Throughout the Dance of Dragons - House of Dragon

Part XV - Flowers in her hair

"Do not fear the snow and cold." Helaena hummed while sewing "The wolf of north will not freeze you." she continued with a smile on her face and then looked at Daenaera for the last part of her prophecy "Still it is meant for the snow to melt by fire." She sighed and averted her gaze back to her work.

"Thank you for sharing." Daenaera said with a smile as she watched Helaena nod, her concentration back at her work. Daenaera had learned to not overthink Helaenas predictions even though sometimes she would find herself in thought about the wolf who was constantly mentioned by her aunt. Naturally she would think that it could be about Cregan Stark who she met during the last tourney. A well-mannered and gentle man from the North. Cregan had left an impression with Daenaera that he would be the perfect husband for any lady. He seemed caring and protective, gentle and supportive, intelligent, well read and skilled with the sword. Cregan was known throughout the Kingdoms as an honorable warrior from the North, some called him the King of the North as he was a true leader. His men would have followed him to the ends of the world.

After the tourney the next day they bid each other farewell with him kissing her hand. He had apologized to Daenaera that he had been the one to let her leave the dance they shared for her to go to the gardens. According to him if he had been more persistent then the princess wouldn't have encountered Darrion Lannister there. Daenaera had to admit that she had a faint crush for the lord and that if circumstances would be different she would have been glad to be betrothed to the lord. But that was in the past, she was on good terms with the fact that she would be marrying Aemond and if she had to choose, she would choose the one eyed prince in a heartbeat. With all of his flaws and all his perfections she would choose him and she could only hope that Aemond felt at least a bit the same, that he as well would choose her without thought if he had other options. She wished he would choose her even in circumstances that he would have to give up the throne, give up his desire to become King.

One of the little twins Jaehaerys squirmed in Daenaeras arms as he tried looking through her shoulder to the entrance of Halaenas chambers. His squirming made Daenaera turn to the door where she saw Aemond standing with his jaw clenched and hands behind his back. Something is not right Daenaera thought as she looked at Aemond, his body language speaking louder than words. "Brother, you came." Halaena said with a smile. Even though Helaena was a closed off person she had a couple of people whom she loved beside her children. Those people were her brother Aemond and her niece Daenaera. The blond had seen in her dreams since she was young that Aemond and Daenaera were meant to be betrothed, she also knew things she feared of happening, sometimes she wished that her prophecies would not come completely true as they broke her heart. She looked between the two people she loved and smiled that maybe just maybe the dance they shared will not take as much from them.

"Sister." Aemond said as he gently then smiled at Helaena and turned his gaze towards Daenaera walking to where she stood with Jaehaerys in her arms. He stroked the head of the boy and smiled at him earning a squeal of happiness from the little one. "How are you today?" he asked as he lifted his eye to Daenaera. A voice so soft from him that Daenaeras heart seemed to melt like honey in hot tea, it fluttered in her chest with a strange sensation in her stomach, warmness taking over her body. The effect he had on her was getting stronger and stronger, it was consuming and it felt to Daenaera that he had a complete hold on her. That if you would tell her to fly away with him she would without asking the destination. She cared for Aemond very much and she had to admit to herself that being enamored was not it. The feeling which was slowly developing with every day in her heart was more than a crush, it was more than just a feeling of acceptance, it was actual love. He with his gestures had tamed her in a way she could not explain. She trusted him even though it was dangerous and she understood it, because his betrayal would hurt the most.