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OLDTOWN || 126 AC
two years later
—
𝕴n the early morning of the beginning of spring the Princess Daena lay abed peacefully as she slept through the laughter and screams of her children out in the courtyard. Gwayne on the other hand, Gwayne often found himself reflecting on how far he'd come. Life had been a constant struggle in his younger years, marked by uncertainty and scarcity. He had grown up in the small, dilapidated village of Oldtown, with dreams overshadowed by the harsh realities of daily survival. But now, as he sat beside a window in his bedroom, overlooking the wilderness outside of Oldtown, he couldn't help but feel a deep sense of gratitude. The hard work, the sacrifices, and the unwavering determination had paid off. His life now was a testament to resilience and the belief that with time, things could indeed change for the better.
Soft groans from beside him pulled him out of his trance as Gwayne turned to see his wife still fast asleep. Gwayne thought back on how his voice softened whenever he spoke of Daena, the woman who had captured his heart in ways he never thought possible. To him, Daena was more than just a beautiful face; she was a force of nature—fierce, intelligent, and endlessly kind. He admired how she moved through life with grace, turning every challenge into an opportunity, and how her laughter could light up even the darkest days. Gwayne often found himself lost in thoughts of her, marveling at how lucky he was to have found a love so deep, so profound, that it felt like it was written in the stars long before they met. She had become his anchor, his inspiration, and the person with whom he wanted to share every moment of his future.
He smiled as he watched her twist and turn in bed before finally looking down at the letter he held, he had finally started reading his sister's ravens but never sent her one back. As he read Alicent's latest raven it left him in deep thought as he would need to get his wife's opinion on it. And as if on time, there Daena stood in her nightgown as her silky platinum hair was all frizzy as she rubbed her tired eyes. Gwayne was shocked at how beautiful his wife looked even looking the least prepared, Daena had made her way to her husband and sat down in front of him on top of his table as she swung her short legs, "You are up early," Daena stated with a raspy voice as she leaned back on her hands looking down at Gwayne with playful eyes.
"Early?" Gwayne let out a humorous laugh as he stood up and stood in between Daena's legs as she smiled using her hand to cup the side of her husband's face, "It is already mid-day, my Princess," cold hands rested on Daena's thighs making a shiver run up her spine.
Daena looked down at the letter she saw Gwayne holding before and picked up the rolled-up parchment, "Alicent?" Gwayne only nodded, by that point the only ravens they had received for the past 8 years were just from Alicent. When Daena read the letter as the Queen had requested that her youngest son, Daeron, be sent to Oldtown to ward and under their guidance. Daena, despite her mistrust and strained relationship with Alicent, put aside their conflict and decided maturely, "Daeron is the only one of his brothers that isn't a self-centered cunt, and I would much like to know of my half-brother," Gwayne was slightly shocked at her answer partly because it was from Alicent but because she was never one to swear, "Accept her offer, it is the only thing she has ever done right for her children," Gwayne was hesitant at first but once receiving a reassuring squeeze from his lady wife he let out a deep sigh before bringing Daena's hand up to his lips and placed a gentle kiss on her knuckles. The decision weighed heavily on her too, she chose to act in the interest of maintaining a fragile peace. Daena quite literally had nothing against her youngest half-brother, she had never really met him or so much as seen him. If what Alicent had written was true and she truly wanted Daeron to be raised away from his brothers and to be raised with her children then she would be glad to have him.
Gwayne, voiced his concerns quietly to Daena, "You would care for another child?" wary of Alicent's intentions and the potential influence her family might exert over Daeron. But in the end, Gwayne deferred to Daena's judgment, recognizing the wisdom in her decision, even as uncertainty gnawed at him. Daena gazed up at Gwayne, and in that moment, no words were needed. They had been together long enough that their connection had deepened into something almost magical—an unspoken language of shared glances and subtle expressions. When their eyes met, Daena could feel the warmth of his love, the comfort of his presence, and the reassurance that he understood her completely, without a single word being uttered. There was a certain tenderness in the way Gwayne looked at her, a silent promise that no matter what life threw their way, they would always face it together.
That ability to communicate without speaking was something Daena treasured deeply; it was a rare bond that had grown stronger with each passing year, and it reminded her just how special their love truly was, "He is young but old enough to understand. Baelon and Elaeys can take care of their cousin, and it is best that he is raised with love and not hate," and he understood, that morning Gwayne Hightower had finally written back to his sister accepting her offer to send her son to ward to his home and to be cared for by his family.
And only four days later the young Prince had arrived to Oldtown accompanied by his own dragon. Daena took in how young and innocent he really looked, he was the same age as Baelon but just as quiet and shy. Daena had realised that he was much like her and her youngest son Elaeys. He was one who often found comfort in the corners of rooms, observing the world with wide, thoughtful eyes. Unlike his older brothers, who were boisterous and full of energy, always the center of attention, Daeron preferred the comfort of solitude. While his brothers thrived in the spotlight, engaging in loud games and daring adventures, Daeron was content with a book in hand, lost in his own world of imagination. He spoke little at first, his voice soft and hesitant when he did, but his mind was always busy, filled with dreams and ideas that he kept to himself.
Watching her children grow up alongside Daeron in Oldtown was a bittersweet experience, marked by moments of both joy and reflection. Daeron, though initially shy and uncertain in the grand halls of the Hightower, quickly found his place among his cousins. The sprawling libraries and ancient halls of Oldtown became their playground, a place where they forged bonds that brought them family together.
Baelon, with his natural leadership and protective nature, though only a few months younger took to Daeron as a younger brother, guiding him through the difficulties of their shared heritage and the expectations that came with it. The two boys often sparred in the training yard, their swords clashing as they learned to temper strength with skill. Baelon's confidence and Daeron's quiet determination complemented each other, creating a bond of mutual respect.
Alerae, on the other hand, approached Daeron with a gentler touch, offering him the warmth and kindness that came so naturally to her. She would sit with him in the gardens, sharing stories and secrets, her laughter a soothing balm to Daeron's homesickness. Their connection was more personal, rooted in a shared understanding of the pressures that came with their birthright.
Yet, it was Elaeys who Daeron found the deepest connection. They were drawn to the same things—curiosity about the world beyond, a love for the histories and mysteries held within the ancient books that lay within the libraries, and a fascination with the world beyond. The two would often be found huddled together over a book, their heads bent in quiet concentration as they explored the forgotten lore of Westeros. Elaeys' sharp wit and Daeron's earnest interest made them an inseparable pair, their conversations filled with animated discussions that often left the rest of the family bemused.
As Daena watched them grow up together, she felt a deep sense of contentment, knowing that despite the political complexities surrounding them, her children and Daeron had found true companionship in each other. The bond between Elaeys and Daeron, in particular, filled her with a quiet pride. It was a relationship built not on duty, but on shared passion and understanding—a rare and precious thing in a world often driven by power and ambition. In those moments, Daena's initial thoughts about Daeron's presence in Oldtown faded into the background, replaced by a genuine affection for the boy who had become such an integral part of her children's lives. She saw in him a reflection of the values she cherished most: loyalty, curiosity, and the strength to forge one's path despite the expectations of others. And as she watched them grow, she knew that whatever the future held, these bonds would endure, shaping the next generation in ways that neither she nor Alicent could have ever predicted.
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AUTHOR SPEAKS:
Filler chapter but this chapter kind of just reflects on season 2 when Alicent finally mentions Daeron and thought this chapter kinda just fits with the timeline and don't worry Daeron will be mentioned more. I'm just glad to finally write about him.
