Sixth Month of 129 A.C. King's Landing
King Aegon II Targaryen
As a boy he had often hated King's Landing, it smelt something awful and it was filled with all kinds of people whom his mother called lickspittles and glory hunters, the type he had hated as a boy. He had tried so desperately to win his father's approval as a boy and yet his father had never shown him the least bit of interest and that had stung, and he had sworn to be a better father to his own sons Jaehaerys and Maelor, and as such he would like to think he was doing a good job at it. The burden of the crown though was already beginning to wear heavy on his head, he had not wanted it, but had taken it so as to make sure his family was protected more from his uncle Daemon than from his sister, Rhaenyra was harmless truly she was, motherhood had taken the bite from her.
Of course looking at the small council before him things looked quite grim. "You say she rejected the terms offered to her? And that she did so quite smugly?" Aegon asks Grand Maester Orwyle.
"Yes Your Grace, she seemed to be quite determined on proving herself through means of force. It does seem our worst fears have been realised she will know no peace until she sits the throne." The old grand maester said.
"Then that is her loss, she will suffer the burdens of a dozen corpses and the rivers of blood that will flow. She will be remembered as nothing more than a harlot who lusted after that which was not hers. Lord Ormund has written to inform me that the High Septon has already taken to the streets to preach this message." His grandfather and hand Ser Otto said.
"What good will the words of an old man do against results. Already they have won victories at the Burning Mill and they hold Harrenhal. Has there been any news from Storm's End? Will Baratheon side with us?" Aegon asked.
His grandfather shakes his head. "There has been no word from Aemond as of yet, though there have been storms in the Stormlands so any ravens could have been delayed. It is also possible knowing the prince that he could have already wed the girl he has chosen. Which in thinking is not a bad move to do."
"Well he needs to return soon. I want an answer towards my uncle's forays into battle. Furthermore what news has there been from Daeron?" Aegon asks.
His mother speaks then. "Daeron says that there have been tidings of movement in the Reach, it seems the Tyrells are to remain neutral, Lady Celia does not wish to swing either way. A prudent move considering her son is but a babe, and her goodbrothers are circling vultures. As to the rest, it does appear to be a split. Lord Ormund leads those true to the crown whilst it appears Lords Thaddeus Rowan and Alana Tarly are leading the rebels, there have already been some scuffles which Lord Ormund has won."
Aegon nods and then asks. "Do you think that perhaps it might be best to ask Daeron to come home then?"
His grandfather shakes his head. "No, asking Prince Daeron to come home will be seen as a sign of fear, keeping him in the Reach whilst a risk, is also a sign that you are confident in your choices and the realm will stand behind you."
Lord Jasper Wylde the master of laws speaks then. "What Ser Otto says is true Your Grace. Without such reassurances the populace is like to turn against you. That they have not just now is because they are happy to ensure peace and good harvest. Remove Prince Daeron from the Reach and they will see it as a sign of fear."
Ser Tyland Lannister his master of coin speaks then. "Indeed since this stalemate began trade has already begun to suffer. The Velaryon blockade of the Gullet is something that will need to be dealt with and in good order. A new master of ships still needs to be appointed Your Grace."
Aegon runs a hand through his hair and asks. "Who are the candidates?"
"There is Lord Gerold Redwyne and as the Redwyne fleet could be very useful against the Velaryon Fleet this is the recommendation I would go for," Ser Tyland says. "Then there are Ser Ghaston Waters a sailor of very strong repute who fought in the Stepstones and has won much acclaim. And finally there is Ser Gyles Fell a relative nobody."
Aegon considers this for a moment and then says. "I will go for Lord Gerold Redwyne, send the raven and tell him he is to act immediately. We still have not heard from Dalton Greyjoy?"
His grandfather shakes his head. "Likely the man is considering all options before making a move. I shall send word to the triarchy also and ask them to consider an alliance. Dorne might be tempted to join in for the right price."
Ser Criston Cole the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard speaks then. "Is that wise? Getting the Dornish involved? They are more than likely no more than snakes looking to make a profit at our expense. I would not be surprised if they began raiding the Reach the minute true fighting erupts."
Grandfather is silent for a moment and then says. "They bear no love for Prince Daemon after his attempt to win the Stepstones. It is a price we will need to be willing to pay to win this war."
There is a knock on the door and Lord Larys Strong, his master of whispers walks in. "My apologise for being so late to this meeting Your Grace. I would not normally dither so, but I received the most distressing news just now and thought that it was something that the council just had to hear."
Curious as to what the news could be Aegon says. "Sit down and say what news you have to say."
The man sits down and then says. "Word has come from Storm's End, not from Prince Aemond's own hand as I had first hoped but from Lord Borros Baratheon. It seems Lucerys Velaryon and his grandmother Princess Rhaenys had come to court the Baratheons support as well, words were exchanged and then once both parties had left the castle their dragons took to the sky and a fight broke out. Your Grace, Prince Aemond and his dragon are dead. Their bodies washed ashore some four days ago."
Silence as the news descends over them, Aegon finds it hard to believe, his brother dead? Aemon who had always been so bold and brash. "No." he whispers. And then. "No!" he says more loudly. "I will not believe it. You are lying. Lord Borros is lying."
There is loud thud and Aegon looks over to see his mother on the floor groaning in pain, he ignores that to look at the master of whispers who merely says. "I wish it were so, but it is not. Lord Borros has no reason to lie Your Grace. Your brother and Vhagar are dead."
Aegon gestures for Ser Criston to escort his mother out of the hall and then once she is gone he turns to his grandfather. "Send the ravens out to Redwyne, Dorne and to the Triarchy today itself. I want this done and soon. And I want revenge for Aemond's death. No doubt the Strong bastard provoked my brother in doing something so foolhardy."
"It will take some time to get it all in order Your Grace, but the ravens shall be sent." Grandfather says.
Once Ser Criston arrives back into the room, Aegon says. "Ser Criston you have a list of those lords who were there for my whore of a sister's coronation do you not?"
The man nods and says. "Darklyn, Rosby, Stokeworth and Staunton were all there Your Grace."
Aegon smiles then and allowing his anger to guide him says. "You shall take charge of a host and march for these castles. Put them to the sword and take their men, I shall join you of course. I also want Ser Arryk to go to Dragonstone and to find either my whore of a sister or one of her children and kill them. An eye for an eye, I will avenge my brother."
"A wise plan Your Grace," Ser Criston says. "With the Lannisters coming with their strength and Lord Ormund marching towards King's Landing, soon enough the Blacks will find their allies penned up and outnumbered."
Aegon smiles then and says. "Aye, and then my whore of a sister will have to come and face the magic. We must remove some of her riders as well. Send word out, I want Jacaerys Velaryon captured and his dragon slain. I want him brought here and tortured. I will end him and break his mother."
"It will be done Your Grace." His grandfather says.
With that the council meeting ends, and Aegon checks in on his mother who is sat on a sofa looking over the streets of King's Landing. "Your brother is dead Aegon, my little boy is dead. Gone killed by that whore and that bastard."
"I know mother," Aegon says taking his mother's hand. "He will be avenged do not worry. I have sent grandfather to the task of finding our allies in the Vale and bringing Jacaerys Velaryon in chains here, and having his dragon killed. I have had Ser Criston prepare for the war that we should have started the minute the crown was placed atop my head."
"Something needs to be done to draw Daemon away from Harrenhal though. For he is far too close to King's Landing. And we do not have a rider who is as experienced as him, Daeron is too young and you are too valuable. Would that Aemond were here he would jump at the chance of fighting that rogue bastard. Just as he would often jump at the chance of sparring in the training yard or taking me for a ride on that great behemoth of his." His mother says her voice sounding at parts fond and others tired.
Aegon feels something in him tighten up then and he says. "The Lannisters are coming towards the Riverlands, Daemon will be preoccupied there. Otherwise we could always ask for word to be sent towards the Basilisk Isles…."
"No, doing such a thing would be a kin to suicide. There was a reason the man was banished, despite how many times I begged your father to do the same to Daemon, there was something about Aegon that just left Viserys at a loss. Bringing that man and his dragon back would be akin to suicide." Alicent says.
Aegon removes his hand from his mother's and says in frustration. "Then we are at a loss unless the Dornish join us we shall be struggling for ways to kill Daemon and his dragon. I suppose though that it is better this way. Alas I must go now mother." With that he kisses his mother's hand and then walks back to his own room where his paramour is waiting for him, he loses himself in her embraces and their love making until evening time, where he removes himself from her and goes to find Ser Tyland Lannister and the two of them drink and drink and drink.
"At least now you don't have to worry about him trying to take the crown." Tyland says his voice still strong despite the amount of wine they've had.
"Aye, though I feel bad for thinking so. Aemond was many things but he was always true to his beliefs after a fashion. I will need to ensure my children are better protected." Aegon says.
"Aye and what of Helaena Your Grace?" Ser Tyland asks.
"I know you are sweet on her my friend. You do not need to hide it anymore. I shall let you have her, so long as she remains without child I have no complaints." Aegon says.
They drink till dawn, where still drunk Aegon gets armoured and mounts Sunfyre who gives a terrifying roar and then they fly off to bring about the end to Rhaenyra's followers.