What if Lucerys Velaryon lived?

Renewal

It's been about a week since the people of the tribe found Lucerys' bruised and broken body washed up and ultimately decided to take him in. The doors to a hut slowly creak open, and a foot hesitantly steps out, followed by another. Gradually, the person begins to walk. This person is Lucerys. As he moves shakily outside, Maensi rushes towards him and gently grabs his arm.

"You shouldn't try to walk on your own yet; your leg is still healing, and-"

"And putting too much strain on it could make the healing process longer. I know, Maensi. You've told me like a million times," Lucerys interjects, his tone playful.

"Well, I'm half glad that you remember, but also half upset that you still do it anyway," Maensi replies, continuing to support Lucerys as he walks forward. As they reach a stone veranda, Lucerys leans against the cool stones, his gaze fixed on the waters ahead. Maensi joins him, peering out at the expanse of water.

There's a moment of silence before Lucerys sighs and lowers his head. "Is something the matter?" Maensi asks softly, looking down at him.

"I've been here for a week...and still, my family doesn't know I'm alive. I need to get back out there, show them that I'm still here," Lucerys says, cupping his face with his hands.

Maensi moves closer, her tone gentle. "It's okay...you will go back shortly, you just need more time to fully heal."

"No, you don't get it. My family is at war right now. By the time I get back, they might not even be alive," Lucerys snaps back, stressed from his thoughts.

Then, Lucerys feels a warm touch—Maensi's hand on his. "They will be okay. Your family is strong...and you should know that."

Slowly, Lucerys removes his hand from his face and looks at Maensi, his face still bearing some cuts. But he smiles lightly at her.

"Yeah...you're right, they'll be okay. But that doesn't change the fact that I need to go home sooner rather than later."

"Of course," Maensi replies, her hand still on his as they both turn their heads back to the waters.

As they both continue staring out towards the waters, suddenly, a man comes running towards them, out of breath, with sweat on his forehead. Lucerys and Maensi quickly turn to look at him.

"What-" Maensi begins, but she's cut off by the exhausted man.

"A dragon... we found a dragon! Down by the caves near the rivers," the man spits out, his tone shaky. Lucerys and Maensi exchange looks before quickly heading to the said area. Despite his leg still healing and throbbing with pain, Lucerys runs to the location the man spoke of, with Maensi closely behind.

Out of breath and tired, they finally reach the area. Lucerys looks ahead and sees people from the village gathered around, pointing spears towards the large creature as it hisses and screeches. Lucerys's legs feel weak, his body going light.

"Arrax..." Lucerys mutters out, his eyes widening with shock. Arrax is here..?