บท 39: Return Home

(Aerion's POV)

"My Lord." Maester Gerardys said as I dismounted Vermithor and landed on the platform, "It is so good to see you. All went well, I trust?"

I nodded as I held my Helm in my hand, "Yes ,Maester." I said, "All went well. The Triarchy was crippled, the Martells were repelled and I am here. How long has it been? A few weeks at most?"

"Yes, My Lord." He said with a smile

As I passed the Dragonkeepers, I looked over and nodded, "Have Vermithos gorge." I said in High Valyrian, "With the most fat of our swine. He deserves a good rest, the Old Man."

"Yes, My Lord." They said as they bowed slightly

I looked at the Maester as I walked, "How were things here?" I asked, "I trust that no trouble arose?"

"Well it was quite uneventful, truth be told." The Maester said, "Prince Jaecaerys did in fact take Vermax to the skies by himself, that's pretty much it."

"Ah." I said, "That's something."

"The Princess was worried sick, My Lord." He said as we walked up the stairs, "She could not find sleep on some nights. She would spend them in the Princess Visenya's chambers, holding her a she tried to fall asleep."

"Hm...." I said, "Is Visenya well?"

"Oh, yes." He said

"Good." I said, "I'm glad I am back, Maester Gerardys."

"Hopefully things will go back to normal."

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"Princess." Elinda said as she stepped to the side, "L-Lord Aerion has returned."

I saw Rhaenyra, holding Visenya as a midwife sitting next to her holding Joffrey. Her hair was let down, and draped over her shoulders as her surprised eyes looked at me. She looked so stunning...so breathtaking.....

I placed my hands behind my back, "Princess." I said

I had already taken my armor off, being helped by Jace who was the first to see me. I had him keep quiet and I wanted to take a bath before I went and greeted Rhaenyra. It was easier than I thought, considering that the Castle was massive and one could go about their business without being bothered.

I did not want to be covered in filth and blood when I came to see them; Rhaenyra and Visenya. I did not want them to see the evidence of what I had done. They did not deserve to see such a sight. Even Jace was slightly disturbed by how much dried blood was on my armor.

"A-Aerion..." Rhaenyra said as she slowly got up, "You're back? When?"

"About an hour ago." I said, "I am surprised you did not hear Vermithor on the way in."

"And....you didn't come and see me?" She said softly

"I..." I said, "I wanted to be clean..."

Rhaenyra looked at Elinda, "Come and hold her please?" She asked her

Elinda walked over as Rhaenyra handed the babe to her, "Yes, Princess." She said

Rhaenyra then hurriedly walked over to me, looking at me up and down. "A-Are you hurt?" She said as she gently and reluctantly patted my chest, "Aerion...."

I shook my head, "No..." I said, "I'm not hurt. Everything went smooth, like I promised."

She looked at me as I saw a bit of tears in her eyes, "I..." She said softly, "I missed you...."

I patted her cheek, "I missed you as well." I said with a smile, "I am here now...."

She nodded and smiled as well, "Y-Yes..." She sniffed as she wiped her tears away, "Yes, you are, I am glad. Welcome home, my Husband..."

I then looked over to Visenya and walked over to Elinda, who held her, "Can I?" I asked, "My hands are no longer filthy...."

"O-Of course." She said as I took Visenya into my arms

I looked at her, she was awake and looking at me as she waved her arms about.

"Look at you...." I said softly, "I missed you, my dear. I really did....I promise I won't leave you again."

I leaned in and kissed her on the cheek, feeling a swirling amount of emotions inside me. It was as if the void in my stomach was being twisted and turned.

I did not deserve this....I did not deserve her. But what mattered the most is that she did not deserve what I went through; to grow up without a Father.

I loved her, I really did.

I smiled at her, "Visenya..." I said softly

"There were nights when she couldn't sleep." Rhaenyra said as she walked over to me and gently placed her hand on my arm, "I had to be there with her the entire time...."

"You can rest now, I'll do that if it is still needed." I said as I held her, "I am not going anywhere."

"I...." Rhaenyra said, "I don't know about any of that. We received a royal decree, so did you. Well, not like it mattered, you are here now."

I looked at her with a frown, "What?"

"Father is no longer bedridden. He had sent a royal command to have you return from the conflict down in the Stepstones...." She said, "And he has summoned all of to King's Landing. He wishes to meet Visenya and will host a Tourney in her honor."

"Hm...." I said, "Is that so?"

"I know you've just returned, but I promised we would go as soon as you came back..." She said as she looked at me, "We can delay it a bit further if you wish."

"If His Grace wishes to meet my daughter, then he shall." I said with a smile, "We'll go there tomorrow if you wish."

She nodded, "Good." She said softly, "That's good. I figured you would be exhausted..."

"I am...." I said, "But what can we do?"

"Right...." She said

I looked at Elinda and the other midwives, "You all have my thanks, for taking care of my two girls." I said with a chuckle

Elinda bowed slightly, "Of course, My Lord..." She said flustered

I looked at Visenya, "Hm...." I said with a smile, "Aren't you a beauty...."

"You require rest, Husband..." Rhaenyra said, "And food, have you eaten?"

"No...." I said, "But that can wait....let me hold her a bit more...."

"Please...."

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[R18 Warning: It might get a bit Spicy]

[Later That Night]

After spending time with the boys and Rhaena, I slowly made my way to Rhaenyra's chambers. It was already dark and I had put Joffrey and Visenya to sleep, telling the children to do the same.

I was holding a candle as I approached her door, Ser Steffon standing guard outside.

"Ser Steffon...." I nodded

"My Lord." He greeted

I gestured at Lady Rhea, which was strapped to my side, "I'll take over for now." I said, "Get a few hours of sleep and come back at the Hour of The Nightingale."

"O-Oh....right..." He said as he bowed slightly, "Of course, My Lord...."

He then walked past me hurriedly and I opened the door and walked in, closing it behind me and locking it.

As I stood there, taking a few deep breaths, I felt a bit nervous about what was about to happen. I have not seen her in a few weeks and I am more exhausted than anything, getting almost no rest on the flight back. All I know is that Vermithor is knocked out completely after his gorging and I should be as well.

"Aerion?" I heard Rhaenyra's voice

I turned around, holding the candle in my hand, "Yes." I said

She was sitting up in her bed, wearing her nightgown, her hair completely down as usual when she is about to sleep.

"What's wrong?" She asked

"I temporarily relieved Ser Steffon." I told her, "We're alone, for a few hours at least. Until the Nightingale."

She had a look of surprise, "You should be resting....." She said as I walked over

I set the candle on a table near her bed and blew the flame out, "Well...." I said as I straightened up and removed my sheath-belt and placed Lady Rhea down next to the table, "That may be true....but....."

I reached for her hand and grabbed it, gently pulling her out of bed as she looked at me with surprise.

"Are you sure? You're not tired?" Rhaenyra asked as I held her waist

"Trust me...." I said with a slight smile, "You'll be more tired compared to me after it is over...."

She chuckled, "You..." She said, "So full of vigor...."

She patted my chest as she gently unbuttoned my shirt, giving me a suggesting gaze. I felt nothing but chills as I felt her touch on my body.

I stroked her hair with my fingers as she began to remove my shirt, giving me a smile, "Rhaenyra...." I said, "I have done nothing but think of you...Your beautiful hair...your eyes....your lips...."

I gently ran my finger along her lips as I said the last part.

She closed her eyes as she let out a slight gasp, "Y-You..." She said softly as she ran her hand down my chest and to my abdomen, "I.....I missed you so much..."

"I know...." I said wrapping my arms around her waist and pulling her closer, "I know....and I have missed you as well...."

I then raised my arm and moved her hair to the side exposing her neck as I leaned in and gently kissed it, feeling her wrapping her arms around my neck as she let out a moan.

"Ah..." she said softly, "Aerion...."

I ran my hand from her waist down to her behind, feeling her up as I kissed her neck.

"Mm...." She continued with her slight moans as she lifted my chin up

She then leaned towards me and kissed my lips briefly, running her hands back down to my chest.

"Gods...." She said as she looked at me, "I want you....I want you right now....You foolish man, leaving me alone for so fucking long...You need to pay for that...."

I felt that both of our bodies were getting hot, knowing what was coming. We were about to lose ourselves in the heat of passion, I had no guarantee if I was to survive her current vigor. I did not care, I will be damned if I did not tackle this challenge. Well, I was the one who engaged anyways, so I must not pull away like a coward.

I chuckled as I slowly picked her up and took her to the bed, laying her down and crawled on top of her, "Oh well..." I said with a smile, "Here I am, My Love...."

"Giving your payment."