A Place in This World // Helaena Targaryen

16. Idiot

A few moons ago

''This one has 60 rings... and two pairs of legs on each. That's 240.'' Helaena remarked looking down at the creature crawling over her hands.

''Yes, it is." Alicent agreed

''It has eyes... though... I don't believe it can see.'' Helaena told her softly completely captivated by the creature.

''And why is that so, do you think?'' Alicent questioned her daughter, she was bored, motherhood didn't suit her, being a wife to Viserys didn't suit her either.

''It is beyond our understanding.''

''I suppose you're right. Some things just are.'' Alicent agreed. She didn't understand her daughter, she was a strange girl, but all of her children were a bit odd. Helaena obsession with creatures and wonderland though was beyond Alicent's comprehension. Then after Aegon killed a rabbit years ago Helaena had gone on a strike, refused to eat meat of all sorts. Said it was not right and she stood by the rabbits. 

Alicent had gone into a tizzy. Helaena declared that animals had rights and feelings and emotions and they deserved better. Aegon laughed at her, called her idiotic. Aemond tried to join her but they made chicken stew and Aemond requested he start next moon. 

Helaena still wanted a rabbit, a white rabbit like the one from wonderland. The one Aegon had killed so proudly. Helaena had joined them on hunts calling out to the animals before hand to run away and be free. 

When Viserys was still capable of moving without such assistance he wasnt fond of that. Aegon pitched a fit and Aemond laughed out. 

Helaena never did get a rabbit so she found little creatures that she could love and tend to, learn about to occupy her time and her mind.

 The door opened catching Alicent's attention.

''Your Grace. Aemond.'' The kings guard announced as Aemond entered.

''What have you done?''

''He did it again.'' Aemond murmured

''After how many times you've been warned, must I have you confined to your chambers?!'' Alicent questioned incredulously.

''They made me do it!'' Aemond told her innocently.

''As if you needed encouragement. Your obsession with those beasts goes beyond understanding.'' Alicent was not a Targaryen she didn't understand dragons, she never would. But it was dragons that ruled. She could dress her children in green but that didn't stop them from being Targaryen and having dragon blood.

"They gave me a pig!" Aemond declared.

''A what?''

''They said they found a dragon for me.'' Aemond told her.

''The last ring has no legs at all." Helaena went on.

''But it was a pig.'' Aemond told his mother.

''You will have a dragon one day.''

''He'll have to close an eye.'' Helaena continued talking to herself and her little creepy crawly.

''I know it.'' Alicent assured

''They all laughed.'' Aemond told her with a big pout on his face as ALicent moved out of the room in a huff. Aemond sat beside Helaena and she showed him the bug as it crawled up her arm. 

"What's wrong?" Helaena questioned. 

"Aegon is a jerk." Aemond informed her and Helaena nodded knowingly. 

"I'm sorry, what did he do?" Helaena asked. 

"It's stupid. I'm stupid." Aemond declared leaning back against the cold hard floor. 

"You are not." Helaena corrected sincerely. "You are the smartest man I know."

"I'm so stupid Helaena," Aemond corrected. "They said they got me a dragon and I believed them! I'm an idiot."

"Stop that." Helaena instructed. "I wouldnt let anyone talk about you the way you are talking about yourself." Helaena informed him.  "If I heard Aegon or anyone calling you an idiot I would smack them upside the head." Helaena told him honestly. "I can smack you too." she offered. 

"Thanks Helaena." Aemond whispered as she lay beside him. 

"You can have moondancer if you want. She's a bit big for my liking." Helaena remarked. "Can't fit in my hand." Aemond chuckled as she showed him her newest find. "Beautiful, right?"

"You are amazing Helaena." 

And if anyone else told her that, she wouldnt have believed them but she believed Aemond because he never lied to her.

"I think you are pretty amazing too." Helaena told him honestly as she tipped her head into him.