The True and The Brave

𝔉𝔦𝔳𝔢: 𝔚𝔥𝔢𝔫 𝔗𝔥𝔢 𝔇𝔞𝔯𝔨𝔫𝔢𝔰𝔰 ℭ𝔬𝔪𝔢𝔰

[AN: So...the intrigue..who poisoned Aemma, and what is she planning? This chapter is fundamental to see everything coming together. I saw a comment that Aemma would deff be a slytherin and I totally agree with it. I'm a slytherin too so I do really like to add a depth to the character that I could relate a bit more. Anyways. I hope you continue to enjoy] (btw I really recommend to amplify the experience by listening to a playlist that I will link in one of the comments)

(I know I must sound like a broken record machine, but please I encourage you to keep on commenting and liking my story. I do enjoy reading through them and it makes my day)

The small council meeting was called. Talya as instructed, delivered a swift two-way knock on the door of his chambers. He breathed heavily, his leathers boots echoing in the all too empty chamber. All he could think about was her. Their children. How this only started to perish in those memories. Would be he like his father, wailing over his lost wife, Aemma? He tried to picture himself running up and down the beaches, tearing at his hair, cradling some scraps of old tunic she left behind. Crying for the loss of half his soul. But she was alive. His Aemma was alive. And she had a plan. And he had a part to play.

"What is it that could not have waited an hour? Was Dorne invaded?", Tyland Lannnister asked, his marble placed in front of him.

The young queen had taken her seat. Her eyes in trance. It was as if the only last good people had left all together. Had decided to take the path they wanted together. Someone had poisoned Aemma Velaryon under their noses. And she was taken from this world to soon.

"The King is dead. We grieve for Viserys the Peaceful... our sovereign... our friend. We also grieve for Princess Aemma Velaryon..Tide Maker and Lady of Driftmark, an admirable woman that has left us all too soon", Lord Otto Hightower voiced.

"But he has left us a gift. With his last breath, he impressed upon the Queen his final wish: that his son, Aegon... should succeed him as Lord of the Seven Kingdoms"

The door to the chamber opened. Alicent stood at the sight of his son. Lord Hightower questioned, "Prince Aemond, what is the meaning of this? This invasion to privacy is unparalleled and calls for treason—"

"Yet it seems, Grandsire, my late wife has given us one last gift too", Aemond placed his marble that he fished from his coat.

"Aemond...", The dowager queen started, fearing the grievance of his son had turned into something deadly.

"No mother, there is nothing you could say. I lost my father, my wife and my child. But Aemma did not leave me alone in this world. Not truly". Aemond breathed before retrieving the scroll that Rhaenys brought with her from Driftmark.

It rolled until Lord Hightower grasped in, unfolding the contents.

"She gave you Driftmark. You are Lord of Driftmark. And your line is set to inherit the title of princes' and lords. The seal is unbroken. This was written by Aemma Velaryon's hand".

Silence fell until Aemond let out a dull hum, taking a seat on the chair, his eyes bore into the aventurine colored marble, "and here I am. Aemma was master of ships in this council. As I have taken preceeding on all her accounts until my son comes of age, I am bound to this duty. And pledge my house to my brother, Aegon".

"Then we may proceed now with the full assurance of his blessing on our long-laid plans", Lord Jasper Wylde countered.

"Yes. There is much to be done, as we've previously discussed. Now, there are two among the captains of the City Watch that remain loyal to Daemon. The rest remains loyal to Prince Aemond who has been elected by the Watch itself upon their vote for a new Lord Commander", Aemond nodded. It was Aemma all along. Her insistance to look over the matters with the city watch this long ago. The reason of endless meetings. All of it. He just had to buy her time. To make sure whatever ploy of hers worked.