Cᴇʀᴛ Lᴜᴋᴇ: Mᴏᴍᴇɴᴛs ᴏғ Hᴀᴘᴘɪɴᴇss

Welcome one and all

Welcome friends to my third post to Here, so if you wish. Check it out. Other than that. I hope you enjoy my short story.

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The sun cast an orange colour over the sky as it rose in the early hours of the morning. Waves gently splashing on the shores of dragonstone. The island was quiet and still as the water washed over the sands. Nobody was awake.. Bar the young Prince Lucerys. Walking barefoot on the soft sands. Surfboard in hand. Wearing his wetsuit as he looked out at the Ocean. Taking a deep breath, The fresh sea air filled his lungs. This was his normal morning routine. As he placed his board down, The sun hit his sun bleached hair. The tips of his hair were blonde, the more time he spent out on the water, The more blonde his hair became. He looked out at the waves. It wasn’t anything special but the waves were good. The sea was the one place that he was actually free. No cares or responsibilities. He could just let go of his stress. Somewhere for him to forget his regrets, Forget the ridicule from his Uncles. The spiteful rumours about himself and his brothers left his mind. The ocean was his home, He felt like he belonged. It was part of him.

Finally picking his board back up after he attached the leash from the board onto his ankle. He took another deep breath, As he began to wade into the sea, Once he could he got onto his board and began to paddle further out. Waiting for the right wave. When he saw the right wave. He paddled over. Quickly popping up once he was riding the wave until it subsided. This was his freedom. His favourite way to start the morning. Way before anyone else woke up so he didn’t get bothered. Wave after wave and before Lucerys knew it. Several hours had ed.

He had been taking risks. Though this next wave looked rough. He knew he shouldn’t even try and ride it but he tried it anyway but as he attempted to pop up on his board. The water would sweep his feet out from under him. Knocking him off his board and into the water. Hitting the water and going under, Hitting his head on a rock. Dazing the boy as he heard a familiar voice call out his name. As he began to float to the surface, Soon he was washed ashore. He felt his vision fading. The last thing he saw before he ed out was his Mother rushing over and kneeling over him before his eyes closed.

In his mind. Memories flashing in and out. Voices echoing. Words that stuck with him or memories he couldn’t forget. The day Joffrey was born. The first time he started training with his Uncles and Jacaerys. The night he took Aemonds eye. Among many other things. “He can keep his tongue” He heard the familiar voice of Daemon as the memories of Vaemond’s death came to the forefront of his mind. The way he called him a bastard.. The hatred in his voice. The next thing that came to mind was Aemond’s toast “Handsome.. Wise.. Strong” The words that stuck with him most. The thought of it made his blood boil. No matter how hard Luke tried. Aemond would get a reaction out of him when he taunted him. He despised his Uncle more than anyone.

Soon. His mind shifted again.. He stood back on the beaches of Dragonstone, Or so he thought, but things felt.. Different. Looking around. He saw.. Jace.. he quickly realised what day this was. His sixth birthday. The first birthday he could really . One of his happiest memories because of what he got that year. The first time he had gotten a present from Ser Harwin. Walking over. The group which surrounded the memory of his younger self was exactly as he ed. His Mother, Laenor, Jace, Ser Harwin, His grandsire. A younger Aemond and Aegon lingered with Alicent nearby. This was the day Luke found his love for surfing. The day he got his first board. A bright red board to go with the black wetsuit with a bright stripe down the side he had gotten. It was Corlys’ idea. He, Harwin and Rhaenyra had gotten him one item each that Luke would need. When times were better, Before the tensions in the family got worse. Before he took Aemonds eye.

Though this moment of happiness didn’t last long. The memory began to fade to black and soon Luke was back where he had been. When he came too, He sharply inhaled as he coughed up some water, He coughed gently afterwards and looked up at his Mother who was still kneeling over him. Feeling his head, He felt a bandage wrapped around his head. When he’d hit his head on the rock, He must have cut his head open.. Bad. Sitting up slowly. He felt really weird and fuzzy. He would soon basically grab his Mother and pull her into a hug. Burying his head into her shoulder as he soon became overwhelmed with emotion. “I’m sorry.. It was all my fault..” The boy felt his eyes starting to sting. Not only from the salt water in his eyes but the sadness he felt. He put the blame for everything that had happened to divide this family on himself. Soon his Mother gently let him out of the hug, putting two fingers under his chin as she gently lifted his head. Looking into his eyes “My sweet boy..” She spoke softly “What happened was not your fault.. I know you blame yourself for everything that happened with our family” She would smile sweetly at him. “But what has happened since that night on Driftmark was not your fault.” Softly placing a kiss on her son’s forehead.

Luke kept his eyes on his Mother. He took a deep sigh. He couldn’t help but blame himself. He struggled to clear him mind of his guilt and regret.. That is why surfing meant so much to him. The freedom of the ocean helped him clear his mind and he would always be grateful for the day he started to surf. Soon his Mother helped him to his feet and wrapped an arm around him “Now. Let’s get you inside and dry. How does some hot chocolate sound?” She would say as he began to lead her back towards the Keep itself. Luke chuckled softly. His sadness being washed away by his Mothers soft tone “That sounds great.. Thank you Mother” He would speak softly to her. One of the few lights in his life. He was grateful for the family he had, and the opportunities they had given him, which helped him through the guilt and regret which haunted him.

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Illustrations.