𝓐𝓮𝓶𝓸𝓷𝓭 𝓣𝓪𝓻𝓰𝓪𝓻𝔂𝓮𝓷

Today was it, there was no more preparing no more talking and deathly stares across the room, I'd end this with the Stark boy once and for all.

I'd told Elaena last night that I was fully confident but that hadn't been true. I'd be a fool to underestimate Cregan and I wouldn't be content until Elaena was wed to me in the way of Old Valyria as our ancestors before us.

My nerves won't let me sleep any longer than the sun but it gives me the opportunity to gaze upon the woman I loved so dearly while she slept peacefully in my arms.

Last night I'd talked myself into staying in but when I woke drenched in sweat, calling out for Elaena I knew I couldn't stay away.

Brushing her white blonde waves over her shoulder I catch a glimpse of the bruise forming around her arm where that dickhead grabbed her and I have to remind myself I'd already killed him.

In my nightmares her screams were never ending bouncing off the walls of every room but I couldn't find her anywhere until I do. Her body in a bloodied mess on the ground will live with me forever even if it didn't happen... because it could.

The winter winds howl at the doors, brother.

Heleana had known something was wrong all evening but I'd been too busy watching Cregan like a hawk.

Today I'd at least give him the courtesy of a choice. Upon winning, Elaena would belong to me or I'd kill him to have her. Either way our steel would clash but he'll decide whether our battle is to the death. That was the only way I'd let him have her, if I was dead.

Stirring in her sleep she blinks up at me tiredly and it's as if she's reached into my heart and pulled it's strings herself.

"You're still here," She yawns, stretching out on top of me.

"Of course I am. I wouldn't leave you without a goodbye," Turning on my side to face her she frowns at me.

"I don't want you to leave me at all," Groaning she brings herself as close to me as humanly possible and I don't object, enjoying every second of our skin on skin contact.

Resting my nose against hers my fingers wander drawing shapes on her bare back soothingly and I wish we could capture this peaceful moment forever but in a matter of hours I'd be fighting anyone who wished to challenge me in front of hundreds but most importantly Elaena.

"You haven't sang for me since you've come home, my love." I drawl.

Her voice only could've gotten more beautiful with age just as she had. I didn't know many songs but the one she sang to me the night I'd bonded with Vhagar was ingrained into my memory. Every note, even how her face looked when she sang it would replay in my mind every night until she returned to me.

"Dragonstone is home," she giggles and it shouldn't hurt me but it does. I didn't know Dragonstone, I'd never been there. Kings Landing and Dragonstone weren't much different in the fact that everything was surrounded by water but with a dragon, it hardly mattered.

"Is that where we'll go when we marry?" I purr. Elaena with a swollen belly on the beaches of Dragonstone, Kings Landing anywhere for that matter was a dream to say the least, home was anywhere she'd take me with her that much was certain.

"Is that where you want to go?" She asks, and I think about it.

"I suppose I just want to be with you." Pressing a kiss to her forehead she thinks about it for a moment her eyebrows squinting in as they do when she's in deep thought.

"Maybe we can travel the world as we planned in search of our lost dragon." She rests her chin on my chest and the sun shines directly behind her making her look like the true angel she is. I'm breathless looking into her purple eyes I almost forget to speak.

"Would you sing it for me, my love?" I ask, her pink blush spreads across her soft cheeks. When we were children she hadn't hesitated, ever the confident girl but now she shifted nervously under my gaze.

Softly brushing her thumb across my scar my eye drifts shut leaning into her palm.

No one ever touched my scar let alone gazed upon the sapphire that I'd put in place of my eye. They'd cower away in fear and disgust but Elaena? Elaena loved me just the same with it if not more for the pain I've had to endure at the hands of her brothers. But I'd do it all again to know their half sister would heal any broken pieces left of me.

"Troubled seas would you be,
with me till the end?
The white wolf's claws cut deep and sharp
But the dragon fears no pain, the dragon can't be slain."

The verse strikes true, clearly not one from textbooks or jesters. Elaena was singing from her heart.

"You wrote that?" I whisper, wishing I could hear her sing it again and again. "It's not much, I'm not finished yet." She nods shyly but I can't help myself, pressing my kiss to hers.

Breaking to look back at my beloved her eyes are still closed with a satisfied smile on her lips and I'd wished I had the time this morning to fully satisfy her as she did for me last night. Elaena had held me, reassured me and than wiped away any bad thought stained in my mind.

"I'll be worried sick until it's all over," she sighs, watching me in my naked glory as I get out of bed. Noticing, I stretch so every muscle spanning from my shoulders to my ass flexes for her viewing pleasure.

Tugging my pants up my legs I give her a reassuring smile eyeing her bare body lounging beneath the sheets.

"As soon as we can we'll take Seasmoke and Vhagar away from here. We'll find a maester and I'll take you to wife," throwing my shirt over my head I bend down to sit next to her with my boots in hand pressing a kiss to her temple.

"Please be safe, today. It doesn't matter if you win or lose, I'm still yours." Looping her arm through mine I tilt my head back giving her a hurt expression though the sentiment is sweet.  

"Oh, it matters. It'll be difficult staying safe while getting a sword swung at me but I'll do my best." I chuckle, tracing the fresh marks I'd made along her neck. 

At this rate she'd bare my child in less than a years time, not that I was complaining but it would be difficult to travel the world in search of our fantasy dragon with children to raise. I wanted to be a better father than the one I'd been given. I'd be present and attentive, protective and just. 

"Avy jorrāelan," *I love you She breathes and I'll never grow tired of hearing it.

"Avy jorrāelan, ñuha vāedar." *I love you, my song

Sitting up straighter to meet me I cup her face to leave one last kiss on her lips before I go. I keep it soft, sensual to show my intentions with her. She wasn't just some good fuck or an exciting time, she was the reason for breathing and she'd be kissed as such.

Before we get carried away I pull away in search of my eyepatch, almost forgetting I hadn't been wearing it. 

Walking to the door I take one last look at her, sprawled out under the sheets leaving only the outline of her curves, still calling out to me.

"Look for me in the stands if you remember," She asks still shy to ask something so small of me. Of course I'd look for her, if anything she'd be a distraction.

"I'll find you, I promise." Echoing the promise from the night before her smile is so infectious I could forget the violence I was about to commit in the name of my love for her. 

Outside the door it's no knight assigned to Elaena but instead Ser Criston Cole, looking as though he's been waiting for me.

I was almost surprised he hadn't knocked on the door to get me away from Elaena but I consider myself grateful.

Starting for my chambers I call out over my shoulder, "I didn't expect the Queen's personal sword to be on watch outside the Princess' apartments." 

"Daemon thought it'd be a good idea considering you were with the Princess, my prince." He replies following closely. 

"If I'm with the Princess there needn't be a guard at all."

I'd figured Ser Erryk would tell Daemon of my overnight visit and I couldn't shame the man for being loyal but why hadn't he dragged me out of there? Either he thought Cregan would kill me himself or he'd given up on trying to keep us apart and I preferred the latter.

"Your armor for the tourney has been placed in your chambers. There's a squire waiting to help fit it for you." He continues, deciding against mentioning Elaena and he's right not to, I was in a mood to kill.

"And my sword?" 

"Arrived from the blacksmith this morning, my prince." 

"And what of the Stark lord?" I grumble, already feeling my mood sink the further away I walk from Elaena. 

"He's been training all morning in the yard." 

I grunt in response. I can see now why Cole seemed so worried. Picking up the pace to my chambers there's no time to lose, I had a bargain to strike.

***

*artist: @Nalala_e   on twitter <3 

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