A Dance Of Scales And Shadows | Aemond Targaryen x OC

Part 6 - The Forgotten Prelude

Throwback:

Heleana woke up Aika from her sleep and both of them got out of the rooms into corridors where everyone was moving right and left chaotically. They were in Driftmark, having no idea where to go they followed one of the maesters who was rushing towards the main room of the castle.

Everyone else was already there, the king, Rhaenyra, their mom, Daemon and many more. Maester quickly approached someone near the fireplace to study their face. Alicent was furious, with Aegon standing by her side.

Aika approached her mom and caught the side of her dress staying silent. When the maester finished stitching he moved to the side and Aika saw Aemond sitting in a chair, one eye stitched up, half of his face covered in blood. She gasped and shifted her gaze.

Alicent was so angry, she even demanded and tried to take prince Luke's eye instead. "Eye for an eye" she said. 

Aika's hurt was aching, as she thought of her brother, her twin. She felt her eye hurt as well, and wanted to cry so badly. Wanted to hug her brother but was scared. 

Shortly after the incident, she was ordered to leave to Oldtown for learning purposes.

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Present Day:

It was pitch dark when Aika got up the stairs, reaching almost the top of one of the Red Keep's towers. Her and Aemond used to go there when they were kids as the view from there was always breathtaking.

She reached the top and opened a small door leading to a tiny balcony. And there he was standing and gazing at the stars.

"This is my place for thoughts you are disturbing" said Aemond without even turning towards her.

"Then find a new tower" replied Aika and got besides him.

To her surprise he turned towards the door as if wanting to go and for real find another tower. She couldn't tolerate his behavior anymore so she grabbed his hand to stop him.

"Aemond we need to talk" he looked at her, "please" that made his gaze soften. He saw her eyes, which were puffy, clearly because she cried today. 

"What's the matter?" he turned towards her, though he made no signs to leave just like that she didn't let go of his hand.

She just stepped closer to him and hugged his silhouette. He didn't hesitate to hug her back. He smelled of leather and tea, just like when they were kids. 

"Why do you keep ignoring and avoiding me?" Aika asked still embraced in a hug.

"I didn't know you need my presence," coldly replied Aemond which made Aika shift her face to look at him. This was important to her, she needed to see what he actually means.

She reached for his eyepatch but he stopped her hand midair. 

"Let me see you," Aika almost pleaded. She thought of what Aegon told her, not that she didn't believe him but she wanted to check and see for herself.

He looked at her, with his eye saying 'No'. It was too personal for him.

"I always thought we will be inseparable," continued Aika. 

"Is that why you accepted to marry that bastard?" Aemond asked his voice changing rigid.

"Give me a sign brother and I will cancel everything," Aika sounded bold and that made Aegons eye go wide for a moment.

He didn't want to let her go, wanted to ask her to cancel it all and stay here with him. Wanted to embrace her even tighter and kiss her... Instead he used his hands to get her away from him.

"I am nothing alike you Aika, you don't need me, do whatever you find right" he said and left Aika in the balcony all alone.

Aika really thought for a moment he would hug her tighter and that she won't get engaged tomorrow, but now she was standing in the pitch black place ready to burst into tears. Which she did, sobbing for hours.

While Aemond stood on the other side of door listening. He remembered how his face scarred her that day on Driftmark. How she couldn't face him that day, how he promised to never scare her ever again. He chose the blue stone, thinking of her, but even with the stone he looked like a monster. Never deserving her, nothing alike her.