Heir of the Dragon

The Kingswood

Three years had passed since Starfyre hatched from her egg. And she had grown at a rather alarming rate. The dragon handlers, when they could get close to her said she could possibly rival Vhagars.

Starfyre hated the dragon pits and more often than not refused to go in except to sleep. She was also testy with who handled her. If Jessica wasn't there, than you might as well forget her listening.

Thankfully Syrax was always watching close by and helped reign Starfyre in. They had become sisters in a way. And once Jessica could fly Starfyre, she and Rhaenyra would take daily flights together.

Currently, she was stuck inside a carriage, pouting.

"Why don't you come join us." Alicent patted the seat next to her.

"No thank you." Jessica mumbled.

Viserys sighed, he was bouncing her younger brother Aegon on his knee. "You can't stay in the castle by yourself, Jessie. You're too little."

Jessica turned her attention back to the window. She had not grown accustomed to the new family dynamics well. "I wouldn't be in the Red Keep."

"Oh?" Viserys smiled as this was all a game. "And where would you be?"

Jessica looked at him completely serious. "The Stepstone."

"They're at war, Sweet Girl." Alicent tried to reason.

"A minor disagreement, really." Jessica argued.

The carriage hit a bump and Jessica bounced off her seat and onto the floor.

"Come here." Rhaenyra sighed and scooped her onto her lap.

"Don't you thinks she's to old to be coddled." Alicent sighed.

"Not two minutes ago you were going on how she's too little. Which way is it?"

"Why must it be like this Rhaenyra?" Viserys sighed. "You should join me on the hunt."

Rhaenyra drew Jessica close and gently rubbed her back. "I'd rather not."

"The boars squeal like chickens when they are being slaughtered."

"That's discomforting." Jessica curled into her sister.

"Its a hunt girls...."

That's how the rest of the carriage went. Jabs and hits...it was divided. It was Viserys' hope that Jessica would take to Aegon the way she did Baelon. But Jessica never did. She rarely visited the nursery. She had also stopped visiting Viserys chambers as much.

The carriage pulled to a stop in the Kingswood. Viserys departed first, followed by Alicent.

"Hail, hail Aegon, the Conqueror-Babe, Second of his name! Here's to His Grace on his second name day."

Jessica suppressed an eyeroll as she clung to Rhaenyra's arm.

"You know." Rhaenyra smiled down at her. "They called you the 'Fairest of them All' when it was your second name day. And you had blackberries and lemon cake smothered across your face."

Jessica looked up and gave Rhaenyra a small smile.

"Come on." Rhaenyra guided her into the tents.

Jessica was unimpressed, the ladies were huddled over to one side of the tent while the men occupied the other. Save for Larys Strong. She never cared for that man. Every time he went and patted her head it sent chills down her spine.

"Come join us." Alicent smiled over at the pair.

Rhaenyra looked down at Jessica, gave a sigh and lead her over to the cluster of women.

Alicent smiled and settled Jessica between herself and Larys. He smiled and patted her head. "Sweet girl."

The topic quickly became of the Stepstone.

Alicent kept up the pleasantries. "My Lord Husband says no King has been able to tame the Stepstones for long."

Ceira Lannister was nodding in agreement. "An inhospitable place suited only for savages." Then she shot a glance at Rhaenyra.

Rhaenyra folded her arms. "I'm not sure how I could give insight, I've never been to the Stepstones."

Jessica glanced up. There were obvious tensions. Rhaenyra gave a huff and stormed off. Jessica arose, and turned.

"Excuse me Ladies, Lord Strong." Jessica turned to Alicent. "Your Grace." She rushed off after her sister.

"I swear those affairs are frightfully dull." Rhaenyra sighed and scooped Jessica up onto her hip.

"I wonder Princess was your own second name day as grand as this?"

Rhaenyra and Jessica whipped their heads in the sound of that voice.

A man, talk, arrogant stalked over to the pair of them. He was in colors of navy and red, lions sprawled across the armor.

He gave a bow of his head to the pair. "Lord Jason Lannister."

Rhaenyra gave a small smile. "We gathered...from all the lions."

Jason poured Rhaenyra and himself wine. "Have either of you been to the Rock?"

"Uh once." Rhaenyra concentrated, "I was with my mother and I honestly can't recall much."

"The Rock is thrice the height of the Hightower in Old Town, still taller than the wall in the North."

Jessica narrowed her eyes."It must be quite something..."

"Although I do not possess a dragon pit."

Both girls had the same confused look. Jessica c****d her head to the side. "Why would you need..."

Jason smiled, reaching out and rubbed his finger against her cheek. "To house Dragons of course. For both my Queen and the Princess of course when she comes as a ward. And not just my queen...my lady wife..." He gave a nod and took his leave.

Both Jessica and Rhaenyra looked about dumbfounded before Rhaenyra looked at Jessica. "D-Did he just propose."

Jessica scrunced up her face. "Ew."

"Gross." Rhaenyra added.

"No." Jessica agreed.

"Pass." They both decided together.

Rhaenyra took Jessica inside, but didn't bother to set her down.

"Girls." Viserys smiled at them. "Rhaenyra, you sister is capable of walking."

"Is this all we are to you?" Rhaenyra asked Viserys incredulously.

"Rhaenyra your of age." Viserys sighed. "Jesscareya will be before long."

"Jason Lannister is arrogant and self-serious. I do not wish that upon myself, certainly not for Jessica."

"WE DO NOT EXIST ABOVE TRADITON AND DUTY!"

The whole tent fell silent. Jessica curled into Rhaenyra to escape from the shouting.

"No." Rhaenyra said evenly. "That's not a life I want. That's certainly not a life I want for my sister."

Rhaenyra sat Jessica down and stormed out of the tent.

Viserys sighed and threw up his hands, then looked down to see Jessica still standing there.

"Jessie -"

Jessica burst into tears, her hands covering her face.

There was a sigh before Jessica felt herself being scooped up.

"There there Sweet Girl." Viserys soothed. He went to sit and settled her on his lap. He let her sit until she was calm.

"It won't be long now Your Grace. The huntsman has the white hart nearly cornered." Otto Hightower approached them both.

Jessica gave a pointed look at Otto. "Isn't that a self-fulfilling prophecy."

"Princess?"

Jessica huffed. "I mean, in any story that I've come across, the white hart will only appear to the right person. The one who is fair and just. To hunt such a creature down is entirely self-serving, and therfore that person has no real legitimate claim."

Otto looked immediately to Viserys. "Wed her to Aegon."

Viserys laughed. "Now Otto -"

Otto Hightower continued. "They are not so far in age. She would do Aegon good. Then when they are of age, name them, rightfully as King and Queen."

"No." Jessica jumped down from her Father's lap. She looked at her Father. "No. You promised after Baelon..."

"Jesscareya -" Viserys reached out for her.

Jessica stepped back away from them and ran out of the ten. She ran straight into the woods. Jessica kept on running twisting and turning, not paying attention to where she was running. Eventually Jessica tripped over a root tumbling into the wood's floor right into a babbling brook.

When Jessica emerged from the water, she was soaking wet, lost and cold. Jessica tried to backtrack where she ran, but she was too much in an emotional frenzy to remember if it was right and left or left and right.

There was a sound. Jessica froze to the spot. It could be a number of creatures. A wild dog, a boar, a shadowcat any number of things could mull her and leave her dead.

Compared to Starfyre, it was the most beautiful thing Jesscareya had laid eyes on.

The White Hart.

The pair of them stared at one another, either of them afraid to move and frighten the other. Slowly the white hart inched its way closer to Jessica until it stood majesticly in front of her.

Jessica looked up into the warm blackness of its eyes, before she sunk into a low bow.

The white hart lowered his head and nuzzle her cheek. Jessica smiled and rose gently stroking his fur. The white heart looked at her fully before taking a step back.

The hart bowed down to her.

Jessica smiled, "can you help me find my way home, friend?"

The hart stared at her before laying down and allowing Jessica to mount him. Once she was secure, they were off.

Jessica equated this to flying. It was glorious. The hart took twists and turns, showing her off to many forest creatures. Jessica felt free and wild. She felt herself.

It was just cresting dawn when the hart padded through camp. She commanded every man's attention.

Hightower.

Lannister.

Strong.

Redwyne.

Arryn.

Baratheon.

Tully.

Velaryon.

Targaryen.

There were whispers, but no one dared moved as long as Jessica stayed mounted. She saw her Father in awe. She looked at Otto brooding and contemplative. Rhaenyra's smile stretched ear to ear.

Alicent, holding Aegon was pissed.

Rhaenyra cautiously walked over and helped Jessica dismount.

Both of them walking away as the white hart disappeared back into the forest.