(Baelon's POV)
"Father wants to throw a Tourney when the child comes." Helaena said, "He says we should be at King's Landing when that happens."
I frowned, "I do not want to move you after childbirth." I said, "We should stay here in Dragonstone until you are well for travel."
"But he wrote to me, explaining his excitement." Helaena said
"He is free to be here when the labors happen." I said, "I am not risking your health for festivities."
"Baelon, but it is a Tourney, it would be fun, no?" She asked, "You get to ride a horse and joust."
"I don't like jousting, you know that." I said, "Riding horses and poking wooden sticks at each other and then having to fight the other imbecile because I am better than him. I mean, what kind of game is that? Why even imitate combat for the amusement of others. Melees are better, in my opinion."
"It is no use, Helaena." Rhaenyra said, "He has never liked Tourneys, not since Daemon was beaten by Criston Cole years ago."
We were sitting at the table, eating breakfast the following morrow after I slept in Rhaenyra's bed. I had a decent rest, I will admit. I woke up in her arms, she had them wrapped tightly around my neck as my face was in her chest, I had to wait for almost an hour because she did not wake and I did not feel like disturbing her.
It was not a bad position to be in, honestly.
"Even today I tell Cole that he should have lost that match." I said with a frown, "He tripped Uncle unfairly."
"Daemon gets carried away, Baelon, you know that." Rhaenyra told me, "You show clear favoritism to our Uncle way too often."
"Hm...." I said with a frown, "Anyways, when Father and Mother come, we will discuss it. It is still a couple of months until my son is born, so we have plenty of planning."
"Knowing Father, he already has the coin and wine ready." Helaena said, "But I like the idea. All of us gathered, enjoying our time together. The Realm should see that we are moving past the issues we had not too long ago."
"She is right, Baelon." Rhaenyra told me, "I agree with this, we should distract ourselves."
"After the child is born and Helaena is well for travel." I said firmly, "If it is in King's Landing that is. Besides, I do not think a Tourney would be held here. I don't want it to be...."
"How so?" Helaena asked, "We have not had one here but if you are too worried, we can have everyone come to us instead."
"I do not want someone sneaking in to the Dragonmont and interacting with our unclaimed dragons." I said before taking a sip of wine, "You know what I mean...."
"I do." Rhaenyra said, "And I understand. But I doubt there would be an issue in that regard."
"You cannot be too sure." I said
"The same could be said with the Dragonpit in the capital." Helaena said
"Father has that place locked down." I said, "Ever since I told him to do so, he increased the security."
"Ah." Helaena said, "We could do the same here."
"True....but I would rather not..." I said, "Dragonstone should be fine as it is...."
"How was your sleep?" Helaena asked suddenly
I looked at her, "Uhm..." I said, "It was well...."
She smiled, "Really?" She asked, "Anything else other than sleep?"
"No." I told her
"Is that so?" She said with a chuckle, "Disappointing.."
"I do not think I like how enthusiastic and encouraging you are of that." I frowned
"He slept in my arms like a babe." Rhaenyra said teasingly, "He was adorable."
"Aw, he does that with me as well, sister!" Helaena said brightly, "Is it not the best feeling? To have this one nuzzled against your chest?"
Rhaenyra smiled and tucked her hair behind her ear, "I loved every second of it."
"If you do not mind, it is my turn tonight." Helaena said as she grabbed my hand, "Right, Baelon?"
I nodded, "Sure...."
"I do not mind at all. He was yours first." Rhaenyra said
"Mmm...." Helaena said, "One day, you should join us. The bed is large enough for us three to sleep in it."
"Now, hold on." I said, "Is that not too much?"
"I would take you on that offer, Helaena. One day." Rhaenyra chuckled
"Hang on a minute." I started, "That is too much..."
"We only tease, love." Helaena said with a chuckle, "You should relax..."
"Right....." I said as I scratched my cheek, "The two of you will do that often, I feel like..."
"Yes." Rhaenyra said
***************
"You look better, love." Helaena told me as we laid together, "Are you sleeping well?"
I nodded, "Better..."
She patted my cheek, "That is good."
We were in her bed, facing each other. I had my hand on her belly, gently caressing it as she looked at me with a smile.
"Sometimes I dream nasty dreams...." I said suddenly
"What sort of dreams....?" She asked me
"I....it is hard to explain...." I said softly, "That I am chained up.....and something is being done to me...."
"What?" She said, "What do you mean?"
"I do not know." I said as I sighed, "Perhaps they are bad dreams....maybe that is why I felt bad about having sex with Rhaenyra....I felt like I forced myself onto her."
"No, you did not." She said softly, "The two of you simply broke the tension you had. It was a good thing. And if Rhaenyra said no firmly, I know you would have stopped. She told me that she enjoyed it....as did you...."
"I do not know...." I said, "It was just.....I...."
"Shh...." She said softly, "Tell me about your dreams...."
I closed my eyes, "I am in a couch....and chains are binding my feet and arms..." I said, "And there is a woman.....foreign....I do not recognize her..."
"What...?" She said, "What is she doing?"
"Crying...." I said, "She's crying....."
"Why?" She asked again
"I do not know...." I said, "The room.....it has candles around it....there is a familiar scent....and taste...I cannot explain it...."
"What does the woman look like? Details..." She said softly
"She has black hair....black eyes..." I said as I opened my eyes and looked at her, "Fair skin....that is all I could remember....."
"I see...." She said, "Is that all you can remember from the dream?"
"Remember..." I said, my voice trailing off, "I.....n-no....I remember.....m-more....?"
"More what?" She asked, "Women?"
"I think so..." I said, "I think.....I think there were more...."
"Just close your eyes and sleep, my love." She said, "They are just dreams...strange dreams....we should speak more about this on the morrow...."
My eyes felt heavy, the overwhelming feeling of sleep creeping up on me rapidly.
"Right....." I said, "I should sleep....."
"Mhm..." She said, "Baelon....?"
"Yes..." I said softly
"I like this." She said, "This arrangement....we should stay like this....."
"Right..." I said
"Good night, my sweet Baelon." She kissed my forehead,
"I love you."