𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐅𝐎𝐔𝐑𝐓𝐄𝐄𝐍 | Dragons

{ Rhaenyra }

✧✦✧

𝕰xtracting herself from Malkym's embrace had been challenging.

Rhaenyra had woken as the sun did, with Malkym curled around her, before realising that she had to return to her own chambers before anyone could see her. It had been a sorrow to break Malkym's hold on her and get back into her dress, not helped by Malkym waking up halfway through to catch her and pull her back into his arms for early morning kisses.

But, Rhaenyra had managed to return to her own chambers, change into a different dress and suitably mess her bed linens up so that it looked like someone had slept in them.

She'd then joined the Thorne family to break their fast.

"Here." Malkym pulled the chair back for her, allowing her to sit beside him. Rhaenyra sank down, as Malkym's brothers joined them, all four eating swiftly.

"What are your plans for the day?" Malkym questioned the two younger ones.

"I am training." Calym mumbled, glancing at Rhaenyra discreetly beneath his eyelashes, before looking away as she caught his eyes. Both boys were still nervous around her. "I have to keep practicing with my sword if I am to be as good as you."

"I think that I will be in the library." Michayl continued on from his brother.

"Will you not train with Calym?"

"I do not want to train, not today at least." Michayl shook his head. "I would prefer to read."

Malkym hummed, chewing on his bread as Calym looked up.

"What will you be doing?" Malkym thought for a moment as Rhaenyra watched him carefully.

"I do not know."

"I wish to introduce him to Syrax." The three boys all turned to look at her with wide eyes. "You might have to bring your favour, Malkym, just in case she tries to burn you."

"You are not as funny as you think you are." Malkym glared.

"No, more so." 

Malkym snorted at that, giving her a gentle nudge as his brothers hid grins and laughter, ducking their heads.

"Well, there you have it. I shall be meeting a dragon." Malkym shook his head as his uncle appeared. "Uncle. News?"

"Aye, a scroll." Rickard handed it to Malkym, as the man opened and read it swiftly before passing it to Rhaenyra. She read through it too, before pulling a face.

"They seemed to have noticed your absence." Malkym shook his head. "Perhaps, you should return to King's Landing?"

"Not without you." Rhaenyra shook her head, catching his eyes. She would not go back there without him by her side. Now, more than ever, she needed the support.

"Then, we should return to King's Landing." Malkym nodded, as Calym and Michayl both panicked.

"But-But what about Alterwoode?" Calym looked at his brother, worry clear in his eyes. 

"It will manage for a brief period of absence from me. My wedding is soon, it is expected of me to return to King's Landing." Malkym calmed them. "By the time you join me, it'll all be sorted. Rickard will stay with you, and between the three of you, you can keep the lords in check."

"We can manage." Rickard agreed. "The boys and I will be alright."

Malkym hummed in agreement.

"Prepare horses, we ride as soon as possible."

"It is quicker to fly." Rhaenyra corrected. "Syrax is big enough to take two, and we could fly back to King's Landing quicker."

"I do believe you are attempting to kill me before we can be married." Malkym had paled, as Rhaenyra chuckled.

"Do not fret, Ser Rickard. Syrax will keep Malkym safe, and I will make sure that he remains on Syrax's back if he faints."

"That is what I am worried for, Princess. I would hate to rid you of a betrothed before the wedding."

"I should never have introduced you to my family, Rhaenyra." Malkym shook his head, already standing. "If either Calym or Michayl decide to open their mouths and tell you any stories of me, please ignore them."

"They have stories of you? Do tell." Rhaenyra turned to face the two boys, who were smirking at the thought, their previous nerves forgotten. "What is the most embarrassing one?"

"We thought you might never ask." Calym's smirk turned to a viscious grin. "We did not tell you these earlier, my apologies, but, there was this one time..."

A strong arm wrapped around her waist, as Rhaenyra was hoisted off of her chair and carried from the room with ease.

"We shall tell you at the wedding, Princess!" Both boys chorused as Rhaenyra laughed, waiting for Malkym to place her down once more.

"I see I will have to keep you far from my brothers." Malkym pulled a face, though Rhaenyra could see the start of a small grin. "They know far too much that you are not allowed to know."

"I like them. They seem sweet." Rhaenyra replied, smoothing her dress out as Malkym looked down at her. "Now, come, we have to introduce you to Syrax so that we can return to King's Landing in a day's time."

"I feel as though I should be worried."

✧✦✧

Syrax had settled a few minutes walk from Alterwoode, at the entrance to one of the forests on Malkym's family's estate. It had not been hard to find her, for the golden dragon truly stood out against the dark green trees. 

Malkym's hand tightened in hers, as he slowed his step. Rhaenyra turned back to him, noting the tense posture and furrowed eyebrows.

"Malkym, come. She will not harm you."

"I have heard too much about this dragon over the past few years, and how she will burn me alive."

"I was joking with you. She will not do anything, not whilst I am here." Rhaenyra squeezed his hand again, a smile playing on her face. This was the first time that she had seen Malkym truly scared. It was a new emotion on him. Malkym still did not look convinced as Rhaenyra turned to her dragon. "Syrax. Come."

The dragon whistled and called, pulling herself away from the tree to stalk towards the pair. Malkym took a deep breath, standing up straighter as Rhaenyra let go of him to press her hand to her dragon's snout.

"I have someone I wish for you to meet, Syrax." Rhaenyra whispered, though she did not know if the dragon understood the common tongue. "This is Malkym. He is my betrothed, and I care for him deeply."

Syrax clicked, as if answering Rhaenyra, who continued to stroke the dragon before holding her hand out. Malkym grasped onto her, nervously walking to join her side as Syrax continued to talk to herself in growls, whistles and clicks.

"Here." Rhaenyra held his hand flat, placing it against Syrax's nose as the dragon snorted and flinched. Malkym did the same, his hand trembling beneath Rhaenyra's as she watched the pair. Syrax bared her teeth momentarily, before huffing as Rhaenyra nodded.

"Good." 

"What does that mean?" Malkym whispered, still looking terrified.

"It means that she likes you and that we will be able to fly home tomorrow." Rhaenyra replied, turning to press a kiss to Malkym's cheek. The dragon growled, causing Malkym to narrow his eyes in response. "All is well."

"It is not."

"Fine, all is well for our travels. As you said last night, your issues will sort themselves out." Malkym turned, shooting her a look. "What?"

"Last night, we have to keep that quiet. The incident with the brothel will already be on their minds, of that I am sure. They will make assumptions about us, especially if we're arriving together."

"Yes, and we will deny it all."

"I hope you are a convincing liar, Princess." Malkym smiled at her. "I am sure that this will be used by the Small Council as one final effort to not allow us to marry."

"They can try. But the preparations are already in place. They would not be able to stop this." Rhaenyra smiled, as Malkym's hands found her waist and she leant up to press her forehead to his. Malkym's eyes fluttered shut before a shove had Malkym stumbling away from her. He opened his eyes to glare at Syrax.

"Syrax." Rhaenyra shook her head. "You can not push Malkym."

The dragon hissed, as Malkym glared in response.

✧✦✧

The next day, Rhaenyra and Malkym clambered onto Syrax's back and shot into the air, heading back to King's Landing. Rhaenyra had laughed at Malkym's tight grip on her waist, his head resting on her shoulder as they soared through the air, finding it most amusing that he did not like the height or the flying.

On dragon back, the trip took little to no time, with the pair landing at the Dragon Pit to a flurry of confusion and mayhem. The Dragon Keepers raced over, yelling for Rhaenyra in High Valyrian as they settled down.

"Rhaenyra. What's going on?"

"They are worried for Syrax. She was gone for a little too long for them to feel comfortable." Malkym slipped down first, before holding his arms out. Rhaenyra knew that she was more than capable of jumping down on her own, but jumping into Malkym's arms was more comforting. He placed her down easily, before reluctantly patting Syrax on the back as the dragon huffed. They both glared at each other, before Malkym reluctantly thanked the dragon. 

"Thank you, Syrax." The dragon whistled and clicked, snorting as Rhaenyra shook her head. 

"See, it was not so bad." She patted Malkym's arm, as he lead her to where a group of horses were waiting. Rhaenyra decided it was probably not bet to mention how she had heard Malkym's screech of fear when Syrax had taken off, nor the tightening of his arms around her waist. 

Malkym's eyes narrowed, looking ahead as Rhaenyra cocked an eyebrow.

"What is it?"

"Ser Criston is here." Malkym muttered, tightening his hold on Rhaenyra's arm. "Why is he here?"

"Princess. Ser Malkym." Ser Criston forced a bow, his face in a neutral expression. "The Queen wishes to speak with you, Princess. Ser Malkym, I have a message to relay to you."

Rhaenyra turned, not liking the sound of Ser Criston's voice. She watched as Malkym's eyes narrowed, before he smiled at Rhaenyra.

"I shall see you later, Princess." He pressed a swift kiss to her hand, winking, as a horse was brought over for Rhaenyra. The teenager kept her eyes fixated on Malkym and Ser Criston as two other members of the Kings Guard joined the men. 

Rhaenyra caught his eyes one last time, fear surrounding her heart as Malkym smiled and nodded. He would be alright.

Hiya,

So, Malkym met Syrax and there will be more of them interacting, I promise you. Him and Rhaenyra are super cute, but they're gonna have a fun next few chapters. Also, I have an Aemond book out that is a spin-off to this one, so please give it a read and check it out!

Let me know what you think,

Love Li xx