Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
☼
ELIA HAD been frozen in her spot, unable to speak or move as her brothers continued to let out small sobs.
Dead.. That means what I saw was real .. I— I could have saved him?
"W— What?" Jacaerys questioned, his vow low.
Elia looked at him puzzled for a moment before assuming she must have spoken out loud. "Nothing!" She muttered before she turned, leaving the room as quickly as she entered.
Should I tell someone? What if they don't believe me and I get punished ...
Elia stayed lost in her thoughts for longer than intended, she decided against telling anyone, she couldn't save him, he was gone. Telling people what she saw wouldn't do any good, she was too late.
She found herself in the library, her eyes scanning across all the books until a familiar voice cought her attention. She made her way through the large shelves, spotting Laenor and some other man huddled in the back, laughing with what she assumed to be wine in their hands.
It took them a moment before they noticed her, the man froze up at first but Laenors smile only widened, "Ah! Eli!" He chirped, his smile faltering when he saw her stained cheeks and reddening eyes.
He quickly placed the goblet in his hand down, making his way towards her. He kneeled infront of the young girl, cupping her face in his hands, using them to wipe the drying tears. "What's wrong, sweet girl?" He questioned, concern etched into his expression, the effects of his wine seeming to be long gone.
The young girl shook her head slightly, trying to look anywhere but him, "Ser Harwin.." She murmured, "He's dead."
Laenors eyes widened, his expression saddening as he knew how much he meant to Rhaenyra and her children. He quickly pulled the young girl into a hug, whispering kind words in her ear as she started crying.
"I couldn't save him." She cried as they pulled away.
"What do you mean?"
"I saw him dying!" She exclaimed, "The smoke! The— banging of his fists on the door, when he finally gave up." She blurted, her words crashing together as she spoke.
Laenor sat there for a moment, confusion filling him as he turned his head towards the man he had been talking with moments prior. He gestured his head towards the library entrance, silently asking him to leave.
With a nod of his head the man stood, giving Elia a small, sad smile as he saw her tears and made his way out of the library, leaving the two alone.
Laenor looked around once more making sure nobody was around before he spoke, "You saw him?" He questioned again, trying to understand her words.
"One moment I was sitting upon a rock, the next I was in a room with him." She explained, "Once he gave up it was as if he was looking right at me, I thought I saw him smile, But then I blinked and I was back on the rock.."
Laenor's eyes searched hers, seeing only honesty in them. He hadn't understood, how could that be possible? He's heard of dreamers, could she possibly be one?
So many thoughts were flashing across his mind before they were interrupted by a maid speaking.
"Princess, I was sent to accompany you into the gardens. Per your mother's request." The maid informed, her hands behind her back and her head down, knowing she interrupted something.
"It's alright, everything will be fine." He assured the young girl, giving her shoulder a squeeze as he stood, "You go see your mother, we'll speak again after."
Elia just nodded, following the maid.
She looked back once they reached the door, seeing Laenor still looking at her as well. And for a moment she thought everything was going to be okay, he wanted to speak to her again after, he didn't think she was lying, she knew she at least had him.
If only she knew that would be the last time she ever saw him.
🌘
"Eli" Rhaenyra sighed, pulling the young girl in for an embrace, placing a soft kiss on the top of her head. She knew just by her daughter's sad state that the young girl had already knew.
"I'm sorry" Elia whispered, her words having two different meanings.
"Me too" Rhaenyra agreed, a tear of her own now falling as well. She kept her emotions well hidden around everyone else, but Elia had been her only girl, she found herself able to be weak in front of her for some strange reason. The news she had in store for her only making her wants to cry more. "My sweet girl.." She mumbled, pulling away from the hug slightly. "You like Aemond don't you?" She questioned, silently praying for a good outcome from all of this.
"Of course," Elia nodded, her tears coming to a stop at the sudden thought of him. "He's nice"
"Good." Rhaenyra sighed, letting out a breath. "Would you like to be wed one day?"
Elia stayed silent for a moment, truly thinking about the question. She was only ten and four but the thought of being with a kind boy who liked her made her happy. "To someone kind."
"What about Aemond?" Her mother questioned again, running a hand through the girls hair.
"Hm, He'd be kind to me" She spoke thoughtfully.
"He would." Rhaenyra agreed. "He will."
Elia tilted her head, slightly confused, "Am I marrying him?"
She watched as her mother opened and closed her mouth, her hand becoming slightly shaky in her hair. "Visery's would like that."
"Oh." She whispered, what about what Aemond and her liked?
"He's ordered your betrothal along with Aegon and Helaenas."
Ordered..
When Eli stayed quiet Rhaenyra quickly spoke again, "It would make both our family's stronger together. But if you don't want too, I will make sure it doesn't happen." She assured.
"It would help our family? I could help?"
"Yes, sweet girl"
"I want to help." Eli agreed.
She would soon find out that agreeing may not have been the best option.
