The Winter Queen

Chapter 46

Daemon

After having a chance to bathe so that he didn’t stink of dragon and a bit of time to relax after the long trip North, it was finally time for the feast to commemorate his and his brother’s arrival at Winterfell. Daemon dressed in a fine scarlet silk tunic embroidered with black and gold dragons and form fitting black leather breeches along with black leather boots. He pulled his long silver hair back into an intricate series of braids which were ancient Valyrian in style for a warrior. Then he headed to the Great Hall at Winterfell.

He was quickly announced upon reaching the hall. As he made his way to the High Table he took note of the presence of Lords Rickon, Cregan and Benjen, Lady Jeyne Arryn and, of course, his beloved niece. However, there was another silver haired woman who sat at the side of his niece, one who was absolutely stunning and whom he was sure he had seen before but could not place where he had seen her.

He was about to inquire about the identity of the beautiful mystery woman when his brother was announced and he quickly made his way to his seat and sat down.

Viserys

It was finally time to join everyone at the feast. Once he had been dressed, he was escorted to the Great Hall and was soon announced.

Everyone stood after he was announced though he did not take note of anyone save those at the High Table. Unusually, his younger brother had arrived before he had. Daemon generally liked to arrive late to make a spectacle of himself. However, it must be his desire to spend more time with Rhaenyra that drew him to arrive earlier. Then there was his precious child. She was dressed in a resplendent gown of a pale pink adorned with silver and rubies. He could easily see her swollen belly that hinted at the life of his newest grandchild growing within her. He also noted the presence of Lord Rickon, Lord Cregan and Lord Cregan’s eldest son and Lady Jeyne Arryn, whom he had been unaware would be present.

Then he finally took note of the second silver haired woman seated at the High Table. At first glance, he had assumed that she was his cousin, Princess Rhaenys, whose once dark hair had been turning ever more silver by the year but when he gave the woman a second look, it was obvious that the woman was not Rhaenys. It was impossible! He had watched her burn on her pier! He had ordered for her to be sliced open from sternum to sex in the hope of saving his son! Yet, somehow, she appeared to be seated in front of him.

He gasped in shock, “AEMMA?!”

He stumbled forward, his guards catching his elbows, preventing his fall.

The woman then spoke in a soft but icy voice, “Hello again, Viserys.”

Daemon

The Prince turned sharply upon hearing his brother’s exclamation. It couldn’t be, could it? Aemma, the woman he’d been in love with since he first met her as a child, was long dead. Dead at the hands of his ungrateful brother and his endless demands. Yet, upon gazing at her, it seemed as though his beloved was again before him in the flesh.