Driftmark ― Somewhere along the beach…
In a different part of the shoreline, a youthful Aemond Targaryen engaged in a surreptitious departure from the fortified stronghold undetected. Seizing the opportunity presented by the somnolent state of his fellow inhabitants, he set his sights on carrying out a feat that few would dare to try – subduing the most powerful dragon in all of Westeros: Vhagar, the esteemed Queen of All Dragons. Now was his chance to prove himself as a Targaryen and for Aemond to get payback at those who belittled him for not having a dragon. He glanced over his shoulder, a quick survey of his surroundings to check for any potential scouts or other tamed dragons, but he was in the clear for now.
« You're the only one of us without a dragon. And we felt bad about it, so we went out and managed to find one for you. »
« It wasn't easy. Took a lot of time and effort… but we got one, Aemond. Trust us; you're going to love it. »
« Behold… The Pink Dread! »
« Be sure to mount her carefully. The first flight's always rough. »
« Ulōrvos pryjatā, mittītsos? Jaehossa itymagon daor. Lo tolomy ozletti zaldrīzī dārligon sylvō, morghūlilā. Jikagon. Se henujagon Zaldrījudiri.
(Have you lost all sense, you fool of a boy? Do not trifle with gods. Try to claim a dragon bound to another, and you will die. Now go. And leave the Dragonpit.) »
« Listen to me, Aemond. You will have a dragon one day. I know it. And once you do, the world will bow beneath your feet. You are my darling boy, a prince of House Targaryen. The blood of the dragon flows through your veins. And the truth will be exactly how you will make it out to be. »
As Aemond reminisced, he couldn't help but recall his family's hurtful insults, including his brother Aegon the Elder and nephews Jacaerys, Lucerys, Aegon the Younger, Viserys, and Daeron, had directed towards him. Yet, he also took comfort in the words of encouragement from his mother, Queen Beatrice. With determination, Aemond knew he would reach his goal and make the world submit to him. Muffling the sound of his footsteps to ensure he was as quiet as possible, Aemond swiftly approached the sandy dunes until he eventually found Vhagar asleep in the dunes. "Fuck," he silently uttered under his breath. There she was. One hundred eighty-eight years old, 330 feet long. Nearly the size of a dune herself, Vhagar was twice the size of even Caraxes and was significantly larger than both Vaelor and Vermithor. With Balerion and Meraxes dead, she was the last of the original three dragons from the Targaryen Conquest.
But even so, recalling his encounter with Dreamfyre in the Dragonpit, Aemond had to be cautious when approaching a mature dragon. Vhagar was still asleep, chest rising and exhaling with each breath. Her eyes were closed, and she shifted slightly. Aemond looked up at the empty saddle on her back before lowering his gaze to the rope netting leading up to the saddle. Of course, he will strap himself in and tame the dragon if he can climb it, but that would mean getting dangerously closer to the ancient dragon herself and risking waking her up. Now's your chance. Do it. Claim a dragon as your own. Go on, do it. Aemond held his breath and placed one foot in front of the other before slowly reaching his hand out to grab the rope netting. It was then that he heard an audible inhale and quickly backed away.
Vhagar's eyes opened, sensing an intruder. Raising her head, she noticed a small boy staring at her. He didn't seem frightened by her presence for such a small creature. However, Vhagar sensed that the child was a prince of Targaryen blood. From experience, the Queen of All Dragons knew the Targaryens were the only ones who could successfully bond with her kin. Yet Vhagar was seemingly uninterested and rested her head against the dunes and went back to sleep.
Aemond let out a quiet sigh of relief. The situation had been dangerous, but he was determined to see it through. He refused to turn tail and be left with nothing once more. With renewed focus, Aemond grasped onto the rope and made another attempt to mount the dragon, only to unintentionally rouse her from slumber once again. Now visibly annoyed at this little pest, Vhagar growls menacingly and starts building up fire in the back of her throat to immolate the young prince. Recognizing his danger, Aemond bravely stood his ground and quickly raised his hand. He needed to calm her down before she incinerated him. "Dohaerās! Dohaerās, Vagar! (Serve! Serve, Vhagar!)" he commanded in High Valyrian to heel and obey, like firmly giving commands to a horse. "Lykirī! Lykirī! Lykirī. (Be calm! Be calm! Be calm.)"
None can know the mind of a dragon, but after a mysterious moment, Vhagar backs down and relents. For such a small creature, especially a Targaryen child, to be able to show no fear, the Queen of All Dragons watched as Aemond climbed to her saddle. Her eyes saw him closely.
The first part was easy. Now comes the second half of becoming a full-fledged dragonrider. Upon finally reaching the top, Aemond gripped the saddle's handlebars and pulled himself up to take a seat. I… I've done it. I did it! At long last, I finally have a dragon! Filled with boundless confidence, the prince looked over the edge on both ends. Seven hells, he was so high up. Now… let's see what she can do. "Sōvēs! (Fly!)" he commands again, wrapping his hands around the reins. "Dohaerās, Vagar! Sōvēs! (Serve, Vhagar! Fly!)"
Having gained a new rider, Vhagar stood up. "*Gruuuuuuh!*" Shaking off the dirt and sand from the dunes, the Queen of All Dragons readied herself to take flight. Aemond struggled to hang on, remembering that he had forgotten to properly strap himself in to keep himself from falling out. With no time to act, the young prince merely held on for dear life as Vhagar ran along the shoreline to gain traction before launching into the night sky.
"Whoa! WHOOOOAA! AAAAAAH!"
Without Aemond's knowledge, Vaelor had traced the young prince's path to where Vhagar was resting. As he gazed up at the sky, the Swiftrunner saw Aemond taking off with Vhagar. Vaelor sensed danger and growled in response. "*Grrrrrrrrr!*" Rearing himself on his hind legs, he puffed his chest, and his throat gurgled a low vibration and opened his jaws to bellow a frequency of different pitches. "*RRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAOOOOOOOOOOHH!*" With a mighty roar that started low and ended in a high pitch of various wavelengths, Vaelor hoped to catch his master's attention. The Swiftrunner's call echoed through the air, carrying his message far and wide.
Before long, Vaelor's roar soon woke up Vermithor, Silverwing, Seasmoke, Caraxes, Maelyx, Corxes, Gaemon, Meleys, Syrax, and Seasmoke.
Driftmark ― High Tide…
"*RRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAOOOOOOOOOOHH!*"
Baela and Rhaena, awoken by the sudden sound of a dragon roar, looked out the window to see Vhagar taking flight. Someone stole their mother's dragon meant for them to inherit!
"No!" Rhaena screamed.
"We got to do something!" Baela shouted. "Come on! We must wake the others!"
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"*RRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAOOOOOOOOOOHH!*"
Jaehaerys, Aegon, Viserys, Aemma, and Daeron, all awakened by the sound of their father's dragon's roar, ran out of their rooms. Looking left and right down the hallway, the noise had also disturbed High Tide's guests and household servants as they exited their assigned spaces. Judging by the difference in pitch and frequency, that roar did not sound good.
"What in Seven hells was that?" Aegon the Younger exclaimed.
"Was that father's dragon?!" Daeron asked anxiously.
"I-I think it was," Viserys said affirmatively.
Jaehaerys listened closely to the sound. Not only did he hear it, but he and his siblings subtly felt the spikes in atmospheric air pressure and vibrations through the pads of their feet. "Something's not right," he warned.
"What do we do, Jay?" Aemma asked.
"Wh―"
"Jay! Egg, Viserys, Aemma, Daeron!" Baela and Rhaena both ran from their rooms.
"Baela? Rhaena?" Jaehaerys noticed his cousins' distress.
"You heard it too?!"
"Of course, we heard it!" Daeron replied.
"Someone stole Vhagar!" Baela informed them.
"W-What?" Jaehaerys said in disbelief.
"Someone stole Vhagar."
"W-Who did it?!" Aegon asked. Although he and his twin were particularly fond of pulling pranks at least once in a while, even he was fully aware that this one was crossing the line. This went way too far!
"Aegon, Viserys," Jaehaerys spoke firmly, "you two find grandfather and tell him everything Baela and Rhaena told us." Then, he turned to his youngest brother. "Daeron, inform Lord Commander Harrold without delay." Next, he turned to his sister. "Aemma, get father and mother. I'll seek out Lord Corlys and Princess Rhaenys."
"O-Okay!" Aemma understood and at once ran off.
"We'll wake the others!" Baela insisted.
"Jace and Luke need to know too!" Rhaena agreed.
Jaehaerys nodded. "Understood, but don't go too far. We'll catch up with you shortly," he said.
"Don't keep us waiting!"
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Jacaerys and Lucerys were sound asleep. Until…
"*RRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAOOOOOOOOOOHH!*"
"Mmm! W-What?" Jacaerys mumbled, suddenly finding himself awake by a dragon roar.
"Was that a dragon?" Lucerys pondered aloud.
"Jace! Luke!" Baela and Rhaena abruptly barged into their room. "Someone stole Vhagar!"
"What?" Jacaerys expressed concern and quickly sprang out of bed, pulling the sheets aside. His cousins led the way down the main hall, with his younger brother Lucerys trailing closely behind.
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Aeonar walked down the hallway to return to his room. But amid his steps, the Young Dragon suddenly felt the nerves in the back of his head twitching and tugging. There it is again…
"*RRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAOOOOOOOOOOHH!*"
Aeonar abruptly raised his head at the sound. He immediately knew it belonged to Vaelor. Paying close attention to the vibrancy and difference in pitch, the Young Dragon recognized this was the Swiftrunner's call to alert him of danger.
Alicent ran out of their shared room. "Aeonar! Was that Vaelor?" she asked. The noise woke her up too.
"Mama! Papa!" Aemma ran toward them frantically. Both parents immediately turned to their daughter.
"Aemma!? My dear girl, what's the matter?" Alicent knelt, visibly concerned.
"Mama, Baela said someone stole Vhagar!"
"What?!"
Aeonar attentively listened to his daughter's words, and then his gaze shifted toward the window. He observed Vhagar soaring in various directions and angles across the skies within moments. Finally, the Young Dragon acknowledged the veracity of his child's statement. "Shit," he cursed through gritted teeth. "Alicent," he called out to his wife, "take our daughter with you. Tell your father everything. And I mean everything. And get everyone in the Hall of Nine." While Alicent and their daughter went to inform Ser Otto about the theft, Aeonar watched the flight pattern of the Queen of All Dragons with keen interest. Alas, it appears more urgent matters demand my attention. Your mother has betrayed us all, Vaelor. He curled his fists into a ball. Sorry grandfather, but I'm not one for pets who don't listen to their masters.
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Aemond continued screaming as he held the reins as tightly as he could. Nearly falling off the saddle several times because he wasn't adequately strapped in, the young prince swayed left and right before finally returning to the saddle to regain control. "Nnnnngh!" he strained. Then, as Vhagar rushed toward High Tide in a steep descent, the dragon suddenly swerved upwards and leveled out just in time to avoid a crash. Aemond breathed a sigh of relief, but his attention was quickly drawn to a flock of birds heading their way. He instinctively ducked his head to avoid them and steered Vhagar around Driftmark. Following his predecessors' footsteps, Aemond proved an adaptive learner and soon became adept at managing the dragon's reins. "Yeah! Hahaha!" he laughed excitedly.
As they circled Driftmark, having become a full-fledged dragonrider, Vhagar flew to return to High Tide and descended near the castle, landing with a heavy thud. The ground shook beneath the elder dragon's feet.
Aemond dismounted Vhagar and entered through a tunnel leading to the castle from the beach. Now that he had tamed a dragon, nothing could hold him back from forging his path. The largest dragon in the world was now his to command. Removing the cloak from his shoulders, Aemond heard multiple footsteps heading his way. Visibly unconcerned, he saw Baela, Rhaena, Jacaerys, and Lucerys standing before him.
"It's him!" Baela pointed at Aemond. Now she knows who absconded with Vhagar.
"Yeah, it's me," Aemond admitted.
"Vhagar is my mother's dragon!"
"Your mother is dead. Vhagar has a new rider now."
"She was mine to claim!" Rhaena spat angrily.
"Then you should have claimed her when you had the chance! Too late for that now," Aemond replied. He turned to Jace and Luke. "Maybe your cousins can find you a pig to ride. It would suit you."
Rhaena yelled and charged at Aemond but being physically taller he easily shoved her aside. Enraged at him for stealing her late mother's dragon only hours after the funeral and for hurting her sister, Baela punched Aemond in the face. Despite being of a different sex, Daemon's elder daughter was more challenging than she looked. However, Aemond retaliated by punching her across the face, sending Baela to the ground.
"Come at me again and I'll feed you to my dragon!" Aemond challenged.
Then… all hell broke loose.
"Leave her alone!" Jacaerys yelled, punching his uncle in the face. He moved to deliver three more blows, but they were blocked, parried, and deflected before getting kicked in the chest by Aemond.
Lucerys shirked angrily and grabbed Aemond, but the prince punched his nephew so hard he broke his nose. Jacaerys quickly recovered and attacked Aemond again, forcibly shoving him to the ground. Baela and Rhaena joined in and began hitting Aemond from all sides, showing no mercy to the disrespectful brat who wronged them. They were not going to let him get away with this. The beatings were more brutal than the last, drawing blood. Having had enough, Aemond kicked Jacaerys off him and tossed Rhaena into Baela before grabbing a charging Lucerys by the throat. Grabbing a nearby rock, Aemond regained his footing and held it high above his head.
"You will die screaming in flames just as your father did! Bastards," Aemond threatened.
"My father's still alive!" Lucerys screamed.
"He doesn't know, does he… Lord Strong?"
Jacaerys, who is old enough to understand the insult, drew a knife and retaliated fiercely against Aemond.
"Jace!" Rhaena shouted.
However, Aemond gained the upper hand and brutally assaulted Jacaerys, knocking the blade out of his hand. In defense of her cousin, Baela tried to attack Aemond but was violently thrown against the wall. Despite the odds against him, Aemond proved to be a skilled fighter against all four of them, thanks to Ser Criston Cole's training. After quickly tossing Lucerys aside, Aemond turned his attention towards Baela, who was disoriented from the hit. With a rock in hand, Aemond raised it in preparation to strike, but then something unexpected happened…
"HEY!"
As Aemond turned around, he was immediately hoisted off the ground by a visibly outraged Jaehaerys. Seizing him by the wrist, the prince roughly threw Aemond against the wall. Before he could recover, Jaehaerys grabbed the back of Aemond's hair and repeatedly bashed his face. "You! Don't! Ever! Put your hands! ON A GIRL! EVER!" he shouted in between blows before kneeing Aemond in the gut and throwing him to the ground.
"Jay!" Jacaerys called out. Before long, Aegon the Younger, Viserys, and Daeron arrived just in time to help their brother and cousins.
"What have you done to Jace and Luke!?" Aegon shouted angrily.
"And Baela and Rhaena too!" Viserys chimed.
"You'll pay for this!" Daeron snarled.
Aemond's vision was blurred, dizzy from his head being repeatedly bashed against the tunnel walls. His nose and mouth were bleeding, his left cheekbone had cracked in certain places, and his left eye was starting to swell with bruises and welts covering his face. Now it was eight against one. The Young Dragon's sons circled him like wolves stalking their prey or sharks drawn in by the smell of blood in the water. Aegon and Viserys coordinated their efforts by swarming Aemond; as the prince swung his arm around, the twins ducked and performed a spinning hook kick to his face, which spun him around to meet with Daeron giving a vicious open-handed palm strike to the chin. Next, the twins leaped into the air and delivered a jumping roundhouse kick to Aemond. This knocked him into Jaehaerys's line of sight, allowing the elder Targaryen to deliver multiple swift jabs and a dual open-handed palm strike to Aemond's torso. Finally, with the advantage of their father's training, teamwork, and quick, agile reflexes to keep them out of harm's way, the Targaryen children overpowered Aemond, attacking so rapidly that he could not keep up.
Jacaerys waited for the opportune moment while his brother Lucerys circled around to recover the discarded knife, taking advantage of the situation that their cousins had Aemond completely distracted that they hadn't noticed him at all. When Jaehaerys grabbed Aemond's head and delivered his knee to his face, Aegon, Viserys, and Daeron dropkicked him directly into Jace's path, allowing him to fling sand into Aemond's face. Luke then charged from the side, using the knife to slash Aemond across the right side of his face through his right eye.
"GAAAAAAH!" Aemond screamed in pain, clutching his face as blood poured openly as he fell to the ground. "WUAAAAAAAAAH!"
"Cease this at once! Get away!"
Jaehaerys snapped out of his haze and was returned to reality by Ser Harrold Westerling's voice as three more Kingsguard knights arrived to separate the children. Aemond remained on the ground, wailing in agony with his hand glued to his bleeding face as the young princes continued staring at him. Eventually, both Aegon the Younger and Viserys became aware of what had happened and what they just did. Still, they had been too focused on protecting their cousins to understand the gravity of the situation. The presence of a knife only added to the confusion. Daeron was the only one still glaring at Aemond with anger, but the other Kingsguard prevented him from continuing the fight. Daeron continued to stare furiously at his uncle, clenching his fists so tightly that his knuckles threatened to turn white.
"My prince, my prince. Let me see," Harrold turned Aemond over. Then, the Lord Commander gasped at the bloody sight upon moving the boy's hand away from his face. The prince's right eye… was missing. Only a bloody, empty socket remained. "Gods be good…" Harrold looked at Jaehaerys, the prince taking in the sight of what had happened.
I… I'm sorry, Lord Commander.
High Tide ― Hall of Nine…
"This is AN OUTRAGE! I demand punishment!" Beatrice shouted furiously. After Aemond sustains a vicious cut across his face, Driftmark's maester, Kevlyn, tends to his wounds. The House Targaryen elders gather in the Nine Hall to address the aftermath of the children's altercation. The Blacks and Caltrops were bitterly divided, exchanging accusations and insults. Rhaenyra rushes back to High Tide to assess the situation and is infuriated by her youngest half-brother's actions toward her sons. Alicent positions herself between the queen and her children for protection, while Aeonar, Otto, Beatrice, and Unwin stand at the forefront of their respective political factions.
King Viserys rushed to the Hall of Nine upon receiving a warning from his grandchildren, but unfortunately, he arrived too late. The damage has already been done. He used his cane to demand silence and restore order. "How could you allow such a thing to happen? I will have answers!" he insisted, furious with the Kingsguard for not protecting princes of royal blood.
"The princes were supposed to be in bed, my king," Harrold informed.
"That was until a certain dragon woke everybody up in Driftmark," Arryk mentioned.
"Who had the night's watch?"
"Ser Criston did, Your Grace," Erryk answered.
"The young prince was attacked by his own cousins, Your Grace," Criston protested.
"You swore oaths to protect and defend my blood!"
"I'm very sorry, Your Grace," Harrold apologized.
"The Kingsguard has never had to defend princes from princes, Your Grace―" Criston tried protesting again.
"THAT IS NO ANSWER!" Viserys shouted angrily.
Beatrice looked at her son. "It will heal, will it not, maester?" she inquired.
Kevlyn shook his head. "The flesh will heal. But the eye is lost forever, Your Grace," he replied.
"You," the queen turned to her firstborn son. "Where were you?!"
"Me?" Aegon the Elder answered obliviously. But he was soon slapped across the face. "Ow! What was that for?!" he complained.
"That was NOTHING compared to the abuse your brother suffered while you were drowning in your cups and lusting after the serving girls AGAIN, you bloody fool!"
"Perhaps if someone raised them better, then they wouldn't be behaving this way," Daemon threw in a jab, earning a snicker from Daeron.
Beatrice's face twisted with rage.
"Prince Jaehaerys told us what had happened, what your son did," Corlys arrived with Rhaenys beside him. "Explain yourselves! What is the meaning of this!?" he demanded furiously. "Does our alliance mean nothing to you? First, we lost our daughter; then a dragon that was given to us as a gift was stolen from us when it was meant to be inherited by Laena and her children after her; and now we find out our granddaughters – who just lost their mother – were attacked by your son… in my fucking hall! Tell me!"
"Baela, Rhaena!" Rhaenys gasped before rushing to her granddaughters, embracing them protectively upon seeing their bruises and dried blood.
"They attacked me!" Aemond shouted.
"You attacked Baela!" Jacaerys shouted back.
"He broke Luke's nose!" Baela chimed in. "He stole my mother's dragon!"
"He was going to kill Jace and Luke!" Aegon the Younger accused.
"You told us no one should strike a girl, no matter their status!" Viserys exclaimed.
"IT SHOULD BE MY SON TELLING THE TALE!" Beatrice shouted.
"Your son was the one who caused all this trouble to happen in the first place with his reckless, irresponsible behavior!" Alicent shouted back.
All the children began talking over each other; Aemond claimed the other children attacked him, and the other children said they were only defending themselves. Otto stood in cold silence, while Daemon leaned against the wall with his arms crossed; although the Rogue Prince did not express himself, he was furious when he found out what his nephew had done to his daughters. Both parties kept going at it until King Viserys and Aeonar felt a headache coming.
"Enough… Enough!" King Viserys ordered.
"He called us―" Jacaerys tried to speak.
"Be quiet," Aeonar said silently. Then, when it didn't happen, he raised his voice louder. "HOLD YOUR TONGUES!"
"SILENCE!" King Viserys shouted.
The room went quiet as both royals' voices boomed with firm, authoritative tones.
"He called us bastards," Jacaerys whispered to his mother.
"Yeah, aunt Rhaenyra, we heard it too," Aegon the Younger affirmed.
Rhaenyra turned and glared icy daggers at the Caltrops. Aeonar glanced at his sister; his nose picked up a familiar scent. Seven fucking hells, Rhaenyra… Daemon. You bloody fools, I knew you would cause trouble again. Don't think I don't know what sex smells like. Given the late arrival of Daemon and Rhaenyra to High Tide, he can only presume what had happened between them – reminding him of the accusations surrounding Rhaenyra and Daemon ten years ago during the Summer Festival.
"Aemond," Viserys limped over to his youngest son, "I will have the truth of what happened. Now."
"What else is there to hear?" Beatrice angrily interjected. "Your son has been maimed. Their sons are responsible. Prince Lucerys brought a blade to the ambush. He meant to kill my son!"
"And who threatened to kill whose son first, Beatrice? Don't play coy," Aeonar refuted. "A simple maiming pales compared to the ramifications of what your brat did."
Rhaenyra nodded. "It was my sons who were attacked and forced to defend themselves! Vile insults were levied against them," she agreed. "If it hadn't been for my nephews, Jace and Luke would have been killed."
"What insults?" King Viserys inquired.
Aeonar rolled his eyes. You know the insults, old man.
"He called Jace and Luke bastards, grandpa!" Daeron revealed.
"Per our agreement, my sons are sixth, seventh, and eighth-in-line to inherit the Iron Throne, Your Grace," Rhaenyra reminded her father. "Behind my brother and nephews Jaehaerys, Aegon, Viserys, and Daeron. That was the condition we agreed to."
"Huh. In case you need a reminder," Aeonar mentioned, "ten years ago, in this very room, in the eyes of witnesses, the crown and Driftmark signed a treaty in good faith with House Targaryen's oldest and most powerful ally since the Doom. Lord Corlys's son and heir, Ser Laenor Velaryon, was to be betrothed to Princess Rhaenyra. In addition, Lady Laena, may she rest in peace, was gifted Vhagar as a dowry, which her descendants would inherit. My predecessor as Hand, Lord Lyonel Strong, and you, Your Grace, were among the main signatories. But unfortunately, your son took it upon himself to violate the agreement, and the treaty is now broken. While certain incidents can be overlooked, this cannot be forgiven."
"The legitimacy of my sons' birth was put loudly into question. To question their birth is the highest of reasons. Prince Aemond must be sharply questioned so we might learn where he heard such slanders and for breaking our sacred treaty."
"Over an insult? A piece of paper that had never been shown to anyone?" Beatrice questioned. "My son LOST AN EYE!"
"And you made it our problem when your son got ours involved with that little stunt he pulled by stealing Vhagar under cover of night."
Now that he has been made aware of the rumors surrounding Jace, Luke, and Joffrey from his grandchildren, the king redirected his attention toward his wounded son. "You tell me, boy. Where did you hear this lie?" he asked.
"The insult was training yard bluster. The lot of boys. It was nothing," Beatrice said.
Viserys ignored her. "Aemond… I asked you a question," he reiterated.
"Where is Ser Laenor, I wonder? The boys' father? Perhaps he might have something to say in the matter."
"Yes. Where is Ser Laenor?"
Aeonar looked at his sister.
Rhaenyra felt the eyes drawn on her. "I do not know, Your Grace. I… could not find sleep. I had gone out to walk," she feigned ignorance.
You did not simply go out for a walk, Rhaenyra. Instead, you fucked our uncle and came waltzing back as if nothing happened. How foolish of me to believe you tried to change your ways for the sake of our family. You and Daemon hadn't changed one bit.
"Entertaining his young squires, I would venture," Beatrice snidely remarked.
"That's enough out of you," Rhaenys warned harshly. Corlys glared at the queen as well over this insult. Criston smirked but ceased when he noticed Harrold staring at him.
"Aemond… look at me. Your king demands an answer. Who told these lies to you?" The king asked for the third time.
"Aemond," Aeonar stared at him, "your king is speaking to you. Answer him."
Aemond, with only one eye remaining, felt his breathing tremble. Both his father and eldest half-brother were leaning on him. But after a tense moment looking towards his mother, he decided to speak. "It was Aegon," he answered.
Of course, considering two Aegons in the same room, the Blacks and the Caltrops looked at them. But all that was broken by a silent statement.
"Me?" Aegon the Elder asked with disbelief at the insinuation that his brother used him as a scapegoat.
Aegon the Younger remained quiet, not wanting to attract undue notice since he shared the same name as his uncle. However, the fact that his uncle was the first to speak up made it seem probable that he was the one responsible for circulating the rumor about his cousins.
King Viserys turned to his second son and approached him. "And you, boy?" he said to his face. "Where did you hear such calumnies?" he asked. No answer. "AEGON!" he shouted again. "Tell me the truth of it!"
"We know, father. Everyone knows. Just look at them. They don't look anything like us."
"Doesn't mean you can insult them like that!" Daeron shouted at his uncle.
"Daeron, hush," Alicent said firmly.
"And what of you… Jaehaerys?" the king asked his eldest grandson. "Do you believe such lies?" He approached him. "Please, lad…" he asked gently, almost begging.
Jaehaerys hated this, seeing his ailing grandfather like this, hoping for an answer. "I… can't deny we've heard the rumors as well, grandfather," he spoke slowly. "It's not uncommon for Targaryens to not share our physical traits. Take, for example, Princess Rhaenys's mother, Lady Jocelyn, who was born a Baratheon. Despite not resembling us at first glance, your cousin proved herself once she reached adulthood. So is it fair to discriminate against a family based solely on their appearance, trueborn or no?"
Jacaerys and Lucerys both looked at their cousin, who spoke up in defense on their behalf.
Viserys was beside himself. How could things deteriorate so badly with his family? He turned to Aeonar and Rhaenyra, his two surviving children from his first marriage. His daughter shielded her sons, but his eldest kept a stoic, cold expression at him. The king then turned to his second wife. "This interminable infighting must cease!" he shouted, distraught. "All of you! Now make your apologies and show goodwill to one another. Your father, your grandfather, your king demands it!"
Aeonar shook his head. "What I understand is that an apology will not rectify this," he refused.
Beatrice shook her head as well. "No, it won't," she hissed. "Aemond has been damaged permanently, my king. 'Goodwill' cannot make him whole."
"I cannot restore his eye, nor can I repair or renegotiate a treaty."
"No, because it's been TAKEN!"
"What would you have me do then?"
"There is a debt that needs to be paid." Beatrice turned to Rhaenyra and her sons. "I shall have one of her son's eyes in return."
Rhaenyra immediately moved her sons Jacaerys and Lucerys behind her.
"You wouldn't dare!" Aemma exclaimed.
"Try to hurt them, and you'll go have through me!" Daeron challenged.
"Maybe one of theirs as well," Beatrice glanced at them.
Now you're playing with fire. "Try it and see what happens next," Aeonar warned.
Alicent instinctively placed herself between Beatrice and her children to protect them. "I'm warning you," she told.
"Beatrice, stop! Enough! Do not… allow your temper to guide your judgment," Viserys yelled.
Beatrice slowly walked towards them. "Warning me? Oh, ho, you are warning me? Little ingrates, nothing but trouble ever―"
*SMACK!*
Gasps echoed throughout the Hall of Nine. Even Otto was surprised at what he saw. Alicent raised her hand and slapped Beatrice across the face. The queen was stunned into silence. A bright red handprint was seen on her left cheek. Then, her adrenaline rising and maternal instincts shifting into overdrive, Alicent slapped the queen and pushed her away from her family. "I said… stay. Away. From them," she reiterated silently.
"M-Mother," Jaehaerys said, surprised.
"Whoa, mother," the twins reiterated.
"Mama," Aemma looked up at her.
"Hehehe!" Daeron smirked rather smugly.
"Your Grace," Aeonar addressed his father disappointingly, "I fear the queen is not in the right state of mind." Not that she ever was in the beginning, of course.
Viserys knew there was no going back.
Beatrice, upon regaining her composure, saw red. "So be it. If the king will not seek justice, the queen will. Ser Criston… bring me the eye of Lucerys Velaryon," she ordered.
"Mother!" Lucerys screamed.
"He can choose which eye to keep, a privilege he did not grant my son."
"You will do no such thing," Rhaenyra warned.
"And the hand of Alicent Hightower."
"What!?" the children shouted.
"No, you can't do that!" Aegon the Younger exclaimed.
"Grandpa, don't let her do this!" Viserys pleaded.
"Don't hurt my mama!" Aemma shouted.
"Stay away!" Daeron screamed.
Viserys turned to Criston. "Stay your hand!" he commanded.
"No, you are sworn to me!" Beatrice yelled.
Now it was Aeonar's turn to see red. The nerves in his head were twitching and tugging like mad. "Any of you who wishes to try your luck and enter the dragon's lair, go ahead. Just know there could be ten of you, and you would still fail," he warned. He turned to Criston. "What about you then? Forget your sacred oath again, or do you need to trade your white cloak for a black one?"
Criston looked at his former friend. But, tempted as he was to challenge Aeonar, he hesitated. The Kingsguard knight knew what the Young Dragon was capable of. "As your sworn protector, my queen," he paused. I'll have to train these boys even harder when we return. They won't lose them again. I'll make sure of it… starting with you, Aemond.
"Beatrice, Aeonar, stop," Viserys told them. "This matter… is finished. Do you both understand?" He turned to face the gathered assembly. "And let it be known, anyone whose tongue dares to question the birth of Princess Rhaenyra's sons should have it removed."
"Thank you, father," Rhaenyra sighed.
Forgive and forget; is it that simple for you? To you, the matter is settled. But it's your passivity and weakness that led to this. Aeonar turned his gaze away from them. "Alicent," he said, "take the children to their rooms. We'll deal with this when heads are more… calmer."
"Gladly, my husband," Alicent said. She wanted to leave the Hall of Nine as quickly as possible.
"And Rhaenyra… see to your sons' injuries."
Rhaenyra nodded silently. For a moment, she felt her brother would oust her children's legitimacy. But she somehow suspected Aeonar knew what happened between her and their uncle, Prince Daemon – who seen from a distance. When he first noticed moving slightly, the Rogue Prince was ready to intervene but hadn't need to as Ser Harrold got in the way. For an older man with decades of military experience, the Lord Commander was still a renowned and capable swordsman.
Beatrice, still shaking with fury that Viserys had apparently once again chosen his children's side over hers, refused to accept this. When the king's back was turned, the queen quickly snatched the Valyrian steel dagger from his belt and rushed across the room toward the ones responsible for maiming her son.
"Your Grace! Stay with the king," Harrold beckoned.
"Beatrice!" Viserys shouted.
"Hold your approach!"
"Mother! Aunt Rhaenyra, look out!" Jaehaerys warned.
Alicent and Rhaenyra turned to see a deranged Beatrice with a dagger lunging at them. Both mothers instinctively moved in front of their children to defend them. But as Beatrice's blood-curdling scream flooded the room, before she could reach them, they saw Aeonar moving as fast as he could to block her. However, Beatrice had gotten too close by then and stabbed Aeonar in the left shoulder with the dagger.
"Nghhhhh!" Aeonar growled in pain. The Young Dragon firmly held her by grabbing Beatrice's shoulder with his right hand and her wrist with the left. No matter the momentum, he forcibly stopped Beatrice in her tracks and restrained her.
"Father!" Jaehaerys shouted.
"Father!" the twins exclaimed.
"PAPA!" Aemma shrieked.
"DAD!" Daeron yelled.
"Aeonar!" Alicent and Rhaenyra screamed.
Criston moved to Beatrice but was held back.
"Do not, Ser Criston!" Harrold warned.
Daemon unsheathed Dark Sister and pointed it at the Kingsguard knight. Soon enough, the Rogue Prince and Lord Commander prevented Criston from helping the queen as more Kingsguard moved to restrain him.
"Stay your hand, Cole!" Harrold reiterated.
"Now, do you see what your queen has done?" Daemon asked. "You are a fool, Ser Crispin."
Aeonar suddenly gripped tighter. Slowly turning his head to meet her gaze, the Young Dragon's pale lilac eyes burned with the fireplace's illuminating hue. He slowly raised Beatrice's hand, holding the Valyrian steel dagger out of his shoulder, the blade covered in his blood to the hilt. Then, as he used his height advantage and strength to push her back, Aeonar released his hand from Beatrice's shoulder and grabbed her throat.
"Aeonar! Beatrice!" Viserys shouted for them.
"Never wound… what you can't kill," Aeonar said with a frighteningly low tone, his eyes filled with cold, murderous intent. "Let them see you for who and what you are," he raised her high. "An insignificant, disloyal, power-hungry wretch with no shame or guilt." Then, once he felt the dagger removed from his shoulder, Aeonar began twisting Beatrice's wrist, listening to her gasping for air as she struggled to free herself from his stranglehold. "I bet that felt good, laying with Hugh Hammer and passing off your son Aegon as father's son, hmm? Not so confident now, are you? I told you, Beatrice. Nothing stays hidden from me forever," She gagged, kicked, and wriggled, but the Young Dragon's hand around her throat continued squeezing tighter. "Now… drink in the faces of your fellows, Beatrice." One more twist, and he felt the bones in Beatrice's wrist break and heard the Valyrian steel dagger drop to the floor. Beatrice gasped in pain. "See your disgrace reflected in their awed eyes." Beatrice coughed and gagged as the Young Dragon's grip on her throat grew tighter, and her eyes slowly rolled to the back of her head.
"Father, stop it! You're killing her!" Jaehaerys beckoned.
"Aeonar, please stop!" Alicent spoke up.
"Papa, let her go!" Aemma pleaded.
"Release the queen, Aeonar," Otto advised.
Aeonar kept his eyes glued on Beatrice. He could feel her slowly wasting away, but he released his grip and dropped Beatrice to the floor. As soon as she was released, the queen began choking, coughingly and gasping for air. Viserys limped closer, stunned by what he had seen: his second wife tried to go after his daughter, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren, but it was his eldest son and heir who withstood the worst of it with his blood. Aeonar coldly stared at his father, disappointed in him. His blood stained his outer coat, and dripping blood trickled on the floor. The Blacks gathered around the Young Dragon. The Lykiri Mere, having seen everything, were quick to surround Beatrice and, despite the Kingsguards' efforts, were warned. "Ziry najikatas. (Take her.)" he instructed them. A look of disbelief crossed Viserys' face as he saw the high-ranking agents executing the order. Meanwhile, Aeonar directed his focus toward his father. "Go on. Take a good look. This is what it boiled down to… father. I hope it was worth it. This proceeding… is at an end."
The room falls silent; then everyone leaves for the night.
Aemond steps forward and, despite the grievous injury to his face, shows no ounce of remorse for what he did. Do not mourn me, mother. It was a fair exchange. I may have lost an eye… but I gained a dragon. Possessing Vhagar would give the Caltrops a considerable tactical advantage, but the Blacks would also be more prepared. Aemond, who is now more self-assured and has seen the ruthless brutality of his older half-brother, will train harder than ever before.
Chapter End
Author's Note: Well ladies and gentlemen, here it is. The confrontation at Driftmark between Aemond Targaryen and the other children, leading to the theft of Vhagar and the loss of an eye. However, I felt the event should have been more aligned with the books with Aemond losing his right eye than the left like the show did. Also we get a firsthand look into the aftermath in the main hall. What do you guys think? This whole chapter took me 13 hours to write. What do you think will come next? Let me know your thoughts.
MagicMax: Does Aeonar have any loving feelings for Aemond & Helaena at all?
―Not really, no.
randomdude24: Interesting decision making Aegon a bastard and basically declaring it to his mother. That will make people question the legitimacy of Aegon and Beatrice, even the Caltrops support.
I know you can't spoil anything but, with the knowledge Aegon is not Viserys son, what about AemondHelana, are they bastards as well? I can't imagine Aemond taking that news well, he has no remorse and was taught to hate bastards.
―I was asked this similar question on Wattpad. But no, Helaena and Aemond are both trueborn.
SupremeWarwick14: It is hard to consider whether Aemond did the wrong thing. Sure, there was a legal document between the Crown and House Velaryon. However, the document could be considered illegal, and therefore invalid, as it was secret. To say it was valid it would like saying a collusion between two companies is legal (it isn't). It is likewise different that saying something is classified. The entire public knows Area 51 is off-limits and it Is illegal to entre there. However, you could also argue that the treaty Is fully legal and Aemond did wrong. Did he do the right or the wrong thing? That's up to the reader. My thoughts? He did nothing wrong. It was foolish to try to set Vhagar with a set rider. Aeonar needs to listen to his father at least when he says that dragons can't be controlled.
Now, the fight itself. Like in canon, Aemond was attacked, so he rigthfully self defends, what he also fails is that he tries to attack Baela. Then, Aeonar's children intervened and reduced Aemond. Also, fully cool. What was wrong is Lucerys's intervention. Aemond was already beaten, and his intervention was also bloody. There was no need to intervene and much less need to take his eye. What he did was wrong.
Now, Viserys acts stupid. Forgiveness in a legal matter Is optional, but reparations should come first. Viserys did nothing to repair Aemond's damage.
What I would have done in Viserys' place. I would have asked Jacaerys, Lucerys, Baela, Rhaena and Aemond what happened. Likewise with the rest, asking for Aeonar to help see who is lying. Now, after that, I would have taken Lucerys's eye. Harsh, true, but he deserves it and like I said, there needs to be a reparation. This, while barbaric, is justice by medieval laws. Then, tell everyone to go to bed, and say that I will have a conversation with Aeonar and Beatrice tomorrow. Then, tomorrow, speak to them about the fact that this infighting will stop. The shadow war between the Blacks and the Caltrops is over. Later, despite their protests, arrange a marriage between Viserys and Helaena, and Aemma and Aemond. I am the King, I don't need their permission. Now, with that done, I can't be blamed if they still fight each other.
What will happen next? Well, Laenor will die and Rhaenyra and Daemon will marry. Aeonar will not like that. Also, the current situation really puts an edge between Aeonar's alliance with the Velaryons. They have no reason to believe Aeonar now. However it is still possible that Jaehaerys marries one of Laena's daughters.
Moran: Well, almost everything went as expected.
When Vaelor roar, I imagined King Ghidora's Alpha roar, only with a lower pitch.
I need to point out, there is what could be a potential spoiler on GOTfanon fandom. I don't know if you had anything to do with that or someone is messing with you.
Question(s):
1. After(If) Daemon & Rhaenyra wed, where would they be staying? Aeonar would spend even less time on Dragonstone now that he's Hand, but I doubt he would allow them to turn his castle into their love nest. High Tide is out of the question. So they either settle on the older seat/castle of Driftmark or they go into exile to Pentos to take Prince Reggio's offer. Corlys and/or Aeonar would probably, if not reluctantly allow it if Jace, Baela & Rhaena were to remain on High Tide.
―I'll think about it.
2. Given that Hugh was mentioned, would Aeonar "remove" the other dragonseeds before they even make into the board? Either kill them or force them to leave for Essos with a sack of gold to start anew.
―Depends.
KingInTheNorth27: I have one thing to say about this chap is holy shit that was good. Definitely worth the wait, loved the new fight between the children and between Aeanor and Beatrice. But that twist at the end with mc saying Aegon the elder is the son of Hugh the hammer than viserys got me by surprise, as I did not see that coming. Which begs the question to if that is true or just the mc spreading lies to weaken the caltrops. Well done on the chap my favorite so far and can't wait for the next.
Questions
Will there be a time skip after the chapter and if so how long.
―No comment
Will Aeanor banish Rhenyra to dragon stone or somewhere else after this event in light of him know she had sex with Daemon.
―No comment
Will Rhenyra and Daemon have childern like in the OTL.
―No comment
I know I've said this before but I'm just curious will Aeanor get Rhena a dragon.
―He'll have to
mpowers045: Dammmmmn! Now that is something I would expect!
IrishHermit2: So Aegon the Elder is a bastard. That will call into question the legitimacy of all of Beatrice's children and their claims to the throne. All of KingsLanding will soon know of what the queen has done, and it will be seen as the Caltrops trying to divert attention away from their own crimes and trying to cast aspersions on Rhaenyra's children. Less claimants to the throne, the better and it will also shed light on Unwin Peake's acts as the former Hand.
Now that the legitimacy of Beatrice's children will be called into question, what will that mean in regard to Vhagar?
Personally, I see Beatrice taken out quickly and quietly. Since Larys Strong was so far up in Beatrice's business, I see him switching sides and ratting out and placing the blame on the Caltrops for the deaths of his father and brother.
―Nothing's changed in regard to Vhagar.
tb018869: I'm thinking of Vaelor roar to king ghidorah alpha roar
XavierWright: I have 2 questions.
- Is... is the Targaryen madness beginning to consume Aeonar...?
―It's a struggle.
- Also, Aegon's a bastard...? Did anyone notice anything off, or does he look like Beatrice so no one really suspected anything?
―No, no one suspected a thing for years.
SurplusHook: So aegon the elder is a badgered I wonder about the others