Lucerys' Dream

“He won't come.”

“If Daemon comes, you give me the Dornish wine you’ve got in your room.”

Laenor turned to his sister, staring at her in disbelief. “You’ve invaded my quarters? And why would I bet my favorite wine away?”

Laena rolled her eyes, faking a yawn, but her bored act was broken when a couple sailors passed by, and she greeted the men politely. Once they had made their way inside, she faced him again. “Could it be you’re afraid of losing, little brother?”

The same annoyance he felt as a child rose in him. He turned his head in her direction, taking pleasure in having to make her stare up at him because he was taller. “And what shall I get when he does not appear?”

“If he does not appear, you can have whatever you want.”

He should have known she was goading him into a trap the moment she offered him whatever he wanted, but Laenor would never think Daemon would actually get into that ship, he knew from experience how the man struggled in the ocean; Daemon was a Targaryen through and through. He was meant to be in the skies, never in the sea.

They waited until almost everyone was aboard, and he was close to declaring himself victor on this little game of theirs when Rhaenyra appeared on the deck with Daemon at her side, his lover’s face set into a grimace while he ascended the board.

He wanted to accuse Laena of deception, but they hadn’t stated any terms, so having Rhaenyra convince Daemon was not against the rules.

Laena threw her hair to her left shoulder, batting her eyelashes at him. “I want the wine on my desk by the night we come back to the Keep, little brother.”

She went to pat him in the shoulder, but he moved away, scowling at her. His reaction just seemed to make her even more amused and when Daemon and Rhaenyra reached them, Laena laced her arms with Daemon’s – her hand grazing against Rhaenyra’s arm in a fleeting motion.

He was watching them leave and wishing to follow when a voice he recognized sounded from a few feet away. “Will you never stop growing, boy?”

His face broke into a large smiled when he saw Jared, a man he knew ever since he was alive. He gave the man a tight side hug, wondering why his father didn’t tell him Jared was coming. “What are you doing here? I heard you weren’t travelling anymore.”

Jared was his father’s right man on the ship, – a man knows by all as the bearded terror – and after years sailing through Westeros, he heard the sailor finally quieted down. Laenor had been quite surprised when he’d heard, having thought the man would die in the ocean.

“Aye, I’m not, this is just a trip.” The old man laughed. “And my old lady won’t care as long as I’m home for supper.” Then he saw the twins approaching. “Are those Lady Laena’s girls?”

Rhaena and Baela simultaneously lifted their chins in pride. His mother was on the far back down the deck, watching them while she talked to Viserys. Jacaerys and Lucerys were close to them, saying their goodbyes to their grandsire.

“Yes. This is Baela, and this and Rhaena.” He put his hand on each of their shoulders. “Girls, this is Jared. The bearded terror.”

“You two look just like your mother.”

“A high compliment, sir. Our mother is a beauty.” Rhaena curtsied.

“Yes, yes. Now tell us about how you got that name.”

“Baela!”

Rhaena’s disapproving glare was the same one his big sister used to give him when they were children. Yes, Jared was right. They were Laena’s copies.

“Jared!” Jacaerys shouted and Laenor looked back just in time to see the boy rushing up the board.

“Jace, do not run!”

His firstborn stopped running the moment he shouted, starting his ascent at a normal pace with a sheepish look on his face. Lucerys, who was just behind his older brother and showing all the signs to follow his Jacaerys’ steps, stopped in his motions and began to slowly make his way up.

“Look if it isn’t the little lordling.” The old man at his side laughed.

“I’m not little anymore!” Jacaerys disagreed, reaching the center of the ship and jumping so as to hit the man’s hand into a greeting and a unique handshake.

“No, I suppose you’re not. I’m getting old.”

Sometimes seeing Jace so grown and remembering the small thing he was altogether made Laenor feel old too. To Jared it was much worse, considering the man had met him as a babe.

“Captain Beard!” Luke shouted, looking up at Jared.

The man held his hand up for Lucerys to hit and the boy crouched down, tongue poking out, before jumping even higher than Jace so he could manage to reach the sailor’s hand.

“Aye, that’s how you do it.” Lucerys giggled, dashing away when the man made to trickle his belly. Jace hid his younger brother behind him, giggling and prepared to run and take Luke with him if needed while the twins watched the scene curiously from the side.

“Laenor.” He heard his father’s call from inside the cabin and he looked down to see his mother was still down the deck. He turned to Rhaena and Baela.

“The two of you are in charge.” He decided and walked away, not having time to hear what was sure to come.

“What?” Jace complained. “That’s not fair!”

“Why not? We’re almost a year older.”

“Father! Baela stuck her tongue at me!”

Their bickering was cut when he closed the door behind him, blinking to adjust to the lack of light.

There were barely any candles alight in the room and he looked around, wondering what this call was all about.

“You called me, father?”

“Yes, sit down, son.”

Once his eyes adjusted, he could see that his father was exhausted in a way he hadn’t noticed before. The man had seemed so relaxed on the past two days in the Red Keep.

He sat down on the chair in front of the small table. “What is it?”

Corlys stood in silence for a long moment, staring at his hands. When he spoke, his voice was so serious Laenor rearranged himself in his seat, sitting straighter.

“I’m sure you noticed your duties as heir of the Tides has grown for the past few months.” Laenor frowned, mind already going to the worst possibilities.

“Are you unwell? You seem healthy.”

Corlys smiled. “My health is fine, son.”

“Then what is the problem? You look… exhausted.”

His lord father let out a deep sight, leaning back on his chair and staring at the ceiling.

“There has been a worrying number of children being taken from the streets on the area surrounding the High Tides.” Corlys ran his hands through head, massaging his temples. “And no one seems to know a thing.”

A wave of disgust and dread washed over him. “What are they doing to the children?”

Corlys looked to the side, unable to meet his eyes. “They’re being sold to somewhere in Essos.”

His mind went straight to the twins, to Jace and to Luke. What would he do if anything happened to them? He would be completely lost.

“With my duties as Lord I cannot dive into the problem as much as I’d like. T’is the reason I’ve been sending you more documents to look over-”

“I’ll do it.”

"Laenor-”

“I can do it, father. Give me as much as you need, and I shall take care of it.” He'd seen Rhaenyra take more and more responsibilities over the past few years, spending morning after morning trapped in a room while she viewed over problems that seemed to have no solutions, had watched her spend use her short free hours before bed to read books over books. It was time for him to take some more of his own too. “I am your heir. It is time for me to show it.”

One of his biggest fears was to be an embarrassment to his family. Because of whom he was, Laenor always believed it was just a matter of time before he eventually disappointed both his parents and the people of Driftmark.

The pressure that came from being the Heir to one of the big Houses had always been on him, but his parents tried their best to lessen it, which was why he took so long to grow when compared to his peers.

Still, his father had been proud of him many times during his life. After every small accomplishment he was always there alongside his mother to congratulate him. Laenor thought the days Jacaerys and Lucerys were born were the proudest his father would ever be of him, but now, being stared upon with so much awe made him realize that maybe those days would never stop coming.

“Sometimes I forget you’re now a man grown.”

Laenor thought of Rhaenyra’s words, barely three days ago, saying the same thing. Was he really that different simply because he now could put his duty to his family first? Did no longer having to sail towards the open sea to show his true self change him that much? Or was it because he was now a father? “You never cease to amaze me, son.”

It was all he ever wanted to hear.

“Try munching on this,” Laenor suggested while extending an hyajin herb, known for helping with nausea. Daemon barely lifted his head to look at him, his face green and half covered by his sweaty hair.

Laenor had never seen the man that way, not even after he’d been stabbed in one of the many battles on Stepstones. He would never have guessed Daemon’s weakness would be seasickness, but the Targaryen had the worst case of it Laenor had ever seen. They’d been on the ship for only half an hour, but he’d lost count of how many times Daemon threw up.

Laena was massaging his back, consoling him, and Laenor wanted to do the same, but he knew there were eyes everywhere and while sailors were used to this side of men, they also talked a lot when drunk. Rhaenyra seemed to be thinking the same thing as he, but just like him, she refrained from touching her uncle.

Daemon groaned at the taste of the herb, making Rhaenyra wince in sympathy and while she seemed to be in a better state, Laenor knew she wasn’t entirely comfortable. Still, Rhaenyra had faced weeks of travelling by ship on her search to find a husband and her body was more used to the balancing of the sea, but she also didn’t enjoy travelling by ship.

His own mother, despite being married to the man known as the Sea Snake, never got used to ship travelling and at best held contempt for it. She’d retreated to her rooms downstairs during the very first ten minutes.

“Look! I did it!” Baela shouted from the other side of the ship where his father was helping the children learn how to fish. He stared longingly for a while, before his attention was brought back by Rhaenyra’s hand gripping his.

“You should go to them.” Rhaenyra said.

He looked at her, Laena and then at Daemon once more.

“Are you certain?”

“Yes, I can take it from here.”

Laena nodded. “And once Daemon is better, we will be there.”

His father’s belly laugh urged him to go there, calling to him. He looked back once more, seeing that Daemon had finally stopped throwing up and was now leaning heavily against the deck. When Daemon felt him staring, he signed for him to move along with a movement of his hand, forcing a smile.

“Hold onto to it... yes, firmer now.” His father was holding Jace’s arm, guiding him through the technics of fishing while Rhaena and Baela held on to their rods on their own, seeming to already have understood the gist.

Luke, since he didn’t yet have the strength necessary to go fishing, was sitting far away from the deck next to a few sailors that were watching – probably to later gossip to the people in Driftmark about the new generation of Velaryons and their abilities – or lack of it. He watched as the boy blinked owlishly, probably already feeling sleepy since he usually took a nap at that time of the day.

When Lucerys saw him, he stood up from his little stool and ran to him, stopping after a couple steps to start walking, most likely remembering his words from earlier. Laenor smiled, ruffling the boy’s silver hair and pulling him into his arms so they could walk up to the others.

"And how will I know when the fish bites the bait?” Jacaerys asked.

“Oh,” His father laughed loudly, but his hold on the boy’s arm did not change and the rod continued propped to the ship firmly. “Trust me, child, you will know.”

“I’ll get the biggest fish here!” Jacaerys affirmed and when the boy saw him approaching, his face lit up.

"Oh, I’m certain you will.” He granted, then turned to the twins. “Nice positioning, girls.”

Both of them smiled proudly at him. Jace's head turned towards Rhaena and Baela and then to Corlys. “Let go, grandfather, I want to try it by myself!”

Laenor lifted an eyebrow when Corlys let go. It was still too early to expect the boy to maintain his position alone, but after faltering for a couple seconds Jace managed to fix the rod in the same way they had before, frowning his little nose.

Jacaerys turned to look at him again, beaming, and Laenor beamed right back at him.

“How long is he going to stay there?” Baela asked in a monotonous voice. She had been laying with her back against the hard wood for half an hour already.

Both Rhaena and she had given up on trying to catch a fish, bored with the long wait, and Laenor didn’t know whether they had gotten their impatience from Laena or Daemon.

Jacaerys, on the other hand, still persisted, standing unmoving against the deck.

Although the sun was not at its highest spot in the sky, it thankfully wasn’t strong as there were many clouds around and so the boy could stay out there for as long as he wanted.

Both Rhaenyra and Daemon were feeling better after eating the herb and had now adjourned them, sitting against the shade the main sail offered.

“Jace will catch the biggest fish.” Lucerys parroted his brother’s words. Every once in a while, just as Jace began to slouch his stance, the boy repeated his brother’s words, and every time he heard it Jace seemed to regain his surety.

They all put on some word to encourage the boy, but Laenor was beginning to fear his son’s persistence would be for nothing when Jace was pulled forwards and slammed against the deck. They all stood up, alarmed, but Jacaerys started laughing, propping his feet on the deck to hold his position. “Look! It’s pulling! It’s pulling!”

The children were the first to react, running towards Jacaerys and leaning themselves over the deck to stare. “Start pulling, Jace.” He shouted, running to help.

“Pull, Jace! Pull!” Rhaena started shouting, getting the others to join and Jacaerys had the biggest smile on his face while he struggled to pull the handle.

Lucerys began to jump up and down in excitement when they first saw the fish being pulled out of the water. Jacaerys was already sweating, but Laenor knew better than to offer the boy help now. Jacaerys needed to do it on his own.

“It’s a tilefish.” His father gawked. “And it’s a big one.”

The fishing rod almost escaped Jace’s hands, but he managed to catch it, pulling it with all his strength. When the fish was halfway into the ship, Laenor leaned over the deck and pushed it until the fish hit the border.

It was one of the greatest catches he’d ever seen. “It’s so big!” Rhaena exclaimed, surprised.

It was, it truly was, but it wasn’t bigger than Jacaerys’ proud smile when everyone in that ship congratulated him.

Laenor knew he was home before he even saw the island. The waters around Driftmark were different from any others; his people made sure to keep the ocean clean, never throwing any detriments into the sea.

He felt a hand grip his shoulder and he knew it belonged to Laena even before he turned his head towards her direction, her face full of understanding.

Ever since he moved into the Red Keep Laenor tried his best not to think of Driftmark, but he missed it – missed it with such deep longing it hurt sometimes. Now, seeing the castle even from so far away made his eyes burn with tears he’d never dare let fall.

His lips trembled as he held tight onto the deck, letting the sounds of the shouts coming from the sailors all around him fill his mind; it all reminded him of his childhood, leaving his home to spend days at the sea.

“Come, we must get ready for the disembark.”

When they got to the cabin, Rhaenyra was watching the children run around in excitement at the knowing they were almost landing, but no one seemed to desire it more than Daemon, who stood up from his chair as soon as they entered the cabin. “How long until we reach the land?”

“Ten minutes.”

His lover sat down again with a deep sigh, mumbling that it wasn’t soon enough.

After he made sure their trunks were locked and ready to be taken to the castle, he joined Laena and Rhaenyra as they went over the rules.

“And do not go around running around, the grounds of Driftmark are always moisty.” He warned, remembering the many times he fell and scratched his arms and legs as a boy.

“And if you find yourself alone with an unknown person, always pretend to be around an adult.” Laena continued.

“And no going to the beach without taking one of us with you.” He added, because his father’s words. They would not dare to attack Driftmark, but it was a possibility and he would not lose any of his children to a simple possibility.

“And remember, although you’ll be representing both your Houses during your stay there, don’t forget to have fun.” The children cheered at Rhaenyra’s words, but she calmed them down with a motion of her hands. “Now repeat it to us, please.”

By the time the four of them finished repeating the rules, they reached the land.

Laenor kept his hand firmly clasped on Lucerys’, mindful of the boy’s habit to wander while they waited for Rhaenyra and Jace to descend the boat. Now was the time for theatrics and they needed to appear united for his people.

He extended his free hand for her to hold on to as she stepped on the deck, and did not let go as they slowly walked towards the castle’s entrance.

“The weather in Driftmark is different,” He told his boys, nodding and smiling at the people they saw on the way up. “The air is cold, but the temperature is mostly warm.”

“Why is the air so cold?” Jace asked, preening after a couple of ladies cooed at him.

Laenor thought of how to explain. “Well, because of the sea. The water from this sea are different from the ones of King’s Landing, and they share the same mother as the ones that bath the North.”

“How can waters have mothers?”

“All being have mothers, Jace.” Rhaenyra saved him from having to find an answer. “That is why you and your brother must always listen to me.”

The boys laughed at that and Laenor took the time to breath in deeply, – for even the air in Driftmark seemed different – enjoying the smell of salt that always seemed to surround the island.

His parents were already inside, waiting for them to arrive. It was customary that, despite arriving together, the Lord and the Lady of the House should greet others in their leading room.

As soon as he entered, his eyes went towards his mother’s as she walked up to them, taking Jacaerys’ and Lucerys’ hands into hers to present the children to the people around. Rhaenyra immediately let go of his hand to lace her arms around his, leaning against him in what must have seemed like a loving moment between a couple.

The boys hadn’t visited Driftmark in almost a year and it was obvious that Jace remembered very little of his time there and that Lucerys had no recollection of it.

Laena and Daemon came in right after, Baela and Rhaena holding to each of their hands, and his mother took them with her as she went over the room.

While his parents made their rounds, Laenor used the opportunity to watch for the people’s reaction, searching for any sign of dislike, but they all seemed keen in meeting the children – even if there was a special attention being paid to Lucerys.

Laenor could only hope it was because the boy would one day be their ruler and not in regards to the recent events that happened on the Red Keep.

Most of the lords and ladies that met the children came to talk to them, and their conversations revolved mostly around compliments and questions regarding their well being. It was better than Laenor expected it to be and he was frankly enjoying himself for the first time without having to worry about the rumors surrounding his reputation when the doors opened again.

The good feeling around the room was interrupted by a silver hair he knew all too well and he felt his eye twitch in annoyance when his uncle Vaemond brought his family to greet Corlys, Rhaenys and the children. After exchanging some words, the man led his pregnant wife and sons by the door and made his way to them.

“Nephew, Niece.” He greeted, doing the same for Rhaenyra and Daemon before he completely ignored the other three to face Laenor. “How nice of you to show up after almost a year passed by.”

“I’m rather flattered that you would bother to notice that, uncle.” He gave his best impression of a warm smile, aware of the eyes set on him. Rhaenyra’s hand on his forearm clenched in support. “I didn’t realize you paid so much attention to me.”

As expected, the man couldn’t control his scowl. Once, many years ago, Laenor had feared him and as he grew, the fear changed into a deep-rooted feeling of inadequacy. Now, with a wife, two children and a sense of fulfilled duty, he had nothing to feel inadequate about. He’d done his part, now he would enjoy the fruits that came from it.

“I wanted to congratulate you and the Princess on your Heir’s survival; we’re all awed by it.” Laenor tensed, unable to believe his uncle would dare to approach the subject that way. Behind him, Laena made an aborted sound. “Let us hope it does not happen again. Two times in three years is certainly worrying.”

He felt his temper start to take over and was about to say some ill-chosen words that were not meant to be spoken in public when Rhaenyra took over.

“Thank you, Ser Vaemond.” Despite holding onto his arm with such strength it was starting to hurt him, her words were smooth as a dagger. “I see your wife is with child, let us hope the boy or girl is born healthy and with the tact that some people in their family lack.”

The insult was so thin-veiled if anyone were to hear they’d recognize it even without being part of the previous conversation. Laenor watched avidly as his uncle spluttered, and this time the smile in his face was genuine.

Still, he had no desire to argue with the man any longer and so Laenor guided Rhaenyra towards the other side of the room.

Frowning, Laenor stared at the map on his hand, scribing over the paths he thought better suited for their possible travel – all while keeping an eye on the child beside him.

With his back being supported by pillows, and legs crossed in the same way as Laenor’s, Lucerys read over a book containing a quick history on the big Houses written for children.

Ever since the night of the scare Rhaenyra refused to allow Lucerys to sleep alone, or with his brother for that matter, and since a three-year-old child could not be trusted with keeping any secrets safe, they’ve decided to sleep together for a while, just until Rhaenyra felt better about letting Lucerys sleep in a bed different from hers.

Their youngest took the news well, even if he did ask one too many questions. The one that did not accept the change at all was Jacaerys, who simply refused to accept that Luke was now being kept away from him, or at least it was what the boy had shouted with his little face red and dirty with snot. They’d let him sleep with them too, since the boy was so upset he wouldn’t stop crying, but after the first night Jace decided he didn’t like sleeping on a bed with so many people and went to sleep alone.

“Kepa?”

“Yes?”

“Do you miss Driftmark?”

Laenor took his eyes away from the map to look at Lucerys. He thought over how to answer the boy’s question.

“I used to, deeply.” He answered, thinking of the first moons away from home, surrounded by vipers he could not trust and having only Rhaenyra as support. It had been difficult for both of them, but that struggle had brought them closer. “But not anymore. Why do you ask?”

“Grandfather said I’m supposed to rule over Driftmark one day.” Lucerys sat up on the bed. “Do you like living in King’s Landing?”

“I like living with you, and your mother and brother.”

“But you don’t like living there.”

Laenor sat up as well, rolling the map shut since it became clear Luke wouldn’t stay quiet any longer.

“What makes you say that?”

“You made a face. It’s the same face Aunt Laena does when she lies that she likes lemon cake.” Laenor laughed, not expecting that answer. Luke crawled over to him, using Laenor’s shoulders to stand up on the bed. “What if I don’t like Driftmark? What if I prefer to live there in King’s Landing?”

Wondering how he could have been having such a deep conversation with his three-year-old son, Laenor thought over what to say to the boy to reassure him he was going to be fine.

“I can’t say you will like staying in Driftmark, but you can always fly or sail to King’s Landing, if you so wish.” He chose his words carefully. “But Lucerys, that is not for a long time. Your grandfather is a strong man, nothing short of a battle to death will take that old man away from us and you know how he is during battle.” He trickled the boy’s tummy, making him squeak out a laugh.

“Grandfather is the Sea Snake!” Luke shouted.

“Yes, yes he is. And I, I am a Knight with a dragon. Only the Gods could take me away from our family.”

“Targaryens are said to be closer to Gods than to men.” Luke parroted Rhaenyra’s words. “And you are half Targaryen.”

“That is true.” He patted the boy’s head. Would any other child of three and zero understand what he was talking about? Did Luke truly understand it? “Don’t worry your head over this, alright? It will be long before you are made to take over the Lordship to the High Tides.”

“Already talking about politics with him?” Rhaenyra asked, leaning against the door with a pillow on her hands.

“Muñna!”

She smiled, closing the door behind her as she entered the room and crawled onto the bed with them. Luke left his lap to go over to her, letting her cuddle him.

“You’re half an hour late.”

“Daemon wanted to talk.” She smiled, making him snort. The night before he was the one who ‘talked’ with Daemon while she watched over Luke.

“Was Laena talking with you too?”

“She’s on her moon. Went to sleep early.” Rhaenyra explained while she adjusted herself on the bed, putting Lucerys between them. “I checked up on Jace. Was he still sleeping when you left?”

“Yes.” He leaned over the nightstand, blowing the burning candles off and the darkness took over the room immediately.

Rhaenyra sang three beautiful lullabies to Luke, as she did every night, and when she stopped, they fell silent as they searched for the best position to sleep.

He snuggled against Luke, his feet touching Rhaenyra’s. “Goodnight.” He mumbled, already falling asleep. The past two days had been stressful, and he wanted nothing more than a full night of rest.

Rhaenyra's voice was wrapped with sleep when she answered, but Luke’s was completely awake.

“Goodnight.”

He was almost asleep when Lucerys poked his shoulder. “Father?”

He didn’t even open his eyes, putting an arm over the boy’s body to make sure he stayed on the bed even after Rhaenyra and he slept. “What?” Laenor asked tiredly.

“Why does Jace get to sleep in a room alone and I don’t?”

Laenor yawned. “Because Jace is a big boy now.”

A little finger nudged his cheek. “And when will I become a big boy?”

Yawning again, he thought over what to say, wanting nothing more than for Luke to stay quiet and go to sleep. Rhaenyra was already sleeping by their side, her breaths deep and constant.

“When your classes start. Now go to sleep, Lucerys. Kepa is tired.”

Even with his kepa's and muñna’s arms around him, Lucerys was still cold. Hand gripping on his chest, the boy kept his gaze set on the fireplace, afraid that if he were to close his eyes the darkness and the cold would take over him completely.

He wouldn’t sleep, couldn’t. Not when he feared dreaming of him again – the man made of the cold nights on the North.

He turned to his father, trying to peer at his face through the weak light of the dying fire, but they were too far away from the fireplace.

Lucerys didn’t want to wake any of them, he could see by the way his father and mother were half sleeping in the middle of dinner tonight. They were tired and he feared it was because of him.

Disentangling himself from the sheets, Luke carefully crawled to the end of the bed. Once he was on the border, he slowly put his socked feet on the ground, feeling the cold of the floor even through the fabric.

He supposed he could go to Rhaena and Baela’s room, but he didn’t know where it was, and Baela got really upset when someone woke her up. Jace wouldn’t be mad, though. He would be as glad to see him as Luke was going to be.

He had to stay on the tip of his feet to reach the doorknob and turn it around, and when he managed to do it, his body went along with the door as it opened, forcing him to hold on as best as he could so he wouldn’t fall. Looking back to check and make sure his parents were still asleep, he let out a deep breath when he heard his kepa’s high snore.

Lucerys went back into the room to grab one of the candles on the nightstand and put it close to the fire to lighten it up again. The warm of the fire felt good on his skin and chased some of his fears away.

With the candle in his hand, he walked out of the room and closed the door.

Turning back to the main room, Lucerys went to the door that gave way to the hallways, hoping that there was no one outside.

The hallway was empty, the only noise around being made by the wind coming from the sea and the waves. He scrunched up his face, trying to remember where they came from when father carried him out of Jace’s room. Like a flash of light, knowledge came to him.

They had come from the right.

Luke turned right, walking fast. He didn’t like staying alone in the hallways, not at all. Especially with the statues that reminded him of the winter people on the lake.

Then the pain started. Lucerys was used to the headaches by now – could ignore them most of the time by distracting himself, but right now, with nothing to do, the pain was becoming unbearable, and his eyes began to well up.

He needed to find Jace. Jace always had milk of the poppy in his trunk for when Luke needed it because his big brother was amazing like that.

As he steered further away from his parents’ room and deeper into the castle, the place started to make sense to him. He’d seen all this before, in his dreams.

The drapes were different, looking a bit darker. Some vases weren’t there anymore, substituted by different ones, but the structure was mostly the same.

Get down from there right this instant. A girl’s voice rang on the back of his head while he stared at a window and if he tried really hard, he could almost see her looking up in his direction, both hands on her hips while she tapped her foot on the ground.

The dream began to mix with what he was seeing, almost as if he was living them at the same time as he walked. There were so many of them...

Do not run, darling, you may hurt yourself, a woman warned him. He couldn’t quite see her face, but the loving smile was clear in his mind as she bent down in front of him, the painting behind her the same one that was perched on the wall.

He was so distracted he almost dropped his candle when he turned on a corner and bumped into someone’s legs, staggering. Looking up, he saw between the tears a face alike to the one he’d just been remembering, the silver hair contrasting with dark skin. “Muñna?”

The person, the man, spluttered. Luke blinked, chasing away the tears.

Oh, it was Great Uncle Vaemond. The man his kepa had called a lazy greedy assh-dummy.

“Do I look like your mother, boy?”

He looked nothing like her. The mother in his dreams never looked at him this way, with so much anger behind her eyes and neither did his muñna when he was awake.

The man’s hand moved closer to his thigh and Luke took a step back, suddenly aware of the knife strapped onto the man’s leg.

“No, great uncle.”

The man grimaced, and Lucerys wondered if he’d been eating something sour before bed.

The headache came back strong, pounding on his head.

“What are you doing alone, boy? Don’t you know it’s not safe?”

On the moonlight the knife seemed to shine dangerously, a reminder that he was alone and defenseless alongside an angry man.

And if you find yourself alone with an unknown person, always pretend to be around an adult.

There was only one thing he could do.

“Kepa Daemon asked me to wait here while he changed, he’s watching over me tonight.” He pointed at the closest door. He didn’t know why, but people on the Red Keep were scared of his kepa, so perhaps it wasn’t all that different in Driftmark?

“Daemon is there?” Vaemond’s eyes widened as he looked at where Lucerys had pointed.

“Yes. Do you want me to call him for you?”

“No!” The man denied, already making his way around Luke to continue walking down the hallway. “There’s no need, I’m in a rush. Stay out of the hallways at night, boy.”

Lucerys stood there, watching as his great uncle hurried away. He seemed to be truly in a hurry. Luke waited until the man’s shadow disappeared behind the walls and his steps no longer made a noise.

Jace’s room was just two turns away. Afraid he’d find himself alone with someone else, Lucerys ran.

Now that he was knocking on the door, Luke felt bad. His brother was sleeping and Jace loved to sleep, but Lucerys wanted to get out of the hallway as soon as possible and Jace’s door was closed. He should have thought about all that before leaving his parents’ room.

“Who's there?”

“It’s me!”

Immediately, the door opened. “Luke?” Jace’s expression went from suspicion to surprise. His big brother smiled, taking him by the arm, pulling him inside and hugging him when the door clicked close. Lucerys held the candle far away from their bodies. “How did you get here?”

“I ‘remembered the way from when kepa brought me!”

“And what are you doing awake?” Jace started pulling him towards the bed. “You should be asleep.”

"My head is hurting.”

“Oh.” His brother frowned, staring at him. Then Jace kneeled under the bed, pulling his trunk out. He took a vial from inside. “Do not drink much. Mother said only two sips.”

Luke nodded; he knew that.

After gulping twice, he gave the vial back to Jace, that put it back inside the trunk.

He climbed into the bed, ready to wait for the pain to recede. Jace crawled to the middle, covering them both with the blankets, and turned to the side to stare at him. “Did you have another nightmare?”

Lucerys made a denying sound, already starting to feel the worst of the headache dissipate.

They stood in silence for a few minutes before Luke also turned to his side, staring at his brother’s worried face.

“I don’t want to sleep.”

“Why?”

“I’m scared of dreaming of it again.” He whispered, burrowing himself further underneath the blankets. “The man made of winter.”

“Man made of winter?”

“He was blue.”

Jace smiled. “There are no blue people, little brother. It was just a dream.”

“It wasn’t, he hurt me.” Lucerys pulled down on his nightgown, showing the mark on his chest. A gasp left Jace’s mouth, and he sat on the bed, covering the snowflake with his hand.

Jace was silent for a long while, his fingers tracing the scar. When he looked up again, his lips were pressed together in a firm line. “Tell me about it.”

Lucerys started from the beginning, telling his brother about the woman’s voice calling him a different name, a name he now could no longer remember what it was, only that it brought a feeling of longing.

Then he talked about the place, how he knew it was the North because nowhere else would be that cold. He told Jace everything, about Balerion’s death, about the mountains filled with people in shades of white and blue. About the man that seemed to command them, with eyes the color of a cloudless sky. About how they kept staring at him, not putting a single foot into the water to help him while he froze. Then he told Jace about the spear, and how he knew if he didn’t let go of that ice block it would hit him right on the chest, right where the mark was now at.

At some point Jace had gripped his hands, his eyes filled with pure fear, afraid in a way Luke had never seen his big brother be before.

“There were so many of them, they were everywhere.”

“And what happened then?” Jace’s voice came out raspy, so low Luke almost didn’t hear.

“I don’t know, I woke up right after.”

His brother nodded; eyes set on the pinkish scar. “Am I the first person you told?”

“Yes.” Jace lied down beside him again, pulling him into a warm hug.

Jace was still for so long after that Luke was sure he’d gone to sleep, but then his brother spoke again.

“I’ve never heard of blue people before, but I know who probably has.”

“Who?”

“Grandsire. He knows everything, doesn’t he?”

Eyes widening, Luke stared at a point of the wall in front of him. Jace was right, how could he not have thought of that before? His grandsire was King; if one knew about everything danger on the Realm it was sure to be him.

Jace was so smart. “Thanks, Jace.”

But Jace didn’t answer him, he was already sleeping.

Lucerys stayed in there until the first rays of sunlight hit the window. Then, and only then, he sneaked his way back to his parent’s chambers.

Luke hadn’t been that excited in ages! The last time he felt that way was when he’d seen Jace catch that big fish! He couldn’t believe he finally got to meet Aunt Laena’s dragon, the largest dragon in the world!

Jace had gotten to meet her two years ago. Baela and Rhaena even longer before that. Vhagar didn’t like young children, so his aunt didn’t let him meet her before, but Lucerys was a growing boy now.

“Now remember, you must stay close to the others while I tell her about you, understood?” Laena asked, kneeled in front of him. She was tying his boots for him because he couldn’t quite manage to do it well. It was just easier for him to do knots when the laces were larger and bigger, like the strings of a boat.

Luke nodded at her, vibrating on his seat. “Yes!”

“Do you promise me? That you won’t try to get closer before I call you?”

“Yes!”

Laena smiled at him. “Alright, now give me the other foot.”

He watched as she did it, telling him that she was putting the dragon inside the cave. Luke didn’t think his boot laces looked like a dragon, but the curved lace did look a bit like a cave.

Everyone was waiting for them outside the gates already because Jace, Rhaena and Baela already knew how to tie their boot laces.

“Has Laena given you the instructions?” His mother asked, holding him by his shoulder when he passed by her to go to Jace, the twins and his grandparents.

“Not to approach before she says I can.”

She smiled at him, letting go of his jacket and Luke immediately started running.

“Lucerys! No running or you may hurt yourself!” He heard just as he reached the stones. His grandparents and siblings turned around to look at him.

He slowed his pace, stepping carefully as he was asked to, and he was glad he did because the stones were wet, and he slipped more than once.

Before he could even get halfway in, his grandfather was there, jostling him up on his shoulders and making him taller than everyone else.

He giggled, holding on to the large shoulders and extended his hand for his grandmother to hold when they passed by her.

“I’m taller than you now.” He told Jace, Rhaena and Baela.

“Father! Pull me up!” Baela demanded, lifting her arms.

“Me too!” Rhaena added.

“Soon the two of you will be too old for this.” Daemon complained, putting the twins on each shoulder. Jace was soon placed on their kepa’s blue coat covered shoulders too, and the four of them were being carried towards Vhagar’s spot.

He saw her even before they got there, the dragon’s wing stretching so high he could see it moving from behind the mountain, from above the trees.

His grandfather had put him down at the beginning of the mountain, telling him he’d have to walk now. Luke saw no problem in walking, in fact he wanted nothing more than to run to the peak already, but he remembered his aunt Laena’s words and refrained himself from doing it.

Crossing the mountain was tiring, but as long as Jace, Baela and Rhaena didn’t ask for help Luke wouldn’t either, he didn’t want them to think he was a baby.

His mother asked a few times if he needed help, but Lucerys refused every time, pushing through the trembling of his legs until he got to the top.

Vhagar took so much place on the ground he could understand why Aunt Laena never took her to the Red Keep, preferring to leave her on Driftmark and then travel by ship to King’s Landing.

Luke was frozen, staring at the dragon’s scales shining on the sun, at the way her head moved slowly as she tried to take something out of her crawls. She seemed awfully familiar, but he couldn’t quite explain why; from what he knew, he’d never seen her aside from paintings in a book and the feeling he had didn’t come from images on a page.

“She’s beautiful.” He whispered, amazed.

“Isn’t she?” His Aunt asked, leaning down to whisper in his ear. “My girl is the most beautiful dragon in Westeros. Don’t tell your mother I said that; she thinks it’s Syrax, but we both know that isn’t true, right?”

Syrax was also a beautiful dragon, but Luke still thinks Arrax is the bestest of them all.

He made a non-committal sound, not wanting to upset Aunt Laena, but she didn’t mind, laughing as she rushed down the mountain, shouting she’d see them down there.

They rested for a few minutes because his father insisted, saying he was tired, and when they started to descend Luke realized it was much easier and faster than the ascent had been. Baela dared them to find more stones than her on the way down, but Luke was more interested in getting to Vhagar first and barely caught any.

The more they descended, walking between the trees, the bigger Vhagar became, her form forming a shadow as large as the Red Keep’s one when the sun hit from the side.

The longing he’d been feeling only got stronger the closer he got to the dragon.

She’s not a pup, stop treating her as such.

When they finally stepped onto the ground, Vhagar’s head turned in their direction and Lucerys gazed into her yellow eyes, watching them fall into slits.

A wave of memories hit him again, and he felt rooted to the earth underneath him, trapped between the moments passing in his mind.

He knew those eyes, only when he had seen them, they belonged to a smaller creature.

Gevie. The person said, rubbing their hands on Vhagar’s tongue.

The person petting a younger Vhagar was him, he knew that. The hands rubbing her tongue, bigger than his own and marked by scars he didn’t have were his.

Geviegeviegeviegeviegevie-

He felt his kepa Daemon’s hand on his shoulder, bringing him back to the present and holding him into place as if he thought Lucerys would run to the dragon. He wouldn’t, had promised not to, but he wanted nothing more than to try. Would she react the same as she did in his dream? Would she let him pet her again? Did she know him as he did her?

A strong gust of cold air hit his back, making the hair of his neck stand and Vhagar sniffled once, twice, her head twitching to the side, and no matter how much Aunt Laena petted her, the dragon did not take her eyes away from him.

Tears began to well up in his eyes and it was the same feeling he felt when he found his mother after thinking he got lost in the castle back at home.

Lucerys knew her.

“Gevie.” Was what the person, him, had called Vhagar. The words felt right when directed at her, felt as if that’s what they should be used for.

In reaction, Vhagar's nostrils widened, and it was as if Luke had lit a fire in the middle of the night, turning him into a center of attraction. She moved, walking up in his direction in large, heavy steps.

“Daor, Vhagar!” Laena shouted.

But the dragon did not stop.

Lucerys barely heard the screams coming from his siblings, and his father’s shouts for his mother to grab one of them and run, but he couldn’t take his eyes away from those yellow ones.

“Fuck!” He found himself being grabbed by his kepa as Daemon began to run towards the woods alongside the mountain, carrying him along and Luke wanted to squirm his way out of his arms, but his kepa was too tall and he was afraid he’d get hurt when he fell.

It was because he didn’t take his eyes away from Vhagar that he saw her eyelids fall into slits once again, and suddenly he was sure it was because he was being taken away.

“Vhagar, keligon, māzigon arlī! (stop, come back)”

From underneath her legs he could see his Aunt Laena running up to them in full sprint, his father doing the same from the other side.

The dragon let out a long roar and in a matter of seconds she was above them, using her talon to push his kepa and making him lose balance. They both fell on the ground and Luke squirmed against his arms while Daemon tried to keep him underneath his body because if he could only talk to her, maybe she’d stop scaring everyone, but he couldn’t move.

Until he could, because while his kepa focused on grabbing a hold of his shirt, Lucerys managed to lose it and wriggle his way out from underneath him, turning in time to face Vhagar’s opened mouth, her feet glistening with saliva and her throat glowing with the beginnings of a fire.

“Lucerys! Get down!” He heard his kepa shout.

Get down? Why?

He was going to look back and ask when Vhagar’s licked his entire body, leaving him wet with saliva from his feet to his hair.

He giggled, delighted even though he was certain he’d be smelling like bad breath for the entire day.

“Daemon, no! Stand back!”

He could still see Aunt Laena standing behind Vhagar, her arms stretched out and when he turned to look around, Vhagar roared, her warm breath hitting his body and making him sweat. Lucerys turned his attention to the dragon once again and, just as she did in his dream, she stuck her tongue out.

His entire body tingled, as if urging him to move forwards.

Lucerys didn’t wait a single second before he extended his hand, the tip of his fingers touching her wet tongue and she ruffed through her nose. Slowly, he pressed his entire hand against it, feeling the warmth of the organ while he spread his fingers as far as he could.

Lucerys giggled once again, moving closer until his belly was touching her front teeth, and stuck out his other arm, caressing Vhagar’s tongue with both hands.

Then, the pressure was gone, and a name flashed in his mind.

Visenya.