Chapter Text
Leanara tried to ignore the guilt she felt. It had been a cruel joke they had played on her uncle, but it had only been in jest. Uncle Aegon had assured them that it would be fun, that he deserved it. And Jace had seemed so excited when they heard of his plan, how could she have done anything but play along.
But once the laughter had ended, all she was left with was guilt. Guilt and shame. She couldn't explain why, but having hurt Aemonds feelings had in turn left her sad.
That is what led her to seek him out, maybe an apology would help that ugly feeling go away. So she made her way to his room, practicing what she was going to tell him when she eventually found him.
She had yet to find what to say when she found him in the hall outside his chambers. He had his usual gloomy frown, but his eyes seemed to be sad.
But what surprised her the most was that his silver hair, so unlike hers, had been a mess. He now looked disheveled and a bit dirty, a complete contrast to the Aemond she had seen earlier in the day.
But the shock didn't stop her at all as she made her way closer to him. She had been expecting him to turn around as she made her way towards him, maybe asking what she was doing but she received only silence.
Leanara wasn't aware if he had not heard her coming or if she was being ignored. She wouldn't be surprised if it was the latter. But she had sought him out for a reason, and she was not leaving until she had accomplished it.
With her mind made up, she raised her head high and made her way to his side.
She thought the noise of her steps would have made him finally acknowledge her presence. But Aemond was as stubborn as always and kept his gaze away.
She was tempted to tug at his shirt to get his attention, but she knew that besides the blood they shared there wasn't much that tied them together. He would not take kindly to her acting so familiar with him.
Thus she acted like the princess she was and gave a light cough to signal her presence.
The hand by his side tightened into a fist, but he still refused to look at her.
"Uncle…" Instead of his sleeve she decided to reach for his hand, maybe he would finally turn around if he felt her so close.
But just as she gently brushed her fingers across his hand, he took her hand hostage. He yanked her towards himself, as he finally turned around.
"How have you been?" She finished, barely above a whisper.
Somehow those four words seemed to be the wrong thing to say. He went from mad to infuriated.
The older boy released the grip he had on her hand to take her by the shoulders and shoved her against the wall. The fact that they were the only ones in the hallways suddenly became harder to ignore.
"Did you come here to laugh at me again? Was it not enough for you?" Each word he uttered seemed to enrage him more, the grip he had on her shoulder starting to become too painful.
She had to say something, anything to make him stop. The guilt had finally disappeared but now she was only left with fear. Because out of both uncles, Aemond was the least kind. Aegon would often joke with Jace and even talk to her. But Aemond was always indifferent towards them. She had no experience dealing with him alone, and she feared she had made a great mistake making this journey alone.
But before she could make matters worse by opening her mouth, she was released. With a last glare Aemond turned away from her.
"Leave. Your presence is not wanted, bastard." Aemond spat out the insult with so much venom, she knew he wanted to hurt her. She should leave, she should have never even tried to talk to him.
"You know this is why they always pick on you. You can never take a joke! And you always act as if you were so much better than all of us!" She used all her strength to push him back, still reeling from the insult. Wanting to hurt him how she had been hurt.
The younger prince was quick to turn toward her again, but made no move to hold her against the wall again.
"Me! You all look down on me because I have no dragon. You all think I'm less then because I'm the only one without one!"
The guilt seemed to return then, knowing that in part it was true. Maybe not on purpose but she knew that Aemond was often excluded, always the punching bag for Aegon and Jace.
She reached for his hand again, and this time he stayed perfectly still as she did. She just wanted to keep him there for a moment, make him listen to her.
She used both hands to circle one of his and said as heartfelt as was possible, "I came here to apologize. I knew we were being mean, but Uncle Aegon said it was only in good fun. I was not aware it would upset you so much." She squeezed his hand once before continuing, "I am truly sorry."
Aemond still looked wary of her, but he allowed her to hold his hand. She would just have to count this as a win.