Never cross a dragon
It is a beautiful day today, Daenys admits. She cannot concentrate as she sees the sun shine behind the glass, making her feel warm and drowsy. Lady Argella quietly argues that they are more than on schedule with the documents and since they have no meetings today which include Daenys' area of ruling, they decide to spend some time outside.
The gardens around Aegonfort are coming nicely along, and Daenys has already a favourite place where she likes to go. She and Argella spend some time walking in the gardens, but Daenys is feeling free today and wants to go outside of Aegonfort.
They slip away when no one sees it, because what queen goes mingle with the common folk?, and walk through King's Landing towards the fields surrounding it. They have no jewellery on, they have donned simple clothes, and since the King and his sister-wives are not the only ones with silver/blonde hair, Daenys dons a cape to throw over her silver locks and gone they are.
It is interesting to see how they live, their people, and Daenys is happy to see the sick and needy are taken care off. They take some food with them, go out of the gates and walk for what seems like hours. They stop under a tree which looks out over the fields surrounding them.
'It feels very nice.' Argella smiles, as she lies down and has the sun warm her face. 'I would sit on a particular cliff at Dragonstone and lie there for hours as well with the sun shining on my face.' Daenys remembers, a wistful smile on her face. They spend hours under the three, laughing and for once forgetting they are ladies of noble birth.
The sun is starting to go under when they go back, first stopping by the dragon pit. And the same shrill voice fills the air. 'You have got to be kidding me.' Argella mutters under her breath, but Daenys smiles encouragingly and walks inside the dragon pit. Vhagar and Meraxes are snoozing a bit further, eyes opening when the youngest Targaryen walks in. They look at her for a moment, recognition filling their eyes, and close them again. Lady Eleonora is making big gestures, but what ticks Daenys off is that none of her siblings is accompanying them.
There is one strict rule that rules at court, which cannot be broken. Never go to the dragon pit unless one of the Targaryen's, which means Aegon, Visenya, Rhaenys or even Daenys, is with you. And that is exactly what Lady Eleonora has done. She and a band of about five ladies have gone into the pit, and Meraxes and Vhagar don't move, but Daenys can tell they are getting agitated.
Eleonora's loud voice makes Vhagar grumble, and her eyes open, looking intently at her, as if she is prey. Before Vhagar decides she has had enough and makes the ladies her next meal, Daenys decides to intervene. 'Lady Eleonora!' she calls out, said lady turning around. She stops laughing immediately, beautiful grey eyes turning cold, a sneer taking place on her lips. 'My queen.' she says, and does not even bow, which makes Argella bristle. 'Do you not know the rules of the court? You curtsy before a queen. Lady Eleonora has been praised for her intelligence, but apparently the praise was too high?' Argella says, Eleonora turning red. 'Why should I bow to a queen that has no power or influence or even some semblance of a relationship with her siblings?' she sneers, but Daenys ignores the snickers and laughs, she is more concerned with getting them out of the pit. Balerion is not here, but if he returns and decides Eleonora offends him, he will burn her. And than not even Daenys can make him listen.
'We can discuss this later. You need to leave!' Daenys motions, pushing Eleonora out of the way, towards the exit. She is not having it and pushes Daenys back, who falls to the ground. 'My queen!' Argella gasps, the hood having fallen off her head, her silver hair fanned out around her. 'Not such pretty hair after all. You have some mud in there, My queen.' Eleonora sneers again, petty smile on her face.
The jeering of the group women is changed into wails and cries when a roar is heard above them. Daenys closes her eyes, knowing what is to come. Balerion roars again and lands, dust and rabble flying into the ladies faces. They are all silent, looking with big eyes at the dragon. This is not the day to cross him, Balerion is in a bad mood. Argella swallows and kneels immediately, not looking any of the dragons in their eyes. Meraxes and Vhagar are awake now, curious what will happen.
Balerion grumbles, some smoke escaping his mouth. He looks around and than his gaze is locked on Eleonora. He screeches again, this time making everyone cover their ears and slowly starts to move towards the ladies, intelligent eyes intent on her. 'Kneel, you fools!' Argella snaps, making most of the ladies kneel. Everyone but Eleonora. She is frozen in fear, wide eyes looking at Balerion. The dragon is having none of it and his giant head comes right next to her, mouth opening and hissing right next to her head. Eleonora is whimpering and looks about ready to cry.
Daenys decides enough is enough. She stands up, doesn't even flinch when Balerion hisses at her as well. She steps before Eleonora, takes his head and pushes it back. 'Balerion.' she asks, said dragon still quietly hissing at Eleonora. 'Please.' Daenys whispers in old Valyrian, the dragon finally closing his eyes and stepping back. Daenys stops before him, his humongous head stopping right before her. They look each other in the eyes for a minute, and the dragon finally rumbles. He has always had a particular fondness for her and that saves them. He pushes his snout against her head, a hesitant hand patting him. 'Kneel, Eleonora!' Argella shout-whispers, Balerion looking at the frozen woman and roaring again.
Eleonora kneels finally, sobs wrecking her body. Daenys feels bad for a moment. She scratches Balerion on his nose, who bumps his snout once again against her cheek. 'Go on further, you big bully.' she fondly whispers, Balerion rumbling one more time and stepping away, huge talons and wings vibrating with every step.
That is the first and last time anyone ever went into the pit without permission.