Dragon's roar (House of the Dragon)

Bonus 1

Note: Hello, first of all I want to thank everyone that read and like this story. As I wanted to cotinue for a bit, I decided to write a few bonus chapters.

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A few weeks after the end of the war

Alannys looked up to the great gates of the castle with a touch of nostalgia, remembering the times she was there during the war. She passed once again before the sculpted lions that guarded the doors of the Rock, followed by the whole convoy that came with her from Kingslanding. As she entered the castle of her ancestors, she was immediately greeted by the many servants and maids. She gave orders for the chambers to be prepared, especially the one for Helaena and her children. For a brief moment, the Velaryon lady smiled fondly at the twins who were already running around in the main courtyard.

"Thank you for sparing our lives, Alannys" thanked Helaena as she went beside her.

"I...that was not me. The Queen spared your lives because in the end you were innocents in all of this."

"No, it was all your doing. My sister would not have spared us if it weren't for you. She did this because you demanded it, plus without you I would have been separated from my son."

Helaena was not in the council room but Alannys chose to explain to her what happened there. The two friends watched quietly as the children played around. Suddenly, the lady of the castle could feel a burning gaze on the back of her neck. When she turned, she was faced with the piercing gaze of Aemond. Alannys held his stare before focusing back on her tasks at hand.

"Hum...I am sorry but I have to leave you. I have work to do" she explained to her friend.

"Of course. The lion is ready to carry the next dragon's fire" cryptically answered the princess.

During the rest of the day, Alannys busied herself with all the tasks she had to do as the lady of Casterly Rock. She had already experienced it a bit during the war but she realised that her role was going to be even more complicated from now on, especially with the tense situation with Aemond. It was only late at night that she was able to join her own apartment. For the occasion of her new function, the castle's staff prepared the master bedchamber that was supposed to be occupied by the lord of the house and their wife. However, the lord of the House was a princess and she did not have a wife, only a husband that felt so estranged. As she pushed the door open, said husband was already in the room.

"You are here ? I...I did not expect you" stated the princess.

"Well, those are the chambers of the ruler of the House and their spouse so here I am" Aemond answered flatly.

They let a pregnant silence engulf the whole room. Each of them getting ready to go to bed. Since they left the capitol, they barely spoke to each other. Alannys was still feeling guilty about the whole situation they had been through. As she emerged from the changing screen in only a thin nightgown, the gaze of her husband lingered on her form glowing in the candlelight.

"Are we going to continue this for a long time ?"

"What do you mean ?"

"This silence. Avoiding each other" explained the prince before a short pause. "Why are you so tense ?"

"Because I had let you down before. I was not able to save you during the war and the only way I found was to trap you in a loveless marriage because that way, I wanted to ensure my mother would not kill you. However, I know that the dream of a happy life is just a silly fantasy, it is eating me up inside"

"A loveless marriage ? This is what it is for you ?" wondered Aemond.

"Not on my part. I did this because I love you but I am aware that after everything that happened you cannot love me. I have burned for you since that moment you held me on the dance floor on my eighteenth nameday and when I did realise it, it was too late. I don't know how to earn your love anymore" ranted Alannys.

She did not notice it but during her speech, Aemond got closer to her. He was attracted to her and could not do anything about it. They had been drawn to each other for so long it became like a part of who they were. This connection had been tested during the war and as they survived it, maybe it was time for them to live together.

"You don't need to. You have always had my love and always will. I know what happened during the war was tough but in the end you were ready to sacrifice for me. I have burned for you since you appeared clad in crimson velvet in the throne room. This marriage could never be loveless, at least on my part, Alannys."

They did not waste more time and their lips collided. Both their hands explore each other's bodies, eager to feel each other again. Their kiss became more and more heated in the seconds. They longed to be together intimately again. The prince lowered his kisses on her jaw then her neck as she breathed heavily.

"Aemond...I..."

"It seems to me...that we never had...a proper wedding night" stated the man between kisses.

"That much is true. If you want to, we can make up for lost time, my prince" suggested Alannys.

"Of course I want to. I will always want you, my wife."

"Well, off with that first" declared the princess as she removed his eyepatch and led him toward the immense bed at the back of their chamber.

Yes, their relationship would need time to heal properly from the wounds of the war, but in the end, they wanted to try, for their sake.