Born To Die - Daemon Targaryen

6. all it cost him

FOR DAENYS IT FELT LIKE there was no more air left in the world, no more sound or way to process anything either.

It was like everything around her frozze.

But she knew that getting to her mother was what mattered.

The princess hurried away and back to the Red Keep. People tried to stop her on the way but she wouldn't let them.

When she finally entered the chamber - where her mother was fufilling the purpose of her being she was met by a weeping midwife and a maester covered in blood.

Scared to further enter the chamber Daenys heard a baby screaming.

Prince Baelon was born. He, the long awaited son was finally here. But at what cost?

"Father?" Daenys uttered as she finally walked into the room after standing frozen like a statue, no one wanting to further upset the princess considering what she was about to see.

"Yes, daughter. Come. Meet your brother."

Before reaching her father and new brother she turned and was meet by a horrible sight. The princess once again felt the air leaving the world, like someone punched her in the stomach.

Her lifeless mother cut open on her blood soaked deathbed. Daenys couldn't move. And despite what she was seeing not a single tear left her eyes.

It was not a shock to her that her mother had died, dying in childbirth was what had been an expected cause of death for Queen Aemma considering Viserys started beding her at age thirteen. However the real shock was how brutal her final moments must have been. Being held down and cut open against your will was a horrible way to leave this world. Especially at the orders of your husband, who no one could refuse.

"You don't need to see this, princess." The weeping midwife said, trying to guide the young girl out of the room.

"Cover the queen." Viserys ordered. Walking out of the room with his precious son in his arms.

Daenys unsteadily walked up to her dead mother. She knealed before her and kissed her hand.

"I am so sorry, mũna."

Daenys felt guilty. Yes, she knew that nobody would have listend to her if she told them about what she had seen. But that wasn't where the guilt came from.

It was the fact that she outlived her twin brother, Aelor. Aemma could've lived if she had a living son.

And somehow Daenys felt as if that was her fault. And that her father felt so too., which hurt her. Deeply.

The motherless princess had now been brought to her new brothers nursery, where her father also was.

The baby had stopted screaming and was now laying in his crib, where a dragonegg soon would be placed.

His breathing sounded strange and he looked sickly, Daenys thought.

"I have named him Baelon, after your grandfather." her father spoke with a smile on his cracked lips.

"I figured." was all Daenys said, not returning her fathers smile.

"Oh, you did?"

"Mhm," the princess muttered as a response whilst she pinched her finger.

They stood in silence. Neither of them knowing what to say. Daenys was really fucking angry. How could he be smiling after he had just killed his wife with his never ending wish for a son?

"Are you finally pleased, father?" Daenys put out, "I mean it only cost your wife, my and Rhaenyra's mothers life but what of it as long as your heir has a cock its alright?" she hissed.

"What are those vulgar words Daenys? That is not a way for a princess of the realm to speak."

"Thats what you are upset about? How vile are you? You have not even said a word about mother, who's blood is on your hands!"

"To die in childbirth is an honour for a wife but a tradegy for those left behind daughter, I understand that you are upset but never forget who you are speaking to, your king!" Viserys firmly said.

"Oh forgive me all mighty King Viserys." Daenys mocked. "You are weak Viserys, the weakest king this land will ever see. You are not even a dragonrider." She scoffed, Viserys face going red with rage.

He walked up to her, "Speak to me that way again and you will be exciled just as your uncle. Do you understand?" he almost whispered, trying his best to sound intimedating.

"I. Hate. You." Daenys said before walking of, "And good luck with your son! He will not last long in this world!"

For the rest of that day Daenys refused to leave her chamber. She had been curled up in a ball on the cold stonefloor, pinching her fingers until she drew blood.

There was knock on the thick wooden door.

"Go away," a weak Daenys uttered.

"Its me." Daemon said, "Can I come in. I know what you are going through."

"Okay, but only for a little while." Daenys gave in. Rhaenys had been by earlier but Daenys had refused to open the door and threatend to flung herself of her balcony when her father came back to yell at her further.

Daemon had a pained expression on his face as he entered.

"How long have you been sitting there?" He asked in a low voice.

"Gaoman daor gīmigon."
(I don't know.)

Daemon sat down beside her, "I was very young when I lost my mother." He started as he played with the silver rings on his fingers, "I remember that no one ever told me what had happend but when I heard my fathers sobs I knew. He was beside himself for a very long time, infact I don't know if he ever moved on. I don't think so."

"I'm sorry. I forgot you lost your mother so early. I heard she was a special woman and the love of your fathers life."

"She really was." Daemon smiled.

"Your mother was special too. I am really sorry."

"Kirimvose."
(Thank you.)

Daemon opened his mouth to say something but Daenys cut him of, "Can we please just sit here, I don't really feel like talking."

"Do you want me to leave?" He asked her trying to meet her aemethyst eyes but they were busy being fixated on the pattern on the floor. Daemon noticed the blood on her hands but didn't really know what to say or do.

"No."

Neither of them were sure about how long they sat there in silence. Daemon had tried to talk a couple of times but Daenys had shut him down every time.

The thoughts and voices were already to loud.

Some time later Daenys fell asleep. In the morning she would feel guilty about being able to sleep after a day like this but she was so exhausted. Her eyes couldn't bear to be open a second longer.

And in all that time that they had been sitting there on the cold floor Daenys hadn't shed a single tear. It worried Daemon because he knew how much his niece loved her mother and how worried she had been. But everything would come in its own time.

Daemon had carried his niece to her bed and tucked her in, before leaving he gave kissed her head goodnight.

Maybe an hour later the princess woke up but only to change into her nightgown and take of her jewelry. But as she tossed and turned in her bed she tears finally started coming and they didn't stop. Not even after her pillows were soaked all the way through. How would she move on from this?

Would she ever?