- ̥۪͙۪˚┊❛ CHAPTER THIRTY THREE ❜┊˚ ̥۪͙۪◌
RUNNING UP THAT HILL
❛ come on baby, come on darling
let me steal this moment from you now ❜

౨ৎ disclaimer
slightly edited ! I'll correct any mistakes
later ! and slight content warning,
kind of mature?? (heavy on kind of,
you'll have to read between the lines)

JACAERYS.

Years Prior.
Jacaerys' POV

I've always come to assume that Eudora would visit Dragonstone sooner or later, her letters expressed how she so desperately wanted to explore anything other than the Red Keep. I've never gotten around to learning about the other religions from which I don't worship– Targaryens are known for their devotion to the Seven. And yet I learned through her letters that she'd pray to the Old Gods. It was interesting how much I know about a girl I've only seen once– how much I've yet to know.

"We don't worship the Old Gods, Dragonstone was made as a Valyrian fortress," my mother explained to me as I read through a few scriptures, Luke right beside me. "Why do you ask?"

Luke could only snort as a laugh. "Eudora Stark–" I rightfully shoved him. But it did cause my mother to break into some a small laugh.

"Your friend? The Starks are known for worshipping the Old Gods, their religion is not as elaborate as ours, one might say, but they do have a godswood–"

"Do we have one?" I questioned so eagerly, my mother furrowed her eyes at my words.

"No, we have a sept?"

"Do you think we could make one? If the Starks ever visited we should be at least a bit accommodating–"

My mother only puts a hand on my shoulder. "I don't think it works that way. Where would we even acquire weirwood trees?"

Quickly my mind started racing for a quick solution. "We could have an oak tree," I then said. Before she could deny me of any liberty to even request such foolish request, Luke spoke.

"I think it'll be fun to have one."

And so a soul oak tree amidst one of the courtyards was born. Every day Luke and I would spend some time under it. Playing, reading, sleeping, until it actually served its true purpose.

˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚

'The look in Eudora's eyes told me everything I needed to know.'

The absence of Rhaenys was enough to tell everyone what went down. The blood that tainted Eudora's face wasn't enough to cover her expression, one that Jace wished he could wipe off her face as soon as he could. When Baela noticed her mother was not on dragonback, accompanying the Stark back to Dragonstone, she could only turn away and leave. It wasn't in her best interest to let people watch her shed a few tears.

"What happened?" Rhaenyra finally mustered, her hand reaching out for the girl. But all Eudora could do was walk past her queen and Jace, who could only hold onto his sword even tighter. If he wasn't losing her before, he was definitely losing her now. And that's what was scaring Jacaerys the most in these trying times. That one of the people he cared for the most– he loved the most, would cease to exist. Not disappear physically, her presence would always leave a mark. But to have her act like he is just another person in the court makes him worried.

"I'll go after her," Jace then spoke, leaving his mother's side. His footsteps were hasty, forcing himself not to listen to Helaena and Rhaenyra's protests as each step was a silent plea to reach her before it was too late. He had to follow Eudora, and he had to do so now. It wasn't hard to find out where the Stark has left to. It wasn't the first place he thought she'd go to but it certainly wasn't ruled out.

He's done many things to bring some parts of home to Dragonstone for his wife, a mini weirwood sapling sat on a table in their once shared bedroom (one which he's requested days prior to their departure to Winterfell), dresses and garments with symbols of her house, anything to make her stay from home easier. But what did give her the most comfort was the oak tree, one that Jace planted years ago. It wasn't a weirwood, but it stood tall and steadfast, offering a semblance of comfort. That's where Jace found her that night– kneeling on the ground in silence.

There was nothing more heartbreaking than watching the woman you love break right in front of you.

Jace stood frozen before taking a few quiet steps towards her, stopping right in front of her as he kneeled as well. "Eudora," he could only whisper, hesitant but desperate. The girl remained still, unmoving at his call. "Eudora, please." He placed his hand on her shoulder, and that's when she finally shattered.

She collapsed into his embrace, her body wracked with sobs. Jace instinctively wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close as her warmth seeped into him, mingling with the chill of the evening air.

Her cries were agonizing, "I failed her," she murmured against his shoulder. "I'm sorry–"

"It's not your fault," he told her, Eudora's face pressing deeper into his shoulder. "You... you did what you could."

Jace tightened his hold, feeling her tremble against him. "I tried, Jace. I should've listened to you– you were right, and I'm so sorry–"

"Eudora, you have to let this go," he cradled her face in his hands, the urgency in his voice rising. "You've done enough, you've proven your points, you're hurting yourself in the process. I can't lose you too, not now, not like this."

The Stark's breath hitched, her eyes filled with unshed tears. "I can't have you losing anyone else," she spoke, barely a whisper.

"I won't, no one else will lose their life for my mother's throne." The weight of his words hung in the air, and he hesitated for a moment. Words came out of his mouth faster than he could realize what he was saying, something he should've said a long time ago. "I love you."

"What?"

"Eudora, I love you." Jace's gaze locked onto hers, wide and searching, trying to find any response.

But all she could do was look at him, the moment suspended, heavy with what remained unsaid. They remained locked in each other's arms, her sobs beginning to quiet and yet they sat there until the late hours called for them to come to bed.

Jace helped her bathe, washing the blood off of her face, her arms, her hair. He watched the way her eyebrows would furrow together every once in a while whenever he would graze a wound or a bruise. All throughout she continued to stay silent, and Jace wanted to understand what was going through her head.

Maybe she was caught off guard by his words, maybe it wasn't something she wanted to hear. Was she still wrestling with his confession? Had he moved too quickly, or was what he said something she needed more than ever? The uncertainty hung heavy, a reminder that even amidst their shared moments of vulnerability, there were walls yet to be broken.

Once Eudora had dressed in a simple, clean night gown, Jace had her sit by the hearth. The flickering flames caseted a warm glow, bringing some kind of comforting feeling to them both. Jace had some supplies gathered: a bowl of warm water, a cloth, and a small jar of healing salve he had asked the maester for. As he approached, the prince caught her eye, but Eudora's gaze turned back towards the weirwood sapling on the table– one which Jace refused to move even when Eudora decided to sleep separately after their fight. "You don't have to do this," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

"I want to," Jace replied gently. He knelt before her, a frown appearing at her state. Carefully, he dipped the cloth in water, wringing it out before he began to clean the wounds on her skin. Every time the cloth grazed a bruise, he saw the Stark flinch, a small reminder of the turmoil she had faced. "At least you didn't end up like the other soldiers," he attempted to lighten the mood, but the joke fell flat.

"It could've been worse," she said, her lips quirking up slightly.

"And at least you arrived back safe and sound," he told her softly, focusing on her injuries– trying to keep his hands steady as he dabbed at the cuts. It was never his strong suit, tending to the wounded. But Eudora could see he was trying his hardest, Jace hoped that his efforts were warming up to her.

Silence settled between them, thick and uncomfortable, as he continued his task. After a moment, Jace carefully applied the salve to her skin, his fingers lingering just a fraction longer than necessary. Eudora caught his gaze, and slowly she spoke once more. "Jace," she began. "About what you said earlier... was it real?"

He paused, meeting her gaze. "I've never said anything I didn't mean."

"But how can I know it's not just something you said in the heat of the moment? That you really mean it–"

"Because it's true," the prince insisted, his voice steady. "It's real to me, my feelings always have been. I mean– I know we've only been married for a short time, but nothing that's been happening right now changes that. I've loved you longer than I can say, this is just me... finally expressing it."

"What if–"

"My dear," he said, placing his hands on her shoulders. "I can't promise that nothing will happen to us, or that our world will suddenly become safe. But I can promise you that this is not some conditional situation– you are my light, Eudora. Not even your stubbornness could change the fact I'd fight for you."

She let out a small laugh, tears brimming in her eyes as he spoke. Gods, how he missed her laugh. "You speak like my mother."

"She did say you were as stiff as a rock," he continued, Eudora beginning to smile as her eyebrows knitted together.

"My own mother said that?"

"Indeed she did," Jace nodded, mimicking the laugh that escaped her lips. It died down not a moment too soon, a quick catch of air from a small memory they'd store at the back of their heads. "But I do love you, and I hope time does come when my words and actions do show my true intentions." He's said it three times in a single night, three times more than he'd ever expect to tell a person that his heart and soul was one with theirs. He's never expected to fall for someone, let alone marry a girl he's besotted. And yet here he sat in front of her, face to face with the girl he's met all those years ago in Driftmark. The Prince of Dragonstone, so bold and confident... and yet afraid that one more word out of his mouth would ruin what he already held so dearly to him.

"Jace–"

"I'll see you back to your room," he interrupted, remembering that they still slept in separate beds. And yet she didn't move, earning a questioning look from Jace. "What is it?"

"I want to stay with you tonight." The Velaryon could only nod, walking away to get ready to sleep whilst his wife made her way to the bed. The familiar windowsill which sat on her side remained the same, the cool breeze entering the dimly lit room. When they both began to lay their heads, Eudora took a small sigh. "Thank you," she turned to look at him, Jace faced her to stare at her eyes.

"For what?"

"You always manage to save me, thank you," Eudora explained, a small smile appearing on his face.

"I should be the one saying that, I feel lost without you," Jace countered, the space between them seeming so much smaller than it was the past few days. "Is it– Is it alright if I kissed you?"

Eudora did not hesitate one more second before gently connecting her lips to his. Jace's hands slowly found her waist, drawing her nearer, their breaths mingling as Eudora leaned into him. The air thickened with unspoken promises as they lingered, their bodies beginning to merge as one.

It was as if they were in their own world, Jace brushing a strand of hair behind her ear, fingers lingering against her skin. Lips began to move in a gentle rhythm, as if they had been rehearsing this moment all along. Her hands began to thread through his hair, drawing him in as if the very act could erase all the pain they'd endured.

But it wasn't as if they weren't dreaming for this all along, it was a matter of when they thought it best. They shared something the people around them couldn't– something they couldn't describe themselves. If you asked either Eudora or Jace, whatever one would do the other would follow. In a way, they were two souls reconnected from their past lives.

Moments slipped by, fervent desires and soft whispers were exchange. At the end of it all, they lingered, wrapped in each other's arms, hearts intertwined. Outside, the sea crashed against the sand, the war continued to rage on, but the silent understanding was all they needed to know.

It wasn't until Jace was on the brink of sleep that he heard Eudora whispered four words back to him.

"I love you too."

(( 🏹 ))