#caerella: 07

[daeron-dondarrion]

Closed starter for @caetargaryen Setting: After spending the last few months in Andalos fighting to reclaim Alaym, Daeron had journeyed back home due to the worrisome state of things in the realm. Just earlier that day, he was reunited with his wife and his son.

The ground shook in Alaym with the clashing of swords and the cries of men dying. He wielded flames at the edge of his sword thanks to his wife, cutting through the enemy in more ways than one— Lightning, to some, resembled their archaic myth, and coming face to face with craftsmanship that could emulate divine magic was a shock for which they hadn't been prepared. Daeron brought a thunderstorm of ferocity into battle; a soldier, a lord and prince consort, playing his role in the faith's will to reclaim a most sacred land.

The journey back was made as quickly as possible, his duty and his want to stand with his people for what would come. To be with his wife and son. Being back in Blackhaven was both as relieving as it was sobering. He had to prepare himself for the inevitable regarding his father. House Dondarrion was to lose another member soon. Where one life was to depart, another had come. Such was life. And Baelon, by the blessings of the gods, had been born a healthy boy.

He’d returned to his home, to his princess, when dusk painted the Stormlands Marches with orange and amber light. He was weary from both the time on the battlefield and the journey across the Narrow Sea, but content for their reunion. He’d bathed, very much in need of the relaxation it brought him, and later had a private dinner with Cae. He’d missed her company, the warmth of his dragon princess. That night, sharing a bed again, Daeron slept cradling her body close to his, holding her against his body as their breathing and heartbeats met in the same rhythm. He was only stirred awake when he heard a cry from their son. He felt Caerella shift in his arms as their son whimpered on. “I’ll get him,” he kissed her cheek and then got out of bed to pick up Baelon from his crib.

[daeron-dondarrion]

His lips curved into a gentle smile. He knew himself capable of causing a stir when his wife's health was concerned. Caerella appeared certain and very much at ease, and he took that as a sign to wait until the morning. “You will get every necessary attention come morning, my princess,” the Lord of Blackhaven assured her, his voice serious and confident, while the gleam in his eyes was one of pure adoration.

Cae appeared much more at ease at present than she was when she shared the news of her first pregnancy. Perhaps, having gone through such trials and tribulations before made her feel more confident in her strength. His brave dragon princess.

“Well, she was right about Baelon,” the lord replied with a smile. Jaehaera had spoken of a boy and they got their prince. Whatever the dragon dreamer saw, it was most likely to become a reality. “Maybe we'll get a little princess now,” Daeron mused. He would be content with both another son or a daughter, he knew. The notion of having a little girl did warm his heart, though.

“Rhaenyra, if she's a girl,” he suggested, meeting his wife's lilac eyes. The bond his wife had with her mother was something she deeply treasured, he knew. And Rhaenyra had also been the queen he'd fought for when the Dance of the Dragons began. A beloved mother, a respected leader. It felt right to honor one of their children in such a way.

"i am positive, my love," she replies with a smile. "no need to cause a stir in the castle just because i've had some sort of late night epiphany," she adds with a laugh. the princess appreciates that he recognizes her struggle in the time that he has been gone, but she is more than capable of enduring this and more. she has to be strong, after all, she is a dragon. a sigh passes through soft pink lips as he kisses her forehead, as if the physical reassurance is all she needs to keep going. he is truly so much more than she ever thought he could be, back when they first married.

"no, i haven't," she shakes her head as she says it. the princess is... excited. pregnancy always comes with great risk, yes, but it is certainly worth it when the reward is a healthy babe. and despite her family history, caerella has found that she quite enjoys being pregnant. to know that there is a new life growing within her, it is a beautiful thing.

"i have a good feeling," she tells him, her lips quirking upwards into a smile. she places a hand on her still flat stomach, rubbing over it gently. "i wonder if jaehaera will be able to predict this one when we travel to king's landing," she thinks aloud. the targaryen leans over, placing her cheek against her husband's shoulder as she looks down at their son in his arms. caerella tickles the small babe with her finger, giggling when he ends up grabbing her finger in his whole tiny hand.

[daeron-dondarrion]

“Are you sure?” he asked, some concern present in his voice. “You've been here on your own long enough, Cae. You don't have to endure it all on your own, without help,” Daeron murmured, his hand still cupping her cheek. His brave princess had taken everything in stride, ruling over Blackhaven, looking after their young son, playing her role within the court of the Crownlands and Stormlands. The lord leaned close to press a tender kiss to her forehead, a most loving gesture. Gods, how grateful he was for her. She was every bit the partner he'd hoped he might have in life; all of it and so much more.

“You've not bled since I left?” he inquired, figuring that was the reason his wife suspected she could be with child again. Caerella's mother and grandmother had had a history of complicated pregnancies and that was something that continued to worry him. Each new pregnancy could be a new risk for his wife. “We can wait 'til morning if you wish, my love. The maester can come to check you then. Make sure you're well, if you are with child,” the lord smiled, a special warmth coming to his dark eyes which was only reserved for the woman he loved.

continuing from here.

it's hard for her to sleep now, now that she is awake and her stomach is turning. she knows something is off and if she really tries to, it's hard to recall the last time she bled. the princess is certainly past due, that much is for certain. but she's just been so caught up in caring for her son and trying her best to hold things down in blackhaven that she hasn't paid it much attention.

a smile pulls at her lips as she watches her husband interact with their son. seeing how gently he holds him, how gently he speaks to him in his native tongue, it's beautiful to her. she hopes that their son will grow to speak both his native tongue and hers as fluently as he will speak common. when he finally turns around to look at her again, her smile only grows.

her stomach doesn't settle but she hardly notices it when he looks at her that way. there is nothing but love in those valyrian hues. "hm? no, i am fine for now and the hour is late anyway," she replies, giggling slightly. "do not worry about me. but.. yes, i believe i am with child again. we can have the maesters come in the morning."

@daeron-dondarrion

[daeron-dondarrion]

caerella​:

it had been hard, dealing with her husband being off in the fighting in alaym. especially when it is a fight she herself doesn’t totally believe in. of course she never expressed this to him, not wanting to bring down his beliefs in any way. she may not share the same faith in the seven that he does, but she understands that for him and many others, the seven is an important part of their lives.

what made the time apart harder is the fact that there was once again turmoil within her family. jaehaerys staying in the stormlands, fighting, then disappearing. the way her sister worried. the way she had to go back and forth between blackhaven and king’s landing just to see her more often, offer her comfort and guidance in the best way she can. 

she immediately startles at the sound of their son, having gotten used to waking up to his cries. caerella rarely lets him spend time in the nursery, not after what happened to her brother’s children. she finds it hard to trust anyone other than those closest to her with the child. “are you sure?” she asks, voice somewhat raspy and laced with sleep. 

lilac eyes peak open to watch him get up and walk across the room. suddenly there’s a sick feeling in the pit of her stomach she swallows down. and before she can stop herself, she blurts it out. “i think i am with child again.”

“Yes. Try to sleep, my love,” he answered in a soft tone. His wife had been taking care of their son on her own for the time he was away, guarding him and nurturing him day and night, for he knew she refused to let Baelon be away to prevent a tragic fate like the one that befell Daemon’s children. She was fiercely loving and protecting, his dragon princess. She too needed her rest, though, and he was here now to aid in what he could.

Daeron bent down to pick up Baelon from his cradle, carefully tucking him into his arms, rocking him gently. “Isilik orain, ene semea,” he murmured. Hush now, my son. His attention went to his wife right away, though, after hearing what she’d just said. I think I am with child again. The Dondarrion lord immediately thought back to that last day before his departure, of the way they urgently held to one another as they didn’t know what the crusade would hold for him, of the way he made love to his wife all night instead of resting for the journey ahead of him.

“Are you feeling unwell? Do you want me to call for a maester?” he asked, moving to sit down on their bed. His son still whimpered and he held him close to with one arm. His mother had once told him babies were eased by the sound of their parents’ heartbeats, so he let Baelon rest his little head against his chest. His free hand moved up to cup his wife’s cheek and the news she’d just given him began to sink in. He smiled.