Aemond Targaryen lived to become a weak old man, withering in the cells underneath Dragonstone. One mistake caused a lifetime of pain.
Losing Baelon, was the start to the end of the Hightowers. But it wouldn't be the end of them.
Alys Rivers a wit...
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。.✦ ☾
In the Queen's chambers, Aemond sat alone on one of her couches, watching his mother order around her maids. Her auburn locks were wild and unkept but framed her face beautifully. She struggled to keep any anxiety from showing.
Alicent meets her young son's gaze before turning back to the girls working on putting together the room, getting them ready to leave Driftmark.
Aemond lets out a sharp inhale when he feels something click into place. He looks down and stares down at his small freckled hands. His heart beating wildly in his chest. He quickly stands from his chair, making his way to the door, he needed to get to Baelon. He needed to hold him, to touch him. He needed to see if he was real.
Suddenly his mother calls for him.
"Aemond, please, I've told you many times that I don't want you pulling at your wound, so sit, relax my love." Alicent pleads, walking over to him.
Aemond stares at her, anger building in his chest. He's going to lose everything just because his mother wants his drunk brother on the throne. He's going to lose everything.
But he holds in his rage. He won't be ruining his only chance. "I have to see Baelon." Aemond says
Alicent's eyes widen, and she shakes her head, as if she didn't hear him. "What? No? That boy hurt you, his bastard brother hurt you!" Alicent says
Aemond pulls away, shaking his head. "No, you did! He was my friend and you did everything in your power so I couldn't have him. I've done everything you have asked of me, let me have this." Aemond pleads
Alicent stays silent, shocked. She saw so much of her younger self, just before she lost her youth. She saw a young and naive girl pleading with her father, begging him to let go of the rumors about Rhaenyra's maidenhood. She saw the girl who was so madly in love with the princess.
She didn't want to become her father.
Alicent gingerly brings her youngest into a hug. Aemond stiffens completely in her hold. "What is it that you need me to do?" Alicent asks
"I want Baelon to stay with us in Kingslanding." Aemond asks, finally returning the hold. Alicent pulls back to meet her son's gaze. "And if I can't convince his mother." Alicent asks, she doesn't want the boy anywhere near her son, but if this is what he needs to be happy, so be it.
"You will." Aemond whispers
....
Alicent steps in front of the double doors of Rhaenyra's chambers, swallowing harshly. Hesitantly she lifts a hand and knocks on the wooden door. In the back of her head, she wonders why there weren't any guards.
Slowly the door opens to a maester, and his eyes widen.
"My queen." His voice trembles, torn in what to do. "Please inform the princess that I wish to speak with her." Alicent orders
The maester nods rapidly and he enters the room. Alicent waits impatiently before she's let in.
Rhaenyra sat up in her bed, watching her every move. "My queen." Rhaenyra says
Alicent swallows harshly. "I came to apologize....I lost my head, my son was hurt and I wasn't thinking clearly. But I do know for a fact that you would've reacted just as badly. All mothers would...." Alicent trails off, unsure of what to say.
Rhaenyra stays silent. "My son seems to be getting better." Alicent says
"I am glad, he didn't deserve what happened to him. I believe I reacted poorly as well, my sons may be hurt, but yours was damaged permanently. And for that, I am deeply sorry." Rhaenyra says
Alicent looks shocked to see the princess apologize. "Thank you, princess, but I didn't come here for myself. My son begged me to speak with you. As you know Baelon and Aemond are quite close." Alicent says
Rhaenyra smiles, nodding. "I do." Rhaenyra says
"My son had begged me to speak with you in regards to your son. He hoped that you would allow him to stay with us on Kingslanding. And I believe that in doing so we would mend the bonds that have been long broken." Alicent states
Rhaenyra looks down at the bed. She didn't want to let her son go. "Please care for him, he may act brave, but he's still a boy." Rhaenyra begs softly
Alicent feels a breath of relief escape her and she nods. "I will." Alicent says
"As he is my heir, I do have a few other requirements before I let him stay on Kingslanding. My son must not be shut away from his mother and his brothers. He must be well-versed in all of his studies. You can not allow Cole to mistreat my son or push him aside. And I have to pick my son's personal guard." Rhaenyra says
Alicent nods. "Of course princess, I would request the same if I were in your position." Alicent states
The two Royals stared at one another for the longest time, old feelings pushing towards the surface. They couldn't ignore it.
"I-I believe I must go, feel better princess." Alicent stutters, turning and quickly walking out of the bedroom. Rhaenyra stares after her with wide eyes.
