We began the journey home. I honestly thought this day would never come. We are returning with half the men we came with, but i'm still here. The bastard girl everyone doubted.

"Ow!" i shouted pushing Daemons hand away. He rolled his eyes as he continued tending to my wounds. The most painful part was him taking the arrows out of my arm and my leg.

He was now putting alcohol on my wounds as gently as he could... Which still was not very gentle. I had my own cabin in the ship which i was sharing with Daemon. "There. Done. You done whining now?" he asked sarcastically.

I rolled my eyes as he sat down on his bed. "Shit" i heard Daemon mumble trying to tug the knots out of his hair. "Come here. It's time you cut that hair" i said grabbing a blade.

"Wait... Do you know how to do this?" he asked. "Of course i do! I've done it many times" i said. I was lying. I began cutting the ends of his hair as we sat in silence.

"Why did you lie to me?" i asked breaking the silence. The man's head shot up at my words. "What are you talking about?" he muttered with a hint of annoyance.

"You told me the nightmares would stop once the war was finished. They haven't" i said. Daemon sighed. "I had to tell you that so you would not give up and go home. The truth is they never stop. You will always see their faces."

"I wouldn't have given up! Even if you told me the truth. And i most certainly would not have went home" i said. "Really? Not even when we ran out of foods that week?" he questioned.

"No. I'd starve myself for weeks all to see that Riverlands boy shit himself again. Remember his face when he saw Cannibal? And then shit just poured out of him" i said laughing at the memory. Daemon chuckled at the thought.

"Yeah... What was his name again?" he asked. "Bran, was it? No! Bronn i think. Or something along those lines... He died four weeks after that incident... He died right beside me" i mumbled as my smile faded.

"They all die, Rhaena. You mustn't dwell on it" Daemon said. Everyone says that war makes you stronger. But i think it made me weaker... Sure it gave me titles, respect amongst the men... But i couldn't help but see every single man's face. Everyone who died, it was like they were haunting me.

I shook off the thought as i continued slicing off Daemons hair. "There. Finished!" i said handing him a mirror. I surprisingly did a good job. "It's not as bad as i thought it would be" he said.

"Is that a compliment?" i questioned. "No. Most certainly not" he said. I smiled slightly as i laid down on my bed. "Are you happy we're going home?" he asked. I paused.

"Of course i am... I miss the food" i said. Daemon chuckled. "And that's it?" he questioned. "No... I miss my bed too" i said with a smirk. Daemon shook his head and laughed.

"Your sister will be happy to see you... And so will that guard" he mumbled. I turned to him. "You sound almost jealous" i teased. "I do... Don't i?... Ser Crispin wasn't it?"

"Ser Criston" i corrected. "Ah yes... Ser Criston... Foolish name really" he said. "It's no more foolish than yours" i said. "Trust me it is."

I rolled my eyes and turned back to the wall. "I am happy to be returning home by the way. I haven't seen the throne room in quite some time. I miss it" i said. "And you'll be welcomed back with nothing but open arms. 'The unburnt princess', remember?"

After a restless night, we finally arrived back in Kingslanding. Everything was just like i remembered. The people, the castle... Everything.... Everything except for myself.

Daemon and i rode in a carriage from the docks and into the castle. "Here. Take this" he said handing me a pathetic crown. "What is this?" i asked. "The Driftmark army have named you 'Queen of the Narrow Sea" he said with a small smirk.

My face lit up slightly, only to fade once again. "I'm not wearing that" i mumbled. "And why not?" he questioned. "Because look at it. It's not a real crown, Daemon. It's a fake. You wear it for all i care" i said looking out the window.

Daemon sighed. "Your worried your father will think you've taken too much power" he said. I glared him down. "No i am not!" i spat. "Yes you are" he said. "I am not!"

"Fine! Then wear the crown" he said. "Fine i will" i said grabbing it off of him and placing it on my head. There was silence. "It suits you" he said with a small smirk. I rolled my eyes and continued looking out the window... Trying my best to hide my small smile.

We rode inside the castle grounds, as many guards circled the carriage. I huffed knowing this might not be the warm welcome Daemon said it would.

"Prince Daemon, princess Rhaena, we are to escort you to the throne room" one of the knights said. "Fine. Let's get this over with" i mumbled reluctantly following them.

We walked through the familiar halls as many lords and ladies stopped and stared, whispering about our ventures. I smiled as i heard someone mumble "the unburnt".

Once we got to the the large throne room doors, i felt a small knot in my stomach. Gods... I hated being this nervous, i felt pathetic. "Are you alright?" Daemon whispered as he stood beside me. "Perfect" i said as confidently as i could.

The doors open to reveal members of the ton, lords, ladies... And my father, standing in front of the iron throne. He had an unfamiliar look. I could not tell if he was angry, surprised or relieved.

I held my head up high as Daemon and i strutted towards him. In the corner of my eye, i saw Rhaenyra pushing passed everyone in the crowd. I didn't dare look at her. I wasn't sure how she felt about me leaving.

Daemon and i came face to face with the throne and my father. One of the knights held up his sword, poking Daemon in his chest plate. I held up my sword as the knights flinched with worry. "Add it to the chair" i called out throwing it to the knight. Daemon chuckled finding it amusing... My father not so much.

"You wear a crown... Do you also call yourself queen?" my father asked. I heard the room fill with whispers. Daemon gave me a small reassuring nod which made my father more nervous.

"Once we smashed the triarchy and i killed the Crabking, they names me Queen of the Narrow Sea" i said. My fathers face stayed put. "But i know there is only one true king, your grace."

I knelt down on one knee removing my crown. Daemon reluctantly knelt beside me. "What are you doing?" he whispered through gritted teeth. "My crown and the Stepstones are yours" i said.

"Where is Lord Corlys?" my father asked as gasps filled the room. "He sailed home to Driftmark" Daemon said. "Who holds the Stepstones?" my father questioned.

"The tides, the crabs, whatever the fuck fills the sea... And also two thousand dead triarchy corsairs, staked to the sand for all those who try follow" i said. My father began walking towards Daemon and i as he stood before us. I handed him the crown as silence washed over us.

"Rise" my father said. I stood up, not being able to stand the awkward silence. "My daughter" he said cupping my face in his hands. He pulled me into an embrace as everyone in the room clapped. "I missed you... Every day i thought of you, praying for your return" he mumbled into my shoulder.

"I missed you too, father" i said. He gave me a wide smile as he turned to Daemon. "Brother" my father said as he pulled him into an embrace. "The realm owes you both a great debt. And you, sweet Rhaena... I heard what happened. There's never lives a Targaryen who can survive the flames. I can't believe the gods have chosen my daughter to be their gift."

I gave him a weak smile. "We'll speak more later. There's someone who wishes to speak with you" he said looking over his shoulder. My eyes drifted to Rhaenyra.

"Your grace" i said with a small nod as i made my way over to Nyra. "Sister" i mumbled. She stayed quiet. "How are you?" i asked. She still stayed quiet. "Nyra i-"

I was cut off by Rhaenyra pulling me into a tight embrace. I hated being hugged, but i wrapped my arms around her. "I could kill you. I thought you were dead" she said pushing me away.

"Well, i'm here now" i said. "Yeah... Yeah you are" she said pulling me into another embrace. "A lot has changed in your absence" she mumbled. "Like what?" i asked. I saw Rhaenyra gulp.

"Queen Alicent... Has had a son" she said. I felt my face twitch with anger. "What?" is all i could get out. "I have not been replaced" she said as i let out a sigh of relief.

"Not yet anyway" she mumbled under her breath. "I won't let that happen. I won't let a Hightower on the throne, you have my word" i said grabbing both her shoulders. She gave me a weak smile.

"Come on. Father has set up celebration for your return" she said as she put her arm in mine. We made our way back to my old, familiar chambers. Everything was just how i left it.

Rhaenyra told me that Otto Hightower tried to give my chambers to the new baby Aegon, but she wouldn't let him. I threw on an old dress as we both made our way down to the gardens.

The castle gardens were filled with people, food and wine. I ran from Nyra heading right over to the food table and grabbed a lemon cake. I shoved the whole thing into my mouth, never feeling happier to eat. I shoved a couple of more in there too.

"You seem hungry, princess" i heard an irritating voice say from beside me. I rolled my eyes and huffed realising it was Otto Hightower. "Yes i am, Otto. Very" i said unenthusiastically.

"How are you? I'm sure returning back to Kingslanding from the battle field can take a tole... Especially on you" he said. I turned to him with an annoyed expression. "Are you saying war will take a harder tole on me because i am a woman?" i questioned.

Otto let out an uncomfortable chuckle. "I meant no offence, princess" he said. "Yes... I'm sure you didn't. How is your grandchild, Otto? I'm yet to meet my own half brother?" i asked with a small smirk.

"He is doing well. I'm sure he will grow up to be a fine young man" he said. "Yes well... We will have to wait and see about that, won't we?" i said walking away. I hated that man maybe more than anyone.

I heard my father laughing loudly along side Daemon and Alicent. I made my way over, forcing a smile on my face. "What are you so giddy about?" i asked.

"Daemon here, was always mothers favourite! I will argue no more about it! I was never a warrior and she knew it!" my father exclaimed through laughter. My forced smile faltered as i fought the urge not to roll my eyes.

My eyes drifted over to Alicent who refused to meet my eye. "Lady Alicent. How have you been? I can't imagine your dismay now sharing a bed with my father" i joked. No one laughed except for Daemon who chuckled under his breath.

"A joke" i said clearing the air. My father gave me a look of dismay as he took a sip of his wine. "I am very happy, Rhaena. I have two children now with my husband. What else could i ask for?" she said lying through her teeth.

"Right... Of course i'm... Very happy for you both" i said also lying through my teeth. My father gave me weak smile. I looked to Daemon who was mouthing "liar".

I looked down trying to hide my smile. I felt someone stand bedside me as i looked to see Rhaenyra. I watched as my fathers smile faded instantly at the sight of her. It was clear they were not on good terms. Silence washes over all of us.

"Congratulations on your victory, both of you" Nyra said. I gave her a small smile feeling the tension. Daemon looked between Rhaenyra and my father, also feeling the tension. "Thank you, princess" he said.

Silence once again washed over us. "Perhaps princess Rhaena and prince Daemon would care for a tour of the gallery. They haven't yet seen the new tapestries gifted to you by Norvos and Qohor" Alicent said.

"Oh yes... Would you like to see the tapestries?" my father said sarcastically, barley able to get through the sentence without bursting into laughter. I saw Alicents smile falter.

I wouldn't usually defend anyone. And it is true, i nor Daemon had any interest in seeing the new tapestries... But this felt like more than a joke. My father was making fun of his new wife who was way out of his league.

"I would like to see them. I'm sure Daemon would too. Don't you, Daemon?" i said giving him an urgent look. "Um... Yes... Sure" Daemon said. "Oh well then you should not deprive yourself" my father said. I heard the passive aggressiveness in his voice.

"Fine. We will" i said matching his tone. I stormed off as Daemon followed close behind. "Are we really going to see the new tapestries?" Daemon asked. "Of course not. I'd rather slit my throat" i said.

"Fine then... Where are we going?" he asked. I looked around and spotted no one in one part of the garden. I grabbed a glass of wine whilst also grabbing Daemons hand as i pulled him away from the crowds.

"We'll stay here" i said. Daemon sat down in a chair and put his hand out for the wine. I took a sip, refusing to give it to him. He rolled his eyes playfully.

Daemon lifted up his head, soaking in the sun. "Can i ask you something?" i asked in High Valyrian incase Otto Hightower was lurking. "Go ahead" he replied also speaking in High Valyrian. "You seemed so content in Dragonstone. Why did you return? There is surely more to your return than simply faunting over my father."

Daemon paused as he reached for my necklace, the one he had given to me many moons ago. "You wore it all through out the war" he said. "Yes well, i wanted people to know who i was incase i died and you could not recognise me" i said.

"Right... Of course" he mumbled, knowing i was lying. "You did not answer my question? So... What do you want?" i asked. He paused again as he looked me up and down. "I need the comforts of home" he said. This time, i knew he was lying.

"I not thought you particularly comfortable in this home... Though i do suppose we have both changed after recent adventures" i said with a small smirk. "We have... Both more mature perhaps" he said.

"I don't know about that" i joked taking another sip of my wine. "I do. You'll get used to all the attention soon enough" he said. "Who says i don't like the attention?" i questioned. "I'm sure you do like it."

"Now that i'm home... I'm sure my father will try and sell me off to whatever lord has the biggest castle and doesn't mind marrying a bastard" i mumbled. "There are worse things to be sold for. Marriage is only a political arrangement. Once you are wed, you are free to do whatever you like" Daemon said in common tongue.

"For men maybe marriage is only a political arrangement, but for women it is like a death sentence" i said. I looked around to check again if there was people around. "Look at Alicent Hightower" i whispered.

"Would that it were. I would have been rid of my Bronze Bitch ages ago" Daemon mumbled. I had almost forgotten Daemon was married. He never spoke about his wife nor visited her. "Your wife has been fortunate. You haven't put a child in her yet."

Daemon laughed. I looked him up and down as i handed him the wine. "I doubt a child could grow in such hostile environs" he mumbled taking a sip. I laughed until my smile faded.

"I think that about myself sometimes. I would not be a good mother" i said in High Valyrian. Daemons smile also faded. "Why would you say that?" he questioned.

"Aemma was made produce heirs until it killed her. I won't subject to the same fate. I refuse" i said. "What happened to queen Aemma was a tragedy. But this is a tragic world. You can not live your life in fear or you will forsake the best parts of it."

"You mean the best parts of a woman's life is growing a beast inside of you?" i questioned. Daemon shook his head. "I can not win with you, can i?" he questioned. "Not so far, no."

"And i do not live in fear may i add... Only solitude" i said. Daemon laughed. "Such a lonely prospect" he said in common tongue. "Maybe, but what is it you said again? 'This is a tragic world'" i said mimicking him. 

He rolled his eyes playfully. "Now, i'm sure we've been gone long enough. I better go back and find my sister" i said as i walked off. "Rhaena" Daemon called out in High Valyrian as i turned around.

"I meant to ask you... You bent the knee to your father? Very unexpected. Why are you so complicit now? I thought you still wanted to the throne?" he asked. I smirked at his words.

"Never let them know you really think... It will only make it easier for them to get ahead of you."