𝐀 𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐓𝐋𝐄 𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐄𝐒, jacaerys velaryon

iii. sweet innocence of a gentle sin

Dearest Princess Laea,

     It has been three moons since we've last seen each other. I believe that's the longest I have ever gone without seeing you, though, not without reason. That is why I am writing this to you. I know that the day the incident happened, we started off as aunt and nephew, and as friends. But by the end of it, there was a split between us all. I understand why you did what you did, I hope you understand why I did what I did. I hope you know it was never my intention to cut Aemond's eye, I only thought I needed to protect Jace. It was a scary moment, I think for us all. Sometimes it comes to me in my sleep. 

     I've often wondered, is Aemond alright now that time has passed? Has he healed well enough? Please do not tell him I asked. I think it better if the strings between him and I are cut, at least for awhile longer. I only wished to reach out to you, even if you don't respond. I will understand if you no longer want anything to do with me, or any of us. It was only my wish for you to know that I still remember our days in the court yards and the Godswood and the instrument rooms as if I could wake up tomorrow and live them again. Those days are the days I will consider the precedence of my youth, and you were a part of them all. That night at Driftmark has not changed that for me. I wish for you to know that you are still family to me, by more than blood- unlike the rest of our family- but by bond. 

     If you read this, if you saw my name on this letter and still read it through, then at least half of my aim was achieved. Like I mentioned previously, please do not feel obligated to respond. I would also like to say that mother allowed me to write and to send this to you. She believes you, as the mediator of us all as she liked to say, wouldn't see this letter as an instigating message, even though you are still assumably angry. I hope I've made myself coherent, and I think I speak for more than just myself.

I hope the next time we meet, we'll be kinder.

                                                                                                                        Prince Lucerys Velaryon

There was a chill in the air. The thin fabric of a shawl did little to cut the spears of cold wind, but it was a blockade, nonetheless. 

Laea's footsteps were quiet in the early morning atmosphere, non-disruptive to the work of the serving girls and maidens as they washed linens and set tables for the breakfast being prepared by the cooks for the rest of the family set to occur later on in the morning. 

She held to the fabric of her satchel's strap with one hand and the close of her shawl with the other. Every now and then she released a few fingers to crack a knuckle; her nerves warmed the inside of her stomach. The orange-red leaves of the Godswood grew larger as Laea reached the end of the corridor, and she slipped out of the doorway and into the biting dawn air.

There he was. The wind played a game with his hair, tossing the strands gently about itself. His fingers were tapping rapidly against his leg as he touched a tree's bark gingerly. Laea peered at him for a moment, watching in silence- the wind was doing enough speaking for her. It whistled a soft tune, but loud in its own sort of way, screaming the nerves that toiled around inside of her stomach for her.