(Third Person POV)
A few years after Princess Rhaenyra married Ser Laenor Velaryon, Aerion Targaryen had visited King's Landing for the first time since departing the capital shortly after the wedding. Over the years, House Royce had raised him well; training him in the art of the blade and helped his High Valyrian studies.
Aerion squired for Ser Gerold, learning what it meant to be a Knight of the Vale, and many other things from his Mother's cousin. The boy missed his mother terribly and would often be seen alone at her burial site, staring at the grave for hours on end.
Now, he had been invited to King's Landing at the request of his Uncle, King Viserys. The King had sent him many texts that he had copied so the young lord could learn to speak High Valyrian, something he picked up rather quick. He also sent him many other gifts, including horses and jewelry that the young boy rarely wore.
Inside the Red Keep, Ser Gerold walked as a young Aerion followed him. The young lord was wearing a black outfit, outlined in bronze, as he was catching stares from other Lords and Ladies that they passed. His white hair was cut rather short as he didn't want it to grow more than he'd like it to. He was holding onto a rolled piece of paper as he walked, looking ahead.
Ser Gerold opened the doors to a room where the King was expecting them, walking into it as King Viserys sat in a chair as Lord Lyonel, his Hand, stood next to him.
"Your Grace." Ser Gerold said as he bowed slightly, "I apologize for my tardiness, trouble arose on the rode."
Viserys was coughing into a napkin, "N-No..." He said, "It is fine. As long as my boy is safe."
Aerion stood next to Ser Gerold, seeing the strange and sad state his uncle was in. His skin was paler and his hair was thinning. Aerion was around enough sick people to know that his Uncle was in no condition to be moving freely.
"Your Grace..." He said as he stepped forward
Viserys smiled, "Aerion." He said, "Come, come...let me look at you, my boy."
Aerion walked towards him as Ser Gerold looked at him.
Viserys placed his hand on his shoulder, "Look at you, you are what? Nine?" He asked
Aerion nodded, "Yes." He said
"How are the books I've sent you?" Viserys asked, "Have you read them? I've been told you've mastered High Valyrian now, how smart you are..."
"I've read all of them already." He said
Viserys looked at Lyonel Strong, "I told you he's a smart boy, didn't I?" He said with a chuckle
"You did, Your Grace." Lord Strong said
"Ah...." He said, "Well, I am glad you're here, Aerion. Aegon is currently at the Dragonpit, attempting to claim a dragon. You'd be able to join him if you wish."
Aerion shook his head, "That's fine." He said as he raised his arm, "Look."
He unrolled the paper he was holding and showed what looked to be a hand-drawn sigil. It looked like House Royce's sigil but instead of just having a bronze shield with runes around it, it was a black shield with a bronze Targaryen Dragon sigil in it with runes around it.
Viserys looked at this, "Oh?" he said as he took it into his hand, "What's this?"
"I would like for it to be my personal sigil." He said, "Meant to honor both my Houses; Royce and Targaryen. I came here to show it to you, The King, to see if you allow me to do so."
The King chuckled as he showed it to Lyonel, "Isn't he something?" He said with a smile, "He's drawing his own personal sigil. You drew this, right?"
He looked back at the young lord.
Aerion nodded, "Yes." He said
"Well, when you become a Knight as I was told you wish to do, I will allow you to have this sigil." Viserys chuckled and patted his arm again, "But why do you not wish to go to the pit? You can claim your own dragon today!"
Aerion shrugged as he took the drawing back, "I've asked which are the dragons there...." He said, "None of them interest me."
Viserys frowned, "Not even Dreamfyre? She hatched when the Conqueror was King, she is a formidable beast." He said
"Yes, but she lays eggs so I don't want her. She's more important to the House as she is." Aerion said as he pointed at the bronze dragon in his drawing, "I want him."
Lord Lyonel looked at this and frowned, "Him?" He said before looking at Ser Gerold, "Wait..."
Ser Gerold merely nodded silently.
"Him, huh?" Viserys understood those words very well, "Are you sure? He's at Dragonstone currently. You'll have more luck in claiming Dreamfyre than him."
Aerion nodded with a smile, "He's the only one worthy of me." He said with a glimmer in his eye,
"The Bronze Fury."
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"You wish to claim The Bronze Fury?" Ser Laenor said as he sat next to Aerion, "Are you mad? You know my Mother's Grandsire is the only rider of that one."
They were in the courtyard of the Red Keep, eating lemon cakes as they sat on a stone bench. Ser Gerold was off in the distance, discussing some matters with Lord Lyonel Strong. Laenor Velaryon was the only one present with Aerion was comfortable talking alone.
The Young Lord was able to tell that many in King's Landing weren't suitable for him to talk to. Even he, at a young age, was able to get odd vibes from the people there.
Aerion nodded as he took a bite of the cake, "Yes." He said, "If His Grace wants me to claim a dragon, then it should be him."
"Have you ever been to Dragonstone?" Laenor asked him, "You're too young to even attempt to be in that one's presence."
"Your sister claimed Vhagar, did she not?" Aerion said, "I can claim Vermithor."
Laenor chuckled, "That is different." He said, "She was much older."
Aerion nodded, "Okay." He said simply
Laenor looked at him, "H-Have you heard from him?" He asked, "Your Father."
Aerion shook his head, "No." He said, "Lady Laena sends letters and tells me about my sisters, that is all."
Laenor looked down, "I see." He said, "One day, you'll be able to see him."
"It doesn't bother me if I won't ever see him." Aerion said as he looked into the distance, "As long as I can meet my sisters, I don't care."
"Hm.." Laenor said, "The Princess says she's glad you're here. Forgive her if you haven't seen her yet, she's tending to Jacaerys and well, she's also with child."
Aerion nodded, "It is fine." He said, "It doesn't bother me."
"Not a lot of things do, huh?" Laenor chuckled
"Will you spar with me today, Ser Laenor?" Aerion said, "I saw Ser Criston in the training yard and he offered to train me, but I refused. Not to be rude, but I don't like the way he looks at me."
Laenor frowned, "How so?"
"I don't know." He said, "I just don't like it. Ser Harwin told me he'll teach me but I don't know either, something seems off about him."
Ser Laenor gulped, "W-What do you mean?"
"He's....I don't know." Aerion said, "I'll give him the benefit of the doubt but for now, I refused him."
Laenor nodded, "Well, I got some time if you want to spar today."
"Good." Aerion said, "I intend to be a strong Knight soon."
"You'll help me get to that level."