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The ship glided through the tranquil waters of the night, the moon's silver path illuminating the dark expanse of the sea. In her chamber aboard the vessel, Daenerys Targaryen sat in contemplation. She gazed at the maps and scrolls spread out before her, the plans for her journey to Astapor and her ambitious quest for an army to reclaim the Iron Throne.
As she wrestled with the weight of her decisions, the chamber door creaked open, and in walked Rhaego, now a boy of eight with the beginnings of strength and wisdom in his eyes. Daenerys looked up, a mixture of surprise and warmth in her expression.
"Why are you still awake, my love?" she asked softly, motioning for him to sit beside her.
Rhaego nestled close to his mother, his small frame finding comfort in her presence. "I don't like sailing," he admitted in a hushed tone. "And Rhaenys... she talks in her sleep. It's strange."
Daenerys placed a gentle hand on Rhaego's shoulder, her touch a soothing balm. "The sea can be unsettling at times, my love. And your sister, well, she's just dreaming-Dreams are mysterious things."
Rhaego leaned into his mother, seeking her reassurance. In this quiet moment, he felt safe, surrounded by the love and strength of the woman who was both his mother and his queen.
After a while, as the ship rocked gently on the waves, Rhaego's voice, soft and uncertain, broke the silence. "Mother, why are we doing this? Why are we sailing to different places and meeting all these people?"
Daenerys looked down at her son, her heart heavy with the weight of her ambitions. She knew the path she had chosen was fraught with danger and uncertainty, and she wished she could shield her children from it all.
"Rhaego," she began, her voice soft and tender, "I am doing this to make the world a better place. To claim what is rightfully ours and to free those who suffer under unjust rule. I want a better future for you and Rhaenys, a world where you can grow up in peace and happiness."
Rhaego listened intently, his young eyes fixed on his mother's. "But it's so hard, Mother. And I miss home."
Daenerys kissed the top of Rhaego's head, her love for him overflowing. "I know, my sweet. I miss home too. But sometimes, to achieve great things, we must journey far from what we know. We carry the blood of dragons, and we must rise to the challenges that lie ahead."
