Breakbones and the Dragonrider

Chapter 5

Harwin's bowl of porridge in the kitchen yielded nothing of interest to him. The kitchen gossip had moved on to other matters, and Harwin was thankful for that. The sooner Rhaenyra could settle into her new normal, the better.

And of course Harwin would also have a new normal. They had laid bare so much last night, and Rhaenyra had given him the night to consider whether he was willing to father her children. There was nothing to decide. His mind was made up, though he knew it would pain him one day to not be able to claim his children in name. It was the price he was willing to pay to love her the way no man had done, and the way she truly deserved. So many men had failed her, and he would be damned if he would be counted among them.

Harwin climbed the steps of the royal apartments and made his way down Rhaenyra's corridor. Osmond, the night guard, looked to his captain expectantly. Immediately, Harwin went on high alert.

"Everything alright?" Harwin asked in a low, calm voice.

Osmond matched his volume. "They've been in there. I heard arguing."

"Who?" Harwin asked, his hand gripping the hilt of his sword, ready to react.

"Ser Laenor," Osmond said. Harwin looked at the solid oak door, and listened. He couldn't make out a single thing they were saying. The voices stopped, and the door suddenly flew open. Laenor stood there looking sheepish, and pushed past Harwin and Osmond without a word.

"You are relieved, Osmond," Harwin said, and gave Osmond a knowing look. "Say nothing of this to anyone."

Osmond nodded and left. Harwin trusted him to keep his word, but he still had to say it nonetheless.

Harwin entered Rhaenyra's room without knocking, and closed the door behind him. Rhaenyra startled at the sound of the door closing, and Harwin saw that she had been crying.

"Are you alright, princess?" Harwin asked, nearing Rhaenyra, who was still in her dressing robe.

"L-Laenor is leaving for Driftmark," Rhaenyra managed, her breath coming ragged. Harwin stopped when he was arm's length from Rhaenyra. "He says he can't stand to be in King's Landing right now. He needs time."

Harwin's expression was impassive. "Did he say when he would return?"

"A week," Rhaenyra said, taking a shuddering breath, staring out the window, at the wall, anywhere but Harwin's face. "He has Seasmoke, it's easy enough to return. Gods... I can't blame him. I don't blame him. I know he tried. But so soon..."

"Most marriages between high born people are like this," Harwin reasoned, looking down at Rhaenyra. "Husbands share their wives' beds according to their moon cycle, and they don't see each other all that often."

"I know..." Rhaenyra whispered, looking up at Harwin. "And when... when the time comes, Laenor will be an excellent father. He's a good man."

"Yes he is, princess," Harwin said, the implications not lost on him. "Give him time."

Rhaenyra nodded. Harwin slowly reached forward and ran his hand along the side of Rhaenyra's, his fingers interlacing with hers. It was the slightest contact, and Rhaenyra looked from her hand to Harwin's face.

"I'll just be outside," he said said quietly. As much as Harwin wanted to take Rhaenyra in his arms, her handmaidens would be in soon to dress her for the day.

Rhaenyra nodded once, and Harwin stood his vigil outside her bedroom while handmaids came and went. Before the hour was up, Rhaenyra left her chambers, and Harwin would never have guessed how upset she was less than an hour ago. Dressed in a lilac dress that mirrored the color of her eyes, Rhaenyra held her head high, and took off down the hallway without ceremony.