Crimson Wine

~7~

THE dinner was a disaster, Daena thought, she thought of how it turned sour within seconds. She went to sit in the godswood instead of her chambers to calm her mind. The wind was cold as the night was black, stars filled the skys.

Daena sighed, footsteps approached her and she looked up to see Aemond, his hair fully down and his eyepatch was gone. He walked over and sat with her, she looked confused but allowed it as he was disturbing her peace.

"What brings you here, uncle?" She asked, she turned to look at him, he did the same.

"You aren't married as of currently, right?" Daena nodded, Aemond fully faced her now.

"What if..I propose a marriage between us? You and me, it will bring our families together once more." He proposed, Daena was taken aback and flushed a deep red.

"This is so sudden, why?" Daena asked, he took her hands in his and kissed his knuckles.

"This will be great for the family, don't you see?" He explained. "We'll be married, Jace with Baela, Luke with Rhaena, Aegon with Helaena. We'll all connect our houses and make them stronger." Aemond went on, Daena looked at anything but him and groaned.

"I am not a woman who will so freely give up." Daena said after a moment but then smirked. "If you wish to marry, fight for it."

"What?" Aemond blankly stared at Daena who just grinned. "If you and Aegon have been plotting for you to wed me, fight for it. I don't know if you could tell but me and Rickon have grown quite close." Daena remarked, Aemond's eye went dark.

"You shouldn't marry a Stark, they won't bring anything to us. You should marry in your family."

"Should she?" A voice spoke, they turned to see Rickon walking towards them, they both stood.

"She should, you Starks only have Winterfell, I have much more than you." Aemond spat, Rickon chuckled darkly. They both stood full height, Daena rolled her eyes.

"Rickon, if you mind, Mother wants us back at the carriage." Daena called out, Rickon nodded and wrapped his arm around Daena's. He turned to give one more glare at Aemond then left.

Aemond was left standing in shock, he clenched hist fist.

If she wants to play dirty, Aemond could play dirty.
_______________________________________________________________________________

Rickon was grumbling the whole ride, Catelyn rolled her eyes at the Northern. She hit his shoulder and he turned to glare at her, she smirked as Daena shook her head.

"I should have asked for a duel but I didn't want to embarrass the poor boy." Rickon spat, Jace let out a laughed as Baela snickered, everyone shook their heads.

"What happened?" Rhaenyra asked, looking at the group, Daena flushed as Rickon stared off.

"Aemond...has asked for my hand, he wishes to fight for it as well." Daena explained, Rhaenyra took a breath as Daemon groaned, he inched towards Dark Sister.

"Rickon got...a little jealous." Catelyn finished off, Rickon turned fully away as he felt the glare of Daemon bore into his back.

Rhaenyra laughed at that and sighed, she smiled at her children, at Rickon and Catelyn, she rubbed a hand over her stomach as Catelyn looked.

"Have you chosen a name for the babe, M'lady?" Rhaenyra shook her head, Daena turned to look at her and thought about it for a second.

"How about Visenya? Like Aegon the Conqueror's sister wife Visenya." Daena said, Rhaenyra looked at her belly and smiled.

"I've always loved the name Visenya, thank you, sweet one." She nodded at her daughter and rested her head on Daemon's shoulder, it would be a long ride back to Dragonstone.

Daena just looked off, she saw how they passed a lake and thought of Raindancer, she had gotten her back and thought of her, it brought a smile to her face.

She can't wait to ride her dragon, she doesn't know what she would do if she lost her.

A/N: sorry that the chapter is short, I've been busy with school since spring break ended. I'll get a better schedule someday.