^CHAPTER FIVE-LUCERYS^

Prince Lucerys descended upon Storm's End amidst a tempest, the winds howling like a chorus of the damned, as if the Seven themselves were warning of the turmoil to come. As he dismounted Arrax, a detachment of Baratheon guardsmen approached, their faces grim as the stone walls that sheltered them. Vhagar, that ancient beast, loomed in the shadows, its presence a dark omen that foretold the chaos that would unfold.

"By the Queen's command, I come as an emissary," Lucerys declared, his voice firm against the storm's fury, like a shield wall standing strong against the enemy's charge.

Lord Borros, seated within the great hall, eyed Lucerys with a mixture of annoyance and curiosity, his gaze piercing as a maester's scrutiny. "So, the little prince arrives with his mother's message. How...quaint," he sneered, his tone dripping with disdain.

Lucerys stood tall, despite the weight of Aemond's glare, which bore down upon him like a physical force. "My mother reminds you of your father's oath, Lord Borros. She seeks your allegiance in these uncertain times," he stated, his voice unwavering as a mountain.

Borros snorted, his face reddening like a smith's forge. "Aegon, at least, offered me a marriage pact. Your mother thinks me some dog to be whistled up at need?" he spat, his words venomous as a viper's bite.

"I am betrothed to Rhaena Targaryen, my lord," Lucerys replied, his voice steady as a rock.

Borros waved a hand dismissively, as if swatting away a nuisance. "Go home, pup. Tell your mother that the Lord of Storm's End is not some dog that she can whistle up at need to set against her foes."

Aemond called out to Lucerys, just as he turned to leave, his voice dripping with malice. "Wait…my Lord Strong. Did you really think that you could just fly about the realm trying to steal my brother's throne at no cost?" he sneered, his words cutting as a whip.

Lucerys turned to face him, his eyes flashing with defiance. "I will not fight you. I came as a messenger, not a warrior."

Aemond tossed a dagger towards Lucerys, its blade glinting like ice in the dim light. "I want you to put out your eye. As payment for mine. One will serve. I would not blind you. Mm, plan to make a gift of it to my mother."

Lucerys refused, his voice firm as a fortress wall. "No."

Aemond sneered, his voice dripping venom. "Then you are craven as well as a traitor. Give me your eye, or I will take it, bastard!" he spat, drawing his blade with a deadly hiss.

Lucerys stood firm, despite the danger that loomed before him, his heart unwavering as a hero's. Borros intervened, his voice thundering like the storm outside. "Not here! Not in my hall! The boy came as an envoy. I'll not have bloodshed beneath my roof!"

"Take Prince Lucerys back to his dragon," Lord Baratheon ordered, his voice firm as a command.

Lucerys made his way to Arrax, his heart pounding like a drum in his chest. He yelled over the storm to Arrax, ""Dokimarvose! Laehossa ynot, Arraks! Lykiri! Ryptes! Rybas! Soves, Arraks!"

As Lucerys departed, the storm raged on, its fury unrelenting as a warrior's charge. Unbeknownst to him, Aemond followed on Vhagar's back, waiting for his moment to strike like a viper in the shadows.

The skies grew darker, the winds more ferocious, as if the very fabric of the realm was unraveling. Vhagar soon appeared, its scales glinting like black ice in the dim light. Taunting Arrax with a fierce roar, Aemond laughed, his voice echoing like a madman's cackle.

Arrax bucked and twisted, as Lucerys struggled to maintain control, his heart racing like a wild stallion. Arrax, sensing its rider's distress, unleashed a blast of fire that singed Vhagar's scales, the older dragon roaring in fury like a wounded beast.

"No, Vhagar!" Aemond yelled, his voice lost in the storm's din, as if trying to rein in a wild stallion.

Vhagar emerged from the clouds, its jaws agape, ready to strike like a deadly serpent. In the chaos, a new dragon burst forth, Vermithor, with Rhaenerys astride its back. The beast rammed into Vhagar, sending the older dragon spinning. Rhaenerys seized the moment. With a swift strike, she slashed her talon across Vhagar's side, the blow sending the dragon plummeting towards the sea.

While Aemond tried to re-centre himself and Vaghar, Rhaenerys yelled, "Escape! Now!" And so, they vanished into the stormy night, leaving Vhagar and Aemond to their fate.

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Rhaenerys and Lucerys arrived at Dragonstone, their dragons, Vermithor and Arrax, landing on the castle's windswept grounds. As they dismounted, the castle's guards and servants rushed to attend to them. Rhaenerys led a shaken Lucerys to the entrance of the castle, where Queen Rhaenyra, Prince Daemon, Princess Rhaenys, Baela, and Rhaena waited to receive them.

"Lucerys!" Queen Rhaenyra exclaimed, rushing to embrace her son. "Thank the Seven you're safe!"

The guards quickly surrounded Rhaenerys, leading her away to a holding cell. As she was escorted, she caught snippets of conversation from the council chamber.

"Prince Lucerys, please narrate what happened," one of the council elders said.

On the morrow, a guard escorted Rhaenerys to the great hall, where the royal family and their advisors awaited her arrival. All eyes turned to her as she entered, and a wave of emotions threatened to overwhelm her.

Rhaenerys' gaze swept the room, taking in the familiar faces she'd seen on the screen in her world. She felt a sense of surrealism, as if she'd stepped into her favorite show. Her eyes met Ser Harwin's, and she smiled, remembering their previous encounter. "Lord Harwin, I'm glad to see you again."

Ser Harwin's expression turned surprised, then thoughtful. "Rhaenerys, I owe you a debt of gratitude for warning me of the danger. I didn't expect to see you again so soon. I apologize for how you've been received, I hope you understand."

"I do, my Lord." Rhaenerys' attention shifted to Queen Rhaenyra, and she felt a surge of nervousness. Rhaenerys' eyes locked onto Queen Rhaenyra's, her voice trembling with conviction as she stood before her. She sank into a deep curtsy, her knees brushing the cold stone floor. The weight of her words settled heavy in her chest, a promise forged in the fire of her visions.

"My Queen," Rhaenerys began, her voice steady, "from the moment I saw you in my visions, I knew that our fates were entwined. Your destiny is the only one that can bring peace to this realm, and I vow to stand by your side, no matter the cost." Rhaenerys' gaze never wavered, her words pouring out like a confession. "I pledge my loyalty to you, my Queen, with every fiber of my being. My sword, my heart, and my visions will serve you alone."

Queen Rhaenyra's gaze met Rhaenerys', her eyes warm with interest. "Pray tell, child, how many winters have you seen?"

Huh... Oh, she's asking for my age!

Rhaenerys stood tall, her voice clear. "Ten and eight, Your Grace."

Queen Rhaenyra's expression hinted at surprise. "The same age as Jace and Baela. You're a young one to be so bold."

Rhaenerys' gaze darted to the prince and princess and she smiled. "I've had to grow up quickly, Your Grace."

As the conversation flowed, Rhaenerys couldn't help but steal glances at the queen, her mind racing with thoughts. She felt a sense of wonder, being in the presence of the woman she had admired from afar.

Queen Rhaenyra's voice broke the spell, gentle but firm. "Rhaenerys, you seem entranced. Do you find our company so captivating?"

Rhaenerys quickly looked away, her cheeks flushing. "Forgive me, Your Grace. You're... even more impressive in person."

The room erupted in gentle laughter, and Queen Rhaenyra's smile grew wider. "You're too kind, Rhaenerys. We'll forgive your forwardness this time."

Prince Daemon chuckled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "I think we can, my dear queen. The girl's got spirit."

Then, Prince Daemon's gaze narrowed, his voice laced with suspicion. "Did you lead me on a merry dance back to Dragonstone, child? Sending me on a fool's errand, when you knew the truth?"

Rhaenerys' cheeks flushed, her voice barely above a whisper. "Apologies, my King..."

Daemon's expression betrayed a hint of surprise, though he tried to conceal it. Queen Rhaenyra and Queen Rhaenys exchanged knowing glances, as did Baela, Jace and Luke.

Rhaenerys continued, her voice steady. "I knew trust wouldn't come easily, so I acted swiftly to save Lucerys. I saw his death in my vision, and I've seen others in this room... deaths I aim to prevent."

Daemon's eyes narrowed. "The gods are cruel, child. Death comes for us all. Why must you prevent these deaths?"

Rhaenerys hesitated, her gaze darting around the room. Queen Rhaenyra nodded, sensing the unease. "Let us speak privately." As the others made to leave, Rhaenerys spoke up.

"Wait, please. I ask that the Velaryons - Lord Corlys and Queen Rhaenys - remain, along with the children - Baela, Rhaena, and Jace. And Ser Erryk and Lord Harwin, please stay as well."

The requested individuals hesitated, then nodded and remained, while the others departed.

With the reduced gathering, Rhaenerys asked them to take note of the faces around them. "Trust no one else," she warned. "The Song of Ice and Fire... it's all true."

Queen Rhaenyra's eyes met Daemon's, a spark of understanding passing between them. Queen Rhaenys asked for clarification, and Rhaenyra explained the ancient prophecy.

Rhaenerys' voice dropped to a whisper. "It speaks of a Targaryen descendant, one who will bring about great change... but at a terrible cost. The deaths I've seen... they foretell the end of our line, the destruction of all dragons."

Her gaze swept the room. "My duty is to ensure enough Targaryens survive to guide this descendant. First, we must address the Hightowers' plans."

Rhaenerys' voice took on a conspiratorial tone, like a secret shared in a dark corner of the Red Keep. "The Hightowers' plans are unfolding, a dark tapestry of deceit and ambition. Aemond Targaryen and Criston Cole will stop at nothing to claim more lands for their house."

Her gaze swept the room, like a queen surveying her loyal bannermen. "But I hope our... encounter with Aemond and his dragon, Vaghar, has given them pause. The beast took wounds, and Aemond's pride was stung. Maybe they'll hesitate, like a warrior who's lost his footing in the fray."

Daemon's eyes narrowed, his face a mask of stone. "You and Vermithor clashed with Aemond and Vaghar?" he asked, his voice low and even, like a swordsman sizing up his opponent.

Rhaenerys nodded, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. "We danced with death, briefly. Enough to leave Vaghar limping, and Aemond's anger simmering like a pot left unattended."

Daemon's expression remained cool, but a flicker of pride danced in his eyes, like a spark of approval. He gave Queen Rhaenyra a look that spoke volumes, and she chuckled, a low, throaty sound, like a woman who knows a secret.

Rhaenerys continued to explain the Hightowers' strategies, her words painting a grim picture of the battles to come. As she spoke, the room held its collective breath, their faces aglow with rapt attention. When she finished, she swept the room with her gaze, meeting each pair of eyes in turn.

"Much will change now that Lucerys walks among us once more," she acknowledged. "Yet one truth remains constant: I shall stand by your side, guiding and shielding you, every step of the way."

Queen Rhaenyra rose, a warm smile spreading across her face like a sunrise over the Blackwater. She embraced Rhaenerys, her arms tight as a mother's. "Thank you, dear Rhaenerys. Your counsel is a beacon in these treacherous times."

Rhaenerys returned the hug, a sense of relief washing over her like a cool breeze on a summer's day. Queen Rhaenyra stepped back, her eyes shining like the stars on a clear night. "Let us give the young ones leave to enjoy themselves, while we discuss the weighty matters at hand."

"Come, Rhaenerys," Baela said, her eyes shining with excitement. "Let me show you the wonders of our castle. We'll explore every nook and cranny, and I'll tell you all its secrets. Things you've yet to see in your visions."

Rhaenerys smiled, her face lighting up with anticipation. "I'd love that, Baela. Lead the way!"

Lucerys, Jace, and Rhaena fell in step beside them, eager to join in the adventure. Together, the group set off, their footsteps echoing through the castle's corridors as they discovered hidden passageways, secret rooms, and ancient artifacts. Rhaenerys listened, entranced, as Baela spun tales of the castle's history and magic with Jace chipping in every once in a while.