A Dance of Hearts and Dragons | Aegon II Targaryen

From Ribbons to Rocks

"This is not good," Aemond bit his lip nervously as he looked out into the hallway to check no adults were walking by. "We're going to get in trouble."

"Oh, shut up, would you?" Aegon groaned. "You're ruining the fun."

"This is not fun," Aemond grumbled.

"Yes, it is," Alysanne defended. "Should I put the finish line here?" she looked up at Aegon, who nodded, and she lowered the ribbon onto the ground. 

"You two are going to get in trouble!" Aemond stressed.

"Only if you tell on us. So don't," Aegon rolled his eyes. 

"You shouldn't be racing babies!" Aemond protested

Aegon and Alysanne were creating a race track in the nursery. They were going to pit Daeron against Jacaerys to see which toddler was the fastest. 

They'd tried to involve Helaena, but she'd flat-out refused and walked away. Aemond was just happy to be invited, so he tagged along until he realised what the two had planned, then he regretted saying yes. He did not want to join Aegon in one of his regularly scheduled lectures about proper behaviour from their mother.

Aemond glanced nervously at the door again, his hands wringing together before he stepped further into the room. "You know, if Mother finds out, she'll have our heads. Rhaenyra as well."

Aegon gave a dismissive wave of his hand. "Relax, Aemond. It's funny."

"Funny for you maybe," Aemond muttered.

"Aemond, just come play with us," Alysanne whined as she walked forward to grab his hand and pull him into the room with her. "Okay, I think it's ready. Jace's about to show Daeron that he's the fastest."

Jace, who had been eyeing the ribbon with wide eyes, turned to look at Alysanne when he heard his name, only to end up wobbling on his feet. 

"Yeah, ok," Aegon snorted. He had no faith in Jace. "Ready, set, go!" Aegon shouted.

"Run babies! Run!" Alysanne yelled as she grabbed Aemond's hand and pulled him over to the finish line she'd set up.

Both toddlers took off, their tiny legs moving with poor coordination. 

"Come on Jace, come on," Alysanne clapped her hands excitedly trying to get him to run to her. Daeron had a slight lead, but Jace was closing in fast.

Just as Jace was about to overtake Daeron, the door to the nursery creaked open. Alysanne immediately stopped clapping as she straightened up. Maybe it wasn't such a good idea to bring Aemond into the room and pull him away from the lookout. 

"Don't you say anything!" Aegon hissed at Aemond. "Rhaenyra," Aegon greeted politely when the princess walked in.

Rhaenyra's eyes darted around the room as she tried to work out what had been happening that made the children look so guilty. 

"What's going on here?" Rhaenyra asked suspiciously.

Alysanne swallowed hard, elbowing Aegon to make him answer. "Just... uh, saying hello to my brother and nephew," he lied.

Rhaenyra raised an eyebrow, Aegon never visited the nursery. 

Alysanne was no longer focused on her older cousin though, Daeron had given up and sat down, but Jace was still stumbling his way towards her.

"YES!" Alysanne threw her hands up in a cheer as Jace crossed over the line. "He won!" she turned to Aegon whose eyes widened in panic. "Oh no," she gasped, looking at Rhaenyra who was now staring with disbelief.