#jena wylde

[lya-dustin]

All is Bliss

Chapter 39

Cw:mentions of death in childbirth and actual death(aftermath of the Battle of the Gullet)

Taglist: @mercedesdecorazon @darylandbethfanforever9 @aemondx @sweethoneyblossom1 @watercolorskyy @alexandria-millie @ewanmitchellcrumbs

Gif by @nastasyafilippovnas

They need the courtiers, the council and as many lords as they can.

Jena and Samantha brought the young women to her side with ease, but the older generations were very set in their ways.

Aemma had really given it her all with New Year’s Eve gifts, a special mass and ending the celebration with a tasteful feast.

Not that it moved the hags, most of them thought Aemma was too much like her mother to even give her a chance.

Free bread and ale were given to the smallfolk, servants and serfs were given a bonus and whatever complaint the Small Council had against the spending, the young queen would look at her husband or her lover and ask them if they remembered whose bright idea was to split the treasury.

For effect, Jena had recommended that she hold her hand over her belly now that she had begun to show.

And it had worked.

The Casterly Rock reserve had been recalled given the danger it posed to have the Red Craken getting it as he took Lannisport and used to replenish the stores for winter.

And, because Aegon wanted to throw a tourney in a week for Aemma’s eight and tenth nameday and he wanted to be generous to all and give the city something nice to say about him.

A wonderful thing Alicent will return to, a celebration thrown in someone else’s honor and Ser Criston being told that he must crown Aemma because his king commands it.

If Cole knows what’s best for him ---whatever arrangement he has with the Queen Mother hinged on his devotion to her--- he will lose the tilt and let anyone else win.

Jena’s money and emerald bracelet is on Aemond winning.

It’s the sort of bad luck these two lovers have around them like nasty perfume.

“Don’t wait up, darling. Kiss the children goodnight for me.” Jasper said as he hurried out the door and left her with an affectionate kiss on the cheek. “The prince has called for a meeting.”

“Will you tell me about it when you return, my love?” she asked, affixing his cloak on his shoulders before sending him on his way.

She had a hunch that Aemma would not be told of it, battles and things relating to the war are things that bar her from the small council on account of being the enemy’s figurehead.

“I will, make sure Prudence has her unicorn and Olyvar isn’t breaking into my solar again and we have a deal.”

Same deal as always, be the mother of my children, and I will be your coconspirator.

The Triarchy is closing in on the Gullet as they speak.

Sharako Lohar has been sent along with ninety warships to break the blockade and open the trade routes.

He had fought Daemon before, claimed to be behind a tear in Vhagar’s wings when he nearly shot Laena Velaryon out of the sky and promised to have control of the Gullet by the fifth day of the new year.

That was tomorrow.

Aemma’s nameday is the day after that, on the sixth.

Lohar hopes the king will have more than just the queen’s name day to celebrate.

Great fucking gift the Myrman has planned, with any luck he may only bring her brothers as hostages and not trophies.

“I think it would be beneficial for the queen’s health that she be told of this. The surprise may cause a miscarriage.” Orwyle is the only one to ring up the elephant in the room: Aemma. “Give her grace time to come to terms with their deaths instead of having it all done on her nameday of all days.”

It would have been better, but they’d never agree to it.

Aemond would have to be the one to tell her and he can’t face her when it would destroy her to know Lucerys and Jacaerys are dead when he doesn’t truly grieve their loss.

Jena would be the one to tell her, the look he shares with Ironrod says it all.

Oh, fuck.

Can’t even have a normal nameday in this family.

Everyone is acting strange around her, walking on eggshells and treating her as if she might shatter.

She is only turning eight and ten tomorrow. Sure, Daella Targaryen died at that age, but really, the young queen doesn’t know what’s going on with everyone.

Aemond had come to her bed after his meeting last night, not because he wanted to bed her, just to hold her.

For a man who claims not to have a romantic bone in his body, he was quite the romantic.

Jena has been trying to tell her something, but she cannot get a word in edgewise all day.

Now that she is taking a break from having her hair braided, Aemma finally gets to know what she has been trying to say before someone interrupted her.

“My husband and Aemond asked me to tell you before you learn of this tomorrow. The Triarchy has agreed to work with us, apparently Ser Otto sent ravens to them, and they have only just responded.” The blue-eyed woman looks at her with empathy and something that looks like pity.

Aemma hates pity.

“What?” Aemma asked, hoping she heard her wrong or that the fleet is still far far away from here.

“They are taking the Gullet as we speak.” Jena answered and Aemma feels herself grow faint.

But she doesn’t faint, no, she holds on to the back of her chair and prays the Kingdom of the Three Whores takes hostages instead of trophies.

If they were seeking Daemon, he was back at the Riverlands waiting for Aemond to come to him and fall into his trap.

He didn’t even want Aemond, he wanted Criston. Criston who engineered Rook’s Rest. Daemon may have been looked down on by Rhaenys and Corlys after Laena’s death, but Rhaenys still had been his only living cousin.

Fire and Blood extends to vengeance too.

“Where’s Baela, she needs to know as well.” The queen steels herself and has them summon her cousin and stepsister because she has to know that they may lose more family today.

There is smoke in the horizon by the time Baela comes, she spends time in the tiltyard whacking at strawmen with a wooden sword under the watchful eye of Willis Fell and Cousin Daeron.

“I heard already, they have set Spicetown on fire, they say, they say---” Baela cannot say the damn words and crushes her in a tight embrace and says the words they both had been dreading, “--- they, the Myrmen killed Jace.”

[julyzaa]

Share 5 facts about an OC

Okay doing this about my second fave blorbo from my brain(the first will always be Eva)

Thanks btw🩷🩷🩷

Jena Wylde

(Nee Mertyns)

Gif by @nastasyafilippovnas

She was supposed to inherit the Lordship of Mistwood but her father the late Lord Mertyns gambled it away to his nephew and because Otto Hightower was hand during that time, it was ruled as perfectly legal even though it went against most inheritance laws in westeros

She can shoot a crossbow and owns several

Her favorite color is red as it goes well with House Mertyns colors, white and gray

Jena and Jasper Wylde(her second husband)have an unusually healthy relationship despite him being like 15 yeats older than her and her being Aegon’s mistress(and before that Aemond’s)

She totally killed her first husband

[mkhagvwgv]

Brazzers Exxtra - Your Wife Deserves A Good Massage - 03/31/2023

[warsofasoiaf]

Was Daeron II trying to do same as Jon Arryn when he chose brides from Stormlands? I mean as you said crown was probably warning Tyrells with Selyse/Stannis match. So Daeron was warning Baratheons with Aelionor and Jena matchs? Like telling you're still not forgiven,I can still make penrose or dondarrion house paramount.

I think he was trying instead to build ties to the Marcher Lords and other Stormlanders. While the Stormlands aren’t as big a rival to Dorne as the Reach, they still face raids and incursions from Dorne, such as the first Vulture King. After all, the Dondarrions and Swanns are still Marcher lords.

The Stormlands didn’t lose as much from Daeron II’s Dornish incorporation deal, as the Reach were the one who were assigned to be the stewards of Dorne. The Reach might never be reconciled to Daeron, but the Stormlands, who had lost less, might be able to be won over with strategic marriages and appointments, hence the Penrose and Dondarrion marriage, and Ser William Wylde being named to the Kingsguard. It worked too, if the Stormlands had declared for Daemon, there’d be a new house on the Iron Throne.

Though I think the Elaena/Ronnel Penrose match was because the future-Aerys I didn’t consummate his marriage with Aelinor Penrose, thus not producing any Penrose-blooded royals and not putting their blood in the (albeit large) succession pool. Daeron probably wed Elaena to Ronnel to ensure their loyalty for the apparent snubbing of Aelinor. It’s part of his greater Stormlands plan, but there’s also some specific unique circumstances going on there.

Thanks for the question, Anon.

SomethingLikeALawyer, Hand of the King

[lya-dustin]

Random fic ask: what’s an idea you’d like to put in one of your fics that you’re not sure about OR what’s a plot bunny you’ve been kicking around?

thanks for the ask <3

so i guess its a bit of both, it is Jena Merytns-Wylde's backstory and possibly an au where she becomes Alicent's lover and Aegon's Queen in a greens win sort of thing.

I am hesitent because her story is very dark dealing with the effects of child neglect, parent's addictins and sexual assault. it doesnt help that fandom is very weird about women who have ambition and are confident in their sexuality and don't hesitate to do bad shit to get what they want. Jena is very much based off Georgina Dymova from the Great and her introduction in All is Bliss was recieved with alot of misogony and slutshaming because she is also introduced as the royal misstres

[lya-dustin]

The more i look at my part 2 outline the more i see jena wylde x cregan stark.

Like no huge romance, just two ideologically opposite people who have a strong set of morals(as different as they are) who have a fling while Cregan looks for a second wife and Jena makes court a slightly better place

Like look at this

And this

And please tell me you see my vision

[lya-dustin]

💤 SLEEPING SIGN — is your oc a light sleeper or a heavy sleeper? how are their sleeping habits?

🔱 TRIDENT EMBLEM — can your oc swim? do they enjoy swimming?

for the ocs you want to talk about most!

Thanks emily 😘 💙💙

Going with Jena Wylde for this lol

💤- she is a light sleeper which helped a lot growing up with a father who drank and gambled himself to death and poverty.

Her first marriage was comparable to Aegon and Helaena’s on its bad days and Viserys and Alicent on good days, so once her first husband was dead (by her own hand cuz she slowly poisoned him to death and he died riding in her lands) she had the best sleep she's ever had.

Jasper thinks its touching that now she won't hesitate to doze off in his presence as for Jena that is a huge sign of how safe she feels with him.

🔱- Jena can swim. She likes it and could likely swim to safety should her ship sink, but prefers lounging in the beach in a nice chaise in the shade than swimming.

She also accidentally started a rumor that Alicent can't swim because none of the Targtowers are good at it

[lya-dustin]

Growth

Or Aemond breaks up with his mistress/friend with benefits, Lady Jena Wylde but doesn't tell her why.

Takes place in my fic, All is Bliss

Cw: abuse of power, mentions of nonconsenual sex and Aegon being show!Aegon

Thanks @emilykaldwen for the request of "I am sorry that you found out this way"

“Couldn’t you be man enough to say it to my face?” Jena took his book away to make sure she had all his attention.

Aemond had broken things off with her, he’d sent an impersonal message through the page who delivered their correspondence and with Aegon’s permission gave into his desire for his brother’s wife.

“I am sorry that you found out this way.” He apologized out of guilt of tossing Jena, his friend and former lover, out of his life like that.

Normally he wouldn’t have cared, Aemond wasn’t raised to truly care about other people’s feelings especially people his mother doesn’t like.

But Aemma cared, she didn’t like hurting others and he supposed being in her constant company had infected him with empathy.

“You could have told me, instead I am told just as Aegon tells me I am to be his new mistress.” There is no mention of her having consented.

Doesn’t surprise him one bit. Aegon never waited for a yes because it could be a no and knows mother won’t ever dare to stop him because she can’t give grandsire a perfect puppet if she corrected his most heinous habit.

Aemma had admitted she had never even been asked if she wanted to have marital relations with him when he visited her chambers.

If Rhaenyra ordered Aegon’s death when she ascends the throne it might actually be what he deserves.

“I had not expected for Aegon to do that, usually he waits longer and plies ladies with drink to get a drunken yes from them.” The one-eyed prince has never lied to Jena, made no sense to start that now. “I am sorry if this has hurt our friendship, Jen.”

“I suppose I can forgive you, your brother, is well, your brother.”Jena is taken aback by his words, surprised as he is about this new trait of his and assumed he’d misspoken earlier.

He only ever apologized to his mother, Helaena, and Criston, one or twice to Daeron and never Aegon.

“One can hope.”

“And considering how bad Aegon is in the sack, I can forgive sweet princess Aemma from stealing you away. Gods know the girl needs to have a good fuck every night to endure your family.” Harsh, but nothing she hasn’t said before. “If the gods are good, your seed will be as useless as your brother’s.”

[lya-dustin]

All is bliss

Chapter 33

Cw: murder, mentions of sex, pornography, mentions of a past miscarriage, slavery, child abuse, sexual exploitation

Gif by @aemondx

Taglist @mercedesdecorazon @darylandbethfanforever9 @watercolorskyy @sweethoneyblossom1 @ewanmitchellcrumbs

Aegon’s recovery is estimated to take the better part of the year.

His arm and burns would heal up nicely in some months, but the hip fracture required time. Not just to heal, but to regain his full mobility.

Until the king was able to walk unassisted and have his looks return to what they were, Aemond ruled in his stead.

Aemma had been banned from court for her defiance, but for the price of having Aegon watch, she was now seated in mother’s chair at the end of the table.

Aemond had been against it even if Aemma had found a loophole for them to exploit.

As far as Aegon knows, Aemond is refusing to touch Aemma because she didn’t consult him about their deal.

Aemma and Aemond had talked it over and agreed to do give him a show once he delivered on his promises.

So far, Aegon had gotten Corlys out of the Black Cells, Baela into Aemma’s household and this morning Aemma was to receive all the powers, titles, and privileges of a queen even if half the Small Council is against it.

The coronation and the introduction of a joint rule could wait until after the birth, but today’s most important matter was that Aemma be officially installed as Queen Consort.

But not with her father’s name.

All queens who married into House Targaryen kept their family name given how rare such a thing was.

Aegon had agreed to letting her keep her new name because he is desperate to win her over and end the war.

Mother and grandfather were adamant that she remains Aemma Velaryon just as mother remained Alicent Hightower to remove any chance of getting the joint rule they know she is after.

They went as far as insinuating she wasn’t proud of her Valyrian heritage in their arguments.

“As proud as I am of my family name, my surrender was signed as Queen Aemma Targaryen. If I were to revert to my former name, it would make my surrender invalid as I ceased to be Aemma Velaryon the day my mother died.” Aemma had Jena and Samantha poring over books to find a way to make the small council keep her regnal name as it was.

If that didn’t work, Aegon was alert enough to veto the Council and make them all look worse than they already do.

The slight increase in taxes already had the smallfolk already sharpening their knives, someone spread a rumor about mother killing little Ellyn and one about grandfather killing father in his sleep.

“What does the Prince Regent say about this matter?” Orwyle asked knowing he’d side with them.

It was Orwyle, Wylde and Lannister backing her.

Orwyle because he had always been in Rhaenyra’s corner and knew they wouldn’t kill him, Wylde because Jena would make him suck his own cock for the rest of the year if he didn’t and Lannister because they need her to call off the Ironborn.

Cole always took mother’s side, Larys remained neutral, and grandfather didn’t have a formal seat at the table anymore but still had a say in these matters.

The Green Council is going to hate it when Lord Celtigar, Vaemond’s goodbrother, is made Master of Coin.

“Queen Aemma is by birth and marriage a Targaryen, she claimed Queen Alysanne’s dragon and the marriage contract negotiated by my late father states she must become Aemma Targaryen upon ascension.” He had responded in a much more poetic way last night, but what he had said and how he said it was not at all proper.

Something Aemma remembered given the way her periwinkle eyes dilated, and she bit her lower lip as subtly as she could.

“I see no problem with it, neither does my brother.”

Mother scoffed at his words; she thought him a weak man ruled by Aemma.

She thinks the same of Aegon now.

“She rose against him, why reward her for not submitting to her husband?” His mother argued as if ‘she’ wasn’t right there.

“Had she been sent a raven, this could have been avoided. She received neither condolences nor an invitation to her husband’s coronation.” Aemma replied facetiously and reminded them all that this was their fault.

“There was no time—” mother said in her defense, a stupid lie because there was time to do this except Cole killed Beesbury who had that great suggestion and grandfather shot down all of Orwyle's ravens before realizing Aegon was missing.

They didn’t want Aemma as queen because Aegon would’ve gladly handed it all to her.

In fact that had been Aegon’s plan, to leave Aemma to run the realm and just be Aegon.

It would have also been avoided if they had had the marriage annulled, giving Aemond to blindside them by marrying Aemma and establishing a joint monarchy to appease the Greens.

Not that it would have, grandfather wanted power and mother believed she needed power to keep them alive.

Hence why they are doing the impossible to keep Aemma shut inside Maegor’s Holdfast for as long as they can.

“You waited a week to give King Viserys a proper funeral, you could have waited another three to have the Princess of Dragonstone and her babe cremated and crown her heir alongside her husband.” Aemma refused to let her continue speaking, after all, Aemma now outranked her.

The Queen Mother came after the Queen Consort, even Visenya Targaryen learned that the hard way.

“This war would have been avoided with a raven, it didn’t even have to be a raven, it could have been a certain golden dragon and its rider or even one those carrier pigeons the Citadel has been testing for a year now.

And because you didn’t, our only chance to end it is to accept a joint monarchy between Aegon and I.”

The last to have a joint monarchy were Aegon and his sisters, even Jaehaerys and Alysanne didn’t have one as he was not expected to marry his own sister.

Aemond and Aemma had said they would have a joint rule but had yet to hash out all the details.

“But that can wait until Prince Aenys is born and King Aegon fully recovered, for now all you need to do is instate me, Aemma Targaryen, as queen consort and use that to call for a temporary cease fire for the next nine moons.

With autumn ending soon, no one will want to risk war and bend the knee knowing their objective has been achieved when I am crowned Aemma the First besides my husband.”

Somehow, Aemma’s speech has them fold and the deposed Queen Aemma Targaryen leaves that council session as Aemma Targaryen, Queen Consort.

“Next thing you know she will be asking for her dragons.” The queen complained to her confidant and lover as they walked home that night.

They had gone to sup with Helaena and her goodfamily and stayed there until the Hour of the Ghosts.

She hadn’t wanted to leave and almost accepted her daughter’s invitation to stay the night, but something told Alicent her father needed her home.

The queen felt like a girl again, like when she was three and ten and refusing a sleepover with Rhaenyra because someone had to make sure Gwayne hadn’t left a candle unattended again.

Something feels wrong though, like it did that night when Gwayne’s bedding caught on fire.

Alicent hastens her pace as Alys takes the long and sharp hair pin from her bun and hid it in her sleeve even when the porter and guards in the tower act as if nothing is amiss.

Something is wrong.

Something has happened to her father.

The queen screams in horror when she sees her father’s headless body slumped over his desk.

Ellyn’s toy dragon sits where his head should be.

Someone knows she killed Aegon’s daughter.

“Have the head prepared for travel, Prince Daemon won’t appreciate it if Ser Otto’s head rots before it gets there.” Mysaria orders as she pays Blood and Cheese for their services.

Daemon did not give a shit about who framed him for the bastard girl’s murder, in fact he bragged about it to strike fear in his enemies.

But Mysaria did.

Ser Otto had his spies taint her foods with abortifacients to kill her along with her sweet baby boy in that ship.

Ser Otto had confessed to killing Daemon’s nieces and nephews before having his grey rat murder Aemma Arryn to take the crown for his darling little girl.

Ser Otto planned to do the same with the new little queen.

Mysaria would have let him destroy the dragons if he had kept his end of the deal they made the morning she kidnapped Aegon the Elder.

But the Snake of the Hightower had not.

The child fighting pits continued to run and worse, brothels selling children and unwilling adults had been ignored while properly regulated brothels like hers were being burnt down since King Aegon was crowned after they discovered her spies in their households.

She had been clear.

If he did not deliver, she would collect her dues and give her services to those who can.

“Oh, and tell the Seasnake, the White Worm accepts his offer.”

[lya-dustin]

All is Bliss

Chapter 58

Cw:murder, gaslighting, poison

Taglist:@alexandria-millie @mercedesdecorazon @watercolorskyy @darylandbethfanforever9 @ewanmitchellcrumbs @sweethoneyblossom1 @toms-cherry-trees

Aemma waits in her rooms as the procession comes into the keep and all are arrested the moment they arrive at the great feast hall to celebrate.

The guests are given a chance to change into their feast clothes and leave their weapons behind ---the city riots had them taking weapons to the anointing--- thus making them all the weaker.

The men who will be penning them inside the Great Hall are sworn to her, to her grandfather and Lord Wylde.

Not the council that just turned against Aegon when they saw the end at the gate, but those who have been on her side since she gave up her crown eight months ago.

“Will you kill him?” Aemond asks quietly standing behind her.

They had come here because no one must see him until Aegon is brought to the Great Hall and forced to admit defeat.

Gave them a chance to be together and plan their life a little.

Aemma would have to wait until the High Septon annuls their marriage to wed him and with the incoming winter it will likely be a small affair and then there is the issue that it might be viewed as illegitimate.

But they hadn’t really talked about that mess and instead had fucked like beasts the moment the door shut behind them.

Lucky for her, she had to change into something more appropriate for winning the war through deceit.

Aemma had never worn the armor her mother and grandmother commissioned for her before their deaths and despite having had a baby, it fit like a glove.

Melusina of the Sea, Aemond had called her as he saw in her Velaryon silver armor chased with gold and inlaid with Targaryen rubies.

“I promised your sister I would spare him; with any luck he will live a long life as her guest in Driftmark.” Aemma assured him.

If he rose against her, she would have to kill him. She doesn’t want that, but life loves making her do things she doesn’t want.

“A stupid thing to ask, I know its not in you to kill him. It is what makes you the woman I love.” Aemond took her hand and kissed it as if apologizing for doubting her. Perhaps he had doubted her and doubts her still.

“It’s finally over.” Aemma whispers when Aegon’s litter comes through the gates and comes to the Holdfast.

Aegon asks his new Kingsguard, Ser Alfred Broome, for wine, and the man hands him the wine skin halfway through.

Helaena had ridden with him to make it look less emasculating for him and cared for Aenys as his Godsmother.

It is her screams that have them stopping just at the serpentine steps and having the guards pull back the curtains as King Aegon chokes on his wine.

His face turns purple as he tries to scream and Helaena screams murderer at the knight who gave him the wine.

Oh no.

Oh fuck.

Jena.

Jena had killed her husband with the Yi-Tish poison called the Strangler. Most had assumed he choked on the truffle he had just eaten, but the poison had been dissolved into his wine by Jena herself.

Just as it had been with Aegon.

Aegon the Usurper was twenty-two years old when he was murdered on the day of his only child’s anointing.

When Corlys saw the body, he saw the toddler he once bounced on his knee. Kinslayer, Rhaenys' voice hissed in his ears.

The keep is put on lockdown by Borros Baratheon while he thinks he is in control.

“Find the queen, make sure her guards do not let her leave her rooms.” Baratheon takes up the mantle of Hand and Regent the second Aegon’s body is sent to the Silent Sisters and Helaena is taken by her husband and Teora to the Holdfast.

The poor girl had witnessed her brother die and all she could do was rightfully accuse his council of kingslaying. The Dreamer was right, and as much as it pained the Seasnake to call her sanity into question, it had to be done.

He will apologize later, when the war is over and all of them can go home.

Aemma had been spotted by the window and Borros had sired five children therefore he knew the rule of 49 days never changed even if there had been complications.

Aemma is the most obvious suspect, something easy to disprove when they find evidence that Broome was paid by Daemon to kill him. Daemon would take the blame as they had agreed and in exchange he’d get his children, Joanna Westerling as a wife and a chance to die in battle reclaiming the Stepstones.

“You waste your time, my lord.” Aemma comes in armor with Aemond at her heels. Aemond wears chain under his court clothes and his sword at his hip.

Neither make their case any easier.

“Has his murderer been questioned?” the One-Eye asks reminding Baratheon he was the man in charge here.

He had ruled for most of Aegon’s reign, and now he would rule beside his widow.

A second Hand of sorts, Aemma had called it. He will wage battle and do all the things I can’t, and I will be the Queen of the Realm.

“Broome was taken to the Black Cells, Lord Larys has seen fit to be the one to extract the truth from it.” Corlys answered and saw his wife’s kinsman narrow his eyes in suspicion. He suspected something was afoot, only he believed the real culprit was a girl who struggled to kill spiders and the boy who liked stories from the Stepstones.

“Good. The sooner this is taken care of, the sooner this nightmare ends.” Aemma ignores the suspicion in Borros’ eyes. “Thank you for securing the keep, Lord Baratheon, we will take it from here.”

“This is no place for a lady, your grace.” Baratheon tries to regain control as it becomes obvious that he is outnumbered here. “Retire to your rooms with your babe, your safety is paramount.”

“That is what Prince Aemond and Ser Steffon are here for, my lord. Now, if you will excuse us we have a war to end.” Aemma wastes no time and has him taken to his rooms for safekeeping. “Order a guard and ready horses for you and the men, I will take Silverwing and a peace banner to the parley.”

It feels surreal, his brother is dead, his sister has gone mad and yet here he is checking the straps are secured correctly on the saddle as if it were an ordinary afternoon.

“I can give you a lift if you wish it.” Aemma suggested as she climbed on the back of her dragon after summoning her from the roof to the courtyard.

People do not scatter as before; they have grown used to the dragon deciding to hang out on the courtyard or the godswood. Aemond no longer kept his distance either, most dragons do not like other humans save for children or spouses of the rider. Silver never accepted Aegon nor any attempt by Sunfrye to coil with her but took to Aemond as if he were Aemma and changed sex to sire silver eggs onto Vhagar.

Had people paid attention to the habits of their creatures, they would’ve seen their affair clearly written in it.

“Tempting, but no. I will ride my horse and carry your standard, so our dear uncle knows I am on your side come what may.” He shook his head as he helped her into the saddle. It had been so long since he’d done this, felt like a lifetime ago.

Aemond had been hesitant to say goodbye then as he was now.

And just like then he cannot bid her farewell so instead he says, “I love you.”

“You say it as if you’d never see me again, Aemond.” Aemma gave a sad smile and amended her words. “I love you too, now hurry up, the sooner we end the war the sooner you can grieve for your brother.”

Oh grief, something he’s not been good at. Not because it got ugly, mainly because he was not prone to much emotion.

He’s never wept for a dead loved one, not even mother when she was murdered. He paced and felt anger over his lack of emotion at her wake, but Aemond could never grieve like other did.

He feels sad over his brother’s passing, hates that he is dead and knows he will miss him. He just knows he will not cry over him like Helaena does now and knows people will chalk it up to him being heartless.

Aemond is not looking forward to that.

“Godspeed, my queen.” He says and she commands her dragon to fly out of their cage.

[lya-dustin]

All is bliss

Chapter 27

Cw: depression, teen pregnancy

Taglist: @mercedesdecorazon @watercolorskyy @darylandbethfanforever9 @ewanmitchellcrumbs @sweethoneyblossom1 @aemondx

Gif @nina-zcnik

It is known that while Queen Aemma never came to have more than some fondness for her first husband, her closeness with his younger brother ---and eventual second husband--- gave birth to many sordid rumors.

The greatest one being him seducing her with his brother’s knowing consent after his bout of smallpox left him sterile and siring Prince Aenys in the weeks before the untimely deaths of their father and sister.

The rumor, according to Septon Eustace ---who was their confessor--- was slander spread by gossips who envied the young queen's position in court especially after her pregnancy saved her and the Blacks from the executioner’s block.

Prince Aenys had been conceived in Aegon the Usurper’s monthly couplings with his wife ---Grand Maester Orwyle, Mushroom and Eustace coincide in this--- as demanded by their marriage contract and aided by fertility tonics the princess bought at the markets from Summer Island apothecaries.

That then Prince Aemond was often found in her company ---going over the rulings of the realm and new books says Orwyle and Eustace, conspiring to kill Aegon and wed once and for all says Mushroom--- and in her rooms was merely coincidence.

The fool, Mushroom, while fond of the most salacious stories of his time in court, was never found to speak any ill of the young queen.

Princess Aemma had been a sweet and dutiful child with a head full of dreams and as docile as her dragon until you provoked her, but never dared to flirt with impropriety for fear of being branded a whore like her mother. The fool reminds his readers the young queen grew up hearing all sorts of things about her mother and the paternity of her brothers no matter what her family did to shield her from it.

On the rumors of the affair between the princess and her half-uncle, he claims the young queen had been wooed by her second husband even before the late King Viserys tried to call for an annulment before his murder.

He claims the prince gave her a sapphire cut to resemble his false eye before they departed Kingslanding and grew flustered whenever her friends and Septa asked about it.

The One-Eye knew the great prize she was and wasted no effort to make her love him and see him as the Jaehaerys to her Alysanne, and he succeeded, the fool had said.

Septon Eustace writes that then Prince Regent had confessed to improper feelings for his brother’s wife stemming from the neglect she suffered at the hands of her lord husband, but other than that there is no record of either confessing to an affair.

The princess had on some occasion confessed to similar feelings and having, in a moment of anger with her first husband, told Prince Aegon she wished his brother had been the one wed to her on more than one occasion.

There were rumors and gossip even in the first six moons of her ill-fated marriage to Aegon the Usurper, however.

The source of those rumors seemed to have been started by the Master of Laws’ fourth wife, Lady Jena Wylde.

Lady Jena Wylde was once heard by Septon Eustace saying such slander and was put in her place by the princess and from then on came to defend her from all who would insult her.

Why did that happen? No one seems to care enough to know.

“After Princess Aemma striped her, Lady Wylde became her most steadfast supporter. Perhaps the lady wished to test her mettle and prepare her for the harshness of court.” The Septon had written in his memoirs.

But even then, this supposed affair and cuckolding that is the subject of scandalous novels and mummeries was as fabricated as Prince Aemond calling his late sister ‘the old whore’.

---Archmaester Gyldayn, Fire & Blood, Being a History of the Targaryen Kings of Westeros

He kissed her wrists even though the manacles have been off for a while now.

Once that gesture would have melted her.

Nothing stirs her anymore.

Not even the fear of being discovered by her new handmaids does anything to her.

She had become the voiceless doll to be paraded about as a cautioning tale.

Aemma had kneeled before Alicent, mute and demure to the point the court itself was silent as well when the Queen forgave her of her crimes and announced to all that the child in her womb would be what heals the rifts between them.

She wasn’t given her rights as queen, though.

Alicent would rather die than lose her power, this war showed as much.

Aemma was given a good room in Maegor’s Holdfast, but not the Queen’s rooms that connected to Aegon’s. She was given servants that were well-trained, but reported to her goodmother, all sharp objects were taken away, the mirrors only brought in when needed and only given a week to retreat from society.

“I can stay with you tonight; I know you don’t like sleeping alone.” Aemond said softly as he helped her bathe. Treats her with great care, as if she might shatter if he touches her too firmly.

They are in her bath, him doing everything he could to remind her she has someone to live for and reminding her that he meant it when he said he loved her.

Aemond has been made regent, wears the crown better than Aegon and if it had not happened at cost of nearly a thousand people, she would given him a sign that she found his words amusing.

Orwyle has seen to her, said her humors has become even more unbalanced and yet shot down any talk of leeching the black bile in her blood.

Hot baths, a special diet that limited animal meats and exercise were ordered to balance her humors and treat her melancholia.

This was added to all the new care given to her to ensure she has a healthy child.

As healthy as a child can be born to a family famous for its inbreeding, mind you.

All nobles practice it, even Otto Hightower himself married his first cousin on his mother’s side.

Only House Targaryen seems to get the nasty looks over it because they don’t draw the line at closely related cousins and uncles or aunts.

“Once he is dead, all this will be over.” Aemond promised her as if it would make it all better.

All she has done these days is cry. She would like to stop crying and be herself again, but the thing is, she doesn’t know how.

Because every moment reminds her that over three thousand people have died because of her.

And many more will.

News of her and her court being paraded about in chains has fueled the bold instead of making them bend their knees in submission.

Daemon refuses to stand down, as does the North and some of the minor lords.

House Blackwood and Bracken had put aside their differences, if the rumors were to be believed. Dalton Greyjoy said he’d kill Aegon himself and take the Silver Queen as his rock wife as he drank his victory at Faircastle. Alan Tarly in the Reach had begun amassing hedge knights and sellswords in her name. House Frey had begun to charge all known Green Lords double for crossing their bridge citing the smallfolk of the crownlands migrating to the Riverlands en mass.

Too many people willing to die and kill for her.

There is only one way to end this.

Aemma must kill Aegon and end it once and for all.

[lya-dustin]

All is bliss

Chapter 9

Cw: mentions of underage sex, refrenced statuory r*pe and loss of bodily autonomy(basically just a regular day in westeros)

Gif by @behindfairytales

Taglist: @mercedesdecorazon @darylandbethfanforever9 @sweethoneyblossom1 @aemondx

Jena Mertyns of Mistwood had risen in court using her gods-given gifts of charm and beauty in record time.

Lord Jasper Wylde had no need of more children ---he had a total of nine and twenty children with the bulk of them being illegitimate--- and while the Ironrod was prodigious with his cock, he was not a prince.

Bookish, violent, and misunderstood Aemond had been her second lover.

The first being her now husband who educated her in the ways of carnal pleasures.

She had been only six and ten when it began, Jena had been a Mertyns by birth and heir to Mistwood given her cousin ,brother of the first Lady Wylde, died without issue less than ten moons onto their marriage.

Ironrod had already had her by the time she arrived at court that year to make her case on the matter of her husband’s will, so she knew there was no one else to seduce to gain what was rightfully hers.

But then she met Aemond.

Aemond who was pleasant company when he wasn’t being the cold and indifferent prince with a talent for violence.

Aemond was she is very sure was a man maiden when she first brought him to her bed weeks after his sixth and tenth nameday.

She made him a man and now he had left her in the dust and replaced her with his six- and ten-year-old niece a year later.

Of course, Jena was a beauty with hair like ebony, a sharp tongue and powerful allies, but Princess Aemma with her silver gold ringlets, sweet demeanor and high rank had made her lose her coveted spot in both court and Aemond’s heart.

You are a servant, she is a queen, her husband had said when both began to feel the loss of her status as the One-Eyed Prince’s mistress.

They did not feel the waning of their influence for too long.

Not now that Prince Aegon out of spite had bent her over a card table after his little wife fucked his brother like she loved him.

Love.

The one thing few have and that you sure as hell do not find with your husband.

This morning she received jewels, gold and a gelding as dark as her hair.

Aemond had not been as generous, how could he be when a second son had less than the firstborn?

“Did you like the gelding, Lady Wylde?” Princess Aemma smiled sweetly as she asked.

She could be a bitch; marriage had made her a delightful creature.

The Pearl of Dragonstone had been as sweet as naïve as her goodsister, only the Pearl’s sweetness had begun to melt away to reveal sharp edges after her return from the progress.

A shitty husband and goodmother does that to a girl.

“Yes, his highness was rather thoughtful to gift me such a beautiful horse.” Jena thanked her knowing this faux kindness will leave once she hears the rumors of her and Aemond.

Jena had the advantage of the court gossip mill and friends amongst the ladies.

Aemma spent so much time playing the lord of the castle and bettering the lives of the smallfolk she had not bothered with making the vapid hens her friends like Jena had done.

Her name was not enough here.

Not when Alicent Hightower ruled with an iron fist.

The girl giggles, “He deserves no such praise, Lady Wylde. The gelding was my gift to you.  He wanted to give you a mare, but the gelding seemed more fitting.”

Ah, so it is true then! The lady catches onto the meaning quickly.

Oh, poor, stupid, Aemond.

He was being used as a stud and fell in love with his brother’s wife.

Really the mummers in Braavos could never write something as good as this.

“Yes, even more than you think, your highness. I heard you have acquired a stud worthy of a kingdom, a stud I broke in myself, I might add.

Rode him till he cried for mercy the morning your highness returned from the progress.” Jena lowered her voice and tried not to look too gleeful when the princess was caught unawares by her words.

She didn’t know, sweet Aemond had not told her about her.

“I suppose I should thank you; he is a great fuck.” The princess tries to shake off the surprise and returns fire like a natural when a handmaiden comes to tell her letters from Dragonstone had arrived for her. “Good day, Lady Wylde and I hope your new gelding satisfies you as much as he satisfied me.”

Nothing like fucking the same man to bring out the bitch in you.

“Bitch.” Jena mutters knowing she can hear her.

“Princess Bitch.” Aemma corrects with a disarming smile.

This will be the start of an interesting friendship.

Because her mother will be returning to court, Aemma must get her tonic ---which is a vial she must drink without fail once a week--- early and have enough in supply for the next moon.

Even meeting Aemond’s former lover has not hampered her joy at having her family and her ladies returning here.

Even grandmother is supposed to be coming for a visit.

Something about Uncle Vaemond wanting to contest grandfather’s will.

Why he’d do so when grandfather is perfectly fine and Baela and Rhaena are above him in the succession, is not said in the letter.

But that is a question for another day.

The first question of the day is why the apothecary’s shop is closed?

And the second is, why is Ser Criston here?

“Your goodmother has had me follow you ever since the agreement.” He says keeping things vague as if their silver hair peeking from their hoods and hats didn’t give them away already.

They wore hooded cloaks and while Teora in her Septa’s robes could hide her, they were too fine to not draw attention to them.

“I was buying fertility tonics; it is not my fault it did not work. If you will excuse me, Ser, I need to find another apothecary willing to keep their mouth shut for a reasonable price.” Aemma lied and tried to return to her unmarked carriage without him tailing her.

She had known the carriage was a bad investment.

“Lord Strong had the apothecary questioned, the ruse is up, your highness.” The Dornish knight whispers as he helps her into the fucking carriage like a little girl caught running off to cause mischief.

“Fuck.” Aemma mutters and gestures for him to join them inside the carriage.

“Language, Aemma.” Her Septa chastised her as if that even mattered now and she tells her so.

“I cannot, will not, have a child. I would rather have Silverwing burn me alive than give Aegon an heir.” Aemma digs her nails onto the leather seat to stop herself from crying at how much she fucking loathes the hand she has been dealt. “I do not want to live my mother’s life.”

“It is for the better of the realm, your highness.” He repeats the same phrase she hears from the septons, the maesters, the members of the small council and now the man who fucked her mother and has the audacity to call her a whore.

“As if that makes it any better!” She scoffed at his words. “My mother did the same and was branded a whore, by her no less! Her grace may feign to be righteous and good, but whatever hell my mother will burn in, it is a consolation to know Alicent will be right there beside her.”

The knight tries to counter her, spread the gospel about poor queen Alicent who only wants to protect her children and make the perfect puppet king for her father because gods forbid that woman grows a damn spine and tells her father to go fuck himself.

But Aemma does not listen.

Once she is queen, she will send her on a long walk off a short pier.

[lya-dustin]

All is Bliss

Chapter 20

Cw: mentions of consenual undersge sex, misogyny

Taglist: @mercedesdecorazon @darylandbethfanforever9 @aemondx @ewanmitchellcrumbs @sweethoneyblossom1

Gif by @bonniebird

The grandiosity of Aegon’s coronation is somehow outshined by Aemma’s simple one.

Some claim the dragons roared, even the wild ones, when Rhaenys Targaryen crowned her.

Helaena had turned her back on her own family and went as far as carrying the crown in the procession.

Either way it was the only thing anyone spoke about.

Even worse, the name the lords and smallfolk gave her was impossible to silence.

Aemma the Great.

Long live Queen Aemma the Great.

Alicent scoffed at the name.

“Rather presumptuous to call her great when her reign has just begun.” She comments to the witch who’s now part of her household.

Aegon had tossed her aside the moment he discovered the miscarriage and sent for Ellyn Flowers at Jena Wylde’s request.

Little Ellyn was to be paraded around as if she were trueborn because he thinks Aemma will become jealous and come running to him.

Pigs will fly before that ever happens, which is why they must go with Lord Baratheon's plan.

Now Alys Rivers is her handmaiden, charged with the most intimate of works now that Talya had been disposed of.

“She is quite devoted to reform, if she were to enact to full scale the changes she did with what little power she had, she may grow into it.” Alys shrugged not caring her words were skirting treason.

Aegon was born to be king, it was his birthright and with the proper advisors he would be a good king.

To say his wife, a girl of seven and ten, was better suited was just not done.

Sure, she was just as loved by the smallfolk, and Alicent could admit that her schools had not failed given the guilds were flourishing with new members, but she was a woman.

Women do not go to war.

Women bear sons who will be maesters, high septons, warriors and kings.

Women are not equal to men; it is the reason they are the gentler sex who must use what the gods have given them to make up for what they lack.

They are to stand behind the man, not be the man.

Alicent thought Alys understood that.

“I cannot change fate; the gods wanted her to be queen just as your son needed to be king as well.” The witch spoke as if she read her mind.

“I can read minds and see things in the flames and birth horrors instead of children, your grace.” Alys adds with a lovely smile as she undressed her for the night. “These things and so many more.”

And now at her service.

Had she known she could have had her, Alicent wouldn’t have debased herself with her brother.

Alys had the looks she thinks. Long dark tresses and blue eyes that knew the end and the beginning, had a touch and a voice that whispered tantalizingly to her secret desires.

“Have you ever lied with a woman, your grace?” the witch asks noticing the intensity of which her mistress observes her as she gently slid off the chemise she wore.

When she let Criston fulfill his fantasies of her one night, she had found it as a tedious as it felt to lie under Viserys.

Perhaps she has never been interested in men, and all that was a mere façade.

There had been some kissing games, some fondling and once, one time long ago, Alicent had let Rhaenyra teach her about that glorious feeling of the princess’ fingers in her quim when they turned five and ten.

Rhaenyra had read it in A Caution for Young Girls, read how Saera in these very rooms had discovered self-pleasure.

The morning after, Rhaenyra was told Alicent was to marry her father.

After that no more stolen kisses, no more hidden caresses and no more sharing a bath or a bed together.

Tonight, she turns her face to the woman and slowly, but surely kisses the lips that taste like the most divine of poisons.

She’s already damned, why not enjoy it?

The last thing Aemond said about his sister was cruel.

Had he had he known she would have died that same day, maybe her wouldn’t have called her a whore.

There was no love nor affection ---save the one they had for Aemma, the only good thing that ever came from his sister--- between them, but at least his last words about her will not go down in the annals of history as having been that.

“Here is some silver, and if you speak to anyone about this, I will take your eyes after I take out your tongue.” He had threatened the scribe who had written it down for the Grand Maester.

Half the shit Orwyle has written about him is already bad, but Aemond much like the rest had learned which threats and which bribes work for each of the grey rats.

“Look at this shit Eustace wrote.” Aegon brandished the barely dry scroll with his crown askew ---in the great irony of life, Aegon’s head is too small for his crown--- and already drunk. “he says I was with the daughter of a wealthy trader who was well cared for, I was at a sept. Why won’t anyone believe me?”

“Because I was there, and I still cannot.” Aemond says wryly before complaining about his recorded history. “He did get your words right, I had to correct mine.”

“‘Is Aegon king?” he had asked Ser Willis Fell, “or must we kneel and kiss my sister’s hand?’” Aegon read and snorted. “Where is the real scroll, ‘Mond?”

Aemond begrudgingly hands it over, he should have burned it the moment he took it from the scribe.

““Is Aegon king?” he had asked Ser Willis Fell, “or must we kneel and kiss the old whore’s cunny?”” Aegon laughs, a good laugh that does not have the rage nor bitterness he’s had since he was crowned a week ago. “Oh, Aemma is going to kill you.”

She would, especially when she learns his wedding to Cassandra has been moved up to keep Baratheon away from her ranks.

He is to leave later today and wed her tomorrow.

Tomorrow he is chained to a woman he knows he will never love.

“Not as much as she wants to kill me, likely blames me for Rhaenyra’s death. Had I just ran away, she’d be alive.” Whether it is guilt or the wine or the feeling of brotherly companionship, Aegon’s voice quivers and he swallows the guilt with another swill of wine. “If it were up to me, I would have gladly stepped aside for her. I am shit at this, Aemma was the one who was supposed to do this and let me drink and wench myself to an early death.”

Speaking of Aemma, she had been crowned yesterday.

Crowned as if she were a mythological creature and not a woman of flesh and bone like them.

Even in its simplicity, her coronation has put Aegon’s to shame.

Aemma the Great.

No one knows who began calling her so, but apparently the smallfolk ate it up with their free bread, meat and ale given to them by decree of the first queen regnant.

“I am afraid it is too late for that,brother.”

Silver against Gold, Wife against Husband.

Had Aegon not been his brother, Aemond wouldn't have hesitated to join Aemma and become the king to her queen.

[lya-dustin]

All is bliss

Chapter 12

Warnings: mentions of physical assault, domestic abuse, abuse of power, vigorous slut shaming

Taglist: @mercedesdecorazon @darylandbethfanforever9 @sweethoneyblossom1 @aemondx

Gif:@raya-rhaenyra-ahsoka

“I just had Morning burn Lady Wylde’s dress for insinuating you were a whore.” Rhaena, who is the softer of the twins and least likely to lose her temper, crossed her arms as the two sisters catch them red handed.

“She is not a whore.” Aemond snaps at her. Same Aemond Aemma has to put a hand on the small of his back to keep him from getting more insulted on her behalf.

“We never said she was, One-Eye.” Baela rolled her eyes and stood protectively in front of her sister. “But having met your brother, its no wonder she writes so often about you.”

This seems to appease Aemond, who asks, rather touched, if its true.

“Gods, she goes on and on about you. It’s sickening.” Baela answered and he almost smiled.

“The way she writes about you, you’d think you weren’t the same boy who said I should fly a pig.” Rhaena said forgetting it was not all water under the bridge.

At least for Aemond who came out worst of all.

Aemma had gotten some bruises and scrapes trying to get them off him, but whatever had happened had been forgotten when the queen demanded Luke lose an eye over a very dreadful accident.

Aemond tensed both visibly and under her fingers and Aemma had no idea how this would go.

Chivalry says he cannot hit a girl.

Except Aemond is only chivalrous when it suits him.

No one speaks, Baela waits for him to fuck up and he waits for them to apologize still believing he was the injured party ---all of them were the injured party but hell would freeze over before Aemond admits he may have started that fight.

“Anyways, lovely seeing you, and if it is alright with you, cousin, we’d like a moment alone with our sister.” Rhaena continues as if she had never said a damn thing.

“Come to my rooms tonight, no one will bother us there.” He whispers and kissed her hand because if he kissed her again, neither would stop.

“You are in love with him,” Baela does not even wait for Aemond to be out of the room.

“I-“ Aemma isn’t sure why the word yes is so difficult to articulate.

It had been so easy to confess her love to him. Perhaps it was because it was just them, the only people who matter in the relationship.

“You are!” Rhaena, the more romantic of the two, squeals as if it were the most exciting news.

She loves him.

If such love did not condemn her, he would be overjoyed at her words and feelings.

“Your children will be stunning.” Jena comments as they meet in the halls.

She wears gold now, Aegon’s colors.

Used to wear dark greens for him once hinting at her place in his bed.

Cannot be obvious, well, too obvious. Mother is obsessed with looking morally upright despite being as human as the rest.

“You have bruises on your neck, my lady.” He points out despite the powder she uses to cover them. “Your husband or my brother?”

Despite how things ended between them, Jena was a friend to him.

And even if she were not, Aemond hates how easy it is for his brother to get away with his sins.

“He got carried away, happens when he hears the two of you at it like rabbits. Nice use of my teachings, your sweet princess will be swelling up with your bastard in no time.” She comments and tries to drive the conversation away from his topic.

“Jena.” He warns.

“He is your brother, the man who will be king after your father finally kicks the bucket in these coming weeks. He is untouchable.” Jena stares straight ahead knowing he’s done far worse. “Your mother made damn sure he was above the law.”

Mother was no help, the girl would be given moon tea, sent far away and if she dared speak to anyone about it, found herself killed by mute assailants.

A truly righteous woman would have said son disinherited and sent away whether on exile or the Wall.

A queen staking all she has on his claim, wouldn’t care if he was Maegor in the flesh as long as she could make him king.

He needs to be king or else she will kill us all, your eye was just the beginning, his mother had whispered after telling him he’d never see from his left eye again.

“If Rhaenyra stays here, he may not become king. In fact, he may not even be king ever.” Aemond is relieved that Aegon loses his coveted position of consort the moment the marriage is over.

“Hate to say this to you, sweetling, but the High Septon doesn’t follow the whims of the king. He follows the whims of the Hand. You and your pretty princess are fucked.” Jena retorted with her usual optimism. “What happens when her moon blood fails next moon?”

She was a realist, knew how the world works and refused to believe in hope.

She also had a point.

What happens when Aemma is found to be with child?

He prays his seed does not take.

But then again he prayed for his eye to heal and that never happened.

The gods have never liked him. Why would they start now?

The king has decreed they all get along and all pretend to love each other.

Helaena and Daeron are easy to love, especially now that Helaena has managed to take him to Driftmark saying Tessarion needs to spend time with male dragons.

Aegon, however, is a monster underneath the veneer more dangerous than his than his brother in some regards.

Like Sunfyre, great looking beast with penchant for breaking whatever eggs Dreamfyre has been able to bring forth.

Aemond, well, he is more of an acquired taste.

But the Aemond that hides beneath the cold shell is rather nice.

No one would believe he was wonderful to her and her alone.

“Gods, of all the men here, you had to choose him.” Baela comments as they help her finalize the plans for this afternoon’s tea.

They are supposed to have tea and fruits and play some games in the largest of the gardens.

Aemma is also going to remind a certain lady fond of wearing black and gold lately what her place is.

She is above such petty shit, but her reputation has suffered some blows and Aemma must do something to show the court she is not to be their plaything.

The easiest way was having the pavilion she had ordered match Lady Jena’s newest dress.

It had been too easy. The royal tailor had not needed any bribing or threats to get her to order that fabric and get an entire curtained pavilion done in record time.

“He is not as awful as he appears to be.” Aemma says in her lover’s defense.

“Is he that good in the sheets for you to defend him so? Did his cock make you forget the things he said and what he would have done to your brothers that night?” Baela scoffed and asked crudely.

There are many sides to a story, especially that one.

If you asked Aemond and his family, he was cruelly attacked by the twins and her brothers when he had done nothing wrong.

If you asked the twins and her brothers, Aemond had began with insults and had Luke not maimed him with Jace’s knife, his head would have been bashed open with a rock.

Both were right and also wrong.

Aemond did play dirty by not waiting until Rhaena had been rejected by Vhagar as Helaena did when Dreamfyre rejected him, that is just common dragon claiming courtesy.

Baela and Rhaena should have just walked away from Aemond’s insults instead of throwing the first fist.

Aemond should not have mentioned the Harwin thing nor picked up the rock.

Jace shouldn’t have brought out the knife.

Aemma should have tried harder to pull him off her brother instead of running for the nearest guards.

Alicent and Criston should have never even breathed the word bastard to her children.

“I have not forgotten, Baela. If you knew him truly, you would think so ill of me for loving him.”

It was bad enough that the boys never got along, but feeding your children the bitter poison you spew ends with them hurt.

You would have thought all of them would have learned from that.

[lya-dustin]

All is bliss

Chapter 14

Gif @behindfairytales

Taglist: @mercedesdecorazon @aemondx @sweethoneyblossom1 @darylandbethfanforever9

When royalty comes to your door, you do jot slam it in their face.

No one can say no to them. Everything they ask of you; you must do it or else pray the Targaryen at your door is one with a heart.

Jena feels a thrill at slamming it in Aemma’s face, but once the feeling passes, she opens it again.

Aemma Velaryon was more of a Seahorse than a Dragon even if just hours ago the Silver Queen’s flames had burned her.

“Well played, your highness.” Jena said coolly.

She had not been put in her place like that, Jena had risen to the top because most of these ladies were too easily led.

The older ladies had been formidable, but their progeny and granddaughters had grown complacent once the more strong-willed ladies left with Princess Rhaenyra.

No one here could ruin Queen Alicent the Pious’ perception of an all harmonious court filled with righteous people who never strayed from the path.

Luckily for Jena, she knew how to be discreet and how to bend the rules just enough to get away with it.

“It was the easiest way to get the court to shut up. I didn’t want to, but I had to.” Aemma says as if wanting to apologize.

And then she did.

“I am sorry.”

First time Jena has heard a dragon apologizing.

Even Aemond hardly did, broke their affair via a short missive sent with a page in his household.

And because the princess thinks she has not heard her, she says it again.

“I am sorry for humiliating you in front of everybody, had I had a choice, I would have not done it.”

The princess means it, her periwinkle eyes serious and her face showing genuine guilt.

She would be a good queen, a shame this marriage was done with the sole intent of stealing her crown.

“You shouldn’t apologize, you punished me for disturbing the peace of court and slandering you. I am lucky you did not call for my tongue, or worse, my head.” Jena dismissed it knowing Aemma needs to learn to be cruel when the occasion calls for it.

She will need it. You need cold steel and soft silk and a tongue full of poisonous honey to rule, especially a place filled with green vipers.

“I should be thanking you for taking Aegon’s attention from me, it is a relief not to have him rutting on top of me these days.” Aemma changed the topic with a wry smile.

Aegon was a selfish lover, had a habit of making one feel used especially when he finishes and leaves without a care for his partner.

Women were toys to him. Pretty dolls he can claim and know they cannot refuse him without risking his wrath.

He was the king’s son, the queen’s favorite little monster, the perfect puppet king Hightower has created to further his ambitions.

Who could ever say no to him?

“Glad to be of service, your highness.” Jena nods as she accepts her gratitude.

“You need an ally at court. If it please, your highness, I would like to be that ally.” Not friends, allies.

They could be friends. Sure the mistress is never friends with the wife, but this situation is far more complex.

Jena does what she can to keep her husband and her family in a position of prestige and make sure Mistwood is hers.

She had already lost Mistwood to her late husband when her father brought them to ruin with his gambling and drinking, Jena would not lose it a second time.

Friendship will come later, if it comes at all.

“I would like that, Lady Wylde.” The princess agreed cautiously.

And to show her she is being honest, Jena tells her about this secret meeting the lord hand and the queen are having with Vaemond Velaryon.

Aemma’s threat had been simple.

Do not cross me.

Alicent hears it again when she sits at the head of the table wearing seafoam green satin and pink flowers.

She looks like a young girl, and yet commands the room despite her looks.

“If you go forth with your petition, dear nuncle, you will find yourself a head shorter tomorrow morning.” She said drumming her nails on the tabletop.

“I will not be denied my birthright, niece.” He takes the seat of the Master of Ships and Alicent is forced to sit beside her father instead of her usual place, the head of the table.

Alicent will never admit it to anyone, but she has come to enjoy being the one with the power.

To make the decisions, to sit on the Throne and make all your suffering worth it.

And yet, here comes someone younger, more beautiful to cast her down and take all she holds dear.

She has Aemond’s heart, Helaena’s confidence and Aegon’s obsession.

Even little Daeron finds herself tongue-tied and red faced whenever she even speaks to him.

“He has a right to be heard, your highness.” Her father warns knowing Aemma will pose a problem.

He got rid of the previous Aemma when she began asking Viserys to consider Rhaenyra as their heir, gods know what he would do to this Aemma.

“Yes, he does, but have you considered that this would invite speculation on any children Aegon claims as his?” this she asks looking at her directly. “We all know any child I have will not be his, who is to say someone will speak the truth as my great uncle will do tomorrow and call into question the succession?”

Vaemond scoffed, “As if the One-Eye would dare rise against his own children.”

Her father tensed, caught unawares about the arrangement.

He was never supposed to know. The babe’s true father would remain a secret until it was no longer dangerous.

And that time would have been when Otto Hightower was on his deathbed.

“I am not saying Aemond, you and I know that Driftmark is only the beginning for you.” Aemma ignores the calculating look on the other player on the board as she spells out the obvious.

Helaena preceded Aemond, Helaena’s sons would be a threat to Aemma’s just for being trueborn.

Aemond would not do so as the father of the children, but Helaena’s children could grow and ask why bastards took their birthright from them.

Just as Alicent had raised her children to question why Rhaenyra’s sons got everything and they nothing.

Aemond’s eye was a warning of what was to come and Alicent had sought to stop it by having Aemma’s claim be tied to Aegon’s.

Except she hadn’t.

No, she had delayed the inevitable.

The dragons will dance and the realm will curse them for it.

[lya-dustin]

All is bliss

Chapter 13

Taglist: @mercedesdecorazon @sweethoneyblossom1 @darylandbethfanforever9

Gif by: @harperstern

More than expected show.

Jena Wylde is purposely detained so she is the last to arrive and the first to leave.

Men are welcome to come and most show upon hearing the king himself has decided to see what had Aemma planned.

Aemma had only gone to see him --- the queen refuses to admit her into his rooms without her for fear of what she could do and say--- to invite Alicent to it knowing she couldn’t refuse.

He had laughed and then coughed while Alicent chastised her for her pettiness and then asked Maester Gerardys whether he some fresh air would do him some good.

Gerardys had been horrified to learn that the king had been confined to his bed since he his knees went bad.

Grand Maester Orwyle was not too old to be given a dressing down, grandfather had laughed again when told he could leave his prison.

“The fabric looks familiar, nice choice of colors, dear wife.” Aegon comments as he is forced to stand beside her as ordered by his mother. “Where have I seen it before?”

“I’m sure it will come to you, dear husband.” Aemma shrugged and played coy.

Aegon was oddly pleasant, but it was Aemond who she’d rather share this moment with.

Aemond who’s eye she can feel on her burning with jealousy, want and everything they aren’t supposed to feel for each other.

Last time they made love in his bed, he’d tied her to it and had her screaming until she was hoarse.

Gods, she cannot wait for tonight.

“I don’t like how is staring at you.” Aegon throws quick look over his shoulder to his brother and looks ,dare she say it, jealous.

“Is that jealousy I hear in your voice, dear Aegon?” Aemma doesn’t hesitate to mock him about it.

“So what if I am, you are my wife, he is merely the man to seed you for me.” He answered letting his irritation show as he nurses it with the light wines she chose for today. “You mean to torture me with weak wine and he by existing, what else do you have planned, oh Pearl of Dragonstone?”

“Nothing else, after tomorrow our marriage will be over and we will go our separate ways. Perhaps we may even become friends.”

Aemma tries not to grin when she sees Lady Jena come with the dress that matched the tent, the chairs , the table runners and even the new cushions on the couches.

The whispers start first, just as she comes in wearing black and gold pin stripes with gauzy pale gold fabric in her sleeves.

Even the gold work on the stomacher and sleeves was replicated with the precision of a barber surgeon.

“Oh, dear me, you blend right in with the furniture, Lady Jena.” Aemma said with a false sweetness that earned some laughter from her friends.

After all who wouldn’t join the king and his family in their mirth?

From this she won’t recover from.

Don’t fuck with me, Aemma says with a giggle and raised her glass of Arbor Gold.

Jena Wylde finding herself humiliated before her friends, allies and even the king himself, walks away in furious tears.

The girl looks very pleased with herself as the merriment continued.

Some play croquet in the lawns, children run and play with a ball, people enjoy themselves in the shade or in the sun.

A good event, a triumph for the hostess in more ways than one.

“You are finding your footing here, gooddaughter.” The queen comments with a nod as they enjoy seasonal fruits and peach wine.

“Silverwing may be the most docile of the dragons, but she is a dragon nonetheless.

I merely reminded her not to forget I am a dragon.” Aemma answered.

Dragons share the temperaments of their riders, part of the spiritual bond between human and beast, or so Alicent has heard a thousand times.

Silverwing, while meek as a lamb, had her moments. Push her too far and you find yourself meeting the gods dressed in silver blue flames.

“I will remember that,” The queen says in acknowledgement.

“I doubt the court will forget anytime soon. Especially when I become queen.” The girl takes a bite of the strawberry on her plate, and turns to steal a look at Aemond who speaks quietly to his father and meets her eyes for the briefest of moments.

As fleeting as the look is it tells her exactly what has been dreading since she learned Aemond was her lover.

They have fallen in love with each other.

Just as Harwin and Rhaenyra had when the first of the bastards was born.

“We wish to marry once it is acceptable to do so. If any child was conceived during this time, we want him to be born on the right side of the blanket, so to speak.” Aemma whispered quietly full of hope.

Hope that will be dashed to pieces in the coming days.

If there is a child, it will be Aegon’s.

Alicent prays it is a son.

Easier to end things now before it becomes an even worse problem.

“Any way you turn it, she ends up queen.” Vaemond whispers thinking his family will forgive him should he live. “It is her birthright, just as it had been Laenor’s.”

“She won’t forgive you. She may ask them to spare you, but it will be sans tongue.” Teora pursed her lips knowing he knew it too.

There is mercy and there is justice.

Aemma knows one has to strive for both as queen.

Vaemond would die tomorrow, whether by a green or a black hand.

Had Aegon been capable of siring a child, he would have stood a chance.

Now that they must protect Rhaenyra’s sons to protect Aemma’s, they will have to turn against him.

Vaemond will die unless Aemma moves them to mercy.

“I will not let a bastard inherit what is mine by rights.” He remained as stubborn as ever.

“A bastard will inherit the Throne either way, the Greens will not let you win your case, brother.” The Septa argued.

“I thought you shared the girl’s hopes for an annulment, dear sister.” He comments giving a smile to his youngest son who is absolutely besotted with his wife and child to remove suspicions from them.

“As much as it would gladden my heart to see her happy with the father of her children, I know only death will put an end to their marriage.” Teora admits with a sad sigh.

Hope kept her former charge happy, gods know the High Septon’s decision will dash it to the seventh hell.

“Aenys would be a good name for their firstborn.”