Chapter 20 - Departure and Arrival

122 Ac

Twenty-sixth day of the fifth moon.

Ulf Pov

"Did you finish packing Hugh", I asked for the hundredth time.

"Aye, I did", came the reply.

"Please tell me that you are carrying something other than your armor", I asked with hesitation.

"You can read minds Ulf!!", Hugh exclaimed loudly.

Hearing him I sighed in frustration not knowing how to explain to my bullheaded friend that we were going to a tourney. A royal one at that.

"Hugh there are times that I believe that I hit your head very hard during our spars".

"This tourney will be one of the biggest in our lives. The king's children are getting married."

"To each other", I said with a pause wondering how funny it would be if these things would happen in my old world.

"All right, stop nagging me, I will go and pack some clothes", he said.

I could see the sun settle down as I made my way to the Dragonmont. The jagged rocks could pierce a man if he did not pay attention. Visibility too was shit once the son would set due to wisps of grey smoke coming from the volcano which still was active.

Normally I would go and visit her when the sun would start rising but I would not be able to come and see her for some time due to the tourney.

I could hear the flapping of wings as I saw her flying in my direction.

She landed softly as her silver scales shined despite the fleeting sunset.

"Skorkydoso glaesā issa jorrāelagon"( how are you my love), I asked in High valyrian.

She just gave a low growl while laying her head down for me to caress.

"I promise this visit won't be as long as Driftmark".

She gave another growl and I immediately started consoling her.

"Nyke swear nyke jāhor daor kipagon another zaldrīzes issa jorrāelagon" (I swear that I will not ride another dragon my love).

She gave another low growl which meant that if she ever caught me with another dragon then there'll be hell to pay.

I nodded my head sagely not doubting her words for even a second.

"So how about one last ride before I come back", I said to which she quickly got up.

I quickly climbed her back after which she took off.

As we slowly soared above the skies the memories of my first ride came rushing back. Just the thought of me holding the scales so hard so as to not fall down made me laugh. It had been a day of departure and arrival. I had lost my mother but I had also gained someone just as precious.

Silverwing gave a soft growl and I was taken out of my thoughts. It was then that I realized that I was crying.

"It's fine Silverwing I was just thinking of my mother", I said.

"I bet you miss Queen Alysanne as well".

She also gave a low growl.

"No need to be sad my love, I bet they will be looking down at us and wishing for us to be happy after all they did love us the most."

Hearing me she gave a happy growl.

"I bet my mother would have loved to meet you. Although I wonder If she ever met you since Queen Alysanne was at dragonstone in the later stages of her life.

Not thinking about it too much we spent some more time flying quietly in the sky.

After some time we landed after which I said goodbye and started walking toward the castle.

As I made my way to the castle I realized that It was totally dark.

When I reached the gate I saw the figure of Ser Alfred standing and staring right at me.

Fuck.

No need to worry just take deep breaths.

"Where were you", he growled out.

"I had gone to the village", I said.

Hearing my reply he just started walking and I followed him.

As we entered his solar I looked at the various weapons present there.

"Sit", came his stern voice.

Hearing him I quickly sat down.

"Do not lie to me boy", he said gruffly.

"Where were you? And remember that I already spoke to Hugh and he did not know where you went".

Shit. I knew that I messed up. If I lie to him then he will tell Daemon and If there is one thing that Daemon is exceptionally good at then it is knowing when a person is lying.

"Out with it boy", Ser Alfred thundered.

"I went towards the Dragonmont", I said softly.

"What in the seven fucking hells were you doing there boy", he shouted.

I was taken aback by the anger in his voice. It was unlike the usual tone. There was a slight undertone of concern and it pissed me off.

"I am waiting for your answer boy", he bellowed.

Just hearing his tone made me angry and I tightened my fists.

"I miss my mother. I miss her every single day", I screamed letting go of my emotions.

"What do you know of losing someone dear?", I continued.

"Do you know how it feels to see people my age spending time with their families? I am all alone and neither Gerardys, Daemon, Hugh, or the princesses can fill that hole, especially someone like you".

After venting out my emotions I realized the gravity of what I had just said. It was the first time that I had lost control of my emotions and let out what I really thought.

I waited for him to say something and when I looked at him I was shocked. His face showed a look of regret. He tightened his fists before taking a deep breath.

"I...I… I am..", he stuttered.

"I am sorry, Ulf", he said softly.

"I should have known better, I should have done better", he whispered to himself.

For a few moments, he just sat there.

After what felt like an eternity he spoke.

"The reason I called you here is to give you this", he said before giving me a small scabbard, and as I removed it I realized that It was a dagger.

I looked at the dark ripples on the blade and I realized that It was made of dragonglass.

"This was given to me by a long time back as compensation", he said in a heavy tone.

"I want you to have it".

"Thanks", I mumbled.

"Make sure you do not die in the damned tourney", he sighed heavily.

"When you are in the squire's melee remember that whatever happens to just keep moving and keep your sword close."

"And whatever happens do not roam the city".

"But if you do then carry this dagger with you".

He slumped back on his chair and looked at the fireplace while drinking from a wineskin.

I slowly made my way out and started walking toward my room to collect my bags.

"It will be fine, girl", I said to my horse who was a bit fidgety. I guess she did not like sailing and neither did I for that matter. I could fly for hours on end but life on the sea was not meant for me.

My respect for the sailors had increased tenfold.

"Ulf, Prince Daemon Is asking for you", came the voice of Gerardys.

"Before you go I have to tell you something Ulf".

"Yes, what is it Maester Gerardys?" I asked

"Just take care of yourself, boy", he said with a toothy grin etched on his face.

"I will, Maester do not worry", I said while reassuring him.

"The next time you will see me I will have already become a knight", I said with a grin.

"Of course, you will, Ulf", he said while patting my back .

"Here take this", he said giving me a pouch that contained some medicines to treat sea sickness.

After saying my goodbyes I boarded the royal ship, and we set off to Kingslanding. There were four ships that accompanied us while the Velaryons were going to come separately.

"It will be fine, girl", I said to my horse who was a bit fidgety. I guess she did not like sailing and neither did I for that matter. I could fly for hours on end but life on the sea was not meant for me.

My respect for the sailors had increased tenfold.

"Ulf, Prince Daemon Is asking for you", came the voice of Gerardys.

"Before you go I have to tell you something Ulf".

"Yes, what is it Maester Gerardys?".

"Just take care of yourself, boy", he said with a toothy grin etched on his face.

"I will, Maester do not worry", I said while reassuring him.

"The next time you will see me I will have already become a knight", I said with a grin.

"Of course, you will, Ulf", he said while patting my back .

"Here take this", he said giving me a pouch that contained some medicines to treat sea sickness.

After saying my goodbyes I boarded the royal ship, and we set off to Kingslanding. There were four ships that accompanied us while the Velaryons were going to come separately.

Present day

The ship ride was shit, absolute shit. I puked my guts out and was waiting for the stranger to take me into his embrace. The devil who was also the prince in disguise laughed at my state and called me the equivalent of pussy in the real world.

May the Stranger take him.

"May I come in", came a girl's voice.

I must have grumbled something after which she quickly came in.

"Are you all right Ulf?", the girl asked. As I opened my eyes I saw Rhaena standing in front of me wearing a pure black dress with a red eyepatch.

"What do you think?", I said in a hurry as I felt the bile rising up in my mouth again.

"Umm, Kepa is saying that we are going to reach Kingslanding soon and that you should be ready."

"yes, god yes, finally I will be able to step on land", I screamed with pure joy before clutching my stomach again.

Hearing me Rhaena started giggling.

After some time her laughter subsided.

"What if he is there Ulf?", she asked in an uncertain voice.

"Do not worry princess, I will protect you to the best of my abilities", I said while standing on my feet and giving her a confident smile

Seeing my confidence she gave me a bright smile which quickly turned sour as I vomited through the window. After which she ran away.

May the Seven help me!

It stopped, the boat finally stopped. Praise be to the seven. I slowly went and opened my trunk from which I removed a clean white shirt and pants and quickly wore it.

I could hear the voices of the sailor grow louder as I climbed the stairs to the main deck. As I reached the deck I saw the city of kings landing sprawled out right in front of me. The city looked massive. I could see hundreds of different boats as well as merchants selling their goods, It was a cacophony of laughter and noise all around.

Just then I heard an ear-piercing roar and it seemed that the sun had been blotted out for a few seconds as the shadow of the largest dragon alive covered everything and everyone.

As I made my way toward the gangplank I saw a girl around my age surrounded my guards and a man with blond hair staring at me intently and I instantly recognized the girl standing right next to him.

"Helaena", I said as I waved my hand toward her and she too gave me a bright smile after which I immediately started puking.