COMPANION

the night passes and the world sleeps

Daella Targaryen had always been known for her gentle nature and soft-spoken demeanor. She was the epitome of sweetness and kindness, a stark contrast to the fiery spirit of her husband, Baelon the Brave. Their marriage had been arranged, as was the Targaryen tradition, but while Daella held a quiet, unwavering love for Baelon, his heart belonged to another—Alyssa, their sister.

From the very beginning of their marriage, Daella had sensed Baelon's indifference towards her. He was courteous and kind, but his eyes always wandered to Alyssa. It wasn't long before Daella discovered their secret meetings and stolen kisses, their infidelity like a dagger to her heart. Each time she saw them together, tears welled in her eyes, but she remained silent, her pain hidden behind a facade of tranquility.

Daella found solace in her mother, Queen Alysanne, who held her daughter close, whispering words of comfort and strength. "My sweet Daella, you have a heart of gold. Never let anyone dull your shine. You are stronger than you realize."

Despite her mother's words, Daella's heart ached. She felt trapped in a marriage where she was unloved, overshadowed by a woman who held her husband's heart. In her moments of solitude, Daella would often wander to the Dragonpit, finding a strange sense of peace among the dragons.

One fateful day, Daella stood before Balerion the Black Dread, the mightiest of all dragons. She had always admired the magnificent beast from afar, but today, something within her had changed. As she approached Balerion, a surge of confidence and determination washed over her. The dragon, sensing her newfound resolve, lowered his massive head, allowing her to mount.

The skies above King's Landing roared as Balerion took flight with Daella on his back. As she soared through the clouds, Daella felt a sense of freedom and empowerment she had never known. Claiming Balerion bolstered her confidence, and though she remained gentle and soft-spoken, she now possessed a spine of steel.

Baelon could not help but be intrigued by this transformation. The meek and timid Daella he had once overlooked was now a powerful dragonrider, commanding respect and admiration. He found himself drawn to her, spending more time in her company. However, Daella remained wary of him, her trust shattered by his previous betrayal.

Alyssa watched from the shadows, jealousy gnawing at her as she saw Baelon's growing fascination with his wife. She did not confront them, guilt-ridden over her role in Daella's pain. But Daella could see through the facade. She knew Baelon's heart still yearned for Alyssa, and this knowledge left her feeling hollow.

Determined to find a way out of her loveless marriage, Daella sought counsel with her father, King Jaehaerys. "Father," she began, her voice steady but filled with emotion, "I cannot continue in this marriage. Baelon's heart belongs to another, and I deserve more than to be his second choice. Please, annul our marriage."

Jaehaerys looked at his daughter with deep sadness. He had watched her suffer, and though he loved his son, he could not deny Daella's plea. "If this is truly what you want, Daella, I will grant it. You deserve to be happy."

Before the annulment could be finalized, Baelon discovered Daella's intentions. Furious and desperate, he confronted her in their chambers. "You cannot leave me, Daella," he shouted, his eyes wild with madness. "You are mine, and I will not let you go."

Daella recoiled in fear, her heart pounding in her chest. "Baelon, please. Let me go. I deserve to be happy."

In a fit of rage, Baelon clutched her tightly, refusing to let her leave. His grip was bruising, his eyes filled with a possessive madness. "You are my wife. You belong to me, and I will never let you go."

Hearing the commotion, Alysanne burst into the room, her eyes wide with horror. "Baelon, release her this instant!"

Baelon's response was a snarl, his grip tightening on Daella. Alysanne screamed for the guards, but before they could intervene, Baelon drew his sword and struck them down in cold blood. The sight of her son, consumed by madness, was too much for Alysanne to bear.

With a final, desperate scream, Baelon pulled Daella from Alysanne's grasp, dragging her away as he declared, "She is mine, and mine alone."

Locked away in a distant tower, Daella trembled in fear. Baelon's descent into madness had turned her life into a waking nightmare. He kept her confined, his obsession growing with each passing day. He showered her with twisted affection, his touch a constant reminder of her captivity.

Despite her terror, Daella's spirit remained unbroken. She clung to the strength her mother had instilled in her, the fire within her burning brighter with each passing day. She refused to let Baelon's madness consume her, finding solace in the knowledge that she had once tamed the Black Dread.

As the weeks turned into months, Baelon's behavior grew more erratic. He watched over Daella constantly, his eyes filled with a possessive hunger. He spoke of his love for her, but his actions were those of a madman. He would not allow her a moment of peace, his touch relentless and demanding.

Despite her fear, Daella remained resolute. She knew she had to find a way to escape, to reclaim her freedom. She bided her time, waiting for the right moment to make her move.

One stormy night, as Baelon slept beside her, Daella quietly slipped from the bed. She moved silently, her heart pounding in her chest as she made her way to the door. But as she reached for the handle, a hand shot out, grabbing her wrist with a vice-like grip.

"Where do you think you're going?" Baelon's voice was a low, menacing growl.

Daella's heart sank, her hopes of escape dashed. "Baelon, please," she pleaded, tears streaming down her face. "Let me go. I cannot live like this."

Baelon's eyes burned with a dangerous light. "You are mine, Daella. I will never let you go."

The next morning, Daella's absence was discovered, and the castle was thrown into chaos. Alysanne, frantic with worry, demanded that Baelon return her daughter. But Baelon, now fully consumed by his obsession, refused to listen.

Days turned into weeks, and Daella's captivity continued. Her spirit remained unbroken, but the toll of her imprisonment weighed heavily on her. She longed for freedom, for the chance to reclaim her life.

Finally, in a desperate bid for her freedom, Daella devised a plan. She would use her connection with Balerion to escape, to reclaim the power she had once wielded. She waited for the right moment, biding her time until Baelon's guard was down.

One evening, as Baelon prepared to leave for a council meeting, Daella made her move. She summoned Balerion with her thoughts, calling the mighty dragon to her side. As Baelon turned to leave, Daella seized her opportunity, slipping from her chambers and making her way to the Dragonpit.

Balerion awaited her, his massive form a reassuring presence. Daella mounted the great dragon, her heart pounding with anticipation. With a mighty roar, Balerion took to the skies, carrying Daella far from the castle that had become her prison.

As they soared through the clouds, Daella felt a sense of freedom she had not known in months. She was finally free, her spirit unbroken and her heart filled with hope. She knew she still faced many challenges, but with Balerion by her side, she felt invincible.

Daella's escape sent shockwaves through the kingdom. Baelon's madness was laid bare for all to see, and the once-proud prince found himself isolated and alone. His obsession had cost him everything—his wife, his family, and his sanity.

As the years passed, Daella found happiness and freedom. She remained gentle and soft-spoken, but her spine of steel never wavered. She ruled with wisdom and compassion, her heart guided by the strength she had found within herself.

Baelon, now a broken man, lived out his days in solitude, haunted by the memories of what he had lost. His love for Daella had twisted into madness, and it was a madness that had consumed him completely.

In the end, it was not the dragons or the throne that defined Daella's legacy, but the strength of her spirit and the courage of her heart. She had faced unimaginable challenges and emerged stronger, a true Targaryen in every sense of the word.

And as she stayed a princess, Daella knew that her greatest victory was not in battle or conquest, but in the reclaiming of her own freedom and the forging of her own destiny.