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CHAPTER FIVE
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Trigger Warning; death

AENORA WAS WOKEN EARLY BY Lydia
only to be told that a Small Council meeting has been called. The Princess quickly readied herself with the help of Lydia. When the two had felt that she was ready for the day, Aenora walked faster than usual to her sisters chamber.

"Rhaenyra?" she knocked.

It didn't take long for Rhaenyra to open the door, already dressed.

"Good morning, sister." Rhaenyra greeted Aenora.

"Good morning."

"Do you know what this is about?" Rhaenyra asked as they began walking down the long hall.

Aenora shook her head, "I was hoping you'd know."

Rhaenyra simply shook her shoulders.

The sisters walked rather quickly, knowing that the rest of the council was probably already there. They had a habit of being late to these meetings. But to their surprise, they had gotten there before the king.

And also to Aenoras surprise, Daemon was actually there. She knew immediately this meeting had something to do with him, considering he was the only one there covered in blood and mud.

Aenora took her seat next to the hands seat and placed her marble in the hole.

"Gods be good," Viserys said as he entered the room.

Aenora continued to stare at Daemon, both disgusted and worried. All Daemon did was smile at the girl. She honestly felt like a mother who's child had misbehaved in front of a crowd.

"Brother."

"Daemon," Viserys looked at him, irritated but not surprised.

"Carry on. You were saying something about my impunity," Daemon mocked Otto.

Another Hightower Aenora didn't like, no despised. Maybe it was something to do with the color green she didn't like.

"You are to explain your doing with the City Watch," Otto said.

Aenora's eyebrows furrowed.

"Your new 'Gold Cloaks' made quite the impression last night, didn't they?" Viserys sat.

"Did they?" Said Daemon.

"The City Watch is not a sword to be wielded at your whim. They're an extension of the crown," Otto told Daemon.

"The watch was enforcing the crowns laws. Wouldn't you agree Lord Strong?" Daemon asked Lyonel Strong.

"My prince I don't think-"

"Making a public spectacle of wanton brutality is hardly in line with out laws," Otto cut off Lyonel.

"Nobles from every corner of the realm are right now descending upon Kings Landing for my brothers tourney, and my wedding. Do you want them mugged, raped, murdered? You mightn't know this unless you left the safety of the Red Keep but much of the Kings Landing is seen by the small-folk as lawless and terrifying." Daemon paused, "Our city should be safe for all its people."

By now Aenora had an idea of what Daemon had did. By the way he looked, dirty and bloody, he had 'cleansed the city' — that's the only way she wanted to think about it. Though she knew deep down, he had probably mutilated every wrong doer in the city.

She had no words. She saw the wrong but she also knew it was what Daemon thought was right. Which was right, in a way. She didn't know whether to be upset or not. He did a good thing in a bad way.

"I agree," Viserys said. "I just hope you don't have to maim half of my city to achieve this."

"Time will tell," Daemon told him.

"We installed Prince Daemon as commander to promote law and order. The criminal element should fear the City Watch," Lord Corlys stated.

Daemon nodded to show thanks, "Thank you for your support, Lord Corlys."

Aenora had just about enough of this meeting. She already had her opinion she just wasn't allowed to speak it. Honestly, she didn't even know why she was there. There wasn't anything to learn from other than people have their own opinions and everyone thinks they're right.

Aenora looked at her father, who was already looking at her. She simply shrugged then looked between him and the door, earning her a nod as if he told her 'yes'.

She quickly got up from the table, pushed her chair in and left without a word.

Tourney games weren't particularly Aenoras favorite thing to watch, but she endured it because it was her job to. She sat in between Laenor Velaryon and and her sister.

The Princess stared into the crowd. She looked at different people, sometimes she forgot other people existed in the world. She was so stuck in her own little world she called the Red Keep. She thought about their lives, their joys and their fears. How different it would be if she was born a common girl.

Aenora was drawn back to reality when she heard her father say, "Queen Aemma has begun her labors!"

She had not been made aware of this. She looked at Rhaenyra, who nodded back to her.

"Why was I not aware of this?" She whispered to Rhaenyra.

"Because he knew you wouldn't come."

"Of course not. I should be with our mother."

"You also need to support your soon to be husband."

Aenora rolled her eyes, "It's a game, not life or death, Nyra."

"Nora, if you want to go, then go."

Aenora was a bit disappointed that her sister didn't want to be there for their mother, but she understood not everyone wants to be near child birth and she respected her choice.

She quickly got up from her seat and made her way back into the castle. She ran up the stairs and into the room where she heard Aemmas screams come from.

"Mother," Aenora kneeled next to the bed.

Aemma smiled at her daughter, she was very grateful that she had chosen to be with her. No matter how many times she had been in this bed, it was terrifying each time. Almost every pregnancy, Aenora had been with her. This time was no different.

"My sweet Aenora," Aemma said.

Aenora offered her hand to her mother, in which Aemma gladly accepted. Aenora admired her mothers strength. It wasn't long before the screams started again and Aemmas hand tightened around Aenoras.

Aenora wiped her mothers forehead with a cool cloth. She smiled down at Aemma and nodded.

"You're doing good."

"So are you," Aemma joked.

The next scream Aemma let out left Aenoras ears ringing. Aenora winced at the loudness of her mothers agonizing screams but continued to hold her hand and wipe the sweat from her for head. If she could make this any easier, she would. If she could take all the pain from her mother, she would.

After awhile of pushing and no babe, Grand Maester Mellos looked at one of the other maesters with worry. He began feeling on Aemmas stomach then turned back to the others, leaving Aenora worried.

Every time Aemma look up at her daughter, Aenora hid her worry with a smile and a squeeze of her hand.

"Why is there no babe yet?" Aemma asked, her voice sounding as tired as ever.

Maester Mellos did not give an answer, no one did. They stood away from Aemma and Aenora, muttering amongst themselves. They had sent one of the ladies out and continued to let Aemma have her contractions with no help.

It wasn't long before Viserys rushed in, only worrying Aenora more.

She watched as the maesters crowded around him, whispering things she could not hear. Once again, she smiled down at her mother and cleaned the sweat from her head.

Aemma became quiet and calm. She was barely awake.

"May I?" Viserys asked Aenora.

She nodded and gave Aemmas hand to her father.

She felt a pit forming in her stomach. She knew nothing good was to become of this. She was terrified. She felt like a child again; worrying because her mother was sick.

Viserys look at his eldest daughter, sorrow in his eyes. He stepped away from Aemma and grabbed onto Aenoras hands gently. Tears puddled in his eyes.

"You must tell your mother you love her," Viserys said quietly. "But you mustn't cry in front of her."

It felt as if Aenoras heart stopped for a moment then started again at a fast pace. She understood quickly what her father was telling her, she just couldn't comprehend why. She asked no questions, she simply did as she was told.

Aenora once again knelt next to her mother and held her hand, it took every bit of strength in her body to not cry. She kept telling herself she would have time to cry after she said goodbye.

"Mother," Aenora said.

"Hm?" Aemma hummed, "what's wrong my love?"

Aemma could feel her daughters suppressed feelings, she could hear it too.

"I love you."

"I love you too, Nora. But what is the matter?"

"Nothing is the matter. I just want you to know how much I love you." Aenora felt her heart breaking.

"I know, sweet girl." Aemma smiled weakly.

"I'll love you forever," Aenora said before looking to her father.

"I'll love you forever as well," Aemma said. "But you're worrying me, please tell me what's wrong?"

Before Aenora could say another word, Viserys ordered a guard to remove her from the room. Aenora had to be picked up and taken from her mothers side. Tears rolled down her face as she screamed out for her mother. She was dropped in front of the closed doors. Aenora could hear her mother scream out for her, only making her cry out louder.

She heard her mother cry out in pain for Viserys.

Then just screams.

Then nothing.

When Aenora heard nothing more come from the room she, herself screamed so loud she was sure the entire seven kingdoms heard her.

Viserys opened the doors once again for his daughter. Pain clear in his eyes.

Aenora looked in the room only to see a dead babe in the hands of Maester Mellos and her mother who was cut open and drenched in her open blood, sweat and tears.

Aenora ran to the side of the bed and hugged onto her mother, praying that the Gods would bring her back. She screamed for her mother to return to her. She begged and pleaded with the Gods for one last moment with her.

"Please, just a little longer." Aenora said with tears covering her face and neck.

But that moment never came.

Aemma was gone. The woman she so dearly admired was gone. Her mother was gone.

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Authors Note
I made myself cry. Like legit I cried.