142
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298 AC
Summer Isles - Ebonhead
Rhaella Targaryen
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The port of Ebon head in sight gives me more relief than I would like to admit, this last week has been draining. Even with the contact with my kids from the Glass candle I have grown tired of being on this ship and am ready to be on dry land.
I look up on the mast of the ship and see three perching dragons that joined us a few hours ago, I am sure they were missed and the island is likely being flipped upside trying to find them. Their arrival was what let me know we were close, I don't know how they found us but the land had to be close once they arrived. I am still in wonder looking at them as they enjoy the mid-day sun and communicate with various noises.
"They have gotten much bigger." Shaena comments with her head leaned back and a hand blocking out the sun, her baby belly growing more noticeable by the day.
"Arrax especially, he is looking massive compared to the last time I saw him." I close my eyes getting the sun out of them after getting one last look at the white dragon.
Arrax reminds me of a polished pearl when he is in the sun and the light reflects off him in a mesmerizing way. Not as shiny as Tessarion is beside him but still a glimmer off his smooth-looking scales that adds a nice touch to his appearance.
As if hearing my thoughts Arrax leaps off the lower beam of the mase and flaps a few times before landing beside me. He shakes his head and looks back up at Tessarion who squawked indignantly after he startled her with his sudden movement.
""Hey pretty boy."" I slowly raise my hand and he presses his head onto it with a bit of force almost like he is needy for the attention.
I guess he missed me.
"I still can't believe it." Laena Velaryon stands at a 'reasonable' distance with her friend Alynna accompanying her as they gaze at the dragons.
"I want to touch it." I hear Alynna speak softly to Laena and shake my head with a smile as I look at the girl who has her eyes locked onto Arrax.
"Come on over." I wave to the girls and they hesitantly look at each other before taking some steps toward me.
Arrax whips his head in their direction and takes a deep breath before pushing his head back into my outstretched hand. The girls were startled when he moved suddenly but gain more confidence after being 'approved' by the dragon's nose. When they are within arms reach a low trill escapes Arrax as he eyes them with curiosity.
"Just go slow and it will be fine, if he pulls back then you need to slowly lower your hand back down." Laena's hand starts moving first and Alynna watches cautiously with sweat shining on her brow.
From the sun or from the stress I don't know but I smile seeing Laena set her hand on top of Arrax's head and he lets out a low hum. His hum can be felt in the boards of the deck and I know it will wake up anyone sleeping inside the cabin. They slip off to beat the heat and rest for a few hours only to be awakened by a dragon's song.
I was just about to go wake them up since we will be arriving soon but I will just sit here with the girls as they enjoy themselves with the dragon.
----
"That is much bigger than I was expecting, I wonder if those are rooms for people to live in toward the top or do they serve some other kind of purpose." Elia speaks up with squinted eyes as she looks toward the largest structure we can see from the port.
A giant stone tower rising from a stone palace covered in various carvings and plants, the Targaryen banners look good hanging from the overhangs. I lick my lips feeling them a bit dry as I look back down at the dock once more and see my family dressed in outfits fitting for the Summer Isles. Feather cloaks in our house's colors and some animal skin covered in spots, some sparkling silver catches my eye as well.
Their smiles are hard to not see as we slowly get docked, the people of Ebonhead seem to all come to welcome us as I look past the guarded docks. Tons of people waving and cheering that reminds me of the good days back at Kingslanding and fills me with pride at what my kids have accomplished. The boarding ramp is dropped and secured and before any of the people can get across it Arrax decides to lead the way walking across it with his head held high.
""This is where you flew off to? You cant ride on just any old ship, someone may try to kill you or capture you."" My son's annoyed voice drops the dragon's head and a 'groan' is heard before the dragon takes to the air.
The cheers are even louder as Arrax flies over the crowd and makes his way to the towering building. Most of the other dragons join him in the air as he circles the building and I shake my head before focusing on getting off the ship.
I am surprised when I turn to the ramp and find Shaena already at the bottom and pressing Eragons hand on her belly. A wide smile on everyone's face as they watch Eragon hunch over to press a kiss and whisper some words.
"Welcome mother, I am glad to see you." Eragons eyes widen when he spots me approaching from the ramp and waves me over, he leaves a hand on the pregnant belly as he hugs me tight.
"I missed you." He nods into my neck before kissing my cheek and pulling back from the hug.
"I missed you as well, even if we can talk with the candle seeing you in person is entirely different." I nod in agreement as I open my arms for my other pregnant daughter and Danny slips into my embrace like a serpent and wraps just as hard.
"I can't wait to show you around, I have been missing having you over my shoulder the more time passed." I swat at her as she jumps back with a playful grin and I take a quick look at her stomach but can't tell anything yet since it is too soon.
"Well, I am here to hang over your shoulder all you want now." She nods as I approach the next in line.
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298 AC
Summer Isles - Ebonhead
Rhaenyra Targaryen
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I am careful as I hug my grandma but she seems to want more as her embrace tightens as I try to ease up to let go. I smile as I set my head on her shoulder and squeeze her tighter and she kisses the side of my head.
I felt similar to Danny a moment ago when she spoke about missing having Rhaella over her shoulder. I have missed her more than I ever would have guessed, I underestimated how much it would affect me.
I waited so long to meet my mom and when I did I was happy and satisfied but the meeting was short and she had to leave me once more. I was sad but I got over it quickly enough and returned to normal, but this trip was different. Being separated from my grandmother for so long showed how she was my 'real' mom, it doesn't have to be a bad thing either.
I don't have to hate my birth mother or dislike her to also appreciate my 'mother' who raised me and has always been there for me. I can love both and appreciate what both have done for me without hurting anyone and that is a nice lesson to learn. I will be able to tell her how much I appreciate her and show her how much I love her without feeling guilty for my other mother.
"I love you, sweet girl." I feel a sting in my eyes as I nod back at her.
"I love you too." The hug breaks sooner than I would like and she gives me a look before moving on down the line.
I have to blink my eyes a few times and distract myself or I will shed a few tears and I don't want to ruin the mood for everyone else.
I turn to the left and spot Eragon talking with people as they disembark and decide to focus on the conversation instead of the feelings running wild in my chest.
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298 AC
Summer Isles - Ebonhead
Eragon Targaryen
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"Nice to see you again, Elia." She nods as her eyes soon travel down the line to Rhaenys who is hugging my mom and also sending a look this way.
"It is nice to see you as well Eragon, I take it we will rest before celebrating our family's reunion later tonight." I nod and she smiles before walking off to see her daughter.
I turn back to see Lyanna stepping down with a northern woman behind her that looks like she is suffocating in the heat.
"Do you need something to drink?" I ask with no small amount of concern as the woman looks around with tired eyes.
"Hello to you to Eragon, this is my friend and traveling companion Dacey Mormont. I am sure you have seen her before through the candle at some point but this is your true introduction." I nod and look at the woman who is looking around taking in all the sights.
"It is nice to see you Lyanna, I was just concerned for your friend and I have heard about her during my talks with my mom and I believe I have seen her before in the candle. It is nice to meet you in person Dacey-." My thoughts stop seeing three wolves make their way down the ramp and sniff around my family.
I have seen plenty of these little pups who are not 'little' at all and are actually quite big for how young they are said to be. A white one with red eyes sniffs at my boots and then heads down the line taking in all the smells before stopping at Visenya as if nailed to the ground.
"That was fast." Lyanna comments dryly but a smile spreads across her face as she walks away from me without any more words to see her daughter.
I watch as another makes its way over to Morgana and wags its tail like a common hound as she leans to pet it on the head. Dacey seems to have walked off as well by the time I turn back and come face to face with who can only be Laena Velaryon. She avoided the candle when we it was used or my mom had her stay away, I am not sure.
This is the woman I was engaged to before I even could speak words, odd that I am just meeting her and am married six times over. I also have at least six kids on the way and I still have not even heard her voice.
But if anything happened with us it would be started by a desire to benefit from one another, she wants her house to rise and I need a proper 'master of ships'. Her father looks like a fine candidate as far as I can see. He might be disappointed it is not the position in Westeros but it's still something and Westeros is not an option yet. Working as my Master of ships will put some achievements on his name anyway and that is always worth the effort. I will still take it slow with this one though as I have learned my lesson and I need to properly feel her out and see how well she would work in my plans.
"It is nice to meet you, your grace." She gives a bow and I snort.
"Still a prince technically even though it is possible to claim to be a king, it is nice to meet you Lady Velaryon." She looks amused at the title if not a little proud and doesn't correct me as she motions to the woman beside her with Valyrian features.
A silver head of hair with a gold streak going through it that shines in the light and light purple eyes. I have also heard about this one, Alynna Longwaters, she was taken in by Lord Velaryon to be raised with Laena and they became like sisters. Her 'official' job is a step away from lady in waiting but it is not a serious thing. They seem to be more family from my mom's recounts of their conversations and attitudes toward each other.
"It is nice to meet you, Prince Eragon." She also gives a short bow and I nod in response and her attention is soon captured by the commotion on the dock.
"Let's get things moving along and get you all into your rooms in the palace, I am sure you are ready to get a proper bath and meal." Both nod eagerly and Follow beside me as I walk with my arm around Shaena who never left my side.
I take another look at the swelling belly that has gone through a massive change since I last saw her and find myself smiling once more.