𝐀 𝐃𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐨𝐧'𝐬 𝐇𝐞𝐢𝐫 ┊ 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐧 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐤

[04]

Ser Harwin Strong was dead.

Every time a wave crashed against the ship, another pang of grief struck Aemma's heart. Tears had welled in her eyes though she forbade them to fall, her brows furrowed with concentration. Though it had been a few days since his death, the wound of it was still mending, healing, adjusting to this brutal and blood-thirsty world and it's gods for taking him away.

Jacaerys clutched onto her hand as if letting her go would throw her overboard.

Instead of travelling to mourn the loss of Ser Harwin, she was to Driftmark. The Lady Laena Velaryon had passed away. A shudder had escaped Aemma when she was informed for the reasons behind the Ladies death, well, the reasons she had her dragon put her to the flame. Despite Aemma's young age, she understood Laena's actions, atleast she got the death she was deserving of, a death she was in control of. A dragon-riders death.

˚. ✦.˳·˖✶ ⋆.✧̣̇˚.

A light wind flew through Aemma's hair, brushing past her cheek. Aemma and the rest of the royal family stood at the rocks along the shore of Driftmark, all facing the casket that carried the remains of the Lady Laena Velaryon.

Though Aemma had never met the woman, Laenor had only ever spoken fondly over her. Reciting memories of his childhood, his stories so vivid and detailed Aemma felt like she, herself had lived them. Laenor was beside himself with grief. You could tell just by observing him, the way he allowed the breeze to sway him gently as if his legs would give out any given moment. His eyes were lifeless, his face was still and his movements slow.

"We join here today at the Seat of the Sea" Ser Vaemond began, dragging Aemma's attention away from her misery-stricken 'father'. "To commit the Lady Laena of House Velaryon to the eternal waters, the dominion of the Merling King where he will guard her for all the days to come"

While he spoke two knights busied themselves by readying Laena to be returned to the sea.

"As she sets to sea for her final voyage, the Lady Laena leaves two true-born daughters on the shore"

Rhaenyra was everything to Aemma. Her saviour, her support. Everything. Aemma knew then she would make an effort to show her empathy for Baela and Rhaena. It was only recently that she too had lost a parent, but she understood those girls.

"Though their mother will not return from her voyage, they will all remain bound together in blood. Salt courses through Velaryon blood.

"Ours runs thick" he spoke turning his head towards them. Though Aemma was young she was almost fluent in High Valyrian, taking much more time and precision to learn of her ancestry than Jacaerys cared for. "Ours runs true. And ours must never thin"

Aemma's blood run cold as his words were released from his mouth like a flame to wildfire. Her eyes squinted against the sun as her brows furrowed, how much boldness this man must carry to use the funeral of his niece as an excuse to humiliate Rhaenyra and her children. Even accusing Laenor -his nephew- of such things. Though Aemma could not fight the anxiousness raking her stomach bare.

A low chuckle escaped Daemon, quite a distraction. A now widowed husband giggling at his wife's funeral. Though such an odd thing to do, Aemma was eternally grateful.

"My gentle niece, may the winds be as strong as your back, your seas as calm as your spirit, as your nets be as full as your heart." Vaemond continued. "From the sea we came. To the sea we shall return"

And with that Lady Laena made her dignified return to sea.

˚. ✦.˳·˖✶ ⋆.✧̣̇˚.

"Have you seen your father?" Her mother asked approaching Aemma and Jace. "Your little cousins have lost their mother, they could use a kind word"

In truth Aemma wanted very much to speak to them, comfort them in a way only a person who has experienced such a tragedy can. Though she had never met her cousins before, Aemma was unsure as how to even begin to start a conversation with them.

"We have an equal claim to sympathy" her brother voiced.

"Jace" Their mother whispered, almost sternly, warning Jace not to push the matter.

"We should be at Harrenhal, mourning Ser Lyonel and Ser Harwin"

"It would not be appropriate"

"Why, mother?" Aemma mumbled fiddling with the seem of her black dress. Jewels of black adorning the square neckline.

"The Velaryons are our kin, the Strongs are not. Look at me, do you understand?"

With a slow nod Jacaerys stepped away, in the direction of their cousins. Who sat on the edges of bench flinching at the wind, on the brink of sobbing. A frown crept its way to Aemma's face. The wind brushing her hair past her ears.

Aemma stood there, taking her mothers hand in hers with a gentle squeeze before her mothers attention was directed elsewhere. The Queen. The glare of repugnance sent their way did not go unnoticed by Aemma.

Unwillingly, Aemma followed behind her brother, dusting her gown, if only to distract her mind from the current events the gods had decided to take to life.

Though Jace said no words, Aemma parted her lips, demanding a word to be said. Nothing. Swallowing the lump that had placed itself in her throat and wetting her lips

"I am truly sorry about your mother, father spoke of her." She began "father loved her. Told us stories of them riding aback their dragons"

Aemma continued to offer solace to her cousins, retelling the many anecdotes Laenor had offered through the years.

Eventually, Rhaena took Aemma's hand, Baela took Jace's.

Aemma was unsure how long she stood there before Rhaenys had approached them, leaving Aemma and Jace to slip away.

Aemma and her brother stood hand in hand peering into the fire as a figure across the pit stepped into view. Aemond.

A small smile tugged at the side of his lips. To which Aemma happily returned the gesture. Though their shared moment of delectation would be fractured by Jacaerys' glare towards his uncle.

˚. ✦.˳·˖✶ ⋆.✧̣̇˚.

Authors note ྀིྀིྀིྀིྀི
The girls are finally getting the band together🤭
Lots of Love🤍