ELLIPSISM, aemond targaryen

[034] dragon, lion and seahorse

THE GREAT HALL always seemed huge to everyone who entered, especially when it came to servants or residents of the castle who visited when no one else was there. However, as soon as it was filled with people waiting for the announcement of their King, the hall became three times smaller.

Now that a long table was placed in front of the Iron Throne, behind which the royal family sat, and tables for guests ran along the length of the Great Hall, there was very little free space left. And it filled up as soon as the first guests decided to dance.

Although Aemma and Baela were sitting at the end of the table, further away from the center occupied by Alicent and Otto along with her children, Helaena approached them as soon as she could, pulling her chair to sit between them. Despite not liking noise and crowds herself, she looked quite amused, especially when Baela and Aemma started picking out individual men from the dance floor and making fun of their dance moves.

"I feel quite sorry for them," Baela pointed out as she watched one of the dancers critically. "Someone should go show them how it's done."

"And of course that someone will be you, right?" Aemma raised an eyebrow.

A smirk appeared on her face. "Naturally. Who else can dance better than me?" Baela stood up and offered Helaena her hand. "Will you dedicate this dance to me, Princess?"

Helaena looked at her in surprise, then at her hand and at Aemma, unsure of what to do. "Well, I-- I do not know how--"

"Please," Aemma rolled her eyes, "you were always the best dancer when we were kids."

Helaena sighed. "Yes, but--"

"You are nervous about those people," Aemma finished. "I know. But I also know that the next chance to dance will not come so soon. If you want to dance, go there and have fun. If not, stay here with me and help me figure out how to eat a dessert without anyone noticing."

Baela gave her a look. "How can all your problems be about desserts?"

"I have a lot more problems than that. But my problem with desserts is the only one I am willing to solve." Baela raised an eyebrow at this and Aemma shrugged. "Priorities, Baela, priorities."

Helaena still looked unsure as she looked at the crowd of people, their loud voices and laughter along with the closeness they were to each other. "What if I will make a mistake and they laugh at me?"

"They won't. You don't make mistakes," Aemma said softly. "And if they will, I will kill them."

"And I will help you hide their bodies," Baela nodded.

"But you won't achieve anything by sitting here," Aemma finished.

Helaena sighed in defeat and gave her a weak smile. "You're right. Even so, I always wanted to dance without being bothered by the opinions of others. Why not start today?"

Baela seemed to be pleased. "That's the spirit. I promise I won't make you dance if you don't feel comfortable, alright?" After Helaena nodded she turned back to Aemma. "Aemma?"

Aemma set the glass she was drinking from on the table and gave her an apologetic smile as she shook her head. "I'll just be an observer today, thank you."

Neither of them argued with her, and together they stood up and walked into the crowd of dancing people. Aemma scanned the crowd for a moment to find two heads with silver hair, but when she found them she relaxed back in her chair and took a sip from her drink.

Helaena moved unsteadily at first and seemed desperate to stay with Baela and avoid any contact with other people. Aemma felt the need to intervene only once, when a young noble bumped into Helaena while dancing. Noticing Helaena's shy smile when the man apologized to her and then seeing her willingly dance another dance with him, her lips lifted into a smile and she decided she should find another source of entertainment.