𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 | 𝐀𝐞𝐠𝐨𝐧 𝐓𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐫𝐲𝐞𝐧

EIGHT

Landing onto the shore, she dismounted Starlight, who flew off to the nearest hills. She could see her mother at the top of the long stepped pathway, waiting for her.

"Mother" Danera said through gritted teeth. Rhaenyra tried to pull her daughter in for a hug, but Danera only stepped away. "How could you do this" Danera continued, "I don't even know this Stark lord" she protested. "You must understand, Danera, you are seven and ten, you needed to marry quickly and marry well" her mother tried to explain, but Danera was not interested in her excuses. She pushed past, and made her way to her old rooms.

Not much had changed, her books and papers still scattered on her desk. Paintings of dragons up on the walls. She flopped down onto the bed, thinking of any way she would be able to stop this betrothal.

-

Aegon waited all morning for Danera to come to breakfast. When she did not appear, he walked back to her chambers in a hurry, only to find his mother sitting on her bed. "What have you done?!" He shouted at her without a moments hesitation. Her mother looked up, he could see the regret that filled her face. "There was nothing to be done Aegon, your father would not go against Rhaenyra's decision" she explained gently, ignoring her sons anger. "Then where is she" he asked, his voice still raised. "Rhaenyra requested her to Dragonstone immediately, she had no time for goodbyes" his mother continued. Aegon shouted, pushing anything in his reach onto the floor and storming out of the room.

She was gone, the love of his life, betrothed to another. He went straight to the cellar, taking multiple bottles of wine. Going to the their spot in the gardens. He didn't need a cup, he would finish a bottle in minutes.

After several hours and many bottles down, barely able to hear Elena shouting his name. Drunkenly he stood up, moving past the tree and into sight. "A message for you my lord, arrived just now" Elena handed the note to him looking worried. She hurried off as soon as she had shoved the note into his clammy hands.

Aegon, my mother will not change her decision, and I fear there is only one option.

We must tell them we slept together, and that I could be pregnant with your future heir.

The Lord Stark will not marry if I am not a maid, and we will be hurried into marriage to avoid scandal.

I know it is not the way we wanted things.

Your Dany

Aegon could not believe what he was reading. He knew it was a good plan, but it would ruin Danera. Everyone would think he had taken her for himself out of greed, and not out of love. He sat back on the stump of the tree, contemplating his answer.

After another hour, he agreed with her, it was the only way they could force their parents hand. He hurried to his rooms, writing out a reply. Eventually after scouring the castle, he found Elena to return the message. "Don't hurt her" Elena spoke softly as he handed her the note. "I wouldn't, she is the best of me" he replied, looking into Elenas eyes. He was clearly still drunk, and the old him would've pulled the girl into the nearest hallway and had her. Now, the idea of it disgusted him.

-

Danera had waited into the night for Aegons reply, after suffering a family dinner with her family. Finally, Lana entered her chambers "I have it your grace" she spoke happily. Lana grew to be Daneras closest friend and ally on Dragonstone, as she was only a few years older than Danera herself. "I do hope it is the news you want" Lana said, sitting next to Danera on her bed. Although Lana was worried at first when Danera explained the situation, as like many, she had heard the stories of Aegon. Once Danera had finished, she knew that Danera would not settle for another, just as heart-strong as her mother, and even more determined.