Flames. When Rhaenyra opened her eyes, that's all she saw. The sky was red with blood as she gazed upward.
"Why couldn't you save me, Rhaenyra?" A voice from behind spoke.
Rhaenyra turned to see her mother's face; her silver hair was matted with blood. Rhaenyra looked down; her stomach was cut open.
Gagging, Rhaenyra turned away. Heart hammering in rhythm with her breaths. Rhaenyra ran through the forest; the fire felt hot against her skin, but she didn't dare stop. Everything around her seemed to crumble as the ground gave way beneath her.
Rhaenyra screamed.
"Rhaenyra!"
She felt something shake her.
"Rhaenyra, wake up!"
Rhaenyra shot up, looking around. She saw Rhys in front of her, worry engraved in his face. She jumped away as he reached forward.
"Hey, you're okay, it's me." Rhys' voice was calm as he spoke.
Rhaenyra jumped into his arms, sobbing into his chest. "It's not fair." She sobbed. "It's not fair."
"I know." Rhys held her close, kissing her forehead. "I know…"
***
It was dark, but Rhaenyra could not find sleep. Rhys lay next to her, his head resting on her chest. He had told her that it would be many hours 'til sunrise, and that it was best to sleep. Rhaenyra found the idea of sleep impossible. For nearly a month now, everytime she closed her eyes, she saw her mother covered in blood, asking her why she didn't save her.
With a groan, Rhaenyra lifted herself from bed. Making her way across the room, Rheanyra changed into her riding leathers before asking Rhys to braid her hair back. Grabbing her gloves, she and Rhys made their way through the Red Keep. Careful to avoid the Kingsguard and anyone else.
"We need to be careful." Rhaenyra whispered, as they reached the gate separating the keep from the city. "If we get caught I'll never be allowed to leave the keep again without a guard."
Rhys snorted. "There is no "we" Rhaenyra. My magic allows only you to see me."
Rhaenyra rolled her eyes, "you knew what I meant. Now, use your magic to get us past this gate."
Rhys nodded and within a minute black smoke surrounded them. When Rhaenyra opened her eyes, they were on the other side.
"What a good boy." Rhaenyra smiled.
Rhys rolled his eyes, but playfulness sparkled in his eyes. She hadn't smiled or laughed in weeks, and Rhaenyra knew he was relieved to see her playful side returning.
Rhaenyra made her way through the streets of King's Landing, and she suddenly felt grateful for the protection of Rhys' magic. She felt anger and sadness prickle underneath her skin. Why had Daemon been so stupid? She wondered. It was no secret about what Daemon did in the city. Drinking, and fucking. But whatever he did, he did mostly out of anger toward her father and the council.
Walking up the steps to the Dragonpit, Rhaenyra suddenly felt happy, calm even, and with Rhys' help, she quickly readied Syrax for the flight over the sea. "Do you think he'll be happy to see me?"
"Of course. My father thinks of you like a daughter, and Nimbus will be happy as well." Rhys reassured her.
***
The flight was quiet and relaxing. The night air felt cool against her skin and Rhaenyra was thankful for the cold. Syrax dipped low in the wind, dragging her claws through the water. Her wings beating the surface of the water, as she flew upward again.
Rhaenyra took a deep calming breath. Elena's kingdom lay far ahead, protected by a magic bearer to prevent anyone or anything from entering, memories played in Rhaenyra's head. The countless hours she would spend training in the yard. Learning about Elena's history and culture with tours and meetings. The constant talk of war and fighting. Rhaenyra remembered it all so clearly.
Being crowned the Dragon Queen and uniting the realm, people cheered her name as she set them free. Riding Syrax into battle, drawing her sword, and defending those who could not defend themselves.
Flying through the bearer, Rhaenyra gazed around the forest beneath her. She smiled as she flew beyond the mountains, watching people point as she flew past.
At last the island came into view, landing a few feet away from the castle. Rhaenyra dismounted from Syrax, running her hand down her snout before Syrax lifted into the air, roaring, and flying around the castle.
As Rhaenyra climbed the steps, torches lit and gilded her as she went higher. Reaching the top, the guards bowed and quickly opened the door. Walking through the hall, Ser Longwood and Ser Blackrun appeared along with Lyra.
"Do you think we should tell her, Ser Longwood?" Lyra asked.
"Tell me what, Lyra?" Rhaenyra called, before the knight could reply.
Their heads snapped up at the sound of her voice. Immediately, they straighten up, bowing their heads.
"Your Grace." Ser Longwood stepped forward, "welcome back. I was not informed of your arrival."
"Yes, I'm sure no one knew I was coming back at this hour." Rhaenyra replied, shifting her gaze to Lyra. "I suppose you have something to tell me?"
Lyra stiffened, her eyes filled with happiness, but Rhaenyra could see the sadness in them.
"Perhaps, you should talk to Ranix? Your Grace." Ser Longwood suggested. "I was told he wanted to speak with you."
Rhaenyra groaned. Ranix was the current Lord of Shadows and Rhys' father. They shared a close bond. Ranix was often checking on her. As Rhaenyra approached the throne room, the door quickly opened. Ranix stood in front of the throne. Rhys, and Nimbus were standing on either side of the throne.
"Ranix?" Rhaenyra called, slowly walking across the room.
Ranix turned, pulling her into a tight embrace. "Skorkydoso glaesā, ñuha dōna riña?" Ranix asked softly.
(How are you, my sweet girl)
"Skorkydoso gaomagon ao gīmigon?" Rhaenyra whispered, pulling back to see his face. "Gōntan Rhys ivestragon ao?"
(How do you know? Did Rhys tell you?)
Ranix shook his head. "Nyke felt ziry, rȳ se bond; nyke gīmigon bona jurnegon mirre naejot sȳrī."
(I felt it, through the bond; I know that look all to well)
Rhaenyra stared at him, confused. "What do you mean?"
"Come, walk with me."
As they walked through the garden, hand in hand. Ranix was telling Rhaenyra about the different types of flowers and how they are used by the healers. Rhaenyra felt her annoyance grow.
"Ranix, you said you wanted to talk. If I had known were you just going to talk about flowers, I would've asked Lyra to come with me."
"I don't want to talk about flowers. Ranix turned to face her. "Have you ever wondered why I never told you about my wife?"
"Rhys told me she died when he was a babe." Rhaenyra replied.
Ranix nodded, "Ellie was the love of my life. The mother of my children, when she was with child the healer said that because of a health problem she would die if she went through with the pregnancy. Ellie decided to choose our child's life over her own."
Rhaenyra's hands trembled, looking down, she took a breath.
"Ellie died soon after, but she made me promise that I would love and protect our son until he no longer needed me." Ranix gently held Rhaenyra 's hand. "Your mother knew there was always a risk, and I believe she would want you to be happy, not feel guilty about her death."
"You say that like it's easy." Rhaenyra wiped her tears away and Ranix pulled into his chest.
"It's the hardest thing in the world." Ranix whispered. "But you weren't the only one making decisions that day, so stop hogging all the blame and the guilt."
Rhaenyra sobbed, collapsing into Ranix's arms.
***
A while later, Rheanyra was going through her room when Lyra entered. Nimbus behind her, and Rhaenyra laughed when he ran toward her. Lyra followed more slowly.
"What are you doing?"
"I'm just going through some things." Rhaenyra said, not looking up from a box full of books.
Lyra carefully sat down on the floor in front of her. "Need help?"
Rhaenyra shook her head. "No. You should be resting in your condition."
Lyra's eyes widened. "How—"
"Ranix told me." Rhaenyra said softly, "I'm very happy for Lyra, and I understand why you weren't going to tell me."
"Rhys said it might have been too soon, and because of your mother's death. You could have been angry." Lyra explained.
Rhaenyra nodded.
Hours passed, and yet the two women sat together. Going through boxes and chests, Rhaenyra smiled as Nimbus dropped a pile of books at her feet. Carefully, Rhaenyra picked up the last one, covered in dust and dirt. Rhaenyra whipped her hand across the surface; the book read: The Tale of the Dragon Queen and the Great Battle.
"Oh, you found it." Lyra said, excitedly. "I haven't seen that book in years."
"Nearth have I." Rhaenyra replied. "Do you think it was worth it? Do you think I've been a good Queen?"
"I'm not going to lie, there were times I doubted you back then, but as I grew to know you, I knew you were meant to be Queen." Lyra gripped her arm. "To answer your other question, yes. I know it was worth it because watching you grow into who you are today, that's what makes it worth it."
***
Rhaenyra sat at the small table in her chambers, her daggers in hand. After going through books and scrolls about her past years, Rhaenyra wondered if she had been away from her mother far too often. Ranix's words echoed in her head; she hadn't realized that Rhys had suffered the same experience as her, losing a mother at a very young age. She couldn't imagine being in this world without her mother, never knowing her. But she was without her mother now; even though she was still within her heart. Rhaenyra never felt so far away from her.
It seemed funny, Rhaenyra had been crowned a Queen, working to free people and rewrite history and law. Now she was in a great game. The Game of Thrones.
Rhaenyra knew the realm would be fractured by her being named heir, but she also knew she wouldn't be able to serve to kingdoms, she would have to choose.
"Your Grace?"
"Enter, Ser Longwood." The knight stepped into the room, standing by the door. Rhaenyra stood, setting her draggers aside.
"I need you to do something for me. I need you to find Elena and bring her to me." Rhaenyra didn't want her best friend and sister to be dragged into the castle, but she had no choice. Elena had been absent from court for days, and no one had seen her.
"Of course, Your Grace." Rhaenyra knew that Ser Longwood wouldn't fail her. As the healers and maids readied her, she felt her threatening to break free from her chest, but she forced the feeling away. Now, she had to become the Queen.
Sarah braided her silver hair back into one long braid and gently sat her crown upon her head. The crown was solid gold with a single ruby in the middle. The daggers were placed under her dress. Ser Blackrun approached with her sword, kneeling in front of her. Rhaenyra gently took it in her hands. The blade had been forged from the strongest, but lightest metal, being engraved with gold and red from the hilt to the tip. To symbolize her connection to Syrax and Caraxes along with the daggers.
Walking down the corridors with the Dragonguard around her. Rhaenyra felt power running through her veins. The doors to the throne room were opened and everyone kneeled.
"Rhaenyra Targaryen of the House Targaryen, First of Her Name, the Princess of Dragonstone, Rightful Queen of the Andals and the Rhoynar and the First Men, Lady of the Seven Kingdoms, Protector of the Realm, the Dragon's Daughter, and Queen of Dragons!" The room was silent, as Rhaenyra climbed the steps up to the throne. Rhys and Nimbus stood on either side. The Dragonguard stood in lines facing each other, hands resting atop their swords. Sitting down, the people rose from the floor; all but Rhys and Nimbus sat with her. Rhaenyra gazed around the room, the faces of Lords and Ladies she knew.
"Bring forth Elena Moonshade of the Northern Kingdom."
Gasps erupted throughout the room, as Elena walked up to the throne. Her blue and white dress trailing behind her. Looking into her eyes, Rhaenyra could see fear and guilt.
"Elena." Elena lifted her chin. "The Great Council has demanded an answer for your disappearance among its ranks, and punishment for your secrecy. How do you intend to answer these truths?"
"I must ask forgiveness, my Queen. I did not intend to anger the court."
"That may be it." Rhaenyra said firmly, "but your duty is to the court first, is it not?"
"Yes, my Queen. There is nothing to say about my absences, and as for my secrecy, I accept any punishment given by the court."
"Very well, I hear by declare you, Elena Moonshade, to be confined to the castle until the Council has declared you worthy of having a place among them. You are to be stripped of your weapons, and for now on you will be accompanied by guards, and if you disobey your punishment will be far worse."
***
By the time Rhaenyra prepared to fly back to King's Landing, the sun was high above the clouds. Viserys surely knew by now that she was not in the Red Keep. Closing her eyes, Rhaenyra let the emotions she'd been holding in pour down her face.
Out of all the battles she had fought, the pain she endured, Rhaenyra had never felt so lost, for she was in a battle of tears. The hardest battle she had ever faced.