THE DRAGON DANCER // HOTD

07

Two morns later Viserra was visited by her mother, who seemed to be wearing her perplexed expression; one she used quite often these days.

"Have the unpleasant dreams gone away?" Rhaenyra asked her daughter after they greeted one another.

Viserra shrugged, "They've left my dreams...for the most part, but they've decided to visit my days rather than my nights," she sighed.

Rhaenyra cocked her head to the side slightly, silently asking Viserra to explain her words more thoroughly.

The young girl hesitated a moment, fearing her mother would think her to be mad if she said it aloud, but ultimately deciding to do so anyways, "The dreams I had of Valyria have become more of a reality to me than this interaction we have currently. I'm here, but I see Valyria before mine own eyes. Nearly every waking hour is spent this way. Daenys Targaryen has come about as well. She whispers in my ear, telling me to go to Valyria. She stands behind every person whom I make conversation with. I know naught how to rid these visions..." she trailed off nervously.

Rhaenyra took in her daughter's words and truly contemplated if her daughter was mad. It's always been speculated that half of all Targaryens go mad, perhaps Viserra was one of them.

The woman licked her lips briefly, pondering how to go about her words, "Mayhaps you see Valyria. You've long since fancied the free cities; if you were to go for a vacation of sorts and flew Meraxes around Valyria it may cure your plagued mind. Would that be something you could do?" Rhaenyra asked slowly. She didn't want to send Viserra away with Meraxes; their largest dragon, but if it meant healing Viserra's mind she had zero hesitation in suggesting the idea.

Viserra gazed curiously at her mother, wondering why she would ever suggest such things. She had a hard time allowing Viserra to travel in the first place, let alone return after finally being home after all these years.

"You do not mean that, mother. I need to be here to help protect Dragonstone and get you your throne," Viserra reasoned.

Rhaenyra tilted her head, giving this knowing sort of look to her first born, "I know you always look to be the selfless one, but I beg you now to be selfish in some ways. Take time to think on this and do not consider anything other than your own mind and health when making a decision. You cannot help me get my throne back with an uneasy head and a plagued mind," she grabbed Viserra's hands and smiled gently at her.

Viserra nodded slowly, "I'll think on it for the day. I must speak with Jacaer-"

"Think naught of your brother," Rhaenyra cut her off, "this is a decision you should make on your own for yourself; no one else," she advised.

Viserra sucked in a deep breath and nodded, a little more sure of herself than before as she stood up.

"I enjoyed our talk, it was the most quiet Daenys has been inside my head," Viserra smiled and watched her mother give a crooked grin and nod before walking out of the room.

The girl was quick to seek out one person in particular; Harwin Strong.

Strange, wasn't it? One would believe she'd seek out Jacaerys for his council, but there was one person she knew would give her true, unbiased advice. That person was her father.

She discovered him monitoring an incoming shipment of supplies at the shoreline.

"Ser Harwin!" Viserra called out, gaining the man's attention as he called one last order to the men unloading the shipment before giving his undivided attention to his daughter.

"Yes Pr- Viserra," he stammered a bit, remembering how she would scold him for calling her 'Princess'.

She saw no need for such formalities. The only reason she addressed him as 'Ser' was when others were watching. She couldn't outright say 'father' or some looks may be exchanged. Though Viserra wouldn't care too much, her mother might. She didn't mind the title Bastard, in fact, she owned it and never once denied it in her youth.