"You idiots! Lift it up and move it to the side!", A burly older man shouted as he was dressed in just a pair of black pants with suspenders, shaking his head when his workers nodded and slowly moved the large tree log they were carrying.
He did not know why that Lord from the South wanted to rebuild Moat Cailin given its state of disrepair, but he had to admit that the young teen had some good plans when it came to the overall structure.
Instead of keeping the enormous castle structure with the curtain wall and the numerous towers, he had decided to keep the basalt wall and six of the towers while knocking everything else down.
The keep itself was to be expanded to about a third more where the six towers behind the castle stood. Then, they are to move the basalt wall further out and build another wall that surrounded the keep and a large piece of the inside itself.
From there, they are to build housing for the common folk inside of the basalt wall and finally end it off with a large moat around the foot of the hill that Moat Cailin sat on.
'That last part is a waste of effort in these bogs, but more walls never hurt.'
"Mr. Mattel," The voice of the future lord of Moat Cailin called out, Mattel turning his head and bowing as the sixteen year old nodded to him with a smile.
The young man had the look of a Stark down to the black hair, but his dark blue eyes radiated a presence that made everyone admire him. Even Mattel had to admit that the boy had a presence to him that made it hard for him to not follow the boy's order.
"How goes the building process?"
"We've finished rebuilding the towers, the outer basalt wall and laying the foundation for the keep. Now, we are beginning the process for the inner wall, the guard towers on it and then the gate before we move onto finishing the keep and its surroundings.."
"So, the foundation has been laid, yes?", The young Torrhen asked and Mattel raised an eyebrow as he nodded.
"Good. Then, I shall finish what I came here to do."
'Probably came to see if we're following his plans and not messing it up,' Mattel thought, pulling back his snort as he shook his head. Lords always came and stood with clean hands, talking about foundations and arches like they'd ever picked up a stone.
They thought that a ledger and a quill raised walls, but Mattel knew it was no more than blood, grit and a strong back.
Yet, as he watched Torrhen stepped onto the laid foundation, Mattel couldn't help but remember the tales of the young Stark Lord that knew how to use magic.
"No more than a mummer's farce," he had told himself many times when he heard the story, but as he watched the young Stark kneel on the ground and pull out a dagger, he wondered if there was perhaps any truth to those stories.
All around, the chatter of the workers died down and even nature itself seemed to be quiet before their eyes widened as Torrhen pressed the dagger against his wrist and red blood sprayed into the air.
"Don't!", Torrhen barked out as Mattel went to move, the man feeling surprised when his body actually stopped without him wanting to as he watched the boy take out some sort of stick from his cloak and press it against his wound.
"URUZ," The first word slipped from Torrhen's lips, the language sounding like ice cracking they watched the rune burn into the foundation.
"THURIZAS," The second word burned and everyone flinched as the wind stirred violently.
"ANSUZ," It sounded like the call of the horn as Torrhen finished his third word, raising his wand to the air as they heard the ground rumbling with his command.
"RAIDHO. GEBO. EHWAZ. JERA," With each words, golden lines flared outwards in a spider-web, the workers stumbling back in surprise as the world itself seemed to dance to his tune.
"SOWILO!", With a final shout and stabbing his wand into the stone, a shockwave rippled outwards and made everyone flinch as a bright flash stunned them.
Mattel himself stumbled as he blinked to get his vision back, only able to make out faint, glowing lines etched into the black stone of the foundation before looking at the Torrhen to see him standing up while wrapping a strip of cloth around his wound.
"When you are done with the keep and the inner wall, send another raven. I will return to finish the job."
"Y-Yes, milord," Mattel bowed, noting the young man sounding exhausted even though it didn't show on his face as Torrhen simply smiled and walked back to his carriage.
"Mr. Mattel, wha-what happened?", One of his workers asked and Mattel watched as the carriage away before shaking his wound.
"Nothing us common folk should be worried about. Let's just get this shite done with."
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"Are you sure that was the correct thing to do?", Helaena asked as she rested her head on my shoulder and I smiled as I wrapped an arm around her and nodded.
"It was. Tonight would be a new moon. I have already carved a runic pattern into the foundation to further empower the other runes with the absence of the moon's light."
"And why should I not have done the same?"
"Because we are keeping your abilities a secret, remember?", I said and smiled as she rolled her eyes, linking our hands together as the Aether danced around it.
"The dragon and the wolf need not fear the insects gnawing at their feet."
"One insect is not a problem, yes, but numerous swarms will be too much even for the dragon to handle, especially if the dragon needs to keep up her visage of being no more than a...what is it they call you again?"
"A naive, ditzy young she-dragon who who spends her days chasing insects and mumbling about dreams," She spoke with a soft laugh, making me smile as I brushed my thumb against her knuckles.
"And that is why you must not show them otherwise until the time has come. If they see the truth, they will begin to fear you and fear always breeds knives in the dark."
"But knives are already coming for you, Torrhen. I hear their whispers, the shadows that distrust and pry."
"That is why I keep their suspicion on me. As long as they believe you to be only a dreamer, we will always have a hidden blade they do not see. I do however feel a bit bad that we cannot tell your family."
"My family saw no need to give me the help that was needed to unlock my capabilities. You are the one that helped me see my dreams for what they truly are so you are the only one I trust."
"What of your mother? I'm sure she's already planning my demise since our wedding was proposed."
"Unfortunately, with Father's condition having worsened in the last few years, she along with Grandfather are too busy 'ruling' in his stead to spend time with me."
"What of your siblings?"
"Aegon would rather be with his brothel woman than spend time with his sister. Aemond has little care for anyone that is not you or Vhagar though he has begun talking to me once again. Rhaenyra however is, as we both know, still on Dragonstone after Father forced her and Daemon to stay there when he found out about their marriage."
"Ah, yes. That is the one and only time I have seen the king truly mad," I murmured, remembering the time when the usually jolly, happy-go-lucky Viserys had actually been angry since the time I was stabbed.
To say that the man had a tongue as sharp as Valyrian steel was an understatement as even Alicent didn't dare to say anything when the man tore into both Rhaenyra and Daemon with insult after insult.
Then again, both she and Otto looked far too pleased given that this lowered Rhaenyra's standing in Viserys' mind and opened it up to the thought of Aegon perhaps becoming the Crown Prince.
"It was. However, the towers are planning to have the green dragon replace the black dragon."
"And what is your opinion on that?"
"The rats will always go for the one that is weakest. Therefore, the black dragon must appear to be strong and unyielding. If the towers find weakness in the old dragon, they will undermine, conspire and twist every word against it."
"And how will the silver dragon and the blue-eyed wolf fare when the green does replace the black?", I asked and she smiled as she leaned against me and shook her head.
"The silver dragon shall simply flee with the blue-eyed wolf to avoid becoming a pawn on the battlefield that is the Dance."
'So, there's still a big chance of the Dance happening? Damn, this just got more complicated. Actually...'
"Helaena, my love."
"You only call me my love if you have a foolish plan that could result in us losing our lives?"
"And?", I asked, chuckling as she sat up and looked at me with a pleased smile.
"I like your foolish plans. What did you have in mind?"
"What say you and I go and visit my soon-to-be sister-in-law?"
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"Let me guess, this trip was Lord Torrhen's idea?", Erryk asked with a flat stare aimed at me, Arryk holding in his chuckle as I smirked while Helaena nodded.
"It was indeed."
"I do not see why you must visit this wretched place, Lord Torrhen, Princess Helaena. It is seen as an ill-omen to others."
"Are you saying that because you truly believe this island is bad or because you-know-who is here?", I whispered while leaning towards Criston, who just stared at me before I smiled and patted his back.
"Don't worry, Criston. We won't be here long. It has simply been three years since I last saw Princess Rhaenyra and I would like to see how she is doing as well as thank her for the help she provided with the funds for Moat Cailin."
"Very well, but I ask to be at your side at all times, my lord."
"We do as well," Arryk spoke up and I looked to Helaena who looked at them before nodding.
"Very well," Helaena answered and I blinked as I heard footsteps approaching, turning my head only for my smile to fade as a young teenager that looked as old as I am with dark brown hair and matching coloured eyes walked down the long walkway to the Dragonstone castle.
"Aunt Helaena, Lord Torrhen, I am pleased to welcome you to Dragonstone," Jacaerys greeted with a bow, which I returned as Helaena smiled.
"The one who almost killed my beloved. The life of a dragon favours you, Jacaerys," As usual, Helaena was blunt and to the point and I caught the wince from him as he looked to me and bowed.
"I...I would like to apolog-"
"Let me stop you there, Prince Jacaerys. Understand that I have already forgiven you for what transpired, but I have not forgotten. You were a rash child when it happened, but you have grown since. Now, I only wish to see the man that you will become."
"I...I thank you for your understanding, Lord Torrhen."
"My beloved is kind. I am not. Now, take us to your mother before the winds of fate decide to scatter us like leaves in a storm," She spoke and I nodded, the two of us following after Jace with the three Kingsguard following closely behind.
'This place is rich in Aether,' The only other places I have seen that has as thick of an Aether stench to it like Dragonstone was Winterfell and the Dragonpit, which only made sense since some of the oldest dragons in existence were resting on this island.
'Vermithor, Silverwing, Seasmoke probably, Grey Ghost, Sheepstealer and the most feral of them all, The Cannibal,' Out of those six dragons and probably a few more that I was forgetting about, Vermithor and Silverwing stood out to me.
Not because they were the two I knew the most, but because they matched the characteristics of the dragons I saw in those visions all those years ago when I first awakened my abilities.
In that vision, I saw Helaena and I walking across a field of ashes and right behind us were two dragons, one a deep bronze and the other a beautiful shimmering silver.
That perfectly matched the colours of Vermithor and Silverwing respectively and that is why I actually wanted to come here to see if I could see some part of them.
Meeting Rhaenyra again was just a little fun sidequest.
"What are you thinking about?", Helaena whispered as we walked into the castle, to which I smiled as I leaned in while ignoring the guards and occupants of the castle looking at us.
"Meeting the Princess. It has been years since I last saw her, after all."
"Do not worry. The world has not asked for the young Wolf to be returned to its embrace."
"And of the young she-dragon?"
"She is to remain at your side until the end of time," She whispered back and I chuckled, looking forward as Jacaerys stopped and nodded to two guards who opened the double doors they were guarding.
Following the young prince as we walked into a solar, my gaze danced across the many dragon banners stretched across the walls before I finally turned to Rhaenyra who awaited with a stoic, calculating gaze as well as Daemon sitting next to the flames with his usual confident smirk.
"Mother, Daemon, I have brought your guests."
"Thank you, Jacaerys. Would you kindly go look after your siblings while I entertain them?"
"Of course."
"Criston, Erryk, Arryk, please wait outside," Helaena spoke up and I caught the hesitance in Cole's eyes before Erryk put a hand on his shoulder and gently pulled him out with them.
As the doors closed behind the Kingsguard, it was just us four left in the room, Daemon and I looking at each other while Helaena stared at Rhaenyra.
"Princess Rhaenyra, Prince Daemon, a pleasure to see you both again after all these years."
"The same to you, Lord Torrhen and to you, sister. I must admit that I was quite surprised when I heard that you wished to talk to me given that we never had the best sisterly relationship," Rhaenyra spoke with a polite smile and Helaena nodded as she stepped forward.
"We never did and that was mostly my fault. I admit that I was not the best person to speak to due to my affliction."
"I see it is fixed now?"
"Somewhat. Torrhen has helped me understand my dreams more, but unfortunately, the thread does take my attention away from time to time."
"I see. With his...magical capabilities, no doubt?", Daemon asked and I smiled before nodding.
"Indeed, Prince Daemon. Helaena's affliction was of the magical, otherworldly kind so I simply guided her through the process of how to control it instead of letting it control her."
"And may I ask if you meddled with her mind, Lord Torrhen?", Rhaenyra asked with a frown and I shook my head as Helaena answered.
"No. Contrary to what others believe, taking control of a human mind is not as easy as one would think."
"I see. Well, I assume you two are not just here to tell me of how you healed Helaena, yes?"
"Torrhen?"
"Ah, yes," I nodded as I stepped forward, smirking as Daemon stood up when I reached into my coat before surprising Rhaenyra when I took out the three-headed black dragon brooch and held it out to her.
"Thank you, Princess, for your support in repairing Moat Cailin. Repairs have been going smoothly and in the coming five years at the most, it will be fully functional and ready to be occupied."
"O-Oh, you did not have to feel a need to return the brooch. It was a gift."
"Oh, well, I thought it to be important so I wished to return it," I spoke with a smile and Rhaenyra looked amused as she grabbed my hand before folding it closed.
"Please, keep it. After all, I may need your help in the coming future."
"Is this to do with the rumours of Father wanting to make Aegon the Crown Prince?", Helaena asked bluntly and I saw Rhaenyra's eyes narrow before she nodded.
"Rest assured. Mother and Grandfather are trying their best to have him be instated as Crown Prince, but Father has not changed his mind even with what has happened."
'No, he hasn't. Neither of us have actually spoken to Viserys in a while since no one but the Queen is allowed near him given how sensitive his health is right now,' I thought even as I smiled and nodded in agreement to Helaena's lie when Rhaenyra looked at me, watching as the woman scanned our faces before she seemed to look relieved.
"That has put my heart at ease, sister. Thank you."
"I must say that you are far too quick in giving us that information. What will your mother and grandfather think when they hear of this?"
"Let them think what they will. I care little for their opinion," Helaena responded, surprising both of them before Daemon narrowed his eyes.
"You do not care?"
"No, I do not. Mother and Grandfather, just like many lords and ladies, are far too focused on the title of King and Queen of the Seven Kingdoms that they have forgotten that we are all still a family. I wish to see an end to these foolish battles even if it means drawing their ire as long as everyone is still alive at the end of the day."
"...I see you were not wrong about her when we first spoke all those years ago, Lord Torrhen," Daemon spoke and I chuckled as Helaena interlocked our fingers with a smile.
"I know, Prince Daemon. Well, I do believe that is all we ha-Oh, no, that is not all. I do believe that my beloved has something else," I said as I looked to Helaena, who stared back before a flicker of recognition appeared in her eyes when my own gaze flickered to the dragon banners around us.
"Yes. Sister?"
"Yes, Helaena?"
"Would it be possible for me to finally get my dragon from the ones on this island?"
A/N: And we end off here~! Timeskip and mostly exposition and character progress before the next chapter kicks off the arc.
Next chapter: Silver for silver, bronze for blue.
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