Prince Aemon Targaryen

The war with the Triarchy had lasted six months, in that time they had captured the Stepstones and then put down an attempt by the triarchy to reclaim the islands. Aemon had fought alongside the men from the crownlands, atop Vermithor the mount of his grandfather and he had bathed the enemy in wreaths of fire, listening from a distance as their screams summed up the damage his dragon had done. The war with the triarchy was the first war he had ever fought in the capturing of the islands the first battles he had ever fought in. He had never truly been all that interested in war or marital pursuits, preferring to spend his time in the library of the Red Keep, but he had learnt all the same, for it was what one did. The battles had left a distinct impression on Aemon, he now knew that he would never share the same lust or joy or whatever it was his cousin and his wife felt for battle, it was just not in his nature. Oh he would do his duty if required to again, but he would never feel the joy or satisfaction that came from battle. He would not have fought in this war had Rhaenys not told him that it was necessary to protect Westeros from the foreigners who would see her burn. Had Rhaenys said anything else, then he would have point blank refused to aid his cousin on such a distasteful mission, but then again had Rhaenys said anything, it was likely their father would not have even agreed to allow Daemon to do what he had done, for Rhaenys had their father wrapped around her little finger.

Then there was the fact that they were now relying on pirates to help Daemon keep a hold of the Stepstones. Pirates! Aemon had spent enough time reading and travelling around Westeros and Essos to know one thing, pirates no matter what promises they made to you at night, would often forget them by daylight. They were by nature a dishonourable lot, filled with cutthroats who betrayed their superiors without a care in the world. Aemon was not sure what it said about his cousin or in fact his father that they were so willing to work with pirates, he was not sure if the message that this would send out, was the right message that the Iron Throne should be sending out. Particularly with the whole situation with Dorne, and the other potential different factions that were developing at court and in the Westerlands. Furthermore, he also thought that his cousin Daemon's willingness to work with pirates was a double edged sword. For whilst he was confident Daemon could handle the stress and pressure or whatnot that would come from working and dealing with pirates, after all the man was cutthroat and a rogue himself. But then again there was the fact that Rhaenys did not seem to think it was an issue, she seemed perfectly willing to accept Daemon's willingness to work with these pirates, and so Aemon was not about to give voice to his issues with the matter. There was also the fact that, he did feel as if he did give voice to them, everyone would say he was simply jealous of Daemon and the fact that it was highly likely that his cousin would make a better king than him did not help.

If he was being honest he was just glad that the war was over, that the leaders of the triarchy had their heads decorating spikes over Bloodstone, and that construction of Daemon's knew seat on that damnable island was complete. The return home had been very nice, they had been greeted as heroes and his father had actually said to him that he was proud of him, something that had meant more to Aemon that anything else, other than perhaps Rhaenys saying it, and she had said so many times over the years. Daemon had been officially confirmed as Lord Paramount of the Stepstones and various second sons and sellswords had been named to positions of power over the Stepstones, the taxes the triarchy had established were abolished and trade continued to flow freely through the islands and through the rest of Westeros. There had been other things that had been discussed during the intervening months, the Westerlands were now finally at peace with one another, Lord Reyne had agreed to a compromise with Lord Tygett Lannister and had married his daughter to Lord Tygett's son Jason, and Lord Tygett had agreed to give Lord Reyne some of the finer gold mines nearing the lands of Castamere and Tarbeck Hall. Dorne was still a bit of an issue, Princess Loreza was still unwed and her father still had his supporters who continued to try and rally Dorne to the mad man's cause, various options were being discussed as to how to end the threat Dorne posed to the peace, including perhaps the king taking the princess as a second wife, a suggestion that had been instantly shot down by the king and by Aemon, for not only would it insult the faith who they needed to keep on side, it would also be an insult to Aemon's mother, and Lady Jocelyn had been through far too much by her husband's side to be dealt such an insult at such a stage in life. The options were still being discussed though Aemon did believe that perhaps his uncle Daeron was going to be married to Princess Loreza.

Of course right now, Aemon was not willing to think of all of that, he was sat with his wife and his cousin Prince Viserys and right now he just wanted to speak the small talk. "So then cousin, how is being hand of the king treating you? Is it still the same dream you had wished for three years ago?" Aemon asked his cousin.

Viserys smiled slightly and said. "Aye it is very rewarding cousin. The kingdoms are at peace, the Starks know their place, the Westerlands are at peace and over all it seems to be going well. Still there are times when it does feel as if the kingdoms are claiming whatever life I have. I have not heard back from Aemma when she intends to return to King's Landing or if she even intends on returning at all."

"Surely she must realise that at some point Rhaenrya will have to return to King's Landing? Surely she must know that whatever happened between you and that Hightower girl was just a one off thing? What more is there for her to do in the Vale that she has not already done?" Aemon asked.

Viserys sighed then and said. "She knows that the Hightower girl meant nothing, but still she is hurt and Aemma has every right to be hurt. What I did was wrong, and I have apologised, but she still needs time and I intend to give her as much time as she needs. Within reason."

Rhaenys voiced her opinion then. "What you did with the Hightower girl was beyond stupid Viserys. It was downright offensive. Otto Hightower has been sniffing for a way to get his daughter closer to the throne ever since he came to court when grandfather was still alive. What you did with her might have given him the perfect door into our inner circle. If the girl is with child, and it turns out to be a boy, then father will have no choice but to make you wed her, and then the Faith will be all over us."

Aemon looks at his wife and asks. "How do you figure that? After all, surely Viserys could simply acknowledge the child as his bastard and then life could move on. Having the Arryns on our side is more important than having the Hightowers. The High Septon is not from Oldtown anyway, he is from the Vale, and surely will be more sympathetic towards Aemma and Rhaenrya than towards some spoilt child from Oldtown?"

Rhaenys looked at him then and replied. "Aye, the High Septon is from the Vale. That is exactly the reason why what Viserys did with Alicent Hightower was beyond stupid. The High Septon will feel compelled to feel outraged on behalf of Aemma and her family, and then of course there will be pressure from Lord Hightower to have Alicent wed to Viserys should she produce a son, and then father will need to give Viserys a more prominent place in the realm than he already has. After all, the Hightowers do have the ear of Lord Tyrell, and should we alienate them then when Dorne comes knocking then all shall go to ash and sunder."

Aemon looked at his wife and then at his cousin, and then said. "Has the girl taken moon tea since you slept with her cousin? And is she still at court?"

Viserys sighed then and said simply. "She has been taking Moon Tea, I have made sure of that when I have had the time. And yes she is still at court Aemon, her father has become a prominent member of court once more, and so long as he remains at court then she shall as well. And I do believe that is the reason why Aemma will not come home."

Aemon was silent for a moment and then he looked at Rhaenys and said in as kingly a voice as possible. "Then we must find a reason to send both Hightowers back to Oldtown, without either of them being any wiser as to the true reason for their departure."

"And how do you propose we do that Aemon? After all Ser Otto is a smart man, he will not fall for just anything, besides you will also have to convince your father that the man needs to be dismissed." Viserys asked.

Aemon looked at his cousin and said simply. "I shall find a way, I know that father does not like the man anyway, so it should not be too hard to convince him that Ser Otto needs to be removed."

Viserys nodded and then said. "Well Your Graces, it is late, I must bid you goodnight. Until next time." With that he got up and left.

Once he was gone, Rhaenys turned to him and asked him. "How do you propose that we remove Ser Otto from court brother? The man is building himself into a man to be reckoned with, soon enough he will want to become hand of the king, and once he is, then we shall both face problems."

Aemon looks at his sister then and asks her. "How so? We are both father's heirs and the man does not have enough power to change that even if Viserys does wed Alicent Hightower. Our daughters would come before any children that Viserys has, or Daemon. The man has no chance of getting his blood on the throne."

Rhaenys sighed then and took his hand. "But it is because we only have two daughters that I am worried my love. Ser Otto knows that if we do not have a male heir, father might consider having our marriage set aside and wedding you to someone else, in order to produce a male heir. After all the Targaryen name must continue. And Ser Otto will be working to put his daughter as my replacement should such a scenario happen."

Aemon felt anger grow inside of him and in a strong voice said. "Well it never will, for I do not care what father or his lords say, you are my wife and our girls are my heirs. There is no two ways about it. If I find Alicent Hightower in my bed at all, I shall feed her and her father to Vermithor."

Rhaenys smiled slightly and said. "You might not need to do that my love." Aemon quirked an eyebrow at her and she smiled once more and said. "I am with child."