𝓔𝓵𝓪𝓮𝓷𝓪 𝓣𝓪𝓻𝓰𝓪𝓻𝔂𝓮𝓷
6 years later,
"Visaera!" I shout, racing down the corridor of her rooms but there's no reply.

"Visaera!" I yell again but it's not my fierce nine-year-old daughter who answers my call but my eldest, Aelyx, standing almost as tall as me in his eleven years of age. Aelyx had shot up in height with age just as his father had, training night and day to feel worthy of his namesake.

In too much of a rush to embrace him, I take a peek into Visaera's chambers but there's no sign of her, only handmaidens packing away her final belongings in a chest.

"Where is your sister? She's to meet your grandfather at the docks any moment,"

At first, my loyal son doesn't want to reply, biting his tongue until he can't stand my motherly glare, cracking under pressure.

With a sigh he puts his hands behind his back in defeat, "She only asked I see over the rest of her things before she go-"

"Where's she gone, Aelyx?"

"With Father." He sighs, standing up straighter now that he's told me the truth. "They've been sparring all afternoon with Uncle Joffrey in the courtyard,"

Of course, I should've known Aemond had something to do with this.

For years Aemond and I had refused to send Visaera away. Still, the older she'd become the more independent she'd seemed, hardened by not claiming a dragon and insistent on adventuring and staying with the other side of our family on Driftmark.

With a deep breath, I ruffle his short white blonde hair, kept short to stay out of his eyes when riding dragon back and while wielding a sword.

"What of your cousins? They'll want to see your sister off,"

Aelyx frowns when I bring up Jaehaera and Jaehaeryn, "Jaehaera hasn't left her chambers. I was sent away by the handmaidens when I went to check on her,"

My stomach sinks. Last night she'd been quieter than usual, keeping to herself even when addressed by her brother and cousins because she hadn't felt well.

"And Jae I would assume is with Visaera," Aelyx rolls his violet eyes and I chuckle, locking arms as we make our way down the hallway.

"I'll check on her myself and meet you at the courtyard, hm?"

Nodding, he smiles back at me, "Of course, mother."

Just as he's said there's a knight posted at her door, standing a bit straighter when he notices me approach.

"My apologies, Princess, but the young lady's asked not to be disturbed. She's been resting all afternoon,"

"Thank you, Ser, but I only wish to check on her," I tell him sternly.

Standing aside he lets me pass with a curt nod.

Jaehaera's rooms are dark, the curtains drawn to shield her puffy eyes from the bright afternoon sun.

In the corner of her room a handmaiden fusses with a hot bucket of water, pouring its steaming contents into another larger bucket to fill the room with hot vapor.

Immediately a dripping sweat comes to my brow and I know this must be worse than Aelyx realized.

Going to her I kneel at her bedside but she's sleeping off her fever, her forehead burning hot.

"Princess, my apologies I hadn't noticed-"

"It's quite alright. Has anyone sent for the maester?" I ask her, frustrated by the lack of independent thinking.

"Her fever escalated so quickly I hadn't a moment to tell anyone, my lady." The young girl frowns, almost terrified of what I could do to a handmaiden in her position, but I bite my tongue, wishing someone would have alerted us sooner.

"I'm only tired, Aunt El. I asked her not to worry,"

At the sound of her broken voice, I swing around to go to her, kneeling at her bedside.

"You're tired because you're sick, Jaehaera. You need to be looked at, given the proper care-"

"I only wish to sleep. It was Visaera who kept me up, if you must, blame her," she smiles and her soft chuckle releases some of the tension on my shoulders.

"Oh, I absolutely will. If she thinks I can't change my mind about her voyage to Driftmark she's quite mistaken," I tease, pressing the washcloth to her forehead.

"Please don't, Aunt El. It's taken me this long to convince Joffrey and Jaehaeryn that it's best for her," she pleads, speaking with wisdom beyond her years just as her mother had.

Perhaps she's seen it.

Traveling on dragon back had been one thing but Joffrey and Jaehaeryn were both still hesitant to send Visaera away on a voyage.

The last time we'd sent children away with the Velaryon fleet no one had returned, crippling us for years to come.

Aegon and Viserys were mere boys, left alone to face a fate I'd never wished on Aegon's children... though he might disagree, wherever he may be.

"I promise, Aunt El, I'll be alright." Jaehaera blinks tiredly at me, though she's assured me I can't be so sure.

Handing her a chalice of tea I run my fingers through her hair, pushing it out of her face.

"I'll be sending a maester. We can't be too careful, now can we? I'll call for Visaera to say her goodbyes-"

"She'll never leave if you send her back here, besides... It's not goodbye, Aunt El. I know it," Jaehaera smiles at me and I haven't felt so close to Helaena in years.

With a peck to her forehead, I do as promised, sending a maester to check on my sweet niece until Aemond or I can watch over her ourselves.

The singing of steel is a song that's changed its tune over the years.

Growing up it had gone hand in hand with excitement, and quality time with those I loved most.

During times of war, its tempo changed, the dance becoming one of fear, of loss but then triumph, taking back what belonged to us rightfully by law and by the gods.

"That's it, little doe! Don't give him a second to recover!"

Aemond's deep voice sounds off over the crowd, the song I'd be able to pick out in a chorus of others.

A crowd surrounds my daughter but who she spars with isn't quite clear.

At first, I assume it's Joffrey but he stands beside my husband and son, cheering her on with Jaehaeryn who couldn't seem prouder.

Stopping at the top of the stairs I use the height to get a better look.

"Swing harder, Vis! Don't hold yourself back, your strong Uncle can handle it," Aemond tells her with a chuckle, crossing his arms over his broad chest.

"UNCLE! Seven hells, what kind of daughter are you raising?!"

When Luke's brown head turns to yell at Aemond I'm taken aback in surprise by his presence.

"A lethal one," Visaera answers for her father with a smirk deathly similar to Aemond's.

My husband's replica.

Taking off into a sprint down the steps the people notice my rush, moving out of the princess's way without so much as a word.

"Luke!" I call out, and at the sound of my voice my little brother drops his guard, spinning around to look at me and my daughter takes her moment.

While he's not looking Visaera slams her wooden training sword into her Uncle's back. Luke howls in pain, whipping around to yank the sword out of her hands.

Chasing after her playfully, Visaera does a lap around the audience they've acquired and just as her Uncle is about to catch her she slips behind Aemond, hiding.

My husband straightens his back standing taller as he laughs at their antics but Aelyx grows bored, shoving himself into the mix.

"Me next! Wait till you've seen what Uncle Joffreys taught me!"

"Just a moment, nephew. It's in poor taste to ignore the heir to the Iron Throne," my little brother laughs, bringing me into his broad arms and I realize the hard truth.

Luke is not so little anymore.

He would be a father if it weren't for the complications in the birth of what would've been their first and only son just a year ago.

Like any couple after a scare like that they'd been careful, almost avoidant of the possibility of another child, and who could blame them? Rhaena had almost been torn away from us.

"It's been too long," I mutter into his chest, the question on the tip of my tongue, "But what are you-"

"Aemond said you were both hesitant about sending her without an escort so, Vermithor and I will be patrolling the skies. Rhaena will be waiting for us on Driftmark,"

I stare at him, bewildered for a moment, wondering how on earth they'd planned this without me knowing.

Over Luke's shoulder I catch my husband's eye, a knowing smile slowly curling up his lips, and grown dragons flap their wings in my stomach at the sight.

Always astounds me he was.

I embrace my brother once more, smiling into his chest, "Thank you. Your niece may be fearless but her mother and father, not so much," I chuckle.

"It wasn't so long ago that we were that fearless, sister."

With the unexpected arrival of Lucerys, I convince him and my grandsire to stay and share dinner with us, looking for any excuse to keep my daughter and brother within eyesight, at least for a little while longer.

A familiar warmth washes over me as I watch my family interact, taking the moment to settle in the peace that comes with being surrounded by loved ones.

Aelyx and Visaera are completely unaware that their father is watching them scheme, about to pounce on the pair when Jaehaeryn catches a ball of napkins to the back of the head.

"Vis! Sit with me! Now!" Aemond calls out down the table, turning to me to stifle his laughter.

"She's just like you, you know. I was much more well-behaved,"

Knocking his shoulder playfully I feign offense, "I'll have you know we got into just as much trouble as children. But I fear to say our children may be far fiercer,"

For a moment that lasts a lifetime my husband stares at me, the twinkle in his eye ever prevalent in the bright great hall lighting.

My cheeks burn like the sun beneath his stare until he leans in so close I think he might kiss me, "I'd always imagined so, my song."

Ruining our tender moment Jaehaeryn reaches to throw a dinner roll at Aelyx but Joffrey, who'd become like an older brother to his cousin, grabs his wrist to stop him before disaster.

The remainder of the evening goes smoothly despite my children's best efforts but Jaehaera weighs heavy on my mind.

Noticing my absent-mindedness Aemond thinks it best to escort me from dinner where we can retire for the night to one another's arms where our troubles didn't seem so impossible.

"Are you sure we can leave them?" I ask with a smirk over my shoulder, lacing my fingers through my husband's.

Squeezing my hand, he tilts down his chiseled chin to meet my tired eyes and I almost sink into his chest.

"I've already spoken with Luke and Joff. They've assured me they're willing to assist in their Princly Uncle duties this evening."

Unable to help the smile that comes to my face a soft blush rushes his cheeks but he hides his face in my temple, pressing a kiss to my forehead as someone approaches.

"Elaena! I'd meant to ask of Jaehaera," With age, my mother had only grown more beautiful. The curves of her face had grown sharper as she'd grown thinner as I'd remembered her in my youth, losing the weight she'd gained from childbirth.

Though I hadn't yet gotten the chance to tell my mother of Jaehaera's condition she seemed to already know, her maesters and maidens as loyal to her reign as ever.

"We sent her a plate of her favorites just over an hour ago-"

"That's just it, the kitchens say it was sent back." My mother frowns, her face mirroring my own worried expression.

"We'll check on her," Thankfully Aemond speaks for me, my tongue growing so dry I can't open my mouth as he sweeps me from the room and down the hallway.

"I'm going to stay with Jaehaera for a while. She's been alone all evening," I tell him but he frowns, not happy that I won't be joining him in bed as he'd expected.

"I'm coming with you, if she hasn't eaten she must be hungry-"

Stepping up on my tiptoes I press my lips to his and Aemond's long arm snakes around my waist, pulling me closer to his chest I hum in contentment at his closeness, the soft prickle of his chin brushing against my smooth skin.

Deepening our kiss, Aemond turns us away from onlookers, shielding me with his arm now leaning against the wall and I giggle into his mouth.

Expertly his tongue swipes across my lip asking for access until he bites down slightly, opening my mouth for himself.

We only slow when footsteps approach but Aemond groans in annoyance, rolling his violet eye as a few innocent ladies of court waltz by without a single clue as to what the heir and her Prince were up to.

"I'll go to the kitchens myself and meet you at her apartments. Agreed?" He whispers against my lips, leaving me little to no room to argue.

I hum against his mouth in compliance, warmed by his helpful nature.

"Good girl," He purrs and in a breath, he's gone like a puff of smoke.

Pushing open Jaehaera's chamber door, steam pours out, the heat bringing an immediate sweat to your brow before even crossing the entryway.

The room is pitch black except for a candle or two leading my way to her bedside.

"Jaehaera," I whisper, taking a gulp when she doesn't respond.

Flipping the cover off of her petite body her thin shift is soaked in sweat, clinging to her skin and a chill runs up my spine at the sight of my poor niece shivering in her sleep.

Afraid to wake her I can only glance around the room, searching for a washcloth or teapot I can offer, anything that could help her.

Behind me, the door creaks open and I about jump from my skin before realizing it's my husband whose arrived with a tray of food and drink in hand and a maester to help as he's promised.

"Maester Geradys," I breathe, "Thank you for coming so quickly,"

"Princess," He nods, squinting through the dark to find Jaehaera with worry blanketing his expression. "Prince Aemond's told me she's refused food, but she seems to be... resting now?" He asks, going to her bedside to look her over for himself.

"I wonder if she might be running a fever but yes, she's resting."

Maester Geradys seems comforted by this fact, his tense shoulders relaxing if only but a bit but I take that as sign of hope, even if perhaps I shouldn't.

"Then we let her rest. Leave food and water at her bedside for when she wakes, but for now that's all we can do, Princess. Only time will tell," He assures us, keeping his voice low in fear of waking her.

While I'm somewhat assured by his words Aemond still seems unsure, watching over us from afar with his arms over his chest.

"But you'll see to her first thing in the morning?" He asks, his laid back demeanor from the evening replaced with tension and worry.

"Before the sun rises, my prince. I'll leave a note with the kitchens to prepare her a tea with her breakfast," He assures my husband, and as quickly as he's arrived he's gone.

In the thick silence I feel Aemond approach me, his arms snaking around my waist to tug me into his chest.

"I'm going to stay with her. Just in case she wakes up," I tell him, watching over the small girl who didn't look too differently than our own daughter.

This could've very well have been Visaera in this bed.

"I figured you would," a small smile graces Aemond's lips so sweet I can't help but smile back.

"I'll be back soon,"

"Promise me you'll get some sleep?" I ask him.

"Without you? I'm afraid I won't be making a promise I can't keep, princess." He smirks down at me, pressing a chaste kiss to my forehead.

"A couple of hours tops," he promises.

Keeping true to his promise Aemond is back within the hour, arms filled with pillows and blankets to make me something that resembled a bed on Jaehaera's window seat but I don't reside there long.

After an hour of tossing and turning with insistent nightmares I decide against sleeping entirely, pacing the room.

It isn't until the early hours of the morning that Jaehaera wakes, mumbling something I can't catch before reaching her bedside.

"Mother?" Her frail voice calls out to me through the darkness and I'm broken hearted to disappoint her.

"No, Jaehaera. It's only Aunt El," I frown, wondering what her dreams might've held if they were anything like mine.

If my niece is disappointed she doesn't show it, reaching for me instead.

"My throat hurts, it's so sore," she struggles.

Helping her with the chalice she drinks the entirety of its contents but is left unsatisfied.

"You should eat something. Your body needs energy," I insist but she shakes her head, her disheveled starlight hair falling into her face.

"Will you lay with me, Aunt Elaena?"

My mouth drys, and at first I can't find the breath to speak at her sweet request.

She may have wanted her mother, but if I could offer her even a pinch of comfort in comparison to Helaena I would never let her go.

"Of course,"

Climbing into bed beside her my niece settles into my arms, hiding her face from the rising sun that was threatening to peak through the windows any moment now.

"Would you sing to me, Aunt El? The dragons song?" She whispers, too embarrassed to look at me when she asks but I'm mostly shocked she knows of that song, being years since she's heard it.

"It was mommy's favorite,"

Tears bubble up in my eyes and suddenly it's my throat that's burning with the many fond memories of Helaena rushing through my mind.

It wasn't right that I'd known her longer than her own daughter. It was Jaehaera who deserved to have these memories.

It only takes but a verse or two for Jaehaera to fall back to sleep but I remain there with her, holding her as long as a little girl could need.

That morning however the lack of sleep weighs heavy on my eyes, my ability to bounce back left in the past with my youth.

With Jaehaera's state it took Visaera some convincing to leave and with the help of the many men in the family, Aemond and I watched her sail away just as Baela had when we were children.

"She's far more independent than I was at her age," I'd told him, dreaming of the great things our daughter would do one day, and at this rate one day soon.

"But she still has your heart of gold. I think she might miss her cousin more than she will her own older brother," He replies with a smile, pressing a kiss to my temple.

When we arrive back to the Keep the absence of my fiery daughter is felt in my bones, her laughter in the halls only a memory, for now.

I turn down Jaehaera's hall when Aemond tugs at my hand, pulling me back into his chest, "Elaena," he sighs, his face falling.

"You need your rest just as much as Jaehaera. If you don't take care of yourself, you might catch whatever this is,"

"But she's alone, Aemond-"

"I won't leave her side, my song. You know I won't," He assures me, squeezing my hand.

For what feels like an eternity I stare into his lavender eye, not because I doubt him but because I'm consistently blown away by him and his selflessness, especially for those he loved.

I should surely be used to this by now.

"Go. Get some rest. I'll wake you in time for the small council meeting, hm?"

Delicately he moves the stray hairs out of my face and though I want to fight him and check on her myself I decide to trust him, knowing she'd be in the best of hands with her protective uncle.

The remainder of the afternoon is spent a haze, slipping in and out of sleep until Aemond comes to escort me to the small council chambers.

At first I think he might make me stay in but he avoids the argument, keeping a watchful eye over me as my mother does through the entirety of our meeting.

"The Stepstones never stay conquered for long. We need necessary precautions to defend against the Triarchy," one lord mentions, his statement aimed at Aemond who'd become the representative of the matter.

"We don't have the men, but I can make a visit myself. Show them our presence will be ever prevalent going forward." He responds promptly but I can hardly focus on the conversation at hand, tuning out the plans they make before me.

"My lords, if there's nothing more-" My mother and I go to stand but Lord Lothston interrupts.

"There's been reports of a sickness with its grips on Tumbleton. It may be best we avoid trade, and travel for the time being."

Beneath the table I grip Aemond's hand, turning to look at him with wide eyes.

"Shops have closed, and inns are empty of visitors from the whispers of death in the streets of the city,"

"Do we know of any symptoms?" My mother asks, well aware of Jaehaera's current condition as she glances at me from the corner of her worried gaze.

"A few cases had reported fever and lethargy but that's all... the maesters are worried it'll spread like wildfire,"

The Small Council chambers are silent at the mention of an enemy we can't slay with swords and dragonfire but this sickness was closer than they'd realized...

"I'm afraid to say it's already reached Kings Landing, the Red Keep even," I tell them, my expression stone afraid to show any true emotion.

The Lords look to me to elaborate but once I divulge Jaehaera's state, there would be no taking it back.

Like most times of crisis, I look to Aemond, trying my damndest to read his expression but my husband seems just as torn, his protectiveness over the children fiercer than ever.

"Elaena," My mother calls out to me from the head of the table.

With a curt nod, she gives me the confidence I need to speak, not necessarily trusting the small council but rather placing my trust in my mother.

"It's Jaehaera... I believe she's contracted this very illness we speak of,"

Once the words leave the mouth all of the air is sucked from the room and my hand becomes clammy within Aemond's whose grip only grows tighter under the narrowed eyes of these lords.

"What can be done? Had the Velaryon fleet not left we could've sent her away," One lord asks.

"There's still time. The girl can ride dragonback," Another adds but I bring my fist down onto the table, slamming it onto the wood with all my might stunning even my husband.

"The girl you speak so meekly of can hardly sit up in her bed, let alone strong enough to be sent away on dragonback!" I scoff.

Lord Lothston cowers at my sudden outburst, his gaze averting from mine in way of apology. Clearing her throat my mother demands the attention of her small council at the head of the table.

"When exactly did she begin to feel unwell, Elaena?" She asks the sympathy in her gaze something only a daughter would notice.

"She was just fine when she and Visaera spent the evening with one another. She'd assured me she just needed rest the evening before last but... it's only gotten worse." I confess, knowing Jaehaera can only get better with help.

"It's imperative we find survivors and acquire any information we can to extinguish this sickness before it sinks its teeth into the entirety of the realm." My mother announces but I'm trembling in my seat, the very thing I'd been worried about becoming a reality before my eyes.

I couldn't save Helaena in time, and I would be too late to save her daughter.

No.

There was still hope. There would always be hope if she was still with us.

***