(Narrow Sea)
Under the high sun and amidst the gentle caress of the wind, Aegon Targaryen stood on the deck of his ship, his gaze sweeping across the vast expanse of the ocean. A hundred ships sailed alongside his own, forming a formidable fleet that carried his aspirations and destiny.
At his side stood his trusted advisor and the future Hand of the King, Jon Connington, a man whose loyalty and wisdom had guided him through his childhood to adulthood. The bond between them was unbreakable, and Connington's presence was a reassurance of their shared purpose.
Beside Jon Connington stood Duck, a loyal friend and member of his Kingsguard. In the presence of his close companions, Aegon found solace and camaraderie, a reminder that he was not alone on this path he had chosen.
As the ships sailed steadfastly, their billowing sails capturing the wind's embrace, Aegon's eyes remained fixed on the horizon. Coming up on deck and hugging into his side was his sister Rhaenys Targaryen, she had her hair tied up in two buns and wore a red dress with black lace "Are you feeling better sister? I had heard the sea was rough on you"
She smiled and kissed him on the cheek "It has indeed unsettled my stomach but I feel better now that I am with you" she replied as she leaned her head on his shoulder.
"Your grace I wish you would reconsider taking Dragonstone," Jon said as he stepped next to Aegon.
Aegon shook his head "If I am to conquer Westeros it will be as my ancestors did before me, Dragonstone will give us control over Blackwater Bay and with the coastal Houses supporting us we will have naval superiority" he replied.
"My brother is so smart" Rhaenys purred as she stroked his chest.
"Your grace I-"
"Enough Jon, You will not change my mind on this," he said cutting him off. Aegon was determined to follow the path of his namesake, and while he did not have dragons he did have the ancestral sword of House Targaryen, Blackfyre. The Royal Navy was blockading the sunset sea at the moment so now would be the perfect time to secure Dragonstone and the narrow sea before they returned. They would also get two high-value hostages in the form of Shireen and Selyse Baratheon.
Once he had secured Dragonstone he would smash the Usurper's forces from behind while Dorne attacked them from the front. Aegon was certain this plan would work and therefore ignored the council of the more experienced commanders.
"Come brother, join me in my cabin, I could use your company," Rhaenys said in a sultry voice.
Aegon smirks and follows her down to the cabin intent on enjoying himself with his future wife once more.
———————————————————-
(Tower of Joy)
Robert Baratheon stood in front of the ruins of what used to be the Tower of Joy. All those years ago when Lyanna had taken her final breathes here Ned had seen fit to burn the place down, something Robert wholly agreed with, though it was a sham that he didn't see fit to throw the baby in the fire as well, would've saved them the trouble and only given Robert one dragon spawn to smash in.
The Army of the Reach had met with the Northern forces and they had just made camp by the ruined tower, they would push through the Princes Pass once they had organised their troops. That was the problem with mixing two armies, especially ones as different as the North and The Reach. To the North the Reachmen were a bunch of flower boys who had no clue of what hardship was, they had never had to suffer the blistering cold or lack of food.
But to the Reach, the Northmen were a bunch of savage ingrates who were boisterous and loud, it had barely been a week since they had camped and there were dozens of fights among the troops. But Robert didn't particularly care, as long as they fought the enemy he couldn't give two shits if they fought each other. He would crush the boy's skull with his Warhammer and end the rape child of Rhaegar.
Robert stood there alone looking at the ruins, he looked quite different than how he did half a year ago, a lot of his weight had disappeared and most of it had turned to muscle similar to how he was back in his prime. He started training again as soon as Ned had sent him that letter, no one would deprive him of the pressure of killing Rhaegar spawn. When he learned that the bastard had managed to kill the Mountain, he knew he'd have to train harder, even harder than he did as a younger man. And here stood the result, a body of muscle and two large Warhammers that he wore on his back, One was the same one that he used to cave in Rhaegar's breastplate and the other was a specially forged one that he planned to bloody with the bastard's blood.
"You wished to see me your grace" Robert heard someone say from behind him, he turned around and saw that it was the commander of the Northern Army, Ned's eldest son and the lad he named after himself.
"Robb, it's good to meet Ned's eldest" Robert said as he clasped arms with Robb picking him up from his kneeling position.
"I'm glad I can finally meet my father's best friend, he would often talk of you and your time together in the Vale" Robb replied
Robert smiles as he reminisces "Now that was a fine time. You'd think your father would have brought his miserable arse up to Kings Landing and let me meet you, but no matter, you're here now"
"Did you need something from me, your grace?" Robb asked.
Robert nodded "I'm not like those damn snakes in Kings Landing so I'll not mince my words, I will be bashing open your cousin's head, if you have a problem with such a thing I'd like to know so I can send you home and replace you with someone more willing"
Robb winced but otherwise kept a straight face "He is no more my cousin than Rhaegar Targaryen is your own your grace" Robb stated with a scowl.
"When he came home I was joyous, but it seemed all to be a falsehood, he came to gain valuable hostages in the wars to come, If you did not plan to I would even sully my name to slay him" he continued getting a nod of approval from Robert.
"Good that bastard cousin of yours should've been murdered in his cradle, but your father was too weak, that damn honour of his, I'm glad his son at least knows what has to be done" Robert said to him to which Robb grimly nods, Robert then dismisses Robb with a gesture and goes back to staring at the tower.
Robb walks away the grim expression still marring his face 'I know exactly what needs to be done' he thought to himself as he went back to his tent.
———————————————————-
(Starfall)
The situation at Starfall was a manic one, as people in Daeron's party were preparing to leave while Beric Dayne prepared for war, he had raised the levies and summoned what Bannermen he had. 3,000 men were preparing to march towards the Princes Pass where they would meet up with various other Dornish Lords. Beric believed they would siege Kingsgrave first and so they would need to take this opportunity to strike them from behind.
Prince Doran had sent a letter to Beric stating that they must not allow their army into Dorne and to do whatever it took. While these fanciful words looked good on parchment achieving such a feat would no doubt be a lot more difficult and it had caused Beric quite a few sleepless nights. They would have to fortify Skyreach, the seat of House Fowler was their last line before the King's army would enter Dorne.
While Beric thought over strategy and battle plans, Daeron and his party got ready to set sail for slavers bay, they needed to leave soon lest they be caught in the blockade that the King had set up, though with Shiera and Vhagar he didn't think they had to worry too much. As Daeron walked through the corridors he heard arguing coming from Ashara's room, She had still not awoken from her slumber and so things were a little difficult for people here as they had to leave her in this state.
As he opened the door he saw Oberyn and Arianne at each other's throats, both looking enraged, he closed the door and walked inside, Rhaenys sat there with a tired look on her face as she fed the twins. Daeron walked over to her leaning down and kissing her cheek before looking up at the commotion.
"I will not go home to be sold off like a broodmare!" Arianne shouted at her uncle who pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration.
"Arianne I will speak to my brother, he will not marry you to Aegon once he learns of the truth" Oberyn tries to reason.
Arianne chuckles humourlessly "Then it seems I know Father better than you do, he would sell me to Walder Frey if it meant his plans would succeed, whether the Aegon is real or not he will only see opportunity"
"So what will you do? Sail off to Essos? Never to be heard from again?" Oberyn asked
"I'll be with family, and I'll be able to be of some use while Daeron builds his army" She reasoned, Oberyn just sighed, on some level, he knew she was right about Doran, many times over the years he had been an unknowing participant in various plans of his brother, but he still loved him, however, he also loved his niece Arianne and he knew she very much liked the new company she kept.
"So be it, I believe Rhaenys and her children could do with having some more family around," he said with a defeated sigh.
Arianne smiled before hugging her uncle and kissing him on the cheek "Thank you, uncle!" She said excitedly before heading out of the room most likely to organise her belongings.
Oberyn just stands there and sighs "If my brother did not need me in the wars to come I imagine I'd likely be thrown into the cells beneath Sunspear"
Daeron chuckles "Do not worry, Arianne will be safe, I am glad that the twin's aunt will be present to help raise them"
Oberyn smiled "I am too" he simply said before leaving the room, though as the door opened Arthur came in as well.
"Daeron I must speak with you" he simply said before leaving back out of the room. It made him and Rhaenys frown however since she was feeding the twins she could not go after him. Daeron quickly followed Arthur outside of the room where he stood leaning up against a wall.
"Arthur? Are you well?" Daeron asked as he approached the man, he had a frown on his face that seemed to be all too common nowadays.
"I wish to ask something of you" Arthur stated in an unsure voice.
"You can ask anything of me my friend" Daeron replied with a smile as he clapped his shoulder.
However Arthur does not look reassured by his words, he breathes out before looking him in the eyes "I know you do not like me to address you as such, but you are the King, you are my King and I and your Kingsguard"
"And I would never shirk from my duties... but I-I can't come with you to Slavers Bay, so I wish to be removed formally from the Kingsguard," Arthur asks as he bows his head slightly.
"I can't leave my sisters and father to this fate, I know you will be safe but I cannot guarantee my family will be" he continued
'Love is the death of duty' Daeron thought to himself with a sigh.
"Arthur you have served my family more than enough, you have my leave to be with your family" Daeron replied as he pushed him up from the bow. Arthur smiles for what seems like the first time in months and nods his head. He then walks away from Daeron heading towards his father to let him know he will be joining the war, knowledge of Arthur Dayne joining the war will raise morale and likely demoralise the enemies, though that's if they believe it to be true.
Daeron walks back into Ashara's chambers and walks back to Rhaenys taking a knee in front of her seat "Is Arthur okay?" She asks as she cups Daeron's face
Daeron smiled sadly as he leaned his head into her palm "He asked if he could stay behind... so that he could protect his family, I gave him my permission"
Rhaenys looks confused for a minute before her eyes widen slightly, however, she doesn't say anything and eventually, she nods her head in understanding "How long?" She asked as her eyes started to water slightly.
Daeron grasped her hand into his own "I'm not sure..." he replied to her.
But she lifts her chin and smiles "But it won't be forever, our crossing paths was destiny and we will always find our way back to each other"
Rhaenys nods her head with a sad smile "Make sure to come home soon" she said to him.
———————————————————-
(Starfall)
The entire household stood on the docks as the last of Daeron's party belongings were loaded up, Beric had been generous enough to supply them with more than they needed as well as a few of the household servants and guards for their needs. Daeron just kissed Rhaenys on the lips before kissing his two children on their heads.
Rhaenys then heads into the ship, she was the last one of Daeron's companions to board apart from Daeron himself. Arthur stood on the dock, he had said goodbye to all of his companions that he had gotten to know for the last year, it was bittersweet as while he knew they would be getting to safety he did not want to see them leave, Rhaenys and Daeron most of all.
Daeron turned from the ship and approached Arthur which confused him slightly as he did not look to be boarding even when the sailors had untied the ship from the dock "Daeron what are you doing? The ship is about to depart?"
Daeron just chuckles and stands next to Arthur looking at the ship leave the dock "Arthur... you followed me to Sorthoryos, you trained me and helped me rescue my sister and my cousin, you've saved my life numerous times, did you believe I would leave you behind without backing you up?"
"If you plan to go to war then it is my intention you do not stand there alone, I can trust my family's safety to our companions and Shiera, so I plan to aid you in protecting your family and when you feel as if they are safe you will renew your vows and rejoin me" He stated.
Arthur found himself wiping his eyes at Daeron's words, he had not expected Daeron to show this amount of loyalty, he had love and safety on that ship but he willingly stepped off of it to aid Arthur in protecting his family "You are a better friend than I deserve..." Arthur simply replied to Daeron.
Daeron smiled "Come, it's not appropriate for the Sword of the Morning to cry like a maiden, Let's get back to the keep and start planning how to send them running back to the Reach"
———————————————————-
(Starfall)
Ashara had been having a nice dream. She dreamt of a different life, a life where she had been able to marry the one she loved, of one where her daughter had grown to be a beautiful woman who had stolen the hearts of Knights and Lords alike.
Though only such nice things can happen in dreams and she found herself waking up, however, she was too weak to move and could barely open her eyelids 'Daeron?' She thought to herself as she saw the boy sitting next to her in a chair reading a book aloud.
Daeron had taken care of Ashara for a long time but little did he know she was awake for a lot of this time but too weakened by the wounds and the venom to move. Throughout that time she witnessed him taking care of her and reading to her, and when she desperately tried to move he would come over and comfort her thinking she was having a bad dream.
As a person who was locked in their own body, she had come to crave the times when Daeron would come. She enjoyed Arthur's company but he would mostly sit there with a distraught look on his face. Daeron would entertain her and comfort her, even telling her of events that transpired throughout the castle and Dorne.
It was frustrating not being able to move but this morning when she woke up she found that she was able to move a bit easier than before, her eyes shot open and she tried to speak but her voice was incredibly weak. However she was in luck as a servant had been clearing the room of the silverware and platters left over the past few days "Help" she said in a low voice, The servant wasn't able to hear her as the sound of metal clattering against metal was enough to drown out her voice.
"Help," she said a bit louder and luckily for her, the servant turned around not sure if she had heard anything or not. However, once she looked at the bed and saw the fully open eyes and twitches of Ashara her eyes widened and she ran out of the room and straight to the maester.
(AN: I think next chapter might be a bit longer as I wanna get the battle of the princes pass out of the way, but yeah Daeron is splitting from his party for now Shiera will have to go with Rhaenys in order to get them passed the Royal fleet as Vhagar isn't big enough. I mean how could he think about leaving one of his best friends behind to fight a war by himself. It sounds ludicrous.)
If you like my stuff consider supporting me
Patreon.com/Captainalfie78Works