Chapter Text
In the library, late at night when Aemond often snuck from his room and used the secret passages in the ancient castle to slip into the library late at night when no one would be awake and reading as he liked to. He was a mere boy when he saw her, Visenya Targaryen curled up on an alcove with a book in hand wrapped in a housecoat and raven cloak. She was not much younger than himself and nearly his height, her hair as white as moonlight left loose to fall around her slender shoulders. She raised her head, eyes of lilac spotting her uncle not far from her spot by the window.
For a moment, he hesitated with his book in hand before approaching the quiet girl. She was always quiet, yet spent much time giggling with his sister over the bugs Heleana adored playing with. He liked how kind she was, even when he and his brother mercilessly teased her brothers. She was always kind to them, even Aegon. Even though their mother seemed to hate her.
Her white hair made it hard to say she was a bastard, unlike her brothers who were born with hair as black as Rhaenys Targaryen.
“Uncle.” She greeted softly when he peered at the book in her hand, seeing it was a book dedicated to the history of her namesake.
“Niece.” He greeted back, raising his head to peer at her thoughtfully when she scooted to the side to allow him room beside her. “Come to read as well?” She whispered, her eyes lowering to the book in hand as if all was well. As if neither of them had snuck out of their chambers to find escape in books.
“I did not think anyone else enjoyed reading this late at night.” He admitted and Visenya found herself smiling. “I typically return to my chambers after taking what I desire, however I found the view too peaceful to leave quite yet. Care to join me?” Although his book was something he did desire to read, he found himself sitting beside her and looking at the book in her hand over his own.
“You read of your namesake, Visenya Targaryen?” They were closer than they ever had been, arms brushing and knees bumping as he curled up on the chaise he was certain she pushed closer to the window.
“I am, I enjoy reading of her adventures with Vhagar, I hope one day Laena will allow me to ride with her so I may know what she feels like as well.” Visenya sounded wistful when she spoke and Aemond found himself caught looking at her smile rather than the book itself. He forced himself down when she looked at him and retained a tight composure despite the warmth flooding his pale cheeks.
“Do you wish you could have claimed Vhagar instead?” He was dragonless, his egg did not hatch with him as a child and left him alone while Visenya’s did. He felt a bubble of annoyance grow until she shook her head in response.
“No, I am happy to have my Asherah. It is more a curiosity given who I was named after to know what she felt riding atop such an enormous dragon.” She responded with a hum, gently turning the page with fingers growing tough calluses. Aemond’s annoyance quelled at her genuine response, head tilting somewhat before dragging his gaze away from her fingers when she smiled at him.
“Would you like to read with me, Uncle?” He acquiesced with a nod and leaned into her side without thought, his arm coming around to rest by her side so he could read over her shoulder despite Visenya taking to reading to him. Her voice was a quiet whisper, much like any other time in their life but now, all he could hear was her.
It was hours of listening to her before a yawn caught off her voice and Aemond realized his head had tipped into lying on her shoulder, eyes half lidded and ready for sleep. The book he took long forgotten on the chaise at his side. It was strangely comfortable, he took his time raising from her side as she rubbed at her eyes.
“I think it is time to retire, Uncle.” Visenya mused, looking towards him and that was when Aemond felt his cheeks flush at their proximity. He made no move to pull away yet, letting himself feel his heart rate picking up for a moment before he nodded and climbed from the chaise and offered her his hand to rise.
Her fingers were rough in his hand as she took his aid in rising, sliding off the chaise with her book in hand.
“Would you care to finish it with me this coming evening?” The words came out smoother than he thought, Visenya regarded him almost in surprise before a smile pulled at her pale lips. “I’d like that, I do not have many that share my love of books. But do you not have your own to read?” She pulled her hand from his, his heart fell when she did, and motioned towards the book he left on the chaise. Aemond shook his head.
“I care for yours more.” Visenya giggled, the sound was like tiny bells and she nodded to him before dipping into a low curtsy.
“Until the morrow, Uncle Aemond.”
Aamond had not expected to see her until the evening, when he did it was with his sister while he trained with Ser Cole in the yard. Ser Strong was there observing but not much more as Luke and Jace were not, but Aegon almost actually struck Aemond when they were sparring thanks to a momentary distraction.
The distraction of Visenya walking alongside his sister to observe them, her lilac eyes solely on him.
“Focus, Prince Aemond.” Cole’s reprimand was usually for Aegon, even his brother looked briefly surprised but nonetheless swung for him again and Aemond felt his ego swell. She was looking at him.
So he put on a show, a swift parry that had his brother's practice sword going high into the air and Aemond dipped to kick Aegon’s feet right out from under him.
He ignored the curses of his brother as his sword fell to the ground, Aemond’s eyes raised to the side to see Visenya grinning in utter amusement at how swiftly he took his brother down. Pride swelled in his chest, his back straightened and he missed the curious look Harwin Strong shot him while Cole resumed his role in aiding Aegon to his feet and explaining his folly. Admittedly, his brother only went down quite so easily because he was hung over, information he knew from Aegon’s complaints going into practice earlier in the day. Typically, Aegon could almost easily overpower Aemond with brute force but the younger one was starting to learn ways around that.
Visenya whispered something to his sister before the two moved along, their ladies in waiting in tow and Aemond swiftly turned back to Cole when he called for his attention. He took note of Strong looking his way but thought little of it, because Aemond wasn’t sure why he desired Visenya’s eyes on him.
He just did, so he made sure it happened.
Visenya observed the caterpillar inching its way down her arm towards her palm after Helaena placed it on her arm, asking her opinion on a name for it while Visenya’s free hand was occupied with feeding herself lunch. The ladies in waiting stood off at a distance, none too close to either of them. Helaena was too odd and Visenya too quiet, finding solace only really in each other or their siblings.
Or at least Visenya got on with hers, Aemond cared for Helaena but Aegon was not quiet in his opinion of her. Visenya found it revolting, yet still showed the boy kindness.
Treat others as you wished to be treated, she recalled such a wise statement from the librarian once before her retirement. Visenya missed that old woman.
“Sister, Niece.” The greeting was a surprise, Visenya raised her head where Helaena kept hers lowered to the insects in her palm.
“Uncle Aemond.” She smiled, small as it was, it was still a sweet sight. Aemond was still dirty from his training, but out of his armor once more. He sat beside Helaena and she raised her head to smile at him as well. “Good afternoon brother, joining us for lunch?” Aemond nodded curtly, his gaze shifting to Visenya as she ordered her ladies in waiting to fetch more food for the Prince. It was not often Aemond joined his sister for lunch, however Helaena did not question it when she saw his lingering gaze on Visenya as her fingers brushed across the caterpillar in her palm.
“What do you think it’s name should be, Uncle Aemond?” Visenya asked the older boy, lilac eyes raising even as she took a bite out of her sandwich. He blinked, gaze shifting to the creature and he was at a loss.
“I do not know…” He trailed off, looking uncertain but Visenya merely smiled a tad wider and shrugged her shoulders as well. She took the final bite of her sandwich and used her freed hand to place the insect on Helaena’s shoulder. The girl giggled and Aemond wondered how such a simple act could have pleased them so.
It was strange, but Aemond had never felt so comfortable in the silence that had followed after more food was brought out. Visenya soon departed due to plans she had with her brothers, a thought that left him annoyed but he remained composed during her departure.
Because the lingering thought of the evening in the library they’d soon spend together was enough to leave him a feeling peace in his heart and mind.