Violent tides - Chapter 7: A Dream

The family travels to Driftmark to spend Laena and the twins remaining time in Westeros there. There, Aelora meets her granduncle's sons.

Aelora stood on top of a chair that she had placed in front of her cousins' cradles as the second that her parents and Laena had returned to the ship, she had been drawn to the dragon eggs that her aunt held.

Baela and Rhaena had fallen asleep soon after their mother had placed each egg in their cradles, their tiny bodies moving closer to the eggs as they slept. Aelora liked the cream-colored egg that was given to Baela, she could feel the warm the radiated from within, reminding her of Jacaerys’ egg.

But Aelora did not feel the same way about Rhaena's egg, wishing that Viserys had chosen a different one for her cousin. She did not know how to explain it, but the egg felt wrong to her, not an ounce of the warmth that she felt from Jacaerys and Baela’s eggs, came from Rhaena’s, the egg was cold a stone when Aelora touched it.

The princess could not understand why no one else noticed that Rhaena’s egg was defective, that no dragon would come from within it.

Rhaena’s egg is just like mine... Aelora thought, thinking about the red dragon egg currently sitting in the nursery back in the Red Keep.

She had never truly taken to her dragon egg, usually avoiding being near it when she could. Although, this did not upset her, knowing that even if her dragon egg never hatched, she could go and claim a dragon like other members of her family.

As of right now, Aelora was thinking of claiming either Silverwing or Dreamfyre once she was deemed old enough to by her parents.

“Aelora! You cannot stand on furniture, especially when you are on board a moving ship!” Laenor cried as he entered his sister’s cabin and saw his daughter standing on a chair above his nieces. He quickly ran to Aelora and pulled her off the chair and into his arms.

“I couldn’t see Baela and Rhaena when I’m on the floor,” Aelora tried to explain her actions.

“Then you should ask someone for help, you could have gotten very hurt,” Laenor gently scolded.

Aelora turned away from her father and glared at the wall. “I can do it myself! I’m three, I’m a big girl!”

Laenor grinned. “Yes, you are very big girl.”

Aelora turned her glare towards her father, knowing that he was mocking her. Aelora could not wait until she was old enough that she no longer had people treating her as if she were invalid, to be able to do things without needing others’ approval or help.

~X~

Daeron and Daemion Velaryon were rigidly posed as they stood behind their mother, Malaera Velaryon. A group of their cousins, uncles, and aunts along with other members and servants of House Velaryon stood further behind them as they waited for the royal party to make their way to High Tide from the docks.

Their father, Vaemond, had explained to them the importance of not showing a single flaw as he would not only be returning with their uncle, aunt, and cousins, but the Crown Princess and her children.

“I will not allow that woman to find a single flaw within us. We will show her what true Velaryons look like, unlike that thing she calls a son,” Vaemond said, he then turned to his eldest son, Daeron. “A Velaryon shall sit on the Iron Throne one day, and a real Velaryon will inherit Driftmark.”

The two boys had only seen Rhaenyra Targaryen a few times in passing even though she has been married to their cousin Laenor for almost four years at this point. Although, this was also not surprising since Daeron and Daemion were ten and eight respectively, making them over a decade younger than Laena and Laenor. The four were not particularly close with each other since the boys were closer in age to their children than them.

Still, both agreed with their father that Rhaenyra was a spoiled and selfish woman, even more so when they learned of the birth of Jacaerys. It would be one thing if Aelora was considered the heir to both Driftmark and the Iron Throne, but she was not. Driftmark belongs to the Velaryons and yet Rhaenyra was trying to give it to the bastard son of Harwin Strong.

The Velaryons and the houses that swore fealty to them would be forever beholden to the whims of an ill begotten bastard, the Valyrian blood that they were so proud of would be forever sullied by the impurity of Jacaerys Waters.

In Vaemond’s words, if Corlys would continue to wrongly look the other way in this matter then it was up to them to insure the continuation of their house.

This would also signify the first meeting between them and their true cousins as Aelora had never before been to Driftmark and the two boys would always stay behind when their father would travel to King's Landing.

Soon multiple carriages had made their way through the castle gates, stopping a couple of yards away from the group. The first ones to leave their carriage were Corlys and Rhaenys, Laena followed them as two maids trailed behind her, each holding one of her daughters.

Laenor immediately left the next carriage, holding out his hand and helping Rhaenyra climb down. Aelora joyfully jumped out and waited for the maid holding Jacaerys to appear before following her parents. Vaemond was the last of their family to appear, leaving his very own carriage and quickly making pace with the others.

Malaera was the first to bow and everyone else followed her lead. “Driftmark is yours, my Lord.” 

“And I thank you for your steadfast sense of duty, good sister.” Corlys remarked.

Malaera then faced the Crown Princess. “You humble us with your visit, Your Grace.”

“We are family, my lady. There is no need for such actions,” Rhaenyra spoke.

Daeron noticed the disgust on Vaemond's face when Rhaenyra said the word ‘family' only for it to leave his face as quickly as it appeared. He soon tuned out the discussions that the adults were having, wanting to leave with his brother.

“Hello, cousins!” Daeron looked down and saw that it was Aelora who spoke. The princess smiled, leaning her head back slightly to look at him.

She is just how people describe her to be. Daeron thought.

Those who have met the princess have said that she is a beautiful and compassionate child, showing warmth and kindness to all she meets. But he had also heard about how her parents’ terrible sins were the cause of her affliction.

“Greetings, Your Grace,” Daeron and Daemion said in unison.

Aelora giggled. “You can just call me Aelora, we’re family.”

“You are kind, Aelora,” Daemion replied.

“You are kind too, Daemion,” Aelora said.

One of Daeron's eyebrows raised. “You know our names, Your- Aelora?”

“Yes, Uncle Vaemond speaks of you both. He said we would get along swim-swimmingly.” The last part came out softly, a shy expression forming on Aelora’s face.

Daemion grinned, finding Aelora’s shyness adorable. “We would love to be friends with you, Aelora.”

Aelora grinned happily, she had been afraid that the brothers would ignore her because she was so much younger than them and was a girl, she was happy to be proven wrong.

Daeron gave his brother a questioning look, it surprised him that their father had spoken to Aelora about them and wanted the three to become friends.

Father said that a Velaryon would sit on the Iron Throne, so he clearly has no issue with Aelora. But he also does not want Aelora's brother to rule Driftmark. Does he believe that Aelora could be influenced into taking Driftmark away from the babe and giving it to me when she becomes Queen? Daeron pondered.

“Would you like a tour of High Tide, Aelora?” Daeron asked his cousin.

“Yes please!” Aelora cheered, bouncing on her feet.

Daeron held out a hand to Aelora, which the girl took and began leading them into the castle. Daeron and Daemion shared a look with each other over Aelora’s head. Daemion smiled, but Daeron doubted that he was thinking the same thing he was.

~X~

Rhaenyra stood on the balcony on her and Laenor’s bedchamber, watching Aelora as she played with Vaemond Velaryon’s sons. Just watching them, one would assume they were all siblings instead of first cousins once removed; Daeron the eldest, Daemion the middle child, and Aelora their little sister.

“Should we truly be leaving Aelora alone with them?” Rhaenyra asked her husband, her eyes still locked on Aelora.

Laenor, who lying in bed lifted his head and confusedly stared at Rhaenyra. “There are guards along the perimeter watching them. Even then, my cousins will not do anything to hurt Aelora.”

“And how can, you be sure?” She asked.

“They are my cousins,” Laenor responded.

“They are Vaemond’s sons.”

“That is what makes them my cousins.”

Rhaenyra turned and stared at Laenor blankly, not finding his joke funny.

Laenor cleared his throat. “Why are you worried about our daughter spending time with Daeron and Daemion?”

“I just do not want Aelora to be caught up in Vaemond’s schemes and plots,” Rhaenyra sighed.

Laenor stood and walked over to Rhaenyra, standing next to her, and looking down at the children beneath them. “I know Vaemond dislikes us, but he will not do anything against us."

Rhaenyra scoffed. “Dislikes us? Laenor, Vaemond hates us and our son, him liking Aelora does not change that. And I do not trust that he has not shared that hatred with his sons.”

Laenor rubbed small circles on Rhaenyra’s back. “Are you not the one who always says that the opinion others have about us do not matter? It does not matter if the three of them hate us, I will succeed my father as Lord of Driftmark and Jacaerys will succeed me. They can continue to stir in their hurt feelings, but it changes nothing.”

“Vaemond and his family are not the only ones who don’t want Jacaerys to inherit Driftmark,” Rhaenyra stated, still worried about their son's claim.

“Father wants Jace to inherit, in his mind he is as Velaryon as they come,” Laenor argued.

Rhaenyra gave Laenor a look. “And your mother?”

Laenor grimaced as he thought about his mother, Rhaenys did not hide the disappointment she felt towards him, for letting Harwin father their child, nor did she hide her disdain for Rhaenyra, blaming her putting him in this position.

Laenor accepted this because her anger was not directed at Jacaerys. Granted, Rhaenys did not love or even like Jacaerys, always staying as far away from the child as possible, but she did not look at him with the disgust and hatred that her good brother did.

“That is what I thought,” Rhaenyra huffed; she did not trust that Rhaenys would just sit back and let Jacaerys remain heir to Driftmark.

It was one thing when it was just Aelora, but with the birth of Baela and Rhaena, the Velaryons now had three viable heirs at their disposal.

Three heirs that Rhaenys and Vaemond see as having a much stronger claim than my son. Rhaenyra grimly thought.

There was also the thought that Vaemond may not even advocate for any of the girls, instead pushing his own claim to Driftmark, that to him, the male line would be more important since Aelora was the heir of the heir and Baela and Rhaena were seen as members of House Targaryen instead of House Velaryon due to their Targaryen father.

And if there are no viable male heirs after Laenor, then Driftmark, along with the Velaryons fleet and wealth should pass on through his own sons and descendants.

Rhaenyra did not trust either Rhaenys or Vaemond, they may have shared blood through decades of intermarriages, but they were certainly not on the same side.

Laenor took a step back and lowered his gaze. “I am sorry. We would not have to worry about any of this if I could just be normal and do my marital duty. I did it once and now we have Aelora, but if I did not have so many hang-ups than you would not have had to seek out Harwin to make up for my failings.”

Rhaenyra closed the distance between them and wrapped her arms around Laenor. “I have already told you, there is nothing wrong with you. You are the way you are because this is who you are supposed to be, you have not failed me in anyway.”

Laenor sighed. “But Rhaenyra-”

“But nothing.” Rhaenyra growled, “We will get through this, Jacaerys will inherit Driftmark. You may not share blood, but you are Jacaerys’ father in every way that matters. And we will not let anyone take it from him, from us.”

Laenor let out a small chuckle. “Why do I even try to argue with you?”

Rhaenyra smiled. “I do not know why, I am always right and yet you feel the need to undermine me. It is a weird trait for you to have.”

“Fuck you,” Laenor said instantly, but there was no heat to his words, and he was unable to hide the smile that his lips were forming.

“Love you too.” Rhaenyra replied just as quickly.

Laenor laughed, he felt better in this moment, but he knew this would be a problem that they would continue to have.

He would always feel guilty for not giving Rhaenyra more children and there would always be whispers following them with their family from those that wanted to see them fall and crumple.

But Laenor also knew that Rhaenyra was right, he may not have sired him, but Jacaerys was his son, he deeply and genuinely loved him.

And as my son, he is my heir, my legacy. I will not let anyone say anything otherwise. Laenor thought.

This would just have to be enough for the time being.

~X~

Vaemond Velaryon angrily stormed into his bedroom, the doors slamming against the walls as he rushed in. He then began pacing in front of the fireplace, muttering, and cursing under his breath with each step he took.

Malaera followed her husband at a much slower pace, softly closing the doors behind her once she entered the room.

“You are going to die an early death if you continue to stress yourself, husband.” She remarked, watching her husband strutting in front of her.

“An early death?” Vaemond snorted, knowing that he was not the young man he once was even if he did have a younger wife and young sons. “And it will not be my stress that kills me, but my worthless nephew and his whore of a wife.”

Malaera walked up to Vaemond and placed a hand against the side of his face, trying to calm him. “You must not let them get to you.”

“How can I not? You saw how that woman was gallivanting around, especially during dinner, she has no shame! Acting as if Driftmark is hers, talking about parading more Strong pups around, as if her son isn’t more than enough, an abomination to all things righteous and just!” Vaemond screeched, not caring if anyone walking by could hear the words he spoke.

About an hour before, Rhaenyra had mentioned that she and Laenor were planning to have more children, that they were not satisfied with just Aelora and Jacaerys. The only one at the table who even looked excited at the prospect was Corlys, who grinned and said that he would be happy to have more grandchildren to spoil.

Rhaenys had simply said she was happy for the couple and left it at that, Malaera had also given similar congratulations while Vaemond had to use every ounce of restraint in his body not to call out the princess on her treacherous actions. He spent the rest of the meal silent, pushing the food on his plate around as the others continued talking, only his wife noticing the change in his demeanor.

Malaera could only stand silently, she too agreed with her husband and felt angry over the ruse that Rhaenyra and Laenor were foolishly trying to pull.

She too was a Velaryon, having been born to one of Vaemond’s cousins, and she too felt the anger over having to sit back and watch as Driftmark was being given to one who was not only a bastard, but a bastard that was not even of their blood.

Driftmark is filled with Velaryons both trueborn and bastardborn alike and yet we are all being ignored in favor of what? Corlys and his endless ambition? Princess Rhaenyra and her arrogance? Laenor and his perversion? Malaera thought to herself.

“It is not fair, Vaemond, you are right. But you must temper yourself, if any one were to hear how you truly felt then you can be accused of treason,” Malaera softly whispered.

Vaemond gritted his teeth but knew that his wife was right, he could not let his emotions get the better of him, even if he was justified in how he felt. They need to be smart about this, to move in a way that would not bring unwanted attention upon them.

“Isn't that why you wanted our sons to befriend Princess Aelora?” Malaera asked knowingly, she had seen the gleam in her husband’s eyes as Daeron, Daemion, and Aelora explored High Tide together.

“Our sons are just bonding with their cousin, it's nothing more,” Vaemond stated shortly.

An amused smile graced Malaera's lips. “Really?”

“If Aelora feels strongly about Daeron and Daemion than she may be generous towards them in the future,” Vaemond admitted.

“You believe that Aelora would make Daeron Lord of Driftmark and discredit her brother just because they are childhood friends?” Malaera asked incredulously, stepping back as she fully took in what her husband was planning.

“Is it so wrong to want our sons to be given what should rightfully be theirs?” Vaemond asked rhetorically.

“Most would argue that Driftmark and its holdings should go to Aelora as the only trueborn child of Corlys' only son. And if not, there is still Laena and her daughters who each have a claim as Laena is Corlys’ oldest child and daughter. Sons inherit before daughters and daughters inherit before uncles, it’s the way of the land,” Malaera clarified.

Vaemond scoffed. “Aelora will be Queen of Westeros, she will not be able to rule over Driftmark at the same time. And Laena is married to Daemon Targaryen, despite their blood, her daughters are Targaryens not Velaryons. If any of them were to become Lady of the Tides we would not be led by them, but by the Rouge Prince.”

“I did not know Prince Daemon to have ever cared for matters of state. From the rumors told, he constantly ignored his duties on the small council and as Lord of Runestone.”

Vaemond shook his head. “The Gods have not yet created a man that does not strive for power. You did not see him on the Stepstones, lady wife, the Rouge Prince was a monster, a bloodthirsty fiend who sought to burn and slice through everything in his path. I remember the look on his face when my brother and the other men named him King of the Narrow Sea, that deranged and crazed smiled as that ugly crown was placed on his brow and his power grew. We cannot allow him to have sort of control over our fleet and riches, that beast would end us.”

“That still does not change the fact that by law and precedent, Aelora, Laena, Baela, and Rhaena have much stronger claims than Daeron and Daemion, even you as well, my love,” Malaera retorted.

Vaemond maintained his belief, his mind refusing to be changed. “If House Velaryon is to survive and maintain our status as the richest and one of the most powerful houses in the realm, then we cannot allow ourselves to remain under the Targaryens’ heel. Fighting for mine and our sons’ claims is what is best for our house.”

He was not the only member of their family that felt the same way, plenty of their cousins, uncles, aunts, and vassals wanted a Velaryon to succeed Corlys, one who would put their house and its interests first.

There were even a few who believed that Laenor’s status of heir should be revoked due to his willingness to put a bastard on the Driftwood throne. For putting all of them at risk of torture or death by lying about the legitimacy of the King’s grandchild, making them all implicit in his and Rhaenyra’s treason.

The Old, the True, and the Brave.

The words of House Velaryons, the same words that carried over from their time in Old Valyria, that followed them as they crossed the Narrow Sea and took Driftmark as their noble seat. It was the duty of every Velaryon to live by these words, to embody them in every action they took, in every word they spoke.

And Vaemond was going to live by them, he would not allow his family and its legacy to be brought to ruin due to the machinations of a cuckold, a whore, a dishonorable minor noble from the middle of nowhere, and even his own brother.

~X~

Aelora did not know what to expect when she suddenly found herself standing within the main courtyard of Dragonstone.

Wasn’t I on Driftmark with everyone else? She thought to herself as she started walking across the yard.

Before she could get far, Aelora could see a large golden dragon laying in front of her. The dragon’s back was covered in fleshy scars, was missing one of its eyes, had large open wounds on its neck and belly, and part of its wing had been torn off.

Next to the injured dragon was an equally injured young man. The Conqueror’s crown had sat on his head, Aelora had only seen the artifact briefly when Viserys took her to the royal family’s vault in the Red Keep, but the crown did nothing to take away from the large burn wound that covered the left side of his face, and the broken left arm that was bandaged in a green sleeve that wrapped around his torso.

The most obvious injury was his two broken and twisted legs, neither of which were covered by were noticeable through his trousers. As she continued to observe him, Aelora noticed that he was sitting in a wheelchair, which made sense to the princess if he was truly unable to walk.

“Dear brother. I had hoped you were dead,” A soft yet powerful voice bellowed out.

Aelora quickly turned her head and saw her mother standing a few yards away.

Rhaenyra’s hair was a mess, as if she had not yet had time to clean herself properly, and a black cloak covered her body. She glared at the man in front of her and Aelora had never seen her mother look so angry, so terrifying as she burned the man with her gaze.

It was then that Aelora saw that her mother was not alone, in the woman’s arms she held a small boy. Aelora did not know who he was, but he had the traditional Targaryen appearance; dark purple eyes and silver hair so pale that it was almost white.

The boy was crying in her mother’s arms, desperately holding onto her, and shaking in terror as the adults glared at each other.

Behind Rhaenyra and this boy stood a group of Knights, each one covered in head to toe in green and gold. Their faces showed no emotion, each one grasping their swords and were fully prepared to draw them.

Brother? Aelora thought to herself before it suddenly came to her who that the injured man was.

“Aegon?!” She yelled, but no one even noticed, as if she were nothing but a ghost watching the proceedings in front of her.

‘Aegon’ let out a bitter chuckle, “After you, you are the elder.”

Rhaenyra tried to smirk, but her lips fell. “I am pleased that you remember that. It would seem we are your prisoners... but do not think that you will hold us long. My leal lords will find me.”

“If they search the seven hells, mayhaps,” Aegon tried to shrug, but his shoulders could not move high like they used to.

“Mother!” Everyone turned around and two group of knights entered the yard holding a young woman by both arms, refusing to let her go even as she struggled and thrashed around in their grasp.

Aelora’s stared on in shock as the young woman looked just like, an older version of her, but it was clearly her own face that she was staring at.

The older her was covered in scars and blood, looking as if she had just been in a terrible fight. But she still had the energy to try and escape her captors.

“Aelora!” Rhaenyra cried; she had thought that her daughter had escaped, fear gripped her heart as Aelora was dragged closer.

“Ah! It appears that we have a precious mother-daughter reunion! How quaint,” Aegon laughed.

“You fucking bastard! I will gut you!” Older Aelora roared, once again trying to pull herself out of the traitors' hands and run at her uncle.

Aegon playfully pouted. “How can you say that, my darling niece? That really hurts my feelings; besides, I must pay you back for what you did to Daeron and Criston Cole.”

Younger Aelora did not know how to react to the scene in front of her, the older her was so angry and Aegon took pleasure in it.

But how? I love Aegon and he loves me, so how can we hate each other so much?

Aegon had seemingly had enough of and looked to the knights behind them, “Take the boy from her grasp, it's time we end this farce.”

One of the knights stepped forward and ripped the boy out of Rhaenyra’s arms.

“Mother!” He cried, desperately trying to reach her but moving further away as the knight finally stopped, now standing next to older Aelora and her own jailers.

Rhaenyra gritted her teeth, willing herself not to show any fear or sadness, not wanting to give her brother the satisfaction. She then turned to older Aelora, “Take care of your brother and your cousins, Aelora. They are going to need you now more than ever.”

“No, no, no, please! Don’t do this!” Older Aelora yelled, but her pleas were ignored by all around her.

“Remember the song, Aelora. A Targaryen is needed on the Iron Throne,” Rhaenyra proclaimed, remaindering her daughter of the prophecy that only they knew, the song of ice and fire.

Rhaenyra then turned away and faced Sunfyre, knowing that her death was inevitable, she had accepted that all she fought for now rested on her eldest child’s shoulders. It would be up to Aelora to right their wrongs and prepare the Seven Kingdoms for the Long Night that would soon approach.

“Do not worry, sister. A true Targaryen will continue to sit on the Iron Throne, right after I am done getting rid of the pretenders.” Aegon stated, misunderstanding what Rhaenyra was telling her daughter.

He then looked over at his dragon. “Sunfyre.... Dracarys!”

Sunfyre slowly lifted his head, and a large torrent of fire flew out of his mouth, burning Rhaenyra Targaryen alive.

“NOOOOO!” Both Aelora and the young boy cried out in unison as they watched their mother’s body burn.

Immediately, Sunfyre stopped his flames and closed his jaws around her shoulder and arm. It only took six bites for Sunfyre to devour Rhaenyra, leaving behind only a single leg.

Older Aelora fell to her knees and howled, the pain in her heart becoming too much for her to bear.

First Luke, then grandmother, then Jace, then little Viserys, then Joff, and now mother. Why? Why us? What did any of us do to deserve this?! Younger Aelora was frozen, realizing that these were not her own thoughts but the older Aelora’s.

Aegon started chuckling like a madman once the deed was done. “Let the ravens fly so that the realm may know the pretender is dead, and their true King is coming home to reclaim his father’s throne."

Aegon then turned to face older Aelora and smirked wildly. “Do not worry sweet niece, I have no intention of killing you just yet. After all you have done, you will get no mercy from me. Once I get rid of the rest of your brood, I’ll make you watch as I give them each a fitting end, then and only then, will you have my permission to die.”

Aelora quickly sat up on her bed, letting out a bloodcurdling scream into the night.

Rhaenyra and Laenor were both startled awake, both hearing the terrified scream coming from down the hall.

“Aelora,” Rhaenyra breathed out, jumping out of bed, grabbing her robe, and running out the door, not waiting for Laenor to catch up as she ran to her daughter’s room.

Once the couple had gotten there, they saw that the door was open and the Velaryon Knight standing post outside of it had entered the room.

The armored man stood at the foot of the bed and was trying to calm the princess, but everything he did only made Aelora more scared, tears falling down her face as she pressed herself against the headboard in a failed attempt to escape.

“Aelora!” Rhaenyra called out, relaxing somewhat after seeing that her daughter was not in physical harm or danger.

Aelora’s head snapped to the side. “Mama!”

She instantly ran into Rhaenyra’s arms and held her with a strength that the woman did not know her child possessed.

“You’re alive!” Aelora said as she buried her face within the crook of Rhaenyra’s neck.

“Why would your mother not be alive?” Laenor asked gently, rubbing circles on Aelora’s back.

“Because Sunfyre burned and ate you,” Aelora answered.

Rhaenyra blinked. “Why would my brother’s dragon eat me?”

“I don’t know!” Aelora shouted, fresh tears forming as she remembered her mother’s death, the terrible scene replaying in her mind repeatedly.

“Hush, my sweet. It was just a bad dream; I am alive and well, nothing is going to happen to me. And I certainly will not be killed by your uncle and his dragon,” Rhaenyra whispered into Aelora’s hair, pressing kisses on the crown of her head.

“What happened? What is going on?” They all turned and saw Corlys, Rhaenys, and Laena standing in the entrance of the room.

“It is nothing, father, Aelora just had a bad dream,” Laenor explained.

“But it was real! Aegon killed you and said he was the King now!” Aelora exclaimed, even if she did dream it, it felt too real to just be that.

Rhaenys stepped forward and smiled at her granddaughter. “Aelora it was just a dream, I promise you that is all it was. Sometimes when we have dreams, they can feel very real and intense but that is all it is until we awake.”

“You promise?” Aelora whispered.

“I promise," Rhaenys replied firmly.

Aelora relaxed in her mother’s arms, feeling better as her grandmother was always right in her eyes.

“What else did you see in your dream?” Rhaenyra asked, ignoring the glare Rhaenys sent her way for possibly ruining her act of getting Aelora to calm down.

Aelora flinched and looked at the ground. “Aegon was burned and had broken legs, you were arguing with each other. There was a boy with you, he called you mother, and I was there but bigger and older and then Aegon... he-he ordered- he ordered Sunfyre to....”

“And then Sunfyre killed me and Aegon proclaimed himself to be King.” Rhaenyra finished, filling in the rest from what Aelora said earlier.

Aelora said nothing, but nodded her head, not wanting to further relive that awful dream.

Rhaenyra kissed her head again and smiled. “Your grandmother is right, it was just a dream. Something like that will never happen.”

Aelora looked up at Rhaenyra. “Can I sleep with you and papa?”

“Of course, Aelora. I need my special little warrior to protect me.” Laenor agreed, tickling Aelora and grinning when she laughed.

Her grandparents and aunt returned to their rooms, satisfied that the issue had been resolved. Aelora refused to let go of Rhaenyra even when they reached their room and laid in bed.

Aelora stared at the ceiling as she laid on top of her mother, her dream still haunting her as she tried to find sleep.

Was that just a dream? I hope I never have something like that again. Aelora thought as she finally drifted off to sleep.