𝓔𝓵𝓪𝓮𝓷𝓪 𝓥𝓮𝓵𝓪𝓻𝔂𝓸𝓷
Wandering the halls I'm unable to keep still worrying myself to death about what this afternoon might bring. Murmurs filled the corridors of the Prince's entry in the tourney and they were all beginning to understand why.

By now the entire castle had found out Aemond had slain a Stark bannerman in protection of the princess the following evening and if anyone with eyes paid attention at dinner they would've noticed Aemond and Cregan's tense exchange in the middle of the dance floor.

Avoiding the hall Aemond found me in, I can sense everyone turn to stare and whisper when I turn a corner. They speculated about our affair, but that was all they could manage, speculation. But it would all be confirmed when Aemond and I finally wed, starting a family of our own. The word of any Stark betrothal will be a forgotten thing of the past.

Arriving at breakfast I'm barely noticed at first with all the commotion surrounding the table. 

My third youngest brother Joffery struggles to reach the fruit but Luke notices, bending to help him while Jace practices his High Valyrian with Baela who finds great joy in correcting him.

"Elaena, how did you sleep?" My mother approaches me with a genuine smile and I can't help but notice the weight that's been lifted now that her and Alicent were on better terms. I could only hope it remained this way.

My father smirks from behind her taking a sip from his cup.

"Well, mother thank you."

Quite well after riding Aemond like the dragon he was all night long.

"Did you hear? Aemond's joined the tourney." Jace calls out eager to see my reaction but I remain stoic.

"Has he? I've never seen him show any interest in tourneys." My mother turns, motioning me to sit but I'm too busy staring at my father whose knowing eyes see right through me and I realize he knows about Aemond spending the night with me but still, he keeps his mouth shut.

"Perhaps he has something worth fighting for," Daemon grins only confusing my mother more but I decide enough is enough.

"He's entered to fight... for me." I admit, even Jofferey seems to understand the tension in the room.

"He plans on fighting Cregan for your hand?!" Jace stands pushing his chair back, his bond with Cregan already far stronger than mine.

Nodding I hadn't imagined his reaction would be the most explosive. As he comes towards me Baela goes after him grabbing his arm, "Jace, stop."

"Have you already forgotten the other night at dinner where he called us bastards? Or maybe years ago when he tried to smash my head in with a rock?!" He continues on and I know he's been holding this in but so have I.

"You ganged up on him, he was defending himself! Luke took his eye, I'd say you're even!" I meet him halfway ready to defend Aemond more fiercely than ever before. Maybe if I'd been this strong when we were children he would've never lost his eye in the first place.

"He should consider himself lucky for not receiving the same punishment as Ser Vaemond." Jace mutters and I rush my younger brother. Though he stands a few inches taller than me he still cowers back in fear of what his older sister was capable of and I was eager to show him stepping only a inch away from his face.

"And who would swing that sword, Jacaerys? You? I think it's time you both realized neither one of you is right or wrong because Aemond will win today whether you like it or not." Turning to take my dramatic exit my Mother follows me not letting me get far.

"Elaena!" She calls after me, resting a hand on her pregnant belly. Guilt washes over me, I hadn't meant to cause so much stress for my expecting mother.

"How long?" She asks, getting straight to the point when she catches me.

Looking to the ground for my answers I think about it.

How long had I loved him? All my life.

"The day we arrived in Kings Landing." I reply, deciding on complete honesty. She nods in understanding  when she finally puts the pieces together.

My mother had been spending most of her time at the capital looking after my grandfather, Viserys who had been withering away before our very eyes. It hadn't even occurred to her that her daughter would be falling in love with her Uncle just as she had.

Targaryens and our queer customs.

"I saw it. At dinner and last night when he held you I saw it but it didn't occur to me you would do something so... unlike you." My mother smiles down at me and for a moment I'm a child again being picked up off the ground after a hard fall.

Squeezing my hand she takes me down the hallway, looping our arms together.

"When I was your age I took orders from no one, even the King himself. I turned down every suitor sent my way. I couldn't be bothered with the duty of marrying some lord and producing his heirs." Taking a few steps in silence she smiles to herself, looking down at her swollen belly and then to me.

"But you, my daughter, you've taken everything thrown at you with great stride and grace. You've done everything asked of you without complaint. And despite how your brothers may feel about him, I believe Aemond would be a good match."

Not only does she shower me with compliments but she just said the very thing I'd dreamt about hearing.

"I know it hasn't been made official yet, but you are my heir Elaena." Placing her hands on my shoulders my mother looks me over proudly. Biting at the inside of her cheek her eyes that reflect mine are peering into my very soul.

"It is you I trust to keep this family safe, to keep the seven kingdoms united and if it is him you choose to be by your side you must be sure."

Nodding my head yes I feel as if I'm exchanging my vows now in front of the gods themselves. I didn't have any doubts, Aemond was whom I wanted as my King, my husband, the father of my children. I was confident he would even protect my brothers though he'd probably complain about it.

"However, the Crown must keep their promise to the North. If it's true, that Aemond fights for your hand than you can only hope he comes out victorious." She sighs, looking to me with sadness when she sees my face fall in disappointment.

Crashing violently to the ground my high flying is cut short and I'm reminded of the duties that being an heir brings. Frowning, my mother wants to say something else but she doesn't, stopping herself before looking up at whoever approached us.

Ser Erryk nods in greeting and I almost choke on my own tongue when it occurs to me he'd probably heard Aemond and I last night.

"My lady, I apologize for interrupting but there's urgent word from the Stepstones."

My mothers eyebrows knit together in confusion and I realize it.

Lord Corlys.

Masking her concern my mother turns to me with a half smile that doesn't reach her eyes. Tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear she squeezes my shoulder.

"The tourney will be starting soon. Best you find your brothers and get to the field, hm?"

Agreeing with her I watch her walk off with Ser Erryk knowing full well I intended on escorting myself and ignoring Jace for the remainder of the afternoon.

Fiddling with my black sapphire my mind drifts back to Aemond and whatever he might've been feeling right now. He could pretend he held no fear but I knew him better than he realized. He was scared of losing me so much in fact it kept him up at night.

Following my mother's orders partly I make my way to the field with my favour in tow. Just after Aemond left this morning I got to work on something to wish him good luck as if he needed it.

I'd sewn the torn sleeve of my dress into a handkerchief with our initials stitched in red thread. It was a silly gift, something small compared to the necklace he'd gifted me but it was a token, something special that I could give him that would remind him of our promises to one another.

The stands were quickly filling, the noise from the following evening paling in comparison to the excitement of the raging crowd. Weaving through the waves of people I find relief in the royal suites.

Neither the Queen or the Hand were present along with my parents or Princess Rhaenys whom I assumed were still dealing with the news from the Stepstones and whatever it was, it couldn't have been good.

Aemond's older brother Aegon sat with his wife and sister Helaena, their children tucked away at the castle along with my youngest siblings, Viserys ll and Aegon lll.

Jace looks up meeting my eyes but instantly looks away saying something to Baela, still harboring anger just as I was.

Taking my seat next to Luke and Rhaena we exchange tight lipped smiles still fresh from the tension of breakfast.

"The fighting at the Stepstones... they thought it was over but reinforces arrived offshore." Luke stares straight on at the training knights keeping his fearful voice low. Rhaena hangs her head at the mention of our grandsire.

Taking Luke's hand in mine he looks to me, surprised.

"I promised everything would be alright, it will."

Even if I have to make it right myself.

We had dragons and lots of them but there were none sent to the Stepstones for battle, why? Thousands of lives could be saved in one was brave enough to fly straight into the lion's den.

Where we dragons as we claimed, or were we just like everyone else?

Stumbling down the steps we're interrupted by Aegon who seems preoccupied with the servant girls and thankfully Helaena is too distracted to notice him.

"Couldn't you at least pretend to be honorable, Uncle?" Unable to help myself I poke fun at the drunk and that puts a smile to Lucerys' face.

Ready for my quick mouth he looks over his shoulder with disgust, "What curse have you put on my brother to have him fighting in these silly games, hm? Something with that pretty cunt I wonder-"

"Watch your wagging tongue, Aegon or Aemond will cut it out himself." Jace defends me from the other end of row, still loyal to his older sister despite being at our throats earlier this morning. He was even right about one thing, Aemond would cut out his tongue of he heard him speak to me that way.

On que a man comes center, commanding the attention of the masses. Eventually when the crowd is silenced the gentleman announces the contestants in the tournament.

One after one the lords and knights of the realm are introduced and those who request favours choose their respectable ladies from the crowd. Even a young Baratheon boy makes a bold mood of asking for Baela's favor earning a glare from my already irritable brother.

I begin to get worried until the lost members of our families fill in pretending there wasn't war brewing on the other side of the world. Feeling my father's eyes burning into the back of my head I keep forward, growing more anxious by the moment to see Aemond.

Saving the Warden of the North and the Prince for last I can't imagine the tension the flared between them wherever they waited. A part of me even wondered if they'd already tried to kill one another.

"Ladies and gentleman our next contestant has traveled far and wide for the hand of the young princess, Elaena Velaryon. Warden of the North, son of Rickon Stark and Lord of Winterfell Cregan Stark!" Applause sounds around me and regretfully I join.

The Lord of Winterfell was almost completely masked by his helmet covering his dark brown hair and inquiring eyes when he enters on a white horse. Circling once around the arena the pit in my stomach grows when he approaches us, tilting up his helmet to look at me properly.

Standing to meet him I straighten out my dress, unable to help myself from glancing around nervously in search of my true knight.

Leaning over the railing I notice he's wearing a knowing smirk unsettling me.

"You come to ask for your favour, Lord Stark?" I quip but he shakes his head.

"Not today, Princess. I'm afraid this tourney will decide whether I deserve your favour or not." Winking at me he brings his helmet back down over his eyes and I'm left stunned but relieved that I'd been spared the awkwardness of rejection.

Cregan joins the others leaving only Aemond to be introduced.

"Last but certainly not least, our final contestant is the King's second born son, Prince of Kings Landing, Aemond Targaryen!" This time the crowd roars for their Prince, standing and cheering as he makes his entrance on his black steed.

Aemond's armor is unlike any of the others who stood to challenge him. His straight long blonde hair bore a striking contrast laying against the black iron suit molded intentionally for his cut body, extenuating his broad shoulders as he rode with confidence and grace.

The etchings and intricate workings of our house sigil weaved and wrapped around his chest piece matching with the dragon helmet that was almost as fearsome as the handsome man that wore it. 

The hundreds of people seem to disappear when he rounds the corner, his hardened stare softening when he finds me smiling at him already standing to greet my Prince.

All eyes are on us as he approaches me and it's almost like it's the first time I've ever seen him.

Pushing down his face guard he licks his lips and I've never been so attracted to him in my life and he notices, a familiar desire clouding his purple eye grinning back at me.

"I made this for you... for good luck." I do my best to keep our conversation private but there's no use with this kind of audience.

Pulling the handkerchief free from the chest of my dress Aemond raises an eyebrow, his gaze struggling not to stare.

Leaning over the railing I give him a better view reaching down to hand him his favour and I swear I hear his dark chuckle.

"Turn it over," I tell him, almost giddy. Doing as I say he finally sees our initials stitched into the black fabric, familiarity washing over him when he realizes it's from my torn dress.

Looking up to me his devotion is written all over his face, unable or unwilling to hide it from me.

"I l-," biting his lip he curses under his breath, almost professing his love in front of all these people, and I wished he had so I could say it back.

"Kirimvose, ñuha vāedar. Nyke'll treasure ziry, hae gaoman ao."
*Thank you, my song. I'll treasure it, as I do you

A wild blush consumes me hearing his deep voice speak to me in High Valyrian, his message meant only for me.

The things I wanted this man to do to me...

Tucking the handkerchief into his chest armor he put it's directly over his heart leaving the corner with our initials hanging out on display so only his opponents would see, namely Cregan.

Turning to return to my seat I can feel every pair of eyes on me. Staring straight back at them my dragon rears her confident head, reminding myself it's me who's to be Queen one day.

Besides the other contestants Aemond looked terrifying, the younger knights and squires even staring up at him in fear stroking his already large ego. Aemond wanted to be feared, he relished in the power he held however quiet and observant he tended to be.

Now was his moment to shine. He was a warrior in both arms and knowledge itching to prove to everyone he was more than the jagged scar he wore. Aemond was meant to be a King to rule besides me and nothing could stop it now. 

The games were about to begin.

***