Author's Note: Hi everyone! Not too much to say other than thank you for reading/following/favoriting/reviewing! I am waiting (not so patiently) for the third episode to air, so until then, I'll have to satisfy the anticipation with the last chapter of episode two. For this chapter, we're definitely seeing Elaena torn as she struggles with her own emotions and tries to make sense of them in the context of everything happening around her. And through that, she finds a bit of fire in her that we all know a dragon is capable of. As always, Happy Reading! -J❤️
DISCLAIMER: Mature Content, Sexual Content, Nudity
THE DRAGON & THE ROSE - EPISODE TWO/PART TWO
The sky was filled with a thick and smoky haze, the long and dark grey clouds blocking most of Elaena and Rhaenyra's vision as they rode towards Dragonstone. The sun was beginning to set, creating a reddish glow in the western part of the sky.
"We're close!" Rhaenyra shouted from afar, hovering in the air.
"Let's go!" Elaena nodded, leaning forward on Vermax. The two dragons plunged down side by side through the clouds, diving through the thick air towards the ground until Dragonstone came into view. The sound of the silver colored beast's wings reverberated loudly in Elaena's ears as she pulled up to a steady position. But Syrax's golden body flew forward past them; Rhaenyra was in no mood to wait any longer.
"Naejot!" Elaena said in High Valyrian, commanding Vermax to go forward. She followed behind Rhaenyra until they saw two small armies facing one another on Gaztelugate, the ancient footstone bridge leading to the ancestral Targaryen home: Dragonstone. Not hard to miss, Elaena immediately spotted Caraxes, Daemon's scarlet colored dragon perched behind him. The three dragons roared at seeing each other, their loud screaches piercing the eardrums of all those below. Elaena steered her dragon to fly around Syrax, the two creatures landing on opposite sides of the bridge behind King Viserys' forces. Everyone turned to watch their arrival, all prior conversation happening between the two groups coming to an immediate hush. Elaena looked down to where Daemon stood with the egg he had stolen cradled in one arm, while the other held up Dark Sister defensively. Elaena and Rhaenyra sat upon their dragons as they watched him lower the sword, lifting his chin in the air. The girls exchanged a quick glance, then both dismounted from their dragons, walking side by side through the parting sea of guards on the bridge.
"Ser Criston, please escort the Princesses back to safety, immediately." The Hand of the King said quickly, stepping in front of their path.
"Take care not to startle Syrax or Vermax, my lords," Rhaenyra began, stepping past the Hand without acknowledgement of his commands.
"They're rather protective of us," Elaena said, finishing Rhaenyra's thoughts as she walked in unison with her cousin.
Daemon's eyes narrowed as the two approached him, resting his hand on the hilt of his sword. Elaena refused to look at the woman she supposed was Mysaria as she walked, staring only at Daemon directly in the eye. Not only was she feeling vengeful on behalf of Rhaenyra, she felt personally betrayed and scorned, and she wouldn't afford him the satisfaction of even acknowledging the woman.
"My father named me Princess of Dragonstone," Rhaenyra said in their mother tongue, her voice filled with disdain. "That is my castle you're living in, Uncle."
"Not until you come of age," Daemon said defiantly, looking down at the his niece.
"You have angered your King," Rhaenyra continued, her eyes menacing as she spoke.
"I don't see why. This is a day of celebration, I am to be wed tomorrow," he said, avoiding Elaena's eyes. She could feel her heart beat faster at these words, but refused to let him see her composure falter even in the slightest.
"You already have a wife," Rhaenyra scoffed, raising her brows.
"Not one of my choosing," he said, finally looking to Elaena. She gritted her teeth together, feeling anger and betrayal rise to the surface.
"And this required you to steal her brother's egg?" Elaena finally said, her tone icy as the wind blew her hair back from her face.
"You shared your cradle with a dragon when you were born, as did you Rhaenyra. I want the same for my child."
"You're expecting a child?" Rhaenyra laughed drly.
He looked back to the woman standing behind him, a dark haired girl dressed in silver. Elaena finally shifted her eyes to the woman, directing the same anger she felt towards Daemon to this supposed Lady Mysaria of Dragonstone. Elaena could feel the woman squirm under her gaze. She'd be lying if she said that she didn't enjoy seeing that.
"One day, perhaps." Daemon shrugged, as if none of this was a big deal.
Elaena could feel a bit of tension relax in her shoulders at hearing this: he wasn't expecting a child, not yet at least. But despite this small bit of blissful news to her ears, he was still planning on taking this woman as a second wife, in the tradition of Old Valyria. And that was not something she wanted or approved of in the slightest. Her eyes flitted back to Mysaria, and though she thought any common whore would relish in having a Prince say these things about her, Mysaria seemed distressed, turning over her shoulder with a face of betrayal. Elaena suppressed a small smile as the woman walked aaway, leaving the three dragons alone to speak.
"I'm right here, Uncle. The object of your ire, the reason that you were disinherited," Rhaenyra said in the common tongue. "If you wish to be restored as heir, you'll need to kill me. So do it, and be done with all this bother."
Elaena turned to look at Rhaenyra, a spike of fear that Daemon might actually do it rising in her chest. But Rhaenyra only looked forward, staring Daemon down without blinking. As he looked down at his hands, Elaena could not tell if he was looking to his sword or the egg before he returned his gaze to Rhaenyra. She inhaled slowly as Daemon took a step backwards, but released it with relief when he threw the egg to her. He looked at Elaena once before turning over his shoulder, ready to leave.
"I know you heard me," spoke loudly, her jaw clenched with anger.
He stopped in his movements, but didn't turn around, only tilting his head back a bit to listen.
"You don't have to admit it, not to me, not to everyone here...not even to yourself. But I know the truth," she continued, her chest rising and falling quickly as she spoke. He remained still as stone, silent as night. "And I won't forget it. You'd fare well not to either."
Before he could say anything in his own defensse, she turned around and left, walking back towards Viserys' forces across the old stone bridge. Rhaenyra moved past her, placing the egg onto the coals and then leaving to mount Syrax. Before joining her cousin Elaena stopped in front of the Hand, her attitude just as intimidating towards him as it was to Daemon.
"I know it was you who reported me to the King, Lord Hightower," she said softly, looking at him with narrow eyes.
"Report you, Your Grace?" he asked, feigning cluelessness.
"About my conversation with Prince Daemon." She cocked her head to the side slightly, examining each and every of his reactions. "I know for a fact it wasn't Ser Cley, Prince Daemon, or myself. And we were supposedly the only three living souls in those gardens yesterday."
"Then how could it have been me to report you, Princess?" he asked lightly, a glint of a grin in his eyes.
"You may have your little birds, flying around court and listening to the whispers." She smiled threateningly. "But it's best for you not to forget that I don't need birds when I have dragons."
His face fell a little, no sign of humor left in any inch of his being as she narrowed the space between them.
"Don't cross me again, Lord Hightower," she whispered so that only he could hear. "Because I can promise that if you do, you won't like what will come next. Do you understand?"
"You may be a Princess, and a dragon, no less," he said quietly, contempt leaking from his every orface, "But you shouldn't mistaken a show of strength for a force of power. Don't forget that."
He remained solid in place with his eyes piercing her as she took a step back with a small smile. "Strength is power, Lord Hightower. Don't forget that."
With that, she turned to join Rhaenyra again, mounting Vermax quietly. She looked below at the Hand, then to Daemon, both of whom who were watching her.
"Sōvegon," she commanded the dragon, turning away from them. The dragon lifted off the bridge forcefully, knocking off the heavy ancient stones as she flew forwards over everyone below's heads. Syrax quickly appeared beside her, chuffing as she flew through the crisp air. Elaena and Rhaenyra both looked to each other as they circled Dragonstone, seeing the victory in each other's faces, then nodded.
"Let's go home, Vermax," Elaena commanded, smiling as the dragon soared faster ahead, back to King's Landing.
The Next Morning
After a lengthy conversation with the King about the recklessness and stupidity of the girls mission, which eventually ended in him being somewhat proud of their accomplishment to retrieve the egg without bloodshed, he sent the two to their chambers under lock and key. Elaena was perfectly fine with this, exhausted in every way she could be the only thing she wanted was to sleep. But rather than peaceful dreams clouding her mind, the darker thoughts in her head won, even in sleep. Elaena woke conflicted of mind and heart in every way, the two essential parts of her fighting a bloody war inside of her. When it came to Daemon, her mind was proud for sticking to its convictions, but her heart was shattered into pieces. And when it came to the Lord Hightower, her heart was soaring for standing up to his deceitful and scurrilous ways, despite the fact that she knew she had officially picked a fight with the most dangerous enemy at court. All she could do now though was live with the decisions she had made at Dragonstone the day before, because there was nothing she could do now to change what had happened. She could only hope that what she had chosen the right thing to do. But more importantly than addressing everything else she had going on, she had to check on something, or rather, someone.
She tiptoed out of bed and wrapped her robe around herself, moving to the door of her chambers. She knocked lightly on it to alert the guard stationed outside, then opened it slowly. She looked through the crack to see Cley, who was staring straight forward.
"Cley?" she whispered, but he didn't look at her. "Can we please talk?"
He turned his head slightly, the massive black and blue bruise accompanied with a deep cut on his cheek coming into view once the light of the hallway's candles hit it. "Your maids will be here soon to get you ready, Your Grace. Until then, you should go back to sleep."
"Cley please," she said, feeling her heart sink a bit. "I just want to apologize. It was the only way-"
"There's nothing to apologize for, Your Grace," he said with a crushed voice, turning his head back forward.
"I thought you agreed to call me Elaena," she said softly, watching as his adam's apple rose with tension.
"You should get back inside, Your Grace."
"I'm sorry, Cley. Truly, I am," she whispered, but he only continued to stare forward. She nodded to herself and stepped back, knowing he wasn't ready for her apologies just yet. Once the door was shut she leaned against it, pressing her hands against her eyes as she exhaled. She truly felt horrible leaving him knocked out on the floor, leaving him to be ridiculed by everyone for not being able to stop two young girls. She had felt like she had no choice but to go along with Rhaenyra's plan in the moment, but looking back she wondered what she would be feeling right now if she had decided to stay. She wouldn't have targeted the Hand as her enemy, she wouldn't have had ill words with Daemon, and she wouldn't have pushed Cley so far away from her. If she had stayed, maybe everything in her life wouldn't feel so sour.
With one last exhale she moved towards her vanity and began to comb her hair, taking a small piece of joy in the mindless activity. It was moments like this that she wish she had her mother to talk to. Cheated from a life with her when she was only 8, she was never able to ask her about the heavy emotions that came with coming of age. She wanted more than anything to be able to talk to her mother with a response that was more than just the wind blowing in the Godswood.
"Good morning, Elaena," Lynara said cheerfully as she entered the room, "I'm glad to see you're up and out of bed, despite your reckless and futile mission last night."
"It only would have been futile if we hadn't gotten the egg back without bloodshed," Elaena said, looking back at her through the mirror as she continued to comb her long silver hair. "If you hadn't heard, that's exactly what we did."
"I suppose," Lynara sniffed once, turning her nose up a bit, "But even so, you shouldn't have put yourself in harm's way like that. And you certainly shouldn't have done what you did to Ser Cley. You both practically stripped him naked and presented him to the King for a sound lashing."
"That was never our intention," Elaena said hotly, feeling shame crawl over her skin like a thousand spiders.
"Whatever your intention was, the outcome is the same," Lynara said sternly. "You owe him your sincerest apologies, and even that might not be enough to remedy what you did."
"I tried not but five minutes ago," Elaena replied, "He wanted to hear no part of what I had to say."
"So?" Lynara asked, taking the hairbrush from Elaena's hand and continuing herself. She pulled roughly at the knots in her hair, causing Elaena to wince with each stroke.
"So how do I make him listen?"
"I hear you made the King's Hand listen." Lynara raised her brows. "Though I assume threats and intimidation are not how you want to approach Ser Cley? Who might I remind you, that other than myself, he is your only friend from Winterfell that you have at court?"
"No," Elaena said, pinching her lips together remorsefully.
"Good." Lynara nooded. "Then I suggest you keep trying in every way short of that. He is a kind and loyal knight. I recommend you not lose an ally like himself."
A Week Later
"Come, we need a bit of fun," Rhaenyra pleaded, pulling on her riding gloves. "We've been on lockdown ever since our escapade with nothing to do but read and gossip. I'm positively dying of boredom."
"Regrettably, I can't," Elaena muttered, "There's something I have to do."
"Are you going to try and speak with Ser Cley again?" Rhaenyra asked, cocking her head to the side with disappointment.
"If I can find him." Elaena sighed. "He's been avoiding me all week, Ser Maxon has taken his place for the time being."
"You're a Princess, Elaena," Rhaenyra said, her eyebrows raised. "You've already apologized more than once. If he's choosing not to accept it, you shouldn't feel obligated to continue being sorry."
"It's more complicated than that. He's not just a knight, he's my friend. He's afforded me much more kindness than I have him in our time at court, and I threw it back in his face like it meant nothing. He deserves for me to be sorry about it."
"If what you said is true... that he's your friend, then he'll come around."
"I hope so." Elaena nodded, turning back to Rhaenyra. "Say hello to Vermax for me, and enjoy your ride."
"Alright, I will. I'll see you later." Rhaenyra smiled, turning to walk towards the dragonpit.
Elaena re-entered the Red Keep with Ser Maxon behind her, thinking about where Cley could be hiding from her. Despite him not being on duty to guard her, it certainly didn't mean that he was suddenly allowed to go on holiday all of a sudden. Her heels clicked on the stone floors as she walked through them, echoing loudly around her. Where could he be hiding?
"Do you really not know where he is, Ser Maxon?" Elaena asked.
The old but agile man cleared his throat and walked a pace quicker to be by her side as she spoke. "No, Your Grace."
"You wouldn't lie to me, would you?"
"Of course not, Your Grace," he said nervously.
"So you have no earthly idea where he is?" she asked, looking at the him with narrowed eyes.
"No, Your Grace, only the King and his Hand would know, Your Grace."
"The Hand?"
"He was the one who officially replaced Ser Cley with me, Princess."
"And who is Ser Cley guarding now?" she asked. She should have known the Hand would have something to do this.
"The Lady Alicent Hightower, the Hand's own daughter."
"I see," Elaena muttered. "The King and his Hand are meeting with the small council right now, are they not?"
"Yes-"
"Then I thank you for your candor, Ser Maxon," Elaena said, stopping in her tracks. "I'd like some time alone to speak with the King, you may go now."
"But Your Grace, I must insist-"
"The purpose of your being here is to protect me, yes? On the King and the Hand's orders?"
"Yes, but-"
"And do I need protection from my King?" she asked, her face fixed in place and voice bold. "Am I not safe in his and the kingsguard's presence?"
"Of course you are, Your Grace," the man said weakly. "But-"
"Then good day to you, Ser Maxon."
"Your Grace." He bowed low and then took a step back, allowing her to pass.
Elaena walked quickly with a fire in her belly as she went towards the small council chambers. She couldn't quite place the feeling she had inside of her. It wasn't anger, for she knew that sensation all too often at court to not recognize it in herself. The only other thing she could equate it to was how she felt watching Mysaria stand by Daemon's side. What she felt was jealousy, a burning green fire licking away at her. As she approached the door to the small council chambers, she stopped. Cley was standing before it in attendance with a member of the King's Guard. When he saw her, she noticed that he stood a little straighter, keeping his eyes forward. She slowed her pace, advancing forward until she was only a mere three steps from him. She waited for him and the other guard to bow before speaking.
"I request an audience with His Grace, the King," she said, feeling her jaw clench. "It is a matter of great importance."
"My apologies, Princess Elaena," the King's Guard responded, his voice stoic and insincere. "We are under strict order not to permit anyone inside at the moment. I will deliver your message to the King once he is finished."
She exhaled lightly, turning her eyes back to Cley, "Fine. I'll speak to you first then. Who's idea was it?"
"I'm afraid I don't know what you're talking about, Princess."
"The matter of who you are stationed with. Was it your idea to start guarding the Lady Alicent? Does one disagreement between us grant this betrayal of loyalty?" she asked, unable to simmer the boiling jealousy.
"Loyalty?" he asked, finally looking at her with disbelief in his eyes. "You question my loyalty?"
"I don't want to," she said bitterly, blinking once. "But it's hard for me to see it in any other way if this was your choice."
"Well it wasn't," he whispered, looking at her softly. "I wouldn't do that."
"It was the Hand then?" she asked, feeling a quick pang of regret.
"Yes, Your Grace."
"Then you have my apologies," she said quietly, avoiding his eyes. "It's not you who my anger should be directed at. Please tell the King that as soon as he is able, I'd-"
But before she could finish her sentence, the door to the small council chamber opened, revealing another guard who was escorting some members of the council out. From behind the armored man, the King caught her eye.
"Elaena." he smiled lightly, "Do come in."
"I'm sorry," she whispered to Cley as she walked past him and into the room. Once she was before him she saw that the King was indeed not alone. The Lady Alicent and her father, Lord Hightower were still both seated with him. "Do you have a moment for us to speak, Your Grace? I was hoping to ask you something."
"Of course," he nodded. "We have just finished. I hope you weren't waiting too long."
"Not at all." She smiled politely. The Hand of the King and his daughter both stood from their seats to leave, but she quickly turned to them and said, "Oh please stay if you have the time, what I have to ask concerns you as well."
The two sat back down again, and the King looked at her slightly confused. "Of what matter do you wish to speak?"
"I was recently made aware that the situation regarding mine and Lady Alicent's guards have been changed by his Lord Hand, with Ser Cley and Ser Maxon switching spots," she said slowly, trying to remain as composed as possible. "And I was wondering if they could be switched back."
"I was not aware that this change had been made, Otto," the King said, turning to his Hand.
"Following the incident where the poor young man was made to look a fool, I thought this change might spare him some of his dignity, Your Grace. I assumed you would agree with this decision and did not want to further the burdens on your plate with something so...trivial." The Hand replied, keeping his eyes on Elaena.
"Yes," the King said gruffly, nodding a bit as he turned to Elaena. "Has there been a problem with Ser Maxon's services that make you ask for this change to be undone?"
"No, not at all. Ser Maxon is a kind and capable knight," she said with a light smile. "It's just that I know Ser Cley very well. He was my personal guard in all my years at Winterfell, and despite the incident we had last week, I would feel much safer having someone I know and trust to be the one that guards me day and night. Especially if you both insist that I need round the clock supervision."
"It would be of no issue on my part to go back to the way things were," Alicent said kindly, looking to Elaena with a small smile. "For I feel the same way about Ser Maxon. He's been my guard ever since I arrived in King's Landing, it's more comfortable for things to remain as they used to be."
"Yes, but even if it's more comfortabel, perhaps it is better the way it is now," the Hand said with distaste. "Perhaps because the Princess Elaena and Ser Cley know each other so well, it has allowed for incidents like the one last week to take place. Not to mention the trouble with Daemon's departure that sparked it all."
"You make a fair point, Otto," The King said pensively.
Elaena sat still in her seat, hoping the King wouldn't be so easily swayed by this man's words. "Your Grace, I hope you know that I have apologized to Ser Cley, profusely. And I apologize again to you for my... rather rebellious acts of late. I know the outcome wasn't always what was desired, but my intentions have always been pure."
"I know, child, I know." The King sighed, looking to the Hand once before back to her. "We will reinstate Ser Cley as your guard for the time being. But should you abuse the friendship you two have in order to rebel against my rules any further, then I must insist that we return to how it is now. Do you understand?"
"Of course, thank you, Your Grace," Elaena smiled widely, "I completely understand."
"Good." He smiled lightly-heartedly, "I don't have it in me to battle both you and my daughter right now."
"Well I can promise no more battles from me, and I'll do my best to reign her in as well." Elaena laughed gracefully.
"Good luck with that." He chuckled. "Now go, girls. The Hand and I have one more matter to discuss before supper."
"Thank you again, cousin," Elaena responded, curtsying as she stood. She then turned to Alicent, extending her hand. "Come, Alicent. We can walk together to our chambers to get changed before supper."
"Gladly, Your Grace." Alicent smiled sweetly, hooking her arm through Elaena's to leave.
The two walked linked together quietly until they had left the room, then stopped together in front of the guards.
"Ser Cley," Elaena said, looking up to him gently, "You have been reinstated as my personal guard for the time being. Would you please tell Ser Maxon that he will return to guarding the Lady Alicent as he did before?"
"Yes, Your Grace," Cley said with a small smile. "At once."
"Thank you. I hope you can forgive me despite my wrong-doings so we can go back to how things were before," Elaena said sincerely.
"There is nothing to forgive," he said softly.
"And Ser Cley?"
"Yes, Princess?"
"I'm glad to have you back."
He didn't respond, only giving a small smile before bowing deeply before her.
"Come," she said to Alicent, "We have much gossip to catch up on. I feel like it's been ages since we last talked just the two of us."
"Then where shall I begin?" Alicent sighed dramatically.
"With you, of course," Elaena laughed lightly, feeling all the negativity she posessed only minutes ago lifted from her shoulders now that Cley and her had reconciled with each other. "A little bird told me that you are soon to be engaged."
"What?" Alicent asked, turning to her with no hint of excitement or happiness. "Where did you hear something like that?"
"Court has been whispering for days about it, though no one seems to know who this supposed engagement is to."
"It's just a baseless rumor," Alicent scoffed, but Elaena could tell that she was rattled. "People at court have nothing other to do than gossip and plot it seems."
"I'm sure you're right," Elaena said calmly. "My apologies if I have offended you."
"Don't be silly, of course you haven't. Have there been any updates in that regard for you?"
"No, thankfully." Elaena sighed with relief, immediately thinking about Daemon. "I can't imagine a worse time for me to become engaged."
"I'm surprised. You are a princess after all, and a beautiful one at that. I would have thought you'd have all the suitors of the court pledging themselves to you and duelling each other in the courtyard by now."
"I think my arrival coupled with the untimely death of the Queen has scared them all off. I'm sure your father and the rest of the small council are more focused on having the King ready to remarry before they worry about me."
"Right," Alicent said softly, tensing up a bit and remaining quiet.
"But thankfully that's what I want." Elaena continued to think out loud as the two walked. "The longer I can prolong being wed and shipped away from King's Landing again, the happier I'll be."
"Right...Well here you are," Alicent said quickly, unlinking arms with her. "I'll see you at supper, Princess Elaena."
"See you then, Lady Alicent." Elaena nodded, watching as Alicent continued by herself down the hall to her own bedchamber. Though Alicent seemed a sweet and naive girl, Elaena couldn't help but feel like something was off with her after their short conversation. But until she had proof of anything suspect, she would say nothing. She had already stirred enough drama with Alicent's father and the court in general as it was.
She turned the handle to her room and walked in, unclasping the heavy earrings that hung from her ears. She set them down on the table with a small sigh and then turned to Ona, who was already pulling out her gown for supper.
"Would you mind helping me out of this, Ona?"
"Of course, Your Grace," the old woman responded, setting down the dark green colored gown she had in hand on the bed.
Ona began helping her undress, taking the gown and the corset underneath off of her and leaving her only in her slip so she could finally breathe properly.
"I would have thought you'd go riding today, Princess," Ona said with a smile. "I had a bath prepared for you because of it. Would you like it to be taken away?"
"No, thank you. In fact I'd love a bath," Elaena exhaled, craving the hot water on her skin. "Would take my dress to be quickly pressed while I wash?"
"Of course, is the green one alright? I think it matches your eyes in such a lovely way."
"Can I actually see the red one, quickly?" Elaena asked as she began to take out her braids.
Ona opened the tall wardrobe and pulled down the red gown, holding it up for Elaena to see.
"Either option is beautiful, Your Grace, you can't go wrong."
"I think your instinct was right, Ona, let's go with the green for tonight."
"As you wish, Princess," the old woman nodded, taking the dress with her. "Oh and don't forget to take off your necklace. You don't want it rusting from the water."
"Thank you, Ona," Elaena said mindlessly, placing a hand on it.
Once the door was shut, she stripped off the thin white shift she was wearing and tossed it onto the chair next to her bed, leaving her only dressed in the necklace Daemon got her. Elaena finished taking down her braided hair, letting the silver locks tumble freely down her naked back. It felt wonderful to finally be free of all the hair pins and restricting clothes. The sound of her bare feet sticking lightly to the stone floor echoed around her in the silent room as she approached the tub. The water parted slightly as she stepped in, creating ripples around her. Scorching heat from the water was just what she needed to clear her mind. She didn't know what had gotten into her lately, she was never this way back in Winterfell. Though, the most drama she ever encountered there was squabble with Lynara about tracking mud from outside into the castle. Here in King's Landing, everything was theatrical and dramatic, always a matter of life and death. As she closed her eyes, she breathed in the steam from the water, allowing it to clear her thoughts.
But just as soon as she felt herself starting to relax, a deep and quiet voice popped out of nowhere. "Personally, I would have gone with the red dress. Green's a bit too passive for someone like you."
Elaena jumped out of her skin when she heard him, splashing the water from the tub onto the floor around her. She looked up to see Daemon walking in from the balcony where she assumed he must have been waiting in secrecy.
"How did you get here, Daemon?" she asked, immediately moving her knees up to cover her chest. She wrapped her arms tightly around her legs, trying to hide her exposed body from him, but there was little left to his imagination if he had been here watching this whole time.
"I walked. I thought if I flew Caraxes up to your window it might raise some questions," he said with a small smile, "And I don't want you getting into any more trouble over me than you already have."
"I'm not joking, Daemon, how did you get here, in my bedchamber?" She asked, petrified in the water.
"I posed as a guard and waited until your room was empty. Then I waited on the balcony so those who came in and out wouldn't see me," he said, the playfulness on his face gone. "I needed to talk with you, unseen."
"You had plenty to say in your letter," she snapped, her normally green eyes turning yellow with anger.
"And you had plenty to say on the bridge."
"Of course I did," she said bitterly. "You left without saying a proper goodbye, knowing I was calling out for you to come back. And then that bloody letter-"
"That letter wasn't intended for your eyes," he said seriously, "It was only a play to get under my brother's skin."
"I don't care who it was intended for," she said coldly, "Now turn around so I can dress."
"Elaena-"
"Turn around, now, or I'll scream," she threatened, her voice low.
"You wouldn't do that."
"Try me."
He sighed a little, looking down at her naked body once more before turning to face the balcony.
"And don't even think about sneaking a look," she warned. Once she was sure he wasn't going to turn around, she stood slowly and walked to get her robe, dripping water across the floor as she walked. Once it was wrapped around her she moved to bolt the door in case Ona came back in. She then crossed her arms over her chest and stood silently. She still felt horribly exposed not being properly dressed, but it was better than sitting naked in the bath before him where he could look through the clear water and see anything he liked.
"May I face you again?" he asked gently.
"If you must."
They stared at each other silently for a moment, the tension between them thick as blood.
"She isn't pregnant," Daemon said softly, his eyes tender and apologetic.
"You have my condolones," she said sarcastically, "Though last I heard you were still engaged to marry. Tell me, am I still invited to the wedding?"
"I'm not going to marry her either. I wouldn't do that to you."
"Well thank you for your consideration," she laughed drly.
"Isn't that what you wanted?" he asked, getting a touch angrier with her. "For me to stay?"
But this was the last straw for Elaena. Outraged and exasperated she took a singular step forward, fighting the urge to cry. "You wanted me to tell you to stay, you wanted me to admit my feelings for you, and even when I did you left me. You left and the very next day you're getting married to your pregnant whore. Am I supposed to be happy that you're back now? Am I supposed to welcome you with a loving heart and open arms?"
"You're supposed to be clear with me about what you want." he said roughly, walking forward and closing the distance between them until he stood only an inch from her. He leaned his head down so that his mouth was in her ear, his breath warm on her skin, "When we spoke in the garden the only thing you made clear to me was that you couldn't be with me. And then you show up to Dragonstone as if it was I who scorned you. Now I've come back for you and it's still you who's shutting me down. So what is it that you want from me?"
Her chest rose and fell quickly as her heart beat faster. She stared into his chest as she listened, the water from the bath rolling down her neck. She couldn't believe what she was about to say, but it was as if her heart had taken over her, blocking any power her mind might have had to stop herself. "I want you to only have eyes for me, to be the only thing you want in this world..."
"And?" he asked, his lips brushing against her ear.
"I don't want to be your second wife," she said shakily, feeling his thumb stroke her arm. "I want to be your only wife."
"Then what's stopping you?"
"I'll not allow you to do what my own father did to my mother in order to be that," she whispered.
"Well I know what I want, Elaena. And I know what I'm willing to do to get it," he said bluntly. He was so close to her that she could feel his lips move on her skin as he spoke. She felt his hands gently move to a resting position on her hips, then the sensation of his fingers gripping tighter into her skin as he pulled her closer to him. Every muscle in her body weakened, giving in to the spell his words had on her. "So if you want to be my only wife, and you won't allow me to make that happen, what is there left for me to do?"
"I don't know," she whispered breathlessly, stepping away from him to clear her head. She felt as if the whole world were spinning around her, and no matter how desperately she willed herself to it couldn't stop. "Perhaps our fate is supposed to lead us separate ways."
"Fuck fate," he said, grabbing her arm fiercely. He spun her around and pulled her into his body, holding her to him without any room between them. Before she could even try to protest, she felt his lips crash down onto her, roughly opening and parting her own. She slowly raised her hands, holding them to his cheeks to keep him from stopping. Despite everything in her head telling her to pull away, she simply couldn't. Not when it all felt so right.
She could feel one of his hands move to the small of her back, narrowing the already non-existent space between their hips. For a moment he lifted his lips off her own, to which she inhaled deeply. It felt like the first breath she'd ever taken, but it was suddenly taken away as he planted his lips on hers again, drawing every last bit of air she had left in her lungs.
"Daemon, we have to stop-" she muttered, putting her hands on his chest.
"Why?" he asked roughly, trailing his lips down her neck. Goosebumps rose all over her skin as he kissed his way down to her collarbone, then back up towards the back of her ear. She couldn't help but melt further into him, allowing him to support her as her body weakened.
"My chamber maid-" she shuddered, "She'll be-"
"I don't care," he growled, lifting her swiftly off the ground. Her legs instinctively wrapped around his torso, her arms lacing their way around his neck as she breathed every bit of his essence in. He walked forward until her back hit the wall, compressing her body so that every inch of them touched each other. She grasped his long silver hair into her hands, pulling his face closer as they kissed. Sliding her legs back down to the floor, she arched back away from the wall to get even closer. Though she never knew this was something she could enjoy, she savored every taste as his tongue entered her mouth, never wanting it to end. She wanted all of him, more than she had ever wanted anything in her whole life.
And yet, she knew that they would soon be found out if she didn't stop now.
"Daemon," she said, forcing herself to stop him. She quickly slid to the side and walked away from him, running her hands through her hair and catching her breath. She couldn't believe how easily she had fell into all, how easy it was for him to make her feel this way.
"So what now?" he asked, following her every step. He stopped just behind her, leaning down into her ear as he had done before. "You want me to just leave?"
"No," she whispered, closing her eyes, "But you have to, we shouldn't have done that."
"Why not?" he asked, wrapping his arms around her torso. He squeezed his arms lightly, pulling her closer to him. "We should have done that ages ago."
"I can't," she said to herself, shaking her head.
"Elaena-"
"Please- just don't-" she said exasperatedly, prying his arms from her with tears in her eyes. "You think I haven't been waiting for this just as long as you? If not longer?"
He stood quietly, his dark eyes following her as she paced. "Do you remember what you told me the day of the tournament? When we were here, alone?"
"Yes," she whispered, stopping in her tracks.
"Tell me." he commanded. "Tell me what you said."
"I told you that I didn't fear you, only the fact that I didn't."
"And then I told you that you should be afraid," he said stiffly. "Because you and I both know that I wouldn't bat an eye at killing that bronze bitch a thousand leagues away to be with you. You've known that this whole time."
"I know" she said weakly, her frustration crumbling into heartbreak, "But at the end of it all, I know I'm not willing to allow you to do that. So no matter what we feel, we're just going to go round and round in circles. Nothing will change."
"I don't think it's the fact that you're not afraid of me that scares you the most, Elaena," he said slowly, "I think you're afraid of yourself, and what you know deep down you're willing to do to get what you want."
She stared at him silently, feeling her cheeks flush red as she listened.
"But I also think you already know that," Daemon continued, walking slowly to her. He lifted a strand of hair from face and tucked it behind her ear, his eyes tracing her skin. He leaned down and gently kissed her once more, then hovered his lips above hers as he spoke. "I won't wait forever, Elaena. I can't."
"Daemon, I-"
But before she could finish they were suddenly interrupted by the sound of the handle on the door jiggling once, and then again. They waited a moment silently, but then a knock on the door rang loudly through the quiet room.
"Your Grace, I'm back with your dress and your step-mother," Ona called from the outside. "But the door is latched."
"Just a moment, let me find my robe," she called back, her voice cracking a bit. She stepped away from Daemon and walked towards the door nervously, stopping with her hand hovering over the bolt. She looked back to Daemon to make sure he was hidden. Once she saw him go out on the balcony she realized that she had completely dried off by now. She quickly stripped the robe off and dunked herself in the water once more.
"Elaena, open the door!" Lynara's voice sounded from outside.
Elaena jumped out from the tub, splashing even more water onto the ground than had been there before, then tightened her robe back around herself. She slid across the floor to the door and unlatched it, letting both Lynara and Ona inside.
"Sorry about that," she said quickly, trying to regain her composure. "I must have nodded off in the bath."
The two women walked in with the freshly pressed dress, staring with wide eyes at the water covered floor.
"Well did you have a nightmare that caused you to thrash like a madman?" Lynara asked, turning to Elaena confusedly. "Half of the water has been dumped out onto the floor."
"Your knock startled me," Elaena lied with a weak laugh. "I jumped and the water splashed out. I'm sorry."
"It's alright, it's only water," Ona said sweetly, "It can be cleaned up in no time. Let's just get you dressed for supper before you're late."
"I'm actually not feeling well," Elaena said softly, putting a hand on her stomach. "Would it be terribly rude of me not to go down for supper?"
"I shouldn't think so," Lynara said a bit suspiciously, "The King is dining alone with the Princess tonight so it's just us two, Lord Hightower, and his daughter. Should I have Ona bring you up a plate?"
"No, thank you," Elaena said a bit too quickly, wanting them to leave before they might spot Daemon on the balcony. "I don't think I could manage eating even if I wanted to."
"Alright." Lynara nodded. "Then get some rest."
"Thank you, Lynara," Elaena exhaled, holding her arms tightly over her chest. "I'll just be going to bed then."
"I'll send someone to clean up the water and fetch the tub-"
"It's alright, really, it can wait until the morning. I'm too tired to even notice it."
"Alright." Ona nodded, her eyes narrowed a bit. "Then I'll just check in on you in the morning with some warm broth."
"Thank you, Ona."
"Goodnight, Your Grace."
"Goodnight," Elaena said, smiling lightly as she watched them leave. As soon as the door had shut she put the latch back on and turned around to whisper. "Daemon?"
She moved towards the balcony to where he had been hiding, only to see a solitary rope hanging from the balcony's rail. She looked around underneath the balcony at the ground, hoping to find his shadow cast by the setting sky, but there was nothing. After pulling up the rope and tucking it in her dresser, she sat on the edge of her bed, tracing where Daemon's lips had been with her fingertips and listening to the echo of his words in her mind.
Author's Note: I hope you enjoyed reading this chapter! I sure enjoyed writing it. I know that some of you probably wanted Elaena to just kiss and makeup with Daemon with no other problems...and selfishly I did too... but what fun would making it that easy be? 😉 At least there's a little spice in this chapter to tide you over until next monday.
I also want to know what you all of think of things so far about the other characters like Cley, Lynara, The Hand, Rhaenyra, Alicent, and even Ona. I'm very open to suggestions in how this story will pan out and which characters will grow in importance to Elaena's story. After all, I'm relying on the show each week to build the basic outline of each chapter...But until the new episode airs on sunday and until I have your opinions, we'll just have to wait and see where the story will go. Until Monday everyone! -J❤️