warnings: mentions of violence and abuse!
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FIREMILK wafted through the air. When the Grand Maester questioned how Daenys obtained such a bruise in the hour since he had last seen her, Aemond answered, "Ser Rodrik overstepped. I had him taken to the black cells."

Daenys didn't think her heart could plummet again. "Ser Rodrik is where?" she believed she misheard, hoped to, but Aemond's expression was her answer. "Surely he cannot be in the black cells. He aided me Aemond, he would not hurt me. Those who have sworn vows to protect, do not issue harm."

"She's mistaken Maester," Aemond responded with haste.

"I would recommend boiling wine as treatment, but given you have almost reached your final time, it would not be wise. The knight must have had an iron grip, My Lady. There are no fractures. It will heal before the moon turns."

"Thank you Maester."

"Maester before you leave, and given this is the second time you have examined me tonight. Visiting my children cannot bring me harm. Correct?"

"I would imagine no –"

"-- you may leave maester," Aemond interrupted.

"I will go to."

"You must rest."

"And let my sons remain abed without a kiss from their Mother? Come with me Husband if you wish." Aemond did not answer. "The hour is late. I know my duty, I must act in the role I was given. As should you. I will return in minutes. Start counting if you must."

Aemond's eye remained on his Lady wife's white nightgown as she pushed through the doors, the Maester departed with his treatments only seconds later.

She felt sick. Ser Rodrik was taken, because of her. No, Aemond was the cause of this, the cause of her bruised wrist and the firemilk and dressing wrapped around it. She carried on, she had to. The Gods have given her her strength, willed her courage and allowed her to keep striving.

She was blinded, a mistake, a grave mistake she had to admit. She was warned, by many and years had to have passed for her to see the light.

Pushing open a nursery door, there Daenys found Helaena, who stood between the three single canopy beds where her children slept, Jaehearys, Jaeheara and Maelor slept soundly. Embroidery surrounded them, with various insects and even plants that interested the children.

Helaena looked at her sister-in-law and let out a deep breath, staring as if she knew she would meet her.

"Sister."

"Hela you must listen. I am in trouble," Daenys said, hushed after she closed the door.

"Trouble?" Helaena's smile tightened when she saw her bandaged arm, tensing when she recalled a vivid image. "Your arm. Did Aemond do that? He has quite a temper sometimes. I believe they all do, all men."

"Please listen."

"I am. I know what you must do," Helaena paused, gently cupping her cheeks. "say good night to your nephews and niece. They've missed your tale tonight." Daenys hesitantly turned to the three children, sadly smiling, seeing their small chests rise and fall. Helaena's dazed look turned pained as she stared ahead at her swollen belly and mumbled, "Deliver the rapture of war." the whispers echoed around her subdued when she felt hands touching hers.

Daenys whispered, regretfully, "Sister."

"You have been a gift to me."

"As have you."

Daenys could feel her emptiness return as she picked up her step, away from one nursery and to another. She sceptically eyed the guard posted outside her son's rooms.

"Ser Erryk?" she was not sure.

The twin guards were identical.

He inclined his head to her, "Yes My Lady."

"The boys?" She had very little time to see her children. They did not receive their nightly lullaby.

And she didn't doubt that her husband was counting down to her return.

"Sleeping," he reported, squinting his eyes at how the Lady seemed distressed.

He stepped forward.

"Good, Goodnight," but she did not move. The Knight was confused, "Ser Rodrik has been arrested."

Ser Erryk nodded, "He has."

Daenys quickly looked around, before quietly saying, "Yes, the black cells are no place for him. He does not belong there. I beg of you when your shift ends and you are replaced with the next guard and you return to your chambers... before doing so, leave his cell door unlocked."

Ser Erryk stared in disbelief, "What you're asking is –"

"-- is treason and if you were to be discovered you would be sharing a cell with him. I know, what it is I ask of you. But I have no one else to ask. To turn to. If you cannot then I know you did your best. He is your friend. And the crime that he was said to have committed... is wrong."

"He was accused of attempted rape, My lady. Against you."

nausea slithered through Daenys. How could one lie about that?

"That a lie. A vile attempt to discredit him, his legacy who he is. Nor would he ever do such a thing. No, I have not been harmed by him, the one who has caused me a great deal of harm, and betrayal and is free. Ser Rodrik should be as well." she asked again, though, she was not desperate this time. Only enraged. "You will Try."

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Daenys had woken to Aemond curling against her. It was not uncommon for the Prince to be in such a child-like position. And when she would move an inch, he would pull back, revert to the mask he wore and turn over, never daring to speak of it.

They did not speak when the light crept through the windows, nor when she requested a bath. The entire castle felt far more colder than the previous night. The silence was deafening and only when Aemond returned after his mother discreetly called for his audience, did he appear on edge.

Not the boastful and impulsive boy from last night.

The maids excused themselves.

"The King is dead."

Daenys looked away from her journal, various emotions glimmered through her eyes as she stared at him, waiting for a sign of or indication of falsehoods flashing across his face, but nothing came.

"The King is dead?"

Aemond gave a small nod as he stood by the door, "Yes, early this morning."

King Viserys... her uncle. Aemond's father -- an absent and neglectful father, but it was his father nonetheless. It explained the lifeless energy flooding the Keep.

Aemond fidgeted with his fingers.

"My condolences," Daenys expressed, rising from her chair.

"I do not need them," he quickly dismissed, turning swiftly, missing the flicker of pain on his wife's face.

"Aemond. Despite our marital troubles, I am sorry for your Loss. Death is a tragic thing," he glanced back as she continued and walked forward, using her dominant hand to pick up her red skirt. "You have lost a Father. A loss of a parent renders the strongest to an indescribable pain."

He finally turned to face his Wife, who was sympathetic to his struggles, yet when she winced at her bruise, he waved her off.

"I must find my brother."

"Aegon? Daeron should also be informed of his passing. The news must be spread to Oldtown."

Aemond stated, with indifference, "Aegon will be crowned."

Daenys blinked at him, as her face slowly morphed, from confusion to disbelief, "I'm sorry?"

"This shall not leave our chambers. Other residences of the Keep were apprehended at sunrise, to prevent this news from spreading. The King's alleged dying wish was to have my brother on the throne. You as my Wife are afforded the courtesy of this knowledge."

"The knowledge of what? That your drunken and lazy brother will ascend the throne? The King would never change his mind on matters of ascension. The King had twenty-two years to name Aegon his heir and failed to do so. And now he changes his ill-mangled mind. Who was privy to this grand change, whilst my late Uncle addled on Milk of Poppy uttered this?"

"His Wife, The Queen."

Daenys laughed.

Aemond scowled.

"I'm sorry," she continued to laugh, "no."

"No?"

"Your brother has never wanted this. His character, his very being does not scream heir. It never did, and by the Grace of the Gods, Viserys somehow babbled a dier change to his succession with the shadows and The Queen as witness?, the drunkard mother that he wants Aegon to sit Throne?" she scoffed. "It's absurd. Do you not hear how absurd this is – " she was cut off when he rushed over to her. Aemond towered over his Wife, whose eyes simmered with rage, and her hand clenched behind her back. "What? Come to hurt me again Husband? For speaking my mind? I thought my thoughts were safe with you, no?"

A low hum came from his throat and he stepped back.

"It is not right. This is not right."

"It is Mother's word. Do you accuse her of lying?" Daenys did not answer. "When Aegon is found. He will be crowned King. My sister will be Crown Queen Consort. I will assist Cole to find him."

She reached out before he could turn, "You cannot."

"I think you'll find that I can," he said shrugging off her hand.

She glared, spitting out, "Then I will leave. I will take the children and leave."

"You will do no such thing," he gripped at her shoulders.

Daenys found the strength to push him away, stumbling back slightly but she stood her ground.

"I will not be part of this scheme to have the rightful heir usurped. I will go," she spoke definitively.

A scoff escaped him, "You wish to take our children from me? To forsake me and our life?"

"I wish to keep us safe. The Heir and the Future King consort will not stand for this. Surely the King's Council had their objections. Lord Bessbury? The Lord Commander?"

Aemond ignored her questioning, "You are safe, beside me," her wrist seemed to throb at that, "The Red Keep is our home. Kings Landing is their home."

"And when we ascend to the Driftwood Throne? Aemond you have known we cannot live here forever. Drowning in the comforts of seven stars, incense, censers, and songs."

He stiffened at her mockery, "My religion is the children's religion. The Great Jaehaerys made peace with the seven."

"I know what he accomplished. And I have supported your decision to bring religion into our children's lives. And if they wished to continue to do so even into their adulthood then so be it."

"They will do so because I say. And I say we will stay here beside my brother who was chosen —"

She fiercely interrupted, " – by your mother to be put on the throne. His grace the king –"

"-- Is dead. My father is dead," he snapped, "But his dying wish was to have my brother sit the throne in his place. To be his heir."

"You know in your heart that is not true. And even if you believed for a second that was truth. The Gods wouldn't want this farce, this mockery. You must think me a fool," she spat.

"I was the fool to think you'd comfort me after my Father's passing. I provided you with laughter and amusement after your mother's."

She was silenced.

He spoke the truth, yet she hardly recognised it leaving his lips.

She exacerbated, "Aemond."

Aemond shook his head, "A fool indeed. We are staying here unless we hear any updates on your Grandsire's condition. The boys will stay with me. You will stay with me. That is an order. That is a command!"

"And who are you to command me!?" her yell caused his eye to widen. He did not respond, but she shuffled closer, eyes seeming to soften. "Aemond... you are right in your assessment. I should provide you with comfort. Your father has just passed. At least let me come with you," she reached out to him, tenderly, "Aemond stay with me. Stay beside me," her hand found his, and he stared sceptically until she uttered, "Lay with me. Lay on me." she tried. "My heart cannot bear when we fight. For I will not function. And if Aegon is lost, let another go in his place. The children are with Odessa. We must talk. We must confess our faults to another."

His voice quietened, "There's no time."

Her weakened hand stroked his hair as she pleaded, "Make time."

"I have a duty to my Mother."

"But not to your wife. Mother to your children? You betrayed me and here I am begging for you. For us. And you cannot — I need you to stay with me. Please."

"We shall talk when I return."

He stared at her, studying how seemingly calm she was. He wanted to lean into her touch, desired the comfort of laying with her, he needed her close. She had to be close.

"What if you cannot find your brother? You know he does not want to be King. That he's not fit to be King. That... you would be the better choice."

" A King shall be crowned today. A Targaryen Prince, older or younger, one of us shall suffice. You shall be my Queen." He said promisingly, leaning his head against hers, unaware of her harsh grip behind her back. "Remain here for the coronation. A guard will be posted outside our chambers."

"Not, Ser Rodrik...?" Daenys dared to ask, immediately feeling him tense. She questioned if Erryk did what she commanded.

"No. he will be dealt with, tried and he will meet an end that befits his crime," he said pulling away.

His anger subdued only slightly.

"But he did not –"

"We are one. What harm falls on me, crushes you. I have never trusted him. You should have never trusted him." He was accused.

He has not mentioned Baela and Grandmother yet. Nor would she.

"A trusted guard will be posted outside your chambers. I wouldn't want any harm to come to my wife. My love, we find time to discuss what has transpired. How my sins were to benefit our marriage. Our union. You'll understand then."

Aemond pressed a kiss to her lips, Daenys offered him a soft smile as he departed.

But when the door slammed shut, her smile vanished.

And she only had limited time to plot her escape.

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a/n:

ruthless daenys unlocked!

please tell me you guys caught onto daenys lying. that girl doesn't wanna be queen, she wants to get the fuck out before she becomes a prisoner of war.

originally planned more aegon and daenys interactions, bad ones but it doesn't align with the timeline. actually, i think i wanted her to have more interactions with the greens, but i think aemond's manipulation has been enough, especially to combat daemon's guidance. it was bittersweet writing about her and helaena, their bond and her true ally.

thoughts?? and what was helaena's new prophecy about?

also her scene with helaena, i did want aemond to be there, but it wouldn't make much sense since she needed to speak with erryk. she couldn't or wouldn't have time to write him a note since aemond was watching her as well as counting the seconds until she returned.