Chapter 77: Helaena's Prophetic Dream
"Kingsguard, cut out their tongues!"
King Viserys's furious roar echoed throughout the Throne Room. Ser Erryk Cargyll, Ser Steffon Darklyn, Ser Marston Waters, and Ser Lorent Marbrand stepped forward simultaneously, restraining Mallentine's brothers.
Daemon glanced toward his brother. After receiving a firm nod from the King, he drew Dark Sister and kicked the panicked Mallentine to the ground.
At that moment, the former Rogue Prince seemed to return to the court.
Daemon violently dragged Mallentine up—who was still dizzy from the kick—struck him hard, knocking out several of his front teeth, and then seized his tongue and tore it out with ruthless precision.
"Mallentine, you should thank Princess Rhaenys for her mercy—and my brother's leniency," Daemon said coldly, delivering a clean upward slash. "Otherwise, this blade would have taken your head."
Mallentine rolled across the ground in agony, blood gushing everywhere. The same miserable screams came from his four brothers.
Five severed tongues lay wetly upon the floor.
Desmond's two sons screamed and hid behind Princess Rhaenys. However, Princess Rhaenys merely comforted them softly, her gaze shifting back toward the Iron Throne. There, the King groaned in pain, and a trace of worry appeared in her eyes.
"Your Grace, you require a maester," Otto Hightower said in a low voice.
"No," Viserys replied firmly. "What I require now… is clarity."
The King raised his voice again.
"Lucerys Velaryon is the undisputed heir to Driftmark, just as Princess Rhaenyra is my lawful heir, recognized by both gods and law. Remember your oaths. If such shameless and absurd rumors appear again, I will personally see the heads of those who spread them taken."
Viserys struggled to stand.
"I believe the Stranger would value your nonsensical tongues more than I do."
The King slowly attempted to descend the steps of the Iron Throne—but suddenly missed a step.
Otto and Ser Criston Cole, standing beside him, quickly rushed forward to support him.
"Ugh—"
Sweat immediately broke out across the King's forehead. At the same time, blood suddenly gushed from his left hand, instantly staining the Iron Throne crimson.
"Maester! We need a maester!" Otto shouted loudly.
Grand Maester Mellos hurried forward in haste.
"Lay the King down," Grand Maester Mellos said in a deep voice. Despite his age, the elderly maester was still a skilled physician.
Daemon immediately rushed forward, supporting his brother and cradling his head.
With trembling hands, the King removed his golden mask.
The sight caused many present to gasp.
The once robust King had wasted away to skin and bone. One eye was nearly blind, and half of his face appeared to be rotting from severe infection.
"Maester! Maester! Bring the medicine!" Princess Rhaenyra rushed out of the Throne Room, shouting.
Soon, a healer from Dragonstone arrived with his apprentice.
"Help my father!" Princess Rhaenyra grabbed him, her face nearly twisted with anguish, tears streaming uncontrollably from her reddened eyes.
"Do not worry, Princess," the healer said, immediately rushing inside.
Seeing that the healer had brought an assistant, Grand Maester Mellos let out a breath of relief.
"Did you bring the salve? The one for iron wounds?" Mellos asked.
"Yes."
The healer spoke softly to Queen Alicent, requesting passage. The Queen seemed to come back to her senses and stepped aside, allowing him through.
He opened his medical kit, removing clean linen and a jar of dark ointment.
"How has His Grace's condition worsened to this extent?" the healer asked, visibly shocked—but his hands worked quickly and steadily.
"Too many wounds that never healed," Grand Maester Mellos sighed. "Especially over the past two years. The King's injuries have failed to close for months at a time. I have tried every method—even flesh-eating maggots—but nothing has restored proper healing."
At that moment, Princess Rhaenyra took the boiled wine from the apprentice and handed it to Mellos.
The Grand Maester soaked the linen and carefully cleaned the wound.
"Grand Maester," the healer said quietly, glancing at the King's hand—already missing several fingers—"if His Grace develops a fever tonight, I fear only amputation of the remaining fingers will prevent further rot."
"I understand," Mellos said with a heavy sigh. "That will be the final resort."
After finishing, the Grand Maester wrapped the King's wound.
"Everyone, the King requires rest. Today's court session should end here."
Otto nodded expressionlessly, stood, and bowed slightly toward Princess Rhaenyra.
"Princess, your appeal has been granted. You may—"
"This is my home as well!" Princess Rhaenyra exploded in anger. She pointed directly at Otto, her voice trembling with fury. "My father lies gravely injured, and you would drive his daughter away?"
"I would not dare," Otto said, stepping back slightly. "However, your presence—"
"I will remain until I see my father awaken with my own eyes!" Rhaenyra declared, lifting her skirt and following after the King as he was carried away.
Prince Daemon followed closely behind, casting Otto a meaningful glance before departing toward Maegor's Holdfast.
Otto looked toward Queen Alicent with visible dissatisfaction before slowly leaving the Throne Room as well.
"Jacaerys, you must return to Dragon Nest City with us."
Dragonzel sighed softly.
He knew it was cruel to separate the children from their grandfather at such a moment, but given the current situation, remaining in King's Landing any longer would only invite greater danger.
"Mm," Jacaerys nodded.
Having followed Dragonzel for so long, he fully trusted his judgment. If Dragonzel made such a decision, it meant there would be no major issues in following it.
"Brother," Valarr leaned closer and whispered, "I saw Princess Helaena looking at you just now."
"She carries the scent of fire," Dragonzel said after a brief pause. "It seems she is about to unconsciously enter dreamwalking again."
"Dreamwalking?" Valarr frowned. "Do you mean… like Daenys the Dreamer?"
"Haven't I told you before?"
Seeing Valarr shake his head, Dragonzel realized he had likely forgotten to mention it.
"Let us return first. I expect results tonight."
Dragonzel climbed the rope ladder and seated himself upon Vermithor's saddle.
Soon, several dragons roared into the sky one after another, departing King's Landing.
Maegor's Holdfast, Aegon and Helaena's chamber.
Aegon was nowhere to be seen.
Only Helaena remained, tending to the children in their cradle.
The Princess softly murmured an incomprehensible lullaby as she gently soothed them to sleep.
"Big bear, big bear… restless descendants…
Dragon's blood, human's blood…
Black blood, green blood, red blood…
Black flames burn fiercely… silver flames burn fiercely…"
Her voice suddenly shifted.
Then, as if realizing something, she looked down at the children in confusion.
Seeing them fast asleep, she finally lay back upon the bed with a sigh of relief.
Originally a bed meant for two, it now held only her.
The fireplace burned brightly, and the brazier glowed with steady heat, filling the room with warmth.
Soon, the Princess fell asleep.
But this time—
When Helaena stood within her dream, she was no longer a small bird.
She stood upon a black pool.
The castle, submerged in a sea of blood, once again opened its gates to her.
The Silver Dragon lay within the blood, gazing at her with calm indifference.
"Dragonzel…"
Helaena curtsied politely.
But in the next moment—
She froze in horror.
The surface of the pool reflected her image.
A small girl—
Eyes wide.
Body drenched in blood.
She saw—
A silver-haired boy with empty eyes.
A desperate girl flying through the sky.
Those were her children.
Helaena wanted to scream—
But the surging black and crimson liquid swallowed her instantly.
Black flames ignited.
Green flames ignited.
Red flames struggled within the black—
Then burst forth—
Together with silver flames, setting the entire pool ablaze.
Scenes flashed within the fire:
Beneath towering structures, eyes slowly opened.
Countless shadows surged through the waves of the Sunset Sea.
Ancient weirwood trees bled.
A man with a massive red birthmark sat among them—his figure indistinct.
Shadows broke through five colossal fortresses.
The man raised a longsword—
Light shattered the darkness.
Dragons battled in the sky.
Endless ice and snow swept across the land.
Then—
A tall, thin man sat upon a black throne.
Countless threads extended from his hands.
Under his control—
Trouts played music.
The sun and stars danced.
Direwolves and falcons performed as entertainers.
Lions beat drums.
Roses raised cups in toast.
Stags and krakens sounded horns.
And dragons sat above it all—
Clapping in delight.
More visions—
A one-eyed woman wielding a sword.
Dragons flying across endless seas.
A blood-red grassland.
A shattered crown.
Ice and fire colliding—
Merging—
Destroying—
And finally—
Those blue eyes.
Pain struck her mind.
Helaena tried to wake—
But could not.
From within the burning weirwood forest, an ancient voice echoed:
"Dragonzel… let us cooperate. Our goals align. Come to the Isle of Faces… someone will tell you everything."
The Silver Dragon replied in an equally ancient tongue:
"Old Gods?"
"I am not a god," the voice responded. "There are no gods in this world. Your arrival has altered the Song of Ice and Fire. We can no longer see the future clearly—but this is acceptable."
"Must you use this girl's dream every time?" Dragonzel asked calmly. "Was the weirwood I planted merely decoration?"
"Your blood… your magic… prevents us from reaching you," the voice replied, layered like countless whispers. "We have no power south of the Neck!"
"I will come," Dragonzel said, nodding. "At the proper time. I expect answers."
"You shall have them!"
"Go back."
A powerful sensation of falling struck her.
Helaena suddenly awoke—sitting upright in bed.
She stared blankly at her sleeping children.
Everything from the dream—
Vanished.
Like lightning fading from memory.
She could remember nothing.
But no one in the south cared for the Princess's dream.
What they cared about—
Was war.
House Ironwood, driven to desperation—
Had finally launched a full-scale assault.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you like the story please give it some power stones and reviews. And if you want to read 40+ advance chapters or just want to support me please join my patreon at [email protected]/Translatingfanfics