(Third Person POV)
[Several Miles Outside of Runestone, The Vale. Three Years Later]
Aerion stood before an open wooden carriage that had several wrapped bodies, he had a grief-stricken face as tears ran down his cheeks, his fists clenching on the handle of his blade. Vermithor, The Bronze Fury, sat on a hill vocalizing loudly as he looked at his rider.
On another hill, a makeshift gallows stood with several bodies of what looked like tribesmen as several men stood around it, looking at their Young Lord.
"Uncle...." He sniffed
The bodies belonged to Ser Gerold, Ariana Moore, and several other servants. Gerold Royce had been escorting the Lady to Runestone when they were ambushed by a band of Mountain People, completely overwhelmed and killed while their convoy was sacked and pillaged. When the knights of Runestone came upon them, they immediately hunted down the tribesmen, capturing those that were not killed and brought them before Aerion who hanged them.
Lady Ariana's body was to be sent to her Father alongside a letter from Aerion, voicing his condolences. Despite not being love-stricken with the girl who was older than him, Aerion was fond of her and took their betrothal seriously. This was a great wound to his heat; his betrothed and father figure died suddenly.
He then heard a stampede of hooves behind him as Vermithor vocalized in response.
Turning around, Aerion saw more of his Runestone Knights approaching, holding torches as the darkness of the Night befell them.
"Milord!" One of the riders said as they slowed to a stop, "We have just received word!"
Aerion wiped his tears away, "W-Word of what?" He said as he composed himself, "What is going on now?"
"Ser Laenor Velaryon is dead." the rider said
Aerion widened his eyes in shock, "W-What?!" He exclaimed
"Milord, I apologize if this is too much to bear...." the rider said, "But Ser Laenor was cut down in Maidenpool after a serious argument with another Knight companion of his, Ser Qarl....we do not know the nature of the argument but I am told that there were several others in this quarrel. Ser Qarl plunged his sword into the back of Ser Laenor.....I'm sorry."
Aerion's ears began to ring as he stumbled slightly, completely baffled by the news. This was adding more weight to his current heartbreak, the news of his good friend Laenor's death was not something he wished to hear at the moment.
Princess Rhaenyra was pregnant with her and Ser Laenor's third child, she was not due for a few weeks from what Aerion was told and he was going to King's Landing to see the child's arrival.
"L-Laenor...." He said softly as he looked down, "It can't be...."
Laenor was present when Aerion was knighted a few years prior, when he was fourteen, being the youngest Knight in history. His skill with the sword was so great that nobody, not even Criston Cole, would dare challenge him to a duel. He wielded his personal Valyrian Steel sword, Lady Rhea, alongside Lamentation, House Royce's family sword. While it was rare that he would display his dual-wielding skills, such a feat was notable around the Seven Kingdoms.
Vermithor let out a rumble as he shifted, looking at Aerion who composed himself yet again.
He cleared his throat, "I see...." He said
"Milord." the rider said, "We've received word that Ser Qarl and those involved in the murder had been spotted in the Vale, near our territory...."
Aerion's expression hardened as an angry glint was seen in his eyes, "Is that so?" He said as he took a step forth, "Where?"
"Not too far, I have riders out looking for him." the rider said, "I've had a letter sent for Lady Arryn as well, to inform her of this. Ser Laenor was the Princess's consort, this will not stand."
"No." Aerion said with a serious expression, "It will not. Take my Uncle and my betrothed's remains to Runestone. Send a letter to House Moore and let them know I will personally deliver Ariana's body to them. After I deal with this."
"I want Qarl's head."
**************************************************
[King's Landing]
"What is the meaning of this?!" Lord Corlys demanded angrily as Princess Rhaenys ran towards Laenor's wrapped body
"Laenor!!" She cried with tears in her eyes, "N-No!!"
Viserys and Lyonel stood next to the body with serious looks on their faces. Rhaenys slowly placed her hand on the head as she sobbed.
Corlys walked up to them, "What happened?" He said trying to hold back tears
"I....Corlys...." Viserys managed, "We do not know....we just received him....Maidenpool.....I..."
"Ser Laenor was attacked by Ser Qarl Correy and a few other conspirers." Lyonel said, "Witnesses say there was a fierce argument after Ser Qarl had lured him to Maidenpool without his dragon. He then plunged his sword into his back after Laenor fought off several men who lunged at him. Lord Corlys, Princess, You have my condolences."
Corlys closed his eyes as tears ran down his face, clenching fists as he turned around, "N-No..." He said softly, "Those cowards.....!"
Rhaenys had dug her face into the wrapped chest of Laenor, sobbing inconsolably as Corly walked up to her and embraced her from behind.
Viserys looked at him, "R-Rhaenyra couldn't come and see him..." He said, "She....we had a false alarm when she found out. Thankfully she and the child are okay...I...those poor boys, my poor girl is heartbroken at this moment...I don't know what to say...."
Corlys looked at him, "Where are these cowards?" He asked with anger, "Bring me their heads, I want them killed for this!"
"From the reports, they escaped to the Vale, I had sent word to every lord, every castle to be on the lookout." Lyonel said, "They will not get away with this."
As this happened, a servant walked in, "M-Mine apologies...." She said as she walked towards them with her head hung
"What is it?" Lyonel asked
She handed a piece of paper to the Hand, "It just arrived, they told me to give it to you as quickly as possible..."
Lyonel opened the paper and read it, his eyes widening with shock.
"What is it?" Viserys asked
"S-Ser....Ser Gerold Royce.....he's dead, Your Grace." Lyonel managed as he looked at him, "Him and Lord Aerion's betrothed, Ariana Moore. They were attacked by tribesmen...."
"What?" Viserys took the paper from him and read it, "Oh no....this can't be....."
"L-Lord Corlys, the letter also said that the knights of Runestone and Lord Aerion are currently searching for Qarl and the rest." Lyonel said, "Sooner or later, justice will be delivered."
Rhaenys looked up with tears in her eyes, "Tell him...." She said shakily, "Tell that boy....to bathe them in fire...."
"They deserve dragonfire..."
*******************************************
[Back to the Vale, Outside of Runestone]
Several riders rode towards the hill where the makeshift gallows stood, the ropes empty this time as Aerion sat on a rock in front of it, his hand on his face as he had his eyes closed. There were two men next to him, holding torches as the sun slowly came up.
Vermithor was sitting down on the other hill, letting out a deep rumble as the riders approached and came to a stop.
Suddenly, they dropped several tied men on the ground, a loud thud being heard as they groaned in pain.
"Lord Aerion!" one of the Riders, "Qarl Correy and his conspirers."
Aerion slowly opened his eyes and looked down from where he sat, seeing a dirt and grime-covered man in noble clothing. He recognized the man from years prior, he was always close to Laenor.
"Hm..." He said as he stood up and walked down the hill, "Qarl Correy huh? Well done, Uncle."
The rider, being Willam Royce, nodded, "Of course, Nephew." He said
Aerion looked at the men, there were four of them, they slowly got to their knees as they had ropes wrapped around their torsos.
"Is that all?" Aerion asked as he stood there
Vermithor let out a deep growl as he leaned his face forward, snarling and baring his teeth at the men. This struck fear into Qarl Correy and the others as they began to shake in nervousness. The horses of the riders were shifting nervousness but considering they were conditioned to be around Vermithor, there was nothing to worry about them.
"We believe there is more." Willam said, "From what I've heard, these men conspired to kill Ser Laenor because Qarl was in love with him. No offense, Milord, but many knew of Ser Laenor's true nature, and while we do not judge, we did not expect his....companion.....would go this far..."
Qarl looked down in shame and anger, "Silence...you know nothing!" He spat
"I know you killed the Princess's Consort." Willam said as he spat down on the ground, "That is treason, you should be bathed in dragonfire."
Aerion nodded at the other men, "Hang them. Have Qarl watch." He said
"Wait!" one of the men said as they picked him up, "No! Get your hands off me, you cowards!!"
Aerion looked at him, "Cowards? You call us cowards? Hanging is the best fate I give you, Treasonous back-stabbing bastards!!" He said with anger, "I should have you dismembered and fed to Vermithor, you ungrateful ingrate.....You know what, kneel him down."
They then knelt him down and grabbed a large stone, placed him in front of him and leaned him over as his head was over it.
Aerion then drew his sword and in a swift motion, cut the man's head clean off as it rolled on the ground.
"There!" He shouted, "You wanted that?!"
Vermithor let out a loud roar as he reared his head back and glared at the rest. Qarl Correy saw this and began to shake in fear.
"Nephew." Willam Royce said
Aerion straightened up and composed himself, "Apologies..." He said as he began to wipe his blade with a cloth, "I....should not lose my temper like this...."
Qarl looked at him, "Mercy..." He said shakily, "Mercy please, you don't know the whole story."
Aerion glared at him, "Mercy? You want mercy??? You???" He said as he pointed his blade at him, "Did you give Ser Laenor mercy when you plunged your blade into his back?! Did you give his parents mercy by taking their son from them?! Or what of the Princess Rhaenyra? Did you show her mercy when you murdered her husband in cold blood out of jealousy?! What of her boys?! What of Jace and Luke? Did you show them mercy by leaving them fatherless?! What of their unborn sibling? That child will come into this world without a good man as a father! What mercy is that?!"
He had placed his blade at Qarl's shoulder as the despaired knight cried. Willam saw this and didn't say anything, well aware of his Lord's ire. He had just lost his Father-figure, Ser Gerold, and his fiance, he was in no mood to hear pleas from a traitorous murderer.
"You? A Knight?" Aerion continued as he glared at Qarl, "You make me sick...."
He then pulled away as he gestured at the rest, signaling them to continue with the hanging. They took the other two up the hill and to the ropes. Aerion watched as they wrapped the knots around their neck after they stood them on wooden crates. After they were secured, the men kicked the crates away and Aerion watched as they hanged, their feet kicking as they attempted to gasp for air.
Qarl Correy watched in horror as they slowly died and became motionless, their bodies swinging from side to side.
Aerion then looked at one of the men, "Sword." He told him as he extended his arm
The man drew his sword and gave it to him.
Aerion then walked over to Qarl and tossed it in front of him, "Cut him loose." He said, "Let's see if he can plunge a sword in my belly like a proper warrior."
Willam got off his horse and walked over to Qarl and cut his ropes, "Now don't think of running." He said, "The Bronze Fury will burn you to crisp by the time you try to reach a hill."
Qarl quickly reached for the sword as Willam backed away in a hurry, "Are you a fool, boy?" He said as he sniffed, "Giving me a blade?"
"It is the least I can do, giving a dead man a small sliver of hope." Aerion said as he raised his blade, "Fight me, you traitorous coward."
Qarl swung his blade with a yell only for Aerion to deflect it with ease as he stepped to the side. He then swung it around three times, missing wildly as Aerion was able to dodge with ease.
"You.." He growled, "I will make you pay for this!"
Qarl thrust his sword forward but Aerion parried it hard, disarming Qarl and in a quick motion, hit him with a riposte, plunging his blade through Qarl's belly. As this happened, the other men backed away, grabbing the reigns of their horses as the Bronze Fury slowly crawled down his hill and let out a deep growl.
"A-aghh...." Qarl groaned
Aerion gave him a serious glare, his eyes filled with anger, "This....This is how you kill a man!" He growled, "Not whatever you did to Ser Laenor.....You deserve worse than this...This is my Mercy."
Aerion pulled his blade out as Qarl collapsed to his knees, blood coming out his mouth as he looked up at him.
"You...." He managed, "I....You knew the truth.....didn't you?"
Aerion backed away as he cleaned his blade with a cloth, "Those are your last words?" He said simply before looking at Vermithor
"Dracarys"
Vermithor opened his maw and his intense flames spewed out, bathing Qarl Correy completely and finishing him off.
Willam let out a sigh, "Well..." he said as they all looked at the burning corpse of Qarl Correy, "That does it, hm?"
Aerion nodded, "Send another letter to King's Landing and one to Driftmark." he said, "Tell them that Qarl Correy is dead, justice has been served with Dragonfire. Tell Lord Corly and Princess Rhaenys that they have my deepest condolences and apologies."
"Apologies?" Willam asked
"I won't attend Ser Laenor's funeral." Aerion said as he sheathed his sword, "We must properly bury Ser Gerold and Lady Ariana and mourn them."
"That is all, thank you all for your work."