Chapter 55 - Lady In Black

(Third Person POV)

Outside the Tourney Tents, Rhaenyra and the others waited for Aerion who exited his tent.

"Man that was so cool!" Luke said with a smile as Aerion walked towards them

"You think so?" Aerion said with a chuckle as he patted his head

He had taken off his armor and was wearing his usual black outfit. Rhaenyra noticed that there was only a few bruises on him. 

She stepped towards him as she placed her hand on her chest, feeling it as she gave Aerion a smile, "Hm, congratulations, my love.." She said while blushing

Aerion smiled, "Yea, I did it for you...." He said softly, "And for my girl.....where is she?" 

"Elinda has her...." Rhaenyra said as she eyed him up and down, "Should we go and celebrate? Get a small feast ready in my Chambers, the boys and us, we'll dine." 

"That sounds good." Aerion said as he patted her cheek, "Perfect, in fact." 

As Rhaenyra and Aerion swooned over each other, Jace and Luke awkwardly looked at this. 

"Uhm...." Jace handed Aerion a leather canteen, "Here, some water." 

"Thanks." Aerion took it and grabbed Rhaenyra's hand, "You boys learn something?" 

"From your fight? Well, only that you're the strongest." Jace chuckled

"Hm." Aerion said as he looked around, "Where are my sisters?" 

Rhaenyra looked at him, "They're with Daemon." She said, "What did you and him talk about?" 

Aerion looked at her, "We-" he started

"Lord Aerion." A voice cut him off

Aerion looked to see Otto Hightower walking up to him, "Hm?" He said

Otto stopped in front of them, "The King would like to speak to you in his chambers." He said

"Right now?" Aerion asked

"No, in a few hours. I will send for you when you're in the Red Keep." Otto said

"Okay." Aerion said, "Thank you, Lord Hand." 

"Ser Criston is seriously injured, Lord Aerion." Otto said with a serious look, "His left arm broken, a serious laceration in his midsection, his left shoulder dislocated, and his skull was almost shattered." 

Rhaenyra looked down as Jace and Luke shifted awkwardly. 

Aerion took a chug of water from his canteen, "Ah..." He said before looking at Otto, "Good." 

He then walked away, pulling Rhaenyra alongside as she merely nodded silently at Otto.

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Later that day, in the Red Keep, Elinda hurriedly walked down the hall with a concerned look on her face, reaching Rhaenyra's chamber as it was unguarded. 

She hastily knocked on it as she heard a loud moan from the other side of the door, "P-Princess!" She called

After a few seconds of sudden silence, Elinda heard Rhaenyra's voice call out, "Y-Yes?" She said, "Come in, Elinda." 

Elinda opened the door and closed behind it, walking inside and gasping at the sight of Aerion standing next to Rhaenyra's bed, buttoning his shirt up as Rhaenyra stood next to him, patting her dress down. The maid saw that both of them were sweating as the Princess was blushing, tucking her hair behind her ear. 

Aerion walked towards the cupboard where he had his swords leaned against, "What is it?" He asked her

Elinda looked away, blushing slightly, "U-Uhm..." She said, "T-The Hand, he's about to send someone for the two of you.....and he demanded for Princess Visenya to be taken to The King's chambers. I....I said that she was sleeping and should not be disturbed but he didn't care." 

Rhaenyra looked at Aerion who scowled, "Aerion." She said, "What does he want with Visenya?" 

Aerion grabbed his swords that were strapped to his sheath belt, "That damned Hightower..." He said seriously, "Wasn't Visenya with Princess Helaena???" 

Elinda nodded, "Y-Yes, Milord...." 

Aerion then stomped past her angrily, "What in the fuck does he want?" He said, "Stay here, Rhaenyra." 

Rhaenyra walked towards Elinda, "Elinda, go get the boys." She said softly, "Get Joffrey to me, okay? Have Ser Steffon and Ser Lorent to help you." 

"Y-Yes...." Elinda said, "I'm sorry..." 

Rhaenyra smiled, "It's okay." She said as she patted her cheek, "Don't worry. Oh...and if anyone asks...well, you do know what we were doing....but keep it quiet, okay?" 

Elinda nodded, "I....I keep quiet, Princess, You know that." 

"Of course..." Rhaenyra said softly as she wobbled, "Please..get my boys...I'll wait here...." 

"Princess?" Elinda said, "Are you okay?" 

Rhaenyra nodded, "Well...." She started, "Elinda, you know that I can't walk well after...you know...." 

"O-Oh...." Elinda said as she blushed, "O-okay..." 

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As Aerion walked down the halls, he could only shake his head in frustration, "How dare he demand for my daughter." He muttered, "The audacity on that fucking..." 

As he turned the corner, he felt a cold draft hit him in the face and he felt a cold shiver down his body. 

"W-What?" He said as he stopped immediately and looked around

He felt a strange sensation like he was being watched. He was near Helaena's chambers and there were almost no people nearby. Something told him that someone was lingering around. 

"It's you...." He heard a whisper in his ear as he felt cold bony fingers run across his neck from behind

Aerion widened his eyes and grasped his neck, "What the fuck....." He said as he turned around and saw nobody behind him, "Who's there???" 

He found himself to be further down the hallway than he originally thought he was when he stopped. 

He then blinked and suddenly, where he had turned the corner, he saw the figure of a woman, wearing nothing but black, including a veil that obscured her face. 

He placed his hand on the handle of his sword, "Who goes there?" He asked

The woman lifted her hand, pointing it at Aerion, "Zaldrizes Jaes..." Her voice resounding in Aerion's mind

"W-What is this? Magic?" Aerion took a step forward, "I demand you speak your name, woman...." 

"The time is near....yet far way....The Long Night..." Her voice said as she faded from his vision, "Zaldrizes Jaes...." 

Aerion scowled, "What?" He said as his body began to slightly tremble

"Cousin?" Aerion jumped up as he turned around to see Helaena standing in the hallway

Aerion noticed that Ser Harold was standing behind her as the young princess was holding the baby Visenya.

"H-Helaena...." Aerion said as he looked back at the hallway, "I....." 

"I was about to get you." Helaena said, "Father wishes to see you and my sister....and well, my Grandsire also wanted the babe...." 

Aerion nodded as he looked at her, "D-Did you see someone? Ser Harold?" 

Ser Harold frowned, "N-No, My Lord..." He said, "Is something the matter?" 

"A Woman...." Aerion said as he looked back again down the hallway, "In all black, with a veil over her face...." 

"No, My Lord...." Ser Harold, "Nobody should be in this hallway, The Princess doesn't like the noise." 

Aerion nodded as he looked back at Helaena who had a concerned look on her face as she held Visenya. 

"O-Okay...." Aerion said as he took a step forth

He hesitated, being taken aback slightly by the sight of Helaena holding a baby. She looked so natural doing that despite being so young. 

"That sight is your future, Zaldrizes Jaes..." he heard a faint whisper in his mind

"Hm..." Aerion said as he shook his head and walked over to her, "Is she okay?" 

"She's asleep." Helaena said, "I hope you are not mad at me...I do enjoy watching her....I find that I am enamored by her." 

Aerion looked at the sleeping Visenya, "Heh..." He said, "I'm not mad, cousin.....It's all fine...." 

"Let's go see what your Father wants."