{𝔸 𝕤𝕠𝕟 𝕗𝕠𝕣 𝕒 𝕤𝕠𝕟}
EPISODE 1

129 A.C

THE NORTH. THE WALL.

THE COLDNESS of this far away located place quivered Aestra to the bones, the princess had never travelled to the North to become familiar with its atmosphere and costumes, which were way too different from the ones in the south with what she was used to. It is known as the largest region of the Seven Kingdoms,the dominion of House Stark extends from the border of the New Gift, which is controlled by the Night's Watch, to the southern edge of the Neck far to the south.

It was not the first time for the princess to encounter the Starks, the long faces, brown hair and grey eyes which Aestra had firstly found rather remarkable traits for people who relish the iciness of snow. Lord Cregan Stark was now the head of his house, slightly different from how Aestra remembered when him and his parents trekked all the way to Dragonstone for her 17th nameday. She had run into Cregan out of accident or perhaps fate, when the Stark man happened to notice the trifling bicker between the princess and her obsessed 'twin brother' or more correct cousin, who would never back down with the attempts to win her hand.

Aemond had tried to get to Aestra's heart since he learnt someone had stolen her from him and that person was his eldest nephew, until then that girl was nothing to Aemond only a twin flaw, like Alicent called her, who needed to be fixed or better rid off, yet the game changed due to Jacaerys's involvement and because of his huge self-esteem, will for revenge Aemond would let Vhagar burn him than lose another valuable property in front of those 'Strong' boys whom he loathed beyond measure.

"Here we are" Cregan spoke hopping down from his horse as two men dressed in black cloaks were already taking care of the Lord's horse. Ten days have passed since Jacaerys and Aestra had flown to win over the Houses which sworn fealty to Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen, their mother. The prince and princess succeeded in securing the loyalty of the Eyrie, Sisterton and White Harbor, proceeding more alliances for the cause of their rightful ruler.

"Where?" Aestra uttered raising an eyebrow, all she could see was a yard full of men in black and a big massive ice wall behind those castles. Lord Stark chuckled at her enquiry, needless to say the princess had no knowledge of what reside beyond the barriers of her castel, but Cregan would not judge her out of respect and given that princesses, women, were capable of apprehending only what they were taught or told. Surely, Aestra was far more different than the ladies of the Realm, who would just be tongue-tied before their husbands, though Lord Stark could not be acquainted with yet.

"The Wall, my princess. A massive barrier of mostly ice stretching across the northern border of the Seven Kingdoms, separating it from the wild lands beyond" Cregan informed watching closely as the princess climbed down her horse with the help of prince Jacaerys. Lord Stark had seen her wearing a gown before, at the ball in honor of her nameday, which had made her appear all delicate, fragile and elegant. The black pants, blue shirt that was tight to her waist due to her belt were she held a dagger, the brown vest snugged to her chest, the tall boots and the chestnut fur hung down her shoulders to keep herself warm, a coat gifted from Cregan's lovely mother, these all begot Aestra a new aura, more fierce, wild and unrefined.

"My lord" one of the lads woke Cregan from his thoughts, which he should not have. The lord quickly shook his head praying to the Old Gods that nobody had noticed him, the princess was too occupied with her conversation with her stepbrother, a relief for Lord Stark as he thanked the men who prepared.

"Follow me, your graces" Lord Stark called for the prince and princess, the lord's mind was suddenly clouded with the envisions of how his father had brought King Jaehaerys and Queen Alysanne to the wall, Cregan wondered deep down if his own father, the late Lord Alaric Stark, was captivated by the royals' appearance like he was in this moment because the entire damn Westeros was well aware of the Targaryens' beauty.

Aestra swallowed a bit seeing they had to step into a counter weight, one thing was flying on Cannibal having the reassurance she wouldn't fall while a machine which could apparently shove them upwards was an entirely different. "Aestra?" Jacaerys's voice awoke the princess, she hadn't noticed that she had been staring at the opened door of the counter weight this whole time. With a sharp inhale, the princess joined the two men inside the lifting machine, gripping tightly one of the bars using her right hand trying her best not to look down as the counter weight began to move up.

"Duty is sacrifice. It eclipses all things, even blood. All men of honor must pay its price. The North owes a great duty to the Seven Kingdoms. One older than any oath. Since the days of the First Men, we have stood as guardians against the cold and the dark. Through its long tradition, the Night's Watch cultivated its strength from doomed men who had their life as their only possession. But my ancestor, Torrhen Stark, began a tradition by making an offering at the onset of winter: one in 10 men from our household was to be chosen to fortify the Watch. This is not a sentence but an honor. A duty embraced by all who serve the North. Even by mine own kin. The North must stand ready. Winter is coming" Aestra listened feeling fascinated by Lord Stark's words, even if she had no so much awareness of the North side of Westeros the princess could notice that the northerners seemed people of decency.

"Coming? What is this, then, that falls from the skies and shivers my bones?" Jacaerys asked peeking up at the snowflakes dented on his black warm clothes. The urge was too much for Aestra to resist it, she had to look and watch how the machine was lifting them with ease, how the ground was slowly distancing itself from their feet.

"Are you certain we will not fall?" the princess quired turning her gaze back but still holding tightly onto the bars. Lord Stark bit back a chuckle observing the young princess act so frightened due to the height they were pointing to, it was hilarious how a Targaryen was scared of highlands when their kind was born to wonder the skies. Prince Jacaerys smiled warmly at his betrothed grabbing ahold of her free hand and intertwining their fingers to soothe her worries, it felt odd to not be able touch her skin due to the gloves they were wearing.

"This is only a late summer snow, my prince. In winter, it will cover all you see, and all memories of warmth will be forgotten" Cregan answered to Jace's question pretending to not notice the young royals' gesture, he had read the two from the moment they stepped foot into his home, it was too obvious and they weren't even trying to hide it.

Jace licked his lips and returned his gaze to Lord Stark, his brown eyes beaming into Cregan's grey orbits with sort of pathetic innocent pride. "It pleases me to think that over a century ago our ancestors treated in this very place. The Conqueror and the King in the North". Aestra eyed him with a sense of fear knowing the story of how Aegon Targaryen and the Lord of Winterfell from that time had made their peace, it had not been so simple.

"You, at least, had the mercy not to threaten me with your dragon" Cregan replied with a sly smirk at the corner of his lips, a pang of faded irritation ramping up in his chest, the Starks and the Targaryens had always had a complicated way in finding a common sense between their self-assurance and power.

The counter weight finally stopped at the destination giving Aestra the biggest relief ever, even if she was not out of that cage yet, Cregan shifted to open the exit for the royals.
"I like him..." she mumbled in Jace's ear, her soft pink lips barely brushing against his cheek, the Prince of Dragonstone smirked peeping down at her blue sparkling eyes that will forever stir a very intense passion for her and only her.

"After you" Lord Stark uttered clearing his throat, an awkard silence falling between the three as Aestra studied the northerner from the corner of her eyes, her lips merely touching Jace's skin. Cregan knew he was being taunted which appeared truly infuriating because usually he was at hand in that matter. Aestra pulled away from her betrothed, her blue eyes never leaving Cregan's grey orbits as she stepped outside the counter weight, the men outside bowing in her presence. Jacaerys poked his tongue into his cheek finding it bit hilarious the way the lord was trying to keep himself steady.

After the prince exited from the machine, Lord Stark shook his head to calm the heat building up inside him, a sensation he should not have sustained. The prince and princess were still in their youth, not much younger than him, but they were rebellious, especially Aestra, he could not let himself be trapped into their her acts.

Ice and snow covered all over the tunnels from the highest point of the wall, the men dressed in black clothes not leaving their posts at all cost. Aestra felt Jacaerys's fingers intertwined into her hand as the two turned around to follow after Lord Stark.
"Surely the great Torrhen Stark would've sooner died than bent the knee. Unless he believed the Conqueror could bring unity to the Seven Kingdoms" Jace spoke pulling Aestra closer as they passed by a pillar, the torche hanging on it just to ignite light inside the tunnels.

"You are right in that" Cregan agreed with a slight chuckle, the prince was intelligent, well-aware of the history of the Realm, there was no doubt he would make a great king one day.

"That unity is now threatened. The realm will soon tear itself apart... if men do not remember the oath sworn to King Viserys and to his rightful heir" Jace continued, he needed to accomplish his mission, the task that has been given to him by his mother, his Queen. Aestra listened carefully not tearing her gaze towards him, her mind wondering many things that had occurred, she remembered the first act of violence, when she saved Lucerys from Vhagar and Aemond at Storm's End, it was followed to be an intention of murder, then blood had been spilled the moment her son died after coming out from her womb. She would be selfish to put the blame on Aemond when all the fault was hers because she decided to mount on Cannibal and flee to Stormlands to save Luce, she had caused the death of her child, Rhaegar, due to her stupid arrogance and confidence, what a mother she was being the one in hand at murdering her own son.

"Starks do not forget their oaths, my prince" Lord Stark uttered firmly, him and The North shall not be considered as untrusthworthy people when they might have been the only subjects who had always followed whatever the rulers would decide and furthermore they were protecting The entire Realm with The Wall.
"But you must know that my gaze is forever torn between north and south. In winter, my duty to the Wall is even more dire than the one I owe to King's Landing. I need my men here" Cregan added wishing to make himself clear that what was taking place there in the North had more importance for him.

"Whilst your men guard against wildlings and weather, the Hightowers plan to usurp the throne" Jacaerys quickly uttered stopping in their walk, unconsciously letting go of Aestra's hand as something else had captivated the princess's attention. It was similar to hypnosis, a sort of energy was drawing the blue-eyed girl to the edge of the wall, she may have been wrong but it felt like the dreams she used to have, which were like predictions, somehow were surrounding her completely as she walked up the stairs.

"If my mother is to defend her claim to hold the realm united, she needs an army. War is coming to the whole of the realm, my lord. We cannot wage it without the support of the North" the two men followed shortly after, Jace still making efforts to convince the Lord of Winterfell that what shall come next in the few moons will affect the whole realm, even Winterfell.

"My father brought King Jaehaerys and Queen Alysanne to see the Wall. His Grace stood at this very outlook and watched as their dragons, the greatest power in the world, refused to cross it"  Cregan explained just as his father once told him the story of how he and the rulers of his time visited The Wall aswell, to make them understand how important it was for the entire Westeros. Aestra stood in front of her betrothed, her blue eyes glued to the mist wondering what could be so dangerous on the other side.

"Do you think my ancestors built a 700-foot wall of ice to keep out snow and savages?" the northerner questioned turning to face the Prince of Dragonstone beside him, Aestra gulped taking a step forward until her chest hit the cold wooden bars of the tower, she could feel something wrong was going on with her because the voices, which usually appeared in her dreams, were getting louder by the second.

"What does it keep out?" Jacaerys asked with a sudden curiosity washing over him, it was rather unusual though the value the people of the Night's Watch were giving to this huge continuous surface of frozen ice. The wind breeze became more intense blowing right into Aestra's face, tucking the two silver locks out of her sight as the hidden voice turned more louder, the voice that only appeared in her dreams.

From her blood... it will come... the prince that was promised... Aestra's entire body felt weak, every fiber, bone was burning inside her as she murmured silent prayers for the voice to stop shouting in her mind.
"Death" Cregan answered turning his gaze towards the Prince beside him, Lord Stark had no intention to make it sound terrifying but that was the truth, every northern was aware of it.

In order to not seem useless or disrespectful, Lord Stark knew he had to offered something to show the North's support for the Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen, the rightful ruler, whom his father had bent his knee years ago.
"I have thousands of graybeards who've already seen too many winters. They are... well-honed"
"So they're old?" Jacaerys asked raising his eyebrows, thinking about what Cregan Stark had to put forward, which was better than going back with nothing.

"I can ready them to march at once" Cregan added with a nod, he would prove himself and the North a worthy allied to the crown.
"If your graybeards can fight, the queen will have them" Jacaerys smiled with satisfaction, pride growing inside him because he managed to get both the Vale's and North's support for his mother.

He will come... to unite the realm in peace... the echoes were scratching Aestra's cells, her brain twisting with every letter being spoken. She could still hear both Jace and Cregan discussing behind her, but the reverberating was the one dominating her.
"No. Stop. Please—" the princess murmured through gritted teeth shaking her head, her hand digging into the snow on the wooden bar.
It should not happen this intense, they were usually helpless dreams with no sense or merely insignificant predictions that somehow turned out to be true, for example when she succeeded in saving Lucerys at Stormlands.

"They will fight hard... like northerners" Cregan couldn't help himself but to tease the prince and princess, surely he didn't mean anything improper or vile because it would be seen as an embarrassment. Yet Lord Stark will not deny the beauty both Jacaerys and Aestra carried, and he was not blind reading them the first day they stepped into Winterfell: the fire between them was always burning.
Aestra wished to scream due to the pain in her head, as she glanced forward the breeze blowing in her face the princess felt her blue orbits boiling and the fresh blood pouring down her cheek and dropping on the snow painting it with a red spot.

"Love... we must retur—" Jacaerys approached her from behind grabbing her arm gently and shifting her around, but at the sight of Aestra's pale expression, the bloody tear falling on her cheek and her blue ocean eyes suddenly looking violet, Prince Jacaerys bleached.
"Azor Ahai..." were the only two words Aestra breathed out before losing all her consciousness and fainting right into his arms. Jace tasted the worry and fear to the highest point in that moment, all he could do was stare with wide brown eyes at her senseless figure on his lap until Lord Stark awoke him from his trance announcing that they must take her to the maester, Jacaerys nodded shortly with a silent gulp lifting her up to his chest while praying to any existing Gods that this was just a nightmare.

DRAGONSTONE

Lucerys was alive, he felt more alive than ever, yet whatever he intend to do: read a book, spare on the beach, try to sneak into the kitchens or even sleep; his thoughts always went back to that day, which still seemed like yesterday, but it had already passed a whole moon since his life has been showed mercy on by the Old Gods and the New, the day his stepsister sacrificed herself for him, she chose to fly in her languid condition to save him. The painful cries and beseechings princess Aestra were the only noises filling Lucerys's mind forging an anger so deep that sometimes he threw anything he had close to him right into the looking glass from his private quarters, breaking it to pieces. Prince Daemon took notice of his stepson's sudden change of attitude and when he witnessed Luke breaking the glass again, Daemon knew he found himself an allied to help him with his plans.

"Use this fury on the battlefield. It is more helpful" Daemon instructed him, so Luke listened training and training every day from morrow to dawn until he felt the sword glued to his palm. Unfortunately the blame would not vanish away so easily, it would wake him up in the middle of the night all covered in sweat, Aestra's screams of pain still echoing his mind: NO! TELL ME THEY LIE! IT'S A LIE!
but sadly it wasn't. Aestra's and Jace's son was dead leaving little Daena without her twin brother, Lucerys had no one to blame but himself while his brother was trying to win the North on Rhaenyra's side. Lucerys started to make his own sinful plans, an act he must have achieved years ago when the first weapon had been raised against his family, he will blind his uncle Aemond completely this time punishing the clown for what occurred to Aestra and Lucerys will do it without defiance.

The sunlight beamed through the small frame of window into his mother's quarters as the first glimpse of the morning showed itself and Lucerys was tormented to stay and watch over his youngest siblings and niece while Rhaenyra was in a council meeting.
"They took my toy again, Luke!" Joffrey cried clinging to his leg, it was a miracle how much Lucerys had grown in the last moon outrunning his mother and stepsisters with his head. The second son of Queen Rhaenyra groaned in annoyance having to deal with little children, his little brothers, was not his favorite activity on Dragonstone but since Baela was spending more of her time on the saddle or shooting arrows in the wooden pillars and Rhaena, his gentle Rhaena, well... only Gods knew what she was up to these days. They hadn't talked since he returned from the Stormlands carrying Aestra, who's labours started to quick, in his arms; it has been only stolen glances or family dinners that he get to be in her presence.

"Guys" Lucerys spoke softly bending down to take a better look at his silver haired siblings, both Aegon and Viserys peeking up at him confused of why he would bother them so suddenly. "I believe this is Joff's" the 15 year old whispered slowly grabbing the dragon toy from Viserys's feet, a toy that once belonged to him but since he became to occupied with other stuff, he was more than glad to let Joffrey play with it. The little Velaryon of seven approached shyly leaning against his big brother's shoulder, Lucerys chuckled ruffling Joffrey's hair and handling him the grey dragon toy before standing back up. His gaze drifted to the small cradle placed at the feet of his mother's bed, the same sense of anger combined with sorrow awoke in his chest once again, even if the baby Daena was asleep Lucerys could still feel the judging in her: you killed my twin, he quickly shook his head realizing he was definitely hallucinating.

In the next moment, the doors of the apartment opened with a sound revealing a tired but joyful Rhaenyra seeing her children together. "Mommy!" Joffrey shouted running straight into the Queen's arms, Lucerys breathed in relief knowing his babysitting time had finally ended for that day.
"I want to take Aegon now. You took him last time" Rhaena uttered as she and her sister entered the chambers, Baela had a black riding gear with a red cloak on her shoulders while Rhaena was wearing a long red gown with long sleeves, they were twins but their attitudes and way of dressing hardly matched with it.

"We've come to take our brothers to the nursery, your grace" Baela informed, her and Rhaena standing with folded hands before their stepmother, Rhaenyra nodded with a smile before it to fade smelling the dragon scent coming from Baela.
"Have you been flying? Baela, I have told you not to wander the skies these days" the queen said with worry, after what happened at Storm's End, Rhaenyra became more cautious about the dragon flights around Dragonstone.

"It was only around Dragonstone, and I flew low" Baela spoke back with a scoff taking young Viserys up in her arms, the little silver haired boy instantly wrapping his small hands around his sister's neck. Rhaenyra sighed softly shaking her head, of course Baela wouldn't listen, she was Daemon's daughter, fierce, brave and wild just like Aestra. The two resembled Daemon the best in both physically and mentally ways, one more than the other.

Rhaena swiftly pulled Aegon up to her chest, the boy giggling up at her while touching her long locks of silver hair entangling them between his tiny fingers. Rhaena chuckled to the interaction kissing the top of his head gently and that only fueled the love and care in Luke to grow, he grew to feel empathy towards her even since they were little children and knew little about the world surrounding them but with time Luke began to understand that it was more than friendship his heart ached for. Yet he has barely exchanged few words with her since his return, Luke didn't know the reason but something inside him stopped the words coming out of his mouth and actually sounding clear whenever he was only with her which were rare moments.

His thoughts were abruptly awoken by the soft wails of a babe, little Daena was Held to her grandmother's chest, Rhaenyra rocking her side to side while saying silent noises in the baby's face. The Queen had a terrible miscarriage resulting the loss of mayhaps the only daughter she may have, without doubt all three of Daemon's daughters became hers the day she married him, Rhaenyra raised and loved them as her own even if they were hers truly. "She has Jace's chocolate eyes" her grace laughed softly staring at the habe in her arms, she would often remind the people around her that or moreover she would remind herself because of Jace's absence, a moon had passed since him and Aestra fleed to the Vale and Winterfell, and as a mother her worries no could not stop showing.

"And Aestra's curved eyebrows" Rhaena added shifting Aegon higher in her shoulder, she loved her niece, Rhaena genuinely adored children and babies, she possessed a delicate spirit unliked her other two sisters and father.
"And her stubbornness" Baela chuckled noticing how Daena began to bounce her legs up under the blanket she was wrapped in, as a strange disturbing smell reached everyone's noses and shortly after Daena started heavily crying, more like screaming so the entire wing of Dragonstone to hear her.
"And she makes too much noise" little Joffrey mumbled covering his ears and following after Baela and Rhaena who were taking Aegon and Viserys to the nursery. Rhaenya called for a midwife and a wet-nurse, knowing that after being changed Daena will yearn for milk, it pained Rhaenyra deep down that she had to give her granddaughter other milk than the one from her actual mother, but she will receive it after her mother returns from her journey.

Rhaenyra's gaze drifted to Lucerys while the midwife and wet nurse were taking care of the babe. "Sweet boy. What is troubling your mind?" the queen asked softly, a gentle smile tugging on her lips as she looked at her second boy, he had grown so much, he was now taller than her, he became handsome with his dark curls falling on each side of his face and deep brown eyes different than Jace's chocolate ones. Lucerys shook his head, a small smile forming on the corner of his lips, he was worried of what happened and what shall happen in the future with the Greens usurping his mother's Throne that may lead to only one thing: war.

"I'm alright, mother. Do not fret" he whispered kissing her forehead, Lucerys loved his mother more than life itself, he would do anything for her, and even if war was knocking on their doors he will protect her, now his Queen, and all his family. Rhaenyra's violet eyes started to water as she stared up at her son again, her hand moving up to cup his cheek and draw her thumb across his skin like she had always done to comfort her children, she couldn't not thank the Gods and Aestra for preventing him from a dreadful fate.
"But now if you'll excuse me... I better go to my sparing lessons" Lucerys chuckled pulling away from her and only then Rhaenyra could notice his sword fighting gear and the sword in his belt, he had already ready himself from the morrow and she was such caught up in council meetings so she put him to watch over the kids, what a fool mother she was that only could laugh while watching him exit her apartments.

Lucerys knew Daemon would be furious, he expected the Rogue Prince to force him do double shoots, maybe even put him fight against his stepfather, it happened once and Luke swore he will never let it happen again, that day it was the day he could not feel his own legs or hands, terrible sleeping he endured that night, still haunting him whenever his mind remembered.
Instead he met Daemon passing by the corridors all dressed up in his armor while cursing under his breath. Lucerys frowned seeing Daemon walk past him, he meant to ask if something bad occurred but the Rogue Prince's answer was already snapped "I know you are late. Now go on the beach and start without me". The reply was short and firm before he entered his chancery, shutting the door with a loud sound after him and Luke comprehend that Daemon was furious, he had all the right to be, his grandson died and his daughter was suffering inside just like him, and it was all Luke's fault. Sometimes the Velaryon boy thought Daemon loathed him, a reason he feared to be in his presence mostly but of course Luke had no choice, he desired to become fearful and Daemon was his only and best allied.

WINTERFELL

The moment her blue eyes agaped Aestra perceived she was laying in her quarters from Winterfell, wearing her white nightgown. She gulped remembering that she had been wearing other clothes, had Jacaerys changed her? Surely he had seen her naked body before but it felt rather stupid for a man to do such things, yet Jacaerys would, of course he would, he would fight the Gods and burn the world if it meant Aestra smiled at him. The Princess sighed throwing the blanket from her and sitting on the edge of the bed, her feet hit the cold wooden floor bringing a sense of life in her weak body. She stretch towards the chair beside her bed, the dark blue robe she usually wore even back at nights on Dragonstone placed on the rear of chair, to take the cloth and wrap it around her shoulders. Her hair was still braided in a long ponytail, messy one, and it hurt her scalp so with quick movements Aestra undid the beautiful braid letting her long silver locks reach her hips, she needed to feel it free on her shoulders.

It was dark outside, the grey half moon being the only one keeping light for the creatures out of their households, Aestra stood up slipping her feet into her light pink flats before grabbing the candle from the table as she slowly opened the door noticing all the corridor was lost in darkness except the last room on the right opposite from her, a pale orange shade beating from it, from Jace's chamber. The one thing Aestra hated the most since they arrived in Winterfell was the fact that they had received separate rooms, which were far too distant from one another; doubtlessly she was aware that it would be improper to share a bed with Jace, even though they had already been involved in intimate relationships, until they were wed, but still their chambers could have been much closer.

Her steps were the only sound heard on the corridor, the wooden floor slightly creating a scratching noise, it was not loud barely noticeable yet Aestra cursed in her mind that if she awoke someone she might show very less respect for the landlord. The Princess had to admit that the Stark family had accepted her and Jace into their household with warmth esteem, nevertheless Aestra yearned for the day she would return to Dragonstone, to their family, to her daughter, oh sweet Daena. Aestra only held her once when she was saying her farewell to the peaceful angel asleep in her arms, the newly mother cried that day after putting her daughter back in the cradle, while hugging her stepmother and father, and on the flight towards the Vale.

Aestra pushed the door slowly making a sort of shaky noise and immediately catching Jacaerys attention from where he sat at his table. The princess smiled shyly mouthing a sorry between her lips while walking to his table and putting the candle down on it. Jace seemed like a mute, watching her in awe and blinking a few times the thought that he was hallucinating crossed his mind. He had been worried as nothing before these last three days when Aestra was unconscious, he carried her up on his horse as they returned from the Wall after the Maester from the Night's Watch not providing much help to her condition. Cregan's maester turned out to be more useful, recommending what could improve Aestra's consciousness to return, Jace was the one to change her from the clothed gear not giving access to anyone near her, he laid her down in her bed pulling the blanket on her body and stayed in her chambers falling asleep the first night at the edge of her bed holding one of her hands in his. Even if it sounded foolish for man to take care of a woman in that way, Jacaerys slightly give a crap, he would do anything for Aestra just to see her breathing and joyful.

"What are you reading?" The princess questioned softly, her blue eyes wandering at the manuscripts on the table, they all had different hand writing and house sigils. Instead of answering, Jacaerys sat up on his feet and wrapped her in a tight embrace, his arms around her small waist as he buried his face in her silver locks. Aestra exhaled clinging her hands around his neck, resting her chin on his shoulder and closing her eyes, feeling a sense of calmness wash over her body.
Jacaerys wanted to cry, he had himself while they were traveling back from the Night's Watch, he was a man and the Prince of Dragonstone it would be embarrassing to be seen in tears, weak. Eventually his eyes could not bear it anymore so Jace shedded salty tears holding her hand between his and watching Aestra sleep; Jace went through the same stir from when he was only a child when she had fainted again: Can you lift her, my prince? Harwin asked him, but he was too stunned to do anything, he was a scared boy back then and ashamed of not doing anything the right way.

Aestra pulled away cupping his face betwixt her small hands, her caress as delicate as silk, her feathered gaze making Jacaerys's entire senses melt just be looking down at her. Aestra was his, his princess, his best friend, his love, the mother of his child, his future wife and queen; and Jace would do everything in his power to protect her from this war that knocked at their doors.
"I won't ask what happened at the Wall, even if it is my greatest wish to know, but when you feel ready I will listen" Aestra sighed hearing Jace's words, the respect he had for her was to be envied, it only fueled her love for him to grow. And yet she couldn't let herself confess her dreams, the voices echoing in her mind that not even her had a clue from where they came from.

The princess leisurely retired from his embrace, her blue eyes roamed over the papers thrown on the desk, each letter having the mark of its house in the right part of the paper.
"Both plans from the Vale and North, two armies worthy for battle... if there will be one..." Jace uttered still holding one of her fingers in his palm, Aestra nodded drifting her other hand over the documents. Alicent, Aestra's "mother", usurpered Rhaenyra's throne along with all their family after Viserys died of his strange illness. Aestra was certain that they were the ones to murder her uncle, she never got along with Alicent or any of her sons, except for Helaena, the sweetest and innocent girl in this whole damn Realm whom Aestra loved beyond words could be spoken. The blue eyed princess could only pray that Helaena and her children to be spared from everything that was to come ahead for their whole family now divided in two sides.

"When will we make our return?" Aestra asked turning to face him with hope, she was yearning to get back to Dragonstone and to take Daena in her arms, she swore that she would never let her precious daughter go from her embrace. But there was a sudden change in Jace's gaze after listening to her question, he knew Aestra will not enjoy the decision he made, maybe even loathe him for it, yet it was all to keep her safe and away from any danger.
"Love, listen" The prince rendered with a hint of frustration, it pained his heart to put Aestra in such state.
"I have spoken with Creg— I mean Lord Stark... and he agreed to my proposition. I need to know you are safe and that is why you must stay here under the protection of the Stark bannermen in case the Greens attack which I doubt it will affect the North"

Aestra believed she heard everything wrong at first, maybe she was still dreaming or asleep because there was no possibility Jace's intentions to be true. "What?" was all the princess could say withdrawing her hand from him, she prayed this was another nightmare and she would wake in her chambers from Dragonstone with Daena's cradle next to her bed. "My love..." Jace said with a pleading tone reaching out to take her hand again but Aestra pushed past him walking in the opposite side of the chamber running her fingers through her silver locks.

"How dare you do this to me?!" Aestra snapped through gritted teeth, Jace knew how much she ought to see Daena again, to look at her soft face, to touch her tiny fingers, to kiss her forehead and little feet, to be a mother to her daughter. Jacaerys blinked in confusion, shocked by her outburst all of a sudden, he had seen her angry before but never with him. "How dare I?! Aestra, I need to protect you!" he spatted back, instant anger inflating in him aswell. Jace's only desire was to keep her guarded, Aestra should not be apart of this terrible conflict that threatened to break the order of things as King Viserys had left it.

"I don't require protection! And you have seen it. Or have you forgotten that Luke lives because of me?" her words irritated Jace to the highest, she was so stubborn sometimes and lost control because of not being able to hold back her rage: half of King's Landing was now in ruins and started rebuilding due to Aestra and her three wild dragons. Surely, Jacaerys would never let the day his younger brother had been freed from Vhagar's fangs slip, the love he held in his heart for Aestra tripled that day and he would be thankful to her for life.

"No doubt I have, and me and my mother are forever grateful to you for your bravery and....
Aestra you must remain here. Please, understand it is for your own good" just in that moment everything was put to pieces for Aestra, all became clear as the sky, how could she had not noticed the space that made its appearance when she first failed him. Aestra lost her son at birth but Jacaerys did too, Rhaegar didn't even breath after slipping out of her womb, he was as fragile as a feather, small and gone before he had the chance to meet his parents and twin sister. Aestra cried that day like never before, wept like a mother mourns her child because she was a mother she became a mother since the information of her pregnancy was revealed to her suspicions.

"But still even if you don't doubt it, you wish to push me away from you, from our family, from Daena! Do you know—?" Aestra swallowed hard, doing her best to hide the salty tears looming in the corner of her blue eyes. "Do you know how much I itch for holding her again? How I counted the days until we shall make our return? How I prayed that every day coming in our way would be the one we take our leave?"

"Aestra—" Jace interrupted but it was proven to be useless surely.

"Do you know how many nights I had wept until falling asleep this past moon? I'm well aware Rhaegar is dead because of my misguiding and lack of responsibility. Taking flight while knowing the dangers that roamed the skies was a foolishness of me, but I don't regret it" Aestra sounded more mature than she seemed, a young girl of only 17 namedays and a newly mother, gave birth to two children and suffered the loss of one.

Nevertheless Rhaegar died with a reason, for Lucerys to live by his mother's side, to fight for his queen and become the next Lord of The Tides one day. Aestra knew it very well when mounting on Cannibal that day, it has been showed to her in her dreams: Luke was the Merling King's heir and he was destined to die above the sea by ,The Queen Of all Dragons, Vhagar's wish but Aestra changed the fate... surely with a price. The Dragon Goddess had known since the dreams began to have sense that whenever she will become a mother, her children will not be safe. Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen was chosen by the Gods to rule over the Seven Kingdoms but Princess Aestra Targaryen had Gods' blood flowing through her veins to barter the future of Westeros either in their favor or against it.

"You talk to me like I want to separate you from us" Jace stated with an irritated smile, they had never been through an argument and Jacaerys thought they shall never will but he has been mistaken immensely.

"Maybe you do. Since I've failed maybe you plotted to push me away. To get rid of me—" Aestra said, the suspicions she had felt since Rhaegar died a moon ago were now perhaps revealing before her or this was a misinterpretation because of the anger clouding her judgement.

"You're impossible. Gods..." Jace laughed drily running his fingers through his long dark curls that were falling perfectly to his sides like they were painted by the best artist Westeros had seen. Aestra took offense in his sudden comment watching him pace left to right in front of his desk, her blue eyes gazing his figure with fury, disapproval, loath and something else... that she couldn't anticipate coming, the sensation had not built inside of her in a long time, it made her feel really ashamed of how weak her body was in that moment.

"I won't stay here. And you can't make me" Aestra spatted shaking her head with determination, Jace licked his lips inhaling deeply in attempt to calm the anger raising in him aswell, the anger that made his cock harden in his pants seeing his beautiful Aestra act so stubborn.

"Oh I bloody can. You are to remain in Winterfell by the order of your Prince of Dragonstone until he returns for you. Is that fucking clear?!" Jace had never raised his voice at her, in all these two last years since Aestra had been living on Dragonstone. She would not say it scared her by the contrary, her arousal grew to the point of burning, her white nightgown and dark cloak felt too suffocate the princess.
"No" her response was enough for Jacaerys to lose it completely, his throat went dry watching her chest raise and fall, noticing her heavy breasts through the thin nightgown made Jace gulp sharply.

(A/N: bit of smut. Tried my best it's the first time I'm writing it.😭 If you feel uncomfortable don't read!🫶🏻)

The prince and princess had just stayed and stared at one another feeling the tension building up in the air, the only noise in the chamber was the candle flickering on the small table from behind Aestra's figure. And after none of them couldn't hold back any longer, they finally gave in to the desire that consumed both of them this entire time while fighting. Jacaerys was the first one to concede, rushing to Aestra capturing her soft pink lips with his like a man starving for need, and yes he indeed was. Aestra returned the kiss with the same lust, letting his tongue slip into her mouth making shivers traveling down her spine to her aroused cunt. She was hesitant about her moans not wanting to give him the satisfaction Jace yearned for, but she made a great mistake by entangling her hands through his dark curls to pull him closer to cage herself between the cold wall and Jacaerys.

Yet he had other plans to hear those sweet sounds coming from Aestra's mouth, the prince moved one of his hand from around her waist to one of her hips clutching the gown between his fingers before hiking the skirt up with rush.
The princess pulled away, her eyes wide and mouth opened not being able to control the loud soft moan coming from between her lips at the feeling of his hand on her thigh, Jacaerys smirked knowing he hit a sensitive spot. His hand reached further towards she longed to be touched more than she wanted to admit, Aestra's hand fell from his hair on his shoulders slightly grasping his white tunic sewed with thick material.

"Already? For me?" Jace whispered against her extended lips parting her folds and slowly spreading the wetness of her sensitive cunt, Aestra dug her nails into his tunic slightly hurting his skin while biting her bottom lip hardly to keep quiet but surely she failed terribly. Jace groaned feeling her nails into his shoulders that would probably leave bruises on the morrow, he moved his fingers a bit higher as a result of Aestra whining too loudly, Jace grinned proud of himself not wishing to torment her more.

"I... will... esca-escape... escape from... here—" Aestra whispered between her ragged breath, Jace moved his fingers lower before sliding them inside her, Aestra whimpered closing her blue eyes and tilting her head back against the wall.
"I will ask Lord Stark to have his guards with you wherever you will go, to watch your every move—" Jace whispered through gritted teeth pumping his two fingers in and out, the irritation returning to him because of her disobedience.

"I'll... I'll... kill them all—" Aestra cut him off, retreating one of her hands from his shoulder to grip the small table desk beside them, the thrusts of his fingers became more faster and rougher, the prince could explode of rage every she found a sentence to interrupt or spat him.
"Gods damn it. You're so stubborn... and wet"  Jace bleated moving his thumb up to rub her clit in a desperate circle motion and adding a third finger to thrust deeper in her. Aestra writhed, a sound similar to a wail coming out of her mouth, scratching the edge of the table with her nails, sloping her head to the side muzzling her squirms in her own shoulder, Jace's lips lingered on her cheek feeling Aestra get close to her peak.

"Fuck" Aestra breathed and bit the sleeve from her nightgown while clenching her legs around his hand, Jace took her cheek between his lips feeling her walls getting tight around his fingers, he slowed his pace to help her come down from her high. After a moment Jacaerys gently withdrew his hand from under her gown, the skirt falling down to cover her bare legs from the faded cold breeze that blew through the slight opened window from the opposite wall.

Aestra turned her head back with heavy breathing, Jace pressed his forehead against hers and his arms wrapped tightly around her slim waist to hold her close to him.
"Please, love. I can't bare it if something would happen to you, nor would Daena without her mother. I know you are capable and brave enough to fight... maybe more than many of us but I still need to keep you to safety. And I never wish to hear you blame the death of our son on you" his tone softened now, low and reassuring, and Aestra did what she held inside for much time, let the salty tears drop down her cheeks, both showing weakness and sorrow.

"But you? What about you?" she asked it like it was poison, like if only by saying this question his fate would already by destined for doom but Aestra had to, would no ease her senses yet maybe it would calm her fears slightly.
"Mother needs me. And I'll come back after you when we will be sure things settle down for good. I promise" the prince nodded hoping she would see consolation in his gaze, she didn't but Aestra decided it was best to not keep on arguing because they wouldn't come to an end.

Eventually the princess nodded back to soothe him that she would stay, even if it would be dreadful, Jacaerys exhaled relieved bringing his lips to press a delicate kiss on her forehead. The prince, her staying will not be easy both for her and the northerns around her because Aestra Targaryen strong-willed and bolshied girl who would only do her own thing thinking it was the right one just like her father, Daemon Targaryen.

OMG! HI GUYS! SUCH LONG TIME SINCE IVE UPDATED THIS BOOK! I HAVE SO MANY IDEAS AND I CANT WAIT TO INTRODUCE THE NEW OCS (which are in the second introduction)
ANYWAYS ENJOY🫶🏻
Love you all, thank you for all the support and I hope you are doing great<333 (DONT BE SILENT READERS!!!🫵🏻🫵🏻🫵🏻)