Tales Of The Heart [Aemond Targaryen]

CHAPTER ONE

It was always like that with me and this sea. Water used to invite me towards itself and even if it scared me, I would walk into it.

The sea was as calm as I have always remembered, almost as if it didn't know how to move. It would seem harmless to anyone but not to me, for I am no fool. I have always known its intentions towards me, this calm water and cool breezes are just a trap to lure me in because it wants me, it wants to devour my soul but more importantly...

It wants to extinguish my fire before I set it ablaze.

But going away never was the option, once the water started to whisper. The words hypnotize me as well as send a shiver down my spine.

Daorys ñuho vēdro embro,

I sucked in a breath and tried to move away but the sand under my feet almost felt like shackles.

Bēvumbagon kostas.

The sand under my feet shifted gently, taking me forward and no matter how hard I tried, the only way my feet took me was towards the water.

Tolvys drakaro pelro,

I tried to scream as water reached my waist but my voice seemed to be lost somewhere inside me. My feet still refused to take me away even so they moved further in the water. I couldn't see anything in it, the sea stood as black as the night and as cold as ice.

Zālilaks.

With one swift motion, the water engulfed me as the lost control over my body seeped back into me.

Help! Mother.

My hands thrashed in water, my feet kicking back and forth struggling to keep me on the surface

Muñnykeā! Kostilus! 

Water went in through my nostrils while some rushed down my throat making me choke on it. The salt in the water made my eyes burn.

Mother! Please help me-

My body wanted to give up but I didn't want to submerge into the sea.

Muñnykeā-

Mother-

Dāez issa-

My eyes started to close.

"Maenya! Wake up!" my mother's voice rang in my ears as I was jerked out of my sleep.

I tried to free myself from her.

"No stop. Stop, it's me Maenya, look at me." She forced me to look at her while never leaving my hands.

"Mother," I looked at her as fresh tears spilled from my eyes.

"Yes, my love," She gently wiped my tears.

"Mother, please save me." I tried to voice my words clearly but the trembling of my lips made it very difficult.

"You are safe, my love." She moved towards me and embraced me while softly running a hand through my hair.

"I am scared."

"No need to be...I am always here for you." She lightly kissed my temple, not leaving me until I calmed down.

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After bathing in the warm water, I was dressed and taken down to the dining hall which was filled with all sorts of delicious refreshments. As my maids helped me settle to my seat, I looked at my mother sitting in front of me while my grandmother, Princess Rhaenys Targaryen, was sitting on my right, at the head of the table. She smiled at me and gently placed a strand of my hair behind my ear.

"How are you now, my dear?" she looked at me with worry evident in her eyes. My mother must have told her about the morning.

"I am well, grandmother." I smiled at both of the women. Princess Rhaenys slightly nodded and gestured to me to start eating while putting a sweet potato on my plate. She knows I love them.

While eating, grandmother's handmaid with a letter telling a raven just arrived. She gave it to Princess Rhaenys and left. Her expression showed as if she was not happy with the content of the letter.

"What is it?" my mother asked her, While grandmother looked at me. I wiped my mouth with the cloth and stood from my place.

"I am going to see the dragons," I informed them and moved towards the door as my handmaid followed me.

Walking through the hallway, a sudden craving watered my mouth as I passed the kitchen.

"Aiday? Grab some lemon tarts for me, I'll wait by the gate." I said to my handmaid.

"I will, my lady. But don't go too far without me." I nodded and moved towards the gate.

As I stepped outside the gate, a loud growl welcomed me which was none other than Vhagar. I could barely see them from a distance so I walked further towards them. I wanted to wait for Aiday but I just couldn't. I reached the oldest beast first, and seeing me she moved a little bit in my direction.

"Woah! Lykiri Vhagar...I get scared pretty quickly," as I came into a more clear view, I heard two louder growls almost painful to hear because of the short range.

"Rytsas Caraxes, Moondancer." As far as I have seen, dragons also like attention though Caraxes like it a little more than others. I found a rock at a distance where all would be able to see me and settled there.

A shiver went down my spine as my gaze found the sea in front of me which caused some glimpses of my dream to flash before my eyes.

Driftmark is my mother's residence, she feels good here more than in any other place we've been to. This place means a lot to her as it is her birthplace, her first steps are embossed on the floor of this castle. Her first flight upon Vhagar was witnessed by the Blackwater Bay. This shore watched her marriage with Argen Galani, while the clouds saw Argen's blood on Black Sister when Daemon beheaded him, the tides testify to her joy when the Septon pledged her and Daemon together.

Driftmark is Laena Velaryon's home, and my home is wherever my mother is.

Instead of Aiday, I saw mother coming towards me with a platter of lemon tarts in her hands which she passed to me as she sat beside me.

"We've been invited to King's Landing by the Queen." She told me what I'm guessing were the elements in the letter earlier.

"May I dare ask why?" She lightly chuckled.

"It's about your sisters." I put the tart down and gave her my undivided attention.

"King Viserys has offered a betrothal for Baela and Rhaena." I scrunched my brows together.

"Aren't they both a little too young to be betrothed? And with whom?" Two days away from our mother, they are getting betrothed.

"With Princess Rhaenyra and Ser Laenor's sons...Baela to Prince Jacerys and Rhaena to Prince Lucerys. They are arranging a feast to officially announce their betrothal." She seemed happy with the betrothal as they were our uncle's sons though I have never seen them.

"Mother, I was thinking of-"

"Staying back, not happening young lady."

"Mother, you'd be gone for a week or so, what will I do there? And they also need someone here to keep them calm." I tried to use dragons as an excuse. I have never been to King's Landing nor seen anyone from the Red Keep. I also don't like gatherings, they make me feel awkward.

"Maenya, I cannot leave you here alone. You shouldn't argue after how you scared me in the morning." She tried to sound angry but the worry in her eyes and softness of her voice made me smile.

"It was just a nightmare, Mother." I leaned towards her and took her hands in mine. "I'll be here in your home with Aiday, Vhagar, Caraxes, and Moondancer. I'll be safe here. And I promise, I will not try to do anything that you would call crazy." She chuckled softly.

"Your grandmother already concluded that you will not want to go. Your sisters will ask about you."

"Just tell them to hurry up and return, so we can play together." She leaned in and pressed a kiss on my temple.