Chapter II

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Just want to put a little note here that the information used in most of the stories that Mikael is telling Rhaella is from A Wiki of Ice and Fire and the GoT Wikia, that is where I got the information, and also this is going to be a long one, so sit back and enjoy.
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Two years passed quickly in the Mikaelson household.

Rhaella was now nine years old, and the once small village had continued to grow and prosper. The longhouses stood strong against the northern winds, and the fields surrounding the settlement were filled with crops that promised another good harvest.

On a cool morning near the edge of winter, Rhaella stood beside her father at her mother's bedside.

Esther was giving birth. Rhaella waited anxiously, her hands clasped tightly in front of her as the midwives worked.

Then, at last. A baby's cry filled the room.

Rhaella's face lit up with a wide smile as the midwives carefully cleaned the newborn and wrapped him in a warm blanket. She looked eagerly toward her father. "Can I hold him?" she asked.

Mikael smiled warmly. "Of course you can, little dragon."

Rhaella stepped forward as Mikael carefully placed the baby into her arms. She gazed down at him with wonder. "He's so tiny," she whispered. Then she looked back up at her father. "What is his name?"

Mikael rested a hand on the infant's head. "Niklaus," he said. "His name is Niklaus."

Rhaella smiled softly. "Hello, Niklaus," she said gently. "I'm your big sister Rhaella, but I'm going to call you Nik." She kissed the baby's small forehead. "Just like with Finn and Eli, I'm going to be the best big sister ever."

Mikael chuckled quietly. "Now, little dragon, why don't you give Niklaus back to your mother and go find your brothers so they can meet the newest member of the family?"

Rhaella nodded eagerly. "Of course, Father."

She carefully returned the baby to Esther before rushing outside. It didn't take her long to find Finn and Elijah playing near the training field. She waved excitedly. "Finn! Eli! Come and meet Niklaus, our new baby brother!" Taking both of their hands, she led them back toward the hut.

Over the past two years, Rhaella had continued training with her father every day.

Her skill with the wooden sword had improved greatly. Several of the defensive movements Mikael had taught her had become second nature, while other techniques were still being perfected during their daily practice.

One afternoon after training, Rhaella wiped sweat from her forehead and looked up at her father thoughtfully. "Father," she said, "may I ask you something?"

Mikael smiled down at her. "Of course, little dragon. What is it?"

Rhaella hesitated for a moment. "Why do you call me 'little dragon'?" she asked. "Finn, Eli, and even baby Nik don't have nicknames like that."

Mikael crouched down so they were eye level. "Come," he said gently. "Sit with me, and I will tell you a story." He stood and led her over to a pair of large logs near the training ground. When they sat down, Mikael rested his arms on his knees.

"This story," he said, "will also explain how you came to have your name." Rhaella's eyes brightened immediately. She had always wondered. "But first," Mikael continued with a small smile, "you must hear how it all began."

Rhaella nodded eagerly. "Okay, Father."

Mikael took a slow breath before beginning. "Long ago, far from this land, there was a great empire called Valyria." He gestured toward the distant horizon as he spoke. "In Valyria lived dragons—real dragons—and the people who rode them."

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