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123 AC, King's Landing
Helaena Targaryen thought that it was impressive how quickly the nobles of the realm moved on from what could have been a devastating attack on their Capital. It seemed that even the King's Tourney would proceed as if nothing had happened, and instead of focusing on the rebuilding efforts of the damaged Capital, most conversations were obviously about her father's call for a Great Council.
After all, this announcement must have been a shock to them, but truly, even if her father had not been inclined to remove Rhaenyra as his heir since he left Dragonstone, she would have given him no choice, given her display before the realm, especially when she tried to kill Helaena.
The entire affair had solved itself rather neatly, but Helaena would admit that she had her doubts about the Potters' plan for a few moments, especially as most of Maegor's tunnels collapsed around her, and as Rhaenyra's knife had drifted towards her heart.
They had warned her, though it was only after the Shadowbinders began their attack. They had asked for her help against the Red Priestesses who had started the attack. They had guaranteed her siblings, her mother, and her children's safety, that they would not be truly harmed by the attack, and that Helaena herself would be safe. What could she do but accept? After all, these were the people who taught her how to navigate her own dreams and mind, who healed her children, and changed their bloody fates. She would not fail them when they asked so little of her.
Still, it had been fascinating to see a 'Divination Battle', as Lord Harry called it, unfold. With her own middling skill, she could see some of his strands expertly tie up certain possibilities, enhancing chances in a way that not only defeated their enemy without devastating loss, but also ensured that it would not return.
The outcome of the battle had been decided before it had even begun, for while Helaena fought for her life, her choices and decisions had been predicted in a way that would have probably frightened her, if she hadn't known that the Potters could likely wipe out this entire city in minutes, dragons and all.
The moment that Rhaenyra had failed, the moment that Helaena's pendant had activated the protections set up by Visenya Targaryen, she realised how deep it went. From putting a Valyrian Steel dagger in the exact tunnel that Daeron would be, somehow bypassing the protections put in place to stop it, arranging for Cregan Stark to appear just as the Shadowbinder attack began, and even Helaena's pendant, it had all been the part of a greater plan one that not only defeated the Red Priestesses, but allowed them to gain an upper hand on their patron god in some way, though she wasn't exactly sure how aside from some vague feelings, but more relevantly to Helaena, eased the way to finally save her family, and save off the dancing dragons who had haunted her nightmares ever since she was young.
By the Gods, even the death toll of such an attack was minuscule compared to what it could have been, with the only noble being her grandfather, Otto Hightower.
Helaena… Helaena had not liked him much. He hadn't been truly present in the Capital for most of her life, returning after Lyonel Strong's death three years prior, and yet, every time she had dreamt of her mother, he was there, like a shadow whispering in her ears.
She did not think that she truly knew him until he lay there dying. His being was utterly bare to her: the burning ambition, his grief for a wife that he loved, his pride, and his arrogance. He was not an evil man, but as he bled out in her mother's arms, she knew that he would have tried to destabilise many of her plans for the sake of his ambitions, no matter what.
Helaena was not glad that he died, as it was obviously arranged by the Potters in some way, but objectively, the realm was simply better without him in it, even if Mother was devastated by it.
As for the princess herself, most of the court did not know what to think of her. Even during her father's announcement, most simply avoided staring at her completely, mostly out of intimidation. They had seen a bright light shine and banish Rhaenyra's magic, as she tried to kill her, one that illuminated the entire city.
They did not know that it was Visenya's pendant that had been responsible, including the vault that had been storing magic for decades. They instead either thought her to be blessed by the Gods, or that it was a trick of the light through the efforts of Cregan Stark.
Speaking of which, the young Lord of Winterfell had been an object of awe for almost every young man who had witnessed his feats, from saving them from the shadow creatures that attacked the Throne Room to slaying Shadowbinders in the Dragonpit.
Despite the attack, Cregan's presence made many lords think positively of magic. No, that was not quite it. Many thought of magic as a threat, but one that can be countered if used properly. Magic became an asset to be cultivated, a shield and a sword against the arcane and the mages beyond. She wondered if this was also a result of the Potters' scheme, a way to normalise the increase in magic users, and avoid a massacre.
Unfortunately for them, the lord refused to say much of magic, feeling uncomfortable with the endless questions despite his stoic face. It was peculiar how much they knew of each other while barely having a conversation. They were different sides of the same coin, ice and fire. Cregan Stark had witnessed the end of winter beyond the Wall, while she had seen the end of the scourge of Valyria and the death of a goddess.
Both had witnessed the madness that came with the Potters. Oh, Helaena loved them, but she was not blind to the fact that everywhere they went, disaster often followed.
It was not even their fault, at least not fully. The dangers had always been lurking in the shadows, waiting for magic to reveal itself, and unfortunately, Lord Harry and Lady Daphne's presence often made them stir.
That said, she had realised that the Potters acted dismissively when it came to many threats, or at least, with a partial disregard for the world around them. She could understand their point; they were akin to dragons in a world of mice. They were… loud, strong, and did not care much about how they disturbed the world around them. And yet, despite the difference in power, they tried to help in their own way.
Helaena looked around the room once more and felt slightly dejected. It was now her responsibility to deal with them all, to finish what the Potters started, and protect her family. The young princess almost shivered at the reminder of how much work she would need to do, of the many strands that she would untangle.
She shook her head and slowly walked out of the Throne Room, with no one even noticing her. Her sight was truly becoming a boon when it came to walking around unimpeded. It was easier now, she noticed, being able to follow the correct strand. The young princess wondered if this was a result of witnessing the scale of a true 'Divination Battle', or because the Potters had banished the fire god in some way.
She followed the strands that would make her the most relaxed, and it was no surprise that Helaena found herself entering the Dragonpit. She had a feeling that her magic was trying to tell her to spend more time with her darling Dreamfyre.
Now that she thought about it, she had not flown atop her dragon for some time. She could feel that Dreamfyre was well and that she had not been harmed during the attack through their bond, but with everything that occurred, she had been too distracted to check on her, a mistake that she needed to rectify.
It was not long until she found Dreamfyre's cave, and despite herself, Helaena smiled warmly as she looked at the slumbering form of the dragon. She was as beautiful as ever, with her blue scales and silver crests, like a calm ocean under the moonlight.
The dragon felt her approach and turned, and Helaena's grin widened as she noticed that Dreamfyre was completely and utterly unchained. It likely was one of the best outcomes of the attack that the dragons would not be chained like animals, raised in captivity, but free creatures that could come and go at their leisure. It had also ended a worrying thread of fate where she saw rats swarm the Dragonpit and kill the dragons' chained forms.
As Dreamfyre's gigantic head turned towards her, Helaena looked into her eyes. She could feel an entire conversation occur, starting with her own apology. Her darling girl huffed, but allowed Helaena to pet her, crooning in delight in the meantime.
Helaena found the act very meditative, and despite herself, she hummed a faint melody, which made Dreamfyre stiffen, before she relaxed even further. She could understand why her girl had reacted so, for she sang the song of her previous rider, Rhaena Targaryen. It was a faint impression she had of her, an echo of her nature that moved through the tapestry of fate, like the remnants of a strung string of a harp.
Despite herself, she whispered, "I am glad to see you as well, my dear. I have missed you."
The young princess continued simply caressing the dragon's scale, getting lost in her own head, "I have changed quite a bit in the last year, from that lost girl who mourned tragedies that had not occurred yet, to… Well, I do not know what I am now. I wish I could share with you the wonders and horrors I've seen since then."
Her fingers paused, resting lightly against a warm scale. Dreamfyre shifted, rumbling softly, as if urging her to continue. Helaena exhaled, "The world is much larger than I imagined, built on a delicate and fragile balance, and I had so many more enemies than I ever thought possible."
Dreamfyre suddenly growled at the mention of an enemy, and suddenly, a warmth spread through Helaena originating from their contact. The princess gasped as it spread through her, and for a few moments, the tapestry of fate that always plagued her mind expanded even further. It was not perfectly uniform, with only certain threats seemingly lighting up.
Curious, she followed one of them and froze as she recognised the sight, for it was the Citadel of Oldtown. Inside, grey rats conspired like chittering critters, trying to stop the spread of magic at any cost, which she instinctively felt would target her in some way. She could feel Dreamfyre's fury at the threat, which, in another burst of warmth, let her see further, something that felt almost occluded.
Unfortunately, she suddenly felt drained by the act, and she removed her hand from Dreamfyre's scales, and despite the weakness she felt, she couldn't help but chuckle in amusement. Well, it seemed that the Potters had that well in hand, even if they would be quite… imaginative when dealing with them. Though interestingly, it did give some credence that Lord Harry and Lady Daphne wished for magic to flourish in Westeros.
She looked at Dreamfyre, who seemingly was sharing her amusement, "That was quite new, wasn't it, my dear? Perhaps this could help tip the scales in our favour."
A voice spoke up behind her, which surprised her due to her distraction, "Helaena."
The young princess froze and turned towards the source of the voice, "Hello, Aemond."
"You were missed in the Throne Room."
"No, I wasn't," Helaena immediately answered with a certainty that made her one-eyed brother chortle in amusement.
"They should. You are to be Queen, sister."
"If the Great Council wills it," she replied after a pause.
Her brother snorted in derision, "Who else would they choose? The Strong bastards? Most lords would prefer rotting in the Night's Watch than do this. All Rhaenyra had was the King's support, something that she has now lost. Aegon will be King, and you, Queen. It seems that even in Death, our grandfather has earned his wish."
Helaena chose not to say anything and simply hummed while petting Dreamfyre once more. Her brother turned towards her and said in an almost shy voice, "I… I have questions."
The young princess focused on Aemond's thread and saw it to be at a crossroads of sorts. She knew her brother well, and it was strange to see him so hesitant about anything. He had always been their family's greatest protector, the fierce warrior who rode the largest dragon in the world. Her grandfather had thought of him as a weapon of sorts, the way to counter Daemon Targaryen in their inevitable war. It had been both their fates to fall together beneath the unblinking eyes of the gods.
And yet, when Rhaenyra had tried to kill him, it was she who protected him. It was she who guided them through Maegor's tunnels, following the threads that the Potters had left to guide her, and he had not even been able to protect Helaena as Rhaenyra almost killed her. In his heart, he had failed her. And now, without a war, with their family having seemingly become victorious, he felt empty. And even being the youngest knight in the history of the Seven Kingdoms not able to fill the void inside him, a void that could be filled with dangerous things.
Helaena looked at him, and she not only sympathised, but she saw an opportunity to not bear her burden alone, not anymore. Aemond's fate was flexible, with this conversation being a point of divergence of sorts.
She turned towards her one-eyed brother and released a deep sigh, "The great dance is coming to a close, but the song continues… I will not begrudge your answers if I have them, brother."
Aemond hesitated for a moment before snorting in amusement, "Despite how different you are, some things still remain the same. I can only make out half of what you mean, sister."
She smiled back at him, and he asked, "Rhaenyra spoke of the Potters, the sorcerer and witch of Dragonstone. She wished to use you to find them. Is this… change of his doing?"
"It is. They have helped me."
"Helped you how?" Aemond insisted.
Helaena looked back towards Dreamfyre and relished in her warmth, "All my life, I dreamt of a world in flames, of dragons dancing, of blood and death. I dreamt of my children's corpses before I brought them into the world. The Potters… Lord Harry… He taught me how to live, showed me the uncertainty littered within my very dreams, and how to find them. He taught me how to hope."
Finally, she turned to look at her brother's face, with her greatest secret being revealed to him. Helaena had often entertained the idea of telling her family, but there had been this crushing weight, this intrinsic knowledge within her that told her that it would not end well. Yet now, as she spoke to Aemond, she felt freer than she ever had for so long, though that freedom was tempered by the fear of his reaction.
Aemond's eyes were completely wide in both shock and realisation. He had always been fascinated with their family's history, and knew of the legends of Daenys the Dreamer, of the girl who saved their house from extinction.
His surprised expression quickly turned pure amazement, "A dreamer, truly?"
At her shrug, a sad frown appeared on his face, "We… I… I am sorry, Helaena."
Helaena smiled at his reaction, "You were not the one who cursed me with this gift, brother."
She waited for Aemond's answer, though he looked speechless, as if he did not know what to say. Helaena waited patiently until he gathered his thoughts and asked a question that surprised her, "Is this why Rhaenyra said that you would know of the Potters? Did she know of your dreams?"
Helaena chuckled at the thought, "No. Her cursed magic had only told her that I would be able to bring her to them, but not how, else she could have found them herself."
"And where are they?" Aemond asked leadingly.
"I do not know. I last saw them in the Throne Room, speaking with a surprisingly young, old wolf."
Her brother frowned in confusion, "Do you mean Cregan Stark?"
"No, no… The one with wings." She clarified, though he didn't seem to understand.
Aemond simply shook his head, "I do not understand half of what you say, sister, but… I suppose that has never stopped you." He hesitated, jaw tightening before he spoke again, "But tell me this: are we safe now? Truly safe?"
Helaena studied him for a long moment, knowing that this was the critical point where she could not take back. She reached out and rested her hand lightly atop Dreamfyre's snout, before releasing a long sigh, "No, but then again, no one is ever truly safe. I will do my best to shield our family from those who would see us fall. But I am but a single person, and this burden…" Her voice trailed off, and she turned to look at her brother in his lone eye, "I cannot do this alone, not anymore. I need your help, Aemond."
For a heartbeat, her brother looked as though she had struck him. The fire that had been missing since the conversation began, returning, burning with purpose. He nodded to her and asked, "You will always have my sword, Helaena, and Vhagar besides it."
Helaena quickly recognised the depths of what he had said, or perhaps, what he had left unsaid. Aemond had always thought himself to be their family's sword, and this proclamation was more akin to a pledge of allegiance. As if to prove the severity of these words, she saw Aemond's thread solidify, his uncertain paths merging into a single one intertwined with her own.
She breathed out slowly, feeling the warmth of that choice settle into the tapestry around them, one that Aemond could not see, before a small smirk grew on her face, "Well, as the Dreamer, I say that we first do one thing."
Aemond barely had the time to even process these words when Helaena swung herself up and landed expertly atop Dreamfyre's shoulder. She could feel her dragon's amusement at her action, as well as her brother's indignant face, looking at her.
"Let us fly," she declared, entirely too pleased with herself. She did not even hear his answer as Dreamfyre quickly moved out of the cave and flew into the sky through the large hole in the roof of the Dragonpit after the attack.
After all, she did not need to hear his answer; she knew that in a few minutes, Aemond would come atop Vhagar and join her in the air.
Yes, she had much to do. So many threads to weave. But, for now, as she soared through the sky, Helaena chose not to think about the dangers ahead and simply let herself feel free and at peace.
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AN: I know it's a bit of a slow chapter, but after the last few chapters, which were pretty eventful, I thought it needed it. The idea was to show Helaena's growth a bit, as well as her getting Aemond as a proper ally who is in the know. I also noticed that you guys liked the 'historical' theme chapter, and I'll try to add a few of them every once in a while. As usual, please let me know what you think and if you have any suggestions.
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If you want to support me, check out my patréon at https://www.patréon.com/athassprkr
I tend to upload drafts of early chapters on there to get people's opinions on them, so you can read up to 20 chapters ahead as a bonus.
Thank you guys for your support in these hard times.