Throughout the Dance of Dragons - House of Dragon

Part II - Complicated relationships

When Daenera was nine and Aemond was ten their relationship had already changed for the better. It was the age were they found themselves talking about being dragon riders. Neither princess Daenera nor prince Aemond had a dragon at that age. Despite princes Aegon, Jacaerys, Lucerys and princess Healena having theirs. During this time a strong bond fated them as they were both bullied by their siblings about their dreams being dragon riders.

Princess Daenera had multiple times received dragon eggs from prince Daemon as gift but none of those ever hatched. It pained the little girls heart and at the moments when she would find yet another dragon egg cracked with a dead little nothing in it. Every single of these times her mother would comfort her while saying that one of the coming days it will change. The young princess would stain the paper with her tears while writing letters to Daemon, saying that yet another egg did not survive. The prince would always write back to her with a promise that one of them will hatch. That the strongest one and the most willful one will crack open the egg and fall to her command.

She had been exchanging letters with Daemon since the she started to learn how to write. Her mother offer her to choose a person to whom she would like to write letters to so that the young princess could practice not only writing but as well her valyrian tongue. She was the only child of princess Ryaenera which has been taught High Valyrian since she was born. Her mother wanted her to be fluent at it and to help this wish come alive princess Daemon exchanged letters with the little girl every once and then. It was the only way for Daemon to keep check on how was his daughter growing. Both he and Ryaenera could not keep in touch throughout the years but at least he was allowed to keep contact with Daenera.

Another place where could find comfort was talking about the unfortunate incidents with Aemond. She would find herself spending more and more time with the prince. They still annoyed and call each other names. But when left only the two of them alone they would talk their hearts about their dreams of the future. As Aemond now was ten years old he very well understood that he had a boyish crush on Daenera. This fact alone would annoy him as he would often times find himself feeling conflicting feelings. On the one hand he enjoyed taunting the princess and her brothers, making fun of them. On the other it always would pull at his heart when he would see her disappointed or sad over his actions. The conflict inside his head and heart would torment him day in and day out as more time they spent together. But he could not push himself far away and not interact with her at all. And in moments like these Daenera would find herself confused as how did the prince really feel about her. There were moments were he was sweet to her, comforting regarding her unhatched dragon situation and then after a little while he would come up to her and her brothers with Aegon to torment them in some kind of way.

Daenera would also often times find herself spending time at the garden with Haleana. As the older girl would play with all sort of bugs, Daenera would lay her head on Healenas lap and dream about flying high above the clouds with her dragon. Once during one of these little moments they found themselves approached by Aemond "I heard you received another dragon egg" he said as he took a seat near his sister and Daenera which had already sat up. "Yes, I did indeed but I am starting to lose hope ounce by ounce" she said letting out a sigh "Do not lose hope Daenera, I am sure that one of these days a strong dragon will hatch" Aemond said strongly "I will to claim a dragon one day, I want my own already grown" he added and they both turner to Healena as she spoke softly admiring a bug "He will have to close an eye".

Paying not much attention to his sister he averted his eyes to Daenera instead "Maybe our dragons can fly the sky one day. Mine will teach yours" he said as Heleana spoke again "Two fierce beast stronger than the other and three eyes full of power and desire" Daenera shifted to Haleana and asked "What are you speaking about Haleana?" The princess knew that something about Aemonds sisters words was magical, as every time she said something like that a shiver would go down her spine "Mutual souls in the sky and on the ground" Haleana said as she stood up and walked towards a bush to put the bug down. "Don't mind her, do you perhaps want to go to training with me as your brothers will also be there" Aemond said as he stood up.

Daenera nodded and as she was about to get up Aemond extended his arm to her "Take my hand" he said and a small blush appeared on his face. The same shade tinted Daeneras face as well as she ever so lightly took his hand "You are becoming quite a gentleman Aemond" she said standing up "One day some lady will be happy to be your wife" and as those words left her lips a little stung was felt at her heart. She did not completely understand this feeling but she understood that somehow imagining Aemond wed some girl pained her. Aemond grumbled and not letting go of her hand exclaimed "I'm not interested in marriage Daenera. I am more interested in becoming a warrior, I will fly my dragon over the lands and fight any enemy" and as they continued holding hands he added "You on the other hand will surely be promised to some man and annoy him till the end of his miserable days"

Daenera had thought once in a while about being wed to some lord or prince. The image did not scare her but what scared her was the thought that her future husband could be an awful person with no love for her. "A year ago I promised to annoy you till the end your days" and as these words slipped her mouth she understood the full meaning of them. She had just offered herself as a bride to Aemond. At that very moment her cheeks heated up and she let go of the young prince hand.

Aemonds cheeks as well flared up as he thought about marrying Daenera. He had to admit that there were times when he thought about her being his wife. It would be no surprise as his sister and brother had been already promised to each other. And who would be a better match for Daenera if not him. Still her saying such a thing aloud embarrassed him and as always something completely different than what was going on in his heart slipped his mouth "I would not marry you even if me having a dragon depended on it".

The words came so quickly to the young prince and stung the heart of the princess and for the first time she felt herself truly angry at him "When the time comes I will burn you" she hissed and with that Daenera shoved prince Aemond to the side and hurried of back to the palace. She could not believe that he could be so ignorant. It confused the princess as how could he be so sweet and gentle one moment and then a complete idiot the next.

As Aemond made his way to the training grounds, his brother and Daeneras brothers were already there. Ser Cole had already begun training "You are late young prince" Cole said looking at Aemond "If you wish to be a skilled swordsman you should come to trainings early." Everything happened quite fast as Cole was ignoring Daeneras brothers until Ser Harwin Strong the commander of the Kings guards showed up and commented upon it. A dispute happened between the two men as Ser Strong began beating up Cole. By the time Harwin stopped Daenera showed up to call her brothers and saw the scene in front of her while gulping. As Aemond noticed her he walked over forgetting about the words they exchanged just earlier and took her hand saying "Look away Daenera, it is not for your eyes to see this" but as he had acted as if he forgot the princess did not so she took her hand away and looked at the young prince with anger filled eyes "Do not ever lay your hands on me again prince Aemond." As Aemond took a step back she added "Or else I will have my brothers beat you like Ser Harwin did to Cole." She never liked Ser Criston Cole but only because he was never ever nice to her. He would often "accidently" push her over when passing her in the halls. He would always apologize in the coldest way and she even as a kind understood that Criston Cole was not a fan of her. "You should watch your mouth princess Daenera. You are talking to a son of a King" Cole said as Harwin had let go of him "And I am the daughter of the Kings one true heir. So tell me or what ser Crispin?" she asked. Crispin was a name she once heard Daemon call Cole and it made her laugh so much that she never forgot about it. "Yes or what else Ser Crispin" Harwin asked with a smirk "You don't want to know as a Kings Guard or should I say father" Cole said in a whisper so that only Harwin would hear it and for that he received more punches from the bigger man. "ENOUGH!" a loud shout was hear from above the training ground and as all looked up they saw Kind Viserys standing there "Children return to your chambers and get back to your studies."

The children did as they were told and while they were walking back Aegon took hold of Aemond and whispered "I have a prank in mind for the little princess. Let's get back at her for trying to fool you back there." Aemond knew that his brothers jokes weren't always funny but the way Daenerys acted with him in front of others was unforgivable so he agreed to scheme with his brother against the princess. It was going to be just a joke, no harm in that.