Chapter 11


It was the break of dawn of a random morn when the one-eyed Prince finally entered to the training yard. While all knights were thrilled by the Prince's return, no one was more thrilled than Ser Criston Cole himself.

For him it came as a relief — as the Prince's return is a clear indication that he was doing much better. It was close to turning of two moons since he last stepped foot here. The longest break he had since his eye was taken.

"Welcome back my Prince." Cole greeted warmly but the response he received in return was a simple hum as Aemond headed straight for the armoury and returned with a sword.

"Are we doing older brother against younger brother…?" Criston Cole made it sound like he was asking but it was actually more of a suggestion he provided looking between Aemond and Daeron.

All eyes turned to the youngest Prince, who stood with a wooden sword. Some even gave him a judgmental look.

Aemond had a scowl appear on his face. He took offence. How could Cole even suggest he spar against his brother who is yet to hold a proper sword. Turning away from his brother he faced the twins Ser Arryk and Erryk Cargyll and declared his intentions.

"I have a better idea."


Aemma has been on this terrace plentiful times but never before with her mother and sister, nor particularly this early into the morning either.

As the sparring continued between the one eyed Prince and the Cargyll twins, from the terrace above his mother and sisters watched. Everyone left speechless, as no one had expected Aemond to fight this exceptionally well against two experienced knights considering his long absence and limited vision. He proved them all wrong! As he incessantly delivered blow after blow. His blond hair flowing around him as he swung his sword at the twins and strike at them one after another. And it left the three ladies watching him from the terrace above enticed as much.

Daeron, who had been left sidelined from the moment his older brother stepped foot into the training yard, decided to join his mother and sisters after dropping his wooden practice sword. Although it initially hurt to be left forgotten like that, but Daeron understood, he understood well where all the excitement was coming from. After all it was Aemond's long due return. That besides the point, he would rather be close to Aemma than be amongst the men training who stank of sweat and soil.

Watching the Prince approach, Talya was about to fetch a chair for him, but Daeron prevented. Instead he chose to share the seat with Aemma. She was too small on that large cushioned seat, so he was easily able to squeeze in.

When together, Aemma and Daeron could barely behave like civilized children. Today it started with him tickling her, and her retaliation by pulling his hair. Occasionally he would leave soft kiss on her cheek and she in turn would kiss his nose, sometimes give it a small nip even. Soon those tender moments transformed to poking her on the tummy to her nudging him on the ribs.

Even if their older sister was very much enjoying watching them play, their mother on the other hand was a whole other matter.

From time to time Alicent would look at them only to glare daggers. The two obviously put a pause to their game at their mother's wordless warning. But would resume once more soon as she'd turn away.

Aemond, like attracted to something he couldn't see, had raised his gaze up toward the terrace. Only to have the sight of Daeron and Aemma's innocently intimate moment freeze him on the spot. A muscle in his jaw jumped as his entire posture tensed like the most unyielding tree trunk. The scene disturbed him on levels he never experienced. That brief moment of distraction from Aemond's side was well utilized by Ser Erryk. The former barely managed to block the latter's blow at the last moment which sent him to the ground with a grunt.

Alicent shot up from her chair at once and bent over the banister whilst Aemma freed herself from Daeron's grasp and was already running down the stairs. Not before long she was already at the training yard, at Aemond's side.

Confused, Daeron turned to his elder sister hoping she had some explanation about Aemma's strange behaviour— her growing closeness to Aemond that seems to be ascending rapidly. Unfortunately for him, Helaena was already preoccupied with the bee she caught. Therefore unable to notice her youngest brother's questioning eyes on herself.


The next couple days Aemma barely attended her womanly lesson with Helaena, did not visit her father, saw her mother once and had no clue about the whereabouts of her other two brothers.

For the most part, she spent a great deal of time in Aemond's company with one goal—to try and cheer him up. As for some unknown reason he has been in a terrible mood since his first day back at the training yard. He barely spoke or even looked her way. Always kept himself occupied with reading. His lone eye barely leaving the pages of a book. Given Aemond's nature, it was difficult to tell whether he was angry at anyone in particular or everyone in general. At first Aemma thought it was she, whom he was upset with. But that proved to be wrong later when she saw him giving the same silent treatment to anyone that approached him. And for some odd reason he appeared epically annoyed with Daeron. Predictably, the only exception was Helaena, who was spared from receiving his cold shoulder.

However, spending long hours in Aemma's company made it difficult for anyone to stay upset for long. Her innocence came with that effect. Her smile which was a burst of sunshine could quite smoothly warm up even the coldest of hearts. So Aemond Targaryen was no exception. Then again how much longer could he stay upset when having sweet Aemma throwing her arms around his torso and refusing to let go. Or having her soft lips pressed to his cheek and refusing to pull back till he smiled.

It was after the one-eyed Prince returned to normalcy that Aemma was able to make time for her other brothers.

It so happened that Aemond was occupied that particular evening as he had an important study session with the Grand Maester. So Aemma dragged Helaena to Aegon's chamber where she knew Daeron was and joined them in listening to Aegon goading about his special gift to Aemond.

"Your gift left Aemond scarred." Said Daeron in a passing comment.

"Don't believe him. He's only playing pretence to gain mother's sympathy."

"I suppose you are correct."

"There's no reason to suppose, I am correct little brother. For I was there, seen with my own eyes how throughly he enjoyed getting his cock sucked."

"Why would anyone want their cock getting sucked?" Aemma wondered, wearing a look of disgust and confusion, absolutely appalled by the act. Her head turned foggy trying to imagine the very image of it.

But her question was ignored as the brother's were too engrossed into their own topic of discussion.

"I was left bemused by the enthusiasm in him as he sucked on the woman's tits and ate her cunt." Argon said shaking his head.

A horrified Aemma looked at Helaena. Obviously her childish mind picturing the image in a much more gruesome and non-sexual manner.

"Will she grow a new one or does she have to live the rest of her life without a cunt now that Aemond ate her cunt."

Aegon turned to give her a look as if she grew another head on her shoulder. He was about to make a remark when once again he got distracted by Daeron.

"Will you also take me there one day?"

"Of course I shall take you there someday. After all it is my duty as the older brother to ensure that all my little brothers are educated on the act of fucking. Aemond got his wet. Soon enough it will be your turn."

"What about me?!" Aemma tugged onto Aegon's sleeve for his attention. Which she had the next moment, as he turned to her.

"Unfortunately for you my sweet little sister, you have no cock to get it wet. But worry not, because your gift shall be much better than the ones I'm giving these twats!" He assured squeezing her face.

"What shall be my present then?" Excitement dripped from her face.

A wicked grin appeared on the eldest Targaryen's face.

"First I will give you a taste of my cock…"

Perplexed by what he just heard, Daeron snapped his head at Helaena. His intent was to silently observe her reaction at the vulgar conversation Aegon initiated with their little sister.

As it was expected of her, Helaena showed no emotion. Her attention most likely remained elsewhere as she kept mumbling to herself.

"…after that, I shall devour your cunt till you are a complete mess, crying like some wanton whore."

"What is a wanton whore?" Aemma asked.

Aegon did not entertain her question. He was way too engulfed by his own enjoyment.

"Then your eager cunt shall receive my cock and I shall have your maidenhead—"

Aegon was abruptly cut off.

Daeron was the first to notice the large calloused hand that appeared out of thin air, grabbed Aemma by the back of her dress and picked her up with ease before thrusting her into Helaena's arms.

Securely fastening her arms around her little sister, Helaena continued to take back steps till her back was stuck against the wall.

From there, the two sisters watched horrified as Aemond pounced on Aegon.

Aemond moved towards his brother with a speed that Aegon did not even anticipate. One moment he was speaking to Aemma and the next moment he was picked up by the collar of his shirt and thrown against the nearest wall before series of heavy punches began landing on him ceaselessly.

Helaena called out for Aemond to stop while Aemma screamed soon as they realized Daeron was stuck between them. His poor attempt at distancing his older brothers landed him a punch or two before he was pushed to the floor with a bleeding nose. But the boy was up on his feet at once and daringly charged as he tried to intervene once more.

At this point all voices screaming began overlapping each other.

Soon the Cargyll twins ran inside through the already open door. Followed by Ser Criston and few paces behind him were the the Queen and the Lord Hand.

Ser Erryk pulled Aemond back while his twin helped up a bloody faced Aegon. Daeron was seated on the floor again, now with his left arm twisted and Cristen Cole helping him. As Otto Hightower demanded to know what was happening Alicent ran to her daughters and pulled them into her chest and held them protectively. However, she was only able to keep Helaena because Aemma broke free shortly after and ran to be at Daeron's side. Scooting down she wiped away the blood from under his nose, while he used his uninjured hand to wipe away her tears.

"Don't cry Aemma, I'm alright." He tried to reassure her. "See… nothing happened to me."

But Aemma was far from convinced.

"You're bleeding you liar!" She scolded, wiping away the blood from under his nose.

"Someone bring the bloody Maesters!" Otto Hightower barked the order before he faced Aemond and began unleashing his wrath upon him.

Immediately one of the Kingsguard ran out and returned with two Maesters. The senior ran towards Aegon and his junior towards Daeron.

Then came the announcement that put everything action into the room to halt; including Otto Hightower's screaming at Aemond. Thus bringing the room into uncomfortable silence:

As the King made his entry.


With one hand on the cane supporting his weight King Viserys Targaryen slowly made his way into his eldest son's bed chamber. His very presence held weight and intensity in spite of the growing sickness.

One of the kingsguard pulled a chair for the King, saving him the hassle of walking all the way towards it and helped him sit down.

The Queen sympathetically watched a painful moan erupting out of her husband's lips. The barest of movement becoming difficult for his body these days. As the simplest of shift brings in the most excruciating pain. But once adjusted into the position and the pain somewhat subsided, Viserys called for Aemma, beckoning her to come to him.

The said girl remained unmoving, her fear and hesitance to leave Daeron was evident on her face.

"Father has summoned you, go." Daeron encouraged, gently patting her on the shoulder.

Only then she rose, her small feet padded on the cold stone floor as she slowly made her way toward her father, looking back to check on Daeron after every few steps. And every time he flashed her a reassuring smile, letting her know he was alright.

From the arms of their mother Helaena watched their father put on an avid smile. A smile he previously gave their half-sister, which is now only reserved for their youngest sister.

That smile grew with each step as Aemma closed the distance between them.

Although it shouldn't have come as a surprise but to some it did, when Viserys guided his little girl to sit on his lap. How he actually managed to do it was beyond understanding for many. The action caused him so much pain that it contoured his face; still, not one sound left his lips. Alicent grimaced at the sight. Clearly his choice was to embrace pain than push his precious little bundle of joy away.

"Are you hurt, my love?" The King asked in concern, searching for signs of injury on Aemma.

People in the chambers shared a look amongst themselves. Otto and Alicent shared a look. Aegon and Daeron exchanged a look. Criston Cole exchanged looks with the twins and afterwards had a glance exchanged with the Queen. Aemond exchanged a glance with Helaena before he had his gaze fixed on Aemma. The irony of the situation was not lost on them— here he has two bleeding sons before him and yet the man must first make sure his little girl is alright; who for the record has not one scratch on herself.

Alicent was not surprised, but was she disappointed?

Most definitely.

"No." Aemma shook her head. Then pointed towards Aegon and Daeron. "But they're hurt."

Viserys did not immediately follow towards the pointed direction. He did so face the group only after he was fully convinced Aemma was unharmed. Frankly it was his first time taking full notice of his two bleeding sons.

"What has happened?" His tone was harsh as he inquired. A complete contrast to the tenderness that was present in his voice a while ago when he spoke to the girl on his lap.

There was a pause, as the people looked around trying to decide who should be the one to start. And then, Daeron decided to put himself forward.

"We were simply chatting amongst ourselves, when out of nowhere Aemond burst in and attacked Aego—"

"It was no attack! It was an ambush! He intended to kill me!" Aegon corrected.

But Daeron continued ignoring him. "I tried to stop him but it seemed impossible."

From where Daeron left off Ser Arryk Cargyll picked up.

"We were the first to arrive after hearing screams of Princess Aemma and Prince Aegon, and found the Princes huddled against the wall. Prince Aegon was struggling against Prince Aemond, the latter strangling him."

Alicent and Otto Hightower both were left speechless. Such violence from Aemond is completely unexpected. Especially towards his own brothers. Argument and bickering is common but it should not escalate to a point where he would legit try to have them killed.

Viserys turned to Aemond to hear him speak.

"Is it the truth Ser Arryk speaks?"

Aemond only stared, a hard look on his face. He remained quiet, well aware from past experience that opening his mouth would lead to nothing.

So his father continued.

"From the details Ser Arryk provided, sounds like you were ready to kill your brother. Tell me my son, what has had provoked you so much that you were ready to reduce yourself to something as sinful and disgraceful as a kinslayer."

Once again came no response from the one-eyed prince.

"Aemond I've asked you something?!"

Still no response. All he did was stare with that singular eye devoid of all emotions.

"There must be some sort of misunderstanding," Their mother who until now stood beside Helaena (shortly after the latter pulled out of her embrace), now came forth to stand close to Aemond.

"Aemond would never act so violently without valid re—" But her attempt at defending her favourite child was cut short by her firstborn.

"He tried to kill me! There's no misunderstanding in that." Aegon hissed at his mother like a viper ready to spit venom.

"Aegon." Otto Hightower tried to warn but the boy paid him no heed.

"That's because you must have done something to provoke him." Alicent accused. "After all you have history of going after him, bullying him for your own sickening entertainment."

"Oh please!" Aegon sneered. His eyes looking at his mother with barely contained anger. But his next words were laced with bitterness in them.

"We know mother, we all know you always defend him."

"That is not true!" Alicent tried to defend herself. "I treat all of you equally. All five of you are as important as the five fingers of my hand."

But her notion got Aegon to laugh directly to her face.

"Oh mother! What an idiot you have become. Do you not see the five fingers of the hand are not of equal size."

As the mother son continued to argue back and forth Aemma tugged on her father's sleeve for his attention, which she had almost instantly.

"What is it my dear?"

Leaning into his ear she began whispering.

Filling him in on the accounts of exactly what had transpired. Her action held no malice, she did so with every intention to help Aegon, without realizing it was doing the complete opposite in actuality.

While others were too busy seeking entertainment in the mother-son's bickering, it was Helaena who noticed their father's change of expression.

And she does not recall seeing him this furious ever before.

"AEGON!" Viserys suddenly roared. Taking everyone by surprise, including Aemma herself. Only Helaena remained unaffected.

"TELL ME BOY IS WHAT YOUR SISTER SAID THE TRUTH?!"

Aegon could only gulp. Now it was his turn to be quiet. The earlier smugness from his face vanished into the thin air. Aemond looked at him like he was openly challenging him to lie. Daeron looked between his two older brothers, worried they might restart their fight.

"What did he say?" Alicent asked Aemond giving him the opportunity to prove his innocence. But received no answer from him. Instead Daeron replied on his behalf.

"Aegon was telling us what sort of special gifts he had stored for us- his brothers, when we're grown."

"And what gift was he referring to?"

"A night at the brothel, to have experience with whor — to have experience with the women working there."

Alicent clenched her jaw and gritted her teeth. What better could she have expected from Aegon.

"Then Aemma asked "What about me?" and…" Daeron suddenly stopped when his eyes met Aegon's. The older brother sneered, causing the younger to swallow nervously.

"What did he tell her?" Their mother mumbled, already fearing the worst. Her words brought back the courage Daeron so desperately needed to continue.

"He told Aemma that her gift would be different than ours. She wouldn't taken to a brothel. Instead Aegon would teach her everything himself. First he will give her a taste…" Daeron hesitated. Relaying his oldest brother's words sounded even more vulgar the more he thought of it.

"…a taste of his cock. Then, eat her cunt."

Otto shook his head, gravely disappointed. Alicent closed her eyes, digesting everything. She clenched her fists so tightly that her knuckles turned white.

"And afterwards he will take her maiden head."

As her eyes flew open the Queen was blinded by anger and shame. In a raging fit she took off one of the slippers from her feet and charged at Aegon. The Maester tending to him quickly moved out of the enraged Queen's path. Abandoning the Prince to let him face the consequences.

Aegon's screams echoed through the air as he received the first blow on his back. But his painful cry had no effect on his mother as she continued her assault mercilessly.

Daeron flinched at the sight but Aemond kept his impassive face perfectly intact. For him it was no bother to watch his mother beat up the pervert. If anything it doubled his love and respect for her.

"HAVE YOU NO SHAME AT ALL? HOW COULD YOU BE SO LEWD TOWARDS YOUR LITTLE SISTER. SHE'S STILL A BABE!"

"I merely jesting with her!"

"NO YOU DO NOT! AND YOU CANNOT JEST ABOUT SOMETHING SO VULGAR! BEHAVIOUR SO INAPPROPRIATE IS NOT ONLY AN INSULT TO YOUR FATHER AND I, BUT ALSO TO YOUR BETROTHED. HOW DO YOU ALWAYS MANAGE TO KEEP HUMILIATING US THIS WAY AEGON?!"

Those words hit him like a stab on the chest. In that precise moment looking at his mother all Aegon felt was sadness.

"I humiliate you…?"

Sadly his sadness had no effect on her. Because if it did, she certainly wouldn't have snapped.

"YES YOU DO! You are my firstborn, the King's firstborn son! You should have been our pride. Yet you're no more than disgraceful excuse of burden that we are doomed to carry for life!"

Having said that Alicent pushed him to the edge. All restraints holding him back quickly dissolved. Therefore there's no holding back, not anymore.

He shall not fall from grace alone, he will take the rest with him.

"You call me disgraceful over a small jest."

The eldest Targaryen boy took a big step towards his mother.

"Something that I did not even mean. And yet you seem perfectly content and play blind when he—" Aegon pointed his finger towards Aemond "sneaks into her bed in the dead of the night."

"That's isn't true. T'is I who would sneak into his bed." Aemma corrected, but obviously it made no difference.

Loom in the silence that made everyone uncomfortable. It was no usual awkward silence. No! This silence was heavy with resentment. Where a mother and son had no qualms in tearing the other apart.

Otto Hightower focused on Aemond, serious annoyance on his face. And Aemond returned the stare with matching expression, if not more bitterly.

"And how long has this been going on for?" Viserys asked, his stern eyes on his wife and second son.

Breaking the eye contact he was holding with his grandsire Aemond refocused on his mother. As if wordlessly they're trying to decide who should speak. But before they could come to a resolution Aemma spoke up. Her tone so casual that it felt like the King has mundanely inquired about the weather.

"It began couple week past his name day when mothe—uh oh!" With her deep violet eyes turned wide Aemma bit into her tongue, suddenly realizing her mistake. It should be a secret between her and her mother. And here she was almost blabbering about it in front so many people.

Alicent had felt the air knocked out of her, she looked nowhere except her feet. Even when she could feel her father's heated gaze burning holes at the back of her.

Thankfully Aemma recovered fast and swiftly rephrased her words. Drawing back the attention on herself.

"I wanted to cheer Aemond up, after Aegon had hurt him." She put great emphasis on the 'I'.

Aegon wasn't sure why Aemma was trying to save that idiot's ass but it greatly frustrated him.

"For the love of sevens! I did not hurt him. If anything I gifted him plea—" He was silenced mid sentence after receiving a dangerous glare from his grandsire.

Viserys turned to Aemond with a look that was every bit accusatory. It does not matter that Aemma willing or unwillingly tried to take the blame on her shoulders. No blame should befall her! She's a child who knows no better!

But Aemond is certainly no child.

Not anymore!

"If your sister indeed snuck into your bed, then why haven't you returned her to her chamber? As a grown brother it is your responsibility, which you are well aware of, and yet you conduct yourself inappropriately."

Aemond knew a response was expected from him but he chose to give none. Rather blatantly stared at his father.

"Answer me Aemond!"

Still no response.

"Answer the King Aemond." His grandsire warned. But it had no effect like everything else this evening.

"SPEAK UP, BOY!" Viserys shouted, causing Aemma, Daeron and Helaena to flinch out of fright.

Again, no response from Aemond. He simply stared. His lone eye meeting his father's enraged gaze stoically.

As if a thread had snapped, Viserys lost the last bit of patience he had left and threw the stick in his hand directly at Aemond. The stick flew at high speed and collided against the boy's good side. It hit him on the corner of his head and then the chest that send him directly to the ground.

"Aemond!" Alicent and Aemma exclaimed in unison. The latter jumped off of her father's lap and was at her brother's side before her mother. Helaena had both hands covering her open mouth. Aegon had his eyes go wide and Daeron audibly gasped. The three knights and the Maesters all tensed. But strangely Otto Hightower remained unbothered by it.

"Oh no he's bleeding!" Aemma cried. Beside her Alicent called the Maester in panic. One of them quickly rushed to Aemond and examined the wound.

"Not to worry your grace, the cut is very small and shall heal shortly. Not even a scar will be left in weeks time."

As much as reassuring the maester's words were it did nothing to reduce the anger Alicent felt bubbling inside her blood. So she turned to her husband in rage and disbelief.

"He's your son Viserys, how could you hurt him over something so insignificant."

"Alicent, it is beyond my understanding how are you justifying the boy's inappropriate conduct as insignificant. Have you been so blindsided as his mother to see the danger your own daughter was getting herself into? Or am I to assume… you have played a significant part in it."

The insinuation was clear.

Instantly Alicent turned ghostly pale. Otto looked at his daughter furious and Aegon smiled wickedly. Oh he couldn't wait for his father to tear apart his mother and that one-eyed twat.

Little did he or anyone for the matter know a surprise of different kind was awaiting them all.

"Apologize to him."

Came the command from a small but nonetheless powerful voice.

All heads in the room turned to the youngest member and watched astonished as she

abruptly stood and marched towards the King.

"Father, apologize to Aemond, right now!"

What an admirable sight she made standing before the King of the seven kingdoms placing both hands on her hips; giving him the order. A privilege that even the current heir to the Iron Throne was not granted.

For those who had known, in that moment Aemma Targaryen was the very image of her uncle.

The Rouge Prince.

Viserys tried to grab hold of her and bring her closer but Aemma recoiled from his touch. Shock appeared all over his face and all he could do was mumble her name frowning. But she paid his emotions no heed, instead treated it as if it were needless. While remaining firm in her demand.

"Please father, I implore you. Admit your mistake and apologize to Aemond." There was something lurking in the pit of her stomach, and Aemma couldn't distinguish whether it was anger or apprehension.

"Mind your manners Aemma, it is the King you're speaking to." Her grandsire warned, deciding to act the part of the tough guardian.

Certainly it did not work in his favour and he realized that the moment she turned.

Aemma turned to him with a look that made her almost look unrecognizable. It was a look that none had seen on her before this day.

"Who are you?" She asked like she was speaking to an outsider.

"What!" Otto wasn't sure if the child wrongly phrased the question.

"I asked who are you?"

Otto raised a brow, unsettled by not being able to figure out where she was taking this.

When it became apparent the Lord Hand would not speak, Aemma carried on.

"I am no daughter of yours and your no father of mine. So who are you to to meddle in when I speak to my father?!"

Now it was Otto's turn to be shocked. And he showed it with his widening eyes which conveyed his anger and shock simultaneously. But Aemma was least bothered by it. She simply turned back to her father ignoring her grandsire as if he was a person of no importance at all.

"You offered him no apology nor any sympathy when his eye was taken away. Would you offer no apology even when he has been hurt by your own hands?"

"Aemma my child, you must understand, with everything that transpired it shows that Aemond is not entirely fault free."

"It doesn't matter if Aemond is not entirely fault free. You HAVE to apologize." She told him irritably.

"You cannot tell me what to do."

"Yes I can. Because you're doing it all wrong!"

The three brothers exchanged an uncomfortable look between them. It hurt their pride to know they shall never be able to speak to their father the way their youngest sister can.

Viserys let out a tired sigh and pinched the bridge of his nose.

"My dear, while I completely understand and agree with his reasoning to attack Aegon, but I cannot simply forgo the fact he was taking vantage of you."

"I was comforting my brother! What's wrong in that?" Aemma argued insolently. But it was nothing in comparison to what came out of her mouth next.

"…Unlike you, I love my brothers!"

The words stung, and served as a direct blow to Viserys's weakened heart.

"That is enough Aemma!" Her mother tried to scold but it was no avail. She ignored her mother's words similarly how she brushed off her grandsire's attempt at disciplining her.

If anything, the scolding further aggravated her, resulting in Aemma to become even more irrationally demanding.

"Now you have to apologize to him, twice."

Many pair of brows in the chamber furrowed, confused. Including the ones of the King's.

"Please clarify why must I apologize twice?"

"First- for hurting him tonight. Second- for failing to stand by him when he needed you the most." The firmness with which she stated sounded quite like she has just delivered the ultimate verdict.

A decision that must be followed.

"Aemma you are in no position to tell your King what he should do!" It was the first time he spoke to Aemma sternly. Even if it crushed his heart, Viserys knew it had to be done for her betterment's sake.

"So you won't apologize." She posed. Feeling her temper rise again within her little body.

Only for her father to confirm. "No!"

"Fine then!" She stomped her foot. "From this day forth, just like your wife Aemma, I am also dead to you. So do not summon me! Do not speak to me. Our relationship is over. I am dead to you as you are dead to me! See you in afterlife!" Having said that she turned on her heels and strode back towards Aemond who was back on his feet now.

Her words made Viserys feel a stab in his chest. He called after her but she did not respond. Instead she took hold of her brother's hand and dragged him out of there.

"Come let us leave Aemond."

"Where are you both off to?" Otto Hightower asked just they were about to walk past the door.

"To the seven hells!" She snapped, casting them all one final glare.


Aemond had no idea how they ended up in godswood. All he was aware of was that Aemma led and he followed. And now, here they were sitting on the ground, under and facing the Weireood tree.

Admittedly, he had never felt so much at peace before. Despite the earlier turbulence, the essence of peace and tranquility he felt now surpassed all previous ugly emotions. Such serene feelings refused to leave him.

What Aemma had done for him today, no one in his family could ever do. Surely his mother tried and still tries but her power is limited. Suppressed by the men in her life: her husband and even more so, her own father. She will never be able to break the barrier Aemma did today. The girl may never have held a weapon but the way she used her tongue today was no less lethal than how Cole uses his morningstar.

In one sentence she branded their grandsire as an outsider meddling in matters of their family. On the other hand, did not spare their father either. She reminded him of his failure as a father, and the comparison she drew between herself and late Queen Aemma Arryn served a severe blow. And Aemond has his doubts whether the ailing man would ever recover from his. He had looked his father directly eyes multiple times tonight, the last of it being the time Aemma was dragging him out.

He watched him as he watched her.

Even called her in desperation, asking her- no begging her to return. But the feisty little girl didn't even spare him a pitiful glance. Her action made a bold statement—

She chose him above everyone.

Aemond felt his heart swell with pride.

After a long time he felt good. It felt good to be loved. To know that he was cared for. That he was worth fighting for.

It was a feeling like no other. And for letting him experience it, he will forever remain indebted to his little sister.

Out of the corner of his good eye he observed her, absently playing with the pendant on her neck. A voice in his head told him to reach out and touch her. He wanted to listen. However, the intensity of the feeling as he felt butterflies in stomach was absolutely overwhelming.

As a child Aemond had a soft heart. But years of enduring endless pranks and bullying and taunts have made it stronger. The last straw was claiming Vhagar and getting his eye taken away. After which, his heart became ice of Winterfell.

Until now.

With his little sister's warmth that ice has begun to melt.

For the first time in his life Aemond felt this way, as if his heartstrings are being pulled by someone other than himself; Aemma.

Slowly but steadily, she is taking over his whole world. And he did not mind, nor did he care.

Let her take them! One day it will her nonetheless.

Next to him, Aemma mumbled quietly.

"Aemond?"

"Hm…" He turned to her fully.

"I apologize." She did not look at him, although Aemond wished she did. "I truly apologize on behalf of everyone."

"What for?" Ironic, how the last person who owed him an apology was apologizing.

"We don't deserve you Aemond." Closing her eyes she took a deep breath. "You do so much for us— fulfill all your responsibilities and duty as a son, as a brother and as a Prince. Yet as your family we lack the minimum courtesy to give a shit about you."

This time she turned and took hold of his face between her two small palms. Aemond could not help but eagerly lean into her touch.

"You belong somewhere where you will be treasured."

"That isn't true. There are those who care for me." He told her, unsure if it were to comfort her or himself.

"Only mother and Helaena cares for you."

"You as well, my little sister. You care about me more than you give yourself credit for." She proved it tonight.

Releasing his face she looked away. Her palms, now balled to fists resting on her lap.

"No, I belong with the rest— who do not give a shit… after all, I lied. I lied through the teeth." Aemma confessed and Aemond frowned momentarily in order to grasp what she was referring to.

"Truth is, the patch you have on right now isn't made by me. Helaena made it. She put a lot of effort behind it and ultimately I stole it."

A moment of silence passed before she spoke again.

"I have already made my peace with her. She forgave me. But that does not change the fact that I gave you nothing for your special name day."

Her confession made his heart flutter. Moved by some unfamiliar intense feeling he pulled her into his arms, kissed the top of her head and buried his nose into her hair.

"You have done more than you know or even realize." Aemma tried to protest at his statement but he ignored her protest "And to know that I have you by my side, that is all that matters to me."

"Aemond…"

When he let go and they looked at each other, Aemond's cheeks were set aflame. The fragrance of her hair still echoed in his nose. He swallowed and remained nervous, palms sweating. But fortunately or unfortunately whichever way it is looked into, Aemma was too young to notice it or understand the implications of those signs.

"Still, I desire to gift you something special. And now, I think I know just what it could be." She smiled, reaching a hand behind her neck and unfastening her the hook of her necklace.

Aemond watched her carefully removing it from herself put it on him.

"What are you doing?!" He exclaimed, his eye turning wide having what it was witnessing.

"Ssshhh!"

"I can't accept it Aemma. Father gave it to you when your dragon died."

His eyes settled on her face, watching the way she was smiling at him.

It was mad, this warmth that so easily seemed to flood his chest when he was within her vicinity. A feeling so light and yet at same time so very stifling.

"And I'm giving it you." She stated firmly. Pressing a hand to his chest. Covering the beautiful stone underneath her palm.

And soon as she retracted her hand Aemond looked down. His heart loudly throbbed at the sight of the large sapphire staring back at him, glistening proudly under the soft moon light as if it found the place where it truly belongs to.

When had this happened? He asked himself carefully capturing the pendant and twirling it between his two fingers.

When he looked at her next, he found Aemma playing with a stray cat that found itself in the godwoods with them. She kept repeatedly pressing and pinching the cat's nose and the cat seemed to have been enjoying her ministration wholeheartedly, as it refused to leave the comfort of her lap.

His jealous gaze zoned in on the fortunate cat solely devouring his little sister's attention, only to have the singular eye turn wide when it detected the similarities between them:

They both had one eye!

He kept watching as realization after realization danced across his mind. It felt as if, for the first time in years, he was seeing the world clearly in spite of his limited vision.

Reality hit him like a pebble thrown on the head. He realized, the heart that beat inside his chest was no more his, it was someone else's property now: Aemma's.

Unbidden, a thought that he had hidden deeply within the recess of the mind suddenly made its appearance before him...

He was in love with Aemma.


Prince Aemond Targaryen was ten and three when he began to hope and dream for a future with his little sister, who was still a child at the time, merely seven years of age. What he did not know back then, was that this dream of his would soon turn into night-terror for everyone else.

And history would well remember his love as the means for his madness.


A.N. Thank you for reading hope you all enjoy. The chapter was a little chaotic but I'm sure it quite befitting of the title. Everyone has their own problems and new problems and being dug out. However on a positive note: the sapphire has found its destination.

Also the chapter isn't edited. So if you notice any mistakes please feel free to point it out. I'll have it corrected.