Legacy of the White Dragon: A Dance of Dragons

Chapter 3 : Echoes of the Past

Death of Prince Aerion, and until my dragon flight.

The death of Prince Aerion hit the family hard. Poor little Aerion didn't even make it past his mother, dying stillborn. But the gods showed their blessing when, eight moons later, Aemma was with child again. Nine moons after that, a squealing girl was born on the second moon of 94 A.C. His brother called her Rhaenyra, and soon, his father began calling his granddaughter the realm's delight.

He still wonders if he should talk to his mother. Even at two years old, he could babble quite a lot. Four years after Rhaenyra's birth, he sneaked out of his chambers and made his way to the dragonpit. He knows the city inside and out; it's one of the few things that was new to him. However, he visited the city when he had to parley with Cersei, the woman who betrayed them. More and more, he wonders what Tyrion promised or if the man knew what his sister had planned. Tyrion was honest and told the truth, swearing himself to Dany. But after that, and not being here, he realizes that honor is all good and one should strive toward it. But in the end, you have to keep your family alive and hold the realm together. Only then can honor come.

He often discusses it with his behemoth of a friend, the only real friend he has. Laena is well, but she's still only five years old. He's a man of 27 namedays now. With Balerion, he can speak of all things without having to be on his toes. So, whenever he can, he goes to the old dragon nestled in the pit. He left Balerion unchained as he had forbidden it. Balerion now often took flights on his own and would fly to the ocean to hunt for sea creatures.

Soon, on the 98 A.C. third moon's second day, he went to his dragon

Page out of the Journal of Aemon Targaryen the White Dragon.

Aemon Targaryen (98 A.C.)

"Balerion, how are you, my friend?" He asked happily aloud when he arrived. "Good young fellow, but where are your guards? Aren't you supposed to be with someone?" The old dragon asked. "No, I'm ready to fly, Balerion," He said, excitement going through his entire body. The massive dragon lowered his shoulder, and he climbed the ropes to get on his back.

"Ready," The dragon roared. "Yes, Soves," He shouted in High Valyrian, the giant dragon leaping into the air with the morning sun starting to shine through the sky. It was a breathtaking sight as they flew. "Thank you, Balerion," As he was strapped to the saddle, the dragon roared, making it so that most, if not all, people of King's Landing would wake up. "I'm in so much trouble," He murmured aloud. "You are my friend," Balerion rumbled as he flew toward the east to the dragon. 'The time flew by on the dragon's back; thank the gods, the Targaryens still have saddles. He was terrified when he first flew on Rhaegal's back, gripping his spike for dear life. The memory left him melancholy but also with happiness at the past ride with his past dragon.' He wondered as he sat comfortably on Balerion's back.

"Rhaegal, my grandchild, Dreamfyre egg, no?" Balerion rumbled. "The dragon eggs Elissa Farman stole are very similar in appearance to your description," Balerion said. "Most likely, the three eggs Daenerys hatched were similar in appearance to her, yes," he answered the ancient dragon.

"Dragonstone, I missed you, old castle," He said as the ancient fortress of the Targaryens came into view. Balerion had told him much about how the Valyrians built the black stone walls, castles, and cities. The architects infused the stone with volcanic lava, and the dragon flame would melt the stone so the masons could hammer the stone into shapes or fuse the laid stone together into solid walls, making them almost unbreakable.

"It's where the capital should have been for us. We gave your family its power, but the hubris of men is never far away from someone. Even Aegon thought of that. There is a reason why most dragons in the dragonpit stop growing, not only for the lack of freedom," Balerion rumbled.