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The Crimson Dragon - Chapter 22: Dream Chasers
🕑 Added 2024-12-04 14:00:13 +0000 UTCBold – High Valyrian
Italicized – Thoughts/Emphasis
Three Weeks Later
Helaena Targaryen hated being a dreamer.
She hated how much she feared going to sleep at times, worried about the terrors she would be forced to endure, having to shift through the muddied recesses of her own mind, and waking up breathless from premonitions that she did not fully understand.
Her dragon dreams were a secret from most of her family, but even Lilyanna, the one person she told everything to, did not know at Helaena's true feelings on being a dreamer. Or at least, Helaena assumed that Lilyanna did not know as she has never told her twin and was not planning to do so.
And while Lilyanna did not know this fact, she was still an expert and reading Helaena, so Lilyanna knew that something was bothering her sister as she kept glancing at Helaena.
Helaena ignored the worried looks and Lilyanna did not voice her thoughts, both knowing that they would not be able to speak until they were alone, not wanting Rickard who was walking behind them to hear.
Is it about the potion? Lilyanna thought as the twins had just come from their mother's bedchamber, having tea with the woman and once again giving Alicent the potion without her knowing.
Once they entered Helaena's bedroom and the door closed behind them, Lilyanna immediately spoke, "What's wrong?"
Helaena sighed as she sat down on her bed, "My dream has become clearer."
Lilyanna clenched her fists, "And?"
"It's as you said; Aunt Laena will die a dragonrider's death." Helaena said, shuddering as she remembered how Laena accepted her faith, the heat of Vhagar's flames on her skin, the look on Daemon's face as he realized he was too late.
Lilyanna started to pace in front of her sister, "Okay, we still have time. From what we know of your dreams, the clearer they become the closer they are to coming to fruition. And your dream has gotten pretty fucking clear. Shit."
"We still haven't figured out what we should do, and it's been weeks, we're running out of time. This could all happen tomorrow or a week from now, and we don't know." Helaena said, bringing her knees up to her chest.
If I am to be cursed with these dreams, why could I not have been cursed with knowing the exact moment they occur? Helaena thought.
"Let's go."
Helaena looked at her sister in confusion, "Go where?"
Lilyanna looked at her sister lowly, "To Narnia, Helaena. Where do you think I mean we should go?"
Helaena continued to stare at her sister, "What's Narnia?"
Lilyanna glared at her twin, "Helaena, that's not important! What's important is that we must go to Pentos."
"And how would we do that?"
"I don't know, how about we fly there on the giant husband eating dragon that you bonded with?"
Helaena frowned, "You know I don't like it when you call Dreamfyre a husband eating dragon."
"Helaena, it's a fact; did she not eat Androw Farman? And was he not Rhaena's third husband? I have no doubt that she has probably developed a taste for them."
"That's beside the point, it was a one-time thing and Dreamfyre only ate Farman because Queen Rhaena copped up his body and fed it to her. You make it sound like Dreamfyre goes around looking to free women from their terrible spouses by eating them."
Lilyanna shrugged, "I mean, you could go around with Dreamfyre, freeing women from their terrible spouses. Might I suggest starting with mother and the King?"
Helaena crossed her arms, glaring at her sister, she had never found Lilyanna's jokes about horrible things happening to Viserys funny, even though Lilyanna was rarely serious about her comments.
Lilyanna cleared her throat, "Right, we'll circle back to that amazing idea later. As I was saying before all that, we should fly to Pentos on Dreamfyre, possibly in the next day or two."
"Weren't you the one who said that no one would believe us if we told them about my dragon dreams? Even if no one stopped us from going or we managed to sneak away, how would either of us convince Daemon and Laena about my dream?" Helaena asked, bringing up good points that Lilyanna could not deny. "And despite our blood relation, they do not know us, so they don't have a reason to trust us, and I highly doubt that Daemon is going to let two of Otto Hightower's grandchildren anywhere near his wife and unborn child."
Fuck, she's right. Lilyanna thought as she began to pace again, trying to figure out what their next step should be.
Helaena sighed, knowing that Lilyanna would not like what she said next, "Lily, I think we have to tell someone about me."
Lilyanna shook her head, "Hels, we-"
"Lily!" Helaena exclaimed, causing Lilyanna to jump slightly and stare at her surprised, "This is not a condemnation about you or your abilities; I know that you find it hard to trust others and believe that only you can save us all because you know best, but we can't do this alone, you can't do this alone."
Lilyanna clenched her jaw, she wanted to deny Helaena's words, to tell her sister that she can and will do this without jeopardizing everything that she was worked for, but she could not because she knew that Helaena was right.
And while her desire to prove herself was strong, along with her natural untrusting nature wanting to emerge, the lives of a mother and child were currently at risk. Her selfishness could lead to Helaena's dream coming true and Laena and her child dying.
This isn't the same situation as mother and Elaera, or maybe it is. If Viserys, the fucking dream obsessed asshole that he is, knew that Helaena was real dreamer unlike himself, maybe he would have listened to me, and I would have seven living siblings instead of six.
Lilyanna sighed, looking at Helaena wearily, "Fine, who do you think we should tell?"
She's definitely not going to like this. Helaena thought but was able to relax now that she knew Lilyanna was trying.
~X~
I definitely don't like this. Why did I let Helaena talk me into this bullshit? Lilyanna thought as she and Helaena stood in Viserys' bedchamber, looking at the three adults in front of them, wearily and annoyed.
The twins had gone to their father for audience, asking the King that Rhaenyra and Rhaenys be brought as well because the topic the two of them wanted to discuss with him involved them as well.
Viserys broke the silence when he realized that neither girl was going to begin the conversation. "Helaena, Lilyanna, what is it that the two of you wished to discuss with us?"
Helaena looked at Lilyanna, "What are you waiting for? Tell them."
Lilyanna looked at her twin flabbergasted, "Me? What do you mean, I should tell them?"
"You're better than me when it comes to this kind of thing." Helaena answered.
"It's your fucking ability, so you should be the one to talk! We wouldn't even be here if you weren't so adamant on telling them!"
Helaena huffed, "Why can't you just do this? You're being very immature right now, no wonder I am the firstborn twin."
Lilyanna scoffed, "Those five minutes mean nothing and you know it! If you were really so mature you would do this yourself instead of trying to push all the responsibility onto me like a coward."
"Who are you calling a coward?"
"The coward standing next to me that I had the unfortunate fate of sharing a womb with."
Before the arguing could continue, Rhaenyra interrupted her sisters, "Girls, let's try not to get distracted. You wanted to speak to us, so speak."
Helaena and Lilyanna looked away from their older sister and towards each other, having a conversation with just their eyes.
After a few seconds, Lilyanna rolled hers before facing forward, "We wanted to tell you that Helaena is a Dragon Dreamer."
Really? Helaena thought, looking at her sister pointedly with how blunt she was.
You don't have any right to judge me right now, if you have a problem with my delivery, then you should have told them yourself. Lilyanna thought, catching the look Helaena had sent her.
Neither Viserys nor Rhaenys believe what Lilyanna had said, showing such on their faces but Rhaenyra's eyes widen slightly, and she had a look of vindication, as something that she had suspected but never said allowed was finally disclosed.
Viserys sighed, looking at his daughters, speaking in a slow and patronizing tone, "Now I know that dreams are of significant importance to our family's history, but there is a difference between normal dreams and those that predict the future, my dears. I too had found myself desiring to be a dreamer like Denys and had taken every dream I had as proof, but I have grown from those fallacies."
Lilyanna stared at Viserys deadpanned, an expression that the King had gotten used to getting from the young girl as of late. Lilyanna then turned to Helaena, "Helaena, tell them about the dagger, word for word."
Viserys frowned, "Lilyanna-"
"From my blood, come The Prince That Was Promised, and his will be the Song of Ice and Fire." Helaena said aloud, her voice taking on a tranquil and faraway inflection.
Viserys gawked at Helaena and Rhaenyra's clenched her fists, but it was Rhaenys who spoke first, staring at Helaena and Lilyanna strongly, "You have seen Aegon's Prophecy, haven't you?"
Viserys quickly turned to his cousin, "Ho-how do you even know about the prophecy, Rhaenys?"
The woman rolled her eyes as she looked towards the King, "You forget that I was once heir to the Iron Throne, cousin. Our grandfather showed my father the prophecy on Aegon's dagger after my birth, and then my father told me before my wedding."
Rhaenys was never quite sure if she believed the prophecy of a great calamity that would one day threaten the world. A dream that had come to Aegon the Conqueror, which led the man to begin his conquest of Westeros, unifying the continent under Targaryen rule, as to ensure that House Targaryen was in the position to one day protect it.
To her, Aegon and his sister-wives conquered Westeros simply because they could, because they desired an empire like the one that Old Valyria once was before The Doom destroyed it.
But Rhaenys could remember the seriousness of Aemon Targaryen as he told her about the prophecy, and how as Queen, she would be responsible for ensuring that the prophecy would be passed on to further generations and that said generations would be able to prevent it.
"As rulers, we must do what is necessary to protect this Kingdom, Rhaenys. No matter how much it hurts, no matter how much we must give up. That is our duty, it is a heavy burden to bear, and I hate that you will one day have to take it on, but I know that you do what is best for Westeros." Aemon had told her hours before she rode Meyles to her wedding.
It was her father's words along with the love she had for her cousins that kept her from truly fighting for the Iron Throne after the Great Council, after Jaehaerys died and Viserys ascended. To Rhaenys, it was the last thing she could do for Aemon, to honor the desire to do what was best for the realm, and the thing that would keep the realm together at the time was a male monarch.
Helaena turned to Rhaenys, "I... It is bleary and hard to interpret, but yes, I have seen glimpses of the Night. I see plenty of visions of the future."
"You have been able to do this all this time?" Rhaenyra asked knowingly, "That is why Lilyanna gave Luke her dragon egg, and why you were both so sure it would hatch? Why you were both so sure that... that Elaera would die the day she was born?"
"It is. Some of my dreams like the ones with Arrax and Elaera are clear to me, but others are not, but luckily, Lilyanna is usually there to help me interpret them as best she can."
"But you already knew that Helaena was a dreamer, didn't you?" Lilyanna asked Rhaenyra.
"I did, but I had no proof. You two are not the easiest to divulge secrets from." Rhaenyra said, smiling somewhat.
"Why?" Viserys asked, staring at Helaena as if he was seeing her for the first time. "Why did not neither of you say anything about Helaena's gift?"
Lilyanna crossed her arms, "It wasn't necessary to do so before now."
Viserys frowned, "Not necessary? Do you not understand what this means? Your sister has an ability that has not been seen since Denys the Dreamer, since Aegon the Conqueror! Do you not see how selfish it is to not use these dreams for the benefit of our family? Who knows how many things could have been prevented if you had both spoken up sooner?"
Lilyanna glared at her father, "This! This is why we didn't tell you; Helaena is not some tool for use to use whenever you want. Do you think she wants these dreams? To have to deal with the horrible things she sees whenever she closes her eyes? To not be able to sleep peacefully and soundly? To find herself in a near constant haze? This isn't a gift for her, it's a curse!"
Helaena placed a hand on Lilyanna shoulder, causing Lilyanna to relax at her touch. She appreciated her sister coming to her defense so fiercely, but Helaena understood that getting angry with their father would only cause the man to double down and return that anger with his own.
"Helaena isn't a tool, none of us think that." Rhaenyra said before looking at their father, "Right, father?"
Viserys cleared his throat, "That is right. I did not mean for you both to think that."
Yeah, right. Lilyanna thought sarcastically, still not trusting Viserys not to try and use Helaena's dreams for his own desires and call it duty.
"We should not be focusing on why they kept this secret, but why they are revealing it now." Rhaenys expressed, "You had a dream, didn't you, Helaena? One that either involves the three of us, or a dream that could come to pass without the three of us interfering."
Helaena looked at Lilyanna, who then took one of her hands and gave it a tight reassuring squeeze. Lilyanna smiled softly at her too, giving Helaena the strength she needed. "It's a bit of both."
Helaena explained everything that she could remember from her dream; how Laena struggled through childbirth, how the babe refused to turn within her womb, the healers informing Daemon how it was possible to save the babe by cutting Laena open, but Daemon not entertaining the idea, but Laena resolving to die a dragonrider's death, her walking to Vhagar and commanding the dragon to incinerate her and Vhagar reluctantly complying, burning Laena alive in front of Daemon.
A tense silence filled the room, Rhaenyra placed a hand over her mouth, a shuddering breath escaping her, Viserys' eyes widened, his mouth opening and closing as he failed to find the words. And Rhaenys' expression became stony, clenching her fists so tightly that her veins her bulging her skin turned white.
My daughter, dead? Rhaenys thought, "Was… was that all you saw?"
Helaena looked at Lilyanna nervously, unsure if they should tell them what happened after Laena's death.
Lilyanna decided that it would be best to tell them. "There's a funeral on Diftmark afterwards. Aemond will use the opportunity to claim Vhagar after Laena is laid to rest."
"That does not sound so bad; your brother has desired a dragon since he was old enough to know what a dragon was. Although he could have perhaps waited a day to do so." Viserys said.
Lilyanna continued, "When Aemond returned from claiming Vhagar, he found Jacaerys, Lucerys, Baela, and Rhaena waiting for him."
"What happened next?" Rhaenyra asked, knowing that her sister would not be mentioning this if something serious had not happened. Her voice cracked slightly, still processing the information that her cousin may die soon.
Lilyanna met her older sister's eye, "Baela and Rhaena were upset because Vhagar had been Laena's dragon. Rhaena had said that Vhagar was hers to claim because of this and called Aemond a thief. Aemond said she should ask Jacaerys and Lucerys to find a pig for her to ride. This caused Rhaena to try and hit him, and when Aemond shoved her to the ground Baela punched him in the face."
"And a fight ensued?" Rhaenyra asked, already knowing the answer.
"And a fight ensued." Lilyanna parroted, "Jacaerys and Lucerys joined the girls, and they began to fight Aemond. Aemond had started to overpower the four and soon threatened to smash Jacaerys' head in with a rock, this caused Lucerys to grab a knife that Jacaerys had brought and used it to cut Aemond, cutting out Aemond's eye."
Rhaenyra buried her face in her hands, "Seven fucking hells."
"So, I think you can all understand why Helaena and I came to you for help."
Viserys looked at Helaena panicked, "Can you tell when your dream will come to pass?"
Helaena shook her head, "No, but Lily and I have found that most of my dreams usually happen around a moon or two before they are supposed to happen. Some, like this one, become clearer and come more frequently days before."
"Then we have to act now." Rhaenys claimed.
Lilyanna nodded her head, "Helaena and I want to go to Pentos."
"To Pentos?" Viserys asked.
"I want to help Laena during childbirth."
"Lilyanna-"
"Father," Rhaenyra spoke, her voice taking on a steely tone. "Lilyanna has more than proven that she knows what she is doing in matters such as this, or did you forget who delivered my twins just a short time ago? We can't let this be another Elaera."
Viserys visibly tensed as he heard Elaera's name, and a pool of guilt filled his stomach as he saw the accusing and saddened expressions on his daughters' faces.
He did not respond, not knowing what to say as he knew that this was just another thing that his children could never forgive him for.
"We want one of you to come with us so you can convince Daemon to let me help Laena. He would not trust us anywhere near her if we went by ourselves, and I'm not looking to face the wrong end of Dark Sister." Lilyanna said.
"Daemon would not do that; you are his nieces. If things are explained to him properly, my brother will see reason." Viserys argued.
"He will not see my sisters as your daughters, but Otto Hightower's grandchildren." Rhaenyra stated, "But you are right, father, thing must be explained to Daemon. Rhaenys-"
"I will go with the twins." Rhaenys interjected, "And we will leave immediately."
"Lily and I wanted to leave tomorrow." Helaena voiced.
Rhaenys nodded her head in agreement, fighting her desire to run to Meleys and fly to her daughter and granddaughters right this very moment.
Rhaenyra sighed, "How are we going to tell your mother that you are going to another continent."
Especially a continent that has Daemon on it. Rhaenyra thought, knowing how much Alicent disliked her uncle, a feeling that was more than mutual.
"We won't tell her. Do you honestly think that mother will accept using telling her that Helaena had a prophetic dream, so we must go to Pentos to save our aunt's life?" Lilyanna asked, "Mother is not a woman who puts stock in magic or anything Valyrian to be honest."
"And tell her what?" Rhaenyra asked.
"You will figure it out, Rhaenyra. Right now, Helaena, Lilyanna, and Rhaenys should prepare to leave by the morning." Viserys said.
Rhaenyra frowned as she turned to her father, "What do you mean I will figure out what to tell her? Alicent is your wife and Helaena and Lilyanna are your daughters!"
Viserys coughed into his hand, unable to meet Rhaenyra's gaze. "Alicent will take the news better if it comes from you. I am sure she will prefer your gentle and more comforting approach."
Lilyanna could not stop herself from snickering at this, as it was obvious that Viserys was afraid of Alicent's reaction and was throwing Rhaenyra to the proverbial wolves to avoid Alicent's questioning and anger.
Rhaenyra grinded her teeth together, feeling that it was typical of Viserys to avoid confrontation by making her do what he should be doing instead. Although, she could not deny that Viserys would likely find a way to anger Alicent further if he were the one to speak to her.
Alicent was no fool, anything Rhaenyra would say would immediately be questioned and seen as suspicious. She thought about telling the Queen the truth, but she was unsure of how Alicent would take it.
What in the hells am I going to tell Alicent?
~X~
The Next Day
"What do you mean that my daughters left the city unaccompanied, Rhaenyra?" Alicent asked the other woman, staring at her coldly.
Rhaenyra had gone to Alicent's chambers that morning, having come back from the Dragonpit a few hours prior. Before the sun had risen, she, Helaena, Lilyanna, and Rhaenys had used the tunnels to sneak out of the castle and make their way to the Dragonpit, something that surprised Rhaenyra as she did not know that the other three knew about the secret passageways.
Rhaenys scoffed when she asked this, telling her who did she think Daemon learned about the existence of Maegor's tunnels from. And Rhaenyra was unsure how to feel about how Rhaenys knew that Daemon was the one to show them to her, so she quickly asked her sisters and Helaena only said that she saw the tunnels in a dream.
Rhaenyra had watched as Dreamfyre and Meleys took off into the sky, waiting until the two dragons disappeared over the horizon before returning to the Keep.
"Helaena and Lilyanna left King's Landing with Rhaenys, they have gone to Pentos." Rhaenyra said bracing herself from Alicent's reaction.
"They went where?!" Alicent yelled, "Why would they go to Pentos with Rhaenys, why would you let them go to Pentos?!"
Rhaenyra told her old friend the truth; about Helaena being a dreamer, to the dream she had of Laena, and even what Lilyanna had told them of Driftmark and Laena's funeral.
It's better I tell her now, I do not know how long it will take for Helaena and Lilyanna to return, but we are supposed to leave for Dragonstone in tomorrow. Alicent will be furious if we get to Dragonstone, and they are not there. Rhaenyra rationed.
Alicent looked at Rhaenyra as if she had lost her mind, sneering at her as her body shook with barely contained rage. "A dream? You are telling me that you, Rhaenys, and my husband, decided to take my daughters to Pentos, to have them around people they do not know and cannot trust, over a dream? Are you even hearing yourself right now?"
"Alicent, I know that it sounds insane, but it is the truth. Have you not wondered why Helaena and Lilyanna are always so sure when it comes to certain things? Why is Helaena always lost in her own mind? It's because she is a dreamer."
Alicent shook her head, turning away from Rhaenyra, "You know your father claimed to be a dreamer once?"
Rhaenyra clenched her fists, knowing about the dream Viserys once had of a son bearing the Conquerors crown, of the dragons all roaring as one as said son ascended the Iron Throne. "I know, you don't have to tell me how that story ended."
Alicent ignored this, "He told me, 'What is the power of a dragon next to the power of prophecy?' Now it seems he is once again allowing his obsession with creating a grand legacy for himself to consume him by trying to force this through my child. And you are enabling this, I thought after everything... why am I even surprised?"
Rhaenyra stepped forward, standing directly behind Alicent. "Don't compare me to my father, I did not agree to this plan for some sense of grandeur, but because the lives of my cousin and her child are in danger. I know that you don't believe in dreams or magic, if this were a decade ago, I would be thinking the same, but I have seen differently."
"So, that gives you and Viserys the right to dictate what to do with my children without my knowledge and say? If I had done this to you, you would hear none of what I had to say in defense." Alicent said as she turned her head.
"You are right; I would not care what you had to say, I would have been furious if I were you." Rhaenyra agreed, "And I promise not to do such again, Helaena and Lilyanna had only gone to my father and I because they were afraid that you would not believe them."
"I wouldn't have." Alicent said softly, the admittance a bitter taste on her tongue, seeing that her daughters did not feel like they could tell her this. "They would have found a way to leave even if they had come to me, wouldn't they?"
Rhaenyra smiled, an amused breath escaping her, "I think we both know that Lilyanna finds rules and decrees to be nothing more than suggestions and has taught Helaena to think the same."
Alicent shook her head, trying to smile but it falling as she looked at Rhaenyra, "If anything were to them-"
"They will safe."
"You cannot promise that."
"They will be safe." Rhaenyra repeated, "And they will return, I can promise you that."
Alicent sighed, her thoughts and emotions still swirling around inside her, not sure that to say in the face of Rhaenyra's stubborn words.
"Alicent-"
"Just… just don't ever do this again, Rhaenyra." Alicent said quietly, "I can't have two of my children disappearing like this again without me knowing, no matter the reason."
"I won't." Rhaenyra replied.
Alicent started at Rhaenyra for a few moments, she opened her mouth to speak but quickly closed it, shaking her head before walking past Rhaenyra and leaving her own bed chamber.
Rhaenyra sighed as she watched Alicent leave, staring at her from the now opened doors, and ignoring the way Criston would turn his head to look at her as he followed Alicent.
Rhaenyra knew that Alicent was going to confront Viserys about this, something that the King wanted to avoid. This did make Rhaenyra feel slightly better as she imagined Alicent yelling at Viserys.
But seeing Alicent so resigned and defeated, quickly killed this feeling within her.
Alicent was scared for the well-being of her children and now felt as if her being Helaena and Lilyanna's mother did not matter.
Alicent was not wrong when she said that if Rhaenyra were in her position that she would not have reacted as tamely as she did.
I think I would have preferred Alicent continuing to scream at me, then seeing her so sad. Rhaenyra thought as she finally left Alicent's bedroom.
~X~
Hours Later
Lilyanna could not deny freedom she felt as she rode through the sky on Dreamfyre's back. Despite what others may think due to her lack of issue with having one of her own, Lilyanna enjoyed being able to ride atop a dragon, having no issue doing so behind one of her family members, she too finding the expression to be incomparable to most other things.
But her enjoyment was diminished as she remembered why she, Helaena, and Rhaenys had flown across the Narrow Sea.
When they finally saw Pentos in the distance, Lilyanna compared it size to that of King's Landing, but that was the only trait the two cities shared. Pentos had many square brick towers, walled estates, tiled roofs, and massive high walls.
And Lilyanna noted the smell of unwashed bodies, rotting food, and human excrement was minimal, nowhere near as strong as the scent that came from their own capital city. Along with the streets no being as filled with people, nor as dirty.
"Where are they staying?" Helaena asked aloud, yelling over the sounds of the streets below them and the wind brushing past them to get Rhaenys' attention.
"With the Prince of Pentos. Laena had written to me that they were guests in his estate." Rhaenys shouted back.
Helaena looked at the ground and back at Rhaenys, "And where is that?"
"We don't need to know where the estate is, we just need to find Caraxes and Vhagar. Daemon and Laena won't be far from their dragons." Lilyanna stated.
"Let us hope." Rhaenys said.
It did not take long for them to spot the large form of Vhagar near the northern part of the city, the dragon was resting on the sparse ground, with the smaller Caraxes nearby.
The Blood Wyrm lifted its head as it saw them approaching, roaring at them in greeting, his deviated septum giving his roar a sound and quality that Helaena and Lilyanna had never heard before.
Vhagar's head snapped in their direction, quickly rising, she did not roar as Caraxes did, only silently staring at them as they landed.
As they dismounted, Lilyanna looked at Vhagar in awe, "You're telling me that when she was our age, Laena walked up and claimed that thing?"
Calling Vhagar huge felt like an understatement, the dragon more than eclipsed the palace nearby, their scales, horns, wings, wing bones, and spinal crest were the color of bronze, and its teeth and claws were longer and wider than longswords.
Lilyanna could more than understand why the Greens were on equal footing with the Blacks in terms of raw power, despite the Blacks having more dragons as she looked at Vhagar. And she could understand why it took Daemon and Caraxes committing what was essentially a suicide charge to take down Aemond and Vhagar at the God's Eye.
"It's scarier when you remember that Balerion was bigger than Vhagar is now." Helaena added, equally awed.
"Our aunt is bloody mad." Lilyanna whispered, "Aemond too, only madness would let you think trying to command such a monster, is wise."
Just as Rhaenys was going to tell the two that they did not have time to admire the old dragon, a group of armed men ran out of the palace, their swords drawn as they stopped a few feet away, trying to keep their distance from the two unfamiliar dragons and the people with them.
"You are trespassing on the estate of the Prince of Pentos!" The man at the head of the group shouted, "State your business, now!"
A derisive scoff could be heard from behind the group, "Is it not obvious? Who else but Targaryens do you fools know that can ride dragons?"
The armed men parted, making a path, and revealing their Prince, Reggio Haratis, along with the man who had spoken, his heavily pregnant wife, and their twin daughters.
Daemon Targaryen was tall, taller than most people in the yard, with broad shoulders, muscular arms, and a flat stomach. He had the classic Valyrian appearance; long platinum blond hair that reached past his neck, dark purple eyes, a strong jawline, and pouty lips that made him nothing short of handsome.
Daemon looked at Rhaenys first and raised an eyebrow as he looked at the two girls standing next to her. "Cousin, what a surprise."
An elbow nudged Daemon's arm in reprimand from the woman next to him. "Daemon don't be rude. Although, I cannot say he is wrong, what brings you all the way here, mother? You did not write to tell me you were coming."
If Daemon was very handsome, then Laena Velaryon could be described as exceedingly beautiful. Laena had a great mane of silver ringlets that fell past her waist, plush lips, rich golden-brown skin, cheekbones, and the same lilac purple eyes as Rhaenys.
Rhaenys' eyes softened as she took in her daughter, seeing her healthy and alive. It caused a sliver of doubt to form in the back of her mind, thinking that Helaena and Lilyanna might have been wrong, but she squashed that thought, knowing it was not a risk that she could take. answered, "It was a last-minute decision, one that I-we must speak to you about."
"We?" Laena asked as her eyes left her mother and fell on the girls, she smiled, but her confusion was evident. "And who might these two be?"
"They are the King's daughters." Rhaenys replied, "What we need to discuss involves them."
"Really? And what would we need to discuss with the Queen's spawn?" Daemon asked, looking at Helaena and Lilyanna with disgust.
Rhaenys rolled her eyes, "Perhaps we can go inside, and you can find out?"
Daemon crossed his arms, continuing to stare at Helaena and Lilyanna. Helaena began to pick at her fingers under the weight of Daemon's gaze, a trait she learned from their mother. Lilyanna, pulled her sister's hands apart and held one of them, stepping in front of Helaena and blocking her from view, much to Daemon's amusement.
Reggio cleared his throat, gaining everyone's attention, "I would be honored to welcome more of Westeros' royal family into my humble abode."
Humble abode? You live in a castle that's the size of four manses. Lilyanna thought.
"And if what you must speak about is of such importance, then who am I not to offer entry for my esteemed guests?"
Rhaenys walked forward, immediately hugging Laena, and speaking to the younger girls who were standing with Laena when they released.
Baela and Rhaena Targaryen looked more like their mother than their father, sharing the same fine features, silver, and hair, both slim and short of stature. They had Daemon's eye color, and the twins were not identical, Baela's curly hair was cropped short, stopped just a little below the ear and her skin was slightly darker, and Rhaena's face was longer, and her nose was flatter.
The two would glance at Helaena and Lilyanna, curious as they had never met any of their cousins before.
The group began to walk into the palace, but Helaena stopped walking when she realized that her sister was not following the. Lilyanna was staring at Caraxes and Vhagar, and the two dragons were staring back, the three lost in the eyes of the other.
"Lily?" Helaena asked, gently shaking Lilyanna arm.
Lilyanna jumped slightly at the touch, turning around to see who touched her. "What's wrong, Hels?"
Helaena pointed to where their family and the Pentoshi, gesturing to how the group was leaving them behind.
"Oh." Lilyanna said lamely, turning back towards the two dragons.
"Do you feel something with them?" Helaena asked.
"Kind of." Lilyanna replied, "But don't know how to explain properly, but it's the same feeling I used to get around Dreamfyre and Meleys."
"What?"
"Familiarity."
When Lilyanna first met the two, she dragons, it felt as if she was seeing old friends again, which was different compared to the other dragons she had met. She did not know why, as she was sure that she would remember meeting two giant fire breathing lizards.
Helaena grabbed Lilyanna's hand, "We can figure it out later."
Lilyanna allowed Helaena to pull her along, ignoring the suspicious way Daemon kept looking back at them as she glanced at Caraxes and Vhagar.
~X~
Bold and italicized – Laena's words Italicized – Daemon's words (Will be obvious when used)
"Do you truly expect us to believe this nonsense?" Daemon asked with a sneer, "I know my brother is obsessed with proving our family to be prophets, but I did not think he would such you into his madness, Rhaenys."
"I would not be here if I did not believe, Daemon." Rhaenys commented, "Helaena has already told Viserys, Rhaenyra, and I about previous dreams she has had."
Laena had not said anything since they entered the room, and she was told about Helaena's dream concerning her and her unborn child. She rubbed her stomach, lost in thought as she did not know whether to believe it all or not.
Rhaenys was not a liar; her mother would not have come to Pentos unless she was sure the dream was true.
"Dragon dreams are not real; they are the belief of those who try to explain the reasonable with tall tales." Daemon growled, "And I certainly won't entertain a dream from two little Hightowers."
Lilyanna rolled her eyes, finding this back-and-forth tedious. "Helaena, tell them about the conversation they had about coming back to Westeros."
Daemon turned to Lilyanna glaring at her, "What are-"
Helaena cut him off as she did what Lilyanna told her, "You are considering Prince Reggio's offer. We have a good life here, we're free to do as we please, welcomed, and feted. And eternally guests. Precisely. We are without responsibility, the political scheming, the endless shifting of loyalties and succession is none of ours."
Laena's eyes widen as she remembered the conversation Helaena was repeating word for word as Daemon jumped to his feet, taken aback, "What the hell?"
Helaena continued to recite Laena and Daemon's words, "They are using us. It's refreshing, isn't it? A simple transaction; we have dragons, they have gold. We are more than this, Daemon. We are not minstrels or mummers who play at the pleasure of an alien prince. We are the blood of Old Valyria; we don't belong here. Valyria is gone. We don't belong anywhere. I want my child to be born where I was born, on Driftmark, in my lord father's castle. I want my daughters to be raised in their homeland with their family according to their birthright. And at my end, I want to die a dragonrider's death, not that of some fat country lord."
After a few moments, Lilyanna spoke, "So, do you believe us now, or does my sister need to recite even more conversations you two have had that she can't possible do otherwise?"
Daemon looked away from the two of them and towards his wife, his gaze falling onto her rounded stomach.
Laena reached over and gently held one of his hands, "Daemon, she could not have known about that conversation. We have never met Helaena and Lilyanna before now, neither of us have written to anyone in King's Landing."
Daemon's jaw clenched, allowing Laena to hold his hand, and looking at the two girls from the corner of his eye.
This is extremely dramatic. Lilyanna thought, annoyed that Daemon was seemingly trying to find any way he could to deny what was now undeniable.
Laena took her husband's silence as confirmation that he was willing to listen as she turned back to her mother and nieces. "What can be done?"
Lilyanna sat up, "I recently helped Rhaenyra deliver her twins."
Laena let out an amused breath, "Yes, Laenor wrote to me about that, and my father wrote to me about you causing my brother to faint."
"I didn't cause that coward to faint." Lilyanna muttered, "Regardless, I believe that I can do the same for you. The problem that occurred in Helaena's vision is that the babe refused to turn, and because of that they were deprived of air for too long, I can prevent that."
Lanea smiled, "Thank you."
"You seem quite confident in yourself." Daemon spoke, staring at Lilyanna blankly.
"I am." Lilyanna said plainly.
Daemon's gaze grew colder, "Let's hope that your confidence is not misplaced."
"And if it is?"
Daemon smiled at her, and Lilyanna felt a shiver race down her spine as she watched how the man in front of her straightened his posture, his hand lazily resting on the pommel of Dark Sister, and his smile having more teeth than necessary.
Laena sighed and placed a hand on her forehead, "Daemon, stop threating little girls."
"I'm not threating anyone." Daemon argued, still smiling sharply at Lilyanna, "I am promising, that if she fails, then I'll will use Dark Sister to make her into a real girl."
Laena removed her hand from her face and glared at Daemon, she had long since gotten used to his abrasive and callous attitude towards others, but that did not mean she liked it.
Helaena turned to her sister, "What does that mean?"
"He wants to use his fancy sword to castrate me." Lilyanna said without delay, staring at Daemon with a bored expression, unbothered by the threat.
From what I know of Daemon's character, him making threats is usually just that, threats. It's when he doesn't open that big mouth of his that you have to worry about what he does.
Helaena turned, looking at Daemon with disapproval and anger, "Well, that wasn't very nice. He should keep such thoughts to himself and remember that he is speaking to two of his King's children."
Lilyanna snickered as she watched the incredulous expression on Daemon's face in response to her sister's words.
"So, we just need to wait for my labors?" Laena asked, bringing everyone back to the important topic of discussion.
Lilyanna nodded, "There is nothing that can be done until then; a nuchal cord developed during the birth which is what led to the delay in the labor that took both of your lives in Helaena's dream. It can be corrected during your labor when the babe must be turned, trying to do so now would have no effect."
Laena looked at Lilyanna blankly, "That's good?"
Lilyanna smiled as the reaction reminded her of Laenor's when Rhaenyra was birthing Visenya and Joffrey.
Hopefully, this birth will go as smoothly as that one did. Although if it doesn't, at least Daemon will kill me before mother has a chance to.
~X~
A Few Hours Later
"So, you're our cousin?"
Helaena turned around when she heard those words, seeing Baela and Rhaena standing a few feet behind her.
Who she assumed was Baela looked at her suspiciously, using her body to partially block Rhaena from view, but Rhaena leaned her head to the side, giving her a tentative smile from behind her sister's back.
"I am." Helaena replied, leaning against Dreamfyre's neck, scratching it as Dreamfyre growled at the younger girls when they approached, claiming the dragon down.
Helaena had left Lilyanna with Laena and Rhaenys, having grown tired of Daemon's gaze, it had reminded her of how Viserys looked at her when she revealed that she was a dream.
Amazed, questioning, and greedy.
"Why did you come here? And what did you have to speak with our parents about?" Baela asked.
Helaena looked away, "I'm not sure that I should be the one to tell you."
Rhaena frowned, "No one is telling us anything, we deserve to know if something is wrong."
"My sister wants to help your mother deliver your new sibling." Helaena finally answered, choosing to leave certain things out.
"Why? We have healers."
"My sister wants to test her skills. She's become very confident since helping our sister, Rhaenyra, deliver her youngest children almost two moons ago."
Helaena was relieved when Baela and Rhaena seemed to believe her, not asking anymore questions on the subject.
Baela looked away from Helaena and towards the dragon behind her. "That's Dreamfyre, right?"
"Yes, she is." Helaena said, scratching Dreamfyre's jaw again, "You know about my dragon?"
"Uncle Laenor and our grandparents often write to mother about life in King's Landing and Driftmark." Rhaena answered, "And Uncle Laenor tells her a lot about all of you."
Helaena hummed, "Do you wish to touch her?"
Baela grinned and ran towards Helaena, only glancing at Helaena, and when the older girl nodded her head, she placed her hands on Dreamfyre.
Dreamfyre purred under the touch, much to Baela's amazement. "She's so much bigger than Caraxes."
"But not as much as Vhagar." Helaena said before looking at Rhaena, "Do you not wish to touch Dreamfyre?"
Rhaena flinched before slowly making her way to where her sister and cousin were standing. She looked at Dreamfyre slightly afraid but also amazed. "Sh-she is my namesake's dragon."
Rhaena hesitated as she placed a hand on Dreamfyre, relaxing as Dreamfyre remained calm, continuing to purr.
"I thought you were named after grandmother?" Baela asked her sister.
Rhaena looked at her sister blankly, "I am, but the first Rhaena was also named after her own grandmother, Queen Rhaenys."
"I knew that." Baela looked away and muttered.
Rhaena rolled her eyes, "You wouldn't have asked if you did."
Baela glared at Rhaena, and the two began arguing with each other. But they soon stopped when they heard Helaena laughing.
Baela frowned, "What's so funny?"
Helaena shook her head, a bright smile on her lips. "You two reminded me of myself and Lilyanna."
She could see the love between the youngers girls, knowing that the words carried no real intention behind them, a lot like how she and her own sister would often argue with each other.
"How is it to fly with Dreamfyre? Rhaena and I have flown before but only on the backs of our parents' dragons. My dragon, Moondancer, hatched from my cradle egg, so she's too small to fly." Baela asked Helaena.
"It's like nothing else." Helaena said, looking into Dreamfyre's eye as she smiled. "Flying together is a true solidification of our bond; I remember feeling far closer to Dreamfyre after our first flight."
"That must be nice." Rhaena said, her gaze falling to the floor.
Unlike her sister's, Rhaena's dragon egg refused to hatch, remaining cold and dormant, and despite her constant hopes and attempts to hatch it, Rhaena knew that no dragon would emerge from it.
She tried to find strength in her mother's words, that just because her egg did not hatch, did not mean that she would never become a dragonrider, but seeing the rest of her family with their own dragons, made it hard for her to believe Laena.
This always made her feel as if she did not belong, like she was the piece that did not fit properly with the others, and this was not helped by her father's favoritism.
Rhaena knew that having a dragon was not the only reason that Daemon preferred Baela over her. Baela may have had their mother's looks, but she was their father's miniature in terms of personality and temperament, along with having the same hobbies and interests.
Rhaena could not help but feel that her own lack of a dragon is why Daemon never really bothered to try and bond with her like he did with Baela.
She had told Laena about her feelings, and her mother reassured her that her father did love her and that she was not a disappointment to him. That Daemon was not a man who was good at vocalizing his emotions and simply struggled with showing his feelings.
I don't care if he struggles, I just want father to say that he cares. Rhaena thought to herself.
When she looked back up, staring at Dreamfyre, Rhaena knew that she wanted want Helaena and Baela had more than anything. She did not want to be outside looking in, to finally see what she has been missing for so long.
~X~
The Next Day
"My prince please, I must advise you again that allowing this child to watch over your lady wife, is not a sound idea. She knows nothing about childbirth or medicine; you cannot trust the lady and her babe's lives in her hands." The head healer said to Daemon.
In the early hours of the morning, Laena had begun her labor, Lilyanna immediately rushing to the woman's bedside.
Despite his reservations, Daemon reluctantly allowed Lilyanna into the room, standing by the door, and never taking his eyes of her and Laena as she worked.
Word had spread of his wife's condition, and the midwives that Reggio had in his employ had quickly converged, offering their services to the princess, something Lilyanna accepted. The healers, on the other hand, were not as accepting of a twelve-year-old girl delivering a child, making their displeasure known when they were refused entry into the bedchamber.
Daemon stared at the man coldly, "I will not repeat myself, you shriveled little cunt, that brat in there will be looking after my wife and you and the rest of your ilk can fuck off."
With that, Daemon slammed the door in the men's faces and went back to leaning against the wall, his attention returning to his wife and Lilyanna. "You remember what I told you, little Hightower?"
Lilyanna stared at Daemon for a few seconds, "Are you always so pleasant or have I somehow brought this out of you?"
Daemon's expression darkened, unfolding his arms, and placing a hand on the pommel of his sword as she pushed himself off the wall.
"Enough." Rhaenys hissed at Daemon before turning to Lilyanna, "Focus on my daughter, Lilyanna."
The elder princess had refused to leave her daughter's side once Laena had begun her labors, holding her hand for the last few hours. The woman's fear was palpable even if she did not admit it, wanting to be there if anything went wrong.
Lilyanna did as she was told, turning back to Laena as she wiped the sweat from the woman's forehead. So far everything seemed to be going well, but Lilyanna knew how quickly things could change during childbirth, so she did not allow herself to become complacent.
"Bring more towels." Lilyanna told one of the midwives as more blood flowed from Laena's legs.
Laena groaned as another contraction ripped through her body, squeezing her mother's hand tightly as the pain intensified. Right now, it did not feel as bad as it did when she gave birth to the twins, and she was trying her hardest to relax but the idea that she could die here refused to leave her.
Death was something that all women knew could come for them during childbirth, they were taught to make peace with the possible of dying so that they may bring life into the world, but this possibility never felt more real for Laena than it did now.
I am supposed to die today. Laena thought, squeezing Rhaenys' hand again, ignoring the look of concern she sent her way.
"Are you feeling well?" Lilyanna asked, and Laena could see the way she and everyone else in the room was now looking at her; perturbed and confused
It was only then that Laena realized the reason for the looks was because she was laughing slightly aloud. But she could not help but find this all amusing in a morbid sense; she was supposed to die today, her fate seen by a twelve-year-old girl, and the only thing that was keeping her from this fate was another twelve-year-old girl who was more knowledgeable than most trained maesters.
It's so ludicrous, but here I am.
Daemon clenched his fists as he heard his wife's laughter, not knowing what to do and feeling completely useless.
He could not lessen Laena's pain, he could not make the delivery faster, ensure that their child was born healthy and alive. All he could do was stand there watching the scene in front of him, hating every second of it.
Another hour passed, and Laena's contractions grew closer together, and despite feeling her cervix widening, Lilyanna did not see any sign of the child, meaning that they were in the wrong position.
Relax, we still have time before it becomes serious. Lilyanna thought to herself before looking at the midwives, "I need your help getting her onto her feet."
Lilyanna looked at Laena, speaking to her softly. "Aunt Laena, I need you stand, babe isn't going to come while you are on your back."
Laena nodded tiredly, allowing the midwives to help her stand, feeling agony with each movement that was taken as she was moved to the foot of the bed.
Rhaenys had let go of Laena's hand, reluctantly allowing Lilyanna the midwives to surround Laena as she stayed at the top of the bed, staring in her daughter's eyes.
"Place your hands on the bed posts." Lilyanna said, gently moving Laena's hands to the posts, placing a hand on Laena's back and pushing the woman down carefully so that she was now standing at an angle.
She then went to her bag, pulling out the green liquid numbing medication and a spoon, opening the jar and pouring it onto the spoon before holding it in front of Laena's face. "Drink this; it will numb the pain."
Laena leaned forward and slurped the concoction, a grimace appearing on her face at the medication's offending aftertaste.
After a few minutes, Lilyanna saw the effects that the medication was having on Laena, causing her body to relax and the signs of pain leaving her face. She then turned to the midwives, "You two, hold her arms in place, and the rest of you help me turn her onto her side."
Laena groaned, while she was not hurt by everyone moving her this time, it still felt strange and unnatural to have her upper half turned to the side while her bottom half remained straight, especially with her large belly in the way, hindering the group's efforts.
Lilyanna pushed her hands against Laena's stomach, massaging the skin deeply with her fingers, trying to turn the child this way as even just being slightly off would prevent them from emerging.
Every few minutes, Lilyanna would stop massaging Laena's stomach, bending down to check and see if the crowning had begun. When it finally did, Lilyanna was smiling from ear to ear as she watched the head beginning to show.
"They're coming, breath deeper and get ready to push when I tell you to." Lilyanna said as she stood back up.
More blood began to trickle down Laena's legs, pooling on the ground and around her feet, the sensation causing Laena to shiver.
"Breath, now push."
Laena pushed, the action feeling strange as she was not in agony, but she could feel the struggle it took to push along with the sensation of her child trying to come forth. She likened it to having a limb fall asleep; you could still feel that part of your body while at the same time it was numb and heavy.
She pushed each time Lilyanna told her too, gritting her teeth and tightening her grip on the bed posts as she struggled.
Lilyanna looked and saw that more of the baby was beginning to come forth, "I need a stronger push."
Laena grunted, pushing the hardest she could before she slumped onto the bed, breathing heavily as she could finally relax.
Lilyanna caught the newborn; she did not take the time to look over the baby as she quickly realized that the child in her arms was silent, their eyes were closed, and their chest was not moving.
Daemon stalked forward, "What is wrong with my child?!"
Lilyanna ignored him as she lifted the newborn to her shoulder, patting their back and then using her hand to rub circles and repeating this process.
She threw her head back, relieved when a cough followed by loud cries were heard and she could feel the babe's chest moving against her own.
That was way too fucking close. Lilyanna thought as she adjusted the babe so that they were now laying on her forearm. But once she did this, Lilyanna's eyes widened when she truly looked at the child for the first time, taking in the finer details of their appearance through the blood, vernix caseosa, and amniotic fluid they were covered in.
What the fuck?
Rhaenys walked towards Lilyanna, standing beside Lilyanna as the young girl's expression remained frozen in shock. "What is wrong with..."
What in the seven hells? Rhaenys thought as she looked at her newest grandchild, her expression the same as Lilyanna's.
Daemon raised an eyebrow as he moved to stand on Lilyanna's other side, looking down at his newborn child, wondering what could have caused Rhaenys, his normally reserved cousin to lose her composure.
Huh... Daemon thought, looking at his youngest child in disbelief, never having seen anything like it.
"You are all scaring me, what is wrong with my babe?" Laena asked as she was lying on the bed again.
The expressions of the three in front of her were of dumbfoundment, each completely shocked into silence, doing nothing but heightening her nervousness and fear even more.
Laena glared at the three, "Can someone tell me what is wrong with my child?
Lilyanna blinked, clearing her throat as she turned around, "Let me wash him for you first."
I have a son. But that can't be the reason for their shock, so what is going on? Laena thought as she tried to calm down.
Lilyanna quickly returned with the newborn wrapped in a red blanket, glancing between mother and child as she placed them in Laena's arms.
Laena did not waste time removing the blanket from most of the babe's body, and when she did, she understood the shock that her husband, mother, and niece had experienced.
The newborn had silver-gold hair and the parts of his skin that Laena could see were the same shade of brown as her own, but it was the rest of his body that was concerning. Most of his body was covered in bronze dragon-like scales, small leathery wings on his back that resembled that of a bat, and a small stub of a tail that matched the color of his scales.
"Oh..." Laena whispered, encapsulating the feelings of the room.
Comments
Kas the Weeb
Laena and her son living will have effects on the world, as with the many other things Lilyanna has had a hand in. And I definitely don't plan on having them saved just to kill them so quickly. I think Lilyanna would have a mental break if that happened.
Kas the Weeb
Thanks, although I can't take all the credit for coming up with the idea, in Fire & Blood, the babe that Laena gives birth to was said to be twisted and malformed. So I just changed it was his deformity was him being a baby dragon. I've also read another fic with such an idea (A Saga of Tanya the Evil x HOTD fic) And if he came out with horns, I don't think there would have been anything Lily could have done to keep Laena alive. And I do have an idea for the dragon Aemond will claim since Vhagar is unavailable. And it will happen soon since the royal family is going to be on Dragonstone. And with Rhaenyra and Alicent, I wanted to lean into the ide the show brought up about the two of them being different when it comes to motherhood. I imagine that Alicent is kind of jealous of how easily being a mother comes to Rhaenyra and now with Helaena and Lilyanna going to Rhaenyra with all of this and not her, it feeds into this insecurity and inadequacy thar she feels.
Alliebutt
Interesting. Can't wait to see what the kid and his mamma's future holds now that both of them lived. I really hope nothing happens that ends up undoing their hard work in making sure both of them lived through the birth.
KaeKat
GASP A literal dragon boy! Really surprised of the reveal ∑(°Д°) Glad that he didn't have horns lol. Also really curious how it goes from here, now that Aemond may not claim Vhagar. Glad to see more Rhaenrya and Alicent one on one interactions!! Gosh damn it we all know you guys still care for each other ;_; And yeah sad to see Alicent feeling inadequate as a mother, Rhaenrya should give her a hug
