The True and The Brave

𝔈𝔦𝔤𝔥𝔱: ℌ𝔢𝔞𝔳𝔶 𝔦𝔰 𝔱𝔥𝔢 ℌ𝔢𝔞𝔡 𝔱𝔥𝔞𝔱 𝔴𝔢𝔞𝔯𝔰 𝔱𝔥𝔢 ℭ𝔯𝔬𝔴𝔫

It was a white hart. There was no mistaking it. She saw it in her dreams. How the its antlers curled into a perfect circle in the middle. How its breath hit the side eof her face as it bowed to her. Omens had powers, but this— this had her trembling in her sleep. She was not worthy of the crown. She did not want it. She did not want the hinderance and bloodshed that came with it. She could have handed it to Jace if she was smart enough. But it was as if fire coursed through her veins, willing for it to place the crown on her head. 

"Aemma, wake up", a voice sounded. First, she thought it was her husband, who would plague her dreams. He sat atop of Vhagar above the gods eye and then suddenly he was plummeting to his death, Dark Sister lodged between his left eye. 

"Aemma, wake up!"

Aemma gasped in fright as Rhaenys shook her from her few hours of slumber. Two single hours of slumber. 

"What is the meaning of this, grandmother?", Aemma asked, shoving her arms in the night robe as Rhaenys was quick to light the candles on her room. 

"There is an urgent matter, my dear. Everyone is waiting for your presence at the painted table". 

Aemma was never one to look disheavaled or unmoored. But when the name of her children spewed from Rhaenys's mouth, Aemma was already barreling to the main chamber, barefoot, and with her sword strapped in her back. 

"Tell me everything", she commanded Ser Steffon who held the scroll to the table. 

"We recieved this raven from Alicent Hightower, your grace. She sent us a warning. The Lannister fleet is sailing to Driftmark. Lord Corlys left in the hour of the bat to rally an armada to defend Driftmark. King Aegon sent for your children to be killed", 

Aemma paled. Her hand shaking as the room itself shifted. Their children. If Aegon was doing this then what happened to Aemond? He would not let this happen. He would have fought Aegon and killed him for even daring to speak about their children. 

"I'll go on dragonback myself to bring my children. I will not have them there—"

"My, queen, you must stay here. You are far too precious to gallivant into war—"

"I do not care about prancing my sword around Ser Bartimos. I am a mother first, and gods damn the crown if it means placing the life of my children at risk. Of your future King and Lady of Driftmark", she snapped, "get Seafyre mounted". 

"No. I'll go. I'll bring them here. They are protected with Baela and Rhaena, but I will go, Aemma. I cannot let our home burn. Besides, there is more", Rhaenys motioned. 

Aemma bit back the sob that had started to crawl its way up her throat. Tears slid past her eyes, and she made no move to dry them. 

"What of my husband, Ser Steffon?", she asked, her voice faltering. 

"He's been branded an enemy to the false crown. A traitor. He has not been seen, your grace. Alicent does not know of his whereabouts". 

Aemma pressed a hand against her mouth. He had to be alive. Her Aemond. Her husband. Everything seemed to tip over. Her world was sent crashing down upon her shoulders. The council stared at her as if the unyielding woman would somehow break in front of them. But Aemma straightened her spine and breathed in. 

"Here is what we will do. Rhaenys, I task you with bringing my children here. Do not get close to the Lannister fleet with Meleys. They might have scorpions. Survey the attack from above and come back to inform me of its numbers. As for my husband, your King, if he is wanted for treason it means he escaped in time. He will come looking for me and our children. I can only assume he does not know of what has happened", the she turned to Ser Bartimos and Staunton, "and you, my lords. It is time for you to stop spewing orders from your high seats. You will either give me men or you can go back to the safety of your high walls. You decide how you want to go down in history. As people who helped their queen or as cowards. Bring all the men you can to defend Dragonstone. Surround the island with fleets. No one comes inside or out without announcing their presence".