rise of the dragon | hotd/got applyfic [1] [discontinued]

chapter four

RISE OF THE DRAGON
CHAPTER FOUR

—THIRTEEN YEARS LATER—

RHAENYRA LOVED BEING queen, she did. Being able to help her people to thrive was everything to her. That being said, she also enjoyed being with the people she cared about and being free to just do nothing. So, organizing a picnic was quite common for her.

It may seem silly in the grand scheme of things, but it was peaceful. She needed that.

Currently, she was sitting with Laena and Haelarr. Their conversation was relaxed, idle. Rhaenyra perked up immediately when she saw Æthelwald and Romaren approaching. She had missed her boys. She understood that life got in the way, though. They were in there newlywed bubble for so long, and then their family bubble. She wished she'd had that opportunity.

Truthfully, Æthelwald was struggling more than he would ever admit. He'd taken over the throne of Beomfleot prior to their marriage, just before Baemond's passing. Every moment since then, Æthelwald has been stressed. It's to the point he won't even ask for help. He would break down crying to Rome and then move on as if it never happened. Rome was worried. He hated watching his husband work himself to death. He hated hearing the Meadrun cousins taunt Æthelwald. He hated all of it.

The first few years of her marriage were filled with scars. Ugly ones that ripped open whenever they pleased.

So, if Æthelwald wanted to he with his husband for as long as he could, Rhaenyra would support that. She envied him for it. She loved him for it. If she and Arin had been allowed that, would they have been in a different place?

No, that wasn't worth thinking about anymore.

"Æthelbehrt, please don't try to eat that flower. Not everything is a dandelion, my darling", Romaren sighed, tightening his grip on the small toddler's hand. The ætheling, a nickname giving to Meadrun heirs, pouted, still trying to grasp the flower in question. It was bright yellow, and he wanted it.

"Please, don't try to get up, Rhaenyra. I'm worried that you might pop", Æthelwald sighed. Another tiny child, a girl, was up on his shoulders. Ælfwynn Meadrun was quite nosey for a child who couldn't even speak. Æthelwald and Romaren were sure that she would become the most curious out of their children. Their youngest son, Ecgbehrt, was still the tiniest bundle of joy around. Romaren was just glad that he was sleeping. It was such a rarity.

"Very funny, Æthelwald", Rhaenyra said flatly, struggling to stand anyway. Out of instinct, Æthelwald reached forward to steady her. Ælfwynn giggled, her chubby little hands patting at her father's head. Maybe someday people like them would have an easier way to have children without forcing themselves to lie with someone they weren't even attracted to. But having children made Rome happy, and for that Æthelwald was willing to suffer a thousand times over.