The cry of the dragons rolled across the valley like thunder.
Winterfell's walls trembled under the echoing roars, the sound reaching deep into the stone corridors. Servants dropped what they carried, children ran crying to their mothers, and the guards on the ramparts froze in place as two vast shadows swept over the keep.
From the courtyard, Catelyn Stark looked up, her breath catching in her throat. Against the pale northern sky, two creatures, one black as midnight, the other gleaming white, circled high above the walls, their wings blotting out the sun as they passed.
For a moment, she could only stare.
Robb burst into the courtyard, sword in hand, his face pale but steady. "What in the Seven Hells…"
Before he could finish, another roar split the air. The black dragon dove low, sweeping over the outer wall before banking hard toward the snow-covered clearing beyond the keep. The second followed, white wings beating like rolling thunder.
"They're landing," Bran shouted from where he sat by the tower window above, wide-eyed and breathless. "Mother, they're landing!"
The ground shook as the dragons touched down outside the castle, snow and frost scattering in waves from the force of their descent.
In the clearing, steam rose in curling tendrils from Bahamut's black scales as his massive form settled, his molten eyes glinting in the cold light. Beside him, Albion landed softer, her pale hide shining faintly under the winter sun.
Having done it before, dismounting the dragon was faster this time, as the group now stood in the deep snow.
Aegon looked at the dragon and could feel that they didn't like the cold here as he had expected.
He walked between the two rubbing their large necks.
" We won't be here for long, a couple of hours the most." He assured the dragon.
" Then it's back south, under the nice hot sun."
Guards lined the outer walls, bows raised, their faces pale as they looked at the figures they couldn't make out, then to the beasts behind them.
From the gate, a single guard approached on foot, his steps hesitant, eyes locked on the dragons. He stopped when Bahamut's gaze fell on him, a deep, low rumble sounding from the creature's chest that froze the man in place.
Probably sent to find out who the figures who came where and what they wanted.
But then his eyes found the figure in front of the dragons and widened in disbelief.
"Lord Stark?" he called out, voice shaking.
Ned stepped forward, his tone calm but commanding. "Aye, they are guests. Stand down."
The guard hesitated, then nodded quickly and turned toward the gates, signaling the men on the wall.
Standing between his dragons, Aegon's expression was unreadable. He glanced toward Bahamut and Albion, then gave a slight motion with his hand.
Both dragons lifted their heads in unison, roaring once before spreading their wings. The wind kicked up snow in swirling sheets as they ascended back into the sky, circling high above the keep like silent sentinels.
Only when their shadows faded slightly did the tension on the walls ease.
The procession moved forward, the guard and Ned walking at the front, Aegon and the girls following behind, the bloodriders trailing one step behind their Khal.
The people watched them pass, whispering about their lord's return on dragon back and the dragonlord that had never heard of or seen.
But Aegon didn't care; he had expected these people, like most small folk and some lords, to be truly in the dark about what was happening in the world.
They didn't know how close they had been to losing their lord and being thrust into a war led by what Aegon could only describe as a foolish boy.
When the group entered the inner yard, Robb and Catelyn were already striding toward them. Catelyn's face was pale, her eyes wide, while Robb's jaw was tight with confusion and anger.
"Father," Robb said sharply, looking from Ned to the stranger beside him. "What's happened? Who..."
Seeing the two looking like they were about to start firing question Aegon cut them off quickly.
"I am a busy man," he said flatly, cutting through the cold air. "And my dragons do not like the cold. I have no intention of staying in the North for long, so let's hurry and do what was promised."
His words, cool and edged with disdain, hung heavy in the air. Robb bristled immediately, his hand twitching toward the hilt of his sword.
"You speak to my father with such…" he began, voice rising.
But a sudden roar from above silenced him, without anyone noticing Bahamut had somehow descended low flying barely above the castle, casting an enormous shadow, making it seem like night had come.
Soon, the dragon ascended high once again.
Aegon's gaze turned on him, sharp and burning.
"Foolish," he said softly. "To act up when it's clear I could burn you all to ash with a thought."
Catelyn's breath caught, and several guards stepped back instinctively, gripping their spears tighter.
But before the moment could spiral further, Ned stepped between them.
"Enough," he said firmly. "Aegon, don't bother with Robb. He's young and knows little of dragons or kings."
He looked back at his son briefly. "They are family, after all, so just this once."
Ned didn't give him time to respond. "Come with me," he said, turning toward the keep. "We'll speak in my solar. Arya, Sansa, stay here with your mother and brother."
Aegon gave a brief nod and followed, his cloak sweeping behind him as they disappeared into the castle's stone halls, with Baqo and Rahko following.
As they walked away, Arya's voice rang out across the courtyard.
"Jon. I mean, Aegon! Don't leave without saying goodbye!"
Her words echoed sharply in the quiet, drawing startled looks from everyone nearby.
Catelyn's head snapped toward her, confusion and alarm flashing across her face. "Jon?" she repeated. "What do you mean…."
"I mean that's Jon, our brother, well our cousin if what I heard dad say is right." Arya responded.
Robb looked stunned, while Catelyn stood trembling.
Sansa stood looking at the ground as if it were the most interesting thing.
" Arya, what happened in Kingslanding?" Robb asked.
" And what do you mean he is our cousin? That he is Jon? What the fuck is going on?" Robb continued asking, grabbing his sister, shaking her.
Catelyn said nothing at first. Her thoughts whirled as Arya's words sank in, every sentence, every detail, each one hammering at the fragile wall of disbelief she tried to cling to.
'Jon Snow. The bastard I once ignored. Could never this must be some misunderstanding.'