king for a day ¹ ━━━━ jacaerys velaryon fanfic

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- ̥۪͙۪˚┊❛ CHAPTER THIRTY SIX ❜┊˚ ̥۪͙۪◌
EVERMORE
❛ can't not think of all the cost
and the things that will be lost ❜

౨ৎ disclaimer
IM ALIVE, AND WILL EDIT IN
THE MORNING

EUDORA AND JACAERYS.

Helaena left as soon as supper ended, Eudora was the one to see her goodbye. "Take care of your eye," Helaena whispered, Eudora furrowing her eyebrows in confusion.

"I don't understand–" But before she could speak another word, Helaena hoisted herself onto the dragon, her movements graceful but quick, as if something—someone—was pulling her away. There was no time for explanations, no time for questions. With a soft click of her heels against Dreamfyre's flank, they were gone, disappearing into the expanse of the sky. Eudora let out a sigh, feeling the quiet rush of wind and the hollow echo of goodbye.

Eudora turned away from the sight of Dreamfyre soaring high, her heart heavy with the realization that no one, not even her best friend, could stay forever. But there were more pressing matters at hand, especially Jace's doubt of winning.

His voice haunted her every second, his growing coldness. The way they both were just beginning to come back to one another suddenly on a tight rope. She couldn't answer his questions and ease his worries, there was no comfort in the truth. Eudora only knew how to stand by him, as she had vowed. The Stark thought it was the only way to bring a sense of relief to him.

Eudora didn't like the idea of letting Jace go, but it would be hypocritical of her not to. I mean, she's fighting for Rhaenyra, so why can't he do the same for his own mother. It all felt so confusing– this whole war, the contradictions, the lying and the bargaining. Was it all going to be worth it at the end? Don't think like that, she reminded herself. The gods will make you pay for saying so.

˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚

Mere days passed with an amount of progression, three new dragons– all claimed by bastards. Eudora noticed how Jace grew more cold because of this, his brilliant idea of having highborns distantly related to the Targaryens twisted and bent to accommodate more than a few Targaryen bastards. It wouldn't be as bad– if only half didn't lose their lives trying to claim a dragon, and if Ulf only learned his manners.

Both Rhaenyra and Baela tried to reason with Jace but with no avail, every minute he just grew more outraged by the idea. "Eudora," Rhaenyra's voice broke through the girl's thoughts one afternoon, managing to find her in front of the oak tree yet again. "I was wondering where you were."

"If you need me to reason with him, please don't task me to do so."

"You're the only one he listens to nowadays," Rhaenyra told her with a frown. "Baela told me he thinks his right to the throne would be challenged if–"

"If you wish to continue this war then at least let him go," Eudora interrupted. "I'm sorry but it's the only way."

"Eudora–"

"Your Grace, if it helped me before then it would help him," she continued with desperation, standing from the ground. "Jace is probably your best bet to securing the crown– I've thought about it already. He's right, you need to send him."

"Do you realize what you're asking me to do?" Rhaenyra questioned. "Jace's dragon–"

"My cousin's men are still marching from the North, we can't rely and wait on Daemon and his dragon." For a moment Rhaenyra began to think about it long and hard. The queen watched as Eudora pursed her lips together. "At least consider it," she said before bowing slightly, then making her way back to the castle. She didn't know if she was being too straightforward or not, but the Stark hoped she got her message across.

˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚

She found herself staring out the window, watching the sea crash against the sand. It was much more peaceful than the matters at hand, Eudora couldn't help but just watch for hours upon end. It reminded her of that one conversation they had, how long has it been? What happened to that promise Jace made? About them exploring the Narrow Sea together? Perhaps they didn't realize that their lives would come to an end just as it started– Eudora didn't want to think that way but it was inevitable.

The sound of the door opening pulled her from her thoughts. She turned, her gaze falling on her dearly beloved. "How was your meal?" Eudora asked, trying to keep her voice light.

"She called upon Addam to accompany her to Harrenhall," Jace answered with a sigh, his footsteps into the room hasty. "Aren't I her son? Haven't I given enough for her to at least consider me as someone capable of handling her matters?"

"You are, Jace," Eudora tried to reassure, her husband walking to sit on their bed. "You are more than capable. She will see that, in time–" she watched as knee started to bounce up and down, a hand running through his hair. "What's in your mind?" She kneeled right in front of him, taking both his hands in an attempt to steady him.

"If my own mother couldn't bare to trust me," Jace murmured, avoiding Eudora's gaze, "then how would the rest of the Seven Kingdoms be convinced that I am her heir?"

The Stark frowned at what he said. "They'll see it through your actions, Jace–"

"Eudora, I'm a bastard by birth," his voice trembled. "There's– There's no denying that fact. Everyone around me tells me to ignore it, but what happens when I stand in front of the realm, my hair not as silver like the rest of my family? If I'm not treated as her equal by her, then the realm will do just that. I'm so– I'm tired."

The words hung in the air, she watched as he hung his head low and allowed him some time to cry. Eudora moved to sit beside him, rubbing his hand in comfort as he wiped away the hot tears coming down his eyes.

"Is this all even worth it?" Jace asked, his voice barely a whisper.

It wasn't an easy answer, no simple way to explain a 'yes' or a 'no.' She always had some kind of answer, whether it was a lie or an actual truth– but this time around? There was nothing. The Stark felt Jace hold her hand tightly, moving to rest his head on her shoulder.

It wasn't just the fact that Jace would be challenged as heir (not by his brothers but others)– Jace knew his role as a prince, relatives would always come for your throat to sit at your position. But it was the fact that this legacy he carried and the blood that he had running through his veins were not one in the same. Bastard borns are frowned upon, so what does that make him? A pretender, just like what they've labeled his mother? Would the people prefer his younger brothers over him because of their hair? He knew there were consequences, Jace didn't know if his mother did the night she took Ser Harwin Strong as her companion.

"I don't know," Eudora's voice broke his thoughts. "I don't know if it's worth it anymore, but I'll still stand beside you no matter the outcome."

That was a heavy promise to make, knowing they both might not make it past twenty. But it was a risk they both were willing to take. After all, there was no going back from the war that just started.

(( 🏹 ))