The next morning, Blackwater Bay port was shrouded in a thin mist.
Viserys stood on the dock, the salty sea breeze blowing against him. He watched the soldiers load the last cart of supplies onto the ship. His gaze paused slightly when he saw two soldiers carrying the wooden crate containing the dragon eggs.
"Be careful," he stepped forward two paces, his voice carrying an undeniable tone.
The soldiers carrying the crate immediately slowed their steps. "Don't worry, Your Highness, we will be careful."
"Put this crate directly in my cabin."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"All goods have been inventoried, Your Highness," Ser Alliser Thorne bowed. "The three dragon bones are placed in the hold, covered with canvas. The treasure chests are mixed with daily necessities and won't attract attention."
"Very good. Are Rhaenys and Lady Ashara's luggage also arranged?"
"All settled, Your Highness. As per your instructions, they are arranged in the cabins adjacent to yours."
"Mm." Viserys nodded in satisfaction.
Just then, a palace carriage, adorned with the three-headed dragon banner, drove into the dock, escorted by a squad of gold cloaks. The carriage halted steadily before him, and Ashara Dayne was the first to lean out. Today, she wore a pale purple gown with a grey travel cloak over it.
She turned and carefully lifted Rhaenys, who was still rubbing her sleepy eyes, from the carriage. The little girl was wearing an exquisite blue velvet dress today, her silver braids somewhat loose, clearly having just woken up.
Immediately after, Princess Elia Martell slowly alighted from the carriage. Her face was slightly pale, yet she maintained her royal demeanor.
However, what surprised Viserys most was that Varys was also in the carriage. The Master of Whisperers still wore his signature plain grey robe, a flawlessly polite smile on his face.
"Good day, Prince Viserys. I am grateful for Princess Elia's generous permission to travel with her," Varys's voice was as soft as ever, with just the right amount of concern. "I have come specifically to see Your Highness off. Dragonstone has unique scenery; I hope you find comfort there."
Viserys subtly observed Varys, pondering inwardly. This eunuch was always unexpected; he had merely relaxed his surveillance for a moment, not tracking him continuously, and he had unexpectedly appeared here. After all, tracking him every day was exhausting, and for the past two days, his main focus had been on transporting the 'Blackfire'. He wondered why Varys was here; was he preparing to place a bet on him now?
However, outwardly, Viserys maintained a polite smile and responded, "Thank you for coming all this way to see me off, Lord Varys."
Varys bowed slightly, his gaze seemingly inadvertently sweeping over the soldiers boarding the ship. "May the Seven bless your journey with fair winds." Varys offered the customary blessing, his tone so sincere that no fault could be found.
Viserys nodded slightly, his gaze returning to the other three. Rhaenys squirmed in Ashara's arms, seemingly wanting to get down and walk herself.
"Are we really going to ride this big ship?" The little girl was no longer sleepy-eyed, asking excitedly, extending her hands towards Viserys.
"Yes, we are taking this ship to Dragonstone," Viserys reached out and took Rhaenys.
"We should board now," Ser Alliser reminded softly from beside them.
Bidding farewell to the crowd, they boarded the ship and departed.
The sea breeze began to pick up, dispelling the thin mist shrouding the harbor. The Targaryen Family's three-headed dragon banner flapped in the wind on the mast. Viserys gently held Rhaenys in his arms, standing at the bow, gazing at King's Landing. Ashara stood beside him, her pale purple skirt gently swaying in the sea breeze, while Arthur Dayne stood firm as a rock, this White Knight having boarded the ship last night, after all, the gold dragons in the cabin were the guarantee of their future lives.
The outline of King's Landing gradually blurred in their sight. Viserys felt a touch of melancholy watching this scene. After this departure, it would likely be more than a decade before he returned.
"Look, that's Dragonstone!" Rhaenys excitedly pointed at the gradually appearing black silhouette ahead. After a day and a night of sailing, they finally arrived in the waters of Dragonstone.
Dragonstone's castle, built of black stone, stood like a fierce beast on the shore, appearing particularly solemn under the gloomy sky. As the ship approached Dragonstone's port, Viserys saw Ser Jonothor Darry already waiting on the dock.
"Queen Rhaella is waiting for you in the castle, Your Highness." Ser Darry's gaze lingered on Ashara and Rhaenys for a moment, a hint of surprise, but he quickly regained his composure.
Viserys nodded slightly and stepped onto the Dragonstone dock with Rhaenys in his arms. Ashara and Arthur followed behind them, and the group headed towards the castle. They only brought a few trusted retainers carrying the box of dragon eggs and gifts for the Queen. Ser Alliser was left with the remaining retainers to escort the treasures brought from King's Landing; after all, they would have to stay on Dragonstone for at least several more months until Daenerys was born, and the treasures couldn't remain on the ship indefinitely.
Walking along the rugged path, the group entered the castle. Queen Rhaella was already waiting in the great hall, her figure appearing somewhat frail on the throne.
"Mother," Viserys stepped forward to bow, gently setting Rhaenys down. The little girl immediately ran to Queen Rhaella's side, sweetly calling out "Grandmother," which brought a rare smile to the Queen's face.
Ashara and Arthur then stepped forward to pay their respects. The Queen's gaze lingered on Ashara for a moment, then swept over Arthur's white cloak, before finally nodding slightly in acknowledgment.
Then, her gaze turned back to Viserys, "Since you're here, stay. You can also see the birthplace of our family's dragons."
Viserys gestured for a servant to present the gift. When Queen Rhaella opened the pearl-inlaid wooden box, her fingertips gently traced the gift inside, an ornament made of dragon bone, and a flicker of emotion appeared in her eyes.
"You are thoughtful," she said softly, carefully placing the ornament back in the box.
In the following days, Dragonstone felt isolated from the world. Viserys trained daily with Ser Arthur, following the same routine as in King's Landing, while Ashara was responsible for teaching Rhaenys to read.
Three months later, a raven brought the tragic news of the Battle of the Trident. When the news of Rhaegar's death arrived, Queen Rhaella was inconsolable.
Arthur Dayne immediately met with Viserys, "Your Highness, I must return to Westeros." The White Knight's hand gripped the hilt of his sword, 'Dawn'. "I must avenge Prince Rhaegar." It was well known that Arthur and Rhaegar had a close relationship; they had known each other since youth, grown up together, and were more like friends than rivals, as evidenced by the original plot where he did not participate in the war but instead helped Rhaegar protect Lyanna.
Jonothor Darry followed closely: "The Kingsguard's vows require us to protect the royal family."
"I am more grieved by Rhaegar's death; he was always my most beloved brother. But do you think the rebels will spare Dragonstone?" His voice was unusually calm. "They will never allow the Targaryen bloodline to survive. If you both leave, who will protect my mother? Who will protect Rhaenys?"
He turned to face the two knights: "Now, as the heir of the Targaryen Family, I command you to stay. Dragonstone needs your swords."
According to Westerosi succession law, the inheritance of the iron throne strictly followed primogeniture. However, after Rhaegar's death at the Trident, the order of succession to the throne underwent a crucial change. Now, Aerys II was still the legitimate King of the Seven Kingdoms, and Rhaegar's son Aegon's place in the line of succession would be after Aerys's living second son.. This meant that Viserys, as the King's second living son, was now the rightful first heir to the iron throne.
Arthur and Jonothor exchanged a glance, then finally knelt on one knee. "As you wish, Your Highness."
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