Life moves on and so should we

EIGHT YEARS LATER

Time flies by like nothing, Ser Jorah thinks. The memories have lost their bitterness and the rawness has been replaced by sweetness.

He gazes at the portraits of Daenerys, Jon and Manaerys that Vysenera has ordered to be made. They occupy a central place in the throneroom, and their portraits are strewn about the Red Keep, as well as others who fought so valiantly to stop the world from ending.

'Where is the queen, Your Majesty?' Missandei interrupts Ser Jorah, as the now King Consort turns and gives Missandei a small smile.

'They have gone to Dragonstone.' A spark of recognition flares in Missandei's eyes, as a chuckle leaves her, leaving the king to his own devices.

It is that day.

Ser Jorah turns once more to look at the young khaleesi he once loved, a sigh leaving him as he heads towards the meeting he has with the council.

A lot has changed in eight years, Vysenera muses. The first few years were trying, to say at the very least.

Trying to raise a baby while also mourning all her dead family? It has been tough. And Vysenera wonders sometimes if it were not for Rhaegal and Drogon in those first years, if she would even have lived to see this day.

'Naerys! Come here, my sweet!' Vysenera calls out, her eight-year-old niece bounding over to her, thrumming with energy and excitement.

Her long silver curls bounce, as an exact copy of Jon Snow's eyes stare at her and wrinkle in happiness. 'I am coming, auntie!'

Naerys. Full name Naerys Joanna Daenerys Manaerys Targaryen-Velaryon.

Daenerys' and Jon's daughter. And heir to the throne after Vysenera.

The girl is a sweet and gentle one, but also brave and courageous like both her mother and father. Vysenera sometimes wonders if the excitement is maybe a trait she inherited from Manaerys.

The queen chuckles, shaking her head as her niece grabs her around her middle. 'Why did uncle Jorah not come ?'

Vysenera chuckles again, giving her niece a warm smile. 'Because this a tradition that only real Targaryens and Velaryons share. And uncle Jorah is not from our blood.'

Vysenera grabs Naerys by the hand, allowing the girl to drag her to one of the cliffs surrounding Dragonstone.

That is another thing Vysenera had not seen coming. Getting married to Jorah.

But he had been a constant system of support in those early years, taking over and caring for Naerys together with Missandei, when Vysenera could not.

When she was so tired and so heartbroken she had days she could do nothing else but lie in her bed and cry, or go flying with Rhaegal and Drogon for hours on end, if just to escape her own tormented mind.

Is it so impossible to think she would eventually grow feelings for the man?

Naerys has always known Jorah to be there, and has always called him uncle. Vysenera decides she does deserve some happiness, after all she has lost and sacrificed.

'What if they don't like me?' Naerys whispers, the nerves getting the better of the small child.

Naerys has known about Rhaegal and Drogon, but she has never closely interacted with them. Vysenera knows they would never hurt Naerys, but she wanted Drogon and Rhaegal to get a chance to mourn.

And there was always that fear that Naerys would remind Drogon too much of his lost mother.

'Oh, believe me.' Vysenera grins, as two joyous roars fill the air, two dots becoming larger and larger as they approach. 'They will.'

Rhaegal is the first to land, Vysenera turning as her son comes closer to her, butting his head against his mother's cheek, completely enveloping her and Naerys.

'My darling.' Vysenera murmurs, scratching his cheek, a warm smile appearing as Drogon lands on her other side.

'Drogon.' The dragon blinks, allowing the Targaryen queen to pet his head. His eyes zero in on the girl clinging to Vysenera, and than she understands.

'This is Drogon, your mother's dragon.' Vysenera steps back into Rhaegal, as Drogon approaches and rumbles, head appearing before Naerys.

The little girl giggles when her hairs move, Drogon letting out a small screech in happiness.

'And now, yours.'

Naerys quiets down, Vysenera giving her an encouraging smile. 'You want to ride him?' Vysenera asks, as Drogon seems to thrum with excitement, the princess a welcome spark of joy in his life.

Naerys looks with wide eyes at her aunt, but Vysenera shakes her head. 'You do not have to feel obligated, my sweet. If you are not ready, he'll understand.'

The little princess seems to hesitate for another second, but than a determined expression comes over her face, one that reminds Vysenera all too much of Daenerys.

'No, I will try.' Naerys whispers. Vysenera nods, as she is quick to pick her niece up and place her on Drogon's back.

'Hold onto those spikes there. No matter what, you do not let go, understand?' Naerys is filled with excitement once more, as she nods quickly.

Vysenera walks over to Drogon, who blinks lazily at her. But she can see the joy in his eyes. 'Be careful, Drogon. It is her first time. No summersaults, sudden moves and all that, yes?'

Drogon roars in agreement as Vysenera lets out a laugh, climbing on Rhaegal with ease. She shares a look with Naerys, the little girl excitedly holding on to Drogon's spikes.

Rhaegal stands on his backlegs as he opens his wings and flaps them, roaring for everyone to hear. Vysenera laughs again as Drogon calmly jumps up, Rhaegal quick to follow his brother.

And though Naerys is but a small dot on Drogon's back, Vysenera can see she loves flying. As much as Vysenera does.

And as much as Dany and Manaerys did.

The wind slaps in Vysenera's face, Naerys laughing joyfully as the two brothers fly side by side.

And finally, the whirlwind of emotions that has been weighing down Vysenera's heart for so many years, seems to finally lift. She lets out a tinkling laugh, and Rhaegal roars in response.

He knows. And so does Drogon.

Vysenera looks to the sun that begins setting, and she whispers a prayer underneath her breath, hoping it will reach her sister and niece in the afterlife.

The Targaryen queen closes her eyes as she enjoys the thrill of flying with an unburdened heart once more.

She is a handful but such a lovely child, Dany. You and Jon did a great job. The world has no idea what is coming.

And she is sure, wherever Dany, Manaerys and Jon are, they all agree with her.