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Two large stallions galloped fastly on the sandy beach of Dragonstone. They were neck and neck in a race as their riders edged them forward, hoping to win. The chestnut stallion edged forward, his rider's wavy silver hair flying wildly behind her. Her bright brown eyes sparked with confidence as a broad smile was plastered on her lips.
"Hurry up, Rhiannon! You are so far behind I can barely see you!" She jested as Rhiannon grunted in return. Rhiannon's curly silver hair was tied loosely into a long braid. Her blue eyes sparked with ambition as her hand grabbed the reins tighter. She urged the horse forward. Her high valyrian smooth as the horse began to pick up speed. Her red dress flowed wildly behind her as she edged closer. She could taste the victory on her lips, just a few more inches.
"Whoo!" Ralaera shouted in victory as she narrowly won. Both horses slowed down before coming to a stop beside each other. Rhiannon watched with a smile as Ralaera boosted about her amazing riding skills, as well as being unbeatable.
Rhiannon's smile was smug as they began to steer their horses home.
"Enjoy it now," Rhiannon taunted causing Ralaera to laugh as she tucked her hair behind her ears.
"Just wait until we are on Dragon back," Rhiannon challenged, causing Ralaera to chuckle. "Oh, I'm so scared." She teased, and Rhiannon's smirk widened as she clicked her tongue, urging the horse into a full gallop.
"You should be!" Rhiannon exclaimed as Ralaera caught on to the sudden race back home. As Ralaera hastened to catch up, Rhiannon couldn't help but be unsettled, that something was going to happen. Her eyes darted up, noticing a raven heading towards home. 'Something indeed,' She thought as she continued forward.
"Training grounds after supper?" Ralaera challenged as they arrived home at Dragonstone. Rhiannon smirked as she worked on removing her riding gloves.
"Only if you're prepared to lose," Rhiannon taunted, a confident smirk playing at the corners of her lips. Her eyes sparkled with mischief as she challenged Ralaera, who responded with a loud, carefree laugh that echoed through the stone corridor.
"Just make sure you have the maester on hand," Ralaera replied teasingly, her voice light and playful. Rhiannon's smirk transformed into a wide smile, the warmth of their companionship filling the air.
The years had treated Rhiannon kindly, shaping her perspective in ways she had never imagined. Not long ago, she had viewed Dragonstone as a bleak prison, its cold, imposing walls suffocating her spirit. Now, however, the halls that once felt so unwelcoming embraced her like an old friend, and she truly saw Dragonstone as her home with its warmth and rich history enveloping her in comfort.
The two girls burst into infectious laughter, their playful banter echoing softly down the dimly lit corridor as they made their way back to their chambers.
Suddenly, a gentle voice broke through their conversation, causing them to halt and spin around. The young lady's maid, a petite figure with kind eyes and a warm smile, approached them gracefully, her dress swishing as she offered a polite curtsy.
"Princess Rhiannon," she said softly, her tone respectful yet urgent. "Your mother requires your presence."
Rhiannon's eyes widened slightly as she glanced down at her dress, now splattered with mud from their afternoon escapades. The once elegant fabric was now marred, a stark reminder of their playful adventure.
"If I could just change," Rhiannon replied, her voice a mix of embarrassment and longing as she gestured towards her chambers, which were just a short distance away.
"Princess, she said urgently," the lady's maid uttered, her voice soft, as she lowered her head in a gesture that marked the gravity of her words. Rhiannon sensed the weight of urgency in her tone.
Rhiannon's heart raced at the thought of what could be so pressing that she couldn't even bother to change. After exchanging a glance filled with silent concern with Ralaera, who wore a similar expression of unease, they parted ways.
Rhiannon strode purposefully down the long, ornate corridor lined with rich tapestries and flickering sconces, each step echoing against the cold, stone beneath her feet. The path to her mother's chambers felt like an eternity, the briskness of her movements offering little time to process the swirling thoughts in her mind, which were now consumed with anxious questions.
As Rhiannon approached the carved oak door, she overheard snippets of conversation taking place behind it. Daemon's stern voice cut through the silence like a knife, laced with an edge of frustration and distrust. "I don't trust this," he declared firmly, the words echoing with an alarming finality. The intensity of his tone sent a thrill of dread racing through Rhiannon, making her heart pound in her chest.
Against her better judgment, she pressed her ear to the surface of the door, straining to catch any further whispers that might reveal what awaited her inside. The muffled sound of distant voices and rustling fabric only heightened her sense of unease, filling her with both dread and curiosity. She could feel the atmosphere thick with tension, she braced herself for whatever revelation lay just beyond her grasp.
"What would you have me do? The king has sent this." Rhaenyra's voice was laced with frustration, a weary sigh escaping her lips as she grappled with the weight of this letter's expectations. The air crackled with tension, and a sudden loud bang reverberated through the chamber, causing Rhiannon to instinctively draw her head back, eyes wide with alarm.
"This has her all over this," Daemon hissed, his tone sharp and filled with anger. His eyes flickered with emotion as Rhiannon, uncertain yet compelled, finally gathered the courage to knock. She hesitated, but her mother's voice rang out, beckoning her to enter.
Taking a deep, steadying breath, Rhiannon pushed open the heavy wooden door.
Upon stepping into the room, she was greeted by a noticeable sense of unease. Daemon stood rigidly beside her mother's desk, his fist pressed against the wood, knuckles white with suppressed anger. His face was a storm of conflicting emotions, a mixture of protectiveness and frustration. Rhaenyra, seated at the desk, her posture a reflection of her inner turmoil, clutched a letter tightly in her hand, its parchment crinkled beneath her grip.
As Rhiannon entered, Daemon instinctively straightened, a gesture of composure in the face of chaos, while Rhaenyra tossed the letter onto the desk, its contents lingering unresolved in the charged atmosphere. The moment hung between them, filled with unsaid words and unexpressed fears.
"You wished to see me?" Rhiannon inquired, her voice a gentle melody amidst the stillness of the room, where the sunlight filtered through the tall windows, casting soft patterns on the stone floor.
"Ah yes," Rhaenyra began, her tone slightly strained as she cleared her throat with a cough, the sound echoing softly as if to summon the weight of the moment.
"A raven has arrived, bearing a message. The king and queen request your presence at court," she continued, her gaze steady yet filled with unspoken concern.
Rhaenyra observed as a storm of emotions flitted across Rhiannon's face. Confusion etched itself deeply into her features, her brows knitting together as she exchanged bewildered glances between Rhaenyra and Daemon.
"For the marriage?" she asked, her voice laced with confusion. After the events in Diftmark, she had never imagined that such a union would come to pass. She nervously toyed with the delicate fabric of her sleeves, her eyes darting toward Daemon as he cast a lingering glance at her mother. With a dismissive scoff, he turned on his heel and strode out of the room, slamming the door behind him with a force that made Rhiannon flinch, her heart racing at the sudden noise.
Rhaenyra let out a heavy sigh as she sank back into her chair, the weight of the situation pressing down on her. She leaned forward, her fingers brushing against her temples, feeling the tension of the moment throb just behind her forehead.
"I don't believe so," Rhaenyra replied, her voice firm yet soft. "It seems that since you are to be queen one day, the queen believes it wise for you to learn the fineness of court life."
Rhiannon's face contorted in distaste at the mere thought of the suffocating world of the court. She shifted her weight uneasily from one foot to the other, her unease growing.
Before Rhiannon could voice her objections her thoughts were almost palpable in the air Rhaenyra rose gracefully from her seat, her regal demeanor unmistakable. Moving around her ornate desk, she approached Rhiannon, her expression resolute. "I'm afraid there's no room for challenge in this decision," she stated, her eyes locking onto her daughter's with a mixture of authority and tenderness.
Rhiannon took a steadying breath, the weight of her mother's words settling over her like a heavy cloak. "When shall I leave?" she inquired, determination flickering in her chest. She had always trusted her mother deeply, an unspoken bond of understanding between them, and in this instance, she recognized the futility of opposition. The dynamics of her mother's relationship with the queen remained a mystery, a tangled web that she still didn't fully grasp.
"The morning," Rhaenyra replied, turning back to her desk, the movement exuding air of command. Rhiannon's mouth fell open in disbelief, her mind racing.
"The morning? So soon?" She couldn't help but express her shock, her heart pounding as she processed the swift shift in her life. She watched her mother nod, before settling back into her seat. Rhaenyra picked up a piece of parchment and a quill, the delicate scratching of ink began as she began to compose a response to the letter that had just arrived, further solidifying the reality of Rhiannon's unexpected departure.
Rhiannon scoffed, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear with a quick, dismissive motion.
"I haven't prepared Safiya for such a journey," she replied sharply, her tone laced with frustration. The words hung in the air, prompting Rhaenyra to let out a weary sigh as she placed her quill down on the parchment. She turned her gaze toward her daughter, and in that moment, Rhiannon's fiery spirit and fierce determination reminded her so much of her younger self.
"You will travel by boat," Rhaenyra stated firmly, watching as Rhiannon's annoyance bubbled to the surface. The corners of her mouth tightened, and her voice rose in intensity as she grappled with the thought of leaving her dragon behind.
Daemon lingered just beyond the threshold of his wife's chambers, their voices echoed through the closed door. The sharp tones of Rhiannon's objections clashed with Rhaenyra's more measured, yet insistent replies. He could sense the tension in the air, thick and suffocating. Clenching his jaw, Daemon felt a surge of unease wash over him; that letter was a harbinger of discord, and he could feel its implications heavy in the pit of his stomach. His fingers clenched around the hilt of his sword, the metal cool against his palm, grounding him in the midst of swirling emotions.
Then, as if propelled by a storm of fury, the doors burst open, and Rhiannon stormed out, her expression a fierce mask of determination and anger that completely bypassed him. She brushed past him like a whirlwind, her eyes ablaze and focused on an unseen target. Daemon stepped forward, matching her stride as he fell in line beside her.
"Rhiannon," he said firmly, his voice cutting through the haze of her blinded fury like a knife.
"What?" she snapped, her brow furrowing deeply as she struggled to regain her composure. Daemon gently placed his hand on her shoulder, the warmth of his touch contrasting with the storm of emotions swirling within her. He leaned in closer, his expression serious as he shared his apprehensions.
"Do not trust a single one," he warned.