CHAPTER TWENTY—SIX

AEMOND had be rotting away in the dungeons of Dragonstone for what felt like months. It had been a few days since he had arrived and was instantly whisked away before he got to speak to his wife and grieve the loss of his son. Though he knew he deserved it for betraying his wife and marriage. He should have told her and he knew that but the damage was done.

Daemerys breaths in deeply before entering the dungeons. It was cold and damp, water dripped from the cobblestone walls to the stone floor from the gloomy weather. Aemond lifted his head when he heard feet padding towards him, his eye widening when he sees the woman he loves — dark bags were living under her red eyes, her stomach was now flat though her hands rested on her stomach from the force of habit.

"Daemerys", the woman noticed the scratching tone of voice, he hadn't been given anything to drink or eat but she couldn't find it in herself to have sympathy after all she had lost and all that Aemond had taken from her.

The woman stopped outside of his cage, "Aemond", her voice was neutral, not giving away her real emotions but he guessed he was lucky for that because she was raised by Daemon Targaryen and he wasn't ready for her wrath.

Daemerys looked at him coldly, not knowing what to say to him. What could she say? He was the one to betray her and now he was looking at her as though she was his entire world. But you don't hurt people like that.

"How long am I going to be here?", he suddenly asked, looking at her sadly but almost winced when she snapped back at him.

"When I see fit".

He nodded slowly before picking at his dirty nails, he felt disgusting — not just physically, the mud caked in his hair and clothes but inside of him felt as though he was ashamed and he was. "Why did you do it?".

Aemond looked back up at her through the bars and swallowed, "They're my family", Daemerys closed her eyes and nodded. "But I was mistaken".

Daemerys opened her eyes and looked at him in confusion, "How can you mistake family? You knew that we were a family. Me, you and Daemon. But you left us in favour of your mother".

"I know and there is nothing that I can say or do that will ever make up for that other than the fact that I am so sorry", Aemond stood and grabbed the bars, eye pleaded at her.

"I told you that if you were on the wrong side of things, I would choose my family over you", she told him and he nodded in remembrance, "You were part of that family, Aemond. The moment we were wed, we were family and I had to scramble away like a coward because I could no longer trust you!".

Aemond rested his head on the bars and closed his eye, "I never wanted any of this. I thought that if I did was my mother wanted then we would be safe. All I ever wanted was for you to be safe. You and our Daemon".

"I was always safe when I was with you", Daemerys muttered as a tear fell down her cheek.

"No you weren't", he looked back up at her to see the confused look on her face, "The moment you wed me you had a target on your back. The only reason my mother never did anything was because you fell with child. Larys—", he stopped himself and swallowed, "Was the one to send that peasant to your chambers that night".

Daemerys face fell and she stood back, clutching her empty stomach, "Otto was also behind it, my mother had no idea but she found out and told me after you had left. Daemerys, you are never safe when you are with me, only when you are here with your father are you safe. I had to let you go, it was the only way. But I couldn't", he suddenly looked away, voice croaking as though he was about to cry, "You're my wife... and I love you and I was a coward".

The woman let several tears fall before she walked forward and opened the cage — falling into his arms as she cried into his chest. Aemond grabbed onto her as though she was his life line and never wanted to let her go again. "I'm so sorry, please forgive me", he whispered into her hair, a tear falling from his eye.

"I forgive you. I still hate you though". Aemond smiled, he could live with that.

__________

Lucerys ventured to Daemerys chambers, his feet padding quickly across the stone floor as he ran. He gently knocked on her door, it opening a few moments after.

Daemerys shoved Aemond to the side before opening the door, "Lucerys?".

"Ot-to High-", he wheezed from running, "tower was just here. Mother needs you".

Daemerys' eyes held anger at the audacity of the Greens, they were desperate. She quickly thanked her brother before silently grabbing Aemond and pulled him along — ignoring Lucerys shocked face to the guest walking with them.

"Mother", she called as they entered the throne room. Her mother had her back to her but turned in her seat to look behind her, her smile quickly faded at Aemond by her daughters side.

"Daemerys", she scolded but Daemerys only dragged her husband along, the man stumbling down the steps.

"I know, mother but he's learned his lesson", she looked at her husband who rubbed his neck bashfully, "Believe me".

Rhaenyra contemplated what she was seeing in front of her before nodding, trusting her daughter, "Hurt her again and I'll send your head to your brother", she mumbled before turning back in her seat.

"The lord of the Tides. Lord Corlys Velaryon", Daemerys spun around with wide eyes and parted lips, "and his wife, the princess Rhaenys Targaryen".

Lord Corlys' walking stick clicked with every step he took descending the stairs, he glanced up to meet the eyes of Daemerys Targaryen, a smile tugging at his lips. "Little girl".

Daemerys narrowed her eyes, "Old man", the man laughed and limped towards her, crushing her into a bear hug making her laugh. "I have missed you".

He let her go and rubbed her cheek, "I have missed you more, little girl", Corlys chuckled when she pouted and rolled her eyes.

"My lords", he turned to the rest of the people in the room. Daemerys grabbed Aemond and pulled him to the side so they could observe.

"I wish you would stop pulling me", he mumbled.

"Do shut up", she glared at him and he nodded once before looking to the crowd, they were soon joined with Alys and Criston standing next to Daemerys. Though the woman had virtually forgiven Aemond it didn't mean that she would forget or things would go back to the way they were. But Daemerys wouldn't give up on her marriage so quickly.

"Lord Corlys", her mothers voice echoed across the room, "It brings much relief to see you hale and healthy again". Rhaenyra stood from her seat and folded her hands over in front of her.

Lord Corlys nodded once, "I'm very sorry about your father, Princess. He was a good man". The man looked to Daemerys behind him and she tightly smiled at him but he furrowed his brows when he notices her hands laying on her flat stomach and turned to his wife who had noticed his look and shook her head.

The man had been somewhat a second-father figure to her, himself and Daemon teaching her everything she knew. Corlys had suggested taken her to battle and Daemon had been against it, she was just a girl and didn't want his daughter being killed but the Lord promised it wasn't a vicious battle — it could be easily won, and it was.

Lord Corlys turned to the war table, his stick clicking with his every movement , "Where's Daemon?".

"There were other... matters that my father had to tend to", Daemerys told the man and he nodded with a hum, an amused look on his face. He beaconed the young woman over and she glanced to Alys to watch Aemond to which she nodded before moving over to Corlys.

The pair moved across the room, members of the court moving aside so the Lord could look upon the allies on the table. "Your declared allies?", he asked Daemerys as she walked aside him.

The woman looked to her mother who nodded and began speaking, "Yes".

"Too few to win a war for the throne".

Daemerys looked to Corlys to her husband on the other side of the room, a motion that didn't go past Corlys. Aemond nodded curtly, letting his wife know he was on her side which made her shoulders sag in relief, "We would also hope to have support of House Arryn, Baratheon and Stark".

Corlys tutted making her stop, knowing she was about to get scolded, "Have I taught you so little? Hope...".

"Is the fool's ally", Daemerys recited with a knowing smile. "My...", she stopped and cleared her throat, "husband and myself have shortly arrived with the news from the Greens, we haven't had much time to prepare other than myself bonding with a Dragon". Corlys snapped his head to her and gaped as did she hear many gasps flood through the room, "I have bonded with Cannibal and he resides on the beach as of late".

As if on que, the dragon roared loudly making everyone turn, "I must say.. I am proud", Corlys clasped a hand on her shoulder to which she smiled gratefully.

"Both Arryn and Baratheon share blood with my house", Rhaenyra spoke, "But all of them swore oaths to me".

"As did House Hightower... if I remember".

"As did you, Lord Corlys", Daemerys closed her eyes and licked her dry lips, moving to stand beside the man instead of in front of him so he could look at the Queen more clearly. Silence filled the room as he stared at her, the clogs in his brain turning as he thought. He turned suddenly to face his grandchildren standing together at the end of the table before turning to Daemerys by his side — who was already looking at him with a hopeful gaze.

"Your father's realm... was one of justice and honour. Our houses are bound by common blood and common cause. This Hightower treason cannot stand", he shook his head as his voice rose, speaking to everyone residing in the room, "You have the full support of our fleet and house. Your Grace", he bowed his head and Daemerys smiled at her mothers subtle shocked expression.

"You honour me, Lord Corlys", she spoke lightly and turned when Corlys looked at his wife who was smiling lightly, "Princess Rhaenys", she then turned back, "But, as I said to my bannermen, I made a promise to my father to hold the realm strong and united. If war's first stroke is to fall, it will not be by my hand".

Corlys rose his eyebrows at that, sharing a glance with a nervous Daemerys who didn't agree with her mother. She wanted to fight, she wanted to get on her dragon and burn King Landing to the ground but she trusted her mother and let her hatred and anger subside for the moment in time, "You do not mean to act?".

Rhaenyra defended, "Taking caution does not mean standing fast. I wish to know who my allies are... before I send them to war".

The Lord was silent as he travelled to the part of the man closest to the Queen, Daemerys walking beside him, "The consequence of my... near-demise in the Stepstones... is that we now control them", Daemerys' eyes widened in disbelief as did her mothers, "I took care to fully garrison the territory this time. A total blockade of the shipping lanes will be in place in days, if not already. The Triarchy have been routed. The Narrow Sea is ours. If we further seal the Gullet, we can cut off all seaborne travel and trade to King's landing".

"Starve them out", Daemerys chuckled in agreement.

Rhaenys stepped forward, "I shall take Meleys and patrol the Gullet myself", Rhaenyra looked at her admirably and she smiled in return.

"When we drain the Narrow Sea, we shall surround King's landing and demand our own terms if denied, we lay siege to the Red Keep, and force the Green cunts to surrender", Daemerys bitterly spoke to her mother, eyes pleading.

"If we are to have enough swords to surround King's Landing, we must first secure the support of Winterfell, the Eyrie, and Storm's End".

"I'll prepare the ravens, Your Grace".

Rhaenyra went to nod but stopped when her son spoke up, "We should bear those messages", everyone turned to Jacaerys — his hands pressed against the table as he spoke.

Daemerys shook her head immediately, "No".

Jace turned to her with a defiant look that she matched, "Sister, dragons can fly faster than ravens and they're more convincing", when his sister said nothing he turned to his mother, "Send us".

Daemerys kissed her teeth, "The Prince is right, Your Grace", Corlys spoke and she wished more now than ever that the voices would speak to her but since her dear friend, Alys had resurrected her. She felt like something bad was yet to happen but she couldn't tell what.

Rhaenyra looked at them in contemplation, "Very well. Prince Jacaerys will fly north. First to the Eyrie to see my mother's cousin, the Lady Jeyne Arryn, and then to Winterfell to treat with Lord Cregan Stark for the support of the North. Prince Lucerys will fly south to Storm's End and treat with Lord Borros Baratheon. We must remind these Lords of the oaths they swore. And... the cost of breaking them", she spoke like a true Queen making Corlys nod.

But Daemerys couldn't help but feel that something wasn't right and when she looked at her husband from across the room, the look on her face made him feel the same way.

__________

"I never truly thanked you for what you did for me", Daemerys spoke as Alys joined her outside, the pair looking at the sea in front of them. Alys tipped her head back slightly, enjoying the wind cascading over her face.

"You never have to thank me for a single thing, Daemerys. You are my friend", the girls smiled at each other and grasped the other hands before a body joined them.

"She was my friend first", Criston mumbled and stood beside Daemerys, the woman laughing whilst the witch rolled her eyes.

"Whatever you say, my love", she whispered in his ear before leaving the two, Criston standing shocked with red cheeks whilst the princess tried to hide her laugh. Daemerys knew of the secret relationship the pair had been having, nothing could get past her.

"Where's the young Prince Aemond?", the man asked once he had collected himself and the woman stopped laughing. Criston could tell she was still hurt and even though he had known Aemond his entire life, he would always side with Daemerys.

Daemerys licked her dry lips and looked to her dragon laying on the beach, his eyes were open looking at her, protecting her, "He's in my chambers trying to get the dirt out of his luscious hair. His words not mine".

Criston smiled lightly before pulling her gently to his side, "He did wrong by you, he knows that and there is no doubt that he is grieving the loss of his child just the same as you are-".

"I am fine", she tried to dismiss, swallowing hard.

"You lost a child, Daemerys, nobody expects you to be well. And despite how stubborn your husband is... he's hurting too. So hurt together". Criston gave her a light kiss on the head before retreating back inside Dragonstone.

Rhaenyra appeared beside her after a few moments and looked out to the sea, "I remember when Daemon first brought you to the Keep", Daemerys turned to her, "I was still a young girl finding my way but the moment I saw you with him, the smile on his face, I knew our family had hope".

"The only thing I remember is Laena", Rhaenyra nodded sadly at her daughters words.

"Laena went through the same as you, Daemon doesn't like to talk about it but I know it still haunts him but you... our sweet little girl", she turned to face her daughter with a smile, "You saved him, you saved all of us. Luke and Jace admire you so much as well as Rhaena and Baela. They are so young and you protect them over everything and for that I will also be in your debt".

"I can't protect them anymore", Daemerys looked from her mother to the sea as a tear slipped from her eye. "I can't hear them anymore... the voices. I always thought they meant something that I had a purpose for but since Alys brought me back all I have been met with is silence. I never wanted to hear voices more in my life than right now. During all of this".

Rhaenyra nodded in understanding though she knew she would never truly understand, "Alys told me something... she said you were a Greenseer".

"What".

"You have the sight. You can see and hear things that come from the future but she also told us that bringing you back would mean a price would have to be paid. I suppose it's been paid by taking that away", Rhaenyra grasped her hands gently, "You do not need them to take care of us, we are going to be just fine. Just you being here with us is enough".

Daemerys walked into her chest, wrapping her arms around her waist as she smiled, "Thank you, mother". Rhaenyra held her daughter close for a few moments before a pair of feet travelled closer to them. Luke and Jace came over the bridge and hugged the two women, the pair laughing as they held each other.

Once they let go, Daemerys kissed the boys' cheeks, "I'll see you when you get back", the boys nodded but before she could leave Lucerys grabbed her wrist making her frown.

"I want you to have this", he opened her hand and placed a wooden toy soldier in the palm of her hand, the same one she had made him for his tenth name day — his special birthday as she had told him.

"This is yours", she grasped it in her hand and his brown eyes looked up at her innocently yet like he was troubled.

"You can give it back to me when I come home", he told her and kissed her hand before walking away to his mother before their departure — a sickening feeling rested in her gut but she swallowed it and took the toy soldier with her back into Dragonstone.

__________

It had grown dark, the boys having left a few hours ago and Daemerys sat in a wooden chair, brushing her husbands now clean hair, humming to herself. Her father had come back from claiming Vermithor, another dragon they had on their side.

"I'm jealous of your hair", she lightly spoke to Aemond who turned his head to chuckle at her, placing a kiss to her dress covered thigh.

"You're the most beautiful thing, the Gods have graced me with", Daemerys smiled and turned his head up so she could place a kiss on his plump lips, a feeling she had missed. He kissed her back lightly, testing the waters until she smiled into the kiss — Aemond doing the same.

Their moment was interrupted with a knock on the chamber door, a groan fell from both their lips making them part. Aemond got up from the floor and tied his hair up out of his face and ventured to the door. Daemon was on the other side with a frown rested on his face making Daemerys crease her eyebrows.

"Father?".

Daemon swallowed before holding his hand out, Aemond watched from the side as his wife hesitantly took it and they both left to the throne room — her husband not far behind with a look of confusion.

Silence filled her ears as her father walked through the throne room, the light of the fire glistened over everyone in the room. Rhaenyra stood by the fire talking to the Lord around the table but stopped when Daemon took her hand and pulled her and Daemerys to the side.

The words that left his lips that neither ever thought that they'd hear. The silence that filled the room, Daemerys knew was only her ears giving out from the pain that suddenly stabbed through her heart. Her mother's face fell as she walked towards the fire — her stumbling figure causing everyone to turn the Queen clutching her stomach.

But they weren't just looking at the Queen, they were looking at her. Aemond stood beside her, she glanced at him — he was speaking to her with a worrisome gaze but she could hear nothing but a ringing in her ears. Daemon tried grabbing onto his wife whilst also looking at his daughter.

The room shook as did her figure as she collapsed to the floor, Cannibal roared loudly through the night sky — her grievance making him whine. Aemond fell to his knees before her, Daemerys screams echoing off the walls as every Lord looked at her with wide eyes.

Lucerys Velaryon was dead and Daemerys Targaryen let the last piece of her sanity die along with him.