Chapter 12
There was a chill in the air of Dragonstone, a signal of the cold months arriving.
Two Dragonkeepers stood outside the caves leading into the hatcheries, barely flinching at the slowly dropping temperature as a third came running toward them,
"Pōnta're bē kesīr" He said,
They're almost here.
The Head Dragonkeeper nodded and jerked his head so the other two would head inside to ensure that all preparations were complete.
About ten minutes later, the small procession he had been waiting for had rounded the corner.
At the front were Prince Jacaerys with Prince Aegon on his back and Prince Joffrey holding his hand. Beside them was Prince Daemon who had one of Princess Helaena's twins on his hip as his niece walked behind him, her second child in her arms as the Lady Rhaena moved beside them.
The Lady's dragon, Morning, was draped across her neck like an elegant scarf and would extend her head toward the child to demand attention.
At the back were Lord Corlys with his granddaughter Lady Baela who were both deep in a discussion with each other. They were no doubt planning what to do when the One-eyed Prince arrived on Dragonstone. And behind them, the sworn shields of Prince Lucerys and Princess Helaena walked at a respectable distance.
In the middle of the procession, wrapped in thick furs to protect himself and the child strapped to his chest from the winds was Prince Lucerys. He walked slowly, still recovering from his labors and the Red Walk, and was supported by the Princess Rhaenys who made sure to stop when her grandson became short of breath. Beside them was Princess Rhaenyra with the other child of the Omegan Prince in her arms.
As they drew closer to the hatcheries, a roar sounded as wings beat against the wind. From the clouds descended a pearlescent dragon that landed in front of them.
Arrax stretched his head and crooned in delight when he saw his rider.
Lucerys smiled at his dragon, gently pried himself out of Rheanys' arms, and began walking toward Arrax.
Aemma was awake now and blinked as Arrax sniffed the curls sticking out of the blanket she was wrapped in,
"Nykeā tala, arrax. Mēre hen babies nyke ivestretan ao istan māzis,"
A daughter, Arrax. One of the babies I told you was coming.
The dragon let out another delighted noise as he let out a puff of warm air on Aemma which made the pup squeal in delight.
Lucerys motioned for his mother who brought Aenyra forward.
Arrax needed no prompting when he saw the bundle in Rhaenyra's arms and leaned toward Aenyra. He recognized both girls as his rider's hatchlings and knew that he would protect them with his life.
The dragon turned back to Lucerys who rested his forehead against the warm scales,
"Nyke daor sōvegon yet. Nyke daor sȳrī enough. Yn skori nyke able īlon jāhor gūrogon naejot se jēdrar hēnkirī arlī,"
I cannot fly yet. I am not well enough. But when I am able, we will take to the skies again.
Arrax crooned again as he gently nudged Luke and stepped back. He left the way to the hatchery clear and curled up on the rocks beside the path.
With the dragon settled and watching his rider and his hatchlings, the Dragonkeepers welcomed the group into the hatchery.
Rows of dragon eggs greeted them, each egg sparkling in the torchlight.
All of the children stared in wonder and excitement as they took in the eggs in front of them,
"Alright," Daemon set down Jaehaera as Aegon clambered down from Jace's back.
The Rogue Prince gathered the little ones around him and made sure he had their attention,
"I need you all to listen to me very carefully. This is the cavern we are staying in. Do you see those torches?" He pointed toward the end of the cave where two torches lit the entrance of a darkened tunnel and waited until each child nodded, "You are not to go past them. And do you remember what else I told you?"
"Pairs!" Aegon exclaimed,
"Excellent! And do each of you know who you are paired with?"
"I'm with Jace, and Egg is with Baela," Joff said and Daemon nodded,
"Good. Jaehaerys and Jaehaera?"
"Muna and Rhaena!" They both exclaimed,
"And when you find your eggs-"
"Show Unca Lu and Aun Nywa! S'they choose!" The cave went quiet as everyone looked at Jaehaerys as his sister and Aegon nodded,
"Luke is making the final choice for Aenyra and Aemma-"
"But momma choose for new brofer!" Aegon exclaimed and Jace's face turned down in confusion as Rhaenyra laughed,
"While I do appreciate the thought, Aegon, we are going to wait a bit longer before choosing an egg for your sibling," The young boy pouted slightly before nodding and scurrying off to Baela who was laughing at Jace,
"Did I not say he wouldn't realize until someone told him?" She asked while taking Aegon's hand and allowing him to drag her toward some of the eggs,
"Wait- Mother- What?"
Joffrey giggled as he grabbed Jace, "I found out a month ago!"
"It seems we owe Baela some silver," Helaena sighed as she and Rhaena followed Jaehaerys and Jaehaera who were giggling while Jace called out,
"The three of you bet to see how long it would take?" Everyone laughed.
The little ones began sifting through the different eggs while Daemon walked to where Rhaenyra was standing,
"It seems our secret is out," He said while running a hand over the small bump that was hidden under the layers of her dress. Rhaenyra leaned against him with a smile and he kissed her forehead before lifting Aenyra from her arms.
Near the cave's entrance, Luke was leaning against his grandfather as Rhaenys began unwrapping Aemma from her sling. There were no places to sit in the hatchery, and the walk had been long, so Luke was trembling from the exertion.
Lucerys originally was not going to be with them at the hatchery, and he was fine with that. But then he saw the disappointed faces of Egg, Jae, Haera, and Joff when they asked if he really wasn't going with them. He couldn't bear the looks he was getting from them and said he had changed his mind.
He didn't find himself regretting the decision, Luke felt himself smile as he watched each child point at the eggs. Not to mention, this was the first time he'd left his chambers since arriving on Dragonstone.
But each of them was carefully inspecting every single egg that caught their eye, so by the time the four eggs were placed in front of him, sweat had beaded around his temples as he shook from how long he'd been standing. He also had Daemon standing opposite Corlys and both were needed to keep him upright.
He looked over the eggs, unsure as to how he would know which one to pick. He had chosen Joff's egg when he was born, but this felt different.
Luke glanced over at his daughters who were both held in the arms of Rhaenys and Rhaenyra, then looked back at the eggs.
Somehow, he managed to painfully get himself lowered to the ground and reached for the eggs. His trembling hand hovered over each of them, the warmth seeping into his skin and up his arm when he finally placed a palm atop one,
"This is Aenyra's," He whispered as Jaehaera excitedly tugged on Rhaena's arm and quietly exclaimed,
"I chose it!"
Daemon picked up the egg, studying the rich blues that swirled together with small dots of red that almost sparkled under the light of the torches like stars in a night sky, and carefully placed it in a warming chamber,
"Aemma's," Joff quickly jumped forward, his chest puffed out as he reached to grab the egg he had picked for his niece.
He slowly walked over to Daemon, holding out the pale silver egg that had smears of turquoise that shifted in the dim light,
"It reminded me of Arrax," He told his brother while carefully placing the egg in its chamber.
Jaehaerys and Aegon were slightly disheartened that their eggs were not chosen for the babes, but Egg grinned when he remembered the sibling on the way. And Jae, did something a little strange.
He picked up the pale green egg he had chosen and held it out to his mother and Rhaena, asking if they liked it. When they both agreed that they like it and that it was beautiful, Jaehaerys went over to Daemon and asked if it could be set aside with the one Aegon had chosen.
The Prince looked at the pup, then at his daughter and niece who were standing together. He saw their fingers lightly brushing against each other and looked back at Jaehaerys to gently take the egg,
"It will be kept safe," He told the boy and placed it in the chamber offered by the Keepers.
All four of the eggs had been chosen.
Two, for the new babes.
One for the pup whose arrival would be in a few months.
And the last for a child who had not even been thought of yet, but only shown to Helaena in her dreams.