Dragon's roar (House of the Dragon)

002

Chapter 2: "We are children that need to be loved" What about us, Pink.

A few years before the prologue.

The yellow lightning passed over Cora and Alicent's head before landing a few feet away from them. The princess dismounted Syrax and with a final stroke on her scales, she joined her friends.

"Syrax has been growing fast" commented the young Hightower.

"Yes. She is almost large enough to saddle two" answered Rhaenyra.

"I am quite content as a spectator, thank you."

"Speak for yourself. Flying on dragonback must be awesome" stated the young Lannister as the three girls entered the carriage.

The carriage made its way from the dragonpit to the Red Keep.

"I could take you some days" proposed the Targaryen.

"I do not think it is proper. My father and brothers might be against the idea. Plus I must remind you that I am no Targaryen."

"Fuck them !"

"Rhaenyra !" chastised Alicent.

"That's true and it does not matter that you are no Targaryen. As long as you have the right spirit, you can mount a dragon" explained the silver-haired girl.

"If you say so. I fear I will have little time to do so" answered Cora.

"Why is that ?" asked her other friend.

Worry painted itself on the face of the Lannister girl. A few weeks prior, her father came to the capitol to inform her of a serious matter and since then, she waited for the sentence like a soldier on the battlefield was waiting for death : as an irrevocable future.

"It is not like you're goind to go back to Casterly Rock, right ?" wondered Rhaenyra to lighten the atmosphere.

"No. It is worse."

"What do you mean ?"

"My father came a few weeks ago and he told me that I was old enough to find suitors in order to get married. He will pick some high lords and I will have to marry one of them."

Alicent grabbed her hand in compassion. She knew her friend dreaded the idea of a marriage. Cora was a free spirit, much more than but, as young noble ladies, it was their duty to marry and bear children. Rhaenyra on the other hand understood her frustration. She wasn't too eager to marry either. Cora looked up at her friends again. She was glad to sense their support.

"Did he tell you who he had in mind ?" asked the young Hightower.

"He has some ideas but I believe that Lord Baratheon's son and Vaemond Velaryon have his preferences."

"Ugh! I heard that Lord Baratheon's son is a complete moron !" exclaimed the princess.

"I know and Vaemond Velaryon is much too old for me but it is not like I have a choice. My father wants an advantageous match and he is not going to wait for me to fall in love with a young lord."

"I know this is hard but it is our duty as women" wisely added Alicent.

"Yes, because men decided it. If it were up to me, I would never marry."

"And what would you do ?" asked Rhaenyra.

"I would read all day or go on horseback. Maybe I could only eat cake and dance until my feet hurt."