Chapter 7: Take flight

Sansa was trying to light a fire on the cold snow ground when she realized she had never had to really make a fire herself. She cursed herself for not having thought of such a small and valuable tip before taking off into the harsh winter freeze that had taken hold of Winterfell. She tried to bundle more into her cloak that was quickly getting chilly as the snow clung to the fur. Sansa jumped when she heard footprints come to startle her.

"Lady Stark," Brienne said appearing from the brush. Sansa tried to catch her breath as she had been startled half to death. Heart raced so fast she thought it would surely rip from her chest, "you should have requested my company."

"I'm sorry Lady Brienne, I didn't want you to stop me," she said sitting back down onto the cold icy ground.

"s'cuse me milady, but my job is to keep you safe, not tell you what to do," Brienne pulled some tools from her bag and put together a fire for them to warm themselves.

"Where is Podrick?" Sansa asked she rubbed her hands together and scooted neared to the warm flame.

"I requested he stayed with the young Lord Stark," Brienne did not look up from the fire. You could see she already missed the company of her squire.

"I appreciate the extra safety for my little brother," Sansa smiled warmly.

"The Lady Catelyn would have wanted it," Brienne laid down next to the fire, "we should only rest our eyes lightly and leave before the light breaks if we wish to catch up."

"You're right," Sansa agreed before laying down her head on a small pack she brought with her. She listened to the soft sparks of the fire and the tiny snorts and sounds the horses made.

When they woke, they quickly packed and too through the forest to follow the tracks the army had left behind. Sansa told Brienne she did not want to join the army until they were far enough that Jon couldn't just send her back. Brienne didn't like that they be so far behind in case something happened, but she could not question her lady. She finally found a worthy house to support, and more importantly a friend. Sansa hated that she could feel so close to him and yet couldn't be with him.

Jon was taken surprised and left breathless by the large Dragons in front of him. His aunt smiled watching him as Jon humbly took them in. He was not possessive or greedy like others, she could not see this in him. She felt more confident each day they spent together that he was not like other men. She even slightly envied the lover he had hid away, unwilling to share her identity even though roomers had spread through the ranks of many different maidens. Jon reached out a hand and placed it on Rhaegal, the dragon with green and touches of bronze.

"He likes you," Danny said not moving from her place, her hands folded behind her back, "it seems only fitting, seeing as he was named after Rhaegar, your father… my brother. Too bad that Baratheon brute had to slay my brother for the love he bore your mother, our lives could have been so different."

"I wish I could have known them," Jon said, his hand moving smoothly along the scales of the dragon who lay quietly there, "did you know them?"

"I never met your mother, and I was young when my brother was killed. I hardly remember anything, only tales told. I was told once that he loved to dance. That Rhaegar was good with the people, he loved the people. From what I've been told I can already see much of him in you," Daenerys then walked slowly to gently stroke Drogos chin before kissing him gently. Her babies, the only she would ever have, "you should ride Rhaegal. Perhaps you can find some comfort of our loss in him."

"Your too kind my queen," Jon was unsure how he felt about riding a dragon.

"I insist," Danny was not going to let him reject her gift.

"I've never taken to the sky, I've always been close to the ground," Jon looked at the huge beast both with desire as well as fear.

"I was afraid the first time I rode as well, Tyrion was even more so," she smiled walking to her nephew, "this is a gift I offer you. Do not reject it."

"Aye, I'll try," Jon said not wanting to disappoint or anger the dragon queen. He couldn't deny he felt a certain draw to the green dragon whose eyes never left his. Something pulsing between them, like the buzzing of the ground after a heavy lightning storm.

"Shall we go for a ride Nephew?" Daenerys almost seemed to be testing him, "perhaps we could have saddles made."

"Aye, I think I'd prefer it," Jon said seeing the distance from the ground to their back.

"For now we ride bare," she said as she walked to Drogo climbing up until she was on his back inbetween spikes, "Just don't look down… King of the North."

"Aye," Jon sighed before repeating what he watched his aunt do until he was on top of Rhaegal. He quietly whispered to the dragon as he patted him gently, "please don't drop me on my arse."

"Ready?" she asked before signaling Drogo to take off and take flight. Jon's eyes grew wide with excitement and terror as his dragon took flight after the large black dragon. A rush of excitement filled him as the wind hit him and they rose into the air. He couldn't help but smile before placing his arms out once Rhaegal was flying steady.

"Lady Sansa!" Brienne called when something rattled the brush startling Sansa's beautiful white and gray mare. Sansa hit the ground as her horse skirted side ways.

"Damn it!" Sansa hollered as she tried to pull herself up before seeing the bushes rustle, "oh sweet seven…"

"Milady!" Brienne was off her horse by her side, "Where is your bow?"

"Oh yes," Sansa had forgotten but before she could retrieve it someone stumbled through the brush.

"Please, come quick," a young handsome man looked wounded and out of breath. Was this a trap? "Please she needs help…"

"Brienne," Sansa looked to her protector unsure of what to do. If someone was hurt she wanted to help, but she also didn't want to die at the hand of slavers or robbers.

"What's your name Lad?" Brienne said pointing her sword. Her eyes saw that he was bleeding from the side of his stomach.

"Gendry," he said slightly slumping over, "please help."

Sansa and Brienne followed to see a small camp that had been torn apart. They looked to each other wondering who had raided it. Sansa's hands tightened on her horses reins before walking further to observe. It was then that she saw red hair and a familiar gown. Could it be? The Lady Melisandre? But she had been banished. Sansa fell to the red headed woman looking her over. At the moment she only looked to be knocked out.

"What happened?" Brienne questioned, her hand still on the hilt of her sword.

"We were attacked briefly, she fought him off with her red magic. But it was such a blur milady," Gendry said trying to stay a foot.

"I am not a lady," Brienne growled.

"My apologies," he said looking at her with confusion. They waited for some time for the Lady Melisandre to wake up. It was several hours before she began to stir.

"Milady," she grumbled spotting Sansa first, "I've come searching for you."

Authors note: short but sweet chapter… I hope it was okay. I wanted to get something up quick. Next chapter will be much more adventurous as Sansa is drawn further from her love.