Chapter Text
The noise around the room faded as he watched the dark wax drip slowly down the candle until it pooled at the base. One eye flickered up, taking in the table ahead briefly. His fingers gently grasped the fork in his hand, swirling it aimlessly on the plate. His food untouched. His appetite gone. To his left, his brother slumped against the table, eyes rolling and lips tight, as he tried to drown out his grandfathers voice. Prince Aemond’s attention returned to the candle once more, occasionally murmuring in acknowledgment as his sister spoke softly in riddles. His mind wandered to the previous day.
A fleeting view of yellow ochre against the stone floor. The flash of gold tendrils around a corner. Despite all of these sighting, the prince had yet to find the shadow who was stalking him around the Red Keep. Lithe and spritely, the figure had always flitted away before he could register what had followed him to begin with. He tried to think back to when he first caught sight of this figure, but he could not recall. Though he ought to be paranoid, a small part of him was quite impressed that what appeared to be a maiden had managed to hide from him for so long. An even smaller part of him, one he would never admit out loud, was quietly flattered at the attention.
Ever since he was blinded in one eye at the hands of his nephew, he had heard the whispers growing up, regarding his appearance. To think another would seek him out was quite unusual, if not brave. Tall and imposing, his presence tended to frighten those around him. Apart from his siblings, of course. Only one of whom he could actually tolerate.
His eye flickered up once more and he felt his brows furrow, his mind still, when he realised his mother was staring at him.
“Pardon, mother?” He asked quietly, mouth dry. To hide his discomfort, he gently grasped the goblet, gesturing for a servant to pour him a drink. He had recently requested water over the wine his brother had been consuming, wishing to be clear minded over the coming days.
“I was reminding you of your duty to this family, and to behave appropriately when your sister and nephews arrive the day after next”. Her eyes were narrowed slightly, fingers picking at her skin under the table. Prince Aemond had seen his mother nervous many times, and placed his goblet down carefully. With his free hand, he grasped her own, pausing her small act of self-flagellation. Taking a small breath, he painted a small smile on his face and inclined his head forwards.
“Of course, mother”.
She did not regard his words with sincerity, however. Her hands gripped his own then, desperately even.
“You owe it to your father”. She whispered, her eyes darting to Prince Aegon who was still pretending to listen to his grandfather talk about the realm.
Prince Aemond was no fool. He was well aware of his father’s declining condition. After all, the stench of death did not travel too far in the King’s presence. As a child he had sought out his father’s admiration and respect. But he had found wanting. Deep down, as he stared at his mother, he knew he wouldn’t find it with her either. Shaking his head to dispel such melancholic thoughts that were unbecoming for a prince, he rose up, lightly squeezing his mother’s hand, and announced his leave. Before he could, his sister stood too, signalling her own intention to leave.
In silence, he escorted her back to her chambers. A few minutes into their journey, Helaena had begun to hum quietly, he glanced at her for a second, before stopping still. There, just behind the stone entrance of the royal quarters, was the flash of gold once more. Whilst weighing up whether to run after the spectre and abandon his sister, he was momentarily startled when his sister suddenly grabbed his upper arm tightly, whispering feverishly.
“Let the sunlight guide your way. Rain will fall. Reigns will fall. Rain will fall”. Helaena glanced back and forth, her hands grasping him desperately.
Shushing her, Prince Aemond gently manoeuvred her into her chambers, ordering the handmaidens to get the Princess ready for bed. She was still whispering as he left the room, trying not to think too much about his sister’s words. As he was leaving, he heard a sharp gasp, followed by two small hands touch his chest. Instinctively, his hands had moved forwards to grasp the women who had almost walked into him.
Trying to control his own surprise, he stepped back and took in the sight of the young woman, who could not have been only a year or so younger than himself. Golden ringlets framed her now reddened face, as she stole glances at him from behind her lashes. She murmured fast apologies, tripping over her words. In her collision, she had dropped some water on the floor. Desperately she ducked down, trying to retrieve the bucket with what was left of the contents. She tried not to cringe at the sight of his wet feet, once again murmuring another apology.
Stepping forwards, he bowed slightly, to take a better look of her. Her gown was a dark green. He could not recall seeing this lady in waiting before. Just before he could speak, he heard his brother’s boisterous drunken laughter ring down the hall. He did not know what possessed him, but he grabbed her by the arm, pulling her up roughly, ignoring her shocked squeak of alarm, and pulled the bucket from her hands.
"Go back to your quarters”. His voice was colder than he wished it. Dismissive even.
Looking at directly at him, the young woman nodded her head in understanding, eyes flicking over his shoulder at the approaching noise. Eyes flicking back to his own, she held his gaze and gave him a small smile, a whispered thank you, and ran off into the dimly lit corridors. Aemond stood still, watching as her skirts trailed behind the corner, her hair being the last visible part of her.
Regaining his composure as his brother appeared, attempting to put his arms around his shoulders, Aemond couldn’t find the energy to shove him away. His mind was elsewhere.
He had found his shadow.