Lyanna tapped her fingers on the breakfast table. She was growing impatient, the morning seemed to pass slower than ever. Rhaegar had sent her a raven telling her the exact day to meet him where they first met. Today was that day.
Lyanna had missed Rhaegar so much. Almost three moons had passed since their escapade. Lyanna kept the dragon tooth he'd given her tucked inside her small clothes. Fryda knew, she understood. A few nights Fryda held her while she cried.
Lyanna had dreams about running away with Rhaegar, they were always so happy in her dreams but then she would have these terrible flashes of blizzards and wild fires. Lyanna didn't know what any of it meant but she hoped the dreams would end once she reunited with her Rhaegar.
"Lyanna you've barely touched your food." Her father boomed from the end of the table with a mouthful.
"I'm going for a hunt, midday. I want to save my appetite." Lyanna said while she poked at her food with her fork.
"No more hunting; you are engaged to be married to a lord, its time you start acting like a lady. And you need to prepare for our journey south." Lord Stark shook his head at Lyanna. Lyanna felt like she was going to be sick at the mention of her betrothal.
"Why are we going south?" Lyanna asked with hope of seeing her love's home.
"Not that it's any of your concerns, but you are going to meet your betrothed at Harrenhall. We leave in a fortnight." Lord Stark told her as he finished his food. Benjen started talking to Ned about the tourney and how one day he will joust.
"Yes, father. I am looking forward to it, we all are indeed." Lyanna winked at Benjen then got up from the breakfast table and walked swiftly to her chambers.
"Fryda," Lyanna said to her handmaiden as she shut her door behind her. "Father is taking me south to meet Robert Baratheon." Lyanna wanted to scream.
"When are you leaving?" Fryda rushed to Lyanna's side, Fryda knew that Lyanna was going to meet Rhaegar.
"A week. We're off to Harrenhall." Lyanna sighed with despair.
"You will meet your love in the woods today. We can leave unnoticed." Fryda gave Lyanna a reassuring smile.
"Thank you, Fryda." Lyanna brought her into an embrace. Fryda told Lyanna the plan. Lyanna was to put on Fryda's cloak and walk to the stables, Fryda was going to keep watch while Lyanna took Stark and rode out of Winterfell unnoticed.
Lyanna had on Fryda's cloak and was walking to the stables with her head down when someone bumped into her shoulder. She looked up into the eyes of Ned.
"Lyanna, what are you doing?" Ned said looking at the wool cloak that clearly wasn't hers.
"Going for a ride in the woods." Lyanna said looking at the ground.
"You aren't supposed to be hunting." Ned told her with warning.
"Ned, what do you take me for? A runaway? It's just a stroll in the forest." Lyanna said with forced charm. Ned looked like he was about to lecture her but he shook his head.
"Keep your head down. Go unnoticed. I'll tell father you are under the weather." He spoke in a hushed tone so no one would hear. "Be careful." He gave her a sure nod.
Lyanna wanted to thank him but knew it was best she just left. She started to walk away but turned around to nod back to her brother. She was so lucky to have Ned in her life, he has been the only one who cares, the only one to watch out for her.
Lyanna went to the stables. Hodor went to get Stark for her.
"I'm taking this one. We'll be back soon." Lyanna pointed at an old mare and smiled at the stable boy.
"Hodor." He repeated as he saddled the mare. She was the color of chestnuts with a patch of white on her muzzle. Hodor lead the horse to her. Lyanna mounted the mare and pulled Fryda's cloak almost completely over her face. She rode out of Winterfell as fast as she could.
Throughout the ride Lyanna could feel herself feeling lighter and lighter the closer she got to Rhaegar. By time she reached the woods where they first met she felt like if she let go of the reigns she would float up to the sky. Lyanna reigned back the mare once they got to the clearing. She dismounted and tied the horse to a nearby tree.
Lyanna walked around the clearing and stumbled upon a burnt spot in the grass surrounded by stones. This is where their fire had been. She looked at it and recalled the night they shared. She looked up at the sky and saw that the sun was at its highest. He was late. She heard the snap of a twig and hoped it was him.
Lyanna turned around to see a wolf. A direwolf standing there, staring at her. Lyanna stayed still and watched the wolf as it watched her. The wolf was white with patches of grey on its back and it had piercing blue eyes. Lyanna stepped forward and the wolf didn't run. Lyanna took another step forward and put her hand out to the wolf.
The wolf creeped forward and sniffed her hand. Then started to lick her palm. Lyanna had never seen a direwolf before, she had only seen paintings and statues of them and a direwolf's head on her family's banner. She used her other hand to pet behind the wolf's ears. Lyanna giggled as the wolf nestled its head into her lap as she sat on the ground petting it.
Lyanna heard the galloping of a horse behind her. She stood up and turned around to see Rhaegar mounted on a white stallion. He jumped down as fast as he could and picked her up and spun her around. Lyanna yelped with excitement and brought him into a passionate kiss. She had missed him so much and he was finally here, holding her.
Rhaegar held her tight and kissed her. Finally, he let go of her but he held her face in his hands and kissed her once more. Once the kiss ended Lyanna turned around to see that there was no sign of the wolf, it must have been scared off by the horse.
"Lyanna, my love, my wolf, I have missed you so much. My heart ached every second we were apart." He said between kisses.
"Rhaegar, my dragon, I have spent every night dreaming of you." She put her hand on his cheek, he hadn't had stubble when they first met but now his cheek was prickly. She unbuttoned her cloak and showed him the dragon tooth still hanging around her neck.
"You're still wearing it?" He asked with a smile.
"Of course, I haven't taken it off. It is all I had to remind me of you." She looked down at the ancient tooth and smiled. He put his hand under her chin and lifted her face towards him, his lips touched hers and she couldn't help but smile. She loved him so much.
"I missed you, my heart ached without you, my love." He whispered as he parted from her lips. She kissed him and felt ease. She was so happy to be in his arms.
"Shall we walk?" Lyanna took his hand in hers. He nodded and the began to walk through the woods. Lyanna looked up at him, he was tall and more beautiful than anyone she could have imagined. His silver locks fell around his shoulders and he had a fierceness that layed behind his violet eyes. She wanted to feel his touch, his warmth, feel his heart pound against hers.
Lyanna never considered herself much of a lady in the way ladies were written about in songs and stories. She didn't like embroidery, dresses, she loved hunting and riding and fighting. She was skilled with a bow and could hold her ground with a sword. But with Rhaegar she felt like a lady, she felt love and it made her feel beautiful and fragile.
"I love you," She whispered and stood on her toes to kiss him.
"And I, you." He smiled.
"I've never loved anyone before, have you?" Lyanna asked out of curiosity.
"I don't think so, not like this." He looked at her with a small smile.
"Shall we set up a tent?" She asked. He nodded and they walked towards the clearing
"I can put it up, do you want to put on a fire? After the tent is pitched I can go hunting." Rhaegar said as he opened his pack.
"I think I should go hunting, I'm better than you are." She teased and went to move the snow and leaves out of the fire pit. She started the fire easily by striking a stone with her dagger. The tent was pitched and she didn't really want to go hunting, she wanted to go into that tent with Rhaegar. She kicked off her boots and got into the tent.
"Rhaegar! Come here." She called out to him. He poked his head into the tent and smiled at her. He got in and started kissing her. She put her hands on the back of his neck as he started unlacing her cloak. He pushed her cloak off and she had pushed off his and started unlacing his tunic.
"Should we wait?" Lyanna stopped. She had a strange feeling in her gut.
"For what?" He asked as he started lifting her dress.
"I hear something." Lyanna whispered as she heard rusting from behind their tent. She got out and didn't bother with her cloak or boots. She walked barefoot over the snow and peaked around the tent. Rhaegar followed her out.
"Lyanna, careful." He said in an urgent but hushed tone. Lyanna nodded and stepped forward. She saw the wolf again. It froze when it saw her, Lyanna made kissing noises and it slowly stepped towards her. Lyanna smoothed the fur on its head, it was so soft and it smelt like snow.
"Lyanna, watch out!" Rhaegar gasped as he watched the direwolf nestle its head into her belly. It stood up to Lyanna's chest, it was a giant but ever so gentle.
"Rhaegar," She whispered "Its alright. She won't hurt us." Lyanna said with certainty.
"What are you talking about? That's a wolf." He stood still and watched her with fear.
"A direwolf, as am I. She came to me earlier, she's friendly." Lyanna stepped back and grabbed his hand. She pulled Rhaegar next to her and set his hand in front of the wolf's muzzle. The wolf sniffed him and then went back to nudging her nose into Lyanna's chest.
"That's amazing." Rhaegar said with a chuckle. He took another step forward and Lyanna could feel the wolf's demeanor change. The hair on its back stood up and the wolf pulled its lip back, bearing teeth.
"Rhaegar, get back." Lyanna's voice was quiet but urgent. Before he moved the wolf turned and snarled at him. Rhaegar gasped and fell onto his backside.
"No." Lyanna shouted, the wolf turned and looked deep into her eyes. They stood with eyes locked for what seemed to be a long time then the wolf turned and walked back into the thick of the wood. Lyanna felt like she had been warned, like that was a sign of things to come. Lyanna pushed that thought deep into her head and rushed to her dragon who was dusting himself off.
"Are you hurt, my love?" Lyanna asked as she put her hand to his face. His skin was covered in a gleam of sweat despite the cold northern air. She rubbed his stubbly cheek with her thumb.
"I'm fine, truly, just a little startled." He chuckled. Lyanna put her hands around his neck and pulled his face to hers. Her lips touched his and suddenly the chills on her back melted back into her skin and the cold nipping at her cheeks seemed to fade. She was left with only the feeling of warmth emanating from him. She felt warm with him, like the fire inside him melted the ice that encased her like a frozen flower.
A/N: Third Chapter! I'm trying to post a chapter everyday, and its off to a pretty good start. I hope you're enjoying it so far.
xx Lonewolf