A/N: I am hoping not to have made any blunders. This one is unbeta'd and I read it more than once and tweaked it but cannot keep fiddling. Thanks for the reviews as always, the feedback is appreciated.
Chapter 96: Aegon
Brynden Tully wore a black expression and even Aegon's presence did little to lighten his mood. Aegon was not feeling particularly joyful himself. He and Dany supped together each day and she treated him with courtesy but she still held so much back from him, namely the dragons. Sometimes she let her guard down and treated him fondly but then the Khaleesi returned.
"You may visit freely with Lord Edmure," Aegon offered. "I have seen him myself. He does not lack for comfort."
The Blackfish scowled. "I am sure he is being treated as an honoured guest."
Aegon understood Ser Brynden's displeasure. He had made promises to both Arya and Ser Brynden that Edmure would be retrieved if he lived. Those promises were made before Dany took Casterly Rock.
"Arya does not truly want the crown," he told the Blackfish. "Will it truly be so terrible to give it up? I still intend to have Cersei executed. Those who killed Eddard Stark, Robb Stark and Lady Catelyn have been brought to justice."
The Blackfish softened a little. He even offered Aegon a kind smile.
"This is about more than you and I. This is about more than Daenerys and Ned Stark and Cat and our dead king. The North and the Riverlands have no wish to be ruled by Kings Landing. We have no quarrel with you but we will not bend the knee and be subject to the whims and demands of unjust rulers. Can you promise us that your son will not ask for our heads? Can you promise us that your grandson will not bring us wars?"
Aegon looked at him and then he knew. This is about Aerys as much as Cersei.
"Will you stand against dragons?" he asked quietly. "Arya spoke of Torrhen Stark. She will not want people to die for a crown she does not want. Ask her."
Ser Brynden sighed and avoided Aegon's gaze. "I have long thought about the affection she bears toward you. Arya may have a wildness in her but she does not choose without thought. Do you truly wish for me to tell her you have asked for the North to bend the knee?"
Aegon did not anticipate the Blackfish using his feelings for Arya against him. It angered him but it also brought the shame to the surface that he felt every time he spoke with his Aunt with anything more than practicality. Affection bestowed upon Dany felt like a betrayal of Arya.
"Daenerys will insist upon the seven kingdoms being under our rule."
Ser Brynden raised an eyebrow. "Our rule?" he questioned. "I did not think Daenerys had agreed to a betrothal. I will not write Arya."
Aegon fumed. "You are the Hand of the King."
The Blackfish laughed. "We had an understanding when I agreed to the position." His expression remained obstinate. "The journey North is a long one. Arya will want her home and her family. She will want freedom. If you wish to take that from her I suggest you write her. I am Hand but I serve my family first. You know my House words."
The anger seeped out of Aegon quickly. Arya did not want the crown. Aegon knew she did not want the crown but he also remembered her in the godswood.
"You have never asked me to kneel."
Ser Brynden told him in Pinkmaiden that Arya did not like confinement. He hated himself for his cowardice but he did not wish to be the one to tell her that she must kneel. Aegon might have had to give her up but he did not want to imagine her resenting him. He wanted to remember her smiling at him, laughing and japing and telling him secrets she shared with no other.
"I do not wish for the dragons to be a part of this."
The Blackfish snorted. "Dragons will be a part of this whether you will it or no. Daenerys made no mention of them. It is enough to make one curious that she does not use them as her show of power."
Aegon hesitated a moment and inspected the scar on his palm. "Tyrion told Nym that two of them are wild. I have heard enough within the castle now to confirm it." When he looked up Ser Brynden wore a grim expression.
"It would be better for all if they were put to death." Aegon began to protest but Ser Brynden spoke over him. "Dragons destroy, they are weapons. An uncontrolled weapon is a danger to us all. Can you imagine if one of them was unleashed by the wrong person?"
Aegon did not have to imagine, not truly. The images in his dreams came back to him. He still could not fathom the thought of killing the dragons though. They were the sigil of his House. Aegon wanted them desperately even though part of him feared the dreams coming true. He studied Ser Brynden suspiciously.
"Do you intend to harm them?"
The Blackfish laughed. "I would not know how. If you fear an attempt it is not me you must worry about."
He seemed to be telling the truth. Aegon knew Ser Brynden to be an honest man and he gave good counsel even if he showed his disapproval of Aegon's current course of action.
He remains my ally.
"I must return to the castle. If you have need of me send a messenger."
Ser Brynden gave him a warmer smile this time.
"I will. Do take care. I do not wish to deal with the aftermath if any ill befalls you."
Aegon gave him a grin. "I shall do my best."
Aegon was writing letters when Asha Greyjoy darkened his doorway. He put aside the quill and flexed his hand, grateful for the excuse to stop. The sheets of parchment made a fair pile, with letters to Magister Illyrio, Lord Randyll, another to Obara in case she ignored the first and finally one to Haldon. He hesitated to write to the halfmaester but the man had served him longer than any but Lemore. It was not odd to wish to inform him of certain developments and to ask of news from the North.
"You wished to see me your grace?"
Aegon nodded to her and Lady Asha took a knee. Her smile always seemed to be laughing at him. It was rather off putting. He urged her to rise and sit with him.
"Are you comfortable within the castle my lady?"
Lady Asha cocked her head to the side as though measuring the meaning of his words.
"The Westermen would like to see me hang. If not for the dragons they would not hesitate. My people are not welcome in Lannisport let alone within Casterly Rock itself."
Aegon offered her a smile.
"I will not have them harm my Mistress of Ships. Dany knows you are not to be ill-treated."
Asha gave an unladylike snort.
"You and your Aunt are not the dragons I speak of. It is those with scales the people fear."
Aegon tried to suppress a scowl. He knew her not to be wrong but her blunt tongue still bothered him. His pride still hurt at not yet even seeing the dragons aside from a glimpse of them flying overhead.
"Have you spoken with Lord Victarion?"
Asha made another noise.
"I have not been given leave to join the fleet. If I did I may well lose my head. My nuncle wants me dead."
"Dany tells me that Victarion wishes to sit the Seastone chair."
Asha did not look convinced.
"Victarion Greyjoy follows orders. He was sent to find dragons and here we are. He sailed across the world at my nuncle's bidding. I am no craven but I cannot serve you if I am executed and I will not abandon Theon by handing myself over. I must meet my nuncle Victarion away from his men."
Aegon frowned. "How do you propose to do that?"
Asha grinned. "I have made certain to be heard by the right ears. He will want to see me. It will not take long."
Aegon sighed. Lady Asha did not lack for wits even if she tended to be rather reckless. He supposed he must not fault her for that. The same charge had been levelled at him more than once.
"You best be quick about it," he warned. "I cannot promise I will continue to restrain my cousin."
The look she gave him told him she saw the lie. She knows Obara wants Oldtown to burn. Asha did not call him on it.
"They risk losses if they try, I did counsel you before. Take heart though, I do not expect to wait."
She took her leave, hips swaying as she strolled out his door. Her unbridled confidence had him wondering what on earth she had said to pique the Ironborn interest. Lysono Maar might know. Aegon resolved to ask him.
Everybody has their secrets.
The Golden Company's Master of Whisperers had his own. The revelation of the Golden Company being for Viserys first bothered him. He held in those questions for now. The parchment caught his eye again and he folded the letters and sealed them, stamping the three headed dragon into the wax on each. The one for Magister Illyrio was the last. Dany wished to see the Magister and she was not alone in that.
We both need answers.
Another disappointing meeting with his Aunt drove Aegon back to his chambers. He found Nym waiting for him. Her dark eyes flashed with anger when she took in his demeanour.
"She is still refusing to let you see them?"
His hesitation gave her the answer. Nym rose from her chair.
"Do not do anything foolish cousin," he warned. "Stay here with me. It is some time since we last truly spoke."
Nymeria eyed him for a moment and Aegon feared she might leave anyway. When she sat she smiled at him.
"Is that your way of saying you missed me?"
Aegon laughed. His laughter did not last when he saw the book sitting by her elbow. He beckoned for her to pass it and she frowned.
"You show more interest in the book than you do your kin. There are matters we must speak of your grace. Do not dismiss me to indulge in reading too soon."
Her use of his title captured Aegon's attention. He knew it must be important if she would resort to courtesies.
"What is it?"
Nym pursed her lips and Aegon knew immediately that he would not like whatever it was. He was not wrong.
"If Daenerys insists upon hoarding three dragons we must consider measures to even our causes."
"No," he said quickly.
Nym's voice lowered to a purr. "It need not even seem that you knew. We will take responsibility. The Dornish are not without experience in this. It will be justice for Quentyn."
"No," Aegon said more loudly. He remembered the conversation with Ser Brynden. His feelings were unchanged. The dragons were not be harmed. "You will make war a certainty."
Nymeria did not appear the least bothered by the idea.
"I do not see war being avoidable. She has not accepted your suit."
Aegon felt his nails dig into his palm.
"She may still."
Nym flicked her braid and gave him a patronising look.
"You do not truly want her to. Without her dragons she is no threat."
Aegon shook his head.
"Enough Nym," he said sharply. "This talk is foolish. You will get yourself killed and all our allies too. Leave the dragons be. There is still time."
The look she gave him expressed her disagreement. Her viper eyes narrowed as she scowled.
"You must not be blind cousin. If Arya were here she would give you the same counsel."
The mention of Arya's name snapped any patience Aegon had left.
"If you think that then you do not know Arya at all. She might be impulsive but she is not stupid. She knew the dragons to be important. Leave me. I do not want to look at you while you speak such foolishness."
Nym obeyed his command. She did not offer the usual kiss when she took her leave. Part of him dwelled on her words long after she was gone, harbouring both resentment and doubt. He felt very alone even with kingsguard knights at his door. It took him time to finally drag the book closer and open it to read.
He focused rather less on the text and more on the additions in Arya's hand. Those who saw him poring over the pages did not understand. They thought he clung to it because she gave it to him. It was much more than that. Aegon discovered upon first reading it that she not only wrote down useful information, in places she had scrawled her own opinions. The first time he came across a note pronouncing one of the knights as stupid he had laughed. He still smiled at some of the things she had written.
Some of it is not for other eyes.
Arya showed her trust in him with some of the secrets the book contained. Aegon knew he should have it locked away. He entertained the idea before realising that might draw even more attention to it. He flipped the pages to a section on earlier Targaryen kings. The account was that of a prince with a dragon egg and his failed hopes of hatching it. Arya had scrawled down the margin and he frowned as he read what she wrote.
Fire and blood are not just words.
Her writing became cramped but Aegon could see she had written something more about blood. He was trying to puzzle out the meaning of it when a shadow fell across the page. He raised his head to see Tyrion Lannister peering at the book.
"How long have you been here?"
The dwarf gave him a grotesque smile. "Long enough to see you are far more interested in history than you seemed back on the Shy Maid. Most people find the accounts of the archmaesters rather dry."
"It depends on the archmaester," Aegon said quickly.
Tyrion smiled again and sat in a chair without awaiting an invitation. "I must say I never found that one quite as amusing as you seem to. I did announce myself. I can understand you not seeing a small man like me but I expected you might hear me."
Aegon glanced at the guards on his door and they nodded. He moved to close the book but Tyrion put his hand on the page, his mismatched eyes scanning the writing. Aegon scowled but the dwarf did not take the hint.
"Haldon knows more than I gave him credit for."
Aegon gave him a look of disdain.
"Do not think me stupid. You know it is not in Haldon's hand."
Tyrion's grin made Aegon feel like a fool. He is baiting me. Aegon remained silent, not interested in offering up the name who penned the notes.
"It is said that Barth made similar observations," Tyrion finally offered.
Aegon eyed him warily and decided to just let him see the pages. He has seen enough that there is no gain in hiding it. Tyrion pulled the book closer and frowned at the words.
"What did Barth say about it?" Aegon asked, trying not to sound too eager.
Tyrion looked up and cocked his head.
"It is given little credit. The maesters refute all of Barth's works, the ones Blessed Baelor did not burn."
He pulled a face and Aegon tried very hard not to laugh.
"Dany tells me the maesters don't like magic."
Tyrion flipped the page and Aegon resisted the urge to wrench the book from his grasp. Tyrion grinned and Aegon knew he had found one of the more colourful opinions.
"The Khaleesi has been listening to Marwyn," Tyrion observed mildly. "If he is to be believed the Citadel would like her killed."
Aegon thought back to Kings Landing and the Faith Militant. He thought of the faceless men and their numerous attempts and the enemies hiding in plain sight amongst his allies.
There is always somebody wanting to kill those with power.
He might have commented on it. He might also have pressed Tyrion to speak more of what he knew of Barth's writings but the arrival of Grey Worm removed the opportunity. Aegon knew that the Unsullied were devoted to Dany and that they would blindly follow her to death if need be. Something about Grey Worm still made him uncomfortable.
"This one has been sent to give you a message."
Aegon braced himself. Daenerys did not take kindly to his questions about the dragons. He knew he had pushed her in their supper. Aegon had become frustrated and Dany responded kindly enough but he saw the hardness in her eyes. He nodded to the eunuch and Grey Worm delivered the message.
"Khaleesi invites you to break your fast with her on the morrow." He turned to Tyrion. "Khaleesi wishes to speak with Lord Tyrion."
The eunuch stood expectantly, making it clear that it was an order rather than a request and to be carried out immediately. Tyrion sighed, gave the book one last longing look and pushed it back to Aegon.
"Do take care with that," the dwarf warned. "It would be a terrible crime if it went the way of the other works we spoke of."
Aegon glanced at Grey Worm as he closed the book and Tyrion struggled down from his chair to waddle across to the door. The eunuch did not appear to be watching him but it seemed as though he still saw. His face lacked any expression, even when Tyrion offered some jape.
I am being foolish. It is in his training to care about nothing more than Dany's orders.
He still felt better when Grey Worm was gone. This time he did put the book in a chest under clothes and furs, hoping it might be secure. His mind turned to Dany instead, wondering what it was that she wanted.
The food on offer when he joined her the next morning was not what he had become accustomed to in Casterly Rock. It was a simple porridge and some dried fruit. Aegon ate it without complaint, wondering at what appearance she wished to present by shunning extravagance. She sat cross legged on a cushion, her silvery gold hair in braids with the usual bells adorning it. The miniature portrait of her mother was clutched in her hand.
"I have asked for your patience," she said softly. "I know it has tried you."
He wanted to deny the charge but it was true. Dany gazed at the picture and smiled. It was a sad smile. Aegon had thought it a good idea when Varys gave it to him to offer as a gift to his aunt. He had not anticipated how much of an effect it would have on Daenerys.
She might have been a queen and a conqueror but she is still a person, lonely and mourning those she lost.
"We are kin," Dany told him. "I wished for that to mean more than a claim to dragons."
She set the miniature down and Aegon did not know what to say. The show of vulnerability made him feel guilt. If she had arrived in Westeros earlier all would be different. If he had not met Arya, if they had conquered together, all might be changed. He still felt she had misunderstood him.
"I want us to be kin too," he protested. "We are kin. If I made it seem that matters little it was not my intent."
He took her hand and pressed his lips to it. Dany smiled.
"You must eat," she urged. "My children grow impatient when I make them wait and I wish for you to meet Drogon."
Aegon could not hide his own smile. The black beast was said to be Balerion come again. The idea of seeing him at long last made it difficult to keep his courtesies and finish the meal in any dignified fashion. Dany laughed at him when he rose to walk with her, his guards and hers following like shadows.
"You do not hide your emotions well Aegon."
Aegon grinned. "Arya always said the same. She scolded me for it."
Dany frowned and Aegon realised what he had done. His own smile fled. Dany continued walking and Aegon kept pace beside her. He blamed her for the slip. His Aunt wore leathers and a woollen jerkin. She was dressed much as Arya often did. He feared for a heartbeat that she might refuse to let him see the dragon after all. Instead they continued on out of the castle. They had left the gates before she spoke.
"What is Lady Arya truly like? I have heard the stories but after knowing what people say of me I do not wish to rely upon rumours."
Aegon eyed her warily. He did not wish to speak of his lover to the woman he was currently pursuing, even if his efforts did seem to be going poorly. In fact he especially did not want to speak of Arya to Dany considering he gave Arya up and for a time it appeared for naught. Dany offered him no escape from the question so he tried to choose his words carefully.
"Arya does not consider herself a lady but takes pride in her House. She is devoted to her family and will not bend when it comes to dispensing Northern justice."
The bells in Dany's hair tinkled as the wind caught them. She seemed deep in thought as she mounted her horse and waited for him to do the same.
"Why do you say Northern justice?"
Aegon felt uncomfortable but Dany seemed genuinely curious. She did not speak of old grievances and feuds between families. He knew that Ser Barristan and Tyrion had informed her of the truth of the rebellion and its causes. The Blackfish had also said plenty but Aegon heard enough to know that exchange did not go well.
"The North has their own customs."
He explained it as they rode, telling her of them not using executioners and of the Watch and traditions he had learned from Arya. Dany listened quietly and her guards did not interrupt. When he was finished he fell silent and waited for more personal questions. They did not come. The unsullied were gathered in a clearing as the horses approached. Aegon noted that the Greyjoy banner flew in the gathering too.
"Victarion is here," he said stiffly.
Dany lifted her chin a little. "I requested to meet with him today."
Aegon's initial excitement at finally having the opportunity to see the dragon began to give way to resentment. As he drew closer he saw Tyrion Lannister and Nymeria Sand. The two were conversing and Aegon saw his cousin laugh. He remembered their last conversation and wondered if Dany knew the dangerous game she played.
"You invited Lady Nym."
Dany tensed. "She was with Tyrion at the time I met with him. I did not intend this but she appeared to take offence at exclusion. I expected you knew."
Aegon scowled. His cousin likely harboured a grudge after their quarrel. Nym did offer him a little wave when he dismounted. Dany moved away to begin giving orders. He wanted to protest, to argue that as a Targaryen and King that he should be afforded more respect but most of those gathered deferred to Daenerys and Aegon did not wish to provoke bloodshed. Tyrion nodded to him.
"I'm sure it will be quite the demonstration."
Aegon could not help feeling a fool once again. Of course it is a demonstration. He should have guessed when Dany named only the black dragon. She wishes to show the one under her control. It took quite some effort to repress his resentment when Dany called to him. She was smiling and he saw that the eunuchs had brought carts containing carcasses of horses.
"I thought you wished for me to see the dragon," he bit out.
Her expression softened. "There will be time enough for that Aegon."
He supposed it would have to do. Dany took the dragon horn from Grey Worm and blew it. It did not take long before the winged shadow loomed overhead, throwing all into darkness as he flew between them and the sun. Drogon landed heavily and with an almighty crunch which seemed to almost crack the earth. Aegon froze on the spot, fear mixing with fascination as he finally looked upon the great beast.
Although others gathered to watch, Dany and Aegon were the closest. The dragon stood only a few feet away. His scales were the blackest of black, his horns and eyes as red as blood. The dragon snorted and smoke billowed from his nostrils. Next to Aegon Dany spoke sweetly in High Valyrian, in a similar manner one might use for a child. The dragon stepped closer and Dany met it, her hand running over the scales. She laughed when he roared.
"He is hungry," she said calmly.
Aegon felt no such calm. His heart hammered in his chest. He knew himself to be privileged to be seeing the dragon. They had been dead for so long but the teachings of Lord Connington and Haldon kept repeating in his head. Aegon was a Targaryen and the dragons were his sigil. It was only right that he see them. Seeing them was the very least of what he must do given what lay ahead.
I must not be afraid.
He tried to forget his dreams and took one deep breath and then another. The dragon will not harm me. The carts were unloaded and the eunuchs retreated. Aegon's pulse began to slow a little and he took a step forward.
"That is unwise," Dany said quietly. "He is aggressive with others and he does not know you yet. You must wait until he has eaten." She left the dragon to the offerings and moved to Aegon's side. She even took his hand. "You are doing well."
Aegon did not feel he was doing well but he nodded dumbly. "What of the other two dragons?"
Dany shook her head and her bells tinkled again. "They have already eaten."
He was just trying to repress a smirk, thinking she had managed to stage things exactly as she must have wished when a shriek pierced the air and he heard the people behind him exclaiming. Drogon answered it with his own call and another beast landed beside him. Dany's grip on his hand became so tight it hurt before she let go. She called for the eunuchs, speaking rapidly in High Valyrian. The words were not meant for his ears but Aegon understood every one of them.
This was not supposed to happen.
The unsullied herded the onlookers away but Aegon stood completely forgotten. The fear returned but not in the same measure as when he initially saw Drogon. The second dragon was smaller but still of an intimidating size. His scales were cream in colour and when he began to quarrel with Drogon, jostling over the same carcass and showing teeth like black daggers, he breathed flame of pale gold shot through with red and orange. His larger brother won the contest and that was when the cream dragon turned and noticed Aegon.
The dragon moved quickly, his wings extended as he lunged forward and Aegon's gaze locked with his golden eyes. Aegon did not move. He did not know if he was capable of it but he did not have the time to think. It stopped just before it reached him, tilting its head as if examining him and Aegon let out the breath he was holding. He swallowed hard.
"Viserion," he said and he hated that his voice shook.
He wanted to try to talk to the dragon, to make some pathetic effort at imitating what Dany did with Drogon but his ears were ringing and his mouth was dry and he was surprised he had not pissed himself. He thanked the gods for only having had porridge and in that moment realised why Dany chose the bland food.
Viserion shrieked and looked at him again. Another step and those razor teeth were only a foot away. Before the dragon could come any closer Aegon heard the crack of a whip
"Viserion," Dany called. "Viserion."
The dragon knew his name. He turned back to his mother and Aegon saw that Drogon had moved further away. The cream dragon called to Dany, lunged towards her and then bathed a horse carcass in flame, ripped it apart and flew with part of the prize locked in his jaws. Dany moved quickly to Aegon's side.
"Are you unharmed?"
Aegon nodded. She took his arm and he followed her to join the others. She did not linger long.
"I need to go to Drogon. It is best if I do not leave him. I shall sup with you later."
Aegon stood with Tyrion Lannister this time watching from a safe distance. His aunt climbed onto the dragon's back with far less effort than seemed possible and took to the air. Aegon watched until they became no more than a speck in the distance. By that time Nym had joined him and was over the quarrel and rather too open in fussing over him. Aegon had calmed enough that he could gather his wits to speak.
"That was not quite what I expected."
Tyrion gave him a grin.
"It is almost exactly what I expected your grace." His expression seemed knowing. "One might almost think Viserion liked you."
All Aegon could remember was very sharp teeth which were snapped rather too close to his person. He did not intend to show his disagreement however. There were too many ears and the dwarf himself was not to be trusted. The cream dragon might not have harmed him but he did not feel that it truly loved him either. He caught sight of a man glowering at him and knew him from Lady Asha's descriptions of him.
Victarion Greyjoy does not love me either.
Aegon did not care if the captain disliked him. He only cared about doing what he came to do. That meant overcoming his remaining fear. I am a dragon, he told himself. They did not harm me and I will claim one. He did not know how but he took encouragement from Dany's smile and the support she gave him when facing them.
It is Daenerys I must think of and she cannot refuse me forever.
A/N: Next chapter returns North to Arya, Sansa and Jaime. I'm still figuring out which POV for which bit so shall leave that a mystery until I update in a fortnight