6 years ago:

"They're tolerable when they're asleep" i whispered. I gently brushed Aemmas hair as she slept on my lap. Laena chuckled as she covered Doran with some soft fur. "They are, aren't they?" she said.

"They speak less... Irritate me less" i teased. "They remind me of mine. Though my girls barley sleep" she said. "You still have not told me their names" i said. "I have told you once i wont tell you again, if you want to know my children's names you'll have to meet them for yourself" Laena said as i rolled my eyes.

I gently lifted Aemma to her bed giving her a light kiss on her forehead. She was my favourite. Though i found it difficult to love my children at the beginning, i did grow to love Aemma more than Doran. She looked like Rhaenyra in some ways. But Doran... He looked like a knight i was praying to forget about.

Laena watched me closely as i began to try and braid my hair in the mirror. I could feel her judgmental glare burn into me as i struggled more and more. "Gods sake" i cursed to myself in frustration almost tearing my hair out in the process.

Laena smiled at the scene as she sat me down on the stool before her. "Just come here, you fool" she said with a soft smile. She began brushing my hair as i leaned into her touch. "Why don't you want to leave here?" she asked. I knew she was going to ask this sooner or later.

"I don't know, " i began. "I have everything here. I have guards, the largest chamber, maids serving on me hand and foot. What else do i need?"

"Your family" she said. I paused at her words. "They do not need me. I don't need them" i muttered. "You don't know that, Rhaena" she said. "They might-"

"Can we... Not speak about this please" i interrupted. Laena held her tongue as i sighed. "From what i know the realm is doing perfectly fine without me. I have no reason to return. The North is the home of my children. If i take them away from that-"

This time it was Laenas time to interrupt me. She pulled my hair as i winced. "Your children can't even speak in full sentences. Do not tell me you are staying here for them" she snapped. I began twisting my ring around my finger anxiously refusing to meet Laenas eye.

"I know you do not want to leave here because you are afraid" she spoke softly. "And that is fine. You may not want to show that you are afraid but i can see right through you, Rhae. It is time you let me help you."

I finally met her gaze in the mirror as she placed the perfect braid on my shoulder. She then wrapped her arms around me, resting her head on my shoulder. "See. It's perfect" she said.

I smiled at her words. "My braids never look as good when i do them myself" i said. "I know. It's because yours are shit" she teased. We both laughed as the moment lingered.

"I love you, Rhaena. You know this, don't you?" she whispered. I stayed quiet. I knew it could not be true. But i wanted it to be true. "I know" i said. She gave me a stern look. "I do. Even if you do not believe it."

A smile tugged at my lips. "I... I love you too" i muttered. Laenas face lit up. She knew it was not easy for me to say those words. And i have never said them to her before, even if they are true.

"And when you do return home, i'm expecting you and Cannibal to ruin your family's evening. No matter where they are. And i will be there to watch."

Present day:

We have been travelling on this boat for a day and a half now and we have finally reached Driftmark. I sat on the bed, waiting for the children to finish readying for the funeral. I was wearing a black dress with a black vail that hung from my head. I stared at the wall, thousands of thoughts drowning my very being.

Rickon lingered in the doorway, not knowing how to comfort me. He couldn't comfort me. Nor could my children. The handmaidens bowed their heads to me before they left the room. Doran then ran to Rickon, hiding behind him.

He stared at me with a blank expression knowing something was wrong. "Where are we going?" Aemma asked grabbing her toy dragon. I stayed quiet as Rickon jumped in. "Your going to stay at Driftmark for a while" he said.

"Why?" she asked. "As i've told you... You're 
going to say goodbye to your aunt Laena. And you'll get to see your cousins... It may even be... Fun" he said. "Where is lady Laena gone?" Aemma asked. "She has passed, Aemma."

"How?" Doran questioned. I groaned in annoyance with them both, storming out of the room. I couldn't bare to hear another question.

Everyone fell silent watching me leave. "Both of you come. I need to speak with you" Rickon said. Aemma and Doran stood before him as he knelt down to their size.

"Your mother is having a tough time at the moment. You both know how much the lady Laena meant to her and she will need you both. Aemma, you need to be on your best behaviour when you see your family. No trouble, no insults, do you hear me?" he questioned sternly.

Aemma paused before she nodded. "Good. And you will need to be there for your mother. No matter what she asks of you. And you Doran, i need you to protect your mother and sister. You will be their sworn guard whilst i'm not there. You need to be brave... Can you do that for me?"

"Why cant i stay here?" Doran whispered in his ear. Rickon rubbed his head gently giving him a weak smile. "Because you sweet boy, will grow up to be a strong knight. You can start by defending your mother from her family. Rhaena will tell you the same" he said.

Doran hung his head. "Mother ignores me" he muttered. Rickon sighed bringing them both into an embrace. "You know i love you both. And your mother... She is trying her best. But she does love you. She can not say that about many. You are her blood... And you are my-"

Before Rickon could finish, a cough could be heard from behind them. Rickon turned to see Brodon giving him a stern look. "Come beasts, your mother is looking for you" he said. Rickon kissed both of their heads before they left the room.

The ship shook as they docked on the shore. "We are here, lord. Once the princess and her children leave the ship, we will sail home as planned" Brodon said. Rickon took a deep breath in and out before shaking his head. "I do not trust them" he mumbled.

"Who, lord?" Brodon asked. "The fucking Targaryens. Rhaenas family! The whole lot of them!" he exclaimed. Brodon gritted his teeth as he closed the door. "Keep your voice down, lord. If you make your thoughts known, people may think-"

"May think what?" he asked cutting Brodon off. "That i care for them? That i love them like my own? Maybe because they are my own!... Rhaena has told me some of the things that they have done. We found her when she was fleeing from her family and now i leaving her here to fend for herself. I can not leave them here Brodon... I need you to stay. If i can not, you must."

Brodon sighed. He had hoped his lord would not say this. "I came to the North to serve you and your blood, lord. Not a Targaryen. And have you seen her dragon? No one will dare touch her" he whispered. Rickon swung his head around stepping towards him. "Your right. You serve me. And i have just decided that my son is going to stay with Rhaena. So i am telling you to guard him. Alright?"

Brodon held his tongue. "Fine. I will stay. The princess and her children will not be harmed... You have my word" he said. Rickon let out a sigh of relief as he put a hand on Brodons shoulder. "Thank you, Don. I only ask you this because i trust you more than anyone. You know this" he said.

Brodon nodded. "I will see you when we return then, lord. You may want to say goodbye to the princess before she leaves" he said. "Your right... I will. Write to me if anything happens" he said. Brodon nodded before Rickon passed by him.  "This fucking woman" he muttered under his breath before following him.

I made my way onto the sandy beach of Driftmark barley able to look up at the castle. I knew what was up there. My family. I wondered if they had even mourned me when they thought i was gone... Or if they will be happy to see i was still here.

I felt a small hand grasp mine as i looked down to see Aemma. She held onto me tightly giving me a small smile. "So..." Rickon began as i sighed. "Its time for me to go."

I nodded. "Alright" i muttered. "Brodon will be with you at all times and i have to maids to help with the children" he said. I couldn't even look at the man. He had been too kind to me these passed few years. Kindness i did not deserve.

Rickon saw my face go pale as he brushed his hand against mine. He couldn't be too obvious due to everyone watching but he still wanted to show me that everything would be fine.

"I will return when i can" i said. Rickon chuckled at that. "Good because when you do we can go back to training" he said giving Doran a playful shove. A smile tugged at my lips watching them both.

It was then Rickons smile faded whilst he finally removed his hand from mine. "Goodbye, princess" he said in almost a whisper. I did not answer. I knew if he kept looking at me like that i would not want to leave.

"Lord" i muttered with a nod before turning my back to him. I dragged Aemma away as the Northerns followed. I felt my chest tighten as my breath hitched. My heart pounded more and more with each step whilst i finally turned around .I watched as Rickons ship sailed away and sense of fear kicked in. I was now on my own.

Something i had not been in a long time. I almost felt like myself again before everything had happened. "Brodon" i finally spoke. He turned to me as i squeezed Aemmas hand tightly. "You shall escort my children to the castle. I will meet you up there."

"Where are you going?" he questioned. But i did not need to answer. The sound of large wings flapping and a thump that shook the ground answered his question for him. "I shall take Cannibal."

Daemons Pov:

Silence was all that could be heard as everyone crowded around Laenas sarcophagus. Some people barley even knew her and they still came. Daemon didn't know if he should take that as a courtesy or an insult to his late wife.

His eyes drifted from every face, none he could truly recognise. His brother looked like a shell of his old self. His sickness was obviously draining him more and more by the day. And his lady wife, Alicent, was not the innocent naive girl she once was. Now she was cold, stern and full of resent.

Vaemonds words echoed in Daemons ears, not that he was listening. Laena was dead. No pitiful words could change that now. If she was here she would have said the same. At that very moment, Daemon even thought about leaving.

He thought about going back to his chamber, gathering up his belongings and when Rhaena and Baela had said their final goodbyes to their mother, he would take them home. But that was until a surprising yet familiar roar shook the foundations of Driftmark.

There were gasps and screams but most were frozen in shock. Daemon included. He stood still looking at the dragon. The dragon he had rode along side many times. The dragon he had fought beside in the Stepstones. And the rider he once loved.

Of course it was Rhaena Targaryen to ruin his wife's funeral. She rode above the scene landing Cannibal on the empty bit of land beside the clan of mourners. She held her head high climbing down his side. Everyone held their breaths, confused to why she was here. How she was alive, why she had returned, where she had been.

She stood beside Rhaenys who did not give her a second glance. Rhaena hung her head in solidarity to Laena, but everyone's eyes still remained on her. When she realised that everyone had stopped for her she gave them an award glance. "Continue" she spoke up.

Everyone here might have changed, but Daemon knew Rhaena certainly did not.

Rhaenas Pov:

I couldn't even bare to look at Laenas sarcophagus. If i did not look, perhaps i could pretend she was still here. But she wasn't. She died to a creature that never had a chance to take its first breath. That angered me in ways i didn't know to be possible.

I felt everyone stares burn into me as i finally looked around. My eyes first landed on Rhaenyra. My sweet sister. She was a woman now. She had grown much, much taller and she was clutching two small, dark haired boys. She was a mother.

I smiled at the sight, even though she did not meet my eye. I saw tears burn up in her eyes whilst her face twitched. I couldn't tell if she was happy to see me or other.

I then looked around again to see a tall, lean woman with dark red hair. She looked familiar though i could not tell who it was. That was atleast until i saw her standing beside my father and three blonde haired children.

It was Alicent Hightower. She was wearing a green dress and had a scowl written all over her face. She was most definitely not happy to see me. I stared at the children, almost in disbelief that they were my half siblings. I was almost disgusted to be honest. But they were small and thin. No challenge for me.

I already knew my fathers eyes were stuck on me. I couldn't bare to look at him. I was afraid of what he was thinking more than i wanted to admit. I did not want him to refuse me. I couldn't bare that today of all days. So i did not meet his eye.

And then i saw him. I watched closely as Daemon stood on his own. His eyes clung onto my every move as my breathing tensed. I gave him a small smile which he greeted gladly with a silent chuckle. At least i knew someone was glad i had returned.

Suddenly, i felt someone tug at the bottoms of my dress. My children, Cregan and Brodon had finally caught up to me. I lifted Doran into my arms as Aemma stood beside me. It was almost immediately everyone's eyes drifted from myself to them. I tried to shield them from their evil gazes just as my father did for me in my youth. But there was no hiding now.

"We join today at the seat of the sea to commit the lady Laena Velaryon to the eternal waters of the Merling king, where he will guard her for all the days to come" Vaemond spoke.

Doran dug his head into my shoulder as i held him closely. Rickon must have told him i was weak due to Laenas death. Which may be true. Aemma held my hand tightly as i tried to keep my head high. I then noticed Vaemonds eyes drifting to Rhaenyra... And her children.

"As she sets sail for her final voyage, the lady Laena leaves her two true born daughters on shore. Though their mother will not return from her voyage, they will remain bound together by blood. Salt courses through Velaryon blood. Ours runs thick. Ours runs true. And ours must never thin."

Rhaenyra looked around uncomfortably, clutching her two sons to her tightly. Everyone's eyes were now on her. I don't know why i did it, but i did. I laughed loudly causing Aemma to chuckle too. Rhaenyra gave me a confused look, but at least everyone wasn't staring at her now.

Everyone watched with heavy hearts as Laena was released into the ocean, just as her ancestors, she had returned to the sea. I hung my head gulping down my tears at the sight. "Are you alright, mother?" Doran whispered. I nodded weakly still keeping my head down.

After the funeral, everyone dispersed around the Driftmark land. I had never felt more like an outsider. But i knew i had to get over my nerves and get this over with. "You three" i called out to Aemma, Cregan and Doran. "You stay with Brodon. Go speak with whoever you wish, go eat whatever you wish. I will come and get you soon."

"Where are you going?" Aemma asked tiredly. She did not wish to speak to anyone else. "I will do the same as you. Now go" i said shoving them away. "Why am i left with the children? I'm not a Septa" Brodon muttered through gritted teeth. "Because Rickon left you to protect me. And his child. And Cregan is going with my children. So go."

He cursed me under his breath as he followed the children around. I then fixed my hair and took a deep breath before looking for a familiar face. The first one i found was Rhaenyra. I gave her a weak smile as i walked towards her. But before i could even make more than two steps, she walked the other way.

My smile faded as my stomach flipped. This was going to be more difficult than i thought. Perhaps Laena was right. I should have returned sooner and made amends. I looked around once more and was greeted by Alicent Hightower standing beside ser Criston Cole. Both who seemed less than excited to see me.

Though it did sadden me more than i thought it would to see Cole again. He was there for me at times when no one else was. And now he's... I don't know what he is anymore.

But there was at least one person i knew i could go to without being turned away. And that man was standing alone with a judgmental gaze looking around at the crowds of people. I slowly made my way over to him whilst he finally met my eye.

I stood before him as he looked me up and down. Silence washed over us whilst i began twirling my ring around my finger. "Hello" i said in almost a whisper. Daemon chuckled as he shook his head. "Your alive" he said. "I am."

We both paused as he handed me his chalice of wine. I let out a sigh of relief at the gesture chugging the wine back. "Should i ask where you have been?" he asked. "I've been in the North" i said. He nodded.

"I should have known you were alive. Laena said you were in the North before she passed. I did not believe her" he said. "But you sent a letter."

He nodded again looking down at the ground. "I had to be sure" he muttered. I gave him a soft smile. "And you've brought children" he added on. "I have... Mine" i said growing uncomfortable.

"Lannisters?" he questioned. "Ondoso brōzi kessa. Ondoso ānogar daor. Yn nyke pāsagon ao pendagon bisa bona" i said. "By name yes. By blood no. But i believe you already knew that."
He chuckled softly. "Pōnta issi aōha riñar bona's ry bona matters" he said. "They are your children. That's all that matters."

"Yes... It is, isn't it?"

Aemma, Doran and Cregan looked around at the unfamiliar faces, all of them sticking out like a sore thumb. Aemma grabbed the food from the table shoving all the cakes in her pockets and in her mouth.

"I don't know why my father made me come here" Cregan muttered. "Maybe he knew there would be cake" Aemma said, crumbs falling from her mouth as she spoke. Doran rolled his eyes at them both walking away from them.

He then spotted two girl with hair just like his mothers, sitting down watching everyone pass. They had tears streaming down their faces as Doran frowned. He made his way over to them watching them both whisper to eachother as he did.

He gave them an awkward smile which they did not return. "Hello" he said softly. The two girls nodded to him, obviously not wishing to speak. But Doran couldn't help but feel sad for them. So he did what Rickon always told him to do. He showed them kindness.

He grabbed the shorter girls hand as she flinched. She then greeted him back the favour with a weak smile. "Who are you?" thr taller girl stole. "I'm Doran" he said. "I'm Rhaena" the small girl said. "And this is Baela."

"Rhaena is my mothers name" Doran said. "Really? Like the dead princess? The one who returned today?" Rhaena questioned. Doran did not know how to answer this. "Dead?" he questioned.

"My mother often told stories about her" Baela said. "About her adventures in the Stepstones and how she was unburnt by dragon fire and how her death was a mystery."

Doran was shocked by her words. His mother had told him these stories, but she never said they were about her. Or that they were true. "My mother insisted i was named after her" Rhaena said. Doran's eyes widened. "Truly?" he questioned.

"Yes. The small folk have made many songs about her after her death. Well, i guess we can not say that anymore. But her stories were my favourite" she said with a soft smile. Doran gave her a small nod as his eyes drifted back to his mother.

His heart pounded as he watched her. She seemed happy speaking to the man with white hair. Happier than she ever did in the North. The woman who he never truly knew anything about. Maybe this is why she did not like him as much as she liked his sister. Because he wasn't as good as her. He had no stories to tell. He had nothing special about him.

"Your sister has had three sons" Daemon said. "I never thought i would see her be a mother" i said. I was about to speak again until Daemons gaze drifted behind me. I turned to see my father weakly making his way towards me. "I'll leave you" he said sounding angry. It seemed he was not on good terms with my father either.

I held my breath watching a weak, old, crippled man stumble his way over to me. This was not the man i knew to be my father. He was someone different.

He stood before me, both of us waiting for the other to speak first. "I have met your children" he finally spoke up. "They have been raised well... Though they did not even know me to be their grand sire."

I stayed quiet. "It's been far too long, Rhaena. I thought you to be dead. I thought i would never... That i would never get to say..."

He could not finish his words. "It's time you came home. We have many years to catch up on. You can bring your children. And Rhaenyra can-"

"I never said i was staying" i said abruptly. His smile faded. "I came here for Laena. No one else. I have a home. Far away from all of you. I have no reason to return back to Kingslanding."

"Rhaena... I know we've had our differences. But let them pass with the years. I have mourned you for far too long to let you go again. If you return, there may be a place for you at my court. We can... We can be a fami-"

"I am in need of no favours, your grace. Perhaps you should continue pretending i am dead. It would be best for the both of us" i snapped. I don't know why i was so angry with him. I thought about him almost every day in the North. But i was full of anger.

"Rhaena" he said putting his hand on my shoulder which i immediately shook off. "Tala, kostilus-" "Daughter, please."

I shoved my way passed him making my way back over to my children and Brodon. I grabbed Brodon by his tunic and tugged him towards me. "Get the children to their chambers. I'm going for a walk" i whispered.

"What chambers? And why am i still watching them?" he questioned growing more frustrated by the minute. "Please Brodon. Just do it" i said. He looked me up and down seeing my distress. "Are you alright, lady?" he asked.

"I'm... I'm fine. Just please" i repeated. He reluctantly nodded as i hurried my way down the stairs that led to the beach. I felt panicked seeing everyone again. It brought back memories i was trying to desperately to forget.

I needed to put my thoughts straight. And i needed peace to do that. As i made my way down to the beach, i heard footsteps from behind me. I turned to see Daemon with a cunning smirk tugging at his lips. I paused for a moment before clearing my throat.

"Would you like to join me?"

(authors note: "the walk" is coming in the next chpt🤭🤭 sorry if this chpt is all over the place i've been so busy lately but i needed to get this chpt out. hope you guys liked it!!)