Chapter Text
The wind pulled at her hair as she righted herself once more in the saddle, threatening to loose the gilded band wrapped across her brow as her hands pulled once more at the leather reins. With a deep breath she settled deeply back into the leather as Meleys pulled them free from Vhagars grasp - no direction needed as they spun, dragon twisting round dragon as each fought for dominance.
With a sharp tug she directed Meleys to climb, her scarlet wings spreading wide as she threw herself higher and higher in the smoke riddled sky. She could hear the giant beast below them attempt to follow, her large form slow as the younger dragon gained height.
Rhaenys let her hands drop to check the buckles that kept her strapped to her saddle, finding them still secure as she then tightened the belt wrapped around her waist - allowing herself a chance to glance back and down but for a moment before pressing herself forward once more, her body as flat as it could be as she grasped at the handles.
She could feel the exhaustion in them both as dragon and rider seemed to hang in the air, hair whipping around her as she let her eyes fall shut. Meleys rumbled beneath her as though to comfort her and Rhaenys blinked, golden eyes staring into her pale lilac ones - though no words were spoken, the two were of one thought and with a nod the dragonrider whispered, knowing her darling girl would understand the words.
“Hēnkirī ñuha riña. Gaomi bisa hēnkirī”
Dragon and rider moved as if one, Meleys large wings pulled tight to her body as they turned to face Aemond and Vhagar, still rising below them and like a comet they fell.
Aemond had little chance to react as Rhaenys and Meleys swiftly approached, the red dragon an arrow carving its way through the sky as the two closed what little distance remained - with an almighty roar Meleys latched her gleaming jaws around what she could of Vhagar’s neck, the impact forcing them all into a dance as they spiraled through the clouds, shrieks and roars filling the air.
Aemond fought for control as Vhagar attempted to shake Meleys from her but the smaller dragon's bite was strong and as she dug deeper into the aged flesh and scale her claws wreaked chaos across the old beast's side, digging deeper as dragon blood flew free. He watched as Rhaenys held firm, her gaze on him as Meleys continued her attack - in a desperation he bellowed loudly, the wind stealing the words from his very lips as he spoke the command.
“Dracarys”
Vhagar’s giant jaws opened as fire poured out, turning the sky around them yellow as they continued to spiral - the air grew hot and his grip fell loose as the ground drew closer - Meleys and Rhaenys still out of reach.
As fire spread around them Rhaenys held herself steady even as she felt the heat against her skin - with a glad cry she cracked her whip and watched as Meleys finally released her jaws, teeth red with blood, before the she-dragon turned its head towards Aemond, golden eyes fixed on the one eyed princeling.
Vhagar was growing sluggish as they yet still fell, the wounds on her neck and belly great, her fire dwindling as she struggled to free herself. The young prince could do nothing as two sets of eyes met his, a sense of foreboding settling deep in his chest like that he had never felt before.
The air was rent by another sharp crack and Meleys bared her teeth once more even as the battle below grew clearer, men and horses fleeing as the two dragons fell in a desperate attempt to save themselves.
Rhaenys met his cool gaze, whip held above high and with a small smile, sharp around the edges, spoke.
“Dracarys”
The words though lost to the wind as they plummeted were heard by Meleys, her flames red and hot as they burnt the princeling in his saddle - with a roar Meleys then turned her teeth to the giant wing next to her, shredding the green membrane with little care before she met her riders eyes once more as the ground fast approached.
***
Lord Staunton could only watch as the two dragons fell, his men around him no longer loosing arrows at the ground below - they had held little hope when Vhagar had appeared above the tree tops, even after the usurper king and Sunfyre had fallen in a ball of fire. They had watched and waited as the two beasts had fought - their survival dependent entirely on the outcome of the battle held above them.
As Vhagar, Meleys and their riders had plummeted, near every man had closed his eyes and when the air was filled with fire and smoke, the ground shaking as dragon hit earth. It was only with a loud cry from an archer further down the wall that he opened his eyes, his gaze searching as the dust and smoke settled before them - men rushed towards the walls, hands grasping at stone as they desperately searched at the field below.
Vhagar lay shattered across the field, her body burnt and ripped as the dust continued to clear - no longer did fire pour from her giant jaws as her eyes lay empty, flesh and scale still smoking. Cheers slowly filled the air when all realised what had happened, man and boy screaming as what was left of Cole’s army stumbled away back into the trees. But the screams grew louder when the air cleared enough for another to be seen.
Above the now dead dragon, claws dug deep into her side as she raised her crowned head high, stood Meleys. Scales damaged and singed, left wing torn at one end, the dragon roared loudly as the her horns gleamed brightly in the afternoon light - flames poured from her jaws in a wave as, fire lighting the field before her as she burnt what remained atop the grass, bone and armour alike melting beneath it.
Staunton felt a relief unlike any other as the red she-dragon finished her final attack - nothing was left alive on the field below as he watched on, the beast freeing her claws from Vhagar’s corpse as she climbed down, wings held tightly against her body.
“Can anybody see the princess?”
He had not realised he was shouting even as the gates below were opened - his men advancing onto the battlefield, all mindful of the beast now staring back at them as she settled herself atop the grass, wings moving carefully.
“Has anyone eyes on Princess Rhaenys?”
He threw himself away from the walls, men following swiftly behind him as he wound his way towards the gates, more and more falling in behind as they went. Breathing heavily as he approached the gate he was met by his guards commander and mounted the horse waiting for him. They rode out towards the now still dragon, its body still as they approached, golden gaze fixed on them.
As they grew closer, the heat forced the air from their lungs - the grass below their hooves still smoked even as the dragonfire faded. Staunton could see no rider atop the burnt saddle on Meleys back and drew a deep breath as they came to a stop - eyes swinging over the carnage before them he could not see the form of Rhaenys and it was with resignation that he believed that she must have perished amongst the flames.
“I would come no closer my lord - she is most protective”
The call came from beneath a folded red wing, weak and pained but clear nonetheless.
Staunton and his men dismounted from their saddles as Meleys rumbled where she lay, one wing shifting just enough to reveal her rider. Rhaenys lay propped against the dragon's scaled belly, hair and clothing burnt black as lilac eyes met his - with an arm held tightly against her chest and much of one leg covered in burns and blood, the princess was very much alive if not in a bad way.
“We thought you lost to dragonfire princess”
It was Staunton that braved taking a step closer even as Meleys swung her head to face him, teeth bared as the stranger approached her rider.
“Much has been lost to fire this day Lord Staunton but alas I was not so lucky”
Rhaenys choked as the words drew a cough from her chest, blood dripping from the corner of her mouth - with the coughing stopped she drew the arm across her chest tighter and blinked before meeting the older man's gaze.
“You are in a bad way princess - let us aid you”
“I fear Meleys may allow you no closer my lord - we have had quite the day”
Staunton looked over his shoulder and gave commands to several men for the maester and supplies to be readied. Turning back to Rhaenys he dared another step, his hands raised in deference to the unwavering golden gaze.
“After the service you have provided here this day princess, we would see no further harm come to you”
Meleys shook her head, sunlight glinting off her crown, as the man before stepped closer again but settled when Rhaenys spoke.
“Lykiri Meleys - pōnta nūmāzma nyke daor ōdrikagon”
In deference to her rider the she-dragon huffed before she turned her head to the side, wings settling back so that the men could approach. It was with great care that Rhaenys was gathered from her dragon’s side - her body battered and burnt as she was drawn onto a pallet and lifted from the ground. Once she was settled the group moved, carving their way through the bodies and burnt grass - Rhaenys allowed her one good arm to drop from the pallet, hand reaching out towards Meleys she whispered, even as she felt her eyes drooping, her body finally sinking into unconsciousness.
“Māzigon ñuha riña”
…
It would be several weeks before Rhaenys woke again - early morning light pouring through the large window sat on the far side of the room. She blinked, the gentle light almost too bright, and took a deep breath. Her body was tightly bound in wrappings and she felt pleasantly numb as she attempted to lift her head from the soft pillow below her - fighting the wave of dizziness that threatened to close her eyes once more Rhaenys stopped trying to lift her head and allowed it to tip to the side, cheek resting against the soft cotton and gaze settling atop the sleeping features of the sailor dozing in the chair but an arms reach away from her.
Her lord husband looked as if he had aged a century as he slept - head rested against the side of the chair as his arms lay resting across his chest as he clutched what appeared to be a piece of fabric in one hand tightly.
“I’ve burned men for falling asleep on their watch”
Her throat was dry, raspy as she spoke, good arm reaching out towards Corlys as his eyes flew open - as he took in the sight of her, awake and reaching for him, he flew from his seat. He all but dropped himself on the bed next to her as he clutched her hand in his, pulling it tightly to his chest.
“But then you are not just any man”
He realised he was crying when he laughed at her words, head leaning down so that he could press his lips against the bathed but scarred skin. When her fingers spread across his cheek he looked up once more and met her gaze - her lilac eyes clear as she watched him.
“You are no ordinary woman”
Rhaenys could feel the numbness that she had woken to begin to lift but cared little as she laughed, unable to stop the cough that followed. It took only a second to clear and once more she met his gaze as he moved even closer.
“I feel far from ordinary, dear husband - I would even dare to say I look far from ordinary now”
Corlys huffed as leant over her, hand still pressed to his chest as he closed what little distance remained - with his spare hand he propped himself above her so that he could rest his forehead against hers.
“You, my love, are magnificent”
He wasted no time as he leant down to kiss her, releasing her hand so that he could cup her face. Rhaenys allowed her eyes to close as they lay pressed against each other, she could feel the wetness of his tears fall onto her cheeks as he kissed her and with what little strength she had pulled him closer by the fabric of his tunic.
She was not sure how long they laid like that but as the numbness continued to fade she pressed lightly against his chest - she felt him move without hesitation, his hand pressed against his cheek as he remained above her.
“The pain?”
She nodded as her eyes closed. She felt the bed move under her as he stood and heard the creak of the door as he shouted for the maester and allowed herself to drift as the pain began to build - she could feel the heat of dragonfire again and there was a tightness building in her chest when she tried to move her left arm, stopped only by the wrapping and straps holding it tight to body.
It was only when she felt the press of a cup against her lips and the cold dribble of something bitter that she allowed herself to relax, sinking into a comfortable darkness as she felt Corlys take up her hand once more.
“Sleep love - all will be well”
…