𝐀 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐅𝐥𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬

Aerea Velaryon

"The princess had begun her labors!"

It has been shortly after breakfast when her and her brothers had been ushered out of their family quarters so their mother could have some privacy. Hours had passed and Aerea was on edge, worried about Rhaenyra.

After her lessons with her septa, she made her way to the Godswood. The Godswood was surrounded by Alysanne's Garden. So many unique plants that were native to the area had been imported. King Jaeherys wanted his wife to have a place of comfort and it became Aerea's. The Velaryon princess believed the garden was the most beautiful thing in King's Landing. It was also one of the places that didn't smell like shit in the city.

As she walked past, the princess dragged her hand across every flower in sight. "Ser Steffon, do you know what the blue iris represents?" She asked her sworn knight.

"No, Princess." He replied, softly. Ser Steffon Darkly was assigned to Princess Aerea when she was just a mere babe. Always quiet and observant. Not being one for friends, she often found solace in being alone and he was by her side the whole time.

He had also known her long enough to know that Aerea only picked flowers when she was in three moods. When she was excited, bored, anxious.

Her father, Ser Laenor, had gone on a sea voyage and his return was announced two days prior to King Viserys' Nameday Tourney. Aerea was so ecstatic that she ran through the gardens and picked every flower she could find and made crowns for all of her family. From her mother to her uncles. She even made a favor for Ser Steffon to wish him luck in the joust. By her grace of the Seven, he won and at nine years of age, Princess Aerea was named Queen of Love and Beauty.

Though, this wouldn't be the last time.

When her lessons were up and her brothers made their way to the Dragon pit, she was left alone to her own devices with nothing to do, so she would pluck flowers until the evening. She didn't have a dragon, so she saw no need to go the Dragon pit, but her white knight knew that she was more insecure about that than anything. Aerea simply did as she pleased and Steffon ensured that she was safe while doing it.

The only other time she removed those lovely plants from their home was after her grandfather had passed out at dinner and fell into a sleep that lasted until the next day. Luckily for everyone, the king woke up and returned to his normal self. Under close supervision of Alicent, Rhaenyra, and Maester Mellos. The princess had pulled flowers, root and stem, only stopping when her mother informed her that Viserys would live.

Now, Aerea was doing it again and Ser Steffon had an idea that knew what this was about. "The blue iris represents faith and hope. It's what I need to believe that my mother will be okay." The princess spoke sadly.

"Don't think like that, princess. Your mother will be fine." The knight knew that there was no way of knowing, but he never going to tell Aerea that. She didn't need to know.

"I know." Aerea replied, though her tone said otherwise. As she turned the corner, the pure white flowers with yellow sepals came into her vision. She smiled sadly. "White lilies are my favorite, Ser."

"What do they mean?"

"Youth and innocence. I suppose I'll be plucking these petals soon."

Steffon liked to think he was a smart man, but it took him a moment to realize what she meant. Then he frowned. "You shouldn't say this, princess "

"But, it's true." The princess pouted and stomped her feet. "In a few moons, I'll be eleven. Old enough for betrothals." Her voice got lower. "After that, it's marriage...and babies."

"Ah." Ser Steffon tutted. "You worried about marriage?" Aerea nodded. Just as the knight tried to comfort the girl, the bells tolled. Loud and alarming.