chapter five
❪ in loving memory ❫

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Laena Velaryon was a beautiful, kind and brave soul. a woman who was far too young for death, someone who deserved to watch her daughters grow up, to live out the rest of her life surrounded by happiness and love. not a person who should of had to die in pain and fear, who had to beg her dragon to breathe it's fire on her to make the suffering end.

Unfortunately the world works in a cruel way and even the purest hearts are taken in horrific and terrible ways. A mother and father should not have to stand at their daughter's funeral, a brother should not have to mourn his sister so early in life and children should not have to grow up without a mother. but that was the way of life and Laena's family were the ones left on the earth to deal with their grief for the Velaryon woman.

• • • •

Daenyra stood beside her mother with her arm around Jacaerys while Luke was wrapped in Rhaneyra's embrace, Laenor standing beside his daughter and eldest son as he stared off into space with a solemn expression. Daeny took her free hand and interlocked with her father's who gave her a small and grateful glance.

"We join today at the seat of the sea, to commit the Lady Laena of House Velaryon." Vaemond Velaryon spoke in High Valyrian. "to the external waters, the dominion of the Merling King where he will first her for all the days to come. As she sets to sea for her final voyage, the Lady Laena leave two true-born daughters on the shore. Though their mother will not return from her voyage, they will all remain bound together in blood." he gaze suddenly set on Rhaenyra and her children causing the woman to wrap both arms around her children and pull them closer.

Jace and Luke couldn't understand what the man was saying but Daenyra could as she had been studying her native tongue for years now and too noticed the glances from the people around them. All the young princess could do was glare at the second-born man.

"Salt courses through Velaryon blood. Ours runs thick. Ours runs true. And ours must never thin." Vaemond was interrupted by an amused Daemon who began laughing loudly. Everyone looked over at the man as if he were crazy but he paid them no mind.

Daenyra raised a brow at her uncle before her eyes trailed over to Viserys standing with Alicent and their three children as well as Sabina. Immediately her gaze locked with Aemond's who seemed to already be looking at her. The boy gave her a shy smile before turning back to face ahead of him. The corners of Daenyra's lips tilted upwards slightly as she bowed her head down.

Vaemond went on, ignoring Daemon as they prepared to push Laena's body into the ocean. Daenyra squeezed Laenor's hand when the time came and the coffin was sunken to the bottom of the ocean.

• • • •

Everyone dispersed after Laena's coffin rested in the seas. Each person drinking, eating and chatting away. Daenyra felt as if it were more of a celebration than a funeral, in a way it was, they were celebrating Laena's life or simply using that as an excuse to get drunk.

Daenyra always knew she was to either have a Velaryon funeral or a Targaryen one. She was either to become one with the water or be turned to ash by fire. She knew she had no Velaryon blood running in her veins so it was not fit for her to be taken the way a Velaryon was. She was a Targaryen though and that was why fire was the way for her to be taken away.

Daenyra stood watching the waves crash together with her arms still wrapped around Jace. Her little brother was seeking comfort from his older sister as he was feeling down by the grief that surrounded them.

She ran her hand through his hair before she heard her mother's voice behind her. "Daenyra, have you seen your father?"

Daeny turned to her, keeping one arm around her brother. "No, mother, I have not."

Rhaenyra sighed while she looked away from her children towards Daemon's twin daughters. "Your little cousins have lost their mother. They could use a kind word." she said looking at Jace.

"We have an equal claim to sympathy." Jace claimed, causing Daenyra to stare off back towards the sea.

"Jace."

"We should be at Harrenhal, mourning Lord Lyonel and Ser Harwin."

That was another thing that had Daeny feeling sad. Harwin Strong and his father had met their demise in a fire at their castle. They had failed to escape and burnt to death. Daenyra felt the loss of her birth father yet she was not allowed to grieve him, at least not in public. Harwin was never able to be a father to his children. Although he did his best. Daeny never shared a bond with him as she did with Laenor, because half of her life that was who she believed to be her father. but once she had learnt the truth of the man she shared blood with, she had come to love him and now she had completely lost him.

"It would not be appropriate," Rhaenyra stated, crouching down to be at eye level with her son. "The Velaryons are our kin and the Strongs are not. Look at me. Do you understand?"

Daenyra finally trailed her eyes to meet her mothers. "We understand. We will say our respects to Laena's family." She took Jace's hand tugging on it slightly. "Come on, Jace."

Daenyra sent Jace off to speak with Laena's twin daughters who sat weeping for their mother. She was to go over there but someone else caught her eye.

"I am sorry for your loss, kepus." she spoke as she approached Daemon who she had caught off guard.

Daemon turned to look down at her with a small smile. "Thank you, Daenyra. You have grown since I last saw you."

Daeny nodded. "I believe that is what happens when you don't see someone for a long time."

Daemon couldn't help but chuckle. "Your Valyrian has gotten much better. You've been practising."

"I told you I would." She slyly grinned. "I have missed you, kepa. I have had no one to talk to about Crispin and his petty self."

Daemon smirked at the name she spoke for Cole. The one he had taught her. "Have you been tormenting him as I told you to?"

"Every chance I've had." She confirmed with a mischievous expression.

This time Daemon laughed loudly, crouching down to the young girl. He took a strand of her hair analysing the white amongst the black. "I have missed you as well, little dragon."

Daemon and Daenyra had a very close bond. When Laenor would take her to visit his sister and nieces, the two would be off causing mischief together. it was quite chaotic when it was just the two of them. Daemon had a soft spot for the little girl. He treated her like one of his own and he enjoyed how much she looked up to him.

The two continued to chat away, making fun of the people around them, laughing at anything and everything. Oblivious to the multiple eyes on them.

• • • •

Daenyra had found herself with Helaena who played with her spiders crawling across her hands.

"I am glad to see you, Daeny." Helaena smiled. "It has been hard in Kings Landing without you."

The Velaryon princess smiled back. "I am sure it is not that bad, Hel."

Helaena's smile fell into a frown. "It is. I am mostly alone now. Sabina is always off with Aemond and you know how Aegon is. I feel like I have no one."

Daenyra brows furrowed. "I'm sorry, Helaena. I wish I could take you to Dragonstone with me. You'd surely love it."

Helaena smiled sadly before she stared down at her spider. "Hand turns loom, spool of green, spool of black, dragons of flesh weaving dragons of thread."

"What?" Daeny raised a puzzled brow.

"Spool of green, spool of black." Helaena only repeated, seeming as if she hadn't heard Daenyra.

Behind the two girls stood Aegon and Aemond, who were watching the girls. The younger of the pair frowning at Daeny, wondering why she hasn't spoken to him.

"We have nothing in common." Aegon stated with disgust as he stared at his sister.

Aemond rolled his eyes at him. "She's our sister."

Aegon narrowed his eyes at his brother. "You marry her, then."

"I would perform my duty, but I am not the one mother betrothed her to." Aemond retorted.

Aegon blew out a breath. "If only she had."

"It is to strengthen the family, Aegon. Keep our Valyrian blood pure." The young prince reminded.

Aegon threw his hands up, one holding a cup of wine that almost splashed out. "Why would I care about any of that? I honestly would rather mother accept Rhaenyra's offer to betroth me to Daeny."

Aemond rolled his eyes at that. "Yet, she didn't."

Aegon huffed. "Don't sound so please brother. We all know you wish to be betrothed to our niece. Which I don't know why. Even if i'd rather marry her than Helaena, sometimes she's just as odd as our sister."

Aemond glared at him. "She is not odd. She's just different from everyone else."

"She's a bastard." Aegon scoffed carelessly.

Aemond held himself back from shoving his drunk idiotic brother to the ground at his words. "No, she is a princess who will be queen. A queen we will have to bow down to. Do not forget that brother."

Aegon shook his head. "Whatever, they are both idiots."

"You're one to talk," Aemond mumbled while Aegon was busy grabbing another cup of wine to hear him.

"Me and our sister actually do have one thing in common." The older prince grinned. "We both fancy creatures with very long legs." With that he took off calling for more wine.

Aemond could only stare at his brother in disbelief and disgust.

"He always has to make a scene." Sabina spoke amused as she came to stand beside Aemond taking his attention from Aegon.

"He is stupid."

Sabina chuckled. "Do you want to go steal some cake with me?"

Aemond went to reply but Daenyra caught his attention once more as she walked away from his sister, wandering off somewhere else.

"Maybe later." The boy replied to the girl staring at him expectantly but his eyes were trained on the brunette princess. "I will see you later, Sabina."

With that he followed after Daenyra, leaving Sabina dumbfounded at being brushed off.

• • • •

Daenyra once again stood by herself with her eyes trained onto the sea. Only this time she was watching her father with saddened eyes as he sobbed knees deep in the sea. The atmosphere around them was tense and the divide in her family was visible, but she had no care for that.

She had never witnessed her father so broken before and it made her fear the loss of a sibling. Her brothers were her world, as well as her parents of course, but her baby brothers held a very special place in her heart. Just like Laenor, she was the oldest, it was her duty to protect them. She feared failing at that and ending up in the position Laenor was in right now, grieving the young ones she was meant to watch grow old.

"You are allowed to cry, you know." A familiar voice piped up from beside her. Aemond.

"That would not be very princess-like. Besides I was not necessarily close to Laena, as sad as it sounds, I never had much time with her." Daeny replied, not yet turning to face the boy whose eyes burned into the side of her face.

"I was not speaking about Laena." Aemond mumbled.

Daenyra sighed, taking a moment before turning to him. "How have you been?"

Aemond shook his head at her usual topic change. She did it far too often. "Lonely."

The princess chuckled a little, "Your sister said the same thing, though she told me that was because Sabina has been with you more than her. So how could you be lonely if you have had company?"

"With company around me I can still feel the loneliness because that company is not you, daeny." he replied, solemnly.

Daenyra tilted her head with a soft smile. "Who knew you could be so sweet."

Aemond rolled his eyes. "I am not sweet."

"Keep telling yourself that."

Aemond fought a smile at Daenyra's teasing look. "Stop that."

Daenyra giggled, returning her gaze to the sea as the two fell into a comfortable silence. Both of them continued to glance at each other every once in a while.

"After we leave Driftmark, how long do you think it will be before we see each other again?" Aemond broke the silence.

Daenyra sighed deeply. "I do not know."

"I do miss your presence, you know." Aemond said in their native tongue.

Without looking at him, Daenyra slipped her hand into his own, keeping them interlocked hidden away from everyone's view. "I miss your presence as well."

The peace they brought each other was broken by the screeching of Vhagar. Both of their attention being aimed at the skies as the dragon soared around.

Daeny looked away while Aemond didn't and the younger princess noticed. "It is sad to see a dragon lose its rider. Especially for Vhager who was forced to be the one that ended Laena's suffering. Dragons too deserve the comfort people bring each other. Hopefully she isn't left to grieve by herself for long and finds her next rider sooner rather than later. She is not getting any younger."

Aemond turned to Daenyra with furrowed brows and she in return gave him a knowing look. "Yes, hopefully," he mumbled, not taking his eyes away from her.

She gave him one more smile before saying. "I best find my brothers. I will see you later uncle."

"Bye, Daeny."

Aemond's gaze followed the princess as she wandered off before he looked up at the skies once more when Vhagar continued to cry out again.

• • • •

Daenyra now sat in between Baela and Rhaena who each had their heads resting on the brunettes shoulders whilst Daeny held their hands comfortingly.

No words were spoken by the three girls considering daenyra wasn't quite sure what she could say to help them feel better. She didn't know how it felt to go through what they were going through. Her parents were both very much alive. and while she may have lost Harwin, their bond wasn't exactly how a father-daughter bond is supposed to be.

So all the Velaryon girl could do was hold and support them as they let their sadness out.

Rhaenys suddenly made her way over to the three, crouching down to their level. She rested her hand on Daenyra's cheek, giving her a small sad but grateful smile, "thank you for being there for Baela and Rhaena, dear granddaughter. Why don't you go join your brothers and i'll get these two inside."

"Of course, grandmother. Forgive me for not speaking to you properly earlier. I am sorry for your loss." Daenyra spoke with sorrowful eyes, letting go of the twin girls hands.

"No forgiveness necessary, sweet one." Rhaenys replied. "Thank you again."

Daenyra only nodded and stood from her seat to leave the three grieving Targaryens, but a hand caught her own preventing her from walking away.

"Thank you, daeny." Baela whispered, giving a gentle squeeze to the slightly older girls hand.

"I'm always here." Daenyra responded softly, letting Baela's hand go and stepping over to her brothers.

Luke immediately moved into his older sister's embrace while Jace simply rested his head on her shoulder.

"Do you think one day we will be attending each other's funeral?" Luke asked innocently.

Daenyra looked down at him, pushing some of his curly hair out of his face. "Not for a very long time."

"But it will happen one day." Jace piped up in a mumble. "One of us will attend all funerals and one of us won't make it any."

Daeny felt tears prick her eyes at her brother's words and she felt Luke tighten his grip on her. She felt selfish when she prayed to the gods that she would be the one that won't make it to any of her siblings funerals.

"Neither of you have to worry about any of that. We're far too young to think of such vile days." She spoke after a long dreadful silence. She sucked in a breath as she took one of her arms to wrap it around Jace and kept one around luke, pulling him closer to her.

Their mother soon came towards her huddled children and demanded, "Go to bed."

Jace moved his head from his sister's shoulder while all three children stared at their mother confused. "But mother—"

Rhaenyra interrupted. "Daenyra, I want you all in bed."

"Yes, mother." Daeny sighed and Rhaenyra wandered off somewhere.

"I don't want to go to bed, Daeny." Luke pouted.

"You heard mother, Luke. Let's go." and she pulled the two young boys to the castle.

• • • •

After putting Jace and Luke to bed, Daenyra retreated to her own chambers with a book in hand, sitting by the window that gave her a clear view of the sea.

She didn't expect to be interrupted by anyone, but her door opened and Aemond walked in looking around the room for her.

"Can I help you?" Aemond jumped as she spoke, finding her in the corner.

The prince sighed, resting a hand on his chest. "Don't do that, daeny."

Daenyra chuckled, closing her book and saying. "You're the one that walked into my chambers. So, what can I do for you?"

"I am going to do something tonight. It could either be really foolish or truly amazing." Aemond spoke all in one breath taking daeny by surprise.

The young princess raised a brow slowly, "are you going to tell me what you are planning or is it a secret?"

"I'd rather keep it to myself." Aemond responded, shaking his head.

"Then what possible assistance could I give on the matter?" She retorted.

"I just need you to tell me if I should simply ignore the impulsive idea I'm having and go to bed or go outside and do something possibly absurd."

Daenyra threw her hands up in annoyance. "Aemond you sound ridiculous. You want me to tell you what to do and yet I have no clue what it is that you want to be doing."

"Daeny—" he was cut off by the sound of a ground shaking dragon roar from outside and his head snapped towards the window.

Daenyra followed his gaze to outside where Vhagar flew around and as she noticed what had captured his attention, she slowly returned her stare to him with a knowing look.

"You know I try to learn all there is to learn about dragons. They are such mysterious creatures and we can never truly know everything about them. I never had to entirely claim a dragon considering mine hatched but from what I do believe about claiming one is that they claim you, you do not claim them. If they know their future rider is near they will call for your presence. And if it is meant to be, nothing will get in your way from finding the dragon meant for you."

Aemond narrowed his eyes at her. "Why are you telling me this?"

Daenyra simply shrugged in response. "You should go off and do whatever foolish thing you want to do, Aemond."

Aemond's face fell into a confused one, not expecting her to actually answer without knowing what he had planned. "You think so?"

"I know so."

He nodded with a small growing smile on his face. "I best go. Before a guard comes to my chambers to make sure i'm there for the night." he said, heading for the door. Just as he reached for the handle, he paused and turned back around to her. "Thank you, daeny."

Now it was her turn to be confused. "What for?"

"For being there for me. Even when you don't even know what I am talking about."

Daeny grinned. "I know you better than you think, uncle. It is not hard for me to figure out your schemes and feelings."

Aemond could only smile back at her. She was the only person in their entire family to never turn him away and turn her own back on him. He would forever be grateful for her.

He went to leave once more but she stopped him this time. "Aemond. Be careful."

He smirked back at her. "Always." and then he was gone and she was alone once more.

Daenyra sighed, looking back out the window, her gaze setting on Vhagar once more. "good luck," she whispered under her breath.

Little did she know, how much she would come to regret the encouragement she gave him that night.