LABYRINTH | JACAERYS VELARYON

iv.

Now that she was without a septa, Aelyra had a far more open schedule. Her mother did her best to give her plenty of time, but Rhaenyra was a busy woman and was often called away to tend to her duties.

Aelyra didn't mind. She liked sitting on her mother's lap and watching her do paperwork or listen to her discuss whatever matters while playing. Still, Aelyra knew that she couldn't always be  with her mother. So when her mother had to leave for her duties, Aelyra would go with her brothers or Aegon and Jodan, following in their shadows.

Today, she had the opportunity to follow her brothers and uncles, giggling happily as Aegon held her hand as they walked to the training yard.

"I think you're ready to go up on Sunfyre with me, don't you, Bubbles?" He asked with a grin, making Aelyra's eyes widen in excitement as she tugged on his arm.

"Truly? Can I? Please?"

Aegon nodded, his eyes shining happily as he saw her glee at the idea. "I don't see why not. You're old enough to fly, and it will teach you how to control Seastar when she's large enough to ride. Or, that's how we'll explain it to my sister when she starts getting nervous about her precious little girl going up in the air for the first time."

"Why don't we get to go flying with you?" Luke asked with a pout, slightly behind Aegon and Aelyra.

"Because you and Jace aren't as cute as my little Bubbles," Aegon replied with a grin.

Jace rolled his eyes. "She's just your favourite."

"Quite right," Aegon agreed without hesitation, squeezing Aelyra's hand fondly. "And I'm her favourite uncle, am I not, Bubbles?"

Aelyra glanced ahead of them, where Aemond was scuffing his feet. She didn't want to upset him... but Aegon was right. He was her favourite. She nodded quietly and it earned her a dazzling smile from Aegon.

"Will you all just hurry up?" Aemond snapped, his harsh tone making Aelyra stumble over her feet.

Aegon wasted no time in sweeping her into his arms and settling her on his hip, despite the fact that Aelyra was definitely too big for that.

"Grumpy little bugger," he grumbled before pressing his nose to Aelyra's cheek. "Don't worry about him, sweetling. He's not mad at you, not truly."

Aelyra couldn't help but pout, picking at a loose thread of Aegon's doublet. "Maybe you should take Aemond flying first? He would be glad for the experience, I'm sure."

"You worry too much of how other people feel," Aegon said with a shake of his head. "You are allowed to think of yourself first sometimes, Bubbles. I know you want to come flying with me. I wish you to come as well, so that is what we shall do. Right, Jace?"

From beside them, Jace nodded. He reached out to squeeze Aelyra's ankle. "It will be fun," he assured Aelyra. "I'll watch the two of you, Luke too."

Aelyra settled her chin on Aegon's shoulder and hesitantly nodded. "Can we go soon?"

"I'll speak to your mother as soon as we return from training," Aegon assured her. "We'll have a grand time."

The sound of clashing swords grew louder the closer the children got to the training yard. Luke and Jace exchanged grins and started racing to see who could get there faster. They yelled at Aemond to join and their uncle did without hesitation, his competitive nature taking over.

Aelyra giggled as she watched them, cheering on her brothers and nodding as Aemond and Jace got to the edge of the yard at relatively the same time, both arguing about who had won.