Time

Caddoc Rivers sighed, his eyes flickering between the trees warily, shadows stretching oddly. He glanced up to the branches of the surrounding trees, only to scowl as he noticed a familiar crow.

"Piss off!" Caddoc hissed, the creepy bastard had followed him all the way from town. His dirty hands reached into the pouch on his belt, annoyance sketched onto his face.

He felt half mad. 

His eyes flicked back to the bird, he knew birds were smart, his mother loved birds. He took a swig of bitter ale from the wineskin at his waist. But she was gone now. 

He stood from the log, wiping himself down quickly. He eyed the smoking campfire warily, he needed to sleep soon. His eyes wandered to his 'tent' it was more akin to a dirty rag atop a stick. 

Gods he hated this, hiding in the forests, he hated every minute of it. 

His eyes flickered back to the tree branch, only to feel a swell of relief. The damned crow was gone, unnatural cunt, he thought to himself. Acted more like a raven, but it was a crow, its tail feathers and distinctive caw pointed to that. 

His mother had always corrected him when he made the mistake, the dose of nostalgia pulling his lips into a small grin. He stepped forward towards his 'tent' only to stop, his green eyes narrowing as he tilted his head. 

His heartbeat slowly raised, his body tensing like a spring as he licked at his suddenly dry lips. 

A caw sounded through the air causing him to jump slightly, but that wasn't what he was listening for. He thinned his lips turning his body fully only to see a flicker, he blinked. His hand wandered to his dagger, tied onto his belt. 

There!

He spotted movement! It was tall, too tall, and dark, almost a shadow. His heart slammed against his ribs as he turned and bolted, legs churning with desperation.

Another caw sounded, his eyes flicking up to the canopy of the forest. His eyes widened in fear when he spotted the crow flying in circles directly above him. 

It was true! The rumours, they were true!

His speed only increased, his feet smashing against the dirt below. Caddoc almost tripped on tree roots but regained his balance clumsily as he scrambled through the woods.

The faint sounds of hooves beating against the ground lit an inferno of fear into his body, his panting only increasing. He heard the crows caw and whimpered pathetically. 

The man would steal his skin! 

The hoof beats only increased in volume, rapidly closing in. His fear only increased, his boots slipping against the ground as he lost his composure, barely staying on his feet. 

His body was just screaming at him.

He needed to get away.

The hooves were close, too close, his panting heavy, blood rushing through his body. The black horse passed on his right, the animal skidding, a cloud of dirt kicked up from its hooves.

Caddoc squinted against the cloud of dirt, straining to see through the haze that settled like a shroud around him. He was about to start running again when the voice called out. 

"Surrender!" The words echoed slightly, as if carried through a tunnel making them sound detached and ominous. 

Caddocc turned, the dirt had settled revealing the image in its entirety. A knight sat atop a black horse, his armour dark and covered in writhing shadows. His helms visor was thin, the shadows covering his eyes. 

He froze, his hands lightly trembled by his sides as he glared at the knight. He knew he had no chance, his breathing was still heavy, his body felt heavy. 

The knight dropped off his horse, bright yellow fabric fell around his shoulders. The red stallion of house Bracken inlaid squarely on his chest. 

—-

Aerion rode back, passing through the castle gates with a nod towards the guards. His horse trotted gently as his eyes ran over the courtyard until they settled on who he needed.

"Uncle!" He exclaimed as he got off his horse and made his way over to the man, conversing with a group of guardsmen. 

Garth's head turned, his brows furrowing "You've already found him?" He asked in shock as he eyed the man tied up, laid across the back of Aerions black horse. 

Aerion took off his helm, his grin bright, the sun reflecting off of his dark armour. He ran his gloved hand through his hair as he turned his head back towards his horse.

"He wasn't very good at hiding" Aerion shrugged as he started to unclasp his breastplate. "But I believe he's your issue now" he joked as he walked past the older man, quickly making his way to his chambers. 

As he made his way through the castle he slowly took off his breastplate. Sighing in relief when it came off, gods it was getting tight. The familiar sounds of the castle washed over him. 

The clinking of armour, the whispering of servants and the joyous shouts of children all sending a nostalgic pang through him, quickly he spotted a young boy rushing over to him.

Garrett quickly scrambled over, his eyes wide as he looked up at Aerion. "Ser, where were you?" He asked breathlessly as he carried a sheathed blade in his hands, offering it to the knight.

Aerion eyed his squire in confusion, the boy's brown hair blowing in the wind as a sudden silence took over them. Aerion focused on the blade in his squire's hands with keen interest. 

"Ser?" The boy asked, a hint of nervousness in his tone as he noticed Aerions focus. "I—I polished your sword" he said as he swallowed his hazel eyes meeting Aerions wide purple ones.

"Garrett, I have my sword on me" he said slowly as he gestured towards the sheathe on his hip. Garrett's eyes slowly fell to the blade, both of them then looking at the blade in Garret's hands.

"Whose sword is this then?" The boy asked in confusion.

"Gods" Aerion groaned. 

—-

Aerion sighed as he entered his chambers, quickly he started to take off his armour. It was technically Garretts job to do that, but his squire was currently apologising to a guardsman for accidentally stealing…and polishing his sword. 

He barely held back a smirk at the image in his mind, he shook his head as he carelessly piled the plate armour on the floor. It wasn't the correct way to do it, but Gods he was tired. 

He sat on the edge of his bed as he started to take off the leathers he wore underneath his armour. Eventually taking off the dark gloves, his eyes lingering on a silver ring placed on his right hand's pointer finger. 

He shook his head, his mind returning to the task at hand. Quickly he stripped down to his small clothes and got into the bed, it was rather early but tracking bandits all day was bloody tiring. 

A sudden caw interrupted him, he turned his head to his small window and sighed. Leaning over he opened the window allowing the black crow into his room.

"Go on" he nodded over to the small nest of random fabrics, sticks and trinkets the crow had stolen from around the castle. The crow cawed once before flying over to the desk and settling into the makeshift nest. 

He sighed, his eyes catching the glint of the silver ring once again. He ran his hand down his face and dropped onto the bed. 

He threw the fur blanket over him, burrowed his head into the pillow and closed his eyes. The silver ring felt oddly heavy as he fell asleep.

—-

"Garret, why are you doing that here?" He asked as he threw an odd glance at the boy. Aerion raised a brow, watching Garrett's fervent polishing. The boy was eager, if a little overeager, but he had spirit.

A nearby group of guards suddenly cheered, the sound briefly catching Aerions attention.

"I'm just using my time well Ser" the boy said as he took a bite of a potato from his plate, quickly going back to polishing the blade. Aerion sighed, carefully grabbing the blade before putting it back in his sheath.

"Enjoy the feast" Aerion almost commanded, the ten year old huffing in annoyance. "I need you well fed for training tomorrow" Aerion said, the boy sitting straight and instantly starting to eat. 

His eyes flicked to the head table, a seat glaringly empty. Garrett was the third son of Lord Bracken, he had to admit he was rather fond of the boy.

Aerions gaze shot up at a familiar face. A smile on her pretty face, her hair falling to her shoulders. She slowed, quickly glancing about the busy hall before sitting to his left.

"Hello Myrra" Garrett squeaked before turning back to his plate quickly, a red flush on his cheeks. 

Aerion eyed the older girl, tilting his body towards her. "Myrra" he greeted his gaze meeting hers, her eyes glinting in the torchlight. 

She smiled at Garrett, then her attention switched to Aerion. "You caught a bandit today?" She asked, her eyebrows raising slightly. 

"I did?" he said questioningly, why was she asking, he caught bandits all the time. She clearly caught his meaning and clarified.

"They say he's mad. Raving how you want to steal his skin." Myrra teased quietly, Aerion blinked and felt a sudden chill. 

"What?" He hissed as he narrowed his eyes on the girl, Myrra looked at him wide eyed but quickly recovered. "Who's spreading that?"

Myrra leaned in, her tone hushed. "Half the hall by now." Aerion glanced around, noticing as a few people shot wary glances his way. 

"They can't really believe that" he said in slight astonishment, though a pit of concern built in his stomach. Did someone know he was a Skinchanger, that thought alone sent a tendril of fear racing up his spine. 

"Next week they'll be thinking you're a Bolton spy" she teased, the northern clan infamous for quite literally skinning people. 

He was about to speak until Lord Bracken stood, effortlessly catching the whole hall's attention. Aerion sat straighter as the hall started to murmur in curiosity.

"It is with great pride that I announce the birth of King Viserys' son, Prince Aegon Targaryen!" He shouted almost jubilantly, the hall exploding in sudden whispers. 

Aerions eyes widened, he'd heard the King had gotten remarried of course but he worked quickly. He looked at the people next to him, Garrett seemed excited, his grin wide, Myrra just seemed vaguely surprised. 

"I must also announce!" Lord Bracken shouted, the hall falling silent again "That Kingslanding is hosting a great tourney in celebration!" The whispers turned to shouts, the excitement evident.

They all remembered the last tourney, Garret besides him seemed to vibrate in joy. Aerion snorted at the sight before he glanced back at the ring on his hand. 

He couldn't help the excitement that stirred in his own chest at the sight.

—-

Thoughts on the chapter? This is quite an important one, also if anyone has ideas for future arcs or certain characters they want to show up, just lmk!

Aerion is now 15, about to turn 16 btw :)