Fire On Fire

31.The Babe

"Why do I have to be here," Jamie exclaimed, "I'd rather be studying with Mother."

Jamie and Cassius were in the training yard with Elias. Both boys dressed in red and gold, with small size armor plates. The boys practiced with their swords daily, a time that Cassius looked forward to. Cassius always held his sword with honor, whereas Jamie let it touch the ground.

"You can study with Mother tonight. Get your sword up!" Jamie rolled his eyes and listened to his older brother. Elias laughed at the two. "Swords up!" Cassius wrapped both of his hands around the hilt of his wooden sword, breathing steadily. Jamie nervously held his sword.  "Engage." Cassius lunged at his brother, on the attack. Jamie tried his best to block but threw down his sword. "I yield!" Cassius scowled and pushed his brother to the ground. "Cassius!" Elias yelled at the young boy. Cassius didn't even look at Elias and hung his sword before walking away and saying, "I'm done."

Jamie sat up on his arms and watched his brother walk away as Elias continued to call out to him. Cassius marched through the Keep. In Cassius' mind, Jamie was weak like their father. Though all of Amara's children were close with her Jamie had been particularly attached to her and Cassius hated that.

Amara sat in her quarters reading her books and writing her pages when there was a knock at her door. "Come." The door opened and closed. Amara glanced away from her books and pages to see her nephew, Aegon, before her. She placed her quill down and turned herself towards the boy. "Aegon! How were the dragon pits today?" Aegon stayed silent. There was a solemn look on his face. "Whatever is the matter?" Aegon stood still. He didn't want to move or even breathe. Amara stood from her seat and walked over to the boy. She placed her hand on his cheek and rubbed her thumb over his cheekbone. "What is it?" Aegon slowly looked at his aunt. "If Rhaenyra becomes queen will she kill us?" Amara was taken aback. "Whatever do you mean?" Aegon sighed, "When Rhaenyra becomes queen will she kill us to protect her succession?" Now, hearing his words, Amara laughed and dropped her hands to her side. Amara had thought only for a moment that this idea had come of Aegon's own making but that moment was short-lived. "My dear boy, you cannot be this stupid." She sighed, "You are Rhaenyra's brother. Her family. I do not believe Rhaenyra to be so cruel." Aegon's look started to change. "What brought this idea into your head?" The Prince refused to answer. "It wouldn't have been your mother. Would it?" Aegon shook his head, "No."

Though Amara knew Aegon had gotten the idea from Alicent, she didn't push him any further. They had a good relationship. Aegon, at times, thought of Amara as his mother. Whenever Aegon would have troubles or questions he would come to Amara, not Alicent.

Amara sighed, "Your sister loves you. She may not show it but it is only because you're young." She smiled, "One day, when you are older and have children of your own you will understand how hard it is." Aegon scoffed, "You make time for me." Amara held his face in her hands, "My children are also older than Rhaenyra's." Amara couldn't help but look at his face, solemn again. "You know I love you, right? And I will always be here if you wish to talk." Aegon nodded his head and gave Amara a tight hug. Amara hugged him back, resting her head on his. All Amra could think about was the poison Alicent was pushing into his brain. She wanted to talk to her sister to yell at her but she knew better. She knew she had to push down her feelings and wait for the right moment.

Aegon the older and his two children lived West of Winterfell in Ironwood with his late lady wife's family. His two children, Miria and Maelor, had their mother's dark hair. They were younger than the children in the capital but just as smart. Aegon had barely spent any time with his children since his wife passed. He may not have been in love with Freya but he was happy with her. He had been domesticated in the time since they had been married. Though, ever since she had died he had become more like his younger self. He would leave for months at a time and return home for a week. It was Elijah and Abigail who took great care of the children. Not Aegon.