Somewhere on an open field outside Meereen not far, but far enough that the city's walls were a distant shimmer against the horizon, the three of them walked through knee-high grass still damp from the morning dew.
Rhaego led the way, tail swaying in a slow, relaxed rhythm, white hair catching the sun like polished silver. His loose tunic fluttered with each step, black horns gleaming, scales on his shoulders flashing every time he moved.
Behind him, Oberyn Martell walked with his usual easy grace, spear resting across his shoulders. Ellaria Sand kept pace at his side, dark hair loose, red gown brushing the grass.
Her eyes kept drifting forward, to the boy ahead.
She leaned a little closer to Oberyn and whispered, voice low and appreciative.
He is a rare sight," she murmured. "Not easily forgotten.
Oberyn's lips curved, a small, knowing smile.
"Mm," he murmured back. "He's certainly… striking. Like something carved out of moonlight and fire."
Ahead of them, Rhaego walked on, unaware or perhaps pretending not to be.
The sun clung to him as though reluctant to let go.
His hair, pale as beaten silver, stirred softly in the breeze, catching the light with every step until it seemed almost to glow.
It framed a face still touched by youth, but no longer a child's, there was definition there now, in the line of his jaw, in the quiet sharpness of his cheekbones.
Not yet a man grown, but close enough that the difference felt fleeting.
His eyes, when he turned his head slightly, held that strange, luminous violet, clear and bright, yet edged with something older, something that did not belong wholly to his years.
There was curiosity in them still, and warmth… but beneath it, a glint of something fiercer, coiled and waiting.
His lips curved faintly to himself at some private thought, and for a moment he looked almost ordinary.
"Beautiful," she said softly, though whether it was admiration or curiosity in her voice, even she might not have known.
Oberyn's smile lingered, thoughtful now.
"Beautiful things are rarely harmless," Oberyn said softly.
"Men have killed for less… and kingdoms have burned for more."
Rhaego's tail flicked once, sharper than before. He didn't turn around, but his ears had flushed pink.
They don't know I can hear them, right? he thought.
Gods, I can hear them.
He sighed quietly, resigned then slowed his pace and half-turned, violet-slitted eyes glinting with a mix of amusement and mild exasperation.
"I'm about to call my siblings," he said, voice carrying back to them.
"Rhaegal and Viserion. You haven't seen a true dragon yet, not up close. So if you want to turn back, now's the time."
He paused, then looked straight at Ellaria, concerned softening the edges of his usual cockiness.
"Especially you, Lady Ellaria. I don't want you to be frightened. Or… burned."
Ellaria stopped walking. She tilted her head, dark eyes sparkling with mischief.
"Oh, sweet boy," she said, voice warm and teasing, "do I look like the kind of woman who frightens easily?"
She stepped forward, hips swaying slightly until she was close enough that Rhaego had to tilt his head down to meet her gaze.
"I've shared a bed with a viper," she continued, nodding toward Oberyn.
"I've watched him dance with death and laugh while he did it. I've kissed poison from lips that could kill me. I think I can handle a little heat."
She reached up casually, unafraid and brushed the pad of her thumb along the edge of one of his black horns.
"Besides," she added, eyes glinting, "I've already seen one dragon today. And he's quite lovely."
Rhaego's ears flushed pink. His tail gave an involuntary twitch.
Too close! Too close!
Oberyn laughed low, delighted.
"Who doesn't want to see a live dragon, after all?" he said, spreading his hands. "I've fought men, scorpions, sand vipers… but never a living flame with wings."
"Especially when the alternative is staying in a pyramid listening to nobles complain about taxes," he added.
Rhaego's grin turned sly. He spread his own arms slightly, wings half-unfurling for emphasis, black membranes catching the light.
"I'm a dragon," he said, tail curling playfully. "Aren't you amazed to see me?"
Oberyn raised an eyebrow, smiled sharp and teasing.
"You're half-dragon, little prince," he countered smoothly.
"The other half is still a boy who blushes when a woman compliments his horns. I'm amazed, yes… but mostly that you haven't set your own tail on fire tripping over it yet."
Rhaego's ears went bright red. His tail snapped once, embarrassed then curled around his own ankle like he was trying to hide it.
"Very funny," he said.
Ellaria laughed, rich and unashamed.
"He's right, you know. You blush like a maid. It's quite adorable, my prince."
Rhaego groaned, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Can we just… Call the dragons now? Before you two make me regret bringing you?"
Oberyn stepped forward, clapping a hand on Rhaego's shoulder.
"Come on," he said. "Let's see if your siblings are as vain as you are."
Oberyn chuckled, then grew a little more serious.
"Whenever you're ready, princeling. We're here to watch… and to help, if it comes to that."
Rhaego nodded once, then turned toward the open sky.
He drew a deep breath, chest expanding, and let out a low, rumbling sound, not quite a roar, more a call, a vibration that carried on the wind. His wings unfurled halfway, black membranes catching the light.
Oberyn felt it first a steady thump against his ribs, as though his own heart had answered. Ellaria's hand rose unconsciously to her chest, eyes widening slightly.
They both looked at Rhaego surprised, almost unsettled. Rhaego's tail swayed once slowly, expectantly.
Silence fell. Complete. Even the insects seemed to pause.
Oberyn glanced at Ellaria, then back at the boy.
"Nothing yet," he murmured.
Rhaego didn't answer. He scanned the horizon, his violet eyes sharp, ears flicking. Then faint at first, a screech pierced the quiet. High, sharp, echoing from beyond the city's silhouette.
Another answered deeper, closer.
Oberyn's hand tightened on his spear. Ellaria stepped instinctively closer to him.
Rhaego walked forward calmly, deliberate until he stood a few paces in front of them. His wings unfurled halfway, not threatening, just present and he planted his feet, tail curling once protectively behind him.
"They're coming," he said quietly.
The screeches grew louder, rolling across the plain like thunder.
Two shapes broke over the distant hills, dark against the sky wings beating hard. They circled once, twice, then dove.
Rhaegal landed first, heavy, sudden talons gouging the earth only yards from Rhaego. He was still young, about the size of a large horse, but already massive: green scales shimmering, spines sharp along his neck, eyes glowing amber.
He folded his wings with a snap and lowered his head, nostrils flaring.
Oberyn exhaled slowly, a sound caught between awe and wariness.
Ellaria's lips parted, eyes wide, shining.
"Gods…" she breathed. "It's… beautiful."
Rhaegal's head swung toward them, nostrils flaring wider. A low, rumbling growl built in his throat, and he screeched and sharp, warning, spines flaring along his back.
Oberyn's spear shifted, ready but he didn't raise it.
Rhaego stepped forward instantly, putting his arms out, wings spreading just enough to block their view.
"Easy," he said, voice low, soothing, almost a purr.
"Easy, Rhaegal. They're not dangerous. They're with me."
He moved closer slowly, until he was within arm's reach of Rhaegal's snout.
Rhaegal huffed, hot air washing over Rhaego's face then lowered his head further, nostrils flaring as he sniffed the boy. The growl faded to a curious rumble.
Rhaego reached up, unafraid, and placed a hand against the dragon's scaled cheek.
"Good," he murmured. "Good. See? Friends."
Rhaegal blinked once, slow, amber eyes half-lidding then nudged Rhaego's shoulder gently, almost like a cat bumping for attention.
Oberyn let out a low, appreciative whistle.
"I've seen many wonders in my life," he said softly. "But this… this is something else."
Ellaria hadn't moved, eyes locked on the dragon, wonder written across her face.
"He listens to you," she said, almost reverent.
"He really listens."
Rhaego glanced back at them, a small, proud smile breaking through.
"He understands me," he corrected gently. "That's different."
He turned back to Rhaegal, scratching lightly under the dragon's jaw the way he'd learned soothed them.
"You're safe here," he whispered.
"There's food waiting. No more hunting children. No more burning farms. Just… come home when you're hungry."
Rhaegal rumbled again deep, contented, then lifted his head and looked toward the pens in the distance. A shadow passed overhead was Viserion, bronze and gold, circling high but not landing yet.
Rhaego looked up, tail flicking in excitement.
"He's watching," he said. "He'll come when he's ready."
Oberyn stepped up beside him, spear still low, but relaxed now.
"You did well," he said quietly. "Not many can stand between a dragon and strangers and live to tell it."
Rhaego shrugged trying to look casual, but his ears flushed pink.
"I'm they're brother. They won't hurt me."
Oberyn's smile was small and fond, almost proud.
"Let's hope they remember that when they're bigger."
Ellaria walked up on Rhaego's other side, fearless and reached out to touch the tip of Rhaegal's folded wing.
Rhaegal snorted once, warm air ruffling her hair but didn't pull away.
She laughed softly.
"I think we're going to get along just fine."
Rhaego grinned, sharp and boyish.
"See? Told you they're not so scary."
Oberyn chuckled. "Speak for yourself, little dragon. I've never been this close to something that could cook me in one breath."
Rhaego's tail flicked playfully.
"Relax. They hunt what they are given… or what they find.."
Oberyn raised an eyebrow. "Then I pray I never give them cause to test that claim."
Rhaego looked back at him, grin turning sly.
"They need no cause. Only hunger."
The dragon rumbled again, almost amused and nudged Rhaego's shoulder once more before lifting into the air with a powerful beat of wings.
Viserion screeched from above, answering then both dragons banked and flew north, disappearing into the haze.
Rhaego watched them go, tail swaying contentedly.
"They'll be back," he said softly. "When they're hungry."
Oberyn rested his spear on his shoulder.
"Then we'd better make sure the pens are ready."
Ellaria slipped her arm through Rhaego's, casual, warm.
"Come on, dragon prince. Let's go see how your goat farm is coming along."
Rhaego laughed bright, free and let her pull him forward. Oberyn followed a step behind, smiling to himself.
The three of them walked back toward the city, a boy with wings, a viper with a spear, and a woman who feared neither.
And high above, two dragons circled once more curious, waiting before vanishing into the sky.