(Baelon's POV)
"And the attention is shifted from you, my son." I said as I stood over his cradle, my hand in it and caressing his head, "I am sorry it has come to this. Your Father has failed you....."
He was awake, looking up at me as he held a small toy in his hand. His curious eyes were staring right at me as his mouth was open, letting out the occasional babe noises. He was so small, yet so large. To me, he was everything I had ever wanted.
A child from Helaena.
That is all I have ever wanted since I fell in love with her.
I respected her reluctance to have children, I understood her fears, and I was patient. I showed her my support, I loved her no matter what. I showed her that despite her not wanting to have children early in our marriage, that I would still share my warmth with her. I showed her so much affection, so much care that I did not care what others said about her. I only wanted her and I only wanted her to give me children.
And it had to come this.
A woman I do not know, a woman I had no interaction with prior to that night, has my child. It angers me, it breaks me that it has come to this.
Valerion is my son. Helaena gave him to me. He is my Heir, my boy.
I do not wish to forsake him. Anyone else is not him.
I sighed, "You are my son, Valerion." I said, "Do not ever forget that."
"He is too young to understand your words." I heard Helaena say
I looked back to see she was walking up to me with a warm smile, "Helaena." I said, "I was checking on him."
She reached me and hugged my arm, "Hm...." she said as she looked down, "I see. Look at our boy, he is perfect, is he not?"
I nodded, "Yes."
She then looked at me, "I am sorry."
"For what?" I asked
"Everything that you are going through." she said softly, "It is not your fault."
I closed my eyes, "This...." I said, "This is an insult to you."
"You did not willingly father a bastard." She said softly, "This is something that was forced even on you. But enough of that. I know you do not wish to speak of it, much less think of it. I understand, my love. For now, let us enjoy the day with our son. You deserve that much."
I opened my eyes and looked at her, "I....." I said, "Alright."
She reached up and patted my cheek, "I love you no matter what, Baelon." She said softly, "No matter what happens, I will never stop loving you. You are my everything and Valerion is proof of that. I want to give you so many children, so much happiness. That is all I care about."
"I know, my love." I said, "But.....there are things I need to do. You know that."
She nodded, "I know."
"But you are right. I want to enjoy the day with out son." I told her
"Let us do that." She said softly
********************
"He will grow to be a strong man..." I said with a smile as I held him in my arms, "A mighty Knight. I know it."
Helaena leaned her head on my shoulder, patting Valerion's head, "I know." She said, "He has that look. Our precious Little Prince will make us proud, I can guarantee you that."
"He..." I said as Valerion was looking up at the ceiling, "He looks so much like the both of us....it is like the gods crafted him with our best features....."
"He resembles you the most." She said softly
"No, his eyes." I said with a smile, "They are yours.....and a bit of mine. I cannot explain it."
"Hm..." Helaena placed her hand on my lap, "Is that so?"
"Do you think the egg will hatch?" I asked her without taking my eyes off my son, "The Dragon Egg in his cradle?"
"I hope so." She said
"I was thinking of what you told me, the dream you had." I said as I patted his cheek gently, "The Dragonknight that rides Bronze and Red Wings."
"What of it?" She asked
"Vermithor roared when I presented him to Balerion." I said, "What if he claims Vermithor when he grows up?"
"Vermithor?" She said softly, "Are you certain?"
"I do not need to Dream to make that prediction." I said as I looked at her with a smile, "That old grouch rarely does anything like that."
"Maybe he was responding to Balerion in that manner." She said with a frown
"He does not do that." I said, "No matter how many times Balerion roars or growls, Vermithor never responds that way. I am not sure if it is because he is afraid of Balerion or if it is because of some semblance of respect, but he never did. I think he was responding to his call as a way of accepting my son."
"You presented him to Balerion, not Vermithor." She chuckled, "But we will see....in the future."
I nodded, "Yes."
"What of the Red Wings?" She asked, "What do you suppose that means?"
I looked at her, "You do not know?"
She shook her head, "That Dream is what confused me."
"Hm...." I said, "A Dragonknight...maybe a brother? Perhaps you will give me another son who will ride a red dragon."
I leaned in and kissed her cheek, causing her to blush.
"I would love to give you another son." She said, "But as promised, I will wait and give myself to you so you can fulfill your urges, my love."
"Oh." I said, "I forgot about that."
"I have not." She said, "When I feel better, I will have you in my bed. If that is okay with you. I missed your warmth."
I kissed her cheek again, "I know." I said, "I missed yours as well."
"At least you have Rhaenyra to keep you company." she said softly
"It is...." I said, "Complicated...."
"You need not to worry about anything, my love." She said, "Do not worry."
"I know." I said, "I know, I just need....I need time....especially with all of this."
"I understand." She said, "We will get through this, I promise you."
"We will figure something out."