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29
Ride Forth
The pale dragon ventured too far. With one glance back and a shake of his head, he hesitated before waiting. His long chest shook off the run. Beyond him, flat sand and desert dunes became shadowed as night neared. Vaes Dothrak could be seen in the distance. Scattered torches lit the area well.
Rhaegar reached his dragon first, petting him down. Gael nearly crashed into them. Their wings stretched out to each other as they caught breath. They overlooked the village, hidden though with advantage. In the center, a temple marked their end. "She would be there," their silver prince whispered to them. He glanced behind their trek and felt his heart cease. "Nalareth!"
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I hadn't wandered far but quickly regretted the decision. Between two valleys, a light reached out to me, I followed. It could have been threatening. It could have been if the dark figure hadn't lowered this sword. "Ser Jorah?"
He lowered the weapon from my neck. I would have stayed back but there was a sudden need to embrace him. A familiar face, one who could help save Daenerys, he reacted faster and kept us apart. "You must keep your distance, princess."
My name was called sharply from behind us. Within moments, Rhaegar was pulling me back into him, his grip tightening.
The weary slave trader raised his sword again in panic. "Release her."
"No, it's alright," I made to calm him but was still held back.
"The dragons need you close," Rhaegar's breath reached my ear.
Jorah watched us carefully as we studied each other. I understood, they needed to speak. Reasurring Jorah again, I nodded to them. Rhaegar's lingering hand pushed against the small of my back until we separated. Although the path was darker, I found the two dragons waiting and watching for us to return. Gael spotted me first and quickly trotted over. His head lowered down then up to ease my hand unto his snout. I smoothed his crowned spikes. "Sy," I called to his brother who did the same gesture to my other hand. They kept their eyes on me but mine drifted towards the village.
How are we to do this?
Rhaegar must have a plan. We had help now. The dragons should remain hidden, maybe they should find Drogon. They should stay with their brother and keep him away from here. Gael could do this, he'll guide his brothers and they'd stay together. Until we return with Daenerys, we won't fail.
I could still hear them speaking from the distance. How will Jorah react once he realizes who stands before him? Gael nudged my side, I looked to him. His golden eyes narrowed and found his focus. A bright torch lit aflame in the center of the village. But the torch grew stronger. It was no torch.
The feeling came suddenly. I couldn't stop myself. The same was felt when the golden crown encrusted itself deep into Viserys, ending his life before starting anew. I took to the land without challenge. Though tripping over sand and rock, I fell many times yet managed to skid across the empty village. From a sharp corner, I burst through nearly colliding into the crowd. A pull so strong led me through them like apparitions. Nothing touched me. As I neared the center, where the fire had now overtook the sacred hut, I fell again to my knees.
There she stood, naked and unharmed, before the whole Dothraki. Their fearless new queen. Daenerys searched her people regally until finding what she needed. Our eyes met. The flames poured over her skin and caressed her long locks in such a fashion, it seemed translucent. I tried to stand but there's no strength. She reached out for me. I tried as well but even my arms felt heavy. It was then I knew what daze kept me. Arms much stronger than my own caressed behind and lifted to stand. Rhaegar held me up beside him. Still somewhat faint, I struggled to ask why he did it but he motioned me forward before I could find my footing. Daenerys watched us carefully. The inflamed rubble seemed to burn brighter the closer we neared. I hesitated in slight fear. Rhaegar moved his hand to mine and waited. I looked to him. The silver of his hair peered gold against the heat. His eyes were now the color of the dark sea dipped in light.
"Nalareth," she called once. "Come here."
Her voice rang over the Dothraki as they suddenly knelt down. Rhaegar let go of me. He looked to his sister, smiled, then to his wife.
I was elsewhere. Fire should harm, burn and destroy. I felt nothing. From toe to ankle, my feet were already burning. I've never been this close. Small instances with the dragons happened. But they stopped before any true flame could engulf. Out of instinct, I cried even though there was no pain. Daenerys called again, this time she descended closer to us. Rhaegar had stepped back. I wanted to retreat into him. A screech cut through the dark suddenly. My dragon, he was close enough to land. Another screech sounded off shortly after. They shouldn't. The Dothraki could misunderstand and react in violence. As though an unassailable desire to reach them overtook my fear, I stepped forward. My arms drifted out from my sides, palms facing down over the flame. A prickling sensation burned through every particle of flesh and left a golden tint. It brightened as I moved up the stairs towards Daenerys. The closer I wandered, the stronger the gold flame swept through me. I reached the top. Daenerys grabbed my hand and I felt the release in a sharp jerk. The flame shot up to the night sky and burst into explosion. There were screams as a boom of thunder racked the land. It faded into sparks. How could I have done that? The dragons flew away unseen as though they understood the message, that I created?
Daenerys guided my chin lower with her warm hand. We looked to each other in awe. She smiled. "When we take back our home in King's Landing," her eyes darkened. "You will be known as the Queen's Dragon Temptress throughout the seven. I want you to not only lead our children but to find a way to make more," she held both my hands now. "We needed the Dothraki to know this first. They needed to see you come to me in the flame, unharmed and sovereign. Look to them, sister," they held us in their unwavering sights. Our new army. Rhaegar stood before them. One hand against his chest, the other holding something. It shone. "We are so close now. I know you're with me, you've always been mine, but I must ask for I see my brother has truly returned, will you stay by my side as we cross the Narrow Sea?"
"He may have returned but I could never let you put such a distance between us. This separation alone was enough. Rhaegar has made me his wife, all that has changed is a new love we now share. I'm still yours, sister. We are yours, my Queen," I bowed. Flames reached higher against my skin, dancing around my hair as wind would.
Daenerys caught one lock and curled it around her hand. "You've already become what I need you to be."
I knelt down, entirely consumed by flame now. Daenerys merely touched my shoulder and the fire grew beyond sights. This, our own ceremony of promise, would carry the night towards dawn. From there, we ride.
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