Aemon Targaryen

-Chapter 108-

-POV Robar Hawkeye-

"So?" said Galfr as he watched me emerge from my hawk's mind.

I shrugged and then said:

"A convoy with the banners of Houses Arryn and Redfort."

"Knorr was right," said Galfr, who had never doubted the vision of his scout.

"So, what should we do?" asked Gnorr, more interested in finding out if he'd be cutting off ears or not.

"I'm not really sure what to do in this kind of situation," I said, because it was the truth: we weren't supposed to attack Houses that had surrendered or those allied with House Royce, but we were to keep attacking House Redfort until it completely broke.

"We should attack," said Gnorr, eager to cut off more ears.

'I'd like to,' I thought, because I'd had no qualms about attacking the Andals ever since I was a boy.

'But if a member of House Arryn gets hurt, it could come back to bite us,' I thought, since the head of House Arryn was an ally of the Prince—and, more importantly, his uncle.

"That's not necessarily the right thing to do," I said, hesitating to set up this ambush.

"Gnorr is right, Prince Aemon said we must attack all men with the red castle," said Galfr, struggling to articulate properly.

"I know what the Prince ordered us to do, but we cannot attack members of House Arryn when the lord of that House is the Prince's uncle."

Galfr was still having trouble with the sigils, so seeing his confusion, I said, "The blue bird."

"So, what will we do?" asked Gnorr.

"Nothing for now. I'll send a message to the Prince, and he'll give us instructions once he returns to the Vale," I said.

Galfr grumbled in discontent as he turned on his heel, followed by Gnorr, who looked just as displeased.

After a few seconds, I did the same.

---

-POV Laena Velaryon-

I turned over in my bed, not wanting to wake up early without the warmth of my husband, but it was only when I felt arms around me that I fully woke up.

"Shhh, it's me," said Aemon, sensing my brief panic.

I let out a sigh of relief, having been frightened, and when I turned my head, I caught sight of his sly smile.

"Glad to see scaring me amuses you," I said, narrowing my eyes.

Aemon smiled and held me a little tighter, saying, "I'm not amused by your fear. I'm happy to know you weren't expecting anyone other than me."

I smiled and said, in a slightly defiant tone, "Who knows? Maybe he already left."

"So early?" Aemon asked, breathing in the scent of my neck.

"Hmm, maybe he had to wake up early," I said, mimicking him.

"Who should I execute?" Aemon whispered in my ear.

I giggled, amused, and whispered back in his ear, "It wouldn't be fun if you found him too easily, my Prince."

"It's undoubtedly the cook. I thought you had better taste. I must say I'm disappointed in you, Princess," said Aemon, nibbling on my neck.

"You're silly," I said, laughing and ending this little game before kissing him.

Aemon smiled and returned my kiss before saying, as he looked at the cradle right next to me, "He hasn't given you much time to rest, has he?"

"No. I know you had Maria take care of him, but I couldn't bear to see him away from me. He's still so small, so fragile," I said, glancing at Viserys, who was sleeping soundly.

"Don't worry. I understand," said Aemon.

"And now that you're here, you'll be able to fully help me with his endless crying."

"About that…"

"Don't tell me you accepted the invitation to Arnold's wedding tournament," I said, disappointed but mostly irritated that he might leave so soon.

'He's barely arrived, and he's already leaving,' I thought, frowning slightly.

Aemon tried to explain himself as I intensely searched for the person responsible for his sudden departure. "I didn't accept his invitation, and I even sent him a letter about it. I planned to stay by your side, but…"

"It's the king," I said, unable to think of anyone who could force him to leave so suddenly.

Aemon sighed and looked at me, seeing that I wouldn't let him finish his sentences.

"Sorry, I'll let you finish," I said, looking sheepish.

"It's your father," he said, surprising me greatly, as although they weren't on bad terms, they were certainly not friends.

"What did he do?" I asked, slightly worried about the reason for his next absence.

"Nothing. At least, nothing to me. He just has some issues, and I'm going to take care of them."

I raised an eyebrow, finding it extremely strange that Aemon would decide to make peace with my father on his own.

"And you're helping him because…?"

'Both are too proud. I find it hard to believe one of them would set aside his pride for "peace,"' I thought.

"Maybe because I'm married to his magnificent daughter," Aemon said, seeking my lips.

"Not me, Aemon," I said, pulling my head back.

Aemon rolled his eyes and said, "Because your father bailed me out on a matter, and I owe him."

"That's it?" I asked, expecting a more elaborate story.

"No, we've decided to form an alliance," he added.

"A real alliance?" I asked, skeptical.

"Yes, a real alliance," Aemon said, meeting my gaze directly.

'He's being honest.'

'Whatever favor Father did for him must have been huge,' I thought, realizing that his adamant refusal to let me give birth on Driftmark showed he hadn't fully embraced my Velaryon side.

"What exactly are his issues?"

"The Triarchy pirates."

'It's always the same story: my family constantly has to fight these rats even though we have three dragons,' I thought, before mentally correcting myself.

'Two now that I'm no longer part of House Velaryon.'