Aegon made an effort to match his father's swift strides, his own footsteps resounding loudly as he struggled to keep up with Rhaegar. His reluctance to witness whatever commotion Rhaenys had stirred was evident in his pace, but it seemed he was the only one hesitant, as the urgency in the air pressed him forward.
He had been in Rhaegar's study, where they had been discussing and making preparations for the coronation. Rhaella had burst into the room, her face flushed and breathless from her hurried entrance.
Viserys, ever the first to react, had risen and approached his mother with concern, inquiring, "Mother, what's wrong?"
Rhaella, her deep purple eyes fixed ahead on Rhaegar, didn't spare a glance at her younger son. Instead, she directed her unease and distress towards the elder Targaryen. Aegon glanced back at his father, wondering why Rhaella appeared so flustered and troubled. Rhaegar had also risen from his seat at the head of the table, casting a questioning gaze at his mother.
A sense of unease settled over Aegon as he shifted nervously, his mind racing with thoughts of whether his grandmother might rat him out about the earlier incident with Rhaenys. After all, he had already endured a stern lecture from Oberyn for his part in the courtyard altercation.
"What's the matter, Mother?" Rhaegar echoed Viserys' question.
"It's Rhaenys," Rhaella began, and Aegon's heart sank.
Shit, his thoughts raced as he anticipated his grandmother's intentions, fearing that she would inform his father about the incident in the courtyard. Aegon redirected his gaze, focusing on his hands resting in his lap.
Rhaella, however, added, "And Lyanna."
Oh.
Aegon's eyes snapped back to his father, who was already making his way across the room. Rhaegar's face exhibited a concern and the initial stirrings of anger.
"What happened?" Rhaegar inquired with a sense of urgency. Aegon watched as both worry and indignation converged on his father's face.
Rhaella hesitated briefly, her eyes darting towards Aegon, and he desperately hoped she would choose not to reveal the incident in the courtyard. "Lyanna wished to speak with Rhaenys about something," she explained. Their gazes locked briefly, and Aegon silently pleaded for his grandmother not to divulge anything further. "Rhaenys is— quite upset."
Rhaegar's expression was wrought with anger and annoyance. Aegon assumed neither emotion was directed at Rhaenys, mother would come back to life before father ever got angry at his precious Rhaenys.
"Where are they?" Rhaegar asked with an unsettling calmness.
"Just outside Rhaenys' room," Rhaella replied. She didn't offer any more details as Rhaegar wordlessly exited the room. Arthur, who had been posted outside, overheard the exchange and promptly followed his King.
Rhaella and Viserys swiftly trailed behind, leaving Aegon with no alternative but to join them.
He couldn't help but roll his eyes as he attempted to catch up with his father, who was already halfway down the hall, approaching Rhaenys' room.
Aegon was a bit taken aback when he realized that the hall was oddly silent. I thought she was making a scene?
As he drew nearer, he saw Rhaenys' dog holding her up, his sister seemingly unconscious. What's wrong with her?
Lyanna stood beside Edric, her face etched with concern, is she worried about Rhaenys? Though a part of him wondered if her worries were more self-centered. Surely she knows Rhaegar will be upset with her.
Rhaegar firmly pushed Lyanna aside, and Aegon, Viserys, and Rhaella remained a few paces back. A frown creased Aegon's forehead as Arthur moved to stand by Rhaegar's side, his expression mirroring the same deep concern as his father.
Even the Sword of the Morning loves Rhaenys, he thought bitterly.
"What happened?" Rhaegar demanded to know as he took Rhaenys from Edric's arms.
Edric appeared hesitant as he handed Rhaenys over, much to Aegon's annoyance.
"She fainted," Edric explained to Rhaegar.
Aegon spoke up then, letting his frustration with the man show. "Yes, we can see that," he said.
The knight had the audacity to shoot a glare in Aegon's direction.
"Get the maester," Rhaegar urgently called out, directing his words to no one in particular.
"I'll get him," Rhaella's concerned voice quickly replied.
"I'll go with you," Lyanna offered. Rhaegar gave no sign of having heard them as he carried Rhaenys into her room.
Aegon paid no mind to the hurried footsteps of his grandmother and Lyanna as they made their way down the hall. Instead, his sharp focus remained on Edric, who was halfway through Rhaenys' doorway.
"Where are you going?" Aegon demanded to know, striding toward Edric.
Edric turned around, his deep blue eyes betraying his annoyance. "My Princess needs me," he replied.
Aegon scoffed, "She doesn't need you, not unless you've suddenly forged twenty links of a Maester's chain that I don't know of,"
"I haven't," Edric bit out.
Aegon nodded mockingly. "Well then, you can't help your Princess, can you?"
"Aegon," a cautious voice next to him said.
Aegon turned his attention to Viserys, offering him a charming smile.
Viserys, however, ignored Aegon and turned to Edric instead. "Where are Cassian and Elia?"
Edric regarded Viserys with suspicion. "They are in their nursery," he replied.
"You should go to them," Viserys suggested. Edric eyed Viserys warily. "I'm sure Rhaenys would want her sworn shield with her children, rather than lingering here where he is of no use,"
Edric shot a glare at Viserys, which prompted his uncle to raise his hands in a placating manner. "I meant no offense," Viserys said, attempting to defuse the situation. "I'm sure you're skilled with your sword, but there is no better knight than Arthur Dayne, who is currently in the room with Rhaenys. And since you're not a maester, there isn't much you can do here,"
Edric reluctantly nodded in understanding. "When she wakes up," he stated, "tell her I'm with her children in the nursery."
Viserys acknowledged the request with a nod.
"My Prince," Edric addressed Viserys before shifting his gaze toward Aegon. "Prince Aegon," the annoyance in Edric's tone was evident.
Without waiting to be dismissed, Edric promptly turned and began to make his way down the hall.
"Please, do greet your siblings on my behalf," Aegon said with a hint of cruelty. Edric halted abruptly, shifting back around, his cold gaze locking onto Aegon. "I haven't had the opportunity to see my niece and nephew yet," Aegon added, his smile carrying a frosty edge.
An irate expression flickered briefly across the face of Robert Baratheon's bastard. The dark haired man seemed to know better than to say anything as he simply turned away and proceeded down the hallway.
"Why do you always have to be such an ass?" His uncle asked.
Aegon shrugged, maintaining his sardonic smile.
Viserys rolled his eyes and entered the room, while Aegon hesitated in the hallway. She wouldn't want me in her room. With that thought, he finally decided to step inside.
Aegon took a moment to observe Rhaenys' room, a space he never thought he would see. The room was elegantly decorated, but his eyes weren't drawn to the furnishings. They were fixed on the bed, where his sister lay.
Rhaegar and Arthur stood besides her bed, their expressions filled with concern. Viserys was nearby, keeping his distance but clearly yearning to be closer to Rhaenys. The room felt tense.
Aegon approached the bed, his presence drawing their attention. Rhaegar locked eyes with Aegon and asked, "Where's the Maester?"
"Grandmother went to get him," Aegon reminded him.
"They're taking too long," Rhaegar said, growing agitated.
Aegon was about to offer reassurance when the sound of hurried footfalls entered the room.
The Maester, a man Aegon had only seen once before when they had first taken the city entered the room along with Rhaella. Aegon recalls his father telling him the man's name. Maester Gorman, had been appointed as the Grand Maester after the previous one had died. Rhaegar had let the old man keep his position on the small counsel.
As he looked over the new guest, Aegon noticed that while Lyanna had left with Rhaella to fetch the Maester, she had not arrived back with them. He briefly wondered about her absence but kept his thoughts to himself, instead choosing to pay attention to the matter at hand.
The Maester approached Rhaenys on the bed and inquired, "What happened?"
Rhaegar was quick to respond, "She just collapsed,"
The old Maester acknowledged Rhaegar's words and glanced around the room, taking note of all the concerned figures present.
"I would need the room emptied," he requested, his attention shifting to those gathered.
Reluctantly, Rhaegar gave Rhaenys a gentle touch and moved away from the bed. Aegon followed his father's lead, and they all began to exit the room. Rhaella, Viserys, and Arthur stepped outside, joining Rhaegar in the hall as well.
They waited together in the hall, the others exchanging an occasional glance and worried whispers as time ticked away. Aegon stayed silent.
The minutes seemed to stretch, and Aegon grew bored of having to wait.
Surely she must be fine, he thought, the maester would have told us by now if she was dying or something.
He couldn't be certain of how much time had passed when his father finally seemed to reach his limit, unable to contain his restlessness any longer.
"He's taking too long," Rhaegar muttered with frustration. His pacing filled the hall, agitated strides carrying him closer to Rhaenys' chamber doors.
Rhaella called out to her son, "Rhaegar," her voice filled with pleading, urging Rhaegar to stay where he was. However, Rhaegar paid her no mind, his determination driving him forward as he pushed the doors open and entered the room.
Aegon hesitated for only a moment before following his father into the room, compelled by an unspoken need to see what was going on in his sister's room.
His eyes glanced around the room briefly before settling on the bed Rhaenys had been laid in. What he saw surprised him. Rhaenys was propped up in bed, supported by pillows. Fully awake now, her lavender eyes fixed on the Maester, who was in the middle of explaining something.
The sudden entry of Rhaegar and Aegon into the room disrupted the maester's explanation, and the two newcomers, father and son, exchanged glances.
"Your Grace," the Maester began, acknowledging Rhaegar first, "My Prince," he nodded to Aegon.
Ignoring the Maester, Rhaegar turned his attention immediately to his daughter, "Rhaenys," he said as he moved closer to her bedside. Aegon followed suit, and now that he was closer to her he took note that some color had returned to his sister's face.
Her eyes narrowed as she focused on Rhaegar, making it clear that she didn't want him in the room. Sensing Rhaenys' discomfort, Rhaegar turned to the Maester momentarily, diverting his attention from his first child.
With her father momentarily distracted, Rhaenys directed her glare at Aegon. Aegon, however, returned her gaze defiantly.
She seems to be okay.
"How is she?" Rhaegar asked the old maester.
Maester Gorman shifted uncomfortably, his gaze alternating between Rhaenys and their father.
Rhaenys, her patience wearing thin, interjected, "He was just about to tell me,"
"Uh, yes, well," Maester Gorman stammered before answering, "Princess Rhaenys is fine," he started, his voice trembling slightly.
Rhaegar breathed a sigh of relief, and a smile formed on his lips as he expressed, "That's good," his eyes turning to Rhaenys. She, however, responded with a blank expression.
The Maester continued to nod, repeating, "Yes, good, very good,"
Aegon spoke up curiously, asking, "So why did she faint?" His question caused the maester to glance back and forth between Rhaenys and Rhaegar.
Stange
The Maester hesitated, again casting uncertain glances at both Rhaegar and Rhaenys as if unsure how to proceed. Rhaenys' annoyance grew as she tapped her fingers impatiently on the bed.
With a subtle cough, the Maester finally spoke, "Princess Rhaenys—well, you see, the reason for your fainting spell is because—you are with child."
Aegon's eyes widened, immediately casting his eyes on his sister.
He observed Rhaenys' reaction with keen interest. The lack of emotion on her face was unnerving, but then he saw something flash in her eyes, a brief look of terror that came and went in an instant. It was as if a shadow had crossed her face, a vulnerability she rarely showed.
She's scared?
The sudden change in Rhaenys' expression was too fleeting for Aegon to be certain of what he had witnessed.
As Aegon glanced at his father, Rhaegar's expression was a storm of conflicting emotions. The news of Rhaenys being with child seemed to have cast a shadow over his usual regal composure. His eyes, normally filled with the wisdom of a King, were somber and heavy with concern.
A deep frown creased his father's face, a thoughtful look took over his face.
Aegon was taken aback when Rhaenys broke the silence, her voice tinged with concern. "How many moons?" she asked the Maester, leaning closer to him as worry etched lines across her face. She was now fully sat up in her bed.
A feeling of discomfort and disgust passed through him as he paid closer attention to the bed Rhaenys was in, this is probably where that disgusting beast filled Rhaenys up with his seed.
"I would say three," the Maester replied, and Aegon watched as Rhaenys visibly relaxed, relief washing over her features.
Why is she relieved? He frowned, she should be beside herself with sadness and anger that Robert secured another child upon her.
The Maester cleared his throat, breaking the momentary silence that had taken up the room. "If there are no further questions, Your Grace, My Prince, Princess Rhaenys, I shall take my leave," he said and gave a bow to them.
With that, Maester Gorman exited the room, leaving them to digest the news he had delivered.
The room was once again silent following the Maester's departure.
Aegon wished to say many things, how could you be with the Usurper's child again? Was two not enough? But he kept his mouth closed, knowing better than to say those things in front of his father.
"You are with child," Rhaegar said, more to himself than to anyone else, his look was pained and his face was paler than usual.
"I am," Rhaenys replied, her tone was distant, though not as cold as Aegon had expected it to be.
Is she not bothered by this at all?
In the short time Aegon had spent with his sister, he had only known her as angry and ruthless, though now, here where he thought she might be consumed by anger for carrying the child of a dead man, he was taken aback by her eerie calmness.
But then he recalled everything he knew about her: sneaking into the Usurper's room late at night. In the gardens, displaying no remorse in having Cassian and Elia despite her claim that she had married Robert merely for self-preservation. It all made sense then, Rhaenys didn't care about the child's father; they might have been fathered by Robert, but to her, they were unmistakably hers.
He did not know what to think about that.
"I would like to be alone," she said after a moment of silence.
Aegon wasn't surprised by her request, but it seemed to take their father aback.
"Do you not want me to stay with you?" Rhaegar asked softly. He resisted the urge to roll his eyes at the question.
His father rarely displayed such gentleness, and this sudden shift didn't escape Aegon's notice.
He never speaks this softly to us, not even to Rhaenyra and she's the youngest.
"I want to be alone," Rhaenys reiterated.
Rhaegar looked pained as he accepted Rhaenys' request. "We'll leave you to rest," he said, his voice still soft. With a weak motion, he gestured for Aegon to follow him, and they quietly walked to the door.
As they were about to leave the room, Rhaenys' voice broke through the sound of their footfalls. "Father," she said softly. Aegon turned, genuine surprise on his face because he had never heard Rhaenys address Rhaegar as father.
Rhaegar also appeared taken aback, but he responded with a gentle smile as Rhaenys addressed him as such. "Yes, sweet girl," Rhaegar replied.
Aegon grimaced inwardly. Sweet girl? he thought. His sister was anything but sweet.
Rhaenys spoke with unusual kindness and softness, "Father, please don't tell anyone about this. Not yet. I want to wait before announcing it to the court,"
Aegon found his sisters request strange but he wisely kept his mouth shut, not wanting to question Rhaenys in front of his father, who would undoubtedly come to her defense.
Rhaegar nodded in understanding, his expression filled with concern and love. "Of course, Rhaenys. I'll keep the news to myself,"
"And you, brother?" Rhaenys' question took Aegon by surprise, and he shifted uncomfortably under the weight of her and Rhaegar's gaze. "Yes?" he replied hesitantly.
Rhaenys maintained a sweet smile as she asked, "Will you keep this to yourself as well?"
He could see through the fake smile, but Rhaegar appeared oblivious to it. Aegon thought to himself, mad if she thinks I won't tell Aemon.
Rhaegar, however, seemed confident, as he spoke on Aegon's behalf, saying, "Of course, he won't,"
Aegon grumbled, lying through his teeth as he affirmed what his father had said, "I won't tell anyone,"
"Good," Rhaenys smiled with affirmation. "Now, if the news of me being with child spreads around the court, we'll know Maester Gorman is not to be trusted with such delicate matters,"
Shit, if I tell Aemon, he might tell his mother, who would certainly tell Rhaella, and who knows who his grandmother would tell. It's better I not tell anyone, less the poor Maester be blamed for it.
Rhaenys seemed to know what Aegon was thinking, a humorous glint in her eyes, as she watched his expression shift into that of annoyance.
Aegon followed his father out of the room, feeling a sense of relief as the heavy atmosphere in Rhaenys' chamber gave way to the airy halls of the Red Keep.
No one was waiting for them outside Rhaenys' doors. They must have left after the Maester left.
They walked in silence, and Aegon replayed everything that had just happened. His sister, who had always been defiant and confrontational, had been surprisingly soft-spoken and calm. The news of her pregnancy seemed to have brought about a different side of her, one he hadn't seen before. And that frightened him, knowing that his sister was in fact capable of keeping her emotions in check.
How easily she was able to bend their father into her will with just as smile and soft spoken words. He shuddered to think what Rhaenys was willing to make Rhaegar do on her behalf.
But still, he wondered why Rhaenys wanted to keep her pregnancy a secret, she's already three moons pregnant, delaying telling everyone will only prove to be more suspicious.
As they walked further down the corridor, Aegon cleared his throat, breaking the silence. "Father," he began cautiously, "why do you think Rhaenys wanted to keep this a secret for now?"
Rhaegar paused for a moment, his expression thoughtful. "Perhaps she's not ready to deal with the court's reaction just yet," he replied. "Her being with Robert's child will cause heavy gossip,"
Aegon nodded, that seemed obvious.
Though he was still puzzled by fathers behavior. He doesn't seem angry, how come he isn't upset with Rhaenys?
Aegon kept his voice measured, trying not to appear too inquisitive about the matter. "And what are you going to do?" he asked casually, glancing at his father, whose eyebrows furrowed at the question. "What do you mean?"
Aegon pressed on, trying to convey his thoughts. "I just—well, I thought Rhaenys was going to marry Willas Tyrell, isn't that what Randyll Tarly and Lord Velaryon suggested? But now she's with child, and I doubt the Tyrells will wait until after the baby is born to have them wed," he explained, with a sense of urgency in his voice.
Rhaegar halted, his eyes narrowing at Aegon, who shifted uneasily. "The marriage between Rhaenys and Willas was merely a suggestion. There was no formal agreement between us and the Tyrells for Rhaenys' hand," Rhaegar stated firmly.
Aegon nodded slowly. "I understand,"
Rhaegar's expression turned even more serious. "Do not bring up this matter again,"
Aegon attempted to speak up, but Rhaegar continued walking, and Aegon followed. "But, Father, we need her to marry—"
Once again, Rhaegar stopped abruptly. "Your sister will marry when she chooses to," he said, his tone carrying a clear warning. "If you want to be concerned about marriage, worry about your own, son,"
Aegon simply nodded and fell into step beside his father, maintaining his silence.
Aegon shifted and turned in his bed.
The grandeur room fitting for the heir to the Iron Throne couldn't provide him the solace he longed for. The imposing darkness of the room only heightened his restlessness, making him yearn for the simpler shared room he had with Aemon back in Pentos.
Growing weary of tossing and turning, Aegon threw off the covers and swung his legs over the edge of the massive bed. He strode over to a table bearing a jug of wine, pouring a glass and losing himself in the deep, red hues. Slamming the cup down, he crossed the room and ventured onto the small balcony just beyond him.
Swinging open the balcony doors, Aegon leaned over the railing, his gaze fixed on the night sky, where countless stars shone in their splendor.
Amid watching the stars and moon, he heard an echoing roar.
Cannibal, he thought fondly.
His magnificent dragon had been kept far from King's Landing since their arrival, at his father's insistence. Rhaegar had deemed it unwise to harbor a semi-feral dragon so close to the capital, especially in proximity to Aegon's sister, Rhaenys. Aegon couldn't help but roll his eyes at the thought. It's not like Cannibal will eat her.
And though he missed Cannibal dearly, he was content to know that his dragon was near, near enough for Aegon to still hear him.
Maybe I'll go search for Cannibal tomorrow and take him on a ride, Aegon contemplated, though he harbored doubts that his father would permit it. But for once, he found himself uncaring about what his father thought.
After all, he grumbled internally, Rhaenys is allowed to do as she pleases, while I can't even ride my own dragon.
A growing sense of annoyance gripped him as he recalled the events following their departure from Rhaenys' room. Rhaegar had gone off in search of Lyanna, and while Aegon hadn't been present, Viserys had shared with him that Rhaegar and Lyanna had gotten into a heated argument. When Aegon had probed Viserys for more details, all he had garnered was that both of them had been upset.
His curiosity gnawed at him. He was certain Rhaegar had confronted Lyanna over her visit to Rhaenys, and he had no doubt that Lyanna had recounted the incident in the courtyard. About Rhaenys smacking Visenya.
A sigh escaped him as he thought of the imminent lecture he'll receive from his father about giving Visenya and Viserra his mother's jewelry. It will be pointless though, I've already had an earful from Oberyn.
Aegon couldn't help but berate himself for his impulsive act. I only wanted to do something nice for my sisters, he reasoned, attempting to console himself.
But the inner critic within him rebuked, You gave them your mother's jewelry, you fool. He shook his head, trying to shake off the internal chastisement. It doesn't matter anymore; Rhaenys has Mother's jewelry now.
You should have given it to her in the first place, the inner voice scolded.
She already has everything. She doesn't need anything more of mother, he argued with himself.
Regardless of the regrets he had about giving his sister Elia's jewelry, he found himself thinking Rhaenys was undeserving of the jewelry as well .
I suppose neither son nor daughter deserves anything of Elia.
With a heavy sigh and one last glimpse of the night sky, he returned indoors. Closing the balcony doors, he heard Cannibal's faint roar.