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Chapter 3- Morning

Lyra's POV

It wasn't long after I lay down against Iorek that I fell asleep. He was so comfortable and snuggling against him felt so… right. But was that wrong? Right and wrong, ugh feelings are confusing.

My dreams were beautiful though. I dreamt of a castle of ice and a kingdom always blanketed in snow.

Even then waking up was better. For a second I forgot where I was and I was confused by the warmth surrounding me. I wiggled and turned over to meet a wall of fuzz. Iorek. Now I remembered, this giant wall of ivory fur was the king of the ice bears.

Suddenly I felt self conscious. I was so close to him, touching in so many wonderful places. I didn't want him to wake up to me clinging to him. He wouldn't like that. So I started to pull away.

In his sleep one of his paws had draped heavily over my waist and although it was comfortable, it made it harder to pull away. However, I managed and began to move out of his hold when his paw suddenly tightened around me and pulled me back against him. He gave a sleepy moan.

"Don't go anywhere" He said lazily. I bent my head back to look up into his face. His eyes were still closed but by his breathing I was sure he was awake. With his eyes remaining closed, his lowered his muzzle to rub against my head and cheek.

It made me smile. I don't know why but I liked it when he did that. I gave a small giggle, couldn't help it. I'd been doing that a lot lately but only around Iorek…weird.

"Much better" He mumbled as he still nuzzled against me. Pan squeezed between the paws and I and appeared beside me.

"Pan could you wake him up please?" I asked. As much as I was enjoying the moment oddly enough, I didn't want Iorek to be embarrassed for acting upon some dream.

"He is awake Lyra, I'm sure he's just trying to enjoy the moment for as long as possible." I stared at Pan wide eyed. Was that true? A soft huff came from above me.

"Now that you've ruined said moment" Iorek said. I looked up at him even more shocked. He knew he was nuzzling me, knew just where I was and he still didn't want me to move. My smile returned and I rubbed my cheek against his comfy neck.

"What better way to wake up than a spoiled moment" Pan said as he scurried over us both, clearly more alert than either of us.

"Pan" I said with amusement clearly in my voice.

Iorek's POV

I could think of a few better ways to wake up but most of those imaginings shocked even myself.

However, the feel of Lyra pressed so close to me and her cheek stroking my neck gently was definitely the best wake to awaken so far. I moved my paw, which had been her pillow, down to support her better. Then I rolled onto my back and my paws pulled her along with me so she rested on my stomach now.

Her eyes widened a little and her fingers fisted in my fur. I liked the way she clung to me when she was startled. To reassure her in her still sleepy state, I stretched my neck and reached to give her a small lick like I had done the day before.

It seemed to work because her startled face changed and she was beaming down at me. I loved her smile. Sweet and playful yet rebellious and full of spirit. Just like her.

I couldn't deny that she tasted sweet too. I was glad she probably didn't understand that my lick was a bear version of a kiss.

Even as I thought about it I couldn't regret it. Lyra made me happy. I thought it was just because she had freed me and helped me get back my title but was it more?

Lyra's POV

Iorek's affections made me feel special and I giggled again. I looked at him and he was smiling back to me which made me smile even more.

"This is alright? I'm not too heavy?" I asked, remembering where I was and worrying that he was uncomfortable.

"I don't want you anywhere else" He responded and I was both surprised and glad.

Pan leapt up onto Iorek from nowhere and curled up on his chest close to me. "Don't mind if I do" He said. We both laughed.

"Of course you too Pan" Iorek said good naturedly.

Suddenly there came a knock at the door. I leapt off of Iorek and ran to get it. I turned back with a look of shock on my face, realizing what I was really just doing. Iorek was staring back at me as he rolled onto his side.

I shook my head to try and clear my thoughts and turned the knob of the door.

There stood Asriel, fresh with a tentative smile. "Good morning" He said.

I nodded. "Good morning."

"I have a breakfast in the other room, would you care to join me?" He asked.

Might as well so I answered "sure". Reaching back to the bed so Pan could leave onto my outstretched hand and climb up onto my shoulder.

Without another glance I followed Asriel out of the room.

Iorek's POV

She left without even looking back but my eyes followed her as she went. Now I was alone in the room and without her intoxicating presence my mind cleared.

What was I doing? That was completely inappropriate… and yet it had felt so incredible! She was so warm and so small. Even when she was a full grown woman she would always be much smaller than me.

Her tiny fingers had wound through my fur and stroked me so beautifully that I never wanted it stop.

But it had stopped. At a single rap upon the door she'd gotten up and walked away. I growled softly. Another man had stolen her away from me.

But that man had been her been own father. Why did I feel so protective? So… possessive of her?

My growl died away and I looked down away from the door which had fallen shut. Raising a paw I examined the sharp claws and fuzzy fur. I was so unhuman. Was there even a chance that she could care for me? That she could reach across the species barrier to follow me?

And if she did, what then? I was king of the ice bears now. It had been my dream for so long and now I had everything I had wanted. But my dreams had changed and grown and now there was something else I selfishly wanted.

Lyra's POV

Breakfast was delicious but the entire meal had been eaten in silence. When we were both finished my father leaned forward.

"Lyra, we have to talk about your choice. Did you think about what I told you?" He said serious.

I nodded. "Yes I did. Are you sure that I am the only one who can read the compass?" I asked. He sat back with a sigh.

"Yes. I don't know what separates you from all others or what the special quality is, but I am certain that you can read it and I know of no one else who can." He said firmly.

I sighed. "I was afraid you would say that. But I understand the consequences if I don't do this and I can't allow that to happen to all the innocent. The citizens never did anything wrong, the magisterium is just too power hungry."

"So you accept?" He said eagerly. I nodded.

"I do" How could I say no, when the compass and I were apparently the only thing in the way of the magisterium. Asriel stood and smiled at me.

"Fantastic. Now we will have to leave immediately. We have much to do." He said and hurried off. "I assume you are already packed so I'll just grab a few things and then we can go." He said with his back to me. I looked down at Pan stoically. I didn't want to do this but I had to.

"Wait, I have to say goodbye to Iorek." I said.

"No, we must leave immediately"

"No! I'm saying goodbye to him!" And with that I stored off towards the room I had slept in where I knew Iorek still resided.

"Lyra" My father sighed in exasperation but I was already at the door.

"Iorek?" I called as I pushed open the door and walked in. I saw him get up from the floor.

"Lyra" He said in greeting and we met in the middle. He noticed I wasn't smiling. "Your going aren't you" He asked though he could already tell the answer. I reached out and hugged him around the neck.

"I don't want to! But who else can do it if I don't? We fought so hard Iorek. We can't let that all go to waste." I said against his fur. His head lowered over my shoulder to rub against me.

"Then I will go with you." He said determined. But I pulled back and shook my head.

"Iorek you can't. You are king of the Ice Bears now. You must return to them and rule them as you've wanted to for so long." His head lowered.

"Can Asriel guarantee your protection?" He asked.

"Yes" I lied. He could see right through it and sighed.

"I do not like this." He said gruffly. I remained silent, not knowing what to say.

"Lyra we must go!" Came the loud call from outside the door.

"You're leaving now!" Said Iorek. He seemed angry.

"Asriel says we must" I said lamely. I felt like I was somehow being torn. Like I was forced into a destiny I wasn't yet ready for. Iorek reached up with his snout to nudge my cheek.

"You are a miraculous girl Lyra. You will do wonders for this world."

"Someday we will meet again" I said putting on a fake smile. In truth I didn't honestly know but I really hoped we would see each other again.

"It will be so, I promise you" Iorek said. The door burst open and Asriel grabbed my arm.

"Did you not hear me? We must leave! The magisterium is on their way!" Asriel said pulling on me.

"Alright I'm coming!" I said sternly. I turned back to Iorek. He began to follow us and nudged my hand. He kept pace as we raced out and he let me pet him as if he realized how it comforted me. Pan had slipped out of my jacket and was now sadly settled on Iorek's head.

"I didn't think this would happen" Pan said.

"None of us did Pan" Iorek said.

"Alright Iorek, thank you for looking after Lyra but we must part. Go that way and you'll find your friends. We must continue down this tunnel." I really didn't understand why we couldn't just go back to Lee's ship and take off together but Asriel gave another sharp tug and Pan had to jump to grab onto me.

"Iorek!" I called back.

"I will see you again Lyra!" He called down the hallway and with that I was whisked away to fate.