The Dragon's Dilemma

Vaelora VII

Vaelora

The library had always been Vaelora's haven. The great halls of Dragonstone teemed with the weight of legacy and duty, but the library, nestled away in the northern wing, offered a rare sanctuary of silence. As a girl, Vaelora would sneak away from the lessons that chafed at her spirit and retreat to the stacks of books where history lived. Here, surrounded by stories of ancient conquest and the rise of the great dragonlords, she felt something akin to peace. Today, it was no different.

She ran her fingers along the shelves as she walked, pausing every now and then to read the titles of thick, leather-bound volumes. Finally, her hand stopped on one: The Conquest of Westeros. A small, almost reverent smile tugged at her lips as she pulled it free from its resting place. It was one of her favorites, filled with tales of the Targaryens ancestors' victory over the Seven Kingdoms. She cradled it gently and made her way to the far corner of the library, to a small alcove hidden behind rows of unused tomes. It was quiet here, a forgotten corner of the world.

As she sat down in the worn leather chair that had become her unofficial throne over the years, Vaelora felt her body relax for the first time in days. She let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. Her eyes drifted to the window where she could see the sea stretching far beyond, a shimmering silver under the midday sun.

Her hand absently brushed something at the side of the chair. Looking down, she saw it: a small, carved wooden dragon. The tiny figurine had been painted a dull black, its wings outstretched, its eyes shining with chips of silver. She picked it up and turned it over in her palm, recognizing it immediately. She had lost it months ago, when the war had begun in earnest. It must have fallen into the crack between the cushions. A laugh, light and soft, escaped her as she held the dragon close to her chest. Somehow, finding it here, in this familiar place, felt like a sign—of what, she couldn't say.

Hours passed as Vaelora read through the familiar tale, the words transporting her back to the time of Aegon the Conqueror. The fire of dragons had brought all of Westeros to its knees, and yet even then, it had been the bond between rider and dragon that had secured the Targaryen dynasty. The power of the dragonlords. She found herself lost in the story, turning page after page, until the soft creak of the library door broke her concentration.

"Lady Vaelora," a timid voice called out.

Vaelora looked up to see a librarian, an older man with a head of thinning grey hair and a weathered face, standing at the entrance. His eyes were wide, a mixture of relief and panic flashing across his face.

"We've been looking for you everywhere," he said, stepping forward hesitantly. "The Queen has summoned a council meeting. They've been waiting for quite some time."

Vaelora blinked, guilt rising swiftly within her. She hadn't realized how much time had passed. Closing the book quickly and tucking the wooden dragon into her pocket, she rose from her seat. "I'm sorry," she said, smoothing her dress. "I'll head there immediately."

The librarian bowed, clearly relieved, and Vaelora rushed out of the library, the weight of the forgotten meeting suddenly pressing on her shoulders. As she made her way through the winding corridors of Dragonstone, the distant rumble of the sea below felt more foreboding now. There was always the war in the background, always that looming uncertainty.

She reached the council chamber, hesitating for just a moment before pushing open the heavy wooden door. Inside, all eyes turned toward her. The council had already gathered, and the room was full of familiar faces. At the head of the table stood Rhaenyra, her eyes weary but sharp, surveying the room. To her left stood Daemon, his posture tense, while Addam Velaryon was at Rhaenyra's right, beside Lord Corlys. Jace sat with a solemn expression, still nursing the grief of Vermax's loss, and beside him, Lyraella offered a small, reassuring smile. Vaelora saw the gesture and quickly moved to sit beside her sister, feeling the tension ease a little as Lyraella wrapped her in a brief hug.