𝓔𝓵𝓪𝓮𝓷𝓪 𝓣𝓪𝓻𝓰𝓪𝓻𝔂𝓮𝓷
The morning of Visenya's funeral is a somber one. Though the sun still shined bright in the sky its light was dampened by the fog and clouds that surrounded Dragonstone.

With the long night behind me, I'd woken up early, taking some time on my own to wander the hills and watch the dragons circle the skies.

The only one missing was my mother's dragon Syrax who still cried softly from the depths of the caves, refusing even my father to come out from hiding.

Below they prepared the ceremony as some lords and ladies from the island took their places when a small joyful voice breaks me from my trance, "El!"

Already, my frown is fading away as I watch him and Aemond who looked as handsome as ever climb the hill toward me.

The little boy breaks into a run and I crouch, taking him into my arms and holding him close.

"Look how grown up you are little dragon! Did Uncle Aemond help you get ready this morning?" Glancing up to catch a glimpse of my husband he's admiring us as he approaches, sticking both of his hands into the pockets of his long black coat.

"Mhm! And Joff too!"

With most of our wardrobe only consisting of black, to begin with, it was simple dressing him in hand-me-downs offered by the handmaidens that were once worn by Joffrey.

Aemond presses a soft kiss to my forehead brushing his fingers across the black sapphire that still hung from my neck. 

"How are you feeling, my love? Long night?" He asks, his sharp blonde eyebrows furrowed in concern. I'd ducked out of our chambers before he'd had the chance to question me about my nightmares and the truth was, I was tired of talking about it.

There was nothing either of us could do, so I'd try my best not to worry him.

"I'm fine," I say and he sees right through it, frowning that I'd chosen to lie instead of being honest with him.

Instead of pushing me on it, he offers me a sympathetic smile of understanding.

"Joff!" Jaehaeryn points to my brothers who are gathered below.

As I stare off toward the growing crowd Aemond takes a single braid of mine through his fingers, running the soft strand across his skin.

"I know the circumstances are... terrible to say the least, but you look beautiful this morning."

Aemond's compliment takes me off guard but I welcome it, my cheeks burning under his tender gaze.

"Black has always been more our color," I giggle a bit and Aemond's expression softens at the sound, leaning in to press another kiss to my temple.

Letting Jaehaeryn down he takes hold of my hand and Aemond with the other, leading us down the hill.

The service that's held for my baby sister is a quiet one, in contrast to how she'd entered the world. Now that the screams and cries had ceased, the wounds remained and we all mourned in silence.

Atop the hill, my mother and father stood at Visenya's side watching from afar as the flames engulf her tiny body.

I try to keep the tears at bay though they burn at the back of my throat.

Now that I'd been declared my mothers heir, I refused to give any man reason to doubt my strength.

Though Aemond stood at least a foot taller than me I could still sense his concerned stare from beside me. Taking a milli-step closer his fingers brush with mine in way of question.

One by one Aemond's fingers interlock with mine and he gives my hand a reassuring squeeze. The comfort he brings almost makes me crack, a lone tear streaking down my cheek and onto our intertwined hands.

From the corner of my eye, I notice a knight making his way through the crowd. Standing on my tiptoes I try to get a closer look but the man is stopped by my father and the two guards that surrounded him.

"Who is it?" I whisper, but Aemond's eye goes wide when the man removes his helmet and turns his head to the side revealing himself to us and I gasp.

Ser Erryk holds up his hands in surrender and I go to step forward for him but Aemond holds me tight bringing me to a halt.

Slowly the knight brings attention to his satchel, opening its flap and removing its contents, and though we can't see it from where we're standing whatever it is brings my father's mouth agape as he reaches for it slowly.

Like a beam of sunlight through the foggy morning its golden glow was a beacon of hope and unity. Ser Erryk had not only managed to escape with his life but he'd managed to acquire the very crown my mother's father wore when he sat on the Iron Throne.

"I swear toward the Queen. With all my strength and give my blood for hers. I shall take no wife, hold no lands, father no children, I shall guard her secrets obey her commands, ride at her side, and defend her name and honor." Ser Erryk's proclamation resounds in everyone's hearts, his loyalty inspiring all who watched.

Holding his brother's crown in his hands my father looks it over in disbelief before turning to my mother who watched from afar.

With my mother's eyes still tear-stained pink with mourning, my father approaches her and places the very crown on her head.

Without hesitation, my father kneels tilting his chin to his wife with the utmost respect and admiration, "My Queen."

His words echo like a thundering wave across the small crowd that had gathered and one by one, everyone kneels.

A bit confused, Jaehaeryn looks to me for guidance but it's Aemond who gives him a reassuring nod, kneeling beside me in allegiance with his sister, my mother even after all our families had put each other through.

I want to kiss him, throw myself into his arms for making such a statement as this, for when Aemond said he'd do anything for me, he truly meant it. His loyalty was not just words, it was action.

But was it possible? Could Aemond truly forgive them?

***

My father stands at the helm of the painted table, his arms behind his back as he waits patiently for my mother, the queen.

Rhaena and Baela stand with my brothers who seemed deep in conversation. I imagined they'd be getting married soon if it weren't for all of this.

We all had been years if not months away from married bliss, building our families together but no. War would come first.

Brushing my hand over the many divots and shapes of the painted table the maesters light a long stretch of candles in a metal plate sliding it beneath.

The creases and markings that made up the seven kingdoms were lit ablaze, bringing the dark stone to life and I stared in awe.

In the many years, we'd lived on Dragonstone the painted table was never necessary. There was no reason to plot and defend, only live and prosper.

Twisting at the rings on my fingers I almost feel him, looking up to the door as Aemond walks through it and he finds me right away, our eyes locking from across the room.

All day Aemond had taken it upon himself to look after Jaehaeryn, doing everything he could to keep any stress off of my shoulders that he could burden himself.

When he sees me it brings a small smile to his lips and he's already closing the distance between us.

As he walked by my brothers and the girls, Aemond offers them a curt nod returned by all but Jace who still stared weary of my husband, more like my father than he'd care to admit.

If Aemond notices he ignores them, taking my hand and pressing a kiss to my forehead.

Leaning against the painted table he stretches his muscles after having been running himself ragged all afternoon. "Joffrey and Jaehaeryn seem to be getting along nicely.  He couldn't wait to get back to play with them."

"That's a relief I was worried he would end up like-"

"Like me?" Slipping his large hands around my waist he tips back his chin to smirk down at me and I shrug my shoulders.

"I suppose, but you didn't turn out too despicable did you?"

"Just enough I'd say. There's no telling the man I would've become without you," Leaning his forehead against mine I think he might kiss me in the room full of people and I'd let him with the way he was devouring me with his gaze.

"And now you'll never know,"

"Hm," he hums in response his vexing violet eye locked onto my lips. Instead of brushing my mouth with his he gently traces my bottom lip with his thumb.

"I'm dying to taste these lips, Princess... but your father and brother haven't taken their eyes off of us."

As I glance toward them over Aemond's shoulder our knight in shining armor comes through the threshold.

"Ser Erryk!" I rush to him, eager to thank him for what he'd done for us and I can feel Aemond's jealousy from behind me as he watched.

"Aemond told us they put you to the sword! I'm so relieved to see you live and well,"

"I have my brother to thank for that. Granted, when word reaches Kings Landing of my arrival in Dragonstone it'll be him they go after." He shrugs with a bit of sadness but looks me over for any harm.

A presence approaches me from behind and at first, I assume it's Aemond but when he speaks I'm corrected, "Ser Erryk, I haven't had the chance to thank you for assisting in my daughter's escape,"

The knight lowers his head in respect, "It was only my duty, your grace."

There's some commotion in the hall and a few stragglers wander in. All of the conversations in the room halted as we all listened carefully to the approaching footsteps.

My father motions me to the painted table and Aemond and I take our places beside my brothers though my father stares daggers at my husband, who I'm sure felt the heat but doesn't sweat.

When my mother rounds the corner with her personal Queens Guard everyone stands at attention, holding their breath as we all realize we're witnessing history in the making.

"Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen, First of her name, Queen of the Andals and the Rhoynar and the First Men, Lady of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm. Your Grace,"

Everyone bows their heads in respect and I can't help the small smile that comes to my face. My mother is a stunning pinnacle of power striding toward us and her face is solemn staring straight ahead at my father who announced her entrance.

Stepping forward Rhaena offers my mother a goblet of wine and she waves her and Baela over to join us at the table. Taking their spots beside Lucerys and Jacerys they exchange shy smiles, still so innocent in their relationship beginnings and I wish to myself that I could relive Aemond and I's beginnings as well.

"What is our standing?" The Queen asks, and my father is quick to respond.

"We have thirty knights, a hundred crossbowmen, and three hundred men-at-arms. Dragonstone is relatively easy to defend but as an instrument of conquest, our army leaves a lot to be desired. We already have declarations from Celtigar, Staunton, Massey, Darklyn, and Bar Emmon."

Jace marks our allies on the map and my mother points to another.

"My lady mother was an Arryn. The Vale will not turn cloak against their kin."

"Riverrun was always a close friend to your father, Your Grace. With Prince Daemon's acquiescence, I've already sent ravens to Lord Grover."

My mother and father share a look and I can sense the tension thickening by the second and the maester stiffens in fear.

"Lord Grover is fickle and easily swayed... He will need to be convinced of the strength of our position and that we will support him should it come to war."

"I'm going to treat with him myself." My father replies simply and my mother's expression hardens, understanding personally now the friction between Daemon and Viserys.

My father would always be a Rouge Prince, answering to authority whenever he saw fit.

"What of Storm's End and Winterfell?" My mother asks.

"There has never lived a Stark who forgot an oath, and with House Stark, the North will follow." Maester Gerardys announces, offering hope.

"Lord Borros Baratheon will need to be reminded of his father's promises... and our enemies?"

"We have no friends among the Lannisters. Tyland has served the Hand too long to turn against him, and Otto Hightower needs the Lannister Fleet." My father turns his pointed stare to Aemond who rests his hands on the table with his shoulders set back with confidence

"It was Tyland who suggested they make a marriage pact with the Baratheons. With only my youngest brother without a wife, I suspect they'll offer to marry off Daeron."

"Then the Riverlands will be essential." She concludes but Lord Bartimos takes a step forward.

"Please forgive my bluntness, Your Grace, but talk of men is moot. Your cause owns a power that has not been seen in this world since the days of Old Valyria... Dragons."

"The Greens have dragons as well-"

"They have three full-grown dragons without Vhagar on their side it would be a massacre. Now, we need a place to gather, a toehold large enough to house a sizeable host. Here, at Harrenhal." My father places another piece on the table and my mother takes a deep breath at the mention of it.

"We cut off the west, surround King's Landing with the dragons and we could have every Green head mounted on spikes before the fucking moon turns."

Aemond's gaze turns down, his body stiffening when my father speaks so lightly of taking the lives of his family but he's not the only one, my mother shifting her weight between both of her feet.

"Viserys spoke often of the Valyrian histories. I know them well. When dragons flew to war... everything burned. I do not wish to rule over a kingdom of ash and bone."

"Are you considering we bend the knee, Your Grace?" my father scoffs.

"As Queen, what is my true duty to the realm? Ensuring peace and unity? Or that I sit the Iron Throne no matter the cost?"

"That's your father talking-"

"My father's dead, and he chose me as his successor to defend the realm not cast it headlong into war."

"Well, the enemy have declared war! What are you going to do about it?"

Beneath the table, I grab Aemond's hand at the harsh tone my father used with my mother in front of all these people. She was no longer just his wife, she was his Queen.

The temperature in the room climbs but my mother bites her tongue, not giving in to his ploys with the audience they had.

Approaching my mother from behind, Ser Erryk timidly breaks the silence, "Your Grace, a ship has been spotted off the coast bearing the Seasnakes banner."

Grandsire.

At the mention of Lord Corlys a few faces brighten around the table and my mother uses the distraction.

"Clear the room. Elaena, take the girls to greet them at the docks and show Lord Corlys to his chambers. We'll convene for dinner and I'll welcome them properly," My mother's expression softens when she speaks to me and I smile, attempting to break the tension. 

"Yes, mothe- Your Grace." I want to slap my hand over my mouth, my cheeks blushing at the slip-up but no one thinks anything of it. The maesters are off to send their ravens and my brothers are saying their goodbyes to Baela and Rhaena for the time being.

Aemond's possessive hands slip around my waist turning me to him before I have the chance to walk away. 

"Don't take too long, my song. All this talk of killing and war puts me on edge... I want you close." 

I couldn't imagine the conflict that was stirring within him at this moment. He strived to keep me safe and now, it was becoming almost impossible to keep us all safe and sound at once. 

"Come with me," I propose but Aemond shakes his head.

"Princess Rhaenys doesn't trust me. There's a reason your mother sent you. If Corlys and his wife hold any doubt of your mother's cause it's you that'll sway him." He explains and my lips tighten with a frown.

Politics, of course.

Noticing my shift he caresses my face and gives me a quick peck on the temple before glancing over his shoulder at Baela and Rhaena who approached.

"I'll see to Jaehaeryn and meet you at dinner, hm?" 

I nod reluctantly and watch his broad shoulders sway as he walks away but his presence is quickly filled by Rhaena and Baela who were more than thrilled to be welcoming Lord Corlys and Princess Rhaenys. 

Without wasting much time we make our way to the docks but already spot them from the stairs as they disembark the ship.

"He looks even better than I'd hoped!" Baela exclaims, being the first to take the stairs two at a time letting her lively curls blow in the winds behind her.

When they spot us their faces lift, taking us into their arms.

"My girls! How wonderful it is to see you all safe and sound!" Princess Rhaenys exclaims as we all take our turns embracing, soaking up the moments of safety we all had together.

Though Lord Corlys still walked with a bit of a limp he was no longer using his cane as he had when I'd seen him at the Stepstones. The month of rest had done him well, but what was to come none of us could tell.

Giving my shoulder a squeeze he offers me a sympathetic smile, "My deepest sympathies for little Visenya. If you're any tell of what a woman she would've grown to be this world will sorely miss her... but I'm afraid it's Viserys who made the tallest waves." 

"They tried to lock her away, Grandsire. She and Aemond barely escaped with their lives," Rhaena tells him in horror and I'm relieved to hear her include Aemond despite the speculation that surrounded him.

"Aemond? I find that difficult to believe," Rhaenys scoffs and I ignore it, feigning a smile.

"You've arrived just in time for dinner. The Queen sent us to welcome you and show you to your chambers as she finishes her meetings," 

Lord Corlys and his wife share a look of knowing but they follow anyway, speaking no more of Aemond or the Hightowers, at least for now.

After showing them to their chambers I make a quick getaway to change, eager to see Aemond who I knew would be feeling the heat in a dining room filled with people who distrusted him. 

I would've been asking the world of him if I'd asked him to choose my family over his but that hadn't been the question. The question would be if ultimately, he'd pick me, and it was a question I never had to ask. 

When we'd found out Aegon was usurping the throne my husband didn't have a second thought, he'd just reacted, ensuring my safety by going against his brother, his grandsire, and even his mother.

When I step out from our chambers I'm pleasantly surprised to see Aemond sitting on the window sill, waiting for me patiently. 

Sensing my presence he turns his attention to me and his cold expression fades into something familiar and warm.

He grins as he closes the distance between us, "My beautiful wife," 

 We were both hungry for something other than food, and with all of this stress I craved a distraction, I craved Aemond.

"Why didn't you join me?" I ask with a slight pout but he brushes the hair away from my face and presses a tender kiss to my lips before reluctantly pulling away.

"I heard you singing and... I'm a selfish man, I admit. I didn't want it to end." 

His admission ties my stomach in knots, wondering what on earth I'd been singing earlier, and a shy blush consumes me as I bring my hands to cover my face. 

"Oh, I- I didn't even realize I was-" 

Aemond's large hands clasp with mine, bringing them down from my face so our violet eyes connect, and I'm struck by the sight of him.

"Don't, Elaena. You don't have to shy away from me,"

With the quickly falling sun in the sky behind him, my husband glowed with the subtle blood-orange sky but even still, the most captivating sight was Aemond's soft heartfelt gaze meant only for me.

 As I melt into a puddle at his feet, Aemond tips my head to the side so he has easier access to the length of my neck. Trailing his kisses up to my ear, I take a fistful of his leather tunic, sucking in a sharp intake of breath at the multiplying sensation that I couldn't get enough of. 

"I know we're expected in the dining hall soon but, I'd rather be having you for dinner,"

My heart was beating out of my chest but, Aemond still spoke with poise despite his words, the corner of his plump lips tipping up into a sexy smirk.

"Have your meal soon, in a month or two I won't be able to take you so easily, or be so... desirable." I chuckle, already growing insecure with the changes in my body at being almost two months pregnant.

"What makes you think you being pregnant won't turn me on even more? Besides, I've always been a man of challenge and conquest," As he leans in for another kiss I place my finger on his lips.

"Is that what turns you on? Pregnant women?" I tease.

"You turn me on, Elaena. And you carrying my child night and day is an honor I don't take lightly. Every moment is a moment closer to meeting him, a little dragon of our own, and by the time he's born your mother will sit on the throne and all of this will feel like a dream." 

His palms come to rest on my stomach in affection but I'm not so easily convinced Aegon will give up his crown.

"How can you be so sure?"

"I have to be, my song. Remember?"

***