Dance of Ice and Fire
schrutfarms
Chapter 4: Chapter 4
Summary:
Daemon shares some time with his son while council decides on the fate of the heir to the throne.
Notes:
I will admit, I am nervous writing Daemon Targaryen. The man is certainly the best and the worst and I really hope I capture the Rogue Prince persona in this chapter. Enjoy some fluff time or some attempt at fluff with Daddy Daemon.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Daemon POV – Harrenhal – 101 AC
Daemon sighed as he poured himself Arbor wine. He certainly deserved this drink after speaking with Tymond Lannister. The man was certainly approached by the Velaryon and provided sweet words and rewards but Daemon pressed on something that was worth more than Sea Snake provided, their pride. Lannisters have always been known for their riches and wealth throughout the world and when Sea Snake dared to outmatch him on that Daemon saw fit to take advantage of that aspect. A prideful lion would never abandon its pride for Sea Snake's trinket, Daemon thought as he chuckled. A promise of a future seat in the small council and relief from certain taxes was sufficient enough for Daemon to convince to support Viserys's claim. Their splendor and extravagance were matched by that of Matthos Tyrell and the Lords of Reach. It has been almost six bloody moons that Lords had arrived across the realm and even over the sea to press claim as the heir to the Iron Throne. The Old Sea Snake and his wife had been seen visiting the Lords to no avail at least that is what his spies had told him. Daemon was sitting in his chambers staring at the hilt of Dark Sister wondering how many will die at the tip of this sword.
I will cut through a bloody swath or feed these pompous cunts to Caraxes should this not go to my favor, Daemon thought. His Cousin Aemma and niece had arrived a sennight ago to have words with the Lords of the Vale. Daemon knew that him speaking with those sheep-fuckers will earn him no favors. Every moment that Daemon spent in Vale felt as if he would want to kill himself twice over. The Bronze bitch was as cold as the winter in the Wall not that it mattered to Daemon. All his time at Runestone, it was nothing better than hells. The Old Man certainly had seen fit to have him suffer when he chose to have him sent to Vale. His grandmother certainly tried to take the blame away from him and suggesting that it was her idea but Daemon knew better. His grandmother knew his affections for Lyanna but the Old man had downplayed it as one of his vices. He gripped the glass hard thinking of that time, anger always wash over him whenever he thought of that time.
"Vhooosh" a voice broke him from his thoughts. It came from other room and a soft smile spread through his face. He placed the goblet on the side and stood up from his chair to slowly walked towards the source of the sound. As he entered the room, he slowly opened the door so that his son would not be aware of his presence.
A nursemaid was smiling as she was knitting Gaemon's sweater while his son was playing with a toy dragon and a toy wolf. He was wearing a red shirt and his brown hair was reaching up to his shoulders.
"I'm a wolf, fear my howl dagon" Gaemon howled at that and his toy wolf attacked his flying toy dragon. The nurse maid chuckled but her eyes suddenly widened as she saw Daemon standing. Before she could make any moves, Daemon placed a finger on his lips signaling her to play mummer to his presence. He slowly knelt and crawled towards his son, thankfully he had removed his coat and was only wearing his tunic.
"No wolfie, bad wolfie" Gaemon imitated the dragon as the wolf bit his tail and dragon could not get it away.
Before his son could carry on his game, Daemon grabbed his son who squealed at his touch at first.
"I am the big bad dragon and I have come to claim you boy" Daemon said in a deep voice imitating a dragon and tickled his son's stomach.
"No kepa, stop" Gaemon started giggling trying to push away from his father's grasp.
"Who is this kepa? Big bad dragon hurt big bad wolf" Daemon carried on with his game as he played with his hair and placed kiss on his stomach. The laughs of his son grew louder. The laugh that has been the only source of happiness for him for this year. His father passing had given him the opportunity to be close to his son and he was everything to him and more. His eyes were jewels that resembled the union of his and Lyanna's. When he had met his son, Gaemon had been confused to who he was. His son would be shy towards him but over time and after three rides with Caraxes his son was his and he had no interest of parting with him.
When the Great Council was announced, Daemon left as he heard of the arrival of River lords, he had already convinced the Tully's, Blackwoods, Brackens and Mallisters to side for his brother before Sea Snake could get to them. These lords were certainly jealous of Corlys and his success and Daemon made sure to press on that.
"No kepa, I no bad wolf, I good dagon" Gaemon said laughing his hand untying removing his hair band as Daemon's silver hair was open.
"Then what was that I heard hmm, a wolf biting a dragon's tail?" Daemon questioned as he tickled his son who was flushed with laughter.
"No, dagon bit wolf too" Gaemon said as he was panting. Daemon looked at the nurse maid for an explanation, "he meant that the dragon bit the wolf before you entered mi Prince."
"Oh, I see" as he looked at his son, "well the question is, does Gaems want to ride a wolf or a dragon"
"A dagon!!!" Gaemon yelled with his hands up in the air as Daemon lifted his son and placed him above as he made him fly.
It was in this manner how his cousin Aemma and his niece Rhaenyra entered the room. Aemma was young and tiny compared to Daemon. She had the beauty of Targaryen but age and pregnancy had certainly taken a toll on her. The beauty was still there but there is a sense of weariness in her that Daemon could sense. Her niece was holding her hand, she furrowed her brows as she saw Gaemon over the shoulder of his father.
"Look Rhaenra, I fly a dagon" Gaemon said, he could sense a bit of haughtiness in his son's tone which amused him.
Rhaenyra frowned, "Muna, I want to fly a dragon"
Aemma sighed, "I am too weak child, you can play once we meet your kepa, why don't you go with Alla, I have some words to share with your Uncle Daemon".
Daemon noticed the sincerity and he brought Gaemon down and knelt as he brushed his brown hair from his face, "Why don't you go with your cousin while your aunt and I have some words hmm?"
"But I wanna stay, M a big boy too" Gaemon said sheepishly.
Daemon looked at him quizzically, "how big?"
"This big" Gaemon brought his hand up to his head. Daemon laughed at that, there was a soft smile on Aemma's lips at that.
"I'll tell you what, when you grow" Daemon raised his hand higher by a head or two above Gaemon "this big, you can stay and talk. Go, or else, I won't take you to show the elephants." Before his son could protest, "I may also consider getting you one elephant". Gaemon frowned and kept his head down but Daemon ruffled his hair and placed a kiss on his forehead. His son giggled and went to the nursemaid who took her hand and went to Rhaenyra.
"Come Rhaenra, do not worry, I'll let you ride my dagon" Gaemon said excitedly as he held his niece's hand who was excited that his son was accompanying him as well, definitely he is more excited about the fact that they would be seeing dwarf elephants later. Daemon chuckled over the fact that his son is completely oblivious to the double meaning of his words. He had known that his niece even at four name day is certainly a beauty. There will come a time when they reach their majority when his son and daughter will be more than they are now, but he put his thoughts back and looked at his cousin who went to grab the goblet and pour some Arbor wine.
Her mood seemed pensive as she saw her daughter and his son leave, "they look good together, it will be a shame when they part away and he goes North"
We shall see about that, Daemon thought. While he entertained the idea about Moat Cailin and was agreeable with his son being named lord and have all the rights and incomes of that land. Daemon had no desire for his son and his son's after that to stay in that frozen lands. His cousin was staring at him, Daemon wondered if his face gave anything away so he quickly decided to change the topic and sat across the chair, "so I take it your talk with Lords of Vale went pleasantly" Daemon said dryly.
His cousin scowled, "you would think that your kinsman being the Lady of Vale would hold any sway over them, but no."
"Was it that bad?" Daemon asked, he was genuinely curious. He had known that the Lords of Vale had loved Aemma and the fact that the daughter of Vale would be a queen should have excited them. Aemma gulped another swig, all his time with her, Daemon was surprised that his cousin was drinking. Viserys had told her that she was of rather conservative nature. He chuckled as he recalled how his brother cried the first time they laid together. Certainly, she had just flowered, but the idea of bedding had frightened Aemma and it worried Viserys enough to bring tears.
His cousin turned her violet eyes towards him and narrowed his eyes, "Oh the lords still remember me alright and they remember my father as well so be glad of it. It was a certain regent who was making noise. Do you want to guess who that was? A certain Royce? A man whose daughter happens to be your wife. A daughter who you happen to call 'My Bronze Bitch'".
Daemon's face darkened as he gritted his teeth, "oh he was trying to whisper to the lords of how you intend to usurp your brother and place a bastard on the throne."
That is, it, Daemon stood up and unsheathed Dark Sister. That fucker will learn that the steel will cut through his bronze armor.
"What do you think you are doing?" Aemma sneered
Daemon turned around, his anger was dangerous, "he said those words? He called my son a bastard?"
Aemma did not retort and her silence was the answer that was needed as Daemon smirked and had a bitter laugh, "I am glad he said it, Dark Sister is certainly thirsty for some blood"
"Sheathe your sword cousin, this is a Grand Council not a battlefield" Aemma said in a tone that sort of reminded him of Gael.
He turned his gaze to her, "I will not let you ruin my husband's chances for the throne because of your recklessness."
"Do you really think I am going to sit around and let that cunt call my son a bastard?" Daemon said as he clenched his hand tighter across the hilt.
"Do you really think that he is the only lord who says this about him or are you truly stupid to not know what happens in the court?" Aemma said in a cold voice. This had surprised Daemon, he had always expected his cousin to be a meek little thing. Maybe there is a dragon hiding within her, Daemon thought. "Let's say you strike Lord Yorbert Royce down, what do you think will happen? Do you think Lords of Vale would support my husband's claim hmm? What do you think Tymond Lannister, Matthos Tyrell and Grover Tully think when my own kin in Vale won't back the claim of my husband and children? Do you think they will stay true to us? North may support us but from what grandmother Alyssanne told us about Ellard Stark do not be surprised if the man tries to support Rhaenys's claim since it will not be his blood ruling the throne."
"So, you presume to let me stand by while that bronze cunt speaks ill of my son?" Daemon said, his cousin spoke sense he knew that but Daemon had not cared.
"I ask you to hold your sword until the council is complete. Other Lords of the Vale were wiser to not see through Royce's poison, but you would do well to remember that the man is serving as a Regent who could very well in his power impose taxes upon his vassals in the name of House Arryn." Aemma explained to him with a hint of softness.
"Regents can be unmade" Daemon pointed out as Aemma sighed, "Yes, they can be unmade, but there will be no unmaking until Viserys's claim is secure."
Daemon raised his brows, "I never thought you to have such devious mind cousin, As High as Honor. Those used to be your words, didn't they?"
Aemma looked at him deadpanned, "they used to be but now I am a Targaryen and my words are Fire and Blood. I am not as meek as you think me to be. I would have stand and let you and Viserys work through the lords and ladies, but I did not like that man who plays as the regent to my kin".
He took her words in, "you will also return to Vale after the Great Council"
"I am not parting from my son," Daemon gritted his teeth.
"You will, you will do the duty of a husband. That was one of the promises I gave to the Lords. I am not Viserys, your ventures may be amusing to my husband but not to me."
Daemon walked quickly towards his cousin, she took a step back, he was enraged, "do not presume to call my son a venture."
"I would never dare to; your son might be the only thing that might bring the good in you" Aemma said, her voice was a little meek but still held resolve.
She placed her hands on his cheeks, "you think our Grandfather has not noticed your presence in court? Once the council is over, he will command you to return and what will you do then? Rebel against him, charge against him the same way you tried to charge against me? Do not think me harsh to separate you from my son. Gods it pleases my heart to see his smile and laughter when he is around you but you know that your paths will not be same. King Jaehaerys is not your brother and you do not hold the same sway over him as you do over Viserys."
Daemon took her hand from his cheeks and gently placed it down. At times, he wished he could simply take Caraxes down to Vale and burn it to ashes. No matter the sense that his cousin spoke of. Daemon knew that his path to the throne was only possible through Viserys. His son will be his heir, Daemon would make sure of it and Gaemon would wed Rhaenyra if he saw it fit. He turned is frown into a smile. Daemon would make sure that his true intentions would not be known just yet.
"Fret not cousin, I will not jeopardize my brother's claim as such" He sheathed Dark Sister back. "I swear you this though, when I return to Vale" He pressed a kiss to her forehead and whispered in her ear, "I will not be gone for long this time."
The council went as Daemon would have hoped and thought. Sea Snake's bribes may have been plenty but it still was not enough to seduce the Andali cunts as he would have thought. Even Northern Lords who barked about honor had voted for his brother. He still recalled the sour look on Ellard Stark's face when he told the Lords of the position of House Stark. The fool thought that his honor mattered more than his blood, Daemon thought. His nephew Bennard was able to bring some sense into that dour cunt. It was known to Daemon that the man held honor in the same manner a petulant child would hold on to sweet.
The discussions and deliberation went on for thirteen days. Daemon took no part in it but the result was made clear to him. The realm had decided upon his brother to be the heir and not Laenor Velaryon. Daemon chuckled after looking at the disappointed look at his 'kin' from Volantis. They supposedly were his cousins after all they claimed to be of dragons through his aunt Saera. He still remembered the angry look on the bastard from Maegor. The man was a half-wit to unsheathe his sword in the council and was now sitting the cells awaiting Lyonel Strong's judgment. Gaemon was taken by the dwarf elephants that were brought over by their kin in Volantis. His son had played with them but soon lost his interest as Rhaenyra took him to play with her. Daemon closed his eyes and the rage had returned to him. He decided to head out of the castle. He went to the stable and ordered the stable boy to bring his horse. Daemon knew that Caraxes was at God's Eye so if any harm would come to him, the bloodwyrm would reign fire upon them. He steadily galloped and rode towards Harrentown specifically to the camp of the Lord's of Vale.
As he dismounted, he saw the sworn knights eyeing him with curiosity and fear. Daemon had been part of the court in Runestone. At times, he had also flown to Eyrie on Caraxes voiding the long climb. He went to the tent of the Royce's that was stationed near the Arryn's and Corbray. It was dark and Daemon could see in the far corner as the Lords that had been in attendance removing their tents and preparing their march back home. As he approached, he saw the two guards posted stand in attention as they saw Daemon approach. Daemon stood outside as he heard a woman squealing and laughing inside the tent. The guards looked at him for a beat and then bowed their heads to step aside. Daemon smirked and went into the tent and as he entered, he saw his good father nuzzling on the teats of a camp follower. She was a buxom lady and had a long black hair, Daemon spotted a choker with red ruby glinting. She laughed and moaned as his good father put his hand roughly over her womanhood. Before the action could get wilder, Daemon announced his presence by clearing his throat.
His good father quickly got off the woman who was now curiously eyeing him. She got off his good father's lap and walked towards him naked while his good father fumbled for his clothes.
"Prince Daemon, what is the meaning of this?" Lord Royce mumbled.
"At ease my lord, I only wished to pay you a visit before we parted" Daemon raised his hands as the woman moved her fingers through his biceps.
"My, you are a vision, you have the fire of Rhllor and the wisdom of the Old Flame" the woman purred seductively.
Daemon grabbed her hands gently and gazed her sideways, "I'm sure I do, but be a dear good woman and leave this tent. I would like to share few words with my good father."
But the woman did not take her dismissal right away and brought her hands to his face, "do not deny my will my Prince. One night with me and I will show you the true bliss" the wench said as she took his hand towards her womanhood. Daemon frowned and took his hand away forcefully.
"I am sure it will be a bliss but go find another man to fuck" Daemon said and the girl frowned. It had seemed to her that her seductions did not do any trick on Daemon.
"I shall leave, but I tell you this my Prince there will come a time when you will know the name of Alys Rivers" The girl whose name was supposedly Alys River said with firmness.
"Who is Alys Rivers?" Daemon feigned ignorance.
"Me, I am Alys Rivers!!" The girl screeched.
"Sure, you are, bye" Daemon said as he handed her the clothes and pushed her out of tent. He was running out of patience with her and cared not if she was undressed.
Daemon turned to his good father who wore a white tunic and black pants on. He seemed angry upon his intrusion and likely even angrier over the fact that his guards let him pass.
"Prince Daemon, surely this could have been done in the morn" Lord Yorbert said in a frustrated tone.
"Come now good father, it has been moons since I have seen you. Are you well? A silly question you certainly seem hale and hearty" Daemon said as he made his implication on his time with the Rivers girl.
"The woman offered herself to me, these are distressing times" Lord Royce said, his face flushed.
Before the man could say anything else, Daemon carried on, "I understand, I just wanted to inform you that I will be returning to Vale in a fortnight. It has been some time after all. I would have left immediately from Harrenhal but there are some matters and farewell that I would like to give in King's Landing before I leave."
Daemon walked over the man and embraced him, the man was well built but the age had caught up to him and shriveled him down a bit. Daemon was taller and had more muscle, he embraced him and whispered in his ears, "it has been time some time since I paid visit to my wife" The man was squirming to get out of his grasp but Daemon did not budge, "My Bronze b... lady, I shall pay my tributes to her and give her the respect she deserves".
He removed him from his embrace and held the man on his shoulder. Daemon could see a hint of fear in the man's face. He wondered whether it was Daemon's manic face or the manner in which he embraced his good father. Daemon carried on in his soft tone, "I hope to see you as well my Lord, hope to hear your words of wisdom."
The man looked uncertain and nodded, "I shall make sure the arrangements of your arrival are made my prince" his tone was shaken by Daemon's sudden appearance.
Daemon smiled and kissed his cheeks and turned to walk out, but before he stepped out he turned around and looked at Lord Yorbert, "oh and lord Yorbert, you have my thanks for supporting my brother's claim to the throne. Though as a good son, I should make you vary about one fact my Lord."
"And what is that my prince?" Lord Royce said uncertain as to where Daemon was going.
Daemon just smirked, "When you dance with the flames you will burn and you should know this my lord Dragon flames burns brighter and hotter than others."
Not waiting to gauge his reaction, Daemon stepped out of the tent. He went to his coin purse and placed two gold dragons in the hand of each men.
"Come find me, if the man chooses to dismiss you" Daemon said as he started his journey back to Harrenhal.
Notes:
Next chapter, we will see the time skip on to 105 AC. There will be certain divergent points from there and the changes will be explained further.
Let me know your thoughts, critics, comments.