The journey from King's Landing had been relatively smooth. It had rained moderately only once, to which the princess protested profusely. She completely despised the rain. Much to Kelnaerys' gratitude, this day was dry. Slightly overcast, but anything is better than rain. The sun was even attempting to poke through the clouds.

From far away, Winterfell looked much like a prison, but as she got closer, Kelnaerys realized it was actually quite beautiful. In a snow-covered, ice wrought, freeze-your-nose-off-your-face kind of way. Her mother landed Drogon just before the gates of the frozen fortress and Kel was quick to follow, guiding her own dragon down into the fresh snow. Yraexes had never been this far north that she knew of, but the cold seemed yet to bother him.  Like Daenerys had hoped, her caravan arrived just in time.

"My love." The Queen called in a gentle tone. Kel slid off the back of her dragon and went to her mother's side.

"Yes?" She responded half heartedly, thinking of how Yraexes's scales blended in with the snow. The scarlet of his fins stuck out in the white terrain, like blood on a wintery battlefield. Drogon stood protectively behind his Queen, the ebony of his color compared to Yraexes' making them look like yin and yang.

"Kelnaerys." Her mother said in much harder tone.

"I'm sorry, you've my full attention." The princess was quick to say. Now was certainly not the time for day dreaming.

"We are royalty. We must act like royalty." The Queen started. "Which means no impulsive escapades on dragonback. No gallivanting around in the snow. We are royalty and we are also guests. Be respectful. Be kind. And more importantly, just be yourself." Daenerys finished in a gentle tone, hand placed on her daughter's shoulder.

Kelnaerys found herself suddenly a bit self conscious, hands flying to her mid section to smooth out her coat. The outfit she'd chosen was a black, leather tunic with white fur that lined the collar and sleeves. She picked black cotton pants for her legs and dark leather boots for her feet. The princess wore her silver, three-headed dragon pin that held in place the Targaryen red, scale-patterned cape that draped behind her right shoulder. Connected to the pin was a heavy silver chain that resembled a dragon's tail as it disappeared diagonally across the princess's chest and behind her back. Her mother had done her hair in two braids that met in the middle at the back of her head. The rest of Kelnaerys' chest-length, platinum hair was left in free curls.

"You look stunning, my love." Daenerys mentioned, observing the fretting from her child. "Now stop your fussing." She added.

"Alright, alright!" The princess put her hands at her sides. The caravan approached from behind them, the clatter of hooves on the frozen ground was unmistakable. Kelnaerys turned to Yraexes and bid him a temporary goodbye by stroking the horns of his chin. The dragon emitted a reptilian whistle that ended with a low grumble in response. Both he and Drogon took flight before the wagons got too close.

"Rytsas, issa dāria. Hello my Queen." Grey Worm greeted in Valyrian from the front of the party. A group of Unsullied marched rhythmically behind him.

"Sȳz naejot ūndegon ao vēttan ziry isse jēda. Glad to see you made it in time." Daenerys replied as her commander rode up to her.

"Rytsas thorgha nudha. Hello Grey Worm." Kelnaerys responded to her mother's Master of War. He had absolutely refused to let the pair ride north without him.

"I have brought the horses you asked for." Grey Worm confirmed as two white steeds were escorted up for the Queen and the princess. Kelnaerys mounted her horse, admiring the way the black leather of the saddle and reins matched her outfit. She was just as adept on horseback as she was dragonback, a skill her mother made sure of. Daenerys was the Khaleesi of the Great Grass Sea after all.

They spurred their horses on, riding through the doors of Winterfell as men in the towers heaved the heavy gates up. When it was clear to enter, the trio stopped in the courtyard followed by their entourage. It had been many years since Daenerys stepped foot in the snowy home of House Stark. Her time spent here during the war had been rocky at best, even if she had saved the North from utter oblivion.

Kelnaerys studied her surroundings. Lined up in the center of the yard were, who she assumed, the Starks. In the middle was a tall, cold looking woman with hair like dragon fire. She held a gaze that seemed as hard as stone and as frosty as ice. To her left, sat a man in a wheelchair who's lifeless stare was becoming quite uncomfortable. On the right was a shorter woman who was dressed like a fighter. That one kept her hand on her sword the whole time. The Starks were collectively surrounded by guards and servants alike.

Next to the man in the chair stood a young girl about the same age as she. She was very beautiful, Kelnaerys thought. The girl's hair was dark brown, the color of a wise oak tree. She was dressed in a dark blue gown and a heavy black cloak with thick, grey fur around the collar that was crisscrossed around her chest like a man would would wear. As Daenerys and her daughter dismounted from their horses, all bowed to the Targaryen Queen and the Targaryen Princess.

If that is Kyra Stark, Kel thought, than I like her already. She was still studying the girl when Daenerys gave the signal to for all to rise.

"Greetings, Your Grace." Said the woman at the  center with a tone as cold as her blue eyes. Kelnaerys could only assume this was Sansa Stark, Lady Paramount of the North.

"Lady Stark, the North is as beautiful as I remember it to be. Thank you for welcoming us to Winterfell." Queen Daenerys smiled with hints of an expression Kel could not totally read. "Arya, Bran, it's good to see you again." Her mother included. The Stark siblings nodded respectfully.

There was history between the two, Kelnaerys thought to herself. The princess went stiff, shoulders back and chest out, remembering how to posture properly.

"It is....the pleasure of the North to host you, Your Grace. Winterfell is yours." Sansa commented insincerely. "This must be the Crown Princess and Heir to the Iron Throne." Lady Stark said smoothly, her focus shifting to Kelnaerys. Sansa gave her a once over, which had the princess feeling self-conscious all over again. Daenerys beamed with pride at her child.

"Yes, this my daughter, Kelnaerys. Future Queen of Westeros." The Queen proclaimed.

"Lady Stark, it's a pleasure to meet you." Kelnaerys responded with a bow of her head, voice and tone deep. She watched as Sansa studied her for a moment before motioning to the girl in the dark blue dress.

"This is my daughter, Kyra." Lady Stark introduced. The young Stark girl seemed a bit nervous, like if she looked in the Targaryen's direction for too long she would shatter. She had a gentle aura and seemed to be much warmer than Sansa. Kyra was closer now and Kelnaerys could make out the color of the girl's eyes. They were a soft, honey-brown with flecks of golden-orange. Much warmer than her mother, indeed.

"Your Grace. My princess." Kyra curtsied perfectly. Sansa must make her practice, Kel thought.

"Lady Kyra." Kelnaerys greeted. She reached out to the Stark girl's hand, bringing it to her lips for kiss.

"Yes, well..." Sansa interjected,"...perhaps we shall go inside out of the cold? I've prepared a feast in honor of your...visit." She continued. With the comment, servants immediately sprung from the courtyard into action.

"Yes. Let's." Daenerys retorted, face hard as a lumber board. Kel made a mental note to ask what the history was between her mother and Sansa Stark later.
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Later that evening, everyone had gathered in the Great Hall of Winterfell to enjoy the marvelous feast. Lords and ladies from the vassal houses of House Stark sat at the long tables that took up most of the room. Drinks and food were in plenty, wine and mead flowing from barrel after barrel faster then the servants could replace them. Loud conversations and a chorus of happy cheering had Kelnaerys feeling a bit overstimulated, but she enjoyed to frolic nonetheless. At the head table in front of the grand hearth sat Sansa Stark, dead center. To her left was Queen Daenerys. To Sansa's right sat Bran while Arya loomed somewhere behind them. Kelnaerys was sat at the table that joined vertically to her mother's. From the other side of the room the princess sat across from Kyra Stark.

"Mother." Kelnaerys leaned to the side in order to speak to Daenerys without drawing too much attention. Her intent failed however, as Sansa averted her gaze their way. Kel made brief eye contact with Lady Stark, who's stare gave her chills down her spine.

"My love?" Daenerys responded, till she noticed the stare down between the Lady of the North and her own daughter. The look on Dany's face hardened, not happy with the way Sansa was judging her child without even saying a word. In truth, the Queen wasn't all too surprised but in light of things, Kelnaerys had never done a thing against the Lady Paramount of the North. Sansa was, more than likely, simply displeased with the interest that the Targaryen princess had taken in her only daughter.

"Kelnaerys..." The Queen caught the princess's attention,"...don't worry of Sansa Stark. She is my party to deal with. You are a dragon. Keep your sights set on your prize." Daenerys whispered as she aimed her eyes towards the young Stark girl sitting across from Kelnaerys. "Do not fear Sansa. Go talk to that girl. You're a dragon, not a chicken." Her mother laughed lightly and leaned back in her seat, the queenly expression of her face returning. Kyra was looking their way.

The platinum silver of Kel's hair seemed to stick out like a sore thumb in the sea of black and brown. Her braids had loosened a bit over time and she quickly reached up to fix them.

Kel briefly wondered what Yraexes was up to.

You're a dragon, not a chicken, she thought. With a breath of courage, Kelnaerys rose from her seat. The noise of her chair sliding across the stone floor was hardly audible in comparison to the volume of the room. She walked behind the head table holding the dragon head pommel of her sword in her hand so it didn't bump into anyone or knock something over.

"My lady." Kelnaerys said, hopefully loud enough for the Stark girl to hear.

"My princess." Kyra answered, quickly rising to her feet. "What can I do for you?" She squeaked.

"I was hoping to merely talk with you. Get to know you better. Is that alright?" The Targaryen proposed. Kyra was taller than her and Kel tried to stand up extra straight. Kelnaerys thought of Sansa and how she towered over Daenerys. Northern genes seemed to fuel beauty and height like wildfire.

"Of course, my lady." Kyra accepted, picking up her cloak. The carefulness she implicated with each footstep made Kelnaerys wonder if she was just as nervous as her.

"Perhaps you could give me a tour of Winterfell?" The princess suggested. Kel rapidly checked her attire to make sure it still held its composure. She hoped the lady wouldn't notice.

"It would be an honor." Kyra started toward the large wooden doors that let out of the Great Hall. Kel glanced in her mother's direction, spying Daenerys watching them and smiling from ear to ear. The princess gave her a nod and proceeded to follow the Stark girl.

"Are the nights always this chilly?" Kelnaerys asked as the pair ventured their way into the courtyard. Spring was beginning to take its grasp around the land, yet winter seemed to be struggling to let go.

"Usually. This is actually one of the more temperate of nights for this time of year, Your Grace." Kyra stated. She walked shoulder to shoulder with the princess.

"I see." Kel remarked, feeling less adequate than she had before. Though, she supposed it wasn't her fault. She'd never travelled this far north before and had spent most of her time in the warm climates of King's Landing and Dorne. "You are very beautiful, my lady. I had heard of your elegance but words to do compare to what my eyes have seen." The princess complimented suavely. She had meant every syllable, while also using the opportunity as a testament to her wit, evaluating the other girl's feelings for their current situation.

"T-thank you, Your Grace." Kyra stuttered, clearly not prepared for such a compliment. "You are also very beautiful. I've never met a Targaryen before, Your Grace." She tried, taking a hand to brush a stray lock of hair behind her ear. The northern girl didn't seem used to being praised.

"Tell me, how do you feel about our potential arrangement?" The Targaryen princess inquired. While same-sex marriages were uncommon everywhere in Westeros (other than Dorne), Kel knew the practice was practically unheard of in the North.

"Our potential betrothal, you mean?" Kyra asked, brown eyes seemingly innocent. Kel simply nodded. "I um-well, yes I believe we could be a good match, Your Grace." The tone of Kyra's voice made Kelnaerys wonder if she was merely tell her what she wanted to hear.

"Is that how you truly feel my lady?" Kel pressed. The two of them climbed the snowy stairs that connected the courtyard to the castle wall. The princess held out a hand for Kyra to take, ensuring she wouldn't slip on a hidden patch of ice. " I promise I do not bite." Kelnaerys assured with a soft smile, hand outstretched and waiting. Reluctantly, Kyra took it.

"Your Grace I...." The Stark girl tried to find the right words,"...in truth, I was taken aback by your request. My mother told me of it as soon as the raven arrived from King's Landing. You must understand that same gender marriages are not practiced here. They are frowned upon." Kyra whispered in a way that, if the princess hadn't known any better, made her sound almost discouraged.

"Not everyone can be the same can we? One person believes in this, another in that, and at the end of the day, we all fight over it." Kelnaerys proclaimed, using her hands to speak. "The world would be so much easier to live in if acceptance was something believed in by all." The Targaryen Princess stopped to lean over the side of Winterfell's stone wall. Kyra did the same, the black of her coat appearing like spilled ink in the snow.

"Why yes, I certainly agree, Your Grace." Kyra smiled slightly as she looked out into the frozen blackness of the night. The bleached snow that blanketed the land made their surroundings appear much brighter.

Kelnaerys watched Kyra for a moment, admiring the features of her face. Her honey-brown eyes were wide and warm and expressive, a trait that the princess couldn't help but fall slightly in love with. She had a soft face with pronounced cheekbones, a trait Kel was coming to find common in the North. Kyra's lips were full and plump, a rosey pink color that accentuated the paleness of her skin. It was that trait in particular that made Kelnaerys' heart skip a few beats.

A low, grumbling sound soon jolted the princess from her thoughts.

"What is that?" Kyra questioned, subtle shock warping her face from contentment to worry. The Targaryen, however, was all too familiar with that sound.

"That, is Yraexes." Kelnaerys grinned. Up from the depths of the snowy sea rose the massive, horned head of the princess's dragon. Ice and snowflakes fell from the protrusions of his face and blood red eyes softened at the sight of his girl. Yraexes arched his neck while leaning most of his weight on the stone. The dragon was easily taller than the castle's outer wall.

"Skoros emagon ao issare bē naejot? What have you been up to?" Kelnaerys asked the dragon in Valyrian. Yraexes whistled in response to her hand on his nostrils. Surprisingly, the scales were softer there.

Kyra's eyes were blown as wide as saucers. Kelnaerys didn't think the lady realized she had backed herself up as far as she could go without tumbling down the opposite side of the catwalk. "Ziry's alright, ziry's sepār zūgagon. It is alright, she is just nervous." Yraexes soothed with every word the princess spoke.

"W-What language is that?" Kyra whimpered, unsure of what to do.

"It is High Valyrian, my mother tongue." Kelnaerys answered.

Kyra gulped, body still glued the other side of the walkway. "He....he is yours, Your Grace?" The Stark girl's chest heaved deeply.

"A dragon is not a slave. But yes, he is mine if you will, my lady." Kelnaerys confirmed. "You may touch him if you like. Here." The princess reached to gently guide Kyra over to the dragon. Her body was tense, but Kel felt her relax into the touch. "Just hold out your hand and let him to come you." In an attempt to make Kyra feel better, the Targaryen interlaced their fingers. Yraexes craned his neck forward, bringing his snout flush against the hands of the two women. He grumbled low and calmly.

"He sounds a bit like a cat, Your Grace. He sort of....purrs." Kelnaerys chuckled at the comment, agreeing that he did indeed sound like a bit like a very, very large cat. Yraexes smoothly backed away from the contact, his red stare focused on the dark haired girl.

"He likes you." Kelnaerys told her. A brief moment of silence was shared among the three of them.

"I'm beginning to like dragons too." Kyra smiled warmly, looking over her shoulder at the Targaryen Princess.
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Author's Note:

Here's Chapter 3! Enjoy!

-Wolf