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                                                                        124, Red Keep
                                                
High above King's Landing, Meriahyna was soaring through the clouds on her dragon Niliana, Helaena and Daeron were riding next to her on their dragons  Dreamfyre and Tessarion respectively.

Poor Aemond was not with them and was left behind at the Red Keep for he didn't not have a dragon yet. But, the Sea Dragon would find a Dragon for her Uncle, despite her grandfather and Aegon claiming he would never take to the skies.

5 years have passed since the unusual incident, the young  Sea Dragon had blossomed into a young beautiful girl. Prince Laenor doted on the girl and would spend every spare minute he had of the day with her, completely forgetting about his other children.

If Meriahyna wasn't spending time with her father, she would be spending it with Helaena, Aemond, and Daeron. During the last few years, she had grown close with the Green children and the three became inseparable much to the disapproval of her mother causing her to be pushed away.

During that time, her mother had given birth to a boy named Lucaerys, another bastard sired by her lover Harwin Strong. Meriahyna heard the rumors and whispers going around the Red Keep about her father being into male and her mother bedding another man behind his back.

Though she was slightly aware of their open marriage, a part of her still felt that something was fundamentally wrong with the situation, perhaps due to her closeness with Alicent's children and the queen's own beliefs about the Faith.

She knew her brothers were Ser Strong's children, the resemblance between the three was undeniable, and the reason why Ser Harwin was always around. The young Sea Dragon didn't judge her mother for her actions and loved her brothers no matter what. She just wished her mother and brothers would return that same love to her.

But, it seems her mother had turned Jacaerys away from her and was beginning to do the same with Lucaerys. Before they were close while Jacaerys and her would  bicker a bit, they would always play with one another and go down together to the training area, despite being a girl her father wanted her to learn the way of sword fighting,

Laenor played an important role in his daughter's lessons, making sure she was well-educated, knowledgeable, and knew how to defend herself. Something his wife failed to do with their daughter and rather spend all her time educating her precious sons.

The Sea Prince just couldn't understand how a mother could hate her child. Everyone else adored Meriahnya especially the King who had taken a special interest in his granddaughter and would spend time with her every week, telling her the stories of Old Valyria.

Even Queen Alicent had taken a liking to the girl despite being the daughter of her former best friend; in a way, she was what Helaena could have been.

"Daeron, watch this!", challenged the young girl, who then ordered Nilanna to do a barrel roll. The dragon followed directions, circling the air before creating five rings of green flame â€"a  Hightower color, and rolling over and flying through them, her excited mistress unburnt.

"Ooh, let me try!", Helaena added, but Dreamfyre protested.

"Awww~ come on Dreamfyre, just this once!"

The dragon responded by spewing out orange flames, the rings glowing bright, Dreamfyre entering them as if she was dancing on air, as opposed to Nilanna's acrobatics.

"Ooh, let's do that together!", Meriahyna suggested.

"Yes, let's!"

"Children!", Otto called out, stopping the girls from doing the light show they were planning.

On the ground, Jacerys chuckled, a little envious of his sister's special dragon.

"It's time for your lady lessons."

"Aaaawwww~", the girls whined.

"It's okay girls, we can always practice at night.", Daeron whispered to his two best friends.

"Yes, let's! Nilanna can see well in the dark."

"Just make sure no one else finds out."

"Hehehe~"

                           Red Keep

To say that the Septa who tutored both Helaena and Meriahnya was disappointed, was an understatement â€" she had stormed in white the girls were discussing their escape plan with a furious face.

"Do you have any idea how dangerous that was!? Your mother, the Queen, was worried that you might fall, Princess Helaena!"

"Dreamfyre is a good girl. Besides, I have a saddleâ€""

"A princess does not talk back!"

"She's right though; the Ambassador of Qohor specifically made it for Aunty Helaena."

"You speak properly girl."

"I have a name!"

"Mei, don't aggravate her. Lucerys got slapped in the arse for calling her a moron.", Helaena whispered.

"Pfft! Really?"

"Yes, now pretend to be a good girl."

"Why me? She also scolded you, Auntie."

"She's always more lenient with me; she dislikes you because of Rhaenyra."

"A-hem!"

"Oh, um…apologies, Septa Amirei."

"Good. Now you two go bathe; you reek of dragon."

Helena and Meriahyna both rolled their eyes as they exited the sewing room.

"'Reek'? Isn't that a bit harsh?"

"She's a Septa, Mei; they're allergic to magic."

"Ha!"

From behind a pillar, Alicent smiled at the girls' interactions, though she would scold them later for their nasty words about their teacher.

Meriahnya and Helaena made their way to the bathing chambers and decided it was a good idea to share a tub â€" children being children. Grabbing the tray for the perfumed soaps, Helaena picked two bars and smelled them each.

"I've always liked lavender."

"It is a calming scent."

"Which do you like Mei?"

"Lily."

Helaena gave her the pinkish-white bar of soap, and both started to wash themselves. It was a quiet moment for both until something white squirted past them and splashed on the ground below.

"Ugh!"

"Eeeewwww!"

"I'll send my bugs after that person, I swear!" Helena screamed.

"Hopefully, not Egg."

"Hopefully…"

A maid walked in and gasped, dropping the clothes she was supposed to put on the shelf. "By the Seven, what are you two doing!?"

"Please get your mind out of Flea Bottom.", scolded Helaena. "You're a bad influence on Mei."

"It's not proper for two people to share a bath, not unless they are husband and wife!"

Helaena and Meriahyna looked at each other, before splashing water at the frightened maid. Mei, in her concentration, most probably crested a water fountain that sent the poor servant out of the room, screaming in fright.

"Whoa! You have powers?"

Meriahyna gasped and sent the bath water back to its container. She blinked once, then twice, and looked at her hands in confusion.

"I… I don't know how I got them."

Helaena cupped her niece's face and gave her a sisterly kiss on the forehead. "When the gods give you a blessing, you don't ask them why."

"So you don't hate me?"

"No, of course not! How can I hate my sea dragon best friend?"

The duo giggled, unaware that a certain someone was listening from the other side of the door.

                           _____________

Meriahyna was in the Queen's garden, training with Ser Criston Cole away from the court's eyes. She knew her mother would flip if she learned her daughter was using live steel weapons instead of attending her princess lessons.

In reality, she knew her mother was afraid of her old lover spilling the beans about their short-lived affair. "How her mother enjoyed manipulating and using people for her greed, then playing the victim when confronted by her actions," she thought.

The young princess was surprised when the knight accepted her invitation to train her. She was sure he would hate or even loathe her due to being Rhaenyra's daughter. Instead, he had become one of her most trustworthy friends at court.

Meriahyna swung her sword, blocking the incoming attack of the knight, and countered with force. The two swords clashed, both combatants barely breaking a sweat until a familiar voice rang out.

"Meriahyna," her father called out.

She immediately paused, giving Ser Criston an advantage. He knocked her off her feet, causing her to tumble to the ground.

"Hey!" Meriahyna protested, crossing her arms over her chest. "Warn a girl next time, will you?"

Criston chuckled, helping the young princess off the ground. "In battle, Princess, there is no pause. You either fight your way through or die."

"Your enemy will find any advantage they can. Always keep your guard up," he added, gazing at her sternly. "Do you understand?"

Meriahyna nodded. "Yes."

"Ser Criston," Laenor said, stepping towards them and gazing darkly at the knight. To this day, the Velaryon prince has not forgotten that tragic night when Ser Criston murdered his beloved Joffrey in front of him and got away with it.

"Prince Laenor," the knight greeted him with a bow before walking away.

Meriahyna rushed into her father's arms, hugging him tightly. Laenor instantly embraced his daughter. "Papa, where have you been all morning? I've been trying to find you," she asked, gazing up at him.

"I had duties to attend to, little one," Laenor answered, stroking her cheek gently. "Now, what is this I hear from Septa Amariel about you and Princess Helaena disobeying her?"

"We weren't, Papa," Meriahyna said. "We only went for a ride around the city with Daeron," Meriahyna explained.

"I swear she's such an old bat," the princess mumbled.

Laenor shook his head, trying to hide his amusement. "Meri, you can't speak that way about your Septa; that's not appropriate behavior."

"I know, I'm sorry, Papa," Meriahyna said, pulling away from him. "It's just that I'm tired of the Septa and other people around here comparing me to Mother."

"What do you mean by that?" he asked.

The young Sea Princess sighed, bending her head down. "Everyone thinks I'm spoiled like Mother. I was blessed to have been born into royalty, but I try to treat everyone with respect. The Queen is always commenting on how I look like Mother and act just like her at times," added Meriahyna.

Laenor gently grasped his daughter's shoulder, lifting her chin. "And why is that such a bad thing, little one? Your mother is one of the most beautiful souls in the Seven Kingdoms, and the kindest I have ever laid eyes on."

Meriahnya scoffed. "So kind to dishonor you behind your back and sire children with Ser Harwin, favoring Jace and Luke over me."

A moment of silence passed between the two, and Laenor's eyes widened in shock, not expecting to hear those words escape from her mouth.

"Meri, where did you hear these rumors from?" Laenor demanded.

"I didn't hear from anyone," she whispered. "I saw Ser Harwin come from Mother's chambers a few times."

"And Ser Harwin is always around Mother, Jace, and Luke all the time," added the Princess. "I may be 5, but I'm not stupid, and neither is everyone else."

"Little one, you can't speak such things!" Laenor exclaimed, gripping her shoulders. "Your mother, Jace, and Luke could
be put in harm's way for accusations such as this."

"I would never tell anyone, Father. I would never put Mother, Jace, and Luke in harm's way."

"I just don't understand why Mother must act so distant and cold to us!" Meriahnya exclaimed. "I'm her blood too, even if I am not a Targaryen like Jace and Luke."

All she had ever wanted was for them to be one big family. Meriahyna held no ill will against Ser Harwin or her brothers for their parentage. She loved them dearly and would never sell them out. If only her mother could be as warm and loving to her as she was to Jace and Luke.

She simply yearned for her mother's love and approval, for her to be proud of her and to finally embrace her lovingly, as The Queen did with Helaena at times.

Laenor gazed at his daughter sadly, feeling the tension between Rhaenrya and Meriahnya growing over the last few years. He had hoped Rhaenrya would come to love their daughter as he did and embrace the girl as her own.

However, the Princess of Dragonstone had distanced herself from her daughter further, keeping her with the Septa all day and filling her days with endless lessons, while she spent
time with her sons and lover behind closed doors.

He knew Rhaenyra never wanted this marriage, and neither did he, but he had hoped they would try to make the best of it as they promised that day on Driftmark. Rhaenyra had broken that promise, putting her precious sons and Harwin first. To her, they were created out of love and happiness, while Meriahnya was seen as a duty and unwanted, as she had once told him.

Being heir to the Iron Throne was a burden for the Princess. While she had the potential to be a good ruler, her desires and wants had overshadowed her duties and sacrifices to the realm. Rhaenrya had always dreamt of being married to her Uncle Daemon, believing they were two flames drawn by the fire meant to burn together. Although she had grown to love Ser Harwin, her heart would always belong to the Rogue Prince.

Laenor cleared his throat, facing his daughter sternly. "I'm sure that's not true, Meri," he lied. "Your mother loves you just as much as your brothers; she just has trouble expressing her emotions sometimes."

"And her pregnancy has taken a toll on her," he added.

"I guess," Meriahyna mumbled. "Maybe some fire poppies will cheer her up."

Laenor smiled. "Yes, I am sure she would love them. Now, come, your new baby brother wishes to meet his older sister."

              
                      »»————- ★ - ★ ————-««

Rhaenrya sat on the sofa holding her newborn son while Jace and Luke gathered around her, trying to get a closer look at the baby. Harwin stood in the corner of the room, watching his family with a small smile.

"He's rather quiet," Jace commented, gazing at his newborn brother.

"Yes, my sweet," Rhaenrya chuckled.

"Have you decided what you will name him, Mother?" Luke asked.

"Yes, his name will beâ€"" She was about to say but was cut off by the chamber doors opening, and Laenor and Meriahnya entered the room.

Laenor instantly made his way over to his wife's side. "How is he doing?"

"Fine," Rhaenyra answered, not bothering to look at her husband and daughter.

"Mother, I picked these flowers for you," Meriahyna said, cheerily making her way toward her and standing in front of her.

Rhaenyra lifted her gaze onto her daughter, staring at the flowers in her hand. "Hmm, these are lovely," she answered, taking them out of her daughter's hand.

A smile broke out on the young Sea Dragon's face. "I got them from the Queen's garden."

The Princess' expression turned dark. "Queen Alicent's gardens?"

"Yes, mother," the young Sea Dragon answered. "The Queen was so kind enough to let me pick some flowers out."

"You've spent quite a lot of time with Her Majesty and Princess Helaena," Rhaenyra commented, crumbling the flowers up with her fists.

"Meri is quite attached to the Princess's hip, Mother," Jace snickered, gazing at his younger sister. "So much so that she was even late to her lessons today with Septa Amariel due to lack of Helaena."

Meriahyna gulped, her expression turning into a nervous one. She knew her mother wouldn't be happy with her spending time with Helaena, Daeron, and Aemond.

The young Sea Dragon turned her eyes toward her baby brother, and a smile broke out on her face. "He's so precious, Mother."

She leant down, pressing a kiss to his forehead, causing Rhaenrya to pull back, gripping her newborn brother tightly much to her shock. After she met with her father and Alicent, Alicent's comments began to haunt her.

"I'm sure the Faith of the Seven will bless you with another child that looks like you again as they did with Princess Meriahnya, just keep trying Prince Laenor."

"If not, you will always have Meriahnya to consider as an heir for Driftmark." She added.

"My youngest son, Luke is in line to inherit Driftmark, your Grace," Rhaenrya hissed.

Alicent turned her gaze towards her former friend, and a fake smile broke out on her face. "Of course, Prince Luke will be a fine King of Driftmark one day.

"But, I'm sure the people of Driftmark wouldn't mind a woman ruler." Would they, Ser Laenor?"

Laenor shook his head. "No, they wouldn't."

It was clear to the court and the realm that her sons were not trueborn Velaryon as her daughter Meriahnya was. The Hightowers would no doubt try to use this to their advantage and try to secure the Iron Throne to their grasp. Rhaenrya feared for her son's safety even more, and now she had begun to fear her daughter around them. She knew Meriahnya would never harm them, would she?

Jace and Luke would be Kings one day as expected, but Meriahnya would remain a Princess with nothing to inherit, but the title of a dragon rider. The Princess had uneasy visions of the future to come. The last thing she wanted was a division among her children, for the only ones that could tear House of the Dragon apart were themselves, her grandfather King Jaehaerys once said.

And, her daughter would no doubt be used against her and her sons one day to tear apart the Targaryen dynasty. This is why it was for the best for Meriahnya to stay just a Princess, with nothing to inherit.

"Did I do something wrong?" Meriahnya asked, gazing at her mother.

"We picked an egg out for the baby, Mother," Jace spoke up. "I let Luke choose."

Rhaenyra handed the baby to Laenor, ignoring her daughter, and stood up, making her way towards her brothers. "Ah, that looks like the perfect one."

"Thank you, Jace," Luke said, smiling.

Harwin turned his gaze to the Sea Princess, seeing the sad expression on her face. His heart ached for the Princess; he knew Rhaenrya's coldness towards the girl stemmed from fears and worries about their sons' safety. Despite understanding her concerns, he couldn't condone Rhaenrya's mistreatment of Meriahnya and favoritism towards their sons. He believed all children should be loved and raised equally.

"Princess, are you alright?" Harwin asked.

Meriahnya nodded, forcing a smile to mask her hurt. "Yes, Ser Harwin, just a little tired from today's ride."

Rhaenyra turned back towards her husband and took the baby from him, settling down on the sofa.

"Have you decided on a name, my love?" Laenor asked.

"Yes, his name shall be Joffrey," she answered, smiling at her son and stroking his cheek gently.

"After father's friend?" Meriahnya inquired.

"Yes, my little one," Laenor confirmed.

"Ser Harwin wishes to be introduced to Joffrey now," Rhaenrya interjected. "You two may go; we will be fine without your presence."

Meriahnya glared at her mother, almost tempted to confront her about her cruelty and disrespect towards her father. "As you wish, Mother."

Laenor gave his wife a cold look before leading his daughter out of the room, growing weary of her mistreatment of their daughter. He knew he needed to address the issue with Rhaenyra soon and put a stop to it.

The Princess of Dragonstone was unbothered as her husband and daughter left the room, instead was more content with her family in front of her. If only she knew her lies, coldness, and schemes would cost her everything in the end.  For the sea does not like to be restrained, just as it can be calm it can be as scorching hot as a Dragon

                    ■□■□■□■□ - ■□■□■□■

Yeah, it's been a while I know guys im so sorry for leaving y'all hanging all these months. But, I'm back with a clear mind and hopefully more updates in the upcoming weeks.

Thank you all for your support and love on this story and any of my other works. I greatly appreciate all of your kind comments.

Until next time.

Love Ala..