From Ashes to a New Beginning. Aemond Targaryen

𝟮𝟬. 𝗔 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆.

Perspective of Aelyssa. 

My fifth name day arrived with unexpected speed. My heart warms as I observe the people gathered in the mansion where I live with my father and stepmother since we moved to this city, a place I am still not fully accustomed to.

It is the first anniversary of my name that I do not share with Sissel or Ser Noran. At all my previous name days, it was just the three of us, sitting together at the table to enjoy a humble cake baked by my beloved mother, whose hands made the most delicious cakes in the world.

Now everything around me is new and strange. My father has hired jesters, puppeteers and even a dwarf who performs acrobatics and breathes fire with a torch. There are children around me that I don't even know but they all congratulate me and give me gifts I never imagined receiving. These children are the offspring of nobles and wealthy merchants from Pentos and other Free Cities. It is the first time I have seen so many people gathered in my honor.

Everyone laughs and enjoys the performances, to which I try to adapt with naturalness. I cannot help but feel an immense joy flooding every part of me. One thing I appreciate about this place is that no one looks down on me; I am an illegitimate daughter, but in this part of the world, that does not seem to matter. Everyone treats me with kindness, and despite knowing their intentions to win my father's and Laena's favor as dragon riders, I feel welcomed.

However, I miss Sissel, Ser Noran, Aemond, Helaena, Esther, Ser Harwin and Ser Laenor for my happiness to be complete.

Nevertheless, I could not be selfish or ungrateful, so I made an effort to enjoy this extravagant celebration. I played with some children, who told me about their places of origin and praised me for being near dragons. I laughed heartily and applauded the performances with great anticipation. At one point, my eyes met Laena's, who smiled at me from a distance, gently caressing her slightly rounded belly. Then she waved to me while continuing to chat with some ladies around her.

My stepmother is expecting a baby. 

I received letters from Helaena and Aemond announcing the birth of their younger brother, who must currently be about four moons old. The little one, named Daeron, resembles us physically, a child with Valyrian features.

Rhaenyra and Ser Laenor's baby has not yet arrived but it is expected to come into the world soon. I am very happy for them; they will soon be able to enjoy the company of their little brother and a nephew. I can already imagine them playing and running around just as I used to do with my dear friends.

When Laena told me about her pregnancy, my eyes widened in astonishment and I was breathless with the news. At first, I felt a bit uneasy, fearing that with her own children, she might forget about me. However, she promised that would never happen and I trust her word.

We are a family, and our family is starting to grow. Although my stepmother is still in the early stages of her pregnancy, her belly already shows a rounded shape. The healer attending her has mentioned the possibility of expecting more than one baby, whether twins or triplets. The idea intrigues and delights me. I wouldn't mind at all having two or three siblings from one birth; I'm sure they would become very dear to me. The idea of being an older sister still scares me a little, but I am willing to do my best. Everything will be wonderful.

My friends and Sissel congratulated me upon receiving the news by letter. Unfortunately, I haven't had the opportunity to return to Westeros after the recent events. Although my father and Laena have reconciled, he remains very strict about not letting me out of his sight without his consent. In that regard, he has been more inflexible than ever.

My lessons continue; I am learning many subjects that will be useful when I grow up and I have improved my command of High Valyrian. Recently, my father decided to instruct me in horse riding. At first I was somewhat scared during my initial lessons with the stable boy but the mare assigned to me is a gentle creature and has allowed me to learn more each time. I named her "Caramel" because her light brown coat and mane remind me of caramel.