𝓔𝓵𝓪𝓮𝓷𝓪 𝓣𝓪𝓻𝓰𝓪𝓻𝔂𝓮𝓷
During the month it took to finalize plans for the sacking of Kings Landing sleep had escaped both Aemond and me but our nightmares had consisted of more of the same.

Failure and in more ways than one.

We outnumbered their dragons five to two even if we hadn't counted Joffrey's young dragon Tyraxes, and Helaena had always spoken against using Dreamfyre for destruction.

Aegon might've gained the support of a handful of Lords across the realm but no Baratheon or Hightower would be enough to shield him from the heat of my flame, him and his council of schemers and traitors.

The morning of the battle I rise before the sun.  The day before Aemond had pushed me harder than ever before during our rounds of training and it left us both plenty tired last night giving us a good night's rest for once.

All of us had been training almost every day until the light permitted, even racing our dragons like we were children again. But when the smiles and laughs faded away and another day came and went we're reminded of the many we'd lost along the way, guilty that they'd slipped our minds if only for a few moments.

In fear of waking my sleeping husband, I have a hot bath drawn and my garments readied to slip through the door unnoticed for a morning stroll to ready my mind.

By this time Grandfather's fleet would likely be mere hours away from arriving at our docks and I would have to watch my little dragons sail away from me just as I had my youngest brothers Aegon and Viserys.

I knew it would be safest in the event that the Greens sent men to Dragonstone that Aelyx and Jaehaeryn be within reach and under the protection of Lord Corlys, Baela, Rhaena, and Luke on the outskirts of the battle.

Just as Aemond had requested he stay by my side, Luke had asked the same with his betrothed who'd valiantly volunteered to look over Aelyx, Jaehaeryn, and Joffrey herself with Baela's help on their grandfathers ship where at the first sign of trouble they could be rushed to safety.

There was no chance for The Greens and I hoped for Aemond and Jaehaeryn's sake that Aegon would surrender the city and this battle would be quick and clean but the nightmares I'd had of fire and blood had prepared me for otherwise.

Walking quietly down the halls I linger in between the doors of our two boys. At first, they'd shared a room but they were forced to separate when Aelyx's late-night fussing had gotten out of hand.

My poor boy was already much like his mother, struggling with sleep even when exhausted in every way.

Reaching for the handle my fingers hover there for a moment, unsure of whether or not I should wake him for my own selfish reasons but my decision is made for me when a familiar young handmaiden pushes open the door.

The girl jumps back in shock but adjusts her skirts in embarrassment when she realizes it's the boy's own mother who scared her half to death, "Princess! I'm so sorry, I didn't realize-"

"It's quite alright, I didn't mean to scare you,-?" I assure her taking her hands in mine and I realize I don't know her name and an embarrassed blush washes over my face.

"Elinda, your grace. He was having trouble sleeping again, I was off to find him a warm bottle," she smiles sweetly.

"Of course, just like his mother." I chuckle, glancing up to meet her nervous eyes. "Thank you so much Elinda. I'll stay with him for a short while,"

With a curt nod, the young girl is quick to take her leave down the corridor and I peek through Aelyx's bedroom door taking timid steps towards the very cradle that was meant for my baby sister.

His small fussing pulled at my very heartstrings and my movements were instinctive, taking my precious boy in my arms.

At my soothing touch, his violet eyes peer up at me through his long blonde eyelashes and the whining fades to calm silence and I could pinch myself at his pure beauty.

"What I wouldn't do for you, my bright flame," I murmur, pressing a soft kiss to his forehead.

Aelyx and I are only left alone for a short while when the door finally opens but it's not the young handmaiden from before.

"Mother?" I ask, shocked to be seeing her so early when I half expected I wouldn't see her until our mission was complete. She'd drowned herself in our battle plans channeling her loss and mourning into a rage that would only be dowsed by revenge.

"I'd expected you'd be here. Motherhood truly suits you, sweet girl." She addresses me tenderly and when she does I realize just how much I'd missed her warmth, the warmth and comfort of a mother.

"I suppose I'd learned from you most of all," Smiling back at her she closes the distance between us and gazes down at my son and me with pride, tears welling in her violet eyes.

"I've been absent these past weeks I'm sorry. I should've been teaching you every step of the way," She frowns, smoothing Aelyx's hair away from his face.

"There's still plenty of time for that. I wouldn't say I'm a professional just yet," 

"Maybe not but you had a bit of practice with Jaehaeryn I suppose. You know once we take him to Kings Landing the court will talk, Elaena." She warns me softly but there's no accusatory tone in her words, just forewarning of what may come.

Some would believe Jaehaeryn was Aemond's bastard simply because they heard it in a tavern somewhere, but the older he became the more they would see it was the spitting image of his father, Aegon.

"When Aelyx shoots up like a weed they'll notice the differences in our boys."

My mother nods eager to say more but she thinks better of it, resting her palms on the cradle watching me with my son.

"My sweet girl... promise me you'll stay safe today?" She asks me, the unsettling worry in her voice residing in my chest.

"Of course, Mother. Aemond won't let me out of his sight, I assure you," I jest, resting my small baby boy back in his bed where he looks up at us with tired eyes.

I understood now the deep worry and anguish of a Mother and without another word I go to her, wrapping myself in my Mother's embrace for what I hoped would not be the last time, not for a long while.

I still need you, I'll always need you.

By the time I return to our chambers, our rooms are empty and I expect Aemond is having his armor fitted or perhaps looking for me about the castle.

A handmaiden has just left my room when he enters, his frame nearly taking up the entire door.

"There you are, I've been looking for-" His words die on his lips when he gets a look at me in my armor. My hair was braided intricately so it was tucked behind my ear out of my eyes for riding dragon back. I'd even lined my eyes with black making my purple eyes glow with the contrast.

Aemond takes slow steps, closing the distance between us as we appraised one another at a loss for words.

I wasn't the only one who was an image to behold in their dragon-riding armor. In all black Aemond painted the true image of a conqueror. His scar and sapphire added to his fierceness, a testament to what he'd gone through but come out stronger on the other side. Most of his starlight wavy hair hung in smoothed layers across his broad shoulders that were even wider with the dark steel etched with intricate dragon scales.

My mother had our suits made as a pair in the image of Visenya and Aegon all those years ago.

Aemond is the first to speak, tilting his head to the side as he looked me over once more, "You look... gods you're an image to behold aren't you?"

I believe I have even more of an effect on my husband now than I did when we saw one another after all those years apart in the courtyard of the Red Keep.

I was mesmerized by him now just as I was by him then.

"You're one to talk. You even wield Dark Sister now, you must be proud." His face falls at the mention of Dark Sister. He'd seen the look on my mother's face when he unsheathed it for the first time.

"I'd give it back a hundred times to have your father back, I hope you know that." He'd told me though I knew deep down he would always carry resentment for the man who orchestrated his nephew's death and I would never blame him.

Taking his chiseled chin in my hands I turn his face upward, to meet my gaze.

"You deserve to carry this sword, Aemond. You're worthy,"

"But shouldn't he have passed it down to you? Or Baela or Rhaena?"

Though my father had left us all parting letters I'd yet to read the one he left Aemond but whatever it held had hit him where it hurts most leaving him quiet for days.

"It went to who he intended it to go to and one day if you ever feel so gracious, our son can wield it, or our daughter or sweet Jaehaeryn if you so choose," I tell him, resting my palms on his plated chest.

"It isn't solely up to me, Elaena." He shakes his head, his hair shielding his face like a fine curtain but I smooth it away from his face.

"It is, just as it was my father's."

Aemond can only hum in unease, his long fingers going for the length of my braid as he turns it over in his hand.

"Could you do something similar with mine?" He asks sweetly and I can't recall the last time he'd asked me to do his hair.

Smiling sweetly up at him I ran my fingers along the blonde scruff that was steadily growing up his jaw and led him to the bed where I worked diligently on my husband's long white blonde locks.

Taking the top half of his shorter hairs I braid them back away from his face noting the faded layers Cregan had chopped into them all those months ago.

Once I'm finished he goes for the mirror running his fingers over my handiwork.

"Come," he waves me over taking my hand to bring me just in front of him so we're gazing at the reflection of us together in the mirror.

"It's today we'll reclaim your Mother's birthright, and yours, my love." He promises, our eyes locked in our reflection.

"And our sons," I whispered, earning a nod from my husband, "And our sons."

We were a lethal pair that much was certain. Our love would tear down kingdoms and rebuild them in the image of Old Valyria, our namesake.

And it would all begin today.

Already on borrowed time Aemond and I pack what's left of our belongings and head to the docks where Baela and Rhaena are surely waiting for us.

Once Joffrey and Jaehaeryn spot us they both run to greet us with my siblings not far behind them.

Aemond kneels to be at eye level with Jaehaeryn, but our little nephew was growing even faster than we expected.

"Listen closely little dragon, you are to stay with Baela, and Rhaena, understood? They will protect you and Aelyx until the battle is over."

"And you'll come find us?" He asks sweetly, perhaps worried about losing another home, another family.

"Of course. Aunt El and I will come for you boys, you have my word." Aemond assures him, running a hand through his wind-blown hair like a father would and despite the circumstances, I smile warmly at the pair.

"And maybe we'll go fountain swimming once this is all over," I add, earning a grin from my husband who was picturing the memory all too clearly.

"Fountain swimming?" Joffrey asks, looking up at his big sister like I had two heads.

"Yes, cousin! In the gardens, I must show you when we go!"

Joffrey being a few years older than Jaehaeryn was hardly impressed, but they'd grown rather close over the months together. I imagined Jae had reminded Joffrey of the young brothers we'd lost.

"It'll be quite the day, little dragon. Make sure you get your rest when you can, hm? Both of you." Aemond stands up straight joining me as we say our final goodbyes before we part.

"Baela, Rhaena I can't thank you enough," I begin, my chest warming at the sight of my wild sister holding my sleeping boy in her arms.

"Hush, sister it's an honor. He's to be King of the Seven Kingdoms one day," Baela gushes but Rhaena smacks her playfully on the arm. "And more importantly he's our darling nephew."

To depart on such happy terms calmed the many intrusive thoughts that pried at the corners of my mind.

We would be safe.

We would end this and he wouldn't take anything or anyone else from me again.

Interrupting my thoughts Aemond comes up from behind me peeking over my shoulder at our own little creation. "Don't hesitate, if there's any sign of trouble-"

"We know, my Prince. I won't let anything happen to my grandchildren." Lord Corlys surprises us finally showing his face now that all was ready to disembark.

"Grandfather! Thank you, we couldn't have planned our attack without the Velaryon fleet." I thank him, giving him a tight hug.

"You absolutely could, young dragon but I appreciate the sentiments. Your grandmother would be quite proud. Of all of you," He smiles reassuringly, and when I look around at the group of us I think I would agree.

After a few more tearful goodbyes my grandfather's words linger in the back of my mind as Aemond and I watched them sail away with Baela on Moondancer, and Luke on Vermithor to accompany them the whole way.

Aemond takes a deep breath, stretching out his sweaty hand beside mine until our fingers are interlocked and the air stills, the whole island of Dragonstone almost completely empty of all who inhabited its tall castle walls just hours ago.

"How are you feeling?" He asks me, always more worried about me than himself.

"Like I may hurl once Seasmoke and I get in the air," I giggle, staring after the fading silhouette of the Velaryon fleet and when the silence stretches between us he turns to face me.

I stared up at my handsome prince and every possible emotion swirled in his lavender eye, sparkling in the early morning sun but the most prevalent one was fear, a look I noticed in my own eyes lately.

"Stay close to Vhagar and me, no matter what. If anything happened to you..." He trails off, his voice so soft I can barely hear him over the wind on the hills but he doesn't have to finish his thought, I'm well aware of what he means to say.

All of this would've been for nothing.

Cradling his face in my hands he knows what I want, leaning down to meet me halfway and pressing his chiseled lips to mine.

The kiss we share is desperate, both of us well aware this may be the last moment alone we share for days if all goes well this afternoon. His tongue tastes of sweet wine and I can't get enough of it, unsure whether it's that or his quick tongue that dulls my senses.

Aemond's grip on my waist tightens but I can hardly feel his rough touch through our armor and the both of us are shaken from our daze when Syrax announces her arrival landing gracefully by Vhagar and Seasmoke who were waiting patiently for their riders.

Reluctantly breaking our kiss Aemond pulls away slowly but keeps his eye closed as he rests his forehead on mine, taking one last deep breath before we depart.

"I love you," I whisper, the words holding even more weight now than they did all those months ago when we said it for the very first time.

Upon hearing the words Aemond's lips tip up into a half-smile and I could almost forget what the day ahead of us held as he whispered it back to me against my lips.

Joining my mother at the dragon mount we waste no time mounting our dragons and charting our path to Kings Landing where we could finally put an end to all of this pain and suffering.

Doing as Aemond asked Seasmoke and I kept close to Vhagar and Syrax, being careful not to break our formation as we approached the capital's outermost cities.

Even from above we could see people running for their lives, hiding in their homes as our dragons flew overhead terrified we would take all they'd built but we were not cruel as The Greens told them and we were here to show them that.

Staying true to plan we catch up to the Velaryon fleet in perfect timing but we're met with resistance from the very beginning.

Rows of scorpions lined the outer walls of the capital but they hardly had enough men to arm them leaving only half of them properly equipped.

We don't shy away instead flying closer until finally they make their intentions known and the hopes for a peaceful transition of power are dashed.

First, they take aim at Vhagar, what they assume is their biggest threat and giant spears are spiraling through the sky toward our dragons while archers take their aim at their riders.

This must've been what Jacaerys saw before he died, projectiles raining on him and Vermax from the sky.

I couldn't lose another.

Those that take aim at my husband barely miss him but I don't trust my sight from so far away, I had to go to him.

"AEMOND!" I call out to him in a panic but it's no use over the chaos that breaks out below us, the fall of The Greens in full swing as Vermithor and Moondancer rained ruin on the enemy fleet.

Vhagar is slowly moving in the air hardly dodging the spears that came their way and with one look shared between my mother and I, we join the fight.

"Protect them, Seasmoke. Dracarys!" I yell with all my might and the flames rise in my dragon's throat melting all in its path and blowing apart a handful of scorpions with my mother and Syrax by our side.

What remained of the Greens forces fled inside the city taking their shelter behind the very walls we refused to destroy leaving us and our army of dragons circling them forcing us to put a hold on our attack.

With a signal from Lord Corlys' fleet, they announce their capture of the docks and I breathe easier knowing one of the threats is neutralized but we're far from finished.

Guiding Seasmoke over the city near the most northern gate of the city he lands beside Vhagar but with a bit more grace.

Tens of thousands of men waited in the wood just out of sight from the Red Keep and once I jumped down from my saddle I rushed to Aemond's side terrified he might've been struck, by a lone arrow.

"I'm fine, my love. Vhagar did a wonderful job protecting me. It's been years since she's flown that fast, did you see!?" He beams but I'm only relieved he's safe, throwing myself into his arms.

"I see not much has changed since your stay at Winterfell," a familiar warm voice calls out to us, and while my soot-covered face lifts up in a smile Aemond's falls.

Aemond has assured us we could take Kings Landing without Cregan and while he was probably right we couldn't risk leaving any of our banners out of the battle, we'd need all the support we'd gathered.

"Lord Stark! It's good to see you, thank you for coming."

I have to yank away from Aemond's grasp going to shake Cregan's hand but the Northman instead pulls me into a short embrace, careful to make it not too long while my husband and his dragon watched just feet away.

"Of course, I'd come. The moment we received word of Jacaerys I sent ravens to all my bannermen. He would've wanted this... us fighting side by side." He replies, offering me a sad smile that I knew all too well but it's comforting to know he won't be forgotten so easily.

For a lingering moment, I lose myself in his brown eyes but less so in him, and more so the memories that were attached to those brown eyes.

So much had been different the last time I peered into them at Winterfell, so much that had yet to be set in motion.

Aemond clears his throat from behind us and Cregan rolls his eyes before my husband catches him, stepping away to greet him properly, "Prince Aemond, it's an honor to fight alongside your dragons-"

"Mhm I suppose it is though I didn't find it necessary you join us," He admits, coming to stand by my side as we looked on at the thousands of men who watched our interaction from afar.

Cregan snorts at his comment sharing a look with me but doesn't push his luck nodding his head in some way of agreement before motioning to the many men that stood behind us.

"Shall we take the usurper's head, your grace?" The stocky Northman asks me excitedly.

Beside me, I feel Aemond's body tense at Cregan's light way of putting his brother's imminent death, and when he isn't looking I reach out to give his hand a light squeeze to comfort him but I know it won't be enough.

"One step at a time, Lord Stark. I'd like to give my mother the city first,"

Marching at the helm of the Northern Army was a thrill I hadn't felt in months and now I wondered how I stayed away from battle so long.

Motherhood that's how.

Leading the Northman over the hill on horseback Aemond, and Cregan ride on either side of me as we near the gates. Though most of the outer walls of the city were destroyed along with the scorpions that lined them few men still guarded it, hundreds shaking in their armor, some even running for their lives as we approached.

"We attack on your order, Princess," Cregan tells me but I stay patient, waiting for the sign I anxiously await.

They could still ring the bells, signal defeat, I tell myself but the bells never come on deafening silence.

Locking eyes with Aemond only he knows what I am waiting for.

It isn't until the hope fades from my husband's gaze that I look over my shoulder and into the eyes of the many men standing behind me awaiting their orders.

Swallowing the lump in my throat I think of my father, I think of my grandmother and I think of Jacaerys.

I would be strong.

"Today will mark the end of this civil war and divide of House Targaryen. The rightful Queen will take her throne this day and every day until her last to create a new order, a new reign of peace and welfare for all its people!" I shout with confidence but at first, I'm not sure where I'm going.

The words flow through me like I've spoken them before perhaps in a past life or in a dream but when the battle cries of Cregan's men... our men ring in my ears a warmth settles in my chest and rises into my throat almost like dragon fire as Seasmoke and Vhagar's cries join them urging me into battle where I would reclaim my birthright once and for all.

Lost in my thoughts Aemond's lavender eye grounds me, the prideful gleam in his eye never missed by me as I smile back for just a moment before motioning the thousands of men forward.

Like a storming stampede, the Northmen charge ahead of us, the ground shaking beneath my horse's hooves as they tore apart the Baratheon men like their evening dinner, devouring them with each swing of their swords.

Once they break through the initial barrier Aemond, Cregan, and I join them and the moment I hear the singing steel of my blade the rest is a blur.

The three of us cut down any who dared stand in our way, Aemond a quick and silent killer carried his blade like it weighed nothing, slicing through men before they could even heave their heavy swords over their shoulders.

When we clear the road I lose sight of him in the mounds of bodies but just before I shout his name in a panic I catch him kicking open a door, barreling through it after someone.

As I run after him Cregan calls out for me but I ignore him following Aemond through the door of the small home.

I wasn't sure what to expect but what I did see was enough to bring bile up my throat.

Aemond snatches a Northman by his collar yanking him back away from who I presumed to be the young lady who lived here with her skirts torn and battered up at her thighs.

"You son of a bitch," my husband growls in a silent fury that sent chills up my spine.

The soldier had his trousers unclasped but it seemed Aemond had caught him just in time, throwing him across the room like a mere rag doll.

Nearly frozen where I stand my mind urges me to move and I'm going to the sobbing young woman to comfort her.

"You're alright, you're alright now I promise," I tell her, tucking her into my chest where I hide her away from Aemond's rage.

My husband throws punch after punch until blood is flooding down the man's face and I worry he might kill him but truth be told I wanted him to.

"Get somewhere safe until it's all over, hm?" I tell her and she only nods, cringing when she hears the soldier cry out in pain.

Running for her life she stops by the door, giving me a look of gratitude before taking off through the bright opening of the doorway.

"I should kill you where you stand-" Aemond hisses through gritted teeth but the soldier still struggles to get away, fighting against his prince.

"NO," I shout, their necks snapping to look at me in shock.

"We make an example out of him. He's not the first and won't be the last,"I decide, prompting my husband's dangerous smirk, and with blood splattered across his handsome face it's downright chilling.

Leading them through the door Aemond throws the man to his knees in front of a confused Cregan.

"And what the hell is this?!" He spits, concerned when he sees it's one of his own men.

"We're to give your man a trial before we execute him, Stark. Isn't that how you prefer it?" Aemond smirks and when Cregan goes to open his mouth I hold my hand to stop him.

"We don't have time for this," I grumble, pushing myself in between them and noticing the crowd forming around us.

Turning back to the sorry excuse of a soldier I spit at his feet, "Kneel,"

With a bit of strong-arming from Aemond, the man finally kneels, begging for his life looking to his Lord to save him, "Please! It won't happen again, Princess-please,"

Cregan doesn't react to the man's pleas, instead, his gaze is locked on me hanging on my every word much like my husband.

"The Greens have bled this city dry with their greed and ambition. They take what does not belong to them,"

"I have children, your grace!" He cries in an attempt to make an appeal to my motherly instincts but I was a woman first.

"I can't say I'm surprised that you do. How many?" I ask, drawing my blade from my waist as his eyes widen.

"T-three, your grace- please," he stammers.

"Then you've gotten plenty use of it I assume..."

"O-of what, Princess?"

"Your cock of course," I smirk catching Aemond's eye over the man's head.

Aemond takes the man's arms holding him down once he starts to squirm and with a flick of my blade the man's trousers fall to his ankles exposing him for all his comrades to see.

Some of them laugh, some turn away knowing full well what comes next and the fool's pleas for mercy shouldn't entertain me but it does, even more so than the action of killing a man.

With only a single glance I swing my sword, cutting the man's cock clean off his body.

His blood-curdling screams echo through the city but I turn away from him, wiping the blood off my sword to face the many men who watch in horror with their mouths agape.

"We see what happens to those who take what doesn't belong to them, yes?" I announce, my voice holding far more power than before as I gaze into the many faces of the hardened men of the North. 

"Don't forget it," I finish, turning with my stare locked on the tall towers of the Red Keep where I knew the end of this battle lay. 

Without another word, I brush past Aemond and Cregan who turn to follow me down the deserted streets of Kings Landing, where we had little resistance making good time to the courtyard where the men of the Vale were already fighting valiantly.

Going for the fight Cregan grabs hold of my wrist, "The both of you go ahead. I'll make sure no one follows you," He assures me, pushing me in the direction of my husband.

"Are you sure?"

Cregan rolls his brown eyes at my question, speaking to Aemond instead, "Take her, go."

For once Aemond does what he's told, tugging me up the very same stairs I'd laid eyes on him again for the first time and I pause for a moment, the past flashing before me.

Once we're on the other side of the door Aemond slams it shut behind me, locking it and the silence that floods around us is a comforting change of pace.

The only noise heard between the two of us was our heavy breathing as we struggled to catch our breath, but the moment I did, I was being pressed up against the cold stone wall by Aemond's hard body.

"What are you-"

His demanding mouth captures mine silencing me with a starved kiss and my blood-hungry nature fades to the back of my mind as his wicked tongue fills my mouth. I want to get swept away in his touch at my waist, the movement of his tongue against mine but footsteps echo far off down the hall and I pull away from him. 

"Aemond, we don't have time-"

Chuckling deeply against my neck he pulls back to get a good look at me and I know I must be a mess, but he's still an image to behold with his dark armor and dirtied face, "I know, my song. I just needed the one for now," He breathes, twirling his blade in his hand to tug me back down the hall.

We cut down man after man until we make it to the familiar corridors of the Red Keep, the halls more vacant the closer we get to the queen's chambers until we find her doors barred with two gold cloaks guarding the doors.

Rearing back their swords the two men fight more skillfully than those we'd encountered below making for better competition until my small body is knocked back with a forceful swing sending me onto my back.

I growl out in pain gaining the attention of Aemond who too was struggling against his opponent. The gold cloak laughs at me clawing at my sword just inches away on the pavement but I slam the heel of my foot into his crotch sending him crashing against the door.

As Aemond steps backward toward me I grab hold of his dagger and drive it into the man's eye, my heartbeat ringing in my ears watching the blood flood down his face. It's so loud I hardly notice the other gold cloak go limp behind me but Aemond heaves me up to get a look at me, assessing me for any damage.

When he's satisfied I'm not hurt he kicks down the door and his mother's rooms are mostly empty with the exception of a timid woman who sat by the fireplace with her back toward us. 

Alicent's long orange-brown Hightower hair had grown knotted and brittle not nearly as beautiful as I'd remembered.

"Mother, the time come for this charade to end," Aemond calls out to her but she doesn't react, merely turning her head slightly at the sound of her son's voice.

We approach her timidly, untrusting that this wasn't some trap when she finally speaks.

"You've brought her to kill me is that it? To kill your sister and brother?" 

"This was you're doing, Mother. I tried to have you see sense months ago..." Aemond has to take a deep breath to regulate his emotions, sheathing his sword as he walks closer. "Perhaps Queen Rhaenyra will show mercy if you admit your wrongs and swear fealty-"

"Queen? It's your sweet innocent sister who wears the crown now or have you forgotten her and your niece so quickly?" Alicent stands slowly with a fine blanket draped around her shoulders as she addresses Aemond but I don't trust her, my gut twisting when I can't see either of her hands.

"I could never forget them. Helaena never wanted this and neither did Aegon,"

"It's not about what they want or what you want it's about the betterment of the realm and your grandfather always knew this," She mutters, trailing off like a mad woman as she stares into the fire.

"That cunt only ever desired the betterment of your house, Alicent. Everything he's done has torn your very family apart-"

"You WHORE, just like your mother and as deadly as your father," In the blink of an eye Alicent is coming towards me with the very same dagger she'd taken from my grandfather that night at Driftmark and suddenly it feels as though history is repeating itself.

"MOTHER! Get away from her!" Aemond shouts in a rage, his eye wide with fear. His instinct is to come for me but he's a step too far away and I take her by the arm keeping the sharp blade at bay.

"You've taken two of my sons from me and now you come for my third. To even him you feel entitled! And you'll keep taking as long as you have your claws in my son." Alicent spits her words at me with the dagger raised above my head but her strength is no match for mine.

"Where is he, Alicent?! Tell me where he's gone!" I demand, my grip on her arm tightening painfully by the second as her face twists in pain.

"HE'S GONE! He's fled with Ser Criston just before you arrived, girl. You're too late," Though tears spill down her face her smile twists up into a maniacal grin of victory but I don't let her see the air sucked from my lungs.

At her confession, Aemond and I lock eyes and he's already shaking his head, knowing what I'm going to tell him next, "Go after him,"

"No, Elaena, I won't leave you-"

"He can't get away, Aemond."

Hesitating for a moment he looks between his mother and me before I urge him on with my eyes, speaking without one another saying a word.

Trust me.

Finally, with a displeased grunt he does as he's told taking off in a sprint through his mother's chamber door.

As soon as he's gone Alicent takes her chance to strike, driving her knee into my stomach. Though it doesn't hurt through my thick armor it stuns me giving her an opening to slice through my hand, the cut quick but blinding me with pain from the Valyrian steel.

Gritting my teeth through the pain I knock Alicent back with all my strength sending her to the ground.

"You-you treat my s-son like a dog," She sputters, crawling across the floor to acquire her last hope at self-defense but I lean down, and pick up the dagger for myself stomping all my weight onto her hand.

"I treat him like my King because that's what he'll be one day! And his son after him as Viserys intended!" I shout in a rage, forbidding her to speak ill of us when we'd both sacrificed so much to be together.

The fallen Queen says nothing when I bring up her grandson and I know she's heard the news of his birth.

"On your feet, it's time you and my mother have a long overdue reunion. Don't you agree?"

Taking a step back off her hand I spin her around with my bloodied hand and tie the ropes tightly around her wrists when she mutters something to herself,  "Aelyx. My grandson,"

My heart stops beating when Alicent utters my son's name with a soft tenderness I'd never seen in her before.

Only by blood perhaps.

***