(Aerion's POV)
"Here." I told Willam as I pulled Lamentation out of the strap
I then handed it to him as I held it in both hands, sheath and all.
He looked at me with a frown, "What's this?" He said
"Lamentation." I told him, "It's yours."
I was in Runestone, a few days after the whole incident at Driftmark. I told Rhaenyra that there was some things I had to deal with here before going with her to Dragonstone. She allowed me to do so and to go to the Eyrie and invite Lady Jeyne to the private ceremony she intends to have with me.
I was in the main hall of Runestone, in front of a table where my fellow cousins and uncles were dining.
Willam shook his head, "No." He said as he gently pushed it away, "You are the Lord of Runestone, not I. Lamentation belongs to the Lord of House Royce."
"The Lord of Runestone needs to be at Runestone...." I said, "I want you to succeed me, Uncle. And I'm not Lord Royce, never been. My white hair and dragon had always said otherwise."
I heard the rest of them chuckle as they ate and drank.
"And you know who said you were Lord Royce?" Willam said as he took a bite of a chicken leg, "Your Mother....Our Cousin Gerold.....Us.....To us, you were not just Aerion Targaryen, you were Aerion Royce, Lord of Runestone. Vermithor was an added bonus, I'll say that much."
"Yes, but..." I said, "I won't be here assuming my duties."
"Tell me, when Lyonel Strong was Hand of The King, or Master of Law at that, was he not still Lord of Harrenhal?" He asked
"Well...Yes...." I said as I frowned
"He had Castellans attend to Harren's Castle." He told me, "I'll be your Castellan, I suppose. I'll tend to the duties here as you assume your newly appointed duties. You're still our Lord, Aerion, until the day you die. Lamentation is still yours."
I slowly pulled the sword towards me as I looked down, "I..." I said, "I suppose so...."
"Come, sit." He patted the empty seat next to him, "Eat. Tonight we have roasted chicken and some potatoes."
I placed Lamentation back in it's strap, next to Lady Rhea, as I sighed and walked around the table and towards the chair. I took the belt off of my swords and leaned them against the wall behind the table.
As I sat down, Willam patted my shoulder.
"So." He said as I looked at him, "Princess Rhaenyra."
I nodded, "Yea." as I looked at my plate
"Our Lady Paramount swore allegiance to her when she was named Heir." He said, "Lady Jeyne was young as well."
"All the Lords did." I reminded him
"Yes, but it was before Aegon." Willam said, "It's no secret to us that the King betrothed you to Rhaenyra after Ser Laenor's death for one reason; to protect and defend her."
I nodded, "I am aware, it's clear as day."
"We stand behind you." Willam said, "If trouble should arise, House Royce will fight for you and the Princess."
I looked at him, he was drinking wine from his cup, "Willam." I started, "I'm not asking you this much."
"You don't need to." Willam told me, "We are loyal to you, Aerion, we always have been. You are a good man, raised well. Runestone will bear your personal sigil until after your death or until after your children's deaths. It matters not to us. What good is our word if we can't keep it? We swore to your Mother that we'll raise you should something happen to her....and here we are...."
I sighed, "Here we are...." I said
"I admit, Princess Rhaenyra is significantly older than you." He continued, "But you are in no way too young to marry. It's about time you produce an Heir."
"I suppose so..." I looked down
"Chin up, Aerion." He patted my shoulder, "Just promise you'll visit us with the kid when you have time."
I chuckled, "I will." I said, "Don't worry about that."
*********************************************
"An invitation, hm?" Lady Jeyne said as she sat in her throne, "From the Princess herself?"
I nodded, "Yes, Milady." I said
It was the following day, that I flew to the Eyrie to deliver a personal invitation to Lady Jeyne from Rhaenyra. She wanted her to attend the personal wedding ceremony.
She didn't intend for it to be large, just a small one in which our families could witness; Her Father and my House. I didn't really care much for the size of the ceremony but if that's her wish, then so be it.
Lady Jeyne read the letter, "Hm. You have my thanks, Lord Aerion." She said with a smile
"Well, considering that the Princess's late-mother was an Arryn, she found it appropriate to have you there, Lady Jeyne." I said as I had my hands behind my back, "And I, of course, being your bannerman."
"You honor me greatly, Milord." She said, "It does gladden me greatly, to see you finally getting married. I was friends with your Mother, she would've been so proud of you, to see the man that Aerion Targaryen has become. The Pride and Joy of The Vale."
I cleared my throat, "Thank you for the kind words, Milady." I said as I looked down, "I am glad to be of your service."
"But once you become the consort of the Princess, will you still be my bannerman?" She asked, "I do wonder."
"House Royce will be in your service, Milady." I said, "But since you've long sworn yourself to the Princess, both House Royce and House Arryn will be loyal to Princess Rhaenyra, I hope."
She smiled, "Oh?' She said, "Is that how you see it?"
"You swore an oath to my betrothed, Lady Jeyne." I said, "She is Heir to the Throne."
"Indeed she is." She said, "Say, when you're her husband, whose authority is higher? Hers or Mine?"
"I....would assume that hers..." I said
"And when you become King Consort, would I be right to assume that you will be ordering me around?" She said
"Milady, I don't intend to abuse my newfound position." I said truthfully, "I just pray that House Arryn, House Royce, and House Targaryen will be in an amicable relationship from here on forth. I would like it if you attended the wedding ceremony."
"I wouldn't miss it, Milord." She said, "I'm merely testing you."
I nodded, "I am aware." I said, "Thank you, Lady Jeyne, I look forward to seeing you in Dragonstone."
"Congratulations, Aerion." She said with a smile, "Have safe travels."
*************************************************
"Lord Aerion..." Willam said as he slowed his horse down in front of me, "Vermithor."
Vermithor shifted behind me as I stood on a hill, letting out a deep rumble as he lowered his head next to me.
"Uncle." I said as I patted my sleeves
It was later that day, that my cousins and uncles decided to ride around our territory and patrol the roads. Tribesmen have been spotted on many occasions and have been terrorizing our people.
"When you're gone, we'll have to increase our patrolling routes." He said as his horse shifted nervously, "The tribesmen have gotten a bit more confident ever since the incident with Gerold and Ariana, Milord."
I nodded, "Yes, I want you all to become a bit more firmer in your deterrence, Uncle." I said, "I don't want those tribal folk to think that they can butcher innocents while I'm gone."
"Since Vermithor won't be in the Vale, they'll think it's safe to do as they please." He said, "But we'll remind them that it was the Knights of The Vale that they should fear, not The Bronze Fury."
I extended my arm and patted Vermithor's snout, "Indeed." I said, "It is us, the Knights of Runestone, that delivered justice to my Uncle's killers."
"Will you fly behind us? One last time." He said with a smirk, "As we chase down these savages and bring them to justice."
I nodded, "Very well." I said as Vermithor lowered himself, "Let us do that."
"The Bronze Fury will grace these lands one last time."