robert took a step towards her and snarled, "Where have you been girl?"

For some unknown reason, Elsa flinched away. She could see that every eye was on the two of them, but she refused to cover. So, she steeled herself and said, "I was unwell, my Lord and ended up falling asleep in one of the stables."

Robert looked from her to Ned before asking incredulously, "The stables?!"

She nodded innocently and said, "With my wolf and the mare. They bring me comfort whenever I feel ill at ease, my Lord."

Before the king could demand another explanation, Ned stepped closer to her and intervened, "They've been with her since she was a child, my Lord."

Robert clenched his fists before questioning angrily, "Do you know the trouble your recklessness caused?"

Even though she categorically wanted to tell the man to shove it up his ass, Elsa looked at the ground, looking contrite and sniffled for good measure. Her lower lip trembled as she said, "I – It wasn't my intention to create distress on this special day. All I can do is ask for your forgiveness, my king."

"Women!" the king huffed before turning around to enter the main hall for the feast.

She took a relieved breath and nodded to her father, who was looking more distressed than the situation warranted, but before she could ask what was wrong, he set a gentle hand on her shoulder before leaving after the king.

When she turned to leave, her eyes met Joffrey's. The crown prince was tall for his age, with curly blonde hair and deep green eyes like his mother's, but what caught her attention was the malice hidden behind his eyes as he smirked at her before leaving.

Too perplexed, Elsa shook her head. All she could think was – 'why the hell did her presence affect the king at all?'

Elsa was glad everyone else was busy and 'forced' to attend the feast held in honour of the kind. She, for once, wasn't in the mood to gossip and smile like a fool for the rest of the night. Which was why she was out here, searching for Jon. His mere presence could calm her down like no one else's and all she wanted was to curse the king and his son, who she unquestionably loathed.

She was on her way to the yard where she knew Jon would be when she heard a horse's galloping. The man stopped just a few feet from her and dismounted the horse. He patted the horse lovingly before handing it off to the king's men, who bowed before leaving.

'Not a commoner then'. she thought. 'But he hadn't been with the rest yesterday morning.'

She was about to leave when the man's head snapped towards her. He narrowed his eyes and started walking towards her. The man was a bit taller than Jon, had curly black hair that reached his shoulders and his eyes were molten grey as he stared at her. Despite herself, she couldn't deny the fact that he was undeniably handsome.

Elsa couldn't understand what it was, but there was something about him… something she couldn't understand that made her breathless. She had an urge to throw herself at him and never let him go. For some reason, she felt as if she had known him for quite a long time now. An image floated through her head, where the same man – albeit a bit haggard looking, was hugging her and she had to shake her head to dispel the image.

"Padfoot?" She gasped breathlessly, not understanding what was happening or she had spoken until the words were out.

The man tilted his head, observing her before stating, "I'm afraid you're mistaken, my Lady. I am Edric Baratheon of house Baratheon."

Elsa had to blink as she struggled to control herself. She took a breath, shook herself out of whatever daze she had been in as realisation hit her. He was Edric Baratheon, third of the four brothers and thus, fourth in line to inherit the throne. He had been known for being vicious and brutal in battles, which was why people steered clear of him. He was also famous for being a ladies' man from an early age.

She bowed her head respectfully and apologised, "Forgive me, my Lord."

He waved her apology off with a wave of his hand, eyed her up and down before musing, "So you're the one causing all the ruckus, huh?"

Confused, she blinked at him and asked, "I am… sorry?"

He didn't reply, instead kept staring at her. Elsa shifted uncomfortably under his gaze and was relieved when he broke the silence. "I might be too bold, but I have to ask – have we met before?"

She shook her head and replied, "I'm afraid I've never been out of Winterfell, my Lord."

"Call me Edric." He said suddenly, startling her. Wide violet eyes met grey ones, but before she could object, he took her hand and kissed her knuckles softly and said, "I hope I'll see you again, my Lady."

He smiled before turning around leaving her alone and bewildered.

Jaime Lannister didn't need to look twice to know that the girl, whatever her name might be now, was none other than Rhaenys Targaryen.

There wasn't much he could've done at the time to save her mother or twin from Clegane, but he had tricked the Hound into thinking that he had killed the girl and had presented the dead body of another babe in her place. He had left her outside kings landing, leaving her to her fate and hoping that someone would find the infant. Trust that someone to be none other than Stark.

The girl shared an eerie resemblance to her mother, but her lilac eyes reminded him of Rhaegar. Undoubtedly inherited from the Targaryen's, but there was something fierce and dark in them, that hadn't been there in Rhaegar's. He had experienced first-hand the insanity the bloodline carried and for once, he prayed to the new Gods and the old that she wouldn't turn out as mad as her grandfather.

Later that Night

It was after midnight and the baby dragons were sleeping peacefully in front of the fireplace. Elsa was sprawled on her bed, while Jon was sitting on the edge as she told him all about her strange meeting with Edric Baratheon.

He frowned before asking, "Why weren't you at the feast?"

Elsa merely raised an eyebrow because he knew very well that she wouldn't attend any feast where he wasn't invited until she had to.

Jon sighed at her stubbornness and said, "Lady Stark won't be happy."

"Lady Stark is never happy." She shrugged, unconcerned as she stared at the dragons, still in awe of the four little creatures.

Elsa enjoyed the peace and warmth as she closed her eyes, while unknown to her, Jon looked at her face anxiously. He knew he had to tell her before asking for father's permission come morning, but he was also aware that it won't be easy. He and Elsa had always been together and he was about to change everything they had ever known.

He cleared his throat unnecessarily, gaining her attention and blurted out before he could lose his nerve. "I – I've decided to go to the wall and join the night's watch."

Elsa sat up and stared at him. The silence that followed was deafening and he was almost desperate to know what she was thinking. He wanted her to understand why this was important to him and why he had to leave her behind. He was a bastard and she would never be free of him if he stayed with her.

He couldn't hold back anymore and moved to sit in front of her. He looked into her eyes which were devoid of emotions and hated it instantly.

"Say something." He nearly begged.

She didn't look away from the fire as she asked slowly, "Why?"

"You know why." He looked at her imploringly and added, "I'm a bastard. I don't belong here. I never will."

"When?" she asked.

Jon swallowed hard, knowing what was about to come and said, "I'll be leaving with Uncle Benjen the day after tomorrow."

Now, she looked into his eyes and stated reverently, "I'll go with you."

"No!" His eyes widened and he nearly screamed. "It's no place for you."

"I don't care!" She snapped back. "You can't… You can't ask me to stay, Jon! You're my only family."

She grabbed the front of his robes in her fists and begged again, "Please Jon! Let me go with you."

Jon couldn't handle the sight of tears in her eyes and cupped her face with both his palms. He wiped the tears that fell with his thumbs and rested his forehead against hers before whispering, "This is something I have to do. Alone."

Elsa couldn't hold back anymore and sobs wracked her body. Jon's own eyes flooded with tears as he pulled her against his chest tightly, unwilling to let go, not knowing when or if he'll be seeing her again.

Next Day

The morning light was shining through her window and it scared her more than anything she had ever felt. Jon would be leaving the next day and even the thought of being without him bought tears to her eyes. As if feeling her distress, Jon's arm tightened and pulled her closer, making Balerion squawk. Somehow, he had found a way between the two of them sometime during the night, settling himself on her headrest before falling asleep again.

Making sure they weren't crushing him, she continued staring at Jon. He looked so peaceful in his sleep and she couldn't help herself from tracing his features with the pad of her fingers – eyebrows, cheeks, nose and his lips.

Jon wrinkled his nose before opening his eyes and squinting at her. Sunlight hit his face and he buried his face in the cushion with a groan of protest. His hand stayed around her waist, even as she continued her exploration – her fingers tracing skin of his shoulder and back again and again as if she couldn't get enough. This wasn't the first time they had been close, but this was more intimate than anything they had ever felt.

"We should get up." He said with a sigh.

Elsa didn't reply as a fresh wave of tears threatened to break free, but she held them back. There was something more important and she needed to make sure that Jon understood that he wasn't alone… that no matter what, he would never be alone.

She pulled back, so she could look into his eyes; she entwined her fingers with his and whispered, "I love you, Jon Snow."

Jon clenched his eyes shut and nodded. He knew… of course, he knew that she loved him… and in turn, he loved her just as much. She was his world, which was why he needed to let her go. He couldn't destroy her life by his presence.

Unable to say the words, he simply pressed his lips to her forehead and breathed in her wonderful scent, storing it in his memory for life.

Bran's Room

Elsa ignored Lady Stark's trembling hands as she worked on the dream catcher, to stare at her brother's unconscious form. She, for a second, didn't believe that Bran could've fallen from the tower. She had seen Bran all his life and he could climb like no other. Elsa was sure that someone had deliberately pushed intending to harm him. Once Bran woke up, she vowed to find who hurt him and would make sure, whoever it was, wouldn't be able to hurt anyone else.

Next Day

Balerion, Rhaegal, Silverwing and Aeghar were chirping up at her madly, but she couldn't bring herself to look at them. All she could think was about Jon.

'He was leaving and she had no idea how to live without him. He knew about the things she could do, but he never cared. He would leave and she would be all alone.'

Someone knocked on the door and she had to wipe her tears before opening the door, knowing it would be Jon. He stepped inside and closed the door behind him.

Elsa gave him a smile that didn't reach her eyes and said, "You came to say goodbye."

Jon grimaced, knowing she was angry and rightfully so, but nodded. "I couldn't leave without seeing you one last time." He told her softly.

Her lower lip wobbled, but she schooled herself and said, "I have something for you."

At his questioning look, she pulled out a medallion from her pocket and held it to him. Jon's eyes widened and he shook his head as he recognised it as being the only thing that she had of her parents.

"I cannot…" he started, but was cut off when she said, "Of course, you can! I want you to have a piece of me. Please?"

Nodding, he reluctantly took it from her and put it on his neck.

"Promise me you'll never take it off." There was something urgent in her tone, so he nodded. There was no question of removing the only reminder he had of hers.

The dragons, especially Rhaegal started pecking Jon, trying in vain to crawl up his body, making both Elsa and Jon smile. He kneeled and held his hand out, which was enough for Rhaegal and Silverwing to jump on his arm and perch over his shoulders. While Silverwing nuzzled his cheek with her head, Rhaegal chirped at him, fluttering his wings anxiously.

Jon stroked his chin with his fingers and said, "We'll see each other again. Until then, be good for your mother."

Rhaegal purred as if in agreement, but stayed on John's shoulder, not minding that the attention wasn't on him any longer.

It was time. Both Jon and Elsa knew he had to leave, but it was Jon who broke the silence and said, "I'm going to miss you."

It was as if a dam had broken and Elsa jumped into his arms, burying her face in his neck. Jon's arms tightened around her and he closed his eyes to keep the feeling of her in his arms etched into his mind forever.

E/N: If you're still with me on this story and had not abandoned it, please do let me know. I don't want to work on something which has lost its charm. Have a nice day. 😊

May 11th, 2021