A Dragon Leaves Dragonstone (Page 78)

~~~(POV: Raenon Targaryen)~~~

~~~(Location: The Narrow Sea, Dragonstone, Westeros)~~~

~~~(Current Age: 17 Years)~~~

~~~(Date: 301 AC)~~~

Daenys sleeps in my arms while I look over the balcony. Most of the ships are sailing toward Westeros, and it's the signal it's time to go. Margaery and Dany are behind me. Waiting silently in these last moments together.

My youngest daughter looks so peaceful as she sleeps. It's hard to believe I'm a father of three at 17. More on the way from my second wife. House Targaryen is strong again; all we need now is the throne that was stolen from us.

It makes me thankful, though... How everything turned out. Everything that's happened so far would've never occurred without Robert and his bloodlust. Thanks to him, my family is where it's at now.

"How much longer until you leave..."

The cracking and sad voice of Dany grabs my attention as I turn around. I've spent time with my children on this day, and I spent my last night here with them.

Dany holds out her arms as I approach and hand her Daenys. Kissing my daughter's head before I take a step back. I look at my two wives with a smile, and Dany is having a much harder time with this than Margaery.

"I'll be leaving after this."

My sudden movement nearly startles them, but I bring them into a long hug. Holding them as tight as I can without hurting them. Margaery has a slight struggle with letting me go, but she eventually goes.

The beloved sister refuses to let go. Margaery places her hand on her back and moves in closer to her ear.

"It's time to let him go, Dany..."

She squeezes me tighter before finally letting go. Hot tears are streaming down her face. It's amazing how much someone can mean to you if you let them.

"Promise you'll take care of each other. I'll be gone for a long time. The only time I'll come back is for Margaery birth. Until then, this is goodbye."

With those final words, Dany throws herself at me and locks her lips with mine. We part after a couple seconds, and she looks into my eyes. The height difference is ever prevalent.

"Always and forever, Rae..."

Love never dies.

"Always and forever, Dany..."

She finally steps aside, and I make my way for the door. All my children are safe, and so are my wives. They'll be here for a while, and I won't see them again until it's time to come for the birth of my next set of kids.

I make my way out of Dragonstone and toward a cliff. My eyes slowly close, and I let Rhaenys know it is time for her to come and get me. In the direction of the Dragonmont, an enormous roar is heard. My massive black and red Dragon lands next to me.

The same hand that fed her when she could fit into the palm of my hand runs across her long snout. A living purr transfers from her body and vibrates me.

Her body lowers, and I climb onto her back. The saddle is far more comfortable than riding without one.

"Sōvegon, Rhaenys!!"

RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!

She flaps her large and long wings hard. Ascending into the sky and following the fleet of ships into the distance. In the same direction as Westeros. Oberyn is waiting in the South. I'm heading for the Riverlands.

Stannis Baratheon must be stopped before he makes it to The Iron Throne. The Smallfolk will want him as King far more than me. It'll be the end of all my efforts. The Smallfolk will always reject me even if I kill him after he takes The Iron Throne.

House Tyrell isn't lending any of its soldiers until one of its enemies, North or East, is destroyed. Tywin waits in Kings Landing, and Robb Stark is North to the Riverlands.

It's a reasonable demand, but I wish I'd get something from them. I took their daughter to wife, after all. However, they will likely never see it that way.

In the end, if they force me to. I'll end them along with the other family's not bending the knee. Margaery may resent me for the rest of her days. Hate me, even. I'll do what's necessary in the end.

Here's to hoping they don't make it so.

~~~(POV: Daenerys Targaryen)~~~

~~~(Location: The Narrow Sea, Dragonstone, Westeros)~~~

~~~(Current Age: 17 Years)~~~

~~~(Date: 301 AC)~~~

These last three days have been absolute hell... Each day I miss Rae more and more. I'm keeping a strong front up. For Aly and Jae. I'm grateful Margaery is here with me. She comforts me during my weakest times.

She's stronger than me when it comes to this. However, I hear her letting out sniffles and tears too. We're here for each other.

"Easy, girl... You'll make me bleed..."

Daenys hungrily feeds from my teat. She's a growing girl and demands milk from me. The only time she cries is when she's hungry, or she's relieving herself. We've brought handmaidens from Essos with us.

They've taken care of Daenys when I'm not able to. I have two other children who need entertainment, after all. Rae took care of that part... When his kids wanted to play or do something that required a lot of energy.

He was always there...

Gods... I miss him...

"It's okay to miss him as much as you do, Dany. I'm starting to see just how much I've grown to love him now that he's not here. I knew it'd be hard. But it's become more than I ever thought it would."

Margaery is in the bedroom with me. She's looking out the window as one of the handmaidens rubs her feet in warm water.

Her hands trace over her belly. I'm hoping that I end up pregnant again. I miss being pregnant... Last night with Rae might prove to be what I needed for my wish. If not, it'll be a long three to four months.

I've got three pieces of him with me now. Not to mention the two or more growing in Margaery. I want a fourth in me.

"I know... I've spent the first 13 years of my life without him... I can do it... It's just so painful..."

When you love someone so much, it hurts to be away from them. You know you're with the person you're supposed to be with.

Margaery lifts her hand and calmly dismisses the handmaiden. The pregnant woman stands up and makes her way over to me. Sitting next to me and wrapping an arm around me.

Daenys isn't feeding anymore, so I gently place her on the bed next to me.

"Time will pass... It may feel slower, but it moves at the same speed no matter what..."

She brings me some comfort... I'm glad I'm not alone in this...

"I just pray Rae doesn't find another woman while away from us... War causes men to... Stray... It's happened many times in Westeros... When men think they'll die, they do things that are against their wives and vows..."

A bottomless jealousy bubbles inside as she says that.

"He'd never do that..."

She hugs me a little tighter at my weak-sounding response. Pathetic, in all honesty. Wish I could take it back. I hate sounding weak now that I'm strong.

"I don't believe he would either... That still doesn't stop me from thinking about it..."

This is the worst feeling I've ever had in my life...

~~~(POV: Margaery Tyrell)~~~

~~~(Location: The Narrow Sea, Dragonstone, Westeros)~~~

~~~(Current Age: 18 Years)~~~

~~~(Date: 301 AC)~~~

Dany leaves the room with Daenys, and I slowly waddle toward the balcony. Looking over the edge and in the direction of Westeros. My family and the man I love are over there... I know my family... Their thinking and scheming...

If I'm forced to choose between them or Rae... I'd choose Rae... I hope it'll never come close to something like that, but I have to look out for my coming children.

Their lives are more important to me than my family's. It's a cruel thing to say, but I've come to love Rae deeply, and he's making me a mother. I'll be giving birth to Targaryen children.

Who will be dragon riders themselves one day... Their futures are more important than my family's plans.

I haven't seen home in over a year now... Almost two... Highgarden is one of the most beautiful places in Westeros... Growing up there proved to make me a little spoiled... Now, I'm to be Queen along with Dany...

"My children should know what Highgarden looks like..."

The words leave my lips in a whisper that carries on the wind. It's hard to believe that so much time has passed. Life is fleeting.

The pursuit of legacy is said to be what's important. I used to stand beside that claim. I still do a little. Now, I see that legacy and power are byproducts of the real goal.

A family that you make and love with the person you love. That's more valuable than anything in the world.