Chapter 49: Aelor I

Being a Targaryen Prince came with perks, Aelor could admit that. There was never any fear of running out of money, there was never a chance that they would go hungry and even though Father was mad, they still got respect, indeed because father was a kind man, though a mad one, they were loved within King's Landing and the Vale. Aelor liked being a Prince, and as the second in line to the throne, he looked forward to the day he would eventually sit on the thing. Right now though there were lessons in ruling that he had to learn, from his half Blackwood great uncle.

Brynden Rivers stood slightly taller than Aelor, perhaps by a few inches, nothing more. His one good eye was blood red, and it stared at Aelor, unnerving him slightly. "Now, tell me, Your Royal Highness, how would you assess whether a courtier is telling you the truth or a version that they think pleasing to you?"

Aelor often wondered why he had to answer this particular question, then he remembered why. King's Landing was filled with snakes. "You would look at how they hold themselves, and their posture, their eyes, whether they look at you, or away from you. And whether they laugh or grin. Lord Rosby for example always laughs when he is elaborating on something. Lord Celtigar smirks." Those two were men he neither liked nor respected, but they were important for the family.

"And if there are those who do not fit the pattern? Someone such as Lord Lannister, how would you identify whether they are speaking the truth or simply lying for their own gain?" Bloodraven asked.

Lord Lannister had come to King's Landing a few days ago, to discuss something or the other, Aelor had not been privy to that discussion, but he knew that Lannister had asked for more than Bloodraven was willing to give. Aelor had observed Gerold Lannister, a man who had been young once, had golden hair, green eyes, a strong jaw, and a bit of a beard. He looked like a lion, perhaps he acted as one also. "I would observe his mannerisms, ensure that I knew how he spoke, and where he looked. Lord Lannister is someone who guards his emotions, his thoughts and his mind. But I think to assess whether he is lying, one would need to see how he speaks with his wife and children." Lady Rohanne Webber was his wife, they'd married a year ago, after the death of her husband Lord Eustace. Lord Gerold served as the man's children by Lady Rohanne and spoke with them often.

Bloodraven seemed intrigued by this. "And why do you say that?" There was something about Bloodraven that had never quite sat well with Aelor, there was a certain oddity to him. Aelor thought that he made a brilliant master of whispers, but a terrible hand due to his obsession with Bittersteel.

"Because the way a person speaks to a child is the way they might well speak to an adult. If they speak to their own child kindly, they might speak kindly to an adult, or with truth. People see children as a reflection of themselves and the society we all live in. That is something Maester Gerdarys has always said." Aelor responded. Gerdarys was one of Aelor's favourite authors, a man who knew more about what made up humanity than any of the so called psychics in the Faith.

"Interesting." Bloodraven replied. Aelor had never actually seen the man before him interact with his children, sure they had been there at formal functions but there hadn't been much discussion between them. Bloodraven had always interacted with his wife the Lady Shiera more. "And now, what is a duty of a ruler?"

This was a question that Bloodraven seemed very fond of. He asked Aelor this question at least a few dozen times whenever they met for these meetings. "A ruler's duty is to ensure that the kingdom is at peace, that the people have food in their bellies and that the rule of law is obeyed. Should this not be met, then the ruler must see why it has not been and work toward addressing it. Otherwise he is not a true ruler and should not be seen as such." There were times when Aelor wondered whether his uncle had actually thought of that or whether he kept reading his books.

"And when a ruler has to choose between the nation and his family, who should he choose? Especially when his family are at risk and the nation might be risked if he chooses to save them?" Bloodraven asked.

Aelor felt as though this was directly related to what was happening in the north with the struggles between the northmen and their various lords. Indeed, it seemed uncle Maekar had left for the north to sort this out and remind the Starks of this very question. Aelor considered it and thought of an appropriate answer. "I believe that if the ruler has to choose between his family and his nation then he has failed. The family is part of the nation and the nation is part of the family. He must do all he can to ensure that the two work together and never apart. For when there is division, there will only be chaos."

Bloodraven nodded suitably impressed it seemed. "Now tell me, out of all the available maidens in the kingdom who do you wish to marry?"

This question completely threw Aelor, he was only fifteen, not yet ready for marriage, and besides he had always thought he'd marry Aelora or one of uncle Maekar's daughters. But it seemed Bloodraven wanted to diversify things. "Maybe a Stark to ensure that they are tied to the realm. Maybe Lord Tully's sister to ensure that the Riverlands stay tied to us, or perhaps Lord Tarly's daughter as I know that Lord Tyrell has been concerned about Tarly." Concerned was an understatement, Tyrell seemed to constantly fear sedition from Tarly.

Bloodraven nodded. "Interesting choices. From now on you shall attend meetings of the small council and assume your role as second in line to the throne."

Aelor bowed. "Of course." With that the man turned and left. Leaving Aelor to consider what might be happening in the future, and whether or not Bloodraven wanted to use him as a puppet or not.