The Prince and His Flower

N I N E T E E N

As two servants carried the portrait out onto the boat, Aemma held Jace and Luke as they said goodbye once again. 

"Send me a raven as soon as you arrive, that way when I arrive, it'll be waiting for me." Aemma told her brothers. She wished she could fly, but her hands were so heavily bandaged she worried about her ability to grip the saddle, and her hands caused her terrible pain.

"We will. I wish you could come home with us." Luke pouted his lips.

"I know, but I cannot." Aemma did not say the truth, which was that she could not bear to be around their mother. 

"When you arrive in Kings Landing, send a raven as quickly as you can." Jace said as he sniffled. 

"I will. I love you both, with all of my heart." Aemma kissed their cheeks as she walked up to Baela and Rhaena. 

"Farewell, cousins. I am truly sorry about what happened." Aemma said as Rhaena offered an apologetic smile.

"I think I should be apologizing. I hope your face heals well." She said as she motioned toward Aemma's swollen cheek. 

"As do I. I hope we can meet again soon." Baela said, reaching out and giving Aemma's shoulder an encouraging squeeze. Aemma then turned to her grandparents, who stood solemnly.

"Farewell grandsire, thank you for arranging a ship on such short notice." Aemma bowed her head. 

"Nonsense, I have the best fleet in the Realm, I can spare one ship for my lovely granddaughter." Corlys said as he pulled Aemma into a tight hug. "May the wind carry you fast." He said as he kissed her head. Aemma pulled away and simply hugged her grandmother, and they held each other in silence as they bid farewell. 

"Be safe." Was all Rhaenys said as she kissed Aemma's head. Aemma walked onto the deck of the ship, not sparing a glance to her mother who tried not to let her hurt show. Aemma turned around and waved to her brothers, who glumly waved back. As the ship prepared to set sail, Terrax took to the skies, circling above the ship. 

As the ship pulled away, Aemma watched her family become smaller and smaller, until she was unable to make out who was who. She then promptly went into her cabin and cried her eyes out until sleep took her.

Aemma slept for most of the trip, the sound of the waves crashing against the boat lulled her into sleep. She did not sleep peacefully though, her sleep was constantly intruded on by the violent nightmares that plagued her. Her father, burning. Her hands ached and burned so badly that Aemma wished to cut them off. 

Aemma refused to eat. She was growing weaker, and she knew she would have to soon enough, but she refused. With every step she took, she felt as if there was a weighted chain, trying to drag her into the ground. The loss of her father weighed heavily on the Princess, and even the guards that escorted her to Kings Landing began to worry for her health. 

As the boat passed through the Winch Towers and docked near the Mud gate, Aemma begrudgingly left the ship. The swelling in her face had gone down, but the skin was still a deep purple. The guards and servants began unloading Aemma's belongings from the ship into the carriage that awaited her; it did not take long as it was only one trunk and the portrait Rhaenys had gifted her. Alicent stepped out of the carriage, accompanied by Ser Criston Cole, as expected. 

"Oh, Aemma!" Alicent said as she took in the sight of her. Aemma was terribly pale, her eyes scabbed and puffy, and her bruise still looked rather nasty. Alicent's eyes rested on the thick bandages that covered her hands. "Lord Corlys sent a raven. Come, let us return to the Keep, Grand Maester Orwyle will see to your hands." Alicent gently ushered Aemma into the carriage, who simply sat down and stared out the window.