𝑩𝑹𝑨𝑽𝑬 𝑨𝑵𝑫 𝑻𝑹𝑼𝑬

☁︎ 𝐎𝐍𝐄

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110 AC

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The young girl, laerra, who was ten, hurried down the steps to find her twin brother already standing waiting for her alongside their younger sister, Laena, who was eight.

As she reached the bottom of the steps, she placed a tray covered with cloth behind her back with a smile. "Did you bring it?" Laenor asks as she smiles with a nod, and from behind her, she pulls out the tray.

She looked down at his arms, seeing a blanket and Laena with a curious expression. "Would we not get in trouble?" Laena asks, making her two elder siblings shake their heads.

"We shall be fine as long as no one tells," Laerra answers as she places the tray between her arm and side and takes Laena's hand with her free one. The three siblings walk out of the doors of their castle.

The tide was low, which meant they could arrive at their secret spot without any hassle. It was a small cave near the castle that was hidden when the water rose. Inside, they had a place hidden with any treasures they would find.

They walked down the steps, careful not to fall as it had recently been high tide. "Should I have brought a robe?" Laena asked as she swished sand with her shoe as they walked.

It had been the first year they had allowed her to join them. The only other person to know of the cave was their cousin, Princess Rhaenyra. It had been Laerra and her that had found it when they were seven and eight.

"No, we should be fine. If the water doesn't come any higher, then we would be trapped." Laenor says, making Laena look up at her sister with wide eyes of panic.

"He jests. For as long as we have known this spot, we have never and will never be trapped." Laerra says, calming her sister as they finally come to the entrance.

"It is quite dark, is it not," Laena says, making the twins sigh and roll their eyes. "You forgot a torch," Laerra says, turning to her brother, who shrugs. "I recall you not asking me to bring one."

"You know we need one. If I weren't here, you wouldn't have a single thought." Laerra says, making her brother roll his eyes as he mocks her. "Hold this. I shall return." She says, handing the tray to Laena, who holds it tightly.

Laerra turned and began stomping her way back toward the stairs to the castle. She ran up the steps, taking no caution, and as she reached the top, she saw her mother standing by the door, holding something behind her back.

Laerra looked back, thinking of leaving, but decided to be courageous as she put on an innocent smile and walked toward her mother. "What is it, mother?" She asked as she noticed the smile on her mother's face.

"Oh, it's nothing of your concern, my darling. Though I believe the three of you left this behind." Her eyes widened as she looked up at her mother, who pulled a candle placed into a holder from behind her.

"How do you-" Laerra started, but her mother placed it into her daughter's hand and a firestarter. "All I ask is you be safe. We don't need any of you losing anything important. Can you promise me?" Rhaenys asked, looking at her daughter.

"Of course, mother." She says as she holds the items close to her chest and turns away quickly. "Also, I hope you all save some appetite for supper," Rhaenys says and smiles, seeing her daughter stop in her spot with panic and hurry down the steps again, with no caution.

She ran until she found them standing by the entrance, with Laenor tapping his foot in the sand and Laena looking at her feet. "Finally, you return. I was beginning to think we eat without you." Laenor says with a smile before it fades, seeing his sister's panicked eyes.

Laerra quickly started the fire and held the candle out before her, ignoring her brother's entirely questioning eyes as she grabbed Laenas hand. Following their sister's lead, the other two followed closely behind, staying in the light.

Laerra climbed up a small wall of rock and set the candle down, turning to look down. Laena held the cake up, allowing Laerra to take it. She placed it in a far corner that wasn't covered in grim or water. She turned, holding her arm out, allowing Laena to hold onto her as she climbed the rocks slowly, with caution.

Laenor watched from the bottom, ready to catch her if she fell. Thankfully, she hadn't. Laena crawled through the tiny opening with the cake in her arms. Laenor threw up the blanket accidentally, hitting Laerra in the face and making her grunt.

"Apologies." He said as he finally came up to sit by her. She scowled at him as she placed the blanket through the opening, letting Laena take hold of it. "What happened?" Laenor asks quietly, placing a hand on her arm as she attempts to turn.

"Mother knows we have stolen the cake." Laerra blurts out in a whisper, making Laenors eyes widen, "You took it." He said, attempting to defend himself.

"You were the one who asked to have it made for supper. Then told me to steal it when it was done!" She said, hitting his arm and making him rub it as his face scrunched In pain. "At least I'm not the only one in trouble." He jests, making her smile.

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