4: So, We Meet Again

                                    

                                          

                            

                                
                            
                              
                                  
                              
                              
                                
                                  
                                  
                                
                              
                             
                            
                            
                          
                          
It had been six years since that fateful day, and Lyanna had spent most of her time on Dragonstone. She had grown rather close with Jace and Luke through the years, the three of them even thinking of themselves as siblings. Lyanna had also helped Rhaenyra through her most recent births, being one of the first to hold the newest Targaryen heirs. She had become family to the clan of dragons, and they had become hers as well.
Although, Lyanna had to admit, there was not a day that passed where she did not miss Aemond. The two had exchanged letters back and forth for years, although they had become more bland over time until they eventually stopped coming altogether. As if the boy had grown tired of their correspondence and had more important things to do. The Stark girl couldn't help but feel a bit betrayed by the action, the space he was creating between them. She often awoke in the middle of the night, skin damp with sweat and breathing heavy as she came out of a nightmare in which everyone she loved left her. It was at those times she traced her fingers along the ridged scar that marred her collarbone, a nervous tick she had developed ever since it had healed enough. One she found herself doing even now, as she sat with her legs crossed on an outcropping looking over the sea. 
"We are to begin our journey back to Kings Landing on the morrow," Rhaenyra stated as she neared, her hands clasped over her stomach as she looked at the girl with a hint of a smile on her face. "Are you all packed?"
"Yes, Princess," Lyanna answered, quickly standing and turning toward the woman. "Although, I'm sad that Aeron can't make the journey with us."
"So is he. You should have seen the fit he threw once he realized that you were heading back to the city without him," the Princess laughed, a hand moving to push a stray piece of hair behind Lyanna's ear as she did. "He looked positively mad."
"I could only imagine, but the situation at the Steppes has acquired all his attention for the past two years," the Stark girl chuckled, somewhat sadly, while offering her arm to Rhaenyra as the two of them made their way back to the castle. "Do you know how we'll be received?"
"My guess would probably not be with open arms."
———
Rhaenyra had been correct, they were not greeted with open arms. They weren't even greeted at all. They were instead welcomed by a hurried Lord Caswell, who had gotten there in a rush after the family had waited for some minutes. While Daemon and Rhaenyra went to visit the King, Lyanna accompanied Jace and Luke to the training grounds. 
"Looking to get your ass handed to you yet again, Velaryon?" The Stark girl teased, nudging Jace with her elbow as Luke laughed at her comment. 
"You wish, Stark," the boy replied, rolling his eyes before heading down the steps to the yard. 
"Smaller than I remember," Luke stated, glancing around as he trailed slightly behind the two of them. 
"It looks exactly the same," Jace said excitedly, rushing to the bottom of the steps as something caught his interest. "Come on!"