#noble drew ali | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

myfandomprompts · 2 years ago

Text

𝐀𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐱 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫 | 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐖𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐀𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐌𝐞 - 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟑𝟒

Summary: Council is in session.

Warnings: angst, fluff. Masterlist (Part 33 - Epilogue)

A/N: I mingled with the canon age of some characters, especially the younger ones. For scenario purposes. Hope you understand/don’t mind.

The sooted and melted black walls of Harrenhal were suffocating as you entered the Great Hall where the peace council will be held. Many lords and most important nobles or the realm were already there, seated or walking around, talking in hushed tones as you looked around for anyone familiar, Aemond close behind you.

The first thing you noticed was Addam’s absence. Your friend had come to visit you after your awakening the day before to announce his departure. His demand, with the support of your father, had been granted by the Blacks regarding the restitution of his brother, and Addam was to be instituted Lord of Atranta in lieu of his late father, the Wayfarers ordered to leave the stronghold vacant as an act of good faith for the upcoming peace treaty. You have been glad to see him but the conversation has been shortened by Aemond’s immediate request to talk to him in private, away from your ears.

Upon their return, you noticed that you had never seen them so calm, an odd occurrence for them as they often did not see eye to eye when in each other's presence. Only a slight tension could be felt when Addam kissed your hand goodbye. When you tentatively asked your husband what they had talked about, he only dismissed you and proceeded to take you in his arms, a gesture he seemed to do more often than before. So you did not insist, thinking that it was maybe for the best, as much had happened during your involuntary absence.

The second thing you immediately noticed as you entered the hall beside Aemond, was the whispers his presence elicited. Most of the lords present were not aware of your husband’s recovery, and had not expected him to be present for this council, both scared of what he might say and of him. Most of them considered the Kinslayer unworthy to have a voice in the upcoming parlays, and the dark looks they sent him were very well returned by the man in question as all lowered their gaze when he stared back.

You knew Aemond was only here to protect his family’s interests, very well aware that nothing he would say would please his great cousin or his mother as it would jeopardise the peace, but it did not prevent him from thinking that this whole debacle was some enormous sham.

“I’ll be right behind you,” you whispered to him as you spotted the withdrawn benches meant for the audience to witness the session against the wall, where your place would be, behind your husband and father. Aemond did not let go of your hand.

"You shouldn't even be here," he whispered back, making you stop in your tracks so he could look at you. “You should be resting.”

“You should as well. And I would never miss this. Not when there is so much at stake.”

"Mh,” he voiced, glancing around the room with a dark eye, his shoulders tensed from his repressed loathing of the people seated across the room.

The Blacks were for the most part, already seated at one side of the stone table. Rhaenys was looking regal next to her husband, Corlys Velaryon, himself seated next to Cregan Stark who was talking to a black-haired woman you knew to be named Alysanne Blackwood, known as “Black Aly”.

You recognised a few others, namely Lord Tully, Manderly, and a few Rivermen lords whose name you did not know, next to envoys from Jeyne Arryn, Royce, Tarly and a few other sent to attend in stead of their liege. Behind them you recognised Ser Lorent, standing tall in his armour, and you wondered what your mother would have said, seeing her cousin still loyaly defending the honour of the Black.

But it was the man he was standing so close to that drew your eyes, for Jacaerys Velaryon, macabre looking due to his only recent release a week ago, as part of the prior terms for the treaty, was seated next to his grandmother, hard gaze looking around. Your father had been keen to release him as early as possible, assuring that it would show their dedication in ensuring peace at all cost to the Blacks. You knew Alicent had vaguely protested, but the rest of the Green lords had agreed to it, eager to not see their armies reduced to dust before peace could even be addressed.

You stared at him, hoping that he would look back and see the faint smile you were giving him, for he had been your friend once, and even though you had been on opposite sides, you still held him in your heart, as Lucerys was. Joffrey was not present, but you wish you had been able to see him as well, memories of your time in King’s Landing and Dragonstone with them not easily forgotten.

But he did not meet your eyes as you felt Aemond follow your gaze next to you and still. He was then quick to press his hand to the small of your back to push you forward, dark jealousy emanating from him even though you were completely and utterly his.

From your seat behind the row of Greens were Lords that included your father, Jason Lannister, Adrian Tarbeck, Ormund, some Greyjoy and Redwyne envoy, as well as Alicent flanked by Ser Cole, mirroring the stance of Ser Lorrent at the other side of the table, and you realised how high the tension was. You were doomed to stare at the nape of your husband, seated next to his mother with threatening calm, while the maester that had been chosen to state the terms of the treaty officially began the session.

For the most part, it was boring, the terms agreed upon preliminary to the sessions stated one after the other, mostly regarding the restitution of lands or castles to some of the defeated party, and reparation for the damage caused. You sat through it in silence, witnessing the occasional interjection from Corlys or Jason Lannister. But it all went rather smoothly despite the palpable tension until the topic of the ruling of the Seven Kingdoms came.

“...and as agreed with prior debate, both sides have recognised Jacaerys Velaryon, son of Rhaenyra Targryen and Laenor Velaryon, as heir to the Iron Throne and King of the Seven Kingdoms…”

You saw Alicent scratch the skin of her fingers in frustration and Aemond's neck tense, although his hand was still leisurely drumming the stone of the table. Some Green partisans next to you whispered in indignation.

“May I ask what becomes of Daemon and Rhaenyra’s spawns? Aegon and Viserys Targaryen ?” asked one of the Greyjoys, earning a few nods of approval from some Greens who would consider the two more legitimate to the throne than Jacaerys, the name “Strong” resonating within the walls of Harrenhal with strength.

“They are away and well cared for. They shall inherit Dragonstone as soon as they become of age, and assist their family in royal matters,” answered Lord Tully calmly.

“Dragonstone should be given to Viserys’ direct descendants, Targaryens with dragons, not dragonless children,” spoke Jason Lannister, earning a dark look from both Lord Ormund and your father at his side.

“I’m afraid that will not be possible, my Lord,” replied Corlys with icy calmness, although his tone indicated that your side was in no position to make any demands.

The mention of Aemond and Daeron’s inheritance had turned some curious heads towards the former. Still, your husband said nothing, the ghost of a dangerous smile dancing on his lips as the tension heightened around the hall.

“I understand how precarious the predicament is, and for that peace to endure, we must make concessions, in order to avoid future bloodshed, to not reproduce the mistakes that had been made,” Cregan Stark strongly stated, silencing the whispers around him and making Alicent inhale sharply. “The bond among the House of the Dragon must be reforged, and thus alliances shall be made.”

Rhaenys nodded before speaking in her turn. “I have two granddaughters. One is already married and meant to be Queen, however, Rhaena Targaryen shall be a great match for one of the Dowager Queen’s sons.”

It was Ormud who spoke first.

“I can envision Daeron Targaryen’s betrothal to Rhaena Targaryen, and for this, we are grateful. However, we have come with another proposition that we could agree on.”

All looked at him with interest as he glanced at your father and Alicent, but the latter had her gaze lowered on the table, eyes in the void. Ormund cleared his throat as Aemond finally turned his head toward his great-cousin.

“I suggest that Jacaerys Velaryon’s first born shall marry one of Aegon’s twins, Jaeaherys or Jaehaera. This way, the bonds of the two families shall forever be intertwined.”

There was a short silence, then whispers filled the room again as a frowning Lord Manderly addressed Ormund.

“We were not aware that the usurper’s children lived. They have been lost and unheard of since the sack of the capital. Why have you not come with this information in the preliminary council?”

“I assure you my Lords that the information had been retained only with the better of intents, for we did not wish to jeopardise the peace in any way, bringing forward facts that you would consider as a threat before the appropriate time,” your father replied, the way he spoke with dexterity making every Black settle down.

“Ha!” laughed an angry-looking Riverman, looking between your father and Aemond. “I see that Hightowers and their tricks never end. The twins live much older than the unborn heir they are to marry, and already their claim to the Throne seems assured. I have almost expected the Kinslayer to marry his daughter off instead. Very convenient indeed.”

“Settle down my Lord, or I will have you removed from the session,” demanded Rhaenys, whose eyes had not left Ormund. “This is an alluring proposition, one I see nothing against. It shall be discussed further among us.”

She glanced at her husband who only gave her a look of approval, as did Cregan, who had always been the first to throw agreements that could prevent Targaryens to put the realm to the torch, and could only express his blessing. All from the side of the Green relaxed, with a few exceptions.

Then ensued several betrothal propositions, among which, Joffrey Velaryon, who had hereby been stated as the next heir to Driftmark by his grandfather, would be married to one of Lannister’s four daughters, the Lord most happy to finally marry his blood into royalty.

“Our only demand is for the twins to reside at King’s Landing, over our supervision, until we know of the gender of the heir. After which the other shall be sent as a stewart to one of the great houses,” Corlys’ demand was most vehemently opposed by Alicent, but after a few points made at each other, it was agreed that the other twin shall be sent to Oldtown, where their family resided.

“This is not enough,” spoke the angry looking Riverman again. “One child shall not repair all of the damage that had been done by the fires of dragon riders during the conflict. The Riverlands were torched, hundreds died. What stops them from reiterating their actions with only one child in King’s Landing under the Crown’s care?”

Several lords nodded with force, and you felt your heart quicken in your chest.

“He is right. The two princes are a liability, and their crimes are great,” added the envoy from the Eyrie. “They ride dragons, one of them being the largest alive, the other as big as Syrax. We cannot let this be tolerated if peace is to be enforced.”

Aemond hadn’t moved, but you could feel his eye digging into the skull of the envoy. All the room seemed to grow uneasy at the same time, the burning subject of what should be done with the Kinslayer finally put forward.

“Nothing of the sort will happen,” assured Ormund, aware of the many scolding eyes directed at him. “What happened in the Riverlands had already been assessed, and reparation shall be applied. It was war, my Lords, and war causes awful acts. In that, we are all guilty around this table, as I am sure you will concede.”

“It still does not suffice,” replied the lord at once, scathing. “Unless he is put in a cell or executed, we cannot predict what the Kinslayer might do. He is known for his rash actions, had put ablaze the Riverlands and yet he sits at this table.”

Silence followed, as all held their breath for Ormund to speak, or something to happen. The atmosphere shifted inexplicably as silence lingered, and it was when you glanced at your husband that you understood why. Aemond had stopped drumming on the table, instead straightening up in his chair, as if ready to stand up.

When he spoke, his tone was sharp, taunting. “Very well observed, I am here, aren’t I? Listening quietly to your pitiful attempts to avoid the realm to tear itself apart, bargaining my family and taking titles. Still, I did not argue, so I advise that you hold your tongue before suggesting my demise or interpret my intentions. I would not want my rash actions to emerge.”

His words had an instant effect, some lords turning slightly pale and others seething in their seats, not comfortable with the idea that none could stop Aemond Targaryen and Vhagar if they wanted to, his current collected demeanour held by a thread that this Lord kept tugging at.

“That is most right, you had said nothing,” the Lord pointed out, unphased. “We have not seen you take part in this council nor do you seem to believe that your crimes shall go unpunished.”

“Let us not be sidetracked here,” chimed in Ormund before Alicent could. “There is nothing from our part that would endanger the very essence of what this council is trying to accomplish.”

But Aemond was smirking.

“You speak of my crimes, but I don’t see you taking any actions regarding the murder of my brother and grandfather in cold blood,” he said, anger nagging at the surface.

“The assassins were employed by Daemon Targaryen and him alone,” interjected Corlys with a dark eye directed to the envoy of the Eyrie, urging him to calm. “And he had already paid the price for this choice, as you well know.”

“That might be the case, but the Qorgyles didn’t,” retorted Aemond, his resentment towards Sandstone still burning strong. “We all here know the truth about their involvement.”

“The Qorgyles are a Dornish house, thus falling under the jurisdiction of the Martells, who had chosen to remain neutral throughout the conflict, and wish to remain so. No measure shall be taken in their stead, they will deal with their bannermen on their own terms. This is not our place.”

Aemond had lost his smile, replaced by a clenched jaw and a cold rage he was struggling to maintain. “Then I suggest that they be quick about it, otherwise I might fly there and render justice myself,” he threatened, but proceeded to only stare at the opposite side as faint gasps travelled the room at his words.

“Here! This is what I am talking about,” exclaimed the Riverman before turning to address the entirety of the room. “Tell me, my Lords, what prevents him, a hot-blooded Kinslayer by none but two occurrences, from riding the most dangerous dragon in existence and 'render justice himself' as soon as this council is over?”

As words of approval erupted around the room, Alicent had opened her mouth to retort, mirrored by Rhaenys who intended to reiterate her threat to have him removed from the hall. But a powerful roar echoed from the outside and everybody stiffened, listening to the sound reverberating through the walls. Aemond had found his seething demeanour again, no longer leaned in his chair but instead ready to stand up, his dark eye solely directed at the Lord who had spoken. When the roar died in the air, a cruel smile had appeared on his lips.

“Frankly, my Lord, nothing.”

Gasps and horrified comments erupted around the room, the menacing tone with which Aemond had spoken making Alicent feel the need to put a soothing hand on her son’s forearm. But your husband only laughed and looked around the chaos as if it was the most amusing thing he could witness.

“This is outrageous!” came the voice of a noble from the Blacks side as well as several others that shouted similar statements.

“He has a daughter, does he not?” exclaimed one of them. “It might be a fair bargain to have her in King’s Landing, with the royal family. Put her in fosterage, make her a companion, have her under the Crown’s watch.”

Aemond instantly stiffened while you fought the urge to stand up as well.

“Leave my daughter out of your machinations,” snarled Aemond, clearly fuming as panic overtook you. “She will be the servant of no one, and certainly not for my nephews and their offspring.”

“Perhaps you would have her marry the next heir instead?" retorted one of them in laughing disbelief. "Was that your plan all along, to put your lineage on the throne?”

“That is enough,” came your father’s strong voice, making most of the head turn to him and preventing Aemond heaving in fury next to him to reply. “My granddaughter shall take no part in the negotiation as she had already suffered at the hands of the Rogue Prince. I do not take you, my Lords, accountable for it, for I am aware that it was his actions and his alone. In return, I only ask of you to settle to the terms we agreed upon,” he said, glancing at Aemond who was ready to cut the next one who would speak of his blood, hand at his belt.

You almost expected for the lords or your husband to resume the fight, their feud far from completed, but a frustrated sigh travelled the room and Cregan took on speaking.

“We do have to assess the fate of the late King’s progeny, my Lords, as well as his widow’s, as I am sure you realise,” he said, taking care in ignoring Aemond and looking between Lannister and Ormund. “Due to the outcome of this conflict, we cannot let the Higtowers and two dragon riders anywhere near the Crownlands. We must act accordingly.”

Jason Lannister as well as his bannermen and your father nodded in defeat, while Alicent and Ormund fell into silence. But as talks of exile, being sent to the wall, army requisition or even imprisonment was discussed, you only half-listened as you found your gaze transfixed on the silver-haired man a few feet away from you.

You knew Aemond to be resilient, never yielding, and you wondered what his current cool demeanour meant for you. He had assured you that he would rather live than die fighting, but you had never envisioned what it meant for his legacy, for your daughter. It felt like nothing would ever be enough, not for her.

“Is that is to be the case,” replied Rhaenys to the argument you had not followed. “If this council only settles to confine the Hightowers within the borders of the Reach, alienating the previous terms of the negotiation, then we must make another demand.”

Lannister, who bore a sinister expression, addressed her. “And what do you propose, Princess?”

“For one of you my Lords, to be granted a place at the council.”

Lannister made a faint strangled sound. “I believe that my brother’s place in the small council as master of coins is still assured? Or has it changed?”

“No it hasn’t, my Lords, however, Lord Lydden would be a fine addition to the King’s council, wouldn’t you agree?”

You straightened up in your chair at once, noticing how Aemond had done the same and was now glancing at your father who cleared his throat before talking.

“I am flattered, Princess, but my duties and the health of my wife concerns me greatly. I am afraid that I will have to-”

“Your family are most welcome in the Red Keep, my Lord, as will you. Your wife shall have the best care there is. I see no issue on the matter here,” Rhaenys stated, and when she made the most fleeting glance at Aemond, you, as all those on your side, understood.

The presence of your father at King’s Landing was the only solution they had come up with to keep Aemond Targaryen from acting against them if he ever wanted to. Vhagar was untouchable, as were you and his family, and having any Hightowers in the capital would not benefit them in any way. So instead, they would have Daeron and your father at court, hoping that would be enough.

As you glanced at Aemond, you could see how his shoulders moved with each breath he took, but still said nothing as your father stared back at Rhaenys before nodding in defeat. “Very well, Princess. I thank you for your proposition.”

You thought about your brother, who was once again abandoned as Lord of Deep Den, and about Daeron, once again separated from his family for the sake of peace, mostly a way for the Black to have both Vhagar and Tessarion apart.

The session dragged on for an hour more without any skirmishes and when it ended, you directly came to your father.

“Do not worry for me. All will be well,” he assured as he took you in an embrace while you felt Aemond approach at a respectful distance. “What matters is that your mother, brother and you are left in peace, as well as our House.”

“Still, I cannot help the feeling that all of it is my fault,” you replied, glancing up at him from your position against his chest. “I am sorry.”

“Oh but you are wrong, Y/N.” he said before bringing his mouth to your ear so that no one would hear you. “All is as it should be, the true heir sits on the Iron Throne and the fighting has stopped. I, for my part, cannot help the feeling that my role with the Greens has accelerated this outcome, and all thanks to you, my darling.”

You smiled at him, realising that when your father had abandoned his allegiance to the Blacks for your sake once, he had not forsaken his honour, and his duty towards the realm.

He would be a fine addition to the council indeed.

When he departed, passing next to Jacaerys with whom he had a rapid word with, you felt Aemond’s hand snake up around your waist to drag you out of the hall.

“Your father finally gained what he wanted, it seems,” he stated as you reached a less crowded area within the castle.

“You know it to be untrue. He only did what he had to, for the continuation of what he has worked so hard for to endure,” you replied, glancing at some Blacks who were eyeing Aemond with indignation. But he had no care for it.

“Mh. I guess I should be grateful. He was much more efficient in defending my own daughter than I was,” he said bitterly, and you glanced back at him, eyes widening slightly.

“She won’t be taken away from us, will she, Aemond?” you asked, searching for reassurance.

“Of course not,” he replied, taking hold of you so he could kiss your forehead, and you melted into his touch. “I won’t have you, her or my mother out of my sight anymore, they cannot reach you while I am here.”

You closed your eyes, enjoying the warm feeling his words were giving you, his strength radiating through your very being.

You slightly parted from him. “What happens now?”

Aemond only smiled at you.

-0- Epilogue

I am forever grateful to @enchantingcupcakecollectionfan for beta reading (even though I apparently manage to be alright this time)

@let-love-bleeds-red@crazylokonugget@jeyramarie@ephemeralninon@mrswhitethornbelikov@dudfahsn@missusnora@queenofterrasen418@honeytrapsblogp-graham@heathclifftragedyy @discowizard88@ivartheblessed@xceafh@bubbletae7@omgkatherine01@tzipora-art@signyvenetia @ml0103 @nsainmoonchild @lonadane @skythighs@bietchz@samnblack@mariaelizabeth21-blog1@projectcampbell @ripdragonbeans @caribbeangal@polireader@zillahvathek@moni-cah @literishdegree99 @a-beaverhausen @thekinslayer @maniccrystalhippie @princessofdarkwinter @isaxbella749@claudie-080102@ebaylee422@hydrationqueensworld@crumblychunksofheaven@officiallyunofficialperson@grungegrrrl@stargaryenx @dark-night-sky-99 @notanenthucutlet @saeselkie

#aemond #aemond targaryen x reader #aemond targaryen #aemond imagine #aemond x oc #aemond x you #smut #angst #prompt #fanfiction #aemond one eye #house of the dragon #hotd #aemond x original character #aemond x female original character #aemond x reader #aemond targaryen x you #ywawm

161 notes · View notes