Crimson Wine

~2~

WHEN we got to Dragonstone, we had to leave early, the letters sent by ravens had enclosed that the Lady Laena Velaryon had passed. She had a stillbirth and commanded her dragon burn her, a horrid death. Father was ill-riddened while Mother was struck with grief, the two were close as Mother hated the Lady Alicent but favored Lady Laena.

We stood around the stone statue that contained her body, Mother held us against her as we stood by. The children of Lady Laena's were filled with sorrow and grief as they sobbed for their Mother, I couldn't imagine losing mine. Uncle Vaemond came up for the speech as he cleared his throat.

"We join today at the seat of the sea to commit Lady Laena Velaryon to the eternal waters, the dominion of the Merling King, where he will guard her for all the days to come." Vaemond spoke, we held our heads down for her.

"As she sets 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 by blood. Salt course through Velaryon blood.Ours run thick. Ours run true. And Ours will never thin." Uncle Vaemond seemed to look directly at us as he said that.

Mother held us tighter but a laugh distracted people, I turned to see the kings brother, Daemon Targaryen, chuckling. He met my gaze and seemed to have nodded at me, I smiled back as he kept a glare on Vaemond.

"My gentle niece, may the winds be as strong as your back, your seas as calm as your spirit, your nets be as full as your heart. From the sea we came, to the sea we shall return." They pushed her statue into the water as people stared.

I wiped my eyes but turned to follow Mother, the hard part was over.
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I walked around the area, Driftmark was quite large as so many Velaryon's were here. I felt odd being here, looking like Ser Harwin Strong though Mother says I'm Velaryon, everyone can tell we are not. I saw Jacaerys trying to comfort Baela and Rhaena and failing horribly.

I snickered but saw Helaene talking to a spider, i titled my head and looked closer to see my uncles looking at her as well.

"Hands turn loom, spools of green, spools of black, dragons of flesh, weaving dragons of thread." Helaena spoke, I didn't know but the words she was saying made some sense.

"Ugh, do you believe I have to marry that?" Aegon spat, taking a big swig of his drink. I shook my head at him.

"She's still our sister." Aemond spoke, Aegon rolled his eyes.

"Easy for you to say, you're not the one marrying her since it's my duty."

"Well, I would do it for duty, of Mother had only betrothed us." Aemond responded proudly.

"Well, atleast we have some thing in common." Aegon took another cup from the platter that maidens were passing around. "We both fancy creatures with very long legs."

Aemond shook his head at his brother as I stepped up to them, Aegon grinned at me and eyed me up and down.

"Uncles, good morrow." I said, Aemond nodded.

"Daena, how do you feel about marriage?" Aegon asked, Aemond smacked his shoulder.

"I don't have such thoughts, Mother won't betrothed me yet but if it was to someone, it would a Stark." I responded, Aegon snickered while Aemond shook his head.

"Shouldn't you marry someone in the family? I'm not sure they would like it if your children were Starks. That's a death trap just waiting to be triggered." Aemond abruptly said, I laughed.

"I'm not marrying you, Uncle, your Mother might have my head for that." He turned and blushed.

I looked to see the sky darken and I bid my farewells, I left to sit on the beach where I would watch the waves crash. I sat down on the sandy beach as I waited for a few mintues, I saw Vhagar fly by, her big green wings batting against the wind.

"I knew I would find you again." A voice spoke, I turned to see Catelyn in all her glory. I lit up and ran to her, tackling her in the sand as she laughed, the sound filling my ears.

"You're back! Gods, how I missed you!" I exclaimed, her hair was down to her shoulders now, the chub on her cheeks almost gone.

"What are you doing out here? It seems everytime I find you, you're by yourself." I laughed, we laid in the sand and looked up at the sky.

We counted the stars before her mother fetched her and we parted, I left to my chambers as well. Passing Mother and Father, I dressed down into my blue nightgown as I let my hair fall from the bun in was in. The silk sheets never seemed to feel so soft until now.

I turned to my side as I watched Vhagar settled down on the rock next to the beach, curling up and falling asleep. I smiled and though of my own dragon, though of how she was doing in the dragonpit.

That night, I dreamt of soft snow and frost.