Aerion
Aerion awakened not to fire, but to a bucket of ice-cold water.
"You're screaming," Daena chuckled. "Nightmares? I supposed I can't blame you. I'd be afraid too, if I were in your shoes."
He was in a room of the Blackfyre manse. The room had been stripped of any decorations or windows. Only the basic furniture remained, including the chair he was sitting on.
"Daena!" He shouted and lunged forward, only to be forced back by the chains tightly binding his arms and upper body. Water dripped down his forehead, forcing him to squeeze his eyes shut.
"Hey, look at me. I want to talk, and it won't do if you don't collaborate. It'll be a waste to kill you now, after I went through so much effort to trick you."
"I don't take orders from a bitch." Aerion shivered, his damp clothes failing to protect him from the cool morning air.
"Oh?" Daena's playful voice cooled down to a chilling tone. "Aerion, dear, you think you're the one giving orders around here? You did better before when you're pretending to be a sweetheart. Now, look at me." She took his chin and forced his head up.
Aerion spitted on her. She laughed. "That's pathetic, love. You have licked me plenty before, and I never minded that." She raised her hand, and warm, delicate fingers wiped the droplets out of his eyes.
When he opened his eyes, he saw Daena beaming at him, her eyes round with excitement. The corners of her mouth curved up to an uncanny angle.
"Does it feel better now?" Her voice was softer. "You could have told me that the water was bothering you. I have a towel here, and I don't mind drying you up for a bit before talking."
Aerion could only glare at her. Nothing he did seemed to scare her. Not that he was in a position to bargain anyway… or was he? "Untie me and I'll do it myself," he snarled.
"But you're such a scary, big, no good man." She mockingly looked around the room with a frown on her face. "See? There's no one else but us around here! Poor useless Daena is afraid of what the infamous Prince Brightflame will do to her if she unties him." She turned back to him with a full smile. "Aerion. I'm not that stupid."
He clenched his teeth. "You'll pay for this, Blackfyre."
"Pay for what? For being your obedient little girlfriend for the last few months? If anything, you should be thanking me." Daena smirked. "Because you're getting a chance no one else in your family could."
"What do you mean?" Aerion asked.
"I'll tell you soon," Daena giggled. Quickly and gently, she wiped his face and hair dry, then covered him up with the towel.
"This will do for now." She nodded, satisfied. "It won't take too long for us to talk anyway. I'll get someone to change your clothes after that. And now..."
She placed a hand on her belly. "Congratulations! You're going to be a father."
Aerion was stunned. The scene from his dream flashed in his mind. The babe that had his own face and voice.
No. NO. It was just a dream. Because…
"It… it isn't mine! There's no way you'll keep a child of your enemy!"
"Oh, but it's yours. Had I not come to your bed as a maiden? It was only a short while ago, and I haven't lain with any other man since." Though nothing could prove her words, the conviction in her voice made Aerion pause. Daena smiled. "Besides, I have no reason to trick you now that you're firmly in my grasp. The truth is, I have allowed you to bed me in the hope that you'd get a child on me."
"Liar!" Aerion shouted. "This would mean you knew who I am for months! That would be—"
"—I'd be incredibly foolish if I didn't know who you were. You said you came from Volantis, yet you obviously knew nothing about it. A true noble of Volantis would never lower themselves to a mere sellsword for the tainted line of Aegon. And we knew of your arrival in Lys ages ago. Surely you have been around us long enough to remember that we have a spymaster— who reports directly to me now that I'm the highest command left?"
Aerion felt his face redden with rage. She had toyed with him, and the whole Golden Company too, even as he believed his plan was inching ever closer to success. Daena had completely outplayed him… for what?
"Don't believe I'll be merciful just because you have my child! Once you have given birth, I'll tear you apart limbs by limbs then set you to fire!" Aerion howled.
Daena watched him with cold amusement. "A kinslayer is cursed by the Gods… but I suppose you and your line had more than enough experience in kinslaying ever since my father's war. I'll remember to keep you in chains. I confess, though, I had hoped that the time we spent together would lessen your murderous rage. After all, I would have no choice but to dispose of you if you do not cooperate."
Aerion stiffened. This was the second time she threatened him with death since he woke up. His fury towards Daena had chilled, replaced by heart-gripping fear. And now that he had a glimpse into Daena's true self, he knew that she was far from the sweet woman he had known before…
"I'll hear what you have to say," he hissed.
"I know you love me," Daena smirked. "When I found out who you truly were, I had thought of killing you. But with all of my family fighting a war they might once again lose, I decided to take some… precautions."
Precautions? Now it was Aerion's turn to laugh. "You thought they cared about me? My own father exiled me for the sake of a hedge knight!"
"He exiled you for causing Baelor Breakspear's death. And as a matter of fact… yes, I think they do care about you. Not as a hostage, mind you, but they'll hesitate to kill one of their blood. And by our union…" Her gaze lowered to where one hand still proudly rested above her womb. "My child will be a dragon of Black and Red, the blood of two feuding lines residing in their veins."
Aerion's eyes widened. "You intend for the Blackfyre line to survive through our child."
"Yes. If Daemon wins the war, then no harm is done; you will return to Westeros, and you shall be my loyal, obedient husband. Or the block, if you refuse. But if he loses… we'll build a new generation of Blackfyres, whom you and your kin will have to leave alive." Daena pointed a finger at his nose. "Do you understand? I did you a favour. You'll either be kept alive if we win, or be the father of the new Blackfyres if we lose."
He wanted to bite that finger off oh so badly. "My child will be a Targaryen."
"Targaryen, Blackfyre, does the name really matter? Blood survives. If we lose the war, of course our child will be known as a Targaryen. You'll tell your family of our marriage, and I'll go back to being the shy, sweet Daena you're so fond of." She chuckled, "Isn't that what you were trying to do, by wooing me and gifting me that wine? To bring me back home?"
"Don't presume that you know anything about me and my plan." Out of spite, Aerion snarled. "I was only planning to play with you some more before killing you."
"Oh, is that it?" Daena raised an eyebrow. "How sad. I'm actually quite fond of you myself. You're amusing to watch. I've even told my family about our never-ending love!"
"You… you what?"
"Earlier this day, I wrote a letter informing my family about how we met and fell in love, and how you felt compelled to reveal your identity and marry me after you knew that I was with child. I've sent someone able and loyal across the narrow sea with the letter. If my family wins, they'll be well prepared to receive us. If they lose, my man will let himself be captured, and your family will read this letter thinking this is real information. Either way…"
She grinned. "The message has been sent. There is nothing you can do now. Accept reality, my dear new husband."
Aerion's face turned green. "If you Blackfyres win against all odds, what will stop your brothers or Bittersteel from executing me?"
"Unlike you, we are no kinslayers, and you will be the father of my child. And if you play the part of a loyal, lovesick husband well enough, I shall protect you from harm. Do we have a deal?"
Aerion hesitated. He was reluctant to give Daena the satisfaction of agreeing with her, but he did not have much choice. She had set things up that he would have to play the role she assigned in order to survive.
But… no, he could do nothing when tied to a chair. He would need to earn his freedom first. Daena could hardly have him act as her husband while he was chained up.
"I'll be the husband you want. But you'll have to set me free." He tried his best to keep himself calm as he bargained.
"In my letter, I've mentioned that you agreed to surrender yourself to our captivity to prove your loyalty to me. But sure, I'll release you once we arrive in Westeros. I don't want my child asking why I am keeping their father in chains."
"That's not what I—" He stopped himself before he could finish his sentence. It did no good to anger her, not now, he reminded himself. Ten months. Daena would have to stay alive until given birth anyway.
Then, he could…
"Looks like you've learned," Daena said, breaking his trail of thoughts. "I'm glad you're not a complete idiot. Don't worry, I won't put you down in the cells; you'll stay in this room until we can set sail for Westeros. My men will unchain you later when we're done talking."
"Fine." Aerion sighed. "Don't leave me alone here for long. I want to see my child growing in your womb… and you," He quickly added. He would need to keep talking to Daena. If he could convince her he really did love her, she would definitely free him.
"Aww, I see that you've fallen for me all over again!" Daena beamed. "Deal. You can spend your time thinking of names for our child, and I'll let you know what's going on outside the next time I swing by."
Daena walked towards the door. She suddenly stopped and turned around to face him when her hand was on the handle.
"One last thing." The smile she once wore was no longer on her face. "Don't even think of escaping. My men are guarding this room at all times, and they are outside the windows too. If they find out you have any other plans, I'll have no choice but to get rid of you. I'm sure you're smart enough to value your life."
"...Noted." Aerion was forced to nod. It would take time to gain her trust… far longer than he had originally thought.
But it was his only way to survive... and, perhaps one day, seek his revenge on her.
"Good! I'll see you later, my love." A mocking grin appeared on her face. Then she was gone.
Aerion gritted his teeth. He caught a glimpse of the hallway outside when Daena opened the door, and it was full of armed knights. She was not bluffing. She had him trapped.
But he would not give up.
Because he was Aerion Targaryen, a true dragon, and a dragon would not lose to a false one.
