Dreams, Dragons, and Deceit || Aemond & Aegon Targaryen

Captive

The first thing Visaera Velaryon noted after realizing she was alive was that her entire body felt like it had been torn to shreds and haphazardly stitched back together. The second thing she noted was the sound of Aemond Targaryens voice. It sounded wrong though, shaky and far away, and she convinced herself it must not have been Aemond at all. Perhaps The Stranger had come for her.

A loud thump echoed around her and Visaera started, realizing that she was, indeed, alive. She attempted to blink her eyes open, but even her eyelids ached and she found she didn't have the energy to move.

"You can't! I'm the fucking prince and I—"

"She is a threat, Aemond, not only to you but to herself." The sound of Alicent Hightower's voice filled her with rage and Visaera was horrified to realize she was back in the Red Keep. "The cells are the most secure place for her to be."

"Do you not see how fucking injured she is?" Aemond shouted, "I will not see her die because you want to subject her to unnecessary cruelty." The fierceness in his voice as he argued with his mother almost made her smile. Almost. Perhaps there was hope for him yet...

"She's not going to die, Aemond." Alicent retorted. "I've had a cot and blanket placed in a cell for her. Maester Orwyle will change her bandages as needed. He's already set the bones; the worst has passed." Visaera registered the sound of a door slamming and silence followed; unconsciousness claimed her once more.

Hands. Visaera realized there were hands on her, beneath her, then, all at once they were lifting her. A scream tore its way from her throat as pain ripped through her, spreading through her entire body and making her break out in a sweat. Still, she could not open her eyes. When the hands released her, another bout of pain coursed through her from head to toe, and she cried out once more. Silence followed and the blackness encased her for a third time.

When the princess woke again, she found herself with more energy than before. She could open her eyes, though it did her no good. Visaera immediately realized she had been placed in the black cells beneath the keep. In addition to the excruciating pain that came from the smallest movement, she realized her hands and feet had been shackled. Visaera nearly laughed, but the smallest chuckle made her breathless and her chest began to ache. Certain she had broken ribs; she quickly quelled her laughter wondering how she was even alive.

It wasn't possible; it shouldn't have been. She fell from Carrion's back. Visaera should have been a splatter on the ground over the Stormlands. How was she alive? Aemond... she realized. It had to have been Aemond. Gritting her teeth and steeling herself for the pain, Visaera attempted to struggle against the shackles on her wrists. The effort made her shoulder sear, but she was a dragon, she could handle a little pain. Again and again, she twisted and pulled her arms apart until her muscles began to ache.

"You're going to reinjure that shoulder if you keep doing that," Visaera started at the sound of Larys Strong's voice. He was leaning against the door of the cell, watching her with that smile that often gave her chills. Visaera had kept her eyes closed for so long she hadn't even noticed when his torch had illuminated her cell.

"Fuck you!" she spat, returning to her struggles. He gave an amused chuckle and continued to watch her poor attempt to free herself. With every strain and movement, her muscles were screaming their protest and eventually she dropped her arms in frustration, crying out when they pressed against her ribcage.

"I have water for you, princess," Larys offered softly, setting the torch in the sconce on the wall and shuffling his way into the cell. Visaera wanted to tell him to burn in the seven hells, but she was parched and the thought of quenching her thirst made her still. "Can you sit up?" Visaera tried and then shook her head, letting out a pained sob.