Chapter 24 - Blackfyre II

(Third Person POV)

After Baelon left the room, Daemon looked at Viserys, "So..." He said with a slight smirk, "What do you think?" 

Viserys sighed, "He's taking too many liberties." He said as he looked down, "It could become a problem." 

"The people of the Realm love and respect him. This whole sword thing will make them get the wrong idea." Daemon said, "Baelon means well, his intentions seem pure. He has always been infatuated with the sword, that's all he cares about. The symbolism and meaning behind it does not mean shit to him." 

"You are not wrong." Viserys said, "Maybe it is a good idea to wed him and Helaena as quickly as possible." 

"If you move too quickly, people will get the wrong idea." Daemon said, "I say keep it steady until the planned time. There is the issue with Skagos." 

"I am aware." Viserys said as he leaned back, "If he learns of it, there could be a chance he will impulsively act." 

"What are you going to do?" Daemon said, "Lord Stark is admitting that he's struggling a bit. The Skagosi are pushing his men further west from the shores. It may require a dragon." 

"In the event it comes to that, you are up." Viserys sighed and stood up, "Balerion does not need to go there." 

"On the contrary, the old fucker needs to stretch his wings once in a while." Daemon said, "This could be good for Baelon." 

"No." Viserys said, "Balerion being sent to war will send a message that does not need to be sent." 

"Maybe it is a good thing." Daemon said, "There are those who are still sour of you denying their proposals to Baelon when he claimed him." 

"Does it look like I care, Daemon?" Viserys said, "Baelon and Helaena will marry and if anyone has a problem with it, that is not my problem." 

"It could become a problem." Daemon said, "Just know that if Baelon takes action, there will not be much you can do about it. He's a man, Viserys. He is being held back by you, that is all. Let him handle things and he'll show you that he's worthy of the sword, of Balerion, and of the Throne." 

Viserys looked at him, "What do you suggest then? Send him off to Skagos? Have him burn it to the ground?" He said, "That's something he would do, Daemon. You know that." 

"Not the entire island, just a good portion of it." Daemon said, "Sometimes, a show of force is good. A warning. People need to understand that Balerion is well and strong again, the mightiest weapon that we have. The mere fact that he still lives is what kept them in check. And even if they ignored our other dragons, they cannot ignore Balerion. We cannot ignore this conflict much longer. We need to crush it as quickly as possible. The whole incident with the ratcatchers was a good display of strength. Viserys, we need something like that or people will get too comfortable." 

"I hear you." Viserys said, "Gods, you are right. He's a man now. Sooner or later, we will rebel against my wishes...it is a wonder why he has not already." 

"He's a good kid." Daemon said with a smile, "You are lucky that he's the last thing Aemma left for you before departing." 

"I know." Viserys said, "I know...." 

********

(Baelon's POV)

"So...." I said as I reached down to the table, flipping some pages of the book, "You asked Father to move our wedding up?" 

I looked over at Helaena who was sitting on the couch, smiling as she held a butterfly in her hands, "Yes..." She said softly, "Is that a problem?" 

"No." I said, "It did give the wrong impression." 

She looked at me, "I have realized my feelings for you, Baelon." She said softly, "I hold you dear...." 

"Oh." I said as I rubbed my hair, "Is that so?" 

"Yes." She said, "Do you feel the same? You did engage the kiss after all..." 

"Well..." I said, "I....Hm...." 

"It is hard for you to say it, isn't it?" She said with a smile, "It is okay. I know that you feel the same." 

"Holding me dear, huh?" I said as I walked over to her, "That is much different than loving me..." 

She looked at me, "I..." she said, "T-That's what I..." 

I patted her cheek, "I know." I said with a chuckle, "I asked father about Blackfyre." 

"That sword...." She said softly, "I never understood what your obsession with it was." 

I sat down next to her, "Uncle has had Dark Sister since before I was born." I said, "And valyrian steel is good steel. I am a dragonrider, I need a sword worthy of my status. As Balerion's rider and Blackfyre....it's a good match, don't you think?" 

"It's the symbol of the King." She said softly

I looked at her, "I know that." 

"You are not the King, not yet." She said softly

I frowned, "I know that." I said, "I would like your support on this. I want that." 

"It will be yours when you become King." She said

"I don't want to be King yet. That would mean that father is dead." I said as I leaned back on the couch, "I would like for him to live long enough to see us grow up even more." 

"I understand." She said as she looked at me, "You ae a warrior, while he is not." 

"Yes, that's one reason." I told her, "Say, Helaena, that thing you spoke to Father about...you are serious, right? You.....you don't want children?" 

She looked down, "I do not know." 

"Hm..." I said, "Alright..." 

"Do you?" She asked me

"Well....a son would be nice, showing him how to fight and all..." I said with a chuckle, "But you are too young for me to force you...not like I would, anyways." 

"I see....if I did....a daughter would be nice." She said with a slight smile

"Yes...." I said, "A daughter would be nice...." 

She stayed quiet, merely looking at the butterfly. 

"Do you want to marry me already?" I asked suddenly

She looked at me, "Yes." 

I smiled, "Good..." I said, "Well...." 

"What is it?" She asked

"Nothing." I said as I reached for her hair and gently stroked it, "Would you accompany me for a flight?" 

She blinked, "I...." she said, "I don't know if it's a wise idea." 

"Why not?" I asked

"Mother-" She started

"Ah." I cut her off as I stood up, "Let's go." 

I grabbed her hand and gently pulled her up. 

"B-Baelon!" She exclaimed, "I am serious...." 

"So am I." I said with a chuckle, "Let us go have some fun, enjoying the fresh air, Helaena...." 

I stopped and pulled her in towards me, holding her by the waist as I leaned in and kissed her on the cheek. 

She blushed, "Baelon...." She said, "What if something could happen?" 

I tucked some of her hair behind her ear, "Nothing will happen." I said, "You and I.....I would like to be alone, and look at the sky together. Wouldn't that be nice? For at least an hour a day, us alone just with each other. The Red Keep is nice and all but there is little to no privacy here...." 

She looked at me, her beautiful eyes were filled with nothing but purity. 

"Baelon....." She said again, "I....." 

I blinked, "What is it?" 

She looked at me and patted my chest, "Fine..." she said softly, "If Father gets mad...." 

"He will not get mad." I told her, "You and I will be married soon. I think it's appropriate if we spend more time together, okay?" 

"I like this." She said

"Hm?" I said

"Hold me tighter..." She said as she pressed herself against me, "I enjoy your warmth." 

"Oh." I said, "Alright then." 

I hugged her, pressing her against me as she wrapped her arms around me. 

"I love you, Baelon." She said all of the sudden

I patted her head, "I know." I said, "I love you too. Now...." 

"Let's go be alone."