Tourney Grounds, King's Landing
112 AC
Elaera entered the royal booth before her sister, dressed in a lilac gown shot through with veins of silver lace, beading and plaiting her with a lilac ribbon. She slide into a pair of sturdy black slippers and left her room.
"Ah, Elaera. It is good to see you again." Viserys smiled. "How is Caelum?"
"I'm pulling it back together. The public library and the aqueducts are going well, and everyone wants a theater or two." the Ruby Dragon smiled.
"Did you see your mother?" the Young King inquired.
"I did." the Princess of Caelum nodded, heading for the front her. "Ser Otto." she greeted the Hand of the King curtly.
I love you, Elaera, the last words her mother had told her, echoed in her mind. Ser Arryk, her constant shadow, calmly stood walked her.
Lady Alicent Hightower, Rhaenyra's Lady in Waiting, jumped up when she saw Elaera. "Princess Elaera, how lovely to see you." she stammered, curtseying. She wore a pale blue gown while her auburn hair was swept up.
Elaera's own ladies were sitting with their families. But as the daughter of the Hand of the King, Alicent was in the royal booth.
"Lady Alicent." the fourteen year old greeted returned without warmth. She sat down, making sure there was one vacant seat between them, which Rhaenyra sat in when she came in.
Elaera pulled out a book her Great Uncle Vaegon had lended her to read about architecture, earning a laugh from Arryk, putting it down when her husband came in, tall and proud on a midnight black horse that matched his armor.
He chose Gwayne Hightower, Alicent's brother and Ser Otto's son, and a thick tension appeared in the royal booth, as his first opponent.
"Two silver stags that Daemon is almost unhorsed but stays on and wins the second time." she told Corlys.
"Deal." Corlys smirked.
Three minutes later, he handed her two silver stags when Daemon won. The Prince of the City rode up to her, and she reluctantly walked forward.
"Husband." she greeted calmly as Rhaenyra and Alicent joined her.
"Wife." he grinned. "May I have your favor to ensure my victory?"
Elaera turned back to grab her favor as Daemon conversed with Alicent and Rhaenyra. The silver haired princess tossed him her favor, a wreath of black, red, and gold flowers.
"Thank you." Daemon nodded before riding back.
The tourney was interesting, especially the Cole knight.
"Who is Criston Cole?" she inquired to Arryk.
"I heard that Ser Criston is common-born, son of Lord Dondarrion's steward. But other than that, along with the progress he's made, I don't know." Arryk informed his charge.
She noticed her father leaving and frowned.
Four knights getting killed later, and Ser Criston unseating Daemon, she left.
"Where are you going?" Rhaenyra inquired.
"To see if our new sibling is alive." the Silver Princess said, leaving. She got into a carriage and rode through the city, Arryk riding his horse next to her.
Once there, she rushed through the Red Keep to her mother's chambers. When Elaera smelled blood filling the air, saw the servants shaking and wide eyed, she broke into a run.
"Princess, stop!" Arryk yelled, running after her. When she made it to Maegor's Holdfast and then to her mother's chambers, Ser Willis Fell stood at the door way, face pale.
"Let me through, Ser Willis." she commanded.
"Princess—"
"I will see my brother, get out of my fucking way." Elaera screeched. Willis stepped aside, opening the doors and she entered.
The midwives and servants were gone, only Maester Mellos remained and crouched by the Queen's side was her father, gaunt and pale faced, not even stirring when Elaera barged in.
Then she turned to her mother and went still.
The blood soaked the sheets so throughly, there was no more white. The Arryn Queen's silver hair was splayed about, her limbs at awkward angles, with one limp hand in Viserys's own.
Elaera saw that her womb had been mangled like a wolf had ripped it open. Arryk put a comforting hand on her shoulder when the lilac eyed princess saw that Aemma's chest wasn't moving.
Her mother was dead.
"I'm sorry." Arryk murmured. His own mother had died in childbirth and he vowed to Aemma's spirit to protect her daughter.
Elaera had always been her favorite.
"The babe." she inquired Mellos. "Is my siblings alive?"
"A son, alive." Mellos said grimly, covering in blood.
Viserys stirred. "A son?" he said in daze. "Baelon. His name is Baelon..."
Elaera turned to her mother's corpse, and fainted.
That is todays chapter. I really think it was cruel of Viserys to not tell Aemma—he could have and should have gotten her permission!