A Dance Of Scales And Shadows | Aemond Targaryen x OC

Part 21 - The Epiphany

For the next few days, the town buzzed with rumors about how Rhaenyra recruits dragonseeds. Though no one of higher status cared about these rumors until one of the dragonseeds soared through the skies of King's Landing.

Aika spent most of her afternoons in Aegon's room, more than their mother did. She would stay there and read a book while he was asleep or when Larys and the Maester came to help him learn to walk again.

Aemond seemed indifferent to how much time she spent with Aegon. Since Aegon was no longer capable of doing much, Aemond no longer worried about him. On the contrary, he had more worries about other things now.

However, Aika was far from calm. The same nightmares haunted her every night, and none of the tea the Grand Maester prepared for her proved helpful at all.

Besides staying by Aegon's side, she felt increasingly useless. Day by day, the war became more dangerous, and she was more worried than ever for Aemond.

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"Aemond has completely lost his mind," Alicent declared as she entered Aika's room.

"What happened?" Aika asked.

"He set an entire town on fire and then tried to force Heleana to do the same with Dreamfyre," Alicent said, sitting by the fire.

"We are at war, Mother..."

"Aika!"

"We will lose with just Vhagar; we are already at a significant disadvantage," Aika stated.

"You are just like him," Alicent said. "I thought you would understand better that this isn't the way."

The queen paused for a moment before adding, "He has become violent. I am afraid of what he has become..."

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Later, while searching for Heleana, Aika overheard a conversation between her and Aemond.

"...you burned him and let him fall," Heleana said.

"What you're saying is treason," Aemond said, sounding stern and hurt.

"Aegon will be king again, but he has yet to see victory. He sits on a wooden throne, and you'll be dead... You were swallowed up in the God's Eye and were never seen again," Heleana said.

A shiver went through Aika, and Aemond wasn't ready to hear that as well.

"I could have you killed," Aemond's voice trembled.

"It wouldn't change anything," Heleana said and walked away, not even glancing at Aika, who stood there.

Aika stood there for a moment before approaching Aemond and hugging him from behind.

"I'm sorry for being of no use..." she whispered.

"It's not your fault," he turned to face her, and Aika saw how emotional his expression was. Heleana's words had really affected him. 

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Aika hesitated no more to confront their sister.

"Why would you even say such things, Heleana?" Aika asked as she stormed into Heleana's room.

"Because it's the truth..." Heleana answered calmly.

"Don't. How would you even know?"

"I saw it," she said. Aika waited for more explanation but received none.

Aika moved closer to her sister and looked sternly into her eyes.

"Did you see how I'll cut your throat and find bastards to claim Dreamfyre?" she said. "Or maybe I should try it myself?"

There was no fear in Heleana's eyes, as if she knew exactly that Aika couldn't do it.

"If you need one more dragon, you should seek it beneath," Heleana said.

Aika's eyes widened. She thought of the tunnel from her dreams, of the blood, and fire.