Born to Die

Chapter 39

The battle for King's Landing was rapidly approaching. Aemeryn found Harwin where she knew he would be- in the nursery with Amara. He smiled when she entered and immediately handed her Amara. Aemeryn took her sleeping daughter and returned Harwin's smile.

"I need to speak with you, Harwin."

"I'm all ears, my girl."

Aemeryn looked down at Amara and felt her eyes fill with tears. "There is a good chance that Aemond and I will die during this battle, Harwin."

"Em-" Aemeryn held her hand up to stop Harwin from speaking. She finally raised her eyes to the man she had considered her father for her entire life and felt her heart crack anew. Harwin was on the verge of tears himself with the words coming from Aemeryn's mouth. Words that no father should ever have to hear.

"Aside from Aemond and myself, only two people will know of what I'm telling you, Ser Erryk and yourself. In my chambers, there is a small chest. The key to it is in Luke's desk. Inside the chest is a single piece of paper that is signed by both Aemond and myself stating what I am about to tell you." Aemeryn paused for a moment to take a deep breath. Harwin truly was crying now, not sobbing, but tears were streaming down his bearded cheeks. "Should Aemond and I both die, and should Daemon die, Amara will go to my mother. If my mother dies or Daemon lives to rule alongside her, Amara will go to you. If you die, she will go to Jace. Should Jace die, she will go to Lord Cregan Stark. Should Lord Stark die, she will be raised by Ser Erryk and Susanna."

Harwin was silent, and Aemeryn began to chew on her bottom lip nervously. She had given this thought and had already flown to Harrenhal to speak with Cregan about it. Aemond hadn't been very happy about the conversation and the decision to name Stark as someone to take Amara, but he didn't make a fuss. Aemeryn trusted the young lord for some reason, and Aemond decided that was good enough for him. Harwin finally reached out and pulled Aemeryn to his armored chest in a crushing hug.

"You're not going to die, my girl." Aemeryn hated how Harwin's voice cracked as he spoke. She hated that she was causing him such pain.

"It's war, Harwin. Anyone can die at this point."

Harwin pressed his lips to the top of her head and felt his heart crack. She was always convinced the worst was going to happen. He remembered that she had been obsessed with death as a little girl, and it seemed that she hadn't outgrown it.

"Not you, my girl. Never you."

Aemeryn nodded and pulled away from him with a watery smile. Harwin had always been overly positive about everything, but she couldn't fault him for that. She was almost certain that his positivity is what caused her mother to fall in love with him. Aemeryn reached out and squeezed his hand quickly before turning and walking to the door before she stopped.

"Harwin?" She asked as she turned her head to look at him over her shoulder.

"Yes, my girl?"

"I love you."

Harwin smiled softly and nodded his head. "And I you, Em."

Aemeryn left the room then before the tears spilled down her cheeks again. She hoped that Aemond was still where she left him, sending a raven to Aegon. The walk was a short one to their chambers, and Aemeryn practically ran inside and slammed the door.

Aemond looked up from the desk first in anger, then concern when he saw who had barged in and the state Aemeryn was in.

"Why the tears, little dove?" He asked as he rushed over to her to console her. Aemeryn shook her head and buried her face in his chest. Aemond ran his hand up and down her back and hushed her softly. "I'm guessing you talked to Harwin?" Aemeryn sniffled and nodded.