Chapter 38: The Red Emperor Dragon on Planetos (III)

Ashara Dayne looked at the entrance of the Maiden Palace with a bit of fear and nervousness. Even though it has been years since she ascended to the resting world for the dead, never in all that time has she been able to step on a single step that led to the main entrance. That place was forbidden to most, and only the priestesses who served the Goddess could pass. The rest could simply stroll through the square right in front. But here she was now, looking at the huge pillars that stood at the entrance, adorned with golden vines. The huge double door was wide open, revealing the interior of the palace.

White, almost crystalline tiles were used as the floor. And as Ashara walked being guided by one of the priestesses, she could see her reflection of how clean and clear everything was. The interior seemed to be hundreds of meters from one wall to the other; in those places, there were tapestries that showed part of the history of the faith of the seven; from when they appeared before Hugo on the Hill, to when they traveled to Westeros some time later. Battles, but also moments where humans were saved.

Looking up at the ceiling, Ashara noticed that there were gems and metals embedded in it: emeralds, sapphires, rubies, opals and more; also gold, silver and copper, all forming intricate patterns of flowers and gardens. Right in the center, was the figure of the Maiden with a rose held in both hands.

 "Please, this way," surprised by the priestess' voice, Ashara looked at her as she walked towards a door just to the right. In that inner hallway, she could see some doors that were closed, but also windows on her left side. There she could see an outside patio with flowers of all kinds. Although, what really caught her attention, was a beautiful woman talking to what looked like a man. She couldn't see the appearance of that shoulder, because she was facing away, but she was wearing clothes she didn't know. She noticed her well-trained body with broad shoulders and black hair on her head.

As for the woman, she recognized her as the Maiden. Wavy brown hair that seemed to shine. Delicate features: a small, straight nose, plump, pink lips, bright blue eyes like the finest sapphires. She was wearing a beautiful white and blue dress. Ashara was surprised, because it was only the third time he had seen the Goddess since he came to the land of eternal rest.

 And to her great shock, the priestess stopped right in front of the door leading to that courtyard. She looked at her and said seriously, "Please be respectful to our lady."

"E- Excuse me... Did I... do something wrong?" Ashara asked in fear.

"Oh, no. Of course not. But I was ordered to guide you here. Only our lady knows what she wants from you. You may enter," the priestess raised her hands and pushed the double door open gently, letting daylight in. Ashara squinted slightly at the sudden light that hit her eyes directly.

Ashara took a step forward, but hesitated to continue forward. She didn't know what exactly was happening. She never heard the Maiden give an order to call a mortal to her personal palace. In fact, the so-called priestesses were actually chosen by a woman called the Holy Maiden. Some rumors said that she was the woman who was created by the Maiden herself, that woman who married Hugor of the Hill and gave birth to his children. Ashara couldn't know exactly.

As she hesitated, the double door was slowly closed, causing her to look behind her with a bit of fear. She stood there for a moment, until she took a deep breath and began to walk, curiously looking around. Green bushes, roses of various colors, fountains that let water out from the top. It was a beautiful garden that seemed to contain all possible colors in the form of flowers, bushes, and trees.

Slowly, she approached the position she saw earlier down the hallway. Where the Goddess and the unknown man were. Was he also a God? Ashara thought with some curiosity. It was quite possible that he was, since they were in the Maiden's personal palace.

When she finally arrived, the first thing she saw was the Goddess standing in front of the man, who she still couldn't see. He was still facing away. His position was different than before, but she still couldn't see his face. What caught her attention, though, was the Maid's expression. She almost looked a little... uncomfortable, maybe scared standing next to the man.

"You've arrived..." the Maid's soft, pretty voice brought her out of her thoughts. Ashara tried to kneel down to pay her respects, but was interrupted. "There's no need to do that, Ashara Dayne."

In an awkward position, with her right knee almost touching the ground, Ashara only felt more confused. She raised her head, but froze as she let out a gasp. Her beautiful amethyst eyes widened as she took in the appearance of the unknown man: Black hair that fell down the sides, framing his slim but handsome face. Features that spoke of a calm person, but also bright grey eyes that showed that she was not weak at all.

Ashara's expression turned strange, because she looked like...

"I'll leave you two alone for now," the Maid said lightly. "Please don't destroy anything."

"Who do you think I am?" Ashara heard the man's voice and her slightly irritated gaze towards the Maid. "Remember, it was the Warrior who started it, and the Father followed. I just made them know their place."

The Maid stared at the man's face before letting out a long sigh.

"You were too violent. Couldn't you hold back?"

"Hey, I thought that blow to the Warrior wouldn't do much to him. I never imagined he'd go flying after I blew part of his head off."

"You're quite annoying, sir," the Maid huffed adorably before disappearing in a golden light.

Ashara didn't know how to react to such an interaction. A battle? A man against the Father and the Warrior? That couldn't be possible! He had to be a God. Yes, that was the best explanation. Despite his Stark features, the man in front of her had to be a God.

"Excuse me, are you perhaps an Old God?" Ashara asked respectfully. Inside her confused mind, that was the best possible explanation. Old Gods did exist after all. It wouldn't be so strange if their appearance resembled the Starks, who lived in the North.

"Old God?" the man grimaced before staring at Ashara. His grey eyes didn't move, calmly observing the amethyst pools that were Ashara's eyes.

"You... you really are beautiful. I better understand the stories that were told of you, along with the fear and jealousy that woman felt when she heard about you."

"E- Excuse me?" Ashara asked surprised by the sudden compliment. The man just sighed heavily before smiling wryly.

"This is a bit... No, I think it's totally sudden. I dreamed so many times, imagining what your face would look like. Or, the way you carried yourself. Or, how tall you were. Dreams and wishes to meet you, years after years. But, I never knew. Not until now."

The man approached Ashara slowly, step by step, until he was closer to her. Ashara, who was staring, could notice the sadness in the other person's eyes. For some strange reason, she felt the need to hug him, to comfort him.

To her surprise, the man placed his hand on her chest, near her heart. He lowered his head slightly while slightly bending his knees. "It's a great pleasure to finally meet you, Ashara Dayne. My name is Jon Snow... your son."

Ashara stared at the crown of Jon's head. At that moment, it was as if all the sound around her disappeared. Slowly, her body began to shake as she took a step back. Her slender hands went to her mouth, covering it as tears began to fall from her eyes.

Her eyes remained fixed on Jon's bowed head, until he moved his body to look directly at her. His face had a small sad smile as he watched her cry. He couldn't tell what Ashara was thinking. She looked almost broken as she cried non-stop.

Many questions were going through Ashara Dayne's head at that moment. Was he really her son? So was he dead? So young? How could he meet the Maiden so easily? What was up with the previous conversation? Did he really fight against Gods? So was it all a lie and he wasn't her son? Ashara didn't know what to think at that moment. Her mind was too messed up to have the answers to all the questions that appeared one after another in her head.

"I'm sure you have many questions. Would you allow me some of your time for a chat?" Jon asked softly, not coming closer. He wanted to give his mother the necessary space.

"Y- You... are you really my son? My little boy that was taken from me?" Ashara asked with a shaky voice.

Jon grimaced. "I'm so sorry. I don't know what my father did at that time. But, I was able to learn that you are my mother by chance. But, I can tell you that Eddard Stark is my father; I am someone he brought back after the war against Rhaegar Targaryen."

"He... That man raised you as a bastard," Ashara commented, calming her body. She was now fully scanning Jon's face. "He even went as far as to name you Jon."

"Wasn't that my name?"

Ashara smiled sadly. "What happened at the pass was a bit complicated. But, no, Jon was not a name I had in mind for you, my boy."

"You mentioned a talk. I would love to have a talk with my son. But, before that...", Ashara looked at him with some pity. "How did you die so young? Even as foolishly honorable as Eddard Stark is, he wouldn't go so far as to scorn his own son and send him away to be killed."

"Dead?", Jon blinked before he understood. "Oh! Please, mother, rest easy. I'm not dead. I'm perfectly fine. Very much alive."

".... What?"

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