The Wild Dragon.

Part 38.

Rhaegar's Pov.

Standing by the small stone table where our child lays engulfed in flames I take Rhaenyra's hand in mine as i see the completely broken look on her face while her eyes stay fixated on our daughter. It would have been a girl, but now I can only wish and pray that she's with mother and father who look over her until we will join them one day. 

We've lost so much, our mother, our father, Laena and Laenor and now our child who had her whole life in front of her but the god's did not grant her even one breath. 

Hearing swords being drawn i slowly turn around to see Ser Erryk taking his helmet off as I disconnect my hand from Rhaenyra's and place it on the hilt of my sword before taking a step forward.

"I mean no harm brothers." He speaks making the guards put their swords away before Ser Erryk steps forward.  Seeing him kneel down he takes my fathers crown out of his bag and holds it with two hands in my direction before speaking.

" I swear to ward the King... with all my strength... and give my blood for his. I shall take no wife... hold no lands... father no children. I shall guard his secrets... obey his commands... ride at his side, and defend his name and honor. My King."  

Seeing Rhaenyra walk past me she takes the crown from Ser Erryk before walking back over to me while her eyes meet mine.  As she carefully puts the crown on my head she soon kneels down in front of me before speaking.

"My king." 

When the King's guards, servants, Saera our children and all the others soon follow I take a deep breath before a loud roar is being heard as the shadow of Diaval covers us until he lands on the stone hill to my right. 

And now war will probably follow us.

......................................................

Walking towards the hall with the painted table while 4 guards walk around me I keep my head up high even if inside I am all nerves. War will come, the greens have declared it to us, I've just lost my father and my daughter, I found out Aemond is my son and Alicent has used poison to lay with me. I simply do not know how much more I can take, how much can one man even take before he reaches the point he loses himself?

"King Rhaegar Targaryen, First of His Name, King of the Andals and the Rhoynar and the First Men. Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm." Is being spoken as I walk into the room to see they have all gathered while the table has been lit again and the pieces have been placed.

"Your grace." Saera says as she stands besides Rhaenyra and I give her the smallest of smiles. Before stepping forward as until i soon stop as I hear the metal of the guards hit the ground again.

Motioning for them to stay there i soon hear the voice of Rhaena as she walks over with a cup. "Wine my king." She offers and I take the cup from her before saying. "Thank you Rhaena, come." 

Passing by Baela and Princes Rhaenys I motion for them to follow me with my head and Baela follows while Princes Rhaenys stays planted.

"I've told you days ago, you will not stand alone." I say to Princes Rhaenys who gives me a nod before we walk over to the table and I look at it while it's completely surrounded at this moment. 

 As they all remain silent I couldn't stop the scoff that left my lips as I look at the table. 

"We have 30 knights, a hundred crossbowmen, and 300 men-at-arms. Dragonstone is relatively easy to defend, but as an instrument of conquest, our army leaves a lot to be desired. " I say before the Maester speaks while Deryan puts the pieces on the table.