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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。.✦ ☾
Alicent brushes her hair at her vanity, humming to herself as the sun softly peaks through her curtains. The door to her bedroom opens and her youngest son Daeron pushes through, his short locks covering his eyes.
Alicent turns and with a sweet smile, she greets him. "My love, you're out of bed, how are you feeling?" Alicent asks, she always had a soft spot for her youngest.
Daeron sits near her feet and he leans his head on her lap, letting her pet his head. "I'm okay mother, the maesters said I'm doing better. I haven't had a fever in a few moons ." Daeron says softly
"That is brilliant news, we should celebrate, how about a picnic in the gardens, just you and I?" Alicent asks
Daeron looks up and he offers a happy grin. "I'd like that mum." He whispers
.....
Aemond grunts as he blocks Ser Criston Cole's brutal attack, his sword trembling against Cole's Morningstar.
Sweat pulled at his brow as he gritted his teeth. The young boy's face was flushed and hot from the extensive training. Stubbornly he plants his feet and manages to push Coles sword away from his.
Cole laughs, softly panting. "Well done my prince, you are improving." Cole praises
Aemond pants harshly, wiping away the sweat. "It's not good enough." He grumbles, he hasn't beaten the knight yet. "Why don't we try a new opponent, you against Cahir?" Cole asks, turning to said knight who was guiding Baelon's movements.
The two stop and turn to the older male.
Aemond eyes Cahirs hand on Baelon's shoulder.
Cahir approaches, eyes dark as they meet Aemonds. The two stand face to face, swords drawn. "Start." Cole says easily, watching with a grin, confident.
Baelon silently approaches, watching.
Aemond attacks first, lunging forward and swinging at his arm, grunting as Cahir blocks his hit, their swords clashing. Suddenly Cahir releases his grip on his sword, letting it drop before catching it with his nondominant hand. And just before Aemonds sword can meet his neck, he jumps gracefully out of his range, kicking out a foot and knocking Aemond onto his ass.
The young prince quickly stands, kicking the heel of his foot into Cahir's hand, knocking the sword out of his hand. Cahir was quick to catch the blade, a grin growing on his face.
The two were formidable, almost equals. Cahir ducks back as Aemond swipes at his neck. He tosses his sword in the air and with a run he slides between Aemond's legs, catching the blade and pressing the dull edge against the prince's neck. "I win." He says
Aemond pants, dropping his sword.
Cole didn't look pleased but he began slow clapping. "Well done." He sighs
"No hard feelings my prince, I've been training for far longer." Cahir states, lowering his weapon before approaching Baelon.
Aemond glares, picking up his sword and walking away.
Baelon watches him leave before turning to Cahir. "Imagine if I had my spear." Cahir teases
"You Dornish men and your spears, excellent work." Baelon says softly, his eyes still on Aemond's retreating form.
....
Aemond enters his chambers, dumping his sword and his chest plate onto the ground. He finds his sister sitting near his fireplace.
"What did you say to Baelon?" Helaena asks, turning to meet her brother's gaze.
Aemond freezes in place.
....
Helaena and Baelon lay side by side, bodies pressed against each other with the princess hair tickling his neck. Helaena watches as birds fly past her window before looking up to meet Baelon's gaze, a single tear tracked down his pale cheek.
The blonde sits up and she looks down at Baelon. "Baelon." Helaena whispers softly
Baelon shakes his head, wiping his face clean. "It's nothing, promise." He answers softly, leaning forward and kissing her shoulder, smiling up at her.
....
"What are you talking about?" Aemond asks
Helaena sighs, shutting the book in her lap. "He's affected by you. He followed after you like a lost puppy all our life and now he's avoiding you." Helaena says, she knew she couldn't bring up the fact that Baelon had cried in her arms.
Aemond sits across from her, avoiding her gaze. He didn't have an answer for her. He knew that life had to play out before he could love him. "Our friendship seemed to have just played out dear sister." Aemond says
Helaena scoffs. "I don't understand this person you've become. You used to worship the ground he walked on. Your face would light up whenever he entered the room. Everything about you screamed him. How is this you?" Helaena asks
Aemond inhales through his nose. The last thing he wanted was the disappointment in his sister's eyes. But for the sake of their family's survival, he had to accept it.
