Aemma Velaryon was the spitting image of her mother; she had pale silver hair, fair skin, and dazzling blue eyes. She was a Targaryen in all sense but her last name which she bore from her father Laenor Velaryon. She was the younger twin of Lucerys...
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Tyland stared at the parchment sent by Lord Stark with his jaw hung open in disbelief. He had alluded to the Princess being a traitor many times, yet she was secretly winning over the full power of the North in Aegon's name.
Aemond smirked at Tyland's expression and leaned back in his chair.
"Are you going to name the Princess a traitor once more or is this proof enough?" Aemond asked.
"I only ever strive to protect the crown, my Prince. Please forgive me if I have offended you." Tyland set the parchment down and cleared his throat. "It appears I have been mistaken in judging the Princess's character."
"Indeed." Ser Criston narrowed his eyes. "We should send an envoy to Winterfell to affirm Lord Stark's loyalty. I have never heard of a Stark breaking an oath yet here he is, pledging his entire army."
"Is Aemma not an envoy?" Aegon asked.
"We should send another then." Ser Criston frowned. "I am not doubting the Princess, but this is Lord Stark. Wherever his loyalty lies the North will follow. He is not some low-class lord and we should not treat it as such."
"Thank you for your insight, Ser Criston." Aegon nodded thoughtfully. Never did he expect Aemma to win over the North but he would not squander this powerful alliance. "Aemond, I do hope you have more than black leather in your wardrobe; I fear that will not suffice in the cold."
"Aemond?" Daeron asked. "I am sitting right here! Aemma and I have won over countless lords in the Riverlands, I should be the one to join her."
"I believe it was Aemma who actually won over the lords; you just helped burn them when they refused," Aemond smirked. "Don't fret little brother, I can assure you that Aemma will join us again soon."
"What if both Princes go?" Alicent asked. "Lord Stark would be honored to break bread with the two of them."
"I shall send a raven responding to Lord Stark at once." Grand Maester Orwyle began to stand, but Aegon held a hand up.
"No, I want to keep the element of surprise. Should Lord Stark be truthful to his word, then there is no need to alert him of our arrival." Aegon glanced to his mother, who nodded in agreement.
"So Prince Aemond and Prince Daeron shall fly to Winterfell as soon as possible." Ser Criston pondered for a moment before nodding. "The North is key to our success, and Princess Aemma just placed it in the palm of our hand."
~~~
Aemma sat on Jace's bed, watching him pace and mutter to himself. He had been extremely stressed ever since they departed Cregan's solar, planning out what to do and say once he returned to Dragonstone. He feared for Aemma's safety in his absence, fearing that she would die as Luke did.
"Jace, sit down." Aemma patted the empty spot next to her on the bed. She had washed out the dye and now her hair flowed down her back in a silvery waterfall. Jace silently sat next to Aemma and wrapped his arm around her shoulder, pulling her close. He rested his head atop hers and closed his eyes.
"How is it that I am still being brought under your protection? I'm your older brother, I'm the one that should be keeping you safe." He frowned deeply. "I should have kept you safe. Both of you."
"I was the one that failed. I couldn't save Father and I couldn't save Luke." Aemma pulled away to look Jace in the eyes. "I won't fail again."
"I don't want to leave you alone here." He rested his forehead against hers.
"I won't be alone. Ser Erryk is with me, as is Olyvar. Cregan is a good man; he will not go back on his word." Aemma sighed. "I hope he won't."
Jace resisted the urge to roll his eyes at the mention of his good friend. Cregan was rather unreadable to most but over the past few moons Jace had grown used to watching him with more scrutiny, and he could see the way Cregan looked at Aemma.
"He won't." Jace sounded more irritated than he had intended and pressed a kiss to her head to soften his harsh tone. "I must go soon."
"I know." Aemma wrapped her arms around Jace and pulled him into a tight hug. "I will see you again soon."
"Not soon enough." Jace was reluctant to let Aemma go; her life had been consumed by tragedy the day she left Dragonstone with Luke, and Jace did not want her to have to return to that life.
"Hold our brothers for me." Aemma pulled away and wiped a tear from her eye. "And Mother."
"Shall I give Daemon a bear hug just for you as well?" Jace asked, trying to lighten the sad mood that had settled over both of them.
"Most definitely." Aemma chuckled through her tears and stood, taking Jace's hand in hers. "Come, we shall see you off."
Aemma stood with Ser Erryk, Olyvar, and Cregan, all of them watching Jace fasten his trunk to his saddle. Once he was done, he hugged Cregan and clapped him on the back.
"You have been a great friend to me, Cregan. Once all this is over I hope we may see each other again." Jace leaned closer to Cregan's ear. "If you dishonor my little sister you will see how fast we will go from friends to enemies."
Jace hugged him once more before looking down at Olyvar.
"I do not know you, but my sister seems to be intent on having you accompany her. Thank you for your loyalty." Jace reached out and patted the boy's head. "If I see you again perhaps you will have grown."
Olyvar's mouth hung open at Jace's teasing, now knowing where Aemma inherited it from.
"Erm... thank you, Your Grace." His cheeks were flushed in embarrassment.
Jace crushed Aemma into one final hug, lifting her off her feet and swinging her around like they did when they were children. Only they weren't children anymore, and this goodbye felt a lot more final than either of them would admit. He set her down gently and kissed her cheek before cradling her face in his hands.
"My sweet little sister." He smiled and reached out to ruffle her hair but she smacked his hand, hard. "Not so sweet anymore." He mumbled.
"Do that again and I will break your hand." She tried to put on her angriest face but broke into a grin, lightly punching Jace's shoulder before hugging him again. She never felt so happy yet so sad to be in her brother's arms and she silently prayed that this moment would never end.
It ended.
Jace pressed one last kiss to her cheek before mounting Vermax. Aemma silently called Terrax to her, grateful that they were able to communicate without words. He landed a few paces away and Aemma wasted no time in climbing into the saddle.
"Did you truly think I was going to watch you leave from the ground?" She called out. Jace smiled at her and commanded Vermax to take flight.
They circled Winterfell a few times before Jace finally flew off in the direction of Dragonstone. Aemma watched as Vermax grew smaller and smaller until she could no longer see him at all.
