THE LADY - Jacaerys Velaryon

viii. A Childish Dream

GARDENS ALWAYS HELD a specific beauty in Daella's heart. They were natural, everything about them from the trees to the grass beneath her feet. From the bees that sat elegantly on the flowers, buzzing around as they waiting for their foe, or the birds that sung lighthearted songs as they were perched upon a tree, looking down in those who walked across their land.

Gardens reminded her of home. The picturesque landscapes that surrounded Highgarden, the flowers that bloomed no matter the season. It filled the place with colour, it filled Daella with peace. Gardens reminded her of how her father once was, kind and loving. Holding onto her so gently like she was a relic that could shatter at a simple tug. How he loved her. Loved.

Gardens reminded her of her mother.

When arriving at the Red Keep, Daella was underwhelmed at the construction. But, upon seeing the garden, it was quickly made up for.

In her eyes it was flawless, the trees that scattered the grounds looked more green than ever before, the bushes with roses in them lined the skirts of the walls, the grass felt so smooth on her feet it was almost like walking on water.

But her favourite was the weirwood tree. In Highgarden there are three tall weirwood trees, each representing the three singers. They were lavish and large and made Daella feel an odd sense of comfort.

But the one in Kingslanding was beautiful. With his white stem and it's blood red leaves. It made Daella question whether Highgarden truly was the beacon of nature.

As she looked up at them, she liked to pretend the leaves have little faces, and that they're talking about how foolish the common folk are for believing they were nothing but hollow.

"You've been staring at the leaves for nearly an hour, Daella." Jacaerys said from above her, his hands still playing with the curls on her scalp as she laid her head in his lap. She teared her eyes away from the bright red leaves and looked into his own. A grin overtaking her face as she seen the way his eyebrows were furrowed in concern.

As she was about to open her mouth to reply, someone did it for her.

"It's better than looking at you for an hour." Lucerys retaliated, sitting across from the two with his back against the white bark of the weirwood.

Daella snorted, slapping a hand over her mouth her eyes shining with mirth as looked grinned at her. Him and Daella were already outside, giggling at the fact they broke into the kitchen and stole the chocolate cakes on the counter, which were obviously for dinner later that night. Jacaerys was quick to join shortly after. Eating the cakes that Daella and Luke grabbed for themselves.

Jacaerys wasn't very happy about that, and reached over to slap his brother's leg, almost crushing Daella in the process.

"Ow! Get off me you large ogre!" She cried, pushing his chest backwards so he wasn't trying to crush her.

"Ogre!" Jacaerys yelled, looking down at the auburn haired girl with an incredulous look. His eyes turned to slits when Luke's howling laughter could he heard from in front of him. "Luke, be quiet!" He said, whipping his head to glare at his brother.

"I am sorry you ogre." He said whilst laughing.

Jacaerys was getting visibly upset, his jaw clenching and his eye twitching. It made Daella feel quite guilty, but the view of seeing his face turn purple made her want to burst out laughing once more.

"Luke, we should stop, we're making him upset." Daella said calmly, picking her head up slightly to look at Luke who immediately clamped his mouth shut, looking upon the lady with curiosity. She turned to Jacaerys. "I'm sorry, Jacaerys, that was incredibly rude of me." She apologies, grasping one of his hands beside her and giving it a squeeze.