deathless

NOTHING STAYS THE SAME . it is a particular lesson that daenya is learning the hard way . in the past she had once longed for excitement . for the new , and the changing , and the unexpected . it had been all she wanted to see more , to do more , to experience more . and yet daenya had not realized that with that wishing such things that things that she liked would change too ; things she longed to hold on to . she did not miss her mother . one would have to long for someone to miss them , no ? and she did not long for her mother . her love for her had settled like a bruise long ago , one that ached if pressed ; one that aches now even . but that tenderness did not speak of affection . it just spoke of a wound . and yet that wound reminded her of an absence . and it was not the only one . maegor . xaerys . corwyn . sheira . the list goes on with every death foreseen , every one felt . the wound was grief . daeny knew it . she understood it . and yet she tried to run from it . even knowing such a thing was impossible . knowing that it would follow her still . and it did . her whole journey with soryn it followed her like a hound , relentless , and begging to be seen . sometimes it would rest in her shadow , hidden , and for a moment daeny would have hope that it might have departed entirely . but then that tenderness would return ; then that ache would come back anew . on that particular day it had been gone for near three days . while there was a certain level of melancholy with the journey , daenya enjoyed soryn's company . it made things easier , such company . it bled out the shadows with a bright light that near chased the grieving dog away . shaera's presence does the same as she storms in . daenya can feel it the moment she sets her eyes on the strikingly familiar silhouette her sister makes . she is grateful for it in ways she's not sure how to express . " shaera !" her tone is coloured with her surprise , the sight of her sister's smile provoking a beaming one of her own . all daenya is able to get out is an excited exhale before her sister is bounding into her , until they are connected into an embrace that daeny returns tightly . the warmth of that bright light envelops her near entirely . she basks in it . " of course i have missed you ! there is no need for any falsehood in that , i have missed you terribly ." daeny squeezes her sister tight in response , tucking her chin into her shoulder and somehow feeling herself fill with a familiar contentment . " did you miss me ?" daenya can't help but ask excitedly , giving shaera one last squeeze before she forces herself to pull back enough to meet her sister's eyes . " or were you much too busy having fun with hel and emir ?" she moves to take both of shaera's hands in her own , interlacing their fingers to jokingly say , " you can tell the truth if you were , i'll only be slightly wounded !"

It was easy to enforce distance with the actual distance in place. He could keep his letters short, he could find distractions, he could pretend not to care -- pretend that distance did not, in fact, make the heart grow fonder. But as she stood before him, and he watched her expression twist and melt away whatever feelings she'd harboured beneath, Rickon was reminded just how much of a lie his convictions had been. And how much more difficult pulling away was yet to become. A soft chuckle escaped his lips at her words, and his brows rose. "Aye? You're cross with me?" he says, shutting gently the door behind. "Tell me." arms cross over his chest, and he leans against the tall wooden closet not far from where she stood. Giving her a proper look at last, a wave of guilt washed over him so sudden and violent, he could no longer maintain a smile. Or an even breath. She looked tired. "Your trip with Soryn..." his throat clears, and he can scarcely hold her gaze. "You never did say how it went?"

DAENYA IS QUITE NATURALLY STUBBORN . she tries her best to remind herself of that now , even as it seems to become quite an effort . because she was cross truly . and it felt quite important a moment ago and so it should feel quite important now no matter — the warm familiarity of having rickon before her once more . her eyes follow him as he moves to close the door , and it is with hands finding her hips that she begins to grasp for her own indignance again . " well , you've been — " a fumble for words that furrows her fair brows . " you've been — ... cold to me ." the frustration rises again anew as her brows knit closer together . " and avoiding me as of late as well , and — " rickon's concern catches her off guard . daenya has to stop mid sentence to blink , and it is with an instinct that she moves to sweep her fingers underneath her eyes , the pads of her fingertips swiping across the purplish hue there as if she could remove the stain of her exhaustion with just the right amount of friction . her mouth opens and closes before she settles on a , " it — was successful ." the words feel inadequate , as if they're somehow wrong . the trip certainly didn't feel successful . daeny swallows before she drops her hand to cross her arms over her chest , shrugging to say , " we found what the dreams meant ." it was nothing good but was it ever ? the words echo in her mother's voice . daeny has to swallow hard to keep her eyes from getting hot . her eyes look over him and see the worry there , and it is with a straightening of her back that she tries to convincingly say , " ... you need not worry . i am well ."

He'd spent the past two days avoiding his chambers, finding company instead with his nephews, his brothers, his family. They provided the only distraction solid enough to get her off his mind, even if it was scarce, only moments far and few in-between. Truth was, Rickon longed to see her, to speak with her, to laugh with her -- but his desires were of little relevance. He knew that now, he understood. As he entered his chambers, tired and in desperate need of some solitude, he'd recognised her by her step before his eyes ever set sight on her features. Heart sunk deeper into his chest, and he took a moment to still himself before turning to face the door. "Hi." is all he could muster, as he stepped closer to where she stood, rubbing the back of his neck. No further words came out, but a soft smile remained as he found himself before her, looking down to violet eyes he'd seen every time he shut his own. Without thought, or word, or hesitation, he pulled her against his chest, and wrapped her in his arms.

DAENY WASN'T QUITE SURE WHAT SHE DID . or rather she thought she did nothing . but could she truly have done nothing when rickon seemed to have no desire to see her ? or speak to her even ? or she suppose the correct description would be write to her . at first daenya thought his cold responses might be due to things outside of her . after all , there was much happening . and despite her upbringing , daenya was aware that not everything was about her . she truly was . but when the coldness seemed to persist all the way until now when she was quite sure her closest friend was avoiding her , well . she was less than entirely sure it wasn't about her . because it had to be didn't it ? what had she done wrong ? daenya's mind is racing to answer the question even as she storms her way to rickon's chambers , her heart hammering with nervousness even as her cheeks feel warm with frustration . after all , this is not her first visit to rickon's chambers . daeny isn't even sure that it'll be the last . and yet unexpectedly when she finds herself at the threshold he is here . for just a second the actual sight of him leaves her somewhat startled enough to forget the half speech she'd been reciting in her head for days prior . " i — " daenya's eyes flick over him . " hi —" the embrace is unexpected . of the many ways that daenya predicted this exchange going , an embrace to start was not it . and yet she finds herself almost instinctually relaxing into it regardless , her arms moving to wrap around rickon in return in surprise . she feels caught off guard enough to be uncertain how to proceed because it is rickon and he is the same , so at the very least there's that . " i am — " daenya's expression twists as she tries to remember her frustration of before , but it feels like it has all melted out of her before it could truly be realized . her are weak as she says , " cross with you , you know ?"

"I asked but, it did not feel right to assume you've not got more important matters to oversee." her safety was hardly a priority, in times like these, and being as presumptuous as she had been was starting to evolve into a pesky character flaw. Or so she thought, as she allowed herself to do it nonetheless. "You will?" her eyes soften at their reassurance, as their thumb passes gently over her knuckles and their eyes speak the truth for themselves. She smiles, something warm and gentle washing over her at the words. Rhaena sat back into her lap then, placing a gentle kiss at the corner of their mouth. "Do you think me weak, Ynys? You've always spoken to me plainly, I do not wish for you to start sparing my feelings now." she took a breath in, looking for something in their eyes as her hands traced across their cheeks. "It's just that -- well, it feels like...like I need you a lot more than you'd ever need me in return. I'm not...suppose, I'm not entirely sure I like that, you know?"

" WHAT OTHER PRIORITIES DO I HAVE TO ATTEND TO ?" ynys asks honestly , shrugging before she pauses to consider her words and amends , " or i suppose what other priorities do i wish to attend to ?" politics had little interest to ynys , and at the current moment there was no battle to fight . such circumstances left them with truly very little reason to even be in king's landing outside of what they are hoping might be a oncoming battle with the harbinger's followers . and so it is decisively that they say , " there is only you . that has been the case for quite some time now . half year to be exact ." a shrug . " however , if some grand important matter finds me you will be the first to know ." they meet her eyes to gently add , " however , i doubt that it will outrank you ." a shrug before they add , " the only thing that might have me departing is battle . until then i am yours ." at the question ynys' brows furrows , not hesitating to say , " of course ." she sits back into their seat to collect rhaena into their lap , softening at the kiss pressed into their skin even as their brows furrow a bit at the question . " i do not think you weak ." it is said with an honest confidence . ynys' head tilts , " you are strong in ways that i am not , in truth . i protect with armour and a sword but you protect in other ways . it is admirable ." the words are laced with sincerity . ynys considers before adding , " you also have the world's largest dragon , and that is quite a strength . but i believe morghos chose you for your strength . you are a shield as i am ." ynys studies rhaena as those soft hands trace their cheeks , their arm wrapping around her waist again to pull her closer as they say , " quite a few people need you and it seems like it could be a great weight ." it is an observation rather than anything else . her eyes flick over rhaena's features . " you can take from me . it is fine . you need not feel the need to return something . i do not provide with that expectation ." a beat before they're moving to rest their forehead against rhaena's , their voice softening to say , " this is not me saying that you are not needed ." they clarify gently before arching their brows to add , " just that i have no wish to barter with you for — whom has provided more or less . it matters not to me ." they meet her eyes for another beat before pulling back to lean back in their seat , their expression twisting thoughtfully say , " besides , must we be needed ?" the question is directed towards the ceiling as they consider . " is it not enough to want for someone ?" another moment of thought before they're looking to rhaena to say , " i do not even speak in terms of desire ." ynys moves to bring a hand to a stray lock of rhaena's hair , tucking it behind her ear as she says , " i quite prefer having you around . i find things lacking when you are not ."

She'd spotted the youngest Targaryen laying in the shade of a large godswood tree. It was no secret people came to these shades to seek solitude, and evade unwanted company. She approached in quiet step, smile gentle across her lips as she spoke. "You can open your eyes now princess, your prayers have been answered." she laughed, getting down to her knees to give her a better look. "You look tired, love."

DAENYA IS DOING HER BEST NOT TO BE MELANCHOLIC . it is — an effort as of late . daeny wouldn't like to think of herself as naturally melancholic , but recent events had left her with little other choice . the guilt of the death of her mother , the weight of the eight , and —rickon . and yet even still , there was a silver lining . the feud between her family had ceased . they were all here in king's landing , together . daeny tried to find comfort in it . her efforts are eased by the sound of a voice that makes her perk up . " rhaena !" there is a blatant surprise that colours daenya's voice as she shifts to sit up , her smile wide in response to the sight of her cousin . daeny doesn't know how long it's been since she's seen rhaena . daella was in king's landing during the war , or at least some of it , but rhaena was another circumstance entirely . " oh , i — it is nothing ." daeny tries to shake her head at the concern , knowing that she likely can't hide the evidence of lack of sleep from her features . " i have been on many a journey as of late ." she tries to smile wider with the words . after all , journeys were meant to be fun weren't they ? or at least she always thought they were . she scrambles to her feet then , moving to take both of rhaena's hands in her own to say , " but you have surely woken me up ." she squeezes rhaena's hands then , bright as she says , " it is wonderful to see you . i sought you out during everything yesterday but i had little luck ." daeny tries to swallow her disappointment . after all , did it truly matter now ? " are you well ?" daeny tries tentatively , her eyes searching rhaena's face .

Her attempt to tease is enough to lift a heaviness off his chest. His hand reaches for hers, as it passed gently over his jaw, and he'll place his own on top of it pressing it firm against his skin. Her eyes draw him in, her nod of certainty pulling forward one of his own. Rickon believed her. He believed in her. And with that, there was nothing to fear. Not anymore. "I know you won't." his eyes fall to her lips, only a moment before flicking up once more. "You've never failed me Daen, it'll be no different this time." The shake of her hands is followed by a low sigh, and he'll pull her along to sit by his side atop the low stacks of hey. His brows furrow at her words, "A noble house, a vassal house. We were never much higher in status than the common folk to begin with." as he was consistently reminded. Especially when it came to his affinity for her. "Karstarks were stripped of their titles Daenya. I may not have bent the knee to Corwyn Velaryon, but my family did. Traitors. That is all your mother sees." he'll rub the back of his neck once again, glancing up at her now and then. "Even Vaegon thought I'd kidnapped you, you know? Helaena, Soryn -- we are safe to assume that sentiment is widespread. Our words are enough defence for those who know us but, I should think them of little value to those who do not." and with his brother betraying not only the crown, but the Queen directly -- if he was to stand trial, it would not go in his favour. So he opted not to think on it. Instead he'd smiled once again, nodding. "Aye, together." he says, eyes reflecting a glimmer of hope as his heart warmed at the words, as courage birthed from that warmth like a seed out of watered soil. "The winter stole enough from us as is, I will not let this war do the same." Silence followed his words, and he let his mind divulge them. Her voice, a hushed whisper, pulls him instinctively forward. "Parchment and quill." he'll say, "My sister will recognise the writing. If it's not mine she will wonder why. She'll worry." likely she would worry regardless. "Be careful, alright?" he'll look over at the door, where the guards stood facing the other way, and once he ensured they were not looking he placed a quick and passing kiss upon her forehead. "You get caught they won't let you near me again."

it is with a deep breath that she dusts off her skirts , that she moves towards the doors of of the dungeon with a straight back and hard eyes . she bangs at the door with a closed fist , looking directly into the eyes of the first guard and arching her brows as she points to rickon to say , " are the chains truly necessary ?" daenya allows her expression to twist as if she is unimpressed . the guards blink at her . " he is but one man , and not even a particularly formidable one at that !" she gives but one mental apology to rickon before continuing , moving to let her hands wrap around the bars of the dungeon as she adds , " and there is already a locked door ! do you think him a witch ?" a head tilt as her brows arch , as she insists , " or do you mean to tell me that multiple of you cannot handle one man ?" the guards begin to look disgruntled and daenya can only hope that means it is working . in truth , acting like she knows what she's talking about at least usually does when her title is involved . she internally crosses her fingers as she looks between all of them before adding , " well ! what are you waiting for ? unchain him !" the exclamation at least provokes some scrambling . daenya has to keep her relief internal as the door is unlatched and a guard seems to move towards rickon with purpose . " whilst you do that i would like one of you to escort me to my chambers briefly ." the guard before her looks ready to protest . daenya makes her eyes wide and round in response . " i am not finished with my visit but i have some ladylike business to attend to . it is very ... private ." the guard still doesn't look quite convinced . daenya subtly holds her breath until her cheeks go a bit red with it . luckily , she is pale enough that the warmth comes quickly . " please do not ask me to elaborate . would you ask such a thing of a princess ?" the guard looks flustered enough at the implication that daenya is flustered for hope to rise in her chest anew . it is with an awkward bow that he turns to lead her and daenya can't help but sigh in relief . she looks to rickon briefly as she goes , just a glance as she turns to follow and she feels a relief at at least knowing she will see him again in , hopefully , mere minutes .

The warmth of hands against his skin eased his nerves. Even now, beneath the ground, she felt like the sun. And what was moments ago feigned courage, was now turning into a sense of genuine relief. He believed her words -- that she would look after him. That she would find a way out. Rickon did not know if he'd wanted it more for his own sake, or for hers. "I am in good hands then." there is playfulness, to his tone. "I pity the person bold enough to tell you no." and while he had no idea if he was perhaps the only one who could not utter such a word her way, he was still convinced Daenya was the strongest and most capable person he'd ever met. If she wanted to find a way -- she would. She may have been the sweetest of them, but she was still a dragon. As her eyes scanned the walls around them, he spoke to pull her focus once more. "It don't seem like much but -- it is better than sharing a cell, I'd say. Royal treatment -- I must be...very important. If you squint it is almost like the room at the tavern. Even Rickon the second paid me a visit." perhaps the mention of rats at this point was not the brightest idea, but he never pretended to be wise. "Your siblings came around too. Helaena brought food, you know? You were right --" he chuckled then. "Suppose we are getting pretty close. Go figure." it was not entirely the truth. But it was not so far off either. Without much warning, or any thought, Rickon pulled her into a hug once again. This time, it was he who had needed it. His heart fastened and he let the smile cease as his breath evened. "I do not want you to worry." he says at last. His words soft, calm. "Remember how you said there will be a...a long period of good? That we must be ready?" there's a gentle nod to his head, waiting for a recall in her gaze. "There will be. This is just...another stop on the way. We cannot have good without first -- e-earning it, I suppose? Good things must be earned, isn't that so?" and while he was certain they had earned more than their fare share of good, he needed to hold onto something. A belief. Better would come. With a nervous rub of his neck, his eyes diverted from hers a moment. "I wish to send a word to my sister, my brother. They will worry. I want them to know I am good and...alive." Rickon knew Alecor was likely searching for him, that Cait was grey with worry. "I will not tell them I am kept here just that -- that I am good. I promise I will not...make matters worse." throat clears, and had it been anyone else he'd not dare ask of them such a thing. "I know it might be...difficult for you to do so...at this time but, d'you think --"

daenya is nodding the moment the words are uttered , her head bobbing with it in understanding . there is no hesitation in her gaze , her eyes meeting his as she insists . " do you wish to write the letter or should i ?" daenya is sure to keep her voice low with the question , as this was likely not something that would be overheard . after all , things likely wouldn't go well for perhaps either of them if this was found out . and yet , daeny would do it all the same . for rickon to trust her enough to ask her was already an honour . daenya could not let him down . " i could bring you parchment and a quill later today ." daenya whispers as her eyes scan his face for even if she was not permitted to visit him later , she would find a way surely . " or you can just tell me what you wish to say and i can send the raven tonight ."

DAENYA'S EYES TIGHTEN AT THE CORNERS TO SUPPRESS A WINCE . the firmness in helaena's tone feels like something she should listen to and yet daenya feels a stubborn resistance rising up in her all the same . and yet she still finds her eyes meeting helaena's as she takes her arms , still finds herself leaning into the touch even with the words weighing heavily on her tongue ; even with the weight of her guilt . " but you would have done the same for me !" daenya insists then , because she knows it to be true . and helaena likely would've done a better job at it too , in truth . perhaps actually succeeded . daenya has to wonder for the umpteenth time why the gods bestowed this curse upon her . was it a punishment or a tool ? daenys certainly seemed capable of wielding it as the latter . and yet she , her descendant , couldn't do the same . daenya is sure helaena would be able to . or vaelora or jaehaerys or shaera or vaegon or her mother — and yet she could never wish this upon them . she simply wishes that perhaps she was better at it . perhaps more deeply she wishes that she didn't have it at all . " but i don't want for you to die !" the words are insistent as they burst out of her , as daenya's expression twists with them . her hands curl into fists as she exclaims , " maegor and xaerys and then you ? i don't wish for that !" a hitch of her breath as her chest tightens , as her eyes tighten at the corners to say , " i am the youngest ! if i just sit here and let everyone older protect me to death then i will have to watch as i end up alone !" the very thought is enough to make her feel ill , the panic of seeing helaena in the first place resurfacing and rising like bile in her throat . " i did nothing with maegor and he died for it ." the words are laced with pain . it still feels like a failing . perhaps it always will . " not xaerys either , and — " a fumble for words . " i tried to warn you , and i told soryn to watch over you , so that you'd be safe ! and i took rickon !" daenya stomach twists as she utters his name and yet it was the truth . she had tried to take precautions . or at least her own equivalent of them . and yet they did not seem to be enough . or at least perhaps weren't see as she had meant them to be . she deflates . " but perhaps i could've said more ... "

Ryella rushed over to Daenya's chambers, as the news broke of her return. And the guards which stood planted before princess' door could not keep her from entering with equal amount of force and excitement. Lady Tully rarely smiled -- there was seldom any joy to be had. But as her eyes rested upon familiar features of the missing princess, a smile was all she could muster. Without hesitation, or a single word, she rushed to pull her closer in. Once her hug had ceased, she took a step back and curtsied as was proper. "I hope you have found what you were looking for, my dear. You have certainly caused quite bit of worry. Though --" her gaze softened. "I must say, I was always confident you'd return to us. I have watched you leave these walls countless of times. Tell me --" she finally looked upon her whereabouts, searching for a place to sit. "Are you alright? You were harmed?"

IF DAENYA WAS GRATEFUL FOR ANYTHING IT IS THAT WHILST THE GUARDS SEEMED TO HAVE PARTICULAR RESERVATIONS ABOUT ALLOWING HER OUT , these reservations did not seem to fully extend to allowing others in . perhaps it was her fault in truth , for telling her mother that she was not in fact kidnapped , that she went of her own free will . perhaps it was a logical result of that . even still , daenya was at least allowed visitors . she finds herself particularly thankful for this when ryella bursts into her chambers , distracting her from the meal she was disinterestedly picking at in the depths of her thoughts . it is between one blink and the next that daeny finds something warm filling her at the sigh . it only amplifies at the warmth of ryella's embrace . even her own mother wasn't so happy to see her . it is a simple fact . daenya feels it settle somewhere in her rib cage between the time that ryella pulls away and curtsies . " oh , you — you need not curtsy , ryella ! truly !" daeny tries her best to insist at the sight , and yet it is already over before she can get such protests out . despite herself daeny finds her eyes softening at ryella's good mood in wake of her return , even as her melancholy sinks her heart at the notion of finding what she was looking for . daeny forces a smile on her lips anyways . " ... thank you , my lady . for being believing in me ." daeny replies first , and the words are heartfelt . after all , ryella may have truly been the only one . most seemed to think that daeny was on the path to death the moment she was gone . perhaps ryella is the only one who thought that she might fend for herself . daenya can't help but appreciate the confidence . " and i was not harmed !" another attempt at that smile even if it does not reach her eyes . " i am well . thankfully i was very well protected . no harm could've befallen me in the company i kept ." daeny says as she moves to pull out a chair for ryella , using the one beside her at her desk to do so . " i hope that you are well as well ?" her eyes find ryella's then and daeny feels guilt once again for what she has missed during her absence . " i mean , with the war and all ... "

The state in which she'd approached rattled him. And he struggled not to let it show. She was fighting the tears -- and the crack in her voice made him step closer once again. "They will. Hey --" his hands reached for her cheeks, as his eyes searched for hers with a sense of newfound certainty. "They will." Rickon needed her to believe that. To believe this was nothing but a misunderstanding. That they would release him soon. That it would all work out in their favour. He needed her to believe that, so that he could believe it too. "I'll be fine. I -- I am fine." When things were bad, they could only turn good. Was that not what he had claimed? Not so long ago? He stepped back then, and leaned against the cold brick wall as his eyes passed over her. She was good. In one piece and, if anything had happened to any of her siblings -- he would surely have known it by now. So he relaxed, somewhat. "The queen is cautious. My family they --" Daenya knew what they did. And he could not bring himself to speak on it. Not after he'd heard the way they were spoken of. "I am not sure your mother knows what to do with me Daen." eyes dropped to her hands, but fear which brewed beneath mostly subdued. "Not sure I know what to do with me." words came out a whisper, a thought. If he was to be freed, unlikely as it was, what would become of him? A traitor; either to the crown, or his family. It seemed there was no right choice to be made. And for a moment, he was glad he had no choice at all. "I -- I need a favour."

DAENYA FEELS ALMOST GUILTY TAKING STRENGTH FROM RICKON . if anything she should be the one inspiring such strength in him ; inspiring such confidence in him . and yet daenya as always finds herself absorbing his steadiness like a sponge as he holds her face , as their eyes meet . and some part of her knows it is perhaps bravado . after all , how was rickon to know it will all be fine ? daeny didn't even know such things and she was apparently the one with sight . and yet as rickon says it daenya feels reassurance anyways , her hands on his wrists where he grasps at her cheeks . she feels the coldness of those shackles under her palms once more and she has to force herself to take a deep breath at the sensation . her nod is sharp . she finds her head bobbing with it twice more . " they will ." she repeats firmly then as she swallows thickly . her eyes meet his squarely as she moves to bring a hand up to wipe firmly at her eyes with finality . " i will get them to ." the words are said with more confidence than she perhaps feels , but she can only hope that rickon can feel the determination that lines them . " okay ?" daeny has no idea how she will manage it , truly . and yet she will . the conviction surely must count for something , right ? right . her eyes shine with pain at rickon's insistence that he was fine because how could he be truly ? here ? like this ? she swallows thickly and yet she says nothing . for what was there to say ? so instead she watches rickon as he speaks , her eyes scanning his face until his eyes fall to her hands . it is then with a gentleness that her hand finds its way to his jaw , that she holds it as she pushes for their eyes to meet again . " we shall focus on having you released first . okay ?" daenya's eyes scan rickon's as her brows furrow . " take this one step at a time ." daenya knows it was more her ideology than rickon's and yet how can she not fall back on it now , as he stands here in chains before her ? surely this was the most urgent matter . daenya feels her nerves frayed beneath her skin at just the sight . and yet her eyes snap from the binds to rickon's eyes at his question . she is nodding before words even form in her mouth . " of course . anything ."

IT IS ALMOST DIZZYING HOW QUICKLY THINGS HAPPEN . one moment daenya is begging to be released and in the next helaena is there . daenya has barely a moment to bask in the miracle that is her sister's presence . to register that the words she was told were truth . that despite it all helaena was fine and healthy . it feels somehow surreal . only the weight of helaena's hand in hers makes the concept feel concrete . even then daenya can't help but look at her sister like perhaps a strong gust of wind might whisk her away . the sensation briefly reminds her of her dreams . is this real ? of course it is . and yet this time the thought doesn't bring her to the depths of dread . instead this time , for perhaps the first time , daenya feels some semblance of relief at the thought of a dream being tangible . she finds herself mute with it . between the awe of looking upon helaena and the short journey to her chambers daeny doesn't find herself uttering a word . even as helaena orders her staff away , as she helps her undo the confines of her dress , daenya finds that she does not know what to say . it is helaena who speaks first , who breaks the silence , because of course she does . daeny finds her hands fisting in the fabric of her skirts . she can see the steam raising from her lavender bath . the sight blurs before her eyes . " i did not mean to worry any of you ." daeny can't help but say emphatically . her eyes tighten at the corners as she tries her best to clear her vision with rapid blinks . " ... i just wanted to help . to — " she fumbles for words . it is with a frustration that she moves to swipe at her eyes with the back of her hand . " to do something ." daeny was historically impotent . she was aware of it and yet she could not stop it . she could not stop anything . even in this she tried and yet — helaena was still taken was she not ? still put into the danger she had foreseen ? her sister could have died just as maegor did , just as xaerys did , and again she would have done nothing to halt that fate . daenya's face twists in a pain . " i thought i could stop it this time ." and perhaps that is the crux of it truly . daenya really did think that perhaps this time would be the one . that she could do something to change things , to make them better . and yet again her efforts were meaningless . " i did not mean to — to worsen things or to cause panic ." her voice cracks with the words . her hands twist in her skirts . " i promise i was just trying to — " a furrow of her brows as she stares hard at a point on the stone floor . " to save you . " the words feel inadequate in light of it all . perhaps it is because daeny does as well .

As they moved slightly to the side, offering the prince a nod of their head, Jaehaerys walked to the door and opened it, coming face to face with his sister. "Daenya. How are you feeling? I was very worried about you." He walked into the room, closing the door behind him to give them some privacy.

DAENYA'S SURPRISE AT THE APPEARANCE OF HER BROTHER IS OUTWEIGHED BY HER RELEF . she can't help but blink at the question , not quite knowing where to perhaps begin with an answer . how was she feeling ? " i am — " a shake of her head as if to perhaps clear it . daenya flicks her tongue over dry lips . " physically i am fine , brother . well , even !" the words are said emphatically as she meets his gaze , as she brings a hand up to swipe at her eyes with an almost distracted hastiness . " and you — " daenya's expression twists . " you have my apologies for worrying you ." a bow of her head . " i did not intend to ." there is a beat then as daenya swallows , as her gaze falls for a moment in guilt . but it is not long until her gaze is lifting again , until she is making herself meet jaehaerys' eyes to say , " but — outside of the physical i am — harried , brother ." daenya tries to explain , her hands twisting before her as she takes a step closer to her brother to say , " mother has — forbidden me from leaving this room and she has imprisoned my only friend ." daenya's gaze becomes pleading as she searches her elder brother's face to say , " if i am unwell for anything it is due to these circumstances ." her skin around her eyes tightens . she brings both hands to grasp at his arm to say , " you must help me , brother . please ?"

pushing open the door, vaegon sees his youngest sister and doesn't think twice before throwing herself at her, arms wrapping around her neck and pulling her to his chest. "daenya," he breathes a sigh of relief. "you have no idea how worried i was for you, sweet sister."

THE SIGHT OF VAEGON AT HER DOOR IS ONE THAT FILLS HER WITH RELIEF . he is a more than welcomed sight in comparison to her mother , or a guard . but before she can do much more than develop the thought she is being pulled into his embrace . it is one that daenya allows herself to sink into without hesitation . the feeling of relief only grows . " vaegon !" daenya gives her brother a squeeze around his middle in return . the familiarity of the touch makes her eyes sting ." oh , thank the gods ." somehow just not being alone in this room was enough to sooth some of daenya's nerves . she would not be locked away forever , perhaps . her siblings surely wouldn't allow that . and if she is not to be a prisoner here , perhaps she might be able to help the person who actually is . daenya tries to let the thought calm her . " i —  i'm sorry for worrying you , i —" a swallow . " it was never my intention , i swear it . but i promise you i was fine ! more than fine !" an emphatic shake of her head as she says , " rickon and soryn protected me — no harm could befall me even if the gods willed it themselves !" and perhaps they did . the moment she was gone it seemed that the world had fallen into ruin . war and pain and blood , all within the short time she was away ? no wonder her dreams reflected it . " what of you ?" daenya swallows dry as she pulls away just enough to look over her brother . vaegon was unwell when she left . perhaps not physically , but xaerys' death was weighing hard on him , on all of them , and not all wounds were those you could see . her eyes scan him anyways . " are you well, brother ?"

Rickon failed to understand the need for chains, when he was already locked alone in a singular dark cell, deep beneath the ground. Two guards stood watch at his door, seldom breaking the deafening silence with quiet chatter. He'd tried to listen in, but between the cold brick wall, and a small wooden door with an even smaller opening -- he'd not had much luck. All he could hear was the sound of his stomach rumbling, echoing as it entered the empty space. But now that silence was broken anew with the sound of familiar steps. And Rickon jumped up to his feet, waiting for her to enter. It would be insufficient to say his heart fastened with relief, and mind eased as he spread out his chained hands as wide as he could to pull her in. He knew her well enough to know -- she'd feel much of this was her fault. And that she'd worry. "I'm alright. It's alright." he says with feigned confidence. "It is not so bad here, really..." voice trailed off as he pulled away gently, so his eyes could search for hers. "Are you alright? Y-your family?"

THE RETURN TO KING'S LANDING HAD BEEN A PAINFUL ONE . between her empty hands and the now empty place by her side daeny felt melancholy looming at the edge of her vision insistently . it was following her like a shadow with every step , coming behind each of her words like an echo . and she could not escape it . for while she found herself home among all the luxuries that came with it rickon was underfoot and suffering for it . it did not matter if there was a lock on her chamber door , if she was interrogated with a persistence , or if her movements were watched and restricted . beneath her rickon was chained . and yet no one would listen to her about undoing such an injustice . helplessness had crippled her all her life and it finds her anew again . she will not let it . she cannot . and yet her eyes burn with it even as she descends the stairs , accompanied yet again by guards who open the door for her with a coldness that only makes her feel more ill . and yet not as ill as the sight of rickon chained to the wall like some sort of horrific criminal . daenya's stomach turns . " what ?" daenya's tone is as horrified as her expression , her eyes scanning over the state of rickon as he pulls her in . her hands move to clasp over his wrists where the shackles lay and she is not sure if the touch is to perhaps attempt to undo the bind or if it was to gauge tangibility . but the chains are real and cold and rough under her palms . daenya feels her breaths hitching with it . she pulls . " this is — this is not alright , rickon , this is — " her stomach lurches briefly . her voice cracks with it as she looks to him in bewilderment at the question . " you worry for me while you are bound to the walls ? rickon this is — horrible ." of all the outcomes that daeny expected upon them arriving home this was not one . and yet perhaps it should have been . the worst had happened . the worst always happens . daeny pulls again . " they will release you ." despite herself there's an undercurrent of a tremble in her voice . she does her best to take control over it . after all , rickon is the one suffering . he will need strength . she must provide it . and yet her eyes sting even still . " i will make them do so , you are innocent and this unnecessary , you have done nothing — "

" AND I ADMIRE IT ." baelora replies with a playful raise of her chin , her lips twitching at the corners with it until her smile grows to broaden . her eyes twinkle as daeryssa continues, her steps smooth and slow before she adds, " you are much too kind to me ." her head tilts . " perhaps i will surprise you at sea one day ." the concept had merit ; to fly high on aegarax to meet daeryssa at sea . the mental image alone feels right . after all , they had already promised to go to old valyria together . it was perhaps only a matter of time . she squeezes daeryssa's arm gently where her hand rests on it . " excellent ." she nods . " i will give you another charm before you depart tomorrow . for your safety until we are reunited ." baelora adds as she meets daeryssa's eyes sweetly . her smile is warm as daeryssa's hand rests on her own . and yet the change of topic is a complicated one . baelora hums a sigh through her nose . " monterys is monterys , and he will always be monterys . as such i have yet to extend my own congratulations . they will only run off him like water on skin ." the words are said with a bluntness as baelora's steps continue . after all , for one to be congratulated should they not believe that the news was worth celebrating ? the gods tell her that monterys may not be inclined towards such a sentiment . and yet . " this is a great cause for celebration . our houses will be united as they are meant to . " a thoughtful hum before she simply adds , " ... and yet i would have thought the union would have been our own ." she flicks her eyes over daeryssa's features thoughtfully then . " ... there have been none who have inspired the desire for marriage in me until you , daeryssa ." baelora gives daeryssa another long look before her brows are arching to thoughtfully say , " perhaps the desire will leave with you too ."