shattered hearts

𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥

It had been 4 days since the execution of Ser Harwin Strong. And although the life of a kind man was taken, people carried on with their lives as if nothing had happened. But velaena couldn't, she just couldn't.

She could still feel aemions arms pulling her away as the scene unfolded and the stream of tears ran down her face. How could she ever forget?

The slice the sword made in the air before, before the worst came. It haunts her, whether she's asleep or awake, that's all she could think of and how it was her fault.

If she had just decided to use the normal way instead of the back corridors they wouldn't be in this mess. She wouldn't have come across aegon and it wouldn't have happened and Harwin wouldn't have had to do what he did.

She hadn't seen anyone since the incident, not even her own mother which was a shame considering they were each others peace. The one the other runs too when they need someone.

The only connection she had to the outside world was when her lady rose would bring her food in. But even then, she never spoke a word to her. She just stared and stared out her window into the town.

Helaena had even made an attempt to speak to her but she never even made it inside the chamber doors. Some of the castle people had wondered where Princess Velaena had disappeared to, others who were much smarter knew it was because of Harwin.

Although they were right about Harwin being a cause that the princess hid away, the main reason was Aegon. She was scared, so scared. She thought if she stood foot outside her chamber he would be there waiting, trying to harm her again.

Nobody but close family knew what happened to the princess that day, the queen and king never displayed it. Of course they didn't, otherwise their poor son's life would be ruined or it might even turn on velaena and people may accuse her of asking for it. Either way, she couldn't stand it.
7 days ago, it was 7 days since he done what he done yet she still could feel his hands on her. Pinning her down and although it was only a few seconds it felt like hell.

A light tap came from her chamber doors which had pulled Velaena from her daydream. Shifting her focus from outside to the door. Normally she would ignore the knocks and carry on looking out the window but something told her to go to it. And she did, although the recurring fear that Aegon could be waiting she just knew it wasn't him on the other side.

Her feet only moved a couple of steps before reaching the door but it was the most steps she had done in the past four days. But although she knew it wasn't Aegon on the other side she still hesitated her palm resting over the handle unsure of her next move.

"Velaena?" The voice called out, they had somehow felt her presence although the door was closed. The silence filled the air neither of them knowing what to say.

"aemond" she let out, her forehead resting on the door as she sighed in relief. Her palm still resting over the handle wanting to open it but still not being ready.

"how are you?" He asked, his head too now resting on the door just on the opposite side to Velaena. But when she couldn't answer he knew what she was feeling. It was no secret that when Aemond found out what Aegon had done he wanted to kill him, brother or not. Aegon laying hands on his wife. That's a line you don't cross, ever. So he took matters into his own hands.

"I'm sorry" she apologised although she had no reason to, "I'm sorry I can't open this door I just can't do it". She turned her back to the door before sliding down it and resting on the floor, head in her hands.

"You have no need to apologise, I just needed to know how you were. That's all" he mumbled hearing her fall to the floor. "I will leave you" but he didn't get to finish what he was saying.

"no" she shouted, "no, please don't. Not yet. Just sit with me" she begged and he sat down in a heartbeat like she wanted. If this was going to help her he would do it a hundred times.

"There's a dinner happening tonight, before Rhaenyra and her family leaves back to dragonston". "they're my family too" she snapped back with a grunt. "Of course" he agreed, "as I was saying, it's the last dinner and I know you may not be ready yet but if you are you should come. I want you to come" he explained and she hummed. Whether or not it was a good or bad hum he didn't question it.

And so they sat there for however long they did and eventually velaena had fallen asleep on the floor by the door. The first night in a while she had fallen asleep peacefully where she wasn't kept up by horrid thoughts of what might happen. She had fallen asleep.

Aemond had guessed by now that she did as ever so often a little snore would escape her lips but he didn't want to leave. He wanted her to sleep knowing that she would be protected, especially with him outside he would do anything to keep her safe.

He would move the heavens and Earths for her if that meant keeping her protected. And he could guess that she hasn't had a good sleep in a while. But he also didn't want to leave her, especially knowing what kind of cruel monsters are out there, and one of them being his brother.