Sycamore Tree {Complete}

Chapter Forty

Elowen sat at her husband's bedside, his hand held tightly in one of hers. Maesters and servants bustle around the chambers in preparation for one of Viserys's treatments.

"Alyssa is with child, my love. Orwyle has confirmed the news." Elowen spoke slowly and eloquently, taking care with her words so Viserys might better comprehend.

Viserys wheezed, his lips parting as if he pushed words toward the tip of his tongue. "Alyssa..."

"Yes, my love." Elowen leaned closer, tracing her finger over his cheekbone. "You shall be a grandsire once more."

"And you," He paused, taking a deep shuddering breath as he forced the words out. "A grandmother."

"I don't feel like one." Elowen chuckled.

Viserys lifted his hand, searching for Elowen. She caught his hand, pressing his palm to her cheek. His eye fluttered open, the lavender pools twinkling as he stared at his wife. "I love you."

"I love you as well," Elowen leaned into Viserys's touch, she could feel tears pricking at the edges of her vision. "More than you shall ever know."

"I know." He whispered, brushing his thumb over the apple of her cheek.

Elowen's smile was watery as she pressed her lips against the heel of his hand. "Aegon wished for a daughter, but Alyssa believes the babe to be a son. She has already picked a name."

"What name?"

"Viserys." Elowen watched as Viserys's eye lit up with wonder and pride, though it quickly dimmed as he remembered he would not be there to watch the child grow.

"A name fit for a king."

"Yes," Elowen chuckled. "A fine king, but most importantly a good man."

"Your Grace?" A voice came from behind Elowen, interrupting the moment between husband and wife.

"Yes, Orwyle?" Elowen responded, though she didn't dare look away from Viserys. She feared the moment he was out of her sight the Stranger would steal him from her.

"We are ready to dress and clean His Grace's wounds."

"Yes, of course." Elowen sighed, knowing she had to move from Viserys's side. She leaned forward pressing a chaste kiss to Viserys's bare cheek, before pulling away. A sharp stab of pain tore through her chest as Viserys's hand fell from hers. "Do be careful with His Grace."

"Yes, Your Grace." The Grand Maester nodded as Elowen stepped away from Viserys's bedside. Though she remained close, watching diligently as the servants carefully used the sheets to pull Viserys's body across the mattress. Hands pulled him into a sitting position, lifting his legs over the edge of the mattress. The servants carefully lifted the King to his feet and maneuvered him onto the table the maesters had set up.

Smoke from the incenses scattered throughout the rooms filled the air and a bell tolled in the distance marking the hour and reminding Elowen of how little time she had left with the love of her life. She watched as the maesters cleaned and dressed the King's open wounds and oozing sores. Her stomach churned as she watched one of the maesters scrape away the rotting flesh around one lesion.

"I want to have supper, Elowen." Viserys spoke, garnering his wife's full attention.

Elowen stepped closer, lightly pressing a hand to an area of uninjured skin on Viserys's shoulder. "It is morning, my love."

"Tonight." Viserys' body tensed with the effort it took for him to speak. "The whole of our family... gathered at the Red Keep. I want us... to dine together."

"As you wish, dear husband."

Viserys's groans and moans of pain filled the room as the maesters and servants rolled him over and sat him up to dress him. The door creaked open from behind Elowen, followed by even footsteps.

"You wished to see me, Mother?" Aemond asked, those his eyes remained locked on his father's form as the servants finished dressing him.

"Yes," Elowen glanced at her second born from the corner of her eye before returning to Viserys. "Help me with your father."

Aemond followed his mother's lead, moving to one side of his father. The servants stepped away making room for the Queen and Prince. With his wife's and second son's support, Viserys was able to lumber to the chaise near the fireplace.

He crashed onto the cushion, sinking into the plush seat, he waved his hand motioning for Aemond to take a seat on the chair opposite from the chaise. Viserys moved his leg slightly, making room for Elowen to sit beside him.

"I have wasted the years since you and your siblings' births," The words came out breathily though VIserys knew that if he did not speak them now he would not have another chance. "I have not been the best father, and for that I am sorry."

"You are wrong," Aemond argued. "I could not have asked for a better father." His eye darted to where Elowen sat at Viserys's side. "Or mother."

"You might think differently after I tell you the truth," Elowen paused, taking Viserys's hand in hers. "This upcoming celebration is not just for your wedding to Rhaena. It will start with you being named heir."

"Heir? But Rhaenyra is your heir."

"She is not suited... for the role as I had... thought her to be." Viserys wheezed.

"Listen closely Aemond, before Aegon the Conqueror's death he had a dream," Elowen motioned to the burning brazier resting on the table between the chaise and chair, the hilt of a dagger poking out from between the coals. "The last of the Valyrian pyromancers hid his song in the steel only to be revealed by flames.

Aemond leaned forward, carefully lifting his father's dagger from the coals. The heat of the flames had caused the metal to glow a bright orange, revealing a hidden inscription on the blade.

"From my blood come the Prince That Was Promised and his will be a song of Ice and Fire." Aemond slowly translated, looking up from the dagger to stare at his mother and father in wonder.

"It is your duty as the next Targaryen King to guard this knowledge and pass it to your heir." Elowen stood from her seat moving to Aemond's side, she took his hand not holding the dagger. ""You will be a good and fair king, Aemond, do not doubt yourself. And I will be by your side just as I always have been."

"I will make you proud." Aemond promised, glancing between Elowen and Viserys.

"We are already proud, Sweet boy." Elowen brushed her hand over the top of Aemond's head, pressing a kiss to his hairline.