𝓔𝓵𝓪𝓮𝓷𝓪 𝓣𝓪𝓻𝓰𝓪𝓻𝔂𝓮𝓷
My heart thumped in my chest being quite possibly the loudest thing in the castle walls. Aemond and I had spent all day together training, walking through the gardens and than making love all evening until we'd both fallen asleep... or so he thought.

Earlier this morning I packed a bag and some food leaving it in the dragon pit for my departure but the only thing keeping me in bed was my husband who'd be heartbroken when he woke to find I'd left him in the night.

Aemond's arm was wrapped tight around my waist and his soft breathing fanned across the back of my neck his long blonde hair laid splayed out across the many pillows.

Kissing the palm of his hand I wiggle free from his grip, trying my hardest not to wake him.

Taking one last look at the sight that was Aemond naked in our bed, I leave a note on the table praying to the gods I'll be long gone before he read it.

Shutting the door behind me I pull my hood up over my head and disappear into the shadows.

The walk to the dragon pits was a long one plagued by body wrenching guilt that would surely last the entire flight to the Stepstones. I'd wondered if I would return to Kings Landing or Dragonstone... or if I'd even return at all.

I tried to do this correctly, go through the council come up with a plan but in front of everyone my mother showed she didn't believe in me. I'd prove her and Alicent wrong.

The dim light from the moon bounced off of Seasmokes sparkling silver scales when he notices me. Spreading his wings he greets me sensing my unease and we're both anxious to get up in the air.

Pressing my palm against his cool skin I calm him,

"Dohaerās, Seasmoke. Umbās, Rȳbas."
*Serve, remain, listen.

At the soothe tones of my voice the dragon responds, turning to connect eyes with me in the moonlight. Climbing up the ropes I adjust myself on the saddle.

"Say goodbye. Something tells me we won't be home soon." I say more for myself than I do my dragon. For a moment I hesitate, hoping Aemond comes through the darkness to stop me or maybe even come with me but he never does so as I planned, I fly off alone into the night.

***

The smoke from the island of Bloodstone was the first thing that told me I'd arrived to the battle of the Stepstones.

Breaking through the clouds the hundreds of burned down ships laid waste surrounding the islands in a warning to all who dared to attack the Triachy forces.

"eglikta, Seasmoke."
*Higher

Taking our flight back into the clouds I try to keep our arrival as much of a surprise as possible. Circling back I recognize the Velaryon fleet on the shores of Dwarfstone, a small island adjacent to the Stepstones.

Not landing until I'm comfortable I find a steep cavern on the backside of the mountain where Seasmoke can rest in peace without worry of attackers from a nearby island.

Climbing through the treeline the camp below is a ghost town. You can almost see the hope drifting away through the wind that carried the stench of their dead.

Hoping I'm not too late I head for the largest tent, pushing my hood off my head as I approach the guards positioned at the start of the trail.

Both of the dirtied men stare in shock, their eyes focused solely on my white blonde hair seeming to know exactly who I am before I open my mouth.

"I'm here to see Lord Corlys. I'm his-"

"Elaena Velaryon of course we know who you are." Hearing someone call me by Ser Laenors last name felt strange. Yes, technically it was my last night but in my heart I'd always known I was a Targaryen carrying almost no similarities to Ser Laenor himself but all the more with my true father Daemon.

For years Ser Laenor raised me, took me in as his own just as he had with Luke and Jace but he hadn't always been the most... present but neither had Daemon with his few years away with Lady Laena.

"Elaena Targaryen now. I'm a married woman, sir but yes. Can you lead me to my grandsire, please?" I ask politely, growing inpatient with their obvious ogling. Shaking themselves out of it they do as I ask, taking me to the tent in the center of it all.

Before we even enter, his graveled coughs can be heard from just outside the tent. Preparing myself for the sight I'm about to see I walk in, my eyes adjusting to the darkness.

The sun beats in from behind me, my shadow a dancing figure on the wall when I see him.

Lord Corlys was wrapped head to toe in bandages a cane to the side of the bed if he attempted to get up.

His tired eyes land on me and a spark of life lights within them and he's sitting up to greet me despite his wounds.

"Elaena-" he gasps, reaching for me.

Rushing to his side, one of his men calls for help outside the tent while the other just stands there.

Kneeling next to him I take his shaky hand.

"What in the seven hells are you doing here?" Corlys asks, followed by a gargled cough.

"There was a petition for your seat in Driftmark. They expected you to die-"

"A petition?! Those Hightower snakes sit in place of Viserys on the throne and they plan feasts on the corpses of live men!" In the flip of a coin Lord Corlys faint smile fades and he's enraged, leaning on me to stand.

Helping him up, a maester is rushed in by the incompetent soldier but we don't need them. Making it to the round table someone begins lighting candles around the tent and it doesn't seem so grim.

"And what of my brother? Is he with you?"

Biting at my lip I realize I must've arrived faster than the raven had.

"Vaemond and the Hightowers conspired to steal Luke's birthright and there were some... words exchanged. Words that are considered treason." I begin, searching for the words to put this gently.

Lord Corly hangs his head, leaning against the round table as he puts it together before I say the exact words.

"Daemon executed him, my lord." Holding my hands behind my back I want to avoid his eye contact but I don't, staring right back into his angry glare daring him to say a word about my true father.

Yielding he takes a deep breath, looking around the room. "So it's safe to say Prince Daemon hasn't joined you on your journey, Princess?"

"I come alone." I confirm, my thoughts drifting back to Aemond who would be waking any moment now to find his wife gone. I might've not been too far, but it'd already felt like I'd been away at war for months and I hadn't even swung a sword yet.

I should've told him, he would've come with me.

"And what have you come for?" A smaller soldier steps forward with similar silver hair to that of I and Corlys but I don't recognize him from anywhere I've seen before. He was even of closer age to me. If he was our family I would've surely seen him at a tourney or a feast but he remained a stranger... or a bastard possibly?

Holding my questions for later I arch an eyebrow at him with a short response, "To fight, Ser..?"

"Ser Addam of Hull, my lady. While we appreciate the aid, I'm afraid this is a losing battle." Stepping forward he glances over the mounds of maps and plans on the table.

"So little faith, Addam. The battle was a losing one before we had a dragon." Corlys nods to me and I can't decide whether he means me, or Seasmoke. For the sake of my ego I say both.

Everyone's eyes are on me now and it hits me like a ton of bricks that I could either save or forsake these men and if I were to be Queen, I'd be responsible for the entire realm. I couldn't crack under the pressure, I wouldn't.

"They aren't expecting me, we only get one chance to surprise them with Seasmoke but after that they'll be ready." I begin, unhooking the cloak from around my neck.

"We should attack tonight as soon as the sun sets, attack under the cover of night." Addam suggests, but Corly remains to himself thinking it over.

Looking to me for reassurance I nod, ready now more than ever to use my dragon riding for something more than a joy ride in the skies.

Tonight Seasmoke would take lives and he'd save them if I accomplish what I set out for.

"Addam prepare the men, arm them with fresh steel and be at the docks as soon as the sun falls past the sea line."

Ser Addam gives Corlys a nod without question, turning to leave the tent with the guards from earlier leaving us with the maester.

"My Lord, you are not suited for battle who will lead the charge?" The old man asks in a hushed tone away from me.

Turning my head to look at him the both of their eyes dart to me as if in answer.

My stomach does a spin and for a moment I wonder if I'll throw up all over the table... but I don't.

"I will." I accept, pushing past the lump stuck in my throat.

Taking slow staggered steps to me, Corlys grips my shoulder a proud expression on his face that reminds me of my younger years with Ser Laenor.

"You will not lead this charge alone. Ser Addam and his trusted men will be by your side, they will protect you with their lives and follow your orders-"
"But I'm a woman. Are you sure they'll follow a woman into battle? Especially without you?" I ask searching his eyes for any unspoken doubt but there is none, he believes in me.

"Both of your fathers have fought valiantly at the Stepstones. It's the call of legacy that brought you here with Seasmoke to battle. You will not fail, Elaena. You are Targaryen and Velaryon, there is no stopping you."

It was always assumed Lord Corlys knew of my true parentage but it wasn't just the bonds that made the child it was the bond that help raise that child and Lord Corlys always treated me as his own grandchild.

History does not remember blood, it remembers names.

***

The afternoon passed quickly with talks of plans and numbers. I would take to the skies and give cover from any archers on the cliff, and only than join the fighting below.

Sheathing my sword I bring my black cloak tighter around my armor making sure not to get it tangled with my braids. Climbing the hill the circle of soldiers all turn to look at me and I can already feel their whispers of doubt as I approached.

Ser Addam's blonde hair and purple eyes are a welcomed sight reminding me of home.

Joining the circle their previous discussion is silenced, some nodding in respect the others ignoring me all together and I take note of every single one.

"Everyone's aboard the ships, we don't have long before the sun sets we should get on the move." Addam begins, all the men watching as they hung on his every word. 

I would prove my worth to them yet. 

"This is our only opportunity to surprise them with Princess Elaena so we have to make it count. Understood?" 

Nodding in understanding they disperse without so much as a word to me and I'm not the only one to notice. 

Addam's face scrunches up in disgust watching them as they walk away but I just shrug.

"I apologize for my men. If you couldn't already tell they aren't used to being led into battle by a woman." He grins and though he's quick about it I catch his heated gaze sweep up my body. 

He could pretend to be a gentleman but in the end he was just like the rest of them, a man.

"They'll get used to it today when I save their lives and send them home to their mothers." I smirk, turning on my heels eager to find Seasmoke and start showing these men wrong.

"Yes. Yes they will," I hear him mutter behind me, his eyes burning into the back of my head as I walk away and it only makes me miss Aemond more. No man would dare look at me that way if he was here and I'd gotten quite used to it at home-

Home.

There was no doubt they'd all know of my departure by now. Aemond would be fuming probably finding a way to get our marriage annulled regretting any decision to marry me in the first place. What I'd done was no true act of a wife and if Aemond had done the same to me I'd be heartbroken, so why was I here? Chasing glory? Proving a point? 

No. I was stepping up when no one else would, taking destiny in my own hands rather than cower behind walls and wait by the window for a raven. I'm protecting those I love and Aemond would understand that.

Hopefully.

Wasting no more time I take Seasmoke to our designated spot lurking in the clouds on the south side of the north side of the mountains ready to strike as soon as their archers show face. 

The night wind whips through the clouds and I'm glad I tied my hair behind my face. Seasmoke struggles to stay still knocking back and forth with the gusts with tidal waves.

Waiting just a little bit longer a blast is sent off and my sign has been given. 

 "Jikagon sir, Seasmoke." 
*Go now, Seasmoke

I command and he happily obliges nosediving through the clouds and into the open air.

Just as Corlys predicted the archers spread out across the ledge, knocking their arrows waiting for the command but it's too late, they're already dead.

"Dracarys!"
*Dragonfire 

Rearing open his mouth I can feel the warmth radiating through the dragon's body working its way through its chest and watching with glorious awe when it erupts from its mouth melting everyone and everything in its path. 

Thought we're high their screams of panic still manage to reach my ears and it sounds like victory. 

Circling back around we hit the other side taking out any chance of their aerial assault when I notice how outnumbered we are below. 

 Conscious not to attack any of our member I focus on the beach closest to the caves where they all stemmed from. 

"Arlī, dracarys!"
*Again, dragonfire!

Lighting the battlefield ablaze there's cheers from below, hope instilled into the Velaryon fleet once more. 

Landing off the beach, Seasmoke lets me down and is back in the air to continue his assault on the perimeter. 

Discarding my cloak I'm able to move freely, taking off into a sprint towards the mob when I spot Addams dirtied white blonde hair in the chaos. 

Any enemy I pass along the way doesn't see me coming, I'm a shadow in the night approaching from the far side of the beach where dragonfire hasn't yet spread and I use that to my advantage. 

Cutting down those who stand in my way I'm thrown off balance by someone yanking on my hair, pulling me back and I yelp out in pain. Addam notices, rushing to my side and slices open the neck of the man with his hold on me. 

Repaying the favor I swing my sword at an attacker running up from behind him and we're both out of breath. 

"You should've stayed in the air, it's not safe down here!" He shouts but I respond by disarming another attacker and putting my blade straight through his neck. 

"That's quite the point, Ser Addam." I shout back but he can only stare in amazement as I take down another. 

"Now quit ogling, we haven't won yet!" 

Shaking himself out of it he looks ahead, spotting the crowd of Triarchy forces headed straight towards us through the wall of flames. 

"Shit," He mutters.

Looking overhead I try to get Seasmokes attention but he can't see me through all the smoke and wreckage. 

Before I can break free from the crowd the men reach us first and they're brutal, tearing apart any of our men in their wake.

Addam was right I should've kept attacking from the sky. 

Seasmoke was hardly any use with their rider dead. 

Addam and a few other of his soldiers from the island block the path towards me, giving me an out to get to Seasmoke so I run, clutching my sword with all my might. 

The sand gives way to my heavy footsteps and it slows me down, the dragonfire dimming where they'd extinguished it and it begins to sink in that I'm failing, not just myself but everyone. 

My limbs grow heavy under the weight of exhaustion my adrenaline fading with my hopes but I keep running, swinging my sword at any fool who crossed me.

I wouldn't give up, Aemond wouldn't let me.

"Elaena!" I turn around just in time to catch the man jump for me and tackle me to the ground. Wrestling for the sword that had fallen I reach for my dagger, the tourney flashing before my eyes when I shove it into the chest of my attacker, his cries not ending even when I push his dead weight off of me.

Rolling over to get to my feet I'm instantly knocked back down the air stolen from my lungs and I'm face first into the dirt.

A foot presses down on my back and a sharp blades slices through my cheek as they dig their sword into the ground just next to my face.

"You were wrong for coming here, little girl." He spits but I tell myself he's wrong, because otherwise I would've led all of these men to their death. 

A dragon's cry comes from above but I can't turn my head to see it. Warm blood spills down the side of my face and I can already smell it... death.

Squirming from his grasp his heel only digs deeper into my back but luckily I don't feel much with the armor.

"Elaena!" Addam calls again but this time his voice his farther away the battle separating us further.

Trying to get up once more I'm kneed in the face, a lightning splitting pain shooting through my nose and I'm sure it's broken, blood seeping into my mouth.

Letting my head rest on the sand the muted sounds of war continue around me and in my dazed state I pretend it's a dream and fade off into nothing.

***