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“I want my daughters to be raised at my home with my family according to their birthright”
Laena’s last wishes echoes in his head as he watches his daughters finally sleep in his and Laena’s chambers, both girls had streaks of dried tears down their faces and the sight was what broke him. Daemon wasn’t an emotional man, though he feels deeply for his kin and has killed for them. Seeing his children’s tears, hearing them cry, made Daemon want to destroy everything and everyone that crosses him.
A few hours ago he sent word to Driftmark of Laena’s passing he barely managed to write the message. He can picture his cousin’s face, while it was known by Rhaenys that this pregnancy had been difficult on Laena they had all prayed for it to be a success.
The girls were happily awaiting a young brother. Daemon was in difference to a son, afraid he might not be a good father to a son, but the girls and Laena were infectious on the wishes. The girls were different, they were more like their mother than he, but he could see himself with them as well. Especially Baela, always the brave one, always approaching Vhagar and Caraxes, wanting to mount both dragons without her parents. Rhaena’s held her sister and a dragon egg in her arms, she was the patient one, curious and worried but protective.
Daemon had made his choice long before he sent word to Driftmark. Laena was right, he missed his home, missed being near family, it was time to go. Once day broke he would bring the girls and Laena home. She deserved a proper send off, out to the sea where she’d be forever free.
-
He held his daughters hands as servants approached them, he calmed Vhagar as she carried her rider one final time and some of their belongings. He sees Rhaenys and Corlys come before him, both look beyond him at Vhagar he lets the girls go but they follow him,
“Do not touch her!” He warns the men, Laena was wrapped carefully in cloth, adorn with fresh smelling flowers that she and the girls loved finding while in Pentos, one of the few things she did enjoy about the city.
Vhagar snarled at him but she let him take Laena’s body without much of a fight.
Rhaenys approaches first, tears fall from her eyes against her will, her hands gently cress the daughter she hasn’t seen in years, Daemon was to blame.
When they were married he promised her he’d never make her settle, he’d show her the world beyond Westeros on dragon back. They have adventures after adventures, they’d hunt with their dragons like those before them. Away from the politics and war of court.
Daemon was running, he’s been running for years now. Laena was someone who made him see, he grew fond of her. He hated how she never got to see her home again. But he would honor her wishes, their daughters will be raised in her home. They will be as smart, as cunning, and as kind as her.
“She died a Dragon Rider’s death.” Rhaenys understood, he placed her on the boat, in the morning she’d be sent off. But for now he will introduce his daughters to their family. It was at that time he sees her, a young babe nestled in her arms, she had the same sadness in her eyes.
“It’s been a long time uncle,”
A long time indeed.