The Passion of a Thousand Suns | Aemond Targaryen

Six: of riddles

KING'S LANDING

126 AC 

"Have you chosen a name yet?"

The Lengii Princess sighed, plucking a grape from the bowl. "No. I can't seem to find the right one."

The two cousins sat in the gardens of the Red Keep, a large picnic spread gathered around them.

Hira gazed up at the sky, heart swelling with fulfilment as the Cannibal flew high and glided through the clouds. His tail left trails of lines that painted a pretty picture. Her wild dragon casted shadows over King's Landing. 

More often than not Hira couldn't believe he had chosen her as his rider, even when his domineering presence was right in front of her, proving her wrong. It was because of that, that she hadn't chosen a suitable name for him yet. She wanted it to be accurate, one that he could wear with pride, the same emotion she felt every time she caught a glimpse of him.

"What of a Valyrian name?" Helaena suggested, amusing herself with a green butterfly cradled in her hand.

Such an interesting quirk of hers, Hira mused.

She scrunched her nose, instantly disagreeing. "He's not a Targaryen dragon, that much I know. I don't think he would appreciate such a name. Perhaps a Lengii one to honour my ancestors?"

Helaena hummed in agreement.

"In Leng, the closest we have to dragons are the basilisks. They're hidden deep in the forests and are difficult to tame. Pilak's egg hatched when I was born, making training exceptionally easy. He stays only because I spoil him. Don't I, you little menace?"

The reptile in question yipped, his head squished between Hira's warm hands. She kissed his snout and laughed when he licked her. He leapt from her lap, catching the attentions of a butterfly that flew out of Helaena's palm. The girl clapped in delight, laughing as Pilak chased it.

Her cousin had changed over the years. From full cheeks to a slender face, growing in height too. She was quickly taken by Hira and her ladies, quite close in age and similar upbringings. Alicent was rather happy that Helaena found new friends to share her time with, given that others found her to be strange or aloof.

No matter. Hira was prone to taking in unconventional folk under her protection.

The princess only arrived in King's Landing a mere week ago, but so far she was welcomed by her paternal side, so much so the king held a week-long celebration in her name.

When she landed the Cannibal in the Dragonpit, she recalled the look of fear and shock that crossed those present in the pit. 

The king was delighted when she arrived. Her uncle congratulated her, hugging her in a way that was far too familiar for family who had only met once. He was so different from her father in every way.

Though the rumours spoke true, his health was declining. His full silvery hair had started to recede and his face was more sunken in appearance. She sought to remedy his ailing pains but the Lengii healing book was rejected by the Grand Maester, unimpressed by foreign education from across the Narrow Sea. A closed minded idiot.

That was one of the little things that irked Hira about the capital and the people who dwelled in it. The stares and whispers.

"Pools of blue turn to red. Look before you leap," Helaena mumbled darkly.

"What was that Helaena?"

Another oddity of her cousin, speaking of peculiar things with a far away look on her face. Hira tried to understand her riddles but it was no use. Helaena was a book written in a language unknown to Hira.