We all took a ship to Driftmark as soon as the news hit my ear. The children were reluctant to leave at first until they heard what had happened. The journey was quiet. No one truly knew what to say. I did not know what to say.

Once we began getting closer to Driftmark, the nerves in my stomach began to set in. I remembered i would be seeing my estranged family. I have not spoken nor written to them in years. They did not try to speak with me, so why should i?

I felt someone creep up beside me as i tried to keep my head held high. Cregan sighed before he spoke. "You are nervous" he said. "I am not nervous" i snapped. "You are also a terrible liar."

"And you are a terrible reader because i am not nervous" i said. "Then what are you?" he asked. "I am ready to get this over with. I will say my goodbyes to Laena, comfort my sisters, and then we will leave as soon as possible before anything can happen."

He put his cold hand over mine trying to give me comfort. "Nothing will happen. I won't allow anything to happen. You shall grieve in peace and none of your family will give you any trouble, alright?"

I slowly turned to him and gave him a small nod. "And what of the children? You know just as well as i do that they will find a way to get into trouble. I wouldn't be surprised if someone lost a leg during this trip. Or an eye even!" i exclaimed.

He laughed quietly pulling me closer to him. "No one will loose a limb. Well... Not an important one anyway" he joked. I couldn't help but laugh at his joke. "I'll keep the children close. Plus, you'll get to see your cousin. You like her. I'm sure that is something to look forward too."

"Yes... If her family hasn't poisoned her against me" i mumbled. "You must stop worrying. If you don't, you might give birth to an angry dragon" he said. I felt my stomach trying to calm myself. The maesters warned me to not stress because it would be bad for the babe.

"We're almost here, lady" one of the men called out. Cregan and i both looked out across the sea as we spotted Driftmark. I bit my tongue anxiously. "Remember, you are the lady of Winterfell now. Your family can not treat you as they did" Cregan whispered.

We stepped off the boat and made our way to Driftmark castle. It was larger than i remembered. The last time i was here, Corlys, Laenas father, brought me out on one of his many ships along with my sisters. Corlys and his wife Rhaenys were always kind to me. This makes all of this so much harder.

I was fortunate enough to avoid my family until the funeral. When the funeral commenced, i spotted my two sisters standing with Corlys and Rhaenys. I felt chest tighten when i saw their puffy, red eyes.

"Best behaviour today. Do you all hear me?" i whispered to the children. They all silently nodded as i made my way towards my sisters. "Sisters" i mumbled. They both turned their heads and ran over to me.

I knelt down to their height, taking them both in my arms. "We didn't know if you would come" Baela said holding me tightly. "Of course i came" i said to both of them with my eyes swelling with tears.

"I don't want mother to be gone" Rhaena said. "I know... I know" i said squeezing her tightly. Of course, i did not know their pain. When my mother died, it was one of my most happiest days. But i know Laena and my sister's relationship was different.

I hoped my children would not feel this pain for a long, long time. "Lady Alysanne" a familiar voice spoke. I looked up to see Rhaenys with a black vale covering her face. "Rhaenys... I'm... I'm so sorry for your loss" i said standing up.

She gave me a weak yet thankful smile. "We have not seen you in court for many moons. Why is that?" Corlys asked standing close by his wife. I gulped slightly at his words. Cregan put a hand on my shoulder as he came up behind me.

"We have been quite busy. I can assure you, there is no tension between our houses" he said. It was then my swarm of children stood beside me as Rhaenyses face dropped. "Quite busy indeed" she mumbled. I gave her an uncomfortable smile.

Silence washed over us until ser Vaemond Velaryon began to speak. Everyone hushed as he began to speak about the late Laena. As he spoke. my eyes drifted to the crowd around her tomb.

I saw Rhaenyra holding her sons close to her as her husband Laenor stood further away looking distraught. Though i could not blame him. It must be hard to loose a sister. I then saw my father standing away from the crowd.

He had no emotion on his face so i could not tell what he was feeling. I know he loved Laena. Maybe not as much as he should, but they were happy enough. I wanted to comfort him, but he looked as if he wanted to be alone.

Baela had her head tucked into Rhaenys as Rhaena clung to my leg. It was then i felt stares burn into my skin. I already knew who it was. I slowly turned my head to see the king and queen with their children.

Aegon never looked more bored as Helaena looked sad for the woman. She had grown these passed few years. I felt a smile tug at my lips at her maturity. I then saw Alicents second son, Aemond. I had not seen the boy since he was a babe. He looked kinder than his brother but tougher than Helaena.

I did not even want to look at the king and queen... I couldn't.... I just couldn't. I felt my heart beat faster and faster as more lords and ladies began to whisper about myself and Cregan. About us fleeing Kingslanding, about our secret marriage... About our shameful acts. I looked back at Cregan who had Rickon in his arms.

"Are you alright?" he mouthed to me. I don't know what it was or how he did it. But when i looked at Cregan, i remembered why i risked everything in the first place. I risked everything because i loved him more than anyone.

Because whoever is looking down at us, gods or other, stopped at nothing for us too meet. "Everything's fine" i mouthed back giving him a small smile. The funeral continued as Vaemond spoke in High Valyrian.

"As she sets sea for her final voyage, the lady Laena leaves two true born daughters on the shore. Though their mother will not return from her voyage, they will all remain bound together in blood. Salt courses through Velaryon blood. Ours runs thick. Ours runs true. And ours must never thin."

Vaemond spat these words as he stared down the princess Rhaenyra. Everyone's eyes drifted to her and her sons. Ive heard that the legitimacy of her sons birth was nipping at her feet, but i never dreamed that Vaemond would choose now to shame them. I knew all to well the feeling that the boys had.

Rhaenyra gripped them both tightly as she gulped. Cregans face fell as he understood what was happening. He watched as my face twitched with anger. He knew he needed to distract the crowd and pull the attention away from Jace and Luke.

He laughed loudly as the crowd fell silent. He continued laughing as i hung my head trying to hide the smile that had crept onto my lips. Lyarra, unaware of what was happening, joined in with her fathers laughter. We ignored all the judging looks as Laenas tomb was released into the sea.

"My gentle niece. May the winds be as strong as your back, your seas as calm as your spirit, and your nets be as full as your heart. From the sea we came. To the sea we shall return."

After the funeral, the mourning crowd gathered around for food and wine. "It smells like seaweed" Serena said with a hint of disgust. "Maybe that's because we are surrounded by the ocean" Lyrra mumbled under her breath.

Serena sneakily tugged Lyrras hair as Lyrra shoved her back. "Hey! No fighting. Remember what your mother said. Best behaviour" Cregan said. The two girls rolled their eyes at him.

"I am going to go find my father. You should all go find your cousins" i said. "Do we have too?" Rickon asked. "Yes. You have too" i said. "But we don't even know them, mother" Lyrra said with a huff and a puff. "Then change that. Go!"

They all reluctantly spread out to mingle as i made my way over to my father. He was standing alone with a cup of wine in hand. I sighed before putting a hand on his shoulder. "Father" i said with a weak smile. "I don't want any pity. If that is why you are here" he mumbled.

I fought the urge to roll my eyes at his spitefulness. "Then you'll get none from me" i said. My father paused before he spoke. "You brought the whole clan with you then" he said. "I brought my family, yes. Do you have a problem with that?" i questioned. "I have no problem with my grandchildren... But that 'husband' of yours... Well-"

"Not today, please" i said. "I only mean to say, are you sure you want to your family to meet your other family?" he asked. "If you mean the king and queen, i do not care what they think" i said. "Good. You shouldn't... But my brother is walking over here" he said taking a sip of his wine.

I turned around swiftly as i saw the weakened king struggling to walk over to us. He has grown more sickly since i saw him last. His skin was as pale as snow as dry patches covered his face. "Brother... Alysanne" he said with a weak smile.

"Your grace" i mumbled through gritted teeth. "Your girls are the very image of their mother. The gods can be cruel. A comfort and an anguish as i well remember... The gods can be cruel" he said.

"Seems they've been especially cruel to you" Daemon said. I cleared my throat and shuffled uncomfortably at his words. Viserys laughed weakly. "Yes... They have i suppose."

"How are you, your grace?" i asked. "I am well, Alysanne... It seems you have a family of your own now. One of your children ran from me not a moment ago. I am happy for you" he said. "Yes... They are little beasts but they are my little beasts" i said. The man gave me a small nod.

"It has been an age since i saw you or your husband.... Too long" he said. "I believe that is for the best, your grace. My time in Kingslanding was not good for either of us" i said. "Why don't you and your family return to Kingslanding with us. It's time you visited home. They can meet my children and-"

"Winterfell is my home. And that of my children" i said. "Alysanne... I know we've had our differences but let them pass with the years. There is a place for you, brother, in my court. And your room has been left untouched Alysanne. If that is something your should need."

"I need Rha... Nothing from you" my father said through gritted teeth. Viseryses smile faded as my father stormed off. "I am happy, your grace. With no help from you. I found happiness on my own. So thank you for your offer but i must say no" i said as i walked off holding my head high.

Meanwhile....

Serena looked around at the unfamiliar grounds of Driftmark trying to spot any familiar faces. Her brothers and sister had separated from her so she was desperate to find at least one of them.

After a short while, she spotted her brother, Ned, speaking with a small Targaryen girl. Serena knew she was Targaryen because of her white hair. She was happy her brother had found someone to talk too. He doesn't have many friends back at Winterfell and is very quiet.

She began making her over to them until she spotted two boys standing around them laughing. Serena hid herself behind the wall and peaked her head closer to listen in.

"She's an idiot. And so is he. Listen to them!" the older boy said. "She's your future queen. And that's Alysannes son. If you speak ill of him, she'll have your head" the smaller boy said.

"We actually do have once thing in common. We all fancy creatures with very long legs. Do you know the six year old boy has claimed a dragon already? Best get a move on brother" the tall boy said before walking off in a fit of laugher.

Serenas face twitched with anger as she heard the words the boy spoke about her brother. He was lucky Lyarra was not there to hear him. She would most certainly cut his balls off if she heard what he said about her twin brother. Suddenly, the smaller boys eyes drifted to Serena as she hid back behind the wall.

She held her breath hoping he did not see her... But he did. "Hello" he said softly. She cringed inside before stepping out from behind the wall. "Hello" she said with an awkward smile.

"I'm sorry about my brother... He is not the brightest nor the kindest" he said. "Is that your sister?" she asked. The boy nodded. "My father says brothers should never speak ill of their sisters. It shows what kind of man they are."

"I guess it does... Is that your brother?" he asked. Serena nodded. "I'm Aemond" the boy said. "I'm Serena... Are you one of the princess Rhaenyras sons?" she asked. The boy chuckled as if he took offence to her words. "Certainly not" he mumbled.

The girl was confused by his reaction, but decided to brush it off. "Do you like cake?" she asked. "I don't hate cake" he said. "Good. Then let's go get some."

"Do not leave my side" Lyarra whispered to Rickon as she tugged his arm tightly. "Why?" he asked. "Because i don't like these people" she said. "How can you not like people you've never met?" he questioned.

Lyarra tutted. "Because mother has not seen them in years. There must be a good reason for it" she said. "But we don't know the reason she has not seen them" he said. "We don't have to know... I just know i will not like them."

Rickon rolled his eyes as he scanned the grounds. He spotted his father speaking with a young, brown haired boy. "Let's go" he said dragging Lyarra towards them.

"No, no, no!" Lyarra exclaimed. "What's your problem now!" Rickon said. "He's a boy!" she whispered through gritted teeth. Before Lyarra could protest further, her father had already spotted them.

"Lyarra, Rickon! Come!" Cregan called out. Lyarra groaned in annoyance as they made their way towards them. "Jace, these are my children, Lyarra and Rickon. Lyarra, Rickon, this is the arseling, Jacaerys Velaryon" he said.

"Hello" Jace said. "Hi" Rickon said. Lyarra kept quiet as she stared at the ground. "Lyarra" Cregan said sternly. "Hello" she mumbled. Cregan sighed as he lifted the small girl into his arms. "You boys get to know each other" Cregan said before walking off.

Lyarra held onto her father tightly not wanting to let go. "What's with the mood?" he asked. She kept quiet. "I won't stop asking until you tell me" he said. She sighed before she spoke. "Where am i going to rule?"

"What do you mean?" he asked. "I mean, Rickon is heir to Winterfell, that boy you were talking to will inherit the iron throne, his brother will inherit Driftmark and Serena will inherit Runestone. Even though she doesn't even want to rule. She wants to marry a lord and have babies. What am i going to rule?" she asked.

Cregan held in his laughter at the young girls eagerness. "Do you know who is to inherit the iron throne after the king?" he asked. "Princess Rhaenyra" she said. He nodded. "There is not many women who can rule lands. But when you are older, the princess will be queen. That means a lot more than you think. Once a woman rules the Seven Kingdoms, girls just like you will be able to inherit lands."

"But i won't be able to rule anything without a dragon" she muttered. "Fuck the dragons. Do i have a dragon?" he questioned. She shook her head. "Am i not the best ruler in the lands?" he questioned. "You are not" she said a smile tugging her lips.

Cregan let out a sarcastic gasp. "Mother is" she said with laughter. Cregan shook his head as he ruffled up her hair. "I have no energy to argue with you. But we all know i am" he teased. The girl laughed as Cregan smiled softly at her.

"You will be a great ruler. Wherever you get to rule. Dragon or not."

(Authors note: This is mostly a fill in chapter... But we all know what happens in the next chpt 👁️👄💎)