Dragons return to King's Landing

Today, the wind in the Narrow Sea carries the warmth of midsummer, causing the sails of the Joint Fleet to unfurl like seabirds spreading their wings.

The seahorse markings on the House Velaryon silver ships gleamed a cool white in the sunlight, intertwining with the Crowned Stag banners of the Stormlands fleet, the icefield wolf markings of the the North longships, and the roaring lion banners of the Westerlands heavyships, weaving a flowing tapestry of colors on the azure sea.

Daemon stood at the bow of the Blackfyre, his fingertips brushing across the Dragonglass fragments on the deck that the sailors hadn't yet cleaned up after the war—traces left from the final Battle of Tyrosh, now smoothed by the sea breeze.

The Glutton lay gently on the vast open space at the stern of the ship. Its jet-black dragon scales gleamed with a dark gold in the sunlight. Occasionally, it would raise its eyes to look towards the distant direction of King's Landing, letting out a low dragon roar, as if it too could smell the scent of home.

The Grey Ghost circled around Daemon's ankle, a seashell it had brought back from Tyrosh dangling from its mouth. Every now and then it would nuzzle Damon's hand, urging him to play with it. It seemed that Daemon's scent was still so alluring, drawing it in.

"Little Daemon! That old bastard Taimond's victory feast is about to begin. If you don't go soon, that boor will drink up all the ale in Borros Westerlands!" Daemon Targaryen's voice came from the gangway. He was wearing a loose black and red riding outfit, with a dragon scale badge of Caraxes at his waist, and carrying two flasks. He had obviously just returned from the House Lannister's "Golden Lion".

Taimond Lannister's assistance to the Joint Fleet in this war resulted in a hefty cut being made from the Tyrosh people in the post-war division of spoils.

Therefore, in recent days, he has naturally been in a good mood, using the fine wines he has treasured on his ships to entertain his guests, in order to show off the wealth of the Westerlands and House Lannister and wash away the shame of the Burning of Lannisport.

Daemon smiled and shook his head, taking the seashell from the Grey Ghost's mouth and putting it back in his arms.

This is a small gift I'm preparing for Gael. These shells, unique to Tyrosh, have natural purple patterns that resemble her light purple eyes.

"What's the rush? Duke Taimond's cellar is overflowing with wine, why would we brothers be shortchanged?" Despite saying this, he still led his men and followed Daemon Targaryen toward the "Golden Lion." Grey Ghost didn't choose to fly along today, but instead hopped and skipped behind the two, causing passing sailors to laugh and make way for him.

Walking onto the "Golden Lion" via the connecting bridge, a long table had been set up on the deck above. The chefs from the Westerlands were busy slicing and roasting wild boar. The sizzling sound of the fat dripping onto the fire, mixed with the aroma of ale, became the most tempting scent on the victorious return voyage.

Taimond Lannister sat in the main seat, a gold ring twirling lightly on his finger. Seeing the two Daemon approach, he rarely smiled, "Your Highnesses have come at the right time. We have some new wine just arrived from Lannisport. Would you like to try some?"

Borros Baratheon, already feasting with his Stormlands brothers on a roasted pig's leg, saw Daemon following behind Daemon Targaryen and immediately raised his glass. "Little Daemon! That battle at Tyrosh was exhilarating! Next time we fight those Triarchy scum, I'll be right there with you at the front!"

The brothers Theogood Fell and Willie Fell, along with Alaric Dondarrion and his servant Criston Cole, also raised their glasses in a toast.

Roland Clinton, along with Byron Swann, Bryce Caron, Robin Bizbury, and others, echoed the sentiment. As for our "Sleeping Lion," Lorent Grandson, he remained leaning against the mast, but even as he yawned, he didn't forget to stuff a sweet pie into his mouth, still looking like he hadn't woken up yet.

Daemon accepted the glass of beer that Taimond had his nephew Lancel Lannister personally hand him, and took a small sip of the Westerlands ale. It had a rich malty aroma, stronger than the sweet beer of Tyrosh, but warmer.

He glanced at the House Velaryon silver ship not far away. Corlys House Velaryon was still standing on the Watchtower of the "Sea Snake," holding a brass telescope, seemingly observing the sea ahead. After Racallio Reinden and his pirates left, he was clearly more concerned about the safety of the Narrow Sea route.

"Your Highness, a raven from King's Landing's Landing!" Rayford Rosby rushed in, carrying a scroll of parchment still covered in raven feathers, and whispered in Daemon's ear, "It's a letter from Princess Gael, and the latest intelligence from Larys!"

Daemon immediately took the letter, his fingertips touching the familiar envelope embroidered with the Dreamfyre pattern, and his heart skipped a beat.

Upon opening the package, I noticed that Gael's handwriting was even more delicate than before, filled with anticipation. "The flowers in the Red Keep gardens are in full bloom. I heard you'll be passing through Dragonstone on your way back, so I specially arranged for Brienne and Lia to deliver your favorite honey cake to Dragonstone in advance. Mother and Father have also discussed that once you return, we can hold the engagement ceremony in the Red Keep first, and the wedding will be held on Dragonstone. "Vaegon said that the astrological signs for the past few months indicate a very suitable time for an ancient Old Valyria wedding, Dragonfire will bless us.

Oh, by the way, I finished embroidering Greyshadow's new mat with Little Mehna, Alison, and me. We used the silk and other materials from Rhys's spoils that you had sent back by ship before. Oh, and we also used some jewelry that Greyshadow likes, and we even embroidered a pattern of it flying with Gluttony and Dreamfire on it. Greyshadow will definitely love it."

At the end of the letter was a drawing of a tiny Glutton, with a piece of honey cake secretly drawn under its claws, and a simple sketch of Grey Ghost next to it. The cute strokes made Daemon burst out laughing.

The Grey Ghost seemed to realize that the letter mentioned him, and it leaned over and rubbed its head against the letter, causing the people around it to burst into laughter.

"What's the latest intelligence from Larys?" Daemon put away the letter, looked at the other roll of parchment in Rayford's hand, and asked in a low voice.

"Larys said that the messengers of Lys and Myr had arrived in King's Landing ahead of time and were waiting at the Red Keep for the final confirmation of the peace agreement;

Also, the letter from Cregan Karstark, Lord Commander of the Night's Watch, was only recently delivered.

In the letter, he said that the aurora borealis Beyond the Wall was brighter than in previous years, and some Free Folk from Beyond the Wall the Great Wall who chose to live within its the Wall had already begun cultivating the wasteland near the the Wall, while others chose to hunt for the nobles in exchange for supplies. Finally, he hoped that we could help him raise some more supplies from the Seven Kingdoms and send them to the the Wall.

Rayford lowered his voice further, "He also said that Lord Otto recently raised the issue of the Joint Fleet's follow-up deployments several times at the Small Council," seemingly wanting Lord Leonno to take on more naval affairs. However, His Majesty seems to have kindly reinstated Lord Sea Snake Serpent as Master of Ships the Navy, with future Master of Ships concurrently serving as Governors of the Stepstones. But the command of the Royal Fleet and the Joint Fleet remains unknown—"

Daemon frowned at Otto Hightower's thoughts. He had long suspected that this Master of Laws, besides acting in the interests of his family and incidentally supporting his friend Viserys, had actually been trying to weaken the power of the Targaryen lineage. Now that the war was over, he was afraid that this would stir up trouble in the court again.

However, he quickly came to terms with it. If things went smoothly when he returned, with Prince Baelon and Corlys around, Otto wouldn't be able to cause too much trouble for the time being. Right now, what he wanted most was to return to King's Landing as soon as possible and fulfill his promise to Gael.

Time flies, and a few days later, as the sun was setting, the Joint Fleet finally passed through the Gullet and entered Blackwater Bay.

The outline of King's Landing gradually became clear in the distance, and one could almost see the battlements of the Red Keep glowing golden-red in the twilight. The torches on the docks were lit, like stars scattered on the ground.

In the sky, Gael rode Dreamfyre from the direction of the Red Keep. Today, she was wearing a light purple dress, the hem of which resembled a flower floating in the wind. When she saw the sails of the "Blackfyre," she immediately urged Dreamfyre beneath her to speed up. The wings of the magnificent pale blue dragon swept across the sea, and the wind it created gently stirred. Daemon, who had come out of the cabin to wait after hearing the commotion and reporting to his subordinates, was wearing a cloak.

"Little Daemon!" Gael's voice was filled with laughter today. Dreamfyre circled once above the "Blackfyre" before gently landing on the open space on the deck.

She leaped off the dragon's back and strode to Daemon, carrying a food box. "I heard Brienne and Lia return from Dragonstone and say you'd be resting Dragonstone for a few more days, so I've been counting down the days and coming out with Dreamfyre every day. Oh, and I heard the messenger deliver a message to Father, saying he specially brought you some warm honey cakes. He kept them warm in his bosom so they wouldn't get cold on the way."

Daemon took the food box, opened it, and saw that the honey cakes were still steaming, each piece wrapped in oil paper printed with images of Glutton.

He picked up a piece and handed it to Gael, then broke off a small piece and fed it to Grey Ghost. Xiao Long immediately curled up to the side with the cake in his mouth, eating with great relish.

The Glutton that had been in the sky also came over and gently nuzzled Gael's hand with its head, as if to greet her. For some reason, ever since it had been tamed by Daemon and traveled with the two of them through the Seven Kingdoms, this Black Dragon had always been more docile toward Gael than toward others.

Baelon rode Vhagar down to the familiar hills on the Blackwater Rush King's Landing. The turquoise dragon let out a long, drawn-out roar, as if announcing its victory to King's Landing's Landing.

Once everyone had entered the city, King Jaehaerys and Queen Alysanne were already standing at the gates of the Red Keep. The old king's long, silver hair gleamed in the twilight as he looked up at the distant sails of the Joint Fleet, a relieved smile on his face, "My children have finally returned."

Viserys held Rhaenyra in his arms, Aemma leaned against him, and the little princess saw Daemon and immediately reached out her little hands, making "ah ah" sounds to ask for a hug.

Jocelyn held the hand of Rhaenys, who had come all the way from Tidehead Island a few days earlier, followed by Laena and Laenor. The two children waved excitedly when they saw the Glutton, and Laenor seemed to be shouting something.

However, Daemon pushed the offer to Daemon Targaryen, who had originally intended to reconnect with his long-lost brother Viserys and offer him words of comfort.

After all, the little guy is most likely calling him "Uncle Daemon," since it's Daemon. Why wouldn't he be calling him the older Daemon Targaryen?

Besides, a cousin is still a cousin, after all, they are both his mother Rhaenys's brothers, even though the older one is from his mother's uncle Baelon's family.

As for the other Daemon, he stepped forward and took our little princess Rhaenyra. The little one immediately hugged his neck, rested her head on his shoulder, and clutched a small wooden dragon in her hand—a gift that Daemon had given her earlier.

He looked at Gael beside him, his light purple eyes full of smiles, and a feeling of unprecedented peace welled up in his heart.

The war surrounding the Stepstones finally ended, and he finally returned home to the people he wanted to protect.

As night deepened, the banquet hall of the Red Keep lit up, and the songs and laughter of the victory celebration drifted out of the windows, mingling with the sound of the Narrow Sea waves and the low murmur of the dragons.

Daemon held Gael's hand, looking at his family and friends before him, and once again recalled his journey to the Dragonstone prison a hundred years ago, the storms of his Seven Kingdoms tour, and the bloody battle at Tyrosh. Suddenly, he felt that all the hardships had been worthwhile.

As I said before, there may be more challenges in the future— Otto's schemes, the hidden dangers of the the Wall, and the aftermath of the Triarchy —but as long as he has Long, Gael, and these people he cares about by his side, he can safeguard this peace and the warmth of a hundred years ago.

Outside the window Glutton and Dreamfyre lay side by side on the square, with Grey Ghost curled up between them. The breathing of the three dragons gradually became steady in the night.

Daemon took the opportunity to touch the letter from Gael in his pocket, then looked at her smiling face beside him, and only one thought crossed his mind:

Their Dragonstone wedding must be a memorable event, a Old Valyria ceremony that will be etched in their memories forever.

The lights of King's Landing's Landing shone all night, as if illuminating the way home for returning heroes, and also heralding a new chapter of peace in Westeros.