Burn The Ships / Viserys Targaryen / Larys Strong

3. Right Back Up

Larys worked diligently with Lucia, everyday she wore the brace to get used to it, every day she tried five times, fell each time but she tired five times all the same. One for her father, she would try for him. One for Harwin, his brave little sister. One for herself, she owed it to herself to keep going, keep trying. And twice for Larys because he stuck by her side through all the falls, helping her right back up. Her left knee was bruised and her hands were scraped but she was getting used to it. The falling, the getting back up. 

We arent called Strong because we are quitters, Larys had reminded her when she wanted to quit, she always wanted to quit these days. She never used to. 

"And you, my wonderful little sister are no quitter, you are not weak, you are strong, you are powerful." Larys declared each time she wanted to give up until she was able to take a few steps without falling, take a few more without her leg shaking like an earth quake. 

Lyonel was with Viserys when Lucia walked out into the courtyard. Larys smiled back at her. Lucia walked right up to her father, she forced a smile but Lyonel looked like he was going to cry. 

"Baby, look at you." Lyonel whispered. She griped her cane like a lifeline but Larys had not let her give up. For that she was grateful. 

"Lady Lucia," Viserys remarked. "It's good to see you back on your feet again."

"Foot." Lucia corrected softly. Viserys offered her a small smile. "I am going riding." Lucia remarked. "I just wanted to say hello. Sorry if I interrupted." 

"Nonsense, you never interrupt." Lyonel assured giving her a gentle hug, not wanting to throw her off balance. 

"Your grace." Lucia offered. She wasnt going to attempt a curtsey, he would have to deal with a tip of her head. 

"Lady Lucia, you are a very resilient young woman." Viserys remarked. "I dont think most would have survived what you did." 

"Thank you, your grace. I had my family, my brother Larys worked with me every single day." Lucia informed him. Larys saw her leg shaking, she didnt expect to be standing in one place for this long. She just wanted to show her father that she could do it but now that she stopped she didnt know that she could start walking again, her leg was throbbing. Lucia glanced back at Larys, he knew, he was already moving towards her. 

"I dont mean to pull Lucia away but I think we will have to wait on that ride, Lu." Larys remarked anchoring a hand around her waist taking pressure off her leg slightly. "Clouds coming in." Lucia sighed leaning into him. 

"Probably for the best." Lucia agreed. "Good day your grace, good day father." Larys helped her back inside praising her the entire time. She collapsed into bed a smile on her face. 

"Thank you Larys. I couldnt do it without you." Lucia declared confidently. 

"Sure you could have." Larys corrected. 

"Getting back inside." Lucia offered and Larys chuckled. 

"I'm always here for you." Larys assured laying down beside her, she tipped her head into him.  

"Your daughter is quite beautiful." Viserys remarked as they walked. 

"Got her mothers looks." Lyonel agreed. Thick black hair like her brothers, little waves down her shoulders. She was lucky she was thin of frame less weight to put on her false leg but her face was changing, maturing while she was hiding away from the rest of the world. Her body was changing slowly, not just her leg. Lyonel never thought she would leave her room again. He stopped asking her if she wanted to try, not wanting to push her. Larys gave him updates. 

Lyonel visited Lucia every day sitting with her bringing her new books telling her stories or about the king the heir's declaration, telling her about everything she had missed out on, thinking it might help to feel more included. 

Lyonel told her when Aegon was born, Lucia had always loved children, Lyonel had thought that Lucia would be one to marry young and have a plethora of children but now children and marriage seemed impossible to Lucia, who would want her now? 

Harwin picked her up when she didnt feel like walking and brought her outside she leaned into him watching him train. He would bring her sweets in the garden and Lucia always found herself swatting crumbs from his beard. 

Lucia spent the most time with Larys though. He made sure she was doing her therapy. Helped her with her exercises. He knew what it was like to be different and knew that Lucia didnt want to be different, she wanted to be normal. She wouldnt get to be normal. So he pushed her, guided her, helped her. Lucia was sore and tired taking long naps after each session but she loved that Larys never gave up on her.