High Tide

His time at High Tide has been… a solemn one. He pondered on his knowledge of the place; on the castle, of the people, of the history, of the life that he had within these walls with Laena and his twin daughters Baela and Rhaena and of what had come to pass of this place he might have called home.

When he walked the halls of High Tide, he wondered if he had chased Baela and Rhaena through those very corridors, if their giggles echoed against the pale white stone. He wondered if he was happy at that time.

He tried to picture faces that he had never seen, of girls he will never know but who he wanted to hold. He wanted to feel sad, he wanted to angry, he wanted to feel anything regarding this loss and yet, he still felt the blanket of grief that the passing of his father.

The Gods have taken so much from me now…

Yet it had not all been just a fog of grief, he had felt anger and indignation over his time here; he hated Otto Hightower, the man who wore his learned nature and 'loyalty' as a coat to hide his ambition, to rise above his station as a second son and use his office to do so.

He treats this man as a friend…

How can one know so much but act so naïve?

And when the imposter suggested to place Laenor ahead of both him and Baelor in the line of succession to appease Lord Corlys; how much he had wished for control then, how he wished to strangle himself so that he could end the imposter.

Forsaking the birthright of my son? You are craven beyond words!

How Daemon wished the imposter just followed the path he had chosen in that other life; stand tall against the Sea Snake rather than cower before him.

If you had only gone down the path of the Grand Council… We would be second in line, we could have betrothed Baelor to Rhaenyra, convinced Viserys to name him heir!

How the imposter's decisions infuriated him; still his goal was to undermine Daemon.

Then there was Corlys.

Daemon knew of Corlys' importance in his other life; the grandfather of his girls and an ally during his years in both political and actual exile. He who had crowned Daemon as King during Daemon's conquest of the Stepstones and who advocated Daemon's son inherit the Throne after the death of that Green usurper Aegon II.

He should have felt warmer towards the Sea Snake but seeing him try an usurp the rights of him and Viserys had left a burning dislike for the man, he knew this would happen but to see it? He wondered if in that other life did that Daemon wish he could have met Corlys in the field. 

He has now gotten almost everything he wanted barring his blood on the throne, even that is just later than he'd prefer!

Daemon could feel the anxiety that the imposter felt as he and the lickspittle Hand Otto waited to be called into the grand hall of High Tide. They both expected that Corlys will announce that the three had come to an arrangement and that they will go to King's Landing to sign what had been called 'The Tides Treaty' by Corlys.

Why are you so nervous? You spoke to the man yesterday and he told you in private that he will agree to those terms.

"Daemon." Otto called to him, it irritated Daemon that the imposter let Otto address him without his title.

It's Prince Daemon to you, traitor.

"Otto, it shan't be long now, after this we will be back to our families." The imposter said, Daemon could feel the fakeness in his smile as he tried to take strength, strength which Daemon refused to give to the imposter after what he had done.

'Daemon, I need some help here."

Why should I help you? You who denied my son's birthright, whatever happens you shall live with the consequences.

A herald came to the door, opening it "Lord Hand, My Prince." He said, bowing his head "Lord Corlys and Princess Rhaenys await you."

"You have my thanks." Otto spoke, the imposter nodded his head, the herald opened the doors wide and before them was a line of guards dressed in Velaryon colours.

'Here we go..'

I'd say 'break a leg,' as your people say, but I'd prefer you break your neck.

The imposter and Otto walked into the hall, following the line of guards towards the Driftwood throne; Corlys sat on the throne with Rhaenys by his side and Laenor and Laena standing at her side.

Laena…

Another part of the life he will never live, another key to his legacy… another person who he will never love and share their love with their children. His grandson was also meant to sit that throne one day, Baela's son… one who will never be born.

High Tide had the ghosts of those who did not exist and the blanket of emptiness grew heavier with each reminder

He quickly thought of Baelor.

I will fill the imposter with a need to hold him, more so than he feels now.

"Lord Corlys." Otto spoke.

"Lord Hand, Prince Daemon." Corlys spoke, he sat forward "I thank you for your time and for the hard work you have done, after hours of talks and disagreements I am proud to say that we have come to an accord." There was an applause, one that Daemon knew well.

Such a farse.

"My family and I shall come to King's Landing, there we will sign the treaty along with the Lord Hand, both Princes Daemon and Viserys and, most importantly, his Grace King Jaehaerys." He announced "The rift between our families may take time to heal but both houses have taken steps towards reconciliation and for that I am grateful and proud."

Another round of applause.

"We thank you for these kind words, Lord Corlys." The imposter spoke "For your hospitality and for your own efforts, I hope that our treaty goes a long way in making sure that whatever enmity between our houses heals and we maintain the friendship that our families have enjoyed since before the conquest."

Why do you always feel the need to grovel at people's feet?

"Ravens have been sent to the Great houses, all shall know that the discord has been solved." Otto spoke "We should head to King's Landing as soon as possible, show the realm that we are united."

"Of that we can agree." Corlys said "Ready the ships, we shall make windfall for King's Landing and present ourselves to the King and I shall take my place as Master of Ships once more."

He is making such an effort to not say that Laenor has not been acknowledged as Heir. I almost hope Viserys has a living son so that your dream of having your blood sit the throne grows further away.

After the mummers farce of an announcement, the Sea Snake shared a bottle of Dornish red with both the green snake and the imposter.

"You must forgive me for making those negotiations difficult, sers." Corlys said. "But I was not prepared to surrender so easily."

"That was to be expected." Otto said as he drank from his cup. "I am sure you would not be the last lord hoping to exact concessions from the throne. This is quite good wine."

Hope you choke on it.

"No doubt the children will be devastated for your absence, Daemon." Corlys said "It is a shame, I do believe you have yet to finish that story of your to them, the 'Odyssey' was it?" 

"You can have the book." The imposter said, placing his journal on the table and sliding it over to Corlys "I had my scribe make a copy of it at Runestone, I am sure you and others in your house will find it to be a good read."

For Daemon, the only moments that had been bearable in his time at High Tide was spending time with Laena and Laenor; he was thankful for the imposter's need to feel the void left by the children of his sister in his own life with Daemon's own family. And help fill the void left in Daemon's own heart.

I wonder… had I done the same for Baela and Rhaena in that life too? Had I cared for them? Read them stories and played with them?

I will never know, I'll never have the chance.

"How about a toast." Corlys proposed "I look forward to working with you in future, Otto." He said looking to that scheming bastard who lifted his own cup. "And you to Daemon, I feel your talents would be wasted on Runestone, I am sure when Viserys becomes king he shall find a place for you on his council."

The imposter smiled politely, though Daemon could feel his apprehension "Thank you, Corlys." Daemon knew much about the imposter's nature by now, his lack of ambition no longer just the only thing that irritated him.

If you don't want the position than just bloody tell them!

They had left for King's Landing soon after, the mass fleet of Velaryon ships now sailing away from the gullet and back to the ship harbours and ports of Driftmark. Daemon watched through the imposter's eyes as he did busy work on the ship with the crew. At his sides he could see the ships escorting them, their own lights on like fireflies in the night.

Through the sweat on his brow Daemon felt the chill in the air, colder than usual.

"You's feel that?" one of the crew commented. "Sea air feels colder, means winter is upon us now."

"Winter?" the imposter spoke "How long will that last."

"Don't knows, Prince Daemon." The sailor said, he was a older man dressed in simple rags "Heard from the wisemen in port that this winter may be two years or three, won't be long till the snow fall I recon'"

'I don't have much time to test run terrace farming then.'

Really? That's what you are concerned about? Your bloody farming method?

Yet the cold wind brought something else in mind for Daemon, a the glimmer of a memory he had not pondered since he had first awoken…

Icy blue eyes in a thick fog of snow and a winter never-ending.

What was that? What did I see back then?

He did not know if the chill he thought was because of the wind or because both he and the imposter had the same thing in mind, once more he tried to peer into those memories but was met by a wall of darkness.

When they had arrived back at King's Landing, they had almost received a hero's welcome; smallfolk lined the harbour as their galley docked onto the pier, when they appeared to be seen by the people as the walked down onto the pier a loud cheer thundered out. It was as if they were returning victorious from a war rather than talks of a treaty.

And yet, Daemon could not help but feel some pride in the applause.

They love me.

He lapped up the praise.

"The Prince of Peace!" one shouted.

"Dutiful Prince Daemon!" another cried.

As they approached the guards on the pier he saw one of them smile and bow his head "Thank you, Lord Hand, My Prince." He whispered to them as he escorted them "The men and I, we did not wish to fight a war against those seahorses ships."

Bit too craven to be a soldier now.

"It seems that news of our good work has spread to the common folk." Otto said, a mischievous smile on his face.

Our work? I was the one whose sacrifices made the treaty possible, what did you surrender?

Still Daemon didn't want that to ruin this moment of him, as the guards escorted him to a carriage, he looked over to the sea, the Velaryon ships making a detour Iron Gate.

Want to get in without anyone seeing you?

When he and Otto arrived at the steps of King's Landing the warm welcome continued strong; a guard of men greeted them with Viserys at the front with Aemma and Rhaenyra. 

When the imposter stepped out of the carriage did trumpets blow as the proud banners of his house flap in the wind.

This. This is the kind of welcome I should get, the kind of respect I deserve!

For just a moment, the melancholy had lesser and the weight he felt more lighter. The memory of High Tide ached but the pain had been dulled.

"Brother!" Viserys called out to him, arms out wide as he embraced Daemon tightly, he pulled back and looked to Otto and shook his hand. "Lord-Hand, I congratulate you two on a job well done, you have averted a crisis and brought peace to our kingdom." 

"We live to serve his Grace and the Realm." Otto said, Daemon thought himself lucky at that imposter was in control for such a moment, for he could not imagine not being able to hold back a scoff.

"Come, let us not retire for the day; Lord Hand, you family await you at the tower." Viserys said "Your daughter, has been a great help in caring for the king."

Oh has she now…

"Daemon, your lady wife and son await you in their apartments." There was a longing there, in his chest. For both of them. One that Daemon tried to untangle, separate the desire to see Baelor from Rhea.

It is Baelor I wish to see… not her…

As Otto departed from them to the tower of the hand, Viserys placed a hand over the imposter's shoulder as he walked with him. "Daemon, I cannot thank you enough for this." He said "It is not right, what has been done, pushing yourself and Baelor further down the line of succession to appease that damn Sea Snake, but you did so."

You're right, it was not right.

"I wished for peace, if that meant being pushed down in line for a crown I might never wear then so be it." The imposter spoke, so humble yet no one would know how eager he was to relinquish it.

When they arrived at their apartments, the guards has opened the door; there Rhea stood with a maid holding Baelor, not a second before the two looked upon each other did they run into each other's arms with longing kiss.

In the past he found these moments to be nauseating, yet as the two held each other he could not help but draw some level of strength from it, some sort of comfort, as Rhea muttered a hundred different words of affection.

When both Daemon and the imposter spotted Baelor in the arms of the maid, the burning feeling to hold him could have reduced King's Landing to ashes. But Rhea stopped him "Wait." She said, much to both the imposter surprise and Daemon's frustration. She looked to the maid who began to set Baelor down to the floor.

His son wobbled as he stood up before taking plodding steps towards his parents. In that moment, Daemon's heart melted as the weight that crushed him was lifted. He felt elation as the imposter gasped and smiled widely.

When the imposter knelt down with arms outstretched to Baelor, Daemon felt immense pride.

Baelor tripped as he reached the imposter's hands "My boy, I am so proud." He said, holding him close. How Daemon had wished he could be the one to doing so.

When his son had been put down to rest did the imposter and Rhea speak with each other, sat by the hearth, sitting on a long chair holding each other.

"Forgive me, Rhea." The imposter asked. "I know we had promised to arrange Baelor's match together, I just couldn't find a way-"

Rhea silences him, pressing her finger to his lips. "It is fine." She tells him. "You had done what was best for the realm, I would have done the same." The two hold each other a bit closer "Father will be… disappointed, he had hoped for a match within the Vale to strengthen our hand, but an alliance with House Velaryon will be good for us too."

"Prince Daemon, Lady Rhea." A servant had called for them from the doorway, they both looked up "His Grace has asked to see you, he has asked you bring your son too."

What does he want?

The thought was bitter.

"We shall attend to him immediately." The imposter said, Rhea huffed, likely at the thought of waking Baelor from his sleep.

They were marched towards the room, guards by their sides with ser Clement at the head. Two more knights guards Jaehaerys door. They bowed their heads, each grabbing the handle of a door and pushed it open. Daemon's memory of Jaehaerys' apartments were fuzzy; lavish and colourful thanks to his grandmother with a sweet scent in the air, a place fit for a king.

Yet now the place was dark, the colours faded and the sweet smell of milk of the poppy lingered; the imposter clenched his jaw trying not to gag while Rhea covered Baelor's mouth and nose.

"The King is through there, My Prince." The King's guard guided them to another room.

The imposter nodded his head and turned to Rhea "Wait here, I shall call you in." Rhea nodded hers, holding Baelor and gently tapping his back.

If the room outside smelt sickly than inside wafted of death and decay, in the centre was a large bed with his grandfather laying at the side, covered in blankets, a small chair sat facing him. The imposter walked towards the chair, sitting down.

Look at you. How the mighty have fallen.

Daemon wanted to feel furious with him; yet all he felt was pity.

"Grandfather." The imposter spoke softly, Jaehaerys weakly turned his head to face him, opening his eyes before narrowing them, looking straight at him.

"F- father?" he muttered.

The imposter reeled back a bit while Daemon felt a bit offended.

Aenys? he sees me as Aenys?!

"No grandfather, it is I, Daemon." He said "Your grandson."

Jaehaerys blinked a few times and opened his mouth "Ah… Daemon, forgive this old man." He almost whispered. "It seems my eyes nor my mind were not as sharp as before."

The imposter reached over and took his frail old hand. "That is fine, is all well grandfather?"

Jaehaerys breathed in laboriously "I fear I am not too long for this world, Daemon." 

"Do not speak like that, grandfather." The imposter urged him, but they both knew; he would be gone in just two years' time

"Your father said that too." Jaehaerys said softly, Daemon could have sworn that he then mouthed the word 'why?' "I have much to say to you, Daemon." He breathed in deeply "I was wrong, I was wrong to mistrust you." He said, his voice straining "You are truly a man now, a good man, I should have known it was the vigour of youth that- that led you astray… but I know now you put the realm first, you put your family first, you have sacrificed much and for that I am proud."

Daemon treaded in the pool of pride the imposter felt, yet in his mind the was one thing he hoped.

He trusts us… perhaps we can get him to grant a egg to Baelor?

He pushed the idea in the imposter's head, he blinked and swallowed as he pushed the thought down.

You deny my son a chance at the throne… do not deny him this.

"Than- Thank you, grandfather."

Let him have this at least!

"May I see him, may I see Baelor?" The imposter turned his head to the door and to Rhea and nodded his head. She carried Baelor to the bed.

"Your Grace." Rhea spoke, bowing her head slightly, she turns her body, showing Baelor to his great grandfather.

Jaehaerys slips his hand from the imposter and tries to reach out to him "Baelor… my boy… forgive me, I wish I could give you more."

Ask for more! Ask him now!

Daemon then felt the hands of darkness pull him back.

No!

Quickly he relented and ceased his thoughts and urgings.

Craven… you damn craven.

Baelor starts to cry as Rhea taps on his back, trying to soothe him into calmness "Pardons your Grace." Rhea apologised to him.

Jaehaerys rested his head as his arm fell to his side "It is quite fine, know that I am proud of him." Jaehaerys breathed "I am… truly sorry, I wish I could give you three more, give him more."

Daemon wanted to claw at his own face.

"I hope you become great Baelor, a great lord of the Vale."

He should be more… he should be so much more!

"He will, your Grace, I am sure of it." Rhea spoke, still trying to soothe him, a maid quickly comes to Rhea aid.

"You have already done so much for us, grandfather." The imposter spoke.

Daemon wished he could have broke free from his cage, he crashed against it trying to force his own words through his throat to no avail, it was the 'humble' words of the imposter on his tongue instead.

Daemon could have fallen to his knees; once more his dreams and ambitions were just in sight, given within his reach and could be take if only he could seize it. If only he could seize it.

As the imposter turned to face his wife, he once more spotted his son as he rested his head on Rhea's shoulder as a maid stood behind her with a bronze coloured dragon in her hand, Baelor accepted the toy eagerly. 

Jaehaerys chuckled softly before breaking out into a cough "I- I see he has grown fond of my gift to him." 

"He is enamoured with the gift, your Grace." Rhea smiled as Baelor calmed down, chewing on its head. 

"Good… good…" Jaehaerys weakly mumbled before closing his eyes. The Imposter stood up, turning to Rhea he placed a kiss on her forehead and looked to Baelor. 

Daemon looked at his son with just a glimmer of hope; he wondered if Rhaenyra would repeat her mistakes, if Corlys and Rhaenys would tolerate it in this life and wondered of a possibility that his blood sits the throne through the union of Baelor and Laena.

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