Until we die • Rhaenyra Targaryen

Princess of Dragonstone

A/n: A very little cameo of someone's ancestor... My asoiaf fanfics are in the same universe (as of now) , so say hello to Harlan Vernize "ancestor" to Amber Vernize/Daenyra Targaryen from "whisperess of dragons" (though he won't be in the first act a lot,he will be important adjacent during the dance).A bit of a filler chapter if I'm honest.

"Rhaenyra?" Edric said quietly.
It had been a few days since the death of Queen Aemma Arryn and the Prince Baelon. Rhaneyra hadn't been herself since the funeral.
Alicent and Edric were worried about her so they have been spending every minute of the day with her.

Edric read to her like he used to for Aemma, Alicent would even sleep in her bed.
Until the Lord hand had commanded his daughter to sleep in her own chamber.

Edric didn't understand why. Alicent had often shared the princess's bed and it was normal for a handmaiden to be with her lady all day if needed.

Ser Harold was guarding the princess's door tonight, at the behest of her father the king, and the older man let the young lord in.

"Rhaenyra?" He tried again.
He stood right behind the door. He didn't dare move closer.

"Rhaenyra?"
"Edric?"

Hearing her say his name prompted him to walk closer until he was but a few feet from her bed.

She sat up, her eyes were bloodshot.

"What are you doing here?" she asked.
"I was worried."

She smiled a small, sad smile.
"I don't understand why Alicent isn't allowed to stay here with you."
"Her father is not a man one understands," she said.

Edric sat down on a chair close to him.
They sat and looked at each other without saying anything for a while.

"Edric?"
"Yes."
"Can you read to me?"
"Of course."

He looked around and saw a book about Jonquil and Florian the Fool on the table.
He opened the book and wanted to begin reading until Rhaenyra interrupted once again.

"Come here," she said.
She moved to the other side of her bed and held her blanket up.
Edric blinked a few times before standing up nervously and walking over to her.

He lay next to her and began reading.
Rhaenyra's head dropped on his shoulder.

They love each other.

He read her the entire story and she listened focusedly.
Not to the story but to him.

Every now and then they would glance at each other.
Edric looked handsome, he always did but he always looked sad, ageing him but now Rhaenyra saw Edric and he looked carefree, though still sad, and young as he was.

Edric saw Rhaenyra for the person she was. Not what the court thought her to be but what she was like.
Sad, beautiful, kind and wild.
He had never seen a creature as beautiful.

They fell asleep like that. Head to head.
Ser Harold was the one who had woken them.
"It is the morning," he said.
"The small council will meet soon. I am to escort you, princess," he said.

Edric walked out of Rhaenyra's room.
He realised he had nought to do.
He spent the days with Aemma and now she was gone.

Edric decided to walk out to the godswood.
He sat down on the large tree and just stared at the nature.

"Lord Edric." he heard Alicent's soft voice.
"My lady."

Alicent sat down next to him.
"Have you seen the princess today?" she asked.
"Yes. She seems better."
"The first days are the worst," Alicent said.
Edric could only nod.