Chapter Text
He had the coloring of his father, though his hair was the same grey-silver as his mother’s. It had been easy enough to hide him for his first few years. He had but short wisps of hair when he’d been born, and though it grew out over the next few years, it had been slow going. They’d opted to cover his head with hats, scarves, anything to hide his identity from the outside world. And it worked. They had not received any news of anyone in the world knowing of Rhaego’s existence. Daenerys had kept him hidden well. Before she’d been able to obtain her armies and loyal followers, when she’d been but a young girl with very few loyal guards, she’d pass Rhaego off as her handmaiden’s son, but only when absolutely necessary. Anything to keep him safe.
It was to be his fifth nameday in a few days. They were to arrive at Dragonstone by midday and though there was much to prepare for in the coming months, Daenerys had decided to put everything off, at least for a little while, so that they may be able to celebrate Rhaego’s nameday with some semblance of peace. Tyrion had objected a bit at first, but with one stern look and the reminder that Rhaego was a child, her child, he shut up and finally acquiesced.
Rhaego had fallen fast asleep by the time they finally arrived, so Daenerys carried her sleeping boy in her arms as the small boat made its way closer to shore. The closer it got, the more overwhelmed she felt. We’re here, my love. We’re finally here.
Settling in to Dragonstone was much easier than Daenerys’ thought. It still doesn’t feel quite like home, but there is this feeling to it. Some kind of pull. Rhaego enjoyed himself immensely. He ran and played to his heart’s content throughout the grasses. He loved to roam the castle, finding every nook and cranny he could. She was sure he would know the castle better than she would.
Although he loved Dragonstone and all the rooms it had to offer, he couldn’t sleep far from Daenerys. They’d managed to connect two of the larger bedrooms, so that he was within arms reach. There was but a door between them, always left open. I need him close. I don’t know what I’d do if something happened to him. So long as he’s next to me, I’ll be able to do all I can to protect him.
It was lunchtime now. They’d been at Dragonstone for three days now. Everything had been loaded off of the ships and put in its place within the castle grounds. Daenerys and Rhaego were having their lunch outside with Missandei, watching the dragons fly overhead.
“Mama, for my nameday, can I fly?” Rhaego asked, shoving more grapes into his mouth.
Daenerys smiled warmly at him before exchanging a look with Missandei. She could tell her friend was just as amused as she was. “Darling, you’re still too young to fly. You know that,” She said, stroking his hair out of his face.
“But mama, please!?” He asked again, this time mouth full of grapes. “I wanna fly with you like you do!”
Daenerys tried not to laugh. My sweet boy. How can I say no to you? She sighed. “Tell you what. If you behave like a good little boy, from now until after your name day, perhaps I will take you for a ride. Hmmm?”
His face lit up with the largest smile, and it filled her heart with such happiness, she couldn’t contain her own smile. “Yay! Thank you mama! I promise, I will behave. I promise!” He was practically jumping out of his seat at this point.
Daenerys and Missandei chuckled. Rhaego was such a joy to be around. Any worries they may have had were swept away for a while. His little voice, his smiles and giggles, his presence brought such ease. The two of them couldn’t get enough of the little dragon.
On the morning of Rhaego’s nameday, Daenerys woke up extra early. She wanted to make sure this day was special for her son. Her childhood had been filled with such terror, such sadness and loneliness, she wanted to ensure Rhaego’s was filled with nothing but happiness and love. She didn’t want Rhaego to ever feel the way she had felt as a child, always on the run, scared, hungry. Soon enough, she’d retake their family’s throne. She’d be queen of the seven kingdoms and Rhaego a prince. Soon enough, she’d bring peace to all of Westeros, and her son will have nothing but a peaceful and happy life.
Once Daenerys had finished getting ready for the day, she went to check on Rhaego. He’s still asleep. Good. She opened her door and asked one of her Unsullied guards to call for Missandei. The two of them had come up with ideas for gifts to give Rhaego. So the boy wouldn’t come upon any of them, Daenerys had asked Missandei to hold onto them.
“Your grace,” Missandei greeted her. She had a few packages with her. Daenerys walked over, smiling as she took them from her friend’s arms and set them on the table in the middle of the room. Soon after, food was brought and set next to them.
Daenerys left Missandei at the table to begin her breakfast and walked over to Rhaego’s room. She stood at the entrance, watching her son sleep peacefully for a few moments, not closing the door all the way behind her. He’s still so small, but my how the time has passed. It seems like it was only yesterday that his tiny little hands could wrap around my finger. She smiled and made her way to his bed. She sat down next to him carefully, combing her hand through his silky hair gently. She marveled at how adorable he looked. My Rhaego. He stirred slightly, so Daenerys decided she’d waited long enough and gently shook him awake.
“Rhaego, sweetling, wake up,” she said softly. He turned over, opening his eyes and looked up at her sleepily.
“Hi mama,” he said, still half asleep, his eyes drooping.
Daenerys smiled. “Happy nameday, my love.” At this, Rhaego awoke fully, huge smile blooming on his face. He sat up and began bouncing on the bed.
“It’s my nameday mama! It's my nameday!” He exclaimed excitedly.
Daenerys laughed and nodded her head. “Yes darling. And do you remember how old you are today?”
Rhaego stilled for a moment, mouth slightly agape. “Fiiiive?” He replied.
Daenerys laughed again and lifted him up to set him on her lap. “Yes, Rhaego. You turn five today.”
“I knew it!” He exclaimed, wrapping his arms around his mother’s neck. He buried his head in her shoulder and yawned.
“Are you still tired?” Daenerys asked him softly, rubbing his back gently, holding him close. Rhaego shook his head ‘no’. “No? Then why are you yawning, sweetheart?” She asked teasingly. Rhaego just shrugged. “Well, if you’re still tired, I guess I won’t be able to give you your nameday gifts after breakfast then.”
Immediately Rhaego shot up. “Gifts!?”
“Yes, Rhaego, gifts.”
“I’m not tired mama. I promise.”
Daenerys kissed his forehead. “Alright then, go wash up and dress so we can eat.” She said, setting him down on his feet. He quickly rushed over to do as he was told and Daenerys couldn’t help but chuckle at his excitement. I’m glad he’s enjoying himself. I can’t remember ever being this happy as a child. Any happy moments were very few and far in between. I’ll make damn sure he never knows anything less than this. She stood and waited for him at the door.
When they walked out to meet Missandei, they were greeted by Grey Worm as well. “My queen. My prince,” he said, bowing his head slightly. They all smiled at him.
“Grey! It’s my nameday today! I turn five!” Rhaego shouted happily as he hopped up on a chair between Daenerys and Missandei.
Grey Worm was always so serious, but there were only three people who could manage to get him to break into a smile: Missandei, Rhaego, and Daenerys. He smiled at the little boy, taking a step closer to the table. He moved his hands from behind his back and presented a small wrapped gift, setting it atop of the others. “Happy nameday, my prince.”
Daenerys looked at Rhaego expectantly. “What do you say to Grey Worm, Rhaego?” She asked him softly.
Rhaego smiled and looked at Grey Worm. “Thank you, Grey!” He said, hopping down from the chair. He ran over to Grey Worm and hugged him quickly, before returning to his seat. Daenerys, Missandei, and Grey Worm all had amused expressions, each giving a small chuckle.
Grey Worm nodded, glancing over at Missandei. He took a step around Rhaego’s chair and looked to Daenerys. “My Queen. There is a visitor on the island. A red priestess of Ashai. She said there’s no rush to meet. She knows how busy you are and wishes a happy nameday for the prince,” Grey Worm told her in Valyrian. She and Missandei had been teaching Rhaego Dothraki and Valyrian, but he still only knew the basics. As the adults had their conversation, Rhaego paid them no mind. He simply sat in his seat, grabbing pieces of fruit and stuffed them into his mouth.
Daenerys shared a look of concern with Missandei. We made sure to keep his existence a secret. How the hell does this woman know about Rhaego? “I’m sure everything is fine, your Grace. Red priestesses claim to see visions in the flames. Perhaps she knows of the prince through her visions,” Missandei said, trying to reassure her.
Daenerys sighed and nodded. “Tell her we can meet tomorrow. And make sure to have guards watch her at all times. I don’t want her anywhere near Rhaego,” she told Grey Worm.
Grey Worm nodded, “My queen. My prince. Missandei.” He bowed his head before leaving the room.
The rest of their breakfast went smoothly, though Daenerys couldn’t shake off the concern regarding this red priestess. They may have been a great help and ally in Essos, but here could be another matter. They’d had their fill of Rhaego’s favorite breakfast foods and he’d opened his gifts excitedly. Missandei had gifted him a book on the history of dragons. Rhaego was still learning to read, but he exclaimed his excitement to learn everything about the dragons. Grey Worm had gifted him a wooden dragon he carved himself. And Daenerys gifted him a stuffed dragon, along with a new outfit. One fit for my little dragon prince. Rhaego had thanked them excitedly, giving them kisses and hugging them fiercely.
After they’d had their lunch, Daenerys and Rhaego walked hand-in-hand along the beaches of Dragonstone.
“I like the beaches mama,” Rhaego said, doodling in the sand with a stick he’d picked up.
“So do I, Rhaego. Dragonstone has beaches all around it,” Daenerys replied. She led them to a spot she’d found when they had first arrived to the island. It had shade, and was a comfortable spot to sit and relax. She sat down and watched as Rhaego played.
“Mama, look!” Rhaego exclaimed, pointing to the sky. He dropped the stick and stood still, in a trance as he marveled at the dragons flying in the sky.
It clutched at her heart, how much the dragons still left Rhaego in such awe. They’d grown up together, had lived and traveled together, and yet he was still so moved by them. They are fire made flesh. Magic courses through them, as it does us. “Yes, sweetheart. Your brothers are playing in the sky.”
She watched as Rhaego’s smile widened, and he turned to her after a while. He stepped towards her and sat down in her lap. They sat together, watching as the dragons played together.
After a time — minutes or hours, Daenerys could not say — she thought Rhaego had fallen asleep, so she was surprised when she heard his little voice softly say, “Mama?”
“Yes, sweetling? What is it?” she replied, in the same soft tone. She rested her head against her son’s.
“The dragons are my brothers.”
Daenerys waited for more, but when that was all Rhaego would say, she said, “Yes. They are. In their own way.”
“But they’re dragons. I’m a boy. How can they be my brothers?” Daenerys had a feeling she knew where her son’s inquiries would lead. She knew she’d need to deal with this eventually. Her only son. She knew he’d get lonely and ask about it at some point. Why did it have to be now? “Khorro says his mama told him he’s gonna have a little sister. He already has a big brother. I told him Drogon, Viserion, and Rhaegal are my brothers and he looked at me funny.” He turned in her lap and looked up at her, all innocence, confusion, and love. “Will I ever have a little brother or sister, mama?” It broke Daenerys’ heart. She knew she may need to make a marriage alliance when she sailed for Westeros, but children? Yes, she loved children and would love more of them, but Daenerys wasn’t sure how well she’d get along with any potential husband. How can I enter a marriage, find out we don’t get along, and allow for a child to enter that environment? I never want a child to be exposed to any negative relationships, especially familial ones. Growing up with Viserys left me scarred... But gods, I want more children. I would love to give Rhaego little brothers and sisters. But when could that happen, if at all? My poor Rhaego.
Daenerys sighed. She brushed hair back from Rhaego’s forehead so she could see his eyes clearly. “Rhaego, my love. The dragons are your brothers. Yes, they are dragons and therefore not the brothers others have.” She sighed again and pulled him closer to her. “Sweetheart, I don’t know when I can give you brothers and sisters. I want to very much, but love, mama has a lot of work to do before anything else alright?” She spoke softly, her hand caressing his back.
She felt him take a big breath and sigh. “Get the castle?” He asked, looking up at her, his head resting on her shoulder.
Daenerys chuckled softly. “Yes, Rhaego. We get the castle.”
He turned his face into her neck and hugged her tight. Daenerys hugged him back just as fierce. “Okay mama,” he mumbled sleepily.
Daenerys sat in the sand for a few minutes more, holding her son as he fell asleep in her arms. She hummed a song softly, watching the waves. Every once in a while one of the dragons would swoop down and catch fish. She smiled softly, rubbing Rhaego’s back gently. My children. Daenerys had never felt so at peace as when she was with her children. With a soft kiss to Rhaego’s head, Daenerys carefully got up from the sand, making sure to keep a comfortable hold of Rhaego, and began to walk back to the castle.