Chapter Text
Before long, the baby had grown large enough that Aegon was able to feel his frequent little kicks and punches. When Alicent asked if she could also place her hands upon Helaena’s rapidly expanding middle, Helaena did not see any reason to deny the request. Alicent’s smile was of genuine affection whenever she perceived the infant’s movements.
While the Queen had never spoken of her own childbearing with anything other than a detached disinterest, she seemed to understand that Helaena and Aegon were content and, therefore, said nothing to waylay her children’s happiness. Her only negative observation was that Helaena appeared much further along than she actually was, based on the size of her abdominal swelling. Helaena paid heed to her mother’s words but attempted not to dwell on them and what they might mean lest she become distracted by yet another issue.
Rhaenyra also visited Helaena more frequently, delighting, for once, in the role of knowledgable elder sister. She often turned up unannounced with a new skin salve or a soothing herbal tea recipe, once even gifting Helaena a favourite gown of deep burgundy silk, which had been expanded with extra panels to accommodate a growing child. Having been through as many successful births as Alicent, Rhaenyra had a vast wealth of knowledge to share and, unlike the Queen, appeared glad to be able to do so.
Aegon continually attempted to work towards an amiable understanding with their oldest sibling, which gladdened Helaena’s heart and brought her a little unspoken relief. Daemon did not deign to accompany his wife, which aided the visit’s successes. Aemond largely remained at a distance, especially when Rhaenyra was present. Despite his absence, they all heard reports that he was seen less in his favoured brothel, which was, at the very least, a slight improvement.
Helaena’s sickness was as prevalent as ever, and during the long stretches of time that she opted to rest in bed, her mind repeatedly returned to her forward visions. She thought of the dream that had come to her the first night Aegon slept in her bed - their wedding night - when their fresh union had gone unconsummated. As she had slumbered, she had attempted in her mind to flee, but Aegon chased her. He disallowed her to escape him, and she had awoken full of dismay.
He now looked upon her with such love and kindness and behaved towards her with such diligent care that she could not imagine ever desiring to escape from him. And yet, something within her heart told her to avoid complacency, leading to further confusion. She did not come from a family whose womenfolk tended to achieve long, happy, and fulfilled lives. While she prayed she would be the one to break the mould, the future was not hers to create.
To calm herself, it was often necessary to recall that she had dreamed of things which seemed outlandish. On one such occasion, she had started from sleep in utter distress after witnessing the systematic destruction of the dragons. In the reassuring light of day, she realised the improbability that all of the beloved creature’s lives could be snuffed out. Still, she worried about the inevitability of the gods’ decree. The vision of Aegon chasing her through the clouds as she fled from him had not come to pass, but who knew what would happen in the time yet to come?
She could only observe and possibly take small steps to avoid disaster. Deep within her, she felt there was likely some message, some element of truth or reality in everything she foresaw. It was almost impossible to imagine the decimation of the dragons, yet she told herself she would not forget that particular dream. She would inform Aegon about it if it occurred again, even at the risk of his sleep.
One evening, during a brilliant sunset, as she dozed on and off before the fire with only Sella for company, Helaena began to think of flying. Instantly, she was up amongst the coral clouds, swooping and diving in delight with Dreamfyre, whose sleek silvery-blue scales reflected the colours of the surrendering sun. Suddenly, a young dragon streaked ahead, and upon its back, a child just old enough to ride, shouting excitedly.
“Sister!” the boy called, his voice full of mirth, “you won’t catch me this time!”
At first, Helaena thought she was picturing the past, although she did not remember this particular event. The child who resembled Aegon soared before her, young and carefree as he had once been. And yet, the dragon he sat on was not Sunfyre. It was instead a burnt orange colour. Just then, a much darker dragon youth pulled up alongside Helaena, and its rider, a beautiful young girl with flowing white hair, grinned at her.
“He thinks himself the better rider, Mother,” the child chuckled, rolling her eyes. Her voice was amplified within the dream so that Helaena heard her perfectly. “While he and I may share our day of birth, and while he is slightly older than me - I still win every race!” the girl continued matter-of-factly.
With that, she surged forward, her dark companion instinctively attuned to her unspoken need to speed up. As she outstripped her brother, the girl child threw her head back and laughed, then, to Helaena’s surprise, she began to croon lovingly to her dragon, who stared back at her in adoration. Rather than sulk, the boy joined his sister in her amusement, laughing and watching her with brotherly admiration.
“Perhaps you will win the next race, Jaehaerys,” came a voice from behind.
It was Aegon. Helaena looked about for him and saw Sunfyre drifting up to her other side. Then, without notice, the vision shattered, and Helaena was awake in her bedchamber again. She brought the back of her hand up to her face and felt the stream of joyous tears upon her cheeks.
“Sella,” she murmured, her voice husky with emotion, “will you seek out Aegon, please? I believe he’s dining with our father.”
“What’s wrong, Princess!?” Sella demanded urgently, putting aside the baby bonnet she was knitting.
“Oh, I am well; I dreamt of something wonderful! But please, I’d like Aegon to be the first to hear what transpired.”
Aegon entered the room at last, and Sella closed the door behind him, leaving him alone with Helaena. He came to her chair and knelt beside it.
“Sella tells me you’ve had a good dream? What did you see?” he asked, his eyes shining with anticipation.
Helaena spread her hands across her abdomen. “Twins!” she uttered, beaming at him. “I saw twins. Our boy and a daughter also. Oh, and she is beautiful and such a skilled rider. She has inherited your voice - she sang the most lovely song to her dragon! And Jaehaerys - for that will be our son’s name - he looks just like you, Aegon. It must be the reason for my growing so large! There are two babies, not one - I have no doubt.”
Aegon was stunned into silence for several seconds before something occurred to him, and he raised his brows high. “Well then… I shall have to carve another wooden dragon!”
Helaena’s excited laughter burst from her. She did not expect her husband to weep, though that is what he did. Overcome with feeling due to the information she had imparted, Aegon had to wipe away one, then two tears as they escaped his eyes. He produced a watery chuckle of surprise at his reaction, and Helaena could not prevent herself from crying again alongside him.
“It delights me to see you so happy, my love,” Aegon told her, cupping her wet cheek with his warm hand. “I know you feel the joy of our situation, but you have been holding yourself back. Your caution and worry are never far from you, and I truly understand why, but to see you like this… you have transformed. Oh, how I love you!”
Helaena manoeuvred forward to receive his kiss. “I love you,” she replied, pressing her forehead to his. “My heart is so full.”
“As is mine. Twins,” Aegon exclaimed quietly, laughing in bemusement. “A daughter and a son…”
Helaena gazed downwards, rubbing her palms in slow circles across her rounded belly. “Hello, my little songbird,” she whispered. “I am so glad to know of you. I hope that you are keeping your brother company.”
In response to the sound of her voice, she felt awe-inducing flurries of activity from the two babies within her womb.