✦ New Faith ✦ Aegon Targaryen

○ fourty six ○

♡

I steeled myself, willing my heart to stop its thunderous beating as I made my way to find Prince Aemond. He was likely either at the library or the training yard, and I found him in the latter, sword in hand, locked in a brutal exchange with a lord I didn’t recognize.

When I came into view, the lord halted immediately, nodding to me. “Queen Tanda.”

I barely acknowledged him, turning my focus solely on Aemond. “I need you to take me to Sweetport Sound. On Vhagar.” The words slipped from my lips with forced composure, and after a beat, I added a softer, “Please.”

Aemond dismissed the other man with a gesture, a dark glint in his eye as he turned to me. “Why?” he sneered. “Have you had enough of true royalty? Longing to return home to your mother?”

The sting of his words was sharp, but I refused to let him see any hurt. “No,” I replied firmly. “I need you to bring my parents, Lord and Lady Sunglass, here for the birth of the king’s child. My child.”

He let out a scoff, his lips curling into a disdainful smirk. “Still can’t handle matters on your own? Need to be coddled?”

I took a steadying breath, reminding myself of who I was now. “It’s a command from King Aegon.”

His face stiffened, his single eye narrowing with irritation. Loyalty to Aegon ran too deep for him to refuse outright, no matter his feelings toward me.

“Fine,” he seethed, dropping his sword with an irritated huff. Without another word, he turned and strode away, his steps quick and purposeful. I followed him through the winding paths of the Red Keep until we emerged beyond the dragonpit. But instead of stopping there, he led me farther, descending into a deep valley nestled in the hills where Vhagar lay.

The sight of her froze me in place. Vhagar was ancient and massive, her immense form dwarfing everything around her. Her scales were dulled with age, yet the sheer power radiating from her was undeniable. Aemond glanced at me, impatience evident as he pulled me forward.

“Rȳbagon naejot issa,” Aemond intoned in High Valyrian, his voice commanding and firm. His Valyrian was flawless, with none of the hesitation that plagued my own attempts. His words calmed the giant dragon, her fiery eyes narrowing slightly as she watched us.

Awkwardly, I tried to climb atop Vhagar, but between her towering height and my swelling stomach, it was a near-impossible feat. Before I could protest, Aemond lifted me with ease, settling me onto the saddle with a brusque efficiency.

“Tha—” I started to thank him, but my words vanished as Vhagar launched into the sky, the force of her wings pulling a startled gasp from my lips. Flying on Vhagar felt nothing like my time on Sunfyre. There was a raw, untamed power to her, an ancient and intimidating force that made me grip the saddle tighter.

As we neared Dragonstone, my breath hitched. I could see a distant speck—blood-red and gleaming in the light—taking shape in the sky. A second dragon. I swallowed hard, praying that Aemond wouldn’t let his temper get the better of him.

Vhagar roared as we neared the blood-red dragon, her challenge echoing through the skies.

“Daor sir vhagar,” Aemond commanded sharply, urging Vhagar to stay the course. His grip on the saddle was tight, his gaze unyielding, but he did not steer us closer. I exhaled slowly, my heart thundering as we passed without incident, relief flooding through me as the massive dragon below faded from view.

When the Crownlands came into sight, I couldn’t help but smile, the familiar landscape stretching below us. “Aemond, a little to the left. That’s Sweetport Sound,” I directed, my voice laced with anticipation.

With a huff of impatience, he complied, guiding Vhagar down toward a secluded green valley near the castle. As we descended, the rush of wind softened, and Vhagar’s enormous form cast a shadow over the land below, her landing causing the earth to tremble beneath her. I couldn’t help but be captivated by the sight, a strange mixture of fear and awe holding me in place as we settled.

At last, Vhagar came to a full stop, and the ground was still.

Rȳbagon naejot issa
=
Listen to me

Daor sir vhagar
=
Not now Vhagar