The New Dragon Pit

[The Smith]

Liliyanna Targaryen wept gently staring at the corpse of one of her beloved dragons.

[Marie]

Rhaenys arrived, the news having reached her by one of her sister's servants. She enfolded her twin in her arms, doing her best not to weep too.

"Poor poor Rhodrys," she murmured. "Oh, Lily, I can scarce beleive we lost him too, poor thing. He never harmed anyone since his wing was broken. Elannaria...how is she taking it?"

[The Smith]

Lily motioned lifelessly toward the the keening dragon. "She cries for her sibling, as much as I."

[Marie]

"Let's go to her. We can comfort one another."

Rhaenys again blinked back the threatening tears.

"How are the eggs? Would they bring her comfort?"

[The Smith]

Lily stood, and moved stiffly toward the other dragon. "I doubt it. They carry no spark of life yet. I have tried, but so far failed."

[Marie]

Rhaenys followed her sister. her boots clicking on the ground as she walked.

"If we catch the elder Thatcher and Lord Karstark, you can have their treacherous lives to give to the dragonfires," she promised.

[The Smith]

Lily walked over and laid her face and hands against the dragon. "Yes we need stronger sacrifices." She sighed, and breathed in deeply.

[Marie]

"I know, but I will not condemn any man to die who does not deserve it," Rhaenys answered. "Karstark and Thatcher you're welcome to, of course and if we find out who is behind the assassiation of Rhodrys that man - or woman, even - will die too. You can burn the assassins we caught, since it would be a most fitting death for them, but I will have them questioned first. "

[The Smith]

Lily nodded, "It will not be enough. We need more strength. Lord Frey, and Lord Royce... those are the men... they are still here."

[Marie]

"I'd gladly give you Frey if he steps out of line again but not Royce," Rhaenys said with dtermination. "He has vowed to accept me and I have grown to like him in a strange way. He must live."

[The Smith]

Lily shook her head, "You will always pick these betraying, backstabbing lords over your own blood." She rubbed against the dragon and would not look at her sister.

[Marie]

"It was not through choice. I had to keep those lrods sweet to maintain the peace and Royce, well, I found he wa not so bad as those others once I got to know him. Would that I could throw Frey and Lannister on the fires but I don't believe their actions are quite provoking enough to permit me to charge them with treason."

Rhaenys sighed.

"Lily, do you not understand that everything must remain legal else we're all like to lose our heads?"

[The Smith]

Lily replied, "I understand. I understand all too well. You have made your choice. Go and let the dragons live in peace."

[Marie]

"I won't go," Rhaenys said. "I love the dragons as much as you do, and I love my sisters well also, even though you do not believe me. How long do you think we would last if we cut ourselves off from the lords of this realm?"

[The Smith]

Lily shrugged, "We would not be lords of a dung hill with out these dragons."