Aerion

"Why must I attend today's meeting?" Aerion complained, "I went yesterday and the day before already. There's nothing for me to do!"

Daena smiled wryly as she clasped her hands to his. "Aerion," she asked softly, "What do you remember from the meeting yesterday?"

Aerion tried to recall. Reports from the North and the Riverlands. Something about a famine. Mining in Dragonstone? Sending ambassadors to Essos? They certainly found it difficult to call the banners to fight a gigantic monster in the North because no one believed it, Aerion remembered that much. He had suffered those endless discussions more than he should have.

All these things Calla Blackfyre and Bittersteel had claimed sounded delusional, yet some part of Aerion could not deny that it might be true, as much as he had disliked Calla. He still vividly remembered the massacre she caused. Her magic was real and powerful, and whatever she was escaping from… was something even she had failed to defeat.

Aerion wanted… he wanted to do something, too. He had been interested in the old magic the Valyrians before the Doom was said to possess before his life had turned upside down. If he discovered the secret, it would make him more powerful than anyone. He could bring back dragons and no monster could stand in his way.

He had dabbled with magic in Lys, making some headway into the secret before learning about the Golden Company's whereabouts and changing his plans. Before meeting Daena.

He did not regret it, but…

…He no longer had the freedom to leave the Red Keep, not to mention Westeros altogether. He could not summon pyromancers or order any books that could provide the lore and material unless the Blackfyres permitted it. And to ask for permission… he refused to lower himself more than he already had.

After he became king, he could do whatever he wanted. Yet strangely, Aerion found the thought of kingship gave him no satisfaction.

But I have no choice. When the Blackfyres finally gathered an army to strike at that monster, it would be his chance to act. With any luck, Blackfyre's army and the monster would destroy each other, leaving him to rule.

This was his only way forward. This must work. Or else… he did not want to imagine.

"That's good, those are important topics," Daena praised, "There's just one thing that you missed."

Aerion frowned. What else was there and why would it matter to him? He was a prisoner in his own ancestral castle with no power to himself.

Daena chuckled. "Your brothers and cousin. Aegon, Aemon, and Aelor," she reminded him, "They're among the few rare survivors from the Night's Watch that managed to come south… and today they will be presented in front of the small council, as we discuss what to do with them… how did you miss that?"

Those three had survived the destruction of the Wall, Aerion had heard, but to bring them to court? Right in the heart of the realm? Aerion thought they would be quietly disposed of…

For the first time, Aerion regretted not paying attention to the Small Council meetings.

Aerion was almost disappointed when Aegon, Aemon and Aelor walked into the room. He imagined they would be in some sort of black rag and their faces covered in dirt. Instead their clothes were plain but clean and their bodies washed. There was no sign of the hardship they were supposed to have gone through. As always, the Blackfyres' lack of desire to humiliate their enemies surprised him. Why are they not dead?

With the threat of the monster in the North, they might no longer be the Blackfyres' biggest enemies… but they were now Aerion's. He did not know how their presence in King's Landing might affect his plans. What if the Tyrells decided to shift their support to Aelor while he was here? He should have died in the North years ago, but for all the talk about sending spies to the Wall, he was still alive and well. Aerion cursed Garlan Tyrell's incompetence.

As for Aemon and Aegon… they were behind Aerion in the line of succession, but they hated Aerion. Unless Aerion won them over the way he did to the hedge knight, they would always be threats, even if the thought of keeping Aegon alive to watch him becoming king amused Aerion somewhat.

…Hm. Yes, if Aerion could neutralise his brothers, then he might as well keep them around for amusement. It would be satisfying to see the Blackfyres put them to death, but not as much as seeing them alive and powerless and forced to watch what Aerion was going to do.

Aegon's eyes grew wide the moment their eyes met. "Aerion?!" His eyes nearly dropping out of his skull, Aegon looked around the room silently demanding an explanation, but no one answered him. Aemon and Aelor looked similarly bewildered. Apparently, nobody had bothered to tell them that Aerion was in King's Landing, or why he was here.

Well, won't that be interesting. Aerion sneered, "Look who has come back to town. How does it feel— ouch!"

A sharp pain burned in his foot. He turned and found Daena glaring at him with a deadly smile. Leaning closer to him she hissed, "Aerion, love, we will have time for your brotherly reunion later. So please, stop provoking them."

Aerion's further cry of pain and complaints were drowned out by Bittersteel starting the meeting. "Your Grace, my lords and ladies, here are the three survivors from the fall of the Wall, as mentioned in the previous meeting. All should be aware of the unique circumstances surrounding them. They were brought back to the capital as a temporary measurement, and now we must decide their fate."

He paused and glanced around the room, daring people to speak up. No one did. They must have discussed the issue amongst themselves beforehand, only announcing the judgment now. Still wincing, Aerion attempted to distract himself from the pain. Had he really missed so much of the discussion before…?

No, he did not, he was sure. They put him on the council as a show of acceptance, but they would not invite him into a discussion deciding the fate of his Targaryen kin. Too bad, because if they had asked Aerion he would just suggest putting them to death.

…Or perhaps this answer was what had been expected from him, hence they did not ask for Aerion's participation. Daena, if not all Blackfyres, knew his dislike for his kinsmen very well.

"The three of them shall be addressed separately," Bittersteel continued, "We shall begin with Aegon Waters. Since his encounter with the monster beyond the Wall, he has fought to warn the realm of the threat, and by all accounts he has stayed true to his oath as a Black Brother of the Watch. As such, I suggest that we offer him accommodation and protection until the threat in the North is taken care of and the Wall could be rebuilt."

"This is a fine arrangement, Uncle Aegor," Aenys nodded, "Regardless of his background, a brother of the Night's Watch shall be treated as a guest in the Red Keep. Personally… I must give you thanks for your valiant effort to protect the realm, Aegon."

"It's my duty," Aegon answered, a victorious edge in his voice. Aerion swore that in one moment he saw the boy glancing at him smugly. The fuming Aerion did not hear Aemon's judgment clearly, but the smiles and nods in the room told him everything he needed to know.

Aegon and Aemon were then escorted to the side of the room, and the atmosphere turned grim. Aelor stood, alone, his head hanging down and his shoulders sunk. Aerion saw Calla Blackfyre biting her lips, frowning.

"Aelor Waters," Bittersteel's voice was cold and condemning, "He has betrayed his oath to crown himself when the Night's Watch was facing an unprecedented crisis. Attempting to lay claim on the Seven Kingdoms and spitting on the mercy he was given, he is a traitor to both the Watch and the Iron Throne. I suggest that… he shall be executed, as befitting a turncoat."

"Aegor," Calla said worriedly, "You forgot to mention that Aelor regretted his actions once he saw the monster and that he fought with us side-by-side when we escaped from the North. We should take that into account as well."

Aerion rolled his eyes. This bleeding-heartiness… how could someone who had fought in countless battles be so lenient to traitors? Aelor had been the Blackfyres' enemy. He proclaimed himself king and attempted to rebel. He needed to die, both to Aerion and the Blackfyres, and it would be better if he died at the hands of the Blackfyres than Aerion's.

"It has been taken into account," Bittersteel said, his voice even. "He should be given a clean and painless death."

"Uncle," to Aerion's surprise, Daena spoke up, "If we are to condemn him to death, we can at least allow him to speak for himself."

Aerion stared at her, but Daena merely tilted her head and looked at him knowingly. She knew that he disliked his family. But did she want to stop him from— no, Daena was only saying this to be fair, was she not? She did not know what Aerion was aiming for. She could not.

She would kill him if she knew.

Aenys nodded, giving his silent approval. Bittersteel sighed, "Very well. Aelor Waters, you may speak."

"I…" Aelor's words were slow and uncertain. "I have done what I thought to be best in the situation. I was wrong, I know now. But…" raising his head, he said painfully, "I still want to live. I want to fight against the monster, to fix my mistake. And I want to see my mother and sisters again." Gritting his teeth, he wept, "They never even knew… what happened to my father and me."

"...You should be given a chance to see your family. We can arrange that easily," Aenys said, turning to ask Bittersteel, "Right, Uncle?"

"Yes. They serve as Septas nearby. Within a day they could be called to court."

"Then it shall be done. Aelor Waters… I will allow you a week to spend with your family," Aenys looked down at Aelor, his lips pulled into a grim line, "but you know as well as I do that I can't let a pretender of the crown, who attempted to usurp me, live. Moreover, as a deserter of the Night's Watch, your life should be forfeited when you were caught. As such, I sentence you to die by beheading a week from now, the hour the sun rises."

Aelor's face was full of sweat. "So be it," he murmured, his voice shaking, "I'll accept my death with dignity."

Aerion expected Aegon or Aemon to protest, even beg for their cousin's life, but they did nothing more than watch Aelor be led away on shaking feet, with nothing more than faint resignation on their faces. Perhaps they resented Aelor for rebelling and putting them in danger, like the cowards they were.

At least this was one danger down.

After the court was dismissed, Daena pulled Aerion in his brothers' direction. "Daena?" he asked. He thought Daena did not want him to talk with them.

"We haven't been introduced yet," Daena beamed, "They must be quite confused as to why you're here. As your wife, I should get familiar with your brothers… and I said you would have time for a brotherly reunion later, right?"

Aerion snorted, "You don't mind if I put them in their place?"

Daena turned towards him, her smile so bright that her eyes were two crescents. "I trust you to know what you can and cannot do… and what I will prefer to see you do."

So she wanted him to play nice then. An old resentment flared up inside him as he remembered the times he was forced to be cordial to Aegon, back when they lived in Summerhall. But when he gazed into Daena's eyes he knew it was different. She cared for him, unlike his parents.

"I only want you to give it a chance," leaning closer to him, Daena said more tenderly, "It has been half a decade since you last met with them, hasn't it? None of you are the same people you once were. Besides…" Daena's head turned, "you tolerate Ser Duncan's presence quite well."

Following her gaze, Aerion saw the hedge knight coming to take the shift of his guarding duties, his jaw dropped and his eyes glued to where Aegon stood. Seeing the faint smile rising on Daena's lips, Aerion started to understand her plan.

Or rather, her prank. Gathering all of his old… nemeses together to create maximum chaos and trouble for him.

What a devilish woman, he thought, I forgot you're like that. He was impressed, in some way, but frustrated nevertheless. Daena loved to toy with him, he knew, but did she really expect him to make peace with them?

"I tolerate the hedge knight because I have no other choice," Aerion rolled his eyes, "And that's why you gave him half a day off, wasn't it? You want it to be a surprise for both of us. You knew that I won't remember… have my brothers actually been brought up in previous meetings at all?"

Daena winked in response, "It has, but I saw that you were daydreaming at the time. Ser Duncan!" suddenly she called, catching the attention of the hedge knight, who dragged his feet to answer her.

"Princess, why—"

"Is your squire and his brother here? They're going to stay in King's Landing as guests. Let's go greet them!" Daena strode with a speed that Aerion never witnessed on a pregnant woman. As impressed as he was worried, he followed.

"Ser Duncan!" upon seeing them, Aegon cried in a hurtful voice, "Why are you here? And with Aerion of all people?"

The hedge knight looked shameful, his head bowed and his face flushed red, "I was invited to join the Blackfyres' court after returning from the North. I was assigned to guard—"

"Me," Aerion said, knowing that it was the best timing to cut in, "As part of the royal family a personal guard is assigned to me. It just happened to be your favourite hedge knight!" A smug grin inevitably grew on his face. Seeing the recognition, the horror on Aegon's and Aemon's faces… priceless.

"Our personal guard," Daena added, smiling friendly to Aegon and Aemon, "Oh, where are my manners? I'm Daena Blackfyre, princess of the Iron Throne. My elder sister Calla has told me a lot about you two. And perhaps you don't know yet… I'm married to your brother, Aerion."

Aegon gulped, his gaze darted between Daena and Aerion, fury building up in his eyes every second. Holding Aegon's arm and pulling him back firmly, Aemon sighed and asked, "Since when?"

It was obvious what he was asking. Aerion wanted to answer, but Daena spoke first, "Since my brother sat on the Iron Throne. We already have a child together, and more are coming," giggling, Daena put a hand on her belly. "Actually, Rohanne should meet her uncles. I'll head to the nursery to fetch her. Ser Duncan, please kindly look after them in the meanwhile."

"By your order, Your Grace," the hedge knight almost sighed.

"Daena!" Aerion called after her. Showing Rohanne to them? He could not think of a worse idea. There were so many ways this could go wrong. What if Aegon tried to take his revenge on her? What if they told her about what Aerion had done? This was bad. "Don't pull her into this. I don't want Rohanne to be near them."

Daena tilted her head as she turned around to face him. "It'll be fine, my love. I'll be here with her, and you as well. We will protect her from anyone that wants to harm her. Isn't that right?"

"...Of course." What else could he say? And Daena, heavily pregnant, was not in the shape to protect anyone, so… "I'll protect you both."

Because above all else this was what he must do to keep the happiness he got.

Daena smiled. The smell of something sweet reached him as she gave him a quick peck on his cheeks. "I trust you," she whispered, her breath tickling his ear.

Then she was gone. As Aerion glanced at her back longingly, he heard the hedge knight muttering something to Aegon and Aemon. When he turned back, Aerion saw his younger brothers staring at him as if he had suddenly grown a pair of horns and wings.

"I can't believe this," Aegon said sullenly, "While we were running and fighting and dying in the North, Aerion is living his best life with a beautiful wife and children. There is truly no justice in this world."

Aerion sneered, "You're alive, boy. I don't see what you have to complain about. Did you grow into a man in the Wall, or did the cold freeze your balls off? In the Blackfyres' account, you have been quite a hero, but you still look like a little girl."

Aegon growled, his fists shaking. "Enough of this, Aerion! We had never heard of you since you were exiled to Lys… Did you help the Blackfyres overthrow our House? Did you betray everyone?"

"The Blackfyre Princess said you married her after Aenys Blackfyre usurped the throne," Aemon said quietly— likely knowing that their treasonous talk must not be heard by anyone else, "Is it payment for your services? But with Ser Duncan's presence here, the Blackfyres don't seem to trust you… Or did you seduce her to ensure that you would be kept alive?"

Aerion rolled his eyes. For a moment he considered admitting it just to spite them, but that would only create more problems for him. Daena would not want to see them fighting. "No, I didn't help the Blackfyres with their invasion. As for my marriage with Daena… that's no seduction. It's true love."

Silence.

"Huh?" The side of Aegon's face twitched as he blinked. "Wait, what? True love? Did I hear that right?"

"I was planning to tell you," Duncan said tiredly, "I spent the last few years guarding them and they're insufferably crazy about each other."

"Watch your mouth, hedge knight!" Aerion warned, but he could not bring himself to be truly mad. Daena was in love with him as much as he was, even the hedge knight could see it plainly. Above all else, this made him happy.

"...This is absurd," Aegon groaned.

"A man can change, but…" Aemon stared at him with dead eyes, "What… happened to you, Aerion?"

Aerion did not like how they were treating him, as if him falling in love with Daena was more ridiculous than a monster killing everyone north of the Neck. But he could not punish them, nor could he walk away. "Fine. I'll explain it quickly."

"So let me get this straight," Aegon said, after Aerion gave an explanation that turned out to be anything but quick, "You met Daena Blackfyre in Lys… and you two fell so madly in love that you didn't know what was happening in Westeros? And afterwards, you just returned to Westeros as her husband like you're one of the Blackfyres from the start?"

This was an abridged version of what Aerion told them, which was already an edited and enhanced version of the truth to begin with. Aerion snorted, "You're making me sound like a fool. I told you, I was planning to leave Essos when Daena was with child, then by the time she gave birth it was all over. What do you expect me to do, lead an army to fight against Calla Blackfyre?"

The hedge knight rubbed the back of his head, "I heard that they threw you into the Black Cells when you returned to Westeros. It feels that you left out a few missing details here and there?"

"Shut up," Aerion immediately said, glaring at him.

"Aside from a few places that look exaggerated, I suppose this is believable…" Aemon murmured in a skeptical voice, "Besides, the Blackfyres don't need Aerion's help when they have Calla Blackfyre and her sword."

"That's true," Aegon sighed, "So he just adapted to the circumstances to save his own skin. I just can't believe that Aerion could love anyone, and, even luckier, to be loved in turn."

"Being salty won't make you look more attractive to women, Aegon," Aerion sneered, "Oh right, you're sworn to the oaths to the Night's Watch to live a life of celibacy. Even when there's no longer a Wall. No wonder you're so grumpy."

Aegon made a hissing noise, clenching his fists. A few seconds later, he shook his head, his shoulders sunk. "I would rather stay at the Wall than spend any more time with you, but you're right, there isn't a Wall to return to anymore. The only hope we have is Calla Blackfyre's power… and even that might not be enough."

"Not even her powers?" a concerned Duncan asked. Aerion perked his ears. He was curious why she failed and the small council discussion was quite confusing to follow.

"Not even her powers. I saw her fight against the monster, and she barely managed to damage it. I don't know why… I thought with all that magic surrounding her it would work." Aegon frowned, sounding frustrated, "So many people died and there will be more, this is worse than any war. Yet there's nothing we can do. I used to blame Aelor, but even without his scheme I don't think it would make much difference."

"It's not that hopeless. We have brought time by attacking the monster and delaying its march, bringing the news across all of Westeros," Aemon attempted to reassure Aegon, "When I was in Oldtown I saw the collection of knowledge in the Citadel. Even as we speak, the Archmaesters are digging through past research to find a solution, I'm sure. As for Aelor… he has taken responsibility for what he has done. We shouldn't be blaming him anymore."

Aerion wanted to provide some thoughtful commentary on Aelor's rebellion. Should he taunt Aegon and Aemon for not helping Aelor? No, wait, he had a better idea. "Aelor should have fought for his life. Look at him accepting death so quickly without protest, it's like he has given up already. Pathetic chumps like him should have kept his head down instead of staging a rebellion, he's only humiliating the Targaryen name."

"That's because Aelor at least has the dignity to admit his mistakes, unlike you," Aegon's body visibly shivered as he gritted his teeth. Aemon pulled Aegon back, staring daggers in Aerion's direction. Aerion sneered in response. Trying to get along with them was exhausting. It felt so much better rifting Aegon up, that stupid, useless boy.

Perhaps it felt so much better now because Aerion no longer had a reason to be jealous of his brothers.

"...You know, what you say applies to anyone who attempts to rebel too," Duncan said, glaring at Aerion, his voice trembling with anger, "What about—"

"Father!" Rohanne shouted, her sharp, loud voice covering what the hedge knight was saying. Aerion barely had time to turn around before the little dragon flew into his arms, almost knocking him to the ground.

"Rohanne," he held her up as she giggled. She was getting heavier, Aerion wondered how long it would take until he could no longer lift her and play flying with her. He supposed he could get the hedge knight to do it, but he did not trust Duncan enough for this.

"Mother said we're here to see my new uncles," Rohanne babbled adorably, "She said they have come a long way to meet us, from a place called the Wall. Mother also said that you used to live with them when you were small and they know about you very well, and you used to hate each other but you have made up now—"

"Hold on, sweetheart," Aerion attempted to stop her, "Did you just say…"

"So they must be my uncles, right, Father?" But Rohanne's attention has shifted. Waving a hand to her uncles and turning her body in their direction, she asked, "Which of you is Uncle Aemon, and which of you is Uncle Aegon?"

"I'm Aemon, and this is Aegon," Aemon was the first to take a step towards Rohanne, with a friendly— dangerous— smile on his face, "Your name is Rohanne, yes? How old are you?"

"I'm Rohanne Blackfyre, four years old!" Rohanne answered energetically, beaming and showing her beautiful white teeth. Aerion watched the scene like a hawk, feeling nervous. When Aegon came forward and tried to shake the welcoming, unsuspecting hand of Rohanne, Aerion shoved him away.

"Hey, hands off her!" Aerion warned, "No touching."

"Hmm?" Rohanne tilted her head cutely, creases on her little forehead, "But I want to shake hands with Uncle Aegon."

"Aerion, just let her play with them," Daena said. When he glanced at her, she smiled and whispered in his ears, "We don't want to disappoint her, do we?"

Aerion cursed in his head. Daena had told Rohanne that he made up with Aemon and Aegon. "Alright," he forced out a smile, "I'll put you down first."

And so, he happily spent an afternoon playing with his family.

When Rohanne had finally spent all her energy and was sent back to the nursery, Aemon smiled wryly and said, "You have changed a lot, Aerion. I'm glad."

Aerion did not feel glad.