#i need more helaena scenes before they take her away from me :( | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

written-in-flowers · 1 year

Text

Fly Away: Part 1

Pairing: Young!Aemond x Young!Velaryon!Reader | Side pairing: Rhaenyra x Alicent

Genre: Fluff, Angst

Au: friends to lovers, childhood love, incest (duh), slight homophobia expressed, repressed feelings, mutual pining, teenage runaways, mentions of bullying, arrange marriages

Word Count: 8k

Summary: Young love overcomes all in a family full of broken bonds and broken hearts. When Princess Y/N Velaryon and Prince Aemond Targaryen are discovered missing from their beds, their mothers must come together to find them. The search might do more for their families than a mere marriage pact can.

A/N: want to clarify now that we stick with young!Aemond throughout the story. Ewan’s Aemond comes in at the very end. This is mainly done starting a bit before The Princess and the Queen and a little bit after the events at Driftmark. I do pull some scenes from the show, but it remains relatively loose throughout. Want to also point out that The Dance doesn’t happen in this universe, so...happy ending expected, because we need more of those.

Tagged: @yitish

Next Chapter > Part 2

Part 1: A Marriage Proposal

"What?"

The word came out before you stopped yourself. You stared at your mother from across the table in disbelief. She stared back with a mixture of expectancy and slight irritation. You sensed she did not fully approve of the match either, but saw no other choice. She'd be insulting the King, your grandsire, and the Queen, her stepmother, if she declined it.

"This match will strengthen the bond between our houses, and relieve any strife that has come between them. The King agreed with me," she continued. "He believes it will heal the bonds that have been damaged for so long."

"Oh please," you scoffed, crossing your arms and leaning back in your chair. "They have no interest in mending anything."

Your mother hesitated for a moment, not looking away from you but not seeing you either. She appeared to have drifted off. You thought for a moment she’d consider your words, run off to The Queen, and say ‘no’. The subject of betrothal had hung in the air around The Red Keep for some time. Girls younger than you are promised to young lords, and married soon afterwards. You’d always hoped you might be given a choice like your mother, even though your grandsire eventually picked for her when she became indecisive. You knew it’d come up eventually, you just hoped she might provide a list or send you off to meet suitors.

"You are my eldest daughter," she finally came back. "You are three-and-ten, and have already begun your flowering. It is time you married, and who better than Prince Aemond?"

Yes, who better?

"So many. Why can't you marry Jace to Helaena? Surely, that is a better match. Jace will be heir to the throne when you take the crown. Helaena will be his queen. It’s a far better proposal in the long run."

"The Queen…declined the proposal and answered with this one instead.”

Naturally, she would. Out of all of Rhaenyra’s children, you are the only one with the silver hair of the Valryian line. Your younger brothers were born with brown curls and dark brown eyes. It brought up suspicion because your father, Ser Laenor, was dark skinned and silver haired. Queen Alicent must've not wanted to marry her only daughter to a base-born boy, even if the rumors have never been proven. You huffed. Why did it even matter? Jace is your mother's son, and she is Targaryen. Now, you'd be forced to marry Aemond. Aemond Targaryen, your uncle despite him being your age. That was what happened when your grandsire married a young woman and fathered four children on her.

"Aemond isn't a bad boy," she tried comforting you. "He's a bit withdrawn and quiet, but would you prefer to marry Aegon? The drunken fool who likes to bed whores?" She waited for a response, and never received one. "Besides, you and Aemond won't marry for some time. When you do, you'd only ever have to see him at formal occasions and on the nights when it's time to make children."

You rolled your eyes. A loveless marriage, then. It crushed you. Whenever you pictured being married, you envisioned yourself marrying someone who loved you. Whether it be Jace or Luke or some other lord you meet by chance. You wanted a person who loved you like Ser Harwin had loved your mother; a strong, capable man who'd do anything for you. You hated it. You picked at a loose thread on your sleeve to avoid looking at her.

“I know exactly how you feel, little dove,” she said to you, putting her hand on yours. “I reacted the same way when I was approached about marriage. I never saw being a wife and mother in my future, but here we are now. As women of the realm, we have a responsibility to uphold and continue our family lines and make alliances. Having a strong alliance with House Targaryen ensures the bonds between our houses do not break.”

“I thought I’d get a choice…”

“We all hope we get a choice,” she said, petting your hand. “Unfortunately, as women in this world, we don’t always have one. But, fortunately for you, you’re marrying a boy who is your age and is not bad looking.”

“Ugh, Mother,” you groaned.

“It’s not as if you and Aemond are total strangers. You’ve known him your entire life.”

“I rarely speak to him.”

“Well, now you have a chance to change that. You can suggest going for a walk or meeting in the library. You both like books. You can talk about those,” she offered. She waited for you to respond, and then she patted your hand. “This might not be your decision, little dove, but you can certainly choose to make it easier. Aemond isn’t cruel or brutish. He’s gentle. I think if you took time to know him better, you might come to like him? Maybe a little? Gods forbid we strong Valyrian women actually fall in love, but liking someone can’t hurt, could it?”

You thought about Aemond. He was a year or so older than you. Shorter than his brother, he wasn't as strong or quick as you like. He didn't say much. He mostly stared and remained quiet. You did not speak to him often, despite having grown up side-by-side. The boys usually went off on their own while you stayed with Helaena, an angel who loved insects, music and dancing. What would you say? What would you do?

“I suppose I could be doing worse,” you sighed, resting your head on the table in defeat.

“You could be betrothed to Aegon,” your mother finished for you.

“No, I could be betrothed to Jaceryes.”

She laughed at this and kissed your head.

He nodded when his mother told him the news, accepting the proposal and telling her he’d perform his duty. But, deep inside, Aemond grinned. He’d be marrying Y/N Velaryon, the prettiest girl in the entire realm. Well, at least, to him you were. She suggested he take you for a stroll in the palace gardens. If you two talked alone without Aegon or the other boys disrupting things, you might learn more about one another. He put on his best clothes, took a deep breath and walked out into the garden. He guessed you’d be standing by the railing overlooking the ocean. Aemond knew you liked to stop by that particular spot because it gave you the best view of the vast ocean beyond. That was exactly where he found you when he finally reached the area.

You looked beautiful. You wore a dress of pale blue, the golden threading and silk fabric bringing out the color in your skin, causing you to have a unique glow about you. He’d never felt so lucky in his life. Aegon and the others often bullied and teased him, but they couldn’t after today. Not when he had you as his betrothed. If he could not have a dragon, he can at least have a beautiful wife. Even as a girl of thirteen, you outshone every person in the room. Aemond doesn’t know exactly when he first noticed your beauty; it sort of became a fact. It became something he simply knew and appreciated.

“Princess,” he called out to you. His heart jumped into his throat when you looked at him, and he suddenly forgot what words were.

“Hello, Aemond.”

He gulped down the blockage in his throat, and glanced at the scenery behind you. The sunshine made the waves glimmer, and gave light to passing ships. “Watching the ships again?” he asked, approaching you with his hands behind his back.

“Yes,” you turned back to them. “I like to play a game when I watch them pass by,” you said carefully, as if finding words to say and worried he might laugh.

“What game?” he asked, standing beside you. He caught a whiff of jasmine in the passing winds. Was that you or the flowers? He hoped it was you.

“I look at the sails on each of the ships, and then try to guess what it could be bringing,” you answered when you saw he wasn’t teasing you. “Like that one,” you pointed to a galley ship with orange sails. “That’s one of the ships coming from the Free Cities. I like to think it’s a Pentoshi merchant bringing exotic spices and wine to sell in the market.”

“I don’t think it’d bring wine,” he said. “Aegon says Pentoshi wine is watery and weak compared to strongwine.”

“Is it really?”

“I wouldn’t know,” he shrugged. “I don’t really drink as much wine as him.”

“Nobody drinks as much wine as Aegon,” you giggled.

He couldn’t help joining you. Right as your laughter died, he heard a slight rustle from behind him. Aemond looked around to see the garden walls enclosing the semi-circular space. He briefly thought Aegon or Jace might be hiding, waiting to scare them, but then you spoke again.

“Oh, there’s another ship from Pentos!” you pointed to a ship coming into port with aquamarine sails and a seahorse sigil on them.

“Not every foreign ship is from Pentos, Y/N,” he laughed softly at your naivety. He found it sweet where others might see it as dumb. “It could easily be from Braavos, Myr, Lys…Anywhere.”

“Anywhere but here…”

He heard your tone of voice change, and saw the light in your eyes fade. Aemond hated that. He hated seeing you upset. He didn’t know exactly why, but it upset him all the same. He stood closer and said, “What’s wrong?”

“Have you ever wondered what it’d be like if we weren’t born into our families?”

The question took him aback for a second, but he immediately understood your meaning. “Sometimes,” he admitted, “Especially when Aegon’s your older brother.”

“Not only because of that…” you picked at a piece of thread on your sleeve, “Because…then we’d have more freedom.”

“Freedom?”

“Yes. People outside the keep are able to live how they want, do what they want and marry who they want. They don’t have to worry about traditions or duties or live up to anyone’s expectations,” you continued. “I’m a Velaryon princess and my mother says it’s my duty to marry and carry on the Valyrian blood lines and mend bonds. How can I be expected to do that when our parents hate each other?”

“They don’t hate each other.”

He knew this to be a lie already. Aemond couldn’t count all the times he overheard his mother talking to Ser Criston about his sister, Princess Rhaenyra. How his father tended to favor her over his other children, her children; how he always came around the corner to her aide, but did not do the same for her children. The biggest one was the obvious fact that Jaceryes and Luceryes are clearly not full-blooded Velaryons. She said they bore a ‘strong’ resemblance to Harwin Strong, former Commander of the City Watch. He knew the reason she’d chosen you to marry into her family is because you’re the only one who cannot be contested. You have your father’s skin and your mother’s hair.

“Yes, they do. They think we’re too young and stupid to realize it, but I see how your mother looks at my mother, and how she looks in return.” Something hung on the tip of your tongue. He sensed a suspicion you’d never speak out loud. “I don’t know what happened, but I don’t believe our marriage is going to fix anything. It’ll only make things more complicated.” You turned back to the ocean, “That’s why I wished I lived in a different world, a different place.”

He hesitated to ask, but he couldn’t help himself, “Would you still want to marry me in this different world?”

You didn’t answer right away. “I…I don’t know. Possibly. Maybe. If you were nice in that different world.”

He nearly argued that he is nice. He’s nice to you. It isn’t easy for him to get along with too many people. This is the longest he’s spoken to you before, and he’s known you for ages. Despite living in the same castle, your lives never fully intersected as yours did with Helaena. Helaena told him you were so kind and thoughtful with her. You’d go bug-hunting and examine them together. You listened to her talk about them without appearing bored, and engaged in conversation with her. He saw how you always stayed at her side at formal occasions. You’re both girls, even if Helaena is older than you, and you have the same Septa. Aemond often envisioned himself striding up to you, confident and charming, and somehow magically wooing you.

But, you’re not the swooning type.

He heard the garden wall rustle again, and this time he fully stared at the spot. Aegon. It must be. It’d be like him to make time out of his day to torment him; he’d like it twice as much with you as his audience. Aemond refused to be humiliated in front of you. He then said, “Do you like strawberries?”

“Yes, everybody does,” you snorted at the obvious question.

“I found this part of the garden where they’ve been growing. Do you want to see if they’re still there with me?”

“Sounds delightful.”

He prepared himself for a scare or Aegon to suddenly appear. However, when you both reached the enclosure’s entrance, he saw nobody. He continued staring around the garden path as if he’d see his brother any second.

“Is something wrong?” you asked him, walking slowly beside him.

“I think Aegon’s watching us.”

“Ugh,” you grunted, “It’d be like him to be watching us. He’s probably waiting around the corner with a bucket or something awful to splash on us or scare us with.” You crossed your arms, “He’s so vile.”

“I put a snake in his bed once,” he told you. When you looked his way, he nodded, “Aegon’s deathly afraid of snakes. He has been ever since he found a little one swimming around in his wineskin during a hunt and nearly swallowed it. One day, he’d humiliated me in front of a group of people like he always does, and I found this little garden snake when I went to see Helaena. I took it, put it in my pocket, and snuck into Aegon’s room while he was sleeping.” He laughed, recalling his brother’s high-pitched screams when he lifted his sheets to see the seven-inch long snake in his sheets, sliding up his leg. “I’d never seen anyone run so fast. He bursted out of his room, crying and squirming all around like this,” he wriggled his arms and legs around until you laughed, then said, “It doesn’t help that Aegon sleeps naked too.”

“And there were people around, weren’t there?”

“Loads!”

This is what he wanted. He wanted to be interesting and clever and charismatic like Ser Criston. He wanted to make you laugh and smile. It felt good hearing you laugh at his stories and he liked listening to yours in return. Aemond enjoyed his time with you. He liked it even more when you both found the strawberry patch.

****

Alicent couldn’t help herself. She’d meant to go to the small council meeting this morning, but when she spotted Aemond headed for the gardens, she changed course. They can do without her for one meeting. She kept herself a few paces back so her son didn’t catch on; Aemond isn’t like Aegon, who is oblivious to everything around him. He’s sharper and more observant. He’d pick up on her presence before she even realized he noticed her. So, quietly, she moved through the garden paths until Aemond reached the enclosure overlooking the ocean. He must’ve known you’d be there considering his confident steps and direction. The romantic thought that he might’ve asked to meet there dawned on her.

Because Aemond, despite what he says otherwise, is a romantic. She’s found the poetry he hides in his chambers, and the books he reads in his freetime. He does read the philosophies and histories of people and places before him, but between them, he read fairy tales and poetry written by unrelenting romantics. She noticed his favorites were King Jaeheryes and Queen Alysanne, since he tended to mention them in his poems or journals. Alicent tried giving her son his privacy; she hated it when her own mother had done it, and refused to pry on her own children, but it touched her deeply. She’d once been that way. She’d read the same stories and poems he read, and imagined a life different from the one she led now.

A life with someone whom she’d once loved, and who’d once loved her.

Standing right at the edge of the garden wall, Alicent pulled apart two vines and looked through to the other side. She spotted Aemond standing near Rhaenyra’s daughter, Y/N. You are truly a lovely girl; you had Laenor’s tanned skin and Rhaenyra’s shade of silver in your thick hair. You’d done it in a plait today, letting it go down your back. Her son tried hiding his excitement, but a mother knows these things. You and Aemond were similar, whether you liked admitting it or not. Alicent saw it in the way you expressed interest in Viserys’s Old Valyria model and read stories to him from the age. Aemond studied the same books. She watched her son watching you, admiring you as if you were a flower blooming before his eyes. He looked at you as if nothing else in the world mattered…and he’s only fourteen.

Footsteps approached, and Alicent looked over to see someone coming.

“Rhaenyra?”

“Alicent?”

The princess looked stunned to see her. She walked closer, and said, “Should you not be at the small council?”

“Shouldn’t you?”

Rhaenyra paused, but then nodded. She took up a spot right next to her, and pushed her own vines apart. For a brief moment, Alicent went back in time. She and Rhaenyra once did this to hide from their septa. They’d wanted to go for a walk and seek out the strawberry bushes that grow every year. The pair of them liked sitting in the gardens on the good days, eating berries, drinking sweetmilk and reading to one another. Alicent did most of the reading and Rhaenyra did most of the picking. But, their Septa often kept a leash on them in those days. Alicent knew why she watched them so closely. Her father. It all led back to her father. A seed of resentment grew inside her, but she quickly squashed it out.

“What’s happening?” Rhaenyra asked her. “Have they talked yet?”

“Not yet. He’s…He’s been staring at her. I don’t think he’s realized he hasn’t said anything.”

She smirked, “She scares him.”

“Of course she does.” When Rhaenyra looked her way, she said, “I meant that your daughter is a very beautiful girl, and Aemond is a shy boy. She probably intimidates him.”

Rhaenyra softened hearing this. “Yes, she’s really started growing into her looks, Laenor says.” She paused, “It reminds me of Hobert Tarly. Remember him?”

Alicent laughed softly and shook her head, “Oh gods, do I. The boy followed me around like a lost puppy. I did so much to avoid him, but it was like he knew where I’d be at all times.”

“Then when you did acknowledge him,” she snorted, “He nearly vomited.”

Alicent laughed, and quickly realized her son stopped speaking. She and Rhaenyra stood still as Aemond considered their hiding spot for a moment, then turned back to you. She couldn’t hear anything you two said, but it didn’t matter. You appeared to be getting along. Alicent sighed in relief. At least one of the betrothals might end contently, if not happily. She turned back to Rhaenyra, who continued watching the children, and she couldn’t help looking. She saw the slight curve in the woman’s nose; the way she’d worn her hair today, loose strands falling past her shoulders. Alicent noticed the swollen belly underneath the gown. Another child that is most likely not Laenor Velaryon’s. How could she do this? How could she flaunt her obvious treason in front of everyone, expecting them to bow down and believe her? Alicent tried accepting the truth when Ser Criston told her what she’d done; her heart still yearned for Rhaenyra and her company. Then, she presented Jaceryes to the court. She’d told Viserys one child is a mistake, but two is an insult. Alicent couldn’t believe the woman she loved would do something so dishonorable. Then again, is she guilt free?

When Alicent became queen, Rhaenyra distanced herself from her new stepmother and father. Alicent hoped with time, her childhood companion would grow to accept the situation and accept her. Rhaenyra must’ve known it was not Alicent’s idea. What young girl wants to marry a man old enough to be her father? She thought all hope of reconciliation was lost until the eve before Rhaenyra’s wedding.

Alicent recalled waking up in her bed to someone shaking her. She’d blinked back the blurriness of sleep to see Rhaenyra, silver haired and beautiful, sitting beside her. She noticed the princess wearing her riding clothes: gloves, trench coat and boots. Alicent found the attire strange at first, but seeing the determined look in Rhaenyra’s eyes explained everything.

‘I’m leaving, and I want you to come with me.’

‘What? Now?”

‘Yes, now. We have a few hours before daylight. We can go now and be gone before they realize we’ve left.’

‘Rhaenyra…Leave? Just like that?”

‘Just like that.’

She remembered her hesitancy. Alicent saw herself, young and scared, afraid to make that jump into happiness. She made up thousands of excuses in her head: her son and daughter, her husband, her father, her family, and her life in Westeros. She couldn’t give into the obvious chance at freedom put before her. All her life she’d believed how she felt for Rhaenyra was wrong. Her father said so with his cryptic words of caution; her Septa repeatedly told her how marriage and love is between men and women only. She’d pushed her love so far down, she almost stopped feeling…until she’s right next to Rhaenyra.

‘We can’t. We have to stay. You have to take The Iron Throne. If you leave, the realm will be thrown into uncertainty once again.’

‘I don’t care about that anymore. I love you, Alicent. It is you that I want; not the Throne or the Crown or the Seven Kingdoms. It is you I wish to be with like I said: fly away across the sea, seeing the wonders of the world and eating cake.’

‘You cannot leave your father.’

‘He will manage.’

‘He needs you.’

‘No, he doesn’t.’

‘He does. He will be shattered if you disappeared.’

‘Do you not wish to come with me?’

She had. All the Gods, old and new, knew that Alicent Hightower would have run away with her right then…if her own fears hadn’t stopped her.

“They’re coming,” Rhaenyra hissed.

She took Alicent’s arm and pulled her into a hedge along the wall. The two women stood in silence as Aemond and you came out of the enclosure. They didn’t hold hands, but she heard them laugh in the distance. Rarely did she see her son socialize so much; he never talked often. They waited until the couple moved further down to leave their spot. She realized he was taking you to the strawberry patch. She imagined the pair of you sitting by the fountain, a pile of strawberries and cream between you, and giggling over a funny story. She saw her son’s eyes glistening at the sight of you, full of admiration and possibly slight fear of rejection. He’d take your hand, say something comforting, and you’d smile and touch him in return.

“They make a handsome couple,” Rhaenyra broke the silence.

“They do.”

They’re alone. Alicent realized this when she noticed nobody was around them. No servants, no footmen, no guards and lords or ladies. She painfully recalled how they relished in this solitude together. She swallowed the lump in her throat and turned to Rhaenyra.

“They’re going to the strawberry patch,” she said, hands clasped in front of her. “I told Aemond about it so he might take her there.”

Rhaenyra smiled, “I’ve been suggesting to Y/N that she should wear blue dresses. It brings out the color in her eyes.”

Right there. She could’ve said everything she felt in her chest right then and there and nobody else will hear it. She could say ‘I miss you’ or ‘I hope their marriage brings our families together’ or ‘I wish we’d left that night and I regret every time I’m awake at night alone’. Every time Alicent is sure her feelings are dead, moments like these revive them.

“We should,” Rhaenyra began, “Go to the small council meeting. The King will notice our absence.”

“Or,” Alicent said carefully, “We can follow the children to the strawberry bushes? Just to make sure they get there alright and don’t misbehave? I’m sure His Grace will understand that a mother's concern for her children highly outranks the problems of a kingdom.”

Rhaenyra looked her over for signs of dishonesty, unsure of how to respond, but then sneered, “Yes, I think that matter is much more important. They are betrothed after all, and should have chaperones with them to make sure nothing inappropriate happens. Who knows? We might come upon some strawberries ourselves.”

“We just might.”

It felt like the old days again.

****

You continued seeing Aemond around the keep. Your mother often asked you how you felt about him, but you never gave a straight answer. You found Aemond to be surprisingly good company. He might be a bit timid at first, but once he is comfortable, he talks a lot. He talks about dragons, books, and poems he’d recently read. He tells you stories he heard from Aegon about things going on outside the castle. Nobody truly gave you attention like Aemond did. He listened to you when you started rambling about your family or a problem that worried you. He comforted you if he ever saw you become upset, and immediately did his best to keep you happy. The only people who did that for you were your parents.

Aemond sometimes joined you and Helaena in sewing circles when he grew tired of Aegon’s company. You liked having him there. His presence seemed to relax Helaena more, and help her open up. You both listened to her talk about her interests, and her worries. Your shared love for Helaena made you closer.

“Do you love my brother?” Helaena asked you in the godswood. You both went there to study when the weather was nice. She walked around the space looking for centipedes or caterpillars, which were currently her insect favorites. She knew you detested spiders, so she refrained from showing them to you.

“What?” The question caught you off guard, causing you to look up from the book you’d been reading. It was a collection of historical accounts about the Yiti empire that Aemond gave you.

“Do you love my brother?” she asked again, putting her hand into the dirt.

“Um, uh, well…I don’t know, honestly.” You went back to your book, but did not read the page. “I enjoy his company and he is nice to me. But, I think that is the bare minimum in loving someone.”

“He loves you,” she said.

“Is that what he told you?”

“No, I saw it in a dream.”

You paused. Helaena often had strange dreams. She told you about them in riddles, ones she didn’t understand herself but felt compelled to speak about them. She returned holding a centipede in her hand, letting it crawl over her fingers as she sat beside you.

“In my dreams, I saw crashing waves.”

“Waves? The ocean?”

“I saw a dragon circling a meadow, unable to land but desperately wishing to,” she answered, examining her newest pet. “I felt its pain. I felt its longing for the meadow, for the peace and safety it brings.”

“What do you think it means? How is that related to Aemond?”

“My brother has desired you for a long time. Lots of boys do, but he is the one you’re marrying one day. He wants you, but feels he can never truly have you.”

“That’s…perceptive.”

She gave a soft smile. “So, do you love my brother?”

“As I said, I do not know yet.”

She nodded comprehensively. “Perhaps my dreams are wrong. Perhaps they are only dreams. I never really know. They come to me, and tell me things, but…I can’t understand them. I can only feel them.” She looked up at you, “I hope you learn to love my brother. He deserves to be loved that way.”

“I believe everyone does.”

“But him the most. He will need it.”

You smiled, assuming it was a sister’s love wishing the best for her younger brother. The two of you continued sitting under the tree. You read her passages, and she told you things she knew about centipedes.

“I heard Aunt Laena and Uncle Daemon might be coming back to Westeros once she has her baby,” you said to her walking back inside. “I hope they do. I wish to see Baela and Rhaena again. I only see them when my family visits Driftmark, and we haven’t gone in so long.” You smirked as you looked over at her, “Or did you see the outcome in your dreams as well?”

“It doesn’t work that way,” she replied.

You wondered how it did work then.

****

Rhaenyra sat in her apartment, still sweaty and aching between her thighs, and thought. Only an hour ago, she’d given birth to Joffrey, and Alicent asked to see the child. Rhaenyra knew why. She wanted to see if the child had Laenor’s coloring. Of course, he did not. Joffrey, even as a babe, had the thick brown hair and brown eyes of Harwin. Nothing ever cut as deeply. Whenever she felt her wounds closing, Alicent found a way to make them bleed again. Had she not done enough? Had she not shattered her heart enough times already? Rhaenyra thought after that night, her feelings for the Queen might have finally died out. She thought she might heal the broken pieces of her heart by marrying Laenor, having children, and finally finding love with Harwin.

Instead, it only remained broken.

She stayed seated, the exhaustion of her labors slowly dawning on her again, and looked to see Harwin holding Joffrey. He cradled the sleeping babe in the red and gold blanket. Harwin stood tall in his black armor and golden cloak; his thick beard was coarse and well trimmed. She hoped Jace might look the same one day. He, unfortunately, looked the most like Harwin with his curly hair and nose. It’d been Jaceryes who gave them away.

“Hm, falling asleep in front of a lord commander,” he jested, “Shows such a lack of respect.”

She smiled weakly, “Insolence runs in the family, I’m afraid.”

It’d been Harwin she bedded once she married Laenor. However, her heart ached for another. Hours before her wedding day, she’d been laying in bed thinking of Alicent. Out of all the people in the world, Alicent Hightower truly owned her heart. She realized it when she agreed to marry Laenor, who was so certain of his desires. Alicent is who she’d felt most comfortable with. Alicent, who’d been forced to marry the King and keep their meetings a secret. She’d been wrong to distance herself from the person she loved so dearly. Rhaenyra decided she’d leave, and take Alicent with her. But, Alicent refused. She had her sons, and Rhaenyra had the throne. Them leaving would have caused instability and chaos in the castle. Remembering Alicent’s refusal doused any light left inside her.

“She asked to see him, I suspect?” Harwin asked, breaking her from the memory.

“She did.”

He huffed, “What a cruel woman. Right after your labors, as well.”

“She only wanted to see him.”

“Yes, to see if he was a Strong.”

Rhaenyra knew part of Alicent’s bitterness came from what she’d done with Harwin. She let the people around them suspect and whisper, but it’d been Alicent’s suspicions that hurt the most. Only Rhaenyra knew that her distaste did not come from upholding laws or families. It started on that night. Rhaenyra admitted she’d pushed away first, but she knew should Alicent extend her hand, she’d grab ahold of it right away.

“I must sleep,” she said. “I feel I may collapse if I stay up much longer.”

“Of course.”

Harwin rested Joffrey in his bassinet, and guided her towards her bed. Stripped of her bloody dress and washed clean of sweat and blood, she let Harwin dress and lay her on the sheets. Briefly, she noticed the brown in Harwin’s eyes and thought of Alicent. If they lived in a perfect world, it’d be Alicent helping her into bed. It’d be Alicent comforting her to sleep. Sadly, a perfect world never existed. Harwin eventually left the room so she may rest. Rest did not stay with her for long, as another person walked in. Hearing the soft humming, she knew it was you, her daughter.

“Hello, baby brother,” she heard you coo. “I’m Y/N, your big sister.”

She smiled softly to herself. She put her sheets to her chest, and looked over to where Joffrey’s cradle stayed. You noticed her watching you.

“I’m sorry,” you said, “Did I wake you, Mother?”

“No, little dove,” she responded. “You’ll find it’s difficult to find rest when you’ve given birth. Everyone from all over will come to see the babe, wanting to hold them and touch them. He is a prince, after all.”

“He’s going to be a great knight,” you smiled, sitting in a chair and holding him. “Strong and mighty like…Like a dragon,” you added the last part quickly. “Joffrey has the blood of the dragon in him.” You rocked him gently, “He’ll be a strong dragonrider like you, Mother. Did you see the dragon egg Luke picked out for him? I heard it was from a new clutch of eggs. Maybe that means they’ll bond.”

“Perhaps,” she said, leaning against her pillows. “Why are you not in the dragon pit? I thought you’d be with Aemond.”

You froze at his name as you did every time. Rhaenyra thought after a few months of seeing one another, you might have developed feelings for the young prince. He is certainly smitten with you, but so are many other boys.

“He didn’t want me to go,” you finally responded, stroking Joffrey’s head. “He told me he didn’t want me to watch him fail to bond with a dragon again. It means so much to him, Mother. He thinks he’s not a true Targaryen because he’s the only one without a dragon.”

“They’re a symbol of our power,” Rhaenyra reasoned. “His brother has one; his nephews and you all have one. It’s natural to want to belong and want things others have.”

“I told him it doesn’t matter to me whether he has a dragon or not.”

Rhaenyra couldn’t help but smile. She will admit she hoped her daughter married a Targaryen with a rider. She imagined them flying together, like she’d once wished to with Alicent. But, she pushed that image deep into the back of her mind.

“Will you see him after then?”

“Maybe. I don’t know.” You paused, thinking as you looked at Joffrey. “My brain becomes fuzzy whenever I think about him.”

“In a good way or a bad one?”

“I…I think in a good way,” you said, uncertainly. “I like Aemond as a friend. I enjoy talking to him and spending time with him and Helaena, but…what if I don’t fall in love with him?”

“Betrothal doesn’t mean you need to be in love with the person. You can be good friends. Not all betrothals need to be full of love or loveless. Your father and I were betrothed, and we’re happy.”

“But, that isn’t what I wanted.”

She knew what you wanted, because she’d wanted it too. You wanted a love to rival the ages. You wanted a love so strong and meaningful, it would live on forever in history. Mummurs, singers, and poets would dedicate works to your love. People would tell stories to their children as they’d done with Jaeheryes and Alysanne. Rhaenyra once hoped to have that same love. She had that love. She had it and it slipped through her fingers right as she reached for it.

“Don’t worry, Joffrey,” you whispered, “You’ll get to pick who you marry. I’ll make sure of it.”

Rhaenyra watched you holding him. You had all the looks a true Velaryon child should have. She thought, when she held you, that you’d become the strong, independent girl she’d been once. You had, but in a softer way. You enjoyed all the feminine arts your septa taught you, and liked music and dancing. You spoke your mind and opinions often, even if others did not like to hear them. Laenor said you reminded him of a dove, pure and peaceful, and the name stuck. You longed for freedom. She hated herself for being the one keeping her little dove caged, but it is for your own good. Aemond will make a good husband for you, she can tell. He truly admired you. She saw it the first day you’d spent together. She knew because she’d once looked at someone that way.

“He needs rest, dove,” she finally said.

“Yes, Mother.” You put Joffrey in his cradle and came over to her bedside. You kissed her cheek and hugged her, “Get rest, Mother. Please.”

“I’ll do my best,” she smiled.

“I’ll make sure nobody disturbs you.”

Such a thoughtful girl. Aemond truly is lucky. She watched you walk out the door with the poise and grace of a princess. Rhaenyra shut her eyes tightly to push back the flooding memory. It always came to her in times of solitude and silence. They crept into her mind, filling her bones with regret, suffering and longing. She knew things will never be the same between them, so she must put those feelings aside.

She needed to get away from them before they consumed her for good. Dragonstone. They will go to Dragonstone. Alicent and her brown eyes cannot reach her there. The rumors cannot reach her there.

****

“Must you leave?”

Aemond’s voice, heavy with sorrow, reached you from the doorway. Hearing his voice broke your heart more. You reached for your cloak to put on your shoulders.

A few days ago, your mother told you all that you’ll be leaving for Dragonstone. You initially thought it’ll be a small visit, then you’d return, but she said you’d stay there for good. A whole new whirlwind of emotions mixed into the troubles you already faced. Helaena already came to say her goodbyes, but Aemond came to walk you to the castle gates. You wished he didn’t. You wished he’d leave and never talk to you again. Then that way you won’t feel so bad.

“My mother says we must,” you replied, fumbling with the clasp of your cloak. You regretted adding a fur trim to it. It made closing it difficult. “She says it’ll be better for our family if we lived away from court.”

Aemond watched you grow frustrated with your cloak, then walked forward to help you. For a moment, his fingers brushed against yours. He stopped and looked at you. You normally maintained distance from Aemond since you preferred not to, but right now, you liked the closeness. You saw the slight freckles on the bridge of his nose, much like Helaena’s. Sad eyes looked back into yours, already full of longing. Seeing them made you feel worse. Aemond’s fingers stayed on yours, and you wished to never let go. Is this what your mother felt whenever Harwin looked at her? Aemond fixed the clasp easily, locking the two pieces together. He then straightened it on your shoulders so you were fully covered.

“I don’t want you to go,” he said, looking at the golden clasp in his hands. “The castle won’t be the same without you here.”

“I don’t want to leave either,” you said.

He gazed up at you, and you swore you spotted water in them. Aemond was crying. You’d seen him cry only once. It’d been after your brothers and Aegon teased him about not having a dragon. They’d given him a pig with wings attached called ‘The Pink Dread’. You’d scolded Jace and Luke when you heard. They told you it’d been Aegon’s idea, but you didn’t care. Aemond would be their brother-in-law someday.

“I…I, um…” he swallowed thickly, taking a breath, “I’ve become very fond of you, Y/N. I greatly enjoy the time we spend together with or without my sister around.” He looked at you, “Are you…are you fond of me as well?”

Everyone asked you this, and months later, you had no answers. You simply said you did not know. But, they’d been people outside of you and Aemond. He’d never asked you this until this moment.

“Aemond,” you began, “I don’t-”

“-Y/N?”

You and Aemond jumped apart at your father’s voice. He stood in the doorway, taking a second for his mind to pick up on the situation. You immediately tried finding an answer to any questions he’d have, but he asked nothing.

“It’s time for us to go, sweetling,” your father said.

You nodded, and Aemond walked with you out of the room. Silence fell between the both of you with your father a step ahead. It gave time for Aemond’s question to implant itself in your mind. You thought about the last time you and Aemond spent time together. It’d been in the library. He’d found an old scroll hidden in the shelves, and he wanted to show it to you. It was a map of Old Valyria. Very worn from age, you two barely made out the outlines of the paper. Aemond had been so mesmerized by it. He said there aren’t many maps left. His eyes had been full of wonder upon seeing the page. He pointed out certain points of places he thought he recognized. You both talked about what it’d be like to live there if it’d never burnt to the ground. He said you’d both be married in a High Valyrian ceremony, conducted in front of the tall altars and officiated by priests in red and gold robes. So the histories said anyways. You liked the idea of that; of marrying Aemond in fire and blood like your ancestors.

You only saw Aemond. Nobody else. Not even a faceless knight with long hair and shiny armor. Aemond always stood on the groom’s side, holding your hands in his.

“Say your goodbyes, children,” your mother urged when both families stood outside the doors.

You hugged Halaena tightly. You promised her you’d write about any insects you found on Dragonstone. You kissed your grandfather’s cheek, him patting your head and telling you to be well. The Queen bowed to you, then kissed your forehead. She told you that you’d be back soon enough; that a few years will go by quicker than expected. Aegon stood indifferently to her side, and muttered a ‘goodbye’ which you only nodded to. Then finally, you ended with Aemond. You still had not answered his question. Your chest felt tight, and your throat closed up. Cheeks filling with warmth, shoulders starting to tense, you curtsied to him. You worried touching him again might bring on tears.

“Safe travels, Princess,” he said, bowing his head.

“Thank you, Aemond.”

Slowly, on numb feet, you turned to walk into your wheelhouse. Your mother already sat with Joffrey in her arms. Your father comforted your tearful brother, and Jace stared out the window. You took your seat next to your mother, and the door finally closed. A final nail in the coffin. You looked through one of the detailed holes in the window to see Aemond watching the wheelhouse begin moving. Your insides knotted, and you tried finding feeling in your legs and feet. You continued staring at Aemond as the wheelhouse went further and further away. Visions of being alone on Dragonstone came to you in a flood. There’d be no garden excursions. There’d be no more strawberries or cream or books and laughs. You’d have nobody to listen to your thoughts and feelings. You’d be alone, and that thought made you feel cold and hot simultaneously. Hot tears filled your eyes, falling whenever you blinked. You wouldn’t have Aemond, who made you laugh with silly stories and comforted you when you cried. A boy who felt as alone as you.

“Y/N, what are you doing?”

You opened the door before anyone in the carriage realized what was happening. The carriage picked up some speed now that the streets opened up, but you weren’t too far away yet. Jumping out, you landed hard on your feet and started running. Your mothers calls fell behind you as you rushed to the tall castle gates slowly starting to close. Between them, you spotted Aemond beginning to turn away, head hanging low. No. You never answered his question. You never knew the answer until the worst possible time.

“Aemond!” you called out to him.

“Y/N!” your father yelled behind you, no doubt following you.

“Aemond, wait!”

Aemond stopped at the bottom of the stairs, and turned to look at you.

“Aemond!” you called again, panting. “Aemond, wait!” More tears fell down your cheeks, your sobs starting to dry out your throat. “I am fond of you!” you said, coming within feet of you, “I am fond of you! I really am!” You flung your arms around the bewildered boy, your face buried into his shoulder. “I am fond of you. I’m very fond. Please, don’t hate me. I don’t want to leave. They’re making me leave.”

You felt his hands on your waist, keeping you steady when you let go. “You are?” you heard him say.

“I am.” You pulled away, weeping, “Forgive me for not saying it sooner. Everyone has questioned me, and I never knew what to say. Now, I know what to say. Please, forgive me.”

Aemond pushed a stray curl from your face, and wiped your cheek with the corner of his cloak. You hugged him again, safe to cry in his embrace. Is this how your mother felt, you wondered again, whenever Ser Harwin held her? Before you said anything more, your father touched your shoulder. The Queen put her hands on Aemond’s shoulders. The both of you slowly broke apart, and warmth escaped you. You did not want to leave. King’s Landing had been your home. It was where your family lived; where Aemond lived.

“Little dove,” your father said softly, “We must go. The wheelhouse is waiting to take us to the dragon pit.” When you did not move, he gently guided you away.

“Y/N,” Aemond called your name, “May I write to you?”

You smiled, sniffing back tears, “Yes. I’d like that very much.”

Being forced to turn away, you kept looking over your shoulder at Aemond. The Queen eventually came down the stairs, putting her hands on his shoulders, and guiding him back into the castle.

“You’ll see him again,” he said, holding your hand as he escorted you back to the carriage. “You’re his betrothed.”

“But, he’ll be so far away, and he doesn’t have a dragon, so he can’t fly to Dragonstone,” you said, “May I fly here to see him? It’s not a long flight, and Starshine’s very fast so it’s even shorter.”

“I think your mother will prefer that you did that when you were older. It’s inappropriate for a betrothed couple to not be chaperoned.”

“We weren’t chaperoned when we walked around the castle.”

“That’s what you thought.”

“What?”

“Ah look, there’s your mother,” he ignored your question, “She nearly had a heart attack when you jumped out of the carriage. It’s best to say your apologies for giving her a fright.”

You reached the carriage door, expecting a scolding from your mother, but you only saw tears in her eyes. “You’ll see him again,” your mother echoed your father’s words when you climbed into the wheelhouse. “You do have to marry him one day.” The carriage started forward again, and she waited until your brothers and father were occupied to ask. “What did you say to him?”

You didn’t look at her. You looked out the window, fresh tears falling. “I-I-I to-told him that I was-was fond of him.”

You felt her stroke your hair, pull you close to her side and kiss the top of your head. You rested against her for the rest of the journey, trying to keep your sobs quiet to not bring attention to yourself. Finally, you reached the dragon pit where the dragon keepers greeted you, Jace and Luke. Jace and Luke could not fly their dragons because they’re too small, so they’ll order them to follow your dragon and fly there. Starshine was larger and able to carry you long distances. You left the company of your brothers for the caverns underneath the pit.

In the dark tunnels, you freely let your tears flow. You knew you’d see Aemond again. The goodbye was not forever, yet your heart still aches from yearning. You followed the tunnel paths until you reached a familiar undervault. Behind a door, you heard the low rumbling of a sleeping dragon. When a Dragon Keeper opened the iron vault door, you walked inside a large cave carved into the hill. Slowly, you stepped inside, keeping your cloak tight about you as you stared around. On a mound in the center of the room, you saw an enormous beast coiled asleep. Starshine, a she-dragon the size of a twelve-horse carriage, had golden scales that twinkled white in the sunlight. The orange tinge of her wing membranes and the ends of her long tail gave the appearance of a shooting star when in flight. It reminded you of how much Aemond dreamed of his own dragon. Perhaps once he found one, you could fly together. You’d like that.

Starshine lifted her head upon your approach, orange and hazel eyes finding you in the half light.

“Morning, Starshine,” you said in High Valyrian, the language of your ancestors. “Ready to go off on another adventure?” She tilted her head. You approached her, stroking her fine scales and listening to her purr like a cat. “We are going to Dragonstone. Mother says we will live there now.” When Starshine shook her head and neck, you said, “Calm, Starshine. Calm…I do not wish to go either. It will be nice there. You will be able to have your own cave, and eat all the animals you want. I will go flying with you every day.”

One of the Dragon Keepers saddled her for you already, so all you did was climb onto her. Securing yourself firmly inside the saddle, you fixed your riding coat over your cloaked body and adjusted your gloves. The iron doors that faced the other side of the hill slowly opened, allowing a long stream of light to fill the room. Starshine took a few charging steps, reaching the edge, and flying into the sky. Wind whipped your hair back from your face, flowing through your coat and cloak easily. You felt the warm sun kissing your face and skin as Starshine went higher into the sky. All worry and thought of leaving Aemond went away. You could do as you pleased up high in the sky. You idly thought of the freedom you spoke of to Aemond that first time. It only took a slight change in course to land somewhere else. You might be able to have that different life you told him about.

But, that’d mean leaving your family behind, and you’d never do that. So, you steered Starshine around King’s Landing one last time before taking off for Dragonstone hundreds of miles away.

Far away from Aemond Targaryen.

****

A/N: there it is lol hope you enjoyed! If you have questions or feedback or anything like that, feel free to reply or send me an ask! <3 there’s more cuteness to come in part 2!

#aemond targaryen #aemond one eye #aemond x reader #aemond x you #aemond x yn #aemond the kinslayer #house of the dragon #hotd #hotd drabbles #hotd fanfiction #hotd fanfic #hotd imagines #ewan mitchell #yeah yn is a woc in my mind #but I still leave it kinda open

462 notes · View notes

dedicatednotobsessed · 1 year

Note

Hi there! Thank you for your works🥰

Can you maybe write something (if you are okay with RPF ofc) where Reader is a new actress who's taking part in season 2 filming and she likes Ewan, and he is nice to her but kinda closed off (bc we all now he likes to keep private). And they go to some kind of party with all cast and crew and she sees him being comfortable and open with Phia, and gets really upset. But in the end, it turns out that they are just friends and he was asking Phia for some advice coz he also likes Reader. Just some angst with fluff pls? 🙏

Of course! I’m glad you enjoy my works and for more HOTD actor/character one shot requests, feel free to submit them through my ask box. 💚

Alys Rivers [Ewan Mitchell x Fem!Reader]

Summary: You got casted as Alys Rivers, also known as Aemond Targaryen’s love interest. As you continue to work with Ewan, you become close with him but you couldn’t help but wonder that he doesn’t really like you because of how closed off he seems from you. However you learn the truth at a party….

You smiled while pushing back a strand of the dark haired wig as they set up the scene on the Harrenhal set. You were a little nervous joining the cast of House of the Dragon, but everyone seemed to be so friendly and welcome you with open arms.

You were playing the role of Alys Rivers, the bastard daughter to Lord Lyonel Strong and the love interest to Prince Aemond Targaryen. You honestly didn’t think you were going to get the role but after reading the book and studying the character, you were confident.

“Hey,” You greeted with a small smile seeing Ewan coming over in his Aemond get up, donned with the black and gold armor from the book and his signature eyepatch.

Ewan returned your smile and looked down. He always seemed to have that nervous little tick and you found it absolutely adorable. He nodded a bit in response and looked over when the director walked over to describe the upcoming scene.

You enjoyed having most of your scenes with Ewan, knowing there were to be more in the upcoming seasons as well. He was a wonderful actor, although he always seemed a bit put off by you. He was friendly, but he rarely spoke around you. You have gotten him to open up a few times and you enjoyed his company though.

“Hey!” You heard a familiar voice call once the director left you and Ewan alone.

You turned and smiled, waving at the sight of Tom and Phia, already dressed as Aegon and Helaena for the day. "Hey, guys!"

"So, I don't know if our cute little Ewan here," Tom began, wrapping an arm around Ewan's shoulders who chuckled. "But we are going out tonight for a little cast party and we would love for you to come. Mainly because you support the Green cause of course."

You giggled, copying Tom by wrapping an arm around Phia. The two of you were close although you had no scenes together. She was always cheery and outgoing and you knew you could count on her if you needed anything.

"Well, I would do anything for the Green cause," You replied with a small smirk.

"Yay!" Phia exclaimed with a giggle passing her lips as she wrapped both of her arms around you. "Let me come and pick you up tonight, okay?"

You smiled and nodded, your eyes wandering over to Ewan, Tom's arm still around him. "Seven sounds good."

Tom smirked and looked up at Ewan as you and Phia walked away for a bit to discuss about tonight. "Are you ever going to open up to her, Mitchell?"

Ewan smiled, letting his eye wander over you while your back was turned before he blew out a breath. "Eventually."

"You are never going to get her if you can't get past small talk," He teased and laughed when Ewan pushed him.

"Shut up," Ewan replied laughing before he let out a breath, looking back over to you with furrowed brows.

❈ ❈ ❈ ❈ ❈ ❈ ❈ ❈ ❈ ❈ ❈ ❈ ❈ ❈ ❈ ❈ ❈ ❈ ❈ ❈ ❈ ❈ ❈

“Do I look okay?”

Phia looked over as she fixed her blue top with a small smile. "You look beautiful as always," She replied before tilting her head. "You look a little nervous, trying to impress anyone?" She asked with a slightly taunting tone to her voice.

You rolled your eyes but you couldn't help the blush that was creeping onto your cheeks. "I'm not trying to impress anyone," You replied a bit sheepishly while you looked back in the mirror to fix your hair.

Phia smirked lightly and let out a small hum. "Whatever you say, Y/N."

You looked over at her noticing the knowing look she had on her features. You thought you were good when it came to hiding your feelings for Ewan, although you couldn't help but think he doesn't really like you. The two of you were the only ones that seemed to be oblivious to each other's feelings, not even realizing that Tom and Phia were trying to play matchmaker.

"Come on," You said taking your jacket with a small laugh. "We're going to be late."

"You know what they say," Phia began hooking her arm with yours. "Only the best show up fashionably late."

The party seemed lively by the time you and Phia showed up. Your eyes scanned the scene noticing how everyone was mingling although the butterflies erupted in your stomach as soon as you saw Ewan standing with Tom. Ewan always had that effect on you.

Phia smirked as she looked over you noticing where your eyes were wandering. "Why don't we go and say hi to the boys?" She offered, nudging you a bit.

You snapped back into reality while you looked back at your friend. You smiled and shook your head. "I'm going to go get a drink. Do you want anything?"

Phia slowly nodded with a small smile. "I'm okay. Go and get a drink then we'll meet up."

You nodded while blowing out a breath as you watched her make her way over to the boys. You couldn't help but furrow your brows at the way Ewan's face lit up when Phia walked over and pulled her into a hug. He seemed so happy with her. You shook off the nerves and took a deep breath while heading over to the bar to get yourself a margarita.

❈ ❈ ❈ ❈ ❈ ❈ ❈ ❈ ❈ ❈ ❈ ❈ ❈ ❈ ❈ ❈ ❈ ❈ ❈ ❈ ❈ ❈ ❈

As the night went on, you stayed in a corner a bit quiet. You were shy around everyone even if they accepted you with open arms. You couldn’t help but keep looking over at Ewan who seemed deep in conversation with Phia. Of course they were comfortable with each other, having worked together on the last season. You were new and still getting to know everyone.

“Everything okay?”

You jumped slightly seeing Tom next to you. “Oh my god, you scared me.”

Tom chuckled while wrapping an arm around you. “I’m like a ninja,” He said with a wink before sighing softly. “You just looked lonely, love. Besides, you won’t stop looking at Ewan all night.”

You felt your cheeks heat up and looked down with furrowed brows. “Is it that obvious?”

“Very,” Tom replied with a small smile. “You think you hide the looks you give him but it’s so very obvious.” He laughed when your cheeks became redder. “Why don’t you go and talk to him?”

“Because.” You groaned a bit. “It’s not easy to just talk to someone that you have feelings for.”

“Oh, come on. You two are going to have a bedroom scene together. Why not practice now?” He teased and laughed when you hit his chest. “I mean, you never know his feelings until you talk to him.”

You frowned a bit. “But, him and Phia clearly seem comfortable with each other.”

Tom chuckled a bit at the slight tone of jealousy in your voice. “Just go and give it a shot, Y/N.”

You sighed looking up at the blonde man before slowly nodding. You began to walk over with Tom, smiling at the two.

“You can do it,” You heard Phia whisper to Ewan causing you to furrow your brows.

Ewan let out a nervous sigh while looking over at you. “Y/N…I was wondering….” He began looking down at his hands. “I was wondering if you wanted to go on a date with me. I just…I really like you and I want to get to know you better….” He began to ramble looking back up at you.

You smiled lightly, finding his rambling to be adorable. You nodded while taking his hands in yours. “I would love to,” You said feeling the butterflies in your stomach fluttering around.

Ewan returned your smile. “Great! How about…next Saturday at seven?”

“Sounds like a date,” You replied and giggled when Phia and Tom erupted in cheers. You couldn’t help but blush wondering what this could lead to between you and your costar.

145 notes · View notes

lovelykhaleesiii · 4 days

Note

I have a theory that the scene of aemond all curled up happens after Luke's death. Maybe it's before he is confronted by Otto and his mommy about it.

Because at the end of the last ep of season 1, he looks remorseful and has the "wtf did I just do" face. And I also desperately hope it's Halaena comforting him since it does look to be one of her dresses she is wearing (particularly the dress she wears in aegon's coronation), so I think this is the vulnerable side we see of him before he fully accepts his fate and becomes hard headed to just confront the war he ended up causing more or less. Could be that that scene is him pondering and showing the little kid he still is who lost an eye and is scared before he decides to "man" up which would lead to the other shots we see of him being a mini hater when talking about his family irregardless of sides.

That's my theory, mainly on the fact if they don't start off the first ep with B&C right away and instead show us first aemond returning to KL right after killing Luke or around that time period before B&C happens in general.

(I just so badly don't want it to be a scene of self-deprecation and more of a scene about reflection and comfort)

-🪼 anon

oooooh this is definitely an interesting take nonnie! I do hope also that it shows how tormented Luke’s death was for him. I know everyone expects Aemond to be cold and what not but it just adds so much more depth to his character, like him having nightmares of it…

he always wanted a dragon because he thought it was the end all be all, but there’s sooo much more to just claiming a dragon. they are their own minds…

if it is Helaena, I remember a while back the show runners saying that they would tease the idea of Helaemond ages ago so this could be it (unless my memory serves me wrong) but tbh I doubt it… not saying it isn’t a possibility!

personally, I think it’s either a) that older woman from the brothel in s1 or b) that mysterious blonde girl who is apparently a dancer/lady of the night distracting Aemond whilst B&C happens, but also she does strike a resemblance to Helaena (maybe intentional) but also plays on the idea of Helaemond. I’ve even heard a theory so far as to say that it’s Alys but I think if this scene was to play out in the first ep, it would be too soon for Alys to be there unless they reveal it much later that it was her somehow…

too much thinking I need to sit down 😫

#aemond targaryen #Aemond Targaryen asks #HOTD s2 discourse #🪼 anon

4 notes · View notes

wishingupontheskyandstars · 1 year

Text

Part 3: The One I Love, Always (Aemond x Helaena) 💕 🐉 ☁️

Part 1 Link Part 2 Link

Summary: Okay this is my first time writing anything incest, thank you HOTD, and of course it has to be Targaryens ahh but the actors portraying Aemond and Helaena, there's just something there 👀 and I'm for it! I'm getting my feels out by writing my head canons on what happened between scenes so here you go : )

Notes: This scene occurs right after the Driftmark Petition Scene in the Great Hall--Before the Family Feast.

AO3 Link Here

Helaena walked up the stairs quickly with her arms wrapped around her. She walked past her brothers, mother, and even her father who was being helped by two knights of the Kingsguard. She wanted to be back in her room and was a few steps away when her mother called for her, “Helaena!”

Helaena stayed in place, not bothering to turn around. She felt her mother’s hands on each shoulder. “I’m so sorry you had to see that—” Alicent started to say but didn’t finish as her daughter shivered from her touch and moved away from her mother, swatting her hands away from her shoulders.

“Don’t!” Helaena warned as she shook her head at her mother with tight lips and walked inside her rooms.

Aemond watched the exchange and felt helpless and frustrated he couldn’t comfort her. He balled his hands into fists at his sides and took one step toward Helaena’s room just as his mother pushed Aegon towards the room. “Go comfort your wife,” Alicent said as she gave her eldest son a stern look before turning away from both sons and walking toward the Knights carrying her husband.

Aemond didn’t take a step further as Aegon sighed before entering the room. He watched his older brother with a pang of envy. He made a humming sound and walked away.

Helaena was checking her various collections of bugs and insects when she heard Aegon behind her, “Hel, are you okay?” He asked, scratching the back of his head.

She rolled her eyes and then turned to face him. “There is no need for your comfort, Aegon. I will be fine--I’m just a bit shaken,” she whispered those last words, hoping he did not hear.

Aegon sighed again, then admitted, “That was a horrid sight. I admit I did not think that would happen to Ser Vaemond.”

She nodded. “Agreed.”

As if Aegon did not hear her, he continued, “I understand how the fairer sex would react to such a scene, not being in a war and—”

“You have never been to war,” Helaena retorted.

Aegon scoffed. “No, but I’m a man and did not flinch earlier.”

Helaena turned around and said without a second thought, “Aegon—Shut up.”

Aegon gave a half-smile then, surrendered by raising his hands. He did feel a bit of concern for his wife. He then suggested, “Do you want me to bring in the children?”

She shook her head. “They are napping—You would know that if you took more time to visit them,” she muttered. She turned her back and said, “I want to be alone--Leave me, please.”

“Fine.” He shrugged and walked away.

Aemond stood behind a stone pillar and waited until he finally saw Aegon slam Helaena’s door behind him and walked down the hall to his rooms.

It wasn’t a minute before Helaena heard her door open once more. Staring at a drawing she had not finished, she said with annoyance, “Aegon, I said I wanted to be alone.”

“Gaomagon ao nūmāzma issa hae sȳrī?” Do you mean me as well? Aemond asked.

His softer tone of voice always brought those butterfly feels in her stomach. She lifted her head in surprise. She quickly said, “No.”

Aemond walked to stand right in front of her. He gently placed his hand underneath her chin. He brushed her bottom lip with his thumb, and in response, she kissed his thumb lovingly and removed his eye patch. His sapphire eye stared at her. She gently touched it with her index finger. She then traced the scar that started above his left brow down to his cheek.

Her touch made Aemond’s heart beat faster. He wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her closer to him. He felt her breasts against his chest. He just wanted to hold her forever, feeling her heart beat near his. He whispered near her left ear, “Nyke shifang skoros īlon ūndan isse se rōvēgrie hall istan olvie nykeā shock. Issi ao feeling sȳrkta, jorrāelagon?” I understand what we saw in the Great Hall was quite a shock. Are you feeling better, love?

Helaena looked up at his eye, “Nyke, rūsīr ao kesīr.” I am with you here. She said truthfully, still wrapped in his embrace. She raised her lips to his and kissed him passionately.

Aemond returned her kiss with as much enthusiasm. His tongue danced with hers. He cupped her cheek with his hand, caressing her cheek with his thumb. He heard her moan, making him smile against her lips. He broke the kiss and felt her breath dance with his. He whispered against her lips, “Gaomagon ao gīmigon skoros ao gaomagon naejot issa skori ao moan?” Do you know what you do to me when you moan?

Helaena chuckled, looking at his eye staring intently into hers. She kissed his lips before she answered, “Bona's skoro syt nyke gaomagon ziry.” That’s why I do it.

Aemond gave her a knowing grin as he started to bend down. She placed her hands on his shoulders as he slowly lifted her dress. Before he could put his head between her legs, a loud cry for Helaena was heard in the next room. Aemond sighed and dropped the dress back down. He rested his cheek against her stomach. “The children are up from their nap,” he noted.

Helaena half-smiled and ran her fingers through his silky hair. “Sounds like it,” she said in agreement.

Aemond looked up at her and said, “Lets leave the Red Keep for a while.”

“Where do you suggest?” She asked, still running her fingers through his hair.

He grinned and said, “Lets Fly.”

“Mummy! Look, I’m flying!” Jaehaerys said with utter excitement as he lifted his arms in the air.

“That’s right, darling,” Helaena said with a chuckle. She reassured the swaddling clothing she wore was tight around her son and herself. Out of her mouth, before she could process it she said, “In dark and stormy skies begin the dance of...dragons,” she said that last word with hesitance. She briefly thought of her earlier dream. Before she thought anything more, she was distracted as her son lifted his arms again and laughed. She smiled at her son and then looked at Dreamfyre's brilliant sapphire blue scales. Ahead she caught a glimpse of the mighty Vhagar flying towards them.

Dreamfyre roared softly as she and Vhagar passed each other. The older dragon responded and turned to fly side by side.

Helaena looked over and smiled as she saw Aemond with similar swaddling clothing, Jaehaera sitting in front of him, lifting her hands too. She saw Aemond looking in her direction with a grin. He lowered his head and spoke to his... niece.

“Mummy, look at me!” She yelled and squealed in excitement, raising her arms and closing her eyes.

Helaena smiled at her daughter, so small, on the largest dragon in the world. Aemond looked her way and kept her stare. They smiled knowingly at each other.

Their dragons continued to fly side by side as they flew over Blackwater Bay—Their wings would teasingly touch the water and soar further up in the skies. Helaena held her son to her as he laughed and clapped his hands. She tousled his hair before she kissed the top of his head. She looked aside and admired the scene before her: Jaehaera with Aemond, her little hands held his hand on her tummy as his other was steering. She sighed with relief as she steered Dreamfyre through more skies, feeling at peace. She heard Vhagar follow behind.

Later, both Jaehaera and Jaehaerys were fast asleep in their beds. Helaena loved seeing her children sleeping without any care in the world.

“Now, they will dream of flying in the sky.” She said, as felt Aemond’s arm around her waist, pulling her to him.

“That they are,” he assured her. He took her hand and led her to the next room, closing the door behind them. He quickly turned and stared at Helaena with adoration before he surprised her and sweetly kissed one side of her neck, nibbling at her skin, then running the tip of his tongue on her warm skin.

Helaena leaned against him, feeling instant pleasure. “Careful—I—I don’t want a mark, like last time.”

“Skoros lo nyke jaelagon naejot dīnagon nykeā mark va ao?” What if I want to place a mark on you? Aemond teased as his lips slowly kissed up her neck.

Helaena turned around, stopping his kisses and wrapped her arms around his neck, eyeing him with a mischievous look. “Nyke shall mark ao ēlī.” I shall mark you first. She countered, and before he could respond, she pressed her soft lips against his.

One of his hands rested at the base of her neck while the other caressed the soft material of her golden dress over her arse. He gently squeezed, making her moan as she continued to kiss him. Aemond grinned against her lips. He sought entrance with his tongue, and she gave it. One of her hands gently slid from his shoulder down to his chest. Her fingers traced the fine leather of his doublet as she felt herself lean into him, her lower half seeking his. Instantly she felt him hard down there. She moaned again as her hand slid down—

Aemond chuckled, gently stopping her hand with his. “Tolī, issa jorrāelagon.” Later, my love, he whispered into her hair. Instead of giving him a retort, Helaena nodded in agreement. “We should head down to the feast,” he said with a sigh. He held out his arm for her. She took his arm as they walked outside of her room.

She nudged his side with her shoulder. “Are you not excited to see more of our family?”

Aemond made a humming sound before he shrugged. “Sure,” he said with a half-grin.

Helaena rolled her eyes and said, “Oh yes, you sound very convincing.” She caressed his arm but quickly put it down as Aegon walked toward them with a dark glass goblet in hand.

Aemond shook his head and murmured, “Already with a drink.”

“Ah, there is my lady wife and brother,” Aegon sneered at both of them before taking a sip from his goblet. He retrieved a wooden object from his pocket. He handed it to Helaena. “From Grandsire.”

“Me?” She reluctantly let go of Aemond’s arm as she studied the object.

Aegon scoffed. “Of course, you.”

Aemond eyed his brother with disdain. Aegon looked up at him and smirked. “Come, lets get this over with,” he grumbled, leading the way to the dining room.

Before following her husband, Helaena looked up at Aemond and whispered, “Ziry iksos okay.” It’s okay. Her hand found his, and she gently squeezed. She whispered in his ear, “Ao issi se mēre nyke jorrāelagon, va moriot.” You are the one I love, always.

Aemond gave her a quick grin and nodded. Helaena stared intently into his eye and smiled as she felt herself let go of his hand. At the last second, his fingers grasped hers. He traced her hand with his fingers. As she started to walk away, their fingers lightly touched before they broke apart.

#aemond x helaena #helaemond #helaemond fanfic #rated t #helaena targaryen #aemond targaryen #house of the dragon #got #hotd fanfic #part 3 #missing scenes from season 1 #long post #my fanfic

13 notes · View notes

written-in-flowers · 1 year

Text

Fly Away: Pt. 9

Pairing: Young!Aemond x Young!Velaryon!Reader | Side pairing: Rhaenyra x Alicent, Aegon x Helaena

Genre: Fluff, Angst

Au: friends to lovers, childhood love, incest (duh), slight homophobia expressed, repressed feelings, mutual pining, teenage runaways, mentions of bullying, arrange marriages

Word Count: 8k

@yitish, @imjustboredso, @dangerousbluebirdpoetry, @discowizard88, @mddieunson , @caramelcandescence, @bookwhoresthings, @astrumark, @minteaspoon @eddiemunsonsgroupie @miraclealignertlsp369 @aemond-targaryenx

Previous Chapter < | > Next Chapter

******

“Woah! Are you mad? You could’ve killed me!”

Aegon Targaryen walked out from the line of bushes and trees, an expression of irritation on his face as he pulled the arrow out of the tree next to him. Aemond’s posture loosened, and he stared at his older brother in surprise. You almost did not comprehend it at first. Dozens of questions came to mind, but you did not want them answered. To acknowledge Aegon and his appearance brought on the inescapable truth:

They’d found you.

“Aegon?” you heard Aemond say in a breath.

“Is this where you’ve been the whole time?” he asked, ignoring his brother’s shocked expression. “Mother’s devastated. You’re already half-blind, and then you decide to run away. We’ve got everyone looking for you.”

“Aegon?” he said again in disbelief.

“If you planned on running, you could’ve at least told me where you were going.”

“Aegon?”

“-Oh, Aemond! Oh, thank the gods!”

Another figure burst out of the bushes, with three more running behind her. Helaena, in a dress of cream and gold, hurried forward and embraced her younger brother. She held onto him tightly, nearly crying from joy and relief.

“Are you alright?” she released him, checking him up and down, “You are not hurt, are you? Where’s your eye patch?”

“Helaena?”

“We’ve all been so concerned,” she hugged him again.

Stiff legs finally gained mobility when you saw those who’d followed her. Luke spotted you in the window, his disquiet finally giving way to relief when his eyes met yours.

“Y/N!” he shouted, running past the silver-haired siblings to the cabin door. “Jace, Baela, she’s in here!”

You saw Jace and Baela next, hurrying forward right behind Luke and reaching the door. Jace stood in the doorway for a few minutes, taking in the sight of you damp and wearing nothing but a thin nightgown. Your violet eyes met his brown ones, the reality becoming truer the longer you stared at him. Luke, however, pushed past Jace and Baela to nearly tackle you. Curly head coming up to your chest, your arms encompassing him out of habit and bewilderment.

“We thought you’d died!” Luke cried, burying his face into your dress. “We thought something terrible happened to you. We’ve been searching everywhere!”

“You scared us, Cousin,” Baela added, hugging you from the side and wrapped Luke in her arms. “Grandmother sent Grandfather and I to come searching for you. She’s very worried about you.”

“So is Mother.”

“Luke? Jace? Baela? How’d you all get here?” you asked them.

“We came on our dragons,” Jace answered, not coming forward immediately. “We knew you’d come here from your letters to Aemond.”

You wanted to hide. They’d read Aemond’s letters. If they had, then that means your mother did as well. Luke and Baela released you, and you felt the heat of their gazes on you. Jace stood a foot away from you, awkwardly digging his shoe into the floor in front of him.

“Mother is here too, I take it?” you asked him.

“She is. We flew ahead of her, but she’s with Grandfather and Father looking for you,” he answered. He then said, “Y/N, I’m sorry.”

“About what?”

“About what I said to you on Driftmark. I….I didn’t mean it.”

“Jacaerys,” you walked to him, “That was so long ago.”

“I’m still sorry,” he replied. “I was angry and hurt.”

You gave a soft smile, then hugged him gently. “You shouldn’t have come here,” you told them, “Aemond and I are fine.”

“But you took off and didn’t tell anyone where you’d gone,” Jace said.

“Because Mother would’ve stopped me.”

“Of course she would’ve stopped you,” he said. “This place might’ve been dangerous. There could’ve been people living here, and they could’ve taken you hostage or killed you.”

“Nobody knows this island exists anymore,” you rolled your eyes.

“Which makes it worse. Y/N, you must come home with us now. If Mother sees you came with us, she might not be as angry that you ran away.”

“No,” you shook your head. “As much as I love Mother and Father, and as much as I love you all, I’m not coming home.”

“Why not?” Luke asked you tearfully, “Do you hate us now?”

“No, I don’t hate you, Luke,” you said, bringing him back into your arms. “But, Aemond and I have started making our own home here; we’re both happy together. If we went back, Mother and The Queen would split us up again. I don’t want that,” you saw Luke’s big teary eyes, and Baela’s sullen face, and said, “But you all can still visit us. I can talk to Aemond about it, and we can make-”

“-You are not staying here with Aemond,” Jace glowered. “You are coming home with us.”

“No,” you spat.

“Y/N, you can’t live with Aemond alone,” Baela said. “He’s…Look what he did after he took Vhagar. He would’ve killed Jace if Luke hadn’t stopped him.”

“He wouldn’t have killed Jace,” you reasoned. You did not want to discuss Driftmark. It brought on more complicated feelings you wished to avoid. “Aemond is my husband now, so I go wherever he goes.”

“Wait,” Jace stared reluctantly, “Your husband?”

“Aemond and I are married,” you smiled.

“By who’s blessing?”

“Mine and his. We don’t need anyone’s blessing.”

“Yes, you do,” he remarked. “You at least needed mine. I am your brother.”

“Me too!” added Luke.

“I don’t need your blessing for anything,” you scoffed at them.

“It’s not even a real marriage because there was no septon there,” Jace said. “So, you’re not really married, and you’re coming home.”

He reached for you, but you stepped away. “I’m not going anywhere,” you finalized, “I am staying here with my husband.”

“You really want to stay…here?” Baela looked around the cabin, “It’s a bit…”

“It isn’t Dragonstone, but it is ours,” you told her, “And I am staying.”

Out the window, you saw Aegon and Aemond talking, but you could not hear them. From Aemond’s tight hold on his bow, and his eyes hard on Aegon, you can tell they’re arguing. It only made your stomach grow sicker. You watched Aegon and Aemond exchange words, with Helaena occasionally speaking. Aegon seemed to be pleading with Aemond to come home; most likely he pointed out how they cannot live on the island forever. Helaena, when she spoke, voiced her own opinions to which Aegon then added on. Aemond disagreed at every word.

“Mother is going to come,” said Jace, “And she will make you come home.”

“She can try.”

Jace’s face hardened, but at Baela’s touch to his shoulder, he looked away from you. Luke came forward, sniffling as he said, “I brought you food in case you were hungry.” He dug into his pocket and retrieved a leather pouch you recognized. “Gingerbread,” he said, holding it open for you. “I ate some, but I-I put more before I left.”

You took the pouch to see the gingerbread biscuits inside, the sweet smell of cinnamon reaching your nose. “Thank you, Luke,” you smiled, petting his head and taking a piece. Biting into it was like biting into a piece of home. “Are you hungry? I can cook some of the fish Aemond caught today.”

“You can cook?” Jace asked skeptically.

“Somewhat,” you answered. “Aemond usually cooks the meat and I add the vegetables and herbs to it afterwards. All we have to drink is water, so that’s what I can really offer.” You looked at the food shelves for the empty jars, trying to avoid any more conversation. “Please, sit anywhere. You must be tired from walking and flying for so long.”

You’d started placing empty jars to use as cups when Aemond appeared in the doorway. He caught sight of Baela and Luke at the table and Jace standing beside them. The tension suddenly thickened, and you saw a small smirk cross Aemond’s face. You noisily started filling the jars with water, humming a melody to yourself. Aegon and Helaena came in behind him, and you immediately hugged Helaena.

“My brother seems to be under the impression that you two will continue living here like a pair of wildlings,” Aegon said, uncorking a wineskin and taking a long drink. “And that you’re married.”

“We are,” you said, passing water jars to everyone. Luke nearly gulped his, Baela politely drank, but Jace did not touch his glass. “We married in our own way,” you explained, “And the only beings that mattered heard our vows.”

“Who? The squirrels?” he jested.

“No, the Old Gods,” you replied, counting the amount of plates you’d collected from the village. You were missing one. You and Aemond could share a plate.

He chortled, “The Old Gods? You don’t seriously believe the nonsense they say about those trees.”

“It was good enough for us,” Aemond argued. Aemond took the cup you offered him, and he downed it right away. “It should be good enough for you.”

“You wait until Mother comes,” Aegon told him. “I’m sure she will disagree with you entirely.”

“Whether she agrees or not doesn’t matter to me,” said Aemond, “Because we’re not leaving.”

“Ha, try telling Mother that when she arrives.”

To avoid speaking, you grabbed the last few apples and started slicing them. You had not expected visitors, so you tried thinking of what to offer in terms of food. The fish is still good, and you knew Jace loved salmon dishes. Perhaps putting a dish everyone enjoyed on the table may ease the tensions. Baela and Helaena made idle conversation after Aegon’s comment, clearly attempting a peaceful conversation.

“It’s too crowded in here,” Aemond said stiffly. “I’ll be outside, Y/N. The fish will not salt itself.”

Hearing the contempt in his voice, you nodded and let him leave. A bit of time outside may do him some good. As you put the apples into a small bowl, Baela came to your side. She put a cloth bundle on the table, and you saw it was a loaf of bread, a package of grapes and nuts, cheese and strawberry preserve.

“I…I’d brought food from home,” she said. “Grandmother and I put it together. She worried you might be hungry.”

You smiled softly, “Thank you. We can have half for now and half for dessert with the jam.”

You felt her stare at you for a time. “Y/N,” she said softly, “This is foolish, and you know it is.”

“No, it is not,” you replied. “Aemond and I are doing fine here. There is nowhere I’d rather be.”

“Did you forget what he did to your brothers? To Rhaena and I? He stole my mother’s dragon from Rhaena. He injured both your brothers. He almost killed Jace if Luke had not stopped him. Y/N, how can you love a person who does such things? Especially after what he called your brothers.”

“I know he was in the wrong, but so was everyone else,” you finished the apples and offered her the plate. She took a slice and bit into it. “If The King had sense and courage, he would’ve made sure everyone understood the wrongs they’d committed, and told my mother that…that whatever resentment she and The Queen carried towards each other exploded into violence between their children. Aemond should not have sought out Vhagar before your sister had a chance to try claiming her, but dragons do not work like that. You cannot ‘steal’ a dragon, especially not one like Vhagar.” You added the grapes and nuts to the bowl. “I understand your anger towards him, and I do not expect any of you to forgive him so easily, but I love him, Baela. I have learned to see past his mistakes and wrongdoings and love the person underneath. I forgave him for what he did.”

You brought the plate for everyone to share, hoping the food might bring them closer. From how Baela and your brothers still spoke with Aegon and Helaena, it became clear who they truly resented. Looking out the window, you saw Aemond by the larder, slicing into a fresh fish. You grabbed a bowl, some of the different foods, a slice of bread, and went outside. The chatter from inside died away, and the cooling afternoon breeze blew through your gown.

“Aemond?” you approached cautiously, seeing him working meticulously. “I brought you food and water.”

“Thank you.”

His voice sounded distant, and it made you frown. You put the food down and looked at him. The small exchange with Jace clearly struck a chord inside your husband, since he chopped the fish’s head with more force than necessary. Your common sense told you to leave him be, but your heart often disagreed with sense. Digging into your pocket, you found the eyepatch you’d finished sewing. It is not perfect. He’d need to make a tight knot to keep it on, but you noticed the cloth slipping from his hair ever so slowly.

“I finished your eyepatch,” you told him. “Would you like to try it on?”

“No.”

“Aemond, you said you would.”

“I changed my mind,” he said, not looking at you.

“I know you did not. This is because of my brothers, isn’t it?”

“I wouldn’t need one in the first place were it not for them,” he grumbled.

You could not argue with that fact. As you watched him start to pull out the fish’s innards, you saw his cloth patch suddenly slip off when he bent his head forward. “Damnit,” he cursed in a hiss, picking up the cloth with dirty hands and examining it. “The knot’s loose.”

“Then use mine.” You approached him, and he stepped away. “Aemond, please,” you said quietly, not wanting to alarm anyone inside. “Let me help.” When he did not respond, you gently took the soiled cloth from him. “I understand it must be difficult for you to see them after what happened,” you told him, “Especially since so much has changed. But, they are my brothers.” He scoffed at this, and you narrowed your eyes, “Half or full-blooded, they are my blood and they are also yours.” He still did not look at you as you placed the new leather patch over his empty socket. You walked around him to start tying the thin threads together. “What they did was terrible, and I’m still regretful for not saying anything that night. I know The King favors my mother, and stubbornly remains blind to the obvious. But, if he ever acknowledged it…” you stopped tying the thread, unable to face the truth as it came to you. “My mother, my brothers…You know what will happen to them; what will happen to me.”

“Nothing would happen to you. You’re Ser Laenor’s true born daughter.”

“But I am still her daughter. They might think I’m illegitimate too and-”

“-I’d kill them before they touched you,” he said fiercely. “Their existence alone threatens my own. The King should have named Aegon the heir right when he was born, and then I would be second in line. But, because he covets and favors your mother so much, and would rather lose his arm than upset her, he never did. He…” he stopped speaking, but the words hung between you. King Viserys did not show much interest in his sons like he did Rhaenyra. You knew this to be false. He’d arranged a marriage, had he not? He’d tried putting both families together and failed. “He said nothing. He did nothing. He stood there and questioned me, rather than speaking a word of sympathy to me. Then he had the gall to say we are family.”

“We are.”

“In only name alone.”

You finished tying the patch strings, then said, “What about us?”

“You’re my wife. Of course, you’re my family.”

“But my brothers are not? My mother is not? My family is part of me, so if you love me, you love them too.”

“Look at what they did to me,” he turned around and you realized you’d tied the patch too loosely. He tore it from his face so you saw the empty socket plain as day, “How can you expect me to forgive them after this?”

“I don’t…I…” you lost the words before they came. You knew the apologies mean nothing coming from you. They’d have to come from those responsible. “I…” you noticed his patch lower on his face, “...Need to fix your patch.” You took the patch from him, starting to untie the knot. The guilt sinking into your stomach made you feel ill.

“Y/N,” he put his hand over yours, stopping you from fixing the patch again, “I love you.”

“I love you,” you said, “But it saddens me greatly that you will not give it a chance. I may speak with my brothers, and see if-”

“-Y/N?”

Luke paused a few steps from the back door, seeing you and Aemond standing together. His eyes flew open seeing Aemond’s uncovered eye. Aemond immediately turned his back on him, breathing heavily and his face hardening. You put your hand on his shoulder to soothe him while looking at Luke.

“What is it, Luke?” you asked him. He continued looking at Aemond, shocked by his appearance, “Luke, what is it?”

“We’re…We’re going to play a game, if you wish to join us.”

“A game sounds lovely,” you said without truly thinking, “You all start without us.”

“Alright.”

He continued staring at Aemond’s back. He glanced over to you, seeing the leather eyepatch hanging from your hand. You sensed Aemond’s tense shoulders growing, and said, “Go on, Luke. Go play with the others.” He finally nodded and scurried off. Once you saw him through the window inside, you turned to Aemond. You started refitting the patch, “I love you, Aemond, so I will not tell you how to handle your anger or your resentment. But…my mother will come and she’ll take me away from you. I’d like my last few hours with you to be happy ones."

"We will not have 'last hours' because we are not going anywhere," he said firmly, turning to face you when you fixed on the patch. "We are staying here."

You wanted to agree. Yet, the image of your mother furiously storming up to the cabin crept back into your mind. As much as you'd struggle and fight her off, she'd get you home. Then, she'd marry you off to a lord far away and you'd never see Aemond again. The eyepatch was properly placed on his face, he pecked your cheek and you took his hand. You walked around the side of the house to see everyone gathered out front.

Hearing the feet shuffle across leaves and twigs, seeing them kick up dirt as they moved, you saw everyone fighting to gain control of a leather ball. Jace currently had it, kicking it between his legs as he ran towards a pair of trees. But, right as he moved to kick it, Aegon stole it from under him and went in the opposite direction. On the opposite side, you saw they'd placed the wheelbarrow and basket a few feet from one another. You watched Aegon run towards it, dodging Baela and Luke, pass it to Helaena, who then kicked it between the two objects. They cheered while Jace, Luke and Baela frowned.

"Ah, Aemond, you're here," Aegon panted as Helaena retrieved the ball. "Now we have an even number. Helaena said she'd sit out to track the scores."

"Sounds fun," Aemond answered, a slight edge to his voice as he smirked.

You joined Baela and Luke on one side, while Aemond joined Jace and Aegon. Helaena brought the ball back, holding it in the middle of both teams. Everyone prepared themselves for the ball to drop, and the moment it did, both sides clashed together. You pushed against Baela, the both of you giggling as you struggled for the ball. However, this was short lived as Aemond slipped a leg between you. Kicking it down to the wheelbarrow, he'd gotten a few feet to it before Luke came on his left side to try getting it. You noticed it before anyone else, or perhaps you simply knew it'd happen, but with a hard shove Aemond kept control of the ball and kicked it through. Luke dusted himself off, and you heard Aemond’s soft chuckle.

"He's smaller than you," you told Aemond, jogging beside him to the center. "Please be gentle."

"I was being gentle," he said, still sneering.

You pursed your lips, but said nothing else as everyone returned. You pointedly stood closer to Luke. Helaena tossed the ball again, and both teams went for it. Jace and Aemond struggled for the ball, pushing against one another before Aemond hooked Jace’s leg. You gasped watching Jace fall forward, but Aemond completely ignored him. You knew suddenly why Aegon wanted Aemond on his team. He was good.

It went on like this for a bit; Aemond roughly acquiring the ball from your brothers whenever possible, specifically Luke. You attempted to interfere whenever possible, whether it be shoving in between or pushing them aside to get it. One point, Aemond accidentally tripped you instead of Jace, his intended target, and instinct pulled you down with him. Your bodies crashing hard together, you groaned at the weight on top of you. Aemond, however, did not move right away.

"You need to be more careful," he said to you, gentleness in his voice. "You can get hurt."

"You don't seem to mind it when it's my brothers," you pointed out.

"Because they're not important to me," he remarked. "You are."

"But they're important to me and that should be enough for you to try.”

He hummed soft enough that you almost did not hear it, but you did. Aemond briefly kissed you, then finally stood up. “How about another game?” you suggested to the others, looking to Helaena and Baela for help. “We have a deck of cards Aemond brought from home. I also found this checker board and some pieces in the village; there’s a chess board too.”

“Ooh, checkers!” Baela beamed, taking your hand. “We can play that. The boys can play with the cards.”

Helaena, too busy with a beetle she’d found while sitting on the ground, didn’t notice anyone moved until they walked past her. “Yes,” she said, going back to the bug crawling over her fingers, “Yes, that’s lovely.”

You and Baela went back into the house, the boys soon following, and you poured more water for everyone. You noticed Aemond still eyeing both your brothers, which only knotted your stomach tightly.

***

You honestly expected Aemond to break bread with them. How could he? How could he when your brother took out his eye? Aemond thought you might be understanding as always, but you only reminded him that they are your family. They're also his nephews through his sister, who is your mother. Did you truthfully believe blood washed away what happened? Aemond did not. He sat beside Aegon, watching his brother expertly shuffle the cards while sitting across from them. Luke's frequent glances irked him. He remembered the boy's face when he caught Aemond outside without the patch. He saw the gaping hole he left in Aemond’s face; the empty socket which pained him still from time to time. Thankfully, he'd managed to not have any stabs of pain since the other night, but what if it happened in front of them?

Aegon passed out the cards to each boy, and Aemond kept his cards close to his chest. He had half a mind to find Vhagar and soar over the others on her. Their dragons are mice compared to Vhagar. He'd bonded with the fiercest and largest of the dragons, standing up to her and finding a common ground somehow. He showed no fear. Aemond was a dragonrider now; the world should fear him. They couldn't bully or tease him for not having a dragon; if they tried, he'd feed them to her.

Aemond recalled that rush of adrenaline when he came down from the saddle, the cold night air pinching his cheeks and his heart pounding fast. Triumph coursed through his veins, feeding into the thrill inside him. He'd known you'd love him for sure once you saw him on Vhagar; you'd have more reasons to be proud of him. Then, they attacked him.

Aegon drew first, then Jace, then Luke and finally him. Having the best hand, Aegon cackled and declared victory already. Aemond did not much care for cards; he preferred chess or checkers, which you'd both played only once since discovering the items. He looked over to the bed where you, Helaena and Baela sat. You and Baela played right now, while Helaena continued playing with a bug she'd found. Aemond thought of whisking you away again. Even with all his talk of remaining on the island, he knew they'd be forced to go home. You'd be taken from him, and he'd never see you again. Watching you place a red checker on the board, he imagined himself taking you away on Vhagar. Nobody would dare follow his dragon; he'd roast them alive if they did.

But, that might upset you, and he'd never do that to you.

"So, what happened after your wedding?" Aegon asked in a whisper, eyeing you with Aemond.

"Nothing," he blushed. You'd both kissed, deep and long. He still felt your body against his, supple and warm. "We came back home and ate."

"But, she's your wife and if your marriage is official," he noted, "You must've done it, right? At least touch?"

Aemond looked over at Jace and Luke. Jace glared at him, while Luke concentrated on his card deck. "We didn't do anything," Aemond said, despite wanting to say otherwise. He knew lying would bring shame on you. Another thing he'd never do, if he could help it. "She isn't ready and neither am I. There are no rules here but ours, and that's one of them."

"Oh, come off it," Aegon scoffed. "You had to have done something together."

"We didn't."

Aegon glanced at the two boys with them, then said, "Alright. I would've thought you'd know how to after I took you to that brothel."

"You've been to a brothel, Aemond?" Luke asked, wide eyed and surprised.

"I have," he smirked, happy to have something over them.

"He got it wet," Aegon snickered, laying down a card. He hissed and Jace laughed, taking his card. "My brother Aemond is a true man now," he clapped his shoulder. "Madame Rosette said he performed wonderfully."

Aemond’s cheeks burned, and he turned back to his cards. He had to tilt his head slightly to see the whole card deck in front of him. A downside of having one eye. He felt his neck ache from doing the motion so many times. Normally, he’d ask Aegon to move the stack to one side so he can see, but with the two Velaryon boys nearby, he refused. He stretched his neck to the opposite side when the muscle started twinging, then he spotted a small hand push the cards in the middle further to his right. He turned to see Luke looking suddenly apprehensive, as if he’d been caught doing something wrong.

“So you could see them better,” Luke excused his action.

This gesture caught him off guard, and he did not know what to say. The four boys kept playing, all the while an awkward feeling settled amongst them. At least, between Aemond, Luke and Jace. Aegon acted as if it were a normal day, talking amiably with the others. They continued drawing cards in his eyeline, which he appreciated to an extent. He did not know whether to be appreciative or offended. One hand, it felt nice not having to turn his head or shift his body, but on the other, he knew they pitied him. They rightfully should. It’d been their fault.

“You, um, shoot very well,” he heard Jace say to him after some time. Aemond and Aegon locked eyes, unsure of how to respond.

“Thank you,” Aemond said cautiously.

“You should see him at home,” Aegon told him. “He can get the bullseye right in the center every time. I guess there are benefits to having one eye after all.”

“Shut up,” Aemond hissed at him.

“I thought it’d make it harder,” said Jace, “Because…you can’t see what’s…what’s on your left side.” Aemond heard the hesitancy in his voice. “Did you shoot those rabbits on the rack?”

“I made traps.”

“You know how to make traps?” Luke asked, intrigued. “Our father taught us, but ours only catches fish.”

“Ser Criston taught me,” he said. His body tensed up between the two boys.

Why were they being nice? He didn’t like it. He looked at Aegon again. The last time they’d done this, they’d brought the pig out. “I put them up so I don’t need to hunt every day. I should be here with Y/N, protecting and helping her here in the house.”

“And you speared the fish. You…You managed to do that considering your…” Jace’s voice trailed off, aware of the realm he tiptoed into. “It’s impressive, is what I mean.”

“What are you doing?” Aemond asked outright, tired of dancing around it.

“Playing cards.”

“No, why are you being nice?”

Jace only stared. He seemed reluctant to truthfully answer. Yet, it was Luke who answered, “Because our sister loves you.” When Aemond glanced at him, he said, “She made you an eyepatch. Y/N only makes gifts for people she loves. She made our mother riding gloves for her nameday, and she made me this pouch,” he showed Aemond the leather pouch hanging from his belt. “That means she must love you lots.”

“And you’ve…” Jace did not speak right away, “You’ve taken care of her while she’s been here. You could’ve fed her to your dragon or hurt her somehow-”

“-I’d never do that,” he heard himself say suddenly, with more anger than he intended. He heard the snap in his tone, then said, “I’d never harm your sister. She’s my wife now, and she…” ‘Means more to me than my own life’.

He looked over to where you sat between Helaena and Baela, who were playing the next round of checkers. His eyes met yours, and you grinned softly at him. The expression relieved any worry inside him. For those few seconds, it became you both again. He saw the light shining behind you, giving this bright angelic glow, and it reminded him of your wedding ceremony. You’d looked so beautiful underneath the shade of red leaves, the sunlight poking through to bring that glow. He wanted to kiss you then, and he wanted to kiss you now.

“Aw, how sweet,” Aegon said in mock admiration, “Our Aemond is in love!” Putting his hands over his heart, “He’s truly been struck by The Maiden’s kiss!” he pretended to be shot in the chest, and he fell back to the snickering of Jace and Luke. Aemond noticed the empty wineskin nearby, and sighed with contempt. “How will the two star-crossed lovers find happiness in a world that wishes to pull them apart?! Oh, the agony is so bittersweet!”

“Shut up, Aegon,” Aemond glared. “You merely jest because the only person who’s loved you is that crossed eyed whore you bedded on my nameday.”

“Crossed eyed?” Luke laughed, and looked at Aegon, who’d sat up. “Really?”

“She looked like a pig,” Aemond continued, “But then again, pigs are prettier than she was.”

“Hey, Jaeline was a lovely girl,” Aegon remarked, pointing a finger at him. Then snickered, “And looked lovelier after a few cups of wine.”

“What’s it like?” Jace asked him. “Being….Being with a woman,” he asked this in a whisper, hoping the girls nearby did not hear.

“I can’t really remember. Ask Aemond,” he sneered at his brother. “The women there love Aemond. Madame Rosette keeps asking when I’m bringing him back.”

Luke and Jace looked over at him. He squirmed under their stares. He would’ve preferred to keep his session with the older woman private, but seeing them staring at him, he knew they expected an answer. Aemond thought to argue, though he knew that only resulted in upsetting you, which he wanted to avoid. Besides, you are too far to hear if he whispers the story. He glanced back towards you, seeing you and the girls giggling. Then, he turned to the boys in front of him.

“I will admit…she did do most of the work…”

***

She decided to search on foot. Rhaenyra noted that going up into the skies might alert you to their presence, and you may run again. That is, if the other children had not already done that. Lord Corlys said he’d leave men to patrol the skies from the ship, in case Starshine is seen flying around. Alicent felt as if she were hunting a wild animal, making careful steps as she walked through the foliage. One wrong step, one loud sound, and she’d scare it away.

“They could be anywhere,” Alicent said from beside her. “Do you truly believe we’ll find them today?”

“There are not many places they can stay,” she answered. “I am certain Aegon and Jace must’ve found them by now, if they left earlier than us.”

Neither woman mentioned the conversation from last night. It gave their words time to marinate and stew inside them. Alicent meant every word she’d spoken. Every tear she shed carried the pain and loneliness weighing inside her. She thought back to every time she caught Rhaenyra sharing a glance with Ser Harwin. Her eyes often looked on him with fondness; the same fondness she’d once shown Alicent. It is nobody’s fault but her own. She’d pushed Rhaenyra away with her accusations, jealousy and self-loathing. Alicent wanted to say more, but they had more important things to worry about.

Like their children.

The sun sat high in the sky now, but the layer of trees and branches kept them from the worst of it. A garrison of men remained spread out around them, walking carefully between trees and scanning the terrain. Alicent assumed the pair pitched camp somewhere in the shade or perhaps found an old shack to live in. She comforted herself with the knowledge that Aemond knows the woods. Even with his disability, he is a survivor. He survived his injury; he’d survive in the wilderness. Walking alongside Rhaenyra, she stared around the empty forest for any sign of them.

“Remember my father’s nameday hunt?” Rhaenyra suddenly asked, trying to fill the silence. “Back when my mother still lived?”

“How could I forget?” she chuckled. “That was the first time I’d ever gone into the woods, and feared we’d become hopelessly lost.” She then blushed, “Until we found the lake.”

“Ah yes, the lake…”

Viserys insisted on a hunting trip for his nameday, causing everyone to pack up their belongings and travel into The Kingswood outside King’s Landing. Alicent recalled her and Rhaenyra sneaking off while everyone settled into the campsite, holding hands and planning on doing some exploring. Some guardsmen talked about a beautiful lake somewhere in the woods, and both girls wanted to go swimming. She should’ve known her beloved’s true intentions when they arrived at the lake and stripped to their small clothes. Alicent never touched anyone before, not even herself, but Rhaenyra knew what to do. She’d shuddered at the memory of her lover’s warm breath on her naked skin; her lips and tongue in places they’d never gone before. Alicent never felt anything like it.

“Where did you learn it?” she dared to ask. Their search party spread far enough to stay out of earshot.

“Learn what?”

“What we did,” she asked carefully. It was like stepping into cold water. Once a foot goes in, so must the rest. “I didn’t know women could do those things with one another.”

She chuckled, “I only did to you what I’d done to myself.”

Alicent recalled it being the only time she felt true pleasure. No time with Viserys ever felt comfortable or pleasurable. It always hurt, and she felt disgusted with herself afterwards. Even if she’d enjoyed it, those moments were nothing compared to Rhaenyra. She remembered the soft kisses and the tenderness behind their uncertainty. Neither girl knew what to do, yet wanted something. They wanted to be truly bonded together at that moment. She pondered on how many more moments they could’ve shared had the world not split them apart.

Then it occurred to her.

“You don’t think that Aemond and Y/N…” she began, the words dying on the tongue. “What if they did?”

Rhaenyra came to the same realization right then. “No,” she shook her head, convincing herself more than Alicent, “No, Y/N is not that type of girl. She’d never. I’m positive your Aemond is the same.”

“We said the same about ourselves.”

If Aemond took your maidenhead, there’d have to be a marriage. It is a good way to ensure that they’re never parted. Alicent raised Aemond to be a chivalrous young man; he’d never force himself upon you that way. Yet, you two are alone, absent chaperones and watchful eyes. You might be sharing a bed for warmth, and that creature called adolescent curiosity stirred and resulted in sex.

“They’re so young,” Rhaenyra said, “Younger than we were. They wouldn’t know what to do if the thought occurred in the first place.”

“You are forgetting that Aegon is Aemond’s brother,” she said. “They think I don’t know where he took Aemond on his nameday.”

“He took him to a brothel?” she asked, shocked.

“Yes. Ser Arryck confessed it to me when he came back in the early morning,” she added. “I have no doubt my son has some idea of what to do, but…he isn’t his brother. He’d never make Y/N do anything like that.”

“Oh, Alicent, do not give my daughter an angel’s halo,” Rhaenyra gave a small smirk. “I gave her the talk when she had her first flowering. She is a young girl in love; she might think it’d be romantic to give her virginity to a boy she loves and trusts.” She took a deep breath, “But, I like to think our children have more purity than either of us did.”

“So do I.”

The two mothers stopped when they reached a thin threshold of trees. Beyond them, they spotted a glimmering lake. It stretched around in a rough circle before streamlining into the river flowing southwards. Alicent thought she might’ve seen other people gathered around it, gathering water or regrouping to arrange new search patterns. However, she found the lake deserted. Well, aside from the large dragon gulping water from the opposite side.

“Starshine…” Rhaenyra breathed out loud. Alicent saw hope filling her violet eyes at the sight of the blue and gold dragon. The beast did not acknowledge either of their presence, busy drinking and resting by the water. “She likes the water. She’s like Y/N in that way.” She gazed around the lake, “If she is here, then Y/N and Aemond might be nearby.”

“Lord Corlys also mentioned they may be near water. That little village cannot be much farther from here.”

A renewed sense of purpose drove both women to walk along the lakeside in hopes of finding a trail or sign of their children. They may have left something behind in the sand and dirt around the water’s edge. Alicent kept her eyes peeled for a doused campfire or clothes, while Rhaenyra walked around to approach Starshine. She worried the dragon may rebuff Rhaenyra, since she is not her rider, but she’d been wrong. When Rhaenyra came within a few feet of the resting creature, she saw her lips moving and reaching out to Starshine’s neck carefully. No doubt she spoke High Valyrian, since most dragons only responded to that. Starshine shook her head and neck in defiance for a moment, and growled loudly enough for Alicent to hear from across the lake. Rhaenyra spoke again in a gentler tone, waited for her to stop snarling, and then delicately put a hand to her dark scales. Alicent could tell she continued talking to Starshine, and unable to understand, she went back to searching the ground. She found mostly wet leaves, pebbles and rocks. Then, she spotted something standing out against the sand on the water’s edge. Walking closer, she knew what it was once she saw the leather straps with their black buckle.

“Aemond!” she gasped, rushing forward to pick up the eyepatch. Yes, this was his. She recognized the stitching as her own. She’d made it for him shortly after the socket healed. “Oh gods, no,” she groaned. If he doesn’t have this, he must be walking around without it. He knows how dangerous that can be. “Rhaenyra!” she called out to the woman and the dragon, “I found Aemond’s patch! They were here!”

Rhaenyra hurried back over to her, and examined it herself. “Are you sure this is his?”

“Positive. I made it myself. He must’ve gone into the water and lost it,” she said. Getting the patch back felt like having a piece of her boy with her. “Gods…Rhaenyra, he needs this patch. Without it, debris and other things can get into the socket and damage the nerves.”

“I’m sure Aemond brought replacements with him,” she said comfortingly. “Starshine being here means we’re close. Dragons stick close to their riders. With this and Starshine, they must be nearby.”

“Yes, yes, they must be.”

The two women looked around before Alicent noticed a circle of rocks between two trees right on the line. “What is that?” she asked curiously, heading over to the stones. Large stones, both smooth and rough, encompassed a small pile of burnt wood. Someone arranged them to resemble a cooking fire.

“Yes, they were definitely here,” Rhaenyra confirmed, picking up a broken stick. She gave a smile, “Having dinner near the water. How romantic.”

“Very,” she agreed, smiling at the thought of Aemond suggesting it to you. “I imagine they swam afterwards,” she looked at the cool water. “This place must be their paradise. They have no chaperones, no brothers or sisters, no parents to pester them. No rules or cares.” It painfully reminded her of her own daydreams. “Only each other.”

Rhaenyra grasped her hand. She understood, and squeezed her hand gently. She knew the feeling all too well. Every time she’d found solace with Rhaenyra, she soaked it all in. Those few minutes or hours became their safe haven; a place where only they existed, and nobody else mattered. Alicent realized once again how similar she and Aemond were. The only difference is that his love is openly accepted, while hers is not. Her heart ached knowing she’d put a stop to it due to her own pain.

“It is beautiful here,” Rhaenyra said in agreement. “It’s exactly the kind of place they’d choose.”

“Did you ever wonder how we would’ve managed?” Alicent asked her.

She hesitated. “From time to time,” she said, looking down at the rock circle, “I think we would’ve found a way to make it work.” She nudged a stone with her foot, “You have to admit they have courage. They had no idea what they’d find when they arrived, and they appear to have made it well so far.”

“They have.”

They looked back into the forest from the fire pit to see the ground disturbed. In the dirt, they saw the signs of a trail regularly traveled. Small footprints made their impressions on the soft ground, and leaves and sticks were kicked out of the way. Alicent followed the path with her eyes and saw it went further into the forest. Her and Rhaenyra kept their hands together as they walked down the path. She hoped more than anything to find Aemond at the end of this trail. It’d been so long since she held her son; the patch in her hand brought on comfort but a trickle of worry as well. He could’ve drowned or made a dash to safety and lost it. He might’ve damaged his eye further, and be in agony right now. He’d succumbed to phantom pains lately; a side-effect of such severe damage to the body, that the mind sometimes believes they’re in pain. They traveled further down until they reached the opposite side of the forest.

Through the thickets of bushes and low branches, Alicent spotted a house about ten yards from the trees. Stone weathered and stained by years of neglect and harsh weather, a thatched roof made of brittle straw, she saw weeds poking out from underneath the stone and vines creeping up the corners. She noticed another cooking spit right outside a back door, as well as a food larder and a rack made for leaving animal skins. Two rabbit skins hung there now, stripped and cleaned and ready for sewing. The white linen shirt and black breeches hung from a line, and Alicent noticed the washboard and tub just underneath it.

“Yes,” Rhaenyra nodded, “Our children fared much better than we ever could have. They have a washboard?” she added the last bit in disbelief. “She’s never used one before. Where would they even find oils to clean them?”

“And there’s a food larder,” Alicent pointed out. “How could they preserve food out here with nothing to prepare it with?”

“I see that salt barrel…is that…Is that a dead fish? Right there on the tree stump?”

“I think so, yes. Aemond’s quite good at fishing. Ser Criston taught him.” She chuckled, “Looks like our darlings have been playing house this whole time.”

She heard laughter from inside, and recognized Aemond’s right away. Right as the pair slipped from between the bushes, the sounds of chatter and footsteps came from the back door. The boys appeared outside, where Aemond showed them the rabbit pelts hanging on the rack. Jace and Luke appeared impressed, aweing at the skin in her son’s hands. Alicent saw nothing but her son.

“Aemond!” she cried out, startling the four boys as she rushed over.

“Mother?”

“Oh, thank the Seven, Aemond!” she breathed and immediately embraced him. She felt tears begin stinging her eyes, “Oh, Aemond! Oh, my sweetling! Thank the Seven you’re alright! I’ve been searching for you for days! I thought I’d go mad if I did not find you!” She smothered him in kisses, despite his humming protests, and clutched onto him as if he’d fly away any second. Alicent breathed him in, even if she smelled nothing but sweat and grease. Utter relief filled her bones, and she thought she’d never let him go.

“Y/N?!” Rhaenyra marched to the house, “Y/N!”

“Mother!”

You came out the door wearing a stained nightgown and no stockings or shoes. Rhaenyra cried out in shock, opening her arms wide as she hugged her daughter. “Oh, my little dove!” she cried, kissing the top of your head. “My sweet girl, how we’ve been searching and searching and searching…I’m so relieved!”

“Mother, please!”

“How could you take off like that?” Rhaenyra asked, keeping a tight hold on you. “You had your father and I worried sick about you! You could’ve been injured or sick or dead, and nobody would’ve known! Oh, Y/N!” she kissed you more, nuzzling her face into your hair. “Little dove…What were you thinking? Taking off like that? And look at you! You’re wearing almost nothing!” she snatched the clothes from the nearby line, and grabbed your arm, “Come! We’re putting clothes on you and we’re leaving.”

“But, Mother-”

“-Hush, and get in the house!”

Alicent watched Rhaenyra drag you into the house and slam the door shut. More arguing could be heard through the window. Alicent looked down to Aemond, and saw the leather eye patch he wore. Feeble and made of thin leather, it’d clearly done its job in a pinch. She touched the edge of it, feeling the rough cut.

“You terrified me,” she said, looking into his eyes. “Aemond, what were you two thinking coming out here like this? You two had no idea what you may find here, and you’d be completely alone.”

“Which is what we wanted,” he replied. “You were going to marry me off to some dumb Baratheon girl, and I’d never see Y/N ever again.”

“It’s what was best for everyone at the time! Look what her brothers did to you! How could you expect me to allow you to marry her?!”

“What’s best for me?” he repeated scornfully. “Or do you mean what is best for you? What is best for the family? The Faith? The kingdom? This was never about me. This was never about what I wanted; it was about what The King wanted, and what you wanted. I agreed to marry Y/N because I love her, and-and-and then you take her away from me!”

“Aemond,” his words cut her deeply, she thought she might cry again, “I had my reasons to feel as I did at the time. We need to go home and get you somewhere safe-”

“-I am safe here. I’m happy here,” he argued. “I’m not going home. I’m not, and you cannot make me!”

He shoved her back, but she immediately grabbed his wrist. “You are,” she seethed, pushing her tears back, “You must. You cannot stay here.”

“I’m not going back there. I don’t have people staring at me as if I’m some sort of monster. I don’t have dim-witted, pitiful servants and lords whispering about me or dumb knights and squires making jests at my expense,” he snapped. “Here, it is only me and Y/N, and we’re happy and we want to stay!”

“And do what? Live like savages?”

“Be together!”

“Oh, Aemond, don’t be ridiculous. Come now,” she said, “Let us get off this island and go home. We can speak about your future there-”

“-No, we won’t. I’m staying here. Y/N is who I love, and I will never marry anyone else.”

“Aemond!” a voice shouted from the other side of the house. “Aemond!”

Your distressed voice put Aemond into action. He yanked himself from his mother’s grasp, grabbed his sword from the back door, and ran with it through the tiny shack. Alicent called after him, immediately running to catch up with him. Rushing through the shack’s front door, she saw a large group of soldiers a few yards from the house. She recognized Ser Laenor, who yelled his daughter’s name and ran towards her. Ser Criston appeared not too far from her on the right, his own men following behind obediently. Clearly, they’d all thought to find the little village. Aemond, running with his sword, shouted your name. Alicent heard the heart break in his voice. She heard it crack and come out in a sob.

“Y/N! Y/N! Let her go! Y/N!”

“Aemond! Aemond, help me!”

“Y/N!”

Aemond did not catch up to Rhaenyra’s brisk walk. Ser Criston rushed at him, and cleanly swept him up from the ground. Aemond kicked and screamed, pounding his fists on Ser Criston’s armored arms. He’d dropped his sword, the weapon falling to the wayside in the struggle.

“My Prince,” Ser Criston said over his cries, “My Prince, please!”

“Aemond!”

“Y/N!”

Alicent reached him finally, heat filling her cheeks and going through the fabric of her gown. She tried her best to calm her son down, grabbing at his arms to keep him from hurting himself further. She turned to see Ser Laenor doing the same with you. He’d put you over his shoulder, so your weak attempts to escape were futile. You continued fighting him, screaming her son’s name and begging for him to help you. Alicent soon did not hear your shouts or her son’s cries. She heard her own. She heard her pleas to her father; she’d begged him for understanding, sympathy, and acceptance. All she’d wanted was Rhaenyra, and he’d decided she’d never have her.

‘But, Father, I love her.’

*****

A/N: TWO MORE CHAPTERS TO GO!! will the lovers be brought back together??? dun, dun, dunnnnnn

#aemond targaryen #aemond one eye #aemond the kinslayer #aemond x reader #aemond x you #aemond x yn #house of the dragon #hotd #hotd drabbles #hotd imagines #hotd fanfiction #hotd fanfict

180 notes · View notes

written-in-flowers · 1 year

Text

Fly Away: Pt. 3

Pairing: Young!Aemond x Young!Velaryon!Reader | Side pairing: Rhaenyra x Alicent, Aegon x Helaena

Genre: Fluff, Angst

Au: friends to lovers, childhood love,

Tags: incest (duh), slight homophobia expressed, repressed feelings, mutual pining, teenage runaways, mentions of bullying, arrange marriages

Word Count: 5k

Taglist: @yitish @imjustboredso @dangerousbluebirdpoetry @discowizard88

@mddieeunson

Previous Chapter < Part 2 | Next Chapter > Part 4

****

"Princess! Princess Y/N!"

Your lady-in-waiting shoved you awake, and you stared around groggily. Outside, the sky turned completely dark, the moon giving rays of light to the blackness outside. How long have you slept? You weren’t sure.

"Wha-What is it, Helen?"

"It's your brothers," she whispered, "Something awful has happened."

Her words lifted you from sleep. You pulled on your bed robes and followed her into the main hall of High Tide. Everyone stood around near the fire, its blazing hearth bringing an orange glow to the gray room. Your eyes searched the room for Jace and Luke, who stood with your mother. Luke, the smallest, turned his head to see you rushing over to him. You bent down to see the blood streaming from his nose, and the gash on the bridge of his nose. You moved his hand to let you take a better look; it made your stomach turn. You saw blood caked on the side of Jace’s face, and you examined him as well.

"What happened?" You asked, fretfully. "What happened, Jace?"

"They attacked me!"

It was Aemond who spoke. You turned around to see him sitting with the maester. Something was wrong. Very wrong. You saw blood on his face and nose; his blond hair messy, damp and blown back from his face. Queen Alicent sat at her son's side, tearful and face full of dread and concern. Tears streamed down her face as she sat beside him. Then, you noticed it: the long, bloody stitch going from his forehead to his cheekbone. It slashed right through his left eye.

"He attacked Baela!" Jace yelled back, and the shouting started up again.

They'd taken his eye. Who'd done it? Jace? Luke? No, they're not capable of such cruelty. You couldn't imagine your brothers purposefully bringing a knife to a fight. As each child screamed out pieces of the story, you learned what happened: Aemond claimed Vhagar, the oldest and largest of dragons, and that had upset Rhaena, whose mother rode Vhagar. You understood her anger, but couldn't help thinking that dragons aren't inherited. Vhagar chose Aemond because she sensed something inside him. At least, you thought so. Who truly understood the ways of dragons? You personally thought he was brave for approaching her. Despite being a dragon rider yourself, you would've run at the sight of the monstrous beast. Your eyes met Aemond’s from across the room, and the boy immediately turned away. You frowned.

He must be in so much pain.

"He called us 'bastards'," Jace said quietly to your mother.

The word snapped you out of your thoughts. You weren't surprised. The rumors that spread for years eventually boiled over into this terrible incident. For a brief moment, you resented Aemond for the insult, since he’d thrown it at your brothers. But then, his one eye looked back at you again, saw you staring, and turned around. Your grandfather appeared, using his walking stick to balance himself as he approached Aemond. He demanded the whole story. Aemond said nothing. He sat there, staring up at his father with what you considered hatred. You understood why immediately. The King did not give a single sympathetic word to Aemond. He did not comfort his son, who’d lost his eye, or demand punishment be served on either side. He sounded as if blamed Aemond for what happened, and the pity returned.

“Vile insults were levied against them,” your mother’s voice broke you from your thoughts.

“What insults?”

“The legitimacy of my sons’ birth was put loudly to question,” she answered, holding Luke’s hand still. “My sons stand in line to inherit the Iron Throne. This is the highest of treasons.”

‘No, what you did is the highest of treasons, Mother,’ you couldn’t help thinking. Slowly, you shut your eyes and pushed the thought away. That isn’t fair.

“Prince Aemond must be sharply questioned so we may learn where he heard these rumors.”

You turned to your mother. Your mother showed no concern for the boy, her half-brother, who’d been maimed. It sounded so unlike her. Your eyes fell on Queen Alicent. If Aemond heard them from anyone, it’d be his mother. Those rumors are the reason she chose you for Aemond, instead of Helaena for Jace. As expected, Aemond protected his mother and named Aegon as the culprit. You didn’t doubt it, but you didn’t fully believe it either. What stunned you the most was the disregard your grandsire had for his own son. His son was disfigured. You knew you’d proclaim some sort of justice for your child’s eye if the roles were reversed. You’d tell both parties to apologize to one another; you’d comfort Aemond during this traumatic moment. The insult is vile and cruel. It brings into question everything about your mother and brothers.

But Aemond, your betrothed, lost his eye.

“We know, Father,” Aegon said. “Everyone knows. Just look at them.”

You preferred not to. You looked at Aemond again. He did not turn around this time. A flurry of mixed emotions whirled around in your chest. Your brothers are injured. Accusations about their legitimacy were said out loud. Aemond attacked your brothers in, what sounded like, self-defense. He broke Luke’s nose and nearly killed Jace with a rock. But, he’d lost his eye, a thing he’ll live with forever. You wanted to reach out to embrace him, yet wanted to embrace your brothers as well.

You stood by as your grandsire claimed he’d remove the tongue of anyone who slandered the princes’ births ever again. Not a single word said for the son who’d been wounded or any solution or discipline for the person who caused it. You loved Luke and Jace, but they’d acted in violence. Aemond might be injured, yet he’d been violent as well. It’d been four, including Rhaena and Baela, against one. Aemond only did what Targaryens had done for centuries: claimed a dragon. If your grandsire truly wished to end the infighting, he’d reprimand both sides and make them apologize to one another. He did no such thing. As expected, he favored your mother over any of his other children.

You pitied them.

Queen Alicent, in her rage, took the king’s blade and turned on your mother. A ripple of shock went through the room before your mother stopped her hand. You couldn’t hear the words exchanged, but you then saw the silver blade be slashed down into her wrist. You went forward towards her, and saw the bleeding gash underneath her sleeve.

“Do not mourn me, Mother,” Aemond said to his mother, who stood in shock at what she’d done, “It was a fair exchange.” His eyes looked back at you, “I may have lost an eye, but I gained a dragon.”

The room fell silent at his words. Soon, people around you cleared the room, but you stayed put. You watched Aemond hug his mother, putting his head on her chest as she embraced him. His eye met yours, and you froze. How did you convey pity without words? You should have spoken out; you should have said something to comfort him, but couldn’t find the words. Looking down at your feet, you saw the small puddle of blood where your mother bled. How much more blood needs to be shed? Your mother left with Daemon, and you walked your brothers back to her chambers. You all sat by while the maester began cleaning and stitching her wound. The temptation to speak the truth came to you, but you washed it down. You knew how it’d look if you spoke your thoughts out loud.

Unfortunately, your mother knew the look well.

She cleared the room of the maester and your brothers before looking over at you. “What do you wish to say?”

“Mother?”

“You’re pensive. You haven’t said a word since the incident.”

“I have nothing to say.”

“Y/N, I am in no mood to be lied to.”

You stared at her. You fiddled with a corner of your bed robe, staring into your lap. “The King did nothing.”

“What?”

“His son is brutally injured,” you said carefully, “And he did nothing. He didn’t appear to even care. He only spoke to Aemond to scold him.”

“Because he made false allegations against your brothers. It is considered treason to even question it. The King needed to question him to learn where he heard the rumors.”

“His son loses an eye and nobody is punished in any way.”

“So, you agree with The Queen? That we should’ve let her remove your little brother’s eye?”

“Of course not,” you looked up at her, “But you cannot say that they are guiltless. Both sides acted out of violence due to this family rivalry; both sides should have been spoken to on what they did so they can understand the wrongness. They should have been made to apologize to one another, truthfully apologize. The King should have spoken to you and The Queen alone; not in a place so crowded where everyone could listen.”

“Speak to us? Why?”

“You are their parents,” you said. “This insistent infighting started with the both of you. Mother, I do not know what event caused you and Queen Alicent to become so distant from each other, but it’s influenced your sons. Grandfather told me you and Queen Alicent were once good friends. Best friends.” You could tell you’d wounded her further with your opinions, but they are yours. She looked at the injury on her arm, still fresh and bleeding. You rounded the table to the maester’s seat, picked up the gauze cloths on the table, and began wrapping it gently. “My marriage to Aemond is meant to bridge the schism between our families. How can that happen if both sides continue to fight regardless?”

“You blame me then?”

“And the Queen,” you admitted. Your hand shook slightly as you wrapped the wound. Your stomach lurched at your own words. Inwardly, you cursed yourself for speaking the truth. “I think if you and The Queen found a common ground, genuinely talked to one another…I think that example will encourage your children to make amends as well. The rivalry only grew from the wounds made long ago.” You saw the hard stare on her face. “I love you, Mother. I love you more than anything; I will do anything you ask of me. I’m even marrying Aemond, who was not my choice of husband. You asked for my thoughts, and I am telling you how I feel.” The shame filled your chest, and tightened there.

She stared at you for a moment longer, then put her hand over yours. The stony expression softened. You could tell she looked for the right words to say. Then she said: “I do not think a bridge could be made, little dove,” she told you, “Especially after tonight. She wanted to cut out my son’s eye; she would have were I not there. That is something I cannot forgive easily.” She gazed at you, “You are a child, Y/N. You do not understand the history. It is not something I can mend on my own, and The Queen has made her feelings clear. Do you truly believe it was Aegon he heard those rumors from? We both know who really said them.”

“Are they truly rumors, Mother?”

“Y/N,” she snapped.

“I am not a fool, Mother, and neither is anyone else.”

“How could you…I would never have believed…” she took a deep breath, letting go of your hand, “Your brothers have Valyrian blood in their veins, just like you do.”

“Yes, because they are your sons,” you told her. “But everyone knows they’re not-”

“-That’s enough,” she cut you off. “You’ve spoken fairly out of line, and I will not be scolded by my own daughter.”

“Mother, I was not-”

“-The fact you even think this is astounding to me. It’s hurtful-”

“-Mother, I’m sorry that I spoke out of line. I was only speaking my mind-”

“-And clearly you think poorly of your own family-”

“-I do not think poorly of you at all,” you pleaded. You stood up suddenly, your hands sliding from between hers. “It only scares me that this petty rivalry between our houses has cultivated in violence. We should be trying to apologize and forgive each other for past transgressions instead of continuing this fighting-”

“-You are a child. What do you know about transgressions?” she took a deep breath and looked away from you, “Go to your quarters. Now. You need to pack for the journey.”

“Mother, I-”

“-Go to your chambers. That is an order.”

You faltered, “Yes, Mother. I’ll call the maester back in to-”

“-Don’t bother. Just leave.”

You turned away from your mother and walked back to your room with your head up high. Tears blurred your vision; guilt and shame filled your bones, but you continued walking. You’d only done what she asked. It was no fault of yours that she didn’t like the response. Yes, you’d overstepped bringing up Jace and Luke’s birth, yet it hurt that your mother expected you to remain blind to the truth. It was not as if you’d said in full view of everyone. You’d spoken your mind to her, and only her. You regretted saying a word. Your mother suffered so much through the night, and you bringing up the past deepened the wound. She hates you now. So will Jace and Luke, if they ever hear what you said.

Once you reached your bedchamber, you found your maids already packing your things. You saw the bed nearby, and wished to climb into it and cry.

“Get out. All of you,” you said, the lump in your throat thickening your voice. “I don’t wish to be disturbed.”

They bowed and left, shutting the door behind them. The moment the door closed, your tears finally broke free. You felt ashamed to have ever accused your mother that way. It’d be better to remain ignorant from now on. If your grandsire can do it, surely you can as well. Does it truly matter in the end? They are your brothers regardless. Standing by the fire to warm your numbing body, you cried harder. You’d never meant to hurt your mother. You love her. She must know that. You’d only offer a solution to the entire situation, even if it is a hard one.

A gentle knock came to the door, and one of the maids opened the door. “What do you want? I said I did not wish to be disturbed,” you sniffled, not looking at her.

“But…It is the prince.”

“Tell Aegon he can properly fuck off,” you hissed, the words unbefitting a princess.

“It’s not Aegon.”

Aemond’s voice came softly through the room. You couldn’t face him. You didn’t want him to see you crying like a baby. The door closed again, and you knew Aemond stood nearby watching you. You needed to say something. The boy lost his eye because of your brothers and saw no justice for it.

If you showed some good will and intentions, they might take a cue from you to do the same.

“My prince,” you sniffled again, turning slowly to face him. The maester wrapped Aemond’s wound, the cloth barely contrasting against his fair skin and blond hair. “What brings you here? You should be resting before the journey home.”

“You’re crying,” he ignored your statement and came over to you. “Why are you crying?”

“I wasn’t crying,” you lied.

Aemond reached up to your cheek, and used his thumb to wipe your tears. “When you’re my wife,” he said, “Anyone who makes you cry will have to answer to me.” He then added, “If you still wish to be, that is.”

“What makes you say that?”

He hesitated. His hand felt soft against your cheek, a gesture that made your cheeks warm. Briefly, you remembered the beach and how he’d looked at you. “Look at me,” he told you, letting go of you, “What girl would want to marry me when I…I’d understand if you didn’t wish to marry me anymore.”

“I don’t believe I have that choice.” Especially not after what you’d said to your mother. “My mother’s been quite insistent that we marry.”

“So has mine…until now. She said she’d break the betrothal if my father didn’t demand it.”

“How would you feel if she did that?”

“Do you wish for the truth?”

“Always.”

“I’d feel everything I did last night would be for nothing.”

His words gave you pause. “For nothing? Aemond, you’ve wanted a dragon since you knew what they were. Everyone in our family has one except for you. You’ve nearly gotten killed approaching them in the dragon pit. How could claiming Vhagar be for nothing?”

“I only went to her because I thought that, perhaps, if I had a dragon you’d like me more.” The notion made you laugh softly, but he continued, “I ride Vhagar now. She’s the largest dragon in the world. She’s the last of the dragons to witness Aegon’s Conquest. The greatest of dragonriders have ridden her throughout history. I thought if I claimed her, you’d want me to be your husband.” The glimmer of hope dimmed when he said, “Then your brother took my eye.”

“It wouldn’t have happened if you hadn’t attacked them-”

“-They attacked me first; all four of them attacked me at once. I was defending myself.”

“Because you’d hit Baela.”

“I didn’t hit her. I pushed her. She hit me first, all because I took her mother’s dragon. I was only doing what the other riders do.”

“I’m a dragonrider, and I’d never do that to someone else. You were wrong to take Vhagar like that.”

“It’s not my fault that her sister didn’t claim her mother’s dragon,” he said, anger rising in him. “Dragons aren’t heirlooms. You cannot steal a dragon from someone.”

“But you knew they’d at least let Rhaena try first. She doesn’t have a dragon either,” you then said, “How would you feel if someone took your chance at having a dragon from you?”

“She’ll get her dragon someday.”

“Answer my question, Aemond. How would you feel?” He didn’t respond immediately. The fire inside him died out at your question. “You’d be upset, wouldn’t you?” you asked.

“What does that matter? I ride Vhagar now.”

“It matters because as a prince you must show compassion and empathy for others,” you said. “If you should ever rule one day, you need to show your subjects that you are capable of understanding and sympathy.”

“I’m never going to rule because your mother is heir to the throne, and your brothers will inherit afterwards-”

“-And one day I might be queen and you’d be my king consort and I don’t think I’d want to rule with someone who can’t show an ounce of sensitivity.”

“You’ll never be queen,” he sneered.

“And why not?”

“Because of your brother. He’s the next male heir. It’s the male heir who gets the crown.”

“If that was true, why didn’t Grandfather name Aegon heir when he was born?”

“Aegon’s a fool. He’ll never be a good king. Anybody with eyes could see that.”

“Then who should have been named an heir when he didn’t know he’d be having more children?”

“He could’ve named me,” he said. “He could’ve named me his heir, then I’d be king. I ride the largest dragon. I’m the one who pays attention at lessons, and trains with a sword. I’m the one who is betrothed to the prettiest girl at court, and you’ll be my queen-”

“-As if I’d want to be your queen after what you said about my brothers-”

“-I didn’t lie. Everyone knows it-”

“-Y/N?”

You both turned to see Jace and Luke at the door. Jace’s eyes immediately narrowed at the sight of Aemond standing so close to you. “What are you doing here?” he asked, “Why are you in my sister’s room?”

“I came to speak to my betrothed without interruption,” he replied sharply. “I’m allowed to do that.”

“There is no way I’m letting you marry my sister,” he said. “My mother is going to make sure it doesn’t happen.”

“Your mother can’t overturn my father’s commands. He is the King.”

“And I’ll be king one day,” Jace said, “And when I’m king, I’m going to annul your marriage so my sister doesn’t have to spend a single moment in your company.”

“Oh please, Jace,” you scoffed, stepping between them. “Have you two not fought enough today?” you asked them both. “Hasn’t enough blood been spilled already? Prince Aemond has already been maimed, and our brother has a broken nose.”

“A wound he caused!”

“A wound you repaid with a dagger,” you turned on him. “Why did you have it in the first place?”

“In case I needed it,” he defended. “He tried to kill us. He tried to kill Baela and Rhaena.”

“I doubt he was really going to do it, Jace.”

“He called us ‘bastards’! Why are you defending him?”

“I am not defending him, but you cannot say you took no part in what happened last night. Everyone,” you turned back to Aemond, “In this situation is wrong. We are all family. We should be united, not divided. Aemond was wrong for taking Vhagar. Baela was wrong for hitting him; and he was wrong for hitting her in turn. You and Luke were both wrong to beat him. He was wrong to call you bastards and to threaten to kill you. Luke was certainly wrong for slashing his face. Nobody here truly meant the things they did or said. All of these wrongs were done in an explosion of violence and resentment.”

“Resentment?”

“Yes, Jace, ‘resentment’. A resentment our parents' started a long time ago.” You didn’t know how else to make them see it. You felt helpless. You are screaming into an empty void; hitting a wall that refuses to be knocked down. “We should be standing together, not apart. I’m marrying Aemond to help our families build an alliance again. We are family. We are the crown. If we’re…if we’re always fighting and hurting one another, what sort of image does that show the rest of the realm?” You saw Luke’s and Jace’s faces harden, “Now, say your apologies. All three of you.”

“I’m not apologizing. I was defending myself,” Aemond snarled.

“We’re not apologizing either. We were defending ourselves.”

“We were.”

Fresh tears started filling your eyes again. It might be as hopeless as you thought. “Get out of my room. All of you.”

“Y/N…” Aemond reached out to you, but you stepped away from him. You saw him glare back at your brothers before storming out. Jace and Luke stayed where they were.

“I said ‘leave’.”

“How could you defend him?” Jace asked, appalled by your words. “He called us names and hit us. He was going to bash my head with a rock, and he broke Luke’s nose.”

“I’m not defending him, Jace-”

“-We’re your brothers. You’re supposed to side with us.”

“I never said I was not on your side-”

“-It looks that way.”

“And then you hurt Mother’s feelings,” Luke chimed in. “She was crying when we went to see her and you were the last person there.”

“You hate us. You think we’re bastards too, and you hate us,” Jace concluded. “That’s why you’re so keen to marry Aemond.”

“I don’t hate you,” you sobbed. “You’re my brothers. I could never hate you. I only wish for my family to get along.”

“You might as well go to King’s Landing with your precious betrothed and leave our family alone!”

“Jace, you don’t mean that.”

“What’s going on in here?”

Your father finally made his appearance. He looked between your brothers and you, and stepped into the room. “Y/N,” he came over to you, cupping your cheeks and wiping your tears, “What is happening?”

“She keeps defending Aemond!” Jace answered. “She probably thinks we deserved what we got.”

“No, no, no, Father, that’s not true,” you wept, shaking your head. You wrapped your arms around his middle, and sobbed into his chest. “I want my family to love each other like other families. I don’t want my marriage to Aemond to be for nothing. I love my family. I love you, and Mother, and Jace, and Luke, and Joffrey, and the King and the Queen and Aemond and Haelaena, and-”

“-That’s quite enough, little dove,” he comforted you, rubbing your back and holding you tightly. “Boys,” he looked to your brothers, “Go get ready to leave.”

Your eyes met Jace’s, seeing them full of bitterness, and he turned to leave with Luke behind him. Your father looked down at you, frowning at your fresh fall of tears, “I understand you only have the best intentions, Y/N. What happened last night must have disturbed and hurt you as well as your mother. But, the things that have happened between our families cannot easily be mended.”

“They can be if both sides are sincere.”

He wiped your cheeks again, then said, “You truly are the best of us, Y/N.” He kissed the top of your head, then said, “We’re leaving soon. Try resting for a bit before we go.”

He pecked your forehead one more time, then left you. Then, your maids returned to finish packing your things while you rested on your bed. When the time came to leave Driftmark, you said your farewells to Princess Rhaenys and Lord Corlys, and hugged your cousins Baela and Rhaena. You walked outside, the sea-salt winds blowing through your coat and hair, to see your dragon, Starshine, being saddled by Dragonkeepers. Dark blue with flecks of gold on her scales, the she-dragon turned her head when you approached her. Finally, someone who didn’t hate you. You walked up to her, petting her long neck as she purred.

“Good morning, Star,” you said softly in High Valyrian, so only she heard you. “Ready to leave?”

She ruffled her neck, and you took that to mean ‘yes, please’. You couldn’t agree more. You’d been about to mount when a voice called out to you. When you looked, it was your mother; your brothers stood a few feet behind her, watching you from afar. Jace must’ve told her what happened. You nearly considered jumping onto Starshine and flying away before she could say anything.

“Y/N?” she said once she reached you, “I wanted to speak to you before we went home.”

“Yes, Mother?”

“I…” she sighed deeply, “I’m sorry for how I reacted to your opinions. I asked you for them, and became angry when you answered honestly. I do not wish for you to be scared to tell the truth or think you can never confide in me again.” She took both your hands, “Your heart is in the right place. It’s in a far better place than most people’s. But, there are some wounds that cannot be mended with apologies and good faith.”

“They can be if both sides are sincere.”

She smiled at your attempt at persuasion. She kissed your cheek and hugged you. A small relief that at least your mother didn’t hate you filled you. “Fly safe,” she said, “I will see you at home.”

“I will.”

Your mother watched you mount Starshine, then kick off into the skies. Once above the world, alone with nothing but air and clouds, you thought clearly. You could keep going. Starshine out flew all the other dragons due to her narrow body and wings. She could take you all the way across The Narrow Sea to the Free Cities of Essos. If you flew away, you won’t have to worry about family quarrels, meaningless marriage proposals, or Aemond Targaryen and the mixed feelings you had for him now. But, if you flew away, you can never make it up to your brothers. You’d never see your mother or father again. You’d never see Aemond either. So, rather than give into temptations, you flew towards Dragonstone. You saw your brothers’ dragons far ahead of you. You directed Starshine closer to them in minutes, then guided her into the empty space between them. Through the clouds, you saw Jace sitting upon Vermax and Luke riding Arrax. Jace turned his head to see you and your dragon. Not much needed to be said. With a cheeky smile, you encouraged Starshine to fly a bit faster. You didn’t know whether they’d take the challenge or not, but you tried.

Your answer came when Vermax soared overhead, and you heard a faint, “You’re on!” in the distance.

You let Vermax win.

****

“…I do not know what event caused you and Queen Alicent to become so distant from each other, but it spilled onto your children. ”

Oh, you sweet girl. Rhaenyra stood on the balcony watching the King’s ship sail away back towards King’s Landing. She watched the blue and gold Starshine quickly fade into the clouds alongside Vermax and Arrax. She had no desire to leave just yet. Her eyes followed Starshine into the clouds, then surveyed the ships below. Her father and Alicent will be on one of those heading back home. She absentmindedly touched her wrist, and remembered the events of last night.

“Where is duty? Where is sacrifice? It’s trampled under your pretty foot once again.”

Alicent’s words haunted her. Duty? She’d done her duty by marrying and having children. They may not be Laenor’s children, but they are still hers. Sacrifice? She’d sacrificed so much. She’d almost listed the things she’d given up to live up to her responsibilities. She’d given up freedom, agency, and the person she’d freely given her heart to: Alicent herself. Rhaenyra knew deep down Alicent’s resentment comes from her father’s neglect of her children. She isn’t blind. She knows her father favors her over her other siblings; it’s this love that’s saved her from the executioner’s blade. Rhaenyra did not ask for that; she never asked him to dismiss his other children, her siblings. Alicent must know that. She must.

You’d been right, of course, though she’d never admit it out loud. The bad blood that’d filled the distance between her and Alicent made a new river towards their children. Rhaenyra never intended that either.

“...You take my son’s eye, and to even that you feel entitled…”

It had been a regrettable accident. Luke and Jace defended themselves, that was all. It was not as if they’d held Aemond down and removed the eye on purpose. He’d repeated his mother’s vile accusations, and attacked her children. They’d done nothing that no other person wouldn’t have done. Jace brought the blade in case he needed to defend himself, which he did. Luke only protected his brother from a brutal attack. Her shock flared into anger at the demand that Lucerys’s eye be removed as payment for Aemond’s. Alicent, always hiding behind her righteousness and piety, now showed her true colors to everyone. Everyone will think she’s gone mad.

But you. You had seen the situation for what it is: the climax of a long-standing rivalry. Laenor told her what you’d said to him; how you’d tearfully told him you loved your family and that things could be mended. Rhaenyra admired your hope. You truly had the best intentions, but there are times when that is not enough. After last night, Rhaenyra doubted she’d speak to Alicent ever again. Any possibility of the two families coming together is broken now. It pained her to think about it. She’d no doubt call for your betrothal to Aemond be rescinded. Rhaenyra could not agree more. Rhaenyra refused to marry her only daughter to a boy who’d insulted and attacked her sons. She thought of writing to her father once she returned home. But, she knew what he’d say:

‘Their marriage will strengthen the bond between our houses.’

And, deep down, she knew you’d be devastated. But, how could you still want to marry the boy after what he’d done? If you truly loved your brothers, you’d ask for it yourself.

No, that’s not fair. She knew you loved your brothers, but you’d grown to love Aemond as well. She imagined the conflict you must be suffering, and wished she could resolve it for you. This incident will undoubtedly solidify any bad feelings between the families. She did not know if this would be mended so easily.

“…Grandfather told me you and Queen Alicent were once good friends. Best friends.”

They’d been more than that, she remembered. Their soft kisses in the sand led to a closer relationship. Once she’d tasted Alicent’s lips, she’d wanted more. The urge to fly away with her became stronger with every minute in her company. Nobody made her feel so weak and vulnerable. Not Ser Criston. Not her uncle, Daemon. Not even Harwin, whom she’d loved and birthed children for. Alicent took part of her heart and ran with it, and Rhaenyra let her keep it, for she’d given Rhaenyra a piece in return. She thought they’d be together forever. But, right as their love blossomed into a vibrant flower, the weeds of life strangled and pulled it down from the sky.

The ambitions of Lord Otto Hightower forced the wedge that kept them apart for so long.

****

A/N: Oooh, this really brings things into a more complicated place! I hope you guys enjoyed this part, don’t be shy to let me know what you think <3

#aemond targaryen #aemond x reader #aemond x you #aemond x yn #house of the dragon #hotd #hotd fanfiction #hotd drabble #hotd fanfic #aemond one eye #aemond the kinslayer

204 notes · View notes