Prūmia

Ossȳngnon

NOTE:  ossȳngnon means terror in High Valyrian. Let me know what feedback you may have!

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She couldn't sleep. The last month before the birth was always the worst. She supposed she had napped on and off but the babe had been kicking throughout the night.  Even her husband speaking in Valyrian to the babe hadn't worked. Misery... This was misery at its finest.  At least she could stare at her husband as he slept.  He always looked peaceful and kind in his sleep. Beautiful Cupid bow lips, sharp angular features, and a quiet breath. He didn't sleep with his eye patch. That, instead, rest upon the table near the bed. 

The room had started to become lighter and lighter as the hour passed. The strong sun peeked through the curtains and began to lazily make its way across the floor. She sighed and closed her eyes, wishing sleep to come. Instead of sleep, her attention was drawn to the door. 

A knock on the door? Who dared to wake them at this ungodly and unholy of an hour? 

She attempted to use her abs to push herself up but found herself unable to in her current physical form. So instead, she began to roll over to the edge of her bed but an arm pulled her back. "Ignore it, love. They'll have to stop," came the sleepy voice of her husband.

She smiled and let him pull her into him. He was warm... and she felt sleep begin to creep in. Her eyes began to close slowly.  He hummed as he lazily draped an arm around her and she dropped off. 

The knocking continued, causing herself to jump. She hadn't realized that she had caused her husband to be concerned. He groaned and she slipped out of his embrace. "Alyssa..." he grumbled, voice heavy with sleep.  "Come back."

"They're going to break the door down, Aemond." She wrapped a shawl around her nightgown, hiding her round stomach, and headed to the entrance of their chambers. She opened the door to find one of Helaena's serving ladies in tears.  Eyes were red, nose was running. Dyana's perfectly coiffed hair was astray as if someone had forced her to roll against something.  It was an unexpected site at such a time in the early morning; however, Alyssa knew the young woman would have only come in dire circumstances.  "Dyana? What in the seven hells ails you? What's wrong?" She asked with violet eyes wide.

"My lady, I'm so sorry... I... need... help," she explained as her body was wracked with tears.

Alyssa glanced behind Dyana (fortunately, height was to her advantage) to look for anyone near them. She couldn't see anyone but she figured that if Aemond's mother or grand sire were paying attention than their people would have been watching from the shadows. Without another thought, Alyssa pulled her inside and quickly shut the door. She whispered, a little harshly, "What happened? Tell me everything."

Dyana seemed to crumble into her. "Aegon. He..." The next word was whispered and Alyssa turned pale. Of course he had... She would make him pay for doing such a horrid thing.  The first born son could get away with murder and his mother would still sing his praises. She bit her bottom lip so hard that she started to taste metal.  A hand squeezed her shoulder gently and she felt all tension de-escalate. She turned to look behind her and was surprised that Aemond had gotten up. He was dressed in robes.

"He did.... what?" He asked calmly. To people who didn't know him too well, they would have assumed that he truly was calm; however, Alyssa knew better. Her husband's most terrifying form was when he got silent with anger or frustration. She had never seen that side of him aimed towards her but had witnessed it amongst his interactions with others.  She knew his reaction was based partially upon hers and the fact that Dyana was Helaena's favourite lady-in-waiting. 

Dyana whispered the dreaded word again. Aemond clenched his jaw and walked away from the two ladies to stare out the window. Arms were clasped behind his back as he sighed. He knew his brother had these tendencies but they seemed to grow worse with the years. Meanwhile Alyssa guided Dyana to the family area. There was a large fireplace, olden maps, paintings from historical events, and comfortable seating areas that the couple often found themselves with their eldest in the evening as they read to him and each other. She poured a goblet of wine an returned back to Dyana.

"For your nerves... Honey wine.. Now please... Tell us everything. We are here to help." Dyana was lucky that she had found Alyssa and Aemond. If Alicent found out... Well things would have been different. Both Alyssa and Aemond knew that. Despite loving his mother, Aemond was learning to not be as open with her about their personal affairs as much as he had once been. That mistake had led to an unfortunate miscarriage which he blamed himself for (even if his wife did not). He would not make that mistake again- he would not cause that stress— no matter how much he wanted to be the favorable son. 

Because in the end, he would never be the favourable son. He was simply the second born. 

His eye flicked to Alyssa. At least, he had her.