The Dragonpit
This Dragonpit was nothing like the great domed structure raised upon Rhaenys's Hill in King's Landing. There was no towering stonework here, no grandeur meant to awe the crowds. It was closer to an overgrown cowshed, crude, functional, built for beasts rather than spectacle.
Vhagar's immense bulk filled the entrance entirely, her ancient body coiled like a living mountain. Each thunderous breath rattled the ground as she slept.
Sheepstealer lay nearby as well, fast asleep, but not within the pit. Instead, the wild dragon had claimed a place to Vhagar's left, content beneath her shadow.
Now that she slept here, Sheepstealer no longer feared outside threats. That damned black-scaled dragon did not even dare to approach this place.
Inside the pit, Sunfyre and Dreamfyre lay entwined, golden and pale blue scales pressed close in a rare moment of peace. Tessarion lingered nearby, and from time to time she would sneak forward to nip at Sunfyre's tail.
There was a reason she dared only that.
Sunfyre was the cleverest, and the gentlest, of them all.
Just as Aegon himself had always indulged Daeron, Sunfyre showed the same patient tolerance toward Tessarion.
Vhagar's temper was famously volatile, and Dreamfyre, long accustomed to the old she-dragon, was scarcely gentler. As for Sheepstealer… she was unfamiliar, unpredictable. Tessarion had no wish to provoke her.
Aegon began introducing them, one by one.
"The largest dragon outside is called Vhagar," he said calmly. "She is my brother Aemond's mount."
He gestured inward.
"The two dragons resting together inside belong to Helaena and me. The golden one is Sunfyre, my dragon. The pale blue is Dreamfyre, Helaena's."
Finally, he pointed toward the smaller blue dragon.
"And the one biting Sunfyre's tail when she thinks no one is watching, that is Tessarion. She belongs to my youngest brother, Daeron."
Skaði stood frozen, staring at the five dragons before her.
It was not that she had never seen dragons before. She had seen every one of them at some point.
But never like this.
Five colossal beings, coiled so close together, their bodies rising and falling like living hills. The sheer presence of them pressed down upon her senses until her legs trembled.
Vhagar most of all.
That dragon's vast frame radiated an overwhelming oppression, as though the air itself grew heavier in her presence.
Yet when Skaði thought of the rich food Aegon had given her, the warmth and care so unlike anything she had known before, she forced herself to steady her breath.
"May I… observe these true dragons more closely?" she asked, swallowing hard.
"Yes," Aegon replied. "Close observation will let you see more detail. Hugh, go and soothe Sheepstealer. Leave the rest to me."
Hugh nodded and moved off without hesitation.
Aegon, meanwhile, walked straight toward Vhagar.
The ancient dragon sensed his approach at once. Her cold eyes snapped open, sharp and dangerous, then paused when she recognized him.
"Vhagar," Aegon said softly. "Lykirī, īlva issa."
He stepped closer, extending his hand with deliberate care.
When Vhagar did not recoil, he slowly placed his palm against her massive snout.
Under her puzzled gaze, Aegon gestured for Skaði to approach.
As the woman drew nearer, confusion deepened in Vhagar's eyes.
"Let her see your strength," Aegon murmured. "No need for anger. Stay calm. Relax."
Skaði studied every detail, scale, scar, horn, her gaze unwavering despite the terror pounding in her chest.
After a moment, she nodded to Aegon.
He led her farther inside the pit. Behind them, Vhagar, utterly perplexedm lowered her head once more and returned to sleep.
Sunfyre, Dreamfyre, and Tessarion were far easier to handle.
"Sunfyre," Aegon called lightly, "come. Let someone admire your magnificent form."
Sunfyre lifted his head, clearly baffled.
Standing before his own dragon, Aegon felt utterly at ease. There was no need to soothe Sunfyre; if anything, it was Sunfyre who began studying Skaði with open curiosity.
"Sunfyre," Aegon said proudly, "the most magnificent dragon in all of Westeros, and indeed, the world."
He smiled as he spoke, pride and affection plain on his face.
At the praise, Sunfyre rose higher, stretching his long neck and lifting his chest, displaying every flawless line of his golden body.
Skaði had yet to react, but Dreamfyre had not.
The pale blue dragon rose and pressed herself against Sunfyre, rubbing against him like an oversized, possessive kitten.
Tessarion tried to follow, only to be driven back by Dreamfyre's low, warning growl.
Aegon turned back to Skaði.
"Four dragons," he said. "Four Valyrian steel bastard swords. If your work satisfies me, you will be rewarded generously."
"Please, Your… Highness," Skaði said hastily. "I am alive today because my craft has always satisfied my masters."
"Good. Then I look forward to it. Ask for whatever you need. I also have dragon bones... I want a batch of dragonbone bows forged."
"No problem," Skaði said, nodding at once.
Aegon hesitated, then added, "There is one more thing. Skaði, would you be willing to become a teacher?"
"A teacher?" She stared at him, startled, and immediately waved her hands. "No, no, I'm too foolish. How could I teach anyone?"
"You are not foolish," Aegon said gently. "Only slow to speak. I want you to train craftsmen for me, excellent ones."
Skaði hesitated.
She was used to obedience, not authority. Teaching others… could she truly do it?
Seeing her uncertainty, Aegon decided to offer something more than promises.
He stepped forward and took her hand, his voice earnest.
"I need you, Skaði."
"There is no one else who can replace you. I have searched, and there is no other. You are exceptional, unique. I truly need you."
Skaði froze.
She had never known what it felt like to be needed. Never known what it felt like to be praised.
Her former masters had called her a freak. They had whipped her, watched her, driven her to forge day and night.
Had it not been for the craft her father left her, she might have been beaten to death long ago.
When was the last time someone praised her?
Five years old? Six?
She could not remember.
She remembered only being called strange, except by her father, who once told her she was Skaði, and there was no one else like her.
Warmth filled her eyes. Tears spilled forth before she could stop them.
Aegon, watching her suddenly break down, froze.
Damn it, he thought. Why is she crying? Did I do something wrong?
Before he could react, Skaði surged forward and wrapped him in a fierce embrace, sobbing openly.
An overwhelming strength crushed against him.
Aegon's vision darkened. Air vanished from his lungs.
I'm going to die-!
In that instant, he entered his dragon-bonded state, commanding Sunfyre to act. Golden scales flared as the dragon extended the bone spurs of his forelimbs, carefully prying them apart.
Aegon collapsed to the ground, gasping desperately.
For a fleeting moment, he could have sworn he saw his great-grandmother Alysanne waving to him from beyond.
Skaði dropped to the ground as well, panic overtaking her.
"I-I'm sorry, Your Highness, I just… I just-"
Her tears fell unchecked, words failing her entirely.
Aegon raised a trembling hand.
"I'm fine," he managed. "Really. I'm fine."
After a moment, he forced himself upright and walked over to her, waving his hand.
"What are you still doing on the ground? Get up. I'm fine- are you all right?"
He could only sigh inwardly.
He had never imagined that his closest brush with death would come like this.
Careless... nearly hugged to death by a well-meaning, overly strong, foolish girl.
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A/N:
Read ahead on Patreon, 22 advance chapters available, with the first 2 free.
patreon.com/Captain_Lag
Also a little announcement- I just released a new fanfic, Dance of the Dragons: Reborn as Aegon the Dragonbane, So do check it out!
that's it I guess, happy reading!!