Dragonborn

TWO

Sneaking out of the Keep is a child's play.

Sneaking out of the Keep with your mischievous eight-year-old sister on the other hand is an exercise in futility.

"This is the second time, Princess." Ser Harrold said, looking at us with an unimpressed stare. "I ought to inform the King of this, as is my duty."

"Ah, but you won't, yes?" I wheedled as I grabbed Rhaenyra's cloak to keep her from running for freedom. "Please. I haven't visited Vermithor in a long time."

"But we saw him yesternight along with Syrax." Rhaenyra supplied unhelpfully. I clamped a hand over her mouth to keep her from spilling any more of our late-night jailbreak from the castle. "Ignore her."

He sighed, looking up at the heavens as if asking for strength. Or more patience. I'm pretty sure it was the latter. I would also pray for an extraordinary amount of patience if I'm babysitting a pair of mischievous, rule-breaking princesses.

Lucky for us because Ser Harrol Westerling must have been a Saint in his previous life. "Very well, my princesses. You have until the hour of the ghosts. I will wait here. Do not be late."

"We won't. Thank you, Harry."

"Yes, thank you, Harry." My sister echoed dutifully.

*****

"I want to ride alone."

"No. You're too short to ride a horse alone."

"I am not short! Take it back!"

"Don't be a brat, Nyra, or I will take you back to Ser Harrold and I'll go alone."

"Then I'll tell Mother you are sneaking out every night to visit the Street of Silk!" Rhaenyra said, crossing her arms in defiance. "I wonder what our Mother will say if she finds out that her beloved Visenya is visiting a brothel."

"I — you know that's not true but fine! You'll ride front and I'll be your passenger. You'll steer us. How about that?"

"That is acceptable."

"That is acceptable," I mocked. "You sound like a pompous nobleman."

"At least I do not sound like a thug."

"I don't sound like a thug."

"You do."

"Do not."

"Do too!"

"I don't, and if you speak another word I will tie you to this post and leave you for the stable master to find."

We were near the place where Vermithor and Syrax were dwelling when Rhaenyra said under her breath, "Do too."

I was sorely tempted to leave her on the road. Nobody ever told me that little sisters would be annoying.

*****

Meeting Alicent Hightower for the first time eight years ago became one of my fondest memories.

One, because I watched my sister and the Hightower girl fall in love with each other at first sight (God, that's some serious childhood friends-to-lovers trope I witnessed) and two, I saw the dignified, holier-than-thou Otto Hightower tripped and face planted on the ground.

I'm ashamed to say that it wasn't me but a stray puppy (the kennel master later told me that it was a wolf pup he found on his trek in the Godswood) that did the tripping.

I named him Tripper — Trip for short — in honour of Otto's furious face when he saw the pup trotting after me.

Ah, the memory of that day never failed to put a smile on my face.

"Wandering mind will get you killed, princess."

"Not if I can still knock you on your back, Ser Harwin," I said. He grins, going on the offensive. I parried once, twice until he overreached and I darted in, letting go of my sword.

I stepped in, hooking my leg behind his thigh and grabbed his armour. I pushed just as I lifted my leg back, using a basic judo throw that my dad taught me. I may be tall — taller than Harwin by an inch — but what I have in height was nothing compared to his muscle mass.

Which is why it worked beautifully, just as every judo move I experimented on Harwin does.

With him knocked down on his back, winded and stunned, I kneeled on his chest and pressed a dagger to his throat. "I win."

"When did you even acquire a dagger?" He rasped, trying to catch his breath.

At the hidden sheath sewn in my boots. "Wouldn't you like to know, Ser." I got up and offered him a hand. He groans as I pulled him up. "Good work, Ser Breakbones."

"At this rate, you'll be the one they'll call with that moniker. I think you broke my hips with that throw, your highness." He teased. "I miss the times when I can win against you five times in a row."

"Now you can barely get a win against me."

"Isn't that the truth, princess."

We laughed as we parted ways.

After bathing and changing into an outfit reminiscent of Dorne's fashion — a crimson tunic under an open black, flowing coat and a tan trouser — I made my way towards Aemma's gardens for the annual once-a-month mandatory lunch break with the fam.

Everyone was already sitting when I made it. I kissed Aemma's cheek as a greeting, "Mother." A nod to the King and an affectionate tousle to Rhaenyra's hair, much to her annoyance. "Where's Trip?"

"I sent him to Alicent. To keep her company."

Smart. Trip is a good judge of character and would protect Alicent from anyone who means her harm without Rhaenyra by her side. "Good."

The time was spent peacefully enough until a servant announced the arrival of Otto Hightower. I glanced at my family — Aemma and Rhaenyra looked just as confused as me so I looked to Viserys. "Father?"

"I hope I'm not interrupting, your grace."

"Nonsense. Sit, Otto. I would like to say something to all of you." Oh, I don't like where this conversation is going. "I would like to propose a betrothal between Gwayne Hightower and our beloved Visenya."

Damnation.

"What say you, daughter?"

"Well, that's good news and I'm sure Otto's son is lovely and any woman would be lucky to have him," Otto smirks. God, I wanna feed him to Vermithor but I'm scared he'll get an upset stomach. "But I have two conditions before I marry him. Or anyone, for that matter."

"Go on."

"One, he must best me in combat. Two, he must be brave enough to face Vermithor's judgement of whether they were worthy of me." I said, smirking as Otto paled. "That is my condition, father. I will marry anyone who meets those."

"That is absurd, princess," Otto exclaimed, face going purple with rage. "A dragon has no say in marriage."

"Vermithor is a part of me as much as I am a part of him, Otto. I am a dragon rider, the blood of Valyria. I will not suffer a weak and cowardly husband." I turned to look at the King. "I do not wish to disrespect your decision, father, but I would sooner let my dragon burn me alive before I marry someone unworthy of me."

"Very well, daughter." He said. "Otto, send for your son. We will see if he is worthy."

"Great! I can't wait to meet my future groom! Otto, make sure to tell your son about my condition." I said with the fakest smile I could muster. "Father, I you'll excuse us, I would like to take Mother back to her chambers."

"Go, I will come to find you later, my love," Viserys said, accepting Aemma's kiss when we passed by. "Be good to your mother, daughters."

"Aren't we always?" I said, patting his shoulder gently. "Come, Nyra. We'll pick up your lady on our way."

*****

In the end, I beat Gwayne Hightower in single combat and my good boy Vermithor almost burnt the Hightower boy alive.

Nobody was stupid enough to try after that.