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Published:2022-11-20Updated:2024-09-01Words:328,865Chapters:61/?Comments:5,091Kudos:6,170Bookmarks:2,718Hits:367,838
(Restricted) A Stranger in a Strange Land
A_Strange_Twist_of_Fate
Chapter 5: A Witch in King Viserys' Court
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Corlys #2
They set out the next day, and Hariel traveled on the Sea Snake with Corlys instead of on her dragon. Corlys had thought it strange at first -- he knew no dragonrider that would choose boat, or horse, or anything else over riding their dragon but Hariel had shown them the eggs she carried in the small, incredibly thin trunk in her arms and it made sense. Three eggs, perfectly beautiful, all bathing in a pale orange fire that Hariel promised him would not leave the trunk, could not leave the trunk.
"It is fire made by mother, for baby dragons to help them grow in shell. I enchant the case to make sure it does not leave." Hariel had promised him as she shut the case and hugged it back to her.
That they fit in the incredibly small trunk that Hariel carried in one hand was remarkable. It could not be the width of Corly's hand, and yet all three dragon eggs fit perfectly. The woman had even opened and closed it a few times so that they might see the top closing in on the eggs, and opened it again to see them perfectly whole and Corlys still found it difficult to believe.
It taught him two things: that the secret, or part of it, to hatching dragons was this 'mother fire' that the eggs sat in, and that Hariel's magic could make something large fit in something small.
Hariel had given him and his lady wife a glimpse of the eggs before she set foot on the Sea Snake, and they had been gorgeous. More similar in appearance to what Corlys had seen before, which had surprised him as Artemis was a dragon like none he'd ever seen. He had expected some difference, and yet the scales of the eggs, the size of the eggs -- they'd all been similar to what he'd seen before.
If their journey home was as swift as it was to arrive at Valyria, they'd be home in a little less than three months. It was fortunate, than, that Lady Hariel had decided to go by ship because it gave him more time to assess her, to get to know her. She did not get seasick, exactly, as she did not get as sick as one would expect for traveling on a ship for the first time. Only some light nausea that she took some sort of herb to calm.
Vaemond did not like how she was not deferential to them, that she did not know to curtsey to him or Princess Rhaenys. He held his tongue, though, for which Corlys was glad. He'd already had a lengthy discussion with his brother about how to treat the Lady Hariel to not alienate or anger her. While she seemed to need them in some way -- she had agreed to come with them, after all -- they also needed her, her magic, and her dragonspeech.
She'd given them much to think about with the little she had told them of her land. A Queen, with no King. Hariel, a woman, able to go to school and then to become a Maester. No real Lords or Ladies of her land, at least that is what Corlys understood. No, he did not think that she would take well to being treated poorly because of her sex or her station.
She may not be of a powerful House, or possess lands -- but she possessed magic, and if King Viserys would not grant her the title Lady because of that Corlys would be surprised. It was why he'd decided to go ahead and start calling her Lady, even if his brother disapproved.
The trip went smoothly. There had been a few ships that had attempted to get close to them, yet Artemis and Meleys had only needed to pass by them before they left them alone.
The only mishap had been the hatching of the eggs. It had added an extra week to their trip, at least, as Hariel insisted that they needed to eat multiple times a day and she needed to stop long enough to get meat for them. They needed more than fish -- red meat was what was best for them, and she had been able to store so much in a leather bag she kept on her side that it had once again startled Corlys. He knew that Hariel possessed magic, had seen that magic make the small trunk she carried able to carry the dragon eggs. Yet he found that it was still a difficult concept to grasp, when he looked at the bag and the trunk, that something so much larger could fit in something so small.
Lady Hariel kept the dragon shells in the case after they'd hatched, and tucked the case away into a pocket on her robes.
While they traveled, he taught Hariel Common, High Valryian, and very basic manners and courtesies as they sailed. If he knew King Viseyrs -- and he felt he did know his wife's cousin, and his King, very well -- he would like to meet this woman immediately, so she would need to know how to act.
So when he could not he had his nephew, Daemion, teach her in his stead. Vaemond would have been a good option, for his High Velarion was strong, yet he had decided to remain away from the sorceress to hide the displeasure he was not permitted to speak. When they docked at night Hariel, in turn, taught his lady wife dragonspeech.
By the time they docked back in Driftwood, Lady Hariel's High Valryian was a bit smoother and she struggled less with remembering words, although her Common left a lot to be desired.
Dragonspeech, from the complaints he'd heard from his wife, was not so much difficult as it was nearly impossible. She was learning -- but slowly. The subtle differences and pitches in tone meant everything in the language, Hariel had informed them, and there were simply words that did not exist in the dragon language. Still, frustrated or not, Rhaenys could now understand some of the words said by Meleys and, in turn, repeat a few back. Her favorite word, it would seem, was 'sleep', much to his wife's fond exasperation.
"That is Driftmark, then?" Hariel leaned against the side of the ship as Driftmark appeared, one hand coming to cup over her squinted eyes.
"Yes, and that, the pale castle -- that is High Tide, my Lord Uncle's castle. It is truly splendid to look upon. The silver on the tops of the towers shine brilliantly in the light, my Lady." Daemion said, his arm outstretched to single out High Tide amongst the rest.
It was becoming dark when they arrived. Hariel had been adamant that Artemis would not be chained in the night, that she would not leave the volcanic caves where the other dragons lay, and had been upset that Meleys would be. Corlys had been uncertain about letting Meleys remain unbound -- they did not need another Sheepstealer --- but as Hariel could speak to Meleys it was not a concern that lingered. Between that and the bond that his wife shared with the Red Queen made Corlys confident enough to allow it.
Corlys expected that his wife would want her luxuries returned -- a bath, some wine, and a light dinner. Hariel was not hungry when they arrived, only tired, and so she was shown to her room soon after arrival. The meal celebrating their return could happen in the morning, perhaps even supper instead, depending on the reply King Viserys sent and he was content to wait.
-
Viserys #1
-
Breakfast forgotten, Viserys leaned back heavily into his chair and stared at the letter.
A witch. A sorceress. A dragonspeaker, from the lands of Old Valyria, who had sailed back with his cousin Rhaenys and her husband and desired to meet him.
He could hardly contain his joy. He had been feeling ill as of late, although the birth of his third grandchild by his sweet daughter not but one week ago had revived him plenty. But this -- magic, returned to the world, returned to Valyria. It sparked so much joy in him that he felt, almost, as if he were a young boy again.
"Get the ships ready, I would be at Driftmark today." He ordered his men, eyes not moving from the letter in his hands. He found his eyes darting back to the beginning, that he could re-read every word again and again.
"Husband?" Alicent called, although Viserys could not pull himself away from the letter to answer. By the Seven, this was a blessing he had only dreamed of.
"Father?" Rhaenyra's sweet voice called, and Viserys looked up from the letter to glance at her across the dining table. It was such a delight to have breakfast with his whole family -- only Daemon was missing, now. "What's going on?"
He found the eyes of his wife, daughter, and son in law on him and smiled grandly. Oh, would they not be as delighted as him to hear this news?
"I have splendid news, Rhaenyra. My cousin Rhaenys and her husband have returned from their journey to Old Valyria." He said, and noticed the sag in young Laenor's shoulders at the news of his parents safe return. "And not only are they safe and well -- they have brought back with them a dragon, three dragon hatchlings, and a sorceress of Old Valyria!"
"A sorceress of Old Valyria?" Alicent asked, slowly and carefully. She bit her lip, and looked as if she wanted to pick at her nails for a moment. It was a habit of her youth that she'd been incredibly slow to break, that Viserys had thought gone. "That is what it says in the letter?"
"So my Uncle's rumors about the dragonrider were true, then? I had thought he had made them up." Laenor said, frowning. "A sorceress?"
"Yes! Is it not a delight? Your mother says she witnessed the magic with her very own eyes, that this sorceress -- Lady Hariel, she is called -- has been teaching your mother dragonspeech the entire ride back."
"She can speak with dragons?" Aemond, his second eldest son, nearly leapt up out of his chair. The only thing keeping him down was his Queen Mother. "She has dragon hatchlings, and a dragon - and can speak with dragons! Mayhaps I can claim one of the dragons. When are we going? Now?"
The excitement in his son's voice made Viserys chuckle, and he wished that he had his arm back that he could reach over and ruffle the young lad's hair. He had not realized that his son carried so much love for dragons, although now that he was thinking of it -- it was true that the young boy had not claimed a dragon yet. Viserys could not recall if his youngest son, Daeron,, had one yet, either.
"They will be coming to us, Aemond." Alicent said, her arm around her son's shoulders as she brought him back to the table. Her eyes glanced in his direction for a brief moment. "Your sister has just given birth, your father is still not feeling well, and young Joffery is too young to travel."
There was something in her voice that Viserys did not entirely like. Yes, he knew that it would be more proper for them to come to him -- he was King, after all, and he'd already gone to beg for the hand of their son for his daughter years ago. But this was different. They had returned from an incredibly long journey, from Old Valyria, and brought splendid gifts in return -- magic! It would not be a disgrace to go to them, not when they have so much waiting for him in their home.
Yet, he was not willing to argue with his Queen. He was, indeed, very tired and the pain in his wounds did nothing but weigh him down.
And it was true that his sweet daughter was still recovering from the birth of her youngest son.
That was what swayed the decision for him the most. He did not like the idea of his Rhaenyra riding Syrax, still bleeding, or riding on the ship seasick and aching. Not when she'd already pained herself enough bringing his sweet grandson to him, that Viserys may see him all the quicker. She hadn't needed to do that, to struggle after her labors and she had. Viserys could, then, keep her in mind despite his earnest delight at the idea of magic returning.
He leaned back into his chair, heavily, and sighed. "Yes, inform Lyonel that I wish him to write up the letter immediately. Tell my cousin she is to bring this sorceress to court as soon as she receives this letter, that I will be eagerly awaiting her in the throne room."
"May I see this letter, father?" Rhaenyra leaned forward in her seat.
She glanced over the letter a few times before she spoke again. "It says here that this dragonrider, this Lady Hariel, is from a queer land with queer customs and that she is still learning our ways. She speaks High Valyrian fairly well, but has only started to learn the Common tongue. It also says that Lord Corlys and Princess Rhaenys have taken her as ward, and request leniency as she learns court customs."
"They have just arrived in Driftmark, husband. Perhaps it is best that this girl learns before we meet her." Alicent said, and Viserys could not understand why she was not more pleased at this information.
Had he not spoken to her, often, of Old Valyria and her magics, long forgotten? That he wished, more than anything, that he could just see the magic? How did she not understand that Viserys could not wait? Yet she looked unhappy at this news, and it irritated him so that his Queen could not see this as the miracle that it was. Oh, but she always worried so much!
"She does not wait, she sailed across the stars to be here." Helaena said, and Viserys turned to her in surprise. Yes, they all were here -- he had forgotten that for a moment, that Helaena and Aegon were here, also.
"She sailed across the sea, not the stars." Aegon rolled his eyes and tried to reach for his sister's wine cup while it remained unguarded. Alicent, ever watchful, gave him a stern look in return and Aegon pulled his hand back with another roll of his eyes.
"We will not wait. They ask for leniency for their ward, who is new to our land -- we will give it to them, gladly. Were we not once new to this land, too?" Viserys drummed his good fingers against the table, and turned his stern gaze to his wife. "No, I will have them arrive here today."
"Good, good! I am done eating, Father, may I return to my room? I want to get ready." Aemond asked, and he was already out of his seat as Viserys accepted his request.
"He did not even finish eating. That boy, dragons on the mind at all times!" Alicent complained, then sighed.
His cousin did not disappoint him. By high noon Viserys spotted the Sea Snake from the window he'd been keeping watch at. Not long after his cousin and her husband were being announced at court, as he sat the throne.
He sat up a little straighter when the young witch appeared. She was young, with vibrant green eyes and black hair pulled up into an elaborate braid. She wore the traditional colors of House Velaryon -- a seagreen dress with silver trimmings that made the green in her eyes spark ever brighter.
"Lady Hariel Potter, Ward of Lord Corlys and Princess Rhaenys." The crier called, as she curtsied to him -- it was a bit clumsy, but Viserys found that he did not care.
"Cousin, it is good to see you!" Viserys declared, one arm spreading out wide although his eyes never left the sorceress in front of him. "I have heard your grand news. You have brought old magic back with you."
Rhaenys tilted her head and smiled. After the proper introductions and politeness, she remained just at the elbow of the sorceress, as Corlys remained on the other side.
"That is true, my King. Lady Hariel has traveled across lands to be here, and she brings gifts for you."
Hariel's eyes turned back to gaze at Rhaenys for a moment before she took a step forward. She held, in her hands, a small black leather pouch.
"Thank you for your patience with me, your Grace. I am still learning Common, and I am trying to get better at High Valyrian. I have heard of your ill health and have brought healing potions from my home."
She pulled out a small tub of ointment from the bag first. "This is healing ointment, made from the essence of dittany. I have also brought dittany plants with, so that you may grow some on your land. I have also brought blood replenishing potion, it is red. It will replenish much blood that is lost from injury, and potion to cure headaches, which is the yellow one."
She bowed her head as his Hand, Lyonel Strong, stepped forward to receive the gifts. Potions -- Blood Replenishing Potion! If only he had that when Aemma was giving birth, if only….
"I also bring one other gift, your Grace." Hariel said. She brought out a stick from the sleeve of her dress and pointed it at the floor of her feet.
His Kingsguard tensed, and Viserys struggled to hold his hand up in irritation to make sure that they did not move against the sorceress. Did they think she was stupid enough to attack the King on the Iron Throne? Did they think his cousin and her husband stupid enough to brazenly attack like this? No. He would see what she had brought with her, and he would see it without his Guard acting like fools.
With a word that he did not truly understand, flowers bloomed all at her feet. Roses red and plump, daisies yellow as the sun, lavender that smelled so sweet he could smell it from where he sat. She plucked a flower from the grounded, a yellow daisy, and threw it up into the air and then quickly pointed the stick at it, and with another word the daisy transformed, changed into a yellow bird that flew high, high into the air and sang a trilling, high-pitched song as it did.
"I bring you magic."
Viserys leaned, heavily, against his thigh as he watched that bird flew circles in the air and then settled up at the top, near the ceiling. It tweeted as it did, high and alive and real. His gaze turned back to the sorceress and he could not stop the smile that bloomed across his face.
"Welcome to the court, Lady Hariel. We are delighted to have you."
He wanted these introductions to be over with, wanted to settle into his apartments with his cousin and this sorceress that he may speak to her without the court bearing down all around them. Now that the proper introductions had been down, and Lady Hariel had been introduced to court, it could happen now. He brushed aside his Hand and Master of Whispers as they tried to initiate a meeting of the Council. No, he did not need that.
His daughter, Rhaenyra, was the first to meet him at his apartments. Viserys took her hand in his one good hand and smiled.
"Did you see that, daughter? Magic, returned from the grave, returned from Old Valyria!" He could not believe it himself.
He had been slightly irritated when Alicent had the flowers removed from the Great Hall, to be placed in the Royal Gardens -- he had wanted to gaze at them when he sat on the throne, and the smell was so pleasant. Bright, sweet, floral -- it cut through all other unpleasant smells. But she had been right. The Great Hall, in front of the Iron Throne, was no place for flowers.
"I can scarcely believe it." Rhaenyra said, and her hand squeezed his. Her gaze was steady as she said. "Have you tried these healing potions yet?"
"I do not think it wise to just take anything a stranger gives." Alicent said, tightly, from her seat. She glowered at the two of them. "Lord Corlys and Princess Rhaenys have only known this…sorceress for a few months. What if she means you harm, husband?"
"I find that I must agree with the Queen, Father. Magic or not, we do not know this sorceress. Rhaenyra said, and Viserys pulled his hand out of hers angrily.
The smile that Alicent gave to his daughter, tentative as it might have been, did not calm that anger but roused it, like oil on a fire.
"My dear cousin, your mother in law, who has never been but loyal to the throne and this family has declared this girl her ward and you question her loyalty? And after she has brought such gifts." Viserys half expected it from his Queen, but his daughter? It stung. Why were they so blind?
"Please, husband, we are not saying to turn her away but we do not know her or her land --" Alicent started.
"She is of our blood! She is of our land!" Viserys nearly shouted, and Alicent closed her eyes and turned away.
Rhaenyra's hand weighed heavily on his shoulder. "Father, this return of magic to the lands is a delight I share with you. That this woman can speak with dragons is a treasure I wish to learn. And yet, all we ask is that you take some time so that we may know this woman and her intentions." His daughter said, and Viserys felt himself calm just a little.
Oh, but sometimes she reminded him so much of his Aemma. The angle of her face, the tilt of her chin, how smart she was -- so many reminders of the loss of his love.
"Alright. I will not take the potions, I will let the Maesters study them -- but this ointment I would try, and these plants I will have grown in the garden." He said, sternly, to the both of them.
Rhaenyra smiled, brightly, and squeezed his shoulder. Alicent turned back, her eyes showing her displeasure even as she did not speak. "That is all that we ask, Father. Thank you."
Notes:
A couple of things I want to mention: First, I would like to present a fic by DarkscytheDrake, called Nihilus Filius Et Sacerdos. It's a YiGiOh/HOTD crossover in which a dragon from the YuGiOh world and a rider are transported to the world of Planetos and how that affects the Dance of the Dragons. Go check it out when you have a moment:)
The second is, unfortunately, I won't be able to post for the next few days. I am working all day tomorrow and Friday and then having Thanksgiving with my family Sat. I'm hoping to get some writing done after Thanksgiving but wanted to give people a heads up since I've been writing everyday XD I've been hit by the bug!
Thanks again to everyone who reads, reviews, makes a bookmark, or leaves a kudos!!
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