𝓐𝓮𝓶𝓸𝓷𝓭 𝓣𝓪𝓻𝓰𝓪𝓻𝔂𝓮𝓷
I'd spent most of my morning in bed, watching Elaena sleep if that's what you'd call it.

There wasn't an hour she stood still, tossing and turning all through the night until she'd woken us both with her screams sometime after dawn.

How could I leave her? We weren't meant to be apart the gods showed us this but still, I'd made a promise to protect Lucerys.

Once we returned I could only hope these nightmares would cease. She needed her rest now more than ever and my sweet song wasn't getting any.

With not much time to do anything about it, I lean against the door frame watching her fuss over my things.

When she insisted on packing for me I agreed wholeheartedly, hoping it would give her some sense of control over this trip.

"I've never been but I've heard the maesters talk about how erratic the weather can be so I packed you a few different things to choose from depending on the day,"

Fiddling with the overwhelming amount of supplies Elaena had been more than helpful in packing anything I could need while we were away.

I walk up behind her snaking my arms around her waist and rest my palms on her belly.

Pressing a soft kiss to her neck I follow the trail of love bites I'd left the night before up to her ear.

"I fully expect to be home before these marks of mine fade away, my love. If I had it my way I wouldn't need a single change of clothes."

"If you rush things Lord Borros will take offense and it'll all be in vain-"

"Then I'll burn Storms End to ash, simple." I grin into her neck with a light chuckle but with my beautiful wife on edge, she doesn't find it as funny.

"Aemond," she sighs but I just as well enjoy the sound of my name rolling off her tongue.

Turning her so we're face to face I silence her with my mouth, pressing a possessive kiss to her lips and she melts, the tension rolling off her shoulders.

Reluctantly breaking our kiss Elaena's eyes remain shut savoring the bliss shared only when we kissed.

I run a few fingers through her long white-blonde hair and she shifts her weight to lean into me.

"You barely spoke at breakfast this morning. Tell me you won't keep all to yourself while I'm gone," I ask softly, tipping up her chin to look at me.

She bites her lip as a thought crosses her mind and giggles to herself, "I'll keep myself busy. Perhaps I'll offer my services to Jace and go with him to Winterfell. He may need help to convince Cregan after all-"

Grabbing hold of her chin I narrow my eye at her and a low rumble sounds in my throat.

"You'll stay here where I know you'll be safe." Instinctively my hold around her waist tightens possessively.

The corner of her plump lips lifts in a half smile at my reaction, my beautiful wife happy with herself for the rise she's gotten out of her hot-tempered husband.

"I'll be waiting by the window for you, my prince. Watching the skies for Vhagar until you come home to me,"

Her sweet words warm my cold heart but with how she talks it seems I'll be gone for months, although I could never part from her for that long. I was addicted to her, that much had always been certain.

Taking her face in my sword-worn hands, I brush the pad of my thumb across her bottom lip and an innocent pink blush floods her cheeks.

I was a jealous and possessive man and with a war on our doorstep, our life together was threatened only amplifying all of these already intense emotions.

How could I, a man made up of all things pain and darkness, deserve such a woman of light and compassion? The answer was simple I didn't, but perhaps after my trip to Storms End I'd be just that much closer.

I take advantage of our last few moments alone and kiss her with the entirety of my love and promise for her.

Our lips move together like we've done this our whole lives, only meant to kiss and love one another and no one else.

Reluctantly we pull away, her lips still kissed swollen from this morning and the evening before and I wished I could've continued worshipping her all morning long.

"We should get going. They'll be waiting for us on the dragon mount." I say, but I don't move, holding her for a few seconds more.

Finally, together we work up the courage to make the walk to the hills of Dragonstone where Vhagar, Arrax, and Vermax awaited their riders circling the skies.

Rhaenyra stood with her two sons, assuring them of their duties as Ser Erryk stood guard just feet away with a couple of his men who kept an eye on the handmaidens and Jaehaeryn who had come to see me off.

As we approach, Jaehaeryn's energy is endless, running to chase the shadows on the grass of the dragons that flew in the sky above.

His innocent giggles bring a smile to my face and I could almost forget I was leaving them.

As if he feels us, the careless child looks our way and runs toward us.

Adjusting the pack on my shoulders I lean down just in time to scoop our little dragon into my arms.

He points to Vhagar and Seasmoke flying together between the clouds, screaming excitedly.

"We go flying again? El takes me flying?" He asks and I chuckle deeply looking at my wife.

"Later, little one. We're here to say goodbye to Aemond. He's going to be leaving us for a short while." With a slight sadness in Elaena's voice, she clasps his cloak tighter around his body but Jaehaeryn jerks away from her his face scrunching up in confusion and anger.

"Leave?" he pouts, grabbing hold of my collar.

This little boy noticed my absence, missing me when I was gone. Was it possible I'd made that much of an impact on my nephew?

My father didn't spend hardly enough time with me and my siblings to miss him when he was gone. It wasn't until I was older that I'd grown to understand it hadn't been entirely his choice.

"I'll be back before you notice I'm gone," I promise. Looking between Elaena and Jaehaeryn I lean into his ear, keeping this our little secret. "But you know what that means don't you?"

Jae's frown fades when he remembers what I'd told him the last time we left one another and his bright eyes widen with recognition.

"That's right, little one. Be a good boy for Elaena, hm? And maybe when I return you can ride the glorious Vhagar." Tickling his sides his giggles fill the air and even Elaena smiles when she hears it, watching us with the twinkle in her eyes that I'd fallen so in love with.

Placing our ball of fire back onto the grass he runs through the open hills watching Vhagar as she landed beside Arrax, unsettling the young dragon just as I did Luke.

Maybe this trip together would change that... for all of us.

Following him up the hill I take hold of Elaena's hand giving it a reassuring squeeze but she keeps whatever she's feeling to herself, only worrying me more.

As we approach my sister and nephews we're welcomed into the fold and Ser Erryk presents an ancient text of the faith.

"It's been said as Targaryens we are closer to gods than men, the Iron Throne puts us a touch closer perhaps. But, if we are to serve the seven kingdoms we must answer to their gods. If you take this errand you go as messengers, not as warriors... swear it to me, now, under the eyes of the Seven."

One by one all three of us swear on the Faith of the Seven, there would be no fighting that is... if I could help it.

We would deliver our message and bring Lord Borros's reply back to the Queen, whether it be positive or negative. I would bring Lucerys back home safe and sound that was my task, to return home to my wife.

As I deliver my vow I keep my eye locked on Elaena, reassuring her in any way I can but she goes pale as time goes on, fiddling with her rings as she does when she's most nervous.

It was becoming real, there was nothing she could do to stop our departure now and I see it in her eyes the moment she realizes it.

From the corner of my eye, I notice Jace take Luke to the side.

I don't make out much besides, "Are you sure?"

I don't need to eavesdrop to know what Luke's truthful answer is. He isn't sure, none of us are but he trusted Elaena who from afar watched her brothers as I did.

As she goes to check on them I take the opportunity to speak to my sister.

Readjusting my pack nervously it's no longer just my sister I spoke to but our Queen, the mother of my wife as odd as that may sound to outsiders.

Growing up it was true I held onto spite and jealousy for my sister, but Elaena had driven those negative emotions out as she did so well.

"Aemond, I have faith you'll bring my son back safe and sound just as you have my daughter time and time again,"

"I wanted to speak with you about that. You gave us your blessing when you could've just as easily turned me away... why?"

Twisting her rings just as her daughter does she stares off at Elaena hugging Lucerys tight to her chest.

Rhaenyra finally turns to me and for the first time in years, we look one another in the eye.

"It was never for you, but I suppose you'd known that. All of her life Elaena never wanted much and what I knew then and even better now is that the weight of the crown is heavy... crushing." She takes a deep breath.

"And my daughter needs someone strong enough to carry that burden with her, someone, dangerous enough to deter any and all who stand against them but will love her just as fiercely as he'll protect her. And that... despite my husband's wishes, is you, Aemond." Rhaenyra spoke softly with wisdom beyond her years and it was quite clear now why my father had chosen her despite his firstborn son.

Elaena turns her blonde head of hair and notices the both of us atop the hill talking.

"I won't disappoint you. Or her." I promise and perhaps I shouldn't but my intentions are clear and have always been.

With a soft curious smile, my song climbs the hill and with a curt nod to her mother, I start toward her meeting her halfway.

"I never thanked you. What an ungrateful wife I've been," she frowns but I take her hand, placing a finger over her lips.

"Shh, you never need to thank me though it does sound quite nice," I chuckle, pressing one last kiss to Elaena's temple.

I rest my forehead on hers and trace the outline of her face, memorizing each inch though how could I ever forget her?

"I love you," she whispers quietly and I almost change my mind, tell Lord Borros to go to the seven hells and stay home with her. "We love you,"

Fuck I wanted to.

"I love you, issa vāedar." I reply. Words I don't say to her nearly enough.
*my song

"I'll be home soon, don't miss me too terribly, hm?" Offering her a half smile she offers me one in return but it doesn't reach her eyes.

Reluctantly I take a step back away from her and then another until our arms are outstretched and we're forced to drop each other's hands.

I tear my gaze from her and Jaehaeryn as he leans his head against her leg, watching me as I go and the pit in my stomach grows.

Nothing good ever came from us being apart.

Climbing atop Vhagar, Lucerys does the same but Arrax is anxious, taking off along with Jace getting a head start into the clouds.

Instead of following him right away, I spare one last glance at Elaena, who now stood with her mother watching from the hill.

Jaehaeryn clings to her leg watching us as the wind whipped through their hair.

I couldn't fail them.

Nodding my head with one last goodbye Vhagar stretches her monstrous wings and takes flight, following Arrax into the morning fog until Dragonstone is all but a faded island behind us.

Usually, flying cleared my mind but today all it did was muddy my thoughts.

Elaena was my voice of reason, my peace, and without her, I'd try my damndest to hold my silver tongue.

As we descend through the storm front, Storms End's curtains of the stone wall stand strong through the wind and rain. It's a fortress said to be one of the strongest castles in the realm but I was still confident Vhagar could turn it all to dust.

With the pelting rain, Arrax brings Luke to the very front entrance where as Vhagar has to take a different approach.

Elaena like all things had been right about the weather. Lightning was the only way to see in the downpour and where we think is an open area to land a burst of lightning shakes the ground, reflecting off the shimmering silver scales of nonother than Tessarion.

Rearing her head at us as we approached she lets out a cry from her throat but Vhagar doesn't falter, roaring back louder, fiercer to warn Tessarion to stay away.

The blue-winged beast flinches, bringing its head down to avoid her and it gives us the freedom to land.

I'd been right in the fact that they would send Daeron in my place but I'd hoped to be wrong. This would only further complicate things.

Doing as he was told Luke waits for me before entering and we're escorted by a handful of guards down a long dark hallway lined by flickering flames.

I keep Elaena's little brother a step behind me already stiff with tension and my hand on the hilt of my sword as if a threat could come from out from any corner.

I wanted this over with, and I wanted home to my wife.

"It's as suspected, Daeron is waiting for us," I mutter to Lucerys under my breath not intending to frighten him but his steps falter out of count with mine.

Turning my head to him I urge him to keep in step, uneager to show even Lord Borros's men a single sign of weakness.

When we enter the great hall, Lord Borros sits in his stone seat, seemingly even more uncomfortable than that of the Iron Throne and its hundreds of melted steel swords.

To his left stood three of his plain daughters, all with dark brown Baratheon hair but I pay them no attention finding Daeron speaking softly with another one of his daughters across the room.

"Prince Lucerys Velaryon and Prince Aemond Targaryen,"

Lightning cracks in the sky, illuminating the dim hall and Daeron turns with a smirk already anticipating our arrival.

"Lord Borros, I've brought you a message from my mother, the Queen."

"Yet earlier this day, I received an envoy from the King. Which is it? King or Queen? The House of the Dragon does not seem to know who rules it." Lord Borros laughs to himself but the rest of us stand in silence, biting our tongues.

When he doesn't get the reaction he expected he continues, "What's your mother's message?"

Lucerys keeps his mouth set in a hard line, holding up the rolled-up piece of parchment for one of the knights to take for themselves.

Upon receiving the letter Lord Borros waves for a maester, unwilling or incapable of reading the message himself. Once the message is conveyed Lord Borros furrows his thick brows in pointed confusion.

"Remind me of my father's oath? King Aegon at least came with an offer, my swords and banners for a marriage pact." Nodding to Daeron he takes a step in front of his betrothed, peering down his nose at me as if he'd won.

"If I do as your mother bids... which one of my daughters will you wed, boy?" Lord Borros motions to the three ladies who stood at his side all of different ages and heights and although they wore their hair in assorted braids like Elaena, they didn't compare to her in the slightest, only pale copies of the beautiful princess, my wife.

"My lord... I am not free to marry. I'm already betrothed," Luke replies politely, but that only brings the stubborn man's attention to me.

"And you?"

The corner of my lips twitch up into a smile and I wish to beam proudly, "I'm husband to the Queen's Heir herself, so as you see-"

"So, you come empty-handed?" His voice booms through the silent room and I bite my tongue not once but twice about the simple fact that he would be on the losing side of this war.

Grinding my teeth the Lord continues, "Go home pups, and tell your mother that the Lord of Storms End is not some dog that she can whistle up at need to set against her foes."

Pups?

Luke opens his mouth to reply but I step in front of him, and keep my hands locked behind my back.

"And what use would a dog be to a dragon, hm?" I arch an eyebrow at the fat lord and he's stunned, "Have you forgotten whose hall you stand in?! Whose allegiance you're vying for, boy?!"

"It was only a question, my lord I didn't mean offense. I simply mean, if my sister thought of you as a dog, she wouldn't see much use for you would she?"

"Wherever you're going with this get there quickly, boy!" He spits but this time I won't hold my tongue.

"Our Queen wouldn't like to rule over a kingdom of ash and bone, but we certainly have the dragons to do so. So it's quite a simple question, my lord, would you like to marry off your daughters? Or keep them alive?" I cock my head to the side and as soon as the words leave my mouth a couple of his daughters take a step away, threatened by my blunt truth as they should've been.

"You're beginning to sound like a true treasonous cunt aren't you?" Daeron makes his first noise since we'd entered and the tension already build up between us comes to a head.

"This war you plan at is a death wish. Aegon will have our whole family killed for the sake of his revenge!"

Throwing back his head in false laughter his short blonde waves fall away from his face, "A death wish you say? Dear brother, I wouldn't count us out so quickly. I wonder, if I take your other eye you'll pay closer attention to what I say!"

Chuckling to myself the talons of darkness dig deeper into my heart and the hall may as well be empty besides the two of us.

"Hmm, or perhaps I'll give you a scar to match." Curling my fingers around my leather eye patch I rip it from my face revealing my sapphire and the scar in all of its glory.

From beside me, Luke steps aside, trying his damndest not to stare at the very thing he'd caused.

It was only behind closed doors that some called me the sapphire prince. Those who hadn't seen had only speculated, wondering why on earth someone would wish themselves such pain.

It was a scar I would bare, and I would make it my own and use it how I saw fit... to instill fear.

As I reach for my blade Daeron takes a step back his eyes widening in fear for just a moment though he'd deny it.

"Aemond we swore," Lucerys reminds me but I turn my glare to him instead.

"Quiet little Lord Strong, my baby brother seems eager to pay your debt,"

"If it's a fight you wish for Aemond I'll give it to you, though lose another eye and you'll be blind. Would you care to take such a risk?" He mocks me as Lord Borros and his court watch, all of them terrified to watch but terrified to look away.

Twirling my dagger between my fingers I arch an eyebrow at him through the spinning steel of my blade, urging him on.

If he embarrassed himself enough perhaps it was possible Lord Borros would change his mind about betrothing his daughter to my brother and break the alliance. But that of course wasn't my only intention...

"Maybe it wouldn't bother you... but how would your whore wife feel if I sent her husband home even uglier than he'd left? I expect Aegon will kill her first,"

The moment he mentions Elaena my gaze snaps to his and I could burn him alive with the rage swirling in my violet eye.

For just a second I debate, peace or violence?

Violence.

Adjusting my grip on my dagger I start toward him, my vision blurred with rage, and my voice is far beyond threatening but murderous. "I'll cut out that godforsaken tongue of yours,"

Daeron withdraws his sword but he'll need far more than that to defend himself.

"NOT IN MY HALL! I will not have bloodshed beneath my roof!"

I can almost taste my vengeance when Lord Borros's command echoes through the room, freezing us both where we stood.

"Escort Prince Lucerys and Prince Aemond back to their dragons, they're to leave at once."

I hesitate, reluctant to listen to this pathetic lord's demands.

Daeron waits for me to withdraw, placing my dagger back at my waist as he sheaths his sword, his shoulders still stiff and I know this wasn't over, only brushed beneath the rug until we see one another again, possibly even on the battlefield.

Glancing between Daeron and Lord Borros I take a backward step and then another until I turn and follow Lucerys back down the dark hallway from which we came.

Though I can only see the back of Luke's head I can feel his judgment as he quickens his pace to keep ahead of me.

If the pup thought I was the reason we'd lost their support he was truly more innocent than I'd thought.

I hadn't expected the rain to have stopped but I certainly hadn't expected the storm to swell. Every few breaths a strike of lightning brightens the courtyard as bright as day and the thunder isn't long behind, shaking the stone beneath our feet.

Quickly Lucerys mounts Arrax and gets his head start into the storm. It couldn't have been safe to fly in these conditions but we couldn't stay here.

Shielding my face from the torrential downpour I find Vhagar in discomfort where I left her and I know much like me she'll be relieved to get home where we belong but Tessarion is gone with no sign of her rider.

I adjust my straps in a hurry to get out of the rain and Vhagar releases a thunderous roar that was surely heard from even inside the castle and I know she can feel my frustrations.

Stretching out her worn wings she struggles to get us up off the ground but with her massive wingspan, we catch up to Lucerys in a matter of minutes who was struggling through the storm.

I grit my teeth through the rain, the droplets more like shattered bits of glass grazing my face at the high speeds we were flying at.

Tightening my grip on the reigns I call out to Vhagar to go higher to shield Arrax from whatever we can, "Eglikta, Vhagar!"
*higher

Doing as she's commanded, the action is in vain.

A burst of flames is sent up before us and both of our dragons veer us off in different directions.

Lightning splits the sky and I see them between the dark clouds.

Daeron's maniacal laughter swings by us and they fade into the darkness. The blue beast Tessarion is quick with avoiding the giant jaws of Vhagar but all my little brother had, for now, was his speed and the cover of this storm.

Grunting in frustration I urge Vhagar lower, searching desperately for the one reason I'd come in the first place, Lucerys.

Diving toward the crashing waves I spot Tessarion on Arrax's tail, following them through the crack in an old foundational piece of Storms End but I can't help him. Vhagar was too grown and large a dragon to fit in such a tight space.

I reel back the reigns urging Vhagar up and over the crumbling stone and bouts of flames can be seen from below. Arrax and Tessarion were more of a fair fight but Daeron's conflict was with me, perhaps he needed reminding.

"DRACARYS, VHAGAR!" The command rolls off my tongue so naturally, and the blast that could devour them both separates them, sending them upward seeking relief from the storm.

"This is a fight you won't win, brother!" I call out to him, taunting him in hopes he'll focus his attacks on me instead of Lucerys.

I couldn't let Elaena's dream become reality, it will have all been for nothing.

From above us Arrax's cries are chilling and my heart sinks in my chest, it's hammering beat loud in my ears.

No, no, no.

"LUCERYS! Ugh, Seven hells," I growl to myself.

Veering Vhagar up through the clouds I follow the bursts of flames until I find them. The blue-scaled Tessarion and the gold-chested Arrax were tangled in a teeth-bearing, claw-ripping fight but I can't separate them, hardly able to differentiate which one of them was which but Vhagar doesn't take a second look.

The massive beast dives at them seeing the threat for what it is and opens her jaw, snapping at the two entangled dragons but Daeron takes his opportunity, releasing Luke and Arrax at the very last moment so Lucerys is the sole recipient of Vhagar's wrath.

"VHAGAR, NO!" I cry, but it's too late.

Like a horse on the hillside, Vhagar rips apart the young dragon as if it's any of her other meals with no regard for its rider.

Lurching forward in my seat I reach out for him, watching the remaining pieces of Arrax fall lifelessly through the sky.

I'd claimed one of the most ferocious dragons in the realm and it hadn't mattered, I'd lost control.

My breathing becomes erratic, uncontrollable at best.

I killed him.

Her dream had been about me and she'd seen it all coming.

It was I who was the threat all this time, I'd been the monster.

***