｡･::･ﾟ★,｡･::･ﾟ☆ - ☆｡･::･ﾟ★,｡･::･ﾟ☆
𝘚𝘦𝘢𝘧𝘳𝘦𝘵 - 𝘈𝘵𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘴
｡･::･ﾟ★,｡･::･ﾟ☆ - ☆｡･::･ﾟ★,｡･::･ﾟ☆

126 AC
Twelve long years had passed since the birth of their daughter Edith. Ten years in which the Stark family had to cope with a lot.

Not only the winters became colder and colder and the supplies slowly less and less, but also they had to suffer many losses. Lord Rickon was an old man by now and did his best to keep the north together. He made alliances and gave lands to the needy. The latter, on the other hand, provided enough crops for the whole north in return.

Finley and Ronja had hardly changed except for their age. They were tall and blessed with the striking Stark beauty. Their mother, on the other hand, had not done well in the last few years and was looking more and more her age.

In the times when it was hardest for Aruna, not only her maid Nia, but also her mother-in-law and her sister-in-law stood by her side.

At Edith's birth, Aruna had vowed never to have children again, for the pain and stress of survival had left its mark on her mind and heart. But once she was comfortable with her new role as a mother, she wanted nothing more than more children.

She adored her daughter and hardly let her out of her sight for a second.

But every wish had its price, and Aruna and Brandon had struggled hard over the past few years to fulfill their unfulfilled desire to have children.

They didn't know what the problem was. Both had indulged in many examinations and Aruna had secretly visited many maesters - despite her reluctance - to find the cause, but none could help her.

And when they thought they had finally done it, Aruna was bleeding and was not pregnant at all or not anymore.

Her suspicions that Edith could not be Brandon's child were only confirmed by this. The maesters could not find any health defect in the young woman and fathering a child with Brandon seemed almost impossible.

Meyra had always tried to encourage her in the darkest days and told her daughter-in-law about her own initial problems. Meyra and Rickon lost children while still pregnant or in infancy to serious illnesses like their oldest son Cregan.

The young couple's marriage suffers a lot as a result. As much as Aruna wanted more children to have a big family, so much Brandon wanted more heirs and so it happened that despite having the same goal, they became more distant from each other.

When they had already given up hope, a miracle happened and Aruna became pregnant. From that moment on she took no risks and spent most of her time in bed until her son Cassian was finally born.

Winterfell finally had a new heir and Aruna had a son.

But the desire for children was not the only problem in their marriage. The Tyrell-born girl sorely missed her home and she had not seen her brother for years.

Through Laenor she knew how tense the situation in King's Landing was. King Viserys was getting sicker and sicker and his heirs were literally at each other's necks and seemed to hate each other.

Laenor and Adrik were now Aruna's only contact with the outside world.

She would love to visit the capital again or wander through the gardens of Highgarden, but the political situation did not allow it. Or rather, the men of House Stark did not allow her to do so, because they wanted the North to remain neutral as long as possible and not to take sides.

Aruna hated them for that. She felt imprisoned and no longer as free as when she arrived here.

Thoughtfully, the woman looked at the letter in front of her, which she had received many weeks ago. It was the last letter from Adrik. She had answered him immediately, but never received a new letter herself and slowly she was worried about the older Tyrell.

Laenor's last letter was right next to Adrik's and was also a bit older. He told his old friend that he and Rhaenyra had fled to Dragonstone together with their sons.

Even though Aruna had never seen the three boys, she knew that these children were not Laenors. Even in the north they heard the stories about the illegitimate children of the princess and Aruna was the only one here who knew the truth, because she knew the real father.

Rhaenyra herself had introduced her to the father of her future children many years ago.

Not only Rhaenyra had children, but also Aruna's old love Daemon. Two beautiful daughters to be exact. Often the woman wondered if the two looked like her own daughter.

"My Lady." Nia came into the chamber and placed a tea beside the two letters and added a third. "Thank you Nia." A sincere smile was exchanged between the two women before Nia lifted little Cassian and led Edith out of the room.

Aruna only understood Nia's behavior when she saw the sigil on the letter.

Unmistakably she knew immediately that this letter was not from Laenor or Adrik, but from Rhaenyra herself and that could not mean anything good.

In the past, she would have probably given the letter to Brandon to open together, but she had not only grown older, but also wiser and more self-confident. It had taken her far too long to realize that she didn't need anyone but herself, her children, and Nia. She especially didn't need a man to patronize her.

"My dearest and oldest friend,
I hope this letter finds you well.
Painfully I have missed you by my side these last years and I should have written to you much sooner, but time cannot be changed.
It is not a good time and it is not getting better.
We received a call for help from my uncle Daemon a few hours ago, because Laena is not well and she wants to have her dearest people around her. I am writing because I know how much you liked each other and there probably cannot be another time for a reunion.
I also know how much my husband needs your support now.

We are leaving for Driftmark soon. Please join us.

Signed with respect and love, Nyra"

Aruna had to read the letter over and over again to understand it. Her old friend Lady Laena was sick and would die. Painfully, her heart clenched at the thought. Laena was still much too young!

She did not have to think long before she made the decision to travel. Aruna owed it to Laena and she really wanted to see her again.

"Brandon!" She had lifted the skirt of her dress a bit as she walked through the burg in search of her husband. "Brandon!" She didn't care what the other residents or servants thought of her, because all she could think of was Laena.

"Aruna! What is the reason for your appearance?" Brandon stood with some men and with his father in one of the conference rooms bent over a table with an old map. The men's eyes immediately turned to the heir's wife.

"Give me a minute, please." She asked, because she didn't want to discuss this here. "Not now, Aruna. I'll come as soon as we're done here." He answered her without looking at her.

She could only shake her head at him. "I don't have time. We have to leave right now!"

Almost stunned, Brandon looked at his wife. He didn't understand her performance and didn't want to know what the other men in the room were thinking. The Stark apologized to those present and pushed Aruna out of the room. "What is this?"

"Lady Laena is going to die." She reported to him. "And she needs us."

"How do you know?" Skeptically, Brandon looked at the southern woman. "Rhaenyra wrote to me and-"

"And you believe her and run as soon as the princess calls?" he interrupted her sarcastically.

"Brandon you don't understand! Laena is going to die!" She couldn't believe her husband showed so little empathy. There was hardly anything left of the emotional young man.

"All of us will at some point." Brandon was already turning to go back into the room when the door was already opened and his brother stepped out. "What's going on?"

"None of your business, brother." He answered Finley and put a hand on his shoulder to lead him towards the door as well.

"Your brother doesn't understand the seriousness of the situation." Aruna threw in angrily, crossing his arms. Finley could only look helplessly back and forth between the two. He was almost a man, but not yet as mature as other boys his age. "Why?"

"No. My wife doesn't understand what's really important." Brandon stopped and the married couple looked at each other challengingly. Far too often they did this and argued afterward, only to make up and argue again.

Aruna took a step toward the two brothers and put her hands on her hips. "Laena is my friend and that is more than important. I will go with or without you."

"You won't."

"You bet I will!"

Again the door opened and this time the lord himself came out. "What's taking so long here?"

"They're arguing. Again." Finley yelped at his father, putting a few feet between himself and the couple.

"As my lord and as my father-in-law, I ask your blessing after a trip to Driftmark. My friend is dying." Aruna knew she could only get her will through Rickon and not her husband.

The lord loved his son's wife like his own daughter and could hardly deny her a wish.

Her big eyes filled with tears and had an immediate effect on the old man. "Let her go, my son." He put a hand on Brandon's back. "Maybe it's not so bad to have a connection to the south after all. Winter will come and with it a war."

Brandon was clearly anything but thrilled that his father was ruling over his own wife. Silently, he swallowed his anger and left the three standing.

"Thank you Rickon." She was truly grateful for the help, but she didn't have time.

As quickly as possible, she packed her things with Nia, and her children's things as well. Aruna would need Nia in Driftmark and she didn't want to leave her children behind in the north.

Driftmark was not the fastest destination and so Aruna prayed to the gods that they would arrive in time. But again her prayers were not answered and her faith in the gods waned. She had come closer to them through the Stark alone, but they had given her anything but luck and blessings.

With quick steps the young woman walked through the house of the Sea Serpent, while her faithful knight Erik waited outside with Nia, the two children and his men.

Aruna was already awaited by the Velaryons. Laena's parents, Rhaenys and Corlys, sat in their chairs with sagging shoulders. No words were needed to know what had happened.

The Stark had not been here in time for their old friend.

"Laena died a brave dragonrider death according to Daemon. She seemed to have known that neither she nor her child would survive." Corlys had invited Aruna for wine and the three now sat by the fire.

She still knew the Velaryons from King's Landing and through Laenor. They were not close, but they were pleasant companions and at a time like this they needed every shoulder to cry on.

"Laena was pregnant?" Aruna had not known this information. She felt sick at the thought that Laena would have died in childbirth if she had not determined the manner of her death.

Sadly, Rhaenys nodded and looked into the flames.

~~~

That same day, the funeral service for Laena Targaryen, née Velaryon, took place. Many people had gathered on Driftmark in her honor and mourned the death of the loving and unique woman.

Even the royal family had arrived, to Aruna's amazement, and it didn't take her long to recognize many of the other guests. In the ten years they had all grown older, but had hardly changed at all.

Aruna stayed in the background, especially since she didn't know if she herself was ready to reconnect with some of the people present. On the other hand, she didn't want to be seen, because she was afraid that someone would look at Edith for a moment too long and see completely through everything.

Her son Cassian had the typical Stark look, while his sister had the soft features of her mother. Edith's hair was long and curly like Aruna's, but her hair was a warm light brown and almost blonde, whereas Aruna's and Brandon's were dark brown.

Never had anyone questioned that more fortunately.

During the ceremony, only the closest family was on the highest platform. Other guests and friends of Laena were spread out on the lower platforms, which were all connected by stairs.

From her spot, Aruna could barely hear, but she was glad to be there nonetheless. Her heart was heavy for Laena and she couldn't hold back a few tears as she did understand some of the Valyrian words.

Secretly, she had continued to learn the language over the past years and even taught it to her daughter. After all, Edith carried Valyrian blood and should be able to speak the language fluently.

Brandon and the rest of the Stark family knew nothing of this.

Cassian and Edith were still too young to actually guess what was happening. Still, Aruna was glad to have her children with her, as they were the ones who gave her the most strength.

Suddenly Edith broke away from her mother and ran towards a man who had come closer to them. "Edda!" Aruna did not raise her voice, so that she would not disturb the ceremony, but Edith could hear her anyway.

Only when her daughter was in the arms of the man with dark hair did Aruna recognize her own brother. "Adrik?" she inquired incredulously, for she could hardly believe it.

"Hello sister." The man took his little sister in his arms and kissed her forehead before greeting her son.

The two Tyrell siblings had last seen each other before Cassian was born and the little one was now four.

"It's so good to see you." Aruna stroked her brother's cheeks and eyed him intently. Adrik's hair had grown longer and he now sported a beard, reminding Aruna somewhat of their Uncle Jaro.

"It's good to finally see you again, too." Once again he kissed her forehead and eyed his sister as she eyed him. Aruna had changed little, except that she no longer had the youthful appearance.

Aruna had grown up and her clothes were not as playful and colorful as they used to be. She also kept her hairstyles only practical instead of elaborate.

Together they then watched the ceremony, while Adrik had an arm around his sister and around his niece, Aruna held Cassian tightly in her arms.

After the ceremony, the groups of family, friends and acquaintances mingled on the many platforms, but Aruna did not dare to go to the highest one.

However, someone very special from above stepped down to hers when she spotted her. "Aruna!"

The called one turned to the lovely voice and spotted her old friend Queen Alicent. She was walking down one of the staircases and finally, against all protocols, embraced the Lady.

"Your Grace." Despite the old friendship, Aruna had never lost respect for the Queen and bowed after the hug. "What sad circumstances for our reunion."

"I'm afraid you're right." Pity could be seen on Alicent's face, but not sadness. Everyone knew she and Laena had disliked each other and that she was only here because it was her duty. "Children. Say hello to your Aunt Aruna."

Aruna felt flattered at the word aunt. She had spent a lot of time with Alicent's oldest children in the past, and at one point they had called her aunt. She was all the more surprised that Alicent still remembered.

Her children had grown up and become beautiful, especially Alicent's only daughter. Many years had passed, but Aruna knew immediately who was who.

"Lady Stark how nice to see you." In an exemplary manner, each of the children in turn greeted Aruna and then Aruna introduced her own two children. The three adults then walked a few steps and talked while the children got to know each other.

It was as if no time had passed as she talked with Alicent and it did her a lot of good to see so many old faces again. But at the same time, she remembered her sad life up north and the constant arguments with her husband.

"Your children have grown so much. Aegon is almost as tall as me." Aruna noted as she watched the children. The children were talking vaguely and didn't seem very interested in getting to know each other.

Inwardly, Aruna sighed. She knew how hard it was for her daughter to make friends. In Winterfell, there were hardly any children Edith got along with.

While she was in thought, she looked at the queen's children. She knew that her youngest son had inherited his mother's hair, but seeing it now in reality surprised Aruna somewhat.

Despite the strong Targaryen genes, Alicent's had prevailed in Daeron, just as Aruna's had in Edith. But Edith's hair was very light, whereas Daeron's was even darker than Alicent's.

And looking at the two children, Aruna was struck by the resemblance between them. They had almost the same lips and facial features.

Then Aruna realized why Daeron looked so much different from his siblings.

Daeron was the son of Adrik and not of the king Viserys.

She decided not to say anything, after all it was not her place to say anything. Aruna also had a child out of marriage with another man.

The fear that her secret would also be revealed became even stronger.

A shocking cry made all the guests wince and all the hearts break. There was no need to guess who it came from, because the pain could be heard in the scream and this pain was felt by the person who loved Laena the most.

Aruna looked over the wall and discovered her friend Laenor standing up to his knees in the water, mourning his sister.

"Can you please watch Edith and Cassian for a moment?" Aruna phrased it as a question to her brother, but didn't give him a chance to answer because she was already running down the stairs to the beach. "Aruna!"

She didn't hesitate when she reached the bottom and immediately took off her shoes, stockings and cloak before entering the water. The water of Driftmark was cold, but Aruna lived in the north and was used to freezing by now.

Carefully she walked through the water until she reached Laenor and hugged him from behind. He had not heard her coming, nor had he known she was here. "I'm here Laenor. Let it all out."

And Laenor let it all out. He cried and let Aruna hold her tightly. His pain pained her and she had to hold onto him as well to keep from collapsing. Her forehead rested against his back and a few hot tears ran down her cheeks as well, not even feeling the cold on her feet.

"Aruna." Laenor slowly released the hold and turned to his friend. "She's gone for good."

"I know, Laenor." She answered him, stroking his wet cheeks. "But she will always be with us. In your heart and in those of her daughters, Laena will live on."

Laenor's head was lowered and his eyes closed but he nodded as he recognized the truth in Aruna's words. But no one could take away his eternal pain.

***

First chapter of Act two! <33What do you think about it?

In the following chapters you will read more about the years in between and how Aruna and her children were doing!!