Elizabeth

“Is he alright?” Ser Gwayne, elder brother to your stepmother/ex friend asks. Having heard the crying while he was on a walk, trying to clear him mind after the conversation he’d just had with his father. “Where is the nursemaid?”

“I don’t know.” You say not happy the babe has been left, there not even being a guard outside the doors. “Luckily he doesn’t appear to be hungry.”

“That’s good.” He says relieved, knowing he would have been furious if the boy was left hungry. Thinking his sister needs to staff, if they think it’s acceptable to leave a babe alone for who knows how long. “I’ll speak with my sister about this though he shouldn’t be unsupervised, especially for long enough that both of us heard him.”

“I know.” You say swaying slightly while you hold the boy close to you. Noticing that the man looked exhausted and you don’t mean physically. “Are you alright, you seem troubled?”

“My father wishes me to marry.” He tells you, feeling you had the right to know and he selfishly needed someone to talk to. The man deliberately not letting himself focus on how beautiful you look holding a baby.

“That makes two of us.” You say, waiting for the news of who your father and Otto will pick out for you to marry.

“He wishes me to marry you.” Gwayne says softly, feeling guilty that he has more of a say than you do.

“Thank you for telling me.” You respond slightly graceful that Gwayne is a candidate, him being a true knight.

“You’re not mad?”

“I’ve always known I’d be married off to whoever my father and yours decide.” You say factually, having known your whole life you wouldn’t be able to marry for love. “I’ve never had a choice in anything my whole life, I’m just grateful you are kind.”

“How do you know that? I could secretly be horrid.” He asks, trying to lighten the mood. Smiling softly down at the babe in your arms, letting the boy hold his finger.

“You came looking when you heard a babe cry and from what I’ve seen you’ve always been honourable.” You explain, no other man apart from Ser Harwin having done that with any of the children.

“I try my best.”

-

“He’s a babe!” You shout having just heard the new that Daeron was being sent to ward in old town at only a few moons old. “He’s too young to ward!”

“He won’t squire until he’s older.” Otto explains, sat with your father in his chambers sharing some tea when you stormed in.

“Then send him when he’s older!” You argue, thinking it ludicrous to send a baby away from his family to live with a random cousin. Gwayne being unwed so not an option.

“It’s best he go now.” Your father says, unknowingly doing exactly as Otto told him to.

“For who?” You snap, knowing this is Otto’s doing. You and Gwayne having spoken about how manipulative his father is, Alicent going down the same path. “I know this is just because of his hair.”

“I don’t know what you mean.” Your father says in confusion, not having seen the boy enough to know anything about the babe.

“Otto does.”

“Then why don’t you go with him?” Otto suggests, his plan playing out. “If you’re that concerned you should go with the boy.”

“Otto, she needs to find a husband she can’t just go to old town to raise her brother.” Viserys says, wanting you to marry.

“She could marry my son, two birds one stone if you will.” Otto says as if just thinking of it, giving the king a thoughtful look. “I know he’s the son of a second son, but if the princess is so worried about the young prince it makes sense. My son Ser Gwayne is looking for a wife and he loves children I’m sure he’d happily care for the young prince with the princess.”

“That does sound like a good idea, what do you say dear?” The king says, thinking that’s a brilliant plan. You able to stay with the babe you seen to care for and he can marry you off.

“I’m staying with Daeron.” You say, making the first decision of your life. Unaware that your husband will let you make many more.

“Then the matter is settled, you and Gwayne shall marry before you all leave for old town in a fortnight.” Otto says with the biggest fake smile, his plan going exactly as he wanted.

-

“Are you sure about this?” Rhaenyra asks you the morning of your wedding, you wearing a dress that Alicent picked out for you. “I can try and get father to change his mind.”

“I’m not letting Daeron go alone.” You say, looking into the mirror while your sister places your mother’s necklace on you. Your older sister thinking you look beautiful.

“Why do you care for him so much?” She asks, knowing you’ve spent most of your time with the babe since he was born. Her having sat out in the gardens with you and the children.

“I don’t know.” You say honestly, having always liked and cared for children. “But I’d do the same if they tried to send your son away.”

“I know you would.” She says, knowing you’ll always protect a child, no matter the circumstances. “You’ve always been the best of us.”

“That’s where you’re wrong, I’ve always been the most obedient, not the best.”

-

“It’s alright.” Gwayne says softly to the baby in his arms, Alicent having passed the babe to him at the reception of his wedding. His sister saying she’d be right back, him knowing otherwise. “We’re leaving for home in two days, are you excited?”

“Not really.” You say appearing at your new husband’s side, having just escaped an awkward conversation with a lady who insinuated that daeron is your son and Alicent is just pretending he’s hers.

“That’s understandable.” He says, knowing it must be difficult to leave home for the first time to live with people you don’t really know. “But I’ll try every day to be a good husband.”

“Thank you.” You tell him softly, silently vowing to be the best wife you can be. Giggling slightly at the boy in his arms who was trying to pull on Gwaynes doublet. “How’s our boy?”

“He’s fine.” Gwayne says smiling at Daeron, the little boy putting his fist in his mouth, clearly having decided the doublet wasn’t as fun. “Brilliant even, I just don’t understand how everyone is so ok with sending him away.”

“Me neither.”

-

“How could anyone not adore him?” Gwayne whispers while you lay in bed together, Daeron sleeping between you both. You on your side so you can watch your boys, Gwayne doing the same.

“He’s perfect.” You say brushing a ginger wave out of the boys face, him looking more and more like Gwayne every day.

“He is.” Your husband agrees, thinking you and Daeron are the best things that have ever happened to him. Him never felling happiness like it when you’re all together.

“Well sorry.” he with an eye roll, smile visibly on his face. The man covered in blood clearly having killed a lot of people to get to you. “It took a while to find which chamber you were in.”

“You’re forgiven.” You say meeting him halfway and giving him a quick kiss. Having missed your husband as he’s been away dealing with something for his brother. “I’ve missed you.”

“I’ve missed you too.” He smirks looking you up and down, wishing you had more time before you needed to leave. “I’ve got you a present.” He say holding out your favourite dagger, you using it threaten him on your wedding night.

“Thank you.” You say kissing him quickly before going to the door. “Come on let’s get out of here, it’s a mess.”

“Let me lead and stay close.” He say taking charge, being the better fighter between the two of you. You never willing to admit it but knowing it to be true, your husband being the best fighter in your lifetime.

“Of course my dragon.”

-

“How should he die, dear?” Daemon asks you with a smirk while the Lord the planned your kidnapping is knelt infront of you both, crying. His son’s dead, bodies dumped next to him for an extra punishment. “Fire? Hanging? Or just a basic beheading.”

“I don’t mind my love, but I do like the idea of fire.” You muse sat in the lords chair, cleaning your bloody dagger. Daemon letting you kill one of the sons who was especially rough with you. “Seems symbolic in a way.”

“As you wish.” He responds smirking, knowing Caraxes will be happy. The dragon loving burning people to death, especially those who disrespected his rider.

-

“Thank you.” You whisper later that night while you cuddles in bed, him holding you close kissing you every so often as if reminding himself you’re still there.

“What for?” He asks drawing shapes on your bare back, not understanding why you’re thanking him for doing his duty as a husband to keep you safe.

“Coming for me.” You say giving him a look when you see him smirking, your husband having an annoyingly dirty mind. “Not like that.”

“I’ll always come for you.” He says simply, wanting you to know that you will always be safe with him.“You’re my wife.”

“I love you.” You whisper for the first time, brushing a strand of hair out his face. Nether of you having said those words before. The most you’ve said is that you desire each other.

“Papa!” Helaena shouts running in with her siblings, all of the jumping on the bed to attack him with cuddles waking him up with a start. Valarr already awake smiling at the sight as he buttons up his shirt.

“Morning.” Daeron groans not expecting to be woken up by the children when past years he’s been woken by you and Valarr pressing kisses all over him.

“Happy nameday!” Visenya shouts giving Daeron a kiss on the cheek, her having seen Daeron do it to you on your nameday.

“Papa old.” Jae says solemnly, king Daeron’s nameday being a few days before. Everyone mentioning how well he’s doing for his old age.

“I’m not old!”

“You are the oldest in our marriage my love.” You tease, helping Valarr with breakfast, agreeing you could all eat in bed together. The servants changing the sheets anyway.

“By a few moons.” Daeron defends himself, not expected to be insulted so early in the morning.

“Cake!”

“Not for breakfast.” Valarr says, giving the children and Daeron a look, him making the rule no cake before breakfast. His father having the same rule, Matarys being the only one not to follow it. His younger brother having snuck into the kitchens aged 8 and eating all his nameday cake in the middle of the night.

“Cake.” Jaehaerys whines thinking cake is the only valid form of food, just like his father and uncle Mataerys.

“He has a point.” Daeron says, also wanting cake.

“We’re not having cake.” Valarr says firmly it not being up for debate. Cake can be had after breakfast not before.

-

“We had cake for breakfast.” Valarr says to his father in defeat as he watches his children play in the gardens with their dragons. “I made one rule for breakfast in bed, no cake. We had cake, in fact Jae and Daeron only had cake.”

“He is his father’s son.” Baelor replies, smile on his face even though they’re working on boring trade deals. Him happy his son is so happy. “I’m assuming Visenya ate toast with fruit like you?”

“Yes..”

-

“Good girl.” Luke says to Shrykos, the young dragon having retrieved a ball Luke threw for her. The two having been playing fetch all morning, Visenya practicing her high valerian with Onixa. “Drop it.”

“You really are your father’s son.” Maekar mumbles to himself while he watches his grandchildren play, Helaena chasing butterflies while Jae tries to play hide and seek with his dragon. “Shit at high valerian.”

“Rude.” Daeron says ungracefully flopping into the chair next to his father, bagel in hand. “We’re getting better and you’re not allowed to be mean to me on my nameday.”

“You being on the same level as a 5 year old isn’t a good thing.” He responds giving his eldest son a look, happy he’s trying to learn again but not mentioning it.

“Semantics.”

“Facts.”

-

“Happy nameday to you.” You all sing, Daeron having a new cake in front of him on the table. You all having a family dinner, Jae sat in Matarys’ lap as both boys aren’t allowed unsupervised with cake.

“Helaena, that’s a lovely drawing what is it?” King Daeron asks his great-granddaughter, the girl drawing in between corses.

“It papa and bugs!”

“Oh, how lovely.” He says not expecting that answer, now making out a stick man with blobs all around it, the girl happily adding more.

-

“Your son is trying to kill me.” You say entering the solar, you having just checked on the children and finding Shrykos curled up in the fire.

“Which one and what did he do?” Valarr asks, moving over slightly so you can join them on the sofa. Baelor and Maekar going to be joining you all for tea later.

“Luke snuck Shrykos into the nursery, again.” You explain, it being the 3rd time this week the dragon has been taken from new and improved dragon pitts.

“Daeron, your son is causing chaos.” Valarr teases him jokingly blaming all chaos and bad behaviour on Daeron.

“No, I thought we agreed the girls were mine and the boys were yours?”

-

“Did you have a good day?” Valarr asks his husband while kissing down his neck, you strangling the nameday boy.

“It was amazing, thank you.” He says softly against your lips, loving being in between you both. Whining lightly when you stop kissing him.

“We have one more present.” You whisper into his ear, sharing a smirk with Valarr.

“Where is it?” He asks loving presents and it’s not like you and Valarr and wearing enough to hide anything.

“It will take a few moons to arrive, I hope you don’t mind.” You say taking his hand and placing it on your stomach, the bump looking like you’re just a bit bloated.

“Really?” He asks excitedly looking between you both, him having asked a while ago if you could have some more children.

“I’m coming, wait a second.” He tells your daughter sleepily stumbling out of bed. Rosalind having been going through sleep regression and acting like she did when just born and suffering from colic. “Can you go back to sleep, my little princess?”

“Why won’t she let us sleep?” Your half brother Daeron grumbles making you and Gwayne jump, not knowing the boy was in your chambers let alone sleeping on your sofa.

“How long have you been here?” Gwayne asks his favourite nephew, you two have practically raised the boy for the past few years. You having married Gwayne when Daeron was being given as a ward. Your stepmother and his father wanting to tie you to the hightowers. You and Gwayne eventually falling in love over the time of your marriage, Daeron being your first child in all but blood.

“A few hours, I had a nightmare.” He admits knowing you’ll worry given Helaena’s dreams.

“What type?” You ask quickly sitting up to look at him, wanting to check he’s ok.

“It wasn’t a dragon dream.” He reassures, getting off the sofa and joining you in bed, wanting a cuddle. Knowing his dream won’t come true but still wanting comfort.

“Good.” You say kissing the top of his ginger head, knowing your boy is a cuddle fiend like his uncle.

“Do you want to be the best uncle in the world?” Gwayne asks the boy deciding to try his luck as Rosalind if finally sleeping again. Knowing she’ll only sleep on someone’s arms.

“No.” Daeron say snugging into you on Gwayne’s side of the bed, knowing what his uncle wants. “Night uncle Gwayne.”

-

“They’re like cats.” Gwayne muses as you’re all sat in the gardens having a picnic while the dragons play. Stormfrye mothering Tessarion and Shrykos, teaching the young dragons how to hunt/play.

“What?” You ask looking at your husband in confusion, Daeron to occupied playing with a giggle Rosalind. The girl having just learnt how to walk.

“Dragons, they’re like overgrown cats.” He clarifies, never expecting to have 3 almost 4 dragon in his life/family. Your hand resting on your small bump, watching Shrykos pounce Tessarion.

“I suppose you’re right.”

-

“Do we have to?” Daeron asks having just read the letter his mother has sent asking him to go back to kingslanding for a visit. You and Gwayne beginning invited along as Rhaenyra and daemon were also going to be there, it being the kings nameday. “Can’t we just say home?”

“It’s father’s nameday we need to go.” You say fixing Lillian’s toy bunny, Rosalind having accidentally ripped the arm off while playing with her dragon.

“It was his nameday last year and we didn’t go.” Daeron counters, not even knowing his father, Gwayne being his true father. Just as you are his mother.

“That’s because it wasn’t a big one.” You say raising an eyebrow at the boy, knowing he was just trying his luck.

“This is so unfair.” He pouts, crossing his arms over his chest. Wanting to say home with his sisters.

“Life’s unfair sweetheart.”

-

“Right, it’s bedtime.” Gwayne says the night before you have to leave to go back to the red keep. The girls sleeping after you read them their favorite story. Daeron half asleep on his cuddle chair, it being big enough for two.

“Can you carry me?” The boy asks not wanting to walk and missing when Gwayne would carry him to bed most nights when he was little.

“Daeron you’re 10.” Gwayne say with a smile happy to carry the boy.

“And?” He asks in response smiling when Gwayne lets out a dramatic sigh before picking the boy up. “Thank you.”

-

“You must be proud.” A old woman says to you, you all having stoped at a tavern on the way to your father’s nameday celebration. “Your son is a darling young boy, he’s so polite and very good with his sisters.”

“Oh, thank you.” You say not bothering to correct her, Daeron is your son. You raised him, you were the one who would read him to sleep every night.

“He looks just like his father as well.” She says with a laugh seeing Gwayne playing tag with the children in the gardens. Gwayne spinning Rosalind around making her giggle Daeron doing the same to Lillian.

“Someone’s going to die.” You say numbly looking out into the stormy skies, the dragons not even out in it. Almost as if the sky knew of your sorrow. You hating that your dreams are too cryptic to understand until it’s already happened. You still drowning in the guilt of not being able to save your precious little brother Luke.

“Do you know who?” He asks, knowing you won’t, but checking anyway. Standing next to you so he can watch you.

“No.” You respond not looking away from the harsh storm, rain hitting the window harshly, while lighting strikes through the sky.

“What did you see?”

“A great dragon.” You answer, thinking back to the dream that hasn’t left your thoughts since having it. “They get shot out of the sky.” You say finally looking away from the storm to look at him, his face filled with worry. Hating that he can’t stop your dream and the tears that come along with it. “What if it’s you?”

“It won’t be.” He says trying to reassure you cupping your cheek in his hand, trying to comfort you. “Hopefully it’s Aemond or Aegon.”

“You don’t know that.” You say looking into his eyes, tears building in yours. Wishing the dreams would stop or just be more easy to understand.

“You’re right I don’t.” He responds softly kissing the top of your head. “But nether do you.”

“I should.” You say letting him lead you back to bed, knowing you won’t be able to sleep but you know you’ll at least feel slightly better in his arms. “Past dreamers have been able to understand their dreams, why can’t I?”

“I don’t know.” He says softly pulling you close as you get into bed together, not caring that it’s improper. Everyone used to it, to you, by now.

“I hate not knowing.”

“Please, I’ll be quiet I just need a break from everyone else.” Gwayne practically begs, having had enough of his family. His father, sister and her children unexpectedly joining you for your husband’s nameday trip. Daeron being the only one invited as he lives with you and was planning on spending a few days with your cousins children. Your cousin owning the property half a mile away. “I fear I’m going insane.”

“Fine.” You relent knowing your husband will just stand there looking all sad until you let him join you. “But it’s your fault they’re here anyway.”

“I didn’t invite them.” He reminds you, stripping before joining you in the water immediately relaxing from the heat.

“No but you told them where we were going.” You counter giving your husband a look when he pulls you into his arms.

“I thought Alicent deserved to know we were talking her son on holiday with us.” He say defending himself slightly. Regretting tell her as soon as the letter got sent.

“Then that is all you tell her, not that we’re going to be in Dorne between these dates at my wife holiday home in lemonwood.”

“I’m sorry.” He say feeling guilty he unintentionally ruined the little family getaway you had planned with him and Daeron. “I do feel as though I’ve been punished enough though.”

“How so?” You ask straddling his lap, having missed having your husband all to yourself.

“Father and Alicent keep asking when we’re having children and Aegon and Aemond have been causing issues with the servants.” He complains having had to apologise to the servants multiple times. “Helaena has also taken over the on of the spare chambers and made it into a bug room.”

“Ask your father why does he think we came on holiday and set up days where Daeron will be out and just leave Helaena to it, she’s happy.”

“You want me to tell my father that we were planning on making love the whole time we were away?” He asks you raising an eyebrow at you, the man refusing to call sex fucking thinking it’s demeaning. Him loving you no matter the type of sex you have.

“Yes.”

“I won’t be doing that.” He says with a laugh, picturing the shocked and disgusted look on his father’s face if he did.

“Boring.” You tease before kissing him.

-

“I love you.” Gwayne says absentmindedly playing with your hair while you cuddle on the sofa reading in your private solar.

“I love you too.” You respond, giving him a soft smile, you both getting interrupted as the doors get pushed open and your ginger boy is stood in the doorway. Looking so much like his uncle when he wants to hide.

“Aunt, uncle can I hide in here with you? Everyone is driving me crazy.” Daeron asks softly, having just been stuck in a very awkward conversation with his brother. Aegon wanting to visit a pleasure house.

“Of course sweetheart.” You say happy your boy wants to be with you and Gwayne. You having been friends for years before marrying. So you played a part in raising the boy when he moved to old town. “You can always join us.”

“Why did you tell them we were coming uncle Gwayne?” The boy say joining the cuddle pile, not happy that Alicent, Otto and his brothers have joined. Him having to problem with Helaena.

“Because I’m an idiot.”

“Next time can we not tell anyone?” He asks, just wanting an actual family holiday.

“I will not let my favorite child marry a scoundrel.”

“Scoundrel?” Baelor asks raising an eyebrow at his youngest brother. Thinking the whole thing absurd, him suggesting Lyonel so you can be close enough to home to be able to visit more often.

“Yes scoundrel.” Maekar confirms wanting you to stay home. “Especially a Baratheon at that, she deserves a husband who worships the ground she walks on not a man who will party the whole time.”

-

Meanwhile…

“What are you doing here princess?” Lyonel Baratheon asks clearly drunk when he notices you dancing in his tent, you and Daeron having snuck in hours ago.

“Who says I’m a princess?” You tease, looking the handsome Lord up and down while you bite your lip thinking he looks delicious with that antler crown atop his salt and pepper hair. Daeron having disappeared with a whore not that long ago.

“Me.” He says back taking two drinks of a servant walking past and passing one to you. Both of you downing the strong drinks. “Do you wish to dance?”

“I’d love to.” You say leading him onto the dance floor.

-

“Fuck.” You whisper when you wake in a tent, not in your chambers. Already knowing you’re going to be in trouble before remembering you had sex last night. “I’m well and truly fucked.”

“Yeah you are.” Lyonel laughs half asleep not caring he bedded the princess, just pulling you back into his arms when you try to leave.

“It’s not funny my father will kill you.” You say knowing your father will be furious.

“I’d like to see him try.”

-

“I want a fight to the death.” Maekar declares having just found out about what you did last night. You having been summoned to the kings solar with Lyonel, your father and uncle Baelor to try and sort the mess out. You having been seen kissing the Lord before disappearing into his tent.

“Father no.” You say thinking the whole thing to be ridiculous, Daeron having fucked someone and he’s not expected to marry her.

“He dishonoured you!”

“If anything she dishonoured me.” Lyonel mumble to himself thinking back to the night before, you tying him to the bed before using him for your own pleasure.

“Maekar you aren’t killing him.” Baelor say, head resting in his hand. Not expecting to be dealing with this first thing in the morning.

“Why not!” Maekar snaps, wanting the man dead.

“Because I’m going to marry him.” You say having already spoken to Lyonel about it on the walk to the solar. Him needing to find a wife anyway.

“No.” Maekar responds crossing his arms over his chest stubbornly. “It’s not happening.”

-

“You ever upset her-.” Maekar says to your new husband at the feast after. You dancing with your sisters as Maekar takes the opportunity to threaten your husband.

“I know she’ll kill me.” Lyonel responds, having been waiting for this talk all day. You having warned him about it.

“I will kill you.” Maekar corrects, already having a long list of the different ways he could do it.

“I’m more scared of her.” Lyonel admits, finding you equally beautiful as you are scary. You pulling a dagger on him the night before saying that if he fucked anyone without your permission you’d cut his dick off.