The dragon to be // House of dragons

10

When Raina arrived in King's Landing, she wasted no time in requesting her eggs to be sent. She had spent a significant amount of time in her chambers, carefully contemplating how she could save everyone, especially her brothers.

The inevitability of the situation weighed heavily on her. It was a daily occurrence, but the thought that her brothers' fate could be her fault didn't sit well with her. She couldn't bear the idea of such a tragic outcome for them.

"Raina, my love," her grandfather said, as he entered the room. He took a seat beside her, concern etched on his face. She managed a small smile in response.

"I'm fine, grandfather," Raina replied.

"You've been rather quiet since you arrived, my dear. Is something troubling your mind?" he inquired. Her grandfather was the only person who knew the truth, the only one she could truly confide in.

"Yes," Raina nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. "My mind is twisted and filled with destructive thoughts."

"Raina," he said, gently grasping her hands. "What is troubling you, my dear?"

"I have done things... things that I should not have," Raina confessed. "Things that they instructed me to do, but only now do I realize their true meaning."

"What did they tell you to do?" he asked, concern etched on his face. Raina took a deep breath, steeling herself to reveal the truth.

"Everything. I believed that what they had me do was for the benefit of our family, for you, my brother, Mama, and Papa," Raina explained. "But now, I see it. It was all a lie."

"You once told me, five years ago, Raina, that a war would erupt and that you would prepare yourself for it," he recalled. "What have you done to make you believe that you cannot protect your family?"

"I have indeed made preparations, with every intention of safeguarding the ones I love," Raina responded. "But I'm afraid... I don't think I'm capable."

"Why?" he inquired, his voice filled with concern.

"When I gaze upon the dragons, I see magnificent creatures," Raina explained. "Yet, within those beautiful beings, within those majestic beasts, resides the same fire that flows through our veins."

"You are correct," he acknowledged, nodding.

"But in reality, grandfather, what would we be without them?" Raina looked up at him earnestly. "With the dragons, we have managed to stand strong. With dragons, we possess power. But with power comes death."

"Yes, dragons do bring us power," he affirmed.

"Do you know what accompanies death, grandfather?" Raina inquired. "Fear. The kind of fear that makes people whisper names in hushed tones. The same fear that quickens the heartbeat and sends a chill down the spine."

"Without our dragons, we are no different from anyone else," Raina continued. "We burn in the same fires, succumb to the same illnesses, shed tears when we are sad, and raise our voices in anger. It's all the same, grandfather. Everything is the same."

"We are merely human," Raina stated. "Without dragons, we are nothing."

"You are right, Raina. We are just humans," he conceded. "And without our dragons, things would be vastly different. But Raina... we have dragons. We possess that power, and now, so do you." He gently tilted his head, directing her attention to the dragon eggs. They were moving, cracking, hatching before her eyes.

"You see, my dear, this world is cruel, and for a woman like you, it is even crueller," he spoke softly. "People are shaped by what others do for them and to them, and unfortunately, Raina, no one has ever truly done anything for you. They have only done things to you."

"I have failed you, ever since the day you were born. I have kept hidden the truth, the real reason why you were sent away, and I turned a blind eye to it. I didn't do that for you; I did it to you, and for that, I am deeply sorry," he said, his hand gently caressing her face. "But remember, my dearest Raina, everything happens for a reason. Though you may not understand that reason now, eventually you will. This will make you stronger, for you need strength to overcome a world that you are far too good for."

"And as long as you know that you have done everything in your power to protect the ones you love, nothing else should matter," he reassured. "Not what they were supposed to tell you, not what other people think of you, not the rules that are imposed upon you. You forge your own path in this world, Raina, because you possess the power to do so. Show them all—the kindness, the gentleness, the love, the hurt, the pain, the destruction, the fire, and even the ugliness. Show it all with pride."

"Why?" Raina whispered, her eyes searching his.

"Because, my dear," he said, his gaze filled with unwavering belief, "you are capable of transforming the world with your strength and compassion. You have the power to create a new narrative, one that defies expectations and embraces your true essence. Embrace your journey, Raina, and let your light shine upon those who doubted you."

"I am so furious with the world and the people around me," Raina seethed. "I want them to suffer as I have, and I will. I'm not worthy, so I ask once again, why?"

"Because you are destined to become the Dragon, Raina... the one who doesn't yield easily," Raina's eyes fixated on those words, a sense of familiarity washing over her. "I've heard whispers about you from every faction. They call you the Dragon-to-Be. No one has disclosed who you are or what you're meant to do, but I know. And for you, I will turn a blind eye... So fight, Raina! Fight with all your might. Embrace the darkness and destruction, channel your deepest fears, for that is how you'll secure victory," he proclaimed.

"Now, go. They're almost here," he urged. Raina nodded resolutely as she approached them.