Julia 🫶🏻

One had claimed that they had seen him drag you down the halls by your hair, and you had wept the entire way. Not in fear, not pleading for him to stop, but instead apologizing to him the entire way for upsetting him.

As if that was an appropriate response for you setting him off.

That was mild in comparison to some of the things Egg had told him. The Hightower Aerion had killed, but never could be proven. How he got you with child so he could marry you himself. The bruises. The screams. The way he had heard the maester whispering to Maekar, but some of injuries you had sustained.

More recently after you had been given birth no one had really laid eyes on you. They saw Aerion going in and out. Maekar doing the very same, because he has the only person that he could not prevent form doing as he pleased, as it was his own castle. But no one else was allowed entry other then maids and the new babe himself.

No knights.

No ladies in waiting.

And especially no siblings.

Then night Aegon had sought out his father. He wanted answers. To the sons blessing he had been drunk and everything came pouring out.

Prince Maekar was scared. A man that had earned himself the title of the anvil. Someone who had seen war and wielded a mace like it was an extension of his arm. One that had been described a cold and stern was terrified for his youngest daughter.

He had failed you allowing you to come back from your ward in your mother's homelands, or mayhaps it was when he sent you there in the first place. Whatever thing that can put this relationship into motion he could not help but feel guilty for it all.

The father tried so hard now to protect you, but there was only so much he could do. You were Aerion's wife, the mother of his children, and he could not keep you separated whilst you lived in the same castle.

That was the wrong wording, or not depending on whose point you looked at it from. But nonetheless it had led your elder brother to devise a plan. One that included you getting far away from Aerion, and it required one specific mans helps.

Duncan blinked at the Prince as if he had utterly lost his mind, and at this point he was thinking he had. Aegon wanted him to take you, and your son of only a year old away from your husband. Away from the castle. To any other place that was not there. Dorne. The North. The Reach. He did not care.

He wanted him to kidnap both you and Maegor.

"I cannot steal a princess!" he hissed, to the younger man.

Egg shrugged, undeterred, "It is not stealing. It is saving," he reminded. He was silent for a moment, and the knight could see the emotion on his face, "I am worried he will kill her. You know how he is, Ser. Please," he pleaded.

And Duncan did know exactly how Aerion Targaryen was. Crass. Volatile. Cruel.

"I am sure the Prince Maekar would not allow that to happen," he tried.

"My father says he cannot truly protect her while they are in the same castle," he told him, and the words caused the larger man to sigh. "Those are his exact words. Please, Ser. I just need you to take her away from here. I have it all set up, and you do not even need to stay longer than a week."

Duncan let out a breath of defeat, "Alright, but I am not taking her against her will."

That had proven to be false when Aegon had dragged you of the castle kicking and screaming. His hand covering your mouth to prevent you from alerting the entire castle. Daeron following closely behind with Maegor in his arms. The boy of only a little over a year hardly stirred sleeping soundly in his uncle's chest.

You had calmed the further away from Summerhall, as if the toxins of your brother were slowly dripping out in his absence. You had not said much, clutching a sleeping Maegor to your chest, as you awaited for the pair of you to stop to rest for the night.

Even now, as your son slept in a the makeshift cot Aegon had sent. You said nothing, staring at the orange flames as if they were the most interesting thing you had ever seen. "Are you warm enough?" he asked.

You hummed in reply. Silence filled between the pair of you once more as he watched you carefully before you finally looked up meeting his gaze, "Aerion is going to get mad. He will not stop until he finds us, and then he will take Maegor from me."

Dunk's eyes widened, "Why do you say that?"

"That is what he always says. If I am not a deserving wife then I do not deserve to be a mother," you said, and the way you did made the man's stomach turn. You said it so casually, as if it was a mere observation about the weather. It was clear how embedded into your brain it had became.

The knight blinked at you trying to find some words of comfort. To tell you that you were deserving of more, but his brain could not form the words and instead came out, "No one is going to take your son from you. Not while I still breathe," he vowed then.

You looked up at him as if you did not fully believe him, your eyes moving over his face slowly as if you were searching for the lie that you would not find, "You do not have to take care of me. Aerion does," you whispered, your knees raising, coming into your chest as you rested your chin on them.

"And does he do a good job caring for you? Or for your son?" he asked, gently, his eyes remaining a softness that he was unaware put you on edge, because you had seen it before. You had gentle, before it slowly changed into something different, but you had adapted like it was expected of you.

Because he was Aerion, but had he truly made good on his promises as of late?

Your mouth opened to reply, but clamped shut immediately. Your face doing something that he could not place, or simply did not have enough time to figure it out. You head turned toward Maegor, who slept soundly.

"I did not want to name him Maegor," you confessed then. Your voice sounded different then, as if you were in a daze or mayhaps even coming out of one. You swallowed, "I wanted to name him Maekar, but Aerion said we should not name him after the man who blamed me for mother's death."

You still did not turn to face the man, instead staring at your son, and if he was not the only person there he would believe you were talking to someone else. "I am sure the Prince Maekar does not—"

You did not allow him to finish, "He does or at least he did. That's why he sent me away," you said.

"And is that from your mind or Aerion's?" he asked, and finally you turned to face him. You reminded Duncan of a ghost rather a woman. The darkness under your eyes threatening to swallow your eyes whole, your cheeks looking sunken, and the way your hands constantly shook as if the wind was control them. You looked sickly, not that he truly had anything to compare it to as this is how you had always looked to him, but he could imagine.

You did not say anything merely staring at the knight, and he wished he could know what was going through your mind. Finally you blinked, a small tear slipping down your cheek, your lip quivered slightly at you stare at him, "Aegon was worried about me he said. That is why you are taking me somewhere else?"

"Yes, Princess."

You nodded, your hand raising to harshly wipe the liquid falling from your sad eyes, as you looked away in shame, "I am sorry," you apologized, trying to make yourself stop.

Duncan blinked at you, confusion filling his features, "You do not have to apologize for crying."

Your head snapped back to him. Your mouth parting slightly as your chest rose and fell raggedly, "I do not know who I am without him anymore," you whispered, and he could hear the guilt in your voice. As if you were finally realizing what you had let yourself become after all this time.

It broke his heart. To see the real you slipping through the cracks, the one that had been forced to be buried by a man who said he loved you. Dunk did not really know a lot about love nor marriage, but he knew if he had the honor to love you. That he would not have treated you remotely close to anything Aerion had, "Then we shall hope to find her again."

You held his gaze, allowing the tears to fall freely now, "And if we do not?"you asked, timidly. The though obviously scaring you. What if there was truly nothing left of you other than what he made you to be."

"Then you become someone new. I will protect you from him."

"Do not promise things you cannot keep."

"I would not dare too."

You reminded Duncan of a stray animal, being offered food for the first time. You never quite knew how to handle his gentle words, when he offered you his cloak because you were cold, or anything with basic kindness that he extended your way.

Your eyes watched him always, waiting as if he would at any moment cash in some reward for the kindness he offered you. But as the weeks passed, you seemed to trust the hand that was feeding you slowly.

It was not his words that brought you around, but his actions. The consistency of the kindness, the gentleness that you no longer stared at him like he had three heads when he offered you something that was simple human decency.

You let out a small grunt trying to reposition. You sat with Maegor, in your arms, a grimace of pain on your face. "I can hold him," he offered, nodding to sleeping boy in your arm. You had tried to set him down twice now, but he had awoken both times. Your arms obviously getting tired from holding the baby.

You stared at him a moment, "Have you ever held a child before?" you then asked.

"Well no…" he trailed, off rubbing the back of his neck, "But you can show me?" It came out shyer then he wanted it to. More of a question than a statement.

You nodded, "Go lay down it'll be easier on your arms."

He did as he was told, laying back on the blanket he had laid out for a sleep area. He lifted his neck watching you carefully as you came toward him. His breath got cut in his throat as soon as the small body was laid atop of his.

Maegor stirred slightly at the change of potions, but settled only moments later. You smiled down at him, and it caused his face to soften even further.

It was real. It was genuine, and Gods it made him feel whole. You stared him a moment, before moving to the ground yourself. You lied next to him, and he went rigid for a moment, when your body pressed into his arm.

Neither of you moved for a moment. Neither of you even spoke, simply sitting there waiting for something more to happen.

"You can touch me, Duncan," you finally whispered. It was the first time you had called him by name, and he enjoyed it every bit as much as your smile.

He hesitated for a moment longer, before he lifted his arm allowing you to curl into his side. You moved immediately, settling against him much like Maegor had done moments ago. You were at ease, both of you and it was for the simple truth that you felt safe.

Duncan did not sleep the entire night, afraid of waking either one of you or mayhaps crushing you, but even with the lack for sleep he could not hide the way how this felt right. The three of you together away from it all.

When you had finally reached the small honestead on the complete outskirts of Dorne half thought he would find you with a look of disgust on your face. You had grown within the halls of marvelous castles. Summerhall and Starfall, but your lips spread across in a large grin, that had not left your lips.

Even now as the three of you sat down at the small table. Maegor sitting patiently in his own chair, between you both, clapping excitedly as he awaited his meal.

"Smells good," he complimented looking down at the steaming bowl.

"Before we begin I would like to take a moment to thank you," you stared.

You looked to him with a kind smile, a gentle look in your eyes that had taken so long to earn, but he was thankful to the Gods who allowed him to finally see this side of you, "You don't have too—" he started, but you cut him off immediately.

"Let me anyways. Please. I know I did not want to come originally, but thank you. I owe you and Aegon so much. And I—I, " you paused taking a deep breath, "I have never truly felt at home anywhere…but this feels like it could be home… Our home. The three of us," you whispered, reaching across the table to grab his larger hand.

Duncan was stunned for a moment,merely blinking at you, before a small smile spread across his lips, "I would like that," he confirmed, giving your hand a small squeeze.

He wondered then if Aegon knew that during this trip that he would become attached to you, and you would most definitely not separating you even after you would settle. He would not leave unless you banished him yourself, and even then he was not positive he could take the order without some fight.

The weeks had passed by turning into moons as the pair of you had settled into a routine of sorts.

You shared a bed. You shared a home. You shared a life, but yet a line had never been crossed.

The storm outside was loud, rattling through the walls. He knew you were still awake, your hands running up and down his sides. Despite that he would have known anyways, having learned your breathing patterns by now.

"Why aren't you asleep?" he finally asked.

You shrugged, "I am thinking," you admitted.

He looked down, trying to see your face, but you were pressed into him to far for him to be successful, "About what?"

You did not answer immediately. Instead you sat up, leaning back onto your heels. He followed your movements, sitting up wit his back against the headboard as he watched you.

"You are kind to me," you pointed out.

He nodded, "I try to be."

"Why?" you then asked.

"Because you deserve it. You have always deserved nothing, but kindness. No matter what anyone has ever said to you."

You nodded, taking in his words. Something crossed over your face, but it was gone before he could truly place it. "Dunk?" He hummed in reply, staring at you, his eyes dragging over your dimly lit face in the dying candle. "When will you finally kiss me?" you asked.

He stared at you blinking, "Whenever you want me too."

You moved forward first pressing your mouth to his without any hesitation. Your hands raised, shaking slightly. He raised his hands, one resting yours that laid on his cheek the other resting again your neck.

The kiss was gentle. It was soft, and he made sure not to push it nay further than simply a kiss. He tried to pour all the emotions he felt into it, as he could feel you doing the same gripping his cheeks tightly.

You both pulled away when your lungs burned, begging for air. "I love you," you confessed, in such a low voice as if you had wished it not to be heard, but he heard the words. You said that with quietly with the fear of rejection.

He knew why you said them like that, from your past. But he was simply blessed that you had said them to him in the first place. He wished to engrain them into his mind forever.He could work with what you gave him. At any pace you needed.

"I love you," he said back. His was declaration. A declaration that he said with his entire chest. One that he was not ashamed of in the slightest. You let out a small laugh that made his heart, skip slightly.

A loud crack of thunder sounded through the air causing a small cry filled the room. You went to move out of bed, but his hands reached out stopping you. "I got him," he assured, moving from the bed, the wooden floor letting out a groan against his large feet as he moved to the cradle.

He scooped Maegor up settling him against his large chest, and the boy instantly went quiet. He moved carefully settling back against the mattress, before lifting his arm, allowing you to settle into his side.

It was how you ended up most nights, all three of you curled together. It felt right. It felt like…

Like a family.

"Duncan?" you called out quietly, tilting your head up at the man. Maegor's soft snores filled the air from his chest.

"Yeah?" he asked, his arm tightening around you pulling you even close

"Thank you," you whispered, before moving to lay your head next to your son. Both of you using the man like a pillow.

His eyebrows drew together in confusion, "What for?"

"Everything."

A grin spread to his lips though you could not see it as you were curled into his side, your face pressed into his ribs breathing in his every scent as it slowly lulled you to sleep. He leaned down pressing a kiss to the top of your head, "I won't let anything happen to you."

He lifted his head looking toward Maegor, sleeping soundly on his chest, his small fist curled into the fabric, "Either of you."

Aerion had been on edge for moons, a constant state of fury that put the entire castle on edge. He sat at the dinner table, his jaw locked as he stabbed at his food angrily. The empty spot next to him a constant reminder of your absence.

"I do not how we can sit here and dine as if my wife and son are not missing," he then hissed. Nobody truly paid him any mind continuing to eat away at their food. To which only angered him further.

He slammed him hand against the table causing the wood to rattle and the occupants to look up to him, "My wife and son are fucking missing!" he yelled as if everyone needed the reminder.

"Have you thought that mayhaps she left because of you," Aegon suggest, with a shrug looking up to his brother.

"What the fuck did you say to me, you impudent shit?" he hissed, his widening in anger.

"I asked if you had realized our sister ran off because she had enough of your shit!"

"Aerion! Aegon! Can we please just have one peaceful meal without you constantly pestering each other!" their father roared from the head of the table.

The brother's stared at each other, before the elder pushed himself from the table before storming out of the room. No doubt to torment someone in the passing due to his uncontrolled anger and his inability to hear the word no.

Maekar glared at his youngest son trying to urge him to stop pushing his brother's patience, but he merely shrugged. He was not scared of Aerion anymore, especially now that he did not have his claws wrapped in you.

You would not be forced to be punished for his anger anymore. You were simply not here. Not anywhere according to the knights that gone out in search for you. And though your father would miss you, forever if he must, because he knew you both were safer anywhere across the Seven Kingdoms with some hedge knight then in this very castle with Aerion.

a knight of the seven kingdoms tags: @kyvillasstuff @goldengirl86 @scarletwolfxox @witch-of-letters @confusedwhitegirl10 @itspbjellytime

general taglist: @xkatherinexo @sacha1slytherin @qardasngan @bl3ssedp0etry @ihtscuddlesbeeetchx3 @someonehereisstupid @honeybylove @zealousdazementality @shinewarrior01 @shipperqueen93 @thorins-queen-of-erebor @sw0zzle @darylandbethfanforever9 @dedicateeverythingtomilkshake @hrh007 @leolionsthings @inturnipexplorer