chapter five                              back home
episode two the rouge prince

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THE FIRST NIGHT OF SLEEP back home in the Darkhold was something Rhaemon looked forward to as he flew Frostfyre over the clouds towards the distant North. Though he was miles ahead of his father who rode by horse and carriage Rhaemon still had to spend many a night alone sleeping with Frostfyre to keep him warm when he couldn't find another place to sleep. His father had given him food to take with, he had wrapped that satchel around his own waist so it wouldn't fall. Within seven nights he was back home, back in the rocky mountains and snowy forests within the cold North. The air is different here in the north, more clear and definitely better smelling. Rhaemon places Frostfyre in House Smyte's very own dragonpit, hidden in the mountains. His father had given the command to make it as soon as he laid eyes on his mother, as if he knew they were destined to be together.

Sometimes Rhaemon wishes for a love like theirs, a nobel man and a royal woman marrying not for duty or for strength but for love. He wishes that he and Alicent could live the same way. Frostfyre lets out a noise, almost grumbling when Rhaemon climbs off her back. "That's it, you've been a good girl. You'll be having a feast soon my darling." Rhaemon coo's at his dragon, hand gliding over the scales of her neck. "Rest, there is a chance we'll be back to Kingslanding soon." Rhaemon stands in front of Frostfyre, having complete trust in his dragon and he leans in to place a kiss on top of her snout. "I'll see you soon Frostfyre." He mumbles, giving the she-dragon a good scratch before moving away.

Rhaemon enjoyed the walk from their dragonpit to his home, the legendary Darkhold of the Darkwoods. Build by none other than Bran the Builder in gratitude of Alak the Fearless, the founder of House Smyte, for his help in The Long Night. The Darkhold was a sight to be seen, with leaves growing onto the long walls of the castle. It was big, not bigger than Winterfell by a long shot but if need be the people of the Mountain Clans could seek refuge in the Darkhold.

The more he walks the more he feels at home, the cold nipping at his face which causes his cheeks and nose to flush something that his mother would never let him forget no matter how old he would be. The guards at the entrance of the Darkhold greet him, informing him that a certain Greyjoy had arrived a day before himself. He thanks them, walking into his home the stone walls feeling warmer under his touch than any day under the Kingslanding sun. He's home.

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IT DOESN'T TAKE LONG FOR Princess Vhaera Targaryen, although she prefers to be called Smyte when in The North, to locate her son when she is informed that he has returned home. With little Visaera in her arms she turns to the Godswood by their home, Vhaera herself isn't one of the Old Gods worshippers as she worships The Seven but she does find the Godswood peaceful as do her children. She spots Rhaemon laying down in the snowy grass beneath the weirwood tree twirling a fallen leaf in his hand, a small smile forms on her lips. "Rhaemon." She calls out, her sons head immediately snapping to her. "Mother." Rhaemon grins, standing up and walking closer to his mother. "I've missed you, my son." Vhaera says, cupping Rhaemon's cheek to which Rhaemon immediately leans in to. "I've missed you as well." He responds.

His eyes shift to the babe in his mother's arms, it is no mistake that she is her daughter it seems as the gods has simply put their mothers twin in her own belly. With striking white hair and lavender coloured eyes little Visaera Smyte was more Targaryen looking than her children before. Rhaemon only inheriting her violet eyes, though as a babe Rhaemon had the same white hair it darkened over time, still is in fact Vhaera thinks that one day his hair will turn the same colour as his fathers, speaking of their father. Their oldest child, Saenna was a carbon copy of their father with dark unruly hair and light blue eyes. Many suitors would compare her eyes to the sky with how blue they are. Vhaera loves it, her children looking like her, their father and a perfect mix. Her perfect children.

"How is she?" Rhaemon asks, a finger softly grazing over Visaera's cheek, the babe making soft noises as he does. "She's growing well, would you like to hold her?" Vhaera asks, Rhaemon's eyes snapping to hers an excited glint in them. "Can i?" He smiles, it warms Vhaera's heart. She nods, carefully placing Visaera in Rhaemons waiting arms. He holds the babe is if she were made of glass. "Hello Visaera, i'm your older brother." He whispers to the babe as he rocks her in his arms. He turns to look at their mother. "Where is Saenna? I've been told the Greyjoy is here, how is he?" He asks as he lets Visaera play with his fingers, the babe pulling on them. "He's a fine man, he'll be good to your sister. Saenna took him to see Darkwyng while you were laying here i suppose." Rhaemon lets out a hum after his mother finishes speaking. "So either i'll have a good brother or a burnt body to clean up?" He jokes but with the way Vhaera looks at him he whispers a quick sorry. "Lets go inside, Visaera will need to feed soon." Vhaera says, softly squeezing Rhaemon's bicep. He nods following his mother inside, carrying Visaera with him.

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IT IS ONLY WHEN SUPPER comes around that Rhaemon sees his older sister, she is deep in conversation with Ser Erock Greyjoy as they walk to the dining table. The maids have already set the table and the food the cooks have prepared looks amazing. The thing Rhaemon was most excited to eat was the harty but comforting stew that sat in front of him. "Rhaemon." Saenna calls out, Rhaemon immediately rising from his seat to greet his sister. "Hello sister." He says, looking over to Erock and bowing his head. "Lord Greyjoy." Saenna takes Rhaemon's hand in her own. "I've missed you little brother." She says, softly squeezing his hand before looking over at Erock the same as Rhaemon did. "Lord Greyjoy this is my younger brother, Rhaemon Smyte." She introduces him, Rhaemon giving their guest a small smile as she does. "I've heard many great things about you Lord Smyte, shall we sit?" Erock asks, mentioning to the feast before them. They all agree and go to sit at the table, waiting for Vhaera to arrive until they eat.

"How are our uncle and cousin faring Rhaemon?" Saenna asks as she sits down, Erock sitting next to her and Rhaemon sitting across of him. "They lost someone they loved, but they're strong they'll live through this." Saenna nods as Rhaemon speaks, lips pursed. Like Rhaemon Saenna had adored Aemma, her death was a great loss to all though it would never hurt them they way it hurt Viserys and Rhaenyra. Rhaemon clears his throat, sitting up straight in his seat. "Let's speak of happier things, i assume the wedding between you and Erock will go through?" Rhaemon watches as Erock and Saenna share a look, the Greyjoy boy's face starting to flush. "It will, it will be the greatest honour to wed your sister." Erock says. Rhaemon hums. "As it will be to take her last name i assume."

"Rhaemon." Saenna says, a warning tone to her voice when she speaks to her brother. Erock places his hand on top of Saenna's, thumb softly running over it. "What? If he can't handle me asking some questions he isn't worthy of your hand, dear sister. Besides if i scare him perhaps he should leave before he meets our father." Rhaemon gives his sister a tight smile before looking back at Erock. "It's fine, my love." Erock says before looking Rhaemon in his eyes. "Yes it will be an honour to carry the Smyte name, and i don't get scared by men younger than me." The two men stare at each other, Saenna fears for a second that Rhaemon might do something drastic only to relax when she hears him chuckle. "You're funny Erock." Is all that Rhaemon says.

"I apologise for my late arrival." The voice of Vhaera calls out as she enters the dining hall. "Our dear little Visaera did not want me to leave her sight but she's asleep now. Please, let's eat." She sits next to Rhaemon, leaving the seat at the head of the table open where Morsan Smyte sits when he is home. The family with the addition of Erock starts eating, all very prim and proper like a house of their standard would do. Or at least what they showed when other houses were among them. It doesn't take long for Rhaemon to speak up once again. "Mother." He starts after swallowing a bite of bread soaked in stew. "Would you have any idea of what father and uncle Viserys would talk about?" He asks, putting his elbows on the table immediately putting them back down when Vhaera swats at him telling him it's impolite.

"And no, your father and my brother are curious creatures. Not even i could guess what they talk about." Vhaera says, taking a sip of wine after. Rhaemon hums, playing with the spoon in his bowl of stew. The family falls silent again, it isn't awkward other than the glances Saenna and Erock give each other it is just silent as they eat until their bellies are full. If Rhaemon had to be honest he did in fact miss the food in Kingslanding but nothing could mimic the comfort their own cook's food gave him. Though Rhaenyra and Alicent often joke to him about the cold north and how they could never live there, or at least he hopes Alicent jokes about that, he wishes he could show them the true beauty of the North.

With its rough edges and harsh winters many find the North an awful place he knows it's beauty from the snow falling from the sky to an open hearth fire. Many a night he dreamed about him and Alicent watching their children play as the stayed warm by the fire, though that is only a dream. Rhaemon's thoughts are disrupted when Vhaera clears her throat, everyone at the table now having their eyes on her. "Are you two happy with your match?" She asks, looking at the betrothed couple in front of her. Saenna's cheeks are dusted with a soft pink colour and Rhaemon has to keep himself from chuckling. "They told me the wedding will go on so i assume so mother." Rhaemon says, a teasing smile on his face as he looks at his older sister.

Saenna scowls at him. "When will Rhaemon be betrothed? He is almost a man grown after all mother." Saenna's words immediately wipe the smile off Rhaemon's face. "I do not wish to be married yet." He says, picking at his food again. "A betrothal and a wedding are different things brother. A betrothal is simply stating that you belong to someone, to strengthen our house. Though you already belong to someone don't you?" Erock watches at the siblings spat with each other with a smile, only when he catches Vhaera's eye that it drops. "Children." Is all she says and the two shut up, giving their mother an apology in synch.

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IT TAKES ANOTHER FORTNITE from when Rhaemon arrived home for Morsan Smyte to arrive to their home. The family with Erock awaits Morsan's carriage at the gates of the Darkhold with Rhaemon holding little Visaera in his arms. Vhaera looks delighted as she sees her husband ride through the gates on horseback, she walks to him the couple sharing a hug as their children share a look. "Father." Saenna and Rhaemon say with a smile on their face. Erock steps forward, holding out his hand towards Morsan. "It is a pleasure meeting you Lord Smyte." He says not noticing how Rhaemon mocks him behind his back, Morsan chuckles at his son and greets Erock back. "I hope you've felt welcomed in your stay here Lord Greyjoy."

"It's gonna be Lord Smyte soon father, better get used to that." Rhaemon speaks up, frowning when Saenna softly slaps him on his arm. "Careful i'm holding our little sister idiot." Rhaemon scolds her, Saenna only rolling her eyes at him. "My hand wasn't anywhere near Visaera, unlike you i know where to hit people." Saenna steps forward, arms wrapping around her father in a hug. "We've missed you father." She says. "I've missed you as well my daughter." Morsan says, placing a soft kiss onto Saenna's head. No matter how old his children became this was something Morsan always did. Morsan then walks past Saenna and stands in front of Rhaemon. The father and son nod at each other, having seen each other not as long ago as he has seen his wife and daughters. He softly pats Visaera's head, the babe coo-ing at his touch. "Give her to me." He says and Rhaemon does so willingly. "Hello my darling." He whispers to the babe, rocking her in his arms.

"Let's go inside, i'm starving." Morsan says and the family agrees entering their home, Erock entering his now new home.

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authors note.
sweet little chapter w the smyte family cuz they won't really play a big part until like the dance of the dragons actually happens so 🫶