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Corlys hurried towards the healer’s tent, he didn’t need healing thank the Gods, but word had reached him about a healer suddenly appearing and helping his and Daemon’s men. Healing them as if by magic, which was enough to remind him of his First Love. To hear that she had sun-kissed skin, green eyes and Valeryan blond hair made him wonder if this might be the child he should have had.
Nodding at his men guarding the tent, he opened the flaps and stepped inside. Seeing her with her back turned towards him, her long, silvery blond hair on display, braided as he knew his flower had been taught to do. A soft smile appeared on his face at the thought of his flower, of Lily.
She had been a beautiful redhead, appearing as if the Gods themselves had dropped her into his lap. Speaking High Valeryan as if she hadn’t been speaking anything else her whole life. In wonder, and a little in lust, he had indulged the woman until they grew closer and he took her as his wife. Bedding her and grinning widely when she mentioned being with child not long after.
But all of the sudden, she had dissapeared again. No mention or sighting of her. Meaning he had no choice but to marry the woman chosen for him. Rhaenys knew of his Lady Love and didn’t seem to mind. They both did their duty to their families and became amicable towards each other. Now, with their children grown, he knew she also sought out the company of others, as had he had.
Not a dat went by where he didn’t think of his dearest Flower, thinking that something must have happened. Seeing their daughter, for as she turned her eyes were as green as Lily’s had been, wearing the necklace he had gifted his Lady Love. It had been one set in silver, with emeralds lining the collar. However, he knew that Lily would never take it off, so for their daughter to wear it she had to have died.
Feeling pain in his heart, he sighed, which gathered her attention. A gasp leaving her as she took him in.
“My Lord”, curtsying like a true lady would, only rising when his hand found its way under her chin.
“Please rise, my dear. Am I to assume you are the healer who has been helping my men? I had heard of your appearance, but nothing quite prepared me for you to look like my darling Late Wife.”
She nodded, “Aemarillys, My Lord, I am indeed of your blood. Mother", she took a deep breath filled with sorrow, “Mother spoke of you in her journals. Of what an amazing man you were and how she missed you every day.”
Swallowing, she smiled sadly, “She was brought back to the world she had left, pregnant and needing a way to keep it hidden. As such, she married James, the man I had believed to be my father and used blood magic to change my appearance to match his so there was no dispute. They never bedded one another, as James was mourning his own love, lost to a war waging. On Samhain, they were killed when a mage entered their home, looking for me.”
A tear ran over her cheek, before she added, “When I turned ten and seven, the spell lifted and the journals Mother kept made their way to me. I was set free in a way, as everyone always kept looking for a female copy of James, which I wasn’t anymore. I made my way here with the help of my companion when I realized I did have family in this world.”
Corlys cupped her cheek, before bringing her closer to press a kiss upon her brow. Hos his heart hurt to hear his Precious Flower was no more. However, she had given him another one. A darling daughter, wielding Magic it seemed, named after both their traditions. A screech from outside had him tensing, even when Aemarillys did not. She dainty placed her hand on his and guided him outside where a magnificent white dragon was waiting. On her head, for the dragon had to be female, was a majestic red bird about the size of a swan.
“Hedwig, Fawkes, I trust there were no issues?”
The Dragon snorted, before it shrank right before their eyes. Seemingly no bigger than a snake as she wrapped around his daughter’s shoulders. The bird perched there too, preening Aemarillys’ hair as it did so.
“By the Gods, you already have a Dragon?”
She beamed at him, nodding, “Hedwig has been with me for years now, she and Fawkes helped me to get here. I hope, I read that this wouldn’t be an issue?”
Laughing now, Corlys shook his head, “None at all, after all us Valeryans have Dragons Blood running through our veins. Our family has always had companions like this, so it does not surprise me that you do as well. My… Wife, and our Daughter, your sister, also ride dragons.”
Blinking a few times, Aemaryllis smiled, “So you did have someone else? Mother did state that the chances were high you married again, as no one of the family saw her and there was a certain exception on your shoulders.”
Inclining his head, Corlys held out his arm, delighted when his eldest wrapped her hand around his elbow and let him guide her. He brought her back to the tent, to allow her to finish healing. Which she did as they spoke some more, his heart slowly filling with love at the knowledge that he had another child.
Rhaenys and Daemon entered the tent not long after, stopping short when they noticed him standing there. But especially looking shocked at seeing Aemarillys there, moving around with her skirts swirling as she healed their people of whatever ailments they had.
“Corlys?”
Looking at his wife, he held out his hand for her, guiding her close and introducing her to Aemarillys. Mentioning that his late wife had her after all, and that she had found her way back to him. Adding that she too was a dragon rider and additionally, a very competent healer.
Again, Aemarillys curtsied, not at all taken aback by her father’s new wife. Being a polite and well spoken young woman who seemed quite joyful at having a Mother around again. Rhaenys also seemed delighted, following the younger around as she asked her questions. Guiding her outside to meet Maelys when Aemarillys asked to meet her. It made his heart fond, knowing that his oldest daughter and wife were bonding like this.
“I did not expect that you had another child out there, Corlys.”
Looking at Daemon, Corlys shook his head, “My late first wife was pregnant when she dissapeared. I didn’t dare hope, but here she is, too much like me to be anything but. Being a dragon rider on top of that too.”
He could see his wife’s cousin looking interested. While he knew that Daemon was technically married to a Lady in the Vale, he knew that there was no bound between the two of them. If anything, it had been a political marriage. Additionally, the Prince had been a formidable ally. If he fancied Aemarillys, he could be persuaded to tie their houses together through a marriage.
As Daemon inclined his head, before they went outside to join the women. Seeing Mealys and Hedwig circle each other before they both settled down down, looking quite comfortable together. In a way that none of them had ever seen dragons, Aemarillys laughed at that before something akin to hissing left her lips. Hedwig, Maelyss and Caraxes looked at her as she did that. Making it obvious she was speaking to them.
“A woman of many talents, I’m sure.”
Glancing at Daemon it was clear that he was interested, even Corlys found that this was something he had never heard about before. Intregued and more than a little proud, he was certain that this would be a good day for Driftmark.
0-0-0-0
Despite Laena believing she could marry Daemon once his previous wife died, the man asked Corlys for Aemarillys’ hand. Which he accepted, much to the ire of Laena, but he couldn’t find it in himself to care right now. She was still young, especially when word reached them that Leanor would be betrothed to Rhaenyra. They were all married by Visaerys as soon as possible. A double tie between Driftmark and King’s Landing. It seemed that this was what was needed.
More than one person seemed to be on edge because of the union between Rhaenyra and Leanor, with her unwillingness to commit and his particular taste in bed partner, it seemed to be doomed to fail. They all knew that he wouldn’t lay with a woman, yet Rhaenyra became pregnant. Against all expectations, the child was born blond and very clearly Targaryen.
The smile on his eldest daughter, as well as the glance she shared with her brother and sister-in-law. More often as Queen Alicent seemed to be surprised about that as well, had been marvelous. He was happy Leanor and Aemarillys got along quite well, the two couples often seen together talking or flying with their dragons. Rhaenyra and Aemarillys even bounded over the loss of their mother.
Speaking of the loss of Aemma Targaryen, the king hadn’t wasted a long time to take another wife. Alicent Hightower, the daughter of his Hand of the King, Otto. The young Queen truly believed herself to be able to dictate the family. To say what went and didn’t, even if she wasn’t of the blood. Whatever bad blood between her and Rhaenyra needed to be put to rest before it destroyed the kingdom.
“She really does not know what to make of us, now does she?”
Daemon, Rhaenyra and Leanor all looked up as Aemarillys said this. Her eyes on Alicent as she did so. The Young Queen clearly seemed to think that she had any sort of power over any of them. In part she did, but in part she was making sure none of them would be allies in any coming conflict.
Even with her children, Aegon, Aemont and Haelena never were able to do anything right. She criticized them all the time, which made the three of them come look for their older sister or their aunt. Soon Visearys would be no more, no matter how heartbreaking that was for them all. Rhaenyra would sit on the throne, with Leanor as her consort.
Leaning in close to his wife, Daemon added, “She doesn’t know what to make of you even less, My Lady Wife. She has been brainwashed by Otto for so long that she believed herself capable of ruling once my brother is gone. She also seems to think that her children will follow their plans in seizing the throne, even when none of them have been in her chambers or suit for close to a month.”
Looking at her nephews and nieces, both from Visaerys and Leanor, Aemarillys couldn’t help but feel for them. If she hadn’t been there she was certain that they would be pitted against each other. Made to fight for a throne already claimed. On top of that, they all got along so well even with the rumors about Rhaenyra’s children being bastards (which was proven false with how much they took after Targaryen blood). Alicent wasn’t doing herself any favors by whispering that, not when it was clear the only real ally she had was her father.
They would all keep to the shadows and watch as their ruse fell flat. Soon a new era would be upon them, once where a Queen will be ruling over the Seven Kingdoms.