ELLIPSISM, aemond targaryen

[061] guard, prince and witch look for their drinking companion

"IT IS OUR fate, I think, to crave always what is given to another," Helaena said, staring off into space thoughtfully as her hands continued to embroider. "If one posseses a thing, the other will take it away."

Helaena looked expectantly at the maid who was sitting on the green carpet between Jaehaerys and Jaehaera who showed no interest in her as they played. The woman's dark eyes locked on her mistress as she finally noticed that it was quiet all of sudden.

"Yes, Princess," she said the same answer she had given to Helaena's previous words, the ones before, the ones yesterday, the ones a week ago. Helaena sometimes felt that she would get more interesting answers from her bugs.

But this time, just like before, she nodded and looked down at the spider she was embroidering, trying to hide the disappointment and loneliness she felt. To which she was condemned forever. When the door opened, Helaena flinched in surprise at the force with which the maids never opened the door, but her face immediately brightened when she saw Aemma.

"Aemma," Helaena breathed out, her eyes full of almost childlike joy as her lips lifted into a sincere and relieved smile.

The Velaryon princess first looked carefully around almost like a hawk looking for its prey, but when her gaze stopped at Helaena, her cold eyes softened and despite the obvious fatigue on her face, she gave her a brief smile. "Good morrow, Helaena."

However, their peaceful moment was quickly interrupted when Alicent walked in behind Aemma with Otto Hightower right behind her.

Alicent was out of breath and looked around the room in panic as did Aemma before her wide eyes locked on her daughter. "Where is Aegon?"

During the silence that followed, Alicent and Otto moved closer to Aemma and Helaena obviously felt more uncomfortable with their proximity than with Aemma's. Even so, she looked around hesitantly as if her children could give her an answer and then looked at the three people in front of her.

"Not here," she said hesitantly.

"He is not in his rooms," Otto said impatiently, any kindness with which he usually spoke to his granddaughter was gone.

"He is not in my bed, you may be sure. Feel free to search beneath the blankets," said Helaena with such amount of sarcasm in her voice that surprised even her, but any shame disappeared from her mind when she saw that Aemma pursed lips to hide her smirk.

Otto Hightower's expression turned even more grim and without saying anything else to any of them he turned on his heel and rushed out of the room.

"Father," Alicent called after him pleadingly, but he didn't reply.

Aemma watched as he left with a frown and almost followed him when she felt Helaena's hand in her own. She looked at the armchair where her friend was sitting.

"You're still here," Helaena told her quietly not to attract the attention of her mother who was watching the maid lead the children away from the room. Her eyes were relieved and full of hope, as if she didn't believe it herself and needed to make sure.

"I am," Aemma confirmed before lowering herself into the armchair next to Helaena, never once breaking the hold of their hands. She squeezed her hand and leaned closer, her voice dropping into a reassuring whisper, "And I promise you that I will never leave you or the children again."

Helaena smiled at her words, but her smile disappeared when her mother let out a deep sigh. She looked at Alicent who when she felt her gaze looked at her with a sorrowful face.

"What's happened?" Helaena asked her carefully to break the silence.

However, Alicent did not answer her and continued watching her sadly. She looked at Aemma as if she was waiting for some advice from her, but Aemma merely avoided her gaze and started stroking Helaena's back comfortingly. Alicent slowly moved to them and sat down next to Helaena for a moment in silence as she thought about her choice of words.