Dear Muña,
It went well... Until it did not.

Elaena sat at her writing desk, scouring her mind for every pivotal detail she could recall to fill her mother in on what had happened. The royal family had left for King's Landing that morning, and she'd finally gotten some time to herself after sending off the other noble families.

The sun had begun to set by the time she'd withdrawn her diary. Her newest entry was scattered as her mind recollected bits and pieces of import.

It began quite lovely all things considered.
I met so many of my people,
including one of yours.

She drew a small heart at the end of the sentence, smiling at the thought of the dashing Ser Criston. Elaena looked forward to seeing the knight again, hoping he would tell her about Dorne if not about her mother.

I have made connections, or at least I think I have.
I finally met Princess Rhaenyra and her sons...
It was surprising. They all seemed nice, a little quiet considering the context of their visit, but

She paused, remembering how dark the boys' hair had looked compared to their mother and father. How could it be? How had Rhaenyra been excusing the matter for so long?

I have begun to think over my studies
of our world's nature, Muña.
My eyes reflect Kepa's more than yours, and the texture of my hair is more similar to his than Dornish silk. I have your... everything else, but there are other traits that require deeper inspection, particularly those I inherited from your parents, whoever they may have been, and Kepa's.
All of these kinds of traits, and far more, are what make up a person.
So would it be a stretch to assume Godmother's Baratheon blood is stronger than we all assumed? After meeting Lord Borros and his daughters, I see dark hair is a "trend" in their blood.
Godmother was blessed with Valyrian silver, as were her children... But could this be why Jace and Luke have dark hair?

Elaena could not imagine another reason for it, and she didn't want to. Not as everyone else did apparently.

Because she could see, even in his grief, Laenor loved those boys. They had to be his, and Rhaenyra could not have committed adultery. She was a princess, the princess...

I could also see Princess Rhaenyra's nervousness.
I saw it when Godmother met baby Joffrey, when Kepa spoke the eulogy, and when Rhaenyra walked about the patio fidgeting from the slightest glance.
It was only after the throne room that I saw her finally relax, after the matter was boldly acknowledged.
Her new attitude has remained thus far, as she seems quite assured by her uncle.
Prince Daemon stood with her in the throne room, and he has decided to stay in Driftmark until Rhaenyra and Laenor leave for Dragonstone. I suppose I was right to assume they were very close.

Elaena paused her writing with a sigh. The image of the throne room splitting between Alicent and Rhaenyra burned in her mind. Daemon looked to the Queen and Aemond daringly.

Elaena knew the civility between the Hightowers and the Targaryens was superficial. Rhaenys had spoke of the Greens as stuck up and self righteous, always viewing the immunity of the Targaryens as dangerous. It had annoyed Elaena before she had met the Greens, but now she felt strangely understanding of their apprehension.

Rhaenyra was an example of how easily they could get away with things. Knowing the rogue nature of Prince Daemon, Elaena was certain the Hightowers detested him as well. Judging by his stance in the throne room, the feelings were mutual.

Her lips formed a tight line as she thought of the Queen, standing in a daze as Aemond had hugged her.

Queen Alicent is so nice, beautiful as well. Godmother never had much to say about her,
so I half presumed she was simple
or stuck up like her family.
But she presented quite gentle...
up until the throne room.
I cannot find it in myself to entirely fault her,
her son has been maimed.

Elaena found herself clenching her teeth. Aemond's screams still haunted her, so what had they done to Alicent?

She looked to the portrait above her fireplace, and when she imagined the painted woman and herself standing in Alicent and Aemond's place, her mind begged a question.

What would you have done, Muña?
Would you have done it? What were you like?
What were you thinking? What was Ser Criston talking about, were you happy?
Did you want to be here?

The girl was also haunted by her conversation with the Dornish knight. She did not speak with anyone. She only sat and watched...

If Elaena had been curious about her mother's thoughts and demeanor before, she was desperate to know now. She knew there was one person who could give her something, anything. It was the very person who had given her the diary she wrote in. But Rhaenys had not spoken to Elaena all day.

No one ever talks about you here.
Not even Godmother, though she claims it is because no one knows what to say.
I have also never pondered such questions until
now. Do you think she could tell me?
Do you think she would?

As she underlined the word, her heart stuttered in anxiety. Rhaenys had eyed her in a certain squinting way as they'd sent off the noble guests. Elaena knew the look. Did she believe what Elaena had said in the throne room? If she didn't, was she angry at Elaena?

She couldn't know, as Rhaenys had kept to Baela and Rhaena's quarters all day. It was unnerving.

When she found herself rambling to the page, Elaena stopped herself and crossed out the words. She rubbed at her eyes and sighed before redirecting her mind. That can come later, this is your time with Muña.

She thought over the brighter parts of the events, hoping to uplift the mood of a spirit that may not have even been listening, and her thoughts sparked immediately.

Though I did not speak much to Rhaenyra's sons, they seemed quite reserved, I engaged quite a lot with the Queen's children.
Prince Aegon is a pest. I grimace at the thought of him, and is it bad I pray the King upholds Rhaenyra's claim? I haven't much experience with boys, but Godmother and Uncle Corlys have clarified the makings of a gentleman.
Aegon is not one.

Elaena snorted to herself at the thought of the obnoxious prince. She found it hard to believe he was the elder and not Aemond... Aemond.

Her thoughts fluttered around the name of the younger prince. She couldn't quite wrap her head around it all, so she sighed and decided to let her thoughts unravel when she wrote about him. She had so much to say.

Princess Helaena, alternatively, is very nice.
She seems very intrigued by nature, as she ensured I returned Lady Spin to the sept before she left.
I like her, but she is quite the mystery.
Did you hear what she was saying?
When I first spoke with her and when she departed?
It was like she spoke in riddles, it was so fascinating.
Is there something the matter with her?
Is she mad, or was she simply nervous, too?
She was very eager to engage with me again, ensuring I would write to her until we next meet.
She urged for me to come to King's Landing,
only settling when I—actually Kepa, on my behalf—
accepted her invitation to her nameday celebration in four moons.
And then she beamed and whispered a riddle
like the one from the patio.
"A sapphire is added to a crown of emeralds."
What does that mean? I couldn't ask her before the
Queen took her away.
I suppose I will ask in my first letter to her.

Elaena bit her lip as she recalled the scene. Alicent had guided Helaena to a carriage which would take them to the King's ships, and Prince Aemond had been carried into the same cart by Ser Criston.

After so many doses of poppy milk, Aemond had been out cold. Elaena had been happy he had gotten some rest, but she'd hated not being able to say goodbye to him properly. Helaena had assured her Aemond would write to her as well, and the little lady's heart had skipped at the idea.

I shall also send Prince Aemond a letter.
Muña, he is so... different. I cannot find a better word for him. I haven't any friends,
nor any idea how people decide to be friends.
Is it correct to say he is one to me?
I hope it is. He is smart and nervous
and funny and curious about the world.
He is everything that I am, and he listens to me.

Elaena grinned to the page. He listens to me. Aemond had not laughed or poked fun at her. He was so strange, and she could not say she didn't like it.

I do not know what to say to him, Muña.
What shall I stress more? I could lead with how amazing it is that he did what he did.
Muña, I still cannot believe it. He claimed Vhagar,
the dragon men have trembled at the thought of,
the dragon from the Conqueror's yoke.
And he returned unscathed, looking to me
to make good on a promise so fresh
I hadn't the chance to entertain it.
Or perhaps, he will be hearing enough of this
already when he gets home? Should I ask about
what we will do when I come to the capital?
Or maybe that is too selfish to ask,
as he is just starting to recover?
If I mention his eye, would it offend him?

Elaena froze as Aemond's screams echoed in her mind once more. She swallowed, feeling her heart drop at the thought of Aemond slumped in his seat as the maester had worked on him.

Or shall I begin with an apology
for what he was met with?
I didn't even get the chance to tell him congratulations. No one did.
No one even mentioned what he had done,
only what he had said...

And then she remembered how her cousins had cried in the basement. Your mother is dead. She remembered Aemond's words, and she felt herself shrink in guilt. Bastards. She shut her eyes and clenched her teeth. No...

He had done a wonder, but it wasn't all he'd done. She was supposed to feel horrible for his heartless actions, for her thoughtless ones. She was supposed to be hurt for her cousins, guilty. She looked to the portrait above her fireplace in shame.

Of course they did. He said horrible things.
And I ignored them. I am sorry, Muña.
I feel terrible for what I did.

An image of Aemond on the patio erupted in her mind, and she struggled to piece the moment to his demeanor in the basement. She shook her head, ignoring the way his brighter image made her second guess herself. She should have been there for her cousins.

I wish I could go back and tell the truth.
I wish I had done something. Anything.
I cannot stop thinking about the fight,
I remember all of it. They know I do, do they not?
Kepa is happy, very happy.
When Vhagar followed after the King's ships,
he told me I should have been going with the prince, but he was very happy all the same.
Godmother is not.
She has not said a word about any of it.
Does she know what Kepa wants of me?
I couldn't tell the truth.
I need Aemond to like me.

I want him to like me. Elaena couldn't write the thought down. It came and went from her mind rapidly. When she registered it, she felt her heart stop.

Would you be mad at me, too? If you were here,
would you be mad like her or happy like Kepa?
Would you care?

Elaena didn't know what else to write after that, but her blank state was interrupted by a knock at her door. She jumped at the sound, and then quickly moved to push her diary under her mattress.

She breathed in, pulling the duvet over the little book for good measure.

"Come in."

Rhaenys entered her room with a low gaze, and Elaena's heart stopped as she watched the woman close the door behind her. Her godmother turned to her with a raised brow.

"Quite the evening, wouldn't you agree?" She said, her tone indecipherable. Elaena only knew she sounded indifferent to the excitement of the night.

She swallowed, feeling her heart begin to race as Rhaenys sauntered towards her. Her lip quirked, and she gave a tight nod while fiddling with her fingers.

"Mm," She mumbled, "It was very... very much, Godmother."

Rhaenys hummed, nodding to the girl as she stood before her. Elaena felt a strange pressure sit over her shoulders as Rhaenys looked down at her. It wasn't like the pressure she felt from Morgrym, or Hyacinth, or even Vaemond.

Rhaenys's thoughts meant more to her than anyone else's.

"I was happy to see you came out of it unscathed," The princess said, though her tone remained flat, "If that boy had hurt you as well..."

Elaena felt her heart stutter as she met Rhaenys's eyes. Baela and Rhaena had suffered many scrapes and bruises from the fight, but Rhaenys had not demanded recompense.

If Elaena had been hurt, would her godmother's reaction have been different?

But then she noticed how Rhaenys had addressed Aemond. That boy. Like he was a monster, a savage. Elaena could not say anything, not with the grimace etched on her little face waiting to contradict her words. She chose to redirect the conversation.

"Are they alright?" She asked, silently hoping Rhaenys would ease her nerves. Baela and Rhaena had looked at Elaena in such betrayal after the throne room. Rhaena was upset, but Baela may as well have hated her.

Rhaenys tilted her head, "Your cousins?"

Elaena nodded in anticipation, still fiddling her fingers.

"Well, their mother is gone and so is the dragon they grew up with," Her godmother nodded to herself, maintaining her flat tone, "Claimed by a strange boy they only just met, who proceeded to belittle their mother's name and attack them."

Elaena felt her heart stop and her eyes glisten. Her hands tightened together as Rhaenys gazed at her plainly.

"Rhaena is quite distraught," She continued, "But Baela was well enough to explain the event to me entirely."

Rhaenys watched as Elaena's wide eyes pooled with tears. The little lady's heart beat against her chest, and her face flushed in guilt. Her throat ran dry, and her eyes flickered away from the woman. Rhaenys tilted her head to down to regain Elaena's attention, maintaining her plain expression.

"What say you?" She said pointedly, and Elaena felt a tear threaten her eye. Rhaenys would not help her through her words, only look at her. Elaena knew she was truly in trouble.

"Iksan vaorez—"

"Common. Tongue." Rhaenys cut her off, and Elaena hung her head. It was far more difficult to withstand the disappointment of someone she loved and looked up to. Someone who she knew loved her.

But she took a moment as her heart suffocated her, and then took a deep breath. She raised her head.

"I'm sorry, Godmother."

"For what?" Rhaenys said blankly, though her eyebrows quirked at the sight of the girl's tears, "You've done nothing to me."

Elaena swallowed, "I should not have helped them, I should not have taken them to the basement."

Rhaenys reached for Elaena's chin, gripping it carefully but firmly before tilting it up. Elaena met her passive gaze, and she shook silently in anxiety.

After a moment of looking over the girl's features and coming back to her eyes, Rhaenys spoke.

"Baela told me Aemond claimed Vhagar for you." She said, her tone open-ended as Elaena blinked at her in confusion, "She said the two of you planned this together, is that true?"

"No." Elaena said immediately, her tears blocking her view of Rhaenys's face.

"Then what could she have meant?"

"I did not tell him to claim Vhagar," Elaena cried, "He said he had lost his chance at claiming a dragon, and I-I merely told him not to give up. H-He said he would take me riding when he claimed one."

"And then he claimed Vhagar?" Rhaenys asked rhetorically, nodding to herself. Elaena's heart dropped.

"I did not tell him to." Her eyes widened as tears slipped past her eyes. Rhaenys sighed, but held her gaze.

"Did you talk about Vhagar at all to him?"

Elaena shuttered, remembering her discussion with Aemond about Vhagar's magnificence. She knew the answer to what Rhaenys was truly asking was no, so she shook her head.

But Rhaenys caught her hesitance and furrowed her eyebrows.

"Are you lying to me?" She asked in surprise, and Elaena's lips quivered as Rhaenys gripped her chin.

"No, Godmother."

"Were you lying before? In the throne room, Elaena?"

The girl choked on a breath but sucked it back in. Rhaenys could not be doubting her. Not now.

"No, Godmother!" She cried, and Rhaenys clenched her teeth. She bit into her thin lip and watched as Elaena crumbled.

"Were you telling the truth?"

She watched as Elaena's eyes widened, but no words came from her parted lips. The girl knew better than to lie to Rhaenys about something she already knew. But for the first time, the truth had not been admitted by her own lips. It had been spoken for her, by the same girls she felt most threatened by.

And Rhaenys believed them.

The princess sighed in disappointment, a reaction Elaena detested far more than anger. She let go of Elaena's chin and shook her head to herself.

"I taught you better than that." She said, and Elaena's blood ran cold. "Why did you do it, hm? Was it to get back at Baela for what she said?"

Elaena's eyes widened. None of them had spoken about Baela's words. In truth, Elaena hadn't considered malice of any kind when she spoke in the throne room.

"No." She said quickly. Rhaenys sighed and tilted her head.

"Then what was it?" She pressed, "Do you like this boy? Think him your friend?"

Elaena blushed deeply, dropping her gaze and raking her mind for a response. Such a sweet excuse had been painted in what felt like disgust. She didn't know what to think, but she knew Rhaenys was not happy with it.

After not getting a response, Rhaenys swallowed down her nerves and rested her hands on Elaena's shoulders. The girl met her gaze then.

"You will not apologize to me," Rhaenys simply said, before pointing to the door, "You will apologize to them. They are the ones who have truly lost in this, and you should be able to depend on one another in moments like this."

So Elaena had failed. Not in the way she'd expected, but all the same.

"I care not for what you believe you did right, this is your family." Rhaenys declared, "This comes first."

Elaena heard her loud and clear. She should have defended her cousins, not some boy she'd only just met. Not Aemond, whom she had only spoken with for a few hours.

Hours that had not felt like hours at all. A strange boy who had not felt like a stranger to her...

It does not matter. She forced herself to think after acknowledging Rhaenys's pointed gaze. This is reality. This is what's right. This is what matters.

So she nodded to her godmother, and Rhaenys carefully wiped her tears. The touch was gentle, and the weight on Elaena's shoulders lessened. Her face still glistened as someone else knocked on her bedroom door.

"Yes?" Rhaenys called, and Vaemond entered with a grin.

"Sorry to intrude, good sister." He said, not noticing his daughter in his palpable glee. Elaena swallowed stiffly, already uncomfortable with his bright expression.

"Not at all," Rhaenys nodded curtly, "I only wished to speak with Elaena for a moment."

Vaemond looked to Elaena then, and his smile faltered at the sight of her flushed face. She dropped her gaze.

"What's wrong with her?" He asked Rhaenys, though his tightening tone was directed at Elaena. The girl swallowed, feeling Rhaenys rub one of her shoulders.

"Simply coming down from the shock of the night," The princess replied simply, walking towards the chamber door as Vaemond eyed Elaena. Her little gaze flickered to him and back to the floor.

"I should like a word with you as well, Vaemond." Rhaenys said curtly over her shoulder, and Vaemond tensed. Elaena would not meet his gaze, and he prayed she did not tell Rhaenys about her new task.

He sighed through his nose before turning on his heel and nodding to the woman. He followed her outside, shutting the door behind him.

Elaena held her position, fighting against the urge to run to the door and listen to their words. She gnawed at her lip, hoping she had not stepped further into trouble. She never knew when it came to her father.

She didn't know how long he and Rhaenys had been speaking, she'd lost track of time. But when he reentered her bedchamber, his face was as bright as it was before, and she sighed silently in relief.

"Tala," He addressed her, and she stood at attention, "Time for supper, come along."

Elaena knew better than to gawk at him for his strange disposition, but she gulped before following him out of her bedchamber.

"We've much to discuss," He chimed, "The recent events have opened quite the door for your true entry into court. I'll have to place an order for more dresses to accompany you to the capital, along with a gift for Princess Helaena's nameday..."

Elaena bit her lip as they neared the dining hall. Vaemond rambled on excitedly, and she could not shake the chill up her spine. Surely he was waiting to crack the whip on her, surely he was going to acknowledge something she'd done wrong.

"Kepa," She called as he pushed her chair into the long table. Vaemond paused his talking to acknowledge her, and she swallowed, "I must... apologize for my actions in the night."

He tilted his head, seeming confused. If he was pretending to be passive, she would coax his true intentions out of him.

"I should not have brought my cousins to the basement," Elaena said, silently fisting her dress under the table as he gazed at her, "It was my fault."

Vaemond continued to look at her until he saw she was done speaking. Then he let out a snort.

"Nonsense, Elaena." He said casually, and her heart stuttered as he took his seat beside her, "Such an eruption was bound to happen with or without you. I suppose you should have alerted the guards much sooner, but what's done is done."

... What?

"Now, what you did in the throne room..." He began again, and Elaena tensed as he leaned towards her with a pointed finger, "Exceptional. Very well done, that—"

She winced as he wagged his finger at her, but she couldn't help the curl of her lip from the sight of his building excitement.

"That gave us our in." He whispered, and Elaena's eyebrows furrowed, "You were the one bystander, the eyes that saw it all, and you still stood for the Queen's son. I could see the shock in his face, and the Queen—Gods, she is smitten with you."

He chuckled to himself as the servants began to bring out their courses. She felt her thoughts mottle up, bouncing between his ecstatic pride and Rhaenys's disappointment.

What had changed? What in the Seven Hells had caused such a flip in the construction of her life?

And then Elaena's heart stopped as the servants removed the cloches and presented several platters of shellfish. She looked to Vaemond with wide eyes, and he playfully folded his napkin under his doublet collar.

He smirked at her, "Your aunt informed me of your love for shellfish. I shouldn't say I'm surprised, your brothers were obsessed with them as well."

She almost couldn't breathe. What was going on? Why did it feel like he was rewarding her? All she did was lie. Why was he being so... nice?

And why in the world would he ever compare her to his sons?

"What are you waiting for, child?" He asked, his smile faltering as she gawked at the crab legs before her, "Begin before it gets cold."

She didn't know why, but she felt like crying again. She almost didn't want to eat at all, what with his overwhelming presence. But she knew better than to disobey, so she hesitantly began to load her plate.

"Now I am aware your cousins are in a bad way," Vaemond began after a long moment of eating, and Elaena's gaze flickered to him, "The poor things."

"Have you seen them?" She asked lowly, and he shook his head.

"Best to steer clear of them with Daemon on defense." He said casually while chewing, "We needn't draw too much suspension to ourselves."

"Godmother said I am to apologize to them." She mumbled, peering up at him. Vaemond rolled his eyes before tossing an empty shell into his side dish.

"Your aunt can be such a puritan sometimes." He sighed, and Elaena's heart skipped.

She'd never heard her father talk about Rhaenys that way. It was strange to hear him looking down on her as she usually did him.

"But if you must make amends with the girls, so be it." He continued, "It's best to not bring too much attention to our cause, but do understand, you spoke for the right side."

Elaena's heart skipped again at his useage of "our." She had been right not to mention Vaemond's new task to Rhaenys, as he clearly wished to keep it a secret, but Elaena felt grimy.

She truly felt guilty for not sticking up for her cousins, the twins and the boys. What good was it to apologize while plotting?

"Shall I apologize to the princess's sons as well?" She asked meekly, peering slightly towards her father. He snorted again.

"Why would you?" He chuckled, humming as he chewed, "Prince Aemond merely spoke the truth. If those boys didn't know it before, they were bound to find out eventually."

She turned to him completely, wide eyed and baffled at his careless tone.

"Kepa..." He met her gaze, "If it is true... Laenor... Is he...?"

Vaemond's lips quirked as he turned to her just as intently.

"Those boys are not Velaryons, tala." He stated, "The rumors are not rumors at all. Your aunt has illuminated you about this?"

Elaena swallowed through a building blush, but nodded to him. He hummed and turned back to his plate.

"Rhaenyra's sons could very well belong to any dark-haired fool in the Keep, but most believe her sworn protector to be their true father," He continued lowly, cracking open a lobster shell, "Ser Harwin Strong."

Elaena's expression fell in shock. She had heard the name before. Ser Harwin...

She recalled little Lucerys's shrill voice, speaking about Ser Criston and another knight in King's Landing who had trained the boys before they'd moved to Dragonstone. Ser Harwin...

Jacaerys had been so dismissive, so adamant for Luke not speak on the man's name. Was this the reason?

"He was not with the princess," Elaena spoke through her thoughts, "Why?"

Vaemond minded his food as he answered, "He's dead. Died very recently in fact, along with his father, the former Hand of the King."

• • •

Elaena could not shake the dark news as she returned to her chambers. She knew little about House Strong, and she understood then the realm had all but cast them aside. With their cursed home in Harrenhal and Ser Harwin's alleged intimacy with Rhaenyra, their name had been sullied beyond measure.

It was King Viserys who kept them from true catastrophe. He acknowledged Rhaenyra's children as true heirs to the Iron Throne, not bastards of House Strong.

Elaena now also understood why Otto Hightower returned to his station as Hand. Lord Lyonel Strong, Viserys's former Hand, had passed in Harrenhal's fire along with Ser Harwin.

What she didn't entirely understand was why it rubbed her the wrong way.

It just felt too... perfect, as though there had been something deeper at work than Harren's curse. Vaemond hadn't spoken on it, but he'd acknowledged the incident had allowed Larys Strong to become the new Lord of Harrenhal.

And he was a trusted advisor to the Queen.

A chill went down Elaena's spine, and she couldn't blame it on Driftmark's breeze as she walked across the connecting bridge.

But suddenly a familiar cry erupted from the shores below. Elaena stiffened and turned her gaze to the beach, immediately seeing expanded wings fanning out against the rocks.

She tilted her head in confusion while watching Meleys settle against a boulder. Usually the Red Queen would have been resting further down the beach, not flying about without Rhaenys. What was she doing?

As Meleys sunk down to the rock, the view of her back was on full display. Elaena's heart stopped.

Rhaenys descended her mount's saddle before looking back to help Rhaena down as well. Elaena knew it was Rhaena, seeing her sweet face grin at Rhaenys as she followed along.

... Godmother?

Elaena felt like the air had been knocked out of her chest, watching as Rhaenys kissed Rhaena's forehead and spoke to her before the silver girl nodded happily. Rhaenys then led her to Meleys's front.

Rhaena reached out, and the dragon immediately leaned into her hand. Like a reflex.

She brushed Meleys's scales, upwards just as Rhaenys had taught Elaena how to do. But the dragon purred at the silver girl, gently leaning more towards her, seeking her touch so deeply Rhaena was forced to open her arms and hug the dragon's snout.

. . .

Elaena's knees buckled, and suddenly she was sitting against the stone bridge.

She shook, not at all feeling the brisk air dancing around her, only the icy cold overtaking her veins. No... No.

Her mind went blank before pounding again. No. She wouldn't. She couldn't. Meleys didn't ride with anyone other than Rhaenys. No...

How could she go riding with Rhaena?

Only when the cold air nipped at her cheeks did Elaena register the wetness building on them. She cried, confusion and hurt building on her face as the image of Rhaena dismounting raged in her mind.

Rhaenys had said it was impossible. How could she? She had said Elaena had to apologize to them, but she hadn't been mad at her. How could she? Perhaps she'd been more upset than Elaena had believed? But how could she?

Rhaena had gotten to ride Meleys before Elaena. After only knowing Rhaenys and the dragon for a few days. After barely having to service Driftmark, her grandparents, or anyone. She had simply been here, along with her sister.

Why?

Elaena shut her eyes and wrapped her small arms around her bent knees.

It hurt.

It really hurt, and she still didn't understand why it was all happening to her. What had she done but speak a partial truth? Help her cousins, and then Aemond, and then her father?

She couldn't have been that wrong.

She sobbed into her knees, thinking over the suffocating pride dancing in Vaemond eyes and shaking her head. It didn't feel the same.

Elaena could have lived a hundred lifetimes of Vaemond hating her if it'd meant living to know Rhaenys's love once. Having one happy and one upset... It didn't feel right, but it felt particularly wrong if it meant losing Rhaenys.

And yes, she felt like she was losing her. She was losing her fast.

She began to pray, to beg the Gods to help her. She prayed to make things right, to make her right. She had to have been wrong.

She didn't know how long she'd sat out there, whispering to the Seven. But when she saw a shadow move across the bridge, she looked up to see Meleys fly over High Tide.

The Red Queen landed on the other side of the castle, disappearing to her resting spot.

Elaena looked up to the twinkling night sky, and realized the castle had entirely settled through her breakdown. She felt weak, tired after such an episode. More than anything she felt so confused.

But she willed herself to stand, peering over the bridge and seeing Rhaenys and Rhaena long gone from the beach.

. . .

She needed to sleep, to banish the haunting thoughts of what she'd seen to her dreams. She shivered through the night breeze, knowing it would not be an easy task. Not at all.

She sniffled and swallowed before numbly continuing down the bridge, her gaze remaining on the shoreline through her saunter, and she looked back to peer at the start of the beach.

Elaena felt her body stop when she noticed two cloaked figures in the water.

Her eyebrows furrowed softly, the cold nipping at her stained cheeks as she watched the figures ready a small boat.

Their movements were quick, almost rushed. Elaena watched on as they hastily pushed the boat further into the shore. She blinked, disinterested as she watched them climb into the boat and unearth their paddles.

Dock boys, must be. She thought blankly. In truth, her mind was too exhausted and foggy to speculate further. She just wanted sleep.

So she turned away, entering her side of the castle while the cloaked strangers pushed themselves into the sea.

• four moons •

Mother has agreed to have you a
few days past the celebration for Helaena.
I requested the most credible texts and scrolls regarding the history of Dorne.
I am certain you will feel much more
acquainted with your other half, and if not,
we will explore further.
I cannot wait to see you.
Helaena too.
Safe travels.
~ Aemond

Elaena eyed the scroll calmly, feeling the ocean breeze blow through her netting. She trailed her fingertip along the words for the millionth time.

She had received the letter from the young prince nearly a fortnight ago, and her heart still fluttered at his writing.

"Land, up ahead!"

Elaena looked up from the paper when she heard a cabin boy announce their arrival. She turned back against the ship edge she'd leaned against to watch as men hustled about the deck, ordering and following left and right.

Her eyes trailed the ship before landing on her father, standing next to the captain at the wheel. Vaemond's glimmering gaze pointed forward, a subtle smirk growing on his face as they sailed on.

Elaena followed his violet eyes to watch as land did indeed peak over the horizon. She felt a sigh pass through her curling lips at the sight, a wave of anxiety erupting in her stomach.

It had been a heavy four months leading up to this moment, and she could barely express her excitement for the capital. As King's Landing fully came into view, she thought over the sendoff she and Vaemond had received from Driftmark.

"Go and adventure, sweetling," Corlys said softly, kneeling down to Elaena's level, "Bring me back a story to tell, hm?"

She smiled nervously before nodding to him. He pinched her cheek before opening his long arms for her to sink into. She felt a low chuckle rumble through his chest and tightened her thin arms around his shoulders.

Her gaze pointed up to see Rhaenys standing behind him, her hands folded in front of her and tightening around one another as she watched Elaena softly.

The girl swallowed stiffly before pulling away from Corlys. She met his eyes, silently shocked at their glassy nature as she smiled at him.

"Bring me back a trunkful of your own stories, Uncle." She replied softly, and Corlys nodded to her. Elaena silently prayed this would not be the last time she would see him, knowing his own departure from Driftmark was well underway.

Corlys stood, stepping back for Rhaenys to take his place. Elaena quickly wrapped her arms around the woman's waist, feeling Rhaenys gently pull her closer.

She shut her eyes, feeling her heart stutter at the thought of having to leave the woman behind. It surprised Elaena that her godmother had not become a hollow shell in those four months.

Rhaenys's eyes hadn't been the same, not since Laena's funeral and the fight between Elaena's cousins and Aemond.

Not since Laenor had been found dead the night after, burned to nothing inside the fireplace of the Driftwood throne room.

Not since Rhaenyra and Daemon had married one another and moved back to Dragonstone mere days after the attack.

No.

Rhaenys had not been the same after losing both of her children to the flame and having to watch Rhaena leave with Daemon to the neighboring island. He'd allowed Baela to stay, at the least.

"Safe travels, cousin." The silver girl said, grabbing Rhaenys's hand after the woman pulled away from Elaena. Elaena swallowed, lowering her gaze from Baela's dull violets and nodding to her. Rhaenys smiled softly.

"Do listen to Hyacinth, darling," Rhaenys said softly, and Elaena's gaze flickered to the cold septa next to her, "Be a good girl."

Elaena looked back at Rhaenys to see a familiar sweetness to her eyes. She had no choice but to obey such a request.

"Yes, Godmother."

Elaena saw Rhaenys in a stronger light than ever before, there was a deeper reverence towards the princess now. She'd barely been able to speak to her during Laenor's funeral, scared to say something wrong.

Corlys had been far easier to comfort, though Elaena had known it was a matter of time before her uncle took to the seas. He had always felt the safest that way.

Sure enough, he'd announced he would aid the realm in its resurgent fight in the Stepstones. Dorne had caused quite the uproar with the Triarchy, and Corlys felt it his duty to answer their call.

Rhaenys had been quiet during the speech. Elaena had wanted to comfort her, to spend time with her, but her godmother had seemed well assisted by Baela.

Refusing to add any further stress to the woman, Elaena had eagerly tutored Baela in High Valyrian. It hadn't been an effortless endeavor, as Baela struggled with the language far more than Elaena had anticipated, but she hadn't given up hope.

Not even with Baela's unwavering attitude.

The girl had seemed able in turning it off and on, primarily whenever Rhaenys had entered the room. But Elaena had held her tongue, accepting her cousin's resentment as her punishment from the Gods. As penance, she'd chosen to help her cousin as she'd failed to do before, and she'd hoped to join in on Baela's time with Rhaenys.

And it had worked... Until Helaena and Aemond had started writing to Elaena.

She hadn't missed the grimace on Rhaenys's face, the scowl on Baela's. Elaena had obviously hid her excitement over hearing from her new acquaintances, and she'd hated it.

She'd hated how her father had stolen her away from her godmother and cousin to practice courtly behavior and try on dresses.

She'd hated how she'd begun having supper with him more than she had with Rhaenys.

She'd begun to hate Driftmark, and how it had become so much colder than it had ever been before.

But more than anything, she'd hated how it'd felt like it had been her fault.

Her only solace had been receiving letters with the young prince's name at the end of them. Just with the moments she'd stolen to write in her diary, the moments she'd gotten to respond to Aemond had felt like breaths of fresh air.

His demeanor from the fight had disappeared in his writing, and she'd found it much easier to find happiness in her decision to stick up for him.

A decision which had been further supported by the matter of Rhaenyra and Daemon. Laenor's death had struck a new bitterness inside Elaena, a contempt, as she had never known his sister, but she had loved him.

She knew something had happened, though she wouldn't dare speak it aloud. And when Aemond had written his condolences to her regarding the tragedy, she'd felt Rhaenyra and Daemon had crossed her and her family.

Elaena believed they had a hand in Laenor's death just as she believed Rhaenyra's sons had hurt Aemond. She knew Rhaenys felt it too, though she'd never spoken on the couple once they'd left Driftmark.

Vaemond, however, hadn't minded voicing his disgust to Elaena. She'd never admitted her own disdain for Rhaenyra and Daemon, but she hadn't rejected her father's either. For the first time, they shared a commonality.

The allegation, the depression, the loss, all of it had seeped from the walls of High Tide, and it all had become too much for Elaena.

She had to go. She had to breathe.

"Prepare to dock!"

Elaena snapped out of her thoughts as the ship inched up to the grand city. Her breath was stolen by the sight of so much stone and construction.

King's Landing. The city that never slept.

She mindlessly moved forward, eyes wide looking over the ship's edge. She heard multiple bells of merchant ships and a million voices echoing from the shore. Her heart sped up as she trailed her gaze along the island, struggling to absorb it all in its populated, buzzing splendor.

When her glimmering lilacs met the elevated, ethereal bricks of the Red Keep, far out in the distance but unmistakable in its stature, all of her troubles over Driftmark fell away.

She was finally out.

———

IM BACKKKKKKK!

Bruh, I'm sorry y'all, I swear on everything the second I really get into writing everyone wants 50 million things from me like can a bitch catch a break and expedite her damn Aemond story or nah 🗿

A lot happened this chapter, because I've come to the realization that this story is not moving fast enough. And I'll be damned if Season Two airs before ya girl AT LEAST gets to the Driftmark petitions... Oof.

Thoughts??? Questions??? CONCERNS??

I CACKLED AT ELAENA TRYNNA USE BIOLOGY TO EXCUSE JACE AND LUKE'S HAIR. They're bastards babe, don't even worry about it.

Also wtf is up with Vaemond being all... nice? I honestly got a lil nauseous writing that shit. And omg Rhaenys... maam—

I thought it would be kinda funny if Elaena literally watched Laenor get tf outta Driftmark, I hope that went over well with y'all. Poor thing didn't even notice.

Are we ready for Kings Landing? I am, so lemme stfu and get to ch.9!

PEACE 🫶🏼