Westeros, King's Landing
The Red Keep
107 AC
Like all gossip, news of Prince Daemon's arrival spread throughout the Red Keep faster than wildfire on dry grass. Quickly all began to speculate on the reason for his sudden return to Westeros, nobility and smallfolk alike; with many speculating that the Rogue Prince came to beg his Kingly brother for support in the war on the Stepstones.
As such when Prince Daemon and his entourage enter the Throne Room it is to a hall packed with lords and ladies anticipating a good show.
"Presenting, Prince Daemon Targaryen." shouts the herald, silencing the room as the doors are pushed open and Daemon enters while his escorts and children remain outside.
As he makes his way towards the Iron Throne, whispers follow him with the assembled crowd looking upon him. His long hair, which once reached his upper back, has been cut to the tip of his ears. His armor, which once was ostentatious with jewelry, has taken a more practical turn and is full of scratches, slight dents, dirt, grime, and faded coloring. And lastly, his Targaryen red cloak is nowhere to be found. All in all it is clear to the lords and ladies of the court that Daemon's campaign in the Stepstones has not been an easy one.
Arriving before his brother, Daemon kneels at the foot of the Iron Throne, "Your Grace." he greets.
"Daemon." returns Viserys while he remains sitting on the throne. "You return alone and empty handed, surely you did not return to demand aid for your ill thought of campaign in the Stepstones?" asks Viserys, causing Daemon's jaw to clench before he relaxes at the thought of his children.
"While I have come empty handed, I am pleased to announce that the campaign in the Stepstones will be won before the turn of the year." replies Daemon, shocking the court.
His response is not only unexpected but it is also one that is difficult to believe. It has not been long ago that there were rumors circling the court of Daemon's progress coming to a stop, yet now he claims that within a few moons he shall be victorious.
"All that is left of the Triarchy is a pitiful force hiding within the caves of Torturer's Deep." continues Daemon, ignoring the shocked sounds of the crowd.
Daemon's words cause Viserys to hesitate for a moment. He was quite sure that Daemon had returned to ask for help, or at least his Hand had convinced him. For why else would Daemon return when the war in the Stepstones continues to wage even as they speak.
"Why have you returned then? What matter is so important that it requires you to abandon your war while on the cusp of victory and return here?" asks Viserys.
Standing up, Daemon turns to the entrance of the throne room, "Come." he says kindly while gesturing with his hand.
Such an act not only confuses all who bore witness to it, but also causes them to question their senses. Never have any of them witnessed such a gentle tone come from the Rogue Prince. Even Viserys is confounded for such kindness and gentleness has only ever been directed at Rhaenyra and no one else, not even Viserys himself has been the target of such gentleness; or at least not since he ascended the Iron Throne and kept Otto Hightower as Hand.
As the lords and ladies begin to question and wonder who Daemon could be speaking to, two children race through the throne room and quickly hug Daemon's legs upon reaching him.
Silence falls over the court as the gathered crowd attempts to process what they are seeing.
"Brother, allow me to introduce you to my sons, your nephews, Rhaegar and Aemon." says Daemon as he gently caresses their heads.
Pandemonium ensues as lords and ladies react to Daemon's announcement with shock. For as promiscuous and unfaithful as Daemon is towards his lady wife, one cannot help but agree that he is a careful man; always making sure that those he couples with do not become pregnant. Yet here he is, claiming not only one but also two boys as his son, and a set of twins at that also. Still, while they are shocked once they begin to look at the boys, the resemblance between them and the prince is an uncanny one. One would not be wrong to claim the twins to be Daemon writ small.
"Everyone out." commands Viserys amongst the chaos, his voice echoing throughout the throne room from his elevated position on the Iron Throne.
For a brief moment the crowd hesitates before Daemon turns to face them with a glare, sending them running from the throne room; leaving only the Kingsguard, Ser Otto, Queen Alicent, and Rhaenyra to witness the coming confrontation.
When the doors to the throne room are slammed shut Viserys turns his attention to Daemon.
"Who is the mother?" asks Viserys as he stands.
"My bronze bitch." replies Daemon with a sneer, causing Ser Otto to scoff while Queen Alicent and Viserys frowns.
"Lady Rhea Royce?" asks Viserys.
"Did I perhaps unwillingly participate in a marriage with a second bronze bitch during my time in the Stepstones?" replies Daemon sarcastically with a roll of his eyes.
"With you one can never be too sure." says Viserys with a shrug, earning him a chuckle from Daemon.
"Why am I only meeting them now?" asks Viserys while he descends the steps of the Iron Throne.
"Because I did not learn of them until a sennight ago."
Daemon's answer brings Viserys up short as he reaches the foot of the throne. He does not notice Daemon's glare to Ser Otto, nor the narrowing of the other's eyes in response.
"That is a serious accusation to make, to say that Lady Royce withheld your sons from you." says Ser Otto.
"Is it, when the bitch confessed to it herself?" Daemon replies as he takes a rolled piece of parchment from his surcoat.
Before anyone else can take the parchment from Daemon, Rhaenyra steps forward and snatches it herself before proceeding to unroll and read it.
"Princess—" begins Ser Otto only to be startled into silence as Caraxe's screech is heard from the Dragonpit.
"Forgive Caraxes, recents events have made him irritable to say the least." says Daemon with a smirk, his tone completely unapologetic contrary to his words.
Despite Daemon's words, Viserys sends his brother a pleading look, causing him to shrug.
"This is treason." says Rhaenyra as she finishes reading the letter. "She admits to willingly keeping all knowledge of the twins from Daemon and the crown." she adds while handing the letter over to Viserys.
Taking the letter from his daughter, Viserys quickly reads it before coming to the same conclusion as Rhaenyra, a frown on his brow and baleful glare in his eyes.
"Where is the Lady Royce now?" Viserys asks.
"Surely haunting the Stranger's Halls by now. I did leave her on her deathbed." replies Daemon carelessly.
"Your grace!" exclaims Ser Otto, his eyes wide and unbelieving.
"Oh quiet you stupid oaf, she had a riding accident. A tragic one according to her nephew." says Daemon with a roll of his eyes.
"Of course, a riding accident." says Ser Otto sarcastically.
"Unlike some, I have no qualms with claiming my acts as my own." retorts Daemon with a sneer.
"Are you insinuating something, my prince?" questions Otto with narrowed eyes.
Before Daemon can answer, the sound of drawing steel draws everyone's attention as a commotion is heard outside the throne room.
"You cannot enter, you stupid bastard. The King has decreed that all remain outside." comes the muffled voice of the herald through the doors.
The response of the herald's target remains unheard, only the herald's command for the men at arms to attack and the sound of a battle that ends as quickly as it began.
With a boom the doors to the throne room are slammed open, causing the Kingsguard to step forward with their swords drawn while Ser Otto, Queen Alicent, Princess Rhaenyra, and the King step back in apprehension.
The first one through the door is a massive wolf, larger than any warhorse, and a raven so big its wingspan casts a large shadow over the hall. Following behind the two beasts is a man of six feet in height possessing a beauty that outshines even the unnaturally beautiful Targaryens. Long flowing black hair with white streaks that falls to the middle of his back, a long face with the soft features of house Targaryen, and a striking purple right eye that seems to glow while a black strapless eyepatch covers his left eye, adding a roguish charm to his beauty.
He wears a short red tunic with dragon scale motif on the forearms and shoulders, a long sleeveless black surcoat over, and the standard black breeches and boots. To finish off, he wears a single shoulder cape pinned in place with a direwolf pin, a single black glove on his right hand, and a silver dragon signet ring on his left hand that drags a fully armored knight behind him.
Seeing Aemon enter the throne room, Daemon's hand which had found itself around Dark Sister's handle relaxes back to caress his children's head while Ser Otto and Viserys cannot help but glare at the approaching bastard.
Stopping a few feet from the Kingsguard, Aemon throws the knight at their feet as if he weighs no more than a bag of feathers.
"I believe you were looking for him, your grace." says Aemon with a nod to Daemon as Huginn lands on his shoulder and Ghost lays down by his side.
As Daemon makes to question him on why he would be looking for this man his twins flinch at the sight of the knight and quickly hide behind their father's back.
"Traitors! Traitor!" caws the raven as he takes flight once more and lands on the knight's chest, pecking at his gorget and rousing him towards consciousness.
"What is the meaning of this?" questions Otto with a glare, only to be ignored by both Aemon and Daemon.
"You have done well Aemon." says Daemon as he steps past the Kingsguard towards the slowly waking knight, his children clinging to his pants all the while.
As the knight comes to, he quickly notices Daemon standing over him with a glare while that is matched by the twins who, despite hiding behind their father's legs, poke their head out to glare at the knight.
Fear overtaking his heart, the knight scrambles away from Daemon only to bump into Aemon's legs.
"Awakened, have we, Ser Crayne?" asks Aemon with a smile that can only be described as predatory. "Good, I believe Prince Daemon and his grace would love to know where you planned to take the twins."
"W-w-what?" stutters Ser Crayne as he stares at Aemon's grin, his eyes wide and is forehead covered in sweat. "I-I-I do not know what you mean." he says, causing Aemon to chuckle.
"Playing ignorant, are we?" questions Aemon as his eye briefly flashes from purple to icy blue. "With permission, your grace, I request to be placed in charge of this fool's interrogation?" asks Aemon.
"Granted." responds Daemon, his answer coming so fast that it takes those present a moment to process it.
"No. Before I can grant such a request you will tell me who this knight is and why were you searching for him." Viserys tells Daemon.
"This traitorous cur is the bastard responsible for the abduction of my sons. Where he planned to take them and who hired him is unknown to me. Were it not for the raven sent by Aemon he would be long gone with my children." explains Daemon.
"No doubt the Triarchy had a hand in this matter." claims Ser Otto, drawing a smirk from Aemon. "Still we cannot hand his fate over to an untested man, your grace. The royal confessor will be more than enough to draw the information from him." says Ser Otto, causing the knight to whimper.
"You would have him tortured?" scoffs Aemon. "And how, pray tell, would you confirm the validity of his words? A man in pain will say anything to be relieved of it." he says
"I say we hand him over to Aemon." says Rhaenyra, drawing everyone's attention to her. "He found him when our Master of Whispers was not even aware of this man's existence or his plans. His competence in gathering information is clearly proven." she adds while looking at her father.
Looking between his brother and his daughter, Viserys briefly considers denying their request before thinking better of it. The two are correct. No matter how much he dislikes the bastards Daemon surrounds himself with he must admit that Aemon has proven himself quite capable when it comes to gathering information. Unlike his Master of Whispers who did not even know of this plot unraveling beneath their noses, not only has Aemon stopped the completion of this scheme, but he has also captured one of the culprits.
"Very well. Aemon shall be in charge of interrogating Ser Crayne." says Viserys, causing Ser Otto to scowl.
"As you command your grace." says Aemon as he kicks Ser Crayne in the back of the head, knocking him unconscious. Once more picking up the knight as if he weighs no more than a bag of feathers, Aemon exits the throne room with Ghost and Huginn in tow, not even bothering to bow to Viserys.
"Unruly bastard." sneers Ser Otto.
Before Daemon can reply to Ser Otto's words, Viserys interrupts "Enough of the serious matters. Now it is time to celebrate this momentous occasion." says Viserys with a smile as he looks at Daemon's twins. "My brother finally has children of his own, and twins at that. Come, come, let us celebrate as a family." Viserys says as he leads the group out of the throne room.
Behind Viserys, Daemon cannot help but glare venomously at Otto's back. Only through sheer force of will was he able to stop himself from accusing Otto of treason. Ser Crayne may have abducted his children to hand over to the Triarchy, but prior to that he was Otto's agent in the Vale. For now Daemon is willing to let him become complacent until he has enough evidence to hang the up jumped, grasping vulture permanently.
…
…
…
Westeros, King's Landing
The Red Keep
107 AC
Rhaenyra finds Aemon exactly where she expected to, within the godswood of the Red Keep.
"Princess." greets Aemon with a nod, completely ignoring Ser Criston's presence. "It seems that the years have treated you well since we last spoke." he observes, and indeed Rhaenyra seems to be doing much better now. There is a gracefulness to her movements that he attributes to her spending much of her time around supernatural beings, and unlike when he last saw her there are no bags under eyes and sleep no longer seems to elude her.
"The same can be said for you, cousin." returns Rhaenyra, "You seem to have become more beautiful than the last time I laid eyes on you." she says.
"And yet you no longer blush like a maid in my presence." replies Aemon as he steps closer to her.
"I have Evelynn to thank for that." says Rhaenyra. "She has taught me much."
"Has she now?" asks Aemon as he steps into her personal space, the distance between them having long exceeded past the point of scandalous. "What exactly has that temptress been filling your head with?" he asks, gently reaching grasping her chin with his gloved hand and slowly tilting her head up to face him, their lips mere inches away from touching.
Heart racing and blood rushing to her face while staring into his amethyst eye, Rhaenyra briefly thinks that the pleasure of bedding him would be worth the scandal that is sure to follow. However, before she can take the plunge the sound of Ser Criston drawing his sword snaps her out of it.
"Step away from the princess." commands Ser Criston, causing Aemon to roll his eye.
"Sheathe thy blade, Ser." says a new voice, a woman's voice, as a sword finds itself mere millimeters from Ser Criston's throat.
Turning to face the new voice, Rhaenyra cannot help but be mesmerised by the new knight. Standing taller than most men and wearing gleaming silver armor draped in blue cloth is a female knight with one sword sheathed at her side while another threatens to kiss Ser Criston's throat.
"Cousin, meet Lady Rellana, the Twin Moon Knight, and a greater warrior than any other in Westeros. Excluding me, of course." says Aemon.
Hearing Aemon's words, Rhaenyra cannot help but incredulously stare at Aemon.
"Surely you jest." she says.
"Nay cousin. I speak the truth. None on this continent, or Essos for that matter, can hope to best her in combat. A great warrior, a competent commander, and knowledgeable in the higher mysteries she can teach you to be like the greatest woman of our house, Visenya Targaryen." says Aemon, causing Rhaenyra's eyes to widen.
"Do you mean it?" asks Rhaenyra.
"Do not listen to him, princess." intervenes Ser Criston before Aemon can reply. "Visenya was not looked upon favorably by the Seven nor the Faith." he argues.
"Fuck the Faith." sneers Aemon. "A group of hypocritical old men as sinful as those they decry. Westeros would thrive without their yolk."
"Blasphemy!" snarls Ser Criston as he stomps forward, only to stop as Rellana's sword bites into his neck, drawing blood.
"Enough!" commands Rhaenyra. "Sheathe your swords, the both of you." she says.
Reluctantly Ser Criston obeys while Rellana merely glances at Aemon for his order. With a slight nod of his head, Rellana obeys.
Turning to Aemon, Rhaenyra cannot help but ask "What did you mean?"
"Rather than answer that I shall leave you with but this simple question in the hopes that you come to your own conclusion. Walk the streets of King's Landing, observe your subjects, how they live, and the good the Faith brings to the smallfolk and answer me this: What does the Faith bring to the people that the crown itself cannot? When you come to your conclusion, visit me." he says before leaving the godswood with Rellana in tow.
Author's Note: Here's the latest chapter. As usual, tell me what you guys think. If you want to support me or read ahead, you at my patreon: patreon.com/servantambrosius