A Kingdom Of Dragons And Secrets

Chapter 4: memories

After shaking off the memory I hear a roar from above me and Rhaegar startles and begins to cry, Hera has been restless as of late, the father of her newest clutch of eggs, Falkore the black beast had sired Heras last two clutches of eggs. She misses him I think, I attempt to soothe the crying babe in my arms "shhh shh, it's okay tis' only Hera, one day my small boy you shall have a dragon, we may fly together to battle and glory", "but first you must give your egg time to hatch, you must learn to be brave to tame a dragon, you have Myrthosi blood yes, and you carry our house name of Dawnfyre but you must tame the beast yourself" "and when you grow you and your dragon will wear Dawnfyre's sigil, you will Dorn the black and blue dragon, born with five dragon heads, wearing a crown on its longest head." To no avail however his wails kept coming in high pitched wails until we arrived back to the castle as we entered the grand hall of the castle, the sound of Rhaegar's cries echoed off the stone walls. The servants and guards looked up in surprise as I hurriedly made my way to the nursery, trying to calm the distressed babe at my chest.

Once inside, I set Rhaegar down gently in his cradle and began to sing a soft lullaby, rocking him back and forth. Slowly but surely, his cries began to subside as he stared up at me with his big, innocent eyes. I sighed in relief and kissed his forehead, whispering promises of adventures and dragons to come. As I watched him drift off to sleep, I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and anticipation for the future. One day, Rhaegar would indeed have his own dragon, and together we would ride into battle, carrying the sigil of Dawnfyre proudly on our banners. But for now, he was just a babe in need of comfort and love, and I vowed to always be there to provide it for him. "princess your presence is requested at the council table" one of the older guards mutters to my left, "thank you ser gale" "please send for mayrina promptly the prince is in need of watching" with a quick nod the tall guard exits the princesses chambers and calls on the most trusted ladies maid, meanwhile said princess was walking swiftly up the steep steps to the council room, her heart thumbing wildly in her chest, the feel of her blue dress on her ankles reminded her of how heavy it was. Arriving in the cold room she was grateful only the king sat at the end of the wooden table, gold goblet in hand he motioned for her to sit. Athena sat opposite her father on the hard wooden chair The king cleared his throat before speaking, "Daughter, as you know, being the heir to the throne and my only daughter you must marry, produce children and create an alliance, the southern empires are growing restless, on my council the men claw for power, more land they want the entire realm. that cannot happen we need allies in the stead of war. It has been decided that you will be betrothed to the duke in the north, Lady Elara, the north has a large army that would be crucial to our cause."

Athena's eyes widened in shock at the news. She had heard rumors of the Duke of the North's unorthodox ways, but she never imagined she would be betrothed to a woman. The king continued, "Lady Elara is said to be a fine and noble woman, well-respected by her people. This alliance will strengthen our ties with the North and ensure peace in our lands for generations to come." Athena paused tears fall down her face in fast succession of one another... her worst fear had finally happened she was to be sold like a cow, yes, the duke was respected but she was cold. Ruthless. "Please fath -your grace I have no wish to marry" " that is not for you to decide, you are young and at childbearing age, take the boy and your dragon and do your duty to the realm". The princesses' tears turned to anger was she meant to share the same fate as her mother to give children to her wife until it killed her, Athena also made note of the fact she would have to bed the closest male kin of her new betrothed to bear his children since her wife lacked the... parts to do so herself. " Athena please" "may I go your grace" the king stilled he was not expecting his daughter to be so placid so meek about this matter, not that she would talk to him about her feelings "I-yes you may go" with a quick, short curtsy Athena left the room tears starting to brim and a deep almost painful burning in her throat she began to cry on the stairs, she hated crying it made her feel weak, gross. The only place she could go was to the gardens, lush green grass, trees, and so many sweet flowers, she sat by the water gardens and let the tears fall as they pleased, Athena was not sad, she was angry her father had just sold her as a solution for whatever political headache he had. The young princess had no interest in a marriage or even children, yes, she had a lover and was no longer a maiden herself but that was a youthful fling she would tell herself. Besides that, didn't last long anyway the young stable boy left to join the knighthood and protect the city, Her mother had been wed at a young age and look what happened to her, she wanted no part in it... Quiet footsteps against the gravel of the paths made her ears perk up, the a smile crossed her lips as she heard a small giggle, it was Rhaegar smiling away at his sister in the arms of Mayrina. Though still not walking he would crawl almost anywhere he went, while seated in her chambers a few days ago Athena had noticed her brother crawling around babbling to his newly hatched dragon companion, though what really caught her by surprise was the fact her brother had began to pull himself to stand using the wooden chairs near the small eating table. Mayrina pointed to Athena before placing the babe on the soft grass his sister was sitting on to allow him to crawl on his own, after a few attempts to eat the dirt and grass he finally made it into his sisters arms "wonderful job my smart boy, oh you crawled all that way just for me" covering his face with kisses he began to giggle, it was the most joy the princess had felt all day. Rhaegar was wearing a red velvet long sleeve vest, some trousers and shoes, "Mayrina, can we have a blanket brought out to sit on and perhaps some fruit" " at once your grace" Athena had never shown Rhaegar the water gardens made up of many small ponds surrounded by plants, in truth Athena loved them the small fish that danced in the water are something she could watch for hours. Sitting on the white blanket and salivating as the grapes, lemon cakes, pears, and apples are brought out before them and scooping up her brother to offer him a grape she had bitten in half for him. The sun on her face and the cool breeze felt wonderful they were sitting Infront of one of the clear water ponds under the weeping willow, her shoes were long gone, and her hair had been freed of its braid. "my little love shall we take a splash in the pond hm" " come, I shall get this vest, pants and your shoes off" calling one of the guards over to take the discarded clothes back to Mayrina she places her hands under the babes squishy armpits to allow his small feet to splash in the water she had never heard him laugh like he did when he saw the small frogs on the lily pads the water was not so deep about up to her belly button so she decided to hop in her underdress getting complete soaked of course turning her brother to hold him so he can face forward and splash as he pleased she felt at peace in the water. " Mayrina I must insist you come join us" Mayrina paused looking at the playful smile on her princesses face " well if her grace insists", Mayrina always thought Athena was the most beautiful creature on this earth, her silver hair flowing around the water along with her dress, the way the sun caught her eyes and made them almost glow..., she took of her dress and shoes and slowly made her way into the cool water.