Aegon and Samwell continued their walk through the Red Keep, deep in conversation as their stepps echoed in the halls. Ever since Aegon's encouragement and wisdom, Samwell could not stop talking about the knowledge he gathered from his time at the Citadel. This was quite endearing for the Dragon King who smiled at his newest friend who has more confidence thanks to him after years of being bullied by others for being different. With every conversation that they had, he's learning something new about his home.
Aegon suddenly felt like something was watching them, making the hairs on his neck stand up. He stood still as he grabbed Samwell's shoulder, stopping him abruptly in his talk as he looked at the King in confusion, "Your Grace?"
Aegon was silent as he looked around, trying to find the person that was spying on them, "Someone's watching us." he said, almost quietly as Samwell's eyes widen before looking around in paranoia, "What?" he asked, trying to find the spy, uncomfortable at the idea of being watched.
Aegon felt quiet footsteps approaching them from behind. Grasping the dagger at his waist, he whispered to the Maester, "Sam, do not move." he said before they felt hot breath hitting their backs. Samwell stiffened, "I don't think it's human." he said, scared at the sounds that originated behind them as the creature breathed down their necks.
The Dragon King couldn't help but agree before he slowly turned his head to look at their stalker, his peripheral vision catching blood red eyes and white before he took in the full view of the creature. Aegon's face fell at the non-threatening look it was giving them, he was silent for a moment as red and violet eyes stared at each other, one with curiosity and the other in bewilderment.
Patting Samwell on the shoulder, "Sam, can you please explain to me what I'm looking at?" he asked, not taking his eyes off the creature, somehow he felt that it was intelligent as a human even though it was not. Samwell slowly turned around, afraid that any sudden movements would result in instant death. When he saw what Aegon wa staring at, his mouth fell open at the beautiful creature that was standing before them, "That's a direwolf." he exclaimed as red eyes turned to Sam's. The direwolf was the size of a horse, maybe bigger, it's pure white fur rivalling the color of snow and red eyes staring into their souls.
For a good few seconds, the two men and direwolf stared each other down until Aegon broke the silence, "How can a wolf get this big?" he couldn't help but ask, his hand no longer grasping the hilt of his dagger.
"This-This is no ordinary wolf Your Grace. This here...is a direwolf, they are intelligent, powerful and can brave the harshest winters in the North. They live North of the Wall." Samwell explained, his eyes beholding the Northern creature he's read about in books.
Aegon's eyes lit up, "Ser Jorah told me stories about them, they were supposed to be legends and myths." he said, remembering what his sworn sword told him during their down times where the old night would tell him stories about his Northern home.
"You have no room to talk about legendary creatures not existing." a feminine voice came from behind them to see their Queen freshly cleaned and dressed in a grey tunic and black trousers. She stood with relaxed confidence as she smiled at them, more specifically at the direwolf.
Aegon realized her remark before he breathed out a quiet laugh, "My apologies My Queen, I never meant to offend such a creature." he said, still feeling the direwolf behind him as Lyra approached her companion, "You're excused, I knew you would be meeting Ghost soon. Hope he didn't startle you too much." she said as she got close enough to stroke her friend's fur.
"Only a little. / Very much, yes." Aegon and Samwell said at the same time, making the two men turn to each other in confusion over what the other said. Lyra chuckled under her breath, "My Ghost has that effect on people." she said, stroking Ghost's neck affectionately as the direwolf wined in content, loving his mistress' attention.
"While your dragons are the sigil of House Targaryen, the direwolf is the sigil of House Stark." she said absentmindedly before turning to the men, "Would you like to pet him?" she asked, her hands not leaving Ghost.
"Um, which one?" Samwell asked, pointing between himself and Aegon who raised an eyebrow. Although he was amazed by the appearance of the direwolf, he was still tense because of its enormous size.
"Both of you." Lyra answered, staring at them, waiting for one to step up before Aegon shrugged before taking slow steps towards the creature, not wanting to startle it lest he lose a hand. He kept his eyes locked on the direwolf's red ones, showing him that he was not afraid. Once he stood in front of Ghost, he was unsure how he should pet him without being insulting, "I'm not sure how he likes to be petted." he said to Lyra, not breaking eye contact as the Queen smiled before gently taking his hand and bringing it to Ghost's neck, both of their fingers buried in white fur. Lyra removed her hand from Aegon before he ran his fingers along the fur, completely in disbelief at the surprising softness of the direwolf. This reminded him of his dragons who he left at Dragonstone for their safety and the people's. Looking into Ghost's eyes, he saw something very human as his red eyes glanced from his mistress to Aegon, as though he was questioning who the latter was to the former.
Ghost blinked at Aegon as the former carefully removed his hand from the fur, a smile set in place as he glanced at Lyra who returned his smile with one of her own.
Turning to Samwell, Aegon beckoned the Maester to come forward, "Sam, it's your turn." he said, making said Maester tense up, "Me?" he pointed at himself as he glanced at the direwolf. "No, the other Sam." Aegon said sarcastically before stepping towards his friend and guiding him towards the Northern creature, "You yourself said they're intelligent, that means he won't sense you as a threat." Aegon said as he pulled the stiff Maester towards the Queen and Ghost. "You have nothing to fear good Maester, he won't bite...at least not you." Lyra assured Samwell as she continued stroking Ghost's fur.
Samwell swallowed his saliva as he got closer to the direwolf, his eyes locking onto Ghost's before raising his left hand for the direwolf to sniff, 'Might as well lose my less dominant hand.' he thought to himself as Ghost's snout came closer to his appendage, smelling his hand before licking the trembling fingers. Samwell jumped a little before he relaxed and allowed his hand to stroke the underside of Ghost's chin. A smile came onto his face as he scratched up to his ear, "Hey, I love dogs." he said, making Ghost wine at his comment, "Sorry, no offence meant." Samwell rescinded his statement, not wishing to offend the creature who forgave him by leaning into his touch.
Aegon and Lyra stood off to the side, smiling as Samwell freely petted the direwolf without reserve, "No one at home will ever believe me if I told them about this." Samwell said to himself, smiling like a child before turning to the Lyra, "If you don't mind me asking Your Grace, I would like to sketch Ghost, measure height and length to see if whether or not he is fully grown like the legends say." he says with a hopeful expression, hand not leaving Ghost's fur.
Lyra didn't have the heart to refuse Samwell who looked eager to discover new things in the world, "I see no harm with that." she turned to Ghost and spoke to him in the Old Tongue, "Go with Samwell, he wishes to learn more about you. Take care of him." she said, knowing that the two men were staring at her in confusion as Ghost nodded before she turned to the Maester, "He'll go with you Maester, treat him well." she said as Samwell nodded before he walked away with Ghost, talking adamantly as they disappeared from the King and Queen's sight.
Aegon turned to Lyra, his expression full of intrigue over what just occurred, "Well that certainly was interesting." he didn't know what else to say as Lyra looked up at him with an amused smile, "Indeed it was." she said before walking down the corridor with Aegon by her side.
"That language you spoke, what was it?" Aegon asked, having heard people in the East speak in many languages and learning them with the help of Missandei. But not this kind of language, it was wild like the Dothraki, but filled with ancient history like his Valyrian tongue.
"The Old Tongue." Lyra answered with a smile, "It is an ancient, rune-based language spoken in Westeros by the First Men. The Old Tongue was gradually supplanted by the language and alphabet of the Andals, now known as the "Common Tongue" of Westeros." she explained as they walked together down a corridor that was all too familiar to her, "I learned the basics from a Wildling named Osha who now lives in Winterfell." she said, remembering the Wildling woman who works for the King in the North as both friend and servant.
"Aren't Wildlings savages who live beyond the Wall?" Aegon asked, remembering Jorah's stories regarding the inhabitants beyond the Wall who escape South and raid villages and rape women.
Lyra smiled sadly, "It's true that Westeros consider Wildlings as savage beasts who don't follow the rules of Kingdoms. But how can we blame them when it was my ancestors who built that Wall, who cut them off from the rest of the world centuries before Westeros was founded." she said, hating the discrimination the ancient structure created when the Long Night ended.
"Forgive me for asking, but why was the Wall built in the first place?" he asked, his love for history showing in his voice. Lyra breathed out a laugh before she recited the ancient story that has been etched into the North, "Eight thousand years before the Targaryen Conquest, a winter known as the Long Night descended upon the world, which lasted an entire generation. Thousands starved as the crops and fields lay buried under dozens of feet of snow. In the darkness and cold of the Long Night, came the most dangerous monsters in all the land: the White Walkers. Undead creatures who descended upon Westeros from the farthest north, the polar regions of the Lands of Always Winter. The conflict that arose from the Long Night is known as the War for the Dawn as the White Walkers sought to bring an end to all life and to cover the world in an endless winter." she paused, remembering the horrifying stories that frightened her since childhood, "None knew why the White Walkers came when they did, but they killed all in their path, every living being they came across. Those that were killed were resurrected as one of them, strengthening their army at their command, and soon the White Walkers and their hordes of undead were sweeping across the continent." she said imagining the horrors her ancestors faced in that age, "Eventually the First Men and the Children of the Forest formed an alliance and rallied to defend themselves. Together, they fought for the freedom of the living lands and drove the undead back from whence they came. The Long Night was over, and spring blessed the land after years winter." Lyra said with a proud whimsical smile, the happy ending always her favorite part in that story. "The founder of House Stark, Bran the Builder, created the Wall with the help of giants and men. Legend says that the Wall was infused with powerful magic spells by the Children of the Forest that prevent the White Walkers from crossing it. The ancient order of the Night's Watch was founded to defend the Wall should the White Walkers return to invade the realms of men once more." she finished the ancient tale, looking up at Aegon's spellbound eyes as he took in every word she strung together to tell him that story.
Aegon was silent as he imagined such creatures that once existed, he fought that shiver at the thought of dead men walking about, but was assured by the fact that they were gone thanks to Lyra's ancestors. "That is quite a story. One that has lasted for thousands of years. It puts the founding of Valyria to shame considering the monsters your people faced in that age." Aegon said, making Lyra smile at his compliment.
"Have they returned?" Aegon asked, Lyra facing him in confusion over his question before he clarified, "The White Walkers." he said, though his voice was calm, he knew that magic still existed in this world and it can bring back legendary creatures like his dragons, and that thought made him tense up.
Lyra reassuringly at Aegon, "No one has seen a White Walker in eight thousand years My King, and it will be another eight thousand more, long after you and I are gone from this world, before they ever return." she said, smiling at Aegon, "The dead monsters are not here anymore. We must focus on the ones who hide in human form now."
Aegon nodded in agreement, "Yes, I've seen my fair share in the East, now we must deal with them here in the West." he said, earning a slight smirk from the Queen, "Good. That's the kind of talk I like to hear."
Aegon smiled before he realized where they were, "Where are we?" he asked, not recognizing this corridor. Lyra looped her arm in his with a whimsical smile on her face as she guided him towards a large set of doors that towered over them, "I wanted to save the best for last in your tour. But I believe you have waited long enough to finally see it." she said before breaking away from Aegon to open the doors.
The moment the doors opened, Aegon recognized the inside of the room from his vision in the House of the Undying. He followed Lyra at her side, looking around the room, memorising the pillars that reached the ceiling as they approached the object that stood out in the spacious room. Lyra sighed as she stared at the all to familiar and uncomfortable object, "Your long awaited welcome home gift." she began, her voice above a whisper, "The heart of Westeros, the Conqueror's legacy, our shared bloodright...the Iron Throne."
Aegon beheld the Iron Throne with a heavy heart. It was just like within that vision, only there was no snow that blanketed the ground. Walking up the steps, he reached his hand out to feel the melted pommel of a sword and found that it was rough in his hand. He memorized the detail of the Throne, trying to count the number of swords it took to forge the Targaryen legacy.
"Everything you imagined it to be?" Lyra asked, walking up the steps to join him. Aegon breathed out a laugh, giving up in his counting the swords as he turned to Lyra, "For years my brother Viserys talked about the Iron Throne, how it was majestic and towered over everyone that stood before the kings who sat upon it." he said, tracing the melted pommel.
"And?" Lyra asked as Aegon snorted quietly, "He was a bloody liar." Lyra failed to keep the smile off her face as Aegon turned back to the throne as she stood on the other side of said throne. "He wasn't lying, it was merely from his point of view. He was but a child the last time he gazed upon it, so it's natural for everything around him to be big and majestic in his little eyes." Lyra said, watching Aegon's face as he glanced at her, "Though I will admit, I've heard stories about this throne being a living artifact of the Conqueror and how magnificent kings are when they sit upon it." she pursed her lips, "No words can describe how utterly...what's the most gentle word to describe how ugly it looks?" she asked Aegon whose mouth quirked up in amusement, "Not pretty?" he offered, Lyra shrugged, "It is. The most...unpretty throne in Westeros...and the most uncomfortable chair to sit in." she said, giving the throne a glare as Aegon snorted a laugh, "I'm serious, I've been sitting in this thing for over a year now, and let me tell you that a chamber pot is more comfortable than a chair made of swords. I respect our ancestor, he was trying to make a point about what dragon fire can do to his enemies and thus created that symbolism in the form of this chair. But couldn't he have made something that didn't stab your arse every time you sit in it? I mean, honestly, what goes on-" Lyra stopped her tirade at the bursts of laughter that spewed forth from Aegon who was trying to keep himself upright and not double over in laughter.
Lyra stared at him as he continued laughing, "Why are you laughing?" she asked with a smile, even though it was unbecoming of a royal monarch to show such emotions, this was truly a sight for her to see.
Aegon raised himself, still laughing as he stared at Lyra, "You." he tried to control his laughter, "Of all things you complain about it had to be the Iron Throne." he answered, coughing as he fought to calm himself, though it still comes out in small bursts as he shook from laughing.
Lyra shook her head at him with a smile on her face, "You try sitting on the Iron Throne for a year and not complain. All honesty, the throne you were sitting in at Dragonstone looked much more comfortable. This bloody throne makes saddle sores feel like nothing more than small cramps." she said, making Aegon laugh a little more, unable to stop himself from feeling relaxed in her presence. "I'll take that wager." he said, mesmerized by her smile for a good few moments before he turned to the Iron Throne, unsure if he should sit in it right now in the presence of his Queen.
"You can sit in it you know." Lyra said, catching that undecided look before Aegon glanced up at Lyra who nodded, "Just try it out for size, we are sharing this bloody thing after all." she said, casting a glance between the throne and Aegon.
Aegon felt humbled at her permission, enjoying the idea of sharing this bloodright with her as he looked back at the throne, his hand still on the melted pommel. He was tempted to take his seat, get the feel of it and get that satisfaction of finally achieving his goal. But that voice in his head chastised him, telling him not yet, that it was not time. Taking a deep breath and releasing it, he decided to listen to that voice as he turned back to his Queen again, "Not yet. Not until I receive the crown." he said, wanting to earn his crown first before he sits upon the throne. That way, his fulfillment will be much more satisfying.
Lyra smiled warmly at Aegon, "As you wish." she said, "Though we must decide on when we should announce our engagement fore it is unbecoming of royals to leave their people in the dark for too long." she said in a business tone, although she dislikes public announcements, she knew that this one is most important now that Westeros will have a new King.
"When shall the announcement take place?" Aegon asked, hoping this won't drag out, he wanted it to be swift and painless as possible. "Once the Sparrows are dealt with we shall make our engagement known. That's why I await any news about this High Sparrow so that I can deal with him myself." she answered, stepping away from the throne and walking down the steps. Aegon following closely.
"And how will you deal with the Sparrows?" he asked as he walked beside her. "Reason and diplomacy." Lyra answered her eyes staring up at Aegon, "If that doesn't work I'll improvise." she added, having done that on two separate occasions. "Improvise?" Aegon raised an eyebrow at her as they left the throne room. "When reason doesn't reach a person, they seal their own doom. Look at Harrenhal, you know how the Conqueror dealt with the caretaker of that particular castle." she said, remembering that story about the first Aegon's Conquest.
Aegon nodded with a small smile, "True. But how many times has reason and diplomacy worked for you?" Lyra smiled, "It brought you here." she said, giving Aegon her come back as the latter's mouth quirked up into a smile, enjoying her witty remark, "A victory for you then." he said, admitting his defeat as they passed by a courtyard where they saw the sky becoming dimmer.
"It will be night soon." Lyra commented, glancing up at the sky, "Come, let me show you to your chambers, it must be finished by now." she said, guiding him in the direction of a corridor she rarely uses since it was never a domain she likes to venture in. They made it to a set of double doors at the end of a hallway, "These are the King's chambers." she said as she pushed the doors open to reveal a royal bedroom reserved for a king. She stepped aside for Aegon to enter as he took in the chamber that has belonged to previous kings.
"I hope you don't mind, I requested for red and black for your bed because I hope it would make you feel comfortable. This is your room now, and you can decorate as you prefer it." Lyra said, watching Aegon look around his chamber in wonder before he approached the huge canopy bed that was raised up by two steps. He touched the wooden posts before turning to Lyra who remained at the doorway, "It's perfect." he said, smiling at her as she nodded her head at him.
"Once we are married, I would like to share this room with you." Aegon said, watching Lyra blush. The former chuckled, "This is where I can have my Queen all to myself, and you'll have your King to yourself after the arduous duties we suffer each day." he said with a twinkle in his eye, unable to help himself, the thought of claiming her in the room where all Queens gave themselves to their Kings aroused him.
Lyra gave him a challenging look before she stepped further into the chamber, "Indeed, and this will also be where we fulfill our duty in creating many sons." she said as she approached a wine decanter and goblets before pouring two glasses, "I won't mind sharing a chamber as long as we don't share each other with strangers." she said, feeling him approach as she turned around with both goblets in hand before handling one to Aegon.
"Trust me, My Queen, I will not break my vows like Robert Baratheon. There will be no form of disgrace in our union." Aegon said, refusing to be like the usurper who carelessly fucked every woman he saw and Fathered multiple children outside his marriage.
"I'll be hearing that again on our wedding night." Lyra said as she took sip of her wine before she sat on the loveseat in the room, "Just so we're clear, you're no longer a virgin." she stated, staring up at Aegon who blushed slightly at her blunt statement before he nodded, "Not for a long time." he said before he took his seat beside her, "I haven't been with a woman for years though. You'll become my wife soon, so my body will only be yours for the taking." he said, watching Lyra blush at his words as she ducked her head to hide it, "That's what every bride-to-be should be looking forward to." she said, taking another sip of her wine.
Aegon saw the look of apprehension in the Queen's expression, "Does the thought of our wedding night scare you?" he asked, knowing all too well the kinds of fear young women have when it comes to men. Lyra took deep breath and sighed, "It is something every woman must prepare for, something I knew would happen if I wanted to have a child." she paused, looking down at her goblet, "Mother, Shae, Ellaria and the Sand Snakes told me that it hurts the first time, but if it's with someone you trust, it will be like nothing you've ever felt before." she faced Aegon with a vulnerable expression, "The thought of losing my virginity frightens me, but I trust you." she said, having gotten used to these close proximities since they've met each other.
Aegon's heart warmed at her words, "Truly?" he asked, Lyra nodded, "I care not who had you first. I feel much more comfortable knowing you had gained some experience and know not to hurt the woman in the process. Besides, it's better than some inexperienced virgin who charges in sword first without any form of training." she said, smiling as Aegon laughed at her metaphor. "That was perfect." Aegon chuckled as he took a sip of his wine, happy that he won't be scaring her come their wedding night.
Lyra laughed under her breath as she downed the rest of her drink before setting it on the table beside her, "Now, I must take my leave, I have some last minute documents that require my attention. I hope you enjoy your chamber." she said, making a move to get up, but Aegon stopped her gently catching her arm in his hand and pulled her back down beside him. Lyra stared at him in confusion as Aegon set his goblet beside hers. He cupped her face in his hand, keeping her attention solely on him, his eyes smoldering into her soul. She recognized that look before on Dragonstone when he kissed her. Her fight and flight instincts refused to surface as she leaned into his hand, loving the natural dragon heat his very skin exuded before he boldly sealed his mouth to hers. She froze for a moment before she returned his kiss, shyly at first before she decided to battle him for dominance, their tongues parried each other in a dance of passion. Aegon smiled into the kiss as her arms boldly wrapped themselves around his neck, he returned the gesture by wrapping his arms around her back and pulled her to his person. Their kiss deepened until the need for could no longer be denied. They pulled away, gasping for air as they stared at each other, dazed from the kiss that literally took their breath away.
"My apologies My Queen, I don't know what came over me." Aegon said as Lyra's arms slackened their hold on her fiance's neck so that she could look him directly in the eyes. She breathed out through her nose as she smiled at him, "Don't be. It actually felt wonderful, so I can't complain." she assured him, not ashamed to admit that she enjoyed his kiss.
Aegon smiled, still holding her body to his, they were so close to each other, he had to fight himself from pulling her on top of him and create their dragon dance. "Next time, ask me first." Lyra requested, not minding this closeness as his smile widened, "One more?" he asked, causing Lyra to blush before deciding to be bold by initiating the kiss, her fingers finding their way into his hair, she couldn't help but admire the silky soft tresses of his silver locks. His hands traced the soft curves that were hidden beneath her tunic, his finger itching to rip it off her and worship her body in all its glory.
Before he could even take such action, Lyra broke the kiss with an almost innocent smile, "I do believe we've indulged ourselves long enough. I need to finish my work." she said, breaking away from the dazed Aegon who watched her stand up to her full height, "One more?" Aegon requested, giving her a tempting smile. Lyra smiled before wagging her finger at him as though he were a naughty child, "Uh uh, anymore and I'll never get my work done." she said with a playful smile before she quickly swooped in and gave him a peck on the lips. She broke away before he could grab her and ask for more. With her smile still present on her face, she glided to the door and looked behind her from the door frame, "I'll see you tomorrow, Your Grace." she said, bidding him goodnight before she disappeared out the door, closing it on her way out.
Aegon sat alone on the love seat, letting out an exasperated sigh as he shook his head at himself. She was a virgin yet she seduces him with her innocence. He retrieved his wine from the table and downed the rest of the drink before getting up to get ready for bed. As he undressed, he welcomed the cool air that soothed his overly heated skin. He was dragon, he can't be burned by fire. Yet the presence of his betrothed truly made it hard for him to handle such blazing embers she unintentionally stoked with the smallest gestures.
Crawling under the covers, he laid on his back, staring up at the canopy before he turned to the left side of the bed, picturing his Queen beside him, skin glowing after a night of endless passion and eyes fluttering open to meet his smile. Aegon breathed deeply and sighed before turning back to the ceiling, "Three months. Just three more months before she's mine." he said to himself, his eyes closing as his mind drifted to the land of dreams filled with desires for his Queen.
As promised, your two week wait has paid off. I hope this pleases you because I'm on the home stretch for the end of the semester. Summers starting soon, so that will leave me plenty of room to write more.
Please note that Lyra and Aegon are slowly falling for each other, but at the moment they are lusting after each other both emotionally and physically. Click the review button and tell me what your thoughts were on this chapter. Thank you.
