Chapter Text
Rhaenyra continued to run as fast as she could, tears falling from her eyes as she did. She was so close to the entrance of Maegor’s tunnels. All she needed to do was get back to her chambers.
How could her Uncle do this to her? How could he leave her wanting for him, in a brothel? Has he ever truly cared for her? At all? Was he just biding his time until he could get her disinherited by her Father? Then he would hopefully be named heir? Was that his purpose for him taking her out tonight? Tonight was something she was looking forward to, for practically the first time in years, she had been excited about something. He had tainted it. He had ruined her. Her uncle Daemon was the only person alive that she trusted, save Ser Harrold. She would need to leave Kings Landing now; she knew her father would try and marry her to a powerful house in order to cover up this incident at the brothel, most likely to House Velaryon. She would not be forced to birth bastards, for she knew (as well as everyone besides her idiot father), that Ser Laenor Velaryon would never be able to bed her. She could never fault him for that, you loved who you loved, and Ser Laenor did not love women, not in the way she would need him to.
She made up her mind. Princess Rhaenyra would leave Kings Landing and travel to Essos. She could find work defending the Free Cities or helping the small folk with her beloved dragon Syrax. Rhaenyra knew she would be relinquishing her claim to the throne, but she no longer thought it was worth it. Every single Targaryen was dead except for herself, her father ( although he might as well be a Hightower with how much he was obsessed with Otto ), her uncle Daemon, her Great-Uncle Vaegon, her Great-Aunt Saera, and she guessed the Princess Rhaenys, although she married into House Velaryon. Everyone else is gone, dead, in some way, shape, or form
Rhaenyra’s vision continued to get more blurry before she ran into what she thought was a wall, but instead, it was Ser Harwin, Commander of the City Watch, her Uncle’s former second in command.
“Watch where you are going boy…,” the wall spoke sternly before turning his head on a swivel before widening his eyes.
“Princess?” Ser Harwin exclaimed, in shock.
“Ser Harwin,” she said, nervous, while wiping the tears off her face. She started to twist the rings on her fingers.
Ser Harwin took a good look at the Princess, noticing her servants' clothing and how disheveled she looked. She reminded him of someone from his past.
“What are you doing out here, Princess? It is dangerous for you to be out here alone, at any time of day, but especially at night!”
Rhaenyra looked at the knight, noticing how concerned he looked for her. He had chocolate brown hair underneath his helmet, his hazel eyes shining beneath those pretty curls. Rhaenyra told herself to get it together, now was not the time to get lost in his attractiveness. She needed his help.
But could she trust him? She was not sure if she could trust herself, she clearly was not a good judge of character. After all, she trusted her Uncle and he led her to a brothel, only to leave her wanting, heartbroken, and wet between her thighs.
“Ser Harwin, please..please help me. I need you…but I need you to promise to keep this between us,” Rhaenyra pleaded.
Ser Harwin looked at the Princess, noticing her tear stained cheeks and heartbroken eyes. His heart clenched, and he sighed. He had an inkling about what had happened. Damn him.
“Come with me,” he said, offering her his giant paw of a hand, and a smile.
The two walked off together, Rhaenyra feeling safer than she had in a while.
TWO MOONS LATER
Ser Harwin and Princess Rhaenyra were sitting together in front of the Weirwood Tree. The Strong knight had become her new sworn shield, after a request to Ser Harold that she did not like the way Ser Criston looked at her, almost as if she was meant to be devoured. The Commander of the Kingsguard of course granted her request, for he could not deny the young princess who had always been like a daughter to him.
Rhaenyra glanced at her knight, and quickly looked away. Harwin glanced at her, and also looked away. The two both glanced once more and caught the other's eye.
“Tomorrow I am to be wedded to Ser Laenor Velaryon,” Rhaenyra states.
“Yes, you are,” the Knight replied, although a bit resigned.
“Ser Harwin…”
“Yes, princess?” The knight asked, in the deep dulcet tones of his voice that she loved so much. He provided so much calm and peace within her life, so unlike her Uncle, who was the human form of a tornado.
“Have you ever been in love?” She asked.
He looked at her. She had shifted her gaze back to her lap, avoiding his eyesight.
“I’m not sure, truly. There was…someone. They were like no one I had ever met before. They were my first…everything. But I believe it was all just a game to him , THEM, I mean,” he replied, nervous at his slip up.
Rhaenyra turned her head so quickly to look at him. Ser Harwin had his head down, this time he avoided her gaze.
“It was…a man?” She asked.
Ser Harwin sighed. “Yes princess. I know you might think differently of me, but I had never been with a man before, only whores, and never young maidens. But he was so charming and charismatic that our same..parts, did not seem to matter at the moment. Pleasure can come in many forms. When I woke up after one of our last nights together, he had left for war, without telling me.”
“The Stepstones?”
“Yes princess.”
“Please Ser Harwin, we can quit with the formalities, please call me Rhaenyra, or Nyra if you would like,” the princess replied with a smile.
“Then you must call me Harwin, princess, or Breakbones if you must,” he says with a flirty wink.
The princess smiled and sent a cheeky and equally flirty grin his way.
Suddenly the princess felt devastated at what the rest of her life will look like. She did not think Ser Laenor was like Ser Harwin. She did not think Ser Laenor would ever have any interest in her whatsoever or be able to produce children, ever. And she honestly did not have it in her to force him to sleep with him. She would be like any other man forcing themselves on women and men weaker than them, to do so.
“I shall be made to sire bastards, Harwin, if I marry Laenor. He will not be able to provide me with children, I just have this feeling in my gut,” the Princess exclaimed.
Harwin looked surprised at her honesty, even if they had gotten closer in the past few months. He unfortunately believed she was correct. What he said next left his mouth without a further thought.
“Unless you have children with another Velaryon, Nyra, then you will face an uphill battle upholding your claim. I do not say this to disparage you, for I care for you deeply, and I know I even go too far to presume you would ever want me, but if you were to have my children; that would be an extremely difficult reality for you and them. We cannot be sure that they would carry your features, just because his Grace’s did with Lady Alicent. And I do care for you! Deeply, more than a knight and friend should for his future ruler. Please believe me and know I say this for you will be a great queen one day, and I want to help you in any way I can. I hope I have not overstepped or ruined our friendship which means so very much to me,” Harwin pleaded.
Rhaenyra’s breath had caught in her throat. She had not had this kind of honesty in a long time. It was a slap in the face, but it was refreshing. He was right, as much as it hurt to admit. It fully cemented her plans; she had made up her mind.
“Harwin, please breathe! It is alright, your honesty is refreshing,” she said, hoping her words would calm the extremely panicked looking knight. She took a few breaths to calm herself before she launched into her large request.
“Harwin, I want you to know that whoever you marry will be so extremely lucky to have such a caring husband. I know I have found such peace within your presence. I do not know what I would have done if I did not run into you that blasted night. I know you know about my Uncle Daemon and what he did to me. I wish I could have gotten to know you better before this night ever happened. I could have been lucky to have a husband like you, someone who I know would endlessly support my claim. Someone who I know I could have grown to also love. I care about you as well, my Strong knight. Which is why it will hurt so much to leave you when I go. I cannot stay here. I do not need to have a Dragon Dream to know the course of my life after this week.
Everyone knows the rumors and continues to whisper them as I pass by. I know he felt like his back was forced into a corner when it comes to my father, but he did this to get back at him, thinking that he could force him into engaging us, and therefore take the Iron Throne. The sad thing about all of this is that he did not think of the negative consequences for me at all. He is a dragon, he takes what he wants, I have always respected that about him; going so far as to love that part of him, I just never thought he would take away my autonomy, my freedom. He bet too high this time, for my father cares more about keeping Daemon away from the throne more than anyone. That is what he has done with these choices, by this behavior, he has taken my freedom to choose a husband, and therefore the rest of my entire life.
My marriage to Laenor will determine whether much of my life will be peaceful and meaningful or torturous and meaningless. The one person alive who I never doubted his love for me, revealed his true intentions by caring more about petty revenge and a crown…then to just simply ask me to marry him. I know deep down, he knows he would be a bad king. You and I know he does not have the patience for petitions, for meeting requests from his Lord and Lady paramounts, or dealing with politics and the court. All he has ever truly wanted was to be honored for his loyalty to his House and a Valyrian wife.
Maybe this speaks to my bad judgment, but I would have said yes. I love him yes, but he also would have strengthened my claim with himself, Caraxes, and Dark Sister. Instead, he decided to take my virtue in a brothel in front of Kings Landing essentially, between his spies and Otto Hightower.
I cannot keep someone around who does not speak true to his words that family is everything, for if I am truly his family, my heart can not be the collateral of his supposed love.
I can just envision what my life will look like 5 years, 10 years. You were right, if I give birth to another man’s children, who are not Velaryon or even Valyrian, my claim will be easily challenged, even more so than it is now. No matter the dragons that I have, or the allies. If Laenor claimed these children, I know for a fact that Princess Rhaenys will not. Lord Corlys most likely will, but solely for ambition. People will look to the Velaryons as they will be my most powerful ally, and if it is seen that they are out of sync with one another, people will not be more inclined to support me. Especially everyone knowing that there was ALREADY the uphill battle of me being a woman, regardless of if I have a dragon. Princess Rhaenys was more than qualified to be Queen Regnant, she would have been a phenomenal Queen, and yet, her grandfather forsake her and let the Lords decide that a cock is what was needed to rule the realm.
They did not accept HER, and now I am expecting everyone to support my claim now? Knowing that my father has never done anything to support my claim, except organize this farce of a wedding and marriage. Having rumors running rampant across the realm that Daemon took my maidenhood. Knowing that they are right when they say that I was raised to be a Queen Consort, rather than a ruling Queen. I know I could be an excellent Queen Regnant, but I do not have the education to do so, yet .
In 7 days, there will be the actual marriage ceremony, where Laenor and I will marry under the useless Seven.
7 days for me to get my affairs in order in Westeros, before I move on to Conquer Essos. To end slavery, to strengthen my claim to the Iron Throne, maybe even revive parts of Old Valyria.
Truth be told, I am tired, Harwin. I believe that my soul is tired. My father replaced my mother so easily, that he has me redefining what it means to be loved. I want something that is mine and to be somewhere where I can have a positive impact. I can create that for me in Essos. I can have my own family and maybe even marry or settle down and have my own hatchlings. Maybe even Syrax will have a few of her own. The magic of the creation of dragon eggs is a lost art. Many believe that you need two dragons to sire eggs, and they need to be mates. But I believe that dragons are more advanced than us. I believe that if Syrax truly wished, she would lay her own eggs. But I digress, I am getting off topic.
I just wanted to say how much of a joy it has been to have you by my side these past two months. I know you have your responsibilities here in Westeros, so I could never ask you to come with me. But, could I maybe convince you to write to me, every once in a while? I am afraid I have become very fond of you, my Strong knight,” Rhaenyra finally finished her piece. She began to turn the rings on her hands, feeling less confident than she had when she started speaking.
If Harwin was shocked or surprised before, he was absolutely flummoxed as of this moment. So many thoughts cursed through his brain. She could see herself marrying him? She was unselfish, for many would not think a second thought of a knight's future plans, even if he was an heir. She would not ask him to go with her. This made him panic.
She cannot leave. He has to stop her. She has made the past two months the best he has had in a while. But Westeros will tear itself apart, she is right, IF she becomes queen with what she has now. The Hightowers will stop at nothing to see Prince Aegon on the throne. She needs more to her name, it is not right, but it is the truth.
But he still does not want her to go alone outside of her and Syrax. She will need someone. Could he be brave enough to suggest that he goes with her? Could he leave behind Harrenhal? His father? His brother and sisters? He would miss them terribly of course, if he went and she accepted his help. But he felt right in knowing that she could not do this without support and resources and he could help her gather soldiers and train them. Would Prince Daemon kill him for leaving with the Princess? Does he truly care at this moment if he did? He has his own bone to pick with the Prince. Let him come. Harwin made up his mind & stood up off the ground, before kneeling right in front of his future Queen.
“Princess, my future Queen, it saddens me to hear that you will leave us and Westeros. Is there anything I can do to convince you to stay?”
“I am sorry Harwin, but there is not. I do not want to spend the rest of my life knowing my efforts will be futile with the support I have now. Maybe one day I will contest my right for the throne. But for now, I need to leave the Targaryens of Westeros, and head to Volantis.”
“Alright then. In my honor, I vow to protect you, my future Queen and Empress, Rhaenyra Targaryen, Princess of the Blood and Old Valyria on your journey to Volantis and everywhere after that. I, Harwin Strong, heir to Harrenhal swear my loyalty to Princess Rhaenyra. I pledge fealty to her and shall defend her against all enemies in good faith and without deceit. As her protector, I will give my life to aiding her rule and helping to protect and better the Realm. I swear this by the Old Gods and the 14 Flames,” swore a resolved Harwin Strong.
Rhaenyra felt tears streaming down her face. She could believe that he would be willing to leave with her. How could he give up everything he knew and loved for her?
“I do not deserve you, my Strong knight. Do you not realize what you would be giving up?!”
“I do know my princess. I will not lie and say our path will be easy, for it will be filled with hardship. But I do not wish to have a reality where you are no longer a part of it. I know in my heart my feelings for you are true. I believe you can be a great ruler, you just need to be given time to learn how to be, away from the vipers of the court. I would be forever honored if you would accept my fealty. I know you do not need a savior, but I would be honored to be your companion and protector… if you will allow me.”
“Then I must ask one more burden from. Will you marry me when we reach Volantis, under the eyes of the Old Gods of the North & the 14 Flames of Old Valyria?”
The princess stopped twisting her rings and looked up at her knight. She did not need a savior, he was very correct in that. But she would need support from someone she could trust with her life. And she knew Harwin would protect her until his last breath.
“My princess…”
“Please just think about it. It is not a requirement for you to join me. But I do want you. I want the love and warmth you offer, and I want to marry someone I trust, under an unbreakable oath so my Father can never tear us apart if he found out, and caught us before we grow our protection.”
“I will think about it,” the knight said softly, before looking back down to Rhaenyra’s beautiful lavender eyes, looking for any trace of regret or anxiety, finding none.
“That is all I ask. Let us meet later to go over what I plan to take from the Keep. I will have my ladies and Household staff from Dragonstone eventually meet us in Volantis. But for now we must plan for the immediate. Getting me out of the Capitol while half the realm is here to see me marry Laenor.”
She stood up, and held out her hand to the knight, which he took and brought to his lips before pressing a light kiss. He bowed and turned to walk away.
Rhaenyra thought to herself for a moment, wishing he had placed that kiss upon her lips. You know what, she thought, and before she knew it she had whipped Harwin to face her and grabbed his face before placing her lips on his, almost healing the memories of Daemon taking her first kiss and more before leaving her all alone.
Harwin almost growled and deepened the kiss by grabbing the side of her face, fingers gripping underneath her ears. His thumbs stroked the apples of his cheeks, his nose rubbing against hers gently.
She took a step back, almost apologizing, but then she realized she had nothing to apologize for, and she smiled brightly at him. One which he returned, just as vibrant.
The Next Day: Opening Wedding Feast
Rhaenyra looked at herself in the mirror admiring the way that her red and gold gown held to her curves. It was more daring than any other gown she had ever worn, but she figured she could go out with a bang. The next few days would be the last time the Westerosi for a while and she figured she should leave them looking flawless.
Rhaenyra was ready to leave for the feast but she needed to choose the necklace she was to wear. She looked at her uncle's necklace on her jewelry armoire. With a sigh, she had her handmaiden Elinda put it on her. She was still angry with him, but she knew that she would always love him, as frustrating as that was. But she could not trust him based on his current actions. Rhaenyra knew that it was possible for Daemon and Caraxes to find them once they left, but she would cross that bridge when it happened.
She knew that Harwin and Daemon had been close in the past. Rhaenyra wondered if her uncle was the man that had left Harwin for the Stepstones. Something that maybe should have disgusted her, but it did not. It warmed her heart in a way to know that her and her uncle had similar tastes, and were connected in a way. Harwin had been the Commander of the City Watch since her Uncle left for the Stepstones 3 years prior. Daemon had trained Harwin personally, something she knew he would not do unless he saw potential in them.
Therefore she knew that if her uncle and Harwin had hooked up, it meant that Daemon had some type of feeling for him; otherwise he would have just gone to a brothel if he wanted to get his cock wet. I wonder if he fled from Harwin for the same reason he fled from me; it was apparent that he was an emotionally damaged toddler. Or he could just enjoy causing chaos with no care for how it affects those around him, even to those he cared for.
Upon this realization, she was even further resolved to marry Harwin, for he knew the entire time she spoke of her broken heart how she felt, for they had both been left by the same man. A small part of her wondered what it would be like to have both of them. Her Daemon and Harwin. Conquering Essos together. What a life that could be, if only it was meant to be.
Rhaenyra turned around and thanked her handmaidens for their excellent work and help. She had spoken to her most trusted Household staff and ensured their loyalty. Most of them would travel to Dragonstone after she and Harwin left on Syrax. She had sent ravens to Volantis, where her Aunt Saera was awaiting her. She knew any children she had with Harwin (if only he would say yes to her proposal) would need to marry others with Targaryen blood, to maintain the magic in their blood to bond with dragons. Maybe if her uncle finally finds someone to marry, her children can marry his children. But that was some long term planning that she did not need to think about now.
She stepped outside of her room into the Hall, where her sworn sword stood looking extremely dashing. He flashed her a beautiful smile when he saw her.
“Yes, my answer is yes,’ Harwin said with little context.
Rhaenyra stood there confused for a moment before realizing that he was accepting her marriage proposal. Her confused expression shifted to a bright smile that expanded as the seconds passed. She looked up and down both directions of the hall before stepping forward to Harwin as he shifted backwards, looking nervous. She could tell he was just nervous for them and did not want them to get. Before he could protest any further, she placed a kiss on his cheek, before whispering “I cannot wait to taste you further, my Strong knight”.
Harwin felt like he was going to explode in his pants when she said that. Nyra, he growled, before Rhaenyra giggled and took his arm as he escorted her to the Throne room. Since he was her sworn sword and the heir to Harrenhal, he was allowed to walk her there, although she would enter alone.
Rhaenyra saw Ser Harrold as they approached the entrance. She gave him a smile and whispered that she needed to talk to him later. She hoped she was doing the right thing, but as someone who filled the role of her father, rather than her own, she felt he deserved to know. He gave her a concerned look but agreed. She would step out during the feast and find him.
The Throne Room
“Presenting Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, heir to the Iron Throne, Princess of Dragonstone,” Ser Harrold announced with a certain amount of pride in his voice.
She felt all eyes on her as she walked to the main banquet table, placing a kiss on her fathers cheek and offering un-genuine compliments to her step-mother, her former friend the lady Alicent.
Rhaenyra felt the need to find Harwin, she found him sitting with lords from the North and the Riverlands. She often forgot that his mother came from House Stark, she was a cousin to current Lord of Winterfell, Rickon, whose heir, the little lord Cregan was also here. He was a kind Lord and Cregan was a sweet boy.
She wanted to help the North once she generated forms of income in Essos. They would be her family after all once she married Harwin. Her children with Harwin will be mostly Targaryen, but they would have Arryn, Strong, and Stark blood. That would connect her to three of the seven Great Houses by blood. She stopped for a moment, realizing she wanted children, she was still scared of facing the issues her Mother did, but she knew Harwin would never sacrifice her in place of the child. Maybe that was all she needed in the first place, to know that her betrothed would protect her over everything else. Something her father failed to do, even with the woman he claimed to love.
Harwin felt eyes on him and shifted to see his princess staring at him with a heated look in her eyes. He knew she was going so much right now, but he was in awe of how incredibly brave she was. She was actively leaving her home for a greater purpose and to protect her peace. He had so much respect for her and could not believe he was to be her husband. He felt confident in their plans until he saw Prince Daemon waltz into the Throne Room.
Prince Daemon did not have a plan when he arrived for Rhaenyra and Laenors opening wedding feast. He knew this was happening because he had acted like a barbarian with someone he cared about again. He had not even seen Harwin yet, almost as if he was avoiding him whenever he would visit the Gold Cloak barracks.
He felt all eyes on him as he entered the room. But he only cared for two sets of eyes that he knew had to be on him. His princess and his Harwin. They were not his any longer. He knew he had lost that right. When he reached the high table, he did his best to gain Rhaenyra’s gaze, but she was doing everything she could to avoid his gaze. She danced with Laenor, with her father, with Lord Corlys, and then he caught her dancing with Harwin. How did the two know each other? Were they…together? It could not be, he did not even know they knew each other.
He stood up, his chair making a screeching sound before offering Laena Velaryon his hand. He needed to see Rhaenyra and Harwin better and he could only do that from the dance floor. Laena looked pleased to be asked to dance. She flirted with him and not so discreetly inquired about his upcoming plans, when he was doing everything he could to not be so obvious about his staring at a certain couple.
King Viserys watched his brother watch his daughter. He had to make sure this wedding happened without interference. Of any kind. He did feel guilty about forcing his daughter to marry Ser Laenor, but he was doing it to secure her claim ( that is what he told himself every time he saw her sad eyes for the last two months ). He had regrets of course, but there was nothing he could do about it now.
Rhaenyra felt eyes on her from multiple directions, more than usual. Harwin did as well, as he twirled his princess around the dance floor.
“Do you feel more eyes on us than usual?” He inquired.
“Yes I do, and I know which direction it is coming from. The man who broke our hearts and my hypocritical father seem to be trying to burn holes into our skulls,” Rhaenyra replied with a smirk.
They looked to their right, and there he was, smirking at the both of them, while dancing with Laena Velaryon.
Harwin felt his blood run cold. She knew about his dalliance with Daemon. How? Was he that obvious when talking about what he thought was his first love with her?
“Harwin, it is alright. I had some time to do some deep thinking about the man who broke your heart, and it made sense that it was Daemon. Trust me, I understand the appeal. I went willingly into a brothel remember,” she whispers to him with a smile, hoping to reassure him.
“I wanted to tell you, Princess. I just was not sure how. I did not want you to think I was using you as some perverse way of getting back at him for leaving without a word. Which I am not, please believe me, my feelings for you are genuine, and are based on you and who you are, not who he is.
Prince Daemon not only left me, but he took half of the Gold Cloaks to war and did not even let me know, leaving me..heartbroken and irritated for his clear lack of respect for me as his second in command…,” Harwin tried to explain, as if he had something to apologize for, which he did not in Rhaenyra’s opinion.
“Harwin you have nothing to apologize for! He left us and what happened before you and I met does not matter. If anything, you understand what I am feeling to an extent. For what it is worth, I do think he had feelings for you. I just think he is a giant man child who does not know how to love, and when he does feel those inklings, he does what he does best, and runs away. Which is what he did to us.”
Harwin tried to get his breathing under control as his respect for Rhaenyra increased even more. He thanked her for her understanding and for having such a big heart. Harwin will never truly understand why he fell for the Princes games, but he will put it behind him and focus on his future with Nyra. He would not let anyone put that in jeopardy. Prince Daemon included.
Prince Daemon excused himself from the dance floor, after catching parts of their conversation. He could not control the guilt that filled him, as he walked quickly out of the hall. How did he manage to fuck up two relationships, relationships that were more important than he had ever imagined. Daemon realized that he had taken advantage of the fact that they would always be there for him. Clearly, he miscalculated on both counts.
Truthfully, what he felt for Harwin scared him after their night together 3 years ago. It was the night Queen Aemma died, Harwin had helped him get back to the Red Keep, after his “heir for a day” speech, which also filled him with regret. He asked Harwin to stay, and his 2nd in command agreed. They sat in front of the fireplace, and spoke about a number of things. He felt calm when speaking with Harwin. He knew at the time he could trust Harwin with sensitive information. Harwin knew he had slept with male and female sex workers and had never said a word.
Daemon, with alcohol flooding his brain, wondered if that was because he respected his business as Daemons and kept to himself, or if it was because he himself had also engaged with both types of sex workers. He decided to test it out, by leaning forward to kiss Harwin, which he eagerly reciprocated. The rest as they say is history, as they made their way to his bed and fucked all night long. When he woke up, he left Harwin in his chambers before grabbing his belongings and flying to Dragonstone. He had felt something for the young man but he was not ready to confront that, at least at the time. Now, when he was, it was too late it seemed.
Daemon tried to clear his head before his conscience threw his night with Rhaenyra in his face. He audibly groaned at his bad choices for what seemed the last decade. He had lost himself the most when his brother became king. All he had to his name was Caraxes, Dark Sister, and his many regrets in regards to those he cared for the most.
Simultaneously, Harwin secretly escorted Rhaenyra out of the throne room so she could speak with Ser Harrold. He knew that she planned to tell him of her plans. They both had contingency plans in place if he did tell the King, so this was mostly for her peace of mind.
The three of them stepped out of a door to the side of the entrance to the throne room, and walked to a spare room down the hall. Harwin stood outside while Ser Harrold and Rhaenyra stepped inside. All the while unaware that a certain Rogue Prince was hiding in the shadows, at least momentarily.
“Hello, my Prince. It has been a long time,” Daemon suddenly heard. The Strong Knight made his presence known, with a stoic look on his face.
For the third time in his life, he froze, his emotions running wild, but he did not run.
“Ser Harwin, it has been a long time…which I know is my fault,” he tried to explain.
“It no longer matters my Prince. We were drinking and things happen when that activity is in play,” Harwing gave, his expression still the same.
Daemon went to open his mouth when suddenly Ser Harrold and Rhaenyra walked out of the small room they had been speaking in.
Daemon once again froze, when his princess was in front of him for the first time in months.
Ser Harrold sighed, and told them to find him before they left, before turning to stand guard at the beginning of the hall, providing them with privacy as this hallway had a dead end.
“What are you doing here Prince Daemon?” Rhaenyra posed the question, but her and Harwin wore the question on their faces.
He could not lose the two of them again.. And it seemed like he already had. Daemon took a deep breath and prepared what he thought were his most genuine words yet.