CHAPTER ONE
❪ devils tongue ! ❫
5 years ago

Aenemera was vastly similar to her mother and father when it came to riding her dragon. Amongst other things Mera was widely similar to her own mother, but no one could deny the passion they both felt when in the skies riding.

Aenemera had a special bond with her dragon Baeselyx, one that was created at birth the moment the egg was laid down inside her cradle. Mera would be seen clutching onto the egg in her sleep, practically wrapping herself around it. Some days it drew concern for Rhaenyra, seeking out her fathers advice but he only smiled in response.

He stated that a bond was forming with the child and egg, one that would create the two to become inseparable.

Even from the time the dragon hatched, Mera was caught teaching the dragon how to respond from only her voice to strengthen that bond and it didn't take much effort. The dragon would ever look upon its rider, seeking confirmation and validation from Aenemera. Baeselyx was attached to hip when he wasn't sleeping in the dragon's den.

Due to their successful bond and trust, Mera was able to train how to ride her dragon at a small age with supervision. Rhaenyra grew fond of just watching her daughter fly above the castle in circles above the clouds. Aenemera sometimes would get lost in time while riding, taking hours out of her day from studying her princess duties to just enjoy the wind.

With this amount of space and freedom, it made Baeselyx successfully grow in size unlike other dragons. His size and weight was becoming incredibly strong, even with Mera only being ten years of age.

It was something she would proudly flaunt — especially to her brothers and uncles.

Unlike other days at Kingslanding that would seem the most normal for anybody else, it was a much special one as Rhaenyra was giving birth to her fourth child. Mera saw it as a beautiful to spend outside, continuing her flight training with Baeselyx; in celebration for her newest sibling to arrive in the world

Mera was over the moon knowing her mother was just as excited to greet her next child with passion and adoration.

Above the clouds and away from the castle's tall structures, Mera had her gloved covered hands gripping onto the reins that controlled Baeselyx from where she sat on her sattle. Her blonde hair whipped around her face and over her shoulders as Baeselyx soared through the sky.

She tugged at the reins gently and leaned her body to the left, signaling him to glide in that direction. A smile always tugged at her lips every time he listened without a fuss, it was part of the process of their bond; how easily he would listen to her silky voice.

Mera slowly released the reins of Baeselyx and began to raise her arms up with excitement rising in her veins. A large smile spread across her lips as her dragon even began to pick up speed before gliding across the winds in a circle around the castle. It was the most Bera felt alive, free, and unworried about anything else.

If she wasn't with her parents or her siblings, she was with Baeselyx and it was always the most she felt the happiest.

She would occasionally rub his scales and the spikes along his back, showing love and gentleness to his intimidating nature. Most people were terrified when they saw Baeselyx, but she knew he was good just with her.

If there was a time Baeselyx felt things were unsafe for his rider, he would dip his head around her small frame and protect her from whatever came by. He easily sensed bad energy nearby and was always ready to defend Mera.

It was how Rhaenyra always knew she would be safe no matter what.

If the time came where Rhaenyra would be gone, Aemenera had Baeselyx to protect her from any foe. He was her best friend.

She reached for the reins again and led forwards, silently guiding him towards the grounds of the castle so she could take a break and check on her mother. At some point she leaned forward enough to where her body was practically resting against his back, her head leaning across his scales and feeling his golden warmth.

She closed her eyes briefly and allowed him to take the lead. He knew his normal destination and ever strayed away from her commands.

Once they landed peacefully, Aenemera climbed down from his back and peeled her gloves off with her teeth. Her black riding dress flowed beautiful at her feet as she came around to his head. He immediately turned to face the small girl, his own eyes closing briefly as she caressed his cheek ever so gently.

"Hoskagon," she whispered to her dragon, their eyes making a connection for a brief moment until she ordered for him to follow the others into the den.

She watched her dragon disappear from her sight, always watching to make sure he wasn't treated so poorly before making her way into the castle so she could check on her mother who happened to still be in birth.

She practically ran up the stairs, many others told her to be careful but she couldn't stop her growing excitement to meet her newest sibling.

When she reached the room and heard the small cries coming from behind the door, her father Laenor suddenly appeared and placed a hand on her back; a sign of welcoming her back into the castle with a lingering smile on his face.

"Ready?" He whispered to the blonde girl.

Mera nodded eagerly. "Very."

The doors opened wide and instead of greeting the midwives, her mother stood in front of her with the newborn cradled between her arms.

Mera furrowed her eyebrows and lifted her arms in worry, wrapping them around her mothers shoulder in protection as she glanced down at the baby. "Mother, where are you going? The birth! Are you okay?"

"It's a boy," Rhaenyra breathed out tiredly, her head leaning against Aenemera's in joyfulness. "Another brother."

Mera opened her mouth to speak but Rhaenyra turned to Laenor. "She wants to see him." Mera's father looked at his wife in confusion. "Now?"

Silence filled the air as Mera helped her mother down the hallway, an arm around her waist as she kept glancing at her new baby brother in worry. It didn't take long for Mera to understand their destination. It was something that happened every child birth — a confirmation.

Mera never dared to ask questions but she was more than curious to know the queen's thoughts. It frustrated her to no end, knowing that her mind could be clouded by evil thoughts.

The hair, Mera thought. It's always the hair.

"What more could they ask for?" Mera suddenly spoke.

Her mother hushed her gently, both her daughter and husband guiding her to the king and queens chambers in silence.

The hallways were filled with people congratulating her and cheering her on with the news that it was a boy. They genuinely seemed happy, so Mera smiled at each and every one of them while her mother struggled to contain the pain her body was suffering from the after birth.

When they reached a long yet wide set of stairs, Rhaenyra stopped in her tracks and closed her eyes in frustration. Bells from the castle began to ring and Laenor leaned down to her in worry. "Whats wrong? What is it?"

She didn't speak, her eyes closing tighter this time and Mera tilted her head at her mother in worry. "Would you like me to carry him? How can I help?"

When Rhaenyra's eyes opened, she stared at the final steps above and cursed under her breath. "Fuck."

Laenor glanced at his daughter briefly in silence until Rhaenerya nodded her head upwards. "Walk. . . walk!"

Laenor quickly held onto his wife and guided her up the stairs as Mera kept close beside her. Her hands were held out at this point, ready to catch the infant in case he were to slip from her grasp at any point.

Rhaenyra wasn't by any means new to childbirth but this one seems heavier on her health, Mera thought. She always worried about her darling mother.

When they reached the bedroom and entered in silence, Alicent was standing near the window getting her green dress tailored. Mera eyed her briefly before glancing down at her new brother, a faint smile spreading across her lips as the baby made a small noise at the girl.

"Rhaenyra!" Alicent gasped. "You should be resting after your labors."

Mera couldn't help but raise her eyebrows at the woman, quickly looking away so she wasn't caught with any ill intentions.

"I had no doubt you would prefer that, your grace." Her mother responded.

"You must sit," the queen smiled. "Talya, catch a cushion for the princess."

Mera watched the maid quickly disappear for a cushion, her eyes slowly lingering on other things in the room curiously before returning her attention back to the queen.

Mera knew simple stories about Alicent and her mother. Things about them being best friends and how the marriage with her grandfather went. It seemed odd to her, of course, but she loved her grandfather deeply. She was always the most excited to visit him during the day so they could both share stories.

Tayla returned with a cushion and Rhaenyra, weakened and tired, slowly sat down with the help of Laenor, never letting go of her newborn along the way.

"What happy news this morning," Viserys said, appearing into the room from another..

Aenemera spun around excitedly as she watched her grandfather enter the conversation. He looked somewhat better these days. Still growing ill and tired, but as joyful as she could remember. He was always the happiest when he saw Rhaenyra.

"Indeed your grace," Laenor spoke proudly.

"Where is he? Where is my grandson?" The king replied, walking forward to the family as Laenor took the child from Rhaenyra and introduced him to the king. "What a fine prince," he grinned.

Once Viserys had the baby in hand, happy as ever, Mera stepped forward and placed a gentle kiss upon his cheek. "Good to see you, grandfather."

Viserys turned to his granddaughter, his head tilting in wonder. "How does it feel? An older sister to three younger brothers."

Mera gently grabbed onto his arm and leaned her head against his shoulder. "Wonderful, grandfather. I'm happy no matter the gender as always." He nodded his head knowingly. "I flew today," she whispered to him after.

Visery's winded his eyes proudly. "And how was it, my dear?"

"Perfect!" Mera cheered. "Baeselyx listens so well. Our bond has grown over the past few months I believe. It's almost like we're connected through the heart."

"I find that very believable," he nodded. "All dragons and their riders are connected — but some riders share a much stronger bond with their dragons." He explained, rocking the infant back and forth in his arms. "Some are lucky enough to share the same heartbeat."

"Do you think we could become even stronger?"

"Indeed." The king gently tapped her nose with his finger, making her scrunch in reaction as he turned back to the child. He stared down at the baby, cradling him gently with a large smile. "You will make a fierce knight," he gently stated to the sleeping newborn. "Yes, you will."

"Does the babe have a name yet?" Alicent asked.

"Joffery!" Laenor suddenly spoke.

Aenemera quickly looked at her parents in wonder. Her mother held a questionable look before smiling and nodding her head in agreement. "He'll be called Joffery," Laenor smiled.

Alicent raised her eyebrows. "That's an unusual name for a Valyron."

"I think it's perfect." Mera smiled wide, her eyes focused on her baby brother as her grandfather and herself made several faces at the child and rubbed his cheeks with their fingers.

Viserys looked up proudly. "I do believe he has his fathers nose."

Laenor chuckled. "If you don't mind your grace, your daughter has exerted herself heroically and should rest."

"Of course," Viserys agreed.

Alicent appeared at his side and gently moved the blanket from the babe's head, inspecting it closely with a curious smile. Mera's eyes lingered on the queen momentarily before glancing towards her mother, who seemed a bit nervous at the moment.

Alicent took the babe into her arms with a wide smile and started following Laenor and Mera towards the doors. She turned to the younger girl, "I bet you wish you had a little sister at this moment." Her tone was playful but Mera shrugged. "I dont mind." She responded genuinely. "Being the oldest and the only girl isn't too bad."

Alicent nodded her head, cradling Joffery just a second longer before passing him off to his father. "Do keep trying, Ser Laenor." Alicent whispered. "Soon or late, you may get one who looks like you."

Laenor side eyed Mera, her gaze focused on the ground as she continuously picked at the skin around her fingers, pretending not to hear the conversation but she was listening very well. Laenor noticed her discomfort and leaned down to kiss the top of her head.

"Come," he nodded towards the door once Rhaenyra appeared at their sides. "Let's introduce your brothers."

❪ dylan's notes ! ❫

ˈhoskagon – proud

first chapters are always the weakest but i'm just glad i got this out of the way! i know this is an aemond fic but i can't wait to show you all Mera's relationship between her mother and her grandfather. i have lots of ideas for this story —- lots of au! so stay with me. thank you!