Jaehaerys knows he's dreaming, for it would be impossible to sit atop Balerion, the Black Dread. He doesn't really understand how he immediately knew who it was. He can feel the seat of a dragon saddle and there is an arm curled around his middle.

The sight of being so high and feeling the wind in his face makes him almost believe it is real, but he's felt the real thing and a dragon radiates heat, this dream can't recreate the warmth magic. The arm surrounding him is armored and firm tightens as they dip and swerve towards Dragonstone.

Jaehaerys tilts his head up, curious to see who the dream person is, the one that is currently holding him. He has to hold in a gasp as he takes in the figure cradling him as they soar over the vast sea. The gallant figure could be none other than his patriarchal sire and the one who elevated their blood to royal status.

The conqueror in the flesh.

Deep purple eyes shift from watching ahead to peering down at him, and he has to withhold the urge to squirm under such an intense gaze.

The conqueror gives him a little smile.

"Hello, little one." Aegon the conqueror says to him.

He swallows and has to look away.

"Hi," he greets meekly, feeling compelled to lower his eyes. A deep laugh escapes the man and the sound vibrates through the armor and across his back, causing Jaehaerys to shiver as the arm not holding the pummel of the saddle tightens a little more.

Aegon gives him an airy look, "You remind me of my Rhaenys with that demure look, even if it's a facade." he says with a very apparent fondness.

"I-what?"

"Is this a real, a dream?" He asks, finally getting his voice.

Aegon simply smiles, "What are dreams, but a slip into a different reality?"

"Maybe it is all in your head, but that doesn't make it any less real."

"You are my kin," Aegon affirms changing the subject while lowering his chin on top of Jaehaerys' head, the words vibrating against his skull as the conqueror speaks, "I am not envious of the task before you, but I will tell you I am proud to call you my grandchild for you will be saving our family from a despicable fate, and you have my thanks and sincerest gratitude." As he says he pulls back and has Balerion land on the ground with a thud. One that vibrates throughout his body, the aged and war-torn dragon towering over the small cliff.

The Black Dread then proceeds to lower his shoulder and extend his wing, allowing him an easier time getting down, not that it helps much with the creature's sheer size. With great care and careful steps, he slides off the dragon's wing and ungraciously stumbles a few feet, landing on his knees. He groans upon scraping his hands, wincing as he brings his throbbing hands towards his person.

He blinks at the black talons that are larger than his small body digging into the stone before he looks up, and to his fascination even the smallest scales are bigger than Jaehaerys own head.

Balerion himself lets out a snort of sorts that brings forth a burst of smoke that billows around him causing his hair to wisp back. Jaehaerys gulps and feels the adrenaline of being on a dragon thrum throughout his body, it's like something has hardwired his blood and caused heat to pool in his veins.

'I thought you couldn't feel pain in dreams.' He thinks to himself.

"What is happening?" He asks but the conqueror merely smiles.

"Good luck my child," Aegon intones and then commands Balerion to fly, he stands there in stunned silence only to start and feel his hands shake with confusion. He runs to the edge of the cliff, to see his fading figure of a dragon flying off into the sunset.

"Wait!" He screams only his voice gets swept by the wind as a ferocious storm gathers before him.

A crash of lightning and the clapping thunder that follows jolts him and he winces as the scene shifts.

Jaehaerys finds himself lying on his back.

The roaring of the storm causes him to squint as water and wind hits his face as he sits up from his position on rough ragged ground. He slowly wobbles as he gets up to his feet, wincing in confusion upon seeing and feeling blood dripping from his body from the various scraps and cuts he somehow gathered.

It's like he walked through thorns or spikes and got caught on their various sharp edges, and upon looking at his surroundings of a familiar volcanic island, he shouldn't be surprised.

The cold wind hits him to the core as it carves into his skin. He shivers frantically looking around as the storm gets more rough and starts to push his small body around.

Jaehaerys practically wilts in relief when he spots the giant mouth of a cave.

His body is moving before he is thinking, and he scrambles his trembling limbs carrying him into the cave. He collapses, tucking into the cover of its mouth.

Laying there he simply breathes, letting his body rest and his adrenaline slow.

He can feel the cuts on his body leaking and the scraps on his palms are stinging from the salty water coming up from the waves crashing against the cliff. The thought of a dragon using the cave as a lair slips his muddled mind. He slowly sits up after a few moments of regaining his bearings, shifting towards the opening, and looks out.

He inhales softly and breathes in awe, admiring the sheer beauty of the deviation before him. Watching as lightning flashes periodically like a stop-motion film giving him glimpses of the beautiful dance of wind and water. The prancing typhoons so far out in the distance as they clash and weave in a tune of their own. Licking his lips he lets the salty water of the storm and sea soothe his mind and distract him from the pain, hoping there aren't any ships out on this.

He silently prays to old gods of Valyria to those who may be, so they get a proper place in the realm of the dead.

The sting of cuts eventually pulls him out of his daydreaming and seeing as he can't escape the storm and since doesn't know where he is, since it's so dark, he can't make his way back to the castle. He shimmies out of his shirt and then tugs on one of the sleeves tearing it off his and using it to wrap his more severe cut that travels along his forearm.

Thankfully the other cuts are clotting up and he suspects only a few will need stitches, his eyebrow may need one or two as well. When the wind starts blowing into the entrance he decides it is best to get further in, lest he continue to get drenched. It's with great effort and sore limbs he forces himself to stand up and make it further into the cave as the wind starts to push rain into its mouth.

He barely makes it in three feet before he trips on something and proceeds to crash into a pile of what feels like bones and shards of something.

Jaehaerys turns on his back and hisses like his family's insignia as sharp shards cut into his hands, he can feel splinters sticking into his palm as he lifts them. Feeling drained he struggles to get on his feet as he blindly slashes his hands through the air searching and trying to make for the wall of the cave. He slowly steps around the discarded bones and ridges rocks, trying not to trip again. He swings out his left arm wide, feeling relief when it hits something solid.

He leans forward resting his forehead against the wall and breathes, he closes his eyes and enjoys the warmth.

Wait…

He furrows his brow, pulling his head back with a gulp of trepidation. Jaehaerys lifts his sticky bloody hand off and then proceeds to press his forefingers onto the surface in confusion, running his fingers across the stone.

He feels dread settle in his bones as the sensation of large scales ripples under his fingers. His breath hitches when the wall shifts, quickly pulling away his hand and shuffling back a few steps he looks up. His mind is filled with awe as he catches the sight of glowing eyes peering down at him with an ominous aura.

Seconds, or hours pass, he doesn't know, but he finds himself scrambling back in surprise.

He doesn't know how far he backs up before he hits the true wall of the cave, wincing as the jagged edges of the dig into his back.

The dragon whose body seems to be shrouded in shadows, rears back rising to their full height unknown height; the great beast lets out a deep growl that vibrates his entire body.

Jaehaerys feels his heart pounding as he slides down the rough surface of the cave, wincing as he falls onto his ass. He watches in numb horror as the dragon lowers its head while growing closer with its acid-green eyes, inching closer.

Something catches his eye and compels him to look down, his breath stutters as he catches the sight of a beautiful dragon egg. Jaehaerys lets the danger fade into the background as he gently tugs the discarded egg closer. His amazement is blatant as he admires the way its pearl iridescent colored scales are so delicate to his touch.

A threatening growl thunders as he hugs the egg protectively against his chest.

The great dragon peers at him with indifference as they curl their lip and snarl into his face, causing hot blistering heat to escape from the dragon's mouth making the moisture on his skin evaporate.

He watches in a trance as the dragon rears its head back, its black teeth glinting threateningly in the moonlight as it opens its jaws.

"Oh, so beautiful," he whispers, pressing back and feeling an odd peace despite his incoming death via inferno.

The deity opens his mouth revealing a molten throat as flames bubble in a haunting menacing green

Jaehaerys closes his eyes as the flames wash over him.

He's supposed to pass first, not them.

How much more will the throne take from him? How much of his blood has been sacrificed for this realm, for the people who don't even know what the Targaryens do for them? They don't understand that the Targaryens are the only thing preventing the world from plummeting into an eternity of darkness.

"Tell me what happened." His tone leaves no arguments, though it wouldn't matter since he is the King.

Everyone shifts at the fury hidden in the old king's voice, the lords who followed the king to Dragonstone all wait with bated breath as the guard that had been stationed at the prince's door kneels, showing none of the dignity of a knight of 20 years would normally. However, the lords can forgive the man for his shame since they would all be quivering in his place.

They are all nervous to see how this plays out.

"Y-Your Grace, I was guarding the prince's room." The lad is nervous as he recounts what happened, "I can not say how long into my station it was, but I went in to check the prince like due and he was gone."

The guard bows his head to the floor, "Forgive me, your Grace! I don't know how anyone was able to get past me, my king." The man wails.

The king looks down at the man who has been in the Targaryens' service for two decades and his kingsguard for ten.

"Did you find anything of a struggle?" This is aimed at the maester who investigated the room. The maester of Dragonstone shifts in his robes, "No your grace, it's as if the prince simply vanished. The boy's bed isn't disturbed like anyone tried to grab him, there isn't any sight of a fight."

They pause to let that digest, and then their frail voice ends with a croaky tone, "There isn't any indication that they came from the window."

The king peers around, the anger in his voice tempered with an aged wariness, "Ser Willam, you and a select group of men will go searching the island immediately. I want all ports to be contained immediately. No ship comes in, and no ship leaves.

"Bring me back my grandson and I'll forgive this."

"Your grace, I won't fail you," Ser Willam says practically crumbling at the chance to make things right.

The sound of doors opening drawls then to the bier to the throne.

"Grandfather, what is all the commotion?!" Viserys exclaims obliviously to the tension as he waddles up to the throne.

"Viserys," the old king says, with practiced patience when dealing with his jolly grandson, " is Rhaenyra in her chambers?"

Viserys gives him a confused look, "Yes Aemma is reading to her at the moment, a guard came saying my presence was urgent.

"Why do you ask?" Viserys asks, and Jaehaerys the wise closes his eyes in sheer exhaustion.

"Jaehaerys is missing,"

"Oh…"

"What!"

A/n:

Sorry for the cliffy.

Where is he? Did he mayhaps dreamwalked?

Or did he sneak out after getting a Vision?

Viserys is oblivious as always haha.

What would you name your dragon?