Spending Time In Court

(Baelon's POV)

"There is a certain familiarity..." Helaena said with a cheerful tone, "Being here for an extended amount of time...." 

I nodded, "I wonder if Ser Robert is doing alright." I said, "Being in charge of the Castle." 

"He's probably okay." She said, "Being promoted to Castellan just recently, he's more than likely taking his duties very seriously." 

We were sitting on a bench in the Secret Gardens, Helaena was holding a small basket of fruit which she occasionally ate from. It brought me so much joy to see her eating healthily. There were times where she didn't eat and I could not help but be really worried. 

I couldn't help but just wrap my arm around her waist and hold her nice and firmly, "Hm...." I said, "Well, as long as we are okay so he doesn't stress too much, right?" 

She smiled, "Right." 

I leaned in and kissed her on the cheek, "Are you happy here?" I asked, "Truth is, I noticed that you were somewhat sad back on Dragonstone." 

"I....I was happy....I am happy at Dragonstone." "She said, "Home is where you are, Baelon. As long as I am in your arms, I do not care where I am. This place....we grew up here, that is all." 

"Hm." I said, "I see." 

"What do you think of Aemma? She's grown a lot, hasn't she?" she said

I nodded, "Yea, she got taller." 

"She's going to marry Aemond soon." She said, "Father told me that in a year or two." 

"Isn't that too early?" I asked

"I know." She said, "But that is what he told me. The only reason we waited is because he favors you you a lot." 

"Well, that is true." I said

"I hope everything goes well with her." She said with a smile, "She's such a beautiful girl." 

"Right...." I said 

"Do you think she is going to claim Vermithor? She seems rather infatuated with that dragon." She asked me

"Vermithor is quite ferocious, it will not be easy." I told her, "I recommend she try another one. But if she insists, I only hope she is careful." 

"She hasn't been allowed to go to Dragonstone. Now that she's warding here, maybe we can take her. You can try and have her claim him." She said, "Just be there with her so she does not get hurt." 

"That is not a bad idea." I said

I looked over at the gardens, seeing some flower petals flowing in the wind as the birds chirped. It was a beautiful scene, the ambiance of the gardens on a decent day. This was an appropriate sight for being with Helaena. 

The beauty of the gardens was nearly as beautiful as hers. 

I looked at her, she was smiling softly. She looked so beautiful, out of this world. 

"Do you remember the time that you took us flying?" Helaena asked suddenly, "When we were younger? You were around eleven...." 

I nodded, "Oh yea." I said, "Mother was furious but Father laughed it off. I couldn't wait to ride Balerion so I got really anxious. You followed me as usual so I took you with me. It was a nice time. We were young, very reckless..." 

"You mean you were." She chuckled, "You still are...." 

"Hm." I smiled, "What of it?" 

"I don't know." She said as she tucked her hair behind her ear, "Maybe.....I would like that again..." 

"You want to ride on Balerion?" I asked, "You haven't asked me that in a while. Sure, we can go right now." 

"Not now." She said, "Let us spend more time grounded, Baelon. Your adventurous spirit knows no bounds, hm?" 

She patted my cheek and leaned closer to me, kissing me on the cheek. She gave me a smile, a genuine smile. I didn't know what it was but when I saw her smile, I could not function that well. Every single part of my body got weak and I was just entranced by her. 

"Whenever you tell me, then." I said with a smile, "For now, we stay here, I suppose." 

She nodded, "Yes." 

***************

"Your brother is snooping around." Daemon said as he sat in the chair next to my couch, "Tell him that he should be careful." 

I sighed, "Even if I did, he would not listen." I said, "You know how Aemond is." 

"Regardless, we should be cautious." He said seriously, "I know it has been two years but we need to be on guard. Our enemies could strike at any moment." 

"I have been thinking about that." I said, "The truth is, maybe it is time we lure them out." 

He raised an eyebrow, "What do you mean?" 

"I am sick and tired of waiting around, waiting for them to give us a reason to go and crush them." I said, "I say we get them out and then we finish this once and for all." 

"What do you have in mind?" He asked

"I have a source in Claw Isle." I said, "A certain someone has been unfaithful." 

He narrowed his eyes, "Hm." 

"With a bastard who happens to be our departed friend's.....one of three....." I said as I leaned forward

"Oh." He said, "Is that so? I did not think he had it in him." 

"Get this. The woman he bedded...not once, not twice, but thrice...." I said, "Has Targaryen blood, allegedly. So I ask myself, which one of our dear family members went ahead and did all of that?" 

"Hard to tell." Daemon said, "But my guess is one of my aunts.....or a distant cousin." 

"It does not matter, does it?" I said, "We can use this. We extract as much information from her as possible. Apparently, our friend has been acting very strange recently, has mentioned me by name. So this is good, we could get closer to getting the truth out. I will have to do something. " 

"You're not going to....?" He asked with a raised eyebrow, "That is not something I expected from you." 

"No blood will be shed." I said, "Only his. And our strong friend across the Narrow Sea, we should draw him out as well. I think it is about time I remove his head." 

He smirked slightly, "The ruthless Baelon Targaryen." He said, "I am starting to like this. It is about time we get a little action. Two years of this, uneasy peace? I don't like it. We should settle it already." 

I nodded, "I do not want my wife to worry about my well-being anymore." I said, "It has been two years since they had tried to have me poisoned. I will not have it any longer, they have to pay. The moment solid proof surfaces, I will kill him." 

"And that's a promise."