Chapter 19: The Stars for a Smile
Haemon 129, Hightide
"You look well Lord Corlys" I said as I entered his room. He and Laena both looked at me with differing expressions.
"Forgive me Lord Hand if I do not stand." Corlys said in bed, with a sheen of sweat on his skin. He looked bad. If he were white I would guess he'd be green.
"The news I bring, I would ask that you stay laying. Please." Laena rose then.
"What is it Haemon?" I sighed and took her hands and sat her down.
"Vaemond is dead, Lord Corlys." Laena gasped and held her hand at her mouth and Corlys just looked shocked. "I killed him." As I thumbed Blackfyre. He stared at me with rage.
"Why?" Laena asked.
"He called Princess Rhaenyra a whore, her children bastards and insulting my son Baelon. Stating that a Cripple will not rule over him." He leaned back more. Laena held a fire in her eyes then.
"I shall mourn my uncle. But ambition was the one to kill him." Corlys nodded weakly.
"I have more news." They both looked at me. "The King grows weak. He will die soon, that much is certain." Laena grabbed my hands and Corlys kept staring at me. "The court favors Aegon. Hell's half the realm does."
"The Velaryon fleet and her men are with you Haemon. I named you king once; I will do it again." I smiled.
"I thank you for your continued support for me. Truly. No man could ask for a better good-father..." Laena was just looking at me, reading me.
"You will kneel for Rhaenyra." Laena cut me off. I nodded.
"She is the rightful Queen. As King Viserys decreed it years ago." Corlys snorted.
"Stale oaths, older then all my grandchildren." We sat it comfortable silence.
"What are we going to do Haemon?" I sighed.
"I do not know. We do not have the men in the capitol to fight off the greens. Half the Gold Cloaks are loyal to me that much is true, but that is not enough to take over the city with the Greens being supported by the Hightower men, along with the lord's of the small council's support. We are outnumbered and they have the advantage." Corlys nodded.
"A smart man waits out the storm." I smiled. Seems I did learn something from him.
"Should the need arise Rhaena will marry Cregan Stark." Laena looked at me sharply. "It was the better choice. Rhaenyra wanted to marry her to Jace at first."
"That bastard!"
"Laena watch your mouth." I glared at her and she met my glare, Corlys broke our spat with a coughing fit. "Princess Rhaenys has taken the children to Dragonstone. I have also sent key members of court that are loyal as well, along with members of the Kingsguard that I know aren't turn cloaks. For now Dragonstone shall be our base." Corlys nodded and made to get up but both Laena and I held him down.
"Let me up. I will not lie in bed dying while my family plays at war. You will need me." I let go of him but Laena held on, helping him up. He groaned and I grabbed his other arm. He nodded in thanks. "I will close the gullet. Starve them from sea. We have that advantage at least." Laena looked at me.
"We also have more dragons." I shook my head.
"No."
"You will need me."
"No."
"You do not command me Haemon Targaryen!"
"I will do as I please Laena Targaryen!" We were standing up then, spitting at each other face.
"Vhagar will be needed, she is even bigger then Gaelithox!" I snorted.
"You have not ridden Vhagar to war! It is much different than going for a joy ride when you are bored of your studies I can assure you of that much!"
"Vhagar has seen war! She was ridden by Queen Visenya, then Baelon the Brave. I will ride by your side; you will not deny me this!" We glared and Corlys just laughed.
"Rhaenys and I were much the same when we first wed. Although I didn't have a dragon." We stopped glaring at each other. "No, even when she was pregnant with Laena, she flew on Meleys. Trust me Haemon, there is no safer place for a woman then dragon back." Laena had a smug smile on her face, and I just rolled my eyes. "Leave me for a moment. Send little Baelon in. I will watch him while you both handle your... 'arguments'". Laena just looked at him gaping.
"Father! How improper of you!" I just grabbed her hand and led her out of the room. Corlys chuckling the entire time. We ran down the halls like newlyweds. Full of youth, and many years denied of each other. It is safe to say we ironed out many problems with each other.
When we woke the next morning, we laid there in each other's embrace. Laena on my chest and I stroking her hair.
"I missed this my love." Laena said softly.
"I am sorry."
"We could have been like this in Bloodstone. Every night together."
"I am sorry."
"But you had your duties as Hand."
"I am sorry." She looked at me with a pout.
"If you are going to keep saying that, then please shut up." I smiled and gave her a kiss.
"I am sorry." She slapped my chest lightly and snuggled deeper. "Tell me now, and I will take you and the children to Bloodstone. We could live an easy life, away from this coming war." She sighed and stood up.
"I wish I could believe that Haemon. Duty is your second love. Followed by fighting." I flopped down into the bed with a groan. "You would see us there and we'd be happy for a month maybe and then you would fly off with Gaelithox. Maybe die with a sword in your hand, fighting some unknown battle in the name of the true Queen." I just stared at her figure. Bearing three children did not show, her body was still lean and her assets still full. She noticed my staring and threw a shoe at me. "I am being serious Haemon."
"I know my love; I just could not help getting distracted by my lovely wife's body." She snorted and went to get dressed. "Can we please not talk anymore of future wars or battles. I just want a day with my wife and our child." I rose and put on some pants and grabbed a shirt.
"If that is your wish, Lord Husband. Then that is what will be done." I smiled and put the shirt on.
"Thank the gods."
"You will thank me some more tonight. Baelon remains curious of his father. I can only tell him so much." She finished dressing in a simple dress. She still looked stunning.
"I am some father." I sighed. She just cupped my face.
"He is still young; he will understand in the future" I grabbed her hands.
"I do not know if I have the years to tell him everything I know. To see him grow. This war, could be the end of everything we know." Her eyes turned hard.
"I was under the impression we were not talking of any war for the duration of the day. We are just parents today." I smiled and we kissed. It was a gentle one. "Now come, we have a boy to see. Maybe we could fish today? Sail? Explore some unknown caves? There is so much to do. Baelon will love it." She was walking to the door.
"As my wife commands." She looped her arm in mine.
"I do. Now lead the Lord Husband. He will likely be with father right now. Likely being told some grand story of adventure. Or how he reclaimed Seafoam. Best save him, no?" I smiled and we journeyed down the hall. Laughing along the way. I would fight a thousand wars for this woman. Challenge the gods and chain the sun and moon to Gaelithox for her smile. The upcoming war becoming a decent memory for the duration of the day. Just us and Baelon. As a family. A true one, not of noble birth or trying to impress some lord. Just us.
Author's note.
I will try to make a schedule to have upload consistency.
I thought writing 2 different stories would be easier.
Forgive me.
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