The Sea Dragon (House of the dragon fanfic)

33:The Dinner

"Six years, too long" I said as I hugged Laenor again whom chuckled. My mother still had tears in her eyes.

Not to tell my mother wasn't a bad decision but a safe one, if anyone were to know he was alive...

I took a deep breathe, Rhaenyra's stares never left, even after Viserys left. She and her children stood aside, not want wanting to 'spoil' our moments.

××××

As the stars and moon begun to come through and the dinner was being made, I could not help but feel that something might happen.

The sharpening of a blade had snapped me out of my trance, and I saw that Aerion had his dagger.

I eyed Rhaenyra as she conversed with Laenor, perhaps about his 'death'. Aemond, Aegon and Elia were conversing about what seemed to be marriage.

Baela and Rhaena were laughing under each other's breathe and Helaena and Eddard were admiring new flowers. My mother and Vaemond seemed to be discussing business about Driftmark.

Daemon and I sat next to each other and I watched as Aerion stood beside his twin. Daemon tightly held and stroked my hand under the table.

Rhaenyra and Laenor took their place next to each other, Viserys chair being the only barrier between us.

"It seems our sons are taking after me" I heard Daemon whisper in my ear and my eyes traveled to where Aemond was now flirting with Baela.

Everyone's conversations came to a stop as the Kingsguard brought Viserys in. As we all stood, I watched as they slowly brought Viserys to his seat, weezing and coughing.

When Viserys sat and the guards left, the table became an awkward silence as we all waited for Viserys to say something.

"How good it is, to see you all here tonight, together" Viserys weakly said, "Indeed it is" I said with a fake smile.

"This is an occasion for celebration it seems, my son, Aemond, will inherit Driftmark after Lord Corlys. A toast to the young prince" he said and we all raised our cups.

"The queen, daughter, has offered a marriage proposal between, Baela and Aemond, to which I heartly agree, I would like to toast to the prince and princess" My mother spoke up.

I smiled and raised my cup, Baela and Aemond sending each other smiles. "Here, here" Daemon said and drank his wine.

As we all drank, Viserys weakly stood and he heavily starked to breathe, "Viserys" I whispered, he smiled weakly.

"It both gladden my heart and fills me with sorrow, to see all these faces around the table, the faces most dear to me in all the world, yet grown so distant from each other. "

He looked back at me, and Daemon looked completely concerned for his brother, I nodded and Viserys turned back to the table and undid his mask, revealing his missing eye.

"My own face is no longer a handsome one, if indeed it ever was" he began to jest about, Helaena seemed to have tears in her eyes looking at her father.

"But tonight I wish you to see me as I am, not just your king, but your father, your brother, your husband and your grandsire" Viserys pleaded, "Who it seems, may not walk for much longer among you"

I sighed deeply and bit the inside of my cheek, let us no longer hold ill feelings in our hearts, the crown cannot stay strong if the House of the Dragon remains divided but set aside your grievances. If not for the sake of the Crown than for the sake of the old man, who loves you all, so dearly"