(Baelon's POV)
"Back here, huh?" Helaena said as we stood in the main hall of Dragonstone, "It is very quiet....eerily so...."
I nodded, "After so long in King's Landing, it is quite unsettling, isn't it?" I said as I looked at the stone walls, "But welcoming, if I have to say so."
She grabbed my hand, "Are you sure you have everything prepared?" She asked, "All of my tomes? My sheets? My...my cakes?"
I chuckled, "You are obsessed with them." I said while shaking my head, "Every week, a ship should arrive from King's Landing with supplies I have personally ordered. Worry not, love. These coming months will be as comfortable as they could get for you. We have the best midwives and maidens. Mother herself sent them over for you."
She smiled, "Good."
"My Prince!" a voice said, "Princess!"
I looked over to see Ser Robert walking up to us with a smile on his face, "Oh, Ser Robert." I said, "It is good to see you've kept the castle nice and tidy."
He reached me and grabbed my hand with both of his, "I am relieved to see you, My Prince." He said, "I have heard of all that had happened.....it....I do not know what to say...."
"Well, don't say much." I said with a slight smile, "There is not much we could do about it."
"Right..." He said as he pulled away and bowed slightly, "My Princess....congratulations...It delights me that soon, we will hear the cries of your child when it arrives."
"Thank you, Ser Robert." Helaena said, "I am glad to be here. It is a quiet and welcoming atmosphere, Dragonstone."
"Too quiet." Ser Robert chuckled, "Well I will tell you that we were fortunate to not get any troub-Erm...Uhm, Princess..."
He nodded as he looked past us. I turned around to see that Rhaenyra had walked inside the hall. She was wearing a black and red dress and her hair was braided into a ponytail. Her hands were in front of her as she awkwardly stared at us.
"Ser Robert." She said softly, "It is good to see you after all these years."
"Likewise, Princess." He said, "I....I have heard of what happened....I am sorry about your losses."
Rhaenyra looked down, "B-Baelon." She said, her voice shaky, "May I go to my chambers?"
I nodded, "Yes."
She then gave Helaena a quick smile, "I shall see you later today, sister." She said before walking away
"Y-Yes...." Helaena said before looking at me, "We spoke about this, Baelon....do not be cold towards her."
"What do you want me to say?" I said, "This is not a situation I wanted to find myself into."
"Erm..." Ser Robert cleared his throat, "I must say, My Prince....I am glad Balerion is finally back on the island. We have had trouble with some of the Wild Dragons as of late....not even Vermithor's presence was enough to keep them in place...."
I looked at him, "What do you mean?"
"Some were spotted in the villages of the island." He said, "There were even some deaths....one of them ate smallfolk who got too close to them."
"Ah...." I said, "That is just what we need."
"Yes, well, Balerion being back on the island might keep them in their place." He said, "They have grown too confident even with Vermithor nesting....the Bronze Fury has been in a lazy mood as of late....with Balerion here, even that one might be riled up."
"That Old Grouch sure loves to snap at Balerion, huh?" I said, "But nothing drastic will come from it. With Dreamfyre in the Dragonmont as well, there is no doubt that those wild dragons will cease their defiance."
"Agreed." Ser Robert said, "Oh, our cooks are working on tonight's supper. I would love to have you on the table, this is your return home after a long time."
"That would be delightful." Helaena said
"Do invite the Princess." Ser Robert said, "The last thing she needs is neglection. This is also her home. The thing is, it is quite a precarious position she was in...."
"Hm..." I said, "Send for us when the table is ready."
"We'll settle back in."
**********
"Are you not going to speak?" Helaena asked me, "Rhaenyra and you?"
"Give it time." I told her, "Let some days pass.....eventually, we'll talk."
"If you say so." Helaena said, "I just don't want any tension between the two of you.....the bad kind..."
"And what may the bad kind be?" I asked as I rubbed my neck
"Resentment....animosity....." She said as she flipped the page of her book, "Hatred...."
"I don't hate her." I said, "But I'll be honest, I am getting tired of constantly having to speak about her and this entire deal."
"You have no choice now, Baelon." She said, "She is also your wife."
"I don't know how you could be so fine with this." I looked at her, "I am serious, Helaena. Does it not bother you?"
"No." She simply said, "I will no longer repeat myself, you know my feelings. Even now, you are with me, are you not?"
"But you want me to spend time with her as well?" I asked
"I want you to not be a cold-hearted bastard to our sister who has been through a lot." She gave me a serious scowl, "She lost her sons, Baelon. Have some sympathy. Being here probably reminds her of that; all the time they've lived here....."
I sighed, "You are right...." I said, "That is the truth...."
"I understand that neither of you wanted it but it happened." She said, "But she is our sister, our family. But enough of that.....I wish to speak to you about something else..."
I looked at her, "What is it?"
"Who was it you saw in the streets of King's Landing?" She asked as she looked back down at the book
I frowned, "What do you mean?"
"There is another woman, I know it." She said, "Are you being unfaithful?"
I blinked, "Why are you asking me this?" I asked, "Of course not. That is ridiculous!"
"I smelled a strange scent...." She said, "That one night you came back to bed. You acted strange, which I did not wish to bring up because of the ceremony that was upon us then.....but now, we are back home...."
"W-Woman...?" I started, "I do not know....well....I...."
That was weird. I knew I went to the streets of the capital one time a few weeks ago but I cannot seem to remember much about that night. No matter how hard I tried, I cannot seem to recall anything.
"I...." I continued
"Baelon?" She asked, 'What is it? You have a strange look in your eyes..."
"I do not know." I said, "I really do not.....I swear to you, I would not do anything like that...."
She looked at me for a couple of seconds, "I believe you." She said, "I just needed to know....."
I looked down, feeling a strange tingle in my fingers. Something was wrong, but I could not pinpoint what it was.
"Helaena...." I said
"Yes?" She answered
"Be honest." I asked
"What is it, love?" she said
"How many children do you desire?" I asked, "I will not force you to have more than what you are comfortable with?"
"I...you said you wanted to speak when the first came." She said, "What changed your mind?"
"I do not know." I said as I looked at her
"The truth is...." She said as she closed the book slowly, "As many as I can physically give you."
"Huh?" I said, "Are you serious?"
She nodded with a smile, "But let us wait to see how the first goes..." She said, "I am excited.....to be the mother of your son...."
I returned the smile, "Thank you." I said, "You are a wonderful person."
"I love nobody else like I love you."