Early 159 AC, King's Landing.
Daena
As soon as the group had made their way over to the Red Keep, Daena got off her pony and handed it over to a waiting groom. Without waiting for Naerys and Serenei to arrive in their litter, she ran, hoping to reach Daeron before Aegon could get to him.
As she ran into Maegor's holdfast, she almost bumped into Lord Blackwood. She stopped abruptly, just shy of colliding with him and panted, catching her breath.
"Princess, what a pleasant surprise," Lord Blackwood said.
"My lord," Daena replied and dropped into a curtsey. "I was hoping you could direct me to my brother, the King," she said.
"Of course. We just met in his chambers. He should still be there. We were discussing matters of the realm, but you wouldn't find any of that interesting," he said, smiling, and tapped the side of his nose as if he was hiding some great secret from her.
Daena smiled and curtsied once more. She walked past him quickly and started running once more after she rounded the corner. She sprinted up two flights of stairs and turned into the corridor leading to her brother's rooms. Just as she was about to clear the final stretch a voice cut through her, bringing her to an instant stop.
"Daena! What do you think you are doing, running through the halls? Walk properly, as a lady of your standing must," her mother ordered her. Daena turned around and lo and behold, Daenaera Velaryon was standing in the corridor which held the royal apartments, her hands on her hips and an irritated expression on her face. She marched over to Daena who was too busy drawing in huge gulps of air and fanning her face with her hands to notice her mother's expression.
"Stand up straight and do not slouch. It is very unbecoming of you to behave in this way. Your brother is the King and gods willing, one day you might become the Queen. Is this how you wish to present yourself to the court?" she asked sharply. Her ladies-in-waiting nodded their heads in agreement. Let them do that when I'm the Queen. I'll show them, Daena thought viciously.
"But mother…," Daena whined.
"No buts. What are you doing here, running about? Didn't you go to see docks for your cousin's arrival?" Daenaera asked.
"I did, but something serious has happened and I must tell Daeron about it!" Daena exclaimed hoping that her urgency was conveyed to her mother. Daenaera frowned.
"What is it that is so serious that you had to run all the way to Daeron's chambers?" Daenaera asked.
Daena bit her lip as she debated whether to tell her mother here or not. She saw Bethany Darklyn and Hazel Celtigar in the group behind her mother. Both their fathers were raised to the Small Council by Viserys and Daena feared that if she were to tell her suspicions to mother in front of them, this news would find its way back to Aegon through their fathers and further on through her uncle Viserys. She was lacking in time, however. Aegon might come to meet Daeron any minute and the more she tarried, the more she risked. Steeling herself, she made her decision. The court would find out the truth sooner or later.
"Aemon is dead," she announced and saw Leonette Rosby gasp and cover her mouth. The tramp put on a face of sorrow but Daena saw through that. She had her eyes on Aemon for quite a while and Daena was glad her plans were foiled even if it had to be done in such a tragic manner.
"What?" her mother asked sharply.
"Cousin Aemon is dead. It was apparently the Braavosi or so I heard at the docks. Aegon is here with Aemon's body and Dark Sister," Daena said.
"Your cousin Aegon, you mean," her mother asked.
"Yes and…," Daena said and trailed off. This was the moment. She had to either commit or not tell her mother.
"And…?" her mother asked.
"And he's come with a group of his own men. Knights too. I fear his intentions," Daena said, the last part in a whisper so that only her mother could hear.
"His exile is not yet finished. He should not have come back," Gemma Bar Emmon interjected.
"He is a kinslayer and utterly devoid of honour. He must have heard news of my father's death and hastened back, hoping Daeron would pardon him," Daena spat.
Daenaera frowned but said nothing. Daena looked on triumph as the ladies came to the conclusions she wanted them to get to. Daenera addressed Daena.
"Who did he bring with him?" she asked.
"At least fifty men and two knights," Daena said and added, "a Ser Oscar Tully and Ser Jon Harte," upon her mother's inquisitive look.
"Ser Jon Harte, you say. Go on to your brother's chambers quickly. You have given me much to think about," Daenaera said.
Daena nodded and ran down the corridor once more, forgetting the cause of her halt in the first place. She reached the end of the corridor where her brother's rooms lay. As she came closer she noticed Ser Agramore Cobb and Ser Brus Smallgood guarding the doors. The ageing Ser Agramore was slouched on the wall beside the door, while Ser Brus was looking outside of a window. When reached them, Ser Brus looked at her and smiled, bowing low while Ser Agramore poked his head inside to enquire whether the King was available. He got some reply from within and opened the door wide for her, bowing. As she entered the rooms, the doors closed behind her once more.
Daena walked through the chambers, Ser Petyr Shawney, who was inside the chambers bowed at her approach and spoke.
"He is within the bedchambers, your grace," he said.
Daena nodded and went further into the chambers. She walked into Daeron's bedchamber and saw him sitting at a table looking at some papers while he swirled a goblet around in one hand. Daena walked up to him and he looked up just as she reached him. She plucked the goblet out of his hands and set it aside. Daeron reached for it and she held his arm, stopping him as he tried to take it.
"Daena! Let me have it," he said, sounding exasperated.
"No. Stop drinking so much wine. It's disgusting and it does not make you seem older," Daena said and put the goblet on the far side of the table even farther from him than previously.
Daeron smirked and trapped her against the table as he put both his arms around her and reached behind her to take the goblet which she had put on the other side of the table. Daena felt her face heat up at Daeron's proximity and pushed him away. His smirk widened and he took a long draught from the goblet. Daena swatted at his arm.
"So, what brings you here, my fair sister?" Daeron asked. Daena frowned as she remembered what she had come for.
"Aemon is dead," Daena said bluntly. Daeron's face took on an expression of sadness and he sighed heavily.
"I know. I received a raven from Driftmark a few hours earlier informing me of the fact. The raven did not explain any of the circumstances surrounding it, of course," Daeron said. He continued before Daena could say anything.
"I feel his loss deeply, Daena. He was my closest friend here and he was the only one, other than our uncle, who spoke his mind. And now, after his death, I find myself unable to muster even a single tear for his passing and I wonder what that means about me," Daeron said.
"Don't worry about it Daeron. From what I heard at the docks, it was the Braavosi who were responsible," Daena reassured. He nodded and took another gulp from the goblet.
"This is news to me. That the Braaavosi would do such a thing leaves us no choice but to seek retribution or risk looking weak," Daeron said in reply, his ire rising. His grip on the goblet tightened reflexively.
"That is not all. Our cousin Aegon is also here. He came with Dark Sister on his hip and with knights and men of his own. Daeron, I'm afraid that he means to usurp your Throne. This reeks of a plot. I fear that he seeks the Throne in the same way Daemon the Rogue Prince did," Daena said desperately.
"It would do you well to remember that Daemon 'the Rogue Prince' as you call him, was your own grandsire," Daeron said sternly. Daena made to reply but he spoke over her.
"Besides, you think too lowly of Aegon. Exiled he might be, but I have faith in his devotion to me. And so should you. You are letting your feelings towards him cloud your judgement," Daeron pronounced, causing Daena to grow irritated.
"It is you who are letting your feelings cloud your judgement," Daena snapped at Daeron. Why does he not understand? Does he not care about the risk to his life? Daena thought despairingly. She was getting vexed and made to reply further but she was interrupted by the arrival of Ser Petyr Shawney. He stopped just outside Daeron's bedchambers and both Daena and Daeron took a step away from one another, just then realizing how close to each other they were standing.
"Your Grace, the Hand is here to see you along with Lord Velaryon and Prince Aegon," Ser Shawney said.
"Very well, let them in," Daeron said.
"No! Wait!" Daena exclaimed. Ser Petyr, who was about to go to the doors to let them in stopped. Daeron turned towards Daena and raised an eyebrow in enquiry. She fidgeted a little, thinking on how to phrase her request and then spoke.
"I don't want Aegon to know that I am here," Daena said.
"Well, how do you hope to accomplish that? There is no other way out of these rooms other than that door. You can leave if you do not wish to stay in his company. I will not force you to do that which you seem so set against," Daeron said.
"No, I want to stay, but hidden. So that I'll be able to identify any lies he tries to spin," Daena said. She was determined and Daeron sighed in defeat.
"Do you really think he'll try anything with uncle here? Besides, you cannot hold one mistake of his against him his whole life, Daena. This attitude of yours is really disappointing," Daeron said in a chiding tone.
"I don't care! You are too blind to see his faults. I am not. I will stay here. I will… I will… I'll hide under the bed," Deana declared. She made her way over to the bed and lay down on the floor before shimmying under the bed and from her position under there, she could make out the legs of all the people in the rooms, provided they stood only near the table. Daeron walked over to her and knelt and bent over so that he could see her eye-to-eye. He sighed once more on seeing her determined expression and called out to Ser Petyr.
"Let them in, Ser," Daeron said and stood up, walking over to the desk and sitting behind it as he had been when Daena had walked in.
Ser Petyr brought his legs together and sort of wobbled in his place which Daena thought to be him bowing. Then he went away and just a few seconds later Daena heard multiple sets of footsteps before seeing the feet making sounds come into her field of view. She recognized Lord Alyn by the Seahorses embroidered onto the leather of his boots. Her uncle and Aegon though, she could not place who was who. One of them had a sword at his hip while the other held what looked like a small sack in his hands. The three of them reached the table and made the same wobbly motion that Ser Petyr did, which Daena took for a bow.
"Well met Lord Alyn, Aegon. It has been a long time since we saw each other. Too long," Daeron said. Daena felt a flash of anger upon hearing Daeron speak with such familiarity towards Aegon.
Then, one of the two, either Aegon or uncle Viserys came forward to the side of the table and took the sword hanging from their hip. Daena recognized it as Dark Sister. Her heart started beating faster. Aegon was about to do something, she was sure of it. She was about to call out from her place under the bed when Aegon knelt and held up the sword in both his hands, offering it to Daeron.
"Your Grace, I present to you, Dark Sister. The ancestral sword of the Targaryens. It was given to Aemon, but it is your now as it ought to belong to the head of our house," Aegon announced from his position at Daeron's feet. Damn him! Does he think this will endear him to Daeron? With Aemon's death, the sword belongs to Daeron by rights, Daena thought.
Daena watched as Daeron stood up and walked up to where Aegon knelt, face down, sword in his outstretched hands. He grasped Aegon by the shoulders and pulled him to his feet and into a hug. Daena scooted a bit further in order to observe the proceedings and saw Daeron whisper something into his ear before letting him go. Aegon had a small smile on his face after Daeron let him go which stoked the flames of Daena anger.
"You do not need to kneel in front of me, Aegon. And especially not while we are alone. We were good friends before and I would like it if we become the same sort of friends once more," Daeron said, smiling. Aegon seemed to hesitate a moment before replying.
"As you wish, your Grace," Aegon said and the smile on Daeron's face faltered a little. This sent a burst of vindictive satisfaction through Daena. She hoped that Daeron would realize that the Aegon he saw before him was not the Aegon he remembered. Daeron cleared his throat once and spoke.
"Keep the sword, Aegon. News of your exploits from across the sea has reached us even here in King's Landing. You have shown yourself more than capable of wielding Dark Sister," Daeron said magnanimously. Daena gritted her teeth. If Daeron bestowed Dark Sister upon Aegon, it would look as if he had Daeron's favour. This would sway the lordlings at court to Aegon's side. Daena was about to get up from under the bed and intervene when, once more, she was stopped by Aegon speaking.
"I have no designs on this sword, your Grace," Aegon said. Daena could hear the smug tone of his voice all the way from under the bed. She grit her teeth in anger while Aegon continued to speak.
"I am no master of the sword and I cannot even wield it half as good as Aemon could have. I cannot, in good conscience, accept this gift, your Grace. But I do have a request to make if you are willing to hear it from me," Aegon said.
"Of course. Anything," Daeron said. No! No! That's what he wants! Don't grant him anything! Daena wanted to shout, but she forced herself to keep quiet.
"I would be eternally grateful if this sword was to be bestowed upon Aemon's son once he comes of age. This sword belonged to his father and for it to be wielded by him after he becomes a knight would gladden my heart," Aegon said.
"Is that all? You could have asked me for anything and I would have granted it. Lands, wealth, anything. Is this what you want?" Daeron asked.
"That is all," Aegon replied. Daena could see from her position under the bed as her uncle Viserys came around the table and put an arm around Aegon's shoulders and smiled.
"This would also bring peace to dear Aemon's soul, your Grace. As it would to mine own heart. I implore you to do this," Viserys pleaded.
"Do not fret. I would have done this even if only Aegon had asked me of it. You did not need to have asked me at all, uncle. There is nothing wrong with Aegon's request. Young Jaehaerys will wield Dark Sister once he becomes a knight. I hope I am right in assuming that you will want to take Jaehaerys as your page and then your squire," Daeron asked Aegon.
"I thank you for your kindness, your Grace," Aegon said and bowed. Daena grit her teeth. Aegon would find some way to corrupt Jaehaerys and turn him over to his side now.
"Think nothing of it, my friend," Daeron said and continued after a pause, "Moving on to more serious matters, I wish to know the underlying cause of Aemon's death. I have heard that the Braavosi were responsible, but I find myself lacking in the details." Lord Alyn who was silent till then, spoke up.
'It was a Faceless Man. I saw it with my own eyes. As he died, he changed back to his true face as the magicks holding his illusion in place were unwrought," Lord Alyn said.
"And what business would a Faceless Man have with a Prince of our Realm?" Daeron asked.
"Let me show you," Lord Alyn said.
He took the bag he was carrying and placed it on the table. Both Viserys and Aegon moved closer and Daena found her view to whatever it was, blocked. She tried to shift around, but her movement caused the bed to move and it shifted with a loud groan. Aegon turned around at the sound and looked at the bed. Daena held her breath. If she was discovered now …
"It is nothing Aegon. The bed creaks sometimes, is all," Daeron said and Aegon nodded and turned his back to the table. Lord Alyn had just opened the bag then and Daeron let out a soft gasp. He leaned forward and spoke something in a hushed whisper and got something back in reply.
Daena sighed. They were obviously discussing something very interesting but she was sure Daeron would just brush her off if she were to ask anything. She rested her head in her arms and started to slowly drift off. Snippets of conversation managed to make their way into her ears and she nodded off as sleep claimed her.
"... we must send them an ultimatum…"
"War is the only option …. "
"... foolish to risk a war on two fronts …"
"... Lys will declare on Tyrosh within a moon's turn…"
"There is fighting in Braavos's streets!" someone shouted and Daena jerked awake hitting her head on the bed above her. She let out a silent hiss of pain and rubbed at her head and tried to look at who had shouted. As she scooted a little further, she made out Ser Robert Darklyn's flabby frame. He must have come in while I was asleep, Daena thought. She wiped the sleep out of her eyes and tried to pay attention.
"This is certainly news," Aegon said.
"Indeed. The Sealord has been assassinated in broad daylight and his assailant was cut down in turn. The Prestayns blame the Antaryons for his death who have taken this opportunity to bring up old complaints. The city has been divided into two factions and bravos clash daily. Even their trade has been affected," Ser Robert said breathlessly, excitement clear in his voice.
"This is our chance. We can send gold to Pentos and induce them to destroy Braavos," Aegon said excitedly.
"No," Daeron said bluntly and Daena felt some glee as she thought of Aegon being put in his place. Daeron turned to address Ser Robert.
"Is the Iron Bank running or has it collapsed?" Daeron asked.
"It is running, alright. They have barricaded themselves in there and hired their own guard comprised entirely of non-Braavosi peoples. Once someone emerges as the victor, they will open and it'll be back to business," Ser Robert said.
"Yes! Even the Iron Bank is not working. Braavos will have no chance of hiring any Free Companies. We can destroy them once and for all," Aegon crowed.
"Think it through. If we allow Pentos to have its way, they'll be the masters of Braavos, weakened as they have become. We cannot allow any which could challenge us in any way to rise in Essos. Even Lys must be stopped if they go so far to try and annex Tyrosh," Daeron said.
Daena saw as Aegon clenched his fist at having been denied his desire. She felt a vindictive glee course through her and shuffled back satisfied that Daeron wasn't stupid and taking Aegon at his word. Aegon made to reply but he was cut over by Daeron.
"Let us adjourn, for now, my lords," Daeron said and continued to speak, "I wish for our cousin Aemon to be cremated by tonight. Tomorrow, we declare war on the Dornish and finish what the Conqueror started."
The man bowed and made their own farewells. Before they went outside, Viserys stopped Ser Robert and spoke to him.
"Have the Lords Tyrell and Baratheon been made aware of the role they have to play tomorrow?" Viserys asked. Daeron looked up in interest.
"Yes. I spoke with them just prior to coming here. They will do as they have to," Ser Robert said.
"Very well, then. Speak with them one more time today," Daeron said.
"As you will, your Grace," Ser Robert said. He bowed deeply and made his way out of the chambers.
There was silence for quite a while in the room and Daena could make out the sound of the door opening and closing as the lords made their way out one by one. Daeron sat at his desk and made to look at a few papers for some time. Daena was about to come out from under the bed when Daeron stood abruptly and walked over to where she was hiding. He knelt in front of her and spoke.
"Come out, Daena. We need to go to the cremation. I was told that the Grandmaester has made all the preparations. Only we are lacking," he said.
Daena nodded and got out from her hiding place. When she stood up, Daeron came closer and brushed some dust from her dress though Daena noticed how and where his gaze and hands seemed to linger. Her face lit up in red even as she felt gratified at the effect she had on her brother. After Daeron had finished, she twirled 'round once.
"How do I look?" Daena asked.
"Very beautiful. But you need to change into black. Run along to your rooms and change your dresses. I shall wait for you outside," Daeron said.
"Outside my rooms?" Daena asked.
"Yes, quickly now," Daeron said.
Daena nodded and started running. She ran through Daron's chamber and stopped near the door, which Ser Petyr then pulled open for her. Daena ran once more through the corridor as she had a few hours before and reached her rooms which were guarded by men in Targaryen livery, who bowed as she approached. She opened the doors and closed it behind her. As she made her way deeper into her rooms, she spied Melissa Blackwood curled up on an armchair, strumming the lyre while Daena's handmaiden sat near the armchair on the floor, listening to the music. Melissa looked up at her approach.
"Daena, did you hear about Prince Aemon?" Melissa asked.
"Yes, yes. But not now, I'm busy. Daeron is waiting outside. Jessie, bring me a black dress, appropriate for a funeral," Daena said, framing the last part to her handmaiden. Jessie nodded and went further into the chambers. Melissa gasped and spoke.
"Do you mean the King Daeron?" Melissa asked.
"Of course, silly. How many other Daerons do you know?" Daena asked.
"But I'm wearing nothing but a chemise! How will I greet him this state?" Melissa asked.
"You won't be greeting him. He's waiting outside and I have to go quickly, we will be going to cousin Aemon's cremation. I don't know if you're allowed either. The way Daeron said it felt like it would be a family only affair if you catch my meaning," Daena said.
Jessie reentered the rooms with several dresses in her hands and Daena quickly selected one and then Jessie helped her into it. Daena then had Jessie quickly brush her hair and she left the rooms as quickly as she came, promising Melissa that she'd be back soon. Daena stepped outside and she saw Daeron standing at a window opposite to the doors to her rooms, flanked by Ser Olyvar Oakheart and Ser Petyr Shawney.
Daeron turned around at her approach and offered her his hand. She took it and they made their way to the courtyard between the Red Keep's walls and Maegor's Holdfast. They were the last to arrive. Daena saw her uncle Viserys and her mother talking about something in a hushed tone while Naerys and Serenei stood together. Naerys's eyes were red, she had been crying recently and she held onto Serenei's hand tightly.
Daena looked around and saw her brother Aerys holding onto Rhaena's hand while Elaena stood by. She excused herself from Daeron and made her way to them when she noticed Aegon. He was crouched near two children she recognized as Jaehaerys and Rhaenys. He was speaking with them and Daena turned her path towards them unable to stay her curiosity.
Aegon had a bag with him and he took something out of it to give to Jaehaerys. Daena made out the form of a small dragon. Aegon twisted something in it's back and it moved! The miniature dragon moved around on Aegon's palm and flapped its wings up and down and Jaeharys and Rhaenys looked at it in wonder and amazement. Aegon held it out for Jaehaerys to take and he took it, holding it gingerly in his hands as if he was afraid that applying any sort of pressure would break it.
Aegon then reached into the bag once more and drew out a dress this time, made of a shimmering material. Even by looks alone, it was very soft and Daena was seized by an urge to rub the cloth against her cheek. Instead, she walked over to them and laid a hand each on the children's shoulders.
"You do realize that she'll grow right out that dress," she said to Aegon. He frowned as if just having considered that and scratched at his beard, thinking of what to do.
"There is still quite a lot of cloth left. It is true silk from Yi-Ti. Nothing less for our little princess," Aegon said.
"Indeed. And you could have given the dress to her mother. She'll dirty it now, by dragging it around," Daena said. Rhaenys must have realized that they were talking about her and squirmed a little in Daena's grip. Daena let her go and she ran off to her mother.
"Naerys is… not really well now. She did not even want to look at the children. She wept and said that her children reminded her of Aemon and that she could not stand looking at them," Aegon said, sorrow and frustration evident in his tone.
Daena said nothing and chose to look at Rhaenys instead. She had left her mother and ran over to Aerys, to whom she was showing off her dress. Aerys poked his tongue at her and she slapped him upside the head. Aerys, not one to be outdone, pulled at her hair. Rhaena and Elaena, instead of breaking apart the fight, stood there laughing. Jeahaerys, who till then had been silent in Daena's arms, spoke up.
"Thank you for the gift, my lord," Jaehaerys said.
"Don't worry about it. I'm your uncle. It's my job to give you as many gifts as you want," Aegon said. Jeahaerys smiled at that and Daena saw Aegon gain a smile on his own face as he continued.
"You don't need to call me 'my lord' or some such. I am your uncle. You can call me uncle Aegon," Aegon said.
"Thank you, uncle Aegon," Jaehaerys said once more and Aegon's smile widened. He reached forward and ruffled Jaehaerys's hair. Daena was about to say something when she heard Aegon's name being called.
"Aegon!" Viserys shouted from where he stood by the body, a burning torch in his hand. "Come over here and bring Jaehaerys with you," he continued.
Aegon nodded his assent and Daena let him take Jaehaerys into his arms. Daena watched as Aegon carried Jaehaerys over to where the pyre was set up before taking a torch of his own and handing one to Jaehaerys, who held it with both his hands. Together, Viserys, Aegon and Jaehaerys lit the pyre. The pyre caught fire and soon turned into a huge blaze. Daena wrinkled her nose as the smell of burning flesh assaulted her nose.
She turned her attention back to Aegon and in the dim light of dusk, with firelight reflection off his face and tears streaming from his eyes, Daena found that she could almost forgive him for Baelor's death. Almost.
A/N: Do let me know how the chapter was. Did you like it? Hate it? Want to complain? Please tell me. I thrive off feedback.