Rhaenys answered Rhaenyra's dry laugh with a chuckle of her own, an amused smirk tugging at the corners of her mouth. "I imagine you do." Daemon's preoccupation with waging war while his wife labored for three days with his child had not been lost on his cousin.

She thought it in poor taste, and wondered sourly if he had been this indifferent towards Laena's agony in her last labor. Corlys, for all his faults, had been most attentive to her both times Rhaenys had been brought abed with his child. But Daemon had always been a different mould of man from her lord husband.

In truth, Rhaenyra could barely blame Daemon for his absence. He had faithfully been with her during her labors with Aegon and Viserys, despite the strain it had put on him. She could not deny that Laena's fate had marked him and that her labor with Visenya must have reminded him of it. Still she would have wanted him to be present, if only for the chance to see and hold his daughter before she was buried, but it was futile to dwell on it now. The child was dead and she had barely survived. There was little else to say about the torrid affaire.

He was about to voice those thoughts when his half-sister spoke up again and mentioned having a purpose and duty at court. It was not a bad idea, though he hadn’t considered it up until the very moment she had offered it herself. Looking at her, he found himself nodding slowly. “It sounds like a good idea.” He admitted, a light smile on his lips as he said that. “I think it would do me good, to have something to do other than … avoid my overly worried mother. She does not seem to understand I am not the child that was taken anymore, I am … different now. So, whatever you should think suitable for me, I will be glad to put my focus to it.” He had no idea what she had in mind for him, but honestly at this point he would take anything to keep himself busy and away from those looks filled with pity and worry. 

It was not often that Rhaenyra engaged in conversation with Alicent these days, so she was uncertain how the former Queen felt about the reunion with her son. Rhaenyra was not truly interested in it either, because she thought little of Alicent's abilities as a mother, so she had an inkling that her reaction to Aemond's return was not necessarily what the boy needed. But there was nothing she would do about it, because it was none of her business. What she could offer him, however, was a duty to uphold, so that he would feel included and needed at court. A purpose was a good way to forge connections, meet new people and establish his place here as a person of his own and not the myth of the boy that was stolen away and returned years later.

"I could offer you a seat on my small council. We are currently one Master of laws short. I understand you have no formal training in the laws of the realm, but it would be an opportunity to learn about them and help us uphold them. You will have ample opportunity and time until your abilities will be needed, but in the meantime you could sit with us in meetings and learn the ways of the small council and other members. It is an opportunity to connect yourself at court and forge bonds. If that is not to your liking, the boys need a trainer. Daemon is far too busy now to teach them sword fighting any longer." Should he not like any of the offers, Rhaenyra would find something else for him.

manhandling symbol starters | accepting

@wcrriorhearts said: ♧ - slap my muse’s hand away from something they shouldn’t touch ( for Langdon from Wanda )

~ Frank FLINCHED his hand back when a palm came down on it with a sharp swat. Blinking in surprise as he swivelled his attentions onto the woman with dark brows raised up onto his forehead. GLANCING down at his hand then back at her.

He hadn't had his hand slapped like that since he'd been a kid trying to sneak freshly baked treats off of a still VERY hot baking tray while his mother wasn't looking.

The steps they take back towards her room are slow, but Daeron has near infinite patience when it comes to his little sister, and will take the walk as slowly as she might need, even though the silence of the halls feels almost eerie and unsettling to him. The sooner they can get home the better. Perhaps they might have been better if they'd never left it in the first place. Then perhaps none of these horrid things would have even happened in the first place.

"They are both well. Neither fell sick. Egg wrote, the letter came but this morning to confirm that he is safe and well with his hedge knight." A blessing perhaps, that the boy had gone with him. Away from all of this. It will do him the world of good, he is sure. Aegon is a bright boy, and there is hope for him yet, perhaps more so than most of them. Certainly more than him, that was to be sure.

Rhae is glad to hear that the other siblings have been spared, though in hindsight she'd like to cough in Aerion's face for good measure, perhaps she still has some of the sickness in her and can kill the bastard with it. He would have deserved it so much more than their gentle, kind and loving cousins, who have never hurt a fly in their lives. Valarr and Matarys were good like their father and Rhae's only comfort is knowing that they didn't have to live without him for long. Her heart breaks for their aunt, however, who has now survived all three of them. How hard that has to be for a mother, to bury her own children. She should visit her soon.

Back in her chambers, Rhae isn't quite sure what to do with herself. She doesn't feel well enough just yet to play outside like she usually would, or explore the castle. So she climbs atop the now freshly made bed and looks around, trying to come up with something to occupy her. "Perhaps we could read a book? I don't know what else to do." She knows how to read, of course, but her schooling hasn't been very regular since their mother passed away. First she was shipped off to Dragonstone to recover from the ordeal, then soon after Ashford happened and now this. Even though Rhae is bright, she still struggles with her letters and therefore prefers it when others read to her, which doesn't improve her own issues, but helps her get through books much quicker. She knows she ought to read more on her own to improve, but it often seems like too much of a hassle.

“Do you know the Boneway on the way to Dorne? It’s near there. It’s in the marches but is, of course, a Stormlands seat sworn to house Baratheon. Yes,” he chuckles, “they get a lot of storms but I love that the do. It reminds me of Dragonstone in a sense but if you don’t know the Stormlands then you don’t know the way this sigil formed,” he beams pointing at the sigil he’d drawn. “Back when the kingdoms were their own nations, the Storm King ruled and his messenger was ambushed one night,” he leaves out it was the Dornish that did it. “An arrow struck down his horse and he was doomed but then out the sky broke a loud and a purple forked lightning struck the two assailants and so the messenger was able to deliver his message to the King in time. I think many saw it as a blessing from the Storm Gods themselves and I can’t deny it! You’ll have to visit during the storms and you can see the lightning strikes, they’re beautiful to watch even in their danger. Some marchlanders believe you can read signs in them.”

Valarr was never the youngest child, always the first, and couldn’t see himself as a younger sibling. The closest thing would’ve been Daeron being his elder but slightly ansd even then he always felt older than his cousin. “You have lots of siblings and I can imagine it’s more fun being the youngest,” maybe Matarys felt the same. It was unlikely they’d get any other siblings but the prince didn’t mind it. He loved to hear Rhaes passion and dreams and thought he’d do what he could to help her become a knight or some version of it. “I know you’ll prove yourself! Knights and pirates are quite different, though. Do you think you could handle being a pirate? I know I couldn’t but a knight would be a dream and you would make an excellent knight. Egg, too.” Valarr finishes his much smaller tower by putting a twig on top, making it look different to Rhaes and pushing the twig down so it didnt get any higher than hers.

Naturally, Rhae didn't know anything on the way to Dorne, because she had never been anywhere near it. She had only ever travelled to King's Landing and Dragonstone in her life, so the rest of the seven kingdoms was unfamiliar to her. But she listened intently to what her cousin told her, noticing how his face lit up when he told her about his mother's heritage. He seemed to know a lot about the Stormlands, whereas Rhae knew very little about where her own mother had originated from and now would never be able to ask her again. Her eyes widened when Valarr spoke of the messenger and Rhae tried to imagine a purple lightning striking two assassin's dead. "He was very fortunate to have been protected by his Gods", she told her cousin, quite impressed by the story. Now she truly wanted to visit the Stormlands and see such phenomena for herself. Unfortunately her father would most certainly not take her there just so she could watch storms pass by.

"I think I would be a much better pirate than knight", Rhae allowed, cocking her head to the side in thought. "I don't like following rules when I think they're silly. And I lack discipline, my Septa frequently says. I think you need both to be a knight. I would also not be so honorable. If you're a knight, you have to swear yourself to a noble house and serve them loyally, even if they're all shit. I wouldn't do that." She shrugged her slim shoulders, grimacing when Valarr tried to find anything nice to say about Aerion.

Now there was something he was more than willing to do. Daemon loved the city and enjoyed spending hours and hours going through the streets and alleys. He knew it like the back of his hand and knew all the ways to escape the Keep to the streets down below as well. So, with a grin on his lips and a glint in his eyes, he turned to her and nodded. “As you wish, my Lady~” He chuckled as he guided her to one of the many entrances to the paths that snaked through the walls of the Keep. “These ways have really saved me from boredom in these halls more than once.” Daemon spoke as he glanced around to make sure they were alone before pushing against the doorway hidden in the wall. Using one of the torches nearby to light the one in the hallway, he closed the door behind them and smiled. “So, the streets and the harbor you say, is there something specific you want to see or do there?” 

Aemma grinned broadly at her cousin and willingly followed to one of the secret passages. They had played in them as children together and she still remembered most of them, she believed, but didn't use them anymore. There were always eyes on her and sneaking away like she used to as a girl was no longer possible. Even now she glanced nervously over her shoulder, because if one of the many guards spied them, Aemma knew they would be intercepted. But the corridor remained empty and so she tried to relax. "No, I just want to breathe open air and walk where I please and see ships that will sail the world, because the people aboard are free. I want to dream of adventures again", she told Daemon, taking his hand in hers, because the passages could be quite dark.

daemon   kissed   her   temple   before   he   got   up.   then   he   washed   with   a   cloth   to   put   himself   in   some   order.   by   the   end   of   the   day,   he   would   stink   of   dragon,   and   once   he   was   back,   he   would   wish   to   soak   his   skin.   it   was   no   use   now   to   waste   water   and   time   on   thorough   washing.   most   of   the   sweat   was   wiped,   but   he   could   still   feel   rhaenyra's   touches,   and   that   was   perfect   for   the   king   consort.   he   left   the   room   before   she   was   up   proper   and   headed   with   an   impatient   step   toward   the   gold   cloak's   quarters.   he   was   given   a   report   on   their   findings,   which   were   sparse.   people   were   still   being   gathered   and   questioned   —   but   a   few   at   least   were   honest   about   seeing   a   dubious   figure   entering   the   keep.

he   was   restless   to   leave   and   come   back.   once   rhaenyra   had   her   sons   by   her   side,   he   knew   it   would   give   her   purpose.   fill   some   of   the   void   that   the   war   had   opened   and   to   which   he   added   without   his   knowledge.   he   had   seen   it,   tasted   it   last   night   and   was   willing   to   do   whatever   it   took   to   make   her   a   little   happier.

the   queen   strode   in   with   nobody   to   announce   her.   daemon   was   checking   twice   the   belts   of   his   daggers   before   he   would   reach   for   dark   sister.   he   lifted   his   head   mid   tug   and   his   ferocious   mug   gave   way   for   some   softness,   reserved   only   for   their   intimate   time.   he   didn't   like   what   she   spoke   at   first.   as   he   decided   his   reply,   he   saw   reason   in   her   request   and   quickly   decided.   ❝   i   will   take   seasmoke   and   addam.   moondancer   is   quick,   but   if   we   need   to   fend   for   ourselves,   the   older   dragon   will   do.   ❞   he   was   honest   even   now.   he   did   not   think   such   a   thing   would   be   needed,   as   they   would   be   a   party   of   four   in   the   air   —   caraxes   and   seasmoke   with   tyraxes   and   stormcloud.   the   smaller   dragons   would   fly   beside   them.   daemon   nodded,   then   his   hand   took   hers.   the   kiss   was   soft,   only   a   trace   of   return   from   him,   he   didn't   want   to   make   it   desperate,   but   he   pressed   his   forehead   to   hers.   ❝   you   won't   wait   for   much   longer,   rhaenyra.   i   do   not   wish   to   spend   the   night   away   from   you.   we   will   come   back.   ❞   a   small   part   of   him   would   expect   her   to   wait   for   their   arrival.

after   a   minute,   daemon   stepped   back   and   continued   with   securing   dark   sister   on   his   person.   he   left   the   room   with   a   longing   look   toward   his   wife.

addam   was   prepared   for   the   flight.   they   took   off   within   the   hour.   abiding   daemon's   request,   the   two   dragons   were   pushed,   and   by   midday   they   arrived   in   gulltown.   daemon   was   ecstatic   to   see   how   much   joffrey   and   tyraxes   had   grown   up.   a   short   break   was   taken   before   the   trio   headed   to   essos.   daemon   had   decided   this   was   the   best   route,   so   as   not   to   push   stormcloud   beyond   his   limits.

the   sun   was   setting   when   daemon   was   reunited   with   his   two   sons.   it   almost   brought   a   tear   to   his   eye,   but   he   concealed   the   emotion.

she   had   expected   daemon   to   argue   with   her,   because   rhaenyra   knew   he   believed   himself   to   be   capable   of   taking   the   journey   on   by   himself,   but   she   knew   it   would   be   best   to   take   alyn.   not   only   to   help   fend   off   attacks,   but   also   to   carry   one   of   the   boys,   should   they   tire.   joffrey   would   undoubtedly   want   to   fly   himself,   but   tyraxes   was   a   young   dragon   and   would   struggle   to   fly   on   his   own,   let   alone   with   his   rider.   so   it   was   best   to   have   another   dragon   just   in   case.   despite   these   precautions,   rhaenyra   struggled   to   let   her   husband   fly.   she   wanted   her   sons   back   with   them,   where   they   would   hopefully   be   safest,   but   letting   him   out   of   sight   again   weighed   on   her,   especially   because   he   would   be   carrying   precious   cargo.   but   there   was   no   one   she   trusted   more   than   him,   so   he   ought   to   be   the   one   to   retrieve   the   boys.

dawn   was   only   just   breaking   when   daemon   departed   and   the   day   crept   on   endlessly   for   rhaenyra.   council   squabbles   and   the   never   ending   requests   from   nobles   and   smallfolk   alike   kept   her   busy,   but   her   mind   still   wandered   incessantly,   silently   sending   prayers   to   the   gods   to   protect   daemon's   flight   and   bring   them   all   home   safely.   syrax   was   undoubtedly   restless   as   well,   but   caraxes   would   not   only   return   his   rider's   children,   but   also   his   own   and   syrax',   so   rhaenyra   hoped   that   would   suffice   to   appease   her.   her   thoughts   wandered   during   the   council   meeting   and   she   had   to   be   approached   several   times   bit   the   grand   maester,   because   she   hadn't   listened.   by   the   time   the   meeting   was   dismissed,   she   had   no   idea   what   they   had   even   talked   about   all   morning.

once   her   duties   were   fulfilled,   she   ensured   that   elinda   had   ordered   the   boys'   chambers   to   be   prepared.   joffrey   would   be   staying   in   her   old   suite   as   heir,   while   the   other   two   boys   would   share   a   chamber   right   next   to   the   queen's   rooms.   they   were   younger   and   rhaenyra   wanted   them   closer,   in   case   they   were   scared   the   first   few   nights.   they   had   spent   far   too   much   time   away   from   their   family   already   and   she   couldn't   wait   to   see   them   and   make   sure   no   hair   on   their   heads   had   been   harmed   during   their   time   in   the   care   of   others.   once   she   stepped   into   the   chamber   that   aegon   and   viserys   would   inhabit   soon,   rhaenyra   let   her   gaze   wander   and   grimaced   slightly.   it   was   a   clean,   well   prepared   room,   but   it   lacked   everything   that   the   boys   had   had   at   home:   toys,   books,   comfort   items.   she   would   have   to   send   servants   to   dragonstone   to   retrieve   whatever   the   boys   hadn't   taken   to   essos   with   them,   but   for   now   she   sent   a   maid   to   the   storage   rooms   to   find   whatever   she   could   find   to   make   the   room   more   homely   and   ordered   her   to   do   the   same   for   joff's   chambers.

by   the   time   night   covered   king's   landing   in   a   shroud   of   black,   she   had   resorted   to   pacing   her   own   rooms,   unable   to   rest   until   they   had   returned.   she   knew   caraxes   was   a   fast   flyer   and   could   make   the   journey   in   under   a   day,   but   they   also   had   to   accommodate   three   juvenile   dragons   with   far   less   stamina,   so   she   couldn't   be   certain.   when   midnight   came,   she   was   seated   in   a   chair   by   the   fire   with   a   book   in   her   lap   to   pass   the   time,   but   must   have   fallen   asleep   eventually,   because   elinda   roused   her   in   the   early   hours   of   the   morn,   bleary   eyed   and   sleep   drunken   herself.   "dragons,   your   grace.   the   king   is   returning."   rhaenyra   was   up   at   once   and   ordered   for   a   carriage   to   take   her   to   the   pit.   it   was   brought   into   the   inner   courtyard   at   once   and   she   ordered   the   driver   to   make   haste,   rattling   over   the   empty   cobblestone   streets   as   the   sky   began   to   lighten   over   the   ocean   already.   caraxes'   call   for   syrax   echoed   through   the   city   as   he   flew   overhead   and   rhaenyra's   heart   soared   at   the   sight   of   him   casting   a   large   shadows   on   the   houses   below.