(Aerion's POV)
"Lord Corlys...Princess Rhaenys....." I said as I stood in front of them, "It saddens me greatly to be here. I apologize for not attending your son's funeral...."
After being told I was to marry Rhaenyra, I returned to Runestone and visited the Eyrie to inform my Lady Paramount of the news. It was some weeks later that I had come to Driftmark, a letter reached me informing me of Lady Laena's death; complications with childbirth and she had ordered her dragon to bathe her in fire.
I was in complete shock, didn't think it was possible. Her brother was alive as well just a few months ago, it wounded my heart greatly.
We were in one of Driftmark's main halls, waiting for the preparations for the ceremony. I had flown on Vermithor before His Grace and Rhaenyra and arrived early.
The Princess Rhaenys gave me a sad smile, "It is okay." she said softly, "You had your own funerals to attend to."
"Guess it is something we should get used to, no?" Lord Corlys said
I looked at them, "Milord..." I said, "I....."
He walked up to me, "It is okay, lad." He patted my shoulder, "I know you cared for my daughter, you should be heartbroken at this moment."
I nodded slowly, "Y-Yes..." I said
He was right, Lady Laena was always sending me letters and telling me about my sisters, something my own Father could not do. It was because of her that I received my Valyrian steel sword. I thought of her as my second mother, despite not seeing her at all. The kind words she had given me all these years were not something I would easily forget.
"Laenor's funeral was quite empty without their presence, Laena's and the girls." Princess Rhaenys said, "Daemon thought it was too risky to fly over in her condition, they had a false alarm and he worried for the child. Perhaps if he had taken the risk....none of this could've happened... "
"Rhaenys...." Lord Corlys said, "We have been over this...."
Rhaenys cleared her throat, "They are here, Lord Aerion." She said as she gave me a smile, "Baela and Rhaena."
I looked at her with surprise, "They are?" I said, "C-Can I meet them?"
"Of course." She said softly, "They're your sisters."
I felt nothing but a strong sense of nervousness, after all this time, I can finally meet my sisters. I didn't think it would take the death of their mother for this to happen; it made me more sad than one could fathom.
Lord Corlys patted my shoulder again, "They're in their chambers, mourning." He said, "You can go and see them, I'll take you to them."
I gulped, "W-What of my father?" I asked
"He's flying atop Caraxes at the moment." the Princess said, "For now, see the girls."
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"Girls." Lord Corlys said as we entered a room, "There's someone who's been waiting a long time to meet you."
As I followed the Lord of The Tides into the room, I saw that on a bed, two small girls sat. They had long braided white hair and dark skin; a spitting image of Lady Laena. They looked more like their mother than they did our Father. They were beautiful....
I vividly remember meeting Laena Velaryon shortly after Ser Laenor and Rhaenyra's wedding, I was taken to meet my Father but he left just before I was taken there.
These two girls, no more than eight it seemed, looked at me with their tear-filled eyes with surprise.
I froze, "I...." I managed as I stood there
Lord Corlys looked at them, "This is Aerion Targaryen, girls." He said, "Your Brother."
"B-Baela....Rhaena...." I said as a tear ran down my cheek, "I.....I've waited so long to meet you...."
I walked over to them and crouched down, placing my hand on their laps as I looked down. I could tell they were surprised, that they didn't expect to see me at all. Like myself, they've probably heard about me all their life but never thought they'd see me in person.
"Brother?" I heard one of them say, "Is that really you?"
I looked up at her, "Yea..." I said, "It's me...."
They both then leaned forward to hug me as I caught them in my arms, embracing them tightly as they sobbed loudly.
I closed my eyes, understanding the pain they felt. They had just lost their mother, it was an indescribable pain, nothing could put it to words. I lost mine when I was a young boy but the void left by her loss is still ever-growing.
I hated it. I hated the fact that I am meeting my own flesh and blood in these circumstances.
"Shh....It's okay....." I said as I felt their faces dig into my shoulders, "I'm here....Your big brother is here now...."
"Everything will be okay."
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"An ever-growing dark shadow glooms over both our Houses, do they not, Lord Aerion?" Lord Corlys said as we both stood on a balcony, "So much.....death....."
I looked into the distance, seeing the royal ship approaching from the sea as two dragons flew over them; Sunfyre and Dreamfyre. The King and his Family are arriving.
"I suppose it is...." I said as I held onto the railing
"How are they? Your sisters? Do they live up to their descriptions?" He asked me
"They're.....perfect...." I said softly, "My precious sisters....I....thank you, Lord Corlys...."
"You deserved to see your kin." He told me, "Rhaenys had always resented your Father for keeping them from you."
"She and I both..." I said looking down
"He'll be here." He said, "He has to be."
I nodded, "I suppose he has to." I said, "Did he love her?"
"Pardon?" He asked
"Did Daemon love Laena?" I asked him
"I....." Lord Corlys said, "Why do you ask?"
"He didn't care for my mother." I said, "Nor me. I'm assuming he loved or at least cared for Lady Laena considering he kept her and my sisters at his side."
"Daemon is a complicated man." He said, "But yes, I would like to say he did."
"Good." I said as I sighed, "That's good....."
"The Gods can be cruel, can they not?" He said, "Doing this to us."
".....I hope my betrothal to Rhaenyra does not bother you, Lord Corlys." I said ignoring what he just said
"It...it does not." He said as he looked at me, "Baela and Rhaena are your sisters, they're Velaryon, as are Rhaenyra's boys. Our Houses will still be bound together. My question is if it bothers you. The Princess is well...."
"Old?" I asked, "Not that old, all things considered. It is I who's too young for her."
"The King has his reasons." Corlys told me
"I am aware." He said, "King's Landing is a pit of vipers at this moment. She's all alone, surrounded by snakes...King Viserys hopes that I will protect her from them."
"Will you?" Corlys asked
"Rhaenyra has been very kind to me." I said as I looked at him, "I will do my duty."
"That is all I can do at this point."