Alliances were one of the most important strategies in a war, and when Aemond heard about the neutrality you settled on Runestone, he had to visit you.

He remembers you from his childhood. Always silent, a shadow behind a father who never paid you attention. Daemon was always more attentive to his current family with Rhaenyra than the one he had with his two previous wives. You were always around Baela and Rhaena, but you always disappeared when Daemon made it obvious that he preferred half-sisters rather than you, the daughter he only had for duty.

Aemond always thought you were more like him, trying to fit in where no one wanted you and ending up wandering around the library or the gardens with Helaena. You were kinder than his older brother and bastard nephews, always up to share your opinion on books and giving him solacing glances whenever he came back from another torturing evening of being with his brother and nephews.

And just when he thought he could finally speak to you and find a friend, your father sent you to rule Runestone even if you were too young to be a lady.

Now, mere weeks into the war, the trip to Runestone was quick enough on top of Vhagar. He knew you grew up just like him, raised to be a proper and just leader. What he never expected was that you looked like your father more than he thought you could.

He wondered if you would recognize him, having lost his boyish features and his left eye... Now wearing over it the leather patch you gifted him in your last week at the Red Keep.

Even if you once had a friendship with your half-sisters, your disdain towards your father made you incapable of supporting the Blacks. And that’s why Aemond came into your solar, to find someone who a long time ago was just like him.

“My lady, I’ve come to seek an alliance,” he looked at you, looking more regal than ever. You, his cousin, looked like a real lady now, your features finally matured after years of not seeing you, and the most important thing, no ring on sight.