𝑳𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑻𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏 - 𝑰𝒗𝒂𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑩𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒔

10

A week had passed since Ivar and Daenaera's wedding. Today was the day they were to sail back home.

Daenaera quietly entered her husband's room.
"Good morning," she whispered as she stood beside him. Her voice was soft and smooth, instantly calming Ivar.

"Good morning, my beautiful wife," he replied, turning to look at her. "Ready to sail home?"

Daenaera nodded, stepping closer to his bed. Ivar was still lying there, shirtless, as if he'd been sleeping the whole time.

"Yes, but I'll be riding on dragonback," she said, sitting even closer. "Do you... maybe want to ride with me?"

He blinked, then repeated, "With my wife on dragonback?"

She nodded, briefly meeting his gaze.

Ivar pushed himself up, cupping her face in his hand.

"I get it if you don't want to," she started, but he cut her off with a gentle kiss.

"I would love to," he whispered when they parted.

Daenaera smiled, teasing, "Neither your family nor mine will like the idea."

"My family will be shocked. And yours? They'll think you convinced me," he chuckled.

"But you still want to do it, right?"

"Of course I do," Ivar said, kissing her once more.

⸻

At the dock, everyone was preparing to leave when they spotted Ivar and Daenaera approaching, hand in hand, grinning mysteriously.

"What do you think your cousin has come up with this time?" Leanor asked Rhaenyra, leaning in.

Rhaenyra smiled, glancing at her sister. "Something no one expects. And Ivar was definitely glad to hear it."

As the couple neared, they exchanged looks and said in unison,

"We've talked and decided—" Ivar began.
"—that we're going to fly back to Kattegat on dragonback," Daenaera finished.

Ivar's siblings froze. Fly back? On dragonback? What did that mean? And why was he so happy?

"Daenaera," Viserys began cautiously, "I understand you love riding Sylvarion, but what about Ivar?"

"Don't worry, Your Grace," Ivar replied with a grin. "It's not my first time." He glanced proudly at his wife.

"Are you sure, Ivar?" Ragnar asked after a pause.

"I am, Father. I trust my wife... and her dragon."

After the conversation, Daenaera embraced her cousin and uncles.

"I'll miss you, Nyra," she whispered, tears welling in her eyes. This was the first time they would be separated for good.

"I'll miss you too, sister," Rhaenyra said softly. "But don't forget I have Syrax. If I ever feel too lonely here, I'll come get you—wherever you are."

Daenaera smiled and hugged Daemon next.

"I'll miss dragging your ass out of trouble, niece," he said, half-smiling. Though rarely sentimental, Daemon had grown fond of her.

"I'll miss that too. And beating you in races with Caraxes," she grinned.

"You insult me, Dae. You don't think I can beat you?"

"I don't think—I know," she replied confidently.

She then hugged Viserys.

"I'll miss your statements and advice, Daenaera."

She cocked an eyebrow. "Don't you have a brother and a Hand to help you with that?"

He smiled. "True enough." Viserys reminded her of Aemon, with his playful nature.

"I know," she said softly.

Then Daenaera's least favorite person appeared: Alicent Hightower.

"Farewell, Daenaera," Alicent said, offering a small smile and moving in for a hug. Daenaera stepped back.

"Thank you, Alicent," she replied coolly.

As the servants brought Sylvarion to the dock, one said, "Your dragon, princess."

Daenaera nodded, "Thank you." The servant left shortly after.

"Shall we go?" she asked Ivar.

"Yes, let's go, wife."

Together, they mounted the dragon.

The rest of the family gathered for final goodbyes, and soon all the Lothbroks—except Ivar and Daenaera—boarded the ship.