Sands Of Dragonstone
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~~~(POV: Daenerys Targaryen)~~~
~~~(Current Age: 17 Years)~~~
~~~(Location: The Narrow Sea, Targaryen Fleet, Dragonstone)~~~
~~~(Date: 301 AC)~~~
The morning sun begins to rise on the waters, and I see an island with a magnificent castle in the distance. The sandy shore is barely visible since there is still little light in the sky. Rae stands next to me with Daenys in his arms.
The blue dragon curled up with our daughter. Jae and Aly stand before me, and my hands rest on Aly's shoulders. Jae holds onto my leg. The only family member not here is Margaery. She's unable to move from her bed, given her condition.
"To think this is where we were born... A rock that only has dragon glass to boast about..."
Truth leaves my brother's lips. There is no gold or jewels that rest beneath the castle. Only dragon glass. Said to be magical in certain aspects. I couldn't say.
Our dragons are already circling the island as if it's home. The area they're specifically circling is the Dragonmont. The place where many riderless dragons dwelled and where many more died trying to claim them.
The Dance Of Dragons is a blotch so great on our family's history it nearly destroyed it. Now that we're home with dragons. It's hard not to see this as a new start for our family.
"Margaery will be giving birth to the first Targaryens on Dragonstone since us... Our dragons have a place to rest, eat, and live comfortably... When we're settled, how long before you send out the ravens?"
Once my brother sends out the ravens, we'll be officially declaring war on Westeros. Declaring war on all the houses that oppose us. It'll be another conquest and one that won't be remembered the same way as Aegon The Conquerers.
Many people see my brother as mad as our father. If only they knew him as I do. As the people in Essos do. He's beloved across The Narrow Sea, and so am I.
"The future is fast approaching, Dany. The ravens will be released when the birdkeepers say they're ready. Our few allies in Westeros will make sure the word is spread, as well."
That's it, then.
I remember the day he rescued me from Khal Drogo and Viserys like it was yesterday. But that was three kids and four years ago... It's already been four years since we were reunited... Time has flown since we were 13.
Now, we're parents. Rulers. Dragonriders. If someone told me my life would've turned out like this, I would've spit in their faces. Giving me such hope is the height of cruelty. My heart races at the memory of Rae taking my hand and flying away from the wedding.
"What do you think we'll find..."
This time, it's him asking a question. I don't know what we'll find in our home. It was under House Baratheon's control for a long time, and it's likely been changed on the inside. Stannis is the only true Baratheon left.
He abandoned Dragonstone to bring his armies North. To align with Robb Stark. Leaving his best place on the board for us to take. He's placing everything he has in getting to The Iron Throne before we do.
Not that it'd make any difference. If he were to beat Tywin before us, we'd just end him. Knowing what I've learned about Westeros in my time occupying Meereen, The Smallfolk will be won over completely by Stannis.
That's the whole reason he wants to beat us, so The Smallfolk will be on his side. Making it almost impossible for us to win over The Iron Throne once we actually have it.
In the end, it's a chair that kills its occupants. The real sign of power in Westeros is who The Smallfolk love.
"A place that's completely ours..."
My simple response to his question inspires a gentle hand finding its way to my lower back, and his fingers sling around my hip opposite his body. Bringing me into a side hug.
My head lightly rests on his chest, and my eyes linger on Daenys in his other arm. She's cuddling her little blue dragon. It's already grown, but not enough to stop snuggling its bonded Targaryen.
We're only a few minutes away now, and a rowboat is being prepared to bring us in with the initial landing party.
~~~(POV: Raenon Targaryen)~~~
~~~(Location: The Narrow Sea, Dragonstone, Westeros)~~~
~~~(Current Age: 17 Years)~~~
~~~(Date: 301 AC)~~~
The rowboat slides onto the soft sand and my home. A breath enters my lungs that feels so familiar. Yet, the first time I've ever breathed. I step off the rowboat and walk onto the sand. Everyone waits on the rowboats.
Soft footsteps come up behind me, and I feel my sister's hand on my back. Aly and Jae start running up the beach toward the stairway leading to the castle.
I descend to one knee and sink my hand into the sand. It's a texture I've not felt before. Grainy, yet wet. Sticky and hard to get rid of. The sands of Essos would fall right off, but I'd never touched wet sand before.
My sister-wife bends down on her knee too. Her black dress gets a little sand on it. Her hand finds mine, and she grasps it. A breath fills her as she does. She shares the feeling of the wet sand of our home, and it's exhilarating.
"Secure the castle; make sure no hidden blades await us."
The order comes out from Oberyn's direction. I stand with Dany, and we look over to our friend. He's getting the troops and moving toward the stairway. Jae and Aly found the stairway of little interest and are instead playing on the shoreline.
Caelex gently flies above them and comes down to play with Jae occasionally. My eyes drift to the ship, and I see Margaery being gently loaded onto a rowboat.
"Vaelor!!"
Aly also wants to play with her dragon, but Vaelor is far larger than Caelex. The third largest dragon we have.
"Māzigon ilagon se tymagon!"
The dragon turns from its constant circling of the Dragonmont at Aly's call to come and play. My daughter is the first of our children to start learning Valyrian.
Daenys sleeps soundly as the large dragon lands on the beach and calmly approach my daughter. Bending down its head and affectionately rubbing the large snout it carries into my daughter. She laughs with joy at the activity.
At this moment, there are only a few Unsullied and Martell guards around us. Oberyn took most to the long stairway that leads to the castle. So, this is a little family moment.
I hand Daenys to Dany and make my way to the rowboat that carries Margaery now that she's made it. I hold out my hand and help her off. Letting her lean on me as she gets used to walking on the ground again.
"I'm never traveling by ship again..."
A light chuckle escapes Dany's lips as she approaches. Handing me back Daenys and grabbing ahold of Margaery. Helping her toward the stairway.
"It's good to be home..."
This is where we belong.
~~~(POV: Oberyn Martell)~~~
~~~(Location: The Narrow Sea, Dragonstone, Westeros)~~~
~~~(Current Age: 44 Years)~~~
~~~(Date: 301 AC)~~~
Daenerys and Margaery stand near the large window of the war room. Looking out into the vast sea and staying quiet as the ocean crashes against the rocks.
Raenon has my attention. He slowly circles the large oak carving of Westeros. His hand runs across the wood, and a look of wonder fills his eyes. Something I've never seen from him before. Ellaria smiles at the reaction as I do.
"To think, I'd see the same war table that my ancestor used to conquer Westeros 300 years ago... So much history on this table..."
There is much to do now that we're here. The greatest is preparation for war. I've already sent a raven to House Velaryon and have called them to Dragonstone. On orders of Raenon, of course.
Our forces are waiting on the ships, slowly being offloaded onto the island. It can hold a great force, but there aren't enough beds. So, there are tents being set up where they can.
"Yes, my friend. This isn't the first time I've seen Dragonstone. My sister, Elia, had me over a few times when she and Rhaegar were first married. It was a good time..."
That was a time before madness consumed Aerys and Rhaegar... Running off with Lyanna was what caused The Rebellion and my sister's death, along with my niece and nephew.
If that hadn't happened... Raenon wouldn't be who he is right now, and dragons wouldn't be here...
Proof of how destiny plays with everyone as if they're pawns.
"Tell me, Oberyn. When are you planning to return to Dorne? I recommend doing so as soon as you can. It's best you see what's happened with your own eyes."
The part of all this I'm hating. The Lannisters razed and looted Sunspear. Killing most of the army stationed in Dorne and the place where I called home. My brother and nephew dead, and leaving me as King of Dorne.
"I'll head out as soon as the ship is restocked. Until then, Ellaria and I shall rest. My daughters are already making themselves at home."
A smile takes form on Raenon's features. His eyes lift from the table.
"We'll get them, Oberyn."
I pray to any God listening that I'm the one to cut Tywin and The Mountain open myself.