2º The Red Keep
Haelyx got down from the carriage carefully. Her hips ached like hell and she wondered how her grandmother and her cousin had managed to ride their dragons within days of giving birth. Honestly, her legs felt like butter and her hips hurt like hell. This was much, much worse than the pain she felt when she learned horsemanship when she was six years old and the horse galloped the first day.
And that a month and a half had passed, a more than recommended time to start riding a horse or a dragon. Haelyx looked at the crowd gathered to greet them and tried to smile and fix her smile on her face before stepping out of the carriage.
The Queen had sent a nursemaid to help them with Iolanthe. And Haelyx had been pleased to see that she was one of her old babysitters, Aly. The woman had been embarrassing her with stories from her childhood that Edmyn listened to with great interest.
- Do you want me to take you in my arms or to help you?
-We can not. Darling, my loving husband, this is court. Those people you see there are sharks and any weakness will make them attack. We will go slowly and when we are no longer with the crowd you can take me in your arms. But before that we must be firm and strong.
Edmyn nodded and Haelyx mentally summoned the strength from her before a servant opened the carriage door. Her dress was blue with small details in red, like the ribbons that tied her hair. Her hair was in intricate braids reminiscent of the style of Visenya Targaryen and her cousin Rhaenyra's. She went down after taking Iolanthe in her arms and walked slowly to the place where the queen was. The skirt of her dress did not show how her legs trembled, instead her slow and elegant steps reminded of a swan gliding in a pond.
-Queen Alicent, Princess Helaena, Prince Aemond, Prince Jaehaerys, Princess Jaehaera and Prince Maelor. It is an honor to be able to see you again and make this visit to the home of my house of birth.
Haelyx gave a slight bow that made the back of her neck sweat. Her knees wobbled but she stood her ground with a soft smile on her face that made many a man's heart flutter. Fortunately Helaena stepped forward and helped her upright.
-You shouldn't bow down, you recently gave birth. Is this your daughter Iolanthe?
-Yes, this is my little girl. iolanthe.
Queen Alicent stepped forward and looked at the girl with a smirk. The girl would be pretty, there was no doubt about that. But she hadn't inherited Targaryen hair. A point in favor of the girl. She wondered how Daemon would react to a granddaughter without the Targaryen colors.
-The King was very pleased that the young lady of House Tully was named after the last Queen of Valyria. He said that he wanted to see her as soon as he got to her court, but I think we should organize a banquet and maybe an engagement.
They all looked at the Queen and Aemond stepped forward as Helaena stared at her mother without blinking.
-Mother, what marriage commitment?
-Between Jaehaerys and Iolanthe. Iolanthe is a lady of Targaryen lineage and from one of the seven great houses. Jaehaerys will benefit from this in the future.
- And why not Maelor?
The Queen looked at her daughter as if she had swallowed a lemon, but Haelyx was biting the inside of her cheek to try not to snap back at the ultra-religious bitch when it suited her.
She couldn't be more transparent. Jaehaerys was Aegon's eldest son, the son of Alicent whom the Greens wanted to put on the throne. Iolanthe was a lady of Valyrian blood, but she was also the eldest daughter of the inheritor of the heir to the Land of Rivers. Marrying Iolanthe to Jaehaerys would cause the Tully family to support the Greens
-There are also Aegon and Viserys. As far as I know Aegon is three years old and Viserys was born last year. – Haelyx pointed that out. – I'm afraid that in this generation there are only two women of Targaryen blood against the four boys. It will be difficult to make suitable marriages according to the tradition of our house.
-I just want our Iolanthe to be happy and well loved. So I think the best thing would be to wait a little longer to see the future candidates grow by the hand of our little goldfish.
Helaena linked her arm with Haelyx's, something difficult since they both had babies in her arms. Maelor looked at Haelyx through silver lashes and gave a hint of a toothless smile that melted the heart of the young Queen of Avalon.
-I'm already tired, and Haelyx gave birth less time than me. Let's go to rest before seeing the King and continue with this with such a pleasant conversation at dinner
Haelyx could see the Queen's lips tighten into fine lines after being overruled by her daughter. But the Princess had already started walking as he dragged Haelyx with her, Aemond and Edmyn following like two protective shadows. Haelyx couldn't help but notice that Aegon was nowhere to be found.
A part of her shuddered, remembering the last time they had met. Most likely, the Prince of Silk Street was in his usual place, or lying under the table in some tavern.
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Haelyx was on the bed while the Maester examined her.
-It's just a fever from exhaustion. Nothing weird. She has put in a lot of effort to come here right after giving birth. – The man smiled when he saw the small seven-pointed star that Haelyx had hanging from her neck. It was good that he was looking at it, Haelyx had put it on especially for him to see. And for him to tell his masters, the Hightowers. – In a day or two it will be fine.
-Are you sure? She…
-I'm sure. You just have to rest, Princess, all that's left of the day and tomorrow. Then you can start attending social gatherings and seeing the King.
Edmyn dismissed the Maester with great kindness as the man left. Haelyx was still in bed and her former nursemaid was next to Iolanthe in her crib.
-Child, you are playing the court game well.
-I grew up here, Aly, I know how to play it.
The old woman laughed and Haelyx noted that she barely had any teeth left. Haelyx sat as she fanned herself with her hands to cool her body temperature while Edmyn went out to pay his respects to the Hand of the King and the Court. Also to excuse Haelyx.
-I taught you to eat chalk to raise your body temperature and pretend to be sick to rest from that infernal Septa that the Queen sent and that sadistic Master that the King assigned you with his good heart. – The old woman smiled at Haelyx. - Do you come to play at Court to achieve power?
- I'm here to ensure the neutrality of House Tully. Besides. Being seen as a fragile and weak flower that gets sick from a trip is a good thing for me. You told me once: "There is no better weapon than the one you plant in the mind of your enemy", "An ethereal beauty is more memorable if it is fragile and can disappear at any minute" and "If they underestimate you they will never expect to be hurt." cut the eggs with a dagger, every flower must have thorns"
-I love knowing that my lessons are remembered
-By the way. Where were you? You were taken from me after the incident and can't find you after that. I looked for you, I wanted to take you to my husband's house
-The Queen sent me to an orphanage. But Princess Helaena found me and brought me back when the raven said you were coming back. – Haelyx told herself that she should thank Helaena with something special. Maybe a spider necklace or dragonfly earrings. Although the Queen used to wear elegant and expensive pieces of jewelry, Princess Helaena never wore such adornments. They were always more discreet and simple things
-Can you tell me what things you have found out about the state of the Court?
-Prince Aegon is a danger, he has raped more than half of the maids and several ladies. They lost count of his bastards at fifty. Silk Street is full of white-haired children...
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Haelyx and Edmyn walked through the passages that led them outside. Haelyx hadn't been out of the Keep much. After all she was a beautiful girl in a cruel world. She had still secretly gone out a few times on childish outings with the other children. Sometimes even with children's clothes and hair dyed badly by one of the guards that she had a soft spot for princes.
Never with Aegon, who was considered too old, but with Helaena, Jacaerys, Lucerys, Aemond and, on a very rare occasion, Daeron. They went with costumed guards and used to walk through the markets and see the goods on the merchant ships. In her new home she could do it too, but it wasn't the same. In the capital there were more boats and those children's getaways had an emotion that an adult could not feel.
It was strange, kids just wanted to grow up, but the older you got, the more complicated and boring everything was.
- Do you know these streets well?
-It could be said. But I think we both know where we want to go.
Edmy nodded. In the sleeping city the street of silk shone like a lamp that attracted the moths of the city. Edmyn watched as Haelyx approached each drunk or person around her and used magic to give them an order. Sometimes her, sometimes Edmyn while he practiced
"Bring all the Targaryen bastard children to the ship at the dock in mint condition."
Both toured the streets of the city leaving that order in hundreds of minds
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Oscar was covering his face with a piece of black cloth while he covered his head with the hood of a cloak. He wasn't the only one, most of the sailors wore hoods over their heads.
Another man arrived, this one dragging a teenage girl dressed as a prostitute. The girl resisted, but the man led her to the catwalk. Two stocky sailors picked her up and carried her into the hold with the other children. The girl tried to scream but they covered her mouth and took her downstairs. Her blond hair was the color of flax and her eyes were a deep purple that would lighten in the light.
Oscar looked at the man and raised the medallion that would break the spell, making the man think that he had had too much to drink and had just woken up on the docks.
- Sir, we can no longer carry more cargo.
-Oh really? How many kids are there?
-Ninety-five, sir. Shall we give the order to set sail?
-More can come. We must... -Oscar did not want to fail in his first official mission as captain of the first order of knights of Avalon
-They will not. – Everyone turned to look at Haelyx. – Missing children live with loving parents who will be able to care for them properly and love them. There are no more needy Targaryen children left in King's Landing. you can set sail
The sailors began to work and Oscar approached Haelyx.
-Will they be waiting for us?
-Yes, they are looking forward to meeting the children. After all, Valyrian blood belongs to Valyria.
Oscar approached Haelyx. She looked beautiful with her gaze lost in the blackness of the night ocean. Her amethyst eyes were deep and thoughtful, as if they saw things Oscar didn't. Truths that were only visible to the eyes of the young Queen next to her.
-Several of the older girls cannot be Aegon's daughters
-I know. They are probably my cousins or my sisters.
-Several also wore clothes of prostitutes. And they are saying the names of their establishments. – Oscar saw how his sister-in-law's hands clenched into fists.
She didn't condone prostitution, but she also knew that there were very few businesses a woman could really engage in. Maid, cook, seamstress and prostitute, there was little else for women unless they helped their husbands with their fields. Haelyx's heart was big and beautiful and generous, but that didn't mean she was blind to the realities of the world.
Haelyx did not approve of prostitution, she said that it was the last form of slavery in the seven kingdoms, but she also knew that if the only option to have a piece of bread was to spread your legs, she had to consent to it. Even in Avalon there were brothels. But they were few and the prostitutes were girls who were there voluntarily…. And a witch who drew power from her sex.
Oscar knew that her distaste for the world's oldest profession and her realism collided in her mind and it hurt.
We'll take good care of them. And in Avalon they will be fine. They will be happy
-I hope so. – Haelyx put her hand on Oscar's cheek. – I have to go back, take care of everything, Captain of the Knights
Oscar bowed deeply. He only conveyed respect and admiration, as if at a word from the woman before him he would pull out his sword and cut his neck. Surely most people in Avalon would. The adoration for the couple of Kings was immensely great.
-As my Queen commands me
Haelyx smiled and turned around, disappearing as quickly as the brush of her skirt on her wood reached Oscar. He smiled
-That is an unusual woman. – said one of the old sailors. – She looks like Rhaenys, she was also unusual. But someone so extraordinary must love someone just as extraordinary.
-I know. ---- Oscar sighed. – I really want my heart to forget her already. Only my brother is suitable to be our Queen's partner.
-Do not mind, young man! When we get to Avalon I'll introduce you to my granddaughter, she's absolutely lovely! – Said the old man patting Oscar's back hard.
-Hey, my daughter is also looking for a husband!
Haelyx smiled from the place where she floated invisibly. With a short broom at her feet she stood by the ship. She had chosen the sailors very carefully, very carefully. for oscar
They all had women in their families who wanted to get married and Oscar was a good catch.
Haelyx this time was transported to the Red Keep and thought about how long it would take the high officials of Avalon in a joint effort to find a young woman with whom Oscar fell in love.
- Are you playing matchmaker for my brother?
Haelyx sat on top of her husband after shedding her cloak and dress, only wearing her underwear. Edmyn stroked her hair and released it. Her fingers gently undid the braid and Haelyx nearly purred in her husband's arms.
Edmyn tucked her under the covers and wrapped her arms around her body. Haelyx's eyes closed and she fell asleep while her husband looked at her.
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Edmyn watched Haelyx sleep without being able to fall asleep.
It was time for him to take her role as her partner more seriously. He was to learn magic, play the game of the Court, and get all the information he could for the benefit of Avalon.
Edmyn admired Haelyx. She was special in so many ways, and not just because of her magic or her beauty. Haelyx was an independent woman who moved on her own. Edmyn had observed many noblewomen in the past, she was not like them.
Many of them were like dolls that didn't have a single intelligent thought in their heads. Or if they did, they took good care of hiding it from their husbands. Only dedicating themselves to the administration of their homes. Never stepping out of line to avoid any kind of gossip
Haelyx was not like that. If she could do something that she had to do, she would do it. Perhaps that is why none of the inhabitants of Avalon doubted her as their ruler. To be honest, Edmyn knew that he himself was more of an accessory than a true authority figure. He was also a follower of Haelyx's brilliant light.
Avalon was Haelyx's dream, her kingdom in her own right and Edmyn was only in the plan because he had somehow managed to win the love of this incredible, intelligent, charismatic and beautiful woman.
He wanted to be able to be by her side as an equal.
Iolanthe shifted in her cradle and Edmyn rose from the bed and held her against his chest. The girl calmed down in seconds and Edmyn left her in her crib while he smiled.
-That is why you are a King worthy of being by my side. – Edmyn turned to see Haelyx looking at him with a smile from the bed.
-As you say?
-Your thoughts are not as silent as you thought, my love. Once your magic joins with another person's, as ours has joined, it is quite common to transmit your thoughts and feelings through the bond.
Edmyn blushed and Haelyx smiled at that.
Then she leaned down onto her hands and knees on the mattress. She reached up with her right hand and brushed against Edmyn's lips. The man was looking at the cleavage of his wife's nightgown after a couple of months without doing any nightly activity in the bedroom
-You attract people, Edmyn. you are magnetic I know that I am quite abrasive at a certain point. Also, even though our subjects support me, many of them still struggle with the idea of a woman as the top leader of a country. Your presence makes it easier for them. You also have a personality that brings people together around you. And not just as subjects. You know them, you remember them, you make them feel special…
Edmyn took Haelyx's hand and raised it so he could kiss her deeply.
-Also…. - Edmyn noted with some pleasure Haelyx's deep blush. – You are one of the reasons why I can be so determined. Knowing that you are the wind that drives me, the hand that supports my back and every time I look at my side I know that you will be there. – Haelyx rested her forehead on Edmyn's chest and her hands clung tightly to the fabric of her shirt. Edmyn noticed that she was trembling and a few small tears hit her shirt. – If I had lost you, I don't know if I would have been able to continue living, maybe only Iolanthe would have kept me standing.
Edmyn took Haelyx into her arms and laid her on the bed before kissing her as he climbed on top of her.
-I'm alive, wife. By your side and I'm going to show you right now
Haelyx blushed in the most beautiful way Edmyn had ever seen.