Bodyguard/ Helaena Targaryen / Scott Lang

10. Dilemma

"However, in happier tidings, Prince Daeron's dragon, Tessarion, has at last taken to wing. Your brother expects to join the fight soon."

" Dragon!" was shouted from outside.

" And when he does, the Hightower host will be unstoppable." Jasper finished but Aemond rose up going outside to see what was going on.

" Dragon! Inside! Now!"

"Take positions!"

"They claimed another dragon." Helaena said softly. Scott yawned getting up from bed and reaching for his pants. 

"What?" she held out a cup of tea for him he gratefully took a sip. Her lips remained in a steady smile as she examined his muscled chest and mischievous eyes. 

"Silverwing and Vermithor were claimed in the night." Helaena told him.

"Great by who? I didnt know-"

"The Blacks." Helaena cut in. 

"Oh, not great, not great at all." Scott decided. 

Aemond looked up at silverwing soaring over the city. He jumped on a horse slapping at the reigns.

"Open the gates!" Aemond demanded charging out and getting to Vhagar.

He flew seeing that Rhaenyra had strengthened her arsenal of dragons. Vermithor and Silverwing, Seasmoke...

"No vhagar no. Flee vhagar," aemond begged he knew she loved a fight but when he caught sight of Dragonstone he couldn't go up against four dragons. "Turn around." Rhaenyra's dragon army was strengthening

"Why does everybody hate us?" Helaena questioned.

" They're unhappy... and unhappy people look for someone to hate." Alicent answered pouring her tea. Scott stood outside the door, alicent wasnt a threat and helaena deserved some privacy with people there werent active threats. 

"We didn't order the blockade." Helaena challenged. 

"No, but we are the crown, so they expect us to break it." Alicent countered handing over a teacup. "Drink this."

"I was happier before I was queen." Helaena admitted staring down into the cup. She wondered how life would have been different if she got a chance to marry scott, if they would have met and fallen in love or if he wouldnt have noticed her if he wasnt put on her guard. "Scott is the bright spot in my day." Helaena admitted. "But otherwise..." she shrugged. 

"What would you think about leaving this place?" Alicent pondered.

"Where would I go?" Helaena countered as the door opened.

"The prince regent, Your Grace." Scott told her as Aemond pushed past. 

"Helaena. Here you are. Mother." Aemond said absentmindedly, helaena put her cup aside.

"I was just, just going to bed."

"The crown has need of your service."

"Now?" Alicent countered. Scotts ears pricked leaning towards the open door. 

"The Pretender has raised new riders against us, and we must answer in kind." Aemond remarked. "I need you to fly with Dreamfyre to battle."

"Aemond." Alicent demanded rising up

"I do not wish to fight." Helaena corrected.

"Our wishes must take second place now to what is necessary to preserve the throne."

"I won't burn anyone." Helaena corrected. Scott knew helaena didnt want this war, she would be happy in a cottage in the woods somewhere with lots of plants and lots of bugs to study. 

"It isn't a question." He grabbed his sister

"Aemond." Alicent demanded. Scott froze, eyes wide. 

"They have defiled our birthright, made commoners into dragonlords!" Aemond went on gripping her tight

"Ow, ow!" Helaena cried out.

"Aemond! Aemond!" Alicent begged trying to get his hand from helaena. When Aemond grabbed helaena, scott had a momentary mental dilemma. Aemond was the prince regent but Helaena was his person.

"It is a sin and must be punished!" Aemond shouted.

"May I remind you your sister is still the queen?" Alicent hissed.

"Ow!" Helaena whimpered looking to Scott

"As you were once! And you see now what is the consequence of your weakness!" Aemond seethed. "We are in peril today more than yesterday!"

Helaena whimpered and Scott lunged forward grabbing Aemond by the shoulder shoving his face down, he moved quick as a hummingbird. His opposite hand reached out pinching just right on Aemond's wrist that he let go of helaena with a howl. Scott threw aemond back and helaena grabbed at her wrist back from him.

"How dare you." Aemond demanded grabbing his sword. Scott didn't flinch. "Do you know who I am?"

"You are the prince regent but helaena is the queen. It is my duty-" Scott countered. 

"I'm the king while my brother is-" Aemond spat back.

"The prince regent and helaena is still the queen." Scott corrected. "And it is my duty to protect her."

"I'm her brother." Aemond reminded harshly. 

"To protect her from anyone and everyone that is trying to hurt her. Including you." Scott corrected sternly.

Aemond huffed a breath, his arm and ego bruised. Helaena reached out touching scotts back as he refused to leave her side.

"Aemond..." Alicent begged stepping forward, he lowered his blade. Scott didn't dare turn his back on aemond but he reached a hand back to helaena. She quickly grabbed his hand. 

"You wish to rule the Seven Kingdoms, but you reign ruin and death upon its smallfolk when you've been insulted because it makes you feel strong and now you seek to corrupt your sister, of all our line, the gentlest and most deserving of your protection." Alicent demanded.

"And who will protect her if she cannot protect herself?"

"And who will she be if her mind is broken?!" Alicent countered.

"I will protect her." Scott corrected. "She is not broken." He demanded. "Not unless you get your hands on her again."

"'Tis no longer our rule that is threatened, our very lives. Would you not have us prevail?" Aemond demanded still fuming with rage at Scott for the humiliation he just put him through in front of his own mother. 

"Not like this." Alicent agreed. "Not like this!"

"Would you like me to escort prince Aemond out, my queen?" Scott questioned. Aemond scoffed. 

"Yes." Helaena agreed. Scott was quick to grab Aemond shoving him out the door. 

"Dont come after Helaena." Scott warned. "She is my responsibility and I refuse to let you hurt her again. She is the best thing in this world and you will not break her."