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Day 1 Afternoon, Mid 120 AC
Hand in hand the two children walked through Driftmark.
Rhaena's was still tight around Urrigon's own, her small hand fitting into his own.
Urrigon was reminded when the last he held a maiden hand.
Alys Rivers had snatched his, like a serpent coiling around its prey. Her pale blue eyes boring into his skull.
He would need to chop of his own hand to be free of her at that moment, as though if he had tried to cut hers off the blade would shatter and the debt between them only deepen.
But with Rhaena, with Laenor's niece, with the Rogue prince's daughter and his own cousin Urrigon did not feel any of those emotions.
Rhaena Targaryen hand felt small and fragile, her hands as soft as feathers.
His mother's hand when she raised it against him felt sharp and hot, carrying all her hatred and contempt for him.
But Rhaena's spoke nothing of that.
They were so… vulnerable.
So needy of his own.
A quite desperation.
The young boy had never felt so needed.
And when she was pulled into a embrace alongside with him, when he wrapped his arms around her and her him…
Urrigon's young mind could no describe what he felt at that momment.
So when Rhaena led him outside of Drifmark's castle, he knew this moment, this feeling would last a little longer.
She led him to a beautiful place.
Outside was a terrace, it was high above the island's ground and looked out towards Driftmark's sea's, with the port town of Hull located beneath its walls.
It was partly a garden, servant's had maintained the flower's well but the bench meant for viewing was clearly aged.
With small cracks, Urrigon was not surprised, for Driftmark was older then conqueror himself.
Rhaena led him to the bench and they both took a seat.
She said nothing at first, looking at the grey sky's and letting the cold sea-salt air blow against them.
The Port town Hull inhabitant's looked like the figurine's the King was obsessed with.
It's people carrying muted features and colour's of Old Valyria.
"My mother and I", said Rhaena her voice small and meek, she squeezed his hand, "In Pento's we spent time like this, though it was rare…"
The young prince eye's gazed at he profile, giving all of his attention.
"When Father and Baela were off with each other, mother always made time for me"
Rhaena had a small smile as she spoke," I never was like Baela, who was like mother and father in one"
"Baela shared my parent's passion, while I didn't…and when Moondancer hatched, they were so happy…even though my egg had gone cold long ago".
Her silver white hair slowly flowed in the air as the winds picked up.
"I was happy, even if I was not like any of them, mother shared her stories only with me, they were mine, tales of the age of hero's or her adventures with uncle Laenor when both were young".
Rhaena let out a soft sob and leaned on Urrigon's shoulder.
"So why did she leave? Why did she take all her stories with her
Why does Vhagar continue reject me?
Does she to, know that I'm not like my mother as well? Does she not let me claim her because I am not like Baela or father !?"
The garden was filed with the young girl's quite sobs. His shoulder become damp with tears.
Urrigon looked at the sea it's calm waves a contrast to the turmoil in his chest.
Just like Aegon he coud offer no comfort.
For no words he would say would bring Laena Vearyon back.
'Holy Seven who dwell above,give me sight', though Urrigon.
His plea went unanswered before his eye's caught the inhabitants of the hull.
Though small he could see a man having his arms around a scantily clad women, before they entered a building.
Though crude it had reminded him off a moment long ago .
He let go of her hand and Rhaena lifted up her head at him, her eyes downcast.
Before Urrigon opened up his green robe and wrapped her alongside with him, his arm holding her shoulder.
"She would not like you cold", muttered Urrigon.
His green robe barely big enough to cover both of them
Urrigon eyes met hers, they face close to each other, red and white hair flwoing in the wind.
Rhaena softly nodded,before resting her head on his chest, shifting his body close to him so that the robe would cover her more.
She began to cry again but the sound was not of wailing but of something else.
Urrigon felt her shaking and held her tighter.
They stayed there.
Sitting on the bench, together.
For long as she would let him…
---
Early afternoon soon to turn into dusk.
Urrigon was sure they spent hours together, long after Rhaena tears had stopped.
They would have stayed longer if it had not begun to rain.
It started with tiny droplets, pelting them here and there.
But when it started to pour, both of them ran inside.
When it rains and pours, a great bard once said.
They were both soaking wet, Urrigon's reddish brown hair damp.
Rhaena was spared from most of the rain due to Urrigon covering her with his robe.
"Are you alright,Urrigon?", asked Rhaena as she called for a servant, asking for anything to dry them off.
"My hair is ruined" , whined Urrigon as he scowled.
He had spent hours on it!
Suddenly the girl besides him started to giggle, covering her mouth with her hands,failing to suppress them.
The Prince raised a single brow "Is my misery is so quick to amuse you, dear cousin?"
"No cousin", she said, her giggling had faded, "I was just surprised you could make such a face".
She had a smile on her face and Urrigon could feel his ear's burn.
"Lady Rhaena,I have no clue to what you are talking about", said the red hair prince.
"You were pouting, your face was scrunched up and angry!"her joy was apparent.
"So why are you smiling?"
Rheana went to grab his hand again, it was warm, "It means me and you are the same, I hate it when my hair is wet too…"
"Does it really bring you such joy?", asked Urrigon as he gave up on salvaging his hair with his free hand.
Rhaena cast a look down at her feet before looking up at him.
"Baela and I do not share many things, nobody at Pentos did..."
There was a pause for a moment and he felt her hand begin to tremble slightly.
"We do share similarities", said Urrigon as he scratched his cheek while looking away.
Rhaena smiled and began to walk with Urrigon following, both in equal stride, hand in hand.
"We're both second borns", said Rhaena as she held up two fingers, "Baela beat me at that too...."
'is this girl prone to sadness! ?' thought the prince.
"It's so we can take care of our reckless siblings", said Urrigon hurriedly , "If we were birthed first, they would have lost their way!"
"Balea isnt—wait she is! How did you know!?", giggled Rheana as she widened her eyes and smiled at him.
"We are the same cousin", sighed Urrigon as he wagged a finger between the both of them "I recognize the curse of being the responsible one".
They passed through the halls, leaving a wet trail, they both di not seem to care.
"I guess that make's sense", said Rhaena as she nodded her head, "It got worse when Moondancer started to breathe pearl flames too!"
"Pearl?", asked Urrigon eyebrows raised.
"She said 'white' is to plain' , said Rhaena as she rolled her eyes.
The children continued to talk, quickly comparing both their circumstances.
Urrigon knew he was not a talkative person, he preferred and liked to listen rather then talk.
'The more words you speak Urrigon, the greater the chance you let something spill out that was not meant to. ' were his grandsire's words.
But seeing the sad amethyst eyes light up, he deemed the sacrifice was worth it.
'Having Aegon as an elder does have its benefits afterall', thought Urrigon.
When they took a left turn they arrived in the part of the Castle where Rheana's family was staying.
While Urrigon's and his siblings chamber's were appropriate for their station as royals and guests, Rhaena's family put theirs to shame.
Foreign statues and works of art, carpets of exotic beasts that Urrigon was sure came from lands afar and on the wall was a myriad of paintings.
They all differed in size but the largest caught his attention.
"Is that a portrait of Lord Corlys?", asks Urrigon, observing the elaborate image.
"No,it's Lord Daemon Velaryon", said Rhaena as she walked closer pulling him as well, to the wall of paintings.
She put her free hand on an empty spot.
"The Conqueror's uncle?", asked further Urrigon but then noticed Rhaena had gone quiet, her once talkative mood had disappeared and her melancholy seemingly returned.
"Yes…this wall carries the painting's of all the Lord's of Driftmark…"
"Rhaena?" he lightly tugged at her closer to him.
"You know, this is my first time here as well, Driftmark I mean" said Rhena as her hand traced the empty spot.
"You seem to know it so well cousin"
"My mother told countless stories of it, so much that I dreamt it many times..."
Urrigon could only stare at the girl and give her hand a small squeeze.
Rhaena looked at the floor silent, before turning her head to him," Do you thi–"
"RHAENA!" shouted two voices, one sounding feminine and the other girlish coming from behind them.
Urrigon recognized one of them.
Running towards them was Jacaerys, the brown hair boy's pug nose twitching with fury
"LEAVE HER ALONE!" screamed his nephew.
Urrigon pushed Rheana behind him but ignored the boy and looked at the other figure.
He had to make sure his eyes were not deceiving him, for what stood before him was a perfect replica of Rhaena.
Every detail was a perfect mimicry down to the silver white hair and the dark amethyst eyes.
What gave reason for Urrigon that he wasn't having visions is when the mimic moved, she ran behind Jacaerys holding her dress as she did.
"RHEANA!", repeated the mimic, Urrigon felt Rheana let go of his hand, brushing past his shoulder.
"Baela…"said Rhaena as she looked away and put her hands behind her back.
Urrigon could see her twiddling with her thumbs.
'So this is the sister whose egg's hatched', thought Urrigon observing the maid, 'Baela Targaryen'.
Jacaery's reached them first, "Where have you been? We've been looking all over for you!" the pug nosed boy went to grab her hand but the she stepped backwards into Urrigon.
Jacaerys showed a confused expression before turning his gaze to Urrigon.
"Hello nephew", sneered Urrigon rage building in his chest, "Have you no manners to grab a maiden's hand in such a manner, your mother clearly failed teaching you them!"
"YOU!" Jacaerys hand moved moved to behind his back, as if clutching something
.
"Jace/Urrigon!", screamed Baela and Rhaena.
The former twin grabbed Jacaery's arm while Rheana turned her head to him, eyes pleading.
"Rhaena, aunt Rhaenyra has been looking for you", said quickly Baela with a frown on her face.
"I was–", she looked towards Urrigon for a moment before turning to her twin, "Our cousin was escorting me to my chamber's, Uncle Laenor bade him to."
"For that long?"asked Baela her face morphing into a scowl,
"We took a detour…."
As they discussed Urrigon noticed another thing, while Jacaery's heated gaze was upon him Baela's never once looked at him.
As if he was never there.
'Just like Helena…'he thought.
He then remembered when Daemon had left the docks one of the two girls were staring at him as the left.
'Which one of you was it? , thought Urrigon, 'And why did it feel that way?'
Rheana turned to Urrigon, having finished her brief conversation with her twin.
"Thank you... Urrigon for escorting me here" she curtsied him.
He could see her sorrow had returned.
It was a graceful way to tell him to leave.
Urrigon bowed his head in turn, "I was simply doing what kin do."
He got the message.
The duel eyed prince walked past the three and away the Velaryon chambers.
But before he turned the corner, he looked back.
Straight into Rhaena's eyes.
"Seven Bless you", said Urrigon, his voice carrying to all of them.
As he finally left them, returning to his room their was only a single thought in his head.
'For you will need it'.
END CHAPTER---
Join my P*treon for extra chapters. P*treon name is Leruo_Kraai
Extra chapters available.
(Read Ahead & support me)