as a young girl, rhaenys grew up in the capital under the targaryen's rule and she still remembers her family getting torn apart. princess rhaenys wasn't slain alongside her mother and brother. rhaenys is the rightful heir of the iron throne. she is...
upon waking up, all rhaenys could feel was dread in the pit of her stomach. jon and daenerys were leaving later that same day. rhaenys hasn't been anywhere without daenerys since daenerys was born. the feeling made her feel wary about being practically alone in winterfell without her. the anxious feeling was beginning to feel too much, so she quickly and quietly snuck out of bed and out of the room and hopefully didn't disturb jon who was laying next to her with his arms wrapped around her.
rhaenys made her way to the stables, went up to her dragon, and rested her head upon eliar's muzzle. "they're going to be gone for months, eliar. i may never see either of them again," she whispered to her dragon. rhaenys had a strange feeling in the bottom of her stomach about what was to come.
she then suddenly felt arms wrap around her and a head be placed in the crook of her neck. "morning." jon whispered into her ear and let out a little yawn. he took a piece of her hair, tucked it behind her ear, and kissed the inside of her neck. "i'm not looking forward to leaving winterfell. the last time i did, i lost my life." jon said with a sigh, and rhaenys just looked into his eyes with a sad smile on her mouth. her hand was running up and down his arm as she placed her head on his chest and wrapped her arms around him.
she took a step back from him, and with the grace and poise of a targaryen, she reached out, her hand trembling slightly as it rested on his arm. her eyes held a storm of emotions behind them. "jon," she said softly, her voice carrying a weight of sorrow and resolve, "you and i both know you must go. but you must understand that this fight, this war, isn't just about the iron throne. it's about our future, our people. it's about us and the legacy we forge." jon locked his eyes on hers, his expression conflicted. he knew that daenerys had her claim and her destiny, but rhaenys was finding her way into his heart. he also knew the lannister's could not stay on the throne for much longer.
"ill be back soon enough." he said to her, and he grabbed her hand. she pulled away, her eyes shining with unshed tears. "i hope you will, jon snow. but remember, promises are often broken in the heat of battle. don't lose sight of what you fight for." she responded. as he mounted his horse, jon cast one last, lingering look at rhaenys. the sorrow in her eyes was mirrored by the uncertainty in his heart. she had been his anchor in this storm of war and uncertainty. he spurred his horse forward, the weight of his decision heavy on his shoulders.
rhaenys remained where she stood in the stables, her gaze fixed on the retreating figure of her new husband. the icy wind nipped at her cheeks, and she wrapped her cloak tighter around herself, though the chill in her heart was far colder than the morning air. the stables grew quiet again, save for the soft snorts of eliar, who nudged rhaenys with a gentle, reassuring touch. the dragon's presence was a small comfort, a reminder of the bond they shared and the strength they drew from each other. rhaenys rested her forehead against eliar's muzzle once again, taking deep breaths as she tried to quell the rising storm of anxiety within her.
the sound of hoofbeats grew faint as jon and his party disappeared from view. the realization that they would be gone for months began to sink in, mingling with the unease she felt about facing winterfell alone. daenerys had always been a constant presence, and now, with both her sister and jon away, the sense of isolation was overwhelming.
she turned to find sansa standing nearby; her expression held a mixture of concern and curiosity. "are you alright?" sansa questioned her as she walked closer. rhaenys managed a weak smile. "just feeling a touch of anxiety," she admitted, trying to keep her tone light. "jon's departure leaves me feeling... unsettled."
sansa stepped closer; her presence radiated a solid, reassuring anchor. "it's understandable. war and uncertainty have a way of unsettling even the most steadfast of hearts. but remember, winterfell is filled with not only allies and friends but also family now. you are not alone, rhaenys."
she nodded, grateful for her words but still feeling the weight of her solitude. "thank you, sansa. i suppose i'll need to find strength within myself." sansa's gaze softened. "i have to assume strength is a quality you've always had. you wouldn't have survived the trials you've faced otherwise. use this time to fortify what lies within you. the challenges ahead are daunting, but you are more capable than you give yourself credit for."
rhaenys took a deep breath, finding solace in sansa's reassurance. "i will try. i must. for daenerys, for jon, for all of you, and for the future we all hope to build." with that, sansa gave her a respectful nod before turning back toward the main keep. "come, let us go inside," she said, and rhaenys nodded her head at her good sister before falling in step as they made their way into the castle.
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