Aegon watched the exchange before him. Baelor Hightower going so far as to bow down before his mother and kissing her hand before reacquainting. This man he had not known until a few days ago when he arrived at Dragonstone with a secret message saying he was going to be assassinated on the way to Kingslanding.
"Then we go, and we kill them we have the upper hand because we know what they are planning." Aegon told Arthur who gave him a long look. They were out on the beaches of Dragonstone, Aegon came here a lot, the open air helped him think, but as much as Dragonstone was an oasis he often found himself on the beach staring at Kingslanding, it represented pain and suffering. He found it unfair that he was on Dragonstone with Ser Arthur in safety while his mother and the people suffer in Kingslanding. That city was also his future and destiny, someday those bells would ring and he would go to Kingslanding to end the suffering and every day on Dragonstone was a day to get better and smarter to do that.
"No, we don't know what they are planning it's dangerous."
"We know they are trying to kill me, so what if we do not know all the specifics" Aegon said with the boldness of a young man.
"Or any of them." Arthur said shaking his head. "Do not be rash like your uncle, you are smarter than that. You go with Ser Baelor and I will meet you at Kingslanding after I have killed anyone who was a part of this conspiracy." Arthur said.
"I am not a child; I could help you." Aegon reminded looking to the man who practically raised him. Arthur smiled.
"I know you could, but your life is a thousand times more valuable than mine."
"I think your losing it in your old age Arthur!" Aegon laughs Arthur smiles looking at the man he raised. He puts his hand on Aegon's shoulder.
"Someday you will be king and you will be the best king in living memory, you were born for it and not because you were born the son of a Targaryen prince, you are kind, clever, good, and brave you were born to lead Aegon. It is my duty and distinct pleasure to make sure it happens."
"So we can trust Baelor Hightower?" Aegon asks picking up a stone and skipping it the water was rarely still enough for it but it moved slow that day.
"I don't trust anyone anymore. It's why I have lived so long. And while I am gone you don't trust anyone until I am back at your side." Arthur says making Aegon laugh. "Also do not forget what I taught you in case you do need to defend yourself; you always were a good student and even better at reading people."
"So, it's too dangerous for me to go with you but I can defend myself against Hightower? You're a man of contradictions." Aegon teases.
"If I thought Baelor Hightower wanted to hurt you he would be dead, I don't think he does but that doesn't mean you can let your guard down." Arthur says with a shrug.
Baelor was not poor company, he was a good conversationalist and lived up to his good reputation, but it did not distract him from worrying about Ser Arthur on the other ship with murders or at least conspirators.
"I knew your mother once you know." He said.
Aegon had politely nodded but his mother never mentioned this Hightower. His mother and Ser Baelor were discussing Ser Baelor's family home when the question finally came to him.
"How exactly do you know each other?" He said a polite enough question but Lord Baelor gives a pained look while his mother laughs, he rarely ever sees her so happy.
"When uncle Oberyn and I were younger than you, my mother took us on a journey to find suitable matches. Beautiful girls at every castle we went to including Ashara the most beautiful woman who ever lived. I was not as lucky so far on mothers quest it seemed each suitor was worse than the last until Baelor." Elia tells smiling all the while.
"I think you are to kind."
"You were a dream come true after Lord Redwyne…However there was a slight hiccup in our courting." Elia says she cannot help but laughing and Ser Baelor is laughing to.
"That was not my fault, I am lucky to be alive after eating that mystery stew you and my sisters made!" He reminds.
This makes her laugh more. "We were bored and thought it might be fun to try our hand at cooking."
"You are all lovely high-born women who have no business being in a kitchen for the safety of the realm." He teases.
"Then why did you eat it Ser Baelor?"
"I wanted to make you happy." He says they hold each other's gaze for a second before Baelor seems to remember the prince standing next to him. "Your uncle is a demon if I have ever met one." He declares.
"Where is Oberyn I thought he would be with you?" Elia askes her son.
"He stayed in Essos when we last went." Aegon says avoiding his mother's gaze knowing the mention of this will make her unhappy.
She had not even wanted her son in Essos, but he had to see Daenerys they had been apart for far to long. As far as Rhaegar was informed they were in Pentos for most of their trip which they were they just happened to steal away a princess on their way.
The Martel's were good friends with the Achon of Tyrosh who happily agreed to this trick he even found a Lyseni girl to pose as Daenerys for a few days. All the Same Aegon climbed up her window more romantic that way he proclaimed.
"I knew there was Martell in that boy he has the Dornish passion!" His uncle proclaimed as he climbed up the stone Aegon was more focused on what would be at the top. He pulled himself onto her balcony he called out her names before walking into her rooms as to not alarm her. The book she was reading clatters to the floor as she runs to him.
She jumps into his arms and he spins her around.
"You're here how are you here?!" She asked excitedly.
"There was a princess to be saved." He teases right before kissing her she kisses him back enthusiastically. He pulls away to look in those perfect eyes as she hums her contentment before adding.
"Is that so?" Daenerys asked she was so happy she was crying.
"No not really." He tells her caressing her face. "I think seeing you has saved me if fact." He admits.
"Really?" She pouts making him kiss her again.
"Yes really. You're a sight for very sore eyes." He promises.
She kisses him again happily exploring his mouth while her hands run across his muscled body as he holds her against him with little effort. They never had such an opportunity to enjoy each other's embrace. Before they only had little stolen kisses and touches it was to dangerous for more in Kingslanding and the queen found that to be far to dangerous. She sent Daenerys away for her own protection but that did not mean Aegon was not angry and heart broken for awhile until he come to the realization that it was better he suffer Daenerys absence then have her anywhere near Rhaegar.
"Go away." Daenerys says frustrated when she hears a knock at the door making Aegon chuckle. The door opens anyways, and Arthur walks through.
Daenerys looks up at Aegon with a twinkle in her eye that makes his heart burn for her. They have never had an opportunity like this, and she could not stand the thought of wasting it.
"Tell him to go away." She asks softly while pulling at his clothing. He puts her down.
"I can't he has to be here, to make sure I behave as a gentleman and not the lusty boy I seem to turn into at your simplest gaze." He tells her making her giggle Aegon had very eloquent words and best of all unlike Rhaegar and Viserys he always meant them.
"What if I do not want you to be a prince or a gentlemen? What if I just want my beloved Aegon and to be yours and for you to be mine even if only for this passing night." Daenerys says as she takes him by the hand backwards leading him to her bed keeping such wonderful eye contact.
He pushes her back onto the bed making her gasp in shock and excitement he's on top of her kissing at her neck as his hands are pulling at her dress. Her hands tangle in his hair.
It takes the third time of Arthur clearing his throat to get Aegons attention he begins moving up Daenerys takes his hand in hers trying to keep him close.
"Please Aegon." She says making his heart melt.
"It's all I want in this moment Dany, but you won't be mine for a night, we will belong to each other for the rest of our lives." He promises her eyes widen.
"Your going to make me your queen." She says softly.
"We will have to be patient." Aegon admits caressing her check. "But your worth waiting for." He promises before kissing her head. He then has to back away from her before he forgets all that she sits up watching him pace.
"Aegon lets get married now." Daenerys says finally standing up. "He cannot stop us here."
"No, my mother is still at his mercy and I wont put her in danger. Theres a lot of planning at work, I will tell you all about it over the coming days." He promises. "And Oberyn's older daughters are with us they are going to be your handmaidens even after I leave, they will stay to protect you."
"Why?"
"Because your my beating heart outside of my body Danaerys." He says simply. "While we spend this time together, they will sleep in your bed chambers at night, to make sure I don't." Aegon says with a little smile."I know I am asking a lot-"
"I can handle it." Daenerys assures. "But you must tell me everything I want to be an ally to you."
"You are not just my ally Daenerys your going to be my partner, I am here because I have the beginnings of a plan and I came here so you can hear and well improve it seeing the love of my life again is a particularly happy coincidence." He promises he fell in love with her mind first he knew she was smart, strong, and capable.
They spent an incredibly happy time together while they planned for their future but then Aegon was sent away to Bravos at his fathers' whim and they were apart again.
While the Sandsnakes stayed with Daenerys Oberyn would do what he would and went off after some desire be it war or sex. He did not understand at all why Aegon tormented himself with waiting but Aegon knew they would already get enough flack for being Targaryens who married each other even though plenty of cousins married their arrangement would not be that different but they were Targaryens and that would come with its own stigma. He would not let anyone doubt the legitimacy of his heirs.
"I see, well thank you Baelor for accompanying my son to the capital." Elia says snapping Aegon from his thoughts.
"It was my distinct pleasure your grace, I hope we talk again my prince." Baelor says bowing lightly before walking away.
"Of course." Aegon agrees politely he offers his arm to his mother as they walk, she takes it.
"Have you heard from Rhaenys lately?" Elia asked.
"Yes, I have received the brother rankings, and it nonsense because I always send the girls toys and I know I write her more." Aegon says mostly to amuse his mother.
"Can she read your handwriting?" She teases.
"That's Arthurs fault he's having me write with my left hand because I favor my right when fighting." Aegon says with a shrug.
"Most people must favor their right?" Elia tells her son.
"Try telling the Sword of the Morning that." Aegon says and Elia smiles.
They continue chatting as they walk the corridors and stroll the garden, he tells her of the running of Dragonstone she tells him all she has heard from Jon and Rhaenys. Aegon becomes aware they are being followed by none other than Jamie Lannister.
"I take it he is yours?" Aegon says quietly.
"He's been a good friend and is going to start loudly sharpening his sword if anyone comes this way." She says leading him off the beaten path he does not know where she has taken him till, he sees the heart tree.
"You know, the first time Jon went North I had hoped we could talk through these things, I tried enough." He admits.
"You are not safe here my son you must return to Dragonstone."
"Is that why you sent Baelor Hightower after me?"
"Yes, the most important thing to me is my children's safety and I fear he is coming for you."
"Let him come."
"He has sent for her I don't know why. We both sent for Jon?"
"Why would you want Jon in Kingslanding?" Aegon asked worried the only good thing about being summoned was Jon was free.
"Because he helps you see reason and I don't think he is in any danger. As trying as it must be, he and Rhaenys are lucky they do not receive much attention from him, unlike you my dear."
"Well someone has to be the disappointment." Aegon grumbles he never knew what exactly it was that made Rhaegar turn away from him, mayhaps he would never know but he was use to Rhaegar's personal brand of torment.
Elia lightly squeezes her sons' arm. "You are no disappointment to me you are a great joy. That is why I have done as you asked, I won't stay in Kingslanding I even told him so, whatever else you are planning stop. Trust your mother." Elia warns.
"You will have to trust your son." Aegon tells her confident he knew what he was doing.
There was no banging of steel instead they heard two sets of footprints. Aegon reached for his own blade when Jaime and Arthur appeared there was blood on his clothes, but it did not appear to be his.
"Well?" Aegon asked.
"Took care of our mole problem, which means Baelor's intel was correct and he is a real supporter."
"No, it means mother is which I've always known." Aegon says smiling at his mother.
"Ser Arthur, I wanted to thank you for taking such good care of my son." Elia says softly.
"I would protect your son with my life." Ser Arthur promises.
Aegon knew they both would so many people had worked so hard to keep him alive, to make sure he had everything not for the first time he wondered if he was actually worth it.