[A/N: Ughh, I want to get to the battles already but these chapters are necessary in my eyes. Soon, we'll get to the first of Aerion's battles. I want to build up to it with a couple of chapters first.]
(Third Person POV)
"Halt!" Ser Lorent clutched the handle of his sword as he stepped in front of Queen Rhaenyra, "Stop right there, Serr Erryk."
They were outside on the Dragonmont, Rhaenyra had gone to check on Lucerys who was with Joffrey and the rest of the children. The Heir of Driftmark was about to depart to Driftmark on his dragon. Ser Erryk approached them while holding a cloaked figure by the hand as Ser Steffon and Ser Lorent stood in front of her in a defensive position.
"Brothers." Ser Erryk said as he raised his hand, "I come in peace, to swear my loyalty to the One True Queen, Rhaenyra of House Targaryen."
"That may be so." Ser Steffon said, "But who goes with you?"
"This here is someone that Her Grace might be interested in meeting." Ser Erryk said, "It's a long story, to say the least. But here...as a symbol of my honesty.....I could not bear the thought of King Viserys's crown being in the possession of the traitors..."
He slowly pulled Viserys's crown out of his pouch, letting go of the cloaked figure and holding the crown, holding it out in front of him.
Rhaenyra's eyes widened, "F-Father...." She said softly as Lucerys stepped forth and walked past the Queensguard
"My Prince." Ser Lorent said
"It's okay, Sers." Lucerys said as he approached Ser Erryk, "Ser Erryk, right?"
"Yes, Prince Lucerys." Erryk knelt down and handed the crown to him, "I am here to serve Rhaenyra of House Targaryen, First of Her Name, Queen of The Andals, The Rhoynar, and The First Men, Lady of The Seven Kingdoms, and Protector of The Realm."
Lucerys nodded slowly, "Thank you." He said softly as he reached for the crown, holding it in his hands as he turned around and looked at his Mother
Rhaenyra walked past her Queensguard, who stood guard over the rest of her children, looking at the crown in Lucerys's hands.
"Your Grace." Lucerys said as Rhaenyra reached him
Rhaenyra smiled slightly and slowly leaned over, allowing Lucerys to place the crown on her head, "Thank you...." She said softly as she straightened up, "Ser Erryk, you have my gratitude."
"Of course, Your Grace." Ser Erryk said, "I wish to be by your side, I swear upon the gods that I will defend you and your Family."
"Stand." Rhaenyra said
Ser Erryk stood up and straightened up, not saying a word.
"Who is this?" Rhaenyra asked as she gestured at the cloaked figure
"This here...." Ser Erryk gestured at the person, "Is the one known as the White Worm or....well, her name is Mysaria...."
Mysaria slowly pulled her hood down, revealing her face as she looked at the Queen, "Y-Your Grace....."
"The White Worm...?" Rhaenyra asked, "Is that what they call you?"
"Yes." She said softly, "I was involved in the undercity of King's Landing....overseeing some establishments that were destroyed by the fires."
"The fires that led to the declaration of war....." Rhaenyra said, "I see..."
"The Lady Mysaria here is aware of who is the one behind Princess Helaena's attack and her children's death." Ser Erryk said
Rhaenyra widened here eyes, "W-What?" She said, "You will tell me. Now. All of this is because of that incident, followed by the fires and murders of the Knights..Which has pointed us in the direction of war...."
"With all due respect, Your Grace..." Mysaria said, "I am afraid I cannot do that unless...I am guaranteed a reward...this is a transaction of sorts...."
Rhaenyra frowned, "Is that so?"
"You know who is behind all of this and won't say unless rewarded?" Lucerys asked, "Why?"
"This is how the world works, My Prince..." Mysaria said
"Very well." Rhaenyra said, "You are dirty and hungry, I assume....Ser Erryk escort her inside, have her bathed and fed. And as for you, my loyal knight, do the same when you are done."
Ser Erryk bowed slightly, "Of course, Your Grace."
Rhaenyra looked at Mysaria, "We'll talk after." She said,
"And we'll discuss the 'reward'."
**************
(Aerion's POV)
"Has Lucerys left yet?" I asked Ser Lorent who walked next to me
"Yes, My Lord." He said, "About an hour ago."
"The flight to Driftmark is rather short, he should be fine." I said
"Yes." He responded
"What is it that has happened?" I asked, "The Queen has her crown? And Ser Erryk has joined our ranks?"
"He has, My Lord." Ser Lorent said
I walked into the chambers were Rhaenyra was, awaiting me apparently. I saw that she was standing in front of a table where a woman I didn't recognize sat, a steaming bowl of stew in front of her.
Rhaenyra looked at me, "You." She said as she frowned and walked over to me, "You will explain yourself. Now."
I stopped a couple of feet from her, "I had to see what he wanted." I said softly, "I had to."
"And you didn't tell me?" She said in a hushed tone, "What if it was a trap? What if something would've happened to you? I know Aegon would not be capable of doing something like that but what if this was a scheme hatched by Otto and had sent Vhagar to ambush you?"
I placed my hands on her shoulder, "I am sorry, my love." I whispered, "I had to try and stop this before it got too late. I wanted to see if Aegon was okay. He wrote to me so desperately....."
"A-And?" She asked with a concerned face
"It's too late...." I said with a grim tone, "I...couldn't get to him.....it's....it's my fault..."
"Don't say that." She whispered before clearing her throat, "That aside....which we'll discuss thoroughly later.....there is something we have to speak about now."
She stepped back and gestured at the woman.
I looked at her, "Alright." I said, "Who is this?"
"This is Lady Mysaria." She said as she crossed her arms, "Mysaria, this here is the King-Consort, Aerion Targaryen."
"I am aware of who he is." the woman said with a distinct accent, "Everybody in the Realm knows who the Bronze Dragonlord is."
"And might you entertain me in who you are?" I asked as I walked over to the table, "Is your name supposed to mean something to me?"
She looked at me awkwardly before clearing her throat, "I am known as the White Worm..." she said, "I had some connections in the undercity of King's Landing....."
"The White...Worm?" I said, "Lady Misery?"
"You know of her? and her establishments?" Rhaenyra asked, "You know she ran a brothel right? And was in business with several others."
"Y-Yea." I said as I looked at her, "Well, not from personal experience. Waymar visited it a few times when they visited the capital. He and Yohn told me of this elusive Lady Misery."
"Waymar?" Rhaenyra said, "Oh.....I see..."
"I would never..." I started, "You know that."
"He is correct. The Aerion Targaryen was a rare sight in the Street of Silk." Mysaria said, "Rarer than a two-headed dragon....simply not possible."
"What does this have to do with anything?" I asked
"She knows who's behind Helaena and her children's attack." Rhaenyra said, "The one behind the riots and the fires."
I looked at her, "What?" I said, "Tell me. Now."
Mysaria looked at the bowl, "A bath and a bowl of soup is well enough, you have my gratitude." She said, "But this is not what I asked for as part of the bargain."
"Bargain?" I said, "You want to bargain? Information for what? Gold? Is that all?"
"No." Mysaria said as she looked down, "Freedom.....or at the very least safety. The Realm will suffer if this War goes through. And I do not wish to be used."
"Done." I said
"Aerion." Rhaenyra said
I looked at her, "Helaena, Rhaenyra. Her children." I said, "I need to know who's behind it."
"Sterling." Mysaria said, "A man known as Sterling. I do not know him personally but I know he is connected to the Grey Snake, the leader of the Undercity. Those two are very elusive, they run several illegal and immoral operations in Fleabottom. He is the one who ordered the attack. Not only that, from what I heard, he's the one who framed several specific individuals and had the Hightowers target them during the Riots, forcing them to leave the City."
"The Grey Snake...." I said
"You met him." Mysaria said, "You remember?"
"Hm...." I said
"So you've told us...." Rhaenyra said, "Sterling and The Greysnake are behind this. Why?"
"That, I do not know." She said, "All I know is that they orchestrated the riots and fires. My guess is they wish to profit off the War...the capital's supplies have been cut off by your blockade. I have heard whispers of how they've hoarded food and wine for weeks, preparing for something like this. They say that a thief benefits the most from a siege....by the end of it, they'll be the richest in the city...but this is much worse than a siege."
"All that has caused is chaos." I said, "Do they plan to profit off of that?"
"Perhaps." She said, "They do not leave the City. Do with that as you wish. But I doubt you can do much from here. But it's the truth, they framed you as the ones who hired them. But it's clear as day that it is not possible. Rhaenyra Targaryen has never shown any ounce of malintent to the smallfolk throughout her life and Aerion Targaryen is a Knight, through and through. The most heroic of all men. He would never do such a thing, cause so much chaos for his benefit or the benefit of what he believes is right."
I looked at Rhaenyra, "Well...now we know." I said, "We need to make those two pay."
"How?" Rhaenyra said, "she's right. We cannot do much here. Do you expect us to tell the Greens? They won't believe us, they've declared war. The damage has been done, we're against each other now, Aerion."
"Yes, I know." I said
"Another thing." Mysaria said, "I know that telling you just that won't be enough. But if you promise to hold up your end, I suppose this will be good for your ears."
I looked at her, "What?"
"The night King Viserys died." She said, "It is said that a woman exited his room. I heard this from my connections in the Red Keep."
"A woman? Alicent?" Rhaenyra asked
"No." She said, "The same woman had entered his room prior to Alicent Hightower going in. She then entered it and left it after Alicent rushed out of the room to get the Hand. She was draped in a black veil and her eyes glowed a bit with green in the shadows of the night."
"W-What...." I said
Was that the same woman I saw back then? In the Red Keep and in the fishing village? Were they behind my Uncle's death? If so, are they behind this entire thing?
"Does this mean anything to you, Aerion?" Rhaenyra asked
"I do not know...." I said truthfully
"I have given my end." Mysaria said as she slowly stood up, "I expect you to do the same."
"What do you wish for? A boat that takes you out of Westeros?" Rhaenyra asked, "I would arrange that but you'd have to wait."
"No." Mysaria said, "I am afraid that won't do."
"What is it then? You said freedom and safety." I told her, "You can have your freedom. And a bit of gold to buy some safety."
"I want your safety, Bronze Dragonlord." She said, "Safety here in Dragonstone.....from your Father."
I frowned, "Daemon?" I said, "Why should you need safety from him?"
She looked at Rhaenyra, "I am surprised you didn't recognize me, Your Grace." She said with a slight smile, "You were but a girl when we first met and I was accustomed to the halls of this castle."
"Huh?" Rhaenyra said, "What do you mean? I....wait....y-you...."
I looked at her, "What?"
"It's you." Rhaenyra said, "You were with him, with Daemon when he was confronted by Otto."
"Confronted by...." I said when I widened my eyes in realization
When I was but a child, Daemon began a scandal by stealing a dragon egg and taking Dragonstone. This angered Uncle and he sent Otto to demand the return of the egg, which belonged to Baelon, my cousin who did not make it after birth. From what I hear, Rhaenyra was the one who defused the situation.
I looked at Mysaria, "That was you?" I said as I stepped closer, "Daemon's mistress here in Dragonstone? He made himself cozy with you by his side in his bed. All while my Mother was at Runestone, raising his son...."
She gulped slightly and looked down, "Y-Yes."
I eyed her up and down, "You certainly aged nicely, I suppose." I said, "But if you're his former mistress, why do you need protection from him?"
"After I left him, it is safe to say that he'd become angry." She said, "Very angry. He had been denounced as Heir, replaced by a child.....I.....I fear that if he sees me again, he'd use me as he did before...to get back at you and the Queen."
"Daemon is at Harrenhal, gathering a Host for The Queen." I said, "You have no reason to fear him."
"And you are to trust Daemon Targaryen?" She asked, "Daemon, who ignored you when you were but a babe and made himself home here with me?"
"Of course, I don't fucking trust him." I said turning around, "But what I trust is his Targaryen name and dragon....the Riverlords will do wise to listen to him, rally up in the name of the rightful Queen. I'm sure he'll use Rhaenyra's name to gather them to whatever his end goal is."
"And you think it's wise to let him do as he please?" Mysaria asked, "To give him the power he craves."
"Saves me the trouble of flying back and forth." I said as I looked at her while shrugging, "You'll be safe from him here, if you wish to stay. I am sure the Queen doesn't mind."
"It is fine." Rhaenyra said, "Her knowledge of the Capital could prove useful."
"So be it, then." I said, "And as for Daemon. If it comes to the point where he tries something...."
"I'll deal with him. My way."