Little Wonders: Daeron and Lyarra wake up to marvel at their sleeping child.


Lyarra's eyes fluttered open under the half-moonlight flooding their bedroom. She turned to face her bedmate but found the space empty. With a knowing smile she pulled herself out of bed and wrapped a robe around her to cover her nakedness. Her bare feet met the carpet and stone floor as she walked towards the adjoining room across from hers.

She found him sitting beside a crib watching the little wonder sleep away. His eyes full of love and enchantment. He raised his head towards her upon sensing her enter the room. Lyarra quietly walked over to her husband and wrapped her arms around him from behind.

"Can't sleep?" Lyarra asked as she leaned over his shoulder to watch their precious son.

Daeron held her hand that was resting on his chest. "I wanted to make sure he's still here."

Lyarra smiled in understanding, "He's not going anywhere. Not for a long time."

"I know, I just can't stop looking at him." Daeron said as he and Lyarra watched the careful rise and fall of their son's chest as he breathed peacefully in his sleep. Wisps of silver hair adorned his little head and his eyes closed, hiding greyish-purple eyes he inherited from his mother.

"You're not the only one." Lyarra smiled, tried yet happy as she gazed lovingly at their son. The fruit of their union and future of their House. So many challenges ahead combined with protecting the kingdoms and raising an infant.

"I still can't believe we made something like this." Lyarra breathed out a laugh, "I finally understand what father meant when he said babies are the most powerful creatures in the world. They just cast that spell over you without uttering a single incantation."

Daeron couldn't help but agree with her. He once thought dragons were the most wonderous creatures to come into existence. Then came Lyarra, the most enchanting bride under moonlit night. Now, the combination of him and his wife sleeping peacefully in his cradle.

"He sleeps so well." Daeron commented, his eyes never leaving their son.

"That's because he knows his father is protecting him." Lyarra stated, making Daeron turn his head and who then added, "And his mother."

Lyarra breathed out another laugh as she boldly gave him a sweet kiss on the lips, one he returned in kind. She pulled away and caressed his cheek affectionately. "You should come to bed very soon my King. We need all the strength we can get for when our son wreaks havoc on us come morning."

Daeron chuckled under his breath, "As my Queen commands."

Lyarra gave him one more kiss then gazed at their son for a long moment before she quietly returned to their bedchambers.

Daeron watched his son for a while longer. There was that large part of him that feared the moment he leaves his side, he will not be there anymore. "So this is what parenthood is like, being afraid for your life every day." Daeron whispered very quietly and sighed through his nose. He then remembered his wife's wise words, being afraid is the only time you must be brave.

Summoning whatever courage his dragon blood can grant him, he stood up, but never took his eyes off his son. "Sleep well Aemon. Know that you are loved." He placed a kiss to his fingertips then transferred them to little Aemon's forehead.

He quietly left the room to join his wife. They held each other as they slept peacefully. Unconsciously, his hand splayed over her abdomen protectively.