STORMBORN || HOTD

A Dragon's Claim

The small council chamber was alive with the anxious murmurs of its members, the tension palpable as they gathered around the oak table, maps and reports strewn about like fallen leaves. King Viserys Targaryen sat at the head of the table, his brow furrowed as he listened to Lord Corlys Velaryon speak urgently about the growing threats from the Triarchy in the Stepstones.

"Their raids are becoming bolder by the day, Your Grace," Corlys pressed, his voice grave. "If we do not respond soon, we risk losing control of the shipping lanes entirely."

As the council debated, the air thick with concern, a sudden hush fell over the room. All eyes turned to the window, where a massive shadow swept across the chamber, eclipsing the waning light. Gasps filled the room, and the council members exchanged fearful glances.

“By the gods…” whispered one of the lords, his voice trembling.

King Viserys rose to his feet, heart racing as he stumbled toward the door, urgency propelling him forward. As he burst outside, the scene before him rendered him momentarily speechless. The ground shook with each powerful flap of enormous wings, and the air was filled with the roar of the Cannibal, the most fearsome dragon in existence.

Upon the beast’s back sat none other than his daughter, Daenerys, her silver-gold hair shimmering like a beacon in the fading light. Gasps echoed among the gathered crowd of guards and small council members, their faces pale with dread and astonishment.

Queen Alicent Hightower, who had rushed in behind her husband, nearly fainted at the sight. Her hand flew to her mouth as she took in the horrifyingly magnificent scene. Daenerys, barely five years old, was perched upon the legendary dragon, known for its terrifying appetite for both men and dragonlings alike.

Viserys's heart raced with conflicting emotions. On one hand, panic gripped him at the thought of his daughter riding such a dangerous creature; on the other, an immense pride swelled within him. His little girl had claimed the Cannibal, a feat no one had dared to attempt.

As Daenerys descended from the sky, she glided effortlessly to the ground, her small frame perched atop the dragon without a saddle or reins. The dragon's great wings opened, forming a slide as it lowered its massive body, allowing her to dismount with grace. The assembly watched in awe as she touched the Cannibal's snout, her actions calm and tender, in stark contrast to the beast's fearsome reputation.

“Stay back!” one of the guards shouted, brandishing his spear, but the Cannibal snapped its jaws in warning, sending them stumbling backward in terror.

Viserys stepped closer, tension rippling through him. Daenerys rushed toward him, her face alight with joy. He swept her into his arms, spinning her around in an exuberant embrace, delight battling with concern.

"My sweet daughter, you have made me so proud," he exclaimed, his voice a mix of admiration and fear. "Claiming the Cannibal, huh? First it was Rhaenyra, but now you’ve started giving me heart attacks. My hair will turn white because of you girls!"

Daenerys giggled, her gold-flecked purple eyes sparkling with mischief. “Oh Father, your hair is already white!” she teased, the innocence of her laughter cutting through the tension like a summer breeze.

Just then, a flash of gold caught their attention as Rhaenyra’s dragon, Syrax, landed nearby, the graceful creature’s wings folding delicately at her sides. Rhaenyra stepped forward, her expression a mix of pride and exasperation.

"Daenerys!" Alicent's voice broke through, sharp and reprimanding as she approached. “How dare you pull a stunt like this, young lady!” Her tone was scolding, yet Daenerys could hear the underlying worry of a mother who feared for her child’s safety.

Rolling her eyes, Daenerys shrugged off her mother’s hand. “A dragon is not a slave who will be told what they can or cannot do,” she declared defiantly.

Viserys laughed, his heart swelling with affection for his spirited daughter. "Spoken like a true dragon!" he said, ignoring Alicent’s scowl as he embraced both of his daughters, the warmth of their connection momentarily chasing away the shadows of worry.

As the three stood together, a protective wall against the uncertain world beyond, Viserys couldn’t shake the thought that their family’s legacy was intertwined with these magnificent beasts. Daenerys, with her fearless spirit and innate bond with dragons, could very well change the course of their history. And perhaps, just perhaps, she was destined for greatness.