The Champions

(Baelon's POV)

"This is foolish, and you know it, Baelon!" Mother exclaimed as I walked into Helaena's room. "Why would you ever think of doing something like this?!" 

I stopped and looked at her, "Because I want to kill him myself." I said, "And if he thinks he can get away with it by demanding a Trial, I want to prove to him that no matter what he does, he will not escape his fate; my blade plunging his chest." 

She walked up to me, "You are letting your emotions drive your actions, my boy." She said with a serious look, "Do not allow yourself to make a mistake." 

"This is not a mistake, I know it." I said as I looked at her, "The gods will it, I will kill him in this Trial. There is no way that he will walk away from this with his life. I don't even care who he tries to recruit to aid him, they will all die." 

I saw that Helaena was sitting down on the couch, looking down at the ground. She had a very solemn look on her face and began to fidget with her fingers. 

"This is not something that I agree with." Mother said, "He should have been executed. We should have gotten this over with. He tried to kill you, Baelon. How do you think it makes me feel? I cannot stand it, I cannot stand the thought of him still drawing breath...." 

I looked at her with a smile and placed my hands on her shoulders, "Mother..." I said, "I appreciate the love you have for me, your children.....I understand your feelings, I do. I do not deserve you, I never did." 

"Don't say that." She said softly

I leaned in and kissed her on the cheek, "I love you dearly." I said, "Everything will be alright." 

"So you say....." She said, "I am only concerned for you. I cannot bear the thought of losing my boy....I...." 

I patted her cheek, "It will be alright." 

I then looked past her and at Helaena who was still fidgeting with her fingers. I walked past Mother and reached my wife who was sitting down with an air of calm around her. 

"I knew that you would do something foolish." She said suddenly

"Well, you should know me, my dear." I told her, "Foolish things is all I do." 

"I don't want you to die." She said softly as she looked at me

"I won't." I said as I sat down next to her, "You should know that. I am one of the best swordsmen the Realm has ever seen, you know that. I will be fine. When all this is over, we'll go back home and just spend our lives together, hm?" 

"What of Rhaenyra?" She asked me

"What about her?" I asked as I wrapped my arm around her waist and pulled her closer to me

"What will be done about her?" She asked softly

"That is up to Father." I said as I leaned and kissed her on the cheek, "It is not my concern." 

"It should be." Helaena said, "She is our sister. I wish to see her happy. All of this must be causing her emotional turmoil, as much as it did to me on our Wedding day. Why can't she be here with us?" 

"Nobody said she couldn't," I told her

"But she's not.....because she thinks you hate her." She said

"I don't." I said

"Rhaenyra is with Aemma, Helaena." Mother said, "Right now, they need to be together." 

"They are our family." Helaena said, "I don't wish for her to be treated like a prisoner, an outcast. Baelon, please....please forgive her....." 

I looked down and sighed, "Helaena....." 

"Please....for me...." She said softly, "She loves you.....she loves you so much.....do this for me...." 

"Right now is not the time to think about things like that." I said, "I-" 

"You're doing this not just for me, but for her." She cut me off, "I know it, I know you. You love her, don't you? You lover her like you love me." 

"No." I said, "Helaena, why would-" 

"You are lying." She cut me off again, "You do. I know it. Baelon, I do not mind. I.....I don't care if you have feelings for her. I only care that you are happy. And these feelings that you are harboring against her, will eat you up inside. So do yourself....and everyone else a favor.....please forgive her." 

"Baelon..." Mother said, "What does she mean? You and.....so have you not let go of your feelings for Rhaen-" 

"Stop it." I stood up and walked away a few steps, "I am married to Helaena. I have no feelings for anyone else but her! She is my wife, my love, my life. I do this for her, nobody else! I....I won't have anyone else say otherwise!" 

"Oh....my boy....." Mother frowned, "My sweet and gentle boy.....you should not be ashamed for loving your elder sister....." 

"I...." I said, "Now is not the time to discuss this....I....." 

"Baelon...." Helaena said softly, "It is okay." 

"No, it is not." I said with a frown, "Listen, can we just focus? I...don't want to think about any of that." 

"Rhaenyra is your sister. Whatever happens, you should protect her." Mother told me, "She is not at fault. None of this is hers and Aemma's fault. She lost her boys, she needs someone to support her." 

"She has Father....and everyone else." I said, "I don't think I-" 

"No." Helaena stood up and walked over to me, "She wants you." 

"Helaena..." I started

She grabbed my hands, "I love you so much, Baelon." she said, "You are the greatest man I have ever met in my life. You are sweet, gentle, kind, and strong. You love us so much. That is why I fell in love with you. So I do not blame Rhaenyra for falling for you....I understand her feelings.....And I know that if you do not support her....it will be a mistake and it will eat you up inside for the rest of your life. You love her as well, my Baelon.....I understand....." 

"I..." I said

I heard the doors open and looked over to see Aemond walking in. 

"Uh...." He stopped a few feet in, "Am I interrupting something?" 

"No." I said 

"What is it, Aemond?" Mother asked him

"The traitor has named one Champion so far." He said, "Harwin Strong. There is word that he is moving against us in the coming hours but it is not something we should be worried about." 

I frowned, "Is that so?" 

"So far it is even." Aemond said as he placed his hands behind his back, "You and Uncle Daemon against them." 

"If the traitor does not find four more....." Mother said, "Then the Trial is off and he dies. Gods, I hope that it is the case." 

"I smell a scheme in play." Aemond said, "But I have come to tell you something else.....our Brothers also want the same but have been convinced not to by Grandsire...and the Kingsguard are not allowed to take part, orders from Father....." 

I looked at him, "What is it?" I said

He looked at me with a serious stare, 

"I will fight alongside you, Brother."