Omake: The Princes of Ashes and Snow.
Daemon left the War Room going to Caraxes, letting Aegor and Lucien decide among themselves who would save the Dornish Whores.
The cool air helped him calm down a bit and think of Viserys' plan of his merit, conquering Dorne would be an achievement that even the Conqueror failed to do, putting him among one the greatest Kings, no, the de facto King of Westeros.
Yet all that thinking was for naught when he arrived close to Caraxes, seeing once again the marks left behind by the Scorpion Bolts. Like he was possessed Daemon started to feel ropes chafing against his skin but if he turned to look there would be nothing, instead the Rogue started to examine his dragon scales, the thought of flying abandoned.
Caraxes had suffered some heavy damage, falling over the dunes making a cloud of sand that blinded the entirety of the people in there. At that moment Daemon was sure Caraxes had died, there was no doubt about it with more than 10 bolts piercing him.
He was wrong.
The beast reminded everyone why he was called the Blood Wyrm, managing to cross Dorne with many of the bolts still craved on its back and wings damaged, the damn Dragon managed to come home without any sort of help, alone.
Unlike you, whispered Daemon's mind.
It was funny in a fairytale sort of way, his family always warned him of his ways and how it could lead to his doom.
"There is a fire inside of you Daemon and it can be of great help, but you must harness it, '' said his Grandfather in one of those rare times he talked to him " Because if you do not, I fear that instead it may take you as the fuel leaving only ashes".
How much of a fool he had been for not listening? Yet how could he have listened? Little Daemon, always a bit too fierce, a little too rambunctious, a tad too loud.
Even as a child he could read between the lines, he wasn't a little bit rather he was too much for anyone, too troublesome for a second son.
Except for Viserys, he never left.
But all others did and as quick they were to go they were quick to return when they wanted something from him.
So he learned to play the game in his own tune, appearing when he shouldn't and going on his own way when they are certain he would fold.
.
He always returned to Viserys.
Until they took that away from him too with that marriage. It was a disaster in the beginning, and it would likely remain if not for Lucien. That innocent child who needed him in a way not even Viserys had, and brought him so much joy along the years.
Brought him to Rhae, quick witted Rhae free as the wind. Why did she have to leave this soon? When he finally found a place where he could just stay? Did he kill so many men that the gods are willing to punish an innocent woman so they could affect him, to leave a child without their mother? Was he a little too much again for even the gods? Did he break an oath? Kinslaying? Break the guest right?
Why?
It's going to be alright Daemon.
How? How it's going to be alright when he failed her, failed his own daughters, failed Lucien not once but twice in the North and with Visanya curse… And it wasn't that a twist, the ones in danger were his sister and nephews?
Sure Lucien grew to become a wonderful man, but what is a man to a woman touch? The Dornish could make their poisons as sweet as honey and their Princess were ruthless as shifting sand and tricky as their mountains. A little show of weakness, a chink in the armor… And he could end like own mother, Gael.
Like me.
Gael… how much time passed when he last thought of her? Seduced by a bard only to be abandoned by the scumbag later.
When I grow up I will travel a lot just like you.
And what will you do?
I will sing! Like a bird!
Do you even have a song memorized yet?
I do! Mama taught me, it's called…
Daemon heard familiar footsteps as Caraxes huffed, warning of someone approaching from behind. The old beast had only grown more protective of Daemon after the incident.
Lucien walked to him, no doubt to inform him of his decision, the Rogue paid him no mind, continuing to see if there's anything stuck in the Blood Wyrm scales waiting for the right moment to strike.
The boy stopped to observe, sensing his mood after the meeting.
Time to make the first move.
"Ghost of a Rose" Daemon said, still facing his dragon with the back turned to Lucien.
" Who?"
" The song, I guess you didn't learn it after serenading Rhaenyra and Alicent for so many nights." The Rogue said, finally facing his son. " What a shame, I guess I will have to teach you."
Lucien, far accustomed to his antatics smiled "Oh you singing? Are sure? I think Caraxes would be far more suited for such a task."
Daemon cracked a smile ready to reply.
Trust Lucien Daemon, he always manages to bring out the best in you even when you don't see your own good.
And last, take care of him and the girls.
He would do it Rhae, no Dornishwomen would touch a single strand of Targaryen hair ever again even if it meant going against his brother's wishes
Notes: I probably didn't manage to do justice to Daemon in this omake but I tried. Also I think even if he managed to recover well there's simple moments where trauma and bad thoughts come back to life and the revelation of Viserys utilizing him without informing him out of it and Rhae death unbalanced him in this scene. So if Daemon seems angst here it's because of that.
Also the song is Ghost of a Rose by Blackmore Night. Btw in case it wasnt clear the song part is Daemon remembering a conversation with Gael.