ofvalyriansteel, mother.
@zmeczeni sent: [ 𝐑𝐄𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐓𝐄 ] ― sender and receiver see each other again after a period of being apart [from laena]
The war for control of the Stepstones had lasted longer than either Corlys or Daemon had thought. Rhaenys, far from a sworn soldier, had of course been free to take Meleys and leave whenever it suited her. Still, she had not felt it right to abandon her husband cousin, especially when matters were increasingly not in their favor. So the princess had buckled down and continued to fight, no matter how often her mind and heart strayed back home to Driftmark and her children.
It wasn't until the Crabfeeder had finally been defeated after four long years, and it was just left to the men to sort out who was in control of what, that Rhaenys left for High Tide. She did not send word in advance of her arrival, wanting to surprise Laena and Laenor, but it was hard to achieve stealth when arriving on dragonback. The Red Queen had clearly been sighted in the sky from afar, as by the time the princess landed in the courtyard, her daughter was already there to greet her.
"Laena," Rhaenys sighed upon dismounting, embracing the girl. No, she realized as she pulled back after a few minutes and took a better look at her daughter. Not a girl, but a young woman now. "Dear gods, the sight of you so grown. I am almost afraid to see your brother."
delighted squeal leaves her lips once the dragon lands safely. letters were simply not enough, never enough. to see her mother's face... laena's heart sang with joy as she ran into the embrace. tight, warm, loving.
" mother... i worried for you so much. and for father, too. i am so glad to see you in good health. the news of your victory have reached us already. " her face radiant with joy, she wraps an arm around her mother’s, able to only imagine how weary the princess must be, after four long years of being away from home, of battle and fire and blood.
“ laenor will be just as happy to see you as i am. “ she assures. and while there are so many questions in her mind and at the end of her tongue, cuiosity and excitement and dread with equal measure, to hear the stories of battles both epic and dreadful, she holds them back. for now. until her mother fully recovers, after which the damn will break loose.