DISCLAIMER: I don't own ASOIAF, and I am certanly not as good as GRRM when it comes to writing, so don't expect my work to be of the same quality. Also, I appologise for any spelling mistakes I make.

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Even though Daemon liked being abroad, he was always happy to be back home. He was standing on the prow of his uncle's ship, the 'Longing'. From his eight nameday, untill now(he just turned thirteen), he spent on this ship. He always liked seeing almost invisible black shapes turn into the white cliffs of his home island, Driftmark. He heard footsteps behind him. It was his uncle, he knew. No one else could move on the slippery deck with such ease.

"Uncle." he greeted him

"Daemon." Lucerys greeted him back and leaned on the deck by him. Like Daemon, he had silver hair, and purple eyes, mark of old Valyrians. He was tall and handsome, and one of the best fighters in the world. They stood in silence for a while.

"Do you think grandfather is still alive?" Daemon asked. They were in Lys when they got news from Driftmark, state of Lord Aemond Velaryon had greatly worsened.

"I don't know. I certainly hope so. When a man is on his deathbed, he should have his entire family by his side."

"So he won't make it? You're certain of it?" Daemon asked. He allready asked maester Raymond, and septon Roland. Young maester told him that he couldn't say anything, since he wasn't there to see for himself. Septon's answer was even more evasive and inconclusive, he told him that everything was possible with some help from the Seven. Well, his uncle would certainly tell him, but Daemon had the feeling that he allready knew the answer.

"I highly doubt it. I can't say for sure, but Daemon, he is very old." he sighed "Age can't be cured." Daemon nodded. In reality, Lucerys didn't tell him anything he didn't allready know, but when he heard it coming from his uncle, he made peace with it. They stood there in silence for a while.

"Go wake septon and maester up." Lucerys broke the silence "We're almost there. Ser Hugh is allready up." he patted him on the shoulder "And dress yourself nicely. We might be coming to a funeral." with that he walked away.

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As they were sailing into the harbor of Hull, the port town of Driftmark, Daemon recognized his father's flagship, the 'Sea Snake', anchored. It was a great war dromon, the biggest ship in Driftmark, and among the largest ships in the known world. Anchored by it's side were seven war dromons, newly built, Daemon was sure.

"These are warships." he remarked to his uncle "Are we going to war again?" Lucerys simply shrugged his shoulders.

"Possibly." he answered, in a tone that told that it was all he would say.

As they got closer Daemon saw people expecting them on the coast. Haegon Velaryon, his father, and heir to the Lordship of Driftmark, was standing accompanied by four men-at-arms. Along with him were his wife and Daemon's mother, lady Ashara Dayne, and his two little sisters Alys and Elia. They looked like their mother, with darker skin and purple eyes. Aurane was not there, he probably didn't arive yet.

When they arrived, Daemon was the last to step on the shore, Lucerys, ser Hugh, and maester Raymond were before him.

"Brother!" he heard his father's voice "Welcome home." two men embraced "How was your journey home?"

"Rather uneventfull. Septon is praying, he will come offboard later." Lucerys said. He was speaking formally, as this wasn't a private meeting, so the etiquete had to be respected.

"Glad to hear it." father replied and turned to ser Hugh. "Ah, ser Hugh, good to see you." he shook hands with the giant knight.

"My lord" ser Hugh replied. The knight was never the man to talk when it was not absolutely necessary.

"Maester, welcome. How are you progressing with your book?" he turned to the young maester

"Thank you, my lord. My book is progressing well, Essos is extremely inspiring, and having the first hand experience is more than helpful." he nodded.

"Daemon." father said "Welcome home, son."

"Thank you, father." Daemon said and bowed quickly. He wanted to hug him, mother, and his sisters, he hadn't seen them for almost two years. But, he knew what the proper way to behave was.

"How have you been doing since I last saw you." father asked

"I've been doing well." Daemon replied "Uncle says I'm stronger, faster, and that my technique has improved. He said that I'll be ready to captain a ship soon." he said proudly

"That's certainly good to hear." father smiled "As for the ship, We'll see about that. Now, greet your mother and sisters." he turned to Lucerys "Come brother, we need to talk."

Daemon knew that they were going to talk aboout business, and that he wouldn't be allowed to listen. That made him mad, he was not a child anymore, he should have been allowed to attend the family business. However, he didn't want to start trouble as soon as he came home, besides, he wanted to see his siters and mother. He turned towards them, and smiled. It was good to be home.