A Dragon's Song

A Letter Too Late

Naerys entered Helaena's chambers, the room dim and stifling, its curtains drawn tightly against the afternoon sun. It was the first time Helaena had allowed her to visit in weeks, and as Naerys stepped quietly inside, she was struck by how different the atmosphere was compared to the last time she had seen her sister. In the gardens, Helaena had seemed sad but present—her gentle nature overshadowed by grief, but not consumed by it. Now, it was as if all the life had drained from the room, and from her.

Helaena sat on a chaise by the window, staring into nothing, her body limp as if she were no longer connected to it. Her once bright, curious eyes were vacant, hollowed out by the weight of unimaginable sorrow. Naerys stopped for a moment, her breath catching in her throat. She had expected Helaena's condition to worsen, but seeing her like this made the reality even more painful.

"Helaena?" Naerys' voice was soft, and cautious as she approached. But there was no response, not even a flicker of acknowledgment from the woman sitting in the dim light.

Naerys slowly sat beside her, gently placing a hand on Helaena's. It felt cold, and unresponsive, like touching a statue. She squeezed her hand lightly, but Helaena's gaze remained fixed, her lips slightly parted as though she had forgotten how to speak. Naerys' heart sank. Grief had a cruel way of twisting through people, its path unpredictable and jagged. She had felt it herself—sharp and unbearable at first, but with time, it dulled, though the ache never truly left.

But Helaena... She was shattered.

Naerys took a deep breath, her fingers trembling as she held onto Helaena's hand. "I've missed you," she whispered, her voice barely louder than the soft rustle of her gown. "We all have."

The silence stretched, heavy and suffocating. Naerys glanced around the room, her eyes falling on the things Helaena used to love—her embroidery was untouched, gathering dust, and the small trinkets she collected were now forgotten on the shelves. A corner of the room was dedicated to the children's toys, though they sat abandoned, a painful reminder of what had been stolen from her.

She couldn't imagine the weight of the guilt Helaena carried. Blood and Cheese had taken something precious from her, and now it seemed her soul had gone with it. Naerys had tried to understand, but seeing Helaena like this made it clear that words alone could not heal these wounds. The woman she once knew, who had been kind and gentle despite the world's cruelty, was buried deep beneath layers of grief.

After a long stretch of silence, Naerys spoke again, this time unsure if Helaena could even hear her. "I know you don't want to hear this, but... I need you. We all do."

Helaena's head tilted slightly at the sound, though she still didn't meet Naerys' eyes. A glimmer of recognition flashed, only for a moment, before fading again.

Naerys swallowed the lump in her throat, her fingers tightening around Helaena's hand. "You were always so strong in your way," she said, her voice shaking. "But I can't do this alone. I—"

Her words faltered, the weight of her struggles pressing down on her chest. She was angry, lost, and exhausted. Her nights were filled with thoughts of betrayal, of Aemond's lies, Aegon's injuries, and the war that loomed like a shadow over everything. The pressure to defend King's Landing had become unbearable. And yet, seeing Helaena like this reminded her of the toll it took on those who couldn't carry the burden.

"I need you to come back," Naerys whispered, tears stinging her eyes. "I know it's hard, but I can't lose you too."

For a fleeting moment, Helaena blinked, her lips parting as though she were about to speak. Naerys held her breath, hope stirring in her chest. But then, just as quickly, Helaena's expression went blank again, her gaze drifting back to the space in front of her. It was as though she had slipped away, retreating into the depths of her mind where no one could follow.