(Third Person POV)
[Flashback, Around Ten Years Ago, Shortly After Aerion Targaryen was Knighted]
It was morning, right on the training yard of the Red Keep, there were a couple of guards walking around as the young Lord of Runestone was about to make a trip outside the City.
"Aerion!" A child Aemond Targaryen said as he ran up to a young Aerion, "You haven't left yet!"
Aerion was sitting on the steps, adjusting his boots, "Hm?" He said as the young prince reached him, "Oh, Aemond."
Aerion wore his usual black and bronze attire, with his personal bronze targaryen sigil embroidered on the left side of of his chest. His hair was the usual, short and combed in a slick back. Next to him, Lady Rhea and Lamentation leaned on the steps, the two Valyrian Steel swords. One, House Royce's ancestral blade, the other being Aerion's personal sword.
The young prince sat down next to his cousin, a bright smile on his face, "Will you play with me?" He asked
Aerion shook his head, "Sorry, Aemond, not today." He said as he patted his head, "I head to the Kingswood today with my fellow Runestone Knights, some hunting."
Aemond frowned, "Aw, that's a shame." He said as he slouched
Aerion chuckled, "You can join me if you wish, cousin, but I doubt the Queen would allow that." He said as he stood up, "Anyways, I will have to go, Ser Gerold awaits me at the gates."
"You're not taking Vermithor?" Aemond asked
"No, we ride on horseback." Aerion said as he adjusted his belt, "Vermithor will scare all the game away. Besides, it's fun to shoot at deer from a horse."
Aemond stood up with a smile, "Say, will you leave right after?"
Aerion shook his head, "No, I don't think so." He said as he reached down for his swords, "Why?"
Aemond looked down and kicked some pebbles, "I wanted to see if you can take me to Vermithor...." He said
Aerion smiled, "Of course, cousin." He said, "Worry not, I'll be back."
Aemond smiled, "Nice." He said, "You can also teach me how to wield two swords just like you, I wish to be a skilled swordsman, just like you. When I grow up, I shall ride my own formidable dragon and be as skilled as you!"
Aerion had placed his swords on his side, "I certainly hope so." He said as he ruffled the young prince's hair, "When that day comes, I would love for you and I to fight alongside each other, a bond as strong as brothers."
Aemond smiled, "Yes..." He said with a gleam in his eyes, "Brothers....."
Aerion chuckled and turned around, waving him goodbye, "I'll see you soon, Aemond." He said, "I shall return soon."
"O-Oh! I forgot!" Aemond said as Aerion walked away, "Sister wants to spend time with you when you have the chance!"
"Sure." Aerion said,
"No problem at all."
*********************
The next day, Aerion had returned from the Kingswood, escorted by his Runestone Knights. He had bathed and went to see Princess Helaena, who had wanted to see him.
He sat on a seat as the young princess sat on the floor, carefully looking at what looked like a butterfly in her hand. The Queen, Aerion's Aunt by Marriage, sat on a couch across from Aerion, looking at her daughter and occasionally looking at Aerion.
Aerion patiently looked at Helaena, the princess had not spoken a word for a few minutes.
There was nothing but an awkward silence until Queen Alicent cleared her throat.
"Lord Aerion is a busy young knight, my daughter." She said with a slight smile, "Will you not speak to him?"
"I did not think I needed to...." Helaena said, "I merely wished for his presence...I enjoy it...Mother."
Aerion smiled, "It is fine, Princess." He said, "What do you have there?"
The butterfly moved its wings slowly as Helaena gently showed it to him, "It's a beautiful creature..." She said with nothing but innocence, "Its wings are so delicate and frail....yet it can fly, like our dragons...."
Aerion nodded, "Yes, that's true."
Helaena lowered her hand and looked at the butterfly, admiring its beauty, and its blue wings, "Sometimes I wish to be one.." She said, "The process of reaching such beauty is tragic....."
"How so, my dear?" Alicent asked
"They're so.....simple....as a mere caterpillar..." Helaena said, "And they're vulnerable....for such a long time....immobile, in a prison of their own making....and when the time comes, they emerge a new creature, spreading their newfound wings....a newfound life....either they're beautiful...or terrifying..."
"Hm." Aerion said as he leaned back, "Is that so?"
"I had a dream." Helaena said, "About you, Aerion."
Aerion raised an eyebrow, "Oh?"
"You were a caterpillar." She said without looking at him
"A...a caterpillar?" Aerion said
"Yes." She said
Alicent and Aerion exchanged brief looks, a bit perplexed at what was just said.
"That's all? Nothing else?" Aerion asked
"Not really." Helaena said, "Oh....I was there too....I held you....crying....It was strange."
Aerion frowned, "That is strange." He said, "Hm...."
"It was just a dream." Alicent said, "Was it not, my love?"
"Yes, just a dream." Helaena said
The doors of Helaena opened and Aemond burst through, "Aerion!" He called, "It is time for our sparring!"
Aerion looked up, "Oh? Already?"
Aemond was holding a wooden sword as he ran to where they sat at, "Yes!" He smiled
"Aemond, you're too excited, are you not?" Alicent said, "Helaena is not done with your cousin."
"I enjoy his company more than you, brother." Helaena said, "I will have him for longer."
"Huh?" Aemond frowned, "Sister, please, Aerion promised me!"
"Take it easy, Aemond." Aerion chuckled, "I won't go anywhere."
"You're staying longer, nephew?" Alicent asked, "The Royce Knights have set sail already."
Aerion nodded, "Yes. A day or two more." He said, "Ser Gerold trusts me enough to fly back by myself. And well, he places his trust in the Crown to keep me here."
Alicent smiled, "Of course."
"See that?" Helaena said, "I will spend the longest time with Aerion...more than anyone in this room....or the Red Keep..."
Aerion frowned and looked at Helaena, not saying a word. He was smart enough to not just ignore the Princess's words; there were meaning to them.
Aemond walked up to Aerion, "Come on, cousin! Let us go train!"
"Patience, Aemond." Aerion said as he patted his shoulder, "You're just a boy. We have plenty of time ahead of us for me to train you. And believe me, I will."
"I will make the finest swordsmen out of you."
[End of Flashback]
***************************
[Back to The Present, Shortly After Vaemond Velaryon's Trial by Combat and Death]
Aerion and Rhaenyra stood in the hallway, their children with them; Visenya holding Aerion's hand as Rhaenyra held Rhea. Viserys and Aegon were held by their maids behind them. They were making their way to Helaena's chambers, who had requested for them and their children but stopped right outside the doors.
In front of them, stood Aemond Targaryen.
Aerion looked at him, "Aemond." He said
Aemond's eye shifted to Visenya, "Mm." He said simply
Rhaenyra cleared her throat, "B-Brother..."
Aemond's eyes slowly shifted to her, "Sister." he said, "Is that my niece your holding?"
Rhaenyra nodded slowly, "Yes."
"Mm." Aemond said as his eyes shifted to the maids behind them, "My nephews, I take it?"
"That's right." Aerion said
"Daddy, who's that?" Visenya looked up at her father
Aerion, not taking his eyes off Aemond, "Your Uncle."
Visenya looked at Aemond, her innocent eyes gleaming, "Uncle???"
Aemond looked at her, his eye full of nothing but neutral seriousness, "Mm." He said as he began to walk forwards, "My Sister is expecting you."
As he walked past them, the maids shifted in nervousness. Aerion could feel the cold vibe that his cousin was giving him. Deep down, it made Aerion uneasy, guilty of the single choice he made years ago, one that caused a rift in their good relationship.
"Hm." Aerion said as he looked down at Visenya
"He's scary." Visenya said
"Is he?" Aerion asked
She nodded.
"Well, your other Uncles are not that scary. One's an idiot and the other one is nice." He said
"Aerion." Rhaenyra scolded
Aerion shrugged, "What? It's true." He said, "Anyways...."
"Let's go. I wish to see the Twins."