Come Back To Me

Chapter 2

6 more years later

Daena was pacing anxiously in front of her mother's chambers as she waited for her return. Rhaenyra had been summoned by the queen to see the new baby she'd given birth to just merely an hour prior, determined to not be intimidated by anyone, even the queen herself.

Queen Alicent wasn't particularly as cold with Daena as she was with Rhaenyra's sons since they were all but confirmed bastards. Alicent even had the faintest soft spot for the younger princess being so close with her second born son, Prince Aemond. It wasn't much of one, but if Daena had been born a bastard, Alicent would've never allowed the two to spend so much time together.

"Daena, what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be with your brothers and uncles in the pits for your lessons?" Ser Laenor, her father, called from down the hall as he was helping his wife and newborn son back to her chambers. Daena lit up at the sight of her mother and new brother, instantly rushing up to them. She noticed the strain her mother was trying to hide as she held tightly onto the baby, but Daena quickly took him from her trembling arms.

"Mother, shouldn't you be resting? I heard from the handmaidens you just birthed him." Daena's eyes softened to her aching mother.

"Yes, but the queen-ah!" Rhaenyra hunched over, clutching tightly to her stomach as Laenor wrapped his arm around her waist for support. She took a deep breath, waiting for the pass to eventually pass. "The queen requested to see Joffrey...I won't let her be alone with any of my children, especially when they've just been born."

"But why?" Daena asked shyly. She understood the queen's distaste for her brothers being bastards, but surely the queen wasn't cruel. Laenor and Rhaenyra exchanged a knowing look while Daena just kept her focus on her baby brother, adoring the faint bit of black hair growing from his tiny head.

"Why don't I let you two speak privately while I go find our sons? I'm sure Jace and Luke would be delighted to meet the new Prince." Laenor weakly smiled as he escorted his wife and daughter into Rhaenyra's chambers, nodding his goodbye before he shut the doors.

Rhaenyra slumped down onto the couch with a grunt. Finally her body felt more at ease, but her mind was troubled as she looked up at her eldest child holding her youngest child lovingly. She'd never openly told Daena any of the truth, but Daena never pretended to be ignorant of the truth either. Which surprisingly made it all that more difficult for Rhaenyra.

"Daena, I want you to be careful around the queen and her children." Rhaenyra said, finally regaining Daena's attention as she sat down beside her.

"What does that mean?" Daena asked.

"It is...not as it used to be. When you all were much younger, there was always some...concerns, but now that you are all becoming grown, I fear...I fear the queen will now feel more comfortable with making accusations against you all." Rhaenyra reached over to gently rubbed Joffrey's head with a fearful look in her eyes.

"Well...what would happen if the queen did make those accusations?" It was easily the most naive question Daena ever had. She truly didn't know the impact the rumors could have on not just her brothers, but on all of them.

"We would all perish. Not just your brothers, but-." Their heads turned to the door opening by a sheepish Lord Commander trying to contain his excitement.

"Princess Rhaenyra, Princess Daena." Ser Harwin nodded his head then saw the sleeping child in Daena's arms. Rhaenyra smiled to herself then looked back to Daena.

"We must protect our family, no matter the cost. Always remember that. Now go and find your brothers. Ser Harwin wishes to be introduced to Prince Joffrey." Rhaenyra spoke softly as Daena handed the baby off to Ser Harwin.