Show: Hotd - Tumblr Posts
modern au where Harwin and Rhaenyra grew up together because of their dads but fell out of touch during college and when she runs into him again she’s surprised to find out he’s a single dad to two little boys, doing his best, and that she’s suddenly more willing to take a break from her work when it’s a group of curly haired Strongs asking for her attention
told you i was coming back for more! 🧡 "i need you here" for the married rhaewin verse, if you're feeling like it? 🥺🥺🥺
(tw: mentions of pregnancy and fears about childbirth, references to miscarriages and the struggles Aemma had, this takes place when Rhaenyra is pregnant with Jace)
The feel of cold sheets under his arm was enough to pull Harwin from sleep, his hand searching the other half of the bed for his wife. He pushed himself up when he realized the bed was empty. Not for the first time in recent nights, Rhaenyra was pacing the room, her movements slowing the further along in her pregnancy she got. The maester was certain it wouldn't be much longer before the babe was born and the closer she got to the birth the more restless she'd become. For the most part, he took it all in stride, doing what he could to reassure her and comfort her. But his knowledge failed him at times, particularly at these moments when his mind was still clouded with sleep and her emotions were particularly frazzled.
"I think if you keep that up much longer, you might leave a pattern on the stone from where you've walked," he mumbled, pushing his hair back as he moved to stand. The look she gave made it clear she wasn't amused by him or his jokes, just continuing with her pacing. "You need your rest, love. And since you won't rest during the days, night seems to be the best time to get that rest."
"I can't rest. Every time I lay down I'm reminded of the child growing in me. I feel like I'm bigger than Vhagar my stomach has grown so large. And any time I stay put for longer than five minutes some lady from court whether she's met me before or not will offer me horrid advice about giving birth and raising the child and it makes me want to scream. And when I am finally left alone and finally comfortable enough to sit or lay down for any amount of time all I can think of is...is my mother. Of what she went through."
Any quip he had vanished at the words, the quiet whisper of fear that he'd never heard her admit before. There was an ache in his chest when he finally spotted it, the look of fear in her eyes that he'd been blind to before. And without another moment's hesitation, he'd stood from the bed and crossed the room to her, wrapping his arms around her and holding her close. "Why didn't you say anything sooner?"
She stayed tense for a moment before giving in, letting herself lean fully into him. It was muffled but he could still hear as she mumbled against his chest, "You've been busy with your men and I didn't - I don't like you thinking me weak. The blood of Aegon the Conqueror shouldn't be frightened by the birthing bed."
"Rhaenyra," he started, hands cupping her face and tilting it up so he could see her better. "I'd never think you weak. Never. And I'm sure Aegon the Conqueror would've feared the birthing bed as well if he'd been the one in it instead of his wives."
The faintest hint of a smile broke through her somber expression and he clung to it as best he could, pressing his forehead to hers and reaching down to let his hand rest on the swell of her belly. Her next words were whispered, almost as if she said them any louder they'd be overheard. "For years I watched my mother suffer through miscarriages and stillbirths. At least six children lost that I know of and her mother before died in the birthing bed as well. All I can see when I close my eyes blood soaked sheets and a tiny bundle on a funeral pyre and it leaves me filled with this dread that I just - I can't make go away. I've tried but no matter what this fear has wormed its way in me and will not let go."
They stood there together, minutes passing as he held her and tried to think of what to say. Any reassurances seemed useless. He hadn't known her mother but he'd heard her speak of what had happened that led to her death. And he remembered his father's second wife dying after a day and a half of labor, leaving behind his father with a new daughter to raise alongside him and Larys, alone once more. He'd be lying if he claimed there hadn't been a hint of worry in the back of his mind that something might go wrong. But none of that mattered now.
"I won't make you promises that everything will be perfect," he told her, breaking the silence they'd been sharing. "We've never lied to one another and I won't start that now. We both know childbirth can be as bloody as a battle. But you have to know that there's nothing I wouldn't do to keep you safe. I need you here with me the way I need air in my lungs. And I'd fight the Stranger himself if he tried to take you from me before we've had a lifetime together."
Her smile was watery but a bit of the fear he'd seen in those violet eyes had receded and he was quick to press a loving kiss to her lips. It was chaste, affectionate but simple before she pulled away to look up at him. "You truly are the best of men, Harwin."
He smiled in return, his hands finding her and slowly leading her back to their bed in hopes of getting her some much needed sleep while she could.
1.03 “Second of his Name” | 1.06 “The Princess and the Queen” | 1.07 “Driftmark”
You know who would’ve happily been his queens side piece and never uttered a word about it?
HOUSE OF THE DRAGON — 1.01 “Heirs of the Dragon” — 1.04 “King of the Narrow Sea”
aemond targaryen has been on my screen for a whole five seconds and i'm ready to be a complete slut for this war criminal i'm not even sorry.
something something me writing a story inspired by helaena saying "mostly he ignores you" and aemond being the one not to ignore her
Aemond Targaryen grew to be a proficient and dangerous swordsman
the one she chose | aemond x helaena
(this is supposed to take place some point before episode eight, not at any point in time in particular. targaryen typical incest is referenced so if that's not for you, dni. simple as that.)
It wasn't uncommon for Helaena to receive her brother in her chambers at least once each day. It simply wasn't the brother most would expect to visit. On the rare occasion she and Aegon found themselves alone together it was almost always when he was deep in his cups, words slurring and feeling some desire to fulfill his marital duties. Those times had always been few and far between and since Maelor had been born almost nonexistent. She had never complained. Wedding Aegon had been her duty and she'd done so without complaint. But sharing his bed regularly had never been a desire of hers and she'd always been grateful he seemed to feel the same.
No, it was Aemond who found his way to her rooms most days, whether it be the sitting room to break their fasts together or the bedroom where he'd crawl in behind her and hold her in a tenderness she'd not known from any other. It was Aemond who would join her as she sat with her children, not necessarily affectionate but attentive enough in his own way. And it was Aemond that she gladly claim as a lover, the one she'd discovered her desires beyond simple wifely duties with.
It was midday when he came to her chambers, dressed in a velvet doublet with his hair tied back out of his face. She sat curled on the lounge, the soft breeze coming through the window behind as she made slow work of the embroidery in her lap. It had been several years since the guards had announced Aemond's presence when he would arrive, the prince entering with little pomp and making his way to where she sat.
"You smell of the training grounds," she said in lieu of greeting, eyes still on her stitches as the needle wove its way through the fabric. She could feel him sit next to her, the cushions shifting under his weight and her body leaning into his side naturally. "Did you make a mockery of every knight currently in the Red Keep or did some of them get to keep their dignity this morning?"
There was a gentle touch at the nape of her neck, calloused fingers playing with a strand of her hair lazily. "Ser Arryk found himself in the dirt and Ser Criston lost his morningstar but the others were left alone today," he answered, not trying to pull her from her stitchwork, simply watching the motions of her hands. They'd shared many a quiet moment like this one, had since they were children and keeping company with one another while the mother fussed after Aegon.
The silence settled between them, an old comfort they'd both been fond of for year. The fingers in her hair twisted the strand one way and then the other, her side pressing more and more into his as her head moved to rest on his shoulder. It was a comfort that made her wish, not for the first time, that Aemond had been betrothed to her those years ago. It was a warm blanket of ease that made the world a simpler place for her.
"Let's visit the dragonpit," Aemond said after they'd been sat together for some time, finally pulling her attention from the stitching as she glanced up at him. "You know Dreamfyre misses you and it's been too long since you've been in the skies. It's a clear day and the air away from court would do us both good."
"You know Mother will have words for you if you fly Vhagar anywhere close to King's Landing. The smallfolk fear her more than the others."
"Come with me and I can worry about Mother later," he argued, giving her hair a playful tug that pulled a crooked smile from her lips. "Come. I wish to see you on dragonback, Hel. It's always a sight to behold."
"Fine," she answered, setting her embroidery to the side and pulling herself up off the lounge. Her hand outstretched to him which he took without hesitation, standing with her and leading them both out into the corridor. "But when Mother comes harping about keeping peace with the smallfolk and not terrorizing them like the dragonlords of old, you shall deal with that and I shall leave you to her wrath."
"Whatever my lady desires," he teased back, a quick kiss pressing to her cheek as they made their way down to the dragonpit.
Ewan Mitchell & Phia Saban in
THE LAST KINGDOM (2015-2022)
HOUSE OF THE DRAGON (2022-)
here is how this proofs helmond is real-
aemond after losing his eye and truly starting down the path of the warrior he'll become, going to helaena and giving her a dagger he got from the royal smith and making sure she knows how to use it. because even though he knows his sister isn't violent and wouldn't ever want to find herself in a fight he's not leaving it up to chance that she won't be able to defend herself from anyone that tries to harm her.
marriage for love vs marriage for duty
Gang the reason the elves in Rings of Power couldn’t all have long hair is because the House of the Dragon team already bought all of the wigs please keep up
Every word that comes between now and then is wasted. — Euripedes
Most of us are not so strong. What is honor compared to a woman’s love? What is duty against the feel of a newborn son in your arms … or the memory of a brother’s smile? Wind and words. Wind and words. We are only human, and the gods have fashioned us for love. That is our great glory, and our great tragedy.
Leo Ashton and Ewan Mitchell as Aemond Targaryen in House of the Dragon (2022-)