༒𝐌𝐨𝐨𝐧

The princess was named Aelyra Targaryen. At eighteen, she was the youngest child of King Viserys and the younger sister of Aegon and Aemond. She had her mother's silver-gold hair, pale violet eyes, and a quietness that unsettled even the most experienced knights. Unlike her brothers, Aelyra rarely sought attention at court. She preferred the open sky, the smell of salt on the wind, and the company of the one creature that had never disappointed her. Moondancer was smaller than the great dragons of the Dragonpit, but what she lacked in size, she made up for in speed. Her scales shimmered pale green beneath the moonlight, and her long tail curved like a whip whenever she grew impatient. At dawn, Aelyra crossed the cold stone courtyard of Dragonstone, dressed in black riding leathers. Her long silver hair was braided down her back, secured with a narrow band of dark green silk. They soared above the sea, skimming so low that Moondancer's claws almost touched the waves. Aelyra leaned forward, her braids whipping behind her as the dragon banked sharply around the cliffs. Below them, fishing boats appeared as tiny dark shapes. Above them, clouds broke apart beneath the rising sun. There were no crowns in the sky. No succession disputes. No whispered accusations. No expectations placed upon the daughter of a king. Rain battered the towers of Dragonstone, and thunder shook dust from the ancient ceilings. Servants hurried through the corridors, closing shutters and lighting candles. The dragon paced beneath the shelter of the stone archway, her claws scraping against the floor. Each flash of lightning revealed the fine green edges of her wings. She removed her cloak and draped it over a nearby railing. Then she knelt beside Moondancer, placing both hands against the dragon's face. Moondancer lowered her head until her brow rested against the princess's shoulder. They remained that way as the storm raged around them.