(Red Keep, King's Landing, Blackwater Bay, The Crownlands, The Seven Kingdoms of Westeros, Westeros)

It was a day before the Fun began as some were saying, Prince Daemon had spent his time at Duskendale, while his Elder Brother spent time training at The Red Keep.

Prince Daemon had been officially recognized as the Lord-Prince of Duskendale, The Knight-Prince of The Dun Fort, and the Lord-Prince Protector of Blackwater Bay, Aerys had thrown in a few other Titles but they were mostly for show, so in any or either case those three were the crucial ones to know.

Daemon had quickly surrounded himself in allies, extending an offer to Ser Brynden "The Blackfish" Tully to serve him as his Master-At-Arms, while offering Garth the position of Guard Captain. Ser Tygett Lannister was named The Prince's Marshal, and lastly Daemon, in a surprise move, extended an offer to Lord Quellon Greyjoy, offering to name one of his sons to the position of The Duskendale Lord Admiral.

Daemon did this as he wanted to steadily build up the Duskendale Fleet, the late Lord Denys had maintained forty five seaworthy vessels with an even thirty being mercantile in purpose, thus leaving him five ships for Port Defense, and ten for Ship escort. But Daemon wanted something bigger, better, and more expansive. He wanted a fleet that would allow him to strike trade deals with nations as far off as Lorath.

Granted Lorath was pretty fucking pitiful, So a more Profitable and likely trade relationship between Duskendale and Volantis, Pentos, Myr, Lys and possibly Tyrosh and Braavos. But he needed a powerful name and powerful navy behind him to be able to negotiate from a position of strength. So while the Greyjoy's would Help in the latter regards of an even more powerful navy, Daemon himself had to not just fight but out-fight his brother so well that it doesn't need happen twice.

Which was why he'd invited the Greyjoy's to watch the fight

(POV Shift: Cersei Lannister)

It Stank like piss and shit, that smell followed by that thought was quickly overshadowed by the Glorious sight of the Red Keep. Father had commanded her to bring her best to win over Prince Rhaegar.

But Cersei was admittedly just a little bit nervous, and with nervousness came feelings of inadequacy and with her feelings of inadequacy came feelings of weakness. And Cersei hated weakness, the very idea was almost as infuriating as it's feeling.

Cersei was being escorted by her brother Jaime, to the Red Keep's Throne Room. Where the match would take place tomorrow's morning, and a celebratory feast in the Victor's honor in the evening.

There was zero doubt in her mind that Prince Rhaegar would be victorious against his younger brother, no matter what Jaime said in opposition to her facts.

She envisioned the Targaryen's Red Dragons on Black Banners on equal ground and height with the Lannister's own banners of Golden Lions on Red, it was a long time and long held Lannister dream she'd make a reality.

She strongly believed this, because she had no reason to expect a Victory from the Younger Prince. She envisioned his Black Dragon Banners at the lowest possible placement. Such was her belief in Rhaegar.

''Jaime!'' A voice called out.

Both siblings turned to find Ned Stark, Lyn Corbray, and Nestor Royce approaching.

''Yes? What is it brothers?'' Asked Jaime. Cersei nearly did a spit take, hearing her twin address these men as his Brothers. Did he not value Tyrion as his brother?! No, that was unlikely, he adored Tyrion as much as she did.

''We received would from the Wroth, your recommendations have been approved and you are instructed to oversee their induction.'' Nestor informs.

''So the opening dances are nearly upon us?'' Jaime asks eagerly.

''Aye, I've put forth my own recommendations as have Robert and Stannis, Oberyn, and Randyll. See to your own.'' Says Ned.

Cersei doesn't fully understand what just happened, but her best guess was her brother had done something in regards to new members for the Dragons Maw.

(POV Shift: Daemon Targaryen)

Daemon held Rhaenyra in his arms, the small girl possessed her mothers silvery-gold hair, and his pale lilac eyes. She cooed and did something resembling a giggle every time he held her.

It made him wonder...how could anything so beautiful be so wrong. Incest was a cultural and religious taboo, but the Targaryen's were permitted to do so through King Jaehaerys Doctrine of Exceptionalism.

But Daena had forced him into doing it, before either of them was ready, so was this right or wrong? Looking into Rhaenyra's eyes - His eyes - , as he did now, he couldn't say no.

The act had led Pycelle to proclaim that the Princess would likely be unable to conceive again or at least for many years. Not that Daena minded that mind you.

He'd win this fight, for his little girl...

(Time-Skip: One Day Later)

(POV Shift: General POV)

The time was now, Daemon vs Rhaegar, Brother vs Brother, Prince against Crown Prince, Targaryen vs Targaryen, all for the Prestigious right to carry Dark Sister and Blackfyre. The Notable Lords and Ladies of any true relevance in attendance were the Martell's, Stark's, Baratheon's, Tyrell's, Lannister's, Arryn's, Tully's, really all of the Nine Great Houses.

Supporting Prince Daemon was Houses Baratheon, Stark, Martell, Corbray, Royce of the Gates of The Moon, Royce of Runestone, Karstark, Umber, Mormont, Glover, Ryswell, Bolton, Dondarrion, Greyjoy, Harlaw, Jordayne, Uller, Yronwood, and half of the Lannister's and Greyjoy's.

Everyone else was either in bed with Rhaegar's camp, or just undecided. The Sound of Plated Footsteps marching in a united formation quieted the room, as A Dozen Men, led by Three White Cloaked Kingsguard entered. Two Wore Baratheon Colors, Two wore the Two Royce Family garbs, Two wore the colors of Hightower and Tarly, Two wore the colors of House Lannister and Tully, two Wore Clegane and Marbrand Colors, and Two wore the Colors of Corbray and Martell...

The Dragons Maw had arrived...

Led by Jon Connington, Ser Arthur Dayne, and Lord-Commander Hightower, the Crown Prince's party led their chosen one out to confront the upstart Daemon Targaryen. To the untrained and uninitiated this was simply a show of power from the brothers.

But Lord Tywin, his Son Jaime, and much of the smarter Nobles, especially House Greyjoy saw it as something else. Prince Rhaegar had The Kingsguard's Lord Commander and The Sword of the Morning, along with Jon Connington, as his frontrunners, with Targaryen Loyalists such as the Velaryon's, Celtigar's, and Ser Willem Darry as His Men.

Prince Daemon was more diverse, he had the most famous man of the White Cloak in present time, Ser Barristan Selmy leading his escort, with Ser Oswell Whent and Ser Jonothor Darry, while The Future Lord of Storm's End and his Brother led the Maw behind them. With The Heirs of the Two Royce Families, and Sandor Clegane, Lyn Corbray, Oberyn Martell, Randyll Tarly, Garth Hightower, Addam Marbrand, and Brynden Tully and Tygett Lannister led the Younger Prince forward.

Prince Daemon showed that his allies ran deeper and were more diverse than his elder brother's, he showed he had major families at his side, and he wasn't afraid to show it as so.

Such boldness caught the attention of the Ironborn. As Boldness was also an appreciated and desired trait in any leader an Ironborn man or woman would follow. Thus all the Greyjoy's, Harlaw's, and other Ironborn Nobles present needed to see know was proof that Prince Daemon had the Skill and strength to make him their choice.

(POV Shift: Daemon Targaryen)

Rhaegar stood in Plate that was Black and ornamented with Red Blood Rubies into a Three Headed Dragon.

Daemon wore Reddened Plate with identical ornamentation but with jet black Onyx's instead of the Blood Rubies, forming a Three Headed Black Dragon.

Rhaegar carried a Long Sword in his right hand, with a Shield on his left.

Daemon eschewed a Shield completely, choosing a Bastard Sword in his left hand in favor of a short sword in his right. Like Ser Arthur Daemon favored the use of two blades, using a Shorter blade in his offhand for extra damage and secondary attacks when up close. Daemon rolled his shoulders and neck as he began to loosen his muscles.

Satisfied with his efforts, Daemon turns to the Iron Throne, kneels in deference to his father who sat upon the Iron Throne grinning madly.

''Listen and listen well Lord's and Ladies of Westeros, My Savior, My Hero, My Son, Prince Daemon, has been challenged by his jealous elder brother for a prize he so justly earned when he defied Rhaegar to save me. But Daemon has deigned to entertain his Grasping Elder brother. Rhaegar The Grasping vs Daemon The Gracious begins...NOW!'' Aerys proclaimed ending his proclamation with an unnervingly mad cackle.

Daemon observed his Brother's posture, using the teachings of Lord Augustus, specifically the observation of how his opponent stood and moved before fighting. Such finer details often gave insight to the men and women who could have trained him...except in this instance, Daemon already knew who was doing that, no, no what Daemon was looking for was the specifics of the training based on his posture and stance.

"I take it based on your posture that sword training didn't involve having your dick sucked by the Sword Swallower Lord of Griffin's Roost? You obviously spent more time with an actual sword than the cocks you usually let the old creep use. I mean honestly Lord Connington? Dressing small boys up like my brother? You'd have better luck waking up a white walker and taking him to bed, less of chance of it being found it too!" Says Daemon, as he taunts Rhaegar through his friend.

The Lord of Griffin's Roost is visibly fuming at the prince's Insinuations, which turns to humiliation when both His Future Liege Lord and King Aerys bend over laughing.

Even Rhaegar himself chuckles slightly.

''Your tongue would win you much acclaim as a Bard little brother.'' Says the Crown Prince.

''Not as much as yours does for that Degenerate Lord of Griffin's Roost.'' Daemon retorts.

''If you say so, let us begin little brother.'' Says Rhaegar lightly as he and Daemon begin to trade steel strikes.

"I remind you both, that you are honor bound to fight fairly. May the gods give victory to the one worthy." Lord Tywin reminds them, as he stepped back, allowing the two combatants to start their battle.

"Too bad I can't see your face." Daemon said pointing at his brother with his sword, while twirling a short sword in his other hand.

"Whatever you say little brother, now get over here.'' His brother made a step forward, clad in full plate armor, his face hidden behind his closed helmet. A broad swing of his much larger sword made his opponent lean back, avoiding the blow, proving that if anything, a bastard sword had far greater reach. The next blow came from above, forcing Daemon to move back again, but the next moment his brother began his counter attack, unleashing a flurry of slashes from both hands, trying to get close and not allowing his elder brother time to counter, forcing him to use his shield to simply absorb the attacks.

"Ughh." Rhaegar grunted, as his foe scored a glancing blow against his shoulder, glancing off the pauldron. "Not bad, little brother!"

Unexpectedly Daemon's brother stepped forward, allowing the dagger to harmlessly bounce off his breastplate, while he himself bashed his brother with his shield, with enough force to throw him onto his back while his helmet was sent off his head.

"Tsk!" Daemon barely managed to roll over, avoiding the large sword coming down and then kicked his brother in the knee. It did no real damage, but knocked his brother off balance for a moment allowing him to get back up and resume his attack. He simply had no hope in this instance of defense, he had no means of withstanding the hammering blows of his brother and had to press the attack, hoping to find an opening. Still, even if the style used by his brother was less refined, his application of it showed more experience.

Suddenly, when Daemon was allowed a moment to catch his breath, his brother swung his hand, throwing his shield off his hand and in his foe, hitting him in the chest, nearly knocking him off his feet. With an almost animalistic roar the Crown Prince swung his blade with both hands, knocking the sword out of his brother's grip and instantly bringing it back, smashing the pommel into the face of his little brother, causing blood to pour from his left eye.

"Agghh!" Daemon stumbled back, the left side of his face turned into a bloody mess under the force of the pommel strike, but just as his brother was brining his sword back for a finishing blow, Daemon spun around, ramming his dagger into the wrist of his opponent, before using his whole body to tackle him down. With a pained cry he ripped out the dagger, straddling his prone enemy, before wrenching his brothers helm from his head and begins pummeling his elder brother, fully intent on giving his brother a matching bad eye.

The sounds of fighting is heard from behind him, but he ignores it, until four pairs of hands pry him off of his brother.

He is about to fight his current foes off, before he see's his Mira before him through his battle haze. Her calming touch is enough to relieve himself from his haze.

''See the determination of a True Dragon! My son is truly deserving of the honor his brother tried to pry from him, behold...'' His Father's voice gradually fades, and two new hilts are laid into his hands, his mind is flooded with images of conflict and he collapsed into Mira's arms.

(POV Shift: Cersei Lannister)

Cersei was running away in tears, she'd gone to console Prince Rhaegar, but his words, were harsh and cruel. There was a madness in his eyes.

A madness which terrified and cowed her lioness instincts. She cried and cried as she told her father of the acute terror she had felt in that moment.

Rather than a scolding or chiding as she'd expected, her father told her to sleep while he thought on her words. She'd only wanted to give the prince comfort, yet he treated her kindly attempts with cruel contempt. Why was he so cruel? His brother was supposed to be the wrong Dragon! Wasn't Prince Daemon the Rogue Prince Returned? Wasn't he supposed to be the bad one? Nothing made any sense.

Chapter End

Special thanks to Novrier for providing me a fight scene to tweak.

Hope you enjoyed the break in character till the next time.

Cordially Yours as always,

TheRagFromTheCrag