I warn you two times, the third time I strike
'Rhaenys!' Daenys screams. 'We need to hurry!' 'What is going on?' Rhaenys shouts back, Meraxes clearly not feeling at ease either.
'Aegon and Visenya are going to charge into battle with House Droughtden! Their armies are evenly matched!' Rhaenys curses, waving to Argella and Lord Thomas. 'We need to hurry! Everyone, ready for battle!'
Argella steers her horse into a slow gallop, followed by Lady Eleonora and Lord Thomas, their army following, horses galloping and soldiers jogging behind them, the banners of House Targaryen, Baratheon and Riverworth waving proudly at the front, followed by the minor Houses.
They are quick to approach the field, the sounds of battle coming closer. Daenys has to admit she feels nervous, a tight knot in her stomach. She can only think, what if they are too late?
She knows Aegon and Visenya have an enormous battle experience and are not likely to die quickly, but she can see even Rhaenys is nervous, and that is never a good sign.
The procession stops at the end of the hill, Argella paling at what she sees. House Droughtden and the Targaryen are intwined, not discernable who is friend or foe.
They hear an angry roar, and Magavin can only answer in desperation. Balerion is on the ground, they have managed to chain him to the ground. Argella pales even more when she sees that Orys, Aegon and Visenya are in the middle, surrounded by hundreds of enemies. More Targaryen soldiers are dying, screaming in agony and pain. It is a bloody sight to be seen, mud and blood joining together on the ground.
'ORYS!' The scream leaves Argella's lips before she can think, and said man turns his head around in disbelief. Meraxes roars out, angry at what she sees. 'Daenys, fly up and attack House Droughtden from the back!' Rhaenys whispers, Daenys swallowing but steeling her nerves and nodding in determination.
'Argella, blow the horn.' Rhaenys says, mounting again on Meraxes. 'Targaryen army, to me!' Daenys hears her sister shout out, horns blowing as the army rearranges itself.
Daenys flies up and up, but she is low enough that she can see what happens. Lord Thomas, Lady Eleonora and Argella raise their swords, Meraxes beating her wings above them, their horses going into a slow canter, and than into a slow gallop.
There is a deafening silence as the army, under Rhaenys' and Argella's lead, approaches the battle that is already raging. Daenys can only look with wide eyes as they charge ahead, the silence still present and the tension ever growing.
'Drop down, Magavin!' Daenys whispers in her mothertongue, the she-dragon gaining speed and dropping down fast. Magavin opens her wings again in time, so that they hover above the Droughtden army, the dragon building fire in her throat.
She hovers above the army, the Lord of Droughtden turning around with a stunned expression on their face, mirrored on that of Aegon and Visenya.
Daenys giggles in her head, an evil smirk cracking on her lips. 'Never underestimate your enemy, even if she is The Ugly Queen.' Daenys' voice rings loud and clear over the field, the silence only disturbed by the beating of Magavin's wings. 'I warn you twice, the third time I strike. Attacking my family was a big mistake.' Daenys says again, seeing in the corner of her eyes that Balerion has managed to break himself lose, fire building in his throat.
'Dracarys.' The word has barely left her lips, before her dragon breathes fire, the stunned cries changing into ones of agony when fire comes from the side as well. Balerion has heeded her command as well and is also breathing fire.
She hears hooves fast approaching, and before she knows it her army barrels into the enemy. It gives their tired comrades enough energy to continue.
The battle that follows is short but bloody. Daenys busies herself with breathing fire from the sky, aided by Balerion, Vhagar and Meraxes. The dragons have no mercy, especially Magavin, who is furious they chained her brother to the ground.
Magavin eventually lands with a thud, tail and fins moving with energy. She is somewhat calmer now, now that the imminent danger has passed and she has deemed everyone safe.
Daenys dismounts with ease, Magavin quick to barrel to her brother, blending into a circle of black. But Daenys can understand the relief. Magavin and Balerion are siblings, and they are the only surviving dragons that came from Old Valyria, so it is normal Magavin is concerned. Balerion is the last of her family she has left.
Daenys stands there for a moment, not knowing what to do. Argella has rushed to Orys, happy her husband is still alive. They whisper silently to each other, their relief evident.
Rhaenys is standing next to Visenya, grinning at her older sister, unshed tears in her eyes. Daenys decides to approach with caution, fight still fresh in her mind. Aegon turns around and looks at Daenys for a moment, but his coldness is gone.
'You found your dragon, Daenys?' he asks, extending his hand to her. She is stunned for a moment, but a smile eventually breaks through, her gloved hand clasping together with Aegon's. She turns to look at Magavin, who has managed to curl around Meraxes and Vhagar as well, a big heap of breathing dragon in her place.
'You could say that.' she smiles still, head shaking. 'You did well, sister.' Visenya compliments her, Daenys feeling her cheeks becoming red but nodding all the same. 'Lady Eleonora and your secret husband, I presume?' Eleonora laughs and curtsies, her husband bowing as well. 'This is Lord Thomas of House Riverworth, Aegon. He answered our call when we put the army together.' Rhaenys answers, Daenys nodding in confirmation when Aegon raises an eyebrow.
'We owe you a great deal, Lord Thomas and Lady Eleonora.' Aegon sighs and turns around, walking towards the survivors of House Droughtden. Visenya stands next to Daenys and links their arms together, Daenys blushing again. This the most affection that Visenya has ever shown to her.
They follow Aegon to Lord Droughtden, trailing behind their brother. 'Lord Droughtden, I am not one to kill people without a cause, but you leave me no choice.' Aegon says through clenched teeth. 'You attacked two of my Queens and the Lady Argella, who is the Hand of the King's wife. I can accept much, but that is something I cannot forgive.'
'Your father should have given your sister's hand to me long ago when he asked your father for it. But did he? No!' Lord Droughtden snaps.
'He did not because your father and brothers are known to treat their wives and your sisters like they are dirt. Your father was known for beating your mother relentlessly, raping her when she did not submit, eventually making her kill herself.' Visenya hisses out. 'You will excuse our father, us, for protecting our sister from monsters like you. You are not worthy of a princess of House Targaryen, even less of our sister.'
Lord Droughtden curses, a vile smile coming to his face. 'If only.' Daenys is too late to see the man that is running to her, blade raised. 'Daenys, look out!' she hears Rhaenys shout, her head turning around in slowmotion.
Visenya pushes her out of the way and tries to block the blade, but a cry leaves Daenys' mouth all the same. The blade is sticking out from her side, her side that had been injured earlier and that has been throbbing more and more in the last few hours.
Visenya is quick to disarm the man, slicing his head off in a clean blow. 'Daenys!' Rhaenys says, taking the blade and pulling it out. 'Are you allright?' Daenys cannot speak from the pain but she nods all the same.
Coughing interrupts their conversation, blood sprouting from Argella's nose, eyes and mouth. Orys is stunned, calling his wife's name, but Argella is still coughing blood. 'Her arm!' Daenys whispers through her pain.
Gasps of horror ring through the crowd when Argella's arm is shown, the wound from a few days earlier black and infected.
'That was a little surprise from us. Those blades were poisoned.' Lord Droughtden snickers.
'Visenya?' A whisper comes from Daenys' mouth, blinking at her sister. Blood is falling from her eyes and nose, and also starting to come from her mouth. Daenys starts coughing, having it difficult to breathe.
'DAENYS!' Rhaenys calls out in fear, Visenya quick to catch her when Daenys stumbles. 'Daenys, stay with me. Come on, little sister, listen to me.'
Visenya's voice fades to the background, Aegon's voice cutting through the wailing and hissing of Magavin, alerted of her riders state. 'Daenys. Stay with me.'
The Gods know she wants to, but it is too much, and Daenys closes her eyes. The blackness is a welcome reprieve from the burning pain.