ELLIPSISM, aemond targaryen

[032] blood and dust

AEMMA WASN'T A big fan of tourneys and didn't have much experience with them other than what Harwin Strong had told her. Although their organization was nothing special, Aemma, Jace, and Luke were all too young in Rhaenyra's opinion, and and that's why when a tourney was held, they were the only ones who stayed in the castle.

Not that they would mind. While Aegon and Aemond always came back from them amused and excited by what they saw, Helaena was always pale as death and too shocked to say anything about what she saw. Because of this, none of them really looked forward to the tourneys, Luke hated the sounds of fighting and despite his interest in swordsmanship, he hated actual fights. Jace did not like to see human suffering and even Aemma condemned the tourney's as unnecessary bloodshed.

As soon as Aemma stepped outside and felt the warm sun and King's Landing finally not looking as depressing as she usually saw it, she was immediately frustrated by the fact that instead of flying with Meraxes or walking with Helaena, she'll have to sit with vipers and watch a few idiots fall off their horses.

Sure, not necessarily a bad program, but there certainly have been better ones.

It was positive, however, that the seats reserved for the royal family were covered by a roof, unlike the seats for ordinary people, and so Aemma thought, if she manages to avoid talking to some people and the sun, she could survive this day without a headache.

Upon their arrival, Helaena waved cheerfully to Baela and sat down in the front row next to Aegon, who was traditionally holding a goblet of wine. Rhaenys sat in the second row near the king with Baela at her side.

Even though Aemond had a seat next to Helaena as her brother and Aemma was supposed to sit next to him, without saying anything he took Aemma's seat and let her sit next to Helaena. Aemma considered for a moment whether she should say something, but decided against it, wondering that Aemond might have forgotten where's he supposed to sit.

As she sat down she turned her head to Rhaenys and Baela who were sitting directly behind her but she saw that Rhaenys' smile was obviously forced and Baela was busy glaring at Aemond.

Partly awkwardly, Aemma turned back. Which was not any better as it was awkward even if she was paying attention to the people sitting on the seats.

Although she did not know what kind of relationship Aegon, Aemond and Helaena had, she was sure that they were nowhere near as close as her, Jace and Luke. It didn't seem to her that they liked to spend time together, talk or even support each other in difficult times. Rather, it seemed that the three of them were sitting quietly next to each other only with the intention of fulfilling the expectations on the perfect children of the King and Queen. Their relationship only existed as long as anyone could see it.

Aegon probably didn't notice anything going on around him, including his wife who was playing with the flowers of her favor and sitting closer to Aemma than Aegon. Aemond looked extremely bored, critically surveying the people in front of him, occasionally glancing at Aemma.

The glances that Aemma tried her best to avoid, the memories of the situation in Helaena's chamber too fresh as well as the things she felt. And she was extremely annoyed by how close he sat and how she could feel his gaze even when she turned to face Helaena so she couldn't see him.

It was no longer the case that Aemma knew about his existence, it seemed to her as if she herself felt it with every part of her body and mind. And she didn't like it one bit.

The train of thought was interrupted when Aemma heard movement behind her and she and several other people looked behind them. Queen Alicent arrived last with Otto, Cole and Larys right behind her, taking a seat next to the King's empty seat.