Work Text:
Harwin was used to accompanying Rhaenyra to the royal nursery as her sworn shield, but he was by himself this morning and the nurse shot him a questioning look when he pretended the Princess herself had sent him for her son.
“Prince Jacaerys will be spending the morning with Ser Laenor,” she said, a hint of suspicion still clinging to her voice.
“The Princess wishes for Prince Lucerys to be brought to her,” he said, trying to sound convincing.
It was true, Laenor and Jace were spending the morning together. It was a well thought out plan, he had shared his idea with Laenor a few days prior, who had encouraged it and provided advice. Harwin was Princess Rhaenyra’s sworn shield and she was simply trusting him with her children.
With Luke in his arms, he made his way through the corridors of the Red Keep, empty this early in the morning, the baby babbling and pulling at the collar of his tunic.
“Is that so, Luke?” He said, reacting to what seemed a particularly enthralling story his son was telling. Harwin thought it was one of the most pleasant conversations he’d had in a while.
He knocked on Rhaenyra’s door after dismissing the night guard and entered at her behest. She was not expecting him at this hour and her eyes widened at the sight of him and Luke.
“Good morning Princess,” he said and sensing her worry at the surprise visit added, ”everything is alright, Luke simply wished to greet you.”
She stood from her desk where she was going over her correspondence and walked to them. She ruffled Luke’s hair softly and laid a tender kiss on Harwin’s lips.
”Good morning my loves,” she murmured.
They stood smiling at each other for a moment before Harwin moved slightly, gesturing to the chair a few paces behind them.
“Why don’t you take a seat,” he said. “I wish to show you something.”
Curiosity shone in Rhaenyra’s eyes as she sat herself on the chair. Harwin turned to her and crouched, propping Luke to stand while still holding him.
He took a deep breath. He had no certainty that what he had in mind would work in truth. He had seen the boy standing and cruising around the room and the nursery multiple times these past weeks and thought he would try and surprise Rhaenyra.
Once he felt the baby was steady on his feet, he carefully removed one hand from his side, then the other until the boy was standing unassisted.
“Go to your mother,” he told him with a smile and Rhaenyra instinctively reached out with her arms.
Uncertain of what to do at first, Luke stood a moment, before moving one shaky leg forward and taking a tentative step, then another and another until he was finally tumbling into the arms of a smiling Rhaenyra.
“Sweet boy,” she laughed, kissing the crown of his head, eyes shining bright with unshed tears.
Harwin himself was hardly containing his emotion and his relief. It would have been a lot of effort for nothing if Luke had just decided to sit there. But he did not. Their sweet boy had all but run to his mother, giggling and fearless as he threatened to fall with each step.
“Thank you,” she said, the look in her eyes enough to melt him.
“I did not want for his first steps to be a tale related to you by the nurse,” he replied.
Stolen moments were all they had, but each of them was suspended in time, magic made real. Nothing existed beyond her loving look and the sweet giggles of their sons.
“Shall we try again?” She said, moving to put the baby down.
Just like Luke’s first steps, their lives were uncertain, unsteady, but they took one step after another, certain to fall into the safety of loving arms.