Work Text:
Elia laughs as Rhaenys splashes about in the pools of the Water Gardens with Quentyn.
She knew Rhaegar fretted about Rhaenys being in the pools at such a tender age. But, Arianne, with Tyene and Nym in tow, as too young as they were, they’d assured her husband they’d started in the pools some time ago. Doran, of course, pointed out then that his Quentyn was younger than Rhaenys was now.
And, right now, Rhaegar wasn’t going to put up too much of a fight, not against her brothers or her brother’s children. Rhaegar was the one people gravitated towards. Her husband never had to work for anyone’s approval; usually, he had it without trying.
Except they were not in King’s Landing or Dragonstone at present. And coming here had been Rhaegar’s idea. But, as with any guest, he did not try to argue with his hosts.
It was wise, she thought. They were amongst her family; her people.
Though she tried to put the debacle of Harrenhal behind her, her people had long memories. Rhaegar’s actions had been on everyone’s mind, especially her brothers.
She shakes her head waving that away. She ought not to be thinking about that. Not here, not now, she promises. Not today. The sun shown brightly, the breeze was pleasant. The air was fresh. The sound of children’s laughter, her child’s among them, was balm to her.
Oh, it hurt her still. Rhaegar had long apologized for his thoughtless actions. She’d forgiven him, of course. He was her husband and the father to her daughter, after all.
It was his idea for them to come to Sunspear again as a family and, missing her brothers and her home, she leapt at the chance.
And now look, her daughter was learning to swim where she herself had learned!
In truth, she had her own misgivings about letting Rhaenys into the pools so quickly, but only for a moment. From the corner of her eye, she saw Doran watching the children carefully, to ensure nothing went wrong; after all these were Dorne’s children and he was their caretaker. Rhaegar, too, kept a watchful eye on the proceedings, though he had done so sitting from point with a bit more shade.
Her poor husband had to take care not to get burned in the Dornish sun. Not much, of course, after all, if she was chosen for her drop of Targaryen blood, Rhaegar had more than one drop of Dorne in his. She stifled a laugh at the thought.
She is grateful she had not given in to a mother’s worry. And so, it is a delight to watches her daughter, her nieces, and nephew swimming about under Obara’s bored yet watchful eyes.
Rhaenys lets out a peal of giggles when Arianne splashed at Quentyn. Rhaenys laughed harder when Quentyn splashed his sister back with the raucous encouragement of Garin and Andrey Dalt.
She loves the sound of her daughter’s laughter so much that she finds it infectious, she lets out laughter of her own.
Mellario quirks a brow at her, shocked at the sound.
She flushes a bit. She supposed it’s only fair. She had not laughed much lately.
In truth, she’s almost surprised at the sound as her good-sister was. It occurs to her that it has been a while since she’s truly laughed. Oh, she’s smiled and chuckled, surely. But truly laughed? It’s been too long.
She catches Rhaegar’s eyes that turned towards her because of her laughter. She can see the curiosity emanating from him even from across the pools. The light in his eyes dim slightly, as though recognizing the same thing she did. He looked at her concerned. He started to rise, but she waved him back down.
She smiles and gestures again at their daughter who was now in a huddle of limbs. Though she couldn’t hear quite was going on, she knew a plot was afoot!
She cuts open a blood orange with a knife and carves up a piece. The juice drips down her fingers, cooling but sticky. She sighs gleefully at the familiarity of it all. Her daughter had her face and she’s had her own plots in these very pools once.
She laughs again when Oberyn suddenly plops down on her other side. She missed him in the year sitting next to Oberyn for the first time in over a year, listening to him about his adventures in Essos. Of course, now Oberyn will stay. He met a girl.
Ellaria was Lord Harmen’s natural daughter. Gods knew this wasn’t the first girl Oberyn had fancied himself in love with, but even she knew there was something different this time. Besides, her brother could do a lot worse than a pretty, lively one like Ellaria was. He seemed to think so, too!
She sucks at the slice with an eagerness that would scare anyone who had not known her. She doesn’t care if she is being undignified. She’s earned it.
She’d been clutching at her dignity ever since Harrenhal. Here, amongst her family and her people, she could be freely herself.
Besides, who was going to stop her from indulging?
She learned she was with child again.
She finds herself looking at Rhaegar.
When she had told Rhaegar, he had smiled so brightly.
Besides, her husband was prone to melancholy, this she learned quickly on. He was not dour, her bookish husband. He certainly could be charming, but it was not something he strove to be. Still, while they talked, and talked they did, she found, he did not smile freely. But, then with a father like Aerys, that was of no surprise.
Oh, there was Rhaella’s influence of course, but the queen she met was a far cry from the bright, youthful girl her mother used to describe. A pity that. But she could still see what her mother had seen when Rhaella was with Rhaegar and little Viserys, who clung to her skirts. That gentleness and care Rhaella showed extended to Rhaenys. One day she hoped it would extend to this child! Rhaella was a lovely woman who smiled every time Rhaenys was in the room. And still, a mother’s love didn’t soften the edges of her husband. Not like the way their daughter is.
She stifles a laugh. It was precious, the way he wanted to be so careful with their daughter.
The intensity of his gaze was potent now as it was the moment that she told him she was with child. She will treasure the way his eyes lit up
He’d also mentioned that they might have conceived the night of the comet.
She finds it odd he’d remember that. But she pushed it out of her mind. His eyes had started to shine brightly, then. There was an eagerness there that she was just as swept up in. Rhaegar was not the only one she knew who took note of omens, and well, another child is something to celebrate!
She’d been so happy to learn of it. He was no different, then. He was no different now, except now he was a bit more careful with their daughter.
She steals another glance at Rhaegar, whose gaze was now fixed on Rhaenys.
Every time Rhaenys moved, Rhaegar looked poised to jump in to play protector. Except there was no need for a protector amongst their own. This she knew even though Rhaegar did not quite trust it; the protective father he was turning out to be.
But, it seemed warranted. Rhaenys, clearly wanted her father, and Rhaegar, for all that he was so somber, rose and walked towards the pools.
She heard him ask Rhaenys if she wanted to come out. Rhaenys shook her head wildly. It seemed she wanted her father in the pools with her!
Part of her wanted to feel annoyed that her daughter had not asked it of her, but they told Rhaenys already in a way a child of her age could understand, that she was going to have a sibling soon.
Rhaegar looked as though he wanted to refuse, but her husband looked around at faces, young and older, eager to see what he would do.
Rhaegar swiftly got into the pool. He was promptly splashed with water by every child in the vicinity, their daughter included.
Doran made no comment but she could see his lips twitch while Oberyn looked like mischief reborn as her husband sputtered water, his silver hair dribbling with droplets that matched the wetness of his face.
But, once he righted himself, though he still dripped with water, he had taken Rhaenys into his arms and hugged her tightly.
Her heart warmed at the sight.
It’s a far cry from the somber husband she had grown accustomed to. But, she found she liked it.
And as she waves to her daughter who waves eagerly, her smile wide, she basks in the knowledge she was going to be a mother again!
Rhaenys was a delightful gift. No doubt, this one would be a blessing as well.
She could not wait to hold another baby in her arms.
She sat back and let herself be bathed in the warmth of the sun.
Gods, what a perfect moment.