Ashes In The Castle ||| Aemond Targaryen

thirty-nine

It was unbearable to have to attend the feast after both wedding ceremonies. But it was a custom to have one held, especially after the wedding of an heir.

There was no time for anything to happen between the second ceremony and dinner. Naerys and Aemond were carted off back to the Red Keep and sat up at the head table in the Throne Room to wait for guests to arrive.

They entered the hall together, after the King and Dowager Queen. Naerys and Aemond were greeted with applause from the few guests that were already in their seats.

Aegon sat in the middle of the head table as the ruling monarch. Naerys and Aemond sat next to him together, and their family sat on either side.

Once they had been seated, the rest of the lords and what remained of their families arrived in the hall. As was customary, they were announced and approached the head table, bowing to the King and the newly wedded couple.

Some brave enough approached and offered their congratulations directly to the King and his brother.

"Congratulations, Your Grace. What a fine match you've made. I'm sure it will bring peace and prosperity to the realm."

Aegon seemed to enjoy the praise. As if he hadn't been planning to feed Naerys to his dying dragon like her mother.

"Thank you, My Lord. We can only hope."

Naerys gave tight smiles to most. She held Aemond's hand under the table, his thumb running over her knuckles.

"The feasts are good but I have always been more of a bedding ceremony man. Unwrapping Princesses is quite a... rewarding experience."

She didn't smile at him.

"I'm sure it is, my Lord."

Just to keep it together until the end of the night. That was all they needed.

When the guests were seated, servants began to bring the food out. It wasn't as lavish of a feast would there be had there not been a war, but it wasn't small by any means.

Boar, vegetables, fruit for dessert. It was all brought out and placed on the tables for the hungry guests.

Before they ate, Aegon stood and made an address to the guests. He thanked them for coming and talked mostly about Aemond. Naerys crossed her legs under the table and smiled cordially when he was finished.

And then she and Aemond couldn't even enjoy the dinner because music began to play. They were supposed to dance, the dance of dragons. A Valyrian tradition when two dragon riders were married.

Aemond looked over at her with an amused smile. He offered the hand she'd just been holding to take her to dance. Naerys playfully rolled her eyes but took it, pushing away from her seat.

Together, they stood from their place at the table. Aemond led Naerys around the side and helped her down the steps, until they arrived in the centre aisle between the tables.

They parted, their hands disconnecting, until they stood across from one another. To the beat of the drums, Naerys and Aemond stepped three paces forward, passing one another and spinning around once more.