6th War
War was approaching Avalon
It was inevitable, the other powers of the world looked with contempt on the newly formed Kingdom and the riches and relics of Old Valyria. Normally Haelyx wouldn't mind being on the front line, as she had been sinking enemy ships before.
But this time was different
This new pregnancy had greatly weakened Haelyx's strength. She was lying on a couch in the women's quarters while they watched a short play. The Queen had sent for the actors when she had learned of Haelyx's second pregnancy.
From Dragonstone a Valyrian steel necklace in the shape of a dragon had arrived to congratulate her on her second pregnancy. Apparently due to her complicated birth it was likely that Helaena would not be able to have children again, so Haelyx seemed to be the only one who was having children at the time.
Even so, the Queen had become so attached to Haelyx that it was difficult to go to Avalon. Whenever Haelyx managed to be left alone it seemed that a servant arrived with a new message from the Queen demanding Haelyx's presence. The first few weeks of her pregnancy had been fine. But then the nausea hit hard and Haelyx could barely stand.
There was also Hedwig. The Guardians had said that the dragon was behaving strangely and Haelyx was feeling strange things through her bond. Protection, love, concern, desire and hope
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Haelyx was in the Dragon Pit because Hedwig had burned one of the Guardians alive and that was unusual behavior for her. She was too big to be chained, so Haelyx was the one who had to deal with it.
The dragon scent that wafted through the Well cleared Haelyx's nausea as if by magic. No, rather it was instinct and the “blood” that ran through the veins of the Targaryens.
She was a dragon after all. A Targaryen born of fire and blood
But that was not what everyone thought. Not really, close but no. Haelyx had found the ancient texts of Valyria and discovered the terrible secret hidden in the blood of the dragon riders. People told them that the gods got fed up with the arrogance of the Valyrians and punished them for their experiments in black magic.
But the truth was that they had done those experiments imitating their ancestors.
Because the hybridization experiments went well once and that's what gave the Valyrians their characteristic traits. Tall, slender, beautiful, pale skin, immune to fire, white hair and purple eyes. All this because the Valyrians had mixed their blood with the blood and flesh of a dragon that was considered their “God.”
The details were unclear, and most of the writings seemed like something out of the oral legends that roamed the region. The story that passed from mouth to mouth and in each place was different but had common details. What the writing included seemed to be the common details of that spoken legend.
A shepherd found some dragons. The ferocious beasts went after his flock, but a white dragon smaller than the others defended the sheep and lost one of its wings. It was the most beautiful dragon of all, pearly white, with purple eyes, long, slender and with the membrane of its wings pale as the moon.
The shepherd took the dragon to his village where the beast was cured and treated like a God. Due to the presence of the dragon no other being attacked the sheep, not even another dragon. But nothing lasts forever and the life of the God of the shepherds came to an end after many, many years of prosperity for the shepherds in which they created a rich city.
The inhabitants cried rivers of tears for their dead God. Then a sorceress said that they would not let their God die, that God would live inside each of them. And the shepherds agreed with the sorceress
The sorceress mixed the flesh of the God with all the shepherds' people. Until there was nothing left of the God and everyone had a piece of the deity in their bodies.
And the children who were born the following year all had white hair and bright purple eyes, as if the God had come back to life. And when the dragons arrived the children joined them and tamed them, becoming the first dragon riders.
That was why the Targaryens found the idea of marrying someone not of the Valyrian family or origin so disgusting. Because they instinctively knew that they were not the same species, they were hybrids between humans and dragons. And the humans craved Valyrian blood because they knew that the Valyrians were more powerful and they wanted that power for themselves. What they said was true, the Targaryens began as dragons who became humans in the womb.
That was the real reason for the excessive incest in the Targaryen family. There were almost no Valyrians left. Even deep inside her, Haelyx knew that if she was attracted to Edmyn, it was more because of the love that arose from contact over time than because of an immediate attraction. It was also thanks to Harry's memories that Haelyx found humans attractive.
And that also explained why Haelyx's first love had been her uncle Viserys. Even though he was much older than her and not as attractive when compared to Edmyn. However, for Haelyx there had been no man more attractive than her uncle, and if she could have she would have married him.
The flash of fire snapped Haelyx out of her thoughts as Edmyn tensed beside her. The guardians seemed nervous but Haelyx thought Hedwig's fire was the most beautiful she had ever seen. It was white with small blue strands. Beautiful and deadly
-Very well, everyone moves aside. I'll take care of Hedwig myself.
-Princess! It's dangerous, you should go in with at least one Guardian!
-This is my dragon, I can handle it.
Haelyx entered the cave that Hedwig had claimed as her own. It was one of the largest caverns in the Pit, but not the largest. Vhagar had claimed that for herself and would not let the cavern go easily. It wasn't that Hedwig wanted the big cavern.
But Vhagar was upset that she was no longer the biggest dragon in the Pit.
Haelyx entered with confidence looking at the straw that Hedwig spread on the ground to make a nest.
-Hello my Girl. –Sung the young woman approaching the dragon. - What's the matter? Is it because I haven't come to see you often? I'm sorry about that, this baby is taking a lot out of me. I can't come as much as I would like.
Golden eyes looked at her and the dragon's muzzle moved closer to her before she inhaled slowly. Haelyx rested her hand between the dragon's nostrils, there was considerable space to do so. The dragon made a gurgling sound.
-Why are you so angry? Everything's fine. They haven't chained you and they still let you hunt. I don't see that you lack exercise. What's the matter?
Haelyx looked at the area near Hedwig's paw and saw the disturbed straw. She approached there and saw a multicolored dragon egg. She knew the Guardians had seen it, she couldn't hide it. Still she managed to hide the other four from view. She left a portkey in the straw, she would return that night
-Egg? It's your first egg! And it's beautiful! I am very proud of you. – The dragon pushed the egg further into Haelyx's arms with her nose. - Is it for Iolanthe?
The gurgling sounded again. Haelyx knew a storm was coming
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The cries of the small Council sounded loud. Haelyx was clutching Hedwig's egg and had said it would be placed in Iolanthe's crib. That had caused quite a stir. Iolanthe was a Tully and they didn't want her to have a dragon. But it was also better to use the egg while it was fresh, and that meant putting it in a crib immediately.
And the only Targaryen without an egg was Iolanthe. Haelyx's younger brothers each had a dragon. The only one missing was Rhaena. And she had an egg. In the end the King said that Iolanthe could have the egg.
Haelyx placed the egg in a brazier an hour later and looked at the cats and rats they had brought. Edmyn took his knife and slit the animals' throats before pouring the blood over the egg and throwing their carcasses into the brazier.
-Fire and blood, you will open yourself and my daughter will be your rider. – Haelyx pushed her magic into the egg. – You will be a beautiful dragon for my beautiful daughter
-Our daughter will be your rider. You are the first egg of Hedwig, my wife's dragon. The largest of all dragons. We have high hopes for you. – Edmyn and Haelyx looked at the egg. It had scales of multiple colors, the dragon that came out of that egg would be the color of the rainbow. -What dragon do you think mounted Hedwig to lay an egg?
Haelyx rubbed her forehead.
-I don't want to think about my pretty girl having dragonish intimacy.
-No, but there are few candidates. Female dragons usually choose males their size or larger. And there aren't many dragons Hedwig's size. Could Caraxes or Vermithor be the chosen one?
-No, Caraxes is mating only with Syrax. Dragons are a very loyal species to their partners, I don't think they mated with Hedwig. Besides, it is very rare for a dragon to mate with the dragon whose rider is the son of its rider. And Vermithor has only mated with Silverwing for a long time, they have had most of the eggs we currently have.
-And what dragon could it be?
Haelyx stayed silent.
-Cannibal. It is big enough and I have also felt it passing through the barriers I put in the Pit, but at the lower end. There must be a hidden entrance that we know nothing about
-Cannibal and Hedwig? – Edmyn laughed. - It's a little….
Haelyx got up and went to the other end of the portkey that he had left in Hedwig's nest.
-What happen?
-I left eggs in the nest.
-And?
-Cannibal eats eggs and now he is entering the Pit. We must get to the eggs before he does. – The color was quickly disappearing in Haelyx's face as she thought about what would happen if they didn't arrive soon.
Edmyn cursed and grabbed his sword before taking his wife's hand. They came out in the middle of the hay before Hedwig's astonished gaze. Haelyx rummaged through the straw and found the fourth eggs. Five was a lot for a first clutch, but his girl was special.
The eggs had to be removed carefully. Haelyx felt Edmyn stand before her and how he drew his sword to protect her wife. He didn't have to look to know what was happening.
She raised her eyes to see the gigantic black beast before her. When she was younger she had had nightmares about Cannibal. On his fire, on his claws. She was terrified of the giant dragon. She still pressed his balls against her chest.
She wouldn't let him have them.
Hedwig looked at the humans curiously before snorting calmly and cooing at the black dragon. Cannibal looked at Hedwig and nuzzled her nose with his in a way that reminded Haelyx of when birds played together. Besides…. The feeling on the black dragon was...
-Edmyn, put down your sword
-Have you gone crazy, woman?
Haelyx took a step towards the black dragon and held out her hand. The dragon looked at her, but did nothing.
-You were cursed…. When I cleanse the curse of Valyria I cleanse you too. – Haelyx whispered softly.
-Are you sure? – Edmyn had lowered the sword a little
-Yes... I saw it when I was little, before going to Valyria. Not…. It is not the same dragon as at that time. His magic is clean. – Haelyx smiled. - Are you Hedwig's partner? I expect beautiful babies from both of you, so you must apply yourself to the task.
Cannibal looked smug
Edmyn approached and petted the black dragon. Haelyx froze as she felt her husband's magic coming out of her timidly. The dragon's magic was more aggressive and quickly created a bond with the man. Edmyn shivered and looked at the dragon.
-What was that?
Haelyx couldn't help it and she started laughing out loud. A few weeks later the Guardians told the story of the echo of a child's laughter that was lost in the hallways of the Pit. But Haelyx didn't know that yet.
-That, husband, is the link. Somewhere in your blood is blood of ancient Valyria, enough for a dragon to make you its rider. – Haelyx smiled. – Congratulations, you are the first Cannibal rider
Edmyn grimaced.
-I don't feel comfortable calling him Cannibal
A short argument later, Canibal had become Nightfly. He seemed very happy with his new name and the human couple left the dragon couple who were flirting.
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Edmyn looked at the saddle. It was a battle one. With metal and strong supports. The black dragon seemed proud of his shiny chair compared to the soft leather and wool one Hedwig used.
Footsteps sounded behind Edmyn and he turned to see Haelyx in a pale green dress with her hair in a braid. Contrary to her usual style she was not wearing a crown even though they were in Avalon. Edmyn looked at another man and gave some more instructions.
-You're sure? You've only flown once before, Edmyn. – Edmyn turned to look at his wife. Her small bump gave away her pregnancy. Behind her was Oscar with Iolanthe in his arms. – I could go, Nightfly lets me ride him. I…
-It's war, you can't go.
-But…! My magic! I could help you a lot with my magic!
-You have already helped us. You have engraved runes on a thousand of the three thousand swords we carry, enchanted our arrows, and strengthened our shields. You couldn't do more.
Edmyn kissed his wife. She blushed at that. But she could still feel her fear and panic.
-Let me defend you. Defend what I love. My country, my wife and my daughter. – Edmyn's hand caressed Haelyx's belly and he felt the scars on his face throb a little. He knew that Haelyx remembered all too well what happened the last time he went into battle. – For our future
-Don't be a hero, just come home. I don't need a dead hero, I need a living husband
Edmyn smiled and hugged his wife before doing the same with his brother and kissing his daughter's forehead. Then he climbed into the saddle and took off. Watching from above as he walked away from the palace of Avalon, a part of him understood.
That's why the Targaryens felt more like gods than men.
This sight was something that only birds and gods could achieve
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Edmyn took the potion his wife had given him in front of the army and gasped at the bad taste as the ancient unsullied looked at him. His hair had grown and was silver. It was also curly instead of straight.
Haelyx had given him the potion to hide and give false information to the enemy.
What he didn't expect was for her to give him a Valyrian makeover. Something told him that Haelyx would make him take that potion for some bedroom game in the future. It wasn't that he cared, but he had read the same books as Haelyx.
He couldn't even imagine what it was like for her instincts to know that she was being intimate with a man who wasn't her species.
-Go ahead men. I will go first and surround them with fire. Don't leave any invaders alive. – At Edmyn's shout the swords were raised. Edmyn climbed onto the chair and Nightfly took flight excitedly.
It was easy to see the enemies who screamed at the sight of a dragon. They didn't have scorpions. Nightfly surrounded the army with fire and entertained himself by burning their rear. In the end only a tenth managed to reach the troops.
The battle was so easy that Edmyn learned how Aegon and his sisters had conquered Westeros. Three dragons and a thousand men were enough to defeat six entire armies.
In this way the war was almost child's play
He wanted to burn more armies, demonstrate the power of Avalon and give the lands to his queen. Edmyn realized the feelings that filled his mind and used his magic to drive them away. Was that a mental curse?
He felt that way.
Edmyn's magic checked Nightfly and nothing was wrong with him. It was strange, he had to talk to Haelyx
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-It's a curse. But not because of the dragon or anything like that. It's from killing too many people. – Edmyn was talking to Haelyx through a mirror that communicated with the palace. The good thing about this method was that everyone could use it as long as they had a little magic. Right now Edmyn was in his tent while the troops chased the few fugitives
-I had never heard that killing too much caused a curse.
-But you have heard the stories of cruelty of those who cannot stop killing. – Haelyx sighed, she was tired from the pregnancy. – Killing leaves a mark on the soul. The more you kill, the more marks there will be. And if there are many, they will begin to contaminate your heart and make you want to kill more and more. May you corrupt your soul more and become darker and darker and crueler.
-And why didn't you tell me before?!
-I didn't think you'd get creative with Nightfly. It was my mistake. I will prepare a purification ritual for when you return. That way I will cleanse you and the soldiers.
-OK…. What did your family think we were doing?
-Looking for wine for Aegon because he has emptied the cellar. Again.
-And do we have the wine?
-Yeah. I modified the memories of a few peasants so that they thought they saw Hedwig and our men are carrying the barrels. We have at least three weeks of time in Avalon
-And how has the queen taken your absence?
-My uncle has relapsed and Aegon has contracted a certain infection in his private parts. She has her hands full with just that. I wonder who would put snakefang pica powder in Aegon's underwear?
Edmyn looked at his wife in silence.
-Remind me to never make you angry.