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Alicent was tense when Syrax swooped down to land in the dragonpit, both Helaena and Rhaenyra secured safely to her saddle. Rhaenyra thought that if Dreamfyre hadn’t immediately swept in to land next to them that the Queen Dowager would have already rushed forward to grab her daughter. Alicent had been slowly getting over her fear of dragons, though it seemed as if such sentiments were limited only to Rhaenyra’s own Syrax.
That was rather a shame but they had time to work on it. Sunfyre was yet too small to take two riders and Helaena would need copious amounts of instruction before she was ready to take a passenger.
A lot of instruction as this little stunt had proved. Particularly on the importance of using a saddle when mounting one of the oldest dragons in existence. Especially when you had not even seen ten summers yet. And a lecture on the dangers of not using proper equipment when riding for Rhaenyra would be damned before she let another one of her siblings develop Aegons attitude towards the straps they used to secure themselves.
Rhaenyra would be surprised if Alicent let Helaena out of her sight before her next nameday. She already knew that she would probably have to pull her aside and impress upon her the importance of letting Helaena see Dreamfyre as often as she could. While Alicent was generally happy to let Rhaenyra take the reigns of their children’s education regarding dragons - a fair trade considering she was the one who oversaw every other aspect of both of their children’s education - her fears and worries had led to incidents where she tried to restrict their children from their dragons.
It had never ended well.
“She’s alright, Alicent.” Rhaenyra called as she helped her little sister release herself from the leather straps. “Not a scratch on her.”
Alicent ignored her, waiting for Helaena to skirt around Syrax and shuffle closer to her before reach forward to pull her into a tight embrace. Rhaenyra rolled her eyes in mock indignation as she herself dismounted, making sure to run a hand along Syraxs scales as she instructed the keepers to bring her a fresh goat in reward for her hard work.
It had been her tracking skills that had allowed them to find Helaena and Dreamfyre after they had taken off. Rhaenyra hadn’t even known her sister was missing from the keep until Dreamfyres cries had sounded above Kings Landing. Nor had any of her guards, maids or tutors.
Rhaenyra would be having words with them when she returned. Alicent would also, she was certain, would not be surprised if she had already done so. To lose a princess of the blood, a child as well and then not even tell her mother or the Queen? It was an unthinkable breach of their duty.
As she neared the mother and daughter, Rhaenyra could hear Alicent gearing up for a proper lecture and hurried forward to step in. She had been subject to many of those lectures throughout their girlhood and even more after they had rekindled their friendship after her father’s passing. Helaena claiming Dreamfyre was meant to be a joyful occasion.
“Go and say goodbye to Dreamfyre, Helaena.” Rhaenyra could feel Alicents glare boring a hold into the side of her face but the queen did not look away from her little sister. “It’s important for you to let her know that you are safe and ok, especially when you leave her. As your bond is so new, it is likely that she will be very protective and it’s important to keep her in the loop.”
“Yes, Sister.” Helaena nodded solemnly before skipping over to scratch at Dreamfyres scales, the great blue beast having lowered her head for her rider.
“Rhaenyra.” Alicent said through gritted teeth and Rhaenyra winced at the anger emanating from her dear friend.
“It’s a happy occasion Ali.” Rhaenyra coaxed, shrinking slightly as Alicent simply levelled her with an unimpressed glare. “Let it be so.”
Alicent sighed, glancing at Helaena before slumping in defeat. Rhaenyra smiled brightly at her, linking their arms and steering her towards the wheelhouse as Helaena came running back over.
Scoldings could wait until tomorrow. After all, it wouldn’t be proper for a Targaryen to not cause any chaos in claiming their dragon. Rhaenyra couldn’t blame Helaena for following the traditions of her ancestors.