𝓔𝓵𝓪𝓮𝓷𝓪 𝓣𝓪𝓻𝓰𝓪𝓻𝔂𝓮𝓷
The breeze blew through my hair and I take in a deep breath of fresh air.

Freedom.

Keeping Jaehaeryn close to my chest I tighten the straps, making absolutely sure he was as safe as possible flying atop a hundred-year-old dragon.

The child screams with half joy and fear shaking his long hair in the wind and I could almost forget the hallowing pit in my stomach that grew with each passing moment.

Surveying the skies, I expect with Vhagar's wingspan they'd catch up to us but we were quickly approaching Dragonstone and Aemond was still nowhere to be found.

This morning I might have been dazed but I'd heard him when he told Ser Erryk that I was the priority when to me, he was just as important.

I couldn't raise these children without him, without my partner.

Descending upon the many mountains of Dragonstone, Seasmoke's wings disperse the low-lying fog and he gracefully lands, looking to his left and right for Vhagar just as well as me.

"Welcome to your new home, little one. Welcome to Dragonstone," Putting on a happy face, I feign excitement knowing in my heart of hearts that something had to have gone wrong.

"Home," He breathes in awe staring down the hill at the many dragons that either lay sleeping or eating, almost in protection though my family inside had no idea of the looming threat of Kings Landing.

"Uncle Aemond come home?"

Biting my lip I blink away the uncertainty but nod anyway more for myself than for him.

"Of course. But today we're going to meet some new people, hm? You're going to be meeting my family now."

I imagined they'd seen us arrive but they would be shocked I'd returned alone, with a child in my arms and another growing in my belly.

Rumors had spread of my pregnancy at the capital but it was still unclear if they'd reached Dragonstone yet.

Taking a deep breath I unstrap Jaehaeryn, helping us both down into the plush grass such a stark difference from the rough gravel and sand of the Dragonpits.

Seasmoke stretches his wings, taking back off to fly in the open air, just as relieved as I am to be home where we belonged.

Hand in hand Jaehaeryn and I walk the long stretch of the bridge as Seasmoke's cries filled the sky. Our dragons might've not mated as we had, but they were certainly bonded and Vhagar was missed almost as deeply as Aemond.

I could only hope wherever he was, he was safe. If he was caught I could only imagine how angry he'd be that Aemond had helped me escape. Ser Erryk would surely be put to the sword, he had no mother queen to protect him.

Their sacrifice couldn't be in vain.

Once we approach the door, Jaehaeryn snuggles closer to my side.

Glancing around I kneel down so we're at eye level.

"There's no need to be nervous, little dragon. They'll love you as I and Aemond do."

Leaning into his ear I press a kiss to his temple, "You know... I have some little brothers that would be dying for a new friend."

At the mention of new friends Jaehaeryn's bright smile returns. Grabbing my hand he pulls me toward the door his little legs bouncing him up and down.

When we walk through the doors, the knights who stood guard eyed the both of us, judgment obvious even from beneath their helmets.

Coming into the sunlight the knight announces our presence.

My mother stood next to my father admiring the fire until they hear us approach. Turning to see us their surprised but relieved to see me despite the extra little dragon I'd brought along.

"Elaena!" Bringing me into her arms my mother's warm smile brings tears to my eyes. As she cradles my head to her chest I'm suddenly no longer a mother or a wife I'm simply a daughter who'd been away from home.

"It's so good to see you, my child. Letters are never quite enough, and who is this?"

Walking closer my father examines Jaehaeryn, already skeptical.

"This is Jaehaeryn. It's a bit of a long story but I'm afraid there are more pressing... matters to discuss."

Glancing towards my baby brothers with their handmaidens they're ushered out, taking Jaehaeryn with them but not before I kneel to offer him one last kiss on the top of his head.

"I'll find you in a short while. Don't miss me too terribly, hm?" Tickling his sides he practically skips along catching up with Joffrey who watched him with childlike curiosity.

I could only hope they'd turn out better than my brothers and Alicent's sons.

"That boy. The rumors about him are true aren't they?" Wasting no time my father starts in on his questioning but I couldn't be sure what he'd heard.

"He's Aegon's son born of his mistress on the Street of Silk,"

"And where is his mother, Elaena?"

"Dead."

My father's eyes widen, throwing his hands up into the air. "And what in the seven hells makes that child your responsibility?!"

"I wouldn't leave him there with no family, no home- Father, listen! That little boy is the least of your worries right now! It's about grandsire,"

Glancing over my shoulder at the knights who listened, I take a few steps closer to the round table.

I bring my bottom lip between my teeth nibbling at its dry skin while I twist at the rings on my fingers.

"Viserys is... he's passed away. And Aegon? They've crowned him King."

"How did Viserys die?" My father asks, his voice soft with his mourning. The last time I'd seen him quite so distraught was the day of Lady Laena's wedding. Though my father had a rough exterior when he loved, he loved hard.

Many speculated all my father desired was the throne but those closest to him knew better. All he'd wanted from his brother was acceptance.

"They say it was in his sleep-"

"How long ago?"

My mother cringes in pain, cradling her pregnant belly and I go to her but my father is more focused on the news I'd shared, eyes wide as he approached.

"Just last night. This morning they crowned him in the Dragon pits. We saw it all. Aemond and Ser Erryk got us to Seasmoke just in time."

My mother struggles with tears in her eyes but pushes through, "They crowned him, before the masses?"

"And where is he? Your knight in shining armor?" My father spits, and I'd expected this but his tone still stings.

"He's right behind me. He sent me ahead to make sure I wasn't followed,"

Daemon rolls his eyes, crossing his arms over his chest.

"His cunt mother and brother have stolen the throne and he intended to flee the capital with you?"

"They locked us in our chambers. Aemond's who broke down the door so we could warn you-"

From beside me, my mother cringes in pain reaching for the round table to support herself.

"No..."

Going beneath her gown she holds up her hand to reveal her palm covered in blood. The air in the room shifts and wordlessly my mouth hangs open petrified at what this could mean.

My mother's lips tremble. Taking shallow breaths she thinks it through, still recovering from the news but needing strength to continue dealing with blow after blow.

"The babies coming," She looks to Daemon for help but he stands frozen still with fear? Anger? It seems he can't decide either digging his fingernails into the wood.

Scoffing at him I call out to the knight who stood close by. "Alert the maesters! Now!"

As I help my mother to her chambers, the handmaidens flood the room once they hear, already helping her disrobe though my mother didn't make it easy for them.

She rips her arms from her sleeves stepping out of the fine fabric to double over in pain, cradling her stomach hoping with all her might she could protect my baby sister from the pain to come.

"Elaena!" She cries, beckoning me closer.

I rush to her side and she holds onto me gritting her teeth in pain and tears flood my eyes.

Could I lose both Viserys and my own mother in the span of a day? Visenya?

"Naught is to be done but by my command,"

"I'll see to Father," Turning to leave my mother tugs me back, "Whatever claim remains to me you are now its heir. Do you understand?"

"Mother, you're going to be fine-"

"Do you understand?" She repeats.

My throat burns but I nod in agreement. Giving her hand a squeeze I bite my tongue though the words weigh heavy on my heart.

I can't do this without you. My guide, my foundation.

"Find your brothers. Keep them close,"

With one last look, I let go of my mother's hands, leaving the maesters and handmaidens to their work even if it broke me to be so helpless.

Storming off I come to find Daemon has already assembled a small council of sorts around the round table already planning his descent into the madness of war.

As I approach the table I overhear my father's intentions.

"I'll fly to the Riverlands myself and affirm Lord Tulley's support-"

"You will do no such thing!"

Unaware of my presence the lords at the table turn to face me, astounded I'd speak out against my own father who made grown men tremble in their boots.

"Mother has decreed no action be taken while she's abed."

The men around the table shift on their feet uneager to get in between two ferocious dragons.

"It's good you're here, Elaena. You're needed to patrol the skies with Seasmoke, you're brothers will do the same-" My father brushes me off and I can't say I'm surprised but something shifts within me.

"Did you hear what I just said?" I snap.

Avoiding my eyes my father resumes his conversation, "The raven's Lord Bartimos."

The old man nods curtly, taking his leave while he still can but I'm bubbling with anger as my mother cried into the abyss where her husband wouldn't answer instead plotting his war.

"I know you hear her just as well as the rest of us, father. She calls for you!"

Growing more frustrated with my tongue my father spins to face me keeping his voice low so as to not be heard by the other men.

"What chance would your mother stand if we were ascended on by those traitors, hm? Death and war wait for no man, woman, or child. The sooner you grasp that the less vulnerable you'll seem."

My eyes burn into his not daring to disagree because I'd known he was right but that didn't make me any less angry with him for abandoning her.

Aemond would be by my side through it all, refusing to let another man, maester, or handmaiden touch me if he could help it.

"Summon Ser Steffon. Our Kingsguard are needed on the Dragonmont." Seemingly done with me my father grabs his sword, brushing past me with a knight trailing behind him but I stand frozen, helpless.

***

My mother's screams of pain and heartbreak go on into the night and my tears along with her.

Visenya was gone and there was nothing that could quell the ache of emptiness her death brought.

It was too soon, my little sister hardly had time to grow and develop and I could only blame myself for being the catalyst.

Holding my stomach desperately I sought comfort in my bed, hoping the familiarity and smell of home would sustain me but it did nothing against the barrage of fear that consumed me.

I couldn't help my mother and I couldn't help Aemond wherever he was.

I could do nothing. I was helpless.

With sweat blanketing my body I throw off the covers rushing to the window to throw it open for any relief of fresh air.

Running my fingers over my black sapphire necklace I felt in my heart that Aemond was in danger.

Tilting back my head I take a deep breath to stop the tears looking to the moon that lit the sky when a large dragon's shadow fills its shape.

My heart skips a beat, knowing it was him before my eyes could confirm it.

Vhagar lands gracefully atop the hill beside Seasmoke, her ferocious roar telling anyone who'd listen that they'd arrived for their Queen.

Once I'm sure it's them I throw a heavy robe over my dress practically running for the door.

"Princess! It's not safe!" A knight calls out to me but I ignore him, only one thing on my mind.

Though the night chill had a bite my heart pounded in my chest pumping my warm Valyrian blood through my veins.

As I climb the steps I spot him at the further end of the bridge. Even from afar, he seemed exhausted, walking with a bit of a limp and I expect the worst.

My excitement morphs to worry, my running to reach him desperately.

"Aemond," I breathe.

At the sound of my voice, he lifts his hanging head, and his gaze settles on me, softening when he sees me running toward him.

Dropping his bags just in time I jump into his arms.

"There she is, fuck it's good to see this beautiful face." Aemond snakes an arm around my waist holding me up as he presses a kiss to my temple.

"I was so worried," I cry, no need to play strong when Aemond was around.

"I'm so relieved you made it here safely. He threatened to go after you I-" Pulling away to get a good look at his handsome face, his lip is split and there was still dried blood around his nostrils from a bloodied nose.

"What did he do to you?!"

Brushing away my stray hair he looks me over for himself, sorrow reflecting in his sharp features.

"Nothing I haven't endured before, my love. I'm fine," jumping down from his arms he cringes in pain but he tries to hide it from me.

"No, you're not. You're hurt," I frown, tracing my thumb over his bloodied lip when I realize he's alone. "Where's Ser Erryk?"

"I was. I'm not anymore but... Ser Erryk was put to the sword. We were found just after you got away." Narrowing his eye as he examined me he notices my pink eyes immediately. "Have you been crying, Elaena? What's happened?"

"It's Visenya... My mother lost the baby, Aemond. She's gone, my little sister is gone." I cry, the tears free falling down my pink cheeks and now even Ser Erryk had paid the ultimate price, his blood on my hands as well.

Bringing me back into his arms he presses his reaffirming words into my ear.

For a while, we stand there in the cold breeze and Aemond simply holds me as I sob into his chest, finally feeling safe enough to grieve and the emotions are overwhelming. 

"I'm sorry, my song. I'm so, so sorry." He whispers, stroking my hair being the only way to calm me down.

"I was afraid to fall asleep. I can only imagine what waits for me when I close my eyes-"

"Shh, I won't leave your side I promise you. Come, let's get you inside." Leading me across the bridge Aemond keeps me close as his gaze is focused toward the sky keeping his eye peeled as if they could ascend on us at any moment.

As soon as we break through the front doors my father is approaching us with Jace trailing behind him along with two knights intent on getting his answers.

"You dare to show your treasonous Hightower face here? Your usurper brother sent you as a spy has he not?!" My father reaches over me taking a handful of Aemond's cloak but he pushes him off and away from us.

"You should be thanking him!" I interject but my father doesn't even glance my way.

"I'll reserve that right until he tells us just who he intends on fighting for."

What he says makes Aemond chuckle softly from behind me in disbelief. "I've made it perfectly clear who I fight for, Prince Daemon. If I brought you my brother's head on a Valyrian platter you'd name me a Kin Slayer. So which is it, hm?"

"And yet you haven't answered the question," Jace steps forward, my father's little dog all bark but no bite.

Aemond blinks slowly turning his head to my younger brother. Taking a few steps closer to them the knights reach for the swords and my husband's lips twitch restraining himself from smirking down at Jace.

"I fight for Elaena. I swore my sword to her before I took her as my wife."

"Your mother and grandsire swore oaths to Rhaenyra years ago and no sooner stole her throne! Hightower word means nothing here,"

Interjecting I force myself in between them, "He's not a Hightower. He's not one of them!" As I defend him I can hardly focus on my words with his hand slipping around my tiny waist.

"He's my husband and he's Targaryen! We don't choose our parentage. We'd know better than anyone else wouldn't we Jacerys?"

Jace's face falls and though I don't mention his father by name, he understands exactly what I mean. We were both bastards, only royalty by the sheer luck of the mother we were born to.

Aemond tugs me back into his chest separating my brother and me. "There isn't time to be arguing amongst ourselves. They're seeking out a marriage pact with the Baratheons. Any day now they'll be sending an envoy on my brother's behalf."

"And they told you to warn us before sending you on your way?" My father questions still skeptical.

"It was me they wished to marry off."

Whipping my head back to look at him I scrunch my face up in disgust.

"Have they forgotten it's me you belong to?!"

Aemond quirks an eyebrow at me, his violet eye hazing over with familiar heat when I claim him so publically.

Brushing the curve of my jaw with his fingertips he tilts his head slightly to stare at my lips, "You're quite adorable when you're jealous, my love."

Still frazzled by his deep voice I barely have time to speak before a knight interrupts us.

"My Prince! The Princess requests your presence in your chambers."

Without looking at the knight, my father stares between Aemond and me in conflict.

"Seven hells," Rolling his eyes in frustration he waves at his men dismissively but points to the both of us.

"We'll speak more privately come morning. It's not safe to be outside the castle walls this late. There's no telling who could come ashore with... bad intentions." Eying my husband up and down Daemon turns to disappear down the dark hallway with Jace following closely behind.

Clasping our hands together I didn't want him out of my sight for the foreseeable future.

For a lingering moment, I stare as they walk off but Aemond gives my hand a tug.

"Let's go to bed, my song. Nyke'd hae naejot ōregon ñuha ābrazȳrys."
*I'd like to hold my wife.

In the darkness of the hallway, I nuzzle my nose next to his and our lips meet. The small kiss we share is an intimate one filled with relief that for another night, we were safe in each other's arms for now.

As we make our way back to our chambers I loop my arm with his, leaning my head against his arm as we walked, keeping him close.

Closing the door behind us Aemond sets his things down on the table stretching out his sore muscles not realizing I watched him with a pained expression from behind him.

Slowly Aemond unbuttons the front of his leather tunic. Unable to help myself I place my hands on his bare chest as soon as I see it. The entire rock-hard surface of his chest was covered in fresh bruises but where it was worst was around his ribs.

"Aegon did this to you?" I ask timidly, looking up at him from beneath my long eyelashes.

He nods slightly, watching me trace the colored shapes on his skin until his violet eye drifts shut.

"I'm sorry. I should've stayed to fight with you-"

Grabbing my wrist Aemond shakes his head, his jaw tense when I say such a thing.

"No. You would've given him the perfect opportunity to get his revenge and take you from me. It's exactly what he wants."

"But he hurt you I could have helped-"

Grabbing my face he rests his forehead on mine. "Elaena, I would've taken a thousand beatings to know you and Jaehaeryn were safe. Your life holds much more stake than mine," His lips cock up into a grin when he sees how flustered I become at his closeness.

Aemond tilts his chin ever so slightly, his mouth hovering just above mine. As he leans in for a kiss I cut him off, our lips brushing with each word. "I'd like to disagree. There must be some reason they let you leave with your life."

"Mm." Taking my hand he brings me over to the bed and I crawl beneath the covers to guard myself against the chill.

While he shrugs off his leather tunic he drapes it across the back of a chair but keeps his eye on me.

"When my mother suggested I annul our marriage I told her she'd have to kill me."

I cringe when he says that, the dark fog of death hovering over us like a neverending storm. His mother might've not been bold enough to kill her own son, but could we put it past his own grandfather? His own brothers?

When he notices my expression fall he crawls into bed beside me with a frown, "Talk to me, my song."

Fiddling with my fingers I feel almost silly under his worried gaze. Wrapping me in his arms I snuggle closer into his chest.

"What if... what if this is all a sign from the gods? What if all that's to come is death and heartbreak? I almost lost my mother today, I could've lost you too-"

"Sh, Sh, Elaena you didn't and that is a sign from the gods." Aemond brings me into his lap to cradle me into his chest.

"We're still here and we've got plenty of life to live ahead of us. We have a beautiful son on the way and another little boy who loves you dearly... almost as much as me." Peppering kisses across the side of my head lightly I lean into his affections, feeling his words just as well as hearing them.

Reaching behind his head I unclasp his eyepatch, placing it on the bedside table.

"Hm, thank you." He murmurs sleepily, licking his lips as he made himself more comfortable.

"I wish you didn't feel that you had to wear it here."

"My sapphire can be a bit... off-putting. I wouldn't want this any more uncomfortable for your family than it is."

"Perhaps they'll realize you're here to stay when we tell them I'm carrying your son."

"Have they not already heard the rumors?" He smirks, ever the prideful father smoothing over the slowly stretching skin of my stomach.

"They didn't mention it. I fear there won't be a good time to announce it now with..." closing my eyes my baby sister's name gets caught in my throat and the pain is anew, the wound still fresh.

"We won't be able to keep it from them much longer my love. I may have announced it to the green council on my way out the door..."

"You what?!" I sit straight up and my sudden movement makes Aemond hiss in pain but he waves me off, still smiling.

"It slipped, what can I say? I can't wait to be a father to our young Prince." Aemond chuckles wiggling his eyebrows doing his best to disarm my shock and it works, his charm is my weakness as always.

My deep-set lips curve into a reluctant smile as he presses a quick kiss to my forehead.

"The news will reach Dragonstone soon and even sooner you'll be showing."

His calloused hands skate across my neck until he settles on my shoulders, massaging my sore muscles tenderly.

"There's war on the horizon and death in our home yet you're glowing, Elaena... and that can only mean one thing."

Humming in contentment I lean back into him giving his lips easier access as he whispers in my ear,  "That my son grows inside of you, and just like his mother will flourish despite the enemies that knock at our door."

Aemond rests his chin on my shoulder staring down at me memorizing every dip and curve of my features willing me to meet his gaze but I can't, my gut telling me none of this would be simple.

"I'll keep you safe and when Jaehaeryn and Aelyx grow they'll protect you just as fiercely-"

"I'm not worried about myself. It's everyone else, Aemond. If I'm all that stands what's the throne? What are power and gold and infamy? It would be nothing without you, without our family." 

With my confession, the weight of the world is lifted from my chest, and my worst nightmares are finally put into words. Aemond cups my face but doesn't force me to look at him and I'm thankful.

"My sweet girl, you're so wise." He murmurs, "It's one of the many reasons I'm in love with you and it's one of the many reasons you'll make a wonderful queen one day. But all I need is the word and we'll disappear to the ends of the world with our family."

I turn up to look at him in shock. Neither of us had mentioned our lost dreams in quite some time. I was beginning to think it wasn't a desire of his anymore, that maybe he had enjoyed the idea of ruling together.

"Do you truly mean that?" I ask.

His eyebrows furrow in, more hurt that I had to question him but he reassures me anyway.

"Now, ten years from now, twenty years from now I'll mean it, Elaena. Everything is nothing without you, without who we love most." His voice holds a deep sincerity that I will never forget, his promise burned into my mind for as long as my heart would beat.

Everything is nothing without you, without who we love the most.

***