#aeksion-aekse

Brinaera’s POV

 The day had been a proper mess, nothing had gone right in the slightest way. I felt my mind and heart were both a muddied mess of emotions and thoughts, swirling around like wine in a chalice. I had tried to rest my mind for the evening, but I could not silence the thoughts or feelings crushing me like a cobra. I couldn’t shake the anger and hurt and confusion flooding through me like the waters of Blackwater Bay. I sighed as I grabbed my hooded cloak and made my way out of the Red Keep and towards the bustling streets of Flea Bottom.

As I walked through the streets of the rowdy area, bracing the smell of sweat, sex, piss and beer, I could hear rowdiness come from a specific tavern. As I turned to look, I saw none other than that idiot of a new king himself, Aegon. I rolled my eyes and let out a scoff, walking towards him. As I walked towards Aegon, I grabbed him by the collar of his top, pushing him up against the wall, catching his drunk self off guard. As he slowly ducked his head down to get a look under the hood, he grinned wolfishly as he saw it was me, letting out a chuckle.

“Well well, if it isn’t the little fawn herself. Wandering out of the Red Keep by yourself after hours? Tsk tsk, I thought you better than that, lovely little thing…. ”

I felt my blood rush in annoyance at Aegon’s tone, finding him to be particularly insufferable at this moment, but trying to calm myself. I spoke as calmly as possible, but my voice still had an edge to it, tightening my grip on his collar.

“This is all your fault, you know. Why is it that when visiting my father for the first time ever in the Stormlands that it is the first I hear of you agreeing to a marriage pact between Aemond and one of my half sisters? Pray tell, Aegon, were you going to keep this a secret from me forever? Is this some twisted and selfish way of driving me into your arms and perhaps your bed? Is that what you were hoping for?”

Aegon just stared at me with that drunken blank stare like there was nobody upstairs in that empty skull of his. But then, he just… laughed. He laughed like this was all some big convoluted joke. 

“Oh, sweet fawn, you humor me greatly. But do tell me, what happened next in the Stormlands? Didn’t mine and Aemond’s nephew come as envoy? I’m sure my brother was extremely thrilled to see him after all that has transpired over the years.”

I was losing my temper very quickly and it showed with the longer I talked.

“I had to chase Aemond and Vhagar atop Saerys while in the storming skies so he wouldn’t kill Lucerys, you daft cunt. I gave him the choice of following me back to the Keep but I haven’t seen him since. He’s probably on Vhagar, gods know where he is.”

Aegon looked over to his group of friends and squire, and all of them started to chuckle and laugh. Aegon turned m=back to face me, that sloppy drunken grin on his face.

“That’s where you think he is? Because I can assure you he is so much closer than you think, sweet fawn.”

I raised a brow at Aegon, feeling annoyed and irritated with his behavior, but his words striking something within me.

“Then tell me, Aegon, where is he?”

He let out another drunk chuckle before speaking once more.

“He’s at the Streets of Silk with… Sylvi or…. Celsi or… something like that.”

Hearing those words from Aegon, that Aemond was at that damned brothel with Madam Sylvi of all people… I felt as if I was going to be sick, my heart dropping to the bottom of my stomach. I immediately let go of my grip on Aegon and just stared him in the eyes, seeing he was drunk but he wasn’t lying. I let out a shaky exhale and slightly nod my head, placing a hand on his shoulder and giving him three small squeezes.

“Thank you… Aegon… ”

I then turned away and walked out of the tavern in search of Streets of Silk, remembering that it wasn’t too far away from the tavern. As I finally found it and walked inside, I saw a girl, a couple years younger than myself, nervous yet she still greeted me.

“Good evening, how may I or one of the ladies be of service to you here in the Streets of Silk?”

I stared at the girl in front of me and part of me felt bad for what she would have to witness… But all this was between Aemond and I…

“Pray tell, dear girl, where is Madam Sylvi?”

The girl seemed taken off guard by hearing my voice, expecting a boy or man, but not someone so… feminine. 

“I, um… Madam Sylvi is with a very important customer at the moment, I apologize-”

I handed the girl a decent sized bag full of coin and hushed her to stay quiet as I pulled down the hood of my cloak. She went a bit wide-eyed in surprise, as if not expecting me of all people, but just nodded her head and started to walk towards a room curtained off.

“Follow me, my Lady… ”

As the curtain was pulled back, the sight revealed to me was enough to make my stomach churn, yet I remained stone faced. Aemond, nude and curled into a fetal position, no eye patch and hair down, in the lap of Madam Sylvi, her breast exposed and hands roaming and stroking him. Such a vulnerable sight. Vulnerable. Something he never was with me…

 As the young girl cleared her throat, both Aemond and Sylvi turned around, only to see me. Sylvi seemed a bit deflated, as if she knew all of this was very wrong, yet irritated that a private moment had been interrupted. Aemond, however, seemed… panicked. A hint of fear flashed in that single pale eye of his, sitting upright yet legs crossed and hunched over, like he didn’t want me seeing him in such a state. But he seemed a bit…. loosened up. As if he had something in his system… milk of the poppy.

Madam Sylvi was the first to speak, interrupting the moment of tense silence.

“Dear Lady Brinaera, this is a private moment, you cannot just simply wander into here as you please.”

I turned to stare at Sylvi and raised a brow ever so slightly and went to point a finger to say something, but calmed myself down ever so slightly.

“I would choose words quite carefully, Madam Sylvi. I needed to see for myself, the scene of such… vulnerable intimacy. Part of me envies you, Madam Sylvi.”

I went to turn around, ready to leave the brothel, but looking back and giving Aemond one more glance, my eyes becoming glossy with tears. I continued to walk away and exited the Streets of Silk, leaving Aemond in the arms of a whore in Flea Bottom as a storm was making its way over King’s Landing and its neighboring towns.

Upon making it back to the Red Keep, I immediately made my way into my chambers and threw off my cloak, startling my handmaiden Ursa, as I rambled to myself, not even noticing she was there in my bedchambers.

“Who in the Hells does he think he is!? I devote myself and whole existence to him, constantly by his side through it all, best and worst, and he couldn’t even be slightly vulnerable with me? Yet where do I find him? In the arms of that whore Madam Sylvi, nude and curled up into himself on her lap, no eyepatch and hair down, under the influence of milk of the poppy. Meanwhile that bitch has her hands all over him, holding him close as if he is truly hers…. Tits out and all, the wench… ”

“Brinaera, sweetling… ”

“Not to even mention the fact that when going all the way to the forsaken Stormlands to face my father with the circumstances of my birth, I had to learn that Aegon, that shit, approved a marriage pact between Aemond and one of my half sisters.”

“Brinaera.”

I froze in my tracks to see Ursa and let out an exasperated sigh, running my hand over my face and through my hair.

“My apologies, Ursa, I didn’t realize you weren’t retired for the night.”

Ursa gave me a sympathetic look and shook her head, walking over to me as we sat on the edge of my bed, her hand on my shoulder.

“You have gone through so much in the span of a single day, my word, dear…. I say forget about the prince for tonight and get a good night’s rest.”

I nod my head and sigh, sending Ursa off for the night and thanking her. I slipped out of my dress and got into a regular cream colored sleeping gown, getting under the furs and blankets of my bed, candles lit. I sighed before closing my eyes and letting myself slip into the sea of slumber.

Hours had passed and it was still the dead of night until a creak of my bedchamber door opening and suddenly a hand covering my mouth woke me up. I let out a startled and confused sound, yet it was muffled by the hand over my mouth. My eyes started to adjust to the very dim light inside my bedchambers and the person who came into focus was… Aemond.

“Shhh shhh shhhh….. ”

I stared at him until finally slightly calming down as I remained laying down in my bed, the storm outside thundering and full force. My hazel eyes locked with that singular pale eye of his, the dimness of a couple candles illuminating him. His hair was still down, no patch covering the sapphire in his left socket… He was being vulnerable with me…finally… ?

“You have every reason to be angry and hurt, opal. I never wanted you to see me in such a state. But I have failed you, ñuhys raqiros, and it has almost cost me all I hold dear… I should have never gone to Madam Sylvi.”

I felt his hand still covering my mouth and it felt… not warm, but not as cold as it usually would be. Lukewarm temperature… I reached one of my hands to gently grab his wrist, removing his hand from my mouth, speaking softly as I spoke up.

“You have hurt me greatly, Aemond. Firstly, I learn about a marriage pact between you and one of my half sisters so suddenly, then I find you in the arms of that whore, so vulnerable… ”

Aemond slightly frowned, not expecting that response from me, and moved closer, almost hovering over me, staring me dead in the eye.

“The marriage pact had nothing to do with you, opal. As for Sylvi, I did not wish for you to see me in such a pitiful state. I do not care of what a whore thinks of me, but your opinion means more than anything. Surely you of all people understand this, opal.”

I just let out a scoff and turned to face away from Aemond, feeling my eyes becoming watery with emotion. They stung, but not as much as the feeling of betrayal and no trust, my heart tearing in half like the rift in our bond.

“Seven Hells, spare me the theatrics, Aemond. All that you have done thus far is show me where your heart lies, what our friendship means to you. All that has happened has stemmed from choices, choices that YOU have made. Not I, but you. All I have ever done was stay by your side through the best and worst of it all, I have consistently stayed loyal to you, been the closest friend to you, yet… Yet you leave me in the dirt to be vulnerable in the arms of some whore who couldn’t give a single shit of your wellbeing. Madam Sylvi is the very cunt who forced herself upon you and you rather lay in her arms, breasts exposed for you to suckle on for comfort. You have caused the rift between us with your choices, Aemond. I have had nothing but love and care for you, yet it seems that I do not have the same.”

Aemond just stared at me, not saying a single thing before moving a hand to my cheek before wrapping it around my throat, causing me to go wide eyed and start to choke.

“You haven’t the right to speak down on the choices I make. I have been by your side as well. Constantly covering for you when you went out past hours to collect shells and gemstones, taking care of every scrape, keeping you company in your bed during storms, swiping sweets for you from the kitchen, teaching you High Valyrian, tolerating you despite you being a bastard- all this I do for you because you are the very thing that is a constant in my life, a good constant…. And you dare tell me that you are the one to make all the sacrifices, opal… ?”

I was still choking, needing air and as I looked at Aemond with wide teary eyes, it seemed what he was doing clicked in his mind, slowly releasing his grip. I let out a gasp for air, my hand going to my neck, looking at him as a few tears rolled down my face. He leaned down closer, essentially pinning me down against my mattress, staring right at me as his hand went up my arm and to cradle the side of my neck, his thumb stroking my jaw gently. He let out a small hum and leaned in close, brushing the tip of his nose against my cheek and murmuring into my ear.

“Forgive me, my opal, but… no one knows you like I do. Your dreams and hopes, your fears and secrets, your heart, mind and soul… No one can have you the way I do, and those who dare try will be fed to Vhagar…. Ao issi ñuhon, jorrāelagon raqiros.”

I felt my heart beating rapidly, partly out of fear and the other part from… something else. My body felt like it was burning and my heart felt as if it was going to burst out of my chest. Aemond stared at me once more before grabbing a hold of my hand and intertwining our fingers together, pressing it against my chest as he placed a kiss to the top of my head. With that, he let out another hum before silently leaving me in my bedchambers confused and slightly…. aroused… ?

“What in the Hells is happening to me… ?”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

TRANSLATION:

ñuhys raqiros - dear friend

Ao issi ñuhon, jorrāelagon raqiros - You are mine, my dearest friend

Brinaera’s POV

What in the Seven Hells did I just witness…? Not only had Vaemond publicly humiliate Rhaenyra in front of every being in the Throne Room by calling her a whore, but calling the legitimacy of her sons into question, calling them bastards. Even if it were true, it is not something that should be handled in public, especially not in such an unscrupulous manner. But the most shocking part of it all was Daemon….he took his sword and beheaded Vaemond. He did it like it was nothing, as if it were normal to him. I was still so shaken up about it all, but why did part of me feel relieved? Why did I feel grateful for the Rogue Prince himself silencing that blood purist permanently?

 I tried to grapple with my own thoughts as I sat in the confinements of my own private bedchambers, the hazy clouds from Blackwater Bay rolling in. I felt as if I was suffocating from the weight of different feelings and thoughts swirling through my mind like a cacophony, unable to decipher just what it was I was feeling. I sat in front of my vanity, staring at myself in the reflection of the mirror until the person looking back at me felt like a mere anomaly. Everything on me looked skewed, like it looked wrong and out of place. My long and lustrous locks of dark brown hair seemed dull and drab, my large and shining hazel eyes looked dead and hollow, my slightly tanned skin as soft as silk looked dry and cracked. I looked as if the very essence of my life was being sucked from me, becoming a shell of the lady I was.

It wasn’t the act of Daemon beheading Vaemond that left an impact upon me, but rather Vaemond’s words that had a grip on me. The way he spoke so ill of bastards, as if they were a mere stain upon society, it would be of no surprise if he thought of them to be a pestilence upon nobles. He seemed to utter the word with a spite that could only be described as being laced with venom. Did he truly think that all bastards were unworthy of even living….? Did he not know that I was a bastard as well, a bastard of Lord Borros Baratheon? He must have, I could see the glances towards my direction each time he spoke of bastards with such conviction, his glare like daggers.

I stared at myself in the mirror, silently cursing at the reflection staring back at me. If I didn’t know any better, I would’ve thought that the reflection was grinning back at me, almost in a cruel and taunting manner. I couldn’t keep the thoughts running through my mind silent and that damned hazy reflection in the mirror was taunting me. It’s as if she was laughing at me, I could hear it echo in my mind, no matter how hard I tried to shut her out, it echoed over and over. I just let out a loud scream, unable to take it any longer.

“SEVEN HELLS, SHUT UP!!!”

I grabbed my hairbrush and threw it at the mirror, hearing the glass shatter and fall onto the ground in many pieces. I was heaving and panting, trying to catch my breath as I grappled with my sanity. I felt as if I was going mad. Had I truly lost it? I felt my shaky and panted exhales turn into laughter, unable to stop. I had finally cracked, I couldn’t hold it in any longer as I started to sob while laughing, hot tears rolling down my face as I stumbled around my bedchambers.

I just stumbled and walked around my confinements, blindly grabbing and throwing things across the room, screaming and yelling, shouting obscenities and language no lady should ever use. 

Things were broken, tossed, everything a mess…it was as if an unruly storm from my rightful home of Storm’s End had blown through, the room an absolute travesty and in complete disarray. I tried to catch my breath, still sobbing and running my fingers through my now unruly hair, looking around at the damage I had caused. I walked towards where my vanity was, grabbing a shard of glass from what was once the mirror and stared at the reflection in it.

Broken, scattered, a fraction of what it once was…how poetic. I was not who I was supposed to be. I was a bastard child of a Lord who would never recognize or legitimize me. I had been stripped of my birthright and all because my father couldn’t stay loyal to his Lady Wife. I bear the punishment and the weight of his sin. No matter how hard I try to run from it or change it, it’s the truth and I had to accept that. It would be easier.

Easier.

Another word that was used as justification for complacency and cowardice. I held the shard of glass in my hand, tightening my grip as I felt the jagged edges cut into my skin, making a silent vow to myself. I would not let myself fall victim to the preconceived notions that a bastard should follow. I would forge my own path and would make myself the future Lady of Storm’s End, as I was the rightful heir to that title. It was my rightful home, my land, my claim…and I was going to take it by any means necessary. If they wanted to play the game, I would play ten levels above them all. I let out a small chuckle as I grin small to myself, staring out to my balcony as I saw a storm roll in from Blackwater Bay, feeling a newfound hope and energy flow through me, speaking to myself.

“Game on, Lord Borros. I look forward to the next time we meet…father dear.”

I let out a sigh as I ran my fingers through my hair, looking around my bedchambers and shaking my head, walking towards the door and seeing my handmaiden Ursa in front of it. I smile small at her and speak in a rather soft tone of voice.

“Ursa, if you could gather other handmaidens to clean up and tidy my bedchambers, please. Oh, and please have the mirror for the vanity replaced, there was a bit of an….incident.”

Ursa just stared at me, confused yet concerned, sputtering and stumbling over her words as she watched me leave my bedchambers and walk through the halls of the Keep.

“Y-yes, Lady Brinaera, but may I inquire where you are going?”

I let out a small hum as I grin small to myself, continually walking down the halls and heading out of the Keep.

“I am taking a little personal time for myself, Ursa, I will be back soon. No need to fret over me.”

As I walk from the confinements of the Red Keep, I immediately head down this little path that led to Blackwater Bay, seeing the quickly approaching storm heading towards us. The wind was blowing fiercely and the smell of the water from the Bay blended into the air, a thin and uncommon fog covering the shores. I closed my eyes momentarily to take it all in, letting it envelop my senses before slowly opening them up again.

I slowly took off my shoes and slipped off my dress, leaving me in the sheer fabrics of my smallclothes. I took small steps towards the water, step by step as it consumed me, the storm approaching ever faster. I had never felt so connected with the world, so unified and so….myself. I looked up to the sky, the fog reaching the waters evermore and the dark, overcast clouds filled with rain threatening to spill. This was where I felt at peace…tranquility within the storm. 

I let out a sigh of contentment and feel the strident winds blow, sending a chill down my spine. It was cold and biting, yet oddly comforting, I managed to have found peace amongst the storm. It was as if something had awoken inside of me, like something had snapped into place. To have been a raging storm this entire time, fleeting yet lingering at the same time…to walk amongst dragons, it was a sight, an experience. 

As I slowly waded through the waves and water of Blackwater Bay amongst the fog and biting winds, I slowly started to hum before vocalizing, letting out small chuckles in between. The dark and heavy clouds above in the sky started to burst open, rain falling and landing into the water, as if it were cleansing me from above. I run my hands over my soaked hair, pushing it out of my face as I feel all of my “sins” be absolved: the sin of birth, of bastardy, all bestowed upon me from my dear father Borros.

No longer will I be meek and passive, as I have shed an old skin and birthed a new version of myself, one that will not allow such abhorrent treatment from anyone. They do say that the blood of the coven is thicker than the water of the womb, and I have found my coven with House Targaryen, storms and dragons ride side by side in the skies above. Seven above, may anyone who stand in my way pray for mercy, because I will show them none.

Third Person POV

Whilst Brinaera was enjoying her newfound self discovery in the waters of Blackwater Bay, a familiar gaze was watching her from the balcony of their bedchambers. The gaze was one of intrigue, of silent awe…of longing. The gaze of wanting something one knows they can never have, yet still clings onto that sliver of hope that maybe there’s a chance of them being together. A small possibility that they could even share a bed, even for just one night, bare bodied underneath the covers in the embrace of each other. The gaze belonged to the eldest son of Viserys and Alicent, a slightly bitter taste forming in his mouth as he continued to stalk the Baratheon girl from afar, swirling around the wine in his goblet. He was feeling a multitude of feelings, not knowing how to go about it or where to begin, his mind a jumbled mess. 

Aegon couldn’t bear it, he felt as if his very existence was being torn apart, his heart and soul set ablaze by the girl he grew alongside. As much as it pained him, he couldn’t bring himself to look away from her, she was too intoxicating, too ethereal, too perfect. He was gripping his goblet of wine like his life depending on it, his knuckles turning white as his breathing started to become erratic and uneven, turning away from the object of his longing and affection. He paced his bedchambers back and forth, finishing the wine as he threw the goblet across the room, running his fingers through his hair in frustration. He had to do something, and quickly.

Brinaera’s POV

Once I had finally finished my little moment of peace in Blackwater Bay through the stormy weather, I had dried off and put my dress back on, smoothing out the fabric as I made my way back towards the Red Keep. I was as quiet and discreet as I could be, making sure that no one would see or hear me, much less question where I was. Once I made my way through the halls of the Keep, I immediately spotted Ursa in front of my bedchambers, staring at me like a deer frozen in place.

“Lady Brinaera, you’re soaked to the bone and you’re absolutely freezing! You’ll catch a cold, if not worse! Let’s get you out of that dress and into a nice hot bath, come!”

I let out a small, amused chuckle as I followed Ursa into my bedchambers, the door closing behind us both. I let out a small hum as I started to slip off the dress I had been wearing, now soaked from my body being in the waters of the Bay. Once the hot bath was drawn up, I let out a small sigh as I slipped myself in slowly, feeling quite content with the feeling of the scalding water meet my soft skin.

“Hm….Ursa, do you think I am….weak?”

“Of course not, my Lady.”

“I want you to be completely honest with me, Ursa.”

Ursa just let out a sigh as she started to detangle my hair in the water of the bath. 

“I do not think you are weak, Brinaera. Quite the opposite. You have a heart of gold and a gentle nature, but that is not to be taken advantage of. I only hope for you to be the best you can be.”

I pondered Ursa’s words for a moment in silence, sitting in the bath as the storm raged over King’s Landing with howling winds and torrential downpour. I then smile small to myself before finally speaking once more.

“Do not fret Ursa, I can assure you that I will be the best version possible of myself .... the silent storms are always the most feared. As they should be.”

Ursa had paused, slowly stopping the movements of her fingers weaving through the locks of her hair. I could sense the confusion and anxious feeling radiating off of her before she even spoke.

“My Lady, I’m afraid I don’t understand what you mean.”

I let out another hum before chuckling, a small sigh escaping past my lips.

“No, no I’m afraid you don’t, dear Ursa. But I do trust in you enough to confide in you. Alicent is a bit of a …. standoffish woman, Viserys would be worried I’d accidentally start a war, Aegon is constantly drinking and fucking whores, Helaena is too pure to confide in and Aemond….”

I pause for a moment as I smile small to myself, a fond little expression washing over my features.

“Aemond may be my dearest friend, but he hasn’t been the same since the night he lost his eye. It has been nine years since then and a part of me still mourns the friend I had lost. I hold many things inside due to fear of them spilling over. He is a wonderful swordsman, a highly intelligent Prince Regent, the rider of the largest dragon in the world. He amazes me and never ceases to do so.”

Ursa just stood as she slowly continued to weave her fingers through the long, soaked locks of my hair whilst I rambled, remaining in the bath water.

“It seems you care a great deal for Prince Aemond, my Lady. He is fortunate to have a friend as loyal as you.”

“Your words flatter me, dear Ursa. But it is I who is the lucky one. He is …. he is the only who could understand me the most. I had often wondered at times, what must go through his mind.”

“The Prince is an elusive man, one of very few words, my Lady.”

“Yes … yes, I am aware of this, Ursa. But my curiosity cannot help but be piqued. Even after all these years, having grown alongside him, he may be my dearest friend yet …. I don't even know him. Do you think he is as fascinated by me as I am by him, Ursa?”

Ursa didn’t respond, she just stood there in silence as she thoroughly detangled and washed my hair. I let out a small hum as my thoughts ponder, my gaze staring out the balcony of my bedchambers and locking onto the raging storm outside, reeking havoc across King’s Landing. A rare storm, something that usually never occurred here. Perhaps it was a sign specially just for me from the Seven above.

I let out another sigh before standing up and slowly getting out of the bath, stepping out as an exhale escapes through my nose. Ursa grabbed a large and thick piece of cloth, draping it around me to dry off as she grabbed another piece of fabric, proceeding to dry my hair for me. I sat there in silence once more for moments before finally speaking again.

“Once you finish drying me off, leave me a clean sleep gown and light the fire in here, you may then retire for the night, dear Ursa.”

“My Lady?”

“Thank you, for everything you do. I do not know if you hear it as often as you should, but I truly do mean them. And thank you … for always listening to me.”

Ursa just nodded her head curtly as she finished drying my hair, going to grab a fresh and clean sleep gown for me. She then grabbed the cloth pieces from me as I was all dry, handing me the sleep gown and watching as I put it on. She walked towards the fireplace and tossed the cloth pieces into the fire, a warm flame set ablaze, a stark contrast to the harsh and cold storm raging outside. She then turned to me as she opened the door to leave my bedchambers, speaking once more before she left and closed the door behind her.

“Goodnight, my Lady. Sleep well and dream sweetly.”

I let out a long and exhausted sigh, getting under the covers and furs of my bed, the canopy draping over me. The storm raging like a ferocious creature, the fireplace crackling, the dim glow of the flames illuminating my bedchambers. I was left alone in the confinement of my own room, left to let my mind wander aimlessly, my sanity at the mercy of my own thoughts. I could feel my eyes grow heavy with sleep and exhaustion and the more I tried to fight it off, the more tired I became with each passing moment. 

Finally, as a few moments passed, I felt myself give in to the strong vice of slumber, my eyes fluttering close and my breathing becoming slow and steady. Soft snores emitted from me as my hair was spread across my pillows, my lips parted slightly and chest slowly rising and falling as the faint sounds of fire crackled and the outside storm raged on outside, the sky becoming drearier and grew ever darker.

The Storm Princess had finally found a sliver of peace.

It was another day in the Red Keep and as always, a sunny yet slightly cloud filled sky was on full display, the Keep quiet as all who inhabited it went about their day. Such was usual and standard procedure in the Keep, wandering the halls, tending to important duties and matters….the same paced days that occurred. 

The royal family that ruled the Seven Kingdoms was House Targaryen: King Viserys I, Queen Alicent Hightower, Prince Aegon II, Prince Regent Aemond, Princess Helaena and….a rather unusual and peculiar guest, Princess of Storm’s End Brinaera Baratheon. Highly unorthodox befell the poor bastard girl that led her to live with the royal family since the mere age of three, yet she was treated as if she were of Targaryen blood. As the years would go on, Brinaera never once wavered on her loyalty, as she owed the entirety of the royal family her life, she loved them as if they were her blood. They were her home, her family.

Brinaera, the young Baratheon was no longer a mere girl but now rather a young woman, the ripe age of 19 years old. She was like the most exquisite and fully bloomed rose covered in droplets of rain water on a spring’s day….simply breathtaking and beautiful. She was such a thing of  elegance and refinement. But with such a precocious reputation and personality often came expectations of all sorts, towering higher than a dragon’s flight. 

The young Baratheon girl resided in her private bedchambers, sat in front of the vanity she had and stared into the mirror, admiring the reflection staring back at her as she brushed the luscious locks of long, thick flowing dark brunette hair, humming a song to herself. She had on a rather stunning sanguine red dress, adorned by gold and garnet jewelry, as it complimented her features well, the curves of her short yet thick body filling the fabric out well. As she continued her regime, a soft knock could be heard on the door of her bedchambers, causing the young woman to snap out of her little self induced trance. 

“Come in.” Her voice was soft and sweet yet just demanding enough. As the door opened up, one of Brinaera’s own handmaidens stuck her head in, speaking in a quite timid tone of voice. “Lady Brinaera, you are wanted in the throne room at the request of the King himself.” The Princess of Storm’s End turned to look up and face the servant and smiled a small yet sweet smile, nodding her head as she stood up, smoothing out the fabric of her dress. “Thank you, darling, I appreciate you letting me know. Would you care to lead me?” The mousy little maiden couldn’t help but stare at Brinaera a little surprised and wide eyed, confused but didn’t dare question her. Instead she shyly nodded her head, leading the young princess to the throne room.

Brinaera’s POV

I had my dear handmaiden lead me into the throne room, only to see it completely filled. Every important Lord and Lady possible was there, the septa and maester, servants and maidens, kingsguard, the small council and of course the royal family themself. I smile small and walk towards my usual spot next to King Viserys and Queen Alicent’s children, standing beside them. I smile at all three of them and get a different response from all of them. Aegon eyes me up and down as usual, Helaena offering me a sweet smile and Aemond giving me a small ghost of a grin. I look up at Aemond and return his little subtle grin, raising a brow slightly, letting out a hum reminiscent of his own little hums, muttering under my breath, my tone teasing and full of humor.

“It isn’t polite to stare, sapphire, didn’t anyone ever teach you that?” Aemond just let out a small hum and leaned down slightly, muttering under his breath, the gaze of his single bluish violet eye fixated on me as he spoke. “Any living creature with eyesight would stare, little fawn.” I let out a silent chuckle at Aemond’s amusing little statement, covering my mouth with my hand. “Such titillating conversation already, dear Prince Regent and it is not even half the day yet. As always, Aemond.” Aemond lets out another hum and has his hands behind his back as he stands close beside me. “No one else can hold a conversation the way you do, dear opal.” 

I couldn’t help but to roll my eyes in a playful and teasing manner at Aemond’s words, as he always knew just what to say. In most instances, he was a man of few words, but it seemed that I was able to bring out a side of him most would be unaware of. Our small little conversation died off as soon as King Viserys spoke, his voice not quite so loud but spoke with purpose. “It has come to my attention that some rather….unsavory rumors have come about our dear Brinaera. She has been in our care since she was the mere age of three. None of you even care enough to get to know the poor girl yet you judge her and spread such vile and baseless rumors? By the Seven, you all disgrace me.”

Every single person in the throne room had gone silent, the tension so thick and palpable, it could be cut with the greatest sword in all the Seven Kingdoms. After a moment, King Viserys spoke up once more, the frustration at a front. “Have none of you a thing to say? That she is nothing more than a mere bastard child, that she is a witch, that this– this darling girl is no better than the mere whores that roam the streets of Flea Bottom. I do not wish to hear any more of these forsaken rumors and anyone who dares to so much as entertain them will lose their tongues along with their lives.”

I go slightly wide eyed and as my gaze meets the ones of Aegon, Aemond and Helaena, I can’t help but cover my mouth with my hand to hide the grin forming across my lips. I then feel eyes on me and see that it was King Viserys, as well as Queen Alicent staring at me, their brows raised at me in a curious manner. The first to speak was the Queen “Darling, is there something you wish to say in front of all these people?” 

I shift my gaze to stare at all who gathered in the throne, my hazel eyes scanning across them all one by one as if analyzing who believed such words and who didn’t. I smile a small yet charming smile and let out a hum before speaking, my voice flowing out smoothly like the finest wine in Westeros. “In all honesty, I am not all that surprised that such….frivolous rumors are spreading across the Keep like a plague. However I am surprised at how quickly they are to be believed. Because words are exactly that: a plague. You are freethinking citizens and are free to choose whatever it is you wish to believe. But heed my word when I say you may not like where your beliefs will lead you to. I may be a mere ward, but I am here in the care of House Targaryen for a reason. Make no mistake.”

All of those standing in the room had each wore a different expression, but one thing was for certain:  Just who was this girl? What was she capable of?

The tale of the Princess of Storm’s End is not one of joy or lavish living, but one of a doomed narrative from conception. Conceived from a night of debauchery between the Lord Baratheon and his Lady wife Elenda Caron’s ill sister, Delora Caron. But the mere thought of having a bastard child sully his reputation as Lord of the Stormlands was palpable. So when the child was born, she and her mother were sent away, as it did not matter where they ended up, as long as they were out of the sights of Lord Baratheon. A mere newborn babe, her ailing mother, left to wander aimlessly wherever Lady Delora’s feet would take her.

It seemed like an eternity that Delora wandered and traveled, with Brinaera still swaddled in her arms, her eyes never leaving her babe. It was as if she was the most delicate and prized gem in existence to Delora and she swore to the Gods that she would do anything to ensure Brinaera’s safety. As Delora took in her surroundings, she had come to realize she had made it to King’s Landing. She looked surprised, incredulous even, to the fact that she had managed to walk such a distance. She hadn’t a clue how long she had been walking, losing track of the days as they all blurred together for her.

She continued to grip her cloak as she held Brinaera close to her bosom, walking and wandering aimlessly in search of the direction to the Red Keep. Delora knew one single person that she may be able to rely on, and that was the Queen of the Seven Kingdoms, Lady Alicent Hightower. As Delora wandered to the gates of the Red Keep, a Kingsguard halted her, suspicious of her motivations. 

“You there, halt! What are you doing, showing up to the Red Keep unannounced?”

“Please, sir, I must speak with the Queen. It is urgent, I beg of you.”

The Kingsguard was about to scoff in dismissal, but he saw the small babe snuggled up to Delora’s bosom, his whole demeanor changed. As he was about to speak, the voice of Alicent caught the attention of both him and Delora. 

“You, you are relieved of your duties for now. Retire for the time being, give me and this woman a moment alone.”

“Yes, my Lady.”

With a bow, the Kingsguard made his way a distance from the gate. Alicent gently brought Delora to the side and looked at her rather perturbed at the sudden appearance. Alicent noticed the babe that was swaddled up and looked even more confused.

“Delora, by the Seven, what is the meaning of this?”

“Please Alicent, you are my only hope, I had no one to turn to.”

“What of Borros and Elenda? Surely you could have stayed in Storm’s End.”

As Delora goes to speak, a horrible cough escapes her, one sounding like the very trumpet of death nearing. She covered her mouth with her free hand and when she pulled it back, she weakly grimaced at the sight of blood on her palm. Alicent flinched slightly, going wide eyed at the sight, not having a single clue what to do.

“Alicent, Borros, he…. He had his way with me whilst my sister was poorly, needing to satiate his lust. I did not want it, but who was I to turn down a Lord and say no? I didn’t bleed for nearly three moons and I knew something wasn’t right. I was with child. Borros knew, Elenda found out, but as soon as I had given birth, both of us were banished.”

Alicent’s facial expression was a myriad of different emotions: confusion, anger, sympathy and a tinge of grief. How was she supposed to act after receiving such a large amount of information in the span of just a few moments?

“So you come to me for what purpose? To seek refuge? Delora, I may be Queen, but I couldn’t make this decision alone.”

“I’m dying, Alicent. As the pregnancy progressed, so did this…. This ailment. I will be lucky to survive by dawn. If not the both of us, then at least take Brinaera. Please…. I ask you this one single thing. She has done no wrong, I beg of you Alicent.”

Alicent grew even more shocked and bewildered as Delora weakly and shakily handed Brinaera to her, Alicent immediately holding the babe in the correct manner. Delora let out another cough, one sounding sharper and more painful than the last, her legs giving out underneath her. Delora collapsed to the ground on hands and knees, her skin abrasively scraped by the stone and dirt, blood being coughed up from her lips. Her fingers shakily reached around her neck to remove the necklace around it, the pendant having a single nightingale on it. She looked up at Alicent, giving her a weak and solemn smile, handing the necklace to her.

“Please…. Give this to her, remind her of her blood, tell her she is always loved. Regale to her the Caron words…. No Song so Sweet.”

Alicent, with a slightly shaky hand, grabbed the necklace from Delora’s hand, examining the pendant. She swallowed as her eyes became slightly watery.

“I will see to it that your daughter is taken care of here in the Keep, Delora. You have my word.”

Delora smiled weakly and let out a small strained laugh as tears ran down her face, her body starting to give way and surrender to the ailment. She remained on the ground until her chest stopped rising for air, a single death rattle escaping her as the light left her eyes. Alicent closed her eyes for a moment in a vain attempt to not look at what once was an acquaintance, now dead in front of her, a single tear rolling down her face as she muttered a silent prayer to herself. She looked down at the infant in her arms, cooing and looking up at Alicent, not having a single clue that her mother was now dead, feet away from her. She looked at the necklace once more, staring at the nightingale on the pendant before letting out a sigh, tucking the necklace into Brinaera’s swaddle rags. 

Alicent walked past the Kingsguard on her way into the Red Keep, holding Brinaera close to her bosom. The Kingsguard looked confused and was about to speak, but Alicent cut him off, speaking rather bluntly.

“The woman is dead. See to it that she is buried properly away from the Keep.”

“Yes, my Queen.”

The Kingsguard immediately left to tend to the body of Delora, leaving through the main gates of the Keep. Alicent walked through the halls and corridors of the Keep, making her way into the Throne Room where Viserys sat on the Iron Throne. 

“Viserys, we must discuss something in private. It is of grave urgence.”

Viserys looked confused and raised a curious brow as he looked at Alicent, and that confusion grew as he saw the infant swaddled up against her bosom. He motioned for Alicent to come forward and that was precisely what she did. She stood in front of him at the top step of the Iron Throne.

“Alicent, what in the Hells is going on and why is there a babe in your arms? What is the meaning of this?”

“I was visited by Delora.”

Viserys looked even more confused, wondering just what in the Seven Hells was going on. 

“Delora…. Lord Borros’ Lady Wife’s sister? What was it she could have needed from you?”

Alicent let out an exasperated sigh before looking at Viserys, gently rocking and bouncing Brinaera in her arms.

“She had confided in me that whilst her sister Elenda was poorly, Lord Borros, he… had his way with her. Three moons had passed and she had yet received her blood. She was with Borros’ child. He had known immediately, Elenda had found out, and as soon as Delora gave birth, she was forced to leave Storm’s End with the child. But as the pregnancy progressed, so did this ailment she had. She traveled all the way here on foot… she trusted in me to look after her daughter. It was her single wish before she… had perished at my feet. A Kingsguard is seeing to it that she be buried outside the Keep.”

Viserys was greatly baffled by this information, having to rub his temples in contemplation on what to do.

“And you agreed…. ?”

“What was I to do, Viserys? What would you have me do, turn away a dying woman and her babe?”

“No, dear wife, that is not what I was insinuating. I am just… trying to grasp this situation.”

Viserys paused for a moment before getting up from the Iron Throne, walking up to Alicent with Brinaera in her arms, getting a better look at the babe. He then spoke once more.

“What is the child’s name? Did Delora tell you?”

“Yes…. Her name is Brinaera.”

Viserys just smiled to himself and looked at Brinaera swaddled in Alicent’s arm, placing a gentle hand to the top of the babe’s head. Alicent just stared at the scene in front of her before speaking once more.

“She is Baratheon by blood. But Lord Borros would never admit to it. She will never be a Baratheon by name. He wouldn’t ever legitimize her.”

“I am the King of the Seven Kingdoms and he is a mere Lord of the Stormlands. If I wish to legitimize her, then I will see it done.”

“Viserys, to legitimize a bastard, another Lord’s bastard mind you, would cause a great scandal amongst the Seven Kingdoms. Do you not think of the repercussions this could cause?”

Viserys turned to look at Alicent, his gaze a bit upset but understanding, knowing Alicent had a point. He let out a sigh, a gentle hand still on the top of Brinaera’s head.

“I suppose you are right, dear wife. But she shall remain with us, she will be a ward. She will be treated no differently than our own children. Though if I choose to legitimize her once she is older, I will see that it does happen.”

Alicent knew she wanted to press further, but remained silent and let it be. She just looked down at Brinaera swaddled in her arms, slightly bouncing and rocking her in her arms. She was a beautiful child and she knew out of good faith she couldn’t rid herself of the child, so she nodded her head at Viserys’ words, as if silently agreeing to the terms.

What a strange turn of events for the most important family in all of the Seven Kingdoms to now have an orphan bastard in their care as a ward. It was as if the Gods above had a unique and twisted sense of humor, but here Alicent was, stuck with a child out of obligation and a promise made to Delora. Perhaps this was a chance, an opportunity waiting to bloom at the right time later down the road…. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

🐉 Whispers of the Dragon & the Fawn🌊

Origin Story

https://www.tumblr.com/aeksion-aekse/759580453346918400/brinaera-baratheon-origin-story?source=share

Chapter 1

https://www.tumblr.com/aeksion-aekse/750706243959701505/whispers-of-the-dragon-and-the-fawn?source=share

Chapter 2

https://www.tumblr.com/aeksion-aekse/752252429352976384/whispers-of-the-dragon-the-fawn?source=share

Chapter 3

https://www.tumblr.com/aeksion-aekse/753053676570050560/whispers-of-the-dragon-the-fawn?source=share

Chapter 4

https://www.tumblr.com/aeksion-aekse/754700111168356352/whispers-of-the-dragon-the-fawn?source=share

Chapter 5

https://www.tumblr.com/aeksion-aekse/756972543944048640/whispers-of-the-dragon-the-fawn?source=share

Chapter 6

https://www.tumblr.com/aeksion-aekse/759335911691616256/whispers-of-the-dragon-the-fawn?source=share

Chapter 7

https://www.tumblr.com/aeksion-aekse/770559355291648000/whispers-of-the-dragon-and-the-fawn?source=share

Chapter 8

https://www.tumblr.com/aeksion-aekse/774963734871441409/whispers-of-the-dragon-the-fawn?source=share

Chapter 9

Third Person POV

Brinaera had been left in the confinement of her bedchamber, mulling over not just the words shared between her and Alicent

moments ago, but also the memories of her whole life up to now. How had she been so fortunate as to be taken in by the most influential and important family in all of the Seven Kingdoms.

As Alicent walked into the Throne Room, where Viserys sat, she slightly bounced the babe in her arms, trying to shush the girl to stop crying. Viserys raised a curious brow, surprised and shocked that Alicent was caring for a child that wasn’t hers.

“Alicent, what is the meaning of this?”

“I was paid a visit…. By Delora Caron.”

Viserys’ brows shot up even higher, as this whole situation got more and more strange by the minute.

“Delora Caron? She was not wed, last we heard from her…. What has happened?”

Alicent let out an exasperated sigh, already growing tired from the efforts of trying to hush the child cradled in her arms.

“While Lady Elenda was ill, Lord Borros took it upon himself to… satiate his carnal desires.”

Viserys immediately knew what Alicent was getting at and became quiet for a moment, grimacing at the mere thought of it. After a moment of tense silence, he looked over at the babe in her arms.

There was…something off about this child, almost as if something was pulling him towards this little one. The way her features were put together, she looked like a little fawn, so innocent. Alicent would catch a quick glimpse of this, as if her husband was entranced by this poor child, finding herself confused. Why was he, the King of all the Seven Kingdoms, acting in such a manner, absolutely ensnared? After more silence filled the room, Alicent spoke up, a spark of determination in her voice.

“Viserys, we must keep her, it was Lady Delora’s dying request and I promised I would fulfill it, I gave her my word.”

Viserys looked over at Alicent, his gaze filled with curiosity, yet understanding at the same time. He knew that this was of utmost importance if Alicent was making a great deal of it.

“So, what would you have me do with the girl, make her a ward?”

“That is precisely what I’d have you do, husband. Would you, the King, be so heartless to do such a thing as turn her away, after I made such a promise?”

Viserys just let out a sigh and pinched the bridge of his nose before responding.

“Of course not, wife. Just know this will have repercussions throughout all Seven Kingdoms.”

“I am well aware, but this takes precedence over any loquacious rumors spread by others, lowborn or highborn.”

Brinaera had known the sheer stroke of luck she had. She considered herself most fortunate, as more and more memories came flooding through her head as she lay on her bed, staring up at the top of her canopy, letting out an exhale.

‘Twas another cloudy, overcast day in Driftmark as Aegon and Aemond went on with their usual brotherly bickering, Helaena gathering bugs and enjoying their company, the King and Queen tending to their duties, and young ten-year old Brinaera wandering around the training grounds as she read a book of old High Valyrian poetry. Since the day she came to live with the royal family, she had started to learn High Valyrian and for a non-Targaryen, she spoke it quite well. 

As she kept muttering the foreign language under her breath, she bumped into the eldest Targaryen son, Aegon, who was twelve, the eldest of the bunch. Brinaera could only roll her eyes and let out a groan as she caught how Aegon sleazily eyed her up and down. “Well then, if it isn’t the precious little doe, hm?” 

“If it isn’t the little lizard playing pretend to be a mighty dragon.”, Brinaera countered.

 Aegon could feel his pride bruise slightly but merely laughed it off, trying to slyly wrap an arm around Brinaera’s shoulders. “Oh come on now, Naera, won’t you show your future king a little affection, hm? Why be so cold, doe?” Brinaera could feel her face heat up a bit before scoffing and slightly shoving Aegon off of her. 

“By the Seven, as if I would show you warmth, Aegon. Be glad I even entertain you by uttering words in your direction.”, Brinaera replied. 

Aegon just let out a laugh and raised a brow. “Oooooh, a feisty little thing you are, I’m certainly glad father decided to pluck you off the streets of Flea Bottom and keep you with us.” Brinaera only could sigh and continue walking away from Aegon as she resumed her reading of High Valyrian poetry.

 As she wandered the yard, she noticed Aemond practicing his sword skills on a straw dummy, smiling a bit as she paid attention to the second born Targaryen son. She sauntered her way over to Aemond and of course, since she was so quiet, when he went to go pull back with his sword in hand, the sword pommel scraped Brinaera and accidentally hit her on the cheek. The young girl let out a little yelp and a slight hiss of pain, one of her hands going up to her temple. 

The young Aemond whipped his head around and put together what had happened, dropping his sword to the ground as he immediately went to Brinaera’s side. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I didn’t see you behind me.” The young girl removed her hand from her cheek to show it was already bruising up and a bit swollen, she gave a small smile to her dear friend and let out a sheepish little laugh. “No, it’s alright Aemond, don’t worry about it. You’re getting better with your sword skills. You’ll claim your dragon before you know it, dōna dārilaros.” 

Aemond just smiled bashfully and looked away for a moment before looking back at the young girl, shrugging his shoulders a bit. “I am the only one that doesn’t have a dragon.” 

“I do not have one.”

 “The only Targaryen that doesn’t have one.”

Everything felt less complicated back then....until the night Aemond had lost his eye, everything had gone downhill. By the Seven, it was an utter mess, the whole ordeal was chaos. He was only ten years old….so young.

Alicent was in absolute disarray and in a pure frenzy as the Maester had removed his eye, stitching the wound and the entire empty socket closed. It was a grisly sight as Brinaera was knelt down on one knee on the other side of the chair Aemond was sitting in. Her hand subconsciously reached up to grab a hold of his, gently grasping and holding it throughout the whole ordeal. She was beyond pissed with Aemond and Aegon’s nephews. They were the whole reason this happened, they caused Aemond to lose his eye. Everyone had gathered into the room: Aemond, Brinaera, Alicent, the maester, Aegon, Helaena, Viserys, Ser Criston Cole….even Jacaerys and Lucerys, Rhaenyra and Daemon of all people. Viserys was confused, irritated and most of all, oblivious to all that had happened, prompting him to ask “What in the Seven Hells has happened here!?” 

Alicent, the obviously upset and concerned mother she was, spoke up first. “Your son has been mauled, scarred by Rhaenyra’s sons. He has lost an eye, Viserys.” Of course, also being a concerned and upset mother, Rhaenyra snapped her head up as she comforted her sons as she spoke. “My sons have been beaten by your son as well. Look at their faces, Alicent.” “Your bastard boys have caused my son’s eye to be discarded, Rhaenyra, he only has one eye now.” There it is, the words no parent ever wants to hear their children be called, regardless if it were true or not. The tension was so thick and heavily uncomfortable, Brinaera could only slightly tighten her grip on Aemond’s hand, still holding it in her own.

Viserys could feel the veins in his head become predominantly noticeable on his forehead upon hearing his wife refer to his first born child’s sons be called that vile term. “What did you just say? Repeat yourself wife, did you just refer to my grandsons as bastards?” Another uncomfortable round of silence enveloped the room again as Viserys took more steps towards Alicent, the look in his eyes as sharp and pointed as a sewing needle. “Not another word will be spoken of the legitimacy of Rhaenyra’s sons, and anyone who utters a word of slander will lose their tongue.” Rhaenyra finally spoke up once more, her words like a mere slap to the face to Alicent “Thank you father.” 

Alicent felt betrayed, by her own husband no less, and to have the honor of bastard children be defended, it almost made her blood boil. She could feel her filter and professionalism start to crack, and as she saw Brinaera holding Aemond’s hand for comfort during this entire ordeal, she had finally cracked and faltered. “How dare you defend the honor of your first born daughter’s bastard sons, it is bad enough we have a bastard in our own home, Viserys! Delora was foolish enough to come to me in the first place, then she asks me to have her daughter grow alongside our children.”

The silence was long and deafening, you could hear a pin drop and echo, no one had ever expected for Alicent’s mask to slip so severely. Brinaera just looked up at Alicent and Viserys in pure confusion, her doe-like eyes looking almost hurt by Alicent’s little verbal blow up, her hand slowly slipping from Aemond’s. “I…what are you talking about? M-my father is Lord Borros, I am a Baratheon!” 

Viserys seemed almost…sad at her words and reaction, meanwhile Alicent seemed a bit ashamed. Everyone else just looked utterly confused, having not a single clue as to what type of bombshell had been dropped. Viserys took a step towards the young girl and sighed, placing a hand upon her shoulder. “Brinaera, sweet girl, you are a Baratheon by blood, yes, but…you are a bastard daughter born of Lord Borros Baratheon and his lady wife’s sister, Lady Delora Caron. But not on mutual terms, moreso of… force. As the Lord of the Stormlands, he couldn’t have a bastard child ruin his name and house’s reputation, so as soon as you were born, he had you and your mother banished from the Stormlands. The day your mother came to the Queen, she was a dying woman, weak and frail. Her last request was for us to look after you, and we chose to honor and respect that. You have a gift, little fawn. And do not let the term bastard ruin your spirit. You may be a Baratheon by birth and a Caron by name, but you will always have the Targaryen spirit.”

Brinaera could feel the creeping feeling of slumber start to take over as memories flooded her mind, but before her mind became a scramble, one prominent memory popped into her mind. The beginning of womanhood.

It was a beautiful spring morning, the birds chirping, the sun shining without a cloud in the sky, a warm breeze blowing through the air, the waves of Blackwater Bay crashing against the rocks and shores of King’s Landing. There was a knock upon the door of Brinaera’s bedchambers, it was her handmaiden Ursa. “Young lady Brinaera, it’s time to rise and shine, it is an important day today! It’s your eleventh name day today!” The young girl let out a groan as she pulled the covers over her head in an ill attempt to hide from the day. “Ursa, please, can I not do a thing today? My body aches.” The handmaiden immediately frowned and made her way over to the young girl and pulled the covers back, having a feeling she may know what it is.

 Ursa could feel her heart slightly sink at the sight of a giant sanguine red puddle staining the area of Brinaera’s white sleep gown that covered her maidenhood, seeing an even larger puddle of blood on the mattress. As Brinaera sat up, she looked down, confused and horrified at the sight of blood on her and the bed. She immediately got up and started to panic, looking around the room before speaking in a shaky voice to her handmaiden. “Ursa, what in the Seven Hells is happening to me? Why is there so much blood?” 

Before Ursa could even respond, Queen Alicent herself walked into Brinaera’s bedchambers, a bit irritated and stressed at the planning of Brinaera’s eleventh name day at the request of King Viserys himself. Alicent could feel her frustrations boil over at the fact her husband would even consider celebrating the birth of some impure blooded bastard girl. “Ursa, I sent you to get Brinaera ready, not to stall on the day of her namesake, you absolute-” Alicent didn’t even finish her sentence as she saw the scene of Brinaera panicking and Ursa trying to turn over the bed’s mattress so no one saw the blood. Alicent could feel something stir inside her upon witnessing the scene in front of her. Pity? Sympathy? Did she actually feel for the poor girl? 

Alicent sighed and made her way over to Brinaera and Ursa, turning to the handmaiden. “Run her a bath and get some rags, along with clean clothes. Now.” Brinaera could only look up at Alicent, feeling confused and embarrassed and a bit scared, sniffling a bit as she fiddled with her own fingers. “My Queen, what’s happening to me? Why am I bleeding?”

 Alicent sighed and her eyes flickered, wandering to every part of the room to avoid the gaze of the young girl, halfheartedly running a hand over the hair of Brinaera, smoothing out the messy dark brunette locks. “You’re becoming a young lady, darling. You’re having your first blood, your red flower is blooming for the very first time. Quite an early blooming though. I’ll help you through this. Now that you’re becoming a woman, the world is going to become even more cruel and unfair for you, sweetling. You will be hated for your mere existence and treated unfairly, you will have to fight for even a slightly fair chance. Do not be a fool and let this world swallow you whole, little fawn.”

Brinaera could feel her mind wander and flood with a jumble of more memories, her eyes growing heavy with the feeling of slumber and exhaustion. As the sun had set and night enveloped the sky of King’s Landing, a slight and cool breeze blew through the room from the balcony, causing a few lit candles to be blown out. The sounds of the waves of Blackwater Bay crashed against the rocks and shore, causing the Baratheon bastard girl to fall into a deep sleep, her mind still flooding with memories until she was fast asleep.

Brinaera’s POV

Many hours had passed since the meeting in the throne room within the confinements of the Red Keep, the whole thing replaying in my head like a shocking symphony as I lay strewn across my bed, my hand slightly clutching at the necklace adorned on my neck. I always knew that some sort of rumors would swirl across the Seven Kingdoms, but to hear Viserys address them head on in such a manner? He defended my very existence as if I were his own blood, which is more than I could ever say for the man whose very seed I spilled from…Borros Baratheon, the very thought of him a plague on my mind. I let out a sigh before sitting up on my bed, my many conflicting thoughts wandering and pondering, my brain a cacophony. My ears perk up as I hear a knock at the door of my private bedchambers, prompting me to get up from my bed to open it. As I open it, I’m greeted by the most unexpected company of Alicent, leaving me a bit bewildered but intrigued.

Third Person POV

“My- my Queen, I wasn’t expecting you at all, I apologize.” The young Baratheon bastard girl of course was rather surprised by Alicent approaching her private bedchambers, the expression on her face clear as a summer day in King’s Landing. The Queen closed the door behind the both of them and made her way to a little table in a corner of the room close to a balcony, pouring herself some wine in the goblet. She had rather…strong opinions on the Baratheon bastard girl, but whether she wanted to admit it or not, she did have a small soft spot for the girl. She let out an exhale before looking up at Brinaera, motioning to the other seat at the table. “Sit, darling. I wish to talk with you.”

The young girl smiled small, albeit a nervous smile, obliging Alicent’s request and sitting down in the seat, across the little table from the Queen. “This has to do with the rumors swirling around the Seven Kingdoms, doesn’t it, my Queen?” Alicent could only let out a small sigh before taking a sip of her wine, speaking in a rather slightly bitter tone. “That it does, sweet fawn, that it does. The world is an often cruel place to young girls and women, yet it is our duty to do what is asked of us, regardless of what fate has written for us. Does that make sense, darling?” 

Brinaera could feel her brain swirling with many conflicting thoughts and emotions, one contradicting the other. On one hand, she would do anything to remain in the good graces of the very family who had taken her off the filthy streets of Flea Bottom, but on the other hand she didn’t want to sacrifice her own beliefs and morals to appease the Seven Kingdoms, throwing away any shred of self respect she had. Brinaera let out a slow exhale before turning her attention to Alicent, her eyes scanning over the Queen before nodding her head hesitantly yet curtly, swallowing her self worth for a mere moment. “It does, my Queen. In a world controlled and written by men, women do what they must to get by and survive. Even when they aren’t wanted.” As Brinaera spoke, Alicent could feel a pang of familiarity in her words, as much as it pained her to admit, she could resonate deeply with them. Alicent slightly grimaced, her grip on the goblet in her hand tightening as she swirled the wine around, taking another sip as the taste of the sweet wine turned bitter when hitting her tongue. “You have faced…quite the hardship, my darling. You are quite strong, and I do not give praise out often. Do with my words what you will.” Brinaera couldn’t help but feel her lips purse into a thin lipped expression, knowing that Alicent seldom gave any type of praise, and when she did, it was hard to tell if it was genuine or not. But something told Brinaera that deep down….deep down, Alicent truly meant those words of praise. 

Brinaera ran a hand through her hair, a silent exhale escaping her as she turned to look out at the sun shining brightly through the late afternoon sky in King’s Landing. Alicent and Brinaera have always had a bit of a tumultuous relationship, since Brinaera was a bastard of Borros Baratheon and Alicent had a not-so-secret disdain for impure blooded people. Nonetheless, Brinaera was a welcomed part of the royal family, and that fact would never ever change. “I know you dislike me for being a bastard, my Queen…I know that part of you will never change, and I have grown to accept that. Just as you have accepted the fact that my existence will never leave.”

Alicent just stared at the young girl sitting across the small table from her, her eyes slightly narrowed in curiosity at her words. 'What in the Seven Hells could this little fawn have meant? Were her words a threat? Was she planning something? No, of course not, she was too benevolent, she was incapable of doing something.' “I suppose that we all have to come to terms with things that are less than desirable for us to initially accept.” Brinaera could only let out an indifferent hum in agreement, shifting her gaze as the sunlight reflected onto them both, the golden rays illuminating the hazel eyes of the young Baratheon girl as she stared at the matriarch of the royal family. Alicent never minced her words nor never made her feelings not known, but neither did Brinaera. “You are always so knowledgeable, my Queen. How true your words are…all of us must make sacrifices, no matter how minute or major, they are still sacrifices all the same.” 

A thick and tense yet solemn tone of silence befell the both of them as they looked at the view outside of Brinaera’s private bedchambers, staring at the sun’s golden rays of light shine down onto the waves of Blackwater Bay, thinking of how just exactly unfair and unjust life was for the both of them alike. Both of them to suffer the trials and tribulations that life dealt them from conception, both of doomed by the narrative and both of them to make unnecessary sacrifices….Before Brinaera’s brain could catch up and halt her, her mouth already started to move as she spoke. “Alicent…you are the only semblance of a mother figure I have ever had. Even if you dislike me for what I am, I still owe you for what you have given and taught me. If you had it your way, you would’ve put me back on the streets of Flea Bottom. You may despise my existence, but I more than tolerate yours.” 

For once, Alicent couldn’t think of what to say, she just remained silent as she continued to sip the wine from her goblet, mulling over the young Baratheon’s words in her mind. Her words were correct in the fact at first, she would've tossed the bastard girl back onto the filthy streets, no second thoughts. But now, she was such an integral part of the Targaryen family’s lives, it almost seemed….wrong to imagine a life without her in it, as if she actually belonged with them. No, never would Alicent admit to this sentiment, not out loud nor to herself in her own heart and mind, no matter how true it may be. “You have a bit of all my children in you, sweet fawn. The gentle and innocent nature of Helaena, the emotional vulnerability of Aegon and the intelligence of Aemond. Never had I imagined my life to turn out this way, I only did what was asked of me…my proof in the children I bore. I did what I had to.”

Brinaera could almost see the raw vulnerability pouring out of Alicent, and she knew the majority of it was due to the wine, but Brinaera continued to stare at the Queen, her gaze rather empathetic in a sense. “As horrible as it may sound, you birthed your grief, but with each child it just became easier to grow numb while doing so. An unfortunate effect of the situation you were put into. I wish I could be of more comfort, my Queen.”

Alicent could feel the familiar lump of sorrow start to form and rise in her throat as she thought of her life as every significant memory popped up into her inebriated mind. Alicent then quickly stood up from her seat and averted Brinaera’s gaze, swiftly and silently leaving the young girl’s private bedchambers whilst slamming the door behind her. Brinaera could only stand there as she watched the Queen leave in such a rush, her big doe like hazel eyes slightly wide in surprise as they remained fixated on the door, a hand still slightly outstretched when she went to grab ahold of Alicent, her body reacting far too late. She was just a whirlwind of different emotions and thoughts: Was it something I said? I hope I didn’t upset her in any way.. 'I thought we were having a bonding moment. What do I do now? Do I just leave her be?'

All Brinaera could do was just remain in the confinements of her bedchambers, wondering about all things that had been said and done, a slight breeze blowing through the room as she was left to ponder.