He has a nice laugh, Rhaenyra thought, as she lounged on the padded couch clutching her glass of wine, listening to the sound of his voice more than his tale. A full, rich laugh, and his smile revealed pearly white teeth. And a handsome face, very handsome indeed. Aegon's eyes were bright lilac, much brighter than the eyes of her parents, than even his own father. But his hair was brown, a thick luxurious brown, just about brushing his shoulders, and the way he tucked a loose strand behind his ear was captivating.

It was the three of them in her chambers, deep within Maegor's Holdfast. The midday meal had come and gone; a course of spiced mushroom soups followed by a roast chicken stew. Then came the game, one story in exchange for another, and now they were sitting about each other laughing. Her dear Alicent covered her giggles with a hand, cheeks pink from the watered wine. Across from her sat Aegon, divested of his swordbelt, eating an apple while he went on about something he and his friends had encountered while traveling the kingsroad. "… had got it off a passing merchant, and for only a single silver stag. 'A fortuitous find', Robert claimed, and that we'd be feasting upon apples all the way to King's Landing. Only the things were rotten to the core, every one of them, so Willam took his and chucked it over his shoulder and right at an unsuspecting Jaime, hitting him square in his crooked nose. I did mention that Jaime Hunter had a broken nose healed wrong, right? Well, Jaime didn't take kindly to that and threw one right back, and before Robert was done curing that merchant there were near twoscore men flinging apples at each other." He laughed a beautiful laugh, tossing his apple into the air, and Rhaenyra found herself smiling at him.

"Truly?" Alicent giggled, her eyes shining. "Did Ser Robert ever get recompense from the merchant?"

Aegon caught the apple and took a bite. Swallowing, he grinned and said, "Ah, ah, ah. That's not how this game works my lady of the Hightower. I've already told my tale, after Rhaenyra told her own, and now it is your turn to enlighten us." He took up his cup of water and saluted her. "What mischievous doings have you and my cousin been about? I know the king's court cannot be all balls and feasts."

Alicent flushed a deeper red. "Nothing so entertaining as apple fights."

"Come now, Alicent," Rhaenyra said, putting her glass aside. She quickly made her way to her friend's couch, wrapping her arms around the blushing girl. "You wouldn't want my cousin to think we were so dreadfully dull like Grand Maester Mellos."

"Well…" Alicent looked between the two of them, biting her lower lip. "There was that one time…"

"Oh! The one with Septon Eustace?"

"Rhaenyra!"

"What?" She looked at Alicent's scandalized face and then to Aegon. "We only set the chickens on him."

"So long as the dear septon wasn't harmed," Aegon said. "We all need a good laugh once in a while."

"Exactly!" Rhaenyra squeezed Alicent by the shoulder, placing a kiss on her friend's cheek, and then jumped from the seat. "We all had a good whit of fun. I even saw Septa Marlow trying to cover her smile. Now it's my turn, and I'm sure Alicent will know this story. It was just after her name day, four-and-ten–"

"Close your ears!" Alicent shouted, and then Rhaenyra found her arms filled by her friend as they stepped away from the couches. "You said neither of us would repeat what happened that night to anyone," she whispered, and Rhaenyra watched over Alicent's shoulder as Aegon dutifully plugged his ears with his fingers, grinning.

"Aye, but there's no harm in it." Rhaenyra hugged her friend, who covered her blushing cheeks with both hands. "It was just an innocent kissing game."

"But Prince Aegon–"

"I've got the know of him, Alicent. He's honorable as the knights in the songs, and if you swear him to a vow of secrecy, he won't tell."

Alicent looked to Aegon, who still had his ears covered. "How can you be sure? You've only just met."

"Here," Rhaenyra said. "Watch." Then she took Alicent's chin and pressed a kiss to her lips.

It was over the next, but Rhaenyra kept hold of Alicent's waist as her friend blushed red like a tomato and covered her face, watching Aegon all the while. Her cousin looked surprised, though he kept his hands over his ears, and the surprise quickly turned into an easy smile and a chuckle. Good. Rhaenyra pecked a kiss onto Alicent's cheek and then brought them back over to the couches, falling into the seats next to Aegon.

Her cousin looked between the two of them. "Can I uncover my ears now?"

"Yes," Rhaenyra said, nudging Alicent as Aegon did so. "Coz, my dear Alicent has something to ask of you."

"Oh?"

"I… I… I would ask that you swear to not speak of what you saw just now." Alicent blushed. "On your honor as a knight."

Aegon peered at them both, then nodded, stood, and went to one knee before Alicent, covering his heart with his hand. "On my honor as a knight of the Vale and your friend, I will say not a word of what has happened here to anyone, until you release me of this vow."

He looks handsome when kneeling too. Rhaenyra played with her braid as Alicent bid Aegon stand, blushing through her thanks. She traced her eyes over his chest and arms when a knock sounded from the door. Then they were opened, and Rhaenyra watched from behind the couch as four knights of the Kingsguard strode in, snow-white cloaks streaming from their shoulders. Lord Commander Ryam Redwyne led them, and he stepped aside for the king himself. Rhaenyra's father was dressed in his finest court silks, the crown of King Jaehaerys on his brow, his favorite Valyrian steel dagger in his belt.

"Aegon!" he said, smiling with his arms wide. The Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm was a tall man, though not a martial one like Daemon or Aegon. His purple eyes were a darker shade than Aegon's, yet his hair was silver.

"Your Grace." Rhaenyra watched as her cousin went to one knee before her father, bowing his head. "It is an honor to finally meet you. I apologize for not seeking you out sooner. Princess Rhaenyra and Lady Alicent wished to introduce me to your court and the Red Keep."

"And I'm sure they've done wonderfully at both. Come, stand. Let me get a good look at you, nephew." King Viserys took Aegon by the arm when he stood, looking him over. Rhaenyra stood from the couch, nearly missing her step, and joined Alicent, her curtsey gone unnoticed by the king. "You look so much like your father."

Rhaenyra bit her cheek and Alicent took her by the arm. You look so much like Daemon. She watched Cousin Aegon's face and how his smile turned brittle. She wanted to giggle, to laugh with Alicent about it, but her friend squeezed her arm and bid her to keep quiet with her brown eyes alone.

Aegon nodded. "I've… heard it said."

"Well… I've heard much and more of you!" the king said. "Lady Jeyne Arryn writes to Aemma often, singing your praise. My small counselors have also had much to say, but it's good to finally meet you in the flesh, and for my son's tourney no less! Tell me, do you mean to compete?"

"I do, Your Grace. I mean to win the melee and the joust."

"Then you will have some fierce competition. Lords and knights from all over the realm have come for their chance at glory. Even Daemon is going to enter the lists."

"And I look forward to facing him," Aegon said. "I've heard that he is a famed warrior. I mean to put those tales to the test."

"And I will enjoy seeing as such. Your father…" The king stopped, and footfalls grew louder on their approach. "Oh! And speaking of the famed warrior himself, Daemon!"

Rhaenyra watched as her uncle strode past Ser Harrold Westerling and his fellow Kingsguard knights. He was armored in the black plate of the City Watch of King's Landing, gold cloak draped over one shoulder and arm, his dragon shaped helm in his hand. The Valyrian steel longsword Dark Sister was at his side, and his hand rested on its pommel as he came to a stop before them. Handsome and dangerous, he had a curious smile across his lips.

"Prince Daemon," said Aegon, his voice stiff.

Rhaenyra felt Alicent hold her breath, like she thought a duel would commence right in front of them. Her cousin's swordbelt was still draped over the back of a chair, and Uncle Daemon was not so foolish as to draw live steel in the presence of the Kingsguard, or against his own son. Silly girl. She squeezed Alicent's hand, smiling to herself.

"Aegon," Daemon said, looking over his son. "Curious seeing you here. Finally grown bored of the Vale, have we?"

"I'm here for the king's tourney, my prince," Aegon said, gesturing to the king. "The one celebrating the coming birth of the next Lord of the Seven Kingdoms. And no, the Vale still has so much that holds my attention."

"Mmm." Daemon chuckled to himself. "I see you take after your mother in that."

Aegon rounded on Daemon. "Keep my lady mother out of this."

"Ah, so there is some steel in you. Here I thought you were all bronze."

"You'll soon see that I am made of truer stuff than most, my prince. Some of us take our knight vows seriously, amongst others."

"Well, I shall look forward to seeing what kind of knight you are."

"Indeed. I've seen what you've made of knighthood in the streets of the city, commanding the City Watch in the way you have. What a true showing of dispensing with the king's justice."

"The sheep of King's Landing are not so docile and comely as those of the Vale."

Rhaenyra spied Aegon clenching his jaw, his fists.

"Well… isn't this nice?" The king looked to them all, smiling. "The happy meeting of father and son!"

The silence was poignant, and it grew with each passing breath. The knights of the Kingsguard stood silent, watching. Daemon chuckled, smirking at his son, and Aegon did not back down from his gaze. Alicent let out her breath, though she looked worryingly between uncle and son. Rhaenyra patted her hand, then left her side and said, "I agree, father." She smiled at the way both Daemon and Aegon looked at her. "Mayhaps we shall all eat dinner together, as one big family?"

"A splendid idea!" her father said. "With cousin Rhaenys and her children newly arrived, it will be a great gathering of House Targaryen!"

"I look forward to it, Your Grace," Aegon said. "It will be good to meet with Princess Rhaenys and her family. I've heard much and more of the Velaryons. Meleys, the Red Queen, is said to be the swiftest dragon in the world."

"Caraxes flies faster. But you wouldn't know much of that, would you?" Daemon chuckled. "Have you even seen a dragon with your own eyes, boy?"

"Unfortunately, I've not yet had the honor, prince."

"Then let us!" Rhaenyra looped her arm with Aegon's and pulled him close, as Alicent hurried after them both, a swordbelt in hand. "With your leave, father. I mean to show Syrax to Aegon."

For a moment she feared he would say no, but after a moment of gazing at them, he smiled softly and nodded. "Of course, Rhaenyra. Just make sure to keep the Dragonkeepers about you. Dragons don't take kindly to unfamiliar faces."

They left with her sworn shield, Ser Harrold Westerling, trailing their steps. Her father stayed in her apartments with Daemon, their voices quick and hushed. Aegon bid she return his arm, so that he could buckle on his swordbelt. He did so without breaking stride, and the way his brown hair fell in front of his eyes set a dangerous look to him in the moment. Rhaenyra wanted to see more of it, but Aegon brushed back his hair, a half-smile tugging at his lips, pink to his cheeks. Passing into shadows as they turned corners, he looked a lot like his father.

She could almost feel Alicent's unease as they headed for the stables, and said, "For a first meeting, that went rather well."

"I… I agree," Alicent added, and Ser Harold said nothing.

Aegon worked his jaw. "Mayhaps you two have the right of it. He did not openly insult my lady mother to my face, I'll give him that, but his actions speak louder than his words. My first meeting with him, and he has no apology for fifteen years of absence, nor his actions against my mother." Then he said no more.

The rest of the way went by in silence, and when they reached the stables, Aegon chose to ride to the Dragonpit on his horse beside Ser Harrold instead of within the royal carriage. Rhaenyra sat on the cushions and hugged one, a queer tightness in her chest. Beside her sat Alicent, who looked worried, and it was in silence that they sat as the carriage lurched into motion. The sound of hooves and tumble of wheels filling the noise.

When the silence became unbearable, Rhaenyra sighed and looked to her friend. "He must hate me now, doesn't he?"

"No." Alicent took her hand in her own. "He has no cause to hate you."

"But he doesn't want to ride with us. He's out there, with Ser Harrold and the escort. I… I've erred. I should have stopped Daemon from saying such things about the Vale. His words hurt Aegon."

"It was Prince Daemon who said them, not you."

"He calls Lady Rhea his bronze bitch, did you know? He almost said as much to Aegon as well."

Alicent's cheeks pinked at the language, but she didn't look away. "They don't call him the rogue prince without cause. But it's still wrong to speak of one's lady wife as such. I'm sure Aegon knows that you had no place in what was said."

"Mayhaps you're right." Rhaenyra rested her head against Alicent's shoulder, feeling her face warm as she remembered all that had happened, all that had been said. She buried her face in the pillow, tucking her legs beneath her. "I've made a fool of myself, haven't I?"

"No," Alicent said into the top of her head. "But it may have been the wine."

Yes, the wine. Why did I drink so much? "I'll be hearing no end of it when Septa Marlow learns."

"Not unless you mean to tell her." When Rhaenyra looked up at her, Alicent had a mischievous little smile and pink cheeks. "We did swear your cousin to a vow of secrecy, and I have no intention of speaking the truth of it."

"Then I guess she'll have to be content with wondering alone."

The rest of the journey went by rather quickly. Rhaenyra enjoyed the feeling of being held by Alicent, the rumble of the carriage wheels against cobblestone, the sounds of King's Landing around them. The tightness in her chest lessened, but remained still, while her worries slid away like melted ice. When they reached the Dragonpit atop the Hill of Rhaenys, the massive domed castle shadowed them from the sun. The outer columns were as tall as the Tower of the Hand, the main doors made of solid bronze a foot thick and so wide that thirty knights could ride through abreast. Larger than the Starry Sept in Oldtown, the Dragonpit was near as large as the Red Keep itself, and was both castle and lair to dragons and men.

Rhaenyra followed Alicent down the steps laid out before the carriage. Ahead, Aegon dismounted from his horse, though he could scarcely look away from the scenes of dragons and knights engraved upon the Dragonpit's great doors. "I must apologize for my curt manners earlier, cousin. My head was not in the right place."

"Well, I hope seeing the dragons will lift your spirits," Rhaenyra said, as Ser Harrold beckoned the Dragonkeepers to open the wicket gate. "They're all beautiful creatures."

Seventy-seven men numbered the Dragonkeepers, all armored in gleaming black steel plate, their helms crested with scales akin to the dragons they guarded. Founded by her great grandfather, King Jaehaerys, the Dragonkeepers were the shields and keepers of the Targaryen dragons ever since Princess Aerea made off with the largest of them all decades ago. She had returned a year later and died soon after of a strange illness that burned through her. Rhaenyra knew her histories well, and had no intention of seeing it repeated, and so she passed under the watchful eyes of the Dragonkeepers through the wicket gate.

The greater antechamber to the arena and the pit was richly furnished, with Myrish carpets covering the stone floors, torches burning in steel sconces, and Valyrian tapestries of dragons of old from Lys hung from the walls. Flanking the doors to the storerooms and quarters were Valyrian sphinxes, polished marble statues with the bodies of lions, the wings of eagles, the tails of serpents, and the faces of men.

More Dragonkeepers awaited them in the smaller antechamber leading to the pit, speaking softly to one another in High Valyrian. Rhaenyra called to their captain, and the man donned his helmet and clutched the pommel of his sword as he approached. "Princess."

"Ser Jeren. I wish to introduce my cousin to the dragons."

Ser Jeren's eyed Aegon, and then he said, "Has Prince Aegon come to claim a dragon for himself? We still have a number of eggs incubating on the orders of Queen Alysanne."

"I would like to get the know of them before making such a decision," Aegon said, standing beside a worried Alicent.

"Aye," Ser Jeren said, turning to his men. "Open up the undervaults and rouse Syrax. Make sure to keep Caraxes away from Vermithor." Then he turned to Aegon. "Do you speak High Valyrian, my prince?"

"Hopefully I speak it will enough," said Aegon, his High Valyrian not as smooth as one who spoke it regularly.

"It will do. Lady Alicent, will you be joining us?"

"I…" Alicent clutched her hands before her, taking a small step back. "I've no need of seeing the others. Syrax is more than enough for my liking."

"Very well. Lymond, stay with the Lady Alicent, the rest of you form up."

The pit was shaped like a massive oval, with the arena surrounding it, benches fit to seat eighty thousand rising above them in all directions. Rhaenyra watched as Aegon looked all around them, taking in the glories built during the reign of King Jaehaerys and Queen Alysanne. So tall was the dome that not even the torches to illuminate the center, and the sand beneath their feet crunched with each step. When they descended the ramp to the undervaults, Aegon clasped the hilt of his blade, his steps unwavering as the roars of dragons became clearer.

Fashioned like the caves beneath the Dragonmont on Dragonstone, the tunnels of the Dragonpit snaked like tunnels, leading to the great ring of undervaults. Each of the forty undervaults were five times as large as those on Dragonstone, though not even half were currently lairs to dragons. Of the riderless dragons, Vermithor, called the Bronze Fury, laired with Silverwing. Dreamfyre rested in an undervault of her own ever since the death of Princess Rhaena Targaryen. Vhagar, the largest and oldest living dragon, had a lair in the Dragonpit, but for the past year had been seen flying around Dragonstone.

They passed by the undervault of Meleys on their way to Syrax. Rhaenyra could hear the Red Queen from behind the great bronze doors, and the Dragonkeepers who stood guard clutched their spears tightly. "Princess Alyssa Targaryen rode Meleys," she told Aegon. "She was our grandmother."

"And our grandfather, Prince Baelon the Brave, rode the mighty Vhagar," Aegon said. "Before him was Queen Visenya Targaryen herself, who burned Dorne alongside Aegon the Conqueror, who rode Balerion the Black Dread."

"Syrax isn't as large as Vhagar, but she's quicker than most."

"I'd like to see that."

When they reached the undervault for Syrax, Rhaenyra could hear her dragon moving about from within, and couldn't help but smile as the doors were slowly opened. Each dragon had a unique bond with their rider, and she knew of no other feeling than the one she shared with her dragon. Named for a Valyrian goddess, Syrax was as majestic as one, and her yellow scales were her crowning jewel. Strong as steel and growing stronger with each passing year, the she-dragon bore a formidable figure, and her blue eyes held an intelligence to them unlike any other animal. The large chains around her neck kept her within the undervault, so that she did not escape or harm those who watched over her. Rhaenyra hiked the corner of her skirt as she made her way over to her dragon, reaching up and scratching beneath Syrax's snout. "I've brought a visitor," she said in High Valyrian. "His name's Aegon."

Her cousin stood behind Ser Jeren and the other Dragonkeepers, fascination in his face. Syrax peered at him with one of her blue eyes, coming between them as she did. Rhaenyra giggled and rubbed her dragon's scales, feeling the warmth in her fingers. "Come on, Aegon. She won't bite."

"I pray that she doesn't," Aegon called, as Ser Harrold urged caution. He took slow steps, like a worm through molasses, hands raised as if to guard himself from a coming blow.
"Do not make quick movements," came Ser Jeren. "Dragons are wary of strangers."

"I shall move with grace, Ser Jeren." Aegon kept his words in High Valyrian, halting as his speech was, and when he came close enough to Syrax, Rhaenyra took one of his hands in her own.

Syrax's scales were warm, yet Aegon flinched at first, hissing. "Calm," Rhaenyra said, though she did not know who she was assuring. Her dragon gave a soft rumble as Aegon laid his palm against her scales. Fingers spread flat, dragon and knight peered at one another, and Rhaenyra saw a wonder in their eyes. "Beautiful, isn't she?"

"Magnificent."

"Just wait until you see her fly. Then you'll swear you've never seen anything like it before."

In the distance came a dragon's roar, one that shook the undervault around them. Syrax shifted, bearing teeth at the sounds, and the Dragonkeepers rushed to pull them away. Aegon went, but Rhaenyra stayed, urging calming words to her dragon as the distant roars grew ever so louder. "Listen, Syrax, listen. Calm. I'm here."

"Princess," called Ser Harrold. "We need to leave."

"Ser Jeren, what is happening?" said Aegon.

"Someone is mighty upset," the Dragonkeeper said. "Come, I'll not have a prince's death on my hands. We're leaving."

"Mayhaps it's just Caraxes," Rhaenyra offered, knowing her uncle's dragon. The Blood Wyrm was said to have a temper, just like his rider.

"I'd not take the chance."

They left in a hurry, as the roars grew louder, the undervault doors groaned shut, and the Dragonkeepers shouted. Ser Harrold had her by the arm, his helm on his head, his sword in hand, his grip was like a vice. Rhaenyra struggled to keep up with his pace as the ground shook beneath her feet. When a thunderous crash came from behind them, fear gripped her, something unlike she'd ever felt before.

Other Dragonkeepers ran past them, spears in hand. Ser Jeren grabbed one by the arm, demanding to know what was happening. "She's broken loose!" one shouted, a hint of panic in his deep voice. "Torn the doors right from its hinges," said another, and Rhaenyra felt the uneven rhythm of a dragon walking through her legs.

A roar came, and with it a blast of heat.

The shouting died. They all stilled, their feet rooted in place. Ser Jeren hissed out a curse. Rhaenyra felt her stomach roll. Ser Harrold moved her behind him. The other Dragonkeepers readied their swords and spears and whips. Meleys the Red Queen thumped in her undervault nearby. Aegon stood alone.

When they saw her, men sprung into action. Her scales were pale blue streaked with silver and her black eyes were wide. Ser Jeren called for a circle, as others shouted in High Valyrian. Dreamfyre was a slender she-dragon, of a size with the Bronze Fury, and heavier than Silverwing. Her crests were silver, and her wings were pale blue, the membranes nearly white. The air around her shimmered in the heat, the chains around her neck a ruin, and one fell to the ground with a thunk.

"Back," Ser Jeren said. "Everyone get back."

Rhaenyra was pulled along with the others, as Dragonkeepers shouted at Dreamfyre in High Valyrian, urging her to listen as their spears kept her away. Aegon stepped back, and stripped in the sand, falling. The roar came next, and Rhaenyra couldn't hear her own screams as Dreamfyre darted forth, beating wings sending Dragonkeepers flying back. Ser Harrold pushed Rhaenyra behind him, as Ser Jeren cursed, and the wind from Dreamfyre's wings blew past them all.

"Get to the prince!" she heard to her right, and from her left amidst the shouts came, "She's going to eat him!"

But then Aegon pushed himself up from the ground, stopping Dreamfyre with a trembling hand, and the she-dragon beat her wings once, twice…

… and then came to the ground, throwing up sand as she folded them. With a hiss, Dreamfyre eyed them all with her black gaze, and exhaled smoke directly into Aegon's face. Rhaenyra struggled against Ser Harrold's grip, wanting to get to Aegon, but he would not let go. The Dragonkeepers stood frozen, unmoving in the face of a prince so close to such a deadly beast, riderless for so many years. Gods be good.

"Calm," the High Valyrian sounded foreign to her ears, yet natural in his voice. "Dreamfyre, listen. Calm and serve. I am here."

He placed a hand on her snout, and in the sands of the Dragonpit, the realm gained a new dragonrider.