𝓐𝓮𝓶𝓸𝓷𝓭 𝓣𝓪𝓻𝓰𝓪𝓻𝔂𝓮𝓷
Rocking Elaena back and forth gently she'd fallen asleep in a matter of minutes, plenty exhausted just like our little dragon snuggled up on the bed in the corner.

We were safe... for now.

If what Ser Erryk said was true, Elaena was in mortal danger, her and our unborn child.

My family would never stop searching for her. She would always be a threat to Aegon's claim and if my brother held as much resentment as I would, he'd use his newfound power to get even and Elaena's nightmare would come true...

A son for a son.

I wouldn't let that happen. It was of the utmost importance Elaena returned to Dragonstone where they would be safe.

A couple of quiet hours pass as I stared into the wavering flames. Elaena's petite body trembled in my arms her fingers tightening around the hem of my cloak.

Pressing my lips to her ear I bring her even closer to my chest, "You're safe, my love. I'm right here,"

At the sound of my voice, her tense muscles reluctantly relax into me and her breathing slows falling back into a peaceful sleep.

I take a deep breath, allowing my tired eye to flutter shut resting my head against hers.

Perhaps I shouldn't have spent so much of our energy this evening fucking her raw but I wouldn't take it back, with war on the horizon we couldn't be sure of what the next day held.

I'd take advantage of every quiet moment with Elaena and the family we've built. She would be Queen of the seven kingdoms one day, and our son King after her. I would defend their birthright to the death of me and if that meant I had to dethrone Aegon to do it, I would.

Perking up I hear heavy footsteps approach from the alleyway and I ready myself to jump up if need be.

Still, the figures of clattering armor disappear around the corner fading away down the opposite end of the alleyway where the sun's light blossomed in the sky above them.

Just as I'm about to look away a third figure brushes by them, their helmet covering their face from a distance. Straining to see in the early morning light the knight makes a beeline for us, but it was no regular night it was Ser Erryk, returning just as he'd promised.

Slowly getting to my feet I keep Elaena close to my chest, crossing my fingers that she wouldn't wake.

Laying her in the small bed beside Jaehaeryn she instinctively snuggles closer to him, reaching an arm over his even smaller body.

Quietly I move the table aside from the door and crack it open first making sure no one's around before letting him inside.

Elaena stirs at Ser Erryk's entrance but if she wakes, she pretends not to, keeping her back toward us.

He greets me with a curt nod, glancing over at their small frames rising and falling with their slow breathing.

Keeping his voice low Ser Erryk joins me in the corner, allowing them to rest for a bit longer,

"My prince, there are plans for Aegon's coronation in the Dragonpit this very morning. It'll be our only chance to breach its walls and get you both to your dragons."

Shaking my head I run my hands through my hair, grumbling to myself, "They're really going through with this..."

"I'm afraid so. At this very moment, the Lord Hand is holding an audience with a few lords and ladies of the court. I expect some of them won't be leaving the city alive."

My eye locks on Elaena whose body stills.

They were taking no prisoners, killing anyone remaining loyal to the true heir in attempts to wipe Rhaenyra's support before the news broke.

"You expect our dragons won't be guarded?" I ask but he shrugs.

"It's possible. It's a chance we'll have to take,"

I take a deep breath, cracking my knuckles before sticking my hands in my pockets.

"And if you're wrong?" I ask, in a way to weigh his devotion.

"Then we fight her way out."

"Hmph," Chuckling to myself, I nod and turn to meet his eyes, impressed. "Then we fight her way out,"

As always my gaze falls back to her, "Ser Erryk if either one of us makes it out of this waste hole city, make sure it's her... always her." My voice is heavy with the mere possibility that we could be separated today.

"Of course, my prince."

Something tells me our escape wouldn't be as simple as Ser Erryk claimed. My mother would not be happy that I wouldn't be at the coronation of my older brother, but it was a false crown he'd wear, on a false throne that belonged to another, our sister and my wife after her.

It isn't long before the street is bustling with people all headed in one direction, the Dragon pits. With the commotion outside Elaena stretches, hugging Jaehaeryn to her chest tickling him awake with giggles.

The joyful noise brings the widest smile to my face. Elaena was already the mother I'd dreamed of and she'd only just begun, showing Jaehaeryn more affection than I'd ever received as a child.

Standing up straight I stretch out my back, take a couple of steps forward then kneel by their bedside.

"We're leaving soon, my love." Rolling over to face me, her dazed violet eyes are barely open but she still smiles, reaching out to brush her fingertips along the sharp lines of my face.

"You may need to help me walk, my prince. I'm sore from the waist down," She whispers, unaware that we were no longer alone but it only brings a proud sly grin to my lips.

Behind us, Ser Erryk clears his throat reminding us of his presence and those groggy eyes shoot wide open with life, finding him in the corner of the room.

Chuckling to myself, Elaena's soft round cheeks flush a deep red.

Sitting straight up she shoots me a look, not happy I'm laughing at her expense but I'm only a man, happy to hear her praises, audience or not.

Desperate to change the subject she glances out the window, eyeing up the crowd of people outside.

"And where are they going?" Whipping her head back to me, her face drains of all color.

"They're holding Aegon's coronation in the Dragon Pits. It's our only chance to escape,"

Elaena looks between the both of us, understanding dawning on her face. She takes my hands in hers, squeezing them.

"Then we go. We go now."

I pull my bottom lip between my teeth, her strength always the turn-on, especially when she'd just complained about how sore I'd made her last night.

With the anticipation of what was to come, we ready ourselves in silence, eating a small breakfast before wrapping our silver heads up in hoods.

As Elaena takes a moment to rebraid her hair I scoop little Jaehaeryn up in my arms, taking him by the window to watch the crowds of people walking by.

"Today's an important day, little one. You'll be riding a dragon for the very first time, so you'll need to be brave do you understand?" 

"Dragon!?" He beams.

Laughing along with him his excitement is contagious, reminding me of my own childlike excitement when I'd flown on dragon back for the very first time.

I take a glance in Elaena's direction, making sure this conversation was strictly between us. "You must promise me you'll stay with Elaena. No matter what you stay with her, can you do that for me?"

Pursing his lips he's confused by my intensity, still a bit unsure he nods with a childish grin, "Fly on a dragon? Stay with El?" He holds up his fingers, counting to himself.

"That's right, little one." I grin proudly, ruffling his hair to calm his wild bedhead.

Though Elaena stood on the opposite side of the small apartment with Ser Erryk, I could still feel her eyes burning into me, watching from afar.

"Are we ready?" Erryk asks, going for the door.

Pulling up Jaehaeryn's hood, I hand him to Elaena who wraps him in her cloak.

For a moment, our eyes lock over his head, the pull between us taut with tension. My stomach turned with unease and I knew within the next hour, everything would change but one thing was certain, Elaena and Jaehaeryn were the priority if all else failed we would help them escape at any cost.

I take a deep breath, craning my neck lower to place a quick peck atop Jaehaeryn's head. 

Caressing Elaena's face, I press my lips to hers.

"Try not to do anything reckless, my song. I'd like a long life and many children together, hm?" I disguise my worry with a smirk but my sweet girl sees right through me knowing me all too well, her eyebrows knit in with concern.

"Me? Reckless?" She grins with a seductive pull at her lips. "I should say the same for you, husband. I won't go without you,"

Her words hit me square in the chest. Elaena had most definitely heard what I'd told Ser Erryk earlier before she'd fallen back to sleep.

Unwilling to lie to her ever again I keep my mouth shut instead, hoping it wouldn't come down to that.

"My Prince, if we wish to fit in with the crowd we should leave now,"

Taking her hand I lead her to the door, giving her one last longing look before he opens the door. The sunlight floods in practically burning our pale skin and we're swallowed by the crowd.

I loop my arm with Elaena's, hugging her body close to mine but it's useless, it was pure madness.

"This way!" Ser Erryk shouts out over the crowd. Linking our arms like a chain, it's the only way to stay connected in the mob of people who were shoving and pushing to get to the front of the line, and where that was I feared to see for myself.

Searching for relief we turn down an adjacent alleyway only to be swept back up by another group of people, this time running from something or someone behind them.

For a moment Ser Erryk hesitates before guiding us back from which we came, but where all three roads now converged into one, the waves of bodies become a wild sea, some clinging to their children, their belongings, and even their livestock.

From behind us a group of gold cloaks rounded up the strays riding atop horses shouting their orders and if they saw either one of us, we were done for, our white blonde hair a dead giveaway.

I look down at Elaena, her flustered eyes meeting with mine when she's yanked away from me. She and Jaehaeryn are fading from my sight as their pulled in with the crowd, and my heart jumps to my throat, Elaena's violet eyes pleading with me to save them, "AEMOND!"

Even in the chaos I hear her, the voice of my wife calling out to me when everything around us tried to pull us apart.

Pushing through the commoners I keep my eye locked on her, refusing to lose them in the madness.

"MOVE!" I don't care who I hit, or who I hurt, I had to get to her.

They're within my grasp when a hand wraps around her arm pulling her towards them and I snap.

Like a wild boar, I charge through everything in my path until I'm in reach of the man who has her in his hold already reaching for her hood to unmask her in front of everyone.

Snaking my arm around his neck I rip him away from her, throwing him to the ground and rearing back my clenched fist to land blow after blow until his dirtied face is bloodied and bruised.

A gold cloak calls out to us, demanding I stop but he had no clue who I was, I would stop when I saw fit.

"Aemond, please," The only voice that can stop me is hers, bringing me back from my dark pit of rage. Letting her pull me away from the man Ser Erryk catches up with us, learning from his earlier mistake and staying close to our side so as to not lose sight of one another.

We turn a tight corner where gold cloaks and commoners alike were packed wall to wall the entire alleyway up the sunlit hill where the Dragonpit sat among the clouds, its bells ringing for the city to hear.

Having no choice but to follow the crowd I hold Elaena close, glancing to make sure Jaehaeryn's blonde head is fully covered as we walk through the monstrous steel double doors. The sunlight from outside pours in acting as a spotlight illuminating the raised podium at the head of it all where most of my family stood, with the exception of my older brother himself.

I hang my head, keeping my face from view realizing my eyepatch wouldn't help my disguise either.

"They're here. They're all here... look at them so proud of themselves." She grumbles, cradling Jaehaeryn's head to her chest while she memorized every face of the traitorous Green Council that had plotted this from the very moment her mother was named heir to the iron throne.

"Elaena, don't. Your face easily stands out in a crowd," I grumble, taking her chin in my fingers and turning it down. Elaena's vibrant violet eyes when hit with the sun were beacons.

"Now's hardly the time to be flirting with me, Aemond." She rolls her eyes and her quick mouth brings a smirk to mine despite the circumstances.

"Perhaps, but I'm afraid it doesn't make it any less true, darling." 

"This way, quickly," Ser Erryk motions us to keep moving, leading us to the outskirts of the crowd where we can make a quick getaway.

"People of Kings Landing! Today is the saddest of days." Though the chatter dies down an unsettled murmur comes over the crowd and the voice is unmistakable, it's my Grandfather the mastermind of it all.

"Our beloved King, Viserys The Peaceful is dead."

Heads turn in every direction, their whispers of speculations humming throughout.

"But it is also the most joyous of days. For as his spirit left us, he whispered his final wish that his firstborn son Aegon should succeed him!"

Some believe my grandfather's statements, but others shake their heads in confusion, knowing full well that my father had already named his heir long ago, our oldest sister, Rhaenyra.

Aegon had never wanted to rule, he despised duty and responsibility and that was no secret even to the common folk though they applaud anyway, most of them unaffected by which Targaryen sat on the throne, others already speculating for years that Aegon would supplant her.

"This is treason. Viserys would've never wanted this..." Elaena's heart breaks with her words, neither one of us getting a moment to properly mourn my father and this was not it.

From the left side of the Dragonpits two straight lines of soldiers march parallel, pushing everyone out of their path until there's a perfect open walkway to the front of the pit.

In silence they follow the command of their Captain, turning to unsheath their swords as the trumpets play a royal tune.

Watching for his familiar blonde head my throat burned with anger, but there was nothing I could do, not yet.

Barely tall enough to see I only notice Aegon's arrival when the swords held in the air above him swing back down as he walks by each of the knights.

I can't see his expression, I can only take notice of his demeanor.

Aegon's shoulders were slumped, his usual life and confidence void with each step he made closer to the platform where our Mother and Grandfather waited for him.

To the side stood Helaena and Daeron, my little brother much too happy for his own good but I look away, hoping they don't notice me watching them.

Ascending the steps Aegon approaches my Grandfather slowly, still unsure of himself.

My mother steps forward, not in black for mourning, not in red in support of our house but Hightower green, making it clear where her loyalties lay. Placing a kiss on Aegon's forehead it was perhaps the closest thing to affection I'd ever seen between the two of them.

With a slight nod from my grandfather, Aegon kneels awaiting the anointment of oil from the maester in his ceremonial robes.

"May the warrior give him courage. May the smith lend strength to his sword and shield. May the father defend him in his need. May the crone lift her shining lamp and light his way to wisdom!"

The old man's voice bellows through the hall of its people, and as he steps away he holds the crown... the Conqueror's crown.

Handing it to Ser Criston himself, Elaena stills beside me her nostrils flaring with unrelenting rage though we could do nothing to defend her mothers crown.

"That son of a bitch..." She growls, my girl as ferocious as ever.

"We have to go now. While there's still a distraction," Ser Erryk, comes up behind us reminding us of our plan.

Taking Elaena's hand in mine I keep the other on the hilt of my sword.

I lead the way with Ser Erryk behind us, keeping an eye out for any stray guards who might stop us but we were closer than we've ever been to escaping.

Peeking out his little head, Jaehaeryn looks around at his new surroundings, throwing off his cover in turn bringing Elaena's hood down with it.

"Dragon?!" He asks loudly, his voice echoing through the empty halls.

"Sh, yes little one but you must keep quiet," I warn.

I can almost spot Vhagar's hall when a deep voice calls out from behind us, "Princess? IT'S THE PRINCESS!"

Elaena's bottom lip trembles, looking between me and the guard quickly gaining on us with a couple more on the way.

When she hesitates Ser Erryk grabs her arm, taking her ahead of me so I can trail behind.

"Let's go, Elaena, get to Seasmoke! Now!"

Taking off in a sprint our heavy feet gives way to the dirt beneath our feet, my heart beating in my ears but I keep my eye on Elaena, always the priority.

We almost make it to the end of the hall when we're cut off by another group of knights.

Elaena however has a better plan, veering us down a familiar back pathway.

For a moment we lose them, reaching Seasmoke who already felt Elaena's panic trying to break free from their chains.

First thing first, Elaena places Jaehaeryn down at her side working on the chains around her dragon's neck as the small boy stares up at the beast in wonder. He points and jumps adorably and under any other circumstance I'd be enjoying every moment, but the knights ascend on us and it becomes clear Ser Erryk and I won't be able to take them all.

Unsheathing my sword the singing of its steel brings all attention to me and like the loyal knight he was, Ser Erryk does so as well, the both of us standing guard of my entire world and I wouldn't let them have her.

"My Prince, there's too many of them," standing at my back he holds his sword at the ready but he was right. I would make it out alive, but they would kill him and that was not how I would reward our only hope of escape.

"We give them enough time to escape as I said before, and you run." My voice is thick. I wouldn't have enough time to reach Vhagar, this would be where she'd have to leave me.

Elaena pushes the rusted steel from his neck with all her might and Seasmoke rears back his head, his roar shaking the very stone walls around us threatening to crumble and crush us all.

As I turn to go to Jaehaeryn I'm rushed by a knight and our swords clash the striking of the steel ringing out like a bell as the poor boy see's who his opponent is, I discard my hood, making it perfectly clear who was helping the princess escape.

Taking his moment of surprise I slit his throat, moving on to the one who charged at me from behind him ducking and driving my sword through his thigh, sending him to the ground with his comrade.

High off the bloodshed, I strike another in the chest, kicking his body back and off my bloodied sword when I hear her Valyrian commands from behind us,

"DRACARYS SEASMOKE!"

Her mighty dragon lights our attackers ablaze, the fire glowing in our eyes as if her help had come from the heavens though Jaehaeryn is terrified, screaming for Elaena now that the beast hadn't seemed so friendly.

With the relief Elaena provides I run to Jaehaeryn taking him in my arms, no clue how to calm him down when he had every reason to be scared.

"Aemond-" Elaena runs towards us as Ser Erryk provides cover while most of the men scream as flames engulfed their bodies.

"You have to go, now!"

"I won't leave you!" She cries, her voice breaking as tears well in her eyes. 

"You must, Elaena! I'll be right behind you!"

Though the flames danced around us Elaena rests her forehead on mine, our eyes locking before I press one last kiss to her lips knowing well within my heart Ser Erryk and I would not make it out of this.

"Aemond, I can't-" Glancing around at the horror around us I turn her face back to mine.

"Look at me, it's you they want. They'll kill you Elaena, please," I beg, wishing for a moment my wife wasn't so damn stubborn.

"I love you," She whispers, finally agreeing with me though it didn't make me any happier than her that we were being separated.

"I love you, my song, with everything in me. Now go!"

Elaena turns to climb atop Seasmoke and I follow her with Jaehaeryn in tow.

"You'll protect her, won't you Jae?"

Bending down to whisper in his ear his cries begin to settle, "She's everything we've got, you and me." His tear-stained eyes pout up at me, the pressure weighing on his small shoulders.

"We love you too little one, always remember that, hm?"

Offering me a short nod, I give him a quick kiss on the top of his head before handing him to Elaena who clutched him to her chest as she adjusted herself, strapping them into the saddle.

Our eyes lock one last time before Seasmoke stretches his wings, and with an angry roar of defiance, they're off.

I watch them until they disappear through the clouds and just like that a part of me is missing, the hole in my chest almost bringing me to my knees. 

They're safe, they're free. 

We've succeeded. 

But in the same breath, she was gone and nothing good could ever come from us being apart.

***

Hi yall! I'm sorry this chapter took so long, I'm working on getting better at timing but I'd also rather a chapter be better/more expressive so, it's a rough battle lol.

Thoughts and comments are always appreciated! 

PS: whose ready for all hell to break loose? <3