ELLIPSISM, aemond targaryen

[000] prologue

DESPITE THE FACT that the day started sunny, within a few hours during which Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen began to give birth, it turned dark and filled with heavy rain that extinguished every fire. People that day were very irritated with the result, as the tournament was supposed to be held that day, but had to be canceled due to unpredictable weather. Several maids that day spread the information around the castle that the raging storm was connected to the birth of princess's child, and no one knew if it was a good or bad sign.

Rhaenyra herself didn't know whether to take the storm as a good or bad sign, especially not when her second child had more trouble coming into the world than her first. Despite the fact that she taught herself from a young age to hold her head up proudly no matter what thoughts troubled her, she couldn't help but be concerned during both of her pregnancies.

She didn't even know if she was more afraid for her own life or the life of her children. Perhaps she was afraid for both, as her mother suffered a tragic fate during which she not only died in great pain, but also her only son, her hope, was gone shortly after her departure.

And when Rhaenyra gave birth that day, she looked out the window from time to time at the storm outside, wondering if she would have to die on such a dull day in her dark chamber.

Fortunately, her fears were unnecessary and her second child, a first daughter, was born alive and healthy.

"She looks like you."

Rhaenyra looked away from the window and turned towards Ser Harwin Strong, who was standing by the cradle where their daughter slept, holding his son in his arms and looking at the newborn with tenderness.

The princess smiled and put one hand on her stomach, which still hurt. "She reminded me more of you when she kicked one of the maids who wanted to dress her."

Harwin looked up to look into her eyes. "In that case, she inherited her mother's temper."

After the princess rolled her eyes in amusement, Harwin looked back at the cradle and then at his son. "Do you see her, Jace? That's your little sister. You have to protect her at all costs."

Rhaenyra smiled and for the first time that cold day she felt a warmth that had nothing to do with the fire in the hearth or the blankets she had been given. No, this fire flared up in her chest and spread throughout her body, growing stronger every time she looked at her children, or at Harwin . . .

Footsteps sounded in the corridor and Harwin and Rhaenyra exchanged glances, then Rhaenyra reached out her arms to hold her son. After the young prince was safe in his mother's arms, Harwin walked towards the wall, away from Rhaenyra and her children, his face serious.

The door to the chamber opened and Laenor Velaryon walked in, his face beaming with happiness.

"I heard that we have a beautiful healthy daughter," he said cheerfully.

Rhaenyra adjusted the pillow behind her and then smiled at him, but her smile wasn't as bright as it had been when she was alone with Harwin. "Yes. She is sleeping."

Laenor followed her gaze and quietly walked over to the cradle and looked at her. There was even more love in his eyes than before, he looked at the little girl in the cradle like the most precious thing in the world.

Letting out a shaky breath, he smiled at her, his hand reached into the cradle and gently stroked the little hand of the little girl in the cradle with his thumb.

"Hello, my little princess," Laenor whispered with a smile. "I'm your father. And I promise I will never let anyone hurt you."

Rhaenyra's blue eyes flicked from him to Harwin and her smile partially faded as she realized that Ser Harwin Strong was staring blankly at the ground so he wouldn't have to look at the happy family, his grip on the hilt of his sword was tighter than it should have been.