Aegon was drowning in his cups at the end of the steps, drifting off to a pleasant rest with the cool winds on his back. He thought for sure that High Tide will be dry of wine if he had anything to say about it.
How else was he to spend his days than to do as he wished, bedding servants and filling his cups is what he desires most but his mother and grandfather seem to want more for him.
It was after that harmless business with the pig, he was pleasuring himself to the beautiful city and its citizens below when his mother barged in and demanded to know why he did what he did to Aemond.
"Don't lie, Aegon. Baelon said it was you." She said when he attempted to pass the blame to Jace and Luke.
He cursed his elder brother for being such a tattle-tale, telling their father who would tell his Mother. It was just some harmless fun that Aemond and Baelon didn't need to make a fuss about it.
Then again, Baelon never knew how to have fun, it was during dinner one night that he coined a name for his just and proud brother. He thought long and hard on it and it suited the stick that was right up his ass.
'The Dour Dragon'
Baelon lashed out then, just as he did today when he suggested their sister be given to someone who matched her mental faculties. It was even more humorous when Baelon started going with his grace to Small Council meetings.
Mother and Grandfather wanted him to attend them as well but he would rather not lull himself to sleep hearing Lord Beesbury go on about coin and copper, better to let the dull son listen in on such matters.
When met with the truth of his supposed vile act of bullying, he accepted his responsibility. "Fine, it was me but what is the harm? It was funny." He mentioned while trying to cover himself, that Mother did come into his chambers at the wrong time.
"You think it is funny to belittle your sibling? The fool you are, Aegon." She sighed and shook her head, "You think Jacaerys will be your lackey but as it stands, he will be King one day and the Gods may deem it fit to punish you for it."
He didn't know what she meant, why does it matter who is going to be the monarch after Rhaenyra? "Why would they punish me? I have done- "
"You live! That is all and that alone makes you a threat to her... Even Baelon threatens her and her bastards."
The rumors were true, hells, Mother was the one to spread it and just looking at them puts such things to question. Ser Harwin attacking Ser Criston and then his sister's flight to Dragonstone made things clearer.
Aegon would one day be King! That's what she said and he had looked his mother in the eye, asking what of Baelon.
"The crown isn't made for boys like Baelon, he knows this and will support you." Is she so sure? Baelon was the firstborn son, and with how his Grandfather goes on and on about succession then by every right the throne should be his brothers.
He does admit that Baelon I Targaryen's reign would be incredibly boring. The Red Keep is surely blessed not to have such a King on the throne but he certainly has no ambition for the crown, it's pitiful but his brother was somewhat right.
Sleep consumed him as he dreamt of better things than politics but it was short-lived when he felt someone kick his legs hard. His eyes shot open as he saw his Grandfather grab him by his cloak and yank him to his feet.
Otto pushed him forward, seethingly whispering 'Get to bed'.
Baelon hadn't realized how late it was when he returned to the castle, only that upon doing so he saw Vhagar in flight and landing right outside the servant's entrance.
"Tegun konīr (Land there)." Archonei screeched and landed not far from the larger dragon.
He slid off of the back and called to Aemond who was riding the dragon, "Brother?" Aemond didn't hear and left.
The twat claimed her, he braved climbing that beast to take her for a ride. He had seen it but thought the old girl was simply a little restless, her rider so recently killed by her fire no less.
It was none of that, his brother did what he longed to do and claimed one of his own.
When he entered the tunnel to the servant's entrance he was shocked to see a horrid sight before him. His nephews and cousins were attacking Aemond, he saw blood on the ground and wondered what caused this brawl seen before his eyes.
His brother had Lucerys by the throat with a large rock in his other hand. "You will die screaming in flames just as your father did!"
"My father is still alive!" Luke exclaimed in protest.
Jacaerys, acting on his impulse drew a dagger from his side and tried coming at Aemond. Baelon rushed forward and pushed Jace hard on his back, the shock would wear off quickly as the bastard threw sand in his face.
He only meant to stop the fight from leading to someone dead, it was all and the sand his nephew threw at him blinded him enough and gave Lucerys a chance and used the blade to slash at his face drawing blood.
They thought he came to Aemond's aid, that had to be the reason but he was in too much pain to think or exhaust himself in explaining this.
"Stand back!" The sound of Ser Harrold was heard and the Lord Commander came to his side, "My Prince, let me see. Please let me see, my Prince." He took his hand away from the gushing pools of blood.
Baelon was taken to the Hall of Nine with his nephews, cousin, and brother. The King and Queen were roused from slumber and Alicent hurried to her son where the King tended to Baelon.
The Maester of High Tide tended and stitched his scar. The wound ran the length of his left cheek and across his nose, thankfully due to his age and height, the blade scarcely avoided reaching his eye.
His glare burned at Lucerys, the bastard hid behind his brother and was afraid to look his way.
"Tell me what happened, Baelon? Tell it true."
"I don't know, Father. I was returning to the castle on dragonback and saw Aemond atop Vhagar." He winced in between the Maester checking his wound and speaking, "By the time I entered the tunnel, the fight was almost over. Jace pulled a blade when... " He stopped then, too scared especially when Rhaenyra entered to see to her sons.
His father wasn't patient and turned to the Kingsguard, "How could you let this happen, who was on watch?"
Criston cleared his throat, "Prince Aemond had been attacked by his own cousins, your Grace." When his grace chided them on their oaths the knight remained ignorant. "The Kingsguard have never had to protect Princes against Princes- "
Baelon scoffed and pointed out, "If that is your thought, Ser then perhaps my sister was wrong in having you replace Ser Ryman?" Criston looked to clench his jaw tight enough to break a tooth, but ignored the remark made by Baelon.
The point wasn't to defend Princes from Princes but to stop the fight from happening at all, he wondered where the guards were at the doors who didn't see a handful of children walking about.
"Will it heal, Maester?" Alicent asked calmly after seeing to her blood.
"There will be a scar, the nose will need to be looked after so no infection takes hold but yes, your Grace, it will heal." Good enough, he'd hate to be grotesque with no nose.
Baelon was appraised with a mirror and he for some odd reason preferred it, it made him look dangerous. "Thank you, Baelon for being the only decent child in this family." Alicent said stroking his other cheek then turned on Aegon, "And you, while your brothers were being attacked you were deep in your cups, you fool."
Things were tense and looked as if lines started to be drawn in the sand, and Baelon sat at the hearth right in the middle with no one at his side.
It was dawn when they would be leaving back for home.
He was resting a while before leaving to fly with his siblings when the chamber doors opened to see his father. Baelon groggily sat upright despite getting little sleep though his father waved him be.
"Sleep. Rest, my son." Viserys sat down on a chair placed by Ser Willis Fell of the Kingsguard. "I am happy you were unharmed or I may have to face your mother's wrath when I leave this world."
"If only Mother lived then it may not have happened at all." He said bitterly and Baelon remained trained on his father's face. "We are leaving soon?"
"Yes, Alicent is readying the ship as we speak." Viserys was silent for a moment before continuing, "Has our future King and his brother come to see you, to apologize for the wound?"
They have but he wouldn't see them, Ser Arryk was standing watch for him, then. He wouldn't even see Rhaenyra though she did exert her authority to enter the room.
He still refused to look her way or to her children, the previous incident just hours ago being too sore to forgive and forget.
It seems... His elder sibling went to their father to mend the bridge for her.
"Son, I want you to forgive them. Our House is too divided to be bitter." His Grace said with genuine concern and care but Baelon would hear none of it.
"Bitter? Her mongrel scarred me and I am the bitter one?" So out with all of it, "I suppose I am. I have been bitter all my life. A Dour Dragon indeed... "
"What? Who calls you this, ah, it smells of Aegon. I shall speak with him duly." Where in the world is Aegon in this? Gods, it is like he is trying to avoid the uncomfortable conversation that Baelon is attempting to get to.
"It is not Aegon, Father, it is the fact I am bitter of my rights." Viserys leaned back and looked ashamed, "I should be your heir. I was conceived because you know it to be true. Mother died so I can be here!" His voice was higher and his face was red from the tears.
Viserys struggled but he sat himself closer to him, "It was your mother's desire to make Rhaenyra the future Queen. Aemma is the reason for this, Baelon, And... I cannot find it in me to betray her wish."
Baelon was slightly distraught to hear this, a part of him denied it but that piece of him, that small piece felt it was true.
"I am not blind, son, I know you feel what you think is yours but please, drop this. Drop such ambitions and support your sister and nephew." Baelon remained silent letting his father believe he had been swayed.
As the King got up to leave, he called out to him. "Father?" There was a pause, a silent moment before continuing, "I want permission to leave home on my fifteenth name day, I need time away from the madness of the Red Keep for a year or two."
There seemed to be an inclination to resist or deny him but then his father's hurt features softened, "So long as you don't stay away too long, then yes, I permit it."