Author's Note: Wow! You guys are the sweetest (and funniest) readers! All of your comments absolutely make my day when I read them. I'm glad you're all enjoying the story so far, and I hope you're ready for more. Without further ado, here is the next chapter! Happy reading~
THE DRAGON & THE ROSE - EPISODE SIX/PART THREE
Two Weeks Later
Since the small council meeting, tensions at court had only risen between everyone. While there had been no arguments, quarrels, or deaths, Elaena knew that this pressure would soon boil over. They were all Targaryens after all, they could only play the game passively for so long before true fighting broke out, and it was putting her on edge.
It was because of all this tension that Daemon refused to let Elaena out of his sight, he had become even more strict with her than he was the children. While their children could certainly be harmed and used against them, he was more worried that her more personal feud with Alicent would provoke the woman to act against her. He didn't trust that Elaena could wander by herself in the castle without getting harmed, without needing him just in case. But all she wanted was a moment alone.
She'd been trying to convince Daemon to let her go by herself to the Godswood, as she hadn't in over ten years now, but he wouldn't hear of it. At first she understood this, complying with his wishes so that he would feel safer about it all, but after the fourth time of his refusal over the past two weeks she put her foot down.
"Daemon I love you," Elaena sighed, wrapping a thin red shawl around her shoulders. "But you can't stop me from going."
"I have no intention of stopping you from going, Elaena, so long as I'm with you," Daemon responded, sitting in the armchair before the fire to pull on his boots.
"If you go that means the children go, and I want to speak to my mother in peace," Elaena shook her head, watching as he got himself ready.
"Then just speak to her here while they're all still asleep, I can leave the room if you want-"
"I want to speak with her in the Godswood and by myself, Daemon," Elaena said more frustratedly now, "Dragonstone didn't have a Godswood, so now that we're here I'd like to go there to talk to her. It's where I always used to."
"I never understood your connection to the Old Gods, it's not like you ever cared about them when we were children," Daemon said to himself, shaking his head a little as he stood.
"You don't have to understand it, I'm just asking that you respect it," Elaena said quietly, feeling a bit hurt now. She finished slipping on her shoes silently, avoiding his eyes. He watched her do this with a small sigh, trying to find his next words carefully. He wasn't trying to upset her.
"I'm sorry," he said more gently, walking towards her, "I do respect it, but-"
"But nothing," she exhaled, pleading him now, "I'll take Dark Sister and I'll be aware of my surroundings, I promise. I just want one morning to myself to speak with her the way I used to. Will you please let me do that?"
Daemon stood silently, a million thoughts flashing across his eyes as he looked at her. He slowly put his hands on either side of her face, then pressed his lips on her forehead. "Be careful, alright?"
"I will be," she said lightly, then gave him a kiss. His lips moved softly and slowly against hers, as if he was trying to prolong the moment of her departure as much as he could. When she pulled away she could see the fear in his eyes, the regret of his decision already. "I won't be but an hour, I promise."
He nodded, giving her a sad smile as she turned over her shoulder, "Don't be late."
She hated to leave him, she really did, but with all the tension and old anxieties stirred up within her from being back at court she felt she needed all the strength she could muster. The Godswood would help her, as it always had before.
The sun had barely risen as she stepped outside, the morning dew surrounding her. Small beadlets of moisture rested atop all the flowers, and along each blade of grass under her foot. The weirwood tree stood tall before her, the crimson leaves gently dancing in the wind. It was as it was a decade ago, not changed in the slightest save for the dark red sap bleeding from the tree's face. The last time she had been here the tree had only just started to cry, and now both eyes were flooded with these bloody tears.
She walked slowly until she stood directly next to it, then placed her hand on the smooth white bark. While she had been adamant about coming here to Daemon, she now felt a bit nervous. Since she left King's Landing with Daemon ten years ago she prayed everynight for him, and then for her children once they were born. But this felt different, more real somehow, like this time she spoke someone actually might be listening.
She sunk to the damp floor of the Godswood, sitting with her back resting against the weirwood and her hands in the earth. As she looked up through the long branches above her she could see little windows of sky changing its morning colors.
"I'm sorry it took me so long to get back here, mother," she whispered, closing her eyes now as she thought of what to say. She felt a small smile lift on her lips as she spoke, "I wish you could see them. Aemon, Viseryn, Rhaena...They're growing up so fast I can hardly believe it. Soon Aemon will be older than I was when you died."
Her smile fell a little, replaced by the sudden need to cry. But she held her tears in, keeping her eyes shut.
"Please don't let the Gods take me away from them," Elaena said, feeling her lip tremble. "Allow me to stay and help Rhaenyra, allow me to avenge my daughter who was named after you. And don't let anything happen to me while I do it. They need me, Daemon needs me...I hope you can be proud that I'm trying to do the right thing, that I've always tried to do the right thing by myself and by the ones I love."
Elaena sat quietly for a moment, finally feeling one of her tears fall from her eyes.
"Am I doing the right thing?" she asked, holding her breath as if an answer would come. She slowly stood, turning around to face the tree again. She rested both of her hands on the trunk, then rested her forehead against it. "Please tell me I'm doing the right thing."
A dull noise sounded behind her, making her whole body tense up. Her eyes snapped open as she turned around, surveying her surroundings to find where it came from. There was nothing before her, but the slight humming sound continued. She put a hand on the hilt of her sword, walking slowly away from the tree as she looked around.
As she got closer to the entrance of the Godswood leading to the gardens, she heard voices. They were speaking so quietly it was a wonder she heard it at all, but she did. And whoever it was, whatever it was they were talking about, she could tell they didn't want to be heard.
Elaena inched forward, trying to be silent as she got closer. Once the voices were clearer she stopped, standing still behind a large hedge to listen. It was a man and woman, and both of their voices were too familiar for her not to know who they were. Alicent and Cley. She stood deathly still now, deathly quiet. If they caught her lurking and listening to them it would only incentivize them to be more threatened, more provoked to attack. She knew she should leave so as to remain uncaught, but she couldn't help herself to listen, to find out what they were up to.
"I understand that you two have...a certain history," Alicent said quietly, "I want to make sure your allegiances to me have not swayed, Ser Cley."
"Of course they haven't," Cley responded, pausing for a moment. "I was just surprised yesterday, that's all."
"Surprised? Or jealous?"
Elaena felt her ears burn as she listened, her breathing growing faster. They were talking about her. She tried to look through the thick hedge at them, but could only make out very vague outlines of their bodies as they spoke.
"Your Grace?" Cley asked, his voice sounding nervous.
"Don't play dumb with me," Alicent said a bit louder now, her tone sharp. "I know you only returned to court all those years ago because she was gone. You told me you felt nothing for her, but now that she's back I'm not so sure I believe you. I'm not sure I can trust you anymore."
"My allegiances lie with you, my queen," Cley said softly. Through the hedges Elaena could see him take a small step forwards, the space between them closing.
"Then prove it."
"How?"
"I don't know yet, but when the time comes that I ask something of you, you better not hesitate," she said plainly. "There are enough people on Rhaenyra's side, on Elaena's side, including my husband. I don't have any use for people who aren't on my side."
"I am on your side, Alicent. I always will be."
Elaena stood still with a bit of shock, hearing how informally he had just addressed her. But what shocked her even more was that they stopped talking.
She waited for either of them to say anything else, but it wasn't words that she heard next, the noise of the two of them much closer than they should be softly sounding.
It was so quiet and faint that Elaena thought she might have made it up in her head, but after a moment more of listening she knew what was happening. The two were kissing. It didn't last long, but it was long enough for her to know that it happened, and she indeed hadn't made it up.
"Now go," Alicent said, "I'd like a moment alone in the Godswood."
Elaena felt her chest seize up at this, then slowly started to move away. Her heart pounded so loudly in her chest she thought they might hear it, that they might catch her, but she made it around the corner just in time to hide again as they parted ways. It took her a moment to get ahold of herself before she could move, thinking about everything she just heard.
Not only had she heard Alicent plainly say that she was against Elaena and Rhaenyra, she also heard the Queen having intimate relations outside of her marriage to the King. What Elaena just witnessed was treason, something that could take Alicent out completely and totally as a threat to her.
But she had to be careful on this information, she had to use it properly. If she immediately went to the King with what she heard it could all come back down on her in ways she didn't want it to. Viserys might not believe her, or not want to believe her, and Alicent could then name Elaena treasonous for this kind of lie. And even if he did believe her and she was executed, her sons may grow up with hatred in their heart towards Elaena, and they could wreak the havoc of their own revenge on her and her family in the future.
She had to play this smartly, she had to play it safely if she wanted the results to be Alicent taken down without any damage to herself or her family. She couldn't tell anyone about it, not just yet, not even Daemon. He would want to take this information immediately to his brother, so that they could be done in the capital and go home. And while Elaena loved Daemon with her whole heart, she knew that his actions were quick and in tune with his feelings. She needed to be calculating, she needed to play this game the right way.
Once she had collected herself and enough time had passed for it not to be suspicious that she was in the gardens too, she rounded the corner and slowly walked. She tried to remain as composed as possible, not letting anyone see the emotions on her face.
She had nearly made it to the bottom of the stairs leading to her and Daemon's quarters when a servant stopped her in the hall.
"Excuse me, Princess Elaena," the young servant said, curtsying in place. "Her Grace requests your presence in her chambers at once."
Elaena stood frozen in place, afraid for a second she hadn't gotten away as sneakily as she thought. She cleared her throat a little, trying to remain calm, but her voice came out a bit more sharp than she intended. "Did she say what for?"
"She did Your Grace," the servant said with a scared look on her face, as if Elaena's very presence terrified her. This amused her a little, glad to see that even after many years away her reputation was still in tact. "Her Grace has begun her labors, she said she wanted you by her side as she gave birth, for support. The baby is coming quickly, she wants you there as soon as you can be."
Elaena felt a wave of relief wash over her hearing that it was Rhaenyra and not Alicent summoning her, then a smile widened on her lips. "She's having her child?"
"Yes," the servant nodded, a nervous smile forming on her own.
"My husband is expecting me, he'll worry if I'm not back soon," Elaena said excitedly, unable to believe this was happening. "Please go tell him immediately that I'll be with the Princess Rhaenyra."
"At once, Your Grace," the servant curtsied, going up the stairs of the east wing tower without a second thought.
Elaena started to run through the halls of the Red Keep towards Rhaenyra's room, lifting her skirt high so that she wouldn't trip on it. The lords and ladies of the court were just beginning to emerge from their chambers, crowding in small clusters around Rhaenyra's room as they too had just been given word of the new prince or princess on the way. They all stared at Elaena as she ran, immediately pushing her way through them all to get to the door of Rhaenyra's room. She didn't care what they thought, she wasn't going to miss this, not for anything.
Once inside she could first hear Rhaenyra moaning in pain, then she saw her sitting on the floor with a dozen midwives all around her.
"About bloody time you got here," Rhaenyra groaned, panting as she saw Elaena.
"I only just heard," Elaena smiled, rushing to her side. She sat on the floor next to Rhaenyra, taking her sister's hand as one of the midwives stepped back to make room. "How are you feeling?"
"Like a ray of sunshine," Rhaenyra said, her own smile cracking open a little. Her and Elaena laughed a little together, but it was soon interrupted by another contraction.
"Squeeze my hand," Elaena said quickly, her smile falling a bit.
Rhaenyra screamed loudly, gripping Elaena's hand so tight she thought it would break. But Elaena didn't say anything, knowing that the pain Rhaenyra was in was much worse than what she was feeling.
"I'm sorry," Rhaenyra panted once the contraction ended, loosening her grip on Elaena.
"Don't be," Elaena responded, taking a damp cloth from the midwife next to her to pat some of the sweat off of Rhaenyra's forehead. "It's what I'm here for."
"It's time to push on the next one, Your Grace," one of the midwives said, looking up Rhaenyra's skirt.
"Seven hells," Rhaenyra cried, squeezing her eyes shut. "Why is it happening so fast this time?"
"It was the same for my Rhaena," Elaena laughed lightly, "After the first two the third sort of slides out."
"Tears its way out, is more like it," Rhaenyra inhaled sharply, sitting up a little as she felt the next contraction come. She groaned loudly, gripping Elaena's hand tighter again to prepare herself.
"Push!" the midwife said, nodding a little.
Rhaenyra's whole body tightened as she pushed, then trembled while she held her breath.
"You have to breathe, Nyra," Elaena said seriously, "You can do this."
She gasped for air, shaking her head a little as the next contraction started. "I c- I can't-"
"Yes you can," Elaena said firmly, smiling at her. "You have before and you can again. You have to."
Rhaenyra cried, whimpering as she began to push again. They went through this routine several more times, everyone quiet as they tried to help her through this.
"I can see the head!" one of the midwives said happily, chuckling a little after.
"One more, Nyra, you can do it," Elaena said, her smile widening. Rhaenyra screamed as she made the final push, then exhaled as the baby finally made it out. Elaena felt tears spring to her eyes as she held onto Rhaenyra, watching the midwife pull the child up. "It's a boy!"
Both her and Rhaenyra looked to each other, laughing warmly as they cried together. Rhaenyra immediately let go of Elaena, extending her arms out for her crying child. Elaena forgot how wonderful it was, witnessing a new life brought into this world. It made her want another child of her own, another baby to carry inside her and love.
But her smile faded a little as she got a look at the top of the child's head, seeing small tufts of dark brown hair over his milky white skin. Harwin Strong was his father, just like the rest of his brothers.
Elaena watched Rhaenyra look at him, seeing the overwhelming relief and happiness in her face. Rhaenyra was glad that the child was Harwin's, not Laenor's. While this made Elaena scared for her sister, she also knew she was in no place to judge. Many years ago she was to be in this exact position; married to a Velaryon yet in love with another. She would have wanted all of her children to be Daemon's too if that had happened. But it didn't happen, she got to be with who she loved, she got to have his children. And it was because of this that Rhaenyra was dealt the cards she had. Elaena quickly shook this thought from her mind, putting her smile back on her face as she spoke to Rhaenyra.
"He's beautiful. Perfect in every way."
"Isn't he?" Rhaenyra asked, laughing as she stared at his tiny face.
"I'm happy for you, Rhaenyra," Elaena said softly now, looking at her with knowing eyes. "Truly I am."
"So am I." Rhaenyra's eyes welled with more tears as she nodded, smiling sadly. She knew what Elaena meant by this, and she appreciated her support. But her face quickly faded, a sharp pain in her gut. "Fuck. The afterbirth."
Rhaenyra kept hold of her son, not letting any of the midwives take him as she pushed it out. This only took a few grueling moments, and once it was done they cut the chord that connected the child from it.
"Are you alright?" Elaena asked, grabbing another damp washcloth for Rhaenyra's forehead.
"I'm fine," Rhaenyra nodded, inhaling sharply. She then turned to the midwives, her voice clearer now, "Leave us. I want some time alone with my son and cousin."
After curtsying they all left, leaving them alone. Elaena and her sat silently for a moment, admiring the fresh baby together. They both cooed and laughed as the boy wrinkled his nose or stretched his arms. But Elaena could tell that Rhaenyra wanted to say something, she just didn't know how to.
"You can tell me anything, you know that right?" Elaena asked softly, tilting her head to the side.
Rhaenyra nodded, her smile gone from her face. "I know."
"So then why won't you?" Elaena asked slowly, taking Rhaenyra's hand into her own.
"Because you already know," Rhaenyra said, finally meeting her eyes. Elaena could see that she was beginning to cry again, but these weren't happy tears this time. "And I can see the judgement in your eyes, in everyone's-"
"I don't judge you, sister, I fear for you," Elaena said firmly, squeezing her hand a bit tighter now. "I came back to King's Landing to protect you from those who would see you torn down, not to help them."
"I know," Rhaenyra nodded, looking at her son. "And I know that everyone thinks I should be scared for the world to see he's not Laenor's, but I'm not. Why should I be? For all intents and purposes he is their father, it's treasonous for people to accuse otherwise. My father would never let anything happen to me or them."
"Of course he won't, but still, that doesn't mean that Alicent won't use it against you, that her supporters won't use it against you," Elaena said quietly, trying to get her to see reason. "Word has already floated around court about it, once they see him it will only get worse. So let me help you-"
"What's done is done, we can't control what they say, Elaena."
"No but we can control how we react to it, how we let it affect us. So come back to Dragonstone with me and Daemon, don't stay here where gossip can turn into danger at the drop of a hat."
"What?" Rhaenyra asked, narrowing her brows at her. "Go to Dragonstone?"
"Things are more dangerous here than I thought, Rhaenyra, don't turn a blind eye to it. You may be the heir of the Iron Throne, but you are not invulnerable. And Alicent is not without weapons," Elaena said more seriously. "She will do anything to replace you with Aegon, you know it. Now that you have a third child that is not Laenor's, she'll use it against you without blinking twice. And when that happens it's not just you in danger, it's your children."
Rhaenyra sat silently, listening with tears in her eyes.
"Me and Daemon have wanted to go back home since we left...But we won't until we know that you're safe too, that something is being done about Alicent and her supporters. So come with us, wait out the storm and we can all prepare your next move together where it's safe. Where all our children are safe."
Elaena had been wanting to propose this to Rhaenyra since the second they got to King's Landing, but she knew it had never been the right time until now. She prayed that Rhaenyra would see reason, that she would agree to this proposition.
"My place is here, Elaena," Rhaenyra responded after a moment of thinking. "I have to stay-"
"You asked me to come here to protect you," Elaena interrupted her, shaking her head. "To help you, this is the best way I know how to do that."
"Maybe so, but I can't run away to Dragonstone like you did ten years ago. I have responsabilities here,"
"Run away?" Elaena asked, removing her hand from Rhaenyra's. "It was your idea that me and Daemon stay at Dragonstone, you told us to go-"
"Yes but not for ten years," Rhaenyra said more angrily now, breathing in heavily.
"I never wanted to go at all, I wanted to stay and hunt down those who killed my daughter, but it was you that said I needed time to recover, to plan my next move smartly and safely. Do you remember what you told me when I said I wouldn't leave?" Elaena asked, feeling tears run down the side of her cheeks. "You told me that as my sister you needed to protect me, even if it meant protecting me from myself. That's all I'm trying to do now for you."
The two sat for another moment, looking at each other as they silently cried.
"I'm sorry," Rhaenyra whispered, placing her hand on Elaena's again.
"I don't want your apologies, Rhaenyra," Elaena said softly, "I just want you to think about it, really consider it."
"I will, I promise," Rhaenyra responded, giving a small smile. Elaena could tell she was lying, only saying that she would think about it so that they could put this matter to bed. But before Elaena could say anything the door opened, revealing a servant. It wasn't one of the midwives, it was a chambermaid, one of Alicent's.
"Your Grace, the Queen has requested that the child be brought to her, immediately," the girl said, her eyes flitting back and forth between the two princesses.
"Why?" Rhaenyra asked, clutching onto her son a bit tigheter at these words. But the girl didn't respond, only standing speechless at the doors. She didn't need to say anything, they all knew the reason. Elaena looked to Rhaenyra, their conversation just seconds ago searing in her mind. Elaena was right, Alicent was going to do anything to tear them down. But Elaena didn't need to throw the fact that she was right in Rhaenyra's face, she already knew.
"You don't have to do this, Rhaenyra," Elaena muttered.
"Yes I do," Rhaenyra said coldly, standing up slowly.. "Will you help me dress?"
"Of course," Elaena nodded, understanding Rhaenyra's stubborness in this moment. She wouldn't have let anyone take her son from her arms either, especially not to see someone like Alicent. So Elaena helped her do what she felt she must, aiding her in pulling the sleeves of her dress over her damp shoulders. She took one of the cool cloths and patted down the back of Rhaenyra's neck, then smoothed some of the long silver hair down.
Once she was ready, the door opened again, revealing Laenor. Elaena felt a little shocked to see him, especially since in the two weeks of her being back at King's Landing she hadn't seen him once. He seemed equally shocked to find her here, but quickly turned to Rhaenyra with a smile.
"I hear we have a boy," he said, giving her a small nod.
"Yes," Rhaenyra said tiredly, taking Elaena's arm for support as she walked towards the door.
"Well done," he said, trying to have his wife take his other arm. He looked to Elaena, a polite smile on his face. "It's good to see you, Elaena."
"You as well, Laenor," Elaena said stiffly, avoiding his eyes. She knew that it had been his lover Joffrey that started the riots that killed her daughter, not him. Laenor wasn't at fault but she used him as a proxy for the grudge she carried in her heart. She knew it wasn't fair, but she couldn't help herself. She could hardly look at his face without seeing Emylie's dead one.
"Where are you going?" Laenor asked, following after them when it was clear Elaena wasn't going to give up her position by Rhaenyra's side.
"She wants to see him," Rhaenyra sighed, not up for explaining it all to him.
"Then I'm coming with you, let me take him-"
"No, she'll get no such satisfaction from me," Rhaenyra said sharply, clutching her child closer to her.
"Careful now," Elaena said, helping her step down from the door of her quarters and out into the hall. When she looked up, the mob waiting for her was staring back at them. "Seven Hells."
"Just get me up there," Rhaenyra said quickly, moving a little faster now. The lords and ladies of the court offered their congratulations as they passed, bowing and curtsying before them as they walked. Elaena felt incredibly nervous as they made their way to Alicent's chambers, watching each step Rhaenyra made up the stairs like a hawk.
Behind them she was leaving a trail of blood, and the bright red glistened on the stone back up and into Elaena' eyes. She turned away from it, feeling her own chest start to shudder. Flashes of the night she gave birth here came to her mind, making her start to feel sick. She could remember the trail of blood that she had left on the stairs as Daemon carried her to the maester as clearly as if it had happened yesterday.
"Are you alright?" Rhaenyra asked, feeling Elaena tense up.
"It should be me asking you that," Elaena laughed nervously, trying to clear the images from her head.
"You didn't answer my question," Rhaenyra said through gritted teeth, exhaling a little as they made it to the top of the staris.
"I'm fine," Elaena responded, forcing a smile. "Let's just get you there in one piece, alright?"
The three walked silently now until they approached the King and Queen's chambers, moving through the door with solemn looks on each of their faces. None of them looked as happy as they should have with the birth of a new child.
Once inside, Alicent turned around, her face looking shocked to see any of them here.
"Rhaenyra," Alicent started, her mouth falling open, "You should be resting after your labors."
"That she should be," Elaena responded coldly, looking the Queen up and down once. Despite her attention being pulled to Rhaenyra for the past hour, she hadn't forgotten what she'd heard and seen in the gardens. And the woman's feigned concerned set her teeth on edge.
"Talya fetch a cushion for the princess, she needs to sit," Alicent said, ignoring her as she walked towards them.
The four of them were silent as Rhaenyra sat, keeping the small bundle in her arms tight to her chest. Elaena could see Alicent looking at the child, trying to inspect it already. This made her so angry her blood started to boil, but the tension in the room was swept away as Viserys entered, a bright smile on his face.
"What happy news this morning," Viserys said cheerfully, limping towards his daughter. "Where is my grandson?"
"Here," Rhaenyra said, handing the bundle to Laenor to pass off to him.
"He's beautiful is he not?" Elaena asked, giving a light smile as she sat next to Rhaenyra.
"Indeed," Viserys nodded, looking at his daughter proudly and then back to the newborn with awe, "A fine prince."
"Does the babe have name yet?" Alicent asked.
"Joffrey," Laenor said quickly, interrupting Rhaenyra as she tried to speak. "He'll be called Joffrey."
Elaena's eyes flicked up to him, feeling a stab in her heart. He was naming her nephew after the man who caused her daughter's death? She wanted to say something, but she couldn't. It wasn't her place to in the slightest despite how she felt right now. Her attention was drawn away from him when she felt Rhaenyra take her hand. Elaena looked to her, trying to swallow her feelings as quickly as she could, but she could see that Rhaenyra felt the same way as her.
"It's an unusual name for a Velaryon," Alicent said with a small laugh, as if she had made a joke that only she understood. But that wasn't the case, everyone in the room knew what she had intended by saying that except for Viserys. It was a threat, plain and clear.
"He's perfect," Viserys said proudly, bouncing the babe gently. He then turned to Rhaenyra, smiling a bit wider as he spoke. "I do believe he has his father's nose."
Laenor chuckled a little, but Elaena and Rhaenyra only sat quietly, watching Alicent as she walked closer to the child. In this moment Elaena felt the way she did about her own children, sensing an innate motherly protectiveness inside her as the woman took Joffrey into her arms. She watched the woman closely as she walked away with him and Laenor. Elaena's eyes were peeled as she watched her hand the child off to Laenor, then whisper something to him so that only he could hear. She wished she had heard what she said, but in truth she didn't need to have to know it was another threat about the parentage of the baby. Laenor's face fell at her words, then he looked to Elaena. But he didn't keep eye contact long, instead turning to Rhaenyra to leave.
Three Days Later
The wind blew wildly through Elaena's hair and across her face as she stood atop the lower rampart of the Red Keep, helping clear her mind of the troubles it had. She hadn't found it in her to tell Daemon what she knew, and it was eating at her soul. She wanted to tell him everything in her life, but she knew if she did he would take her straight home to Dragonstone. She needed to try and get Rhaenyra to see reason, to agree on her own volition to go to Dragonstone as well before they left. She would never forgive herself for leaving without her.
Elaena closed her eyes, breathing in the fresh air once more before looking down at the courtyard below her where her boys and husband were all practicing. Alongside them was Rhaenyra's sons, as well as Alicent's. Leading their practice was none other than Ser Criston and Ser Cley. She tried to take her mind off of everything as she watched the scene below them as they all hit at straw men with their wooden swords.
"What do you think, Rhaena?" Elaena asked, adjusting her daughter to sit higher on her hip so she could see down. "Who do you think the best fighter of the bunch is down there?"
"Hmm," Rhaena thought for a moment, a small smile on her lips. "Daddy is!"
"Yes, I suppose he is," Elaena laughed a little, glad to have a happy thought cross her mind. "But I meant of your brothers and cousins, not him."
"Daddy's the best," Rhaena said mindlessly, not understanding what her mother meant.
"Yes, Daddy's the best," Elaena sighed lightly, looking down at him as he gave Aemon instruction with his sword. She was glad to see him give extra attention to Aemon, to see him encouraging their shy son.
"Do you mind if I join you?" a voice called out behind her.
Elaena turned around, seeing Viserys wheeled in by the Lionel Strong, his Hand. She gave a smile, nodding her head towards the scene below. "Of course not, come watch with me. All your sons, grandsons, and nephews are practicing together."
Lionel wheeled the King right next to her, then took a few steps back. But Viserys wasn't looking down at the boys, he only looked to Rhaena, a bit of awe in his eyes.
"Hello sweet girl," he smiled at her, then looked up to Elaena. "May I hold her?"
Elaena paused for a moment, a bit nervous about this. She trusted her cousin, but she didn't trust that Rhaena wouldn't be afraid of him. With only one arm and scars all over his body, she was afraid that she might reject wanting him to hold her. But Elaena only smiled a bit, nodding.
"Of course you can," she responded, turning to Rhaena. "Do you want to say hello to your Uncle Viserys?"
"Viserys?" she asked, looking to him with an inquisitive face, "Like my brother, Viseryn?"
"Just the one," Viserys said proudly, holding his arm out for her. Elaena set the girl in his lap, relieved to see that she wasn't afraid of him. More than anything she looked curious. "Did you know he was named after me?"
Rhaena shook her head, looking at his face with a solemn little look. Elaena's smile quickly faded as she watched her daughter's hand moved to the skin on his cheek, feeling the scars gently. "What happened to you?"
"Rhaena, that's not polite-"
"It's alright," Viserys said to Elaena with a small smile, then turned to his niece. "It's a very fair question."
Rhaena's tiny fingers moved along his skin, her eyes following her hand as it moved.
"I got a bit sick a few years ago, and it left me with quite a few scars," Viserys told her, his voice light and carefree. He then shrugged his left shoulder, showing her where a second arm should have been. "It even took my arm."
Elaena could tell he was trying to make light of it all for the little girl, trying not to scare her, but she could see the sadness in his eyes.
"Are you still sick?" Rhaena asked, a bit of worry in her voice.
"No, no, I'm all better now. Especially since I got to meet you," he said, tapping her nose once with his finger. Rhaena smiled a little, tapping his nose in return as if it was some great joke between them. But her attention span quickly shifted as she turned around in his lap, looking over the ledge down below.
Elaena looked to Viserys, but he just kept watching Rhaena with a sad face. Elaena felt her heart squeeze tighter in her chest, knowing that what he just told Rhaena was a lie. Elaena didn't want to think about her cousin like this, ill and dying. They had had their troubles in the past, but he was still her family, she didn't want to see him in pain. It made a small part of her wish she had come back sooner, for it was clear to her that all he wanted was for his family to be happy and around him.
"I'm sorry it took long for us to come back," Elaena said quietly, to which he finally looked at her.
"It's alright," he nodded, sighing a little bit. "I understood why you left, and why you didn't come back. It was my fault."
"That's not true," Elaena muttered, shaking her head.
"I certainly didn't help things," he said slowly. "I'm ashamed of what I said the last time it was just us two talking. I'm ashamed I doubted my brother and his commitement to you, and that I tried to prevent you two from being together for all those years beforehand. I'm sorry, Elaena."
Elaena stood silently, taking in his words as they came. "You don't have to apologize-"
"But I do," he interrupted her, his voice stronger than she'd heard it in weeks. "I do have to apologize. I was wrong...and I've never been so glad to be. You two have a beautiful family. Even though it was away from me, I'm happy you two found it together."
"So am I," Elaena nodded, feeling tears quietly fall from her eyes. She looked down to Rhaena who was enthralled in the action below, then back up to him. "Life was perfect at Dragonstone. No problems, no fears. Just happiness."
"You're going back soon aren't you?" he asked, smiling at her with sad eyes. "You never intended to stay here long."
"We want to go back," Elaena said softly, unable to look at him as she said this. "But we won't. Not until it's time."
"And when will it be time?" he asked, his smile fading. "Soon?"
"Maybe," Elaena whispered, nodding slowly. "I think so."
"Look at me." His hand moved from Rhaena's shoulder, resting itself gently on Elaena's arm. When Elaena finally looked at him, he gave another sad smile, speaking only with kindness. "Don't cry. As much as I want my brother, you, and your children to stay forever, I know it can't be that way. You have your own lives to get back to."
"It's not you we want to leave behind Viserys," Elaena said, wiping her eyes as she spoke. "It's just not safe, too much has happened here-"
"I understand, Elaena," he smiled, tears welling in his own eyes now. "You need to do what is best for your family now, for the three beautiful children you and my brother have. And Rhaenyra needs to do the same with her own. I may be sick, but I'm not blind, I know the rumours that surround her...the dangers that surround you all."
"We want her to come with us, Viserys. Where it's safer," Elaena finally said. Tears streamed down her face freely now, unable to be kept at bay any longer. His hand moved from her arm to her own, squeezing it gently to pull her eyes back to him.
"I think that's a fine idea," he said with a small smile, a saddened pride shining behind his eyes as he spoke. "My daughter, my brother, you, and all your children are my legacy. So protect it."
Elaena leaned down, hugging him gently with her eyes squeezed shut. He wrapped his arm around her, then rubbed a small circle on her back. He had just given her permission to go, to take Rhaenyra to safety and do what she needed to do to protect her...to protect them all. All he wanted was happiness for those he loved, even if it meant unhappiness for himself.
"Mummy you're crushing me," Rhaena said, pushing her mother out of the way.
Both Elaena and Viserys laughed a little, breaking apart so the girl could breathe again. Elaena gave him a small kiss on the cheek, then stood up straight to wipe her eyes. "Thank you, Viserys."
He didn't say anything, only looking down at the courtyard to watch all the boys train. Elaena turned her eyes down as well, feeling a sense of peace, a sense of completeness. The questions she asked her mother in the Godswood had just been answered by him, and made her relieved. She was doing the right thing by helping Rhaenyra, but she needed to do it from safety for the sake of all the children, the next line of Targaryens.
But as soon as this peace came to her it was quickly ripped away, reminding her that despite this tender moment between her and Viserys, she still wasn't safe. No one was.
What had been casual training for all the boys in the courtyard seemed to have turned before her eyes into a tension filled battlefield. She couldn't hear what they were saying, but Ser Criston and Ser Cley were having heated words with Harwin Strong. When her eyes flitted around to everyone else, she could also see the tension between all the young boys. Alicent's sons stood smugly, looking at Rhaenyra's with narrowed eyes.
Before she knew it Criston dragged Jacaerys by the breastplate to stand in front of Aegon, a boy much older, larger, and stronger than he. From what she could see the two were to spar with each other. Then from the corner of her eye she could see Ser Cley pushing Alicent's second son towards her own, Aemon. Elaena's whole body tensed as she saw this, her attention turning to her husband.
He was already looking at her, giving her a small nod to say he had it under control, he was aware. Her breathing intensified as she watched Aemon pick up his sword, walking towards his opponent with fear. Elaena's eldest was no warrior, and had no interest in being one. So while he would be fighting a much fairer fight physically than Rhaenyra's son, she felt just as worried for him.
"I don't like this," she said softly. She could tell Viserys didn't either, but he said nothing.
Her eyes turned back to the courtyard as the matches begun, the four boys beginning their duels. Her eyes immediately followed her son, watching as he and Aemond sparred. But it soon became clear that both boys were nervous, neither of them truly attacking the other. Cley was trying to get them to be more aggressive, but it didn't seem to be working. This was not the case for Jacaerys and Aegon, though.
Elaena's eyes moved to the little brunette boy, watching as he tried with all his might to defend himself.
"Mummy, he's hurting Jace," Rhaena said with worry, not liking this as much as Elaena didn't.
"It's alright, my darling, they're just playing," Elaena responded as warmly as she could, giving her daughter a little rub on the shoulder. But as Aegon thrusted his foot into the boy's side and kicked him to the ground she felt herself jump. Though Aegon was still a boy himself, it was clear that the same cruelty his mother and grandfather had flowed through his veins.
"Daemon!" Elaena shouted at him, begging him to stop this. But he had already started to break it up, grabbing the back of Aegon's armor to yank him off of Jacaerys.
"You dare put your hands on me!" Aegon screamed, thrashing in Harwin's arms.
"You dare lay a hand on the Prince?" Cley asked coolly, his voice loud enough to echo up to Elaena's ears. She looked to Daemon, knowing that this wouldn't go well.
"I know it has been some time since I've been back at court," Daemon started, taking a slow step away from Aegon and turning to Cley with narrowed eyes. "But in case you have forgotten, let me remind you. I am a Prince as well. You'd do best not to question how I handle my nephew."
Cley stood silently, anger and embarassment reddening his face. Daemon turned silently from him, walking to Jacaerys. He laid a firm hand on his shoulder then said something too quiet for Elaena to hear. Just when she thought the tension had been settled, she saw Harwin knock Ser Criston onto his back.
He started landing blows from his fist into the knight's face over and over, not letting up for anything. Daemon immediately went to try and break it up, while Cley stood still and watched it unfold. Daemon tried wrapping his arms around Harwin to pull him back, but Harwin accidentally hit him in the face as he drew back for another punch, sending him backwards.
"Daemon!" Elaena shouted, immediately leaving to run down the stairs of the ramparts to the courtyard. Normally she wouldn't have left Rhaena behind, but if there was anyone she entrusted her daughter to it was Viserys. He wouldn't let anything happen to her, that was clear. And she needed to go to her husband.
When she made it down the stairs she first looked to Cley, looking at him with disgust, "Help break this up, now!"
While it was obvious he didn't want to, she had given him a direct order in front of everybody. To not follow it would have been grounds for removal from the kingsguard. So he joined in next to Daemon, helping pry Harwin off of Criston. The man still fought them though, bellowign at Criston rabidly, "Say it again! Say it again!"
"Enough, Ser Harwin," Elaena pleaded, her eyes wide as she stood in front of him. She lowered her voice for him, slowly shaking her head. "Don't dig yourself further into this hole."
It was only with these words that he stopped fighting, panting as he ripped his arms from Daemon and Cley's grip. Elaena turned back to Ser Criston, watching as he laughed then rolled to his side to spit blood onto the ground.
"What is the matter with all of you?" Elaena asked, looking at them all as she shook her head. "You're acting like barbarians, and in front of the children?"
"They're boys, they can handle a little spat, Your Grace," Cley responded, wiping the sweat from his brow.
"Speak to my wife like that again and I'll have your tongue," Daemon said sharply, taking a step forward.
Elaena quickly grabbed his hand, pulling him back, "Please Daemon, not in front of the children, they've seen enough."
His chest rose and fell quickly, anger seeping from every pore in his skin as he stared at Cley. Elaena watched her husband's face with worry, holding tightly to his hand so that he wouldn't do anything else. She then turned to Cley, her eyes sharpening into him.
"You have my apologies, Your Graces," Cley panted, then turned around to walk away.
Elaena watched him for a moment as he moved to help Ser Criston stand, then turned to Daemon again. She stepped in front of him, holding her hand to his cheek to get a good look at his face. His nose was bleeding from being hit by Harwin, but other than that he seemed unhurt.
"Are you alright?" she asked, trying to catch her breath and settle her nerves.
"I'm fine," he nodded, wiping his nose with a slight grimace. "Things just got out of hand."
"You don't say?" she exhaled. She kept her hand on his face for a moment longer, examining his face one last time to make sure he was truly alright before dropping it. "What the hell just happened?"
"Ser Criston made a rather nast remark to Ser Harwin," Daemon said slowly, keeping his voice quiet. "About Rhaenyra's sons."
Elaena turned to look at Ser Criston, who was now standing with Cley's help. His face was covered in blood, and underneath it a smile lay on his lips. He had wanted this to happened, he had wanted to provoke Harwin. Attacking a member of the Kingsguard was enough reason to be expelled from the City Watch, and knowing that Criston and Cley were practically Alicent's henchmen at this point, Elaena knew that Alicent would use this event to tear Rhaenyra down. She would use it as proof that Harwin was their father, she could use it to disinherit Rhaenyra, to disinherit her sons from the throne.
"Elaena look at me," Daemon said, pulling her from her thoughts. His hand moved to her chin, turning her head to face him. "It's going to be alright."
"No, you don't understand," she muttered, feeling fear bubble in her throat. "She'll use this against Rhae-"
"I won't let that happen," Daemon said firmly, keeping his hand on her chin. "Of everyone down here I rank the highest, I'll speak to my brother about it, make sure nothing happens. Alright?"
Before she could respond with a protest he placed a kiss on her lips, giving her a bit of the encouragement she needed to believe him. What should have been a short kiss turned into a bit more of a display than she expected, leaving her a bit breathless when he finished.
"Nothing is going to happen to Rhaenyra, or to you, or any of the children," he said, gently rubbing his thumb over her bottom lip as he spoke. "I promise."
Elaena nodded, taking a sharper breath in as she tried to ground herself. She felt him place one last kiss on her forehead as she closed her eyes, his hands resting on the tops of her shoulders. She remained there for a moment, allowing his comfort to give her the strength not to break down about what just happened.
"I think we should call it a day. I'll get the boys, you get Rhaena, once you're inside I'll go talk to my brother, sort this all out."
"Alright," Elaena sniffled, nodding with a small smile. She watched as he walked away to go collect their sons, but felt another pair of eyes on her. When she looked to the side she saw Cley staring at her as Criston spoke to him. She couldn't tell what it was in his face that he was feeling towards her; anger, spite, jealousy... all she knew was that she didn't like it. She didn't like him watching her.
He used to be a person she trusted whole-heartedly with her life, but not anymore. After what she saw in the gardens and now this, she didn't want him anywhere near her or her family. Elaena felt sickened by this whole week, everything had piled up so fast.
She did not know what weighed most heavily on her mind though, for there had been too much that happened to make sense of it all. Was it what she saw with Alicent and Cley in the gardens, Rhaenyra not wanting to go to Dragonstone with her? Was she most upset having her own past trauma surrounding childbirth resurfaced, or seeing Laenor spit on that trauma by naming the child Joffrey? Or perhaps what bothered her most of all was seeing that the children were starting to carry the same generational feuds their parents all had. She didn't know what to do with any of it, only knowing one thing in her heart.
She was afraid. And she wanted to go home.
Author's Note: My goodness, another long chapter my friends, and filled with so much happening. I truly have so many thoughts/ideas for what I want to include in each chapter, and by the time it's written out it just expands even further. So even now that my normal three chapters per episode have been released, I'm going to write a fourth chapter to conclude episode six. I'll try to release it in the next few days for you all.
I hope you enjoyed this chapter, and would love to know what y'all think!
What do you think about Cley's return? Do you really believe that he is a scorned lover completely turned to the dark side? Do you think he still has feelings for Elaena? Will he be able to do what Alicent wants him to in the future?
I suppose you'll have to wait until next time to find out what happens next, my friends. -J❤️