When Daemon awoke he found himself in his room once more, a cold and damp cloth resting on his forehead and his chest as he faced the roof of his bed. Outside he could hear the birds and distant sounds of people speaking.
I'm back here? What happened?
His memories seemed like a haze as his head ached from a pain within.
He tried to sit up, removing the cloth from his head and chest and placing it to the side in a bowl of water. Suddenly his door opened and a familiar face greeted him.
"Agatha?" Daemon asked, his voice croaky.
"Prince Daemon!" Agatha exclaimed as she rushed over to him "Please, lay down!" she reached out her hands to him yet hesitated touching him, she looked towards the door and back to him "I shall go and get Maester Allar, please stay put!" she quickly rushed out of the room and Daemon flopped back into bed, placing the palm of his hand against his forehead.
A few moments later Allar entered the room, Daemon had already placed on some clothes he had gotten from a wardrobe and sat on his bed, washing his face with the water from the bowl.
"Prince Daemon, you're awake."
"Maester Allar, good to see you, this has become a rather annoying occurrence." Daemon jested with a smile as he got up from his bed.
"Please sit down." Daemon sat down as Allar instructed as the old man stood over him "Maid, fetch the prince a fresh bowl and a skin of water now." He told Agatha, she quickly picked up the old bowl and rushed out of the room "How are you feeling, My Prince?"
"Agatha."
"My Prince?"
"Her name is Agatha." Daemon told him, irritated by the tone he had spoken to Agatha with "Not 'Maid' it's Agatha." Maester Allar looked at him perplexed before nodding his head. "I had a slight pain in my head but that has gone, what happened?"
The Maester breathed in and wet his lips slightly "We are not sure, what we know is only what had been reported by the dragonkeeper who had escorted you; he said that your dragon Caraxes had cried out, waking the other dragons in the pit, when he rushed back to the chamber that contained your dragon he found you laying on the ground."
Daemon must have looked at the man completely perplexed.
Why wasn't I eaten?
"And afterwards?" Daemon asked "Did the dragonkeepers retrieve me from Caraxes chamber and bring me here."
"It not that simple, from what the keeper and ser Robin had said, your dragon seemed to be guarding over your body, threatening anyone who dared to approach and take you away."
Daemon raised his eyebrow.
It was guarding me?
"One of the dragonkeepers got a rather horrible burn when they tried to retrieve your body." Allar explained, Daemon bit the inside of his cheek and clenched his fist at the news of that "It was only until your father was brought before the dragon that they were able to take you away from Caraxes and back to the Red Keep to be examined.
God… they must have been so worried.
He thought of Baelon, no doubt the sight of his son, laid out on the ground once more had terrified him that the worst had happened once more.
Viserys must have been worried too, and Aemma.
In that moment he was thankful that perhaps Rhaenyra was too young to understand what was going on around her. Else he bring worry to her too.
He thought of his the old king, his grandfather and wondered whether the news had phased him.
But what had set a pit in his stomach was the thought of Alysanne, the dotting grandmother waiting for him with Gael on Dragonstone; no doubt she was racked with fear, stress and worry at the news of him going back into a coma again.
"How long was I asleep for?" Daemon asked.
"A about ten days this time." Allar replied "When you were brought to me it was as if your body was burning on the inside, you were hot to the touch, we had tried to cool down your body and it seems the Gods were good; we were able to bring you back to normal very quickly, much to the relief of everyone, My Prince."
Daemon swallowed slightly "That is good, thank the Gods it was not longer."
"I recommend that you remain in bed for a few days, perhaps it was too soon for you to be exerting yourself after your long sleep." The Maester recommended.
Daemon shook his head "Afraid not, I had promised his Grace that I would be gone in four turns of the moon, I shan't break our agreement." Daemon stood up and Allar placed a hand on his shoulder
"I am sure that his Grace, your grandfather, can be persuaded to reconsider after this." Allar argued. "Your father Baelon will no doubt argue in favour of it."
Daemon sighed.
He would, wouldn't he…
"I can't stay here and have my father worry over my every move." Daemon said "I have caused him enough stress already, I have a lot of work to do and such a short time before I head back to my lady wife, if his Grace must inform Lord Royce that my return will be postponed despite being able-bodied then some may question the word of the king and House Targaryen."
Maester Allar stood silent and considered his words "Perhaps you are right." He admitted.
"I thank you for your service, Maester Allar." Daemon said "But I should return to my duties, no doubt this time away will have made my body weak once more, you have my word that I will not over exert myself."
"That is good, please take care." Maester Allar said "But for today, I think it will be better for you to be watched over." The door opened and Agatha re-entered the room, Allar paused "Agatha, place the bowl and skin of water on the bedside table." Agatha placed both down and bowed her head "That will be all, you have our thanks." Daemon looked to Agatha and gave her a say smile and bowed his head slightly. "I recommend that you take sips of this throughout the day, keep yourself cool."
"Of course, thank you."
"All your writings and journals have been left here for you too." He pointed to them, stacked neatly on his desk "No doubt Prince Baelon and Viserys will be around to see you once they hear the good news." Allar bowed his head "Take care, My Prince."
"Thank you, Maester Allar." The Maester left his room, closing the door behind him. Daemon sat down on the bed once more and placed his head in his hand.
What the hell happened again?
He tried his best to recall what had happened to him back in the dragon pit; the longer he sat down and tried to reach into his memories the more he was able to recall.
He remembered being in such immense pain; he had collapsed onto his knees and his vision went dark, unsure what had happened afterwards.
Daemon placed a hand over his heart and clutched at his chest.
Fucking Daemon…
He remembered the urge to run out of the chamber that Caraxes was in and then whatever pain or control that Daemon had managed to exert as he forced him to stay put. The two in conflict with each other.
He stood up from his bed and began to pace back and forth as he contemplated this.
How much control does Daemon have? Not a lot, close to nothing, but enough to hurt me and push me into a certain actions or directions maybe? All I feel is his emotions… and when he is angry and that's directed at me, that's when it hurts."
He sat down at his desk and opened one of his journals to a blank page, writing it down.
If neither of us budge then… does the body overheat? No that's stupid. But it must cause some kind of damage, maybe it causes too much stress to our body? Either way, I'll need to work on overpowering him more in future.
I can usually throw him into some kind of box each time but he caught me off guard there... and then there's the question of whether he would stop even if I kept throwing him in.
He placed the quill back into its pot as he rubbed his face and thought back to his experience in the dragon pit; the blood Wrym just a mere meter away from him. He had thought he would die right then, end up as a nice meal or snack to the dragon yet-
He guarded me? The dragon must still be loyal to its rider?
The fear that had once consumed him was replaced with curiosity.
Why?
He must have spent hours of this day trying to figure out the question to that; did the dragon still see Daemon as Daemon? Did the dragon know that I'm in control, does the dragon know that his rider is still here? Did the dragon simply take pity on him?
Too many questions with varying implications.
Viserys, Aemma and Rhaenyra were the first to visit him this time. Viserys seeing Daemon looking hale and hearty seemed to bring some encouragement to him as he embraced him tightly "Brother!" he exclaimed "It seems the Gods can not keep you down no matter how they try and how many time they may!" Viserys laughed as he tapped him on the back roughly.
"It is joyous to see you already in good health, Prince Daemon." Aemma said, carrying Rhaenyra in her arms. "We had all kept you in our prayers during those times."
Daemon placed a chaste kiss on both her cheeks before placing one on Rhaenyra's forehead. "Thank you, good-sister." He smiled at her "You're prayers seemed to have worked wonders."
"Father had been in a horrible state when he received word of your accident, we had all feared the worse but I'm sure he his gladdened by the news that you have returned to us, he had told us what he had come upon when he arrived at the pit." Viserys said. "What had happened?"
Daemon recited what the Maester had told them and then what he could remember from his own memories, doing well also to hide what had a happened between him and Daemon.
"My sincerest pardons, I had never meant to worry you all as such." Daemon said.
"All is forgiven, Grandfather was prepared to send word to the Vale to inform Lord Royce and your lady wife had you of not awaken soon." Viserys waved his hand.
Daemon nodded his head "And how is Grandmother? How is Gael? Were they told?"
Viserys visibly grimaced "We thought it was best that we should not inform the Queen of what had occurred just yet, she's already too much to shoulder on."
Daemon clenched his fist and squirmed in his seat a bit, he could feel the time slipping through his finger tips as he wondered how much longer he had to prevent Gael's death. "I think we should send her a raven, at least saying that I am now in good health but also of the incident."
"Are you good health?" Aemma questioned, forgoing the titles.
"Maester Allar did say they would need to keep watch of me for now but as of now I am well." Daemon said "I hope that by tomorrow I will be back in the courtyard and maybe-" he cleared his throat, hiding the fact he had to force the words out "get back to riding my dragon."
Viserys laughed "Nothing can stop you there, not even the Gods."
"Please take care of yourself, Prince Daemon." Aemma said "And do get plenty of rest."
"Please Aemma, Daemon is a man-grown, he does not need any mothering." Viserys jested.
"Thank you for your concern, good-sister, it warms my heart." Daemon said, placing his hand on his chest. Daemon looked to Rhaenyra "Make sure to be on your best behaviour, little one, your mother gets enough grief from your father and uncle as it is." The remark earned a giggle and chuckle from both Aemma and Viserys respectively.
"We should head off now, father will be here to see you soon." Viserys said clapping his hands together. "Aemma is right, Daemon, do get plenty of rest, even just for today."
"I shall brother, worry no longer." Viserys embraced Daemon tightly, Daemon lightly hugged Aemma and Rhaenyra as they departed from his room.
For the rest of the day, Daemon continued to read and write in the empty pages of his journal of what had happened to him in the dragonpit.
I will need to ask Ser Robin what he had seen and the dragonkeepers too.
As he thought back to Caraxes he was still filled with a sense of foreboding and anxiety, yet now confusion had been layered in. The night had come, the light of the moon pouring into his room. He stood up from his desk, his hands aching slightly.
Why do I write so much now?
He thought back to when he had a laptop and a phone to use whenever he was bored. He really started to miss all the home luxuries he had in his past life; he started to wonder about his friends and co-workers, his neighbours his-
Wait.
Something was wrong.
Why? why can't I- why can't I remember their names?
He poured through his own memories, trying to pick anything from the now blurring memories in his mind. Yet each time it came out muffled or missing.
Fear gripped him as he came to an even greater, more terrifying realisation.
My name- why can't I remember…
He walked over the balcony in his room, the soft night breeze brushing his long hair against his cheek, he hoped it would clear his head. And yet as he gripped the railing of the balconey, closing his eyes trying to focus he searched through every inch of his memories, he tried to remember someone saying his name. But their words were muffled and worse... it was being replaced by another name.
Daemon.
No they didn't call me that! I had a name! I had name!
My name... it's Dae- No, no it wasn't Daemon, I had a name before him... it was-
Suddenly he heard the door slowly click open, he turned to see Baelon enter his room; a bewildered look on his face as he tentatively approached Daemon. The two were silent as they looked at each other; Daemon not knowing what to say and likely neither did Baelon.
As Baelon stepped out onto the balcony, Daemon could see the tears welling in his father's eyes. Baelon threw his arms around Daemon, holding onto him tightly as he buried his face into his shoulder weeping. "My son…" he muttered. "My boy… you're awake."
Daemon wrapped his own arms around Baelon as he held him tightly, his own tears threatening to fall from his eyes. "Father…" he could feel his own sadness being strengthened and empowered by the grief of the old Daemon.
Baelon pulled away and held Daemon's face in his hands as they both looked at each other with red eyes filled with relief. "I had thought I lost you…"
Daemon smiled "I'm not going anywhere, father." He told him. "Not yet at least." Baelon couldn't help but laugh "Forgive me, I never meant for you to worry about me once more."
Baelon pulled him back into a tight embrace "There is nothing to forgive, I will always worry about you, it is part of being a father." He pulled back once more and looked at him for but a moment, as if carefully considering his next words "I shall speak to my father, we will write a raven to Lord Royce and your lady wife and tell him not to expect you too soon."
"Please father, I am fine." Daemon gripped one of Baelon's hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze "Trust me, father." He asked him "Place your faith in me, I can do this, the king has said I have four turns of the moon and that is all the time I shall use."
"Daemon… I can not risk that." Baelon looked to the floor "I will speak with the king, I can plead, beg or argue, I just… I can't let something happen to you again."
"Truly father I am fine, you have my word that if anything happens then I shall quickly alert Maester Allar to it."
"Daemon… I see you clutching your chest every so often? You think a father wouldn't notice their own son in pain?"
Daemon paused for a moment "I will not lie and say I haven't been up to full strength but please… please believe me when I say to you that I can control it." He felt is chest burn slightly and he fought back the urge to grab at his chest and instead breathed in deeply. "I know my own strength father, I cannot let the word of house Targeryen been seen as something that can be swayed than ironclad."
Baelon shook his head, leaning his own weight against Daemon as if to stop himself from falling to the ground "Even now, you are too much like your mother; I can not stop either of you two to do something you set your mind to."
Daemon remembered the princess Alyssa, the fiery personality who rode Meleys, wore chainmail and wielded weapons. "It's why you loved her."
"That is indeed why." Baelon agreed, a soft smile on his lips "There is likely nothing that will change your mind and I know you well enough that you will see a curfew as a challenge than anything, at least until tomorrow you should rest." he paused "So be it, I trust you."
In the calm silence Daemon asked Baelon one simply question.
"Father, who I am?" his voice was almost feeble, weak and unsure.
Baelon gripped his shoulders and looked him in the eyes.
"You are Daemon, you are my son."
When the morning came, Daemon was already awake before the birds had begun to herald the sun. Unable to do anything until the kingsguard member by his door allows him to leave. Doing some stretches and exercise when the orange light of the sun gleamed through.
He wiped his face with a dry cloth on his table and stared at himself in the mirror; a part of him still hadn't gotten use to seeing the reflection before him, as he looked away his eyes drifted towards some empty parchment.
Maybe I should write to Alysanne, warn her of what will happen?
Yet he knew deep down he couldn't; if it went either way, either telling Alysanne that Gael will take her own life after the death of her son, then questioned would asked of how Daemon could have known and he could not risk being seen as something mystical and place a target on his back.
Plenty of those types meet bad ends in this world.
When the servants washed he greeted them, washed himself, got changed into his clothes and ate breakfast did he finally leave his room.
Ser Robin waited for him outside "My Prince." He said, bowing his head "I am overjoyed to see that you are well." Despite the silence, Daemon knew there was more Robin wanted to say "I- forgive me, for my moment of weakness, I could not protect you."
Daemon raised his hand "There is nothing to forgive, what could you have done? Slain Caraxes? You would have either died or brought the wrath of my House on you; do not be so unkind to yourself ser, you are a good knight and a good man."
Robin bowed his head "Thank you, my Prince, you are too kind, where to today?"
Daemon shifted his belt, the scarab of Dark sister tapping his thigh as he adjusted the strap of his belt carrying his journals. "The Dragonpit."
The ride to the dragonpit this time round was still terrifying, with each step of their horses Daemon could feel that familiar fear and dread begin to dig its claws into him and yet. But, perhaps from Daemon or himself, he felt determined and drew courage from that. When they arrived at the entrance to the pit they were greeted to by the dragonkeepers.
"My Prince." They greeted him "it gladdens us to see you well."
"Thank you, I'm here to see Caraxes." He turned to Robin and nodded his head as if to say 'I shall be fine.' He told h before once more entering the dark entrance into the pit. This time Daemon took in more of the pit; he spotted Vhagar, slumbering in its chamber, he also spotted the dark scales and wings of Dreamfyre and then the bronze colouring of Vermithor as he devoured the charred remains of some animal.
Daemon shut his eyes and tried to steady his rapidly beating heart as he continued to follow the dragonkeeper. When they reached the chamber that held Caraxes he felt the urge to run once more yet Daemon held still as he stared at the red dragon, this time awake and aware of it's rider's arrival.
Daemon stepped into the chamber and walks towards it, trying to hide the shaking in his legs.
It didn't kill me when I was here before, it could have killed me when I was on my knees and it tried to protect me when I was unconscious.
He could feel the golden eyes of Caraxes on him staring back at him, digging holes into his skull. Daemon dug deep, taking some of the bravery and determination had swelled in his chest; he did not know if that was his own or if it was Daemon's and yet he drew from it.
Please…
Caraxes approached his rider, its steps almost shaking the ground. As the dragon began to overshadow him he wanted nothing more than to run for the door. Yet the burning in his chest urged him to stay put. He reached his hand out to the snout of the dragon, its hot breathe rushing through the spaces between his fingers.
He placed his hand on the snout, it was warm to the touch and strangely smooth as he rubbed his hand on it. Caraxes almost most seemed to lean into his touch, Daemon placed his another hand on it's jaw, his hand brushing against it's scales, softly growling or purring as he did so.
Daemon almost wanted to laugh as the dread subsided and he himself became more familiar to the dragon, he could feel the smile form on his lips.
You're like a dog, a giant fire breathing lizard dog.
"You're beautiful, aren't you?" the dragon hummed in agreement, he turned to the dragonkeeper standing by the door watching him "It is fine, you can go." The dragonkeeper nodded his head and left Caraxes and Daemon alone together. His eyes traced the outline of every scale, taking in the moment as his hands pressed against the scales as if to convince himself that this was real.
Dragons are real.
Now I have to figure out how to ride a dragon?
"We have a long journey ahead of us." Daemon looked up to the dragon's neck and sighed as he pressed his head against the scales.