𝑩𝑼𝑹𝑵 𝑭𝑶𝑹 𝒀𝑶𝑼 | Maelea Velaryon x Rhaenyra Targaryen

[003]

—THE SOUND OF LEATHERN WINGS BEATING AGAINST THE night breeze came echoing over Driftmark, with the roar of Meleys and Moondancer following shortly after. Vermithor and Silverwing both roared back in response as they descended from the darkened sky and to the ground outside the castle.

It was a late night, the next morrow would come shortly, and Maelea knew she'd be expected back in Kings Landing. The Velaryon dismounted her bronze dragon and gave him a pet on his snout before turning to make her way into the castle, leaving Vermithor with Silverwing for the rest of the night.

Maelea slipped in the back door being guarded by only two knights. They drew their swords fourth when they saw the Velaryon Princess. "Who goes there?!" One demanded lowly.

Maelea held her arms up, "It's only me." She said as she slowly came toward them.

"Princess." The guards said with a bow as they withdrew their steel.

Maelea moved past them and stepped back into the castle of Driftmark, treading lightly as to not risk alerting someone of her presence, she didn't exactly wish to explain herself tonight. With silent but swift steps she made her way to her chambers, a sigh escaping her lips as she shifted inside. Maelea took no time in getting herself into her chemise before jumping into bed to enjoy a few hours of rest. Unfortunately her peace only lasted five minutes before her door creaked open, revealing her niece Rhaena.

"You disappeared yesterday." She said as she approached the end of Maelea's bed.

Maelea sat herself up against her pillows as she looked at her approaching niece with a frown. "You should be in bed Rhaena, it's late." She said.

Rhaena slowly sat herself down at the end of Maelea's bed with a frown, "I know.. but I heard you return, with your dragon." She said, slight sadness in her voice.

Maelea knew exactly what was happening; Rhaena was feeling dismal because she still was without a dragon. Maelea scooted over in her bed and patted the empty space beside her, inviting her niece to get in with her.

Feeling slightly better Rhaena moved off the end of the bed and climbed into the blankets beside her aunt, getting comfortable in the sheets before Maelea wrapped her arms around her niece warmly. "You will have a dragon one day, alright?" She said, placing a kiss on Rhaena's head.

"But what if I don't.. what if I'm without a dragon forever?" Rhaena asked, her voice quiet and downhearted.

Maelea put her finger under her nieces chin, lifting it to so Rhaena's eyes met her own; "How many times must I repeat myself Rhaena? You will have a dragon one day, it's only a matter of time and patience."

"But no egg of mine has hatched." Rhaena replied.

"There are other ways to get a dragon Rhaena, it all depends on whether you're prepared to go to such lengths." Maelea said, taking a pause as she looked into her nieces eyes with a serious expression, "Now please, can we talk about this at a more reasonable time? We both need rest." She said.

Rhaena let out a sigh but smiled nonetheless, "Okay." She said before shuffling further into the blankets to get comfortable.

Maela raised her brow upward, "You aren't returning to your own chambers?" She asked.

Rhaena shook her head, "I know you'll take off to Kings Landing before any of us wake up, I want to be there to at least see you off for the day." She said as she closed her eyes.

Maelea chuckled, "Alright, do what you wish." She said before laying down beside her niece and closing her eyes to go to sleep.

—THE NEXT MORROW CAME AROUND QUICKLY, MAELEA AND Rhaena were up before the dawn was to break, ready to fly for Kings Landing. The two made their way out of the castle of Driftmark and toward the dragons. Rhaena smiled as she saw Silverwing was with Vermithor, she'd always adored Silverwing and had as a child wanted to claim the gorgeous she-dragon, though of course she'd never gotten around to it.