The True and The Brave

𝔉𝔬𝔲𝔯: 𝔉𝔦𝔫𝔦𝔱𝔢 𝔍𝔬𝔶𝔰 𝔄𝔩𝔴𝔞𝔶𝔰 𝔈𝔫𝔡

[AN: So this is the eight-year mark already. The twins are four and Aenys is two. Here we will start getting closer to what actually happens in episode eight] [ Content Warning: Smut and references to sexual intercourse ] (lol besties I recommend we all get baptized in holy water again after this chapter)

(props to Ms. SJM, without her, I would not have indulged myself in this type of writing. Sorry, but after this, I am hoping my spot in heaven remains. But if it means giving y'all the details, then meet me in hell besties)

Aemma liked to think she was a good mother. Liked to think that she gave all the attention and affection that she did not get. Loved to coddle her children, but also give them a safe space to grow. She never took her children back to the Keep. Aenys was introduced to King's Landing as soon as Aemma could mount Seafyre. To say the least, the children had enjoyed the qualms of Aemma's home. Had explored every cave and bay. Rhaenys's attachment to the younger Targaryen had not gone unnoticed. It was the child who carried her namesake. And the one that looked like Aemond the most. 

It was as if their personalities clashed and yielded. But the three of them made sense. Every dragon had three heads, each one unique as they stood proudly. Alys took after her father, looking to always be beneath his shadow. He also, unabashedly, spoiled her too much. Little Alys wanted to be a warrior like her mother and father, but she was also dutiful, always putting her family first. Laenor, where could Aemma start with her eldest boy? It was as if her father breathed again, as if his spirit lived again. Laenor took more like Aemma. It did not help that he inherited her tanned complexion that only Alys had just begun to sprout because of the endless days beneath the sun. Laenor was wild-spirited, brave, and courageous. Always the first one to come to Alys's aid. Finally, their little miracle, Aenys. Their youngest son. He was all Aemond in looks, but all Aemma in personality. The perfect blend and mix they could have asked for. 

The three kids were the apple of her eye. She had the best of Maesters teach them, the best of histories, songs, and poems. They all did not begrudge the time in the library, except sometimes little Laenor who wanted to train with his father and Ser Cole. Alys had already started to train her dragon, or as she had named it, Baelys, a mixture of her aunt, Baela, and great-grandfather who fought in the Steptones, Corlys. Seasmoke had altered the presence of dragons in their Manse, and Aemond had already started to plan to build their own keep. They had five dragons under their yolk, not counting when Haelena would visit with Dreamfyre or Meleys and Moondancer. It was a rare occurrence for eggs to hatch, even more for older and bigger dragons. They were not quite certain how it came to be that Seafyre hatched a single egg. It was placed in Aenys's cradle only for the dragon to break through the shell and immediately bond with the boy, as Aemma had with Seafyre. The dragon had blue-green coloring around its scales, but the membranes of its wing shone a color Aemma had only seen on Seasmoke. 

All was fine with the children. They had been growing strong, and every day Aemond was even prouder of his own family. He never thought he could deserve this. To have this loving family. For a monster like him to have his own children cling to him and lovingly show him affection. He had never imagined himself being a father. But now that he was one, he'd rather think that fatherhood became him. As his Aemma, whose face glowed when little Alys and Laenor chased her down the beach. 

This was it, Aemond thought. His family was complete. He was afraid to ask for more of Aemma. Afraid that if he let himself lose control of his lust, then he'd pay the price. He could not see Aemma like that again. Was not willing to take the chance. Ever since Driftmark he had been distant. Would shy away from her gentle touches. Would put a distance between them when they lay together. It was quite understandable. The Maesters had warned them that Aemma's womb needed rest, or she could risk being barren or her own life. And Aemond would not have that. He was beyond happy as they were.