(Baelon's POV)
I stood atop the Dragonmont, waiting for Aemond who had landed Vhagar near Balerion. It had been a few weeks since we had seen each other and he wrote to me, telling me that he had something to say.
I heard the rumbling of Vhagar in the distance as Aemond slowly walked over, wearing his usual outfit. His hair was combed neatly and tied in his ponytail; his eyepatch was a bit darker, I believe it was a different one.
I watched as he approached, "Aemond." I said, "This best be good."
"Are you busy, brother?" He asked, "I doubt it."
I frowned, "Perhaps not, but I do wonder what is it you wish to speak of." I said as he reached me, "You rarely come and visit."
"That may be true." He said as he placed his hands behind his back and stared off into the distance, "I have something to discuss with you."
I nodded, "What is it?" I asked, "Do not tell me that it is me not wanting to go and personally congratulate Aegon for his second child."
"No, it is not that, Brother." Aemond said, "I do believe he will come here himself to scold you, however."
"Hm." I said with amusement, "Is that so?"
"No, I have been doing some investigation." He said, "And I have made quite the discovery."
"What is it?" I asked
"Your mercy of Ada Waters and her brothers might have backfired." He said
I frowned, "What?"
"According to my sources, Ada Waters has been spotted leaving Driftmark and taking a ship to Essos." He said, "She had her bastard son with her and her brothers were with her. The fact that she was still under the Velaryon's noses was quite surprising."
"Rhaenys kept an eye on her, she had said." I said, "But are you certain she left?"
Aemond nodded as he looked at me, "I am more than certain." He said, "They have boarded a ship that is currently halfway through the Narrow Sea. If we take off now, we will reach them when they reach the docks of Braavos."
"Why would they go to Braavos?" I asked
"Who knows." Aemond said, "Perhaps that is where our friends are."
My eye twitched, "Is that so?" I said, "Braavos, huh?"
"It is worth a shot." He said
I sighed, "We need to be certain." I told him, "We cannot just go ourselves and scare them away. We need to catch them while they are not alert. Both Balerion and Vhagar will be spotted with ease."
"I agree." Aemond said, "That is why we should work out a plan. You have your deals with Larys Strong, have him send his spies to Braavos."
"I am sure there are plenty of them there." I said as I crossed my arms, "But I will make contact with him. This is quite the possibility..."
"There is also the matter of Ada's bastard." Aemond said, "What do you say?"
"Nothing." I scowled, "I will not kill a child, he did nothing."
"Hm." He said, "Very well."
"Tell nobody of what we just spoke of." I told him, "Should we devise a plan, we need to move carefully, do you understand?"
He nodded, "Of course." He said, "I will write to you when the time comes then."
I patted his shoulder, "It is good seeing you, though." I said, "I may need my brothers at times like these."
"Must be quite overwhelming, dealing with what you have going on." He said with a nod, "How is my nephew?"
I smiled slightly as I stepped away, "He is..." I said as I looked over to the horizon, "He is perfect. He grows faster by the day, Aemond. Do you wish to see him?"
He shook his head, "I am fine." He said, "I might scare the boy."
"Heh, I doubt it." I said with a chuckle, "I take him flying on Balerion, he is not afraid of the Old Boy."
"Quite Bold, like his Father." He said with a slight smirk
"Yea...." I looked down
"And her?" He asked
I looked at him, "H-Her?"
He nodded, "Yes." He said, "Her. How is she?"
"I....." I said before clearing my throat, "I....well, it is difficult to explain...."
"Mm....." He said, "I will not press the matter."
"Right...." I said as I looked down, "That would be best."
"Well, I will take my leave." He said
"No, what are you doing?" I said with a frown, "Stay a while, eat something."
"I really should get back." He said, "Aemma does not know that I have left, she does get quite restless and constantly wants to fly alongside me.."
"Haha, well she has spirit, does she not?" I laughed, "That girl is something...."
He sighed, "She is..."
"Stay." I said, "I know Helaena would love to see you."
"Fine...." He said
*************
I sat in the couch, watching how Aemond was sitting on the floor atop a blanket as he was holding a toy in front of Valerion who was in a maid's lap, laughing as he reached for the toy.
I could not help but smile at the sound of my son's laugh, seeing his bright smile as Aemond simply stared at him with a neutral face. It was unusual, how my son was able to find amusement in Aemond's serious demeanor while my brother simply waved the toy in front of him.
I crossed my arms, "Look at him..."
"Hm...." I heard Helaena say as she hugged my arm, "It is quite interesting to see our serious brother act like this. He is being himself...yet....he is calm....one might think his aloof demeanor would affect the boy."
"Right...." I said
"Baelon." She said
I looked at her, "Yes?"
She was looking at me with a serious face, "What are you planning?"
I blinked, "What do you mean?" I asked her, "I am not planning anything."
"Right...." she said, "Because I am that stupid."
I chuckled, "H-Helaena, love, I am saying the truth." I said, "I am not planning anything."
"Aemond rarely comes to visit." She said softly, "And now he does out of nowhere, do you not think that would be a coincidence? I know you, I know the both of you. The two of you always....and I mean always do something like this."
"Oh, my love." I said as I leaned in and kissed her cheek, "I am serious, I will not do anything now."
"You lie." She said as she looked away, "I do not wish to speak to you if you are not going to be honest with me."
"W-What?" I said, "Helaena, do not be like that."
I noticed that Aemond looked over this way, taking notice of what had just happened.
"Sister." he said, "There is nothing going on, I give you my word."
"I will not speak to either of you." She said as she crossed her arms, "I mean it."
The door opened and Rhaenyra walked in, "They plan on flying to Essos." She said as she had the girl in her arms, "Both of them."
I frowned, "Huh?"
Aemond did not react, "Sister." He said, "Good seeing you."
"Hello, Aemond." Rhaenyra said as she stood over him, "How is my daughter?"
"She is well." Aemond said, "And what is this I hear? You think Baelon and I will fly to Essos? In this time and age? We cannot afford such leisure."
"You are right." Rhaenyra said as she looked at me, "I am not a fool, you two. And neither is Helaena. Over the past months, all three of you have been trying to support Baelon after the news of what happened to him. And you all constantly fly over to Essos in an attempt to root out those responsible."
"I cannot believe you, Baelon!" Helaena said with a scowl, "How could you!"
I raised my arms, "I have not done anything!" I said, "I swear! Aemond just came to relay some information, that is all."
"And what information is that?" Rhaenyra asked as the girl nuzzled up to her chest, "Tell me."
"That is none of your concern." Aemond said as he slowly stood up, "I will take my leave. I am sure my Mother is asking about my whereabouts."
"You are not leaving me here with this." I scowled
"I am afraid I will have to." Aemond said, "Good fortune to you, brother."
"This is on you now."