[Chapter Size: 2000 Words.]
Third Person POV.
North.
...
...
It was mid-afternoon when the entire convoy of tens of thousands of men and women of the Free Folk moved south, passing by the end of the mountains where, on the other side, lay the mountain clans, as she had learned from the Stark boys.
Daenerys couldn't complain about riding day after day while camping every night. She was a bit tired and even sore, yet she continued without complaint, though she had some discomforts that forced her to apply ointments, which Lucis helped her with at night.
Still, even though her routine was completely different from the one she'd had in Braavos and the mansion in Pentos — except for the time when she became a beggar alongside her brother, living even on the streets, at the mercy of anyone willing to offer them shelter, before he inevitably angered them with his temper and got them both sent away.
No, she would not complain about riding there for weeks, no matter how exhausting the routine was. She was quickly getting used to it and would not complain, just as she hadn't so far. Soon, she would be with her love again, while he conquered the entire realm.
She longed for his touch once more, tired of sharing nights in an empty bed without Daemon. It was somewhat frustrating. He had come two weeks ago, but stayed only one night.
'He could at least come to fetch me...' she murmured.
"Something wrong, Dany?" — a voice pulled her from her thoughts. She looked to the side and saw Lucis staring at her, wearing an amused smile.
"Nothing much, just thinking." said Daenerys.
"If you're thinking about a tall, strong, and handsome man, almost two meters tall with piercing violet eyes, I can understand," Lucis said in a teasing tone.
Lucis was quite shy and gentle, much like Daenerys, so they ended up getting along very well — though Daenerys had shed her shyness much faster than Lucis. Still, they both loosened up when riding alone, usually farther from the guards; the area was safe with the scouts patrolling around.
Then they talked about everything with no one nearby to overhear. They had personal protection, of course, but the guards stayed a little farther away.
Daenerys continued to share the same tent with Lucis by mutual choice, and they usually dined together with Daemon's relatives from the Stark family.
Daemon could not be described as a loving cousin overflowing with tenderness toward the children, but he truly treated them with respect and cared for them. Even so, he still maintained a somewhat distant attitude toward his cousins. Even Lucis's brother received more attention from Daemon than his two cousins.
However, that did not stop Daenerys from growing closer to the Stark family, who had known Daemon since they were children. Their companionship had become pleasant.
They also talked a lot about Daemon — in fact, they admired him, even if there was some hesitation, mainly because Daemon didn't like their father. His deeds were still discussed at the dinner table, and Daemon's uncle was a great source for learning about his mother and the childhood of her beloved.
Daenerys wanted to talk with Daemon for hours if possible — and she would have plenty to talk about after these weeks.
She sighed when Lucis teased her. "Well, I'm not the only one thinking about Daemon," she said, as Lucis blushed slightly.
"Soon we'll be in Winterfell, and we'll have to separate Val and Ygritte from Daemon so he can give us some exclusive attention... We've been with them for almost two months," Daenerys replied, laughing.
"Well, that will be a challenge, especially since the two of us are so peaceful compared to them," Lucis murmured.
"I think you're right," Daenerys replied in a playful, ironic tone. Compared to those two, they were harmless.
Daenerys couldn't help but look back as she saw the convoy following with the crowd. Mance was managing and shouting orders from time to time. Lafy, Lucis's brother, was with Daemon's two cousins, talking as they rode a bit away from the main group like the two women. Benjen was with them, chatting.
Lafy had become friends with Bran and Rickon, being quite close to Daemon and impressing them with the fact that Lucis's brother was being trained by him.
Daenerys turned her attention back to the crowd coming behind when a sound in the air made her quickly turn her head toward the sky.
As if her inner wish had come true, a giant white dragon was approaching them with a thunderous roar, announcing his arrival in the middle of the sky.
"Daemon!" the name escaped Daenerys's lips as Lucis, beside her, watched the dragon draw closer and closer. They could hear Mance shouting to the men, warning them about the dragon and Daemon's arrival.
Daemon flew over them, circling the sky a few times before beginning to land in front of Daenerys.
"Daemon!" she said, laughing, knowing her horse would not dare go near the creature. She dismounted quickly, her boots hitting the ground, ignoring all the murmurs from the crowd about the king's presence. She ran toward him, lifting her dress to avoid tripping.
"Daemon!" she said again, smiling and laughing like an excited girl. Daemon took a step forward, moving away from the dragon and smiling at Daenerys, who threw herself into his arms.
"Daemon!" she repeated, immediately covering his face with kisses.
"I'm here, Dany," he said, wearing a satisfied smile from her kisses.
"Tell me you're here to take me to Winterfell!" she murmured teasingly.
"And I'm here to take you to Winterfell," Daemon repeated, as she arched a skeptical eyebrow.
"Are you serious? You didn't just come here on your way somewhere else?" she asked, staring at him.
"Not this time," Daemon replied, shaking his head. "I'll take you. There's nothing left to do here in the North — well, I'll have to go to the Wall, but I'll do that another day... and Winterfell is a bit dull."
"As much as Ygritte and Val keep me busy, I'd like to have you there too. You're going to be my queen, so I want you with me — to know my home and so the Northerners get used to your presence as well. They still hold some prejudice; even though your father's madness caused much suffering in the North, they can't say all Targaryens are mad. That's just pro-Baratheon and Lannister propaganda."
Daenerys immediately smiled upon hearing that, before attacking his lips with more kisses — a little shy, but full of passion.
"I'd love to, Daemon," she replied, as he set her back on the ground, kissed her face, and turned to greet Lucis, who was approaching on horseback. Daemon embraced her briefly and kissed his spearwife as she came closer with a smile.
He left Dany's side and kissed Lucis. "Do you want to come with me too?" — Daemon asked, while Lucis glanced at Winter with a hint of fear.
"Daemon... I don't think I can," she murmured nervously. "Besides, I wanted to keep an eye on my brother. We can meet in Winterfell; we're less than a week away."
Daemon nodded, finding it reasonable. "All right, Lucis. Just be careful. I'll speak with Mance; I'm leaving now."
He approached the man and exchanged a few words, while Daenerys still watched the massive convoy organizing itself. Her uncle Benjen also came to speak with him, along with his nephews. There, Daemon spoke calmly and told them that Robb was in Winterfell, which brought relief to the brothers — and that they would all be reunited soon.
Arya had already left White Harbor, heading to Winterfell; they would probably meet the following week. The only exception was Sansa, still a prisoner in King's Landing, and Catelyn, who had been killed.
After that, Daemon returned to Winter, taking Daenerys with him on the dragon after she said her goodbyes. She seemed very excited about it and laughed when the creature's wings spread wide, and in an instant, the dragon shot into the sky, flying south once again.
Winterfell finally came into view by late afternoon, and Daemon arrived mounted on the dragon alongside his aunt. As soon as they landed, he took her arm, and they advanced toward the fortress gates.
The encampment watched them in silence, but no one stopped them. When they reached the gate, two Stark men appeared — the ones he had assigned to manage the castle with the Free Folk. They were loyal to him, at least — and right behind them came Ser Barristan Selmy, stopping before Daenerys, looking breathless. He sighed, staring at the last two Targaryens of the royal family.
"This is Ser Barristan Selmy," Daemon explained. "He came to Winterfell after the king decided his services were no longer needed in King's Landing."
"But... isn't the Kingsguard meant to serve for life?" Daenerys asked, staring at Barristan, who looked slightly embarrassed.
"We're talking about the bastard of a usurper without a throne. He dismissed him," Daemon replied coldly. "Selmy has earned a bit of my trust over the past few weeks. However, now that I have my aunt with me, I want you to come with me to the godswood. There, you'll make an oath before the gods — yours and mine — so I can have faith that you'll protect my queen."
Daemon had never asked for an oath in his own name; he preferred men to swear loyalty to Daenerys and to the children they might have. After all, he knew how to protect himself.
"Yes, Your Majesty. I'll do so whenever you wish... I can do it now," Barristan replied, stepping forward and kneeling before Daenerys.
"You look very much like your mother. She would be proud of you. It's a shame she didn't survive... but I'm sure you'll have better days than she did," he said, remaining kneeling and looking up at Daenerys.
"I hope so, Ser Barristan. I've heard my mother suffered greatly at my father's hands..." she murmured in a dry tone.
"Unfortunately, it's not a lie, my queen. But your fate will be very different from hers. Your Majesty doesn't bear the traits of Aerys — his grandfather and your father. I can see him ruling with justice, as he does every day in his hearings with the common folk," said Barristan, while Daemon snorted.
"I'm not your queen yet. Still, Daemon hasn't told me much about these hearings. I'd like to hear about them later," Daenerys replied — after all, she was not yet married to Daemon. She didn't fail to glance at him, curious about his routine as king.
"That will be settled in a few weeks. So don't mind him calling you queen. You are my queen," Daemon said to her, then turned his attention back to the knight. "Now rise, Ser Barristan. You'll come with me to the godswood. We'll make the oath, and you'll protect Dany more than me, understood?"
"Yes, Your Majesty," the man replied, nodding.
"Then let's get it done." With that, Daemon led him to the godswood, where Barristan made his vow, promising to serve House Targaryen once more — and, if necessary, to die for it.
Daemon was not exactly pleased to have a man serving him who had sworn three different oaths — especially when one had been to the usurper Baratheon and another to a Lannister bastard who had seized the throne of his predecessor. Even so, he trusted Selmy's vow, believing the knight would protect his family.
Even in his old age, Barristan still possessed his full abilities. He was greater than most men with a sword in hand — and even better with a spear.
Daemon felt his mother's presence constantly watching them in the godswood, as if she were observing the scene with curiosity. Her eyes seemed to rest upon Daenerys. Daemon probably found the situation rather ironic, considering that, in the end, her son was about to marry his own father's sister.
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