Aenys did not sleep much that night.
Shiera was insatiable. She had never taken a lover despite the many offers that she had received over the years. Aenys had seen her lure and toy with many men and even some women whenever they were in court, but that was the extent of her games. And Shiera called them games. She often said it amused her to see so-called great men lose themselves over the chance of sharing her bed.
That night, Aenys understood why they did. He could not begin to describe the pleasure that assaulted him his senses.
They lost themselves in that pleasure. At least, he did.
For those dark hours, nothing else mattered to them but the pleasure they could give one another. The realm. Magic. Their family. All of that was able to be forgotten for that brief time period.
By the end, the sheets were soaked with sweat as Shiera laid her head on his bare chest. Both of their hairs were a tangled mess, as was the rest of their bodies as Aenys held her in his arms.
They did not share words. They did not have to.
'I think I understand why Aerion likes sex so much now,' Aenys thought, almost breathless. Unlike his cousin, Aenys had never bothered to attend any of the famous establishments in the Street of Silk.
He could fight with a sword and fly on dragonback for hours on end and still not feel nearly as tired as he did right now. Wasn't he supposed to outlast her? Embarrassing.
"That was worth the wait," Shiera murmured into his chest before she planted a kiss upon it and started dozing off.
Aenys made no comment to her statement. He simply held her tighter. He did not want this moment to end.
He might have slept for an hour or two. Aenys was not certain. He just lay in bed, basking in the aftermath.
Unfortunately, good things rarely lasted, and it was not long before Aenys found himself leaving his chambers. He was restless. Despite feeling sore, his mind was filled with thoughts that drove his body to move during the early hours of the day.
The young prince wore a loose black tunic as he stepped out into one of the balconies located outside the private apartments in the Maiden's Tower. From the balcony, Aenys had a grand view of the Vale from on top of the Giant's Lance. The Sun was starting to rise over the horizon just ever so slightly, making for quite the sight over the vantage point.
If it weren't for the fact that the mountains were infested with the clans, then Aenys would find them more appealing.
'If I were king, then I would have secured the Vale a long time ago.'
That rang true for the other unstable parts of the kingdoms, such as Skagos or even the Iron Islands with their troublesome raiding. Even though Aenys was not raised to be king, his education was still solid. He was a prince of the realm, after all. He was well-informed about the happenings in the realm, such as the disastrous revolt that occurred on Skagos which led to the death of Barthogan Stark. It was how Brandon Stark, the youngest of the infamous Cregan Stark's sons, ended up becoming the Lord of Winterfell.
Honestly, Aenys knew he could do much if given the chance. Unfortunately, fate had handed him a different path in life. He might be the only dragonrider left in the world, but that did not mean that the throne was his destiny. He also did not want to usurp the crown. Such a move would only invite instability and chaos. Aenys figured that both his family and the realm had suffered enough after the Dance. He did not want to be the architect of another civil war.
'I just had my first time with the most beautiful woman in the realm, and here I am thinking about a throne.'
Aenys almost laughed. He knew why he was becoming pensive now of all times. It was because of what he shared with Shiera before they lost themselves to their pleasure, of what he had decided during his flight with Vaeraxes before their first battle together.
Aenys wanted something he could call his own. He had worked for a long time to secure Dark Sister and his knighthood, but as of yesterday he had achieved both goals.
Was that the extent of his ambition?
The answer came quickly.
No. It was not. Not even close.
The Iron Throne was not his. Summerhall was not his. His father was the second son, but other than visiting Dragonstone because of Vaeraxes the man never left the capital. He and his Uncle Rhaegel were similar like that. He was not interested in conventional titles or power. It was why Summerhall had been given to Maekar instead. He had both the desire and the means to rule it properly.
Aerys was different. He was content with his books and his studies, but it meant that Aenys was unable to inherit anything other than the man's name.
And that was not enough.
So what was there for him to do? Was there even a future for him here in Westeros?
'If I left for Essos, it would destroy the plans of so many lords.'
Aenys' lips almost curled into a smile at the thought.
He was no longer a child. He was not naive. He had come to the Vale not only to experience battle but to also get away from the rest of the politicking happening in the capital.
Even though no one had come out and said it, the tension bubbling under the surface was clear for anyone who bothered to notice. There was a sizable coalition building under his name. Aenys had not called for it. He had never expressed any desire to fight Baelor for the succession of the Iron Throne, but the coalition was there nonetheless. Such was the animosity of the lords which still held even so many years after Dorne had sworn its allegiance to the Iron Throne. Even as his grandmother now lay weakened in bed in her old age, many still scorned her and her family.
Baelor with his Dornish looks remained unpopular, and Aenys with his clear Valyrian looks and dragon remained the better option to many.
If he just left the realm, then there would be peace, right?
'That also presents its own dangers.'
There was no way to know who was friend and foe in the Free Cities. There would be many who might be tempted to kill him just because he was a dragonrider. Aenys knew that Maegor had once been exiled to the Free Cities and survived just fine, but those were different times. Back then, the house of the dragon commanded more respect and fear. Now, there was but a single dragon and rider. He was alone.
No.
'I won't be alone.'
Aenys knew that Shiera would follow him. They had given everything to one another. There was nothing that could separate them now.
Aenys knew that this was exactly what the woman had been planning for a long time now, perhaps from the beginning. A part of him wondered if Shiera's feelings toward him were just because he was a dragonrider or if there was something else that influenced her desire for him.
The rest of him did not care.
'Perhaps she's enchanted me too well.'
Whatever the case, Aenys knew that he would not part with Shiera now. She had been watching over him all his life. His peace could be attributed to her just as much as it could be to his grandfather and uncle.
His mother would not be happy. Unlike him, Aenys knew how much of a believer she was in the Seven. She did not care for magic. She had come to tolerate Vaeraxes, but Shiera and her sorceries were a different story.
His grandfather would also argue against the match, but Aenys cared little for that. Daeron might be the king, but what could he do to Aenys? There was nothing of value that Daeron held that could entice Aenys. Even if his grandfather tried taking Dark Sister from him, Aenys was willing to challenge the man for it. He doubted his grandfather would take that step, though. He was the man who allowed the Blackfyres to keep the Conqueror's sword. If he were king or even the crown prince, Aenys would have demanded it a long time ago.
Hm. Was he becoming too rebellious?
He could not help it. Aenys knew that his grandfather only cared so much about his future because of Vaeraxes. It was suffocating. Besides, shouldn't the man be happy when he learned that he and Shiera were together? While Shiera was desired by many, she was also seen as a dark sorceress by others. The only reason her reputation was better than Brynden's was because of her beauty, and that was only slightly. If anything, pairing him with Aelora or any of his other cousins afforded him more political power, didn't it?
Aenys wasn't so clueless, though. He knew the other reason for his grandfather's desire to have him wed Aelora. It was to give Valarr's future sons an opportunity to wed one of his own future daughters and tie the two lines together, thereby also mixing his bloodline with the blood that would sit the Iron Throne. In the end, it was to ensure that dragons would one day be tied to the crown if it was true that it was Aenys' blood that could cause the dragon eggs to hatch. Aelora was a suitable choice that kept Aenys' line from being seen as "tainted" by the lords of the realm and thus acceptable for any future union. That was not the same with Shiera. So while there were risks, such as perhaps having Lord Arryn back Aenys in any future conflict, his grandfather saw the benefits as more significant than those risks.
As usual, his grandfather was trying to find a happy middle ground. Commendable, if not also shortsighted. Even if Aenys were to wed Aelora, he would never allow any of his children to wed Valarr's. Petty perhaps, but Aenys did not care.
He had already been kind by not having Vaeraxes burn him to a crisp when they were children.
On that front, Aenys last heard that his grandfather and uncle were entertaining a match in either the Westerlands or the Reach for Valarr. Who it could be, Aenys hadn't the faintest idea. This was to gather more support for the young prince.
'Without dragons, they have to resort to such methods.'
Aenys was thankful that he didn't have to marry any Andal fool who looked at his blood with contempt.
"This is the second time in two days that I find you looking as if you're contemplating murder, Aenys."
Aenys admitted that he felt surprised when he heard Brynden's familiar voice. Glancing to his right, he found the former bastard of the previous king stepping out into one of the nearby balconies. He too wore a loose tunic, his maroon.
The two balconies were close enough for the two to have a conversation.
"It seems like you've had an interesting night."
Right away Aenys heard the contempt in the man's voice.
'So he knows.'
Well, it wasn't as if Aenys was going to hide the fact that he bedded Shiera. Or perhaps she had bedded him? There were times during their lovemaking when she had him pinned down that Aenys felt hopeless, too overcome with the pleasure to fight back. He was going to have to get better at that.
He had to tease the man about it.
"What's this, uncle? Spying on your family does not become you."
Brynden did not appear amused. "The greatest threat to our house always comes from within."
"Is that what you told yourself last night?"
He scoffed. "Don't think too much of yourself. I heard you. I'm certain everyone in the castle could hear you two last night."
Oh. Aenys suddenly remembered something.
Shiera was a screamer.
That made sense.
While somewhat embarrassing, Aenys still threw a grin at the disgruntled man.
"So? Did you come here to curse my name, uncle?"
There was a moment's silence before Brynden responded.
"No. I have little interest in your sexual escapades."
Not when they involved Shiera, the liar.
Still, Aenys didn't call him out on it. "You know, uncle, you've suddenly been warming up a lot to me recently. You even gave Dark Sister up without a fight. Were you really that scared to face me in combat?"
Brynden turned to gaze out at the mountains in the distance.
"There are more important things in this world than a mere sword, Aenys. I fear you may never mature in time if you don't understand the bigger picture."
Mature?
Aenys almost scoffed. "Is this a lecture? I get enough of those from the king."
"You can view it that way, especially if it keeps you from running off to Essos in your pointless desire for glory and legacy."
Aenys felt his heart stop for a moment when he heard those words.
Brynden must have noticed because he turned to look at him with clear amusement in those red eyes of his.
"Surprised I knew about that?"
More like angry.
Aenys' eyes narrowed. "How do you know? I have not told anyone that."
Not even Shiera. It was just something that had been weighing on his mind recently.
"I'm not a mind reader, in case you're wondering." Brynden's words offered little comfort to Aenys. "You already know the gifts that I was born with. Skinchanging. Warging. Whatever you prefer. What you might struggle to realize is how common of a gift this is."
Aenys crossed his arms and grumbled. "Yeah, tell that to the rest of us who don't have that ability."
Brynden was not perturbed by Aenys' sulking as he continued. "When the last of the dragons died, magic began a slow decline from this world. I'm sure Shiera has already told you some of this. In the past, magic was much stronger, and wargs were a common sight. There are even rarer and more powerful skills out there, skills that only a lucky few are ever born with."
"Let me guess. You possess those skills too?"
"As it happens, yes."
Aenys hated how nonchalant the man sounded about it. "So you've come here to brag then? Is that it?"
"No, you fool. I've come to give you aid to stop you from making a mistake."
Another silence settled between the two of them. Realizing how serious Brynden was about this, Aenys let the jokes drop as he studied his relative more closely. He began to ponder Brynden's words more seriously.
"What gifts allow you to know what I was planning on doing?"
"It's more like I saw it then knew it."
Aenys began to understand. "Dragon dreams."
Brynden was like Daeron then?
The albino chuckled. Aenys did not like the sound of it. It was….almost wrong to hear someone like Brynden chuckle.
"No. Unfortunately, Daeron is the only one who has awakened that power in our family at the moment."
At the moment?
But Brynden knew about Daeron's dragon dreams too. Of course he did. Information was practically the man's forte.
"The dragons are not the only source of magic in this world, Aenys. Valyrians mastered blood and fire, but there are other forms of power that have existed, even if time has obscured many of them. You know of my mother's family, don't you?"
"The Blackwoods." What did they have to do with any of this?
"Long ago, they were part of the North until they were driven out. Even now, there are some of the last to worship the Old Gods south of the Neck. Many houses can trace their ancestry to the First Men, but the Blackwoods have that ancestry more strongly than most."
The First Men. Aenys knew some about them. There were a lot of myths and legends that originated with them or were thought to originate from them. Time had a funny way of distorting fact and legend into some weird mix of the two.
"Your skinchanging abilities come from your mother's house?"
How lucky. Aenys loved his mother, but the Penroses were nothing special in that sense. Just a house which was lucky to have some Targaryen blood in them through past marriages after the chaos that was the Dance.
"Magic can be fickle," Brynden said, his tone sharp. "After all, why were you the one to be able to hatch a dragon egg after so long? Why not any of Aegon III's children? Or Viserys II's? Their blood was far more pure than yours."
Aenys had no answer for that. "I've been wondering about that myself for a long time."
"There are ways to get some of the answers you seek."
Aenys studied Brynden once more. There was something in the man's eyes that told Aenys that this was no idle chat.
"You want something from me."
"No," Brynden said with a shake of his head. "It is not I who has called for you. I'm but a messenger. A reluctant one, but a messenger nonetheless."
What?
Before Aenys could reply, another voice joined their conversation.
"So you've been receiving your own guidance all this time, Brynden. No wonder you have become so amenable to my Aenys."
Shiera emerged from their chambers wrapped in nothing but their sheets. Her hair was still a mess, but Aenys found her attractive all the same, especially knowing that he was one to cause her to look so disheveled. In fact, there was a part of him that contemplated taking her on the balcony. Wouldn't that be something? He was certain no Targaryen had ever had sex overlooking the mountains of the Vale.
'Calm down. Weren't you the one saying how tired you were?'
Aenys didn't understand his own thoughts sometimes.
Brynden stiffened at the sight of Shiera's disheveled state. Aenys almost felt sorry for him. Whether intentional or not, he had stolen the woman that the man loved. Probably the only woman that he had ever loved.
Shiera for her part looked unbothered by Brynden's reaction as she came to stand by Aenys' side, wrapping her arms around him while ensuring that the sheets didn't come loose.
"Don't stop on my account now," she said, urging Brynden to continue. "You were about to reveal something important, were you not?"
"How long have you been listening?" Brynden asked a question of his own instead.
Shiera hummed. "For a while." Her eyes twinkled in delight. "You've got the sight, don't you? What was it again? Oh yes! Greensight. A gift from the Old Gods, or so they say. You have truly been blessed, brother."
Aenys recalled the term from his lessons with Shiera about magic. It was not something they covered in length, but he knew enough to say that he was familiar with the concept.
"You are like Daeron then. You can have prophetic dreams."
Only the source of those dreams was different from dragon dreams.
Brynden looked unhappy as he said, "It's not as straightforward as it sounds, Aenys. The dreams are rarely unambiguous. They're filled with meaning, and it's easy for one to misinterpret them. To believe what you want to happen rather than what is going to happen. There are times when the dreams do not happen at all."
"And you saw me?"
"I saw a dragon. Vaeraxes. It flew from the land of winter to the land of fire. It was not alone. A star accompanied it. I believe you can understand its significance."
Aenys could guess. Shiera had taken the nickname "Seastar" for herself. It was not technically a family name nor was it her starting a new bastard line of the Targaryens. It was just a moniker that she enjoyed putting together based on her mother's native language and the title that her mother had supposedly bestowed upon her before she passed.
It was much better than Aegor's, that was for sure.
"The land of winter," Shiera murmured. "Is that what Westeros is now?"
Brynden hesitated, which was odd for Aenys to see. The man was usually confident.
"In a sense."
Shiera's eyes narrowed. "Were you the one who understood these dreams, brother? How did you awaken your greensight? Was it just because of Aenys and Vaeraxes?"
"If only I was so lucky." Brynden looked out to the mountains again. "I was reached out by someone. Someone who wants to see Aenys. I have been tasked with guiding him there."
So that was the man's true motive for this entire conversation. And here Aenys thought that Brynden had been warming up to him. It was almost sad.
Aenys was curious, though, so he asked the most prudent question.
"Guide me where?"
"To the place where the green hands still reside."
---
Aelinor knew that there would come a day when her son was no longer just a boy. In Westeros, for boys adulthood was largely accepted to be when they reached six and ten. Now that he was a knight, one that had won a great victory on his dragon, Aenys could be considered an adult by the eyes of the realm despite still only being five and ten.
It was with those expectations in mind that Aelinor knew that her precious son would one day take a lady wife and explore the other facets of adulthood. She did not begrudge this. Her Aenys was not like Aerys. He had an interest in women. Aelinor was only glad that her precious son did not take after Aerion and visit brothels on a weekly basis or had the female servants service him whenever it suited his fancy. The Faith taught the importance of piety and modesty, after all. And while her son did not fully embrace the beliefs of the Faith, Aelinor was grateful that he still behaved like an honorable person.
And yet, as Aelinor gathered for breakfast with the rest of the family, a part of her wished that her son had taken up with some servant girl instead of the strumpet that was Shiera Seastar.
Aelinor's chambers had been close to Aenys' as per her instructions. Unfortunately for her, that resulted in her waking up in the middle of the night to the sinful sounds of a woman moaning. The moans had been coming from nearby. They were a sound that Aelinor herself had only made once in her life.
Despite her wishes, Aelinor had recognized the moans. She had also recognized where they were coming from. It was almost as if Shiera had done it on purpose, as if she was signaling that Aenys had become hers to anyone listening.
The fact that her son and Shiera walked together into the Morning Hall, arms linked and freshly bathed, sealed the deal for her.
Her son had lain with Shiera.
Aelinor felt her body freeze as the truth finally settled in her mind.
The others seated at the table had varying reactions. Lord Arryn and his family did not look happy. Neither did Aelora who openly glared at Shiera as she and Aenys sat by one another. Her twin Aelor did not seem to notice for now. Neither did Daella. Rhaegel and Alys glanced at each other with Alys looking uncertain. Maekar's face showed his displeasure while Daeron tried to keep to his meal, but his eyes darted to the couple every couple of seconds.
Only Aerion seemed pleased by the sight of the two for reasons that Aelinor did not understand.
There was a tense silence that followed as they broke fast.
"It seems to be a glorious morning." Of course, it was the smug Aerion who shattered the silence first. He raised his cup as he looked at Aenys and Shiera. "If I may be so bold as to congratulate you first, cousin."
Aenys looked amused at Aerion. "And what might you be congratulating me on, cousin?"
"Your choice of companion for the night. It behooves us to ensure that the blood of the dragon remains pure, especially with blood as pure as yours, cousin. I think our family has mingled with Andals and Dornish blood one too many times."
Aenys? Pure blood? What was Aelinor then?
Lord Arryn and his sons looked unhappy, close to furious, while Maekar shifted uncomfortably in his seat. To Aelinor's irritation, Shiera seemed amused and perhaps even delighted by what Aerion was saying.
"Enough, Aerion." Maekar's voice was sharp as he looked at his son. "You've said one too many things. Remember we are guests here."
Aelinor was thankful that the young Targaryen backed down, but from the grin still tugging Aerion's lips it was clear where his mind was at.
Another tense silence fell over the table.
"I did not imagine that my actions would cause such a strong reaction from my family," Aenys said. He sounded far too nonchalant for Aelinor's liking. Did he not understand what he was doing?
The next period of silence was brief.
"There are many virtues that a prince of the realm should exhibit." Lord Donnel Arryn's aged voice echoed throughout the hall. The Lord of the Eyrie was staring directly at Aenys. "Military prowess and skill at arms are but a couple of those virtues. But there is also piety and adherence to the laws of gods. Don't you agree, Prince Aenys?"
Aelinor tensed. The rebuke in the man's words was clear. He was casting doubt upon Aenys'....relationship, whatever it might be, with Shiera. The two were not siblings, but they were aunt and nephew albeit skipping over a generation. To a man like Donnel Arryn who undoubtedly held the Faith and its values close to his heart, such a union would be condemned as sinful and an abomination.
Aenys took the man's comment in stride.
"There are many gods in this world, Lord Arryn. Even in the Seven Kingdoms, the Faith is but one of the religions that is practiced. I know there have been some in my family who have held the Seven in the highest esteem, but as you must be aware the Faith and the blood of the dragon hold a more special relationship compared to the rest of Westeros. What you might consider unnatural for you and your family cannot be compared to me and my kin. If you want to argue otherwise, I'm afraid you'll only find fire and blood at the end of that path."
The threat was clear and more blunt than Lord Donnel's rebuke, to the point that the color drained from the man in question while his sons looked enraged. Alys herself gasped while Maekar stood up to his feet.
"Aenys! That's enough."
Her son glanced at his uncle but for a moment before rising to his feet.
"I've lost my appetite."
Aenys turned and left the hall without an apology. A smiling Shiera followed after him without a word of her own.
Aerion chuckled as he took a sip from his drink.
"Heh. A glorious morning, isn't it?" he said again.
"Quiet, you fool," Daeron hissed at his brother but Aerion merely shrugged, clearly entertained by what had just transpired.
Aelinor was left staring at her meal in silence while Maekar tried to offer his apologies to Lord Arryn on Aenys' behalf.
'Aenys won't be cowed.'
Whether from someone like Lord Arryn or even the king, Aenys would follow in his own path.
Her son had grown, in more ways than one.
---
"That was foolish of you."
Brynden hadn't bothered to turn up to the Morning Hall to break his fast. Rather, he had his morning meal in his chambers. That did not mean that he had not heard what had transpired earlier. Word spread quickly in a small castle, and many of the servants were eager to gossip and spread word of the "confrontation" that occurred between their lord and a Targaryen prince.
Aenys did not care for Brynden's opinion on the matter as he and Shiera traveled to the castle's courtyard after preparing themselves. Aenys was dressed in his riding gear as was Shiera. Dark Sister remained secured at his side.
Brynden followed after them, hood concealing his face.
"The Arryns presume much, uncle."
Aenys was certain that most of the lords of Westeros had become arrogant in their presumptions over the future of house Targaryen. His grandfather might have established a web of alliances with his marriage and the marriages of his sons, but Aenys was different. He possessed the power that conquered the Seven Kingdoms. He was not beholden to the ambitions of fools who thought they could meddle in his affairs.
"Once he makes up his mind, there is little that you can do to dissuade him," Shiera said. From the tone of her voice, Aenys knew that she did not disapprove of his actions.
Why would she? She was of a similar mind when it came to these things.
Brynden let the matter drop as Vaeraxes flew overhead. She was happy to announce her presence as she roared.
"I trust you know what to do then?" Brynden questioned.
Aenys glanced back at him and nodded. "Yes. I'll admit it, uncle. You've piqued my interest."
Before Brynden had a chance to respond, more people headed out into the courtyard, no doubt attracted by all the noise Vaeraxes was making.
It was his family, with his mother leading them. Aenys was thankful that he did not see the Arryns anywhere. Ser Jon and the Kingsguard also trailed behind, more cautious. They knew not to interfere with family matters unless called for.
"Aenys!" Aelinor dashed toward him. It was the first time that Aenys had ever seen his mother sprint. It was rather….comical, but he would keep that thought to himself as she grabbed him by the arm, panting.
"What's going on? Why are you dressed like that?"
Aenys placed a hand on her shoulder to reassure her. "It's okay, mother. There is just somewhere that I have to go before I can return to the capital."
"You're leaving then?" Maekar's gruff voice reached him as the man crossed his arms over his chest, studying both him and Shiera. "I didn't hear anything about this."
"It was something that came up last minute, uncle. Not to worry, we shall return. I'm certain we'll make it to King's Landing just as you and the rest are making your way back."
Daella raised an arm excitedly. "Can I come!?"
"Me too!" Aelor was quick to join in, looking like he was getting ready to sprint toward him.
Aelora was noticeably quiet, but Aenys expected no less from her now.
"Aelor, you're not going anywhere." Alys grabbed her son by the back of his tunic before he had a chance to run off, causing the boy to pout.
Rhaegel looked more excited as he stared up at Vaeraxes in wonder. "Going on a trip sounds like a lot of fun, nephew. If only you could take me."
Aenys chuckled at this. "Maybe next time, uncle."
Maekar grunted. "So you're not going to ask for permission then?"
"Do I need it, uncle? After all, we've already accomplished what we set out to do. The mountain clans have been smashed. They won't threaten the good people of the Vale for a long time. There's little reason for me to remain in this place. Unless you have further need of me?"
Maekar narrowed his eyes. "I suppose I do not."
"Then it's settled, is it not?"
Vaeraxes let out one more roar as she landed on the courtyard behind Aenys and Shiera. The dragon's landing caused the castle to shake, drawing the attention of more servants and knights.
For once, Aelinor did not shy away from the dragon as she kept her hand firmly on Aenys' arm.
"Please promise me that you will return to me. Please."
Aenys felt a bit confused. Did his mother think that he was planning on running away just because he had a small disagreement with the Arryns?
"Fret not, Aelinor." It was Shiera who answered for him as she pulled on Aenys' other arm toward Vaeraxes. "I shall be certain to return him to you in one piece."
Aelinor's glare was scathing as Aenys allowed himself to be pulled away from her grip.
"You witch-!"
"I love you, mother. Have a safe trip back!" Aenys didn't let his mother finish her thought as he and Shiera quickly climbed on Vaeraxes, the dragon lowering her head for quicker access to the saddle.
Aenys and Shiera settled themselves as Vaeraxes raised her head and spread her wings, ready to set off. Before she did, Aenys took one last look at his mother and uncle. Brynden had noticeably stepped back away from the spotlight while Aerion shot him a reassuring smirk. Daeron meanwhile just look resigned to accept whatever all of this was.
'I'm sure he'll be fine.'
Vaeraxes flapped her wings and took off from the courtyard with another mighty roar, leaving the Eyrie and everyone inside behind.
"Well, that was quite abrupt, was it not?" Shiera had her arms wrapped around him as she pressed her whole body on his back. "You were going to wait until everyone set off from the Vale before we went on our little journey of self-discovery."
"That was before our meal."
"Did the old fool's words get to you that much?"
Aenys considered it. He wasn't sure why it had put him in such a bad mood. Maybe it was because he was already being told how to act by his grandfather and the rest of his family for as long as he could remember. Having an outsider doing the same….well, it got on his nerves.
"Do you think I'm being a brat?" he asked her instead.
"Somewhat." Shiera was not going to spare his feelings. "But I suppose that's why I'm here, to make sure that you don't become too much of a brat."
"How reassuring."
"Isn't it?"
Aenys almost laughed as Vaeraxes flew past the mountains of the Vale. They were going to be flying for several hours at least.
Before the silence could stretch between them, Aenys had one final question for the woman.
"If I decide to leave Westeros, what would you do?"
Shiera's answer came swift.
"I would follow."
How reassuring indeed.
Aenys allowed himself to finally relax, letting his frustration scatter like the wind around him. It would probably be better if he was in a better mood for what came next.
For he had a meeting with many faces to look forward to.