154 A.L. King's Landing
King Aemon III Targaryen
It had been four years since Saera had died, four long and painful years. Each day had been torment waking up and knowing that his love would never see another sunrise, or another sunset. That had been hell, and so he had dealt with it the only way he knew how, he had withdrawn from court and politics leaving it to Aenys and Daenaerys to run the realm. He spent most of his time either travelling on Malystryx or spending time with his children and grandchildren. He knew that if his mother was still alive she would be entirely disapproving of what he had become, and he knew that others were whispering about his great descent from power, and how his wife Daenaerys and his second born son Maegon were growing in power and influence around court, and he found he cared not one shred. All he truly wanted to do now was to be left alone, he had given his whole life to the realm, he was of the opinion that he deserved some rest and respite.
The one time he had bothered to attend a council meeting in the last four years he had learned that Khal Pono, the man who had survived being dragged across the narrow sea and paraded before King's Landing like some common villain and had escaped, was now becoming the first Great Khal. Uniting the Dothraki people and taking them on raiding missions along Lhazar and even as far as Asshai and the ruins of what had once been Astapor and Ghis. Aemon respected that. The other thing he had learnt in the council meeting was of the fact that one Ser Gargon Gaarson, one of Prince Daemon's men had been spreading rumours about Daenaerys, rumours that had greatly angered Aemon when he had heard them. He had questioned the man himself and when he had discovered that his own son and heir Aemon had given the go ahead for allowing the rumours to be spread he had felt a sense of deep rooted anger. He had had Gaarson executed and had now summoned his son and the court to hear what he now had to say. "Prince Aemon come forth." His son did so, and Aemon held back a sneer he hated his son now, the boy was a snake who would bring ruin. "You are here to answer for charges laid before you by Ser Gargon. Now the man spread rumours about Queen Daenaerys and upon furthering questioning revealed that it was from you he got given the go ahead to go forth with these rumours. Do you deny these charges?"
His son was very silent for a moment and then he shook his head and said. "No Your Grace I do not deny these charges. It was I, and I alone who gave the man the go ahead to spread these rumours of Queen Daenaerys."
There was a lot of murmuring at that and Aemon felt anger boil inside of him. "Why would you do such a thing? You know that doing such things makes you look petty and spiteful for all that you have been given as my heir."
His son was silent for a long moment, and then Baela spoke. "Your Grace, perhaps instead on interrogating your heir you should ask Daenaerys whether what she has been whispering in your ear for the past four years is really for the good of the realm or whether she has been serving her own agenda."
There was even more whispering at this and Aemon felt his patience beginning to wane. "Enough. I will not question Daenaerys, she has done more to help run this realm than you ever have Baela. All you have ever done is moan and complain about one thing or the other. I now know that you were also responsible for whatever nonsense Aemon had spread, and I also know that Daemon would be involved in this as well. But still Aemon you have not answered my question, why did you feel the need to shame yourself by having these rumours spread?"
His son stood straight as an arrow then and said calmly. "Because I was covering my own back Your Grace. Queen Daenaerys I know does not like me nor does she wish for me to serve as your heir. She would rather have a puppet as the new king when you are gone, than someone who can think for himself. All the world knows she whispers in your ear about this, that and the other and that you have paid far more attention to her than you would have normally. I was simply doing what you had not done, in ensuring that the law was seen through."
Daenaerys spoke then. "Your Grace I do believe that Prince Aemon speaks in falsehoods and that he deserves to be reprimanded for such behaviour."
His son spoke then. "And this is why I thought to speak and defend myself. You are falling for a trap Your Grace, and I do not think you can find a way out now. Daenaerys has sunk her claws in to deeply for you to find relief from her lies."
"You would insult the Queen brother? You are no better than a weakling. Where is your proof?" Maegon asks then his eyes glinting maliciously.
Prince Aemon is silent a moment before he says. "I have proof beyond what you can comprehend brother. But of course our father will not wish to see it as he is too blind to what is happening now, to realise that you all shall ruin what he has worked so hard for."
Aemon had heard enough. "Enough. Aemon, enough. This has gone on for far too long. I will not have you ruining the rest of my day with this squabbling. For this crime of rumour I will banish you and your mother and aunt and grandfather and whoever of your lapdogs wishes to follow you to Braavos for now. Rule that city and then come and tell me what is what. As for you Maegon you shall return to Dragonstone and remain there until you have learned how to respect your elders."
Both princes bow and then leave the hall, and Aemon knows war is coming, he simply hopes it won't be too damning.