[a/n: whoa, guys, 800k? That's crazy to me. We might actually hit 1M reads by the end of the week if I consistently upload multiple chapters a day. I appreciate all of the support, I really do.]
[Dragonstone, A Few Days Later]
(Aerion's POV)
"My love." I heard Rhaenyra call me as I opened my eyes
I was laying face-down on the bed as she gently nudged my shoulder, "Hm?" I said as I lifted my head up, "What's the matter?"
She crawled into bed, "You're awake." She smiled as she laid next to me as I drowsily looked at her, "I wanted to talk to you about something."
I saw as she leaned her head on the pillow, covering herself underneath the blanket as I blinked, confused.
"....sure." I said with a drowsy frown, "What is it?"
She patted my cheek as she blushed slightly, "I want another one...." She said softly
"I...." i said as I rubbed my eye, "I thought we talked about this....."
"I've been yearning for another child, Aerion..." She said, "The way you fought for me and Visenya in the Tourney, it moved me...I realized that I want to continue my line through you, to have as many children as we possibly can..."
I turned to face her, leaning on my side, "Hm...." I said as I ran my hand through her beautiful hair, "Is that so?"
She nodded, "You were born for battle, Aerion, your body is powerful and mighty...." She said softly, "I was born to be a mother.....I wish to create sons that are are strong as you, as gentle and honorable as their Father."
I gave her a smile as I patted her shoulder, "That's a...." I said, "If you feel like you can...."
"You don't want it?" She asked with a frown
"I want whatever you want.." I said as I held her waist, "For you, I would do anything."
I pulled her closer to me as she smiled, "Ah...." she said
"We can start right now." I said with a chuckle as I leaned in and kissed her on the cheek, "We can make Aegon already....our son....if you wish...."
"Aegon..." She said softly, "What if it's another girl? I would love another daughter...."
"I don't know what we would name her." I told her, "I....hm....."
"What?" She asked, "Did you think of a name?"
"I don't know if it's very Targaryen, though..." I said
"Tell me." She said
"I would like to name her after my Mother." I said softly
She smiled, "Of course." She said, "Of course, Aerion, it doesn't matter if it isn't a Targaryen name. Your children will have her blood running through their veins."
I ran my hands to her thighs, caressing them, "Hm..." I said, "You know....You were awfully.....willing after that Tourney. Did watching me fight for you....arouse you?"
She blushed, "Perhaps...."
"Rhaenyra Targaryen, Heir to the Throne." I said with a chuckle, "Feeling hot after seeing me beat her former sworn protector. Who would have thought..."
"Stop it." She laughed, "Ah....it felt good, seeing you do that. After all the things he's said about us....he deserved it."
"Indeed he did." I leaned in and kissed her lips briefly, "Well, let's not think about that anymore. We shoul-"
I heard knocking on the chamber doors, "P-Princess? My Lord!" I heard Ser Lorent's voice
I sat up, sighing, "Come on in, Ser." I answered as Rhaenyra got out of bed and patted her dress
The door opened Ser Lorent walked in bowing slightly, "Mine apologies." He said, "But Princess, a Velaryon ship has just docked. They have requested your audience alongside Lord Aerion."
"Lord Corlys?" Rhaenyra asked, "He doesn't need to ask for my audience, I'll always receive him."
"No, My Princess, not Lord Corlys." He said, "It is Lord Vaemond Velaryon and his two sons, Daeron and Daemion."
I rolled my eyes, "That guy?"
**********************************************
"Princess." Vaemond said as Rhaenyra stood next to me as I sat on a chair, "Thank you for having us."
Rhaenyra was holding my hand as she nodded, "Of course, Lord Vaemon, what is it that you require of me?" she said, "Well, of us both....."
Vaemond looked at me, "My Lord..."
"Ser Vaemond." I nodded as I looked at his two sons standing behind him silently, "Daeron, Daemion."
They didn't respond, merely looked back at me with serious looks on their faces.
"Princess, I have come here to request for justice to be served." Vaemond said
Rhaenyra frowned, "Justice?"
Vaemond looked at me, "After our return from the Stepstones, a victory that was only possible with Lord Aerion's support, there was an incident regarding a man from one of the villages in Dragonstone." He started, "He got in an argument with one of my ship's crewmembers and it resulted in the death of said member."
"Hm." I said, "Was this in Driftmark?"
He nodded, "It was."
"I trust that you or the Lord of The Tides can handle that situation. If there were witnesses that can prove the crime, then it would not be a problem." I said
"Agreed." Rhaenyra said
"The culprit fled the scene." Vaemond continued, "I have reason to believe he is in hiding in one of the villages. I have come here to ask leave to search them, as this is your island, Princess."
Rhaenyra looked at me, "Well..." She said, "I don't mind as long as nothing of the extreme is to be done."
"Of course." Vaemond said
I nodded, "Agreed." I said, "Out of curiosity, how did it happen? The murder."
"That is where it is complicated." Vaemond said, "We are not going to hang the man or anything. We just need to question him. Everything seemed so....peculiar...and which is why I was going to ask for your assistance, My Lord."
I raised an eyebrow, "How so?"
"Witnesses report that the man was having a fierce argument with my crew member and he pushed him on the ground." He continued, "And out of nowhere...a Dragon landed and devoured him, leaving his arm on the ground."
"W-What?" Rhaenyra said with surprise
"I don't understand it either, the dragon suddenly burst from out of nowhere and ate him, and flew away." Vaemond said seriously, "I don't know what's at play here, but I would ask that Lord Aerion joins us in the questioning of the culprit. Figure out what's going on."
"Was it a Wild Dragon?" I asked
"It appears so." He replied, "A large one, completely charcoal grey and white stripes. It has ice-blue eyes."
I frowned, "The Grey Annoyance...." I said as I stood up, "That's the one that attacked the Tower months ago, Rhaenyra, it ate the arm of one of our guards."
"It was in Driftmark..." Rhaenyra said, "Aerion...."
"The Dragon was spotted on the other side of the island, Princess." Vaemond said, "I just came to ask for your leave and for Lord Aerion's aid, once again."
"I...." Rhaenyra said
I looked at her and gave her an assuring nod, "I doubt we'll fight a dragon, Rhaenyra." I said, "Just track the man down and question what that was about. Maybe it was a coincidence.....or maybe there's something at play."
"You don't think he's a dragonrider...do you?" She asked
"I don't know." I said, "Who could've claimed the wild dragons? Maester Gerardys state that many have tried claiming them for decades but have failed miserably. Whoever is behind this...."
"There's something at play here."