Chapter Text
- A storm is coming.
Dunk said as he observed the sky. It was crystal clear and filled with vivid blue, but travelling for a long time had taught him much about how capricious the weather could be. Right now, the cloud was less bright than usual, which indicated a possible storm.
- Do you know any inns around here?
Egg checked the sheet in his arms, frowning.
- Because I can’t find any on the map.
- Travelling maps can’t always be updated with newly opened inns or some small ones in different regions. Worry not, I know some tight-nit places around! May not serve the best dishes but they’re friendly and the rooms are cosy!
- That’s great! I’m not a picky prince anyway!
Egg grinned and Dunk laughed. Four years had passed since the Ashford Meadow’s tourney. Four years had passed since Dunk agreed to take Egg as his squire and shared his journey. The boy had learned much and Dunk could not be prouder. Especially after his twelfth name day, Egg’s scent started to emerge and his sub-gender was revealed to be Alpha.
Henceforth, Dunk’s responsibility was no longer just teaching the little Targaryen prince about knighthood and humility, but also about being a decent Alpha to his future mate. Although most of the time, Egg would stick his tongue out and restate his current situation: too far from the throne, no desire for ruling, no need for an heir or a family. The little prince would make the most serious face ever and swear that knighthood was his only dream, only future.
Dunk, however, did not agree to that, although he liked Egg being the nonchalant Egg rather than being Prince Aegon Targaryen with royal burdens. But this boy had dragon bloodline regardless, should his future be brighter if he stayed close to his family.
But that was the very far future. Now Egg was a curious boy whose knowledge of this world was limited, so Dunk must teach him as much as possible. Better guided him to become a kinder person first before persuading him to return to his family.
They decided to speed up their walk after a brief discussion, because Dunk could not be sure if some closed inns were still open. It had been a long time since his last visit to this area. A not-so-buzzing area in Reach. Hence why it was understandable if some inns could not make a good living and came to shutdown. Therefore, the knight and the squire had to find an available inn before the storm.
Lucky for them, after crossing a narrow river, they found an average inn on the other side, near the river. Not too big, not too small, run by a family. Moreover, its stable was clean and filled with lots of hay. Their horse and mule could have a feast.
- Welcome, welcome! To our place! Name’s Elward, my wife over there’s Alda. My oldest boy, Borys, and my newborn daughter Cynna!
The man shook Dunk’s hand with enthusiastic manner while his wife warmly welcomed Egg to a wooden table with a dish of cake.
- My name’s Duncan, but you can call me Dunk! I’m a hedge knight and that’s my squire, he’s Egg!
- Sevens bless us!
Alda gasped.
- Ser Duncan the Tall and Little Egg! We heard lots about you!
- Can’t believe we get the honour to meet you two! Pop! Can they have the best room?
- Of course! But you must go and clean it up yourself. Your mother is breastfeeding your sister and she’s tired nowadays.
- Yes sir!
The son did not leave immediately. He instead came to Egg’s side first and made the little squire promise to tell him more about his spectacular journey during the dinner. Egg happily agreed, and Borys cheerily skipped upstairs to prepare the room. Elward chuckled then offered to help Dunk walk their mounts to the stable, which the hedge knight gaily let him do.
Dunk inhaled slightly. Elward was a Beta, so was the rest of his family. But the way Elward cherished and looked after his wife, who had just given birth, could be a precious lesson to Egg. So the knight took a seat at the table and started his lecture.
- You see! Elward is a good man! He adores his wife! He may be a Beta, but as an Alpha, you must…
- I know! I know! I shall adore every Beta and Omega in the Seven Kingdoms!
- Egg, not just every Beta and Omega…
- We can’t be sure if I have a mate, Dunk. I want to be in the Kingsguard!
- Oh I’m sure! Who can even resist the charm of this handsome Egg! And…
- That’s the far future! We can’t tell for now!
The little squire lifted his chin high. Egg was willful as usual. Dunk was neither angry nor disappointed, though. He just chuckled and skipped the topic. He did not want to press the boy. He even thought of persuading Prince Maekar if Egg kept pursuing his knighthood dream in the far future.
- As I recall, you received many ravens past sennight. May I know which family members sent them?
Egg perked up.
- Yes! Most of them were letters for my name day! Father, brother, sisters, uncle Aerys, uncle Rhaegel! They all wished me a delightful name day! Rhae especially sent me a lovely decorated card, but she asked me if my scent came out yet and still didn’t give up on her dream to be my spouse and mate.
Egg pouted.
- I hope she ends up being also an Alpha! I don’t hate Rhae, but I only love her as a sister!
Dunk did not laugh at this issue. During their journey, Egg told him a lot about his family. The story of him being almost bewitched by Rhae was not exceptional. Egg had talked about it while tears dampened his face, as he told Dunk how everyone did not take this seriously, considering that Rhae was only six at that time and Egg was seven. They thought it was just two children playing, under the careful supervision of Lady Shiera. But to Egg, it was a wicked act. It imprinted on his mind a trauma which haunted him to this day, making him check every drink before taking a sip.
But as Egg had said, he did not hate Rhae, despite what she had done and her weird obsession. Because Dunk knew, compared to Rhae, there was one person who could be a true nightmare to little Egg. Unsurprisingly, that was also the only person who did not send any ravens to the little prince on his name day.
He remembered how Egg had mourned for his cat. The little squire often regretted not jumping into that well in time, wailing that had he been courageous, he could have saved his cat that day. No one had trusted him. No one saved his cat. All because the culprit acted innocently and denied all the accusations, and adults chose to believe him. In the end, it was only Egg who wailed over the ill-fated cat.
Then another occasion when Egg told Dunk about the day his second-oldest brother’s sub-gender was revealed and it was Omega, one of the very rare Omegas born within House Targaryen. That fateful night, the said Omega brother had sneaked into Egg’s chamber and threatened to castrate him. In that way, he would have an Omega companion and not be lonesome in a full-of-Alpha royal family. Yet to Egg’s relief, whatever flashed across and changed his brother’s crazy mind at that fateful moment had saved the boy’s private part, because eventually, the mad brother had left with a bitter laugh.
Aerion Targaryen. The Monstrous as everyone called him. The Brightflame as he called himself. Dunk followed everyone, obviously, because all the deeds that monster had done at the Ashford Meadow’s tourney were unforgivable.
However, karma did come early. More like immediately. Because Aerion’s deed had led to the death of Prince Baelor ‘Breakspear’ Targaryen. The Targaryen heir that commoners adored. The honourable knight whom Dunk respected. It was a big loss to everyone, but for one figure, it was the most grievous tragedy.
Once the tourney ended, Prince Maekar, drowned by sorrow, regret and blind fury, had instantly married Aerion off to a minor lord from the Iron Islands. To a prideful man like Aerion, who always thought of himself as a dragon, this was nothing but the cruellest and coldest bucket of water splashed down on him, from head to toes. In addition, Prince Maekar even ordered the wedding ceremony to be held on the Iron Islands, with only the blessing of royalty from afar. According to him, this was a part of the punishment.
Ergo, while the funeral of Prince Baelor took place in King’s Landing and Dragonstone, Prince Aerion Targaryen’s marriage with Captain Morgo Codd had been sealed to the ironborn’s delight on Pyke Island. No royalties came to congratulate. No maesters from King’s Landing came to write down this historic event. Considering that it was far less important than the funeral of a more lovable one.
Dunk and Egg had, obviously, attended Prince Baelor’s funeral. They were also enraged by what Aerion had done, and agreed on Maekar’s punishment for him. That monstrous dragon had breathed fire and wrecked everything to the point of unsalvageability. To seven hells with whatever he might do or scream at his wedding, as now they, and everyone else, were grieving for their respectable but ill-fated Baelor Targaryen.
After the funeral, about a sennight, the hedge knight had discussed with Prince Maekar and they agreed on letting Dunk take Egg with him on his journey, a way to help the little Aegon stay away from his family’s dramas and tragedies that would deform him sooner or later.
It had been four years, many ravens came and went so Egg did not lose touch with his family. Dunk recalled how Egg only sent raven asking about Aerion once, when they were in Dorne. In his response, Maekar had confessed to them how he had grown tired of his second son over time, but his unconditional love was the anchor that kept his patience to edify this rebellious child. However, Baelor’s death was the final straw, and Maekar decided if he could not tame this unruly dragon, then let The Drowned God do with hundreds of kraken’s tentacles.
Maekar also told them about the Alpha whom Aerion had married. Captain Morgo Codd was the only Alpha born to Lord Llyr Codd and one of his lovers. Thus Morgo was supposed to be a bastard, a Pyke, but his sub-gender had saved him. Morgo Pyke had been legitimised by his father and become heir of House Codd. The Alpha was said to be cold and calculated, but also a sweet-tongued man if necessary. Maekar hoped those characteristics would somewhat diminish and constrain Aerion’s unpredictable brightflame. For Aerion’s situation, Maekar did not go into details, as he said that he himself was also clueless, since the Omega prince rarely sent letters.
At the end of the letter, Maekar’s last words expressed how he still loved all of his sons, but his patience for Aerion had run out. He genuinely hoped the boy could be fixed by marriage duty. Egg sighed, commenting that it would be a miracle if a marriage could really redeem his vicious brother.
***
After the dinner, the afternoon downpour had grown into a fierce storm. Egg was worried for the horse and the mule, but Dunk and Elward soothed him that they had reinforced the stable during noon, before the downpour. The little squire then distracted himself from anxiety by telling stories to little Borys, who was anticipating with sparkling eyes. Dunk could not help but see an older brother and a younger brother chittering by the fireplace. He decided to leave them some space, turning around to chatter with Elward, who was pouring him a cup of tea.
- How long has your inn been open?
- A year, Ser Duncan. My wife and I were originally from The Neck, but it was hard to make a good living there. Only swamps and fog. We decided that Borys should grow up in a better place, so we saved up quite a fortune and travelled to Reach. We built a home, then realised this route did not have many inns, so we aggrandised our home to a cosy place that welcomes every traveller!
- That’s so kind of you, Elward!
- It’s nothing, Ser Duncan! Compared to you and your heroic deeds, I’m nothing!
- Don’t say that! Kindness can’t be measured! It's always great and invaluable, whether you choose how to show and share it!
Elward smiled as his eyes glinted with the joy of being appreciated. As he was about to continue the conversation, a shrieking sheared the thunderous storm, startling four people in the inn.
- I think it's Cynna, pop. She may suffer from colic again. I’ll go to mam to see if she needs anything!
- Good boy, Borys! Let me boil some tea for her. So sorry, Ser Duncan! Make yourself at home!
- It’s alright! Just let me be!
Duncan gave the man a nod as he disappeared behind the kitchen door. Little Borys had already rushed upstairs to check over his mother and sister. However, it did not last long as the young boy sprinted downstairs, to the kitchen, huffing with a concerned voice.
- Pop! It's not Cynna! She’s sleeping! No signs of colic!
But the newborn’s crying still could be heard.
- Then what’s wrong, boy? We don't have any guests who bring their babies along today!
- I don't see mam! She disappeared, didn't leave any notes!
- What?
Dunk stood up instantly, so did Egg. The storm was roaring outside. Thunder hollered with a lightning flash, which accentuated the fear on Elward’s face.
- Did you check around? Maybe she went to check on some rooms?
- I did! No note! All spare keys remained! There are only three rooms occupied today and I didn't find her in any of them!
Borys was on the verge of tears.
- Calm down! Dunk will go looking around, while you and I search for her within the inn. Tell, Borys, where do you think your mother often goes at night?
- I don't know, Egg! She’s usually in the bedroom with the baby at this time!
- Elward, please look after the two boys! I’ll go out and check! Lock the doors!
- But Ser…
Elward clearly did not want Dunk dealing with the dangerous situation alone, but Egg halted him just in time. The little squire persuaded the innkeeper while sending Dunk the familiar trusting nod, as always.
The hedge knight prepared his sword. He did not have time to put on his armour yet he was confident enough to fight without it. He had abundant experience dealing with bandits and rescuing smallfolk. But at that very precise moment, as Dunk opened the door and was about to rush out, he saw a woman. Not Alda though, based on both scent and appearance. He was going to walk past her but the woman immediately stopped him.
- Ser Duncan the Tall?
Dunk blinked. How did she know his name? His alert rose.
- I am! May I know your na…
The stranger cut in once she heard the confirmation.
- Very good! Also…
She tilted her head to look over Dunk’s shoulders, until her eyes saw Elward and Borys, who were both in distress and confusion.
- Be calm, sir. Your wife, Alda, is in the stable right now. And for me, I’m Tharra.
Tharra’s words had appeased the strained atmosphere a bit. Coincidentally, the baby’s crying also died down at the moment, leaving space for the humming noise of heavy rain. Everyone sighed in relief, but curiosity began to arise. Who was Tharra? Why did she know where Alda was? Where did she come from? Dunk implicitly glanced at Elward, but the innkeeper shrugged, implying that Tharra was none of the current guests in the inn. Dunk was still on alert as he stood still between Tharra and three people in the foyer.
- Can you explain the situation, Tharra?
- I understand your sharp, Alpha, but I swear on The Sevens and even Drowned God, as I stand here, I do no harm to Alda. Instead, we’re even grateful that she helped us!
Tharra’s voice was serious, but her selection of words held hints of flippant. Dunk could see her genuine attitude, though. He decided to lower his defence a little, as the young woman in front of him did not want to make matters worse.
- What do you mean “we” and “us”?
- About that…
Tharra tilted her head again, flicked her gaze between Elward, Borys and Egg. Then she contemplated for a while before coming to a final decision.
- All of you go to the stable. Though that might trigger him. But I also don’t want Alda’s family to worry for her! Also, Elward the innkeeper, would you mind preparing a cup of hot herbal milk please? For him.
Elward nodded, returning to the kitchen, completely clueless. But his son Borys was not as patient and polite.
- Who again? Stop being mysterious!
Tharra only smiled at the angry boy.
- My master, little one.
***
They walked to the stable through the interior hall that linked the inn to the stable. Dunk let Tharra go first and held the cup of milk, while he himself walked between her and the other three. Now, as he had more time to examine the young woman, inhaling her scent, the hedge knight realised she was also an Alpha.
For Egg, he realised as they came closer to the stable, there was a familiar lullaby. To him only, because it was sung in High Valyrian.
The lullaby that mother used to sing him to sleep. He really missed those rhythms, as he missed her. A Dornish herself, but mother decided to learn High Valyrian so that she could soothe her Targaryen babies to sleep. All of her six children had heard her sing sweetly, but each of them remembered the song differently.
However, the voice that warbled this lullaby, it concerned him more. A smooth voice, too silky, more gentle than Egg remembered. But despite how tranquil it was, the little squire could still detect its distinctiveness. The flame in it. Egg prayed that it was just a coincidental resemblance. He looked at Dunk, whose back was turning against him. He could not see Dunk’s face, yet he wondered if the hedge knight also recognised this voice, after all those years.
Once they arrived at the stable, they all noticed there were two new horses in the stable. A white mare and a brown male steed. Lots of bundles lay on the ground near them. More wood logs had been added to the huge fireplace, to increase the warmth and shoo away the darkness. At the leftmost corner of the stable, Alda sat there, next to a figure covered in a black cloak. That person was breastfeeding a baby, humming a lullaby.
- Master! Here’s your milk! And apologise for the sudden coming of too many people.
Tharra spoke, and the cloaked figure quickly raised his head. Bright and fierce flame from the fireplace illuminated his face and every expression it displayed. At that moment, the very last ray of hope lingered in Egg’s heart was shattered completely.
While Dunk felt like all the air in his lungs had been drawn out instantly.
Of course it was him. Of course it had to be him.
- Are you stupid?
Here came the familiar austere voice.
- Forgive me for overstepping the bounds, but we’ll need their accompaniment to continue our trip!
Tharra tried to calm him down, but to no avail.
- Those two twits are the last people I want to be seen by in this damn situation!
The cloaked figure pointed his shaky index finger at Egg, who sighed and rolled his eyes, and Dunk, who grimaced and looked away from him.
Aerion “Brightflame” Targaryen.