The Dragon Queen

CHAPTER 21

Viserys and his daughters made the journey to Driftmark, a two day trip. To occupy herself Rhaelys brought a book. She hardly leaves the cabin as she gets a little seasick at times.

They get closer to Driftmark and Rhaelys puts on the necklace and earings Vaemon had gifted her.

She got on the deck and saw Hightide in the distance. It won't be long now and she will see Vaemon again in person, it had been awhile.

The boat makes landfall and they got off the boat. Viserys being happy to be on kind again, the trip was difficult for his body and health.

Rhaelys and Rhaenyra walk behind their father as they approach the gates of Hightide.

Laenor and Joffery are training in the front yard and vaemon seems to be watching them.

As soon as the king enters they stop and bow their heads. Vaemon looks for Rhaelys in the small crowd, he notices her standing there and smiles.

"Where is Lord Corlys? He should be here to receive the king."says Lyonel who is the Kings new hand. He replaced Otto Hightower.

The doors open and Laena and one of her cousins walked down the steps.

"Welcome to High tide, your grace "she says bowing her head.

"What is the meaning of this lady Laena? Is this how house Velaryon greets their king?"asks Lyonel.

"My father has but just returned from his long journey and has hastened to the hall of nine to await your graces arrival."

"Let us get on with it then." Viserys says walking behind Laena.

They walk through the corridors heading to the hall. Rhaelys looks in wonder at the interior of the castle. She looks like a child as she looks around.

They come to doors and Viserys enters and the door closes before Rhaenyra and rhaelys could enter. They look to the guards. "Sorry princess."

Rhaelys rolls her eyes in annoyance, had Otto been hand she would have been allowed inside to hear the discussions to learn how marriage pacts were made.

"Come along cousins let's see what they serving for breakfast." Laena says linking her arms with the sisters walking between them.

She leads them to the dining area where there is a table filled with food. Rhaelys walks to the table and starts eating off it.

Vaemon enters and walks to her. She turns around and gives him a hug. He holds her tightly and breathes in her rose scent as he placed his head in her neck.

Rhaelys smiles."I missed you."

Vaemon moves his head away from her neck "I missed you to."

Rhaelys loosens her hands from around vaemon and grabs lemon cake from the table. She takes a bite and licks her lips. Vaemons eyes drops to her lips and he swallows.

Vaemon shifts on his feet. "Would you like to go for a walk, princess?"he holds out his arm.

"I will be delighted to my lord."She says grabbing his arm.

Rhaenyra looks at them with envy. She couldn't understand why Rhaelys got everything, the heirdom, father's approval, the common peoples affection and a man that seems to be in love with her. While she only has the title of princess, she has to marry a man who prefers the company of men and he father is disappointed on her a lot of late.

*********

It has been a while since Rhaelys walked on a beach shore. She walked next to Vaemon and took his hand in hers.

"My father has approved your courtship to me. And if we lucky he may approve a marriage."she says.

"Are you sure your father will let you marry someone from a second son, I do not have anything to inherit, I thought he would have pushed you to wed Laenor."he says.

"I told him I wanted you. Besides Rhaenyra has to wed as well so why not wed her to a Lord who will one day lead a great house. I also want you to myself."

She turns to him. "I really did miss you, you know."

Vaemon smiles happily at the news he had received. He feels a little guilty. He had only ever approached her because of his father but that didn't mean that his affection was false it just wasn't there from the beginning.

In the beginning he thought she was just a naive girl wanting to play in a man's game. But as time went on and they sent each other ravens he felt himself falling, and fall he did.

He was happy that her father approved of the marriage that way his father will get of his head and he gets the girl.

As he looks at her smile he could see that she was happy and him made him feel guilty.

He stops walking and pulls her back to him a little. "Wait."

She looks at him confused that they had stopped. "What's wrong?"

"I have to tell you something and I hope that it doesn't change anything."

Rhaelys looks at him and nods giving him the go ahead to continue.

"I was not in love with you from the beginning."

"Of course not, that's how courting works. We see if we like each other and we learn more about each and so forth."

"My father sent me to you. He told me to get close to you. Every gift was sent by him and every letter was written by someone I do not know."

Rhaelys let's go of his hand. Her heart drops,she thought he cared.

"But I do care about you. I found myself wanting to be in your presence, wanting to know you more."

Rhaelys looks down."Do you...Do you wish to marry me? Answer as Vaemon and not your father."

"More than anything."

Rhaelys nods her head. "I have something to confess to, and I hope you do not see me differently, seen as we are exchanging secrets. I slept with someone."

Vaemon was confused."What?"

Rhaelys gives him look and a look of realization passes his eyes.

"Oh. Well..."

Rhaelys starts to walk away after seeing the look on his face.

"I will tell my father to cancel the betrothal between us and that I will marry someone of his choosing. Do you not worry, you don't have to marry me. You probably think I'm a harlot or a whore."

Vaemon walks to her and pulls her close to him. She bumps into his chest. "I do not care. I want you just as you are. I want to be yours. I want us to be together."

Rhaelys feels relieved hearing this because she did not know how she was going to explain her not wanting to marry Vaemon anymore.

"Good. It's a relieve to hear. I did not want to look a fool infront of anyone. I do care for you Vaemon and perhaps we will learn to love each other."

Rhaelys kissed his cheek and pulled him forward so that they could continue their walk.