A/N Another update! As always let me know what you guy's think of the chapter and story so far. Reviews are much appreciate.
I'd like to thank all the people who had a guess at the hint I left behind in last chapter. I'm not going to say anything though about it though. You'll just have to wait and see what'll happen. However, I've planned chapters all the way up to chapter thirty – be prepared is all I have to say about that. It's going to get wild.
The morning sun woke me early the next morning. Standing out on the stone balcony, I overlooked the city of Kingslanding for as long as I could. My hands gripped the textured railing as I took in the sites, the sounds and the smells. I have a feeling that it'll be a long time until I see this place again. Not moving, I heard my bedroom door open from behind me. They approached and stood beside me. From the corner of my eye I could see it was Mother.
"The carriages are waiting to take you out to the docks" she said with a solemn tone. It's time – already.
"I'm going to miss you, and this place. I didn't want to go. It wasn't my choice"
"I know" she replied "But this will be good for you. It's frightening, moving to a new place, but you'll come to appreciate your own freedom. You're not Queen yet. Take the time to see the world before it's too late"
I nodded. Turning to her, my eyes roamed over her face; beautiful features and silver hair "Promise that we at least wright to each other"
"I promise" she said. Taking me in her arms, I pressed my cheek into Mothers chest as she held me close. I'm going to miss the warmth and comfort of her embrace. I'm going to miss her familiar voice "And promise me that you'll be safe while you're gone?"
"I will" I replied while pulling away.
"I think it's time we went" spoke Mother "Your brother will be waiting for you"
Making our way to the door of my room, I looked over my shoulder one last time. I want to make sure I remember all of it, that way I could at least take the memory of home with me. After a moment, we proceeded to walk down the hallway and along a couple of stairs.
Passing two Gold Cloaks, they pulled open the door to the main courtyard so we could walk through. Waiting for us on the other side is a carriage and wagon with our belongings packed inside. Rhaegar stood off to the side talking with our Father, about what I didn't know. I turned to Mother and she gave me a reassuring smile. I could see Septa standing further back near the door.
I gave her a nod of my head and she returned it with a smile. I was told that Septa wouldn't be coming with us, that she'd be staying here to help take care of Viserys instead. Of course, I understood, but that only meant I no longer have another person I'm familiar with. I took in a shallow breath as Mother tucked back a wisp of my hair.
"Are you ready?" Rhaegar stood behind me.
I nodded my head and we walked over to the carriage. Rhaegar held the door open for me and I stepped in. The inside is lavish with fine carved wood, decorative silk pillows and a window that opened up to the world outside. Closing the door behind me, Rhaegar left and I waited with a fluttering heart as a commotion of voices happened before the horses tugged forward.
I tried to peek out the window to see if I could find my parents, but they were on the other side. So instead I sat back as we travelled down the stone pathway to reach the docks. It felt like a long journey from the Keep to the ship, but I knew the one at sea would feel even longer. I wasn't looking forward to it. I've never been on a ship before. I've never been on the open water.
Listening to the sound of hooves beating against the ground, the carriage slowed to a halt. I could hear the sound of the water lapping up and I could smell the strong tang of salt in the air. The door opened and Rhaegar stood on the other side. He held out his hand and I took it to step out. Positioned not far away is the massive ship; the Targaryen symbol imprinted on the sail for all to see.
Watching, the servants had already begun to move our things from the wagon and onto the ship. I looked behind me to see the Keep standing tall and a little too far away. The pinnacle of Kingslanding. Rhaegar placed a hand on my lower back to guide me toward the ship and I hesitantly followed. Moving up the creaking ramp, my heart began thud loudly beneath my chest as we made our way onto the top deck.
Walking forward, I passed a couple of men that made up the crew before stepping up to the very front. A dragon head had been carved to face forward and toward the straight horizon of the sea. Arms wrapped around me and a warm body pressed in from behind. Rhaegars hands rested on my belly; firm and slightly raised.
"Careful you don't fall" he said.
My own hands rested over his as I leant back "You wouldn't let me"
The days aboard the ship went one after the other. I woke up to the sound of water crashing and I fell asleep with the gentle sway of the waves. The hours in between where filled with either sowing, reading or views of the surroundings on the top deck of the ship. Currently I was doing neither but lying in bed, trying to curb the sickness that swelled in my stomach and in the back of my throat. I wasn't sure if it was because of the baby, or because the sea doesn't particularly agree with me.
Rhaegar was upstairs on the deck when a knock sounded on the door of our cabin "Your grace" a man called through with a Southern accent "The prince requests your presence upstairs"
I sighed. I didn't want to move, but it might be important. Getting up from the bed, I moved over and opened the door. The man was still standing on the other side and he immediately raced the other way and upstairs. I followed behind him and squinted when I reached the top. The sun is bright today with no clouds in the sky.
Stepping up the small staircase to get to the main top deck at the far end of the ship, Rhaegar stood with his hands leaning against the railing. Straightening himself out, he tugged me to stand directly in front of him "What is it?" I asked.
Rhaegar handed me a silver telescope "Look" he said "Where almost there"
Immediately my eyes snapped upwards. I didn't take the time to look when I first came out, but there it is, right in front of me – Dragonstone. It's just off into the distance but clear enough to see. Raising the telescope in my hands, I closed my right eyes so that I could see the vision clearly. Roaming it over the island, the magnified view allowed me to take in a few more details. So far I could make out the fortress as it sat on a cliff made of jagged rocks.
The stone that made up Dragonstone is coloured a dark black. It appeared to look old and withered but still mostly intact as far as I could see. The great walls are also high pointed and they slanted inward to create a sharp, dangerous look. I'd been told that this place was created using magic and sorcery. That the Vylerians were capable of liquefying stone, and thus formed this grim place that consisted of so many dragons statues.
I lowered the telescope and asked "How long until we arrive?"
The man steering the ship replied "Not long now your grace. We've got good wind on our side. We'll be there within the hour"
I nodded my head. At first I wasn't too thrilled to have travelled to Dragonstone, but now that I've seen the outside, I'm eager to see the rest. For the remainder of the journey, I staid perched outside on the high deck. I watched as we became closer inch by inch, the detail and scale of the castle and island in itself becoming large and almost monstrous.
Stopping a little way out from the main shore, which is made of a large open sandbank as its low tide, we travelled the rest of the way on a rowboat. Breathing in the air on the way, it smelt of sulphur and brimstone. I could also see a small group of people are waiting for us on the sandbank; they held the Targaryen banners. I assumed that they must be here to welcome us.
Once we were as close as we could get, the man rowing the boat stopped and Rhaegar stepped out unfazed by the water wetting his boots. Getting up on shaky limbs as the boat wobbled a little, Rhaegar reached out and grabbed around my legs to pick me up off the boat. He took a few strides before setting me on the firm sandbank.
Approaching the group of people, I noticed one stood further at the front. An old round bellied man in silk clothing, he has shot curly brown hair and a pronged beard decorated with beads. He smiled and extended his arms wide in greetings to us.
The man spoke in High Valyrian "īlon welcome ao va bisa jaqiarza tubis" (we welcome you on this glorious day). He switched back to the common tongue "My name is Lord Elden Gaunt. I've been the keeper of Dragonstone for many years. It would be my honour and duty to serve you in any way I can during your stay" he gestured with his arms "If you would please follow me, I'll escort you to the castle"
Walking only as far back to the mainland, carriages waited to take us up the rest of the way. Heading up the worn in pathway, we arrived at a large dragon framed gate that entered into the main courtyard of the castle. Heading inside with a click of the horses hooves, the carriage stopped and we stepped out. The place feels damp and dreary, but not in a way that others might find unlikable. Instead the close up stone walls of the castle and the carved faces of dragons and other creatures felt oddly familiar.
"This way, if you please" spoke Lord Gaunt.
Following behind the man, we moved deeper and higher into the castle. Everything on the inside and out is made of the same black, melted stone; either smooth or jagged. Some of the floors reminded me of marble but I knew it wasn't. The archways that held up the halls and corridors had been intricately designed along with the pillars. Lit torches made of carved dragon claws also lined the walls.
It's all so grand and tall; everything much bigger and much darker. There's a power buzzing in the air. I can feel it on my skin and in my veins. There's an almost inaudible deep rumble echoing down the hall, like that of a ferocious beast. This place is like no other I've seen before. It holds a twisted beauty, almost indescribable.
Continuing on down the long, large hallway, at the very end is a double door that had been carved with intricate scales and a depiction of a three headed dragon breathing fire. The Lord Gaunt opened the door and we stepped inside. As I took a long look around, the massive room was breathtaking to say the least.
There's a pillared balcony looking out into the open sea. A King sized bed had been placed on the left, it was decorated with grey pelts and blood red silk hung along the canopy. A table fit for eight people stood on top of a rug in the centre of the room, and there's a door on the right leading to a separate room for bathing.
"I hope the room is to your liking your graces" Lord Gaunt spoke with hesitance before adding "Even after the construction of Kingslanding, Aegon the first always favorited Dragonstone. He stayed in this very room, as did many other royalty after his time had passed"
"It's beautiful" I replied while turning around to face him.
The Lord bowed his head "I'm pleased to hear" he said with an easier tone "The servants will have your belongings brought into your room tomorrow, but as of now, I'm sure you'd like to rest from your long voyage" he bowed in respect before departing the room and closing the door behind him.
An object caught my eye as I turned. It was alluring.
Making my way over to a small table that had been set in the corner under a window. An off white skull sat perched on a stand. I recognised what it was immediately – a dragon skull, no bigger than that of a small dogs head. There's one just like it in the throne room in Kingslanding. Picking it up, I ran my finger along its forehead and down the bone of its jaw.
Father never let me touch the ones at home. This is the first I've ever held and it felt a little heavier than I thought it would. The bone smooth and the teeth sharp. A hand reached around from behind and gently pried the skull from my hands "You should rest" spoke Rhaegar.
I admit, I am a little tired.
Moving away, I headed toward the grand bed on the other side of the room. Reaching down to touch the grey pelts that scattered over the black sheets, they felt incredibly soft to touch. A smile tugged on the corner of my lips as my fingers threaded through the fur. It tickled the flesh of my palm.
Still facing the bed, I bent down to unclip my shoes before taking them off. Adjusting the small metal hooks that held the front of my dress together, I slipped off the outer layer and it dropped to the floor in a clump of fabric. Since discovering my pregnancy, I hadn't been wearing a corset as it's unwise to have it straining my belly so much. The last I had to remove are my undergarments, and they dropped to the floor after I untied the small lace at the front.
I was about to move so that I could get under the covers when I felt warm hands on my waist. Rhaegar caressed around to my firm and slightly raised stomach before travelling up toward my breasts. They'd grown tender and sometimes sore, but it felt nice when he held and massaged them gently. My eyes fluttered a little and a hum of satisfaction rested in the back of my throat.
My hand moved behind me and I could already feel the hard bulge forming beneath his breeches as I rubbed and grinded the palm of my hand. Stopping after a moment, I shifted forward and crawled up onto the bed. I wasn't far from the edge when I spread my legs and arched my back. It was signal enough and Rhaegar was quick to keep up. I felt the familiar blunt tip dipping in to my entrance a few times before sinking in.
My insides clenched around him and my hands clutched the fur pelts to keep me still. He rocked into me with a hypnotising grind of his hips; his warm hands holding onto my upper thighs. Dragging me back into each of his thrusts, moans left my lips. Rhaegar went deeper and I whined as he brushed against the sweet places. My heart went quick and my breaths were shallow as he quickened.
The bed rocked a little as his groin pushed into my backside with each thrust. The air around us had grown tense and heated. My body is warm and I can feel myself working up to that blissful peak. I shifted my legs wider, as far as they'd go. Rhaegars right hand moved from my thigh to run a smooth caress up the expanse of my spine, before coming back down again to travel between my legs.
His fingers pressed and rubbed at the sensitive bundle of nerves. Jolts of searing pleasure shot through me like strikes of lightening in the sky. More moans spilled from my lips to fill the room. The pleasure is relentless and intoxicating. Warmth pooled from my core and my teeth dug into my bottom lip. It wasn't long until I found myself falling over the edge; my legs and arms trembling and my insides spasming.
My lips parted and my brows furrowed as I moaned one last time.
Rhaegar slid out of me and I leant forward to slump onto the bed; my cheek burying into the pillow as my legs closed back together. They're sore and stiff. Opening my eyes a moment later, the bed dipped beside me as Rhaegar laid down. He hadn't removed his clothes – he's tired.
I gazed quietly, over his eyes with long lashes, over his smooth skin like porcelain, and over his locks of silver hair. Could a man look so beautiful? Over all the moments, it's these ones that I cherish the most. When he doesn't feel the worries and weight of the world. When he looks so gentle and peaceful.
This is the man I love.
I nudged closer to his side and placed an arm over his chest. Rhaegar immediately moved and pulled me further into the warmth of his embrace. His strong arms enveloped me and I smiled as I rested my head on his chest; listening to the heart beating beneath. I fell into a sleep.
The fire.
The blood.
The clang of metal echoed out as swords clashed and swung at their opponents upon the battlefield. The roaring cries of men from either side filled the air. The sounds are deafening. Teeth bared by the men are held with anger and hatred at one another. The scent of iron permeated the air with a fowl stench. Flesh is torn within bodies. Limbs are severed. The rivers of blood flow through the blackened grass beneath the men's feet to drip into the nearby streams of water; dying it a crimson red. Lives have been lost on this day.
Hundreds.
Thousands.
The sky is black and filled with ashy smoke; it rains down on the men below. Neither the stars nor the moon can be seen from above. Furious fire burns all around. The flames so hot it'll melt flesh and metal with a single touch. A great thunderous roar ripples into the sky from above. Two beasts soared through the air; heading straight toward one another.
Dragons.
Their scales glisten from the light of the flames below. Their monstrous eyes glow with rage. One beast held two heads and the other only one. They collide into each other with a boom that resembles deep thunder. Rows of long teeth as sharp as swords snapped and snarled. Their curled black claws dug into one another to tear flesh.
A battle of death.
A/N Serious question. How many of you guys want a happy ending, and how many of you would slaughter me if I didn't?