To Be Betrothed

Chapter Five

~14 Years~

"Daemon! So wonderful you return, Brother. How was the eastern world?" Visery says as he dines with an angry looking Aemma.

"It was quite the sight, Brother. I only wish I could have shared it with my sweet niece." Daemon says taking a seat at the table.

"Seems you kept yourself busy with letters to your sweet niece." Aemma says giving Daemon a knowing look.

A red heat raises to the man's cheeks as he looks at the pregnant woman. "I quite enjoy letters from Rhaenyra." Daemon says hoping his brother does not know what is going on.

"I find it quite sweet the two of you communicating to diligently." Viserys boast smiling wide at his brother. "The girl is quite excited to marry. Have you given any thought to when the wedding may proceed?"

"I was thinking two moons after your babe is born." Daemon says silently thanking the woman for not telling her husband of the man's perversions.

"A wonderful idea!" The man exclaims bringing Daemons gaze from his cousins. "Have you told the girl of your plan? She would be ecstatic!"

"I have not. I wished to seek the approval of her parents before suggesting it to the girl.

"I think it is quite a good idea to not wait much longer. Would hate for desires to be explored before you are wed." Aemma chimes in earning a guilty look from the man. "I must take to the baths. Do keep Rhaenyra in good company, Cousin. Just be sure it is company befitting a maiden."

"Do not mind her." Viserys says as the woman leaves. "The woman was with child when we married. It would honestly be a surprise to me if the two of you have not explored your desires."

"If I may be honest," Daemon begins finishing his cup. "I believe she is referring to some letters shared between my betrothed and I." Daemon confesses.

"Yes. She says the language was quit unbecoming of a maiden. She even suggested she may not be a maiden." Viserys admits smiling at his brother.

"She remains a maiden to my knowledge, brother. Nothing more than kissing has come between the Princess and I." Daemon insures earning a nod from the man.

"As long as she is happy and comfortable." Viserys says standing to hug his brother. Daemon follows meeting his brother with a strong hug. "Keep her safe, Brother. She may be my only child."

"I will. I have since she was born and hope to until the day I parish." Daemon says before both depart the room.

After the tourney

Daemon walks in the field near the tourney ground. There are different groups of families and children playing nearby and Rhaenyra lets her mind wonder to her having children of her own.

"I spoke with your father about or wedding." Daemon says breaking the comfortable silence.

"I do hope your mind has not changed." Rhaenyra says glancing at the man beside her.

"Not a chance." The man says smiling at the girl. "We discussed having the ceremony in two moons. If it pleases you, Princess."

"I think I would quite like that." The woman says grinning at the man as Sir Harrold approaches on Horse back.

"Princess, you need to return to the Castle. It's your mother." The knight says and Rhaenyra's heart stops. She knew if a healthy babe was born she would not be summoned until she has rested. She worried that the babe was born still again but even still that did not feel correct. Harrold seemed worried. As if he knew the worse.

"Come, little Dragon, I will take you to the Keep." Daemon says guiding the girl to her carriage. The ride is painfully silent as both dread the state they will find. As soon as they arrive, Rhaenyra runs toward her mother's room with Daemon stalking behind her. Sir Harwin Strong stops the girl as the two grow close to the room.

"You should not see this, Princess." The man whispers as Daemon approaches.

"Let her through, Harwin." Daemon demands and Harwin obeys staring blankly at the the floor.

Rhaenyra reaches the room first letting out the most painful scream Daemon had ever heard. When he turns into the room he freezes. There she was. Cold, pale, bleeding. Aemma was Dead. Viserys was nowhere to be seen and the only evidence of a babe being born is the wash bowl a maid leaves the room with full of bloody rags and afterbirth.

Rhaenyra looks at the Maester who's hands where soaked in blood and Daemon nearly has to leap forward to stop the girl from attacking. Rhaenyra hits and thrashes at her betrothed pleading with him to let her go as tears stream down her face.

"Rhaenyra, the Maester acts under your father's orders. Do not act on your anger now. Let me take you to your chambers. You should not have to see this. The sisters will be here soon to take her away. You need to calm down." Daemon attempts to reason with the girl as he drags her from the room.

"How could he do this to her? How could he sit there and let them cut her open? How was a babe more important than my mother?" Rhaenyra screams as she falls to the floor in the hall outside the room.

Daemon drops to his knees and pulls the girl close. "Little Dragon, the Maester gave your father a choice. He could let them both die or sacrifice the mother to save the child. He chose the child over a painful death for your mother. She would have been in pain trying to pass the babe for days before falling dreadfully ill. He thought it was a mercy." Daemon explains knowing that was not what passed through his brother's mind.

"How do you know this?" Rhaenyra asks beginning to calm.

"My father could not let the maesters cut my mother and instead she suffered a worse fate." Daemon says picking the girl up and carrying her to her room.

Once the door is closed and they are alone with Sir Harwin standing guard with the instructions to send anyone away with messages from her father, Daemon places the girl on her feet. "Let me run you a bath, Princess. It won't fix it but it will help."

"How will a bath help the fact that my father killed my mother over a babe?" Rhaenyra seethes as she begins pacing through the room.

"It will help you to calm down. I do not wish for you to be fueled by hate and anger. This pain you feel will ease, little dragon. It never truly passes but it will ease." Daemon says moving closer to the girl.

"Daemon, my heart is in a million pieces. My life feels like it has been turned upside down. I fear marriage and the birthing bed. I fear being the one cut open for favor of a child. I fear my father and what he is willing to do for a son. I do not feel a bath would smooth any of my fears now, Daemon." Rhaenyra says seemingly defeated.

"My love," Daemon begins pulling the girl into his arms as they both drop to the floor. "Do not fear marriage or the birthing bed. If you so wish, neither will happen. I do not want for children as your father does. I do not need for a son the way he does. I do not wish to see you cut open anywhere let alone the birthing bed. You need not fear me." Daemon says hoping to soothe the girl as she cries into his shoulder. "I love you, Rhaenyra. I never wish to see harm come to you."

"I love you, Daemon." Rhaenyra says feeling her eyes becoming heavy. "I am just not ready to be your wife."

"Then we wait, Rhaenyra. Whatever you need." Daemon says kissing the girls head. "Let me lay you in bed. You need to rest. Tomorrow will be more than difficult. I can stay or I can leave. Which ever you wish. Damn anyone's opinion."

"Don't leave me. Please." Rhaenyra whispers feeling weak against him.

"I won't." He says picking up the girl and laying her in bed. He lays beside her and pulls her close as the doors open.

"My prince, there is news that Prince Baelon has passed." Sir Harwin says and Rhaenyra lets out a bellowing laugh.

"Seems fathers wants were for nothing." She says as her eyes fall closed and the knight leaves the room.