Long Live / HOTD

2 // flowers

7 years later

Alicent spent her days with Valyria as much as she could. Her beautiful daughter was a sight to behold. Her hair had grew long so quickly, beautifully silver but when she was in sunlight you could see gold shimmering in some pieces. Her beautiful lilac eyes shone even brighter as she aged, everyone could see the child was going to be known throughout the realm.

"Mother!" Valyria ran to her mother with handpicked flowers in her hand. "I picked these for you." She held her small hands up to show the yellow flowers.

"They're beautiful my darling." Alicent smiled and took the flowers. Gently placing one in her daughter's hair she spoke again, "Helaena tells me you've ran off during your lessons again my princess." Alicent knew Valyria had a short attention span because she was just a child but she had repeatedly spoke of how important lessons were.

"I'm sorry mother." Valyria looked down at her feet.

Alicent smiled, "I'm sure you are. Come darling, I'll join you." The queen stood and held her hand out to her daughter who sighed as she took it.

"Yes mother." Valyria wasn't excited about her lessons but her mother joining her made it all the more easier for her.

•

After their lessons the two Targaryen girls and their mother found their brothers on the training grounds. Valyria always loved to watch her brothers train, though she knew she would never be able to. Aemond was always good with a sword as was Aegon but Aemond was swifter.

"My Queen. Princesses." Ser Criston Cole greeted the three women as he bowed.

"Ser Criston." Alicent nodded then turned to her sons. All of her children looked like their father and some part of her did wish for one to look like her but she knew how the people would react to seeing her birth a child that looked nothing like their father.

"Ser Criston!" Valyria exclaimed as she ran to hug his legs. Of course this caused the guard and her mother to laugh. If you were to ask anyone who Valyria's best friend was, her answer would be the guard due to the fact that he always did as she asked even if it would cause him to be scolded by the Queen. Like the time Ser Criston snuck a few pastries to the princess after he was to see her to her chambers for bed.

"You were supposed to distract them so they didn't know." She whispered up to him with a scowl on her face.

The guard laughed, "I'm sorry princess, but your mother is very scary when it comes to you." He patted the top of the girls head.

"My mother is not scary, she's the nicest mother in history!" Valyria threw her hands in the air to express her emotion.

"Forgive me my dear princess. I must be wrong." Ser Criston smiled and apologized.

Valyria nodded and smiled then walked over to her mother. "Don't worry mother. I shall protect you!" Valyria grinned widely at Alicent.

"Thank you my dear." Alicent picked up her youngest daughter and kissed her cheek gently.

"Aemond!" The girl quickly wiggled out of her mother's arms as her brothers approached. Valyria ran to her twin brother and hugged him. "Aegon!" Letting go of Aemond, she grabbed onto her older brother who welcomed the embrace.

"Dear sister, how were your lessons today?" Aegon had to kneel to see her eye to eye. Though he was only 3 years older than she and her twin, he was still taller.

"Alright. We learned too much for remember in one day. But mother joined us!" She pointed behind her to their mother who was watching the three children. Helaena had already found something else to occupy her time as she didn't care for watching training.

"How wonderful!" Aegon patted his younger sister's head. "What a lovely flower you have there sweet sister." He pulled it out from the braid her mother had given her during their lessons.

"I picked many for mother and she gifted one to me. Would you like me to pick you some as well brother?" Valyria asked looking at him with hope in her eyes.

"I would very much like that." Aegon kissed his sister's forehead.

"Aemond come! We can walk through the gardens together before our next meal!" Valyria held out her hand for her twin who smiled and placed his hand in hers. Together the two skipped off to their happy place in search of flowers and to spend quality time together.

"Aegon. How is your training dear?" Alicent turned away from her younger children to look at her oldest son.

"Fine mother." He turned away from her and continued back to the training grounds now that he had time to himself. He was always asked the same things by her and he grew annoyed.

Aegon could see who her favorites were and it bothered him but he would never let his younger sister see such envy. For he was envious of the attention the twins got from their mother though hardly any of them spent lots of time with their father.

"Why does he act such a way?" Alicent asked the guard next to her.

"I don't know your grace. Would you like me to speak with him?" Ser Criston questioned.

"No, but could you look after the twins? I have business to attend to." Ser Criston nodded and followed after the two younger Targaryen children who have already found themselves flowers to pick from.

•

Valyria finished picking flowers for her brother and decided to bring some to her sisters as well. Aemond had disappeared back to his room after a while of watching his younger sister.

"Criston!" The guard turned his head towards the princess. "Could you bring a basket? I'd like to take some to Rhaenyra and Helaena as well please." Ser Criston nodded his head to another guard and the man left to do as he was told.

"You know my rose, you are too kind to be giving a person so... unworthy of your love and affection, your time of day." Ser Criston said not trying to disrespect the girl's sister as best as he could.

Rose was a nickname the knight had given Valyria because she was just as beautiful as all the roses in the garden he says.

Valyria frowned. "Ser Criston. I know Aegon is not the most well behaved but he deserved to be treated like anyone else. For he is my brother and I love him."

Criston Cole looked at his princess in shock. He was referring to the other princess when he spoke but she assumed it was Aegon he spoke of.

"My apologies dear princess. I did not mean to offend you or the prince." He bowed slightly.

"All is well Ser. Don't let Aegon hear you speak such things. He does have such a temper already." Valyria shook her head with a small laugh. "Ser Criston could we go back now? I crave food."

"Yes my princess." Valyria grabbed onto his hand and together the two made their way back inside.

•

"For you sister!" Valyria held her hand out. For it was filled with beautiful flowers from the garden. Rhaenyra was very much older than her youngest sister but that never meant she loved her any less.

"My sweet sister. I do love flowers especially ones that are as beautiful as you my dear." Rhaenyra leaned down and kissed the top of her sister's head. "You are truly a gift from the gods."

Valyria blushed. "You will be a fine queen sister. I can see it!" Rhaenyra laughed and moved Valyria's hair behind her ear.

"Thank you dear sister. Would you like to see Jace and Luke before supper?" Valyria nodded. She knew she would spend supper with her mother and siblings so spending time with her nephews was always fun to her. "Come." Rhaenyra grabbed the young girl's hand and the two went off to Rhaenyra's chambers where her children were waiting.

"Jacaerys!" She flew to her nephew.

The brown haired boy looked up from his place on the ground. "Valyria!" He yelled as he saw the young girl.

"What are you doing?" Valyria asked the young Targaryen. He showed her the toys he was playing with while Rhaenyra went over to her youngest boy and held him. She really did love seeing her family happy and together no matter what differences they may have.