Lady Arianwyn Targaryen, Lady of Runestone, was not born of love. Nor passion. Nor even a sense of duty. She was seeded by her father, the Rogue Prince Daemon Targaryen, in an act of unbridled hatred, and borne of her mother, the late Lady Rhea Royc...
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Emrys, Vermax, and Arrax were already saddled and waiting in the courtyard when Arianwyn, clad in her riding leathers, raced down the castle's steps. Emrys immediately lurched forward to try and meet her, but the Dragonkeepers had long since learned their lesson and now had six monks holding his reins to keep him in place. He whined rather pitifully but perked up the moment Arianwyn laid a hand on his snout.
"Lentot jī, Emrys," she whispered. "Jorrāelti gierȳti lua āmāzī." We are going home, Emrys. We are going back to the people we love.
He whooped in response, crouching to allow her to mount more easily. She climbed into his saddle, fastening a satchel behind her. The majority of her belongings would be with Brynna and her guards on one of the ships leaving from Spicetown, but not this.
Not used to carrying any cargo beyond Arianwyn herself, Emrys tilted his head as he examined the small bag.
"Arlī mīsītsor, yno syt lo bē Dāro Vilinio māzissuty jonevīlun. Nūmia sepār landir sesīr," she explained. The dragon looked from her to the bag, then back again, as if confused. "Vaogenkon rongondi jomīston āmāzīnna daor. Dāria yne tolī sȳrī gīmēdas." Fresh clothes, for me to wear once we arrive. Jewels and shoes, too. I can't make my return in dirty leather. The Queen taught me too well.
Emrys only huffed, and she imagined that if he could, he would roll his eyes.
The courtyard doors opened, and Rhaenyra and her family emerged. Arianwyn suppressed her smile and straightened her posture, refusing to look any of them in the eye. Though Jacaerys did try to catch her attention as he mounted. He'd been in a foul mood since dinner the night before. She didn't have a single guess as to why, nor did she care to ask.
Once he and Lucerys were settled in their saddles, Rhaenyra approached, a sleeping young Viserys on her hip. She gave detailed instructions on how to get to King's Landing and what they were to do from there, but Arianwyn did not listen. She did not even meet Rhaenyra's gaze; instead, she focused on offering encouraging whispers to Emrys.
Why would she need instruction when she'd spent the last eight years dreaming of flying back?
Finally, Rhaenyra made her way toward the dock. She and Daemon would not fly to King's Landing while she was heavily pregnant. Instead, they were to sail on the ship with their two young sons – Aegon and Viserys – and the servants and cargo.
Arianwyn was grateful for it. The last time she had flown across the Blackwater, Caraxes had nearly driven Emrys to madness for how close he followed. Today, they would fly free.
-
The sight of the shining red roofs of King's Landing brought more comfort to Arianwyn than she had anticipated. How could simple tiles bring forth such a feeling of home?
While Vermax and Arrax dutifully flew straight for the Dragonpit, Arianwyn led Emrys in a wide circle before she landed, wanting to soak in as much of the city as possible before she was stuffed in a carriage with her stepbrothers. The sun was infinitely warmer than on Dragonstone, and while there was still the smell of salt coming off the sea, it was far more inviting than the fishy, wet brine she'd endured for so long.
