The Prince and His Flower

O N E - H U N D R E D - O N E

Helaena had been overjoyed at Aemma's return, dragging her throughout the castle and happily chattering away about all that she had missed, even the things she probably wasn't supposed to share.

"The Triarchy will be coming soon, I'm sure of it. I think Ser Criston will escort them back. Aegon didn't really have much say in it, but I'm sure it means nothing." She squeezed Emma's hand. "Now that a ceasefire has been called, things will be much safer for all of us."

Aemma nodded thoughtfully, wondering what would happen once Daemon was no longer deemed a threat. Would Aegon and Rhaenyra reconcile or will the war continue yet again? Her dreams have been clouded, and she could not see. If Helaena knew, she did not say anything.

"Aegon offered another child for me the other day!" She said, shaking her head in disgust. "It seems he wishes to keep me here as long as possible. Do you think he just wants to replace Jaehaerys?"

"He knows his son is irreplaceable," She shook her head. "Perhaps he wants you to stay by his side, where you are safe."

"Gods, you're beginning to sound just like him. I would feel safer by your side, with you and my brothers. It would almost be like the days of Aegon the Conqueror." She didn't bother hiding the longing in her voice. "Not in that way, of course."

She looked over at Helaena, who stared at her with wide, pleading eyes. "This is arguably the safest you can be, nobody is going to assault the Red Keep, and I certainly won't have you fighting!"

"You are not my keeper, and neither is Aegon!" She sighed and looked away. "You all want me to be safe and such, but none of you have ever considered what I wanted."

That was the last they spoke of the topic and instead, they found other things to talk about, knowing their time together was running out. Eventually, Aemma knew she could not make Jace wait any longer and departed to the courtyard, vowing to return as soon as she could. They both shed tears, but they found comfort in their promises to one another.

"I love you," Helaena whispered as she pulled away from her embrace. "Please come back."

"Always." Aemma had told her, and then she left. She found Jace facing Vermax, stroking his scales and whispering under his breath, undoubtedly bad-mouthing their current situation. Terrax let out a low growl, alerting them to her presence. He turned, his scowl replaced with a crooked smile and his arms open.

"I see now how difficult this must be for you," he remarked once he pulled away. "Going against them."

"Mother is to be the Queen, and you are her heir. You're my brother, there was never any contest between you." She smiled softly and looked back at the Keep where she could have sworn she saw Aegon watching them from one of the windows. "It's best if we leave now, we don't want to overstay our welcome. The sun will be setting in a few hours and I wish to return to Harrenhal before dark."

He nodded slowly before quietly sighing and pulling out a small bag that he had slung over his back. "Aegon had this delivered to me, and requested that I give it to you." Jace reached into the bag and pulled out the crown that had been worn by King Jaehaerys. A note fell out as well, and she scrambled to grab it before he did.

It suits you far better than it ever did on me, my beautiful Queen.

She looked back at the window, but he was gone. She took the crown from her brother and turned it in her hands, silently marvelling at the intricate carvings. "This is... a grand gift."

"Let us go," he mounted Vermax before looking down at her. "I'll escort you back to Harrenhal myself."

She worried that her brother and husband would interact, but it seemed Jace wanted that to happen even less than she did. They landed on the shore of the Isle of Faces, just beneath the Gods Eye. He was quiet, contemplating what to say. They walked around the small island a few times before he seemed to find his words. "He gave you his crown, Aemma." He stopped walking and turned to look at her, a slight frown on his face. "Not just any crown; a Kings. I don't think we can act as if that doesn't mean anything."