Throughout the Dance of Dragons - House of Dragon

Part IV - The next time we meet

A few moons have passed since Aegon had crushed the poor little mouse under his foot and Aemond was trying to befriend Daenaera again. It took some time but Aemond had finally earned the princesses trust again with little and sweet actions. During that time while she was completely ignoring him, Aemond understood that the feelings that have been fluttering in his heart every time he sees her from the time she pushed into the mud was a crush.

As he finally understood his feelings, he started acting more gentle with Daenaera. He would refuse to prank her when Aegon would encourage it and if he knew anything about the prank he would warn Daenaera beforehand. With these small actions he was able to earn her trust back. Once when Aemond refused to prank her Aegon laughed "Do you like her or something?" and Aemond had been completely calm when answering "I do. She would make a fine wife." Aegon suppressed a chuckle while saying "Why don't you marry her then?" Aemond spared a glimpse at Aegon before turning his gaze towards were his sister Helaena was talking with Daenera "I would perform my duty if mother would betroth us." Aegon was disgusted of the mere thought of marriage, he wanted to live his life to full extent and not to have anyone to hold him back. He had thought his brother was lucky for being free of marriage at least for now. As it was already made clear that Aegon will have to marry Helaena.

All sorts of thoughts had been creeping up upon Daenaera as she sat together with Helaena and observed the place she was at. She looked around to see where her other family members were as they were all attending Laenas funeral. It was awful when she found out that her aunt Laena had passed after an unsuccessful child birth. It was hard for her to imagine what her cousins Beala and Rhaena had been going through. As she stood up and made her way where her mother and brothers have been she heard Jace say something about mourning for Ser Harwin. As soon as she did she looked around if nobody heard it. Daenera was young but as time passed she began to understand that Laenor was not their real father. She was no fool and she knew that her and her brothers do not share the same father. She was quite sure that Laenor was not her father as well even though he treated all the children as his own. Daenera would find herself looking at the mirror and pondering who could be her father, problem was that she was quite the spitting image of her own mother. Somewhere in her heart she felt like she knew who is her father but for some reason she could not bring herself to answer it. She promised herself that when the right time comes she will ask her mother about it but until that time comes she will continue believing that Laenor is her father.

"Jace let's go comfort our cousins. They need it." Daenerys said as she saw her mothers face after Jace spoke about Ser Harwin Strong. "Your sister is right. Go both of you and find Luke as well." Rhaenyra said to her children and ushered them to go. And as all of the people stood around to say their final goodbyes to the late lady, Vaemond started his speech. Daenerys was standing next to Laenor and was holding his hand while Vaemond kept looking at her mother continuing with his speech "Lady Laena leaves two true-born daughters on the shore. Though their mother will not return from her voyage, they will all remain bound together in blood. Salt courses through Velaryon blood. Ours runs thick. Ours runs true. And ours must never thin." With these words he also took a look at Daenera which made the young girl furrow her eyebrows. She felt her mother shift uncomfortably when suddenly she heard a chuckle. She looked up at prince Daemon as he started laughing. Daenera did not understand why the prince was laughing but she was grateful for it because all the unwanted attention left her family and was turned to Daemon.

As lady Laena was put to rest Laenor had lost his composure and Daeneras heart was breaking apart from the sight. And as Qarl helped him leave, Daenera moved to her cousins and hugged them. "All will be well dear cousins." "I don't want her to be gone Daenera" Baela said as she hugged her cousin tighter. "I know Baela but your mother would tell you to be strong and carry on." Daenerys said and brushed a few tears from her cousin eyes "You are not alone. You have your father and our family for you. Now is the time for us to be closer than ever." Daenera said as the both girls nodded "Thank you cousin." As the girls were talking they were approached by Jace and later Aemond. The two boys only managed to muster a small smile as they stood near. The whole funeral was a big awkward event and Daenera just wanted to finally leave for her chambers to rest.