- ̥۪͙۪˚┊❛ CHAPTER TWENTY ONE ❜┊˚ ̥۪͙۪◌
FORWARDS BECKON REBOUND
❛ baby both arms cradle you now
both arms cradle you now ❜

౨ৎ disclaimer
i know its a heated debate right now
about whether or not helaena is an
honorary black , and i didn't want it
to look like as if she's picking one or
the other but rather motivated out of
necessity to protect her children !
hopefully that makes sense—

EUDORA AND HELAENA.

Everyone in the Red Keep knew how close Eudora grew to Helaena, it was pretty apparent. The two only really had each other amongst the midst of tomfoolery happening in the court. It wasn't until Helaena got married that the two seemed to be more busy than usual. Even then, Eudora considered Helaena the sister she never had. So when the Stark was lost in conversation with Jace before he would leave for the beach, she had no idea what the reason was for her to be at the throne room with Rhaenyra and Daemon.

"What does that have to do with me?" she asked under her breath, Jace rubbing her shoulders gently.

"Well, whatever it is, it's urgent," the Velaryon told her. Jace then proceeded proceeded to tuck some hair behind the girl's ear. "You'll be able to bear through it, alright? I know you, and if you need me I'll be with Luke– you know where to find me."

Eudora smiled at his words as she watched Jace leave her side. With a heavy breath and a straightened posture, she began to follow Lord Marbrand to where she was supposed to be.

—

Maybe this was the first time Eudora has ever been on time, Rhaenyra and Daemon weren't even in the room yet. For what it was worth, she thought it would leave a good impression on the couple— as if she had some sense of time. "Ah, you're here early," she then heard, looking towards Rhaenyra who had a soft smile on her face. "Have you been waiting for us?"

"I have, Your Grace," the Stark answered, bowing towards the silver haired princess. She could feel Daemon looking at her as she slowly stood back up, her head hung low. Rhaenyra approached the girl, resting her hand on her shoulder as the doors swung open.

"The Princess Rhaenys Targaryen," Ser Lorent announced, Rhaenys thanking him as she walked through the doors. "And the Princess Helaena Targaryen, and her children."

"Helaena?" Eudora gasped, her eyes darting towards her. No thought ran through her, instead her feet carried her towards Helaena, each footstep quicker than the other. Polite manners and suitable conducts were the least of the Stark's worries, she just needed to make sure what she was seeing was real. Her arms wrapped around the girl, who collapsed into the embrace. It was the first time in a long time that either felt each other's hug.

"What is–"

"Viserys is dead," Rhaenys interrupted Daemon, who eyed Eudora and Helaena intensely. "I grieve this loss with you, Rhaenyra. My cousin, your father, possessed a kind heart... But there is more."

Rhaenys took a few steps forward towards her niece, who looked at her with an eager look. Eudora was ever so curious, slowly letting go of Helaena to look at the scene unfolding in front of her, Helaena's hand remained clasped in hers. "Aegon has been crowned as his successor," Helaena spoke, which took the whole room by surprise. Rhaenyra's eyes widened at the words– she couldn't believe it.

"They crowned him?"

"How did Viserys die?" Daemon spoke.

"I could not say," answered Rhaenys.

"How long ago?"

"A day past, perhaps two. I was made prisoner in my quarters while the Queen made her preparations," Rhaenys then said.

"Viserys has been slain," Daemon told Rhaenyra, but she only had one thought to voice.

"Alicent demanded you declare for Aegon."

"She did," Rhaeny agreed. "I refused her."

"And yet you all are alive," interjected Daemon as he glanced towards Helaena. "I don't understand how any of you are alive."

His words brought a still silence in the room, Helaena's grip on Eudora's hand started to tighten. "The High Septon crowned Aegon in the Dragonpit. We witnessed it ourselves before leaving on dragonback," Rhaenys then continued.

"They crowned him before the masses."

"So the masses would see him as their rightful king," Eudora says out of realization. Of course it was a realization that cut deep into Daemon's head.

"That whore of a Queen murdered my brother and stole his throne, and you could have burned them all for it."

"A war is like to be fought over this treachery, to be sure. But that war is not mine to begin. I only rushed this warning to you out of loyalty to my husband and to my house."

Daemon's attention turned towards Helaena once more. "And what of you?"

The silver haired girl's breath hitched, trying to find the words to say. "The Greens," she began. "They're coming for you, Rhaenyra. And for your children. I do not wish to be caught in the middle of this all– but if it means to keep my children from harm I would do what I must. Whatever effort I could, I need my children safe. Rhaenyra–"

Maybe this was the one time Helaena truly felt the love of a family when Rhaenyra gently cupped her face. "My sweet sister." Helaena could only smile, tears streaming down her eyes as she wrapped her arms around Rhaenyra. Eudora and Helaena were taught that Rhaenyra was this cruel, mean, and spiteful person who'd go out of her way to kill Helaena just to secure her right to the throne. Maybe that was true, maybe it wasn't. Maybe Rhaenyra was more than just evil, maybe Rhaenyra was just a human in this world of poor decisions– but at that moment Helaena just wanted her sister. Rhaenyra combed through Helaena's hair gently as her sister held her close.

"You should leave Dragonstone at once," Rhaenys told Rhaenyra before turning to leave. But the princess winced out of pain, Helaena and Eudora looking at her worried. She shared a look with Helaena who helped her draw her dress upward. It was the worst timing of all, noticing the blood on her hand.

"The babe is coming."

—

As Rhaenys helped Helaena and her children away, Eudora knew who she needed to fetch, and where he was. "What was that?!" Jace grunted as Luke fell onto the sand.

"I'm sorry!"

"You might go easier on him, My Prince, so he can learn what you're trying to teach–"

"Jace!" Eudora called out, entering the beach. He turned to see her, beginning to smile but it soon dropped as he heard what she said. "Your mother needs to see you. The both of you." The brothers knew how much they needed to be there– by the urgency and haste of Eudora. Immediately the two followed her towards their mother's chambers.

"What does she need?" Jace whispered, keeping up with Eudora's pace. "Eudora, what's wrong?"

"She's gone into labor." Eudora stopped for a quick second, turning to look at Jace. "And your grandfather is dead."

(( 🐉 ))