161 AC, King's Landing
Ser Jon Harte
When Prince Aegon had dismissed Jon to gather whatever men had come with them from Dorne to King's Landing, he had not immediately left. Instead, Jon had lingered beyond the door, to wait for the Prince and re-confirm the given order. Raised voices could still be heard from within as the Prince and the Lord Hand argued.
All fell quiet. Then the door opened with a bang. The Hand stormed out, fury etched on his face. He caught sight of Jon and stalked towards him. Jon inclined his head in a bow.
"Protect him from his own stupidity, Ser," the Hand said.
"I live to serve the Prince, my lord Hand," Jon said. "I am his shadow and his shield. No harm will come to his person while I still draw breath."
Jon saw the Hand of the King slump his shoulders in relief. And while his body spoke one tale, his face told another and his voice spoke yet another.
"Why are you so devoted to him?" Distrust coloured the Hand's voice. "Do not forget your place, sellsword."
Jon let the provocation wash over him and then let it go. The Hand was pushing him deliberately. Jon considered his next words carefully.
"I serve a greater purpose when I serve him, my lord," he began. Jon spoke slowly, each word a conscious choice. "The Prince does not know his worth, choosing to be blind to his greatness."
The Hand sighed. "He does not care about himself," he said. Jon was not sure if the Hand meant to say that out loud. "He should not be in Dorne. Already he has been away from his family for so long." The Hand shook his head, perhaps realizing where he was. "Take care of my son," he said and walked away.
The door opened once more and Prince Aegon stepped out. He too saw Jon and walked over. "What were you talking with my father about?" the Prince questioned. "And why did you not leave to see my will done?"
"Your father was merely expressing his concern about your well-being, my prince," Jon said. The Prince scoffed. "I was waiting for you in case your orders changed." Since you hadn't read the King's instructions yet, went unsaid.
"That man is incapable of caring for his children, Jon," the Prince said, bitterness evident in his words. "I would sooner believe that pigs fly." He cleared his throat. "As for the other thing, you were right to wait for me." The Prince turned on his heel and began to walk deeper into Maegor's Holdfast. "Walk with me Jon."
The Prince went and Jon followed. Jon stayed silent, waiting for the Prince to speak. "We will still be leaving on the morrow, that much has not changed. But," he raised a finger, "our departure needs to be done in the utmost secrecy. By the time the court realizes we are no longer here, we should be halfway to Dorne."
"I will charter a ship with a captain who can be discreet," Jon said.
The Prince nodded. "Good. Make sure the ship is not fancy. Essosi if possible. No one should bat an eye if she appears in Planky Town."
"And once we reach Dorne?"
"I trust Ser Oscar to send a few of our men discreetly with fresh horses. The quicker we reach Sunspear, the better," the Prince said. Jon nodded, committing these instructions to memory. "Ensure that the time we leave King's Landing should allow us to reach Planky Town as night falls and we ride out to Sunspear under the cover of darkness."
Jon nodded. The Prince stopped suddenly in his tracks and turned towards Jon. "Do not go to the Grand Maester to calculate the travel times," he said. Jon could see the gravity of the matter writ on the Prince's face. "Utmost secrecy must be maintained for as long as possible. Especially in King's Landing where the Dornish hostages are."
This was a side of the Prince that few got to glimpse. Everyone believed that they understood the man that the Prince was, but Jon knew his Prince was his truest self when driven by duty. "It will be done as you say, my prince."
"Good." The Prince seemed satisfied. "Walk with me as I think. I will give you leave to start preparation in some time."
And so the Prince walked through Maegor's Holdfast, deep in thought. Jon recognized the path they took, for the Prince walked this way daily and Jon shadowed him daily. Soon, they arrived at their destination. Ser Joffrey Staunton stood guard outside the heavy oaken doors. He smiled when he caught sight of the Prince.
"Here to visit the princess again, your grace?"
"Indeed," the Prince said. "Announce my arrival."
The knight of the Kingsguard went inside the chambers and closed the doors behind him. Voices could be heard from within, including the unmistakable sound of excited children. The door swung open.
"Uncle!"
A little blur shot past the door and latched onto the Prince's leg. Jon smiled.
"Rhaenys!" The Prince crouched down and lifted his niece up into the air. She laughed, a high and beautiful sound. The Prince laughed with her. He lifted her higher up and put her on his shoulders where she promptly wrapped her arms around the Prince's neck.
The Prince walked into Princess Naerys's rooms and Jon followed. Ser Joffrey stepped out and closed the door behind them.
Princess Naerys stood in the entrance chamber, standing beside a table laden with foods and wine. The young Jaehaerys stood behind his mother, smiling so widely Jon was sure his cheeks hurt.
"Are you expecting someone?" the Prince asked.
Princess Naerys smiled. "Your wife and Daena were supposed to pay me a call," she said.
Prince Aegon made a face. The princess laughed, high and clear as her daughter. "Do you detest Daena so much?" she asked. "She is just a child."
"She vexes me unceasingly, Naerys," the Prince said. "And tests my patience in more ways than one." He walked over to the table and set Rhaenys down from his shoulders. The Prince and princess sat down. Jon took his place behind the Prince.
"How are you, Jon?" the princess asked. She smiled kindly at him. He smiled back.
"As well as can be expected, your grace," he replied. "I am most grateful to be back home."
"I am glad to hear that," she replied. "Please take good care of my brother in Dorne."
Prince Aegon scoffed. "I do not need minders Naerys." This caused the princess to giggle.
Jon simply bowed. "I live to serve, the Prince."
Just then, Rahenys ran around the table to scamper up her mother, sitting on her lap. The Prince pulled his nephew closer to him. He pulled out the dagger he wore at his hip and handed it to Jaehaerys.
"Here's a present, Jae" The Prince said, as he handed the dagger to his nephew. "Wear this when you go out, whether it be for your lessons or to visit with anyone. A dragon cannot be without claws."
The young boy looked at the dagger appraisingly and took it from his uncle's hand. "Yes, uncle," he said but Jon could see his attention was on the ornate dagger in his hands.
Its scabbard was of beaten gold, and had intricate designs running around it. The most impressive part of the dagger, however, was its hilt. In the shape of a scorpion, the grip was the scorpion's body, while its head and two claws formed the crossguard. The grip narrowed down and twisted around to make the scorpion's tail. The pommel was sharp to the gaze and formed the stinger.
Jaehaerys pulled it out of the scabbard and observed the blade, holding it up in the air. It gleamed as it caught the light from the window.
"Absolutely not!" the princess interjected. "Look at how sharp the blade is! Jaehaerys, give it to me this instant."
But, mother," Jaehaerys whined. He looked at his uncle pleadingly. The Prince laughed.
"I gave you my gift, Jae," he said, ruffling his nephew's hair. "Whether your mother lets you use it or not is a matter I leave to her discretion."
Jaehaerys's face fell in disappointment. "Run along now," the Prince continued. "Your mother and I have much to discuss."
The child nodded and took his sister's hand in his own, dragging her out of their mother's lap. Before they could run deeper into the rooms, Princess Naerys caught her son by the scruff of his collar.
"Thank your uncle," she said. Jon could see this pleased Prince Aegon greatly, though he tried to hide it.
"Many thanks for the wonderful present, uncle," Jaehaerys said, bowing lightly. Prince Aegon laughed.
"You are welcome."
Jaehaerys smiled and ran off with his sister. Prince Aegon and Princess Naerys watched them till they were out of sight. Once both of them were sure the children could not hear their words, Princess Naerys turned to Prince Aegon with a question on her lips and a frown on her brow.
"Why do I feel that I will not like what you have to say?" she asked.
The Prince sighed as his shoulders slumped. It was at moments like these, when the Prince let his emotions be unguarded, that Jon could see the weight of the emotions that crushed him. The princess must have sensed it as well, for she reached across the table and took his hand in hers.
"What is it, brother? What ails you so?" she asked, concern writ clear as day on her face. "Won't you tell me and let me share the burden you bear?"
"I will be leaving to Dorne on the morrow," the Prince said, ignoring Naerys's question.
"I had thought you would be here for another moon's turn." Even a blind man could see that the princess was disappointed at this news. "I do not like that you would leave me, leave us, so suddenly." She gripped the Prince's hand tighter.
"The needs of the realm come first, sister," the Prince said, his face in a stoic mien. "It is what Aemon would've done."
The princess pulled one of her hands from the Prince's and reached across the table, cupping her brother's face. "You are not Aemon, brother. Do not force yourself to be him," she said gently.
Prince Aegon turned his face away from her, no reply forthcoming. "I wished to let you know of my plans," he said instead.
"Father does not like you going to Dorne," the princess said.
The Prince scoffed. "He does not like anything that I do," he said. "What is new in that matter?"
"It is not because of what you think."
"Then by all means, tell me why." the Prince demanded. He pulled his hand from his sister's grip and leaned back, crossing his arms across his chest. "Tell me why our father thinks I ought not to perform the duty our King has asked me to do."
Princess Naerys's mouth set into a hard line. "Why do you hate him so?" she asked.
The Prince laughed. "Are you seriously asking me that?" Anger took a hold of him. He breathed in deeply, calming himself. "You know as well as I do all the reasons I have to hate that man. Spare me the effort of having to repeat them all. We'd be here all day."
"Regardless, the reason he wants you not to go to Dorne is so you can stay here and be a part of the Small Council," she said. "Father means to ask Daeron to make you the Hand of the King."
"What nonsense is this?" The Prince sat back up. His disbelief bled into his words. "First Blackwood and now you. Why would father even think of something like that? And why would Daeron to agree to this insanity?"
"I don't know what Lord Blackwood told you but father does not mean to make you the Hand rightaway," she replied. "He wants you here so you may learn how to rule and be the Hand after him."
"I don't want it," the Prince rebutted. "Besides, why do I need to learn how to rule, of all things? What does he mean how to rule? I know how to rule, a dragon is born to rule."
"Father wants Daeron to grant you lands and keep of your own," Naerys replied. "So, that you might establish a branch of your own."
"Tell father I will be establishing no branches. Anything that is mine will be Jaehaerys's."
Now Naerys grew vexed. "You have a wife, and you are a man grown. Surely, you would want to have lands of your own."
"There is nothing I would love to do more than ensuring my niece and nephew are taken care of. Everything comes next."
"And what of your wife?" Naerys demanded.
"What of her?"
"Save me and Daena, she is alone here, in King's Landing. It would do her good to have a keep to manage and run. To build something for herself."
"I care not for that," the Prince replied brusquely. "I have spoken all that I have to say on this matter." A mote of warning crept into his voice. "Do not push me, Naerys. You will not like the consequence."
Jon could see that his blood was up, that he did not like the way this conversation was proceeding. Unfortunately, it seemed that princess Naerys's blood was up as well.
"She will leave you like mother did father then!" the princess said shrilly, eyes wet with unshed tears.
This was too far. The Prince stood up. "Let her leave me then, what do I care!" He was close to shouting. "I did not come here to be lectured by you of all people!" He took a quick breath to calm himself down. "I came to tell you of my departure, and I did. I do not wish to leave on bad terms."
The Prince opened his arms. Princess Naerys threw herself into his chest and sobbed.
"Please stay," she pleaded. "You've been away for so long, I have no one left. Don't leave me like Aemon did."
The Prince cupped her face with his hands, a tender look on his face. Jon averted his eyes.
"I will be back, sweet sister. You have my word."
—-
A/N: Another chapter of my favorite dysfunctional targaryen family done! Let me know how it is. I really like this chapter and I enjoyed writing this a lot. I feel it is very important as it showed a different side of Aegon and also his relationship with Naerys (+ some Viserys, indirectly) which is so far from canon it is not even funny anymore. Also, I do like some angst but hopefully it wasn't too much. Also, I dropped some seeds for future plot points in there.
Let me know what you think. Did you like it? Hate it? Want to complain? I thrive off of feedback so do let me know.