[a/n: I change my mind, here's a relatively quick chapter. have a good night. more to come tomorrow]
(Aerion's POV)
"What is this you need to speak about, Your Grace?" I asked as we were in front of Balerion's skull, "It's quite rare to meet you down here."
He chuckled, "It is, isn't it?" He said as he looked around
I saw that his gaze switched to the candles that were on the altar in front of the skull, I saw a bit of worry in his eyes.
"Uncle....?" I said, "Is everything okay?"
He looked at me, "No." He said truthfully, "Here's the truth, Aerion. I know what may have killed your Cousin."
I raised an eyebrow, "What?"
"Death." He said seriously
"D-Death? Well...." I said a bit confused, "I would imagine that-"
"No, you don't understand." He said as he sighed, "I didn't quite believe in the stories myself, until these past months. I've been getting these dreams."
I frowned, "What kind of dreams?"
"The cold....." He said, "That's all our future will be....Cold....."
I looked at him, "I don't understand, Uncle." I said, "Cold, as in Winter?"
"Much worse than that, Aerion." He said, "You see, it's hard to explain. I don't wish to tell this to anyone other than my Heir, Rhaenyra, who I did tell about the Dream."
"What Dream?" I asked
"You remember how I told you that some of our House can be Dreamers?" He said as he looked up at Balerion, "Well He was both Dreamer and Dragonrider."
I followed his gaze, "He?" I said as I looked at Balerion's skull, "Aegon...."
"The Conqueror had a Dream, Aerion." He said seriously, "He foresaw the end of mankind. The inevitable cold. He saw that the key to survival was the Iron Throne and who sits on it, who leads and guides the Realm to survival."
One would normally dismiss this as a superstitious grovel but I knew that Dreamers speak the truth, even if it is a riddle. I have dealt with many of Helaena's dreams, I knew this was more than legitimate. The question is....why is he telling me if he hasn't told anyone else?
"Rhaenyra knows this as well..." He continued, "And since you're to be her King-Consort when I pass, her Sword...I believe you deserve to know. There is nothing good that comes from Beyond The Wall, that much I can see clearly. Whatever Death is.... it's not pretty and advise you, Aerion, be careful when you go there. I know you'll need closure so I'll willingly let you. But I need you to see it with your own eyes. When the time comes that Rhaenyra ascends the Throne, the two of you will guide the Realm as Aegon intended....."
Wait.
Was this the reason? Was this the reason that he betrothed us? Is this is the reason why he ignored Alicent and wed Rhaenyra and me together? Not to protect her from the pit of vipers, but to help Rhaenyra guide the Realm when this terror comes?
I looked at him with a surprised look, "Y-Your Grace...." I started, "I....W-Why me?"
He gave me a smile, "Because, Aerion, you are my blood." He said, "You are strong, Aerion Targaryen, your will is powerful. I know you have what it takes....to do what must be done. To make the necessary sacrifices that Rhaenyra will not. I know she will be a wonderful Queen by herself....but with you by her side, The Realm will not suffer."
I looked down, "I...." I said a bit taken aback, "So all of this.....Rhaenyra and I....You paired us together because of this?"
He nodded, "I had to take cautionary measures...I could not let my Daughter sit on that Throne with nothing but vultures feeding off her bits when she falters." He said as he looked at me, "You, Aerion, you married her because I asked you to. You did your Duty because that is the Man you are. And look at where it got you, you and Rhaenyra fell in love. That is not something I foresaw but something I am pleased by. You gave me a Granddaughter and if the Gods allow it, you will give me another Grandson...."
I nodded, "Y-Yea...." I said softly
"You love her, don't you?" He asked me, "I can see it in your eyes, my boy....You are madly in love with her."
"I-I...I am..." I said, "She's everything to me...."
"There is no doubt, Aerion." He said, "While my health has improved, thank the gods, it is quite obvious that sooner or later, I will die and she will take my place. I believe that she should be ready by then. I just hope the consequences won't be dire..."
"Hm.." I said looking away
"That tone, you don't agree..." He said
"I may not." I said truthfully, "It's the truth, but it doesn't mean I am disloyal to her. She is the rightful Heir. Others won't see it that way, Your Grace."
"I am aware." He told me, "But.....that's where you come in. You will protect her, I am sure. I know you will."
"Yea....." I said, "I will."
"As for this threat in the North...." He said as he looked back at the skull, "Fire is the only way to deal with this."
"That's why Waymar's body was burned."
*****************************************************
"Easy, Old Boy..." I said as I patted Vermithor's snout
He was shaking his neck too much as if he were anxious.
I was in the Dragonpit, getting ready to make my trip up North. I had sent a raven to Dragonstone, informing Rhaenyra that I would venture to Winterfell. I will not be back until I have answers. I pray that it won't take long; I do not intend to worry my Wife too much.
I sighed as Vermithor lowered himself, "Duty, huh?" I said in high valyrian, "Tell me, Old Boy, did Jaehaerys succumb you to as much turmoil as I have? Surely, your old bones are getting tired."
He vocalized loudly as he snorted and shook his neck, giving me a defiant stare.
"Yea, I can feel your age in your scales, hehe.." I chuckled
Vermithor reared his head back and let out a deafening roar, almost as if he was trying to tell me that he was anything but old. He is right; Vhagar is somewhere outside the City, that old and ugly hag is much older than the city itself.
"Take it easy, you know I jest." I said as I climbed onto his saddle, "You may not be that old, but I am but a child compared to you, Old Boy. Nevertheless....Let us go...."
"We Head North."