Red Keep ― Maegor's Holdfast…
When the Red Keep received the distressing report of Prince Daeron's untimely demise over Shipbreaker Bay, the royal family's initial reaction was profound outrage and an unwavering demand for retribution. Fueled by rage and vengeance resulting from the death of his youngest son, Aeonar angrily declared war on the Caltrops, issuing a proclamation that promised great rewards in the form of wealth, lands, and lordships to any individuals who successfully brought him the heads of Beatrice Peake and Aemond Targaryen.
Upon returning from their missions, the Targaryen siblings were informed of Daeron's untimely demise. Aemma, upon hearing the news, was overcome with inconsolable grief that left her crumpled on the floor, unable to find solace in anything. Viserys, though also mourning the loss of their brother, attempted to comfort his sister in her time of need. Aegon, meanwhile, was filled with a fit of seething anger, his heart ablaze with the desire to avenge his brother by killing Aemond. Jaehaerys, being the eldest, felt a pang of immense guilt. However, despite his best efforts, he lamented being unable to be there for his family when they needed him. The loss of his youngest brother, Daeron, weighed heavily on Jaehaerys's consciousness, and he couldn't help but feel guilty for not being there to protect him. One by one, the servants could see the anger burning silently in their eyes, a rare display of emotion from the usually composed Targaryens. The cause of their grief was their uncle Aemond, who, intentionally or not, was responsible for Daeron's death.
The funeral of Prince Daeron Targaryen was a small and solemn event. As there was no body to cremate, they had gathered some of his personal belongings and wrapped them in traditional cloth. The thought of holding an empty casket funeral for their brother only added to their pain. Alicent and Aemma were the most vocal mourners. Vaelor set fire to the pyre with dragonfire, causing their cries to intensify. Jaehaerys occasionally glanced at his father, who remained stoic and unreadable, aside from the look of the crimson ringlets engulfing the sclera in his eyes. Ever since Daeron's death, a dark cloud had enveloped Aeonar. He never smiled, barely slept, and ate sparingly. He attended fewer council meetings and secluded himself in a gloomy throne room to brood on the Iron Throne. According to the reports submitted by the servants to the small council, Aeonar was repeatedly raving about the same thing for hours: "Burn them all!" As the Targaryen family mourned their loss, they knew they were also preparing for war, with each member ready to do whatever it took to seek justice for their fallen brother.
Aeonar's eyes burned like a blazing inferno. His son was dead, but his thirst for vengeance remained unsaturated. Before long, the Young Dragon was determined to burn his enemies for their crimes. "Burn them all…" he muttered under his breath. "Make them understand what it means to choose the wrong side…"
Jaehaerys was deeply unsettled by the comments he had just heard from his father, as they represented a stark departure from the more optimistic and positive outlook his father typically held. The sudden appearance of such dark and foreboding language had left Jaehaerys feeling uneasy and unsure about what the future might hold.
After the pyre had fully consumed the remains of Daeron, Alwyn carefully gathered the ashes and poured them into a beautifully crafted stone urn. The urn was adorned with intricate etchings, including Daeron's name, the year of his birth, and the year of his passing, all inscribed in elegant High Valyrian script. The top of the urn was fashioned in the shape of a dragon's head and securely sealed with hot wax. As per tradition, a septon recited the final funeral rites and anointed the urn with holy oils. Alwyn then approached Aeonar, kneeling before him and holding up the urn for the king to accept. However, to Alwyn's surprise, the Young Dragon turned away, his piercing purple eyes fixed on the urn. Those among the gathered individuals claimed to have heard him mutter under his breath, "That's not my son." As Aeonar departed, his cloak fluttered dramatically in the breeze, leaving behind a sense of mystery and confusion.
It was Jaehaerys who ended up taking the urn and holding it. "There exist few who could have matched Daeron Targaryen's courage, spirit, and bravery. He was never one to shy away from a challenge and always expressed his…" he paused, "his opinions with an unapologetic conviction. Although he was taken from us too soon, his actions in defense of our family were honorable and just. Daeron was a commendable prince, a true dragon rider, and a devoted brother. He was the blood of the dragon… but now his fire has gone out." He paused again. "May the light of the Seven welcome Prince Daeron the Brave… with warmth and comfort."
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Following the conclusion of the funeral proceedings, Rhaenyra has been grappling with a sense of unease. Her son, Lucerys, desperately tried to apologize to Aeonar, but his efforts were met with staunch resistance. The Young Dragon's simmering anger and unrelenting desire for revenge blinded him to reason, causing him to cast both Lucerys and Rhaenyra out of his presence. Rhaenyra couldn't help but feel that Aeonar's gradual descent into madness had led to the governance of the capital being handed over to Otto Hightower and Prince Jaehaerys. While some may perceive it as a coup, it was a necessary move to have someone capable and level-headed enough to take the reins, particularly now that the Young Dragon is actively plotting his war. The situation is complex, and Rhaenyra is left to navigate the treacherous waters of politics and power dynamics with caution and precision.
Despite time passing, the wounds caused by the loss of her youngest nephew still remained fresh and raw for her. It was difficult to understand why the gods had chosen to be so cruel to her family. However, upon deeper reflection, she understood that it was not the fault of some higher power. Instead, the ones to be blamed for the tragedy were Aemond and the Caltrops. Their actions had taken, leaving an unfillable void behind them.
Rhaenyra, overcome with grief, sought solitude in a secluded area within the royal gardens. She couldn't shake off the memories of Daeron, from his birth to their final parting. As she leaned against a tree, lost in her thoughts, she heard a sudden sound of steel hitting wood, along with some screams nearby. She traced the source of the sound, and to her surprise, as she got closer, realized it was Jaehaerys striking a tree with his sword repeatedly. The bark of the tree chipped away with each swing, and Rhaenyra couldn't help but notice the change in her nephew/stepson-in-law's demeanor. Despite being the most responsible and mature among the royal family, Jaehaerys had been isolating himself more and more frequently, using this time to vent his grief and anger. Rhaenyra knew that he didn't want anyone to see him like this, not in his current state, and normally she would respect his need for solitude in this difficult time. But now was not the time for one to be by themselves. She couldn't leave him. "Jay," she called out to him.
No response.
"Jaehaerys!"
Jaehaerys was clearly struggling to control his emotions, his heavy panting a telltale sign of his anguish. He halted his venting on the tree after the second time his name was called, his attention shifting towards his aunt/stepmother-in-law.
"Jay," Rhaenyra spoke gently, "you're ruining your sword."
Jaehaerys slowly released his grip on his sword, his fingers sliding away from the steel until it tumbled onto the grassy plain. His visible distress starkly contrasted the memory that flashed through Rhaenyra's mind – a younger, smaller Jaehaerys standing before her, just three years old. She had been present for his birth, helped Alicent with his upbringing while Aeonar fought in the Stepstones, chose a dragon egg for his cradle, formed a bond with her nephew, read stories to him, and even taught him how to pronounce her name correctly. Jaehaerys had become like a son to her over the years. And yet, at nineteen years old, he now stood before her alone in his grief. The weight of the moment was palpable as the two of them stood in silence on the peaceful plain.
"Oh, come here…"
Jaehaerys slowly slumps over to Rhaenyra and falls into her arms.
"Shhh, shhh, shhh," Rhaenyra hugged her nephew and caressed his neck, trying to console him.
"I'll kill them all!" Jaehaerys cursed bitterly. "Every one of them. l will kill them all…"
"Easy now, Jay. Easy. We're all here for you. But I promise you…" Rhaenyra had a vengeful look in her eyes. "They won't get away with this. They will all pay."
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In readiness for their mission, the Lykiri Mēre agents were dressed in full assassination attire, their faces concealed by their hoods. They clutched their bo staffs tightly while hidden blades remained concealed within their robes. Despite losing some of their numbers during the riots, the Lykiri Mēre remained steadfastly loyal to their Grand Master. In response to the public declaration of war, these foreign agents were poised to utilize their espionage, sabotage, intelligence gathering, and assassination skills. Their unwavering dedication and training made them a formidable force to be reckoned with.
"Nǐ zhǎodào tāmen. Nǐ shāle tāmen. (You find them. You kill them.)" Aeonar ordered, his voice barely above a whisper.
They all nodded in silence before going their separate ways. During the Valyrian Freehold era, the Lykiri Mēre were renowned as the most feared assassins in the world. People believed they had vanished with Old Valyria in the Doom more than five thousand years ago. Aeonar aimed to prove them wrong and remind the world of the foolishness of this assumption.
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While the Blacks made their move, Daemon started to prepare his own strategy. Capitalizing on his experience as a combat veteran, the Rogue Prince closely examined the map of Westeros. With the storm's arrival, it became evident that Daemon had been given the go-ahead to mobilize his nephew's armies. Diplomacy was no longer an option as Prince Aemond Targaryen had killed Prince Daeron Targaryen. The stage was set for war. Even though the Blacks had more soldiers and dragons than the Caltrops, they needed a larger base of operations to accommodate them. "We take Harrenhal here, and we'll be more prepared to fend off the Westerlands and face the Stormlands in the south via our allies in the Reach. I want patrols along the kingsroad and the eastern coast's perimeter, looking for any small ships that might try to set ashore. If the Caltrops launch an invasion, it'll be by stealth… not directly. Conscript the Dragonkeepers. They're capable fighters. Waste no time," he said to his men.
"It will be done, my prince," one of the Blacks officers acknowledged.
"In the meantime, have our watchtowers sight the skies. We may have twice as many dragons, but our biggest concern is Vhagar."
"How can we attack something almost as big as Balerion?"
"In situations with overwhelming numbers, the size of a dragon, even one as large as Vhagar, may not be enough to ensure victory. Her vulnerability was demonstrated during the riots. When faced with multiple large dragons attacking from different angles simultaneously, Vhagar may not withstand another assault like that. If the same tactics are employed again, significant damage can be inflicted, and even a dragon as mighty as Vhagar can be brought down." We've done so before with the Cannibal. We can do it again. Daemon then heard audible footsteps approaching the war room. Turning to his left, he saw it was Ser Luthor Largent, one of his former subordinates in the City Watch, now its Commander.
"Well?" Luthor asked.
"We can do whatever we want now. The rules are out the window. I'm heading over to the Riverlands to secure Harrenhal and ensure old man Tully doesn't lose his courage. You, my friend, will keep the gold cloaks in check and stay alert. If you even suspect anyone of showing sympathy for the Caltrops or catch a whiff of treason―"
"Heads, spikes, walls."
Daemon gave a nod of approval and was about to take his leave, but then he stopped abruptly. He turned back to me and added, "Oh, and before I forget, I need you to do me a favor. Send a messenger to Mysaria and let her know that I am in need of some… 'experienced' rat catchers."
"As you command, my prince."
Determination was etched onto Daemon's face as he strode confidently through the ranks of his loyal men in the City Watch. Despite the curious glances cast his way, the Rogue Prince remained focused on his upcoming journey to the Trident, which was only a mere part of his grand plan to conquer Harrenhal – one of the Seven Kingdoms' impregnable fortresses and seat of House Strong. While rumors of ghosts haunting the castle had been circulating, only Daemon knew the truth. At a moment's notice, he would be ready to unleash his dragon, Caraxes, to incinerate anyone who dared to oppose him like his ancestor, Aegon the Conqueror, before him. Despite murmurs that his plans would clash with Aeonar's, Daemon was resolute in his determination to push aside any doubts and complete his mission. An eye for an eye, a son for a son. Daeron shall be avenged. His agents tirelessly recruited the best men for the task at hand, and with victory within reach, there was no limit to what the Rogue Prince could achieve. The Caltrops claimed the life of a son, so the Blacks would repay the favor. No bad deed would go unpunished for long.
"*Reeeeeee!*"
The formidable Blood Wyrm, Caraxes, refused to yield to the Dragonkeepers' efforts to soothe him. He emits thunderous roars and snarls viciously at anyone who dares to approach him. The cantankerous creature continues to resist, unleashing a billowing burst of fiery breath in defiance.
"Lykirī! Lykirī! (Be calm! Be calm!)" one of the acolytes beseeched.
"Rybās! Dohaerās, Karakses! (Obey! Serve, Caraxes!)" an elder commanded.
"*Raaaaaaah!*"
Once again, Caraxes, the mighty dragon, refused to heed his Dragonkeepers' commands. Frustration and tension hung in the air as Daemon approached his defiant dragon. Instead of reacting with anger or force, Daemon calmly approached Caraxes and placed his hand on the dragon's massive, blood-red head. At first, the Blood Wyrm grumbled and resisted, but eventually, he relented, acknowledging the presence of his rider. With a deep breath, Caraxes lowered his body, allowing Daemon to climb onto his saddle. With a powerful beat of his wings and a steady, rhythmic gait, the dragon made his way to the open field. The sun beat down on the pair as they ascended higher and higher into the sky. Caraxes' wings beat with increasing speed, creating a gust of wind that tousled Daemon's hair. Finally, with a powerful kick of his legs, Caraxes soared into the sky, gliding effortlessly toward their ultimate destination. The tension of the moment dissipated, replaced with the thrill and exhilaration of flight.
As Daemon soared through the skies atop his mighty dragon Caraxes, he cast a final look over his shoulder to witness the magnificent beasts Vermithor, Silverwing, Coraxes, and Meleyx scattering in various directions. The sight was nothing short of breathtaking, and Daemon felt a sense of pride and awe at the power of these magnificent creatures.
Good. They're on the move.
Starpike ― Main Hall…
Although Prince Aemond had successfully secured the support of the Stormlands for the Caltrops, his arrival was not met with the expected reception. News of the events that had taken place above Shipbreaker Bay had spread like wildfire throughout the entire kingdom, causing a ripple effect of unease and concern. Even the staff at Starpike, who were usually composed and professional, appeared visibly disturbed and pale with worry. Dowager Queen Beatrice, who the news of Aemond's victory would have overjoyed, stood silently, her hand up to her reddened cheek where she had been harshly slapped and scolded for expressing her emotions. The weight of the situation hung heavily in the air, and it was evident that the aftermath of the battle would have far-reaching consequences for all involved.
Unwin Peake, sporting his own specially made Hand of the King badge comprised of pure gold and set with jewels, was not pleased. "Mother have mercy on us all. You only lost one eye. How could you be so blind?" he berated his grandson.
Aemond found himself in a state of intense disappointment, struggling to come to terms with the consequences of his recent actions. Unknowingly, he had committed one of the most severe offenses in all of Westeros: killing a member of his own family. This act was considered to be strictly forbidden, regardless of the social status of the individual in question. A kinslayer was believed to be cursed for life and often faced social ostracism and disdain. Aemond was now faced with the weight of this grave transgression, unsure of how to proceed or his future.
"Now you have been branded a kinslayer. You have tainted our cause and will create sympathy for the enemy."
"My Lord Hand, I must respectfully disagree," Larys spoke up from his position in the corner, breaking his silence. "It would not be a difficult task to craft a narrative that portrays us in a sympathetic light. We could say… that Prince Aemond was on his way back to the Reach after successfully securing the support of House Baratheon when the vengeful Lucaerys and Daeron ambushed him. In the ensuing chaos, he was forced to defend himself, and tragically, Prince Daeron lost his life."
Aemond chimed in. "It is worth noting that it was their dragons Arrax and Gaemon who initiated the attack on Vhagar with dragonfire," he added.
Larys nodded in agreement before continuing, "Furthermore, we cannot overlook the fact that our actions have resulted in depriving Aeonar of a dragon rider, of which he has many. Despite their immense power, both dragons and their riders are still susceptible to mortality and can be killed. A lesson was learned through the Dornish when they successfully brought down both Meraxes and Queen Rhaenys in the First Dornish War."
"Who cares?" Aegon the Elder shrugged. "What's done is done. Aemond has done us a great service. He has won the Stormlands to our cause. We virtually control the entirety of the south." The opposing claimant did not share their concerns, however. Aegon welcomed his brother Aemond home with a great feast, hailed him as "the true blood of the dragon," and announced that he had made "a good beginning."
Unwin, however, shook his head. "No," he said with a hint of tension. "Oldtown and the Arbor are standing strong against our advances, and the Tyrells are ominously silent. We can't claim complete control over the south just yet." He waved his hand dismissively. "However, we have the Hightowers cornered in Oldtown with no escape route, and the Redwynes will soon have their hands full with the Lannister fleet."
"Then how are we to deal with the Sea Snake and his navy?" Aemond asked. "Do you intend to send one of us to the Stepstones to burn them out?"
"No, you and your siblings will be needed here with your dragons," Unwin said as he poured himself a goblet of wine. "Some wars are won with swords and others with words. I have set several plans in motion that will throw Aeonar's faction into chaos and will provide us with all the gold and men we need to win this war."
"Your Grace!" one of the Peake soldiers reported. "The Blacks have taken Harrenhal!"
"Word from the Westerlands! The Golden Tooth is under heavy attack!"
"What? How could the Young Dragon's armies be moving so quickly?!" Beatrice shouted.
"My lord! Griffon's Roost has declared for Aeonar Targaryen!"
"Castamere and Tarbeck Hall have also defected!"
Chapter End
Author's Note: With the aftermath of Daeron's death, the Blacks are now on the move. However, it seems Aeonar and Daemon are up to something - one that conflict with each other's methods. What are they and what hints have you noticed? Do you think they're similar or different? If so, what? Meanwhile, Aemond was admonished by Unwin whether it was an accident or not. Now with word reaching the Caltrops that they lost Harrenhal, Golden Tooth is under attack, and three defections, what do you guys think the war will progress? Let me know.
Guest #1: Will Rhaenys and Corlys also try to comfort Aeonar because they know what it's like to to lose a son
―Yes
C.E.W: In light of Aemond killing Daeron, accident or not matters not only perception. Aeonar Targaryen overwhelmed with grief and anger, has fallen to madness and has given Daemon Targaryen the green light to move against the Caltrops. The Caltrops are now gathering their forces as are the Blacks. Now that the majority Westerlands and the Stormlands have sided with the Caltrops, they have the strength to counter the Blacks. Although the Blacks have their own plans for retaliation particularly Aeonar and Daemon.
King Aeonar Targaryen having fallen into madness, barely sleeps and eats, attends council meetings less, and now has closed himself off from his family to focus on fighting the Caltrops. This even worse than the twenty years of hating his father before reconciliation following the Driftmark succession hearing. Alicent probably in her chambers dealing with grief in her own way, and now it falls to Rhaenyra to emotionally help the family.
Aeonar and Daemon have their own plans for retaliation in regards to assassination I'm sure. Knowing Daemon, I'm sure his Blood and Cheese plan is going to mess up Aeonar's own plans and compromise his agents.
The Triarchy are now building a fleet of ninety war ships to attack the Blacks. There is likely still to be a Battle of the Gullet. However Aeonar knows they are coming, which means the Triarchy will lack the element of surprise that they had in the books.
Prince Jaehaerys seems to be taking a bigger role day after day, at this point it won't surprise me that he becomes king in the end of the civil war. If Aeonar's madness keeps up, that would be for the better.
Questions:
Is it the River lords loyal to the Blacks laying siege to Golden Tooth, or the Reyne-Tarbecks, or all at once?
―The riverlords who declared for the Blacks are being aided by the Reynes and Tarbecks
Now that Harrenhal has been captured by the Blacks, will the Blacks use it for the North and the Vale forces to gather at?
―Harrenhal is the largest castle in Westeros to host an army the Blacks have, but if Vhagar shows up, that'll change everything
Will the Blacks' dragon riders travel in pairs now? Its a little risky for dragon rider to be riding alone on their dragons especially with Vhagar still out there.
―Strength in numbers would work, but they'll also have to be wary about attacks from the ground or Sea as well
How bad is Alicent? I get that she's in grief, but she does see the dark path her husband is heading down right?
―If a parent loses a child, it'll be quite some time for them to recover
How are Corlys Velaryon and Rhaenys reacting to Aeonar's recent behavior?
―They are concerned
How does Aeonar blame Luke for Daeron's death? Daeron chose to take the fall against Aemond and Vhagar.
―Remember what Cersei said to Tyrion? "Gone... for the sake of you." In this case, his own son died because of Luke's perceived weakness
Gojira - Unit: Oh No, Aeonar. The Dance has begun and there's no turning back now. The Blacks clearly have the upper hand and will most likely win this war. But I do held hope that Aeonar can change for the better. I also love the part of Rhaenyra and Jaehaerys, it was literally the Catelyn and Robb Stark scene from Game of Thrones, which is a nice touch.
Here comes the questions:
1. Do you think Aeonar will come back to his sense? I do hope he can.
―I'm not sure. I hardly heard any Targaryen coming back from madness.
2. Will we see Baela and Jaehaerys in the next chapter?
―Maybe, but one thing at a time.
3. Will the Blood and Cheese go the same way as in the original story and you planning something entirely new?
―A little something new, but if you've noticed in the planning scenes, two plots are going to be coinciding with each other yet their aim was different than the other
I guess that's basically all, but If I come up with new questions I may ask again and there's also something I wanted to point out.
There's this little phrase in the story saying that he barely attends any council, sparingly eats, less sleep. It's the same as in The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies where Thorin gets the curse of the treasure but at the end, he came back to his senses. I probably think that you may apply the same for Aeonar, in a different way of course.
roggerlopez99: "Eye for a Eye Son for a Son"
Looks like Blood and Cheese are coming
How will Aeonar react when he learns about Blood and Cheese action, because Aeonar wants Ameond and Beatrice dead the most I can tell he going to be very mad with Daemon and White worm
MichaelBishopone: Oh deja vu
Rhaegar Jaehaerys
Aerys Aeanor
XavierWright: Oh no. Aeonar is already falling into mad King territory. And given that guy was not only a horrible king, paranoid, and a psycho, he was also a terrible husband, amongst other things.
Which... is causing me to somewhat fear for Alicent now.
randomdude24: Aeonar has definitely changed, I do hope he eventually comes around to realize that vengeance will not help him. Just leaves an empty hole that can't be filled. But I'm getting a feeling Aeonar the mad King is too far gone now. Burn them All is just the beginning.
I really want to see a happy ending but Aeonar will most likely end up dead before the end. I did like him up until this.