DISCLAIMER: I OWN NOTHING
A/N: Big thanks to Ramzes for the reviewing!
"We can't just call the entire realm to arms!" shouted Lord Tyrell in clear disgust of the Hand's proposal. "Such a thing would only spark paranoia and fear among the masses." He explained fervently.
"They should be afraid! The Blackfyres have taken Tyroshi, they carved a path across the Free Cities and now set their sights on the Seven Kingdoms, I also hear that the Pirate Kings have thrown in with them as well. If the Bastard were able to gain the loyalty of the Ironmen as well then he'd have a fleet over five times the size of our own!" shouted back Jasper Arryn, King Aegon's current Hand.
The whole time Aemon was sitting as quiet as a mouse beside Jaehaerys and his father watching the two old men argue backwards and forwards with rising intensity. He had never really enjoyed sitting in on his father's council meetings, finding them agonizingly boring more often than not. However boredom was the last thing on his mind now as all the high lords sat on edge with the news that the Blackfyres had begun to mobilize their sellsail fleet.
The entire time the King sat in silence, watching the arguments before him as though they were that of two small children fighting over a wooden horse. Likewise Jaehaerys also remained impassive, yet every now and then his big purple eyes would flick to Aemon in reassurance before flicking back to the Small Council members. Dunk, as always, stood behind the King with a dutiful look on his face as he kept his mailed hand on his sword.
Once the two men had reached a lull in their arguments, Aegon stood from his seat and cleared his throat. "My lords, here are the facts; as we speak our enemy is readying an army to take our homes, steal our crops and murder our people. The attack is coming, whether we are ready for it or not the Blackfyre will be here, and he is bringing a horde of Pirates and thieves with him." the King then brought his gaze to the old man draped in green and gold. "Now Lord Tyrell, I understand your concerns but the simple truth is that if we want to maintain the peace for our children then we'll need to prepare for war, there is no alternative."
The old man nodded in acceptance of his king's words and returned to his seat, as did lord Arryn, happy that Aegon had chosen to take his council. The rest of the lords were given instructions to make preparations in their various duties and to inform their bannermen what was coming, and with that adjourned the meeting.
Just as Aemon was about to rise he felt his father's hand on his shoulder. "Would you wait a moment Aemon?"
The young prince merely nodded and sat in his chair, waiting for the eventual barrage that he had somehow inspired as the rest of the council cleared out of the large room until it was just Aemon, his father, and Dunk. However the argument he was expecting never came.
"I need you to do me a favour son." Said the king quietly "I need you to go to the Westerlands and treat with Tytos Lannister and see if you can get him involved with our plans."
Aemon was stunned and looked at his father in shock. "You want me to speak with him?"
Aegon, to his son's surprise actually laughed at that. "Who else would I send? You are my son, and Prince of Summerhall; you can speak for this House."
"But father I'm just a….Surely Jaehaerys would be more suited, or even Duncan, they've…they've always been better, stronger and smarter."
Aegon looked at his youngest son for a moment, his purple eyes gleaming with some hidden sense of pride and rested his hand on his son's shoulder. "You are not them. Your strengths are different but that does not make them any less. You're much too dismissive of your own ability, if you but gave yourself a chance I'm certain you could to great things….I'm giving you this chance now son. Show the world what you can do."
And with a kind smile Aegon left the room with Dunk hot on his heels leaving Aemon alone with his father's words.
When Aemon returned to his rooms he instantly knew something was amiss. The books from his personal collection were out of place and lying around the floor and upon checking the titles he gave a weary sigh and began picking up the discarded tomes and putting them back into their correct places from his bookshelf. Tales from the fourteen fires, Black Dread, Fields of Fire…now there's only one person I know who loves dragons this much…
"You'd best come out from wherever you're hiding Aerys." He called out tiredly.
And like that he heard the sound of feet moving his way and out came his nephew, with a mischievous grin on his face. "I was going to clean it up."
"I've heard that one before." replied Aemon absently as took out a pair of riding clothes and went into the next room to change.
"Are you going somewhere uncle?" called Aerys.
"Your grandfather wants me to go see the Lannisters."
There was a pause, and then "Can I come?"
Aemon gave another sigh but found himself smiling none the less and after he had finally gotten his riding gear on he walked out and looked down at Aerys, already going through one of the books Aemon had just put away. "It's going to be a long trip, I may be gone for week or more…you'd probably be bored stiff."
The boy shook his head furiously at that. "No, please can I come? Please? I've never seen the Westerlands and it's so boring here! All everyone does is go to meetings and hold court and, oh please Uncle, I promise I'll behave, I will."
Aemon smiled and ruffled the boy's sliver locks. "Ask your father and then we'll see."
His nephew then bounded off out of the room, no doubt searching for his father so that he could pester him as well. Aemon had to admit that the boy's energy was refreshing after a long day listening to old men arguing and spitting venom at each other.
The young prince called out for a servant and quickly informed the young woman of his travel arrangements and gave her instructions to have his things ready. After she had gone off to fulfil her duties Aemon locked himself into his study and poured himself a cup of wine. After a beat he went over to his bookcase and pulled out one of the smaller sized tomes that had been tucked in the corner, and sat down with it on his desk.
He gently traced the books title with his finger, The Battle of Redgrass Field by Maekar Targaryen and absently took a sip of wine before opening was a story he had heard about dozens of times from both the Maesters and tutors whom educated him and from his father, although more than anything he wanted to know what it had been like from someone who had actually been there so he asked the Grand Maester himself to find the book for him. Aemon found it to be quite frank in its descriptions of the Crown and their tactics during the battle, and while it didn't make for a pretty read the young prince found it to be refreshing in its honesty.
Maekar Targaryen had died early on during Aemon's childhood so he only had a few key memories of the man. He could with some clarity say that his grandfather had been intimidating to him with his tall frame and stern voice, yet he also recalled moments, only small moments, where his grandfather's emotional armour would fade and he would smile and laugh. But that man was long since gone, another victim of rebellion and attempted civil war. The Blackfyres wouldn't let him rest. They'll never let any of us rest…
The thought that his family was about to be dragged into yet another conflict with the black dragons was more than a little disturbing to Aemon, not just for his own wellbeing but for the sake of his nieces and nephews, and for his unborn child. I won't let the bastards haunt our family, not again.
It was just after midday when Aemon and his entourage were about to leave. Originally there were only twenty Household knights and Ser Harlan of the kingsguard accompanying Aemon to Casterly Rock; however that number was doubled when Jaehaerys came out with a barely contained Aerys. "It would do him some good to see the realm a bit, but please try to keep him from doing anything foolish." asked his brother in between coughs, his health not appreciative of the cool breeze.
"I'll keep him glued to my side at all times brother." Aemon told him before scooping the boy up and placing him on a nearby horse. Jaehaerys nodded his thanks and after a beat gave his brother a hug before hurrying back indoors.
Just as they left the city Aerys pointed out a lone rider approaching and Ser Harlan moved up to keep the boy safely behind him. However once the figure rode closer Aemon called off his guards and chuckled lightly to himself as he waved to the rider who returned the gesture.
"Gerold!" he shouted happily.
The big man rode right up to Aemon's horse, reaching across and shaking the Targaryens hand with such a fury that he was sure that it would break off. "Aemon my friend, how've you been? Has my sister whipped you in line yet?" he asked in his booming voice.
"Heh, I've been good, or rather, as well as one can be with a pregnant Hightower sleeping in the same room." joked Aemon.
"HA! Just you wait till the little one comes along, then you'll have something to worry about!"
"I dare say that the world isn't ready for a child of both Hightower and Targaryen blood." japed Aemon before looking at Gerold in curiosity. "What are you doing out here?"
"I was on my way back from the Reach, I thought I'd stop by the Capitol and check in….where are you going with this lot?"
Aemon shrugged nonchalantly. "Business in the Westerlands, I need to pay a visit to Lord Tytos."
Gerold nodded and made a clicking sound with his tongue a few times before looking back at the young prince. "I don't suppose you could use some extra company on your trip?"
"By all means, the more the merrier!" announced Aemon happily.
And so Ser Gerold Hightower joined them on the ride through the Crownlands and into the west, more or less he and Aemon would mainly jape and drink together or point out the various landmarks to Aerys but one night while they had stopped at an inn to rest for the night Aemon urged Gerold over to a quiet corner away from the other guests and after pouring them both an ale, told him of the true nature of his journey.
"The Blackfyres have returned." He whispered. "The bastard has a horde from the east of sellswords and pirates and all manner of wretched scum. It isn't well known now but it will be soon enough, father is calling his banners and preparing for war."
Gerold to his credit didn't blink once at that and merely took a sip from his ale and belched lightly before nodded a little. "So you're to raise the Westerlords?"
"Aye, we need the Lannisters fleet if we're to have any hope at matching the Blackfyre ships before they reach Westeros."
Once again Gerold merely nodded before taking a sip of his ale. "Lord Tytos is a kind man, good natured, but he is also very weak. He'll not want to send his people to war, and I doubt they'd listen even if he asked them to."
Aemon gave a sigh of frustration and drummed the table with his fingers as he tried to work his head around the various politics of Lannister bannermen. "If I can convince the man that his lands are truly in danger then perhaps that will light a fire underneath his arse?"
"You'd only be speaking the truth. Maelys Blackfyre would had to have made all sorts of offers and promises to all of those hungry sell swords and cheesemongers, no doubt if he gained control of the Throne those Westerlords would be a lot less wealthy."
They sat in brooding silence after that and tried to think of way out of the storm that was coming for them. After a few hours of drinking and idol gossip Aemon retired upstairs and checked in on Aerys who was sleeping peacefully in his room while Ser Harlan stood guard at his door, after that he went to his own chambers and tried to let sleep take him.
Casterly Rock was every bit as formidable as the Lannisters made it out to be, with its rounded shape and thick walls of pure stone it was a natural fortress. However every time Aemon caught sight of the sparkling ocean in the distance he felt himself become uneasy with the thought that on the other side of that water was an entire army slowly approaching.
His worrying thoughts fell to the wayside when he and his entourage were greeted by lord Tytos and his eldest son Tywin. Aemon was a little surprised how two people can look so alike yet utterly different at the same time; the father and son both shared the same golden hair and sparkling green eyes and overall physical features, however while Lord Tytos stood and smiled happily as if he had just met a long lost friend, his boy stood beside him with an slight frown and foreboding look, as if he was mistrustful of their intentions.
"Prince Aemon! It's so good to see you again!" beamed the older man after he and his son gave a quick bow.
"And you, my lord. Your lands are quite beautiful." Replied Aemon respectfully.
Tytos' smile grew ever broader and he waved his arm across the horizon. "I've been blessed with much my prince, a good land, and a good people…but enough of my boasts, you're probably tired from such a long journey, we can discuss matters over dinner!"
Aemon nodded happily and with Aerys and Gerold at his side followed the Warden of the West back into his lair. The inner halls of the Rock were quite warm, and were ornately decorated with various golden framed paintings of Lannisters of old, each painting sat right above a large golden lion statuette and Aemon wondered briefly if it was family trait amongst the Lannisters to be so boastful. It's no different from us with our dragon skulls…
After a short pit stop to their rooms, Aemon and his companions were treated to a grand feast in the main hall of the Rock which seemed to be the centre of activity and splendour of the Lannister home. The Lion imagery seemed to even reach as far as the dinner table and chairs, Aemon was once again reminded of his family's own seat on Dragonstone.
The food was a large collection of fish, lobster, and an odd creature that Aemon vaguely thought was in some relation to a squid. Despite the exotic nature of the food it was quite tasty and even Aerys who was usually quite picky with his food asked for seconds.
"Quite a bounty you have here Lord Tytos, I don't think I've had as good a meal in quite some time." Remarked Aemon, politely.
Lannister broke out into one of his classic hearty grins and nodded back enthusiastically. "It's all the work of our fine fishermen; they toil day and night in those beautiful waters so that we may experience this lovely meal."
"That's actually something I wanted to discuss with you my lord, there's a….naval matter that we must needs discuss." said Aemon hesitantly.
After that a silence fell across the table and Aemon could almost feel the level of discomfort emanating from Tytos, whose eyes continually darted around the room in an effort to try and avoid the Targaryen's gave. Surprisingly it was the boy Tywin who spoke first.
"What do you want from my father?" the boy's tone was icy and his gaze challenging.
"Tywin!" snapped Tytos. "Why don't you escort prince Aerys around the Rock?"
The boy looked as if he wanted to say something then but merely gave a nod and looked over at Aerys. "This way my Prince." And with that the two children left the room, leaving only Tytos, Aemon and Gerold.
Tytos gave a deep sigh and looked over at Aemon with a rueful smile. "I've heard the news coming from Tyroshi prince Aemon; I know why you are here."
"Then things should be rather straightforward, we need your fleet." Cut in Gerold.
Tytos took a long and slow drink from his cup of wine before looking directly at Aemon. "You would command me to send my people to war, to a bloody death?"
"I'm asking you to help save your people. As you yourself said; the Westerlands are prosperous…The Blackfyres will not hesitate to take away everything from your people in order to pay their own hired swords and you have a mighty fleet that could stop this madness before it even reaches our shores."
Tytos shifted in his seat again. "The Crown has House Lannister's support, I'd be more than happy to send what gold and provisions I could spare but…..these are my people. I can't just send them off to the slaughter."
He knew he could quite easily command this man to fall in line, perhaps even threaten to bring down his entire House for their defiance but Aemon brought his purple eyes to this Lord of Lannister sitting before him and suddenly realized something; the man cared. Truly, this highborn lord actually cared about the smallfolk who toiled in his fields and mines. Use that…
"Tytos…I'll be honest with you, I don't want to see this war happen anymore than you do. But it's not about what I want or what you want; it's about what's best for the realm. This darkness is coming for us all, and right now you have the power to save thousands of innocent lives, for their sake please, help us."
The Lord of Lannister sat quietly for a long time and merely stared at the food sitting on the table before him, a solemn look on his usually cheerful face. Finally he gave a deep sigh and looked up at the young prince and spoke. "You have your fleet."