~14 Years~
Daemon follows the seething girl through the halls of the keep to the Dragon Pit to prepare for the Funeral. The King had ordered to girl to bring her dragon to light the pryer and Daemons heart broke at the thought. She had been silent that morning only a radiating heat from her skin to inform those around her of her feelings.
As the pair reach the carriage, Daemon helps the girl to a seat before pulling her close and holding her together. "If it is your wish, I will not leave your side, Princess." Daemon says pressing his lips to her hair.
"Syrax has been fitted for a saddle made for two if you wish to fly with me." Rhaenyra say voice cold and eyes empty.
"Would that please the princess?" Daemon asks pulling the girl to face him.
"It would." She says letting her tears fall as she slumps into the man. "I don't think I can do this."
"My love, you are strong. I know it feels impossible right now but you can do this. I will be right behind you and will not leave your side unless you send me away. I promise." Daemon says as they reach the Dragon pit. Rhaenyra nods as they exit the carriage seeing Syrax ready for the pair.
They mount the great beast and fly to the fields near the tournament grounds where a mass of lords and ladies wait. The bodies lay at the base of the hill where the girl sets down her dragon. The pair then walk to the group waiting patiently and whispering among themself as the sept gives prayer. Then it's time. It's time for Rhaenyra to send her mother away through flame and she freezes. She can't move. She looks to her father and sees no pain. No remorse.
"They wait for you, princess." Daemon says stepping toward the girl.
"Do you think he was happy in the time he had a son?" She asks looking at her mother's body.
"Rhaenyra, he needs you now." Daemon say in hopes the girl will calm.
"I will never be a son." She says stepping forward and looking to her father one more time before calling to her Dragon. "Dracarys."
Soon after the flames ignited, Viserys and the horde of his followers retreat to the Castle. Rhaenyra stays staring into the flames with Daemon a few steps behind. Sir harwin and Sir Harrold sit mounted on their steads a few yards behind.
Sir Harwin was a member of the gold cloaks and loyal to the Prince. Sir Harrold, however, was the commander of the kings guard and had watched the girl grow. Both the men could sense the pain of the young princess and worried for the pair.
The silence between the two was deafening. The pryer had almost burned out when Rhaenyra fell to her knees sobbing and shaking her head. Daemon kept forward grabing the girl in hopes to calm her. The Dragon on the hill let out a piercing screech before pushing past the keepers and clawing her way to her master. The two knights behind them move in stopping as the dragon approaches.
"I want my mother. I want her alive. I will never hear her lectures again or feel the warmth of her soothing touch. I feel alone." Rhaenyra cries as Syraxs nose pushes into her stomach. The golden beast made chirping sounds an obvious worry in her look.
"You are not alone, Rhaenyra. You have me. You have Alicent, as much as I dislike her. You have Harwin and Harrold. We all care for you. Your own Dragon took to your side out of worry for you. You are not alone. My love, I am here." Daemon says holding the girl close as he rest one hand on the dragon.
"It's not the same. Eventually you all will leave and I will be alone. I will never hear her song again or her comforting words. I am without my mother when I feel I need her most. She would know what to say in this moment. She would know how to make the pain stop. Do not let me be alone, Daemon. Not until the pain passes." Rhaenyra pleas looking back at the man.
"I promise you will not be without company until you feel better, my love." Daemon says helping the girl to her feet before nodding back at the worried knights. "Let's get you home. You need to eat and rest." Daemon says walking around her Dragon.
"I do not believe I can fly now." She whispers as Daemon helps her up her beast.
"I do not believe you will have to, princess." Daemon says kissing the girl on the head as he positions behind her letting her rest on his chest. He grabs the leads on the Dragon and without instructions, the dragon takes to the sky circling once before taking to the pits. The two knights had just arrived as Daemon leads the Dragon to the ground. "Let's get you to the keep, Little Dragon." Daemon says helping the girl down. She rest against him tucked firmly into his side as they move to the carriage.
"My Prince, princess." Sir Harold says opening the door to the carriage before leading the convoy back to the keep.
"Do you think she will survive this Sir Harrold?" Harwin asks as they ride through the streets to the castle.
"I believe the princess is a strong girl. She will heal. A piece of her though will always be lost." The knight says as they arrive at the gates.
Daemon carries his love to her room before setting her in her sitting area and moving to the bath. A maid comes to deliver wine and food before leaving. No one questioned Daemons presence in her chambers and no rumors were heard.
"Would you like to bathe first or eat first?" Daemon asks moving to kneel infront of the girl.
"Can you hold me in the tub?" Rhaenyra asks looking at the man through flooded eyes.
"If that is what you wish." He says caressing the girls face gently.
Rhaenyra nods standing and following the man to the bath. She undresses and sinks into the water holding her knees as if to shield herself. "I will leave my pants on to not cause a scandal." Daemon says stripping his shirts and boots before stepping in behind her and sinking into the scolding water. Rhaenyra rest back against him letting the water wash away her pain. Daemon holds her close running a sponge over her body.
"Is this how you felt when your father died?" Rhaenyra asks as she feels a wave of calm wash over her.
"Yes." Daemon says washing the girl gently.
"What made it better for you?" She ask turning to look at the man.
"You." Daemon says looking down at the girl wanting nothing more than to fix this for her.
Rhaenyra leans up and captures his lips with hers needing his touch. Daemon leans in giving her whatever she needed. He would give her his brother's head on a platter if he knew it would take the pain she felt away.
The two relax together until the water runs cold. Then Daemon helps the girl out of the tub and helps her to dress. "I need to go change, my love. Would you like Harwin to come sit with you until I return?" Daemon asks as the princess sits at her table and begins picking at the food.
"Yes." She says and Daemon smiles moving to leave.
"The princess does not wish to be alone, Sir Harwin. Would you accompany her until my return?" The man asks as the knight raises a brow to his soaked appearance.
"Of course my prince." He says entering the room and standing post near the door.
"You may sit, Sir." Rhaenyra says not looking at the man.
"Thank you, Princess." The knight says taking a seat at her table.
"You and Daemon are quite close, correct?" Rhaenyra asks looking at the man void of emotion.
"Yes, Princess. He is my mentor." The knight says nodding as he does.
"So you do not question his behaviors or the closeness of he and I?" She asks worried about the things ha may see and hear.
"Not at all." The man smiles as the woman offers him a cup. "I am loyal to the prince and to you per his demand. He has instructed me to obey you as I do him. I do so gladly."
"Good." The princess says smiling softly at the man.
YOU ARE READING
To Be Betrothed
FanfictionBook One A HOTD AU where a young Daemon is Betrothed to his loving Niece. Her birth to their marriage. What if Daemon always had something to care for? To protect? Would he be the heartless Rouge he is perceived as?
