Dragon's roar (House of the Dragon)

Epilogue: "I'm more than all of my scars" Saviour II, Black Veil Brides.

A year and a half later

The children were running in the courtyard as Alannys tried to follow them but to no avail. Her condition prevented her from running after them. Helaena came to her side and put a hand on her shoulder.

"Let them run. They are so happy to celebrate."

"They are right. We should all enjoy a celebration after all that happened" answered the lady. "Have you seen my husband ?"

"No, but I think we are awaited upstairs. You will find him later."

They left the twin with a maid, as they would probably join little Aegon and baby Viserys. The two ladies entered the castle and hurried down the halls. Memories flowed in them as giggles from their childhood seemed to echo on the walls. Alannys found it good to be back there after a year, especially to be reunited with her family. Everything was more calm for it has been more than a year since the war ended. The tensions had been eased and the house of the dragon was building herself up again. They reached the royal chambers. Inside were Rhaenyra, Rhaena and Baela getting ready. The Queen immediately embraced her first daughter tightly and also gave a quick nod to her sister. The Velaryon princess still had some things to settle with Rhaenyra but they no longer were in conflict.

"Alannys, my girl. I missed you. You too, Helaena" stated the sovereign. "You are beautiful ladies."

"Indeed, you are glowing, Lan'" greeted Rhaena as she embraced her older cousin.

"Thank you Rhaena but today is not my day. Speaking of that, where's Baela ?"

At the same time, the princess exited from behind the changing screen. She wore a richly adorned ivory gown. Threads of red were cascading down the fabric creating elegant patterns. Her white hair was styled in a refined way. Baela Targaryen was breathtaking.

"You are magnificent Baela. Jace will be dazzled" exclaimed Alannys as she jumped to take her in her arms.

She had missed Baela greatly during this year. The war brought the two girls close and they had a hard time getting separated. However, they were glad to be reunited once again for what was to be one of Baela's most important days.

"You're the one to speak. You are positively incandescent. This state is looking good on you" answered the future queen.

"Oh, you should have seen me two moons ago. I was vomiting at any moment and looked horrible."

The four younger women giggled at this statement. Seeing them all so happy made Rhaenyra realised that she made the right choice, more than a year ago, to spare the life of her half sister and brothers as an extent of her gratitude toward her daughter.

"All right ladies. We need to go and join everyone because we don't want to keep them waiting for too long" stated Rhaenyra.

The twins led the way followed by Helaena. The Queen linked arms with Alannys as they strolled along the hallways. Alannys had missed her mother at heart. Even if she opposed her a year prior and she realised that Rhaenyra was not the idealised image she built in her head since she was very young, she was in a period in which she needed her guidance and advice. Rhaenyra had also missed her dearly. Her former ward had grown into an impressive young woman and she felt so proud. Their relationship had changed with the years but they had a special bond.

"So, how is the little one doing ?"

"Good, I guess. Like I said, I just finished the period filled with sickness. However, the babe had not kicked yet, to the great despair of its father" answered the princess.

"I am eager to meet my first grandchild. And now your brother is getting married. I remember when you were all just babies" said Rhaenyra, getting a bit emotional.

They made their way to the Throne room where the wedding would take place. The heir to the throne was getting married. The Queen obviously joined her throne while Alannys stayed with Baela behind the doors for a brief moment.

"Is it normal that I am frightened ?" asked the bride.

"It is but do not worry. Jace is positively besotted with you. And do not forget : you are a warrior that survived battles so you can survive this" smiled her older cousin.

The girls embraced each other once again before the oldest went with everyone to wait for the bride's entrance. Alannys joined her husband who was seated with Helaena. Helaena was holding Jaehaera on her lap and Aemond did the same with Jaehaerys. He turned to his wife as she came to sit with them, holding Joffrey's hand.

"Are you alright ?" asked the prince.

"Yes, I am. Joffrey has been a great help to walk here" answered the lady, kissing the head of her little brother before grabbing the hand of her husband.

They all sat as Jacaerys made his way before the septon. Baela entered the room shortly after and captured everyone's attention. As she joined her future husband, Alannys could feel tears in her eyes and rolling down her cheeks. She was not usually emotional but they both seemed so grown that she could not help it. Her tears stayed during the entire ceremony. Aemond caught her hand and kissed it lightly as they joined their chambers to get ready for the feast.

"What's wrong, my love ," asked the Prince.

"Nothing. I am just emotional about all of this. They are all growing up so fast and I really missed all of them" confessed his wife as he sneaked his arms around her waist to bring her against him.

"Maybe when the baby is born, we could travel to Dragonstone for some time and come back here."

"Really ?" wondered the princess, knowing that Aemond was still not too eager to spend time with Jace or most members of their family.

"Yes. I can see you need more time with the boys and even Rhaenyra. I love you so I want what's best for you. You were ready to make a sacrifice for me a year ago so I think enduring our family is something I can do. We could spend some weeks with Jace and Baela then come to Kingslanding as I am sure the Queen will want to see our child."

Alannys could only give him the most passionate kiss, passing all of her emotions in it. After the war, they decided to get married quickly, to protect Aemond from another trial. The Velaryon princess was ready to sacrifice herself for him and even if it was not easy, the prince chose to marry her. Then, they departed to Casterly Rock with Helaena and the twins. The first months of their marriage had some bumps and they had a lot of arguments. However, Alannys quickly fell pregnant and Aemond became very affectionate and protective ; they forgot to argue and found some kind of post-marital bliss. The same bliss they experimented during the war, back at the Rock, the founding of their love.

They joined the great hall for the feast. Alannys was finally able to hold her brother in her arms. Jace had also missed her a great deal. She also awkwardly hugged Daemon whom she hadn't had the chance to see earlier. They have been estranged since the end of the war. The rogue prince disagreed with some life choices of the girl he considered his third daughter and they knew that their relationship would never be the same.

Then, everyone sat at the High table. As she looked around the room, Alannys remembered her eighteenth nameday. Things had changed. Rhaenyra was Queen and was listening to her three youngest sons with her husband at her side. Jace and Baela were newly and happily married. Helaena was joyful and she was chatting with Cregan Stark while watching the twins. And she herself was pregnant with the baby of the man she loved.

"What are you thinking about ?" asked Aemond, putting a hand on her growing belly.

"Just about time, life, family."

"About that, I had an idea. For a name."

"Tell me" demanded his wife, genuinely interested.

"If it is a girl, her name should be Cora. Cora Targaryen-Velaryon sounds good" proposed the man.

Right at that moment, they felt a little kick under Aemond's hand. Alannys felt new tears in her eyes as she kissed her husband.

"It is perfect"

There were tragedies in all of their pasts but Alannys was convinced that, in the end, everything would make sense. At least as long as the skies will hear the dragon's roar.