𝕷𝖆𝖐𝖊 𝖔𝖋 𝕱𝖎𝖗𝖊 ( house of the dragon )

aemon viii

Rhaenyra's wedding celebration had arrived, and the opening banquet was in full swing as Aemon busied himself around the room. Because of Daemon's absence, Aemon had been offered a seat at the high table next to Lord Strong, and he had been more than grateful to accept it.

Aemon wore the colors of House Targaryen as he was bid by the King. The King was trying to show that Aemon was part of the family so the Celtigars would feel as though they were being honored by the impending match. Feeling as though a seat at the high table was too much for him, Aemon descended the steps and began talking with Ser Harwin. They had become better friends over the past few days, often sparring in the courtyard together. While Aemon did not necessarily like his brother, he found Ser Harwin to be as fair and honorable as his father.

Their conversation was interrupted when the doors to the throne room opened, the room falling silent as Ser Harrold Westerling introduced the Velaryons. Aemon quickly made his way back up the steps to the high table and took his position to the right of Lord Lyonel.

They looked grand as they made their way through the center of the hall, and Aemon couldn't help but think of how opulent the family was. How Rhaenys, although not Queen, looked like one.

When Rhaenyra and Laenor met at the front of the table, he kissed her hand and Rhaenyra smiled. The room erupted with applause as they all began to take their seats.

Just as they were ready to resume the party, Aemon looked up to see Daemon sauntering in. There was no announcement from Ser Harrold, who looked stunned, and the room remained quiet. Without even an exchange of words, the King, although looking displeased, motioned for a chair to be brought forward and placed at the end of the table, next to Aemon's own. Aemon tried not to roll his eyes at his cousin as he sat proudly before the King readied to open the feast.

With his opening words, Aemon barely paid attention as he stared at his plate until Viserys stopped. Aemon looked at his cousin and then to the doors at the back of the room.

Emerging from the halls, cloaked in shadows, he saw Alicent finally choosing to join the celebrations. The whole room stood to honor the Queen, but what truly shocked Aemon was her dress. It was green, a bright green, emerald even. He wasn't dumb; he remembered what Alicent had told him of what the color green meant to the Hightowers. War.

As Alicent descended the stairs, Aemon thought of how they had not spoken in days. They'd barely looked at each other, and they wouldn't be doing that now. Aemon could tell that Viserys was already frustrated with Daemon's surprise appearance, and with Alicent entering during his speech, he was not pleased by the whole affair and he grew flustered as he began to realize what was occurring around him.

"Congratulations, stepdaughter. This is a joyous occasion for you," Alicent said to Rhaenyra when she came to her seat, passing Aemon without even a look. She'd never called her "stepdaughter" before.

"Please be seated," Viserys spoke as the room took their seats again.

Aemon wondered if anyone else wanted to make an appearance. Perhaps Aemma's ghost wished to walk through the door and give the man a heart attack.

When Viserys was finally able to finish his speech, the drums began to play as Rhaenyra and Laenor joined on the dance floor. Across the room, Mellara Celtigar, in a gown of deep crimson and gray, was engaged in conversation with her father, Lord Celtigar.

Lord Celtigar, an astute man with a penchant for political maneuvers, observed the gathering and noticed Aemon at the table. With a sly smile, he approached, dragging his daughter along with him.

"Ser Aemon," Lord Celtigar greeted with a courteous nod. He gestured towards Mellara, her gaze locked on anything else but her betrothed. "A dance, Ser Aemon. It would do well to acquaint you with your future bride. My Mellara is a splendid dancer. What do you say?"