Sun and Fire ~ Aemond Targaryen

08. The Pink Dread

While the children were playing, Princess Rhaenyra had finally arrived along with Ser Leanor and the little newborn baby, Ser Harwin Strong was the first to get up when he saw her and in his eyes there was an unusual glow, the crown princess was trying hard to keep a smile, but she looked exhausted, her whole body was soaked in sweat, so much so, that her hair seemed to be wet and stuck to her face.

She walked slowly and held on to the back of a chair as if she needed to hold on to something to keep from falling, the children did not notice her, only Daemma who watched her worriedly without understanding what had happened.

How could a birth take so long, undoubtedly something else had happened and whatever it was they would find out sooner or later, since the whispers and rumors inside the Keep were scattered like a blazing fire in a dry pasture.

"Mother... look!" Jacaerys commented excitedly as he ran in haste with Lucerys and Meria to show her the egg they had chosen for his brother.

Fortunately, apart from Daemma, Ser Harwin had also noticed the princess' condition and immediately offered his arm to help her sit down.

"Oh, that seems to be a perfect one" Commented Rhaenyra as she settled into the chair and looked at the dragon egg out of the corner of her eye.

"Would you like some water, princess?" Lady Daemma offered her and immediately approached the pitcher that was on the table.

"Thank you my dear, I need it" She replied with a sign of relief and drank almost all the water in the glass in one sip.

The children were amazed with the egg and already imagined that soon a new dragon would be born, Leanor held the little baby carefully, while Meria tried to observe it from below and asked curiously.

"Is it a girl?"

Everyone stared at Leanor who smiled softly before answering the question.

"A boy... who will be a good gentleman someday" He said as he hugged him and brought the little one close to his face with tenderness.

Meria did not seem very happy as she thought it would be a girl named Visenya as Rhaenyra had mentioned only a few hours ago, but seeing that her sister was warning her with a stern look so that she would not say anything unpleasant, she decided to keep quiet, suddenly Ser Harwin approached the baby who was still in Leanor's arms and almost a little embarrassed and hesitant he asked.

"May I?"

"Ser Harwin wants to be presented to Joffrey" Rhaenyra commented, noticing that Ser Leanor had not heard the request of the Commander of the city watch because he was too focused on the little one.

"Of course."

The girls looked attentively as Ser Harwin held the baby, without a doubt it was something unusual for him to show so much interest in holding him, but the scene was so touching that they simply smiled innocently, deep down they could understand what was happening and the looks of Princess Rhaenyra and Ser Leanor affirmed it even more.

"Joffrey, isn't it?" Asked the Commander as he cradled the little boy and Leanor confirmed his name.

"What a strange name for a Valyrian" Meria snorted with a frown.

"You have a Dornish name, don't complain" Replied her older sister, provoking laughter from everyone present, to which the girl did not hide her annoyance.

"That is because our mother is Dornish, but Joffrey is the son of two Valyrians."

"Don't comment if you are not asked" Daemma replied with a warning.