The Might of House Belaerys
Chapter 2: The Hospitality of Dragonstone.
High Valyrian – italics.
Bastard Valyrian – bold.
Common tongue – Normal.
Dothraki – Underlined.
"Thank the gods, I'm not the last." though Aerion, now that he was closer he could make out that the three dragons had not only saddles but riders at their back.
On the back of Balerion he could see a young man with short cropped silver/gold hair wearing leather clothing, a whip moving breaking through the wind as the rider used to to control the black dragon.
Riding the other two dragons he could see women, two young women wearing a mix of leather armor and dresses, whips also firmly in hand. The two girls and their smaller dragons were flying circles around Balerion.
The dragons were the first to notice his approach. Aerion, even from how far away he was could see the way they tensed up when they felt Seafyre making her way closer to them. The riders where just a few second behind.
When they finally took noticed, the male instantly pulled out the blade that was sheathed at his side, while the girls also prepared themselves for a fight, but still behind their aggression he could still see the shock and awe at seeing him and Seafyre flying towards them.
Trying to keep things from degrading into a battle he pulled his dragon-horn and gave a mighty blow, the second the sound reached the other three dragons he could feel the magic of the horn taking over, making them relax, bending them to his will.
The powerful magic weaved in the horn beating them into submission, the three young riders were clearly not bonded to their mounts, otherwise the magic of the horn wouldn't have worked that well.
"I come in peace young Riders." Aerion spoke clearly and loudly, using a tiny bit of magic so his words could be heard over the rush of the wind around them. The riders before him were clearly too shocked to react since they were stll staring at him and his dragon. Aerion would have to take the reins of this meeting.
"Land." he commanded the three dragons, while under the thrall of his dragon-horn they could do nothing but obey, so to the shock of the three riders, the dragons gave a mighty roar before beginning their descend into the Island.
"Follow along Seafyre, but stay on guard in case there are any other dragons around." Aerion told Seafyre as he strapped the horn back into his belt. The dragons landed in a clearing next to the castle, when they did he saw the three riders jump from their backs, their weapons in hand ready to defend themselves.
When Seafyre landed he jumped from her back and moving slowly he unbuckled his sword belt and left it on Seafyre's saddle, he kept his daggers, before moving forward with his hands in the air hoping they understood that he came in peace.
"Stop and state your name and intentions, you are trespassing on Targaryen Land." asked the young man, the young rider was speaking in the common tongue, and while Aerion could understand the language he couldn't speak it. The young man still had his sword in hand and behind him one of the young women had also pulled out a blade. She was standing by the young man's side, tense and ready to back him up if it came to a fight.
From where he was standing he could make out that both blades they were holding were valyrian steel, the smokey black ripples in them making it clear.
Aerion, now that he was standing close enough could appreciate the beauty that were the two women. One, the one holding the sword, was tall and beautiful, dressed in a long ring-mail and leather dress with her long silver/gold hair in a complicated braid that kept it from falling over her face.
The other, who was nervously standing next to her dragon, was just as beautiful as the first but where the first had a ruthless beauty about her, this one was delicate and dainty. She had long silver/gold hair which she wore loose. She was dressed in a pair of leather trousers and shirt with a long colorful summer dress over them. She, while still nervous, couldn't help but stare at in awe at Seafyre.
Even with swords pointed in his direction he couldn't help but smile, not only did they have the traditional valyrian looks but even from where he was standing he could feel the magic in their blood.
He wasn't alone.
"My name is Aerion, Lord of House Belaerys of the Freehold, Dragonlord and Rider of the Emerald Queen Seafyre, and I come in hopes of speaking with the lord of Dragonstone." said Aerion as he placed one hand on one of his daggers and stuck out his chest to show of the crest that was on his armor. He saw their eyes widen in shock before the young man gave his companions a stiff nod before sheathing his sword, the girl next to him also put her weapon away but not before giving him a long distrustful glare.
"My apologies my lord, I am Aegon of House Targaryen of Dragonstone, Heir of Dragonstone, Dragonlord and Rider of Balerion." he gave Aerion a small nod before motioning for his sisters to introduce themselves. The first one took a step forward.
"My name is Visenya of House Targaryen of Dragonstone, Dragonlord and Rider of the dragon Vhagar." said Visenya stiffly before she took a step back, her hand had yet to leave the pummel of her blade.
The other girl, much more confident now that her brother had given them the nod to introduce themselves ran forward and stood just before Seafyre, she talked to him but her eyes never left his dragon.
"I am Rhaenys of House Targaryen of Dragonstone, Dragonlord and temporary rider of Meraxes." said the girl before smiling at him and silently asking is she could pet Seafyre. Aerion gave her a smile back and with a nod she almost jumped forward and started petting the scales on Seafyre's head.
His dragon gave a small snort of appreciation, something that didn't shock him at all, while quite ruthless in battle, out of it she was very docile and friendly.
"Temporary Rider?" asked Aerion as he moved back over to Seafyre's saddle to grab his sword belt, now that he knew things would become violent. Rhaenys gave him a quick look before nodding her head.
"Yeah, Meraxes is my fathers dragon, I'm waiting for either her or Vhagar to lay a clutch of eggs so that I can finally have my pick." said the girl, her eyes still fixed on the way the sun reflected of Seafyre's scales. Her answer made Aerion give her a big smile, the girl was a true dragon lover.
"You only have three dragons?" asked Aerion shocked, from what he remembered House Targaryen had at least five dragons and a handful of eggs before they left the Freehold. The young man, Aegon was the one that answered.
"Balerion is the only surviving dragon from before the Doom the others perished over the years, and Vhagar and Meraxes were born here in Dragonstone, and no, while these three are the only tame ones, there are at least four wild ones living in Dragonmont, the volcano that formed this island." said Aegon before he reached over and whispered something to his sister, Visenya's ear. Said girl gave him a quick glare before she nodded to her brother and ran back towards her dragon.
She jumped on its back and with a quick word the dragon took to the sky.
"I sent my sister ahead to warm my father."said Aegon when he noticed Aerion's hand resting on the pummel of his sword. That made the young Lord calm down, knowing she wouldn't attack him from the sky.
"Where did you come from, we thought House Targaryen were the only dragonlords left.? And why have you come here now?" the questions came from Rhaenys, they came so sudden that they threw him off guard. To tell the truth he had no idea why he had come, he was just so desperate to see anyone else like him that he hadn't even though of what he would do if he found anyone.
"That my lady is a long story, one that involses magic, luck and a mother's sacrifice." said Aerion and he could tell something in his answer shocked the pair of siblings.
"As to why I came here, to tell the truth my lady, I don't know, I was so desperate to find any other surviving Dragons that when I remembered that the Targaryens had left the Freehold for this island I just mounted my dragon and flew straight here." spoke Aerion as he stood next to Seafyre and stroked its flank fondly. His answer seems to have confused his two companions for they glanced at each other before Aegon cleared his throat and motion for his sister to get back to Meraxes.
"Its has been long enough, Visenya should be at the castle by now. When can start making our way there." said Aegon before he took a step back to move to his dragon, before he could Aerion felt he should warn him.
"Aegon of House Targaryen, I have come here in peace and mean you and your family no harm, but if you and yours have any intention to harm me or my dragon I can promise you I will respond in kind." said Aerion, his hand on the pummel of his sword. To make his point that much stronger he ordered both Balerion and Meraxes, both still bound to his word by the power of the Dragon-horn, to bow to him. The look of shock on both the Targaryen siblings face was quite priceless.
"I promise you my lord, me and mine mean you no harm." said Rhaenys instantly, a notion which was quickly replied in kind by her brother.
"I promise as well, in my honor as both a Dragonlord and as heir to House Targaryen, in this island no harm shall come to you or your dragon." said Aegon before he moved over to his dragon and mounted it.
"You have my thanks Lord Aegon, Lady Rhaenys...Seafyre." with that Aerion jumped on his own dragon and all three took to the sky. Both Aegon and Rhaenys took the roles as guides as they flew in front of him and made their way to the courtyard of Castle Dragonstone. Thankfully it was big enough that all three Dragons could fit in there, if just barely.
At the head of two massive metal doors were both Visenya and an older man, who Aerion guessed was their father and Lord of House Targaryen. The man had a stern and calculating expression on his face but behind that Aerion could see the shock at seen not only another dragon but another Dragonlord.
"Welcome Lord Belaerys to the Castle of Dragonstone, from one Dragonlord to another I offer you the hospitality of House Targaryen." Next to the Targaryen Lord stood an old man in a grey robe, in his hand he had a loaf of bread and a bowl of salt.
From his travels over Essos he had learn it was a custom to offer guests bread and salt to signify Guess Right, it was something mostly common to Westeros but apparently the Dragons of Dragonstone had adopted the tradition. It made him feel safe for some reason.
"Go, explore but stay close in case I need you." Aerion whispered to Seafyre, it was low enough that Aegon who was still on the back of his dragon couldn't hear but Rhaenys who had also jumped from her mount did.
Seafyre let loose a mighty roar before, with a powerful flap of her wings, was soaring through the sky, followed closely by the smaller dragon Meraxes, from the direction they flew it looked like they were headed towards Dragonmont. Balerion on the other hand just laid down on the courtyard of the castle and dozed off.
"Come with us." said Rhaenys as she grabbed unto Aerion's arms and started walking towards the Hall doors. Behind them the amused Aegon followed.
The halls of Dragonstone were just alike he remembered most of the Castles and Keeps of the Freehold. Made from dark stone with many statues of Dragons and other mystical creatures, to some it might be dreary an disturbing but to him...it felt like home.
It had its own beauty, many different tapestries, paintings and suits of armor adorned the Walls. Most of the tapestries had the same motif of different colored dragons fighting in the skies or blowing flames upon their enemies.
The armors were replicas of designs that were in favor among the Dragonlords of old Valyria, his family castle had similar decorations the only difference being that the armors that used to decorated the Belaerys Family Castle were made from valyrian steel and could actually be used for battle. "But I guess Valyrian Steel has become rare and even more costly since the fall of Valyria."
The paintings were of past Targaryen Lords and Dragonriders, he recognized a few as people that were alive during his time, at the end of the hall was a massive painting of Aenar Targaryen, the fool who had moved his family from their home to this outpost.
"I guess the word 'fool' shouldn't be used to describe him since because of the move his is the only remaining family of Dragonlords alive today." thought Aerion as he walked closely behind the two Targaryens. Another painting cause his attention, it was of Daenys the Dreamer, a name the other Dragonlords had given the girl to mock her.
"She sure showed them." the hallway opened into what Aerion guess was a Greeting Hall, at the end were two doors leading to different parts of the Castle and in front of them was a big metal chair, though throne was a better word to described the thing, it was massive and decorated with two metal dragons serving as the backrest, it was impressive since it gave the impression that the one sitting in it was being guarded by the beasts.
Sitting on it was the Lord of the Castle, two people stood on either side of him, Visenya stood to the left and a large black hair man to the right. The man was tall, taller than him, with thick muscled arms and a large carefully kept beard on his face, his purple eyes and the strong feel of his magic told Aerion the man had some valyrian blood in his veins, not as much as the Targaryen siblings but enough that the man might be able to be a dragonrider...maybe.
"Again I welcome you into my home. I must say when my daughter came barging into my chambers screeching about another Dragonlord I thought her mad...but imagine my surprise when I see you and that magnificent beast you rode in on." the old man's voice as raspy and soft, it was only because of the total silence in the hall that Aerion could even hear him.
"Ohh would you forgive me, I haven't even introduced myself, I am Aerion, Lord of House Targaryen of Dragonstone, Dragonlord and Rider of Meraxes." now that he was closer he could see the lord of House Targaryen better, and aside from their shared name there weren't' many similarities between them.
While Aerion Belaerys was tall and broad chested, with thick arms that showed the time he spend in the train yard fighting and sparing with his fathers soldiers, Aerion Targaryen was thing and delicate, almost petite. He looked sickly and was pale, paler than what was normal for a person with Valyrian blood. Unlike his own, the Targaryen Lord kept his silver/gold hair long and silky, he wore a shiny silver crown on his head that was decorated with pearls and moonstones, it looked expensive and regal. "I wonder if he thinks himself some kind of King."
"Forgive my words but I an not comfortable using the common tongue, I am Aerion, Lord of House Belaerys of The Freehold, only survivor of the Doom, Dragonlord and Rider of Seafyre the Emerald Queen." with a fist to his chest Aerion gave the Lord of House Targaryen a shallow bow, one meant to be shared between lords of equal standing. "In ages past he would've been required to fall to his knees before me, our difference in standing being that great but now the Doom has made us equal, or not me lower since he has more living dragons than me." Aerion's distasteful thoughts were kept from showing on his face by sheer force of will. No need to insult potential allies.
"Survivor of the Doom, explain yourself." the shocked must have knocked the decorum from his host since all of them were visibly shocked and the Lord of the House had spoken as if to a subject or servant. Aerion's hand gripped the pummel of his sword tightly but managed to keep his head. "The man is just shocked, the disrespect was unintentional."
It took more than an hour for Aerion to tell his tale, in that time he had been introduced to the other man in the room, Orys Baratheon. The bastard son of Lord Targaryen. The man was friendly enough when one got to know him. "Baratheon, who would have thought the man bold enough to give his bastard the last name of one of the most Legendary Dragonlords in Valyria's History, House Baratheon of Oros would have declared war if they were still among the living.
"So you mean to tell us you survive the Doom thanks to witchcraft?" the incredulous tone in Visenya's question told him much, either the girl didn't believe him or the Targaryens had lost their knowledge of the Magical Arts. "It would explain why their dragons are only tamed and not bonded." her question should have angered him, she was questioning his word but still the defiant look on her beautiful face as she glared at him from her fathers side made things stir in him. He liked her.
"You doubt me or the fact that magic saved me?" he asked, the smirk on his face only served to anger her more if her red face and tight grip she had on the pummel of her sword where anything to go by.
"Magic has all but gone from the world, only the barest and simplest of magics can still be done, and that's with great effort and in the presence of our dragons, and you expect us to believe that your mother had the power to cast a spell on that magnitude not only on you but on your dragon...please you will not fool us." that angered him a bit. The grip on his sword so tight if his knuckles could be seen they would be white.
"Just because you and your family are but rank amateurs in the magical arts doesn't mean everyone is, my mother could make the seas do her bidding, make mountains crumble and dragons submit to her will with but a sofly spoken word." his words seem to anger her but thankfully her siblings and father just seemed amused, apparently she pissing people off wasn't a rare occurrence.
"Would the Lady like a demonstration." he growled as he lifted his hand, the ring glowing a bright red. That made everyone, aside from the sitting Aerion Targaryen, take a step backwards in shock.
"There is not need my Lord, the reason my daughter thinks the way she does is because most of the Magic books we owned were lost when my family fled the Freehold, and in a bit to cover up the blunder our ancerstor told all his children but his heir a lie. He told them that magic had dissapeared along with Valyria." apparently he had never told his children that story since they surprised by the news.
"The bits of magic we know are what have been passed down through word of mouth from family member to family member. And our allies the Velaryons were sailors with no access to Dragons or magic and the Celtigars merely grunts and foot soldiers. So for hundreds of hears we have been getting by with our dragons and out meager knowledge." that explained a lot, and if the negotiations with the Lord of House Targaryen went well, it was something Aerion could help them with.
"No, I'm the one that should apologize my lord, I should have voiced my objection better." it rubbed him the wrong way having to apologize but he had to, he needed the Targaryens if he wanted to recreate the Freehold.
"In fact, I might be able to help with your families lack of magical knowledge. Before the Doom I was fully trained as a Mage, I know many spells and rituals that I would be more than willing to share with you and yours..." he left the ending vague knowing that Lord Targaryen would pick up on it. The man's body might be frail but from the looks in his eyes the weakness was only in body, his eyes were sharp and full of intelligence.
"Just as long as I offer something of equal value." the knowing glint and smile on the Lord's face told Aerion he was more amused than insulted and that worked for him. "What is it you wish?" asked the man, before Aerion could talk the man gave a motion with his hand and Aegon, Rhaenys, Visenya and Orys instantly took their leave from the room. Before leaving Visenya threw him one final glare. He smiled back at her just to piss her off.
"An alliance, I'm the last of my House, and I will not see it go extinct, I searched all over the Free Cities of Essos and I found no one with the potential to tame and ride Dragons, at least until I reached your shore. You have two daughters with so much magic in their veins they match the old Mages of the Freehold...I want one of them to take to wife." he said boldly, from somewhere in he could hear a small gasp but now wasn't the time to wonder about hidden listeners, his attention and focus were firmly locked on the Lord of House Targaryen.
"As you know, blood is important to Dragonlords, that's where our power lies, its because of out blood that we can tame and ride our dragons, its where out magic lies and I will not sully and weakened my family's blood by marrying beneath me." his mother raised him to be humble and kind but he was still a dragon and dragons only mated with each other, and he would be damn if he had to settle for anything less. His pride would allow nothing else.
"And what can you offer House Targaryen for the hand of one of its daughters, I was thinking of marrying them both to my son to ensure the continuation of my House, If I give one away I could risk that." the man was playing hardball but Aerion had more than magic to offer, he had dragons.
"Allow me to marry one of your girls, cement an alliance between our Houses and I, Aerion, Lord of House Belaerys of the Freehold swear on my word as a Dragonlord that I will not only help you tame and bond with all your dragons, even the wild ones that dwell on Dragonmont, but I will help your daughter, Rhaenys with her dragon problem, to speak clearly, I will give her a dragon of her own." another gasp sounded from somewhere but Aerion ignored it, the greed that shined in the eyes of Lord Targaryen told him all he needed to know, he had won this round.
"How? Do you have more than the dragon you rode in on?" asked the Lord of Dragonstone on the edge of his seat, apparently the thought of more tamed dragons was enough to entice the old man.
"While Seafyre is the only dragon I own I have over fifty Dragon eggs in stasis just waiting to hatch." Aerion words were like honey, the second the man heard fifty dragon eggs he was almost drooling, even just half of that would be more than the Targaryens had ever owned.
"Done...you will marry my oldest daughter Visenya in a fortnight and on your wedding day you shall present my other daughter, Rhaenys, with an Dragon Egg just for her." the second the words left his mouth two distinct voices could be heard.
"WHAT!" both voices shouted, both in different tones, one angry and hard and the other happy and exuberant. The doors to the room banged open and the two Targaryen girls ran into the in, one to their lord father to rant and rave about his decision and one to Aerion himself to hug him around the waist and jump around him.
"My own dragon, my own dragon, my own dragon," sang the youngest Targaryen girl as she happily jumped around him. Standing by the door he could see their older brother Aegon smiling at him. For some reason the young man looked almost relieved.
"What did I get myself into?" thought Aerion as he watched his intended try her hardest into brow beating her father into breaking the betrothal. She looked fierce and for some reason he would never come to understand that made him even more excited.
A/N this chapters is done!
next up, chapter 3: The Wild Dragons of Dragonmont.
In that chapter comes a big change for the ASOIAF History.
Also the next chapter of V1 is done, just needs some proofreading the same with Black of Blacks. And as a side note, did anyone else cry like a sissy during the ending of last nights Game of Thrones? the Phrase 'Hold the Door' will never be the same again.