Chapter – 2
Ser Otto Hightower 118 AC
He truly felt joy watching his grandson prove his worth in the training yard against much older squires and knights. Aegon, at eleven years old was a few inches short of six feet and kept his hair long and had the hightower build, displayed grace and skill with his dual blades as he defeated lord Redwyne's grandson and helped him up. His skill can be attributed to the bravoosi water dancer Sergei Forel, and that giant of a Norvoshi priest who was assigned as the prince's protector.
Though his grandson came to Oldtown on the pretext of meeting his grandsire and brother, the trip's significance was clear. His grandson met with the faith to donate a portion of the wealth he had captured from a pirate ship belonging to the triarchy. The faith's symbol on his graandson's doublet made it clear to everyone that he is a godly man and his free offerings to the poor and orphan houses of Oldtown made it clear that does not have an inch of Valyrian pride and respects the Seven.
Still, the trips to Highgarden, Riverlands, Eyrie, and Westerlands on Sunfyre only improved his grandson's prestige among the lords. He was planning to get Aegon Knighted as quickly as possible while Rhaenyra paraded around the Redkeep with her bastards. It is sais that Aegon defeated Kermit and Oscar Tully soundly and embarrassed Benjikot Blackwood who's Morningstar was easily avoided due to his grandson's years of training with ser Criston Cole.
Still, Lady Tyrell tried to seduce Aegon by pushing her daughters, cousins, maids, and whores who were unsuccessful in seducing Aegon the pious. The Westerlands and Lord Jason lannister welcomed Aegon with all the pomp that befits a crown prince much to the dismay of the blacks. The only thing that otto disliked is Aegon's friendship with the upjumped dragonseeds Ulf the White and Hugh the Hammer, whom his grandson kept close to himself.
Aegon's other friends all other companions were indeed nobles, including knights such as Ser Mark Ambrose, Mark Graceford, Ser Tyler Norcross, the squire Robert Reyne, Ser Robin Massey, Ser Petyr Bar Emmon, Ser Balon Byrch, Ser Erik Footly, Thoren Smallwood, Ser Willum Royce and his squire Ned Tollett. His grandson collectively called this group "Order of the Dragon Knights", which could be a benefit for his grandons's protection against dangers.
He will talk with his grandson soon and will prepare for the inevitable war that would happen once the King passes away. He heard his second grandson Aemond is without a dragon but Aegon says he will find one soon enough, with all four children of the king being dragon riders, no one can deny the Kings true heir's inheritance to the Iron Throne.
Princess Rhaenys Targaryan 120 AC
Sadness filled her heart at the death of her son Laenor, may that traitor Qarl die a kraven death wherever he is fleeing. The event was attended by the entire family including Rhaenyra's bastards and Laena's children along with the King and Queen's brood. She saw that Ser Aegon arrived on Sunfyre along with his Order of Dragonknights, which seems to be increasing in number these days. Her grief of losing both her children was lessened by seeing the twins, Baela and Rhaena speak with prince Aemond and prince Daeron. If she can find a way to break the betrothals of both her grandchildren to Rhaenyra's bastards and wed them to Aegon and Daeron instead, her family will be flourishing, yet Corlys would not agree to it.
She did not fail to notice the exchange of lusty looks and the game of cat and mouse Daemon & Rhaenyra were playing, t'was a foolish decision to allow Daemon to marry Laena, but what's done is done. It was the succession issue that she and Corlys did not agree on, Laena's kids deserve Driftmark but Corlys, obsessed with legacy said that history only remembers names not blood.
They were woken up at night due to the ruckus caused by the royal family though, when they entered the hall of nine, they saw prince Aemond had a cut on his cheek while Luke and Jace have bloodied noses. Rhaenyra and Alicent were accusing each others children of violence, when the King ordered fr silence. The princess accused her stepbrother Aemond of insulting her children and asked him to be 'sharply questioned' about where he heard these slanders.
The boy immediately named his elder brother as a source upon which Aegon spoke loudly. 'T'was true father, I have heard these rumors in every inn, tavern, pot shop from Kingslanding to Lannisport, Riverrun to Highgarden, all the smallfolk, singers, septons, jugglers, fisherfolk, cooks, tanners, and washerwoman speak of our sweet sister cuckholding her husband with Ser Harwin strong birthing three bastard sons upon the Sea Snake's kind blessings no less".
The entire hall was stunned into silence by this proclamation of the prince, but he continued "I along with the order of dragon knights tried to put an end to these rumors but I heard it whisphered in secrecy in Bravos as well" the cunning prince replied to the utter horror of everyone in the hall.
"this is treason, an insult to your heir father" replied Rhaenyra and Corlys looked about to burst. The prince have clearly stated to everyone that this is an open secret known throughout the realm. She saw Ser Otto had a smirk on his face while Alicent had a relieved look. No doubt Oldtown had wasted no cost in spreading the boy's bastardy throughout the realm.
" I will have the tongues of every man, woman, and child who slanders Rhaenyra's children. Who is telling the people this falsehoods Aegon ?" the king questioned his eldest son.
" Upon asking, we came to know that this gossip is spread by a group called 'the Rat, Hawk, and the Pig' your grace, while some say they heard in the cross roads inn from a man named Reek. Some in the Reach insist they heard it from a brothel in Kingslanding run by a former whore, while the Riverland folk say it was spread by a girl called 'Nettles' in Dragonstone" and two sailors called Alyn and Addam of Hull, who call themselves the true sons of Corlys Velaryon"
This jolted her as she knew them to be Corly's bastards from that shipwright's daughters. 'Of course Corlys was allowing Rhaenyra's bastards to inherit driftmark, with he himself siring a couple of them to disgrace her. For his part Corlys suddenly seemed tongue tied and embarrassed to stay in the hall.
The King roared "have them found and remove their tongues Otto, I will not suffer such slanders about my heir". Everyone included Daemon was puzzled by this order and the meeting was quickly dismissed. 'Well played Aegon', atleast one of Jahaerys descendents had his wits about them. She could see Rhaenyra seething with Jealousy at her brothers while leaving the hall. Perhaps she can persuade Corlys to marry Baela to Aegon one last time with this new information.
Lord Cregan Stark Winterfell 125 AC
He was surprised with the sudden visit of the prince on his dragon Sunfyre, there were two more men who accompanied the prince, one being Ulf the White who flew on Silverwing and the other Hugh the Hammer, who rode Vermithor, the mounts of the old king and Queen Alysanne. His uncle Bennard, allowed only one dragon Sunfyre to enter Winterfell and he could see two strange men follow the tall prince.
He was surprised to see a man from Leng named S'un lig'h, who looked nimble but moved with such a speed and grace his footsteps did not make sound. The other was a tall man from Jogos Nhai who had a coned head and wielded both a bow and arrow along with a lance. After guest right was invoked, the prince wished them both and a feast was declared for the Prince, which Aegon declined and said "t'was not wise to waste food on frivolities which can help your people come winter".
Cregan was surprised by the prince's humility and foresight but a small feast was ordered for his men. Once they met in his future solar, the prince enquired about the state of the wall, the night's watch, and the Northern lords. Cregan looked at the sword that hung from the prince's hip, though Ice had a beauty of it's own, 'Red Rain' is etherial in it's color.
The Valyrian steel longsword, which was rumored to belong to the Reynes of Castamere was confiscated from house Drumm by the prince and his dragon knights when they encountered the Ironborn raid near the stepstones. Singers say that Aegon himself defeated Lord Drumm in a single combat and freed all the thralls and salt wifes on the ship. The Ironborn tried to rally to their lord but were cut down to a man by the Knights.
Prince Aegon claimed Red Rain as his own and took the freed men to Kingslanding as proof of Lord Drumm's reaving. It is said that Lord Caswell tried to frame the prince as a thief and demanded the sword returned to House Drumm but the hand declared the sword forfeit for the cruelties of House Drumm.
The songs and stories about the adventures of the Prince reached the Wall and his exploits in the Vale of saving the septs built by house Templeton from the burned men after defeating their leader in single combat was glorified by the singers. He was knighted by Lord 'Bold' Jon Roxton later and his dragon was dubbed 'Sunfyre the Savage' after it inspired terror among the mountain tribes by burning down a hundred tribesmen near House Hershey's seat.
It is said the prince was ambushed by more mountain clans near Runestone, where brave Ned Tollett saved the prince's life and was knighted by Lord Gerold Royce, with the prince himself knighting Thoren Smallwood after the ambush.
The Prince's legend only grew when his group launched a surprise attack on the Stepstones burning the Triarchy's fleet with Vhagar, Vermithor, Silverwing, and Sunfyre unleashing their flames upon the pirate flee that many a pirate threw their swords and deserted the Captains.
Then the story says how the prince along with his brother Aemond defeated the Tyroshi pirate Captain Racallio Ryndoon and his forces on the stepstones ending the Triarchy's dominance over some of the islands in Stepstones. For his valor in battle, prince Aegon knighted his brother Aemond and dubbed him 'the Dragonknight'. He also knighted his friends Ulf the White and Hugh the Hammer promising them keeps of their own.
He was in awe of the silver haired prince who travelled Essos and entertained them with hilarious stories about how he was tricked into drinking wince and plotting to steal a Volantene noble's pet tiger which almost mauled him. Aegon regaled them with more stories over a fruit and salted water while they drank strong wine.
"So, what sudden business does the Prince have with his Warden of the North that he travels half the realm without any summons or prior notice ?" his uncle questioned Aegon coming directly to the matter. The prince smiled and looked at him directly before answering.
" Does a prince not allowed to visit the country ?" Aegon countered to which his uncle said "We have heard of your royal progress across the realm prince Aegon, though I wonder you are not the heir or the crown prince to undertake such journeys or partake in such adventures"
"Do you intend to sway us against princess Rhaenyra or offer benefits once we support your treasonous usurpation of the Iron Throne ?" his uncle pressed the prince.
"mayhaps, my lord regent, but I wanted to do it lawfully. I do not consider myself above the gods as some members think themselves, all that House Targaryan has won was due to their dragons. But I have shared Westerosi blood as well. They say House Hightower predates the coming of the first men and pious supporters of the faith. I am mocked in court by my sister's faction as a jealot but I merely keep my people first above all".
"So you admit your treason ?" his uncle accused the prince. The prince smiled and continued "I admit nothng. I simply want to remind you that once my father passes, there will be a war or a great counsil for the succession, I want you to remember that my sister has her own interests in mind rather than her vassals. If war comes to Westeros, it will deeply hurt the small folk and the kingdom. I know what ails you Milords" the prince looked at both me and my uncle.
" the north needs more food and more resources come winter, you do not need to be dragged into a war during a winter, much less in the south. The North is larger than rest of the kingdoms combined and the kings of Winter repelled the Andal Invasion single handedly. If a great counsel is called, I want the North behind me" the prince declared.
"And what would the North gains in return ?" his greedy uncle pressed. The prince looked directly at him and answered "I would support the North's needs and send more men and resources to the North and the wall. A counsel position for a northern lord of your choosing, a waiver of taxes during Winter, and the return of the lands gifted to the wall by King Jahaerys and Queen Alysanne back to House Stark along with the authority to gift them back to whichever Northern houses that lost them".
The sheer number of boons took their breath away, his uncle was flabbergasted with his mouth wide open and stammered "that is a fair exchange my prince, we will definitely consider your proposal".
But the prince had his eyes locked on him "and one last boon for you lord Stark, if all goes well and my reign is secured, a daughter of House Targaryan would wed into House Stark to bind the bonds between our two great houses. I shall write it down and seal it once I become King, 'the pact of Ice and Fire' will rewrite history and change the seven Kingdoms and if that does not happen then a generation or two later a Stark maiden will wed a Targaryan prince and rules as Queen"
Now it was his mouth that was wide open after hearing this offer, his uncle was already fetching ink and parchament to not miss out on this golden opportunity as the prince finally said " I heard you are a good sword lord Cregan, how about we spar in the morrow to see who wins ?" the would be king offered.
"I would be honoured my prince" he answered. "now tell me can i interest you in a hunt later" he asked Aegon giddy with excitement of their duel and the prince who some call 'the Young Dragon' gave a smile that reached his amethyst eyes and said "I would love to hunt lord Cregan". These are strange times indeed., I wonder what Sarra had to say about the Princeling.
Note: Thank you for the comments and the continued support. Will continue the story and yes 'the war is inevitable' as long as Daemon and the blacks exist. I am working on chapters from Helaena and Aemond, which directly takes place before Viserys's death. I am mostly following book Canon and mixing it with the show as well. Any suggestions on the pairings for team green are welcome.
