This was something she could become addicted to, wondering how she had gone two years without this. Turning around to stare at Aemon's face as he slept deeply. She could still feel the slight ache from his frantic loving the night prior even though she'd had to sneak into his room for in the North it wasn't exactly accepted for a woman to lay with a man before she was wed. It had been almost exhilarating. Vyserya helping her dress in a way she looked simply like a common servant and had headed there asking if he had wished anything. Her betrothed looking into her eyes for barely a second before grinning widely and locking the door behind her.

Never again. They would not be parted again. Not if she could help it.

He was snoring softly, spotting the slightest patch of drool from his parted lips. Knowing they could not remain like this for much longer even if she wished for it to be so. Shaking him carefully and watching as his eyebrows creased ever so slightly but he did wake up somewhat.

"Dany?"

"I need to go."

His grip tightened on her waist at that but she was already prepared. Using her weight to flip herself atop him and ignoring the way he immediately hardened at the move. As much as she would've loved to take him again right then, it was far too risky. The sun was just beginning to rise which meant servants would be rising soon. Thus making their activities the night prior highly likely to be discovered. If they were in one of their cities it would not be an issue, but they were not in the Freehold currently. Not that she couldn't have some fun beforehand, raising her hips and trailing him along her entrance a few times and watching the way his eyelids fluttered closed at the touch.

"Everything changes tomorrow- or tonight, depending on how you look at it."

Aemon glared at her for making small talk, groaning ever so slightly. Deciding right then that a few minutes would not harm either of them. Slowly gripping him in her palm and guiding him within, breath hitching in her throat as he filled her so wonderfully. Once seated, Dany didn't move, wanting to enjoy this for a moment. Feeling his hands grip her hips tightly as she began to swivel them and slowly rock herself above him, knowing he loved it when she done so. It wasn't long before he was biting his lip hard and was breathing heavily. Picking up her pace until she felt a tight knot within but her betrothed didn't hold out enough for her to finish. Not that it mattered because a moment later he flipped her onto her back, pulled free from her, and promptly began to kiss her softly right where it felt best. Moaning softly at each touch, each gentle nip, every tender lick. How he always made her feel like she was in the clouds baffled her at times. Finally falling over the edge as she trembled in ecstasy.

"So much for needing to go."

He spoke as she came back to her senses. Glaring at him before gently shoving him off of her and getting up from the bed to pull her clothes back on and leaving the room. At least her room was only a few doors down from Aemon's. Looking both ways for any prying eyes before making the short journey but it was for nought as the moment she entered spotted her niece giving her a suggestive look.

"Enjoy your night with my brother, dear aunt?"

Her cheeks reddened at being caught but she did not answer Rhaenys' question for there was no need to do so.

"Not like we haven't heard yourself with Ari- "

Immediately, her nieces hand covered her mouth as her dark brown eyes widened in alarm in case anyone overheard that. It wasn't a secret within their household, but it would not be a good move to shout that aloud within New Castle. Hand finally moving away as she moved to clean up the mess and get dressed for the day. The thick clothing feeling strange to her still but she would rather be warm. She was a dragonrider, and dragonriders were known to prefer heat to cold.

"My father wishes to speak to yourself and Aemon at noon. Before you ask, I do not know why. Therefore, I believe it is not to do with what is being planned."

If their plans worked that is. Tonight it was happening, something which would sever the ties between House's Dallaeron and Caeniar potentially forever. The fact that Maelon had even agreed to the match in itself was a miracle, all had wholly expected for him to be completely against it. Wondering for the thousandth time what was so bad about Taherys that two ancient and incredibly powerful lines were going to be torn apart at the seams. Jelaerya had let slip that he had killed one of her sons dragons because it was prettier than his own which was a barbaric thing. The only time it was considered legitimate to kill a dragon according to the Godly Flames was if ones life was at risk or if it were in battle. Never for materialistic reasons which this had been. Everyone had simply assumed the hatchling that had perished was weak which whilst not common, it wasn't unheard of either.

"Where is everyone?"

Dany asked as she pulled on the last layer of clothing being a thick hood made of snow bear fur, the garment reminding her of Ghost's soft fur. Having gotten used to having the direwolf sleep in their room at night on Dragonstone the short time Aemon had been back.

"At breakfast probably, we should head."

So they had. Having memorised a few routes within the castle House Manderly claimed as their own. It was so different from the buildings of the Freehold which towered and twisted and interlocked together on occasion. Clearly built for use and not for showing off like many other castles within the Summer Kingdoms. Entering the large dining hall and sitting down beside Aemon who shifted awkwardly over their actions earlier but no one paid attention to them. They weren't as important as other people in the room. Currently they did not hold a title, they would not do so until her brother was no longer of this world. Speaking of Rhaegar, he entered not long after with Elia to join Lyanna with her brothers at the high table with Lord Manderly. Helping herself to some fresh bread and a thick lentil soup. Listening in to see if there was anything notable that would leave anybody's lips. Alas, that did not happen. Resigning herself to whatever her brother wished to speak to her about.

After they had finished, a few others came to talk to them. Spotting a young woman perhaps only a year or two older than herself with a mace strapped to her back. Introducing herself as Dacey Mormont of Bear Island and being more than pleased to speak on how she had beaten Aemon in spars in Winterfell which amused her greatly. Her younger sister was betrothed to Jonathor Ryswell which would tie her betrothed's and sisters family to her own one day. Talking for what felt like hours before she realised it was time as she felt her niece elbow her just light enough it would just be seen as an accidental slip. Excusing herself of the room alongside Aemon as they asked a guard to take them to where her brother and wives were now as they were no longer in the dining hall. Being taken to a solar which conjoined to the room her brother was staying in whilst they were here and seeing him seated there with his wives there too. Spotting Lyanna looked rather uncomfortable with what was about to be discussed. She had right to be so when the words fell from Rhaegar's lips. Aemon immediately firing back in anger.

"Īlōnda Mīrīnī jikā?!" (You're sending us to Meereen?!)

Why Meereen? Why them? Why now? What for? Questions. So many questions. Anger beginning to form within her as she saw the way Aemon's nostrils were flaring as he stared at his father as if silently ordering him not to do this. Elia being the one to step in to try and cut the tension.

"Mēre daor- " (Not alone.)

"Ghīskā oktiot kona vamiot va Elyriōt tolī skore massigon jikā?" (You're sending us to a Ghiscari city that is close to Elyria after what happened?)

"Hen avy lanta, lyka." (Both of you, be quiet.)

Surprisingly, Lyanna's words stopped the argument beginning to brew between her betrothed and his second mother. Sitting down on the chair as she done so too and sighing deeply to try and get some of the tension from his body at what had been spoken. Her brother taking the opportunity to continue to speak on the reasoning for what was happening.

"Kesa iderennion sikagon sētetus daor, yn skore tymagon rhēdīli." (This was not a decision made lightly, but we do need to figure out what they are playing at.)

They did. The blatant display of putting a large Harpy statue up was a sign of solidarity of the Ghiscari people. Yet part of the dissolving of their empire was they would never refer to themselves as Ghiscari and would never show open support for what had happened. Five times they had warred with the Freehold, and five times they had been defeated. Now, their empire was only an island which the Freehold didn't care much about alongside three cities on the eastern banks of Slaver's Bay.

"Arrigon īlōnda buttis se inkon Ghīs maghilzi. Arlī Ghīs rōvon dratis konīr, jēdar issaro konīr." (Clearly it's a show they hate us and want to bring back Ghis. There's talk of New Ghis growing, there has been for years.)

Aemon spoke, his words still having a bite to them but nowhere near as much as before. Accepting there was no changing what was going to happen and therefore there was no use in fighting against it. His mother stepping in to try and calm him further by placing her hand on his shoulder and whispering.

"Idakēlusy daor- " (They won't attack.)

"Muñus, sēntyssy ao muñē Eliā jittis." (Mother, they sent assassins after you and mother Elia.)

"Hen sīlie rhēdetoty daor- " (We don't know for certain.)

"Yn drīves ūjot issa, daorys tokare jonevetis." (But it's the truth, no one else wears tokars.)

It went quiet after this. No one speaking up because the words were true. Eventually her brother sighing deeply and taking his sons hand and squeezing it gently.

"Drīves dratā, skore mērī aero daor. Zaldrīzesse tolī gūrēlā." (You speak truth, which is why you are not going alone. You will take your dragons too.)

"Sīrgō Valyria zaldrīzesse aemagon idakotis- " (They've attacked Valyria when we have dragons before.)

Finally, Lyanna snapped at Aemon's resistance. Speaking what was on her mind openly for everyone to hear but no one dared to say aloud.

"Aemon, aerā. Skorī Rhaenys Aegōn Āeksio Ābrāzmā Ezīmillior, Āeksio Jentys hen Zaldrīzesdoron kesā. Ao Daeners bartos hen kesāt sindīlā Ezīmilliōn Ghīska oktia sindīlza." (Aemon, you are going. When Rhaenys and Aegon become Lord and Lady Freeholder, you will be Lord Admiral of Dragonstone. You and Daenerys will be head of trade and the Freehold does trade with the Ghiscari cities.)

Aemon quietly seethed for another few moments before groaning in defeat. Deciding now was a good time for her to pipe in.

"Skorī jī?" (When are we going?)

"Dany- "

"Uī vīlībilun daor, lēks trēsys." (I won't fight it, nephew.)

It was there only for a moment, but a moment too long. Hatred burning deep within his dark grey eyes he'd gotten from his mother. As far as looks went, Aemon had precious little of her brother in him. Quiet enveloping the five of them until some of the tension dissipated before Elia spoke up.

"Hūra hen arlī. Ēlī Jelaerya mazumbagon baelilā." (A moon from now. You will help Jelaerya settle in first.)

At least they had some time, Dany mused to herself. It gave them time before a long journey. Guēsin was much smaller than Rhaelithox despite them hatching from their eggs hours apart, her nephews mount would not be able to manage longer journeys like she herself would due to her own mounts size. There would be plenty of stops which meant a lot of things would need to be arranged. Mayhaps if things weren't about to go sour they could've travelled back with the Vaelaleas' as Mantarys was close to Meereen. In fact, the Meereenese had even attempted to infiltrate a handful of times but were firmly put in their place every time and left to sulk in their monstrous sized pyramids.

"Kona beka daor skoros otāpā issa. Jelaerya Caeniar ñuhe velme?" (That is unusual to think, Jelaerya Caeniar my aunt?)

"Ñuhor hāedar kessa. Beka daor ñuhon tolī, trēsys ñuhys." (She will be my sister. It is unusual to me too, my son.)

It was a strange thought indeed. There was a reason the Targaryen's had never married into the Dallaeron's. The moment Lord Freeholder Aenys had taken Alyssa Velaryon to wed who had a Massey for a mother it was over. No other family was as obsessed with keeping their blood as pure as they were, leading to many of them believing themselves to be better than everyone else. As had the Caeniar's often, although things had finally smoothed over and were about to be tied as one. Once herself and Aemon were wed Jelaerya would be her aunt too.

"Kesa Malaelar vaoresilza, skore jāle gaomagon izūgdan. Dallārono Rhaeleryssy va Wynafryd Aeranor dīnā māzigon daor ilārtisi." (Malaelar will not like this, I fear what he will do. The Dallaeron's have insulted the Rhaeleris' for not coming to Wynafryd and Aeranor's wedding.)

"Dallārono īlonde hembīlā, kona jelmāzma joverdili." (Leave the Dallaeron's to us, we will manage that storm.)

Rhaegar finally rejoined the conversation. Noticing the way his shoulders were pushed forward and a few loose strands of his long silver hair had come loose of the knot he preferred to wear it in when in private which confirmed he'd been pulling at it. A habit he'd had from as young as she could remember him, one she had picked up before he had noticed and had worked to stamp it out of her. He'd never outgrown the habit however.

"Mēre muñe inkon lenton mastin- " (I only came back home mother.)

Aemon's voice cracked a little, a jolt rushing through her body at it. He'd been excited to go to the North to spend time with his cousins, uncles, and aunts. Yet as time went on he wasn't shy in his writings of how he had missed home, missed his siblings, missed the people of Dragonstone, and how he had missed her. Now, he was being sent away again yet for decidedly different reasons.

"Bōsa kesos daor, trēsys ñuhys." (It won't be for long, my boy.)

Lyanna said, reaching up to place her hand on her sons cheek before pulling him in tightly to hold him close to her. Elia leaning in to pat his back gently too as she likely felt guilty about what was happening. Her brother walking over to stand beside her and looking at his wives comforting his son before whispering just low enough only she would hear him.

"Hāedar, dragon kosti?" (Little sister, can we speak?)

"Kessa, Rhaegus." (Yes, Rhaegar.)

Dany furrowed her eyebrows in confusion before following him out of the room. Trying her best to memorise as much of the castle to her memory as she could as there was no doubt they would come back here one day. Whether that be as they are now or as Lord and Lady Admiral one could not say. Slipping into a tight corridor that made her feel like she were trapped which opened into a small room with a window overlooking the White Knife.

"Aōhon arlī kostion pikīptin." (I've been reading on your new ability.)

"Mirros rhēdā?" (Did you find anything?)

Her voice raising ever so slightly. It had been a few weeks now since the discovery she was impervious to flames, and even now it vexed them. Not just themselves, even the Caeniar's were vexed by it and they had advanced knowledge of fire magic dating back to before the Doom if what was written in the texts recovered were true. Their scholars too had been confused but had been eagerly pouring through the texts to see if there had ever been a recorded case of such a thing.

"Daorun mōris, kesa rhēdin." (Nothing conclusive, but I did find this.)

He reached into his shirt to pull out a piece of parchment to hand it over to her. The glyphs momentarily stunning her as only the Caeniar's still wrote in the glyphic system yet after a moment was able to read the words.

"Ānogar hen zaldrīzī kostōbon issa, se ānogar vōka bēvilza. Targārien Lenton bykon lenton issi, yn mēre hen Lentor jemēbi. Perzys sētenon quptenkas, se jāla arritas quptenkas. Skoriot kona mōrissa issa… " (Blood of the dragon is strong, and the blood must be pure. House Targaryen are a small house, but one of the ruling families we are. Fire magic is rare, and it is rarer for it to show itself. That's where it ends.)

If she was confused by the writing system she was even more confused with the words. What did this mean? Rhaegar must've spotted her inner thoughts as he continued.

"Hen tembyr bardutas. Kona mēre byka Jaedurliot giēñēptis." (It was copied from a book. One that was only partially recovered in Summerhall.)

From Summerhall? Why would something in glyphic High Valyrian have been in Summerhall of all places? Rhaegar had often gone to the ruins of the palace he had been born outside as fires raged through the building. Built when things were not sour between themselves and the Baratheon's, a place they had often went to in order to broker bonds with the many Lords and Ladies of the Stormland's.

"Muña kepā dōrī mirros vestretis?" (Mother and father never said anything?)

"Daor. Gīda sīr, līr Jaedurliot ruarilakson massitis." (No. Even now, what happened in Summerhall is a mystery.)

And it was a mystery. There were theories but none had ever been proven and anyone who had witnessed what happened within the walls of the palace were long dead. It was understandable their parents wouldn't talk of it- especially their mother. The shock of it all had caused her to go into labour earlier than expected with Rhaegar and if it hadn't been for a Knight of the Summer Kingdom's who was close to their great-grandfather, she would've died in the flames herself.

"Jaedos Dāria tolī olvie drōma pryjagon sylutiti- " (The Summer Kingdoms say we tried to hatch too many eggs.)

That was the main theory. Barely getting the words out before Rhaegar snorted in amusement at them which confirmed he thought it was nonsense.

"Kona dratis, yn kona rhēdion daor. Zaldrīzesse ēditi. Muña Ñāqes ēdis, kepa Laeryxan ēdis. Kekepa Sndor ēdis, mumuña Prysmiks ēdis, karakekepa Tharion ēdis, kariāpa Maethrykson ēdis. Zaldrīzesse ēditi, hen tolie ajorrāeltusy daor. Mirros massitis, se mirros rhēdīnna." (They do say that, but that I don't know. We had dragons. Mother had Dawn, father had Laeryxan, grandfather had Shadow, grandmother had Prismyx, great-grandfather had Tharion, granduncle Duncan had Maethryxon. We all had dragons, no need for more. Something happened, and it is something I will know.)

"Jelmāzmurlion jiōrtoty daor, lēks." (We are not welcome in the Stormland's, older brother.)

She countered back his way. Whilst never friends, Rhaegar was forthcoming in stating himself and their cousin Robert had not always despised one another. He even spoke somewhat fondly of Renly who last he had seen had only been a few years old. As for Stannis- that was a different story. Not a lot of people spoke fondly of the middle Baratheon, few liked the man and only then they more liked the position he gave them by association. A hard man it was said who was not shy to say things as they were.

"Jelmāzmurlion Oiro Velkri Jelmāzmon Dēmalion dēmagon dekurūbilun daor." (I wouldn't walk in the Stormland's whilst the Fat Stag sits the Storm Throne.)

Of course, it always came down to this. Rolling her eyes in annoyance and looking out of the window to the river below again. Taking in a deep breath of the freezing Northern air.

"Sīkuda ampā jēdari istis, lēks." (It's been seventeen years, older brother.)

That was the wrong thing to say judging by the way his indigo eyes flashed in fury and his hands clasping the edge of the window so hard his knuckles went as white as Ghost's fur.

"īlve kepe istis, Dany. Dōrī jāle rhēdegon rhēdetō daor. Muña rūhot aō sēntas istas, yn īlvus kepus. Dubyssy Barathīon iksi, mēri lenta sēnagon qringōntas- " (He was our father, Dany. I know you never knew him. He was killed when mother was pregnant with you, but our father. Not to mention we are cousins to the Baratheon's, it is a sin to kill ones family.)

"Gō massitis- " (It's happened before.)

She cut him off from his rant which done the trick as he closed his eyes and took a few deep breaths. Slowly loosening his grip on the stones and beginning to walk away as she followed him.

"Se īlvon qogron Zaldrīzāeksia vamiot ojūditi. Ānogar kīvia vōska drīves konīr, daorun mēri lenta qrimpālegon mastos daor." (And we almost lost our status as Dragonlord's. There is a reason blood pacts are sacred, nothing comes from betraying ones family.)

There was no disputing the facts. Dany would love to say it would never happen again, yet there was no way to say that would ever be the case. They'd come close to destroying themselves and what they had built for themselves. They had been one of the lowest House's in the Freehold before the Doom and now they were the House on top. The one the others all followed in how they would rule their territory. Whilst each city was ruled by its own respective family, all other aspects of politics were handled by her brother and his wives. It was not a simple task in any way. A few hours had passed since then and her betrothed had asked what they had discussed, confirming as much as she could. There was no lying between them, they were to be one soon themselves. It even being agreed that if they wished they could wed in the Northern way when they made the journey to Winterfell. Looking across the room to see the triplets whispering frantically to one another and there was no need to guess what they were discussing.

Jelaerya and Benjen had spent some time together earlier in the day, citing it as him wanting to show her around the city so as not to alarm those who did not know what was happening to their plotting. All it took was for one person to overhear and for it to reach the ears of the Dallaeron's. Instead joining in happily with the feast until she felt like she could burst. Only being brought out of her merry thoughts when King Eddard stood up to confirm he was to be leaving home to get ahead of the coming winter storm expected to hit tomorrow. Whilst a storm was expected to hit, it was not the only storm due to hit. Leaning over to whisper in Aemon's ear and when Aegon gave her an odd look she filled him in too. Wondering for a moment where Rhaenys was but she spotted her niece not long after talking to Maela and Vyserya. Retiring to their rooms for the night not long after yet not falling asleep. Watching and waiting for the signal. It came sooner than she would've liked, seeing a single lantern from a room in a tower nearby which she knew was the King and Queen's quarters within New Castle. Aemon appearing not long after wearing light armour just in case something went wrong.

For a moment she was glad she did not need to bring much clothing with her to White Harbour due to the frigid temperatures which were vastly different to Dragonstone. Moving throughout the castle with no need for a case as they made their way to the outer courtyard. Seeing all the Caeniar's already stood there as Ser Wendel brought out horses for everyone who did not have dragons. Viserys and Rhaemon were there too confirming they were standing by their mother through everything and once again wondering what was so bad about being tied to Taherys? Whistling lowly to call Rhaelithox who answered immediately as the dragons appeared. Wasting no time in climbing atop her mounts back and taking off north-west towards Winterfell.

On Dragonback, the journey would normally take a couple of days at most. Yet it took them ten days this time as they had to keep pace with those riding below them. They had travelled to a large town nearby which was governed by House Woolfield who had then offered them a carriage to travel in which made the journey a lot less inconspicuous. Thus allowing her fellow Valyrian's to travel in peace for their looks weren't exactly common outside of the Freehold. The further north they got, the colder it got. Having to resort to wearing Aemon's thick cloak under her clothing despite feeling bad about it as there was no way he himself wasn't cold.

She only lasted three days on Rhaelithox's back before her legs began to cry in pain. At most she was only ever on her mounts back for a few hours, but never days. The sheer thought of having to travel to Meereen now making her wish she wasn't going as well. There would be no convincing Rhaegar otherwise though. There was one thing everyone knew about her oldest brother. Once his mind was made up, it was made up. No one would ever change it. It was on the twelfth day that a few buildings were seen up ahead, Aemon confirming it was Wintertown she was seeing which lay just south of Winterfell itself. Deciding to remain at an inn for the night as the King and Queen rode ahead to ready the castle itself for their arrival. Spotting Jelaerya stood at a window looking out at everything with her eyebrows creased ever so slightly.

"Skorkydoso glaesā?" (How are you?)

Jelaerya blinked a few times as she tried to clear her mind of whatever she was thinking.

"Everything will change."

Dany's eyebrows rose at the use of the common tongue. Clearly realising why she had acted as such.

"Well, if this is to be my new home I'd best get used to speaking solely in it."

Oh, that made sense. Wanting to curse at herself for it was pretty obvious in hindsight. How the woman beside her had managed to keep it secret she could speak the common tongue fluently was lost on her, wondering how much she had learned by feigning ignorance to what was spoken around her.

"He'll treat you well, my betrothed speaks fondly of his uncle and Aemon is much like my brother in his steadfastness."

It didn't do much but the corners of her lips pulled apart in a tiny smile. Realising now she wasn't in the mood to talk and instead asking Aemon to show her around the small town. It was rather desolate currently due to the time of year, yet there were yearly festivals where people would come from all over the North to witness. The amount of coin made meaning those who lived here permanently could live comfortably solely on their earnings from that single month for the whole year. Retiring to their own room in the inn not long after.

The following morning came quicker than she would've liked. Having to arch her back to crack it as the bed wasn't the comfiest. Breaking their fast on oats with honey and winter berries. A simple meal yet one that was filling and warmed her through. All collectively deciding there wasn't much of a point in stalling so after finishing their meal all headed outside to begin the short journey to Winterfell itself. The snow was falling heavily and it was difficult to see in front more than a few metres, wondering why people had willingly chosen to live here when the First Men had come from Essos thousands of years before. A couple of wheelhouses had been prepared for them all, large enough to seat a dozen people each which was more than enough when a few had opted to ride themselves. A few hours later, the massive walls surrounding Winterfell were seen ahead, taking a deep breath as they passed through the gate into the courtyard.

This was it. Nothing was ever going to be the same again. Not for the North, and not for the Freehold.