warnings: mentions of death and grief!

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PRINCE Aemond had known Lady Daenys for a short time; a day and yet his mother caught all. How his eyes pleaded for her to glance at him just once... besotted with a girl in mourning. It was a haste development, one that Queen Alicent didn't favour.

When her mother passed she was inconsolable. Her brothers did their best and her father dedicated himself to serving the King, leaving her to the riddles people spoke to her. No one truly comforted her like Rhaenyra and when she was alone, she forced herself to find a focus and it wasn't until her children were born she could dedicate herself to another duty, being a mother as well as a Queen.

Alicent did not want to subject her son to the games or grief of another, but now he was interested in the eldest daughter of the Rogue Prince...

"Out of all the girls in the Realm. You had to look at her. She is Prince Daemon's daughter."

"And?" Aemond himself knew his Uncle was Legend. Whispers of his name flooded from the Red Keep to the Street of Silk and back to the Stepstones. His sins were infamous and his skill with the sword was notorious. He tried offering his condolences but Daemon vanished from his wife's funeral leaving his daughters in the care of their grandmother. "I wish to know how to make a girl swoon."

"Aemond, the girl has just lost her mother. I highly doubt she has time to think of anything but her grief," she hissed, "please eat."

Her children sat around the table, she grimaced at her eldest greasy face, food evaded his mouth and wine clung to his tongue. Sweet Helaena picked and nibbled at her bread, keeping her eyes on the windows, watching for whatever might fly past, and her youngest imitated Aemond, eating neatly yet spearing looks to his mother ever so often.

Driftmark had accommodated them well, but it would not be long before Aemond vanished oblivious to the Dornish Knight trailing his every move.

On the other side of the Castle, sat the daughters of the late Lady Laena Velaryon and Princess Rhaenys who provided them with all the nutrition they needed to break their fast and yet the eldest daughter barely touched her plate, focussed on ensuring her sisters filled their stomachs regardless of the tears clinging to their faces. The Seasnake was nowhere to be seen just like their father.

Daenys' hand clenched when Daemon suddenly appeared, strolling in, pressing kisses to the crowns of their heads and sitting after plucking a chalice filled with Westerosi strong wine he had been missing for a decade.

"Tis nice of you to join us, cousin," Rhaenys remarked, watching him sit where her husband would.

Daemon quietly scoffed against the chalice, "Is it?"

Rhaena turned to her grandmother, "I want to walk the coast today."

"I want to ride Moondancer," Baela sighed.

"She's not strong enough Baela," Daenys spoke, "ensure she remains fed and she will flourish."

A small smile appeared on Rhaenys' face, "Listen to your sister, she is right. But if you'd like, you can all meet Meleys." the twins eagerly nodded. "Would you like to join us Daenys? Don't feel obligated, I hear you have an interest in botany. Driftmark is a fertile island, there is plenty to explore."

"Not for long," Daemon interrupted, sparing a glance at his eldest who did not meet his eye. "We are to return to our home," he did not want them to get comfortable, "Pentos is our home."

"They are welcome for as long as they wish to stay," Rhaenys retorted, lacking the kindness she shown to her granddaughters.

"As I said, we are to return home," Daemon replied, holding her glare. "It was Laena's wish for our children to visit her ancestral home. We are here, grateful for the accommodating servants, but snakes slither the halls Rhaenys, trust I want to keep them from being bitten."

Rhaenys scoffed, "Deadly disease spread through the free cities like dragon flame, you expect me to have confidence in Pentoshi maesters to prevent or cure my granddaughters?"

Daemon began to sneer, "My daughters –"

"– are here," Daenys interrupted, and their heads snapped towards her. The twins shifted uncomfortably. "Thank you for the kindness you've shown grandmother. I would like to explore the grounds, you can introduce the twins to Meleys, I shall join you after."

Rhaenys exhaled with a nod, plastering on a smile.

Daemon threw back the rest of his drink, "And who will accompany you on this exploration of the fertile soils of Driftmark?" he couldn't help his mocking tone.

"Odessa," she answered, the trusted maid had joined them on their journey to Driftmark. Assisted the other servants in accommodating the girls and brought along fragrant oils for their baths.

"Odessa?"

"I'm presuming you're unavailable father?" Daenys finally looked at him, eyes weighing on her face. She had not slept and he regretted his attitude, but the wine aided him with his guilt. "I had not seen you before bed. You vanished."

"You're wrong in your presumptions," he opted to say, "But the maid is not used to the climate. She is not native to this land, neither are you. Your Uncle Laenor will be a better fit, he'll make time for his niece."

"He's grieving. I don't wish to be a bother."

"You are far from it," Rhaneys reassured, eyes darting between the girls, showing they were all welcome to bother her as much as they desired.

"I will accompany you and then you will return to your chambers and sleep," Daemon decided, standing up.

Daenys turned away as he left the room, keeping her hands on her lap as they shakily unclenched.

Rhaenys watched her closely.

"Is father sad?" Rhaena asked her eldest sister.

"Of course, he's sad," Baela told her, but Daenys didn't answer.

After all, We must all mourn in our own way.

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"I was speaking with my brother," Daemon answered, hand guiding her to land filled with plants.

Daenys' eyes met his, "You were?"

"I want you and your sisters to be presented at court." He sighed, "Before your mother passed, there were a great deal of promises I made to her, one of which was that you all have the best prospects."

"But you once said you'd slaughter any boy that tried to ask for our hand," Daenys said.

"I did."

"And?" She waited for him to answer, for a change of thought but he stayed silent. She groaned, "Father."

Daemon peered around the field of plants they found themselves in. He was never fond of botany, he frankly had no care for it, but when he became a father, and a husband for the second time he tried and so Laena's interest became his. His daughter's interests became his.

"Go on," he nodded to the ground, "tell me what plant this is."

Daenys listed the plants that could grow in each region with great adept. She went on to wonder aloud if the temperature would be cold enough to grow winter roses, a ghost smile washed over her father's face as she spoke despite her exhausted state. He could see how much of a liking she had taken to Dritmark, the scenery was a nice change from that of the Free Cities, the environment, the people, even though the food was pact with fewer spices and although it was obvious that Daemon did not share her preference, he hadn't seemed comfortable, restless since their arrival.

He did just suffer the loss of his second lady wife.

Daemon found himself crouching down beside his daughter whose black gown was muddied by the dirt but she was far too focused, studious and calm, resembling the feeling only the sea or the skies could draw.

He studied his eldest, the child he had spent the most time with and therefore knew of the fury she harboured towards him because of his ill-thought-out giggling fit that sought to protect one, but neither were his children. She had not ceased calling him father, her stubbornness was his punishment, next in line to the death of Laena.

A Velaryon knight appeared, "My prince, lord Corlys seeks an audience."

Daenys had yet to acknowledge the knight.

Daemon cleared his throat, "Daenys, come." he stood up.

"I'll be safe father," she murmured, snapping her head toward him, "Any sign of danger and I'll return," she added, "Then rest."

Her tone was sincere, her exhaustion was catching up to her, although she wanted to continue to see what Driftmark had to offer.

Daemon begrudgingly nodded, pressed a kiss to her head, then set off, ahead of the Knight.

Daenys had lied, she would not sleep, not until she toured the Hall of Nine, and everything and anything her mother had wished to show her. Baela had mentioned that Jace promised to show off his training to her, the eldest twin had shown an interest in battle at a young age, and Rhaena would stay with their grandmother, wanting to hear stories of their mother, what she was like in her youth until she married their father.

And what a happy union it was, Daenys was sure of it.

"Lady Daenys," A voice came from behind her.

She turned, recognising that it belonged to her cousin, "Prince Aemond?"

"Please, just Aemond," he was not alone.

"Just Aemond? I'm just Daenys," she replied, almost jovial. She could see he was not alone. There stood his older sister, "Princess."

"This is my sister Helaena," his sister had asked to see the gardens and he couldn't deny her, and so a maid escorted them.

"Hello," Helaena's voice was as sweet as plumcake.

"Hello," Daenys greeted the nice-looking girl.

The siblings watched as she wiped her hands on the ground yet had not stood up, eyes darting between them and the soil they stood on. Aemond had sought out a blue flower, or plant but he failed.

"What is your favourite?" he asked, "you mentioned sapphires were your favourite gemstone," Daenys blinked, slowly remembering their previous conversation. "There is no flower or plant of the same colour is there?"

"A winter rose, they are not of this region, but are native to Winterfell."

"The North has an extremely cold climate," Helaena wondered if she survived the environment, but she was willing to visit.

"I've never been," Daenys voice grew thick with emotion. "My father has. He used to retrieve the flower for me, quite oft when I was a babe, twas the only thing that could provide me comfort and keep me from tears."

"But did you not live in Pentos?" the Prince asked, albeit shocked she, nor her sisters had a thick accent, no, they spoke with one similar to theirs.

"We did... do. At first, he went on dragon back, then he requested the flower be shipped to the Pentoshi ports."

Aemond's brows creased, "Would it not die?"

Daenys nodded, "Days within reaching us. The Lord of Winterfell seems to have an understanding with my father."

"How lovely," Helaena beamed and her dazed eyes brightened.

Daenys agreed, but a smile could not appear. Aemond's face mirrored hers, he felt quite envious of what her father did for her. Sometimes days would pass and he questioned if his father knew of his existence.

"What insects did you see?" Helaena questioned, crouching down, uncaring of her gown, which both worried and amused her brother.

"The insects in Essos are more venomous, blood flies are bloodsucking insects, purple in colour, grow large as ears and leave their eggs in the dead and dying."

Aemond grimaced, "That is –"

" – interesting. Have you read on Manitcores?" Helaena rarely spoke to strangers but she did so freely and in a foreign land.

"I have, it's wise to avoid them. If their venom reaches the heart, you're dead," Daenys stated.

The Princess nodded, dazed eyes widened with intrigue.

Aemond questioned, "And what's their colouring?"

"Green," Daenys answered, turning to him, and drawing a crooked smile.

Rapid footsteps soon approached them, they turned to see Prince Luke who panting as he appeared, staring solely at the Lady.

Aemond's expression faded.

"Daenys," Luke almost tumbled as he reached her. "your father said you wanted to show me your dragon. I've never seen one with a blue flame before," Daeron's dragon had rumoured to breathe a blue flame but he never asked the Targaryen Prince. Daenys looked up at the boy who had asked to hear a tale before he went to bed, the twins had blurted that it had kept them calm since the news of their mothers passing and so he nervously knocked on her bedchamber to discover the daughters of Laena cuddling on her bed. "Sorry... only if you want to."

"My father said that did he?" Daenys tutted, she searched the scenery and saw white hair fading into the distance, "I'll show you," Luke gently set his hand in her hand, ignoring Aemond, but smiling at Helaena. "We must go."

Halaena nodded understandably.

Aemond watched as stood on her feet, "Thank you Aemond for trying to seek a blue flower."

"You're welcome, Lady...Daenys," he bitterly watched as she strolled off with the young Prince. His sister remained crouching, fascinated with the spider crawling on her hand, it was small.

Aemond felt a slight ache in his chest, hoping that he would see her before they departed.

"A blade riddled with blood, entwined with a betrayal that cuts deeply," Helaena's words confused him.

Prince Aegon stumbled over having consumed more wine since he had last since his brother and future wife.

"The best fruit is always forbidden," Aegon taunted, noting his brother's posture changed when he glanced at the Daenys. He'd have to be blind to not notice.

Aemond sighed disapprovingly, "Aegon."

"Do be careful. The Rogue Prince will cut your little prick if you touch her, suppose the fun is all in the excitement, the thrill," Aegon chuckled, smacking him on the shoulder, "you'd know that if you join me in the Street of Silk when we return, Mother will never know, Father is none the wiser."

"What was that my Prince's?" they jumped when Ser Criston materialised behind them.

"Ser Criston," Aemond turned to him.

Aegon groaned, "Cole, must you stalk us?"

"The Queen wants to see you, my Prince," his eyes landed on Aemond, "Come along." Aegon laughed as he stumbled away. The sworn shield dragged his gaze to the Princess who itched back when he offered her his hand and accepted Aemond's help instead to get off the ground. "Your mother is waiting."

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a/n:

i had a vague plan for this chapter and just made up things as i went along, i tried to include more interactions but just built tension instead. alicent of course feels sympathy for daenys but knows that daemon would do anything to keep his daughters unmarried, especially not a green prince. daenys' is growing wary towards daemon rightfully so after he just "vanished" whereas the twins are unsure what to do because they rely on daenys more than anyone at this point but baela loves her father.

rhaenys and daemon fighting made me giggle because i didn't intend for them to be in the same scene, but it's understandably why she doesn't want to see her granddaughters go so quickly. and writing this after seeing the team black team green trailers for season two, some are saying she's acting like a pacifist when i think shes trying to remain level headed, but in this situation, her grandbabies are a priority and doesn't want to be stripped of them like she is laena and soon to be laenor.

also to avoid any confusion, I label this story as complete but it's far from it. I just wanna avoid it ever getting taken down!