289 AC – Dragonstone

Even after I woke up the next morning in my personal caverns – which still only was a large stable complex without walls – I was still thoroughly ashamed of myself. Why did I believe the King would simply hear me out? Even after Stannis assured me he did not always behave as kin should? Shouldn't I have figured that out when I surmised the man keeps his brood unprotected?

I expected Stannis to come by last night, even despite his anger, but then the hour grew late and the lights in the castle dimmed...I had to accept he wouldn't. My insides contracted with worry and hurt, but surely...Stannis Baratheon would not simply abandon me, would he?

Soon enough, my personal human came by to give me my daily wash. The young purple eyed lad soaked a cloth in warm water, slowly and methodically washed me with in absolutely silence. Perhaps even the boy could tell I was in no mood to be messed with. I quietly presented a limb, the boy would slowly scrub it and so it went on. When the lad was finally done I was left alone again with a bucket of fish.

I quickly gobbled up a handful of the delicious little creatures – my hunger seemingly undiminished -,but I did not feel entirely sated afterward. There was a tension that I simply could not rid myself of and I was not of mind to bear it much longer. With nobody and nothing around to distract me from my woes I soon came upon to decision to seek out Stannis. If he wasn't coming to, I'd find my way to my Human.

But I could not come empty handed.

I looked back at the bucket of fish – four of them were left untouched – and quickly devised an offering for my Human. Exceedingly carefully I pulled out one of the fish, gently flew it over to a stone slab outside my cavern and placed it on top of it. Once again I gathered the might inside my belly, felt the power respond and rumble, and softly breathed my flame around the fish.

Once. Twice. Thrice.

Over and over again until the fish attained the similar scent of the produce of the cooks. I judged it just well cooked enough for a human to consume and even gentler flew my handiwork over to the castle proper. With quick spurts I flashed past Stannis' office and almost breathed a sigh of relief when I saw him present and playing with his parchments. I quickly turned around, flew into his room and glided on to his desk.

Stannis quietly looked up at me, quirked an eyebrow, but said nothing as I presented the fish.

As contrite as I could I spoke, "I apologize for last night, Stannis Baratheon. I did not wish to shame you."

For long moments my Human said nothing, until he finally nodded slowly and asked, "Are you apologizing because you comprehend what you've done, Orys, or because I am vexed with you as of yet?"

Uhm.

I quirked my head sideways when I answered, "Both, my Human. I should not have acted against your King." I muttered under my breath, "For lord knows I shall not refer to him as your kin."

Stannis frowned, "What was that?"

I looked up at him and reluctantly replied, "I know you said he was...difficult, but it is inconceivable to me that kin would treat kin thus! He...he should be protecting you as the eldest broodmate!" Reflexively I hissed at the notion, "I shouldn't have doubted you, my Human, even if it proved difficult to comprehend."

Once again Stannis nodded, "Very well, my Dragon. I accept your apology, but you must understand that you shall have to apologize to my brother as well."

What!

"And then there is the matter of your broken word."

I held myself as quietly as possible when he continued, "I am aware how very young you are, Orys, and I do not hold you truly responsible. Still, you gave me your word you would not cause mischief and you have. How am I to trust you?"

I folded in even deeper into my self, until Stannis reached out to gently scratch me behind my ears.

"If you had harmed him, Orys, he would have been well within his rights to demand your head."

What!

"You cannot mean that!"

Stannis rapidly pulled me in close, "I can and I assure you, I do! Foolish little creature, I do not give you these rules merely to control you! They are to keep you safe, Orys!" He pulled me so close our noses almost touched, "Tell me you understand you cannot challenge the King!"

Carefully I responded, "Aye, Stannis Baratheon! The King is too powerful to antagonize. I...I understand he has more men in steel than you do and you..." This latter part almost physically hurt to spit out, "May not be able to protect me from him."

Another one of Stannis' arms pulled me into his lab and I immediately curled up in them. I craned my neck backwards to keep an eye on Stannis, even as he massaged me again.

"For now, Orys, after you apologize to Robert...you must stay away from him. If you cannot sit by idly as he...is himself, I cannot trust your instincts around him. Do you understand?"

I nodded fervently, but before I could respond Stannis spoke up again, "Now, why did you ask Robert about his bastards?"

Oh.

"Uhm...I wanted more Baratheons around here, my Human. Kin should be with kin..." Again I reflexively hissed in outrage, "But I've heard that the King leaves his brood unprotected out in the world! If he does not desire them, I certainly do!"

Again Stannis frowned, "That is not how Robert tells it, Orys."

I diverted my gaze from Stannis' intense one when I replied, "I thought to salvage his pride by requesting it as a favor to me. I thought..." I did my best approximation of a sigh, "I thought that he might not take views on his behavior well and may well keep his brood away from me if I aired them!"

My Human bared his teeth slightly – smiled, remember that, he won't eat me – and responded, "Well, at least you have some rudimentary understanding of politics-."

I interrupted him, "I should have known better! What kind of person leaves their brood alone?" A few heartbeats later I continued, "Has the King gone feral? Perhaps there is a reason we do not know?"

Stannis' expression softened significantly and he replied after cupping my head in his hands, "Sometimes, Orys, people imagine that their ill considered actions do not matter if they are out of sight. And sometimes...sometimes people simply do what they wish." He frowned again, "If I knew what ailed my brother, I assure you little Dragon that I would have already acted upon it."

Of course he would!

I looked up at Stannis again, "You should have been the eldest broodmate, my Human. You have all the right instincts!"

For some reason that made Stannis flinch and fall silent. What did I say?

289 AC – Dragonstone

I found myself bitterly choking through a halting apology to King Stag, all while hearing my Human's teeth grinding themselves ever flatter. At least I could find some solace that it was mostly only Stannis' kin hearing my abject submission. Them and that infernal white haired healer...

Remember his endless metal men.

I ended my apology with, "I hope you can forgive me, King Stag."

Robert stared down at me intently before turning to the others, "I would have a few moments alone with the Dragon."

Oh.

I looked around at my Human and found him stiffly nodding his assent. Within moments the room cleared out and I was left to bare the King's presence by myself. A daunting task to be sure, since all I could think of was my Human's inability to shelter me from his wrath. A strange feeling it was, knowing that my very existence might be forfeit on the whims of this man.

I did not like it.

Quietly the King seemed to settle in to gaze upon me. Long moments passed where all the man did was lightly breath in and out, all the while looking exceedingly at ease. King Stag, evidently, did not fear me in the slightest.

Finally he spoke, "You tried to burn me."

Immediately I responded, "Nay." A heartbeat or two passed before I continued, "You are unburnt."

After my apology this was the extent of politeness I could muster. If he did not accept my more flowery words, why should I bother continuing with them?

King Stag slowly raised an eyebrow, which I took as an invitation to elaborate.

"If I wished to burn you, I would not have missed. My flame is not an arrow to be loosed and shot off course by foul winds, it is simply an extension of me."

The solitary eyebrow was joined by the other, "You contend that missed deliberately, but surely you grasp the offense of the very act itself?"

I nodded slowly, "Which is why I apologized, King Stag. An apology you seemingly do not wish to accept."

Is this how I die? Mere moments after hatching?

The King snorted rather indelicately, "I do not care overmuch, but certain things cannot be borne." An even louder snort followed, "Even though I would not have accepted that feeble excuse for an apology in open court."

He must have sensed my confusion as he went on, "Even a child could tell you meant nothing of it."

Another slow nod from me, "Granted, apologies do not come easily for me."

"You're a cocky little shit, especially considering you're mere weeks old. What, pray tell, shall you be like when you are grown?"

I peeled my lips back, rang my tongue around my teeth and replied ever so softly, "Beyond the reckoning of men."

It may have been unwise to be so blunt, but I feared that a lie would only harm my situation further. Surely the King could comprehend that once I was fully grown...there was little anyone could undertake to harm me. I would be nearly untouchable, save for another Dragon, which I have been assured...are no longer around.

Robert faintly growled his response, "As I said; a cocky little shit."

I shrugged in return, "Would you have me lie to you? Pretend I shall be easily shackled when I am grown?" Another shrug, "I've been told of your more powerful Lords."

The man looked slightly confused, which I took as an opening to pounce.

"Of House Tyrell, with their one hundred thousand swords. Of House Lannister and their unending resources. Of House Martell and their undying hatred of you."

His growl slightly intensified, "Go on."

"I've spoken at length with the wise white haired healer of the history of your lands." I slowly cocked my head sideways, "Those men, those Lords are a far larger threat to you than I ever shall be."

"Oh? Why is that?" The King bit out, after leaning in towards me.

"Unlike them I require no glory. No Royal favor. No Royal patronage. I need no positions filled on your councils, nor do I require you to send pretty words my way. I need none of that, none of those unending demand of your over mighty subjects." Now I was the one moving closer to him, "I am far more easily bought, and furthermore...I stay bought."

The King seemingly reflexively barked, "Hah!" The massive man leaned back in my Human's chair and slightly narrowed his eyes at me as he asked, "And what, pray tell, is your price?"

I hissed ever so softly, "Cease laughing at my Human."

His eyes narrowed further, but I did not give him an opening to speak.

"Give me your brood, of whom you hold no interest, so that I may cherish them. That is all I shall ever ask of you!"

Another excruciatingly long silence. The King's gaze burned into my own, but I feared no intense looks. I felt my heartbeat pounding into my chest until the man finally seemed to deflate.

A deep sigh came rolling out of him as he said, "What has my brother done to win you so, little Orys?"

Did it work? And how in God's name am I supposed to answer that?

I shrugged again, "He's my Human."

Now slightly more frustrated he bit out, "Yes, yes I've heard that! Strange little creature..." Another sigh, "Men will attempt to turn my brother against me. Will you swear not to heed them?"

Does that include you?

I nodded, "Done and done!" I peeled back my lips again, "I care not for your human politics."

"What if it cares about you? I do imagine you shall not be able to avoid it!"

I cocked my head sideways in confusion, "To what end?"

"For my damnable throne, Orys!"

I hissed frantically, "Is that why Stannis is worried? That men might attempt to place him in your stead?" Oh, isn't that was I said...oopsie. "Fear not, I shall not approve of it. My Human already spends too much time ruling, and I have no interest in sharing him with your Kingdom."

Nor to see him turning into you.

Finally the King laughed again – still upsettingly loud – and replied afterward, "Stannis said you did not perceive the world as men do." He leaned in ever closer, "Be certain to share that loudly when I call you to court."

"Aye, King Stag."

"I desire to understand you, little Baratheon Dragon." He leaned back into my Human's chair again, "Tell me, Orys. What is it that you want, for yourself I mean?"

I already have Stannis, but I fear he would not count that an answer.

When he noticed I wasn't replying he elaborated, "What do Dragons desire most in life?"

Something shook loose in the back of my mind and I tittered loudly, "What is best in life?"

The King fortunately looked faintly amused at my laughing, "Aye, Orys."

I peeled my lips back wickedly, "To crush your enemies, to see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentations of their women!"

King Stag laughed and perhaps all was well.

289 AC – Dragonstone

Curled up on my Human's lap, there were very few places where I felt as comfortable as that. The big lug has asked whether I minded it in public, but I rapidly shut down that line of thinking. There was exceedingly little worth in the opinions of others.

"Are you certain that men worship fire in the East?"

As grows in my belly?

Faintly amused Stannis replied, "Do you imagine I have taken to misleading you?"

I immediately shot upright at that remark, "Nay! It just seems so...strange. What is there to worship?"

In the background I heard Robert half laughing, half roaring. "And then he said; 'To crush your enemies, to see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentations of their women!' Can you believe that?"

Stannis raised an eyebrow and I simply shrugged.

A few moments passed before he dropped the subject and asked, "Would you care for an introduction with Thoros? Is that why you've been asking Cressen about this Lord of Light?"

I nodded at my Human, "Aye, yes please. I have so many questions for him."

"Am I about to lose you to religion, little Orys?"

An instinctive hiss came rushing out, "Nonsense." A few heartbeats later I continued, "And there is something about that name that strikes me as...familiar."

"Oh?"

"I cannot explain it, my Human."

Stannis nodded and asked, "Shall I take you to the Red Priest?"

I shook my head from side to side, "Not in your Hall, make him come to you!"

My Human lightly bared him lips, snapped his fingers at one of the humans milling around and directed them to go collect me a Red Priest. It wasn't long before the bald man found his way next to Stannis and a few moments after that my Human explained my desires.

The man contemplatively stared at me for long moments before he finally spoke, "That is a difficult question to answer, little Dragon."

I stared at the bald man, "Attempt it regardless, if you would."

The man frowned and asked me, "Might I ask what brought this on?"

"You do not seem very enthused to speak about your religion, Priest."

Thoros of Myr grabbed at his chest and said, "You wound me, my good Dragon, to my very core." He sighed and rapidly went on, "Very well, I shall attempt to explain. What do you already know?"

The Red Priest confirmed my scant knowledge, elaborated a touch on it, until we finally came to the subject of my curiosity, "There is only one God and his name is R'hllor, little Dragon, the Bringer of the Light and the Shadow. The Creator of the Heavens, the Earth and all in between. The Father to us all."

Hmm. Should I share this? It feels...familiar somehow. As if I've already learned this.

I quickly decided it likely did not matter much, "I...I have knowledge. Knowledge I was hatched with, and when I heard the description I felt it...familiar."

Now I finally had his complete attention. The man stared at me intently, with a look of slight confusion, and begged of me to continue. I flew out of Stannis' lap towards the table and stared right back at the Red Priest. I simply had to know. Was this Bringer of Light and Shadow the source of my...strange memories?

"There's..." And then it happened again. Something shook loose in the back of my mind and I let it take over again, "In the Beginning God created the Heaven and Earth. And the Earth was without form, and void; and Darkness was upon the deep."

I sensed more than I felt all of the eyes in Hall upon me, but this was too important. If this Priest had the answers...

"And God said, Let there Be Light; and there was Light. And God saw the Light and said it was Good; and God divided the Light from the Darkness."

The Red Priest's eyes nearly boggled out when he whispered, "Merciful God..." He shook his head, seemingly to clear it, and continued, "I beg of you, continue..."

"Do you feel the words familiar, Red Priest? As I do yours?"

"Aye! It's...not the same, but exceedingly similar. I must know, Dragon...where does this knowledge hail from?"

I almost collapsed in on myself. He did not know...

"I fear I might have disappointed you?"

"I had hoped...you had answers."

Stannis chose that moment to intervene, "I have found that religion often gives you few answers, Orys, and many more questions." The big man extended his hand towards me, I flew over to it and he cradled me into his chest. "Do not grow distraught, my Dragon."

Well, that proved useless and now I have caught the attention of the Red Priest for no gain.

The man made himself heard again, "Your master is right, little one. I fear I have little to offer and less to teach, but what I do have is under your disposal...should you require it."

I craned my neck through Stannis' grip and replied, "Much appreciated, Thoros of-."

And then I lost my train of thought when Robert stood up and bellowed, "House Baratheon has been blessed with much, and I do not know which Gods to thank. Whether our Seven-Who-Are-One prevailed upon fortune or this Lord of Light and Shadow labored for our benefit is unclear." He stared around the room, easily taking charge of the gathered crowd. "What I do know is that my brother has succeeded where generations of Targaryens have failed!"

And the crowd went wild.

Stannis was quick enough to cup my head to shield me from the worst, but I still did not enjoy the outpouring of sound rushing at me. That was one aspect of my being I could stand to grow out of.

"And now, I have hopes he might do the impossible once more. We have found five Dragon eggs in the bowels of Dragonstone, which were warm to the touch. A handful more were located that were deemed unlikely, as a cold chill has taken hold of them and ensured their petrification."

Five warm eggs!

Five!

Once again I was pleased with Stannis' hands sheltering me from the crowds eager shouts.

Robert looked around the Hall once more and spoke with a satisfied expression, "An auspicious number, given that there are five Baratheon eggs for five Baratheons! My brother Stannis, of course, is already spoken for, but his daughter Shireen will cradle together with her egg. The others shall be divided between myself and my young brother Renly! They shall go to my son and heir, Crown Prince Joffrey Baratheon and..."

As he trailed off he smirked exceedingly smugly, "And my latest child, fast growing inside my dearest Queen and likely eager to escape her!"

"Hear Hear!" Echoed through the room, and once it cleared my Human stood.

"As always, your Grace, you shall have my every service."

After which the crowd went nuts again!

"Ba-ra-the-on!" "Ba-ra-the-on!" "Ba-ra-the-on!" "Ba-ra-the-on!" "Ba-ra-the-on!" "Ba-ra-the-on!"

AN: Feedback and commentary is greatly appreciated! Please drop a review to share what you think!