chapter one
❪ disheartened departures ❫

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The morning after the incident, Vaenera was awoken rather early by her maids as they began to prepare for her long travels ahead. Today was the day her family went back to Kings Landing and she ventured off to Winterfell.

The moment Alicent had informed her daughter that she was to be sent North she only grew angry and hurt. She knew she was never easy to handle but for her mother to just give up on her stung worse than anything. And her father to just agree without so much of a thought wasn't a surprise but it still pained her.

No one ever fought for her. It caused Vaenera to believe that she just wasn't worth fighting for.

She knew she caused more problems than solved. She was volatile and irrational even at 10 and 2 years of age. Her grandfather Otto Hightower was often in his daughter's ear with many things, sending Vaenera away was one of those things.

He insisted that they were better off with the nuisance of a girl far away from King's Landing but still in their clutches for when the war came. Because even if she were a burden in their eyes, Vaenera was also strong and ruthless with a large terror of a dragon behind her.

They needed her on the side of the greens, and if they were to send her away, they needed to keep her from taking that to heart and siding against them. So Alicent tried her hardest to give Vaenera the one thing she longed for; love. The love a mother is supposed to give her child, something the queen was never good at with any of her children. She did try, yet continuously failed.

Alicent just couldn't be a mother to Vaenera. In her eyes, Vaenera was far too similar to her former best friend and now step daughter. The younger princess was like a reincarnation of Rhaenyra Targaryen when she was younger. Not only that but she was the only one of the Queen's children to have a real relationship with Rhaenyra. Even despite her mothers wishes; Vaenera and Rhaenyra were sisters. It was horrifying to Alicent, so she pushed her youngest daughter away from her. Something she could only grow to regret.

Otto and Alicent were also so persistent to send Vaenera to Winterfell because they had hope that she would connect with the future Lord, Cregan Stark. They wanted the princess would return with a betrothal offer to the young wolf. They had hopes that it would earn them the support of House Stark. If they had the future Lord of Winterfell on their side the rest of the North would surely follow him.

And if that didn't work out they already had preparations for her to marry Aemond which Vaenera was never going to let happen. She was protective and caring towards Aemond and they had a close relationship but the thought of marrying, sleeping and having children together, sickened her. She loved him just not in that way - nor could she ever love him that way.

It was bad enough Helaena had to marry Aegon which Vaenera also argued with her mother and her grandfather about. The argument led to Vaenera being locked away in her room with a hand print marking on her cheek.

Alicent and Otto thought they had Vaenera fooled into thinking they were sending her away to grow as a person, to mature and come home better than ever. That they were doing it for her.

But what the Hightower father-daughter duo forgot was that Vaenera wasn't a complete naive and righteous princess. She was intelligent and knowing passageways around the castle had helped her spy and eavesdrop on conversations that weren't to be heard by young princesses.

Vaenera was playing her mother and grandfather just as much as they were playing her. She acted as if she understood being sent away and that she was ok with it but she wasn't. Vaenera felt bitter, aggravated and unwanted. Her mother was tossing her away because she couldn't handle her — didn't want the struggle of mothering her and just wanted to use her for her own gain.

So Vaenera may have been travelling away from her family and home without a fight, but this was all a part of her plan. She wasn't coming back with a betrothal or Winterfell's support of her elder brother being king. She was coming back the same girl she was when she left, only smarter, wiser, and far more malicious. Neither the Greens or the Blacks were gonna know what hit them.

• • • •

"All done princess," her handmaid announced as she finished plaiting her hair in a tight braid.

Vaenera sighed deeply, mustering a small smile towards her, "thank you, Celeste. It's perfect."

Celeste had been Vaenera's maid since she was a babe. She had been taking care of her for many years now and the two were very close. Celeste was 10 and 8 years of age, only 6 years older than Vaenera so she became like a second older sister to the girl and practically raised her more than her mother.

When she asked Celeste to do her hair, she begged her to do her best to cover the bandage that covered her fresh wound. It was hard for the maid to do the young girls hair whilst being careful of the injury that was very much in the way but she managed in the end.

"It's time to say your goodbyes," the woman told her with sad eyes knowing she was upset to be leaving to a place unfamiliar to her.

Vaenera watched as a few other maids finished packing up her belongings. There wasn't much to pack considering she could only bring so much from The Red Keep to Driftmark. "Guess we mustn't keep the king and queen waiting any longer." She mumbled to herself.

Just as she said that her chamber door opened and her personal guard, Ser Leron Tyrell, stood there with a sorrowful expression.

"Princess," he bowed his head.

"What is it, Leron?" Vaenera asked.

"Princess Rhaenys has asked me to bring you to her," he replied quietly.

Vaenera frowned at his behaviour, it was as if he knew something she didn't. Pushing that aside she stood from her seat and said, "very well. Celeste please make sure my belongings are brought outside. And please find Serene, I wish to say goodbye to her as well."

Serene was another one of Vaenera's long term maids. Though she hadn't been around as long as Celeste. She was only two years older than Vaenera so the two grew a special bond. Unfortunately Serene was not allowed to join the princess in the north like Celeste because Alicent had decided she needed to be kept in King's Landing to be Helaena's companion.

"Of course, princess," Celeste smiled softly.

With that, the princess followed her unusually quiet knight outside of the castle to speak to one of her favourite relatives.

• • • •

Rhaenys stood outside, looking out to the sea. She was waiting on Vaenera to break the news to her before she left. She knew the little girl was tough, she reminded her of herself sometimes, other times she reminded her of Daemon which terrified her a little. But she had a big heart. She loved to give those in need anything she could to help them. It was one of the reasons she would sneak out of the castle to venture through Kings Landing.

Rhaenys remembered the one time she had visited the Red Keep and word spread quickly that the youngest princess was missing. Rhaenys had gone searching for her on her dragon, Meleys. She had found her sneaking around Flea Bottom. It was of course no place for a princess let alone a young girl but she seemed fine.

Rhaenys had watched her avoid the chaos of Flea Bottom and venture towards poor young women and children, giving them food or the expensive jewellery she had on at the time.

That was the first time Rhaenys admired the girl. She had taken her back to the Red Keep on her dragon and even lied to her parents saying she found her in the dragonpit. It was the day Vaenera and Rhaenys bonded. Now the older woman was a mother figure to Vaenera.

"Rhaenys!" Vaenera grinned as she rushed towards her engulfing her in a hug.

Rhaenys rubbed her back as she looked down with a small smile, "hello dear. How are you?" She asked as she eyed the bandage on the back of her head.

"I'm alright," Vaenera shrugged, "it was merely a scratch."

The older woman rolled her eyes knowing that was a lie, "if you say so."

"How are you?" Vaenera questioned with a frown, "I did not get a chance to see you after the funeral. I apologise. I know I never really knew Laena but from what you told me about her she seemed like an amazing woman."

"She was," Rhaenys smiled sadly as she looked back towards the water, "I am fine. Getting by nonetheless. You know you remind me a lot of her."

"How so?" Vaenera asked curiously.

"She was courageous and admirable. She had a big heart just like I believe you have," Rhaenys declared. "She too could be careless at times."

Vaenera chuckled, "there is nothing wrong with being a little careless."

Rhaenys once again rolled her eyes, though in amusement. The two fell into a comfortable silence as they watched the waves crash together in the ocean.

"I have asked to speak to you for a reason, Vaenera," Rhaenys admitted tensely.

"What is the matter, Rhaenys? I am to leave shortly. My family will not wait for much longer. I do not have much time."

Rhaenys sighed deeply, "it is about your family."

"What about them?" Vaenera asked quietly.

"I am afraid they have already set forth for Kings Landing," Rhaenys announced, watching as Vaenera's happy expression fell into a blank one.

"I don't understand. Why was I not informed or awoken to see them off?"

Rhaneys sighed, "your mother wished for you not to be disturbed. She said your father needed to get back to King's Landing immediately to rest in his own bed. Your siblings put up a fight as they wished to say goodbye but she refused."

Vaenera tried not to let her tears show as she turned back to face the water, "I guess I should stop being surprised at the disappointment my mother brings me."

Rhaenys frowned sadly, "vaenera —"

"It's okay," the young princess interrupted, knowing what the older woman was going to say. "I am used to it. I just wish I was able to speak to my siblings at least."

The older woman stared down and watched as the child did her best to keep her emotions at bay. Rhaenys had never liked Alicent Hightower and watching the things she put her children through, what she put Vaenera through, caused Rhaenys to grow her own hatred towards her. As a mother herself, she could have never done or do those things to her children.

"She asked me to give you this." Rhaenys said as she held out a scrolled piece of paper.

Vaenera's frown deepened as she cautiously took the scroll into her own hands, "what is it?"

"I believe it is her goodbye."

Rhaneys watched as Vaenera stared down at the paper with an emotionless expression, although her eyes gave away how she was feeling.

"I do not wish to go to Winterfell," Vaenera admitted in a mumble. "I've only ever known the Red Keep to be home and now I'm being sent away without proper reason."

The older woman sighed deeply, feeling for the child. She brought forth her hand and rested it on Vaenera's shoulder, willing her to look up at her. "I wouldn't decide how you feel about Winterfell just yet, little one. You never know, it could become an even better home than you have ever known. I for one believe you will thrive in the North."

If only they knew how right Rhaeny's was.

• • • •

Vaenera had quickly made it back to her chambers which she found were practically almost empty of all her things. Celeste was still there waiting to help her change out of her usual uncomfortable dress to a more comfortable attire for her long journey on the boat. However, Vaenera now had other plans.

"Celeste, I need my riding clothes."

The handmaiden frowned at her in confusion, "Princess, it's time to leave. Why would you need your riding clothes to travel in a boat?"

"Because I plan to fly to Winterfell instead of going on the boat," Vaenera admitted as she threw her mothers letter on the neatly made bed and searched the only chest in the room which held a few of her clothes. Celeste had kept it there for her to change and luckily it was the one that held her riding attire.

"Vaenera," the older woman huffed as she watched the young girl search through the chest frantically. "Your mother already denied you flying to Winterfell. She ordered you go on the boat."

The princess rolled her eyes, "yeah, yeah. I know all about my mothers demands. Which I no longer care for."

"Did you not just come from seeing your family? What has happened?" Celeste questioned.

"You haven't heard?" Vaenera chuckled humorlessly. "My family left for King's Landing already. They left without saying goodbye."

"What? Why?"

"Something about the king being too ill and needing to rest in his own bed. I think my mother just did it to spite me for not taking her side last night after everything with Rhaenyra and her sons. I shouldn't even be surprised at the lengths my mother will go to just to hurt me." Vaenera rambled as she tried to undo the ties on the back of her dress.

Celeste stared dumbfounded. Although, she had to agree with Vaenera when she said she shouldn't be surprised. She was so lost in her own mind for so long that Vaenera was already dressed in her riding gear with her gloves being the only thing she had to put on.

The handmaiden rushed over to the Princess and grabbed her hands, stopping her from putting the gloves on. "Vaenera, stop. Please stop."

The Targaryen struggled against her hold, wanting to get free, "let me go, Celeste." She didn't let go. "Let me go! Just - just, please. Let me go," she kept repeating herself whilst trying to pull away but Celeste wouldn't let go. Eventually Vaenera's words turned into sobs and she stopped fighting.

Celeste pulled her into her arms by the hold she had on the girl's hands. She held her tightly as the princess completely broke down. She whispered soft words to her, doing her best to calm her down.

"Why doesn't she want me? What did I do so bad for her to want me gone?" Vaenera croaked out in between her sobs. "Why'd she leave without saying goodbye?"

"Nothing, Vaenera," Celeste stated firmly as she pulled back and took her face between her hands in a motherly manner. "You have done nothing wrong. You are a child. An innocent child. Mind my words but the queen is just a spiteful woman."

Vaenera let out a quiet chuckle. Celeste often made it known she did not like Alicent Hightower at all. "I still wish to fly to Winterfell, Celeste."

"My dear, I do not think that is wise. With me and Leron going by boat and carriage, you will arrive long before us and I do not want you to be there alone. Especially with how nervous you are in new places and meeting new people." The handmaid advised, sincerely worried for the princess.

Vaenera sighed deeply as she wiped the remaining tears from her cheeks, "Fine. I will go with you on the boat. Only this once."

"Thank you." Celeste smiled. "Are you sure you're ok? I am not against us leaving tomorrow instead of today."

"No, no," she spoke in a croaky voice as she shook her head. "I am fine, my frustrations that my mother often causes seem to get the best of me. We should leave for the North as soon as possible."

"Alright then. Let us get you into more appropriate attire for a boat ride," Celeste decided as she grabbed the outfit she had laid on Vaenera's bed.

• • • •

After Vaenera had changed, she made her way outside towards her dragon, The Cannibal. It was often spoke about how she tamed the untameable dragon. One day, she had convinced Rhaenyra to take her to Dragonstone for the first time and she had done the unthinkable and claimed him only months prior. It shocked Kings Landing beyond belief when the ferocious beast flew over their heads with a terrifying roar. They were even more astonished when he landed and Vaenera was the one climbing off of him with a proud grin.

"Hello, boy," she greeted him with a soft smile. The dragon leaned into the hand she rested on his nose. "are you ready to go?" she said in High Valyrian.

The Cannibal seemingly nodded to her words with a huff coming from his nose as he moved closer to her from where he sat. Vaenera took a seat in front of him as she stared down at the rolled scroll in her hand. Alicent's letter.

The Cannibal seemed to note that his rider was upset as he nudged her with his nose. The princess smiled sadly at him, "I'm ok, Canni."

Vaenera finally worked up the courage to open the letter and see what it is her mother had to say to her.

My dearest Vaenera,
It saddens me greatly that I am to say farewell on paper rather than in person. I know we have never seen eye to eye. It is no secret that may be partially my fault. I was never the best mother to you. Although please know it was never because I didn't love you, I believe It was because I could never understand you. For me, you haven't been an easy child to raise. You may hate me for sending you away, I realise that. But know my sweet girl, it is for your own good. I do want what is best for you and I truly think this is the way to do it. I do pray that you will grow out of your menacing ways during your time in Winterfell. become the proper lady and princess you were born to be. I hope that is what you will be when we meet again.

Goodbye and good luck, my darling girl.
Sincerely, your Queen and Mother.

Vaenera stared at the paper blankly. Her mother couldn't even be heartfelt to her through a letter. Her words only angered Vaenera more.

She threw the paper on the ground in front of her dragon. Glancing at the Cannibal, she nodded to the letter and said, "dracarys."

Cannibal used his tail to gently push Vaenera back from where he was told to blow his dragon fire, keeping her out of harms way. She stood back and watched as the large beast opened his mouth and his flames arose from the back of his throat onto the small sheet of paper. She smiled slightly as the letter turned to ash very quickly.

"That's my boy," the girl cooed at her dragon who basked in her affection.

When Vaenera first stumbled upon one of the most wild and feared dragons ever known, he was more than ready to kill her for disturbing him. That was until he noticed that she didn't show fear or disgust at the sight of him. Now when anyone is around he doesn't show his soft side that was only for Vaenera. To everyone else he was still the monstrous dragon who fed on his own kind.

The princess sighed when she heard her name being called. "Looks like it's time to go," she mumbled as she leaned against her dragon.

• • • •

The Princess walked towards the boat that was waiting to take her across the waters to where a carriage will be ready for her to travel the rest of the way to Winterfell.

Leron and Celeste stood on either side of her also preparing for the long adventure.

"Where is Serene?" Vaenera asked, looking for her childhood companion.

"Your mother requested she go back to King's Landing with the rest of your family," Leron explained quietly. "I'm sorry, Nera. She wanted to stay and say goodbye but your mother gave her no time."

Vaenera huffed but remained quiet as she watched The Cannibal fly over their heads, no doubt waiting to leave. The young girl chuckled when Celeste flinched a little as the dragon let out a roar.

"Don't laugh," Celeste slapped Vaenera's shoulder lightly. "It's not funny. He's terrifying."

The princess rolled her eyes, "he is not. He's really a big softie."

"I find that hard to believe," Leron mused.

Vaenera glared playfully, "take that back."

"No," Leron shook his head.

"Alright," Celeste exclaimed, "we can argue about this later. We should be leaving."

"Vaenera!" Said girl heard shouting from behind her. She spun around to see Jace and Luke racing towards her. They barrelled into her arms, almost making her stumble onto the ground.

"Jace, Luke!" Rhaenyra shouted in a reprimanding tone for their actions. "Be careful."

"It's ok," Vaenera chuckled lightly as she did her best to wrap her own small arms around them.

Jace pulled back and looked up at her a little considering she was slightly taller than him. "I'm so sorry for last night, Vaenera. I never meant to hurt you. That is the last thing I would ever want to do."

Vaenera smiled at him softly, "It's alright, Jace. I'm not mad or anything."

"Still, I owed you an apology," Jace insisted.

"And I accept it," Vaenera assured and she ruffled his hair, which earned her a groan.

"I am sorry as well," Luke spoke. "For what I did to your brother. And for how we cornered you both. None of that should have happened."

Vaenera rubbed Luke's upper arm affectionately, "thank you, Luke. Though I don't believe I am the one you are to apologise to for what happened to Aemond." The girl frowned as she thought of her little brother and how she didn't even get to check on him about his eye. "I also apologise for everything Aemond said and did last night. I do not agree with him or his actions in anyway."

Rhaenyra gave the girl a motherly smile, "That is unnecessary, Vaenera. You were innocent in the whole thing."

Vaenera smiled at her older sister. "What are you all doing here anyway? I thought you had left last night." As she spoke she glanced at her sisters arm that was now bandaged after her mother had sliced it with the dagger the prior night.

"No, we were far too tired after last night's shenanigans," Rhaenyra forced a chuckle.

Vaenera but her lip as she noted Daemon coming towards them as well. Glancing between both her older sister and uncle, she did her best not to laugh.

"We're here to say goodbye," Rhaenyra said. "Couldn't let you leave without a farewell."

Vaenera could feel tears prick at her eyes because of her words. That was all she wanted, it was the bare minimum and instead of her mother doing it, her older sister did. Rhaenyra and her family came to send her off, the woman her mother spoke so horribly about was doing what Alicent constantly failed to do.

"Are you alright, sweet girl?" Rhaenyra's soft voice snapped her back to reality as she laid a gentle hand on her cheek.

Vaenera blinked back her tears as she rested her own hand on her sisters, "never better. Thank you for coming, sister."

"Always," Rhaenyra smiled.

"I'm sorry to interrupt," Leron spoke. "But we best be going."

The older Targaryen princess sighed as she pulled her little sister into a warm hug. "I promise to write when I can. And I will try to visit Winterfell. If not, i'll make sure you can come to Dragonstone if you'd like."

"I'd really like that, Nyra. Thank you again," Vaenera sniffed slightly. She wasn't used to such affection from anyone. "I will miss you."

"I'll miss you too, little sister."

Vaenera pulled back from the hug just in time to be tackled into another by her nephews. "Good luck in Winterfell, Vaenera," he mumbled. "We'll miss you a lot."

"As I will miss you, boys." Vaenera laughed. "Be good, alright?"

The brother shared a look before grinning at the Princess cheekily. "No promises," they chorused.

Vaenera only shook her head at them whilst stepping back. She looked up when she felt a hand rest on her shoulder. Daemon stood in front of her with an emotionless expression but Vaenera noticed the corners of his lips tilt up a little, "I wish you well in the north, niece."

"Thank you, kepus," Vaenera spoke back in High Valyrian.

The use of his native tongue earned a small smile from Daemon as he nodded to her, "Very good."

"Are you ready, Princess?" Celeste asked, placing her hand on Vaenera's shoulder.

She nodded as she took Celeste's hand in her own. "Goodbye," she waved at her family as she followed Celeste down the dock towards the boat.

"Let us go!" Leron commanded once he saw the Princess and her handmaiden safely on the boat.

The boat set sail as the Cannibal took flight above it with a ferocious roar. Vaenera watched as the one half of her family became smaller and smaller, the further they sailed along the waters.

Winterfell here she comes.

Hi! It's been a while. How is everyone?
I just wanted to say I promise to update more frequently, I just had a bad case of writers block for the past couple of months and life has been a little chaotic. But i'm not here to give excuses for not writing, I also honestly just haven't been feeling it these past couple of months. I think I rewrote this chapter 5 times and i'm still not happy with it but I don't care anymore.
Vaenera does meet Cregan next chapter.

-kaylee

some extra casting I forgot to add
↓ ↓ ↓

Stefanie Martini as Celeste Fibble

Bradley James as Leron Tyrell