A Bond Between Dragons

9 to 5 [018]

"I—I beg your pardon, Princess?"

Elowen blinked, her eyes widening as Vaella advanced on her, the linens clutched to her chest like a shield. The chamber was dimly lit, bathed in the soft glow of moonlight that streamed through the windows, casting long shadows across the stone walls. Elowen took an instinctive step back, her back brushing against the heavy wooden door, feeling trapped by the intensity in Vaella's eyes.

Vaella moved quickly, her urgency palpable, not giving Elowen a chance to escape. "Please, Elowen," she began, her voice softer now, though no less determined. The night air between them crackled with unspoken tension, the weight of her earlier conversation with Daemon and Rhaenyra still pressing heavily on her. Vaella gently reached out, placing her hands over Elowen's, her fingers brushing against the linen in her hand.

"I want to learn," she insisted, her voice steady despite the flutter of anxiety in her stomach. "I want to know what you do each day—your tasks, how to properly carry them out. I need to understand this world better."

Elowen shook her head, a mixture of concern and disbelief crossing her features. "I cannot allow that, Princess. These tasks are not for royalty," she replied firmly, though a flicker of uncertainty danced in her eyes.

Sensing the tension rising, Vaella softened her approach. She reached out, grasping Elowen's hands gently, feeling the warmth of her companion's skin beneath her own. "Elowen, you have been my closest companion for years," she implored, looking deeply into her eyes, which reflected years of shared laughter and whispered secrets. "You have seen my turmoil and pain; you have always been a kind spirit. But I am asking, please. I would not ask this of you if it did not have a purpose."

Elowen's gaze wavered as she recalled the countless moments they had shared—the late-night conversations filled with dreams and fears, the comfort of companionship during darker days. The princess had never treated her poorly or asked too much of her; she had always been a light in her life.

With a resigned sigh, Elowen's shoulders slumped, the walls of her resistance beginning to crumble. "If that is your wish, Princess," she finally acquiesced, her voice a soft whisper that seemed to echo the depth of their bond.

Vaella's entire posture softened, the tension in her frame melting away as relief flooded her. A wide smile spread across her face, and without a second thought, she stepped forward and pulled Elowen into a warm, spontaneous hug. Elowen stiffened for a moment, caught off guard by the sudden affection, but quickly relaxed in Vaella's embrace, her own lips curling into a sheepish smile.

"I have never seen someone so excited to do chores," Elowen murmured with a soft laugh as Vaella pulled back, her tone teasing but affectionate. She adjusted the linens in her hands, still slightly bewildered by the situation, but the bond between them remained strong, laced with mutual respect.

Vaella chuckled, her bright eyes twinkling in the soft moonlight that filtered into the room. Her earlier desperation had transformed into a quiet confidence, bolstered by Elowen's willingness to help. She stepped back, standing tall but with a sense of humility that wasn't lost on Elowen.

Elowen, still smiling but more reserved now, whispered softly. "Are you sure about this, Princess?" she asked, her brow furrowed in slight concern. "I understand the task you've been given, but this... it seems beneath you, Princess."

Vaella reached out, her hands gently gripping Elowen's arms, holding her firmly but with kindness. "Nothing is beneath me," she said with a quiet intensity, her voice steady and sure. "And you are not beneath me in my eyes, Elowen. I am to be your equal for the next week, alright?"

Her words were like a vow, laced with sincerity and determination, and for a moment, Elowen was speechless, caught by the gravity of what Vaella was asking. She could see the weight of responsibility that the Princess was carrying, and there was no more room for doubt.