Red Keep
The corridors of the Red Keep pulsed with activity. Whispers ran ahead of footsteps, and the weight of recent events hung thick in the air. Aemond Targaryen had claimed Vhagar, and now both the court and the factions within it reeled not just with awe, but with calculation.
THE GREENS
In Queen Alicent's solar, the Greens gathered under candlelight, the windows sealed against the evening chill. Queen Alicent, flanked by Otto Hightower, stood tense, her hands clasped in front of her.
"He's taken Vhagar," Otto said, pride laced with caution. "He's no longer just a boy, he's a prince with a weapon. The largest dragon alive."
Aemond stood by the hearth, back straight, face proud but taut.
"It was mine by right," Aemond said flatly. "No one claimed her. I simply… saw the opportunity."
Alicent's lips pressed into a line. "You must understand what this means. This will be seen as a provocation. They will not forgive this."
"They were weak," Aemond said. "I was strong."
In the corner, Daeron listened quietly, fingers laced before him. He glanced at his elder brother, but his thoughts lay elsewhere. Not with Vhagar. With the other.
"Vezdaryon." He said softly in the corner
Otto looked to Daeron, one brow lifting. " Vez.. what? What do you mean. Oh that wild thing. Untouched. Dangerous."
"He's more than that," Daeron muttered. "He's power. Pure. I… I could be the one."
Aemond gave a small scoff, arms folding. "He growled at me. Threatened fire. He's a brute."
Daeron didn't look at his brother. He only stared into the flames.
"He's not a brute. He's waiting."
THE BLACKS
Meanwhile, within a quiet room off the hall of Dragonstone, the Blacks gathered. Rhaenyra, weary but sharp-eyed, sat with Laenor, Rhaenys, and her sons, Jacaerys and Lucerys. The news of Vhagar's new rider had reached them only hours before.
"He did what?" Laenor said, astonished.
"He climbed her and rode her. Vhagar," Rhaenyra said quietly, almost disbelieving.
Jace frowned. "He didn't even have permission…"
"He didn't need it," Rhaenys cut in. "She was unclaimed. He was bold enough to try. And that boldness just shifted the balance."
Lucerys sat back, brows furrowed. "And what of the other one? The black one Shadow."
"He's grown," Jace said. "I saw him again from the cliffs. Bigger than Vermithor now."
"I could claim him," Lucerys offered quickly, then faltered. "I mean… perhaps. If he would let me."
Rhaenyra narrowed her eyes. "He growled at you, didn't he?"
Lucerys looked down, cheeks tinged with red.
"He nearly burned us," Jace added under his breath.
"He is not like the others," Rhaenys murmured. "He was not hatched here. He remembers the fire of old Valyria or perhaps something older still."
The Blacks fell into a long silence. Beyond the window, Dragonstone's winds howled. Somewhere, high in the sky, wings beat through the clouds, and a shadow passed across the moon.
Later that night, in their separate chambers, Aemond and Daeron each lay awake. One stared at the ceiling, firelight dancing across his jaw, still drunk on the power of Vhagar. The other looked out a window, eyes fixed on the night sky, dreaming of black wings and ancient fire.
Both could feel it. Something was building. Some reckoning, carried not by men or crowns but by dragons.
And one dragon had yet to choose.
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Hope you enjoyed, I'm on holiday so short chapters and longer wait time. Sorry