Breakbones and the Dragonrider

Chapter 1

The long walk to Rhaenyra's chambers took ages it seemed. Everyone was as quiet as a sept mouse. King Viserys had ordered a retinue of trusted Maesters, Kingsguard, and gold cloaks to escort the newlyweds to Rhaenyra's chambers, but stopped short of ordering them to come into the chamber with them. Rhaenyra was thankful she had been spared that at least.

This wasn't the bedding ceremony Rhaenyra had heard so much about. Nothing about tonight was as she pictured it. But there they were with their chaperones, ensuring they made it inside. The consummation of their marriage was expected that night.

Rhaenyra paused at the stairwell leading up to her chambers, and looked back at the men who stood a respectful distance from them.

"I think Laenor and I are fine from here," Rhaenyra said.

The men all looked at each other.

Viserys's Maester opened his mouth, and mumbled some words Rhaenyra couldn't decipher.

"We're to see you to your chamber door, princess," Harwin Strong, commander of the city watch said. Rhaenyra held his gaze a moment before looking away. It was a look she'd never seen on Harwin Strong's face-- that of pity. She couldn't stand another pitying look tonight.

Rhaenyra nodded, and walked up the steps, her feet heavy. By the time she reached her chamber door, she opened it without giving any of the men a second look, and pulled Laenor into her chamber with her.

When the doors had closed behind them, the two stood frozen in the room together.

The cruelty of it all consumed Rhaenyra's thoughts. That they must perform their duties, despite the carnage her own lover had visited on her now-husband's lover. She dare not reveal to Laenor who Criston was to her. She cared for her cousin too much to do that.

"Laenor..." Rhaenyra started, hoping to comfort her husband.

Laenor inhaled sharply. "Gods be damned, I can't... I can't..." He stepped away from Rhaenyra, the thought of having to bed her too much.

"No," Rhaenyra said, shaking her head. She grabbed Laenor's arm in comfort. "No, of course not. But..." Rhaenyra looked about her room, and her eyes settled on Laenor's belt. The dagger that rested there.

"But they will check tomorrow..." Rhaenyra said, and reached slowly for the blade. The Maesters would check tomorrow for signs that the marriage had been consummated. Laenor looked down, and allowed his cousin to remove the dagger. She walked slowly to her bed, and pulled the sheets back. She unsheathed the dagger, and when realization dawned on Leanor, he came to Rhaenyra's side.

"Let me," he said. His chivalry, even now, broke Rhaenyra's heart, and for that, Rhaenyra felt the burden should fall to her. She owed him that much.

"No," Rhaenyra said, and pulled her sleeve up, choosing the fleshy part of her arm just under her elbow. A small cut would be enough. The dagger stalled on her skin. Just as Laenor sensed her hesitation, and reached to help her, Rhaenyra pulled it across her skin, drawing blood.

She let the blood fall in the middle of the bed, and when it seemed like enough, she placed her hand upon the cut to stop the bleeding.

"There," she said. She began undoing her hair, removing the ruby pins that adorned her braids. They began falling around her. Laenor sniffled, and began helping Rhaenyra. Together they dressed each other down to their shifts, an act of compassion and mutual comfort. When they had pulled the bedclothes over themselves, they lie beside each other numbly.

After some time, Laenor began silently crying, his body rigid. Rhaenyra's eyes welled, and she pulled Laenor to her, guiding his head onto her chest for comfort. She held him as he wept, and eventually the two fell asleep in each other's arms.