Fire On Fire

23.𝓐 𝓓𝓪𝔂 𝓣𝓸 𝓕𝓮𝓪𝓻

Dear Laena,

I was dispirited when I learned that you would not be able to attend the celebration. I have worked so hard the last six weeks to perfect everything, with the help of Alicent. You are not the only person I will miss the attendance of, but I will miss yours especially. Although I have heard that in the coming weeks, we will visit Driftmark. I must admit, I cannot wait to see the beautiful young woman you’ve grown into.

Amara

Sitting at her desk, Amara rolled up the piece of paper and poured the wax onto it. She took the unique Hightower stamp and marked it. Getting up she handed it to Elias who stood behind her. "To Driftmark." He nodded and proceeded to leave the room. Amara smoothed out her dress before taking a few deep breaths. She excited her rooms and met with Rhaenyra for the small council meeting. This had been her routine for the past six weeks. She’d wake, dress, write what was needed, look over any documents she had been entrusted with, go to the small council meeting, eat in between her plans, plan for her nuptials, and sleep.

After the meeting, Amara met with Alicent in the Queen’s Chambers. As she walked in, Alicent greeted her with a smile and a hug. “Good morrow, Mara.” “Sister.” Both girls took a seat on the couches. Drinks were poured for the girls as Alicent said, “I can assure you everything is in order for the wedding.” Amara nodded. In part, she dreaded her wedding. Maybe not her wedding in general, but the night of her wedding. That’s what she dreaded.

Alicent shouted Amara’s name once more, she could tell Amara had drifted off. “What?” “I said, all that is left is going over the ceremony. Which, we shall do tonight, after supper.” Amara nodded, “Of course.” The two sat in silence the rest of the time they were together. Things had been awkward, especially with the wedding.

With no small council meeting, Amara spent the time until dinner reading. She read the histories of Westeros and the Targaryen Dynasty. She had even started reading books from Old Valyria. They fascinated her. She’d take a book and return it to the library trying to hide her fascination.

She ate supper with Alicent, Viserys, James, and Rhaenyra, just like usual. After dinner, they went over the ceremony. With everything set for the special day, Amara retired for her last night of loneliness.

Amara dressed for bed. She stood in the mirror running the bristles of the brush through her brunette curls. There was a knock at her door. She turned around in her chair. “Come.” “Ser Harwin Strong, my Lady.” Ser Harwin walked in nodding his head. Amara noticed the small wooden, carved box in his hands. “Ser Harwin?” “I apologize for the late hour.” He gestured to the box in his hands. “Something came for you.” Amara got up and walked closer, “From who?” She set the brush on her bed. “The contents should explain, my Lady.” He handed her the box. She opened it and attached to the top was a card with her name on it. As she read the card she nodded, “Thank you, Ser Harwin. This is greatly appreciated. I’m sure you were discreet.” He nodded. Staring at the card, Amara said, “No one shall know of this.” Amara finally looked up from the card, “You were never here.” Ser Harwin exited and as he did Amara followed him. She stopped at her door she looked up at Ser Elias, “If anyone else is to appear, I am asleep.” He nodded as she shut the door with her free hand. Amara moved to her bed and sat the brush aside. She pushed the right side of her hair behind her shoulder and sat on her bed.

She opened the box again, reading the note more closely. It was from Daemon. She smiled. Amara set the note aside and looked inside the box. She first pulled out a necklace with a Targaryen sigil carved into it. Amara turned it over admiring the work. On the back it read: I am yours. She smiled and placed it on her bedside table. She looked into the box once more and pulled out a folded piece of silk. She pulled it out and rubbed the fabric between her fingers. It was soft and unlike anything she had worn. She unfolded the silk. She gasped at the look of the dress. It was light pink with a rope holding the back and front together. There were no sleeves and the back was only small fabric.

She stood up and walked to her mirror holding the dress up to her. She untied her gown and stepped out of it. Amara stepped into the dress, pulling it up and over her shoulders. She tried pulling the sides of the front to the back. She turned to the side looking at herself. Amara noticed that her breasts were not fully covered by the front side of the dress. She noticed that the side of the dress was cut down to her upper thigh.

Amara turned around wondering why Daemon would send her such a dress, especially on the night before her wedding. She moved back to the box. In the bottom was a three headed dragon brooch. It was silver and would easily slide into her dresses.

She stared at her gifts, smiling, before placing them back in the box. Then placing the box under her bed. She blew out all but a single candle. She carried that candle to her bedside, placed it on her bedside table and settled under her covers. She blew out the candle, afraid of the day to come.