Elaenys Targaryen, the fierce and beautiful daughter of Daemon Targaryen, was legitimized by King Viserys Targaryen on her second nameday. Sharing many of her father's traits, Elaenys grew up on the rugged shores of Dragonstone, honing her strength...
Elaenys made her way down the grand staircase leading to the throne room, her heart pounding in her chest. The day had finally come when her father, Daemon, and Rhaenyra, along with her bastard sons, would arrive from Dragonstone. The tension in the air was palpable, and she could feel the weight of the impending meeting pressing down on her shoulders.
As she entered the throne room, she saw Aemond standing tall, his eye fixed on the entrance. Alicent was beside him, her hands clasped tightly in front of her, a look of steely determination on her face. Aegon lounged on the throne, a bored expression on his face, while Viserys sat beside him, looking frail and tired. Helaena stood off to the side, her eyes distant as if lost in her own world.
Elaenys took her place beside Aemond, feeling his reassuring presence beside her. She glanced up at him, and he gave her a small nod, his expression unreadable.
The doors to the throne room swung open, and Daemon strode in, his presence commanding and fierce. Rhaenyra followed closely behind, her head held high, exuding an air of regal defiance. Her sons, Jacaerys, Lucerys, and Joffrey, trailed behind her, their eyes scanning the room with curiosity and caution.
"Welcome, brother"
King Viserys greeted Daemon, his voice weak but warm.
"And welcome, my child. It has been too long."
"Indeed it has, your grace"
Daemon replied, his tone respectful but with an edge of challenge.
"We have come to discuss matters of great importance."
Rhaenyra stepped forward, her gaze meeting Viserys'.
"Father, we have much to discuss. Our family is in turmoil- divided in two, and we must find a way to bring peace."
Alicent's eyes narrowed as she looked at Rhaenyra.
"Peace? Is that truly what you seek, Rhaenyra? Or is it power?"
Rhaenyra's eyes flashed with anger, but she kept her composure.
"I seek what is best for our House, Alicent. As should we all."
Elaenys felt the tension in the room rise, and she glanced at Aemond, who was watching the exchange intently. She knew that this meeting would be crucial in determining the future of their House and her own place
Her heart heavy with the weight of the past. The tension between the two sides was almost suffocating, each glance and whispered word a reminder of the wounds that had never truly healed. She could see the anger simmering in Aemond's eye, a stark reminder of the night Jacaerys had slashed it out. Even after eleven long years, the memory was still fresh, and the bitterness lingered like a dark cloud over them all.
Taking a deep breath, Elaenys stepped forward, her voice steady as everyone turned to face her.
"We cannot change what happened in the past, but we must find a way to move forward. Our House depends on us to put our grudges and work together for a better future."
Her words hung in the air, a plea for unity amidst the chaos. She looked from Aemond to Jacaerys, hoping that they could see the sincerity in her eyes.
"We owe it to ourselves and to those we've hurt to try and heal these old wounds. Don't let the past interfere with the future, the future of our House."
Elaenys knew it would not be easy, but she was determined to do whatever it took to bring peace to her family.
As she finished speaking her family members exchanged glances, each lost in their own thoughts. Rhaenyra's eyes softened with a mix of pride and sorrow, remembering the innocence lost so many years ago. Jacaerys clenched his fists, his jaw tight as he struggled with the guilt and anger that still haunted him. Aemond's single eye narrowed, the old wound throbbing with the memory of betrayal, yet there was a flicker of something else—perhaps a grudging respect for Elaenys's courage.
Viserys, the aging king, sat on the throne, his heart heavy with the burden of his family's discord. He longed for peace but felt powerless to mend the rift that had grown over the years. Alicent, standing beside him, looked torn between her loyalty to her son Aemond and her desire for harmony within the family.
Before anyone else could respond, Daemon stepped forward. His voice was calm but carried the weight of authority. "
"She's right"
he said, his gaze sweeping across the room.
"We have allowed our past to dictate our present for far too long, it's foolish."
Aemond's eye twitched as he listened to his uncle's words. The anger and resentment that had festered for years flared up inside him. How could Daemon, of all people, preach about moving on from the past when Aemond still bore the physical and emotional scars of that fateful night? The memory of Jacaerys's blade slashing through his eye was a constant reminder of the betrayal and pain he had endured.
Yet, as much as he wanted to hold onto his anger, Aemond couldn't ignore the truth in Daemon's words. The endless cycle of vengeance had brought nothing but misery and division to their family. Deep down, a part of him longed for the peace and unity that Elaenys and Daemon spoke of. But letting go of the past felt like a betrayal of his own suffering.
Aemond's gaze shifted to Elaenys, her earnest plea for reconciliation stirring something within him. He clenched his jaw, torn between the desire for retribution and the possibility of a better future. It was a struggle he wasn't ready to resolve, but the seed of doubt had been planted.
Elaenys felt a pang of sorrow as she saw the anger simmering in Aemond's one eye. She knew all too well the depth of his pain and the difficulty of letting go of the past. Every scar he bore was a testament to the betrayal he had suffered, and she didn't blame him for holding onto that hurt.
Gently, she reached out and took his hand in her own, hoping to offer some comfort. Her touch was soft but firm, a silent plea for understanding and unity.
"Aemond"
she whispered, her voice filled with compassion.
"I know it's not easy. I know what you've been through. But for the sake of our House, we must find a way to move on."
She squeezed his hand, trying to convey all the hope and determination she felt.
"We cant change the past, but we can decide our future. Let's do this together."
Elaenys knew it would take time for Aemond to truly let go, but she was willing to stand by his side every step of the way.
Aemond's initial reaction was a mix of surprise and resistance. He had always been accustomed to dealing with his pain and anger alone, guarding his emotions fiercely. But as Elaenys's words sank in, he felt a flicker of something he hadn't allowed himself to feel in a long time—hope.
Her hand in his was a small but powerful gesture, grounding him in the present moment. He could feel the sincerity and determination in her touch, and it stirred something deep within him. Aemond's gaze softened slightly as he looked at Elaenys, seeing not just a woman whom he shared his most cherished childhood memories with, but a woman who would soon be his wife.
He took a deep breath, the weight of his past still heavy but somehow more bearable with her by his side.
"Ela"
he began, his voice rough with emotion.
"I don't know if I can forgive or forget. But for the sake of our House... for the sake of OUR future, I will try."
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