𝓔𝓵𝓪𝓮𝓷𝓪 𝓣𝓪𝓻𝓰𝓪𝓻𝔂𝓮𝓷
"We should take Kings Landing the moment she wakes. We have the men we have the dragons,"

Aemond's voice is close, nearby in the shadows of my deep sleep and I can almost reach out and touch him, but another familiar voice joins him.

"He'll expect this of you, Aemond. We can't take Kings Landing, not yet-"

Mother.

I use all of my strength to speak, but my lips don't move, and my eyelids are far too heavy to lift.

"Then my brother will expect it when I incinerate him to dust for what he's done. The last thing he'll hear as he burns is our mother begging for mercy, but he'll never have it, not from me."

Aemond is furious but why? What were they so worried about?

I don't think about it for long before I'm slipping back into my deep sleep but for how long I can't be sure.

I'm floating in black nothingness, something relatively peaceful when I hear a small tune being hummed far off.

Not to the right of me or the left but all around, surrounding me.

Red of scale, golden too, dragons danced along with blue
Buildings crumble and banners fall, burned to ash for who they call
One soul saved is one soul lost, no bones to bury, ash nor frost
When all is done, who will survive?
For what's the point when they've all died?

The song was sung so joyfully but it spoke of dragons and death, repeated over and over again until I had it memorized.

There's some loud movement and the slam of a door when I finally come to, my fingers wiggling at first and then at last my eyes shoot open.

"Elaena! Thank the gods," My mother is the very first thing I see, holding me to her chest and she almost crushes me with her tight hold, running her fingers through my hair soothingly as she did when we were children.

"Mother? Good morning, what's happened? Where's Aemond?" I chuckle nervously with a hint of confusion, noting Aemond's absence immediately as my mother sits back on the bed, giving me space to breathe.

"Alert Prince Aemond of his wife. He'll want to know she's awake straight away,"

Sending the knight from the room he nods in understanding, leaving us at once at the Queen's order.

Despite her shoulders' tension, my mother's tight-lipped smile doesn't falter, looking me over in relief to grab my hand.

"Ser Arryk snuck onto the island last night with the intentions of what we aren't sure, but by the time Aemond arrived, Ser Erryk had made his last stand to protect you."

Ser Erryk? His last stand? No that couldn't mean...

"H-he died? For me? He was our most trusted knight- who stands guard now?" Struggling with my words I go for the door but my mother pulls me back, "Your brave brothers are who stand guard, sweet girl."

Frowning when she doesn't mention Aemond's whereabouts I look down at my fingers, twirling my rings.

Could he have flown to Kings Landing for revenge? Was it possible he thought I was dead?

"And what of Aemond? I thought I'd heard a door slam earlier but..." With my sentence trailing off my mother gives my hand a tight squeeze.

"He was worrying himself to pieces so I thought it best he be the one who questions Ser Arryk."

"Mother, if I know my husband Ser Arryk will be dead within the hour-"

Cutting me off my mother shakes her head leaning forward to keep a quiet voice, "Aemond will get the answers we need and then discard of him. I've given him free rein to do as he deems fit."

I stare at her bewildered that she'd granted him permission for such a thing and before I can ask her it hits me.

She's testing him.

But what was it she was hoping for?

"Oh, that reminds me," My mother reaches for a velvet case I hadn't noticed on the bedside table, running her fingers over its lid before looking up to meet my eyes.

"When the servants went to clean your rooms before you returned home, they'd found this..."

Not explaining further, she only hands me the box, leaving me to open it for myself, but when I do, I already know in my heart what she speaks of.

When my eyes finally lay eyes on one of my most prized possessions tears are immediately cascading down my flushed cheeks.

"I-I thought it was lost forever... tossed aside as trash," I breathe, tracing my fingers over the black sapphire crystals twinkling as bright as ever in the early morning sunlight.

"It was a bit of a search to find a proper jeweler that could fix it but it's almost-"

"Good as new. As beautiful as the very first time I saw it." I breathe, bringing the box close to my chest.

That night between Aemond and I had meant everything. We'd given ourselves to one another in almost every aspect, ruining me for any possible love just as I'd asked of him.

For the entirety of our month home, I'd noticed the slight fall of his smile when he saw my neck bare of this symbol of our love, but now I wouldn't let it out of my sight, not ever again.

Just as my mother shuts it away in its own drawer the bedroom door flies open, mere inches from slamming against the stonewall before Aemond catches it gracefully, his grip on the wood so tight his veins and bones flex at the sight of me.

"Elaena," He breathes in relief, our eyes connecting from across the room and I smile, my heart ever fluttering at the mere sight of him. But he was dirtied, his hands bloodied and cracked open at the knuckles of his right hand.

I open my mouth to ask but he's already closing the distance between us when I catch sight of my brothers standing guard with a couple of members from my mother's queens' guards, armed and at the ready as though Aegon could be taking our home at any moment.

Buildings fall and banners die, burned to ash for who they fight.

I could still smell the scent of burning flesh lingering in my nostrils. Soldiers were already marching, raising their banners to fight for either my mother or my uncle and it was only a matter of time before my dreams would come to fruition just as they had with Lucerys.

The bed dips under Aemond's weight as he comes to sit in front of me, his sapphire facing the open window giving it a faint glow. 

At first, he uses his dirtied bloodied hand to reach for my face but he instantly recoils, instead using his left hand to cradle my face, "My love, I thought... to seven hells what I thought. You're alright,"

Kissing the top of my head he cranes his neck down to rest his forehead to my swollen belly, "And you too, little one."

My mother goes for the door, smiling at us over her shoulder before ushering Luke and Jace back into the hallway, allowing Aemond and me a moment or two of privacy.

Just as the door closes Aemond's possessive mouth claims mine, his lips desperate in his outpouring of emotion and I feel it all.

His fear, his anger, his relief everything in a slow tender kiss that I longed to last forever, in our own plane of existence.

When the kiss finally breaks Aemond tips up my chin, his lavender eye searching my own to gauge how I was feeling.

"Do you remember anything before falling asleep, my love? Anything at all?" He questions, a worried frown blanketing his expression.

Once he mentions it I wrack my mind for anything that might've been different from a normal evening on Dragonstone. It wasn't often Aemond and I spent our evenings apart, whether we were together at the small council meetings or putting Jaehaeryn to bed we'd spent just about every waking moment together.

"I'd just finished with my bath and gotten ready for bed..." Thinking aloud I walk myself through the evening and remember exactly when I'd caught sight of the goblet on our bedside table.

Cocking my head to the side I glance over at the now empty table and point, "There was a goblet just there when I came to bed... I'd just assumed that you sent it to help me sleep."

Aemond makes a grunting noise, his nostril twitching up as it does when he's irritated, his mind already spinning with different scenarios but he keeps it all to himself, biting at his bottom lip.

Taking a page from his book, I turn his face back towards mine by cradling his chin between my fingers. "What is it, ñuha zaldrīzes?"
*my dragon

His hard resolve crumbles but he still hesitates, taking a deep breath before he continues, "Ser Arryk meant to abduct you. Your mother expects Aegon planned to make you his prisoner and use you as some... bargaining tool."

"Does he hope for peace?" I ask hopefully hardly fazed by the news of nearly being abducted but Aemond rolls his eye, absentmindedly drawing shapes on my belly protectively.

"Hm, if peace is what he seeks, my brother will find that trying to kidnap my very pregnant wife will bring him exactly the opposite." Aemond's stare fades to the window, his mind not at all contained by this room. "If you hadn't woken up, Elaena... not even the gods could've stopped me from the crimes I longed to commit. I wanted to murder him. I still want to murder him-"

"I'm here, Aemond. You got to me in time, just as you always do. He could've poisoned me, killed my mother's heir just as his son was stolen from him." I smile in an effort to reassure him but his mind is elsewhere, running through every different circumstance in which he'd lost me.

"Do you honestly think Aegon would've stopped at kidnapping you, Elaena? He would've tortured you, thrown you to the cells to keep you just out of my reach, and given you a fate far worse than death." His voice shakes, whether it be with anger or worry, or both.

Aemond struggles to have me see sense, his temper quickly rising until I take his face between my hands and his tense shoulders fall if only slightly.

His pained lavender eye closes as I brush the pad of my thumb across the bottom of his scar. Taking a deep breath, he accepts the comfort I offer, leaning his heavy head into my palms.

"Can't you see, my love? This war that rages on may bear banners of Aegon and Rhaenyra, but the true fight has always been between Aegon and I. He'll do whatever's within his power to take you from me, just as I took his love from him." Aemond's deep sultry voice brings a flush to my cheeks, his gaze tender, filling my heart to the brim with his love for me and I can't look away, our eyes locked.

"There will come a time... a time soon when he will answer for these crimes. I had half a mind to end him while you slept," he mumbles the last bit, trailing off as if I wouldn't hear him but I give his hand a squeeze.

"But you stayed," I whisper, my voice small but a resounding statement.

My fierce dragon blinks slowly before he tilts his head down slightly to press a kiss to my temple, "I promised I would." He says simply.

And Aemond Targaryen always kept his promises.

What could I have done in my short life to deserve a love such as this? Such as him.

It was true, my husband was an impulsive man, in fact, it was one of the many things I loved about him, but somewhere along our journey, he'd learned to tame the beast that dwelled behind his violet eye.

And it had all been for me. For us.

"I love you, my prince. I wish there was a deeper word for what I felt for you,"

His sharp lips tip up into a genuine smile when I utter the words. Nuzzling his nose to mine, our foreheads lay against one another.

"I could think of a few," he grins, "Infatuated, enamored, captivated, shall I go on?"

In true Aemond fashion, it isn't long before I'm a giggling mess, his fingers tickling my sides, and our laughter only ceases when he plants his lips to mine.

***

For an entire week, Aemond had insisted on waiting on me hand and foot, even trying to convince me to skip today's activities but once I'd heard from Lucerys that Ser Addam Velaryon and his brother were coming ashore, I had to see my old friend again.

Only once or twice when I was surrounded by guards and family did Aemond take his leave to the cells below, finding whatever answers he could manage from Ser Arryk but still, my husband hadn't ended his life, not yet.

He would come back with bruised and bloodied knuckles, his mind far and clouded even when we lay in bed and he brought me close to his chest.

It was only when I sang to him and the candles grew dim that he'd breathe a bit smoother, his grip on me tight and unwavering.

As we approach the dining hall the many voices already spilled through the open doors down the hall.

Unable to help myself I pick up my pace, desperate for a moment of distraction while Aemond trailed close behind, watching over me even more frequently now with my pregnancy further along.

The moment we turn the corner I'm bombarded by fierce affections and tender hugs, everyone so thankful for my safety.

"You gave us quite the scare you know," Lucerys starts, ruffling my hair as though I was the younger sibling but I elbow him in the ribs earning a hearty laugh from Rhaena who were growing closer and closer by the day.

Jace and Baela on the other hand remained friendly but their affections stopped there and I was beginning to wonder if love had even been shared between them.

It was unclear whether Jacaerys had spoken to Baela of his endeavors in the North but Baela was rarely at Dragonstone. She'd travelled with our grandmother frequently back and forth from Driftmark but today they were finally back.

First Rhaenys takes me in her arms and then Baela, holding me so tight I could never let go, embracing any and all affection my family would offer.

"Look at you, sister you're stunning! I can't believe it! I'll be an Aunt soon!" Baela swoons, her face still dirtied from the ride but she doesn't have a care in the world, delighted to see me and I her.

Baela had always reminded me of the best of our Father and the best of my Aunt Laena. She was fierce but soft when necessary and I'd always figured if Aemond and I had run away, Baela would've been a wonderful Queen in my stead.

Swept away in our conversation I hardly notice the entrance that silences everyone in the room.

Turning slowly I expect to see my old friend Addam but who he's arrived with is quite the stranger despite his familiar facial features.

This must've been the younger brother he'd spoken to me about. The boy to Addam's right is strikingly similar to him, just a bit younger, and if my memory of Ser Laenor still served correct, they both bore a striking resemblance to that of my late father.

It was always assumed that the boys were simply taken in by Lord Corlys. Nephews or cousins of a distant relative but now with them standing side by side I couldn't be sure.

Perhaps Ser Laenor's taste's hadn't always consisted solely of men.

"You made it!"

Baela is the first to greet them, rushing the youngest Velaryon for a sweet hug as our Grandmother watched on with discomfort, veering toward my Mother as she enters instead already delving into a deep conversation about politics.

Doing my best to ignore them I go to Ser Addam taking his hand as he bows his blonde head in respect while acknowledging Aemond as well, "Princess, my Prince. It's good to see you again, though we wish it was under different circumstances." He frowns, his lavender eyes scanning the room for any lingering ears or eyes.

Before I can respond Aemond takes a step forward, his eyebrows furrowed with concern adding to his already stiff stature. "And what specific circumstances are you referring to?" My husband asks, his voice deathly low.

Ser Addam glances around the room as he replies in an effort to not make a scene with his news, "There's word Criston Cole has marched the greens forces to Rooks Rest. They've already taken Duskendale and beheaded their Lord,"

My hand instinctively reaches for Aemond's, my tight grip surely turning his hand white as his jaw works with the news.

Duskendale was close.

Even closer than Kings Landing.

"Could they be on their way here?" I whisper but Aemond shakes his head, his gaze darting back and forth, deep in thought. "They'd be fools to do such a thing after the stunt they've just pulled. Does our Queen know about this?" Aemond asks, pulling me close.

Addam nods and I can feel the air sucked from the room.

Just last night Aemond and I had been at the small council meeting and if my mother had known about this, there was no reason it shouldn't have been a topic of discussion.

If our bannerman were in trouble, what were our dragons if not useless to protect those loyal to us?

"Would you excuse me? I think I need to have a word with my sister," Aemond excuses himself, giving my knuckles a light peck before he's weaving through the crowd of our family to find my mother.

As my gaze follows him it's only then that I notice whom Baela is lost in conversation with.

Alyn Velaryon looked like his older brother who was closer to my age while he was a couple of years younger just like Jace and Baela.

Even from afar Baela's girlish giggle reaches us and her hand goes to rest on his arm if only for a moment before she pulls away.

"I was hoping to see Jacaerys. Is he not joining us this afternoon?" Addam asks and by his question, I assume he's witnessed the same exchange I have but it piques my interest.

"I've been told he's personally seeing over the guard for our youngest brothers and my nephew."

"Sounds of Jacaerys. The noble hero," he laughs and I cock my head to the side.

"Have you already met my brother?"

Ser Addam only nods, chuckling a bit at a memory of something he keeps to himself.

"He and Baela used to spend days on end in town, causing trouble with Alyn and me, but when you and he took your leave to Winterfell it was only Baela and Alyn who continued on their visits." He explains and Jacaerys' words echo in my mind.

'Baela has her own tastes,'

'We don't tell one another of our endeavors,'

Could my brother have been telling the truth after all? It would make some sense as to why he's taken the excuse to skip this afternoon.

Deep in thought my gaze scans the room in search of my husband. Finally finding him in a heated discussion with my mother I take a deep breath.

"Addam, just how current is this news of Duskendale?"

My friend notices where my attention drifts and hangs his head ashamed to say.

"It's been about a week, Princess. They've slaughtered hundreds. Townsfolk and men alike," he frowns, disappointed in my lack of knowing.

With what had happened with Ser Arryk it was quite possible that my mother had left out this very important fact in an effort to not worry us, but what in the seven hells was the point of being on my mother's small council if we were left out of discussions such as this?

Excusing myself as well I make my way through my chatting family and already find myself holding my breath as I approach my husband's broad tense shoulders.

Though I can't make out exactly what's said I know their conversation is tense. But, the instant my fingers interlock with Aemond's it's as if he's felt me approaching, his grip on my hand tightening without even needing to look.

"Why in the seven hells would our banners stay loyal to us when we don't come to their aid?" He continues, my mother already nodding her head in agreement.

"We've been under quite the stress here trying to concoct a plan of attack. As you know an attack takes time, planning." My mother responds diplomatically doing her best to keep our private discussion just that, private.

"We have them outnumbered in every aspect what exactly is there to be planned, sister?"

I cringe at the tone my dragon uses with my mother, our Queen, and she isn't relatively fond of it either, raising her eyebrows in annoyance.

Taking a step toward us my mother keeps her voice deathly low when addressing him again, "You mistake yourself, brother. You are no King yet. It doesn't do any of us good if you've gotten too comfortable in your position at court."

"Comfortable? And how can I be too comfortable at a table that holds more conversation when I'm absent?" He says, narrowing his swirling eye at my mother.

Pushing myself in between them I can already feel the conversations growing quiet, all attention shifting to us.

I open my mouth to speak but a hand is placed on my shoulder and I'm greeted by the comforting smile of my grandmother.

"It was I who asked our Queen to keep this secret. All plans were made privately in efforts to aid in our surprise attack." Princess Rhaenys keeps her voice curt when she's addressing Aemond. Not missed by him, he takes a deep breath to calm himself down when I give his hand a squeeze.

"Our surprise attack? You don't both intend to go do you?" I frown, looking between both my mother and grandmother.

"No, sweet girl. Baela has volunteered to join me." Rhaenys assures me, both of us turning for a moment to look at my courageous sister, all smiles for Ser Alyn who couldn't keep his love-struck eyes off of her.

How must they feel?

Knowing they could never be together? At least not fully as Aemond and I.

"It was quite difficult to turn down her request when she's grown so fond of your adventures." My grandmother glances between the both of us with an honorable expression and I'm at a loss for words, my mouth dry.

"Hmph," Aemond grunts with a smirk rising to his mouth as he tips his chin down to look at me proudly but I wouldn't call what we'd endured quite the "adventure". 

Giving my husband an expression opposite to his own, his face falls, understanding without me speaking a single word and my chest deflates.

I'd almost just lost a brother, I couldn't fathom losing another sister.

"There's no discouraging her is there?" I ask, frowning at both my mother and grandmother who offer me sympathetic smiles. 

"Dare I say it?" My mother asks, earning smiles from both Aemond and Rhaenys but I turn between them all, confused about what she means. 

"You're beginning to sound like a mother, my love." Aemond hums affectionately into my hair, placing a hand on our babe growing steadily just within my belly.

 "By the time Aelyx arrives our poor boy won't stand a chance," 

"He and I both," He chuckles, pressing a kiss to my temple as he brushed his fingers across my stomach absentmindedly and I could almost forget the war that raged on a dragon ride away from here.

***