Lannister Camp, Outside of Winterfell - Winterfell, The North - Day
The weather kept becoming colder and colder with each passing day, and no one truly knew how long it would take for the undead army to reach them. Thankfully, progress had been made with the war plans.
So far, they had all agreed on moats filled with wood and dragonglass shards to be the primary source of defence.
The Lords continued to argue, many not fully agreeing with the battle formations; unfortunately. Some formations had been established, but there were still openings that had to be filled.
Some Lords Paramount wished for their soldiers to be closer to the walls and not at the vanguard, claiming it was unfair. This led to yet another argument and the meeting to stop early for the day.
Visenya had left the room with a headache, tired of listening to them arguing. One should expect it, considering the bad blood between them, but sometimes it was getting ridiculous; at least from how she was seeing it.
Once they had all been dismissed, she chose to take her mare and go inspect the Lannister camp. It was often part of her duties to ride between the tents and check on the soldiers and their equipment; ensuring everything was going well.
With 10,000 soldiers, it was not that hard when one would compare it to the much larger armies she had been commanding in the past.
However, she still did her routine, despite Tywin's arguments.
She needed her time to be alone, to think, and just get away from all that unnecessary drama and chaos. She knew she could not ride freely across the winter plains and thus she had to take advantage of what she could do.
So, she took her time inspecting, for she did not wish to return to Winterfell yet. Truthfully, she was not in the mood for Oberyn's humour and Tywin's comments as the two men chose to be at each other's necks even during the war meetings.
Sometimes, Visenya truly wished to leave both men behind and just go somewhere else; but she had learned to persevere and be patient.
She was by the edge of the camp, her horse having come to a halt, and she was petting its neck. Behind her, in the distance, she could see the 50-foot-tall walls of Winterfell while in front of her; Wolfswood was spreading.
She was about to turn back when she sensed it, or better said... heard it.
That familiar foreign melody, this mystical song-like tune that she could not explain nor understand but felt reaching for her heart, nonetheless.
Her attention went fully towards the woods, where she could sense the feeling coming from. Her lips parted faintly and for a moment, everything around her was muted; except for this tune.
Blinking a few times to regain control of her body and mind, she guided her mare into a trot and then into a gallop; as she headed straight for the source of it.
Wolfswood - The North, Westeros
The ride through the woods was a short one, for she had eventually taken a few turns and clearly headed for one of the many exits the forest had. Eventually, she slowed down her horse as she started to see things ahead of her.
There was a clearing, quite open and surrounded by destroyed woods all around it. There were charred animal bones scattered across the snowy floor and two Dothraki guards standing ready. Behind them, the majestic dragons lay there with their Mother; who was busy attending to them like she always did.
Her approach was quickly noted by the two Dothraki, who grabbed their curved blades and pointed them at her. They shouted something in their language, and while Visenya could not speak nor understand it, she got the message.
She halted her mare and lifted her hands up in the air, showing that she did not carry any weapons with her; although her sword remained strapped to her side. Yet, the men were hesitant until Daenerys spoke to them in the same language and reassured them.
"I apologize for the intrusion. I did not mean to startle or interrupt you," Visenya said as she climbed off her mare.
She tied the reins in a way that they would not fall and be an obstacle for her horse, and then let Meraxes go search for anything to snack upon. Her horse never went too far from her and even if she did, Visenya had taught it a special whistle to call it back.
"You didn't," Daenerys said, taking a few steps towards her. "I just... didn't expect you to come to find me, here of all places."
The eldest understood what she was talking about, and she did not blame her.
"Yes..." she agreed, licking her dry lips faintly. "It was not really my intention."
She looked around for a moment and took a deep breath.
"But, I do believe it was due time for us to officially meet."
Visenya was always a good speaker, never having trouble before, but the years had changed her. In addition, she was about to talk to her niece whom she had never seen before but knew of her existence.
The same niece that put her claims for the throne, ready to kill the Lions to secure them. The same niece that Visenya had challenged when she agreed to Oberyn's plan, wearing that headband and positioning her banners properly.
It was not easy, just to march towards her and talk. Considering their opposing sides, it was rather complicated, for she did not know how her niece perceived her.
"It was... looks like we can't avoid it any longer," Daenerys commented, being in a similar position.
She truly wished to talk to her aunt and get to know her better, but she was still hesitant. There were so many faces her aunt seemed to have, so many questionable actions about her allegiance that she was no longer sure what she thought of her.
By the looks of it, she could no longer stall it and observe her from afar.
The two of them had to talk, more than they did now, and perhaps stop staring at one another while standing like two statues.
Her words seemed to have amused her.
"Yes, looks like it," she said, her smile so small that it was barely noticeable. However, as she got her chance to study her niece closer, that smile grew slightly more while nostalgia was evident in her unique eyes.
"You look so much like your mother," she suddenly said, surprising her. "You do have some things from your father, but no, Rhaella gave you her beauty instead."
Daenerys looked at her aunt with parted lips; eyes opened wider in surprise at hearing her talk, comparing her to her deceased mother. She felt her stomach turn faintly at the image of her mother that she did not truly have.
Viserys did not go into details about her, barely talking about her in general. This left Dany to always wonder what her mother looked like.
Now, hearing that they looked a lot alike, made her smile.
"I do?" she asked, wishing to confirm that those words were not a lie.
Visenya nodded her head.
"A lot, which I am glad to be honest," she confessed, making her niece arch an eyebrow. This amused the eldest.
"I mean... you got her looks and thankfully her character, if the rumours of how you helped the slaves in Essos are true, of course."
Daenerys' smile grew slightly bigger.
"So, she was kind?"
"The kindest and sweetest woman you would ever meet. She was a rare jewel," she explained, a sad smile forming on her lips. "Sometimes, I did wish she was the youngest one. So she could have had my freedom and I could have married your father, save her from him in the end. Such a kind heart truly deserved better and more happiness."
And a better death, she thought in her mind but did not put it into words; for this was a part that Daenerys did not truly have to think about now.
The Mother of Dragons studied her aunt carefully, hearing the nostalgia and regret in her voice. She did not know all the details about her parents, but she had been informed of the rather... questionable actions her father took with his wife, at least in the last years of his life.
In the past, Daenerys thought that Visenya had abandoned her sister in favour of the lions, but it was now becoming clear that she truly cared for her, and clearly wished she could have done more for her.
"Ser Barristan told me you two were close."
Visenya smiled sadly, glancing down momentarily as she controlled the memories that threatened to escape the chest she had long locked away all those years ago.
"When we were younger, we were, very much. As we grew, things kept us busy, but we were there for one another... I was there when she gave birth to your brothers, and she was there for me during my first birth..." she scoffed faintly in amusement, remembering how tightly she had held her hand that day.
The next day, she had noticed a rather nasty bruise on her hand, from how much she had held it during the labour pains. Yet, Rhaella never spoke of it nor did she care about it. Instead, she had remained by her side every single day and helped her with learning how to feed her baby, hold it, and put it to sleep properly.
"I wish I had known her. She sounded like a good woman," Daenerys confessed, letting out a sigh.
The gaze of her aunt softened as she took a few steps closer, reducing the gap between them.
"I am sure she would have been proud of the woman you have turned out to be... I know I am."
The young Targaryen craned her neck to look at the taller woman, lips faintly parting as if she wished to say something, but no words came out that moment. Her violet eyes looked into her amber ones for any lies, but all she could see was honesty and care, the eyes of a true mother.
Eventually, she pressed her lips together to close the gap and offered her aunt a sweet smile filled with gratitude. Surprisingly, no one had told her about her mother in that way. Sure, Ser Barristan would bring up Rhaegar, but not Rhaella.
Hearing that she would be proud of how far her daughter had come and what she had accomplished in her life... it made her feel happier and more confident in her past actions, muting all those second thoughts she would occasionally have.
The clicking sound coming from the two Dragons made the two of them look away from one another and towards them. The two brothers had lifted their heads and their bodies faintly, silently observing the reunion all this time.
"Come, meet your... grand-nephews, I guess it is?" Daenerys said, amusing herself but also her aunt.
While the Mother of Dragons walked with confidence towards them, Visenya took her time. Her steps were slow but always confident, her unique eyes going first to the bigger black and red dragon, before landing on the smaller green one.
They seemed to observe her carefully, ready to attack and protect their Mother if she made the wrong move.
Or that was what it looked like, but that was not what she heard in her mind.
This odd song she had heard from before was now stronger and it seemed to come from both of them. The sadness behind it was still there but seemed to have grown milder, softer even. Her steps took a small turn and she started heading slowly towards the green dragon.
As if having similar thoughts, the dragon lifted its body a little higher and took a step forward. His head was lowered to observe her better, his amber eyes locked on her form.
Eventually, Visenya came to a halt when there was a small distance between them. She slowly bent one knee and then the other, lowering herself but keeping her back straight. She did not move but waited as the green dragon brought his face closer to her.
She extended her dominant hand slowly, holding it in front of her with the palm facing the mighty scaled creature; and she waited. She did not move when the breath of the dragon reached her or when its snout was almost touching her palm.
She kept looking at him, whispering something in High Valyrian; in such a hushed tone that even Daenerys could not hear it, but the Dragon could.
At last, the mighty beast lowered its head more and pressed its snout against her hand.
Thank you for trusting me, Visenya thought as if the dragon could somehow hear her words.
She felt the rough scaly surface against her skin and she gently started to caress it, always careful of the points where the scales were a little sharper or more pointy than others. She slowly stood up and let her hand explore a little more of the Dragon's face, always mindful of his permission.
"He likes you... I guess it is true what they say. Dragons do sense Targaryen blood," Daenerys pointed out, standing next to her dragon.
She had been quiet all this time, watching and observing. She knew Rhaegal was rather obedient and calm, and she doubted the dragon would truly harm her since she was a Targaryen after all.
Yet, she was surprised when Visenya did her own thing and knelt in front of the creature; letting it come to her. Daenerys was not sure why she did it, but she did not interfere, curious of this new approach that eventually paid off.
"He is beautiful," she commented, a natural smile on her face as for a moment; she had truly forgotten where she was.
She was not sure what she did and why, but merely followed her instincts and the faint voice at the back of her head; something she was now glad she obeyed. She had totally forgotten where they were or the Dothraki watching, let alone the fact that she was away from Winterfell for far too long.
All she could think of was the warm scales beneath her hand, the feeling that she could touch a dragon like her ancestors did, and the unique strong smell that seemed to come from the creature.
The green dragon turned its big head faintly, ensuring to always keep an eye on Visenya. Clicking sounds were heard coming from his faintly open jaws as if the Dragon was talking to her in his own way.
"Rhaegal," Visenya mumbled, her smile growing and she could not help but scoff in amusement; imagining the reaction of her nephew if he were alive and learned that a Dragon was named after him.
"What did you say?" Daenerys asked, taking a few steps to keep her aunt in her field of vision.
"Rhaegal, that's his name."
The Mother of Dragons was surprised and blinked a few times in response.
"It is, but... how did you know?"
Now, it was Visenya's turn to look confused.
"He told me... can't you hear them?" she asked, blinking slowly while her attention was fully on her niece.
"Hear them? I..." Daenerys stopped talking halfway, her eyes opening wider than before as she seemed to realize something. "You are a Dragon Whisperer. You have Naelys' gifts."
"I am... aren't you?" the older woman asked, trying to put the puzzle pieces together. "I thought... you became the mother to three dragons... I thought you managed that because you had the gift."
The younger one shook her head a few times, now slowly realizing things.
"No, I don't. I just... bonded with them. They are my children. I helped raise them," she confessed, although now she wished she had the gifts.
There were times she had trouble understanding her children, making them listen, or keeping them alive; Drogon especially. If she had the Dragon Whisperer gifts, the full package, she might have had it easier to raise them than before.
However, she still took pride in the fact that despite not having the gifts, she still managed to raise three dragons all by herself.
Visenya did not say anything right away as she was trying to think, bringing up any information she had about dragons, riders, and Dragon Whisperers. There were so many blanks, unfortunately, so many unanswered questions that no one could truly give answers to.
In the end, the Dragoness of the West accepted the fact that she did not have the answers; at least not in that moment. She was not sure what more to comment, and a small silence started to settle between them until Rhaegal moved his head and faintly tried to nudge Visenya.
"What is it?" Visenya asked the creature as her hand rested close to its neck.
This time, the Dragon did not say something but rather moved his body until she had a better view of his back.
The move made Daenerys smile, and she did not need to understand him to know what her son wanted. She walked to stand next to her aunt.
"I think he wants to take you for a ride," she pointed out.
She parted her lips in surprise.
"Me? Ride a dragon?" she asked as she looked at her niece, and then at the green beast that patiently waited for her.
"I do it all the time. I assure you, it does not compare with anything," she said, feeling like a little kid as she started to walk towards Drogon.
"Wait, you ride without a saddle?" Visenya questioned, now remembering how even during the first meeting at the Dragon Pits, Daenerys rode bareback.
"Never saw a reason to do it any other way."
She shrugged her shoulders as she started to climb the black scales of her dragon.
The Dragoness chuckled faintly, offering a pearly white smile at her young niece, who was climbing the huge beast as if it was nothing.
"You are definitely a descendant of Naelys, one way or another."
Their ancestors rode dragons with the help of saddles, where they strapped themselves in order not to fall. Often they would have chains or reins as well, to use and control the animals better during flight; along with command words in High Valyrian.
However, Naelys did not follow their path and instead kept a more natural style. She never wore a saddle and simply had such a strong bond with her dragon that she could fly with barely having to say anything.
Realizing that Rhaegal was waiting for her, Visenya copied her niece and started to climb on the green-scaled dragon. Once she was up, she pressed her legs to ensure she was stable and grabbed gently onto two of the longer spikes; to make sure she would have her balance.
She felt her heart beating faster; to the point she swore it would break the bones of her ribcage. Her mouth felt dry, and she did not recall when she last had such excitement for anything else before.
She looked at Daenerys, who sent her a smile and spoke to Drogon with a single High Valyrian command.
Visenya leaned slightly forward.
"Rhaegal, fly," she said in High Valyrian and felt every muscle beneath her feet moving.
At first, the movement was slow and calculated. The dragon was lifting its body and spreading its two wings before flapping them a few times.
However, quickly the feeling changed as it started to gain altitude.
Before she knew it, Visenya laughed like a little child as the strong cold winds hit her face while the ground beneath her was shrinking with each passing second.
Her stomach felt pressed against the back of her body and she had to hold tightly not to fall backwards as Rhaegal kept flying with an incline. Eventually, the Dragon moved to a straight line, right above the white clouds with a direct view of the sun.
The change of altitude was still odd to her, but now that they were going in a straight line, she got a chance to truly observe the beauty around her. She even took notice of Daenerys on top of her own dragon, flying by her side with an equally big smile upon her face.
The two women looked at one another, enjoying this moment, and both could agree that somehow... this felt just right.