Love and Loyalty - Aemond Targaryen

Chapter 7

2 years later

“And it will be a great honour for you to marry finally. Princess Rhaenyra has gone to great trouble to select each Lord for you and the Queen to choose between together.” Alyssa's ladies maid was babbling on.
Her name was, funnily enough, Fern, and she'd been a steady pair of hands for Alyssa's two years at Dragonstone.
She'd taught her to be strong. To never give in to her emotions. To be a princess worthy of the title.
Tightening her stays, Fern patted her shoulder gently. “Do not fuss yourself, Princess. This is the start of a new life for you. A chance for better things. To have your own family. Your own place to belong. Are you not excited?”
Wearily, Alyssa smiled at the woman in the mirror. “Of course. What girl wouldn't be excited by the prospect of marriage?”
And by the prospect of going home.
If that's what King's Landing could ever be called.
Two long years.
It had been two long years since she'd stepped foot inside the Red Keep or seen her family.
A lot had happened.
A lot had changed.
And a lot of demons haunted that place. Memories of a past she did not wish to remember. Monsters never slain. Problems left unsolved.
She thought of her father. Withering away. Never thinking of her or what had become of her.
She thought of Alicent, her sister's enemy. And Otto Hightower who'd positioned the pair against each other.
She thought of Aegon.
But, more than anyone else, she thought of Aemond.
No letters had ever arrived in Dragonstone from him, not that she expected any better. She'd never written to him, never bothered to say goodbye, so why would he write to her?
By now, he'd probably forgotten about her. The sister he took pity on once upon a time.
More than just the idea of returning to King's Landing after two years of being at Rhaenyra's side, now that marriage was actually on the cards for her she found herself paralysed by the idea of it.
Never had she met any of the men that were in the running for her hand.
She knew nothing of them.
And yet one of them would soon be her husband.
She would shipped away to some other part of the realm. Away from her family and all that she knew.
And even if she and her family had problems, the idea of being fully separated from them was one she did not much enjoy.
“Here. A dress for you.”
Alyssa looked down at the garment. It was a dark burgundy red, black and gold dragons embroidered up the skirt.
She'd never worn anything so eye-catching and grand.
With a smile, she nodded and finished getting dressed.

“Do not say a word.” She warned Jace as she walked outside.
The Prince grinned at her. “I was going to say that you look nice.” He paused and she waited for the rest. “For once.”
With a laugh, she smacked his arm. “Luke, this is why you're my favourite.”
Jacaerys gave a mock look of scandal. “I knew it!”
The younger prince smiled. “You do look beautiful, aunt.”
Alyssa's whole face softened, and she leaned in to kiss the top of her nephews head. Much to his protestation, she did the same to Jace.
He swatted her away and she laughed, giving Lucerys another hug.
“You are a sweet boy.” She told Luke. “I'll miss you. I'll miss both of you.” She looked around. “Where is Joffrey?”
“He's with Daemon. Mother thought it would upset him too much to see you leave.” Jace said.
Alyssa nodded understandingly. “Well, tell him that anything left in my room is his.”
“You spoil my sons.” A warm voice said from behind them.
Alyssa turned to find her older sister, dressed entirely in black with her hair braided up around her head.
She looked like the Queen she would someday become.
Beautiful. Imposing. Strong.
Without thinking about customs or the right behaviour for a princess, Alyssa picked up her skirts and ran to her, engulfing Rhaenyra in a hug.
And Rhaenyra returned it.
“You will come to the wedding, won't you? And you'll bring the boys.”
“Of course. I wouldn't miss it for the world. You remember what we talked about? You will send letters, yes?”
The younger Princess sniffled as she pulled away. “As often as I can.”
“And you will tell me what is happening there?”
“And keep close to the Queen.” Alyssa nodded. “And keep my head down. Don't draw any attention. I know.”
“And stay safe.” Rhaenyra reminded. “Be careful. If anything happens, send word. Daemon and I will arrive as soon as we can.”
“I will. I promise. And...” She looked down at the floor.
Since Rhaenyra had married their uncle, Alyssa's relationship with the rogue prince had been strained at best.
There was no doubt that he was an asset, a good person to have on Rhaenyra's side particularly if anything bad were to happen.
But that did not mean they were overly friendly.
Perhaps she blamed him for Laenor's disappearance, and being angry with him was easier than mourning the loss of her cousin.
Perhaps it was because upon his arrival, she saw Rhaenyra even less.
She did not know.
“Tell Daemon goodbye. And tell him thank you for the knife.”
Rhaenyra frowned. “Daemon gave you a knife?”
“It...” Alyssa looked over at Jace, realising she'd said something she wasn't supposed to. “Is a very small knife. I don't even know how to use it.”
That was a lie.
Daemon had shown all of them how to defend themselves.
Rhaenyra rolled her eyes, seeing through the lies but choosing to ignore them. “I will tell him. Now, you should go. There is a carriage with your maids and your things which should be arriving in King's Landing shortly before you.”
“Thank you, sister. For everything. I love you.”
Rhaenyra smiled, squeezing her hand. She didn't have to say the words, as Alyssa knew she struggled with them, for Alyssa to know the feeling was mutual.
“Be good to your mother.” Alyssa said to the two boys.
They both nodded.
She turned, ready to leave, and Jace grabbed her arm.
Without a word, he pulled her into one last hug.
“Be careful around Aegon.” He said quietly. “I've heard–”
“I know, Jace. I will. Look after your mother. She needs you.”
“I will.”
The pair parted and Alyssa gave her two nephews a last smile as she turned again.
This time, no one stopped her as she climbed up and mounted her dragon.
Seasmoke roared into the air, pale scales glistening in the sunlight.
She ran her hand along his silver neck.
“Sōvēs, Seasmoke.”
The dragon obeyed, soaring into the air.
“To King's Landing.” She whispered, more to herself than her dragon.
After two long years, she was finally going home.