The Taste of Your Lips is My Idea of Luxury
(Closed starter for @aemond-one-eyed)
His voice echoed in her mind for five days straight.
"No thanks needed Princess, I am glad I could be of help to you." "Because you were busy putting others first, as you always do." âMy father is deadâŠand I fucked up.â "And you're twice as pretty as most people claim." "Thank you, your Highness."
It began the night of the ball to welcome Lady Jeyne's host. Rhaena must've stood dumbfounded in her doorway for a solid thirty seconds, stunned by Aemond's presence, by the gown in his hands, by the fact he had mended it, and even more so that it looked perfect. "I don't know how to begin to thank you," She finally managed to stutter out, taking the black lace and pink pearl gown out of his hands, staring at the garment as if he'd presented her with the same made of solid gold. He had simply smiled, "Promise to wear it...and promise you'll dance with me at least once tonight." "You have my word," she responded breathlessly. Then he left and she slid down the back of the door with the gown still in her hands.
Rhaena lied to her twin and her Muna about how the dress got fixed, telling both her lady-in-waiting and closest friend since the age of six, Lacey Vance, had fixed it that morning. Hours passed the way any typical day would when a ball was to be held that evening, she helped all her siblings get ready, did Baela's cosmetics, and her own hair while her sister repaid the favor, before spending a long while entertaining young heirs, knights, and lordlings all seeking to win her favor, but not searching to know her.
âI was right to want to see you in that dress.â Aemond spoke in barely more than a whisper when he took her next dance with little more than a look towards the heir to House Webber. "You look lovely," She told him, and she meant it, he'd changed into similarly all-black but significantly more formal clothes. After thinking about it for a moment, Rhaena realized this was perhaps the first time she'd ever seen the Prince dressed for an occasion, and it briefly made her breath catch in her throat, just briefly. He stayed with her for two dances, anything else would seem improper, they gossiped lightly about the guests, but mostly passed the time celebrating how perfectly their plans had come to fruition. "I shall see you soon." The tone of his voice made the response to Rhaena pointing out they had reached the end of the time they could properly spend together that night sound like a promise. "I would like that very much, my Prince." Her heart quickened as she used the title, she had said the phrase more times than she could count, but it meant something it never had before; something that no longer meant my liege, but veered closer to my love. Then she walked off to go find Joffrey before Aemond could see her blush.
His voice echoed in her mind for five days straight.
"I'm quite interested in seeing you in it." "If it upsets you, then it does matter." "I think I would trip over your sister again trying to get to our room." "And I'd still rather look a fool than a would-be traitor!" "Then it'll be a pleasure to see you again when you are."
Rhaena did not see Aemond the following day, nor had she expected to, and the following was the same, despite a small, quiet part of her secretly hoping that against both odds and logic, she might. That night, however, when her world was fracturing, reforming, and shifting into something entirely new, faster than she could ever even hope to keep up, was the last moment she was anticipating his presence. Yet, in the hours between dusk and daylight, something solidified between the two of them, something she could hold onto as the ground was shifting under her feet faster than quick sand, something that scared her more than she had ever felt before. How terrifying, Rhaena mused in the silence of her room as she dressed to attend The Queen for the first time, To have something that is not mine...and yet...I am desperate to keep.
She found herself willing him to speak to her, longing for it, though she would not admit such a thing even to herself, as she stood beside her father, siblings, and their new Queen in the long hours of Lords renewing their oaths. Rhaena almost called for Aemond as the Throne Room began to clear of it's final occupants to swear their loyalty, but she could not form the words, she could not risk making herself so known in a hall still filled with over a hundred people. Two more days passed and she did not see him, she'd dared to hope they would run into each other when she went to the Dragon Pit to ride with Silverwing, only to silently curse herself that it was a foolish wish to begin with, because Vhagar had been too large to nest in the pit even before her mother had ridden the Queen of Dragons. That was another thing Rhaena could not express, or admit, even to herself; the thought of Vhagar, her mother's dragon, his dragon...he spoke of her the same, begrudgingly fawned over the beast in the way her Lady-Mother had in her youth...Gods his clothes even smelled the same. It was infuriating, intoxicating, and unreasonably, horribly inticing.
Speaking to Rhaenyra about Aemond the night before the funeral was a relief that nearly brought her to tears, and once her Muna offered the advice she believed her mother would've given in the situation, she did cry from the weight of it all. The following day was the funeral, the first public appearance of the new Queen, the beginning of the end of the long, winding road of mourning for the old King...the first time she and Aemond would be in the same place at the same time since the first morning with Viserys gone from the world, and all the implications that came with that. Her mind was made up before she'd even gotten out of bed the following morning, she was going to find Aemond, to speak with him, to come to some sort of understanding, to simply even begin the process of where they were to go from here when his voice has been occupying every corner of her mind for the past five days.
After the procession, the procedure, and propriety of the funeral ceremony, the proceedings had not even officially come to a close, much less had Rhaena gotten the chance to seek out Aemond, when suddenly she heard the sneering voices of several Lords not much older than herself. They were gossiping, and it was with a skip of her heart, that quickly caused a pit to form in her stomach, with which she realized the Lordlings' snide voices were speaking about her. "Have you seen the girl since this last time the King took ill? With Princess Helaena running her own court now and the new Queen too occupied doing two jobs both meant for a man it's no wonder she believes she's holding this place together, I think she actually may be doing so more than anybody'd like to admit. I mean, her Ladyship is clearly used to doing her stepmother's duty, more of a mother to those children her highness seems so determined to continue popping out while dressing like a whore and acting like a man; at least Rhaena seems to have developed the makings of a proper Princess, if only she'd stop to listen to all those people trying to teach her to keep her mouth shut."
His voice had been echoing in her mind for five days straight, so when she turned to confront the Lord who had the audacity to snicker gossip in her earshot, only to hear the Prince's voice, piping up to defend her, her heart nearly stopped. Suddenly his arm was around her waist as the Prince said words she could barely understand, and for the first time in five days, Rhaena was glad to hear Aemond's voice.
Aemond had wanted to preen at the genuine thanks that she gave him for repairing her dress. The expression on her face had been so worth it, and it made him wonder when the last time someone had done something just for Rhaena had been. He spent the rest of his day looking forward to dancing with her, something that he had never looked forward to before. He doesn't even take a vial of poppy the rest of the day, the thought of her seeming to stave off the worst of his cravings. He dresses in all black for the evening, but the outfit is much more formal than his standard clothing.
When Rhaena walks into the main hall all he can do is stare. She was a vision, looking as fierce as he knew she was with a softness that was exclusive to her. He watches her, politely entertaining all sorts of men who were interested in securing her hand, interested in the way she would elevate their own status. None of them were worthy of a gem as pristine as her. He was perhaps the least worthy, but he did have an affinity for hoarding the finest gems he could get his hands on. He tires of watching her and approaches her confidently, ignoring the heir of House Webber as if the boy were beneath him. After all he was. He leans his head down, lips close to her ear before telling her, "I was right to want to see you in that dress." He notices the way her breath seems to catch for a moment, a victory for him. He dances with her for two songs, anymore would be considered a bit of a scandal, much to his disappointment. He enjoyed getting to gossip with her, but mostly seeing how proud she was to see how perfectly their planning paid off. He tells her he would see her soon, a promise because he knew he wouldn't be able to stay away. He shivers when she calls him 'my Prince' the title carrying a different weight than it ever had before.
He continues to dream of her. When he isn't dreaming of her, he is thinking of her during his waking moments. He wishes to show up at their room, to continue to assist her in the work he had come to look forward to, but he wasn't certain he was wanted there. Then his father died, and he hadn't known where else to go but to her. She hadn't turned him away, had hurried him inside her rooms and fixed the terrible mess that he had made of her hair. He was certain that nothing had ever felt better in his entire life than the way she ran her fingers through the longer top of his now shortly cropped hair. She tells him he wasn't nearly as bad as everyone thought. She told him that because she was sure he wouldn't remember, but she greatly underestimated his tolerance to Milk of the Poppy. She was so lovely, truly the rarest gem amongst the lady's at court. She was a gem and he so loved gems.
When Rhaenyra locks them all in the Keep, he is the first to fall to his knees and swear an oath of fealty. As he says the words that swear his loyalty to his sister, he can't help but steal glances at Rhaena; hoping that she noticed how he started off the chain of men bringing themselves to their knees at the new Queen's feet. A few days later he is leaning up against Vhagar's large wing on Visenya's hill. She had taken up residence there as she didn't fit in the Dragonpit.
"She's quite wonderful, you already know that though... you were there when she grew up, you were supposed to be claimed by her," he starts, frowning as he remembers that fact, "do you wish she had? do you think she holds that against me?" he adds. Vhagar lets out a rumble in reply, moving her head to nudge against him in such a gentle way it would seem unusual to anyone viewing the scene. He can't help the laugh he lets out as he scratches his hand against the she-dragon's cheek.
"Is this your way of reassuring me, or telling me to leave because I'm crazy?" he follows up. She responds by curling her neck around her wing, effectively trapping him within the circle created. Question answered in that case. He repositions himself so he is leaning against the spot her head met her neck and he closes his eyes.
"I'll be sure to tell her you approve," he says and the satisfied purr the Queen of Dragons lets out sends him right into a nap. He sleeps so long he almost misses the funeral events. Vhagar had a habit of letting him rest too long against her side, always giving him a look he couldn't quite understand when he would scramble to gather his things and run off to wherever he was needed. He hadn't had time to grab his eyepatch, having to settle on the Dragonglass gem he had placed in the socket. A fierce and unsettling appearing choice, although today it fit for the funeral. He watched Rhaena the entire time, how she even appeared to make mourning look stunning. As he does go to approach her he hears a group of Lords speaking about her. When one of them says that she should learn to keep her mouth shut he sees red. He almost goes to draw Blackfyre from his hip and charge at the Lord but he remembers he has to prove himself to Rhaenyra, show he could control himself. So he takes a deep breath, clenches his jaw and comes to stand at Rhaena's side in front of the lords, his arm wrapping protectively around her waist, running his thumb against her hip bone.
"Don't mind me interrupting 'sir' but if you learned to keep YOUR mouth shut, you would realize that Princess Rhaena is a proper Princess. Lady Laena and Queen Rhaenyra did an excellent job in raising her and from the sound of your gossip your more a princess than any of us here. If I hear any more improper words about Rhaena from your lips again, I will inform the King Consort and him and I will both insure its the last time you ever speak," he growls out, his voice having an eerie calm to it. The men scramble to run away, squeaking out an apology. He turns to face her, letting his arm slip from being wrapped around her, but gently resting his hand on her hip still.
"Are you alright darling? Do I need to challenge any of them to a duel for your honor?" he asks, lips quirking up in a slight smile at the joke in the second half of his sentence, "did you see the way they ran off like frightened little mice?" he adds, his smile turning into a full blown laugh. The thing that surprised him most though was that he had been able to keep ahold of his anger. He hadn't blown up at the lords, but had rightfully put them in their place. Yes it was Rhaenyra's words that made him pause before acting, but the reason he did cause a scene was for Rhaena. He didn't want her to be frightened or embarrassed by him. He could be better for her, couldn't he?
The stunned relief Rhaena feels at everything Aemond does, from his arm wrapping around her like a black silk-sheathed shield, to his thumb on her hip sending shivers down her spine, and his voice defending her more aptly and fiercely than he ever could with the sword on his hip, turns her world to nonsense for several seconds. She's jogged somewhat at the mention of her father, finally, fully brought back to earth by the lordlings' murmured apologies, and Aemond turning to look at her with a self satisfied grin.
"Are you alright darling? Do I need to challenge any of them to a duel for your honor? Did you see the way they ran off like frightened little mice?"
"I think it's best to stick to sparring with words, at least for today, we are still at the King's funeral, after all." She tilts her head up to face him properly, Aemond's a full foot taller than her, perhaps more, but she wanted to look him in the eye to thank him. "It was satisfying, I'll admit," She laughs softly. "Having you come to my aid...at my side," Rhaena's eyes grow wide as she speaks, she can't help it, only able to focus on the way his hair now frames his face so perfectly, exactly how she'd hoped, watching his lips move as he speaks, and how earnest his lilac gaze seems while fixed on hers. "I can't thank you enough, truly."
Rhaena glanced away for a moment once her words had hung long enough that doing so wouldn't seem overtly connected to the emotion in her tone; besides, she looked back towards the thrall of the crowd just as much to ensure the proceedings were well and truly over as to collect her thoughts, so her next words would not seem hasty or improper. When she looked back to him his stance had turned somewhat awkward, his expression gaining an equal, mild oddness, though neither were fully different enough to distract Rhaena from offering, "Perhaps, now everyone's headed back to the Keep, you might escort me, so we can walk together?" She gave him another soft smile before continuing, "That is, only if you still find my company suitable appreciation for the rescue."
Her heart skipped a beat when Aemond agrees to the suggestion and her smile widened and relaxed as they started off along the street of gold. He still had not moved his arm from around her back and she quickly realized she did not want him to, leaning into the embrace a little as butterflies begin to flit around much lower in her stomach than she's used to from typical nerves. After only a minute or two, Rhaena was back to her characteristic, light-hearted chatting, feeling truly happy for the first time all day that the words seem to come just as easily on Aemond's part. "You know, I was hoping we'd see each other today, what with this being a rare occasion we're both in black." Rhaena motioned vaguely to her mourning gown with a short giggle, the layers of shiny black satin and intricate, inky lace incorporating a wide neckline and high waist that flattered her bust, with long, softly puffed sleeves decorated by onyx, garnets, and black pearls , the latter of which also made up a short chain around her neck and glinted on the tiara atop her intricately pinned braids. "With how somber this all is, I thought it might be a bit of a fun silver lining."
Just a few moments later Rhaena let out a small gasp as they passed another row of shops on the high streets leading back to the castle. "That's my favorite place to get flowers! Their selection is so lovely and they always have the extracts and roots and powders I need for my potions. We should go together!" She paused for a second, then, she wasnât sure if he even liked plants, and that sent a shock of anxiety coursing through her, Rhaena wasnât sure if she could like someone who didnât like plants. But just as quickly she reminded herself that everyone likes plants, the ones who say they donât just havenât found the right kind to pique their interest, and if that was true for Aemond then she would simply help him find the kind of plants he did enjoy, like she had done with Joffrey when they were small, and the thought restored her smile almost as soon as it had slipped. "If you're not too busy, of course, just whenever you have your own errands to run. That way I won't have to drag along a guard and you can have some company!"
The conversation is easy after that, and indeed, the whole walk back to the Keep. With most people, Rhaena's endless ideas for conversation, her constant refrain of, "but what do you think?", followed by a hopeful pause, and eager enthusiasm to share her ideas and hear others', was overwhelming at best and exhausting at worst, and she often couldn't see it had become so until her desire for companionship had already pushed them over the edge. However, they walk for over an hour, and Aemond never seems to grow bored or short with her, in fact seeming to enjoy their discussion more and more as time goes on. At first, he responded to her musings with only a word or two, as he had most of the previous week, but he grew fully engaged in the conversation faster that she'd seen before, and it quickly turned into the longest they'd ever talked before. She tells him about Silverwing, he tells her about Vhagarâdiscussing his mount with her without the tension she'd never been able to fully parse as annoyance or guiltâhis sword-fighting, or more accurately, his new sword, Blackfyre, and all the different potions that steep on her bedroom windowsill.
Rhaena suggested they take a slightly longer path through the only true gardens outside the Red Keep, the cool, damp spring air making her feel more alive than she had in three days, and to her delight, Aemond agreed. After discussing her embroidery and sewing, the latest philosophy he'd been studying, and then comparing notes on their favorite ancient Valyrian myths, he suggested his own detour, a path set right above the rocky beach at the back of the castle that would allow them to avoid the crowd at the main doors and give them a few moments walking through the corridors before facing the chaos of the proceeding feast. After agreeing enthusiastically, Rhaena asked, "Will you come sit beside me, for the meal at least? Fewer people will bother either of us that way...and Gods know we've both had more than our fill of mourning and condolences. Besides, we'll both have to manage much less enjoyable company this evening, at least dinner can be as nice as this." She smiles softly when he praises the idea, realizing his hand hasn't left her waist this whole time in the same moment she realizes how lovely the feeling is, and that she'll mis it when they enter the castle again and he lets her go.
Dinner passed much as she had predicted, their family sits at the high table, but there was no assigned seating for the evening. Some members of their house drifted in late, others left early, and Rhaena gets a bit over an hour sitting beside Aemond. Largely, they made light-hearted fun of all the lords and ladies far too ostentatious in their mourning for how close they actually were to the King, clearly all in an attempt to suck up to the new Queen, and those who didn't even go so far as to conceal their pursuit of gaining favor from the royal family behind a facade of grief at all. It was easy, just as the rest of the evening she'd spent at his side has been; in no small part because of everyone's knowledge that Aemond had done his own fair share of ostentatious posturing in ensuring he was the first to swear fealty to her stepmother the first morning after the King's death. Before long, however, Rhaena was approached to dance by a boy in the colors of House Piper, and she obliged him with the same glad response she gave every heir and lordling who invited her out at events like this, though she was not nearly as happy as she usually felt at the prospect.
The Piper boy was somewhat slight, and very sweet, this was not their first meeting and she hoped it would not be their last. In truth, until recently he had been one of only four or five of the two or three dozen young men who had floated marriage proposals she had considered with any real intention. Then they had discovered King Viserys' most recent illness would likely be his last, then the banners were called, then their family was called, then the Maesters' predictions turned out to be right...and now she hadn't the faintest idea what her marriage prospects were supposed to be, much less what she wished for them to be. The heirs to Houses Costayne, Sunderland, and Varner, alongside the young, newly inherited Lords of House Prester and House Meadows all approach her for dances in quick succession, and while some are better conversational companions than others, none of the few minutes she spends with each are unpleasant; She's somewhat sure the Sunderland heir asked just to see if he could get away with it, seemingly shocked by the whole of the following four minutes, though the young Lord Meadows did apologize for not telling off his peers when they spoke ill of her earlier in the afternoon, and she pecked him on the cheek for the gesture. More than anything, Rhaena was always happy when presented with reassurance her belief in seeing the best in others was not a fruitless one, and tonight seemed to be full of those.
She had not expected for Aemond to dance the whole time she did, few people in the whole of the court had the interest or stamina to partake in that much dancing, but she was somewhat disappointed when it seemed he would not be joining in at all. Rhaena saw him playing what appeared to be dice at one point, and then a drinking game some time later, she'd had some offhanded hope that perhaps his efforts to appeal to her Muna, or even just theâin her own view at least, significantly improvedâchange in his appearance may have prompted the Prince to at least be a touch more sociable around more people than just her. And perhaps she was simply a little bit jealous there were social rules it seemed they all had to follow except him. Just as she had said goodbye to Lord Meadows, however, with the thoughts of how she really would love to live in the Reach one day once more at the forefront of her thoughts, Rhaenyra stood to give a toast, leading Rhaena to stand at attention, and then everything went wrong.
Rhaena stood frozen in shock as she watched her Muna collapse, then her father panic, and her stepbrothers immediately spring into action to try and play damage control amongst the crowd. She panicked, she couldn't move, she called Baela's name, and then Joffrey's but the crowd's disarray was too great to distinguish any singular voice at all. People, bodies, were suddenly buffeting her from all sides, she could barely stay upright, before long nearly getting sent sprawling to the floor, only to collide into the familiar feeling of Aemond's leather surcoat instead. In the chaos of it all, with yelling coming from every direction and completely disorienting her, long strides all but running her out of the hall, and worry so strong it felt as though it was going to tear her chest open at any moment...Rhaena was deeply, truly, desperately glad to feel Aemond's hand against her waist.
When Aemond first saw Rhaena in her mourning attire all he could think about was how stunning she looked. Gods, he knew how much she loved pink, but black may truly be her color. He found himself hard as a rock through most of the funeral and every time he had nearly willed it away she would glance over at him and his problem would return to square one. Was it socially acceptable to be this hard at a funeral...at his own father's funeral? Probably not, so he crossed his hands in front of his body to try and mask the bulge in his trousers. He couldn't help but smile when she admitted he enjoyed him coming to her aid, though.
"I will gladly come to your side any time, that is what Princes do for their Princesses, right?" Aemond told her, letting his voice dip lower as he gave her hip a gentle squeeze. He tried not to agree to enthusiastically when she asked him to walk back to the castle with her, but knows he must've failed quite miserably. He kept his arm around her the entire time, loving the way she fit so perfectly under his arm; as if she had been made to stand underneath it's safety. He chuckled a bit at her words about their clothes as well, "Indeed, it is a silver lining. I think you should wear black more often, because I certainly won't start wearing pink...but I do quite enjoy matching with you."
Her excitement at the flower shop nearly made his brain stop working, quickly realizing just how much he loved seeing that kind of joy light up her face. He could sense her sudden anxiety though and grabbed both of her hands in his, "No, we won't wait until I have errands. I'll take you there first thing tomorrow if that's what you would like. I want you to know that if you ever want my company it is yours, no conditions attached." He told her, hoping he was able to properly convey just how much he intended to follow through on his assertion. "I love plants by the way, you seemed worried that maybe I didn't, but I do. It probably won't surprise you my favorites are of the carnivorous variety, but I would love to know what you like to keep so I can add them to my rooms," He added, quickly relieved by how she eased into conversation with him.
It took him a few minutes to match Rhaena's enthusiasm, as he honestly wasn't used to someone speaking to him for so long. Talking with her was fast becoming his favorite activity; he loves hearing about her relationship with Silverwing, it made his worries of speaking on his own bond with Vhagar melt away. He knew they would need to have that conversation at some point though, to lay any remaining hurt from his selfish, childhood actions of one night behind them. She laughed when he told her the story of his theft of Blackfyre, and for a moment he considered proposing to her right then and there, because what other woman would find such a story of theft and brotherly brawling funny?
"Gods you keep beating me to everything, I was going to ask you the same. I would gladly sit by you," He replied to her request to spend dinner together as well. The feast was a surprisingly pleasant affair, at least it was for Aemond with Rhaena by his side. They made fun of many of the visiting lords and ladies, their simpering and ass kissing, and at one point he made her laugh so hard she was forced to hide a bit of wine coming out of her nose. This made Daemon shoot the younger Prince one of his death glares, but that only added to their laughter. His good mood soured, however, when the piper boy asked Rhaena to dance. He knew she had to say yes for politeness sake, but it doesn't stop anger from beginning to simmer inside him once more; Aemond was a dragon and dragons did not share.
He sat and seethed as a revolving door of eligible lords spun his lady around the dance floor. Although, she wasn't really his, was she? He would have to do something, and quickly it seemed, if he wished to court her (which he did). The peck on the cheek is what did him in, though, for that boy certainly didn't deserve to feel her lips on his skin. He decided against violence, just barely, choosing to distract himself with a game of dice instead. When the Meadows boy finally left her side he hastily approached Rhaena. "I've been very well behaved waiting for the hoard to leave you alone, I was hoping I could reward myself with a dance; with you, of course," He said with the most charming smile he could manage. However, before he could take her hands in his, his eldest sister stood to speak. Not a moment later she collapsed to the floor, her wine goblet clattering to the ground as well. Poison. It had to be.
The chaos was immediate, Rhaena got shoved up against him by the panicked crowd, and he took the opportunity to lift her up over his shoulder with one arm, his other hand steadfastly latched onto Blackfyre against his hip. He carried her all the way to his rooms, locking the door behind them, before pushing a chair under the knob for the added security. He set her down on his bed, then took her face in both his hands, "Are you all right? You didn't have any of that particular wine right?! I know you're not a fan of reds, but you also follow every rule of society there seems to be," He sputtered out, worry evident in every word he breathed. It finally occurred to him he had brought her to his rooms instead of hers, and not only that but he had set her right onto his own bed, then blushed slightly at the implications. "You're more important than I am, whoever did this could still be in the Keep, they may come after you, you're safer here in my rooms, where they won't expect you to be."
She seemed to agree with his logic, asking if he had anything she could change into other than her elaborate gown. He grabbed her a loose shirt he often lounged in and a pair of comfortable trousers from his dresser and then waited as she went into another room to change. Aemond rid himself of his own formalwear, and when she opened the door again he's shirtless, but he's unsure she processed that with the tears swimming in her eyes. He rushed over to her, wrapping his arms around her in a tight hug, and murmured, "It'll be okay, Rhaenyra is the strongest person in the whole Kingdom, she's going to survive this," He comforted in an attempt to reassure himself almost as much as her. He then shifted the pillows on his bed so they could prop the two of them up and let her rest against him as he ran a gentle hand along her arm, "Get some rest, I promise I'll stay awake even after you fall asleep, I'll protect you, I promise you're safe with me." And he couldn't resist pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead as he made his promise.
The time that passed between fleeing the Red Keepâs Grand Hall and ending up back in Aemondâs chambers was surreal and incomprehensible, a waking nightmare, where the only thing that grounded Rhaena was Aemond roughly carrying her away from everything and everyone that mattered in her life; which was once again falling to pieces as the ground was ripped out from under her, all monumentally more chaotically, and terrifyingly, than when the King died, still only four days ago. She was cursing, screaming, crying, sobbing, but she couldnât comprehend the words spilling off her lips, much less what she intended them to mean, any more than he seemed to register that she was making any sound at all. Suddenly, they were in his chambers, and Aemond was barricading the door as he fussed over the logistics of the safest places to shelter from the worst of this storm, seemingly too busy to notice the distress of the past several minutes had reduced her to gasping, choked sobs, and uncontrollable shaking on his comparatively austere mattress to her plush, blush-pink, bed where she wished to be more than anything right now.
"Are you all right? You didn't have any of that particular wine right?! I know you're not a fan of reds, but you also follow every rule of society there seems to be.â
The concern that had finally seeped into his tone strangely calmed her, the softness of his gaze, and the faint blush that spread across his cheeks, as if heâd only just realized where they were, soothed her anxiety even more. But then, for a brief moment, her fear came roaring back, and she was terrified this was all an act; she was a prize so many wanted, the power of a Princess for a wife, the power of Valyrian, of dragon-rider, heirs, one Aemond had seemed to have decided he wanted, and the only one who did, who had already exhibited enough boldness to conceivably use the nightâs confusion to his advantage, deny her virtue, jeopardize her reputation, and get the answer others had waited on for months all in three days work. As soon as she had the thought, however, she knew it was a ludicrous fear, because to all the Prince was capable of, he could not act to save his skin. If nothing else, she was certain of that, and the realization comforted her more than anything else his concern, his fear, his care, was earnest, finally convinced her to agree to his assertion she should stay.
Rhaena spoke in a choked, quiet tone, explaining, âYes, yes I imagine youâre right, and I doubt it would be safe to move again after coming here. I didnât have any of that wine thoughâŠI was drinking whatever they had diluted for the children tonightâŠtrying to keep a clear head. IâI imagined I was either going to have to see the littles off to bedâŠor make sure none of my brothers over-indulged and caused an embarrassmentâŠhonestly I was expecting both.â Then she looked down at her gown, the dayâs silver-lining, another panicked guest had clearly stepped on the skirt, tearing it to above her knee, and the awareness of her garments at all suddenly made her extremely eager to be rid of her stays, the fabric against her skin at all causing her to become overwhelmed, and the realization about her gown nearly bringing her back to tears again. She barely managed to ask, âDo youâŠIf Iâm going to stay here for a while do you have anything I could change into? For sleep, I mean.â
He produced some of his own lounge-clothes for her, and she took them gratefully, simply eager to be wearing something soft that wouldnât rub up against her skin when everything was so overwhelming, and then left to change in his bathroom. She prayed her clothes left there wouldnât be a source of scandal, since she had no real choice, and even more so that the black pearl earrings, hair pins, and tiara would be returned to her, or at least remain until she had the chance to retrieve them; they werenât hers, not really, loans from her motherâs collection that had been distributed between herself and Baelaâs dowry trunks, and technically would not be hers until she married.
Your sister will wear Targaryen jewels when she weds, her mother had told her with a laugh, the ones your grandmother and your Aunt Rhaenyra wore if they have anything to say about it. But you will wear these, remember, the Gods made you beautiful in the way you are so you would be so stunning as to inspire a dozen new songs in the black pearls our family saved with the legacy of Old Valyria.
Rhaena couldnât bring herself to take off the necklace that completed the set, she needed her mother close to her tonight. The pants Aemond had given her wouldnât stay up no matter how tightly she tied them, though it hardly mattered, since the white silk base shirt heâd provided reached her knees, but with her braids now hanging limply around her waist, her bust unsupported, and her ruined cosmetics, she was a deeply sorry sight, and it finally set her back to tears again. She felt unkempt, embarrassed, and undone, but more than anything she was distraught, and terribly anxious again, because of why she had ended up that way in the first place, the pain her whole family was now going through and what would happen to her Muna. She was walking out of the bathroom before she even realized she was doing so, still crying, but clearly her subconscious had decided her wish for Aemond not to see her was less strong than her need to stop looking at herself, and sheâd barely taken a couple of steps back out into his room before he was hugging her tightly and murmuring and words of comfort about how strong Rhaenyra was and how everything was going to turn out alright. He half carried her over to the bed, and in a blink she was laying down cradled against the Princeâs body, as he whispered,
"Get some rest, I promise I'll stay awake even after you fall asleep, l'll protect you, I promise, you're safe with me."
Whether it was from emotional exhaustion, the sorely needed comfort, or simply the warmth of Aemondâs against hers, it was easy to fall asleep, and Rhaena did so quickly. He must have carried her back to her own rooms sometimes in the small hours of the morning, because by the time dawn rolled in she was back in her own, wonderful, plush bed, and he had dozed off, leaned up against her door and still in a position that made it clear he had intended to sit guard for the dozen or so important young girls and maidens who had congregated in her chambers the previous night for safety. By the time sheâd changed into a much more appropriate, soft, pink shift and matching robe, no one else had roused, but Aemond had scattered to the wind. In truth, Rhaena did not think about him all that much in the following two days, the first was spent so concerned for her companions and the children in their family, trying to keep the peace, and exhausted by anxiety the only point there was even time for thoughts of him to surface was during her conversation late in the evening with Helaena, and everything felt too raw to really talk about then. During the following, her hands were so full managing the children once more, soothing Lady Sabithaâs and then her fatherâs anxieties, and managing the orders and technicalities that usually fell to her Muna and were simply too much to all be placed on Lady Callaâs to do list, that when she finally had time to let her mind wander, she passed out still half-dressed on her bed in under five minutes.
The third morning, after Rhaena had eaten, bathedâall of her potions scented with rose water and orange blossom actually doing quite a good job in calming her nervesâand was about halfway through getting ready for her day, it was still relatively early, but a knock on her door sounded and sent her rushing to greet it. Looking back, exhaustion was the only explanation for why she answered the door without her over-dress and only one eye lined, but she immediately regretted it. Aemond was looking back at her, smirking slightly, and dressed casually, but still better than what she was used to seeing before this had all started, and he had clearly put effort into making his hair look as nice as the first day sheâd done it for him.
âOh! Hello,â All Rhaena could do was grin back sheepishly, âHowâhow are you doing? Is everything alright?â And then, the words tumbling out before sheâd given herself permission to speak them, she added softly, âIâve missed you.â
Waking up the following morning had Aemond fleeing Rhaena's rooms at a pace faster than he believed possible. He didn't want anyone to spot him and assume the worst of him. His reputation was bad enough, he didn't need someone reporting to Daemon that he was in his daughters rooms overnight, good intentions or not. After realizing how he could have lost her the previous night he knew he had to make his intentions known. He still wasn't sure that he deserved her affections, no he knew he didn't deserve her but damnit he didn't care. If she was willing to have him he would make it his life's purpose making sure she knew it was the right choice. He was fairly certain she had some sort of idea he wished to court her, but he needed a courting gift to make it official. He wanted his gift to be something she would enjoy of course, but it also needed to let the other men attempting to win her attention know who they were dealing with.
He went to his favorite jeweler in the city and made his request. Lucky for him it was ready two days later so he didn't have to wait long. He couldn't keep the smile off his face when he examined the piece. It was a pearl necklace with a large pendant in the center. The pendant was a oval shaped pink sapphire, but the unique thing about the sapphire wasn't just its color, the gem was shaped to be the same as one of his eye stones. It could also be removed from the necklace and he could wear it in his socket if he so wished. He liked the deeper meaning behind the piece, even if he wasn't with her she would always have a piece of him with her. He would always have an eye on her.
After picking up the necklace he goes to Visenya's hill to visit Vhagar. She's sleeping when he gets there, her eyes blinking open as soon as she catches his scent. She lets out a content rumble and presses her muzzle against him, almost knocking him over. He can't help but laugh as he regains his balance.
"Lykirī Vhagar, you forget how strong you are,"
She seems to preen at his complement. He takes the necklace out of his pocket and holds it in her field of view.
"I had this made as a courting gift for Rhaena, do you think she will like it?" he asks. Vhagar moves her head closer, letting her eye take in the gem then moves to sniff at it. After her careful assessment she lifts her head to the sky and lets out a burst of hot flame followed by a roar that vibrated in his bones, the ground shaking almost violently from the sound. She gives him another nudge, gentler this time and in the direction of the Red Keep. It would seem the queen of dragons greatly approved of his gift choice and wished for him to hurry up and give it to the girl who should have been hers. He hurries back to the castle, stopping by his rooms to change clothes so he didn't reek of dragon and styling his hair before heading to Rhaena's chambers. He wears his trademark smirk as she opens the door but can't stop the genuine smile from spreading across his face when she greets him. It only grows when she says she missed him. He lets out a huff of a breath, "Oh I missed you too, darling," he says, reaching out to gently brush his fingers against hers, "I apologize I haven't been by to check on you. To say it's been a crazy couple of days would be an understatement. I'm good, much better now though. I was wondering if you needed any help with the hoard of children you often find under your care?" he asks. She lets out a laugh and then nods in the affirmative, telling him she would love that. He waits for her to finish getting ready and then they go to the room that had been designated as a playroom for the youngest children.
Baelon, now eight years old immediately drops the toys he was playing with and drags for Aemond to sit on the floor with him. The bombardment of questions that begin to fly out of the child's mouth is baffling. He does his best to keep up.
Is Vhagar really as big as people say? Yes
Is he ever afraid she's going to eat him? No
Can Aemond take him to meet her one day? Yes of course
Why did he like to wear gems in his eye? I'm not sure they look nice
Can he touch his eye socket? Absolutely not.
Each one of those questions came with follow up questions but Aemond smiles with amusement as he answers each one. The boy reminds him of him when he was younger, and he wonders if he would have have been the same had someone showed interest in him the way little Baelon was showered in it. Someone should consider training Baelon to be an interrogator if they ever go to war because man the kid can talk. In the middle of all the questions Aemma cautiously walks over to them. She looks at Aemond, slightly fearful but clearly her curiosity overpowers that. He suddenly feels even worse for how he yelled at her when he tripped over her.
"Your hair is short now," she says
"Yeah, your sister helped me cut it, I think it looks better now,"
"Hm... can I still put bows in it?"
"You can try!" he replies and she gets to work. Him and Rhaena spend the rest of their day with the kids. By the time they go to eat their dinner he has six bows in various places against his head and he has spoken more than he has in his entire life. He gives Rhaena a tired but content smile, "I don't know how you have done that alone nearly every day. They are good kids though, I'm sure from your influence,"
Before she can led him downstairs for dinner he reaches for her hand as he did earlier, "Rhaena, I've loved spending time with you. It may have been a punishment but I think it was actually a gift. Getting to know you has been the greatest honor of my life, and at future balls I would prefer if you don't dance with other lords... I would prefer if you only danced with ME. Okay maybe this is a horrible way to ask what I wished to, let me start over," he says then pulls the necklace out from his pocket, "I would like to court you, officially. We can continue to get to know each other without me almost committing a crime everything someone else dances with you. Consider this my courting gift... so I can always keep an eye on you," he says with a smirk.
"This isn't a marriage proposal, at least not yet. I want you to want that from me before I ask it. You deserve a say in your future, I just need to make it known to the other lords that I plan to be the man alongside you in it,"
He can't quite read the expression on her face, she replies "so I could at any point return this necklace and you wouldn't care? Wouldn't cause a fit and try to kill someone in my family?"
"I would be more likely to make Vhagar fly as high as possible and jump from her back than harm anyone you love. But yes, you could return it, and with it my heart to me at anytime and I would never hold any of that against you. What do you say?"
