lions, dragons, wolves, and more

“Father has returned!” Your eldest son stood in the large window he had managed to climb into the sil of, his face lit up at the sight of his fathers large dragon even in the rain he could tell Vhagar from any other dragon. 

“That’s good news, I told you he would be back as swiftly as he left.” With a smile you rose off the ground to lift your younger son up where his brother stood. As you held him up you turned your head to spot your new son asleep in his crib. 

“Mother, may we greet him?” Aerys stood and looked eye to eye with you as he held your sleeve, the change in pressure made Rhaegar turn his head to look at his brother. 

“Allow me to speak to him first and then you may do so.” You wanted your sons to do as they wished but you knew that Aemond may have carried heavy news. When Aemond had such news he did not wish to be bothered, he would need to process and rethink in order to move forward with his day. 

“Deal.” Aerys bent his knees much farther than he needed to to jump down from the window. All the same Rhaegar, who followed his brother everywhere he went, turned to face you wanting down. 

“Nanny?” You raised your voice slightly in order to gain her attention, you always allowed her to stay close enough to the children that they felt they could trust her but you raised your children closer than any of the other mothers in the castle. 

The woman came through the door to greet the children, giving them small nods and a wave as he neared the three of you who were upright. 

“I will return.” With a ruffle of your oldest son's hair you made your way out of your room. On your way to find Aemond you pulled a blanket from the clean laundry one of the maids was carrying. The rain had to make him cold and the castle was not much warmer, you knew it would be kind to offer him something warm. 

“Aemond?” You spotted him as he handed his trench coat to one of the workers in the castle,  his back faced you as you approached. 

“Where are the children?” Aemond whipped around as he looked frantically at you and all around where you stood. 

“With the nanny? Why? Have one of them done something? How did your council with Lord Baratheon go?” You asked your questions quickly as he grabbed your arm and encouraged you to walk back to where you had just been. 

“Do not leave them with anyone.” He spit his words viciously at you, his grip on your arm that was void of the blanket you planned to give him he continued to drag you. 

“My apologies husband, I only wished to assure that they would not be a bother to you.” Something about the way Aemond was acting so emotionally scared you. This behavior also made you assume that the meeting with the Baratheon Lord had not gone according to Aemond’s predictions. 

“Mm.” Aemond made a small noise as he released you to burst through the doors where his children had been enjoying their rainy day inside. 

“My prince, my princess.” The nanny bowed, but before she could move out of the way to leave Aemond rushed to her. He grabbed her by the arm and slung her as far as he could towards the open doors. 

“Aemond!” You shouted, your oldest son rose from where he sat on the floor and guided his brother to stand closer to the crib placed at the edge of the room. 

Ignoring your words he continued to rush her, out of fear she crawled to stand and sprinted away as he slammed the doors shut. He took one of the daggers that sat on his belt and stuck it in between the door handles so that no one could break in. Aemond then took it upon himself to rush over to the window your children had first spotted him at yanking the curtains to close making a majority of the light in the room disappear. Had he been any rougher with them they would have come off of the hinges. 

“It’s alright Rhaegar.” Aerys spoke to his brother as he knew his brother had a great fear of darkness of any kind. You turned to see your oldest son giving the younger one a hug as he began to cry. 

“Aemond! What is the meaning of this?” With the same viciousness he had shown everyone since his thunderous return you raced across the room to speak with him. “You are scaring the children.” 

“I am protecting the children.” He whispered as he looked over to his sons cowered in the corner. 

“From what? What has happened?” You too kept your voice low as the two of you stood close in proximity not wanting the sons who would ask questions to hear you.

“We will all sleep here tonight, tomorrow I will hold council with my brother, grandsire, and mother. None of you are to leave this room.” He raised his voice to speak to the room before walking away from you to grab a torch so that he could light candles around the room. 

“Oh Aemond.” You knew he had done something horrid, he acted severely abnormal and had ignored the same question over and over without even caring to snap knowing that that would prolong the entire situation. 

Before you could go to comfort either of your sons who had been so brave in the odd moment the youngest began to wail from his crib. “It’s alright Helyrs” You scooped him up into your arms and held him against your chest as he cried. 

“Mother, what’s happened?” Aerys with Rhaegar directly behind him walked up to you almost stepping on your dress at their closeness. 

“Your father wishes us safe, this is how he sees it fit, he knows more of the situation than us so it is best to mind him on this.” Kneeling and readjusting your son in your arms you spoke to the young boys as the room lit up a bit more from Aemond finishing lighting candles. 

Aemond felt sick watching Helyrs cling to your dress’s collar, your free hand placed on Aerys face, and your gentle look that went between he and Rhaegar. Even worse was the way you explained his behavior so seamlessly without knowing what was going on yourself.

“My sweetest sons, all will be well there is no reason to harbor fear.” You briefly looked at their father who stood completely still with the lit torch watching your conversation.You put a gentle hand on Rhaegar’s arm guiding him to stand next to his brother, but he immediately chose to run into your arms and pulled his brother with him. 

“Your mother speaks the truth, all will be well tomorrow but tonight we must take caution.” Aemond stalked over the four of you on the ground with some guilt in his eyes, today had been a day of accidents. Aerys and Rhaegar had lifted their heads to look at their father then to you after he was done speaking to see what you thought to which you nodded in agreement with what your husband had said. 

“We will share chambers tonight, it shall be fun.” You emphasized the word fun and gave them the best smile you could, the feelings inside of your stomach would not be allowed out, not in front of them. “Go play.” You released them and sat Helyrs on the ground next to where they sat. 

You rose from the ground only to almost run directly into Aemond as he stood incredibly close to you. The blanket you had gotten him discarded on the floor where you sat. 

“I give you my thanks, my intentions were not to terrify the children.” He whispered, his hand sat on your cheek as he spoke. 

“Twas not just the children whom you terrified Aemond. I and the nanny were not exactly fearless.” You allowed his hand to stay where it resided, fighting him further as he was already on edge would not end well to your knowledge. 

“I did not intend to frighten you either, an accident has occurred and how it will be handled has not yet been determined.” Aemond looked down at you and watched as you went to take in a breath of air to speak to which he cut you off, “But I can assure you every caution possible is being taken to ensure that no harm will come to any of you or myself.” 

You had no choice but to trust him, if you didn’t you could be putting yourself or your sons in danger. Furthermore, you could be putting all of you in danger if you did not listen to Aemond. Though Aemond could be cruel and selfish it would be against his oaths he took with you to harm any of the four of you. And if you could trust any of the Hightower-Targaryens to keep their word it would be Aemond, as he knew better than anyone that a word is like a debt, it must be paid honestly. 

“I pray that the words you speak are honest and that the resolution is as easy as you seek it.” You placed a hand on his face and let your finger brush over the underside of his scar.

“You have my word.” Aemond leaned his head down to kiss your temple as your sons talked amongst themselves. Aerys and Rhaegar had figures that they used to pretend war was happening on the floor, Aerys also tried to involve Helrys who would randomly pick up pieces of their older brother's toys. 

“What game are we into boys?” Aemond slowly released you and walked behind you as you reapproached your sons. 

“War. I am the black soldiers, he is the brown.” Aerys spoke excitedly to his father as he always did, “Helyrs is the dragon, whom fights for neither side of this war.” 

“Mm. Current victor?” Aemond got on the floor with his sons as he looked between both of them. 

“The dragon.” Rhaegar spoke with a sour tone in his voice as his younger brother picked another soldier from Rhaegar's army laughing and giggling as he did so. 

“What if the dragon is briefly distracted?” You spoke getting down on the ground behind Helyrs you looked passed him at your sons who showed you their smiles. 

“Impossible! These little men would have to sacrifice themselves to do such a feat, then one army would be out many men.” Aerys stated to you as you slowly progressed toward your youngest son who was swinging his arm around with a brown soldier in his grasp. 

“Who said those men had to do it? What about another dragon?” Aerys snapped his head towards his father who he assumed was to be the dragon. 

“I suppose that would work.” He spoke to his father but before his father could explain that he had only intended on watching the game you pulled Helyrs back into your lap and began to poke at his sides making him laugh. The boys took the advantage and began to play out their game. You held your giggly son and watched as Aemond gave advice to each of them seriously and then not so much as it was just a game. Plus he was never allowed to pick sides unless you had the other and currently you were occupied. 

By the time they had finished Rhaegar had won, the dragon never escaped the other, and Aerys had a bunch of fallen soldiers in front of him. Both boys had tired themselves out playing gods over armies of men with so much energy. You applauded Aemond mentally for helping and allowing the rest of the night to continue normally. Though something you couldn’t help but believe that the underlying guilt he looked to have aided in doing so. That night your prince slept next to you, as did Aerys and Rhaegar whilst Helyrs slept in his own crib. 

“Mother.” Aerys whiserped snuggled in your arms the same way small children snuggled their blankets. 

“Aerys?” You answered him as you kept your eyes shut encouraging him to go back to sleep. You could feel Aemond asleep next to you as his chest moved slowly, and you could see Rhaegar asleep on the other side of his brother. 

“I cannot sleep.” He wrapped his arms around your neck and laid his head further into your chest. 

“What troubles you my love?” Placing three quick kisses into his hairline you held him back tighter than you had before. 

“Tomorrow scares me and the longer the night progresses the closer tomorrow becomes.” Aerys allowed his panic to release itself. 

“It’s okay to be afraid, but do trust that your father would never allow anything to happen to you and neither would I. Just as we would do the same for your brothers and one another. You have a brave family that does not fall easily. All will end well.” You could feel Aerys nod his head and then bury it to get comfortable again. 

“Princess?” A guard knocked at the door to where you had all been kept, Aemond had been out for quite a while at the meeting he chose to hold, his mother had seemed incredibly furious with him when she had first seen him. Her eyes had shown you sympathy before she turned on her heels leading the way for Aemond to follow. 

“How may I help you?” You spoke through the door as Aemond had requested you do, he had told you that a guard would stand watch at the door and let you know what the standing of the council was. 

“Prince Aemond Targaryen has requested Prince Aerys Targaryen to join him at this time in council for experience.” Something about that sent a shiver down your spine, Aemond always wished to show his sons what the court was like but this felt wrong. 

“Why now? Why did he not let him follow this morn?” You questioned as your son had perked up from his studies at the mention of his name. 

“Twas too dangerous, he now sees the threat has lessened and wishes to have his son by his side.” The guard stuck to his original request and added more context all the same. 

“Aerys, come.” You gently called your son over, he shut his book, and walked to you. “Your father wishes to have you at this time during court, I know how it bores you, but he only wishes to teach you.” 

“Mother, I don’t want to leave you. What if danger still lurks? Father and I have trained a bit, I could be of help to you.” Aerys begged to stay holding onto your hands as he did so. 

“My first born love, how you never cease to fill my heart with proudness, admiration, and love. I promise you that if danger arises I can protect myself and your brothers. If it becomes out of my hands I will call for you and your father to fight for this family. Be patient with your father and with his court, try and pay attention.” You moved small baby hairs off his forehead pressing kisses against it as you finished speaking. 

“I love you mother.” Aerys whispered, the feeling of fear in his gut not leaving him. 

“I love you more my son.” You took the wooden piece that had replaced your husband's dagger earlier that day to allow your son to leave. But before he left he gave you a tight hug and a kiss on the cheek. 

Hours had passed since your son had left and even more since you had seen your husband. You decided that to calm your nerves you would read to the youngest of your sons, allowing Rhaegar to read pages of his choosing, helping him with words that gave him confusion. Of course Helyrs did not read but he was content listening to the two of you speak quietly. You were not sure how much time had passed before the door opened again, you saw Aemond step through it. 

“How was the meeting?” You immediately rose from your seat, both of your other children asleep in the bed. 

“All is solved, there was a sudden resolution.” Aemond seemed shocked at this but as he looked around the room he noticed something missing. “Where is Aerys?”

You felt sick, like you had eaten something bad, your stomach churned at his question. “What do you mean?” Barely able to raise your voice above a whisper your eyes widened as you saw Aerys did not come through the door and was not standing near Aemond. 

“I am asking you for the location of our son.” With a shaky body you rose from the bed and sprinted towards your husband who stood alone. 

“Aemond, the guard- the guard told me you requested his presence at council.” A sob threatened to break from your throat as you looked up at your husband whose face was now stone. 

“When was this?” Aemond’s voice dropped lower than ever before as he placed two gentle hands on your shoulders.

“Midday.” You began to cry a bit at the idea that he was missing and the issue was just resolved. 

Aemond nodded and pressed your head into his chest as he wrapped his hands around your back. “Aemond-Aemond, where do you think he may be?” You spoke loudly into his chest so that you may be heard.

“I must go look for him while light still comes from the sky.” Aemond pulled you back from him but his hands moved from your back to your arms. 

“Wait, Aemond please, let me come.” He had turned to leave but you grabbed him by his sleeve at his attempt to leave. 

“My love, you must remain here with our other sons or they may wander off all the same.” Aemond was breathing heavily and planted his leg in the direction of the door as he went to leave. You released him and with a single nod he ran out the door. 

Moments later a knock appeared at the same door you had been staring at for only the gods know how long. Almost tripping over yourself you slammed the door into the wall opening it. 

“Hello Y/n, how do you do today? I heard of what happened yesterday.” Helaena’s gentle voice coated your ears as she stepped inside. 

“Helaena, might you do me a favor?” You forgot her words the moment she had said them, all you could think about was your kind sweet boy missing. 

“Of course sister.” She nodded, placing a hand on your shoulder, she could feel your distress. 

“Watch my boys, I must aid everyone in finding Aerys. I cannot wait for news.” You held her shoulders the way you had held Aemonds previously and she just nodded. The second you saw her head move to say yes you kissed her on the cheek and bolted out the door grabbing a torch from beside the door. 

You had wandered outside the castle, you knew that the others would be searching on the direct grounds. While that was helpful simply because that would be the easiest most mapped out place to find him you felt that if that was where he was he would’ve been found by now. Sliding down a hill that had a plant filled path surrounded by trees you met a border where boats would land if they tried to enter Kings Landing secretly. 

“Aerys?” You whispered as you pushed through bushes, not seeing anyone, and holding up your torch to avoid catching the foliage on fire. 

Walking across you took a single step off the path feeling something hard beneath your foot that cracked loudly with all of your weight pressed onto it. You rolled your foot slightly on the object listening to it crackle a bit under you. You took one more step forward but this time to the left avoiding the solid object again. But the sight that hit your eyes sent signals to your body to fall and scream. Your son laid dead, his blood cold on the ground next to him, his eyes wide open, and his body as white as his hair. 

“AEMOND!” Your word was barely enunciated enough to be understood as you screamed from your stomach through your mouth like you had been stabbed. You grabbed at your son’s lifeless body holding his head closer to his body because his throat was almost cleanly split. 

“Aerys.” You wailed again, the dragons could even hear you as you could hear them roar as you did. His head was pressed against your chest, you rocked him back and forth begging him to breathe. Aemond heard you from a while away and began dead sprinting through the thick air of the night.

“No.” Aemond’s voice cracked as he slid down the path you had, guards followed him in tow. 

“My baby, my poor baby.” You screamed and held him with the tightest grip you had ever had as his blood began to get all over your dress. The coldness of his skin felt like stone in your hands. 

“Y/n, my life, my love, please you must release him.” Aemond saw the blood, the pale skin, he had seen death before, and now he was looking at his own kin dead in his wife’s arms because of him.

“NO!” You screamed with your whole heart again whaling, tears of yours covered your son's shoulder as you shoved him even closer to your body. “This can’t be. Please. Aemond please.”  You begged your husband whose hands were now on you. 

“My deepest apologies my wife, but you must release his body from your own.” Aemond placed his hands on your sides and began to tighten his grip on your body. 

“Aemond I can’t, I can’t, this is- he’s my angel, my firstborn love.” You could no longer see anything through the tears in your eyes as you felt your son slipping from your arms. You let out another scream as Aemond peeled you from him, his head was barely hanging onto his neck. 

“Take him.” The guards picked up your son's body as you kicked and screamed against Aemond watching them take your son away. Aemond held you as tightly as you could, he was sure bruises would remain where he had you in his arms. 

“My love, I am sorry.” He put you down and held your arms to the point you could feel his nails through your thick-sleeved dress. 

“Why are you so sorry?” You shouted at him, your eyes twitched as tears continued to make your face swell.