Securing the Future & Intro of a pink dragon

AN: hey guys. Rhaena intro chapter here. We'll see some of her thoughts pre-Lucerys death. I feel like the show rushed so long to get to the dance that we get too many long time skips. It's hard to keep up with imo.

Please enjoy the chapter.

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The North, Valley of Thenn, 128 AC

Harald Pov

I'm now looking at at least 20 huge male giants. They look as I expected them to look. Very similar to the ones seen in the series.

The largest one, over 20 Feet holding a bow and arrow the size of a ballista mechanism in his hand is looking wearily at me.

I answer his first question promptly. No need to go making my new friends weary. If I have anything to say about it, they'll be my most trusted vassals in the kingdom I plan to arrange.

I've studied the map of skagos extensively. I believe their to be a valley that is blocked by something. But if we can get into that valley, all will be easy. Especially with my new friend Fafnir.

I speak in the old tongue, trying to mask my excitement at meeting another intelligent being not named a human. This was akin to meeting aliens in my last life. For centuries people in my world pondered if were the only true intelligent life to exist. Being Able to commune between species like this would make scientists back there go mad with enthusiasm.

""Indeed. Though I know not how you saw my arrival?"" I pose a question of my own. Sure, I knew the Reeds and sometimes some Starks and even black woods would gain the ability of 'greensight' but the giants didn't seem like the type as racist as that sounds.

The large brown giant in furs answer my question, ""The nymphs spoke of you often. Come. But your friend.."" he motioned to Fafnir before continuing, ""…..won't be able to fit. He stays here.""

I could tell Fafnir didn't like the idea of me being 'alone' with these large creatures.

I spoke to the giant, ""Forgive me. It will take some convincing from me to get him to calm down. What is your name? I might as well introduce him to the one to come after should I not return."" I said with a slight joke but very real threat to my voice.

I may be truly fascinated by beings like the giants and tree nymphs who most idiotically referred to as 'children of the Forrest.' But I will not be naive.

Even one of these beings would be a match for a quarter of my men. And there are 20 I can currently see. I've no doubt with the size of this place there are more hidden.

Even I, curious as I may be, understand the danger in that.

The giant leader looks a little uneasy at my words. Which is a good thing. I need not only him but the rest of his people to understand the consequences of my endangerment.

""You need not worry about that winter dragon. Men may think us simple. But we are not. Even if we were, any creature of the North knows the Ice Dragons are the lords of the land. My name is Groot.""

I smile. My thoughts about them being confirmed with how well spoken he was. And his name almost made me laugh. He worded it just like the tree character from the movie of my past life.

I decided to ease the tension I could still feel from my men. While many of them spoke in the old tongue as a general rule unless outsiders were near, understanding the giants wasn't an easy thing to do. Their bass voice made it hard to truly articulate things. Even if they echoed off the cavernous walls around us, without being close enough to truly hear it while I came out, it was hard to discern what was being said.

""Greetings Groot. I am Harald Stark. Fafnir should be okay now. Let us see what you wish to show me.""

I gave Fafnir a pat and a significant look. One only he and I could understand before making my way to Groot and sticking my hand out for a shake.

Although initially confused, Groot picked up my intentions rather quickly and stuck his own massive hand out. It was large enough that only his one of his four fingers was in my hand while we shook them up and down.

I then motion for Torrent and Edris to accompany me with a subtle gesture.

My other hand gestures to the other men to stay here and ready for anything. To follow Fafnirs every move. If he were to start getting ansy, it meant things were going to kick off.

This sign language was invaluable. It was quick and easy to learn if you put your mind to it. With only a few gestures I relayed all I needed to everyone.

My two companions followed on each shoulder as Groot lead us through the group of giants who parted for their leader like the Red Sea.

We walk through a fairly large, about 45 feet tall, opening that leads deeper into the cavern.

In here I can see the majority of the giant clan. From a rough estimate I can surmise there are at least 200 of them. Many being sub adult as their only about 6.6-7feet tall and not nearly as burly as the clearly adult and young adult giants.

I don't bother trying to work myself up here. I've truly entered the giants den and doing so will only put out dangerous energy.

We walk through the large group bedroom like cave to the back and through another smaller opening.

When we come into see what's here, we see a slightly smaller than the last cavern. However, what truly makes this one magnificent is the same ice crystals that Fafnir shoots glowing. The ambient purple and bluish glow making what I can now see is a sizeable weirwood even more ethereal looking.

I, Torrent, and Edris all have to take a moment to regain our composure. In my opinion such a thing was the most beautiful scene I've laid eyes on in either life.

On the far side of the cave I can see drawings. Everything here begins to feel familiar but different.

I approach the drawings in a daze and as I get close I can make them out.

I see a drawings of a man. At first he's alone.

But eventually he gathered people around him.

Then the most curious scene showed. It showed a figure very similar to Fafnir approach said figure. Then the next scene shows said figure riding the Fafnir like silhouette. Then meeting the giants.

In all these drawings, the figure has glowing silver eyes on a field of black. Just like myself. This is insanity. This seems like the ice version of what jon and Daenerys saw in the caves of dragonglass at Dragonstone.

I ran my gloved hand down the drawing as Groot spoke to me. ""As I've said. My people have waited a long time for ice dragon to return.""

I nod. Not truly knowing how I felt about being apart of a prophecy. Such things are usually curses.

I spoke slowly, ""I see. What are these?"" I ask signaling to the crystals.

""Glass formed when the ice mountains erupt and the mist condenses. We call it icestone.""

I nod. Of course. Fire and ice. Ice and fire. This whole world is based on a prophecy about two completely opposite bloodlines coming together to stop a common enemy. One who doesn't care if you're fire or ice.

This is ice's version of dragonglass.

Looking around at all the things before me plans upon plans upon plans begin to form in my head. If dragonglass was the key to killing ice zombies, what if Icestone is what can kill a fire dragon?

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The Narrow Sea, Dragonstone, 128 AC

Rhaena

I wake up again from my dream of cold ice blue eyes staring at me.

I've had these dreams all my life. Never sharing them with anyone. I knew my fathers annoyance about such things. 'Dragons made us kings. Not dreams.' He told me when speaking of his brother the Old King Viserys.

Love him he may, but my father also cursed my Uncles Foolishness. The threat other houses Truly posed to House Targaryen.

These dreams, just like my houses connection with dragons is magic. The only magic left in the world. It's well known how much those who follow the seven dispise magic.

All those of andal blood were slaughtered if they were found using it in any form. I've read many times about followers of the old gods who speak of people who can enter the minds of animals.

'If only I could do that with morning,' I sigh as I think about my dragon.

Beautiful pink and blue like the morning sky above Dragonstone. Hence why her name is Morning.

She's always been different. Faster growing. She's almost reached the size of my grandmothers mount Meleys.

Her flames, just like her eyes are a beautiful blue while most of her scales are pink.

I ride her every day. But even I am scared of the implications of King Viserys' declining health. All the realm knows of Otto Hightowers ambition to take the Iron Throne.

He wishes to bring back the days of the gardener kings of the Reach. The Conciliator King Jaehaerys was always a strong follower of the Andal traditions sans marrying his sister, and he no doubt had a lot of influence on Viserys who learned to be king even if such a thing was far fetched at the time.

My father spent more time around his grandmother Alyssane, who was always fascinated by Valyrian and firstmen traditions. She always said, 'such things thatve existed for thousands of years have to be in some way significant no?' My father said she would always query to him when he asked why bother learning about barbarians.

This fascination turned into my fathers first wife lady Rhea Royce. The only house that follows the old gods in the Eyrie. Such a thing was unsuccessful.

Probably a good thing truth be told. If not, I doubt I'd be here.

Thinking about unsuitable marriages left me at my own. Lucerys was a sweet boy. Truly. Sweet and honorable.

But he was years younger than me. He's not even truly a man yet. Still having baby fat on his face.

I've always said I'd do my duty to my family. But the longer that remains a reality the less and less confident I am about my words.

I sigh and begin my latest drawing. The only true way I can express my dreams without having my family look at me as they do Helaena.

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An: last chapter for tonight guys. I appreciate all the support so far. Gonna keep going strong. Look out for pictures in this chapter. I love the idea of opposites in this world of 'Fire and Ice.'

Hope you enjoyed.