Chapter Five: 298 AC, Lhazar, Essos
The Beginning
It had been a busy year since they left Pentos to travel to Vaes Dothrak. Drogo said he would fight for the Targaryen's and pledged his whole Khalasar after Daenerys was almost poisoned in the marketplace. Viserys was killed by Drogo when he had threatened a heavily pregnant Daenerys at sword point. Ned Stark was executed by Joffrey Lannister on charges of treason, the North had risen in Rebellion. Maester Aemon had written her from the wall letting her know they were in desperate need of more men and that the stories of wight's and White Walkers weren't stories at all. Robb Stark had been declared King in the North by his bannermen and he was at war with the Lannister's. Drogo had to fight a bloodrider named Mago after he insulted Daenerys and his child and his small wound had festered after Daenerys used an ointment given to her by the witch Mirri she had saved in Lhazar. Daenerys had tried to save him using dragon blood, but she was knocked down by some of Drogo's bloodriders during the struggle and went into early labor.
She lost her son, Rhaego and Drogo died because Mirri Maz Duur did something when she cast her magic after Daenerys had pleaded with her to save his life. Visenya had her taken into custody and was now trying to comfort a traumatized Daenerys. Roslin hadn't left the Targaryen's princesses side as she grieved for Drogo too, he had saved her life once. Jacaerys mourned deeply, Drogo was an older brother to him and had taught him how to wield a Dothraki sword. Visenya on the hand, was angry. She knew witches were not to be trusted, especially the once who practiced blood magic. But she had trusted Daenerys to do what was right and she had failed. Visenya had been in the middle of a fight when Daenerys went into labor, otherwise she would have stopped her. Half the khalasar had left as Daenerys could not be a Khaleesi without a Khal for she had never earned their respect.
However, surprising many, over twenty thousand stayed.
Because Visenya had their respect.
She was strong, strong enough to be a Khal even if she was a woman and she had never been defeated in combat.
They had set camp not far from where Drogo had fallen from his horse, but not close enough to make Daenerys look back on when her husbands life ended. Arthur had taken over getting the camp set up after Visenya retreated to spend time with Daenerys, for which she was thankful. Ser Gerald and Ser Oswell were standing guard outside her tent, eyeing the surrounding Dothraki wearily as some frequently looked ready to reach for their blades. They went about getting their camp set up quickly and then Drago's bloodriders, who had stayed to revenge their Khal gathered wood together and began to build a pyre for their lost leader, after which, they would end their lives.
Hours later, Visenya exited Daenerys tent to see the men had finished the pyre, the one to burn the body of Drogo and Daeny's stillborn son, Rhaego Targaryen who had been born deformed because of the witch. Daenerys was beside herself with grief and it was only Ser Jorah and Ser Oswell that kept her on her feet as they escorted her to the pyre sight. She watched as Drogo was laid out, her son wrapped in a beautifully crafted Targaryen banner Lillian and Roslin had been working on and had finished just before Drogo was injured. Visenya had wrapped the babe in it and placed him on Drogo's chest, wrapping him in his fathers arms as they made their journey to the Night Lands.
Once the pyre was in place, Visenya looked to Ser Gerald and Arthur, who stood watch over four large beautiful valyrian steel chests that had traveled from Valyria with them to that moment. At her looks, the men knelt down and opened the chest, making many look over curiously. Their curiosity was answered when the light gleamed off the scales of sixteen beautiful dragon eggs of all different colors. In three of the chests, held five eggs but in the last chest, was only a single egg of white with violet accents.
Jacaerys and Ser Oswell helped their fellow knights place the dragon eggs around Drogo on the pyre, the largest one, the white, was placed right above his head. The ancient lore from Valyria said it was a life for a life, to bring forth a dragon through magic. As the eggs had turned to stone, she figured a sacrifice would do. One of love, one of blood and one of death. She didn't think it would matter that two of them were already dead, their blood was still there. She figured now was a good as time as any to bring dragons back to life. She had Rakharo, one of her closest friends since they joined Drogo's horse, bring out Mirri, the stupid witch who had murdered the Khal of Khal's and tie her to the pyre as she yelled she would never let them rest in peace.
Visenya walked towards them, everyone was gathered in a circle around the pyre where they would watch over Drogo for the whole night as passed into the Night Lands with his son. She was dressed in a simple purple dress that tied around her neck, dipped low between her breasts and fell to the ground in waterfall of silk. She carried a torch with her, face expressionless as the sun began to sink beyond the horizon, she has no idea how regal she looked walking down the path the Dothraki had made for her to reach the pyre, but she would be told many times later on.
Visenya's met Mirri's and seemed to burn through her, right to the witches soul, "I won't scream," she swore in a screech.
"I don't want your screams, just your life," Visenya said lowering the torch to the hay that had been laid to form a circle around Drogo without a second of hesitation. As the flames quickly spread the witch began to sing loudly in her mother tongue, however when the flames reached her and engulfed her body, her singing turned to screams and Visenya nor Daenerys were able to take their eyes off of her as the fire ate her alive. Visenya watched emotionless as the pyre went up in flames before she stepped forward, feeling an unexplainable draw in her chest.
Arthur grabbed her arm with a look of horror in his eyes, "What are you doing? You'll burn," he snapped at her in panic and fear.
Visenya looked at him with dazed glassy eyes, "Fire cannot burn a dragon," she muttered softly before shaking off his hand and stepping into the flames without hesitation. Jacaerys tried to step towards the flames to save her but the fire sparked angrily and he fell backwards, falling to his knees in grief as he watched the fire roar to the sky. Everyone gasped as Visenya vanished into flame with nary a sound and all slowly dropped to their knees, they have no idea that inside the fire, history was in the making.
Visenya had never felt the heat of fire before and even engulfed in its flames, she didn't burn.
~!~
The next morning, after the hours of agonizing wait Ser Arthur led Ser Oswell, Ser Gerald, Ser Jorah, Daario, Jacaerys, Daenerys, Roslin, Lillian and Rakharo through the Dothraki who had stayed and slept around the pyre that night into the smoking ruins of whatever had survived the flames. Their steps woke many of the other Dothraki as they made their way into the smoking ruins of the pyre. They hadn't heard a sound from Visenya that night after she vanished into the flames and Arthur feared they would find nothing but a pile of ash. There had been stories of Targaryen's who could withstand the heat of fire but in all the years he had been at Visenya's side, he never suspected her to be one of them. They called Rhaegar The Last Dragon for a reason after all.
Their feet stepped on broken and still smoking wood, which creaked loudly under their weight and fear began building in their hearts as they looked around, not seeing Visenya anywhere. Arthur had just taken a step forward around a pile still smoking, where the center of the pyre had been and stopped cold, heart dropping to his feat and goosepimples breaking out across his body. His shocked breath made everyone stop and turn towards him and Arthur's mouth was so dry, he could not say a word, so pointed. They all followed his gesture and stopped cold as they to realized just what they were seeing.
She was curled into a ball; her dark hair had fallen out of its bindings and now hung around her like a cloak and pooled on the ground. Her gown had burnt away when she stepped into the flames, leaving her naked and streaked in ash. She slowly looked up at him from where she was curled up, violet eyes bright in a way he had never seen before and disbelief covered his face as he met them. Her whole body was covered in ash but it was the white dragon with purple accents that had appeared over her shoulder when he heard their approach, that held his attention.
Arthur gaped in disbelief because of the first time in centuries, he was staring at a dragon. Ser Gerald and Ser Oswell stood on either side of him and both knights were just as shocked as him. Arthur instantly lowered himself to his knees, with everyone in the Targaryen party including Jacaerys, and bowed his head, "Blood of my blood," he whispered hoarsely, the oath they had taken so many years before when they joined Khal Bharbo's horde. The oath was muttered by all among them, as their eyes watched her.
Visenya curled her hand around the dragon who had been suckling at her right breast and held it as she slowly rose to her feet. There was the dragon on her shoulder, one clinging to up upper right arm, one clung to her left wrist, one on her right hip, the one she had clutched covering her lower parts, she had one on each of her thighs, one wrapped around each of her knees, and one covering each foot. The other five were curled around her feet. It was a splash of color against her pale skin and no one could find the words. Just like the eggs, the white dragon with purple accents was larger than all his siblings.
As the dragon began to make noise, the khalasar that had stayed with Visenya sank down to their knees and bowed their heads the dawn sun shined on them. An eagle screeched above her and Visenya looked out across the Narrow Sea and knew everything would be different from then on. She didn't think all sixteen eggs they had found would hatch. She had thought maybe four would of the clutch. Now seeing them, she knew that all these dragons were not of the same clutch as they grouped together. She knew she could reconquer the Seven Kingdoms easily, her ancestor had done it with three dragons and Visenya had sixteen. The plans had been set. They had only one more stop to make before they begun their journey home.
Apparently, Rhaegar wasn't the last dragon after all.
~!~
Varys, The Master of Whispers
It would seem the world is about the feel the wrath of Valyria once more my friend. I received word only a few weeks ago but according to one of my spies, Visenya Targaryen had brought dragons back to the world. Unlike her ancestor, she did not bring back three but sixteen dragons, the largest of which has Bonded to her already. Half of Khal Drogo's Khalasar stayed with them, vowing to follow her to Westeros. Her army has grown once more. They are moving towards Slaver's Bay. I think now would be the time for you to write those most loyal to our Queen and send them to Essos. If all goes well, they should meet in Mereen in half a years turn. I look forward to seeing the three headed dragon banned fly above the Red Keep once more.
Magister Illyrio Mopatis
Within hours of receiving his friends ravens, Varys had riders going out towards the Reach, the Riverlands and into the Stormlands. The reason for the latter, Varys had discovered Targaryen loyalists had taken up there, survivors of Robert's Rebellion who had never been found, keeping the memory of the Targaryen's rule alive. He knew it would take a thousand ships to carry all of Visenya's army across the Narrow Sea and he would try his best to make sure it happened. He also sent a letter to Theon Greyjoy, who had recently been sent to the Iron Islands to gain favor with his father. Varys had heard rumors of the Old Lions plans for Robb Stark and if rumors were to be believed, the two boys were close.
Hopefully, Theon would listen.
~!~
Hours after they managed to get Visenya from the wreckage of the funeral pyre, the Targaryen forces and Daenerys handmaidens gathered in Visenya's tent. The dragons stayed close to her as they were moved from the baskets and onto the ground, where Visenya had sat down and Arthur smiled wishing Rhaegar was there with them. His Prince had always talked about the might of the dragons at their height of power but this was so different. Never in their history had there been so many dragons, not after the Doom of Valyria.
Even during the Dance of Dragons, there was only twelve dragons and at the end, there were only two survivors. The dragons had slowly died off after that and went extinct, each hatching smaller and sicker than the last until the eggs no longer hatched at all. Arthur could remember the skulls that had decorated the Red Keep so many years ago and had no doubt that these hatchlings would grow much larger than their ancestors had.
He turned to the Queen, "What shall you call them Visenya?" he asked watching her stroked the white and purple one, the biggest of the clutch, that had clung to her since pulled from the smoking ruins of the pyre.
Her eyes shined with wonder as she smiled contently, "This one is Valyrian, so I never forget where we came from," she said running her hand down the white and purple spiked back of her dragon. Arthur could understand the sentiment, "The others?" he wondered staring into the clashing colored tiny, scaled bodies that were playing around her. Visenya turned her head slightly, "Jacaerys, Daenerys come, see if one will bond to you," she said welcoming her sister and nephew closer. Jacaerys moved slowly, Daenerys following him with Roslin behind her looking in wonder.
Everyone always said the dragons were gone for good, sixteen of then now sat in front of her. Roslin stopped a little away from Jacaerys and then looked down when her foot nudged something warm and scaled like a snake. She looked down to see a little dark blue dragon that had dark purple accents around the wings, horns and chest. Golden eyes looked up at her and the little dragon made a small sound before butting Roslin's leg with her head. Unsure the daughter of Walder Frey lowered her arm down to the dragon, unaware of Visenya watching her and lifting her hand to silence everyone talking and redirecting their attention to Roslin.
The little dragon climbed into her hand and wrapped it's tail around her wrist as it looked up at her with intelligent gold eyes, as she pulled it up to cradle it at her chest. Clapping filled the tent and Roslin looked to see everyone watching her making a dark blush cross her cheeks. Visenya grinned in delight, "I knew I was right about you. What shall you call her?" she asked running her hands over the two dragons in her lap. Roslin looked at her startled, "Call her your grace?" she asked bewildered. Visenya laughed, "She came to you. She claimed you as hers. What shall you call her?" she explained. Roslin looked down at the sweet one in her arms, heart pounding that a dragon had chosen her and smiled, "Dreamfyre, after Princess Rhaena Targaryen's dragon," she said as the dragon climbed onto her shoulder and settled there, glaring out at everyone.
A growl echoed and they turned to look at the pure black dragon with red eyes, he was watching them with an obvious glower. Ser Gerald shuddered, "What shall you call him?" he asked watching the dragon wearily. Violence seemed to pulse in the very air surrounding the young dragon and Ser Gerald wasn't alone in his caution. Visenya looked at the dragon, their eyes meeting and holding. A name popped into her head and no matter how she tried to dismiss it, it wouldn't leave. The dragon snorted at her and she finally nodded in defeat, "Balerion, after Balerion the Black Dread" she said making everyone turn to face her with surprise.
The minute she said his name, Balerion calmed down, relaxing his tense posture and curled up to sleep in the farthest corner from the group. Visenya looked at two of the other dragons that had stayed close to him. It was like looking in a mirror of the past and having felt Balerion's connection to his name, she pointed at the green one with yellow accents, "Vhagar," and then pointed to the pure silver one with gold eyes, "Meraxes, might as well make them the set and give them their ancestors names," she said and then watched them curl up together, after Vhagar snapped at one of the other dragons and was scolded by Valyrian.
Jacaerys laughed as he watched Vhagar lay down obviously scolded before he lowered himself down to the ground and watched the many un-named dragons play with each other. He was so focused on them; he didn't notice one sitting next to him until she coughed fire right at his face. He jerked back quickly, hearing laughter from everyone else in the room and then looked down at the grey/white female with red accents as she looked at him curiously. He wasn't sure how he knew she was female but something inside of him just said it was a girl. He offered his hand to her and waiting as she sniffed him, hoping she wasn't about to lunge at him. She must have liked him because she nudged her head against his hand and then climbed into his lap, allowing him to stroke her feeling like a little boy again.
Daenerys sat down next to him, and once she sniffed her hand, stroked her head softly, "What shall you call her?" she asked and then turned to the other dragons when they began to play fight again. Jacaerys looked down at the beautiful little girl in his lap and smiled because he knew the perfect name for her, "Moonfyre, a new name for a new dynasty," he whispered, looking to his aunt for approval. Visenya nodded her agreement before turning to the little black and red boy who had been content in her lap until Daenerys had sat down next to Jacaerys and Moonfyre, he was watching her intently with dark golden eyes.
"Daeny," Visenya whispered softly, gaining the young Princesses attention. She gestured for her sister to look at the dragon watching her and when their eyes met, he moved from her lap over to Daenerys, who stroked him reverently and then lifted him to meet her eye, "Drogon, after Drogo," she whispered as he nudged her chin with his nose. No one could deny her that pleasure as Drogo had been her husband and he had also been among those burned in sacrifice to bring the dragons back.
Then Daenerys turned to the cream one with dark gold accents, "Viserion," she whispered. The little one looked up at her before chirping his agreement and moving to cuddle against her side. While apart of Visenya felt Viserys didn't deserve to have a dragon named after him, she knew he was the only person Daenerys had had while on the run while they were in Valyria. So, she bit her tongue on the matter of his name. Her attention was grabbed by the green and bronze one and she couldn't help but think of her elder brother and niece.
If he had been there in that moment, he would have been so proud and pleased. He had always wanted to see a real dragon; he had been fascinated with Balerion's skull when they were children. Rhaenys had been the same way. She and Visenya used to spend hours looking over the dragon skulls in the Red Keep and her niece had known every single one of them by name. Visenya reached over and stroked him lightly, "Rhaegal, after our brother, your son and our niece Rhaenys," she whispered looking to Daeny who nodded her agreement.
She had never met her brother Rhaegar, he had been dead when she was born, but Viserys used to talk about him. However, she only learned the truth of her family when she was reunited with Visenya. Jacaerys had told her, so she wasn't caught unaware when they returned home, all about the Mad King and how Robert's Rebellion had really started. Jacaerys had been emotionless as he told her the story and part of her wondered how he could be so disinterested in his own parents, until he got to the part about Elia Martell and her children dying when the city was sacked by the Lannister's. Daenerys had understood then why Rhaegar wasn't talked about much and why Jacaerys rarely talked about his birth parents, instead, preferring the people who had raised him, Visenya and Ser Arthur.
They looked at the other seven dragons who were unnamed and Arthur shook his head and rested his weight on the table he was leaning against as his eyes scanned over the wreathing bodies of baby dragons, "What about Stormcloud for that little dark grey boy with blue accents?" he asked looking at the dragon who was pouncing on one of his siblings. Visenya contemplated for a moment before nodding her head in agreement. Roslin smiled, "How about Quicksilver for that little boy?" she asked pointing to one of the smallest dragons in the clutch, who was pure silver in color. Daenerys remember reading about the Targaryen dragons and nodded, "It fits," she agreed with her friend.
Visenya looked at a little girl that was dark purple with white accents, reminding her heavily of her mother for some reason, "Rhaelle, for our mother," she said looking at the little one. Daenerys nodded, a swift longing filling her as she looked at the dragon. Apparently she reminded Visenya of their mother and Daenerys was okay with that, she wanted to remember even if she didn't remember her. Jacaerys looked at a green girl with cream accents that was playing with Stormcloud and smiled, "Moondancer for that one," he said pointing at her. Everyone nodded, she did look a lot like Moondancer from the past.
If Visenya hadn't been high of the victory of returning dragons to the world, she would have realized that the dragons looked identical to those of the past. If she had been paying attention, she would have seen Valyrian looking at her as though he knew something she didn't. If she had been paying attention, she would have realized the dragons knew their names well and were just waiting for the humans to figure it out. Balerion had known who he was the moment he opened his eyes and now he was curled up with his siblings, watching, wondering and waiting. Only time would tell if they had made the right choice.
Jacaerys then looked at the red girl with silver accents along her wings, "She looks just like Silverwing," he whispered staring at the smallest dragon of the whole clutch. Everyone looked at her, as she sat on the edge of the group watching over the others, before Visenya nodded, "She does," she agreed. Lillian didn't say anything until she saw the pure dark grey boy who looked at them all intensely and wearily, as though he was waiting to be attacked at any moment. She looked at Visenya, "What about that little boy?" she asked pointing at him.
They all turned to look and ran threw all the names that could think of in their heads, however they couldn't find one that matched him. Visenya saw how he watched them all, curious as though everything they were doing was new to him at the same time wearily. He was settled as far from them as he could get and his back was bunched up, as though he was waiting for a chance to attack. She was tempted to reach out for him, try to get him used to her but something inside of her, urged her to leave him alone and let her come out of her shell on his own.
Lillian looked at him and remembered a story her mother had told her as a child, "What about Urrax? He was a dragon in the time of the First Men. According to legend, Serwyn of the Mirror Shield killed Urrax. He sneaked up on Urrax, hiding behind his shield which was a mirror, so the dragon only saw its reflection. Serwyn then killed him by plunging a spear though his eye. I don't think that can kill a dragon, but they also say Urrax laid the clutch of eggs which led to the Valyrian's riding dragons," she explained, remembering the legend her mother would whisper to her in the dark hours in the Reach when she was a child.
Visenya looked at him, he looked pleased and expectant. She thought it suited him so she nodded her consent for the name and Urrax settled down in his spot, watching with wide eyes as the other dragons cuddled their humans and those without riders slept surrounded by their siblings.
Finally, she turned to the boy in her lap, who had clung to her since he hatched. He was a brilliant orange/red color with yellow accents, that reminded her of the flames from a fire. It was also a painful reminder of her past. Because seeing the colors of House Martell made her miss her daughters and Oberyn, even more than she already did. She knew she might see them again soon and really hoped things worked out. She looked at the dragon as he raised his head to meet her eyes, "Sunfyre, to honor his predecessor and to honor Dorne," she said, knowing it was a perfect fit.
The Queensguard, who had discovered her secret years before after they came to Essos, nodded their understanding, while Daenerys and Jacaerys didn't understand. Roslin said nothing because everything she had heard had all been rumor. No one was one hundred percent sure but after the Tourney of Harrenhal, many rumors had circled that the Princess was caught in an intimate embrace with Prince Oberyn Martell. There was no proof of course and no one could investigate, given the rebellion broke out shortly after.
When they sat down and told Jacaerys the truth of his heritage before they returned from Valyria, Visenya hadn't told him everything. It was too painful for her to talk of Oberyn and her daughters. She had missed out on so much of their lives and part of her worried they wouldn't want her back when they returned to Westeros. The letters her daughters had written had eased that ache a lot but it was still painful to talk about them. Not to mention, she feared if she fell into that trap, she wouldn't be able to follow through with her plans.
Arthur was the most pleased by his honor to his homeland. Many years before he had become part of the Kingsguard, he had fallen in love with Elia Martell. He had been denied her hand because he was the second son and from a minor house. When he was appointed to the Kingsguard, he hadn't fought it because he didn't want anyone but Elia. When he learned that Visenya was in love with Prince Oberyn, he had felt happy for them and sworn to keep it secret. It was something he had guarded well over the years and he was happy Visenya still felt connected to his home, even though she had not been there in more than sixteen years.
Arthur knew if she could have pulled it off she would have gone to him after the rebellion ended, but then Rhaella had dropped the Regency on her and she couldn't to abandon her family, nor could Dorne go to war against three of the Seven Kingdoms. While the Reach would have followed them, two against four, including the Lannister's, would have killed hundreds of thousands in the crossfire. Arthur was thankful she had because he had little doubt if she hadn't been there, Jacaerys would have been killed before he reached his fifth nameday. The assassins had only gotten close enough to kill him once and it was only because Visenya was paranoid that he survived.
All the dragons had now been named and Visenya knew things were ready to begin, she turned to Ser Gerald and Ser Jorah, who had been to the city she was about to mention before, "I want to buy the Unsullied in Astapor," she said bluntly. Ser Gerald choked on the wine he had just swallowed and Ser Jorah raised an eyebrow, "Is that why we were in Astapor?" Jacaerys asked standing to attention, Moonfyre perched on his shoulder watching intently. Visenya nodded, "Yes, I was trying to arrange an exchange with Kraznys mo Nakloz. I had almost succeeded before Illyrio wrote me about what was going on back in Pentos," she explained, making Jacaerys and Daenerys's eyes widen.
Ser Jorah frowned, "What did he want in exchange?" he wondered, knowing the Master would want something.
Visenya grimaced, "That was the hard part, I cannot bare a child so I could not offer marriage and after seeing how they treat woman, I would never give Daeny to him. So, I agreed to barter two dragon eggs in exchange for all eight thousand- six hundred Unsullied," she said as she rose to her feet with Valyrian on her shoulder and Sunfyre wrapped around her left arm. She had no idea how much she looked like a Dragon Queen of old in that moment, all that was missing was a crown. Daario stepped forward from where he had been standing in the shadows, fiddling with one of his blades, "The dragons have hatched. If he sees them, he will demand two in exchange and it will most likely be the biggest two," he said with a pointed look at Valyrian and Moonfyre.
Visenya scoffed, "I wasn't going to let him keep the eggs. After seeing what the do to the Unsullied to train them, I would never leave a living creature in their hands. I was thinking we could teach the dragons Valyrian commands as we travel to Astapor and then after I have the whip which commands the Unsullied we have the Dragons turn on them and sack the city," she said telling them her plan.
Ser Gerald and Ser Oswell nodded thinking about it. "That would probably work your grace, but how are you going to get almost thirty-thousand men across the Narrow Sea?" Ser Gerald asked. A devious smiled crossed her face and the Kingsguard instantly knew something was already in motions. "I wrote to Varys and I expect ships will be waiting for us in Slaver's Bay by the time we get there or will arrive after we do," she said softly. Anticipation sparked in the air. Everyone knew Varys was loyal to the Targaryen's and hated Robert Baratheon and Joffrey Waters, he would do everything possible to make sure enough ships made their way to them.
"I want to retake Dragonstone before we begin to our campaign into Westeros," she said softly, thinking of the Targaryen's ancestral keep. It was where Aegon and his sister-wives had planned their war to conquer Westeros. The Painted Table would be a big help to them as she tried to take it back. She knew the Lannister's would never relinquish control now that they had it. Tywin's dream had always been to seat one of his children on the Iron Throne. When Robert won, he had done exactly that and Cersei had taken her good sister Elia's birthright, basking in their blood for her victory.
Arthur inhaled softly, as he knew how much it had cost her to force those words out. Rhaegar had been her friend and protector as they were growing up. When he became the Prince of Dragonstone, and realized he would one day have to take a bride, he had changed a lot. She had begun to feel unsafe going there, and had stopped going since just before Rhaegar and Elia married. The first time she had stepped foot onto Dragonstone in years had been when they went to find Rhaella and Viserys. Queen Rhaella Targaryen had died there and they had no idea what happened to her body. He looked at her to see hurt, longing and anger in her eyes for home. That's all she wanted, he realised. She wanted to go home. He couldn't blame her, he wanted to go home too. He wanted to see his brother and his sister, his nephews and more than anything, he wanted to see the sandy shores of Dorne, it had been years since he had stepped foot on the soil of his homeland.
Daario looked at her with a frown, "What's so special about Dragonstone?" he asked, not having been there when they had this conversation when Roslin had arrived in Essos. Visenya looked at him with shining eyes, ""It was the first seat of the Targaryen Family when they escaped the Doom of Valyria. It was where Aegon began when he planned to conquer the Seven Kingdoms. After they build Kings Landing, Dragonstone became to seat of the Heir to the Iron Throne. The heir will rule there after they become heir when the King dies, they returned to Kings Landing. The seat is then passed on to their heir. It is the same for Summerhall, it was built as their third seat and meant for the second heir. That means if Jace had never been named Prince of Dragonstone by Rhaella Targaryen before her death, I would have been heir and then Viserys after me," she explained to him, making his eyes widen in understanding.
Jacaerys grinned at her, "I have my own keep?" he said excited.
Visenya gave a small smile, "Yes, but you will probably never live there Jace," she admitted.
Jacaerys frowned, "Why not?" he asked confused.
The Queensguard looked confused as well, "Jace, you're the true King of Westeros, I'm just the regent. After you marry, you'll be expected to carry on the family name and have many children. Because of that, you'll have to live in Kings Landing. Your first born will become the next Prince or Princess of Dragonstone after you," she explained sadly. As Jacaerys complained, because they had never had a permanent home, nor did he feel ready to be King of the Seven Kingdoms, Visenya noticed that Roslin had slipped out of tent.
She had a pretty good idea as to why, so she followed her out.
~!~
Roslin quickly wiped the tears from her eyes and looked out at the setting sun that made the Narrow Sea sparkle beneath it. She knew she was being silly, Jacaerys would have to marry someday and she knew she shouldn't have gotten as close to him as she had. He would be expected to wed into one of the Great Houses, either House Stark or House Tyrell to bind their alliance to the crown. He would never be allowed to take a bride from a minor house, especially one who was of no importance. She was thinking it might be best for her to return home, so she would grow no closer to the Crown Prince, when someone spoke from behind her.
Visenya looked at her with sympathy and understand as she walked over to stand just behind her, "It's okay to love him Roslin," she said quietly. Roslin spun around to face her with red cheeks, "I don't, he's going to be King... I can't," she whispered her chest hurting as she looked at Visenya, who had been like a mother to her since she arrived in Essos.
Visenya's mouth twitched like she wanted to laugh, "Do you know when I was your age I was in love?" she asked. Roslin shook her head and Visenya smiled sadly, "I was in love with Oberyn Martell and I even accepted his bastard daughters as my own," she talking softly coming to stand beside Roslin and looking out across the sea towards Westeros.
"The Red Viper?" Roslin exclaimed as all the rumors that circled Westeros were confirmed by Visenya's own mouth!
Visenya nodded, "Yes, The Red Viper. We wanted to get married but my Father turned down Doran's, Oberyn's brother, proposal not once but three times. He had planned to make me Rhaegar's second bride or marry me to our cousin Robert Baratheon before we learned I was barren. Oberyn said he would marry me anyway and I had every intention of going to Dorne after the Rebellion was over and my brother Rhaegar knew that. Because of his death, the Targaryen's were forced to flee our home and I haven't seen Oberyn or our daughters since then," she said, sharing a bit of personal history with Roslin.
Roslin felt bad and went to say something but Visenya held up her hand to stop her and her face softened, "What I'm trying to make you see Roslin is, my nephew cares for you and I knew you care for him. The reason I had sent for a daughter of House Frey was I wanted to reward you father for his loyalty to my family, even after all these years. I told your father I wouldn't arrange a betrothal if you and Jace weren't okay with it. I know what its like to not be with the person you love and I swore if Jace ever found someone, I wouldn't stand in his way as long as she was a noble maiden," she explained and then turned to let Roslin think on what she said.
Before she entered the tent she turned back, "I spent years away from the man I loved because I was afraid to stand up to my father. I paid the price as I haven't seen any of my family in fifteen years. If you want something then you need to fight for it" with that said she entered the tent passing Jace on his way out. He had calmed down since she had walked out and had gotten up to speak with aunt when he had caught the end of his aunts conversation with Roslin. He knew he had deep feelings for the girl but had never acted on them because he expected he would be in arranged marriage with one of the Tyrell daughters. Now, he learned that his aunt was going to let him make his own decision regarding who he would wed and he felt relief.
It lifted an invisible weight that had been on his shoulders since he learned the truth about his parents.
He exited the tent and headed right towards Roslin, who was standing at the edge of the cliff watching the sea. Her dragon Dreamfyre was still perched on her shoulder and Jacaerys couldn't help the jolt of desire that filled him when he saw her. She was so beautiful. He stopped when he was behind her, "Are you okay?" he asked making Roslin jump in shock and almost fall over, "Jace, you frightened me," she accused, nickname slipping from her tongue without thought, as he grabbed her to keep her upright.
He laughed until he realized how close they were standing to each other.
He slowly uncurled his fingers from around her arms and let his hands trail down her arms till he reached her hands. He hesitated for a second before linking their fingers, "Is this okay?" he whispered. Her head tilted back to meet his eyes, he was taller then her and her head only came up to his chin, before she nodded a blush crossing her cheeks. Jacaerys couldn't help himself from letting go of her one hand and lightly running his finger over her cheek, "Your so beautiful," he whispered as he caressed her. Roslin leaned her head into his hand and then squeezed his hand, "I'm not," she denied in a whisper.
Jacaerys shook his head and chuckled before using both his hands to cup her face, "Your the most beautiful women I've ever met Ros and I want to marry you," he confessed softly, heart pounding as he waited for her answer. Her eyes sparkled with tears and she cupped his wrists as he held her face, "You want to marry me?" she asked her voice shaking. Jacaerys nodded, "More than anything," he said as tears of relief and happiness leaked down her cheeks. He grabbed her hand and lowered himself down to his knees in front of her taking a deep breath and releasing it, "Lady Roslin Frey," he began, a large smile crossing his face, "I have never met a more beautiful person and I find myself completely and irrevocably in love with you. Will you please give me the great honor of calling you my wife?" he asked, waiting with his heart in his throat for her answer.
Roslin Frey was filled with so much happiness that she was crying and she couldn't speak, so she nodded her consent enthusiastically and melted into his arms when he hugged her. There was sound of applause from behind them and they looked over to see Visenya and over two hundred people clapping for them. The Queen Regent stepped forward with a smile that did not reach her eyes. She wasn't ready for him to grow up and no longer need her anymore, "I'll arrange it with Lord Frey," she said, turning away before she lost her composure. Jacaerys looked a little hurt before Roslin grabbed his hand and Arthur stepped forward, "She's happy for you Jace. But she was in love with someone when she was a little older than you are now and she never got to be with him. She'll do anything to make sure your happy," he said softly before he followed after his Queen.
~!~
That night, Visenya penned a raven that would change all their lives forever.
Lord Frey;
It would seem my suspicion from so many moons ago was correct. Jacaerys has asked Roslin to marry him and she consented. Our families will be bound in matrimony. We are heading to Astapor to collect the last of our support, then we're going to leave from Slaver's Bay and we're heading to reclaim Dragonstone. It was once the seat of the Targaryen family and it will be again. I have brought the Dragons back Walder. You daughter has even bonded to one she named Dreamfyre. The wedding shall be held there in the eyes of the Valyrian gods and the Seven. I have attached two copies of a betrothal contract. Sign the one I already did and I will sign the one you send back. I look forward to seeing you soon Walder.
Visenya of House Targaryen, Second of Her Name, Queen Regent of the Andals, the Rhoynar and the First Men, Lady Paramount of the Seven Kingdoms, Protector of the Realm