Warning: Mature, smut, explicit, angst, blood, spoiler for Fire & Blood, fluff
Synospis: You are a lady from high birth, daughter to an important man of the court. You were raised in King’s Landing along with the Targaryen princes. You always felt close to Aemond, as you had much in common. But he always seems so inaccessible to you, particularly as he grew up. Now you make the decision to leave, and Aemond is not really happy about it.
A/N: Did a fic overhaul. To future readers, the beginning might seem a little weird, but it gets better, I promise.
🍁You Were Always With Me - possessive!Aemond x Reader [completed]
Synopsis: You've known Aemond all of your life, but when war breaks and your House chooses a side, Aemond have no choice but to do everything in his power not to let you go.
To Risk It All - [Abandonned] [𝒜𝑒𝓂𝑜𝓃𝒹 𝓍 𝒱𝑒𝓁𝒶𝓇𝓎𝑜𝓃!𝒪𝒞]
• Tom Bennett
🍁 Gone with regrets - Tom Bennet x Reader [COMPLETED]
You are a French girl that had the opportunity to teach in Manchester, and you had been lucky enough to be granted a bed at the Bennett’s place. [...]
𝕺𝖓𝖊 𝕾𝖍𝖔𝖙 / 𝕾𝖍𝖔𝖗𝖙 𝕾𝖙𝖔𝖗𝖎𝖊𝖘
• Aemond Targaryen
It'll Be History - [college!Aemond x Reader]
Dubious Headlines - [modern!Aemond x Reader]
[Part 1 / Part 2 / Part 3]
🍁 You Belong To Me Now - [darkish!Aemond x Reader]
🍁 Unhealthy Addiction - [dark/drugdealer!Aemond x Reader]
• Memorised - [Aemond x bestfriend!reader]
• Will (Salad Days)
🍁 Is there anything left for us? - Will x Reader
[Part 1/ Part 2]
𝕻𝖗𝖔𝖒𝖕𝖙𝖘 / 𝕳𝖊𝖆𝖉𝖈𝖆𝖓𝖔𝖓𝖘:
Ewanverse characters
• Unreciprocated love • Reaction to reader's pregnancy • EwanVerse!girl dad
𝖂𝖔𝖗𝖐𝖎𝖓𝖌 𝖔𝖓:
Michael Gavey x Reader
Mentor!reader x Aemond Targaryen [Hunger Games AU]
Unhealthy addiction - part 2 & 3
☆ All of my GiFs are available under the tag #usermyfandomprompts or in my description. ☆
Warning: Angst, spoiler for episode 10 (I promise there will be more Aemond after this chapter) (Part 1 - Part 3) Masterlist
Summary : You are content in Dragonstone, until the news of the King's death reaches the Fortress. You have no allies, and so you go to the only place where you don't expect to find him.
You were happy at Dragonstone. You were absolutely delighted by Rhaenyra's children, both old and young. The babes were incredibly sweet with everyone, and you felt the loving family radiating inside the castle walls, love that you did not feel in the Red Keep.
Jacaerys and Lucerys were both quite busy but they still found time for you, inviting you to some of their activities, tending to their dragons… You were intimidated by both Rhaenyra and Daemon, but it passed quickly as you remembered how considerate Rhaenyra was, and how much the Rogue Prince liked a good joke. The only thing unplanned was the length of your stay. You've been in Dragonstone for far longer than you and your father had intended, not for the displeasure of Ser Lorent Marbrand who was your only close family inside the great walls of the fortress. You had asked several months ago to extend your journey, and everybody had agreed. You missed your family a bit, Helaena and your friends, but you were dreading your return. The return to him.
You shivered from your thoughts as you entered the great hall. You had just come back from the library down one of the towers, having finished studying healing properties of seaweeds when you heard that the Princess Rhaenys had just landed in Dragonstone by one of the guards. You stumbled upon some lords and Daemon all standing around the table as you advanced further into the hall. Feeling like you were not in your place, you tried to sneak away as graciously as possible, maybe go to the beach where you knew the princes were sparring, but a horrifying scream froze you into place.
You rushed toward the screams, crossing the room and not bothering about what the Rogue Prince and the lords there might think. You found Rhaenyra in agonising pain, clutching her belly, maids feet away from her, as lost for what to do.
You ran to her, trying to steady her. "Princess, what happened? Why is this happening?" You knew it was too early for the labour to begin.
"King Viserys, my father, is dead," she announced through gritted teeth when she was able to look at you properly. You froze as she grabbed your arm for support. She cried of pain once more before keeping on. "Prince Aegon has been crowned today. In the Dragonpit."
You said nothing as images went through your head. The grief of the Queen, Aegon with a crown on his head before the people, swinging his sword above his head... His grandfather, protector and wife at his side, as well as Aemond.
Aemond who always found Aegon not fitted for the throne, but supported him nonetheless. Aemond who was fierce, wiser and more willing to be crowned, but always took his duty as the second son to heart, no matter his opinion on the matter. Aemond, who rose higher and higher as the years passed, surpassing his brother in everything aside from debauchery. Aemond, who was certainly standing at his side as his brother was crowned king, standing tall with his usual stance, arms behind his back, eye scanning the room.
You were not feeling well. All of the implications of such an event dawning on you. You were separated from your family, and you had no idea what would happen to them, as they have always been loyal to King Viserys, and always found Otto Hightower manipulative enough to achieve his dark schemes. And there you were, with the true heir to the throne giving birth month too early, and no means of action.
The new Black Queen gave birth to a stillborn, and was crowned during its funeral. All went fast. Lords were demanding war as Rhaenyra tried to slow them down, preferring diplomacy. When her sons volunteered to be messengers for the lords who had pledged loyalty to her, including Lord Borros Baratheon, you couldn't help but intervene. The Baratheons were some of your kin, your aunt married one of their lords and have lived in Storm's End ever since. So you required of the Queen to be sent there with Lucerys to be mainly an asset in the negotiation, but also because you wanted to be with your family in order to better step out of this fight. You wouldn't do anything until you had news of your father. Ser Lorent, ever protective of you, did not succeed in changing your mind.
You learned that you were to fly on dragon back, and you weren't enchanted per say. You enjoyed flying, but the only dragon you have ever ridden was Vhagar, and there was much more room than Arrax offered. However, you arrived in Storm's End several hours later.
"It is best if I enter alone," Lucerys said at first. You wanted to argue but a roar echoed through the courtyard. You turned and saw Vhagar lifting her head above the walls. You swallowed.
He was here.
Part of you wanted to run into the hall, hoping he'd be right there, but the other part of you feared the moment you would see him. You could not allow yourself to give up all the hard work you had done while you were away from him. Not at a moment of such crisis. Your head told you to stay put, but your heart was longing for just a sight of him, a glance, a word.
You stayed outside as the rain started to pour and Lucerys entered the hall. Vhagar seems to recognise you from afar, as Arrax became more and more agitated. You tried to soothe him but you weren't his rider and failed to even approach him. You took shelter under the porch when the rain started to blur your vision. After a while, the doors opened again, the guards revealing a Lucerys as agitated as his dragon. You struggled to hear him above the loud thunderstorm.
"Y/N, you must stay! Find your aunt, I must warn my mother as soon as possible, it's-," he quickly looked at the doors behind him, tension emanated in waves from him, and you were starting to be scared. You wanted to know if he had seen Aemond, though you felt like you already knew the answer.
"It's too dangerous on dragon-back!" he continued over the rain. "I'll come back for you, meanwhile, if you have affection for my family, please try to convince Lord Borros to take our side!"
You wanted to argue once more. Too dangerous on dragon-back? You just arrived this way, why not depart the same way? He feared something, and you felt it. But how long will he be gone? What had happened?
However, your wishes were becoming true: you were exactly where you wanted, you had the opportunity to stay away from the halls of Dragonstone where battle strategies were surely planned, as well as away from the halls of the Red Keep. Your desire to step away from the boiling conflict achieved. Although it seems here, in Storm's End, you were running toward another diplomatic disaster.
Lucerys hugged you briefly, at your own surprise. You reciprocated his affection before watching him speaking to Arrax and mounting him, flying away with haste. You looked over the wall. Vhagar was invisible to you now. Was Aemond gone too, or was it just too blurry for you to see?
You announced yourself, and the guard let you in. Lord Borros was surprised by your presence. You thought it best to exclude the fact that you came with Lucerys at first, because if you were right, the meeting between the Prince and Lord Baratheon did not go well. If you were to appear as a guest and not demand alliances away, it would be smarter. So you settled to only ask to see your kin.
At first, you dodged the questions of your arrival with ability, but when your aunt arrived you were finally able to relax. You learned that Lord Borros has refused Lucerys' demand to honour the oath his father made to the Black Queen, and that shortly after, Prince Aemond, who had arrived the day before, had demanded his eye in return for the harm he caused him all those years ago. You were expecting to see him appear in the hall at any moment, but you were told he left. To chase the younger Prince.
Panic took you at that announcement. You barely managed to admit that it was Lucerys that brought you here with the calm demanded of your position, and finally you were able to take your leave. Your aunt was glad to see you, but looked very worried. But it didn't matter. You wanted to rush outside and scream into the storm for Aemond to return, not to harm his nephew.
You were useless, dragon-less.
Hours passed. You were settling in your aunt's apartments, tormented, the storm still raging outside. You thought you heard a roar several times over the raging sea, but you saw nothing from the window of your tower.
Then you heard it, a thud over the storm. Vhagar had landed. You rushed out of the room, and started to descend the many stairs that led to the great hall. You barged in. Aemond was standing there, soaking wet, head down, facing Lord Borros still seated on his throne.
"What happened out there, boy? What did you do?" he demanded.
Aemond was still staring at the floor, his expression was unreadable, but not for you. He didn't have his usual smirk, his eye weren't focused on his surroundings. You haven't seen him like this, ever. You dreaded what he would say next. You didn't want to hear it.
When the Prince looked up at the Lord on his throne, he let the silence linger a while longer before talking. "Lucerys Velaryon is dead. Slain by Vhagar."
The room went silent, and the world twirled before your eyes. Seconds later you were on your knees, clutching your chest for air, as cries of despair escaped you as well as a flow of tears.
"No!" You didn't hear yourself scream, but at that he finally saw you. You were there, on the floor, still wet from the weather, now surrounded by ladies of the court who tried to steady you. What in the seven hells were you doing there? You couldn't be, not now, not after what he had done.
His legs instantly moved toward you, he wanted to reach you, to touch you. "You murdered your own kin?" Lord Baratheon roared.
He stopped in his steps at the question, still too far from you for his taste. His heart was heavy. He didn't look away from you as he answered. "I searched for his remains, in vain," He was not sure if you were able to follow anything that was happening around you now, but his words were meant for you. "I never intended for it to happen. It was an accident."
The room filled with whispers, and after a deep breath, Lord Borros announced. "You are still our guest, my Prince. I expect you to honour the promise you made to me and my daughter, and my loyalty shall not falter."
You struggled to open your eyes, you had no idea of how much time had passed since you collapsed. Seconds? Minutes? Hours? When you came to yourself, you were still in the hall, people of the court looking at you and Aemond much closer than he was before. You didn't hear anything that was said, and the ladies around you finally managed to make you stand, your aunt among them, worry written all over her face.
The room was dismissed, your aunt immediately advised you to rest in her apartments, and Aemond who finally had the opportunity to come toward you, was afraid that you would once more escape away from him.
And indeed you were faster. Ignoring your aunt, you freed yourself from the hands keeping you steady and rushed for the door, to the rain. You needed air, and your heavy breathing didn't help calm yourself. He wanted to protect you, that is why he didn't take you on Arrax. And now he was dead. Because of Aemond, because of the man you always wanted.
You felt dirty, empty, and the pouring rain was hurting your skin. You felt something on your arm, almost like a caress, a hand grabbed your elbow for you to turn around. Silver hair entered your vision and you saw an eye watch you with worry. You escaped from his hold at once, and the next thing you knew, you had slapped him.
He didn't say anything at first, slowly looked back down at you with a lazy eye. His silence was louder than the storm above your head and it annoyed you. It annoyed you and you were angry. So you began hitting his chest with your fists, repeatedly, weakly, almost screaming in rage. He didn't flinch, he let you harm him for a moment, eye boring into you before clasping your hands into his, putting a stop to your doings. You struggled, begging him to let you go, but he didn't. He pulled you close, waiting for you to calm down, to be still.
"You killed him... Your own nephew," you cried. "How could you...?"
He just stared at you, sadness filling his eye. "I never meant for it to happen," he stated.
You watched him, taken aback. He looked sincere. Or were you still this weak?
"Nevertheless, he is gone. Only the Gods know where he lies. And you didn't want this? I've been told you demanded his eye, I see you settled for far more," you said bitterly.
"What is done is done!" he said, angry now. "My mistake can never be redeemed as his own never was. My only solace is in the fact that I did not want this, Y/N," he shook your arms as he continued. "I don't care what is said about me now, but I never wanted for you to be in pain."
You barely held a sneer from escaping your lips. "This is all that matters to you? My pain? Then you should have thought of this years ago, before you-"
"You abandoned me!"
A loud thunder came at the same time. You were silenced by his words, your ears ringing from the pain. You were exhausted.
He took a deep breath and his voice became firm.
"You abandoned me. How long were you planning to stay away in that damn fortress? Months? Years? All of your life? The very castle I could not set foot into, and you never returned. Ravens forgotten, friends as well," he talked louder now. "Do you know how many times I thought about flying there to steal you away? You had no right, no right to go away like this. The thought of you, happy, away across the Black Water bay made me-," he stopped himself, and the next moment he softened your grasp on you, as his shoulders relaxed.
"Now it's different. You are to return to the Red Keep, with me. Your father misses you, it is long due you take your rightful place," he continued coldly, like he hasn't snapped moments before.
You watched him with narrowed eyes, tears still coming down on your cheeks. You saw his eye look at your lips briefly, then back at your eyes. Even if you were momentarily taken aback by the movement, you let nothing appear as you slowly managed to free yourself from him. You gave him one last look, lifted your dress up and walked away. You needed to be alone, where he wouldn't be.
Summary: After your confrontation with Aemond, you get sick and is to stay in Storm's End for now. His insistence in your care forces you to navigate the many feelings you are struggling to hide.
A/N: Short chapter but next one coming sonner than expected
The day after the dreadful events that occurred over the Shipbreaker Bay, you were stuck in bed, sick from the harsh weather you endured the night before. The apartments you were kept in seemed gloomy, for not the many comes and goes of your aunt, the maids and sometimes some Lords who were keen to check on your health. In reality, you knew they wanted to know what exactly you were to do now that Lucerys Velaryon, the boy you came with, was dead.
You mourned deeply, quietly. Ravens were sent to Dragonstone, but you were to stay here. You would honour the promise you made to your friend, and try to convince Lord Borros to keep his oath to the Queen. Although you were to stay in bed as advised by the maester, you preferred when visited, to be seated and able to make conversation graciously, even when it cost you your forces. Although you had claimed not to be able to swallow anything edible, some maids still brought you food early in the morning, and when you noticed what was on the plate, you forgot to send it back at once. Tea and cinnamon cake with cream, and you understood why the maids went against orders. You remembered better times in King's Landing and you smiled.
It was at dusk when you woke up from a restless slumber, and the figure sitting next to you started to move. Your aunt often came to keep you company at your bedside, knitting or else to pass the time. But as you adjusted to the light, you saw a purple eye looking down at you.
You straighten up in your bed, forgetting the fact that you were only in your nightgown. Seeing him after everything that was said last evening made you bitter. He must have felt your resentment because he fidgeted in his seat uncomfortably, unable to tear his eye away from you, none of you willing to let go anyway.
"You seem to be regaining some colours, my Lady," he said quite clumsily, eager to break the tension.
"No thanks to you, my Prince."
You didn't really mean it, but you couldn't help from trying to fluster him. He only nodded gently, eye resting on your form, going silent.
And then you felt it, his grief, radiating through the distance that separated you and reaching you. You both shared it, even if his was overwhelmed with guilt. Both Aemond and Lucerys grew up together, when there was a time of childish innocence in the Red Keep, filled with games and complicated glances. Only after Driftmark has Aemond become fierce, unforgiving, but still, he grieved for his nephew, and you understood here and there that he couldn't show his mourning to the others. Only with you.
"...What happened up there Aemond?"
The question left your lips before you could stop it. You spoke softly, and when he looked at you he only saw tenderness, encouraging him to confide in you.
"I chased him," he admitted, looking down only at his hands he anxiously fiddled with, unable to meet your eyes. "Vhagar grew restless and would not heed my command as she went for him. I believe... I believe Lucerys found himself in the same predicament as Arrax fired at Vhagar against his consent."
He stopped. You were petrified. Had it really come to this? A deadly dance of dragons, too young or too old to be properly tamed?
"Vhagar did not let this pass. I tried to hold her back, but she found Arrax above the clouds as he fled and..."
The end of this sentence died in his mouth and your hand reached for one of his, bringing it toward you on the bed. You still held his gaze when he finally looked up, surprised at your sudden touch. A sob escaped you as you caressed the back of his hand with your thumb, sinking into the comfortable atmosphere of your shared grief. He watched your movement over his skin for a while before speaking again, sadness forced to be left behind.
"As soon as you feel better, I will take you back to King's Landing."
"So you wish to steal me away after all," you remarked.
His smirked resurfaced briefly as he continued. "Do you not wish to see your father again?"
You thought of your promise to Lucerys. And then about what your father would say if you were to put yourself in danger when you didn't even know where he stood on alliances.
"How is he?" you asked, concerned.
Aemond knew what you implied by your question as he now took his turn at caressing your hand. He knew that your father was loyal to King Viserys, and not to the Hightowers.
"I came to find Lord Donnel the morning of the death of the King. I knew he would not stand for Aegon. So I convinced him to bend the knee nonetheless. My grandfather was to gather the other Lords in order to make them pledge to my brother. I couldn't let your family become traitors, so for your sake, I went to him."
Darkness almost filled the room now in this already gloomy atmosphere. You heard waves from afar as you still watched Aemond as if you wanted to make up for all these months of distance at Dragonstone, far away from his warmth.
"He wasn't easy to convince," Aemond continued absently as he now intertwined his fingers with yours. "He was concerned for your well-being, scared you would be held hostage. He even dared ask me permission to join you, behind my mother's back. But only when I promised him to bring you back to him that he agreed to bend the knee and stay."
He looked up at you, his eye intensely focused on your expression now. "Thank you," you answered.
Indeed, you were glad your father didn't follow his honour for once. You have heard what has happened to traitors to Aegon II from Princess Rhaenys back at Dragonstone. The fate of your family was not sealed yet, and your brother was too young to be enrolled in all of this madness.
Aemond was closer to you now. You looked at his eye patch covering his scar. You never saw what was underneath, because as you heard him say one day: he did not want to scare ladies like you at court because of his looks. You had laughed at the time and never dared to ask him to remove it. But now in the dim light of some lit candles and the feeling of his fingers over yours, you were tempted to reach for it and lift it up yourself.
With his free hand, he reached for a strand of hair resting on your shoulder, playing absently with it. It was a pleasant sensation, repressing your need to lean into the gesture. You both kept company to each other, and the warmness that filled your body as he was closer and closer to you was very much to your liking.
A servant boy broke the spell as he entered your room, and announced that Aemond was asked to meet Lord Baratheon for dinner. Aemond didn't move a muscle, obviously annoyed as he didn't even turn around to look at the intruder. The latter did not shy away, however, and continued to talk. "My Lord wishes that you spend some time with your betrothed, as he hopes the marriage to be held under two moons."
At this statement, Aemond's eye shot at you, tensing as his grip on your hand became more firm. He witnessed your reaction, and what he saw made his guilt greater.
Was Aemond to marry one of Baratheon's daughters?
Of course, you thought. Only this could the Greens offer to the Stag Lord, as Lucerys was already promised, and Lord Borros was too proud to be whistled away by only an oath his father did more than twenty years ago. You felt sicker somehow, silly as you hadn't even realised it could be a possibility. Aemond was free to marry, Alicent smart enough to use this to their advantage, and Aemond too loyal to refuse.
Your heart was getting heavier, your hand freeing itself from Aemond's as your eyes began to fill with tears. Again. You were sick of crying. You felt betrayed, but you couldn't do anything about it, it was you who chose to go away when you had doubts about the twins' father. You had no play in this.
The twins. You had almost managed to forget about it, in denial of the truth. But it all came back as a wave, and you felt like you were sinking, your hand covering your mouth as to steady yourself. You ignored Aemond as he said your name with a hint of despair in his voice.
"Please leave me," you managed to say through aching lungs. "Your host demands you, it would be rude to make him wait."
He watched you for a very long time, you felt like a prey as you tried to make your body as impassive as you could, not allowing the blond-haired prince to see anything other than anger, not even looking at him.
When another maid came to request both the servant's presence and the Prince's, only then Aemond turned away in great strides, taking a last look at you as he passed the doors.
You were alone at last, and despite the pain in your head, you stopped your tears from flowing, looking at the void, not moving a muscle for what seemed like hours.
Sadness engulfed you once again.
You barely ate the day after, you had stayed up most of the night watching the moon over the sea. The last thing you knew, maids were in your room with the mission of dressing you for a visit. You understood the Lord of Storm's End himself was to meet you in your chambers.
Honestly, you felt better, but you avoided admitting it to your aunt because if you were allowed outside, you could cross paths with Aemond, or even one of Baratheon's daughters. You didn't know why you were behaving so unladylike, but in your grief, it didn't even matter any more, you just didn't want to bother.
Lord Borros was an impressive man, suited for battle, no doubt. When he went to sit across from you, you sat yourself after him and waited for him to speak, "From what I heard, my Lady, your father has recognised Aegon Targaryen as King," he stated.
You nodded as he continued, waiting to see where it would go.
"However I am to understand that you just came back from many months spent at Dragonstone."
You swallowed. So it was about your allegiance, the very thing that had you betray your loyalty for the late King, and your father's. "Yes my Lord, I was under the maester's care, as I am studying healing properties of plants and the volcanic terrain of Dragonstone submitted many more species to study."
He hummed quietly at that, seeming momentarily lost in thought.
"I thank you for your hospitality, my Lord, my aunt and your people have taken great care of me," you took the opportunity to say while he seemed to ponder something.
But he hummed again, and a flash passed through his eyes, "I understood that Prince Aemond was planning on taking you to King's Landing on dragon back."
You tensed. He said that, did he? You never really talked about this with him, and you sure were not eager to leave with Aemond now, after everything that has passed. You were mustering a response when Lord Baratheon interrupted you.
"He seems to spend a great deal of time with you."
"We grew up together, it is only natural for a friend of the court to check on the health of his subjects, as it has been long since we've seen each other," you managed to say, more and more suspicious.
"Do you know he is meant to marry my eldest daughter?" he asked again. Not waiting for you to respond, he continued. "And yet I hear he spent the entire afternoon at your bedside yesterday."
You didn't flinch as you felt your heart thaw a bit of the ice you recently built around it. The thought of Aemond watching you asleep for a whole day, putting his duties aside came into your head in flashes. He indeed was there when you woke up.
"This marriage is a great arrangement, my Lord, I must congratulate you," you chose to ignore his last comment as you smiled. A fake smile, but a smile nonetheless.
The dark-haired man seemed to lose his patience and advanced in his seat toward you. "My court is very observant my Lady, and I will not have my daughter humiliated for rumours of disloyalty and non-allowed courtship."
His tone was harsh but clear. You stood tall in your chair, as to prove you did not fear him, "I believe I see now what your concerns are, my Lord, and I assure you, I have no wish to talk to or even see the Prince, for even his sight reminds me of the loss I have recently endured."
You were half lying. Of course Lucerys' death would not be as easily forgotten, Aemond's greed for revenge completely responsible, but on the other hand, you spending time with him yesterday sent mixed signals to any external observer. And to you.
However, Lord Baratheon seemed to take your last words as a promise, a promise to never deal with Aemond, and it was enough for him. At least as long as you remained here, you thought.
"You are welcome to stay here as long as you wish my Lady," he said right after as he stood up. You sighed with relief as you did the same.
When he left, you thought about your promise to Lucerys. If you were to stay when Aemond was gone, maybe you would be able to remind the Stag to honour his oath and fight for Rhaenyra. Although, after this encounter, the chances were greatly diminishing.
You settled yourself to think of a plan now, completely unaware that Aemond Targaryen had listened to the whole conversation, hidden behind the door. He had meant to come and see you, but as he heard his host’s voice from the inside of your room, he had patiently waited until he heard his name.
As he was now descending the stairs, he tried to control his emotions, his hurt, and not to remind himself of what you felt when you looked upon him. He felt his heart beat faster as he hoped his presence near your chambers would go unnoticed. But as he arrived outside, it turned out to be difficult. He felt his fists clenched at his side and his anger resurfaced.
Summary: You learned rather soon that nothing you had planned for after Storm's End would come true. Apparently, you were to leave on the morrow, on Vhagar, to King's Landing.
You didn't understand. Had Lord Borros not been clear? You could not be near Aemond. You had not even shared a meal with the Lord's family during all of your stay, avoiding the glances of the court meant at you and favouring eating with ladies of other houses, also guests here. You were grateful for the company, as you couldn't feign sickness any more. Now your aunt announced your departure, urging you to eat to strengthen your body for the journey. Then at noon, you understood everything. The ladies you were eating with possessed the last gossips, and didn't refrain themselves from sharing it with you.
Apparently, Lord Borros and Aemond have had a long conversation last night at a private dinner with the close family, which ended in the Prince demanding to take you back to King's Landing regardless of what anyone said and to fulfil his promise to bring you back to your lord father. When Lord Borros pointed out that you could perfectly make the journey home by carriage, Aemond stood up and even threatened to not marry his daughter before the conflict between his brother and his half-sister ended. You didn't really believe everything your new lady friends said as it all seemed exaggerated, but you could fathom Aemond menacingly standing up against a high lord to obtain what he wanted. Your heart was beating really fast now, and you were no longer hungry. You had to figure out a way to leave Storm's End without Aemond knowing. However, deep inside of you, you didn't really want to, not that you cared to admit it.
The afternoon, you finally allowed yourself to go out in the fresh air, the weather being less harsh than usual and allowing you a little bit of sun. You visited the courtyard rapidly before heading back toward the castle, not wishing to stay among people who were glancing curiously at you.
A growl was heard and you saw a long scaled neck from afar as you headed back, and flaming eyes looking in your direction with interest. You stood there, taking in the beauty of Vhagar, who, you were sure of it, recognised you. You suspected that you momentarily lost yourself in watching her, as Vhagar's head suddenly turned completely toward you, and the next moment you felt someone standing behind you.
"She longed for you to ride her again, my Lady," came his husky voice beside your ear.
You ignored the warm reaction of your body as you turned your head slightly, not granting him even a glance. "Indeed, I heard I was to do just that, against my will actually," you stated sarcastically.
You felt Aemond rounding up beside you, his chest almost touching your shoulder. "I made a promise to your father, and I intend to keep it. I am a man of honour after all."
You scoffed at that, thinking about Helaena, Lucerys, and even Lord Borros' daughter. Cassandra, you had learnt her name was. However the Prince didn't seem to take your reaction very well. You were already flustering him greatly, and he was still figuring out if he liked that.
"Are you mocking me, now?" he said more softly than his evident threatening tone allowed.
You didn't know where this would lead. You knew Aemond was not completely devoided of humour, but you couldn't push it. So you decided to change the subject. "I hear Lord Baratheon and yourself have had some words recently. Trouble in the preparation of the wedding, perhaps?"
You felt him relax next to you, taking a deep breath and inhaling your perfume, his smirk reappearing on his face. "Are you jealous by any chance? It would greatly suit you, I admit. If you were."
You turned your head so quickly you heard your neck crack a little as you fully faced him. Brows furrowed, you watched him, feeling attacked, your composure you had managed to keep since he was in your presence lost to the wind. It didn’t help that he was dashingly handsome with his lips quirked upwards.
"You are mistaken, my Prince," you retorted, seeing that your reaction greatly amused him. It annoyed you further but you let nothing appear. "Lord Baratheon told me himself that you were to be wed to his daughter under two moons time."
Aemond kept his smirk and glistening eye for a while before regaining some seriousness and glancing around, as to assure that you two were alone. "Surely you cannot believe this arrangement will hold. This is an alliance contract, nothing more. I have to do my duty, as my kingly brother has to do his. I have nothing in common with the Baratheon girl, and I will be too occupied fighting battles to care for her anyway.”
"So you do not like her?"
It was the first question that escaped your lips, and you cursed yourself. You should have asked why he didn’t believe that he would not marry her, or any other ‘ladylike’ question that would not have you passed for a fool. But you were apparently not concerned about mere political strategies or courtesies, only letting words you did not mean to say out of your mouth.
He smiled a little more, and he took one of the loose embroideries of your dress between his fingers as he answered your question. "As much as your jealousy pleases me, I would not have thought you so foolish as to think I would ever fall for a girl I hardly know. I would've presumed that you knew me better, my Lady."
You didn't even take offence at the insult, eyeing him suspiciously as your heart felt lighter. Gods you were in trouble.
"What I now want is to ride with you on the largest dragon in the world and carry on as it was before, just..." he stopped, letting go of the embroidery to look up at you. "Just with some slight differences," he smiled.
You didn't understand what he meant. Was he referring to him being married? Was his betrothed to come to King's Landing before their official engagement? Why in the seven hell did you only think about that?
You internally cursed, brows still furrowed as he continued. "You see, now that my brother is King, everything will be easier. No marriage arrangement will stop me from having what I have always longed for. I will take what I am owed exactly as I claimed Vhagar."
He was almost touching you now, you could feel the heat of his body and the hilt of his sword pressed onto your ribs. You were astonished by how shamelessly he was acting, bodies close in another castle’s courtyard, enough to cause any eyes who stumbled upon you two to take offence by your inappropriate position. At this moment, you realised Aemond did truly not care for the people of the court, or for Lord Borros himself. He would always have his way from now on, and it was dangerous for you. He was fearless.
"I meant it, when I said that you had no right to abandon me," he whispered, his breath on your neck as you were still lost in his words, now realising why he was so mad, so determined. It added to the days of grief and turmoil of emotions you both had to deal with. He only didn't know how much you regretted this turn of events, how much you wished you didn't leave King's Landing, left him.
"So you are to lock me in my chambers for the rest of my life? Keep my father at court and marry me off to some Lord so I would keep company to your family as they destroy the Seven Kingdoms?"
You levelled with him, your chin almost touching his. You knew now that Rhaenyra, after hearing of his son's death, decided to refuse the terms Aegon II had offered and created open conflict. War was afoot.
Vhagar roared in the distance. Aemond's purple eye search yours frantically, visibly angry. He suddenly took several steps forward, forcing you to retreat and hit a high pillar with your back. He took your chin abruptly, lifting your head up to his easily, towering over you with his height. You heard shuffling around you, your brain noticing that maybe the whole court was watching the interaction, but you didn't care. All you could register was the feeling of being trapped coursing through your body, along with other sensations you didn't want to acknowledge, too shameful.
"My brother is the rightful King, not Rhaenyra. Your love for them was an illusion, and your father will see it, I assure you. You won't be a prisoner Y/N, you will be what you've always been. A friend, to me and Helaena."
His voice slightly weakened at friend, but he cupped your head between his hands before keeping on. "No harm will come to you Y/N, I will protect you, I promise. If you are with me, with us, none would dare to touch you."
He didn't know why he couldn't say it, right there as he passed his thumb on your bottom lip, that his care for you was everything. To say that he knew at his core that madness would overcome him if you were to ever be injured in any way. Maybe he couldn't because he felt your pain, still clinging to the surface, even if you tried to hide it. Maybe he was protecting you for now.
"Take it off," he heard you say, making him snap out of his thoughts.
He didn't understand at first, but then he felt one of your fingers on his cheek, caressing the length of his scar, the price for greatness, so he liked to tell himself. It was his pride and his shame. The latter was mostly felt with you, he was afraid of what you would think, of how you would look at him, differently surely. But right here and now he was tempted to let you have your way. Your fingers had reached the eye patch, and then you saw his hand leave your neck and cover your hand, stilling it for a moment, hesitating, before it moved with yours, finally lifting the leather that hid his wound.
In the sunlight of Storm's end, the sapphire that filled his hollow eye was shining bright, and you were fascinated by it. Aemond saw your mouth part slightly, taking in his looks. He dreaded what your expression would be, always had, but he only saw admiration carved on your fine features. It was like looking at you when you were still both children, as you both watched Syrax or Caraxes fly into the sky, your blissful face following every flap of wings, tenderness into his heart as he bathed into your happiness.
But you were not children any more, you were beautiful, tall, graceful, smart and fierce. And he was meant to protect his family at all cost. His thumb returned to your parted lips when your hand had not left his scar.
"I wish none of this had happened," you said, your warm breath on his fingers. "You've changed so much after that."
A silence passed in which his eye turned sad, even if they widened a little in defiance. "I have always been the same," he stated.
Then he let go of you, retrieved his eye patch from your palm, his movement achingly slow, put it on again, hiding his sapphire underneath it, and finally walked away, leaving you in the courtyard.
You instantly missed his presence, his touch. You noticed that the courtyard was not as empty as when you had arrived. After swallowing hard, chasing the warmth of your body, you pushed yourself from the pillar and went for the entrance door, fleeing the glances of others as you passed.
You heard Vhagar chant faintly right before you entered the hall, surely greeting her rider, but walked away all the same.
Outside, Aemond went to stroke her green scales, finding comfort in his loyal companion. He knew how restless she was growing, here at Storm's End. It wasn't Dragonstone or King's Landing, she didn't like the region, and neither did he.
"Soon, Vhagar," he spoke softly in High Valyrian. "Soon we fly home."
Gif owner: @mcqraw Masterlist (Part 34) - (Annexe of the fic) [Ship in 5min]
Summary: Years later, and life still surprises you.
Warnings: Fluff, smut, + something but it's spoilandidontwanttoruinit
A/N: Yes, you read right. This is the end (or is it?). It has been one hell of a ride.
“What is this?"
You were in your shared chambers, having just discovered a brand new gift laying on the covers of your bed, unfolded as you approached it to examine it. As you took it in your hand, your expression shifted to one of disbelief when you understood what it was.
Aemond had just entered, lazily closing the door with a little smile at your reaction as you now brandished your new gift in his direction, a hand on your hips, scowling. “I believe it to be a dress, dear wife,” he responded with a self-satisfied smile as he closed the distance between you, coming to touch the fabric you held gently. “Do you not like it?”
“It’s a dornish dress. Again . A black dornish dress, might I add,” you pointed out, unfolding the velvet. “It is exactly the same one as when… when I returned from Sandstone.”
“Yes I know, I chose it on purpose,” he simply answered, the memory of that intimate and frustrating moment between the two of you in front of the fire lingering in the air, so long ago now. “I was quite fond of it, and I want you to wear it in my presence again. Besides, the weather here is mild enough for you to indulge me.”
He calmly parted away from you in order to discard some of his effects on the table near the window, as if asking you to change in the middle of the day was the most natural thing in the world. You narrowed your eyes when he finally leaned against the table and crossed his arms over his chest, expectant, smirking down at you.
He was right, of course. Even though it has always been hot in King’s Landing, it was nothing compared to the southern temperatures, here, on the coast of the Whispering Sound, at Ivyhorn. Situated between Three Sisters and Oldtown, the castle was always sunny and only the fresh breeze that was coming from the sea could cool your skin. Ivyhorn has been vacant since the previous owners, some landed Knights from the Reach, had perished in the Dance, leaving this beautiful land to your family and Aemond’s as part of the term the Blacks had settled for. Since that time, you have learned to like the place, and so did Aemond, against all odds.
But you weren’t complaining, it was a good place to live, and you liked the view. And of course, you could dress more lightly than in the north, even though Alicent would often cast a judgmental glare at some of the dresses Aemond would choose for you. But he would relish in your new looks, not missing any opportunity to have you to himself when you two would finally be alone.
“Oh, is it one of those dresses you mean to shred as soon as the day is over?” you asked, narrowing your eyes playfully. “No point in giving it to me to wear it in the first place then, my Prince.”
He smirked at your remark. “Oh but there is. I will keep buying you dresses, thousands of them if need be, and I would never get tired of ripping them off of your body,” he said, pupils dilated and his tone turning more dangerous. Still he remained unmoving. “Shall we see how long this one lasts?”
His suggestion made you blush, your current golden and comfortable gown suddenly feeling too tight for your body as you shivered, and certainly not from the cold. He now felt too far for your taste, stubbornly frustrating you. “In case you haven’t noticed, I am pregnant,” you pointed out smartly, defying him over the fact that the dress would surely not suit you as well as it did before. But he looked unfazed at your remark, amused even.
“I did yes… Your point?”
You were a fool for believing that he would not be turned on by this, even for a second. During the time that you had been pregnant, Aemond was the happiest man alive, content to see you with the ultimate mark of his possession over you, and the prospect of yet another child in your belly. He liked everything about it: how your breasts changed, how your skin glowed, how your belly grew, how he could take care of everything you needed and most of all, the fact that you could not dress in corsets anymore, rendering your body more accessible to him. You also suspected that his absence during your pregnancy with Naerys weighed on him still, as it did with you all these years ago. This time, he would not be parted from you, even for an instant. And it was most evident here, in Ivyhorn, as he was looking at you with hunger, making you bite your lips in defeat.
Fine.
Without a word, you brusquely deposited the dress on the wooden chest next to you before unlacing your gown with expert fingers, not thinking about the fact that you wish he had done it himself, not willing to admit it even to yourself. You bore a hard and unyielding gaze that did not leave Aemond as the yellow fabric fell at your feet, and soon after, your shift and undergarment.
You saw his eye darken as it travelled your now almost naked body, unconsciously wetting his lips as he did so, but he still didn’t move an inch, patiently letting you grab his gift and put it on. Still defiantly looking directly at him, you swiftly rearranged your hair over the black velvet, leaving the skin of your slightly swollen belly visible, exhaling in a mix of excitement and irritation as you finished your task, arms falling at your sides.
You waited, staring at him, impatient to see what snarky comment he had in store for you, or what he would do, your skin hot already from his intense gaze. He looked at your form for a long time before pushing himself from the table, uncrossing his arms as he finally walked up to you, pupils blown.
“Mhhh… I’m afraid it won’t last long at all…” he said, eye on the way the fabric embraced your curves. He came to push your hair aside, revealing the sapphire necklace on your collarbone. “A shame. It is a good thing I bought five more of these.”
“Five?” you said in disbelief, putting your hands on his forearms as he took hold of your waist. “Surely you jest.”
He brought you closer, burying his nose in your neck as you felt his already hardened state press against your hips. “Does it feel like I’m jesting?” he whispered, processing to trail kisses from below your jaw to your throat.
You could not help but close your eyes and sigh at the sensation, your hand going straight to his hair as he traced his kisses down to your collarbone, his hands gripping the black material of your dress tightly, fingers grazing your uncovered skin.
“No…” you conceded, glad that he was holding you as you felt your muscle going mellow under his touch. “But I was on my way to the sept, in truth.”
He groaned. “Prayers can wait, and so can my mother,” he said as he brought his mouth to yours. “You are not leaving this room until I say so.”
“Until this dress is ruined and shredded to pieces, you mean?”
“Mhh…” was his only response before you found yourself engulfed in his heated kiss, surprisingly soft compared to the way he held on to your waist, one hand coming to cup your breasts before tugging down your dress down your shoulders.
You gave his passion back tenfold, tongues clashing and soon you felt yourself being pushed into the mattress with your elbows as only support, Aemond’s hands lowering you down gently before sneaking under your dress to travel from your breasts to your belly with agonising slowness.
“Have I told you how beautiful you look, round with my child inside of you?” he huskily said, his tongue hot on your skin as he reached the pulse point on your neck, making you sigh in pleasure.
“Only…” you began, inhaling sharply when you felt him pull your skirts up and his hand grip your thigh. “A ridiculously numerous amount of times.”
He hummed again, lifting himself up from your body to get on his knees at the end of the bed and take hold of the fabric that covered part of your stomach to pull, the sensation of his breath so close to your inside eliciting chills on your skin. “Make it one more time then.”
You watched as he kissed the inside of your left thigh, trailing up before parting your legs wider, making you grip the sheet beneath you. He took care in meeting your gaze, licking his lips with a grin, enthralled with the way you looked, trembling in anticipation under his touch before slamming his mouth on your core. He did not miss the way your jaw dropped and you mewled, lulling your head back as he did so.
The sensation of his tongue on your folds was already so exquisite that when you felt two fingers slide into you, you could not help but arch your back slightly. Aemond’s hold on your dress hardened instantly, pulling so you could not move. “Lay still, wife, or I will have no choice but to strap you with your own gift.”
The thought made electricity go through every nerve in your body and you whimpered, action not lost on Aemond who smiled before resuming his ministrations. Seeing you obey him, he detached one of his hands from your belly to reach for yours on the sheets, intertwining his fingers with yours tightly.
Three knocks on the door made you gasp.
“Fuck-” Aemond groaned irritably, squeezing both your hand and your dress harder as he parted his mouth from your core with an obscene sound. “Leave at once or lose your hand!" he screamed to the door as quickened voices filtered through it.
You had frozen in your position, eyes on the wooden door and hoping that they would be fast gone as you clutched Aemond’s hand, heart beating and a desperate whimper stuck in your throat at the loss of his touch on you. You could hear voices beyond the door, rapidly hushered, like alarmed whispers. They did not depart and you were able to hear some of what filtered through it:
“… heard that? I beg of you… only make them angrier,” was all you could gather as Aemond clicked his tongue in annoyance. But you had grown curious of the voices, suspicious as to why people would have an agitated conversation outside of your quarters in the middle of the afternoon. Aemond groaned loudly when you stood up, reluctantly letting you go as you rushed to the door to open it, determined to find out what it was about.
A maid and Septa Talla were standing there, evidently in the middle of an argument, and the maid froze when she saw you appear. The Septa however, bowed her head in greetings before lifting her chin high.
“What is it?” you demanded, glancing between the two with narrowed eyes. You heard Aemond coming behind you and given the frightened look that appeared on the young maid’s face, you assumed that your husband was seething with anger for having been disturbed during one of his favourite activities.
“It is Naerys, my Lady. She escaped from her lesson.”
You frowned. “Yes, it is hardly the first time,” you blatantly said, knowing full well that Talla was not the most encouraging teacher in the Seven Kingdoms. “I’m sure you will find a suitable punishment for her actions without our help.”
The maid was now looking at her shoes, anxious as the Septa took a deep breath. “Yes my Lady, but I’m afraid that I have been unable to find her.”
You saw the maid close her eyes and hold a breath. “What do you mean you can’t find her? Have you even sent for her?” you asked, her voice a little higher.
“Yes we did, but it has been an hour and...”
Aemond was out of the door in a split second, making both women take a hasty step aside as he walked straight down the corridor.
You had a hard time catching up with him, Talla hot on your heels as you followed Aemond’s fuming strides downstairs and into the inner garden where your son Aelar was playing under the close watch of Ser Marston.
“Aemond, wait, she could only be hiding,” you tried, desperate to level with him with your short steps.
“I don’t care, we were very clear, she is not to be taken out of sight,” he fumed as he barked at the surrounding guards to look for his daughter at once. “Why did you let her out of your sight?” he snarled, turning to the Septa who had caught up with them.
Talla took a deep breath and tried to remain as composed as possible. You admired her, she was one of the only members of the castle staff that did not fear Aemond completely. But you would not let her indulge your husband in his bubbling fury, instead scooping Aelar in your arms as you chimed in.
“She cannot have gone far,” you assured, smiling at Aelar happy to see you. “We will find her.”
Saying the words, you could not help the mild panic that filled you, and you knew Aemond felt the same way, maybe even stronger. But you were better at hiding it. Aemond was very attached to Naerys, his protective nature and paranoia he felt toward you applied to your children tenfold, and the memory of Naerys being abducted was always looming over the both of you. All of the available personnel of the castle were soon ordered to look for her if they didn’t want Aemond to cut them down.
Half an hour later you found nothing, and Aemond was starting to be so tense that you feared that he would kill someone. He would not even let Aelar out of his sight as you walked the outside grounds in your search.
“Naerys!” you called, your voice echoing against the cliffs of the bay below the fortified walls. Aemond began to walk toward the edge of said cliff, silent and eye scanning the surroundings when you saw him still, turn and look in the opposite direction, over your shoulder.
“Something is wrong with Vhagar,” he stated blankly before he strode off past you and began his rapid descent toward the beach where his dragon often rested. You had no time to be amazed by the inexplicable and magical bond that linked Targaryens to their mount as you followed him closely.
With your son in your arms, you had to watch your steps more carefully than Aemond and you did not notice him starting to rush to the beach at a faster rate. When you finally looked up you understood why.
Vhagar was there, at her usual place, but she was not alone. A magnificent blue dragon that you had seen only on rare occasions was next to her, her head lowered at something on the ground as Vhagar squealed, her eyes locked onto her new companion.
Dreamfyre, the late Helaena’s dragon, had not been seen since the rebels' attacks on King’s Landing all of those years ago, when Naerys was still in your womb. Aemond had distanced himself from you, running at Vhagar and toward his beloved daughter whom you finally spotted, placed between Vhagar’s protective posture and Dreamfyre’s curious eyes, advancing on the latter.
“Naerys! Do not take another step!” you heard Aemond yell as you caught up with him. Vhagar moved to stand behind her rider as she continued to watch Naerys' approach on the blue dragon, fascinated. You stood between Aemond and his mount, your heart beating fast.
“But father, look! It is a blue dragon! It just landed here to greet Vhagar!”
“Naerys, please stop and come back,” he implored, not willing to approach the now wild dragon closer in case it would startle her. However, the already closeness in which your daughter was with the beast had Aemond pause and watch how Dreamfyre only peered boringly at her.
You watched, amazed. “By the Mother, is that…”
“Dreamfyre,” Aemond finished for you. “She has been missing for years.”
“Aemond, we have to get her out of there!”
Aemond reached for your arm over Aelar and caressed it without taking his eye off Naerys who kept advancing toward the blue dragon. “I… I think it is alright. Vhagar would not be as calm if there were any danger. You know how protective she had been of her.”
“But Aemond she is only a child, surely she…”
But you went silent as Dreamfyre suddenly shifted her neck towards your daughter, making both you and Aemond jolt. But the she-dragon purred as she pressed her snout against Naerys' tiny raised hand, her hair wavering at the strong breath of the beast, making her giggle.
“Did our daughter just… bond with Dreamfyre…?” you said in disbelief, appalled and watching as Dreamfyre turned her head to look more closely at Naerys.
Aemond did not answer right away, too amazed to let the words out of his mouth. “I… don’t know. She would have to ride her to be certain.”
You indignantly looked at your husband, mouth agape as you considered the matter very dangerous, but Aemond only squeezed your arm reassuringly before letting go of it and walking closer to Dreamfyre, making Vhagar squeal slightly.
“Dōna, do you remember the words I taught you? In High Valyrian?”
Naerys turned her head at her father, happy as she touched the scales below Dreamfyre’s nose. She thought it over.
“Uh, some of it. I know Draca-”
“No! No dōna, I know you know that one but we will try something else, alright?” Aemond said as he raised a hand to make your daughter listen. “Do you remember the command I tell Vhagar when I want her to pay attention?”
“ Lykiri !” she proudly said, making both Vhagar and Dreamfyre tilt their enormous heads. Both you and Aemond watched how the blue dragon looked at her with burning and curious eyes.
“Yes, very good. Could you repeat it to Dreamfyre?”
“Dreamfyre? Is it its name?” she said, looking back at the dragon in awe. “I like it. Lykiri!”
Dreamfyre took a step back and bowed her body lower, abandoning all of her menacing posture from before. Aemond turned his head at you, sharing a confident look with your widened one.
“Very good. Now do you remember the word for ‘flying’? Can you say it to her?”
Your daughter thought hard, before raising her finger in the air.
“Yes! I remember!” she said brightly before taking a step back as well and inflating her chest, ready to yell. “Soves! ”
Dreamfyre titled her head again but did nothing else, and you felt your heart drop into your chest as you already pictured the worse, taking a few decided steps towards your daughter, but Aemond remained calm, extending his hand to stop you.
“No, you don’t move,” he commanded you, pointing to the spot below Vhagar’s wing, where you would be protected. He reported his attention to his daughter. “Sȳz, dōna. Now try again, try calling her name,” he said in an encouraging voice.
Naerys looked at both of you before staring back at the she-dragon, looking at her like she was a huge wall that would not budge and desired nothing more than to move it. “Soves Dreamfyre, soves!”
This time Dreamfyre raised herself of all of her might, making Naerys step back a little and Aemond completely take you out of the way protectively. She then flapped her wings once, twice, and a few heavy steps after she was in the air, making Vhagar flap her wings as well in approval as she watched the dragon circle in the sky above them. Naerys was giggling, not tearing her eyes from the beast as you rushed at her side to pull her against you.
“She is so beautiful!” she said against your belly as Aelar was also watching the dragon with amazement.
“Naerys, do not ever go to a dragon you do not know! You could have been-”
Aemond’s hands went to rest soothingly on your back before crouching to level with his daughter.
“My brave little Naerys., he said before scooping her into his arms. “You might be even crazier than me,” he smiled, his expression so proud that you could not help but smile at the sight as well. Dreamfyre roared as she circled closer to the ground.
“Aemond, this was dangerous,” you weakly scolded.
“I know,” was his only reply, a huge smirk on his handsome face making you escape a laugh.
“Can we keep her? Like Vhagar?” your daughter asked, looking between the both of you.
You both exchanged a look as Dreamfyre landed roughly near her eldest.
“Yes, I think that would be fine,” you said, caressing her face fondly. Aemond dropped her carefully on the ground to let her run toward Dreamfyre again, under the scrutinising gaze of both her parents. “She is only six…” you breathed.
“Yes. It might be the earliest bonding to an already hatched dragon since Aegon the Conqueror.”
You both watched as Naerys entertained herself in roaming her hand all of the length of Dreamfyre’s neck and back.
“Aemond, I am warning you, that if I see her on her back and in the air before her tenth name day, I will confiscate all the dragons. Even Vhagar.”
“Mh. This is quite unfair. The bond between a dragon and a rider is too strong, if she wants to ride, she will, and I won’t be able to do much,” he said with a teasing smile on his face at your threat. “Besides, she had flown for the first time when she was only three months old.”
“On Vhagar! With you, an experienced rider who knows how to fly! Not…”
Aelar babbled in your arms, and Aemond stepped behind you in order to wrap his arms around you both, resting his chin on your shoulder. Exactly like the first time you had been on Vhagar with him. “Nothing will happen to her, I promise. Look at her.”
Naerys was now seated in front of Dreamfyre who was resting her head on the ground, her snout stroked by her new rider, purring.
“If Vermithor comes next, I swear I will not let Aelar out of my sight,” you announced, stroking your son’s hair. You then listened to Aemond ask his son about which dragon he would like best, and you knew he was doing this to tease you.
You smiled nonetheless.
Here is a wonderful fanart by @cyeco13 of this last scene! (or almost). She is absolutely fantastic at Christmas gifts and is so very talented. It must have took her days to do the Dreamfyre but she still did it! I cannot look away, the art is so pretty. Thank you so much!
Put that fan art from @jinniwiin on Twitter too because I find it is one of my favourite and suits Aemond and Naerys in my head.
Check out Annex chapters for more on this fic (1)
So, here it is.
I specifically wanted to say that very early on I figured that it would be hella difficult to write a happy ending with both Aemond not dying and the Blacks 'winning' at the same time, and it has been difficult. Turns out I found something, but I am not happy with the logic of it (I like to do things canonical (sort of) so even though I’m happy with what I’ve wrote relationship wise and epic wise, the ending it a little far fetched politically, but meh, I enjoyed it, and I hope you guys did too.)
I’ll also say that the story would have deserved to be longer, after Alys especially, but unfortunately I have to focus on my work now, hence the “rushed” ending.
Next time, I promise to do better, even maybe wait for season 2 so I have more ‘information’ to write a good fic about. Yes, I’m never letting Aemond go. EVER. This guy won’t die by my hand I assure you (looking at you Miguel.)
Don’t forget to check out my other works! This is not over.
And thank you for reading. So much. Your reactions were everything. I’ll be happy to answer any question you have, don’t hesitate to spam the ask box.
Love you all. And especially @babyblue711, thank you so much for you support, as well as @enchantingcupcakecollectionfan who I won't be able to thank enough.
And everyone of you. I mean, it was everything. Thank you.
Summary: You finally depart for King's Landing. What waits for you is uncertain, except for the fact that you are completely taken with a certain Kinslayer.
Warnings: Fluff, angst. Masterlist (Part 5 - Part 7)
It was cloudy, still dark since the storm passed hours ago. Vhagar just awoke and was as hasty to leave as you were.
Only Lady Cassandra, her younger sister, your aunt and the maester were present, others too scared to approach the she-dragon or too early for them to be even up. Aemond had managed to advance your departure and a maid had come to fetch you at dawn. You learned that Lord Borros and Aemond had briefly talked, announcing his sooner leave and surely exchanging cold courtesies. The Lord had no desire to attend their outrageous departure.
You hugged your aunt, thanking her for everything, and you smiled down sweetly at the youngest Baratheon who was mesmerised by Vhagar. She was the nicest, you thought, and you shared with her your hope to see her again as she shared hers as well, waving her tiny arm to you when you walked away toward the scaled beast.
Aemond was conversing with his betrothed, taking much too long for your taste to say goodbye. You tried not to see her arm snaking up around his upper arm and his mouth kissing her hand that had been on the most intimate part of your body only hours ago, before he finally turned away from her. Walking towards you, he helped you up first on Vhagar, her height being a real challenge for you, then got up next and settled in front of you after making sure you were well strapped. He said no words as he commanded his mount to take off and you were shaken up upon the air.
You felt troubled. The last time you had flown, it was on Arrax. Harmful feelings came back at you, unsettling. You were now on the back of the beast who took Lucerys' life, starting a civil war that you were diving directly into.
Moreover, you felt insecure. Physically. Behind Aemond you were barely holding on the wooden hooks of the saddle, and each flap of a wing made you feel like you would fall at any moment directly onto the sea. You struggled to keep still as your muscles started to become sore because of your efforts. But you shall hold on until the end.
Aemond's silence troubled you too. But you did not have the time to think about that because you felt Vhagar lose altitude and soon you were landing on a rocky cliff, Storm's End away from view. What was happening?
Aemond let go of the reins and turned to you, started to untie the straps that kept you on the saddle hastily.
"Finally, some peace. Let's stop this farce and come on the front," he said, untying the last rope above your thigh.
"What?" you said, bewildered. "You made us land so I could exchange seats with you?"
You were ignoring the fact that it was also the first word he has said to you today.
"You will be much better in front of me. Decency had me put you behind for all of those lords not to be offended, but this is ridiculously dangerous. At least once in King's Landing, no one will dare to utter a word. Now come on, get up," he said, extending his hand to you.
You only crossed your arms in defiance. You would not let him be right in implying you were not capable of enduring a rough ride, even if you had believed your end near a few times over the last minutes.
He sighed at your reaction, dropping his hand in exasperation.
"Always so stubborn, are you?" he said tauntingly. "Do not tell me you feel comfortable there, I could almost feel you cringe in anguish behind me."
You lowered your eyes in defeat, untying your arms. Yes, you would feel safer, so you took his again extended hand and got up, walking around him to reach the front.
Vhagar shifted abruptly, and you lost balance, only Aemond's shooting hand at your waist preventing you from falling. You felt your cheeks turn red at the touch and tried to hide it at once, but failed.
You settled on the front saddle, curious as to why Aemond hadn't even moved, that's when you understood that he just intended for you to take place directly against him, squeezed within the short space of the saddle. You felt your cheeks turn hot again as his arms came at your sides to grab onto the reins.
But he didn't take off. You didn't know why he chose to stop but you felt his hair tickling your shoulder and you became very aware of his closeness. His nose touched the side of your neck and you jolted at the touch.
"I'm sorry," he said.
At that, you frowned and proceeded to turn fully toward him, with difficulty you might add, because you were so close that you did not have enough space for your movements anyway.
"What are you apologising for, Aemond?" you asked, more lost than before.
He was watching you with a serious look, almost sadly.
"For everything you've been through, what I have put you through Y/N. I know how you feel when you look at me. I heard you say it, you feel the pain I brought upon you. The grief," he confessed, looking down.
Your heart softened at the confession. However you also felt anger, anger at the fact that he was torturing himself for something you didn't mean. You weren't ready to admit it fully, but you sure would make him understand that you would not allow him to see himself as a monster. Because to you, he never has been.
You grabbed his arm at your side and squeezed, urge written over your face.
"Aemond, whatever you heard me say to that man was a lie, to protect myself. I would never-" you stopped, emotions starting to take the better of you. "I would never make you feel this way, not with me. And I assure you that you have no idea how I feel when I look at you."
His eye shot up at yours, suddenly filled with interest. You haven't meant for those words to leave your mouth but anger got the better of you.
"I don't?" he asked, the ghost of a grin on his lips. You turned over, your back to him again, and sighed, muttering a response.
"No. But I'm sure you'll know one day."
This day would be the day you fully admit your feelings to yourself, but this day was not today.
"And what if I know already?" he said softly.
Your heart jumped in your chest, and you felt his hand grab your chin, turning your head on the side and he kissed you.
It was incredible. It has nothing to do with the feverish kisses from the night you spend together. This one was full of emotions, full of meaning, as if all those years you spent together, growing up together, even growing apart, was flowing through it. You only felt him, all of his guilt, his insecurities, his anger and will. But you also felt his pride, his loyalty and his affection.
You also hoped he felt it too. Felt your affection, your desire, your want of him, your tenderness for him.
The kiss lasted for a delightful eternity. You didn't want it to end, but when it did, it left you with a lightness in your heart you couldn't describe, and you didn't detach your eyes from him, too keen to look upon his features until the end of your days.
"Are you scared?" you whispered. His eye went to your lips briefly, as to make sure you talked, leaving his blissful trance.
"Scared?" he asked, confused.
"To return to King's Landing. To confront your family about... everything that happened."
He took a breath and nervously moved in his seat, his head then went to rest on your shoulder, lazily. You were beginning to think that this stop on the cliff was not only a reason for safety settings. He was reluctant to return, you felt it.
"I will be alright. What is done is done, now we must prepare for the future and hope my brother will be suited to the task," he said against your ear, but eye staring at the distance.
You nodded in silence, unsure of what to say. He deposited a kiss on your neck and proceeded to strap himself in his seat before commanding Vhagar to finally head for home.
It was much better. Holding on to one of the wooden sticks for support and Aemond's strong presence holding you from behind. The flight turned out pleasant, and you wish it had lasted longer, because soon the Kingswoods were in sight, telling you that the red city soon will appear.
Vhagar landed in the courtyard of the Dragonpit, merely too big for it already. Dragonkeepers were approaching her and Aemond lowered himself into the ground before extending his arms to help you down as well. You still felt overwhelmed by the flight and you asked yourself how Aemond managed to ever leave this sensation each time he dismounted his dragon.
Criston Cole, the Commander of the Kingsguard was the first to meet them, or rather, Aemond, as he cast you a curious side look when your feet touched the ground.
"My Prince, I am glad to see you. I was asked to tell you to meet the King and the Queen Mother as soon as you were to arrive," he said.
Aemond only let you go when he was sure you were alright and looked at the knight, nodding. You knew he dreaded it, even a little: the long due reunion with his family.
He strode after Cole, his usual menacing demeanour restored, but you didn't move, unsure of what to do. You were not really involved and you didn't really like Criston Cole, his sadly known bursts of anger made you uncomfortable. However when you saw Aemond stop in his steps and glancing aside, seeing you not following, you began to walk to him when his expecting glare reached you, like a silent command. You did not acknowledge Cole's annoyed look, but you were sure Aemond did.
The trip to the Red Keep was uneventful, the carriage silent, Criston stiff as a board on the side, Aemond, elbows on his knees and deep in thought. As for you, facing him and sharing his anxiousness, you had no choice but to stay silent. The white Knight was one of the only people Aemond would drop his hard façade in front of it seemed. You, of course, included.
When you set foot into the front yard of the Keep, you first saw the Queen, impatiently waiting for Aemond to appear, and next to her your father smiling at you. You bowed quickly to the Queen who barely acknowledged you before going to your father who embraced you tightly. You saw from your peripheral view Aemond glancing at you briefly, almost missing the nod he gave your father, before following his mother inside.
Once in your apartments, your father spoke to you in all seriousness, asking you details about Dragonstone and Rhaenyra's reaction, and you tried to remember as much detail as you could. You told him everything, from Rhaenys' arrival to your departure from Storm's End, leaving the part where you have been with Aemond.. Then he told you everything, from the death of the King to the news of Lucerys' death. You noticed that he didn't mention his talk with Aemond about your return and his allegiance.
He told you of his plan, to find a way home to the Westerlands and to withdraw in your House's seat at Deep Den, waiting to see where the war would lead and take, if presented, the opportunity to support the Black Queen. In his mind, the Greens were losing, having not enough dragons, and greater houses standing behind Rhaenyra. You knew he wanted to protect your House, to protect you, avoiding being labelled as traitors if the Greens were sure to lose, but you hated the idea. You didn't want to talk about that future, a future where Aemond would be sent to prison, or rather, put to death, labelled as a traitor. It was an unbearable thought as you tried to listen to your father.
The day passed, finding your habits again inside the court. You didn't see any members of the royal family for two days. Even your father was busy in strategic meetings when he was not locked up in his office.
The second evening, a servant came to your door as you were conversing with your father and requested that you meet Prince Aemond at dinner. There was no mistake in your father's worried feature as he sent the servant away, claiming you were not feeling well and that you could not attend. You argued furiously with him, but he didn't want to hear a word. "You cannot indulge him like this! I'm sorry darling."
You believed him sincere, but you realised that dealing with Aemond in the past had been a great sacrifice for him, and you hoped that rumours that emanated from Storm's End had not reached your father's ears yet.
Aemond was fuming when the servant gave him the news. Were you ill again? Since you came back, he didn’t have any opportunity to see you, even from afar. It annoyed him greatly, he was content in managing the coming war in counsel, eager to prove his abilities to the Kingdom, but he missed you.
Aegon chose that moment to erupt in the room, and took place beside him in front of the fire. Aemond sighed in annoyance.
"There you are brother! You left so quickly after the meeting, it was like you were chased by a demon," he said.
Aemond hummed, staring at the fire. He wasn't in the mood to talk, even if his brother surprisingly wasn't as drunk as usual, though it was already dark outside.
"I thought you liked planning the death of thousands of soldiers on the battlefield! Good work today by the way brother. The Blacks will be vanquished!" Aegon said as he raised his fist in the air.
Confronted to his brother's silence and inaction, Aegon chose a different strategy, a grin forming over his lips.
"I heard interesting rumours about you and a certain Lady, Aemond. Anything to confess of your stay in the Stormlands? Apart from the glorious death of our strong nephew, of course."
Aemond looked at him wide eyed as Aegon continued.
"I mean, I don't blame you. The Baratheon girls are not known for their beauty, and Y/N is definitely much better-looking than any other women inside of the Red Kee-"
"Careful brother, you have no idea of what you are talking about," he interrupted coldly. The last thing he wanted was to draw his brother’s attention to you.
“What's the matter? Did her father Lord Donnel scare you? He obviously doesn't regard you in high esteem, but I would have thought you more cunning."
Aemond sighed again. Yes, her father was very protective of her it appeared, as Aemond learned that he had refused many proposals of marriage without your knowledge, and was now very keen in keeping you close. It was one of the reasons Aemond didn't ask for your hand all of these years ago, this and the fact that he did not find himself worthy of you at the time.
Now it was different, and Aemond felt that everywhere you'd go, your father would follow now.
"It's none of my concern. Lady Y/N cannot be married at this time as House Lydden cannot start to make alliances in times of war such as this. It would be too high a risk for her Lord Donnel to take, without mentioning the wrath of Casterly Rock," Aemond concluded.
“So I am to understand that you triggered Lord Baratheon's wrath in neglecting his daughter over our delightful Y/N because you wish for her to stay unmarried?" he looked at his brother warily. "A shame. If I had been in your shoes, I would have gone for the both of them."
Aemond wanted to strangle his brother, but he stopped himself from doing so, rather finding his composure in the observation of the dancing flames before him. Aegon was disappointed.
"Well, you are no fun tonight. I will let you to... whatever you are doing and find me a girl to keep me warm."
And Aegon left, leaving Aemond’s murderous eye as he was furious at the treatment he imposed to his sister-wife. But his thoughts soon went toward you as he relaxed in his chair.
Days passed again, and you were finally allowed to see the royal twins in their apartments, under the watchful care of Helaena who was so glad to see you again. The twins had grown since you last saw them, and their eyes were full of curiosity, looking at you as if they saw you for the first time.
You spend the afternoon at Helaena's side, talking about Dragonstone volcanic terrain, the winds, the sea, the court at Storm's End and the description of the Baratheon's daughter, as Helaena was now curious about her future sister-in-law.
"You will like her, your Grace. She has a happy temperament and I heard that she likes children very much," you said, hiding your bitterness behind your smile.
"Oh but you are too! I've never seen the twins so engrossed with someone before! They like you," she stated. "But tell me, how did my brother treat her? Did he spend time with her?" she asked.
"Well, I could not tell your Grace, but I know they seemed to get along and even went flying on Vhagar at one time," you replied.
Helaena seemed content with her brother's behaviour and went back to caress Jaehaera's hair who was sitting on her lap. But her expression turned sad all of a sudden.
"I fear I will never have the chance to see her become my sister, however, as she will never make it," she said very softly as only speaking to herself.
You started to ask what she meant by that, but Aegon entered the room at the same time. You hid your surprise as it was the first time you saw him in the presence of his pretende-, of his children, you corrected yourself.
"My dear wife. I am glad to see your dazed face today as this afternoon meeting was exhausting. Mother is truly on edge," he said as he went to pour himself a glass of wine.
The twins looked at him curiously, not saying a word. Aegon said hello to them before landing his eyes on you, acknowledging your presence.
"Lady Y/N!" he smiled. "What a pleasant surprise, I do not believe we've seen each other since your arrival from the Stag's nest."
You got up and bowed politely, returning his smile. "I do not believe so, your Grace."
He glared at you with interest for a moment and went to sit next to you, Helaena busy attending to her daughter who had started crying.
"Was your stay pleasant? Did you witness my nephew feeble attempts at a futile alliance?" he asked bluntly. You felt disgusted by his words, but you held your head high.
"No, I didn't. And my stay was too short to enjoy your Grace," you replied.
He hummed at that. "Then maybe you did enjoy other things? Unacceptable things perhaps? For I know you long for them, I’ve been told."
He watched your entire body with lust in his eye before looking at yours again, waiting for your reaction.
You were lost at words. What did he mean by that? Surely...
No, Aemond was not the sort of man to sully your reputation alongside untrustworthy depraved men like Aegon, and you knew they weren't as close. So you chose to look confused.
"I'm not sure I understand your meaning, your Grace. But I assure you that apart from my aunt, nothing gave me comfort in the stag's castle. I fell ill and would not go out often, and it was rather a sad place for me."
He opened his mouth to reply but Jaehaerys' tug on Aegon's pants made him stop, demanding attention, holding a doll to his father. Aegon grimaced at the sight, unsure of what to do. You watched the action with narrowed eyes, Aegon's failure to be a father so obvious before you now. But he surprisingly took the child into his arms, even if the King was clearly uncomfortable.
Now that you saw them next to each other, you saw it, the similarity in their features. You could still see Aemond's similarities in Jaehaerys, but it was less obvious now than before, making you doubt your previous conclusions you had drawn all of those months ago about their true lineage. But you couldn't be sure yet.
A violent wave of anguish hit you like a wave at the thought and you now felt the desire to flee the room. But Aegon, after boringly watching his son play with his doll, decided that it was time for him to leave, finished his glass in one gulp and departed. You sighed in relief as you took Jaehaerys in your arms to soothe him.
Helaena was at your side once more, expression so sweet you were unsure she had even noticed Aegon’s visit.
"I hope they did not take after Aegon's character, for I know him to be cruel sometimes," she said sweetly, stroking the other twin's hair.
"I'm sure they will be alright, your Grace," you said tenderly to her.
"Maybe some of Aemond's thoughtfulness will pass onto them," she kept on, voice hopeful.
You turned fully at that, your interest at a peak as your heart beat harder in your chest.
"Do you mean... Is Aemond..." you stopped yourself in time, recovering your calm demeanour to choose your words more carefully. "Is Aemond close to the children?" you decided to ask instead.
"He takes very good care of them," she smiled softly. "Sometimes I wish he was their father for their real one is not very loving."
She had said that as a whisper, like she again talked only to herself, but you heard her, your heart lightening, all of those months of doubts leaving you all at once. You took her arm.
"I do believe that children are to grow alike those they spend time with, so you see, they will be alright,” you said, truly happier than you have been moments ago.
She looked at you pleased, before starting her quiet rant again.
"His own children will be loved, I know it. For I also know that they will be neither fully black and red nor black and gold," she mysteriously said.
You didn't understand what she said, and you weren't able to ask her the meaning of her words as the maids came in to prepare her for supper. You said her farewell and went back to your chambers, your head full of thoughts.
-0- Part 7 [2024 side note: It's funny because I have done some stats, and most of you readers stop the first read session at chapter 6 or 7. Right before it goes better! I find it amusing :)]
