After Rhaenyra declared that herself and her family would return to Dragon Stone, Rhiannon was all but happy. She mulked around her chambers, getting the last of her things together. As Rhiannon sat on her bed overlooking her now bare chambers, she wondered if the reason they were leaving was due to Ser Hawrin leaving as well. She had overheard some guards speaking about the incident that had taken place right after she left. With a sigh, she fell back onto the mattress with her arms outstretched.
Suddenly, a soft knock echoed on her door, causing her to mumble, 'Come in.' Helaena stepped into the room, her long silver hair cascading down in a braid.
In the dimly lit room, a hushed voice called out, "Rhiannon?" Startled, Rhiannon straightened up, her heart racing as she recognized her aunt's voice.
"Helaena," Rhiannon exclaimed, leaping off her bed to join her aunt in front of the crackling fireplace.
"Is everything alright?" she inquired, concern evident in her voice as they settled into the comfortable chairs beside each other. Helaena simply nodded, her gaze dropping to the floor.
"I wanted to say goodbye before you left." She spoke, causing Rhiannon to smile warmly.
Rhiannon hesitantly asked, "May I hug you?" She was well aware that her Aunt Helaena was not fond of physical touch. After a brief pause, Helaena nodded in approval. Despite knowing her aunt's aversion to physical contact, Rhiannon embraced her warmly, feeling a hint of resistance in Helaena's initially rigid posture. As the seconds passed, her aunt gradually softened and returned the hug, eventually enveloping Rhiannon in her own embrace."
As Rhiannon leaned in, Helaena whispered softly into her ear, 'You will weep in union.' causing Rhiannon to draw back in confusion.
"What?" she asked, puzzled. Helaena rose quickly, cast a fleeting glance downwards, and smiled softly.
"We will meet again soon," she said. Rhiannon nodded warmly, her confusion dissipating as she smiled, completely forgetting the enigmatic words Helaena had spoken earlier.
"Without a doubt!" Rhiannon exclaimed, jumping up with a laugh.
Rhiannon stood solemnly next to her parents and brothers at Diftmark, a somber atmosphere enveloping the gathering. Her gaze was fixed on Vaemond as he spoke in the melodic tones of high valyrian. Her attention then shifted to her cousins, who were standing alongside their grandmother, Rhaenys. Even though Rhiannon couldn't recall her interactions with her Aunt or her cousins, her heart ached at the poignant scene before her. Looking up at her father, she noticed a distant look in his eyes as he stared at the stone casket. As Vaemond's words in high valyrian filled the crowd, she felt her mother's comforting touch on her lower back. Vaemond's gaze bore into her mother and siblings, causing a ripple of unease. Sensing the weight of her grandsire's gaze, Rhiannon's mother glanced apprehensively at her husband, who averted his eyes. In that tense moment, Daemon's chuckle pierced the air, causing Rhiannon to realize that he was attempting to divert attention from her mother. As the onlookers turned towards Daemon in astonishment, Rhiannon's gaze shifted to Aegon, whose distant expression hinted at his desire to be anywhere else but there.
As Rhiannon gazed at him, her mind drifted back to when her mother revealed her betrothal. She vividly recalled her initial reaction— the piercing screams, the torrent of tears, and her desperate pleas for it to be anyone else. Despite her distress, her mother, unwavering in her determination, gently reminded her of the unavoidable responsibilities that came with being a woman and the heir to the seven kingdoms. It wasn't until Aegon met her eyes that she finally averted her gaze, feeling her cheeks burn with embarrassment.
Upon releasing Laena's tomb into the cerulean expanse, Vaemond solemnly uttered, "To the sea, we shall return." A hushed reverence settled over the gathering as the only audible sounds were the subdued sobs of Laena's daughters. Subsequently, the assembly made their way to a small open area that offered ocean views.
Rhiannon leaned against the weathered stone wall, gazing pensively at the undulating waves. She observed her father's motionless figure, waist-deep in the water. Beside her, her brothers stood silently, joining her in a silent vigil as they awaited their mother's arrival.
"I'm so thirsty," Luke announced, causing Rhiannon to turn her gaze towards him.
"Don't worry, let's get you something to drink," Rhiannon said as she extended her hand, which Luke eagerly grasped. She then turned to Jace and asked if he needed anything, but he shook his head.
Rhiannon could sense Jace's somber mood; she knew he had learned about the truth regarding his birth father, Lord Harwin. Her heart ached for him as she recalled the news of both his and his father's passing. As Luke tugged at her hand, urging her to move, she stole a longing glance at Jace before following after Luke.
Aegon and Aemond stood to the side while Helaena knelt nearby, softly murmuring to herself as she cradled a small spider in her hands. Meanwhile, Rhiannon was aiding Luke in quenching his thirst. Aegon let out a heavy sigh, casting a look down at his empty cup.
"I can't believe I have to marry her; she's just a child," Aegon groaned, turning to Aemond, who wore a grim expression.
"But she won't remain a child forever," Aemond remarked, his tone tinged with envy. "She's your future queen," he added half-heartedly as a servant approached with a tray of fresh wine. Aegon exchanged his empty cup for a full one while keeping his gaze fixed on the young woman.
"That's something to look forward to," Aegon spoke with anticipation, a mischievous sparkle in his eye as he directed a smirk toward the woman standing in front of him, leaving her feeling uneasy as she walked away.
Leaning close to Aemond, Aegon whispered in a suggestive tone, "I prefer them well-developed," gesturing towards his chest before chuckling and hurrying off to pursue the wrench.
"Aegon," Aemond exclaimed with a mixture of frustration and disdain, his eyes narrowing as he turned his attention back to Rhiannon. Ever since the incident in the pit, he found himself unable to erase her from his thoughts. Despite his unintended insult, he recognized she had been trying to help. However, the stunt of her bastard brothers and his own had left him aggravated.
Deep down, Aemond harbored intense and conflicting feelings for Rhiannon, though he struggled to convey them. Despite his inner turmoil, he straightened his back, took a deep breath, and navigated through the bustling crowd, fixated on the singular notion that he should be the one to wed her.
After Rhiannon had just finished helping her brother Luke with a drink, their grandfather, Lord Corlys, approached them. He greeted them with a warm, sad smile and then requested to speak with Luke alone. As Rhiannon watched them leave, she scanned the crowd and spotted Aemond heading her way.
"Rhiannon, may I have a word?" Aemond called out as he arrived in front of her. Rhiannon felt a jolt of surprise at the sound of her name, wondering why he was seeking her out at this moment. The two stood silently for what felt like an eternity before Rhiannon finally spoke up.
"Is there something you need?" Aemond took a deep breath before slowly releasing it.
"You are to marry Aegon?" Aemond mentally cursed himself for unintentionally bringing up her impending marriage to his brother. Rhiannon stood in silence, sensing that he had little interest in her marriage to Aegon.
"Yes," Her response was brief and direct.
Aemond cleared his throat, "I apologize." His tone was resolute.
She gazed at Aemond, confused. "Are you apologizing for my upcoming marriage to Aegon?" she inquired, causing Aemond to shake his head slightly.
"No," He paused, but in truth, he was sorry.
"Regarding the events in the pit," Aemond began to explain. Rhiannon listened attentively, her eyes never leaving his as she absorbed every word he spoke. Slowly, she took a step closer to Aemond, her movements deliberate and graceful, and gently reached for his hands. Aemond could feel the warmth of her touch spreading through him, causing his whole body to tense up involuntarily. A flush of color rose to his cheeks as he found himself lost in the depths of her smiling face.
"All is forgiven," she said softly, her voice as gentle as a whisper. Aemond swallowed hard, his mind racing as he tried to find the right words to respond.
"If you'll excuse me, we'll have to catch up tonight," she spoke, her words lingering in the air as she turned and walked away, leaving Aemond standing there, his thoughts in a whirlwind.
As Rhiannon left to join her brother without waiting for Aemond's reply, he found himself watching her depart, still feeling the tingling sensation from her touch. The thought of meeting her tonight sparked the idea that it might be his chance to finally confess his feelings. Meanwhile, Rhiannon stood next to her cousin, Ralaera, the oldest of the three. Ralaera gazed out onto the sea, her eyes filled with grief, while Rhiannon, standing beside her, softly mumbled, "Hi," as tears welled up in her brown eyes.
"It's okay to cry, I mean," Rhiannon said softly as she reached out to rest her hand on Ralaera's shoulder gently. Ralaera sniffled, finding solace in the gesture, and leaned her head on her hand. The five of them stood together in silence, the weight of their grief almost palpable. It wasn't until their grandmother, Rhaenys Targaryen, approached, kneeling before the youngest two, Baela and Rhaena. Rhiannon and Jace stepped aside as Rhaenys pulled the three girls into her embrace, and they shared their sorrow. Meanwhile, Rhiannon excused herself to Jace and began to search for her parents, feeling a pang of worry as she hadn't seen them in quite some time.
As she departed, Aemond approached Jace, attempting to reconcile as he had done with Rhiannon earlier. Jace met Aemond's attempt with a piercing glare, his expression conveying his displeasure. Aemond stood there awkwardly, a small, awkward smile on his face, before deciding to step away.