The Gathering Storm | Aemond Targaryen

Chapter 29

The next time Haera was conscious it was only for a few moments and she was unable to process what was happening as a thick fog had laid itself over her senses. All she knew was that she was being carried and though it sounded so very distant she was sure she could make out yells somewhere near by.

Unfortunately the darkness took her once more before anything could fall into place.

When she awoke once more it was only for a minute or two, and through blurry and heavy lids she could just make out the familiar walls of her chambers. The distinct robes figures of maesters flitted across her vision like moths, somewhere in the sea of the commotion around her there was a glimpse of long silver white hair, but it was gone as soon as it had appeared.

Sleep took her once more after that.

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"Just a little higher, I've almost got it—"

"You're heavier than you look.-" Aemond grunted as he tried to remain still all while balancing Haera on his shoulders, the young girl reaching up in an attempt to grab a book off of one of the higher shelves of the library.

"Say that again and make sure to drop the damn thing on your head."

Aemond huffed, his eyes darting towards the door to the library as he tried to keep  look out for any guards or maesters. It was late, neither of them were supposed to be out of bed at this hour.

"Lower your voice. You're louder than the birds in the gardens." He sighed, stumbling slightly as Haera shifted her feet slightly on his shoulders.

"I got it! Now help me down."

"Must you be so demanding?" With some struggle Aemond was eventually able to squat down, allowing Haera to slide of his shoulders, book in hand.

Somewhere outside the library the voices of several people broke though the silence, making both children's heads turn in unison.

"Shit, we gotta go."

"Thank you so much for stating the obvious—" halfway through his words, Haera reached out and grabbed Aemonds hand, the book she had retrieved tucked under her arm as the two fled across the library.

Using his free hand Aemond curled his fingers around the edge of one of the bookcases, yanking harshly. With one swift movement it swung forward, revealing the dimly lit passage behind it.

It was shut firmly behind them just as the guards entered the library, no doubt finishing their rounds for the evening with a sweep to make sure it was vacant.

The tunnels and passageways through the Red Keep were dark, but Haera and Aemond knew them like the back of their hands, the two weaving through the darkness with ease. Somewhere below Maegors Holdfast the passage forked and Haera pulled the two of them right, ducking under a low hanging beam as they did. Moments later the two were stopping in their tracks as she used the weight of her left shoulder to press on the wall. It popped open with a light click and both children tumbled out into the rugged floor of Haeras chambers.

"Let me see it." Aemond popped up into his knees, watching with bright eyes as Haera handed over the book from where she lay on the floor. "Mother would kill us if she knew we had this."

Slowly sitting up, Haera pushed a strand of wild brown hair away from her eyes. "Good thing she isn't going to find out right?"

Reaching over, Haera let her palm skim over the cover of the old book.

The Testaments of Old Valyria

"I still don't understand why this isn't on Dragonstone, it's the ancient seat of the Targaryens." Haera breathed, looking up to catch Aemonds eyes.