(Y/N) Point of View

I found my way back to my father. He sighed with relief seeng I was unharmed. We both boarded the balloon and immediately we took off into the sky.

I sighed as the land disappeared under the clouds again. I missed being on the land so much. I  hadn't got quite used to being in the air too much from time to time.

"So how was the market?" dad asked.

"It was interesting,"

"But..." Lee drifted off.

"Nothing," I quickly uttered.I was given 'the look'.I huffed. "Fine. I got into a bit of trouble with some bullies. They tried to steal my necklace. I would have gotten into a lot more trouble had those two children not shown up,"

"Two children?"

"Her name was Lyra, and her friend was called Roger. They were really nice. They showed me around the market, and we had a great talk about travelling. And you know that Asriel chap you've always wanted to meet? She's his niece?"

"What? Never knew that man had a niece,"

"She said her parents died in an airship accident,"

"And her uncle never thought to take her in?"

"Nope. Instead, she was placed in the care of Jordan College,"

"A kid raised in a college?"

"Under scholastic sanctuary. Her uncle barely visits her. He goes to the north and doesn't even take her with him,"

"Well, he's just not like you. He never takes relatives with him,"

"Probably because she needs education,"

"Compared to me? You know for four years I've been traveling learning. As much as I enjoy it, I wish I was in regular school,"

"Travel learning is good for you. You get to learn everything you need to know in a much more exciting way,"

"But it gets quite lonely. Just us and Hester and Aster. We really should stop in Oxford after Trollesund. You'd find Lyra and Roger very interesting. You know Lyra wishes that her daemon wouldn't settle like mine. What do you think Astar will settle as?"

"I don't know. What I do know is that it will reflect the kind of person you are,"

"What did you want Hester to settle as when you were young?"

Lee looked at Hester. "I was never thinking about what she might settle as...at first,"

"When did you start thinking?"

"You know your grandfather...when he abused me a lot. It was Hester who pulled me through. We grew closer. Like you I never wanted her to stop changing. But there came a time when I wished she was just one form. I didn't care what it was. All I cared about was that it reflected what kind of person we were together. At first when she settled, I thought she was a rabbit. But then after meeting Iorek for the first time, I realised all along it was an artic hare,"

"It is possible that your daemon may settled in a form that has the same equivalent as hers. A fox or a weasel or a badger. Whatever he'll settle as, he will be great, and he will reflect the type of great person that I know you are,"

"You think I'm great? Nobody back in Texas thinks I'm great. At school, they always said horrible things...about mum...about you...about me," 

Lee leaned closer to you. "Who cares what they say? You know before we started travelling together, I was always scorned by other people. But did I let that get me down? No I didn't. One day you and Aster are going to do great things. And when everyone finds out...they'll wish they were as special as you,"

"'You think?" I asked, inspired by his words as my heart was lifting with hope. 

"I know,"

For the next week of traveling, we both stopped from port to port along the northern countries. You could not contain her excitement to meet Iorek. You were just so excited to meet a pansebjorne for the first time. It was the middle of the seventh day. You guys were now only about an hour from Trollesund. I was excited. I laughed as I heard dad singing a spectacular travel song he had picked up from his early years.

"Trade my home for the road again.

Singing the song of an old best friend.

Running around with a child's mind.

Man it gets lucky just a couple of times,"

He pressed some buttons and pulls a lever. "Sing it Hester. Give it a shot Mia and Astar,"

(Y/N) hummed with her daemon and her father.

Lee offered me a cup of soup and I sipped it. We heard a sudden clank. Lee pressed a gas clock. The dial didn't change.

"You sound quite excited dad," I said.

"That's right darling," Lee climbed up to the gas canisters. "We finally got a lead on Iorek,"

"You got what you need from that man yesterday?"

"Yep,"

"He might not be the same bear," Hester said sadly. "The Iorek I knew,"

"How's he doing?" I asked. "What did you learn from that man?"

"Some crazy seal hunter got him drunk and tricked him out of his armour,"

"What kind of man does that?"

"Someone who thinks they can do what they want with property that's not theirs,"

"An armour bear is nothing without his armour," Aster said to me. "You remember him telling you that an armoured bear's armour is his soul,"

"Are we going to help him?"

"No. I'm going to help him. You are going to stay out of trouble,"

"Dad come on! I'm not going to just stand by whilst you put your neck on the line helping this bear,"

"And I'm not going to put you in danger,"

"What danger could I possibly get into? I'm twelves years old. I'm not a child anymore. You know it won't very long until I reach puberty and Aster settles in his final form. Won't I be old to know then?!"

Still my father ignored you. I huffed and threw down my arms. I leaned against the rail on the other side, pressing a fist to his cheek. Aster nuzzled my gloved fingers with his nose. I ignored him. He sadly slouched on the fur pillows and hung his head over the railings. All was silent for a long while until....

"(Y/N) look!" Aster nibbled my fingers gently to get my attention.

"What is it Aster?"

"A Gyptian boat!"

I peered through my telescope and gasped upon seeing the sight of a magnificent red and white ship.

"Looks like we're not the only ones heading to Trollesund Aster,"

"What do you suppose they're doing up here so far north?"

"Dunno," 

"Lee! Are you sure Iorek will want us making trouble?" asked Hester.

"That bear saved our lives Hester. We owe him trouble," he remarked. He turned to me and sighed. "(Y/N), I promise you that you are special. What I said to you before was true. But that doesn't I'm going to stop protecting you. If we're going to do this together, I need you to do exactly as I say. It's bad enough that we have enough trouble on our shoulders already because of...I just want you to be safe,"

"I know dad. You say that all the time. If you really want me to feel safe than you have to tell me, why have we been moving around for four years? Why are we in trouble?" 

Lee sighed. "(Y/N), sometimes there are things you're better off not knowing. Sometimes there are truths which have to remain hidden until the perfect time. One day I will tell you. but for the time being you must trust me,"

I looked into my father's eyes and saw nothing but love and devotion. I sighed and reluctantly nodded, allowing him to pull me into a side hug. We watched as Aster and Hester nuzzled one another. 

What did you all think again? Please let me know if there are any grammar errors. And feel free to send over any ideas whenever you like. Could you all perhaps send over any ideas for the Oc for the Lyra Belaqua x Oc pairing? Hope you all enjoying it. And Happy New Year!