♱𓆪𓏲 ˖ © nostalgiclogan " 𓂃 !

It seemed the gods hated Aelyna Targaryen.

The princess' eyes were sunken from hours of crying. Daemon had woken her on the dawn of a new day. Lady Laena Velaryon had died as she was trying to bring another life into the world. Aelyna had no reaction to the news, her body stayed static in her bed. No tears, no screams. Nothing but a silence that scared her father.

Aelyna held to her youngest sisters as the family had travelled to Driftmark to give their final goodbye to Laena. Grief was a strange thing to Aelyna. Though everyone told her, that all she needed was time to process it all, she could her and feel the web of lies told to comfort her. Time would not heal her wounds.

She was a motherless child once again.

She had always mourned the mother she never knew, and now Laena. The only woman who was willing to be her guardian, her friend, her mother. Time would not heal her grief. Her grief would find a place in her heart and slowly wither inside of her. Forever under skin of what she had once had.

"We join today at the sea of sea to commit lady Laena of house Velaryon to the eternal waters. The domination of Merling King where he will guard her for all the days to come." Lord Vaemond recited in Valyron. "As the sea sets for her final voyage, Lady Laena leaves two true- born daughters on the shore. Through their mother will not return from her voyage, they will remain bound together in blood." Daemon had giggled breaking the silence of the court. Aelyna had sent her father a sharp eye, hers trailing to the boys clung to Rhaenyra's side.

Rhaenya had kept a lingering eye on her cousin. How'd she grown into the woman before her eyes. A testament to Targaryen beauty. Aelyna was no longer the toddler that trailed behind her, she was a young woman. Her mother must have been remarkably beautiful because her face was of that as though it was sculpted by the gods. Her hair and eyes were the only Targaryen traits she had, but none the less Aelyna had become a sight to behold. As lord Vaemond had spoken she held firmly to her sons, protecting them as she had Aelyna a lifetime ago. 

Aelyna stood firm as Rhaena held her hand tighter. Laena's coffin released to the ocean as the sound of thundering waves crushed against the rocks echoed in her ears. Since she received the news, she had not slept much. She spent most of her nights at Baela and Rhaena's side. The girls always fell to sleep under their own tears. Her grief would have to wait, until she had the certainty that her sisters would be fine.

"Was it necessary of you to laugh?" Aelyna asked as she watched the sea, her father to her side. "Nothing of what lord Vaemond said was humorous.'

"Laena did not only have two daughters. She saw you as her own." Daemon replied as he placed his hand on Aelyna's shoulder. "Never let them tell you otherwise, Spitfire." 

"What happens to the four of us now father?" Aelyna asked her father her eyes felt heavier with each hour "What will become of me? I doubt you'll let us stay much long in Driftmark."

"I have yet to decide." Daemon said kneeling to his daughter, Aelyna turned to meet his eyes "But know this, nothing and no will bring harm to my daughters."

Aelyna skin itched, as though her her was aching to jump out of her chest. She said nothing as she threw herself into her fathers arms. Daemon held her, still not a tear escaped her eyes.  For his girls, he'd burn the seven kingdoms to keep them safe and happy.

Aelyna pulled back, holding nothing but Daemons eyes "I don't want her to be gone."

"I know moonchild." Aelyna felt herself become weak as Daemon called her by a name only Laena had ever used for her.

The Targaryen and Hightowers had grown in numbers since Aelyna had last seen them. Aegon was no longer the only child she remembered him to be. 

As Aelyna approached him, Aegon felt himself sink deeper into his cup. As a babe he remembered how often he found himself in the company of his cousin, though when they had last seen one another, they were the only children in the Red Keep. "The last time I had seen you, you were still sucking your mothers teats." 

She teased joining Aegon at the table decked in food and wine.

"Hello cousin." Aegon greeted her as she took the cup of his hand setting it on the table. At first the prince was startled when Aelyna had hugged him. How strange it felt to be held. The wine slowly took control over his nerves as Aelyna released him, his hand ghosted her arms, slowly they travelled to her hands as he let go of her. She had changed so much since last he'd seen her. Her silver locks reached to her lower back, her skin more tanned but her eyes still the same that made he and Helaena stop crying as babes.  Seeing Aelyna reminded himself about how good it felt to have her around. The Red Keep had not been the same for he nor Rhaenyra since she had left them.

"You've grown..." Aelyna nodded her head. She she took a cup of wine for herself. 

"I suppose I'm sorry for your loss." Aegon breathed out taking a cup of wine for himself "I imagine this being a difficult time for you specifically." 

"Why? Because I've never a mother?" Aelyna countered. When Aegon choked on his wine Aelyna laughed, one as melodic as a siren calling ships to the sea.

Perhaps I am too drunk already, Aegon thought to himself

"You said it, not me." He shrugged. Out of the corner of his eye he was met with the cold stare of his grandfather. Since he could remember, he had always felt Otto's eye on his every movement. 

Aelyna followed Aegons eyes as she turned her head back to meet the eyes of the eye and the king. Aelyna only nodded to the king "I take it you're being carefully watched this weekend."

"Yes, I've made the habit of humiliating my grandsire in court as of late." Aegon rolled his eyes

"How rude of you." Aelyna played along. "Would it not be terrible for you to join me on the beach for some wine." Aelyna felt herself become her father once more. The playful spite inside of her. The satisfaction of potentially upsetting the Hightowers, as Otto's cold stare was just as she remembered it when she was five years old. 

"Only for wine?" Aegon teased "We're both grown and of age, what would they think." His head titled to side, feeling himself become more cocky from the wine fresh on his lips

"Careful." Aelyna playfully warned him "I am three times your senior." 

"I am well aware, though an older woman's company is one I've never said no to." Aegon stated. Aelyna simply laughed as she walked from him. Aegon's eyes stayed focused on her and her body. "Much better than Helaena's." He grumbled to himself returning himself to his siblings.

Time was a strange concept, how it took children and made of them women and men. Rhaenyra joined Aelyna by the stairs as the princess sat and watched the ocean. "

"Still hiding from large groups I see." Rhaenyra said taking a seat on the stairs next to her young cousin. The pairs gaze turned to one another. It had been so long since Daemon had been punished, and time had gone by Rhaenyra had never forgotten the special bond they shared as girls.

"Close." Aelyna shrugged placing the empty cup in her lap. Her body becoming relaxed from the wine as the tension in her shoulders unwinded themselves "I'd rather not have my sisters see me drunk instead. The week has been long."

"Yes, it has." Rhaenyra agreed reminded of the events that took place in her life as well. "I am sorry for your loss my sweet cousin." Rhaenyra consoled her, unknowingly her hand folded into Aelyna, giving three squeeze's on the hand.

Aelyna chuckled "Used to be me who comforted you.. I suppose I could say the same to you." 

"How so?"

"I've been told Ser Harwin was a good friend to you." Aelyna answered "It seems as though death loves Targaryen women." Aelyna joked "Although it should not come to surprise to me. I've seen it so many times in my dreams." She confessed, the words dragging from her mouth

"You still have those dreams?" 

"Yes." Aelyna answered shortly "I can never make out the faces but I know what I saw. I dreamed of fire running through a pregnant woman." She confessed, she felt her eyes sting from the swelling tears in her eyes "Had I know it was Laena... I could have done something." 

Rhaenyra shook her head "You've always carried your dreams too heavily on your shoulders."

"I suppose." Aelyna agreed "But without them I'd be lost." 

"Or free." Rhaenyra said. Aelyna remained her quiet self as she sat back. Closing her eyes as she felt the sun's warmth moving under her skin 

"I heard you've and your family have taken Dragonstone. You've done right by taking them out of the Red Keep." Aelyna noted "Keep the pigs away."

Rhaenyra laughed at her cousins name for the court. To her they'd always be pigs who punished children. Children who had no say in being born bastards. If Aelyna had only known how much worse they have gotten since she left. To the extend of the Queen summoning to see her babe minutes after a painful child labor. "I doubt they would miss me or my children."

"Except for your father." Aelyna added. "But none the less you've done right by them. Laena used to tell me what an excellent mother you make Nyra."

"Well, I've had my fair share in good practice with you, Laeni." 

Aelyna turned to face Rhaenyra. Her head became heavy as she rested in on her cousins shoulder. The nights of sleeplessness growing stronger on her as the wine entered her body "I've missed you so much." 

Wine brought a great deal of comfort for Aelyna. It helped ease her mind much quicker than crying her grief out. It would not bring Laena back but it eased her pain. Under the dim moonlight on Driftmark she walked along the shoreline with Aegon in arms. The two reminiscing about her years in Kingslanding, even if Aegon could barely remember them at all.

She too drunk to walk by herself clung to her cousins arm as the sand under her feet become as soft as feathers.

"I've heard a congratulations is in order." Aelyna giggled "Within the next year you are to be wedded. Helaena will make a fine wife to you."

"If only." He scoffed "She's an idiot and a child." Aegon rolled his eyes 

"We're all children." Aelyna sighed letting go of his arm as she stumbled to the sand. The thud of her fall would surely leave a bruise, though her drunken state only allowed her to laugh "It is your duty as prince to continue our family bloodline." Aelyna deepened her voice to sound as Otto Hightower to which Aegon cackled, taking a seat next to her. Both their hairs wild, untamed and unkept from the strong winds on the beach.

"Gods, don't remind me." He huffed "If I had any say I'd fuck off to the farthest city."

"I doubt there's somewhere you could white that they would not recognize you cousin." Aelyna giggled taking a strand of his silver locks as she twirled it around her finger "We don't make it easy to hide amongst others." she suggested, removing her hand 

"What of you?" Aegon asked "You're almost of age yourself."

"No, none." 

"None?!" Aegon exclaimed. He could not understand it. Aelyna Targaryen, already of age, rides the king of dragons and betrothed. Free to do as she pleases, he felt an envy brew in his belly "Impossible." Aegon scoffed "Someone as beautiful as you should have the men of the seven kingdoms on their knees for your hand." 

Aelyna smiled wider, playing with the sand between her fingers as her cheeks felt warm from wine "I am unbetrothed and unscathed. I doubt I will ever let a man love me."

"You would have to make it difficult for them." Aegon remarked as his eyes linger down her body again. Her neck, her shoulders, everything about her body was a fantasy to him. 

"If I were to meet a man, who promised me the world- I'd still say no. I had everything I'd ever wanted cousin." And she did. For a brief time she had her father, her sisters, her dragon and Laena. Everything was perfect as is, until it was not.

"You could have it all again." Aegon suggested "A man who worshipped you, one who could give you a family, your name engraved into every jewel he wore."

Aelyna rolled her eyes. It all sounded too unappealing. "But I don't wish to have that."

"Then what is it you want?"

"I-" Aelyna struggled to find the words. What she wanted was fair, but not given. All she wanted was happiness and freedom. Even as a child when she dreamed of being taken from Kings Landing. "I do not know what I want, but it can't be that. I do not wish to be tied down by duties and responsibilities.. That is what I enjoyed the most from being a traveller with my family." She explained "No Septas, no rules and no court. If I have learned anything is that duty is the death of love."

With this Aegon seemed to agree. He knew he would make a horrible husband and even worse father to his children. Since the announcement was made of the betrothal for Helaena and himself, he dreaded the day to come. He loathed that he had no say in the matter on his future, if it were his duty to be a husband, he would have wanted to have a say in his bride. As he looked her up and down Aegon wondered to himself was any of it worth it, if it would make him so miserable. 

"It does not have to be." said Aegon "Not if I had a choice in who I take as my wife." He stood up to look down on her. Aelyna felt herself become uneasy as she rose to her feet as well. Stumbling as she regained her balance to look her cousin in the eye 

"Aegon..." she mumbled "I did not mean... This is not to be taken as a hint." Aegons gaze softened as he licked the taste of wine off his lips, fueling more worry on Aelyna's fire "Aegon, I do not wish to be anyones-"

"We could take one another." He suggested "We could marry and take off with our dragons. Away from all of it and them as well." His voice dragged 

Aelyna shook her head, crossing her arms "Aegon- please do not."

Aegon desperate for her approaval grabbed her hands holding them firmly as he brought her closer to him. "The hours I have spent with you have made me happier than years of marriage could with Helaena. I can take you as my wife and we would be free from-"

"No, you're drunk." Aelyna disagreed "I would make a horrible wife. I would hate being one if it meant-"

"Aelyna, I do not wish for this. To take my sister as a wife. I want the freedom that you have, I want it with you." He begged his cold hands placed on the sides of her face, his forehead against hers. Aelyna held her breathe as the stench of wine from his mouth become thicker for her to breathe through. She shook her head taking a step back as Aegons hands firmly held her wrists "We could make each other happy Laeni- I will love you for as long as you live. I could be a good husband for you. Prove myself worthy of you hand, take you on dragonback far from this fucking kingdom and it's rules. You would be my queen."

Aelyna shook her head in panic "No, no this is wrong. You can not have me, nor do I want to be have."

"You don't have to love me." Aegon pleaded "Just take me as I am even if you hold no love for me. I can wait for you to love me, I would never complain. I know I will never be enough but please-"

"Aegon, stop." Aelyna pleaded as she tugged her arms trying to escape his clutches "Helaena will be your wife and I- I'll travel the world, I could never go back to Kings Landing. I would never belong."

"I don't want her, or anyone for that matter. Aelyna please, you can make me happy." His words became slurred as he pulled her into his chest. Aelyna turned her head to the side as she felt the panic in her body make her sober. Aegon's hot breath on her as she felt his lips against her cheek 

"Let me go-" She begged "I said let me-' Before she could finish, her body ran cold as she felt his hands on her face as she pushed her face against his. His wine scented lips  "Aegon..." She begged as he kissed her once more. His hands ghosted her face, slowly moving from her face, to her shoulders easing the shoulders of her dress down. Viciously shaking her head as she pushed on his chest. His arms locked around her waist as she felt his kiss becoming cheap and desperate. "No... fucking let go..." She warned as Aegon's hands grip her waist. A tear rolled down her cheek as her heart thumped against her chest. 

"Get off of me!" She screamed. Aelyna stomped on his foot, Aegon crying of pain as her fist collided with his cheek. He shrieked as he fell to the sand underneath him. Breathless as he held his cheek looking up to her.

This angered the boy. His face turned from flustered to fury "Cunt!" he yelled, leaping towards her as Aelyna dodged him. Kicking him in the back as he fell a second time. Aegon yelped as he fell to his knees 

"If you ever-" She exclaimed. A giant shadow moved up above them. Both looking to the night sky as Vhagar flew overhead of them, Aelyna squinted her eyes to see a silver haired boy ride her. "Fuck..." she cursed 

As Aegon stood back to his feet behind Aelyna's head, on the stairs of the castle he could see his grandsire stare a hole right through him. 

☆ ࣪ ִ AUTHORS NOTE :l 𝆬 3

Aegon and Rhaenyra when their cousin showed up for a family funeral:

but jokes aside- this is not an aegon book! I repeat this is not an Aegon book!

Aaahh Aelyna just had her first kiss (technically taken from her) but yeah I'm slowly sowing the seeds on how this book is gonna unfold and trust Aelyna's first kiss is gonna play a very important role in her dynamic with Aegon when the dance of the dragons happen. 

Thank you to everyone who's reading, voting or commenting on this book. Please continue to do so because I absolutely love getting feedback from yall 

<3