A Young Woman's Inevitable Dance with Dragons

[Failninjaninja]

jesus fucking christ who just dumps 300k all at once how am i supposed to read this in a weekend

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lol - I legit thought most folks would have already read it from my prior posting on AO3 and SB. Just recently registered here.

 

[KharnTheBrotrayer]

This was the worst thing to happen to me in the last two days of binging it, do you know how little sleep I have gotten because I couldn't stop reading?

Awesome story cannot wait for more.

 

[Failninjaninja]

This was the worst thing to happen to me in the last two days of binging it, do you know how little sleep I have gotten because I couldn't stop reading?

Awesome story cannot wait for more.

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Thank you! I'm so glad you are enjoying the story. I'm still actively working on it and aiming for about about a chapter every two weeks but it doesn't always happen. I'll also be cross-posting my other stories over in a bit as well, though I think this one is my most popular and well-received.

 

[unlawfulwaffle362]

The Dark Storm on this degenerate forum?! It must be a plot by that insidious Apiary Warlock...

Quickly, we must shelter our most gentle and innocent Targaryen Princess from their ruthless and cruel intentions!

(Great seeing you on other platforms. Love your stories. Please keep up the good work!)

 

[Failninjaninja]

The Dark Storm on this degenerate forum?! It must be a plot by that insidious Apiary Warlock...

Quickly, we must shelter our most gentle and innocent Targaryen Princess from their ruthless and cruel intentions!

(Great seeing you on other platforms. Love your stories. Please keep up the good work!)

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Thank you! I'm kind of hoping some people will step up and post some spicy Omakes, but if not I have some thoughts about a Laena scene, but we'll see!

 

[bruhdude]

Thank you! I'm kind of hoping some people will step up and post some spicy Omakes, but if not I have some thoughts about a Laena scene, but we'll see!

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I actually thought you got pretty close to nsfw when Kevan was glazing (metaphorically of course, we are on QQ) Eleana in the bath

 

[Failninjaninja]

Big thanks to @MARch_Of_Time for all their assistance with this chapter!!

Chapter 56

Few contests display as little restraint as war does; our opponent is just as committed as we are. It's important to keep a close eye on the enemy's moves. -From the Saga of Tanya the Evil Vol. 14



Daenora grinned as she felt her betrothed tighten his grip around her waist. Kermit Tully was a brave man to mount Silverwing, that courage fitting for someone who was to wed into the House of the Dragon. The impropriety of it was hardly an issue to her, for they were to be wed soon after all, and it was certain that Kermit had no carnal delights in his mind, as she could feel him quake behind her.

Over the roaring wind and Silverwing's triumphant shriek as she soared into the sky, Daenora asked, "Are you well, my lord?"

"A-Aye!" Kermit said bravely despite the quaver in his voice.

Daenora admitted to herself that she mayhaps had taken too great a delight in her betrothed's fear, but her brother had always told her there should be an undercurrent of fear when wed to a dragonrider. She was quite pleased when a raven had come from Essos, bearing word that her favorite brother would be returning to see her wed.

I hope he does not imitate Daemon and seek to duel my betrothed!

It was an idle thought, but one she would oppose him over if he made the attempt. Kermit was a good match. One day he would be the Paramount Lord of the Riverlands. His form was pleasing to the eye, and he was a bold knight. While he had yet to win a major tourney, the latest one in King's Landing had seen him unseat a member of the Kingsguard in an early round. Her grandfather had also stressed the importance of the match, for while Lord Grover Tully had fiercely supported a son over a daughter to sit the Iron Throne, others in his family leaned more toward Rhaenyra.

That likely included his heir, Elmo Tully, Kermit's father. However, by agreeing to the match, it seemed as if their loyalty might be swayed. Daenora was rather bored of all the court intrigue. She could only find passing amusement in such things, and her grandfather had always pushed for everything to flow through him as Hand and not to muddy the waters in any way without his explicit instruction. Daenora considered the old man a bit of a bore and preferred to wash her hands of it altogether.

She had Silverwing swoop low and heard a panicked cry from Kermit. Over the wind, she shouted again, "Fear not! Silverwing would never crash, she may be large but she is as agile as Sunfyre!"

Daenora loved her dragon above all else save her family. Silverwing was a part of her, and she delighted in going out flying with her. The dragon often looked to the east, and Daenora well understood the reason. Her brother and his dragon, Vermithor, lie that way.

Aemond returning was good for more than just her spirits. There were more Targaryens than there were dragons. Neither of her younger brothers had dragons, for Uthor's egg stubbornly remained unhatched. And of course, she hoped to prove fertile and raise strong sons and dragon-riding daughters herself! If Silverwing could lay another clutch, it would solve so many problems.

News that one of the few remaining wild dragons had been bonded to young Fraedrik had filled her heart with joy. Her sister Elaena's growing brood well deserved dragons. Daenora could not help but view Aemond as her favorite brother, and Elaena as her favorite sister. Helaena was sweet and kind, yet it was Elaena who had taught her to fly, and she would forever be grateful to her for that. She missed her, and feared that living in the Riverlands would make visits between them all the more rare.

I can time my visits to King's Landing to coincide with hers. Once a month for a day or two is better than none at all.

Silverwing flew higher, and she felt Kermit's grip tighten against her leathers. Smiling, she gave a joyful whoop and sent her dragon into a dive back down to the multi-hued earth below. The leaves on trees were now a delightful array of colors, and from the sky it looked particularly enchanting.

Upon landing, a very shaky Kermit dismounted and promptly recalled his breakfast onto the ground.

"My apologies, 'tis not a common occurrence for me,"

She let out a slight laugh. "Worry not, my lord; I should have warned you to break your fast after riding. I do appreciate you holding it in until we had landed."

"I hope it has not changed things betwixt us and our betrothal."

"Nay, my lord, we are still to be wed. Whether I will it or no, that would be the case; yet I do will it. Only what remains is to determine the timing. Jacaerys and Baela are to be wed soon, and there will be no dual royal wedding this time!"

Kermit gave an uncertain chuckle. That had been an event for the ages, but it had turned sour due to conflict.

"I'd imagine not."

Daenora grinned; it had been an interesting day all the same, even though her pious brother had received the worst of it.

"My father wishes to attend both, so we must not schedule them at the same time. Fret not, my lord, it shall be soon."

Kermit stood up straighter. "I await it with gladness, Princess Daenora. It will be a great honor, and I thank you again for the experience today."

She stepped closer, laying her hand lightly on his arm while her eyes sparkled mischievously.

"You took to the ride well, for your maiden flight. Though you shall surely find my experience as a rider teaching you much, after our wedding."

He looked confused and then his ears turned red in quite the adorable way. She gave a mischievous laugh at how flummoxed he looked. Daenora looked forward to teasing her betrothed quite oft until they were made one by the septon.

***

​

It was quite rare for Alicent's husband to be in an ill mood after Elaena had visited. She knew the source of his disappointment and knew not how to mend it. In truth, she missed her daughter of the heart quite strongly as well. But the girl was now a woman with babes of her own and had fashioned a home with her agile mind that was wrought of wonders.


Viserys being upset was his right, but the fact that he had not once expressed anything close to this manner of disappointment when it was their own children made her bitter. Daeron had been fostered for years when he was young. Uthor was now in Dorne and Viserys seemed to care not one whit.

Everything to Rhaenyra and Elaena and nothing to our own children save that which my father has had to arrange on their behalf.

At least Aegon was able to sit on the small council now, providing much-needed assistance so that her father alone did not need to carry the heavy load of their cause there. A servant advised her that the Hand had asked for her in his study, and Alicent made the trek over.

"How is the King's mood today?" her father asked.

"Still sour. Normally her visits put him in good cheer, but not so this time. I fear I will not be able to move him one way or another on any particular issue until he is less morose."

Her father nodded. "It is good that Elaena is distracted by womanly pursuits. A keen mind, but a soft heart. Had she been as resolute and stern as Princess Rhaenys, and exploited her father, our cause would almost certainly be dust."

Alicent sighed. The long argument was ever beneath the surface. She knew her daughter would never countenance going against the King's declared wishes for the succession, but that sprang from filial loyalty. If Viserys decreed it was to be Aegon, or even a non-Targaryen, the loyal Elaena would name it his mandate as King. Yet perhaps it was that very nature of hers that granted her such influence over him. Had she sought to bend Viserys toward undoing his own stated goals, she would never have stood so near his counsels in the first place.

Father still thinks she is Laenor and Daemon's puppet, carrying out tasks at their whims. It is not so, but he will never be convinced.

"As you say, what need do you have of me?"

"Two things. Attempt to dissuade him from choosing Alan Beesbury. Elaena supported that selection, try to get him to see not choosing her suggested choice as a fitting rebuke for her refusal to take on the post. Such a delicate conversation is best conducted through a whisper in a bed than in a council chamber."

Alicent kept the frown that wanted to form off her face.

"The second is that we should have the wedding celebrations for Daenora and Kermit in Riverrun as opposed to King's Landing."

"Why?"

"Few Blacks will attend one there, but if it is within King's Landing many would come for a tourney. Tell your husband that Daenora wishes to be seen by the people she will help rule one day, or whatever else you think will sway him. I will approach the angle of the cost and expenditure for another tourney after we have just had one. With our allies overwhelming any of the River Lords who support Rhaenyra at the wedding, it will help convince them to fall in line."

Alicent would do as he asked, but she also had her own request.

"I will be busy with those preparations then and will not attend Jacaerys and Baela's nuptials. I do not care to be near such a den of iniquity, nor do I wish my children to be there."

Otto put down his quill and looked at her.

"You are the Queen and Aegon is the true heir. Both of you should attend."

"I will not. There will be needless tension and animosity. I will not put him near that beast of a man, nor will I want to listen to Daemon's nattering veiled threats. That is Rhaenyra's place of power and I will not allow her to humiliate me and my children."

Otto was irked, but instead of exploding at her he waved it off.

"No matter, you have failed to keep your children from making fools of themselves in the past, this is probably for the best. Prince Aegon will attend. I trust him to comport himself properly. He's proven he can hold his tongue and he's a clever mind besides. The rest of my grandchildren can remain in King's Landing or join you in Riverrun for the preparations."

"Helaena will most like wish to stay in King's Landing with her own children. Daeron will return for the wedding, but seems well pleased by the Arbor. Who knows what Aemond will do, or if he will even return."

He raised an eyebrow.

"Your daughter said he was returning for her wedding."

Alicent tried to recall if Daenora had mentioned it to her or not, sometimes she was forgetful about these things as the girl would speak endlessly at times.

"Well, I will try to control him as best I can then, but I fear he has lost all sense. Refusing knighthood, affronting the allies we need, blaspheming against the Seven, and then running off to Essos? Truly, he wars with Daemon as to who should most fit the title of Rogue Prince."

Her father's rare chuckle surprised Alicent.

"That comparison was called to my attention most recently. Let us hope Daemon can be dealt with before the succession is upon us."

Alicent frowned. "Will you not tell me what you have planned? I can count dragons, same as the realm? What hope is there?"

"You are ill-suited for these games of intrigue, but I will remind you that more than one army of greater size has been routed by surprise. Where once enough lords might have supported us to render the risk of war foregone, now I plan for all the greater harshness the odds entail. When we strike, it will be swiftly and a dragon without its rider is susceptible, as they are beasts with animal cunning, but not true intelligence."

I am not so sure.

The dragons had always frightened her to some degree. They were smarter than any dog or horse and the bond between Targaryen and dragon was unnatural.

"You mean… to slay the dragons when the succession is upon us? Or before?"

Alicent didn't know how to feel about this news.

"Rest assured, my daughter, my plans will work. They require some fortune to favor us, but less than what you might think. I fear I have said too much already, you must ensure your tongue is fully guarded. Speak of this to no one, not even your sons or any of our close allies. A lack of surprise will undo us."

She bowed her head in agreement. It would be her children who would carry this war on their backs, and she feared it. Aegon, Aemond, and Daeron were stout warriors all. But gentle Helaena and wild Daenora? Did her father plan to use her darling daughters in such a way as well?

Seven protect our house.

***

​

In the weeks that followed Baela's arrival, Rhaenyra found herself filled with joy. It was a delight to converse and gossip with her niece. In so many ways, she viewed Baela as a little sister and was enjoying planning the wedding with her in a way she had never truly been able to do with Elaena.


No, I mustn't think of her now. 'Tis a time for joy.

Everything had to be set to perfection for the marriage between her son and Baela. She was to be the future Queen of the Seven Kingdoms one day, after all. The decision to have them wed in Dragonstone as opposed to King's Landing was part political and part practical. With so many matches occurring, and the memories of the dual wedding still causing ill humor, it was for the best to have it here. It would also mean she could better control events as the host instead of a guest.

Harwin would see to making sure everything was secure. He was pleased to see his son wed. He had spent more time with him of late when his duties allowed, and it was good to see that Jace loved both Harwin and Laenor as parental figures.

"Rhaenyra, are you sure that is the proper styling of my hair? I fear it will hinder easy movement during the feasting."

Rhaenyra nodded. "Baela, we can do something simpler, but why? This is your only wedding, so why not make it memorable for all who attend? The many pins to hold it so high may distract you some on the dance floor, but I promise you that people will remember it."

Baela looked unsure, but then gave her a smile. "It is to be a grand affair, so even my hair should be grand, is that the right of it?"

"Indeed!" They both giggled, and Rhaenyra felt her heart more at ease than it had been for some time.

Daemon, for half a decade now, was still upset that he could not have his little war in Essos. The last time they had met she had snapped, and nothing prevented him from flying over and setting fire to some horse lords as Aemond was doing. He had not taken the comparison well, and he had shut out both her and his wife from their nightly pursuits and instead spent time with his whore from Lys.

Her heart had ached for Laena, who had been caught betwixt them.

Daemon has Tyrosh and the Stepstones, more than he could have hoped to inherit after he was removed from the line of succession. I have even allowed our son to be his heir even though it sets tongues wagging afresh. Will nothing ever appease his appetite?!

Dinner that night was a lively affair. Aenar jested with Baela and his dry wit caused her to lose her courtly composure. Rhaenyra was glad to see her so gay. She had enjoyed herself on Dragonstone and soon it would be time for the wedding. There was no trepidation in her manner, she was eager for the match.

Joffrey joined in the merrymaking and Rhaenyra felt another swell of contentment. It took a few moments for Baela to recompose herself and then she looked across to Rhaenyra.

"Oh, there is some good news. My grandmother will be attending the wedding after all; I received a letter from her earlier."

Rhaenyra smiled openly. "Has Daemon ceased worrying about Essos, finally?"

Daemon had regularly stated that there must always be a dragonrider on Tyrosh to prevent Essos from attempting to dislodge him.

"No, my father worries still, but he has grudgingly accepted your sister to watch over the island."

Jace frowned. "Aunt Elaena isn't coming to the wedding?"

Rhaenyra frowned. This was just like her.

"Most like," Laenor said in a light tone, "she wished to allow Rhaenys the opportunity and there was no one else. Your grandmother has missed many family events due to her service on the small council. It is right that she see her grandchildren be wed."

Rhaenyra took a large swallow from her cup.

"You would think that, but then, you have ever viewed her most fondly," Rhaenyra said.

Laenor stiffened. "What other reason would there be?"

"She obviously fears my displeasure at her taking a dragon from the island without so much as a by-your-leave. Does she think I would deny her son the legacy of our house?"

Laenor just looked at her. "She was denied an egg by you explicitly." He held up his hands. "I'll not quarrel with you over something that has already been done, but she was denied a dragon egg and then her half-sister bestowed Dreamfyre's eggs upon other kin. There is a saying from Essos, I believe, that goes 'one time is happenstance, twice is coincidence, and three times is a pattern.' Perhaps she did not wish to see her son being denied become a pattern among her kin. Wild dragons are by definition unclaimed, and thus a potential rider might see denial only in the face of that dragon's nature."

Rhaenyra scowled and Luke agreed with his father.

"Mother, your Grey Ghost was almost impossible to spot. Aenar and I once flew around trying to find where he nests and Arrax could never find it. To claim him was to best long odds."

"That is not at issue, what is at issue is her refusal to make that case before me. I am her elder and the heir to the Iron Throne. It would have been proper, and now she makes excuses not to attend and packages it as benevolence!"

"Mayhaps," Harwin rumbled, "but 'tis good for Rhaenys to attend, regardless of the reason. She will gaze upon this blessed union with joy in her eyes and 'twill be well-deserved for all hardships she's faced in the service of your cause, Princess Rhaenyra."

She exhaled and nodded. "As always, my loyal knight, you cut right to the heart of the matter." Rhaenyra raised her cup, "To Rhaenys! We will be glad to have her and the Red Queen attend this union, the union of two branches in the ever-growing House of the Dragon!"

Conversation moved on as the night waned, and on the morrow her son Jace found her in a private moment.

"Mother, it bodes ill that there is tension between you and your sister. She is well loved by all here and I speak for all your children that we would wish you were on better terms."

"Come here, sweetling," she patted at the chair next to her.

"Understand that I love Elaena. Even as she pricks me. It is what has me so upset. I have extended a hand of continued friendship time and again. Do I not open my home to her visits? Though I suspect her fears will keep her away for some time."

Jace nodded. "You do. It is just that… of late you have spoken ill of her more often. It makes father uncomfortable, you know he credits her and the Dragon Bank with even allowing for a victory in the Stepstones. Lord Corlys agrees as well."

Rhaenyra just shook her head. "Laenor and Lord Corlys are quite diplomatic and they dote on clever little Elaena, but it was my husband's prowess that won the day, not a reduced repayment for debts."

Jace looked as if he wished to argue the point, but then thought better of it.

"Regardless, I do hope you continue to extend your hand. Elaena has always been good to us. I'm not half the flyer I would be if she had not shown me all those tricks. And Cyvasse is quite the diversion, even if I fear I'll never catch up to some others who play. We just want the family to be on good terms."

"Oh, my sweet boy," she rubbed his back with her hand, "already you act kingly. But fret not, families sometimes argue. How many times did Viserys exile his brother? And yet they still love and respect each other. Know that my patience is quite long, even as she tries it. Once she has seen her error and begged my forgiveness she will of course have it!"

Jace looked worried still, and she wished he would relax a bit more. It was likely the jitters a man gets before a wedding that had him out of sorts. Once it was done and the joys of bedding Baela began, he would be more at ease. She kissed his forehead and dismissed him so that she could go spend more time with Harwin.

***

​

The wind was fierce, but that made it all the better in Aenar's mind. Tyraxes soared through the clouds with agile ease. He could tell his dragon enjoyed their flights together, and he oft took to the skies, assuming there was time. His days were busy with lessons from the Maester, arms training with Ser Harwin, and of course feasting. He took pride in his appearance, and it was arduous to get himself properly attired and bathed between lessons and feasts. Flying at night was something Rhaenyra did not wish for them to do often due to increased risks, and dragons were not so silent in their flights.


To give truth to that thought, Tyraxes let out a roar, and Aenar felt as if he wished to issue a cry from his own lips as well. His mount spewed purple flames into the sky in a riot of intense color. With a laugh, he called it a day and directed Tyraxes to lazily circle back down in the morning light. He could afford to go to arms training with dragon scent upon him, and since he intended to wash up after time in the yard anyway, he found the early morning the best time to ride.

Aenar was told he was an apt pupil, but having his older brothers and Braxton Strong prove to be his betters meant he did not oft look forward to it. He didn't begrudge them their skill and laughed off his defeats. It was most unlikely that he would ever be good enough for a tourney win, but what of it? Let those poor fellows who could not even fly a dragon have some glory. For surely riding the clouds was a greater feeling than any victory on the field.

Baela was there to watch and cheer them on. She enjoyed seeing them fight and often had a saucy jeer for a clumsy stroke or fall. Aenar thought it trod the line between mockery and a bit of feminine spice in the yard, but Jace seemed aggrieved.

"Nervous over the wedding?" he asked his eldest brother.

"She is still so young. I know she will outgrow some of her childishness, but I wonder if she has the bearing a Queen ought to have."

"Baela is ten-and-four and will mature. Our grandfather is still hale, as is our mother. She'll have several decades unless the Gods prove needlessly cruel."

Jace smiled at him. "Oh, says the wise old man of ten-and-five!"

Aenar returned the grin and picked up the practice blade. They danced in the sparring yard beneath the brooding stone draconic figures along the curtain wall as Ser Harwin called out mistakes in footwork. That part he did well. It was the striking that he found difficult. His brothers made it look easy to will their blades where they wished with speed and precision. Soon enough he was in the dust.

"'Tis a dull affair, my love!" Baela shouted. "At least fight Luke so you'll have a proper challenge."

Jace looked annoyed and about to say something, but Aenar kicked him lightly.

"She's to be your wife. Don't make a fuss on my account. Plus, Luke looks eager."

Jace nodded with a flash of gratitude and went over to Luke. Aenar looked over to Braxton and began another spar, one he also lost, but Harwin had praised his defense this time. He knew Harwin was his father, even before they had told him, just by dint of how alike they looked. He thought of his mother's sworn shield fondly, but he could never not see Laenor as his true father, the man who had taught him how to speak, how to conduct himself in court, and to comport himself with honor and dignity.

After sparring, he bathed and prepared for lessons with the Maester. The keeping of ledgers and accounts while a lord of a demesne was an important skill. While it was easy to have others do it, that is how fraud could occur. The reforms made many years ago deterred it, but he was always taught that once he ruled a holdfast or town, it would ultimately be his duty to see that it all was in good order.

A review of the major and minor houses of the Reach was next, and then finally time for one of the enchanting feasts he so enjoyed. The food was always a joy. Aenar took pains not to overindulge, only taking bites from the dozen or so confections that would be prepared each eve. Honeyed pastries filled with cream, all spiced in different ways. Candied fruits and tarts with multihued sugars sprinkled over them. Lemon cakes and puddings of every flavor. He had dined in King's Landing, in Driftmark, even in Tyrosh, but none could compare to what was artfully created on Dragonstone. Every succulent dish imaginable.

Aside from the feasting, he enjoyed the dance floor. Baela would dance with all of them, and she enjoyed the dances that held faster rhythms. In between bouts on the dance floor, the lords who had begun to arrive were a delightful assortment of leal lords. Many a toast to the beauty of Rhaenyra and Baela were made, and more than a few mirthful tales.

"Prince Aenar, my daughter tells me you are quite the dancer," Lord Simon Staunton told him with a smile.

"Has she now? She is too kind."

The girl was younger than him by a few years, and she had smiled shyly at him the entire time.

"Care to visit Rook's Rest after the wedding? We would be honored to host a member of the royal family."

He bowed his head lightly. "I would, of course, be honored; however, it is my mother and father who make those sorts of decisions, my lord."

Really now, Lord Staunton. Just how wrapped around the finger does your daughter have you?

"Yes, yes, but perhaps you might indicate that you'd like to visit before I bring forth the subject?"

He supposed he could acquiesce. Most likely his parents would deny the match Staunton was looking for, but it did not hurt to have lords remember a kindness given.

"It would only be the truth, so I will do so immediately upon the morrow," Aenar promised to a grateful father.

The rest of the evening continued to be pleasing, and he went to bed eager for the upcoming wedding, a chance to celebrate and for the realm to behold their future King and Queen united in front of Gods and men. Such events only occurred a bare handful of times in a decade, and he didn't want to miss a thing.

***

​

Drummok was the captain of an old whaler converted to a trading ship. There was far more coin to be made these days in trade and he would soon be wealthy enough to grow fat off his profits. After he arrived at Braavos he would set his sights on White Harbor. In times past, many would skip that port and make straight for Pentos and then Myr. Perhaps they would go to King's Landing, but the trade within Essos itself was oft more profitable.


That was no longer so. White Harbor had coin to spend and from Braavos his vessel would carry him to White Harbor, then to Gulltown, and even bypass Pentos altogether to reach Myr with greater haste. Myr would take him to King's Landing to unload bulky Scorpions, and then he would carry other goods back to White Harbor. A tidy profit and little fear of pirates in these days.

There are other dangers. Storms seemed to be gathering more swiftly from the North these days.

From his vantage over the deck, Drummok caught one of his crewmen slumped over. He had the look of a new hand, so the captain asked his first mate about him.

"Oh? He's a good lad, but his mum, Maryth, took a chill. Not wealthy folk, so in order to get coin he signed up for advanced pay to get her care."

With so many ships and increased trade, finding hands was difficult and one of the ways they recruited was providing the pay in advance of a journey instead of prior.

"Well, see to it that he looks livelier, I've not patience for the luskish."

"Aye, captain."

He watched the interaction and the new lad's nod. The young man livened up, but he would keep an eye out. Over the next several hours he watched as the new crew member worked hard at the tasks of keeping a ship afloat during rough seas. He approached to lend a kind word when he noticed the burgeoning reddish hue of his features.

"You look as if you've been out in the sun too long, yet there's been scant of it."

"I don't know, captain, I just feel warm, is all."

Warm this far in the north? I have an ill feeling about this…

Not two days later, the lad collapsed in a shivering mess.


Author's Note:

I've been out of work since January and thankfully I am in no immediate distress as I did get a severance. Several people have encouraged me to try writing fulltime and while I think it is a bit of a moon shoot, but hey, nothing ventured, nothing gained, right? I'll be plugging my Patreon more often I've published over a 100k words in Feb , mostly BattleTech but also chapters for both ASOIAF stories, and that sort of sustained writing is not really possible with a full time job and other life responsibilities, but while I'm out of work, I've enjoyed doing this. If I do get enough support it would be incredible to actually keep doing this fulltime. We'll see, I'm keeping my expectations firmly in check here.

https://www.patreon.com/cw/failninjaninja

Thank you to the MVPs who have already donated - I had not expected that and honestly it is an amazing feeling. Thank you! I currently have voting for what my next project will be and that project will have early access chapters up on Patreon before posting them to here and AOE.

 

[Xodarap]

Daemon has Tyrosh and the Stepstones, more than he could have hoped to inherit after he was removed from the line of succession. I have even allowed our son to be his heir even though it sets tongues wagging afresh. Will nothing ever appease his appetite?!

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Oh fuck Rhaenyra announced Aelyx as the stepstones heir with Daemons consent that is a obscenely scandalous move against the right for daughters to inherit not to mention Maegor hearing this.
Edit
Further fuck this is basically her neutering the children of Corlys and Rhaenys which must be why Elaena is subbing for her

 

[Kristoff Umber]

Further fuck this is basically her neutering the children of Corlys and Rhaenys which must be why Elaena is subbing for her

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There's also the whole thing where Rhaenyra wants Rhaena and Lucerys to marry and for Luke to become the next lord Velaryon. That makes a ton of Velaryon branch members upset.

 

[HoxShorelight]

Funny thing is when the Winter Fever come in canon Desmond Manderly and his first born son Medrick Manderly die because of it and his younger son Torrhen Manderly then was Hand of the King and Regent for Aegon III have to leave and come back home to take over as Lord of White Harbour not to mention Medrick doesn't have a wife or any children
But in this story Medrick is married , child might be incoming and he is up in the True North , he might survive both the Winter Fever and The Others but his father and brother might not ,let hope his wife will