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beautifulsnake2162020 · 2 years ago

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Higher Intervention: Aemond x FemReader (House of the Dragon x Sandman fanfic) Part 9

Disclaimer: This is a fanwork to show appreciation for the intellectual properties used. I also haven’t read Fire and Blood and most if not all that I know is from the TV show.

Gif by merlinaddams

Premise: Alys Velaryon, older twin sister of Jace Velaryon is the only member among Rhaenyra’s children whom Aemond cannot completely hate. As their love story progresses, a newer and larger threat complicates things and reveals discoveries that neither the greens or the blacks had ever imagined.

AN: This is one of the chapters that I was looking forward to writing (because everything is starting to come together and revelations are going to be made). Like the last scene from Part 8 plenty scenes from this was the reason I was inspired to write this story.

If you wish to read the previous parts (which I recommend you do if you haven’t read them yet):

Part 1 / Part 2/ Part 3/ Part 4/ Part 5 / Part 6 / Part 7 / Part 8

Taglist (comment down below if you want to be included): @winxschester @memento-mora @mxrgodsstuff @thepowerstoner

Also tagging:

@lady-phasma @aemonds-war-crime @adderess @princeaemonds because some of their ideas of Aemond have undoubtedly influenced my work.

"You haven't done anything. You are not obligated to force yourself to feel anything for them." Aemond tells you as you carry a basket with all three sleeping dragons inside it laying on top of a few layers of napkins. There was no denying that as they still sleep waiting to be awakened by you that though their creation was not ideal, they were innocent and adorable.

"Why - why must this happen to us? Am I not allowed to be happy for once?"

"Don't - don't do this to yourself raqiarzy. I'm not losing you again. You heard the Storm God last night, Balerion is the only God who has survived the Doom of Valyria. That means even he can be destroyed."

You both enter the private dining hall, the same place where long ago the King made his attempt at trying to make peace with both sides of a divided family. The same night that Larys Strong drugged you and somehow placed you Criston Cole's bed.

Sensing your anxiety, Aemond puts a hand in the small of your back. Rubbing that spot until you had calmed down a bit as you relaxed your grip a little bit on the handle of the basket.

"Ready?" You nod, and he opens the door going in. The layout was generally the same with some tables added in. Corlys, Rhaenys, and Daeron now joined you, as well as some Hightower relatives that you had yet to be familiar with.

This time instead of Aegon it was your beloved Aemond sitting to your left as you sit across the King and Jace sits to your right with Baela to his own right.

However this wasn't a dinner gathering. You all had dinner before coming here.

This was a discussion on what happened last night and what to do about it.

First you explained your first discovery of your powers and abilities. But because it would have been more dangerous to admit it to anyone you tried to find the solution on your own and that in Dragonstone you found a prayer book to Balerion. How you have been praying to him ever since you were 16 and how it seemed your prayers just remained unanswered.

"When I first arrived here and once I've settled in I rushed to the library to see if there was anything that could help me control my powers over fire. It was getting frightening for me because of how unpredictable my control over it was. It was why I always went around with a napkin in my pocket because I don't know if the next time I sneezed sparks - which I guess was lightning now - would fly out and may injure someone. And as I found out about the God of the Heavens based on what literature we have on Saathi culture, that was when Ser Ion - Balerion...first introduced himself to me in his form. You all know how I was introduced to Ser Arari - I mean the Storm God...and Ser Kormy...the Red God."

"Have you prayed to the Red God?"

"Only a few prayers my Queen. But I thought they just went unanswered just like my prayers to Balerion. I didn't know who else to turn to and all of you were busy plotting against each other. Possessing dragons to be used against each other was dangerous enough, what more someone who has abilities over controlling the energy in blood, but who lacks control over her fire and lightning abilities?"

"Then why did you confide these things to my nephew and not to us?"

"She confided in me after I promised not to reveal it to anyone. And had we continued fighting I have no plans on her getting involved since it is because of her gifts that my father is still with us now."

"Alys...did you know of their feelings for you?"

"Only Ser Kor-the Red God's admiration for me. He has had that since we first met but I didn't return them and I turned him down as gently as I could. For the other two, Ser Arari just nodded when I rejected him and silently turned around despite me saying that we could still be friends. And Ser Ion ... Balerion was really upset but I tried to explain that he's an important friend by being one of my confidants here in court. I - I don't know what else to tell them mother."

"And now the realm is at risk once again. All three of them have offered to make you a Goddess."

"With all due respect Lord Hightower, I don't desire any of them. I don't even desire being a Goddess. What scares me is the power they have over things that can hurt us and this realm."

"In hindsight perhaps had we noticed earlier perhaps we could have been of more help to you. I'm sorry for this granddaughter and son."

"But let me ask - just so we're clear. Who would you choose if you didn't have anything to fear?"

Everyone anticipates the answer.

"I would still choose Aemond my Queen. It had always been Aemond. "

The Queen sighs in relief.

"Are you satisfied mother?"

"I am."

"Now." Daemon begins as he stares at the basket.

"What do we do about your nameday dragons from your suitors?"

"Father they're just babies! I haven't given them the command to wake up and start living." You couldn't help but put an arm around the basket to bring it closer to you. Almost like a mother putting a hand on her womb.

"I agree, Daemon they are harmless."

"For now."

"It seems your Step-father has not observed that your three new dragons are literally made for you."

"And it seems the hand here has not observed that these are not just ordinary dragons that has been given to my daughter."

"Otto, Daemon, please!" The King says as he ends the on going infighting between the hand.

"Am I to understand Alys, that they remain asleep and has only been sleeping?" Lord Corlys asks finally joining in the discussion.

"Yes, it seems that way grandfather. It seems they don't need food or anything more, and they don't appear to be growing. But it's just been one day so far."

"What are you getting at Corlys?"

"Your grace I believe that as long as they remain asleep, her nameday dragons are harmless. There are more pressing concerns that we should prepare for like the Storm God's ice dragons. An entire species of dragons that no dragonrider here has any experience with." An ominous tension arrives in the room. He had a point, while all dragonriders here have experience with fire breathing dragons, last night was the first confirmation that ice dragons were real and allegedly could be giant.

After all one of your baby dragons was an ice dragon. Unlike ordinary snow or ice, this divine ice did not melt away.

"We'll need to begin gathering everything we can about Ice dragons."

"We'll also have to choose carefully whom we get such information from." Princess Rhaenys added.

"What has the Storm God shared with you Alys?" She asks, or rather she orders you to say it but it was veiled through a question.

"The Saathi and Loreth have mages that specialize in lightning and ice magic. He hasn't told me about the ice dragons but he has shared that it is because of these mages that the Saathi were able to thrive in such harsh environments without much access to animals that provide fur, unlike the wildlings beyond the wall or our Northmen here."

"Speaking of Northmen I propose we also invite Lord Cregan Stark in this discussion." Jace says, speaking for the first time that night.

"Your drinking buddy?" Aegon asks in disbelief.

"He's the leader of the house which leads the North. If anyone knows how to deal with harsh winter environments, it's going to be him. If we get him involved, plenty of the northern houses will follow."

"We will also need to start recruiting magic users as well." Rhaena joins in.

"Especially the ones who have experience dealing with each of her Divine suitors."

"Tsch and you think mere mortal mages could protect us from their wrath once Alys rejects them?" Daemon brings up a good point. That was also one of your fears, the repurcussions to either the realm or to everyone else. If it was just you then you believe you could endure it. But knowing the stories involving the wrath of Gods...

"It's better than nothing father."

"Have you not heard the Storm God's offer to your sister last night? He offered her the sky. How are we going to hide anything from there?"

Sky.

"Do you see the sky?" You hear a familiar voice say in your mind as everyone else begins discussing and arguing.

Your instincts were trying to tell you something.

"Alys?" You hear Aemond call back to you.

"Alys? Are you still with us?" Your mother asks gently but firmly.

"I - I think I need to see something in the window for awhile. I don't know why my instincts are telling me this. Excuse me." You hear them continue their discussion while feeling Aemond's gaze on you. You turn and nod to him, and after your assurance he joins back in the discussion.

Once you reach the window and gaze at the dark star filled sky you take a breath.

Focus.

Allow the memory to flow through you.

Soon it didn't take long.

Like where you were now, you were gazing at the dark star filled sky.

"Do you see the sky?"

"Yes daddy it's so beautiful!" You were a little girl and you felt him carry you with ease in his arm.

"Would you like to add more stars?"

"Yes daddy! Oh and can you make them into an elephant? Or or a dog?" You hear him chuckle as warmth and familiarity now flood your heart and being.

"There is already a dog and elephant Jessamy."

"Huh? But I couldn't see it!"

"Here, imagine the dots being connected." He uses his pointer finger from his free hand to draw imaginary lines connecting the stars to each other.

"Hmm I'm trying."

"Oh beloved just make a clearer picture." You hear her now very familiar voice.

"Mommy! Mommy can you sing the star song again?" You feel yourself ask as his arms carry you back to a very familiar woman.

"Twinkle twinkle little-"

"No mommy. The other one." She laughs a very familiar laugh as she joins you two gazing out the window. As he brings out a black pouch in your periphery.

🎵"Look at the stars Look how they shine for you And everything you do Yeah, they were all yellow"🎵

She puts you on her lap as she makes you face him and the window showing the night sky.

🎵"I came along I wrote a song for you And all the things you do And it was called Yellow"🎵

🎵"So then I took my turn Oh, what a thing to have done And it was all yellow"🎵

You remember watching him in amazement as he turns the sand into stardust.

🎵"Your skin, oh yeah, your skin and bones Turn into something beautiful And you know, you know I love you so You know I love you so"🎵

🎵"I swam across I jumped across for you Oh, what a thing to do 'Cause you were all yellow"🎵

🎵"I drew a line I drew a line for you Oh, what a thing to do And it was all yellow"🎵

Like the artist he was he begins painting a clearer picture in the star filled sky. In your waking life you were taught that it's the Universe who made the stars. But here in the Dreaming, anything was possible.

🎵"And your skin, oh yeah, your skin and bones Turn into something beautiful And you know, for you, I'd bleed myself dry For you, I'd bleed myself dry"🎵

You could see it now. The Elephant and the dog made up of stars in the sky.

🎵"It's true Look how they shine for you Look how they shine for you Look how they shine for Look how they shine for you Look how they shine for you Look how they shine"🎵

In the Waking world, the stars didn't move as fast. But here in the dreaming your father was able to make them move. And make the Elephant and the dog play together like in your favorite cartoons.

🎵"Look at the stars Look how they shine for you And all the things that you do"🎵

"Do you see them now Jessamy?" He asks you with a happy expression on his face. It's in one of these moments that you could also see the stars in eyes.

"Yes daddy. I love you so much!"

"Don't you love me too?"

"Yes mommy, I love you just as much as I love daddy. I'm half of both of you!"

You feel the memory end as you hear their laughter fade away.

And you feel yourself cry.

They were watching and guiding you all this time.

You were never alone. All you had to do was to dream.

No, you need to hold back your tears, you can't let your mortal family and your beloved be worried again.

"Your grace, the Holy women have arrived."

"Send them in."

You hear their footsteps as you finally remember your name.

You take your time to compose yourself. Making sure that the tears you've shed did not leave any stains and that your heart calmed down.

"There are a few questions we would like to ask you three."

It was then that you turned towards them.

Now you know why they seemed so familiar.

"The Three who are one."

Everyone turns to you puzzled.

Everyone except the Holy women.

"You just remembered who you are haven't you?" Reyna - the mother figure inquires with a knowing look.

"Alys, what is she talking about?" The King asks.

"We will let her explain before we answer any questions." Agnes - the crone says with authority. No one dared question her order. You go back and stand in between your family and the Holy women.

"This is going to sound crazy."

"Alys, three Gods proposed to you yesterday. How can it get any crazier than that." Aegon says as he takes another drink of his wine.

Aemond gives a brief glare at him then he goes to you.

"Whatever it is I'll be here."

"We are dealing with very unusual circumstances and we will need to know as much as we can." Corlys says as encouragingly as he could while also leaving no room for evading it.

And so right then and there you tell them about your dreams. Your dreams and your memories that have been returning back to you ever since your powers came to you.

"So what you're saying is you're a Goddess?" Luce asks as he struggles to comprehend what you are.

"She's more than that. She is an Endless. The personification of the forces of nature." Kara - the maiden clarifies.

"Gods and Goddesses are a mortal concept. They need beliefs to stay alive, your sister doesn't need anyone to worship her."

"After all she is the very life force of the Universe." The mother adds.

"Reborn in this lifetime in a mortal shell." The crone quickly says as the three of them now turn to you.

"Just to be sure"

"Do you"

"Remember your name?"

You nod before straightening your back.

"Vitality, Vitality of the Endless."

Suddenly the entire place changed. That's not the unusual part for you. By now you were more used to it than when you began.

What was unusual was all of your family to also join you.

"What is this? Where have you taken us?"

"Don't panic."

"This is her memory."

"One that you should all witness."

And there you were in all your Endless glory.

Pure energy, and yet very much human.

Or at least human like.

You were standing on front of Balerion, and behind him was one of his blood experiments.

The very reason why you are here.

"Don't bother hiding it from me Balerion. I already saw it. And long before then I had already sensed it." He smirks as he turns to face you.

"You are not going to do anything to me."

"You have used the very gift I gave you to violate my own laws!" He doesn't bother looking guilty.

"Why is it that when a mortal does it, it's called an experiment. But when I do it you're treating it as if I'm breaking the very laws of nature."

"Because you are. There is a reason why the dead must remain dead. The vitality in them has begun it's cycle of returning to the environment. By doing this you are breaking that flow and cycle."

"Then why is it that in your home dimension - as you call it - there is a being named Jesus Christ whose main appeal is that he has resurrected after being dead for three days!"

"Jesus Christ had Divine vitality before he died. That's why he didn't break the laws of vitality when he came back to life. I've told you before Balerion that if you want to deal with resurrection you can only do so by giving Divine vitality either long before a mortal dies or on the brink of their death. You can no longer give life to what are now bones of various creatures that are mixed together no matter how much blood and fire you use."

"Then what are you going to do? I'm not like all your other offenders. I am a God, and if you want to punish me you will have to punish my followers and worshippers too."

"That's not necessarily the case and you know it. I shall take back the gift of fire and energy that I have given you long before -"

"Glaesēt! Wait" Queen Meraxes puts herself on front of you. In your periphery you could see how your family becomes curious as to who she is.

"Meraxes, please move. Your son has broken my laws, I came as quickly as I could when Syrax called me through her sigil of the crossroads."

"Glaesēt please spare him. Let me take care of it. He shall be punished under Valyrian customs, please - please don't punish him under the laws of the Endless." You feel your heart breaking as you watch this from retrospect.

She was one of your best friends.

And she was doing her job - protecting her family.

"Please Glaesēt, for the sake of our love and friendship, spare him. Vhagar will personally make sure that he suffers the consequences of breaking your laws. Please - please don't destroy my son." You feel the tears that you tried to hold back. You remember this part a little too well.

"There will be consequences whether it is by my hand or not. At least if he were punished by my hand it would only be him who shall suffer."

"Glaesēt, please, he is the first immortal who has broken your laws. We Gods have to hold ourselves to a higher standard. If someone needs to be punished then punish me! His own mother! Punish me for allowing this to happen." You shake your head at her as you retort.

"You didn't know this was happening Meraxes, I won't let you suffer the consequences of his actions."

"Glaesēt, please let him suffer according to the hands of Destiny, your own grandfather."

You take a moment of consideration.

Looking back now you really shouldn't have hesitated.

"Please don't kill him Glaesēt. I will more than allow Destiny's design to be the one to punish him for his blood experiments."

"And what if Destiny puts me in that position? Will you stop me then from punishing him like how you are doing now?"

"If Destiny's design will put you in such position, then I shall not interfere."

And with a flash you all are back in the dining room.

All except the Holy women.

The three who are one.

Fortunately everyone decided to retire. Probably to digest what was discussed and revealed.

That night you were too exhausted to actively dream. But you also once again give and respond the mysterious cries for help that has been calling you. Now that you had remember most of who you are, you realize that these cries for help had been asking for your help by needing any life force you can give. This happened almost daily and it actually helped prevent you from being overpowered.

Which was why you awaken in shock and surprise as your handmaidens were pressing themselves in the corners of the room.

"Vereena? Kayla? What's going on?"

"We don't know my lady!" Vereena says as she embraces the basket where your sleeping dragons lay. She tries calming herself by focusing on the sleeping dragons. You couldn't blame her, they were adorable as they were just sleeping. And even the most reluctant person might be tempted to pet them.

"We were just preparing to help you dress when we heard noises coming from your dragon eggs boxes!"

You slowly go to the boxes where there were indeed noises. As you go closer you began to hear what seems like...children talking?

"It's still so dark!"

"OUCH! You're stepping on my tail!"

"Oh sorry!"

"Maybe I should just go back to sleep."

"Let me climb on your back, maybe I can open this thing."

"It's still too high. SOMEONE HELP!"

Deciding to take a chance you open the boxes and are met with the surprise of your life.

Six new baby dragons.

Who can talk.

They were all smaller than the average dragon hatchling.

But they can talk.

First in the box of four dragon eggs that Aemond had leant you long ago. Or maybe he had secretly intended of actually making them actual engagement gifts for you.

One dragon had a short neck compared to the proportion of its torso. It was white in an almost translucent way with black speckles all over.

Then there was a dragon in vibrant kastra colors with a notably long tail. It's scale's shifting color depending on the angle you see it. From blue to green then back to blue. It had white spikes on its dorsal area.

Beside it was a red dragon also with spikes not just on its dorsal area but also on its head just behind what would be the ear area. This time the spikes were black and on its sides and on the outline on its black wings was gold. Speaking of wings this dragon seemed to have the largest wings out of everyone in its box.

Last but not the least from this box was a black dragon with silver patterns in various spots on its body. Compared to its siblings it was the largest in the group of little ones. Another notable thing was that its tail was whiplike.

Next in the box containing the dragon egg that you were given and that you had kept. Was a hatchling whose colors were white and gold with red spikes and horns on its head. Notably the horns were small - or maybe small for now - and it was almost arranged like a tiny crown on its head.

And finally from Rhaena's box was a golden dragon with a light violet underbelly. It was smaller than all the others. Almost delicately snakelike.

"Hello?"

"Oh it's the voice!"

"The one that helped us?"

"Yes, she's the one who helped us hatch."

"Muña!"

"Mama!"

"Mommy!"

"Oh wait a moment dears. Kayla can you please find another basket?"

"Yes my lady." She says as she rushes out in a hurry. Vereena has settled on the farthest part of the couch still craddling the basket containing the three sleeping dragons.

"Now, who told you that I was your mother?"

"The person with a hood and the book." Replied the black and silver little dragon.

"And then when we began going into a very nice place, there's a lady with wavy black hair that says you are our mama because you gave us energy and strength to hatch!" Says the white and gold dragon from your dragon egg.

So your mother and grandfather Destiny were the ones who told them. You don't understand the logic now, but given recent events you knew better than to question it.

"Oh Issa! They said that we were mōrqitta and our souls came from you." Says the Red dragon with black wings with gold highlights.

"I see."

"My lady, here's the basket. And his Highness is just outside your door with your parents, and the Queen." Kayla says as she gives you the larger basket.

"Wait what are they doing outside?"

"Um, they might have heard Vereena and I shriek earlier and might have thought that you were in danger."

"We're sorry my lady."

"It's fine girls. Prepare my dress for the day. Byki zaldrīzoti, I'll be putting you inside this basket and we'll be having some visitors once I'm ready to meet them alright?"

"Issa!" "Issa muña!"

You then gather your new dragon children and very gently place them inside. You were thankful that you didn't have an attire that required formality with more layers and you could be decent with just a few.

"Alys? Alys are you fine?" Your mother asks knocking on the door.

"We heard your ladies shriek earlier."

"I'm decent now mother. You may come in, we just had a surprise this morning."

They come inside and as expected were puzzled and shocked by seeing six very awake and very new dragons.

"Before you say anything, I am just as startled as all of you. And the three sleeping dragons are over here." You say as Vereena shows them the three sleeping dragons on the basket she has been holding.

"They hatched?"

"Issa and it took SO long." The translucent white dragon with black speckling says.

You were mildly amused by their expressions when they hear this.

"You can talk little one?" Your mother asks as she goes closer.

"Issa, why does everyone keep asking that?"

"Maybe it's because you bit my tail!"

"I thought it was an egg shell!"

"Zaldrizoti." You say with a firm tone, trying to imitate either of your mothers whenever you and your siblings would be squabbling.

Fortunately that did the trick as the white and black dragon and the kastra dragon settled down.

"Vaoreznuni muña." "Sorry mama"

"Mama?" Aemond asks you with an amused expression. You couldn't help but roll your eyes a little bit.

"I have no idea how I did it. But somehow ever since I awoke from my fiery rest I've been hearing some voices calling for help and since I had plenty of excess energy, I sent it to them almost everyday. And today they hatched."

"The hooded man with the book said that you were feeding us vitality. I don't know what that is but it felt really good." The tiny gold and delicate dragon said as she looks at the Queen in curiosity.

"What's that on your head?" The gold dragon asks her.

"Oh this?" The Queen asks as she points to the crown she was wearing.

"Are those your horns?"

Oh no.

Of all the people that had to be asked, it was the Queen and your future mother-in-law.

And of course your father was chuckling.

"You know, I'm beginning to like my dragon grandchildren."

"I'm so sorry your grace -"

"It's fine Alys, they are just children. It's not horns, it's called a crown."

"My lady the morning meal is ready. Your Grace, your Highness, Princess, Prince."

"Thank you Kayla."

"Alys I'll carry the basket with my talkative grandchildren. Why don't you carry the one with the ones still sleeping."

"Take care of them mother."

"What's talkative?"

You let them go ahead while you and Aemond take your time. You carried the basket with the divinely sleeping dragons gently rocking them.

"How are you my love? Now that you know my otherworldly nature. And that's only a day after I find out that three Gods want to marry me."

"If you think that's supposed to scare me, then it's failing. And learning of your other nature - at first I thought I would be overwhelmed, but I'm not. It explains why you've had the foresight to know that our infighting would lead to nowhere."

"Given how my current abilities are only a fraction of my actual power without my mortal shell, I'm quite relieved at how unphased you are." He leads you down a dark corner where you two share a deep kiss.

"I'm not going to lie." He says as he begins kissing the side of your lips giving you a moment to breathe.

"I'm looking forward to making love with someone who is practically a powerful immortal."

"You were about to say Goddess weren't you?" You tease as you pull him back for one last deep kiss. Teasing him even more as you decide to suck the tip of his tongue with yours.

"Mmm, careful now the children are sleeping." He says before sucking on your bottom lip.

"I just wanted to show my affection. Sadly you can't visit me now that I have curious little ones in my room."

"We don't have to do anything scandalous. If I visit and exchange a few kisses here and there while bonding with my future children, they might as well get used to it."

He leads you back in the public path.

"Something still doesn't make sense to me. Why do they think offering me immortality would make me choose them? I return back to my Endless self at the moment I die. Why offer me something that I already have?"

"They must not know. They believe that you are just a mortal with extraordinary power."

"Assuming that they don't know - why go after me? There are plenty of other mortals who also have powers. What about me that would make a God desire-"

Then your eyes light up.

Oh of course.

"Realized something?"

"Let's just say you and the rest of my family might be seeing more of my Endless family a little sooner than you might expect. I think I know who is behind this."

"How soon?"

"Possibly tonight - or however soon I can put the little ones to sleep. I don't want them anywhere near in case something should happen."

"Why not put Vereena and Kayla in charge? They're your handmaidens and I think the byki zaldrizoti would work their charm on them, they love children."

"Hmm true."

Later that night, after putting Vereena and Kayla in charge of taking care of all baby dragons - both talking and sleeping - all of you, except the King who had to rest, head to the courtyard. You initially wanted to do it on your own but they all insisted. Aemond you could understand, but your siblings, Daeron and Aegon? That was a surprise.

You return to the very place that you used to train with your divine suitors in both fire and lightning. It's hard to believe that now those are just memories.

"I don't know what will happen but just be ready for possible combat."

"What are you going to do?" You light up a fire that had sparks of lightning flowing through it in your hand.

"I'll be talking to a relative of mine your Grace. Someone whom I suspect has been behind this all along."

You turn around them and clear your mind.

Using the energy from your source you wave your hand from left to right then right to left slightly below it.

And your gallery emerges from the energy you used to summon it. One set of picture frames containing various floating sigils of your parents and the first generation of the Endless was on top. The other set slightly below held the sigils of your four siblings.

"Wha-what is -?"

"These are the sigils of all the members of the Endless. Except for mine since this is my gallery." You turn to them to give one final reminder.

"When in doubt please follow my lead alright?" After confirming that they've all understood. Lingering longer with Aemond to tell him without words that if anything should happen he's in charge. His expression confirms this and you now begin the part you've been dreading.

One final breath before you reach for the heart shaped sigil.

"Desire, it is I your niece, Vitality. I stand in my gallery as I hold your sigil. I have a few questions for you."

A large fire grows covering the space of the picture frame.

And then Desire's smirking face appears through the flames.

"My oh my how are you my dear sweet niece? Considering that you're calling me this way, it could only mean you got your memories back. Congratulations are in order."

"Thank you - but that is not why I'm calling you."

"Then allow me to open up a portal so that we can talk here in my chambers."

"No, I learned my lesson last time I went there unprepared."

"Then I shall go where you are."

"That's not ne-"

"Now." They speak behind you startling you. Here was the personification of Desire, attractive to all by their very nature. The fact that they were here in the same space with you and your family made this situation more dangerous.

"Well well look at my handy work. Not too much, not too little, just the perfect midpoint to make plenty...desire over you."

"So you did this to me?"

"Oh don't worry you were already beautiful. With Life incarnate as your mother I'm not surprised. I just made sure that you were irresistable to your three divine suitors." You were uneasy, Desire was not normally this forthcoming.

"Why?" At this, they chuckled sinisterly.

"Why? It's simple really. They thought they were immune to my powers. My powers of passion and urges, and impulses. Hahaha and they thought that they would never fall for a mortal. And now thanks to you, my point to them is about to be made."

"About to? They have all proposed to me when I have already told them that I don't desire any of them."

"Exactly." Their chuckle becoming more and more sinister.

"They all thought they were immune, and they are now about to be rejected by the very person they all want."

"And then I come in." You turn around to see a large woman placing a hook on her cheek.

"Despair."

"I'm excited to see you reject them Vitality. And my powers shall come over them and their followers, wanting to tear you apart for making their Gods serve you and not them."

"You - you two. You have made me both Helen and Paris! No matter what choice I make there's war?! When I've already done Destiny's task of preventing the infighting from escalating?!"

"Oh but sweet niece, you have already made your choice haven't you." Desire turns you to face Aemond who was quietly analyzing the situation.

"I can feel his urge to protect you from me, even though he could never harm me. And your feelings for each other match up so well. It would be a shame if I were to make any changes."

"Enough Desire." You hear a voice that you'd never thought you would hear.

"Why if it isn't Life, my big brother Dream's beautiful anomaly. Have you finally tired of my brother?" Your other mother, Life incarnate emerges from the shadows in all her Endless glory.

"Despair, release them from your existential and paralyzing dread. Desire, release my daughter. You both got what you wanted now go."

"But I still want more."

"You'll get more in the war."

"And what if I want it now."

"Then you will also have to deal with me." You hear the Sandman - your father's voice surround the courtyard. His normally enticing dreamlike voice now held the danger of one of his nightmares.

"Scared to show yourself brother?"

"No."

And then a gust of sand covered the room. But your eyes were strangely - or not so strangely- covered from the worst of it.

You find yourself transported back into the bedroom. All your dragons were asleep and your handmaidens have already left.

You feel drowsy, but you weren't afraid anymore.

After all your father just saved you.

You allow yourself to be brought into sleep.

Strange.

This felt like a memory.

But it wasn't yours.

You were in a dark and firey place.

Your father enters the room and the large imposing winged figure turns to him and shows of control over the central fire.

"Hello Dream."

"Greetings to you Lucifer Morningstar. And to you Mazikeen of the Lilim."

A figure revealing it's half-faced deformity turns to him.

"Greetings Dream Lord."

Now you know which memory of his is this.

He had just freed himself from imprisonment and went on a journey to recover his three items of authority that was stolen from him. This was why he descended to Hell. He had recovered his pouch of sand, and is now going to recover his helm. He had to engage in a duel with Lucifer Morningstar.

"As the challenged, I set the meter and take the first move." Lucifer says now dressed for battle.

"Very well." Your father says with confidence. Similarly dressed for the duel.

"Make your move." While you have heard of him tell this story to you and your siblings, you couldn't help but get excited to see how it went.

"I am...a dire wolf. Prey - stalking, lethal prowler." Lucifer says at ease.

Momentarily the image of a dire wolf emerging from the darkness was shown in your mind.

"I am a hunter. Horse - mounted, wolf - stabbing."

An image of a hunter using his arrow shooting at the wolf.

Then showing Lucifer being stabbed on the chest.

Your father waits, preparing himself as Lucifer straightens back up. Face filled with contempt.

"I am a serpent. Horse-biting, poisoned toothed."

You were now less interested in the images that momentarily popped up showing the action. You were now more concerned as your father showed signs of being visibly poisoned.

"I am a bird of prey. Snake - devouring, talons - ripping."

And on Lucifer's cheek now lay talon scratchmarks across their cheek.

"I am a butcher bacterium. Warm-life destroying."

Your father falls down as his flesh was being devoured by bacteria. You wish you could help him but then you recalled that this was a memory.

"I am a world. Space - floating, life - nurturing."

"I am a nova. All - exploding, planet cremating."

Your father was burned. You were scared for him and wonder how he could return and fight back."

"I am a universe. All things encompassing, all life embracing."

Similar to one of your own memories of the Universe the image shown into your mind gave you a sense of wonder at the universe existing at all.

"I am anti-life. The beast of judgment the dark at the end of everything."

You were submerged in darkness as you suddenly feel overwhelmed with the sensations you were experiencing. You feel paralyzed in place.

"What will you be then, Dream Lord?"

A raven goes by your father's side. Matthew, one of your old baby - sitters in your lifetime as Jessamy Rizmon. He was helping and encouraging him as Lucifer taunts him.

"What can survive the anti - life?"

Your father looks at Lucifer and a realization comes to him after Matthew's encouragement.

"I am..." He stands up and looks at Lucifer.

"Hope." The room brightens and he returns to his normal self.

"Hope?" Lucifer repeats in dread.

"Well, Lightbringer? It's your move. What is it that kills hope?"

Lucifer relents and orders that your father's helm be returned to him. To get back at him Lucifer taunts him one last time.

"What power have dreams have in Hell?"

Your father smirks.

"...But to say that dreams have no power in Hell? Tell me Lucifer Morningstar, what power would Hell have if those who were imprisoned were not able to dream of Heaven?"

And then you awaken.

And you discover that it was a shared dream.

"After we were covered in sand I found myself back in my chambers." Aemond tells you as he escorts you to the dining room.

"The Dream Lord in my dreams duelling a being called Lucifer Morningstar in Hell. He's your father, isn't he."

"Yes, he is. I'm surprised that this was a shared dream, he normally doesn't do this."

Apparently he did this to everyone with whom he covered with sand to protect them against Desire and Despair. Despair was getting sneakier with her powers. She avoided touching you so you didn't notice that nearly everyone was gripped in despair. You only noticed when your Immortal mother ordered her to stop.

"Well, that solves the mystery of Priestess Kara's words." Your mother, the Princess Rhaenyra, says over the morning meal.

"It actually explains a lot of things." The Queen says as she breaks her bread and helps the King with his meal.

"Alys, you have a very powerful father! Now I want to meet him."

"Then after this meal you can go back to sleep Daeron. That's practically his domain."

"If you want I could tell that to Morpheus directly." Everyone pauses as they hear a voice. Seemingly from nowhere until a raven flies directly on front of you.

"Good morning Matthew."

"Good morning Vitality. Or do you want me to call you Alys? I just figured since you know, you now remember maybe it would be okay to finally call you that."

"It's fine, but maybe save 'Vitality' for when we are in private."

"A talking bird? It's real?" Jace asks trying to wake himself up.

"Technically I'm a dream. And my pronouns are he - him."

"You don't need to say that here Matthew."

"I just wanted to be sure. Oh hey you must be Aemond, Vitality's boyfriend right?"

You wanted to die of embarassment right then and there. Aemond turns to you amused and teasing.

"Boyfriend?"

"It's a term from a very long time from now. Matthew please use era appropriate terms. Aemond and I are already engaged now."

"Oh my bad. Let me try again. You must be Vitality's lover."

You face becomes hot as you could hear your beloved smirking as he chuckle.

"Yes, that would be me."

"On second thought Matthew, go ahead and just use boyfriend. Wait - why are you here?"

"Oh yeah yeah, your parents told me, to tell you to stop delaying the inevitable and tell your God suitors that you don't want any of them. They can't threaten or make themselves known to them until you do. Strike while the iron is hot so that they may finally be more present during the war preparations. Take advantage of them not really knowing you. That's all, now I'm going to go on my smoke break."

"Thank you Matthew. And smoking is bad for your health!"

"I was just joking! I'm not going to smoke, I'm going to vape." He says as he flies off.

"Do I want to know?" Aemond asks teasingly.

"You're better off not knowing."

But they were right, the sooner you could end this the better.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: This is one of my shorter chapters but I hope it was still good for all of you.

1.) Yellow is made by coldplay and the cover that I was thinking off while writing was by Kinna Grannis;

2.) The baby dragons were fun to write. Expect them to slowly make more appearances (and to finally have names);

3.) The Sandman characters are finally making their proper appearances (I have been waiting for them for awhile now);

4.) As a preview for next chapter - imagine the Driftmark scene wherein alliances become divided. Do you have that in your mind? Yes? Okay now imagine this time instead of the Targaryens, its more of a Godly, and Endless version (I think it's obvious who Desire, Despair, and Dream and my OC Life Incarnate, would choose.)

#Higher Intervention #house of the dragon fanfiction #house of the dragon #hotd #hotd fanfiction #Aemond Targaryen #aemond x fem!reader #aemond x reader #aemond x oc #the sandman #Zaldrizo lentor

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