Chapter Text
It was the hour of the wolf when the storm came battering the walls of Harrenhal with torrential rains and scattered lightning and thunderstorms illuminating the dark decrepit castle. A deep booming roar of the dragon causes a stir within the castle knowing the stark difference from the Rogue Prince’s dragon.
“DRAGON” a distraught shout echoed thru the night before it drowned by thunder.
Prince Aemond emerged from the darkness of the night, Vhagar descended from the sky into the Outer Ward of the castle while the Hightower, Baratheon and Lannister armies surrounded the possible exit and entrance of the castle. Few of the stablemen and Strong soldiers run away from the ward either to hide from the behemoth dragon or to avoid the rival army.
The torrential rain caused the halls to be flooded within a minute. The squelching sound of his steps echoing through the hallways as he navigates his way through the dark and damp castle. Hearing a slapping footsteps away from his direction, Aemond drew his sword and followed the source of the sound. As he rounded the corner, the Hall of Thousand Hearth unfolded in front of him. He approached the banister with caution and roamed his eye on the entirety of the halls.
The lighting illuminates the hall and there he saw a man - no, a young boy not older than him dressed in a drench doublet and pants with a heavy cloak tied around his neck draped down the floor; due to the distance Aemond can't make out the facial expression of the boy. The boy was standing in the middle of the hall facing the crumbled walls with arms stretched out as if he was beaconing someone or something to approach him.
Alarmed by the gesture, Aemond looked beyond the crumbled walls as the lighting illuminates the sky he saw a shadow of a dragon flying towards the castle but before he could scream and warn the others a booming thunder breaks the silence of the night and was replaced by the screaming children and women rushing inside the halls mixed with the loud battle cry of his soldiers.
Aemond was bewildered by the situation; he kept looking towards the sky through the crumbled walls but no sight of a dragon everywhere and he didn't hear any screeching of dragons aside from Vhagar, who clearly was not fond of storms. With a frown, he leaves the banister and descends to meet his commanders on the ground.
Lord Simon woke up from the loud commotion outside of his damp chamber as he got up and walked out of his room he found himself in the middle of invasion but before he could command his knights the Green’s army already infiltrated and subdued his soldier.
“ I am claiming Harrenhal! ” Prince Aemond shouted within the Hall of Thousand Hearth. The scampering of women and children seeking their protection from their Husband, Father or Brother who are noble knights of their house. A vicious smirk appeared over the Prince Regent’s face when he observed the faces of those cowering traitors.
Aemond saw a stout old white bearded man break through the panic stricken crowd and immediately bent the knee and pledge fealty to him but he wasn’t satisfied with the old man's pledge. Why would he trust his empty words when he bent the knee to his traitor of an uncle easily like a snap of a finger.
“Enough! My men need warm food and a roof over our heads to shelter from the storm” He commanded the Castellan and immediately adhered to the prince’s demand and ordered his servants.
After the servant showed him his chamber, he quickly took a bath and soaked his body with warm water. He was glad that he could scrub off the grime and dirt that accumulated from his body, since he got out of the Keep. Being on his first battle he didn't account for the lack of proper bath and privy.
Aemond is not sensitive to the repugnant smell of body odor (Gods be good he was residing on Red Keep, the smell that surrounds the castle was more potent.) but he cannot stand some soldiers brushing from him whether they are in a tent to brainstorm and strategies to bring the blacks down or just on passing. It's not just about the smell of their bodies but also the stickiness of their skin. He also cannot stomach some soldiers pissing everywhere near their encampment and shitting near the bodies of water. Frowned would be etched in his well sculptured face when he saw someone doing so. Some battle - hardened soldiers would think that the prince was having a hard time or being shy to piss or shit where he can be seen by other people.
A knock on his door brought him out from his trance.
“ I did not ask to be disturbed this hour of the night” he loudly said as he got out of the tub and enveloped his body in a robe.
“I- It is your food, My Prince. Lord Simon said that you need fo- food and refreshments to be delivered at your chamber” a boy he presumed replied from outside his room.
Before he lets the servant boy in, he wears his trousers and leaves the robe be. When the servant entered his chamber, he carefully observed the servant's movements and when he realized that he could not possibly harm him, he just let the poor boy put the food on the table parallel to his bed. Aemond just shrugged and went to the hearth to warm himself.
“Give me some wine, boy” he ordered the boy still facing the hearth he heard the boy quickly heed his command and within a second the boy was on his side with a cup full of wine.
“Here Qybor, do you want to pair it with lemon cakes?” Aemond froze for a few seconds before he whirled to look at the servant boy to confront him on what he said but the sight in front of him rendered him speechless.
There standing beside him pale, lifeless and drench in what looks like a mixture of saltwater and blood dripping from the strands of his now soaked curly hair, clinging to his doublet, cloak and trousers. A deafening thunder and blinding lightning startled him and blinded his eye for a moment. He looked at his dead nephew but was met with a concerned look of the servant boy
"M -my Prince, are you well? You look pale do you want me to call our maester-"
Aemon cut off the servant boy from his blubber and shouted at him to leave him alone or he will gouged one of his eyes, the bewildered and scared servant heed and left the prince alone in his damp chamber.