Author's Note: House of the Dragon is quite lit. I recommend it to those who want to go back to Westeros. Besides, Matt Smith playing Daemon Targaryen is unironically hilarious yet fitting.

Imagine that.

Aegon III - Second Month, 259 AC

"Despite the recent successes of Lord Greyjoy in the Narrow Sea, the Band is still making moves upon the Stepstones. Although Old Mother is dead and Samarro Saan captured under the actions of Lord Greyjoy, the remnant fleet of the Band remains a threat as they still possess enough ships to move their armies across the Stepstones." Lord Walter Whent, Lord of Harrenhal and the Master of Whisperers, started as he looked towards the various small council members before settling back to Aegon. "Even with their fleet shattered by Lord Greyjoy, the Band remains steadfast at rebuilding it, with my spies detailing that Alequo Adarys has finally cemented his rule upon Tyrosh. Allowing him to focus more on rebuilding the fleet necessary to launch their army on the Stepstones."

Aegon withheld a sigh as the Band became more and more potent. While Aegon wants nothing more than to rid of the Targaryen's most fated foe, the fact is that he can't simply declare war on them. Aegon knew that without a proper casus belli to declare war, Aegon was left with no choice but to wait. It must be those damned Band of Nine that declares war upon him to ensure that the rest of the Free Cities wouldn't gang up on Westeros. While he knew Pentos and Braavos wouldn't join if he were to declare war on the Free Cities south of Essos, with the former bending their knees to the latter, the same couldn't be said to the rest of them. As much as the Free Cities of Lorath and Norvos would like to stay neutral to the affairs of the Free Cities in Southeastern Essos, it'll cause a severe lack of revenue for the two Free Cities if the knights of Westeros were to infringe on lands beholden by the Nine.

The same could be said of Volantis. As the First Colony of Valyria, and thus, the Inheritor of Valyria's legacy, they hold a significant sway amongst the Free Cities. Aegon internally snorted at their pretentious claims. Despite their grandiose statements, the true inheritor of the Valyrian Freehold is House Targaryen. And just because they've lost their dragons doesn't mean they lacked a kingdom. House Targaryen still maintains the Iron Throne, and for all their proclamations, nothing is more powerful than the Iron Throne and the Seven Kingdoms that swear their loyalty to it.

Regardless, he must focus on what his Master of Whisperers is saying. "What about Liomond Lashare? Any news of him and his actions in Myr?"

"So far, Liomond is having trouble reigning in the noble families of Myr. Despite gathering enough support to quell the nobles of Myr, his reign is shaky at best. It also didn't help that Liomond played them against each other, and those who've come out in the aftermath are now Liomond's greatest threat to ruling Myr." Whent answered as most of the Small Council let off a sigh of relief regarding the Nine.

"And what of the Blackfyre? Do we have news of where he currently is and what he's doing?" Lord Boremund Tarth, Lord of the Saphhire Isle and the Master of Ships because of Ormund's recommendation, asked as Aegon inwardly nodded to Lord Tarth's question.

"As of Maelys Blackfyre, he's currently harassing the Volantine Army east of the Disputed Lands. While the Volantine Army is doing their best to push back the Golden Company, Maelys has run them ragged as he systematically defeated Volantine Army in order." Here, Aegon audibly let out a sigh as he grimaced upon hearing of Maelys Blackfyre's actions in the Disputed Lands.

While it was despicable that Maelys reportedly killed his cousin to become the Captain-General of the Golden Company, the thing that made Aegon weary was his fighting prowess. His fighting prowess, combined with his savage nature, allowed Tyrosh and Myr to fall. And now, it seems like he's doing the same thing to the Volantine. Sooner or later, Maelys will invade Westeros through the Stepstones.

And Aegon would not find himself wanting. With the Lords of Westeros still preparing their armies for mobilization, it's only a matter of time before the Golden Company sails for Westeros.

With that in mind, he suddenly remembered something, "By the way, what of their navy? Surely, with Samarro Saan captured and in service to Lord Greyjot and the Old Mother rotting at the bottom of the Narrow Sea, their naval leadership is crippled?" Aegon inquired, his gaze shifting to Lord Tarly.

Tarly straightened himself before answering, "Your Grace, even though Saan is in our service and the Old Mother dead, they still have someone that could lead their navy, and that's Alequo Adarys himself."

"Adarys? Wouldn't Adarys have his hands full enough with Tyrosh? For him to lead the fleet would be nothing short of stupid save if they're desperate for a naval admiral." Lord Yohn Royce, Lord of Runestone and Master of Laws, questioned. Although Lord Yohn Royce was young, nearing twenty-and-five, it was upon Jon Arryn's request that Royce was placed as Master of Laws. Despite Aegon wanting Jon Arryn to be his Master of Laws: to create a political statement that he's favoring the Vale and to ensure that the Vale remains loyal even after his death, Jon returned home to the Eyrie to marshall his forces for the upcoming battle. While Aegon would not begrudge Arryn of this, the replacement that he placed on his Small Council did aggravate him a little.

Thankfully, Lord Yohn Royce is doing a great job as a Master of Laws. Already, banditry was being severely limited in the Crownlands as Royce, with the tacit permission of Aegon, administered justice throughout the Crownlands. With so many Crownlords cooperating with Royce - though Aegon's eyebrows raised when Lord Darklyn denied Royce's request to patrol Darklyn's lands, which thankfully Lord Royce took with grace - peace was becoming the norm of the Crownlands. The armies of the realm march for the threat that is Maelys Blackfyre.

"Before Adarys became the Tyrant of Tyrosh, he was a merchant prince. And before he was a merchant prince, he was a simple seaman. While we don't know long he served sailing under a ship, I could only guess that the experience he'd accumulated was enough to lead the fleet that they're building in Tyrosh and Myr." Tarly answered.

"But, wouldn't Adarys leading the navy to mean that Tyrosh would be bereft a leader?" Tarly nodded to Royce's question.

"Yes, that is true. Unfortunately, the Band seems to realize that problem and thus, left the naval matters to the Golden Company." Tarly responded.

"If I may inquire, if we are to rally the realm this early, then the treasury might suffer. We're already having problems repaying the loans that your father, may he rest in peace, borrowed from the Iron Bank. If we're to mobilize this early, it might bugger the realm unless Your Grace is willing to borrow from your vassals." Lord Dickon Merryweather, Lord of Longtable and Master of Coins, inquired.

Silence permeated the Small Council, with Aegon musing on the exchanges provided to him. Before an awkward silence could fill the room, he switched his gaze to Duncan, "Lord Commander, what do you suggest we do?"

Duncan, his most loyal knight, lingered on his answer before responding, "I think we should wait." While most of the council were nodding along, Tarly stood in silence.

'It seems like Lord Tarly isn't keen on waiting. I can't blame him. Despite the recent losses incurred by the Band, pirates not loyal to them are keen on taking advantage of the aftermath." No matter how many rogues have banded under the Nine, their grip on Southwestern Essos remains shaky. With Lys collaborating with Volantis and Pentos to push back the roaming bandits that have popped up alongside their southern border, likely supported by the Band to cause as much chaos as possible to Pentos, the Band is lacking in allies to reinforce them. Not only that, privateers sponsored by Lys and Volantis are ensuring that Tyrosh and Myr remain landlocked as much as possible.

However, this all could change. If Maelys succeeds in pushing back the Volantine and Lyseni to their respective borders, they'll have all the time in the world to concentrate their invasion of Westeros through the Steps.

Aegon nodded before looking to his council, "In that regard, I agree. Lord Tarly, with the Ironborn recuperating their losses, you must increase the patrol alongside the coasts of Stormland and Dorne. Lord Boremund, keep me informed of the Nine. Most especially in regards to the Blackfyre. Lord Royce, maintain the peace within King's Landing while the realm gathers its men. Lord Merryweather, ensure that the loans are repaid to the Iron Bank before the Seven Kingdoms are involved in a state of war. Grand Maester Pycelle will help you to hasten the process. Is this understood?" Aegon looked at his council once more before dismissing them, leaving him and Duncan alone.

"It seems the Gods have decided to give another Blackfyre for me to trouble with before I leave this plane." Aegon started, causing Duncan to look at his liege lord and foster child.

"At the very least, this Maelys Blackfyre is more monstrous than the previous ones," Duncan remarked, causing Aegon to chuckle.

"So it seems." Aegon remarked before he sighed, slumping to his chair, "By the Seven, I'd imagine that I wouldn't be suffering another war in my lifetime, but it seems the Gods are quite the precarious lot."

"In that, they are. Besides, Egg, your grandson is blooming into a worthy man. From what I've seen, Aerys has vastly improved in his studies compared to the other times he'd sneak out of Pycelle's chambers." Duncan smirked at him, "Also, that reminds me. Aerys is sneakingly implying that you visit your great-grandchildren." When Aegon gave Duncan a wry look, Duncan grinned, "Shaera and Betha also agreed that you should visit your great-grandchildren."

Aegon let out a chuckle before standing up and marching to where his great-grandchildren are, with Duncan shadowing him. As they march to where his great-grandchildren are, Aegon couldn't help but reminisce. Ever since the wedding, Aerys has dramatically changed. From a layabout who flips the skirts of servants at every chance he could into a responsible man who knows the duty imposed upon him. Despite being forced into the marriage by his parents, it seems that Aerys has learned than to complain. Instead, utilizing the simmering rage that his parents had unintentionally placed upon him for more productive matters. From what he'd heard from his son Duncan, Aerys lept from being someone who only knew how to swing a sword to a decent fighter. Not only that, Aerys was learning under Pycelle!

It seems the Gods were fickle beings indeed. Although his children were willful beings, his oldest marrying a commoner and his two remaining children marrying each other for love, Aerys seems to understand the duty placed before him.

Aegon shook his head before looking at the door where his great-grandchildren were. Opening the door, he was pleasantly surprised to see Aerys taking care of his child, with Rhaella looking fondly at him.

'Truly, it seems that Duty has skipped a generation.' Aegon mused before clearing his throat. With the faces of both his grandchildren facing him, he gave them a smile before speaking, "It seems that I've impeded on you two."

Aerys stared for a while before shaking his head, smiling at him, "Not to worry, grandfather. I was only making Daena asleep. Truly, I'll have a lot of trouble if Gaemon is the silent child of the twin."

Rhaella giggled before replying to him, "Yes, grandfather. Aerys was tending to the child before you came along," Here, Rhaella pushed Gaemon to him, "Would you like to hold him, grandfather?"

Aegon paused before accepting Rhaella's request, tentatively holding Gaemon, his silent mewls warming Aegon's heart. Looking at his innocent face, Aegon is more determined now than ever to ensure that the upcoming war in the Stepstones will not reach Westeros.

And as Gaemon awoke to a face he failed to recognize; belching a loud wail and causing Daena to also awake and Aerys to double his efforts on making Daena asleep, there's only one thing that passed on his mind;

'They will NOT reach Westeros for as long as I'm alive. I promise you this, young dragons.'