To Take What Is Rightfully Ours

Chapter 47. Adjusting to Changes

The joyous news about Princess Rhaenyra and Prince Daemon having a daughter spread around Westeros faster than dragonfire. No one expected the small folk of the North or the Vale to care much about such news but apparently Daemon and Rhaenyra as a couple were more known than Otto could have predicted. He would find out eventually that some people were going around Westeros, singing songs and telling exciting stories about the royal couple in taverns, inns, and to the village children instead of usual fairytales. He would not see much threat in it. It was normal to pay people to share the point of view that benefited you, after all. Otto did that too many times to still keep count. But he would be mistaken.

One day Otto would realize that these storytellers that he had disregarded once would turn into elusive shadows, appearing out of nowhere and ruining his plans before anyone could have a chance to execute them. But by then it would be too late to do something about them.

People said you could always recognize these people by the crow-shaped pendant on a silver chain. They were quick to come and leave, always armed and quick to vanish if some guard wanted to question them.

The Crows.

It would take a few more years for them to get this name and become much more than anyone expected. But for now, they were just travelers who sang songs and told stories. If you ask a Crow where they are from, they would tell you, 'From everywhere and nowhere at all.'

And if you ask them where they are headed, they would smile and answer, 'It doesn't matter where I am headed because all the roads lead to Dragonstone.'

***

The same day Visenya Targaryen was born her dragon egg hatched. It was the whitest dragon anyone has ever seen with silver accents on the tips of its wings and a lot of attitude. But that was expected. This dragon was meant for the firstborn of Daemon and Rhaenyra and the future Queen of Westeros, after all. It was allowed to be a tad spoiled.

Diane determined that the dragon was a girl. She wasn't precisely sure how she did that but oh well... not like it was the first time it happened. They named the dragon Tovi which means "day" as an opposite to the name of Aemond's dragon. They were siblings from the same clutch, it was only fair that their names correlated in some way.

Tovi was allowed to visit her human a few days later, mostly because Diane was there to supervise, and the way Tovi cuddled her little body to Visenya was extremely cute. Diane had a sudden realization that it was how it was supposed to be. Dragons were animals, sure, but they were so much more than that. They were the reason House Targaryen ruled over Westeros. They were the reason the Valyrian legacy was still alive.

Diane held no illusions. She knew Dragonstone was not the only place that was built on Valyrian legacy. But Dragonstone was the only place that kept it rather close to the original form, including the worship of Fourteen Gods. Nowhere in the world you would find more Valyrian place than Dragonstone. Well, except Valyria, of course, but it was not ready to be rediscovered just yet.

'She will be an exceptional dragonrider,' Diane said, taking her eyes off the baby and her dragon for a second.

'Well, it's in her blood,' Rhaenyra smiled, taking Daemon's hand who helped her to get out of the bed. She still felt sore after the birth and needed help to get around but Daemon who was ready to wait on her hand and foot definitely made her feel better.

Diane smiled, looked at the baby in the cot, and said, 'I have a feeling she will be way more exceptional than that.'

***

Gwayne finally figured himself out with the flowers. Diane was fortunate enough to be there when he came to Athelstan with a huge bouquet of white and pink peonies. And she dared to say it was a success, considering that Athelstan looked like he actually might cry. He kissed Gwayne immediately as a thank you and then whisked him away, probably to a more private place to do less public things. It warmed Diane's heart that their relationship seemed to be working.