(Third Person POV)
[King's Landing]
"We have received word that Prince Jaecaerys and the Lady Baela are patrolling the Vale." Lord Jasper said, "This leaves it difficult for our forces to move into the Riverlands from all directions should we require to take them."
King Aegon was sitting, looking at his father's valyrian steel dagger which was unsheathed, "And that is a problem, how?" He asked, "Aemond can go and take care of it."
Aemond, who sat across the table in the Small Council Room, looked at him, "While I would love to do that, it will leave the City open for an attack." He said, "Aerion was wise to perform this tactic, sending two dragons instead of patrolling his region by himself."
"The Reach is also open for an attack but Prince Aemond's reasoning is sound." Lord Tyland said, "Vhagar is our only deterrent to keeping Vermithor from razing the City."
"Aerion won't burn the city." Aegon said as he looked at Lord Tyland, "He's not that type of man. So long as it's an open field, he'll burn it. But if it's a populated area that has innocents, he won't dare. It's against his nature."
"His nature is that of a Targaryen Dragonrider, Your Grace." Otto spoke up, "He's the most formidable. What we require is a plan to draw him out and get rid of him. You should have informed us of your meeting, that would've been the perfect opportunity. We will not get another like this."
"Ser Criston Cole's campaign has been successful." Lord Jasper said, "The Lord-Hand's son, Ser Gwayne himself has joined forces with Cole in gathering a Host. Soon, they'll converge with the Stormlands and Westerlands forces."
"Yes." Otto said, "Moving our armies towards Harrenhal before Daemon does the same will be ideal."
"They have more dragons than us." Aemond said, "Something must be done about that."
"A plan to kill the dragons? We can certainly try some tactics for our Scorpions to do damage but I am not sure if it will be successful." Lord Tyland said
"Taking out Aerion won't be easy." Otto said, "If we can thin their power even a bit, it would be advantageous. Meleys and Caraxes are their next best."
"You intend to draw the Princess Rhaenys out?" Lord Jasper said, "She patrols the Gullet, it would be difficult to get our ships that far out without House Velaryon noticing. And she's likely ordered to only return to Dragonstone when she finishes a patrol."
"As for Caraxes...." Lord Tyland said, "It's Prince Daemon.....besides his son, I don't know who would be capable of besting him."
"You insult me." Aemond said with a sly smirk, "Do you have any idea of who you have next to you?"
"My Prince, I understand....but I am taking into consideration that you are our protector." Lord Tyland said
"Something will be done about the dragons, rest assured..." Aegon said, "In the meantime, have Cole march our armies to Harrenhal. And as for your brother, Lord Tyland, tell him that the Lord-Commander is in command, nobody else. Do I make myself clear?"
"Of course, Your Grace." Lord Tyland smiled nervously
*************
[Runestone, The Vale]
"My Prince, My Lady." Willam said, "I suggest you don't overdo it with the patrolling. Lady Jeyne is confident that your mere presence will dissuade the Hightowers in sending anyone to our region."
They were outside the castle, eating next to a campfire. Jace and Baela sat on some stumps as they ate pieces of bread and meat. In the distance, Moondancer and Vermax sat, vocalizing loudly. There were Knights and soldiers around them, acting as their guards. The Knights of Runestones were called to battle, but their orders were to protect the Prince and his betrothed whenever they were on land.
"We don't intend to take chances, Ser." Baela said as she looked at Willam who was sitting down across from them, "My Brother entrusted us with this duty."
Willam smiled, "Of course, My Lady." He said as he drank from the leather flask, "But the two of you are the Future of this Realm. If something happened to you, Aerion would kill me."
"The future, huh?" Jace said with a slight smile, "Now I know who taught him to say that....are all of you Royce Knights the same?"
"The King-Consort was raised here in Runestone, My Prince." Willam said as he looked over to the castle, "We take great pride in molding him into the man he is now. Whatever happens, we fight on his behalf, for you....for your mother, The Queen."
"We thank you." Baela smiled
Willam nodded, "Of course."
Yohn Royce walked up to them, "My Lady." He said as he handed her a letter, "This came from Harrenhal, from your Father."
Baela looked at Jace, "Aerion told me to ignore anything from him..." She said softly
Jace sighed, "Those were orders...." He said, "Are you going to refuse him?"
Baela opened the letter and read it, "He's managed to gather some Houses to join him. The Lord-Paramount of the Riverlands Grover Tully has passed." She said softly, "He had declared for Aegon but was too sick and old to call his banners....his grandson Elmo is now the head....he has declared for Queen Rhaenyra and is calling his banners to move to Harrenhal....."
Jace smiled, "That's great!" He said, "The Riverlands is the key to the War and with Daemon holding Harrenhal, we now have them on our side."
Baela looked at him, "Yes, but Aerion doesn't trust him...." She said, "He thinks he is plotting something."
"W-Why would he?" Jace asked
"I don't know...I never knew why my Father did things...." She said
"Daemon Targaryen is an unpredictable man." Willam said, "Our Lord has never fully forgiven him for what he did to his mother. But if he is truly loyal to Queen Rhaenyra, then it is safe to say that we should not be worried. However, if there is something at play, our Lord will act. Aerion is smart, a prodigal fighter, and a tactician. He never shows his intellect, though, always so quiet and keeping to himself. But the war in the Stepstones proved that once something goes his way, he can shift the momentum completely and cripple an entire army with ease."
"What are you saying?" Baela asked
"If it turns out that your Father is scheming something...." Willam said with a hardened face, "Aerion will act and claim the Host for himself, removing Daemon from the equation altogether. Lord Aerion is an honorable knight as we have taught him to be. But he will do what needs to be done and will fight anyone that opposes him or threatens his family."
"Including his own father."
*************
[Dragonstone]
"Aerion!" Rhaenyra yelled as she ran into the dragonmont's entrance, "Are you mad?!"
There was a loud roar, caused by Silverwing that was called forth just minutes prior. There was a slight and minor scuffle between her and Seasmoke who flew out of the dragonmont in a hurry, alarming every Dragonkeeper.
Aerion raised his hand, stopping Rhaenyra in her tracks as she saw the sight before her, "Take it easy, my love." He said seriously as he looked ahead of him, "We're witnessing something magnificent...."
"But Rhaena is....!" Rhaenyra said as behind her, the Queensguard ran up
"Your Grace!" Ser Erryk exclaimed, "Is everything alright?!"
In front of Aerion, at the end of the platform, Silverwing stood as she shook her neck and let out a rumble, almost as if she was either alarmed or merely confused at what was in front of her.
"Come on..." Aerion muttered under his breath
In front of Silverwing, Rhaena stood, panting heavily. Just a minute ago, she had tried to calm Silverwing by touching her snout when she was called but the dragon lashed out, still agitated by Seasmoke's actions; the dragon had merely tackled her before flying away. Rhaena was bumped against by Silverwing and hit the platform pretty hard but got back up.
"L-Lykiri!" Rhaena commanded in High-Valyrian
Silverwing narrowed her eyes as she snorted, tilting her head as she looked at Rhaena.
Aerion narrowed his eyes, "Come on, beautiful....be nice...." He said under his breath, "You're not as grumpy as Vermithor, right? Don't hurt her again...."
"Dohaeras, Silverwing...." Rhaena continued the commands, "Dohaeras...."
Silverwing leaned forward, snorting loudly and letting out a deep rumble, staring right at Rhaena. It was almost as if she was scanning the young girl before her. Rhaena Targaryen had attempted to claim Silverwing a year or two prior but the dragon was in an agitated mood, which was quite strange and nearly killed her if it weren't for Aerion intervening and Vermithor coming in between, acting as a barrier between them as he calmed the silver dragon down.
"Stay calm, Rhaena..." Rhaenyra said softly as she stood next to Aerion, "Just breathe...."
Silverwing tilted her head once again, sniffing the air and leaned forward, getting a closer look at Rhaena.
"Dohaeras!" Rhaena said, much firmer than before, and straightened up
Silverwing then leaned back, shaking her neck, and reared her head back, letting out a quick roar before quickly leaning back down and softly nudging her, bumping her to the ground.
"Rhaena!" Rhaenyra exclaimed
"It's okay." Aerion said with an excited smile, "It's okay, love....see? She is a sweetling, that Silverwing....she was just in one of her bad days back then..."
Rhaena looked up at Silverwing who looked at her, her eyes widened with surprise and shock as she panted, "I...." she said
Silverwing snorted and leaned forward, vocalizing loudly, nudging her gently.
Rhaena stood up and reached for her snout, gently placing her hand and feeling her scales, a tear running down her cheek, "I...." She said softly, "I did it....."
"Yes..." Aerion said with a sigh of relief, "You did it...."
There was a loud thud to the right and Silverwing turned to see Vermithor slowly making his way towards the platform, letting out a deep rumbling. The dragons began to vocalize with each other as the Bronze Fury approached the platform from the side.
Silverwing leaned forth, coming between Rhaena and Vermithor defensively as she vocalized. This was a clear indicator that Silverwing was successfully claimed. Vermithor merely shook his neck and looked over at Aerion and snorted loudly, letting out a rumble that everyone heard.
Aerion nodded, "You feel it too, eh?" He said in High-Valyrian, "It's time....."
"For us to Fly to War."