(Aerion's POV)
"What got in your mind?" I scolded Jace as he dismounted from Vermax, "You trying to get the both of us killed???"
He laughed, "I'm good at Dragonriding, Aerion, so are you." He said as he took his gloves off
"No, not that!" I said with a scowl, "Your mother, you fool. You trying to give her a stroke? Going off and doing reckless shit! If I can't be doing that, then neither can you, Jace."
He patted my arm, "It's fun!" He said, "We don't get to do that much."
I sighed as I stood there, "You little...." I muttered, "Listen. Go and start your Valyrian lessons with your brother."
"Fine." He chuckled, "See ya later."
He walked away as Maester Gerardys approached me, "My Lord." He said, "A letter. From KIng's Landing."
I frowned, "King's Landing?" I said, "Is the King okay?"
"Well, from the reports, King Viserys is getting healthier." He said as he handed me the letter
"That's good..." I said as I looked at it, "It's been a while since I've heard from the Capital."
I read the letter:
"Lord Aerion,
I, Otto Hightower, summon you to King's Landing. You are to arrive within a few days, as it is an urgent matter. Speak to nobody of what I am about to write in this letter, there were strict instructions that this is for your eyes only.
An envoy from the North had arrived days ago, delivering a message regarding one of your fellow Royce Knights. I had ordered Runestone not to send a message since I wanted nobody to find out about the incident. Willam Royce and the others are sailing to King's Landing. You, as Lord of Runestone, must come at once. One thing I can say through this letter is this; Waymar Royce, one of your cousins, has been murdered.
Nobody knows what happened."
I widened my eyes, my face going pale as my hands began to shake, "W-What....?" I said softly
"My Lord....?" Maester Gerardys said, "Are you alright?"
"Impossible..." I muttered, "Waymar?"
"Lord Aerion.....your face is pale....." He said
"Send a raven to Runestone." I told him as I folded the letter and put it in my pocket, "Genna is acting Castellan, write to her. Tell her that I am my way to King's Landing to find out what happened. Just write that. Do it now."
"My Lord?" He said as I walked past him
"Just do it." I said
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"What?" Rhaenyra said as she looked up from the letter, "Aerion...You're going?"
I nodded as I was changing my clothes, "Yea." I said, "There's a reason Otto is calling me alone."
"This could be some sort of trick." she said, "Maybe they want you for some other reason."
"Perhaps." I said as she walked towards me, "But Otto Hightower isn't a fool. There must be something else going on. A reason why he doesn't want the incident to go to light."
"Aerion..." She said as she reached me, "I'll write to my Father, ask him what's going on...."
"My cousin is dead, Rhaenyra." I said, "One of my people was murdered. I may not have been that close with Waymar, but he was my kin, we looked out for each other. I have to find out the truth. If Otto didn't write it in the letter, then that must mean that it's serious. Very serious."
"I understand...." she said, "I just don't like the sound of this. We should all g-"
"No." I said, "Stay here. I can't risk you going anywhere, alright?"
I looked down at her belly and sighed, crouching down and gently patting it, feeling my child's heartbeat.
"Aerion...." She said
I kissed her stomach, "I love you." I said softly as I looked up at her, "I really do, Rhaenyra. I would love nothing but to stay here. But this is my Duty. I am Lord of Runestone. They are my Family, my blood, my Kin. If I can't look out for them, how do I expect to do the same with me...with us..?"
She patted my cheek, "Fine.." She said softly, "Very well.....at least....kiss your daughter goodbye."
I smiled as I straightened up, "Of course...." I said, "I will."
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"Wait, where are you going?" Jace asked me as I walked towards Visenya who was being held by Elinda
"King's Landing." I said as I reached down and grabbed my daughter from her arms, "I don't know when I'll be back."
"What? What happened?" He asked as I held Visenya with a slight smile
"I cannot say." i said as I kissed Visenya's cheeks, "I'll be back, my love....don't cry for father, okay?"
She cooed as she gently smacked my nose.
I chuckled, "Oh, my precious." I said as I kissed her on her nose, "You're the light of my life....."
"Aerion..." Jace said as I gently handed Visenya back to Elinda who was sitting down on a chair, "I'm serious. Do you need me?"
I straightened up and looked at him, "What?" I asked
"I can go with you." He said, "You may need help."
I shook my head, "No, you stay here." I said
"But, Aerion, I'm not a kid anymore!" He exclaimed, "I can handle myself!"
I sighed and patted his shoulder, "You may think so." I said, "Hells, you may be right. But that's why I want you here, to hold down the fort. Your mother is pregnant, she can't be moving about so recklessly. You are the eldest, Jace. You have a responsibility to your siblings; help your Mother keep them safe."
"But...." He said with a frown, "What if you need me?"
I chuckled, "I won't be alone." I said, "The Knights of Runestone will be at my side, kid."
I ruffled his hair as he took a step back.
"Fine..." He said as he looked down
I walked past him as I rubbed my hands, making my way to the door.
"I just want to prove myself to you." He called after me
I stopped and looked at him, surprised, "Huh?"
He had a serious frown, "I want to prove that I am a capable man...." He said, "That's all...."
I nodded with a smile, "You don't need to prove anything to me, Jace." I said with a chuckle, "I know."
"If you know, then why don't you trust me." He said as he approached me, "You never do. You don't trust me enough to step into battle with you! My dragon is large enough, I...."
"There is more to battle than commanding your dragon to breathe fire." I said seriously, "The world where I come from, where I was raised....it isn't just riding atop a dragon, as great and majestic as that is.....It's different. To fight...to kill....there's a difference. Are you ready to do that, Jaecaerys? To kill? I told you, boys, once before, you must know what you are fighting for, What you are taking lives for. Do you know what you are fighting for?"
"I..." He said, "Well...."
"I have my duties as your Mother's husband, yes. As Prince-Consort, it is my duty to get you ready to be a proper Heir to Rhaenyra. You are next in line to the Throne after her." I said seriously, "But also have duties as Lord of Runestone. And you know what I am to be doing as my duty?"
"W-What?" He asked
I patted his shoulder,
"Delivering Justice."