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strangerthingsstuff4 · 2 years

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A Darling among Dragons- Chapter Four

At long last it is here!!

Warnings- Swearing, Sexual referneces, Incest

Aegon’s head was pounding as he sat himself up right. He did not recall how he had made it to Raenerys’ chambers or what had happened when he arrived, but he found himself slumped on her bed, still clothed in his wedding attire. The sun was too bright for his sensitive eyes, but he looked around the room for her anyway. He found himself alone, she had not been here at all.

Pressing the balls of his hands into his eyes, Aegon groaned in frustration. He had every intention waiting up for her all night, to spend his wedding night with her but he had passed out as soon as he had sat down on the soft mattress. He could not even begin to wonder where she had been all night, his temples feeling as though they were about to implode.

He did not care that a maid had been in and seen him collapsed on his sister’s bed, nor did he care that it was evident he had not consummated his marriage.

He could not give less of a shit about the rumours that spread about him, he had always been treated like the shame of the family. Giving himself a minute to wake up before he climbed off the bed, Aegon headed straight into the other room in hopes of finding his sister’s morning basin waiting for him. He submerged his face straight in the cool water, his entire body racked with a shiver at the new welcome sensation. Every hair on his arms and legs stood on end, his nipples hardened, and his muscles tensed. It was like his entire body had just received a shock, waking up every particle of his being. Aegon gasped for breath when he removed his face from the bowl of water, droplets falling off his eye lashes and down his face. He wanted Raenerys, to run around the red keep until he found her, but he was only just able to stay standing.

‘Guards!’ Aegon yelled, wiping his face dry and beginning to undo the laces on his tunic.

The heavy doors opened and in stepped ser Arryk, dressed in his full armour. The knights face stayed neutral as he stood in front of the prince and bowed.

‘Where is my sister?’ Aegon questioned while continuing to undress himself.

‘I do not know my prince; she has not been seen since she left the feast last night’ Ser Arryk reluctantly informed the prince, watching as he stopped the action of loosening the ties of his under shirt.

‘What do you mean she has not been seen?!’ Aegon panicked

‘Her dragon has been missing since last night too my prince, your brother the prince Aemond has been out since the early hours looking for her on dragon back and your grandfather has sent a search party out on foot’

That did little to ease Aegon’s racing heart, what if she was hurt?! What if Narithe had thrown her from his back? What is Narithe was hurt, and she was stranded somewhere?!

‘Have them prepare SunFyre, I must go and help find her’ Aegon panicked as he moved to grab his tunic once again.

‘At once my prince, perhaps you should have something to fill your stomach first, you have had no-‘Ser Arryk cut himself off at the sound of the heavy door creaking open once again.

Both of their heads turned and there she stood. Hair completely misplaced from the extravagant updo it had been the night before, wisps falling down in front of her face. Aegon’s heart nearly jumped out of his chest at the sight of her.

‘Princess’ the knight bowed his head before throwing a quick look back to the prince.

‘You can go now’ Aegon mumbled dryly, not taking his eyes off her.

Once he had left and they were alone Raenerys removed her eyes from him and walked into the bedroom section of her apartments. Aegon instantly dropped his tunic to the floor and exited the washroom, finding her attempting to unpin what was left of her hair do, her back to him.

‘Where have you been?’ he asked irritably.

‘I went out with Narithe for a bit of fresh air’ she muttered her reply to him.

Aegon clenched his jaw at her blatant ignorance to his worry for her, he watched her silver hair cascade down her back. He wanted nothing more than to curl his fist into her locks and force her to look at him.

‘All night?!’

‘Yes brother I was gone all night, we slept in a cave just off the coast of storms end, Narithe kept me warm and safe’ She huffed a response, moving to attempt unlacing the back of her gown.

Aegon moved out of habit and began undressing her himself. His fingers worked the laces of the gown as he loosened them. Raenerys hooked her hair over her shoulder and out of his way, folding with the ends of her hair as she let him help her.

‘What are you doing here? Should you not be in your apartments with your wife?’ She asked softly over her shoulder.

‘I suppose I should be yes, but I came looking for you after you left the feast, found myself on your bed when I woke this morning without you here’ Aegon bit at her a little.

‘So you did not… fuck her?’ Raenerys asked nervously as she turned into his arms.

Her gown was now untied and loose on her body, meaning he could begin to slip her out of it, first her arms. Her sheer under gown were revealed as he pushed the dress down her waist and past her hips. Letting it fall to the ground his hands immediately went back to her waist, the soft silk fabric allowing him to run them over her body smoothly.

‘No I have not fucked our sister… I had every intention of taking you on my wedding night actually that was however before you decided to fucking storm out and leave me’ Aegon grumbled as he moved away from her and towards the other side of the room.

Choosing to pour himself a glass of water instead of wine, he could pretty much hear her rolling her eyes.

‘It’s not like I abandoned you Aegon! I just couldn’t stay there listening to grandfather talk about you like that! Talk about how he wanted to sell me of to some lord to be bred! To take me away from you!’ Raenerys argued back.

‘You think I enjoyed anything about yesterday?! Having to stand up there and declare my love for her?! It was torture having to watch Aemond put his hands on you in front of everyone’ Aegon yelled as he whipped around to look at her again.

‘I’m not saying you enjoyed it Aegon, but you were so far in your cups I’m surprised you even made it to my chambers! I could not stay and listen to it, I could not watch you leave with her! I just… I needed space’ Raenerys cried back at him, almost breaking through the anger he was holding onto.

‘We could have had space if we had just come back here instead of you disappearing into the sky! It would have been just me and you, all night as one’

He walked back to her and grabbed her hand’s; he had been craving her touch all night. To feel her lips against his and he warm hands on his neck. He wanted to hear her moans as they kissed and how she fought with her own body when he tried to grind against her.

‘Is getting to fuck me all you care about?! I want to be with you brother, not have to catch little hidden moments with you when no one can see us!! If we had left when I had asked you to we-‘

‘Where would we have gone Raenerys?!’ Aegon yelled again, throwing his hands into the air and walking away from her once more.

‘I don’t know! Essos! Ashia! We could’ve gone beyond the fucking wall for all I care! It would not matter as long as we were together!’ she yelled back, anger now seeping up and filing her chest.

‘They would have found us anywhere we went sister, and they would hang us’

Aegon stomped back over to her and grabbed her face this time in his big hands, looking straight into her tired eyes.

‘I would run to the ends of the earth with you if I thought for even a second that we would not be caught and killed! You are my princess, and I will love you until the end of my days. But this is the best we are going to have, the stolen moments alone together. As long as you are alive and healthy, they will be the sweetest seconds to me’

Aegon could see that his sister’s heather eyes were glazed over with tears. He could not lie that part of him had wished that they had just left, they could be out there now with their dragons and each other. But he knew that serenity would not last, eventually his father’s men would find them, and they would be dragged back kicking and screaming. He could not bear the thought of anyone hurting her, he would happily take one thousand lashings, but he could not let anyone harm her. She was too soft for this cruel world, too good for someone like him but he was not prepared to let her become aware of that.

‘We could shave our head’s, and no one would know’ she whimpered out one last plea to him as the tears in her eyes finally overflowed and rolled down her cheek.

‘Sweet sister I would want you even if you were covered with greyscale, but I assure you I like you a lot more with hair on your head’ Aegon could not help but chuckle as he brought her head down and pressed his lips firmly to her forehead.

The small sniffle and giggle that fell from her lips made all of the anger and fear that he held in his body at that moment melt away. She had grabbed his forearms with her small dainty hands and looked up at him through her eye lashes. Raenerys would do anything to be with him, he had never known a love like it and he felt undeserving. He was not worthy of her affection or her attention, but he was addicted to it. Addicted to the way stroked his hair when he lay against her chest, to the way she always smelt like safety and to that look she gave him when she wanted him against her. Oh that look.

Aegon dipped his head and softly caught her lips. Every muscle of his body turned to mush when her taste graced his tongue, he truly believed he could survive off only her saliva for months. She always tasted like honey and the sweet dornish wine she preferred. He was addicted to her. His mouth slid over hers as the kiss grew more passionate, Aegon moving his hands from her face down to her lower back instinctively pressing his body tighter against hers. Raenerys let out a small whimper at her brother’s touch, the way she wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her breasts against him almost pushed Aegon over the edge.

The soft prodding of her hard nipples against his barely covered chest was enough to make him twitch. His grasp on her turned needy as he clenched his hands into fists, scrunching her under gown up against her. Her hands slid down and gripped at the ends of the cotton shirt he had adorned under his tunic the night before. Raenerys disappeared from his view for a second as she helped him slip the fabric over his head but when she was back in his line of sight, his mouth was back on her.

Aegon placed wet kisses from her neck down along the curve where it met her shoulder. Her chest heaved against his as she gasped off the cool air hitting the multiple wet patches he left along her skin. A low groan left his throat when she tangled her fingers in his unruly short hair and tugged hard.

Aegon’s hands worked quickly, he had straps holding her gown up off her shoulders and the fabric on the floor before she realised what was happening.

‘Aegon’ Raenerys breathed, now stood completely naked with her brother’s hands quickly finding her behind.

He ignored her plea and gripped her cheeks in his palms firmly. This is what he wanted last night. After the horrific day he wanted to have her, writhing underneath him and finally have her wrapped around him.

‘Aegon, stop’ Raenerys moaned as he continued his assault on her neck.

‘Aegon we must stop’ she all but whined when fingers found their way between her ass cheeks and to her wetness.

Pushing his shoulders away from her, Raenerys forced him to remove his lip from her skin. He quickly looked over her face, he knew she wanted this just as much as he did, why was she stopping him?

‘What?’ he asked nervously.

‘We cannot do this, if I do not bleed on my wedding night mother will know’ Raenerys breathed back at him, her rising breasts catching his gaze for a second.

Aegon smirked at her anxiousness before grabbing her cheeks and forcefully lifting her. She yelped, clinging to him and wrapping her legs tightly around his waist in fear that he would not be able to take her weight.

‘Nuhor lir gurenna’ (I will take what is mine) he growled before capturing her lips in yet another passionate kiss while he carried her over to her bed.

He dropped her onto her back on the goose feather mattress, mesmerised by the way her tits bounced. He needed her right now or he was going to explode. He watched his siters eyes leave his and trail down to where his hands with undoing the ties on his pants. They grew wide and shot back to his. He could not help but chuckle at the expression on her face. He was going to enjoy watching those eyes roll into the back of her head.

‘Princess-‘ Ser Criston’s voice caught both of their attention as he emerged from behind the door he had barged through.

‘Your father the king has requested your presence, you too my prince’ He stated strongly, seeing them in the position they were in had clearly made him uncomfortable.

As soon as he exited the room Aegon dropped his head to his chest and moved out of his sister’s way as she stood from the bed panicking about being caught.

Once again, the four of the Targaryen children found themselves stood in front of their father, this time however he did not have the energy to make it to the throne room after his small council meeting. Raenerys was shaking with fear, she had almost laid with Aegon the day after his wedding. Her mother was going to rip her heart out.

‘I have had it with these meetings! For once I would like to call my children before me on a matter that does not involve them disobeying me!’ Visery angered at them.

Alicent was stood next to the window, listening but not looking at them.

‘Raenerys!’ he ordered her to come before him.

The princes took some small steps forward, placing herself in front of her father.

‘You had us all greatly worried! You are not a child anymore to throw tantrums and storm off! You are a lady and a princess of the seven kingdoms it is time you started acting like one!’

‘Yes father’ She muttered quietly not taking her eyes off the floor in front of her.

She was so angry with herself. How could she be so selfish and whorish to almost sleep with her sister’s husband the day after their wedding. She had not said it aloud, but she had wanted him inside of her so badly. She craved him, it was like a thirst that would not be quenched until they were one.

‘You will apologise to your sister for causing a scene and to your grandfather for being so disrespectful’ Visery grumbled and waved his hand signalling to her that he is done with her.

‘My apologies grandsire for my outburst, Haelena I beg your forgiveness’ Raenerys grieved between the hand and her sister before moving back to stand in line with her siblings.

The hand of the king nodded his head as a form of acceptance of her apology, while Haelena mumbled something about blue scales.

‘Aegon my son, your behaviour yesterday towards your bride and myself was unprincely, you will stop this mess of a lifestyle and become the husband Haelena deserves! I will not have you cavorting around leaving a trail of bastards anymore!’ The king yelled at his eldest son, who despite having a face like a hurt pup, was thinking about how his sister’s pussy would feel wrapped around him.

‘However, I have been informed that you were able to consummate your marriage so I will say well done my boy! I do expect I will have some grandchildren running around the red keep before long’ Viserys praised his son and daughter.

Aegon did not miss the way his mother’s head snapped up at the news of his sister virginity, Raenerys’ too. Alicent looked between him, Raenerys and Aemond before clenching her jaw and looking back out of the window. He knew she was not as stupid as his father acted.

Haelena thanked their father sweetly and Aegon could not help but smirk. It appeared that the most naïve of the kings’ children was not so innocent.

‘I do not want to hear about any more of your foolery!’ Viserys warned before struggling to his feet.

The few members of his king guard that were present moved to Viserys’ side and assisted him towards the exit.

‘Have the maester come to me in my chambers’ he demanded one last thing before he disappeared from sight.

As was tradition, once the king had vacated the room everyone else as then allowed to do the same. Aemond and Haelena both moved to follow their father’s footsteps out of the room. Aegon and Raenerys did not flinch. Ser Criston stood behind the queen looking at them.

‘I am not done with you yet!’ Alicent snapped.

Aemond dropped his head to his chest, clearly having hoped that he would make it out of the room before she could stop him. They both moved back in line with their siblings, Haelena looked worried and nervous. Raenerys pitied her, she had no idea. Aemond had probably convinced her that it was a good idea.

‘You have all brought shame and dishonour upon yourselves and this family’ She started in an unnerving calm voice.

‘Mother i-‘ Haelena started, confused

‘DO YOU REALLY TAKE ME FOR A FOOL?!... I know it was not Aegon that took your maiden hood!’

‘It was I swear it!’ Haelena tried once again

‘So your husband left his own wedding to chase after your sister but he decided to come back to your chambers in the early hours of the morning to bed you and then returned to your sisters chambers to pass out on her bed? To have your sister naked underneath him this morning when Ser Criston came to call her?’

The anger was almost visibly sizzling out the top of Alicents head. Haelena gave up trying to argue, just looked at her shoes. Aemond turned his head towards his brother and shot him a glare, how could he have been so stupid to get caught in such a precarious position with the youngest of the Targaryen children. He had never been one for thinking things through properly, but he could not lie he felt the guilt seeping through his body. Aemond had agreed to take his sister on her wedding night instead of Aegon and oh how he had enjoyed it. But it did not seem worth the worried look that was plastered on his loves face.

‘I truly believe it I the soul intention of each one of you to see this family plummet! You may be able to weasel your way around your father, but I will not be as blind! You will stop this whorish behaviour, or I will have you shipped to dragon stone to be Rhaenyra’s ward!’ Alicent warned, particularly at Raenerys, with an empty threat.

Everyone stood in that room knew that she would never risk any of her children being alone around that pack of wild beasts. The bitter hurt was still heavy on the queen’s chest from their last meeting, seeing her poor boy mutilated and having only her to stand for him.

‘You father has demanded a traditional Targaryen ceremony; you will be wed before the turn of the moon. Once you are betrothed, I expect you all to do your duty to your partner and stop this immature spoilt behaviour! If I catch so much as a whisper that your have been unfaithful to each other, I swear on the mother I will not be this forgiving’

Alicent stood and moved around the table to where her children still stood, Raenerys looking at the floor, her skin now pale. Haelena still mumbling about scales. Aemond and Aegon, however, did not look fazed by their mother’s harsh words and threats. Both of the boys stood with arms crossed in front of them and a very small smug look on their faces.

‘Now you all have things to be doing! I expect you take your sister back to your apartments and put your seed in her! Raenerys will be coming with me for a dress fitting’ Alicent pointed at Aegon as she spoke, completely wiping the look off his face and replacing it with one of distaste.

Raenerys was able to shoot a sad longing look to her oldest brother before being dragged out of the room with her mother’s harsh grip on her upper arm.

#prince aemond #aegon the second #aegon the usurper #aemond targaryen #prince aegon #aegon x reader #house of the dragon #hotd fanfic #house targaryen #hotdedit #hotd season 1

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zipzin · 1 year

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Morning Mist (Also on Ao3)

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Raya and the Last Dragon Rating: Teen Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Namaari & Virana Characters: Namaari, Virana Additional Tags: Mentions of Miscarriage/Stillborn, implied PTSD, the complicated relationship of mothers and daughters Summary: Virana and Namaari: before, during, and after the events of the movie.

It was right before Virana would retire in the evening. When she’d set down the paperwork and shuffle to dinner as she massaged her temples to try and lessen the always present headache. Her meal would be alone tonight, or as alone as she could be presently.

A sharp slice of pain echoed around her abdomen and Virana felt like she would cry. “No,” she whimpered as she clenched her stomach. “No! It’s too soon.”

The next hours were a daze, she hollered for the guards and they sent for the healer, she screamed in pain and agony and despair.

Number three would be no more lucky than one or two. Would she need to make it all the way to six?

It was moments after twilight when, finally, a bloody bundle was placed in her arms, and Virani stared at the impossibly tiny head.

“She’s alive.” The healer said.

Virana’s eyes widened, her grip growing tighter until she realized what she was doing. “She’s not crying.” Virana choked out.

The healer hesitated, looking down at their feet as if they had the power to instantly disappear, they’d be gone before Virana could say another word. “She won’t last the night. You should say goodbye.”

The first had been in more blood than Virana had even seen on a battlefield, only weeks after she learned that she was carrying. The second, dead for a week in her womb, the grief worse after seeing the gray flesh. And now this, an impossibly tiny person whose chest barely rose or fell and with eyes tightly closed. Virana let tears trace down her face and dismissed the healers.

“I will take care of her for the night.”

Virana took the wet rag and slowly began to clean off the blood and fluid that coated the child. Her skin was blue-ish, but not nearly as ghastly as her second.

“You will be Namaari.” Virana whispered over the baby. They had told her in the last pregnancies to not consider names until they survived the first week, and not decide until the first year. It hadn’t helped the searing in her chest when they didn’t breathe. “And you are strong. You are a woman of Fang.”

The only thing that answered was the faint up and down of a chest.

“The healers say you will not survive to see morning,” Virana whispered, “But women are strong in our family, and we’ve never listened to what people say is possible. You can do it, Namaari.” And Virana placed the cleaned babe against her bare chest as she stared out the east window at the hovering of the moon and lowered herself into the rocking chair Narith had made the first time they found out she was pregnant.

It had only been removed from storage a week ago.

“Let me tell you of Fang, of your people. You will one day lead them, and you need to know their history.” She said it like a command and as a healer came over to help the baby breastfeed, Virana continued, “We are a proud people and very strong. We do what’s best for everyone, from every child to every elder.” She stopped as Namaari latched on. The pulling on her chest was strange and she just watched in awe.

“That’s good.” Virana muttered and looked up at the healer. They stared at her with pity in their eyes and Virana looked back down at Namaari. Her eyes were still closed and Virana continued.

She spent the next hours telling every story she could think of. Of all the people that Namaari would never meet, her grandparents, gone in the past year, her uncle, dead from an old, festering wound, and her father, who never left the battlefield.

Through it all, Namaari stood huddled against Virana’s chest, her eyes screwed shut. She told her about the dragons, about the Druun, about the serlots she would ride.

She told her of the moon and the stars and the sun. The mountains and the rivers. The trees and the earth.

Virana did not notice as various healers came in and out of the room, checking on both of them. She just watched Namaari’s chest beat up and down, up and down.

The first rays of dawn filtered the sky into a majestic purple and Virana finally found her feet and stumbled to the window. She described the first stirrings of the city, the lightening of the sky, the fog rolling in from the mountains.

“Look,” She couldn’t help herself, “The morning mist rises up from the river.” She looked down, gripped with a fear that this was the moment and instead found two eyes blinking up at her. Tears poured down Virana’s face, as she dotted a kiss onto Namaari’s forehead.

“Morning mist.” She whispered, “You are so strong.”

Sophea found her pacing outside the healer’s room, Namaari’s cries had quieted down, but they still hadn’t invited her in. Virana eased the clenching of her fists on seeing the council member.

“Chief,” Sophea bowed, “What news is there of the girl?”

Virana felt her fists return. “The Crown Princess.” She corrected while Sophea gave a genteel nod. They both knew she, and the rest of the council, would need to be corrected again. “And no news yet.”

Sophea nods, “It is what, the fifth time this month?”

As if Virana needed reminding of Namaari’s ill health. “The sixth,” She couldn’t help but correct.

Sophea sighed, “Virana, child,” and Virana stiffened at the endearment. So what if Sophea was a contemporary of her father? She was now her Chief. “Have you truly given no other thought to the candidates? They’re all good men.”

Of course, Virana wanted to cry hysterically, of course that’s what is being brought up as she worries for the life of her daughter. Marriage candidates. “I looked through them,” She answered neutrally, “None seem suitable.”

Sophea sighed, “We will find you a suitor.”

“I don’t need a suitor.”

“Virana, you need an heir. Fang needs an heir. Namaari spends more time in the infirmary than out and she’s three years old. Fang needs someone with a constitution.”

Virana stepped into Sophea’s face. “How dare you,” She hissed out.

“Your weakness will leave Fang in shambles,” Sophea said simply, “Everyone can see it.” She strode out of the hallway before Virana could move, awfully nimble for one so old. Blood leaks from Virana’s fists.

The door opened behind her, “Chief, she’s sleeping now,” A healer said, “The fever has temporarily gone down but it hasn’t broken yet. You may come in if you wish.”

Virana nodded and strode past him, stopping to stare at her daughter. Sophea isn’t wrong, Namaari does spend more time around the healers than the other children, and on the blackest nights it felt like she knew them better than she knew her mother. Virana stroked some of Namaari’s wet hair off the stickiness of her brow, and brushed a kiss to it.

But Namaari is strong, she will get through it.

Just like she did that first night.

“Chief!” General Attitya ran into the council chamber, “Chief, Princess Namaari is okay!”

Virana stood, “Why wouldn’t she be okay?”

Attitya took a moment to catch her breath, “She was kidnapped.”

A startled gasp goes through the room. “Where is she?” Virana demanded.

“She’s in the bath hall getting cleaned up.”

Virana elbowed herself out of the room and raced to the bath hall. Two women are cleaning Namaari’s hands and shoulders, a steady stream of red tinted water flowing down her daughter’s back and Virana felt her heart stop.

“Mama!” Namaari called, a grin on her face.

“Morning Mist,” Virana breathed out and raced forward. The women step aside, one handing Virana her rag.

It’s blood. Her daughter is coated in blood.

“You’re alright,” She breathed out, her heart still racing.

“Of course,” Namaari grinned, her s’s coming out more like ths. “I’m a warrior of Fang, grr!” She growled, sounding like a baby serlot.

“Yes, my girl.” The blood is gone from her hair and Virana pours another bucket over her to rid it from her skin.

“I knew it was a bad man, an evil Druun, so I stabbed him. Did I do good Mama?”

“You did great,” Virana pressed a kiss to Namaari’s head as she took a large towel and wrapped Namaari up. It practically devoured her. “My little fang warrior, scourge of Kumandra!”

“Yes,” Namaari smiled, her eyelids growing heavy. Virana picked her up and began to walk back to the Royal Quarters, two guards flanking her.

“You did very well, my strong girl.” Virana whispered. Namaari’s head lolled against her shoulder, a couple soft breaths coming out as she fell asleep.

Virana’s heart hasn’t stopped thundering.

Later it all comes out. Namaari was separated from her school group by a man from Talon who had orders to kidnap her for ransom. Namaari, nabbing a dagger hanging from his belt, him, not thinking there is any danger from the five year old that could pass as newly three summers. Namaari, waiting until they were in the market and stabbing him in the thigh as high as she could reach.

His yells alerting the guards and Namaari scampering back to class, blood down her arms and over her face.

Later, Virana will oversee the execution in a ritual that hasn’t been done in a generation, caring little for what anyone thinks. There, there are only whispers about the bravery of the Crown Princess.

Virana shook Namaari, “Namaari! NAMARRI!”

Namaari blinked, staring up at her dazed eyes. “What happened?”

“What happened?!” Virana felt her voice get hysterical, “You fainted! What’s wrong, did you have enough water today? Enough food?” She raised a hand to Namaari’s forehead, “A fever?” It had been three years since the last bad one.

Namaari batted the hand away, “I’m fine.” Her stomach growled in response.

Virana gestured to the table, too aware of the meager offerings. It was enough for just the two of them, more than enough when many in Fang were starving, but closer to a beggar’s portion compared to last year.

“You need to eat Namaari.” Virana said.

Namaari huffed, poking at the noodles on her plate, “I did.”

“How much lunch did you have?”

“Enough.”

“Namaari,” Virana said, feeling a vein grow in her forehead. Not this song and dance again. “I’m pleased you care about our people and that you want to provide for them, but you can’t do it to the point of fainting.”

“Why not!” Namaari demanded, “We have enough, I can skip a meal here or there for Jorani!”

Virana pursed her lips, “No.” She commanded.

“No?!”

“Not while you are a child. No one should skip meals. And the kids all have enough breakfast and lunch.”

“But some of them don’t get enough dinner.” Namaari cried.

Virana rubbed her head, “I know. But Namaari, we can’t be the leaders that Fang needs if we are focused on our stomach.”

“I wasn’t focused on-”

“You fainted Namaari.” Virana said, “Imagine if that happened during a council meeting? During sparring practice? What if there was real danger?”

Namaari sank into her seat.

“You are a child,” Virana continued, “Which means you are still growing and need fuel for that. For now and your future health. And as a leader, all of Fang needs you at your best. How can you make good decisions if you’re moments away from sleep? How can-”

“I understand.” Namaari interrupted and made a show of taking a bite of her food.

“You understand?”

Namaari smacked her lips, “I understand, Chief.”

Virana nodded and they ate the rest of the meal in silence. Namaari making a point of finishing everything on her plate before leaving with a bow and a roll of her eyes.

Virana let her go without complaint, her daughter might not understand now, but it was for the best.

Virana clutched the scroll in her hand, fingers tracing the words, over and over again.

Chief Benja had a lot of nerve to send her this.

She thought about ignoring all the rules of war and killing the courier on sight.

But Fang could not afford another war. Not now.

Virana leaned against her desk, her eyes shut.

Narith gasping for breath.

Running to the Heart camp.

Throwing their weapons down and still being refused.

No water. No medicine.

Cradling his head in her hands.

His last painful breath.

The taste of smoke never quite left her mouth.

The notice crumpled in her hands.

Chief Benja wants Kumandra? It’s hard not to laugh. Her people are struggling not to starve and he wants to host a feast. She looked over to the training ground at the military practicing formations, and in one section, children sparring. Namaari pinned a boy down in three easy motions, and once the instructor called time helped him up.

She hadn’t even known she was pregnant when Narith died.

A feast, Virana thought.

A tear fell from her eye. Her people needed it.

Later, as Namaari sat in bed on the eve of their departure, Virana will deliver her a task. She will tell her of Heart’s princess, a girl her age, and how she may know where the dragon gem is.

“It is a sacred object to all of Kumandra,” Virana said, “But Heart hoards it for themselves. They have prosperity while we suffer trying to provide for our people.”

“Fang always survives.”

“That’s right, my morning mist, we always find a way. But our strength wanes without nourishment. I want you to get close to her, you will be the only two young girls there, and if you find the Dragon Gem, shoot up a signal for us. Soldiers will ensure you are safe.”

“Yes, Chief.”

Later, the world breaks, and Virana stared at her daughter's shoulders, suddenly stiff, and she wondered, was Namaari the only one who could have found the gem?

No, she convinced herself, everyone was looking for it.

Water is the only repellent, and the river beside Fang sat there tauntingly. It took the engineers a day to describe how they will need to build a canal to encircle the entire city. It is a monumental task, one that Virana knew will take at least a year to finish the initial stage, and could drag on for a decade depending on the problems they run into. Their shard of the dragon gem is put onto her staff and she left it with the Generals as they protect the workers.

“I can hold it,” Namaari said one day, her back in perfect military rest.

“Hold?”

“The staff,” Namaari said, “I know I’d get in the way of the builders if I tried to work on the canal, but I can fend off any Druun with it.”

Virana sat for a long moment, thinking of her little girl, still inches smaller than the rest of the children, standing and protecting Fang.

“Please,” Namaari whined.

“Okay,” Virana relented, it made too much sense to allow another able body to build the canal, “You may take a shift. But only during the day.”

“Yes, mother.”

Namaari turned to leave, “And Namaari,” Virana added, “I’m proud of you for putting Fang first. I know this isn’t how we envisioned anything going, but you’ve done well.”

Namaari bowed her head and left.

The harvests were good, and it seemed like a mockery when no one could leave. Finally, the granary was full, and Virana stared at the Dragon Gem on her staff. She looked over the training grounds and watched as Namaari took down another.

Her girl is catching up.

Namaari bounded over to her instructor with single minded focus, watching the next pair spar. Virana can pick up their faults even from up here, they are only children, and as the boy wrestled the spear out of the girl’s hands, the instructor halted them. They turn to the class and Virana felt a flush of pride as Namaari is the one to step forward and point out the weak stance of the boy and the inferior grip of the girl.

“How was your day?”

Namaari grunted.

“Morning mist, please, full sentences.”

“It was good,” Namaari sighed, “We did training and helped with the canal today.”

“And your friends?”

“They’re good.”

Virana bit back a sigh of her own as she stared at her daughter. Lately, it was impossible to get Namaari to talk about anything. All she seemed to comment on was what they did during school time, and at the most what new move she learned.

When Namaari wasn’t at school or meal times, Virana would find her in the library, going over scroll after scroll about the Druun. Virana would try to pull her away, telling her to play with her friends, but Namaari would always demur, telling her things like “It’ll just be a minute.” or “I was curious about this.” And Virana would leave her be.

Better she be in the library than a gambling hall.

Narith never let her live that one down.

Virana nodded, “I hear you’re doing quite well in your studies. There’s nothing but praise from your instructors.”

Namaari didn’t even smile, just nodded, “I’m glad they find me satisfactory.”

Virana’s frown deepened.

“The scroll!” Namaari burst into the Council chamber, “It was stolen!”

Virana barely has a second to be thankful that it is only her and General Atitaya there at the moment to see her daughter behaving like a madwoman. “What scroll?”

“The dragon scroll.” Namaari said. “I must go after it.”

“Why?” Virana demanded.

Namaari looked down, clenching her fists and took several moments to gather her words. “There’s only one person who would have stolen it. Raya.”

The lost princess of Heart. Virana felt her eyebrows raise at her daughter’s insistence. Raya was believed to have turned to stone with the rest of Heart on the day the Druun broke forth. Namaari looked up at her, eyes watery and Virana nodded. “Very well, and take a scout group.”

“Yes, Chief.” Namaari strode out of the room.

“Chief,” General Atitaya said, “Who cares about some scroll?”

Virana did not betray that she felt the same way, “It is an artifact of Fang.” She doesn’t say that it is the first time in ages that she saw something, something other than an obsession with duty, in Namaari. And if it means that she’s going on a foolish mission for a scroll, well, so be it.

Namaari wasn’t stupid, she would be alright.

Virana gripped her staff a little harder.

The door slammed open and Virana reached for the sword that wasn’t there. That hadn’t been there for many long years. She took in a deep breath and stared at her daughter waving a piece of paper in her hand.

“I need the Dragon Gem.” Namaari demanded.

“Why?”

Namaari stopped, leaning over Virana’s desk and let out a gasping breath, “Our shard, I need it.”

“But what for?” Virana said, eying her daughter. She was still breathing hard, having run from somewhere. Her back was hunched over, not in her usual stick straight position that was demanded around the Chief.

Namaari slid the paper to Virana and she read it multiple times.

“You’re telling me, Raya, Princess of Heart, wants to unite the stone? And what gift?”

Namaari looked up, cheek’s red, “That doesn’t matter, but I know she’s genuine.”

“Namaari,” Virana felt a headache coming, “Heart, for all their bluster of Kumandra, don’t want unity. Do you remember when you were a girl? They didn’t help us when we were starving. They didn’t help yo- '' Virana cut herself off.

“Sisu is back, and with them.”

Virana collapsed back in her chair, “Are you sure?”

“Mother-”

“I am your Chief.”

Namaari straightened, “I saw her with my own eyes. She was spectacular. Certainly you remember my account.”

It had been extraordinary news, and Virana had been forced to believe it wasn’t Namaari chasing tall tales when every soldier gave the same account. But still, it was miraculous. A dragon? Now? After all this time?

And with Heart?

“The world sees us as the aggressors. They blame us for the Gem breaking, and if we don’t unite them, with Sisu, we will always be the aggressors.”

“But Mother-”

“I am your Chief!”

“Yes,” Namaari bowed her head, “and this could be my chance to fix it.”

Virana sighed, her eyes darting around her study. “Yes,” She said, “We can.” She stood and walked over to an oft forgotten corner. There sat her crossbow. It hadn’t been used in years, not since the execution. Virana had always kept it in working condition. She grabbed it and took the shard from her staff and handed them both to Namaari.

“Chief?”

“You will go and bring the shard, and demand they hand over their pieces. If they have them all as they say, then this will be our chance.”

“But-”

“You think they will give Fang any credit?” Virana scoffed. “We will still be cast aside, but if you fix the gem and free the dragons, then the world will be indebted to Fang. And they cannot demand anything from us.”

Namaari chewed her lip and then nodded. “Yes, Chief. I will do as my country commands.”

“Very good, go, and be safe.” Virana said. “I will wait for you in the throne room tomorrow to celebrate our victory.”

Virana blinks, trying to wipe away water from her face as she looks up at the sky, now visible in the throne room. One of her arms wouldn’t move. She looks down and watches in disbelief as stone melts away.

Namaari leaving. The canal drying. Seconds of chaos and Druun and then. This.

She shivers and her lungs exhale forcefully as she begins to cough violently. Her legs crack and she falls to her knees, grasping at her chest, the rain and dust trailing down her face, as her staff clattered beside her..

“Narith?” She croaks out.

Her eyes cleared and she is wrenched away as she sees her surroundings. The palace is in ruins. Whatever had happened with Namaari and the dragon gem had gone terribly wrong.

Except she was no longer stone.

She looks around, and sees the water returned, and people walking around with a mixture of wonder and shock on their eyes. And then out of a massive crater, several figures climb up.

“Namaari!” She shouts and breaks into a run. She embraces her daughter, and checks her over.

“You’re alright.” Namaari lets out a shocked gasp.

“I’m okay,” she promises.

“Look.” A young woman, Raya, her mind supplies, point to the skies. Virana follows her finger and lets out a gasp. Thousands of dragons were dancing, and Virana looks back at her daughter.

“You did it.”

Namaari doesn’t have a grin on her face, just a grave expression as she corrects, “They did it.”

“Today, we mark the beginning of Kumandra!” Chief Benja stood at the round table smiling at the gathered leaders. “We are no longer separate tribes but a united people!”

There was a smattering of applause and Virana refrained as she sized up the other leaders. Chief Benja might be all smiles but he wasn’t a fool. Kumandra would not be that easy. He sat down and the others immediately began clamoring over the table.

“We need help rebuilding!”

“What of Spine’s army! They could overpower any of us easily!”

“Fang needs to pay!”

“I’m not trading with the Talon crooks!”

“Enough!” Virana said, hands curled into fists. “You yell like animals! The dragons are back and have shown us that we need unity to keep the Druun away. We do not have the luxury of separation.”

“Of course you’d say that,” Talon’s Chief, Dang Hai mocked, “Sitting pretty while you and your daughter broke the gem.”

“Excuse me?” Virana said.

“We were there.” The new Tail Chief, Malai said. “She did it.” She pointed her finger at Namaari who stiffened at Virana’s side. Namaari said nothing, looking down at her hands.

“It is pointless for us to look to the past,” Chief Benja said, “And I recall all of you trying to get your hands on the Gem.”

“But-”

“Enough,” His voice was as sharp as his sword, “We must look to the future, not the past. We could spend centuries picking out who hurt who the most.”

There were grumblings, and Virana thought she could make out mumbles of “Fang” but Chief Benja continued on, “The first thing needed is to repair the city centers. All have suffered damage during these times of hardship, so tell us, what do you need? Let us freely supply our own surpluses, so we can fix things quickly.”

Virana sat back as the other Chiefs began to fill out their list of demands and studied her daughter. Namaari hadn’t looked up once.

“And Chief,” General Atitaya paused at the end of her report.

“Yes?” Virana frowned.

“There’s repeated calls from the other tribes, for uh, Princess Namaari.”

“For Namaari?”

General Atitaya shifted on her feet, staring down, “They want her banished.”

“Banished!?” Virana stood, one hand reaching for her staff.

“Not Fang, of course not Fang.” General Atitaya said and with that Virana sat, “Tail, Spine, and Talon.”

“Not Heart?”

“Chief Benja refuses to consider it.” Virana nodded and motioned for Atitaya to continue, “They will likely make a formal push at the next meeting.”

“I see.” She dismissed Atitaya with a flick of her hand and stared blankly at her desk. These fools. They would condemn a child for all of their mistakes. She’d volunteer to be banished if it wouldn’t leave Namaari alone as Chief and surrounded by these vultures. She rubbed her temples to try to lessen her worsening headache.

Chief Benji cleared his throat, “That was everything on the agenda for today. Does anyone have an urgent matter to bring up?”

“Yes,” The Dang Hai said, “This never would have happened if not for Fang-”

“This is not a committee about blame!” Chief Benji roared.

The Chief of Talon didn’t stop, “Fang single handedly caused all this damage, and since they can’t pay for it with gold, they need to pay for it in blood.”

“We will not have war!”

Dang Hai nodded at Chief Benji, “No,” and Virana felt her body shiver, “War is unreasonable. Princess Namaari should be banished.”

“How dare you!” Virana stood before she realized the words were out of her mouth, “Don’t act like you weren’t just as responsible-”

“Stand up for your spineless daughter,” He roared, “But she broke the stone! And let’s not forget she killed Sisu!”

Virana banged her fists into the table, “Do not speak those words again or I will have your throat!”

“See!” Malai said, “Fang can’t be trusted! Already threatening murder for a reasonable request.”

“Reasonable!” Virana screeched.

“SILENCE!” Chief Benji banged the butt of his sword against the table several times. He let out a heavy sigh, “Kumandra will not banish its children. I will hear no more of this!”

“But-”

“NO MORE!” He roared. “Everyone is dismissed.”

Virana stared down the other Chiefs as they left, her fingers creating red crescents on her palms. The room cleared, Benji giving her a tired nod and Virana stared down at her daughter, shoulders hunched and head down.

“Namaari,” Virana said softly.

Namaari stood quickly, “It’s time for dinner.”

She marched away from the table.

Virana stared at the full plate in front of her. It wasn’t that Heart’s food was bad, it was just that in the week they’d been away from Fang she really missed home. The burning pepper of home, her bed, a week away from these vultures, anything to give her peace while these talks went nowhere.

Namaari sat across from her, running her own spoon through her food, head bowed. She hadn’t said a word since they’d left the council chamber. The calls for Namaari’s banishment were just the worst of the day, many had demanded that Fang pay. Exactly what, Virana would still like to know and she had a permanent headache all week.

Apparently finding a good solution to the Druun was a crime.

“Mother,” Namaari’s voice was resolute as she drew herself up into perfect posture.

“What is it?” Virana said.

“I will accept my banishment.”

Virana frowned, “Excuse me?”

Namaari’s face broke its stoicism, “Banishment. For me. Away from Kumandra.”

“Why on earth would you do that?” Virana would laugh if Namaari wasn’t so serious.

“Breaking the gem. Killing Sisu.”

“Banishing you is madness.”

“No,” Namaari banged her fist against the table and Virana stared at the shaking tableware in shock. “I did those things! I broke the gem, I broke the world. I cost Raya six years! Chief Benji his entire village! I killed a dragon!” A tear dripped down Namaari’s face, followed by an avalanche. “This is my burden, let me bear it. This will stop them demanding the destruction of Fang.”

Losing Namaari would be the annihilation of Fang.

Virana turned around and clenched her fists. “Namaari,” She gathered herself and then strode to the other side of the table, “My morning mist, you were a child.”

“I was a princess of Fang.”

“A child.” Virana corrected. “Who yes, was given a great deal more responsibility than most, but this. This is too much. If anyone is to be banished it would be me.”

“You didn’t kill Sisu!”

“I very well did. I ordered you to take the gem pieces by force. I asked you to steal the gem.” Virana brushed the tears off her daughter’s face, “This is my burden. Not yours.”

“But-”

“Enough!” Virana felt her patience growing thin, “You will not be banished! You will never be banished! I won’t allow it!”

Her words echoed in the chamber and Namaari ducked her head, burying it into the folds of Virana’s dress like she had when she was younger, “Yes, mother.”

“Good, now eat, we cannot waste food.”

They settled into their seats and did not speak another word.

Virana couldn’t sleep that night and she would blame the humidity in the morning. These traitors don’t deserve a whisper of the truth. Namaari’s face wouldn’t leave her brain, the tears dripping down, the absolute determination to accept a punishment, the resignation, the-.

Virana turned over again.

The fact that she blamed herself for her mother’s decisions.

Everyone was culpable in war. Virana knew that like she knew the stiffness in her hip during cold spells. But, sending a child into the battlefield? Virana slid out of bed and parted the shutters so she could see the moon. It cast a white glow, washing out Virana’s skin so she looked like a ghost.

She’d been a fool to think that with a single night’s vigilance, she conquered any failure with Namaari. After all, she had failed the other two completely.

Now, her strong girl nodded at criticism with a casual acceptance that pierced Virana’s soul. Yell at me, she wanted to tell each stranger who sneered at her daughter, for these are the sins of the mother.

Her soul raged, a serlot stalking its prey, and she wondered if she should stomp Kumandra into the ground to remind these imbeciles exactly why they feared Fang.

For how can Namaari hang her head so low when she has done so much?

She is one of the saviors of Kumandra, no matter how much she tries to defer credit.

She argued against the actions that Virana pushed her into to get the gems for Fang. And she did them anyway. And has cast no blame on her mother.

And Virana knows, that’s the biggest failure of them all.

“Chief Virana,” Chief Benja smiled at her as she joined him on the porch. It provided a nice overlook to the training grounds, where a small group had gathered. Among them were their daughters who were testing weapons together. “It’s good to see you.”

“Hmm.”

“I see our daughters have taken to the spirit of Kumandra.”

Virana bristled, “How can you say that when they speak of banishment?”

Something flashed in his eyes, but he wisely held his tongue.

Virana gripped the handrail, her knuckles white as they watched Namaari disarm Raya. Raya pounced onto Namaari, throwing her off balance and they began to wrestle on the ground.

“I know they want to banish my daughter as some sort of cruel game against Fang. Nevermind that she was a child when her largest infraction happened.”

“I questioned the others, but they all,” He closed his eyes, “It doesn’t matter.”

“Tell me.”

“They all claim that it is the will of the masses, that they heard it from their people, and they are just trying to follow a united people.”

Virana spat onto the ground.

“Virana, please, I would never allow it. It’s absurd to punish Namaari when they all stood next to her.” He rolled his eyes. “And I’m sure your networks have told you the same as mine, the people have no grand desire towards Namaari. They want peace.

“I cannot promise Fang will escape with no reparations, but your daughter will not be one of them.”

“Good.” Virana said.

He nodded and they watched as Raya and Namaari rolled around in the dirt, Raya eventually claiming victory as she pinned Namaari below her. She helped Namaari up and they strode back over to the weapons rack.

“Would you like some tea?” He asked.

Virana stared at him, momentarily at a loss, “That would be nice.”

“Excellent, follow me.”

“Morning mist,” Virana called after the tea was done. Chief Benja proved he was agreeable company, and they bid their goodbyes when their daughters trooped in still dusty and sweaty. “Walk with me.”

“I should clean up.”

“To just get dirty again?”

It would soon be the hottest part of the day, when people would be in the river or pools that dotted Heart or inside, deep into one of the stone rooms where the sun didn’t touch. Namaari followed with the closest thing to a wry grin she’d had these days, and Virana led them to the main square, where vendors were packing up for a break of their own, and towards the stone temple that had once been the home of the dragon gem.

Now, it was a place of worship of the dragons, though none were around today. In fact, it was empty, except for a stone pedestal that held a Sisu ornament.

“This was mine,” Namaari stared at it, “I gave it to Raya on that day.”

Virana smiled at her, “I know.”

“What?”

“Namaari, that is the Fang pendant of the Crown Princess, I wore it when I was a girl.”

“Really?”

“Did you just think it was something I had gotten from some merchant?” Virana laughed.

“No,” Namaari’s eyes turned pink, “I, well, I, I thought it was nice!”

Virana smiled, “Oh morning mist, you certainly did more with that pendant than any Fang princess thought possible. You helped unite Kumandra.”

“I broke it first.” Namaari said, “I used it to get Raya’s trust and break the world.”

Virana faced her daughter, “You saved us. Me, Fang, Raya, she told me the story. You, my morning mist, put together the pieces. Even Sisu sings your praises now.”

“But-”

“I’m sorry.”

“For what?” Namaari frowned.

“Morning mist, for even the fact that you are asking that question,” Virana sighed, “I pushed you, to do what I thought would be best, and for too long I pushed you in a way that would be best for Fang, and not you.

“And as we’ve seen, my decisions weren’t even the best for Fang.”

“Mom-”

Virana placed a hand on Namaari’s shoulder to silence her daughter, “Namaari, I had you steal the dragon gem, multiple times, and they all fell to disaster. Could either of us have predicted it? No, but it was my decision, and you fought against it and I ignored your concerns.” Virana sighed, “You make a great leader, and I’m so proud of you. And I’m so very sorry.”

“Mom.” Namaari rounded the pedestal and flung her arms around Virana’s neck. They held each other for several minutes, Virana stroking circles on Namaari’s shaking back.

“Namaari, I should have listened to you and I’m so sorry that I put you through that. That I placed this tremendous weight onto your shoulders and never questioned whether it was right.”

“I’m alright, I am.”

“You are willing to accept exile,” Virana admonished and felt a tear trace down her face. A twin traced down Namaari’s. “They blame you for my actions, and,” She let out a strangled cry, one she hasn’t heard herself utter since the onset of Namaari’s birth, “You let them. You, my morning mist, my beautiful daughter.”

“I made the mistakes, you didn’t make me, you didn’t fire the crossbow bolt into Sisu’s chest!”

“No, but I let you believe that was the only way forward, that you were required by your oath to Fang,” Virana sighed, “I’m proud of you my girl, and I look forward to your counsel in the years to come.”

Namaari buried her face into Virana’s shoulder and Virana held up her daughter, now more muscle than bone, and whispered, “You have been strong, so very strong, and I am so proud to have you as my daughter. I’m so very proud. I love you Namaari. You have done so very well.”

Virana held her for as long as her arms would allow, and Virana can think, through puffy eyes and dried cheeks, that it will be well.

A/N: When I began writing this, I wanted to create a series of fics throughout fandoms about complicated mother daughter relationships. Then I realized that all my favorite characters have those really messy relationships with their mothers.

Guess sometimes fiction tells you too much about yourself.

I still hope to add to that series (eventually), and explore the different sides to that, and including ones that cannot be fixed. Even this one, I think falls into the trap that seems to have exploded into popular media since I started writing it (I’m very slow at getting fics done), which is there’s one conversation and the story’s over. There’s a ton more to explore what to do after the apology, the promise (because people rarely are suddenly good in a way they’ve struggled their whole life).

Thank you so much for reading this (and hopefully enjoying it), it was really interesting to write and I hope I captured the idea with justice.

#namaari #virana #namaari & virana #raya and the last dragon #my writing: namaari & virana #my writing: raya and the last dragon #my writing #mine

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