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[---]
123 AC, Dragonstone
Of course, this all stopped when the door slammed open and her mother entered, followed by Ser Criston, who had become akin to her shadow as of late. From the look on her mother's face, Helaena didn't need to use any divination to know that this conversation would not be a happy one.
Helaena sat in one of the caves, caressing Solarys's beautiful scales with a faint smile on her face. She ignored Baela and Rhaena's conversation, simply relishing in the magnificent dragon's presence instead. She had gone there to spend some time with the girls before inevitably leaving once more, but found herself mostly just pondering about her conversation with her mother, if one could call it that.
Her mother had all but ordered her to convince Aegon to oppose the betrothal between Jaehaera and Aegon the younger. She wasn't particularly enthused with the fact that Helaena had supported the match openly during their dinner and was asked by her mother to take back her words.
She mostly let her mother tire herself out and would say that Aegon refused. It was a game they decided to play ever since her father's announcement. Her husband was beyond terrified that their children's possible marriage to one another might have complications in the long run and seemed to support the match on that basis alone, especially since it was the only one that would guarantee that Jaehaera would ride a dragon of her own one day.
Not that Helaena planned on forbidding her daughter that privilege.
Anyway, they had spoken and agreed to stay with the match for now, despite Mother's protests. The Queen thought that the decision fell entirely up to Aegon and kept pestering Helaena to change his mind. It was easier to just nod and stay in silence than it would be to convince her that she had other wishes for her children's future than continuing her feud with Rhaenyra.
Her thoughts were interrupted by Rhaena addressing her, "You're truly leaving."
Helaena gave the girl a sad smile, "The realm has gotten unstable since Father came to Dragonstone. He seeks to return to keep its order."
"Can't you stay?" Baela retorted without looking away from Moondancer, who was trilling in bliss as the girl scratched underneath the small dragon's chin.
"I do not think my mother would like that very much," Helaena joked back, almost wincing at what her mother's reaction would be.
Rhaena and Baela giggled at her response, and Helaena realised that she would truly miss these girls. They were not exactly close, but they were friendly enough. Despite the age difference, it was nice to speak with girls who didn't try to use her to further their positions at court, or perhaps even attempt to bed Aegon out of some foolish idea that it would help them in any way.
Rhaena spoke up this time, "What are your lessons with Lord Harry like?"
Helaena suppressed the urge to smile at the girl's jealousy. Rhaena hadn't liked the fact that the older girl spent so much time with the Potters while she had been punished by her grandparents. However, the girl also seemed to quite like Helaena, a strange contrast that she found fascinating.
"Mostly just sitting still and focusing for hours at a time," she replied, "It's quite boring, if I'm honest, even if it helped me quite a lot."
Normally, Helaena wouldn't have liked lying to the girl, even if it was mostly built around nuggets of truth, but it was obvious that the younger girl needed some sort of validation that the Potters did not like Helaena more than they did her.
As expected, the girl seemed to relax at her answer, and her sister commented, "That sounds horrible. I don't think I could stay still for so long without going insane."
Helaena nodded sadly and went back to slowly running her hands on Solarys's scales. The dragon was growing quite quickly for a hatchling of her age. It was obvious that the Potters had something to do with it, especially given how different it was compared to most dragons. She felt like a small sun, growing hotter and brighter with every day. She was sure that it would, one day, outstrip most dragons in size and power.
She was not looking forward to her return to King's Landing. There were too many people there, each one hoping to use everything around them to gain more power. There was also the issue of her grandfather leaving his seat as her father's Hand. That had been a mistake on the King's part, giving Otto Hightower enough time to prepare for the eventuality, to cement his position in the Capital, and make it that much harder for his successor. Lady Rhaenys would need to work very carefully to avoid the many traps that he would have left in place.
Helaena hoped that it would end well.
Speaking of the new Hand of the King, Rhaenys cleared her throat at the edge of the cavern, making the three of them stiffen. The woman would come with them to King's Landing and must have wanted to spend more time with her grandchildren.
Seeing what the woman wanted, Helaena excused herself, "I suppose that I need to ready myself for the feast. It's late enough, and I already smell of dragon."
She stood up and walked out of the cave. As she passed by Rhaenys, the woman gave her a thankful nod and made her way towards her granddaughters. She would miss them. It wouldn't be as much as the Potters, but it would still be significant. Perhaps, in another life, they would have been even closer. Alas, there was always this invisible gap between them, something that stopped the seeds of friendship from growing into anything more.
Still, both girls had loved the idea of Jaehaera's betrothal, bringing them closer as family, a rare reaction to the King's decision, as both the Greens and Blacks seemed to hate one another with a passion.
This truly was their farewell. They would not have time to speak with one another, not with Mother and Daemon being in the feast. The next time they met, they would likely do it as great allies or as enemies. Helaena had glimpsed some of it and had given her a headache. She shouldn't have; she knew that. Lord Harry had told her that the first rule of any form of foresight was to always doubt what she saw. Then again, she hadn't learned much, only that this goodbye would be bittersweet.
A Kingsguard joined Helaena, breaking her from her solemn thoughts, and walked her back in silence towards the fortress. She hadn't been exaggerating earlier; she did smell of dragon, and she would need to get ready for the feast.
Thankfully, there were no interruptions as she bathed, and the maids dressed her in a green silk dress that her mother had chosen for her to wear. Helaena liked the colour well enough, but she had gotten bored with it. She preferred blue. The ocean did look rather pretty from up high.
She looked away from the sight and decided to take a little detour before heading to the feast, specifically, her children. Babes were not allowed at feasts; their crying was often considered a nuisance, and even Daemon's sons were not spared from this.
The princess sat down and just stared at them, the way they moved and babbled at the world around them. Their newfound energy never stopped warming her heart ever since the Potters healed them. She smiled at them and held each of them for a while, enjoying their smiles at her presence.
She had refrained from trying to peer into their futures, Lord Harry's warnings being fresh on her mind. He had a well of stories of men who caused the events that they wished to avoid, having seen them with visions of prophecies that were fulfilled in a manner that no one could have expected, of Fate being a very powerful force that could not be tricked.
Helaena hadn't dared risk her children's future like this, but sometimes, during her lessons with Lord Harry, she could almost see an outline of a soft smile when she looked at the tapestry, when she thought of her children, as well as a general feeling of happiness. It was this feeling that pushed her, that gave her strength in mastering her divination.
Reluctantly, Helaena had to leave her children and make her way to the feast, where she saw her mother and Aegon arguing with hushed voices. She sat down in silence, and no one even noticed her, not her mother, not her father, not her sister, nor her children. Huh, Rhaena and Baela were also there, oddly enough. Helaena must have taken a lot of time with Jaehaerys and Jaehaera, likely even hours. No one would care, either way.
She felt invisible sometimes, and while a part of her wished that they would be a bit more like the Potters, warm and protective, despite their monstrous strength, she still relished her peace, which would not have been possible with her family's attention on her.
It had taken a few minutes of being ignored until her mother addressed her, "Tell him, Helaena."
The princess tilted her head in confusion, "Tell him what?"
Her mother gave her a commiserating look, mixed with a suppressed exasperation, "That you would not sell your daughter to Rhaenyra's whelp, a fourth son that she would put behind her Strong bastards in the order of inheritance."
Aegon came to her defence, "Mother, this is a marriage that would not take place until Jaehaera becomes a woman grown. That's over a decade away."
"The moment your father leaves this island, he will not change his mind. You know this," the Queen protested, "Your daughter could have been queen and marry Jaehaerys, just like you married Helaena, just like the Conciliator."
Aegon turned towards Helaena with an apologetic look, and if anything, Mother's response seemed to make Aegon more stubborn, "My decision stands, Mother. They are my children, and their betrothal and marriages are my right and responsibility."
"Are they? Viserys was the one who arranged it," their mother argued at him, "Do not tell me that you believe the world of Rhaenyra's pet sorcerer. This is her doing, putting these thoughts in your heads to weaken your claim."
Helaena couldn't help but release a snort at that statement, one that thankfully was not heard by anyone. It was just that the thought of the Potters being subservient to Rhaenyra was beyond absurd. She had seen them face horrors that would have driven men mad, shown her artefacts that would be worth more than entire kingdoms, and she knew that they had much more hidden.
Aegon gave her mother an exasperating look, "Mother, Rhaenyra is just as unhappy with the marriage as you are. I do not think that this is her doing, nor was my children's healing a mummery; I have seen it happen myself."
"Perhaps not the marriage or the healing, but the sorcerer's words afterwards could have easily been false. Think of it, it stopped you from trying to father any new children, weakening your claim as King, as well as not cementing your children's marriage according to Targaryen traditions. Besides, the Citadel proclaimed that your marriage would be safe, and there is no reason why Jaehaerys and Jaehaera would not be the same."
Aegon, though, didn't seem impressed, "I will not change my mind, Mother."
The woman then turned to Helaena, "What about you, Helaena? Are you satisfied with this? If Aegon the younger takes after his father, would you wish to subject your daughter to such a fate?"
Helaena tilted her head, trying to put what she thought into suitable words, "Her smile will be beautiful."
Yes, that should do it. With that done, she nodded to herself and went back to finishing her plate, ignoring her mother's rising exasperation, before she turned back to argue with Aegon once more, just as Helaena planned. She could almost feel Aegon's envy at escaping their mother's clutches.
She dreaded the ride home, being forced to remain on the ship while her mother constantly tried her best to convince Aegon to change his mind. Perhaps she could somehow get Dreamfyre to escape the Dragonpit and fly her home. Alas, that would likely result in half of the Capital burning down.
That was an amusing thought, not the burning of the Capital, of course, but how to get Dreamfyre to escape King's Landing without anyone noticing, as if a dragon could act like some kind of assassin.
Of course, that was when her father stood up and spoke up loudly, "Ah, Lord Potter, I was worried you wouldn't come."
The entire hall fell silent and turned towards the entrance, and saw Lord Harry and Lady Daphne walking in, side by side. Her father had obviously been waiting for them, especially. She knew that he had sent a messenger to their manse, likely after she left, but to think that he'd be all but watching the door for their presence was somewhat excessive.
Neither of the Potters looked bothered, but she knew that Lord Harry did not appreciate her father's words, "Sorry about being late. Your departure was a bit sudden, and it took me a bit to find your gifts."
"You need not offer us gifts, Lord Potter," the King said.
Lord Harry waved his hand, "Nonsense. Gifts are traditions. Besides… I already gave your eldest daughter and her children a few gifts. It wouldn't do to be accused of favouritism, would it?"
Helaena didn't think that anyone had expected someone to argue with the King, and yet they all inched forward to look at Lord Harry as he approached her father. Only he didn't and walked towards her. He took out a golden necklace with something blue attached to it. Helaena gently grabbed it and gasped as she realised that it wasn't some kind of gem but a beautiful blue butterfly, one that she had never seen before.
She looked up and saw him smiling gently at her, "A butterfly from the island of Naath. Don't worry, it's petrified and encased in a crystal layer, so there isn't any chance of it causing any danger. I thought you might enjoy seeing something new."
Helaena smiled at the beautiful gift, especially as Lord Harry moved on to Aegon, gifting him some kind of dagger. She didn't exactly pay attention, focusing on the butterfly, which, for some reason, her eyes would not leave.
She traced the butterfly, only for her divination to activate on its own, making her see a vision, specifically, one of Lord Harry looking at her in his 'Living Room'.
The sorcerer gave her a smug smile, "Well, hello there, Helaena."
She couldn't help but speak up, "How? You're in the fortress now."
"You're a clever girl. You know the answer, even if you haven't realised it yet."
Helaena stopped herself from growling at the man and his riddles, and he continued, "Now, what's important is your gift. I thought a little protection wouldn't be amiss when you and your children go back to King's Landing. I have to say that Naath's butterflies are surprisingly flexible, all things considered. Even then, if you find yourself in trouble, grasp the butterfly and say my name. I'll come find you."
The princess felt her eyes sting slightly. "Thank you."
"Don't thank me yet. The next few years will not be easy on you. I think I have interfered a bit too much in your family's affairs. Sure, it was to make sure that they wouldn't burn down the continent, but I think it's time to really focus on what Daphne and I came to this realm for in the first place."
Helaena finally realised what he meant, "You wish for me to ensure that my family would not go to war. Is that why you took me as your student?"
She couldn't help but let out some of the vulnerability she felt when she asked that question. Lord Harry and Lady Daphne were akin to rocks, ones who taught her when she felt lost, ones who helped her children, and ones who had shown her more of the world than she ever thought possible, let alone what she had seen in King's Landing.
The idea that they had done it all for a reason, not out of kindness, made the entire experience feel bitter. Lord Harry shook his head, "Of course not. I just saw an overwhelmed girl who needed help. You can refuse this if you want. You can do whatever you want. This offer is for your sake and that of your children, and not mine. What Daphne and I needed was for a chance at peace to exist, or at least, for the inevitable war to be put off. We have achieved this easily. What happens after will be up to them, up to you."
Helaena nodded, and suddenly, she figured out the answer to her question, "You're not talking to me, are you? You said all of this before you ever left the manse."
The sorcerer winked at her, "Clever girl."
And just like that, the scene shifted back to the feast, where her mother had received a mirror, and Lord Harry took out a small wooden box and gave it to her obviously excited father. The man opened it, and the hall fell silent as music started to play from the box.
The sound was faintly metallic, but the music was slow and hauntingly beautiful. She barely noticed that her father's hand was shaking, and a few places next to him, her Uncle Daemon turned pale, "How?"
"Oh, when you turn the crank on the side, it winds up a string that you release by opening the box. Then the notes play by precisely turning a cylinder fitted with metal pins against a tuned comb. A clever mechanism, don't you think? You could theoretically play any song just by changing the pins' placement."
"No, my mother sang that song to me and Daemon when we were younger. I never knew of it."
For the first time, Lord Harry seemed surprised, "Huh. It's an old Valyrian lullaby that I found in your library. The Lament of the First Flame, I think it was called, but my Valyrian isn't exactly the best. They had a peculiar way of recording music, that was for sure. It took me a bit to understand what they meant, but I think I did a good enough job."
The music box wound down in slow, deliberate clicks, and when the final note played, a deafening silence followed. Her father, the King of the Seven Kingdoms, stared at the box as if it were a live dragon, before shakingly grabbing it with his lone hand and nodding, "You have my thanks, Lord Potter."
And just like that, he turned and left the feast without saying another word. Rhaenyra and Daemon exchanged glances, then hurried after him, Daemon muttering something under his breath while Rhaenyra offered a terse excuse to no one in particular. Her mother hesitated only a heartbeat before rising as well and going after them.
The entire feast continued to murmur in confusion at what happened, and Helaena noticed that out of the royal family, only she and Aegon remained. She met her husband's eye and shrugged, deciding to leave as well. She turned to thank the Potters once more, only to notice that they had somehow snuck away in the chaos.
She couldn't help but smile fondly at that. That did sound like something Lord Harry would do, just cause a commotion and leave without saying a word. She would see them soon, when they went to Chroyane. Despite the likely dangers, she found her heart racing in anticipation of the trip.
At least, Helaena thought, tracing the curve of her butterfly pendant, her last night on Dragonstone wasn't boring.
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AN: I know that this was also another slow chapter, but this should finally have Viserys going back to King's Landing, which opens the door for a few things going forward (I'm not doing a departure chapter, since I don't think it would be too interesting). I'm pretty excited for what comes next. As usual, please let me know what you think and if you have any suggestions.
[---]
If you want to support me, check out my patréon at https://www.patréon.com/athassprkr
I tend to upload drafts of early chapters on there to get people's opinions on them, so you can read up to 20 chapters ahead as a bonus.
Thank you guys for your support in these hard times.