Chapter Text
She lifted her head, slow and careful. Her children were curled carefully around her horns, hanging like limp vines, wings and scales mixing. Her own wings strained to lift her body, her hind legs finally finding traction to get her standing, thick and powerful muscles tensing. She rumbled, calling to her children. They chirped, barely awake and she took off, the ground disappearing from under her, growing smaller and smaller as she left the cliff side.
She could smell the humans that were approaching, their vile scent carrying on the wind. Steel and weakness, that is all humans reek of. They burned so easily as well and if she had her way, she would've remained in her homeland, in her caves - but her heart sung and called her across the water, the salty spray a blessed welcome from the volcanic rock she had grown accustomed to.
It meant freedom - it meant her heartsong. She could feel it, her heart and soul calling her to them. The wind funneled under her great wings, lifting her up higher, her children clinging tighter to her horns. She had kept them safe for so long and she only hoped that across the water they would be safe as well. She had felt the call many moon phases ago, drawing her gaze to the west.
She had been alone for so long, scavenging for food and company through the ruins of her home, the volcanoes and stone her only company for her many moon phases. Her own mother had left long ago, disappearing into the depths of the volcano they called their home. But she hadn't felt the call to the fire - she felt it to cross the water and salt. She shook her body, rising up from the surf, having drifted lower, her claws dragging through the foam that crested the waves.
Her children slowly woke as she flew, a new land coming into view. She had flown from the volcanoes once her children hatched, had crossed the water to a great human land, full of black stone that reeked of other dragons and their fire. She had only landed to feast, tearing through fleshy beasts with hooves, burning them to eat and allow her children to dig through their guts, feeding on the nutrient rich meat.
Then, when the humans began to gather, she took off once more, leaving the metal and frail beings behind her. The next time she landed was for water, sucking it down her gullet, her children sinking their scales and wings into the fresh water, swimming or treading the mud at the bottom of the lake. She had smelled the humans before they had seen her, but with them they had the same hoofed beasts and her children were hungry once more.
She burned them all, their metal melting against their flesh, encasing them in their tombs. Her children ate the beasts and she rested, having flown both herself and her children for many days before landing for water. Beyond the lake was another human land, full of them from the smell of it. She would avoid it.
That was how she found herself here, now above a new land, with new smelling humans. It was green and yellow and many shades of brown. She dipped closer to the ground and realized they were buildings, made of trees and stone. Different from the last human land she had encountered. Her own mother said humans would harm them if they showed themselves, all humans would except their heartsong - they would protect them.
Her children wiggled and she rumbled at them to still themselves. They did as told, but she understood their excitement. Her heart sang louder as she flew over the land, her shadow rippling over the hills and the buildings. They were getting closer to her heartsong and once she found them, she would bring her children to theirs, should they have them. To do what her mother could not.
Dragons hadn't been seen in exactly 56 years, not since The Last died the year his father was born. Baelor re-read the letter in his hand. It had been written in a rush, he could tell, his father's usual careful lettering messy and ink blots staining the paper.
Apparently a dragon had been seen, flying across the Narrow Sea from Myr, crossing over the Stormlands and seemed to be on course for. Well. Them. Here, in the Reach, in some nowhere castle in some nowhere meadow, as his brother Maekar so lovingly put it.
A dragon bigger than The Last had been, seemingly the size of Meleys, at least from what they could tell. It would be easier if it had landed near civilization but it avoided people at all cost, only landing in fields to take a sheep or horse that was unsupervised. Pale cream on it's under belly and a darker blue with frills a pale blue and the skin between the fingers of it's wing the same pale blue. It looked as if the very sky had taken flesh and bone.
He lowered the letter down and lifted his gaze to his brother, who watched him with sharp eyes. "What is it?" He asked, their mother tongue flowing with ease from his lips. Baelor followed him through Ashford Castle, hot on the Lord's heels.
"Father says there is a dragon."
And Maekar laughed. He laughed until they were informed that Daeron and Aegon were not here. And so his brother fell into the 'overprotective father' mode, as their brother Aerys so eloquently put it, cursing like his life depended on it. Baelor simply followed his brother to the Lord's solar, listening to his sharp words and grunts as he threw his weight, literal and metaphorical, around.
A faint but sweet scent made itself known then, as a steward pulled his riding cloak off and Baelor tilted his head up, inhaling deeper. His brother was a Beta and so wasn't as sensitive to scents like he was, so he continued his tirade of his sons most likely running off rather than being stolen away.
Fresh forest berries, warm summer rain and wildflowers. An Omegan scent if Baelor had ever scented one. Omegas and Alphas were rather rare, the majority of the population of Westeros being Betas, which worked well for many Lords and smallfolk alike - no Heat or Rut to steal away time and sense. No instincts to tamper or temper.
Baelor was a rare Alpha, only sharing that trait with his father and eldest son, while his mother and brothers were the common neutral Betas. And he had never come across an Omega. But it would seem he will finally have a chance to meet one. He fully turned, catching sight of a rather worn and ragged cloak slip back behind the decorative wall. And it seemed his brother had seen it as well, snarling at them to show themselves.
The Omega that stepped from around wall was taller than any other man Baelor had come across, taller than himself and he was the tallest in his family. Tall despite being slouched and Baelor instantly needed to see him with a straight back and dressed in his House colors and sigil.
He hadn't been overly possessive of his wife, had wanted her safe and happy, of course, but had been fine with her leaving the Red Keep to return to Blackhaven when she wished, allowed her to keep her house colors and had found no need to create a nest or den for them. But perhaps because she was a Beta, it had been different.
Because right now, every bone in his body demanded that he see this Omega before him in his den, to create a nest for him and their pups, to never see him away from Baelor's side and only ever dressed in black and red, or bared for Baelor to drink in every piece of him. He watched him carefully, running his tongue over his freshly descended fangs. They ached to sink into the naked neck of the Omega - Ser Duncan, he said his name was.
A knight. How cute. Baelor would see him atop a destrier and armed to the teeth if that was what he wished, at least until he was heavy with Baelor's pups. And then he would never leave the den. Baelor had to play this right or this Omega would slip through his fingers.
Ser Arlan of Pennytree. The name had been filed away deep within his mind, nearly a decade before. Duncan hadn't been his squire at the time or Baelor would've remembered the sweet thing. Perhaps the younger version of him would've tried to steal him away. Queen of the Seven Realms. That would be a good title for Duncan.
"I see no reason to deny you," Baelor turned to look at the master of the games, a mousey Beta who simply nodded. Maekar snapped at Duncan and Baelor rumbled, leveling a stern look to his brother. Maekar scoffed but said nothing else, sitting further back in his seat, crushing the walnuts under his molars. Duncan swallowed down a sound and it caught Baelor's attention, his gaze snapping back to Duncan.
"You must forgive my brother, ser. His sons went astray on the way here, and he fears for them." The Omega frowned and his scent soured slightly. How sweet, the boy cares for them already. He will be a most excellent mother. Duncan bowed once more, wishing them luck in finding Daeron and Aegon before leaving the castle. With him, he took his soft summer scent and Baelor sighed, unhappy with him leaving.
"Now what has you so disappointed, brother?" Maekar mocked him and Baelor shook his head. Maekar simply didn't see what Baelor did, but that was fine - Baelor knew his goals. Find the dragon and bond with Duncan. Very simple.
Baelor had been drafting a response to his father: that he would remain on the lookout for the dragon and requesting to remarry, when Ser Donnel entered the solar, out of breath and pale in the face. A hedge knight had punched and kicked Aerion at a puppet show and apparently said hedge knight had been in possession of Aegon. What an odd turn of events, Daeron, whom Ser Roland had graciously found at an inn that very day, had claimed a knight of incredible height had stolen his younger brother away. Baelor had thought it was a one of his drunken rambles, but Maekar took it as the truth.
And into the solar his nephew walked with a prideful saunter, slouching into a chair beside his father and the Omega brought to them in chains. Anger and fear soured his summer scent and Baelor swallowed a purr, an instinctual sound to soothe the poor thing. Before any of them could speak however, Valarr entered the solar, brushing Ser Donnel away.
"Tell them what you told me, Aegon," Valarr turned and allowed them to see the young prince behind him, in all of his bald glory.
Maekar stood and started to speak, or rather screech about the sudden lack of hair, but Baelor raised a hand, stopping his brother. "Aegon?"
The boy spoke quickly, speaking highly of his Ser - he was Duncan's squire, which Maekar immediately denied - that Duncan hadn't kidnapped him, that Aegon himself left Daeron at the inn to follow Duncan on the back of a lamb cart of all things. That Duncan hadn't known of Aegon's royal nature or he would have returned him immediately.
As Aegon spoke, Valarr, who had been standing on the boys left, had slowly crept closer to Duncan, tilting his head up and inhaling deeply. Baelor narrowed his eyes, watching his son take in the soft scent of the Omega. The only other Alpha here and Baelor had never thought Valarr would be competition in tying Duncan to him.
When had they met? It's only been two days since Duncan had asked Baelor to vouch for him for the tourney and Valarr had ridden that very night. And again in the morning, before Aerion did as Aerion does - cause chaos.
Duncan turned slightly to Valarr and gave him a small smile, bowing his head. Valarr murmured something and Baelor's blood boiled. He shook himself and tried to regulate his breathing. And also tried not to think of how well Duncan's and Valarr's scents mingled together - soft summer and storming sea. Duncan who smelled of sweet fruits and warm rain and Valarr who smelled of sea salt and sharp steel.
Baelor's eyes found Maekar's, who had the audacity to look smug of all things and Baelor stood.
"You should have come to me, Aegon. Or your father. Or even Valarr," he rounded the table and folded his hands before him, staring down the three young men. "By bringing Ser Duncan into this, you've caused quite a mess. Ser Duncan," his voice shifted, softer, more delicate. The Omega perked, bright blue eyes finding his and growing warm. He mourned what he had to say next -
"I will forgive him if he marries me," Baelor turned slowly towards the irritating voice. Aerion popped a walnut into his mouth, staring up at the giant Omega. Duncan blinked owlishly at him before turning back to Baelor.
"I don't want to marry him, my prince," he whispered, as if he was afraid to admit it too loudly. Baelor shook his head.
"You wouldn't-"
"Then you would have to go through me, cousin." Valarr stepped between Duncan and Aerion, cutting off Aerion's eyeline. The Beta sneered and stood and if he had fangs, they would surely had dropped.
"Is that a challenge?"
"Yes. I will be Dunk's champion. A trial by combat is any knight's right. And when I win, he will be free to leave or -" and he finally looked to his father, Baelor's eyes narrowed. "He can choose to marry me," as if there wasn’t a lady in Tyrosh waiting to be his betrothed, moons spent bargaining and trading and courting.
Duncan's mouth opened and Valarr turned to him, eyes softening as he lifted a hand to cup the Omega's cheek. "Allow me to fight for you, please. And then you can return to your hedges if you wish. Or you would be welcomed into my arms and my house," he spoke softly, reverently, as if before the Faces of the Seven in the Great Sept of Baelor. Worshipping Duncan.
Baelor felt rage prick at his gums and he swallowed back a growl. He had never once felt the need to bare his fangs at his sons, never wanted to keep something hidden from them, to keep for himself. He should have kept Duncan the day he met him, rather than let him walk away. He was a fool and he could feel his brother's mocking gaze and every ancestor he had sigh in disappointment.
"If…if that is what you want, my prince." The soft voice cut through the tension in the air, Duncan's bright blue eyes flicking from Valarr to Baelor, surely scenting the simmering rage of the elder and the poorly hidden lust of the younger. Valarr smiled brightly and nodded.
"Unchain him, he will rest in a guest room this night," Valarr turned to Aerion and both his scent and eyes narrowed, "and at dawn, our blades will cross."
Dawn came slowly, Baelor not able to rest the entire night. He paced outside Duncan’s door from the hour of the wolf to the hour of the nightingale, before forcing himself back to the solar.
Aegon had found him there, had asked for his forgiveness. Baelor could not remain angry at his nephew for long, but he grinded his teeth when Aegon said he hoped Duncan married Valarr - then he will be my cousin and he will always remain with them!
But if Duncan married him, then Duncan would also remain with them, although loftier than being married to Valarr - for the time being. Baelor stared at the fire for hours, until dawn finally arrived. Of all who came to fetch him, it was Duncan who arrived first.
Baelor sat up, standing to meet the Omega half way. He opened his mouth to greet Duncan but the younger stepped closer and rested his head on Baelor's shoulder. The Alpha went still, muscles seizing, breath freezing and blood stilling.
"I had never met an Alpha before," Duncan whispered beside Baelor's ear. He was still half-asleep, drowsy with a dream most like. That was why he was so comfortable with Baelor, his prince. "And then I met two of you and it was like I had found what I've been looking for."
Baelor slightly turned, the tip of his nose brushing against the shell of Duncan's ear. He smelled like fresh soap, the lye and lavender hiding his natural scent, but it had it's own perks. Baelor could overlay his own scent on Duncan now and he took that opportunity to soak the Omega in his rich vetiver, sharp nutmeg and burning white oak. Claiming him as his.
Duncan pulled away, eyes sleepy and a deep purr working it's way up his throat at being saturated in his Alpha's scent. Baelor grinned, but before he could go further, Aegon appeared at the doorway, calling for Duncan. It drew the Omega out of his space and he turned to the pup, smiling softly. "I'm coming, I'm coming," he yawned and Aegon led him out of the solar and likely to the tourney field - where the trial will be held.
Baelor stood in the room for a long moment, breathing in the slight scent Duncan had left, but it was mostly to will his cock down, so he wouldn't make a fool of himself at the tourney field. Maekar found him as he walked to the stands, his younger brother tsking at the Alpha and at the stupidity of both of their children.
That, Baelor could agree on. He took his seat and scowled at the sight of his son, heir to an heir, face off against his cousin, second son of a fourth son. But, he thought as his gaze flicked to the tallest man on the field, Duncan just off to the left of the high platform, Aegon beside him, the boy cheering loudly for Valarr to kill Aerion. He would've fought for Duncan's hand as well, if he could. Before the herald could call the beginning of the trial, the God's cast their judgements - although perhaps not the God's they were used to.
A roar shook the earth and all eyes went to the sky. His father's letter had been right - the dragon was the color of the very sky and as big as Meleys, at least their skulls were a similar size. Fangs and flesh descended upon the meadow, the dragon dragging its body through the air, circling the castle and landing upon it's walls, crushing the loose stone beneath it. It roared again, shaking its head and its body followed. The entire tourney stilled, Baelor turning to face his brother, who simply stared at the beast.
"Is that…"
Chaos erupted and the screams began.
She hated that her heartsong was among other humans. Had hoped they would be in the wild, where she had found the most peace. But this is where she was called. Where humans smelled of steel and blood and hatred. She snarled, fangs dripping with her saliva. Her children remained in the forest, where she had first smelled her heartsong. Had dragged her body through trees and a river to deposit them, all curled among the cloth that smelled of him.
And now that she had found him, she knew more about him than ever before. It wasn't just a song anymore. It was a symphony. She knew he was a warrior, carried steel and had the hoofed beasts she enjoyed eating - but she would not eat these ones. She knew he was young, the same age as her, their eggs had hatched at the same time. She knew he was brave and he was big. She wanted to meet him so bad, to finally feel complete.
She circled the field where he was, trying to pick him out from the many humans. She landed on the building, feeling the stones crumble underneath her weight. She watched the field, two humans standing upon the mud and many more locked behind fences. Her heartsong was one of the many. But with so many…she shook her head, trying to clear all the scents. It was different than she was used to, the stale rocks and the harsh ash. She snarled, snapping her jaws and the humans began screaming and moving.
Stampeding, like the beasts of her homeland. She watched, trying to pick out her heartsong. She inhaled, tilting her head. That one. She thrilled, vocalizing her joy. It was one of the few who didn't run away but towards her, towards other humans who strangely smelled of dragonfire, of her homeland and of her mother.
She thrilled, gliding from the building, crushing the cloth and wood buildings that littered the meadow underneath her weight, hitting the ground and roaring, shaking the earth. Her heartsong cried out, clutching a small human to him, looking up at her with wide blue eyes that mirrored her scales. They were the same, the two of them and she lowered her head, cooing to him.
This was like soothing her children and he responded well, the fear slipping away. She drew closer and he stayed still. She purred and her keel dug into the soft ground, sinking as she carefully folded her wings to her body, flicking her tail. He was speaking and she refocused on him, watching his face, no longer stained with fear but awe, looking to others who approached and speaking to them. He was speaking but she knew none of the words.
Others spoke, trying to soothe her, calling to her in a language she vaguely recognized. But it wasn't her heartsong and she didn't want to listen. She listened to his soft timbre, his gentle words. He spoke to one, the one he carried the scent of. Sharp and fire-like, not at all like the soft rain amd gentle forest she scented near the river. This was his mate, our mate? She rumbled curious, pushing her head closer.
Baelor stared at the dragon, approaching Duncan and Aegon slowly. Duncan had been the one it approached, it laid it's great head before the Omega, gazing up at him. As Baelor grew closer, he watced the dragon carefully. It watched him back, eyes a sharp copper, ringed with bright gold. Standing before skulls was very different than standing before a real one.
It was large as Meleys had been at her death, her skull now one of the ones decorating the throne room of the Red Keep. It had similar horns as well, a crown of them around its skull. Long frills ran from the it's brow, twisting to the side of the dragon and ending at the tip of it's tail, which swayed through the destroyed tents and muddy ground. It didn't seem to be bothered by the destruction it caused, having found what Baelor assumed it was looking for.
"She won't hurt you," Duncan said, soft and gentle. The dragon made an inquisitive noise, raising it's head ever so slightly.
"She?" Duncan nodded, gesturing to the dragon beside him. "How…how do you know?" The other man shrugged.
"I don't know how to explain it, my Prince. It's like…I can feel her here," he held a hand over his heart. "It's like I've been listening to a half-finished melody and now that she's here, I know all the words to it," he flushed with his explanation, apparently embarrassed. Baelor smiled softly and nodded.
"I understand," in a sense, Baelor understood what Duncan meant. But there hadn't been any information about the bonds his ancestors had with their dragons, just that they had formed them and it had been expected of them to have the bonds. But that also meant Duncan wasn't exactly who he said he was. "Duncan, do you know who your parents were?" The thought of their blood being intertwined as such made Baelor heady and he knew it was the dragon within him, wanting what was his to remain his.
Duncan shook his head, casting his gaze back to the dragon at his hip. Her head was as tall as Duncan was, who was by far the tallest man Baelor had ever seen. "Barely remember my mum, but that was common in Flea Bottom." So there was a likelihood of him being a bastard. Baelor tried to settle his breathing and prayed to every god he knew to keep his cock down. Would have to be, considering he is bonded with a dragon. A dragon that seemingly was able to exist and grow for the past half century.
Said dragon seemed to grow tired and stood, lifting her body slowly, drawing her wings under her body and stretched her neck forward, closer to Baelor. Baelor steeled himself, setting his jaw and drawing in soft breaths. She blinked at him before drawing her gaze to his brother and nephews behind him.
"What are you suggesting, brother?" Maekar asked, tilting his head up, sneering slightly.
"We still need to have this trial, or perhaps the Omega has found sense and will marry me," Aerion snarled at the same time, anger rippling off of him. Duncan furrowed his brow and frowned, stepping forward to say something, but then the dragon began snarling, drawing her head back and through her pale belly, a bright light began to travel up her neck, her jaw falling open and as close as she was, Baelor could see the fire building in her throat and the gaseous pits in her jaws gaped, releasing more gas to funnel the flame into a torrent of fire, to burn every thing before her.
Baelor turned to Maekar, mouth open to warn, but another voice broke through before he could speak. "That's enough." Duncan was calm, how he could be with a living weapon beside him, Baelor did not understand. But the dragon dipped her head, mouth closing and flames dying in her chest. She made a small noise, almost a purr and then simply false lunged towards Aerion, the boy startling and falling back, his armor clanking.
Duncan tsked at the dragon, but Baelor saw the small smile that played across his face, the dragon's head shaking with - with laughter. The dragon was laughing at Aerion, which did nothing for the boy's ego. The dragon then curled her head around, brushing Duncan to the side, trying to herd him away from the others. Baelor stepped back, giving her space and she eventually turned fully, Duncan and Aegon walking beside her head.
She trampled the tents and stalls before her, not even seeking the path of least resistance and simply relied on her size to do it all for her. But it made it easy to follow at the very least. And follow they did, Baelor dragging his feet through the thick mud, following the swinging tail of the dragon. It was long, nearly the size of her body, with frills down the side of it, most likely to help with flight and being aerodynamic.
She brought them to a large tree, an elm, with two horses tied to a tree within the small copse at the side of the clearing. Duncan was carefully dropped and the dragon thrilled at the back of her throat and the bedroll around the dead fire began to twist and move.
And four small heads popped out, chirping and screeching.
Her children had done well, remaining where she put them. She was glad to see them safe and her heartsong would finally meet them. The other humans had followed, their mate and the others that smelled of dragonfire. They were odd, they reeked of her homeland, of her, but they were not dragons.
Her heartsong bent down, slowly reaching forward to her children. They chirped and she rumbled. He will not hurt you. They screeched and leapt from the cloth and climbed up his body, tucking close to memorize his scent and face. He cooed at them and her heart thrummed with joy.
Her heartsong loved her children and her children loved her heartsong. Voices rose behind her and her heartsong turned, holding up her children in his large arms. He was bigger than the other humans and she purred with pride. Her heartsong was the best and she was glad he was her's. The one he cared for stepped closer, smiling softly at him and her children.
She didn't understand the words they spoke to one another, only once in a while did one of the dragonfire ones speak a language she understood more now, realizing it was the language her mother said their heartsong's would speak to them. But her heartsong didn't seem to speak it, was he broken? As soon as the thought crossed her mind she shook it away, snarling to herself. No! Her heartsong was perfect.
The others spoke of bringing her back, her and her children. But what of her heartsong? She had spent so long searching for him. She would go nowhere to without him. And surely their mate wouldn't leave without her heartsong. Her children curled around her horns, leaving her heartsong to sleep once more.
Her heartsong called softly to her and she followed. Back to the building and he pushed her head back when she tried to press into the building. Stay here. His heart sang to her. So she stayed. She curled her body in the muddy field beside the building, her children sleeping among her horns and back and she rested. Not a true rest, she didn't want to miss something important, feeling the melody between her and her heartsong.
She tested the melody, feeling along the notes, learning what she could. Dunk. Her heartsong's name. She liked it, because it was his. Grew up alone, no mother and no father. She didn't know what a father was, but she mourned that he had no mother. Her mother would have liked him. Was a knight. A warrior of some kind, if she understood the flashes within the notes of their bond. She would bring him into battle, then. They would be warriors together. But as she tested the notes, she saw it was more than that.
"In the name of the Warrior, I charge you to be brave. In the name of the Father, I charge you to be just. In the name of the Mother, I charge you to defend the young and innocent. In the name of the Maid, I charge you to protect all women."
The voice that spoke it echoed in her Dunk's mind, soft and far away, someone he cared for.
It felt incomplete to her and she lifted her head slightly, turning to the building. Was there more…the notes sang that he was a knight but that he may not have been knighted. Silly heartsong, she lowered her head once more and returned to the notes to see more of her Dunk.
The ones that smelled of dragonfire left the building but her Dunk was nowhere to be seen. She called out to them, standing, demanding to know where he was. Their mate approached slowly, bowing his head. He respected her. So she would respect him.
He called to her and she shook her body out, stepping forward. He spoke again and she snorted, looking away - where is her Dunk? She lifted her head to the building again, calling out to him with both voice and heart, approaching the stone to climb to one of the windows, pressing her face against it. Her Dunk was still in there and she would get him out, the window shattering under her muzzle, inhaling the scent of the inner building. Fear and cooked meat. She chirped, drawing more of the scents into her lungs.
"What are you doing?" She pulled her head free, looking down. Her Dunk! He had left the building and had joined their mate. She tested the notes for his name. Baelor. It felt familiar. She dropped from where she had pressed the length of her body to the stone, wings unfurling slightly as she dipped her head to nuzzle him. She had taken the time to learn the language her Dunk spoke and enjoyed knowing what he was saying.
"Duncan, it seemed she wished to find you. If you would just come with us-"
"I already said no, my prince. No disrespect, Your Grace, but dragons belong to House Targaryen and…I belong to the hedges." She pulled away, watching him. He wanted to leave? They can leave. She lifted her Dunk and he cried out, clawing at her face. But her scales were hard and sturdy, so she would not flinch. Her children cooed and chirped as she twisted her head to drop him on her back. This was where heartsongs went, she knew from her mother's stories.
He gripped her frill and spines and she thrilled, turning away from the building and Baelor. Her Dunk screamed as she took four steps forward, raising her wings and took off, the ground disappearing from under her. Her children cried with joy and her Dunk screamed with fear. He would grow used to it. She wouldn't fly as high, she figured as she dipped lower to the ground, hind claws dragging through the tops of trees. She wasn't sure why her Dunk wished to leave their mate but if it was what he wanted, she would grant it. Would take him wherever he wished to go, all the way back to her homeland if he wanted.
"Go back, go back, please!" She rumbled and made a lazy and wide circle back, the building slowly returning to view along with all the people that had gathered. She circled above them and slowly dove to the ground once more, rumbling her displeasure. Her Dunk sighed as she landed and offered her wing for him to climb off of her back, which he gladly took and then took many steps away from her, emptying his stomach.
She must hunt. For them. She leaned towards her Dunk and shook her children off her head, their small bodies falling onto his head and shoulders. She raised her wings and took off once more.
Valarr was saddened at Duncan's rejection of his hand but before his scent could sour too much, the Omega swore he would remain near. Valarr then promised to do it right this time, court him like a proper Omega should be. It made Duncan flush and bow his head, hiding the growing pink along his milky flesh.
Baelor ground his teeth together and flexed his jaw, his fingers tightening around eachother has he twisted his rings. Perhaps that was his chance, to court Duncan better than his green son and win the Omega's heart properly. It would be fun.
Baelor figured he was one of his grandfather's bastards, probably sired in the last year of his life. But Duncan was set in not returning to King's Landing as one of their own, was content to be in the hedges. The dragon had seemed to agree, to an extent, taking Duncan upon her back and taking off. They weren't gone for very long, returning shortly after and Duncan slipped down her wing and threw up. She left again, after dropping her hatchlings into Duncan's arms.
Four tiny dragons, a palette of colors. One yellow and black, another purple and pink, the third white and silver and the last a dull green and indigo. They only stuck with Duncan, breathing tiny plumes of flames at any who approached, aside from himself, which made Aegon and Aerion furious for different reasons. Duncan watched his dragon leave and Baelor cleared his throat.
"She's going hunting." Duncan offered, turning to him. "She may bring back a horse, she seems to like them a lot. Horses are expensive. I can't afford to feed them horses." Baelor smiled.
"You wouldn't need to. She may be content with sheep. And we would care for them. You just have to join our house - but it does not need to be by marrying Valarr." Duncan looked up and arched an eyebrow. "To bond with a dragon, one must have Valyrian blood, you are likely a bastard of my grandfather - King Aegon IV," he watched as Duncan's eyes widened and he shook his head furiously.
"My Prince, no, no that - I would never -" the boy had likely seen the aftermath of Redgrass, the horrors of what a bastard with too much pride could do.
"Settle," the command slipped from between his fangs and Duncan's gaze drew distant and hazy. "My father would welcome you, as the first dragon rider in nearly a century. You would not fear for where your next meal would come from, nor for a bed or bath. You and your dragon will be well cared for," Baelor purred, cupping the Omega's cheek and running his thumb over the roundness.
The Omega purred and Duncan lifted one of the hatchlings, the green and indigo one and offered him to Baelor. Baelor took him, the hatchling twisting about his arm and settling against his chest. "Okay." Baelor perked. "I'll return to King's Landing with you."