When Visenya Velaryon was born paler than the winter snows barely six moons after the wedding of Rhaenyra and Laenor, the whispers started there. Bastard. No matter how hard Rhaenyra tried to claim she was Laenor's daughter, her resemblance to Daemo...
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One of the side effects of pregnancy was with her own already being difficult, she struggled with sleep and relaxing. Her nights were restless and full of tossing and turning.
Something that Aemond was getting used to. He pretended to be asleep so that she wouldn't feel guilty but with each toss and turn, his heart hurt just a little more. This was proving to be a difficult pregnancy and it was taking a toll on her, something he blamed himself for. He should have fought harder to make his mother wait. Starting so soon would only cause issues. If she had been on her blood for a year, she could have been okay even for fifteen. But none of the facts were working in her favor.
When they got back from the market, she was too exhausted for anything else and declared it was time for an afternoon nap. There would be a small ceremony before dinner for her legitimization and that would take even more of her energy.
As Visenya lay sleeping, he longed to sleep next to her. Every night proved to be difficult for him, sleeping so close yet so far from the woman he longed to wrap his arms around. She claimed she didn't dream but she spoke in her sleep. He wanted to hold her and protect her.
And today only made him want her more. It may have been his idea to win the favor of the common folk but it was she who did so well. The children loved her and everyone stopped to watch the kind mercy of Princess Visenya Targaryen.
He knew Visenya had a love for rings (she loved to anxiously twirl them even more) so when he saw the sapphire and ruby ring, it was a sign from the gods. Visenya herself was a ruby. Red was the color she looked so divine in and he knew once war broke out, it would be Rhaenyra's Blacks against Visenya's Reds. There was no better item to represent Visenya. Red and ethereal.
He watched the rise and fall of her chest as it seemed she was finally able to sleep. Her bump was growing and he was shocked he hadn't noticed before he figured it out but then again, he didn't see her naked. He always gave her the privacy she requested. But he kept his excitement a secret. Finding those eggs was the most excited he'd felt in a while.
Aemond didn't have a squire, he was not a knight, but he did have a shadow. When he ventured from the castle, Ser Arryk would follow him to guard him. With the king always in bed, some of the Kingsguard were sent off to guard other members of the royal family.
"Where exactly are we going, My Prince?" Arryk asked.
"My wife's dragon seems to be acting strange and while she is sick, I am going to check on him. That dragon means more to her than anything ever could."
Ser Arryk nodded. "You Targaryens and your bond with your dragons have always left me in awe. Rumors say you can feel your dragons."
"If you make the bond correctly. Unfortunately, I did not. I am still working on that connection with Vhagar. But if you want to see the best example of it, Visenya is the one. She can feel him, their thoughts are one, and even every memory is shared. It is the most complex relationship but it makes her concern for her dragon quite profound. And since I made a vow before the gods to protect my wife, I protect the dragon she holds dear."
