Aerion
"The court feels empty when they're gone," Aenys Blackfyre sighed as he slipped tea from his cup, "Don't you agree, Daena?"
Aerion rolled his eyes. Why did he call the two of them here? He had better things to do than to play nice with the insane Blackfyre king.
For example, spending time with his precious daughter…
Recently, his Rohanne had the tendency to sneak away from her nanny, and when they found her she would be in a forgotten corner of the Red Keep, playing. There was one time she almost burned down the whole godswood. Aerion was proud, but showing it on his face would be suicidal.
Daena had made sure that Rohanne would not be playing with fire again, but his daughter's interest in dangerous things had not faded. Being charged with looking after her, most of his time, Aerion knew that Rohanne could be a handful. Willful and brave like a dragon, yes, but still a child of her age. Aerion was exhausted after taking care of her every time...
...Well, apart from that, he had nothing to do. Despite the court's swift transform after Calla and Bittersteel left, Aerion was out of the loop. His Tyrell friend, Ser Garlan, had benefited from it, with his ascension in the Crystal Guard, but he had told Aerion to wait until further news from the Wall.
It won't take long, Aerion thought. Bittersteel and Calla Blackfyre were falling into a trap. In there, Aerion's brothers and cousin would also be killed in the fight— then Aerion could be crowned, with the help of Tyrell's army.
...No, not his brothers. They would be left alive to witness his ascension to the crown. Together with the hedge knight…
He knew because he had seen it, in his dreams. Since the day Bittersteel and Calla left King's Landing, he had started to see it. It was blurry and vague, but he could still recall it all the same: he would stand in front of the Iron Throne, his men filling the halls, his enemies restrained, and Daena was brought forth to him, her face—
What would her expression be?
He never saw it. He did not want to see it.
It was the moment when he would be validated. But he could not bear to see the hatred she would surely feel for him.
...It could be just a dream, as it was when he saw a son having the same face as himself, before Rohanne's birth. But his dream had come true before when he dreamed of his father's death by fire. The question remained the same, regardless.
What could he do with Daena?
—Anything you want. Everything from your wildest dreams.
...At least he would not lose her. He could not lose her. Especially not when...
When Aerion glanced at his wife, he found Daena glaring at her brother, huffing. "You seem quite happy. Do you even plan to let Uncle Aegor resume his position when he gets back?"
"Yes, if he gets back. But he won't be around forever, and we must be prepared. I consider this a nice rehearsal." His smile deepened, "We have some spare seats on the council. I'm thinking that you two should get involved."
What? Aerion blinked. He can't possibly be that stupid.
Mouth agape, Daena seemed to share the same sentiment as her gaze met Aerion's. "You have to be joking. Calla is on your council because she has Crystal, but I'm just a princess. Even if I attend… Aerion? Seriously?"
"What do you mean?" He knew exactly why it was a bad idea for the Blackfyres to let him attend their small council meetings, yet he could not help but protest when he heard Daena's tone.
"Do you want to be stuck in the small council and hear them discussing the number of pipes they must add or the trade agreement with Tyrosh for the whole afternoon?" Daena asked with a teasing smile.
"...No," Aerion admitted reluctantly, gritting his teeth. Daena giggled, and Aenys offered him a sympathetic smile. His pride threatened, Aerion said, "Daena, I know you aren't interested either. Not just me."
"Hmm," yet Daena shook her head, "I won't say I'm interested, exactly, but it's good work and I can learn a lot from it. Earn some experience."
"What use will you have with this 'experience'?" Aerion blurted out, "You're a woman."
As soon as the words were out, two pairs of gaze stared into him— Daena frowned, and Aenys chuckled darkly, "This is the core of the issue here. My heirs are three women."
"Aenys," Daena berated, but her brother put up a hand to stop her.
"Please, Daena. It's the situation we're facing. I'll have no heirs from my body. So does Calla. That leaves you, Rohanne, and…" His gaze fell down to her belly, "The child in you now."
Ah, yes. Aerion's child. Conceived around three months ago, they discovered her pregnancy just yesterday. Their second child.
"If you bore a son, then by the law of the Iron Throne he shall be my heir, by the merit of being the only other male Blackfyre alive," Aenys said, "This will also tie the 'Targaryen' claim back to the throne. It all works out beautifully."
"You will return the Iron Throne back to me," Aerion mumbled. Aenys knew that he was planning to take the throne, and so decided to surrender before blood could be spilt? No, this was impossible. The Blackfyres would not just give up a crown they fought to gain for decades. A trap, he was certain of it.
He needed to play it calmly. What would suit what they knew of him, yet displaying he had no ambition to regain the crown? "...This can't be done. Your lords fought to put you on the throne just a few years ago. The realm would be in an uproar shall you hand it back. Then it would be me who faces rebellions upon rebellions—"
Aenys' smile twisted as Daena sighed, "Our children are still Blackfyres." she rolled her eyes, "So no, the Iron Throne won't go back to House Targaryen no matter what happens. But Aenys… you can still have more children."
"Unlikely," Aenys' smile dropped.
So that's the real reason why he wants to talk to us, Aerion thought. The mad king's relationship with his queen was the talk of the court. For months, none had seen Selyse Peake in public again, despite her father's new position as the temporary Hand of the King. Aenys Blackfyre had attempted to patch up with his sisters, but not his wife, the source of conflict between him and Daena… What a fool.
If this man refused to have children with his wife to the point of making his nephew as heir, then it was only right to take the crown from his hands.
Daena's eyes narrowed, "You still haven't made up with her yet?"
"I don't have the right to stand by her side anymore," Aenys said dismissively— a little too quick, a little too cold.
Picking up the discontent, Daena's brows knitted together as she leaned forward and pointed a finger right at Aenys' temple, "Coward."
On one hand, Aerion agreed. On the other hand, Daena was the bravest person he had met. Brave enough to seduce him and bring him back to Westeros.
Whatever came to her mind, she would execute her idea with terrifying ruthlessness and efficiency. Fearless of failure, she would have things go her way. A force of nature.
...Even so, Aerion would surprise her. He would outwit her, win against her in the struggle that started when he met her to Tyrosh.
Aenys smiled wryly. "After seeing Uncle Aegor and Calla, I think I should give it one more try." He picked up an envelope— unlike the note he wrote to Daena months ago, Aerion could see that the envelope was thick, the seal of the three-headed dragon barely holding the paper together. "Daena. I have another thing I want you to do for me. Selyse… She trusts you, doesn't she? You helped her."
Daena frowned. "She refused to tell me what happened between the two of you. Just like you did."
"But you talk to her," Ignoring her accusing tone, Aenys insisted, "And she listens to you."
"I talk to her, sometimes. I don't know how much she has listened." Daena crossed her arms, "They say you haven't visited her in months. This isn't how you should treat your queen, brother, even if you think lowly of yourself."
"She won't want to see me," Aenys clenched his fists, "I… just stop this, could you?"
"Fine. Selyse doesn't want to see you, so you're sending her a letter." Daena took the envelope, carefully slipping it into her pocket. "What did you say to Lord Peake? That he would never get a half-Peake on the throne as his house has always wished for?"
"Peake is an upjump schemer desperate for royal favour," Aerion spat, "A middling house with a middling man as the head. Compared to the great houses of the realm, what could he do?" Nothing to the Tyrells, anyway. It would be the fatal mistake for House Blackfyre to underestimate the support for House Targaryen from the great houses that had ruled Westeros since the time of Aegon the Conqueror.
Lannister. Tyrell. Arryn. Baratheon. Those that had lost royal favour from the rising of House Blackfyre… they would regain their former glory under Aerion, and such they would support him after he took the throne. And as much as Aerion looked down on the Dornish, he was still kin of the Martells. As soon as they started to act, he would win.
—But do you want that victory?
Aenys glanced at him, somewhat surprised. "I won't be so harsh, although I have no goodwill toward him. I made him the temporary Hand not because of his ability, but because he was my father's and brother's friend… and Selyse's father. I gave him the honour so he would not bother her to have my child... To say the truth, I'm sick of dealing with lickspittles like him. I need someone in my council that isn't dependent on my favour."
"And you want me," Daena said tiredly, "I have said I'm interested, but… Lord Peake aside, maybe you shouldn't fill your small council with yes men? Uncle Aegor isn't the only veteran left from Father's era, brother. What of—"
"They are veterans, and I trust them," Aenys cut her off, "But they're soldiers deep from the bone. They think like a soldier, speak like a soldier, and defer to the king like a soldier. I need a different mindset." Raising a brow towards Aerion, the Blackfyre King smiled slyly. "Goodbrother. I'm sure you still have an interest in the realm, as a descendant of dragons."
Aerion widened his eyes, biting his tongue. Don't act shocked, don't be afraid. I'm better at this game than him. "My interest is to my wife and children." That was a good answer, he told himself encouragingly. He looked at Daena with an adoring gaze, a loving smile filled his face.
Daena smiled back, yet her face was pale. "I told you, he isn't interested. Why are you forcing this when I have agreed to join? What unique perspective could my husband offer to your small council?"
"There's one thing." Aenys raised a finger, "How would you judge your brothers and cousins in the Night's Watch?"
He can't know, can he? Cold sweat dripping from his forehead, Aerion forced out a laugh. "Which of them do you want to know? Aegon is more of a peasant than a dragon. Aemon is a bookworm who can't wield a sword. Aelor is a child of a madman. And—" He wasn't supposed to know about his oldest brother's death, he realised at the last moment. "And Daeron is a drunkard. If you want to know if they're a threat or not, I can assure you that they aren't."
"If this is about Calla's mission, don't you think it's too late to ask?" Daena made a face, "They're gone already."
"They're gone, but we can still be prepared to provide support when it's necessary. The news I get from the north is that, although winter is harsh and many of those we sent north have— unfortunately— perished, the few left behind have made the Wall their second home and thrive. Although that was nearly a year ago…" Aenys looked back at Aerion seriously. "I'll just ask directly. Do you think they are planning to attack the Iron Throne— attacking us?"
Aerion could not tell whether Aenys was trying him out or asking a genuine question. It felt stupid either way. Even if Aerion truly did not know about Tyrell's plan, what made Aenys believe he would answer truthfully?
He would not view Aerion as part of the family the way Daena did, that much was obvious. But here, he was inviting Aerion to his council, consulting with him. It would only make sense if he thought Aerion would truly pledge his loyalty to the Blackfyres…
—Your loyalty to Daena.
But he was wrong if he thought those two things were equal.
"They're stupid, but not stupid enough to try," Aerion replied. Better not to give him the idea of a possible rebellion.
"...Good," Aenys nodded. It bothered Aerion that he could not read whether he trusted his answer or not.
As for Daena… "You're right. It'll be stupid to try fighting the might of the Seven Kingdoms with only the manpower of what could be gathered on the Wall. I think Calla is onto something here; if we end up fighting, we'll be fighting against something more terrifying." With a snap, she changed the topic to something else, "Crystal was given to her for a reason."
"If you ask me, I would rather be fighting Targaryens than monsters from myths that Calla insisted to be lurking beyond the Wall," Aenys said lightly. "But I see your point. We should get more reports when they arrive in the north. If there's a need to be prepared for a fight against mythical creatures, I'll mobilise the realm for it."
"Well then," Daena said, "If you have nothing else for me, I have a letter to deliver. Aerion, come on."
"Me as well?" Aerion groaned, the same time as Aenys called, a wry smile on his face, "What, so soon? You don't have to be so hurried. This isn't urgent."
"Yes, you as well." Quickly raising a brow to Aerion's complaint, Daena beamed to her brother, "Unless you're having a small council meeting you want me to participate in, I see no reason why I shouldn't deliver this now. The more I wait, the more you and Selyse suffer from it."
"...Do tell me if she says anything," Aenys sighed.
—
"I don't care about the Peake woman, this has nothing to do with me," Aerion complained, "As a prince, it's beneath me to be delivering letters."
"As a prince consort, it's beneath you to complain about accompanying your wife when she visits her friend," Daena replied, pulling Aerion along. Glancing at his annoyed face, she smiled and softened her tone as she asked, "Don't you want to stay with me, my love?"
"I do, but…" Aerion found himself at a loss for words. Daena and her irresistible charm...
Just a few steps behind them, their huge shadow was visibly trying not to snicker. Aerion would glare at him, but Daena was staring into his eyes, waiting for him to give her his agreement. "Just this once," he mumbled.
Daena beamed, "It'll be better if more people are around. She rarely talks when it's only me and her."
You could have just told me that earlier… Aerion thought at first, but on second thought, he would have refused anyway if not for Daena.
He would only do it for her.
—
"Princess Daena. Prince Aerion," Selyse Peake greeted them with a faint smile, "I heard of the news. Congratulations on your second child."
Her dress was befitting of a queen, and her makeup was not overly heavy the way Aerion had seen before. Still no great beauty, but her state was not as horrible as he would imagine the abandoned queen was in. The chamber was similarly in a good condition: clean and tidy, flames blazing brightly in the fireplace, tea and refreshments well-prepared on the table.
Daena should not need to worry about her. Clearly, the woman could live very well even without her husband visiting her. Perhaps she did not care for him.
"Thank you, Selyse," Daena's smile was slightly guilty, "But I didn't come for this."
The Peake queen nodded, her eyes empty as she answered Daena. "Then for what reason do I owe this pleasure of this visit?"
No, she was looking in the wrong direction, Aerion realised. Eyes unfocused, despite facing Aerion and Daena, she was looking at neither of them. She was losing it, more subtle than Aerion had imagined, but beneath the greetings and the smiles, it was there, lurking.
Just like how Aerion had lost his mind when he was in the Black Cells, Selyse Peake was going through the same process as she locked herself in her chambers.
And now Daena came to her with a child in her belly, a child that she would not have with her husband…
"I'm here because Aenys asked me to give you this." Looking determined, Daena handed out the envelope.
"Aenys has…?" Staring at the three-headed dragon, there was a strange gleam in Selyse's eyes.
A flash of inspiration— or rather, a seed of suspicion— grew in Aerion's mind.
What if Aenys' letter was not an attempt to reconcile with his wife, but a plot to get rid of all of them at the same time?
Selyse was the wife he no longer wanted, and Daena and Aerion were a threat to his crown. Despite no fonder of the Peakes than Aerion himself, Aenys Blackfyre could not end the union with no sufficient reason. But if Selyse Peake was provoked to attack a princess of the blood, then no one could fault him for finding another wife…
All those displays of trust were to get Aerion to lower his guard, and when Daena died Aerion would lose his right to stay in King's Landing. Aenys had already gotten rid of Calla and Bittersteel, he just needed to take them out as well to ensure there was no opposition left to his rule… Rohanne would be quietly disposed of, or married to his new son with a new wife.
Yes, he was sure of it. "Wait, Daena!" In the split of a second, before Selyse's fingertips reached the envelope, Aerion snatched it from Daena's hands.
"What are you doing? Give it back!" Daena commanded him, but he could not do that. The moment he got hold of the envelope, he knew that something was wrong.
"Daena… don't you notice it?" he asked, breathing heavily.
"Notice what?" Daena frowned.
"The envelope. It's heavy." It was not just a letter that the envelope was holding. "Something else is inside. Something made of metal, very likely." A knife.
"What of it? It must be some present Aenys has prepared. Some jewellery, I'll bet." Looking back at Selyse, she shook her head, "Sorry for ruining the surprise."
"His Grace… has given me a lot of jewellery," Selyse murmured, her fingers nervously gripping onto her dress.
Aerion grew frustrated. This conspiracy was so obvious, he could not understand why Daena could not see it. "It's a weapon, and it might even be poisoned!" Firmly, he tore the envelope apart and threw its content into the fireplace.
Something heavy dropped to the ground.
"Aerion!" Daena jumped forward and grabbed his collar, glaring into him so fiercely that he took a step back and almost choked. "What do you think you're doing?!"
Grabbing her arm, Aerion shouted back, "I'm saving you from a murder! It's—"
"It's… a key," Selyse whispered.
The couple turned to look at her. The Queen of the Seven Kingdoms was kneeling on the ground, her hands clutching something that sparkled under the firelight— it was in fact a key, made with gold and ornate with a large ruby. No wonder it was heavy.
Aerion blinked. Not a weapon, not the jewellery Daena had guessed, but a key?
"Why did he send me a key?" Selyse asked, her eyes still fixated on the shining gold.
"I… don't know." Slowly releasing Aerion, Daena looked equally confused, "It isn't the key to anything I know. I have never seen it. The answer…" she turned her head to glance at the fireplace. There were only ashes. "Only Aenys knows."
"You don't know what the letter says?" Selyse questioned.
"No… but it must have been something to beg for your forgiveness. He told me that he wanted to try once more with you," momentarily ignoring Aerion, Daena focused her efforts on convincing Selyse, "He really loves you. What happened before… I don't know the full details of it, but—"
"Then why didn't he come to see me himself? Why send me a letter?" Voice cracking, Selyse Peake held the key tightly, gritting her teeth, "Please tell His Grace that I can't forgive him, because there's nothing for me to forgive. I'm not the one he should be seeking out."
—Nothing for me to forgive? But then…
As Aerion was struggling to piece the puzzle together, Daena tried again, "This is just an accident. Aenys will be happy to write another letter to you."
"His Grace is free to write as many letters as he wants. But I don't want that from him." Selyse's tone was resolute.
"I see," Daena's face was bitter, her voice dejected, "I'll inform him."
—
"Why did you think it's a knife? A plot against me?" Daena rubbed her forehead, sighing, "She could have changed her mind if she had read the letter."
She had been waiting for the chance to talk to him, Aerion knew. After reporting back to her brother, who had only smiled wryly and sighed when he received Selyse's response, Daena had brought him back to their chambers, her intention to chide him clear.
But Aerion's mind was filled with the mystery of Selyse's words. Yes, he was mistaken about the letter, but this could not be… just it. There must be something else. Something they were hiding.
"She is determined. Nothing we do can change that. And listen, Daena, the last words she said are suspicious. What does it mean that there's nothing to forgive?" This wasn't as simple as it looked, Aerion knew. They never learned the details of what happened between them. Could it be...
"As much as I hate this, at this point, it's an affair between them. Aenys has tried… I'll try to have him talk to her directly later, but there's a limit of how much push I can give him in one go." Daena did not share his interest in this mystery. Looking into his eyes, she frowned sadly, "My brother won't try to kill you or me. I thought we're clear about this."
"It… seemed all fit at that moment," he quibbled.
"I didn't let Aenys know what you did, but even if I had, he wouldn't kill you over it. But a worse king can," Daena leaned into him, clutching his arms tightly, "Please… don't act impulsively and get yourself killed. Rohanne and this child in me need their father, and I… need you."
"Daena…" A wave of— guilt? swept through him, and he embraced her, promising, "I won't get myself killed."
"You'll think before you act," Daena insisted, burying her head in his chest, "You won't do anything stupid just to prove a point."
Aerion paused. There was a sense of urgency beneath her voice. Was she really so worried over his actions today? "I won't do anything stupid," he said, trying to comfort her.
"You said it, and I trust you," yet Daena only gripped his arms tighter, her nails digging into his clothes. "Don't betray my trust. Don't betray me."
—Promise me you won't betray me.
—I won't! I promise!
Hadn't they gone through this before?
—You shouldn't have betrayed me.
...Aerion did not betray her at that time. It was a misunderstanding. But this time…
Their relationship could not afford another betrayal. Once it came to light, it would break utterly, without pieces left for him to pick up.
That day would come, sooner or later. He had seen it in his dreams. He had all the conditions to succeed. She would know the truth of what he was plotting all along.
Regret, or something akin to it, rose in him. But…
—Don't betray my trust. Don't betray me.
There was no going back now. Daena had made this clear enough. She would not forgive him even if he told her all of the truth now.
The only way to go was to go forward, even if that meant he would lose what he most yearned for.
Breaking her trust, breaking her love… leaving a woman that would hate him to death.
But she could still be on his side, as long as he had the power.
As pain filled his heart, he clutched her close, tighter than she did to him, and whispered, "I won't… I won't."
He never… had another choice.
