Come Back To Me

Chapter 30

"So we are all in agreement then?" Rhaenyra looked around the table from her children to her former in-laws.

"I will fly north and treaty with Lord Stark." Jace placed a piece over Winterfell on the Painted Table.

"I will fly to the Eyrie and treaty with Lady Arryn." Daena placed her piece over the Eyrie.

"I will fly to Storm's End and treaty with Lord Borros." Luke proudly placed his piece over Storm's End.

"I will patrol the Gullet myself on Melys while Lord Corlys will lead our men to prevent any trade into King's Landing." Rhaenys declared.

"I will fly east and return with Ser Laenor." Baela raised her head high.

"No word of Ser Laenor until he returns. If he agrees to fight, we'll have another dragon on our side. I suppose Seasmoke will be overjoyed to see his rider after so long." Daemon added. "I will treat with Lord Grover myself. Let us see how fickle he chooses to be in front of Caraxes."

"All of you are messengers only. There is to be no fighting or protest. Simply give them your scrolls and return with their answers. If war is to come, we will fight. But it will not be started on any of our accounts. Understood?" Rhaenyra ordered them all.

"Yes. Your Grace." They all said in unison.

"Then go to it." There was a certain pep in Rhaenyra's step. The unity in the room was something she hadn't felt in such a long time, not since before her mother passed. For once she didn't feel scrutinized or like an outside even in a room of her blood.

Daena stood by her brothers as their dragons landed before them. They each embraced each other, each of them eager to serve their queen. But each of them worried if war was to follow. Each for their own reasons they'd never admit out loud.

Especially when some of those fears were their own enemies at the moment.

"Remember what mother said. No fighting. Just in and out. Jace, you already know Cregan will agree. Luke, keep your head high and be str...be tough. Like our mother." She smiled between both her brothers, specifically Luke. He seemed a bit anxious when he saw his mother command him to go to Storm's End instead of Daena.

"Next time I see you both, perhaps it'll be beside each other in battle." Jace grinned as he mounted Vermax and took off. Luke remained, grabbing at Daena's hand before she could turn from him.

"Dany, wait...please just...at least for me, consider speaking with our uncle." He looked up at her with hopeful eyes and she pursed her lips tightly together. She stared down into his brown doe eyes and sighed. And then he said the words that had her completely taken back. "Viserys said he wished you two would marry. That day when I told him about Daeron...if not for me, then maybe for grandsire."

"Fine...I..." She swallowed hard, looking off to the side and trying to keep her tears from falling. "When I return I will send him a raven...nothing beyond that."

"See, I knew I could convince you." He playfully shoved at his sister's shoulder with a laugh.

She just rolled her eyes. "Why're you so invested in me and Aemond, brother? I thought you hated him."

"No...I've...I always looked up to him when I was little..." Luke scuffed his feet into the dirt with his voice turning into a mumble. "I always felt guilty for taking his eye...and especially for never telling you the truth...I want to make things right...if I'm being honest, I hope he does bend the knee."

Daena pulled him into her arms and let out a small sigh. "So do I, brother. So do I."

She rubbed at his back to soothe him a little, but really it was her that needed the comfort. She was hanging by a very thin thread and feared it would snap at any moment.