Chapter Text
Rhaenyra VII
“What about Daenys?” Rhaenyra asked as she gazed down at her youngest daughter. She tilted her head, her eyes narrowing slightly as she tried to picture the name suiting the little one in her arms. “Daenys Targaryen the Second,” she murmured thoughtfully. Her lips quirked as she tried the name aloud again, testing it. “Hello, Daenys. Daenys. Daenys,” she repeated, each time shifting her tone—soft, high pitched, and then low. The baby stirred lightly in her arms, letting out a small yawn before nestling closer against Rhaenyra’s chest.
Rhaenyra chuckled under her breath, brushing a finger along the baby’s soft cheek. “Hmm, not impressed, are you?” she said with a smile, her voice low and affectionate.
“I can't say I blame her,” Laena chuckled, a small smile stretching across her face as she watched Rhaenyra and their baby. “Daenys is a lovely name but it doesn’t fit her.”
Rhaenyra pursed her lips as she continued to stare at their baby. She was beginning to doze off, her eyes growing heavier as her breathing began to even out. The sight caused Rhaenyra’s heart to swell as she watched the baby fall asleep. Goosebumps ran up her arms as they always did whenever she gazed at her newest child for any period of time.
The alpha scanned her daughter's face, still trying to imagine her with the name Daenys. At four days old, her newest daughter did not have many defining features yet. Just a little round face, button nose, and a dimpled chin. She looked like each one of her siblings had when they were newborns.
After a moment Rhaenyra turned back to Laena, “She doesn’t have a look yet.”
“I know she doesn't,” The omega was stretched across the couch by the fireplace, her eyes shut as she spoke. “But that doesn't change the fact that she doesn’t look like a Daenys.”
“Maybe she’ll grow into the name.”
“I’m not sold,” Laena said softly. Rhaenyra pursed her lips again as she turned back to their little baby. She began to rock her again, looking over her face as she attempted to think of another name.
After a few moments, she said, “What about Aemma?”
“You want to name her after your Mother?” Laena cracked her eyes open and turned to Rhaenyra, giving her a surprised look. Rhaenyra shrugged as she attempted to conceal a smile.
“Well, it might make her a little less angry at us…” Rhaenyra suggested, causing Laena to let out a peel of laughter.
“Rhaenyra, we are not naming our child after your mother to garner some goodwill.” Laena winced as she moved to sit up. “Besides, as much as I love your mother and think she has a beautiful name, I don't think it suits the baby.” Rhaenyra moved across the room and took a seat on the chair across from Laena.
“Aemma,” Rhaenyra said as she looked down at the baby, she frowned as she turned back to Laena who was shaking her head. “You’re right, it doesn’t fit her does it?”
“No,” Laena said as she leaned forward and pushed the baby's blanket back just a little so she could get a better look at their newborn's cute little face. Laena studied it for a moment before saying, “Rhaenys?”
“Hey,” Rhaenyra said quickly, causing Laena to laugh. “If we can’t name the baby after my mother, we’re not naming her after yours! Besides, Rhaenys certainly doesn’t fit her innocent little face.”
That quickly sobered up Laena, “What is that supposed to mean?”
Rhaenyra paused for a moment, deciding to pick her words very carefully. “It’s just when I think of the name Rhaenys, I think of your mother’s dour, scowling face-”
“My mother does not have a dour face!” Laena said quickly.
“Well whenever we speak she does,” Rhaenyra pointed out.
“That’s because my mother doesn’t like you,” Laena laughed, and despite what Laena had just said, Rhaenyra couldn’t help but laugh too.
"Which means we are most certainly not naming our daughter after your mother!” Rhaenyra said with a bright smile, causing Laena to let out another peal of laughter.
“Oh come on Rhaenyra, can you blame her?” Laena teased, a playful smile tugging at her lips. “You ran away with her only daughter and favorite child! And never once apologized to her.”
Rhaenyra's smile grew softer, her voice becoming buttery, “Of course not, I love you, how could I ever apologize for marrying you?”
Laena’s face went pink at the look of utter adoration in Rhaenyra’s eyes. She smiled as she turned away from Rhaenyra, the look feeling so overwhelming. “Yes well...as romantic as that is, it doesn't exactly endear you to my mother. Only me.”
“And only you matter,” Rhaenyra said lovingly as she began to rock the baby. "And if your mother didn’t want me to run off with you, then her only daughter and favorite child shouldn't have so cruelly captured my heart.”
"Rhaenyra."
"It's true," Rhaenyra said proudly. "And I'd be happy to tell your mother as much."
"I think you better not," Laena chuckled. "The last time you tried, you and poor Syrax got chased down to the Eyrie."
Rhaenyra rolled her eyes, a bitter taste in her mouth as she recalled the memory of her cousin and Meleys chasing her and Syrax through the skies of Westeros. "Gods don't remind me, your mother can be so dramatic."
Laena playfully rolled her eyes. “Don't even Rhaenyra, if someone ran away with one of your children and married them right under your nose you'd do much worse. Heads would roll!"
“Yes, they would,” Rhaenyra said confidently. “But that would be different.”
“How?” Laena asked as she watched her wife. Before Rhaenyra could respond, Laena continued, “No, don’t answer that. How would you feel if Visenya came in here and told you she simply couldn’t resist running away to Dragonstone because Vermithor is just such an amazing dragon?”
Rhaenyra paused, her expression shifting as she turned to Laena.
“That… sounds exactly like something Visenya would say,” she admitted, a small frown tugging at her lips. “Come to think of it… she might have already…”
“The apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree.” Laena watched as Rhaenyra stood up and began to walk around the room again, still gently rocking their daughter. Her tone softened, “I’m sure you feel the same way Mother did all those years ago,” Rhaenyra hummed softly as the mood between them shifted.
“Yes but this is a different situation,” Rhaenyra said in the same gentle tone.
“I don't think that’s true, Rhaenyra,” Laena said with a small smile. “And I don't think anyone else will see it that way. I’m sure our parents and…everyone is going to expect that you’ve gained some perspective.”
“I’m sure they will,” Rhaenyra said, almost tersely. “But that won’t change anything.” Rhaenyra turned back to look at Laena and found her wife giving her a soft, curious look. “My refusal to apologize for our elopement doesn't mean that I don't understand how they feel, I do. I just don't care.”
“Rhaenyra,” Laena said her tone somewhere between exasperated and exhausted. “You still don't care how we hurt everyone, even after what Visenya and Aenar did? You still can’t feel any empathy for our parents?”
“I have empathy for them…but what’s done is done. It's been twelve years and four children later, it’s time they move on. And don't even get me started on my brother…I just wish you would let them stop guilting you,” Rhaenyra admitted as she moved to sit beside her wife.
“I know you do,” Laena said gently as she rested her head on Rhaenyra’s shoulder and looked down at their newborn. She looked so snug and warm as she slept. Rhaenyra smiled at how peaceful she looked.
“You know. Just because they ran away to Dragonstone on the eve of Baelon’s wedding, doesn’t make it the same situation.” Rhaenyra said after a few minutes. Laena was quiet as she considered Rhaenyra’s words.
“I don't think I agree with you, my love.”
Rhaenyra smiled as she looked over at her wife, “It wouldn’t be the first time.” Laena’s lips twitched before she leaned up and kissed Rhaenyra’s cheek. She rested her head on the alpha's shoulder again and for a long time, the two just stared down at their sleeping daughter.
Rhaenyra was the first to break the silence, “Alysanne?”
“Gods no, that’s an old woman’s name.”
“Excuse me,” Rhaenyra said, causing Laena to laugh again. “But that happened to be the name of my Great Great Grandmother, young lady.”
"My point exactly," Laena snorted, “And she was my Great Great Grandmother too.”
“Oh, right.” Another pause before saying, “Saera?” Laena jerked her head up, causing Rhaenyra to begin to laugh.
“I’ll put it politely, this family has enough people who’ve run away.” Laena laughed as she cuddled up to Rhaenyra again. “In fact, your job is to make sure this one doesn’t run away to Dragonstone in twelve years.”
“And will you not be sharing that responsibility?” Rhaenyra asked before laughing again.
“You’re the one who started this trend of our family running away to this island, therefore it should be your responsibility to make sure my baby doesn’t follow in your footsteps.” The last few words she cooed down at their sleeping daughter.
“My footsteps? I know I’m getting older and this was twelve years ago but if my memory serves me correctly you were there running away with me,” Rhaenyra said, nudging Laena’s side gently. “You were a very willing participant in running might I add.”
“I was seduced.”
“Ha!”
Laena began to laugh until their daughter began to cry.
Laena V
Laena yawned as she laid her head back against the couch, listening to the soothing sound of the rain outside. She hadn’t moved much since this morning when she and Rhaenyra discussed possible names for their newest child.
While Rhaenyra had been in and out of their chambers all day, Laena had elected to stay in and rest. Not that she could be out and about, even if she wanted to. It had been four days since she had given birth to another one of Rhaenyra’s large-headed children and everything either burned or ached.
Despite giving birth three times before, Laena’s labors had still been difficult. No part of her body felt good. Every few hours she took some milk of the poppy to help ease her pain. Maester Gerardys wanted her to take it more often but Laena refused. As much as it helped the pain, it clouded her mind and made her feel disoriented.
Laena much preferred to deal with the pain in exchange for a clear mind. These past few days had been wonderful, even if the circumstances that had led them to Dragonstone had not been. The kids were taken with their sister, despite their initial hesitation about their newest sibling. Rhaenyra was a lot less sad than Laena thought she might be and most importantly, the newest member of their family was strong and healthy.
They were wrapped up in a blanket of domestic bliss and Laena found herself sad at the prospect of leaving it and going back to King's Landing and facing the reality of what had happened.
She groaned as she reached up and rubbed her forehead. The idea exhausted her and caused her head to pound. She and Rhaenyra had spoken a little bit about what had happened with the children but neither had really broached the topic of what to do with Visenya and Aenar. The truth was Laena wasn’t exactly sure what they were going to do and she was too tired to think about it.
She didn’t want to deal with it. She was sure that made her a terrible mother but she was too exhausted to care about that either.
Laena just wanted to be happy and pampered and alone with her family, was that too much to ask for?
In the distance, a loud roar interrupted her thoughts. She turned and peered out of the window to see Vermithor circling over the sea, not too far from the beach. She rested her head against her hand, watching her daughter's dragon.
The thought sent a shiver down her spine. A strange mixture of anger, fear, and pride came over her as she thought about Visenya claiming Vermithor and Aenar helping her do it.
She had been trying to ignore those thoughts and feelings for the past few days, it just hurt too much when she dwelled on it. When she did she found her mind plagued by thoughts of Vermithor snapping his jaws around Visenya or another dragon in the pit ambushing them after they snuck in.
Other times she thought about Aenar losing control of Dreamfyre causing both of them to plummet to their deaths mid-flight. But worst of all were the terrible thoughts about the horrors that could have unfolded if the wrong people had discovered them—two unguarded children wandering the streets of King's Landing.
Each thought felt like a knife twisting in her chest, causing her anguish. But more than anything, it made her angry. Angry that Visenya and Aenar had been so reckless, so foolish—risking their lives at every turn of their misguided adventure. Angry at the Kingsguard, who had stood idly by, failing to notice as Visenya leaped from balcony to balcony, dueled Daemon, or as she and Aenar slipped away from the castle unnoticed.
But most of all, Laena was angry at herself for letting this happen. She felt ashamed and frustrated with herself. She couldn’t believe she had let things spiral this far, couldn’t believe she had so little control over her children that it had come to this. Tears slipped down her face at the thought.
Reaching up, she pinched the bridge of her nose, willing the thoughts to dissipate. She knew she couldn’t avoid them forever—sooner or later, she’d have to face the reality of it all.
But not now.
Right now, she just wanted to rest.
Sensing her turmoil, Vhagar began to gently tug on their bond. Laena didn’t hesitate to open herself to the dragon, exhaling shakily as the old girl pressed against her mind. Warmth flooded through her, steady and soothing, melting away the tension that had gripped her.
Laena’s body relaxed entirely, her shoulders easing as she leaned into the comfort of their connection. Her mind cleared and her eyes grew heavier with each passing moment.
“I need a nap,” she thought, letting herself sink further into the warmth.
She wasn't sure how long she slept but eventually, Laena was awoken by a familiar smell. Her nose twitched as Rhaenyra’s burning scent began to flood her nostrils. Her eyes fluttered open and she picked up her head, looking around for her mate. Her eyes were blurry and her head was swimming.
“...And so Gideon knelt at the foot of King Edward’s throne. The knight picked his head up as the old, wise king handed him Justice, the sword of Gideon’s father before him.” Aenar’s soft voice filled her chambers. She turned to see Aenar sitting in front of the baby's crib, Guardian of the Realm: The Knight's Quest sitting in his lap as he softly read to his sister.
“Wait, so is King Edward Gideon’s father?” Visenya asked, causing Laena to jump a little. She hadn’t noticed Visenya initially. She turned her head to see her eldest child standing above the crib. She was resting her elbows against the side, pressing her chin against her fist as she spoke to Aenar.
“No,” Aenar said, frustration creeping into his voice. “Gideon is the son of Gideon the Golden, a legendary knight who was good friends with King Edward the Wise. He died protecting the Kingdom from Ser Henry the Crooked.”
“Whose that?”
“Visenya!”
“What?”
“Have you been listening to any part of the story?” Aenar demanded. “Ser Henry the Crooked is King Edward’s younger brother. He hated King Edward and led a rebellion against him to get his throne.”
“I knew that,” Visenya said with her usual confidence. “...I was just testing to see if you were paying attention.”
“Oh- Wait a minute I’m the person reading it!” Aenar exclaimed, causing Laena to chuckle. “Besides this is my all time favorite story in the whole world. I think I know more about it than you do!”
“Alright, alright.” Visenya laughed, cutting in before Laena could intervene. It seemed to placate Aenar who looked back down at his book. Laena relaxed against the couch and continued to quietly watch them, her heart swelling at the sight of all of them together. She felt a pang in her heart, wishing that all four of them could be together at this moment.
It made her face turn hot and her eyes grew wet. Her attention turned to Aenar, expecting him to start reading again. He looked like he was about to but after nearly a minute of staring down at the book he turned back to the crib.
“I can’t tell if Puff likes the story or not.”
Laena perked up at this, “Puff…is he talking about the baby?”
“She looks fine to me,” Visenya said as she peered down into the crib, smiling down at her sister. Aenar nodded but didn’t keep his eyes off the crib.
“Visenya, what do you think Puff will be when she gets older?” He questioned as he turned to Visenya now, his voice quivering. “Do you think she’ll be a knight like Gideon…?”
“Umm I don't know,” Visenya shrugged. “I’ll figure something out for her though, you don't have to worry.”
“Okay,” Aenar said with relief filling his voice. “I’ve been getting nervous she won’t have anything to do once we get older since I’m going to be the Hand of the Queen and you’ll be the Queen herself…I wasn’t sure Puff would fit in...” Laena nearly burst out into tears at their concern for their sister.
“Of course, she’ll fit in,” Visenya said, her voice brimming with confidence. “She’s our sister after all. Besides there are lots of spots on the Small Council she can take…in fact, she can be my Master of Coin and handle taxes and things.”
“Oh, how come you want to give her that job Visenya?”
“Because I don't want to have to deal with it,” Visenya explained. “...Do you know how hard taxes are to understand Aenar? I heard Grandsire speaking about them once and my head nearly burst from it…Puff can deal with all of that.”
“Oh…wait a minute Visenya, didn’t you say I can be your Hand of the Queen so that I can do all of the stuff you don't want to deal with?” Aenar asked, suspicion coloring his tone as he squinted at his sister.
“Yeah.”
“So…you’re just giving Puff and me the jobs you don't want?”
“Uh…yeah? That’s what being Queen is,” Visenya said happily, causing Laena to break out into laughter, unable to keep it in any longer. Visenya and Aenar both turned, their eyes lighting up. Aenar quickly put his book to the side and stood up while Visenya carefully pushed off the baby’s crib.
“You’re awake!” Aenar said happily as he hurried over to Laena’s side first. “You’ve been sleeping for so long!”
“Have I?” Laena asked, her laughter dying down. She turned to look out of the window and saw that the sun was much lower in the sky than it had been before her nap. Reaching up she rubbed the tears out of her eyes. “I thought I was only going to sleep for a few minutes.”
“A few hours,” Aenar said.
“And how long have you two been here?” Laena asked.
“About an hour,” Visenya said, Laena turned and felt her heart drop to her stomach. Visenya was holding the baby and was carefully making her way over to them. Laena quickly sat up, flinching at the pain of moving too quickly. She pushed past it as she moved toward Visenya and the baby.
“Visenya!” Laena said. “Give me your sister.”
“What?” Visenya asked with a frown as she came to a stop.
“You can't hold her or carry her,” Laena said almost frantically, fear gripping her as Visenya shot her a hurt look.
“I can’t carry my own sister?” Visenya asked, sounding utterly incensed. Laena’s anger spiked at her tone.
“Not without supervision,” Laena said as she came to a stop in front of them both. “The baby is delicate and if you don't hold her correctly you can hurt her or drop her.”
“I’m holding her correctly,” Visenya said defensively. To Laena’s relief—and annoyance Visenya was holding the baby the right way. Still, Laena reached forward and took the baby out of Visenya’s arms, her feeling of relief growing. “I was holding her correctly.”
“I know Visenya,” Laena said more sharply than she intended. “But still, you shouldn’t be picking her up or carrying her around. Not without an adult around-”
“-You were right there.”
“Don't argue with me,” Laena snapped, bristling at her daughter’s defiance. “You do not pick up your sister without permission and not without proper supervision. Me laying on the couch speaking to your brother is not proper supervision.” Laena took in a deep breath as she saw the hurt and angry look on Visenya’s face. Her nose twitched again as she got another wave of Rhaenyra’s strong scent, like burning cedar only it was bitter with an undertone of anger…
Laena’s eyes widened as she realized she wasn’t smelling Rhaenyra but Visenya. It shocked her and quelled her anger as she gave Visenya a fascinated look. After a moment said, “It’s not safe, you might drop her or trip or hold her the wrong way-”
“-But Mother I wasn’t holding her wrong,” Visenya said again. “Father showed me.”
“I understand that Visenya,” Laena said sharply. “But you’re inexperienced with babies, just because you did it right this time, doesn’t mean you will every time.”
“Don't you trust me?” Visenya blurted out, her words taking Laena back for a moment.
She quickly recovered and said, “Is that really what you want to ask me right now, Visenya?” Her question was stern as was the look she gave her daughter. She expected Visenya to snap back at her but watched as Visenya wilted in front of her, all of her fire seeming to extinguish.
The pain that crossed Visenya’s face filled Laena with guilt but she held firm. An awkward silence filled the air and Visenya stepped away from her mother.
“I’m going to go to my chambers,” she sniffled.
“You don't have to leave,” Laena said softly.
“I don't want to stay,” Visenya said before turning around and hurrying out of the room. Laena shut her eyes and felt another wave of guilt come over her.
“Great,” she thought as she turned and began to move back toward the crib. “...But you did the right thing.” She told herself as Vhagar pushed up against their bond again.
“...I guess you’re still pretty mad about what happened,” Aenar said gently, his voice pulling her out of her thoughts. She turned to look at her son, her annoyance returning in full at the question.
“That is an understatement,” she said tersely wondering now if she had made a mistake by waiting so long to address what had happened with the kids. Sighing she gently placed the baby back in the crib, her head swimming again. Reaching forward she braced her hands on the crib, the lower half of her body aching and burning with her quick and sudden movements.
“Father is still mad too?” Aenar asked softly.
“Yes,” Laena said as she moved and began to limp back over to the couch once more, where Aenar was still waiting.
“Are you going to be okay?” He asked nervously. Despite her annoyance, Laena gave him a reassuring look.
“I’ll be just fine,” she promised. “Right now, it just hurts to move too much.”
“Do you need your medicine?”
“I do,” she sighed as she slowly lowered herself back onto the couch. “But I’m fine for right now, I want to speak with you first.” Aenar cringed a little, making a little ‘uh oh’ face as he glanced away from Laena.
“Are you going to yell at me, Mother?”
“No,” Laena said gently. “I think I’ve done enough yelling.” She said, remembering how she had torn into both Visenya and Aenar for nearly two hours before her water broke. The memory of that day was mostly fuzzy now but she did remember bits and pieces of what had happened.
She glanced up at her son, unsure of where to start or what to say. She elected to quietly stare at Aenar as she tried to find the right words. “Are Visenya and I really going to be in trouble for the rest of our lives?”
Laena raised her eyebrows, “Why would you think that?”
“That’s what Visenya said,” he said innocently. “Um…before we left.”
“Is that so?”
Aenar nodded his head quickly. Laena then asked, “And how did that conversation go?” She watched as Aenar’s face flushed. He glanced down at his lap and laced his fingers before nervously tapping his thumbs together.
“Well…I offered to take Visenya to Dragonstone on Dreamfyre and she said maybe I shouldn’t because she was already in trouble for the rest of her life because of what happened to Uncle Daemon,” Aenar said nervously. “And that I shouldn’t take her because then I was going to be in trouble too.”
“It seems you insisted though,” Laena said gently, her stomach twisting painfully. Aenar nodded his head, keeping his eyes in his lap. “You wanted to prove yourself.” She said gently, remembering what Aenar had said when he had tried to defend his sister.
Aenar nodded his head again before saying, “...She asked everyone else to take her to Dragonstone but she never asked me. She said that she had asked every single dragonrider in our family to go but…she hadn’t asked me…and…it hurt my feelings.”
Laena took in a deep breath, feeling her fear and anger creep back over her. She swallowed them, wanting to hear what Aenar was saying. Wanting to better understand what her son was feeling.
“This isn’t about your feelings.” She reminded herself as she kept her composure. She found it was easier to swallow back her feelings when Aenar picked up his head and looked up Laena with big, sad eyes.
“...I…I just wanted to prove to everyone that I could ride Dreamfyre, that I’m a real dragonrider just like everyone else,” he sniffled. “And that Dreamfyre didn’t make a mistake by letting me be her rider.”
“Oh honey,” Laena said gently as she reached forward and gently cupped his face. “Dragons don't make mistakes, you were meant to claim Dreamfyre my sweet. You wouldn’t have been able to do so otherwise.”
Aenar smiled up at her gently, his eyes shining with unshed tears. “That’s what Visenya told me to…but she still didn’t ask me to go with her…”
“Your sister was looking out for you,” Laena said gently as she ran her thumbs along Aenar’s round cheeks. She felt another quick flash of anger, "Why hadn't Visenya just stuck to that...what made her change her mind?"
“I know,” he said softly. “But she always looks out for me, I wanted to help her because she always helps me and sticks up for me and I knew if she was in my shoes she would have done the same for me.”
“Aenar…” Laena was at a loss for words for a moment. “...That is quite noble of you to want to help Visenya but what you did was…so, incredibly reckless my love. You and Visenya could have gotten yourselves killed.”
“I know Mother, I’m sorry.” He said softly. “...I’m sorry we worried you and Father…I just wanted to prove myself to you both and everyone else...but you both the most.” He said again, causing Laena’s heart to ache in her chest. She continued to run her thumbs along his cheeks.
“You have nothing to prove to your father and me,” Laena assured him. “We love you just the way you are.” Instead of her words comforting him, Aenar’s shoulders seemed to sag further as he dropped his eyes again.
“I have a lot to prove,” he said softly. “I…I’m just not like anyone else. I’m not like you or Visenya or Father…”
“Aenar my love, why would you say that?” Laena asked her heartbreak at the sad look that came over Aenar’s face. “Because you think you aren’t a real dragonrider? Why would you believe that love? Why would you believe Dreamfyre made a mistake in choosing you?”
“Because I’m not brave like everyone else is,” Aenar cried, his tears finally falling down his cheeks. “I just wanted to be a brave knight like Gideon the Golden or Father but even when I tried to be brave I was scared the whole time. It’s so hard for me when it’s easy for everyone else in our family.”
“Father fought in the Stepstones and was never scared, you claimed Vhagar and you weren’t scared even though she’s the biggest and the scariest dragon ever in the world and Visenya. Oh! Don't even get me started on Visenya!” He cried harder now.
“She does everything perfectly! She’s never afraid of anything that she does, I don't even get it!” He reached up and tried to frantically wipe away his tears. “She’s never afraid of Uncle Baelon or Ser Criston or fighting with Uncle Daemon- I could never do that! And she jumped around from balcony to balcony and Vermithor! Stupid Vermithor! It’s not fair, she approached him like it was nothing, she climbed on top of him and flew him and-”
He abruptly cut himself, his face growing pale as he bowed his head. After a minute he said, “I just stumbled into Dreamfyre's lair but Visenya just jumped on Vermithor's back...Why does everything come so easy to her? Why is it so hard for me…I’ve been Dreamfyre’s rider for two years Mother…but it was so hard to get into her saddle, I was so scared…Father said it’s okay to be afraid of things but…I…I don't even know if I can do it again…but Visenya-”
“-Aenar,” Laena finally said, her voice rough and gravelly from crying, the pain in his words driving her to tears. “My love, you have nothing to prove to anyone. Look at me, look at me you are brave and kind and loving and intelligent my love, you are more than enough I promise. You don't have to prove yourself to me or your father.”
Aenar’s button lip quivered as he looked up at Laena. She leaned down, kissed his forehead, and pulled him close. “Your father and I, we’re not the fearless heroes you imagine us to be,” she said softly. “When your father fought in the Stepstones with your Grandsire and uncles, she was frightened. And when I claimed Vhagar... I was terrified. Terrified of failing, terrified of falling.” Her voice wavered as she continued, “And when I realized you and your sister were gone... I was so afraid I'd never see you again.”
“But what about Visenya?” Aenar whimpered, tears slipping down his cheeks. “Why is everything so easy for her?”
“Oh honey, your sister struggles just as much as you do,” Laena said.
“No, she doesn’t…”
“Yes she does, no one is without their struggles,” Laena said gently. “Even though you don't see them, it doesn't mean they don't exist. And it doesn’t mean that you should be constantly comparing yourself to her.”
“But it’s hard,” Aenar admitted. “I want to be just like her.”
“Aenar,” Laena said as she pulled him into her arms. “You are like your sister in many ways and in many ways you're different but that’s not a bad thing.”
“It feels like a bad thing!”
“No, it isn’t,” Laena promised as she held him tightly. “You don't have to be just like your sister, you shouldn’t be just like your sister-”
“-But Visenya is a good person and she’s amazing!”
“I’m not saying she isn’t,” Laena said gently. “But what I’m saying is that you should be your own person, Aenar, because you are enough just as you are. You don't have to be just like Visenya, you don't have to be like your father or like me. You just have to be like Aenar…”
For a long, agonizing stretch of silence, Aenar didn’t say anything. He shivered as he snuggled to Laena, curling up close to her. “Sometimes I feel like I don't belong here with everyone else…everyone else is a brave dragonrider and I’m just me.”
The words broke Laena’s heart and fresh tears started to come down her face. She held onto him closer.
“Aenar you are right where you belong,” she promised him, her words coming out fiercely. “You being just you is enough, it’s more than enough. You don't have to ride Dreamfyre every day to be a dragonrider, you don't have to be a knight to be brave, you don't have to prove yourself to belong in this family.”
“I love you,” Aenar whimpered as he hugged Laena tighter.
“I love you too, my sweet boy.” She promised. After a moment Aenar pulled away from Laena and gave her an unsure look.
“You really see me as a dragonrider?”
“I always have my love,” Laena promised. “As does everyone else in this family and if there is someone who doesn’t, I will happily set them straight.” That bright a tiny smile to Aenar’s face. Laena smiled as well as she reached up and brushed away Aenar’s tears with her thumbs.
“...You know, even though I vehemently disapprove of what you and Visenya did, there is something to be said about you conquering your fear of flying Dreamfyre to help your sister, my love,” Laena said softly.
“Really?” Aenar asked, his eyes growing wider. “...What…what’s there to be said about it?” He asked innocently, causing Laena to chuckle through her tears. Leaning forward she began to pepper kisses along his face.
“When push came to shove and you wanted to help your sister, you stepped up to Dreamfyre and you flew,” Laena said softly.
“But Mother…what if I never do it again?” Aenar asked, his lip quivering again. "What if I'm still scared..."
“It doesn’t matter, Aenar. You can fly one time or one hundred times, that’s not what’s important. You’ve claimed a dragon and a fierce, unforgiving one at that. And you’ve gotten into the saddle and rode her.” Laena leaned forward and gave him another kiss on the forehead. “That means you are a dragonrider, Aenar. Don't let anyone ever take that away from you.” Aenar smiled then, his eyes shining with happiness now.
“Does Father think the same?” He asked, almost hesitantly.
“She’ll tell you the same in a heartbeat.”
“And…and grandmother Aemma…and Rhaenys?” He asked with wide eyes.
“Of course,” she promised, causing a look of pure relief to sweep across Aenar's face. He wrapped his arms around her again, pulling Laena into a tight hug.
“Thanks, Mother…you just made me feel a lot better!”
Laena laughed as she held him closer, “I’m happy I was able to help, my beloved.”
“...Mother?” He asked after some time had passed.
“Yes?”
“How are Visenya and I going to be punished?” He asked as he pulled away from her. Laena frowned as she leaned back against the couch.
“I’m unsure right now love, your father and I haven’t decided yet,” Laena said before adding a bit more firmly. “But the punishment will fit the crime.” Aenar nodded, a thoughtful look coming across his face. He turned to her and said;
“I’ve been thinking about it.”
“Oh?”
“I have an idea of how you can punish us,” he said with a bright little smile, causing Laena’s eyebrows to rise.
“Oh?” This was certainly a first. Neither Visenya nor Aenar had ever suggested a punishment and given Aenar’s smile Laena doubted it would be a real punishment. Or at the very least not much of one. Still, Laena was quite interested. “And what would that be?”
“You can, um, confine Visenya, Puff, and I to the same quarters during the day and then we can write lines.” He said happily.
Laena laughed, “Why do you sound excited about that?”
“Because it’s my three favorite things! Writing, being inside, and being with my sisters!” He said sweetly. “But it’s technically a punishment!”
“Is it truly a punishment if you want to do it?” Laena laughed, charmed by just how sweet her son was and just how quickly he had become taken with his little sister. “And why is Puff also being punished? She didn’t do anything wrong. And why are you and Visenya calling her Puff?”
“That was my idea!”
“The nickname or Puff being included in the punishment?”
“Yes!” Laena laughed and she couldn’t resist kissing him again. “Visenya and I decided to give Puff a nickname because you and Father still haven’t given her a real name! And we’re sick of calling her ‘the baby’!”
“Fair play.” Laena chuckled. “But why Puff?”
“Because we wanted it to be something to do with dragons! But Visenya, you know how she is, she was going to nickname her Doomrider!” Aenar exclaimed.
“Oh dear.”
“I know! Poor Puff,” Aenar said with a shake of his head. “I came up with Puff because of Puff the Little Dragon from the book The Enchanted Grove! Puff is one of the creatures in the forest who helps William Brightheart save their home from the evil trolls…Puff is so little he lives in a leaf!”
“That is very little,” Laena said with a smile.
“Especially because he lives in a little leaf!” Aenar said happily. “Well, Visenya didn’t like that. She said that’s a baby nickname…but I told her that Puff is a baby and she agreed that it made sense…and yeah! Now Puff is Puff.” Aenar then puffed out his chest. “And it’s all because of me!” Laena laughed as she reached forward and ruffled Aenar’s hair.
“I see, well I think it’s an adorable nickname, Aenar,” Laena said softly, smiling at her love. “But I still don't see why you think Puff should be punished with you and Visenya.”
“Because Puff came a few days early,” Aenar said gently. “And that wasn’t good! She should have waited her turn.”
“Honey, that is not Puff’s fault.”
“Then…whose fault is it?”
Laena was tempted to say that it was Visenya and Aenar’s fault. The stress of them going missing and then having to chase them down had more than likely triggered her labors. However, she knew better than to put that on her son so instead she said, “It's no one’s fault. Sometimes babies just come a little early."
“Oh. Okay,” Aenar said, easily accepting Laena’s explanation. “But Puff should still be with us when we get punished, Visenya said just because Puff is a baby doesn’t mean we can leave her out of things.”
Laena melted, her heart stuttering in her chest at the words. Reaching up she cupped Aenar’s cheek. “I’m glad you two have that mentality…but I don't think that applies to punishments, my love.”
“Oooooh,” Aenar said with a thoughtful look coming across his face. He turned up to Laena and asked, “Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
“Okay,” Aenar said with a little smile. “...So, what do you think about my punishment idea?” Laena tried not to laugh.
“It’s an idea,” Laena said. “I’ll speak with your father about it but I wouldn’t worry about it too much for now.” Aenar nodded and smiled up at Laena, she tried not to laugh again. “Now I bet Puff would like it very much if you read her the rest of the story.”
Aenar perked up, “Okay!”
Laena watched as Aenar got up and headed back over to the baby's crib. After a few minutes, Laena forced herself up to her feet and went to go get a servant, finding herself in desperate need of some milk of the poppy and another long, long nap.
Visenya XVI
Visenya’s chest tightened as she hurried out of her parents’ chambers feeling the sting of her mother’s words. She understood what Laena was trying to say, that she could have hurt Puff if she hadn’t been careful, but Visenya had been being careful with Puff and had been holding her correctly.
But Laena hadn’t cared, her mother hadn’t given her a chance to explain herself.
Her shoulders slumped, the weight of everything pressing down on her as she reached her chamber door. But before she could retreat into the quiet of her room, she felt Vermithor tug at their bond. The pull was immediate, and Visenya opened herself to it.
A flood of protective warmth washed over her and for a brief moment, the anger and hurt faded. Sitting alone in her room no longer seemed like an option. She needed to be with her dragon.
She quickly hurried down the hallway, turned the corner, and made her way down a winding staircase. The Princess was hardly paying attention to where she was going as she thundered down the staircase, taking them two at a time. As she came to the bottom she immediately collided with someone.
Visenya fell back on the stairs letting out a yelp at the same time the person she sent to the ground let out a loud grunt.
“Watch where you’re going!” He snapped, causing Visenya to quickly pick her head up. She saw a boy, a little older than her sprawled out on the ground. He was thin as a stick and concerningly pale. His face was long and gaunt, he had large blue eyes, and his hair was cut short and looked brittle.
Visenya’s eyes narrowed when she saw the color of it; silver. She searched his face for a moment, struck by the feeling of having seen him before. After a moment it clicked, he looked like her Uncle Baelon.
She suddenly heard Lucky’s words whispering in her ear; “Lumpy is probably your cousin or something…would make sense. Rumor is your uncle only whelps bastards that come out to be twisted freaks.”
Her eyes fluttered down to the cane that was just out of the boy's reach and then to his left leg which was twisted at an odd angle.
“Just because you're the princess doesn’t mean you can just be running around into people!” He snapped as he pushed himself up to his hands and knees.
“Yeah…he could be Uncle Baelon’s child.” She thought a scowl pulling at her brow as she pushed herself up to her feet.
“Have you considered watching where you’re going?” She demanded as she hurried down the last two stairs and grabbed his cane. “Here.”
“I was watching where I was going,” he snarled before reaching up and taking the cane from her hand. “Until you barreled into me like a bull!”
“Hey, watch it!” Visenya snapped back. “I’m still the princess, you can’t just talk to me any way you want to.”
“What in the world is going on?” Visenya and the boy both turned to see Rhaenyra coming down the hallway with an annoyed look on her face.
“He bumped into me.”
“She bumped into me.”
Visenya and the boy both turned to each other and glared. Rhaenyra approached them and immediately reached her hand out for the boy to take. His frustrated expression immediately melted as he took it.
“Are you alright Vaemon?” She asked.
“Yes, thank you Princess Rhaenyra.” He said, his entire tone changing.
“You're welcome Vaemon, why don't you head back to the kitchen,” Rhaenyra said, giving him a gentle look. Vaemon nodded and shot Visenya one last dirty look before slowly making his way up the stairs.
Visenya rolled her eyes and hurried past Rhaenyra, desperate to get outside and get a little fresh air. She didn’t realize that Rhaenyra was following her until she heard her clear her throat. “Having a bad day?”
“That’s an understatement,” Visenya groused. The moment the words left her mouth, she felt her shoulders sag forward. Rhaenyra easily caught up with her, Visenya expected her father to say something…but Rhaenyra seemed content quietly walking side by side with Visenya.
Even as they exited the castle and began to make their way out toward the beach, Rhaenyra remained quiet. Visenya peaked up at her father then and saw Rhaenyra looking out toward the sky, watching as Dreamfyre and Syrax happily played above the water.
Rhaenyra turned to Visenya after a few moments, her eyebrows raised in silent inquiry. Her gaze was steady but soft and after a moment Visenya broke the silence.
“...Mother doesn’t trust me anymore.”
Rhaenyra hummed softly, the sound low and contemplative. She shifted her focus to the wide expanse of beach stretching before them. The rhythmic crash of waves filled the silence that had returned.
Visenya swallowed thickly, waiting for Rhaenyra to speak again. Her stomach twisted with anxiety, knowing she most likely was not going to like what Rhaenyra was about to say.
“Trust is earned, Visenya, not given,” Rhaenyra said at last, her voice calm but firm. She turned her gaze to her daughter, eyes sharp and unyielding. “You’ve broken the trust between us with your actions.”
Visenya’s stomach quivered and she felt like she might be sick. She suddenly regretted saying anything in the first place. She didn’t want to talk about this, she didn’t want to talk about how badly she had screwed up.
Visenya shivered as the wind whipped around and sprayed her with the freezing water of the sea. Visenya came to a stop and turned to look out at the choppy waves, her stomach twisting tighter as she thought of Rhaenyra’s words.
“How long are you and Mother going to not trust me?” Visenya asked softly. “How long are you going to be mad?”
Rhaenyra was quiet for a few moments as she moved to stand beside Visenya, “I don't know Visenya. What you did was stupid, selfish, reckless…you could have gotten your brother and yourself killed, you forced your mother to come chase you down when she was nine months pregnant…the fear and anguish you put us through.” Rhaenyra's voice swelled as she spoke, each word feeling like a blow.
“We thought we had lost you both,” Rhaenyra continued. “If not for your Grandmother finding Scratch in Dreamfyre’s lair…who knows how long it would have taken us to find you both? This is no small thing…”
“I know,” Visenya said weakly.
Rhaenyra let out a heavy sigh before saying, “I’ve never been so disappointed in you, Visenya. And that’s not even mentioning what happened with Daemon…I…” Rhaenyra let out another sigh as she looked out at the waves. Visenya shrunk into herself, wishing- praying that the ground would just open up and swallow her whole.
“I’m sorry Father,” Visenya finally managed to say. The words felt lame in her ears but she wasn’t sure what else to say. “...I wish you could understand.” Rhaenyra let out a sardonic chuckle at Visenya’s words, causing the younger princess to frown.
“You think I don't understand?” Rhaenyra asked, her tone much gentler than Visenya was expecting. Visenya quietly shook her head as she looked up at her father. Rhaenyra let out a soft sigh as she turned back to look out at the water. “...I understand Visenya, I do. That doesn’t make it any less wrong.”
“That’s not what I mean,” Visenya said softly as she turned to look out at the water as well. “And you don't understand, you never will.”
“Visenya,” Rhaenyra began as she turned back to her daughter. “I do understand how you feel. When I was younger, I found myself in a similar position, feeling like the entire world was against me. I was betrothed to your uncle, bound by duty, but my heart belonged to your mother. Everyone told me I was wrong to love her—that I couldn’t be with her, that I had to follow tradition and marry him. But I couldn’t accept that. I ignored them all, and I ran away with her to Dragonstone, where we eloped.”
Rhaenyra reached forward and gently cupped Visenya’s cheek, “Where we had you…” She hesitated, her expression growing more somber. “I know how much it hurt when we told you that you couldn’t claim Vermithor. I know how trapped you felt like we were unfairly standing in your way… like no one could understand what you were going through. I know because I’ve been in that place myself.”
Rhaenyra paused, her voice thick with emotion as she ran her thumb along Visenya’s cheek. “But your mother and I told you no for a reason, Visenya. Not just because of duty, or sacrifice…we held you back because we were afraid of losing you.”
Her voice trembled, breaking for just a moment before she steadied herself. “I know we were harsh. I know I said things I didn’t mean, and I regret them. But we were harsh because we love you and were scared. You are our child, our eldest child, and the thought of losing you…” Rhaenyra’s eyes glistened, her expression raw and vulnerable. “It’s unbearable. Do you understand?”
Visenya nodded as she reached up to cover Rhaenyra’s hand with her own, her heart sinking. After everything that had happened—escaping the castle, sneaking through the Dragonpit, getting on Dreamfyre, and then mounting Vermithor with no saddle, the fight with the black dragon—Visenya understood why her parents had been so adamant that she wait. She understood their insistence that she prepare herself first.
And while she didn’t regret claiming Vermithor, she regretted everything else that had happened that day. Most of all she regretted the danger she put her brother in and the terrible position she had put her parents in.
“No wonder Mother doesn’t trust me…” She thought as she squeezed Rhaenyra’s hand. Vermithor brushed up against their bond but Visenya found it hard to take comfort in it. She still felt like Rhaenyra didn’t see her. That she didn’t fully grasp how Visenya felt.
“...I need to tell her.” The thought caused Visenya’s stomach to cramp. She glanced up at Rhaenyra, her throat clenching tightly.
“I do understand now,” Visenya said softly. “...I…I really wish I had listened to you and Mother, I wish I had done things differently Father, I really do but…you still…you still don't understand how I feel.”
“Then tell me,” Rhaenyra said softly.
Visenya was quiet for a few minutes as she tried to muster up the courage to share her feelings. “Vermithor’s calling to me was hard to ignore but it wasn’t just that…I felt so hurt when you and Mother said I wasn’t ready to claim Vermithor, it felt like you had lost all faith in me. Like you didn’t think I would be able to do it. What you said hurt me a lot but when Mother said it…” Visenya trailed off.
Rhaenyra stayed quiet as she watched Visenya closely, “...I’ve always known I was going to claim a dragon, and…when you both said I couldn’t do it, I felt like I had to prove myself. I wanted to prove that I was just like Mother…”
“Visenya, you are like your Mother. You never have to prove that,” Rhaenyra said gently as she moved her hand to her daughter’s shoulder. “And when your mother and I said that you couldn’t claim Vermithor, it wasn’t because we thought you actually couldn’t. We said you weren’t ready to claim him.”
“I don't understand what the difference is…” Visenya said softly.
“Just because you can do something physically doesn’t mean you’re ready for it mentally,” Rhaenyra said softly, her tone gently as she spoke. “Just because you have the ability, doesn’t mean you should. Your mother and I didn’t believe you fully understood what claiming a dragon truly means—the responsibility that comes with being a dragonrider or the sheer power you now hold…”
Visenya nodded, keeping her gaze fixed on the ocean, afraid that if she looked up at her father she would begin to cry. “I just wanted you both to see me the way I see you...and I really wanted Mother to see me the way I see her,” she confessed, her voice trembling.
“And how do you see your mother?” Rhaenyra asked gently.
“She’s…she’s strong and brave and smart,” Visenya said softly. “And she’s amazing and I just…I wanted her to think I was amazing too. And I wanted you both to believe in me…”
Reaching forward, Rhaenyra pulled Visenya into a tight, crushing hug. “Visenya,” she murmured, “We both see you. We see you for who you are, and we love you, exactly as you are. And I promise you, your mother feels the same as I do. And I promise you that however much you’re in awe of her, however deeply you love her, she feels that about you tenfold.”
Visenya began to cry as she wrapped her arms around Rhaenyra tightly, “And I can assure you we both believe in you Visenya. Even when we thought you weren’t ready, we knew one day you would be. I’ve told you once and I'll tell you again this is your destiny and you have nothing to prove. You’re enough just as you are.”
After a few moments, Rhaenyra pulled back and placed her hands on Visenya’s shoulders. “One day, Visenya, you are going to grow up to be more than anything your Mother and I could imagine. You are going to be great because of who you are, not who you’re trying to be.” Visenya nodded as she reached up and rubbed the tears from her eyes. “You don't need to mold yourself after your mother to be smart or strong or brave or funny, you’re already those things on your own.”
“...I want you to be proud of me,” Visenya sniffled.
“We are proud of you,” Rhaenyra promised gently.
“Even after everything?” Visenya cried, fresh tears falling down her face.
“Always,” Rhaenyra said, tightening her grip on Visenya. She took a deep breath, considering her next words carefully.
Pulling away from Visenya she continued, “Even though I wholeheartedly disagree with what you did or with how you got here...in the end you did claim Vermithor, the Bronze Fury. That’s no small feat, and you should be proud of that. I know I am and I know your mother is too.”
A small, tentative smile stretched across Visenya’s face. “You are?”
“Of course I am,” Rhaenyra reassured her, the warmth in her voice undeniable. “I’m proud of you every minute of every day.”
“Mother too?” Visenya asked, her smile growing wider.
“Without a doubt in my mind,” Rhaenyra promised as she leaned forward and kissed Visenya’s cheeks. “No matter what you do or the mistakes you make, you are our child…our pride and joy, both you and your siblings. Nothing you could do could ever change how much we love you all.”
Visenya felt overwhelmed with emotion at Rhaenyra’s words. She began to cry again as she wrapped her arms around her father. They held each other tightly for a long time until finally Visenya pulled away and looked up at Rhaenyra.
“Father, I want you and Mother to trust me again.”
Rhaenyra nodded as she reached forward and cupped Visenya’s cheeks, “You have a lot of ground to cover, young lady. But we can rebuild our trust, as long as you're open and honest with us and you don't do anything like you just did.”
Visenya nodded and felt another pit form in her stomach. Her eyes glanced up at the sky and the memories of her and Vermithor’s duel in the skies with the black dragon come to mind. She hadn’t told her parents about it, far too frightened about how they might react. But she realized now that Rhaenyra was right.
If she wanted her parents to trust her again then she couldn’t keep a secret like this from them. Taking a deep breath she said, “I have something to tell you…” Rhaenyra frowned, a worried look coming over her face at how serious Visenya sounded. “...You’re going to be mad, you’re going to be really, really, really mad.”
“Visenya…”
“I don't know if you noticed but I lost Skyshredder,” she blurted out before wincing. “Why did I say that first?”
“I’ve noticed,” Rhaenyra said with a frown. Visenya felt like she was about to vomit as Rhaenyra continued to look at her, waiting for her to continue.
“I lost it when I was claiming Vermithor,” Visenya said. “I…Okay, well…when I was on Vermithor, this big, black dragon appeared…the one from my nightmares, and Vermithor got mad and he went to go attack the black dragon.”
“What?!” Rhaenyra shouted, causing Visenya to flinch. She watched her father’s eyes grow wide with shock and terror. “Visenya tell me Vermithor didn’t attack the Cannibal, please tell me you were able to control Vermithor and get away.” Visenya shivered at the name 'The Cannibal'. She hadn't realized it had a name, certainly not one that frightening.
“No, I couldn't stop him.”
“Visenya,” Rhaenyra shouted before she released Visenya’s shoulders and spun around. Reaching up she grasped her head and Visenya felt her heart plummet. “You’re telling me you fought the Cannibal on Vermithor?! In that storm?! Without a saddle?! Why are you just telling me this right now?!”
“I knew you would be mad-”
“-Damn right I’m mad!” Rhaenyra said as she began to pace. After a few moments, she took in a deep breath, trying to regain her composure. Rhaenyra turned around and she took another deep breath. “Visenya, do you understand how dangerous the Cannibal is? He kills and eats small dragons, he’s killed people before and certainly anyone who ever attempted to claim him.”
The color drained from Visenya’s face, “I didn’t know that…”
“That is a vicious creature,” Rhaenyra sighed, her eyes shining with fear. “You are lucky to still be alive.” Rhaenyra reached up and pinched the skin between her eyes, “This is why…” She trailed off and shook her head before she began to pace again.
“I didn’t want to fight the Cannibal,” Visenya said gently. “I tried to redirect Vermithor but he was so upset and I didn’t have much choice, it’s not like I could control him.”
“Of course, you can control him, Visenya,” Rhaenyra said as she turned back to her. “You are his rider.”
Visenya shook her no, “No Father, that’s something I learned while claiming Vermithor. Grandsire is right our control over dragons is-”
“-An illusion,” Rhaenyra said as she pinched the skin between her eyes again. “I’ve heard the speech more times than I care to count, Visenya.”
Visenya’s shoulders sagged, “Father…”
“It’s alright…I appreciate you telling me the truth,” Rhaenyra said as she took in yet another deep breath. Visenya didn't think Rhaenyra sounded alright. In fact, she sounded like she was on the verge of yelling again. “So…what, did Vermithor end up chasing off the Cannibal?”
“Yeah him and Dreamfyre-”
“-Your brother fought the Cannibal too?!” Rhaenyra shouted as she whipped her head up, looking like she might be thrown into a fit of hysterics. Visenya quickly shook her head.
“No, no! Aenar was on the ground. I think Dreamfyre was trying to protect him though because the Cannibal was getting too close to Aenar.” Rhaenyra nodded as she covered her face with her hand. “But…when we were fighting, the Cannibal bit Vermithor’s shoulder so I…I used Skyshredder to pierce the Cannibals eye.”
Rhaenyra slowly dragged her hand down her face, her expression hard to read for Visenya who awkwardly stood in front of her. After a moment Visenya said, “The Cannibal tried to shake Skyshredder out of his eye but I don't know if he did or if it was still in his eye when he flew off the island…but I haven’t been able to find Skyshredder since.”
“The Cannibal isn’t on Dragonstone anymore?”
“No, he fled when we started hearing Vhagar’s roar,” Visenya explained. “He was gone by the time you and Mother got here…I haven’t seen him come back since then.” Rhaenyra nodded and continued to pace.
“But Father…that isn’t all-”
“-Gods Visenya, I don't know how much I can take,” Rhaenyra warned.
“I want to be honest with you,” Visenya said. Rhaenyra nodded and Visenya continued, “When the Cannibal was flying away, I saw something fly off his back. It was hard to make out in the rain but it looked like a cloak…”
“A cloak?” Rhaenyra asked with a frown.
Visenya nodded her head, “Yeah it was fluttering around in the wind but I think it fell in the ocean, I haven’t been able to find it since either.”
“And you're sure it came off the Cannibal?”
“It looked like it…”
Rhaenyra was quiet as a contemplative look came over her face, “Did you see anyone riding the Cannibal?”
“No, but the rain was really heavy and I had to focus on staying on Vermithor and watching out for the Cannibal himself. I couldn’t focus on his back. But even if I did, the cloak looked black…”
“Well I suppose it’s possible that someone could have claimed him, this island is full of dragonseeds,” Rhaenyra said as she looked up at the sky, almost as if she was expecting the Cannibal to make an appearance.
“What’s a dragonseed?”
Rhaenyra looked over at Visenya and gave her a hesitant look. After a minute she said, “It’s a term used for Targaryen bastards. This island is crawling with them, none have ever been so bold as to try to claim a dragon for themselves…or at least have died without anyone realizing what they tried.”
Rhaenyra shook her head as she continued, “Not many have dared to try and claim the Cannibal before, and with good reason, anyone who gets close has been killed or seriously maimed.”
“So you don't think anyone was riding him?”
Rhaenyra pursed her lips as she thought about the question. “I’m skeptical. In that storm, you might have seen a cloak or something else and even if it was a cloak, that doesn’t mean that it came off the Cannibal, it could have been blowing in the wind…”
“I don't know Father, we were up pretty high,” Visenya said with a little frown. Rhaenyra nodded as she reached forward and cupped the back of Visenya’s head.
“I’m not ruling anything out, it is certainly possible that the Cannibal has a rider now,” Rhaenyra said softly. “But right now there isn’t much we can do at the moment, alright?”
Visenya nodded, “...We should tell Mother.”
“We will,” Rhaenyra said. “Let’s tell her after dinner, she's resting now, I don't want to disturb her.”
Visenya nodded and bowed her head, feeling a wave of guilt coming over her, “I’m sorry Father, I…I didn’t think…” She trailed off, feeling her words die in her throat. Rhaenyra reached forward and pulled Visenya into another hug.
“I’m just happy you’re alive,” Rhaenyra whispered.
“Me too,” Visenya said as she nuzzled her cheek against Rhaenyra’s chest. “And I’m happy that Aenar is okay and Mother and the baby are okay too…” Rhaenyra chuckled as she pulled away and smiled down at Visenya.
“And me?”
Visenya laughed and blushed, “I never worry about you Father.”
“But you worry about your Mother?” Rhaenyra laughs. “As fearsome as she is, that surprises me.”
Visenya’s blush grew and a sheepish smile came over her face, “Well yeah, Mother can take care of herself and all but…she’s still my Mother. It’s only natural for me to be protective of her…besides giving birth is dangerous and painful.” Not that Visenya had known that before.
"You're such a sweetheart," Rhaenyra leaned down and gave Visenya a soft kiss on the forehead, “Come on, why don't we head inside? It’s getting cold.” Rhaenyra stepped back and was about to head back to the castle but Visenya reached out and grabbed her hand pulling back.
“Wait, Father…I was coming out here to see Vermithor, do you want to come with me?” She asked, a little smile tugging at her lips. A hesitant smile spread across Rhaenyra’s face and she nodded, lacing her fingers with Visenya’s and allowing her daughter to lead her to the beast.
Rhaenyra squeezed her hand as Visenya led her further and further up the beach. Visenya’s smile grew as she spotted Vermithor’s large form lying in the sand. He let out a low rumble as they got closer. Vermithor pushed up against their bond and a moment later a feeling of contentment washed over her.
Visenya and Rhaenyra slowed down as they came to a stop in front of him. They craned their heads to look up at him. Vermithor let out another deep rumble as he picked up his massive head.
<<Calm, Vermithor.>> Visenya commanded as Vermithor lowered his head down. He flared his nostrils, his hot breath washing over him. It smelled like fire and brimstone and caused Visenya and Rhaenyra to crinkle their noses.
<<Calm, Vermithor.>> She said again, deepening her voice a little as she quickly glanced up at Rhaenyra. << Serve, Vermithor.>> She added, causing him to pull his lips back a little to show his teeth. Vermithor was completely calm and in fact, felt happy to see her and a little curious.
“No doubt about Father.” She thought as she smiled a little wider, a feeling of pride welling up within her as Rhaenyra looked up at Vermithor with awe. Rhaenyra squeezed Visenya’s hand again before releasing it. Very slowly she brought her hand up and hesitated for a moment before pressing her hand flat against Vermithor’s muzzle. He flared his nostril, his curiosity growing as he nudged Rhaenyra’s hand.
Rhaenyra smirked as she turned to her daughter. <<Good job, my daughter.>> Visenya swelled with pride. She turned back to Vermithor, his own feeling of pride coming over her. Visenya straightened and felt herself standing a little taller.
“I’m nervous to see Mother,” Visenya admitted as she and Rhaenyra made their way back toward Laena and Rhaenyra’s chambers.
“Why is that?”
“...I want to apologize to her for our argument earlier,” Visenya said, her stomach twisting tightly with anxiety. “I’m nervous.”
“I’m sure she’ll happily accept your apology,” Rhaenyra said confidently. “As long as you’re being sincere.”
“I am being sincere, she was right,” Visenya said gently. After visiting Vermithor Visenya had told Rhaenyra what had happened between her and Laena. Rhaenyra had made quick work of setting Visenya straight and explained her mother's reasoning. Visenya hadn't been convinced until Rhaenyra had told her of all the ways Visenya could have hurt her sister.
It had finally gotten through to Visenya that she should have listened to her mother. After a moment she said, “But still, apologizing is hard to do.” Rhaenyra chuckled as she placed her hand on the small of Visenya’s back.
“Don't I know it?” Rhaenyra said gently as she opened the doors and led Visenya inside her and Laena's chambers. Aenar, who was lying on his stomach in front of Puff’s crib, stopped his reading as he picked his head up. His face lit up at the sight of them both.
“Father, Visenya!” He cried happily as he pushed himself up to his knees.
“Hey Aenar,” Visenya said as she turned and shut the door. “How’s Puff?”
“Sleeping!”
“Puff?” Rhaenyra asked, looking between them both with raised eyebrows. Across the room, Laena let out a soft groan. They all turned and watched as Laena began to slowly wake up, adjusting herself on the couch.
“My love,” Rhaenyra said with a small smile. She made her way over to Laena and leaned down to kiss her forehead. “How are you doing?”
“She’s been sleeping,” Aenar said before Laena could answer. “But you have to be careful because she’s not feeling well, she did take her medicine though.” Rhaenyra and Laena shared a look, smiling up at one another.
“Can you get me some wine?” Laena asked, her voice rough and dry. It almost sounded painful to Visenya.
“Anything for you,” Rhaenyra said as she pressed her forehead against Laena’s before going to fetch her a goblet. Visenya took that moment to tentatively make her way over to her mother who was rubbing her face.
“Hi,” Visenya said shyly, her voice causing Laena to pick her head up. Visenya leaned forward and kissed her forehead, mimicking Rhaenyra.
“Hello,” Laena chuckled as she reached up and took hold of Visenya’s arms. “How affectionate, I wasn’t expecting it.” She said softly as she began to gently rub Visenya’s arms.
“I’m sorry about what happened with Puff,” Visenya said deciding it was just better to rip the bandage off. “You were right, I should have been more careful. Father said so,” Laena quickly woke up, Visenya’s words seemingly shaking off her drowsiness.
“Thank you for saying that, Visenya,” Laena said softly. “I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings, my love, I just want to make sure you're being careful with your sister.”
“I know,” Visenya said. “And I will be from now on, I won’t do it again…I don't want to hurt Puff, I just got excited...” Visenya glanced over at Rhaenyra who was approaching them, holding Laena’s glass for her. Visenya glanced back down at Laena. “Mother…I want to gain your trust back.”
Laena’s eyes widened but her shock was quickly replaced but a serious expression. “You do?” Visenya nodded her head emphatically.
“I want to earn it back,” Visenya began. “...I’m sorry about everything I did. I shouldn’t have, it’s just…” Visenya dropped her head as she scoffed her boots against the rug. “I wanted to be just like you, I wanted to make you proud of me.”
“Oh Visenya,” Laena said as she pulled Visenya into a tight hug. “I love you, Visenya. And I am proud of you, I’ll always be proud. Even when you make mistakes or do things I don't agree with.”
Visenya nodded as she held onto Laena tightly, “That’s what Father said…” Rhaenyra smiled as she reached forward and ruffled the top of Visenya’s head. Visenya chuckled and pulled away smiling up at Rhaenyra.
“Here you go, my love.” As Rhaenyra spoke, she handed the goblet over to Laena.
“Thank you, my heart.” Laena took a large gulp before looking back and forth between Visenya and Aenar. After a moment she said, "Visenya, your brother told me much the same. He felt the need to prove himself to your father and me and that's one of the reasons he helped you come to Dragonstone."
"Is that so?" Rhaenyra asked as Aenar got up and hurried over to them.
"Why is it that you both are overcome with this need to prove yourselves to us?" Laena asked as she leaned forward, pressing her elbows against her knees.
"Because we look up to you," Aenar said, simply and sweetly. Beside him, Visenya nodded her head.
"You guys are the best," she added. "I want to be just like you Mother."
"And I'm going to be just like Father!" Aenar said. "I'm going to be a brave knight."
Rhaenyra smiled as she moved to stand behind Aenar. She placed her hands on his shoulders and squeezed them tightly, "And you will be if that's what you desire. But you don't have to prove anything to me or your mother."
"Or your sister," Laena added, causing Aenar to blush.
"What do you mean by that?" Visenya asked Laena.
"Nothing!" Aenar squeaked, before he looked up at Rhaenyra, seemingly desperate to change the conversation. Visenya frowned but didn't push, she would ask him later when their parents weren't around. "Father, Mother said something to me that I thought was very shocking."
"What's that?" Rhaenyra asked, looking like she was trying not to laugh at his words.
"She told me when you fought in the Stepstones, you were scared!" He said, causing Visenya to gasp. She immediately jumped to denial as she shook her head.
"No, she wasn't!" Visenya said, almost feeling offended. She turned to Laena and looked wounded, "Why would you say that?"
"Because it's true," Laena said.
"It is," Rhaenyra said quickly before Visenya could object. "Of course I was afraid, it was war."
"I can't believe it," Aenar said softly.
"I don't believe it," Visenya put it. "You must just be trying to make us feel better because I have it on good authority that you were the bravest knight and didn't fear any battle," Visenya said very passionately.
"And whose authority do you have it on?" Laena asked.
"Uncle Laenor!" Visenya exclaimed, causing Laena to groan as she reached up and rubbed her temples.
"Oh, Uncle Laenor would know," Aenar said as he turned to look up at Rhaenyra.
"Uncle Laenor would not know," Rhaenyra said gently. "Your Uncle Laenor...he is a romantic at heart. Sit, both of you." Visenya and Aenar nodded as they allowed Rhaenyra to usher them toward the couch.
"You both have made your mother and me into these...mythical versions of ourselves that we simply are not," Rhaenyra said as she moved to sit on the small, wooden table in front of the couch. Laena turned and laid her arm across the back of the couch as she watched them closely. "As flattered as I am for you both to think that I've never been afraid of anything it's not true and you two putting us on this pedestal is doing more harm to yourselves than good."
"Your father is right," Laena added. "Your father and I get scared just like anyone else, we're not always brave. We're human just like you two are, and you both are putting yourselves under a terrible amount of pressure trying to live up to an image of us that just isn't true. You need to prove yourselves to us, to put yourself in this ringer, it is not necessary and has now become dangerous."
"Your mother and I just want you two to be yourselves," Rhaenyra said softly. "And to grow into your own people, all three of you. Do you understand?"
Visenya and Aenar both nodded, "We are proud of you both, no matter what." Laena added again. "So please take this weight off your shoulders, you two are destined to do great things independent of your father and me."
"Does that mean we can't look up to you anymore?" Aenar asked sadly, causing Rhaenyra and Laena to laugh.
"Of course, you can look up to us," Rhaenyra said. "But you don't need to break yourselves in half to be like us, alright?"
"Okay," Visenya said smiling softly. Aenar seemed more contemplative.
"Does this count for Puff to?" He asked.
“Yes of course," Rhaenyra said very sincerely before saying, "Who is Puff?" Laena let out a peel of laughter.
“The baby,” Visenya and Aenar said together.
“We had to give her a nickname because you and Mother still haven’t named her,” Visenya said as she moved close to Laena and leaned against her side.
“I see," Rhaenyra said, sounding a little confused.
“If you guys want, we can just make Puff her real name!” Aenar said excitedly.
“Aenar we can’t name the baby Puff,” Visenya said before anyone else could.
“Why not?”
“Because that’s a baby name,” Visenya informed her brother.
“But Puff is a baby,” Aenar reminded her as a heavy knock came at the door. Rhaenyra turned and made her way over to the door.
“But Puff isn’t going to be a baby forever,” Visenya said.
“Oh, I guess that’s a good point.” Aenar frowned as Laena placed her now empty goblet down. Reaching forward she pulled Visenya close to her.
“Are you guys going to name the baby soon?” Visenya asked as Rhaenyra shut the door, holding a small scroll in her hand. Rhaenyra popped open the seal and began to quickly unroll it, her eyes quickly roving over the words.
“Yes, soon enough,” Laena said distractedly as she watched Rhaenyra as her wife’s face twisted into a scowl. “Rhaenyra?”
“A missive from my father,” Rhaenyra announced to the room. “Baelon and Laenor’s wedding has been pushed back to late next week. He is demanding our presence at the wedding, all of us.”
Visenya and Aenar exchanged a look, cringing a little. Laena held Visenya tighter, resting her chin on the top of her head.
“They were able to move that back quickly,” she said softly.
“They’ve had four days,” Rhaenyra said with a frown as she tossed the letter on the table. “It doesn’t say much else besides we all need to be there, such a formal letter.” Reaching up she brought her hand to the face and began to rub it slowly.
“Are you going to be well enough to travel by then?” Aenar asked, tilting his head up a little to look up at Laena.
“I will,” Laena promised before kissing his cheek. “Not by Vhagar, by any means but by ship I will.”
“Are you sure you can’t stay here with Puff and rest?” Visenya asked, guilt gnawing at her insides. Traveling by ship wasn’t comfortable at all and she didn’t like the idea that Laena would have to suffer for something like a wedding. Once again, she hated how she could have so callously put her mother in this position.
“I’ll be fine,” Laena promised. “Besides your Grandsire is calling upon me, I can’t very well deny an order from the king.”
“I could work it out,” Visenya said quickly, a protective feeling coming over her. “Me and Vermithor.”
“Me too!” Aenar said quickly.
“As could I,” Rhaenyra said just as seriously. Laena laughed as she looked at all of them, Rhaenyra and Visenya’s eyes were burning with identical looks of defiance, both ready and willing to jump at her defense. While Aenar was looking up at her with a bright, loving smile.
Laena smiled at each of them, “I appreciate your offers but I will be fine, trust me.” She said softly. “Duty calls after all.”
“If you’re sure,” Rhaenyra said gruffly.
“I’m positive,” Laena said with a smile as she reached her hand out. “Can I see your father’s letter?” Rhaenyra nodded and handed it over without fuss. Laena hummed as she quickly read it.
“This is indeed a polite letter,” Laena said softly.
“But…that’s a good thing, right?” Aenar asked. Laena picked her eyes up and exchanged a look with Rhaenyra whose expression had turned grumpy.
“You’re Grandsire is angry,” Laena finally said. Visenya swallowed thickly and felt her anxiety spike. She didn’t even want to think what would happen once they got back to King’s Landing. She nearly groaned as she thought of Aemma.
“She’s going to rake us over the coals…” She thought as she ran her hand over her face just as Rhaenyra had.
“Um…you think he’s still mad because Visenya and I ran away to Dragonstone right before Uncle Baelon and Laenor’s wedding?” Aenar asked gently.
A beat passed as they all turned to Aenar. “Yes,” Laena said after a moment as she placed her letter down on the table. “Your actions hurt more than just your father and I, it’s not something your grandsire will get over easily. You’ll both have a lot to answer for once we get back home.”
Aenar and Visenya winced again as they exchanged another look. Laena turned to Rhaenyra who still looked frustrated, “Perhaps it would be wise if you left to King’s Landing first on Syrax, try to smooth things over?”
Rhaenyra considered it for a moment before conceding, “It would be wise, surely.”
“But?” Laena asked, recognizing that tone.
“I’m not going to leave you and the children here, not after you’ve just given birth,” Rhaenyra said. “Besides, I think it’s clear that everyone is going to be pretty upset with us when we get back.”
“But you guys didn’t do anything wrong,” Aenar said with a frown.
“Yeah that’s not fair, it’s our fault,” Visenya added. Rhaenyra and Laena gave one another a knowing look. Rhaenyra pursed her lips as she placed her hands on her hips.
“Still, we’re all in hot water,” Rhaenyra said now. “And I think we should all go back together. I don't want us to look fractured by me going back first.”
“Rhaenyra…” Laena said hesitantly.
“We’re a family,” Rhaenyra said to Laena, moving closer to give her a soft kiss. “We stick together.”
“Yeah!” Aenar said suddenly.
“I think it’s a good idea,” Visenya spoke up. “...There’s strength in numbers.” She added, not liking the idea of Rhaenyra going into the lion's den and having to answer for her mistakes. That just didn’t seem fair.
“If anything I should be the one going…” Visenya said as she looked between her parents. The idea caused a pit in her stomach and Visenya found she really didn’t want to have to face that alone.
“It would seem I’m outnumbered,” Laena said after a moment. Rhaenyra smiled and leaned forward to give her another kiss.
Visenya found herself relaxing in Laena’s arms, feeling grateful as she looked at her parents and then at her little brother. Snuggling closer to Laena she felt a warm feeling blanket over her…but this time it wasn’t Vermithor’s doing.
Visenya stifled a yawn as she trudged toward her bed, her body heavy with exhaustion. It was late at night and Visenya had spent most of it watching Vermithor soar through the skies above Dragonstone. Yet sleep wouldn’t come—not because of nightmares, but because of the conversation she’d had with her parents after dinner.
She’d told Laena everything, confessing the full truth of what had happened while claiming Vermithor.
Visenya had braced for her mother’s wrath, expecting an eruption of anger. But to Visenya's surprise, Laena had burst into tears instead, which had been far worse. Visenya had prayed for her mother to yell at her instead, to rake her over the coals. Her mother's tears had made her feel like dirt. At least yelling she could handle.
Luckily for Visenya, she would eventually get her wish. Laena's tears were followed by a fierce scolding, every word filled with unbridled anger. When Laena finished, she sent Visenya to bed, leaving her alone as she and Rhaenyra spoke privately.
That had been hours ago. As Visenya climbed under her blankets, her mind churned with unease.
“What are they talking about?” she wondered. “Probably deciding how to punish me.”
Her thoughts whirled until the weight of her exhaustion began to pull her under. Her eyes drifted shut—but before sleep could claim her, she felt Vermithor reach out through their bond.
She opened herself to him, and a wave of warmth wrapped around her like a cocoon. His protective presence flowed through her, steady and reassuring. Visenya leaned into it, letting the sensation lull her as her body relaxed. Very quickly Visenya found herself falling asleep.
That night, she dreamed of dragons.
Dozens of dragons filled her vision, their riders soaring high above the world. She recognized some—Rhaenyra on Syrax, Laena on Vhagar, Laenor on Seasmoke. But others were strangers, both riders and their dragons unfamiliar to her. Yet, somehow, she felt like she knew them as if they were tied to her through something deeper than just a dream.
At the center of them all, she rode Vermithor, her laughter ringing out as they soared together through the clouds. They were all together, and in that dream, she felt nothing but joy.
For the first time in a long while, Visenya slept peacefully.