[A/N: Weekly rotation starts now. It's this story and "A God Amongst Men", I will see how much I get done within the rotation. Little heads up, tomorrow I won't be able to update much considering I have work all day but I'll try to get something done at night but no promises. ]
(Third Person POV)
"Your Father is beginning to become concerned.." Queen Alicent told her daughter, Princess Helaena, "The amount of time you are spending with Baelon alone."
Helaena was sitting down in the couch, smiling slightly as she held a book in her hand, "Is that so bad?" She said softly, "I am to become his wife. I wish to spend time with him. When we marry, we will be one...."
"When you are married, you will always be together..." Alicent said as she gave her a slight smile, "Oh, my beautiful girl. The time is near, you will finally be married. I hope you can give me grandchildren.....beautiful granddaughters and strong grandsons..."
"I..." Helaena said as she frowned, "I have not decided yet if I am comfortable with that...."
"It is but your duty, as the future Queen." Alicent reached for her hand, "I understand your concerns but trust me, nothing bad will come of it."
"Baelon will not force me." She said softly
"He will not." Alicent smiled, "I know he won't. But it is duty, Helaena. You know this...."
"Hm...." Helaena said as she looked down
"The wedding is coming soon." Alicent said softly, "You must be ready. I am glad that you are feeling happy with Baelon. He will be good to you but I want you to be good to him. He may not know it but he desires to be a Father, I can see it in his eyes."
"Baelon is...." Helaena started
"This is a conversation we must have later, okay?" Alicent stroked her hair, "Soon, we'll go and visit your sister. Perhaps she can convince you.... "
Helaena looked at her, "R-Rhaenyra?"
Alicent nodded, "Yes, your Father wishes to see her." She said, "Rhaenyra does not leave the island. And we'll have to discuss the situation when Baelon is married and moves in to Dragonstone."
"Baelon will not kick her out." Helaena said firmly, "He will not."
"We will figure something out, my dear." Alicent smiled at her, "I do not wish to do that but Rhaenyra is someone that could be reasoned with."
Before Helaena could respond, the doors opened and Aegon walked in.
"Mother, Sister..." he said as he walked up to them, looking around, "Where's Baelon?"
Alicent looked at him with a confused face, "W-What? I thought he was with you....." She said, "Ser Criston said he told him that."
Aegon frowned, "What? No. He told me he was going to be with Helaena." he said, "The bloody hell...."
Alicent looked at Helaena, "Where is Baelon? Do you know?"
Helaena shook her head, "N-No.." She said, "He told me he was going to be with Aemond today, to spar."
Almost as on cue, Aemond walked in, looking around, "Mother." He said, "Where is Baelon?"
"What? Not here." Alicent stood up
Aemond frowned, "He told me he was going to spend some time with you...." He said as he looked at Aegon, "What are you doing here?"
"Looking for Baelon." Aegon said, "He's not with you?"
"Obviously not," Aemond said
Alicent looked at Helaena and then back at her sons, "Oh...." She said with a sigh, "Oh no...."
************
Inside the Small Council Room, Daemon leaned back against his chair in a bored manner. He was listening to the concerns about the Skagosi issue that the North was having. Apparently, more Lords of the Vale were petitioning to have something done about it but Viserys was being adamant about it not being a huge issue.
Daemon blew raspberries as Lord Jasper was giving his input.
"I think we should at least send some men..." Lord Jasper said, "Or at the very least, send some coin to compensate for the damages in the towns...."
Viserys nodded, "Aye, we could do that." he said, "The coin....I do not know about the men...."
"If we sent men, it could signal the Crown's involvement and it will be a sign of war." Otto spoke up, "I do not think it's wise."
"But from what we hear, the Skagosi are actually taking quite the numbers." Lord Tyland said, "Lord Stark is beginning to become concerned. He's voiced his desire to ask for a considerable backup...."
Viserys sighed, "Look..." He said, "Lord Stark is more than capable of dealing with this. Until....until the Skagosi completely invade the North or the Vale and begin to take a really concerning amount of lives, then I do not think it is necessary for us-"
"There is an issue at the Wall, brother." Daemon spoke up, "You know that the Wildlings north have sent waves and waves of men to attack it, their numbers in the thousands. Lord Stark has taken upon himself to send proper help to the Night's Watch. He has his hands full.....the Wall and now the Skagosi...."
"His bannermen can deal with the Skagosi while he deals with the Wall." Viserys said, "I understand the concern, I just don't think it's appropriate for us to act."
"A quick show of strength is needed." Daemon said, "We spoke about this...."
"You are right." Viserys said, "What would you have me do? Send you?"
"That's a start." Daemon smirked slightly
Viserys sighed and looked at Otto, "What do you think?"
"On one hand, I don't see the benefits of risking a dragonrider as crucial as Prince Daemon...." Otto said as he looked at the table and shifted slightly, "But on the other hand, I don't think the Skagosi have a proper arsenal to fend off Caraxes....."
Daemon clapped his hands, "There you go."
"But..." Otto said, "I still don't see its necessary..."
"Oh, but it is..." Daemon said
Viserys looked around, a bit confused, "Hm..." He said, "Where is Baelon?"
Daemon raised his eyebrow, "What, he's supposed to be here?"
"Of course he is, he's a member of the council." Viserys said as he looked at Ser Harold, "Where is he?"
"I..." Ser Harold said, "I believe he was going to be with Princess Helaena today...."
"Hm..." Viserys said, "Okay then."
The doors then opened a guard entered, a worried look on his face.
"Y-Your Grace!" He said
Viserys looked at him, "Yes?"
"B-Balerion is missing from his nest!" He said, "Prince Baelon is also gone! T-The servants claim his armor is gone as well!!"
Daemon raised his eyebrows, "Oh shit."
Viserys stood up, "What did you say?!" He exclaimed, "Did nobody see something as massive as Balerion take to flight?!"
"Where has he gone?!"
***********
[On the Waters Near Skagos]
A lone ship that was manned by members of the Night's Watch slowly made its way to Eastwatch-by-the-Sea. As usual, it would sail near Skagos, occasionally passing by the island and seeing the eerie sight that it was.
At a time like this, with the Skagosi constantly raiding the coast of the North, the Night's Watch have been scarcely sailing past the island due to the dangers of being attacked. But recently, the Night's Watch has noticed that the Skagosi have eased up in their assaults and have taken advantage of using the waters.
On the deck of the ship, a Night's Watch member was standing on the side, leaning on the railings, "Well, I'll be fucking damned....." He said as he looked at the island, "Who would have thought those savages are going to be a pain in the ass...."
Another brother, shorter than him, walked up behind him, "Tell me about it." He said, "Lord Stark has asked the Crown to send aid....a dragon at least....but the King has refused....wonder what will be done about it, though."
"Who knows..." The other replied, "But the savages won't put a major dent in.....Lord Stark hasn't really rallied the banners, only sent some forces to fight them off....if this issue with the Wildlings wasn't a thing, the Skagosi would have been wiped out by now."
"You think it's a coincidence?" the short one asked, "The wildlings started attacking right before the Skagosi did. It's been going on for a long time. And word is that the Skagosi's main forces haven't really been used."
"Some cunt rallied the Stoneborn tribes just like the wildlings...." the tall one said, "But in the end, they're nothing but cannibalistic savages....."
"Makes you wonder what the Targaryens and their dragons will do about it." the short one said, "Do they even care about the North?"
"I will tell you one thing." the tall one said, "If it were up to Prince Baelon, the whole island will be set aflame. Nobody will dare challenge Balerion."
As he said that, there was a loud flap of wings that was heard. The entirety of the crew on deck froze and looked up to the sky, seeing a massive shadow creep up through the clouds.
"Oi oi oi..." The short one said, "W-Why did you jinx it...?"
The tall one widened his eyes as they all heard the deafening roar of Balerion, The Black Dread.
"By the gods...." He said as black scales were visible through the clouds, "It's going to happen...."
"Balerion is here..."