Born on the nightfall of a tragedy, raised with the weight of power and expectations over her shoulders, Elaenora Arryn knew her fate could not be written by the Seven, but only by herself.
Carrying the blood of both the murderer and the murdered i...
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"The last King of Mountain and Vale was Ronnel Arryn, a boy-king whose mother, Sharra, submitted to Visenya Targaryen during Aegon's Conquest," Aemond read out loud, holding the old and dusty book in his hands while leaning back against his seat. His violet eyes raised and stared into Nora's mismatched ones. "The Arryns have since served the Iron Throne as Protectors of the Vale and Wardens of the East."
"A hundred years of loyalty, if we forget about the rebellion Jonos Arryn orchestrated against King Aenys," Elaenora nodded, holding a book of her own. "But, considering Rhaenyra is to be Queen, I know the Vale will not rise against its own blood so our loyalty to the Crown shall remain intact."
The dim sunlight entered the library's windows, opening its way through the heavy stormy clouds outside and reflecting like a soft caress over the Prince's marble skin and his friend's sunkissed one. Aemond and Nora had chosen to spend their morning cosied up inside the library, reading together about history now that the warmest days were starting to fade into rainier and colder ones.
"That is, of course, if I don't turn out to be Lady of the Vale and decide to become a pain in the arse for your family," Elaenora jested, pretending to actually ponder the idea.
"As if," Aemond scoffed with a roll of his eyes. Considering his friend's utter adoration for his older sister, the Targaryen boy knew there were more chances of the Wall melting than of Nora ever betraying Rhaenyra. "Are you now taking after your Martell ancestors?"
"Perhaps. I would definitely kick your arse in battle," Nora feigned an arrogant tone, raising her chin and crossing her arms before her chest.
"Wouldn't you love that!" Aemond taunted lightheartedly, setting the book aside. "I have seen you train with Ser Criston, you are somewhat acceptable."
"How dare you?" Elaenora feigned a gasp and grabbed one of the silk cushions in the seats to gently hit him with it, unable to hold back the giggles escaping her lips.
"Nora! My hair!" Aemond tried to protest, promptly shielding his head with his arms. His voice sounded strangled due to his laughter as he grabbed another cushion and hit her back.
Their laughter soon echoed all over the empty library like the sweet tinkling of a bell. Once again, Aemond felt an invisible weight dropping off his shoulders as his cheeks hurt from how wide his grin was, something only Elaenora was able to achieve.
The door opened wide with a creak all of a sudden, making both children freeze on the spot. Helaena's footsteps interrupted the echoing silence as she rushed inside with glassy eyes, her face looking paler and her hands shuddering.
