Chapter 199: Alicent’s New Allies |
As Dreamfyre watched, the Cannibal slowly climbed into the Dragonpit. The Dragonkeepers rushed to calm the nervous Dreamfyre, knowing the Cannibal's unpredictable nature.
Helaena turned to look at the imposing black dragon and her eyes lit up as she saw the handsome young man on its back. With a joyful shout, she called out, "Brother!"
Rhaegar had already spotted Helaena’s tiny figure. Dismounting from the Cannibal, he approached her with a smile.
"Brother, you’re back!" Helaena ran up to him, wrapping her arms around his waist.
"I had some things to take care of, so I came back temporarily," Rhaegar said, patting her head affectionately.
Helaena, always diligent and determined, spent countless hours in the Dragonpit with Dreamfyre, dreaming of the day she could ride her dragon.
"How long will you be here this time?" she asked, her eyes full of hope.
"I’m not sure, but I should be able to stay for a few more days," Rhaegar replied thoughtfully, bending down to pick her up.
Helaena beamed and nestled her small body against his, delighted by his presence.
The Cannibal shook its massive frame, and an iron cage covered with a black cloth fell to the ground. Rhaegar caught it effortlessly with one hand.
Helaena's eyes widened with curiosity. "Brother, what’s in the cage?"
"It’s not a bug, if that’s what you’re worried about," Rhaegar teased.
"I’m with Dreamfyre every day now. I don’t play with bugs anymore," Helaena replied, a little exasperated.
Since Rhaegar had scolded Aegon the last time, Helaena had focused her energy on taming Dreamfyre, abandoning her previous interest in bugs.
Rhaegar chuckled and unveiled the black cloth.
"Roar..." A young dragon with bright silver scales curled up inside the iron cage, roaring at the outside world.
"It’s a dragon!" Helaena exclaimed in surprise.
Rhaegar grinned proudly. "A new hatchling from Dragonstone Island. I named it Stormcloud. It will stay in the Dragonpit from now on."
"Can Aemond tame it?" Helaena immediately thought of her younger brother, who often watched her and Daeron with their dragons, yearning for one of his own.
"He can give it a try," Rhaegar suggested.
"Oh, brother, you’re the best!" Helaena cheered, planting a kiss on Rhaegar’s cheek.
Rhaegar wiped his cheek with mock annoyance and called over a Dragonkeeper. "Watch over the young dragon. Its name is Stormcloud."
"Yes, Prince," the Dragonkeeper replied, lifting the iron cage and carrying the alert young dragon away.
With Helaena still in his arms, Rhaegar returned to the Red Keep.
...
Rhaegar returned to the Red Keep by carriage. When they arrived, Helena followed the caretaker to her room, and the two siblings separated.
Rhaegar went to his bedroom and called for hot water to be prepared for a bath. All dragons had a sulfurous smell, and the riders picked it up as well.
As he soaked in the hot water, there was a knock at the door.
"Knock, knock..."
Rhaegar, fully immersed in the steaming water, asked lazily, "Who is it?"
"It's me, Prince," came Erryk's voice.
Rhaegar opened his eyes and recognized the voice. Erryk had been charged with protecting Jeyne and opening the Vale's trade routes. It had been a while since Rhaegar had heard from him, indicating that he must have returned to King's Landing with Jeyne.
"Come in, Ser," Rhaegar said.
The door creaked open and Erryk, dressed in silver armor and white robes, stepped inside. "Prince, the king is giving a banquet for Lady Jeyne and has summoned you."
"I see," Rhaegar replied. Then he asked, "How is the Mushroom Set Caravan? Is the Vale matter settled?"
"Tormund has successfully established the Mushroom Set Caravan in the Vale with Lady Jeyne's assistance," Erryk reported, admiration in his eyes. "Lady Jeyne has rallied many nobles who suffered during the Black Wedding, and the Vale is now stable."
"How is Lord Yorbert?" Rhaegar inquired, thinking of Lord Protector of the Vale he had yet to meet.
"Lord Yorbert is still recovering from his injuries. Lady Jeyne has persuaded him to stay and assist with the administration in the Eyrie," Erryk explained.
Rhaegar nodded, satisfied. He had expected Yorbert to return home eventually, especially since Jeyne was reclaiming her authority, making the regent's role redundant.
Seeing no further questions, Erryk prepared to leave. However, Rhaegar remembered another matter and asked, "Did you bring that giant descendant back to King's Landing?"
"Yes, his name is Porus. He has been very obedient since his capture and is now in the Red Keep," Erryk replied.
Porus, the half-giant, was a wildling discovered as part of the Mountain Clans' rebellion. Unlike the three-meter-tall half-giant Rhaegar had previously killed, Porus was smarter and had surrendered. King Viserys, impressed by his size, kept him in the Red Keep as a kind of living spectacle and uncredited vassal.
...
The banquet hall buzzed with anticipation as tables laden with food awaited the start of the feast.
Seated on the main throne, Viserys observed the courtiers' lively performances.
Meanwhile, in the back garden, two elegant women sat beneath a canopy of fish motifs.
Alicent, clad in a green dress, held a book in her hand, while Jeyne, in a sleek black dress, addressed her gently.
"Your Grace, I've prepared some delicacies from the Vale. I hope you'll enjoy them," Jeyne offered.
Alicent graciously replied, "Thank you, Jeyne."
The two were old friends, bonded by their connection to Rhaenyra, who served as a link between them. Despite their age difference—Jeyne being three years older than Rhaenyra and Alicent eight years— they often corresponded as pen pals.
However, their relationship soured after Alicent became the Queen, leading to a rift in communication.
Jeyne's unexpected visit to King's Landing prompted Alicent's curiosity. "Jeyne, what brings you here?" she inquired, dispelling formalities.
Jeyne hesitated momentarily before gesturing to the book in her hand. "Ten Thousand Ships—I recall it's Rhaenyra's favorite," she said.
The book chronicled the journey of the Rhoynar warrior queen, Nymeria, who led her people westward to evade the Valyrian Empire's invasion. Nymeria, as a prominent figure, also married into House Martell and played a crucial role in unifying Dorne.
Rhaenyra idolized Nymeria, finding inspiration in her story.
"Yes, Nymeria's tale has always resonated with me," Alicent acknowledged, though her smile held a hint of worry as she attempted to hide the book.
"Is there a page that is torn out?" But Jeyne was quicker, noticing a torn page.