𝓔𝓵𝓪𝓮𝓷𝓪 𝓣𝓪𝓻𝓰𝓪𝓻𝔂𝓮𝓷
When I wake from my deep peaceful sleep I almost forget where I am, sitting straight up in my old bed that I'm realizing isn't nearly as comfortable as Aemond's.

Aemond.

Piece by piece the events of last night come back to me and just like that the life is knocked out of me and I sink back into the pillows.

The child didn't belong to Aemond, he belonged to Aegon.

I wanted to believe my husband but despite his broken-hearted voice, I wasn't completely convinced... not yet.

Forcing myself from the warmth and comfort of my bed I needed a bath urgently.

Taking my time in the soapy waters I wipe away the dirt and grime that had built up in every nook and crevice of my body.

I knew once I stepped out that door my false peace would shatter, the world and all of its troubles waiting for me just outside.

Peering through my dresser drawers I'm relieved to find all of my wears and belongings tucked away nicely awaiting my return.

Picking a dress I sift through another drawer of my accessories, my black sapphire necklace sitting in its own case surrounded by my other meaningless pieces, and seeing it again brings back a rush of memories.

Tracing my fingers over the many shapes and stones I turn my attention to the mirror, where I stood as Aemond placed it around my neck for the very first time. That night had been filled with many firsts that'd changed our lives forever.

The idea of children was just that, an idea. Our love was brand new, free of any stains of mistakes and heartache.

Picking a few small pieces to wear I leave the necklace in its case, and close the drawer deciding on one of my usual black and red dresses, always proud to represent that of the Targaryen dynasty. 

Ignoring the winding pit of anxiety in my stomach I work my way through the castle, grounding myself with a woman's confidence I learned from my mother missing her more with each passing day.

Standing just outside the little ones' room is Ser Erryk, a sight for sore eyes when I'd come to expect Ser Criston.

"Princess Elaena, we're glad to see you've returned home." He greets me with a small smile and a curt nod stepping away from the door.

"Thank you, Ser Erryk. It's comforting to know not all friendly faces accompanied my mother back to Dragonstone." I reply easily, the pit of nerves in my stomach sinking away.

Knocking lightly on the little dragon's door an unexpected voice answers from the other side.

"Come in!" Aemond's deep voice beckons me in and I'm speechless at what I find.

Strewn across the bed was an assortment of different breakfast foods and in the center of it all was our little dragon himself, eyes wide with glee as he shoved his mouth full of different sweets and pastries.

Sitting a safe distance away from the mess Aemond stands from his chair to meet me. Coming closer I notice I wasn't the only one who'd gotten some much-needed rest.

A small smile tugs at the corner of his lips as he takes me in all fresh and new, and though I know he wants to take me in his arms and press his lips to mine we stay a few feet apart, both of us weary of what nearness may bring.

"Good Morning," He greets me, motioning me closer. "I tried my hardest to have him wait but you needed your rest, I figured he couldn't eat it all. If you're quick you might still have time for a blueberry muffin." Crossing his arms over his chest the easy conversation is a breath of fresh air.

When I don't make a move for the food, Aemond takes it upon himself to grab me a plate of my favorites, pilling bacon and strawberries, pastries alike and though my stomach turns with hunger a stubborn part of me wishes to reject his help, "Aemond, I'm fine-"

"You need to eat." He insists, pulling out a chair and setting the plate on the table.

Closing the gap between us he rests a palm on my stomach but only briefly. "You both, need to eat." He whispers tenderly, glancing up to meet my eyes.

Hesitating for a moment I think of the child rapidly growing inside of me, and take my seat at the table close to the bed.

"Have the both of you been spending a lot of time together?" I ask sheepishly, trying not to stare at how handsome Aemond looked with his growing facial hair, our attraction as strong as ever dwindling just below the surface.

"A bit. He wouldn't speak to me at first. I even had to bribe him with sweets to get him to tell me his name," He chuckles, earning a side eye from the giggling child on the bed.

Whipping my head up from the plate of food I feign heartbreak, placing my hand over my chest.

"What?! Even I was never that special," I smile full-heartedly at the innocent boy. From the corner of my eye, I can feel Aemond's stare before he goes to kneel beside the bed.

"Can I tell our friend what you told me? Hm?" He asks, both of them side-eyeing me and I suppress a giggle, not at all expecting Aemond would be such a natural with children right away.

Nodding, our nameless dragon turns to me, a blush coming to his small round cheeks.

"This little dragon's name is, Jaehaeryn."

I'm stunned into silence, realizing now why he never told me his name to begin with. He must've been warned never to say, it would be a dead giveaway to his true parentage if anyone put the pieces together.

Not only was he Aegon's bastard son but he and his mistress named him as if he was a triplet to the twins. I was right in thinking he was around the same age, I'd even wager they were born within the same year.

"Does Helaena know?" I ask, my voice barely a whisper as he joins me at the table.

Shaking his head regretfully, Aemond takes another glance over his shoulder at Jaehaeryn who was stacking bits of his leftover breakfast on his plate joyfully ignorant to exactly what was happening around him.

"She knows of Aegon's exploits with other women but I'm not sure how she'd react to there being another child named like her own."

"She deserves better. He's never loved or appreciated her in the way a respectable husband should." I grumble under my breath shoveling a spoonful of fresh berries into my mouth.

From across the table, I can feel Aemond's stare examining every one of my features as if he might've forgotten something while I've been away.

Avoiding his gaze I nervously keep eating, taking a big gulp of juice before finally looking up at him.

Chuckling at me he attempts to mask the desire in his eye but it was no use, I was more than familiar with the heat surrounding us.

Clearing my throat I can already feel the blush warming my cheeks but I try to ignore it.

"I've sent word to Ser Addam you've arrived home safely."

Snapping my neck up to look at him in shock I drop my fork, making a loud crashing noise as it hits the plate.

The corner of his lip twitches up as he fights a smirk.

"You've known where I was?" I manage with a full mouth of food.

Leaning back in his chair he nods.

"You don't honestly think I would've allowed you to go three days by yourself in this god-forsaken city-"

"Allow me?"

"You know very well what I mean, Elaena." He grumbles.

"Do I? I suppose the food and the clothes were from you too?"

"Yes. Of course they were, I'm your husband and the father of your child I had to make sure you're fed and clothed. Your leaving was bad enough, the thought of you hungry, and suffering in another man's care was near intolerable. I wanted to take you home as soon as I found out."

"And why didn't you?" I shoot back, his controlling ways not so much a turn-on at this moment.

Keeping his voice low he tries to avoid drawing attention from Jaehaeryn, "It's not what you would've wanted and I told you, Elaena, you're no prisoner."

It was no miracle that I'd made it undetected all this time. Aemond had known exactly where I was, protecting and loving me from afar in the only way he knew how.

I'd half expected he would barge in, and demand I come back to the Red Keep but he'd made it clear several times now... though to others he put on a fearsome, iron fist front, with me, he was genuinely trying to change his approach. 

But would it last?

Standing up off the bed Jaehaeryn looks out the sunlit window, peering down at the many people below. Pointing outside he turns back to us, "Play?"

At the sound of his small voice, Aemond lets out the breath he's been holding, his shoulders relaxing as he turns to face him.

"What a wonderful idea, Jaehaeryn. What do you say we go for a walk through the gardens, hm?" Pushing his chair out from the table, he grabs my empty plate, lingering waiting for my response.

Struggling to think of an excuse I start to say the first thing that comes to mind, "I think I have to check on Helaena. Tell her I'm home-" Standing to leave Aemond's face falls, his frown deepening as he struggles to think of a reason to stop me.

Almost knocking me over Jaehaeryn catapults himself at my legs, locking his tiny arms around me so I can't possibly move.

"No, no! We go play!" Wrapping around me like a vine I twist my legs beneath my dress skirts, bringing us both to the ground like a ton of stone a giggling mess.

Taking him in my arms I cradle his adorable happy face to my chest and I know now I couldn't possibly deny him. I was in trouble when I had children of my own.

Rushing over to our aid we barely notice Aemond still in our own little world.

Wiggling from my grip Jaehaeryn pushes off the ground with his short arms helping himself up. "Outside! Outside! We go now?"

"Yes, little dragon. Just a moment." Aemond offers a hand to me, tugging me up so we're chest to chest, our short breaths mingling as we're so close.

Both of us are struck silent, my attention alike his unable to choose between his parted lips or his captivating eye.

"Come with us... please?" He whispers, pleading and he doesn't need to say it, I can see it written all over his face and I feel it too even if I wouldn't admit it out loud.

I miss you too.

Biting at my lip he zeroes in on my mouth when I finally breathe, "Okay."

"Okay?" He reiterates for himself, his handsome smile finally showing itself, "Okay."

"Aren't you worried they'll see us all together and assume the rumors are true?"

Brushing his knuckles against my cheek I fight the urge to lean into his palm, "They can think what they want, my love. It's your opinion that truly matters to me, and now you know the truth."

"Never lie to me again. We go together, remember?" 

I wasn't quite ready to forgive him but I'd hoped with time we'd repair what was broken our trust included.

"Hēnkirī." He assures me, hope twinkling through in his small smile and it's infectious.
*together

"Outside?" Jaehaeryn pushes himself in between us and it's probably for the best. Taking my hand and Aemond's in the other, the three of us make our way down to the gardens, my most favorite place in Kings Landing.

As soon as Jaehaeryn sees the open sunlight he darts for it, and my heart goes out to him. He hasn't felt the open breeze on his skin in weeks at the very least.

We only make a few steps into the courtyard before we're approached by the Hand of The King himself, and the undisputed rage on his face puts a smile on mine.

"You disobeyed the very one thing I told you, what are you doing with that boy outside the castle?"

"That boy hasn't seen the light of day in weeks. A walk through the courtyard is the least I can do for my poor nephew." Aemond locks his hands behind his back, walking straight by his grandfather.

Gripping Aemond's arm he yanks him back into his side, and I stop along with them ready to step in if needed but keeping an eye on the wandering Jaehaeryn from afar.

"You'll not play these games with me young man. You've brought quite enough shame upon this family-" eyeing me from the corner of his eye making it quite clear what he meant by that.

Ripping out of Otto's grasp his next words are spoken nearly an inch from his grandfather's face.

"You won't manipulate me or my marriage again. It's happened once but I won't allow it a second time." He warns, standing up for me, for us as he should've done from the very beginning.

"I have no clue what you're talking about, my Prince." Otto shakes his head with a knowing smile though he pretends he knows nothing at all.

Only irritating Aemond further his top lip twitches slightly but he keeps himself composed and I'm dare I say, proud.

"If my brother's too much a coward to claim his own child then in the morning I'll take him back to his mother where he belongs." He promises, walking away from his grandfather this time knocking shoulders with him.

Locking his arm with mine he leads me away leaving Otto speechless, staring after us his mouth slightly agape.

Giving Aemond's strong arm a slight squeeze it's my small gesture to thank him. Without looking at me he grabs my hand giving it a small squeeze in return.

"I'll make this right and we can return to Dragonstone. We should've never come back to begin with." Aemond trails off, mumbling under his breath.

Agreeing with him silently I keep my eyes ahead, reluctant to say much of anything.

Following Jaehaeryn deeper into the maze of flowers I notice the array of colors around us is identical to the day Aemond first brought me here

Stiffening next to me I know he feels it too. The longing for peace that our love once held only a memory.

Approaching the fountain Jaehaeryn climbs up the edge and Aemond darts to stop him from falling in but the sweet boy only sits firmly on the concrete hanging his feet over the edge above the water.

Racking his hands through his hair, Aemond turns back to see if I'm watching, blowing out a sigh of relief.

"I can't recall the twins ever being so adventurous," he chuckles taking a seat beside Jaehaeryn.

Joining them I sit on the opposite side of our wanderer, careful not to let him fall.

"The twins have lived their entire lives within the Red Keep. Not to mention their personal handmaidens. Helaena was never expected to raise them on her own."

"I suppose you're right. They've been raised just as we were, hardly seeing their father, more little heirs than they are children..."

Staring into the glistening water Aemond loses himself, deep in thought and I know he's thinking of Viserys who lay dying not just our King but a father, a grandfather.

Any day now life as we knew it would change and my mother would be crowned Queen of the Seven Kingdoms but what would that mean for us?

Reaching out for the water Jaehaeryn almost falls in, swiping at the surface before I scoop him up in my arms mere seconds away from disaster.

"Careful, little dragon you'll fall in, we can't have that." Brushing my nose with his, Jaehaeryn's laugh is contagious.

"Swim? We go swimming!" He giggles, smiling from ear to ear.

Reaching into the fountain Aemond playfully splashes us with a small bit of water bringing a high-pitched squeal from the little boy's chest.

"Aemond Targaryen! Splash him back, Jaehaeryn!"

My little protector turns to my husband but Aemond holds his hands up in surrender, his usually serious demeanor fading away before my very eyes.

Giving him a taste of his own medicine I scoop a decent handful of water at both of them and I find myself regretting it almost immediately.

"Have a death wish do we, my song?" Arching a challenging eyebrow at me Aemond makes light work of the space between us pulling me towards him until we're both falling back into the fountain, the sprays of water falling around us like rain.

Laughing like a bunch of ill-mannered delinquents we don't pay any mind to the lords who were walking the paths of the gardens.

"Looks like you'll get to go swimming after all, little one!" Aemond tickles his sides picking him up and setting the ecstatic child in the shallow water with us and his scream-like giggles fill the courtyard.

Lifting up my chin I close my eyes, letting the water soak my hair and trickle down my chest.

When I open them Aemond's already staring at me, his carefree expression shifting to something more sincere.

Reaching out to cup my face with his palm his fingers tremble just as our skin connects, almost in disbelief, I was right in front of him after being gone for only a handful of days.

Opening his mouth to say something Jaehaeryn splashes the water between us sending it up in both of our faces.

Scooping him into my arms I tickle his sides, his laughter filling the air around us once more as Aemond watched with a heartfelt smile bringing a full-body heated blush over me.

It's felt like a lifetime since I've had his lips against mine, his hands exploring my body as he worshipped it with every flick of his tongue.

Nibbling at my lip I turn away from him, easing Jaehaeryn and me up and out of the fountain.

"Let's get you changed, shall we? Uncle Aemond's made quite the mess of us hasn't he?"

Throwing his head back he chuckles deeply pushing himself up from behind us.

Ringing out what we can from our clothes we head back upstairs to change but not without the many stares and questions from the lords and ladies we pass along the way.

After struggling with changing Jaehaeryn I begin to realize the possible need for so many handmaidens. How could one run a kingdom and raise a family all at once? I would surely try my damnedest when the time came and I could only hope that Aemond would be right by my side all of the way.

Putting the little wild dragon down for a nap Aemond insists on walking me back to my own chambers passing by his, our hands and fingers brushing but never interlocking, a fire sparking but not igniting.

Slowly approaching my door our steps come to a halt before it, and the dejavu is almost soul-rocking as we stare at one another, so many things unsaid but on the tip of our tongues.

"Viserys' requested we all join him for dinner. My mother expects it to be one of his last. I'd understand of course if you'd rather not attend-" staring down at his hands nervously I interrupt him by taking them in mine.

Tipping up his chin to look at me my small gesture is a shock to him, his eyebrows knitting in out of confusion.

"Of course I will, but there's no telling if I'll behave," I reply, bringing the corner of his very kissable lips up in a sexy grin.

"I quite enjoy it when you're on your worst behavior, my love."

Resting his forehead against mine our noses brush, our lips only a breath apart and the ache between my thighs pulses in time with my heartbeat.

Snaking his arms around my waist I think he might kiss me but he instead brings his lips to my ear.

"I've missed you, Elaena, with every part of me. My ears have missed your laughter, my sight your gorgeous smile, my hands your skin... but most of all my hearts missed yours."

Struck speechless by the sincerity of his words tears welled up in my eyes just as he pulls away to look for my reaction.

I've missed you too, so much.

Noticing the unshed tears in my eyes he takes my face in his hands, brushing his thumbs across my cheeks to wipe them away.

"Seven hells, I swore to myself I'd stop making you cry," he frowns and I can't help but giggle at him.

"They're healing tears, my prince." Offering a small smile to reassure him he presses a soft kiss to my temple.

"I suppose those are allowed." He chuckles bringing me in for a tight hug.

Pulling away regretfully, my eyes reflect his own, a promise of seeing one another again soon.

Taking a step backward he doesn't drop my hand right away, it isn't until he's a few feet away from me before we both let go, watching one another from afar as he walks away from me, disappearing down the stairwell.

***