House of The Dragon-The Beauty, The Bold, And The Black Dread

(Baelon's POV)

"Uncle!" Aemma shouted excitedly as she dismounted from Seasmoke, "I am here! I made it by lonesome!" 

I stood at the end of the platform inside the Dragonmont, seeing as the keepers were holding Seasmoke steady as she dropped down and began to excitedly fast-walk towards me. She held her dress as she did so, her hair bouncing up and down as she smiled brightly. 

"Well done." I said as my arms were crossed, "I am proud. This is the first of many lone flights, I can expect. But do be careful. Any sign of trouble, you fly back home...either King's Landing or back here..." 

She reached me and got on her tip-toes, kissing my cheek, "I missed you." She said, "Where is Mother?" 

"Up in Helaena's chambers, helping her with embroidering some blankets." I told her as I turned around and began walking, "Helaena will be happy to see you, as will your Mother." 

She nodded, "I hope so." She said as she followed me, wrapping her arm around mine, "I feel so free....despite everything that has happened, things are good for me.." 

"There is no reason they should not be." I told her, "You are Family, that is all that matters." 

"Right..." she said, "How is everything here? When I claimed Seasmoke, you and Mother did not speak much..." 

"Y-Yea..." I said as we walked up the stairs, "About that....." 

"Is everything okay?" She asked me with a frown, "I hope it is...." 

"No, it is." I said, "Things are awkward, that is all. They have been, for the longest time. You know that...." 

"Yes..." She said, "And....?" 

"Things are getting better..." I told her as we reached the top and stopped, "Hm..." 

"What is it?" She asked me

I pulled away and looked at her, scanning her from top to bottom, "How old are you again?" 

She tucked her hair behind her ear, "I am about to be Ten and Three..." 

"Gods....you are so tall...." I said with a chuckle, "I keep forgetting that you are really young....younger than Daeron..." 

She smiled, "Yes...." She said, "It does not feel that I am this old...." 

I patted her head, "You have grown so much." I told her

She looked down, "Her Grace tells me that I need to marry Aemond as quickly as possible." She said, "I do not know if I am ready." 

"I doubt Aemond will find taste in that." I said as I pulled my hand away, "Worry not, I will speak with my Mother." 

"Thank you." She said

I grabbed her hand, "Come." I said, "Your Mother is expecting you." 

*********

"Aemma!" Rhaenyra said with a smile, "Oh, I've missed you.....are you well?" 

She hugged her daughter as I sat down next to Helaena, who was smiling as well. 

"Yes, Mother. I have been well." Aemma said, "Grandsire always spends time with me, it is delightful. He allows me to fly my dragon every day, I am so grateful for that." 

"That is great, my dear." Rhaenyra said as she patted her cheek, "I am glad that you are doing well." 

Aemma looked at Helaena, "Oh, Aunt..." She said as she slowly walked over, "Y-Your belly is so big..." 

Helaena nodded, "Yes, the child is growing by the day." She said, "It is something, I will tell you.....bearing a child....it could be tiring but I have great help, including your Mother.." 

"Mother tells me you believe it will be a son." Aemma said, "Is that true?" 

"I have dreamt it." Helaena told her, "It will be a son that will come, one that will be loved by us all." 

Aemma smiled, "Yes...." She said, "I cannot wait...a cousin...." 

"You already have one." Rhaenyra said, "Is the young Jaehaerys not enough for you, Aemma?" 

"I do not mind Jaehaerys...." Aemma said, "But Uncle Aegon smothers him too much and I rarely have time to see him." 

"I see...." Rhaenyra said

Aemma leaned down over Helaena's stomach, "M-May I, Aunt?" 

Helaena nodded, "Sure." 

Aemma gently patted her stomach, "Incredible...I can feel the child in there....oh, was that a kick?" She asked with a smile, "I am happy for you, Aunt. You deserve to have a child that makes you happy...." 

"Thank you, Aemma." Helaena said with a smile

"So.....Uncle..." Aemma said as she was looking at her belly

"Hm?" I asked

"When are you giving Mother another child?" She asked so suddenly

I looked at her with a surprised look, a bit speechless at the question. I did not know how to react to a question like that. 

"A-Aemma...!" Rhaenyra exclaimed

"What?" Aemma asked as she straightened up, "You are married to him, no? It is logical that you give him a child." 

"I-I....uhm....." I said, flustered, "I do not know....well....I...." 

Helaena grabbed my hand, "Breathe, love." She said with a chuckle

"You told me things are getting better, right?" Aemma asked me, "I can only imagine that Mother will be well....a mother soon...." 

"Aemma, now is not appropriate to ask such questions." Rhaenyra said firmly, "Helaena is with child. If Baelon does not wish to bed me, it is his choice. We are married in appearances only..." 

"Mother...." Aemma said, "You cannot lie to me....you love him...." 

Rhaenyra closed his eyes, "T-that does not matter, young lady." She said, "Enough of this topic. Come, let us go get your room settled. You are to stay here for a couple of days and you will be escorted by Baelon back to King's Landing." 

Rhaenyra grabbed her hand and walked away, pulling her alongside her. 

"I will see you later, Aunt!" Aemma said with a smile

"Yes, Aemma." Helaena chuckled

"Hm....." I said with a serious expression as Rhaenyra left with Aemma, "That girl...." 

It was not something I expected someone to ask me. I could not help but feel very awkward at that question. 

"What?" Helaena said as she leaned closer to me, pressing herself to my chest, "Is there a problem?" 

"Not really." I said, "I did not expect her to ask that." 

"It is a valid question." She said softly, "Rhaenyra and I speak....she is still fertile..." 

"I do not think of that." I said simply, "I do not want to." 

"I understand." She said, "I will give it time." 

"Hm? Will you pressure me in the future?" I asked with a chuckle

"Mayhaps." She said as she rubbed my chest

"I find it baffling how supportive you are of this...." I said

"I will not repeat myself, Baelon." She said, "She is your wife as well. You should love and cherish her." 

"Hm...." I said

"We already decided that whatever happens in Dragonstone, stays in Dragonstone." She reminded me, "We will keep appearances outside of the island...but inside, we are comfortable. Aemma already felt comfortable and began asking expected questions. You should give her an answer." 

"It is not up to me." I said

"Rhaenyra feels like it is." Helaena said

I sighed, "I will think about it." 

"I know she weeps at night." She said softly, "She misses her sons." 

"I know." I said with a frown, "I cannot do much about it." 

"Comfort her." She told me, "She needs it." 

"I understand." I said, "I do, I comfort her. But you know that I will put you first." 

"There is no need to." She told me, "I love her, she is important to me. I want her to be loved as well, Baelon. That is why I am this supportive....that is why I never had a problem with that possibility. That is why I wanted this to happen...." 

"Her marrying me?" I asked her

She nodded, "Yes." 

"I see...." I said, "And you love me as well...." 

"Of course." She told me, "To say that this is complicated would be an understatement." 

"It is...." I said, "But we can work with it." 

"Yes...." She said, "We can....." 

"We finally have something good, Baelon."