In 92 AC, while fighting in tarth, Aemon Targaryen died, the firstborn son of the current king, Jaehaerys I and Queen Alyssane, by an arrow in his neck. A raven was sent to both of them announcing his selfless death.
The whole Targaryen family except the younger generation wept. A funeral was soon made in the name of Aemon. His wife Jocelyn Baratheon, and daughter Aenys Targaryen hadn't taken it well. Losing a father and husband so early on left them distraught.
Now of 95 AC although his son had died and his relationship with his wife declined ever so vastly, King Jaehaerys had to look toward his second son, Baelon. There were already whispers of a seemingly curse bestowed on his house. After his daughter's deaths and now his firstborn's, they speak even more in the depths of the realm.
He wasn't blind or deaf to the gossip spread about his family. And so, despite hurting deeply. He kept on with an iron heart, giving lessons to his second son about what was meant to be of being king.
His son understood well enough for a man that lost his older brother. The effect of Aemon's death was visible to Jaehaerys, his family was more affected than normal. Jaehaerys noticed the withdrawal from them and the silent meals. It would be the happier part of his days, seeing his family smiling, laughing, and ever-growing.
As things carried on it would have been problematic, but the marriage with Viserys Targaryen and Aemma Arryn slowly mended the gloom hanging over his family. Two years after Aenys gave birth twice with a girl and a boy, Laena and Laenor.
He sent a letter to them congratulating them on the good news.
Everything was turning around, dinners weren't as awkward or melancholy, now sprang with the happiness of Lady Aemma's expecting a baby soon. So soon and with a child was tremendous, showcasing the already close bond between the two.
King Jaehaerys wasn't one to be hopeful but as years went on he felt his family would be safe after he departs. Usually, in-fighting was inevitable when a house had such a large number, but in recent times there wasn't any such thing, currently, and hopefully never.
His succession would be guaranteed either way, and his successful reign would last without turmoil, unlike the previous centuries. After years of efforts to rebuild what was destroyed by Maegor, he'd not want it to be all done for anything.
Maegor was a cruel man, devious and calculating without no heart. Standing 7ft tall, a frightening head tall than most men. No man cast fear in the heart of lords and ladies than him. But no one could say he wasn't an exceptional warrior. Destroying three kingsguard at a young age in melee.
He saw this same potential in his grandsons. Daemon Targaryen, one and four nameday, an already strong combatant with the help of Ser Ryam Redwyne. He was strong while not defeating Ser Ryam Redwyne, he gave him a difficult time to defeat him.
Both boys hadn't caught the Lord commander's eyes for nothing. He wasn't wrong about the youngest son of Baelon either. While the words the Knight spoke about him seemed greatly exaggerated, he hadn't spoken to the boy personally same as Daemon.
Ser Ryam and Baelon told him in great detail about them, and the dynamic between them as well. They spoke about the massively strained relationship they had with each other. While Daemon was free-spirited, outgoing, and rebellious. Aegor seemed quiet, studious, and at peace with everything. Rarely would you see the child be angered? That was unless you were Daemon.
Both were friendly nothing out of the usual, but since joining training with him, hostility seemed to grow in Daemon. Aegor was talented, especially with a Bastard Sword, Longsword, Bow, Horseback, and Lance. No less than his seething elder brother, Daemon, Maybe Daemon felt threatened. That was his conclusion. He was older yet probably felt overshadowed by his younger siblings' intelligence. You'll feel hostile towards them especially if it's your own younger brother whom people called a genius.
When at seven nameday, he was better than your twelve nameday squire. Whilst Daemon was still the better. Although the growth at which his younger brother grew was an absurdity.
Baelon knew of his youngest infatuation and admiration of Daemon. But he became distant. When he glanced at their interactions, behind the farce they showed, Daemon and Aegor couldn't hide away the tension between them.
--------
Seated in the courtyard, underneath the weirwood tree, was Aegor Targaryen wearing a black tunic shirt with a three-headed red dragon on the chest. In his hands were a notebook and a quil. In the open book was a drawing of the red keep. It was expertly drawn, the reflection of the sun hitting the windows and the shine of the stone.
He hummed, Aegor's favorite thing to do except training was drawing. He felt at peace. The air touching his skin and the smell of the different flowers. King Landing was known for its horrific smell of shot and sex. The only place which it didn't reach was here thankfully.
No one interrupted him. It was something he liked, being alone. His father always told him to make comrades, and brothers to one day trust his back too. He had no problem, that was if kids his age acted more like him. He didn't like the realization of being different, he simply wanted to be 'normal'. A Third son, yet 'special' by the smallfolk. Some days, when his father wasn't occupied either in the realm or his duties, he would tell him stories of his journeys and fights on dragon back.
A dragon... He always yearned for one. To feel the smooth breeze wash over him, to know someone was there to rely on, not worrying about betrayal. Human nature can be eviler than evil itself. Another reason for his dislike of people.
"Prince Aegor!"
Aegor looked up, at the entrance doors was a servant. His eyebrow raised. "Yes?" he stood up walking to the servant.
The servant panted, then bowed. "Lady Aemma has given birth. It is a beautiful girl!" the woman smiled announcing the happy news.
A wide smile came to Aegors face. "Congratulations are in order then. But how is Lady Aemma?" he tried to hide it but the servant could hear the fear in his voice.
"The Lady is fine. She is currently exhausted from giving birth."
Aegor's shoulders loosened up, a sigh of relief. The wide smile came back once more. "Where is father? Has he been told?"
"A servant has already been sent to him. His grace has also requested for your appearance."
That is unusual, he rarely spoke to the king. For him to suddenly call upon made him quite nervous. It was his grandfather but also his king. Sometimes all that matters is the king.
However family is everything. Nothing should stand in the way of it.
After she announced her departure and left, Aegor went to his majesty, his equipment was put away quickly and before he knew it, Aegor was already up the long staircase and headed towards the king's council room.
The voice of his grace voice snapped him out of it. He opened the door, to be faced with only his grace and Ser Ryam Redwyne behind him.
Sat at the head of the table. While he was slim and growing in age, the man was king for a reason. He set a wave of confidence in the way he looked around with a straight back, his mere body language gained respect.
Aegor walked closer until he was at the bottom of the table, he was nervous. King Jaehaerys just watched his actions.
Aegor did a low bow to show his respect "Your Grace... You requested me."
King Jaehaerys was quiet, each second that went on made his anxiety skyrocket. He stayed powerful even in the face of his grandfather. Gaining a slight approving smile.
"I've been told from your father and Ser Ryam Redwyne here, you are showing great progress in your learning and martial." He spoke calmly. Motion to the Kingsguard behind him. Aegor waited patiently.
"They have screamed high praise about your high intellect. I wonder, do you believe yourself smart?" He asked, curiosity shown by his chin now on his palm.
Aegor took some time to think, which didn't go unnoticed by both men.
"I... Do not know... Depends on the individual, and how he/she thinks represents being smart."
King Jaehaerys smiled further, curiosity on both mans faces. "What do you think?" Leaning even more in. Ser Ryam Redwyne listened on with interest.
Aegor took a deep breath and then said. "To be Confident in one's self and their purpose. Being three steps ahead of your foe before they can even plan. But know when to show your intellect and when not to.
Knights can be seen as smart cause of their intelligence in warfare and strategies. Maesters for their raw knowledge of multiple subjects. Than someone who is shrewd, knowing the capacities of their brain and how to use it to undermine another being's own.
So my only answer is yes. However, I'm no different from everyone else."
King Jaehaerys wasn't expecting such an in-depth answer, especially from a seven nameday child. Ser Ryam Redwyne smiled proudly. All feeling of tension in the room disappeared and King Jaehaerys chuckled and then clapped.
"A humble response. You'll do a fine job as a leader one day with such a response."
A leader? It sounded appealing in the mind, for Aegor he didn't. There were too many responsibilities being one. Having to take care of your men, and their morale, be cautious about spies, and many more tedious things that came with being a leader.
Aegor shook his head. "I can't. There is too much Responsibility. I'd be unfit for such a position."
See Ryam Redwyne thought the opposite. While training the young boy, he knew Aegor had the potential to be an astounding leader and soldier. He was reserved, intelligent, talented, and when he wanted to be, charismatic.
"That wouldn't do! You shouldn't cower at the prospect of being a commander cause of simply Obligations." Jaehaerys said in an attempt of changing his grandson's mind. Rarely did his emotions get the better of him.
Like before, Aegor shook his head. Bowing lowly this time. "I'm deeply sorry if I've irritated your grace however I stand to my belief. A leader must do his part even if it's just simple tasks." He said in a serious tone.
He wanted to refute his decision, yet heard no room to. The child sounded lazy, he would have believed him to be if he wasn't getting frequent updates about him.
"If that is your choice I'll respect it. Perhaps in the future, you could join the kingsguard? You have the talent to be accepted once you get older... You are dismissed."
Bowing once more, the silver-haired boy walked away not before glancing behind them with his amethyst eyes.
When the doors shut behind Aegor, Ser Ryam Redwyne and King Jaehaerys stayed there in silence. The Lord Commander gazed at his King's seated form from behind. He was contemplating something.
He got his answer after a minute flew past. King Jaehaerys voiced out to him finally.
"Aegor will be under your watch until he comes to one and eight name day. I expect you to teach him all you can as if he's your squire. I have no doubt Daemon will be displeased, but try your utmost to not let this develop hatred in him."
"As you command, your grace." Ser Ryam Redwyne said in a monotone voice. He will guarantee after he was done with the boy, he'll the next Aegor the Conqueror. In his honor as a Knight and Commander.
----------
I apologize for the update. I'll try and get back on schedule but with college now coming back, things have been rough. Hopefully, at the end of this week, Aegor will be out of his early days and start at the beginning of House of Dragons.
He's currently seven years old and two years into training to be a knight of Westeros and undertaking training in Dragon riding, although that is off-screen.
I will say he will have a dragon. But not Cannibal or Vermithor, he'll have his own dragon that has be written and created by myself.
That is it, hope you enjoyed it and will my further chapters. CYA!