City of Valyria, The Council of the Freehold
Laenor had already seen the council of the Freehold with the aid of a dragonglass candle, and afterward Lady Rhaenys had shown it to them as well during their little tour of the city of Valyria. So it was not surprising to witness the sight of the dome structure made of black stone again, but what was surprising to him was how dragonhandlers were managing so many dragons, unfamiliar dragon Laenor might add, with such efficiency; this he had never seen before in his life.
Even Embaryx, who had never had too much exposure to their kind, went calmly as they led him toward the dragon caves that lay between the council hall and the great temple of Valyria. Laenor had to admit he was surprised by their skill.
"They are the best Valyria has to offer in the work they're doing."
The voice came from behind him. Laenor turned back to find Lord Maelor walking toward him, looking at the dragonhandlers before turning his gaze toward Laenor.
"Some of them are even members of the Forty Families. It is considered honorable and respectable to be counted among them, as they are the ones who keep the dragons calm while the Archons and Princes decide the next move of Valyria in that hall. Their guild was formed after too many violent fights broke out among the dragons while their riders were inside the council." Maelor added further, informing Laenor of one of the things that Lady Rhaenys had overlooked or forgotten to mention.
"I'll admit it is a demanding duty they are given. It comes as no surprise to me that it is a noble calling among the Forty to be counted among this dragon-handling guild of the council. I cannot imagine what it takes to develop the skill to lead unfamiliar dragons to the caves, and even more so to make sure no fights break out among these prideful and ferocious beasts we call our mounts," Laenor said, sending a last glance at the dragonhandlers and noting that there were women among them as well before turning toward Lord Maelor, who started walking beside him in the direction of Viserys, who was drinking in the sight of so many dragons with wide eyes.
"I don't know what is going on between my daughter and you currently, and I don't intend to pry it either. What I want to tell you is that Elaena is special and blessed by the Valyrian gods—not as much as you are, but enough to make her the most powerful Drakonar in the last three thousand years of my clan's history. Sending you a betrothal proposal between her and you is the hardest thing I have done in my decades as the head of the Drakonar clan, as giving away such a promising sorcerer of my bloodline, no less, to another—even though that other was you, as I said—was not easy. But I knew that if I had not sent that offer, she might somehow have run away and eloped with you. Daughter of mine she is, but Elaena has always prioritized power and has been attracted to it so much that I have never seen a person like her before."
Maelor stopped as they reached Viserys, who soon joined them in walking toward the Council.
There was a look that Maelor was giving him that Laenor was unable to decipher.
"Did you tell me all that to let me know that she is special and… unique?" Laenor asked with a raised eyebrow. "Because, as surprising as it may sound to you, I already knew that. I can sense magic in others."
Maelor's eyes widened slightly at that.
"To answer your question, yes and no. I—"
Before he could finish his reply, Laenor's father joined them with the calm and proud look that he always wore whenever he entered the Red Keep.
"I'm not late, am I?" his father asked when he found himself at the end of three gazes filled with different emotions.
"No, Lord Corlys. We have just arrived and are making our way to the Council," Lord Maelor replied. After Corlys's arrival, the head of the Drakonar clan chose to converse with him rather than Laenor, though not before sending Laenor a look that said they would continue their talk another day.
"So will it be you or me who informs Rhaenyra of this new… element in your lives?" Viserys asked, his voice emotionless as he neared Laenor.
Laenor sent a look toward the King of the Seven Kingdoms before turning his gaze to the gates of the council—dragons and sphinxes everywhere. Laenor shook his head. Don't get him wrong, it had been amazing for the first few days, but now he was slowly getting used to seeing dragons and all kinds of mythical beasts carved into the black walls of Valyria. And he was expecting something new on the gates of the Council that governs the Freehold.
"I'm not sure whether I want to add this new 'element' to our lives yet. But when I do, I will tell Rhaenyra and Laena myself," Laenor replied calmly, and he saw Viserys nod slowly.
Once they arrived, Laenor tilted his head up and got his first proper look at the meeting place of the dragonlords and freeholders of Valyria. The meeting place of the council that once decided the fate of half of Essos was before him, and it was every bit as majestic and grand—mixed with simplicity—as he had expected.
There were three stages forming a great circle filled with chairs made of exquisite wood and laden with soft cushions, gems, and gold that the world could offer. The number of chairs decreased with every circle below the one above it. The topmost circle had the most chairs, and if Laenor was right, that place at the top was meant for the dragonlords.
His doubts were confirmed when Lord Maelor made his way toward the stairs that led to the topmost circle, though not before gesturing for them to sit at the side, where a whole dais for seating had been made. Though it was the lowest place one could sit, so Laenor assumed this was where the audience would sit if there were any. Perhaps the Archons of the other Free Cities sat here too. It would not be amiss to say that the dragonlords would want those Archons to know their place before the Dragonlords and the council of Valyria.
Laenor, with a great sigh, made his way to the dais and took a seat there. There was no harm in sitting here before he eventually took his place at the top. Maelor had already informed him of the chair that the Zaldri clan owned in this council. And with the leave of his father, who had said that the lordship of Driftmark was enough for him and that Laenor could take this seat here, that chair made of black wood belonged to him.
With nothing to do, Laenor made himself comfortable as he watched the heads of dragonlord families and lord freeholders fill the hall and take their seats with the confident composure and arrogance one would expect from them, even though they were at their weakest right now.
Sitting in the lowest place in the entire hall, Laenor watched some of them send him disgruntled looks, while others openly threw him glances of disgust mixed with pity.
A recent memory passed through his mind at the thought of what he should do with them.
Flashback
Laenor was torn between feeling good and feeling disappointed about how he had let his lust—or, if he went by Elaena's words, dragon blood—get the better of him. Elaena, on the other hand, was on cloud nine as she leaned against his chest, placing her head under his chin and humming happily. No, they had not gone the full course, but by her reaction one would think they had.
"Do not act reserved and on the back foot before the council," Elaena said. He could feel her hot breath against his neck as she spoke. "I know you think before acting, but truth be told, you think too much. The world we live in is ruled by the strong, not the wise. I'm not saying there is harm in being wise and thinking things through before acting, but with such power in your hands, you should take control. Otherwise they will think you weak and cowardly and will try to control you instead. Valyria does not lack fools who will attempt exactly that. So it is better if you put them in their place before they think they have a chance to control you." Once again, Laenor was not sure before, but he could almost detect possessiveness in her voice when she said that.
"Just like how you thought I was a coward?" Laenor asked with a snort. He felt it—the slight flinch in her breathing when he said that.
"I was wrong. About you being a coward," Elaena said after a few moments. "I should have worded it better. I'm sorry." She apologized softly as her arms around him tightened. Laenor's gaze turned down toward her white-gold hair. It looked so silky and ethereal that he could not help but let his hand drift into it, his fingers brushing through the strands.
"Why do you always want me to be in control, to hold power, to stand in a place of authority?" Laenor asked curiously. "I can think of only one reason—you want me to be powerful so that you can control others and have some measure of power over them," Laenor said honestly. That was the only explanation he could think of for why she was so insistent that he take control.
Elaena abruptly stood up and looked at him with a mixture of emotions. Laenor did not like that expression at all. Why could he not understand this woman? Surely she did not want him to hold power without gaining something from it herself. He could expect such loyalty from his family, but not from Elaena.
"Why do you not trust me?" she asked, her voice trembling with restrained anger. "Why do you still think that I want to gain something from you other than standing by your side? I feel that urge too, Laenor—you know that. That is why I always gravitate toward you every time I see you. Yet somehow you always find the harshest thing to say to break my heart and create distance between us. Even this time, I'm certain that I would have to come to you again and not the other way around."
She took a shaky breath before continuing.
"But know this, Laenor Velaryon—even I have my limits. And when I finally let go of this hope of there being anything between us, that bond we share will be broken. And the emptiness that follows will never leave either of us for the rest of our lives. My life may be short—but knowing your kind, yours will not be."
With that said, she turned around, tears welling in her eyes before spilling freely as she stormed out of the room. The anger and hurt radiating from her were so palpable that Laenor could feel her emotions mixing with her magic. That was new. He had never seen a man or woman become so angry or hurt that their magic responded to their emotions like that.
But then again, he was talking about Elaena. So Laenor simply chalked it up as another trait of her Drakonar blood.
Once all those thoughts settled, however, Laenor Velaryon suddenly found himself bereft of the warmth that had enveloped him only moments ago. The chamber felt cold, empty, and strangely lonely—just as Elaena had said.
Laenor dragged his hands over his face and then through his hair in frustration.
Why did every encounter with this Drakonar woman leave him either sulking or reflecting on himself?
And for the gods' sake—what was this bond that seemed to be forming between them?
For the first time, Laenor wondered if there might actually be a downside to possessing such a strong dragonlord bloodline. Even her absence left something hollow behind, making him feel empty—and like a complete bastard for treating her that way.
Laenor turned his head to the side, glancing at the slave who had entered and now stood quietly before him, waiting.
"Master Maelor and your lord father are calling for you, Lord Laenor. It is time to depart for the Council meeting."
Flashback end
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