#and arrax is like two feet tall at all

[navree]

i can't be the only one who rolls my eyes when people post that shot of vhagar flying over arrax and go 'the most TERRIFYING shot in the show omg' like ???? big dragon is bigger than little dragon, news at eleven i guess? do you also get scared by scooby doo 2: monsters unleashed?

[thatlongspringnight]

Chapter 3: Felwood - The Stormlands Pt. 2

Summary: Lucerys learns more about the Lady Fell and her husband (and maybe does a bit of daydreaming about Rhaena), before being met by an unexpected relative to accompany him back to Dragonstone.

Ch. 1, Ch. 2, Ch. 3

After Arrax is situated, warm in a stable, even if a little cramped, Lucerys finds himself walking into the great hall of the small keep. His heart rate having calmed somewhat

“ -And do not forget your traitorous brother.” Comes a voice, a man, tall and lanky with a mop of dark hair. But when he sees him, he stops, turning to him. “Prince Lucerys.” He bows. “I’m Royce Darklyn, the Lady Fell’s husband.”

“Darklyn, you are of Duskendale?” Lucerys asks, thinking of the Crownlands, and the man nods. 

“The very same.” Royce is quick to nod. “Although my cousin Gunthor is the lord, I’m just a simple knight married to this firebrand.” He chuckles and Luke can feel a familiar flush on his cheeks. Especially at the way the man reaches to pull Lady Fell closer. 

He must love her, Lucerys thinks. 

Love - his mind drifts to thoughts of his mother and Daemon, then he thinks of Rhaena, wondering if she’d smile at him the same way the lady Alayne smiled towards her husband. 

“ - My house is sworn to your mother, too.” Royce’s voice brings him back to reality. How lucky he is, Luke thinks - to remember Felwood. Lucerys says a quick prayer of thanks to the father, to the mother above, for falling into such safe harbor. 

“Ah, my brother.” Alayne is frowning as she returns to the conversation they had been having before Luke walked in, even as she is dispatching a servant to fetch a meal, and dry clothes for the prince. “A member of the kingsguard - Willas, he’s a traitor.” Its venom, dripping from her tongue as she talks about the man. “He watched our mother lose her head and sent me a raven demanding I declare for the usurper, demanding I spit on the memory of our mother.”

Luke is at a loss for words, trying to grasp the unimaginable horror of seeing your mother killed and feeling nothing. He would have rather died at Storm’s End than live in a world without his mother in it. 

HIs mother - 

“Oh - perhaps, lady Fell, would you do me another kindness?” Luke asks.

“Anything.” The woman agrees. “Whatever you need, Prince Lucerys.” 

“I need to send a raven.” Back home, back to Dragonstone. To let his mother know he is alright. “To the Queen, to let her know I’ve found safety.”

“Aye.” The woman nods, and Royce speaks up again.

“D’you believe they’d have a dragon to spare?” He asks. “To escort you back.” And the way he says it makes it clear both he and his wife are worried - worried that Vhagar will be hunting, still, even come morning - or even after a day or so. “It wouldn’t hurt to ask, is all.” he tacks on, and Luke is grateful that he says it.

It makes him feel like less of a coward for having to ask. 

--------

“Dragon!” The yell of the guards is enough that Luke is on his feet, rushing out into the courtyard. Its been around two days since he landed here, since they’d sent a raven to his mother - to the Queen. 

Meaning - when he searches the skies he isn’t sure if he should meet enemy or ally - before he sees a familiar sight. 

“That’s Meleys!” He calls out. “That's Lady Rhaenys - My…My grandmother.” He corrects, yet again

“Stand down!” The Lady Fell calls out. “What would arrows do, anyway, lads - she’s an ally!And she’s one of our own, at that.” The men are quick to comply, none of them too keen on firing at a dragon, anyway - watching as the creature lands - taking up a good bit of the small courtyard. 

“The Red Queen.” Royce speaks, and Lucerys can hear the awe in his voice at the scarlet scaled beast. “By the Warrior look at her -” But even as the man speaks, Rhaenys is dismounting from the dragon, offering not a word until she’s pulled Luke into her arms.

And it is strange. He’s not sure if the woman has ever been this warm with him, clutching him tightly, in a hug he returns. 

“Thank the Gods you’re alive.” Rhaenys breathes, pulling away after a moment. “Your Raven came at the perfect time - I had seen - “ and she grits her teeth. “Awaiting your return, Vhagar was spotted in Shipbreaker bay…and then there was no sight of you.” 

The implication of that is clear, as is the look in her eyes, one of relief…and perhaps a guilt he doesn't know how to name. 

“The Prince is a smart one.” Lady Fell interrupts. “He avoided that beast and sought shelter here.” 

“Lady Fell.” Rhaenys nods as the woman bows. “We at Dragonstone have received word of what happened to your mother - my condolences.” “No need for apologies, Just be sure to slaughter the Usurper and his ilk in her memory.” Alayne says, although her eyes keep shifting back to stare at Meleys. “Closer to Gods than men.” She murmurs, shaking her head. “Lady Rhaenys - Borros Baratheon declared for the usurper.” She explains further.

“We are already gathering our levies.” Royce continues his wife’s words - the two of them seemingly seamless in their understanding of one another. “Its not much, but we will be at the ready when the Queen calls for us.” 

“Royce, your cousin Gunthor already aids our cause.” Rhaenys says. “As does Steffon - I believe our conflicts will be there first, the Crownlands.” 

“Still - “ And the Lady Fell seems determined. “We border the Wendwater, and the Kingswood. “We will post patrols, and fortify our outposts for the queen, although Borros the boar declared for the Usurper - many people here in the Stormlands support the true Queen, and you - Lady Rhaenys. We will do our best to drum up troops.” 

“You’d think a man with only daughters would support a Queen.” Royce adds, a bit dry as an aside. “I’ll write to my cousin, in the meantime, to see what our joint efforts can yield.” 

“We will inform the Queen of your loyalty.” Rhaenys says, smoothly. “With men like Borros in power, now more than ever our allies mean everything.”

“Will you be staying?” Royce asks. “We can house you, it is no issue.”

“I’m here for Lucerys.” Rhaenys says. “Then I must return to patrol, my husband masses a fleet to close off the Blackwater - so be smart about your rations.” The couple exchange a glance at that before nodding. “Lucerys - “

“I will go ready Arrax.” He is quick to nod, bowing towards Lord and Lady Fell. “Thank you for your kindness, it won’t soon be forgotten.”

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Much like how Alayne Fell is a character I've created, so too is Royce Darklyn, Although his cousin Gunthor is absolutely a character in the Dance - and an integral part of the beginning of the war, and Steffon Darklyn is a member of the Kingsguard who remained loyal to Rhaenyra.

In the next chapter Lucerys will make it home to Dragonstone (Thank the Seven) and will reunite with his mother and family.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this, and I hope my writing continues to please <3