Chapter Text
The next day is the total opposite, the skies are clear and although the air is still a bit crispy there is no threat of rain. Aegon decides it's a good time to go flying. Helaena agrees, the children can forgo the lessons for today, better to keep them out of the way and as far away as possible from Daemon's hell spawns. So, Ser Arryk escorts them while his twin hastens to inform Aemond they would be joining him today upon the skies. Helaena even ventures to suggest lifting the mood with bringing wee Maelor along, a first flight, even if the babe may not even remember it.
Jaehaera might be the most vocal of the kids, but that does not mean he will always acquiescence to her every time she pulls her puppy eyes out. Today it's Jaehaerys turn on Sunfyre and she can ride Vhagar with her uncle. As much as the kids loved the fyres and their uncle, Vhagar was not so popular, she was an amazing beast, but she refused to perform twirls and turns to the twins disappointment.
They had the keepers let the twins’ dragons free so they could fly along. It was good for them to learn to fly together with other dragons and a good way to exercise them. Since they were still small, they could not fly for very long, which also served as a good excuse to convince the twins they could not stay out flying for the whole day. The only one not enjoying that decision was the oldest she dragon. Shrykos and Morghul were still little playful menaces, and they took joy in nipping at the behemoth's tail and wings, they were fast and agile so Vhagar could never catch them. What she did was roar at them and swipe at them with her tail when she was fed up, actions the small cravens reacted by hiding under Dreamfyre's wings. It seemed the action to hide behind one's mother’s skirts was not universally human. It was funny to watch. Whenever they landed in the King's Woods to have a picnic of sorts, the little pests would crowd around Dreamfyre to croon at her, she was one of the largest dragons after the old lady and she was not afraid to snip back at the green beast if she felt her gazing too long to the little ones. It wasn't for nothing she was called the mother of dragons. Aegon could only be thankful they left his dearest Sunfyre out of their disputes.
As they flew Aegon allowed himself to ponder, thoughts arisen upon the remembrance of the previous day’s events. Jaehaerys has always been soft and sweet, he can be cutting and spiteful if pushed hard enough but that is not his natural disposition. Where his daughter is the storm and the wild sea Jaehaerys is a clearing in the dark forest, a water hole for humans and beast alike to reach a truce. He has too much of Helaena in him to be anything but good, perhaps of himself as well, before Otto had sunk his talons in and Alicent had made him afraid to even exist. Before the crushing responsibility of a throne that he did not desire and who did not desire him in turn was placed upon his shoulders. He hoped Jaehaerys would be allowed to remain soft and sweet, that he would not be forced to harden and put so many walls before his heart even Casterly rock would be less guarded.
He did a couple of corkscrew manoeuvres to get the boy screaming in delight and they both watched as Shrykos tried to imitate the golden beast. Vhagar as always was way behind, being the slowest of the three, and Dreamfyre was flying swiftly and straight not to upset the baby. Sunfyre would always be his favourite, but he could appreciate how intuitive and disciplined the blue dragoness was. They dipped and twirled no doubt making Jaehaera die with jealousy way over Vhagar’s back. It was an enjoyable flight, normal as it comes. The only thing of note was the fact Morghul, the lazy bastard, had learned to glide and land on Vhagar’s back, hitching himself a ride with his bonded human. Aegon was sure he would be hearing Jaehaera sing his praises and Aemond endlessly complain when they returned.
Jace, Jace number three and their mother are in the dragon pit when they return. Syrax looks splendid, but her scales still look dull next to Sunfyre's gold. The retinue sees Helaena and Maelor first, and Rhaenyra genuinely smiles at his sister. Aegon would love to intercept them, but he has to oversee Jaehaerys say goodbye to his dear dragon and separate them if necessary. It has become a habit by now, Jaehaerys will speak to Shrykos in High Valyrian and Aegon would put on a funny voice and answer him in kind. Both of his children found a lot of joy in hearing their dragons speak and he would not deprive them of it, no matter who was waiting. Sunfyre, smart as he was, was keeping them out of view as they took his seat off, yet they stayed close enough he could still hear the conversation.
"Good morrow Helaena! Out for a flight?" Jacaerys asks animated.
"Yes, I wished to take Maelor on his first one, so he gets used to it." Helaena softly answered, good natured as always.
"Did he enjoy it? No dizziness?" Rhaenyra asked with cheer in her voice.
"No, he is a natural I think." Said Helaena proudly.
"Just like his mother then." The oldest woman laughed.
"And you? Out to see Syrax?" Helaena asked.
"Indeed, her and Vermax. I'm afraid Tyraxes, Joffreys's dragon, had to stay in Dragonstone." Aegon made a mental note, not Jace number three but Joffrey. He vaguely remembered his nephews being unable to shut up about a supposed Joff for a few weeks in their youth, so that must be him.
"Shame, he could have played with my hatchlings." Helaena said with genuine sadness in her voice. Aegon was regretful too, he was sure the two spoiled troublemakers would have made its life a living nightmare.
Sadly, Aegon was forced to put his child over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes when the boy decided it was totally acceptable to lunge towards his dragon's face for a goodbye kiss. The last thing he needed was the boy to lose an eye because Shrykos didn't yet understand humans were soft creatures.
"Sister, nephews, good morrow." He enounced over the giggling of his wiggling son.
"Brother. I assume you went for a ride as well."
"Indeed. It was too good of a day not to take the kids out." He tried to say while Jaehaerys yelled. "Kepa Kepa down!"
He obeyed putting the reddened boy on his feet.
"Hi I'm Jaehaerys! Who are you?" The boy asked uncharacteristically social.
"This is your aunt Rhaenyra, you met her yesterday, remember? And these are your cousins Jacaerys and Joffrey." Aegon explained.
"You can call me Joff if you want, everyone calls me Joff." The third strong boy explained with a wide smile.
"Okay Joff!"
"Right, we should be going back now, Aemond and Jaehaera can catch us back at the Keep since they will land outside of the city." He tried to usher them out, hoping to lose his sister and her brood.
"So do we." She said smile a bit duller than when it was only his wife.
"Perhaps we can share the litter, there should be enough space, right?" Helaena suggested ignoring the tension between the families completely.
"Of course, sister." Rhaenyra acquiesced.
They went out, the silence being filled by the incessant chatter of the two boys.
Jacaerys went in first to help them get in and Aegon stayed last to do the same. The ride was mostly filled with superficial chitchat between the two women, an agitated discussion between the two young boys and cooing from baby Maelor. Jacaerys and him kept their mouth shut unless necessarily, sharing the wish to be anywhere else but here.
Once at the Keep, Aegon went down first, jumping down with Jaehaerys on his right arm, for his son always enjoyed it and he would not deny the little thrill. After, he put the boy between his legs, a precaution against him running away distracted, and extended his arm to help his wife get down. To his surprise it was not his wife the one who grabbed his hand but Rhaenyra. Sadly, he could not let go and let her fall, he had after all, promised himself to be civil. She was surprised as well; bet she expected a knight or servant instead of him. Joff went after her, putting all his weight on the wobbly step and plummeting straight to the ground, the boy would have lost a tooth if Aegon had not acted on instinct and grabbed him by the back of his tunic.
"Whoa thank you uncle Aegon!" He said too cheerfully.
Helaena went next, handing him baby Maelor. Rhaenyra was quick to extend her hands and without a tough he passed the child to her to help Helaena down. It only dawned on him when he heard the baby coo in his sister's arms what he had done. Helaena on her part seemed happy enough to let him rest in their sister's arms, unbothered as they come. He would have taken Maelor back if he had not heard a minute shout, giving him enough time to turn around and extend his arms, ending almost holding up a very embarrassed Jacaerys, the last victim of the wobbly step. Joff and Jaehaerys did not waste any time in laughing until both of them were heaving for air, which made the elder Strong boy even redder.
"Happens to the best of us." He said giving the boy a couple of pats in the back trying not to laugh in his face.
“Can we go play? Please?” Joffrey asked Rhaenyra holding Jaehaerys hand and putting an excellent puppy eyes demonstration.
“I wouldn’t want to be a bother as I’m sure the little one must be tired after such a taxing adventure.”
“Tis no bother sister, Maelor loves being about and has no trouble falling asleep anywhere, let the boys play.” Helaena supplied.
“Well, if you say so…” Rhaenyra acquiesced.
“We could go to the patio near the Godswood, it has a little terrace for us to sit while these ones enjoy themselves in the grass.” Continued Helaena.
“Yay!” The two boys celebrated. Apparently all it took was some dragon talk and less than twenty minutes for them to become as thick as thieves. Jaehaerys promised to share his wooden swords and Joff in turn told him he would show him how to properly hold it and spar. He gave a hidden look to Jacaerys, that had been them for a while, until him and his wretched brother decided it was acceptable to maim Aemond, that is.
The two women seated themselves together, Aegon by his wife's right and Jacaerys by Rhaenyra's left while the two young boys went down the steps into the grass to play. One of the servants fetched some tea and another the twin's wooden swords. Maelor seemed to be the happiest, being bounced in Rhaenyra's knee and waving his arms in delight.
Aemond and Jaehaera arrived shortly after, with the girl happily chattering his uncle's ear off until she saw the strangers. Still, quietly she approached her mother and faced his baby brother. Aemond on his end found a chair by Aegon's right.
Softly she asked "Muña, how was valonqar's first flight?"
"Īlen ivestretan īles olvie nēdenka" (I was told he was very brave) Rhaenyra answered. A fact that bewildered the little girl.
"Indeed, he moved his arms and looked at the clouds, no dizziness or fright." Helaena continued.
Of course, Jaehaera was curious if not exactly extroverted. "Why do you answer if I asked Muña?" The girl asked with severity.
"Because Muña means mother's sister as well as mother, and I am both of your parent's sister, so I am Muña as well." Rhaenyra calmly explained.
"Huh?"
"Valyrian is difficult, specially family names. But you will learn. For example, both the king and your great uncle Daemon are my Kepas and I am both your Kepa and your Iâpa." Aegon added just for the girl to scrunch up her face more.
Aemond, who seized the opportunity intervened. "Yes, and I am both your Qybor and Kepa. Horribly confusing. Remind me again what are you Jacaerys?"
The boy looked lost, Valyrian had never been a strong suit for the Velaryon boys and Aemond knew to exploit it, perhaps it was just them but any opportunity to make any of Rhaenyra's brood look bad was a good opportunity.
"I..." The boy hesitated uncomfortably.
"He is Velmana and Leika." Helaena gracefully intervened.
"You brother is playing with your cousin, go join them, I will call if they bring us anything nice to eat. Deal?" Aegon told his daughter. Their family conflict could wait a bit longer to include her, for now she may go and play with the enemy as if nothing was wrong.
"Deal!" And with a kiss to Maelor's chubby cheek she was gone loudly calling for her brother.
"I hope she behaved?" Helaena asked their brother.
"That she did, Morghul did not. I tell you again if Vhagar eats him I don’t make myself responsible."
When the servant finally came with the tea Rhaenyra told them to invite her husband and her children to join.
"Perhaps they can make up today." She mentioned in passing.
"Well, I don't see any mud, so that is a better start." Aegon answered with a snort. At least now they would all be there to police the little monsters behaviour.
They engaged in tame but pleasant conversation, mostly about dragons, but no one had thrown any barbs or insults yet, so Aegon considered it a good start.
It was not Daemon but Alicent the next to show up. Their mother only gave a brief look to Rhaenyra and Jacaerys before her sights centred into her main objective.
"Maelor. How is my brave boy?" She asked picking the babe up and giving him a big kiss.
"He did very well, mother, not a complaint." Helaena supplied.
"So fearless! Yes, you are so fearless, such a good boy!" She exclaimed putting on a voice that made Maelor gurgle.
Soon enough a servant came and put a chair in between the two sisters for the Queen who was very much doting on her grandson. Aegon sympathised with Rhaenyra's astounded face, he too was always surprised by the change the stern Queen experimented anytime she was in the presence of her grandchildren. Never had he seen her as soft and as permissive, not even when Daeron had been a babe.
Maelor on his part was happy to be picked up and held by so many people, putting the most cutesy faces not to lose his grandmother's attention.
"And how were you, my love? Any pains? Did you have to get on top of your dragon so soon?" Alicent asked Helaena, back to fretting as it was in her nature.
"It was fine, as I told you it would be, it's been more than six months."
"Yes, still you should be taking things slowly and resting." Their mother insisted.
"Was the birth difficult?" Rhaenyra asked.
"More for Aegon than for me, he almost passed out." Helaena supplied looking back at him with a sly smile.
"But I didn't! And my hand survived as well, I had my doubts by how hard you were gripping it." He contended his sister's good natured jest.
"It is good to hear you were there for our sister, not all men are brave enough to face the birthing bed." Rhaenyra said.
"I did have to leave minutely, turns out we still needed to retrieve an egg for Maelor."
"You were white as paper." His wife chuckled.
"I went into Dreamfyre's lair to get our son an egg, so in my book I was brave enough that day." He bragged back.
"Has it hatched?" Jacaerys asked.
"Not yet, but it will." Aegon answered confidently.
"How can you be so sure?" The boy asked again.
"Well, dead eggs don't typically move on their own. So, it's either that or the Keep is haunted."
"Who knows, maybe Maegor's ghost is having a go at you." Aemond quipped.
"Enough with you two and your ghosts, the children could hear." Their mother chastised them with a frown, some things never changed. Although he could not fault her, Daeron had been their first victim and he had refused to leave their mother's bed for two years afterwards.
It was sudden when a flurry of servants rushed to the patio, bringing a comfortable and unmistakable chair along. They all stood up to make room for the extra table and scoot away. The king was coming.
Daemon was tending to his brother, his spirits seemed to be a bit higher today but pain still plagued him. The man could only speak between wheezes and his hands trembled an awful thing, he feared these days might be his last. It was in the middle of one of the King's sentences when a servant interrupted.
"Prince Daemon, you wife invites you and your children to join her, prince Aegon, princess Helaena and prince Jacaerys in the patio to have some tea and appetizers."
"It seems, brother, I have been summoned, I shall leave you to your rest."
"Nonsense, I believe the fresh air will do me good and I don't think any of my children would be unhappy if I were to join. It does sound like a wonderful time, doesn't it? Really gladdens my heart they chose to spend the morning with each other." Viserys happily interrupted. If Daemon were younger and his brother wasn't decaying before his eyes, he would have told him it didn't, it sounded like the worst time. Rhaenyra was clearly asking for reinforcements not enjoying a happy stay with her half siblings.
Still Viserys was his king and he always favoured Rhaenyra, so having him there would benefit them. Yes, they would have to wait for guards to carry him there, but it would be worth it, he hoped. Anyhow he sent word to his daughters and Lucerys to bring the boys to the patio and join the impromptu family meeting.
Perhaps, if they were lucky, his Aegon might still avenge himself against the Hightower girl.
Viserys hobbled over to his seat with Daemon’s help, right between his wife and favourite daughter, a pleasant expression on his ugly decaying face, seeing him almost spoiled his appetite. Maelor felt the same starting to fuss over in his grandmother’s arms as soon as he gazed at the King. Helaena took him away, excusing herself momentarily to feed their child. It could not be more awkward, but at least the kids were having fun running around and playing catch. Aegon let his mother lead the conversation choosing to fill his mouth with cheese and entertain Aemond for a bit. It wasn’t after all his brother’s fault he had gotten roped into this shit show instead of being allowed to go training in the yard like he would have preferred, but now they were together in this so he couldn’t leave.
They were saved momentarily by the distraction of the rest of Rhaenyra’s horde of children arriving. Three chairs were laid besides Jacaerys who surely would welcome the company.
As the king welcomed them Lucerys hesitated for a moment on which seat to take, a moment too long Aemond did not waste.
“You don’t have to sit nephew, feel free to go down and play with the kids.”
“I think I’d rather stay, thank you.” The boy answered quickly sitting down besides his brother.
Both Aegon and Viserys the youngers quickly went over to the other three, and Aegon the elder already prepared for what this could quickly turn into stood up and gave a sharp whistle.
“No fighting!” He shouted at them before seating himself once again.
Helaena came back as a round of wine arrived and some more appetizers made their way. At this rate he wagered they would all probably end up having some bizarre mix of a breakfast and a lunch.
He gave a last look at the kids before engaging back in conversation, Jaehaera seemed to be playing swords with Rhaenyra’s Aegon and the other three were playing some sort of statue game, all seemed well.
Seeing Lady Baela’s interested face Helaena once again extended an olive branch.
“Do you want to hold him? He is a bit doozy since he had just eaten.”
“I’d love to.” The girl quickly agreed, cooing over the baby softly, the babe gave her a sleepy smile and grabbed her necklace without tugging, fully entranced by the beads.
“He is very well behaved, you are lucky.” Rhaenyra pointed out.
“That we are. Completely different from the other two, Maelor hardly cries.” His wife bragged.
“Do take it as an exception and not the norm. It happened to me with Jacaerys and never again. So your next will probably be a crier as well.” Their sister commiserated.
“That’s fine, as of right now he will probably be my last.” Helaena admitted. This is a decision they both had come to a month after Maelor was born, Helaena had done her duty, two boys and a girl, there was no reason for her to suffer another child. Mother looked surprised at the revelation, for they both had failed to inform her, no that they owed her that, this was their marriage not hers. And knowing her she would probably want to push Helaena to have another child.
“How come? You don’t see yourself capable? Is something wrong with you or is it another sort of problem? Rhaenyra has birthed five children without issue.” Daemon asked his least favourite niece unabashedly.
“Well moon tea exists, as I’m sure you and my sister very well know. And we already have three children, so there is no need for Helaena to face the birthing bed again if she doesn’t want to.” Aegon said. Could you fault him for making the dig? How dare Daemon imply his wife had any sort of shortcoming?
“Come again?” Rhaenyra asked offended.
“My bad, you had Joff around five or six years after Lucerys, I assumed it was intentional.” He said with his most pleasant smile.
Rhaenyra frowned, after all this she could not refute.
“Right, well, hopefully it is not an issue of performance, nephew.” Daemon countered.
“Not at all, thankfully I do not share your problems Uncle. If what your ex-fiancée said is to be believed, of course.” Aegon said, still smiling. Aemond choked with his wine a bit and Jacaerys had to look the other way biting his lip. The coughing woke up the King, who had dozed off for a little bit, thus they were forced to end the verbal attacks for now.
Turns out advocating for the cease of child fighting pits had been the right move to win Lady Mysaria’s friendship, and she had a lot to tell about Daemon.
Meanwhile...
“Why are you playing with them, Joff?” Aegon the younger started getting closer to his older brother.
“Why not? They are our cousins, and we are having fun. Do you want to join?”
“They hit us yesterday.” Aegon Jr pushed.
“You both hit us too, but we all apologized.” Jaehaerys said, resolute to stand his ground this time.
“See, you made peace, now we can play Aegon.” Joffrey intervened.
“But Kepa is Aegon, he can’t be Aegon too, it will be confusing.” Jaehaera chipped in.
“It’s my name, you can’t change it!” The boy protested.
“You could be Egg.” Jaehaerys added.
“I’m not an Egg!” Aegon Jr shouted.
“Eggsy then. So, we can tell you apart.” Jaehaera declared to Joffrey’s amusement.
“I am Aegon!”
“Eggsy!” Jaehaera insisted.
“Yeah, Eggsy is nice. Everybody has a nickname too, so should you. Like Joff, or me and Hera. Even uncle Aemy has a nickname.” Jaehaerys pointed out.
“What’s my nickname then?” Viserys Jr asked with a pout.
“You could be Vissy.” Joff added. “That way we wont confuse you with grandpa Viserys.”
“Okay! I like Vissy!” The boy proclaimed.
“And what is his nickname then, Jaehaerys is too long.” Eggsy protested.
“Just Jae, that’s what Uncle Daeron calls me.”
“Are we done? Can we play tag now?” Joff insisted patience already thin.
“I want to play swords.” Eggsy complained always one to be contrary.
“It’s fine, I will play with you. But only if you play pretend!” Jaehaera added quickly noting the frown on the boy’s face.
The rest left them to their devices running around and rough housing as boys ought to do.
“So be it! I want to be a king, King Aegon, and I have a dragon and an Army!” Finally, Eggsy agreed, picking one of the wooden swords.
“Then I’m Queen Jaehaera, and I have a dragon, an army AND a Unicorn!” The girl said not letting herself be outdone.
They clashed their swords with dull thuds, completely immersed in the narrative.
“I will raze your fields and burn your armies!”
“I will scorch your fleet so badly even the sea will part not to face my wrath!” Hera countered.
Their battle was glorious, thousand dead, many castles burnt, her poor unicorn mortally wounded, it was just their final duel left. A duel to the death.
“You are as stupid as you are ugly.” Jaehaera raged, hitting harder with her sword.
“Your brother makes a prettier lady than you ever will.” Aegon the younger countered employing equal force.
“We are identical you cabbage head!”
Another whistle was heard that snapped them both out of their world.
“Lunch!” Her Kepa shouted.
With a final look and discarding the swords onto the ground Eggsy extended his hand.
“Draw?”
“Until the next time!” She promised. The next time he would lose, she just knew!
The kids ran up the stairs to their respective parents, Jaehaera throwing herself at Aegon’s legs and Jaehaerys to Helaena’s. Maelor was very much dozing in Rhaena’s arms, the boy having already passed around all the women seated his chubby cheeks and easy smile making him irresistible.
A servant brought wet towels so the children may wipe their hands before daring to even touch the communal food. Most of them had already had their fill but Aemond did his best to shield his plate from Jaehaera’s grubby little hands, at the opposite end of the table it seemed Lady Baela hadn’t had the foresight and was getting ransacked by Viserys the younger or how the kids were calling him now Vissy.
As Aegon was serving a small plate for his daughter the same as Rhaenyra the King’s mask momentarily unfastened and the rotting side of his face was left for everyone to see. Joff and Aegon the younger gasped and Jaehaerys looked the other way, most probably in disgust.
The silence was broken by a small soft voice, one belonging to his dearest daughter.
"Did Lucerys take his grace's eye too?" She asked innocently.
A general gasp could be heard and then more silence. Lucerys looked down to his tightly clasped hands while Aemond directed a wrathful gaze his way, etching a satisfied expression by the way the boy refused to look up and face him. Aegon would be glad to leave the moment be and make the boy feel the full shame his action brought, sadly he was too aware of who they were surrounded with.
"No, the Kings eye fell out because he refused to eat his vegetables." He rerouted.
"No!" The children screamed in unison.
"Indeed, he refused for years to eat any of his greens, and now look he lost an arm as well." He affirmed full of conviction.
"Lies! Uncle Aegon is lying!" Joffrey countered.
"He speaks but the truth, I did not eat any and I got sick." The old king rasped to everyone's surprise.
"Nuh huh don't lie grandsire!" Eggsy replied gripping his mother’s hand.
"To accuse the king of lying is treason. He would not lie about a matter as serious as this." Aemond joined in, enjoying the charade, perhaps too much.
"Indeed, I would not." Viserys wheezed out.
"I will eat all my veggies I promise!" Jaehaerys said panicked.
"Me too!" Vissy and Eggsy joined in.
"Even the spinach?" Jace asked taking the chance to poke fun at his brothers.
"Yes, even the spinach." Said Eggsy pulling the most disgusted expression his little face could produce.
Nothing of note happened afterwards except Maelor vomiting over Daemon a bit as he was passed back to his mother. Not only did their uncle have to whitstand being vomited over he was also reprimanded by his wife and the Queen for jostling the babe too much and shouting at him making wee Maelor cry. He ought to admit it, his younger boy made him an even prouder father, even if he didn’t intend it Aegon would later mention to Helaena how their child had avenged her from Daemon’s untowardly remarks.
Thankfully once lunch was over and done with, they could all retire themselves with the excuse the children were due to a nap. Aemond and Ser Criston, who had spent the whole gathering peering into the patio unseen, escorted them and the children to their rooms, just in case. A bath was called and finally their dragon riding gear could be taken off. The children may be due to a nap, but with such a morning and the slight buzz Aegon had managed to acquire he resolved he might as well partake.
As he fell asleep with six fingers curled around his thumb Aegon mused. If the King did not request a family dinner again, Aemond would surely sneak some strawberry pie to Jaehaera as a recompense for bringing forth Lucerys’ misdeeds in front of everyone. He would do his best and look away to let them enjoy their triumph.