Chapter Text
Laena could barely believe that she made it through the tea without further embarrassment, both Rhaenyra and her mother thankfully silent. She could not believe Daemon left her to this. After she had taken Aemon back into her arms, she kept her attention determinedly on him, her mind spinning with the contents of her husband’s message.
She would not make it another moon without him. Sennight had proven to be too much, vultures circling already, sensing weakness. It was mind-boggling, truly. She wished to hurt him terribly for having left her as he did at the time he had, and yet needed him there, to hold her and to shield her.
She could not believe her mother either, to speak of such in company. Daemon would have known how to discourage her from ever doing so again without damaging their relationship irrevocably, but Laena did not.
As her son finally began to fuss, she could not be more grateful to have a reason to rise and excuse herself. Her mother did not rise with her, and Laena was grateful for that as well.
After she handed her son into the care of his wetnurse, she remained in the nursery with the children for a long time, deep in thought. They barely acknowledged her presence, too busy playing together still, and a smile finally returned to her face. She burned the missive the first chance she got.
The next morning, Laena broke her fast with the children and her parents, barely even eating anything as her stomach was all aflutter with nerves, her demeanor subdued. She made sure to play with her food unenthusiastically, pushing it along the plate and sighing unhappily. Her mother was looking at her with suspicion throughout.
After the meal, when her father had excused himself to attend business in the city and the children were seen to, unbothered by the presence of the adults as they started arguing over what game to play, her mother pulled her to a seat by a window to speak somewhat privately, concern writ plainly on her face.
Her mother reached to stroke her hair, her expression gentle. She almost regretted what she was about to do at seeing it. “I worry for you, Laena. You seem unwell.”
Laena’s smile quivered as she gave her mother a wounded look and shrugged her shoulders helplessly. “All of this is just so much.” The breath she let out trembled. “I… I think you might be right. I do need rest.” She cast a vulnerable look around the room. “I think I may need a few days of peace and quiet.” Her smile turned wry as her eyes landed on the children, an argument over a game having shifted to one over its rules.
Her mother took the bait and laid a gentle hand on her arm. “Why don’t you join your brother at High Tide for a few days? I am sure that we will all manage without you for a time, and you do deserve your rest.” She paused, her eyes cutting to the children, her smile turning wry as well. “And some fun of your own.”
Laena wished to crow in victory but restrained herself, giving her mother a soulful look instead. “Are you sure? I would not wish to overburden you.”
Her mother patted her arm reassuringly, a warmth shining in her eyes. “I assure you I will be happy to bear this burden.”
Laena let out a put upon sigh. “If you believe it’s for the best.” She hugged her mother to hide her smile. Her mother’s arms came around her and held her.
They stood like that for a long while. “I think I shall take Vhagar and go visit Laenor today then.”
Her mother hummed into her hair.
Laena had never in her life packed as quickly. She had to, lest her mother decide to visit and take notice of what clothes exactly it was that she was taking. It still took a few trips between the bedchamber and the cove before all the bags were secured to Vhagar’s saddle, leaving only a single bag for the final trip.
Her leave-taking of the children was much shorter than she would have wished, but a trip to Driftmark hardly warranted more. It was once again Aemon, that she held the longest, to whose tiny face she pressed the most kisses and to whom she whispered her plans and reassurances in hushed Valyrian. He would miss her the least, she was sure, his wetnurse much more important to him now than Laena herself.
She parted from her mother last, bidding her farewell in her parent’s chambers and hugging her, before taking the last traveling bag from the ground and ducking into the hidden passage her parents used to get to the dragon cove.
As she secured the last bag to the saddle and climbed atop Vhagar, an impish smile was on her face. Yes, some time away from King’s Landing would do her a world of good. She let out a joyous laugh when they rose to the sky and headed for Driftmark. Now, only her brother remained.
Her brother was most likely quite surprised to have her stroll into the High Tide’s Lord’s solar with no forewarning, but his happiness at seeing her once more so soon outshone it quickly. “Sister, I was not expecting you! Whatever brings you here?”
She gave him a wide smile and a hug. “Brother, I bring news from my husband. He went to the North and now requires our assistance.”
Laenor was frowning. “Daemon is in the North? What in Gods’ name is he doing there?”
Laena nodded grimly. “The North requested aid, and so he went to fight the Wildlings in the Gift. Now, he apparently requires more dragons to deal with them in a timely manner. He asks that we join him there.”
“We? Daemon asked that you and Vhagar join him as well?” Her brother’s brows and voice rose in disbelief.
Laena’s nod could not be more grave.
Laenor was at a loss. “What about mother and Meleys?”
She shrugged indifferently. “Someone has to remain to care for the children, and mother agreed that I needed some time away from King’s Landing.” Her brother’s bewilderment was endearing. He gaped at her mutely for some moments, so she continued solemnly. “I would show you Daemon’s message, alas, I had to burn it.”
Laenor nodded in understanding, face turning grim. “Of course.” He shook his head with a resigned sigh, and then grimaced and clutched his hand over his eyes. “I don’t suppose you have any sort of armor? Daemon would kill me if I let you fly into battle unarmored.”
Laena bounced on her heels, head shaking, and Laenor sighed again. “We need to visit an armorer then. Hopefully he can pull something together for you quickly.”
“When will we leave then?” A frown stole across her features. That did not sound likely to be ready that day.
“In the morn.” It would not be too much delay then.
She smiled. “Good. I have some things of Daemon’s on Vhagar that I believe he would like to have sooner rather than later.” Like his armor and warmer clothes.
She meant to send a raven informing her mother before they would leave Driftmark, but decided against it if they were to leave in the morn. Mother might be able to catch up to them, if there was not enough time and distance between them. No, she would send a message to her father with one of his ships leaving from Spicetown to King’s Landing each day. Things would be much better for everyone that way. Mother would not leave the children for days if she knew Laena and Laenor were long on their way.
As Laena followed her brother to the armorer to see about getting at least a maille shirt and some other pieces of armor for her, she squashed her feelings of guilt. She stomped on them harshly later, when they planned their journey north as well. As her brother packed supplies for them and instructed their father’s castellan on matters to attend to in her brother’s and father’s absence, she bit on the inside of her cheek to stop herself from speaking out.
Laena promised herself that she would tell her brother the truth before they reached the Gift. It would be unfair to him to let him face Daemon’s wrath unprepared, but it would not do to tell him too soon and have him turn around. Laena might have been the more experienced dragonrider in theory, but Laenor was a man, a knight and had fought a war besides. She could not travel such a distance alone, she needed her brother with her.
Daemon would be hers alone to deal with.