𝕷𝖆𝖐𝖊 𝖔𝖋 𝕱𝖎𝖗𝖊 ( house of the dragon )

aemon iii

It was some time later that day that Aemon decided to visit Alicent. He wanted to talk to her. He wanted to get past the uncomfortable aura that settled between them when they interacted.

"Alicent?" Aemon barely let out as he stood in the doorway of her rooms, watching Alicent struggle to calm her daughter. Alicent looked up at him, seeming desperately tired and exhausted. "May I?" He extended his arms to the babe, and Alicent readily handed her over. Aemon made cooing noises at the little girl as her cries began to soften and her eyes closed.

"How did you do that?" Alicent questioned. "She barely ever stops crying, even for the wet nurse."

Aemon looked up at her and smiled. "She probably senses your stress," he said gently, moving the blankets around her to cover her more as she shifted to seek comfort. Alicent let out a deep sigh as she relaxed into a chair.

"What's her name?" Aemon asked, running the back of his finger over her soft cheek.

"Helaena," Alicent breathed, watching what lay before her. Her mind instantly wished for another context—for that to be his child in his arms.

"That's a beautiful name for a beautiful girl," he said, smiling at the babe before smiling at Alicent.

"You think so," Alicent said in a whistful.

"She's your daughter. She'll be a very beautiful lady." Aemon kept up his smile, gently rocking the baby as she found sleep.

There was a soft silence between them as Alicent looked around the room, finding all the nurses and servants had left, finally feeling as though she could breathe as Alicent for once and not as the Queen.

"He treats you well, yes?" Aemon said, his gaze never leaving the sleeping baby.

"The King?" she questioned. Aemon nodded, still not meeting her gaze. Alicent started nodding before slowly opening her mouth. "He does not love me; I don't think he's able to, really, but he treats me as best he can."

"I'm sure that is not easy." Aemon sounded somber, finally meeting her eyes.

"No, it is not. I always imagined a knight sweeping me off my feet like some fairytale, but that was childish." Alicent smiled at the brief thought of how foolish and childish she'd been not even four years ago.

"Well, not all fairytales end happily. My mother was swept off her feet by a knight twice—one landed her in a marriage to a man who dishonored her with her own sister and died by the sword of her father, and the other... well... here I am," Aemon said half-heartedly, looking back down at the baby.

"At least your mother knew love before her story ended," Alicent reasoned.

"You knew love," Aemon stated plainly, looking back at Alicent, and she had no response.

Silence passed between them again; however, this one was not so gentle as the last.

"I am glad you're back, Aemon. Truly." Alicent said, sitting up more in her chair. "I've been quite... lonely without you."

"I'm glad to be back, Alicent," Aemon replied, managing a tight smile.

"I prayed for you," Alicent continued, her voice thick with sadness. "Every day, I went to the sept and prayed you'd return safely."

Aemon's heart ached at the sorrow in her tone. "Well," he started, shifting slightly but trying not to disturb the babe in his arms, "clearly the gods listened."

"Yes, I want you to meet Aegon too, Only if you want to." Alicent said, her eyes brightening with a touch of hope. "He was given in egg in his cradle, from one of Quicksilver's clutches, it hatched some months later and now he and the little thing are inseperable."

"Of course I will meet him, and I'm sure he will be a fearsome dragonrider, like his sister." Aemon said with a warm smile. He looked down at Helaena, his finger gently brushing her cheek. "They're so little. I can't believe we were this small once."

Alicent chuckled softly. "I'm sure our mothers sat around just like this with us. Talking about court and how much they despised the bothersome ladies around them."

Aemon laughed lightly, nodding in agreement. "I can imagine. It's strange to think how much has changed since then, yet some things remain the same."

Alicent took a deep breath, her gaze filled with worry as she looked from Aemon to Helaena. "I'm afraid," she said quietly, almost as a whisper.

Aemon's confusion was evident. "Of what?" he asked.

"For Aegon... and Helaena," Alicent responded, her voice barely audible.

"Why?" Aemon inquired, his concern deepening.

Alicent hesitated before speaking, her words heavy with anxiety. "My father believes that the people will want Aegon on the throne, not Rhaenyra. He wants me to put Aegon forth as heir in Rhaenyra's place."

"Alicent, you can't—" Aemon began, but Alicent cut him off.

"I don't want to," she said, her voice trembling. "Do you think I want him to be King? My father believes that the realm will destroy itself rather than see Rhaenyra as their rightful ruler."

"Alicent, your father has always been ambitious," Aemon said, trying to understand the gravity of the situation.

"He thinks that Rhaenyra will have to put my son to the sword to eliminate any competition," Alicent explained, her voice breaking.

Aemon shook his head, his expression resolute. "She will be a good Queen in due time. She is honorable at heart. I do not think she would resort to kinslaying."

"I just... I don't want to have to choose between her and them," Alicent confessed, her eyes pleading for understanding.

"Then don't," Aemon advised, his tone firm but supportive. "Don't encourage any notion of Aegon being the heir. Ensure that you support Rhaenyra."

"I'm trying, but my father—" Alicent's voice faltered.

"Your father wants his grandson on the throne, even though the King has named Rhaenyra as heir. Any action toward that end is considered treason, Alicent," Aemon said, his voice carrying a note of urgency.

"I know," Alicent replied, her voice filled with resignation.

Aemon took a deep breath, trying to offer comfort. "You're caught between duty and family, Alicent. But remember, your choices have consequences not just for your family, but for the realm as well. You must weigh them carefully."

Alicent nodded, her face pale but resolute.