Silence filled her chambers. She had finished her tale some time ago and had been waiting in silence. She wanted to give him time to take in. He had remained quiet through all of it. His expressions changing at the mention of their sons, his eyes becoming wet with unshed tears.
Did he think her mad. Her coin finially showing it's face. Everyone knew of the Targaryen saying.
"Madness and greatness are two sides of the same coin. Every time a new Targaryen is born, the gods toss the coin in the air and the world holds its breath to see how it will land."
Finally he took a breath and spoke.
"Ser Criston Cole! Really?!" He said. Almost to loudly.
She looked in shock at his words before snapping.
"Will you keep your voice down please! He might hear you." Rhaenyra scolded. "..and of everything I told you that is what shocks you?" She finished. Men.
He laughs and gives her a grin. "My apologies Princess, I just can't picture Ser Cole as the type of man for you, and that he is who got your maidenhead."
"Ser Harwin!" Rhaenyra said shocked.
He only smiled at her as he laughed. She saw the moment his emotions shifted. He looked off at the view her window seat provided and sighed.
"Three." He said.
Rhaenyras eyes begin to water, he didn't have to say anything else for her to understand.
"Yes…. They were beautiful. They will be beautiful, we can have them back." She declared. They would have their boys with them in this life. She needed them as much as she needed him.
"….and I..my father and I. A fire?" He looked back at her.
She looked down, "yes" she said.
"Why did I leave? Why didn't I just stay with you and our boys?" He asked.
But the question wasn't for her.
He stood then and began pacing. "It's strange, you tell me this tale and I shouldn't believe it so easily, but hearing you describe it. I can almost see it. Almost like waking up from a dream." He says. As he makes his way back to her, "I can see it, but it fades in and out the more I try to make it clear." His breath stuttered out as he spoke. "When all I want to do is remember it."
Rhaenyra stood and reached her hands to his face. Her palms cupping his chin, pulling his face to meet her eyes.
Slowly she pulled him till his chest met hers, staring up to his face she slowly moved a hand to rest at the nape of his neck. Running her fingers through the curls left free.
She had to lean up on the points of her toes to reach him. She hated it, at this age she barely reached his chest, at least before she could almost reach his chin. But this would not stop her.
She applied the smallest of pressure to his neck and reached up till her lips gently grazed his own.
Harwin released a shaky breath as she leaned back to take in his expression.
They could taste each other's breath. Feel the warmth of it on their faces. Rhaenyra felt light headed from the sensations his breath gave her.
At once he pulled her back to him and his lips began to caress her own. Slowly at first, then he devoured her mouth. His tongue rubbing against her own.
His hands came up and gripped her. One big hand on her waist, the other lightly gripping her neck with his fingers grazing her cheek.
You couldn't ask them how long they stayed in his moment. Neither would be able to give an answer.
But soon they were both breathless and gasping for air as they held each other. He leaned down to place his forehead against her own.
"We should stop my Princess." He said. "I know we've shared more than this in this other time. But I wish to do this right." Harwin finished as he slowly began to untangle their limbs from each other.
Rhaenyra sighed, as much as she wanted to continue she knew they could not.
"You're right." She said, "We've been given a second chance at this, and I want to do everything differently."
Harwin took a step back from her and smiled at her. The smile she loved, that showed off the dimple hidden beneath the scruff of his beard.
He took his leave then. Promising to see her tomorrow.
-🐉👩 ❤️-
Rhaenyra should've known the snake of a man would try something. Hand of the King Otto Hightower was a menace to her before, so why should now be any different.
Seems he had gotten into her fathers ear and questioned the match she chose.
She loved her father, but as a King he let this man control him, her father was a dragon. He should act like a dragon. His word, his decision should not be questioned. He gave her the chance to choose her future husband, she did. That should've been the end of it.
But here they are sitting in the small council chambers discussing her impending marriage. Men deciding what's best for the realm with her as the pawn once again.
Otto even had Harwin brought in to listen to the slander. Bringing in the man she chose and having him listen to the ways Otto found him lacking. The man was truly evil. Of course her father could not see what he was doing, he always fell for his clever words and his well practiced face of concern.
She could see both Ser Lyonel and Harwin trying to keep from saying anything. Lyonel doing a much better job of keeping calm.
They had been here for quite awhile when she glanced over to Harwin, he almost looked defeated. He was taking the words this vile man was saying to heart.
She had to stop this.
"What would you suggest, Lord hand, as it seems you do not trust the choice my father has left in my very capable hands" Rhaenyra said.
"Princess that is not the case at all, I mean no offense to his grace" Otto said.
So just to me then. Rhaenyra thought.
"I only mean that we should think of the future." Otto continued. "No offense to you and your house Lord Lyonel but you are a small house, and the Princess has been asked to marry by houses that can do more for the realm." He said.
She felt Harwin shift next to her. She knew it was taking all his patience to not snap. Having heard what he had been up to in her time. He disliked the man.
Rhaenyra looked to her father to see he was considering Ottis's words. No. We can't be here again. Taking my choice away from me. A marriage for political means is not what she wanted. She did things their way before and it caused her nothing but trouble.
How can I make him see? She thought.
Laenor. Otto would suggest him again. To appease the Valeryons for the slight her father caused when he pushed his daughter into her fathers bed. Corlys was not in this meeting today, she could speak freely without further offense.
Before her father could speak Rhaenyra quickly took control.
"I see your point, Ser Otto…" she said as she looked down to the table. She saw Harwin tense beside her. Slowly as to not draw more attention she reached for his hand under the table and squeezed to let him know she wasn't giving up.
Ser Ottos face turned smug. She couldn't wait to wipe that stupid look off his face.
"Who would you recommend for my hand in marriage, Ser." She asked. Playing the naive girl he knew her as at this time.
"Well, I strongly believe a marriage to Laenor Valeryon would benefit you the most. We could put the tension between your two houses to rest, and your houses together will strengthen your line." He said.
"Strengthen my line?" She asked dumbly. Knowing he would enjoy talking to her as if she was daft.
"Children princess, your future heirs with the Valeryons will extend the line of the Targaryens" he said.
Rhaenyra looked down pretending to think his words over. When she looked back up Otto could see a change in her eyes that gave him pause.
"You would have me marry a man who the realm knows does not have an interest or capability in having children with me? How would that strengthen the Targaryen line?" She said, "I may be young Lord Hand but even I hear the whispers at court. Laenor Valeryon much prefers the company of squires than he does courting ladies." Otto looked as if he was racing to find a way to turn this around and make his case. She didn't give him the chance.
Turning to her father she continued "Father if this is what your hand suggests, I worry. I can only imagine it will bring us more problems with Lord Corlys. When we wed and he refuses to bed me and give me heirs, what am I to do then. Be left without heirs. Be forced to have children outside my marriage to continue the line? Suffer through the humiliation if one day he is caught with one of his lovers and have me look like a fool? All to appease another house" Rhaenyra said. "We are dragons. My father is the King. We do not need to appease anyone."
Holding on to Harwin tightly she hated thetalk of bastards. But it's what would give her the outcome she wanted.
"Father, please honor your decision to let me choose. Don't use me as a remedy for your political headaches. Would you truly condemn me to a life like that? Please. Give me this." She watched as her father sighed and looked in her eyes.
"I'm sorry…" he begin. Rhaenyra felt her eyes become wet with tears. "But my daughter is right." He continued.
Rhaenyra felt Harwins hand squeeze hers to the point of being painful. Her father was taking her side.
Otto's face darkened. Quickly he switched to a neutral expression as the King looked at him.
"I will not risk my daughter's happiness on a match that we all clearly know won't work. As my daughter said, Ser Laenors tastes are much too different. It may not be confirmed, but it is known. You have been my hand for a long time now Otto, which is why I allowed you to present your concerns." He paused.
"But I do not agree. Rhaenyra will marry Ser Harwin. They will take some time to court each other first of course, so Rhaenyra can be sure of her choice, then you will be wed." Viserys said.
Rhaenyra didn't let the tears fall but she knew her father could see she was on the verge of crying. Her smile to him was the brightest he had seen since her mother had passed. He could see that he pleased her with his decision.
"Thank you father," Rhaenyra said. Turning to Harwin she brought their joined hands onto the table for all to see. "We thank you." She said.
Otto stood silently. As they all rose from the council table. Rhaenyra embraced her father, never letting go of Harwins hand. Harwin bowed his head to the king in appreciation.
"Oh none of that Ser Harwin, we are to be family soon." The King said to him. Harwin was shocked as the king embraced him and patted his shoulders. The king was hugging him, how odd to be here in this situation.
Rhaenyra looked at the moment with happiness. Slowly she looked to Otto who was silently watching them, his beady eyes looked to her and she couldn't help herself. She smirked.
She knew his intentions. She was going to get rid of him just as she did before. Only this time. He would be staying gone.