High Tide, Driftmark
Laenor stared at Veltharys in mild shock. Laena's dragon had always been the bulkier one of the two that hatched more than seven years ago—but he hadn't expected Veltharys to look so intimidating. She hadn't outgrown Embaryx, not yet, but her massive frame made her appear larger and more dangerous. Still, Laenor was sure her size came at the cost of speed. Compared to Embaryx's sleek and agile form, Veltharys would be slower in flight.
But it wasn't only Veltharys's growth that astonished him—it was Meleys that truly left his jaw slack. His mother's dragon had grown to rival, no, not rival but surpass, Dreamfyre in size.
And how did Laenor know Dreamfyre's size despite never having laid eyes on Rhaena Targaryen's blue dragon? Courtesy of Daemon Targaryen.
Daemon had seen all the dragons of House Targaryen, and during Embaryx's rapid growth, he would grumble often—comparing Embaryx's size to that of the Targaryen dragons. When Embaryx reached the size Dreamfyre had been for decades, Daemon had remarked that Laenor's dragon had already outpaced her. That comment alone told Laenor all he needed to gauge Meleys' current size.
Though that did not make Meleys larger than Veltharys and Embaryx—dragons decades her junior—even though she had grown mighty. Because both of the siblings' dragons had reached a size comparable to Silverwing, the she-dragon of Good Queen Alysanne. Daemon and Laenor's mother had both confirmed it. In another year or two, they'd likely match Vhagar or may surpass and reach the size of the Black Dread.
"Isn't Veltharys the prettiest?" Laena gushed, stroking her dragon's amethyst-scaled side lovingly. "And with Embaryx beside her, she shines even more—especially with his bleak, boring color." Laena laughed, and Veltharys joined her, releasing hot puffs of smoke and making odd, chuffing noises that—Laenor was quite sure—amounted to dragon laughter.
He didn't take offense. She was right. Veltharys was radiant with her shimmering, violet scales and the various hues that danced across her wing membranes. A magnificent dragon.
Embaryx, however, did take offense. The proud drake growled at Veltharys, then jabbed his snout toward Laena and turned his eyes on Laenor—clearly demanding, "You tell her I'm handsome too."
Laenor sighed and reached up to scratch under Embaryx's jaw. "No need to get worked up, Embaryx. So what if Veltharys has pretty scales? Dragons aren't meant to be pretty—they're meant to be ferocious. And you, my boy, are the most dangerous dragon alive. I'm sure of it."
Embaryx preened at that, spreading his forelimbs and puffing up as if showing off. Laenor chuckled and continued stroking his side.
Veltharys snorted dismissively and nuzzled against Laena, demanding more affection. Meanwhile, Meleys watched the whole interaction with a quiet stillness. Unlike the keen, expressive eyes of Veltharys and Embaryx, Laenor didn't see that same spark of intellect in the Red Queen's gaze. It wasn't that Meleys was dull—not at all—but these two… they were something else. Sharper. Brighter. More aware and intelligent than Meleys or any Targaryen dragons could ever be.
And Laenor intended to keep it that way. No dragon of House Targaryen—or any other—would surpass them in mind or might.
"So," Laenor said, eyes still on Meleys, "do you know what caused her sudden growth? I think only our dragons are special."
Laena, brushing her fingers over the ridged fins near Veltharys's spine—fins that reminded Laenor of Drogon's design in the Game of Thrones show—answered without looking up. In fact, Laenor could even say Veltharys looks quite the same like Drogon in the show, with horns larger and curved than the Black Dread reborn had in the show.
"She's been around Veltharys."
"What?" Laenor blinked.
"Mother and I think that Meleys's proximity to Veltharys is accelerating her growth. Not at the same rate, of course, but faster than before."
Laenor's mind reeled at the possibility. If Meleys had been influenced just by Veltharys… what would happen now that Embaryx was here too? That was the first thought came to his mind after hearing Laena.
But soon his mind calmed down from all the possible ways that these abilities of their dragon could benefit them, and Laenor decided that it was both a problem and a blessing for them.
A great blessing.
If true, which it should be because Laenor's mother is the smartest woman he has known in his life, which meant House Velaryon would soon possess the largest dragons in the known world. Three in number, few compare to Targaryen, yes—but each a titanic force. And Laenor, who understood all too well what a dragon the size of Vhagar could do, couldn't help but feel a jolt of pure, almost childish elation.
They were becoming unstoppable.
Now, it could also become problematic for House Velaryon. How so?
If Laena agreed to marry Daemon, House Targaryen would inevitably find out—and they would exploit Velaryon's unique dragon-related abilities to their fullest, especially given their superior numbers in dragons. Not to mention, a union between Laena and Daemon would also give the Targaryens access to dragon eggs from Veltharys's clutch. That was a dangerous prospect.
Should I tell Father? Laenor debated internally.
But after a moment's thought, he decided against it. If he told Corlys, his father would most certainly act, and Laena would be married off to one of their Velaryon cousins—perhaps a prudent choice, but likely one chosen to ensure that the dragons with such rare gifts remained solely within their bloodline.
Laenor wouldn't mind if Laena married within the family, but what he wanted more was for his sister to choose her own husband.
He glanced toward Laena, who was softly humming to herself as she lovingly stroked Veltharys's scaled hide. The great she-dragon rumbled in contentment beneath her rider's touch.
Laenor hadn't noticed the day before, having been tired from his journey, but now, in the light of day, it was impossible not to see—his sister had grown into a truly beautiful woman. Laena caught him staring, their eyes met briefly, and she smirked before turning away.
Laenor cleared his throat and shook himself out of his wandering thoughts.
"What about our dragon's other ability—to make plants grow and lands fertile?" he asked, shifting topics. "Did you and Mother put it to good use?"
"Aye, we did," Laena replied, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Mother's garden is filled with flowers and plants she had bought from merchants from every corner of the known world. Didn't you see the forest growing behind the keep? That was Veltharys's doing. And guess what kind of trees we planted?" She grinned mischievously.
"I haven't gone to that part since arriving," Laenor admitted with a shrug. "Coming in from the sea, I didn't get an aerial view either. So I've no idea."
"Goldenheart and weirwood trees," Laena beamed proudly. "All of them."
"What?" Laenor blinked in disbelief. "Goldenheart—as in, the same tree the Summer Islanders use for their famed bows?"
Laena nodded eagerly.
"But the Summer Islanders stopped exporting Goldenheart long ago! And how did you even get the seeds?"
"We didn't. The Sealord of Braavos did," Laena said with a smirk. "He's still corresponding with Mother, trying to revive the betrothal deal." She rolled her eyes. "As if I'd ever marry his witless, arrogant son. Anyway, Mother asked if he had any seeds from the black-barked tree the warlocks of Qarth are rumored to use for their magic. He didn't—but he did send many others from his private collection. One of them turned out to be Goldenheart."
Laenor snorted. He remembered the Sealord's son well. When Laenor was younger, the boy had arrived here on Driftmark to visit Laena and Laenor's parents; he had seemed shy and reserved at first, but it hadn't taken long for his arrogant, pompous nature to surface. Laenor had reported everything to Corlys shortly after.
"And the weirwood trees?" Laenor asked. "Did they grow without… blood sacrifice?"
"Aye. It seems Veltharys's magic alone was enough," Laena replied cheerfully. "Soon, we'll have a grove of weirwood and goldenheart trees circling High Tide."
Laenor made a mental note to fly over and see this forest himself. It was remarkable—and concerning.
Even then, he could not wait to see them. Laena had practically dragged him out here after breakfast, demanding they fly together. And now, with Embaryx rested and eager, Laenor had agreed.
He could see his dragon was excited too—snorting and shifting restlessly beside Veltharys, clearly happy to spread his wings together with his clutch mate in the skies.
"Laena," Laenor said with a grin, "shall we see this wondrous grove from above?"
Laena returned his grin with a blinding smile.
And without another word, the unspoken race to see who would mount their saddle first began.
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