The Legacy of Two

Driftmark

 Laena's funeral was held the next day. The sun was high in the sky and bannermen stood around, holding the sigils of House Velaryon up, while minor nobles stood around the edges of the water.

Aelora stood in front of her mother, between Jace and Luke, her eyes set on the casket. Beside Jace was Laenor, his face distraught with grief. The royal family, along with the new Hand of the King, Otto Hightower, stood in the centre of the platform while Laena's own family was opposite of Aelora.

"We join today at the Seat of the Sea to commit the Lady Laena of House Velaryon to the eternal waters, the dominion of the Merling King," Ser Vaemond Velaryon said in High Valyrian, "where He will guard her for all the days to come. As she sets to sea for her final voyage, the Lady Laena leaves two true-born daughters on the shore. Though their mother will not return from her voyage, they will all remain bound together in blood. Salt courses through Velaryon blood." He glared at Aelora. She did not look away from him, keeping her expression plain. "Ours runs thick. Ours runs true. And ours must never thin."

Daemon Targaryen laughed. Everyone's attention snapped to him, and Aelora took the opportunity to watch the people gathered for her aunt's funeral.

Laenor had his head bowed, and Aelora could hear him sniffling. Aegon looked bored and Aemond even more so. Alicent had a disapproving look on her face, and her husband beside her looked confused at Daemon's laugh. Helaena was staring off into the sea and Aemma beside her had a plain, simple smile on, as if she were not really there.

Corlys did not betray anything with his expression, and Rhaenys had her head on Rhaena's. Baela was beside her sister, and next to her father. Daemon finished laughing as the ropes on Laena's white coffin were tightened.

"My gentle niece," Vaemond began in High Valyrian, "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." Aegon flicked Aelora's head. She ignored him. "From the sea we came. To the sea we shall return."

Laena's coffin fell into the water with a splash, and then silence. For a moment, no one said anything and the only sound was Laenor's hushed sniffles and Rhaena's sobbing.

And then Aemma stepped forward with a frown on her face, "Laena will find more peace down there, than up here."

No one said anything to reply, but they all knew that Aemma had it right.

~~~

Aemma knew she should be offering her condolences to Laena's closest family, but all she could do was cling onto Aegon's arm and follow him around.

"Are you scared?" he asked finally, glancing down in annoyance.

"No." her voice shook as she replied. Aegon frowned and pulled her to the edge of the balcony, leaning down so that his face was directly in front of hers. "I'm not scared."

Aegon raised an eyebrow. "Aemma Targaryen, tell me what you are afraid of or I'll call Mother."

"No!"

"You're afraid of the dragons," Aegon realised slowly.

Aemma flinched as he spoke. "Don't say that word."

He hesitated for a moment, before wrapping his arms around her. "Let me take you to your rooms, Em," he said so that only she could hear, "I'll get Aemond to bring Hel and then you'll be inside and far away from them."

Aemma nodded. "Thank you."

Slowly, Aegon released her and took her hand, pulling her through the crowd of people and into the cold castle of Driftmark. Aemma had been given an adjoining chamber with Helaena on the second floor, with a balcony so that they could look out onto the sea.

Just as Aegon turned to leave, Aemma leaned up to kiss his cheek. "Thank you." she repeated.

"Anything for my darling sister," Aegon replied, with an affectionate pat on her head.

~~~

Aelora ignored Aemond's pointed stare and pushed past the crowd towards Jace, who stood by a fire pit, staring into the flames. Aelora stepped beside him, reaching for his hand. Jace squeezed it.

For a moment, they stood like that, before Rhaenys put a hand on Aelora's shoulder. "We've given you rooms next to Baela and Rhaena," she said, glancing back at the girls, "Perhaps tonight you may... join them."

"Of course, Grandmother," Aelora nodded. She let go of Jace's hand and stepped in front of Baela and Rhaena. Slowly, she wrapped an arm around both of them, letting them lean against her.

"Stay with us tonight, Aelora," Rhaena whispered, "I can't be alone."

"I will," Aelora promised. She pulled away and took both of their hands, sitting down in between them.

As they sat in silence, the sun disappeared behind the castle and a cold wind rushed through the balcony. Without having to glance over to the water below, Aelora knew that Laenor would be standing there, silently crying. She wanted to comfort him, but Rhaena and Baela needed her now, and she would stay with them.

Rhaenyra approached briskly, pulling Aelora up from her seat. "Go to bed," she told her daughter, leading her towards Jace and Luke.

"But, Mother-" Jace tried.

"Go to bed." Rhaenyra repeated, and then hurried off towards the sea.

Jace and Aelora exchanged a glance, before they made their way up to the castle, bringing Luke with them.

On the second floor, they parted, Jace and Luke heading up to the next floor while Aelora continued down the right hallway. She changed into her nightgown and pulled her brown hair out of the braid she had kept it in, brushing it with one of her mother's old combs.

Aelora stared at herself in the mirror. She was of pure Valyrian blood, she knew that, but then how could she have brown hair and brown eyes? Was Jace right in thinking they were bastards? Was Harwin Strong really their father? If he was, then her father was dead.

Aelora didn't want to think about it. Instead, she lit a candle and reached for a book, settling down in her covers to read. It was not long before she heard a firm knock on her door.

Aelora opened it to find Baela and Rhaena, both of them in their nightgowns, holding a candle. She ushered them in and closed the door behind her.

"Will you let us stay the evening?" Rhaena asked as she curled up beneath the covers.

"Of course," Aelora got into the bed beside them, holding Baela's hand, "We're cousins." She hesitated before continuing. "I didn't know Aunt Laena well, but if you wish to talk about her, please do."

Baela took a deep breath. "Nobody asks that. They all say they're sorry and then avoid the subject as if it is a curse. I want to talk about Mother, I want everyone to know about her."

"Talk to me, Baela, I'm here."

And Baela did talk. Rhaena joined in not long after, and Aelora listened patiently. It was only when the moon was high above the sky, and the candles melted that the bedchamber fell into silence, save for the soft sound of breathing.