- ̥۪͙۪˚┊❛ CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR ❜┊˚ ̥۪͙۪◌
EXILE
❛ i think i've seen this film before
and i didn't like the ending ❜

౨ৎ disclaimer
again, unedited! i'm going through
all of the chapters and editing them
as we speak!

EUDORA.

"My Lady— we must fall back."

"We need to stay, Rhaenys' orders—"

All eyes turned to the loud roar of the dragons in the sky, fire clashing with fire. Eudora's eyes widened at their every move, Vhagar's rise and Meleys' quick descent to the ground. Anyone around her could hear her agonizing scream, trying to make and force her way towards where Rhaenys should be landing. One hand on the reins of her horse, the other occupied with a sword. If her sadness could be seen in her actions, it would've been confused with rage.

Cole's army seemed to dwindle in numbers– not by a lot, but by a number visible to the others. Some continued to try and fight against her, others began to fall back. She never thought she'd have blood in her hands, and yet she spilled so many in that single moment. It wasn't until Meleys hit the ground that her horse reared backwards, causing Eudora to fall off. Her body clashing with the ground, ringing in her ears with the rough contact. But her life was on the line, and she would rather die trying.

Forcing herself back up on her feet, she continued to fight her way through the chaos of battle. The sound of clashing steel and dragon roars surrounded her, each noise echoing louder and louder. This was it, this was her trying to prove her worth.

There was a rush of adrenaline, the spite, the anger. It forced her to knock them down like bugs, all the while her army kept calling her name. Just as she thought she was going to get through every single one of them– even hoping to face Aemond herself– a knight lunged towards her, sword drawn. Eudora quickly ducked, and in one swift motion removed his head from the rest of his body. She watched as his head rolled off, the blood spilling onto the armor she wore.

Her eyes widened, pausing at her movements while she turned to face what she did. Bodies laid on the ground, and it was clear to see who caused the damages. "What have I done?" she whispered to herself, only now realizing the mess she made.

"Fall back!" one of the commanders hollered, another beginning to drag Eudora by the arm– the Stark staggering right behind. In the distance, Vhagar's roar echoed once more, a reminder that the fight was over for the wrong reasons. She survived, why did she survive?

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A gasp of air filled the room, Eudora jolting up from the bed. Her heart raced aimlessly, clutching the covers close to her body. The night's breeze was replace with the warmth of the sun, the Stark squinting at the light. She reached for her husband, but the space beside her was empty, deepening the unease that coiled in her stomach. The Stark's eyebrows furrowed slightly, but paid no attention to it, instead she slipped her night gown back on.

A handmaiden came in not a moment later, helping Eudora into her day dress and bringing the girl some breakfast. "Do you know where Jacaerys has gone?" Eudora questioned, the maid tying the knot in the back of her dress.

"Last I've heard, My Lady, he's gone on dragonback. He should be arriving soon."

"To where– if I may ask?"

"No one knows, forgive me."

Eudora could only smile in appreciation, then dismissing her as she walked out of the chambers. She was left alone with her thoughts, each step heavy with the memories of yesterday's horror. She found herself in front of the oak tree once more, a sigh escaping her lips before she kneeled to pray. Desperate times call for desperate measures, maybe the old gods could bring Rhaenys back– or relieve her of the guilt she started to feel. "I've had my suspicions that you'd be here," a voice spoke, Eudora's head turning to see who it was.

"Your Grace–"

"My son has gone to treat with the Freys– or so I've heard," Rhaenyra sighed, walking to Eudora's side. "He's decided to leave without a single word."

"I wouldn't be surprised," Eudora muttered, getting up from the ground. "We've done it to him before."

Rhaenyra only nodded, a silence overcoming them for a moment. They allowed the tree's leaves to sway with the wind before Rhaenyra continued to speak. "How are your injuries?"

"Nothing too serious," Eudora said, forcing a smile. "I don't think I've suffered quite a blow."

"That's a relief," Rhaenyra nodded once more, finding the right words to say. "Look, Eudora, I want to hear your thoughts on a matter of concern."

"Which is?"

"Your Mother has written, she was worries for your wellbeing." Her eyebrows furrowed together. "If you do not wish to fight no more, then you and Helaena will be on your way to Winterfell soon. Helaena and her children, of course, will be leaving regardless but–"

"I'll stay," Eudora interrupted, words spilling out before she could think. This caused Rhaenyra's eyes to widen. "Forgive me, Your Grace. My cousin marches in your favor, my husband– your son, knows where his place is. Until such time that I'm no longer needed, I can't leave."

Rhaenyra studied her, a mix of admiration and concern in her gaze. The queen pressed her lips together, placing a hand on Eudora's shoulder. "My late husband, Laenor Velaryon, once said that the wise sailor flees the storm as it gathers. It's not too late, I can't bear to see how Jace would react if the time ever came where you would– where many unspeakable things could happen."

The Stark only shook her head. "My loyalties lie with you, My Queen. And while Cregan still gathers your army and begins to march, my duty is to remain with you. No matter what the outcome is, I'm ready."

Rhaenyra's known loyalty when she sees it, but she never thought that in this part of history, people would stand at the ready for her. She had her family, yes, but outside of it who else did she have? The queen could only smile, turning to leave. "Just please be aware that you could flee, you're not obligated to stay."

"I think I'll be alright here."

And with that, Rhaenyra left to attend to the rest of her duties.

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She stayed just for a few more minutes– at least an hour passed before Eudora left as well. There was hardly anyone to talk to, Rhaenys gone, Baela off to bring a message to Corlys, and Rhaenyra off somewhere. Eudora could only find comfort in Helaena, who was in her room watching her children.

"Helaena–"

"You must leave with me, Eudora," Helaena insisted, meeting the Stark's gaze as her voice grew urgent.

"What?"

"I've seen things– dreamt about them." She got up from her position on her bed, grabbing both of Eudora's hands and holding them tightly. "I do not wish for them to come true but they do."

Eudora could only let out a nervous laugh. She used to understand Helaena's words, but now it was scaring her. "Is there something wrong? Am I dying in glory or in some mundane way?" she tried to jest, but couldn't receive a response from her friend. "Helaena... what's going on?"

"A rose will lose it's petals if it succumbs to temptations– and yet a rose is still soft and beautiful even when it blooms with thorns." The silver haired princess then began to unwrap the cloth which covered Eudora's wounds, eyes widening as she saw how deep they ran. "It's happening."

"What's happening–"

Helaena then interrupted Eudora. "You will die if you stay here."

Eudora felt the walls closing in, the battlefield replaying in her mind. The faces of the fallen continue to haunt her vision. "Are you trying– Helaena I don't–"

"Please, you've done your part–"

She interrupted her friend once more. "I am the named heir to my cousin's throne. Not because I was born first, or because I am the most skilled– just purely out of Cregan's words."

"That doesn't mean you have to prove anything," Helaena tried to reason, only for Eudora to shake her head.

"That means I have to prove everything." The Targaryen felt her shake, every bit of her body trembling at Helaena's words. The thought of death, of perishing, of ceasing to exist all because of one choice frightened her. But Helaena knows Eudora– she once knew her, if that's how she was to put it.

This person standing in front of her was not the girl she knew all those years ago. There was a sense of ambition in her eyes, of longing, but to get to where she needed to be, Eudora had always thought of putting herself at risk just to please the people around her. She didn't know if she was lucky or unfortunate that a war had to come in order for her to show who she could be. "Not with the risk of your life."

"Helaena, I promise your dreams will change," Eudora tried to reassure her. "It has done so in the past, right?"

"No– I don't know how, or when, but something is coming for you. My brother is a terrible man with terrible plans." The Stark could only remain speechless, a maid entering the room to help Helaena begin her packing. "I could only pray for things to change."

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Jace came later that night, entering the dimly lit chambers as Eudora paced around the room. "Shouldn't you be asleep?" he questioned softly, the girl startled by the sound of his voice. "Why are you still awake?"

"Just– It's nothing important."

"If it is keeping my wife up late at night, then it might as well be."

Eudora stopped, a brief moment of hesitation before shaking her head. "Yesterday, you could say."

He nodded, beginning to ready himself for bed. "I could lend an ear to your troubles."

"I fear there are far greater things for us to worry about," she flashed a smile. "How were the Freys?"

"It went better than I expected it to– though my mother was uneased at the fact that I left without a trace."

She began to sit on the bed. "I've heard, she spoke to me about it."

"But the matter is said and done, we both should celebrate this small victory with much needed sleep," he continued, leaving a kiss on her temple. "Are you sure you don't want to talk about what's been troubling you?"

"I'm sure, don't worry about it too much. Everything is alright."

(( 🏹 ))