The Prince and His Flower

O N E - H U N D R E D

Helaena strolled through the halls alone, determined to find her husband in whatever dusty corner he had hidden himself in. When Aegon wanted to be alone, he made a point to make it very hard to find him.

"Gods, you're like a fly on the wall." He groaned, turning away from the window of his former bedchamber. "Always knowing where I am."

"Pick new hiding spots, then." She shrugged and seated herself on the bed, ignoring his complaints. "I don't care."

"You're in a mood today," he mumbled, turning back to the window. His legs still pained him terribly, but he had slowly begun to walk more and more without that dreadful wooden chair. "Why?"

Helaena kicked off her shoes and stretched out on the bed, letting the sunlight warm her face from the window. She hummed to herself, relishing in the odd comfort of Aegon's former bed.

"Perhaps it is because I am left to rot in this castle like a chicken in a coop." She opened her eyes when the warmth disappeared to find Aegon standing over her. "Without any distractions or amusement."

"What do you want? A traveling caravan? Elephants?" He touched the hem of her dress, rubbing it between his fingers. "New dresses?"

"Let me go to Harrenhal and join our brothers." Her words angered him. He dropped his hand back to his side and turned away from her, his hands clenched.

"No." His voice was firm, and he made it clear it was not something open to discuss.

"I am the Queen, your Queen. I should join our brothers out there!" She had no wishes to fight, she only wished to see Aemma once more... and Daeron, her little brother that she seemed to hardly know. Everything was slipping out from under her, but if only she had some control over what she did she could at least feel content.

"Why?" He turned back to her, his face twisted in anger and disgust. Disgust with her, maybe. "Why would you do that? You would leave our children, our mother, our home? For what? The Red Keep is safe, you are safe here! There is nothing out there for you but death and destruction!"

"There is nothing but death here!" She had known this would cause an argument, but she had never seen herself yelling at Aegon. They had their disagreements as any married couple would, but often she would leave him to his own devices until he drank enough to forget what they had even disagreed about. But she was tired, and he had to relent at some point. "Jaehaerys, Father... death is everywhere! Do you think I am incapable?"

"You are no fighter, you can't help them." His voice was softer now; he wanted Helaena to be happy and safe, but she was oddly adamant about leaving him. Just like everyone else, the King thought. Who shall abandon me next; Ser Criston? My own brothers are gone... my love is gone... and now Helaena? It was too much.

"Why won't you just let me--"

"Why won't you just let me keep you safe, Aemma!" He yelled in her face. "Helaena... Helaena!" He seemed to be reminding himself. "Everyone else has left me, I won't let you leave too. Our children need you, Mother needs you, I need you."

She stepped back and turned away, shaking off his hand when he tried to place it on her shoulder. "Is that what this is about? You couldn't keep her safe, so you're punishing me?" Aemma was strong, Aemma was brave, and Aemma was beautiful. She couldn't blame Aegon for his regrets but couldn't accept being her placeholder. She missed her like anything in the world, and all she wanted was to be with her again so that things may go back to normal.

However long that would last.

"Hel..." He trailed off, unsure of what to say. "Don't go. You're not like them; you're gentle, you couldn't handle the things that happen out there."