Castles Crumbling / Helaena Targaryen/ Taelon Targaryen

11. Girl Unnoticed

'I loved her." Viserys reminded Rhaenyra, he didnt take marrying again lightly but the council demanded it.  "She made a man of me. I do not seek to replace you, child. You've been much alone these last few years. Alone and angry.' Viserys agreed 'I will not live forever. I wish to see you contented, happy even.'

'You think a man will do it?' Rhaenyra drawled. 

''A family.' He corrected.

"'I had a family.' Rhaenyra reminded him sternly. 

'What would you have me do?!'

"Alicent is due any day now." Calla remarked. "What do you think? A boy or girl?"

"She thinks its a girl." Taelon answered getting changed. 

"Oh a little girl, one of each, how lucky" Calla cooed. Taelon smiled softly back at her through the mirror as she brushed out her long dark hair. The flowers she had woven in her hair falling out in petals around her. 

"Yeah, lucky.' Taelon agreed. 

"Taelon can we try again please." Calla begged. 

"What if I lose you?" Taelon countered, Calla dropped her brush on the vanity and ran to him wiping at his tears. "I can't lose you like my brother lost Aemma." 

"You wont." 

"You can't promise that." 

'If it was for advantage, you would've wed Laena Velaryon!' Rhaenyra shouted back

'That is true enough. You must marry, strengthen your own claim, shore up your succession, multiply. As to your match... make it yourself.' Viserys told her 'Search him out. Find one that pleases you, as I did. As your uncle Taelon did. Look how well it turned out with Taelon and Calla. They are a living embodiment of happily ever after.'

But looking at Taelon now Calla felt their castles crumbling. 

"You can't promise that." 

"This is me promising you forever, Taelon."

When Rhaenyra left Viserys felt a weight lift off his shoulders, a dark cloud vanish. He hated to admit such things but Rhaenyra was a problem. With her gone life seemed to brighten just a bit. 

He didnt have to worry about her, he didnt have to deal with the messes she made. She was safe and on a mission to find a husband. 

Calla stayed with Alicent for the birth of Alicent's second child. Alicent was grateful to have a friend beside her instead of all the maesters and nurses. She clung to Calla like a life line wishing for death but knowing it wouldnt come. 

Calla was the first person to hold the babe.  Calla felt tears sting her eyes at what would never be. Alicent closed her eyes turning her cheek, wishing she didnt have to continue once again. She didnt want to be the queen, she didnt want to be a baby maker, she wanted to be Alicent Hightower. Just Alicent Hightower, girl unnoticed. 

Alicent glanced to Calla smiling down at the little girl like she was the most precious thing in the world. Alicent wished she could see what Calla saw. Alicent saw the pain of being mounted by her husband. She saw Viserys when she looked at Aegon and no doubt she would see Viserys in this little girl. But Calla's love shone brightly for little Helaena. 

"Oh Alicent. Shes simply perfect. So beautiful." Calla declared smiling down at little Helaena wishing she got a daughter of her own. "Taelon is going to love her too."