War Prize • Aemond Targaryen

Chapter 2 - Prisoner

"The prisoner grows to love his chains."

~ Plato

   When Ilaria regained consciousness, it very quickly became apparent that she was no longer in Storms End. The chiming bells of the Citadel rang through the morning air, the sound wafting in along with the warm breeze through the open balcony doors that revealed the whereabouts of her location. Aemond had brought her to his home in King's Landing. To her astonishment, the chambers that she resided in were not all unfamiliar. She had lived here once, although only for a short period of time. These had been her chambers all those years ago when she and her family had occupied the Red Keep as temporary guests. A few alterations had been made since then and she would have time enough to discover each one of those changes if Aemond stayed true to his word. Five days was not enough time to force her Father to break. He was a man who remained true to his word and oaths were a promise to the Gods he did not dare to turn his back on. He would not choose to burn for all eternity to free her, but he would not give up on her either. He would find another way, or so she hoped. Yet, whatever plans Aemond had for her while she remained here, she did not know if she nor her innocence would survive. 

   Through the doors, she heard the muffled voices of who she recognized to be Alicent and Aemond. Although it had been some time since she'd last heard the Queen speak, the concern that remained everpresent in her tone was unmistakable. They were fast approaching and sounded urgent in voice. Afraid of what was to come, she rushed from bed and headed straight for the first weapon she laid eyes on - the fire pokers. As the voices grew nearer, she grew more frantic and hurriedly pulled one from its holding. But her actions were careless, and all of them toppled over, hitting the ground with a hefty clang. She froze and the voices behind the door silenced for a moment. Then, Aemond came barreling in with Alicent rushing in after him. 

   "Stay back," she warned, holding the poker out in his direction. Whether she actually managed to appear threatening was beyond her, but he stopped advancing nonetheless. He eyed the sharp end of the poker before his gaze settled on her. He did not seem as threatened by the action as much as he seemed annoyed. She just hoped the slim sword hanging from his belt remained there. She couldn't fight, at least not with weapons. 

   "What are you doing, Ilaria?" he said, taking a step towards her. Sweat laced the palm of her hand and the metal handle of the poker was losing its grip. Her heart was already racing out of control, but the adrenaline kept her from backing down. 

   "Stay back," she repeated, her voice wavering. 

   "Seven hells, Aemond, can't you see she's terrified?" Alicent demanded. 

   "I'm not going to hurt you," Aemond said, his eyes flickering to her neck, to the spot where she'd last felt his dagger. The thought of it brought forth the pain that lingered there. He must have cut her when she'd tried to run. She hadn't seen it, but she had to assume so if that was where his attention had gone. 

   "You stole me from my home. You hold me as hostage in yours," she said. "Forgive me if I do not believe you." She tightened her grip around the poker, only to realize something that chilled her to the bone. Her left hand, it was bare of promise. "What have you done to my ring, Aemond?" 

   "You are not married," he responded, advancing another step forward. Instead of standing her ground, she retreated a step back. It was becoming apparent this was more than a simple effort to force her father's hand. Aemond wanted her, for as long as he had her. 

   "I am promised."

   "Enough," Alicent said. "Let me speak to her before you make a further mess of things. Gods, if your father could see you now." Aemond's jaw clenched, his face hardening at his mother's words. His back was still turned to her, so he did not notice the look of pure desperation that Alicent gave Ilaria. She wished to say something, something she could not say in front of her son. 

   "I want to speak to her," Ilaria said to Aemond. "And I want you to leave." Fury flashed through his eye, but he did not argue. It seemed to have more to say, but he bit his tongue. Simply, he took her in one last time before storming from the chambers. 

   Once he was gone, Alicent was quick to shut the doors, her hands settling over the gap between them as she exhaled a breath of relief. "I am so sorry for what has happened to you, Ilaria."

   "Get me out of here," she pleaded, dropping the poker to her side. From the memories she had from her youth, Alicent was not the most loving mother, but she was a mother nonetheless. She must have known the fear of losing a daughter. Perhaps she could help. 

   "I can not do that," Alicent said, turning to her. To Ilaria's horror, Alicent seemed as frightened as she did. "He has gone absolutely mad with power. I can not get him to listen to me. He's revoked my seat on the council and has brought chaos to this city."

   "You are his mother, you must have some persuasion over him," Ilaria said, desperation lacing her words. She was being hopeful, but Alicent was stripping her of that hope with every second she spent looking at the Dowager Queen's defeated face. 

   "I do not," Alicent said. 

   "You raised him."

   She shook her head, her eyes shutting in further defeat. "I did not, and it is a decision I come to regret more and more every day." 

   "Then what am I to do?" Ilaria demanded. The poker still remained within the grip of her palm and fingers, although she did not know why. Perhaps it was because it was the only thing she felt like she had control over at that moment, but that control was fading along with any hope she had of Alicent helping her return home. 

   "He likes you," she said. "That is more than anyone else can say. Use that to your advantage while you can."

   "You want me to remain kind to him while he keeps me here as his prisoner?" Ilaria had to say the words out loud so that Alicent might hear how ridiculous they sounded. 

   "He is not above cruelty - Aegon learned that the hard way," the Dowager Queen's voice wavered. "I would hate for you to suffer the same fate." 

   "I was only ever kind to him because I did not wish to endure the cruelty and torment he subjected unto the others," she said, tears rushing to her eyes as the true weight of her circumstances settled on her. She was trapped here, under the watchful eye of a man who desired her. "Look at where that has gotten me now."

   "You were always smarter than the rest," Alicent said, her eyes apologetic. "I will try to help you where I can, but I can not promise you safety. Your fate here is in your hands. And from where I stand, it is much better to be Aemond's ally than to be his enemy." 

   Her words lingered long after she had departed, and after minutes of standing where Alicent had left Ilaria, the poker finally dropped to the floor.