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SERENADE OF SEA AND FLAME
Chapter One, The Dragonpit

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"Who was Aegon the Conqueror's first Hand?" Aemond asked, holding the history book.

Visella's mind was clearly elsewhere as she lied in the grass of the godswood, next to the white heart tree. "Um, Lord something."

"You know this one," Aemond sighed.

"Do I?" She asked sarcastically.

"You're nervous," he smirked. "Nyke gīmigon kesrio syt ao va moriot act hae bisa skori iksā (I know because you always act like this when you are)."

"Like what?"

"Clueless, stubborn." He said. "And during our dancing class, you stepped on my feet five times."

She shrugged her shoulders, "it was a hard dance!"

"You never step on my feet!" She didn't respond. Aemond closed the book and tilted his head, "bisa iksis nūmāzma aōha muña, iksis ziry doar? (This is about your mother, isn't it?)"

She sighed, "kessa (yes)."

"You wish for her to be safe." He explained her thoughts perfectly.

"All I wish is to fly on dragon back, and travel the world with you," she said, playing with her necklace her mother once had at her age. " . . . and also eat nothing but cake."

"Be serious." He told her.

"You know I never fib about cake!" She chuckled lightly. "But, yes, I worry for my mother."

"Your mother will be fine, she's given birth three times already," he placed his hand on hers. "Why didn't they let you in the chamber anyway?"

"Because the guards are cunts," she rolled her eyes. Aemond's jaw dropped. She laughed at his reaction. "I was only kidding, Aemond, but thank you for your concern." She got up and paced back and forth, "Aegon's first hand was Lord Orys of House Baratheon. Their House's words are 'ours is the fury.'"

"Correct." He smiled. "Are you ready to be tested by the Septa?"

"I believe so—"

"Pardon, Princess Visella, Prince Aemond." A maid bowed nervously. "I am here to escort the princess to her mother."

"No need," Aemond smiled, "I shall escort her!"

"If you say so," she bowed. After the maid left, Visella wrapped her arm in Aemond's, "let us go see my mother." They talked and laughed, waving to every person they passed as they walked in the Red Keep. "I hope the baby's a girl," she told him.

"It'll be a boy, watch," he said. When they made it to the labor room, no one was there. A midwife informed the two that Alicent requested the baby be brought to her. Once they made it to the Queen's chambers, both of their parents were there.

"Ah, my son and granddaughter." Viserys gave a warm smile, holding the baby.

Visella curtsied, "your Grace, my Queen." She smiled at her mother, "Princess." Aemond addressed her mother too, bowing.

The two children noticed the look Alicent gave them, causing them to let go of each other. "What were the two of you doing?" The Queen asked them.

"We were studying, mother," Aemond answered. "In the godswood."

"Ah," she grinned. For a split moment, she quickly glanced over at Rhaenrya. "I see."

Visella walked over to Viserys as he held the baby. "I believe he has his father's nose," the King said, chuckling. Laenor gave an awkward smile.

"He?" Ella asked, whining. "So the baby's not a girl?" Her complaints made Viserys laugh.

"All we can do is hope the next baby is a girl," Rhaenrya smiled.

Alicent held the baby next, smiling down at him before handing him to Laenor. Alicent whispered to him. "Do try again Ser Laenor, hopefully the next one will look like you." Only Rhaenrya heard the insulting remark. She turned to Rhaenrya and smiled, "I only wished to see the babe, you are free to go."

Rhaenrya slowly stood up. To help her, Ella walked beside her to give support. As the three of them walked out, Visella smiled at Aemond, "bye."

He waved back, grinning, "bye."

The family made it to the parents' chamber where Visella's brothers and Ser Harwin were waiting for them. "Mother!" Jace and Luke cheered, they gave her a hug. "Boys," she smiled.

Jace walked over to the table, showing them a dragon egg. "We chose an egg for the baby," Luke explained.

"Ah, that looks like the perfect one," Rhaenrya said softly. Ser Harwin helped her to the couch.

"I let Luke choose." Jacaerys said.

"Not everyday an egg leaves the Dragonpit, Princess," Ser Harwin smiled. "I thought it best to escort the lads."

"Laenor and I thank you, Commander." Rhaenrya was clearly tired from the walking. Visella couldn't believe the Queen would summon the baby right after birth.

"Another boy, I heard?" Ser Harwin asked. He turned to Laenor, "may I?"

Laenor nodded. "Of course." He gently handed over the baby to the Lord Commander. "He will make a fine knight, Joffrey." Harwin smiled down at his son as he held him.

Lucerys suddenly reached out to the baby, "may I hold Joffrey too?"

"Aht aht," Laenor said, turning them to the door. "You should be in the Dragonpit!" He looked back at his daughter, "you too, young lady. Before they send out a search party." Before walking out the room, Visella kissed her mother's cheek, "please rest, mother."

"Don't worry about me, my sweet," she smiled. "I'm under great protection."

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"I can't wait for the day they become big enough to ride!" Little Luke said as they walked. "We can race on dragon back as much as we'd like."

"Wouldn't that be glorious?" Visella giggled, messing with his dark curly hair.

"And maybe we could beat you too," Jace laughed, looking up at their father.

"What?" He asked, playfully gasping. "Nonsense! Seasmoke would beat all of your dragons, hands down!"

"We'll see about that," she laughed.

They finally arrived to the entrance of the pit. "I'll leave all of you to it," he smiled. Each of them hugged their father before he left. The dragon tamers greeted them in Valyrian, escorting them inside. Their uncles, Aegon and Aemond, stood inside waiting for them. Visella rolled her eyes as Aegon smirked at her. "My beautiful beloved niece, Visella." He bowed, wearing all green attire. Green was the color of his Queen mother's House, Hightower. Aemond wore the same color as usual too.

"Hello, Aegon." She said. Looking over at Aemond, she waved. He gave a little smile in response.

The sound of shrieks echoed throughout the pit. It was Aegon's dragon, Sunfyre, emerging from the shadows with two dragon keepers restraining him with chains. Visella couldn't lie, Sunfyre had to have been the prettiest dragon she's ever seen. His scales were golden, with pale pink wing membranes. His gold gleamed and shimmered in the sunlight. Ella couldn't help but stare in awe anytime she saw him.

"You seem impressed, Visella." Aegon said, standing proudly with his hands on his hips. "Once Sunfyre is big enough to saddle two, I'd gladly take you for a ride."

She smirked, "no thank you, I have my own dragon."

Two other dragon keepers brought out her dragon, Shrykos. Visella named her after the goddess of beginnings and endings.

"I guess we're going first," Aegon smiled wickedly.

The keeper that escorted them inside told the keepers, "let them come." They unchained the two dragons. Visella and Aegon smiled at their dragons as they made their way to them.

Before they could come too close, the two commanded, " keligon (halt)!" The dragons stopped immediately.

Visella reached out her hand slowly, "syz, Shrykos, syz (good, Shrykos, good)." The dragon purred almost like a cat as she rubbed her head against Rhae's palm.

The keepers brought out two pigs for the dragons to eat. After they both said the word "dracarys," the dragons spat out their flames. The color of Shrykos' fire was the same as her scales, a pale blue. The blue was so light, she almost looked grey, like Seasmoke.

After their dragons were done with training, it was Jace's turn. Luke was too young to begin training, but he loved to come watch anyway. Jace had a green dragon named Vermax. Their dragons also were named after Old Valyrian Gods. Luke named his Arrax.

Visella couldn't help but feel sorry for Aemond, who stood there quietly. She walked next to him, "I'm sure you'll get one soon, perhaps my mother could give you an egg after Syrax's next clutch?"

"No need for that," Aegon said, moving his long silver-blonde hair from his face. "We have a surprise for you." The dragon keepers escorted the dragon back into the pit.

Ella raised an eyebrow, "what?"

"What is it?" Aemond asked. He had a hint of hope in his tone.

"Something very special," Luke giggled. He ran off to get the gift.

"Well, we know you are the only one without a dragon," Aegon said as they walked.

"Indeed." Aemond agreed.

"And we feel very badly about it," Aegon said looking at Jace for him to nod. "So we found one for you."

"A dragon, how?" He asked.

"The gods provide," His older brother smiled. The sound that echoed from the darkness sounded like a dragon at first, until it came into the light revealing a pig instead. It had fake dragon wigs attached to it.

The three boys said, "behold, the pink dread!" They all laughed together as Visella and Aemond stood there in disappointment. Obviously it was Aegon's idea and convinced her brothers to be in on it.

"Be sure to mount her carefully," Aegon whispered to his brother. "The first ride is always rough." Before walking away, he oinked in his ear.  Her brothers followed behind him laughing. Visella placed her hand on Aemond's shoulder, "I'm so sorry."

He moved away from her, "just leave me be." Not wanting her to see him cry, Aemond ran off into the darkness. She felt awful, even though she did nothing wrong. "Aemond, come back!" She shouted. "You shouldn't go in there!" He's going to try and claim one again, she thought. Visella sighed and ran to catch up with the boys.

"Why aren't you laughing, Ella?" Jace asked after she caught up with them.

"Well, I find the joke rather cruel." She gave a look of disappointment at her younger brothers. "You shouldn't pick on other people, you know better than this, especially you Jace."

"It was Aegon's idea!" Luke said, pointing at him.

"And yet you went along with it anyway." Visella knelt down. "It was wrong. I'd like you both to apologize the next time you see him."

Luke frowned, "okay."

"Oh loosen up, love," Aegon sighed. "It was only a joke."

"I didn't find it funny." She snapped. "And I am not your love." Visella felt sorry for whoever Aegon will someday marry.