(Harbor, King's Landing, Blackwater Bay, The Crownlands, Seven Kingdoms of Westeros, Westeros)
It was a rare event that brought King Aerys from the safe confines of the Red Keep down to the City below him, let alone the Royal Capital's Harbor itself. But his beloved son Daemon sent word of his return. Aerys was delighted to have his boy back, knowing that Daemon would protect him from his scheming brother Rhaegar. Accompanying him was the Kingsguard, and the entire Small Council.
His Hand of The King, Tywin Lannister, the schemer!
His sunken cunt of a Grand Maester, Pycelle!
His Friend and Brother in arms and in blood, Steffon Baratheon, who Daemon rightly suggested would be an excellent Master of Laws, and whom Aerys trusted most.
His second most trusted ally on the Royal Small Council, Qarlton Chelsted, who served as his Master of Coin.
His Master of Ships and distant Velaryon Kinsmen, Lucerys Velaryon, who was his third most trusted ally on the Royal Council.
His Master of Whispers, Varys the Cockless Wonder.
And His Lord-Commander of the Kingsguard, Ser Gerold Hightower.
As Daemon's ship docked, King Aerys felt giddy at the realization that his son was back.
A Plank was laid down, and the Two Kingsguard Knights, Barristan the Bold and Oswell the Black Bat crossed over, and waited until the Prince - who wore a thin circlet of Pure Silver, with gilded dragons of Red Gold forming a ring, - crossed over.
The Prince knelt before his father and laid his crown at his father's feet. Behind his son, the Dragons Maw followed suit, but in lieu of crowns, they laid their blades before them.
"Father, My King, I return to you changed, but still your servant, humbled and proud, but as your servant, not as an equal, not as your son, as your servant. Forgive my bluntness father, but I missed you more than a servant should have." Daemon says evenly, even though he didn't miss his father one bit.
Letting out a joyous chuckle, Aerys bid Daemon to rise, and after silently seeking confirmation from his father, did so.
"My good son has returned at last, my favorite boy is back." Says Aerys in rare un-touched happiness.
"I am what you make of me father, a Prince, a Son, a servant, in the end it matters not, only you do." Daemon Said.
"And who is this new lady?" Aerys states.
"My Paramour father, Lady Mira of House Tyrell, she renounced any allegiance to her family in order to serve me." Says Daemon.
"Your presence is welcome Lady Tyrell, if my son has need of you, I will not deny him such a guilty pleasure." Says Aerys.
"Father, I hate to ask, but where pray tell is Rhaegar? Is it unwise to leave him alone too long?" Asks Daemon, and Aerys mood instantly sours.
"Rhaegar, yes, your right my son, he must be reminded who the King is. Come, come." Says Aerys as he motions his son and court to follow him back to the Red Keep.
"Mother, I fucking hate him." Says Daemon in a pained whisper.
"You are not alone in that my son, but meet your brothers, this little one is Viserys, and this is Jaehaerys." Says Rhaelle, as Daemon picks up Jaehaerys, gazing into his brother's vibrant purple eyes.
"I am your big Brother, Daemon." Says Daemon to Jaehaerys.
"Dae!" Says Jaehaerys.
"Yes! Jae, that's right!" Says Rhaelle warmly.
(Throne Room, Red Keep, King's Landing, The Crownlands, The Seven Kingdoms of Westeros, Westeros)
Rhaegar stood, watching the Iron Throne without his father. One Brother would sit upon it one day, either him or Daemon? But should both of them perish then the task would fall upon either Jaehaerys or Viserys.
Rhaegar turned at the sound of four claps.
He found his brother walking towards him.
"Daemon." Rhaegar acknowledges.
"Brother." Daemon spits.
"How was Highgarden?" Asks Rhaegar.
"You mean your spies didn't tell you?" Asks Daemon sarcastically.
"Oh they did, I merely wished to hear it from you." Says Rhaegar.
"The fuck do you care? Your either too busy reading a dusty old book or scroll to care. I ought to know, considering how many promises you broke just to keep it up." Says Daemon bitterly.
Too his credit, Rhaegar doesn't visibly react to his brother's bitterness, but a small part of Rhaegar did actually have to accept that his own personal obsession with Tomes and Scrolls cost him any love from Daemon long ago.
''You should know, Father is attending the Lannisport Tourney, held by Lord Tywin for Viserys birth.'' Says Rhaegar.
''You wanna dance with me is that? Oh fine, I'll ride in the tourney if only to unseat your ass in the dirt.'' Says Daemon as he marches past his brother to see His Sister at long last.
Daena and Daemon had embraced each other long and hard. Their twin sibling bond reunited and rejuvenated at Daemon's return home. Daena had just as quickly put him aside in order to chat up Mira, which worried Daemon slightly if those two ever got on side against him or any man unfortunate enough to have ended up so unfortunate.
He presently was watching the two traverse the garden in conversation before his ears pricked at the sound of footsteps approaching. Based upon the weight and the lack of anything too discerning it could only be one of two, maybe three people; Lord Tywin, Lord Varys, or Lord Steffon.
"What?" Asks Daemon.
"Prince Daemon, I am Tygett Lannister, my Brother, Lord Tywin instructed me to be your Lannister escort to Casterly Rock for the Tourney." Says Ser Tygett Lannister, the more blunt of Tywin's brothers.
Daemon had an appreciation for this kind of a man, Robert Baratheon, his Cousin and friend, was the first man Daemon officially inducted into the Dragons Maw, to serve as his blunt instrument, his Fist. Granted Ser Lannister would be far less blunt, but a blunt instrument nonetheless, if what Jaime said of his uncle is to be believed, and Daemon's inclined to do just so.
Jaime may jape a lot, but he loved his family too much to lie about them with too much embellishment.
''So be it, Speak to Nestor Royce, he manages my Stable, Yohn Royce manages my armor and arms, and in lieu of Stannis, I have Randyll Tarly overseeing mine and The Maws affairs. They'll assist you as needed.'' Daemon Instructs after a moments reflection.
''Of course, my prince.'' Says Tygett, bowing stiffly as he said it.
Daemon quickly turns to continue watching his sister converse with Mira.
(POV Shift: Daena Targaryen)
When Daemon had told her of his Paramour, the Lady Mira Tyrell, she was equal parts jealous, curious, and excited. Jealous because her brother had a lover who wasn't Daena herself, Curious to know more of the girl herself, and excited to have a sister in all but blood and in name.
The Lady Mira herself proved suitable company, a sharp wit and beauty that was tempered by her own slight timidity and shyness.
If nothing else another young woman so close to her brothers heart was a good thing, to help him get over his rivalry with Rhaegar.
Rhaegar...
Even thinking of her eldest brother leaves a bitter taste in her mouth.
Rhaegar had neglected them both, something she herself didn't mind, but his treatment of Daemon in their youth had strained their own relationship as brother and sister.
(POV Shift: Tywin Lannister)
Tywin was almost ready to execute his plans, the Younger Prince had taken a Paramour, which helped him present a more Solid offer. Cersei would marry Rhaegar, become Quen and Lannister Supremacy would be assured.
But as with anything related to Aerys, there was always a gnawing of doubt at the back of Tywin's mind. But unless the Crown Prince wed elsewhere his plan had almost no chance of failure provided his daughter played her part rightly and played it well.
Still, Rhaegar's behavior had shifted of late, he had begun to take up a growing fascination with Volantis, Pentos, and Lys, which in itself was concerning.
Jaime had also argued that the Crown Prince's Younger Brother was a far more profitable match. Tywin wouldn't hear of it however.
(Dragon Gate, King's Landing, The Crownlands, The Seven Kingdoms of Westeros, Westeros)
The Royal Banners flapped, fluttered, and flipped about in the wind, as did the Banners of Houses Baratheon, Lannister, Velaryon, and Chelsted, but beneath the Dragon Banners only.
Accompanying The King were both his two eldest Son's, who led the Front of The Royal Party, with Ser Arthur Dayne and Lord-Commander Hightower. Ser Barristan Selmy and Gwayne Gaunt meanwhile guarded The Kings Carriage, While Ser Jonothor Darry and Ser Oswell Whent were chosen by the King to accompany the Small Council. Ser Harlan Grandison stayed behind to guard The Queen and two youngest Prince's.
Daemon sat atop his mount in blackened Plate Armor, with Red Blood Rubies embedded within the Armor,
In Contrast to his Brother's armor, Rhaegar's own armor was Plate of silvery color with Rubies also embedded into it.
A Black Prince and A White Prince, two Royal brother's, two Targaryen Prince's, two innevitable enemies...
Chapter End
Decided to push the Sword fight until after the Tourney, as it made the most sense.
Sixteen people have voted at last count, with nine people leading the Charge for Blackfyre, I don't vote in my own Polls btw, so this is all you guys. Now I'll be the first to say that Dark Sister is more pleasing in appearance, but Blackfyre is a more interesting write for more.
Sincerely,
TheRagFromTheCrag