- ̥۪͙۪˚┊❛ CHAPTER THIRTY SEVEN ❜┊˚ ̥۪͙۪◌
NOTHING MATTERS
❛ i put my heart inside your palms
my home in your arms
now we know nothing matters
nothing matters ❜

౨ৎ disclaimer
its 1am ... enjoy the chapter 🧍🏻‍♀️

THE BLACKS.

When Aegon III arrived at Dragonstone with only a wounded dragon, Rhaenyra's heart sank.

"Attacked– we were attacked," Aegon III tried to spit out, frantic as he clung onto his mother. "Viserys– I don't– I don't know if he–"

"It's alright," Rhaenyra tried to reassure her son, brushing through his silver hair. "It's alright– I'm here."

She was a mother, she couldn't allow her son to see her cry. So there she sat, cradling her boy as she held back the tears. If The Greens haven't taken enough from her, what more will they steal?

It wasn't a moment too soon that she called a council meeting— she had a land army, the Velaryon fleet, dragonriders. She just needed a plan. The council gathered in the cold, echoing chamber of Dragonstone. The smell of salt and smoke from the distant fire filled the air as the lords and ladies loyal to the Queen took their places. Rhaenyra sat at the head of the table, her face pale but unyielding. Her son, Jace, stood close to her, his wife only at arm's reach away from him.

Aegon's words rang in her head all over and over again. "Attacked— we were attacked," the memory of his frantic cries gnawed at Rhaenyra, she couldn't shake the thought away even if she tried to.

"The Greens grow bolder," Daemon began, his grip on his sword tightening. "Their attack on our sons was not some isolated incident. They seek to choke our hold of the sea, our blockade. If they manage to breach it, they'll be able to weaken us even further."

"Then we must strike first," Eudora suggested, looking at everyone present. "The Gullet is the key. If we do not act now, then we lose our biggest advantage against them." She then turned to look at Jace, who only avoided her eyes.

Corlys' face was grave. "The fleet is prepared, Your Grace. But it is no simple skirmish, if your sons were attacked on their way to Pentos... then they must have the Triarchy by their side. A strong leader is required— young, skilled, one who could command our dragonriders and sailors."

The room fell silent, all eyes shifting towards the Stark. She was their younger member who's faced a battle so far, influential, a leader. Eudora had every reason to volunteer herself once more, there wasn't any plausible excuse. But it wasn't her role to take. "I'll command the fleet," Jace said firmly, his voice louder than he felt. He forced the words past his lips, and Eudora stared at him with wide eyes.

His mother's gaze lingered at him, and her violent eyes softened for a moment. "Walk with me, Jace."

The council began to whisper as Rhaenyra rose, walking away from the table. Jace then spared Eudora a glance before he followed suit. The chill of the castle seemed to be sharper, the sea breeze cutting through the narrow windows. The Queen turned to him, her face framed by strands of silver hair disheveled from the long day. "You are my eldest son, Jacaerys," she began. "And you are my hope– but that doesn't mean I could send you off into your doom."

The words struck him like a blow. He stared at her, unsure of how to respond.

"And yet, Eudora has convinced me otherwise," she continued. "I wished not to let you go but she insisted... tell me, Jace, are you willing to do it? Lead the fleet with Lord Corlys? Ensure the war does not choke us from the sea?"

Jace swallowed hard, his throat tight. This was what he's been fighting for since the beginning, right? He's worked up to it, he's begged, he's protested, and yet he wanted to to tell Rhaenyra that he didn't feel born for anything but peace. He longed for the days when he laughed with Luke, rode his dragon not for war– the days in Winterfell where he somehow sometimes forgot that war loomed over them. "I will not fail you," he said instead, pursing his lips.

Rhaenyra's hand rose to cup his cheek, her touch warm despite the chill of the air. "This war will not last forever. When it is done, I know you will bring peace and rebuild what has been lost, my son."

The Velaryon nodded, quickly questioning the gods if he made the right decision or not.

˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚

Jace has been quiet for the past few days, Eudora noticing his emotions. But it wasn't as if she's tried to change his mood, he's just been worried.

The council reconvened for more discussions, the tension in the room was noticeable as the lords discussed the strategy for their next move. "We will position the fleet here," Corlys said, pointing near the entrance to Blackwater Bay. "The Greens' ships will be forced to funnel through, making them vulnerable."

"And the dragons?" Addam asked.

"Jacaerys will lead the dragonriders," Rhaenyra answered. "While Vermax is young, the flames will scater their fleet and sow chaos among their ranks."

The prince nodded absentmindedly, Eudora reaching for his hand underneath the table to keep him grounded. She noticed the way his shoulders tensed, the way his jaw tightened with every word. She hoped her small gesture was enough to remind him that he wasn't alone. "Jacaerys?" he heard Daemon call, instantly his eyes snapped towards him.

"Yes?"

"I was asking if you were ready for this, boy," Daemon answered, raising an eyebrow. "It is your first experience on the battlefield. Might I suggest that you train during the early hours with Lady Eudora for whatever might lie ahead? Judging from our circumstances, we don't know what they've planned."

And once more, Jace only nodded.

˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚

Night fell quickly, and yet Jace was nowhere to be seen in their shared chambers. Eudora has grown into a habit of waiting for the prince for them both to sleep, but that night he had yet to return. The Stark sighed to herself, she somehow knew where he was. She through a robe on, and began to make her long way down to the beach.

Her instincts proved her true, as Eudora found him that evening, his shirt damp with sweat and face flushed. Jace has spent hours in the beach, practicing his sword until his muscles ached. He swung his blade in a wide arc, letting out a sigh once he through it down on the sand. "You'll wear yourself out before the battle even begins," she said with a sigh.

Jace turned towards her, shaking his head. "Better to be tired now than dead later."

"You're starting to push yourself too hard, Jace. We don't leave for another week."

Jace could only sigh once more, running a hand through his dark hair. "What do you expect me to do? I don't know how else to prepare, and if I fail–"

"I know you," she could only laugh. "You don't fail, Jacaerys Velaryon is practically perfect in everything he does." He managed to smile, watching as she stepped closer to him. "Besides, we Starks don't wed cowards, besides you're fortunate enough to have a few days to prepare yourself. I threw myself into the fire without realizing how bad it was."

"I've just... never been more terrified," Jace admitted, looking off at the sea. "If I don't come back then–"

"You will come back," Eudora interrupted. "You have something to come back to."

Jace always appreciated her presence, her fight, her ability to even pull his attention away from whatever thoughts he was having. And yet as he looked at her once more, he realized that she was right. He didn't want to come back, he needed to. It could be because of his mother, his brothers, the crown, the life after the war. But none of that matters if Eudora wasn't by his side, he was terrified of the fact that there was a world where she wasn't in his. "Jace? What's wrong?" she asked him, confused of the lack of response.

"I hope in every lifetime, we found our way to one another," Jace told he girl who stood with him. This made Eudora continue to smile. "I hope in every lifetime, a version of me would get to see your face once more— that we still share the same star in the sky together."

"I always knew you were somewhat of a romantic."

"I was always one with words, you were the one wielding the swords." He then caressed her face, leaving a gentle kiss on her forehead. "Gods, how did I get so lucky?"

"I could say the same, but then I realized we've had our fair shares of shortcomings. I guess if two hot headed people found themselves in a marriage, it could go one or two ways," she jested with a small laugh.

And just for that one night, Jace's worries seemed to have disappeared. Because just for that one night, he tried to savor every second he had left before they went into battle.

(( 🏹 ))