Work Text:
The sound of hurried footsteps echoing down the stone corridor broke the Red Keep’s morning silence. To King Aegon’s right, the prince Jaehaerys clasped his father’s fingers. To his left, princess Jaehaera clung to her hand-sewn dragon, her large violet eyes scanning every door until they reached the one she had been curious to enter since the previous night.
Jaehaerys prattled away to his twin sister while Aegon greeted the knight who was guarding the chambers where Queen Helaena was resting. The man acknowledged the presence of the king and his children, giving a brief bow to the three of them before pushing open the heavy oak door. Within the chambers, the scent of sweat and blood had already vanished hours before, leaving only the soft aroma of breast milk and the bath salts Helaena had washed herself with once she finally stabilized from the labor. She was sitting propped up in bed, her silver hair still a bit damp and clinging to her forehead, though this time not from the strain she had endured just a few hours earlier.
Upon noticing the entry of her brother-husband and their children, a smile graced Helaena’s lips. "Come in, my loves."
Aegon guided the twins to the edge of the mattress, sitting down beside his sister-wife and placing a gentle kiss on her temple, as much out of affection as to assure himself she was not running a fever — despite having spent the entire night by her side and already knowing she was recovering very well.
Jaehaerys was the first to come closer. The four-year-old boy climbed onto the bed and sat next to his mother, ignoring the ‘Be careful, Jae!’ that his father chided with a chuckle. The prince stared at the tiny bundle his mother was holding, his brow furrowed in confusion at his brother's size. "He is so small. Like a puppy."
Hearing his son's comparison, Aegon could not help but let out a laugh. The sound had not been so loud, yet it echoed through the chambers, making the baby whimper in Helaena’s arms, and the queen shot a brief, scolding look at her husband. Jaehaera winced, covering her ears and simply watching her younger brother in silence. It took more than a minute for the newborn to calm down, only then the princess lowered her small hands.
"Take a look at your little brother, Haera," Aegon encouraged his daughter, who looked from her father to her mother and then back to him. Without saying a word, she walked over and reached her arms out into his embrace. Smiling sweetly, Aegon picked her up and settled her onto his lap. Now closer to Helaena, Jaehaera could get a better view of Maelor. The wrinkled little face, the chubby rosy cheeks, the silver fuzz...
Jaehaerys turned to his twin sister and beamed at her. "Maelor is so cute, is he not, Haera?” Although the little girl remained silent, she nodded with a fond smile, snuggling into her father's chest, captivated by the thought of being a big sister.