[A/N: Something special for the 30th chapter, more than 1k words, yayyyy. But for real, I wanted to write a special moment as the 30th, to not draw out anything too long. Took me a while to write considering that it is currently 12am and I got out of work pretty tired so when I upload this, I will definitely hit the hay and when I wake up, I'll decide if there's another chapter for the day.
If there is one, I might put the story on a quick hold until I get The Black Lord to 60 Chapters.]
[Many Months Later]
(Aerion's POV)
"My Lord, I-" I heard Maester Gerardys say as I turned to see him, holding three spears in my arms close to my chest
"Oh, Maester." I said with a look of surprise
I was in one of my chambers, I had decided to rummage about the armory and found some spears that looked good for combat. I did not hear the Maester answer, it must be because I was so focused on something else.
He had a perplexed look, "My Lord, it's been months since you have given up on your hunt..." He said as he walked up to me, "Do you intent to return to it? The hunt for the Cannibal?"
I shook my head, "Oh, that? No." I said as I chuckled, "No, I wanted to take these spears and refashion them. See, I've been in the caverns that contain dragonglass veins and well, I want to see if I can make some spear-heads. These spears are old and they might be of better use if I redo them."
"Ah, I see." He said, "Well, that is an interesting hobby you've taken. I did not know you know knew how to smith."
"Ah, my cousin Yohn is one, he's quite good. He taught me a bit." I said while shrugging, "What did you come to say, Maester?"
"Oh right, I've received a message to deliver to you." He said as I walked to a table, "From your fellow Royce Knights, funnily enough."
As I set the spears down, Maester Gerardys handed me the rolled up paper. I took it and opened it, reading its contents.
"My Lord Aerion,
Ser Willam and the other Knights have set sail to Dragonstone while accompanied by Genna. We have kept in touch with Princess Rhaenyra as you have rarely written to us in the past few months. Let's just say that Genna is rather upset about that. We have heard that the Princess is near the completion of her term and Ser Willam expects to arrive when she is in labor. I hope they arrive safely as well as the child.
Sincerely,
Andrea Royce "
I sighed, "Oh boy. The Knights of Runestone, huh? Well, that is certainly something. " I said, "Prepare rooms for their arrival. And have the armory doors locked, Genna might use some weapons on me. "
He chuckled, "As you wish, My Lord." He said as he bowed slightly before walking away
It has been months since my constant hunting of the dragon-eating beast that lurks in the mountains of Dragonstone. It was as elusive as always. There was one attempt that it did fight back longer than a minute and it left a minor wound on Vermithor, a gash on his chest, nothing too big. But it was not before the bronze grouch took a slight chunk of its right leg. It was a vicious battle and one that scared Rhaenyra and forbade me from going out anymore.
I had snuck out a few times without her knowledge but had no luck on tracking the Cannibal, he had probably gone into hiding.
I picked the spears back up and walked out of the room, holding them close to my chest as I smiled.
"My kid might like these gifts." I said with a slight chuckle,
"I really hope so."
************************************
"Whoa!" Lucerys said as he looked at the spearheads, "That is so cool!"
He reached for the dragonglass spearheads but not before I lightly tapped his hand.
"No." I said, "You'll cut yourself."
He frowned, "Ehh?" He said, "Why not?"
We were in one of the armory rooms, I had finished crafting the spearheads out of the obsidian that I mined a few days earlier. It was quite difficult, considering that I did not know much about crafting dragonglass, but with trial and error over the past few days, I managed to make some decent ones. I wanted perfect ones, however. Hopefully, Yohn will aid me in this endeavor.
"They're quite sharp." I told the prince as I wiped my hands with a rag, "I've been working hours on them, I don't want the first blood they taste to be your own."
"Why are you doing this?" I heard Jace say as he walked towards us, "Were you not going to train us today?"
I looked at him, he was holding a wooden practice sword as he had a slight frown on his face.
I nodded at one of the spear shafts that I refurnished, "I am going to make some obsidian spears." I said, "They'll be decorative, I suppose. I'll make sure the edges will be covered but I'll try to make them look pretty for when the babe comes."
"Our sibling?" he said, "You're going to give the kid a bunch of spears?"
I frowned, "What? Is that a problem?" I said as I patted my swords, "Boy or girl, the kid will inherit either of these swords one day. A couple of decorative spears won't hurt."
"Do you even know how to use a spear?" Jace asked
I nodded, "Yea. Obviously, I am not the best, but I trained in the art of thrusting." I said, "I'm good at that, though."
"Art of thrusting?" Luke said, "What kind of name is that?"
I raised an eyebrow, "What? You got a better name for that?"
"No, but if I did, it'd be better than that." He chuckled
"You think you know it all, hm?" I said as I ruffled his head, "Go to the training yard, I'll meet the two of you. I can spare an hour or two."
"Okay." Jace said before turning around and walking away
"This time I'll hit you once!" Luke said as he chuckled
"Sure buddy." I said with a chuckle,
"I doubt that."
************************************
"While you men have been going about swinging your wooden swords...." Rhaenyra said as she was being sat up by her midwives, "I have been here, waiting...."
She was sweating slightly as she gave me a smile, Elinda placing a pillow behind her as she adjusted herself.
"Apologies..." I said with a chuckle, "I was entertaining the princes."
"Well, I thank you for that." She said
She was a beautiful sight, her belly big and round as it hid in her white gown, Her long and white hair let loose, draping on her shoulders, and her piercing purple eyes looking straight at me. It was quite difficult to focus when she looked at me with such endearing eyes.
I walked over to her side of the bed as Elinda stepped back with a smile of her own, "How are you feeling?" I asked her
"I have done this three times already." She said as she patted her stomach, "But every time, I find it a chore, honestly."
I reached over and gently patted her stomach, feeling the babe's heart beating healthily. I have experienced one pregnancy in my lifetime; Genna, my aunt and Ser Gerold's younger sister. She gave birth to one of my younger cousins shortly after I claimed Vermithor. Ever since then, I did not pay attention to much of the Royce women's lives. I was a child back then and I found it unsettling, to see women in such uncomfortable positions. It made me respect them even more, truth be told.
Rhaenyra touched my hand as she looked at me with a smile, "What is it?"
"Hm..." I said, "It feels quite surreal."
"Yes..it does...." She said softly, "It also feels a bit wrong for me."
I raised an eyebrow, "How so?"
"Well, you are certainly not the oldest person in this room." She said
I glanced over at Elinda who cleared her throat and looked away. Obviously, everyone in this room knew this but nobody has ever whispered behind my back about it so I never paid it any mind.
I then looked back at Rhaenyra, "I have already told you that we should not say that aloud." I said as I pulled my hand away, "To not remind ourselves of that."
She nodded, "I know." She said, "But still."
"You know why we are in this position." I said, "Duty. And along the way, we found comfort in each other."
"Duty..." She whispered, "Comfort...."
I leaned into her and kissed her on the forehead, "You have done something amazing for me, my dear wife." I whispered to her, "I will never forget this...."
She smiled, "Thank you."
"No, thank you." I said as I stroked her hair, "Anyways, you should let your hair down more often, you look like an absolute goddess like this. Do not get me wrong, I like it when you braid it but this....this is better."
"There are times when you see it let down like this." She said, "How do you think we're in this position?"
"P-Princess!" Elinda gasped
I looked at the midwives, they were all looking away and chuckling.
"The Princess does feel comfortable with you ladies, speaking like this." I said with a chuckle as I straightened up, "Please take care of her, I leave her in your care."
"Of course, My Lord." Elinda said softly
I then heard the doors open and I saw as Maester Gerardys walked in, smiling at Rhaenyra.
"My Princess." He said as he walked to the other side of the bed, "How are you feeling today? You look as well as your last pregnancies."
"Good, Maester." She said
"That is great." He said, "Just let me know if there are any complications."
"I will probably yell them out, you know how I get." Rhaenyra said with a chuckle
"Of course." the Maester said before looking at me, "My Lord, one of the keepers wished to relay a message to you and the Princess. Syrax has been seen flying back to the dragonmont. Apparently, the past few days, they recognized patterns of egg-laying activities. There could be a clutch somewhere outside of the dragonmont."
I frowned, "Why would she lay a clutch somewhere outside their territory?" I asked, "She and Silverwing are in amicable terms, are they not?"
"That is strange." Rhaenyra said, "If there's a clutch somewhere out there, it is best we find them..."
I nodded, "Yes." I said, "I'll go and fetch them. Did they say in which direction, Maester?"
"North-west, My Lord..." He said
"That's...." I said, "Hm...Nevermind."
"Is there a problem?" Rhaenyra asked
I shook my head, "I'll go and fetch them, no issues."
"Will you take Vermithor?" She asked me
"Ah, I doubt it." I said, "A good hike would not hurt, would it?"
"You probably should." She said
"Worry not." I said, "I'll see if he's needed."
***************************************
Vermithor was not needed.
In the direction where the dragonkeepers pointed, I decided to climb my way through massive crevices and into a narrow ravine where a massive cavernous clearing was visible, light shining the large opening at the top, a clear entrance for a dragon of Syrax's size. Maybe a bigger dragon could fit through its entrance, but I doubt Vermithor could.
The keepers that accompanied me were waiting for me on the entrance of the ravine; the crevices that I entered through.
"Shit..." I said as I slipped and caught myself almost instantly, "I"m a bit high, eh?"
I looked down, the bottom of the clearing was still at least twenty feet down. Any slip, I could definitely fall down and break something, at least I think so.
I cautiously climbed my way down and dropped down as I was a few feet off the ground.
As I landed, I heard the slight sounds of rocks falling down from the crevices where I climbed down.
I patted my shirt and sleeves as I adjusted my sheath belt, feeling Lady Rhea's handle as I walked forward. I only brought one sword because I figured that two would get in the way of climbing through narrow spots; I was right, Lady Rhea was able to barely fit with me.
I walked forward and noticed several long markings on the ground as if something dragged itself through there.
"Syrax, mayhaps?" I said aloud as I crouched down and inspected the markings, "I don't know..."
I patted the pouch that I had strapped on me, checking if I had the iron pick on me; I did. I didn't want to come down here and find out that it had dropped through my climb here.
I then walked forward and noticed a large cave entrance at the far side of the clearing, the smell of smoke coming from it.
I scrunched my nose as I walked toward the entrance, waving some slight smoke out of my face the closer I got.
"What the hell is this?" I said as I heard a loud thud
As I got to the cave entrance, I felt a strong gust of wind hit me, and I heard a loud rumble.
I stopped and placed my hand on my sword's handle out of instinct, noticing a massive figure in the shadow of the cave's entrance, two bright green glows as the shadow slowly moved. For some reason, the closer I got to the entrance, the more visible it got but it was still somewhat dark.
"What..." I said
I then saw the massive black beast emerge from the shadow as it planted its left wing forwards, baring its teeth at me as it growled viciously. I noticed blood was dripping from its maw as I saw some pieces of dragon eggshells between its teeth.
It was the Cannibal.
I widened my eyes, "No fucking way...." I said as I took a step back, "Fucking hells...just my luck..."
I glanced down, seeing what looked like the head of a dragon that I did not recognize. I also noticed a set of three dragon eggs next to the head, two of which were already cracked and broken, blood and membrane pouring out from them. The last egg looked like it was unharmed, just to my luck.
I quickly deducted the situation; Syrax probably laid her clutch here, for some unknown reason and returned to the dragonmont because of either this thing or because she felt Rhaenyra was close to her labors, which is probable. Then, this fucking horrid beast happened upon the eggs while it brought its meal from a previous hunt and decided to enjoy itself to them
I gripped my hand on the handle of Lady Rhea, giving the Cannibal a serious glare as it came into full view, "Shit...." I said, "Maybe Vermithor was needed after all."
I was alone, save for the keepers who were outside. And this thing was probably going to attack me because I interrupted its meal.
The dragon was massive, as big as Vermithor, it was hard to tell which one was larger, but this one was more imposing, its pitch-black scales with almost no other coloring, it could blend into the shadows were it not for the light of its glowing green eyes that pierced right through me while it straightened up completely.
There was an odd sense of danger that I was feeling. Obviously, I was in danger, that much I knew. But for some reason, I did not feel as threatened as I felt when I claimed Vermithor. Something in the back of my head told me this thing was nowhere near as dangerous as the Bronze Fury.
Maybe I was just a fucking idiot. This Dragon was more dangerous than Vhagar currently; he was right in front of a Vulnerable Aerion Targaryen.
"What now....?" I muttered as I took another step back slowly
The Cannibal planted his right wing forward as he lowered his head, growling deeply and loudly. For some reason, I felt like he was sizing me up, studying my next move, deciding if I was a worthy prey or not.
One thing is for sure, I had to get the hell out of here. But I was not going to do that without the remaining egg.
The Cannibal then reared its head back as it opened its maw in a menacing demeanor.
"Shit!!" I shouted as I ran towards the bottom of its belly
I then slid myself forwards, feeling the force of it launching its maw forward; it had tried to devour me in a quick motion.
I then quickly got up and ran towards the egg, avoiding its legs stomping down as it roared loudly.
"Fuck!" I said as I avoided its tail swinging at me by diving forward and crashing hard against the ground
I heard as its tail hit a wall, shattering a good chunk of it.
I glanced back to see the Cannibal turning around, I noticed that his right hind leg had healed the wound that Vermithor gave it.
"Shit..." I said as I tried to get up to my knees and tripped on the blood and membranes of the egg, "Fuck!"
Coincidentally, I had landed right next to the dragon egg and in a quick motion, I picked it up and got back up to my feet, taking off into a sprint deeper into the cave as I saw the a bright green glow emit from behind me.
"Oh fuck fuck fuck!" I said as I sprinted fast
I then noticed a crevice on the cave wall and I slid to a stop, almost tripping and managed to lunge myself at it and get inside of it as I felt the intense heat.
As I stumbled into the crevice that was thankfully large enough to fit me, I looked back to see a wall of green flames fill the cave I was just in. The wave of heat hit me in the face and I stumbled down to my ass, closing my eyes as I felt like my skin was burning.
"Aghhh!!" I said as I shielded my face with my left arm as I held the egg close to my body with my right,
"Fuck....."
*********************************************
It has been hours, I do not know how many, but I felt like I was navigating through a labyrinth while I avoided the monster's flames. Thankfully, the stone was dense enough to stall the flames enough for me to run away every time I encountered the Cannibal as he had its maw opened and glowing bright already.
Who knows what this cave led to, I did not expect it to be this fucking large and full of crevices that a grown man can fit to. I do thank it for that, however, they are the reason I am still alive.
"Shit...." I said as I wiped the sweat off my forehead as I heard the massive thudding of The Cannibal's stomping, "I'm near the entrance, right?"
If I recall, the Cannibal drove me further into the cave, spitting its flames at me every chance it got. I thank the gods for blessing me this day; the flames' heat was nowhere near enough to scorch me. Cannot say the same for my clothing, however, it is charred and tattered already.
I had managed to evade my way back to the crevices that lead to the cave's entrance. If I can outrun it to the ravine's entrances, I can avoid it completely; the crevices are incredibly awkward, bending every few meters. I am sure that will shield me from its flames. Then it is a matter of running long enough to call for Vermithor. I am not a fool, I doubt I can harm it with my blade, even if it is valyrian steel, I had tried, his scales were tough.
Well, maybe I did not try hard enough.....but.....
What if I can exploit his wound? I thought it was fully healed but I caught a glimpse of a soft spot just behind its knee, maybe I can stab at it hard enough to cause it pain and mayhaps it would hit itself against the wall and cause a collapse.
It is a stupid plan, I could risk causing a serious cave-in and kill myself in the result, but I'll keep it mind.
I peeked out of the crevice, seeing its massive figure as it growled deeply, I noticed that in the far distance, the dragon's head was still there.
"Hm..." I said as I patted my pouch and felt the egg in there, "Maybe it is pissed off that I took the egg. Was Syrax's children that delicious, you horrid fuck?"
I saw as he placed his head inside a large crevice, growling loudly. I wondered if its sense of smell was weak or was the scent of smoke more overwhelming than my own. One thing is for sure, the Cannibal knew that I was here. It was like a cat trying to drive out a mouse, waiting and getting impatient by the second.
A wise person would probably ditch the egg and in hopes of it distracting the beast, escape. But I don't give a shit about being wise right now, this egg belonged to my child, it is meant to be in the cradle, not in the maws of a vile beast like this one.
I narrowed my eyes, spotting the old wound on its right leg. The Cannibal was between myself and the entrance, his head was in a crevice to my left, or to his right. His body was slightly shifted to his right, exposing the soft spot I saw earlier.
"If I'm quick enough....." I muttered, "I can do it....it's stupid, but fuck it. I've spent enough time here, I"m starving."
I slowly unsheathed my blade, trying not to make a sound that would alert it. For some reason, it still had its head inside the crevice, snorting loudly now. The gods were smiling upon me now, this was coming in my favor now.
The moment Lady Rhea was fully drawn, I took several deep breaths and launched myself into a sprint, making straight for its right leg.
The moment I approached it, it pulled its head out, turning towards me. It roared loudly but it was too late, I had already slid underneath its belly and immediately straightened up.
"Fuck you..." I muttered as I launched myself against its leg
In a quick motion, I thrust Lady Rhea into his leg, right on the healed wound aiming at the lightest shade of its flesh. I felt as my Valyrian steel slowly but surely pierced through. The moment I fully plunged the blade into it, the Cannibal let out a loud shriek as its body trembled violently.
"Aghh..." I said as the deafening roar hurt my ears
I then twisted the blade and used all of my force to swing it outward.
Now that the steel was inside, its sharp edge easily cleaved through the flesh and I felt as it fully escaped out, blood exploding outwards.
I felt blood splattered all over my body, the excruciating pain immediately settling it, due to the how boiling the fucking blood was.
"F-Fuck!!!" I said as I staggered and closed one of my eyes, "A-Aghhh!! It fucking burns!!!"
The Cannibal trashed its body to its right, shrieking loudly in pain as it hit against the wall.
That was my cue, I had to get the hell out of here. I bit my lip, braced through the pain of the boiling blood, and took off into a sprint, avoiding its trashing tail as I made it for the exit.
I heard the Cannibal's roar behind me as I passed the dragon head and devoured eggs, my blade still drawn in my hand.
I then felt the ground shaking as it began to barrel towards me, its maw opening widely as it limped and crashed against the walls.
"Seven hells!" I cursed as I watched several boulders crash down onto it
Pieces of the cave's roof probably broke off and they fell on it, must have hurt because it crashed the Cannibal on the ground as it got out of the cave.
It let out another pained shriek, but almost immediately, it straightened up, the boulders rolling off its massive body.
"I should've known that wouldn't be enough." I said as I raised my blade
The Cannibal then straightened up and opened his maw, preparing its green flames.
Suddenly, I heard a loud roar from above, a deafening and extremely familiar one.
I looked up and saw Vermithor narrowly flying through the opening at the top of the clearing, opening his mouth and firing a massive stream of his hot flames.
"Shit." I said as I jumped away to avoid the scorching heat of the flames
As I landed to a conveniently placed boulder to shield me from any stray flames, I looked to see Vermithor's flames hit the Cannibal dead on and a massive explosion resulted.
"Vermithos! You old grouch, you sought me out!!" I shouted with a grin on my face as Vermithor landed right next to me
I was stumbled by the force of his sudden landed but Vermithor was vocalizing loudly as he looked to my left.
I saw as the Cannibal emerged from the smoke and let out a roar, launching himself at Vermithor who launched himself up and avoided its maw, immediately pinning the black dragon on the ground by its neck as he roared loudly.
Maybe it was due to the sudden collapse and the flame breath out of nowhere, but the Cannibal did not look like had a victory in sight, the way Vermithor's claws dug into its neck.
I saw as the Cannibal struggled underneath Vermithor's weight, shrieking in pain and glaring at me.
I walked over to him, confidence overwhelming me with the presence of my dragon.
I saw its glaring eye pierce me, it bothered me.
"Hours in this wretched place, avoiding you like a cornered rat...." I grumbled as I reached it, "Not so menacing now, are you? You're in the presence of Vermithor, The Bronze Fury, and his rider. Maybe one of us alone you might take, but not the both of us. Although, I think Vermithor has a better chance in taking you alone."
Vermithor let out a deep growl as it snarled, baring his teeth at our enemy. He was definitely waiting on my command, not wanting to take the glory for himself.
I raised my blade in the air, "Maybe I should take a piece of you before we end you." I said, "Don't you think so?"
In a swift motion, I swung my blade down, watching as the blade easily cut through the flesh around its eye and the eye itself. As blood splattered all over me again, I felt the boiling pain. For some reason, the previous blood had stopped burning and this one burned even less. In the heat of Vermithor arriving to save me, I totally forgot about it.
In reaction me cutting its eye, the Cannibal trashed itself around, suddenly forcing Vermithor off him in a surprising display of strength.
It roared loudly and immediately fired green flames into the air frantically, a desperate reaction to his wounds.
Vermithor immediately lowered himself and shielded me from the flames should they were to reach us, but they did not. I felt the heat of it, but the flames were nowhere near us.
In that quick time-frame, the Cannibal launched himself into the air and flapped its wings, making his way through the opening where Vermithor flew down through.
"Shit...." I said as I stumbled down, "What the fuck..."
"Gone like that...again...."
*******************************************************
"Aghh...." I coughed as I stumbled to the ground, "Fuck..."
"My Lord!!" Ser Steffon said, "Where have you been???"
I heard Vermithor's grumbling behind me as I pounded my chest firmly, trying to get the smoke out of my lungs.
"Ahh....." I said as my entire head was throbbing
We had flown out of there and I told the keepers that had brought more to look for me to return to the castle as I sat atop Vermithor. I had landed on the dragonmont, outside.
I felt Ser Steffon help me up as I stood up, "Fuck...." I said as I looked up to the dark sky, "Shit, it's been hours, right?"
"Yes, My Lord, we sent search parties to search for you." He said as I leaned against him, "The keepers had gotten very worried, especially since Vermithor suddenly flew out of his cave."
"Ah...." I said as I patted my shirt, "I got an egg.....the others were lost.....Cannibal..."
I patted the pouch where the egg was safely stored.
I saw as some keepers approached.
"My Lord..." One of them said in high valyrian, "We saw the Black One exit where you were....are you okay?"
"Y-Yes..." I said as I opened the pouch and pulled out the egg, "There were three eggs, three...only one remained...the wretched beast devoured the rest. It got away, I was so close!"
"Close to death, My Lord." He said as he took the egg, "Thank the gods you are well."
I chuckled, "Yea...."
"Lord Aerion!!" I heard someone call
I turned to see Ser Robert run towards me, "Yea?" I said, "I'm fine, what's the matter!"
"Where have you been??" He said as he stopped, "The Princess has been in labor for hours!!"
I widened my eyes, "What?!" I said as I took off into a sprint almost immediately, "Shit!!"
Several minutes later, I stumbled into the room where I heard Rhaenyra's pained screaming, still a bit dizzy from all the smoke.
"R-Rhaenyra!!" I said as I caught myself on the wall
I saw that she was on the bed, her face distorted with the pain that was childbirth as the midwives surrounded her, holding a rag on her forehead as the Maester stood at the base of the bed, overseeing the main show.
She looked at me as she groaned in pain, "W-Where...." She managed, "Where the fuck have you been?!?!"
I took a step forward, "I...." I said as I felt dizzy, "I'm sorry, something.....I..."
"Aerion!!!" She shouted, "Ahhhh!!"
"Almost there, Princess, I see the head." The Maester said, "Lord Aerion, hold her hand, will you?"
I walked over to the side and reached for her hand but Rhaenyra immediately grasped it, her grip stronger than I have ever felt it before.
"W-Whoa!" I said with surprise
"I-I.....ughh...." She panted, "I thought you were dead!!!"
"I'm here..." I said with a smile
"Push, Princess..." one of the midwives said, "Keep pushing!"
"Ahhh!" She yelled, "I'm pushing!"
I then heard crying as the Maester let out an exhale, "There you go...." I heard him say as I looked at Rhaenyra's sweaty face
She looked so beautiful, at this moment. I don't know why, I did not expect to be suddenly entranced by this sight.
"I...." I said as the crying got louder
"Ah...." Rhaenyra said as she let out a sigh of relief
"Princess..." the Maester said with a chuckle, "It is a girl."
"H-Huh?" I said as I turned to see him
He was holding the babe as Elinda immediately went up to him and he handed it to her as some of the other midwives began to wipe her down, wrapping her in blankets in a united effort.
I felt Rhaenyra's grip loosen as I just stared at the babe.
"A-Aerion...." she said softly
I looked at her, "Y-Yea...." I said
"It's her...." She said with a smile and tears in her eyes, "It's her...."
"Visenya...."