Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken [Aegon Targaryen]

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN - AN IDEA

SARELLA WAS CONVINCED THAT IT WAS A TERRIBLE IDEA TO TELL AEGON. Not because he was angry with her or scared— he was overjoyed at the thought of being a father— but because he began treating her like glass. He did not want her to fight or engage in anything too physical. He did not even want her to spar with Jayne.

"Aegon," Sarella said for what felt like the hundredth time that day, "I am not made of glass. I can go spar."

"You can help me plan."

"Aegon Targaryen," she said, a finality to her tone. "I am going to spar. I must stay sharp, even now."

Aegon sighed, defeated, but nodded. "Be careful."

"I always am." She pulled his head down for a quick kiss, before heading outside.

There was no training yard on Dragonstone, but there was a very large beach. Sand was something that Sarella was accustomed to fighting on, as all Dornish were. She missed it, actually. It would be familiar, at least.

She brought her sparring sword down onto the beach where Sarella and Visenya both were waiting.

"Princess," Jayne greeted, but frowned at her appearance. "Are you well? You look ill."

"Fine, Jayne. Thank you." She glanced behind them, and frowned when she did not see Lena. "Where is Lena? She typically enjoys watching."

"Lena is in bed with our good Lord Velaryon," Visenya told her.

Sarella let out a light laugh and nodded. "That seems about right."

"And what of you? You took longer than usual," Jayne observed. The woman knew everything about her; when she woke, when she ate, when she trained. At times, it was infuriating how well Jayne knew her.

"I was arguing with Aegon."

"What about?" Visenya asked.

"He did not wish for me to come and spar." At their questioning looks, she continued. "I think I may be with child."

"A child?" Jayne said, eyes wide. Sarella could see the wheels in her head turning. She was already thinking of all of the special things a child would need, especially one born with a mother and father such as Sarella and Aegon. "Seven hells."

"Congratulations, Sarella," Visenya said.

"Thank you, Visenya." Sarella smiled warmly at the woman who had been so kind to her, even after she had essentially stolen her husband.

"I know that you believe Aegon is being unreasonable, but. . . ," Jayne trailed off, avoiding Sarella's eyes.

"You as well?" Sarella said, exasperated.

"I am only thinking of what would be best for you, Princess. I only wish to keep both you and your heir safe."

"And I thank you for that, Jayne, but I do not need to be treated as if I am made of glass."

"I know that, but—"

"Jayne, love, let's just spar," Visenya interrupted.

"Are you sure you will be all right?" Jayne asked, eyes soft as they lingered on her stomach.

"Yes, I will be fine. I promise."

"All right." Jayne nodded. "Then let's spar."

   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sarella went back into the castle after several hours, dirty and sweating. She found Aegon in the room with his beautiful painted table, carved to look like Westeros. She leaned on the frame of the door, watching him.

His brows were furrowed. He was completely focused on the task at hand, which currently was planning an attack on Casterly Rock. Not planning an attack, that was too simple. Too kind. Aegon was going to unleash hell on them, and Sarella would be by his side as he did.

But no, she would not. Could not. Sparring was one thing, battle was another. Even she could see that. She would never put her child in such harm.

She pushed off of the doorframe and walked behind him. She slipped her arms around his waist and set her head on his shoulder. "Hello, love."

"How was your sparring with Jayne?" His voice was quiet, as if he was still indifferent about it.

"Good," she replied, her tone light. "How is the planning going?"

"Lenore Lannister has men everywhere. I could call down the Starks and their men, and the Tyrells and their men, and we would be unstoppable, but this is not their fight."

"It is not," she agreed. She let go of his waist and slipped around him to stand at the end of the table, near Dorne. "Do we not have enough, just you and I?"

"We may, but not enough to lay siege to a castle like Casterly Rock. And if they have supplies for a long time. . ."

"Do we have enough to storm the castle? To take them by surprise?" Aegon gestured for her to continue, to elaborate. "We wait. We wait a long time, we make them think they are safe. Then, we attack. We march when they are least expecting it, when they are at their weakest."

"When is that?"

Sarella grinned wickedly. "During a wedding, of course."