The Love of Dragons (HOTD)

Father of Bastards

"What is wrong with you?" I hissed standing in Aegon's chambers waiting for him. The Prince jumped in fear not expecting me to be waiting on him.

"Not now, Aemma." Aegon groaned pushing passed me as he laid in his bed.

"No, you're face. You looked as if you wanted Jacaerys dead." I argued.

"I was only doing what I was informed." Aegon explained sounding bored.

"No, you were extreme! Jace has been nothing but kind and attempted to be your friend. Tell me, what is bothering you so much that you would wish to harm my brothers?" I shouted protectively.

"My mother intends to marry me off to Helaena." Aegon hissed with annoyance. I froze, my entire life I had been told how Aegon and I were intended to be married and live on Dragonstone together when we came of age. Jacaerys would be king after my mother while Lucerys ruled Driftmark. Since I was five Aegon was constantly around me, in hopes of us bonding so that we could be happy on Dragonstone together. We had grown so close that the thought of us not being together frightened me.

"But the King declared us as a match?" I weakly stated unsure of what to feel.

"I'm aware of that. But the queen has her own plans." Aegon groaned. I could tell he had no desire to marry his sister. Aegon and I were a perfect match because we were friends and we had similar ways of thinking. It made the most sense for us to be together. Aegon and Helaena couldn't be more different.

"What do you want?" I asked cautiously my lavender eyes staring into Aegon's greenish blue eyes.

"I-I don't know." Aegon stuttered avoiding my gaze. I stepped back in disgust before marching out of Aegon's room and practically running to my mothers chambers. I threw my mothers double doors open in annoyance. However, my mood suddenly changed once I saw everyone's somber looks. My mother, siblings, and Ser Harwin all stood in the room with frowns. My mother sat rocking my baby brother, Joffrey while Harwin was talking to Luke and Jace. Jace looked as if he were to cry at any moment.

"Aemma." Harwin sighed forcing a soft smile on his features. I knitted my brows in confusion as the knight approached me. He took long strides until he stood before me and bent down to look me in the eye.

"I'm afraid I must return Harrenhal." He sighed running a hand through my soft silver hair.

"How long?" I asked feeling shock and sadness mixed together.

"I'm not quite certain." Harwin answered in disappointment.

"Please listen to your mother and take care of your brothers." He ordered with a soft tone. I couldn't ignore the rumors and accusations by the people claiming that this man was my true father. As I got older the more I noticed the whispers of court. The word 'bastard' constantly being mentioned whenever my siblings and I were around. Although I shared practically zero resemblance to the knight, I think deep down I always knew he was my true father. As did my brothers. I hesitantly nodded my head before Harwin stood up and walked over to Luke while Jace stood on the opposite end.

"Be good to your mother, lads. I'll visit when I can. But that may be some time." Harwin explained looking to Luke.

"Jace." My mother sighed as my twin walked to her side and she wrapped a comforting arm around him. I stood besides Luke and held him to my chest as he silently cried.

"I will return... I promise." Harwin swore turning to Jace now and resting his hand under the boys chin. Jace hesitantly nodded. Harwin looked down to the baby in my mothers arms with a look of despair.

"I will be a stranger when we meet again." Harwin mumbled running his hand along Joffrey's head. I clutched Luke to my side while he hid his face in my dress to prevent anyone from seeing his cries. Harwin looked up to my mother with what I imagined to be a longing look. Almost like love. He looked as if there was so much he wanted to tell her but couldn't make sense of his thoughts.

"Princess." Was all he could say staring into my mothers eyes as she fought against her own tears. Harwin grabbed his sword and gear that sat nearby and draped it over his shoulder. He slowly opened the door to leave. He looked back one last time before exiting the room and heading down the hallway in silence. The sound of his metal sword could be growing more quiet by the second. Jace ran from the room into the corridor trying to steal one last look at the knight who raised us. My mother slowly followed after him.

"We will exchange letters by raven. Won't that be fun?" The princess ran her fingers through Jace's hair as she fought a sob from her mouth trying to be strong for Jace. Jace stared up at her with an unreadable look before speaking:

"Is Harwin Strong my father? Am I a bastard?" My twin asked with pain in his voice.

"You are a Targaryen. That's all that matters." She choked on her words. Practically confirming Jace's accusation. I looked down at Luke who paid no attention to my mother and Jace as he was full on sobbing. I clutched my small brother to my chest and ran my fingers through his hair in a comforting manner.