family

The moonlight striking against the bronze domes of Runestone were nice to look at in their own ways, even Daemon could admit to that, as the castle came into view. The night chill of the mountains seeping through his cloak and clothes.

He never would have believed it but, no matter how much he tried to attribute it to the soul that possessed his body, he missed Runestone.

My sons, it is they who I miss…

His sons, Baelor and Rhaegal, even now the memory of them seemed to push away the images of the children he never had.

Perhaps I should be thankful, that you sought to honour Baela's and Rhaena's memory…

As Caraxes near the bridge, they were greeted by the usual group of guards; a small body of three or four men dressed in the livery of House Royce. Each one bowing their heads and giving him the respect he was due. "Prince Daemon." One of the men greeted him as he climbed off of Caraxes. "I hope your journey was pleasant."

No, it's freezing and we've been flying for hours.

"Well enough, good ser." The imposter replied, he turned to Caraxes, patting him on the snout "Caraxes! Jātās! head back to the cave." The dragon hummed, lifting its head and padding away before flying off, its wings pushing the wind against those there for a moment. The Imposter took the reins of his horse "Come good sers, my lady-wife awaits my arrival."

Daemon wished he could roll his eyes.

You two always do this… each time you visit…

As Daemon entered the walls of Runestone, he quickly handed his horse to the stable hands and entered into the great hall of the keep, he saw Rhea, sitting on the bronze throne. Dressed in almost the same attire as when the imposter and her had their first dinner together.

She watched him come before her, the two smirking at each other. 

"Prince Daemon, lord-husband." She said, a sly smile on her face "Welcome home."

The imposter smiled back, mimicking her "I thank you, Lady-wife."

"Runestone welcomes you home, my Prince." She continues "You must forgive me, sadly the hour is late, I have not been able to prepare a feast or celebration for your arrival."

Really must you play this farce each time?

"You are forgiven, the hour is late, I would much prefer to take my meal with you instead."

"Very well, husband, attend to me at my apartments." Rhea walked down the dais and took his hand, standing on her toes as she planted a kiss on his lips "Lets us not waste time." She said in a half whisper, taking his hand as the two almost rushed out of the hall.

When they were done, Rhea lay herself on top of him, the two taking in their peace as they caught their breath, the imposter stroking her back with his finger while her arms hugged his body; Daemon had long set aside his dislike for these moments, sating his own desire through it, seeing as the imposter would stick to her bed only.

What was it that maester Mellos said? "I do not like the taste of fish, but when fish is served I eat it."

"Gods, I've missed you." Rhea said.

Truly? I could not tell." The imposter jested, Rhea slapped his chest playfully "I missed you too. How are the boys?"

"They are well, Baelor tries to teach his brother to walk but he does not realise he is still but a babe." Rhea laughed "Hopefully Baelor is asleep, if he had seen Caraxes fly by then he will stay up all night to see you."

Baelor… Rhaegal…

"Perhaps I should check on him." The imposter suggested.

"You can check in the morning." Rhea told him, she lifted herself up, kissing him almost possessively as her hands wondered down his body. "Tonight I would have you to myself." She moved off of him while pulling him forward, urging him to move on top of her, which both the imposter and Daemon were all too happy to do "Show me how much you miss me…" 

Gods, she is insatiable.

When Daemon had awoke from his own slumber he found that the imposter was already getting dressed, tying his hair into that 'ponytail' that he seemed to be fond with.

Daemon offered a silent thankful prayer.

Thank the Gods, I had not missed it.

This had also become a part of the imposter's habit; he would see Baelor, and now both he and Rhaegal, at breakfast surprising them the morning after his return.

A habit that Daemon was quite fond of.

He hid in the room as Rhea stood watch, the two glancing at each other with a smile. Then the door to the apartments opened; Perra came in with Baelor next to her.

Gods… he has grown so much…

Now he could see more of himself in his eldest son, just a little bit more.

And just behind them was a maid, holding his son.

Rhaegal…

If Baelor had more of his mother, than Rhaegal had more of him; his hair was a dull platinum and his eyes a faint violet that it looked almost blue. His hair still had the curls of Rhea and the ears and lips that both she and Perra had but there was no mistaking that he is a son of House Targeryen. 

"Hand him to me." Rhea asked of the maid

Maryline was her name? the maid? Gods I'm taking in your habits now.

She handed Rhaegal to Rhea who showered him in kisses as Baelor and Perra took their seats.

"Mother." Baelor spoke "When will father be home?"

So observant, my Baelor…

"Sooner than you think." The imposter said, stepping out of the door, revealing himself. Baelor jumped out of his chair and ran towards him, hugging his legs. The imposter laughed and picked him up. "My boy, how are you?"

Baelor response was muffled against his neck but neither the imposter or Daemon cared as they held him. "Have you been taking care of your brother?" Baelor hummed and nodded his head. "That's my boy." The Imposter placed him down "Get back to your seat, you can tell me everything you got up to while I was away." He smiled, Baelor quickly scurried back to the table "Perra!" he said to his good-sister.

Daemon could feel the nostalgia in the imposter's heart; the years truly had flown by, once the girl that was dotted on and whom the imposter allowed himself to be bested in that strange 'board game.' Now she was a woman grown, about to be married very soon to Arnold Arryn.

Gods we have gotten old.

"Good-brother Daemon." Perra smiled as the two shared a quick embrace.

"Everyday you grow more beautiful, Arnold is a rather fortune man indeed." Perra smiled and the two took their seats and the table to break their fast. "It won't be long until then, how are you feeling?"

"I am perhaps a bit worried." Perra admitted. "Lord Arnold has always been kind when we meet but I fear that perhaps he will change once we are married."

"Fear not, sister." Rhea spoke "Should Arnold dishonour you in any way you have our support."

"I am sure one meeting with Caraxes will set him right." Daemon jested "Or we can have Baelor defend you." He said to his son, ruffling his hair.

"I thank you, it is more than like just some jitters." Perra said.

"Yes more than like." Rhea agreed..

"When do we travel to the Eyrie?" the imposter asked.

"In less than a week's time" Rhea said.

"Excellent should give me enough time to check on my project and introduce the alchemist I hired to his office and team.

"Alchemist?"

"I had hired him from the alchemist guild in the capital, he was looking to get away from the capital and I was looking for to advise on future projects." Rhea rolled her eyes yet smirked at him.

You are so obsessed with these strange ideas…

Yet as Daemon witness the success of these strange ideas from the imposter and the respect it had given him among those in court, he held his tongue and observed. Though ready for the moment the imposter will stumble, Daemon was sure to laugh.

A few hours had passed, the imposter went about his other tasks concerning the mountain farming technique he was so enamoured with before waiting outside the castle gate as a lone rider came to the bridge; he was dressed in brown robes, sat upon a donkey carrying his belongings. He was a short and stout man, homely but Daemon knew the imposter needed him for something else.

"Jonos!" The imposter greeted him.

The stout man climbed off his donkey and bowed before him "Prince Daemon, it is an honour to be invited to your home."

"Please Jonos, this will also be your home while you work for me." The imposter said, he patted him on the back "Come, let me show you to your new solar.

As the imposter gave Jonos a tour of the castle, he was intrigued by the man's speciality.

Alchemy, manipulation of materials…

The fool imposter seems to believe he can one day make glass as good as Myr… but he also has other ideas.

All alchemists were experienced in the making of wild fire.

Yet as Daemon pondered this, he knew the reason behind the imposter's goal.

Once more the blue eyes in the cold winter storm stuck on in his mind, once more he tried to dig back into the memory only to be met with a wall of darkness.

"And this, will be your laboratory." The imposter said, the room was once an abandoned armoury that had gone into disrepair when a storm hit some years ago. Then the imposter had the room repaired and converted into a empty space.

I shall give you this… you have a talent for planning.

"Now, there are some rules." The imposter said "Whatever guests, be it other alchemists, scribes or scholars, will need my approval; I need you as a third party between I and the alchemist guild, I have plans to work closely with them in future." Jonos nodded his head "Second, I need you to keep an inventory of all supplies and equipment, I will not tolerate a misappropriation of what I provide."

"Of course."

"Thirdly, if you are to use wild fire or any kind of dangerous substance, that is to be done outside of the castle walls only." The imposter stressed this point "A safe location will be provided in future. But until then you shall refrain from such works."

"Yes, My Prince."

"If you need anything then you are free to ask for me." The imposter assured "It would be easier to do so while I am still here, I must confess I fear my lady-wife will be less than accommodating to you." Jonos nodded his head "Now, I shall be in the Eyrie for a turn of the moon, be sure to have any list formed for my return."

The journey to the Eyire was far more tedious than Daemon would have liked; the imposter had chosen to travel via wheelhouse than dragon. The small mercy of this decision being the time he spent with his sons, even if it was also with the Royces.

Though he could not come to resent their presence.

Overhead, the shadow of Caraxes loomed over them constantly, no doubt scaring away any opportunistic mountain savages who sought to attack them on their way,

Perra held Rhaegal in her arms, patting his side while Baelor rested his head on Rhea's lap, both boys asleep while the sisters caught up with what had happened in the capital.

"I think it is a noble idea, Daemon." Perra said, he had been telling them about the council's plans to sponsor local services in the city. "No doubt the people of the city will love you for it."

"They shall love the crown for it." The imposter said "It was agreed that the sums of money will be called a 'gift from his grace.'" It irritated Daemon how the imposter would not fight the council on letting him get the recognition he deserved on the matter.

I can only hope that Mysaria and that Cya woman set things right and tell others the idea was mine own.

"Was it an idea of that brothel owner." Rhea said, Daemon could not help but feel almost elated by her voice when speaking of Mysaria, even if it made the Imposter uncomfortable. 

Such a jealous woman...

"I assure you it was mine own; Mysaria, as she has down, merely points me in the right direction." The Imposter explained. "But she is a friend, of that you have nothing to fear, I swear it." The Imposter leaned forward and gently took her hand. 

Rhea could not help but smile "I know." she said "I do find it strange that the council did not appoint that knight, what was his name? Ser Cole? I was sure when he had won the tourney at Maidenpool with the Princess' favour he would have been destined for the Whitecloaks."

Daemon wished he could smile; that had been an idea of the imposter he had happily endorsed. How sweet it was the knock that usurping prick down, deny him chance to rise above his station and then place him under the thumb of another lord, even if it was Corlys.

The Kingmaker failing to even reach the Kingsguard, what is it that your people say again, Imposter? "How the mighty have fallen." He never got the chance to be mighty.

"I am sure that Lord Corlys will make use of his talents." The imposter said, Daemon could feel him strain to keep a smile off his mouth. "I sure he will find glory closely with him."

"That seems to be all men think about." Rhea jested.

"I wouldn't say so." The imposter smiled, using the elation the Daemon had made "I like to think about you too."

For reasons Daemon did not wish to balk at the flirting he imposter did for Rhea, he enjoyed the flustered expression her face at the his remark, it wasn't something he had not seen before and hadn't sneered before, now he felt something else. Something he wanted to deny.

There was a strangeness to their arrival to the Eyrie; the first time he arrived he was greeted with the nicety and respect of his arrival with the honour guard to greet them; Daemon had almost half expected to see Yorbert and Jeyne standing to greet them, yet before him was Gunthor and his Arnold.

The young brat has now grown larger. And the old man, even older.

As they left the carriage, guards helping both Rhea and Perra out, the two stepped forward to meet them.

"Dear nieces." He said greeted the two "Ah, little Baelor and Rhaegal." His eyes falling upon Daemon's sons, Baelor rubbing his eyes as he held Rhea hand while Rhaegal squirmed in his swaddle clothes before being taken by a nearby maid to hold. Then did he turn his attention to Daemon "Prince Daemon."

Daemon was amused by the pettiness.

"Lord-Steward." The imposter greeted. "Good to see both you and the young lord Arnold are well."

"Prince Daemon." Arnold bowed his head, overhead the wings of Caraxes flapped against the wind. "Lady Rhea." He turned his head to Perra "Lady Perra, you look more beautiful than I last saw you." He took her hand and kissed it gently.

"Thank you, Lord Arnold." Perra said politely.

"Come, lets us meet with the Lady Jeyne." Gunthor said "She had been eager for your arrival." His eyes falling upon the imposter for just a moment.

If there was one thing that both Daemon and the imposter agreed upon, the Eyrie was cold and almost unwelcoming.

Upon the dais where the throne was upon, Jeyne sat with the new castellan and regent at her side, a Redfort lord whose named escaped Daemon, but… his young daughter stood him.

Ah… so this is Jessamyn Redfort, the one who you worked so hard preserve Jeyne's future with.

As the imposter smiled upon Jeyne, it became clear to Daemon; as he found his lost niece and nephew in Laenor, Leana and Rhaenyra… he found his sister in Jeyne.

What did that one traitorous Lannister say? "The things I do for love?"

"Prince Daemon, Lady Rhea and Lady Perra." The Redfort lord spoke, a middling age man with nothing too striking about him. "The Eyrie welcomes you and lords Baelor and Rhaegal."

"We thank you, Lord Alastor." The imposter replied.

"Welcome back, Prince Daemon." Jeyne said, with all the practiced rehearsal of young lady.

"It is good to see you again, Lady Jeyne." Daemon replied.

"Come, you all must be tried from your travels." Alastor said "Allow yourselves some rest."

The imposter placed a kiss on Rhea's cheek "You go on ahead." He said to her, before walking to the dais, both Jeyne and Jessamyn approached him "Hello Jeyne." He smiled at her before turning to Jessamyn "And who might you be?"

Alastor looked to his daughter who bowed politely "I am Jessamyn Redfort, My Prince."

"Lovely to meet you, lady Jessamyn." The imposter replied "I assume you have been keeping the good lady Jeyne company?"

Jessamyn nodded "Yes, My Prince."

"The two have become fast friends." Alastor said, placing a hand on his daughter's shoulder.

Yes… friends, the kind of friends who fu-

He felt the dark hands tug at him, a warning if he ever knew one.

'This is neither the time or the place.'

The imposter thought, speaking to Daemon; no doubt the feeling of mockery Daemon had was not too well hidden.

Once again, you are no fun.

"My daughter is very fortunate to have the Lady Jeyne as a close friend." Alastor said "Lady Jeyne had even been telling her about the stories of this 'Joan of Arc' whom she said you had introduced to her, the two have been quite fond of the stories."

"It warms my heart to know you remembered and are now telling others, my Lady." The imposter said.

"Come, you should join your lady-wife, no doubt the other lords will be here shortly for the wedding." Alastor said, the Imposter nodded his head politely as he went to join with Rhea.

That morning, the entire Eyrie seemed to be a buzz of activity as the last remaining guests came in before the arrival of dawn. The imposter wondered around, the cold was still cold yet the feeling of anticipation lingered in the air; the sight of the Great Hall now being transformed into a place to hold the ceremony.

'Perra… I hope you are happy…'

Daemon didn't know if the feeling of loss and pride was truly of the imposter making.

Why should I feel the same as you?

Why would I feel the same as you?

Why do I still feel as you do?

Daemon told himself that it was the imposter's desire to seek out Perra before the ceremony, not his. And yet when the imposter knocked on the door and saw Rhea helping Perra as half a dozen maids worried over her dress.

The memory of Daemon's own wedding dripped into his mind, what was once a horrid memory for him with only one bright spot… was soon become an interesting memory with one guilt ridden moment.

She's wearing the same dress as Rhea…

There as an ache in his chest, one that he did not inflict.

No.. that moment, that day… I- I wanted more than what they could have given me.

"Perra." The imposter spoke, catching the attention of those in the room, the maids bowed their heads and greeted them.

"Husband, I thought you would be with the boys?" Rhea asked.

"Rhaegal is currently being dotted on by Jeyne and Jessmayn, Baelor is playing with other cousins in the yard, they will be fine." The imposter said, stepping forward "I thought I should come see you… Perra you look-"

"Stunning?" Rhea said in jest, the three of them chuckling to themselves. "For the life of me, Daemon, I cannot find that word in any other book."

"I can barely remember where I had read it from now." He laughed before, taking Perra in a gentle embrace, careful not the ruin her dress "How are you feeling?"

"I am… nervous, Daemon." Perra told him.

 "That happens" The Imposter told her, trying to reassure her. 

"I wish- I wish that our father was here for this day." Perra said, he could see the tears welling in her eyes.

Rhea placed a hand on her shoulder "I wish he was here for this too." Wiping at her eye, the imposter placed a gentle hand on both of them, placing a kiss on their heads.

"Daemon, I know this is sudden but-" Perra stumbled on her words "I had been talking to Rhea, we had thought to have Gunthor walk me Arnold but… I think I would prefer you to do so."

Both Daemon and the imposter were shocked, rendered speechless. "I- I couldn't." he stammered "It should be someone in your family-"

"You are my family." Perra smiled at him, a tear running down her cheek, that almost broke the imposter.

'What about Rhea?'

Though both he and Daemon knew that was not an option in their society. 

This isn't your world…

The thought was bitter than gloating.

"I… I would be honoured to." The imposter said, Perra's smile widen as she threw her arms around his neck, muttering a hundred different words of gratitude to him for it.

Daemon could not help but think of his wedding day…

"To Rhea Royce! To my bronze Bitch!"

He tried to deny it, he tried to close the thought away from his mind and heart but there it stood.

If Arnold said anything like that to Perra… I would kill him.