Under The Stars

[a/n: probably the last chapter of the year, unless I finish "The Black Lord" before it ends.]

(Baelon's POV)

"Come on." I said as I set the blanket down on the grass, "Come here, sister." 

I spread the blanket down as I heard Dreamfyre's vocalizing. I looked up to see Helaena walking up to me, holding a basket. Behind her, her dragon sat, looking right at me as I was setting the blanket down. Right next to Dreamfyre, who was a large dragon herself, was the mountainous shadow of Balerion, whose head was raised in the air. 

His massive red eyes were looking down at me, glowing in the dark of the night. He seemed curious to see what we were doing in the hills near Duskendale. It wasn't quite often that I took him for a flight in the Crownlands so he is probably annoyed that I only flew him not too far from the Capital where he rests. 

"Do you think it is wise?" Helaena said softly as she reached me

I took the basket from her, which was holding a bit of fruit and some wine bottles and two cups. 

"You should learn to relax, Helaena." I said as I took her hand and gently pulled her down, so she can sit, "It is going to be fine." 

She sat down as I sat the basket down in front of us, "Alright...." 

"This is a good place, eh?" I said as I looked around, "The sky is quite clear. I wanted to see the stars with you." 

She looked up, the moonlight reflecting off her smooth skin, "Yes....the stars look pretty tonight..." She said softly

I gently stroked her hair, "Yes, eh?" I said, "Let us enjoy this moment. Us together. For a bit, let us forget the annoyances in the Capital. The politics, the conflicts, the loud noises. Just for now, it is us. Alone." 

She looked at me, "Okay..." She said softly

I pulled out the wine, "If you want, we can drink." I said, "But I brought this in case I got thirsty." 

"I am alright." She said

"Okay." I said as I set it back down

"Balerion seems more energetic than usual." She told me as she looked back, "He is as enormous as always." 

I looked back to see the Black Dread, it is as if there was a massive castle wall behind us, behind Dreamfyre who was larger than us already. He did not seem to be bothered by the presence of another dragon. Father told me was quite the grouch when he was still a boy, despite his weakened state. Now, he seems to be calm and unbothered by Dreamfyre. 

"Hm." I said as I looked at him, "He is, isn't he?" 

The imposing sight of his head was something not everyone was used to. The mere sight of it is enough to strike terror in anyone. 

I then looked back at Helaena who was looking at our dragons, smiling slightly. She looked beautiful, the way she smiled. 

I grabbed her hand, "Helaena."

She looked at me, "Yes?" 

I smiled, "I care deeply for you." I told her, "I gave you my word that I will make you happy. I intend to keep it." 

She tucked her hair behind her ear while blushing slightly, "I know.." she said, "I know you will, Baelon..." 

******

"That one looks like a shape." I said as I pointed to the night sky "That formation of stars." 

"Indeed." She said as we held our hands

We were lying down next to each other, star gazing. It was quite a cool and peaceful night, I had lost track of how many hours had passed. It was probably past the hour of the nightingale and the guards back at the Capital must have realized we were gone by now. 

Balerion and Dreamfyre were laying down, their loud snores were heard and it was a comforting sound. Everything felt so right, so perfect at the moment. I did not know that I would enjoy spending time with her this much. 

"I wonder if our grandparents enjoyed star gazing like this..." I said

"What do you mean?" She asked

"Baelon and Alyssa." I said, "Father keeps telling me about them. They were madly in love. Aunt Rhaenys tells me the same thing." 

"Are we madly in love?" She asked

I chuckled, "Ha.." I said, "Perhaps...." 

I felt her squeeze my hand, "Perhaps...." She said softly, "I wish we could have met them. Grandmother sounded like an amazing person." 

"I am sure she was." I said with a smile as I looked at her

She was looking at me with a smile. It was unusual for her to be smiling this often, my sister was also so awkward, so quiet, and so gentle. I am glad she is getting more comfortable the more time she is spending with me. 

Maybe I should do this more often with her. 

"Father did well in betrothing us, Helaena." I said, "I cannot imagine anyone else being with you.....Nobody is worthy of you." 

"I understand how you feel about us, your sisters." Helaena said, "Nobody is worthy of us." 

I nodded, "Right..." 

"With Rhaenyra is different, I understand." She said softly, "The two of you shared the same mother.....so your bond is quite different...." 

"I love you both." I said with an assuring squeeze to her hand, "But you are to be my wife. And well, let us say that I am beginning to see you in that light now." 

"I am glad." She said

I raised her hand and I kissed it, "Yes." I said

"Baelon...." She said softly

"Hm?" I said

"What are you planning?" She asked

"What do you mean?" I said with a frown

"I know you." She said, "I know when you are planning some mischief. But this feels different, what is it?" 

"Oh." I said as I looked back up to the sky, "Nothing." 

"Tell me." she said softly

I cleared my throat, "I think it is time that they have learned to back off." I said, "The Skagosi." 

"Oh." She said, "Baelon....." 

I nodded, "That is right." I said, "I am going to fly Balerion out to battle." 

"The Black Dread will be set upon them."