𝓔𝓵𝓪𝓮𝓷𝓪 𝓥𝓮𝓵𝓪𝓻𝔂𝓸𝓷

The castle was far different than I remembered it. It may have only been a couple of years since we left for Dragonstone but the halls of the red keep were once bustling with excitement but now...

Now it was a dark shadow that paled in comparison just as my grand sire, Viserys.

Ahead of me Daemon and my mother walked side by side, her hand resting on her pregnant belly that would hopefully bring me my first sister.

Lucerys and Jace however had fallen behind, yearning for their piece of nostalgia.

Only a few weeks after Lady Laena's funeral on Driftmark, my mother and true father married in the way Old Valyria when my father by law was murdered in cold blood by a paramour of his own.

My brothers, Baela, Raena and I watched from afar hardly understanding the impact this would have on our House when we'd barely had time to grieve.

"Elaena, we're to have a meeting with the Queen before court. Keep an eye on your brothers, hm?" My mothers soft purple eyes tried to hide her demons but I was old enough now to sense her unease.

Raising a concerned eyebrow, Daemon and I exchange a knowing glance.

Putting a loose strand of my white blonde hair behind my ear, my mother's hand caresses my face in comfort before sending me off on my older sister duties.

Wandering the familiar halls my mind drifted to the very person whom I wanted to see upon returning to Kings Landing.

No one knew of Aemond and I's late night ride in the skies that led to that night of rage besides the two of us and I wondered if he'd held our happier memories as fond as I had... or maybe I was just the bastard girl who'd followed him like a lost puppy in our youth.

It wasn't long before I found the dark haired boys filling into the crowd circling around none other than Aemond himself who stood at at least two feet taller than when I last saw him.

His white blonde hair was tied back out of his handsome chiseled face, revealing the now healed scar and his eye patch to cover it.

Every blow Ser Criston swung was dodged swiftly and countered by Aemond who impressed every lord and lady who watched, Jace and Luke however seemed shocked by our Uncles transformation.

As boys they never got along, Aemond being the scapegoat at every turn even with Aegon who hadn't grown his sense of loyalty until later in life.

Bringing me out of my haze a loud crash is met with gasps from the crowd when Aemond's shield splinters apart.

Tossing it to the side his gaze meets mine as I watch from the stairs and the corner of his lips tip up in a grin, warming my entire body.

Aemond and I stare at one another for what feels like an eternity and it still isn't long enough when he breaks our connection to continue swinging at his target, now with something to prove.

As I approach Luke and Jace, the crowd is clapping while Aemond holds a blade to Ser Criston's neck who looks at the prince with pride but my brothers have a different reaction, their faces sulking.

"You'll win tourneys in no time, my prince." Ser Criston raves, the crowd clapping in entertainment and I can't blame them, Aemond's impressive.

"I don't give a shit about tourneys,"

Arching an eyebrow at Cole, Aemond doesn't waste another moment before turning to me.

"Come to train, Princess?" Twirling his sword between us I can't shake the awe of how different he'd become.

Nibbling at my lip I struggle finding a witty response but instead stare at him.

"Only if I can spar with you, my prince. I'm not sure any of the knights will have me." I grin, quite proud myself of how I'd come to wield a sword.

Satisfied with my answer he takes a step closer.

"I wouldn't allow anyone else swing a sword at you, Elaena." He smiles down at me knowingly as he sheaths his blade back at his waist and my skin prickles at my name rolling off his tongue.

Something sounded different when he said my name now, this time it held more, a promise almost.

Out of the corner of my eye Luke and Jace exchange a glance and I reminded again of their tension with Aemond and Aegon alike. Over the years my animosity towards Aemond had faded away where I had more good memories than bad but my brothers on the other hand thought otherwise.

"And you, nephews?" Aemond's tone changes into something ice cold and I almost don't recognize it. He'd never talked to me the way he did my brothers.

Before either of the boys can reply, the gates to the courtyard swing open and all attention is on the Velaryon guards led by none other than Vaemond Velaryon, the very man petitioning for my brother's birthright.

Luke may be just a boy, but Lord Corlys had loved us as his own, molding us into Velaryons that would make our house proud.

The entire courtyard grows silent and I loop my arm through Luke's while sneaking a look at Aemond.

His usually tight lips where stretching into a smile at the discomfort of my little brother. As if he can feel my disappointed eyes, his gaze turns to meet mine and his handsome smirk fades.

As the soldiers pass and enter the castle, Jace ruffles the hair on Luke's head in an effort to cheer him up and urge him over to the weapons.

Watching after them, my heart warms in my chest at the memories of us all training in the courtyard together under the eye of our grandfather.

"You've grown, Princess."

Turning to the familiar deep voice a flush runs through my body at how close he's standing to me.

Men from all over Westeros had shown me attention, both powerful and charming but none of them were him, none of them were Aemond, the mysterious warrior that was bound to the largest dragon in the world when we were only children.

"You as well, perhaps a bit taller." I smile, earning a wholehearted laugh from the dragon himself.

For a moment longer his gaze lingers on my dress, trailing up my body back to my purple eyes.

"Did you arrive on dragonback?" He asks and I nod, the air between us growing thicker and thicker by the moment.

When Ser Laenor had passed, his dragon Seasmoke and I bonded giving me some sort of light at the end of the never ending dark night.

"Is it wrong to assume Aegon is run loose in the brothels this afternoon?" I arch an eyebrow, but Aemond doesn't seem in the mood, his face falling at the mention of his older brother.

"Come," He says, leading me away from prying eyes.

When it's just he and I walking through the garden's, Aemond remains to himself, crossing his arms behind his back.

"I'm sorry if I said something-"

"Don't apologize, Elaena. You did no wrong." He responds sincerely and my heart is thumping in my chest the slower we walk when I realize it.

He's jealous.

"I'm thankful he didn't poison you. Your morals seem intact. Training instead of drinking your days away. I'm quite impressed." Attempting to cheer him up I'm relieved when he finally looks at me again, like it'd been too long since.

"Second sons aren't given glory. We're meant to find it for ourselves."

"And what of the daughters?" I grin, challenging him as I always do.

"I suppose they're too wed and produce little heirs," Aemond's laugh fills the courtyard and I'll never forget the sound of it echoing through the empty corridors, breathing life to the flowers that surrounded us.

"Oh? Is that what you'd like of me? To marry some lord, or perhaps a king and have hundreds of children?" I feign offense, laughing along with him as I do.

"A strapping prince, perhaps?" Aemond replies but this time, there's no sign of playfulness and I freeze in my tracks.

Was he offering? What if he'd already been betrothed? We were around that age after all.

"Aemond, oh-" Queen Alicent's interruption saves him from my further questioning but her face falls when she notices whom her son is alone with.

The Queen's hatred towards my mother never went unnoticed and now unquestionable with her outburst at Driftmark. I was a bastard just as my brothers, so therefore just as unworthy in the eyes of the Queen and perhaps her sons as well.

"Have you seen your brother?"

"No, Mother."

"Of course. He must still be in chambers. Princess," Giving me a curt nod the Queen was gone as fast as she'd came and with her departing footsteps through the halls I let out the breath I'd been holding.

"Does my mother unsettle you?" Aemond chuckles at my discomfort, taking a step closer so he has to look down at me.

"That's one way to put it, I suppose... they'd have my head on a spike." My response makes him laugh and I'm beginning to wonder if he does that often or if it's something saved just for me.

"I'd have theirs first." He grins something malicious and it intrigues me in more ways than one.

Before walking down the hall Aemond's purple eye locks onto me and I know without a doubt he means what he says.

Aemond would protect me for now, at least I knew that much to be true.

A dragon in a pit of snakes.

***