𝓔𝓵𝓪𝓮𝓷𝓪 𝓣𝓪𝓻𝓰𝓪𝓻𝔂𝓮𝓷
A week had passed since Aemond received word from Kings Landing and we were finally leaving for the capital.

Deciding to wait to tell anyone about our pregnancy until our return I knew much like Aemond, my mother and father wouldn't want me going in the first place.

As soon as the sun rose this morning Aemond was out of bed keeping himself busy with the preparations of our journey but I'd known there was something else bothering him.

Unable to sleep through the night he tried not to wake me but I was restless myself, an impending darkness on the horizon that not only I seemed to sense.

The emptiness that I'd felt when he'd shut me out was a pain I'd hoped I wouldn't have to endure again. I chose to trust my husband and if we were to be alone in Kings Landing that would be all that we had.

Eachother.

Folding the last bit of clothes a knock comes to the door.

Quick to open it the wind gets knocked out of me when I see it's my mother. It'd felt like ages since we'd last spoke privately on the day of the tournament and I was wondering if she at all changed her thoughts about me being her heir after my "stunt" at the Stepstones.

"Mother," I greet her with a weary half smile opening the door wider so she can come in.

Reaching out to squeeze my arm affectionately as she passes she looks around our near empty chambers.

"I'd always imagined you and your husband would stay with us on Dragonstone. I cannot say, however that I'd pictured it being Aemond." Offering me a small smile her light hearted laugh eases the tension that's lingered between us.

"I'd have to disagree," I giggle.

I'd always dreamed of the life I was currently leading. Aemond by my side challenging me every step of the way inspiring growth in one another as we built a family.

I wanted desperately to tell my Mother of the child that grew inside of me but it was still too soon and we'd wanted the timing of this to be perfect.

"Although I had hoped he would've done well to steer you from going to the Stepstones." Rhaenyra sighs taking a seat on the edge of the bed where Aemond had so eagerly worshipped my body all morning long and the memory brings a blush across my face.

Shaking it off, I blink at her.

"He did. He even stuck up for you and Father after the small council meeting. Aemond never wanted me to go to the Stepstones."

If the both of them opened their eyes they'd see they weren't so different in the fact that they both cared about and loved me deeply. I counted myself as one of the luckiest people alive.

"That's comforting to know. Your father was quite impressed of his show in front of the small council. He would never say it aloud but I know he sees the both of us in you."

Taking my seat besides her, my mother tucks a loose strand of my blonde hair behind my ear, and for a precious moment I'm a little girl again tucked away in her arms as she reads a book to me in front of the fireplace.

"He'd protect me and our family just as fiercely."

Nodding with a smile she squeezes my shoulder.

"I'm sorry, Mother. I should've never gone against your word, it was treasonous..." Hanging my head in guilt, I tilt up my head to look at her in the eyes that reflect my own.

"What you did was not wrong, my daughter, it was how. One of the very first lessons I'll teach you of ruling , Elaena, is that there is always a choice but you will never escape the consequences of those choices. We have a duty to keep the realm safe, not all has to end in death and fire."

"But Lord Corlys lives, the fleet was saved because of my choice-"

"You're right, but perhaps they would've lived still had you not. But now we'll never know and Alicent will never forgive what you've done and how Aemond chased after you into the flames, into danger."

"We were brave, we were dragonriders something she'll never understand." I scoff and it brings a small prideful smile on her face.

"Perhaps not, but nonetheless she has claws."

Taking my hand in hers she interlocks our fingers, brushing her thumb across my skin.

"So, my daughter I beg you, when entering the dragon's mouth trust no one. They know apart we're weaker and though Aemond will protect you fiercely he is only one man and there's no telling what little birds the Queen has listening around every corner." Nibbling at her lip she looks me over again in concern, her heartbreak of my leaving shining in her heavy gaze.

"I'm proud of you Elaena. So very proud of you leading an army, of saving all of those people. I'll miss you, my love. We all will."

Footsteps approach the open door and a light knock on the frame turns both of our heads.

My handsome husband had refrained from shaving the past few days leaving a trail of blonde stubbled hairs outlining his sharp jaw and my addiction to it was becoming unhealthy.

"Apologies for interrupting, my ladys, but we need to get going if we're to get there by sunset." Shoving his hands in his pockets he leans against the door frame. When his gaze meets mine, his lips curve upwards in a sexy grin.

Giving me a tight hug goodbye, my mother presses a kiss to my temple.

"Don't stay too long. Your brothers will tear one another apart without you."

Nodding to Aemond she goes to whisper something to him on her way out the door and he looks to me over her shoulder than back to my mother.

Though I can't hear what she says I can assume it's a warning to keep me safe but Aemond takes it in stride, always his intention to keep me safe.

"I'll write you as soon as we arrive and as much as I can after that, I swear it." I promise, going to her.

"I know sweet girl, we'll see one another soon." Bringing me in for another hug goodbye I'm wiping away the tears that freely fell down my cheek as she walks away from us down the hallway.

Taking a step closer to me Aemond's hands slip around my waist, his lips pressing a kiss atop my head.

"Are you sure we can't just fly away to the ends of the world instead?" I ask with a chuckle, turning to find comfort in his arms.

Wrapping me in his warm embrace his deep hum of appreciation vibrates through my back into my heart.

"You have no idea just how tempting that sounds, my song."

Something dark rumbles in his chest and it reminds me of before, but I can't pinpoint what it was that was so unsettling.

I expected he'd be excited to see his family and go home but he'd been dreading it and because of that, I'd felt the same.

***

Reaching Kings Landing just after the sunset across the sea we were granted a secret arrival with the blanket of nightfall.

Helping me down off of Seasmoke Aemond looks me over for himself, taking my hand to lead me through the dragon pit.

"This place holds so many of our memories," I breathe.

His shoulders relax turning to look at me and his gaze softens when our violet eyes connect.

Stopping just before Vhagar and Seasmoke he brings me in front of him, recreating the very night our souls were bonded together as one.

Wrapping my arms around his neck the expression he wears holds an intensity I haven't seen from him in all of our peaceful bliss.

A pit grows in my stomach and a frown begins to form on my lips but he brings his mouth to mine sweeping his tongue over my bottom lip, asking for permission to take complete possession of me.

"There's perfectly good beds in the castle, big brother."

The unfamiliar deep voice sends us both apart in shock but Aemond reaches out to me, bringing me behind him until he realizes who the figure was in the darkness.

"Daeron? The hell are you doing down here?" Aemond asks, his voice a low growl, irritated to have been interrupted.

"I had a feeling you'd make a late arrival. Aegon didn't think you'd come... and you brought the girl."

Daeron stalked closer and his innocence from our childhood was long gone.

"Elaena, or have you forgotten so easily, Uncle?" I correct him, coming out from behind the unrelenting wall of muscle that was my husband.

Almost as tall as Aemond, Daeron's blonde hair is shorter but not at short as Aegon's stopping just at his shoulders.

"Quite the opposite, niece. I hadn't only come to see father but I'd come to see if it was in fact true,"

Looking between us with a smirk he continues, "and it seems Mother was right. You've attached yourself to the very thing you despise."

Aemond's grip on me tightens, his sharp jaw clenched as soon as his brother's venom leaves his mouth.

"With time comes sense and change brother. And if you've learned anything you'd know to keep your mouth shut regarding my wife." Aemond warns, his deep voice deadly and it thrilled me to hear him so protective.

"Hmph. I'll try my hardest but you know with time I may change my mind." Daeron's smirk wasn't anything like the handsome one Aemond wore.

His instead held a promise of danger to come and instead of cowering away I narrow my fierce eyes back at the boy playing man in front of us.

"Was there something in the water at Oldtown that's turned you into such a creeten?" I shoot back grabbing Aemond's hand to walk past him.

"Quite the mouth on her, I suppose I can see how she seduced you. I can only imagine what her tongue's capable-"

Before Daeron can finish his sentence Aemond's a blur digging his dagger to his brothers throat and even in the dim lit caves I can see Daeron's face turn red, struggling to breath but unwilling to show weakness to his big brother.

"Perhaps you didn't hear me the first time." Digging his blade into Daeron's skin just below his jaw line a trickle of blood runs down his neck.

Deep within the caves Tessarion calls out for her master, but too restrained to help.

"I'm only joking. Besides, it was only a compliment." He grins and I worry if he says another word there would be a brawl between brothers and I couldn't let that happen, not so soon anyway.

"Aemond!" I shout after him but he ignores me, turning Daeron's face with the flat side of the blade so he can't see me.

"Look at me. Don't even look at her, do you understand?"

His voice sounds unlike him goosebumps of the fearful kind crawl up my spine.

"You wouldn't hurt your dear, baby brother would you?" Daeron grins up at Aemond enjoying every moment of torment but I've had enough.

"My love, please." I beg and for a moment I wonder if he'll ignore me again but he doesn't, his wide shoulders falling in defeat.

Twirling the blade between his fingers he sheaths his weapon, taking a few backwards steps towards me.

"I'll tell Mother you've arrived," Daeron calls out to us but this time I keep my mouth shut, Aemond's temper flaring in ways even I struggled to contain.

I go to take his hand but he yanks it away from me and the sting is unlike anything he's ever made me feel.

Quickening his pace as to not walk side by side I almost cry out for him, my hand coming up to reach out but I bring it back into my chest.

Walking the remainder of our familiar path to Aemond's chambers in silence the air between us grows thick and I can only imagine what the rest of this trip had in store for us.

Closing the door behind us he's quick to light a few candles, leaving most of the room in darkness.

We both disrobe without a word, Aemond is almost bare, his trousers sinking just below the defined v shape that grew deeper with each day he trained.

I watch the muscles in his back stretch as he unlocks the balcony doors and the night breeze fills the stuffy air breathing new life into the room and my nipples pebble against the thing fabric of my nightgown.

Stepping out onto the balcony Aemond bends to lean over the railing hanging his head, deep in thought.

Taking timid steps up to him I rest my cheek against his back, wrapping my arms around him from behind.

At first he holds his breath, tensing beneath me until I place a soft kiss against his flushed bare skin.

"I'm sorry, my love. This place... it just puts me on edge."

"You and I both. But we've only just arrived Aemond. It'll only get worse."

"I know... I know." He sighs, his voice almost breaking as he turns to bring me into his warm chest.

The dull pounding of his heartbeat relaxed me and I could swear my heart beat aligned with his. What made it break, what made it beat, our hearts were one in the same at least in this moment when the ones who threatened us were forced back into the shadows.

Caressing the back of my head he runs his fingers through my hair carefully as not to tangle my long strands and I lean into his hands, every loving touch his apology for treating me harshly earlier.

"It drives me mad when anyone talks about you like that. They have no idea what you are to me, what you've done for me." His graveled voice brings me from my sleepy haze.

Resting my chin on his chest I peer up at him, reaching up for his eyepatch still resting over his scar.

Carefully unlatching it Aemond watches me, biting at his lip as I take my time with him tracing the dull scar that went down his face.

"After Driftmark I wanted to write you, visit you even. But I'd known you hated me for what I said that night and I wouldn't survive your rejection."

"The line is very thin between love and hatred. I loved you and I hated you because none of those suitors who vied for my attentions were you." I confess and I know the jealous look in his eye when he begins to imagine those many suitors, though he doesn't say a thing.

"Did you have any? Suitors?" I ask half heartedly already sensing his unease at the question.

"One or two." He clears his throat, and just like that our hearts beat off course and he's pulling away from me.

"Did you... love them?" I ask timidly and he snaps his neck to look at me his eyebrows crossed surprised by my question.

"What? No. Of course not, Elaena." Shaking his head he tips my chin up so our eyes are connected and guilt seeps through him but I know there's more he's not telling me.

"It's always been you. It's your face I saw, your smile when I looked at anyone else." His words warm my heart but I ask the very question I told myself I'd never ask.

"But I wasn't your... first." I whisper, my mouth going dry when I feel him go still beneath me.

Struggling to look at me at first he takes a deep breath, shaking his head. 

A million different women's faces run through my mind and I wonder if they were prettier, even better at pleasing him than me.

Watching me for my reaction his face falls when he notices the unshed tears in my eyes. 

I was pathetic how did I expect him to stay loyal to a relationship that hadn't yet existed? Just because I had a crush on him my entire life? 

"It was never like that, Elaena, hey, look at me." 

Avoiding his gaze out of embarrassment he tilts his head lower to come to me instead. 

"You are the only woman I've ever made love to, I swear it. I may have fallen victim to my loneliness a few times in search of release but that's all it ever was." Aemond tries reassuring me but the bubbling pits of my stomach were burning up my throat and I'm ripping away from him, running for the washroom. 

Heaving up what little I'd eaten today into a bucket my body spasms with each cough.

Keeping my eyes closed struggling for air, a pair of cold hands brings my hair away from my face.

"You're okay, I've got you," Aemond murmurs into my ear and I sink into him unable to deny myself the comfort.

Just as I'm relaxing another wave hits me and I'm holding my stomach in fear I could be hurting our baby. 

For a few minutes we sit in silence, neither one of us eager to finish the conversation from moments ago and all energy was void from my body.

Brushing his fingers up and down my back I almost fall into a peaceful sleep.

"Let's get you to bed, my song. You need your rest," He says more for himself as he stands up bringing me with him tucked safely in his arms. 

Clinging to him I hardly move when we meet the mattress wrapping myself tighter around his rock hard chest.

"I'm sorry," I whimper, not one to usually get sick like that. 

Pressing a kiss to my forehead he shakes his head, "You have nothing to be sorry for, Elaena. You're creating our child inside of you. Just rest, we'll talk more in the morning, I promise." 

Aemond pulls the covers up around us tucking me into his side so every bare part of our bodies are connected, every touch reaffirming his love for me.

In the stillness of the night a light breeze brushes across our faces and I finally close my heavy eyes as he starts to sing ever so softly.

"The bleeding star had flown so far,
the air had turned to ash.
The walls of stone would stand no more,
but the song will never end
our song will never end." 

I'd never heard Aemond sing, his deep octaves soothing me but winding me up all at once.

He continues humming the tune and again, our hearts are beating as one but for how long?

***