Two Burning Flames

Part 15

They entered Helena's chambers, and Aellys guided her to a chair. "Helena," she whispered, kneeling before her, concern etched on her face. Aellys noticed that Helena's hands were pressed tightly against her ears, as if trying to block out the memory of the sword slicing through flesh. "Helena," she said softly, "it's okay now. It's all over." Gently, she took Helena's hands in her own and pulled them away from her ears, prompting Helena to look up, finally realizing they were no longer in the throne room.

"How can you seem so fine after what just happened?" Helena asked, confusion clouding her features as she looked at Aellys.

"Who said I'm fine? I doubt you're the only one shaken by the... unfortunate events," Aellys replied, rising to sit in the chair next to her sister. "Everyone copes differently, and it's perfectly okay to react the way you did." Aellys understood that her sister had a gentle and sensitive nature, unlike Aegon, who seemed to be the only one indifferent to Helena's struggles.

"I think I'm going to lie down. Can you tell Mother I won't be there for supper?" Helena said, preparing to head to bed.

"Of course. Just rest; I'll let Mother know," Aellys replied. She stood up from her chair and moved toward the door, pausing to look back at Helena. "Sleep well, sister."

With that, she exited the room and made her way back to find their mother.

As she turned a corner, Aellys was startled to bump into Aemond.
"Oh, Aemond, it's just you. What are you doing here?" she asked him.

"I was going to check on Helena; she didn't look so well," Aemond replied hesitantly, avoiding eye contact with his sister. Aellys had noticed his behavior around Helena and the children over the past week-something seemed off.

"Aemond, look at me." Aellys gently grasped his strong jaw, turning his face toward hers. He jerked away, still evading her gaze.

"Aemond... what's going on between you and Helena?"

It was only then that he met her gaze directly. "What do you mean?"

"I've noticed how you and Helena are together , and I can't ignore the way you are with the children. You treat them as if-" She stopped mid-sentence, and in that moment, everything clicked into place. The children weren't Aegon's; none of them were. "Aemond-a-are they yours?" she whispered so quietly that even he could barely hear her.

His silence confirmed her worst fears. Confusion washed over her as she tried to process what this meant. But before she could ask more, Aemond leaned in, his face close to hers. "Are you sure you want to dig into this, sister?" he said, his voice low. He moved even closer, whispering into her ear, "I'd hate for rumors to circulate about you and a certain lord commander-or about you and our dear brother Aegon, who is, by the way, married. So why don't you remember that before you start making accusations?"

Hurt flickered across her face at his venomous words. He had never spoken to her like that before. It made her sad, and she instinctively stepped back in defeat. She fell silent, allowing him to pass by her, leaving her alone with her tumultuous thoughts.

-----

After her unsettling encounter with Aemond, Aellys retreated to her chambers, pacing the room in a whirl of anxiety. She couldn't shake the thought: Did Aegon know? Was that why he had been keeping his distance? Hours slipped by in a haze until a gentle knock stirred her from a restless sleep.

"Aellys, it's me-Jace. Open up," Jacaerys called softly. Groggy and disoriented, she stumbled off the couch, rubbing her eyes before pulling open the door.

"What is it, Jace? I'm exhausted after such a chaotic day," Aellys replied as she blinked at him, still fighting off the remnants of sleep.

"I've come to escort you to supper. Grandsire insists we all eat together as a family," Jace said with a warm smile.