𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝚁𝚎𝚊𝚕𝚖'𝚜 𝙹𝚘𝚢
𝙷𝚊𝚛𝚠𝚒𝚗 𝚂𝚝𝚛𝚘𝚗𝚐'𝚜 𝙹𝚘𝚢

Everyone knew that while Rhaenyra was the heir, and Viserys pride, Elaena was his joy. While Rhaenyra gave him headaches, his youngest daughter cure them. She always obeyed her father, no matter what it was. When Rhaenyra refused to marry and refused to acknowledge the truth about her and Daemon, her father turned to Elaena for help. He needed to repair his relationship with the Velaryon's and what better way than through marriage?

Despite being the heir, many people didn't ask for Rhaenyra's hand as many would think, they would ask for Elaena' s hand in marriage. The beautiful silver princess, some called her the golden dragon of King's Landing or as she was famously known as 'The Joy of the Realm'. Harwin Strong had always been her guard. He always protected the princess and that's how they fell in love. Elaena was only ten and five, three years younger than Rhaenyra.

The princess sat in her chambers when Harwin interrupted her train of thought. "Princess" he greeted. "Your sister wishes to see you" she shook her head no. "Please tell her I'm feeling a bit under the weather right now" she told them. "Would you like for me to call the Maester?" he asked as he knelt in front of her, his hand on her chin holding it up so he could see her face. "No. I would just like to be alone at the moment" she replied as she stood up. "Lena, talk to me, please" he begged as he stood up. "I am to marry Laenor Velaryon in a moons time" she finally said, making Harwin stop dead on his tracks. "What?" he said in disbelief.

She took a deep breath as she pat down the space next to her. "With Rhaenyra's late night adventure's with uncle Daemon father deems she's not pure anymore. He is sure she slept with uncle Daemon, and the prince didn't deny it either which made things worse for him as he has been sent into exile once again. And for Rhaenyra, it has people questioning her virtue. He is worried. Alicent hasn't given him any children and Rhaenyra is passed her age of marriage, so he has asked me to make things right between house Velaryon and House Targaryen. I cannot deny the king" if it were to be any other woman, Harwin would loose it but he could never do that to Elaena.

Harwin out of everyone knew how dutiful she was. "I understand if you hate me now. But I must do my duty to my house and marry lord Laenor" he nodded before pecking her lips. "I understand and I would never hate you. I just wish you didn't have to leave King's Landing" she nodded in a agreement. He held her hand. They sat in silence, the two of them this was their goodbye. In a moon's time, she would be princess Elaena Targaryen or perhaps she would have the Velaryon name. Elaena Velaryon. That night, Harwin walked into her room. He watched her sleep as he often did. He loved her. So much. He would die for her. He would kill for her. But, he loved her enough to let her go. And that he did. When she woke the next day, he was gone.

Soon enough, the news were spread, princess Elaena Targaryen was to wed Ser Laenor Velaryon. Elaena wasn't fond of the idea because she was in love with another and Laenor was gay, but she had to do as her father asked. Elaena loved her sister but her unwillingness to do her duty had pushed their father to wed her to the richest man in Westeros and that was something that Elaena would find hard to forgive. She hoped for a good and decent marriage as Laenor was her cousin and the two had grown up together.

Harwin bid her goodbye, as hard as it was to believe the two never slept together, Elaena would never do it as she knew the guilt of it would eat her alive. He stood there, in a distance, he was like a ghost. She saw him, he watched her ship sail away to meet with her betrothed before the wedding. She smiled at him one last time. As said, a moon later princess Elaena Targaryen married prince Laenor Velaryon in the spring of 105.

After the wedding, the princess left with her husband to Driftmark. Ever since then, her father, her sister, uncle nor the realm had heard from her or about her. Of course, like always the rumors were always there. Some said the princess had died and the Velaryion family was hiding it but it was not true of course, Elaena and Leanor made a family of their own, Laenor weirdly enough found it easy to lay with Elaena even when other times it had been hard for him. But even then, she knew he had a lover, Ser Joffrey who was also her friend and sworn sword so it wouldn't be too obvious. As Rhaenyra was to be the new queen she was wed to Lord Lannister two years after her sister in the year 108. Rhaenyra's children looked nothing like their father but one child, their eldest, Jaime Lannister. The rest had none Targaryen nor Lannister traits, none.

As Aegon's name day came close, everyone was invited to celebrate the king's first born son. It had been nearly a decade since she had last seen her family. Her brother was only seven just like Rhaenyra's eldest child. Jaehaerys her oldest son was ten, Jacaerys and Lucerys her second born children were eight. Rhaena was seven and Visenya her youngest was five. Five children, all of them which had the Targaryen eye color and the Velaryon hair.

King's Landing, 117

King's Landing had not changed, not after what the princess had seen, everyone was still there and looked right about the same, just a bit older. Everyone had started the feast as the tourney would be the next day. As the Velaryon family was announced the king stood up, he wanted to see his joy and the realm did too. Rhaenyra sat beside her father, her children Jaime, Tommen and Jaelys sat after her and then her husband. Daemon sat with his wife, Laena her good sister and their daughters Baela and Alyssa. Beside the king sat his wife, Alicent. Beside her sat her eldest, Aegon, then his sister, Helaena, and lastly her youngest Aemond who was around Rhaena's age. The family walked in, Rhaenys walked in with her husband, beside her Elaena and her husband. Next to Rhaenys and her husband was her eldest grandson's, Jaehaerys, Jacaerys and Lucerys. Next to Laenor was Rhaena and Visenya who held her father's hand as with his other he helped his very pregnant wife.

Joffrey would often tease Laenor due to the fact that he was gay but he loved to lay with Elaena, he would tease her too, stating that perhaps she would turn him straight too, but the three never took offense, they all knew what they were and what they liked and neither minded anything and they wouldn't have it any other way.

The family walked in, a smile on their faces, they were happy. Her father, quickly left his spot, the king could not wait another moment without hugging his long lost child. Laenor let her go as she too rushed to hug her father. "My joy" he whispered as he brought her in for a much needed hug. "Papa" she too whisper. The two stayed hugging for what felt like an eternity. "You've grown" he said as he grabbed her face and looked at her. "I have. May I introduced my children?" she asked and he excitedly nodded. "Jaehaerys, heir of Driftmark" the boy bowed for his king. "No, need. I'm your grandfather" the boy hugged him and the king allowed it, liking the attention from him. "Jacaerys, Lucerys my second oldest. And Rhaena and Visenya my youngest" she introduced as the four children rushed to hug him.

Rhaenyra's children weren't close to him nor were his own, so Elaena's children wanting his hugs and affection was something he had longed for her the longest time. "Come! Welcome!" he sat, in that moment people knew or rather confirmed what had always been true, Elaena Targaryen was the king's favorite child, even with the son he had always wanted and had, he knew she was the one he loved the most. And it was in that moment that many knew, that she was a threat to Rhaenyra and Aegon. Rhaenyra had one legitimate child, while the rest everyone knew even the king that they were illegitimate. Aegon, although being the "male heir" was the third in line for throne, but with his sister's children he was to be soon in tenth place after Elana's child was to be born.

She was near her father, his children and Rhaenyra were set a few chairs away from them. It was clear who was the king's favorite child. As the night went on, the pregnant lady of Driftmark wanted to sleep as did her children who were still awake trying to spend time with the king. "If you allow it, I can take them to bed" the king said and she nodded. Laenor had walked over to help her to their chamber. "Please, Laenor. I will fine. Stay and enjoy the feast, who knows when will be back" he kissed his wife and smiled.

He loved her, as a friend and lover too. They were the best of friends and the two understood each other in ways others could not. She gave him the children he never thought he would have, even his parents thought he would never lay with her, since they knew of his likes. But, they were glad to know she was with child, some of the Velaryon's had doubts since they knew Laenor's like but Rhaenys and Corlys knew they princess was too honorable and dutiful to lay with another that wasn't her husband.

As she walked to her chambers, she felt someone following her, but somehow she knew who it was. She didn't close her door as she reached her chamber, she left it a bit open, a few seconds after she entered, she heard the door close behind her. "Is there something you need, Ser Strong?" she asked with a smile. "Princess. I just wanted to welcome you home" he replied waiting for her to turn around. When she did, he was taken aback, perhaps it was the love that never left him or her for that matter but he thought she was the most beautiful woman in the realm. He walked over to her. "You're as beautiful as you were a decade ago" he complimented and she smiled.

She smiled. "I look terrible and very pregnant actually" she said with a smile. He too smile. "Yet you still manage to look as beautiful as ever" he said as he walked closer to her. Now, the two were inches a part. He engulfed her in a hug, one that she returned. They stayed hugging for sometime. "I have missed you" she smiled, sadly. "I certainly do doubt that" she replied. "You doubt my words?" he asked, not knowing what she meant. "I would believe your words if it was not you who..." she lowered her voice before she continued. "If it wasn't you who fathered two of my sister's three children" she said quietly.

He tried to explain but she stopped him. "It's alright, Harwin. I loved you and you loved me. Our paths were meant to cross but they weren't meant to intertwined and stay together" she said sadly. "Are you happy?" he asked and she nodded. "Very. I had my doubts at first I will not deny it, but, Laenor makes me happy as I make him. We have five children together" he smiled. He had seen them, they were all his father, each and every single one of them. "I hope this one will actually look like me" she joked.

He watched her, she was soft and kind to the babe in her belly. He couldn't believe it. He had heard rumors about Laenor. He hoped they were true, and somehow he knew they were but he also knew she was happy. "I'm glad you're happy, Lena. That's all I ever wanted to for you, truly" he said as he grabbed her hand and kissed it before walking towards the door. He stopped, looked back one last time before walking out the door, closing the door behind him.

The princess laid in bed that night, reminiscing about her youth. She wasn't old truth be told, she was twenty and six nearly twenty and seven. Laenor joined her later that night, while there, the two choose to remain together to avoid any gossip or aiding to people's gossip about Laenor. The princess sat down on her balcony the next day. A knock interrupted her thoughts. "Enter!" she yelled. She heard the door open and close. "My dear, niece. It's been a long time" she smiled at she heard her uncles name. "Uncle Daemon. It's been so long" she said with her perfect smile. "Indeed it has" he replied as he sat next to her.

"How's my nephew?" he asked. She looked at her uncle with a playful smile. "A nephew?" she asked and he nodded. "I can assure you it's a boy" he replied. "I think it's a girl" she said herself. "Perhaps it may be both" she said before hissing and grabbing her belly. "Are you alright?" he asked as she stood up and him following behind her. "Yes, the babe loves to kick. Would you like to feel it?" she asked. Daemon's marriage to Laena was far better than his with his first wife Rhea but he was too stubborn to let anyone else aside from Elaena and Rhaneyra in. He never got to touch Laena's belly nor feel his daughters kick.

He gently pressed his hand on her belly, and then, she used her hand to look for the babes movement. Then, he/she kicked again and he pulled his hand back, but then he placed it back onto her belly, feeling the babe kick. Daemon knelt and placed his head on her belly, that was Daemon's love language and she knew, she smiled, caressing her uncles hair.

Daemon, had always loved her, but even with his crazy obsession and love her he knew he could never and would never have her. And it wasn't because he couldn't but because he knew he would ruin her and she deserved better than him. That was love. The two went back to sitting down, he left his when on her belly, enjoying the babes kick, she didn't say how much it hurt because it made him happy and even if with time the two became strained and distant she loved her uncle and she would do anything to for him, anything to make him happy, even if it was for a few hours.

As the days passed, the princess went into labor. Laenor had been waiting outside, alongside him his father, king Viserys, Daemon and Joffrey. Harwin and Ser Cole were also there. All could be heard was Elaena's scream but soon they stopped a babes cry was heard but as they waited for someone to come out they heard more screams. Leanor couldn't wait and burst in, she laid on the bed, sweaty, covered and blood and barely conscious. See Harwin and the rest got a glimpse of the room, she was laying down, the room smelt like blood and roses. Everyone could see the princess smile as the midwife brought her babe into her arms.

"Healthy?" she asked. "Kicking like a horse princess" she smiles even wider. Laenor walks out with a proud smile. "A son and a daughter" she sees Daemon. "Both!" she yells remembering their conversations from before. Daemon smiles at his niece and her excitement. As the other midwife hands her the other babe.

Elaena was happy, she wouldn't deny it. Even when her husband loved another she knew he loved her too. She was interrupted by a maid. "Princess, the queen wishes to see you" the maid says while looking down. "Why?" she asks. "There's been rumors that prince Daemon fathered the babes" the lady replies quietly making Elaena scoff. She stood up, the ladies helped her dress. She held her two babes as she began to walk out, where her father and the rest waited for the babes to be clean and were able to come in but they were surprised to see her up and walking after minutes of giving birth.

"What are you doing?" Laenor asked. "The queen wishes to see me, to see if uncle Daemon fathered my children" she said with a irritated voice. "This is absurd" her good mother rhaenys says as she tries to help her but she shakes her head no. "No. I will not give her the satisfaction. I will go see her" she replies. Laenor holds her arm. "Let me help" she nods. Her father walks away, angered at his wife's idea. He arrived first, as they all reached they heard yelling. "If something happens to my daughter because of your stupidity I swear Alicent you're head will be detached from your body!. You are embarrassing not only the crown but our family and you are looking for trouble against the Velaryon's" Viserys threatens.

The princess walked in with her family behind her. "Here, come look at mine and Daemon's children. I believe he got his nose, oh and she got his lips too" she said in a mocking tone as her uncle chuckle at his niece. "My queen" she began and her tone still mocking her. "Prince Viserys and his sister Aemma" she said with a smile. Alicent could tell they looked like the mother but the baby hair proved to be their father's, Laenor. "You've done well, princess" Alicent knew she was in thin ice for her comments and beliefs. She then left, Laenor carried his daughter and Daemon carried the boy.

As time went on it was time to leave. Driftmark was calling her name. As she readied her remaining things Harwin walked in. "You've come to say goodbye?" she asked and he nodded. He grabbed her hands and kissed them. "I love you... and I'm always going to love you. No matter where you are and who you're with. My heart will always yearn for you, your touch, your voice, your love" she gave him a sad smile. She nodded. "I will love you forever, Harwin Strong" she said before softly kissing his lips. That day, the two bid her goodbye. It was their ending. There. But, even when she was married to Laenor she knew her heart would always belong to Harwin as Harwin's heart would always belong to her. He wouldn't see her for another six years but when they meet again it wouldn't be as pleasetn as the first time. This time they'll meet during a war. Rhaenyra Targaryen against her half brother, Aegon Targaryen. The two wanted the throne but the throne didn't want either. The throne and the realm wanted Elaena Targaryen.

Elaena Targaryen would always be known as the Realm's Joy but she would forever be Harwin Strong's Joy.

(Not edited)