Daeron POV
Before sunrise, I stretched across Vezdaryon's broad neck, his warm scales rest beneath my hand. I breathed in the smell of ancient stone, salt, and smoke, and let my heart steady.
We had flown for hours across the Narrow Sea, with only the wind and his steady wingbeats for company. Though the journey was rough, I never felt fear. I felt… calm. Holding on, I closed my eyes and trusted his flight.
As dawn broke, King's Landing came into view rooftops glimmering with wet tile, walls looming like silent sentinels, and the Red Keep's towers reaching into morning haze.
"Let's surprise them," I whispered.
He responded with a low growl and angled his wings. We dipped below the highest ramparts, coasting over merchant stalls and taverns still asleep. Only the glow of torches and a few startled watchers marked our passage.
Then, with a gentle swoop, we landed in the unplanted courtyard just outside the Red Keep, where hedges formed neat walls. The ground shook slightly when his claws touched stone, but otherwise, the morning was still it was me who filled the quiet with my pounding heart.
Guards came running, swords drawn and breaths held. They nearly gasped, then froze. I slipped down the dragon's flank and stood, cloak soaked with night air, hands slightly shaking.
Behind me, walks appeared Viserys, leaning on a cane, Alicent, pale and shocked, Aegon, eyes wide, Aemond, hardened by ambition, stepping forward carefully cold light flashed in his eyes and Otto Hightower stood beside the king his face blank a yet a flicker of awe came across his face when he looked at the dragon.
They all expected tragedy at my absence and yet Daeron.
Viserys's lips twitched into a smile gentle, tired, knowing.
"Daeron," he said softly, voice carrying across the courtyard. "And you…"
He looked at Vezdaryon, perched nearby, wings half-open, smoke drifting from nostrils like prayer.
"What a wonderful surprise, thank the seven that your safe."
In that moment, everything shifted. The surprise softened into quiet wonder.
Aegon stepped forward, face cautious.
"Brother… what, why? Why didn't you tell anyone? And the think you came back with him?"
I looked at him and offered a quiet smile.
"Because I felt force dragging me back to him ," I said gently. "He carried me. He trusted me."
Viserys laid a hand on my shoulder.
" That says more than words, my boy" the king added. "A bond born without a previous meeting is rare & precious."
Aemond stood back. His single eye studied the dragon a cold fury, yet the ambitious spark.
"He flies well," Aemond replied, voice low. "He trusts you?"
I nodded, seeing the cold flash in Aemond's expression. But not to make anything worse it smile and nodded.
Aicent approached last, eyes softened with concern.
"Such an unexpected gift," she murmured.
"He is…" I paused. "He's actually kind and gentle, but the scares tell another side."
She knelt down and hugged my
"You're home, now," she said
Vezdaryon watch from the side his cold eyes looking at everything, Daeron is different from his family, I need to protect him in the coming war.
I will kill any dragon that will challenge me.
Viserys gestured to the open sky.
"Dragons can shape kingdoms," he said. "And so can the men who ride them."
I spoke for the first time with determination.
"I want to serve you, Father. Not to prove power… but to guide it. With him."
Silence followed mostly from astonishment.
Aegon's gaze slipped to Vezdaryon, then back to me.
"If you hold the dragon's trust… any man who envies will count you as threat."
Viserys nodded.
"Yes. But dragons together and flies as one… that is the greatest strength of all"
Next day
The morning sun broke fully, flooding the courtyard in gold. Guards lowered their weapons. The court parted to let us pass.
As we walked toward the Red Keep, I realised, nothing would ever be the same. Not for me. Not for my dragon. Not for this kingdom.
We would change it together. With kindness. With humility. With fire that chose its path.
And I hoped for the first time that the giants beneath our wings would not be tools. But partners.
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