King's Landing, The Red Keep - 128 AC

As I followed Aemond out of Queen Alicent's quarters, I couldn't help but let out a soft sigh of relief. The weight of the moment was still pressing down on me, but there was also a flicker of satisfaction. My son had just done something incredibly brave and necessary, and I felt a proud surge in my heart. It was a bittersweet pride, though. I knew the path he had just chosen was fraught with pain and sacrifice.

Watching Laenor knock out Ser Criston Cole was a moment I had been waiting for, though I never imagined I would see it under these circumstances. When Laenor's fist connected with Criston's face, I couldn't suppress the grin that spread across my lips. Criston's brutality had been a thorn in our side for too long. Seeing Laenor finally get a chance to avenge his lost love, to have a sliver of justice for the wrongs done to him, was a small balm for the many wounds inflicted on our family.

Aemond had come out of the blue, his entrance into the Small Council meeting as surprising as it was decisive. The way he had managed to turn the tide, to expose Queen Alicent and Ser Otto's betrayal with such deftness, was impressive. The councilors had been stunned into silence, their eyes wide with shock and curiosity as Aemond laid out the queen's treachery before them. I could see the threads of the political web weaving tighter, as if the room itself was a living entity, reacting to the revelations that had been brought to light.

"Did you see the looks on their faces?" I asked Aemond, trying to keep my voice light despite the heaviness of the situation. "They were like fish out of water, floundering in shock."

Aemond gave a half-hearted chuckle, but there was a trace of sadness in his eyes. "Yes, I saw. But it was necessary, Grandmother. The truth needed to be exposed, no matter the cost."

We walked down the corridor together, the cold stone walls of the Red Keep seeming to press in around us. I could see the turmoil in Aemond's eyes, the way he wrestled with the choices he had made and the path he had taken.

"It must have been hard for you," I said gently, hoping to offer some comfort. "To do what you did to your mother."

Aemond's face hardened for a moment, but then his expression softened as he looked at me. "I knew it was the right thing to do, but that doesn't make it easy. I still love her, despite everything. She only wanted to protect us, though she went about it all wrong."

I could see the hurt in his eyes, the way his love for his mother conflicted with the actions he had to take. I knew all too well the anguish of being caught between duty and affection, between the love we are born with and the roles we must play.

"It's hard being a mother," I said softly, trying to put into words the feelings that I knew so well. "The fear for our children, the worry that drives us to make choices that might be seen as wrong. It's a burden that can break even the strongest of us."

Aemond nodded slowly, his eyes fixed on the floor as if searching for answers in the worn stone tiles. "I suppose that's what happened to my mother. Her fear drove her to madness, and in the end, she couldn't see reason anymore."

The sadness in his voice was palpable. I reached out and placed a comforting hand on his arm, feeling the tension in his muscles beneath my fingers. "It's not just fear, Aemond. It's also love. A mother's love is fierce and all-encompassing, and sometimes it blinds us to the bigger picture."

Aemond looked up at me, his eyes filled with a mix of sorrow and understanding. "I see that now. I see how her love for us twisted into something destructive. It's not an easy thing to realize, to see someone you've loved and respected become a shadow of what they once were."

I squeezed his arm gently, trying to offer some solace. "Yes, it's a painful truth. But you must remember that despite the pain, you did what was necessary. Sometimes we have to make the hardest choices for the greater good."

We continued down the corridor in silence for a moment, the sound of our footsteps echoing softly in the empty hallways. I could see the weight of the decisions he had made pressing down on him, the burden of knowing that his mother's downfall was in part due to his actions.

As we approached a secluded corner of the Red Keep, I drew Aemond into a quiet alcove, away from the prying eyes of the court. "You did well today," I said, my voice low but firm. "You did what had to be done, and you did it with honor."

Aemond took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. "I hope you're right. I hope that this will lead to justice for our family and a chance for things to be set right."

I smiled at him, though it was a sad smile. "It will, Aemond. It has to. Sometimes, the path to righteousness is paved with difficult choices and heartache. But it's through these trials that we find our strength."

Aemond nodded, a small flicker of resolve in his eyes. "Thank you, Grandmother. I needed to hear that."

We stood there for a few more moments, the silence between us a comfortable companion in the wake of the storm we had just weathered. Then, as if on cue, the distant sound of footsteps reached our ears, the murmur of voices from the council chambers and the movement of guards and courtiers filling the corridors. It was a reminder that the world outside was still turning, that there were still choices to be made and battles to fight.

I took a deep breath and looked at my son, feeling a mix of pride and sorrow. "Let's go, Aemond. There's more to be done." He gave me a grateful nod, and together we walked back toward the heart of the Red Keep.

When Aemond and I finally found Lucerys, she was standing beside Helaena near one of the grand windows of the Red Keep. The light from the setting sun poured through the glass, casting a warm, golden glow over the room and highlighting the beauty of both girls. I took in the sight before me, feeling a surge of admiration and a pang of nostalgia all at once.

Lucerys was dressed in a deep blue gown that looked like it had been spun from the midnight sky itself. The silk fabric shimmered softly as she moved, the color evoking the tumultuous yet beautiful stormy seas that surrounded Dragonstone. It was as if the very essence of the ocean had been captured in that gown, and I could almost feel the cool sea breeze against my skin. The bodice of the dress clung to her slender frame, and intricate silver embroidery wove its way around her waist, forming delicate dragons that seemed to come alive in the light.

The long, flowing sleeves of her dress gave her an ethereal grace, fluttering gently with her every movement. My eyes were drawn to the braids that framed her face and tumbled down her back, the onyx-black locks adorned with delicate silver chains and scattered sapphires that glinted like stars. Each braid seemed to hold a story of its own, woven with care and artistry. The silver dragon hairpin that I had given her for her last nameday glimmered in her hair.

As I observed her, I felt a lump form in my throat. Lucerys reminded me so much of Jocelyn Baratheon, my own mother, who had been renowned for her beauty. It was a bittersweet feeling, seeing my granddaughter's resemblance to her great-grandmother so vividly. Jocelyn's portraits had captured her grace and charm but seeing it in Lucerys's face brought those memories to life in a way that was both comforting and heart-wrenching.

Aemond was standing beside me, his gaze fixed on Lucerys with an almost dazed expression. I couldn't help but chuckle softly at the sight. His eyes had that unmistakable look of someone who had just seen their heart's desire. The way he looked at Lucerys, with a kind of awed reverence, was both endearing and amusing. It was clear to me that his love for her was deep and true, and seeing him so smitten was a pleasure I savored.

I turned my attention to Helaena, who stood a few steps away from Lucerys, her lilac dress creating a soft contrast with the deep blue of Lucerys's gown. Helaena's dress was adorned with silver butterflies that flitted across the fabric, catching the light and drawing the eye to the gentle beauty of the gown. The lilac color suited her delicate features and highlighted her Targaryen eyes.

Her hair was styled into a bun that resembled a blooming flower, with braids arranged elegantly around it. A silver butterfly pin, much like the ones on her dress, was nestled in her hair, adding a touch of whimsy to her look. There was a calm, almost ethereal quality about her, like a gentle breeze on a summer day. I found myself admiring her grace, her presence like a breath of fresh air.

Aemond's eyes never left Lucerys, and I could see the way his heart ached for her, a look that was as tender as it was intense. It was a look that spoke of deep affection, of a love that saw beyond the superficialities of appearance and into the essence of who Lucerys was. It was a look that made my own heart swell with pride for my grandson, because that is what Aemond had become. He was now a Velaryon through and through. Corlys found great pleasure in stealing Viserys' son from him, not that my cousin was even aware of it.

"Look at them, Aemond," I said softly, leaning toward my grandson. "They are like a vision from a dream."

Aemond's eyes were still fixed on Lucerys, and he smiled faintly, his expression a mix of awe and affection. "They are beautiful, Grandmother. Lucerys is more radiant than I ever could have hoped for."

I nodded, feeling a warm, maternal pride at his words. "Yes, she is. And Helaena looks as lovely as ever."

However, as much as I tried to bask in the fleeting beauty of the moment, my eyes couldn't help but notice the tension that marred the serenity of the scene. Lucerys and Helaena were supposed to be enjoying the evening, but there was a strain in their expressions that didn't sit right with me. Helaena's normally calm demeanor was shattered; her hands clung to her skirt as her eyes darted around like she was trapped in a storm. Her breaths were quick and shallow, her face a mask of fear and confusion.

Lucerys, ever the steady presence, was trying to soothe her, but even she looked out of her depth. Her gentle hands held Helaena's shoulders; her voice soft but tinged with desperation as she spoke. "Helaena, focus on me. Breathe, please. What did you see?"

But Helaena was far from calm. Her lips moved rapidly, but the words spilling out of her were jumbled and disconnected. "Green… rats… fury… fawn… fire…" It was as though she was caught in the grip of a nightmare she couldn't explain, her words tumbling out in a chaotic mix that made no sense to anyone around her.

I knew that Helaena was a Dragon Dreamer, a rare gift among our bloodline. Lucerys had made sure that every Velaryon and Targaryen was aware of her gift—or curse, depending on how one looked at it. It was said that her dreams carried meanings, though only Lucerys and Jacaerys had ever managed to interpret them with any success. Yet now, even my grandaughter was powerless to decipher the cryptic warnings that seemed to have her aunt in such distress.

Aemond and I exchanged a worried glance, a silent conversation passing between us. I could see the concern in his eyes, a reflection of my own anxiety. We moved closer to the girls, stepping into the small circle of space they occupied, trying to offer some semblance of safety and support amidst the gathering crowd of curious courtiers and servants.

Helaena's frantic words grew more tangled, her hands wringing together as if she could squeeze the meaning out of her dreams. "Green… fawn… fire…" It was like listening to a song that was missing its melody, and Lucerys's attempts to calm her were becoming increasingly desperate.

"Please, Helaena, tell me what you saw," Lucerys urged, her voice barely more than a whisper now, her hands brushing Helaena's cheeks in a soothing gesture.

Before we could get any closer to the truth of Helaena's vision, the crowd around us exploded into chaos. It was as if the very air had been electrified, the murmurs and shuffling turning into a full-blown panic. Servants ran in all directions, their faces pale with fear, and courtiers surged forward with wide eyes and anxious voices.

Instinctively, I moved to shield the girls, stepping in front of them and raising my arms in a protective stance. I could feel Aemond at my side, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword, his eyes sharp and watchful as he glared at the frantic crowd. Arryk and Erryk Cargyll, the Kingsguard sworn to both Aemond and Lucerys, fell into place beside us, their presence a solid wall of protection.

I could see the fear and confusion in the eyes of those around us, but I had no time to waste on their hysteria. I grabbed the arm of a servant boy who was pushing through the crowd, his face ashen with dread. "What's happening?" I demanded, my voice firm despite the tumult around us.

The boy's eyes widened as he dropped to his knees, his hands trembling as he spoke. "There was an attack on Orys Baratheon."

My heart stopped at his words. A cold shiver ran down my spine, and I could feel the weight of the news pressing down on me. In that moment, everything seemed to freeze. The chaos of the crowd faded into the background as the gravity of the situation settled over us like a heavy cloak. Helaena's fear, Lucerys's confusion, the thrumming anxiety of the courtiers—it all merged into a single, overwhelming sense of dread.

"There was an attack on Orys Baratheon."