23 - happy but tense

๏ฝก๏ฝฅ::๏ฝฅ๏พŸโ˜…,๏ฝก๏ฝฅ::๏ฝฅ๏พŸโ˜† - โ˜†๏ฝก๏ฝฅ::๏ฝฅ๏พŸโ˜…,๏ฝก๏ฝฅ::๏ฝฅ๏พŸโ˜†
ย  ๐˜‹๐˜ฐ๐˜ต๐˜ข๐˜ฏ - ๐˜๐˜ฐ๐˜ฎ๐˜ฆ
๏ฝก๏ฝฅ::๏ฝฅ๏พŸโ˜…,๏ฝก๏ฝฅ::๏ฝฅ๏พŸโ˜† - โ˜†๏ฝก๏ฝฅ::๏ฝฅ๏พŸโ˜…,๏ฝก๏ฝฅ::๏ฝฅ๏พŸโ˜†

Several months have passed since the arrival of the young family in Dragonstone. A quiet time in which Aruna could slowly make peace with herself. She was still plagued by feelings of guilt and a heavy conscience, but with her friends and her children by her side, it slowly became easier.

Not only did Aruna finally find peace, but so did her two children. The two of them were so different and it was not only seen but felt in their behaviour.

The interaction and the new connections with the other children did them good, even if Edith in particular was testing her limits. Perhaps it was also due to their relationship with their real father. Since Edith was here and obviously accepted by dragons, Daemon regularly took her on a flight and tried to teach her everything about the beautiful animals.

Edith knew by now who her real father was.

Aruna had tried to talk to her a few weeks ago and told her the whole truth. She had told her daughter everything and revealed what had happened back then. The born Tyrell thought her daughter was old enough to know everything and besides, Daemon wanted Edith to know at last.

But to everyone's surprise, Edith was neither angry, sad or even surprised at the news. The girl had listened intently to her mother and asked questions. She had been very curious to finally learn something about her mother's past.

She had been silent for a short while, then took a deep breath and told her mother that she already knew that Daemon was her father. Edith had always felt that she was different. She had never got on with Brandon, had never been a fan of the cold and she was so much different from the Starks or her brother. She had also always been different from her mother and when they had travelled to Driftmark to pay their respects to Lady Laena, she had immediately felt a connection to Daemon. During the time they spent together she recognised the similarities in character and appearance.

And at the recently since they all lived in Dragonstone, Edith finally felt at home and connected with other people.

Aruna loved how the relationship between Edith and her father developed and also how Daemon had accepted Cassian immediately and treated him like his own child. But still she always stayed behind anxiously when the two of them went outside.

Rhaenyra and Laenor were also let in on the secret of the paternity of Aruna's first child. Together, the four adults had come up with a plan so that Daemon could also officially and quite publicly acknowledge Edith as his daughter. But it was still a long way off.

She had also realised that Brandon Stark would always be a part of her life and she had accepted that. She had also strongly resolved to tell her children about the cruel man and his deeds when they were older. Aruna wanted to keep the image of a good man in Brandon for a while while the two of them were still children who should enjoy their childhood.

As everyone grew closer and not only were old friendships rekindled and new ones formed, Daemon and Aruna also grew closer again.

Here in Dragonstone they were undisturbed for the first time and had time to really get to know each other. The Targaryen had not only helped Aruna deal with her trauma, he had also changed her and she him.

The closer they got to know each other, the closer they became. Neither of them wanted to lose any more precious time and stay by the other's side forever. So it happened that after the short months together, the two entered into a marriage.

A marriage that should last forever this time. A love that is and was so strong that it had survived so much and will survive.

But before she entered into the intimate union with Daemon, not only she but Daemon also asked permission from her two children. A thing for which he received great respect from all. Especially from his eldest daughter, who became more and more like him. She looked so much like him and was happy to finally have a family in which she was loved by everyone and not only by her mother.

In the tradition of the old Valyrians, the two married. They wore the traditional brown and red clothing and cut their palms with Valyrian steel to bind their blood together.

Many years ago they had exchanged blood with each other before and not only bonded but also betrothed. It was after Daemon came back to King's Landing with a crown for Aruna after a self-proclaimed war. When Daemon had given it to her, then at her engagement party with Brandon, the sharp stones and bones had cut Aruna's palms. In the evening she had confronted him and just as brutally put the crown in his hand, whereupon he had cut himself as well. One thing had led to another and the two had mixed their blood and eventually slept with each other for the first time.

Aruna often thought back to that night. It was also the night Edith was conceived.

Both took some blood and stroked it over the other's forehead and lips. She would have liked to kiss him immediately, because she could hardly wait to finally be his wife. For her, it was still all so unreal.

She was finally free from her brutal husband and finally with him. With her Daemon. And she was finally going to marry him.

A priest joined the couple's hands and spoke to them in Valyrian. The woman soaked up every word and enjoyed the moment so much. She looked into the eyes of her beloved and was overwhelmed with emotion. This wedding was so much more emotional and so special compared to her first wedding.

Maybe it was because they loved each other so much and had already been through a lot.

Also with the three of them were their closest friends Nia, Rhaenyra and Laenor, as well as everyone's children. They wanted to keep it as small as possible and that made the whole ceremony that much more intimate.

It wasn't just the ribbon on her hand that made her feel so connected to the man. He was the first person who really saw her - who saw who she really was. He knew her fondest memories and her darkest moments and not for a second had he judged her.

Heart pounding, she took the cup from Daemon and drank a sip of the mixed blood. It was a strange taste and at the same time Aruna had never drunk anything better.

Although Aruna had taught herself Valyrian in the last few years, she was not yet familiar with many traditions. But she had read up especially about the wedding ceremony to be prepared for everything. Still, she was overwhelmed by the intensity.

As she drank, the two of them did not break their intense eye contact for a second and finally she gave him the cup, gently squeezing his hand. With a smile he also drank from the blood and then handed the cup to the priest.

Everything that was said then would never be forgotten, just like the passionate kiss they exchanged.

Aruna and Daemon's souls were one and the love between them was endless.

The woman's heart was still beating faster and she felt a pleasant warmth in her belly. Happily, she then embraced the man and he held her tightly in his arms before the others came closer to congratulate them both.

Afterwards, the group had a small feast. Not for a second could the married couple detach themselves from the other. Again and again, the two gently squeezed their partner's hand or they kissed each other.

"Maybe you were right about the temporary chamber when you arrived." Smirked the man with the silver hair as he closed the door behind him. It was already late in the evening and the two had now retired to his chambers.

Aruna had to laugh and leaned against his chest. Everyone had eaten a lot and drunk a lot of wine today, but never had the pair been sober as they were now. "Who says we are moving into your chambers? Mine are prettier." Aruna asked sarcastically with a smirk on her lips.

"Good point." Daemon replied with a grin and helped her take off her hair ornaments. "But I have the nicer view." He then argued. Aruna could only agree with him and laughingly repeated his words. "Good point."

They looked into each other's eyes in love and without saying anything else, the two started undressing each other.

Their lips met and their clothes fell to the floor. The fireplace was already burning next to the bed and the warmth immediately rose in Aruna's cheeks. The two had already slept together, they even had a daughter together, but still Aruna was very nervous at that moment.

Greedily, Aruna eyed her new husband when they were finally naked. She put her hands on his shoulders and then let them wander over his body. She had missed his warm skin very much. The woman then stood on her tiptoes and kissed the man, finally putting her arms around his neck.

Immediately he pulled his wife to him and pressed her warm naked body against his. The kiss seemed to never end, as they only ever released each other briefly to catch their breath. Then he lifted her up and carried her to his bed.

It was the first time Aruna had had sex again since Brandon's abuse. She often had the chance again with Daemon, especially since she lived with him, but she hadn't felt ready again until now. Daemon had always respected her decision and never forced her to do anything.

But now she was ready and she didn't regret it. Daemon always let her make the first move and paid close attention to her every little reaction as they made love. He was gentle with her and they both enjoyed the long awaited togetherness.

For a long time that night they had talked and touched each other. Again and again they had slept with each other and kissed.

"I hate what he did to you." Daemon was the first to break the silence after that time. No one wanted to talk about the dead Brandon at that moment, but a furious storm raged inside Daemon at the sight of Aruna. She had scars from him on her body which she would have forever.

Daemon wanted so much to take revenge on that bastard, but he couldn't now. Thousands of variations of torture came to his mind when he saw her scars. He wanted so much to see him suffer. But instead, Aruna had taken her own revenge. She had killed Brandon and made him pay for everything. He was more than proud of her. Only too gladly would Daemon have been there.

"None of us can undo this, my dearest. Please. I don't want to talk about him or think about him ever again." She asked him, stroking his cheek gently as Daemon stroked her arm and nodded immediately at her words. "I know, I'm sorry." He replied, giving her a kiss on the forehead. "I'm just so mad."

"Why don't you turn your anger into something else?" the dark-haired girl asked, trying to sound seductive and distracting at the same time. It had been a beautiful day. A day where she had only positive feelings and where she didn't want to think about Brandon.

Daemon immediately understood what she meant, but still played unknowing. Grinning seductively, he lay on his side and eyed her. "Oh yeah? And in what?" he wanted to know from his wife.

She returned his smirk and leaned her forehead against his. "You know exactly what I mean." Aruna broke through the last few inches and kissed Daemon again and again. Of course, he returned each of her kisses.

"I love you."

"I love you too, my lady."

~~~

Several years had passed since their wedding. Years that could not have been more beautiful. At the same time, the atmosphere became more and more tense and restless.

Laenor had left shortly after the ceremony to sail further across the sea and support his father at the same time. Only Rhaenyra and her sons were still with the couple and their children on Dragonstone. Aruna and she had fortunately found each other again and become close friends. But both were now grown women and mothers and they knew it would never be the same as when they were young girls.

But she was grateful for a friend who was honest with her and with whom she could talk.

The children had become inseparable and Edith and Cassian learned a lot from Rhaenyra's children. Edith and Jace spent more and more time together, which Aruna and Rhaenyra observed with a smile. But Edith also got along very well with her sister. She would have liked to get to know her other sister more, but she still lived with her grandmother and grew up there as her ward.

Hardly any letters reached the new mixed family in Dragonstone from the capital. None of the other Targaryens, nor Aruna's brother Adrik, nor Queen Alicent wrote. Once in a while a letter came from King Viserys, but these also became fewer and fewer as he became sicker, until finally they only received letters from informants to hear some news.

The loss and betrayal of her brother still hurt her. She could not find words for how much she missed him. He would always be her brother and flesh and blood, no matter which side they were on, but she didn't know if she could ever forgive him.

There was a tense atmosphere in the meeting room. Rhaenyra was very worried about her father and Aruna was not left cold by the situation either. Viserys had always been like a father to her. The king was deathly ill and surrounded by the other side. The green ones, as they whispered. No one knew which side Viserys was on or how much of anything he was even aware of.

"When did the last letter come?" Aruna wanted to know from her friend, stroking her round belly. Not long now and she would finally have her third child. One more reason why she felt joy despite everything, and often she felt guilty about it.

Jace, Luke and Edith were also present, leaning thoughtfully over the table with the figurines, diligently practising High Valyrian. They had all grown up so much and were almost adults. The three were mature for their age and smarter than was good for them at some times. But their mother tongue was especially difficult for Jace.

Rhaenyra had her hands on her hips and was wandering aimlessly around the room, looking thoughtfully at the floor. Only now and then did she stop to correct the children. "I don't remember. It was too long ago. Maybe three or four weeks ago?" Concerned, they all looked at the heiress and Aruna would have liked to take her in her arms, but the silver-haired one crossed the room far too quickly. "And I haven't heard from Laenor either. Where is Daemon, anyway?" she then wanted to know. At last she stopped now and eyed Aruna in particular questioningly.

"Back with Syrax." The dark-haired woman reported with a roll of her eyes. Her husband had spent a lot of time with Rhaenyra's dragon in the last few weeks, as she would soon lay eggs. Aruna was happy for Daemon and his love for these creatures and respected them greatly, but she was his wife and pregnant as well.

Only she would not lay eggs, but give birth to his child.

As if waiting for his signal, the doors opened and Daemon came in. But he did not have a happy face when he entered. Aruna already feared that something was wrong with Syrax, but then she saw the paper in his hand.

Daemon looked at his wife for a moment and then went to his niece to hand her the message. "A message from Baela. You should read this." He explained seriously. Immediately everyone realised the seriousness of the situation and Rhaenyra sent all the children out of the room before reading the document.

Aruna could tell by the look on Edith's face that she didn't want to leave and was already opening her mouth to protest, but the dark-haired girl looked at her daughter with a warning look. She was glad that Edith had finally discovered her true self, but Aruna would be lying if she wasn't worried. Edith was simply a hothead and as self-confident as her father.

"He means to call into question Luke's legitimacy." Rhaenyra explained, looking stunned at her friend, "and by extension Jace and by extension my own claim to the throne." Aruna walked over to the two and took the message as well, reading Baela's words to understand everything.

"Vaemond cares only about Driftmark and the Velaryon line. Not about our politics" Daemon tried to reassure his niece with his words, but unsuccessfully. Aruna could understand them. The heiress was already tense as it was, but the fact that there was now again bad talk about the paternity of her children did not make things any better.

Vaemond is the brother of Corlys Velaryon and thus Laenor's uncle. Since Lord Corlys has been at sea, his wife Rhaenys has ruled over Driftmark with the help of her granddaughter Baela. Vaemond also did not believe that Rhaenyra's children were also Laenor's children, and had publicly announced this, which amounted to treason. It was obvious that Vaemond wanted to be the next heir once Laenor was prince consort and Luke was not his true son.

"Has he made common cause with Otto Hightower yet?" asked Daemon thoughtfully, while Rhaenyra read the message again over Aruna's shoulder. "This is what i fear." Rhaenyra replied quickly, avoiding eye contact.

"Rhaenys has flown to court. Surely, she cannot be plannig to back him." Aruna also surmised thoughtfully and looked at her husband.

"No. Whatever disagreements we may have had, shes not cruel... or stupid enough to do that." Daemon answered her, but was interrupted by Rhaenyra.

"Disagreements? She thinks we deliberately sent her Son away and probably murdered him on the high seas." Rhaenyra looked at her uncle seriously. Of course, no one knew that Laenor was with his beloved on the ship and only half-heartedly searching for his father.

"Yes... and yet, she staken Baela to ward-" Again Daemon was interrupted by Rhaenyra and Aruna could only watch the two silently. "Yes It is Laena's memory she honours. She has no love for us."

"Has the vipers venom spread so far?" the man teased the heiress now with a slight grin, though the situation was not funny.

"Those vipers rule in my fathers name. And my Father..." Rhaenyra could speak no further and shook her head helplessly. Gently, Aruna placed a hand on her friend's back to offer comfort. "What choice do i have?"

"To Kings Landing, then." Answered the dark-haired Rhaenyra's question. She was clearly uncomfortable with the thought of travelling back to the capital and seeing her brother and Alicent again, but she would do anything for Rhaenyra and her family.

The young woman stroked her round belly and looked firmly at her husband and friend. "There will be a war, and probably sooner than we thought."

They were words of truth. Words with a serious meaning and everyone knew that war was unavoidable. But not everything was lost and they had to try to save as much as possible.

***
I hope you are well?
Have a good day/nightโ™กโ™ก

What do you think about the chapter?

Aaaaand what do you think of my photo edit of Aruna and Daemon?

โ™ก

Bแบกn ฤ‘ang ฤ‘แปc truyแป‡n trรชn: AzTruyen.Top