As dusk fell, Rhaegar's footsteps came to a halt in the middle of a farmland, his gaze fixed on the rocky mountain range in the distance, devoid of vegetation.
"Your Grace, we should return to the castle," Cole, acting as his guard, advised.
Rhaegar's eyes lingered on the distant mountains as he muttered, "The island's active volcano is that way."
"Your Grace, the Princess will be displeased if we delay any longer," Cole sighed helplessly.
"I understand. We'll be back before nightfall," Rhaegar replied, his determination unwavering.
After traversing the small town on the island, Rhaegar gathered a wealth of information, including the approximate location of Vermithor and Silverwing's lair.
"Let's go, Ser Cole," Rhaegar called, taking one last look at a group of silver-haired children playing near the town's entrance before turning back.
Curious, Cole inquired, "Your Grace, do you long for company?"
"No, I was merely intrigued by the color of their hair," Rhaegar replied. The sight of the children's silver hair made him wonder if any of them might be his half-brothers.
After all, his father had been quite vigorous and robust in his youth.
...
In the evening, after the family had finished dinner and retired to their rooms, Rhaenyra and Rhaegar retired to their bedroom, as was their custom, and engaged in quiet conversation.
Rhaenyra broached the subject first. "Cole mentioned you were in town?"
"I was looking for a young dragon to tame," Rhaegar replied calmly.
"It would be advantageous for you to have one. A young dragon is better for a young Targaryen. Syrax and I have been companions since childhood," Rhaenyra remarked, understanding her sibling's desire for a dragon.
After a moment of thought, she continued, "Alicent came to see me and we had a long talk."
"What did she want?" Rhaegar inquired.
"I aske her the same question," Rhaenyra replied thoughtfully. "She mentioned my engagement and made some remarks that I dismissed."
"And?" Rhaegar prompted.
"I was in a sour mood, but Alicent was unfazed. She even brought up the whereabouts of the two young dragons," Rhaenyra recounted.
"So you find it..." Rhaegar began.
"Suspicious!" they both exclaimed at the same time, sharing a knowing smile.
Rhaegar chuckled, "Alicent is sneaky. For her to seek you out, she must have an ulterior motive."
"I agree. Alicent has always excelled at everything since childhood, and she harbors a deep-seated grudge against me. She would not extend kindness without a reason," Rhaenyra admitted with a wry smile.
Rhaegar inquired further, "Where did she say the two young dragons were?"
"They were sighted fighting on the east coast," Rhaenyra revealed.
"Given their proximity to an active volcano, it's plausible," Rhaegar analyzed the location.
Dragons thrived in high-temperature environments, making the caves beneath the volcano an ideal habitat for them.
Rhaenyra's grip tightened around a strand of hair, her determination evident in her eyes. "We must find the two young dragons before they do."
"They are probably unharmed. There's no need to rush," Rhaegar remarked, indifferent to the urgency.
"What do you know? There are only three suitable dragons, and a gifted young dragon will grow quickly in the future," Rhaenyra retorted, her frustration evident as she slapped his arm.
"I wouldn't know the dragons if I saw them. How am I supposed to tell the difference?" Rhaegar regretted.
Rhaenyra sat up and gave him a sharp look. "Choose Sunfyre! The dragon with the golden scales and pale pink wing membranes."
"Sunfyre hatched from the same clutch as your Syrax?" Rhaegar asked.
"That is correct. Sunfyre hatched a few years after Syrax and is a magnificent specimen. You must claim it," Rhaenyra pointed out, her concern evident.
"Two Targaryen siblings, each riding a golden dragon, quite a spectacle," Rhaegar chuckled at the thought.
"Rhaegar, I'm serious. Sunfyre is a perfect match for you. You wouldn't want Aegon to claim it, would you?" Rhaenyra's concern for her brother's choice of dragon was palpable. She had reserved Sunfyre for Rhaegar's taming if he failed to hatch his own eggs by his tenth nameday.
On this expedition, both Rhaegar and Aegon were tasked with taming their dragons, so Rhaenyra had arranged for Rhaegar to bond with Sunfyre first.
As fate would have it, the eruption of the volcano forced the two young dragons to leave their lair.
If Alicent had actually stumbled upon Sunfyre first and handed it over to Aegon for taming, Rhaenyra would feel sick.
Seeing his sister on the verge of losing her temper, Rhaegar stifled a smile and assured her earnestly, "I will make every effort to tame Sunfyre and prevent Aegon from claiming it."
"Hmph, that's more like it," Rhaenyra murmured softly, settling back down.
In her mind, it was only fitting that the two siblings should each tame a golden dragon; it was the decree of fate.
...
Early the next morning, Rhaegar rose from his bed and, with the help of the maid, donned a set of black dragon-themed robes.
Running his fingers over the dragonscale shoulder pads, Rhaegar sighed, "Must I really dress like this?"
Rhaenyra, lying lazily on the bed, replied breathlessly, "The material of the dragon costume is exceptionally durable and breathable, perfect for extended activities."
"I'll wear whatever you want as long as you agree to my participation in the dragon search," Rhaegar asserted. He had spent the previous night trying to persuade Rhaenyra to allow him to join the search party, and had finally received her approval.
Before he could leave, Rhaenyra called to him, "I do not feel well. Cole will accompany you, and another team of dragonkeepers will be dispatched to follow."
"Don't worry. No matter how petty Alicent may be, she wouldn't dare lay a hand on me," Rhaegar reassured her, patting his chest confidently as he set off with a sense of excitement.
...
After leaving the castle, Rhaegar made his way to the active volcano, his goal not being a young dragon, thus avoiding the need to go to the eastern coast.
"Your Grace, shouldn't we go to the east coast first?" Cole interjected, noting the change in their direction and furrowing his brow in concern.
Rhaegar responded with a rhetorical question, "The information about the East Coast came from Alicent. Do you think it's all true?"
Cole hesitated, at a loss for words. He had heard about the tense relationship between the Queen and the Prince during their journey and understood the animosity between the two parties.
"So, are you willing to accompany me?" Rhaegar pressed, his gaze shifting to the white robes draped over Cole's body.
Somewhat taken aback, Rhaegar remarked, "The white robes signify the honor of the Kingsguard, correct?"
"Yes, Your Grace," Cole affirmed, his hand caressing the fabric with a hint of pride in his eyes. "I came from humble beginnings, serving a certain lord as a teenager before earning battle honors in a conflict with the Dornish. It was through these trials that I earned the honor I hold today."
"You value your current position highly, don't you?" Rhaegar asked with a faint smile.
Cole nodded solemnly. "Indeed, Your Grace. These white robes bestow upon me unparalleled honor and dignity."
Rhaegar couldn't help but feel a strange sensation at Cole's white robes. The pristine hue evoked a sense of purity.
Remembering a dream he once had, Rhaegar wondered aloud, "If it were soiled, would it not lose its purity?"
Looking at the steadfast Cole, uncertainty flickered in Rhaegar's eyes.
"Cole, cherish it and keep it pure," Rhaegar instructed evenly.
"I will, Your Grace," Cole replied, though perplexed by the prince's emphasis on preserving the white robes. Still, he smiled and offered his assurance, his eyes bright with anticipation for the future.
(word count: 1285)