The Gathering Storm | Aemond Targaryen

Chapter 12

The halls of the Red Keep were unusually quiet as Daemon and Haera returned. They had barely stepped foot inside when a guard stepped forward, whispering something to the Targaryen Prince in a hushed tone that Haera could not hear.

It was only when the guard was dismissed, that Daemon turned to her.

"It seems your mother needs me. I'll have supper sent up to your rooms."

"Is mother alright?" Stepping forward, Haera felt a newfound worry tie itself into knots inside her chest.

"She is fine. It seems she's in a meeting with the council and Queen Alicent. Now go. I believe Baela and Rhaena arrived not too long ago with Lady Rhaenys."

Having no choice but to follow the commands of her uncle, Haera nodded. Splitting off in separate directions, Daemon made for the small council chamber while Haera aimed for her chambers.

A part of her pulled at her to go slip into the secret passageways and follow Daemon in hopes of learning what the meeting was about, but with the sheer exhaustion of the day finally weighing down her shoulders she followed Daemons given command.

If it had not been for his other words, Haera would have been surprised to find his daughters occupying her chambers when she finally entered them.

Both Baela and Rhaena looked up from their game of chess the moment Haera entered, the two girls smiling and rising from their seats to greet her.

"Did Anya let you in here?" Haera gave them a smug grin as she pulled off her cloak, tossing it onto a vacant chair as she crossed the room to entrance her cousins.

"Yes. We were originally told to wait in the gardens but with a storm rolling in we went against it." Baela spoke, settling back into her seat as she made her next move on the chess board.

"Daemon said grandmother is here as well. Where is she?" Letting the question slide over her tongue, Haera tugged out the vacant chair at the table, sinking in between the sisters.

"In a meeting with the rest of the council."

"Do you know what it's about?"

Rhaena only shrugged, moving one of her pawns as she did. "No unfortunately."

Haera busied herself with reaching forward to grab the pitcher of wine, pouring herself a hefty glass in hopes of drowning out her earlier encounter with Aemond.

"I've heard whispers though from some servants that they are getting to wed Prince Aemond. Ravens have been arriving daily with messages from Lords who want to wed their daughters to him."

Lifting her cup to her lips, Haera sunk lower into her chair, foregoing all ladylike mannerisms in that moment. "I feel pity for the poor girl who has to marry him. I see him maybe once a day and it's enough to make me want to rip my hair out."

The sisters hummed in unison, no longer paying that much attention to their game. "I also overheard your mother talking to grandmother about your betrothal as well."

Haera choked on her wine, sending a spray of red across the table that had both Baela and Rhaena leaning back to avoid getting hit.

"My betrothal? I have heard nothing about it."

"I didn't hear much, but you are of age and with everyone in our families on edge I'm not surprised. They are clearly looking for a way to bring us together once more." Rhaena explained, taking a delicate sip of her own drink.

Haera slipped ever lower into her chair, now eye level with the surface of the table as he shoulders scrunched up around her. "We are always of age here. We could be ten years old and they would still see us ready to be someone's husband."

Haera didn't want to get married. She never had. Not even when her mother had promised her she wouldn't have to until she was at least eight and ten.

She was currently half way through her ninth and tenth year.

She was lucky she had gotten this far without a stupid band around her finger.

"All I am saying is that my mother better make do on her promise to me and marry me off to someone at least halfway decent."

Baela crossed her hands on the table, leaning back slightly. "Do you have anyone decent in mind?"

"Only one." The Princess spoke firmly, digging her heels into the floor as she pushed back her seat and rose from it, walking towards the open doors of her balcony. "Cregan Stark."

"The young Winterfell lord?"

Humming in confirmation, Haera let both her violet eye and brown one trek across the distant horizon.

Baela was right. A storm was coming. Haera could smell it in the air.

"We met once in our youth when our family toured the north. He was a year older than me but he was as sweet and kind as could be. He was the first boy I ever danced with."

"They say he is quite handsome. They also call him the Wolf of the North."

"Maybe if I marry him I could be called the Dragon of the North." Haera joked lightly, looking over her shoulder at her cousins as she did. "You do know how I like my titles."

"For your sake I hope your mother does betroth you to him."

"Though I will admit I'm not overly fond of the cold. Though it was many years ago and still remember the north's harsh landscape. That year some of the snow drifts sat level with Syraxs chest."

Haera was about to continue when the distinct sound of a knuckle rapping across the chambers of her room pulled all three girls heads upward. When she called them in she was unsurprised to see her brothers standing in the doorway.

Ever the picture of perfect ladies, Baela and Rhaena rose from their chairs to bow at the princes. Haera only rolled her eyes and stuck her tongue out playfully at Luke, who broke into one of his gentle smiles.

Jace walked forward, giving both their cousins a kiss on the back of the hand. Luke shuffled awkwardly in his spot before crossing the room to his sister.

"You ran off today. Mother said you went to the Dragonpit with Daemon." Luke spoke, stopping besides Haera before looking up at her.

Despite growing up with him for Alamo her whole life, Haera still was startled everytime she saw how much he had grown. Though several years younger than her, he was barely half a foot shorter than her.

If he kept growing at the rate he was he would be as tall as their father, if not taller.

"Forgive me. I needed to get out of here for a little awhile. It was. . . Hard seeing grandfather like that." She swallowed, only half lying with her words.

Luke was silent for a second, clearly thinking. "Yes. Mother says his days are becoming numbered."

"I'm afraid she's right." Nodding slowly, Haera cast her eyes to her other brother who was deep in conversation with their cousins. "Have you seen her at all recently?"

"No. She's been with the small council all evening. Jace and I heard them arguing when we passed by on the way here. I'm not sure what they were talking about."

In that moment Haera contemplated chugging the rest of her wine in one go. "I think I do, but I don't want to speak it into existence."

Luke was silent for a moment. "If you marry Cregan Stark does that mean you'll live in Winterfell?"

Rainy her eyebrows in shock, she looked at Lucerys. "Can you read minds little brother?"

"No. . . Jace and I overheard you in the corridor." The youngest Velaryon looking down at his feet as he spoke.

"You little spy! So you have become an eavesdropper have you?" Haera mused, pinching playfully at her brother as she did. Luke let out a laugh, stumbling back as he swatted at her hands.

And for one moment, Haera forgot all about betrothals and Iron Thrones. She was simply and older sister.

And that was all she ever wanted to be.