The Tartered Dragon - Aegon, Son of Baelon

by mootjeman7

An man from our world is reborn in the world of ASOIAF and decides to make the best out of it through adventure yet it never is that easy, even for a third prince. OC-SI - Overlaps with HOTD.

37. Chapter 35 Part 2

CHAPTER 34 REVIEWS RESPONSE:

federermod - Does Elamaerys need Liberty Bay? No. The question is more is it worth having it as a trading partner and an ally? That is the question to have.

M2R - IMHO he only becomes unstable because of the fucked nature of the way he was brought up. His father doesn't give a real toss about him, his mother hates his nephews and has brought him to hate them, his elder brother taunts and mocks him like mad picking at his insecurities and to top it all off...he loses an eye and his father does nothing about it. He realises that few really give a fuck about him personally. Of course it'll twist his mind, especially once he gets a massive ass dragon like Vhagar .

branphillips001 - Thank you, glad you enjoyed it.

Jxgod - Aegon is smart but what he really excels at is his fluidity in his understanding. He's never set on one thing or one frame of mind. Even if he is appears that way. With magic, he can really let go and apply this fluidity which has allowed him to grow and grow in his powers. Only when it really clashes with how he SHOULD be do you seem him to divisive amongst the readers. Lol, I think it is better off that he isn't born during the Long Night. Especially not as a Targaryen. Let's just say he would have exacted his revenge in the most bloodthirsty way, especially if he watched his family die during the sack.

Tony McNucklz - You have to also think about about what people think. If Aegon destroyed Myr...would they have been more willing to believe what Aegon was rumoured on doing? Yes. This way, it beggars belief. In fact, they likely will think that the Myrrish are cowards and exaggerators.

Also, the reason why they get off so lightly is mostly because of the war aims have been achieved whilst severely punishing them whilst also setting them up to continue to fail in the future. He doesn't need to destroy Myr to get his message across to enemies that fucking with him or Elamaerys is a bad idea.

And yes, Aegon's legacy will be a good one to have but it won't be the legacy he will be proud. Something to look out for.

And Aegon won't be discussing magic with the Westerosi folk or with his family. Especially sus topics like the black stone. Better not get into that in his opinion.

Blackfyre1009 - Gael and his children are his treasures. No way he'd allow them to enter that cesspit when he doesn't have complete control over the situation.

LongingResider - Probably could have left hints in previous chapters but only really hints. There's still a lot of story to go into and I always risk being too stuck in a part of the story if im not careful!

Trado - Yes, Myr is now in a very difficult position without Aegon having to sacrifice his men to do it. A win-win in his opinion. Doesn't need to kill a lot of people either which makes his sleep slightly better.

Alicent is very naive in not thinking that bloodshed won't happen. I think she knows but i also don't think she understands. Her father does but he doesn't care. He only cares for his ambition. Everything else is tertiary.

Blackfyre100 - Honestly, IMO, the display of fire is entirely within the scope of ASOIAF. You know that people can manipulate fire - why wouldn't Aegon be able to do the same once he reached a point of control and understanding? For fuck's sake, lol, the COTF cracked an another region apart with magic and the Rhoynar flooded an entire city with their magic. This seems well plausible.

Lady-Silvanas - I just hope it doesn't turn into Vinegar! ha! Thanks for your words.

CHAPTER 35 PART 1 RESPONSE

Jxgod - Yes, House Targaryen is a very fragile House that is incredibly dependent on familial bonds. Jaehaerys did see this and he'd acted accordingly by only allowing his eldest three children to have dragons. However, it is impractical IMHO. Had his children all lived to adulthood, a civil war would happened anyway. It is crazy how much familial bonds matter in this House and how few adhere to this principle. You can't really have family members who are just there...not when they all could bond with a dragon and be more powerful than your lords.

EmaCnDf - Is he? Is he entering a civil war? Or is he just paying lip service and also getting his daughter a worthy match and a child, a nephew, he can mould into a decent man?

jmsdragn - Rex came on one of the arrivals from Elamaerys. The dog will help Aegon.

Tony McNucklz - True, he might not be able to hide from them but by the time they arrive, the war might well be over. It would be difficult but Aegon is willing to try to save at least some of them.

adi-Benzes - They would but Aegon would try his best to make it near impossible for the message to arrive. AT least in time. To a man like Aegon, it's worth doing. Whether or not it would work...well...you'd have to see.

DodemGM - His obsession with the Long Night is largely to ensure Elamaerys and his children's descendants live and are prepared. He doesn't want them to die. Easy to understand. And yes...Aegon's decision making is spotty. He is only human after all. The man deals with so many different things at once, it's not hard to see that he falters on occasion.

Everyone, Thank you for your reviews and comments, I always read them even if I don't respond to them.

As always, please enjoy this chapter and let me know what you think.

Note: If you would like to read ahead, the next three chapters after this chapter are available on P. .^T.^R.^E.^O.^N./ Boombox117

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Mid to Late 114 AC – High Tide

Corlys POV

The fiddles and harps and the smooth voices of musicians were a light swell of sound amidst the merry sea of festivities, as laughter and talk and whispers melted into another as the men and women talked throughout the feast to each other, the high table often times hanging off of the words of Aegon or Corlys' own, or that of the young Lord Sunglass, who by nature was a jovial man that'd put a Baratheon to shame in comparison.

Plates of food and jugs of drink were brought in a steady stream by the servants, the finest of venison, the most succulent of pork and bacon dishes, and the sweetest and strongest of wines and bitterest of ales, and it drove the small feast that'd been thrown in Aegon's honour into one of loosened tongues and unrestrained laughter.

As Lord Eldric Sunglass talked animatedly about the year he'd spent in the company of Aegon during Viserys' Progression and his later deeds to earn his knighthood, Corlys took a moment to eye the few nobles present at this feast.

Lord Crispian Celtigar and his wife, Lianna Celtigar, the daughter of Jacaerys Velaryon, Corlys' father's nephew through Jorgen Velaryon, was present alongside his heir Bartimos Celtigar and his wife Cassella Celtigar formerly of House Bar Emmon, and their one and ten nameday heir Clement.

With them, came House Bar Emmon, represented by Lord Justin Bar Emmon, his wife, Elinor, formerly of House Brune and a cousin of Crispian Celtigar through Elinor, and their sons, the heir Selwyn and the spare Oswyn.

Lord Eldric Sunglass and his wife Meredyth, formerly of House Staunton, were also present, alongside their heir Symond Sunglass and Lord Eldric's youngest brother Terrence Sunglass who was his squire.

Beside them, there were a few lesser nobilities in attendance brought at the invitation, permitted by Corlys, of House Sunglass and House Bar Emmon, Lord Raymont of House Thorne alongside his wife and his heir, Lord Perkin of House Harthe and his heir Ser Olyver, and Gormon of House Boggs and his wife.

They sat besides the two commanders, as Aegon had introduced them as, Ser Andrew and Ser Trytas, two men that he was growing to understand to be capable men with their commanding roles in the campaign in the Disputed Lands, a topic that had gripped much of the eve's conversation.

Rhaenys sat beside Corlys at the head of the table, and on her side, sat Laena whom sat next to Lord Crispian Celtigar whilst on Corlys' other side, Aegon sat next to him with Daeron beside him.

At the table below, at the centre of the hall, sat the sworn men, the escorts of the nobles, alongside the escorts Aegon had brought with him to High Tide, the rest of his men having remained in Spicetown, who themselves were in free flow in conversation, though it seemed as if most of the talking was done by Aegon's men who he'd overheard at times also talk about the wars and glory they gotten in the wars they'd fought.

Aegon had asked this favour of Corlys, amongst several favours, to invite House Celtigar and House Sunglass to Driftmark prior to his expected arrival.

Corlys understood the younger man well, even if it was masked with smells of sentimentality.

It was a calculated move with regards to his long awaited arrival, which would help show that Aegon was not without support within the nobility of the Realm.

With the rumours turning matters sour against Aegon with whispered accusations of sorcery and heresy, undoubtedly fuelled more by Houses that feared Aegon for slights long ago given, it was a prudent move.

Especially since even the Celtigars and the Sunglasses had seemed wary of Aegon until the barriers had been broken though Corlys was doubtful that Aegon could rely on old friendships and soon-to-be kinships with the other nobles of the realm.

The news of Myr's near destruction under a cloud of blue fire had reached all corners of the realm, and though Corlys understood that most did not believe in the tales, believing them to be exaggerated, his spies had told him that more than a few Houses in the Reach and the Crownlands were not so sceptical about the news.

Corlys himself could understand, even if he knew that their scepticism was fuelled by fear and self-preservation.

Though he had not seen any magic at Fylloris, with Aegon dismissing it with amusement at every point when he was asked by him or Rhaenys, he'd heard enough accounts that he was believing there was real truth in what had happened in Myr…and, as Corlys eyed Aegon for a moment, given the nature of his facial wounds, much of which was covered by an silver-coloured eyepatch, he imagined that many more such incidents might have happened in Slaver's Bay…

In any case, combined with the rumours of heresy, of which Corlys believed to have come from Grandmaester Mellos who Vaemond had told him was present during his debriefing with Viserys, the 'hero's welcome' that Aegon would have been due might well be subdued, and instead there'd likely be a greater focus on his misdeeds and his unheeding of the Crown when he arrived at the Red Keep.

Viserys may have given his word he would abide by the arrangements of Aegon's return, and his independence from the Crown, but Corlys would think him a fool if he, or most likely his Lord Hand, had not considered weaponizing the chink in Aegon's armour against him.

It may only be a small chink, given Aegon's actions against the sin of slavery, and conquest, which was still sung and lauded amongst the lands, particularly by the commonfolk across the realm and a number of Septons in the Crownlands and the Riverlands, but it was a chink nonetheless.

Fortunately though for Aegon, Corlys doubted the man was going to use it as an excuse to act against Aegon, not when the man was so resistant to taking action that broke his precious peace. And imprisoning Aegon, mayhaps even executing him, would certainly be an act that was beyond out of character for the weak man.

Yes, Viserys had wished to bring Aegon to account for his independence from the Crown, but the man had come to the realisation that the independence had long started ever since Aegon had departed the shores of Dragonstone with thousands of people, and had only solidified into permanence as more time had passed.

The dramatic, and if Corlys was brutally honest, a complete reversal in stance against Aegon, a reversal Corlys held in contempt for it was one that effectively screamed weakness and unfitness with the kinds of 'conciliatory' concessions that would churn the stomach of even that of the old bastard, signalled as much such an understanding by Viserys.

And so, Viserys wanted to use 'familial and kinship' bonds to retain, or perhaps exert, influence and control over Aegon and his branch, seen as evidence by the possibility of Aemond fostering and possibly marrying a daughter of Aegon's.

Yes, it was a better move than pursuing a punitive stance that would pose a point of no return between the relations of the two branches of House Targaryen, which even the fool had understood the peril of pursuing such a course of action.

Aegon's branch were all dragonriders and they would only grow larger with time…and numerous too with at least one female dragon amongst them.

The conversation turned again, with it moving towards the topic of Elamaerys and Corlys had keenly tuned in his ears as Aegon spoke of the lands.

It wasn't hard to hear in his voice that Aegon held great pride in the lands and in his commonfolk, whom had progressed quite starkly in the near year since Corlys had seen the man in Fylloris.

Aegon vividly talked about the lands of Elamaerys with the eloquence of gifted storytellers, something that Corlys was sure the younger man had learnt from Corlys, where he spoke of the mountains, the rivers, the fertile soil that stretched so far that it was still yet unmapped, and the warm climate that nurtured the body, with a kind of warmth and care that Corlys believed wholly true in sentiment.

To say that Corlys was unjealous would be a lie, even if he would not admit it.

One of his first questions once duty had been taken care of had been about the journey to Elamaerys…how the Sunset Sea felt. How it felt to sail atop a sea that could grow as tall as mountains, that could make even the sturdiest of ships seem as if made of flimsy parchment, and how it felt to triumph over the cruel mistress when one saw the lands beyond the watery grave that was the Sunset Sea.

He'd not been left disappointed as Aegon had told him, in depth, about the nature of the Sunset Sea, why his ships were capable of braving the waters.

The seas were rough half of the time, the only worse instance was when there was a storm, an occasion that his galleons had encountered several times, and several times, it had only been their thick hulls and their reinforced decks that protected their ships from tearing asunder, even if their masts were severely damaged in the storm.

Aegon had told him of an occasion of where the served lines had snapped on a ship and foremast having been ripped off of the ship during a storm and had to limp to Elamaerys with two ships guiding it back for repairs.

There were several more such stories that Aegon had told him about, stories with vague instances but with just enough information that consoled Corlys enough not to press for details, even if Corlys knew that Aegon would not provide more information about the ships than he'd already had.

Still, Corlys knew that Aegon had taken inspiration from Ibbenese whaling ships, whom famed for their thick hulls and strong ships, which Corlys knew had inspired the first ships Aegon and his shipwrights had designed in his version of the carracks, the very ships that were in port at Spicetown.

With Vaemond having set eyes on the ships – and only eyes much to his great displeasure – they at least knew that the ships were long and the cross-section of the ship was one that bowed inward before it narrowed upward.

And similarly, the ships were wide, far wider than any ships Vaemond had seen before, that also bowed inwards before narrowing almost like an arrow point. Corlys immediately understood the reasoning behind it, with the shape of the ship allowing it to cut through the tops of the waves with greater ease, much like the Swan ships of the Summer Islanders.

All of that, including Vaemond's observation of the rigging and the fore and aft sails, which were angled slightly, and the size of the ships and the size of the beams that formed the hull, gave him plenty of ideas to get his shipwrights started.

And, as Aegon continued to speak lavishly about the lands of the West, Corlys thought it inconceivable that Aegon was not aware that others would try and trace his steps, independent of himself.

How could anyone who loved the sea and had the opportunity not try and replicate his feats? If not for glory then at least for wealth and land.

Corlys knew that if he wished it, Aegon would take him to Elamaerys. The younger man had not hidden his intentions to be closer with his House with how he conducted himself, even if he had not said a single word about it yet. No, Aegon did not have to say much; it was plain to see in his actions.

But Corlys was a prideful man. He would rather have the ships built, even if it took a decade, than be ferried across the Sunset Sea by others who had tamed it.

He doubted others would have the same compunction but he also was near certain that others would be granted the same 'privilege' he knew Aegon would offer freely to his House.

As they spoke, Corlys was sure there were plenty of Lords in Westeros that were interested in matters of finding glory and wealth, especially once understood that the wealth and land of Elamaerys would not come granted by the Crown…nor would it be granted by gaining favour of Aegon, even if he suspected that Aegon might just play along for a time whilst he was here in an effort to combat his enemies amongst the nobility who may hope to gain into his favour.

The Redwynes, the Lannisters, even the accursed Hightowers would want to try their hand at finding a path out West, and in time they would likely succeed.

He only hoped that it would send them bankrupt in the attempt…

And then there were the Free Cities, though Corlys suspected that it may take several generations before they would be in a position to do so, thanks to Aegon's wars that has unsettled so many of them.

Even Pentos was unsettled with the three Whores so radically changed in political disposition and further loss of commonality with Lys the worst of the lot in their eyes.

Yes…Corlys thought. If there would be another player in the quest for finding lands or glory out West, it would come from Westeros and Corlys was determined for House Velaryon to be the first amongst all of the others.

Corlys eyed Laena, who listened aptly at Aegon's descriptions of Elamaerys, now having started talking about the wildlife that existed there, and his eyes fell to her belly which she was caressing with a hand.

He'd hoped Corwyn would become his successor to his title of the Sea Snake, but his grandson was made with a weak composition much to his dismay.

He would still be a fine Lord in time, Corlys would see to it, but the son that was in Laena's belly, or the son that would come after his second grandchild, would be the one to carry on his legacy, who'd be the one to circumvent the world, and enshrine the name Velaryon into history, just as his blood would one day sit on the throne.

That…

That was Corlys' hope for one of his grandsons and he would do all that he can to ensure it.

The conversation continued to flow, with Rhaenys and Laena more involved as the conversation switched from Elamaerys to Slaver's Bay – or rather Liberty Bay – which lasted longer than Aegon's descriptions of Elamaerys as he'd talked about the depravity of the slavers and the beauty of the freed slaves and their collaborative spirit, which turned towards talk of the humbling of Myr.

A conversation point which Corlys had seen Aegon slyly explain away as a show of dragon-might that'd gotten 'out of hand' in ways he did not expect, said so in an almost exasperated and defeated way, and it took much of Corlys' self-restraint to not scoff at the dismissive nature that Aegon was sticking to.

It seemed to Corlys that Aegon was enjoying himself in befuddling the matter as a point of ridiculousness and Corlys noted that Aegon was particularly keen to not-quite answer the subject of his use of magic, which he'd done when he'd met the company of nobility when one of them had asked and had done again throughout the conversation, and Corlys noted that the only accusation that Aegon had truly dismissed as untrue was the matter of him being a prophet, though even that was done in a way that could be understood that while Aegon did not see himself as a prophet, it could be that he was, as he often used the explanation of the Gods guiding him to Elamaerys as how he was so sure that it existed.

He wasn't the only one to notice it, though, like Corlys, none pressed Aegon on it, and Aegon was likely depending on that.

Ordinarily, this scheme would work, especially since Aegon was clearly a man of power that could not be directly challenged on his words without consequence, but there would be many nobles who may take that chance.

And everything he's learnt of the man since, the impression he was getting, the sharpness in his eye that was sharpened on the whetstone of battle and war, Corlys without a doubt expected that the man knew that.

Corlys couldn't wait to see how things would play out…

The conversations continued, one that directed the conversation towards Bartimos' daughter, whom he was understanding was keeping correspondence with their daughter and his brother's family in Elamaerys, and though Corlys could not pick upon anything, he was rather curious to see what the young girl might have written to her mother and her father.

Finally, the conversation had turned elsewhere, much of which involved the other Lords discuss matters involving their House or their sons, some of whom were present at the table.

Corlys was reminded that even the lesser nobility had met Aegon at some point or another, especially given that most of them had ties to the Lord Sunglass and to the heir Bartimos, and from what he was understanding, it was clear that they were largely not of the faction that had ostracised Aegon during the time of Gael's disappearance.

Likely, Corlys thought, it had been the reason why the two men, Eldric and Bartimos, had specifically invited these nobles to this feast.

By the time this conversation had ended, it had long been at the death of the eve, on the precipice of the fall of night.

And it was at point, that Aegon had stood up with a trace of a smile on his bearded face as he raised his goblet and the hall descended down into silence as they waited on him to speak.

"It has been more than a decade since I last have been in Westeros." Aegon turned towards Corlys. "And I find no greater nor befitting hall to find my welcome back than that of High Tide, the very castle built by a man that I respect greatly and whom I consider as kin." Aegon said as he raised his goblet towards Corlys and Corlys smiled faintly as he nodded acceptingly at the man for the homage.

Aegon turned to look towards Rhaenys. "A hall that also belongs to a cousin, my favourite cousin, whom I consider as warmly as a loved sibling, and whom I am glad to see content as she was due." This earned smiles amongst the noble ladies and light chuckles from the noblemen and Corlys could see that Rhaenys was pleased by the words.

"I'll be sure to remember this slight!" Laena interjected with a smile and a raised eyebrow in challenge, which drew laughs from the hall, as Laena teased about Aegon's infamous long memory about slights.

Aegon gestured his goblet towards Laena, an amused glimmer shining in his eye.

"And it has been a decade since I last saw my favourite niece, the lovely little Laena, who has grown into a fine woman that embodies the best of her parents." And Laena smiled more widely at that as she raised her glass.

"Consider the slight forgotten, uncle." Laena said warmly, accompanied by a teasing smile and it drew more laughter and quiet cheers from the hall.

"You are merciful." Aegon said with an inclined head and a more obvious smile though he lost it slightly as he turned towards Eldric.

"And it has been a decade since I have seen the young squire that was Eldric Sunglass, and it shows." Aegon said with a light smile, drawing chuckles from the people in the hall. Eldric Sunglass was six and twenty namedays old, a young Lord in a time of peace. "Yet you have become what I have always believed you were capable of becoming, Lord Eldric of House Sunglass. A man of virtue and honour and a man whom I would be glad to call friend until the end of days!"

This drew cheers and knocking of cups from the men at the table below, galvanised by the words of comradery.

"You honour me, Prince Aegon." Lord Eldric said with a bowed head. "To be held in such high esteem by a man who will be long remembered in legend long after our days have finished, to be called a friend by yourself…you honour me greatly."

"It is no more than what is your due, my friend." Aegon said with a light smile and after the cheers died down again, Aegon turned towards Bartimos, his smile fading.

"It has been more than a decade since I have seen and spoken with Ser Bartimos Celtigar heir of House Celtigar." Aegon's voice turned solemn and the hall quietened down. "A man who I have fought tourneys with, a man with whom I travelled much of Westeros with in my youth. A man who became like a brother to me and a man who refused to stand away from me when most others did." Though Aegon's expression did not change, Corlys could feel the tension rising in the air.

And it was amusing to Corlys. The man truly held onto his grudges as tightly as a whore held onto a silver coin purse.

Corlys exchanged looks with Rhaenys. They both knew what Aegon was referring to. It was hard not to. Bartimos Celtigar was amongst the very few nobles who had not stepped away from Aegon when even the old bastard, Alysanne, Baelon and Viserys had done so.

There had been no greater supporter of Aegon than Bartimos Celtigar during that period, so much so that the young man had joined him in Aegon's banishment to rid of the bandits without accepting a refusal from anyone.

Corlys eyed Crispian Celtigar and he could see the pride in the man's eyes. Bartimos' decisions had granted great boons for House Celtigar.

Boons that had seen the second son of Crispian Celtigar rise to become one of the pillars of the army that destroyed Slaver's Bay and likely the most influential man in Elamaerys outside of the Targaryens there themselves.

And then there was the marriages. Marriages that'd see Celtigars achieve one of their greatest ambitions…to be seen as worthy for marriage by the Targaryens.

Who may very well marry back into the mainline and potentially provide a pathway for a Celtigar Queen in time.

And all of that would come from Bartimos Celtigar, whom Corlys did not doubt was truly held in such esteem by Aegon that he would label the man brother.

As ruthless and unforgiving as Aegon was to his enemies, he made a show, genuine or not, to be as equally as loyal to his friends and his men. He'd seen that much in Fylloris and this view of his was emboldened by the tales he'd heard from Vaemond which made clear such loyalty could only stem from reciprocation.

"And a man whom I am pleased to one day share grandchildren with." Aegon raised his goblet to the heir of House Celtigar, who seemed at the same time as embarrassed and grateful. "To the man named Bartimos Celtigar!"

Cheers rang through the hall amidst the loud noises of cups being rhythmically knocked on the lower table by the knights and escorts of the attending Houses.

The cheers died down as Ser Bartimos Celtigar stood up from his seat, a grateful smile on his face.

"Prince Aegon honours me." The future lord of Claw Isle said humbly as he bowed his head slightly before he looked up and turned to look towards Aegon.

"I am not a man of many words, my lords, my ladies, good knights, so I shall be brief." The future lord of Claw Isle raised his cup towards Aegon. "To the man I am fortunate to call brother, the man whose name shall be remembered in the same breath as the Conqueror himself. To Prince Aegon!"

The cheers were loudest then, most of it coming from the men that Aegon had brought, but cheers rang all around the hall for a good few moments that set the mood to be more festive.

Aegon had remained standing even as Bartimos sat down and gestured for one of his men to forth a long trunk the size two men that Aegon insisted to be present, which Corlys knew contained gifts even if he did not know what was within it.

"Before I forget in all of these festivities, I have some gifts to provide. Ser Raevor!" Aegon called out the man, alongside another man, picked up the long trunk and placed it on the ground in front of the high table.

They opened the trunk and Corlys' eyes widened at the sight of jewels and undoubtedly weapons even if they were obscured by a white cloth.

One of the knights went into the trunk and brought a jewelled necklace of gold and silver. Aegon gestured towards the Lady Bar Emmon, who looked inordinately pleased by the . "To Lady Bar Emmon, may your beauty be made to shine ever more glorious with this gift around your neck." The lady in question, who was of plain and distinctly forgettable looks, had stood up with a quickness unbefitting of a lady of her stature, and had turned her back towards Aegon that made Corlys' lips twitch in amusement. He wasn't the only one as he'd exchanged looks with Rhaenys.

Aegon got the message and he took the necklace from the knight and fastened the necklace around the woman's neck.

And so went the proceedings, with Aegon providing necklaces to the Ladies Thorne and Boggs, and then having proceeded the same with his Rhaenys and Laena, though both of them were gifted necklaces that bore some of the largest diamonds he'd ever seen with his eyes – and Corlys had seen a great many treasures over the years…some of which were in his very treasury – and Corlys noted the Valyrian steel chains of the necklaces.

'The war in Slaver's Bay must have been quite rewarding if he's able to give away such treasures…' Corlys thought to himself calculatingly as he watched Laena marvel with her necklace.

The women weren't the only ones to receive gifts.

The men received them too, the Lord Harthe, Lord Thorne, Lord Bar Emmon, Lord Boggs, Lord Celtigar, Lord Sunglass, Ser Bartimos Celtigar, Ser Terrence Sunglass and Daeron though the gifts left Corlys in shock – and others in the hall – for they were given Valyrian Steel bastard swords.

He saw the ripples within the blades, swirls that resembled flowing water, rippling in black and grey patterns. The only difference he saw was that the colours of the blades, outside of the grey and black swirls, seemed to be too bright, not the dark grey of Blackfyre and Dark Sister and seeing it closer too, he noticed no reds within it too.

"They are not Valyrian Steel swords." Aegon explained once the final sword was given out to Ser Terrence Sunglass, who marvelled at his sword and held it so tightly and dear that he feared he might well lose it.

"It is lighter than a castle forged sword." The Lord Thorne remarked which was quickly echoed by the other men who'd been gifted swords and Corlys eyed the swords intensely before his attention was grappled by Aegon's voice.

"The art of Valyrian Steel is unfortunately still lost." Aegon said further, drawing all of the attention in the hall, attention that Corlys noted to be one of want and greed from the lower table though it was largely from the escorts and knights sworn to the nobility in visit, and Aegon continued.

"However, my blacksmiths and my scholars have learnt a great deal about the art of fashioning weapons and these blades are an example of what we have accomplished. Elamaeri Steel, the finest outside of Valyrian Steel." Aegon said as Aegon looked towards Corlys and Corlys understood the look and he gave a tight nod of acceptance before he gestured one of his guards to come forth.

"I'll be the one to test the sword." Lord Eldric Sunglass said as he stood up with great enthusiasm with his sword clutched in one hand. He walked the high table and was level next to the guard who had brought out his castle forged sword.

And, after the two men set themselves in stances two sword's length apart from one another, it was only a few moments later that a loud and ringing clang sounded throughout the hall.

Immediately, Lord Eldric looked towards his sword and smiled broadly and Corlys could see a sense of wonder in his eyes as he surveyed the blade. "Not even the slightest dimple." The man marvelled and the guard presented his castle forged sword to the rest of high table and Corlys saw the small chink in the blade's edge.

Lord Eldric showed his blade as well, and Corlys could not see a chink on the blade's edge, at most he could see the faintest of scratches and Corlys rounded his gaze towards Aegon, a most serious expression on his face.

"You say your blacksmiths produced this?" Corlys asked to confirm once more. It might not be Valyrian Steel but it was a certainty that it was the next best steel.

And that was concerning.

Valyrian Steel was the greatest material a weapon could be forged from but it was also a limited supply. Even if this Elamaeri Steel came up short against Valyrian Steel, it would drastically reduce the gap in the quality of weapons.

And more importantly…

It would also allow the fashioning of superior armour. Armour that, Corlys thought starkly, could one of the greatest difference makers in armies.

An army of well-trained five thousand men all in Elamaeri Steel armour, and all equipped with Elamaeri Steel swords and spears and axes...

That could potentially defeat an army twice, or more, the size in an open field.

And looking at Aegon, he could see that the man knew this too.

'Dangerous…'

"They did." Aegon confirmed. "They are back on Elamaerys now." Aegon added and Corlys resisted the urge to groan. 'Of course they are.' No doubt Aegon had planned this to be shared here, now, well after his blacksmiths were back in Elamaerys, which it seemed clear that they'd been with him during his campaign.

Making it clear that there was no avenue to bribe any of the blacksmiths to set up a shop on Driftmark.

And to make it clear, once news travelled of the blades, which Corlys had little doubt would happen given that all of the nobles in this room would be in attendance at a royal wedding of the future Queen that'd be more attended than any other wedding in recent memory, that access to these blades would only come through the patronage of Aegon Targaryen.

'Devious bastard' Corlys thought with an internal snort.

Any man that had no access to a Valyrian Steel sword would want one of these swords and there were a great many noble Houses, which included four of the five Great Houses, that did not possess a Valyrian Steel sword or weapon.

"However, there will be opportunity for any who wish it to speak with me about placing an order for any Elamaeri swords." Aegon said with a faint smile and Corlys this time could not resist letting off a snort at the scheme.

'Meaning anyone who wished a sword would have to be in his good graces'

"I see." Corlys said with an amused smile at the younger man. It seemed like Aegon had a number of ways to defang his opponents during his stay in Westeros.

"However, I am not done yet for I have not yet gifted a gift to the host of this feast" Aegon gestured the knight Ser Reavor to pick up one of the last items in the trunk.

The knight removed the cloth around the obvious blade and Corlys' eyes widened as he stood up, an unconscious smile gracing his lips.

"Long ago, House Velaryon possessed a Valyrian Steel sword, one that was so unique that it had several navy blue swirls etched on its surface, a distinct colour that separated the blade from most other Valyrian Steel swords." Aegon said as he took the blade from the hands of his knight and walked towards Corlys.

"Few swords were made by the Valyrians that had these distinct colours, and most times they were made solely for the nobility of the Freehold. House Targaryen is graced with such magnificent blades in Blackfyre and Dark Sister which boast the crimson red that of House Targaryen." Aegon said as he came to a stop in front of Corlys whose eyes never wavered from the Valyrian Steel bastard sword.

The sword had several ripples of turquoise blue on its surface, a spare few amongst the reds and greys and blacks swirls that were etched on the blade's surface.

"This is not your ancestral blade that your House lost two centuries ago but it is the closest that I could find." Aegon said as he presented the blade to Corlys who found himself moving without much control as his hands placed upon the blade.

Slowly, his hand gripped around the hilt of the blade and he lifted the blade out of Aegon's hands and raised it closely to his eyes as he took in every single detail of the blade.

It had been one of his greatest dreams. To possess a Valyrian Steel sword. He'd grown up on stories of legendary Velaryons. Velaryons that had fought in battles for the Freehold. Velaryons who had fought in battles for the Targaryens.

And he'd heard the tale of the last Velaryon who had wielded the sword, having perished in the Stepstones during the first two decades after the Doom, falling into the abyss of the Narrow Sea with their ancestral sword the Last Tide in hand.

A costly affair that has haunted their House and its Lord for generations. Even the Celtigars had a Valyrian Steel weapon in the form of an axe, an axe that they were wise enough to not wield in battle, instead choosing to jealously protect it.

Some may call it craven but Corlys thought it wise and shrewd, for it was a decision that ensured a piece of their history remained in their control, something that he wished his ancestors had done.

In any case, the longing for the blade was one that remained in the back of his mind, and during his voyages, he'd always kept an eye and an ear out for a Valyrian Steel sword to purchase but he never got the opportunity.

Once again, he thought perhaps he would have to earn a blade such as this during battle, such as the war in the Stepstones but he never heard a single word of a Valyrian Steel sword in the hands of filthy slaving pirate.

He'd not giving up on obtaining a blade such as this however he did stop pursuing it, even if he did not so it for the sole purpose of gaining a sword like this.

And yet, in a moment he least expected, he was handed over a blade such as this, a blade so similar in the legends of his House to that of the Last Tide that he wondered perhaps if not this was the very same sword his House had lost, a blade that Corlys felt younger by years just by holding it.

It took momentous effort but finally, he turned his eyes towards Aegon, who he could see was watching him keenly, and Corlys came to realise fully the significance of the gift.

All of the favours, all of the requests that Corlys had agreed to, all of it was gone and consumed by this one single blade. No…Corlys thought to himself, he was now indebted to Aegon and the younger man knew it.

"Thank you, Prince Aegon." Corly said stoically as he levelled the sword to rest on his hands. "This is a priceless gift." A gift that may be priced in the millions of gold dragons but it was a gift that one would have to find a willing seller for.

And few, if any, would ever sell their ancestral sword nor would the jumped-up merchants of Essos, if they ever acknowledged they possessed such weapons, deign to sell Corlys a blade like this.

"Think nothing of it." Aegon said in response, a faint smile on his face. "It is merely a small gesture of my appreciation of the blood we share, for the friendship we hold and for the trust I hold in your family, Corlys, Rhaenys. And may the sword serve to protect you and your descendants for all time."

Cheers had sprung from the lower table, cheers and chants of 'Sea-Snake' and 'House Velaryon' and Corlys almost paid it no mind, his eyes firmly lodged on the blade as the scabbard belonging to the blade was brought over.

"Corlys…" he heard Rhaenys' voice and it broke him out of his focus, and he saw her looking at him with a look of amusement and some concern.

It was then that he noticed that all eyes were on him, the cheers and chants having died down. Corlys got a hold of himself and he raised the sword.

"House Velaryon has its Last Tide once more!" Corlys declared as he raised the sword high and the cheers grew again, this time chanting the name Last Tide.

It was then that Corlys took his sword and placed it within the scabbard and set it beside his chair as he sat down.

"It is a fine gift." Rhaenys said as she leaned over and Corlys nodded lightly as conversation picked up again, no doubt speaking of the gifts that had been proffered out and Corlys eyes went towards Aegon, who was in discussion with animated Lords who fired over questions to the younger man.

"The finest of gifts." 'And a fine move'

Later…

By the time the feast came to an end, it was well into the night, and the guests and their guards had retired for the night. Corlys walked back into the hall, walking past the two guards of Aegon and the four High Tide guards, where he saw Rhaenys in discussion with Aegon, which, to his ears, sounded quite alive despite the late hour.

"What has you so smiling?" Corlys asked as he approached the two and Rhaenys turned to him with a sheer look of amusement which Aegon did not quite share though Corlys thought it might have been due to restraint rather than anything else.

"You have arrived just in time. We were discussing Ser Trytas and his…interests."

Corlys snorted. Ah yes…the man's interests. "You mean his obsessions with wanting to fish?" Corlys asked wryly as he sat down beside Rhaenys who placed a hand on his thigh.

He glanced at her for a moment and he saw her smile uptick at the corner of her mouth and Corlys did well to keep his reaction unshown despite knowing that the end of the eve would not be over once they all retired to their chambers.

"There is nothing wrong with wanting to fish." Aegon's voice interjected and Corlys looked towards him, and saw him eying him, and then Rhaenys, with a glint of amusement in his eye. 'The man is too observant despite having half the eyes'.

"Clearly. Given that you had given your word to the man that you would join him on his fishing." Corlys said wryly. The man had talked about fishing more in depth than he did in his battles in the Disputed Lands or in Slaver's Bay.

Any opportunity that even closely veered into the territory of fishing, which honestly Corlys was surprised by finding could be anything, the man would go into a spiel about fishing in the rivers and the lakes of Elamaerys.

At first, he thought the man was doing it on purpose but as time went on, he realised the man was just that passionate about fishing, an odd thing about a man that had once been a farmer's son turned sailor turned knight turned commander.

Truly, the man was a man unlike any other Corlys had met, and if it had not been for the fact that he'd heard enough during his talks about the campaign in the Disputed Lands, he would have thought the man a simple brute.

"He's earned that much, at least." Aegon said with a careless shrug of his shoulders as he relaxed in his seat, a twisting smile playing at his lips. "I will have plenty time to get good at it too so that the first time will be the only time he'll ask me."

Corlys wanted to snort but he restrained himself.

A Prince of the blood…fishing. What an imagery.

"I'm not so sure that'd work. He seems like he would instead haunt you at every opportunity." Rhaenys said dryly. Corlys agreed with that assessment.

"Perhaps." Aegon said with an amused smile on his face and a moment passed, a moment long enough to make clear that Aegon had no intention of explaining anything further, likely Corlys assumed because he did not want to give more insight into the two men.

Still, Corlys would not let it go that easily.

"I would have thought it was unbefitting Trytas, whom I presume you intend to raise into nobility, to be so cavalier and…common about his desires."

He was intensely interested in what Aegon planned to do with a land as large as a third of Westeros. He'd spoken briefly about it, when asked, claiming that his soldiers and commanders would be given 'just rewards' for their service to his House and to Elamaerys.

What that meant however, no one knew and Aegon continued to push it aside when conversation had been directed in that path, even at one point, Ser Andrew and Ser Trytas had interjected and spoken humbly that they served and their service was reward enough for them, silencing all further conversation in that direction.

It was infuriating, to be met with such stalwart resistance for basic information and it only increased Corlys' suspicions of what he intended with regards to Elamaerys.

He'd gotten it out of Crispian Celtigar that Aethan Celtigar was promised an island though throughout the conversation, he understood that there was more to it with how Crispian Celtigar had said that Aethan had been vague about the terms.

Corlys continued "Even if one can understand the…common background which he comes from."

"His common background is no different than many a man celebrated by noble Houses today. After all, it is the actions that maketh the man and not the origin." Aegon with a dismissive note in his voice.

Aegon continued. "And fishing is no different than hawking or riding, Corlys, if unusual perhaps." Aegon said with an amused smile on his face, a smile that faded as he continued to talk. "And what I intend or do not intend to do for reward my men is not a conversation that I wish to have."

Corlys narrowed his eyes before he relaxed measuredly. 'You will not be able to continue to hide your intentions the longer you stay, Aegon.' Corlys thought to himself. It was clear that whatever Aegon planned with regards to Elamaerys it would not be something that would be…appreciated by the nobility.

Knowing how the man elevated commonborn without hesitation, Corlys understood that

"I see." Corlys stated simply before he continued. "Then I will be plain and ask what you intend to want of me for this gift?" Corlys asked with a stern gaze as he gestured towards his sword.

At this, Aegon had the audacity to merely smile in amusement which did not shed in to his voice as he spoke. "One cannot intend a want with a gift, Corlys. It is the very nature of what a gift is."

"No gift comes without a want, Aegon." Corlys returned with a scoff "and certainly no gift such as this would come without demands, said or unsaid." Corlys eyed Aegon intently. "And I would want it made clear what your demands are, now, instead of later."

"Hmm." Aegon leaned back in his chair and said nothing for a long few moments, which irked Corlys but before he could speak, Rhaenys did so in his place.

"What Corlys means to say is that it is the kind of…gift…that is equal to the hand of an only daughter and child of a King." Rhaenys was gentle in her explanation of the monumentality of the gift that Aegon had provided.

"Especially given its…similarity to the lost sword of House Velaryon."

Rhaenys smiled gently at Aegon even as her eyes were piercing. "It is not the kind of item that can be gifted without incurring a debt. Which, cousin, you are very well aware of."

The corners of Aegon's mouth climbed in a facsimile of a smile before he inclined his head slightly. "That is true. On both accounts." Aegon acknowledged and Corlys narrowed his eyes in preparation.

"However, the debt it is meant to place upon you is not a typical one." Aegon leaned back in his chair, his eye veering from Rhaenys to Corlys. "It is rather meant to enhance the debt that is owed to kin."

Corlys stilled for a moment before his eyes narrowed even further.

Aegon continued after the moment's silence. "The bonds between House Velaryon and House Targaryen go back centuries. When one of us needs a marriage, and there is a maiden or son available, the other provides. When sons need friends and brothers, the mind turns to House Velaryon." Aegon turned his eye towards Corlys.

"When House Targaryen has gone to war, never has House Targaryen failed to have a Velaryon at their side."

"Except in your war." Corlys remarked with a thin smile.

"Except in my war." Aegon acknowledged. "And it is a regret of mine that I did not take one of your cousins, at the least, with me." Aegon added calmly before his expression shifted once more.

"Nevertheless, House Velaryon has, and I hope will be, House Targaryen's most steadfast ally. This gift" Aegon gestured towards the sword "is merely a representation of the duty that is demanded of a Targaryen to a loyal House that shares so much kinship that it may well be considered a branch House."

Corlys resisted reacting to the idea that House Velaryon, a House as storied as any other Great House, could be considered a branch House.

"An interesting…sentiment." Corlys decided to say in response. He continued as he leaned forward. "So what is that you expect of me? You speak of loyalty. You speak of kinship. You speak of giving reward for such things that most would merely expect from their vassals." Corlys narrowed his eyes. "And I am not blind to not see that you intend more than what is expected. What is it you expect?"

"I want to deepen the bonds between our Houses." Aegon said plainly as he leaned back in his seat, eying Corlys intently. "Between my branch of House Targaryen and that of House Velaryon. To start with, I am willing to take in Ser Aeryn Velaryon and his family and grant them land and a place of honour in Elamaerys." The mention of his distant cousin was surprising and again, Aegon said lands and not fiefs, growing the suspicion even more as to his intent though Corlys had little time to dwell on it as Aegon continued.

"I would also want a marriage pact between my branch and that of Laena's, where a daughter from your Laena would marry one of my grandsons."

Corlys wanted to laugh. He would have given all of that for nothing. As soon as he had a moment to absorb the news of Elamaerys, Corlys had wanted to tie his House into Elamaerys as much as it was tied into Westeros.

Of course, he'd hoped that he would have a brood of grandchildren at that time which seemed unlikely now, Corlys thought soberly. He may only receive a few grandchildren, especially if Laena remained as fearful as she was…

"Why only Laena's line?" Rhaenys spoke up and Corlys could see her look as calm and questioning but he could see the worry in her eyes.

And it sobered Corlys up further.

The rumours about their son had grown more intensive, especially since that damned knight Ser Joffrey remained with Laenor at the Eyrie.

Then there was rumours too about Jeyne as well, with that Redfort girl, Corlys thought as his expression tightened.

He did all that he could to stop thinking about his…son and his marriage, a marriage that seemed to be cursed twice-fold by the Gods.

And with Corwyn so…

At times he wondered if the Gods truly hated him…

The only relief in all of it was that his son was driving back the Mountain Clans and that he was held largely in good favour amongst the Vale Lords.

Aegon scratched his beard for a moment before he spoke. "No real reason. I would not mind a match with a daughter of Laenor though it could be unlikely given that Jeyne Arryn may be…barren." Aegon met Corlys eyes as he spoke further.

"Provided that the girl isn't the only issue between them, I would be happy enough with such a matter. It matters not where the daughter comes so long as it is your granddaughter." Aegon explained and Corlys was satisfied enough with that answer.

"Is that all?" Corlys asked after a moment.

"I would also want Laryssa Velaryon, daughter of Malentine Velaryon and Daenaera Velaryon, daughter of Monford Velaryon, to marry the heirs to House Calnaereon and House Qargaris." Aegon explained calmly as he eyed Corlys with an unwavering stare.

Laryssa Velaryon and Daenaera Velaryon were both under three and ten namedays if he remembered rightly though he was not sure. He had many cousins after all…

"Their fathers would not agree to marry their daughters to mere knightly Houses." Corlys prodded as he met the younger man's gaze.

The two heads of Houses, namely Ser Galaenys Qargaris and Ser Maerro Calnaereon, would have been fine matches given their glory and fame they achieved, but even fame would not have been enough. They were no more than knightly Houses that'd barely owned land before they took a chance with Aegon.

"House Calnaereon and House Qargaris will both be raised into nobility and they possess wealth that would put them equal to any House within the Realm." Aegon answer was calm and Corlys narrowed his eyes.

"You split the treasure amongst your army, didn't you?" Corlys more stated than asked. It was a common tactic to endear loyalty from the men and to prevent theft.

"Yes." Aegon merely said in answer and he did not expand further. Corlys dearly wanted the man to explain further on what he meant with land and nobility but he knew that he would get an answer. Not now. He would have to be patient.

"A marriage that may not happen if the Gods do not favour us, marriages of my distant kin and your vassals, and the offer to take in some of the many cousins I have…this is not exactly equal to such a gift." Corlys commented after a moment of silence, his eyes still meeting the sole eye of Aegon.

Aegon sighed lightly as he sat back further in his chair. "The sword was never meant to be in payment of what I propose right now. As I said, it was meant to enhance the debt that is owed to kin. No more and no less."

Corlys narrowed his eyes at the same phrasing he was using.

'Debt that is owed to kin…'

"You are worried." Rhaenys was the one to speak up next and he saw her looking intently at Aegon. Corlys glanced back at Aegon and saw him unchanged in his expression.

"And what is it that you believe worries me?" Aegon asked and it was with a calm tone of voice though there was, Corlys thought, a hint of curiosity there.

"Viserys." Rhaenys said simply and Corlys turned to look fully towards the younger man. "You want us to support you in case he decides to act against you despite his written assurances and acceptance of your terms."

So Rhaenys had also become certain of this just as he had. Everything that Aegon asked for would have been easily agreed without the gift of a Valyrian Steel sword.

That meant that he expected a great deal of problems with Viserys, so much so that he would have to rely on his House's strength to escape from it.

"Perhaps." Aegon said with a deceptively calm voice. He continued. "A long time has passed since I last have seen Viserys. A long time in which a great deal has changed." Aegon's eye veered from Rhaenys before it veered towards Corlys.

"Viserys has had a decade of being King. He has grown used to being obeyed and has grown used to making decisions that he believes will be upheld long after he passes." Corlys' eyes narrowed at those words and after he'd shared a glance with Rhaenys, he saw that she too understood what he meant.

"What I am and what I have done, has clearly chafed at him beyond measure." Aegon thinned his lips as he again veered his eye between Corlys and Rhaenys.

"Had it not been for your arrival with the letter, and had it not been for you in general, I would rethought my acceptance of Viserys' request to come to Kings Landing and finalise the matter face to face." Aegon's voice grew more solemn.

"What I am saying is that I trust you able to aid me if, if, Viserys reneges on his word. That is the kind of debt of kin that I wish to be upheld." Aegon said as he eyed them both. "Now, and of course for as long as our Houses are able."

Corlys and Rhaenys exchanged looks for a moment as silence reigned and it was only after Rhaenys broke contact, and spoke, that the silence was breeched.

"You would have had our support regardless." Rhaenys said gently and warmly along with a hint of exasperation in her tone of voice.

"You are her favourite cousin. She would have had my hide if I let you languish in the Black Cells." Corlys said with amusement though Corlys' mind was fast at work at what Aegon was saying.

He didn't believe Viserys had it in him to be as treacherous as Aegon suggested his eldest brother could be. It was a wild overestimation of Viserys.

But Corlys could understand it. He understood why Aegon had gone so far to present gifts to the nobles that'd come to this feast, and why Aegon has doing it to him and Rhaenys. He was leaving little to chance as far as he was concerned.

It was already shown by the number of 'guards' Aegon had brought with him, which included two battle hardened commanders in Ser Trytas and Ser Andrew, both of whom he'd seen not overindulge themselves in drink.

"When my competition is Viserys, Daemon and Borros Baratheon, I would be offended if I was not the favourite." Aegon answered with a mild smile on his face.

"Borros is a fine cousin." Rhaenys said in defence of her brash and hot-tempered cousin, and Corlys was surprised by the fervour of her defence. Given that they'd only met a few times since they were married, and certainly not after Lord Boremund had passed only a few years ago, there was little reason for it.

"He is, Rhaenys." Corlys assuaged before he turned to Aegon and continued to speak. "You have our support. You have my word that Viserys will be held to account should he renege on the agreed terms." Aegon nodded slightly at his words and it satisfied Corlys enough to continue.

"As to the proposals…I find no reason to deny them though you will have to speak with the Velaryons in question to gain their approval." Corlys could order them to comply but he was curious to see if they would agree to Aegon's terms.

As for marriage between his future granddaughter and a grandson of Aegon's…well, he was certainly open to the idea. Rhaenys was certainly too.

Laena however…

"A marriage between our grandchildren is agreeable." Corlys stated as he eyed the man intensely. "However, there can be no guarantee, as you are aware, of a second granddaughter."

Aegon stared at him fully for a long few moments before he nodded lightly, and it was clear that Aegon understood his meaning.

They'd already been promised one of his granddaughters becoming Queen. And if Laena remained as worried about having more children as she was, it was going to be unlikely that there'd be many chances to have any spares.

"I'm aware." Aegon said and for a moment it seemed as if he wanted to say more but he'd closed his mouth and Corlys wondered what he'd hesitated in saying. He couldn't dwell too long on it because Aegon had picked up a goblet and said "May the Gods favour both of Houses so that we can join our Houses in our lifetime."

A little while later…

Corlys sighed heavily as he sat onto the edge of the bed, tiredness washing over him. He felt a hand on his back, a hand that gently massaged his back.

A smile came across his face as he glanced back at her, a sweet smile on her beautiful face though it was not the kind of look on her face that he'd come to associate as one of being in the mood.

"Too tired?" he asked knowingly.

She only smiled a little more, though he could see more tiredness creep into her face. "We have the morning." She suggested and Corlys chuckled lightly.

It suited him fine. He wasn't exactly in the mood either this night.

"Of course." He laid his head down on the pillow and he closed his eyes for a moment.

"What are you thinking?" He asked, his eyes still closed.

"I have many thoughts, husband, and of course many of them are attached to our guest of honour." Rhaenys said in response and he opened one of his eyes and peeked through slitted eye at her and he saw her sigh as she stared at the ceiling.

"He is secretive." She finally said.

Corlys made a noise of agreement, a deep and heavy noise.

"For as much as he tells us that he trusts us, I think it's quite particular with what he trusts us with."

"His safety in Kings Landing but not about much else." Corlys agreed as he opened his eyes and turned to look at her.

She nodded lightly before she sighed lightly. "I am yet undecided if I am to be offended that he using us like so."

Corlys snorted. "Don't be." Corlys said and she turned to look at him. Corlys continued. "I know men like him, Rhaenys. Men like him do not want to rely on others' goodwill or their word. They see the world through exchange. Service for service, even if it is between blood. No matter what Aegon says on the contrary."

Corlys sat up slightly as he leaned on his elbows and he sighed heavily. "I used to be a man like him too." Corlys had hated the state of House Velaryon despite the fact that their House was a cornerstone in the Conqueror's achievements.

Yes, the three dragons had been the means to have won the Kingdoms but the war was supported by the men and the fleet of House Velaryon. Without House Velaryon, the war of Conquest would have been inordinately more difficult.

Yet it nearly all had amounted to nothing when he'd been a child.

He'd seen his uncles, aunts and cousins all perish in the Shivers.

He'd seen his grandfather, the proud Daemon Velaryon grow more into himself and he'd seen his father, Corwyn Velaryon struggle to maintain the right of House Velaryon to be second House in the realm.

By the time Corlys had set himself to go on his voyages, House Velaryon was becoming forgotten. By then, the grudge he'd held as a child, had only grown. After the Shivers, he refused his father's offers to have him foster in Kings Landing to rebuild their status because he did not want to rely on the meagre scraps on the high table the Targaryens built and forgotten to invite House Velaryon to.

No, Corlys had dedicated himself to make a name of himself, a name that belonged House Velaryon, and a name that would be built under a foundation of gold and treasure and glory.

And he'd done so.

It was this that earned him a hand to the only daughter of Prince Aemon, the hand, at the time he'd thought, that belonged to the future queen of the realm.

Not because he waited for the goodwill of the old bastard and Prince Aemon but because he had built House Velaryon back to the mountain it belonged to and the very mountain the Targaryens had climbed to treat with him.

And Aegon was made of the same cloth as Corlys.

Corlys turned to look towards Rhaenys. "Aegon built the first of his fortune thanks his discovery of better glass, and thanks to his cleverness to realise that he'd need the backing of a Free City like Braavos to truly see his discovery earn him the fortune he needed. Fortune that he shared with your grandsire and in turn earned him more leeway than he'd ever given Daemon, so much so that he'd practically given Dragonstone as a fief for him to rule over, which paved the way for his eventual leave." Corlys said and he looked past her as he gathered his thoughts.

Once done, he looked back at her contemplative face, and spoke further. "And when he was offered a fief of his own by his brother, he refused and sought to make his own destiny. Whatever the reasons, even if Aegon had come into the idea of the West by then, I know, I know, that Aegon had not wanted to be indebted to his brother. It was not in him to seek scraps at the table." Corlys gestured away with his hand.

"He is still that same boy. The very same boy. He will not accept unbalanced gifts or unearned grants. His pride will not allow him to." Corlys met her eyes. "And it is why he will not ask us directly to intercede if he has need of it without compensating us for the effort. Regardless if we are family or not."

"Treating us in the same way he treated the other nobles at the feast." Rhaenys said with a look of displeasure on her look and Corlys smiled thinly as he nodded.

Yes, the pseudo Valyrian Steel swords were as much as a bribe to those specific Lords as it was to set the stage of enticing more Lords into neutrality or even friendliness.

The only difference was that Aegon had bribed him with a gift that was far removed from typical.

"Debt owed to kin…so that was more of a lie than it was a truth?" Rhaenys finally questioned after a long few moments. It was the kind of question she wanted to hear him explain his thoughts than wanting an answer to.

"It was both." Corlys said honestly. "He does view us favourably, almost certainly as family, but he also a man that cannot accept terms that were not given by him." Corlys said with a wry smile on his face. Sometimes, he wondered if Aegon was not his get by Alyssa…his youth was rather wild at times…perhaps one drunken night…

It was wishful thinking…

"Men and your pride." Rhaenys sighed heavily as she shook her head lightly though soon a contemplative look was on her face.

"Do you think that is why he does not intend to follow the norms of Westeros when it comes to fiefs?" the question surprised Corlys though he quickly recovered as he pondered the question.

"You think as well that he does not intend to raise any to Lordships?" Corlys asked seriously. It was the only thing that made sense of the vagueness.

"I believe he is telling the truth that he intends to raise men to nobility but I also believe he does not intend to raise them to fiefs. The few times he talked about it, and what you told me about Lord Crispian's bragging about his second son, it seems that Aegon intends to make them noble landowners at the most." Rhaenys paused for a moment. "It would fit well in how he behaves. Reward for service but not so much reward that it resembles much of what he hates." Rhaenys said with a touch of amusement colouring her tone of voice.

Corlys nodded heavily. They'd known Aegon had soured on nobility after Gael had vanished for a time. Nobility, heirs and lords, that once had been friends, turning their back if not completely joining the mob of wastrel courtiers.

It explained much of Aegon's behaviour, in truth. Like how the Shivers and the struggles of his House had formed the foundation of Corlys' being, so too did the spurning from the nobility – and that of his family – form the basis of Aegon.

And likely why he was keen to remove what he hated the most in the place he loved the most.

"Resembling like the Freehold." This caught Rhaenys by surprise but then after she thought about it a little, a small smile breaking through her face, she nodded.

"It is almost unbelievable how similar the three sons of Baelon are yet are so different from one another." Rhaenys said with exasperation and Corlys snorted.

One was obsessed about the architecture of Valyria and its history, another was obsessed about Valyrian superiority and that of House Targaryen and the last one is intent to refashion Old Valyria in his image, most likely.

Though Corlys doubted it would be too much like the Freehold.

"It does mean that your plans for House Velaryon setting roots in Elamaerys will not be as you imagined." Rhaenys commented and Corlys hummed displeased but it was without much strength.

"Perhaps. Although given his words about the place of honour Aeryn Velaryon would have amongst the Elamaeri Targaryens, it may not be a terrible circumstance." Corlys then eyed Rhaenys keenly. "And from the sounds of it, he is more than open for more Velaryons to be sent there."

"Likely with the exception of your brother and nephew Daemion." Rhaenys said wryly and Corlys snorted. She continued. "A rather curious omission despite his wishes to deepen the bonds between our Houses."

Corlys had heard enough rants from Vaemond about the inhospitality Aegon had shown him in Astapor. Somehow he thought the feeling of displeasure and didslike about the other was mutual between the two men…

"Hmm. I wonder if he'll offer the same to House Sunglass." Corlys pondered.

"Given his proclivity to show favour to Houses that he thinks he owes something to" Rhaenys said with a roll of the eyes. "I would say it is likely." Rhaenys sighed again as she set her head against the backwall of the bed.

Corlys eyed her curiously for a long few moments and it was a few moments later after that Rhaenys looked at him. "I was just thinking about Kings Landing and what we find there." Rhaenys had cautiousness in her voice as she finished.

Corlys grunted lightly and he stopped leaning against his elbows and fell onto his back. He tilted his head to meet his wife's gaze. "Has Aegon's worry infected you?"

Rhaenys raised an eyebrow in response, one she kept as she answered. "Does it not worry you? I admit I did not consider Viserys to be capable of what Aegon all but accused his brother to be but the chance is there. Especially if he cannot accept the way Aegon is introduced in front of court, even if the man knows it is coming."

"He wouldn't." Corlys shook his head. He'd known Viserys basically the man's entire life. The only times he truly surprised Corlys had been when the man refused Laena for that snake's daughter and when he'd learnt how visceral Viserys had been in his demands for Aegon to be brought to heel.

And both times, the man had acted out of character. Only one of those times could Viserys rectify it to something befitting his nature. And as soon as the option was available, the man took it.

"And if he did? Does?" Rhaenys questioned with a raised eyebrow as both of their eyes met. And neither of them broke the gaze.

Finally a few moments later, Corlys spoke up. "You would put us in a dangerous position." There was no heat or accusation in his voice, merely an acknowledgement of his wife's position and curiosity of where she stood.

"You already agreed." Rhaenys said lightly but she continued without waiting for his response. "He wouldn't deserve it." Rhaenys agreed. "Not entirely at least." Rhaenys sighed lightly. "He is my favourite cousin." Rhaenys said wryly.

Corlys snorted. "You just like your aunt too much to leave her to become a widow." Corlys said with a little carelessness in his tone of voice.

Rhaenys did not quite like that but she answered acknowledging the point. "No, I would not. Nor would I wish to her children to be without a father." Rhaenys admitted and Corlys was reminded that his wife was too good for her family.

"We'll see what happens." He doubted that Aegon was going to be depending on him and Rhaenys to see him out of the situation if it did come to that.

Whatever accusations Viserys might have, there was always a trial of combat.

"Yes…we'll see." Rhaenys said tiredly as she slinked further into the bed and wrapped her arms around him. And soon enough…

Soon enough sleep claimed them both.

The next day…

The next morning Corlys accompanied Daeron and Laena to Driftmark, where he, along with his goodson and daughter, set to rights the matters of the island in the wake of his return to Kings Landing, where he was likely to remain well until it was time for Laena to give birth to her second child.

And, as morning melted into noon, he was greeted to the sound of a distant roar, a sound that he had found to have come from the West…Kings Landing.

When Laena asked if he wanted her to come with him with Vhagar, he declined saying "No, it is likely Daemon who has arrive at the order of the King." He explained with a look of displeasure marring his expression.

They'd sent a raven to Kings Landing to inform them about Aegon's arrival.

It could only be Daemon that'd come so soon.

Soon enough Corlys rode towards High Tide, where he saw the dragon heading to, and by the time that Corlys made rode through the causeway, Caraxes had landed at the base of the castle.

He'd arrived not long after Daemon had climbed down from Caraxes' back, and Corlys was forced to bring his horse under control when the serpentine dragon swivelled around its head on its long neck, rows of teeth showing as an undercurrent of growl escaped from the bowels of the damned beast.

"Calm, Caraxes" Corlys thought he could hear Daemon say as Corlys unhorsed himself and made way towards Daemon, a wary look sent towards the dragon that still bared its teeth towards him.

"I wouldn't get too close, Corlys." Daemon said with his grating mocking tone of voice and soon the man came to look towards him. The second son of Baelon was dressed in full armour, looking as if he was ready for battle, and the dangerous glints in his eyes only solidified that thought.

"He's rather in a foul mood." Daemon said with that irritating smirk on his face as he rubbed at the neck scales of Caraxes.

"What is it that you want, Daemon?" Corlys was curt as he moved around the dragon and towards the start of the snaking steps of his castle where he could see guards arriving down towards.

"You must be growing senile in your old age, old friend. Much like my grandsire in his final years if you do not know my reason."

Corlys' eye twitched at the insult and the insulting comparison and Corlys gritted his teeth before he calmed himself. "I see. I can understand the yearning of a brother to see one's brother. Mine own brother had raced down from Driftmark when I returned from my first voyage." Corlys felt a bout of satisfaction at the souring look on Daemon's face at the implication he was making.

"Do not compare your Velaryon ways with mine." Daemon warned and there was growl emanating from Caraxes' maw and Corlys thinned his lips as he turned his gaze towards the ugly but dangerous beast.

Truly, they were a match made in the Seven Hells.

Corlys was surprised by the change in look but he soon understood when Daemon began to smile dangerously as he looked at something beyond Corlys.

Corlys turned around and saw Aegon, dressed in chainmail, coming down the steps with two of his guards at his back in front of Rhaenys who was also coming down the steps towards them.

When Aegon neared enough, Corlys could see the expression on the one-eyed face. It was hard, the same kind of hardness he saw when he'd first saw the man in Fylloris.

"Ah, little brother!" Daemon called out and Corlys turned back to see the man with his arms stretched out mockingly.

"Daemon." Aegon acknowledged. He glanced at Corlys, giving a light nod, before he looked back at Daemon as he walked past Corlys and towards Daemon.

"I like the new look, little brother." Daemon mocked with a growing grin on his face and Corlys thought he could see anger in the man's eyes.

"The short hair. The beard. Even those scars on your face. It gives an appearance of a warrior." Daemon said as he gestured towards his own face.

"The silver eyepatch is not what I would have chosen but then again I would never would have had the shame of losing an eye like you have, little brother."

Corlys narrowed his eyes at the words. He was trying to rile up Aegon.

Aegon came to a stop when Caraxes began to growl lowly again, the dragon's eyes firmed fixed on Aegon.

Rhaenys came to a stop beside him and they both watched at the two brothers stared each other down and Corlys couldn't help but curse the sons of Baelon.

"We should never have sent that damn raven." Corlys muttered under his breath, just loud enough for only Rhaenys to hear.

Rhaenys only responded by taking his arm.

"Were you so excited for me that you couldn't wait on my arrival at the capital?" Aegon's tone of voice was calm and though Corlys could not see Aegon's face with the man with his back facing Corlys, he wouldn't be surprised if the words were said with an calm expression.

Especially with how Daemon had narrowed his eyes in irritation.

"Of course." Daemon said with his grin growing once more, and there was a sense of danger in his eyes. "Why wouldn't I be excited to see you again, little brother?" Daemon laughed slightly before he spoke again. "You've made quite the name for yourself, after all. Murderer, sorcerer, false prophet" the grin on Daemon's face was truly sharp now and Corlys exchanged looks with Rhaenys.

Daemon using those slandering names as a weapon was well within his character. However…whether or not it boded a warning of what may come in the capital, was left to be seen.

They turned towards the two men.

"So have you, Daemon. King of the Stepstones, was it? Or would you prefer former King of the Stepstones, as you are now?"

This Corlys could see had irritated Daemon though the moment quickly passed as Daemon scoffed. "A pile of rocks worth nothing and thus not worth keeping. I am sure you understand that notion since you abandoned the slaves for their worthless."

"Of course. I understand. The situation is exactly the same." Though Aegon's voice was calm, and the words could be understood to be agreeable, Corlys knew that it was not. So did everyone else. Including Daemon.

Again there was a long lull in their conversation, one where he could tell that they were both staring at each other like overgrown children. Finally, it seemed like Rhaenys had enough as she walked down the steps and made towards.

Caraxes growled again, the dragon setting its eyes on his wife.

"Unless you want to burn me with the same dragon my father rode, Daemon, calm him." Rhaenys was plain in her speaking and it prompted Corlys to descend as well.

"Perish that thought." Daemon said with a smirk and Corlys clenched his teeth at the audacity of the man. The man had grown worse the nearer the time to the wedding. It was if he was gloating that he'd won it all.

Still, the man did as Rhaenys told him to and calmed Caraxes, ordering the dragon to keep calm and silent.

Corlys glanced at Aegon's face and he saw that man's expression was hard and expressionless, his one eye watching Daemon and Caraxes intently.

"Where is that dragon of yours?" Daemon asked as he walked towards them.

"We'd gotten a few ravens from the Masseys, something about a large dragon, in armour of all things, terrorising the sheep there. I know that Vermithor didn't get lost in his new diet of sheep and Sheepstealers prefers the sheep in the Vale like the men there, and nor do I think fucking sheep herders know what a large dragon actually means, so that only leaves your mongrel of a dragon unaccounted for." Daemon said with curiosity in his voice.

"He's long left Massey's Hook. Have no worry, Daemon. No sheep or sheep herders are being terrorised any further." Aegon said calmly, his expression unchanging as he stared at Daemon unblinkingly.

Corlys could see the irritation rising within Daemon who ended up scoffing.

"I would have said whatever bitch tore your face had addled your brain but you have always been like this." Daemon said with a low snarl in his voice as he got closer to Aegon, and Corlys was surprised to see that there was no real anger in the man's eyes.

He'd seen what that looked like and he couldn't see in this moment.

"What is it you want, Daemon?" Aegon asked simply and Corlys was impressed by the lack of change in the man's face despite the tenseness of the situation.

Daemon said nothing for a long few moments before he scoffed with a derisive contempt in his expression and said. "Viserys orders you back within three days, little brother." Daemon said with a low and challenging smirk as he stared at Aegon for a long few moments.

"The last thing we want is for your…infamy to cloud over his precious, precious heir's wedding." Daemon said with growing smirk before he began to walk away towards Caraxes. "Always a pleasure seeing your dear cousin Rhaenys!"

None of the three of them said anything as they watched Daemon climb atop Caraxes and only when Caraxes was airborne, was the silence broken.

"You have my apologies for my brother." Aegon said as he turned towards him and Rhaenys, an apologetic expression on his face.

Corlys clenched his jaw angrily but said nothing and it was Rhaenys who responded. "Think nothing of it. We're used to his…tantrums."

At this, Corlys was surprised to see Aegon laugh a little and his expression melted into one of mild warmth as he looked at Rhaenys.

"A good description as any to explain Daemon's actions."

"Do you put much stock in Daemon's words?" Corlys asked as they began to walk back towards the castle, his eyes curious as he looked at Aegon.

"Daemon has always liked to use parcels of truth shrouded in exaggerations or lies to rile people." Aegon said with a shrug. "I won't pay much mind to it." Aegon eyed Corlys for a moment before he continued. "We already planned to leave soon anyway, have we not?"

The wedding would be in six days so the 'order' of arriving within three days was understandable.

"Yes. We are ready to set sail any time but I see no reason not to wait until dawn tomorrow." Corlys said in answer and Aegon nodded.

"Neither do I." Aegon said and soon enough, they continued their journey back to the castle though it was a silent walk for most of it.

And truthfully, Daemon's arrival had done much to quell the mood for much of the afternoon and eve, and it lasted well into the next day, a few words spared as they boarded their ships and made way towards Kings Landing.

-Break-

Mid to Late 114 AC – Kings Landing

Viserys POV

Viserys eyed the crown, the conqueror's crown, that rested upon the crimson cushion for a long moment before he picked it up and placed it upon his head.

His eyes went towards the sword of Kings, held by Ser Rickard Thorne, his lord Commander, and he took it from the hilt and turned to walk towards the throne forged by fire and the blood of enemies to their House.

Viserys took his seat upon the throne, and nodded towards his Lord Commander and soon, his wife and his brother arrived with his Lord Hand and the rest of the council and then came his daughter Rhaenyra and her soon-to-be husband, Baelon Targaryen.

Not long later, the throne chamber filled up with the Lords and Ladies of the Realm, including the Lords and Ladies of four of the Six Great Houses. The Lannisters, the Tyrells, the Tullys and the Baratheons.

All of them had come for his heir's wedding.

And all of them were present for the arrival of his youngest brother.

Viserys' gaze flickered from side to side, watching, listening, at the anticipation of the crowd rumbled through their whispers and their eyes and faces.

Viserys looked towards the front, towards the open throne chamber gates.

And all of them were in wait and in watch for the man whose name was on everyone's tongue. Common and highborn alike. Faithless and the faithful.

The days of when the Realm had unilaterally praised Aegon for his campaign against the slavers of Slaver's Bay was long and gone, and finally the Realm came to see what he'd seen all along. Terrible transgressions became more known as the details of the wars Aegon had fought through the campaign in Slaver's Bay filtered through into the Realm.

Of massacres of tens of thousands all across Slaver's Bay, likely even far greater than that number, where Aegon and his army filled with unfeeling Unsullied butchered through all of Slaver's Bay to free the slaves at the cost of the lives of tens of thousands.

Viserys' expression darkened.

It was…a haunting experience, to learn the scale of the war that Aegon had fought, and the depths he'd sunk in order to free the slaves. Depths of more wrongs in a sea of wrongs did not make his cause just nor did it make anywhere near right.

No, Aegon had carried out the liberation of the slaves out of happenstance than it was out of a cause against slavery, and his actions in Slaver's Bay had only proved, for he wanted to punish the slavers for the slight they had brought against him.

And Aegon had taken out his revenge with senseless butchery in this supposed war and it was all done without his permission or even letting him know of his intents.

And then there were the stories of sorcery not seen since the days of Valyria though Viserys was beyond doubtful of that, no doubt stories exacerbated by a display of Mīsaragorn just as stories of Aegon's heresy were exacerbated when in reality it was no more than ignorant slaves unknowing of what they speak of.

Viserys clenched his teeth slightly and he forcefully relaxed himself.

In any case…

Viserys knew that if people truly knew what he thought of Aegon's actions, some would consider him a jealous man, a jealous brother but that was far from the case.

What Viserys had to deal with Aegon was beyond what any other of their House had ever dealt with. A truly rogue Prince who did as he pleased and moved to remove himself from the authority of the Crown and did so with utter impunity.

And Viserys had no choice but to accept the terms.

At times he wanted to eschew his sacred duty to the Realm. The duty that was passed from King to heir, starting from the Conqueror himself.

The duty of seeing to a realm at peace and strong so that when the time came, they'd beat back the Long Winter.

But every time he gazed upon his daughter, Viserys thought as he glanced towards her before he looked back towards the throne chamber entrance, he found himself strengthen once more in this duty of his.

Even if the duty bitterly demanded of him to absolve Aegon of rightly due judgement and punishment for waging horrendous war without his permission and allow Aegon to keep his independence from the Crown.

All so that the realm would continue to prosper in peace and all so that the House of the Dragon remained united.

Soon enough, the first of the nobles that'd come with Lord Corlys and his brother were announced.

The Celtigars, the Bar Emmons and the Sunglasses and the other minor nobilities that had ties to these Houses.

They kneeled in front of him before they were made to join the other nobles of the present court and soon enough came Lord Corlys and his cousin Rhaenys.

For them, Viserys allowed a small smile to show for them as they kneeled and he nodded at them as they stood back up and joined the others of the court.

Inwardly, however, he grew wary of them, especially with how they'd presented how Aegon wanted to arrive, if he had to arrive in a public setting such as this.

According to them, Aegon had said that he would come through Driftmark first instead of directly coming to Kings Landing, a point that Lord Strong had considered to be needlessly provocative by the Velaryons…

And perhaps a sign that they were growing restless, according to Lord Strong. Though he had promised them a marriage between their grandchildren, with a Velaryon for Queen once Rhaenyra had her heir, Lord Strong believed that there was much more to do to settle the rift.

A thought for another time, Viserys considered, as soon enough…

Came his brother.

His youngest brother walked in with echoing steps, steps that were emboldened by the silence that had draped the throne chamber, half-dressed for war with what he wore, a chainmail shirt that could be seen through the gaps of his garments, a sword on his hip and with four men in full armour that followed him through.

The silence that had draped the throne chamber had breeched for whispers broke loose, but Viserys paid it little mind for he stared at his approaching brother, taking in everything of the boy grown into a man he'd not seen for more than a decade.

His brother wore short hair, trimmed on all sides, far from the flowing hair he'd seen his brother wear when Viserys had last seen him, and a neatly kept beard that was almost as long as his trimmed hair.

Yet that was not what truly drew attentions, no, it was his eyes. His singular violet eye and the silver metal eyepatch that was emplaced upon his right eye.

The eye that used to belong to their mother, an eye that Viserys had loved for it reminded him of their mother whom they'd lost long before her time had been due.

And now…

He felt an ache in his heart to see it gone forever.

And he felt a greater ache in his heart to see his brother so…different.

His expression was severe and carved out of stone with how unchanging his expression was as he neared, not a single emotion shown as they set eyes on each other. As if they were not brothers but enemies that needed to be dealt with.

'Is that truly how you see me?' Viserys wondered as he stood up from his seat when his Kingsguard moved in rank in front of the steps of the throne.

Aegon came to a stop five or six steps away from the Kingsguard, and so too did his guards behind him.

"Presenting Aegon Targaryen of Elamaerys!" one of the guards behind Aegon had announced, and it increased the whispers amongst the court, likely easily noting that Aegon had announced himself without his Princely title.

Just as Aegon had written he would.

Lord Strong had been in favour of it, the removal of his Princely title and Viserys had been torn about it. 'It was never meant to be this way…'

Viserys had dreams once for his youngest brother.

He knew that Aegon was clever, as clever as uncle Vaegon, and Viserys had dreamed that his brother would become his Master of Coin and, in time, his Hand and once he'd passed, he'd become the Hand for Rhaenyra.

He'd be only a day's flight away, and his children would be wed to Aegon's children just as his Rhaenyra was to marry Baelon and through their lines, through the three sons of Baelon, would one day come the Prince who was Promised.

All of that had been part of his dream.

A dream that began to break when Aegon left and a dream that shattered when his Aemma died before her time was due, and taking with her their son Aemon.

And, as Viserys stared at Aegon, the stone-faced Aegon who looked upon him not as a brother but almost as an enemy, he knew that those dreams were long gone.

"Aegon Targaryen of Elamaerys." Viserys intoned as he began to walk down the steps, his eyes fixed on Aegon.

"King Viserys." Aegon returned with an respectful incline of the head which drew whispers from the court.

"Your Grace!" Viserys halted in his steps as his eyes turned towards his uncontrollable brother in sharp movement and he was too late to stop Daemon to speak further. "He is your King, call him Your Grace!"

"Daemon!" Viserys' voice cut through the chamber like Valyrian Steel through flesh, and it halted Daemon in his movement and speech.

Viserys stared at Daemon with a dangerous gaze, far more dangerous than the look Daemon levelled on him. "Speak again out of turn and I will have you thrown out of these chambers." Viserys was harsh in his tone of voice and he would brook no disagreement, even under the look of angry betrayal on Daemon's face.

This was why he had no intention of telling Daemon of the agreement he'd reached with their brother. Daemon would be too immature, too shortsighted, to see the full picture. He'd already proved this when Daemon had gone to Driftmark without his permission and Viserys was no fool. He knew the excuse of wanting to see their brother was only that. An excuse.

In reality, Daemon was being a child who wanted to eat all of the sweet cakes on the table with regard that it would cause him ill, and he knew exactly why.

Elamaerys and the promise that it so held.

He knew that Daemon – and Rhaenyra – wanted to take control of Elamaerys, to rule it as an extension of House Targaryen, but he also knew that that path was already in existence and it belonged to Aegon and aunt Gael.

Yes, they would rule independent of the throne but they would not claim Kingship nor would they be completely separated from the main branch of their House.

That would have to suffice.

Daemon stepped into the court, the angry look still on his face and Viserys truly was angered by his brother for embarrassing their House so. 'I will have word with him about it!' Viserys thought angrily before he turned his gaze back towards Aegon who had not moved, only his eye looked towards Daemon, which, as Viserys continued to step down towards Aegon, locked onto Viserys' eyes.

His Kingsguard parted and let him through so that he could stand in front of Aegon, and Viserys took a closer look at his face. He could see the scars that ran down the right side of his face, from his brow all the down to the edge of his eyesocket bone, which broke its pass until it recontinued at his jaw, a scar in between beard that looked like a road through forest.

'That looked like no ordinary scar…it looked like some kind of scar gotten from a large beast…' Viserys wondered as he continued to look his brother over.

Viserys did not have to be a knight to know that his brother had grown strong…

Viserys looked back to meet Aegon's eye.

"Aegon Targaryen of Elamaerys." Viserys' voice was loud, loud enough for even the furthest amongst the court to hear. "It has been one and ten years since you last walked these halls." Viserys said and his voice began to echo dully against the walls and the high ceiling, the whispers of the court silenced and enraptured by the moment.

"In that time, you have built a fortune and you have bought the freedoms of thousands of slaves, removing from their chains. In that time, you have found a route west through the treacherous Sunset Sea and found a land of Summer, forever casting your name in the annals of History amongst names like Jaenara Balaerys and Lomas Longstrider." Viserys declared and he could tell that, from the corner of his eyes, he had taken everyone's attentions.

"And in that time" Viserys continued, his voice growing a little louder and yet more severe "You have waged war against the foul sin and injustice of slavery, against those who practiced the worst of slavery. You have fought, you have bled and you have been scarred in this war." Viserys said as he raised his hands slightly.

"And it was not in vain! You liberated hundreds of thousands from their chains, possibly even millions, and you have ended the injustice of the Slaver Cities once and for all! You have inspired rebellions all across Essos and you have paved the way for the Triarchy, an enemy of the Realm, to collapse as the slaves rose up and took their freedoms such as Tyrosh did with the aid of the Crown!" Viserys said in a victorious tone of voice and his voice echoed throughout the chamber.

"You have been victorious and a credit to the name of House Targaryen!" Viserys declared and the whispers grew in the background once more as Viserys' hands came down to his sides and he levelled a severe look on Aegon.

All of this, all of this…pageantry, was necessary to ensure that none saw the fracture in House Targaryen that would yet still need to be resolved. 'If only Daemon could have simply kept his tongue silent…' he thought irritated.

The only relief that he had was that Daemon was silent now, at the most important stage. It was too delicate, too important, for Daemon to break this performance.

"Yet, the question remains, Aegon Targaryen of Elamaerys, brother." Viserys began to finish up as he met Aegon's eye. "Why have you come now?"

"King Viserys…brother." Aegon spoke up, and his voice was smooth and calm as he cracked a faint smile on his face, throwing Viserys in a bit of a surprise.

"I thank you for your words, for they honour me deeply." Aegon said with an incline of the head, his eye remaining unblinking this entire time.

"As for why I have come? I have come because of family. I have come to see my brothers and the rest of the family and I have made it back just in time to see your firstborn child, my niece, wed my nephew whom I see standing beside her." Aegon said as he turned towards Rhaenyra.

They weren't the only ones who looked towards his daughter and he saw her smile lightly under the attention though soon enough Viserys took control over the attention once more.

And as he spoke, he spoke with a smile on his face. "Then, be welcome back, brother!" Viserys said with a flourish and soon enough, the court began to clap warmly words and not a few moments later, one of the servants came with a plate with bread and salt on top of it.

Aegon written that he was insistent in the offering, and Viserys had felt offended that Aegon mistrusted him so much that he needed such assurances of guest right.

Aegon took the bread and, after a moment of watching the plate, he dipped it and ate no more than a nibble of the bread before he turned back towards Viserys who had slightly extended out his arms in wait of an embrace.

Aegon understood and walked into him, grasping him full into an embrace, and the claps grew louder at the sight. Viserys moved closer to Aegon's ear.

"We will talk as soon as it is expedient." Viserys said in a low whisper and he did well to keep his voice even. After they parted, Aegon sent him a slight nod in acknowledgement and Viserys smiled as he placed his hand around Aegon's shoulder and it roused a greater applause from the court.

Showing to the realm that the House of the Dragon was united.

Later…

Viserys sat across Aegon with Lord Strong at his side, with cups of Arbor wine resting on the table between them. And none of them had spoken up once during the long time since they'd retired for his solar.

Lord Strong seemed content to simply remain in silence whilst Aegon seemed like that too, preferring to sit there and look around in his solar.

'He is out of words now when he had been plenty full of them when he'd spoken with half of the Lords of the realm…'

After Aegon had spent some time reintroducing himself to Rhaenyra and Baelon, though neither seemed too interested in speaking with their uncle, he had noticed, and so he'd quickly moved to introduce him to his goodsister, and Alicent had been more receptive to speak with him – he had to pull Aegon away from her as they dived into theology – when she'd noticed the Seven-Star amulet that Aegon wore around his neck.

After that, Viserys remained with Aegon as Lords and Ladies of the Realm came to speak with him.

And Viserys could only listen as Aegon regaled them with stories of the wars in Slaver's Bay and the plight of the slaves that suffered there, telling gruesome stories of how the Unsullied were made and how many perished in their making, drawing sympathy and acclaim for destroying the 'evil slavers' as Lady Connington had so tearfully said during the regaling.

And when Lord Fossoway asked about the accusation of sorcery, Aegon had merely chuckled in good humour as he'd shook his head, saying that the Myrrish slavers had done a marvellous job in providing misinformation in the hopes of tarnishing his reputation, claiming that the 'sorcery' they claimed he'd done, had been nothing but a cause of dragonfire of Mīsaragorn 'running out of control' thanks to the high winds and the warm night that made his dragon's fire, which already potent and very bright, even more potent and even more brighter.

Aegon further weaved a tale of the duplicity of the Myrrish and the ways they were duplicitous a point of their slaver nature, and gone even further to explain that he'd known that the Myrrish had tried to use the Crown as a means to intercede on their behalf, effectively pitting kin against kin, and Aegon had gone to continue to explain all of the ways the Myrrish were dishonourable and liars in nature.

None had asked any further about the claims of magic the rest of the eve…

"As much as I enjoy sitting in silence, King Viserys, there are not that many hours left in the day and we have presumably much to discuss." Aegon said calmly as he sat back in his chair, eying Viserys as intently as he was eying Aegon.

The corners of Viserys' lips raised up for a moment.

"What happened to calling me brother, brother?"

Aegon tilted his head slightly. "Do you truly want me to call you brother? Given how much you detest me, and how we are in a private setting, I thought we may well speak plainly." Aegon said calmly and it was rousing Viserys' anger.

"I would have every right to detest you, Aegon!" Viserys said with real anger in his voice. "You have undermined me beyond measure!"

"How?" Aegon asked him with narrowing eye. "How I have I undermined you?"

Viserys laughed and it was unkind laugh. "How?! You ask me how?! How about when you decided to unilaterally declare war against half of Essos? How about when, through your actions of warring against those you held childish grudges against, you have threatened to cause a tarnish on my rule?!" Viserys at this point had stood up. "How about when my envoys were killed trying to get to you?!"

Viserys realised he was now full blown shouting and the doors to the solar was opened and two of his Kingsguard raced into the solar. Viserys looked towards the Kingsguard "Get out and do not come in until I order you to!" he snapped out.

Soon enough, there was only three in the room and Viserys looked towards his brother who kept his neutral expression unbroken under the haze of Viserys' anger.

It made Viserys angrier.

Aegon apparently saw this and he sighed heavily. "Viserys. I have not undermined you." Aegon told him calmly as he looked up at Viserys.

"Before we even get started into that…what is this talk about the death of your envoys? Vaemond and the rest of your envoys were sent back with their supplies refilled." Aegon said with a narrowing eye.

"We sent an envoy to Corinth first, around the time you might have gone to Elamaerys." Lord Strong explained.

"And how do you know my people were responsible for this act?" Aegon asked with a narrowed eye. "You have no real reason to believe my people would be so barbarous to kill harmless envoys and you have every reason to get to the conclusion that the enemies of my people attacked your envoys."

"Is that what truly happened?" Viserys asked with an stern voice and Aegon looked to meet Viserys' gaze unblinkingly.

"I do not know what happened. My men never encountered any traces of an attack because they would have told me otherwise. The coasts near Corinth are often scouted by corsairs as they often are the forward scouts before an attack on the Summer Islanders. If your envoys had gotten noticed by them, it is likely they would have been boarded and sold into slavery if their defences were inadequate."

Viserys' expression cycled through a number of emotions before he got control of himself. "And your dragon? Could he have burnt them?"

Aegon eyed him with a look that Viserys did not like at all.

"Mīsaragorn would not attack without reason. Given that your envoys would have not sought to slay my dragon" at this Aegon's expression darkened for a moment before he lost it as he continued "Mīsaragorn would have ignored it, thinking them no different than ordinary ships."

Viserys wanted to say something further but he restrained himself. He knew he had no reason to think Aegon purposefully wanting to harm his envoys but the idea…

It was hard to let go.

Aegon looked at Viserys for a long moment and only when Viserys expression shifted, one of focus, did Aegon continued to speak.

"As to your accusation of undermining you…my actions are, and have always been, independent of you and the Realm you rule over. I waged war against enemies of my people because they wronged me and because I saw it as a duty to clear out a rotten and foul stain of injustice." Aegon told him before he narrowed his eye. "The Seven Kingdoms were not affected by this war, not in any, any, meaningful way."

"Because of you, the Narrow Sea has become more rife with piracy than ever before." Viserys retorted with some anger as he took his seat again. "Because of you, we've had to expand greatly the Royal navy at great cost just so that our merchants can trade and stop complaining." Viserys clenched his teeth as he calmed himself.

"And because of you, we had to intervene in a Free City, something we have never done, not since Aegon the Conqueror himself threw back Volantis to their city."

"The piracy problem would have existed in simply another form with a powerful Triarchy" Aegon retorted and he continued before Viserys could say anything "and before you say that relations with the Triarchy had been restored after Daemon's war…that was only a façade. In time, they'd become a problem again for the Realm. Charging tolls and seizing ships is too profitable for them not to." Aegon said with a shake of the head.

"But that is beside the point." Aegon said as he met Viserys' gaze. "Whatever you are angry with me with, all of your reasons are only a side effect. Your anger stems from the fact that you struggle to understand that I, and my branch of our family, and my people, the people of Elamaerys, do not fall under the banner of the Iron Throne. That is the root, that is the reason, why you are truly angry with me. All the events and actions that have come from my choices and my decisions for my side of the family and my people, are only a byproduct of why you feel slighted."

Viserys said nothing for a long while as he stared at Aegon.

"Why?" Viserys simply asked after a long few moments. "Why do you want to break from the Realm our ancestors built?"

Aegon closed his eye for a moment before he reopened it and met Viserys' gaze.

"I will make this clear before I even begin. I. Will. Not. Be. King." Aegon declared as he leaned forward, his eye looking all over Viserys and Viserys nodded tightly at the acknowledgement from his brother's mouth.

Aegon had already written as much that Viserys and his line would be the only line of Kings of House Targaryen. Hearing his youngest brother say so did a little to assuage the anger he felt towards him.

Aegon nodded lightly before he continued. "Do you know the tale of Bran the Builder?" Viserys was confused by the reference of the founder of House Stark. Aegon continued. "I do not speak of his legends and his creations. I speak of his origins."

"I cannot say that I have paid much attention about the histories of the founders of the Great Houses." Viserys said with a dismissive wave.

"I am aware of the history of House Stark, Your Grace." Lord Strong interjected and Viserys looked towards his Hand with some surprise. Lord Strong met Viserys' gaze as he continued. "House Strong has history that stretches back to the Age of Heroes. We have strong historical links with Houses such as House Blackwood, House Reed and House Stark, of course. We learn our and their history young."

Viserys nodded lightly and Lord Strong continued though he turned to look towards his brother. "Bran the Builder is to be a son of Brandon the Bloody Blade who is himself a son of Garth Greenhand."

Viserys eyebrows raised. "The father of the man who raised High Garden."

"Yes, Your Grace." Lord Strong said with a bowed head before he looked towards Aegon. "You are using the example of kin making their own way to found their own lands as the basis for your reason, aren't you?"

"You have made a fine choice in your Hand, Viserys." Aegon said as he eyed Viserys for a moment before he looked towards Lord Strong and nodded. "Yes. The example that I am using is merely the most famous one. Throughout history, sons and brothers and grandsons, have all gone out to find their own way and some of them, like Bran the Builder or the Fossoways, or the Florents and countless of other Houses, have gone on to create their own fief where there was none."

Viserys clenched his teeth before he relaxed and took several moments to think it over. Finally, he spoke up. "The example that you used…half of them became kingdoms over time." Viserys could not help let the accusation form in his voice and Aegon broke his neutral expression to one of exasperation.

"Is that what worries you the most? That your line won't be the only Kings of House Targaryen?" Aegon asked sharply and Viserys did not like his tone of voice.

Nevertheless he answered. "No, what worries me is that another House with dragons acts independently of the Throne!" Viserys said sharper and more stern.

Aegon narrowed his eye before he relaxed his face and sat back. "So that is the root of why you decided to change your stance on me." Aegon said evenly and Viserys clenched his jaw before he breathed heavily through his nose and also sat back.

Viserys gestured Lord Strong to speak on his behalf.

And the man did so.

"You must understand the dangerous precedent you set, Prince Aegon." Lord Strong said entreatingly. "A rogue dragonrider can decide to leave the Realm and cause havoc throughout the Known World and have the potential to cause unprecedented levels of political – and perhaps existential – consequences for the Realm at large."

"Such as you have accused me of doing." Aegon said with a thin smile as he tilted his head and he turned his eye towards Viserys. "Yet the circumstance is not comparable. The moment you decided to disinherit me, and my line, without just cause is when you decided my involvement in the Realm ended. Any oaths I held, any loyalties that was expected of me as a subject of the Crown, ended instantly."

Viserys clenched his jaw but he remained silent as he looked towards Lord Strong who felt his presence and spoke for Viserys.

"You have only been removed from the line of succession, and not from House Targaryen, Prince Aegon." Lord Strong interjected with a grave note to his voice.

"As such, you are still, by law, subject to the authority of His Grace, not only as his ruler but also as the elder brother and Patriarch of House Targaryen." Lord Strong stated.

"Laws that could only apply to those resident within the confines of the Seven Kingdoms, Lord Hand." Aegon said with a sharp and thin smile, and Viserys could see Aegon's expression growing harder. Aegon continued. "I do not hold lands within Westeros and nor am I a vassal with a fiefdom within the borders of the Seven Kingdoms. In every way possible, the law, new or old, does not, cannot apply." Aegon then turned to Viserys with his eye narrowed.

"And to claim as patriarch of our House is a bold one given that by rights, Rhaenys ought to be Head of House Targaryen as the surviving eldest of the eldest son of the eldest of House Targaryen, even if one considers Queen Rheana and her daughters for they died long before either of us were born, passing one the title of Head of House Targaryen to grandfather. By all convention, Rhaenys is Head of House." Aegon said with a hard stare at Viserys and Viserys found himself leaning forward and, with a low but fury laden tone of voice, he spoke.

"You go too far."

"Your Grace" Lord Strong was silenced as Viserys raised his hand and Viserys never kept his eyes away from Aegon.

"I had to disinherit you to protect Rhaenyra. It might have been wrong but Rhaenyra is the future ruler of this Realm. Her path has to be clear." Viserys said with firmness in his voice.

It wasn't hard for Viserys to see that Aegon was still wroth with him for this injustice and though Viserys could understand the injustice, Aegon was taking this too far. To claim that Rhaenys was the rightful Head of their House…

That was beyond petty and it was dangerous. Suddenly the closeness of Aegon and the Velaryons…he liked it not.

"And that was your choice as King, to disinherit me and my children with Gael." Viserys did well to prevent himself from flinching. He was reminded that his decision to disinherit Aegon and his line also impacted his aunt Gael, the last daughter of his grandsire, the man that Viserys admired so.

And the man who he slighted greatly by his decree.

Nonetheless…it had to be done. Rhaenyra had to be protected.

Aegon continued. "And though you may try to use the legal greyness of the level of disinheritance to distinguish that you still hold authority over me" Aegon narrowed his eye "Ultimately, it does not matter and I have no interest to discuss this further." Aegon raised himself a little taller and stared down at Viserys.

"King Viserys." Aegon's voice was hard as he spoke though somehow he'd kept a cordialness in his body posture even as he stared at Viserys with a hard look. "The terms of our agreement…are you still upholding them…or not?"

Viserys clenched his jaw and for a moment, he thought he might well shatter his teeth. Finally, he relaxed enough to speak. "I have given my word. I do not intend to break it." Viserys gestured towards Lord Strong and the man brought out the documents.

"As outlined, Prince Aegon Targaryen and Princess Gael Targaryen and their line hold the sole claim to Elamaerys and are recognised as the sole owners of the lands and islands known as Elamaerys. House Targaryen of the line of King Viserys the First and the line of Prince Daemon, son of Prince Baelon, shall relinquish all claims to Elamaerys" Lord Strong said as he passed the primary document over to Aegon.

"And in addition, the document that confirms and acknowleges your independence of Crown authority with the condition that formal and binding ties with the Iron Throne is to be negotiated at a later time."

At this, Viserys could see the first signs of anger.

"This…this was not agreed." Aegon's tone of voice was low as he stared with a glimmer of anger towards Viserys and Viserys did not shirk to show the same stubbornness.

"My Prince…" Lord Strong's voice was entreating. "You must understand…the Iron Throne cannot bear to hold no influence over a branch of the House that has eight dragons to its name."

"And what is this influence meant to be?" Aegon turned his gaze towards Lord Strong. "Taxes? To swear oaths to the Crown? Allowing second sons to take a piece of Elamaerys at the suffrage of the Crown?" Aegon asked dangerously.

"None of that." Viserys was the one who interjected this time and he drew attentions to himself and Viserys. "The point is meant to ensure that the bonds between our Houses are kept."

"And how do you see that this is done?" Aegon asked, this time his voice was calmer but it was still far from the calmness he so earlier displayed.

Viserys felt some satisfaction at managing to anger his youngest brother.

"Marriages and trade to start with. In time, closer…political ties shall follow." Viserys said in answer and it seemed to have calmed Aegon slightly.

"Both forms of ties I can accept." Aegon narrowed his eye.

"As for the third...I will never accept however any condition that imposes land grants or fiefdoms. Even to spare sons or grandsons of your line. The only way for them to be given a place in Elamaerys is if I, or my eldest, allow it." Aegon's tone of voice brook no dissent and Viserys nodded tightly.

He had no real intention to impose something like that. Throughout the entire day and eve, he'd not seen Aegon once show a glimmer of anger. The only time Viserys had seen any anger had been now, at this moment, when Elamaerys seemed under threat in his eyes.

'You truly care for this land, don't you?' Viserys thought to himself and Viserys wondered if he would have ever felt that way had he chosen to remain and settle himself in Crackclaw Point.

No…he didn't think he would have.

'Aemma…you were right, as always…he was looking for a place to call home and it looks like he's found it.' Viserys calmed himself even more after that thought.

Aegon took the two – and the two copies – documents and he read it over, silently, for some time, and finally when he seemed he had enough, Aegon closed the deerskin in which the parchment had been enclosed in and Aegon spoke up.

"You will realise the questions about the status of Elamaerys will...still remain?"

Viserys pinched his expression before he nodded. "Yes." Admittedly, perhaps Daemon's outburst had been for the better. Since then, none had asked why Aegon had insisted on calling him King Viserys and not Your Grace.

"The Small Council and Rhaenyra, and I suppose Alicent too, shall be let known of this agreement. Eventually, the agreement shall be let known to the Realm."

"At a most opportune moment, I suspect." Aegon said with a thin smile and Lord Strong inclined his head in confirmation.

"Rhaenyra's wedding and her complete ascension as ruler of Dragonstone must go without a misstep. After that, perhaps until after she has her first child, shall the full details of the agreement be known to the rest of the realm."

"If you intent to pass a copy of the signed document to the Citadel, it might leak then." Aegon commented and Viserys scoffed.

"They will not. Otherwise I will know the source of the breach of secrecy and they will not escaped it unscathed." Viserys said with displeasure.

"Understood." Aegon said and there was a long and unpleasant silence, one that Aegon broke. "Are we finish here?" Aegon began to stand. "I will do as I agreed and remind all that I waged the war with Viserys' consent to whomever has asked."

"Lord Strong, give us the room. Aegon, stay."

"Your Grace." Lord Strong said with a bow of the head before he began to depart though Aegon was still standing up and watching Viserys intently.

Viserys was quiet for a long time, long enough to make Aegon's expression grow more severe, but finally, he did say what he wanted to say but found difficult to do so.

"How is Gael?" Viserys finally asked and Viserys could see the surprise, mild as it was, on Aegon's face.

"She is well. I receive letters from Elamaerys, incredibly infrequent as they are. So too are our children." Aegon smiled briefly. "They are well and they growing fast."

"Castorys, Polaerys, Valarr, Rhaena, Baela and Solys, if I remember rightly? All of them are well?" Viserys said and Aegon showed some amusement on his face as he spoke.

"Not quite right. It's Breannei and Solonys. But yes…all of them are well. They write to me in bundles of letters which are amongst my most prized possessions." Aegon said and Viserys gestured Aegon to sit down and his youngest brother took heed of his bidding and sat down.

"Even the youngest writes?" Viserys was surprised to hear and Aegon's lips twitched lightly and he shook his head.

"No, Gael writes for them." Viserys saw the small smile through Aegon's beard, and Viserys' heart ached at that. He felt that before. That happiness that was brought by the mere thought of the woman you loved…

Aegon continued. "Every night, she asks them if they have anything they wish to share with me. And most nights they do and every time my ships return from Elamaerys, they bring fifty to a hundred letters of each of my child for me to read." Aegon raised his hand in amusement. "My left hand is rather more muscular than that of my right thanks to all of this writing."

Viserys couldn't help it and he laughed a little at that. After he was finished, he turned contemplative for a moment. "I never wrote to Baelon, not personally, though my daughter did. They used to write to each other all the time. Sometimes I think of them our grandfather and our grandmother reborn."

"Good reason to think so. They even have the dragons to match." Aegon said with a light smile and Viserys nodded pleased at that.

"They do. They are a fine match." Viserys said and there was another lull in silence and Viserys found himself look at his brother.

The scars…even across the table, the scars were prominent to see. Deep scars that looked years old. 'When did he even get it…?' Viserys wondered and Viserys realised he knew so little about the life of his brother. His youngest brother whom he'd seen leave when he was barely a man.

"I do not resent you." Viserys said as he broke the silence. "I have never resented you. Even at my most angriest."

"I do not resent you either, Viserys. I never have."

Viserys nodded slightly before he continued. "I am glad to hear it." Viserys sighed heavily before he directly looked into Aegon's eyes. "I wish to rebuild the bonds that have been broken between us…brother. Not only through diplomacy but through the bonds that we share as brothers."

Aegon looked to digest that and he took a moment before he inclined his head slightly. "I can agree that. Brother." Aegon said with the faintest of smiles.

Viserys nodded, this time a little sharper. He was not yet finished being angry with Aegon and all of the problems that he's caused to him but he knew that duty came first. If he had to swallow his pride and be the one to make the overtures…

So be it.

Even if he thought his brother was undeserving of it.

"You might be interested to learn, Viserys, I managed to find a few books of Valyrian architecture that you would perhaps like."

At this, Viserys could only raise his eyebrows in surprise as he was drawn out of his thoughts. "Truly…" Viserys intoned as he leaned forward, eager to learn more about what Aegon could have uncovered of their heritage.

And so, that eve, all they did, was talk. The servants came and served wine whilst they talked and talked and talked. Talking about Valyria, talking about their families and they talked about Elamaerys and the buildings that Aegon hoped to replicate from Old Valyria.

And all thoughts of anger and bitterness was cast away…just for a good while of an eve.

-Break-

Mid to Late 114 AC – Kings Landing, Sept

Alicent POV

The guards took their positions at the entrance of the Sept in Kings Landing as Alicent walked through the building. And as she walked, she saw three Septas and a Septon recognise her and make their way towards her.

"Your Grace." The Septas and Septon said in uniform as they bowed at her. Alicent offered the four a warm smile before she walked through the halls of the Sept and towards the altar at the centre of the Sept.

Alicent's hand fell to her belly which she began to caress gently as she made her way towards the altar.

When she arrived, she was greeted to a sight of a Septa holding a cushion in her hands. "Please, Your Grace." The Septa said and Alicent nodded gratefully at the woman.

"You have my thanks, Septa."

The Septa only smiled before she bowed and left her to her prayers. Alicent fell to her knees with a little bit of trouble but she managed to gracefully place herself on the thick cushion and she sighed slightly out relief. Being six moons pregnant, even when she was used to it, was no easy feat.

She picked up a lighting stick at the edge of the altar and with a prayer to the Mother, as she set the lighting stick alight from an already light candle, she moved to light an unburning candle with the stick.

She prayed silently to the Mother, praying for mercy for herself and that of her children, including the child that she was growing within her, and she prayed for justice, as she always did, from the Father, to arrive for her…for her children.

She was deep in prayer, deeply absorbed in grasping the presence of the Gods, and she did not notice someone was nearing well until the person was behind her. She looked began her and her eyes widened in surprise which quickly melted in deep concern.

"Please goodsister." Aegon said with a raised hand and he smiled gently and harmlessly at her and she was surprised to see that it was warmer than she'd seen at all since he'd arrived two days.

Her eyes fell to the Seven-Pointed Star amulet that was around his neck and she quickly looked back at his eye. "Prince Aegon." She said evenly and cautiously.

"I have already given you leave to call me Aegon." Aegon said with a kept smile as he sat down on his knees beside Alicent.

"Aegon." She corrected as she looked away from him and towards the altar though from the corner of her eyes she saw him pick up a lighting stick and she saw him close his eye after he lit the stick and took to light a candle with the small flame, his eye still closed.

She quickly averted her eyes when he reopened his eye and she resisted the urge to bite at her nails.

She…she did not know quite what to think of Aegon.

She remembered him somewhat well. He had been handsome, especially with those eyes of his. Many a maiden had gossiped about those eyes of his and with the Targaryen beauty, he was a favourable match for many a young maiden, regardless of his status as a third son who stood to inherit nothing. At the time anyway.

She also remembered the incident with Princess Gael, when she disappeared and when many had lain the blame on him, even accusing him of terrible indecency. She did not think a Prince could do that, though she had kept her mouth silent as it was not for her to speak of it. And her father had told her as well to keep silent only listen for any news or rumours.

Though she felt somewhat proud of herself when the rumours were proven false and she did not think it wrong of Aegon to shun many of the court who had been vicious with the rumours.

Still, even after all of that, she barely really knew him. The last time she'd spoken with him which had been the longest as well – outside of the brief talk on the day he'd come, a talk that Viserys stopped short – had brief and short…and it had been when she was made to stop reading to King Jaehaerys.

Her father had been displeased and had pushed for her to be allowed to do it. But neither Gael or Aegon, and then later Viserys, had prevented her from doing so.

She'd felt it unfair, at the time. She liked reading to the ailing King. Even if he did not really know her at all and confused her with Saerra…something she did not quite like but had accepted. After all, her father had told her that the King only dearly loved the Saerra before the scandal, and not the whore Saerra became after.

Now though…she understood better.

Gael had been the King's remaining daughter, the only one worth mentioning, and after the Princess had lost her mother not long after illness befell her father, she could understand now, as a mother, more of how Gael would have wished to be there at all times for her ailing father.

In any case…those were the only times she'd really interacted or had seen much of Aegon. And it was little basis for the man…her goodbrother, was now.

And the stories, now, were…conflicting.

She'd heard the stories. All of them.

Including the stories that her father had told her of his…war.

About how he'd overthrown city after city in Slaver's Bay and proceeded to mastermind the slaughter of the ruling classes, all whilst breaking the chains of the slaves, freeing hundreds of thousands in the process.

From what her father told her, many thousands had died and many thousands more had died during the slave revolt.

She thought it was justice, to see the slavers be given their dues but her father had warned her that it was not as simple as that…that the matter was not a simple case of liberating slaves. No, her father had told her that it was a dangerous prospect for any Prince of the blood to do as he wished without regard of the rules.

She had not said much in answer, only nodding her acceptance but she wondered how it could be right to focus more on whether or not it was right for someone to intervene in stopping their suffering.

Remaining wilfully blind to the suffering of others, many of whom would welcome the true Gods of the Faith, a faith that was centred on love and justness and righteousness, all of which the slaves had long not known, if they ever even known, could not be right either.

'Iron emplaced around the wrist and ankle of the Faithful, gleeful and wickedly; they aroused the Seven's Anger and thunder and plague descended upon the gleeful wicked; and the Seven lighted the way back to the Seven Hills of Andalos'

The Seven have made it clear how they viewed the matter of slavery and she thought him righteous in liberating the poor and restless.

For that, she held Aegon in good esteem.

The only major concerns she held over his…character was the accusations of heresy. Grandmaester Mellos had told her father about the report from the delegation and thanks to her uncle, who had sent ships to Astapor and beyond, they discovered more about it.

The accusations of heresy were…unfounded. For the most part. The slaves had enshrined great honour on Aegon, so much so that they believed him a great hero.

It did not surprise her.

For the downtrodden, a glimmer of light was sweet as honey.

The point that may have some cause of the crime of heresy was that there were reason to believe that Aegon's men believed him a prophet which was a heresy amongst the greatest of order.

There were only Seven Prophets of the Seven-Pointed Star, and the final prophet had been the voice of the Gods and the eventual reason why Hugor of the Hill crossed the Narrow Sea.

The only point that saved Aegon was that he was not declaring himself a prophet, and there was no evidence to suggest that he was.

And given the Targaryens were the kinds that many believed to be closer to Gods than to men, even though they were not, she was of the opinion to withhold her judgement until she found evidence on the contrary.

"Your personal shield is quite the devoted man." Aegon said and the suddenness startled her slightly. Still she recovered and turned towards him. Aegon jerked his head slightly, towards a direction and she looked past him and saw Ser Criston Cole not that many paces away, watching them both.

She turned back towards him. "He is a man of honour and duty." She said in explanation and she watched him closely as she'd said that.

"So it seems." Aegon said with a trace of a smile before he looked back at the altar and took another lighting stick and she watched him perform the ceremony of the prayer and she watched him close his eye and pray.

Again, she looked towards his amulet, a glimmer of fascination taking hold of her.

Viserys cared not for the faith.

He did not worship the Valyrian Gods like Rhaenyra claimed she did – she'd never seen her pray to them, not once, and the only she ever did anything religious was when the Septa Lyn forced her – but he certainly was not a pious man.

And Daemon…

Her expression twisted slightly and she fidgeted with her hands which she stopped, forcibly, when Aegon reopened his eye.

He turned to her and she forcefully set aside her curiosity about his scars, which no one really seemed to really know how they came to be, and watched him look away from her and look towards the Father with a look of contentedness on his face.

She understood whom he'd prayed to then and she couldn't help but ask.

"What did you pray for?" she asked, her voice quiet.

Aegon turned to her, a mild look of surprise on his face and he smiled slightly at her. "My first prayer was to the Smith." It surprised her and it must shown on her face as Aegon continued.

"My men…I prayed for my men who sail the Sunset Sea. It is dangerous. It is treacherous. And I worry for them always. I pray to the Smith for strength and to keep their ships working and see them to safety."

"I shall pray for them too." Alicent promised and Aegon smiled more widely at her.

"You have my gratitude." Aegon said before he frowned lightly as he continued.

"My second prayer was to the Father. To provide me the wisdom to be Just and to allow me to be able to proffer good judgment with honour and dignity, even when it is hard to carry out." Aegon told her and she was surprised again.

"I…understand." Alicent said and she gave a genuine smile and Aegon smiled at her in return though his eye went towards her belly and a look of curiosity came across his face.

"I take it you prayed to the Mother?"

"I did." Alicent said as she begun to caress her belly though she said little else in response to his question. It wouldn't do for him to learn of what else she truly prayed for from the Gods.

Whilst it was clear that Daemon and Aegon, especially Daemon, did not like it each other at all, she did not know him. She did not know if he, too, was beset with madness when it came to contravening the laws of men and the laws of the Gods.

The only fortunate thing about this all, was that Rhaenyra clearly had not taken to her second uncle. Why, she did not know exactly. She thought it might because Aegon did not refer to her husband as 'Your Grace' or knelt to him but she understood well enough why that might be.

Her father had explained that the possibility existed that Aegon would choose to become 'King of Elamaerys' though now, after having spoken to her father yesterday, he'd mentioned that he now believed that it was possible that Aegon and Viserys reached an agreement of sorts. One that might not be kingship but something else…perhaps a Lord Paramountship that did not swear to the Crown.

What it was, she did not know. Not yet.

But it was possible Rhaenyra did and she was unhappy about it.

In any case, it did not truly matter.

What exactly made Rhaenyra be so shortsighted. She was merely grateful for it.

She could only hope that Rhaenyra would go further and truly offend him.

The man was not a man that let go of slights and he was even willing to destroy everything his enemies held dear in revenge.

The liberation of the slaves was such an outcome, even if it was slightly tainted by the minor sin of vengeance.

And perhaps her father could be right in thinking that Aegon could be swayed to support Aegon, her Aegon, to his rightful place as the future King of the Realm.

"I will pray to the Mother too, for your sake…and that of my niece or nephew." Aegon said and there was a note of humbleness, she thought, in his tone of voice.

"I thank you." Alicent said genuinely. "Goodbrother." She added.

At this, there was a strange look on his face and he looked away from her and he began to speak.

"'Blessed is the faithful who avoids the treaded path of the Wicked; Glorious is who does not delight nor sit in the company of sinners; Gracious is the one who delights in the law of the Seven. Such Man, Such Woman, shall be not wither in winter and shall bloom in summer.'"

Her eyes widened the recitation of an obscure section of the Seven-Pointed Star and Aegon chuckled lightly as he glanced at her.

"Don't look so surprised. I am a pious man, Queen Alicent." Aegon said as he looked away from her. "Even if people say behind my back that I am a foul sorcerer and a heretic."

Alicent stared at him for a few moments before she answered. "Does it bother?"

She heard the accusations, of course. She'd also heard from her father the accusations might have truth in them. But again, they were relying on the words of foreign merchants. It was not enough.

"It only bothers me if people turn from words to action." Aegon said with a light shrug of the shoulders. He turned to look at her.

"I grew up here, after all. In Kings Landing. So did you, somewhat. I have always been subject to rumours from the time I was born until now. The meaningless words of others does not bother me." Aegon said and she looked away from his staring and back towards the altar.

"I am sure you understand what I mean."

Alicent remained quiet for a moment, wondering exactly what he meant. She knew, of course, the kinds of things that the court said about her. Especially ever since her father lost his position and Daemon had returned to prominence.

She was largely isolated in the capital now but she had adapted. She had melted into the background, waiting and watching, and learning who was a danger to her and her children.

The Small Council were neutral, for the most part, to her. If not even supportive, like Lord Wylde.

The court itself however, with the return of Daemon and the upcoming nuptials between Rhaenyra and Baelon, was against her and her children.

And she had her brother, Gwayne. And she had Ser Criston Cole. And the promise of her father that things would change for the better soon enough. She knew that her father had plans to return things into their favour but they had to be careful.

Overt actions, now, was not possible, especially as if anything was to happen to Rhaenyra, or Gods forbid to Baelon, without anything happening to Daemon, she knew that they would be in severe straits.

"I understand." Alicent said after a long few moments had passed.

They remained in silence for quite some time, basking in the glory of the Seven and she found herself more content than she'd imagined herself to be.

To be truthful, she found it almost a marvel. To see a Targaryen so pious, and she found herself dreaming consciously about her sons, praying beside her, pious and good at heart, as the rightful inheritors of the Throne.

'One day…it will happen one day' she promised to herself.

Finally, they both stood up and began to leave the Sept and after she accepted Aegon's offer allow him to walk with her and her guards back to the Red Keep, she found herself wanting to ask a question that she personally wanted to know.

The question of Elamaerys.

It was then that she saw the same look of contentedness she'd seen him wear as they basked in the glory of the Seven in silence.

"It is a land of Hope. A land of the Seven." Aegon told her and from the look she'd seen in his eye, she had little doubt that he believed it. He continued.

"A land that is rich in soil that takes to crops as babes takes to a mother's milk, weather that is warm even during the blight of winter, and weather that is nurturing but never suffocating even during the height of summer. Mountains bring the cool air and bring the rain and there are rivers and lakes that are so clear that one can see one's reflection within the waters." Aegon explained with a smile on his face and she could only listen.

"It sounds…" Alicent trailed off for a moment before she settled on a word.

"Beautiful."

Aegon smiled at her before he looked away from her. "Aye. And the Gods meant for me to find it." Aegon said after a few moments of silence.

"I believe this wholly." Aegon turned to look at her.

"The waters towards Elamaerys are not kind. They are mountainous and they are rebellious even during clear skies. Dangerous waters that laughs at your bravery and your resolve and wishes to plunge you down into the depths where no light or warmth touches. Yet the ships my people, the people of Elamaerys, built, are capable of surmounting the dangerous waters. The Smith blesses them every journey they take and the Warrior blesses them with triumph."

"I see." Alicent said and she seriously pondered his words.

There were some that said that Aegon was blessed in the eyes of the Gods. Many, in fact, though most were the smallfolk and the Septons who delighted in a Prince who fought against the wrongs of the world.

She did not find it strange that she considered it possible. Given his piousness, she could believe that the Gods favoured him.

"I would like to see it one day." Alicent said and she found herself meaning it too.

She did not think she'd ever see it, not for a very long time at the least, but the thought of it was not something she wanted to discard. Perhaps when Aegon sat on that throne with her grandsons men of age, perhaps then she could see this land.

"I am glad to hear it. I'd like that." Aegon said before he looked away from her. "After all, you are family. It would please us all, Gael and I, for you to meet your nephews and nieces."

Alicent said nothing but if one had to look at her face, one would see a smile that she wore the entire way back to the Red Keep.