The Love of Dragons (HOTD)

Sin of my Uncle

I stood besides my twin brother as Maester Geradys gathered everyone for a concerning announcement. I glanced over to my brother as he held his betrothed's hand. Baela smiled gently at Jace. On the other side of Baela, her twin frowned watching the two as well. Rhaena was forced to watch her sister with her betrothed while she grieved hers. My mother sat at the head of table besides Daemon.

"We have received news from King's Landing. My sources tell us that young Prince Jaehaerys has been murdered in cold blood as of last nite." Maester Geradys announced. My eyes widened as I immediately brought my hands up to my face in shock. Aegon's son had been murdered.

"It is yet unclear how the Keep itself was breached. The boys head was severed from his body. Thousands witnessed the procession." The Maester elaborated.

"And they are accusing me of having a hand in this." My mother spoke with utter shock and horror at the thought of a innocent child suffering.

"It appears so. There have been messages sent to that effect throughout the realm." The Maester frowned, knowing just how much this could jeopardize us.

"We must send our own messages, denying this vile allegation." My mother decreed. Her disgust was quite visible. My mother could never harm a child.

"I will do so at once, but I'm not sure they will be received in good faith." the Maester frowned.

"And we must sinks our guard, here and in Driftmark. There will be swift retribution in one form or another-" my mother was cut off

"I have seen to it, your Grace." One of the council members spoke up.

"Let me fly out on Vermax. Aemma can accompany. Rhaenys is needed in the Gullet and we can watch for movements from King's Landing." My twin spoke up from besides me.

"No." My mother immediately shot down. I gave Jace an odd look. Of course she would deny that.

"It must be said that the damage to our position is immeasurable, at a time when we need loyalty to our cause." A council member spoke up.

"B-but it's a lie." My mother stuttered.

"Having lost my own son, that I would inflict such a thing on Helaena, of all people. An innocent!" My mother expressed with frustration.

"The death of Prince Lucerys was a shock and an insult. A mother so aggrieved might naturally seek relief in retribution." Ser Alfred spoke with unease doubting my moms words.

"Are you suggesting, Ser Alfred, that my grief drove me to order the decapitation of a child?" My mother shot up from her chair in anger.

"I merely thought, perhaps an action taken in haste." The knight murmured. Rhaenys sat in her chair between the two who stood above her.

"Mind yourself." My paternal grandmother stated calmly. My mother and the man stared at one another intensely before she reigned back to her seat. My mother stared at Daemon for a few seconds as he stared back in silence.

"Everyone get out." She ordered sternly rising from her seat abruptly and slamming her hands on the table. My twin and I walked out of the room together and wandered the halls together.

"I cannot help but feel that Damon had a role to play in this dishonor." My twin scoffed from besides me.

"What gave it away?" I scoffed dramatically rolling my eyes. My brother gave me an irritated stare before turning down the corridor.

"This just means our brothers killer is still alive." I hissed with frustration.

"I shall kill him and his drunken false king of a brother myself." Jacaerys growled with hatred. My heart stuttered in my chest at the mention of Aegon.

"Do you feel as if Aegon could eventually surrender?" I asked hopefully.

"Do not be so naive, sister. If he would not before then he surely will not now. Now that he accuses us of beheading his son." Jace scoffed looking at me as if I were a fool.

"I miss Luke." I sighed stopping in my tracks as a wave of sadness washed over me. I do not know what compelled to speak but Jace halted a few feet ahead of me. He still looked onwards, facing forwards.

"As do I." He mumbled, still not facing me. I could tell by the sound of his voice he fought tears. Before I could approach him he walked on. He turned quickly down a hall, most likely returning to his bedchambers.

"Princess." The urging voice of a knight addressed from behind me. I spun on my heel, my dress twirling behind me as Ser Erryk strutted in my direction. The sound of his metal clanking giving him away.

Yes, Ser Erryk?" I asked staring at the long haired knight.

"The Queen request your presence." He announced before leading me towards my mothers bedchambers. He threw open the double doors as Baela scurried out. She offered me a soft smile and a slight nod on her way out.

"You requested me, your Grace?" I asked approaching my mother as she sat on a chair rubbing her forehead in exhaustion.

"Yes." She sighed with stress. She seemed to be all business, until she looked up and stared at me. She blinked quite a few times before taking a deep breath. She slowly stood up from her seat and made her way towards me.

"My beautiful, Aemma." She smiled softly as she gently picked up a strand of my silver hair and pushed it behind my ear in a caring manner.

"All your life, I had planned to give you a far batter upbringing than my own." She began looking down at me.

"I wanted to give you a life of choice. However, now I must burden you with the curse of duty." She whispered placing a gentle hand along my cheek. My heart plummeted into my stomach. I knew where this was going.

"I-I-I understand, moth- I mean your Grace." I stuttered correcting myself as I looked down to the ground.

"Thank you, my brave girl."She frowned, removing her hand from my face.

"I have written to the Blackwoods. Their current regent, until their lord comes of age. If we are able to align ourselves with the Blackwoods then the rest of the Riverlands will follow suit. The Blackwoods are our way to the Tully's and Riverrun." She explained. I knitted my eyebrows in confusion.

"Why the Blackwoods? Truly there must be other houses that a marriage pact would be sufficient for." I question. Was my hand in marriage truly equal to the Blackwoods? My mother clasped her hands together and sighed.

"If I am to speak true. I have suggested the Blackwoods as they are the only house with a eligible male that I know possesses a good heart." She spoke honestly standing tall with poise. I smiled softly. Although I lacked the free will too chose my potential spouses, my mother did everything in her power to secure me a match with someone that I could be happy with. Not a old fat lord and not a child, but someone my age that I could develop a friendship. I ran up and embraces the queen in a tight hug. I could tell she was originally caught off guard.

"Thank you, mother." I whispered as she wrapped her arms comfortingly around me. It was not perfect, but it could've been much worse. Now, I only feared what Aegon would think.