paradox - Aemond Targaryen

Chapter 5: Funeral at Driftmark

(A/N: There isn't an official translator for High Valyrian, so anything said in High Valyrian during this episode is going to be in italics)

Several days later. Driftmark, ancestral seat of House Velaryon. 

The ropes made their way through the iron rings on the coffin bearing the carving of Laena Velaryon's face. All was quiet, the only sounds being the cawing of the seagulls above the water and Corlys' brother, Vaemond, speaking to the small gathering. 

'We join here today at the Seat of the Sea to commit the Lady Laena of House Velaryon to the eternal waters, the dominion of the Merling King, where He will guard her for all the days to come. As she sets to sea for her final voyage, the 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.'  Vaemond's gaze slid over to Rhaenyra, her arms around her sons protectively. 'Ours runs true. And ours must never thin.' Suddenly, Daemon, who was standing nearby, chuckled, making Vaemond glare at him venomously. 'My gentle niece,' Vaemond continued as the men nearby began to lower Laena's coffin into the water. 'May the winds be as strong as your back, your seas be as calm as your spirit, and your nets be as full as your heart. From the sea we came. To the sea we shall return.' The coffin crashed into the water, sinking straight to the bottom. 

That afternoon... 

The group of people stood around, some chatting idly, others silently mourning the death and celebrating the life of Laena Velaryon. Rhaenyra Targaryen walked out into the area full of people, and seeing both Alicent and Daemon staring at her, she walked through the crowd, edging past a few people until she came to her eldest son, Jacaerys.

'Have you seen your father?' Rhaenyra asked him. The boy simply shook his head. 'Your little cousins have lost their mother. They could use a kind word.' 

'I have an equal claim to sympathy,' Jace replied. 

'Jace.'

'We should be at Harrenhal, mourning Lord Lyonel and Ser Harwin.' 

'It would not be appropriate. The Velaryons are our kin and the Strongs are not.' The boy looked slightly away from her as she got down on his level. 'Look at me. Do you understand?' She gently moved him in the direction of Daemon and Laena's daughters, Rhaena and Baela. Across the way, she noticed Alicent still stared after her with a questioning gaze in her eyes. 

Ser Criston had gone for a moment, and returned to Alicent's side, bringing the young princess Eleana Targaryen, Rhaenyra's eldest daughter. Alicent looked down at me, touching my cheek in a strange way that seemed almost comforting. 

'Go, Eleana. Find your mother. We'll stay the night here, and in the morning, I'll send you back.' 

'I want to go back to Dragonstone with my mother.' Alicent softly shook her head. 

'Go,' she repeated, her face showing clear signals that she did not wish to broach the subject any further. I stepped away, finding Rhaenyra by the edge of the tent, where the food and wine was. 

'Mother,' I said. She turned, and upon seeing me, instantly wrapped her arms around me, kissing my forehead. 

'I'm so sorry I didn't bring you with us, my sweet girl. I'm so sorry.' She stroked my hair tenderly. 'Are you well?' I nodded. 

'I am, Mother,' I said softly. 'The queen is sending me back to Oldtown in the morning.' 

'Perhaps it's best for you to stay away, Eleana. Learn, grow, and then you can return to us. Ser Harwin would be very proud of his little princess.' I nodded. 

'I miss Father,' I said in a hushed tone. 

'I know, darling. I know you do.' 

'Is Prince Aemond here?' I asked, looking around the crowd for any sight of green that wasn't Alicent or Aegon. 

'He should be here somewhere, Eleana. Go find him.' She gently kissed my forehead again, and then I walked away to find Aemond. 

Helaena sat in front of a clump of shells, holding a small spider in her hands as it crawled delicately over her fingers. 

'Hand turns loom, spool of green, spool of black; dragons of flesh weaving dragons of thread. Hand turns loom, spool of green...' she muttered under her breath. 

'We have nothing in common,' Aegon scoffed, observing his sister. 

'She's our sister,' Aemond replied in defence of her. 

'You marry her, then.' 

'I would perform my duty, if Mother had only betrothed us.' 

'If only,' Aegon snorted into his cup. 

'It would strengthen the family. Keep our Valyrian blood pure.' 

'She's an idiot.' 

'She's your future queen,' Aemond replied. 'But Eleana - I would marry her one day.' 

'She's a bastard. Nothing more than the first daughter of House Strong,' Aegon scoffed, and looked back at Helaena. 'We actually do have one thing in common,' he added. 'We both fancy creatures with very long legs.' He clapped his hands. 'Wench! Another!' he called out, chasing after one of the serving girls. 

'Aegon,' Aemond muttered reproachfully under his breath. Unbeknownst to him, Helaena continued to play with the spider, soon trapping it in two shells, as she continued to mutter under her breath. 

'... dragon's flesh, weaving dragons of thread.'