Eye of The Dragon, Aemond Targaryen

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𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐚.

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𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐅𝐔𝐍𝐄𝐑𝐀𝐋, Aelora felt saddened. She had loved her aunt very much. She had a beautiful soul and was a wonderful mother to her two young girls. To have heard the news of Laena passing, broke something in Aelora. They did not meet in person a lot, but they kept in contact through letters. She was like a second mother to her. She loved Rhaenyra very deeply, do not twist my words, but Laena had a kindred spirit that could not be ignored because it affected everyone around her.

She stood between her mother and father. Her brothers, Lucerys and Jacaerys stood in front of their mother, her arms wrapped around them to keep them close to her, as if anyone would try to snatch them away. Across from the family stood Daemon Targaryen. Aelora's biological father, as she had known for a while, even though no one had confirmed it. He did not look upset. But she could see the mask he had put on. She is all too familiar with the mask. Princess Rhaenys and her husband Corlys Velaryon could be found a little more in the back. Rhaenys had covered her face with a veil as she held Princess Baela tightly against her. Princess Rhaena stood closely against them, sobbing as she watched Vaemond speak.

Then there were the Hightowers. Queen Alicent with her sons and daughter. As well as her husband, Aelora's grandsire, King Viserys Targaryen. Alicent's father, Ser Otto Hightower, was standing close to them as well, as he served as Hand of the king. Her eye caught the younger brother a few too many times than she had liked, but Aelora could not help it. The times she was not looking at him, he was looking at her.

She placed her hand on her father's back and moved it up and down, trying to console him. He looked down and offered her a sincere smile.

Vaemond's words about Velaryon blood and the pureness it possessed made Rhaenyra shift next to Aelora. She truly did not care that her brothers were not Velaryon, because neither was she. they have different fathers, but they're her brothers. And she would go to war for them, all three.

The Velaryon male could not hold his tongue towards Rhaenyra. Aelora was ready to open her mouth but Daemon beat her to it. He had seen the look on Princess Rhaenyra's face. Daemon started chuckling, turning everyone's head his way. He did not seem to care. And even though Aelora found it inappropriate, she was thankful for taking the heat off her mother's back.

Vaemond continued talking as they started to lower Laena's coffin. She could see Prince Aegon blowing air out of his mouth, was this boring for him? She could throw him in the sea after, it was a thought that crossed her mind many times. His gaze turned her way and he looked shocked at the expression on her face. But that did not last long. He quickly shot her a sly grin, making Aelora roll her eyes.

Laena's coffin was lowered into the sea. Laenor watched his sister return to the sea as his tears blocked his vision. The young Princess turned his way and embraced him in a hug. "The Gods have blessed me with you, dear daughter." She smiled through her tears on his chest. "As have they blessed me with you, father."

Everyone gathered shortly after. Laenor was nowhere to be found, which was not that strange since he had just buried his sister. Aelora was standing with her cousins, holding Baela's hand. She was moving her thumb slowly on top of her hand. Her sobs had become less harsh as she was calming down. Rhaena was only staring in front of her, all signs of life had been sucked out of her. Aelora let go of Baela's hand and crouched in front of Rhaena. "Where are your thoughts, cousin?" Rhaena remained quiet. She decided not to push, it did not seem like the smartest idea. She took both their hands in hers and squeezed them one last time before standing back up and walking away.

The young girl wandered around and stopped to look at the two young Princes who were looking at their sister. Helaena was known to speak in riddles, confusing her brothers, but Aelora understood her. She would also rather speak in riddles than talk to them.

Aegon swirled the cup in his hand around. "We have nothing in common," he said, clearly annoyed. Aelora rolled her eyes at his remark. Aemond responded, "she's our sister." Something about that sentence gave her hope for his soul. "You marry her then," Aegon taunted.

Aemond didn't flinch at that thought. "I would perform my duty, if mother had only betrothed us," he spoke without stuttering, meaning that he meant the words that left his mouth. Truth to be told, Aemond would marry their sister, but only because of his duty. His mind was already occupied by another. Aegon scoffed at his brother, "as if."

"It would strengthen the family," he started, "Keep our Valyrian blood pure." It was true what he said, It is why Targaryens marry close in family. "She's an idiot," Aegon complained.

"She's your future Queen," Aemond responded, annoyingly. He did not hate his brother, but he also did not like him. He had a duty to perform and Aegon didn't look the slightest of interested in it. Whereas Aemond did.

Aegon replaced his empty cup with a full one and turned to his brother. "We actually do have one thing in common," he said, Aemond turning his way. "We both fancy creatures with very long legs," he mocked as he reached down the same height as Aemond. The young Prince did not respond, he only looked as his brother walked away, calling a wench to fetch him another cup of wine. He mumbled Aegon's name under his breath before his eyes landed on her.

Aelora had been looking at them without them knowing, some would even call it eavesdropping, but she called it curiosity. Both their eyes remained on one another, not wanting the moment to end.

But it did. Aelora came back to her senses and walked away, leaving Aemond dumbfounded. She unknowingly made her way to the place where Daemon was standing. She stopped in her tracks and turned around. She saw Jacaerys standing still with Aemond in front of him. Aemond offered Jacaerys a tiny smile, but Aelora's brother did not return the favor. Aemond did not think much of it, the boy had already just lost his father. He then walked away.

Aelora turned back around, surprised to find Daemon's eyes on her.

"Well, this is a funny surprise, is it not?" He taunted, leaving her standing speechless.

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