A Choice Made.

Rhaenyra surveyed the battlefield below. Her forces were ready to depart into battle at her command. The Jade Vipers had yet to make their appearance, but they were close, hiding, waiting for their time to strike. Lords were gathered around the table, arguing, debating, and choosing the best course of action.It has been close to a few moons since she had been on the battlefield; she kept her skills sharp though and spent most of her time when she was out of Westeros at Sunspear. Practicing, training, and ironing her skills.Nimbus growled beside her, his thick, dark gray fur puffing out to make himself look larger. Talon stood a foot away; his silver hair was blowing in the wind, and his dark blue armor gleaned in the sunlight. Syrax lay waiting on the cliff above her golden scales, offering her the advantage of sunlight.If she flew directly into the sun's path, the Jade Vipers wouldn't see her until it was too late. Their ships had yet to break into the bay; Rhaenyra had counted 4 to 5,000 in her early reports. Rhaenyra had been waiting for this moment; today Rhys would be avenged."If Syrax burns the fleet, they won't make it across the bay before we cut them down." Lord Zandren Caswell speaks. "We have a dragon; let's use the beast-""They are not beasts." Rhaenyra turns sharply, and the Lords lower their eyes, sharing a look as she marches over to the table, placing the dragon figure amongst the ships. "Talon will lead the charge.""What of you, my Queen?" Tavion spoke from the other side of the table. He was the only one willing to meet her gaze. Rhaenyra smirked; she, much like Daemon, had a reputation on the battlefield."I'm going to cut the head off the snake."***The clouds flew past Rhaenyra; she couldn't help but have a sense of relief. Syrax grumbled, her roar fading in the wind. Rhaenyra ran a gentle hand down her scales and said, "Aderī." She whispered.(Soon.)As planned, Rhaenyra flew directly into the path of the sun, setting fire to many ships. They splintered and cracked underneath the heat, and Jade Vipers jumped into the water to avoid the flames. Smoke filled the air, the sun was covered by a thick black cloud, and Rhaenyra turned Syrax to aid the battlefield.The wind created by her massive wings made the water split. With a roar, flames covered the ground, burning whatever lay in their path. Rhaenyra looked over Syrax' shoulder; the ground was nothing more than ash. Suddenly, a large bolt flew past her, and Syrax roared, angling left. If it weren't for her hanging on to the saddle, Rhaenyra would've fallen a thousand feet. Her gaze was locked on the other side of the field.A scorpion bolt sat just off the cliffs. Rhaenyra dove toward it, and Syrax roared, turning her body in the direct path of the weapon. Rhaenyra narrowed her eyes. "Dracarys." Syrax opened her jaws, but a bolt hit her in the shoulder. Syrax cried out in pain, roaring. Rhaenyra grunted, bracing herself against her dragon's scales.At the last moment, Syrax pulled upward, flapping her wings and roaring with fury. Rhaenyra stared down menacingly before Syrax set the weapon ablaze. Landing on the ground, Syrax roared, destroying what was left with her tail. Rhaenyra climbed down her wing and gripped the spear, pulling it. Syrax roared in anguish, and Rhaenyra closed her eyes, pulling with all her might."Queen Rhaenyra!"Rhaenyra turned, pulling her sword. "Rayla." Syrax growled, and Rhaenyra held up her hand, silencing her. She walked along the beach, holding Rayla's stare as they met in the middle. The battle seemed frozen in time as warriors watched to see who would win this fight."No magic, no tricks, no dragon. Just me and you, Rhaenyra." Rayla called out, holding her fiery gaze upon her own.Narrowing her eyes, she ran forward, crashing against steel. Sparks flew as the two blades continued to clash together. Neither wanted to yield, they broke apart. "You shall pay for your crimes." Rayla smirks, diving low and hitting their swords together once more."Your brother had to pay for his first." Rhaenyra screamed, grabbing her dagger from her belt, and swung, slicing Rayla across the face. Blood splattered on her face as they broke apart. Rayla stumbles, holding her cheek. "You bitch!"Rhaenyra smirked, running forward and leaping into the air. She felt something pierce her shoulder, sending her flying into the dirt. Syrax roared as she felt her pain; her skin felt hot, blazing with fire. Her eyes locked onto the silver handle of Rayla's very own dagger embedded in her skin. She bit her lip to stop herself from crying out, rising to her knees. With every movement, her body protested, and she felt sick to her stomach. "You said no tricks." She said it with so much venom that it would make anyone cower in fear, but Rayla only smirked."You should know better than to trust the word of a viper." She hissed, "Or have you forgotten? Rhys did. When he didn't think I was going to take my revenge. I wonder in his last moments if he regretted his choice, but I guess we'll never know. Will we, Dragon Queen?Rhaenyra let out a shaky breath, stabbing her sword into the ground. She tried to use it as leverage, but fell to her knees once more. Tiredness poked at her limbs, and her eyes felt droopy. "What did you do to me?"Rayla laughed. "My dagger is coated with poison. It shouldn't kill you; its purpose is only to weaken you." Rayla grabbed her dagger in her hand, playfully tossing it in the air. "It should make killing you a lot easier."Rhaenyra felt so tired, she wished she was back in her bedroom, with Rhys and Nimbus cuddled up beside her, gently brushing their fur against her as they all fell asleep in one big pile. But that dream is gone; Rhys is gone. Anger, sadness, fear, and guilt swarmed inside of her like an ever-ending storm, waiting to be unleashed. The wind blew, causing a gentle breeze to blow her hair into her line of sight. Her breath caught as she could see the familiar blue eyes that always haunted her dreams. His black, shiny fur and the way his teeth curled up in a snarl made her feel like he was here in front of her.As she locked eyes with the familiar wolf, he gazed down at her, then back towards Rayla with a growl bearing his teeth. Two-inch-long canines could be seen. Strength flowed through her body. Rayla's back was turned, and she ran up, grabbed a hold of her sword, and jumped in the air, slamming the hilt of her sword into her back, causing her to give way under the pressure. Rhaenyra turned her over onto her back and punched her face repeatedly. Blood coated her knuckles, but she didn't stop. Rayla cried out with every single blow. As she gripped her dagger, Rhaenyra let out a loud scream, grabbing the hilt with both hands, ready to slam it down into her chest."Rhaenyra..."She looked up, expecting him to grab hold of her, her eyes burning with unshed tears. "Rhys." Her voice was a little more than a whisper; she was too afraid to hope, too ashamed to cry.His scent surrounded her, calming her. It was always something sweet mixed with something she could describe as spicy. "Show them who you are." His voice was soft and gentle. "Who you really are."Rhaenyra stared down, and a bloody Rayla and a cry escaped her, and she pummeled her dagger into the ground beside her head, slowly getting off her. She let out a cry that sounded like a roar filled with so much pain, anger, and whatever else she was feeling. She could hear Rayla scuffling and trying to get up. "Leave." Her voice sounded as if she hadn't drank water in days, and she locked her gaze with Rayla's. "Leave and never return. We will protect your land and your history, but you will never return to this place." She held out her hand for Rayla to take, placing her hand hesitantly in Rhaenyra's.As they turned their gathering forces, Rayla looked at her in the eyes and nodded once. "Jade Vipers, our battle is done here!"***Rhaenyra made her way back up to the cliffs. Warriors, healers, and people alike bowed their heads as she walked past. Syrax roared above, making her presence known. Lyra and Elena stood on each side of her. Nimbus ran up, hugging her. Not caring who was watching, as he cradled her head in his hands, scanning her face for any injury."I'm okay." She said this before adding. "Mostly."Nimbus smiled at her, and as she stared into his brown eyes, she contemplated telling him what she saw or heard. It was common in shadowhound beliefs for one to be visited in times of guidance or need. Could Rhys be trying to tell her something? Rhaenyra shook her head, but her breath froze when a black figure appeared, sitting next to Syrax, staring down at her."Nyra?" Nimbus spoke, gripping her arm. "What's wrong?" Rhaenyra tore her eyes away from the wolf and put a half-hearted smile on her face."I need to speak with Ranix." She huffed.Nimbus nodded. "Of course."***"Why didn't you tell me before?" Ranix asked, his eyes narrowing as if searching for her very soul. They had been talking for what seemed like hours. Rhaenyra was currently being treated for injuries, and Ranix sat in front of her.Lyra was working diligently beside Alran. A new healer in training, Lyra had been working diligently with him the past few moons, and it looked like he was making great progress as they no longer looked disgusted or looked like he was going to vomit every time he saw blood or an even worse injury.Lyra had been with child several years ago, but sadly, the child did not make it; she miscarried before her term. It left Lyra broken as it took Rhaenyra to get her out of her shell again; it had brought all those terrible memories of her being a slave back to the surface. Before Rhaenyra rescued her, Lyra was a slave working for the Masters and was impregnated several times; none of her pregnancies lasted, and if they did, the child did not make it.She took solace in healing and making sure that others did not meet an untimely fate. Becoming one of the most skilled healers in all of the realm despite her age, Rhaenyra was less than surprised. After all, nobody knew what somebody was capable of unless they were tested over and over again. Lyra was one of her closest allies and friends; she took her advice seriously when she offered it, and she was always there whenever Rhaenyra needed someone to talk to. Like most people in Sunspear, they did not address her by my queen or any royal title for that matter, depending on if you were one of her close friends or considered family members; hence, Nimbus, Talon, Lyra, and Ranix never called her Queen or Your Grace; only those closest to her could call her by her name."To be honest, I thought I was going insane. I kept hearing his voice during my brother's second nameday. It was like he was right next to me in the carriage. On the battlefield, I was staring directly into his blue eyes, and his voice was a soft whisper." Rhaenyra explained, "Your people believe that when a shadowhound dies, their spirits still remain, offering guidance to those they truly love."Ranix nodded. "Rhys was always very close to you. He was very protective, careful, and caring toward you, and when anyone ever dared to hurt you, it spiked his aggression.""Why is he appearing to me?" Rhaenyra asked, "Shouldn't he guide Ruby?"Ranix thought for a moment, his brow furrowing. "I believe Rhys is trying to protect you, even now."Rhaenyra raised an eyebrow. Why would Rhys be protecting her? She looked over at Ranix, a man she respected and saw as a father figure. As if reading her mind, he shook his head and leaned forward, taking her hand in his."I do not know, child." Ranix spoke gently, "Perhaps fate is trying to tell you something.""Like what?" Rhaenyra was getting agitated; why did everything in the world involve fate? Rhaenyra had lost her mother, Rhys and his family, her relationship with Alicent, and Daemon. What more could fate want from her?Ranix chuckled. "Maybe it's about what you have to become?" Rhaenyra looked at him, confused. Become? She subconsciously started to play with her rings."You see, Rhaenyra. Every time Rhys has appeared, he has stated, "You are not alone and to show people who you really are." Ranix continued. "Maybe being the heir to the Iron Throne is your path; Sunspear is not your true home; it's only your escape.""You..." Her voice trailed off, thinking of all the times she came to Sunspear just to escape her home. Looking out at the stars, Rhaenyra felt tears burn in her eyes. Rhys was guiding her down a path she refused to be a part of. Ranix was right; this was not her home. It was an escape."I do." Ranix smiled. "You've been struggling to find your place, but maybe it's not as far away as it seems."Rhaenyra looked at him, his eyes holding truth and love in them. She stood up, making her way to the large window overlooking the kingdom. Leaning her head on the smooth, cold glass, she let out a long sigh, tears falling from her eyes. "Rhys..." She whispered, "If you can hear me, please help me, guide me; I cannot do this alone."