#arcii

Encountering Floris in the library had made Rhaenys realise that her Baratheon cousins were all at The Red Keep. It had been embarrassing not being able to recognize Floris, but it had been years since she had seen her cousin, formative years for the young woman.

Recognizing Maris was somehow easier. The clever storm, wasn’t that how her own mother referred to Maris? It had not been easy to realise just how close her own mother was with her younger cousins when their own relationship was still strained.

“Maris?” Rhaenys called out as she spotted her cousin near the dining hall. “Sorry,” she added as she finally caught up to Maris, now slightly out of breath and rubbing her side. These last few days she had begun to get stitches at the slightest of movement. Calm little hippocamp, please. Muña will remember to move slower, promise.

“I heard Floris and Lady Jocelyn arrived. And that you arrived with Princess Rhaenya. It took me an embarrassing amount of time, to realise that I would have a chance to catch up with all my Baratheon cousins during this royal wedding.” She said with an easy smile. “Though, Floris didn’t seem too pleased to run into me,” she added with a slight shrug of her shoulders.

“Mother – Lady Jocelyn – tells me you’re quite studious? Which languages are you capable of reading? If you don’t mind my curiosity?” Rhaenys asked, she had always loved languages, especially High Valyrian and had been fortunate enough to find a husband who shared her love of languages, though he had never quite mastered High Valyrian. “And I was wondering whether you might share Princess Rhaenya’s fondness of lemon cakes?”

Dragonstone, 25th day of the 10th moon 129AC

Rhaenys had been delighted to receive a raven from Aegon and Helaena Targaryen on Dragonstone. The last time she had spoken to Aegon had been in the dragon pit and she had mentioned knowing a few secret passageways at Dragonstone, which she had discovered in her childhood. She had not been willing to give up all her secrets, but he had allured to her getting an invitation to visit.

By chance the invitation coincided with Corlys being called back to the Capital, less than a week before they had plans to relocate to the Capitel until the wedding of their grandchildren had concluded. Rhaenys wanted to be as included as possible, but her pregnancy meant travelling was uncomfortable and took its toll on her.

The Daenaera was not build for comfort, but for the short distance between Driftmark and Dragonstone it would do. Rhaenys disembarked, aided by Corlys. They said their farewells on the docks, as he was needed at court. Rhaenys did not wait to see him disappear into the horizon as she might have at other times. He would be back in a few days, so they could finish their preparations for leaving Driftmark for almost two full moon cycles.

Rhaenys followed the familiar path up to Dragonstone and easily found shelter from the spray of the water. It still amazed her how different the two neighbouring islands were. She had her maid send word to Aegon and Helaena that she had arrived but would need a bit of rest. Servants of Dragonstone had been expecting her and her maid and led them up to a prepared guest room.

In the hours between luncheon and dinner, Rhaenys made her way to the sitting room, the servants had said Helaena preferred. Upon entering Rhaenys couldn’t help but to be curious, as she saw the needlepoint projects. She knew Helaena was talented and had seen her work on several occasions. “Hello?” She called out softly.

A challenge for @asongofgoldenfireandblackblood

To celebrate and launch our time skip we have a scene challenge for all (or as many as you want) of everyone's muses! Write a scene (at least 200 words) or a series of scenes about important, major, or otherwise impactful moments in your muses lives that happened during the time jump!

Rhaenys celebrated her six-and-fifth name day with an informal picnic on the beach. As it also coincided with her and Corlys’ fortieth anniversary Corlys brought out wines and bubbles. Those who were able to attend we met by a spread of food on the beach, soft pillows and a relaxed setting in the sun. Rhaenys drank grape juice, keeping her and Corlys’ secret just a little longer, though she shared knowing looks with Rhaenyra who had been the first, and so far, only one to know yet.

A fortnight later Rhaenys felt the babe within her. At first, she had been unsure, but after a few hours of constant sensation she told Corlys, who had knelt down and kissed her stomach, calling the babe his little hippocamp. Laena had been their little squid and Laenor had been their little crab. A hippocamp, the Velaryon sigil seemed like the perfect way to complete their family.

About a moon after Rhaenys’ name day she and Corlys finally met up at The Red Keep with her mother. Rhaenys had insisted that her mother must be told, before the rest of the family and everyone else. Rhaenys’ mother’s reaction had not been unexpected, but ultimately Rhaenys knew her mother cared for her wellbeing and happiness.

Two days later Rhaenys and Corlys had managed to gather all their family at Driftmark for dinner. Rhaenyra and Daemon. Baela and Rhaena. Jacaerys, Lucerys and Joffrey. Aegon, Viserys, Visenya, Baelon and Aemma. Corlys rose and announced that the family was growing and that it would not interfere with the succession of Driftmark.

By the middle of the 8th moon Rhaenys’ pains worsened. She could no longer ride Meleys, but still managed to see her daily. Sleep was becoming difficult and travelling between Driftmark and King’s Landing led to excruciating pain that threatened to render her bedridden.

When Corlys announced he was going on an expedition, Rhaenys knew she wanted to near family. And so, she spent half of the 9th moon and the beginning of the 10th moon at The Red Keep. Most of the time was spent in the tub, as the water relieved her pain and eased her worries. Being at The Red Keep, meant that Rhaenys was blessed to spend time with her beloved grandchildren. The pregnancy could no longer be hidden and soon the news spread across the Seven Kingdoms.

Rumours of dark magic from Asshai reached Rhaenys as she made it back to Driftmark during the 10th moon. The rumours only caused her to laugh. The pregnancy had been a surprise, even to herself. It had been Corlys who had made the discovery and broken the news to her.

Rhaenys disliked being alone. And when Corlys was called to the Capital she often asked her grandchildren to come and keep her company. Luckily, they were all indulgent of her whims and she adored getting to spoil them all in turn.

As the 10th moon neared its end, Corlys was once more called to the Capital, however, this time it coincided with Rhaenys receiving an invitation to visit Dragonstone. Corlys took her there and kissed her farewell, promising that they’d be together again soon.

Dragonstone was a heaven for the warmth craving hippocamp. Rhaenys made use of the natural heated pools in the pit. She loved getting to know Aegon and Helaena’s children even better and easily took on the role as the storyteller as they brought her book after book or asked her to tell tales of Meleys.

The gifts Helaena presented her with, brought tears to her eyes. Rhaenys blamed the pregnancy. Gifts for the babe, personal and beautifully crafted gifts, which Rhaenys later packed down with the things she looked forward to using with the new babe. New things, old things from Laena and Leanor, gifts and heirlooms, everything for their hippocamp.

When the 11th moon rose, Rhaenys and Corlys took The Sea Snake to King’s Landing. The ship filled with their belongings as they intended to stay until the wedding of their grandchildren, Prince Jacaerys Velaryon and Lady Baela Targaryen.