Come Back To Me

Chapter 3

Any plans Aemond and Daena had were promptly crushed the next day. Ser Harwin was baited into beating Ser Criston over implying Rhaenyra's children were his bastards. Ser Harwin was forced to say his goodbyes to Rhaenyra and the children as he would take his seat at Harrenhal.

Rhaenyra and Laenor decided that it was also their time to leave as well. They informed their children they would all be moving to Dragonstone and would not return until it was Rhaenyra's time to ascend the throne.

Daena was devastated to say goodbye to her childhood home, but had such a difficult time saying goodbye to Aemond and even her grandfather. Viserys feared she resented him based on how quiet she was in their initial goodbye until she practically demanded for him to continue to write to her.

Aemond, on the other hand, was furious. It was her brothers' fault they were being forced to leave, not hers. Her brothers, who got everything they wanted with his father's blessing. The same ones holding her back from so much more than she would ever dare to admit.

She tried pleading with him, but his anger got the best of him and he stormed off before saying goodbye. It was exactly how she assumed it would go, but it didn't make it hurt any less. They were all they knew in this world and they were being ripped apart at last.

Merely a week had gone by when she moved to Dragonstone before she heard any word from King's Landing. News none of them were expecting.

They'd received news of the death of both Ser Harwin Strong and Lady Laena Velaryon, their aunt. Ser Harwin died in a tragic fire that took both him and his father, Lord Lyonel, while Laena was expected to die in childbirth, she decided to die at the hands of her dragon, Vhagar.

Their entire family went to Driftmark for Laena's funeral instead of Ser Harwin's, as it would be scandal otherwise. Daena stood up front with her mother and brothers, but she kept her eyes on Jace.

Jacerys finally knew the truth while Lucerys remained in the dark. Losing Ser Harwin felt like he lost a piece of himself. Any joy or playfulness in Jace's eyes was gone the moment they received the news.

Off to the side, Aemond kept his focus on Daena. He wanted to scowl at the way she held Jace's hand or the way her eyes softened for the bastard Prince. But instead he kept quiet, waiting for her to come to him, especially after their last encounter. He was terrified that she had changed her mind and would move on.

When the funeral was over and everyone quietly mingled amongst each other, Daena went straight to her cousins, Baela and Rhaena. She sat between the girls, taking both their hands and giving them a sympathetic squeeze.

"I am so sorry, cousins." Daena whispered. Baela stifled a sob while Rhaena smiled softly and leaned her head on her cousin's shoulder. Jace walked over minutes later, not saying a word, but Baela took his hand when she felt her tears getting the best of her.

"Let's give them a moment, cousin." Rhaena whispered, escorting Daena down the steps to the shores of the beach.

"I do not pretend to know what it is like to lose a mother, but...I do know if I ever lost mine, I would be lost. And I...I hope there is something I can do to help you and Baela." Daena finally spoke up after they'd strolled far enough from anyone. Rhaena nodded, even smiling slightly at the kindness.

"All I can do is simply try to remember her...and...be the lady she'd hoped I would be." Rhaena sighed before looking up at the skies filled with many of the dragons that were brought, but one very large dragon caught her eye. "When I finally claim Vhagar...I hope she will be proud of me. Wherever she is."

Daena's face dropped instantly. Vhagar. Aemond's dream dragon was finally riderless. She'd hoped Aemond wouldn't hear that Rhaena had yet to claim the war dragon. And even if he did, she hoped he wouldn't do anything to insult the late Lady Laena or her children. "I'm sure she would be proud indeed."

"Oh, I didn't mean...apologies, cousin, I know you yourself do not have a dragon, I didn't mean to imply anything by that, I swear." Rhaena exclaimed, but Daena shook her head with a soft smile.

"There is no need to apologize, Rhaena. When it is my time, it is my time. Perhaps on the morrow we could see if Vhagar is ready to be claimed once more."

"No, I...I'm not ready. She was my mother's dragon...I will claim Vhagar soon, just not right now. Right now all I can think about is..." Tears swelled up in Rhaena's eyes as she thought more and more about her mother.

"I understand, Rhaena. You do not need to explain anything." Daena took her cousin's hands into hers and gave an assuring smile. Rhaena felt a warmth inside her she hadn't felt since her mother's passing. "Now...you must tell me about Pentos. Mother would never let me visit."

Rhaena's grin grew even more as they continued their stroll along the shores, arms locked together. She told Daena dozens of stories of her time living in Pentos and even what it was like flying on Vhagar and Caraxes with her parents. To Rhaena's surprise, Daena loved those stories specifically, despite her lack of a dragon herself.

The sun began to fade away, signaling for them to find their way back to everyone. Once they hit the last step, they noticed it was intensely quiet as a drunken Laenor was being escorted through the crowd by Ser Qarl, his right hand man.

Daena scanned the crowd for her mother, but she was nowhere to be found and neither were her brothers. She figured her brothers were probably sent to bed and her mother might've just stepped out momentarily, so she followed the direction her father was carried off to.

Though what she never noticed was Aemond waiting off to the side for her patiently. Aegon had stumbled off somewhere, drunk as well, and Helaena was following their mother inside. Aemond was all alone. His attention was pulled quickly at the sound of a thunderous roar from the darkened sky. He noted the shape of the beast through the darkened clouds and his eyes went wide with excitement.

Vhagar.