Chapter 138: The Ambition of Return

"Laena, calm down," Rhaenyra said, understanding her friend's distress. "The children will return to King's Landing, and naturally, as their mother, you can follow, care for, and be with them."

This arrangement had been part of the initial plan she and Rhaegar had devised.

The presence of a strong dragon rider and two new Targaryen heirs would be in the royal family's best interest.

Laena's frown deepened, her eyes flickering with mixed emotions. She understood Rhaenyra's reasoning, but it didn't make the situation any easier.

Her children were indeed Targaryens by blood, born into the royal family.

"Wait," Daemon interjected, frowning and resting his chin on his hand. "When discussing the future of my daughters, shouldn't my opinion count?"

Rhaenyra glanced at him with a bemused expression, unwilling to engage. In her eyes, Daemon's words carried no weight.

"Ser Daemon, you are a wanted criminal of the kingdom," Lyonel said, his face furious. "Allowing you to sit at this table is already a courtesy for Princess Rhaenys's sake."

"It's ridiculous that you're fighting over my daughters and yet won't allow me, their father, to voice my opinion?" Daemon mocked, leaning down to kiss his daughters' cheeks.

"Daemon, what is your true purpose for being here?" Rhaegar demanded, his patience wearing thin. Daemon's sudden appearance was too suspicious to ignore.

The room fell silent as everyone turned to Daemon, curiosity and skepticism in their eyes. Returning home seemed impossible for him. Since his betrayal, he lost his position.

Daemon's arrogance melted away as he bowed his head and looked at his daughters. After years of wandering through the Free Cities, he was uncertain about what to do next.

He and Laena, with their unbeatable dragons, were in high demand. Princes, nobles, and wealthy merchants were eager to offer them estates and riches.

Daemon knew this was just a business transaction. He couldn't suppress his pride and submit to a foreign kingdom for wealth, using dragon power in exchange for comfort.

He was of dragon blood, a pure Targaryen. The people of the Free Cities were unworthy of his service.

In his dreams, he often recalled the glory of old Valyria, where the Free Cities once belonged. Those fat-bellied fools should have been slaves to the House of the Dragonlords.

Laena wasn't the only one longing for home. Daemon missed it too, especially after the birth of his daughters. He began to understand his brother Viserys's anger towards him.

This realization spurred him to plan for his family's future, leading Laena to write to Rhaenyra, seeking mercy.

"Rhaegar, you're as sharp as ever," Daemon said, lifting his head high as he addressed his nephew directly for the first time. "War is coming, and the kingdom needs my strength."

Rhaegar eyed him with disdain. "Uncle, the kingdom has the might of all the major lords and knights. Your help is indispensable."

"The pirates of the Three Daughters Kingdom are no small matter. The battlefield needs a wise and brave member of the royal family to lead the army," Daemon insisted, his face calm and confident.

"In the current House Targaryen, I am the only adult male with the ability to command on the battlefield and possess a dragon."

"Don't you think you're too full of yourself?" Rhaegar frowned, questioning Daemon's intentions. He couldn't believe Daemon was actually considering rejoining the family.

"Not at all. I'm simply stating the truth," Daemon replied, crossing his legs and speaking calmly. He was aware of his own situation and the challenges Westeros, and his brother Viserys, faced.

Viserys couldn't go to war, and his nephews were still young and untested. This upcoming battle was Daemon's chance to clear his name and reunite with his brother.

Rhaegar looked deeply into Daemon's eyes, trying to discern his true intentions.

"Rhaegar," Rhaenyra called softly, leaning down to whisper in his ear, "What are you going to do?"

She understood the gravity of Daemon's words. The last Battle of the Stepstones had lasted for years, and Daemon, along with the Sea Snake, had endured heavy losses. She didn't want her brother to risk his life in battle.

Daemon could be a useful substitute if they could use Laena and the children as leverage.

"No! I won't!" Rhaegar ignored the implication of his sister's words. Looking straight into Daemon's eyes, he said solemnly, "The kingdom doesn't need a criminal like you, and you're not the only Targaryen who can go to war."

He stood up, a strand of silver hair falling into his eyes, and declared forcefully, "When war comes, I will ride my dragon into battle and make the enemy pay with blood and fire."

He then warned Daemon, "As for you, you'd better leave before the feast is over."

"Well said. Targaryen has no shortage of bloodthirsty men," Rhaenys, who had been watching silently, applauded. She then glanced at Daemon, her expression stern. "Daemon, adjust your attitude. No one is indispensable."

She was reminding Daemon that if he wanted forgiveness, he needed to humble himself and seek Viserys's mercy, not negotiate with the younger generation.

Daemon, anticipating rejection, remained silent. He knew he should have approached his brother Viserys to make peace, even if it meant risking his life. Anything was better than wasting his time here.

Once again, the atmosphere dropped to a freezing point.

Laena nudged her husband, urging him to leave. Daemon, however, remained seated, defiant.

"Rhaenyra, I won't leave my children," Laena asserted, "but I'll consider your offer carefully."

Rhaenyra reiterated her proposal. "If you are not sure, I can adopt the children myself."

"But you're not married," Laena pointed out.

"It doesn't matter," Rhaenyra replied with a slight smile. "I have Dragonstone as my fiefdom, and I am qualified to adopt a daughter. As their adoptive mother, I will place dragon eggs in their cradles."

"Dragon eggs..." Laena was a bit taken aback by the mention of such a precious gift.

Restoring her children's royal status was important, but securing dragon eggs was equally critical. Several dragons resided on Driftmark. Vhagar, the Mother of Dragons, had laid many eggs. Dreamfyre, Vermithor, and Silverwing were her direct descendants.

Though by the time Laena tamed Vhagar, she was too old to lay more eggs. Sea Smoke and Caraxes had never laid eggs.

Meleys, known as the Red Queen, had a connection to egg-laying due to her distinctive red scales, but the royal family controlled all her eggs strictly, taking them all.

To place dragon eggs in her daughters' cradles, Laena knew she had to seek the royal family's forgiveness and secure the eggs from them. This was a rare opportunity, and Rhaenyra's offer was tempting.

(Word count: 1,112)