Chapter Text
When you set sail on your journey
And happiness is far away
Love will guide you till the morning
Lead your heart down to the bay
Don't resist the rain and storm
I'll never leave you lost at sea
I will be your lighthouse keeper
Bring you safely home to me
'The Lighthouse Keeper' by Sam Smith
Rhaenys stirred from sleep, raising a forearm over her tired eyes to block out an offending ray of morning sunshine. She groaned. In the heat of last night’s fervor, the curtains to their chamber windows had not been drawn. Rhaenys rose slowly from bed, not even taking care to wrap her naked form in the dressing gown, which lay crumpled on the floor before her, and crossed to the window. Dawn glinted off the Gullet’s waters, and boats already filled the sea, dozens of which bore the distinct blue sails of the Velaryon fleet. The Lady of Driftmark sighed, her heart sinking at the reminder of what today would bring.
She drew the curtains and turned her back on them sullenly, her arms hugging her middle in an attempt to steel herself. Her gaze drifted back to the bed where Corlys lay, his eyes now also open, his visage bearing a forlorn smile. Silently, he held his arm out to her in invitation, and she crawled back into bed, wrapping her body around his.
Corlys stroked her hair tenderly, placing a kiss on her temple. Rhaenys could feel him exhale deeply, the weight of today’s departure clearly also on his mind.
“Please don’t leave me,” she whispered into his chest, her eyes already welling with tears.
Corlys swallowed hard. “Rhaenys, you know -”
“I know it must be done, Corlys. I still would not have you leave me.”
“I do not wish to leave you either. But we will be -”
“Do not make false promises to me,” she snapped, lifting her head to meet his gaze. “The last time you left for war…”
Corlys closed his eyes, trying to banish the memories from sixteen-some-odd years ago.
The misfired bolt, meant for another man, had struck Prince Aemon in the neck. He bled out, drowning in his own blood. Corlys had insisted on escorting the body home onboard the Sea Snake as Prince Baelon and the two dragons circled above. Upon their arrival home, Lady Jocelyn grew deathly pale, nearly fainting at the sight of the shroud. And Rhaenys - she had scrambled onto the only-just docked ship and fallen to her knees in despair, clutching her pregnant belly as she wailed for her father.
Tears streamed down Rhaenys’ face. “My heart cannot bear it, Corlys. Not again.”
“I will not let that happen,” he reassured her, wiping tears away tenderly. “We have our fleet, Prince Daemon, and two grown dragons. We are more than a match for the Crabfeeder. I will be back home to you before you know it.”
Rhaenys shook her head. “Let me go with you, please. Meleys is swift and a third dragon -”
“No, my love.” He stopped her, taking her hand in his and bringing it to his lips. “Laenor is a fine dragonrider; you taught him well. He needs this chance to prove himself in battle. But you are needed here, with Laena, and at Driftmark. A Velaryon must stay behind, and you are the only one I would trust the Driftwood Throne to.”
Rhaenys volunteered a small, reluctant nod in recognition. As loathe as she was to admit it, she knew the parts each of them had to play.
She tightened her fingers around his, clasping them to her chest. “Come back to me,” she whispered, half-wish, half-command.
“Always,” he answered. “I came back from the ends of the earth for you, and I will again.”