the things we do for love
ongoing
aemma velaryon is the daughter of the princess rhaenyra and betrothed to aemond targaryen. their young love blinds them to the bitterness between their families, but slowly their fantasy begins to unravel with time. how did the purest of love turn into such bitter hatred?
1/2/3/4/5/6/7
forbidden fruit
ongoing
eyva's loveless marriage to her husband aegon was causing nothing but pain and misery for the young woman and her days begin to drain her soul. perhaps the arrival of his brother will change that?
1/2
a moment of weakness
completed
a disastrous turn of events in one of the crown's tournament's leaves the court fearful that prince aemond has lost his other eye. the prince is adamant no one shall gaze beneath his eye-patch, not even his darling wife.
1
our little secret
ongoing
aemond promised to take you as his wife when the time was right and you had no reason to doubt him. but when news of his engagement to cassandra baratheon is announced, and your name is left ruined by his nightly visits to your chamber, you have no choice but to flee from the shame you have brought upon your family and to run from the man you love. but not all is as it seems.
1 / 2
to deceive a prince
completed
when aemond targaryen shows interest in courting your little sister, she employs your help to capture his attention through sharing letters and notes, all the while acting as if you are her. it was never meant to become so complicated.
1
as long as we're together / the last of us au
ongoing
with a virus quickly spreading and violence taking over, aemond tries to move your little family to a safer place. he didn't expect to lose you all so quickly.
1
helaena targaryen
a princess and her secrets
ongoing
the arrival of the realm's fiercest swordsman creates a scandal when it turns out to be a mere woman. the princess helaena, finds herself playing with some very dangerous thoughts.
1/2/
Let them think what they must. I am at last myself… with no ambition greater than to walk where I please and to breathe the open air. To die unremarked and unnoticed. || Ophelia (1851-52) by John Everett Millais, oil on canvas
pairing: aemond targaryen x wife!reader
rating: general audiences
word count: 2k+
summary: a disastrous turn of events in one of the crown's tournament's leaves the court fearful that prince aemond has lost his other eye. the prince is adamant no one shall gaze beneath his eye-patch, not even his darling wife.
warnings: description of injury.
As you slowly gain consciousness, you couldn’t help the smile that danced upon your lips, taking satisfaction in the feeling of your whole-body aching in the most delightful way. You wanted to savour the moment for a few minutes, afraid that when you opened your eyes reality would ruin it, but when you felt a shift on the bed that you were sharing you couldn’t help letting your vision clear. And what a sight it was.
Aemond, your husband of now eight months, breathed peacefully as he slept facing you. His silver hair seemed to cover the entire pillowcase he rested upon, and you couldn’t help but shiver in delight over the way he had turned to face you in his sleep. You were close, the only thing separating yourselves was his hand that was lying carelessly atop his pillow, and you couldn’t help but reach out and gently touch his fingers. The love you had developed for the second-born Targaryen prince could often be overwhelming, leaving you breathless under his gaze but you revelled in it. Being forced into this marriage by your scheming families was frightening in the lead up, but a month into your marriage he had quietly sat by you in the library to ask of the book you were reading, and in return offered suggestions on what to read next. You listened as he explained his studies, and soon he would visit you every afternoon to go through his ancestor’s history together. You had become besotted.
However, you did not know if Aemond felt this way for you. He was kind enough, and quietly listened to whatever you talked about, but he never seems to open up about anything to you, nor did he show any physical affection towards you outside of your shared quarters. He would walk by your side, but at a distance, and he would follow you at banquets, but only for duty. He performed his acts as a husband dutifully, but you couldn’t help but ache for a more personal connection to him. Behind closed doors, however, he was an extraordinary lover, hence the delicious ache that you lay basking in. He was kind to you and treated you as if he had never held anything so perfect. The difference could sometimes make your head spin.
Caressing his fingers was not enough, so you moved to pepper gentle kisses from the tips of his fingers before allowing your lips to trail across the back of his hand. Aemond was quick to react even in his sleeping state and wrapped his arm around, dragging your body into his. Quickly wrapping yourself around him and lying your head a top his chest, you allowed yourself to enjoy the peacefulness of lying with your husband.
“I believe this to be the first time you have woken before me.” His voice was deep, still trying to truly leave his sleep, and you let your eyes flutter as he pressed a light kiss to the top of your head. Letting your fingers dance upon his torso, you slowly raised your head to stare at him. He was already looking at you with an eyebrow slightly raised and smile playing upon his lips.
“I’m nervous for today.” It came out a whisper, but Aemond simply laughed and let his hands fall to squeeze your hips. You went to protest against him, but he quickly captured your lips with his and you were silenced.
“You have no need to worry. You know I am well-trained with a sword.” You went to reach up and cup his face, but you forgot yourself. The moment your hand hovered above the eye-patch he had taken to wearing even in your bed, you felt his whole-body flinch beneath yours. You knew from how tense his body became that it would be the end of your loving morning.
“Aemond...” But he was already moving, and you let yourself roll to the side and watch in sorrow as he sat on the edge of the bed, quickly pulling on the pants he had discarded so quickly the night before. The loss of his eyes was a harrowing experience for him as a child, and you had been warned that not one person had been allowed to gaze upon what is left beneath his eye patch since then. One night you had suggested he remove it to sleep, convinced it would be extremely uncomfortable. He had the left the bed and not returned to it for two days. Not letting the moment go so easy, and not ready for another bout of sleeping alone, you quickly rushed forward and wrapped your arms around his neck, pressing your bare body to his back.
“Please be careful today. You know how dangerous these stupid tournaments can get. I will require you back in my bed tonight in pristine condition.” Today a tournament was being held to celebrate Prince Aegon’s twenty-second name day, and Alicent had pushed for her second son to enter. The words duty and show of strength were included in the order.
“Well, I shall have to be extra careful as my wife will not be there to bestow her favour upon me.” He was back to you, and his teasing voice instantly softened you. Burying your face into his neck you gave him a quick kiss.
“You know I wish to be there, but Helaena says she needs me in her quarters in case the babe decides to come today.”
“It is not due for another two moons.” But you knew he understood. Bundling up the sheets to wrap around your figure, you quickly moved to your discarded dress from the festivities of last night and began tugging out the strip of green silk that lined the top of the corset. It was long enough to do the job, but small enough for Aemond to hide beneath his armour. Once it was in your hand you moved back to your husband and climbed onto his lap with a smile.
“Here. You will always have my favour.” You tucked it into the pocket of his pants, before squealing with delight as he threw you onto the bed and climbed his way up your body.
“Hmm.” He hummed before moving his lips to attack your collarbone.
“My warrior.” You teased and laughed as you felt him softly bite down. You moved your fingers to entwine into his hair and yet again found yourself relishing being in his company.
“My prince...” You almost screamed as the door swung open and a flurry of servants entered the room. You were grateful as Aemond moved to hide you beneath the blankets of his bed.
“What is the meaning of this?” He growled and you noticed a few stopped uneasily at his rage. He had made it clear that he was never to be interrupted this way long ago, but when Alicent rounded the corner and began pulling back the blinds, the young couple knew they had no choice.
“You are late. I explicitly told you to be ready at breakfast. Your match is in one hour. Hello dear Y/N.” You dumbly waved from beneath the sheets before cowering even further down, though no one seemed to be paying attention to you. Aemond quickly reached beneath the sheets and squeezed your knee. Pulling on a shirt that was being handed towards him, Aemond stood tall as he moved to the door.
“I will ready myself in the other room. Please allow my wife privacy.” The servants flurried out in a rush and Aemond stood at the door waiting for the room to be empty then turned back to look upon you once more.
“Please be careful Aemond.” Your voice was soft, trying to hide the desperation you felt. But you seemed to find it impossible to hide anything from your husband, and he quickly closed the door and kneeled beside the bed. You rolled to face him, as he leant down and pressed a quick kiss to your forehead.
“I will come back to you in one piece my wife. Today is nothing more than child’s play. I shall find you in Helaena’s rooms straight after.”
+++
“Princess Y/N, Prince Aemond has been in an accident.” The maid had no time to explain the details before you were running toward his room. You had spent hours cuddled up beside Helaena, reading and soothing her pregnancy aches, but the moment a maid had burst into the room, flustered and out of breath, you knew something had gone wrong.
“What happened?” You did not stop running as you questioned her, and instead lifted your skirts and accelerated your pace.
“The prince was fighting some Baratheon cousin and the prince won the sword fight. He was crowned victor, but the warrior became enraged at losing and tried to take out his other eye while Prince Aemond kneeled to the King.”
“The bastard!” You spat the words out and kept running, ignoring the pain in your chest from shortness of breath. The run felt like years but when you spun around the corner to his rooms, you cried out for all those who gathered in the hall to make way for you. It seemed every lord in the kingdom was standing outside Aemond’s door, awaiting news.
“Make way for the princess!” You heard Sir Criston order and the sea of people quickly parted, letting you rush forward. He quickly opened the door to allow you to enter before closing it to stop any of the courtiers catching a glimpse of your husband in his weakened state.
“You must let him see Aemond!” Alicent was crying as she reached towards her son but jumped in fright as Aemond quickly stood and backed away in rage. His eye remained in perfect condition, but you could have screamed at the sight of blood running through the fingers he held where his eyepatch was usually strapped upon.
“Aemond.” You cried, stumbling towards him. He seemed to move towards you, before tensing up and shaking his head. You did not miss the distress on his face.
“Leave! Get her out of here! All of you get out of here!” His voice was loud and you and many others in the room flinched at the noise.
“Prince Aemond I must be allowed to access your eye!” The maester begged but Aemond silenced him with an animalistic snarl.
“If you cunts do not leave me right now, I swear to the gods that everyone shall know the pain of losing an eye!” His eye was widened, and his pupil dilated like a wild beast. His gaze flickered between every person in the room, desperate to make sure no one moved towards him. All you could focus on was the constant stream of blood oozing from between his fingers.
“Out.” You choked out the word and everyone turned their startled gaze to you, but your eyes did not leave your husband once.
“Princess I must...”
“OUT!” You screamed the order, cutting off the maester and glared at everyone. They reluctantly moved away and Alicent quickly squeezed your hand before making sure she was the last person to depart, leaving you alone with Aemond.
“You leave too.” He growled but you simply moved to near him. Aemond backed off, startled by your movements and your heart broke. You couldn’t imagine how traumatic this moment must be, and the memories it has brought back upon him.
“Lay in bed Aemond.”
“Get out!”
“You promised you would return to our bed and gods help me Aemond if you do not lay down, I shall find a way to make you.” Neither of you could look away from each other, your chests heaving in sync as he stood in defiance.
“Y/N...”
“Please Aemond. Please.” You begged for his co-operation, hoping that he would see the tears beginning to fall and would help put you out of your distress. It was a shock when it seemed to work, and you quickly moved to help your husband cautiously lower himself to lay upon his bed.
“I do not want you to look.” He whispered it as his eye closed in sorrow and you watched as a single tear escaped and mixed with the blood pooling from his empty eye socket.
“I am your wife Aemond. I shall look, and I shall care for you. It is my duty.”
“You are too kind to be forced into this marriage. It should not be your duty to look upon such horror. I do not wish it. I do not wish for you to see the ugliness of my scars.” He would not open his eye as he confessed it, but you clasped your hand tightly around his and pressed a long kiss to it.
“My love. My Aemond. How have you not noticed? This marriage has been long past duty for me. I have loved you for a long time now husband.” His breath quivered at your confession, and when he opened his eye, he cried out at the sight of your hands reaching for his eyepatch.
“My love... I hope you know it is the same for me. You have enraptured me, enchanted me, enslaved me. I am yours. Only yours.” His hands shook as he took the turn to clasp your hands and press a kiss to it. There was nothing to say between you, it was a confession that you had both been waiting for. Instead, you let your hands move back to the job at hand. You were slow and delicate as you unclasped the eyepatch and were tender in your gaze once it was finally removed. You hid your shock at the sapphire that was burrowed snugly between the torn skin around his eye and let yourself lean close to inspect the damage the foolish knight had inflicted.
“The cut is not deep. It has just opened a small section of your scarring around your top eyelid, but the main gash is above where your patch sits. It is something I shall be able to fix.” You whispered as you allowed your fingers to trace the faded scars that littered his eye. He shivered under your touch and reached out to hold onto you as you looked upon his shame.
“The fool went for an eye already missing.” He breathed out a laugh and you filled with rage at the thought of the idiot contender.
“I shall kill him with my bare hands.” You snapped but Aemond let out his first real laugh.
“Do you truly believe I would have allowed that cunt to live after what he did to me dear wife?”
pairing: aemond targaryen x f!reader
rating: general audiences
word count: 6k+
summary: when aemond targaryen shows interest in courting your little sister, she employs your help to capture his attention through sharing letters and notes, all the while acting as if you are her. it was never meant to become so complicated.
warnings: medieval catfishing? rom-com vibes. a little bit of fluff because my masterlist was getting to angsty so i needed something to lighten it up. catfishing bad in real life obviously.
This has been flagged as mature by the tumblr gods but i promise it’s not.
“Please!” You wanted to curse your sister. Could she not see you were enjoying the peace of the gardens? That you were content simply reading beneath the oak tree that kept you hidden from the surrounding courtiers? Why did she need to pester you with such idiotic conversation?
“Repeat it again?” You were in disbelief at what your younger sister had just requested of you, but her excitement rendered her oblivious to the discomfort.
“Prince Aemond requested me as a dance partner at the ball last night and now I am in love! But I woke up to this letter beneath my door and I do not know how to reply! Or what some of the words mean. He was so sullen with me last night that I thought he must have hated me so. But he likes me!” She spun around in childish glee, ignoring your widened eyes and cruel laughter.
“So, you want me to write back to him? As you? This morning did you not call him a tedious bore? You said you regretted wasting a dance on him, if I recall correctly?”
“Yes, yes, I know! I was too devastated that he did not like me, so I had no choice but to mask my despair. I know you understand what I’m asking for, I do not know why this is the fourth time you want me to repeat it you obviously know what I’m talking about!”
“Tell me one more time for good luck.” You could help but play with Mariyanna now, enjoying her desperation. You both had only just been sent to attend court three days ago, but it was no surprise to you that she would catch a suitor’s eye so quick. Even if it was the sullen prince with an ill temperament that many had warned you to take care around.
“Stop! Please sister, please!?”
“Many say he is a cruel man little Anna. Heartless even. Hell bent on revenge from years ago. And that he does not smile or laugh. I’m surprised he danced.” You sighed as you lowered your book and finally gave your attention to her. She was three years your junior, but you often treated her as a baby. She let her knees sink to the cold earth so that you both sat facing each other and Mariyanna clasped your hands together tightly.
“His mother requested he dance so he could begin trying to find a suitable wife. Apparently, he won’t accept anything his family suggest so he is being given the freedom to choose. As long as she is suitable enough to join their family.”
“He told you all this?”
“No, his brother Aegon told me after he saw us dance for the second time.”
“The drunk?”
“Hush sister. But yes... that one. You would know all this if you attended!” She tried to glare at you in disappointment, but her smile was uncontainable. She was truly getting swept up in a fantasy that was created less than a day ago. You rolled your eyes at her comment before lifting your book back up.
“You are a fool little sister.”
“Imagine it though! Me! Marrying a prince and becoming a princess! I think I would fit well into that duty.” Her eyes glazed over as she imagined her possible future, but once she returned to reality, and quickly returned to begging. You groaned as your book was covered by the letter Prince Aemond had slid beneath her door, turning your nose up at the courting language. It was infected with imagery of nature and copious amounts of sentences comparing sweet Mariyanna to different flowers. You moaned in discomfort.
“PLEASE!?” She cried. You did not want to. You loathed the idea. But you were always ready to do whatever your sister required, so with a sigh you wrote a letter in return. She complained it was not filled with enough declarations and promises of love and duty, but you simply waved her away.
“You do not want to seem desperate for him. He will think you are only after his title.” And like always, your sister followed whatever you said. After that she sat wide-eyed as you quickly wrote down little sentences that quietly asked to be answered. You made small jokes about their previous night as you listened to your sister retell every moment in detail. The moment it was finished she bounced up quickly and pressed a quick kiss to your cheek.
“I love you!” You had no time to reply before she spun on heel and raced up the grass hill, desperate to find a maid to deliver the letter.
“That’s the only time Mariyanna!” You called out after her, but she was already gone.
+++
It was only a day later that your little sister had come running back with a letter grasped tightly in her grip. This time she was interrupting your alone time in the library.
“He replied!” She squealed before shoving you along the stone bench to sit beside you. You thanked the gods no one ever seemed to come to this part of the castle, as they much preferred the newly renovated library across the other side of the red keep. She gave no time for you to reply before it was shoved into your face.
Mariyanna,
I must apologize as there has been a mistake. I did not send any letter to you after our dances. I believe my mother has taken it upon myself to incite conversation between us. However, I quite enjoyed your reply, and I would like to talk more this evening. Please do me the pleasure of accompany me on a walk along the grounds.
Prince Aemond
“My letter has captured him! Can you believe it!? A prince!” You almost laughed at her. Almost.
“Why are you here and not racing down to find him?”
“I do not know what to talk about I need some tips. I know he studies philosophy and he read many books according to Lady Ariyanna. I need you to give me some talking points!” She begged.
“You want talking points on books you’ve never read? Little Anna I am sure you must simply be yourself and he will fall in love with you. Do not mould yourself into something you are not. He would be a fool not to be enticed instantly for your charm and beauty.” You brushed a strand of hair from her face and smiled at the delight that had consumed her entire being.
“I know! And I won’t! I just need some extra wit. I need your brains. You are the most intelligent person I know. Just this once. Afterwards I shall use my own letters and interests.” You sat staring at one another for a second before you simply sighed.
“Fine.”
You had one hour to drill small jests and facts about your favourite books. You discussed quickly about Ten Thousand Ships and the journey Nymeria faced in her battle to be Queen. You kept it short and simply, but hoped it was enough for her to act out her silly little infatuation with the young prince. For your sister’s sake.
She could not sit still from the nerves of what was to come, and you swore there was no way she would recall everything. It felt she was hardly listening, but your sister was treating the whole thing quite seriously.
When she left you, you moved to gaze out from the window and looked down to the gardens below. You had the perfect view of your nervous sister. She was cautious as she moved towards the looming figure of the prince, his arms crossed behind his back and his posture standing tall. He was looking upon the oak tree you had sat yesterday but turned as he realised your sister had crept forth. They bowed, and you imagined they greeted each other, before beginning the boring small talk that comes with meeting someone new. But when you saw your sister begin laughing, and his arm move to offer itself to her, you knew your tips had paid off.
Moving away with a sigh, you returned to your book.
That was all you would do for their courtship now.
+++
You don’t know how your sister did it, but letter upon letter you had exchanged with Prince Aemond over the last few months. It quickly became easier than breathing. His interests were the same as yours, and his humour yours too. The books he suggested kept you enticed to the very last page, and he wrote that your recommendations happened to do the very same. You found him charming, however not overbearing, and you quickly realised you had dug yourself the deepest grave. You had never loved anyone.
Until now.
“Mention how I enjoyed his thoughts on Lies of the Ancients! Oh, and that I have come to agree the Starks made up all their stories to look really powerful!” You looked at your sister, disturbed by her ridiculous take.
“I will not write that.” You muttered. You don’t remember how she coerced you in to writing this letter, yet here you were, scribbling stupid quips and more enticing conversation starter.
“It was what Aemond told me. It will show I was listening!”
“Mary, he is playing with you. No one regards Archmaester Fomas’s writing as anything more than an old man raving his madness to the masses. If he brought it up, I believe... well, I believe he was making a joke.” You grimaced at your sister, trying hard not to imagine her nodding along to Aemond Targaryen’s dry humour.
“Oh.”
“Yes.”
“Okay, well write that I thought it was a funny jest.” She leaned her weight on to your back to get a full view of the stupid letter. You groaned beneath her with a huff but decided that you would mention that you knew he was jesting with his thoughts. You did not want your sister to come off as a halfwit. Or perhaps it was that you did not want him to think you a halfwit.
“There. Mariyanna, I truly mean it when I say this is the last time, I shall do this. It does not feel right to mislead Prince Aemond.” You pushed the letter away in defeat for her to sign, which she happily scribbled on. You heart ached from the entire ordeal. At night you found yourself craving the idea of Aemond finding out the truth, but you also resented the idea of your sister being left broken. She brought the letter to her lips and placed a small kiss to the corner of it, leaving her lip paint to stain the very edge.
“I know. I just don’t want to lose his attention. He is so tall and strong and princely. If it is not me who mothers his children, I do not know how I shall survive.” Her giggling was infectious, and you thought you hoped her happiness would never fade. So much so, you knew you were willing to give up your own for your sweet little sister.
“Just... be careful little Anna. I worry you have fallen too deep into something that could implode in any moment.” You hoped she would heed your warning, but the youthfulness glee did not fade from her eyes, leaving you in doubt that she had even heard.
Her snickering suddenly came to a stop when the sound of the libraries grand door clicked open. You cursed inwardly, how many people were to invade the only peaceful part of the whole keep? She eyed you uncertainly and you quickly shrugged back in panicked confusion. She shrugged back at you even harder making you roll your eyes and point for her to see who had entered.
“Why me?” She mouthed. You rolled your eyes and shoved her off her chair, leaving her no choice to silently toe towards the edge of the bookcase. Leaned forward in anticipation, you almost cried out in fright as she swung around in panic.
“What!?” You hissed, bouncing to your feet in fear of whatever danger had entered. She quickly began shooing you away with her hands and began tidying the desk you had left sprawled with your readings.
“Go!” She mouthed silently at you again. You angrily threw your hands up in frustration at her choice not to answer, but the sound of man clearing his throat halted your every movement.
“My ears may deceive me, but I thought I heard your laughter, Lady Mariyanna.” Your jaw opened and closed in shock before you desperately began waving to your sister.
“Not here!” You quietly begged her. You did not want to see. You did not need the image of him staring upon your sister and whispering in her ear. You wanted to preserve what you had with him in your stupid letters.
“What do I do!? Why do I say I was in here for?” She grasped your shoulder and pulled you into her, shaking you for an answer. Stumbling in disbelief, you shook your head. You were both rattled by this turn of events, but you still could think unlike your sister.
“Fucking reading you idiot!” You hissed, making her almost slap her forehead.
“Right? Fuck what book?” She haphazardly began spinning on her spot, and you both desperately tried to find a book.
“Let me come and find you, my prince!” She cried out in fake delight before staring at you franticly. You both shrugged violently at each other and began glaring in alarm.
“You must leave. I will not be able to hide here long.” The sound of footsteps grew closer, leaving your sister no choice but to shove you away.
“No need. Who I am to draw you away from your readings?” The voice called out. You stilled for a second over the calmness of his voice.
“I’ll just read what you were reading.” She was alarmed by how close he was and quickly gave up the effort of finding a book.
“No!” You cried out quietly as you stumbled behind the bookcase. She ignored your cry and left you to crouch down out of sight, biting your knuckle in shame for what was about to happen. You were secluded enough behind the shelves that you were hidden from the great Aemond Targaryen, but you found you had a perfect view of the meeting. You watched in trepidation as he slowly stepped to the table that your sister had managed to gracefully sit at, after she had calmed herself from the madness that had taken over you both.
“My lady.” He bowed before her, leaving her nothing more than a blushing mess. If you had not have been in the clutches of utter panic at your precarious position, you would have rolled your eyes at her folly.
“Prince Aemond. I did not expect you!” She was flustered by his towering figure leaning over her, and quickly moved to stand, but he gently lay a hand on her shoulder to keep her sitting comfortably before him. Breathing in deeply, he let his eye rake over the shelves making you quickly duck away from his gaze. It was a surprise your beating heart did not give you away for you swore every person in the kingdom could hear it.
“No need for such formalities. It is I who has intruded upon your time; therefore, it is I who should be paying you the respect you deserve.” His tone did not match the sentiment as you had never heard such an unwavering, and proper speech come from any man in the court. No one could deny the authority that seeped from his very being, nor the power he held in his mere stance. Something quivered inside you at the sight of him, but it was in the most delicious way possible.
“I do not consider it an intrusion my prince. I am always grateful for your company.” Mariyanna squeaked out, her face the deepest shade of pink you had ever seen. You wondered how she had managed to converse with him this far?
“Please, you know I wish for you to call me Aemond.” The corner of his lip seemed to move upwards, and you wondered if that was his idea of a smile. Gazing upon his face, you found yourself struck by just how handsome the prince was. You had heard him to be described as frightening and dangerous, but no one had mentioned how sharp his jaw was. Your sister had informed you that his face simple, but pretty enough, and you felt the need to wring out her neck right then and there. How could she be so blind?
“Yes, my prince.” Anna sighed out dreamily and this time not even the panic of the situation could stop you from rolling your eyes.
“Are you enjoying your book?” Aemond enquired, reaching down and bringing the cover to his face. Your sister was too busy in her own realm of glee to notice the way his remaining eye widened in shock. You inwardly groaned.
“Oh yes! I am learning so much! I really think it one of the greatest books ever written.” Your sister tried to feign interest, placing her chin upon her hand and smiling up at Aemond. You had groaned even louder in your head. It was a shock when Aemond let out a breathless chuckle.
“Well... you continue to surprise me. Perhaps you shall have to tell me what you learn by the end." You could not blame Aemond for thinking your sister was being flirtatious because the book you had been reading was A Caution for Young Girls, a book banned from most libraries in the seven kingdoms for its erotica and sinfulness. It was infamous, so when it was passed back to your sister to look upon, even she knew what the novel was about.
“Oh god no! Not me!” She cried out in shock before throwing it across the library franticly. She quickly began spewing out apologies for presenting such an ungodly object before Aemond, while he simply looked at her with furrowed eyebrows.
“You do not need to worry. I shall not disclose it to anyone.” He tried to jest but it simply made her more frantic.
“I’m sorry you see? It was my sister! She must always make sure she partakes in the most unproper things to displease my father. see? It was my sister! She must always make sure she partakes in the most unproper things to displease my father.” You did not miss the way she hissed, knowing fully well that she intended you to hear her anger. You flinched into yourself, mortified that the prince would now think you a sexual deviant before you were to even become acquainted. You had only wanted to know what all the fuss was about.
“You have never mentioned a sister?” Perhaps Aemond was trying to defuse your sister’s panic, but the statement tugged at your heart hard. How had your sister not thought to mention you after all these meetings over these past few months.
“Yes... well... she doesn’t leave her room much, you see? She, well everyone thinks she is quite simple.” The tug was so harsh you felt your entire heart shatter inside your ribcage. As if she heard, Mariyanna looked apologetically towards where you were hidden. Aemond was gazing solemnly out the window so you simply took the opportunity to make sure she could see the way your lifter your middle finger in her direction.
“Cunt.” You mumbled, before quickly ducking once more as Aemond turned.
“I understand. My brother is the simplest person in the entire seven kingdoms. It seems we have much in common.” This time he finally did smile down at your sister, who in return, linked her arms tightly in his.
“Well at least we have each other to keep company.” She gazed up at Aemond from beneath her eyelashes, and you didn’t miss the way his eye softened.
“I came here for a reason, actually.” He muttered; his gaze unbroken from hers. He frowned as she quickly moved her gaze to anywhere but his scarred skin that was hidden beneath his eye patch but continued anyways. “I wished to invite you to dinner with my siblings tonight. I would like to introduce you to my sister Heleana and younger brother Daeron. Unfortunately, Aegon will also be attending but perhaps you can invite your brainless sister to entertain him.” His description left you heart squeezed, drained of every drop of happiness and leaving it to bleed through his tight grasp.
“She will be there. I’ll make sure of it. Now come, let us wonder the gardens! It is a beautiful day outside! Much too beautiful to be cooped up in here. It’s so dusty.” Your sister danced away merrily, happy to have succeeded in diverting away from a disastrous interaction. You swore you heard Aemond follow, so with a huff you stood straight and began stretching out your cramped limbs. When you gazed at the door, however, you saw him lingering, playing with the note you had written for him only moments ago. You watched the soft chuckle as he read it, and the way his demeanour seemed to lighten.
“Continuing to surprise me.” He huffed, before slowly bringing the edge of it to his lips. The act was intimate, much to intimate for you to be gazing on. Stumbling back, you tried to remove yourself, but your skirt knocked down a book from a top its stack, and Aemond swung around in haste. You saw him begin stalking forward to find the source of the noise, making you cover your mouth and bite down hard on your palm.
“Who goes there?” He whispered, prying his head around the bookcase. If Mariyanna was to renter, she would see Aemond standing above you, the only thing keeping you hidden was the books and cloths hanging over the shelf. You heard him inhale deeply, and for a moment you felt like prey being hunted by an animal. But she never came, and instead she called.
“My Prince!” Her laughter floated about the room, making Aemond instantly straighten with a huff.
“Hmmm.” He whispered, before turning and stalking off in her direction. You did not realised your skirt had been in plain view.
+
Shamefully, you agreed to attend the meal with no argument. You would like to sit before Aemond once, even if it was to watch his courtship of your sister. Absolutely shameful.
“I am happy you joined us, Mariyanna! My brother has talked a lot about you. A lot. Like all the time! Yesterday, I was showing him some art and he said it reminded him of this poem you had suggested he read. Even though he doesn’t like poetry. And, when you said you read that stupid book about ancient people lying, he was so amazed he didn’t shut up about it for a whole week! AND...”
“Daeron, please, for the love of the gods shut up.” Helaena quipped up, placing a protective hand on Aemond’s sleeve. Daeron giggled mischievously, his childish humour leaving only him amused. The glare Aemond sent his way left him clutching hard at the table trying not to let himself howl out in delight. You were seated beside him, with Aegon boredly picking his teeth in the reflection of his soup spoon on you other side. Helaena was perched across from him but was seated beside her obviously favourite brother Aemond. Mariyanna was seated on his other side. This meant Aemond and yourself were seated directly across from one another, and due to Helaena forcing the dinner to be an intimate event, your legs were almost touching his under the small table. The heat that radiated off him, and the accidently touches of his long legs had you pressing your thighs together as tightly as possible.
You do not know what possessed you to read that stupid book.
“Thank you for being kind enough to invite me.” Your sister ducked her head in appreciation, and you quietly sighed as no one paid any mind to you. It was a shock, however, when you raised your gaze and saw Aemond staring upon you, as if analysing your very soul. Without a second thought, you stared at him in the exact same way.
“Yes, my brother says you love all those stupid books. I’ve been trying to convince my mother to renovate that ancient library in the south corner of the keep and turn it into a theatre for us to watch plays. The commonfolk have some fucking hilarious skits.” Aegon laughed ignorantly, and you watched your sister laugh too.
“Oh no!” Your words came before your thoughts, and everyone quickly turned to you. You quickly looked at your sister for some support only to see her looking at you in frustration. “My sister loves that library.” You coughed out, and Mariyanna quickly nodded in agreement.
“It’s filthy. The new one is much nicer.” Aegon pointed out. Mariyanna kept nodding, getting confused with who she should comply with, but you shook your head.
“It’s too busy. And it censors the books too much.” You muttered falling into your seat to try and hide yourself from the attention. Aemond chuckled at your words, before beginning to tap his fingers a top the table.
“Yes. I hear you enjoy the restricted section of the library.” He smirked at you, thinking he knew a secret that you didn’t. Led to believe that he was alone in the library with your sister. But you were there, and you understood his words perfectly, leaving you reddened in shame.
“Oh really? How obscene do you enjoy your novels?” Aegon was suddenly interested as he snaked his arm around your chair and leaned in with a grin.
“Ugh.” You grunted out in disgust without thinking, leaving Mariyanna gasping in shock.
“Forgive my sister she...” She was drowned out by the laughter the three siblings shared at the treatment of their brother.
“Move away from her Aegon.” Aemond sighed. Aegon sighed in mock defeat, before turning his attention to swirling his wine. Looking away, you tried to turn your attention to your sister, but was caught by Aemond’s gaze once more.
“You do not come to any of my mother’s dances, am I right?” Shifting nervously, you quickly shook your head.
“I find my sister is much better at those types of things. I like to live through her little stories.” He hummed at your reply, before drawing his goblet to his lips.
“And what do you do in your spare time? Write?” Your sister and you stared panicked at one another, before you quickly shook your head. Helaena stared confused at the three of your, but Aemond simply looked at you. Nowhere else. His eye was on you.
“Not me.” The squeak of your voice mimicked that of your sister’s fluster under his gaze. Mariyanna was biting down hard on her lip, willing herself not to cry. She thought it obvious you had been caught.
“I just noticed the ink stains on your fingers. It was a simple assumption.” You quickly hid your fingers in the sleeve of your gown and tried to think up an excuse. But everything thought seemed to evade you.
“Not me.” You repeated quietly. The room fell silent for a moment, everyone staring between yourself and Aemond, but then you found yourself saved by the servants. The doors swung open as they swarmed in, carrying different trays of food and began arranging your feast on the small table. You quickly looked at your sister who widened her eyes in question. You simply widened your eyes back. You also did not understand what was happening.
“I have been so hungry this whole time.” Daeron moaned as he began piling his plate with potato's. Everyone moved to reach for a dish, so you quickly reached for the spoon that was within the soup dish. It also happened to be the dish Aemond reached for leaving you both grasping onto the tips of each other's fingers instead of the spoon. You quickly pulled back and cradled your hand with widened eyes. The touch had sent a sensation down your entire being, even all the way to your toes, leaving you with no choice but to curl them up inside your slippers.
“Apologies.” You choked out, looking down shamefully. You cursed yourself in embarrassment, declaring to yourself that he really will think you simple and brainless at the end of this dinner. He simply hummed at your regret, before lifting your bowl towards him. Without a word, he poured you a serving before returning it to you. No words were spoken as you nodded in appreciation.
+++
The dinner had gone smoothly after that. Perhaps smoothly wasn’t the right word. You had to cradle Mariyanna in your arms as she had spent the whole time after sobbing. Aemond had not paid her much attention to her, and she thought it obvious he had figured out that it was you who had captured him all those months ago.
“Shhh you do not know that to be true.”
“I do! I saw the way he was looking at you.” You had patted down her hair in comfort as she shook in your arms. You could not celebrate at the idea that Aemond might have figured it out because you heart ached for your sister.
“Even if he has figured out that it was I that was writing the letters, it does not mean he did not fall for you after all those hours he spent courting you.” You tried to reassure her, but her broken cries only got louder.
“I could tell he did not like our talks. I am not dumb. I knew when I laughed at the wrong times and disagreed and agreed on his thoughts mistakenly. I knew he only liked me because of your letters. I just thought with more time he might grow fond of me.” You shushed her crushed sobs and pressed a kiss atop her head.
“If he did not grow fond of your little Anna, then he is a fool.” You whispered. She lay in your arms a little longer, before letting out a long exhale. She quickly sniffed, before sitting herself up and wiping her eyes.
“It is okay.” She whispered, pinching her cheeks and quickly blinking away her tears. You were shocked by her sudden change of demeanour, but she ignored you and moved to her window. With a frown you slowly stood, scared any sudden movement would break her once more.
“Mary...”
“Veron Greyjoy has asked me to wed him. I think I shall accept it.” She gazed out, as if she had not mentioned something so immense.
“What?” You rushed to her side, but she simply sighed at you like you were an idiot. Clasping your hands with hers, she finally looked at you.
“My courtship with Aemond was flawed. I had to make sure I had other options. Of course, marrying a prince of Westeros was the ideal option but I was not dumb enough to think there was a certain likeliness of me wedding him. Unlike you, I do not mind if I marry for security. So, I entertained some men on the side. I have had a few other proposals of course, but I enjoy Veron’s company the most.” You could not speak from the shock of her news, but Mary simply kissed your fingers.
“What of Aemond?”
“He was kind, of course. And I would have been happy to wed him because I believe he shall make a wonderful husband. But I do not love him.” Disbelief. It is all that you felt. But you should not have been surprised. Your baby sister was born to thrive amongst the court, and you were a fool for thinking her dim-witted. Perhaps she was a greater schemer than Otto Hightower?
“You’re fucking insane.” You let out a breathless laugh, as you stumbled to leave her room.
“At first I was committed to him.” She called. You turned back to look at her smirking face. “But I started looking elsewhere when I saw you sign one of those letters with your own name.” Staring at her with a gaping mouth, you could not believe what was happening.
“I don’t know what you're talking about.” You muttered defensively. It only made her chuckle.
“You have my permission.”
“For what!?”
“You may let him court you. I know you love him. And who am I to get in the way of that? I do not remember a time you showed interest in any man.” She smiled lovingly at your blushing form while you stood spluttering out sentences of denial.
“He is a prince.” You finally whispered in defeat. You could never hide anything from her.
“And you shall be a fine princess.”
+++
You could not sleep after your talk with your sister. You had spent your night twisting and turning under the moonlight that streamed in from your window. So, with a huff, you found yourself marching to the library in a robe. Carrying a candle and allowing your hair to flow freely as your bare feet slapped upon the stone hallways, you were sure to have looked like a madwoman, but you were to frazzled to care. It was only when you made it into your hideaway within the library, that you finally allowed yourself to relax. You began lighting the candles upon the walls so that you had enough light to read and allowed yourself to reach for the book Ten Thousand Ships. During your exchanges with Aemond, you had spent many letters discussing Nymeria and her reign over Dorne. It was your favourite piece of literature, and it was his too.
You couldn’t read. You tried. Gods you tired. But the longer you stared at a page, the more distorted the words became. Instead, your mind was only on Aemond.
“You deceived me.” The sudden voice that came from between the shelves made you scream in shock. The book dropped as you quickly pushed yourself back in fear. But it only took a moment to be reminded whose voice that was. You watched as Aemond stepped forth from the shadows, still in his leather pants from dinner, but now just a sheer white undershirt covering his torso. The candlelight illuminated his face as he moved forward, and you breath hitched at the sight. He no longer had his eyepatch strapped up, but instead he left his missing eye bare for you to see. You expected a sunken hole where his missing eye once was, but the light caught on the sapphire, and you watched it glisten. You were awed, and when he noticed you did not look away from his scarring, he could not help but look upon you fondly. Swallowing your anxiousness, you simply bowed your head.
“I am sorry Aemond. Truly.” You cursed yourself for being so informal and allowing yourself to call him by his name, and when you watched him clench then unclench his fists, you thought you had already ruined everything.
“I could have you arrested for such fraudulence.” He muttered beneath his breath, making your neck bow even further. You felt tears spring to the corners of your eyes while you tried to gain composer.
“It is true. And perhaps I deserve it. I did not intend for it to go this far.” Your breath was shaky as you exhaled your words and allowed yourself to slowly lift your gaze. You expected to see Aemond glaring, full of hatred at the revelation that he had been played a fool, but he was simply looking down at you with an amused smile.
“I jest. I shall not have you arrested.” He apologised with a smirk, and this time your heart began to race for different reasons. No longer were you in fear of imprisonment, for now all you care for was the way Aemond Targaryen was standing above you in hardly any clothes, while you were sitting on the ground like a peasant with no shoes and untidy hair. You could not look away from the way his hair seemed to glow in the moonlight, and it was at that moment that you realise how unkept it was. It looked as if he had run his fingers through it a million times and in different directions.
“I could find no sleep.” You whispered. He exhaled a breath and let out a soft hum.
“Neither could I. My mind is... preoccupied.” You nodded in understanding and felt your heart soar from your chest. You were no fool. You know what was happening.
“Will you sit with me?” You suggested as you began clearing away the books you had scattered across the floor. Aemond did not need to think as he gracefully dropped to his knees and allowed himself to fall to your side. Trying to make yourselves comfortable, he let his hand stretch you behind you, and you were quick to fall into his side.
“Are you still reading A Caution for Young Girls?” You felt yourself choke at his jest, before allowing yourself to laugh.
“No. I finished it.” You smirked while pulling your book back into your lap. “Hmmm. A shame.” He whispered, leaving a tingling sensation running down your spine.
“I found it... enlightening.” You smirked as you ran your thumb across your lower lip. You felt him push his nose in your hair and you both couldn’t help but smile. You let out something between a moan and a laugh, before holding up Ten Thousand Ships.
“I believe you are familiar?” You teased. He let his teeth draw in his bottom lip quickly before chuckling at your question.
“I know something of it.” You went to turn the next page but stopped as you felt him move your wild hair to the side.
“Let us start again.” He whispered. Reaching down to your hand, he pulled up your fingers and pressed a gentle kiss to your knuckles.
“I am Aemond Targaryen, my lady. May I have the pleasure of knowing your name?”
the first chapter of your story seems very compelling! I hope alys won’t be used as some sort of obstacle or villain though since it’s such an overused trope in many aemond/reader fics 🙏🏼
This is so real. You’ll never catch me hating female characters in asoif. Sorry if this upsets you but personally if I was going through everything the female characters go through I would also be a little insane.
pairing: aemond targaryen x f!reader
rating: mature (18+)
word count: 5.9k+
summary: you wished you were strong enough to fight against the life that had been planned for you, but instead you cower at the thought of marrying the dreaded kinslayer, and you were sure he wished to be marrying someone else too. but neither of you could escape this marriage. duty always prevails.
chapter summary: the realm was left a mess after the war between the targaryen kin. aegon may have won but the city despises those who almost destroyed the realm. the greens have become the most feared family in the realm, and prince aemond the most frightening figure of them all. that is why the townsfolk weep as your carriage passes them. they pity the sweet girl who is to be sacrificed to the kinslayer and his family.
warnings: smut. arranged marriage. uncomfortably smut. forced marriage. angst. it will get better. beauty and the beast au (?)
authors note: I have a bad habit of disappearing to remain mysterious. I see my flaws. But truthfully... I never left.
masterlist
It had been six days since your arrival on this foreign shore, but you were still consumed with the sickness that comes with travelling upon the sea. Your stomach seemed to tighten with every bump or shift of the carriage, and every jolt had your dress being pulled tighter into your fists. The echoing voices and cries made it known that your arrival to the red keep had gained an audience, so you slowly pulled back the curtain of the carriage and peered out to see the villagers who you would soon preside over.
“They have experienced hell little one.” Your brother sighed pitifully as he leaned over your shoulder to view the commotion. The folk looked solemnly on the moving carriage, shaking their heads and bowing towards your hidden figure. Some wept pitifully for you leaving the bile in your stomach no choice but to race upwards, and when you made eye contact with an old nun crossing herself in a silent blessing, you hastily tugged the curtains back into place and push yourself into your seat.
“You would leave me here.” You chocked out in anguish. He simply laughed. All he ever did was laugh at you.
Your brother would not support you in your sorrows. He would not weep, nor would he pity you, because it was he who was forcing you into this torment. He was the one marrying you off to the second prince of the realm. He was the one orchestrating your misery. Your brother will simply dump you at the feet of the most hated family of the realm and walk away with more land and title.
“You can thank father for your predicament sister. It was that reckless old man who fought for the traitor Rhaenyra. It was he who lost our good will with the crown. It is I who is simply trying to win back our favour and our riches.”
“They will think me a traitor like they think our father was. He fought for her because he made an oath to support her claim. They will not differentiate who was under our banner on the battlefield. They will take out their anger on me. He will take out his anger on me.” The chills that tingled your spine when you thought of your future husband should be familiar by now, but it still frightens you.
“Father was blinded. Being obligated to risk all our fortune over a pathetic oath forced upon him by the late King Viserys. He worked beside Otto Hightower that whole time. He should know better than anyone the power that man held. He should have known the battle was won before Viserys was even dead.”
“Our father was a loyal subject to Queen Rhaenyra and he fought for her because he knew she would be an admirable ruler. She would have ruled as peacefully as her father. Now we are left with a drunken fool who has started a war with the stepstones once more and his brother who is using his new position as Commander of the City Watch to use cruelty and violence on the folk of Westeros for his on pleasure.” Your father’s death was still raw and the slight against his name lit a dangerous passion in you. It was horrifying listening to your brother talk about your poor dear father so carelessly, but he simply clicked his tongue in mock shame.
“Careful now or you may lose your tongue. Aegon is King, and your dear Lord Commander shall soon control you for the rest of your life. You shall have to worship the ground he walks upon if you wish to be a dutiful wife and not anger the King’s Mother. Although I do not think you are in too much danger of him touching you as I hear you are not his type dear. There are whispers he prefers to fuck witches and hags.” You shook with rage at his condescending tone.
“He burnt countless amounts off innocent farmers and villagers and left nothing but ashes wherever he went. You would give your sister to a man who murdered his own family… twice. He is Aemond the Kinslayer and you would…”
“You should be proud sister. I’ve matched you with a prince! A disfigured, cruel man who reduced half the realm to ashes, but a prince no less. Just ignore the bloodlust and violence and I’m sure it will not be so bad. All you need do is bare his heir and look pretty.” His childish snickers as he cut you off had you seeing red, but you understood you could do nothing but seethe silently. How could he be so proud to sell off his sister to the notorious brute that had burnt cities to the ground and slayed anyone who got in the way of his family as they usurped Rhaenyra’s throne. His bloodlust had even led to the murder of his own kin. How could such an animal be expected to make a suitable husband?
The sound of the city guards yelling for the gates to be opened, and the grinding and rattling that followed meant that you had finally arrived at the red keep, and that your life was over at the meek age of one and twenty. Your brother wasted no time jumping from the carriage the moment the door was swung open, but you stayed for just a second longer. Hovering the tips of your fingers over the stitching of your family's sigil that was engraved in the cushions around you, you let out an unsteady sigh. You thought of your father, of his kindness and his love. His bravery and his wit. He would have let you marry someone you were comfortable with; he would have wanted you to have a peaceful life. Your brother was to throw you into the dragon den.
“May I present my sister to your graces?! She’s a shy little thing forgive her!’ You brother boasted with a joyous laugh. His hand reached into the carriage and grabbed blindly for you, leaving you no choice but to straighten yourself, and swallow the melancholy that came with remembering your past. You did not take his hand, but instead stepped slowly from the carriage with a bowed head, allowing almost no vision of what was in front of you. You let yourself fall into a graceful curtsey and remained low. There was large audience lined around the courtyard of the Red Keep, leaving you nervously tremble.
“Your graces.” You whispered, slowly letting your eyes raise. There were many figures that had lined up to welcome you, but it was the four at the very front who demanded your attention. King Aegon sat in his wheelchair; half his face taken up by the burnt scarring the late Princess Rhaenys had left him upon her death, looking bored by the entire meeting. His wife, Princess Heleana stood beside him, but her gaze was towards the empty spot to the left of us, and her incoherent mumbling seemed to be ignored by everyone around her. Her mother, Alicent Hightower, had a hand on her daughter's elbow but you could not decide if it was to support her daughter or herself. She seemed overcome by exhaustion and the lines on her face seemed to age her more than she was. Her hair had begun greying and the unkept strands made you think she had run her hand through it vigorously.
“Welcome to our court. We have been eagerly awaiting your arrival.” The smile that the dowager queen forced gave you no source of comfort, but you took the welcome as permission to stand at your full posture, and you finally allowed yourself to gaze upon your future husband. You would be lying if you did not admit to letting your gaze be drawn straight to the ugly scarring that peaked out from beneath his leather eye patch. It seemed to match the tight leather attire that fitted his lean body. He was a true Targaryen prince, with his perfect white hair and bright purple eye, so you were not shocked by his beauty. After all, Targaryen's were closer to the Gods than men. His looming figure was so still you could mistake it for a statue but proving not to be only by the slightest bow of his head as he gazed at you. His blank expression gave you no hint of whether he was satisfied by you and the silence that followed his mother's greeting left much to be uncertain of.
“I am much appreciative to be welcomed so kindly.” You wish you had the prowess to stand tall, or the courage to say something spiteful about this dreaded situation you had found yourself in; but you were scared.
“Pretty little thing you are my dear future sister. So innocent and quiet. I don’t know if my dear brother shall know what to do with you.” The King mocked Aemond boldly leaving a few courtiers to snicker, and Aegon turned his gaze knowingly towards his younger brother, eager for a reaction, but Aemond Targaryen simply stared at you. Trying politely to avert your gaze, your eyes moved to stare at his feet, but something drew your attention back to him not one minute later. His gaze was still on you.
“My sister shall allow whatever Prince Aemond desires. She is the most dutiful thing. I’m sure she will make a devoted wife.” You tensed at your brother’s demeaning comments and felt a swell of rage as the young king whistled in delight.
“Perhaps I shall wed her than! Take two wives just as my namesake did. Or perhaps I shall get rid of… that.” All eyes but one was drawn to Queen Heleana, but she did not notice and instead continued whispering with a sad smile. You could not help your brows from furrowing in empathy for the broken princess. It was no secret to the realm what horrors the woman had been through. The anguish that would come with watching your oldest son slain before your very eyes. The disrespect her husband spewed made your skin crawl. Feeling choked up by the pity, you averted your gaze towards Aemond Targaryen.
His eye had not left you.
You both stood in silence for a beat before Aemond slowly took a step forward. The quiet chatter of the courtiers stopped instantly and suddenly the atmosphere was heightened with anticipation of what the prince was about to do. Your breath was caught and with each step he took forward, you heart hammered harder. The lurching your stomach felt in the carriage was nothing compared to this very moment. It was as if time stretched longer than you ever thought possible, leaving you to feel as if you had been stuck in that one spot for eternity, waiting for the strides of your future husband to reach you. His lean figure was straight, and his gaze remained intense, inspecting your reaction as he moved towards you. When he finally reached your frozen figure, he towered over you, looking down with an almost cruel amusement in his eye. He finally moved his gaze from your face to give you a once over, slowly letting it fall down your entire body, before crawling back up.
“Shall I show you around the keep my lady?” His hand slowly extended, and you felt yourself hypnotised, reaching for it without a thought.
“I would be thankful for the tour of your home my prince, but I would not want to keep you from your duties.” You breathed out. If you were of the right mind, you would curse yourself at how kindly you greeted him, but alas you were overwhelmed by how close he stood, and how godly he looked up closely. Without breaking eye contact, Prince Aemond raised your knuckles to his lips and lightly let them brush against your skin, leaving the feeling of fire to consume your body.
“It would be my pleasure,” His voice was low as he finished the sentence with your name, and you were hypnotized by the way it rolled of his lips. If he had any idea of the sudden intoxication that had overpowered you, he did not show any hint of it, and you were thankful he did not boast of it. You were already to humiliated to bare. You were never the type of foolish girl to be besotted with a man, let alone a monster like this, but Aemond Targaryen seemed to conquer your very being with his mere presence. You were smart enough to recognise this was going to cause nothing but trouble for you.
“I would not wish to burden you.” You whispered softly for only his ears but threaded your arm over his awaiting arm all the same. You fell in step with his powerful strides and did not spare your brother a second glance as you passed him by. The prince breezed through the crowd who had come to gawk at the poor young girl who was getting sacrificed to this vicious man, and you found yourself revelling in the way they quickly scurried to the side to let you pass. Your amusement was short lived due to a hand reaching out and clutching at your elbow, leaving you staggering away from your future husband and into the body of a nameless courtier.
“Bless you sweetheart. Bless your poor soul. Let the Gods protect you from him.” The crowd around you began feverously whispering to one another, shocked by the man’s audacity, but the room was quickly silenced as two knights hoisted the man back with a shout and dragged him so fast, he had no chance to gain any footing. His body was dragged away as he cried and kicked his feet like a little boy leaving you once again unable to breathe. It was as if you had iced water thrown over you. The spell was broken, and you suddenly remembered who you held onto so eagerly. You were overcome by the smell of smoke and rot, as if you had been transported to the fields that Aemond Targaryen had so happily burnt to ashes. You swear you could smell the burnt flesh of his ghosts in that very moment.
“Come now my lady. Let’s get you away from this noise.” Aemond stared at the man being heaved away, expressionless. It was as if he was used to the scene that unfolded and was almost bored by the antics of the courtiers. You tried not to let him see your trembling fingers as you laced your hand upon his elbow and looked down in shame.
“What shall happen to him?” You don’t know why you asked, because you know what happens to those who speak out against this Targaryen family. Aemond began his pace once more but this time you could tell he was surveying every movement around them, waiting for another attack.
“He will be executed. We do not allow disobedience in our court.” He said your name as he finished his sentence and gazed down at you.
You understood the warning.
+++
Your wedding was a solemn affair. You had imagined when the time came around, there would be laughter and dancing, flowers and wine thrown around. Colourful and delightful with a husband who would steal kisses at the wedding feast and spend the night spinning you in his arms. Your family surrounding you. Your father hiding his tears as he watched you give your hand to the man you loved.
It was nothing like that. The crowd was silent as you walked. Not one person in the room smiled. The crowd bowed their heads in respect or pity, you cared not to know, and you had no energy to try and feign delight at the altar. Your husband was no different. He stared ahead with a grimace, but continued preforming the duty that was marrying you. You tried not to look at him during the ceremony but failed only once. He looked disconcerted by the whole experience making your heart ache. You wondered if he wished he was marrying the witch your brother had so carelessly mentioned. Your cursed heart ached at the thought. Not from jealousy, but from the desire of wanting to marry someone who wanted you. You were being chained to this man forever, and he wished for you to be someone else. But you could not fault him in that. Gods knows you too wished to be marrying someone else.
The wedding feast felt more like the wake at a funeral. There was a band playing some music in the balcony above, but no one moved. You sat stiffly by your new husband as you both stared ahead, trying to ignore the soft murmurs of the crowded hall. His finger were clenched around his chair and he did not speak as numerous courtiers steeped forward to present you both with your wedding gifts. It was left up to you to utter your appreciation at the useless artifacts while they scurried away, fearful of angering the prince with their presence.
“Please smile Aemond. Or do something that is not sitting there and scowling.” You pretended to ignore it when your new mother-in-law hissed into her sons' ear, then tried not to cower when he moved his hand to rest on yours above the table. The whole crowd would have seen the way you both flinched at the contact.
“Smile sister. This is a joyous occasion.” Your brother muttered lowly beside your ear, sometime after Alicent had ordered the same thing. You felt Aemond’s hand clench around yours just slightly, and you knew that he had heard your brother. Slowly you inched closer to your husband and gave him a slight smile, but you were sure it came out as a grimace instead.
“How will the Kingsguard handle tonight without their leader?” Whether it was out of politeness or awkwardness, you do not know, but the conversation you tried to start was quickly shut down by the monotone voice of your husband. He did not react to your words and let his gaze remain on the crowd below.
“I will be joining the patrols once we are finished our duty tonight.” You slipped your hand from his and clenched your wedding dress tightly in discomfort. You felt his gaze turn to you leaving your skin burning under his gaze.
“I see.”
You turned away from him and did not look at him until an hour later when he stood from his seat. The music halted at once and the room was silenced. The guards around the room quickly stood tall as Aemond surveyed the audience.
“My wife and I have grown quite tired from the festivities. It is time we retire to our bedchamber. Please, continue enjoying the feast my mother has so careful crafted.” Your new ladies-in-waiting quickly moved to your side from all corners of the room while the wedding party moved to walk you both to your doom. You were allowed to step into the room without your husband so that your ladies could help you ready yourself. On the other side of the door, Aemond was doing the same. It seemed he was joining you in your quarters tonight, in your new bed. There would be no safe place for you to escape the man.
“Are you alright my lady?” One of your ladies whispered as she undid your tight corset. The silk ribbon was unravelled and with each breath you released the closer you were to crumbling to the floor. You had spent the last two weeks in a constant state of fear and melancholy, and it all seemed to be coming to ahead at the worst time possible.
“I am alright Alyssa. Just tired.” You ignored the look the three women around you gave one another and instead moved your gaze elsewhere and landed on the worst possible spot. You had left your bed a crumpled mess this morning, after a night of restlessly tossing and turning, but you could not tell that anymore. The sheets were perfectly straight and tightened in the corners, folded down with such precision it made you feel sick. Your mother had died in childbirth, and you had no sisters so your knowledge of what was about to happen was limited, but you knew to expect the pain and blood at the hands of your husband.
“I hope you are not truly tired Brother. Your night has only just begun.” King Aegon slurred voice was muffled by the door but still audible. If you were not already filled with dread then, you sure as hell were now.
“Aegon, please just leave your comments for one night.” Alicent’s tired voice sighed back. You could not help the tears that began falling as your ladies began the final touches, fluffing your hair and untying the sleep gown so that it would be easier to remove. Without so much a glance at those in the room, you clamoured into the bed and wept.
“My lady, you cannot let them see this. They will think you ungrateful. It would do Prince Aemond great dishonour.” The three girls rushed to their lady in crisis and were quick to brush your hair from your face and hold you in comfort. You hardly talked to these girls, as they were a gift from your new family, and you assumed them to be spies for your husband and his scheming mother. But in this moment, you could only think of the comfort of being held.
“I’m scared.” You whimpered as they tried to sooth you with their murmurs.
“It is a scary thing my lady, but do not fret. It is over quicker than you can imagine.” Caitlyn, a relative of the Tully’s assured you as she stroked your hair.
“Oh yes. Just turn your gaze to something else in the room and it will be finished before you even settle on an object to admire.” Margaret, a distant relative of the Stark’s agreed with the assurance. It did not help but you appreciated the before. You wished to be held longer, but a stiff knock to the door echoed around your room.
“Is the Lady prepared?” The girls were quick to pat away your tears, and with a quick curtsey they moved to open the door. You instead turned your face to the side and stared at the new moon that was almost in the centre of the window frame. You did not need to look to know who had knocked.
“Yes, my prince. She is awaiting you.” With a curtsey they rushed out the room, leaving a silence that was only disrupted by the slight crackle of the candles that lit your room. You had tried hard to replicate the warmth of your room back home, but it had never felt colder. Time seemed to once again slow, and it felt a lifetime before you heard the click of the door closing. It remained quiet, and you thought for a second that your husband had perhaps decided he could not bear this just as much as you. Perhaps he had stormed off to the city to lead his guards in slaughtering the criminals within the walls of this wretched place. Perhaps you could sleep peacefully tonight, safe from the beast for one more night. The candles going out one by one let you know that your dreams were crushed, and that you were not alone in the room. He was silent as he crossed the floor, putting out all sources of light until you were left in the darkness of the night. The darkened moon did nothing to help you see.
“Do you know what to expect?” His voice sliced through the silence, choking you. You squeezed your eyes closed and did a small nod.
“I know enough.” You whispered as the bed beside you dipped. He sat beside you for a moment, and even in the darkness you could feel his eye on you.
“I shall try not to hurt you, but it will be uncomfortable.” Your eyes remained tightly closed and your fingers began to tremble. You did not expect any truth in his words. This man was vicious, known for the way he revelled in pain and torture. Why would he treat the daughter of a traitor any different?
“I would be most grateful.” You choked out and quickly turned away as you felt more tears build up. Aemond’s breath caught and for a moment it felt as he if was grieved by your whimper, but with a soft grunt he still turned to you and mounted his body atop of yours. The close contact of his chest on your chest sucked the breath from your lungs and you reached for his arms to stop him from crushing you, but he never did. He seemingly balanced his weight perfectly atop of you and slowly allowed his hand to rest on your hip.
“Please breathe. I do not wish to watch you suffocate wife.” He whispered as his fingers moved delicately across your clothed stomach. The reminder had you sucking deep in through your nose and exhaling staggered though your lips. His hand continued to dance lightly over your clothed torso, and you could not help but squeak as his hand moved towards your breast. You had never even kissed a man, let alone have one like this. He could not choke back his soft chuckle at your innocence, as he firmly pushed his palm down.
“Oh.” You whimpered in confusion. He pushed his hips down against yours and let out an almost relieved sigh at the contact. He began a slow movement of his hips as one hand groped you and the other clung to your hip. Your body felt alight with fire, and you could do nothing more but clutch at your husbands' arms in confusion. His teeth moved to your ear and your body arched against his at the feeling of them grazing your neck. Your brain seemed to stop and the overwhelming feelings that were all happening at once was almost too much to bare.
“Breathe.” He ordered in a soft murmur as his lips pressed on the skin between your jaw and ear. You wanted to tell him the truth in that very moment. You were trying to breathe, but you are worried you have forgotten how.
“Sorry.” Was all you could muster. His hand moved from your breast to trailing back down your body and began bunching the bottom of your nightdress up. You could feel the lace of it brushing up your legs leaving bumps to litter your skin at the soft caress. Your body froze in fear at what was about to happen. Once the dress was secured above your waist, you gasped at Aemond’s hand moving to clutch at your thigh. You were shocked at the feeling of someone else’s skin gripping yours.
“Have you prepared yourself?” He breathed out as he pushed his hips forward. It seemed to brush something that left you once again arching into him, only this time you were much more desperate to keep that contact.
“My ladies prepared me.” You stuttered out in confusion. Had he not already asked that to your ladies? His amused sigh made you think you had misunderstood his question.
“I sure hope they haven’t prepared you the way I ask about.” He grunted. Getting up on to his knees, you found yourself shivering at the loss of his body heat. Your arms dropped from his arms leaving you lying breath him, trying hard to steady your panting breaths.
“I have been bathed and pampered to.” His soft hum filled the room as you explained your answer, then he began moving his hand towards the inside of your thighs.
“My Prince!” You cried out, pushing away his fingers as they moved towards his destination. Your cheeks reddened with a deep crimson that only you could be aware of in this dark room.
“Do you want this to hurt? I promised I would help, and this is the only way.” He peeled your hands away and continued as if he had not been interrupted. Your irregular breaths began heavily, and you wondered if the whole castle could hear the noise.
“Prince…” You gasped as you felt his finger run up your most sacred area. He let out an almost disappointed sigh, and you were overtaken by the shame. Was there something wrong? Your fears were cut short as you felt him begin dancing the tips of his fingers down, then once again back up.
“You are not ready yet. But I shall prepare you.” His voiced was that of duty, with no shift of tone or colour. You had no choice but to lie in utter confusion at what was happening. No one had warned you about this part of consummating a marriage. The feeling of his fingers felt foreign, but you found your muscles almost relaxing under the touch.
“Aemond…” You sighed out his name without a though of his titles or nobility and this small gesture seemed to be enough for your husband to begin applying more pressure.
“Relax under my touch. This will help.” His voice whispered into the darkness. When he moved his finger up to begin circling your bud you almost flew from the bed. He seemed to expect such a reaction from you as he had already pushed his free hand into your stomach to keep you unmoving. You whimpered out his name again as he began to pick up speed and you found yourself trying to push away from his touch, even though you weren’t sure you wanted it to end. It felt as if a soft tremor was building inside your stomach, and you soon found your body clenching out of its relaxed state.
“Please don’t.” You don’t know what you were saying this but the fear at the feeling building inside you had you beginning to panic beneath his touch.
“Shhh, trust me.” He whispered your name above you before slowly moving his fingers to push inside you. The foreign feeling was too much, and you quickly gripped onto the second prince and screwed your eyes shut. His thumb remained circling your bud as his finger began stroking your inner walls leaving you crying out in shock. Your body tensed with each stroke of his fingers, and you soon began whimpering incoherently. You felt that pressure suddenly overcome you and it was no longer a soft tremor, but an overwhelming sensation that only kept building. It began the panic in your mind, and you clung tighter onto Aemond.
“Please…” You chocked out in desperation, pushing your hips forward into his palm. He began quickening his pace and you could not help but throw your head back and moan.
“You’re doing so well, good girl.” You don’t know what happened at his words, but your body arched, and you cried out as the waves of pleasure washed over you, leaving you crying out and clutching Aemond’s shoulders. The pressure suddenly broke and you felt your voice disappear and instead seemed to scream out silently. Your body trembled and clenched throughout this feeling and Aemond did not halt his movements once. It was only when your body seemed to jolt from his touch that he slowed his movements pulled his fingers from you, leaving a slick trail to follow his touch.
“I’m… my prince, forgive me.” You were horrified by the way your body reacted at his touch.
“You did everything I had hoped you would.” He murmured before moving to unlace his pants. Your mind was too busy spinning to register the gesture, so you just stared dumbly as his hand slid underneath them. You watched in silent curiosity as his hand seemingly began moving and Aemond’s eyes furrowed in frustration.
“Could you… touch my arms or something?” He grunted as his hand seemed to quicken its movements. Your mouth was gaping like a fish as you cautiously nodded. With the gentlest touch you began tracing his arm upwards, blushing like madwoman. His movements did not halt once as you nervously ran your fingers up to his shoulders. You thought of his hand gripping your thigh, and how pleasing the firm grip he used was, so you nervously tightened your grip. It seemed to work because Aemond began adjusting himself out of his trousers. He allowed himself to fall forward to his original position of lying atop your body making your body still in anticipation of what was to come.
“Just turn your gaze to something else in the room and it will be finished before you even settle on an object to admire.” Margaret’s words were a reminder for you, so you turned your gaze to the window and tried to count how many stars you could see. You managed to get to twelve before he pushed himself into you and stole your gaze back greedily.
“Agh Aemond.” You were choked by the feeling as Aemond’s irregular breaths consumed your hearing.
‘I know, just…” He did not finish as he sunk deeper, and you cried out at the sharp pain inside you. It was not unbearable, but there was a great discomfort. You found yourself burying your head into his shoulder as he slowly began a slow movement with his hips leaving you gulping out a groan of pain.
“Just turn your gaze to something else in the room and it will be finished before you even settle on an object to admire.” One star. Two stars. Three stars. Your bottom lip trembled as the pleasure of your night seemed to finish and instead you were left trying not to squirm away in pain. Aemond’s silver strands kept moving to block your vision, so you finally turned back. Your nosed grazed his and you saw his eye widen in the darkness before his entire body stilled. He groaned deeply as he pressed his hips further into you and you could feel him twitching against you.
“It is done.” He breathed out. His movement was quick as he pulled out and moved to sit on the side of the bed. You were shocked by his quick movements and watched in a frazzled state as he quickly began relacing his pants. Following his lead, you pulled your dress back down and moved to rest against the headboard of your grand bed.
“I must attend the city watch now. I shall visit your chambers again tomorrow night until we…” You could tell a distant though had cut him off, but you knew what he meant. Until a child was conceived you would have to suffer him in your bed most nights.
“Did I…. Did I do something wrong?” You pulled the sheets to your chin in confusion at how desperate the man was to leave your company. He stood up and began pulling on his jacket that he must have taken off when he entered your rooms.
“You did everything perfectly. It is done now.” He moved towards the door, leaving you alone and disorientated by him. He turned back to look at you and you wondered what you must have looked like to him. Blushing and breathless, your hair a mess and your chest heaving, you assumed you looked a fool to the prince.
“Good night ābrazȳrys.” He mumbled. Your breath caught at his Valyrian, and you felt your brows furrow as the door quickly opened then closed swiftly. He was gone but you could hear a small commotion on the other side of the door.
“Aemond…”
“It is done mother; I have done my duty. Now leave me in peace.”
will you continue a princess and her secrets? it's my absolute FAVORITE fic so far!
AH i’m so happy someone asked about this fic it doesn’t get a lot of notes compared to my other ones. i love Helaena and Phia Saban a lot so i will definitely be finishing it. i think it will only be one more chapter though 💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖
summary: with a virus quickly spreading and violence taking over, aemond tries to move your little family to a safer place. he didn't expect to lose you all so quickly.
word count: 4349
part one : and then there was nothing
it was meant to be your daughter's first day of school, not the start of the apocalypse.
warnings: : horror themes and course language.
i had so many half written stories but the moment i finished that damn the last of us episode my laptop was open and i was off. this is very loosely based off the show, and could probably be more just apocalyptic au.
“…major reports of violent attacks across the city. The continued disturbance has many leaders growing uneasy, and they are requesting citizens to remain away from the area until the violence subsides. Mayor Borros Baratheon promises swift action on the matter. The cause of these outbursts is unknown to those outside the city. Our reporter…”
“Aemond, I love you but if Elia sneaks into our bed from nightmares again, I will blame you.” You rushed past your partner, who was scooping cereal into his mouth on the couch, and hurriedly began pulling the array of pencils scattered on the table into their correct case. Aemond simply shrugged as your daughter braided his hair behind him. You could not understand how they were so calm when you were going to be late for Elia’s first day of school.
“She doesn’t understand she’s only six. Did you see this? We were only just in Storm’s End! Aegon thinks it’s a terrorist attack.” He frowned, without taking his eyes away from the television screen. He had been following the story all week, not that there was much known about it. They simply kept repeating that the population was experiencing violent outbursts and it was becoming hard to control. You hadn’t paid much attention but something about it had struck Aemond.
“It just sounds like they are rioting against the government. Your brother thinks everything is some big conspiracy and darling, our trip to Storm’s End was two years ago. I know you’re interested but we really have to get moving. Also! Six years old is enough to remember something scary on the television. Remember when you watched that zombie show while she was in the room? She had to sleep with us for two weeks!” Reaching forward for the remote, you quickly turned it off before moving to zip up Ellia’s school bag, while ignoring the noise of protest Aemond huffed through his mouth full of cereal.
“I don’t have nightmares! I’m a big girl now!” Straightening her back with a huff, Elia stood tall behind her father, and you were once again stuck by their resemblance. You were jealous of their silver hair and bright blue eyes, but it was also their headstrong personality and dominating presence that reflected one another. Your heart swelled as you looked at them.
“Come. We don’t want you to be late for your first day. I’m glad you are fixing your father’s hair because I want some photo’s of my big girl before we go.” You placed a kiss upon your daughter’s head, and quickly moved to do the same to Aemond, but he quickly tilted his head back and caught your lips with his own.
“I’m not having plats in for the photos.” He whispered against your lips, and you couldn’t help the giggle that escaped you, and in turn your daughter too.
“You look ravishing my love.” You pressed one more kiss upon him, before straightening up and handing your daughter her bag.
“Come on big girl. It’s time we get you to class.” She gripped the handle tightly, trying to figure out what she wanted to say, but the words seemingly escaped her, so she dug herself into your torso and buried her head into you.
“What if everyone hates me?” Her little voice was muffled, but you and Aemond both heard her words clearly, sharing the same look of concern.
“There is no chance my baby! Everyone will love you. You are kind and smart and I’m sure everyone will see that, and you will have no problems making friends! Also, Jaehaerys is going to be in your class, so you won’t be alone.” You bent down to pull her away, while brushing the hair from her face. Aemond placed a comforting hand upon her head and smiled lovingly at his only daughter.
“Yes, you shall have your cousin and you will make many friends. And if those little kids are mean to you, they shall have to deal with me. I can promise you that.” Your daughter giggled at her father’s threat, before twisting her little arms around his neck. He instantly reacted by pulling her up into the air and allowing her to wrap her legs around his hip. Elia reached for you, and you found yourself being tugged tightly into your husband’s side, and you all sighed at the feeling of being close to one another.
“I love you both.” She whispered, leaning her cheek into Aemond’s face.
“I am the luckiest man alive. How did I end up with such a perfect little family?” You let your eyes shut as you let yourself be overwhelmed with the comfort of having the two most important people in your life safety tucked into your arms.
“My loves.” You whispered as they both moved to pat down your hair. You could have stayed in that moment forever.
How were you to know that soon you would spend your nights cursing yourself for being the one who moved away first?
“Come on you two. Photo time.” Clapping your hands together, the two groaned in protest at your sudden change.
“OH! I can use the camera Aunt Helaena bought me!” Elia squealed in realisation before running off down the house you shared with your husband. Aemond began pulling the braids away so that his shoulder length hair could flow freely. You let your hands wrap around his waist and he quickly lent down to kiss the tip of your nose.
“You’re holding it together really well.” He whispered making you let out a tiny laugh.
“I couldn’t stop crying in the shower. It feels like yesterday we were looking over her cot in the hospital ward. She’s growing too fast.” Aemond hummed in agreement at your confession and let himself rest his head upon yours.
“Much too fast. Usually, I spend my days off playing dragons and princesses with her but now I don’t know how I shall spend my time.”
“I’m sure we will find something to do.” You giggled and he instantly grabbed your hips, pulling you tightly into him.
“Oh, I have my plans.”
“FOUND IT!” Elia’s scream ruined the moment and her heavy footfalls echoed through your small house as she neared. Swinging around the corner happily carrying the polaroid camera her aunt gifted her, Elia’s face instantly dropped in realisation.
“Dad… your braids!?” The hurt was evident, and you could not stifle the laughter that erupted upon seeing your husband’s devastated face.
“I had to. They were giving me a terrible headache. But I promise I will wear them tonight.” Your daughter let her bottom lip tremble, before quickly shaking it off and seemingly forgetting what had upset her in the first place.
“We need three so everyone has one! Mum, you have to take it because you’re the best at photos. When dad was setting it up, he took a photo of up his nose.” Reaching up, she let herself be lifted back into her father’s arms and handed you the camera.
“You swore you would never tell anyone.” Aemond faked a gasp of shock, and you quickly turned your widened eyes to your daughter.
“Do you still have the photo?” You grinned devilishly towards Elia, who returned the smile with the same energy.
“It’s gone. I burned it.” Aemond protested the two girls, but his daughter betrayed him as she giggled and shook her head.
“It’s in my diary.” The sound of her father spluttering out traitor made her scream in delight, and you found yourself laughing along with her. Aemond tried his hardest to keep a straight face, but he could not stop the corners of his mouth turning up. The noise seemed to catch the attention of someone else, and the sound of heavy footsteps and quick breaths quickly soured your mood.
“Vaghar no!” But it was too late, as your large dog raced around the corner and jumped up on you. Many said she was the largest dog they had ever seen, and every time she jumped up to reach on to your shoulders, you swore it to be true.
“Remember when they said this beast would only grow into a medium sized dog." You grunted out as you pushed her off you, trying hard not to buckle under the weight, while ignoring the laughter of your very amused family. Shuffling in, you held up the camera for your daughter, and took three photos. Elia made sure to judge who got each one. You had the one that showed Elia pressing her cheek to Aemond’s as you all grinned widely at the camera, whereas Elia got the photo of both her parent’s placing a kiss her cheeks. Aemond was quick to snatch the last photo, where your daughter and you were smiling with one another as Aemond gazed upon you both. Half his face was cut from the photo.
“I don’t want my nose taking up the photo. I just wanna see my girls.” He tucked the photo inside his pocket, while you placed yours in your wallet and Elia placed it in the small pocket of her bag.
“Oh god we’re late!” You gasped as you noticed the time before gripping your daughter and ushering her forward. Aemond quickly grabbed the keys for the car and began locking up your tiny cottage-esk house as you strapped your daughter in.
“Can Vaghar come? Please?” She whined as Vaghar tried her hardest to jump through the door you were blocking while you buckled up Elia’s seat belt.
“No Vaghar cannot come. She will scare the children and I don’t think your father will be able to bare being separated from you AND Vaghar at the same time.” You closed the door on her protests before hurriedly guiding Vaghar to the back gate and locking her in the yard.
“We will be back soon.” You promised, giving her a quick pat, then turning and running back to the passenger seat of the car.
“Vaghar is my best-friend!” You reached in only to hear the two arguing over the giant dog, which you chose to ignore and settled into the car seat. Aemond began backing out of the driveway but stopped when a distant vibrating noise started to grow closer.
“What is that?” Elia craned her neck to see, while you and Aemond tried to find the source of the noise through the windshield of the car. Soon the noise grew so loud it was deafening, making Elia scream and cover her ears. You reached your arm back towards her in fright as Aemond jumped out to get a better look.
“WHAT IS IT?” You cried out but there was no way he would have heard you. Soon you got your answer as three fighter jets raced lowly over your house, so low you thought they might hit the trees that covered your property. You and your daughter both screamed and ducked as the trees blew over so hard you swore, they would snap and fall on both the house and the car, but the moment was over, and the noise seemed to fade off into the distance.
“Why were they so low?” You gasped at your husband as he climbed back into the car. You reached a comforting hand to Elia’s knee and gave it a squeeze as Aemond began cursing under his breath.
“To be that close! I will be sending in a complaint! If I find out it’s a fucking training exercise for the army!” You could hear Vaghar’s roar-like barking, and the sound of your daughter’s panicked breath led you to calm yourself, and smile at everyone.
“It’s okay. It’s all over now. C’mon, let’s get to school. Everything is fine.” Aemond was still swearing under his breath as he began reversing again. Just as he began to let the car back on to the road, two police cars came racing past at unimaginable speed, making him smash his foot on the break and the whole car lurched forward. You cried out in shock, grasping on to his biceps as you both watched the red and blue flashing lights disappear just as quick as they came. Aemond stilled, before quickly swinging around to face you in incredulity.
“What the fuck is going on with the world today!?” He asked in disbelief. You shushed his language but could not still your beating heart.
“Are you alright Elia?” You both turned back to face your daughter who had paled dramatically. She simply nodded and looked out the window. She never liked to admit when she was scared, but the silence from her usual talk was enough for you to know she was shaken by the events of this morning.
“Don’t worry. I’ll get you to school my little princess. I’ll just have to be extra weary because apparently everyone is a moron today.” You hit Aemond lightly as he once again swore in front of your daughter, then braced yourself as the car edged back on to the street. Aemond kept one hand on the wheel, but reached his other hand to your knee and gave it a squeeze.
“Are you alright?” He mumbled. You turned the radio up to mask the voice of your husband and you talking from your daughter.
“A bit shaken. Do you think something’s happened?” You murmured. He inhaled, deep in thought, and you could tell he too was on edge. Another cop car weaved around yours, and you all turned to gaze after it.
“I’ll check the news.” You quickly grabbed your phone, and a part of you was scared you would have a bunch of missed calls from people trying to reach you. Instead, it was just a couple of work emails and a text from Adidas telling you it had a 20% off sale this weekend. You chuckled at yourself, and at the way you always imagining the worst possible situation.
“Nothing’s coming up.” You mumbled as you tried different news outlets and google searches. Aemond hummed, but you could tell the uneasiness was yet to fade. Grasping his hand tightly, you pulled it to your lips, and watched as he relaxed into your touch. His soft demeanour did not last long before you felt him clench beneath your fingertips. The quick spike of tension made you look up to see the road ahead had been barricaded off by police and cars were being turned around.
“Maybe there was a crash?” You whispered as Aemond edged the vehicle closer. You watched in suspense as the cop stopped talking to the car in front and began walking towards yours. Aemond allowed the window to wind down and you leaned across the divider to get a better listen.
“Sorry guys but you won’t be able to get into the city today. We’ve had to block it off.” The cop yawned making you screw your eyebrows together. How could he corner of an entire city and not be concerned?
“Has something happened?” Aemond questioned, frustrated that there was to be no explanation on why he couldn’t get in.
“All I know is something has happened, and we need to block of all incoming traffic.” The cop shrugged and gave no time for any reply before he turned and walked towards the car behind yours. Yourself and Aemond both let out a growl of disbelief.
“What about school?” Elia cried out, clutching her backpack tightly. Aemond began turning the car around while you spun in your seat to face her.
“No school today I guess sweetie. Maybe tomorrow they will let us drive in?” She let out a long whine, but it was obvious she was not truly upset.
“Fine. I GUESS we will have to play princesses and dragons then dad.” She sighed out in fake exasperation, and you let out a small laugh at your daughter’s antics. Aemond, however, clenched the wheel tightly and did not break his gaze from the road ahead. It was then you realised you were turning into the almost empty parking lot of your local grocery store.
“Oh, darling I went shopping two days ago. We have enough for a week.” He did not listen as he parked the car, before turning and pulling your hands towards his lips. He did not break eye contact as he stared at you, and a sense of uneasiness grew.
“Something is happening my love.” He whispered. You stared at him a moment longer, before shaking your head.
“Aemond I…”
“Please. Just humour me on this. Worst comes to worse I will refund all the cans of soup next week. I promise.” He began unbuckling his seat belt while you tried to comprehend his words. Elia eagerly followed her father, while you struggled to follow.
“What cans of soup?” You ran up to Elia and swept her up in your arms, while Aemond pulled out a trolley and rushed inside the store. He moved straight past the fresh produce and meat aisles, and instead pulled up infront of all the non-perishable foods and began sweeping them off the shelf and into the cart like a mad man.
“Dad what are you doing?” Elia giggled, while you pulled her closer into your body.
“Aemond I think you are being a bit ridiculous. It’s because Aegon is always telling you all those stupid stories he reads on the internet. I’m sure there was just an accident, and they are trying to clean it up, so they must rope it off.” His phone began ringing halfway through your speal and he quickly brought it to his ear with an apologetic look.
“Grandfather.” He greeted Otto cooly, as he does most of his family. He began moving forward, grabbing more tins as he walked, while Elia and you listened to him explain everything that happened this morning.
“Is something bad going to happen?” She whispered, moving your hair so she could get a look at your nervous face. You tried to tell yourself it was fine, but you did not lie to her.
“I’m not sure sweetie. But as long as we are all together, we will be okay.”
“We are at the store now. Yes, I’m filling up the cart. What is everyone else doing?” You were only catching phrases of what was being said in Aemond’s conversation, but you could tell Otto was nervous too. If Otto Hightower was feeling scared, you knew whatever was about to happen would be frightening. Within minutes Aemond had already filled the cart and moved so you could push it, leaving him free to grab another.
“Jesus Aemond.” You muttered, but turning around you noticed the almost empty store was filling up with people… quickly. You nudged Aemond for his attention and watched him breathe deep as he too noticed the way everyone was speed walking around the store. He quickly threw three first-aid kits into the trolley before you all moved to the counter’s conveyer belt. The teenager behind it couldn’t help but groan at the two trolleys full of groceries.
“I’m sorry. I’ll pack it just pass it down.” You apologised before putting Elia down and moving to the end of the desk with her quickly following.
“I’ll help Mumma.” She murmured, making you cup her head and kiss it. Aemond was quick as he unpacked the trollies so they could be scanned, while skilfully letting the phone sit between his ear and his shoulder.
“It will take us two weeks. I have some gas stored at home and it might be enough to get us there. Of course I know the way! I spent my childhood there. Just promise you will keep mother and Helaena safe. Yes, yes, Aegon too obviously. Are you sure you need to pick him up, I’m sure he can drive himself?”
“That will be $748.60.” The cashier’s voice tore you away and you couldn’t help the curses that fell from your mouth.
“Oh fuck! Aemond I don’t think we need…” It was too late as Aemond slid his credit card into the machine and began punching in his pin.
“When the fuck did he lose his license!? God do we even need to bring him, he will only slow us down? No, jesus Otto do not pick up his new girlfriend too!” He growled down the phone before quickly moving to help you fit the bags into the trolley. He pressed a quick kiss a top your forehead and moved to guide you out by the placing a hand on the small of your back.
“IT’S MINE YOU BASTARD!” You jumped in fright as a voiced bellowed from across the store. You turned to see two men hoisting each other around by their shirts until one gained enough power to throw the other into one of the shelves, leaving everyone to cry out and move from the falling debris.
“Come on.” Aemond whispered in your ear as he pulled Elia up and pushed you forward. You heard more shouting begin but Aemond was too quick for you to see what happened next. Elia turned her wide eyes towards you, and you tried to smile and calm her, but your eyes were full of fear.
“Alright. We will try and keep in contact. Two weeks hopefully. You keep them all safe so help me God. Yes, I will do the same with my lot. We will take the backroads. Yes. Yes. Alright. Alright I will see you all in two weeks. Where the fuck do I find a gun? What do you mean in my shed!?” You spun in shock, but Aemond just moved his hands around to convey that he didn’t know. He said goodbye once more, before throwing his phone into the cup holder and speeding out of the car park without delay.
“There better not be a gun in your fucking shed Aemond.” You growled. Aemond heaved out a sigh and began shaking his head nervously.
“Apparently he left it there because he feels unsafe when he visits.” You cried out in frustration and began nervously running your hand through your hair.
“What if Elia had of found it!? God he is a crazy old man! Why are you listening to him Aemond!?”
“I wouldn’t go in the shed it has spiders.” Elia quipped up from the back, trying to stop her parents from fighting too much.
“I don’t know! But the government has been told it’s some kind of virus. They haven’t been told much but apparently; it’s spreading fast.” You felt the car pick up speed as Aemond talked and you felt yourself clutch on to the door handle.
“Dad!” Elia squeaked, but Aemond was committed to getting home. The twenty-minute journey only took ten minutes.
“What is wrong with you!?” You cried out as he finally parked in front of your home. He rushed to Elia’s door and bundled her up in his arms, before opening your door and pulling you with him. He rushed you all inside, before quickly opening the gate and allowing Vaghar to follow you all in.
“Elia take Vaghar and go and play with her. I’m sure she has missed you.” You could not look at her as you began nervously running your fingers through your hair, while Aemond began making sure everything was locked with in the house. He quickly moved to the TV and you both stood as the breaking news played out.
“Authorities have declared a national emergency and have ordered all civilians to stay indoors. They say the sickness is fast spreading and that violent attacks have begun within the city. The army has moved in to attend but authorities repeat that it is crucial everyone stays indoors.” You felt your body still as the news reported whatever this was. Your vision blurred as you tried to centre yourself, but the horror you were hearing was frightening you more than you ever thought possible.
“They are saying it’s lethal. That the moment you get it you’re dead. We will go to my family's cabin in Harrenhal. Otto is hoping the fresh air and isolation will help us stay safe. He’s already picked up my mother and they are going to pick up Helaena and her children then they will get Aegon. We will meet them there. Pack some bags and we will leave at dawn.” The entire morning seemed to hit you suddenly, and the overwhelming fear made you buckle over and clutch the couch for support. Instantly Aemond was by your side. The sound of your daughter’s laughter, and Vaghar’s barking, quickly brought on the tears and you felt yourself being pulled into Aemond’s tight embrace as you crumbled under the pressure of it all.
“Elia. We have to make sure she’s okay. We have to look after her. She's so young Aemond. What are we going to do?” You wept. You felt him dig his nose into your hair and you felt his grip tighten even more as he began kissing you wherever he could reach.
“Always. We will always keep her safe. And I will keep you safe. I promise you that I will keep you both safe. As long as we are together, that is all that matters.” He murmured.
The sound of a piercing scream from outside silenced you both.
“Get the curtains closed.” Aemond whispered cautiously.
Another scream tore through the neighbourhood.
“We have an urgent update from the authorities. Stay away from the infected. The violent attacks are not looters, it is those who have the sickness. The virus seems to be taking control of the host’s bodies and controlling them to act out horrific acts of savagery. Even if it is your loved ones. You must stay away.” The news reporter could not finish before he began horrifically coughing.
“Michael?” Someone behind the camera whispered. You watched in horror as his body began twitching on the screen, and then the sound of the news staff rushing around before the camera fell to the floor.
new aemond / the last of us au fic coming later tonight. but you didn't hear it from me.
(lil sneak preview below)
posted it
“...major reports of violent attacks across the city. The continued disturbance has many leaders growing uneasy, and they are requesting citizens to remain away from the area until the violence subsides. Mayor Borros Baratheon promises swift action on the matter. The cause of these outbursts is unknown to those outside the city. Our reporter...”
“Aemond, I love you but if Elia sneaks into our bed from nightmares again, I will blame you.” You rushed past your partner, who was scooping cereal into his mouth while sitting on the couch, and hurriedly began pulling the array of pencils on the table into their correct case. Aemond simply shrugged as your daughter braided his hair behind him. You could not understand how they were so calm when you were going to be late for Elia’s first day of school.
“She doesn’t understand she’s only six. Did you see this? We were only just in Storm’s End! Aegon thinks it’s a terrorist attack.” He frowned, without taking his eyes away from the television screen. He had been following the story all week, not that there was much known about it. They simply kept repeating that the population was experiencing violent outbursts and it was becoming hard to control. You hadn’t paid much attention but something about it had struck Aemond.
“It just sounds like they are rioting against the government. Your brother thinks everything is some big conspiracy and darling, our trip to Storm’s End was two years ago. I know you’re interested but we really have to get moving. Also! Six years old is enough to remember something scary on the television. Remember when you watched that zombie show? She had to sleep with us for two weeks!” Reaching forward for the remote, you quickly turned it off before moving to zip up Ellia’s school bag, while ignoring the noise of protest Aemond huffed through his mouth full.
