I didn't receive a single word from Rhaenys in the following weeks. I knew she was absolutely bereft with grief.
I wasn't terribly surprised when I received a raven from Lord Corlys. He worried for both his son and wife's conditions.
I of course assured him that I had kept a firm hand on Laenor not allowing him to slip into the depths of his despair but I too feared for the Princess.
She had been visited by the Stranger many times before and was the strongest woman I knew but I also knew no mother loved her children more fiercely.
Lady Laena's death was a shattering blow to the entire family.
Many had gathered on Driftmark for her wake. She was a light in the darkness who's likes would not be seen again.
Everyone gathered by the sea in their mourning garments as they prepared to lay Laena with her forebears.
It was eerily quiet and the only noise to be heard was the gentle lapping of waves against the rocks.
A driftwood coffin had been carved in the likeness of Laena and the guards of House Velaryon looped ropes around it ready to send her on her last voyage.
Vaemond Velaryon stepped forward to give his niece's send off in High Valyrian. He looked high and mighty seizing the opportunity to gain attention and I narrowed my eyes as his gaze met mine.
When he finally turned his attention elsewhere I glanced over to the Princess. Rhaenys had both of her crying Granddaughters wrapped protectively in her arms. She wore navy blue in the tradition of House Velaryon with a veil obscuring her face. But even from across the way I could still see the cold look she wore to mask her true emotions. Lord Corlys looked haunted. His eyes were cast down and grief etched his features.
I held tight to Laenor's arm as he swayed next to me. His face mirrored his Father's. Though I'm sure the Sea Snake had not consumed the same copious amount of alcohol beforehand.
To my surprise I was not the only one whose gaze had wandered where it shouldn't. Just as I had looked at Rhaenys I found my brother Torrhen staring at Laenor. His gaze met mine and he quickly averted his eyes. So many things fell into place. Torrhen preferred a witty tongue to a sword. Neither had we ever known Torrhen to have a lasting infatuation with a woman. And he was always so quick to volunteer for Laenor's adventures. He loved him. My heart broke for him when I remembered the low born knight, Ser Qarl Correy, standing next to Laenor. Any love was either unrequited or unnoticed.
"Salt courses through Velaryon blood. Ours runs thick. Ours runs true. And ours must never thin," Vaemond continued his drawn out speech, setting Rhaenyra and her boys with a glare.
Daemon, who had been standing apart from his girls and Laena's family let out an amused chuckle, causing everyone to look at him in disbelief.
"My gentle niece. May the winds be as strong as your back, your seas as calm as your spirit, and your nets be as full as your heart. From the Sea we came. To the Sea we shall return," Vaemond finished.
The guards took the ropes in their hands and began to heave. Eventually she fell to the depths to join the Velaryons who came before her.
Afterwards everyone gathered to offer their condolences and drown their sorrows. All the Dragons flew overhead and it was a beautiful sight truly.
"I think Laena would have loved this," I told Rhaenyra quietly as we joined the crowd.
She stopped abruptly as her eyes fell on Daemon who had already been looking at her.
