With this chapter, the second part of *The Pearl of Driftmark* comes to an end. But don't worry—the story isn't over yet, and the war is still coming to Westeros. I'll be taking a short break to recharge and plan the next chapter of our journey. Thank you for your incredible support, and I can't wait to dive into the third part with you all! ❤️
King's Landing, The Red Keep? Westerlands, Castely Rock? – 129 AC
I felt an outer body experience like no other. This was not a Dragon Dream. No, this was my soul being yanked from my body and transported all the way to Casterly Rock. I was a mere ghost, a viewer of the downfall of House Lannister. Jason Lannister, Tyland Lannister, and Erwin Lannister were all killed. But it was not a slow process, no. As the moons passed since the attempt on the life of Orys Baratheon, I bore witness to the slow descent into madness of House Lannister.
At first, I observed as Tyland berated Jason for trying to use the Hightower knights to kill off Orys Baratheon and Cassandra Baratheon. It seemed Jason had faked a letter from Hobert Hightower, sending the two Hightower knights to kill off Orys and Cassandra, to open the way for Jason's daughter Tyshara Lannister to marry Aegon and become Queen of Westeros. However, that had backfired. Jason and Tyland believed they were safe when their treachery was not discovered during the Hightower Trial. But I knew my niece, Lucerys, was not going to let them go so easily. No, House Lannister would suffer, all in the name of revenge for Joanna Snow.
Lucerys began her vengeance subtly, insidiously. At first, it was small things—food that tasted off, doors that wouldn't stay shut, shadows that seemed to move on their own. The Lannisters started to doubt their senses. Jason would lash out in anger at servants for imagined slights, while Tyland became increasingly paranoid, suspecting everyone around him of plotting against him.
Then came the whispers. Lucerys used her warging abilities to make the animals around Casterly Rock behave strangely. Ravens would gather in ominous numbers, their eyes glinting with a too-human intelligence. Wolves were seen prowling the edges of the castle grounds, their howls echoing eerily through the night. The Lannisters' dogs turned on them, growling and snapping at their master's without warning.
The descent into madness grew worse as time passed. Jason began to hear voices, whispers in the dark corners of his mind, telling him that his brother Tyland was plotting to take Casterly Rock from him. He would pace his chambers for hours, muttering to himself, his eyes wild and bloodshot. Tyland, on the other hand, started seeing shadows that weren't there, flinching at every movement, convinced that assassins lurked around every corner.
Erwin, the youngest of the Lannisters, fared no better. He began to see visions of his dead ancestors, accusing him of dishonoring their name, their faces twisted in anger and disappointment. He would scream in his sleep, thrashing about as if trying to fend off invisible attackers. His once-strong frame wasted away, his eyes hollow and haunted.
Lucerys increased the pressure, her vengeance becoming more direct. She sent dreams to the Lannisters, nightmarish visions of their deaths, each one more gruesome than the last. Jason dreamed of being torn apart by wolves, their fangs sinking into his flesh, their eyes glowing with a malevolent light. Tyland saw himself buried alive, the earth closing in around him, suffocating him as he clawed desperately at the coffin lid. Erwin's dreams were of drowning, an endless sea pulling him down, down, until he could no longer breathe.
The Lannisters' paranoia reached a fever pitch. They stopped trusting their own guards, suspecting them of being in league with their enemies. They rarely left their chambers, barricading themselves inside, jumping at every creak of the floorboards, every gust of wind. The once-proud House Lannister was reduced to a pack of frightened, trembling creatures, their minds shattered by fear and suspicion.
The final act came when Lucerys sent the wolves. She warged into the minds of the pack, guiding them into the heart of Casterly Rock. The wolves moved like shadows, silent and deadly, slipping past the guards, who were too terrified to stop them. Jason was the first to fall, his screams of terror echoing through the halls as the wolves tore into him. Tyland tried to flee, but the wolves cornered him, their fangs gleaming in the dim light. Erwin was found last, hiding in a closet, his eyes wide with terror as the wolves dragged him out.
I woke up with a start, gasping as I returned to my body and my childhood chamber in the Red Keep. The familiar surroundings were a stark contrast to the vivid, horrifying vision I had just witnessed. My heart was pounding, my breath coming in short, ragged gasps. The last thing I recalled from my outer soul experience had been the screams of Jason Lannister as a wolf bit off his balls. The memory seared into my mind.
I sat up in bed, my mind reeling from the intensity of the vision. It felt too real, too vivid to be merely a dream. I knew that my Dragon Dreams were powerful, but this was something else entirely. This was a glimpse into the brutal justice that had been exacted upon House Lannister, a retribution that had been carried out with cold, calculated precision.
The moonlight streamed through the window, casting a soft glow across my chamber. I could hear the distant sounds of the Red Keep, the murmurs of the guards, the rustle of the night breeze. It was a stark contrast to the violence and chaos I had just witnessed. I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart.
I couldn't shake the feeling of dread that had settled over me. The vision had shown me the lengths to which my family would go to protect what was theirs, the ruthlessness that lay beneath the surface. I knew that Lucerys had been driven by a desire for justice, but the brutality of her actions had left me shaken. The wolves, the madness, the sheer terror—it was all too much to bear.
I lay back down, pulling the covers up to my chin, trying to find some semblance of comfort in the familiar surroundings. The vision had left me with more questions than answers, a lingering unease that I couldn't shake. I knew I would need to speak with Lucerys, to understand what had driven her to such lengths, to see if there was any way to prevent further bloodshed.
As I closed my eyes, I tried to push the vision from my mind, to focus on the warmth and safety of my chamber. But the images lingered, haunting my thoughts, a reminder of the darkness that still loomed over us all. The downfall of House Lannister had been swift and brutal. But it had also shown me the cost of such vengeance, the toll it took on those who sought it.
Morning came, and I was greeted by my handmaidens, who tended to me with practiced care. As they worked on my hair, their whispers and gossip filled the room, creating a soft hum of conversation. They spoke of the happenings in the Westerlands, the power shifts, and the rumors that Casterly Rock had become a cursed castle. I remained silent, my thoughts elsewhere as they braided my hair.
"Did you hear about Casterly Rock?" one of them whispered, her voice tinged with a mix of fear and fascination.
"They say it's cursed now," another replied, her tone hushed. "Since the deaths of Jason, Tyland, and Erwin Lannister, no one wants to go near the place."
"I heard Johanna Lannister has taken over as regent," a third added, her fingers deftly braiding my hair. "For her eldest daughter Tyshara. Imagine that, a woman ruling Casterly Rock."
I remained silent, my thoughts elsewhere as they continued their hushed conversation. They didn't know the full truth, but I did. Jason Lannister had only managed to sire Tyshara and Cerelle was because Lucerys had poisoned him, rendering him infertile. She had used the same poison from Lys that she had used on Borros. I knew Lucerys had done it to ensure Tywin and his monstrous children would never come to be, but I couldn't help but wonder if all this bloodshed and brutality were truly necessary.
The handmaidens paused in their work when the doors to my chamber opened. Lucerys Velaryon entered, wearing a lovely silver dress adorned with teal seahorses on the skirt. The handmaidens bowed to her and left when she dismissed them with a wave of her hand. Lucerys moved silently, her presence commanding yet gentle. She stood behind me and took over the task of braiding my hair, her fingers deftly weaving in the rubies.
We were silent, our eyes meeting in the mirror. I could see the makeup underneath Lucerys' eyes, evidence of sleepless nights and the toll her revenge had taken on her. Her gaze was steady, yet there was a weariness there that spoke volumes. She worked on my hair with a focus that was almost meditative, the rubies catching the light and adding a touch of brilliance to my braids.
The silence between us was heavy with unspoken words, with the weight of everything that had transpired. As Lucerys finished decorating my hair, I could feel the connection between us, a bond forged through shared experiences and silent understanding. She placed the final ruby in my braid and stepped back, her hands resting gently on my shoulders for a moment before she let go.
The morning sun filtered through the windows, casting a warm glow over the room. The whispers of the handmaidens had faded away, leaving only the quiet companionship between Lucerys and me. As I looked at my reflection, I couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions—pride, sorrow, hope, and a lingering sense of unease.
Once Lucerys finished with my hair, she commented in High Valyrian, "Muña ñuhon jaelagon rubīnītsos naejot hae ūndegon sȳndror. (My mother had her hair decorated with rubies for her wedding as well.)"
I replied softly, "Ñuha valonqar hāros iksā. (It is the tradition of House Targaryen.)"
Lucerys hummed in agreement, her fingers lightly tracing one of the rubies. "Tolī ao, nyke jāre gīmigon zirȳla mēre haena. (Unlike you, I will have pearls in my hair when I get married.)"
I smiled softly at that. I had seen Lucerys and Aemond's wedding in one of my Dragon Dreams. It was one of my favorites, a vision of joy where I had never seen my brother Aemond happier. Lucerys' eyes were bright with anticipation and happiness as she spoke of her future, and it warmed my heart.
"Sȳrior, Helaena, (I'm sorry, Helaena,)" Lucerys suddenly said, her voice tinged with regret. "Nyke ūndegon gīmigon jaelagon byka daor iā sȳndror ēza mae aōha daorūbās hen Casterly Rock. Nyke jaelagon toli sȳngot, yn House Lannister ēza hen nykeā ziry ȳzaldrīzī aōhī. (I didn't expect the Gods to show you what happened at Casterly Rock. I might have gone overboard with them, but House Lannister made my other self, and her cousins suffer in unimaginable ways in the timeline that will not come to be. They needed to pay.)"
I could see the conflict in her eyes. The sweet, kind Lucerys I knew had been tested by the need for vengeance, and it had changed her. But her apology and the promise not to go overboard again reassured me that she was still the person I loved and trusted.
"Kesīr ao ūndegon kostilus, (You did what you thought was necessary,)" I said, placing a hand on hers. "Hāros ūndegon, lo sȳndro īlon ēngos iā ziry. (Just remember that vengeance can consume us if we let it.)"
Lucerys nodded, her eyes softening. "Nyke sȳrior, Helaena. Nyke daor jāre mēre iā ziry. (I promise, Helaena. I won't lose myself to it.)" With the final touches to my hair complete, Lucerys stepped back and admired her work. "Ao jāre gevie, (You look beautiful,)" she said, a genuine smile gracing her lips.
"Kirimvose, (Thank you,)" I replied, feeling a warmth spread through me. "For everything."
The room felt lighter, the heavy weight of our earlier conversation dissipating. Today was a day of joy, and despite the shadows of last night, I was determined to embrace it fully. Lucerys and I moved towards the balcony, where the first light of dawn was breaking over King's Landing. The city was alive with preparations for the wedding, and the streets below bustled with activity. Banners bearing the sigils of House Targaryen and House Velaryon fluttered in the breeze, and the distant sounds of musicians tuning their instruments floated up to us.
"Today is a new beginning," Lucerys said softly, her eyes fixed on the horizon.
I nodded, feeling the weight of her words. "Yes, it is. For all of us."
We stood there for a moment, taking in the view and the significance of the day. My heart swelled with a mixture of anticipation and resolve. This was the day that would cement our futures and strengthen the bonds between our houses.
As we turned back to the room, the door opened, and my sister entered, her presence commanding as always. She was dressed in her regal attire, looking every bit the queen she was destined to be. Her eyes softened as she looked at us.
"Are you ready, Helaena?" she asked, her voice gentle.
I took a deep breath and nodded. "Yes, sister, I am."
Rhaenyra smiled. "Then let us go and make this day one to remember."
As we made our way to the grand hall, the corridors were lined with well-wishers and attendants, all eager to witness the union that would symbolize the strength and unity of our house. The air was filled with a sense of anticipation and celebration.
Finally, we arrived at the grand hall, where Jacaerys awaited me, looking resplendent in his ceremonial robes. His eyes met mine, and I saw in them the same determination and love that I felt. This was our moment, and together, we would step into the future, hand in hand.
The ceremony was a blur of vows, cheers, and the binding of our hands with the traditional Valyrian knot. As we exchanged our vows, I felt a deep sense of connection and commitment to Jacaerys. This was not just a political alliance; it was a union built on love, respect, and shared dreams.
When the ceremony concluded, and we were pronounced husband and wife, the hall erupted in applause and celebration. I looked around at the faces of our family and friends, each one filled with joy and hope for the future. It was a moment I would cherish forever.
As the celebrations continued into the night, I found myself standing on the balcony once again, this time with Jacaerys by my side. The city below was alive with festivities, and the stars above seemed to shine a little brighter.
"Together," Jacaerys said, his voice filled with conviction. "We will make this realm stronger and better for all."
I leaned into him, feeling a sense of peace and contentment. "Yes, we will."
And as we stood there, looking out over our kingdom, I knew that whatever challenges lay ahead, we would face them together, as one.
