Daenerys looked at the steel cage that imprisoned her three little dragons. They were fast asleep, huddled together. She smiled at the open affections her dragons displayed with one another. The scene reminded her of her nieces and nephews, they always seemed to be huddled together, much like her dragons.
A part of Daenerys had always been jealous of the bond they had; they shared secrets and made unbroken promises to one another. They played together and fought often but they always forgave each other quickly. Daenerys had never had that kind of bond with her brothers, they were much too old to play with her and much too responsible to fight with her. She knew that they loved her and she loved them very dearly, but she always craved for a companion. Her nieces and nephews had each other. Aegon had Aemon, Visenya and Viserra grew in the same womb together; destined to always be together. Even Rhaenyra and Daeron had each other for company. Rhaegar had Viserys which thus left Daenerys alone.
But whenever she feels the loneliness creep up in her heart she remembers her niece. Not Visenya or Viserra, not little Rhaenyra; no, she remembers Rhaenys, who was imprisoned and alone in a den full of her enemies. Daenerys reminds herself how fortunate she is to have her family by her side, feeling guilty for getting so upset at something so trivial. Her poor aunt had no one. Not even her mother. Daenerys shuddered to think of a life without her mother Rhaella. A world without her mother was not a world Daenerys wished to live in.
All traces of loneliness and self pity would disappear when she recalls the misfortune of her niece.
Thoughts of her beloved niece sparked a profound longing within Daenerys, prompting her to yearn for a glimpse of Rhaelyx, the dragon she had specifically chosen to be named after Rhaenys. A warm smile illuminated Daenerys' face as she entertained the enchanting notion of her niece encountering her namesake in the magnificent form of a dragon.
She thinks of Rhaegar, Viserys, and Arthur, engaged in deep conversation, indulged in a rare moment of shared laughter. Their jovial spirits flowed as they reminisced about little Rhaenys, who had been gifted a black kitten. With unyielding insistence, the young princess names the cat, Balerion, after the legendary Black Dread.
Daenerys felt an overwhelming sense of exhilaration, her heart filled with a childlike excitement, as she envisioned the joyous expression on Rhaenys' face upon encountering a living, breathing dragon. And not just any dragon, but one that had been bestowed with her honor in its name. The thought alone sent waves of giddiness surging through Daenerys' being, igniting a profound anticipation of the extraordinary moment to come.
"Dany, where are you?" She heard her brother call out, drawing her out of her thoughts. She poked her head out from the cabin and saw Viserys walking towards her.
"What is it?" She asked him.
"Rhaegar wishes to speak to you."
"What for?" The silver haired girl asked.
"He wants to go over some things with you." Her brother told her. "Alright." She said as she gave her dragons one last look and followed her brother to the ship's main cabin where Rhaegar held his war council.
A number of people were present in the room. She recognized some of them but she did not know them by names. The only men she knew were Arthur, Rhaegar, Oswell Whent and Gerold Hightower. The bastard of Driftmark, Aurane Waters and Alton Celtigar were also familiar faces to her. Lady Lyanna was there as well, she stood in one of the four corners of the crapped room. The men stopped conversing as she they caught sight of her and Viserys.
"Daenerys, come here." Rhaegar said. "I would like to speak with my family alone." He ordered the room. The men shuffled out of the cabin with hurried steps.
"You wished to speak with me brother?" She beckoned her elder brother.
A quick nod of his head answered her question. "Mother only allowed you to come with us if you remained on the ship, far away from Dragonstone, to ensure that if anything goes wrong you will be able to flee back to Pentos." Rhaegar said. Daenerys nodded her head, she knew the terms her mother had given to them to bring her along very well.
"She also said that you are to remain at Dragonstone with Ser Whent and Ser Gerold while we go off to the Reach to rally our men." Daenerys had not known about this.
"But you said I could go with you when you go off into battle." She said, Rhaegar let out a sigh.
"Dany, it is much too dangerous for you to join us as we ride to battle. You will be safer at Dragonstone." Viserys' gentle voice cut through. "It was foolish of Rhaegar to let you think you would be riding with us to war." Viserys shot a glare at their older brother.
"But I won't be on the battlefield. I will be away, in the camp, safe from the battlefield." The desperation was clear in her voice but she did not care. She wanted to join her brothers in reclaiming what was stolen from them.
"Dany, the camp is no more safer than the battlefield itself." Rhaegar gruffed. "You will remain at Dragonstone while we fight. Is that clear Daenerys?" She kept quiet.
"I said, is that clear?" Rhaegar said authoritatively. Daenerys answered with a brittle voice. "Yes."
"Good. Now go and rest, we should be getting closer to Dragonstone by now. We will wait for the signal and once it comes, Ser Whent and you, along with some other guards will take a small boat and join Lord Celtigar's ship. 'Red Claw' will be a safe distance away from Dragonstone and the battle. You will be safe there." With a simple nod of her head Daenerys was dismissed by her brother.
The sound of feet scrambling against the floor of the ship woke her up. She could hear the loud commotion just outside the door, she wondered how she hadn't woken up to the loud noises. She looked around and saw that Lyanna was gone. Daenerys and the gray eyed woman had shared the only real featherbed on the ship. Daenerys looked around the cabin once more, her grogginess disappeared as she became aware of the empty space next to the featherbed. Lyanna had rested her sword on the small cabinet beside the bed and now it was gone. The young girl notices the disappearance of other of Lyanna's belongings. The silver plate that she wore often when training with Arthur was gone, along with the small number of knives Lyanna carried around for protection.
All of this mixed with the unruly commotion just outside her door alerted her of something. Something dangerous was happening. She dressed herself quickly. A pair of worn out trousers and a simple gray tunic. She contemplated taking the cage that housed her sleeping dragons with her but ultimately decided against it. She first needed to find out what was going on before she panicked and caused her beloved dragons any distress. Panicked dragons on a ship was a disaster waiting to happen. She gave her sleeping dragons one last look before she left them.
Daenerys tried to get the attention of the many men that ran through the corridor but none would stop and answer her questions. She felt slightly foolish standing there, waiting for someone to stop and give her answers. Daenerys made her way to the cabin her brother and his men occupied. She knew for certain she would find a familiar face to tell her what was going on. People were crowded at the entrance of the cabin, men came in and out. They were in such a rush that they didn't even notice her presence. She struggled to get into the main cabin, the already small room was crammed with people. She fought her way to the middle of the room where she was sure she heard Ser Arthur speaking.
"We must go now, if we wait any longer they will no doubt notice our fleet even in the cover of darkness. If that happens we will have to deal with Stannis' eighty gallery's that are currently in the Stormlands in Renly's possession " Arthur's voice was loud against the chatter and quiet mummers of the people crowded in the room. "We are wasting time waiting for Lord Velaryon's signal." He added.
"Arthur we need to know if the castle is as undefended as our spies say and Lord Monford is the only one who can confirm that, we must wait for his signal. If we march in now, we can be ambushed. We must wait." She hears Viserys say but she can not see him over the tall figures that surrounded her.
"Rhaegar you must make a choice. Will you have us wait for Lord Velaryon's signal or will Dragonstone be reclaimed now?" Arthur asked impatiently. They clearly seemed to have been discussing this matter for a while. Daenerys had always known the white knight to be patient but this matter was clearly causing him some distress.
Daenerys was suddenly pushed aside as someone came barreling into the room. He moved men out of his way, shoving and pushing, harshly. Daenerys could only assume that the man had urgent news and so she said nothing when the man nearly knocked her over with his harsh push.
She was proven correct as the man called out to the king.
"My Lord, we have spotted the fire. Lord Velaryon has lit the flames." He said hurriedly. At the man's words, everyone quieted down, eager to hear what Rhaegar would say.
"Very well then. Let us sail towards Dragonstone. I shall give clearer orders once we are at the coast." Rhaegar said. "Ready the men and get into position." He commanded.
At the sudden order, the group of people who stood in the room began to file out. Daenerys was being shoved once again as they left the room in a hurried pace.
"Ser Oswell, wake my sister and take her and the dragons to Lord Celtigar's ship at once." Rhaegar commanded his old friend and white cloak. But before the knight could obey his king's orders, Daenerys made her presence known as she tried to fight her way to where her family stood. "I'm right here." She announced.
Her brothers stood around the round table, Arthur and Oswell stood behind them. Lyanna was off to the side with Gerold Hightower. All their eyes focused on her as she stood in front of them. "Dany, what are you doing here? I thought you were asleep." Lyanna said as she hurried to Daenerys' side.
"All the noise woke me up." She explained to the woman.
"It's good that you're awake, you must go now. We will be making our way to Dragonstone now and attack it." Rhaegar informed her, though she already knew that. "Ser Oswell will be taking you back to your cabin and once you have all that you need, he will take you to the small boat that awaits you. Lord Celtigar's ship is your destination." He repeated the same plan he had told her earlier. And once again Daenerys nodded.
"Tyrion Lannister will be joining you." Rhaegar added. She nodded her head once more. Daenerys had not seen much of the lion man since his father was executed. Daenerys recalls how the man had not cried when he was told of his fathers death, instead he had a shaky smile on his face. It unnerved Daenerys, how unbothered the son seemed by the death of his father. In the back of her mind she wondered if her brothers, Rhaegar and Viserys, were as unbothered as Tyrion Lannister when they heard of the death of their father. She could only wonder, for her brothers never spoke of him. Her mother never uttered a word about her husband and brother and Daenerys never asked.
"Daenerys." Her elder brother called out. Rhaegar stared at her, surely waiting for her to depart but Daenerys stood still. Without saying another word she walked to her brother and pulled him into a hug, he returned the gesture. She freed herself from his grip and threw herself on Viserys. He caught her with ease, as he always did, and hugged her warmly. She broke free from him and turned to look at her brother Rhaegar once more.
This could be the last time I see them. The realization filled her eyes with tears but she refused to let fall on her pale face. I must be strong.
"Go." He ordered her. Oswell Whent guided her back to her cabin.
Most of her belongings were unimportant and so she left them behind. All of her gowns had still been packed away in her brown trunk. She simply ordered two of the guards that would be accompanying her to the 'Red Claw' to bring her trunk to the cog boat they would use to sail to the much larger ship.
Once again Ser Whent escorted Daenerys out to the deck. They made it to the deck, and there she saw Tyrion Lannister. He was wearing his usual garments. A nicely embroidered jerkin and black trousers. A red cloak with the Lannister lion on it was wrapped around his shoulders in an effort to keep him warm in the night's cool breeze. He turned around just in time to greet them.
"Princess, I do hope you had a good rest. Gods know that we will need it." He said with a joking smile. Daenerys only offered him a reluctant grin.
Her dragons let out slight cries. They had woken up as she was being lowered into the smaller boat. She resisted the urge to let them out and hold them, she did not wish to worry the men who worked the oars for they already looked frightened enough with the presence of the dragons. Letting her dragons out of their cage would surely be a disaster.
The cog moved faster than she had thought it would. The once distant ship, 'Red Claw', came closer and closer as the men worked the oars in a steady pace. Daenerys looked back and saw her brother's fleet getting nearer to the coast of Dragonstone. The dark sky made it difficult for her to see much but she could still make out the shadows of the large ships sailing towards her homeland.
Daenerys lowers her head to look at her dragons who were caged on her lap. She felt helpless. Her brothers were just moments away from reclaiming their home and here she was, sailing away from the conflict. If only you were bigger, I would have ridden you and reclaim Dragonstone myself. There would have been no need to endanger the lives of the soldiers. Daenerys wondered if she would ever get to ride her dragons to war. A part of her hoped that one day she would fly on dragon back and disintegrate her enemies. But that was a foolish thought. That was a warrior's dream and Daenerys was no warrior.
The cog boat came to halt. Daenerys looked up from her lap and saw the large ship that was stationed mere inches away.
She boarded Lord Celtigar's 'Red Claw' with the help of Ser Whent. Lord Edwell Celtigar was old but he insisted on being on the battlefront, his son Alton, had insisted on his father staying out of the battlefield at all and asked him to remain at Claw Isle, the old man refused and to make peace with both father and son, Rhaegar suggested that Lord Edwell be in charge of protection his sister. They both reluctantly agreed. But Daenerys could see the bitter expression on the man's face as he greeted her, no doubt wishing to be sailing towards Dragonstone instead of sitting at bay guarding a girl.
"Princess it is an honor to have you aboard my ship." He tells her. "I am afraid the accommodations won't be to your standards but it was the best we could do." He tried to sound apologetic but the annoyed look on his face told her that he wasn't sorry at all. Nonetheless Daenerys thanked him.
She was led to a shabby cabin north of the ship. Ser Whent stood guard just outside. Daenerys wanted to join the others on the ships deck, they waited eagerly to see a fight break out on the coast of Dragonstone, but Daenerys couldn't. She didn't want to watch if her brothers fail, if their fleet was decimated and their lives lost. Tears welled in her eyes as she thought of either of her brothers falling in battle. She rather stay in canon with her dragons and wait for news.
Daenerys tried to sleep but couldn't. She closed her eyes but sleep would not come, her worries kept her from drifting off into a dull slumber. So instead she passed time with her dragons. She let them out of their cage and watched as they played with each other. Seeing her dragons carefree and excited made her nerves simmer down slightly but the bulging pit in her stomach remained.
Without being aware of it, the ship's smoothe sways rocked her into a dreamless sleep.
She was awakened for what seemed just moments later but she knew some time had passed as she peered out the tiny circular window in her cabin and saw the unmistakable illumination that the sun brought as it rose over the sea and up towards the blue skies. The kingsguards, Owell Whent, had brought her a bowl of oatmeal and hard bread but she scarcely ate her meal. Daenerys was preoccupied worrying about her brother's safety to even think about the aching pain in her stomach from the lack of food.
Instead of wallowing in her anguish and fear she decided to get out of the small cabin that would become her home until her brothers had won Dragonstone, that is if they won. If her brothers failed to conquer the Targaryen ancestral home then she would need to spend more time in Edwell Celtigar's galley ship, for he would be responsible for bringing her back to her mother; in Pentos.
She swiftly changed into a simple blue gown and draped a black cloak embellished with red threading over her shoulders. The awakened dragons echoed their piercing screeches, pleading to be set free. Daenerys approached the small, rounded table where she had placed the sturdy cage and lifted it, feeling its weight in her hands. She intended to release the dragons once they were outside on the deck.
The girl could feel the heavy gazes on her as she walked around with three dragons, curious whispers were being mumbled by the pair of men that she walked past.
Now on the ship's deck, the sky revealed itself in all its clarity, the day radiating with beauty. Climbing the steps to the upper deck, she immediately recognized the figure present there. It was Tyrion Lannister, positioned on the far side, his gaze fixed upon Dragonstone, although the castle appeared as a blurry outline. 'Red Claw' was situated at a considerable distance from Dragonstone, limiting the visibility from the ship's deck. Nevertheless, the man stood and observed the stonghold.
Tyrion pivoted around, his attention captured by the presence of Daenerys. The weight of her footsteps climbing the steps must have alerted him. Daenerys observed as his eyes shifted from her face towards the cage that cradled her beloved dragons. The trio emitted high-pitched screeches, evidently perturbed by his proximity. In fairness to the dwarf, her dragons rarely took kindly to those who lacked Valyrian blood, except for Viserion, who possessed a notably affable and amiable disposition.
"Ah, it seems your dragons are not particularly fond of me," Tyrion quipped, his tone laced with humor. Yet, Daenerys detected a fleeting trace of hurt in his mismatched eyes. Overwhelmed by a sense of guilt over her dragons' reaction to the dwarf, she sought to reassure him.
"No, not at all. They are simply hungry," she assured him, her words seemingly alleviating his concerns. A grin escaped Tyrion's lips, as if her response had lightened his spirits.
"I sincerely hope you have no intention of feeding me to your dragons. I'm sure there are larger men who could satiate your dragons' appetites far more efficiently than I," he jestingly remarked. Daenerys emitted a shy laughter, charmed by his banter.
"My dragons solely eat animal meat, My Lord. You have nothing to fear," she replied in a charming manner. "Well, that is certainly reassuring, Princess," he responded. Tyrion proceeded to descend the steps, leaving her alone on the deck.
As Daenerys stood there, a sense of loneliness and apprehension began to gnaw at her. The brief interlude in the company of Tyrion Lannister had provided a temporary respite, diverting her attention from the harrowing realities unfolding around them. Reluctant to dwell on the thoughts of her brothers and the gruesome battles they were engaged in, she called out to Tyrion before he could complete his descent.
"My Lord, would you like to see me feed the dragons." Daenerys said eagerly. "It is quite entertaining." she added, her tone tinged with a hint of desperation. The silver-haired princess dreaded the prospect of being left alone with her own tumultuous thoughts and worries, threatening to engulf her entirely.
Tyrion turned around with a pleasant smile on his face and nodded his head eagerly. His face lit up, almost childlike.
Without delay, they swiftly retrieved uncooked meat from the small galley, their steps purposeful as they ascended back to the upper deck. Inside the cage, the three dragons thrashed and clamored, their urgent cries for liberation resounding through the air. Carefully, Daenerys placed the cage on a long table securely anchored to the ship's upper deck. With a steady hand, she unlocked the cage, granting her dragons their freedom.
Daenerys stood in awe as the trio of dragons soared above her, their wings beating in synchronized harmony. Their exhilarated screeches filled the air, echoing their delight at being able to take flight once again. It had been more than a day since her dragons had last spread their wings and ventured into the sky, and the sheer joy displayed by the majestic creatures was a sight that never failed to warm her heart. Leaning over the railing, she observed as Aegarax and Rhaelyx swooped down, skimming gracefully above the water's surface. Meanwhile, Viserion contentedly circled higher in the sky, executing nimble rotations and emitting thrilled shrieks.
Her gaze shifted towards Tyrion, who stood nearby, his face awestruck as he watched her black and green dragon soar through the sky. Daenerys derived immense satisfaction from witnessing the awe-stricken expressions of strangers as they beheld her beloved dragons for the first time. It was a spectacle that she never grew tired of, the magical connection between human and dragon kindling wonder in the hearts of those fortunate enough to witness it.
Reluctantly, she called her dragons back, their names resounding through the air. Viserion promptly heeded her summons, swiftly returning to her side. However, Aegarax and Rhaelyx, reveling in the freedom of flight, stubbornly continued to skim just above the cool waters. Daenerys persisted in calling out to them, a mix of firmness and affection in her voice. Eventually, the two dragons relented, responding to her entreaties and returning to her side.
In her outstretched hands, she presented them with the uncooked meat. Aegarax approached the offering with a casual air, curiously sniffing at it. However, his expression quickly transformed into one of clear disdain, emitting a disgruntled noise that Daenerys interpreted as an expression of disgust. A giggle escaped her lips at the sight, finding amusement in her dragon's discerning palate.
Curiosity danced in Tyrion's eyes as he stood beside Daenerys, fully engrossed in the spectacle unfolding before them. "Does he not like meat?" Tyrion asked, his inquiry about the dragons' taste preferences earned him another gentle giggle, the sound of disbelief evident in his voice.
"They do enjoy meat, but it must be cooked. Raw meat holds little appeal to them," she explained to the Lannister man. The astonishment that painted his features was understandable. Daenerys couldn't blame him for being taken aback by her dragons' discerning palates. Memories of the early days when her dragons were newly hatched flashed through her mind. She recalled her despair when attempting to feed them small portions of raw sheep, only to have them turn up their noses in disdain. It was Rhaegar's suggestion to try cooking the meat that finally satiated their hunger. The relief she felt upon witnessing her dragons finally eat was immeasurable.
"Why, then, did you bring uncooked meat if you knew the dragons wouldn't eat it?" Tyrion furrowed his brow, seeking clarification. A mischievous grin played on Daenerys' lips as she prepared to unveil a remarkable display.
"Watch," she replied, her voice filled with anticipation. She picked up a piece of raw meat and placed it before Rhaelyx. His cream and gold dragon, well-versed in this routine, instinctively rose to his hind legs and extended his neck, awaiting his mother's command.
"Dracarys," Daenerys commanded, her voice resonating with authority. Rhaelyx obediently opened his maw, unleashing a torrent of bright, searing flames. He ceased the display once he deemed the meat sufficiently cooked. With a contented gulp, he devoured the morsel he had just seared with his fiery breath. The aroma of cooked meat enticed Viserion and Aegarax, causing them to clamor for the raw meat clutched in Daenerys' hand, eager to engage to eat their own food. She laughed joyfully as Viserion playfully nipped at her hand, determined to claim his share of the meat. After a brief moment of playful struggle, Viserion grew frustrated, emitting a piercing shriek to express his impatience.
"Fine, here you go," Relinquishing a piece of raw meat to Viserion, Daenerys observed with anticipation as he tossed it into the air. In an instant, flames erupted from his fingertips, engulfing the meat in a mesmerizing display of controlled fire. She repeated the gesture, offering him more morsels to ignite, her eyes fixated on the interplay of flames and air. Viserion and Aegarax begin to fight over the morsel.
Without hesitation, she called out to the black and red dragon, extending a generous portion of raw meat towards him. With swift precision, Aegarax swooped down, his sinewy wings creating a gust of wind, and skillfully seized the offering. Like his brethren, he employed his fiery breath to transform the meat into a succulent feast, ensuring it reached the perfect level of charred perfection.
Engrossed in feeding her beloved dragons, Daenerys distributed the remaining raw meat, relishing in the enchanting sight of her formidable creatures using their fire to cook their food. Once the last morsel vanished, her dragons to soar freely through the open expanse, their graceful flight tracing patterns in the sky. Reluctantly, they eventually acquiesced to her call, returning to the confinements of their cage, their scaled bodies reluctantly slipping back into the enclosure.
As Daenerys prepared to depart, her mind entangled in thoughts of impending battles and the pursuit of power, Tyrion interjected with a probing question,"Princess, do you believe your brother will be successful in his conquest for the throne?" this halted her in her tracks. The unexpected query rattled her momentarily, but she swiftly regained composure, fixing her gaze upon him as she responded with unwavering confidence.
"I have faith that Rhaegar will triumph in his quest for the throne," she declared, her voice carrying an undertone of unwavering conviction. Suspicion flickered in her eyes as she regarded Tyrion intently, her curiosity piqued. "Pray tell, Lord Tyrion, what prompts this inquiry of yours?"
The shrug from Tyrion barely concealed the intrigue that danced within his eyes, his attempt at nonchalance falling short. His words held a mix of jest and sincerity, as if he were navigating a delicate balance between candor and caution in the presence of a Targaryen princess.
Curiosity gnawed at Daenerys as she invited him to voice the unspoken thoughts that lingered in the recesses of his mind. She sensed a hidden agenda, a desire to delve deeper into matters beyond the surface. Tyrion hesitated, seemingly weighing the consequences of his words, before finally breaching the subject that weighed heavily upon him.
"I was just wondering about the fate of my uncle and cousins," he admitted, his voice tinged with vulnerability. "Uncle Kevan currently holds the mantle of Lord of Casterly Rock, following our father's orders. I doubt news of his brother's execution has reached him yet. But when he learns of my father's demise, I can hardly imagine Uncle Kevan yielding Casterly Rock to me, a dwarf."
As Tyrion posed his question, Daenerys sensed the depth of his concerns and the implications of a fractured Lannister allegiance. She sought to assuage his fears, her voice laced with reassurance. "If they bend the knee and pledge their loyalty to my brother's cause, they shall continue to lead their lives as they always have," she offered, hoping to provide solace in uncertain times.
The tension in the air lingered as Tyrion contemplated an alternative scenario. "And if they refuse? What if my uncle claims Casterly Rock for himself and aligns with Robert's forces?" His voice carried an unexpected tranquility, belying the gravity of his inquiry.
Daenerys weighed her words carefully, her gaze fixated upon Tyrion, acknowledging the weight of the decision that lay before her brother. A moment of silence enveloped them, pregnant with unspoken consequences. "Then my brother will deal with them as he deems necessary," she responded, her voice a delicate blend of conviction and gentleness, leaving little room for ambiguity.
Tyrion's oversized head nodded in understanding, accepting the fate that hung in the balance. With their conversation concluded, Daenerys bid him farewell, leaving him to contemplate the uncertain path that lay ahead. As she retreated from the upper deck, her steps carried a mix of determination and trepidation, her mind wrestling with the complexities of alliances, blood ties, and the burdens of leadership.
She remains in her room for the rest of the day, the few maids that were aboard the ship occasionally brought her something to eat along with raw uncooked meat for her dragons but Daenerys finds her stomach strangely full. She does nothing more than watch her dragons cook and eat their food.
The days passed and still Daenerys had not heard any news of her brother's conquest. In moments of desperation for news of her brothers, she would go out onto the deck and look towards the countless ships that surrounded Dragonstone. Daenerys waited for any signs that could have indicated that Rhaegar had started his assault on Dragonstone but as the hours and days passed the Targaryen fleet remained in a hold still.
On the fourth day she laid in her featherbed. Her dragons were laid with her as well, Viserion and Aegarax huddled against her stomach and her cream and gold dragons rested atop one of the pillows near Daenerys' head.
The low growling her dragons made sang her to sleep.
On this night, while aboard the 'Red Claw', Daenerys had a dream.
Standing at the colossal opening of a cave, she gazed ahead. In her dream, the moon bathed the sky in a radiant glow, illuminating its expanse. The familiar echoes of her dragons' piercing growls reached Daenerys' ears. Casting her eyes around to locate the source, she beheld her trio of dragons soaring out from the depths of the cave. Their exhilarated screeches filled the air as they darted towards her with an innocent enthusiasm, beckoning her towards the cavern. Playfully tugging at her cream gown, they enticed her forward. Daenerys allowed her children to pull her along with little hesitance.
Within the darkness of the cave, only feeble rays of moonlight managed to penetrate the ceiling, casting meager illumination. Daenerys observed her dragons gracefully maneuvering through the expanse, their fervor palpable. The silver-haired maiden watched intently as her beloved children ventured further into the hollow cavern.
The cave floor, a frigid and muddied terrain, failed to deter her determined steps. Time elapsed unnoticed as she pressed deeper into the depths, her journey seemingly endless. Fatigue gradually gripped the young girl, forcing her to halt and beseech her dragons to cease their flight. To her astonishment, they paid no heed to her plea, forging ahead without pause. Exhaustion fueled her temper, igniting a fiery outburst as she unleashed her frustration upon her dragons. Undeterred, they soared forth, their speed surpassing any she had witnessed before.
Their disobedience heightened her frustration, fueling her growing displeasure. Daenerys couldn't contain her exasperation any longer and unleashed a resounding cry, chasing after her defiant dragons. Briefly losing sight of them, she persevered until she finally caught up, finding them abruptly halted in their tracks. As she readied herself to scold her dragons, her focus was diverted by a peculiar sight—a mysterious entity burrowed into the cave wall, capturing her attention.
With an air of curiosity, her trio of dragons approached the enigmatic object, emitting thunderous growls that reverberated through the cavern.
Drawn to the colossal object embedded within the cave wall, she approached it with measured steps, unable to disregard its sheer magnitude. Towering above her, it surpassed her own height, exuding an air of grandiosity. The horn, adorned in a combination of Valyrian steel and red gold, wrapped around its form, possessed a mesmerizing allure. Its surface bore a sleek, ebony sheen, which, when caught in certain angles, emitted a crimson luminescence, captivating her gaze.
Though the sight before her should have been entirely unfamiliar, an undeniable sense of recognition stirred within Daenerys. This enigmatic horn, surpassing mere coincidence, triggered a vivid recollection deep within her memories.
During one of Prince Oberyn's visits to Pentos, he had introduced Daenerys to a peculiar companion, an archmaester named Marwyn, often referred to as "Marwyn the Mage" by Oberyn. This enigmatic archmaester, an outcast from the Citadel due to his unwavering fascination and profound expertise in magic, had followed Oberyn to Pentos in pursuit of his insatiable thirst for knowledge. Though eccentric, Marwyn exuded an aura of kindness, which drew Daenerys to seek his company frequently, relishing in their intellectual exchanges.
On a particular day etched in her memory, Marwyn had unveiled a captivating book to her. Composed in the ancient language of Old Valyrian, its pages unraveled the secrets and lore surrounding dragons. Daenerys found herself engrossed in its contents, but it was a specific page that seized her attention with unwavering intensity. There, delicately written on the aged parchment, lay an intricate illustration of a horn, adorned with Valyrian steel and red gold bindings. Intrigued by its significance, she turned to Marwyn, inquiring about the horn's identity. Although the page itself remained silent regarding its nature, Marwyn bestowed upon her the name "Dragonbinder," unveiling the enigmatic power that lay within.
Eager to delve deeper into the horn's mysterious power, Daenerys probed Marwyn for additional insights. With a cryptic smile playing upon his lips, the archmaester responded, revealing that upon sounding the horn, the dragons would fly to their destined riders. Puzzled, Daenerys voiced her skepticism, questioning the plausibility of such an occurrence. She reasoned that no living dragons existed in the world, rendering the notion unfathomable.
Undeterred by her disbelief, Marwyn's mischievous grin persisted as he regaled her with a tale that whispered of elusive, untamed dragons rumored to roam the realms. Skeptical, Daenerys initially dismissed the notion as mere fabrication, dismissing the idea of dragons continuing to exist, unseen and unclaimed for over a century. The very notion seemed implausible, challenging the boundaries of her imagination.
As Daenerys stood before the magnificent Dragonbinder, an enthralling mix of anticipation and uncertainty coursed through her veins. Contemplating the possibility of summoning the fabled wild dragons by blowing the horn, she couldn't help but envision the awe-inspiring sight of these untamed creatures bending to her will. She woke three dragons from stone, the possibility of having fully grown dragons roaming the realms no longer seemed as fabled as they once did.
Suddenly, a gradual fading sensation washed over her, gently tugging at her senses. Slowly, she felt herself waking up.
Awakening from her slumber, Daenerys found herself bathed in the soft moonlight that still graced the night sky. Her loyal dragons lay sound asleep, undisturbed by her abrupt awakening. Keeping her thoughts to herself, she remained motionless in bed, absorbing the serenity of the moment. With the dawning of a new day, the sun's rays would bring news of her brother's fate, she prayed, prayed to the Gods to protect her brothers.