[A/N: I appreciate all the support you guys. This story is what? A week old? It is already at 400k reads, that's awesome.
One thing I wanna make clear, considering my intention with my MC. I have seen a particular comment regarding him; it is stated that Aerion is merely a replacement of Daemon within the Plot of H.O.T.D. and while that is true, to an extent, I just want to say that when considering this story and the other (Black Lord), Aerion plays a major part in the history of Targaryen Rule.
I won't spoil anything as this is just the beginning, but yea. Aerion isn't just an OC that replaces a canon character and goes through their lives, so to speak. I have something big planned for him that will connect with the Plot of Black Lord. How? Well, just give me a chance.
For now, enjoy the starting stages of the story]
(Aerion's POV)
"Brother!" Baela said as she jumped into my arms
"Baela, It's good to see you." I said as I hugged her, "You're growing just as fast as Rhaena."
She pulled away, "Yes." She said with a smile, "Where is she? Where is Visenya?"
"Over here." Rhaenyra said as she walked towards us while holding our daughter, "Come meet her."
Baela giggled as she ran towards them, "I'm so happy!"
I chuckled, "Yea..." I said
"Congratulations, Aerion." I heard Princess Rhaenys said
I turned to see her walking up to me with a slight smile, "I find that Daughters are well..." She said as she patted my arm, "Delightful. Laena was a joy in my life, as I hope Visenya will be to yours."
"Those are kind words, Princess." I said as I smiled, "Thank you."
She nodded, "Before I meet the Princess." She said, "I warn you, My Husband will wish to speak to you alone. If you have any sense in you, quickly refuse him before Rhaenyra discovers you two."
I frowned, "How so?" I said
"You'll see." She said before walking past me
I stood there and watched as she walked up to Rhaenyra who was holding Visenya in her arms.
"Lord Aerion." I heard Ser Steffon say, "Apologies, Lord Corlys wishes to speak with you at the Painted Table."
I looked at him, "I see." I said, "Very well then."
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"I understand that the Stepstones are not on this table..." Lord Corlys said as he stood next to Dorne, "But Dorne is. And they've become a problem."
I stood at the head of the table, where the North was as I looked at him. He was holding his hands behind his back as he gave me a serious look.
"Hm." I said, "And why is that?"
"You are aware of the Triarchy's alliance with House Martell." He said, "Up until a few weeks ago, they have not been a problem for my forces. I have not had the need to sail out but word has reached me from Vaemond; Dornish ships have been attacking our vessels, raiding them and forcing them to retreat. We cannot fight a battle on two fronts with the men we have."
I nodded, "Understood." I said, "And that means?"
"I head out shortly after this. I have sent reinforcements to aid Vaemond and I will soon follow." Lord Corlys said, "To fight back and crush the Triarchy and Dorne."
"I see." I said as I placed my hands behind my back, "That will be a tough battle, My Lord."
"Yes." He said as he looked at me, "It will be. Which is why I have come here to seek out your aid."
"Me? I have no experience in Naval Warfare." I told him, "What good will I do?"
He chuckled, "You intend to play a fool, Lord Aerion?" He said, "Your Dragon."
I nodded, "I figured as much." I said, "You wish for Vermithor to descend into battle?"
"I apologize for this, I know you have just recently had a daughter." He said as he walked towards me, "But I would not have come if I did not need your help. I do, I need the help of a dragon in this battle. If the Triarchy gains more territory, pinching my forces from the east as the Dornish close in from the west, they'll effectively cut off the shipping lanes and my House will be crippled...No, the Realm will suffer as well."
"I see." I said, "A blockade. Cutting off any merchant trading from the East. And not just that, there will be no guarantee that those lanes could shift to go past Dorne and towards the Reach or Westerland either, with them controlling that area."
"Exactly." Lord Corlys said, "I have petitioned with the Crown, your Uncle has been bedridden and the Queen and her Father, the Hand, have refused any aid. This is just like all those years ago."
"When you sought my Father's help." I said
"Yes." He said as he walked back towards where he stood originally, "Daemon is not here and even if he were, he would not help me. He will have no interest. I have heard that he resides in Pentos, has not been seen anywhere else other than that."
"Hm." I said, "Even if you enlist my help, the Triarchy and Dorne will adapt to a Dragon in the field. If I recall Ser Laenor's stories correctly, they would simply hide in caves to avoid dragonfire."
"Yes, that is correct." He said, "But since there has not been a dragon as of lately, they have been more aggressive in their approaches. If there's suddenly a dragon on the field, it could potentially cripple them."
I shrugged, "How do you suppose we make that happen?" I asked, "There's no way they would not notice a dragon near their waters, considering the Dornish fleet often patrols the Dornish Sea. If they spot Vermithor, they could potentially alert them."
"Not if we figure out a way to-" He said before stopping and clearing his throat, "P-Princess."
He bowed slightly at Rhaenyra who was standing there at the entrance of the room, Rhaenys besides her.
"Oh, continue, do not mind me, Lord Corlys." Rhaenyra said with a serious face, "Please try to enlist my Husband into a war without my knowledge or leave. Rather than meeting your Grandaughter's niece, that is."
"Ah, well..." Lord Corlys said as he took a step back, "Princess, you are aware of the conflict in the Stepstones."
"I am." Rhaenyra said as both her and Rhaenys walked towards the table, "Why are you bothering Aerion with this?"
I cleared my throat, "Lord Corlys was telling me how the Crown is not lending aid." I said walking towards Rhaenyra who stood next to where Casterly Rock was in the table, "And suggested that if I were to aid them on your orders, the Realm will see that you in fact act in the interest of it. Should we win, of course."
Corlys looked at me, a bit perplexed at what I said. I gave him a nod, silently telling him not to worry about it and let me handle this.
Rhaenyra said, "Yes, Aerion, but I will not have you fly to war for months on end, perhaps Years...." She said, "No, I will not have that."
I placed my hand on her waist, "Rhaenyra." I said softly, "I have nothing but the interest of our Family and the Realm at hand."
"How so?" Rhaenyra said, "This...Aerion, is madness. Even if you don't die, it means you will be gone a long time. You cannot be serious. The Triarchy has given the Velaryon fleet serious trouble in the past, this will be no different."
"Well..." Rhaenys said, "That is true. I don't suggest he goes, but Lord Corlys is adamant about needing his help."
"A Dragon can help cripple the Triarchy and force the Dornish back." He said, "I know it could happen."
"I agree." I said as I gently rubbed Rhaenyra's back, "If left alone, House Martell will aid the Triarchy in cutting those shipping lanes off, something needs to be done about that."
"And how do you intend to use Vermithor in easily crippling the enemy when in the past, neither Seasmoke nor Caraxes was able to do this quite rapidly." Rhaenyra asked Corlys, "Daemon and Laenor were gone many years, as were you, Lord Corlys."
"Well...." Lord Corlys looked at the table, "The thing is..."
"Lure them out." I said suddenly as I looked at the table
"What?" Corlys said
I walked over to where he stood, passing Rhaenys and pointing at the area next to Dorne, "Lure both the Triarchy and the dornish out." I said, "You can manage that, can you? Make them both think they are needed to push back the advance, retreat, and make them think that they can finish you off all while playing a back-and-forth. If done correctly, you can have them consistently seeking you out in the open."
"I...." Lord Corlys cleared his throat, "Yes, I could do that....but where does that leave you?"
"I will wait until I receive a message that this tactic is working." I said, "And then I will ambush them right as they are in the open, hopefully landing a serious blow to their fleets and ground power."
"And how will we do that effectively?" He asked, "Dragonstone is a week's sail at the very least. It could result catastrophically."
I pointed towards the Storm's Land, "Tarth." I said, "I'll wait there in the meantime. It's somewhat close to the Stepstones but not in the Dornish Sea where they could spot a dragon somehow. When you have them out consistently, send a ship to signal me. I will fly from Tarth to the Stepstones and join the battle."
He looked at the table, "Hm." He said, "That is an interesting plan.....but it could be an effective one, should it work."
"Let us pray that it does." I said with a slight smile
"Princess?" Corlys said as he looked over at Rhaenyra, "What say you?"
Rhaenyra was looking at me, "Oh go, then." she scoffed, "Fly to war, my Husband. Your daughter will await you, should you survive."
I sighed, "Oh boy." I muttered, "She is not happy."
"Thank you, Princess." Corlys slightly bowed, "Just know that I came here with the intention of helping the realm."
"I know, Lord Corlys." She said, "And I thank you for keeping my standing with the people in mind. If the Crown won't help, someone should. I did not wish it to be my husband, but it appears he disagrees with me, always so rash."
I looked down, "Well..." I said
"Princess Rhaenys and I will be in Visenya's quarters should you wish to meet my daughter, Lord Corlys." Rhaenyra said, "As for you, Husband, I expect to see you tonight, we need to have a discussion."
She then walked away, followed by Rhaenys who gave me a slight smile.
As they left the room, Corlys looked at me, "So...." He said, "How bad is it?"
I shrugged, "Pretty bad, I think." I said, "But what can we do, Lord Corlys?"
"Wives worry sick while men go to war."