𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐎𝐍𝐄 ─ DREAMS AND PRAYERS
❝ 𝐢 𝐝𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 and 𝐦𝐲 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐧𝐞𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐝𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 ❞

𝐒ilence loomed over clasped hands as the Queen Alicent whispered a prayer. The Queen sat at the head of her children, head bowed in esteemed holiness, hands clasped and splayed before her on the table.

Princess Vaenora held her hands beneath the green of the tablecloth, silver curls hanging down in front of her angled head. As the Queen ended her prayer, the clang of silver meeting the glass of their dishes was soon heard, but Vaenora sat unmoving, curls creating a curtain around her ghostly white eyes.

Queen Alicent sighed as she took notice of the familiar behavior. Resting her spoon within the liquid of her soup, she leaned over, voice causing everyone to pause with their own food, "Vaenora?" she called, watching her daughter for a response, but none came.

The whispery voice of the Princess Helaena was soon heard, "Nora?" she spoke, placing a delicate hand on the girls forearm.

Her movements were slow as she lifted and turned her head towards the girl, her curtain of curls falling back to the side of her face, showing off her pale white eyes, which held only green veins within them. Alicent had motion to move, but the girl returned back, eyes rolling back to the front of her head, showing off the lavender of her irises. "Yes?"

"You did it again." Aemond spoke, softly, across the table, towards his twin.

Thinking nothing of the common occurrence, she nodded once, giving a small hum. Noticing the food placed decoratively in front of her. She turned towards her mother, locking eyes with the woman. "Have we done prayer yet?"

Aegon snickered at her cluelessness, as Alicent tilted head head towards her daughter, lips parting to answer the girl, but any possible noise was stolen from her when the chambers doors opened, a maid entering through it. Bowing to the royals, she spoke, "Your Grace, Princess Rhaenyra has finished her labors."

The Queen fell back in her seat, exasperation written on her face, as she rested her elbows on the arm-rests of her chair, using her clasped hands to rest her chin upon. "Another bastard," Alicent whispered to no-one in particular.  

The Queen pushed back her chair and stood up, turning back to her awaiting children, "Finish your break fast," she told them all, before she looked towards her sons, "The dragon keepers will be waiting for you in the dragon pits," then towards her daughters, "and the septa will be waiting for you for your lessons." Making her way towards the door, she spoke to the maid as she passed, "Send for the babe." The royal children nodded, picking back up their silverware, watching as their mother and the maid left the room.

It had only taken a bit for Aegon to discard his food, picking up his cup of wine, and walk out with. Unlike Aegon, Aemond ate, but it was with a rush behind his movements, and he too, walked out, leaving the sisters alone.

A short silence passed, before Helaena spoke, "What did you see?"

Vaenora looked down, watching as her spoon twisted her soup in its bowl. "The walls and skies are all the same. For the Stranger walks his path of pain."

𝐓heir septa wasn't much help. The woman, like everyone else, stayed away from the girls. More-likely, the creatures they held. And besides, she had left in search of Rhaenyra's daughter, Aemma, just minutes ago.

The girls made no move, even as the door opened, the septa and their niece appearing from the other side of them. The two took no care of the entrance behind them, as Vaenora shared off information, about the ladybug she held in her hands, to her sister.

"It has wings, but can't fly." She ran a gentle finger over the small creature.

"And why is that?" The voice of the Queen questioned as she knelt down next to her children. The two hadn't known of their mothers entrance, but they showed no shock to it.

"They ways of life are unknown to the naked eye." Vaenora said. A look of perplextion crossed the Queens face at the words of the young girl, but nodded as she looked over to the black millipede Helaena held.

"What of this one?" Alicent questioned, pointing a finger towards the thing.

"This one had 60 rings..." Helaena observed, "and two pairs of legs on each. That's 240."

"Yes, it is." Alicent assured, watching as Helaena twisted the creature, searching for more things to point out.

"It has eyes... though... I don't believe it can see."

"And why is that so, do you think."

"It is beyond our understanding." Helaena stroked the creature, thoughtfully.

"I suppose you're right." Alicent placed a hand on Helena's arm, causing the girl the shudder away from the sudden touch, bringing her closer to Vaenora, but the Queen took no notice of the movement, "Some things just are."

Three faces turned at the sound of the door creaking open. "Your Grace," the Kingsguard said, hand holding onto the arm of a dirtied Aemond.

Sighing, the Queen got to her feet, making her way towards her son, "Aemond, what have you done?" 

"He did it again." Helaena said, exchanging her millipede with her sisters ladybug.

"Did what again?" The voice of Princess Aemma questioned, from one of the far corners of the room.

Disregarding Aemma's presence, Alicent grasped Aemond forearms, "After how many times you've been warned, must I have you confined to your chambers?" 

"They made me do it." Aemond explained himself.

"As if you need encouragement. Your obsession with those beasts goes beyond understanding."

"They gave me a pig." Aemond spat out the word, as if it were poison on his tongue.

Alicent paused, in a slight consternation at her sons words. "A what?"

"They said they found a dragon for me." Aemond explained, "But it was a pig."

With a sigh, Alicent assured, "You will have a dragon one day."

"He'll have to close an eye." 

𝐇eavy arms were lowered to her, allowing the face of the young babe to meet her eyes. Vaenora peered born at the newborn with warm eyes, feather-like hand reaching up to stroke the soft skin of his cheek.

"This one's Joffrey." Rhaenyra said, gentle smile appearing on her face, as she watched her sister interact with her son.

"Joffrey." Vaenora whispered, pondering over the name, Gods, if they had known how the future would ruin such a name.

"You were the same size when you were born." Rhaenyra told her. Though Rhaenyra held her rivalry with Alicent, she held none with her siblings, especially her sisters. She, at most times, wondered how such pure girls could've possibly come out of Alicent Hightower.

"Can I hold him?" Vaenora questioned, meekly.

Smiling, Rhaenyra positioned herself, ready to pass her child. "Of course, sweet girl." Vaenora cupped her arms, allowing Rhaenyra to place the babe in them, moving her arms to support the babies head. "This..." Rhaenyra began, "this is the price of being a woman." Vaenora nodded, peering down at the sleeping form in her arms. "It's indeed scary at first, but theres nothing like holding your new born child in your arms for the first time." 

Vaenora smiled, rocking the babe in her arms, "It is pretty fun." 

Rhaenyra let out a glee filled laugh, nodding her head at her words. "It very much is."

Their laughter lasted short as the door creaked open, a servant entering, "Your Grace, Princess," she bowed to the both of them, "There has been an incident in the training yard."

"Oh Gods." Rhaenyra uttered, taking her son back into her arms, "Are my sons okay?" She questioned, worriedly.

"The princes are fine," The maid guaranteed, "There has been a fight between Ser Criston and Ser Harwin. Ser Criston has been maimed."

"And?" Rhaenyra questioned, finding no care in the mans wounds.

"Ser Harwin and the Lord Hand are said to take leave back to Harrenhal." 

"Oh Gods." Rhaenyra said, worry setting into her tone, as she swiftly stood, exiting out of the room, the servant following behind her.

And as the door closed, her eyes flashed white.