Visenya jolted up from her sleep. It was a nightmare.
The dream felt so real that she could still feel the pain in her abdomen due to the hard kick.
In her throat, she felt the bile rising up from the scene she woke up from. Her hands sweeped down to the floor as if to feel the blood tickled down on the ground.
She held her hand on her stomach to feel the babe in her dream. She felt nothing on the flat surface.
Visenya could hear the loud sound of heart as her mind focused back on to those blue eyes gleaming in closed her eyes tight, her hands gripping tight on the silken sheets as she tumbled back into reality.
She woke up to find her elder sister hugging her back. And she saw her dire wolf, Ghost looking at her with a raised eyelid.
Rhaenys had Elia's black curls and face structure. The only trait she got from her father was her purple pools. And of course, Rhaenys had a big dragon to prove her blood. They shared that similarity.
She slowly untangled herself from Rhaenys. She stretched her body for the day. She saw Ghost doing the same. The animal came to her and bumped his head into her stomach.
She then remembered her dream.
"I know you'll protect it when I have one, boy."
The wolf let out a small growl informing his agreement. She ruffled his soft, snow-white fur.
The sun hasn't risen yet. She could hear the songs of the birds and night creatures which soothed her anxiety from the dream. Through the cold mist of the morning, rays of sunlight with low warmth came in clearing the clouds of the darkness the night offered.
She went to put on a black robe. It had a three-headed dragon imprinted on it. It was in contrast against her pale skin.
'Tomorrow at this time I will be on my way to Winterfell'.
Her mind tried to calm her down. That thought made her happy.
She hadn't visited her maternal home for two years. Her father urged her to stay. And her dragons were small at that time. She, Aegon and Rhaenys stayed at Dragonstone with Viserys and Dany till her children grew large enough for riding. She was sure that there wasn't a day her grandmother did not have a headache from all the troubles the five of them caused.
But it's been six months since then.
"And she's finally going home."
On her way out, she found her sworn shield standing outside.
"Princess." Ser Jaime addressed.
"Good Morning, Ser", She replied.
"Our regular stroll, Ser Jaime."
"Of course princess."
And they went.
Ghost trotted by her side. It was a routine. Every time her sleep wasn't right, She and Ser Jaime will go to a spot on the side of the Red Keep which faces the sea. Visenya would sit there and watch the waves until her mind calmed faithful knight would guard her against the side. After that sword lessons with Ser Jamie and another flight in the air would usually clear her mind.
."You are brooding again."
Elia informed her husband.
Rhaegar Targaryen was staring towards KingsLanding for half an hour. His eyes staring into the sky as if viewing on into an invisible battle.
Elia waited for her husband to speak.
"Are all the preparations for Visenya's journey ready?"
"It is."
"You don't want her to go." Elia accused.
She heard her husband sigh.
"You promised her Rhaegar. A king must keep his promises."
"I know...I just...I just don't feel good about it."
"That's just bullshit and you know it. Ned Stark would rather destroy the Wall than let something happen to Senya. She'll be safe. And she has Starfyre with her. No one would dare to touch a dragon."
Elia herself was surprised by her tone, authority and the confidence it carried.
She now understands how the Targaryens were like gods. She feels their power now.
After all, she raised three dragons.
"I know," Rhaegar replied.
He remembers his conversation with Varys, his Master of Whispers.
"The whole realm will fight for the princess's hand, Your Grace."
And he's scared. Every time she or Rhaenys goes to Dragonstone or Dorne or Summerhall, he's scared. He's scared of not seeing them again.
It brings terrible memories for him.
"Don't worry, I'll be safe. Arthur will take me to you when the babe's here. You should be careful. I can't lose you too. Make everything right for the realm and wait for me."
She smiled at him with a smile that made him forget the world around him.
He never saw her again.
Her father had rebuilt the Dragon Pit after the dragons were born. He brought back the House of the Dragons to its former glory.
There were currently three dragons in the pit including her siblings. She was showering the mentioned three with neck scratches. Her Starfyre, Aegon's Rhaegal and Rhaenys 's Vēzos.
Starfyre reminded her of the night sky. She had a black body with sparkles of light blue dots in was purely coal black while Vēzos like his name had the bright orange colour of the sun.
Her dragon whined about not tasting the sky. It had been a fortnight since they'd been in the sky. She promised her dragon that they will soon fly to Winterfell. And it's a long journey.
She left the Dragon Pit to the Red Keep when she was starting to get hungry .
Visenya changed her attire before going to the dining area.
She wore a forest green gown with many intricate works with gold threads.
It was a gift from Willas Tyrell.
Senya considered him a good friend. He was a well-educated man with an aura of wisdom around him.``
"You look lovely, princesses ."Ser Jaime informed.`
"You are too good to me Ser." she replied with a smile.
All around the castle, servants and soldiers bowed and smiled at her.
The dining hall was already occupied by Queen Elia and Rhaenys.
"You look wonderful, my sweet." Elia said.
She smiled at her.
Elia was the mother that raised her. She would shush the baby into sleep on sleepless nights. Taught her the first words. Taught her to was the first person she ran to when she first came to know of the Rebellion.
"Thank you, Muna."
"Where were you in the morning"? Rhae questioned..
I went outside for a walk.
"You could have woken me were sleeping with drool all over your face. I thought you would appreciate it for not calling you."
"I had not" , her sister gasped.
"We could have flown together in the morning, Senya. Only the Seven knows when you will be coming back."
"Both of you stop bickering and eat something. It'll get cold." Elia chastised.
Senya allowed Elia to fill her plate with fruits and some listened to Rhaenys animatedly speaking about her cousin Arianne Martell.
"Ahh Good Morning my lovely sisters", Aegon barged in.
"Muna" ,he went to kiss Elia on her cheeks and settled himself on her right.
Her brother had the classic Valyrian looks, their silver-white hair and purple eyes. Even though he shared Elia's nose, his Valyrian blood had the upper hand.
He had cut his hair short, claiming the ladies loved it.
"The ladies would love you even if you look like a pig", Rhaenys had teased.
Visenya had cackled like a mad woman then.
He sat beside her.
He gave her a calculating look, raising his eyebrows.
"The dress doesn't suit you sister," he commented.
"Where do you even get these? I thought Muna had good sense in selection."
Senya scoffed.
"Shut up, brother. It's a gift from Willas."
Her eyes didn't catch the way Aegon stiffened.
"Ahh the Tyrell boy" .
"He's older than you brother."
"Still a boy."
"He's not a –"
"Tyrion told me that the Queen of Thorns will ask for Senya's hand for Willas.," Rhae shared her information.
Everyone saw the way Visenya paled.
"Father won't force me into a marriage with some Lord. You won't let him, will you?" She asked her mother.
That is something that scared her.
She can't even fathom a life without—
"No, no my sweet girl, it will always be your choice. I am even ready to fight your father on this."
"Don't worry Senya, you can always set Starfyre on Lords when they come for the courting" Rhaenys proposed her idea.
"And anyone who's gonna propose a match can feel the wrath of a dragon during the Small Council. I'll be your knight in shining armour ", Egg offered.
"Ser Jaime is my knight in shining armour, I fear you should take up some other positions brother".
Aegon gave her a sweet smile that would make the ladies of the court swoon over him.
She didn't know his smile carried different meanings at that time.
The moment was interrupted by the herald announcing the arrival of Lady Margaery Tyrell.
"The little rose won't let me eat in peace," Egg whined.
"Your Grace," the Lady curtsied.
"Lady Tyrell," the Queen addressed her.
Her eyes scanned the room and noticed Visenya.
"My House colours look lovely on you ,Princess"
"Do you? I think it doesn't match her. In my opinion, Red and Black bring the otherworldly beauty of you, little sister."
Visenya rolled her eyes internally.
"You must inform my thanks to Lord Willas, my lady. I loved the dress and the gifts he send".
"Of course, princess."
Elia invited the girl to breakfast.
"Come on my lady lets have –
"Ally!" Aegon cheered.
"Egg" Allyria Stark called out.
Allyria Stark, daughter of Lady Ashara Dayne and Lord Brandon Stark, was born three months after the Rebellion at Dorne. Ashara and her child moved to KingsLanding as Elia's Lady in and Allyria had grown together like cousins.
Visenya would visit her Aunt Ashara and hear stories about the tourney at Harrenhall, about her mother, and her uncle Brandon. Ashara would look into the red sky and reminisce about how she met her love, their dance and the crowning of her mother.
It was mid-day.
Senya had left Ashara's chambers after hearing about how her uncle Brandon had asked Ash to dance. She had forgotten the book she took to the library in Ash's room. She came back to take her book and heard Ashara's cries.
She never asked Ash for more stories.
Sometimes she thinks it's her fate, to carry guilt for things that she had no power on.
"Come on, and eat something, Ally. You look like we are starving you."
Aegon pulled the chair closer to him and urged Allyria to sit. He filled her plates with all sorts of food that was on the table.
"If it was any girl at the court, they would have fallen unconscious. But it's Ally, she is resistant towards Aegon's charms like the rest of the women sitting around the table except the little rose,"
Rhaenys mused.
She could see the jealousy and longing in Margaery's eyes while looking in their direction.
"Will you be accompanying the Princess to the North, Lady Stark ?"
"Yes, my Lady. Starfyre has promised me a flight."
Allyria had never been to the North. Ashara was scared about Lady Catelyn's reaction. And there was still her matter of birth.
Although Elia was present at the marriage between Brandon and Ash, people always liked to believe the rumours. But Lord Stark had sent a letter to the Crown requesting to meet his niece and their cousins.
Senya offered to take Ally to the North the next time she went. So it was decided Allyria should accompany VIsenya to the North now.
"And when will you be returning to Highgarden my Lady?,"
Aegon asked with a sweet smile that made him look like he cared.
Margaery seemed transfixed by his gaze.
"I'll be staying at KingsLanding as long as the crown needs me, my Prince."
Margery Tyrell looked into those purple pools. Staring into those deep eyes, she could correctly define those pools of mystery. Aegon's eyes had a deep purple centre with light streaks extending from them. Ladies were swarming over the Prince for his attention. He was like a perfect copy of the King. The King himself was the most beautiful man in the whole of Westeros. One time during court, her eyes caught with the King. She had blushed the colour of red that could be found in the rose gardens of Highgarden.
She often wondered why he married someone like Elia Martell. Elia was beautiful but not deserving of someone like Rhaegar. If she could choose, she would have chosen Cersei Lannister (now Baratheon) as his bride.
But her grandmother had told her about how every decision is made in the sickened mind of men in a faraway castle to control the realm.
The quest for power.
That is why she is following the prince around. Popping up everywhere he is present. Spreading around him like a plague hoping he'll soon be captured by it. Or at least it was like that in the beginning, but now it feels like she is following him around hoping he would fall into something else.
"In love"
She wants what the King and Lord Robert had done for their Lady Lyanna. She wants Aegon to fight a whole war for her.
Little did she know that he already had a woman in his heart that he would burn the realm for.
Margery was roused from her musings by the laughter of Prince Aegon and Lady Allyria Stark.
"Where's Ghost?" she heard Allyria ask.
"Probably somewhere in the Godswood chasing a squirrel or something", her Prince chuckled.
She tried to bait Aegon.
"I heard your cousin Robb is a handsome man, Princess."
Only Rhaenys noticed the light swarming of blood to Visenya's cheeks.
Of course, she knew.
Rhaenys was the big sister after all. And their secrets remained with her and her only.
Before there could be any other further conversations, the Queen announced.
"Finish your food children. Aegon, you have a Small Council meeting. Girls, make sure to check everything is ready for the journey tomorrow."
A chorus of yes Muna and yes Aunt was heard.
It was a starry night.
The black sky was embedded with jewels. There was a light chill in the air. She had completed packing and checking everything with the girls. And they spent the day together playing and gossiping.
She was trying to sleep and yet sleep did not come to her.
Maybe it was because of the dream last night. Visenya lay on her couch with a book in her hand.
It may be seconds or minutes. But she felt something behind her back.
Before she could scream anything, a pair of hands clasped her mouth. They were tight enough to keep her silent but not too tight to hurt her. Suddenly they swung around and pulled their hood off.
"Aegon !"
Her brother's face was covered by a black hood. With his hands, he motioned her to stay silent.
"You scared me, Egg."
"Sorry" he mouthed.
"What are you doing here?"
"I wanted to take you somewhere."
"In the middle of the night?"
"You are going to Winterfell tomorrow. We both know you won't return for a year."
"Egg, I - "
"I know. I know Winterfell makes you happy. And I want you to be happy. Stay there as long as you want and come back to us."
"'Because this is where you belong."
His eyes seemed to tell but she didn't catch it.
"Don't you trust me?" His voice was reluctant.
"She didn't like that tone. She does. He is her brother.
"Sleep wasn't coming to her anyway."
Aegon waited in the secret pathway while she changed into riding clothes. She put her hood on. Everything was already with her. There were nights when she asked Ser Jaime to take her to see the city in the middle of the night. No one could deny her big purple she was done, she put her hands in Aegon's and let him guide them into the darkness of the night.
The city was fully alive in the Hour of the Wolf.
There was laughter, cheers and yelling going on. The city no longer stinks. Rhaegar had asked Lord Tywin's youngest Tyrion to find a way to make the capital clean and to make the people's lives easier. He was impressed when the young Lord of Casterly Rock gave him an elaborate plan about cleaning the city and maintaining it while offering different jobs to the people of KingsLanding. So the city no longer smelled like shit. It smelled like a mixture of various flowers and fruits that could be seen all over the Seven Kingdoms.
They walked hand in hand down the streets. Visenya's hands were tightly clasped in Aegon's.
They stopped at a shop to buy some sweets.
"Where are we going?"
"Be patient."
"Aegon led her to an open space where there was a raised platform that served as a stage. People gathered around to watch the show.
"You took me to see a play?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Then someone announced.
"The wolf maid and the dragon prince."
She didn't speak any further.
Aegon took her to a seat. They sat there waiting for the play to start. Her hands were still in his.
The play was about the tourney at Harrenhall.
There was a scene where her mother cried for her father's song. The bard couldn't sing the song like her father.
When her father sang the Jenny of Oldstones to her for the first time, she felt it all: all the pain and sadness making her heart hurl in pain and eyes twitching from the tears formed.
But what made tears fall from Visenya's cheeks was the crowning of Queen of Love and Beauty. The reaction wasn't a silent crowd this time, the crowd cheered for them.
Besides her, she heard Aegon wiped the tear from her face and pulled her closer.
"Thank you" she whispered.
He kissed her crown.
After that, he took her to an inn where they danced to a bard singing songs about dragons, wolves and the sun. They danced and they danced.
They danced until Senya tripped over Aegon and her stomach hurt from too much laughter.
It was the Hour of Earl when the prince and princess returned to the Red Keep.
It was early in the morning.
The sun hasn't come out yet.
The Royal Family along with Ashara stood at the Dragon Pit. The dragon keepers were saddling the Senya's dragon with the necessities.
Rhaegar hugged his daughter tight.
"Father"
"Don't worry my little dragon, be happy. And show the North the might of the dragon," he offered her a smile with a kiss on her forehead.
"Muna."
"She hugged her mother tight. Elia smelled like the oranges and tangerines exported from Essos.
"My sweet girl. Take some blue roses to her for me," she whispered to her daughter.
"And look after Allyria, make sure that she stays by your side at all times."
"I will Muna."
From the corner of her eyes, she saw Ally hugging Ash tightly.
"Aunt Ash."
"Senya."
Ashara took her hands in hers. She nervously tightened her hands. Ash's eyes seemed to say a lot more words than her mouth.
"I know."
Ashara smiled.
Her Dayne's eyes looked darker in the morning light.
"Rhae, Egg." she called.
Visenya put her hands around both her siblings and pulled them closer.
"Thank you for last night", she whispered into Aegon's ear.
Rhaenys raised her eyebrows but didn't voice it.
"We'll miss you." Aegon said.
"Make sure that you teach little Arya the new trick I taught you", Rhae chimed in.
"And tell little Bran that he can be my Kingsguard when I'm the king," Egg joined in.
Visenya chuckled.
"I'll miss you both."
"Write to me.," Egg told her
"I will."
"Princess, everything is ready", Ser Jaime informed.
With a smile at her family, she took Ally's hands in hers and proceeded to her dragon. The saddle was prepared for her, Ally and Ser Jaime.
There was a separate saddle for Ghost also. Even though he didn't like flying, he did it to be closer to his mistress.
When they all were settled, Visenya let go a sigh that she didn't knew she was holding in.
"Soves"
And Starfyre leapt into the sky
Rhaenys stayed and saw her sister's dragon aligning his wings towards the North.
"She'll be back."
"I know." Aegon had a sad smile on his face.
She knew. Of course, she did. She was his big sister. And their secrets were only spoken with both of them.
Rhaenys sighed
She hoped her brother and little sister would both get their happiness without hurting each other.
Visenya started to feel the cold in the air when they rode right past Moat Cailin. She felt Ser Jaime shiver when the cold wind blew.
Allyria didn't. She had the blood of Starks just like her. They could withstand the harsh cold climate.
They reached Winterfell after a seven-day journey. They took stops at keeps to replenish their supplies.
Visenya told Starfyre to land near the broken towers. Her uncle had cleared the area to accommodate a dragon. Her dragon is dramatic unlike her so he flew twice around Winterfell's castle to announce their arrival.
Lord Eddard Stark was standing on his castle's balcony watching his youngest Arya and Bran in their Archery training. He stood there and heard their peels of laughter.
"Time heals all wounds,"
Old Nan used to say to him.
But when he lost his father and two siblings to the war and one of them to guilt, Ned was convinced that time could never heal anything.
But now, standing here looking at Arya and Bran and their childish bickering, he finally understands what Old Nan meant.
"Time doesn't heal all wounds,it makes them bearable."
A scream was heard that made the castle tremble he was standing upon. Not long after he felt the darkness when the large black dragon covered the rays of light offered by the sun.
"Senya" , his youngest cheered.
"Lord Stark, the Princess and her entourage are here", Maester Luwin informed.
" Well let us go meet them, shall we?"
Their path was interrupted by his wife who was yelling for him. He waited for his lady wife to catch her breath.
"Ned there was a–
"It's the princess and her dragon, my Lady
"There was a mixture of emotions on Catelyn's face and suddenly it all went blank.
Ned knew why. Since he told her about his decision about inviting Lady Allyria, Catelyn had been cold towards him. But that didn't make him budge from his decisions. Allyria was a Stark and it was her right to feel the snow and see the old castle of her ancestors. Ned wasn't going to deny her that. His two nieces were going to stay in Winterfell.
Even after all these years, it seems that Catelyn could never forget Brandon."He was still a ghost in their marriage.
He hoped nothing wrong will happen during their stay.
His guards strayed when they saw the large black beast. Ned could suddenly feel his blood turn cold more than ever.
He saw his nieces scratching the neck of the black beast. Visenya was calmly muttering something to it in Valyrian. He saw Ser Jaime standing beside them with relief painted on his face. Ghost was nowhere to be seen.
He never understood how someone could tame this kind of monstrosity." now seeing dire wolves large as horses running around his children like lost puppies, he thinks he knows why.
"It's in their blood and their hearts."
The dragon seemed to sense the arrival of the newcomers. It made a threatening vibrating growl in their direction which made his party stop in their tracks.
His niece laid her hands on its snout and said something to calm it down.
"Uncle Ned". She called.
It's been two years since his niece visited Winterfell. She had now grown. Princess Visenya was a grown woman. And yet he could see the little child who cried whenever she saw a spider.
Ned understands why Lord Manderly told him why the realm would probably fight for another woman.
Visenya had an otherworldly beauty that made men want to possess it.
He mentally noted the need to increase the guards in the castle.
"This is my cousin Allyria of House Stark and Dayne."
She introduced her cousin.
Lady Allyria had her mother's Dayne eyes but everything else was Brandon.
Another child in which he's searching for little pieces of his siblings".
"Lord Stark. "His niece curtsied.
"Uncle, we are family Allyria. You are part of the pack and wolves always protect their pack ."
"Her smile reminded Ned of Brandon when he had done something mischievous.
The gates of Winterfell's castle opened with the announcement.
"Princess Visenya of House Stark and Targaryen, Princess of Summerhall and the Mother of Dragons."
"Lady Allyria of House Stark and House Dayne."
"The princess's sworn shield and the Knight of the Royal Kingsguard Ser Jaime of House Lannister."
She saw the people waiting in the doesn't mind much about it. Winterfell was her home. But the custom dictates a princess of the realm must be treated as such.
At the very moment Visenya entered the castle's yard she was attacked by two young wolves.
"Senyaa." they called out.
She struggled to keep both of them on her. When she started to stumble Ally made her stand her straight.
"Arya, Ban I want you to meet our cousin Lady Allyria Stark."
"My lady," Bran mumbled with a blush on his face.
"You can call me Ally, little Lord," the red on his cheeks grew.
"Are you really from Dorne ?, Do you know how to fight with spears ?"Arya bombarded Ally with her innocently curious questions.
"I do. Maybe I can teach you something if you want."
"I do I do" the enthusiasm of Arya was the only thing that Visenya needed to see to know that Ally will be loved by her cousins.
But the blue eyes she was looking forward to seeing weren't there. She was too shy enough to ask for him.
She doubted that uncle Ned knew about them. If he did, he didn't show it.
"Princess Visenya, Lady Catelyn and Sansa curtsied.
"Lady Stark, Sansa" she addressed them.
"Lady Allyria "the Lady addressed her cousin.
There was a coldness in those Tully blue eyes that she had seen with herself at the end.
"Lady Stark," Ally curtsied back.
"It must have been a tedious journey, Your Grace. Your rooms have been arranged for you. There will be a feast in your honour."
"Of course, my Lady."
"Can we see your dragons?, Can I get a ride? "
Those questions were interrupted by Lady Stark's glare.
"When will be Robb back, father?"Visenya never loved little Bran more.
"He'll soon be here, little one. Maybe three or four days."
Visenya controlled her face like a stone. But she couldn't stop her heart from racing at the mention.
"I wish he would come soon," Bran whispered aloud.
"Me too" Senya 's mind whispered.
"The feast was a huge affair.
Most Lords of the North were present to see her. She expected it like that. It was the first time since a dragon is seen in the North. The last time was when Prince Jacaerys came for their support of the Black Queen.
Visenya normally hated feasts.
They always felt like it was something the Lords used to show off their wealth and daughters to the realm. She would wait until it is considered okay for a princess to leave them. Most of the time, she would listen and engage in a little conversation with Rhaenys and the ladies approaching one or two dances, she would slowly slip from there to somewhere who is not going to observe every step she takes.
But in the North, things were done differently. They didn't converse with their Lord to convince anything, they talked about the things that was genuinely fresh to hear.
"Where is your heir Lord Stark, Lord Umber asked?"
"Robb and some of the guards went to the Dreadfort to settle an issue, He'll be back soon."
"You are already sending the Young wolf to solve issues, Ned."
"He won't be a child forever."
"To the Young Wolf."
"Aye Aye," the Northmen cheered.
There was a proud smile on Catelyn's face.
Jon Umber called for another round.
"And to our dragon princess."
"The Ice Dragon," they cheered.
Visenya chuckled, she was familiar with their rowdy ways.
"To the beautiful Allyria Stark".
Meage Mormont stood up with a glass of ale in her hands.
"My lady, your smile reminds me of young Brandon when I, he and Lya tricked little Ben to believe that there is a dragon under this very castle."
The hall erupted into howls of laughter.
Ned only smiled at that.
He was never a part of that. He was at Vale with Robert. He didn't know about the little stories about Brandon, Lya and Ben. He was never a part of hates himself for that.
He still remembers the hatred in his sister's eyes when she came to know it was he who proposed the marriage between her and Robert. She stormed off without uttering a word to him with Ben calling her from behind.
He still remembers the disappointment in Brandon's voice when he said you shouldn't have done that.
He wishes that he knew better.
"I know you've never been to the North my lady, But you have the blood of a Stark, the blood of the North. And the North will always stand behind you."
The Northmen agreed to Maege with a lot of ayes.
"And my Lords, the North does have a dragon now," Lord Manderly winked at her.
It was a night of shouting, laughter and pick fights.
She danced with Arya, Bran and Ally and with some heirs of northern houses.
She wished it was someone else.
"They love you."
Senya looked up to see Ally looking at her with a smile of melancholy. Before the Lords would get them drunk into a stupor, Ned ordered the children to be sent to their rooms.
Ally and Senya shared common quarters with her insistence. They were getting ready for bed when Senya heard Ally say.
"They do. And they'll love you too.''
"I don't think everyone here does."
Visenya sighed and cursed Catelyn with her mutterings.
"Don't mind Lady Stark Ally. She's not a northerner is she.?"
She had seen Lady Stark's cold gaze when Maege made her toast. She took and held Ally's hands tightly.
"Ally ,look at me. You know how the South looks at me. They see me as a bastard. Sees my mother as a whore. Here they know her. They saw her grow. And they know uncle Brandon too. They know how wild and impulsive he was."
"I was scared for the first time when I was here. I didn't know they would react. My mother was the reason North lost their Liege Lord, his heir and so many men. But they didn't hate me for my mother's sins. They told me stories about her, about my family I couldn't meet, about the Wall, about the Long Night, they taught me about the snow that falls on this ground. They made this my home. Don't let Lady Catelyn ruin Winterfell for you ".
Visenya smiled at her and pulled her into a hug. She hoped Catelyn won't do something like this again."
Fishes are just scraps in Dragon's claws.
For the next two days, Visenya showed Ally around Winterfell.
They visited the Godswood, the Heart Tree and glasshouses. Senya made a crown of blue roses when Ally enjoyed them. Arya and Bran, like little ducklings, followed them around the castle.
She taught them new tricks that Rhae had taught her. She made a mental note to tell Ned to arrange a match for Arya from Dorne. They could give what Arya craved the most.
"Freedom."
She wrote letters to her family letting them know about their journey and welcome in Winterfell. In letters to her mother, she asked permission for her and Allyria to visit the Wall and their uncle Benjen there.
On the first night of their stay, Senya took Ally to visit her father.
It was a cold night.
Senya had the crown she made in her hand with a lamp. Ser Jaime dutifully stood in front of the crypts while they went in.
Visenya shivered when she walked in. She might have the Stark blood in her but she was not a Stark.
They first stood in front of the stone-carved shape of a young man. The features were perfectly made in the stone. Visenya closed her eyes tight and thought of the Rebellion and her uncle.
Brandon had gone into KingsLanding to save his sister.
Visenya wished Allyria would just hate and be angry at her for taking her father away from her. Standing beside her cousin all Senya felt was guilt.
"So this is my Aunt men went war for."
Allyria roused her from her overthinking.
She was looking at her mother's statue. When she was small, she would hold the stone-cold palm of the statue and would imagine it was warm and soft.
Ally took the crown from her hand and placed on it her mother's statue. With the lamp, she lit up all the statues in the crypt.
"Her father's, aunt's and grandfather's."
They just stood there in silence watching those statues and wishing it was real dark grey eyes that were smiling down on them rather than lifeless ones.
The next day was similar.
They played with little showed how her skill had developed during her training. And Bran walked behind Ally like a lost puppy. Senya thought it was cute.
All under the cold glare of Lady Stark. But what she couldn't understand was Sansa's indifference towards Allyria.
She may be following what her mother and septa taught her, but she couldn't figure out those actions. She wasn't close to Sansa, but every time she mentioned her brother or the Red Keep, Sansa would keenly hear and absorb everything.
She knew that the North wasn't happy about her uncle building a sept for Lady Catelyn in Winterfell. She hoped the North would see Robb as a northerner than a southerner when his time came for him to take up the mantle as the Warden of the North.
"You shouldn't have riled her up like that."
"I don't know what you are talking about."
"Don't act coy Senya."
"You shouldn't have."
"Shouldn't have what?"
"You shouldn't have riled Sansa like that."
"Well I'm your princess and I have to protect you from all harm."
"I know but-"
"She was rude to you Ally."
"Ally, you are far more important to me than her. I just said Egg and you were close. Did you see how her face went red like that?"
"I think she wants to marry him."
"Most girls of the realm want that. She wants to become queen, Ally. Probably it's her mother who put the idea into her head. Sansa still believes all stories they talk about the knight and fair maidens to be the truth. Her head is full of stories. She is a southern flower. The Northern lords won't have someone following the Seven in their homes. So Catelyn will try to marry her into the South. And in her mind, the only House worthy of Warden of North's daughter is House Tyrell and the Royal family. It's not a secret that Lady Olenna is asking my hand for Willas. So she will push Sansa as a potential future queen."
"But, it's not that simple."
"No, it's not. Aegon can choose from. There's his cousin Arianne, Mycerlla Baratheon, Sansa, and Asha Greyjoy if he wants her and there is always the little rose."
"Egg will probably jump from the Red Keep than marry her."
"Still."
"Come on, let's sleep. Old Nan said she would make apple cakes for me tomorrow."
She woke up to the birds with a smile. The castle had already woken up. She went straight to the kitchen and took some apples. She was hungry. Last night she was so busy riling up Sansa that she forgot to focus on eating something. She asked Ser Jaime to take some rest since they came to Winterfell.
She stood in the light rays of the sun to feel some warmth. Slowly and peacefully enjoying the little things about her home she walked and went to Starfyre.
Her dragon was a lazy one. She saw it coiled around him and sleeping. When he felt her coming, he open the lid of his eyes and stared at her.
"Sleep now. We'll go for a ride today."
She slowly ran her hand on its head until she saw its eyes drooping.
Without any direction in focus, she led her mind to take her away too somewhere. Soon enough she found herself in the Godswood of Winterfell.
It had the largest Heart Tree Senya had ever seen. The ones in the Red Keep and Dragonstone were small compared to this.
She felt those eyes staring into her soul. She went to its roots and prayed.
Prayed for those she loves and for those she lost.
She stood up and went to the pool beside it.
It was an ancient thing. The light fell upon the silent water. She wondered how deep it would be. There was a rush of wind and trees nearby poured a cup of leaves into the still pool. She stood there watching the rippling water slowly reaching the shore and making small the water slowly became clear she saw a figure standing just behind her.
She swung around quickly and pushed the figure. But it was she who went backwards with the force. But a pair of hands caught her not letting her fall into the water
.She then saw.
Blue eyes. Tully blue eyes.
She took in his face. It is just as she remembered. But it still has changed.
His thick red-brown hair looked more curly than ever. There was a small beard forming on his face. It made him look more mature. They didn't talk for a long minute.
Slowly Robb pulled her into his chest. She relaxed in those arms taking in his northern scent.
"Senya" he called.
His voice had changed. It became gruff. It made a shiver pass through her spine.
She was reminded that they were both grown. They were not little Robb and Senya who wouldn't sleep without each other. She was a grown woman who had been bled. She looked around to see if anyone was looking. She didn't want to increase the headache on Elia. She had enough with Rhae.
She slapped him across the shoulders.
"You scared me."
"I was not trying to."
"I missed you." she saw that in his eyes.
"Me too."
"They held their heads together for a time with a smile on their face.
Before she did something that wasn't proper, she put a small distance. Robb had a hurt smile on his face. She returned it with a sad smile.
"How was Dreadfort?"
"Cold."
She laughed, which resonated through the whole woods.
"I heard our cousin is here."
"She is. You'll like her. She is a great woman."
"How was mother?""She put on a small frown.
"As usual."
"She's just-" Robb tried to defend his mother.
"She's what ? I don't know why she acts like this. Uncle Brandon loved another woman. So what? Hasn't she already found love with your father? "
"I don't know how my mother's mind works ,Senya."
"I know, it's just frustrating."
"Leave it. Tell me. How are you?"
"I'm….""Visenya is at a loss of words when she looks into his eyes.
"I um I bought a gift for you."
"For me?"
"Close your eyes," He asked."
stood there with her eyes closed. She once more felt enclosed by his scent. She felt a cold thing snaking around her neck.
"Stay still."
She did as he asked.
He kissed her.
It was slow and sweet. It did not have passion or fire in it. Just a slow kiss, promising about all the kisses in the future.
Senya opened her eyes with a smile. She knew her cheeks had the colour of the apples she ate in the morning.
His face also seemed with a light pink blush.
She looked down at the necklace on her neck.
It was a pretty little thing. A silver chain with a pendant. The pendant was carved into a silver rose and inside it, a blue gemstone was professionally had a blue rose on her neck.
"Thank you"
"Do you like it?", his eyes showed his doubt.
That was what they spoke with their eyes rather than words.
"I love it."
For all the years to come the chain would claim its place at her neck becoming a part of her. During her reign every time she felt anxious, she would clutch the pendant tight and hope that she would disappear to somewhere else.
"Dance with me."
"What?"
"Dance with me, Robb. I missed you at the feast ."
Visenya guided his hand to her waist and put her hand on his shoulder.
They danced. They danced with sweet smiles and laughter .They danced while in hushed voices whispering what each other had missed during the two years. They danced to the songs of the birds and the rustle of danced in front of the all-seeing eyes of the Old Gods.
Several moons later, the Old Gods of Winterfell would witness the marriage between the North's heir Lord Robb Stark and Lady Allyria Stark .Crown Prince Aegon Targaryen and his sister wives would stand with the crowd watching it.
