Chapter 9: One Year Later

One year had passed since their third name-day celebrations, marking a significant milestone for Alyssa and Baelon, who were now four years old. During this past year, Baelon continued his studies diligently, but with the awakening of his Welsh Dragon genes, he added physical training to his agenda. In the mornings, he would join the guards for runs, despite being significantly slower than them. To further challenge himself, he wore two-kilogram weights to his legs, arms, and a four-kilogram belt around his waist.

Procuring the weights for his body wasn't easy, but he managed by enlisting the help of Stefan. Once in a while, his mother Rhea brought the finest tailors and mantuamakes who had shops in Runestone, to make clothes for their family. Stefan was an assistant to one of the tailors present. Taking this chance, Baelon decided to ask Stefan for some weights. He requested that these weights be small and compact, so they could be worn at all times. Of course, he had paid the amount in advance, so that Stefan would have enough money to order it for him. 

Baelon wasn't worried that Stefan would run away with the money. If worst came to worst, he would tell the truth to his mother and have Stefan punished, but luckily, it never came to that. Stefan took the request upon himself and asked a blacksmith to design metal bracelets that could be worn by a four-year old kid. The young tailor also deduced that the prince wanted to wear it secretly, so in a stroke of brilliance, he asked one of his friends, who was a jeweler, to engrave some rune-styled markings on the surface, making it appear more decorative in nature, and concealing its true purpose.

Baelon was happy with Stefan's proactiveness, so he tipped him generously. He also asked his mother for clothes that were made only by Stefan's shop. Now, he and Stefan were pretty close. In fact, he also designed some clothes for himself that Stefan managed to make for him.

One warm afternoon, Baelon sat in the shade of a tree, engrossed in a book. Normally, he would read in the library, but in the past year, Alyssa's clinginess had increased drastically, refusing to be separated from her brother. Baelon indulged her whims, following her wherever she went.

The flapping of Vortigren's wings brought Baelon out of his thoughts. He watched as Vortigren returned with a large stick in his mouth, laying it down in front of Alyssa.

"Good Boy!" Alyssa exclaimed, patting Vortigren's head. Vortigren stuck his tongue out, catching Alyssa by surprise.

"Are you a dragon or a dog?" Baelon looked at Vortigern with suspicion.

A distant roar echoed through the air, followed by calls of "Dragon inbound" from all around the castle. Vortigren looked towards the distant horizon and roared back, as if challenging someone's authority. Baelon and Alyssa exchanged glances. If Vortigren roared like this, it could only mean one thing—Caraxes was nearby.

Baelon ordered the guards, "Calm down, it's only Caraxes. He will not harm us."

The guards nodded and passed the information to the others. Vortigren continued to stare at the sky, baring his razor-sharp teeth.

"Rȳbagon naejot issa" (Obey me), Alyssa's voice calmed Vortigern.

Lord Yorbert was the first to arrive on the scene. "Grandfather," Alyssa and Baelon greeted him.

"What's this I hear about? Is your father coming back?" Yorbert inquired, leaning on his cane for support. Baelon held his grandfather's palms, noticing the increase in grey hairs and wrinkles on his forehead over the past year.

"Grandfather, you needn't follow protocol. Father won't hold you at fault," Baelon assured him, urging him to rest.

"Careful boy, your mother may have been handling all the duties, but I am still the lord of Runestone in name," Yorbert chuckled.

As Yorbert grew wearier, Rhea assumed the duties of being the lord of Runestone. She now managed daily affairs, budget approvals, taxes, and all responsibilities that came with being a lord. Geold didn't take this kindly, but since he wasn't the heir, his concerns were largely dismissed.

Baelon, Alyssa, and Yorbert, along with the dragon keepers and guards of Runestone, watched as Caraxes flew above the castle, spiraling downwards until he landed on the ground.

"Wow!!" Alyssa clapped her hands at her father's dramatic arrival. Vortigren snorted, a warm gust of air escaping from his nose. Seated on Caraxes's back was a familiar figure. He removed his helmet, letting his long platinum hair flow freely.

"Alyssa, my daughter, how are you?" Daemon greeted her warmly as he dismounted Caraxes and scooped Alyssa up in his arms.

"Father, did you bring any gifts for me?" Alyssa inquired eagerly.

"Not this time, my dear. I came quickly, on some business," Daemon replied.

"Should you not greet the lord of the castle before your children, Daemon?" Baelon observed his mother, Rhea, walking towards the Dragon's pit.

"Not when the children are the prince and the princess of the kingdom," Daemon retorted.

"It's okay, I do not mind," Yorbert interjected, hoping to ease the tension.

"Regardless, what brings the Rogue Prince to our humble Vale?" Rhea inquired.

Daemon's mood visibly soured. "My father is on his deathbed. I want him to at least meet his grandchildren once."

Rhea's eyes widened before visibly softening. Yorbert, visibly weakened, shared the empathy of witnessing one's father's slow decline. Yorbert exchanged a look with Rhea.

"How long does Prince Baelon have?" Rhea asked solemnly.

"Father was in a bad condition when I left. The Grand Maester estimates no more than four days," Daemon replied somberly.

"You plan to use your dragon, then?" Rhea questioned.Alyssa grinned brightly, her excitement evident. If only she understood the gravity of the situation.

"In that case, take Baelon and Alyssa with you, Prince," Yorbert suddenly interjected. "Rhea will head to King's Landing for the funeral…and what comes next," he finished in a grave tone.

Rhea remained silent, acknowledging her father's orders. Daemon turned sharply and yelled at a nearby servant, "Your Prince and Princess will need clothes for the next fortnight, go and fetch them."

"Wait, bring me the latest clothes designed by Stefan. It's in my room." Baelon instructed.

The servant bowed and carried out his orders. 

Daemon asked him, "You had clothes made for yourself?"

"It was just on a whim, father," Baelon replied.

"The journey is going to be hard. It will take at least two days to reach King's Landing," Daemon stated.

"Yay!" Alyssa exclaimed eagerly, looking forward to the journey.

"Now tell me, Alyssa, how is your training with Vortigren going?" Daemon inquired.

The Dragon Keepers briefed Daemon on her progress. Meanwhile, Rhea pulled Baelon aside. "Baelon," she began," I know that you are more mature than your sister, so I want you to be careful in King's Landing. Listen to your father and have at least one guard protecting you at all times."

"Mother, what's going on?" Baelon asked, concerned.

"Your Grandfather, Prince Baelon the first, is the Heir of the kingdom. If he dies, everyone will be tense, and I don't know what will happen," Rhea explained.

His mother's caution made sense. Politics was often accompanied by violence. "Who is the next heir then?" Baelon inquired.

"That's the answer all of us want to know,' Rhea replied," Just remember, do not get violent at whatever they may say about you, me, or Vale in general. You are a prince, and your every action will affect you."

"Yes mother, I'll take care of Alyssa. I can't promise to not fight back if they come at me, but I can promise to not throw the first punch."

"That's enough for me." Rhea replied, ruffling her son's hair. "I'll reach King's Landing within a few days William. Get along well with your uncles and aunts. Remember, don't stand out, and don't do anything reckless."

The servants returned with two medium-sized luggage bags. They attempted to approach Caraxes, but the dragon glared at them menacingly, causing them to stumble back in fear.

"Give the bags to me," Daemon instructed, taking the bags and securely tying them to Caraxes's sides.

After bidding farewell to their mother and grandfather, Alyssa was picked up by Daemon first, settling her on Caraxes. Vortigren let out a sad call when he saw his rider riding atop another dragon. Caraxes roared back. Baelon could swear that Caraxes was laughing when he saw its eyes. "Father, can we bring Vortigern with us?" Alyssa pleaded.

"No, Vortigren is still too young to fly such a long distance," Daemon refused.

Though Alyssa was initially disheartened, the anticipation of the upcoming journey soon overshadowed her disappointment. 

Daemon then picked up Baelon, while visibly frowning," Have you gained weight?"

"What do you mean father?" asked Baelon innocently.

"Never mind, it must be my imagination." Daemon ignored his doubts. Alyssa hid a smile. After Baelon bought these weights and wore them, Alyssa clamored to have a set of her own, but after Baelon showed her how heavy they were, she paled and never asked again. Still, she took this opportunity to ask her mother for a lighter gold bracelet to wear on her arms.

"I'll see you in a few days," Daemon nodded at Lord Yorbert and Rhea. "Soovés. Caraxes"

With a powerful flap of its wings, Caraxes took off into the skies, heading for the capital of the empire, King's Landing.