The True and The Brave

𝔗𝔥𝔯𝔢𝔢: 𝔗𝔥𝔢 𝔏𝔬𝔫𝔤 𝔓𝔞𝔱𝔥

[AN: Guys, there will be a two-year time skip at the beginning, and then a few months, following the normal course of the events mentioned below, so in total, almost three years. We are officially seven years into that ten-year time skip on the show] (Remember to vote and comment, I always enjoy reading them and answering all that I can )

Aemma had pleaded with Haelena to stay with them here at Sea Dragon's Manse. The answer was all the same. Nonstop riddles and dreams. She knew Haelena's duty was to Aegon, but after... after what had happened, Haelena's fate was worse than death itself.

Aemond had grown even more guarded. He was still yet to divulge what he had done to his brother. In her trance, she remembered the blood seeping into the ocean. His eye not leaving hers. And when she took off that leather eye patch.

It was her stone. The one she had promised to give to her father. As if sensing her confusion, Aemond had explained where he had gotten the stone— who had given it to him.

All along it had been her father. All along it was him. He had been the one to know better. To refuse the proposal that came from the Starks. He had seen it all along. The longing and belonging. The yielding and becoming. He had seen it even before them. And accepted it.

"Your father, Ser Laenor, gave me this the day before he died. He told me to take care of you. To give you the endless love and affection you had always deserved. I made him a promise, Aemma. And I broke it".

Aemond had let his brother touch her. Had let her be exposed to such sickness. Had their children in the same place. If had known he was lying. If he only knew that he would come. He has failed her. Had failed to protect her.

Whatever it was that changed, Aemma could not blame him. Aemond was a scheming mastermind who thought everything out. But he could not figure it out himself. He woke up at the break of dawn, seeing the rise and fall of her chest. Would go check on the twins. At his demands, he moved their children inside their chamber.

Aemond loved her more than the world itself. Would sacrifice everything to be with her and his newfound family. Would put the realm to torch if it meant being here. Alone. With their children.

He might've grown guarded and scheming. But had done it out of pure love. Aemma too had recurring nightmares. Feeling that hand pressing against her throat. Feeling as if she could not breathe. Aemond would sit with her, slowly humming to her, pacing her breathing.

It was as if the dreams of Aegon's hand form a visage of the looming doom that was knocking on their home. Threatening the very foundations they had built.

Laenor and Alys had just turned two name days. They had been a delight. They studied with the appointed Maester. They had not thought to bring one here until Aemma had fallen pregnant again.

It had been a far easier pregnancy. Aemma could fly with Seafyre with no care. Aemma had somehow found a way to saddle the twins. They cheered and were awed as Seafyre gently took them around the bay. Had shown them the keep, Driftmark, Dragonstone. Vhagar was less amicable than Seafyre, deciding to retire herself into a clearing close to the bay.

Aemond had slowly fallen into his old habits. As if a small ray of sunshine had fallen upon their home. Nothing could be bad enough. Rhaenys has come to visit Aemma and the twins often. Baela would come too always bearing gifts for the twins.

Aemond had placed two eggs in the twin's cradle. One was hatched by Silverwing and the other by Syrax. The first did hatch. The bond between Alys and Silverwing's egg was unique. Like Alyssane the good queen and Silverwing. The small dragon was all too similar to Silverwing. Seafyre had taken the dragon under her wing— quite literally. Laenor's egg had not hatched, the egg slowly turning into stone. Cold. Almost frozen.