Castles Crumbling / Helaena Targaryen/ Taelon Targaryen

19. Innocent

Taelon watched helaena intently, debating if she could be the one he and the boys were looking for.

Corey snuggled into helaena as Elio opened one of his many presents. Corey asked which one was from her. Helaena smiled pointing to the one with a big bow. Elio looked up from his new figurines from viserys showing them to taelon.

"Very nice buddy. What do you say?"

"Thank you uncle Vissssserys." Elio answered.

"You are quite welcome." Viserys chuckled back.

Corey had tore through most of his presents before growing hungry while elio took his time carefully opening each one

Every year taelon made sure that the boys had two cakes each a flavor of their choosing. An equal number of presents from himself. And the day before and after their name day they each got a day devoted to them. As individuals.

Taelon sat beside helaena as the boys chased each other around.

"Did you speak to him?" Otto demanded

"Yes." Alicent agreed

"And?" Otto urged.

"He asked viserys for his blessing." Alicent answered softly. "Sort of."

"And viserys said?"

"Yes." Alicent answered her eyes focused on taelon. How he smiled leaning closer to hear helaena. She was always soft spoken.

"Wonderful! Why wasnt there an announcement!?" Otto demanded

"Taelon hasnt asked-"

"Alicent," otto tsked. "One doesnt ask. They do."

"Taelon wants to ask her what she wants. I think its honorable." A decency she didnt get when she was married off.

"She will say yes. Look at how she looks at him."

"Of course she will but taelon needs time."

"Helaena will give him many heirs-"

"He already has an heir." Alicent countered

"Come on," otto tsked. "When helaena is queen it is her son that will rule after taelon. Not-"

"I will not hear another word of this. Taelon has two sons. Whos name day we are celebrating. His heirs. Do not push father." Alicent demanded.

"Bath and bed."

"What?" The twins whines.

"You shoved your face in cake before having a food fight again your brother ." Taelon reminded him. "Bath and bed name day boys."

They started stripping as they ran to their chamber. Taelon chuckled picking up their scattered clothes only to see them having a fightnin the tub water spilling everywhere as they splashed and splashed.

"Knuckleheads." Taelon murmured.

"Goodnight name day boys." Helaena called out from the door as taelon helped coery put his shirt on the correct direction.

"Night Helaena!" The boys called back big smiles on their handsome little faces.

"Goodnight uncle taelon." Helaena added.

"I will walk you back." Taelon offered. "Just give me a moment." Helaena nodded eagerly not wanting this night to end.

Taelon got the boys to bed kissing them goodnight and tucking in their toes under the covers. He blew out the candle only to hear the boys echo goodnights to each other from across the room.

"Thank you for walking me back."

Helaena liked how taelon kissed her fingers his beard scratching against her skin as he wished her a good night.

"Come in." She requested her voice small. "I mean i would really love it if you came in... for a... drink?" Yes that was what people did They offered a guest a drink to convince them to stay. "Please." She added.

"Alright." Taelon agreed. She held to his hand leading him inside she didn't actually have anything to offer him but he didn't seem to care as he took a seat on the couch and helaena got comfortable beside him.

It was so innocent and yet taelon felt like he was cheating on calla. She had been dead over three years now and he was still at the grave begging her to come back. Now helaena was getting comfortable her head in his lap as she yawned out getting tired but she wanted to finish her story. His hand traced through her hair and along her side gently. She relaxed into him fiddling with the hem of his pants as his fingers dragged through her silver hair.