chapter thirty, great hall.
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ONE MOON LATER.

Elaena's crying was could be heard throughout the chambers. Alana rocked her but she still cried, she tried to nurse her but that didn't work, she tried everything to stop her crying but nothing seemed to work.

It was Baelon's name day today, and yet she didn't know where Aegon was nor Baelon. Rhaella was with Helaena and her twins in the gardens, blissfully unaware of her sister and mother's struggles.

Alana paced the chambers, bouncing Elaena up and down in her arms gently, trying to do everything she could. The sounds of her cries were annoying to Alana, but she would never admit it as Elaena was still a helpless babe.

"It's okay.." Alana shushed Elaena but she would not stop crying. Alana was on the verge of tears herself, trying to soothe her daughter but nothing seemed to be working making her efforts seem hopeless.

Just as tears almost started to fall the door opened, revealing Aegon in his riding leather, his hair crazy, holding Baelon's hand who also had crazy hair, it was obvious that Aegon had brought Baelon riding on Sunfyre.

His smile immediately went down once he saw Alana with tear brimming at her eyes, and a look of exhaustion in her expression holding a crying Elaena. "What's wrong.." Aegon gave Baelon a squeeze of his hand before releasing and walking to Alana, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder.

Alana sighed, glancing at Baelon and Aegon, Aegon noticing the look. "Baelon why don't you find Rhaella?" Aegon looked at Baelon.

Baelon nodded, blissfully unaware of the rooms tension, and smiled walking out the door.

Aegon looked back at Alana as he heard the door clink shut, he held out his arms for Elaena, to which Alana happily gave him Elaena, her cries softening as she felt her father's presence.

As Alana heard Elaena's cries soften, she felt instant relief. "S-she wouldn't stop crying."

Aegon placed Elaena on his chest, holding her with one hand, using his free hand to hold Alana's cheek, "It's alright, she's calm now." Alana nodded at his words, before Aegon continued "I'm sorry I wasn't here.."

Alana shook her head, blinking away her tears. "It's not your fault, you were spending your day with Baelon for his name day."

Aegon nodded, but he still held a guilty expression. "I'm here now.." He brought her for a side hug, as he still held Elaena.

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All the children were with Aegon, Alana ran down the many stairs of the Red Keep. Cregan was here for Baelon's name day with his son Rickon, Alana was beyond excited having not seen him in almost five years or so.

She lifted up her skirts of her dress, as the guards opened up the doors to the courtyard where she saw Cregan standing by the carriage as Rickon jumped out of the carriage, his eyes in awe of the Red Keep.

"Brother!" Alana smiled as she saw Cregan turned and immediately noticed her. His usual stern expression turned into a rare smile, the siblings both embraced in a tight hug.

Cregan's embrace felt warm and reassuring, she hadn't realize how much she missed his presence until this moment. Alana pulled back looking at her brother with a smile, his face gained more toughness and scars from the last time she saw him but still looked the same.

"Look at you. Twenty and three, a woman grown." Cregan smiled, ruffling her hair in display of brotherly affection.

"And you? You look like our father. And you are a father now." Alana chuckled, looking down at Rickon who hid behind his leg.

"Yes." Cregan nodded, "My little wolf." He ruffled Rickon's hair. It was clear both siblings were in much better spirits than the last time they saw each other.

Alana smiled down at Rickon, he looked more like Cregan but had some facial features like Arra.. "Hello Rickon.." She crouched down to Rickon's level.

"Your my aunt Alana?" Rickon voice was quiet and timid, but his northern accent was strong just like how Alana's used to be.

"I am." Alana nodded and smiled warmly at him. Rickon nodded, playing with the ends of his sleeve of his small brown tunic.

Alana smiled, before standing up, looking at Cregan. "Come, you should meet your nephew and nieces." Alana nodded at Cregan, glancing at Rickon.

Cregan nodded, taking Rickon's smaller hand in his, and following Alana.

The walk was short but both got caught up in everything that they didn't write in letters to each other, eventually they got to Alana and Aegon's shared chambers, where she heard her children's small but loud voices, she could also hear Aegon.

Ser Coren opened the doors, revealing the sight to them. Aegon held a sleeping Elaena, her tiny body cradled in his arms, as Rhaella and Baelon played close by with their toys.

Aegon looked up at them as the doors opened, Aegon stood up, careful not to wake Elaena in his arms. "Lord Stark.." Aegon nodded, standing infront of him, glancing at Alana who smiled.

Cregan nodded, glancing at the children before looking at Alana. "Apologies...this is Elaena.." Alana gestured to the babe. "And.." Alana began as Rhaella and Baelon slowly made their way over to them. "This is Rhaella and Baelon.."

Cregan smiled at his nephew and nieces.

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The great hall was filled with sounds of laughter, the clinking of silverware on plates, and music. Elaena and Rhaella were both with Lysara blissfully sleeping, Baelon sat on Alana's lap, Aegon sitting beside her, and Cregan on the other side of her alone, as Rickon was asleep in the guest chambers.

Helaena and Aemond sat beside each other, Helaena spoke small riddles to herself as always as Aemond kept his one eye on the crowd. Alicent and Otto sat talking silently to each other, as Viserys coughed in his bloodied cloth, clearly not wanting to be there.

Baelon was falling asleep in Alana's lap, but even the half-asleep boy was having fun.

Alana looked around at everyone, everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. In that moment, she was incredibly in that moment, she had three beautiful children, a husband who loved her and saw her as an equal, her brother and nephew were here, and the Queen was minding her business.

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end of act two, sry if this as rushed. also thank uuuuu so much for 60k reads on this story! means a lot :)