Chapter 561: Laena’s Pregnant!
Late Night at Rhaenys's Hill
It is late at night. Rhaenys's Hill is quiet, with only the faint sound of a nightingale.
"Roar..."
A scarlet dragon, serpentine in its movements, bursts out of the Dragonpit and ascends into the dark clouds above Blackwater Bay. Suddenly, the Dragonpit is filled with the roars of dragons.
...
A Balcony in the Red Keep
Viserys, in his pajamas, leans against the railing and gazes up at the night sky. As he catches sight of the fleeting red dragon, his eyes fill with tears.
Bang!
A fist slams into the railing. "Daemon," Viserys mutters through clenched teeth, "why can't you ever stop, even for a moment?"
...
Slaver's Bay, Meereen
The two sides were in different locations as the sun had just set.
"Roar..."
A shrill roar echoed through the city as a brownish dragon flew out from behind the Great Pyramid.
Inside the city, slaves took off their shackles and joined the repair crew. Seeing the ugly mud dragon ascend into the sky, they instinctively panicked and ran.
"Roar..."
The Sheepstealer was smug, chewing on half a sheep with its blood-spitting mouth.
"Hurry up, Sheepstealer!"
Aemond's face darkened as he swung his sword to cut the shackles on his wrists. The sound of clanging filled the air as sparks flew in all directions.
Who would have believed that a Prince like him would be locked up for half a month? If it weren't for the guards' negligence, he would still be spinning in circles in his cell.
The Sheepstealer glanced at Aemond and flew west with a satisfied look. Despite being locked up, Aemond had fared well. The dragon was given special sheep to eat daily, a luxury compared to sleeping in the open.
Clang!
Aemond cut through the shackles and, looking in the direction, commanded, "Fly east, let's go to the Mother of Mountains!"
The west was all Rhaegar's territory. Heading east would lead them to the Dothraki cavalry, where Aemond hoped to reclaim some territory for himself.
"Roar!"
The Sheepstealer, initially reluctant, turned back towards the Great Lark Sea. Not long after taking off, Aemond's single eye flashed with determination, and he changed his mind again: "Fly west to the Disputed Lands!"
"Roar?"
The Sheepstealer groaned in displeasure but reluctantly turned around again. Aemond took a map out of his breast pocket, searching for the location of the nine Free Cities, pausing at the forest city marked in green.
"Qohor was once part of ancient Valyria," Aemond muttered, his one eye flickering uncertainly. "I need a reliable army. The Dothraki cavalry alone is not enough."
He couldn't help but think of his Paramour, Lady Celtigar. He guessed that Daemon was behind the murder of his fiancée Cassandra. First, he felt anger, then a surprising calm. Her death meant he no longer had to keep his promise to her.
Creak, creak...
Aemond clenched his fists and ground his teeth. "Just wait. No one can underestimate me."
He vowed to build a Free City of his own. If Daemon could do it, so could he.
...
Meereen, the Ruins
Grey Worm was herding a flock of sheep when he heard the sound and looked up at the sky. He muttered, "They've really gone."
Before Your Grace left, he had instructed to keep a close eye on them. For this reason, someone fed the Sheepstealer every day to ensure he was well-fed.
"Roar~"
The sheep ran into the ruins, and soon a faint dragon roar could be heard. Sunfyre lay on the ground, his chest and belly scarred, his dragon head hanging low as he munched on the sheep. The wound was indeed very serious, preventing him from even spitting fire before eating.
Grey Worm stayed away from the scene, ordering his subordinates, "Send more patrols. There's only one dragon left in the city."
The Sheepstealer was not imprisoned but was kept in Meereen as a deterrent. Now that the main deterrent was gone, the garrison must be strengthened. In particular, a seriously injured dragon lying in the ruins had weaker resistance than ever before.
...
King's Landing, Dragon Gate
Time passed slowly...
The road to the kingdom was smooth, except for the occasional pothole, which made a loud clattering sound as the wheels rolled over it.
"Hyah, Hyah!"
A group of Knights of the Vale opened the way and escorted a convoy of vehicles. When the procession entered the city, the people saw the a sky-blue falcon flag carried by the Knights of the Vale. The people whispered that the king was holding a celebration.
Slaver's Bay had been conquered, and the hypocritical slave owners had repented and surrendered. The king returned victorious, not only to celebrate the victory but also to hold a wedding for his brother, who was injured in the war.
The people were overjoyed. Whenever the royal family had a new addition, the common people in the city could get a share of food.
...
Red Keep, Council Chamber
Rhaegar sat at his desk, buried in paperwork. After two or three months of war, the pile of documents was as high as a floor.
"A sky-blue falcon."
Helaena leaned against the window, staring intently at the gate of the Red Keep. She whispered, "Jeyne is here."
Rhaegar: ...
Swish, swish, swish...
The quill pen moved, and only the sound of writing echoed.
"Shall I go and meet her?" Helaena asked, tilting her head.
Maris of Storm's End and Margaery of House Tyrell had already arrived in King's Landing, both being received by Rhaenyra. But Jeyne...
"No, Rhaenyra is not that petty," Rhaegar finally spoke, reluctantly reminding her, "Be careful, the floor is cold."
"Oh, okay."
Helaena pursed her lips, got up from the floor, and patted her skirt. It was the middle of summer, and the weather was humid and sultry. Lys was even hotter, and she had ridden Dreamfyre back to King's Landing.
Rhaegar glanced at her, his eyes lingering on her bulging belly. "How's your appetite lately? Any discomfort?"
Helaena touched her belly and tried to remember, "It's fine, except that I have nightmares."
She was four months pregnant, and the fetus had entered a stable stage.
"That's good. Father is looking forward to this child."
Rhaegar smiled warmly, thinking to himself, "I've brought Alicent back from Harrenhal."
Helaena's eyelashes trembled, and her hand that was stroking her stomach clenched into a fist.
"Don't worry, her main responsibility is to take care of Father," Rhaegar chuckled. "Aegon's wedding is coming up soon, and he can't do without his mother."
This was also Aegon's secret request. Helaena nodded vigorously, suddenly remembering something: "Daemon is gone. What about Aemond?"
"They can't go anywhere," Rhaegar shook his head and sighed. "Two stupid fools full of resentment."
It is better to let them go than to hold them in your hands. Once he has the Dragon Horn, even dragon riders will be managed.
Helaena's eyes wandered, and she lowered her head inexplicably, muttering to herself, "Red Dragon and Blue Dragon..."
...
Across the Narrow Sea, Lys
Caraxes glided low over the waves, the dragon's tail slicing through the sea like a knife. Daemon's hair was disheveled, his eyes shadowed with fatigue and the effects of heavy drinking.
"Hurry up, Caraxes!" he commanded, his voice rough and weary.
"Roar..."
Caraxes let out a piercing cry and accelerated toward the Free Cities, cutting through the air with renewed vigor.
...
Topless Dragonpit
Plop!
Daemon jumped off Caraxes' back and nearly fell to the ground.
"Be careful," a voice called out from the shadows. Mysaria emerged from the dark corner, her eyes filled with a mix of concern and irritation.
Daemon waved her off, catching his balance. "Don't worry about me. I'm not that fragile."
Mysaria rolled her eyes but said nothing. "So, what are you doing back here?" she asked, cutting to the chase.
"Just looking around," Daemon replied, his gaze shifting away. He didn't want to admit that he had been expelled.
"The war is over. It's time for you to fulfill your promise," Mysaria insisted, her tone sharp. Her belly was noticeably larger now, and she needed the security of a title.
Daemon's eyes flickered over her, taking in the swell of her pregnancy. "I will," he said, though his tone was perfunctory. He was stuck in King's Landing as the prince of the city, unsure where else to go. Tyrosh was an option, but it was an empty palace filled with hostility.
He suddenly realized both his wife and Mysaria were in Lys.
"Forget it. It seems you don't want to see me," Mysaria said, her voice heavy with disappointment. She turned away. "Go see your first wife. She needs you more than I do."
Daemon was taken aback. "What do you mean?"
Mysaria didn't answer. She walked back toward the Topless Tower, her distrust evident.
"Heh," Daemon chuckled bitterly.
He stared at the entrance to the Dragonpit for a while before finally climbing back onto Caraxes' back. "Let's go, Caraxes!"
Daemon was in a foul mood, craving solitude.
"Roar..."
Caraxes obeyed, soaring into the sky and disappearing over Lys.
As soon as Daemon left, a graceful figure emerged from the depths of the Dragonpit.
Roar!
Vhagar slowly climbed out, its pupils cold and emotionless, its body radiating a murderous aura.
"Quiet, Vhagar," Laena commanded, her expression conflicted as she watched the scarlet dragon fade from view.
She had heard many things and was prepared to comfort her husband, but as always, he chose to bear his burdens alone.
"Daemon," Laena murmured, touching her slightly swollen belly under the blue skirt.
"Roar!"
Vhagar's imposing presence softened, its head lowering as it gazed at its rider with a hint of concern in its eyes.
"I'm fine," Laena reassured, though she couldn't hide her disappointment. She reached out to stroke Vhagar's wing.
Vhagar blinked slowly, bowing its head in silent understanding.
Laena leaned her forehead against Vhagar's rough scales. "Only you have always been with me," she whispered.
Vhagar gently shook its head, offering silent comfort.
(Word count: 1,670)