Chapter 34: The Dragon's Return and Shards of Knowledge
The echoes of Arthur's ancient past still hung in the air, leaving the Targaryen family, especially Jaehaerys, in a stunned silence. Just as the weight of these revelations settled, a sudden, almost imperceptible shimmer rippled at the far end of the hall. Arthur's eyes, ever keen, flickered towards it, a rare smile gracing his lips.
A figure stepped through the shimmering veil – Reynold, Arthur's eldest son. He looked much like his father, a striking presence with an aura of seasoned power, though perhaps a little less burdened by millennia of existence. In his arms, carefully cradled, were several large, shimmering objects. They were oblong, scaled, and radiated a faint, ancient warmth: Targaryen dragon eggs.
"Father," Reynold said, his voice deep and warm, a mirror to Arthur's own, as he approached. A genuine, unburdened smile spread across Arthur's face, a sight rarely seen by any but his closest family. He stepped forward, embracing his son in a tight, long-awaited reunion. Reynold was not just a son; he was a steadfast companion, a piece of Arthur's enduring lineage.
"Reynold," Arthur responded, his voice laced with affection and pride. "You've returned, and with such precious cargo." He gestured to the eggs.
"As promised, Father," Reynold replied, gently placing the eggs on a nearby table, their presence instantly drawing the eyes of the Targaryens. "They were well-hidden, but not from us."
Regis, who had been hovering silently, zipped excitedly around Reynold. "Took you long enough, big guy! Did you bring me any shiny rocks? Or maybe some snacks? Being a dramatic exposition sidekick is hungry work, you know!"
Reynold chuckled. "Always the same, Regis." He offered a nod to the silent Targaryens, who were still processing the new arrival and the sudden appearance of dragon eggs.
A New Purpose: Training for Destiny
Arthur turned to Jaehaerys and Aegon, his expression now serious, focused. "Jaehaerys, Aegon. The truths you've learned today are but the first steps on a far grander journey. This world is not merely about thrones and castles. It faces a threat that will demand more than mere swords or dragons."
He paused, letting his words sink in. "I am the protector of this realm, and I will ensure its survival. But humanity must learn to stand on its own. You two, as descendants of the dragonlords, have crucial roles to play in this. Therefore, I will personally train you."
Jaehaerys looked surprised. "Train us, my Lord?"
"In the art of governance," Arthur affirmed. "How to truly lead, to unite, to build, rather than merely conquer. And in the arts of war, not just with steel, but with strategy, understanding, and the true power of this world's magic, and indeed, your own ancient lineage."
Aegon, usually more subdued, spoke up. "Our family has many ancient texts on war, my Lord. And the Citadel teaches... "
"The Citadel's knowledge is a mere drop in the ocean, Aegon," Arthur interjected. "And old texts are just words on paper. My training will be different. It will be an immersion into the very fabric of existence, into the history and power that shapes worlds."
The Library of Shards: Memories Made Manifest
Arthur gestured towards a concealed door in the hall, one that no one present had ever noticed before. "Follow me. Your first lesson begins in the heart of Leywin, a place few mortals have ever seen."
He led them down a short, dimly lit passage, then into a vast chamber. It wasn't a library of scrolls or tomes. Instead, the walls, floor, and even the air shimmered with countless crystalline structures. They glowed with soft, internal light, each one unique, ranging from tiny, iridescent flecks to large, pulsating gemstones. These were not books. These were shards of memories.
"This," Arthur announced, his voice echoing in the ethereal space, "is the Library of Leywin. Instead of books, it contains shards of memories. Each one holds a lifetime, a civilization, a moment, a war, a lost art, a forgotten spell. Knowledge, not written by ink, but by the very essence of experience, made manifest by Aether."
Jaehaerys, Aegon, Rhaella, Elia, Viserys, and Daenerys stared in awe. The air crackled with untold wisdom.
"You will learn to touch these shards," Arthur explained, "to absorb their knowledge, to experience history not as a tale, but as a living, breathing reality. You will gain wisdom, battle prowess, and understanding directly from those who lived it."
"Woah, shiny!" Regis exclaimed, zipping between the shards, his small form glowing faintly. "This is way cooler than dusty old scrolls! Can I learn how to summon a giant pizza with extra cheese from one of these? Or maybe a truly magnificent belly rub?"
Reynold sighed dramatically. "Still obsessed with food and belly rubs, Regis?"
The Princess and the Wolf
Jaehaerys, still processing the overwhelming revelations, turned to Arthur, a slight frown on his face. He'd been meaning to ask this for a while.
"My Lord," Jaehaerys began, "if I may ask... why does Regis call you... Princess?"
A ripple of amusement went through the Leywin family. Even Reynold smirked. Arthur merely gave a long-suffering sigh.
Regis, however, puffed out his chest, zipping into Jaehaerys's face. "Because, my dear, cold-faced wolf, it is a nickname of affection born from a long and arduous journey through many worlds and many ridiculous situations! It's complicated! Let's just say it's a term of endearment born of my unparalleled loyalty and his equally unparalleled grumpiness!"
"He finds it amusing," Arthur said flatly, his golden eyes narrowing slightly at Regis. "And he is annoyingly persistent."
"It's true!" Regis chirped. "Besides, you do complain like a princess when you don't get your way, Princess!"
Arthur simply rubbed his temples, a gesture of profound weariness that spanned millennia. The Targaryens, despite the gravity of the situation, found themselves suppressing smiles. It seemed even the immortal Master of Fate had his quirks, and a particularly persistent, sassy companion.
The air in the library, filled with the glow of ancient memories and the lighthearted banter, suddenly felt less daunting. Jaehaerys and Aegon stood ready, their futures, and the fate of Westeros, now inextricably linked with the immortal Lord of Leywin and his extraordinary family.