63 AC
Kings Landing

To be honest to himself, Erik didn't expect much when returning back to Kings Landing. Sure, he's very excited to see his siblings again, especially Daenaerys and his mother but for the most part, Erik can't wait to return back to the North.

As much as it pains him to admit it, the North had grown towards him. The honesty of their words, the rough yet simple life they live and the amount of culture, history and traditions imbued within it reminds Erik much of Skyrim. Over ten-thousand years worth of history burrowed deep beneath the North's terrain, waiting to be explored and re-discovered.

And he hasn't even managed to travel to the Wall and the Lands Beyond the Wall! Oh, the historian inside him can't help giggle in excitement!

But alas, the circumstances of reality tends to put a stop to that notions of wanderlust for he's still is the son of King Jaehaerys I and thus, expectations must be met.

Like this one current dinner that he's having with his half-family. Although it's a private family dinner, Erik couldn't help but feel uncomfortable as his father gave him a look of concern whilst his stepmother's eyes keep darting between him and his father. Thankfully, his siblings are doing a great causing much chaos within the table, allowing himself time to compose himself amidst his father's look upon him.

"Erik, how's your studies? I hope that Lord Stark is providing enough experience for you to enjoy." His father started as he dug into the well-cooked venison.

"My studies are going well, your Grace and you need not to worry for Lord Stark has treated me with great hospitality." Erik saw his father narrow his eyes before he quickly looking down at his food, his hands indicating mild annoyance, if what he knew of body language still rings true.

"I see." His father ended as his stepmother coughed, seeing how she gave his father a look before turning her head to Erik, a gentle smile on her face, "What he meant to say, Erik, is how you're doing in general? Daenaerys worried a lot about you often time trying to convince me to send you back to the Red Keep." His stepmother admitted as Daenaerys sputtered, his sister's features turning read as he gave her an amused look.

"Muna! You promised me to keep it a secret between us!" Erik let out a booming laugh as Daenaerys turned her head anywhere but Erik's direction whilst his brothers and sisters laughed alongside him even though they don't know about what they're laughing about. All of them except Aemon, who's giving Erik an contemplative look as he turned his head at Daenaerys and to him before nodding to himself as he turned his attention to his siblings.

'What was that about?' Erik silently wondered as shook his head, turning his attention back to his stepmother.

"I'm doing fine, my Queen. The Starks have been wonderful hosts and I'm eager to return back to Winterfell to complete my warding." Upon uttering those words, he could see his father give him a look. A look that he couldn't decipher yet if he were to make a guess, it's a look that is mixed with jealousy, forlorn, sternness and, most complexing of all, concern.

"I'm glad." The queen intoned with relief on her voice. Why does the queen felt relieved of that? Erik expected to hear her more... enraged, "Your mother was very worried when you stopped sending us letters last month."

Erik nodded as he slowly put down his utensils, subtly looking if there's anyone's eating before he commented, "Yes, I was indisposed at the time, considering that I was kidnapped by Wildings." As expected, the room descended into anarchy as his siblings hounded him for answers whilst his father narrowed his eyes and her stepmother began fussing over him.

...really weird, but Erik is trying to pay it no mind.

Keyword, trying to.

"What. Happened." His father intoned as his eyes narrowed rather dangerously. Erik couldn't help but gulp seeing his father get actually angry, and for his sake's too, which was especially weird considering that he hasn't interacted much with his father over these past ten years.

"I, uh, the merchant convoy that Lord Stark appointed to me was suddenly ambushed on our way to White Harbor. Apparently, the reason why these bandits know where we are is that they were former guards within House Bolton and since the, uh, Lord Bolton at the time was currently travelling to Braavos on some trade negotiations, he wasn't informed that some of his man-at-arms went, uh, rogue." His stepmother's grip on his shoulders were strangely comfortable and reassuring.

"And how did Lord Bolton failed to realize that his men went rogue?" His father questioned as he gave his father a nod.

"Apparently, the castellan of the castle was skimming off from Lord Bolton's treasury and the bandits that attacked my convoy were indebted to the castellan and he used his authority to feed Lord Bolton false news whilst he was in Braavos. Thankfully, they only tried to use me as ransom and didn't tried to inflict harm upon my person." That was an outright lie for he utterly decimated them when they brought him to their camp.

"Then, how come you were able to escape?" Erik turned his head to see Aemon giving him an inquisitive look. He couldn't help but smile when he looks at his half-brother. Even though he's young, he's able to quickly grasp what is happening and for a man that has lived a lifetime, Erik knew that he'd make for a great king.

"Well, you see: I did this trick in that I teared down a bit of my dress as my captors brought me to their lair. It was through that trick that the forces of Lord Stark and Bolton managed to find me." Well, he did retraced his steps and did that trick THEN returned back to the dwelling to fake playing himself as a hostage. As much as he'd like to admit his prowess when it comes to fighting, it'd be pretty unbelievable to have a ten-year old child defeat an entire bandit camp by himself.

Of course, when they find him all alone in that camp with tons of dead bodies laying around him, he was thankfully able to reason out that an contingent of wildings managed to stumble themselves upon the camp and the two forces duked it out with the former 'winning' the fight and taking off with all the valuables. In reality, he just hid them in one of his bag of holding to be sold amongst Kings Landing's populace.

"I see. I'll send a letter to Lord Stark for his efforts in seeing your safety." His father commented, eyes filled with relief and gratitude even though one couldn't tell it properly considering his entire body stance reflect nothing of the sort.

"And I think this is the perfect time to tell you something important. Daenaerys, please guide your siblings to their rooms and don't worry, I'll ensure that he stays within Kings Landing." Erik couldn't but sprout a confused look at that as his stepmother ordered his beloved sister, with Daenaerys nodding at that and calling the nannies of each of his siblings whilst he saw his father ordered his Kingsguard the same, the two White Cloaks beside his father departing alongside his siblings.

The only ones currently remaining is his father, stepmother and himself, with the two giving Erik a serious look whilst he reoriented himself, his body straightening at the looks his father and stepmother is giving him.

"Son," Erik bristled at his father utterance, surprised that he's calling him his son for the first time, "Alysanne and I know that you wield magic." This time, Erik couldn't keep the neutrality on his face as he looked at his father with alarm.

"Calm, Erik. You need not to worry. In fact, it's because of your magic that we decided to have a proper talk with you." His father continued as he saw his stepmother give him a gentle nod, her hands smoothly caressing her stomach.

"I want you to be there beside me when I gave birth, Erik. Daenaerys said that you have magic to heal any ailments that might occur and I only need you to stay until my birth." Erik's eyebrow furrowed as he looked to his father.

"What about my warding? Lord Stark would be displeased with you if I were not to return back to Winterfell." His father nodded at his words.

"I'll handle Lord Stark, don't worry. For now, you'll stay with your stepmother and be on standby in case of emergencies. As for your education, Elysar would handle your education for the next few months." Erik nodded as it's the only thing he could do for now as her stepmother gave him a smile whilst he tried to do the same.