𝑽𝑰 𝑬𝑻 𝑨𝑵𝑰𝑴𝑶 - Aegon II Targaryen

ELEVEN

11|AN EYE FOR A DRAGON

Laela began to get ready for bed, washing her face and undoing the tight bun her hair had been forced into. That was until the ruckus outside her room drew her out, her curiousity getting the better of her. She followed the maids to the main room, slipping past everyone until she was by Helaena's side, clasping her hand as she assessed the room. Lucaerys stood by his brother with a broken nose but Aemond appeared far worse, a large gash down his eye with the maester sewing it up.

"It will heal, will it not, maester?" Alicent asked, kneeled down beside Aemond and full of concern for him.

"The flesh will heal." The maester informed her. "But the eye is lost, your grace."

"Where were you?" Alicent rose to her feet, storming up to Aegon.

"Me?" His confusion was answered with a slap to the face. Laela flinched at Alicents anger, feeling Helaena squeeze her hand in distraction. "What was that for?"

"That was nothing compared to the abuse your brother suffered while you were drowning in your cups, you fool." His mother warned him.

"What is the meaning of this?" Corlys Velaryon demanded, his voice booming as he entered the room, Rhaenys following behind him.

"Baela, Rhaena!" Rhaenys ran to her granddaughters, comforting them. "What happened?"

"Jace?" Rhaenyra was next to enter the room, Daemon close behind her. She ran to her sons, seeing the damage of Lucaerys's nose. The room was in chaos, voices shouting over the other. Laela stayed back, Helaena beside her, both too afraid to even try to talk.

"Silence!" Viserys yelled, the room quickly going quiet under his command. "Aemond. I will have the truth of what happened. Now."

"What else is there to hear?" Alicent remained by her injured sons side. "Your son has been maimed. Her son is responsible."

"It was a regrettable accident."

"Accident?" Alicent argued. "The Prince Lucaerys brought a blade to the ambush. He meant to kill my son."

"It was my sons who were attacked and forced to defend themselves." Rhaenyra raised her voice. "Vile insults were levied against them."

"What insults?" Viserys asked, looking between his son and grandsons.

"The legitimacy of my son's birth was put loudly to question." She stated.

"What?"

"He called us bastards."

"My sons are in line to inherit the Iron Throne, your grace." Rhaenyra defended herself and her sons. "This is the highest of treasons. Prince Aemond must be sharply questioned so we might learn where he heads such slanders."

"Over an insult?" Alicent said filled with dread. "My son has lost an eye."

"You tell me, boy. Where did you hear this lie?" Viserys sharply questioned his son, ignoring his wifes answer. "Aemond. I asked you a question."

"Where is See Laenor, I wonder?" Alicent said with an underlying hint of insult. "The boys' father? Perhaps he might have something to say in the matter."

Laela ignored the senseless bickering between the disappointed and saddened parents. She glanced to the side, noticing Aegon had moved closer to her. His eyes were fogged, clearly drinking far more than what she knew after he dropped her at her room. Her attention was pulled back to the main focus as Aemond looked to Aegon, blaming him for hearing the insult of the boys legitimacy.

"Me?"

"And you, boy?" Viserys limped over to his oldest son. "Where did you hear such calumnies? Aegon!" She flinched as the king rose his voice. "Tell me the truth of it!"

"We know, father." Aegon slowly stated before turning to meet his father face to face. "Everyone knows. Just look at them."

"This interminable infighting must cease!" The king yelled, making sure everyone heard his words clearly. "All of you! We are family! Now make your apologies and show good will to one another. Your father, your grandsire, your king demands it!"

"That is insufficient." Alicent stopped him from leaving. "Aemond has been damaged, permanently, my king. "Good will" cannot make him whole."

"I know, Alicent, but I cannot restore his eye."

"No, because it's been taken."

"What would you have me do?"

"There is a debt to be paid." Alicent made her argument clear. "I shall have one of her son's eyes in return."

This is when the chaos ensued once more.

Laela side stepped the crowd of onlookers, grabbing a cup of water from the long table and stopping beside Aegon. She kept her eyes on Alicent and Rhaenyra, handing the cup to Aegon who was just as focused as she was. His fingers brushed over hers, taking the cup from her and casting her an appreciative glance. He allowed his eyes to linger, gaze falling over her hair, admiring the glow from the fire behind her. He felt his heart grow heavy and turned his stare away. Unsure of how he would hold himself back if he kept watching her. He wanted to reach out, to feel her skin under his again. But he couldn't. Instead he remained haunted by her words.

'That is why I want us to make this work, find some compromise for something neither of us wanted.'

Did he truly not want her?