Wings of Blood and Fire

Wings of Blood and Fire

Annatar observed the Red Keep's hall as he made his way through it, a steady rhythm of anticipation pulsing through him. The dinner invitation from King Viserys, on the surface, was a simple family gathering, but Annatar could feel the undercurrents of politics and alliances running beneath it. Since his legitimization and his newly granted lordship over Oldstones, the weight of Targaryen expectations hung heavier on his shoulders. Still, he looked forward to this evening as a chance to know his kin better.

He entered the dining hall to find King Viserys already seated at the head of the table, his smile warm as he greeted Annatar.

"Welcome, my boy. Come, sit by me," Viserys beckoned. "How does Oldstones fare?"

Annatar bowed respectfully. "Better with each passing day, Your Grace. I've started with the main hall and the foundation walls. There's much to rebuild, but the heart of it is strong."

Viserys nodded approvingly, gesturing to an empty chair. Annatar took his seat, and soon, the Queen arrived with her children. Queen Alicent moved with the composed grace of a queen, her eyes sharp as she assessed him before offering a polite smile.

Beside her were her children: Aegon, the eldest, with a confident, almost smug glint in his eye; Helaena, who looked gentle but curious; and the twins, Aemond and Visenya. As they took their places around the table, Annatar noted how each member carried a different version of Targaryen intensity. Aegon had the arrogant self-assurance of a young man who had known only privilege, while Helaena's gaze was softer, her expression distant but thoughtful.

Aegon, with a slight smirk, leaned toward Annatar. "They say you flew here on Silverwing. Tell me, what's it like to have a dragon follow your will?"

Annatar's lips curved in a half-smile. "It's freeing. When you're in the skies, you see everything below as if it were one unified whole. Problems feel smaller; you're part of something greater."

Aegon gave a nonchalant nod, his attention drifting. "Sunfyre's beauty alone could awe the Seven themselves," he said, his tone thick with pride. "There's no other dragon like him."

Annatar nodded in respect. "They say Sunfyre is the most beautiful dragon in Westeros."

Aegon's chest swelled, clearly pleased. "He is. Gold as the sun itself."

The younger children listened with eager expressions. Aemond, who was seated beside his sister Visenya, leaned forward with eyes alight. "I'd give anything to have a dragon like yours or Aegon's, but… it hasn't come for me yet," he said, a hint of frustration in his voice.

Beside him, Visenya nodded in agreement. "We've heard tales of dragons all our lives, yet we've none to ride. It feels like something is missing." Her voice was wistful, her longing unmistakable.

Annatar met their eyes, understanding the yearning. "Dragons are mysterious creatures. They choose us as much as we choose them, but sometimes patience is rewarded."

Just then, Princess Rhaenyra entered the hall with her husband, Laenor Velaryon, and their sons, Jacaerys and Lucerys. The two boys looked around, their eyes wide with wonder. Both were followed by the soft chirps and playful nudges of dragon hatchlings, Vermax and Arrax, who wove between their feet, small yet fierce. The sight was heartwarming, and even Viserys's face softened at the display of Targaryen heritage so alive in his young grandsons.

Annatar greeted Rhaenyra with a respectful nod. Her intense, assessing gaze softened slightly as she returned the nod, her eyes gleaming with a mix of curiosity and pride. He watched as she took her seat with ease, though he could sense a slight tension in the air between her and Alicent.

Laenor Velaryon nodded toward Annatar with a polite smile. "Lord Annatar, I hear you're hard at work on Oldstones. A worthy endeavor."

Annatar inclined his head in thanks. "Thank you, Lord Laenor. It's an honor to bring life back to such a storied place."

The young princes, Jacaerys and Lucerys, eyed Annatar with a mixture of curiosity and admiration, clearly intrigued by his status as both a lord and a dragonrider. As Annatar's gaze settled on them, he couldn't help but notice the strong resemblance they bore to Ser Harwin Strong. He chose to keep that thought silent, knowing how dangerous such observations could be in the Red Keep, where whispers were often weapons.

As the dinner progressed, Viserys raised a toast, his gaze warm as he looked upon those gathered. "To family," he said, his voice filled with a rare, fatherly pride. "And to the future of House Targaryen."

They all raised their glasses, a moment of unity, though Annatar could feel the hidden tensions among the faces at the table. Alicent, who had been watching Rhaenyra with a guarded expression, turned her attention to Annatar.

"You must be feeling the weight of your new title, Lord Annatar," she said with a slight smile. "Building a castle is no small task, especially one as ancient as Oldstones."

Annatar met her gaze, feeling the unspoken challenge beneath her words. "It is a great responsibility, my lady. But I am fortunate to have the opportunity, and I intend to honor Oldstones as best as I can."

Alicent inclined her head approvingly, though her eyes remained sharp. "A noble answer," she murmured, her tone holding a hint of doubt.

Helaena, who had been quietly listening, finally spoke, her voice soft and curious. "Do you believe the past can live again in Oldstones?"

Annatar turned to her, struck by her insight. "In a way, yes. Oldstones is built on the memories of those who came before, and every stone holds a piece of their legacy. Rebuilding it is a way to honor them and create something new."

She smiled, a distant look in her eyes. "Memories have strange ways of lingering."

Rhaenyra, sensing the slight tension, smiled and changed the subject, casting a glance at her sons' hatchlings. "Perhaps we'll see new dragons rise from these little ones," she said warmly. "In time, they will be a part of the realm, just as we are."

Annatar noticed the hopeful looks from Aemond and Visenya, whose eyes remained fixed on the hatchlings with a mix of envy and longing. The unspoken wish for dragons among Alicent's children hung thick in the air.

As the meal came to an end, Viserys called Annatar aside, his tone warm but weary. "Annatar, you bring a unique strength to this family," he said, clasping his nephew's shoulder. "Oldstones is a gift, but so too is your connection with Silverwing. These gifts are what keep our house strong."

Annatar felt a deep sense of gratitude, bowing slightly. "Thank you, Your Grace. I only wish to serve this family as best I can."

Viserys gave a nod of approval, his gaze lingering. "Family is all that matters," he said, a hint of sadness in his eyes. "Remember that, Annatar."

As Annatar made his way back to his chambers, he reflected on the evening's conversations and the people he had met. The rivalries, the alliances, the yearning for dragons—all these undercurrents were pieces of the Targaryen family's complicated tapestry. And tonight, he had been woven into it just a little more tightly.

In the silence of his room, he whispered a silent promise to himself and to his newfound family.