Ruin Me

Chapter Sixteen

"Vaelon!" bellowed a feminine voice and the shoulders of the 10-year-old boy sagged.

"I did warn you the consequences of using that sword, My Prince," Ser Arnold said with a grin. The Gold Cloak had been ordered to swear fealty the Princess Daenyra byorder of the former Lord Commander of the City Watch, Daemon Targaryen. He'dbeen waiting for them to arrive in Dragonstone almost as if Daemon knew whatshe was going to do, and that she wouldn't trust anyone already residing inDragonstone to guard the person she loved most.

"Shut up," he huffed as his mother descended the stairs to the hillside where they were training, the sun beginning to set and the waves crashing on the shores below. She was dressed in a copper-coloured dress as she made her way down, her hair free flowing down her back and a motherly reprimanding expression on her face. "Mother, before you get upset –"

"I am not upset, sweet boy," she said with a loving grin. "I should know by now that you are my son. Your antics are of no surprise to me, but it still does not change the fact that though you are becoming a formidable warrior, you are still not experienced enough to wield Shadow Fang."

"But Mother, you were near my age when Daemon gifted it to you! Please can I –"

"I was seven and ten years old when I blooded Shadow Fang. You are still seven years shy. And Valyrian Steel is not kind when it cuts through flesh," she said as she reached for the sword hilt.

"If it is any consolation, Princess, I have served in the City Watch and as a foot soldier in the Crown's armies, and I believe that the young Prince should not be underestimated," Ser Arnold spoke.

"Tis not, Ser Arnold," Daenyra replied coldly to the knight, as Vaelon handed over Shadow Fang's scabbard. "My son is already too much like me, I do not need you encouraging him."

"Mother, he does not need to encourage me, the stories you tell me do that enough. How you swore yourself to Aunt Rhaenyra as her General and flew by yourself to Dragonstone to retrieve the egg from Daemon. How you fled King's Landing for two months to fight in the Stepstones. You cannot tell me stories like that where the people named you the Knight Princess and Blessed by the Warrior himself and not expect me to even try and live up to that."

Daenyra couldn't help but laugh as she cupped his cheek. Vaelon was indeed, too much like her, but in the best way possible. He had his father's dark hair that fell in ringlets to his shoulders, but other than that, he was her spitting image. As for his personality, again, he was much like her as well. He was outspoken and headstrong and passionate. His mother was his hero and Daenyra never knew how fulfilling it was to be loved by a son until he was born. Even if she never had any more children, she would be content to be Vaelon's mother for the rest of her life. He was her everything. He made these last years joyful and bright.

Not to mention the fact that his dragon, the one that was born from the very same egg that she had rescued from Daemon, was much like hers as well, at least in personality. Stardust had more bark than bite and Vaelon was definitely still getting the hang of how to control him with how stubborn he was, but the dark blue dragon had definitely had some sort of a bond or affection for him. It was a work in progress, especially since he was growing in size. He was near Syrax's size and half her age.

"You will make your own destiny," she said as he leaned into her touch. "And who knows, may the gods be good, you may even have your own sword of Valyrian Steel one day."

"Really?!" he exclaimed, his little amber eyes bright as he stared up at her.

"Perhaps," she replied with a soft smile. "Come. It's time for dinner."

Her arm was around his shoulder and her sword now belted around her hips as they headed back for the castle, at least until a guard came out to meet them.

"Ser Warrick? What is it?" she asked, Ser Arnold following behind them as she hugged her son to her side.

"A raven has arrived, Princess. From Prince Daemon."

Her eyes widened in surprise. "Daemon? Are you sure?"

"It hailed from Pentos in Essos, My Princess," he said as he handed over the scroll.

"Is Daemon ok, Mother?" Vaelon wondered. 

Very rarely did they see the prince, it had been years still, but Vaelon was close with his cousins from both Daemon and Rhaenyra. They had all seen each other a few years ago to celebrate the birth of Rhaenyra's second child Lucerys Velaryon. Her firstborn, Jacaerys was the same age as Vaelon and as such, the two of them were inseparable. Baela and Rhaena, Daemon's daughters by Lady Laena, were close with their cousin, finding his humour and joyfulness infectious. Vaelon was indeed a charmer, something that had won over his cousins in the various ravens exchanged between them.

"He is," Daenyra revealed. "But the Lady Laena is not. She succumbed to childbirth. Her funeral is in two days' time, in Driftmark."

"Are we to go?"

"Of course," she answered as she finally looked up from the letter. "Daemon has personally requested our presence." Daenyra turned to Ser Warrick. "Tell the Dragonkeepers to feed Myrrax and Stardust. And instruct Jolena and Saffira to pack some clothes. We depart on the morrow."

He bowed his head. "As you wish, Princess."

"Are Baela and Rhaena ok?" Vaelon worried and Daenyra pulled her son closer to her.

"I cannot imagine that they are," she answered honestly. "There is no balm to ease the ache that is felt when one loses a mother. Mine own was lost in childbirth. Daemon was the one to see me through it, now I will see him through this. Come, we must eat before we rest. We have an early flight on the morrow."

Vaelon clutched tighter to his mother as well, not able to imagine what it would be like to lose her. Yes, she was his mother, the one to reprimand him when he stole her sword and scold him when he snuck sips of wine at banquets. Yet, she was also the person who stole food from the kitchens with him, who snuck him past the Dragonkeepers to see Stardust and Myrrax, and who helped worry his tutors when they could not find him when he was truly hiding in his mother's room as he feasted on the ancient tomes kept inside or sought to wield her blade in secret. She was the one to kiss better the wounds gained when he trained and who first took him on a flight on dragonback. Vaelon did not think he would ever be able to lose the woman who gave him life, who loved him so.

"Can I stay with you tonight, Mother?" he asked with a small voice, knowing that he was far beyond the proper age for a princeling to seek the comfort of his mother, but he did not have an ordinary mother.

Daenyra kissed his brown locks. "I would be most glad for the company."