A Nameday Comes & Goes (Page 87)

~~~(POV: Raenon Targaryen)~~~

~~~(Location: Dragonmont Cliffs, Narrow Sea, Dragonstone)~~~

~~~(Current Age: 18 Years)~~~

~~~(Date: 302 AC)~~~

A strong gust of wind blows my hair back as the waves crash at the bottom of the cliff. You can feel the long summer we've had slowly coming to an end. Winter is really around the corner from now.

A bountiful summer is always followed by an even harsher winter. They say it's what Gods do to balance the world. Personally, I don't think Gods give two shits about mortal lives.

What happened to me as a child. The course I was set on. All of it is proof some greater influence is working in my life, and what that is will be beyond me in this life. Only when my time comes will I meet whoever made me.

"Your Grace."

A voice from behind grabs my attention as I close my eyes and take a deep breath. There is a party later tonight, and everyone at the castle is preparing.

I took the moment to sneak away and go for a walk. Clearing my head, and thinking about what's happened this past year in my life. In the lives of the people I love. Aly and Jaes' namedays are around the corner, too.

Not long after that is it my Daenys nameday celebration too. Mary has had her hands full the last few weeks with Rhaella and Rhaegar. The twins are proving to have two different personalities. Even now.

"What is it? Surely, a party's preparations don't need a King's intervention. If it does, I seriously need to reconsider the people protecting my family."

The silence from whatever messenger has been sent is all that greets me. After a few seconds, he walks up behind me.

"No, Your Grace. You've received a letter from Lord Martell."

I lower my head as the knowledge of whatever's in that letter sinks in. It's no doubt something to convince me to move. To forgo the celebration of Dany and I's nameday.

The only reason I'm not flying back to my troops and beginning the final invasion of Kings Landing is I don't know how long it'll be before I see my family again. How long until my children forget my face again.

Aly and Jae know who I am, but my other children don't yet know their Father's face. A part of me wants to ignore my responsibilities and stay here with my children.

However, that's not what a husband and Father do for their family. My duty is to take care of them, provide for them, and ensure they're protected. Once the Iron Throne is reclaimed, and the power of the lands rests with House Targaryen.

Then, I can indulge in the life of a man surrounded by people who love him, and people he loves. Until that time, I have a mission to take care of.

"I'll arrive back at the castle shortly. Now, leave me."

The clinking of chainmail behind me starts walking away. As the silence and solitude return to my word. I feel a sense of contemplation overtake me.

My friend, Oberyn, is struggling to hold back his patience. I don't blame him. Tywin Lannister won't sit idle. Not when he knows I'm not with my arms. That I'm not with Oberyn. I don't want to, but leaving now seems the best choice.

Breaking that news to my wives is far more frightening than facing down any challenge the world has thrown at me so far.

I close my eyes, and through my connection with Rhaenys, I call her to me for a ride back to the castle.

CRRRRAAAASSSHHHH!!

BBOOOOOOOOOOMM!!

The Dragonmont to my side echoes the sounds of my she-dragon rising from her place of rest. I turn to see my best and oldest friend stretch out her wings and leap off the area of the Dragonmont she's chosen.

Gliding over the side of the large volcano and making her way to me.

Knowing I'll always have Rhaenys by my side no matter where I am in the world brings me more comfort than I'd describe with words.

CRAABOOOM!

She lands a decent distance from me, and on my approach, she turns her head. Angling her chin in a specific way for a scratch. A light chuckle escapes from me as I have to divert my objective of returning to the castle to scratch my dragon.

Long and loving purrs reverberate through my body as I rub and scratch the areas I know she itches at the most. I've said this before, but if you scratch a dragon in a place they can't reach, you'll be friends forever.

After a few minutes of this, I eventually have to stop and she knows that it's time to go. She moves her body and uses her wing to help me on the large saddle fashioned for her. It won't be long before adjustments need to be made again.

She's constantly growing, and that's always a problem when it comes to making and fitting a saddle to her size.

It only takes a minute to reach the castle, and she lands at the open grassy area directly connecting to a staircase leading into the castle. As I get off her, I see that Dany is waiting to greet me. Before she can meet me halfway, she's beaten to the punch.

Not once, but twice.

Jae and Aly each come running out from behind her and taking this chance to steal their daddy's attention. I have to hold out my arms as they leap into them, and I can't help spinning them around as I do.

As I release them, Dany gives me a look that's difficult to put into words. It's a mixture of satisfaction and temptation.

"Off you too. Go play with Vaelor and Caelex. Mommy and Daddy need to talk."

They obey my command and run off toward the beach. As they do, I see Vaelor appear over the horizon. Likely responding to Aly's desire to play with her.

My eyes shift back to my wife, and she's got a smile on her lips.

"I've been meaning to ask, have you checked to see if Rhaeny's laid any eggs? She's spent a lot of time on the Dragonmont alone."

I can't help sharing a curious look as to why she's bringing this up to begin with. Not that it's not a conversation I don't want to have.

"I'll have Rhaenys take me to where she's been staying, but might I ask why you're bringing this up?"

It's not a topic we typically discuss. Two of the three eggs that were in Rhaeny's first clutch have already hatched. The red one, and the blue one. Right now, the newest one is resting in Daeny's crib with her.

They seem to be growing at the same rate, just like Jae and Caelex. Sure, Caelex is a little bigger. But by the time Jae is old enough to ride him. Caelex will be a considerable size.

Vaelor far outsized Aly since he was born before her.

I've noticed that dragons grow in tandem with their riders. The ones they have bonded with.

"Now that we've got two more that carry a direct connection to House Targaryen. They should be given eggs, too, should they not?"

Dany and I have discussed this at length, especially about a single topic.

"What about avoiding another Dance of Dragons? As much as they are Targaryen, they are Tyrell as well."

My rebuttal causes Dany to take on a softer expression.

"I've thought about that and found that if we accept them wholeheartedly. They'll have no reason to rebel. Our children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren won't be causing another Dance of Dragons."

However, the implications of her words following that are also implied.

"What about after we've passed from this world? When we can't get the children of our children's children in check?"

I want House Targaryen never to be divided again, but Dany and I alone aren't Jaehaerys, The Consilator, and Queen Alysanne Targaryen. We can't produce 13 children on our own. I won't risk Dany's life like that.

It's part of the reason we took Mary with us. So Dany wouldn't have to carry the burden of rebuilding House Targaryen alone.

Dany walks forward and runs her hand lovingly along my chest in response to my question. Taking in my features and eyes as they stare back at her. Perfectly mirroring her own.

"When we're gone... When that day does come... All we can do is hope that the legacy we leave stands as an example to the generations that follow us... Our descendants will look back on you, Rae... They'll be more inspired by you than Aegon himself..."

Her hand glides across my cheek, and she leans forward. She stands on her tippy toes and closes her eyes as she gets closer. After a few seconds, our lips gently meet.

I feel many things in the kiss, but as we part. A new question is asked by her.

"How long until you leave..."

Not long. Not long at all.