. .. ᴸᴵᶜᴷ ᴹᵞ ᵂᴼᵁᴺᴰˢ !!!!!!

I. WHEN YOU LOOK TO THE DRAGONS, WHAT DO YOU SEE?

　　Prince, and then King Viserys I; the last rider of Balerion, was especially delicate surrounding matters of Old Valyria before the doom. With Vhagar came in a new age of dragons; raw and unknowing of the power their predecessors held. The then-King knew of the ways in which the dragons were maneuvered as instruments of war, and the depths of cruelty that Valyrians mistreated them with ––––– though, being the last rider of the Black Dread, wielding some part of the power that his ancestors once held, Viserys understood what being a dragonlord meant. Not that he, or anyone else could control what the beasts did, but that they themselves are entities deserving of autonomy. Viserys knew that, even if they were in posession of the sorcery that once bid the dragons to their will, that it would be formidable and useless; a dragon truly can not, and should not be controlled. 

The idea that we control the dragons is an illusion. They are a power that man should never have trifled with — one that brought Valyria its doom. And, if we don’t mind our own history, it will do the same to us.

　　By her fourteenth year of living, Rhaenyra learned of the histories at her father’s side. Viserys often spoke them through with her when tending to his model of Old Valyria. He would sit and rant on about their predecessors; knowledge that had passed through him and onto Rhaenyra ———— things not penned in ink, but knowledge passed down from his father Baelon, and his father, Jahaerys. Thoughts that died with Rhaenyra, before she could gift her sons the knowledge that her father passed on to her. The blood of the dragon resides in Rhaenyra and her family, but it is distilled, and even if it were pure; she would have no interest in controlling Syrax, an entity she sees as her equal.

II. I SUPPOSE I SEE US.

　　It’s important to note in my portrayal that Syrax and Rhaenyra share a close bond, perhaps one of the closest bonds a Targaryen has ever held with their dragon. Like many of her predecessors, Rhaenyra’s dragon egg was placed in the cradle with her, and during the later stages of Aemma’s pregnancy, the egg was carried by a small fire-pit like stroller, ensuring that the babe and her dragon would never part so a bond would spawn. Of course, this happened, though how could it not ———— Rhaenyra and Syrax turn to become so similar in any way one could possibly resemble a creature so massive. Every so often, Viserys would tell Rhaenyra that she reminded him of Queen Rhaenys, who spent so much time atop her dragon Meraxes’ back, and found joy simply in riding her. She was also described to be a quick, agile rider who's precision was keenly similar to Visenya's.

　　A dragonkeeper, the Elder in particular, explained to Prince Daemon that a young Rhaenyra once begged him to allow Syrax into the Red Keep — keenly promising that she would behave correctly and not burn anything inside.  She recalls the interaction, where he told her the dragons are not to be integrated within the domestic pursuits of their regality. She understood that a dragon’s purpose resides far out from civilisation, and that the greatest gift was that they were chosen to sit upon them, feigning control with their saddles. They are the sky’s gift, she was told; and she learns this to be true in it's simplest form.

A stable in the outer ward had been emptied of horses and given over for her use. Heavy chains bound her to the ground. [...] Syrax had long grown accustomed to chains; exceedingly well-fed, she had not hunted for years.

　　My main issue in this relies in the fact that Rhaenyra would not let Syrax go without hunting or without being ridden. Even in between pregnancies, Rhaenyra would make the time to be with Syrax, and would not leave her alone for so long, if not for Syrax, for herself. 

　　The importance of harbouring a strong bond with one’s dragon sat heavily on Rhaenyra’s chest when it came to her children. The same practice of dragon-cradling was performed, and with the birth of Jacaerys, Lucerys and Joffrey, came Vermax, Arrax and Tyraxes. Those who doubted the paternity of Rhaenyra’s sons whispered that the eggs would never hatch, but the birth in turn of three young dragons gave the lie to their words. It is important to her: that in learning to ride and communicate with their dragons, that they did not perceive them as something to be used ––––– that a bond was to be made, and that the relationship between a dragon and it's rider was most sacred.

III. WHEN THE DRAGONS FLEW TO WAR, EVERYTHING BURNED.

　　Part of the reason Rhaenyra maintained a strong disdain for war and needless violence, though it was crucially a set of ideals passed down from Viserys the Peaceful's reign, was that Rhaenyra wanted more than anything for the dragons to live in harmony with the world: for they had been deprived of true freedom at the gates of Old Valyria & it's doom. Sending the dragons to war meant that little to nothing would remain: I DO NOT WANT TO RULE OVER A KINGDOM OF ASH AND BONE.