╔═════๑♡๑═════╗
CHAPTER THREE
╚═════๑♡๑═════╝

VYR FLEW THROUGH THE SKY AT AN astonishing speed. Just as Vyr was about to hit the side of the Red Keep, he began to fly upwards. Aenora smiled, knowing he was enjoying the air and being out of the pits. Both Aenora and Vyr had spotted Rhaenyra and Syrax. It didn't take long before both girls and dragons were flying parallel to eachother. Rhaenyra look to her sister and smiled, Aenora doing the same.

After awhile, all four of them returned to the ground, blowing wind and dirt at anything in a 50 foot radius.

Aenora climbed off the beautiful beast and watched him walk into the cave.

"I will never get tired of that," Aenora said.

Rhaenyra nodded her head in agreement, "Me neither."

The sisters turned towards the carriage where they saw Alicent waiting for them. Only Rhaenyra was happy to see her. It wasn't that Aenora disliked her, she didn't dislike anyone really. But, she didn't particularly like Alicent. She never knew why, but Aenora always felt the atmosphere shift whenever the Hightower gurl was near. And the shift was not pleasant.

Aenora had always been able to tell whether she'd get along good with someone or not. It was like a gift. She could read anyone like a book, and she could read very well. Aenora could simply look at someone and tell if they were worth her time or not.

Alicent was just not one she thought was worth her time. She could only tolerate her for so long before she'd have to remove herself from her presence. Though, Alicent tried every time she and Aenora were together to get her to like her. Even Rhaenyra tried multiple times to get them to be close. It never worked. But Aenora never did make her choose her best friend or her sister.

"Syrax is growing rather quickly," Alicent told the Targaryen princess. "She may be as large are Caraxes."

"Thats almost large enough to saddle two," Rhaenyra said.

Alicent smiled at her friend, "I believe I am quite content as a spectator, thank you."

"We should get back to the Keep, Nyra." Aenora said quietly.

Rhaenyra knew quick enough Aenora was becoming uncomfortable, and nodded her head. All three girls entered the carriage. Aenora picked up the book she had left on the seat and began flipping through the pages.

"Did you enjoy the skies, Aenora?" Alicent asked.

"I always do," Aenora replied without looking up from the book. "Gōntan ziry emagon naejot māzigon? [Did she have to come?]" Aenora asked her sister.

"Ziry eptan, [She asked]" Rhaenyra answered.

"Hm."

The ride back to the Red Keep was quick, thankfully, considering it was also very awkward. Alicent continued to make attempts at conversations with Aenora, and Aenora kept making it obvious she had no interest in speaking with her.

The eldest princess was the first to exit the carriage and the first to enter the castle. She had left both her sister and Alicent far behind her so that she didn't have to suffer through anymore of Alicents questions.

Aenora took her time as she made her way to the Queens quarters, admiring all the details in the walls and columns. She did this every time she walked through the castle simply to pass the time. It took awhile to get to one end of the castle to another. Somehow she always found something new. This time it was a small flower carved into one of the steps.

"Aenora darling," Aemma smiled as her daughter walked into her chambers.

"Mother," Aenora returned the smile.

Aemma was laying on the chaise, fanning herself. In Aenoras head her mother looked painfully pregnant. She was not excited to become a mother to say the least.

Aenora sat at the edge of the bench and placed her hand on her mothers leg, as if to bring her some sort of comfort.

"You smell of dragon."

Aemma did not like that her daughters rode their dragons while she was in this condition, or any condition for that matter. Aenora knew this, but it had been awhile since she and Rhaenyra had rode together. And they knew their mother was in the best care with her ladies and handmaidens.

"Apologies, mother." Aenora said. "But, how are you? Have you eaten anything or slept?"

"I'm the one who should be asking you these questions," Aemma chuckled.

"You know I am very much capable of taking care of myself, as is Nyra. But as your eldest, I must to make sure you're being cared for while all these other maidens are caring for the babe."

"You are the sweetest. You'll be a wonderful mother to your children, here soon."

Before Aenora had the chance to say anything else, Rhaenyra and Alicent walked in.

"Rhaenyra," Aemma smiled once again. "I suppose you smell of dragon as well."

Rhaenyra nodded her head as she smiled.

"Your grace," Alicent said.

"Good morrow, Alicent." Aemma greeted. She too wasn't fond of the Hightower girl, just like Aenora. But for Rhaenyras sake, she was polite.

"Did you sleep?" Rhaenyra asked.

"I slept."

"How long?"

Aemma looked between her daughters. "You two are so alike yet so different."

"You asked as well?" Rhaenyra asked Aenora.

Aenora nodded, "I asked the same."

"I don't need mothering. If anything I should be mothering you two."

"We are only trying to care for you," Rhaenyra said.

"We are only trying to be good daughters and sister by making sure our mother is alright. You are the priority," Aenora said as she stood up.

Rhaenyra nodded in agreement.

Aenora felt as though it was sometimes forgotten that during pregnancies it was important that the mother was the priority. Considering, she was the one carrying the child. She only meant that if the mother was not properly being cared for that the child wasn't either. It the mother didn't eat, neither did the babe. If the mother didn't sleep, her body would be over working itself. In Aenoras mind, the mother should always come first during the pregnancy.

"You both will lie in this bed soon enough. This discomfort is how we serve the realm," Aemma spoke truthfully.

They lived in a time and were in a position where this was how they served, by bringing heirs to strengthen their lines. Aenora thought about how this was soon to be her duty to Daemon. She wondered if this was the true reason Kings had Queens. Only so that they might have sons to be the next generation of kings. So that their legacy may live on, good or bad.

"I'd rather serve as a knight and ride to battle and glory," Rhaenyra told their mother.

Aemma gave a light laugh, knowing that, that just wasn't how their world worked. "We have royal wombs, us three. The child bed is our battle field, we must learn to face it with a stiff lip." Aemma said.

Rhaenyra looked at Aenora. She had thought about her betrothal to Daemon and how she'd soon be going to battle.

Aenora thought of it as a battle with her own body.

It amazed Aenora and Rhaenyra that they could simply look at one another and just know what the other was thinking. It was like magic. They could sit and not say a word to each other, but know how the other was feeling.

"Now, both of you, go take a bath."

Aenora and Rhaenyra both nodded to their mother with amused smiles on their faces.

Aenora walked out of the room and to her own before going to the small council meeting. She knew she was late, just as her sister. But, she needed a moment to soak in what her mother had said.

She took a wash rag from the bowl of water and washed her face with it, feeling refreshed afterwards. She found it quite hard to see her mother in such discomfort and having to worry if she was taking care of herself. Aenora would find having all of those maidens around suffocating, she didn't know how her mother allowed it.

Aenora wasn't scared of mothering, she was scared of the birthing part. Every time Aemma went into labor, she was terrified that she might not make it through. She wondered if thats what she would have to fear when she gave birth. Her mother was right when she said that was a woman's battle field. You never knew if you'd live through it. But she also knew her mother was a selfless woman, and that she probably only feared the child wouldn't make it. Aenora didn't know if she could be that selfless.

▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃

Authors Note:
Aenora and Aemma. That's all.
Thoughts?