Chapter Text
Sweat clung to her brow as the Hightower Queen gripped tightly at her midwife's hand as pain seized her, and it seemed her fourth boy was just as stubborn as his elder brothers before him. Queen Alicent could feel a sob leave her as her maids and ladies whispered encouragingly, soon enough she'd hold her precious boy in her arms just as she had done with her others. Finally, almost mercifully she heard the sharp cry of an infant that had followed one of her own, distantly she could hear the whispers and gasps of her ladies as one carefully scooped up the squalling babe and hurried it over to the bath and dressed the child.
My boy... I want to see my boy. I need to see if there is something wrong with my son.
The Queen winced as she sat herself up from the bed and glanced between her ladies, speaking amongst themselves only to fall silent when her cousin Lady Bethany Hightower came back with the babe. Thankfully the child had long since quietened, no doubt her boy was already the most perfect prince, a soft smile had grace her features as she held her arms out for the babe, “Give me my son, cousin.”
“Your Grace... you have given birth to a healthy baby girl.” Bethany's voice was somewhat strained as she said the words unable to look Alicent in the eyes, as the Queen blinked at the news she had never expected to deliver of a girl. Even still, she couldn't help but feel a wave of disappointment and shame crash over her as Bethany quickly sank down beside her bed and held the child out to her. Queen Alicent sucked in a sharp breath as she took in the sight of the child. Her daughter was a small, frail thing, far smaller than even Aemond had been upon his birth, with soft wisps of auburn hair grazing her head and the brilliant, mismatched eyes of Princess Alyssa gazing up at her. A shallow breath escapes her as she takes the child from her cousin, as she shifts the quiet babe carefully, there was no doubt her daughter was a beautiful child, perhaps even the most beautiful child in the realm. Alicent could feel pride bloom in her chest as she looked down at her daughter, the only child of her to have any resemblance to her, yet even still she couldn't help but worry as Viserys would no doubt be disappointed by her lack of silver hair.
“Have you thought of a name, cousin?” Bethany asked eagerly as she glanced from the infant princess to the Queen, and back.
“Her name shall be Helaena.” Alicent had declared sweetly before turning down to her daughter.
Helaena.
Her darling girl was no doubt a blessing by the Seven to be born on such an auspicious day as Maiden's Day. Her boys may have been sons of the Iron Throne yet Helaena was hers to keep, a reward for all the humiliations she had to endure at Viserys' hands. And whilst she had been somewhat disappointed at the news of a daughter such feelings were quick to flee upon sight of her. It would not be long until her boys visited alongside Ser Criston to meet their young sister and no doubt they would love and care for her as they did one another.
—
Aemond peered down at his younger sister curiously. She is wrapped in thick blankets, covering her small face from his view. He had heard rumors that his mother was originally distraught at not birthing another silver-haired boy and instead a little girl with auburn hair. Whilst his father was said that upon being presented with little Helaena to be rendered to tears upon seeing that she had been the only one of his children to inherit Princess Alyssa’s infamous mismatched eyes.
His brother Aegon took one look at the babe and smiled slightly.
“She is no true dragon,” Aegon had commented before he had continued, “she is the princess that is guarded by them.”
Aemond found that there was no truer sentiment, already rumors had abounded of his little sister being a blessing from the Gods themselves for only they could craft such beauty. Helaena, like them had not been given with a cradle egg despite his, Daeron and even Aegon’s petitions to the King to travel to the Dragonpit to select one yet he had denied them.
Not that it had surprised the Prince, his father made it abundantly clear that what Rhaenyra wished was law. He knew his father wished her to wed his bastard nephew, the king had not made such wishes a secret though his mother and half-sister could not agree on any such terms for the arrangements. Still the thought of Helaena being wedded to their nephew caused a scowl to make its way to his face, even as his his grip on the silver cradle tighten and his knuckles turned white, the Prince did well to keep his rage at bay however. His half-sister Rhaenyra had made it all the more clear that despite her affection towards Helaena she would not be gifted an egg as was the tradition of their House.
“Don’t fret little one you'll have a dragon one day,” Aemond whispers to his sister, his Valyrian choppy and rough.
He leans over the crib as far as his small body would allow him, as he peered into the crib which held the small babe with their grandmother’s eyes.
As she stares back at him, her eyes seemingly knowing. Helaena continued to stare at him, as if she were studying his features.
That’s when Aemond remembered his father’s declaration that Helaena was the most beautiful babe in the realm. Beauty, is both a blessing and a curse.