Enchanted // Rhae Royce

58. Take Your Pain

"Is it always this stressful?" Taelon questioned as Rhae was getting situated on the bed. Hours later, and still not pushing, it worried him immensely. Contractions and pain flooded her at random but they kept saying almost there. Taelon hadnt eaten all day, Rhae could tell his worry, his own mothers death was becoming more and more real as they got closer. He wanted to take her pain but he couldnt.

"I was thinking after the birth we go to runestone for a bit." Rhae offered trying to get taelons mind off of the current pain coursing through her. She knew he wanted to help, to take her pain but he couldnt this was something her body had to do on its own. She knew it was tormenting him just sitting and waiting, unable to do anything but he held to her as she tipped her head back into him and although it seemed to go on longer than Thorins birth, Rhae liked having Taelon here with her for every moment. 

"Of course whatever you would like." Taelon agreed.

''There are some wonderful trails and paths. More room to run.'' Rhae went on

''Sounds good, fresh air and no flee bottom." taelon agreed.

''And... really?''

''The capital is not for every one.'' Taelon assured. ''Its loud and crowded. I would be happy for a change. Especially with this one coming.'' Taelon remarked putting a hand on Rhaes stomach. "You need to come out so mommy doesnt hurt so much." Taelon begged.

"You are so perfect." Rhae declared and that smile he gave her was nothing less than perfection. 

+ 

Daemon stood basking in the sun when Rhaenyra found him.

"You seemed so content on Dragonstone.' She remarked. 'Why did you come back?' he opened his eyes and looked down at her. 'There is surely more to your return than simply taunting my father and Taelon.' She remarked. 'So... what do you want?' Rhaenyra questioned.

'Only the comforts of home.' Daemon assured as he moved to a buffet line and started picking at the food.

'I had not thought you particularly comfortable in this home. Though I do suppose you seem changed by your adventures. More mature, perhaps.' Rhaenyra offered.

'You've matured yourself these last four years, Princess.' Daemon told her 'You'll get used to the attention.'

'The attention I can endure. It's the rest I could do without. My father seems content to sell me off to whichever lord has the biggest castle.' Nyra countered.

'There are worse things to be sold for.' Daemon remarked sitting down. "marriage is only a political arrangement.' He informed her. "Once you are wed you can do as you like.' Daemon hadnt been to Runestone for as long as he was married. They wed and he fled. Hadnt thought of Rhae since then unless fucking Taelon brought it up to torment him. 

'For men marriage might be a political arrangement.' She corrected 'but for women it is like a death sentence if you are not with the one your heart truly desires.'

'Would that it were. I would have been rid of my bronze bitch ages ago.' Daemon told her. He handed over his glass, she looked down at it.

"Rhae Royce has been fortunate,' she remarked taking a drink and Daemon chuckled.

"How so?"

 'you had not put a child in her.'  Nyra remarked. 

'Oh...' Daemon mused. 'I doubt a child would grow in such a hostile environment.' He mused.

"Rhae seems a lovely woman. I don't understand your hostility towards her." Nyra countered gently.

"That is because you dont know her." Daemon corrected. Taelon and Nyra knew her well. Much better than Daemon. A handsome little lad grew in her, it was Daemon perhaps that had such a hostile seed that her never produced a son with his whores. "My bronze bitch, until the day she dies." Daemon hissed.

"You don't know." Nyra realized.

"Don't know what?" Daemon countered. Nyra opened her mouth to say your wife is not your wife, she had two children, one she was giving birth to right now and married your nephew whom you hate... but it wasn't her place to say. Was it? She cleared her throat as she took another drink.

'My mother was made to produce heirs until it killed her.' Rhaenyra reminded him. "I wont subject myself to the same.' Nyra knew Taelon wouldnt push Rhae, he had said many times how much he wanted a little girl. But then again he already had a son, an heir. 

'What happened to your mother was a tragedy.' Daemon confirmed. 'But this is a tragic world. You cannot live your life in hear or you will forsake the best parts of it.' Daemon told her confidently.

"I have no desire to live in fear." Nyra corrected. "I desire to live in love as Taelon is."

"He find a retched woman to put up with him?" Daemon mused.

"He found a wonderful woman." Nyra corrected. "I hope they get to grow old together. Even more in love as the years pass."

+

'The Step stones were meant to be won for the realm, but over the past few days, it seems we have traded a crabfeeder for a sea snake. This is clearly a rebuke for passing over Lady Laena for Queen Alicent.' Tyland Lannister remarked as the council listened intently.

'Years have passed since the business with his daughter. Certainly, he cannot still be wrathful?' Viserys pondered.

"Seems he can hold a grudge for generations to come." Taelon remarked. "Can I go? I dont-'

"The birthing bed is no place for a man." Tyland corrected him. "The women know what to do."

"Which is why you are not wed." Taelon agreed. 

'The Sea Snake is an over-proud man, to be sure, Your Grace. That pride has been injured. Perhaps we can salve the wound?'

'I fear Lord Corlys's pride is the least of our worries. I don't wish to cause you further distress, Your Grace, but my brother has sent disturbing word from Old town. Lord Corlys is said to have engaged in negotiations with the Sea lord of Braavos. He plans to wed his daughter Laena to the Sealord's son. If House Velaryon entered into an alliance with the Free Cities... then... we would have to seek our own marriage pact.' All eyes turned to Nyra.