Daemon POV
A son. The God's had blessed him and his beloved Lyanna with a son. He looked over the little blessing and he felt a protective urge like no other. The innocence in those glowing indigo eyes, so much like his own was enough to temper the constant raging fire in his veins. The moment his wife had brought Aemon into this world, he loved him more than anything. There was nothing that could compare to the love he had for his son, his boy that was borne of the love he and his wife shared. The rogue prince affectionately rocked his son back and forth to the delight of the babe as his wife looked at them both with open affection.
"Are you pleased my prince?" she asked.
"How could I not be my love, you have given me the greatest gift… our son."
Daemon moved to sit beside his wife, his son firmly clutched in his arms. She leaned into him, her head resting on his shoulder as they both just took in the moment. Aemon was a beautiful child with the colouring of Old Valyria, tufts of silver hair were visible on his small head and he had pale skin. He was quite smug that their son had quite clearly taken after him in appearance, but he was also sure that given the temperament of both him and Lyanna, their son was going to be a wild dragon.
"How do you feel my love?" he asked.
"I am sore, but mostly I am… I am happy Daemon."
"I love you, Lya."
"I love you too my prince."
The moment of serenity was broken when someone was knocking on the door of the birthing chamber. He handed Aemon, who still had that adorable grin on his face, over to his mother. Daemon stood from where he sat and gave permission for whoever knocked to enter. One of the maids that resided in the keep entered, she curtsied in respect and began to speak.
"Forgive me my prince, but his grace, King Jaehaerys has summoned all of the court to the throne room and wishes for both you and Princess Lyanna to present his great-grandson and the new prince for all to see."
"My wife has just finished giving birth, she needs rest…"
"It is fine Daemon, I just need a few moments to freshen up and I will be more than able to do as his grace wishes."
"Lya… are you sure?"
"Trust me, my love, I will be fine. The birth of our son was not as taxing as it usually is."
"If you are sure…"
"Yes I'm sure, I am not some wilting southern flower Daemon. Marna send some girls in to help me and tell his grace that we shall arrive as soon as we can."
"Yes, my princess."
He wished to protest further, but his wife merely glared at him before he could even say another word. Those steely grey eyes that he usually lost himself in were nought but a raging storm that sent a shiver through him. He may be a dragon, but even a dragon must bow before their wife. Suitably cowed by his she-wolf, Daemon took their son from his wife and placed the babe in the cot that was a gift from his father. A flurry of maids came rushing in to tend to his wife, but they shooed him out of the room so she could have some privacy. It is not as though I have not seen my own wife naked before, for fucks sake I just watched her give birth.
The second son of the Prince of Dragonstone had to settle for scowling in the corridor as the kings guard stationed outside smiled in amusement at his obvious annoyance. The young prince paced back and forth as he waited for his wife to get ready, he was annoyed that his grandfather wished to have his son presented to court so soon after his birth. He worried for Lya, she needed to be resting after such an arduous time despite how much she claimed she was fine.
"Congratulations on the birth of your son my prince."
"Thank you, Ser Lorence."
"How is Princess Lyanna faring?"
"She is fine… or so she says," said Daemon, whilst muttering the last part.
"I hear you have named the new prince for your uncle."
"Aye… Aemon."
"A worthy name for a worthy prince."
Daemon did not reply as he continued pacing back and forth in worry. To think that just over a year ago he had objected to marrying at all and now he was happier than ever. He never had any interest in marriage or having children, all he wished to do with his life was to whore and fight, not to mention go flying on the back of Caraxes whenever he wanted. His father was understanding of his desire to experience freedom before having to enter a political marriage, one that he would not have a choice in the matter of things as his grandparents would choose a match for him for the betterment of their family.
However, he took the whoring and drinking too far to the point that it became common knowledge in the city about his amorous ways and love of wine. There was not a day that went past where he did not frequent a brothel on the street of silk or bed some nobleman's daughter. Soon word had reached King Jaehaerys and Queen Alysanne of his behaviour, who had in turn informed his father, which led to him being dragged into the vacant throne room where he was told of his fate.
Flashback
Daemon awoke with a pounding headache as the banging on the door only grew louder. He wearily kept his eyes open to see that Mysaria was not in bed with him, the whore from Lys had probably left at dawn. Fighting back a groan, he ignored the commotion happening outside his door and reluctantly sat up on the empty bed and then reached over for a pitcher of water to alleviate his dry mouth. Before he could even take a sip, his door was forcefully opened as his father entered with two guards in tow.
"Father, what are…"
"Shut your mouth Daemon and put on some damn clothes" growled out the Prince of Dragonstone.
"Why would I need to wear clothes?"
"Your grandparents await you in the throne room and they are not pleased."
"What have I done to anger them that you have come barging into my chambers in such a way?"
"Get changed and you will find out when you see them."
The throbbing pain in his head only got worse with every word his father spoke. The man's angered tone only made his head spin a lot faster. He did not wish to see his grandparents anytime soon, they had been trying to force him into a marriage with that bronze bitch from the vale for a few moons now. No matter how much he had protested against the match, the king and queen did as they wished for he was nought more than a subject with the sole purpose of carrying out their will.
"Did you not hear me boy… get up and get changed."
"I'm getting up!"
It seemed his father did not appreciate his tone nor how slow he was moving, thus he grabbed his arm and pulled him off the bed. Daemon hit the ground unceremoniously and glared at his father for not even allowing him to drink the water, which had spilt onto his bed, but the dragon was out to play as he threw a long tunic at his crumpled form. The guards looked on without an ounce of emotion on their faces as they observed his father embarrass him. He put on the tunic and grabbed a hold of the bed to help himself stand up, he felt lightheaded as he stood on his own two feet.
"Come, let us go to their graces."
Daemon took a step forward and stumbled back onto the floor. His father let out a few choice curses and ordered the two guards to drag him to the throne room. He was about to protest being treated like some common criminal, but his father had already exited the room. The guards grabbed him from either side and pulled him along like he was some corpse that needed to be buried. Serving maids and various other residents in the keep scurried out of the way, whispering to one another and laughing at his plight. Never before had he been humiliated in such a way and he felt betrayed that his own father was the reason for it, all to pander to the whims of his grandparents.
He felt the draft hit his backside leading him to the realisation that his rear was exposed for any and all to see. He was the blood of the dragon, a prince of the blood and yet these fools who were beneath him, nothing more than servants to his family did not bother to ensure his comfort. If only he had dark sister in hand, he would teach these fools a lesson in humility. They reached the throne room a few minutes later and he was thrown onto the stone floor before the Iron throne.
The rogue prince looked up to see his grandfather seated on the monstrosity envisioned by the conqueror and forged with the flames of the black dread. The conciliator had a stony look on his face, one mirrored by the good queen and his father who were both standing at the foot of the throne. Daemon knew that whatever he had done was going to be punished severely and without remorse.
"Tell me Daemon, do you know why I had you summoned?"
"Ha, I was summoned, you mean dragged like some filthy peasant for everyone to see…"
"Watch your tone boy, I am your king!"
He would never admit it, but he flinched in fear as the old king reminded him of his place. Daemon muttered an apology and made his way to stand, struggling as he did so due to the alcohol still burning through his system. Neither of the elder Targaryens spoke as he clambered to his feet, he was a dragon and dragons did not cower, not even before another dragon.
"I will ask once again, do you know why you have been summoned?"
"No… your grace."
"My queen and I had informed you that by the years end you will marry and only at the behest of your father did we allow you to remain unmarried for this long."
"Well… I thank you for being so considerate your grace" he mocked in reply.
"However, even your father agrees that should we wait till the year's end, you will only spiral further and bring greater shame to our house" spoke his grandfather with his eyes subtly twitching at the open disrespect.
"Pray tell, how have I brought shame upon our house?" he laughed out.
"Your whoring and drinking has gotten out of hand and is not befitting of a peasant let alone a prince of the blood" interrupted his grandmother.
"Thus we have come to the decision that you will be wed in two moons time my son."
"NO, I WILL NOT MARRY THAT BRONZE BITCH!"
"Raise your voice one more time and I will forget that you are my son" snarled his father.
"Besides there is no need for you to continue moaning for you will not be marrying lady Rhea."
"Then which lord's whorish daughter will you throw at me now?"
"You will marry Lyanna Stark, the daughter of Benjen Stark… our lord paramount of the north"
"What, you cannot… you wouldn't do such… you would have me marry some hairy savage from the north?"
"She is the daughter of the warden of the north, the kingdom that is larger than the rest of the realm put together. With your marriage to Lady Lyanna, the North can be brought properly into the fold by being bound to our family through blood and it will only help to secure our family's future rule."
"The north bent the knee to the conqueror and with our dragons, they would not dare break faith…"
"The north did not bend entirely, many chose exile over kneeling and those who remained were angry that their king knelt rather than fight. Torrhen Stark only knelt because he was wise enough to not wage war against dragons. However, the people of the north are loyal to their own and only wish to kneel to the Starks. Your children by Lyanna would be Targaryen's with Stark blood and thus the loyalty of the first men will be ours."
"Bu-but…"
"No buts Daemon, you will marry Lyanna Stark, who will arrive with her family in a week" commanded his grandfather.
"Remember Daemon, I have eyes and ears everywhere in the city, should I hear that you have dishonoured your betrothal to Lyanna I will castrate you myself. If you get drunk once more I will flog you myself. You may be the rogue prince and wield dark sister, but I am still your father and more than capable of pummelling you into the ground."
Daemon wanted to lash out and he glared at his father, but the moment he looked into his father's eyes he was taken aback at the fiery look to them. Suitably cowed knowing that his father was being serious about the threat of castrating him, he merely nodded in acceptance.
"Oh and Daemon, do not even bother trying to escape atop Caraxes, the dragon keepers have been informed to keep you from entering the dragon pit." Said his grandmother, no doubt amused that he could not escape this time.
He wished to curse them for keeping him away from his dragon but they dismissed him without another word and he sauntered back to his chambers in shame. The moment he shut the door, he raged at the way he was being chained to some northern barbarian and he could not even find some comfort in the sky as he could not go near Caraxes. He would do as his father wished and not indulge in his vices, he would play the part of the noble prince for the public.
However, he would allow Lyanna Stark to see the real him when they would be alone and away from prying eyes, which should be more than enough to scare off the northern bitch. He let out a chuckle as he formed a plan in his head, one that would bring no backlash to him from his father and grandparents. They could not punish him if the girl has no desire to marry him and breaks off the betrothal, but I am Daemon Targaryen and which woman would not wish to have the right to call me their husband, mayhaps it will be harder than I initially thought to make her hate me.
The next few days came and went swiftly as Daemon ensured that he trod on the straight and narrow lest his father carry out his threat for true. He had to endure the taunting of his brother Viserys and that he could handle, but the teasing at his misfortune of having to marry some woman he did not know and so soon was almost enough to make him strike his brother in anger. If it was not for Aemma cuffing the back of his head, he was sure his brother would never have stopped.
The day he had dreaded soon arrived as word spread that Lord Stark's retinue had been spotted approaching the city gates. An envoy had been sent to greet them and also escort them to the throne room where all of the court alongside his family assembled. Even his aunt Gael had made an appearance rather than her natural preference to avoid attending court in any capacity. Soon enough the doors to the throne room opened and in came the Stark retinue.
"Announcing Lord Benjen Stark, Lord of Winterfell, Lord Paramount and Warden of the north."
The man was not as ugly as he had thought a northern barbarian would be, he had a slightly longer face than most and a thick beard covering the lower half of his face. However, his attention was swiftly stolen by the beautiful, young woman by his side. He felt his heart race and it suddenly felt quite hot. Is that…
"Your grace," said Lord Stark as he and the rest of his retinue kneeled before the Iron throne.
"Rise, Lord Stark."
The warden of the north and his grandfather conversed, but Daemon did not bother to pay attention as it was currently transfixed on the woman he was to marry. She was simply stunning, with soft brown curls that fell below her shoulder and steely grey eyes that reminded him of a thunderstorm. Her skin was smooth and unblemished, she had a slightly long face but not as much as her father's, it was softer and coupled with her high cheekbones, she was a beauty that many women would envy. Mayhaps being married to her would not be so bad…
"… and this is my daughter Lyanna your grace."
The young maiden curtsied before the royal family and her eyes landed on him. He expected to see some form of lust or want, even a bit of swooning but the young Stark merely settled for levelling him with a subtle, but icy glare. Daemon was shocked as no woman had ever looked at him in such a way but then he just smirked in reply, he enjoyed a challenge and was looking forward to showing the girl that like her ancestor, even a wolf must submit before a dragon.
Over the next few days, Lord Stark was constantly locked in meetings that took place in the solar of the king. He felt insulted that he was not permitted to be present during said meetings considering they were talking about his future. Daemon wanted to get to actually know Lyanna Stark for some strange reason and had already abandoned his plans to have her break their betrothal. However, every time he wished to speak to her she was always with some form of company, whether it be her brother, that sour-faced cunt Bennard or surprisingly with his aunt Gael.
He remembered meeting the long-faced shit stain after the introductions on their arrival were done and the Starks were thrown a feast in their honour. He made his way over to introduce himself, the head of house Stark was reserved but cordial at the very least and yet the same could not be said for his two children, with his heir remaining back in the north to run Winterfell in his stead. The second son of Benjen Stark was as cold as the lands he called home, taking every opportunity to make snide remarks about him being a perfumed southern prince not worthy of his sister.
As much as he was told to behave by everyone, he was never going to let some up-jumped savage get away with such insults and so he challenged him to a spar. Viserys cautioned against him doing such a thing, especially since it had become public knowledge of his challenge and that it would take place in the open yard. However, he did not like the way the upstart heir to nothing looked down on him and he was going to take this chance to remind him of his place. Lyanna had continued to glare at him whenever she saw him and continued to avoid his presence at most times.
The yard was packed as both men agreed to wielding live steel and he looked up to the balcony to see his father and Lord Stark, both stony-faced as their sons prepared to duel. The fight itself was relatively easy for him, as strong as the Stark boy was he was simply not a match for the superior speed and technique that Daemon possessed. The rogue prince wanted to humiliate the boy for his words, but once he saw the worried look in Lyanna's eyes, he grudgingly decided against embarrassing him and settled for beating him in a more honourable way.
Everyone cheered for him as he forced Bennard to yield after disarming him with a little trick he had learnt himself from the years of training. Fighting back his natural instincts to gloat and revel in his victory he shook hands with the boy, who had a glimmer of respect in his cold eyes. Looking up to his father and Lord Stark, the former had a look of pride with the latter having a look of approval. Daemon wished to see Lyanna's reaction but the northern girl was nowhere to be seen among the crowd.
Following the spar, it was announced for all to hear that he and Lyanna would marry at the end of the next moon. Daemon really needed to speak to her before their marriage, but she had mastered the art of avoiding him. If it was not for Gael telling him that she prayed every morning in the Godswood then he was sure that their first conversation would not take place until their wedding day. He walked in on her kneeling before the heart tree but waited for her to finish her prayers.
"If I didn't know any better, I'd say you've been avoiding me, my lady."
"Then it seems you don't know any better for I have been avoiding you my prince… and quite obviously too may I add."
"And why is that my lady, many a woman would kill to have the honour of marrying me."
"I am not like other women…"
"That much is obvious" he muttered.
"Whatever, now would you please move out of the way so I can leave."
"No, I have tried my best to have a conversation with you for the last week, yet you continue to evade my efforts to do so."
"Are you so dense as to not take a hint my prince?" she mocked.
"Fine, I will leave you on the condition you answer just one question."
"Depends on the question."
"Why?"
"You'll have to be more specific my prince."
"Why have you been so cold to me when I have barely spoken to you? Why do you not wish to marry me?"
"I thought it was just the one question you wished for me to answer" she teased.
"Jus…"
"Very well I will answer both for you just so you leave me be."
"I have no wish to marry you because I do not know you except that you are a southern prince who I will have to live with away from my home and that is why I have been cold to you since my arrival so that you have an idea of where we stand."
"If you do not wish to marry me then why not tell your father…"
"Ha, and you think he will change his mind. My father may love me but at the end of the day I am still his daughter, a noble lady who must marry for the betterment of the family without any say or opinion."
"Then why don't you get to know me my lady, we both know that we are not getting out of this betrothal and we have accepted our fate. So why not attempt to make the best of it?"
"Hmm, mayhaps you have the right of it…"
"So does that mean you are willing to remain in the same vicinity as me?"
"We shall see my prince and also, I wish to thank you."
"For what my lady?"
"My brother, you were much better than him yet you chose not to humiliate him… so thank you."
"I did not do anything of the sort, your brother is a fine warrior…"
"Oh please, I may be a woman but I can see the difference when someone fights for true or not."
"Very well, in that case, you are more than welcome my lady."
"Lyanna… you may call me Lyanna."
"Only if you call me Daemon."
She smiled at him, a genuine smile which sent his heart racing once more and he offered her his arm to escort her out of the Godswood. Daemon was happy that she did not reject the gesture as they left the bastion of the Old Gods and made their towards the keep. She was a complete stranger that he was being forced to marry, yet a few looks and a short conversation had him smitten. Who knows, mayhaps we may actually have a happy marriage.
Present time
The door opened as Lyanna came out with their son in arm, who was still wide awake and had a look of wonder in his eyes. His she-wolf was looking much better, but he could tell that she needed to rest soon. Once they had presented their son to the king and court, he would have words with his grandfather for not allowing his wife to recover just so that they could show off a healthy son born to their house.
"Are you ready my dragon?"
"Always."
"I was talking to our son Daemon," she said whilst giggling at him.
"Oh…"
"I love you Daemon."
"I love you too Lya."
They both made their way to the throne room as Ser Lorence guarded their back. As they reached the throne room, the herald announced their arrival and he walked in with his wife and son by his side. Daemon looked to see that the throne room was full to the brim with courtiers and just below the throne was his entire family. Even Viserys and Aemma had come with their newborn daughter, Rhaenyra in her arms. The youngest daughter of house Targaryen had been born just under a week ago and he was glad that a child of his brother had lived after Aemma had suffered so many miscarriages.
"Your grace, we are honoured to present our son Prince Aemon Targaryen. Our house has been blessed with a son."
He saw his grandfather's eyes go a bit misty at hearing the name chosen for his son, no doubt he was remembering Daemon's late uncle who had died at the hands of the Myrish pirates. The old king shocked everyone as he stood from the Iron throne and descended the steps until he stood before them. His grandfather may be old and grey, but he stood tall and strong as any man.
"Let me see him."
Lyanna handed over their son to his grandfather whose eyes softened considerably as he looked upon Aemon and to his shock even smiled at the babe. He passed Aemon back to Lyanna and stared at them both with what was easily the most heart-warming smile Daemon had ever seen, one that was even more genuine than the day he had bestowed him with dark sister.
"Let the realm rejoice for our house has been blessed with another dragon. Aemon Targaryen, a prince of the blood."
The court cheered at his grandfather's proclamation as his family came rushing over to see their son. His father was the first to arrive and did not even bother greeting him, making his way to Lyanna and their son first. He held Aemon in his arms with a broad smile and it seemed as though his son was just as enamoured with his grandfather.
The rest of the family congratulated them and gushed over just how perfect his son was, but the happiness was short-lived as Lyanna needed to rest after being on her feet so soon after giving birth. They were almost ready to retire back to their quarters when a mighty roar shook the throne room, for a moment there was complete silence as to the ears of the court this was an unknown dragon flying over the city, but to the Targaryen's every single one of them had worry on their face as that could only be one dragon.
"Sire, the… it's the cannibal sire, he has left his lair and is flying in circles above the city" said a guard that had rushed into the throne room.
People began to panic out of fear that the wildest and most dangerous of the dragons had descended upon the city to burn them all alive. His grandfather shouted out orders for everyone to remain calm and to stay within the red keep. An escort was being made ready for himself, his father, the king and the queen to make their way to the dragon pit to mount their own dragons in case they would have to fight the cannibal should he prove to be hostile.
The cannibal let out another roar and he saw one lordling pass out onto the stone floor. He faced his wife and was about to instruct her to take Aemon and stay in their chambers, but the look of joy on his son's face stopped him. The young babe tried to make some sort of sound but all that came out was some sort of heavy grunting and then came another roar. At that his son had a large smile on his face and another guard rushed in to inform them that the cannibal had flown away from the city and towards Blackwater bay.
At that, the court calmed down and people left the throne room in an orderly fashion rather than in a frenzied manner had the cannibal remained. The king and queen were not taking any chances, so they ordered guards to remain alert and to order the dragon keepers to be prepared at a moment's notice should the monstrosity return. He helped Lya back to their chambers and helped her tuck Aemon into his cot as their son fell asleep. She too fell asleep after the eventful day but he could not.
All he could think about was that his son had formed some sort of bond with the cannibal, it had to be why the beast had left his lair in so long especially on today of all days. Not to mention his son was rather ecstatic or as ecstatic as a newborn could be at the presence of the cannibal. He chuckled to himself and walked over to his son's cot and leaned over to kiss him on the forehead.
"I knew you were special Aemon, I just did not expect you to be this special."
Authors note
I hope you guys enjoyed the new chapter, there is more to come. If you wish to read ahead go to my pa tr eon: dragonkingsh
