White Lies and Foam
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𝕬𝖘𝖕𝖍𝖔𝖉𝖊𝖑
CHAPTER 11, WHITE LIES AND FOAM
𝕿he seas bordering Driftmark were as wild as the temperament of dragons. Alaenna was no stranger to the feeling at sea. Her father, however, with worsening conditions, seemed to take a beating as waves crashed against the black Targaryen ships.
A whole batch of courtiers had been brought with them for political pressures. After the rejection of Laena Velaryon, it was paramount that, Rhaenyra's impending marriage to Laenor succeeded.
On the topic of Rhaenyra, her sister seemed to have calmed considerably since the threat of disinheritance. While Rhaenyra was put forth for marriage Alaenna wondered much of her own.
She was sure her father would've been keener to marry her off before her sister. He hadn't spoken much to her since the return of Daemon. Alaenna figured it had been a matter of disgust or general dislike for her at this point.
She had always been her mother's daughter.
Alaenna and Rhaenyra had kept much of their relationship under wraps. With her marriage to Laenor and Rhaenyra's ongoing tryst with Criston Cole, they exchanged the occasional kisses in the comforts of their rooms.
Both had decided certain habits should be minimized to correct any bubbling rumors, especially with so much on the line.
It was unlikely Laenor would ever truly make Rhaenyra happy, but the relationship between cousins was as good as it could be for an arranged marriage.
Alaenna had known about Laenor's preferences since she'd turned twelve. It was hard not to notice how Laenor flustered whenever he was near one of his dueling teachers.
She'd figured it was a matter of preference. She preferred to look and be around her ladies the same way he chose to be around squires his age.
However, at that age, she'd never assumed it was inherently sexual on both of their behalf. Looking at them, it was apparent that societal norms couldn't curve such preferences.
In this case, marriage to Rhaenyra was his best bet. Any other wife would have him sent to the Seven or shame him to the point of exhaustion. She was sure Laenor would also understand the complexities of her relationship with Rhaenyra.
As they came to the dark misty shores of Driftmark, Alaenna couldn't wait but to see her favorite cousins. The Baratheon boys had always been much too rigid for her own liking.
Alaenna was bordered by her father, sister, and new Lord Hand, Lyonel Strong. Lyonel had been an exciting pick on her father's behalf but ultimately the right one compared to social climbing Otto Hightower.
As they walked, the sounds of steps were quickly overpowered by steel clanking together. It was Laenor and undoubtedly one of his good friends sparring. He had grown handsomely in the years they hadn't seen each other.
"Where is Lord Corlys? He should be here to receive the King." Lyonel spoke from her father's side.
Laenor had looked like he'd wanted to say something. But was interrupted by the appearance of his older sister through the doors.
"Welcome to High Tide, Your Grace," Leana appeared in the picture of grace. Alaenna hadn't seen her best friend in years. After the marriage to Alicent Hightower, the Velaryons sailed back home without a hitch, and then the war of the Stepstones occurred, slowing their return to court.
"What is the meaning of this, Lady Laena? Is this how House Velaryon greets its King?" Alaenna rolled her eyes, listening to Lord Lyonel. She doubted this serious bravado would last long. He didn't seem the staunch type.
A smile grew on Laena's face seeing Alaenna in her usual demeanor before addressing Lyonel. "My father has but just returned from his long journey, and he has hastened to the Hall of Nine to await Your Grace's arrival."
"Let's just get on with it," Viserys spoke with a slight cough before moving into High Tide.
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As they journeyed, all Alaenna could do was stare at the back of Laena's head, wondering the best way to talk to her. She figured the worst thing she could do was start talking about their fathers, seeing as Laena had almost become her stepmother.
The Entrance to the Hall of Nine was as magnificent as much of High Tide's architecture was. A sea barrier fortress for the ancient house of Valyria deserved no less.
She had never actually seen the hall, given she had been much too young in her earlier travels and most feared she'd accidentally drop something. It seemed today would not be the day, as her father quickly turned her and Rhaenyra away for grown-up business.
What would she do now? Approach Laena, perhaps, or dilly-dally with Laenor. "Come, cousins. Let us discover what might be had for breakfast."
Laena intertwined her arms with Rhaenyra and Alaenna. Her smile was an excellent assurance that Laena hadn't felt anything change between them.
They sat surrounded by Velaryon cousins. Laena took charge, closing any preconceived notion of distance between her and Alaenna. Breakfast was met with loud laughter and the recollection of childhood memories.
Alaenna's childhood years with the Velaryon siblings had surmounted most of her childhood with her own sister, who could freely roam with the accompaniment of Alicent Hightower. That wasn't to say Rhaenyra was never around them, but Alaenna's early days were usually spent with just the Velaryons.
As they ate, it had become increasingly difficult to keep a straight face or breath as story after story appeared—most at the expense of Laenor and Alaenna, who'd been very naive, soft-hearted children.
Once, the two had tried nursing an escapee goose back to health after witnessing the state of its wings. They took turns hiding the pesky thing in their rooms until one of them hadn't found it, figuring it had finally flown away. They were ecstatic for the rest of the day. That was until goose had been served for dinner, and the two burst into tears, crying to their respective mothers.
The four of them had become so loud that Vaemond silenced them in his typical behavior. Causing tiny snickers before Laenor and Rhaenyra had to take their stroll together
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After breakfast, Laena and Alaenna took to strolling around High Tide. It felt as if f nothing had genuinely changed between them but their ages. Laena's interest in dragons hadn't decreased in her older years; instead, gaining new heights at her most recent discoveries.
"I believe I've found Vhagar."
Alaenna had stopped walking altogether. Vhagar wasn't notoriously hard to find, given her size, but she could be somewhat elusive when she wanted.
"Really, how ever did you manage that?" Alaenna knew the Velaryons had dragon keepers of their own who supplemented them with care for Seasmoke.
"That'll be my little secret cousin," Laena had a cheeky smile as she continued walking the halls. She had technically already found Vhagar, but the she-dragon, like her namesake and original rider, was quite stubborn.
"I suppose I shouldn't tell you my own then, hmm cousin." It was time for Laena to pause and look toward Alaenna.
"That's not fair. You've been spending too much time with Rhaenyra; you've gotten rather brazen."
"I haven't the faintest clue what you mean," Alaenna said, walking, shrugging playfully.
"Are you coming? Who knows, I might be willing to tell you," Laena shook her head, hurrying to catch up to Alaenna joining arms with her. "That's only if you fill me in on how you've been these passing three years."
Leana laughed, bringing a smile to her cousin's face as they journeyed to the courtyard. "Of course, I will."
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"Aegon the Conqueror united the Seven Kingdoms and put them on a path-- Ser Criston."
Alaenna had never been an early riser, but being at sea changed her sleep tempo. As she rose to the starboard, she was passed by a distraught Criston Cole. She'd wanted to ask him what was wrong, but from the forming tears and reddening of his face, she figured it best to leave him alone.
Despite the clouds, the bright sky illuminated Rhaenyra, who looked equally as stressed as her paramour.
"Is everything alright, Nyra?"
Rhaenyra let out a heavy sigh before looking up at her sister. She'd been earnest about her relationship with her sworn guard, but it appeared honor meant more to him than she'd thought.
"I think I just lost my guard," Rhaenyra sadly joked as Alaenna came to her side.
Alaenna took her sister's hand in a firm grip waiting for her sister to say more. She wasn't the kind of person to push. Instead, she preferred letting people dwell on their own emotions without too much interference.
"He asked if I'd ride away with him. To Essos. And live a duty-free life of oranges and spices." Rhaenyra couldn't lie and say a lack of burden hadn't sounded nice. Alaenna knew as much. However, Alaenna also knew he never truly understood her sister if he thought her need for freedom outweighed her desire to feel important and even valued.
"It sounded nice, but I couldn't leave you. Especially not to be sold off to some random old lord." Rhaenyra transformed their holding hands into a simple hug pulling Alaenna to rest on her shoulder.
"You're more important than any throne, any freedom anyone could provide. Laenor understands this," Alaenna wrapped her arm around Rhaenyra, letting her sister comfort herself in their embrace.
"We've been with each other since, babes. I need you now more than ever." The wind blew around them, lulling a sense of security with each other.
"And if you truly want, I'll help you pick your husband. Father may be angry with the both of us, but I'm sure if I bring him a proposition, he couldn't refuse." Rhaenyra kissed Alaenna's head, looking onward to the seas ahead.
"Do you have someone in mind? No one could refuse you. Royalty or no." Alaenna let out a humored huff.
Rhaenyra had always been adamant about Alaenna's looks, and her compliments had only increased tenfold since that night.
"What if I said I did?" Alaenna asked mockingly. She hadn't minded her sister's affairs but didn't know if that'd be the same for Rhaenyra, who tended to be possessive.
"I'd have to kill him," Rhaenyra joked as she raised Alaenna's head to search her eyes.
"Though I don't think I'd mind Ser Harwin if that's who you're thinking of." When Alaenna averted her eyes, Rhaenyra knew the giant knight had made his way ever so slightly into her sister's heart.
Despite not having heard the full extent of their interaction in her rooms, she did know he'd brought her sister solace when she'd been off "coupling" with Criston Cole.
"I don't know what you mean by that. He's nice, I suppose." Alaenna indignantly broke away from her sister.
After that night together, she'd been meaning to find ways to thank him, but other knights and watchful eyes spoiled every opportunity.
Rhaenyra laughed at her little sister's embarrassment. "I could go tell father right now. If Otto Hightower can have his daughter as queen, I don't see why Lyonel Strong can't have a princess for a good daughter."
Alaenna looked mortified at the idea of suddenly springing a marriage proposal upon Ser Harwin. Especially when he'd only seen her sneak out and cry like a child. While marriages had been arranged for less, and most had never even talked to their partner-to-be, she wanted to have some sense of decency.
"You shall do no such thing." When Rhaenyra took a cheeky few steps back, Alaenna tried to trap her sister, who evaded to the highest degree. "Rhaenyra, you wouldn't."
Alaenna tried her best to conjure up some form of punishment for Rhaenyra teasing her, so, "I'm never spending the night with you again if you tell him."
Rhaenyra stopped in her tracks, looking at her sister, playfully clutching her heart. "You wound me, Alaenna. Whatever shall I do?"
She took dramatic steps toward Alaenna, hand still over her heart, before grabbing one of her hands.
"I won't tell him, I promise. I'd rather keep you to myself anyway."
"Till I'm old and wrinkled?"
"Till you're old and wrinkled."