Cherreads

Chapter 29 - Chapter 27

[A/N: Did some major editing in previous chapters regarding Aerion's sword name. Well, major could be an overstatement, I just did some minor changes. The main change is the name of the sword has changed.]

(Aerion's POV)

"Aerion!" Uncle said as he stood next to the bed where Rhaenyra was resting at, "Today is a wonderful day." 

He was holding the babe in his arms, a bright smile was on his face. I do not blame him, this is his first grandchild from his eldest child, something he will cherish for the rest of his days. 

I walked up to the bed slowly, "Your Grace." I said, "I apologize for my absence." 

"Ah, it is fine." He chuckled, "When you were born, your Father did not walk into your Mother's chambers after an entire day passed." 

"That is not assuring." I muttered

"Ah, relax." He said, "A granddaughter....how magnificent. Truthfully, I expected a grandson but I cannot complain. She is as beautiful as Rhaenyra was when she was born....I now know how my Father felt when she held her in his arms that day...." 

"Father...." Rhaenyra said while blushing

I walked around His Grace, looking at how the babe had her eyes closed, asleep. That was good, she was resting. 

I then reached Rhaenyra and reluctantly reached for her shoulder, "Are you well.....?" I asked her, "I am sorry...." 

She gently pulled me down to her, "Are you alright?" She whispered, "D-Did I do something wrong? A-Are you angry at me? I am sorry, I did not give you a son....." 

I pulled away slightly, taken aback by this reaction. She had a worried frown on her face, expecting a response from me. 

The past nine months, I did not leave Rhaenyra's side. She had become accustomed to my company, even becoming clingy. I did not mind, she was my wife. I understood her feelings, she was forced to stay a maiden until the age she is now. She could not enjoy as many freedoms as she would have liked and I can understand if she wants nothing but to enjoy the company of a man who she can call her husband. 

I told her that no matter what, I would accept what the gods give me; a son or a daughter. But at one point, I did mention how a son would be nice to have, to teach him how to fight. But that is any man's dream, it is ingrained in our minds, part of our instincts as men. 

A daughter? What man would not want a daughter? A reflection of the beauty that is the woman he married. 

"Aerion?" She squeezed my hand as she held it, "Say something." 

Oh. 

I forget that I get caught in my own thoughts sometimes and I simply stare into nothing, giving a very frightening expression. 

"Rhaenyra." I said, "Why would I be angry at you? It is quite the opposite....I am happy...." 

"Y-You are...?" She asked, "You do not seem like it." 

I leaned in to her and kissed her on the forehead, "Forgive me if that is the case." I told her, "Would I lie to you about this?" 

"Then why did you....?" She said softly

"Aerion." Uncle said suddenly

I straightened up, "Your Grace?" 

He had been busy walking back and forth with the child, probably enjoying looking at her. 

"She does not have a name yet." He said with a smile, "As the Father, you should give her one." 

"Well-" I started

"Visenya." Rhaenyra cut me off

We both looked at her, Rhaenyra was looking at the both of us with a calm expression. 

"Visenya?" Uncle said, "Are you certain?" 

She nodded, "Yes." She said, "I...I gave it a long thought....for years, as a matter of fact. If I ever had a daughter....she would be called Visenya...." 

"For years...?" Uncle said

Rhaenyra nodded, raising an eyebrow at the end, "You made sure to leave me only with the desire and imagination of wedding someone and having a child." She said, "Now that it has come to be, I would like to have the liberty of naming my child...if my Husband could give me that...." 

I nodded without hesitation, "Visenya it is." 

"Very well." Uncle said, "That is a fine name.....a bit odd, considering her namesake and who she was...." 

"She was a Queen." Rhaenyra said, "As my daughter will be.....right?" 

"Right." Uncle said with a smile, "That is right indeed." 

"Visenya Targaryen." I said, "Hm....I...I like it." 

"Visenya does have a nice ring to it..." Uncle said, "Especially for a Tourney...." 

"F-Father...!" Rhaenyra said, "You will throw a Tourney?" 

"Of course, I will." Uncle said with a frown, "She is my first ever grandchild, the Realm needs to know that I cherish this. A celebration is in order, as your King, I command it." 

"I cannot believe you." Rhaenyra rolled her eyes, "Aerion, say something." 

I blinked, "He is the King...." I said, "And he just commanded it....." 

"At least somebody knows the order of things...." Uncle chuckled, "Will you participate?" 

"I have no desire to Joust. I hate it." I said, "But a Melee? Perhaps." 

"Oh, that will be exciting." He said, "An opportunity to fight Red-Haired Aerion? Every Knight will surely want that." 

"My hair is white." I muttered

"I know, I know." He said as he walked up closer, "Alright, enough. Here, hold her." 

He handed her to me and I reluctantly stepped back in response. 

"I..." I said with a gulp

"What is the matter?" Uncle asked, "Are you alright?" 

"Aerion...." Rhaenyra said softly

I nodded, "R-Right...." I said, "I am sorry....m-my hands...t-they are-" 

"I know." Uncle said, "But you need to learn how to look past that and enjoy the joys of life....Hold her. As your King, I command it." 

I slowly raised my arms as he handed me the girl. 

She was so light....yet so heavy...perhaps because of the weight of her life. 

So fragile, this one was....

I looked at her, she was slowly opening her eyes. Their purple shade was so beautiful; it reminded me of Rhaenyra's beautiful gaze. 

"Oh...." I said as I held her, "I...did I wake you, child?" 

She slowly reached her arms up and rubbed her face, her innocent and pure face. 

"There you go...." Uncle said as he patted my shoulder, "How does it feel?" 

I nodded, "Good...." 

"You do not seem that happy." He said 

"I am." I said without a second thought, "I will do my best in expressing my emotions from now on, Your Grace....this....this is my daughter?" 

"Yes...." He said

I turned around and sat on the bed next to Rhaenyra, holding our daughter in my arms as she leaned closer to me. 

"She is everything..." Rhaenyra hugged my arm as she pressed herself against my side, the scent of her hair was hitting my nostrils, "Is she not?" 

I nodded, "She is...." 

"So precious..." She said, "This is what every mother feels like....I....I am glad to share this same feeling...." 

"Rhaenyra...." I said seriously as I looked at Visenya's face, 

"Thank you." 

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