Chapter Text
When night fell, the Keep took on an eerie quality. Aegon felt as though he heard every rustle of the humid breeze echoing through the corridors as he laid awake waiting for his moment to move. King Viserys had commanded extreme diligence with the protection of the family in light of the brewing conflict in the Reach. The realm waited on bated breath as the unrest between houses mounted as a result of the untimely death of Lord Luthor Tyrell’s son, rumored to be the work of one - if not several - of his sworn lords at the behest of Lord Borros Baratheon. It seemed only a matter of time before violence broke out and the king may be forced to intervene. The clash between House Tyrell and House Baratheon would not be limited to them alone. Their allies and vassals would be forced to act. No matter which side Viserys elected to support, there would almost undoubtedly be a bridge burned and an inspired thirst for vengeance on the royal family. As the great houses dangled further on the precipice of war, Aegon knew it was the most vulnerable members of House Targaryen that would be targeted by those slighted.
The telltale clink of armor signified the change of guard, giving him an opportunity to creep across his solar into the hidden passageway without arising concern. He paused to peek into the cradle of his sleeping young son and glanced back to ensure Jacaerys was still asleep in their bed. He traveled through the hidden passages of the Red Keep to emerge into his father’s solar and meet the faces of the king, his sisters, and his nephew Lucerys sitting as though in council. The former wore a mask of apprehension, while the latter three looked up in intrigue at his hasty arrival. Rhaenyra and Lucerys arose to meet him, questions clear in their eyes. Helaena simply nodded to herself as she was keen to do - as if it was she who had called for this clandestine meeting herself and expected his arrival. Aegon had long since given up on understanding the peculiarity of his sister and elected to accept her oddities as they were.
Rhaenyra was the first to address him, “Aegon? What is the meaning of this?”
A pause where his uncertainty shows before his father answers for him, “Your brother has been contemplating the impending conflict within the realm and would like to propose an idea.” Viserys explains to his eldest before nodding at his son to continue. All eyes turn to him.
Aegon steels himself and meets his sister’s eye, “The animosity between the Tyrells and Baratheons is growing. It is only a matter of time before their swords clash and the realm delves into war. Our house cannot allow our kingdom to be torn apart - we will be forced to intervene. There will be judgments made and someone will inevitably be disparaged. We will be vilified one way or the other and they will search for retribution.”
“And we will remind them of their place.” Rhaenyra answers. “Lords get disgruntled. It is nothing new and will simply be addressed.”
“But at what cost?”
“What are you insinuating?”
Aegon cracks, “I’m afraid, Nyra. This isn’t a simple dispute over land or fucking sheep. This is the murder of Luthor’s son. The loss of certainty of the future of his house. His boy is dead and he will not be placated by coins or sorrows.” He continues, voice frayed and eyes rimmed red. “And Borros, ever proud, stands to lose his influence, if not his head. The Baratheons will forever be stained by this treachery if they are determined responsible. They will not begrudgingly accept this tarnish of their reputation, nor the detriment of whatever punishment is allotted. There will have to be blood spilled and, as we are set to deliver the verdict, it will likely be one of ours.”
Silence fell in the midst of his outburst.
“The wilt of the flower will lead to a mighty hunt for the stag. The dragons must take charge lest their nest rot from within. Even fire can be smothered with the will of the winds.” Helaena recited as though from a text she had read long ago. All eyes flicked to her as the true gravity of the situation set in. Lucerys folded back into his seat as a puppet cut from his strings. Rheanyra turned away and the King rose to follow her. Emboldened by his sister’s belief in the risks posed by the mounting tension of the realm, Aegon laid out his intentions.
“I plan to flee.” He held his hand up against the immediate protest from his elder sister and nephew. “I will not simply lie in wait for an attempt to be made on one of our lives. There will be no assassin sent to retrieve Aemond’s head. No soldier would be dense enough to face Daemon directly. To make an attempt on Rhaenyra or Jacaerys would surely be conceived as an effort for the throne itself - a fact to which neither faction is blind to.” He took a seat at the table with haste and grabbed the hands of both Lucerys and Helaena, meeting both of their eyes in turn. “We shall be their prey. They will come for us. They will come for the children.”
Rhaenyra flits back to the table. “They wouldn’t dare. It would be their ruin.”
“They are already facing ruin Rhaenyra! Do not feign ignorance to the distorted rationalities of desperate men. They will act when they can, however they can. Which is why I’m taking Haeryn away - to somewhere where he will not be a martyr in a cradle.” Tears gather in his eyes at the prospect of his son being made a casualty of this war. A slight bit of the tension in the room releases, as Rhaenyra softens her gaze upon her brother.
Helaena wraps her arms around his to comfort her brother. “It’s alright Egg. We’ll go.”
Aegon grips her hand and nods in appreciation before turning back to Rhaenyra. “I want to take the younger Viserys and Aegon as well.” Aegon hesitates before moving forward with his attempted persuasion. “Nyra, you know the pain of losing a child. We must do all that we can to keep those who we still have with us safe.”
Rhaenyra flinches at the mention of her stillborn daughter, but, after a moment, gives her brother a small nod of her own. A scoff echoes throughout the room, the look on Lucerys' face showing clear objection.
“This is outrageous! You’re talking about taking children away from their fathers. We are a family. We will keep each other safe by banding together and holding a united front. Jace and Daemon would never allow this.”
“Because they are strong fathers and stubborn men, but it is what is best for everyone involved. How are we meant to protect ourselves and the children, while we ride out on dragonback to meet with our foes and keep watch over the realm? How will being preoccupied with ensuring their safety allow for the others to remain vigilant in protecting themselves?”
Lucerys is clearly not entirely placated, but he has no rebuttal to Aegon’s claim.
“And what does all of this have to do with me?” He questions, voice laced with frustration and a bit of thinly veiled fear.
Aegon simply meets his eye for a moment. “Luke, do not take me for a fool. We’ve shared each other’s presence since childhood - I know you. I have also just experienced myself. I know what to look for.”
Lucerys averts his eyes, subconsciously bringing a hand up to hold his stomach, which elicits a gasp from his mother. He hesitantly looks up to meet her eye. “I - I wanted to tell you, but with all the chaos going on -”
She quickly crosses over to him and pulls him into her arms. “Shhhh my boy.” She pulls away slightly so that she can gently hold her son’s face and look in his eyes “I understand. I am just so very proud of you. But Aegon is right, we must protect both you and this new life.”
Lucerys hums his relent and the two retake their seats. Now that everyone is in agreement, they must come up with a plan.
The bustling grounds of the Keep as knights and squires alike readied themselves to march provided a fickle distraction as Aegon watched from his perch in the window of his solar, his nose buried in Haeryn’s light dusting of hair to provide some measly comfort to both mother and child. It was as if the young babe could sense their impending departure, with all of his fuss over the past days. The council had called for Daemon and Rhaenyra to fly to Highgarden as a symbol of the crown’s remorse for the Tyrell's loss. In turn, Aemond and Jace would travel through the Stormlands to treat with Borros in an attempt to dissuade any rumors of the crown aligning with the suspicions brought against his house. The other dragon riders at the disposal of the king would be charged with patrolling the houses north of King’s Landing from the skies, with the army prepared to advance at their word. Aegon kept casting fretful glances over to his husband as he finished securing his riding leathers.
Jacaerys catches his gaze as he finishes lacing his cloak. His eyes flicker with sorrowful recognition as he takes in the state of him. Maintaining Aegon’s gaze, he approaches his husband and runs a hand through his short blonde hair before settling it against his cheek. Aegon turns into his hand and leans his head back as a clear invitation. Their lips gently meet for a brief moment before a small coo causes their kiss to break out into matching fond grins. Jace takes Haeryn from Aegon’s arms and holds his face to the baby’s cheek, breathing deeply “I will miss you the most, my brave boy. Be good to your mother. I shall return to you soon.”
Aegon watches and feels his heart break at Jace’s ignorance over what is to come. He cannot stop the tears from coming to his eyes and tries to wipe away quickly the few that leak down onto his cheeks. Jace notices the state of his love and sets the baby in his crib before gathering him into his arms. Aegon buries his face in Jace’s shoulder and clutches his riding gear tightly while Jace holds his head with one hand and wraps the other arm around his waist.
“Everything will be alright. Aemond and I will keep close watch on one another - there is little risk.”
Warmth floods his body as Jace attempts to placate his fears, but his husband's gentle care has his conscience threatening to reveal the true cause of his anxieties. To stop the truth from spilling out, he reluctantly pulls back and takes Jace’s lips in a hard kiss until a knock at the door causes them to part. Aegon pulls back slightly, but rests his forehead against Jace’s, reveling in what he knows will be the last moments of total peace for the foreseeable future.
“They’ll be waiting.” He whispers against his lips. Jacaerys nods against his husband, before retreating to lean down and place a gentle kiss on his son’s forehead. He makes for the door, but turns back when Aegon calls for him.
“I love you. We love you. More than anything.” Aegon implores, ensuring that he meets Jace’s eye. He can’t foresee the exact aftermath of Jace’s return, but he must ensure his husband has, at the very least, no doubt in that regard. The corner of Jace's lips ticks up and something unbearably soft passes through his eyes.
"And I you."
As he takes his leave, Aegon is struck still. He stares after Jace’s retreating form for a few moments even after the door has closed behind him. Eventually, he glances down to Hearyn and feels his breath hitch. He allows himself a moment to wallow, holding himself up by the crib and attempting to suppress the sob crawling up his throat, before he gathers himself and begins to ready himself for his own voyage.
Across the castle, Lucerys sits against his headboard attempting to commit every movement and quality of his husband to memory as he prepares to depart. He begins to lose himself in spiraling thoughts of his growing secret and hidden plans, but the intensity of his gaze captures the attention of Aemond, who brings him back to reality with a hum.
“If you keep looking at me like that from the comfort of our bed in your state of undress I may be tempted to forgo this errand entirely.” Aemond jests with a smirk and eye alight with amusement. His lighthearted demeanor amidst Luke’s deception fills him with almost as much guilt as he feels when he looks upon the scar on his husband’s face. Even his sapphire appears to have a mocking glint in the morning light.
Luke falters only for a moment before sinking into a facade of normalcy.
“Mmm maybe you should.” He crawls out of the covers and across the bed until he is sitting on his knees at the edge. It has the desired effect when Aemond’s gaze darkens as he walks over and frames his husband’s face with his hand which Luke immediately turns to kiss.
“Do not tempt me, my love.”
Luke simply nips at the hand on his face which makes Aemond haul him up in retaliation. They kiss hotly for many moments before Aemond is able to gain his composure and step away. Luke whines and attempts to grab him, but his husband is dutiful as always. Aemond grabs his sword and heads to the door as Luke plops back down on the bed.
“I would appreciate it if the man I love would find himself in a similar station upon my return.” He looks back at Luke and clenches his fists in response to the unperturbed view of his wife’s body. It causes a bolt of desire to pass through his stomach, dampened by the stab of pain that hits his chest when he realizes Aemond will return to anything but. Nevertheless, he chuckles and schools his features.
“The man who loves you will do his best to ensure it is so.”
Aemond gives him one last smirk and hot gaze before taking his leave. As soon as the door falls shut behind him, Luke’s face falls into something stoic and troubled. He takes a deep breath before glancing down at his abdomen. He rests a hand over his still flat stomach. It will all be alright. He repeats to himself and the babe in his belly the words Aegon has said to him time and time again since their covert midnight meeting. He reluctantly climbs out of bed and begins to ready himself for the journey.
Helaena sent a shy smile toward the dragon keepers as she entered the pit. Although she was fretful at the thought of discovery, she didn’t share the same apprehension felt by Lucerys and Aegon. She knew intimately the horror that would befall her house if they did not band as one and face the rising threats. However, her confidence in their decision did not spare her from the sorrow that flowed through her as she caught sight of her nephew Jacaerys preparing to take to the sky. She watched as he cast anxious glances to her elder brother’s dragon as he readied his own. A reflection of their riders, Vermax flitted about with anticipation while Sunfyre seemed uncharacteristically timid. The golden dragon hovered around Jace in what only she knew was the beast’s way of showing his despair at their impending extended absence from one another’s company.
A low chitter from the other end of the pit indicated the arrival of her younger brother. Vhagar shifted about upon Aemond’s entrance. The mighty queen eager as ever to fly into battle.
“Good morrow sister, nephew.”
Helaena mutters her own greeting as Jace turns toward them. “Aemond.” he nods. “Hello, Hel.” he gives her a kind smile.
She stands by as the two men begin to discuss the details of their mission. Soon, her sister and Daemon enter the pit as well. The latter spares them little more than a seemingly amused glance before marching on to mount the Blood Wyrm. Aemond and Jacaerys attempt to maintain their dignity as they very proudly scurry after to be on par with the future prince consort. Rhaenyra chuckles at the younger Targaryens, but her amusement is lost as she meets Helaena’s eye. Helaena steels herself as she pulls her sister into a tight embrace.
“The boys shall be delivered shortly.” the elder whispers into her hair. “Do take care. All of you.”
Helaena hums in affirmation as Rhaenyra gives her a tight squeeze before inhaling deeply and heading off to Syrax without a glance back.
They set off mere hours later. Aegon leading the charge with Haeryn strapped to his front, followed by Lucerys and Helaena escorting the younger Aegon and Viserys respectfully. He does not allow himself time to reconsider as he takes to the sky - if he ponders too long on the mystery of their return, as well as what will be waiting for them upon it, he is sure to turn back. They have no choice but to flee from the impending peril the mounting war is sure to befall on their house. Their flames must withstand the will of the winds, even if from afar.