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She is small. Very small. Smaller than Jaehaerys. So small Aegon is afraid he's going to break her leg, her arm, her back, whenever he holds her. It's funny, he thinks: Jaehaerys was born at a normal height and weight, according to the maesters. But he was born with six fingers on his left hand and six toes on each foot. Jaehaera doesn't have any of these but she is tinier, slower to grow. They already mirror each other, in a way.
"Do you think she is this way because Helaena was too young to conceive?" He asks
Alicent's head snaps, ready to berate him, to slap him. Holding Jaehaera won't prevent her from doing so : he's sitting.
"The age of the mother can play a part in a child's health at birth." Orwyle quickly replies. "Maesters noticed that older women tend to give birth to special children. Queen Alysanne was four and fourty when Princess Gael came into the world. The princess was simple of mind, but she was as healthy as she could be."
Jaehaera yawns in her father's arms.
"But in younger women?" The prince wonders
"It can happen. But there is no certainty. It is in the hands of the Gods. Princess Jaehaera is smaller, true. She barely cries or smiles. But she feeds well. She eats until she is full. She sleeps as she should. And when she grows, if she is still tinier, we can supplement her diet to support her growth. Be at peace, my prince. Your daughter is tiny but mighty."
"My short queen." The teenager smiles. "And Helaena? The birth won't affect her too badly?"
"The princess is doing well. But you are right to worry : when a woman is too young to give birth, the shock of labour can impact her health and body."
Aegon caresses her fist, mesmerized and gasping as she grabs his finger with all of her strength.
"You may be tiny. But you are perfect, my girl. And anyone who mocks you for it, I'll feed to Sunfyre."
Alicent softens, smiles even.
Jaehaera is tiny, but she already is a miracle maker : for once, in her grandmother's eyes, her father is doing something right.