Gold Rush | Ser Harwin

12.

10 years later
Daerla

"Rhaenyra?" I say in surprise when I see her walking through the corridor, blood trailing behind her, baby in arm. "What are you doing?"

"The queen has asked to see the baby," she says as sweat pours down her brow.

"The queen can fucking wait," I say. "Go back to your room."

"The queen has asked to see the baby," the look in Rhaenyra tells me everything. She won't leave her child. So I nod and I watch as Leonor helps her through the corridor.

I continue my walk to the nursery and as soon as I open the door I am bombarded by Rhaena and Daemos who both run to me and hug me legs.

"Good morning," I say to them as I crouch down to face them. Naerys sits by the window with his legs up and arms crossed. At 14 he has turned into a menace. He is always getting into trouble, always causing mischief around the castle. He is my son after all.

"I drew you a picture, mama," 10 year old Rhaena says as she leaves my legs and grabs a sheet of paper. "This is you and papa."

"Wow! Rhaena this is so wonderful," I say. Rhaena has been showing an impressive skill at drawing, she is a wonderful artist.

"Will you show it to father?" She says and I nod.

"Of course, my love," I say. "Naerys, will you be joining the other with the dragons?"

"I think I won't," he says and he doesn't look towards me. "They are all pathetic little children. They all just mess around."

"Aegon is only a year younger then you," I say as I walk towards him. "I thought you two were great friends."

"Aegon is an ass," he says.

"Language," I scold and he turns to me with a grin on his face. "Go and train with your father, he's in the courtyard."

"Yes, mother," he says before walking out of the nursery. Naerys is too old to be spending his time here, yet he still does. He likes to care for his siblings. He's always looking out for them, being a good brother.

"Can I go and train?" Daemos says as he walks towards me.

"No, my love," I say. "You are only 5." He pushes out his bottom lip and my heart melts. "Fine, we'll all go then. Rhaena, would you like to come?"

"Of course!" She says excitedly and she takes my hand. I grab Daemos' other hand and then we walk out of the nursery. The children fill the corridors with light chatter, telling me everything from their dreams and to their favourite colours.

We reach the courtyard where my husband and Naerys have just began sparring. Harwin sees me almost instantly and walks over to kiss my cheek.

"What are the little ones doing here?" He whispers in my ear and I look down at Rhaena who looks overjoyed to be here.

"Rhaena is 10," I say. "And before you say she is a girl-"

"I wasn't going to say that and you know it," he replies with an exasperated expression. "Rhaena is a better fighter then some of the boys and she's younger then several of them."