"Lord Bennard, I have not been to the North many times in my lifetime, but I must say that this has been an incredible time. Thank you for having us here."
"On the contrary, your Grace, my Queen, it is rare that the royal family travels this far north to spend time with House Stark. It was our honour," Uncle Bennard spoke with a bow, the other members of House Stark doing the same as I smiled from where I stood beside Helaena.
"Uncle, I hope that the next time you are called to the South, it is in better times."
"I do too. Hearing of you getting hurt is not exactly good for my heart," He spoke with a smile and I chuckled before turning to Cregan as he nodded.
"Brother."
"Brother," I nodded back, everyone looking amused at our interaction as Helaena tapped my hand.
"Princess, may I ask that you take care of my brother? As we have all seen, he is a bit too chivalrous and selfless for his own good. It would do my Uncle's heart and my own good if he had someone to stop him from jumping onto the sword with little regard for his own life."
"I will try, but I fear that my betrothed loves being the centre of attention more than he will admit."
"Do not worry, my dear. I have had enough of being at the centre for more than enough time. For now, I will take a backseat and focus on what we have instead of everything else."
"A good mindset to have. After all, it won't be long until the wedding, which I know we will see you at, yes Lord Stark?"
"I would not miss it for the world. My brother would pull himself free from the Stranger and wring my neck if I did," Uncle joked, drawing chuckles from everyone before I turned to Helaena as King Viserys and Queen Alicent walked into the carriage.
"I'll be there in a few."
"The winds of winter revitalise you. Take as long as you need to calm your mind," She whispered as she laid a kiss on my cheek before following after her parents, leaving Uncle Bennard, Cregan and I standing in the centre of Winterfell with its occupants, Erryk, Arryk and two other Kingsguard looking on.
"Hopefully when we see each other next, Cregan has grown smarter instead of staying with the sword."
"And I hope that you have grown a bit more in terms of size because you're still built like the branches of an ironwood," Cregan shot back with a smirk as he walked forward, a grin on my face as we hugged each tightly and patted our backs.
"I've said it before, but I will miss this, brother."
"As will I. Just make sure that you stay safe."
"The same to you," I murmured as I pulled back, nodding before turning to Uncle Bennard who held out a hand.
"When I next see Moat Cailin, I expect to see a grandeur spectacle on par with Winterfell," He spoke and I raised an eyebrow even as I reached forward and shook his hand firmly.
"Well, that gives me high expectations to meet, but I'll definitely meet them. Also, make sure this one gets a wife that actually likes him for who he is."
"I'll do my best."
"I'm right here," Cregan spoke with a frown and I snickered as Uncle Bennard ruffled his hair.
"You'll thank me one day."
"I doubt it," Cregan murmured, making me smile before I glanced back as I heard Erryk clearing his throat with a knowing smile.
"Right. Well, this is it. The road back to the South awaits."
"Stay safe, Torrhen. Remember, I expect to see walls taller than a giant and gates thicker than the mountains."
"You just want me to build a second Wall, don't you?", I said with narrowed eyes, shaking my head as Uncle Bennard laughed before I waved to Aunt Margaret who giggled at my sheepish smile.
"Apologies that we could not catch up, Auntie. I'll see you and the three idiots when you come south."
"We would be delighted."
"Oi, who are you calling an idiot?", Benjen, the oldest of the three and almost a carbon copy of Uncle Bennard, asked with a frown, but I just shrugged as I turned and climbed into the carriage.
"Moat Cailin next?", Alicent asked with a raised eyebrow and I looked at her before shaking my head.
"I know how you wish to be away from the cold winds of the North, my Queen, and I can always start my renovation of Moat Cailin at another time."
"Indeed. There is still much time left until you and Helaena are to be wed, after all," Viserys spoke with a smile that looked slightly hopeful and then relieved as Helaena giggled and nodded.
"Do not worry, Father. The Mother has not called upon me to become one yet."
"Good, good. Then, let us return to King's Landing."
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"You do not wish to go near?"
"No, my prince. I think I am more than fine where I am," I responded to Aemond as the two of us stood on the road to King's Landing, my gaze focused on the hill-shaped flesh mound that was covered in faded, scarred green scales.
"Aemond."
"Pardon?"
"You risked your life to save mine. You are more than welcome to call me Aemond no matter what anyone says," He spoke with a smile and I nodded before he raised an eyebrow as I patted his shoulder.
"What was that for?"
"...Not sure, to be honest, Aemond. Aemond. I never noticed how fun it is to say your name."
"I would disagree, but if you say so," He responded with a shrug and I took my hand off with a chuckle, my gaze turning back to where I could see a golden eye staring directly at me.
"Um..."
"Do not show fear. She detects it easily."
"It's hard not to when I am within fire breathing range," I responded, staring at Vhagar as she slowly lifted her head to fully look at me.
"Okay, what now?"
"...She has never reacted like this to someone. I do not know."
"Really?", I asked, not daring to move my eyes as Vhagar slowly lowered its head until it was just a few feet away from us. Its breath stank of rotten flesh and ash and every breath sent a scorching wind that stung my flesh, but I didn't dare to move as she drew closer.
"What are you doing?", Aemond whispered with a panicked look, but I didn't know what I was doing either as I slowly raised my hand towards the dragon.
The low rumble she let out in response had me shitting bricks, reverberating through my body like someone beating my bones like a drum as I screamed at my body to pull back.
"Seven above Torrhen, do you have a death wish?", Aemond hissed, but he himself was caught between awe and fear as I took a deep breath.
"No," I whispered back, calming my racing heart as the dragon's head lowered another inch. The ground quaked as her jaw brushed against the dirt and my palm finally laid flat against a scarred scale nearly three times my size.
In that moment, the world went still as I felt heat flaring against my palm, not enough to burn me, but enough for me to notice as I locked eyes with the dragon.
I did not see a giant golden eye in front of me looking down. No, what I saw was something older than the Seven Kingdoms itself, a soul that had been alive to see fire and blood raining from the skies.
As soon as I saw that, the vision vanished and Vhagar huffed, the gust of warm wind knocking me onto my behind as Aemond and I watched the dragon pull back with a rumble.
"She...didn't kill you?"
"Y-You sound disappointed about that," I spoke with a shaky smile as I stood up, clenching my hand and watching as the dragon laid back down.
"Did she accept you?"
"No, that was more like...acknowledging that I exist and...a thank you that I saved you? Sorry, I don't think I'd be able to explain it without sounding like I've gone mad."
"Well, it is said that when a Targaryen is born, the gods flips a coin and wait to see which side it lands on. I suppose the same could be said for the madness you just showed," Aemond answered and I just looked at the dragon as she kept a single eye on me before I smiled as she huffed and laid back down.
I guess that's her 'Welcome to the family' ritual.
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"How...How did I...do?," I asked as I looked at the Kingsguard member that was always at Queen Alicent's side, the short-haired man humming as he studied my form with a stern frown.
"You are good, but your injury has not fully healed, has it?"
"It has. There is simply just a hole in my lung that makes it so that I can't breathe normally ever again."
'At least not until I can figure out how to use either Aether or runes to heal that.'
"The wound caused by Prince Jacaerys?", Criston asked and I caught the flicker of distaste as he spoke the name before I nodded.
"The very same."
"A regretful thing to have happened that night. If only the prince was punished accordingly."
"It was merely a verbal spat went wrong. Yes, I would have died had the Maesters not been focused on my recovery entirely, but I know that holding grudges is not the way forward, especially when I do not wish to make an enemy of Princess Rhaenyra" I responded and was not surprised when there was a flash of anger in his eyes at the forbidden name.
"You are far too forgiving, Lord Torrhen. The world is not kind to men who turn the other cheek," Surprisingly, even he was a lot nicer to me than Alicent was as his gaze softened slightly and I realized that he most likely saw a kindred spirit in me.
After all, Rhaenyra scarred him emotionally just like how her son scarred me physically.
"I think I am, but I guess we'll have to let the world show me whether I'm right or wrong. In any case, how did I fair in the fight?"
"Good at first, but as we went on, it became much harder for you to keep up. I'd say that a few clashes will make you winded already, but that is to be expected. Skill alone cannot make up for the injuries that you suffered."
"So, I'll always be at a disadvantage?", I asked, breathing slowly through my nose as the burn in my chest began to fade.
"It is a disadvantage, yes, but it is not a weakness. Look at Lord Larys. He knows how to use a sword, yes, but it is most definitely not his best quality. The trick you need to learn is simply to learn on a battlefield that suits the body you have, not the one you wish to have.
For some, that means abandoning the sword entirely, but I do not think you would like that. You do have the instincts of a fighter and instincts are harder to train than any stroke or stance. However, you simply need to learn when to rely on steel and when to let your mind do the fighting."
"I think I understand what you mean," I spoke, Criston nodding before I glanced over at where Aegon and Aemond were kept at bay by the sheer skill of a smiling Erryk.
I think I see now why the Kingsguard were supposed to be the best of the best as Erryk didn't even look winded at warding off their attempts. Aegon and Aemond on the other hand were heaving for breath, which the knight took advantage of as he swiftly disarmed them both.
"If I were to help them..."
"You would be useless in the fight. Ser Erryk is one of the best swordsmen in the Seven Kingdoms save for his own brother Arryk, Lord Commander Westerling and his Grace's brother Prince Daemon."
"And what if you were to help us?"
"It would be too easy to win, then," He joked and I smirked before I looked up at the steps where Lord Commander Westerling stood with a stoic look aimed at me.
"Lord Torrhen! Princess Rhaenyra has arrived and wishes to speak to you!"
"The Princess?", I repeated, wanting to make sure I heard that right and I did as Lord Commander Westerling nodded before I caught Criston's frown.
"Lord Commander-"
"Ser Criston Cole, the Queen has asked for your presence."
"I was ordered by his Grace the King to stand guard of Lord Torrhen as he is still weak, Lord Commander."
"I will be there to fill your post until your meeting with her Grace is concluded," Lord Commander Westerling insisted and I patted Criston on the arm like a young teen would with an apologetic smile.
"Don't worry, Ser Criston. I'll be fine."
"Of course, Lord Torrhen," He spoke and I made a show of taking a nervous breath while making my way up the stairs to the Lord Commander.
"Please, follow," He spoke as he turned and walked, to which I took one final glance at where everyone was looking subtly before I followed after the Lord Commander.
The two of us marched through the hallways amidst whispers from the lords and ladies that saw us, not really needing to hear to know what they're talking about.
"Lord Torrhen is following Lord Commander Westerling? Is he not...?"
"Yes, Lord Westerling has been Princess Rhaenyra's sworn shield since a young age. Oh, perhaps..."
"Perhaps. Ooh, I cannot wait to see..."
"Do not pay them any mind."
"I do not, Lord Commander. I know that they're simply looking for the next bit of juicy information," I spoke, to which the older knight looked at me before nodding.
"Good to see you understand how much different the South is from the North. In any case, here we are," He spoke as we stopped in front of a door, the man knocking on it before a voice answered.
"Princess, your guest is here."
"Thank you, Lord Commander. Please, could you wait outside and make sure no one interrupts our discussion?"
"As you wish, Princess," The knight bowed as he left the room, closing the door behind him as my gaze focused on Rhaenyra before I felt my heart stop when I saw an amused Daemon sitting on a chair.
'Son of a fucking bitch!'
"Princess Rhaenyra, Prince Daemon, apologies for my late greeting."
"Oh, I could not blame you for doing so. After all, it was with your words that my son was not punished for what he did."
'Okay, so it is about Jacaerys stabbing me, then.'
"Pay it no mind, Princess. I could not ask of the King to harm his own blood for a mistake made when emotions were high.
"You are more well-versed in politics than any Stark I've met...which isn't much, but the people of the South knows that the North is not used to the subtleties we are all taught from a young age," Daemon spoke with a low chuckle, the sound of it dangerous to my ears as he leaned forward.
"I have been taught in political banter by Lord Larys and Lady Alicent."
"Ah, of course. You are marrying my sister, after all. How do you find the arrangement? I never heard your opinion on the betrothal."
"I am overjoyed that I, a second son, was-"
"Not the political answer. We want your real answer," Daemon cut me off with a wave of his hand and I blinked as I looked to Rhaenyra who stood waiting.
"...I was afraid at first given that I never expected a family of such high prominence as yours to be interested in someone like me, but after Helaena and I have gotten to know each other, I can't help but hope that our union will become the chain that links the North and the South together."
"And what of the line of succession? I've been told that you are quite close with Aemond and Aegon as well," Rhaenyra said and it clicked as my gaze flickered to her.
'So, that's it, huh?', I was the twin brother to the future Lord of Winterfell which meant that if needed, I could potentially ask my brother to back Aegon as the rightful King of the Seven Kingdoms.
I wouldn't do that given that House Stark swore an oath and breaking that would be the equivalent of a Lannister handing over Casterly Rock to a commoner with a smile on their faces. However, with how I acted, they assumed that Cregan was better than I was given how he's supposed to be the one that was raised with politics.
'If only they knew.'
"I cannot say that I understand what the princess is asking of me."
"Rhaenyra wishes to know which of the two you support to become the next ruler after Viserys passes. Will it be her as his rightful heir or will it be your close friend Aegon?"
"It will be whoever the king chooses. House Stark is loyal to the king and we strive to serve him to the best of our capabilities. If he asks of us to support Prince Aegon, that is what we will do. If he asks of us to support you, Princess Rhaenyra, we will do so as well.
Many houses may have forgotten, but the North remembers. House Stark gave up its throne to serve the one that rules the Seven Kingdoms and whoever is sitting upon it is the one we serve as best as we can."
"You do not speak like a boy of ten and three," Daemon spoke up and I smiled before nodding.
"Many have said the same, my prince."
"And how did you respond?"
"A second son is forced to mature much faster than the first given that we have to fight for everything that we have at the end of our lives," I responded, Daemon humming as Rhaenyra finally spoke up.
"One final question before you are dismissed, Lord Torrhen."
"Ask away, Princess Rhaenyra. I am here to serve."
"If Helaena were to ask you to support Aegon's claim even if I am still the heiress or if she decides to make her own claim, who would you support then?"
"If she wishes for me to do the former, I shall stand firm in my decision to support the king's chosen even if it means sacrificing my relationship with her. I truly enjoy her company and her presence, but I do not wish to sacrifice my integrity and self-respect simply to please her."
"And if it were the latter?", She asked and I let out a soft chuckle before shaking my head.
"Impossible. Helaena does not see any benefit for her in taking the throne and becoming queen."
"And you firmly believe that?"
"I would bet my life on it. May the old gods and the new strike me down if I am wrong," I answered firmly with a nod, watching as Daemon raised an eyebrow while a flash of relief flickered in Rhaenyra's eyes.
"I see. Thank you for the discussion, Lord Torrhen. It was enlightening."
"No need to thank me, princess. It was a pleasure and an honour to meet you. And of course, it was an honour to meet Prince Daemon."
"Not a pleasure?", He asked with a smirk, to which I gave a nervous smile before Rhaenyra spoke up.
"Daemon, let us stop teasing the boy. Oh, before you leave, Lord Torrhen, here you are," She spoke as she handed what appeared to be a letter and a brooch of a three-headed black dragon on it, the one head in the middle having a tiara on.
"As an apology for what Jacaerys did, show both the letter and the brooch to the Master of Coin and ask him to supply you with whatever you need to rebuild Moat Cailin."
'...How in the fuck did they find out about that?'
"I-I could not-"
"Nonsense. You nearly lost your life in the little spat so I must make sure that you paid your dues. Unless, of course, you wish to deny a gift from the crown princess?", She asked and I quickly shook my head, pulling both items tight to my chest before bowing my head.
"Thank you so much, princess."
"Think nothing of it. Now, off you go," She spoke with a smile and I nodded, giving one final bow before opening and closing the door behind me.
Lord Commander Westerling looked amused at my excited smile as I made my way back to my room, but unfortunately for him, it was not for the reason he thought.
'You know what? I think I can forgive Jace now...not! Oh, I'm about to splurge so much on this.'
A/N: And we end off here~! Sorry for the late upload, but I'll be honest when I say that I completely forgot about this.
Anyway, I know there was supposed to be a timeskip, but that will be next chapter along with a little reveal that I will do at the start.
Like always, you can go to my Pat-reon-.-com-/-KingCrimsonNova to read ahead on this as well as many other stories & even some that haven't been released out to this site yet. If you want to, you are free to, but if you don't want, all's good as I will still be uploading here. This is just me trying to get some extra cash.
Anyway, as always, read, enjoy, review and until the next one…
Ba-Bye~!