(Third Person POV)
"Well done, Granddaughter." Rhaenys said, "For you to claim my Grandmother's Dragon, it is as amazing as when your brother claimed Vermithor. The Old King and The Good Queen are surely proud that their mounts' second riders are the two of you."
Rhaena was standing next to the painted table, smiling. "T-Thank you, Grandmother..." She said, "I am glad I can be of service to Her Grace."
"It was a bit surprising to me, but I am glad you are not hurt, Rhaena." Rhaenyra said with a smile, "That gives us another Dragon to our ranks. But I doubt Aerion had you do this to fly you to war."
"N-No." Rhaena said, "He wishes for me to stay here and protect Dragonstone."
"A deterrent." Rhaenys said
"Whatever the case, it puts everyone more at ease, Princess, Your Grace." Lord Celtigar, "I ask for forgiveness, doubting Lord Aerion's plans."
"It is fine, Lord Celtigar." Rhaenyra said, "My Husband almost never explains his plans with anyone until right after it is done. I have come to accept that. Right now, as we speak, he has already planned out this War. I am trusting him with whatever move he makes."
"W-Where is he, by the way?" Ser Alfred said
Rhaenyra looked at him, "He's preparing to depart." She said, "The two of us have discussed the next few steps in his plans. It is up to him now to execute them. He will intercept the Hightower Host in the Crownlands and force them to submit. However, if he's too late, he will wait for them to converge with the Stormlands and Westerlands armies."
"To take on that many men..." Lord Celtigar said, "Is it wise? We should gather some of our forces to aid him!"
"Lord Aerion Targaryen specializes in breaking apart forces that outnumber him greatly." Princess Rhaenys said, "It's not about crushing them completely with him, it's about hitting them hard enough to disorient them. He easily did that in the Stepstones to the Triarchy and Dornish Fleets. But the Velaryon Fleet helped finish up the remaining stragglers, however...My husband, Lord Corlys, is confident he can do the same to land armies."
"We'll send a raven to the Houses that are sworn to me." Rhaenyra said, "To march and clean up any remaining forces that do not surrender. Aerion's objective is to take out the heads of those Armies; Lord Jason Lannister, Lord Borros Baratheon, and Ser Criston Cole. While some may step up and take leadership while he's gone, the blow their armies will take in the process will be heavy."
"It is unavoidable..." Ser Alfred said, "The Bronze Dragonlord will take to the skies...."
"I am afraid so...." Rhaenyra said, "While he's gone, Syrax and Silverwing will stay here. With Vermithor in the field, Vhagar will not think of attacking here. The best counter-measure they could think of is having Aemond fly out to meet with Aerion."
"But would that be wise?" Lord Celtigar said
"Aerion is a far more experienced dragonrider than Aemond." Rhaenys said, "I would say that despite being less experienced than Rhaenyra and I, he's far more skilled. If anyone has a chance in taking on Vhagar in single combat, it's most definitely Vermithor. No dragon is as ferocious as the Bronze Fury."
"We'll have to wait and see." Rhaenyra said, "In the meantime, we send word to House Tyrell and House Stark, to await their answers. Lord Stark had sent a force of a thousand strong to aid us, to show his loyalty. As for Lady Tyrell, she is willing to send her forces as the cleanup but the Hightower forces might pose a problem."
"They have a dragon in Oldtown." Rhaenys said, "Daeron's mount, Tessarion."
"Daeron isn't an experienced dragonrider, he has the same amount of experience as Lucerys." Rhaenyra looked at her
"Aerion claims your brother is better than both your sons combined." Rhaenys said, "In dragonriding and swordsmanship."
"H-How is that possible? He is but a boy." Ser Alfred said
Rhaenyra sighed, "My husband may have taught him a thing or two and Daeron picked it up quite quickly, unlike my boys." She said, "I don't know if he'll pose that much of a threat, but it could be me underestimating him."
"Do not make that mistake, Your Grace." Rhaenys said, "All of your brothers are of the dragon's blood, same as you. Same as Aerion."
"I know..." Rhaenyra said, "Speaking of....I must go and see him off...."
*****************
"My love....." Aerion said as he held Rhea in his arm, "I would return soon, dear.....I love you...."
He leaned in and kissed her on the forehead as she slept peacefully.
Aerion was clad in his valyrian-steel armor, only his helm was missing. He held his youngest daughter gently in his arm, the blankets cushioning her and preventing her from feeling the cold of the gauntlets.
Besides him, Elinda and the other maids were standing there, looking down as Aerion's children were playing in the floor.
"When I return, I will hold you properly, love." Aerion said as he smiled, "You will feel the warmth of my hands, not the cold of the steel I am wearing."
"Father...." Joffrey walked up to him, "Are you leaving....?"
Aerion looked at him and nodded, "I am, Joff." He said and patted his head gently, "Be good, okay? Don't give your mother any trouble."
"O-okay..." Joffrey said as he looked down
Aerion looked at Elinda and gestured for her to get Rhea. The maid quickly rushed over and grabbed the babe, pulling away as Aerion looked at Joffrey and crouched down.
"Listen, kid." Aerion said, "Whatever happens, know that your brothers will be okay, alright? They love you as much you love them. Your Mother will try her best to be with you but as of now, things are rather hectic. So don't lash out, alright?"
"Y-Yes..." He said softly
"Look at me." Aerion said
Joffrey looked at him without saying anything.
"Right now, you are the eldest of your siblings." He said seriously, "Take care of them, will you? You are but a child, but you are a brother."
Joffrey nodded, "Okay, Father..."
Aerion leaned in and kissed his forehead, "Alright." He said as he ruffled his head, "Let me say goodbye to your siblings."
Aerion walked over to Visenya who sat in the floor with Aegon and Viserys who were sitting down as well.
"My beautiful girl.." He said as she patted her head, "Are you angry at me?"
"I don't want you to go...." She said
"I have to." Aerion said and kissed her on the head, "One day, you'll understand. And as for my boys, look at you...."
Aerion squeezed Viserys cheek as he patted Aegon's head.
"The day will come when we'll all be together, living peacefully." Aerion said as he straightened up, "Know that I love you with all my heart. I do what I will do for you. When you all grow up older, you will understand that. For now, goodbye. I will return."
Aerion turned around and walked away, grabbing his helm at the table on the way.
"Father!" Visenya cried as she ran to him, "Don't go!"
Aerion stopped as she hugged his leg, feeling the cold of the valyrian steel.
"Visenya..." He said without looking down at her
"Please....." Visenya said with tears in her eyes, "Don't go...."
"Princess..." one of the maids walked up, "Lord Aerion has to leave. Come, let's go get a bite to eat."
"No!" Visenya cried, "I don't want him to go."
Joffrey walked up to Visenya and gently pulled her away, "Come, sister." He said softly, "Father has to go."
The doors opened and Rhaenyra walked in, "Aerion...." she said as she looked at the sight before her, a bit taken aback, "I see....You have said goodbye to the children..."
Aerion nodded, "Yes, Your Grace." He said as he took a step towards her, "I..."
Rhaenyra looked at Visenya and smiled warmly, "Visenya, your Father will be back soon." She said, "So don't worry, alright?"
Visenya held back tears and nodded, "O-Okay..."
Rhaenyra looked at Aerion, "So...." She said, "Should I see you off in the Dragonmont?"
Aerion nodded slowly, "Right...." He said with a serious expression
"What is the matter?" Rhaenyra asked with a frown
"For another man's son to call me Father..." Aerion said low enough for her to hear, "It's a strange feeling...."
Rhaenyra placed her hand on his breastplate, "You raised him." She said, "He's your son."
"Right....he is, isn't he?" Aerion said, "This just adds more pressure to me, that is all."
"Mm." Rhaenyra said with a slight smile, "I cannot believe I am married to a fool, thinking he can end a War by himself..."
Aerion looked at her, "I require your favor, Your Grace." He said, "Only with that, I will do just that. And when I return...we'll see about adding another Prince to our family..."
Rhaenyra smiled even more, blushing slightly, "You are indeed a fool.."
***********
[Duskendale, The Crownlands]
After a long-fought battle outside the castle's walls, the Hightower forces are victorious, as half the Darklyn forces have surrendered, being successfully added to the Host.
Ser Gwayne stood atop a scaffolding, wiping blood off his sword as he looked over at Ser Criston Cole who was walking up.
"It appears that they were much tougher than expected." Ser Gwayne said
"It appears so." Cole said as he reached him
Gwayne gestured at the man knelt down, his hands tied behind his back, "This one won't surrender himself, loyal till the end." He said, "Commendable, to say the least."
"Hm." Cole said as he drew his sword, "Lord Darklyn, any last words?"
"You think that gathering men for your Host will give you victory in this war, Cole?" Lord Darklyn, whose face was covered with blood said, "None of that matters when your opponent is The Mighty."
"Every soul in the Realm have always spoken of how mighty Aerion Targaryen is." Criston Cole said as he stepped forth, "But for someone who has seen him grow up, I don't see it."
"Perhaps it is because he bashed your face in when the two of you fought in Visenya's Tourney." Lord Darklyn spat on the ground, "You stand no chance. Tell your King that. Those from my House that sided with you will be bathed in Bronze Flames, just you wait. Aerion Targaryen is an honorable man but once you raise your sword against him, there will be no mercy."
"Are those your last words?" Criston asked
"My Last Words?" Lord Darklyn continued as he faced forward and hung his head, "I'll tell you what my last words are. You will die, Cole. The Gods will see to that. A man like you will not be etched in the history books. And how you will die will be decided by the Warrior Incarnate."
In a swift motion, Cole swung his sword, slicing through Lord Darklyn's neck and cutting his head off. As his body dropped to the ground and his head rolled away, blood pooled from the neck.
Cole straightened up, "Warrior Incarnate?" He said as he cleaned his blade, "Aerion is but a Man. He can bleed."
"So he can die."