Aerion was awoken abruptly by a sharp knock on the door of his chamber in the early hours of the morning, causing him to bolt upright. He ran the palm of his hands over his eyes, he called out to them.
"Enter!"
Nyssa slipped through the door as he stood on his feet and moved to open up the curtains, with the perfect view of the sun over the horizon "His grace has requested your presence in his private chambers, my prince."
He gave her a nod, pointing towards the jug of water that sat on the table, and she filled a cup with its contents and passed it over to him, bowing her head as she did.
"Thank you, Nyssa." he said warmly, taking a sip as he looked her way further. "Do you know much about the Kings' family?"
"Are you not his family, my prince?" she asked.
"I am.. but for now we remain distant, I grew up far away from here and know nothing of them." he answered honestly, looking down at his cup "So what do you know?"
"I do not know much, my prince, I was only briefly in the King's service." she fiddled as she clasped her hands in front of her. "I now serve guests and other important nobles during their stay."
"But I take it you know more than a servant should…you all mingle with each other about the ongoing gossip within the castle." he continued, taking another swig of the water before stepping towards his desk "Do you have a family of your own, Nyssa?" he looked back at her, planting the cup down.
"That I do, my prince."
"They must be proud." he stated, grabbing a pouch that sat on the desk "It is no small thing to have a position here in the Red Keep, must mean you can be trusted. I have a proposition for you, a trade of sorts."
Nyssa blanched and stared at the floor, her hands pressed firmly against her thighs, he moved towards her and drifted her head upwards with his finger, giving her a devilish smile.
"If you hear anything about my family that would interest me to know.." he paused, planting a few of the gold dragons within the pouch into her hand "You will come to me, and be rewarded for it."
"And if I refuse?" she asked, there was a quiver in her voice, and she still determinedly avoided making eye contact.
"Then I will ensure you are removed from the keep, whether that be on the authority of the King, or me throwing you into the spikes that line Maegor's Holdfast." he said plainly "You don't really have much choice in the matter."
"I am a reasonable man, and I treat those who serve me well." he patted her hand, lifting it up and planting a kiss on her knuckle "so long as they remain useful to me."
Once Nyssa had been dismissed from his chambers, he pulled on a simple white tunic and a pair of black breeches, and buckled a knife to his belt and left his chambers to see the King, who's chambers lay deep in the heart of Maegor's Holdfast.
Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, Ser Harrold Westerling, was positioned just outside the doors, and Aerion fought the awe that rose up as he recognised one of the realm's most famed knights, legendary for his chivalry and skill with a blade.
"Prince Aerion." the famed knight addressed him, his eyes lingering on the dagger at his hip, before looking back up "how you've grown significantly since our last encounter, not that you would remember, you were just a little hatchling then."
"I have heard much about it from my mother." he lifted his pendant up that wrapped around his neck "when I was gifted this from my grandfather."
"Oh yes, I remember we had to travel to Essos to collect such a gift, Valyrian steel." Ser Harold smiled, running his hand across its surface "two were commissioned if I remember rightly, one for you, and the other for the princess."
"That is right, the Princess was wearing it briefly yesterday at the melee." Aerion replied, smiling briefly at the thoughts of his grandfather, Baelon, who passed away a few years after his birth.
"We wouldn't want to keep the King waiting, are you ready, my prince?" Ser Harold asked, receiving a nod from Aerion before opening the doors behind him, bowing his head in the presence of the King "Prince Aerion, Your Grace."
Aerion stepped past Ser Harold as he entered the chambers, before him was a great stone carving shaped into a city that covered more than a third of the room, he gazed towards the King who sat at the foot with a dragon figure in his hand.
Viserys from his chair "Nephew! I am glad you could join me, boy." he exclaimed, soon dismissing Harold from the chamber "Come! Come!" he said, walking towards the adjacent room where a table had been set.
"Is this what I think it to be, uncle?" Aerion questioned, stopping him in his tracks "Old Valyria.. It is truly magnificent." he stepped closer and ran his fingers along the stone walls.
"Indeed." Viserys nodded, moving closer himself "It is as good a depiction as we can manage from the details in the histories. Though the truth is we may never know for certain." he looked at Aerion, and raised a brow "How did you know?"
"I have gone through every book that was available at Runestone." Aerion replied "I sent so many ravens to the Citadel asking for more,the Andals and the First Men must have been considered primitive in comparison."
"A fellow scholar." Viserys smiled "I did not take you for one to be so interested in our histories, I must admit."
"How could one not be, uncle? They built the finest civilisation this world had ever seen at the time, there is so much we can not begin to comprehend about them, think of all that was lost after the doom." Aerion spoke passionately.
"Perhaps our lack of knowledge is for the best, boy." Viserys replied, shaking his head slightly "The truth is that our people destroyed themselves. Had it not been Daenys the Dreamer, we may have been amongst them."
"I disagree." Aerion said boldly "There must be some purpose to our house's survival that is yet to be fulfilled. I know there is, I just have to find it."
Viserys' eyebrows drew together almost imperceptibly, but his expression was gone almost before Aerion could notice it.
"Enough of this for now, let us break our fast." The king said, and led them into the adjoining room, with a small table positioned in front of two large windows that overlooked Blackwater Bay.
The table was laden with an assortment of foods; fresh bread, sausage, bacon, cheese and lemon cakes. In the middle sat a flagon of summer wine and two goblets, "I hope everything is to your liking, I shall send for a servant if there is anything else you wish to eat."
"This is a fine selection, uncle." Aerion agreed, seating himself opposite the King, and he poured them each a glass of watered down wine, then filling his plate with bread, bacon and cheese.
"Tell me, my boy, how does the Vale fare? We do not often hear from Lady Jeyne, perhaps it is time we bring the Vale back into the fold." Viserys replied, sipping from his cup.
Aerion took a bite of his cheese "It has seen better times. We have been raided frequently from clansmen in the mountains recently, and well, with what happened with Lady Jeyne's father and brothers, you can understand why she would want this situation dealt with immediately."
"Well, let us drink to a quick and decisive victory." Viserys raised his cup and took a sip "I hear you have earned your knighthood, you make us most proud here in King's Landing."
"Aye, Lord Redfort knighted me after we repelled a significant force raiding some of the nearby villages." Aerion sipped his wine also "Getting a lord from the Vale onto your small council will go a long way in restoring relations, not that they are dire."
"Yes, well perhaps this is something that I will consider, with the sage advice from Lord Strong." Viserys smiled, breaking his bread and taking a bite. "How are you liking your gift?"
"It served me well, a fine weapon." Aerion nodded, pulling his hand to where it normally dangled from his belt, only to remember he did not have it. "It will no doubt serve me further as I go on to win this tourney."
"Every dragon must have the tools to achieve renown." he attempted to speak further, though his sentence was cut off by a persistent cough that came upon him, dry and rough.
Aerion half rose from his seat but Viserys waved him off, reaching for his wine "I am fine… just fine."
"Are you sure, uncle?" he replied "I can send for a maester?" he hesitantly sat down and the King shook his head again. He helped himself to bacon as Viserys began to speak once more.
"I feel much better." Viserys said, letting out a final cough as he regained his composure. "I wish to discuss the melee, and your actions."
Aerion placed his cup back down with a certain annoyance, and leaned back on the chair, slouching as he listened to Viserys.
"While your actions were justified; I do believe you lost your composure out on the field, now I won't begin to know what a warrior feels when in the heat of battle, I do hope it does not happen again." Viserys said, as Aerion tapped his fingers against the table, hardly listening to the words he spoke.
"You speak like my sword shield." Aerion shook his head "I understand, uncle, though when someone disrespects you, a Bracken of all people, there are only a few ways one can do justice, I will tell you what I told Rodrik, he is lucky I did not take his head."
"Yes.." he mumbled, Aerion could tell the King was finding it difficult to reply to such a comment "I.. just heed my advice, should it happen enough time, I may be forced by the lords and ladies of the realm to take action against my own kin."
Aerion pursed his lips and bowed his head in respect, drawing up a contrite expression "I promise, your grace." There was a long silence between them after that as they each delved into their breakfast.
"Have you heard from your father?" Viserys broke the silence, and Aerion blinked in surprise. Was he truly unaware of the relationship between him and his father? And that one such relationship did not exist.
"I do not know why I would have, uncle." Aerion pinched his nose in frustration "He isn't exactly the best of fathers." He was hoping the king would let it drop; his father rarely visited the Vale, having either been at war in the stepstones, or serving in King's Landing.
"I sent him away." the king admitted to Aerion "I told him to return to the Vale, or go elsewhere. I thought perhaps he would choose wisely, and go back to his family, back to you. But we know he has often found an excuse to stay away. I am sorry, my boy."
"He knows too well that the most my mother Lady Rhea would grant him is a spot on the stable floors to sleep on." Aerion chuckled to himself.
"I have always known that their union has been a rocky one that my brother has often asked to be annulled; though I could never grant his request, for he had a son." he ran his thumb along his lips "I thought perhaps for your sake, they would make it work."
"Well, you thought wrong, uncle." Aerion replied plainly, though there was a sadness behind his eyes "Though I prefer not to dwell on the past overlong. May I be excused? No doubt Ser Rodrik will want us to train in preparations for my duel on the morrow."
"Of course." he gestured towards the door. "I shall see you tonight at the feast."
Viserys remained at the table as Aerion left hastily, opening the door and slipping past Westerling with a tight-lipped smile.
After visiting his bedchambers once more for his sword, Aerion weaved his way through the maze of the Keep's corridors, managing to locate the courtyard from his recollection of the day before. The growing commotion he could hear didn't hurt either.
As he strolled onto the balcony, he could better hear the heated conversation that was taking place below. The balcony and courtyard were both packed with nobles and servants, and Aerion managed to find a spot where he could lean against the stone railings to watch.
There were two large men circling each other in the centre of the yard, both breathing heavily. One was bleeding from a shoulder wound.
"You cheatin' bastard!" he yelled, clutching the wound.
His opponent scoffed and rolled his eyes. "You're overreacting, as always." he turned his back on the other man and began to walk away.
The wounded man pounced, raising the pommel of his sword and hitting the other man in the back of the head, dropping him to the floor.
His groans of pain were audible as the crowd quieted, although no one stepped forward to intervene.
Aerion pulled himself away from the railing with a sigh, quicking making his way down to the courtyard and shoving his way into the centre of the circle and approaching the two men.
"What're you looking at?!" the large man spat. "This is between me and him, and no business of yours!" as he spoke, he gestured towards the man on the ground, who was slowly pulling himself to his feet.
"Are you mad?" Aerion said, crossing his arms and letting out another sigh "To speak to me like that means you aren't quite smart, are you thick-headed?"
The man's face reddened and opened his mouth to retort before when he was interrupted by a hand on his shield "Apologies, my prince, he meant no offence."
Aerion was surprised to see the man that just got smacked in the back of the head defending his attacker, causing him to raise his brow "No offence taken." He looked to the crowd of those gathered and they quicking went back to their positions.
"My name is Jory." the smaller man said, offering his hand. He wore a muddied gold cloak, giving Aerion the thought that perhaps he was a member of the City Watch. "This fool is my brother, Rickard, he has always been a sore loser."
Aerion chuckled and looked at them more closely, trying to spot the similarities. Rickard towered over him and sported a great brown beard that was at odds with his bald head. He couldn't be more different to Jory, who was far leaner and of a height with Aerion himself.
"That is your brother?" he scoffed, eyeing between the two.
"Unfortunately." Jory replied, casting an annoying glance at Rickard "Let us just say he has the brawn, I have the brains."
"Heh, you hail from the North, don't you?" he inquired, accounting for Rickard's abnormal size. He read that some Northmen were rumoured to have giant's blood in their veins but had always dismissed it as a tale. Such beasts and legends only existed in the minds of children, though he'd be lying if he didn't admit Rickard's size gave him pause.
"Aye, from White Harbour."
"What brings you to the capital? It is rare to see Northmen travel so far south." A smirk played on his lips, "I hear the weather is not good for your skin."
"What often brings men to the capital? Coin and whores." Jory chuckled.
"Heh I would believe that if it weren't for you being from the biggest city in the North." Aerion grinned "So tell me the real reason."
"Our father thought we'd serve better here, making allies out of the other lordlings that joined the City watch when Prince Daemon took over, no point having the third and fourth son walking around senselessly." Jory admitted, rolling his eyes.
"Fair enough." Aerion shrugged.
"We can't complain though, in truth, not with everything this city has to offer, especially the Street of Silk." he nudged his brother "Rickard here has himself a couple of girls every night."
"Ah yes, the famous place to get yourself a few whores." he shook his head, hearing rumours of his fathers lust for women there.
"Well if you find yourself getting bored at this feast tonight, come find me and I will show you how to truly have fun." Jory lavishly bowed as if it was a joke "My Prince." he chuckled, turning around as they both made their way from the courtyard and into the city.
Aerion smiled to himself, the brother's lack of royal customs was refreshing; having someone not treat him as a prince of the realm, but rather mock the title.
"Northmen." he turned his head to the voice, Laenor made his way down the steps from the keep "They will continue to confuse me with their ways."
He held himself rather gracefully, one hand tucked behind his back as he walked forward, Aerion remained silent as he got closer, it was only when Laenor wrapped his arm around him that he displayed discomfort.
"It is so good to finally meet you, cousin." Laenor smiled, shaking his shoulder, Aerion wanted to break his arm right then, scoffing quietly then ripping himself from Laenor's grasp. "Sorry." he rose his hands up and stepped back.
Aerion regained his composure, and smiled back at Laenor "Apologies, I don't know what come over me." he extended his hand forward "Good to finally see you as well, Laenor, my heartfelt congratulations on the betrothal, I look forward to starting the celebrations."
"Yes.. well I certainly cannot wait to be married to a beauty such as Rhaenyra, she is the Realm's delight indeed." Aerion noticed he seemed hesitant to answer, making sure not to trip up on his words.
"It would seem my sworn shield is nowhere to be seen.." Aerion said, changing the subject entirely "I need a sparring partner, do you know how to wield that sword?" he laughed, pointing to the blade dangling on his belt.
Aerion watched Laenor with a predator's focus, his anticipation barely contained. As Laenor spoke of his eagerness for the duel, a smug smile played on Aerion's lips. "After the performance I saw at the melee, I've been waiting for a moment such as this," Laenor declared, unsheathing his blade with a flourish that caught the light.
Drawing his own sword, Aerion felt the familiar thrill of combat surge through him. He angled his blade towards the ground, the sunlight reflecting sharply into Laenor's eyes. They began to circle, their steps a cautious dance of warriors.
Seizing the initiative, Aerion exploded into action. His lunge was a blur of speed and precision, a feint that forced Laenor to react. It was just the opening he needed. Aerion's true assault was a tempest of swift, elegant strikes, each one a testament to his mastery. He revelled in the rhythm of the fight, his blade an extension of his will.
Laenor, visibly struggling to keep pace, was now on the defensive. Aerion could hear his cousin's laboured breaths, see the sweat beading on his brow. Each movement Laenor made was anticipated and countered with ease. Aerion felt a surge of superiority; the duel was his to command.
With a final, decisive manoeuvre, Aerion disarmed Laenor, his blade stopping mere inches from his cousin's neck. "Yield," he demanded, his voice steady but his mind racing with thoughts of power, ambition, and the tantalising prospect of claiming a Valyrian bride.
Laenor yielded with grace, despite his heavy breaths and the fatigue etched on his face. "Well fought, cousin. I yield, you have bested me." The words were a balm to Aerion's ego, yet a part of him hungered for a greater challenge.
Sheathing his sword, Aerion turned to Laenor, who was still catching his breath but managing a smile. "You were a worthy opponent," Aerion lied, the words feeling empty. He yearned for a contest that would push him to his limits, a battle that would be remembered in songs and stories.
"You flatter me, if only I believed that to be true." he chuckled, sheathing his own sword "No.. I am much better on dragonback, I will leave the duelling to experienced warriors such as yourself."
It irked him, knowing the man who would have Rhaenyra's hand couldn't possibly defend her against a foe should they ever meet without his dragon there to protect him, he rubbed his head "I should prepare for the feast, perhaps you will be down to train again soon?"
"Absolutely, cousin." Laenor bowed his head, and Aerion made his way back into the Keep.
Aerion had a bath drawn for him when he returned to his chambers, with Nyssa attending to him. He closed his eyes, and it was the Princess his mind was drawn to. Nothing compared in comparison with the way she carried herself like a true goddess of Old Valyria - and he wanted her like nothing else.
After emerging from the bath, invigorated and focused, he instructed Nyssa to bring him a selection of garments, his mind set on making a lasting impression on Princess Rhaenyra at the feat. he envisioned her gaze upon him, distracted from her husband-to-be.
Nyssa returned promptly, laying out an array of clothing that shimmered with the richness befitting his station. His eyes scanned the choice, and finally settled on a black tunic, its fabric smooth and fitting snugly against his form, and over it he donned a red jerkin, its texture reminiscent of dragon scales, gleaming like fresh blood under the candle-lit chandelier.
To complement the tunic and jerkin, he selected black breeches that fit perfectly, and his boots were made of the finest black leather, and the final touch was his Valyrian Steel pendant, suspended around his neck.
Once prepared, he went to meet Rhaenyra in her chambers, eager to spend some time with her before the wedding feast was set to begin, as he reached her doors, there was a kingsguard positioned outside, Aerion remembered him as one of the Cargyll twins, Ser Erryk.
"Greetings, Ser Erryk, I am here to see the princess." he said, clasping his hands in front of him.
"The princess is currently readying herself for the wedding celebrations, my prince." Ser Erryk replied "You will have to -" he was cut off as the doors to her chambers opened and her head peaked out.
"It is quite alright, Ser." She waved Aerion in and Erryk looked back to the Princess in disagreement "You are dismissed, Ser Erryk, Prince Aerion will escort me to the hall - and do not speak of this to anyone, not even your brother."
Ser Erryk bowed his head in agreement "As you command, princess." and he stepped aside allowing Aerion to enter.
"Careful Princess, one might think we were doing something scandalous within these walls." he said as the door was shut on them and he was finally alone with her "What would Ser Erryk need to keep to himself?"
She turned to him, and he looked at her in awe as she wore a gorgeous white dress with golden linings, her lifted up into a braided bun "I do not need the Queen spewing poison in my fathers ear about every encounter I share with you."
"Well, I finally had the opportunity to meet our cousin and your husband-to-be." Aerion said, taking a seat on her bed, lifting his legs up "He is not very impressive with the sword."
Rhaenyra stood in front of her mirror, many rings were laid out on a table beside her as she decided which she was going to wear with her dress "Oh really? And tell me what you were doing fighting with the future King Consort." she said jokingly.
"Heh - I wanted a training partner, I did not expect him to lose so badly, one inch further with my blade and I could have slit his throat." he looked at her seriously for a moment, but was quick to smile again "I never would have of course."
"Yes, that certainly would not be a pleasurable moment to watch you hang from the city gates at Lord Corlys request, I find myself liking you too much." she returned the smile, before facing his way "How do these look?" she asked, showing off her earrings that resembled a dragon egg.
"Stunning as the rest of you." he replied boldly "You could wear mere rags and still be the fairest of all in the realm." he noticed her blush before looking away, a wide grin forming on his lips.
"One would think you are purposefully trying to make me blush, cousin." she said, looking back at him in the reflection of the mirror.
"Trying would mean I am not succeeding, yet I know for certain that I am." he looked to her nightstand, picking up the necklace that laid there, identical to his, recalling the brief discussion he had with the Lord Commander "You should wear this."
She looked back at him "That would not go with my dress." she scoffed, shaking her head and returning to choosing the right pair of earrings.
Aerion stood from the bed and walked over to her, resting his hands just beneath her shoulders for a short moment. "A pendant of Valyrian Steel… goes with any dress." he whispered in her ear, before slowly wrapping the pendant around her neck.
He took a step back, clasping his hands together as he turned away, resisting the urge to do what he may later regret with the princess "What do you think?" he glanced back quickly.
"I suppose you are right, it goes well." she said, running her hand against the steel.
"Answer me this." Aerion said "You and the Queen, is there some hidden history that I do not know about? I highly doubt that it is because she happened to sire your father a son."
"It is… complicated." She reached for her goblet, and took a sip. "We were friends, and she betrayed me by sneaking around with my father while I cried each night mourning the loss of my mother, that is all that needs to be said." he saw in the reflection, a single tear dribble down her face.
"My apologies, princess, it was not my intention to make you upset." Aerion responded "What happened to your mother was a terrible thing, and no doubt that made it worse."
"It is my turn to ask questions." she said, turning to face him "Tell me, why has it taken you so long to come to King's Landing?"
"Well, my mother thought it best to keep me away, especially with her hatred towards my father." He answered honestly, "To tell you the truth, my mother banished me here when she felt I could no longer be in her presence."
"She banished you? Why would she do such a thing?" she inquired curiously.
"Ser Rodrik would say I went too far, that I should not have acted." he tapped his hand against the wooden framing off the canopy bed as he replayed the day in his head "I killed the son of a lord - a boy no older than me - in response, my mother said she had no choice but to send me away, saying that I am lucky that I did not hang for my crimes."
"Does my father know?" Rhaenyra asked, and Aerion shook his head in response "Then tell me, what happened for you to kill this boy?" He was surprised by how casually she had asked him, that the mere reveal that he killed someone did not make her in any way uncomfortable.
"Growing up at Runestone, I always had people looking down at me, even my own kin, no matter how much I tried, even as the heir, I would forever be an outsider." Aerion stated "It sounds strange, I know, but it is true." he paused for a moment "He was laughing with his guards, pulling out insults along the lines of what Tristan Bracken spewed thinking I could not hear them."
"Then what?"
"I went to confront him, and by the end of our conversation, I slit his throat.." he smirked just thinking about it, how the blood splattered across his face, the taste as it dripped down to his tongue. "I wanted to send a message - no one speaks of me in such a foul manner, no matter how high born, and gets away with it."
"I see." she nodded, turning back around "I think these ones will do." she carried on, trying to change the subject, while Aerion stood behind with a raised brow.
"What?" he said, confused "Did you not hear me?"
"Ofcourse I did, but I do not know what you want me to say after revealing such." she said, intertwining her hands as she turned back to face him "You did what you believed was right, which is all that matters."
"Right." he sneered "Sorry, I just always expect some kind of judgement, never understanding." a grin formed on his lips as he stepped towards her "We don't want to make you late for your feast, princess."
The doors were shut when they reached the grand hall, and Aerion leaned against the wall as they waited for them to open, his eyes fixated on Rhaenyra as she prepared for her grandiose entrance.
"Well? Will you not be joining me?" she questioned, smiling back at him.
"And take all the attention away from you? No, besides I can hardly take a good look at you when I am by your side" he smirked, letting out a small laugh, shaking his head "I will enter when the least amount of eyes are on me, so that they may all be on you."
"Come now, I can't be seen blushing when I enter." she beckoned, there was a playful authority in her voice that Aerion found impossible to resist and he moved towards her "Did I mention that you are looking exceptionally dashing this fine evening?" she whispered, running her hand across his arm, her touch was light and soft as her finger brushed against his.
There was a long and drawn out silence between them, his eyes on her as his mind raced with everything he wanted to do in this moment, even now he could taste her lips. Aerion slowly leaned in, though the sound of drums beating from within the great hall forced him to retreat.
Aerion could see that many of the lords and ladies were already in attendance, minus the great houses such as the Lannisters and Hightowers. Viserys sat up near the Iron Throne on a long table, with the Lord Hand, Lyonel Strong, seated beside him.
"Rhaenyra of House Targaryen, Princess of Dragonstone and Heir to the Iron Throne!" Lord Commander Westerling introduced her, taking a pause as he looked to Aerion with surprise "And Prince Aerion of House Targaryen, Heir to Runestone."
A loud applause erupted as the lords and ladies rose from their seats, Aerion gazed around, food covered the tables, from roasted duck to little piglets, more than probably anyone knew what to do with.
He made his way up the steps, separating from Rhaenyra as she went to take her seat beside Viserys, he bowed his head with a smile on his lips before turning to take his own seat at the end of table beside Lord Lyonel.
"How are you finding your new position, Lord Hand?" he glanced at Lyonel, raising up a cup and clicking his fingers towards one of the many servants that surrounded them.
"It was a difficult transition from Master of Laws, but his grace has honoured me with the post." a servant came to fill his cup with wine, and he took a long sip, paying no mind as Lyonel spoke, sharing a smirk with the princess once more.
"Well let us toast to your future." he clapped their cups together, the wine spilling onto the table cloth.
The drums began to bang once more, turning the focus of everyone towards the doors, Lord Commander Westerling straightened his back and nodded to the guards for them to open "It is with great pleasure that his grace, King Viserys I Targaryen, announces the start of the royal wedding celebrations." he continued "House Lannister with its lord, Jason Lannister, Lord Paramount of the West, and Master of Casterly Rock."
Jason looked smug and proud as he made his way down the hall, beside him was his twin brother, Tyland, who served on the king's small council as Master of Ships, Aerion leaned closer as Jason conversed with Viserys and Rhaenyra.
"Congratulations, your grace." Jason stated "You have made a fine match for the princess."
"Thank you, Lord Jason." Rhaenyra replied, with a hint of sarcasm "I can think of no better man than Ser Laenor." Aerion scoffed as he saw the princess glaring at him for a short second.
Jason Lannister smiled "Well, if this is only the welcome feast, I must admit, I cannot imagine what you might have planned for the wedding."
"My daughter is the future queen." Viserys sighed. "I want this to be a wedding for the histories." Rhaenyra and Aerion shared another thoughtful look with each other as she looked his way; he couldn't keep his eyes off her, she was stunning in her white dress laced with gold.
"I understand the queen is still readying herself for the celebrations." Viserys replied, looking to the empty seat beside him.
"This is why men wage war because women would never be ready for the battle in time." His snarky comment was met with nervous chuckles from across the table; Aerion found himself chuckling at the comment.
"Your presence is always such a pleasure, Lord Jason." The princess replied, her eyes rolling at the comment.
"Princess." He bowed his head, "Your grace," turning to the king before returning to the rest of his family.
It was the Hightowers who came to greet the King next, and Aerion found himself drifting away from listening, looking around the hall to spot anyone he knew, when he noticed Jory Manderly seated near to the door.
The drums beat in unison as the doors to the great hall opened once more. "Lord Corlys of House Velaryon." Ser Harrold announced, "Lord of the Tides, Master of Driftmark, and his lady wife, Princess Rhaenys Targaryen, and their son and heir, Ser Laenor Velaryon, the future king consort."
Aerion twiddled with his thumbs as the hall beamed with applause; they all dressed in lavish attire, no doubt to make it known they were the richest in the room.
Rhaenyra rose from her seat and walked towards Laenor, taking his hand. "My Betrothed." Laenor accepted her and gave it a kiss, replying with the same, before being led to the head of the table, sitting alongside her.
Aerion thought he may be able to handle it, her being married off to another man, but each time he looked at her, he felt jealous; surely, it was him who was more worthy than a man who could not even duel efficiently; she deserved better; he shared another look to her before her attention was locked to the entrance of the hall; along with everyone else
There he was, his father, Daemon Targaryen, walking into the hall with arrogance and self-confidence, with Dark Sister strapped to his side, Aerion did not how to feel, angry? Happy? How should one feel about a man they love and hate simultaneously?
He made his way to the high table, and there was an tense atmosphere being shared by all those present, an uneasiness no one could explain, the king above them all, but Daemon just had a smug look on his face, they spoke with their minds more than their tongues, and Viserys gestured he sit beside Aerion.
Aerion shuffled his seat over to make room for him, his eyes focused on Dark Sister as Viserys began to speak once more, and he only shared a quick look with Daemon as he came to sit down beside him.
"Be welcomed as we join together in celebration." Viserys continued "but tonight is only its' beginning, we honour the crown's oldest and fiercest ally, House Velaryon." Aerion looked towards Rhaenyra, who appeared to be suddenly fixated on Daemon, and he looked between the two, confused.
"Reaching back to the days of Old Valyria and the Age of Dragons, with House Targaryen and -"
Viserys was interrupted during his speech as whispers and gasps could be heard throughout the hall as the queen stood at the great iron doors, wearing an elegant green dress, she made her way towards the head table, and everyone rose to their feet, all except Daemon, who preferred to remain seated, with the same smug look on his face.
Aerion seated back down, and raised the goblet to his lips, taking another sip, he could not hear what was said between the princess and the queen, but neither looked pleased.
"Please be seated." the king commanded, with a rough cough to follow, and he turned his attention to Lord Lyonel and whispered "Where was I?" softly.
"The joining of the two houses, your grace."
"Yeah..Yes.." he said, looking back to the hall filled with nobles "With House Targaryen and House Velaryon united, I hope to herald in a second age of Dragons in Westeros." Everyone applauded, and Aerion clapped slowly, his attention still on Rhaenyra as she shared another glance with his father.
"And after tonight's small affair, seven days of tournament and feasting" the king coughed "And at the end of it all…A royal wedding between my daughter..my heir, your future queen, and Ser Laenor Velaryon, the heir to Driftmark."
As Rhaenyra and Laenor danced, Aerion leaned closer to his father, who appeared to be fixated on the princess "Beautiful, is she not?" he questioned, taking another sip of his wine and finishing the goblet.
Daemon looked back at him for a moment, and eyed him from head to toe before scoffing and turning his focus back to the dance.
"I am surprised to see you here, father." Aerion continued "I had heard that the king sent you away." he couldn't help but whisper in his fathers ear as the rest of the hall were silent. Watching the two betrothed dance, he noticed the king looked over to him briefly.
"Well, I could not miss my niece's wedding." he turned back to him "I would have thought you'd be with your mother, the bronze bitch, what should I call you?" Daemon chuckled.
Aerion could not help but give a smirk at the response, only his father would dare say such a thing in front of him about his mother, and his abruptness intrigued him greatly.
"Oh well, I could say the same thing about you, father." he replied "Should you not have been there for the past sixteen years caring for the son you had with her? Oh no, you'd rather run away with a whore and father a bastard, what was her name? I'd be surprised if you even knew yourself." Aerion grabbed his fathers' goblet and drank from it.
"Careful, boy." Daemon growled, ripping his goblet from Aerion's hand.
Aerion was going to continue, however the hall filled with applause and cheers as the couple finished their dance, he gazed at Rhaenyra once more, who continued to dance with others.
He removed his gaze from Rhaenyra and began to look around the room, people flocked to the aisle to dance, and he locked eyes with a clean-shaven ginger-haired man sitting down at the table next to the Velaryons.
The man looked intently at him, as if he had an attraction towards him, though Aerion smirked, and waved his hand, making him look away.
Aerion rose from his seat, patting Daemon on the shoulder and whispering in his ear "Enjoy the festivities, father, try not to stare too much though… what would people think?" he pointed out.
He passed the lords and ladies dancing and found himself walking to Jory at the far end of the hall, and playfully punching him on the arm, which gained the man's immediate attention, looking as if he was going to return it but decided not to.
"I did not think to see you here." Aerion said, offering a wide smile, it was good to have someone familiar nearby. "I would have thought the city taverns were more your taste."
"I beg to differ, this place offers something the taverns in the city do not, free drinks." he laughed, raising his mug in the air "there is nothing better than looking at a beautiful woman dance." nudging towards a single girl in the crowd of dancers, she had brunette hair and wore a long dress of oceanic blue with white lacing.
"Who is she then?" he asked.
"Hm?..oh, I could not tell you, friend, that beauty arrived this morning, I swear I have not been able to keep my eyes off her."
"Then go dance with her, learn her name." Aerion offered, folding his arms.
"No..I couldn't." he replied nervously, shaking his head.
"You're going to have to take a risk sooner than later, Northman, you might as well take it now." Aerion's added comment seemed to have put fire in the northerners spirit as he walked out onto the aisle to dance with the lady.
The feast was going well, and Aerion almost fell on his arse laughing when the girl Jory had been dancing with splashed wine in his face; the gods only know what he must have said to enact such a reaction.
They drank and spoke with each other for the majority of the night afterwards, and it turns out his brother had been banned from attending any of kings' feasts after a fight broke out between him and a knight of House Lannister.
"I say we get out of here and head into the city, I will show you the street of silk, just as promised." Jory offered once more, placing a hand on Aerion's shoulder.
Aerion still kept focus on his surroundings, looking around to those he knew, he witnessed Daemon speaking with the young Laena, twin sister to Laenor Velaryon, Valyrian women had a habit of being incredibly beautiful, and she certainly caught Aerion's eye.
Though none were as stunning as Rhaenyra, she outmatched everyone in her beauty by far, especially the queen above all, who despite her attempt to look the finest in the room, never even got a gaze from Aerion.
"Let us remain for a short while, and then I may take you up on that offer." he replied, finally removing himself from Jory's company, patting the northerner on the back as he headed out onto the floor, passing the paris dancing, fixated on Rhaenyra as he walked to dance with her.
He patted the shoulder of the man she was dancing with "May I?" he asked, though did not intend for it to be seen as a mere question, he was telling him to move.
"Ofcourse, my prince." the man nodded his head, and Aerion took his place, looking at the princess as she smiled that he was there.
"I thought I might save you from dancing with lesser men." he smirked, his tongue fluently changing to the language of their ancestors. They copied their fellow dancers' moves to remain consistent with the dance.
"Well then, I should be thankful to dance with a powerful warrior such as yourself." she returned a smug look.
"You are hiding something." he noted, his eyes following her spin "I have been watching and I must say; not once has Laenor looked at you as I do, or as any man should, nor have you looked at him"
She paused, her curiosity piqued "And tell me, in what way do you look at me?" she asked, bringing their dance to a temporary standstill.
"Like your the only woman in the room that is worthy of attention." he held her hand "You may play your games, but I can't hold it any longer - something is here, I know there is, from the moment I laid eyes on you, I saw a valyrian goddess from my dreams.."
She looked stunned, and there was a long pause as she calculated what to say, though before she could speak, a loud scream could be heard and the crowd shuffled into them as a massive altercation broke out. He tried holding onto Rhaenyra, but lost her as he kept getting pushed back.
"Rhaenyra!" he shouted, pushing his way through the crowd "Rhaenyra!" he repeated, throwing a man into one of the tables as he got shoved into him.
He reached the centre as a knight of the Kingsguard, Ser Criston, was fighting it out with the man he shared glances with earlier in the evening, he went to pull Criston off from the man but received an elbow in the face, making him fall to the ground.
Aerion rose up quickly, squeezing his nose, and grunting in pain, wiping the blood away on his sleeve, it was as if Criston had been taken over and a mad dog took his place, needlessly beating in the man's face.
He kicked Criston in the side, pushing him off from the ginger-haired man and onto the ground, Aerion quickly forced himself over Criston, and began battling with him to keep him secure, each landing a few blows to the face on each other.
The household guards came through and assisted in restraining Ser Criston, who soon stopped resisting, giving Aerion the chance to rise back up to his feet, searching around and looking for the princess, he looked up at where the King was standing, and saw Rhaenyra, and he felt he could finally breathe steady.