The Bronze Dragon-A House of the Dragon fanfic

Chapter 53

The Battle of Claw Isle was to be the biggest defeat my father suffered during the war. In his intent to bring the war to Rhaenyra and avenge Ser Gerold, he would end up losing much of his army and permanently hampering his efforts to bring the war to a close. For the life of me, I have never been able to work out what his plan was; even he admits it was a lapse of judgment.

Regardless, it is likely that my father would not have survived had it not been for the intervention of my mother and Prince Daeron . . .

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The Eyrie

She'd had that awful dream again, of the drowning dragon. This time, it was unmistakable as to what it meant. Helaena's husband had gone to Claw Isle, and her dreams had only gotten more intense with every passing day. He would be defeated there, and he could die there too, unless something was done about it. Leaping up from the armchair she was sitting in, she quickly kissed Rhea-who was asleep in her cot-and raced towards Lady Jeyne's solar. Thankfully, Jeyne and Jessamyn were there.

"Lady Jeyne!" She said. "I . . . I must ask you to look after Rhea."

"Why, Your Grace?" Jeyne asked, a look of concern on her face.

"I must help Daevar. He's going to lose the battle." She looked down, then back up, unsure of whether to admit what she was going to say next. I'm going to sound like a mad woman . "I . . . I have dreams, My Lady . . . of the future. Some cryptic and some not."

Jessamyn arched an eyebrow. Dreams? Everyone had them. She wasn't too sure what would make Helaena's so special but stayed silent due to Jeyne nodding along. Whether or not Jeyne was putting on an act was resolved moments later.

"Your father mentioned the prophetic dreams of House Targaryen more than once to me." Jeyne said. It had apparently been a a dream that had brought the Targaryens to Westeros and thus saved them from the Doom of Valyria. King Viserys apparently had one once but never again; Jeyne had thought it was likely a way for him to recover some sense of importance among his family lineage more than anything else. "But are you sure this is wise? Dreamfyre is not a war dragon."

"A dragon is a dragon, My Lady," Helaena said, fiddling with the sleeves of her dress. They were smooth and comforting. "I-I know I'm not a warrior-"

"Prince Daeron will return here soon." Jessamyn blurted out. "Forgive me, Your Grace. I interrupted."

"Not at all, Lady Jessamyn." Helaena replied. "But I will be going to help Daevar. I will not sit behind castle walls while others do my fighting for me."

Jeyne looked at her in awe. This was a far cry from the sweet, demure girl who had come to Runestone years ago. She was a Queen now, and a Queen who wanted to fight her own battles, no less. Still, Jeyne had to push back against it for one obvious reason. "Your Grace, you are the Queen. If you're put in any danger . . ."

"Dreamfyre will protect me." Helaena replied. Lady Jeyne did have a point though; one stray arrow could kill her. "Armour would be welcome though."

Jeyne and Jessamyn looked at each other. There was no women's armour at the Eyrie, but there would still be at Runestone. It was a risky solution, but they didn't have another one on such short notice, and if Helaena was going into battle, she would need to be protected. "You'll have to fly to Runestone first, Your Grace. They would likely have women's armour there that once belonged to Lady Rhea." Jeyne supplied.

"Thank you." Helaena said. "And please look after Rhea. She's . . ." Helaena trailed off. "She's our only child."

"I'll protect her as if she were my own." Jeyne replied. Helaena nodded and rushed out of the solar to change into her riding clothes. It was minutes later when Dreamfyre soared over the Eyrie, bound for Runestone once more. Jeyne turned to Jessamyn as the dragon flew by the window of the solar. "We must tell Prince Daeron as soon as he arrives.. The Queen will need reinforcements."