Ashes In The Castle ||| Aemond Targaryen

thirty-six

When Naerys returned from laying Daemon to rest with his dragon, Aemond looked terrible. His already pale skin was somehow paler. Despite his injury, though, he handed Naerys' sword back to her.

He'd washed the blood off of it in the water. So she didn't have to see it. Naerys took it from him and put it back. They would speak when he wasn't at risk of dying.

Together, they hobbled back to Vermithor. Naerys had to practically push Aemond up his side. She mounted the dragon, pain in her own side, and tiredly commanded him to fly.

The flight was remarkably short, a few minutes at most. Naerys landed Vermithor in the courtyard of the castle and helped Aemond off of Vermithor, keeping him steady.

There were hardly any occupants of Harrenhal after Daemon took it from any who remained. Servants, maids. A single Maester.

With the dragon outside, Naerys and Aemond were housed. She promised them they were together, for no sides. She cared not who they declared for, she just wanted Aemond fixed.

They obliged and got him set up under candlelight. His wounds were cleaned and his leg was stitched so he would not lose any more blood and would not risk infection.

Naerys sat next to Aemond as he groaned and held his hand. Her mind was still turning with what she'd done to Daemon. What her mother would think. How she was going to get them back to King's Landing.

It wasn't safe to speak in front of the maester, even if he agreed to take care of them. About what they would do, what happened.

When the Maester was finished with Aemond, the boy gestured to Naerys. "She's injured."

She tried to wave him off but Aemond gave her a look. Naerys sighed and removed the armour that covered the front of her, lifting the side of her shirt.

It was a clean but deep cut. That was the Valyrian steel. The Maester took a look at it and informed her it could use some stitches.

The girl agreed and sat up, holding her shirt to let him stitch her side. Naerys always hated stitches.

He didn't take as long with her, thankfully, and the Maester left Aemond and Naerys alone. The man assured them they wouldn't be bothered, nor would anyone speak of their night or nights spent in Harrenhal.

"I'm sorry about Vhagar. She was loyal."

Naerys knew Aemond had a very special connection with her. The first dragon to let him claim her. What finally made him feel powerful, like a true Targaryen.

"She served me well. But she was old. It was time she rested."

Finally, Aemond pulled his belt up from the ground. He unsheathed Naerys' dagger and handed it back to her.

Without a word, Naerys took his and gave it back. They both replaced the daggers they'd given. Reunited. Just like they'd promised.

The two sat together, laid together, after a day filled with pain. Aemond held Naerys close to him. They needed rest.

"You did me a service today. Daemon would have murdered me. I am only sorry it had to be you." Aemond caressed Naerys' side, running his hand along her arm.