As a child, you would wait and watch from far away
But you always knew that you'd be the one
That work while they all play
In youth, you'd lay awake at night and scheme
Of all the things that you would change
But it was just a dream
Here we are, don...
Raina glanced at herself, her hands gently resting on her growing belly. She noticed how much her body had changed. Her once prominent hip bones were no longer visible, and her abdomen now protruded slightly. It wouldn't be long before she couldn't hide her pregnancy any longer. She seemed to be growing at a faster pace than her previous two pregnancies, reminiscent of her experience with Wyrion when she was much younger and had a smaller frame.
As Raina contemplated her situation, she let out a sigh. Her gaze shifted towards Serion, her youngest child who was barely three months old. Having another baby so soon, especially during a time of war, was not what she had envisioned. However, she wasn't angry about the pregnancy; she was simply worried for the well-being of the unborn child. Regardless, she knew she would love this child just as much as she loved her other children.
Lost in her thoughts, Raina was interrupted by Daemon's voice calling her name. She instinctively moved her hands away from her belly and turned her head to see him approaching.
"Raina," Daemon said, concern evident in his voice, "what are you doing?" he asked as he walked closer to her.
"Nothing," Raina replied, shaking her head and looking up at Daemon. "Is there something you need?" she asked, noticing that he held up a letter.
"It looks like someone in the keep wants to talk to you," Daemon informed her. Raina raised an eyebrow and took the letter from him, her curiosity piqued.
As she read the opening lines of the letter
"My Dearest Raina,
I hope this letter finds you in a moment of respite amidst the storm that engulfs our lives. There is a heaviness that weighs on my heart, a burden born of the strife between us, a conflict that neither of us sought nor desired.
I implore you, set aside the banners of war for a moment, and let us sit together. I yearn for a conversation that transcends the swords and flames that divide us. Our blood, our kinship, should be a tie stronger than the chains of conflict.
In the shadow of dragons, where the echoes of our family's history resonate, let us find a way to mend the fractures that threaten to shatter our bond. The blood of Targaryens flows through our veins, and with it, the capacity for understanding, forgiveness, and unity.
I propose a meeting, away from the clamor of the battlefield, where words may be spoken without the roar of dragons and the clash of steel drowning them out. Let us seek common ground, not as adversaries, but as kin striving to reclaim the harmony that once graced our family.
The weight of this war sits heavy on my conscience, and I believe that in finding a resolution, we can forge a path towards a better future—one that honors our legacy and secures a realm where our kin can thrive.
I await your response with hope in my heart, yearning for the chance to mend what has been broken.
With a heavy heart and hopeful spirit,
King Aegon"
Raina read the letter aloud, her eyes meeting Daemon's gaze as he listened intently. "Well, I was not expecting that," Daemon commented, his surprise evident. Raina glanced back at the letter, contemplating its contents.
"They're out of their minds to think that I will talk about anything but their surrender," Raina declared, her voice filled with determination. She walked over to a nearby flame and held the letter over it, watching as it caught fire. "They will bend the knee to me, or this war will not end," she stated firmly, the ashes of the burnt letter falling from her hand.
Daemon looked down at her, his expression unreadable. "Are you going?" he asked, curious about her decision.
"I will go," Raina replied, turning away from him and approaching the window. She gazed out into the distance, contemplating the potential outcomes of the meeting. "And if it's not what I want to hear," she continued, her voice tinged with a hint of defiance, "then the drunk of a king will be right there, like a sitting prey to the dragon."
A small smile formed on Daemon's lips as he nodded. "I'll let the 'king' know," he said, understanding Raina's resolve. He then walked out of the room, leaving Raina alone with her thoughts.
Raina turned back to face the mirror, her eyes falling upon her reflection. She studied herself, contemplating the weight of the decisions she would soon make. The path ahead was uncertain, but she was determined to shape her own destiny and the destiny of her family.
"How long do I have until they notice?" Raina whispered, her gaze fixated on her belly.
"Not long, Raina," the whispers replied. "Tell them they can't extinguish the flame of our fight," they urged. Raina closed her eyes, feeling the weight of her circumstances.
"Daemon will try to stop me," Raina said, exhaling softly. "How else can I fight with a child? What other way?" Her hand gently traced the cut on her side, a reminder of the battles she had already endured.
"On dragonback," the whispers echoed in her mind. Raina opened her eyes, a determined glimmer in her gaze. "Tell them before the meeting with the first head," they urged her.
"Now is as good a time as any," Raina murmured to herself, walking over to pick up Serion and leaving the room.
"Raina," Rhaenyra called out when Raina entered her presence. Her eyes shifted from Raina to Daemon, then to her brother and the others in the room.
"We must talk about something," Raina said, her voice carrying a sense of urgency. Jace approached and took Serion from her arms
"Daemon has informed us about the letter," Rhaenyra began, addressing the situation at hand. Raina nodded in acknowledgment.
"The only intention is to get their surrender," Raina stated firmly, her determination unwavering. Rhaenyra nodded in agreement, understanding the gravity of their mission.
Then Raina hesitated, rubbing her lips together nervously. "There is something else," she finally confessed, her voice slightly trembling. All eyes turned to her, including Daemon, whose head snapped up in surprise.
"I'm... with child," Raina revealed, her words hanging in the air. Daemon's expression shifted from surprise to concern as he stood up abruptly.
"What?" he exclaimed. "How long?" he asked, his voice filled with worry. Raina met his gaze, her eyes reflecting a mix of determination and vulnerability.
"A little while now," Raina replied, her voice steady. She understood Daemon's concern but remained resolute in her resolve.
"A little while? Raina, you fought in battles and got hurt... while you're with child!" Daemon exclaimed, his worry escalating. Raina nodded, acknowledging the risks she had taken.
"Yes, I did," Raina affirmed. "And I will do more," she added, her determination unyielding.
"Raina," Daemon said, shaking his head in disbelief and concern.
"We have a meeting with Aegon in a few days," Raina continued, shifting the focus back to the upcoming meeting. "We need to make a plan, just in case things go bad," she asserted, her voice filled with purpose. With that, she turned and walked out of the room, leaving her family to process the weight of her words and the challenges ahead.
~~~ ↓
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