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Chapter 3: Dark Wings, Dark Words
Jaehaerys
The sixteen-year-old toasted to the hall, celebrating Dany's sixth and Aegon's ninth name day.
It was small, just for his family and Jaehaerys gestured for everyone's food and drink to be tasted first by a servant and breathed a sigh of relief when there was nothing wrong with the food and began feasting to his sister and nephew's nameday which they shared.
Viserys sighed, a bruise on his cheek from today's training with Ser Barristan. Dany laughed beside Aegon and Rhaenys.
Seven years it's been since his family fell and he had done much to keep it afloat as a vassal House, Ser Willem offered much advice in the last few years and Ser Barristan's aid helped him become a fairly good swordsman, Viserys and Aegon are doing well in their training too and Maester Kylon helped as well.
Trade ran well enough though his land was taxed heavily by Robert, no doubt to keep them just near the edge of poverty.
As for his secret plans, Varys orchestrated a meeting with Prince Doran Martell to meet each other in Lys in two months to negotiate an alliance so that Rhaenys and Aegon could see their other family and the Spider has done much to keep his House out from suspicion under Robert and his Hand.
"You look deep in thought, my Prince?" William said and Jaehaerys smiled at his advisor and counsel.
See Willem Darry was already six and fifty when his House fell from power, he is older now and losing sight meaning that the Stranger won't be long in taking the man who raised him and his family for nearly ten years.
"I am happy, content even." His comment earned him a scoff from Viserys who was picking at his food, "Is something wrong, brother?"
"Oh, nothing except... Are you sure you aren't getting comfortable with being a lowly vassal Lord, brother?" Viserys stewed in his anger over the last few years, despite knowing that he doesn't plan for their House to remain in this position forever. "They are calling you the Dragon Who Knelt, Jaehaerys. They mock us and even our own peasants sing the usurper's praises."
Jaehaerys own anger stirred, rising to his feet. "Name them, Viserys and they won't be singing them much longer." It was a serious matter, that if the Usurper has gained supporters on his home then they must be rooted out at once lest they spy for the man himself.
Viserys bit from his smoked pork, "A fisherman and his family were heard at a tavern, boasting about how 'King' Robert held a fantastic tourney at King's Landing. Said that nothing but great days are ahead with the Stag on the Throne." He frowned and shook his head.
That night, a man and his family were dragged and hung for poaching. Their bodies hanging at the port the next morning.
Does he anguish about the things he does? Yes, but they are all to protect his family. The only family he has left.
Jaehaerys trained with Ser Barristan, Aegon, and Viserys not far and wearing the training gear too. Jaehaerys dodged a swing from the tourney blade, then raised his shield to block a thrust before going in for a strike that was blocked.
"Come on Uncle! You can do it!" Aegon's cheer helped in motivation but Jaehaerys took his eyes off of the knight and that was his mistake as Barristan tripped him by sweeping his feet and knocking him on his back.
"Damn it... " He whispered and Barristan offered him a hand which he took.
"You are doing well, my Prince. You must remember to always keep an eye on your opponent." He nodded and Barristan looked to his brother and nephew, "Prince Viserys, Prince Aegon, do you wish to go next?" Aegon eagerly grabbed his little shield and followed the Knight to the circle.
Meanwhile, he and Viserys spoke to one another. "I know you are impatient, brother but trust me when I say that the plan hasn't changed." Viserys frowned and twirled his tourney blade, digging into the dirt.
"I just can't stand being called Lord Viserys by the small folk or when the Usurpers lackeys come here for our coin, I want the realm to return to us." He wrapped his arm around Viserys, causing his little brother to look surprised.
"And it will, brother. You must remember that we don't have dragons anymore, so we can't simply begin conquering the Seven Kingdoms as our ancestor had done... Our conquest needs to be smart and that involves long-term planning." He explained and Viserys nodded in understanding, smiling from ear to ear.
Aegon yelped and both he and Viserys laughed at the young future king's antics. Jaehaerys does believe Aegon has all of his father's wit and charm and none of his melancholy nor sorrow. Looking at the clear sky above, Jaehaerys smiled.
It was a beautiful day, he intended to enjoy it till he saw Maester Kylon walking down the steps by them and he had worry on his face. Viserys and Barristan gave him a knowing look, and Jaehaerys sighed before going up to the Maester.
"A raven from the Red Keep," Kylon gave him it and he saw the stamp of the Hand on it and unfolded the scroll.
Lord Jaehaerys of the House Targaryen and Regent of Dragonstone, you are summoned to King's Landing by command of the King, Robert I Baratheon. Signed, Lord Jon Arryn and Hand of the King.
Viserys came to his side, "What is it? We don't send tribute for another week." And they can't exactly fulfill that order either if that is the case.
"It'll be fine, brother, I'm sure that isn't what this means... Ser Barristan, will you accompany me?" The Knight nodded, "Dragonstone is yours, brother, go to Kylon or Willem for anything but you are in command." Viserys had to be in charge before, a year before this he had to accompany Lord Celtigar and drive off some Lysene pirates and was gone for nearly a week.
He said goodbye to Viserys and Aegon, but then came the worst... Saying goodbye to Dany and Rhaenys.
Entering the garden he called out to them, "Dany! Rhaenys!" He heard nothing for a second, but the brush of branches made him sigh, "This is serious, girls... Fine, let's see." His eyes trained around the garden until he spotted a glimpse of silver and gave chase till he caught up to his little sister and she cried out in surprise when he spun her around.
Rhaenys then attacked him from behind and the three of them fell to the soft grass, they laughed and he found it hard to say anything that'll make them sad or upset.
His sister is completely innocent of the butchery some of their family had gone through. Still, Rhaenys remained melancholic for a number of years and both he and Viserys worked hard to make her smile again. The thought that he'd be making her sad again is excruciatingly emotional.
"What did you want to talk about, big brother?" Daenerys asked innocently.
"I wanted to come and say that I've been summoned by Robert Baratheon, I have to leave for a few days." Rhaenys frowned and eyes showed fear where Dany was upset that he was going away, he smiled and wiped away a tear from her cheek, "It's going to be alright, little one. You have your niece and nephew, and Viserys too."
"But she's older than me, shouldn't I be the niece?" She asked and Rhaenys chuckled, and so did he as she was right.
"You know, you're right how about this, from now on just think of Aegon and Rhaenys as siblings too. Alright?" Dany liked that better and a part of him liked that also. "Viserys is in charge while I am away, listen to anything he says." He ordered kindly and kissed Rhaenys and Dany on the forehead before leading them out of the garden.
Two hours would pass before Belarion was prepped for the journey, he is taking a chest of gold just in case it's the coin that the Usurper wants.
Jaehaerys stood beside Ser Barristan, waving at his family while wondering if he was ever to see them again.
The winds were slower than he expected, Belarion was a war galley and quite large a ship. Its haul is strong, there is the main deck where his cabin is located and the upper deck above his cabin is the helm, below is the middle where his sailors and guards will rest, and the lower deck is where the armory and granary are.
At the prowl was a depiction of Belarion the Dread, painted black with blood-red eyes, the hull was specially carved to depict wings.
It's his favorite vessel, in the last seven years he's had four other ships made and each depicting dragons from the past, Vhagar and Meraxes, Vermithor and Silverwing.
"Jaehaerys, are you nervous?" He was asked by Barristan and honestly... He wasn't.
He's only ever been back home once and that was when he surrendered, he expected the worst and it's helped him calm down thinking that the next time he enters the Red Keep would be his last.
The old Knight put a hand on his shoulder, "If anything happens, I will lead you to safety. I swear it." He knows and appreciates that words said.
For two days the boat rocked from side to side, on the third day they arrived at King's Landing and the Targaryen sail must have caused a stir as when the ship docked, the port was full of patrolling Goldcloaks.
Reaching the Red Keep, he was immediately approached by four men of the Kingsguard. "Lord Targaryen, His grace has commanded none but you may enter the throne room... We will require your weapons too." Barristan inched his hand to his sword but Jaehaerys stopped him with a knowing stare.
This is a test, he's sure of it. If he were to object in any way to Robert's demand, retaliation is soon to follow.
So, he undid his swordbelt and Valyrian steel dagger which was the last possession his father entrusted to him before being sent away. He handed them to the Kingsguard nearest, then surrounded by the four of them walked inside of the Keep and into the throne room, the herald announced him and he saw Robert.
Jaehaerys took note of the King's growing family, beginning with his wife. Cersei watched him with awe, he remembered hearing at one time how when Cersei was brought to court she was enamored with Rhaegar, the Valyrian beauty of old that showed in his, Viserys, and Aegon's faces.
Beside her were the Queen's two children, Myrcella and Joffrey Baratheon. The two were a pair of golden-haired children, mirroring their mother's green eyes.
He saw members of the court and Robert's Small Council, the old regime had been turned over almost immediately. House Chelstead lost all of their land apart from their castle, House Velaryon is just as taxed by the Baratheon crown as much as they were on Dragonstone.
Varys, Stannis, Jon Arryn, Jon Arry's pregnant wife, and Ser Jaime who offered him a kind smile.
Everything has changed, the throne room looked like what Highgarden does with the flowers and pomp, not at all the stags and boisterousness he expected.
Gone were the dragon heads, the Usurper must have had them taken and thrown in the Blackwater, or as Viserys thinks they were crushed into dust and thrown with their ancestors at the Sept of Baelor.
Jaehaerys bowed to Robert, feigning fealty whilst hiding the embarrassment of the act. "You summoned me, your Grace." He pointed out and Robert grumbled a response before getting up from his nephew's rightful throne.
"Word has come from Lannisport, the Greyjoys are up to no good. You wouldn't be planning anything, trying to get back what I took, hmm?" He grew irritated by the accusation.
The Greyjoys and their grey sunken keeps can never keep to their own domain. "No, my King, I have no contact with those reavers. More than once the Iron Islanders have been a trouble to the rest of Westeros as you well know." He cursed as he snapped with the last of what he said.
"A shame, I sit here day after day waiting for an excuse to exterminate your House once and for all." Then why not do it? Jaehaerys wondered and the Usurper scoffed, "War is on us, I wanted you here before the call to arms is sent out."
"What could I do?" He asked as he doesn't believe he could have a place in the army, "I am inexperienced in war, driving off pirates... " Jon coughed to speak.
"This is primarily a caution, Lord Jaehaerys. You will be under Lord Stannis's command." Jon said and it dawned on him the reason why he is being brought along.
They are a paranoid bunch, thinking that while the King and his army and fleet are away that he'd take a chance and invade King's Landing, maybe take the Usurper's family hostage.
"Very well, may I send word to arrange a hundred men to fight?" He asked and Robert huffed and smirked at him.
"What fighters have you? Bloody cunts, I say. Send it, then, and remain here, on the morrow the Royal fleet sails." He sighed and left the throne room, walking the halls while escorted by Barristan.
He felt awful, he'd promised his family he'd return home but they are safe.
It was nightfall when he had a visitor through one of the secret passages that cover the Red Keep, he poured himself and Varys a cup of wine and handed the eunuch.
"I tried to get word but it was too late." Varys said and he looked at the man confused, "I was going to ask you and your family to leave Westeros for Pentos."
"Nonsense, what about our plan?" He questioned of Varys.
The plan was to wait a few years, gather wealth enough and buy the Golden Company and together with the Houses of the Narrow Sea, Dorne and the Reach gather and make their war to make Aegon the King and cast down House Baratheon and their allies of the Vale, Westerlands, North, and Riverlands.
He intended to personally take the Stormlands as his domain, destroy Storm's End- Burn it to the ground and erase House Baratheon.
"In recent Small Council meetings, Stannis and Pycelle have been pressuring the King to remove Aegon from your custody and place him at the Red Keep." He tensed at the notion, "Jon Arryn actually insisted on waiting, taking the first son you sire but even he is starting to turn."
"What if we fake his death as you had once suggested?" They could hide Aegon away, send him to Dorne or Pentos or with Jon Connington in the Golden Company.
Varys shook his head, "Robert hasn't ceased being paranoid over the last few years, what he said in the throne room wasn't a slight, he is eager to kill every member of House Targaryen." Varys got up and set the cup down, "This Greyjoy mess has things in a wheel, try not to earn the ire of the King and he might not take the measures being presented."
Jaehaerys scoffed, "He's going to try and get me killed, either en route to the Iron Islands or during battle." Maybe it'll be a Greyjoy reaver that does it, or perhaps it'll be a false ally.
Varys sighed, "May the Seven protect you, Prince Jaehaerys." He nodded and the flames cracked in the hearth as the Spider crawled back up his web.
AN: Thank you for reading, I hope you all enjoyed it. The next chapter will be in the PoV of Aegon.