(Third Person POV)
[King's Landing, Two Years Later]
Above the blackwater, The Bronze Fury flew towards the capital, letting out a massive roar to signal his arrival. Atop it, Aerion Targaryen sat on the saddle, with a slight smile. The salty breeze hit his face as Vermithor lowered himself to be narrowly above the water.
Near the flying Dragon, a ship with House Royce's sigil was seen, sailing towards the bay. On the side of the ship, Ser Gerold Royce stood there as he watched with a concerned face.
"Every time I see him take flight with that beast, I worry for the boy." He said aloud as Vermithor roared in the distance and flapped his wings
Behind him, Lord Moore and his daughter, Ariana stood as they both watched in awe of the sight.
"The Young Lord is brave, being atop that one." Lord Moore said
Ariana walked over to the edge of the ship and smiled, "He's certainly something...."
"I thank you, Ser Gerold." Lord Moore continued, "For bringing us to court with the young lord."
"It was Lord Aerion's idea." Ser Gerold said, "He's the one who proposed it."
Atop Vermithor, the young dragonrider laughed as the beast rumbled.
"Come Vermithor, let us see what the King wants." He said as he patted his hide,
"Forward."
********************************
King Viserys coughed into a napkin as he sat in a chair inside his chamber, "Ah...." He groaned in pain as Lord Lyonel stood next to him, "Is he here? I heard Vermithor's roaring earlier."
"Yes, Your Grace." Lyonel said, "He's here."
The doors opened and Aerion walked in, his hands behind his back as Ser Gerold followed him.
"Your Grace." He said as he stopped a few feet away and bowed slightly, "I have come as quickly as I could."
Viserys smiled, "Ah, my boy." He said, "How was the flight?"
"Well, I had to wait for Ser Gerold's ship to get a head start, but it was good." Aerion said as he chuckled, "Vermithor and I hunted for a bit."
Viserys chuckled, "That's good." he said, "I heard you brought your betrothed to court and her Father, Lord Moore."
Ser Gerold shifted behind Aerion, staying quiet.
"Yes, Your Grace, I hope that wouldn't be too much of a trouble." He said, "I wanted to display to the Crown that I do care at least a bit for the woman I'll soon marry."
Viserys nodded, "Good...Good..." He said as he gestured at Lyonel, "Give it to him."
Lyonel nodded and walked over to a table, opening a large case and gesturing at Aerion to walk over.
"We received this a few weeks ago, but due to some issues we were dealing with, we had to wait a bit to call you over, Milord." Lyonel said as Aerion reached him, "A gift. From your Father and the Lady Laena."
Aerion looked at what was in the case; a Valyrian Steel Sword. He immediately noticed the bronze dragon on its handle, with rubies as eyes. Its hilt was also bronze, fashioned to be similar to wings. Aerion saw that the dragon's head had a similar shape to that of Vermithor's.
"Valyrian steel..." He said as he ran his hand by the blade, "This is for me?"
He looked at Viserys who nodded, "Yes, my boy." He said, "Daemon sent it for you."
Lyonel handed Aerion a letter who took it and opened it, reading it's contents.
It read:
"Congratulations on claiming that old bronze grouch. Laena spent a long time trying to convince me to send this to you. I was willing to send it as I originally found it but she insisted I commissioned it to be fashioned to your liking."
Aerion frowned and turned the paper around, seeing if there was anything else written, but there wasn't.
"Hm...." he said simply
"You are nearly turning Ten and Three...." Viserys said, "The Lords of The Vale are praising your maturity and qualities of a Knight. You've squired for Ser Gerold here for a long time and your skills with weaponry are that of a warrior. This sword will represent the Targaryen's presence in the Vale, Aerion. When you become a Knight, songs will be written about you, people will praise your sigil. Do not think I have forgotten about that."
Ser Gerold smiled slightly at this, but didn't say a word. He merely looked at Aerion who was still looking at the piece of paper.
"He's still in Pentos?" Aerion asked
Lord Lyonel nodded, "Yes, he is." He said
"He couldn't fly himself to give me this?" Aerion set the paper down as he sighed, "At least bring my sisters to meet them..."
"The time will come when you'll meet them, I'm sure." Viserys said, "For now, this is a day worth celebrating! You have your own Valyrian Steel blade!"
"House Royce has Lamentation." Aerion said, "I was going to inherit that one."
"Yes, but this one, it's yours, not House Royce's." Viserys coughed into his napkin, "Ah.....it will be wielded by you alone and whomever you wish to pass it down to....."
Ser Gerold cleared his throat, "This is a good thing, Milord." He told Aerion
Aerion grabbed the handle of the sword and picked it up, examining the blade as he raised it up into the air.
Lyonel stepped back a bit in caution, "I have heard that your skill with the sword rivals that of my son, Ser Harwin." He said, "Mayhaps you care to show it to us today?"
Aerion pointed the sword forward, squinting and admiring the craftmanship, "I am not interested in sparring Harwin Breakbones, Lord Hand." He said, "There's no point, I am better than him."
Lord Lyonel could not resist chuckling, "I wonder if he will take that remark well." he said as he glanced at King Viserys who was smiling
"Now now, Aerion." he said, "Have you gone and seen your cousins? Aemond and Helaena have asked for you."
Aerion picked up the scabbard of the blade and sheathed it, "I suppose I can go see them only." He said, "No offense, Your Grace, but Aegon is rather annoying."
**********************************************
"Ah, if it isn't the Bronze Dragon!" Ser Laenor said as he patted Aerion's shoulder, "How have you been, Aerion? Where's Ser Gerold?"
They were in the training yard, Aerion saw Criston Cole sparring with other members of the Kingsguard when Laenor approached him. He leaned against the wall, holding onto his new Valyrian Steel sword that was sheathed.
"Uncle is eating with Lord Moore and his daughter." He said, "I've decided to come here and see where Breakbones is, apparently he heard that I said I was better than him and offered a challenge."
"Hehe." Laenor said with a smile, "I'll have to say, it's getting rather boring here as of late. You're fortunate you're not spending much time in King's Landing. Have you and Vermithor done some crazy adventures?"
"Not really." Aerion said, "Ever since I flew him over the Vale once, every criminal and crook have been cowering in fear. Especially the Mountain Tribes, they haven't done any raiding or pillaging in a long while. I think they might starve."
Laenor followed his gaze to Criston Cole, who was still sparring with the Cargylle Twins. Aerion had a serious look in his eyes, one that of contempt.
"What's your unusual stare of contempt?" Laenor asked
"Criston Cole." Aerion said, "I remember one time I visited the capital and he kept glaring at me. I was a child then, but I remember. Ever since then, I've returned the glare any chance I could get. I think it unsettles him."
"He's a Knight of the Kingsguard." Laenor said, "You should watch what you say about hi-"
"He's a Cunt." Aerion cut him off
Laenor looked at him with surprise, "Excuse me?"
"You heard me." He replied
Laenor chuckled, "Ohoho..." He said, "Now, that is Daemon Targaryen right there."
Aerion scowled, "What did you say?" He said as he looked at him
"Your Father's favorite words." Laenor said, "He loves insulting people like that. He's called Ser Criston a Cunt, even the former Hand, Ser Otto. He likes calling everyone a cunt."
"Hm..." Aerion said, "Maybe I shouldn't say that anymore."
Laenor then looked at the sword, "My, what is this?" He said as he reached down and touched the handle, "New sword? Shiny."
"Valyrian Steel. My father sent it to me. Your sister convinced him to gift it to me as a reward for claiming Vermithor." Aerion said as he showed it to him, "Quite late, I'll tell you that."
"Well, letters can take a while to cross the seas, especially high-value packages like this." Laenor said with a smile
"Not if you fly a dragon." Aerion said, "I've contemplated to fly to Pentos on Vermithor but Uncle Gerold has convinced me otherwise. I shouldn't be so desperate, he tells me."
"That is true." Laenor said, "I would've flown there on Seasmoke myself if your cousin hadn't convinced me. Rhaenyra tells me the exact same thing. She's had a bad falling out with her uncle a long time ago, after our Wedding."
"Hm." Aerion said, "I'm starting to believe not a lot of people like him."
"Well...." Laenor said as he crossed his arms, "It's complicated..."
"He beat my mother." Aerion said bluntly, "When I was conceived."
Laenor looked at him, "How do you know that?"
"Ser Gerold confessed it to me when he was drunk." Aerion said as he stared ahead, "I was so angry about it....My own Mother, whom I remember vividly.....I miss her terribly....."
"Of course you do." Laenor patted his shoulder
"I still am. Angry at him." Aerion said, "I wonder how badly a fight between Vermithor and Caraxes would go about."
"Now now, let's not do something so drastic." Laenor said
"It's fine." Aerion said, "I'll stay my blade, simply because His Grace asked me to."
"Well, speaking about it...." Laenor gestured at the sword, "Have you named it?"
Aerion shook his head, "Not yet." He said, "I've been thinking about it. Bronzeclaw? Bronzefang? I don't know. Never been good at naming things."
Laenor looked down, as if in deep thought, "Hm...." He said, "How about naming it after her?"
Aerion looked at him, "I'm sorry?"
"Your Mother." Laenor said, "Call it that...."
"Lady Rhea."