Goodbye for now

The days at Runestone blurred into a golden haze for Daeron, filled with fleeting moments of joy and nights of unbridled passion.

Though he had initially arrived under the guise of researching the ancient runes etched into the castle's foundation, it soon became clear—even to himself—that his prolonged stay had little to do with scholarship. The days passed by quickly, but to Daeron, it felt as if yesterday they were looking through the dusty archives. 

Jeyne and Rhea proved to be amazing company. Three of them would stay together almost all the time. Rhea's cousin, Gerold, also became a good friend of Daeron. He would often practice his skills with Daeron, while Rhea and Jeyne watched from side. His skills with the sword got better after their spars. The days spent at Runestone would definitely stick to his heart, specially because of her.

Each evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, Rhea Royce would find her way into his chambers. Their time together was filled with stolen kisses, whispered secrets, and a kind of intimacy that neither dared to dream of before.

By day, they exchanged knowing glances and soft touches when no one was looking. By night, they became something more—lovers caught in the grip of an impossible romance.

The last night of Daeron's stay arrived far too soon. The air in the chambers was thick with unspoken words as Rhea rested her head on his chest, tracing lazy circles on his skin. Her auburn hair spilled over his shoulder, and her gray eyes gleamed with a mixture of sorrow and contentment.

"Will you ever come back?" she whispered, her voice trembling slightly as her lips brushed against his collarbone.

Daeron wrapped his arms around her, holding her as though he could shield her from the world. "I will," he promised, his voice steady despite the ache in his chest. " I'll return to you whenever I can. But you know one day I'll get married and have a family of my own….."

Rhea's heart clenched at his words. She knew the truth of their situation. Daeron's path was destined to take him far from her, to a world of power, war, and ambition. Yet, in his embrace, she allowed herself the fantasy of what might have been.

"Whoever marries you," she murmured, her lips ghosting over his chest, "will be the luckiest woman alive."

Daeron tilted her chin up, his gray eyes meeting hers with a tender intensity. "And whoever could have you," he said softly, "would be the luckiest man. But I swear, Rhea, before I leave Westeros, I'll speak to Viserys. I'll ask him to annul your marriage to Daemon. Even if I can't be with you, I'll at least give you freedom to pursue your happiness."

Her breath hitched at his declaration, but before she could respond, he continued. "There's a storm coming, Rhea. A great war that will shake the foundations of this world. I may have no choice but to be part of it. I need you to be safe when that happens."

Rhea silenced him with a kiss, her hands cradling his face as she poured every unspoken feeling into the embrace. When they parted, she rested her forehead against his. "I'll stand by your side, Daeron. Whatever happens, so long as you protect my people, you'll have me and House Royce supporting you, maybe even Jeyne."

"You have my word," he said, his voice resolute. " If you join a war for my sake, I'll ensure that you and your people don't suffer for it."

"Are you so certain of victory, Daeron?" Rhea asked curiously.

" Nothing is certain in this world, my dear. But that doesn't prevent us from trying our best. If I can gather my strength and all goes accordingly, I'm pretty sure I can win."

A soft smile graced her lips, though her eyes shimmered with unshed tears. "If only I were ten years younger," she said, her voice tinged with wistful longing, "and not married. I'd have followed you to Essos. I'd have you take responsibility for making a rough woman like me feel loved."

Daeron leaned down and kissed her gently, his fingers brushing against her cheek. "You're beautiful, Rhea. Strong and fierce. You deserve nothing less than the best."

Her tears fell silently as they kissed again, the sorrow of their impending separation mingling with the fiery passion that consumed them. They made love one final time, each movement a desperate attempt to etch the memory of the other into their souls.

The next morning, the sun rose over Runestone, casting a pale light on the castle as Daeron prepared to leave. Acnologia waited outside, its black scales glinting in the sunlight as Daeron took one last look at the woman who had unknowingly taken a corner of his heart .

Rhea stood in the courtyard, her composure calm and regal despite the ache in her chest. As Daeron mounted Acnologia, their eyes met one final time. He gave her a nod, a silent promise that this was not goodbye forever. Jeyne asked Daeron to come by Eyrie when he had time, and he smiled and nodded to her.

As he flew northward toward Winterfell, the wind whipping through his silver hair, Rhea turned away, her heart heavy.

Jeyne approached her hesitantly, the younger woman's expression filled with curiosity. "Why do you look so sad, sister Rhea?"

Rhea forced a nonchalant smile, though her voice wavered slightly as she replied in her usual sarcastic tone. "Because I've fallen in love with Daeron and wish I could marry him."

Jeyne's eyes widened, her cheeks flushing. "You're jesting," she said, though the words lacked conviction. "You're always teasing me like this."

But as Jeyne turned to leave, she didn't see the tears that welled in Rhea's eyes, slipping silently down her cheeks. Her cousin Gerold patted her shoulder, handed her a hankerchief discreetly, and whispered, " You must not show your weakness, cousin. He and you were never meant to be; think of it as a beautiful dream that you woke up from. For all it's worth, I believe he is a thousand times better man than Daemon."

Rhea looked at her cousin with shock as she wiped away her tears, "How!"

Gerold shrugged. " You really suck at hiding your affection, Rhea. I've watched you since you were a child; you don't think I don't know you by now? Don't worry, I support your choice." He winked and added, " But I do hope you aren't carrying a babe, that would start a war." 

Rhea punched her cousin in the shoulder and smiled, " You are a good brother, Gerold. But I'm not a stupid maiden who would ruin her family and loved one because of emotions. But one day, maybe. Who knows what fate holds for us?" She left with flourish, leaving the stupified Gerold muttering, " Let's hope that day comes after Daemon is dead."

In the sky, Daeron stared ahead, the wind carrying him toward his next destination. Yet in his heart, he carried the memory of a woman who had shown him what it meant to love and to lose. He cherished the warmth she gave him and the promise of her support, which could mean a lot. But for now, he would be content to just be happy with her memories. For his path forward is a hard one, and he needs to be focused to obtain his goals, his path to kingship.