The Bronze Dragon-A House of the Dragon fanfic

Chapter 31

Namedays are times of celebration and moving forward. For my father, every nameday since his mother's death has taken on a special significance; never in all the time since I was born has he missed the chance to light a candle for his mother on his nameday, whether it be in Runestone or King's Landing.

The return of Ser Kermit on the day my father turned ten-and-nine was celebration enough, but then we also had Ser Joffrey present to represent Lady Jeyne, and messages sent from King's Landing and Dragonstone. It was not going to be nearly as grand an affair as the tourney Lady Jeyne had held, but it would be a big one nonetheless.

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Daevar woke up slowly that morning; he felt that with it being his nameday, he was entitled to sleeping in a little, but with the light poking through the curtains, it would be impossible to sleep any longer. His eyes opened to reveal Helaena sitting in a chair with her embroidery hoop, still in her shift and smiling at him. "Good morning, Daevar." She smiled before standing to draw back the curtains.

"Good morning, Ellie." He said groggily. "You didn't wake me." He added, more out of surprise than anything else of course; the extra sleep was very much appreciated.

"You looked so peaceful." She smiled, turning to face him as she pulled the curtains back. "I didn't want to disturb you."

"Well, thank you love." He replied before swinging his feet onto the cold stone floor. Much as he would've liked to have stayed in the warmth, he had a job he needed to do before anything else that day. Quickly, he dressed himself in tunic, doublet and trousers with his cuirass fastened over the top and Lamentation affixed at his waist, while Helaena did the same with a simple dress of a dull blue and white that had been gifted to her by Lady Jeyne. "I want you to join me there, love."

"Are you sure, Daevar?" She asked. Daevar nodded, taking her hand.

"I'd like for you to be there. It's always been a private moment for me, but . . . I would like you there with me."

Helaena smiled. "Then I shall join you."

Daevar took a candle from one of the drawers on the bedside table and led her out of the keep and into the crypt of Runestone. The darkness instantly made Helaena feel off, even with the glow from the torches. She got the sense she was being watched by generations of Royce lords, and the legendary Bronze Kings who had once ruled. "You will soar on bronze wings . . ." She mumbled, though if Daevar had heard her, he didn't reply as he took a torch from its place on the wall.

Eventually, the two of them stopped in front of the statue of Lady Rhea. Helaena could see the resemblance to her goodmother in the stone; the masons that had been selected for this task evidently took their work seriously. The Royces may not have been of the Old Gods anymore, but they still held proudly to the traditions of the First Men.

"Hello, mother." Daevar said, holding the torch close to the statue. "Helaena's here . . . I love her, mother. I never thought I could, but . . ." He squeezed Helaena's hand and smiled. "I do. We're trying for a child." He turned briefly to Helaena. "You probably think I'm mad, talking to a statue."

Helaena shook her head. "No. She meant a lot to you, Daevar." She said, gazing up at the face of the statue. "But what if we don't have children Daevar? What . . . what if I'm barren?"

"Helaena, neither of us are twenty as of yet." He tried to reassure her. "You will have children, of that I'm certain."

"But what if you're wrong." She asked, her eyes beginning to glisten with tears. "What if I can't give you children?"

"You'll go mad thinking like that." He said, rubbing his thumb over the back of her hand. "We will have children. How does six sound?" He asked, grinning. Despite herself, Helaena let out a burst of laughter.