Burn Together ❖ Daemon Targaryen

Chapter 17

Rhaellanne could no longer hear the words of her handmaid anymore as she began to be absorbed by her panic. Her heart was racing so fast that she could hear it in her ears, and she felt as if she were going to faint.

Of course she knew that what she and Daemon were up to was risky, but she had been so obsessed with the thrill of it, that the thought of any consequences or problems had evaded her entirely.

Daemon had often told her that he wanted to see her carrying his baby, and Rhaellanne had always smiled and laughed and part of her was actually thrilled at the prospect of it, but she had never actually expected it to happen so soon. She was only 20 and was unmarried still.

Her father had barely given she and Daemon his blessing, Alicent would probably use this against her, Rhaenyra was still travelling Westeros on tour, and the realm would talk if they found out. Rhaellanne was unmarried and her fiancé had only just died, so her reputation would surely be completely besmirched by this

Seeing the Princess's distressed state, Leanne took a step forward. "Princess? Are you alright?"

"No" whispered Rhaellanne "I am terrified"

Leanne crossed the room and hugged the shaking girl and Rhaellanne fought her hardest not to break down into tears then and there. "What do you want me to do, princess?"

Hurriedly, Rhaellane said "Do not tell a soul. Please."

The handmaid nodded quickly, and Rhaellanne breathed a small sigh of relief. Leanne was the only handmaid who changed her bed sheets, but if the women who washed the sheets realised, then they would start to gossip, and Rhaellanne could not excuse it as her courses being late forever

"You should see a Maester, princess, to be sure" said Leanne "I know someone in the town who can come in and find out and he will not tell anyone about it. I can go and see him and demand that he come soon. I trust him and he would not tell a soul."

"Thank you," she nodded shakily "Can you get Ser Roderick for me please?"

Leanne nodded and hurried out of the room, and Rhaellanne let herself fall into one of her armchairs by the fireplace. Ser Roderick entered the room moments later and when he saw the distressed state of the princess he ran over and knelt in front of her

"Rhaellanne, are you alright?" he exclaimed, worriedly scanning her for any sign of injury or worse, and was relieved to find no visible damage

She shook her head and then whispered "I think I'm pregnant," 

Ser Roderick looked up at her in shock, but all he saw on her face was worry and fear, and his heart really went out to the girl, who was one of his closest friends. So, breaking all conduct rules, he discarded his sword and clasped one of the hands that she had on her lap, making her look at him properly, and the panic in her eyes made him sad.

"You will be okay" he said softly "I swear to you that I will protect you and will do whatever I can to help you with this"

Rhaellanne shook her head "What will my father say?" 

"Rhaellanne," said Roderick "You will be okay, I swear. If you don't want to tell him, you don't have to, and no matter what he says or does, I will protect you and this child"

She continued to speak as if she hadn't heard him, her voice becoming faster with every word as the panic set in. "Alicent will now have the excuse she needed to marry me off quickly without an argument" 

Roderick squeezed her small hand and forced her to look at him. "Listen to me. Whatever you decide to do now, and whatever happens, I will stand by you and I will not allow anyone to ever harm you"