Fire and Sea

Seven

Laenyll

Laenyll held Rhaenyra in her arms all night until her sobs were no longer ringing in the dark room. Her damp cheeks became dry half-way through the night. Rhaenyra had passed out from crying and she shortly followed. So, upon waking up in Rhaenyra's arms, she just stared aimlessly listening to her steady breaths and strong heartbeat that drummed against her ear. It's been a few hours since Laenyll pulled herself out of sleep. And just when her eyes grew heavy again, Rhaenyra shifted. Laenyll lifts her head to draw her gaze down to her friend.

She tries to present the best reassuring smile on her lips. She lifts her hand and gently glides a finger across Rhaenyra's stained cheek. The action causes Rhaenyra to intertwine their fingers together, bringing it down to rest against her chest. Laenyll flinches at the intimacy of the moment. It wasn't that long ago where she yelled out her feelings for Rhaenyra in plain lighting. Her feelings of hurt rather than her feelings of yearning.

Part of her wanted to just forget about it and just go back to normal. But there was no such thing as going back to normal when the feeling still sat upon her chest whenever she looked at Rhaenyra. And that scares her.

A soft breath pans out against her lips as she shifts pulling her weight to one side. She pulls back her hand gently from Rhaenyras hold before moving to the edge of the bed. She touches her chest as she remembers the plans her brother wanted to have with her. She sinks her teeth into her bottom lip, letting her head drop.

This wasn't the first time she left her brother alone when he wanted to see her. She shook her head. This couldn't keep happening.

When she moves to stand up, a hand tugs at her arm pulling her back down.

"Can we talk?" her voice is quiet.

Afraid to turn around, Laenyll keeps her gaze forward and nods her head. Her body tenses as she feels Rhaenyra shift closer.

"I didn't mean for our conversation to go as it did...I was just afraid."

Rhaenyra takes Laenylls hand and cradles it, holding it close in her lap. Laenyll squeezes her eyes shut at the action. Her free hand comes to rest against her gown, her fingers wrinkling the fabric.

"Afraid of what, Rhaenyra?" Laenyll whispers.

"T-These last months, I was afraid that our friendship would be no more. That we would be no more. Our nights together grew short." Rhaenyra sniffles, causing Laenyll to turn to face her. "Laenyll, we do not even lay in complete vulnerability anymore and that's what we always did. And when my Uncle returned it only increased."

Laenyll's eyes burn as she tries to blink away the tears. Why did she have to be so emotional when it came to Rhaenyra?

"So, I sought out Alicent, hoping to ease the ache but in truth, looking at her and only seeing you only caused more pain. Laenyll, you are so important to me and I didn't mean to make you feel replaced."

When the tears betrayed her, Laenyll reached up and wiped them away, breaking her gaze with Rhaenyra.

"That's not fair, Rhaenyra. You say you didn't mean to but you did with your actions." She turns her whole body to face her. "You shared something so special to us to her...you took me out of the picture and placed her there. And you're saying it is because I was distant."

Laenyll pulls her hand away from Rhaenyra and stands up. The tears run down her cheeks, dripping down to her neck. She covers her face with her hands before running her fingers through her hair. Slowly, she felt the panic starting to settle in.

"I have always been transparent with you on my feelings with Prince Daemon. I have put you before everyone." Her voice breaks. "Rhaenyra, you are mourning...let's not add to the pain."