Chapter 8 - Unacceptable Actions

(Third Person POV)

Around two weeks after the concerns of Skagos were brought up before the Court, everything went back to what seemed like normal. The King dismissed these concerns, stating that the North had not asked for help; Lord Stark had sent men to deal with it. 

Prince Baelon Targaryen had sent a letter to the Lord of Winterfell and Warden of The North, claiming that his blade and Dragon are available to be used for this problem. Lord Rickon Stark appreciated the offer and felt more confident about this problem; responding to the Prince and telling him that he will be the first to be notified should Balerion The Black Dread be needed. 

King Viserys did not appreciate this, thinking that Baelon and Balerion would be overkill, but the Heir dismissed his father's comments. 

Now, quite recently, word has spread of the Royal Family coming together in King's Landing, with the exception of Princess Rhaenyra, who stayed in Dragonstone, as usual. The Eldest Child of King Viserys almost never left the ancestral Targaryen Seat, and people became suspicious but Prince Baelon almost immediately shut down any rumors. 

Princess Rhaenys, the wife of Lord Corlys Velaryon, had arrived one morning, along with her family. She was The Queen Who Never Was and King Viserys's favorite cousin, despite the circumstances that led to Viserys's coronation, the two never once lost love for each other. She was the rider of Meleys, The Red Queen, one of the fastest dragons that House Targaryen had in their possession.

Prince Daemon Targaryen, the King's younger brother, and husband of Laena Velaryon, Princess Rhaenys's daughter, arrived that same afternoon. The former Heir was the rider of Caraxes, The Blood Wyrm. Prior to Balerion regaining his vigor, Caraxes was considered House Targaryen's greatest military power along Vhagar. 

Lady Laena Velaryon at one point in her youth attempted to claim Vhagar, failing and nearly losing her life. If it weren't for Daemon saving her, she wouldn't have been with them anymore. Vhagar, at the time, was extremely aggressive, but after Prince Aemond claimed her a few years ago, she became calmer and docile. 

Lady Laena eventually went to Dragonstone, at the behest of Princess Rhaenyra, where she would claim Silverwing, becoming the prestigious dragon's second rider ever in history. 

This only left Vermithor to be the only dragon from House Targaryen's history to be left unclaimed; as Balerion, Vhagar, Dreamfyre, Silverwing, Meleys, and Caraxes were the veteran dragons that had their riders. Even compared to Balerion and Vhagar, The Bronze Fury required a Targaryen with a strong will to even attempt to claim him. 

Some say that Balerion and Vhagar sensed something in their respective riders that prompted them to hang their heads. Of course, Balerion had just freshly regained his strength and vigor and everyone believed it was Prince Baelon's birth that rejuvenated him which made him hang his head. As for Vhagar, it is unknown how Prince Aemond came to make Visenya's mount hang her head. Her last rider was Aemond's grandfather, Prince Baelon Targaryen, his brother's namesake. But regardless, Viserys's sons became riders of the largest dragons in the world. 

Prince Daemon and Lady Laena brought their daughters; Baela and Rhaena to King's Landing. 

Whenever the entire family gathers, something is expected to happen. Especially when Prince Baelon is known for his carefree and adventurous nature. He takes joy in interacting with his family, having nothing but fun, enjoying his life. 

But despite this, everyone is well aware that Prince Baelon Targaryen is not someone to underestimate and anger. His carefree nature is true, but his serious and ruthless side is also real, as real as it could get. 

Nobody dares cross Prince Baelon, not even The Rogue Prince. 

*********************************

"Where is she?!" King Viserys rushed towards the door as two Kingsguard stood guard by them, "Helaena!!" 

He slammed the doors open, his face filled with worry as he walked inside. Ser Harold walked behind him, a serious look on his face as well. 

He saw Queen Alicent sitting on the couch, Princess Helaena next to her. The Queen had her arm wrapped around her daughter, tears in her eyes. 

King Viserys walked up to them as he saw Ser Criston standing next to them, "What happened?" He said, "Ser Criston!!" 

Ser Criston gulped slightly, "Your Grace..." He said, "The Princess was getting ready for bed. Her maids were grabbing fresh sheets for her...and well...." 

Viserys looked at Alicent who gave him a serious look. Helaena was looking down, trembling as she was mumbling under her breath. 

"Where are they?" Viserys said, "These....fucking ratcatchers.....to think they'd lay their hands on my daughter...." 

"We apprehended them, Your Grace." Ser Criston said, "We took them to the dungeon. I tried to ask the Princess if they did anything...but she didn't respond...." 

"They didn't." Alicent said, "Thank the gods...but they scared her, Viserys...any minute too late and they would've..." 

She stopped herself and gulped, covering her mouth as Heleana kept mumbling. 

"Your Grace..." Ser Harold said, "We'll place all of the Kingsguard on the Princess's guard for the night." 

Viserys crouched down, ignoring him, "My daughter.." He said as he slowly reached for her

Helaena flinched, looking away and kept mumbling inaudbily. 

Viserys closed his eyes and sighed, understanding her reaction. 

He then stood up and looked at Alicent, who was silently telling him to do something about it. 

"Take me to them." Viserys said, "I need to speak to them." 

As he said that, one of the Kingsguard walked in, "Your Grace." He said, "The men apprehended were taken from their cells." 

"What?!" Viserys exclaimed, "By who?! Who dares release criminals that laid their fingers on my daughter!?" 

"Prince Baelon." the Kingsguard said

"Gods be good..." Ser Harold said, "Your Grace...." 

Viserys was surprised, "Baelon....." he said, "That's not good..." 

"Viserys, if Baelon found out....then that means..." Alicent started

"Daemon is here too....." Viserys said, "Those men are dead....." 

******************

Outside of the City's walls, two men that were tied up were thrown onto the ground by goldcloaks. It was the dead of the night, only the light of torches was seen. 

One of them grunted as he tried getting on his knees, only to be kicked on the face and flung back to the ground. 

"Stay down." one of the goldcloaks hissed

The other man looked up to see several men surrounding them in a circle, holding torches.

These two men were the ratcatchers that walked into Princess Helaena's room in an attempt to take her, but were stopped by Ser Criston and beaten by him and some other guards. Eventually, they were thrown into the dungeons. Fortunately for them, they didn't do much to Princess Helaena other than touch her, which prompted Criston to throw them into the cells to await their punishment. 

Unfortunately for them, Prince Baelon was told about it. 

There were some footsteps approaching, behind the goldcloaks. 

One of the goldcloaks spat on the ground, "My Prince." He said as the goldcloaks stepped aside, "My Lord." 

"What business is this that I have to be called in the dead of the night, Daemon?" Lord Corlys said as he came into view

Next to him, Prince Daemon stood, smiling slyly as he looked down at the ratcatchers, "Hm...." he said, "These two attempted to defile my niece, Lord Corlys." 

One of the ratcatchers looked at them, "P-Please..." He cried, "Mercy...."

A goldcloak walked up to them, and kicked him in the ribs, "Silence." 

Lord Corlys looked at them, "Is that so?" He said, "Why are they alive?" 

Daemon rested his hand against Dark Sister's handle and nodded over to the small hill that they were in front of. 

"Him." He said

The ratcatchers looked over to where he nodded at. Sitting on a rock, Prince Baelon was looking down, holding a gold coin as he ran it through his fingers. His long white hair was let loose, flowing in the slight breeze, and glowing in the light of the torches.

Lord Corlys sighed, "Oh boy." 

Prince Baelon lifted his head and looked at the ratcatchers, "Commoners." he said, "Given the opportunity to step foot in the Red Keep, with the sole purpose of getting rid of rats. A large castle, especially in a city as large as King's Landing, is bound to have a lot of pests, rats being one of them. But to think that the biggest worry in this fucking city wouldn't be rats the size of a small pup....it would be men...men who know not the limits of their hubris." 

The ratcatchers were pulled up to their knees as they looked at Baelon, a terrified expression in their faces. 

Yes, they were worried about the City Watch, who were already known to be strict and brutal to criminals. Yes, the sudden appearance of the Lord of The Tides worried them, as Corlys was capable of sentencing them to death. Yes, The Rogue Prince's appearance was worrying since he was unpredictable, capable of pulling out Dark Sister and slicing their heads off with no hesitation. 

But they were more worried about the sight of Prince Baelon, a serious expression on his face. This wasn't just any Prince, no, this was the older brother of the girl they tried to defile. Who knows what went through their heads at that moment, but it happened. Thanks to them, the other Ratcatchers would probably lose their jobs...or worse. 

Prince Daemon walked up to the ratcatchers, kicking one of them on his back, forcing him to hit his face on the ground. 

"Nephew." He said, "Allow me to cut one of their heads off." 

"No." Baelon said, "Lift his face up." 

Daemon chuckled as he stepped back and gestured at the goldcloak, "Do it." 

The goldcloak reached for the ratcatcher's shirt and pulled his face back up. 

Baelon leaned forward, glaring at them from his hill, Lord Corlys noticing a vein popping in his forehead. 

"You must understand.....scum..." Baelon said with anger, "You didn't just lay your hands on a Princess.....she was my Sister!!!! And not just my Sister...she is my betrothed!!!! Taking your hands or your lives isn't enough to satiate my anger.....No....." 

Lord Corlys shifted, "Prince Baelon." He started, "What are you-"

"Naejot Mazis, Balerion" Baelon cut him off in High Valyrian

Daemon smirked, "Oh this..." He said, "This is good...." 

There was a deep rumbling, the ground shaking as a massive shadow emerged from behind Baelon. The ratcatchers immediately realized one thing; they weren't in any other location outside of King's Landing. 

Lord Corlys took a step back, "Gods, Baelon..." He muttered

The Goldcloaks stepped aside as the ground shook and they saw a mountainous shadow behind Baelon, a deafening rumbling being heard. 

The ratcatchers widened their eyes, "N-No!" one of them cried, "P-Please!!!" 

They then felt a serious gust of wind as the light of the torches began to illuminate the mountainous shadow, black scales being revealed with a deep glow of red. 

Behind Baelon, a massive snout was visible, thrice the size of a wheelhouse, two massive nostrils snorting gusts of wind. The ratcatchers froze in pure fear as they saw two massive red eyes glare right at them. 

A growl was heard, a deep and loud one, which made even the goldcloaks' skin crawl. Even the Lord of The Tides felt intimidated by the sight of what was before them. Daemon Targaryen was smiling but felt a bit of nervousness, knowing that this was a different feeling than any other dragon. The growl caused everyone's bone to vibrate, it was so loud and menacing that the mere sound would make one feel like they were dead. 

Baelon didn't say a word, merely looked at the ratcatchers. 

The two foolish and overzealous men realized one thing, which cemented their fates; 

They were before The Black Dread. 

[A/N: Wanted to save Balerion's introduction for a serious moment, like this one. Something that made Baelon feel like a serious presence, not just a jovial easygoing guy. Anyways, thanks for the support. 

Read my Novel: Cursed As A Dragon God. 

https://www.webnovel.com/book/30681650400196305 ]