Chapter Text
Harwin wakes up, eyes still closed. He opens one of them just enough to peak at the window and confirm that it's still dark outside. He sends a quiet prayer to the gods. He's not ready at all to leave the warm comfort of the Princess' bed, although unfortunaly he'll have too... eventually, before the sun starts to cast its faint lights on the horizon, he'll have to resume his place as Rhaenyra's Sworn Shield and Commander of the City Watch. He hated those moments where he had to part ways with her, especially nowadays.
But for now he'll enjoy those last peaceful moments. He closes his eye again and turns to face the other side of the bed, his goal being to wrap his arm around the Princess' body and kiss her cheek before falling back asleep with his head buried in her scent. But his arm meets nothing but thin air and his lips feel the soft texture of a silk pillow.
- Rhaenyra? - he asks already getting out of the bed. He only gets a glimpse of her figure before he stumbles into a chair, nearly falling over.
- Fuck!
- Careful, the last thing I need right now is you seriously injuring yourself in my private chambers.
He looks up from his hurting knee to see his Princess walking from the door that leads to the commom area towards the window he was watching moments earlier. She is controlling her breathing, one hand clutching her lower back and the other on her swollen belly.
- Are you alright, Princess? Trouble sleeping? - as the end of her pregnancy approaches, Rhaenyra's nights had often been restless. As much as he hates seeing her distressed, he has witnessed that two times before so he has already made peace with the fact that there's not much he can do to relieve her physical discomfort aside from massaging her back.
When the only response she gives him is a painful grimance, he finally realizes what's happening.
- Shit! Should I send for the midwives? - He asks but doesn't wait for an answer as he's already close to the doors.
- Harwin - She says soflty and he stops dead in his tracks.
- What? - she giggles at him despite the pain and arches an eyebrow - Oh, right... - He can't be the one to walk out of her chambers and send for anyone. Also, he's completly naked.
He has no idea why he's acting like such a fool. That's not the first time he's to be a father, but it's the first time Rhaenyra went into labor while they're alone together. With Jace, she was breaking fast with Laenor and Harwin only got the news later that morning, along with everyone else in court. With Luke, he was standing behind her as her Shield, while the Princess and the King talked to a small gathering of lords and ladies in the Red Keep's gardens when she excused herself suddenly. Once they were out os sight, she grabbed his arm and told him to get her to her chambers as fast and as discret as possible.
- I'll dress myself and leave now, then you can send someone to fetch them. How are you- - Rhaenyra puts up her hand, stopping him.
- Don't. - she walks towards the bed and Harwin meets her half-way through to help - Don't leave now, I mean. The contractions are still much further apart and are not that bad. The babe isn't coming anytime soon. Just stay until you have to go. Please?
Now he isn't able to deny her anything, is he? So he sits back on the bed, leaning against the headboard, and helps her sit between his legs, with her back on his chest. Harwin then gently wraps his hands on her round stomach, feeling the babe's strong kick.
- Another one with your patience, huh? - He heard Rhaenyra scoff as he kissed her neck.
- My patience? - she stares him back and he has a knowing smile on his face. She has no argument - Well, be it as it may, at least this one isn't as impatient as Luke. It's just two weeks earlier than the maester's prediction. I suppose it won't be a difficult birth.
The mention of Lucery's birth did the opposite of calming Harwin. Rhaenyra must've felt his uneasiness, for she turned to look him in the eyes and placed a hand on his right cheek.
- Don't worry, my love. It's all going to be alright.
He smiled, trying to reassure her, but she wasn't convinced.
- I wish I could be in the room with you.
- Me too - She leans back against his chest, closing her eyes and starts playing with his fingers - But I'm not sure we can pull that off again - Harwin groaned and burried his face on her hair.
During the chaos that was Luke's birth, no one seemed to find the presence of the Commander of the City Watch too odd. Or to put it better, at the time the midwives had more important matters to focus than what man was holding the Princess' hand.
- This pregnancy has not been as troublesome, my body has had a few years to heal and the babe is quite on time. I'm sure it... - She cut off her sentece and squeezed Harwin's hand so hard her knuckles turned white.
- Breath, my Princess.
When the pain passed, she relieved the grip on his hand.
- Babe and I can handle it by ourselves this time. Just go on with your day, You have a patrol today through the city, right? - Harwin nods. - I'm sure by the time you've finished the babe will already be here.
Harwin hopes she's right.
- And the boys?
- Laenor will watch them.
- Of course, Princess - He kisses the top of her head - I'll remain alert though. Don't hesitate to send for me if anything... - He trailed off.
- I know, love. I know
They remained for quite some time in that position. Rhaenyra was aflicted by contractions twice more before deciding it was time to call after the midwives. The hour of the wolf was nearing its end when Ser Harwin found himself arriving at his own cold and lonely chambers through the secret passage. He knew there was no use in trying to fall asleep again.
With a deep breath he took off the clothes he was wearing and moved towards his gold cloack. After he was ready, he called a servant with orders to deliver a message to his next in command, to let him know Harwin would be rescheduling his morning shift to later in the afternoon.