An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
@aifsaath and I are happy to say that Chapter 5 of OFCIR is here! Here's an excerpt from Jaehaera's long awaited reunion with her father: “Papa!” She ran down the ramp in a flurry of motion. Men jumped out of her path. Someone stumbled, shouting in surprise, but Jaehaera was set on reaching her father first. She threw away her fur hat, revealing the silvery bird’s nest underneath. “Papa!”
Before he knew it, Jae plunged into him, nearly toppling them both. Aegon whimpered with pain, as she kicked his injured leg, trying to crawl into his lap. Shaking, he reached to grab her under her arms, lifting her up to rest her on his right thigh. She wrapped her arms around his neck, her little hands grabbing fistfuls of the fur trimmings of his surcoat, her wet face pressed against his unburned cheek.
“Papa, they said everyone was dead!”
He kissed her little nose, her flaxen tresses, her peachy cheeks and her tiny pointy chin. Gods, she was Helaena’s ghost. Only her eyes and her pouts were his. He could stare at that little face forever, the cornflower eyes that welled with tears.
“I missed you so much.” He held her tighter, and he knew he would not be able to hold back his tears. “Sweetling.” He kissed her forehead. She was here, she was finally here, safe and well in his arms, as wild and untamed as he remembered.
“Jaehaera, dammit!” Ser Willis ran to them, his chainmail rattling underneath his surcoat. The man stopped only when he reached them, dropping into a deep bow. “Your Grace. Forgive me for failing to keep the princess from escaping, but in my defense, she takes after her father.”
“Ser Willis, welcome home.” His heart swelled with gratitude towards this man. A year spent at Storm’s End had turned the hair at his temples white and carved deeper lines into his swarthy face. “I know my little imp.” He kissed her again, earning a small pout. “You’ve kept my child safe. I will never forget that.” (tags under the cut)
