warnings: mentions of death, grief and mature words!

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"A Dragon is no slave Aemond," Daenys' told the Prince.

Daemon had been more distant, and Daenys had not seen nor heard from him in the hours that passed and so she decided not to heed his advice and seek out the one person who would not avoid her. Her sisters were with their cousins Daemion and Daeron Velaryon, who were responsible and just and therefore she needn't worry for their safety, but that did not mean she wouldn't.

"I'm aware, they choose their rider," he stated, "When did Seablade hatch?"

"Just after I reached my second name day," she nearly smiled at the thought, the memory itself was hazy. "Hatchling to drake and now a Dragon, who will never stop growing." She hoped one day the Dragon would be as big as Vhagar, and live as long as well. "Seablade's scales have thickened and grew harder, but they're still quite soft."

As he listened, Aemond senselessly grabbed her hand as they journeyed to the Dragon pits, sending what felt like shocks through their palms and their chests. At first, it felt like a burn, one they wanted to store away and keep. The Prince had grown familiar with the scent emitting from her... smells from Pentos. He needn't the confirmation, he just knew. With interlocked fingers the emptiness she felt subsided, but hadn't faded, it wouldn't. And she was prepared to carry that until her end.

"I wanted you to see me ride my Dragon for the first time Aemond." Shock was painted across his face, "I had asked my father. At first, I wanted to ride Caraxes as a passenger before I tried mounting Seablade alone but he denied me and now he hasn't been heard from since. I want to show the twins when I know they're in no harm," she paused, "but I want my friend to be a witness."

His eyes twitched, "Friend?"

"Aemond," she said almost teasingly, feeling their hold tightened and she fought the smile on her lips, and so she said, "Unless you'd prefer loitering the fine Castle and miss history being made."

"I prefer to stay," he rushed out, eyes lingering on her face. "Let's get on with it before someone sends for us."

"It's funny." She did not turn to meet his eye. "I always thought my mother would be by my side, for this moment. Her passing still takes me by surprise. I wake and think she'll be sitting in the corner of my bed-chamber, looking at me with a warm smile, but she's not there."

"Mayhaps when you bear children for your husband, you will guide them. Ensure that they uphold their duties, and persist they do what is expected of them until they obtain heirs and so on."

Daenys had wanted children because she knew what they could bring, happiness, joy, and a sense of purpose. But she was also scared, petrified that Maesters would slice her in half to pull out the babe, valuing the life of an unborn child over hers.

Noticing the lack of response, Aemond shifted the subject of discussion, "How did you name your Dragon?"

"From what my Father tells me, I simply looked at his ancestral sword — Dark Sister and then pointed at it, and then the bay of Pentos that lies off the Narrow Sea. And from then it was decided."

"It's suitable."

"Suitable?" Daenys gasped, drawing a small chuckle from the boy. "It's exceptional. From my findings, no other Dragon has a finer name."

"Balerion, the Black Dread. Meleys, Verthimor. Vhagar," Aemond cheekily listed, earning an eye roll.

"I contest, as they do not compare."

"At all?"

"At all, besides, my Dragon is unique, and he breathes a blue flame, he's perfect."

"Perfection, the lady wants perfection?" he teased, "Even in a Dragon? Would I be so wrong to presume you'd want a perfect husband?"

It was the second time he had brought up the subject of marriage.

As she pondered her answer, he continued, "Would I be the perfect husband?"

Her eyes shot out of her head and Aemond suddenly lost all sense of confidence, but both Targaryens recovered quickly, still keeping firm yet soft grip on each other's hands.

"Well..." she stopped walking, forcing him to as well. She studied him as if his face hadn't invaded her thoughts, between the times he wasn't near. "Violet eyes and a handsome face. Soon you shall meet your fate. Trust the gods, time will tell, you'll meet a girl who will have you under her spell," a smile threatened their face upon realising her rhyme.

Aemond's face was a picture of shock, reddening cheeks and widening eyes.

"Are... Are you that girl?"

"Of course not, I'm a lady."

Her words made them laugh, the first laugh that fell from her lips since her mother's death. Daenys was stunned, she thought it would never happen again and now it has. All because of the Prince she had seen three times today. He served as a wonderful distraction, a great confidant but somehow she did not trust him completely. As she stated, time will tell.

The Dragon-pits entrance was nearby, the fading light from the skies coursed through the darkness. Daenys quickly called for the Dragon keepers to saddle Seablade for one, for the very first time.

Daenys let go of Aemond's hand as she approached, both were unaware of how odd it felt to be without the embrace and yet she took quick steps to the dragon, holding a deep breath as she heard the advice rolling off the Dragon keeper's tongue. She had mounted dragons before, as only a passenger, but today was different. Having witnessed Seablade feed and heard him continue to do so in her absence had only made her more confident the ride would go well. Without her father's guidance, or her mother's wisdom, she had only to trust herself and that Seablade serve her until she dismounts.

Aemond was mesmerised at the sight of her, seeing her grip on the reins, despite feeling nervous that no one was in front of behind her.

"Dohaeris." She commanded the Dragon, who obeyed but groaned moving rather abruptly, but she did not fret. "Lykiri," she took a deep breath, "Naejot," the he-Dragon stalked forward, quicker than she expected, nevertheless with each command she felt more comfortable. "Rȳbās," she could hear his hisses, they all could but they quietened. The Dragon keepers kept their narrowed eyes on the Lady, who uttered one last thing before she took off. "Sōves."

Seabalde spread his wings, then took his feet off the ground, using his wings to fly up and away. Daenys grip tightened as she laughed, although it was a rocky couple of yards it didn't halt her laughter. She could see the castle moving farther away, those who fought in the courtyards were specs of dirt in her eyes, it was all distant. The wind breezed through her hair, causing a few braids to come undone, but she paid no mind.

They were flying.

She was flying.

And so she screamed in excitement and the Dragon screeched loudly. The view was beautiful.

"Paktot," Seablade obeyed, moving where she wanted. "Gevī!" they breeze over the Sea, smiling at the idea that came to mind when fishes came into view. And so she narrowly avoided the merchants who ducked down, "Sorry!" she yelled, wincing when Seablade's tail almost knocked one to the ground before. His wings graced the surface of the water. "Kisās," Seablade's head vanished for a second, only to reappear with fish caught between his jaws and his water clinging to his scales.

If only her mother could see her now.

She was unaware her father could from the shore of the beach tucked away in a shack accompanied by a sleeping beauty.

"I'm flying," Daenys screamed, all on her own. She flew, never letting go of the reins, keeping her eyes on the skies, taking the glory it had to offer. A true Dragon rider. A Targaryen.

Joy flooded her face as she flew around.

Aemond wore a proud grin on his face, she looked effortlessly beautiful. A Gevie girl, the Valryain word he learnt quite some time ago and had never used until now as he watched her soar through the skies. Though he couldn't shake the envious feeling growing in his stomach, it spread through his veins and boomed against his chest. He needed a Dragon, he needed to claim and ride a Dragon, he wanted it now.

Soon, Daenys returned to the Dragon pits and dismounted, giggling at her Dragon who groaned loudly when she had to leave. She was tingling with excitement, which grew when she heard applause, but only to see it did not belong to who she thought.

It was Aegon.

The Prince whistled from where he stood next to his brother who quietly begged him to stop.

"Quite the ride my Lady, I suppose riding a Dragon is more thrilling the bigger they are," she scrunched up her face, not liking how he spoke. "The first flight is always rough, you handled it with... vigour," he grinned, "You should see my Dragon, she's quite a beauty."

"I'm quite alright Prince Aegon," she denied.

"More than alright so it seems," his gaze dragged from her boots to her riding pants, irked that a leather coat obstructed his view of her undeveloped chest. "I should accompany you on a ride, ignore my brother, he doesn't have a Dragon, quite pathetic, some would say."

"Some? Like you and your sister's sons?"

"Those bastards," Aegon couldn't help but laugh, deeply as Daenys turned to look at Aemond's deflated expression, she urged him to not believe his brother with her eyes but he just fidgeted with his hands.

"Such words could be treason, my Prince," she stated, despite finally getting the confirmation she wanted, but not in this manner.

"Please, call me Aegon."

"She will call you nothing," Aemond snapped, just as Daenys gritted out, "I will call you nothing."

Aegon remained amused by the two, gladdened that the bashful gleam on his brother's face had now faded.

Daenys had not realised the proximity to the eldest Prince until Aemond stepped in front, protecting her from his brother's lustful leer, it angered him, as did his remarks about being Dragon-less.

"Daenys!" they snapped their heads towards the voice calling her name. It was Jacaerys. Aegon snickered to himself, whilst Aemond simply glared. "Father says he saw you mount your Dragon for the first time, I must apologise I did not see. That sounds exciting if you could tell me all about it, whilst I'll escort you back to your chambers. The cooks are preparing us a smaller feast tonight."

Daenys stiffly nodded, finally breathing evenly with the distance created between her and Aegon. He had riled her up and made her feel disgusted and dirty, with only a few words.

"Yes, thank you, Jace," she mustered up a smile, before sending a sad one to Aemond, "I shall see you tomorrow Aemond."

He nodded, "Goodnight Daenys."

"Yes, sleep well My lady," Aegon decided to dramatically bow, earning a scoff as she and Jace went on their ways.

The Velaryon Prince asked, "Are you alright?"

"Perfectly alright," it was a lie. She had been on a high, which was taken away with crudeness and vile insinuations. "I don't like Aegon."

"No one does," in Kings Landing, he and his younger brother went on with his teasing, mocking and simple-minded pranks against Prince Aemond. Their mother reprimanded them, and although they felt bad, their rough and viscous training in courtyards had always made those feelings of remorse fade. "You mustn't  listen to him."

"Don't you?" Daenys grip loosened on his arm, she hadn't realised she was holding onto him so tight.

He didn't seem to mind.

Jace shook his head, "No. Not anymore."

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"Father has not visited us, he was with our cousin, the Princess," Rhaena stated, rubbing at her eyes. They hadn't seen their father since breakfast, and he nor their eldest cousin had been present at dinner.

"They're friendly, that's what our Uncle Laenor said, although Ser Vaemond disagreed," Baela replied.

Shortly after the maids had left their bed-chambers, Odessa went with them but sent a gentle smile to the three Ladies.

"Ser Vaemond is notorious for his complaints," Daenys said, "but what of his sons?"

A grin grew on Rhaena's face, "They're handsome."

Baela agreed from their bed, "They are, but tend to talk about the same things, unintentionally of course."

"Luke told me that you've been spending time with Aemond," Rhaena rushed out, "are you fond of him?"

Daenys fumbled with her hands as the twins awaited an answer, "I do not like him... I think."

Baela grimaced, throwing her head between the full pillows, "He's too quiet."

"He's studious," Daenys replied, smiling slightly.

The Prince was skilled in keeping her calm, amused even, but not nearly as much as her sisters. He certainly didn't drive her to boredom like her father tried to convince her. She knew that he was skilled with the sword, due to the training of Ser Cole; a man who reportedly beat her father in a duel. Aemond was quite handsome and tall for his age, set to grow taller than Aegon. His eyes were bold, and she could tell beneath his stoic bravado lay a hot temper. She hoped to see his efficiency with a dagger one day.

"What does that mean?" Rhaena's voice pulled her from her delightful thoughts.

Daenys cleared her throat, "Well, it means that he certainly listens more than he speaks. His sister is lovely," the twins frowned at that, and the youngest joined Baela in the bed. "And I've heard his youngest brother is quite nice, but you should steer clear of Aegon," she said, tone lowering, causing the twins to exchange a look, "He's vile."

Baela sat up, "I've heard he's a drunkard."

"And I can't stand wine," Rhena recalled her first time tasting Dornish wine, it was too ripe.

Daenys wasn't fond of it herself, "Neither can I."

Rhaena reached out for her, "Sister..."

Daenys sat at the foot of their bed, "Yes."

"Where will we live? Grandmother wants us to remain on Driftmark. Father wants us to leave, and pack our things in a matter of days."

The twins felt closer to their mother here, the portraits, the salty air, and their grandparents who told stories of her mother in her youth, made their grief ease.

Baela whined, "I don't want to leave. Do you?"

Daenys gently shook her head, "I miss the warmth of Pentos, but I like to stay here we have cousins here and when they return to Dragonstone or Kings Landing they're not far, the Narrow sea was keeping us from them."

"I understand why Mother missed it so," Baela sniffled.

Rhaena agreed, "I feel her here."

"As do I," a ghostly smile breached Daenys face.

She often wondered if their mother could return. She wanted it, needed it to be true so she could be whole again, so their family could be one. Perhaps Laena would return with the sibling they never knew. Another sister or perhaps a brother who would take the more masculine appearance of her sisters. Daenys would have someone else to love and vow to protect, to argue with and to read to.

"I do not think there will be a day where I won't miss her," Baela sadly smiled, "and Vhagar, she must be so lonely."

Daenys countered, "Until she's claimed."

"She's mine to claim," Rhaena exclaimed.

Daenys quicked up a brow, "She's anyone's to claim."

"Dany, that's not true," Rhaena whined. Baela disagreed but didn't voice it.

"Dragons choose us, you know that," Daenys stroked her face, "We do not own them, nor are they inherited like a sword or land," she tucked them into bed, smothering them with kisses. "Enough talk about Vhagar. We should sleep."

"But wait, you said you had news," Baela said, sleepily. "Good news."

Rhaena slowly tilted her head, "What was it?"

The twins hadn't seen an excited smile grow on their sister's face for weeks, but there it was.

"I rode Seablade today," she joyfully informed.

"You did?!" Baela gasped loudly almost jumping out of the sheets.

Rhaena beamed, "Can we see the next time you ride him?"

"Yes, you can," Daenys giggled, wanting them there.

Baela couldn't wait to finally mount Moondancer. "How did you feel?"

"Powerful." The twins were happy for their sister, "Now, rest."

"Dany you have to sleep also," Rhaena whispered, as Daenys stalked toward a chair in the corner of the room and sat down.

"I'll try, now rest your eyes. On the morrow, if you wake early, mayhaps we'll sight Sheep Stealer."

She curled up on the chair near a vast window, dragging Maester Mathis' The Nine Voyages onto her lap, biting the inside of her mouth and began to read.

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a/n:

it's so sad that the brief moment of joy daenys felt was overridden by the fear and discomfort. she may be daemon's daughter and exposed to his colourful language but nothing will prepare her for aegon.

the new trailers are feeding me well, anyone see how aemond looks?