Kings Landing 300 AC.
Thoros.
Getting ready for a feast was the last thing he wished to do, but he and the prince would be heading there soon, and so the prince sat laughing as he had his beard trimmed and his hair cut. Thoros had perhaps let himself go some since he came to Kings Landing, but still he hated this, the prince, on the other hand was enjoying every second of it.
"Really, you're going to sit there laughing at me?" Thoros said as the girl trimmed his beard.
"Of course, what you think I don't remember you doing the same." Daemon said.
"When did I ever laugh at you?" he asked.
"Volantis, Norvos, Bravos, should I go on?"
"Well they were different."
"They were?" Daemon asked.
"They were, you looked ridiculous." he said laughing as the prince joined in.
"Marel, take some more from the top will you?" Daemon said with a grin.
"Daemon." he said and then both he and the prince laughed again.
The girl finished his hair and beard and then he waited for Daemon to sit down for his own, unsurprisingly though the prince didn't bother, he loved his hair far too much for him to have it trimmed. Once ready they went back to the prince's room to wait, it would be another hour at least until they needed to head to the feast, longer for the prince really.
They found Daemon's grandmother and her knight waiting for them, both of them immaculately dressed and while Rhaella gave him a look which suggested she was pleased with his effort, she looked at Daemon and shook her head.
"I thought you were having a haircut?" she said to her grandson.
"I did." Daemon said in return.
"When?"
"A year ago I think." he said and Rhaella just laughed messing his hair up.
Thoros enjoyed seeing how carefree his prince was around his grandmother, around her and the Lannister girl he was a different person, with Ser Barristan and Ser Arthur too. When he was with others though he was far more stiff, far more ill at ease, knowing him for as long as he did, he'd been more than able to judge the prince's moods, and he much preferred to see him happy.
"Thoros can you give me a few moments with my grandson." Rhaella said and he nodded heading out to the hall.
Ser Barristan was standing guard looking at him as he walked from the room, the knight had been finding it hard to share guarding duties with him. But the prince had insisted that having both Thoros and Barristan with him every minute was too much. That while he'd accept it when needed, for small trips around the keep it was unnecessary.
"Ser Barristan." he said walking to stand beside the knight.
"Thoros." the knight replied with a nod.
"Perhaps we should spar sometime Ser." he said and Barristan looked at him oddly.
"Why would we do that?"
"To show you that I too can protect the prince."
"I have no doubt of that Thoros, nor in your desire to do so."
"Then what is it you find so objectionable to me guarding him?" he asked genuinely curious.
"You are not of the Kingsguard, it is our duty to protect the royal family, our sworn oath and while you may have your own reason for protecting the prince, you have not sworn that oath."
"You wish me to swear to give my life for his, you think I've not already sworn such a thing?" he asked slightly annoyed.
"No, as I said I know you'd protect him and give your life for his, but you don't carry the white cloak, having you guard him is not the same as having a Kingsguard with him."
It took him a moment to realize what it was that Barristan was getting at, it was the image, the sight of a white cloak following after the prince, the idea that he was protected because he was a prince, more so than who protected him.
"Ser Barristan, someone tried to kill our prince while both of us were right by his side, the order you serve offers no more protection to him than you or I do as men."
The knight looked at him, weighing his words in his mind before nodding and then speaking once again.
"You have the right of it Thoros, on this I can agree, the prince's safety is all I care about, as do you. I believe we are in agreement that whatever needs to be done to ensure that, must be done."
"We are Ser."
"Barristan." the knight said with a smile "Perhaps on the morrow we can spar together, it would do us both good to keep on our toes."
"I'd like that Barristan."
He was just about to say something else when the servant came running to tell them the royal family was ready to make their entrance. When Daemon and his grandmother came out with Ser Bonifer, the prince nodded to him and he made his way to the hall for the feast, finding it already quite full. He looked around the room, trying to see if there were any threats, not that anyone would be stupid enough to try anything here, but just in case.
The table he ended up concentrating most on was the table where Daemon's brother's friends sat, each of them had already tried to do something to the prince since he'd gotten here, except for two. The Dornish prince he was surprised to see sitting at the table, he had expected him to be at the High Table with his family, as for the Iron Born, he had more motive than any.
"His grace King Rhaegar and her grace Queen Elia." the herald said as the king and queen entered and people rose to their feet.
Thoros though didn't look to the entering royals, not even when his own prince's name was spoken, instead he watched the Dornish prince and the Iron Born even more closely. The prince had a look of contempt on his face when Daemon's name was mentioned, something that he found annoyed him immensely, but it was the look on Greyjoy's face that kept his attention focused on him.
He moved closer, trying to get a clearer look, trying to blend into the shadows, but a voice called him and gave him away and he'd have cursed only for whose voice it was. His prince would be glad to see her here, he was, but how she had gotten here, when she had come, he knew not.
"Thoros." Melisandre said and he smiled at his fellow servant of R'hllor.
"Melisandre, it's good to see you again, though it is a surprise, what brings you here?"
"Our prince, Thoros, our prince." she said and he saw her look to the high table where Daemon sat.
Myrcella.
Seeing Aegon walk in with Margaery Tyrell she felt a little put-out, Daemon had told her that they were entering as a family tonight and she worried now he had just not wished her to join him. Though given the look he was given his brother as he entered with his grandmother, it seemed far more likely that Daemon was caught by surprise too. She took her seat at her table when the royal family sat, Tommen sitting beside her, his own eyes like hers drawn to the high table.
"It looks like my niece and nephew both wish to be elsewhere." Tyrion said his smirk annoying her.
"No perhaps it's just we wish our uncle was elsewhere." she said and her uncle laughed.
"Would that I could Myrcella, would that I could, but father wishes us all here." Tyrion said looking back toward her grandfather who sat at the head of their table with her mother and other uncle to either side of him.
Before she had a chance to say anything else the first dish arrived, sent down from the high table, as winner of the Melee, Daemon rather than the king had gotten to choose who was to be rewarded first. The fact he had chosen her family wasn't lost on anyone in the room and she saw her grandfather's polite nod for what it really was, a proud bow of the lion's head.
She looked to where Daemon was sitting seeing the smile on his face that appeared when he caught her eye, making her own appear almost simultaneously, she nodded gracefully and turned to eat. Placing the meat on her plate she tried to ignore the smug look her uncle was giving her, along with the way her mother smiled, though she knew her own smile was still on her face.
By the time dessert came she was quite full, she nibbled rather than ate the peach pie and hoped there would be a break before the dancing began, which thankfully there was. Seeing Daemon get up from his seat, she felt herself almost move from her own to go meet him, only to look on disappointedly as he walked over to a beautiful lady wearing red.
He greeted her warmly, friendly, the hug they shared far too close she thought, who was this woman? And how did she know her prince?. She was about to go over and speak to them both when her uncle noticed where she was looking and the look on her face.
"Another red priest. Or is it priestess?" Tyrion said and she looked at him to find out more.
"You think she's like Thoros?" she asked and he nodded.
"Look at the High Septon." Tyrion said directing her to where the fat man was sitting.
The leader of the faith was sitting staring at Daemon, Thoros, and the woman in red with a look of utter disgust on his face, making it clear, if it wasn't already, that this woman was certainly a red priestess. Myrcella found herself relaxing at that, at knowing she was more like Thoros, than some former lover of Daemon's come to claim him back.
She found herself watching her and Daemon's interaction more closely now and while they were friendly, they weren't flirtatious and more than once she caught Daemon looking over to where she sat. After a few more moments, Thoros and the red woman walked and took a seat while Daemon headed in her direction, only once again to be stopped in his tracks, this time by the Blackfish of all people.
In the end the music started up and still, Daemon hadn't come to speak to her, she looked around the room and couldn't find him, then her brother leaned in and asked her to dance.
"Cella dance with me." Tommen said his voice urgent.
"Why, I'm not in the mood." she said.
"Cella." he said his voice softer now and she nodded, rising to her feet as he led her to the dance floor.
She noticed then that Theon Greyjoy had been heading towards her table, had he intended to ask her to dance? Was he that stupid? Or had Aegon put him up to it?. She wasn't sure, but her brother had saved her from an awkward refusal. Tommen was a very good dancer, his time with her uncle on the sparring field had made his movements far more nimble than the awkward chubby boy he once had been.
"She's looking." she said with a giggle as her brother's face reddened.
"Who?" he said trying to act nonchalant.
"You know who." she said.
"Is he?" he asked and for a second she thought he meant Aegon who was sitting speaking to someone while ignoring Margaery beside him.
"Who?" she said knowing it was Daemon he actually meant.
"You know who Cella." he said with a grin.
Before she could answer she saw her brother's smile grow even wider, she looked back to the table to see Margaery still sitting there and she was about to ask him why he was so happy, when she heard the voice behind her.
"May I." Daemon said.
"Of course my prince." Tommen said turning her around to face the prince.
"My lady would you honor me with a dance."
"Very well." she said a small smirk on her face.
He held her far closer than Tommen did and she almost melted into his arms as they began to move, like Tommen he was very nimble on his feet and she felt all men should spar more if it made them dance this well.
"I'm sorry for my delay in asking you to dance, it seems I've become quite popular all of a sudden." he chuckled as he looked in her eyes.
"As I saw." she said noticing the red woman sitting with Thoros.
It took Daemon a moment to see where she was looking and when he did he smiled fuller, turning her so she faced the woman.
"Lady Melisandre, a red priestess from the temple at Volantis, a friend of mine for many years and like Thoros someone I trust implicitly." he said and she looked to him.
"Why?"
"Like Thoros she's earned my trust and respect, she's been like a mother to me for many years." he said and Myrcella felt her relief even more fully than before.
"A mother?" she asked.
"Yes, wait, you thought." he said looking at her as she looked away "Myrcella look at me." he said and she did her eyes meeting his "I am not my brother, nor would I ever wish to be." he said and she smiled fully then.
"I know."
They danced for a few more dances, before making their way back to her table, her uncle and mother were still dancing on the floor, while her grandfather was gone from the table. So it was just her, Tyrion and Tommen along with Prince Daemon who sat there, Daemon waved over Thoros and Melisandre and both came to sit at the table across from them.
"Lord Tyrion, Lord Tommen, may I present Thoros of Myr and Lady Melisandre." Daemon said before turning to her "Thoros, Mel, this is Myrcella, she's a very good friend of mine." he said as his hand took her own.
Bonifer.
He stood in the corner, rather than go sit with the queen, not that it was not what he wished to do, but more he was working tonight. He searched the room to see who was reacting to who, to see who looked at Daemon which way. When he had arrived he had taken his place and watched as the royal family were announced, he had seen Prince Quentyn's look and how Theon Greyjoy had glared at Daemon.
Over the course of the night, he had spent time looking at both of them and at others, Aegon and Jon Connington both stared constantly at Daemon, as did Oberyn and his daughters. There were many others too who watched him, but none did so as blatantly or as angrily as Theon Greyjoy. So much so that Bonifer initially dismissed it, thinking no one could be that stupid, before finding himself looking more and more at the Iron Born.
He found himself moving forward when he saw the Red Woman approach Daemon, only to see the smile on the prince's face, then when he saw Theon move toward Myrcella he knew. It was him, it had to be, he needed the hundred to pay closer attention to the Iron Born, looking around the room he saw Ser Jareth sitting at the table with some men from the Reach, Ser Ivar sitting with the Dornish.
He waited until they caught his eye and drew their attention to Theon, seeing them both nod he looked to see his queen staring at him and so he smiled at her, before walking towards her.
"My queen a dance?" he asked and she raised her eyebrow at his forwardness.
"Of course Ser."
They moved to the middle of the floor and began to dance, his queen resting her head on his shoulder, he leaned in and whispered into her ear.
"I think we have him." he said and felt her smile.
"If so I wish to see him before he's dealt with."
"Of course my queen."
Once the dance was finished he nodded to Jareth and made his way to the alcove where they'd meet, passing one of Varys's little birds on the way, the child ran when he saw him, knowing better than to attempt to spy on him. Bonifer smiled sadly, it had bothered him for years how Varys treated those he used, but his queen had refused him permission to do anything about it.
"Bon." Jareth said walking up to him.
"The Iron Born Jareth, take him tonight."
"Are you sure it was him?"
"I am."
"Usual place?"
"At first, but our queen wishes to see him before we deal with him." Bonifer said and Jareth nodded.
"It'll be done." Jareth said
"I am but one in a hundred." Bonifer said placing his hand on his chest.
"As am I." Jareth said repeating the gesture.
He waited alone for a few moments before turning to head back into the hall, as he began to walk he smelled the perfume and sighed yet again.
"What do you want eunuch?" he said his voice full of disdain.
"I was just passing by Ser Bonifer, seeing one of my little birds in distress, I assumed you'd be nearby." Varys said softly.
"I told you before, your spies keep away from me and my men and we have no issue, you send them to me and well." He said with a chuckle before turning to look the eunuch in the eye "Would the world really miss you if you were gone." the gulp the eunuch made satisfying for now.
"We both know it would not Ser, however, you are not the only one with a job to do, the king wishes the news of his son's attacker as much as her grace does."
"Then you can tell him after the feast who it was, I'm sure by then the problem will be dealt with." Bonifer said as he began walking away.
"The prince is keeping some interesting company don't you think, one red priest is not much to speak about, but two, one of them straight from the temple in Volantis, people will speak Ser, even if my little birds do not." Varys tittered as he turned and walked off in the other direction.
Bonifer had been so intent on the Iron Born he had forgotten about the red priestess, despite his hatred for the man and everything he stood for, the eunuch was right. Daemon being friendly with Thoros could be explained and accepted, him being friendly with a red priestess too, no, that would cause problems. He began to walk more quickly when he was approached by one of his men.
"Ser Laurence?" he said surprised to see the Valeman here.
"Bon, I think you need to come with me to the docks." Laurence said his voice shakier than it usually was.
"Why?"
"A ship Bon, from Essos, unsullied a century of them, along with some Westeros men, it's most strange."
"It is. Go I'll follow, I need to let Jareth and Ivar know I'll be late."
"I'll speak to them Bon, perhaps it's for the best if you see this for yourself."
He didn't wait any longer, making his way to the gates of the keep and quickly walking to the docks, he was joined on the way by some of his men, a half dozen with him by the time he arrived. The ship was large and impressive, the unsullied stood on the deck, all in formation and it was a worrying sight, though seeing a face he recognized surprised him.
"Ser Davos?" he said walking to the onion knight.
"Ser Bonifer, it's good to see you hale and hearty." Davos said smiling.
"You too Ser, though I'm surprised to see you in such company." he said looking at the unsullied.
"Our prince attracts trouble Ser Bonifer, I've found it best to be prepared for that eventuality."
"Prince?" he asked though he knew who Davos spoke of, it could only be Daemon after all.
"Prince Daemon, he is here is he not?"
"He is, you are with him?" he asked looking as a tall fair-haired Westerosi spoke to the leader of the unsullied.
"To the death Ser." Davos said and Bonifer felt a chill run up his spine at the words.
He was about to ask more questions when he heard the roar, the dragon flying over the ships and toward the Red Keep, his men behind him instinctively ducked, but those on the ship and Ser Davos did not.
"As I said Ser, our prince attracts trouble." Davos said though the smile on his face seemed anything but worried.
Rhaella.
After dancing with Bonifer she looked to see her grandson had resumed his dancing with Myrcella, the two laughing and having fun and she felt happy for them both, looking around she saw she wasn't the only one who felt so. The girl's mother and uncle were dancing close by, Cersei and Jaime both taking time to look over her grandson and Myrcella. But it was the man standing in the corner who drew her attention, Tywin Lannister was perhaps the happiest man in the ballroom at that point.
She moved towards the old lion, watching as the eyes in the room turned to see her, Daemon had already shown his own favor to the Lannisters, for her to do so publicly would send a clear message, one she wished to be heard. Her dealings with Tywin were rare, they had never really gotten along, Aerys jealousy of his former hand extended to her being close to him too.
Rhaella though had found a confidante in Joanna, a friend, through her she had seen that despite his outward appearance, despite his reputation which he valued, Tywin cared for family over everything. He wished for a legacy, for his name to be respected, feared even, but for Joanna he wished for their children to be happy first and foremost. Rhaella could relate to that, it had been all she had wished for her own, it had been her guiding light for all of her life, and with Daemon it had been her entire purpose.
"Your Grace." Tywin said when she approached, his head bowed.
"Lord Tywin, it is good to see you once again."
"You too your grace, would you join me for a drink?" he asked and she nodded as he looked to a servant who brought them some wine.
The walked together to his table, Tyrion on seeing them walk towards him, got to his feet, bowed and then quickly moved away, leaving them alone as Tywin held her seat for her. As she sipped her wine she looked to the floor to see Daemon and Myrcella dancing even closer now, her grandson whispering in the girl's ear making her giggle, turning back she saw Tywin too starting at them both.
"They look good together do they not?" he said and she smiled.
"They do, they seem to like each other too."
"A welcome surprise." Tywin said a small smirk on his face.
"A match would please you then?" she said knowing the answer.
"It would, it was what she wished." he said his eyes looking off into the distance somewhere before he turned back to face her.
"As did I." she said.
"Did?" he asked looking at her.
"Do." she said with a smile which he surprisingly matched.
"Will his grace allow it?"
"That's the wrong question Tywin." she said and he looked at her confused "Would Daemon allow for any other match is what you should be wondering."
He looked at her then, before looking to the floor once more, watching as Daemon and Myrcella stopped dancing and walked towards them. Her grandson while not holding the girl's hand or anything was walking so close to her he may as well have done so. Seeing the two of them there speaking to each other she saw Daemon look at her inquisitively, but it was the look on Myrcella's face which she found more interesting.
"Grandmother, my lord." Daemon said holding the chair out for Myrcella to sit down.
"I was wondering if you and I could speak Lady Myrcella." she said and Daemon's head turned to her, his posture stiff, though he relaxed when he saw her smile.
"Of course your grace, I'd be honored."
"Now why don't you two men run along, while Lady Myrcella and I get to know each other better." she said and almost giggled at both the putout look on Daemon's face and with how quickly Tywin ushered her grandson away.
She saw the girl's nervousness not a moment later, reaching out to touch the glass in front of her, lifting it and then putting it back down immediately, before lifting it again. The swallow she took of the wine was rushed and hurried and showed just how worried she was about the conversation to come, which actually made Rhaella feel better, if she was worried, then it meant she cared, which was good to know.
"Your grandmother and I were close friends, did you know?" she said breaking the ice between them.
"I did not your grace, I mean I knew you both knew each other, but not that you were close." Myrcella said correcting herself mid-sentence.
"She was a great woman and we live in a world which is poorer for her loss." she said softly "You remind me of her a little."
"I do?" Myrcella said surprised.
"You look more like her than your mother does, though there are similarities there too, I wonder if it's just your looks you've taken from her?" she said looking at her in the eye.
"I don't know your grace, my memories of my grandmother are distant I'm sorry to say." Myrcella said sadly.
Rhaella looked at her even closer now, it was time to take a different tack she felt, she hoped the girl would understand.
"My grandson is the most precious thing in the world to me Lady Myrcella. I thought him lost and now that's he's back I'd have him stay."
"As would I, your grace." Myrcella said.
"But for him to say would mean marriage and marriage is about many things." she said and Myrcella wisely chose not to say anything "The most important of them is that he marries the right girl, would you not agree?"
"I think him being happy is more important your grace." Myrcella said determinedly.
"You believe you could make him happy?"
"I hope I could." the girl said wistfully.
"I am afraid I do not believe, nor hope you could." she said and the look Myrcella gave her was pure Joanna.
"You think me unworthy your grace?"
"I do." she said and saw the girl deflate and then almost in the same moment rise again.
"Then perhaps it's just as well you don't get to decide who Daemon marries, your grace."
Rhaella inwardly smirked, good the girl had a backbone, that would be needed.
"I do not, though my word carries weight, his father does, however, get to decide and I'm afraid it can never be my lady, you and my grandson will not be allowed to wed." she said and Myrcella looked at her, then to the high table where she managed to catch Rhaegar watching them intently.
"You say you care for your grandson your grace, yet you would force him into a marriage against his will, with someone he doesn't care for. I find it hard to believe you and my grandmother were friends, were she here today, I have no doubt you would not be." Myrcella stood up and went to walk away from the table.
"As I said, Just like your grandmother, please Myrcella sit. I would very much like to know you better, we may be family one day after all." Rhaella said her smile catching the girl by surprise.
"Your grace?" she asked confusedly as she took her seat.
"I love my grandson very much, do you not think I'd insist on knowing if the girl he was showing an interest in felt the same way?".
"You were testing me?" Myrcella asked her voice somewhere between anger and surprise.
"You passed." she said and saw the girl relax before she smiled.
She spoke to Myrcella then about her childhood, her family, about her brother's, both of them, even about her uncles and mother. The girl was clever, very much so, her grandmother's and grandfather's influences clear, even if she hadn't known Joanna long. She was fiercely protective of her younger brother and while she never said it, was clearly not so about her older one.
When it came to her mother and uncles, she found to her surprise that it was Tyrion she was closest to, she and her mother were close, but she seemed to almost have been taken under Tyrion's wing somewhat. When she brought up her other grandson the girl was circumspect, but it was clear she didn't think much of Aegon, by the time Daemon and Tywin came back, she felt more sure than ever this was the right girl for her grandson.
"Grandmother, Myrcella." Daemon said smiling at her and looking to Myrcella who smiled back at him making him relax.
"Are you not going to ask me to dance grandson?" she said teasingly.
"Of course, I would be honored to dance with you." he said holding out his hand.
As he led her to the middle of the floor, she saw Tywin, Tyrion and Cersei soon take their seats, all of them asking Myrcella about what she had spoken to her of no doubt. Daemon noticed it too and looked at her, only to receive a smile in return, as the music began to play.
"Grandmother?" he said.
"I just wished to get to know the girl better Daemon, to see if I liked her." she said and felt his shoulders tense.
"And did you?".
"Hmmm, did I." she said and felt him tense even more.
"Grandmother?" he said a little more agitatedly.
"Patience is a virtue you know."
"Grandmother."
"Yes I liked her, she's a very nice girl, now are you happy?" she said and the smile on her grandson's face and the kiss he placed on her cheek answered the question for her.
They danced for a few more minutes and she looked around the room, Bonifer was gone and there was no sign of the other men of the hundred who had been there earlier. She looked around again, trying to see who else was missing, had they taken him already? Was that why they'd left? She found to her annoyance she couldn't tell who it may have been, instead, her eyes were drawn to Thoros and the woman he was speaking to.
"Who is that woman?" she asked and saw Daemon look to her.
"Lady Melisandre, she's from Volantis, a friend grandmother, a good one."
"People will speak Daemon, one red priest is one thing, two is a much different matter."
"They can speak all they want, I don't question their gods, they don't get the right to question mine." Daemon said and she looked at him to see him glaring at the High Septon.
"Without the faith on our side, we have problems Daemon."
"It's not my faith Grandmother, nor my gods. Where were the seven when I needed them? It wasn't them who came to my aid, it wasn't them who helped me survive." he said shaking his head.
"You follow their god?" she asked worriedly.
"R'hllor is my god too grandmother, I am his chosen remember."
"I understand that, but he chose you, I didn't know you chose him back." she said.
"When the night is at its darkest, when the terrors which are trapped there are ready to break free, it won't be the seven, nor the drowned god or the many-faced god who'll save us, grandmother. It'll be R'hllor, it's what it is and he asks no more of me than to put my faith in him as he has in me." he said and she knew she needed to speak more on this.
The roar which came next though was loud and close by and Daemon's face got a surprised and shocked look on it.
"Lyanax, I have to go." he said running to the doors.
Daemon.
He ran from the ballroom to the balcony next door, Thoros and Melisandre following in his wake, he hadn't felt her in his head, hadn't known she was coming or why, only the roar had alerted him to his dragon's presence. Once it did though he reached out to her, one word playing in his mind over and over, NOW. That was it, no explanation, nothing more, just NOW.
"My prince?" Thoros asked worriedly and Daemon cursed the clothing he wore and his lack of arms.
"I don't know Thoros, I don't know." he said and both he and Melisandre looked at him.
A few minutes later they were joined by the rest of his family and others, his father, Elia, Aegon and Jon Connington, his grandmother and Myrcella both looking worried, as was Daenerys and Missandei who saw him and the others and gasped. When Barristan, Arthur and the other knights arrived they were soon joined by Oberyn and his daughters, Rhaenys and Viserys followed not long after along with Tywin and the rest of the Lannisters.
Pretty soon the balcony was full and he was kneeling down and reaching out to his dragon yet again, she had flown over the docks and was heading towards them, not flying as fast as she could so he could do what was needed.
"Thoros, my swords." he said and the priest was gone in a moment racing off through the keep towards his room.
"Your armor my prince?" Melisandre said and he shook his head, he didn't have the time.
"Daemon?" his grandmother asked his father moving with her towards him.
"I need to go, I don't know why, but I'll be back as quick as I can." he closed his eyes and saw it then, the wall, the ice, the castle, he heard her voice clearer now and spoke the name his dragon was sending him "Aemon."
"What?" his father said.
"Aemon Targaryen, he's at the wall, it's him, I need to see him." Daemon said and his father and grandmother looked at him and then each other.
"There's a Targaryen at the wall." he heard someone say and he didn't have time to answer or explain.
Lyanax was there, she flew closer and he could see her eyes looking at him, see how eager she was they were on their way. He heard Thoros's footsteps, turned to whisper in Melisandre's ear and nodded to Myrcella and his grandmother.
"My prince." Thoros said and handed him the blades as Lyanax flew closer and then slowed more as she flew below the balcony.
He ran and jumped on the wall, taking the step he turned in the air as he fell, he didn't hear the gasps or the cries behind him, only felt himself fall for a moment before he hit the scales, Lyanax arching herself so he landed flat. She was already turning, already flying aways from the keep as he moved into a more comfortable position, he fixed his swords to his back as they flew over the walls of Kings Landing, and then leaned down closer to his dragon's back as they headed north.
The night had been strange and full of surprises enough without his dragon coming to see him, she had been spending her time between Valyria and Dragonstone, eating and drinking on the move as he had taught her. Something she was about to do now again as they flew over the Riverlands, the aurochs not standing a chance against the flames. As Lyanax ate and then drank, Daemon lay down on her back, closing his eyes and trying to connect with her, only for the night's event's to force him to lose focus.
Earlier that night.
She looked beautiful he thought, her dress more gold then crimson making her hair and eyes stand out even more. Her smile made him wish to just hold her tight, being stuck at the table and watching on as Aegon ignored Margaery, as his grandmother made small talk, he longed to be elsewhere. Thoros was moving around the room, Myrcella sitting with her family, he wished to be there, with her, instead of here.
Finally, when the meal was done he had his chance, he smiled as he walked towards her and then was shocked when he saw who Thoros was with, When? How? Why was she here? He had not expected to see her so soon, not until he had returned and it both made him happy she was here and worried also.
" My prince." Melisandre said.
" Melisandre, it's good to see you." he said kissing her cheek and hugging her.
" You too my prince."
" Why?" he said and she smiled pointing to her ruby on her chest.
" It was the time my prince, I received a vision in the flames, I was to come and be here by your side, so here I've come."
" Was there anything else?"
" I won't be the only one, my prince, there are more arriving, Ser Davos, Asher, some of the unsullied and Grey Worm." she said surprising him.
" R'hllor sent them?"
" I believe so my prince. Though why now I know not."
" Will you consult the flames, both of you." he asked and the nodded.
" Will you, my prince?" Thoros asked and he said he would before telling them he wished to speak to Myrcella.
He found yet again that he didn't make it to see her, this time the man who stopped him was unknown to him, personally, at least, he knew who the man was and his reputation. The Blackfish despite what the Tully's had done, bore none of the blame, none of the shame, to people like Barristan, Arthur, even to his grandmother who hated Hoster Tully with a passion, he was someone who was respected.
To him, he was a famous knight and that alone earned him some respect, that his own heroes thought well of him earned him some more. He could also no more be blamed for his brother's actions than Daemon could be for Aegon's, that he never complained of the way people looked at or spoke of him, earned the rest of the respect he had for the man.
" My prince." The Blackfish said.
" Ser Brynden, an honor." he said genuinely.
" Given what I've heard you did for my niece my prince, it is I who is honored to meet you."
" She is my aunt Ser, my kin, I did what any man would, what you no doubt would have if you were in my position."
" Aye, that I would have, though you went against your family's wishes my prince, for that you have my thanks too."
" I did what was right Ser, that is all, your own words are Family, Duty, Honor is that not so?"
" It is."
" Well then, in this case, I lived up to them as best I could." Daemon said and the Blackfish laughed.
" Perhaps we can speak again my prince, it's rare in this city I see someone who I'd gladly call my kin."
" I would be honored Ser, you'll be here for some time?"
" Some yes my prince." The Blackfish said before leaving. Finally giving him a chance to go to Myrcella.
When he did get to dance and speak with Myrcella and after reassuring her who Melisandre was, and feeling a slight bit of relief that she was jealous of her, his night had gotten better. They had spoken to Tyrion and he introduced her to Melisandre and Thoros and then they had danced some more. He had been surprised to see his grandmother speak to Tywin and he and Myrcella went to see what was being said. Though once there his grandmother basically dismissed him and decided to speak to Myrcella alone, leaving him and Tywin to share an uncomfortable conversation.
Not for any particular reason other than neither of them was the best at small talk and here in this place anything else would be picked up by someone, that and both their attentions were more on the conversation happening at the table some distance away. Daemon knew what they were speaking of and he hoped Myrcella wasn't too nervous, his grandmother could be intimidating when she wished to be. Though in the end, it seemed to be all for the best and whatever test his grandmother had given Myrcella, he was glad she had passed with flying colors.
Now.
He woke up having dozed for far longer than he should have, they were airborne again and he felt the chill in the air knowing he was entering the North, he was glad of it as it would keep him awake. He tried to shake off the memories of the night he had been going through in his head, though something was telling him that he missed something, that there was something there he needed to know.
So he refocused again, replaying the events in his head once more and then he saw it, saw what it was he missed and he cursed himself and where he was now, because of it. Theon Greyjoy, it had been Theon Greyjoy who had tried to kill him, he should have guessed, should have realized, he was the first one he should have looked at. Not that he could do anything about it now, he was the hundred's prey now, which meant he'd not get the chance to make the man pay.
"Damn it." he shouted as loudly as he could, Lyanax's laughter resonating in his ears "Really you're going to laugh, if it wasn't for you I'd have been able to kill him myself."
" You think this a pleasure ride father, you think I wish to be here, I was in my home, happy and content, rested and full, I had to fly, I had no choice." Lyanax said.
"I'm sorry, I didn't know, why?"
" We don't have much time father, not much at all." Lyanax said.
He said nothing more, just accepted his dragon's word for it, flying over the Neck and onward, it took them almost a full day and night to reach the wall from when he'd woken. Seeing it in front of him it was like nothing he'd ever imagined, he'd seen images of it in books, glimpses of it in visions, but this, seeing it standing in front of him, this was different. He climbed down off Lyanax when she landed outside Castle Black, surprised when she didn't take to the sky yet again, though she was tired no doubt.
"Who goes there?" he heard the voice call out as he walked to the gate, the man's fear at the sight of a dragon clear.
"Prince Daemon Targaryen, here to see Maester Aemon."
"Open the gate." he heard the man shout and he walked inside.
Seeing the castle that lay in front of him, that this was the home the Nights Watch, this was where his uncle had spent his life, this rotten, falling down ruin at the edge of the world. They'd allowed a dragon to be here, in this. It made him angry, furious, disgusted, he'd been forgotten about, left to rot here, as if he was a common criminal, as if he was no one, when he was a dragon, perhaps one of the greatest of all of them.
"My prince, I'm glad you've come, but the raven's only just left, it's most strange." a large man wearing a bearskin cloak said.
"Maester Aemon, Ser?"
"Jeor Mormont, Lord Commander of the Night's Watch." the large man said "The Maester is in his quarters, it's almost time." he said sadly.
"Time?" he asked.
"He is dying my prince." Jeor said and Daemon looked to him to see the sadness was clear.
"Where?"
"Up the stairs to the left, Chett will show you the way." Jeor said and before he'd finished he was running up the stairs "My prince, My prince." he shouted after him but he was well away from him by then.
Rhaella.
With Daemon's departure, the feast pretty much winded down over the next hour or so, Myrcella looked to her and she went to her to tell her where Daemon had gone and that he'd no doubt return quickly. She also asked Thoros and Melisandre to eat with her on the morrow, she'd much to discuss with them. She was glad to see Bonifer waiting for her in the hall and was about to go speak to him when she saw Varys whispering in her son's ear.
"Mother could you and Ser Bonifer join us, you too Jon," her son said and she nodded walking into the small private room behind her son and the eunuch.
Once inside the room, she waited for Rhaegar to speak, though she felt Bonifer's hand on her back making her relax some.
"Tell them what you've told me Lord Varys." Rhaegar said.
"I believe Theon Greyjoy to be behind the attack on Prince Daemon." Varys said.
"What evidence do you have?" Jon Connington asked.
"He purchased some poison from a source in the city, the same poison that was on the arrow which was aimed at the prince. He was heard to threaten the Prince's life more than once and given the events in the Iron Islands, it makes sense that he would have a motive to do so."
"Not enough to convict." Arthur said.
"No, but enough to arrest, issue an arrest warrant immediately I want him brought to me Lord Varys, now." Rhaegar said and Varys shook his head.
"It seems he's disappeared, your grace."
"What?"
"He was seen leaving Chattya's and that's the last he's been spotted your grace, even my little birds do not know where he is."
"Your grace if Prince Daemon has taken the law into his own hands then this will be a problem." Jon Connington said.
"You dare accuse my grandson, Rooster. False witness against a prince of the realm is a traitorous offense, and since Daemon was here in this very hall all night surrounded by what, how many people were there here again?" Rhaella said angrily.
"A few hundred at least my queen." Bonifer said with a smirk.
"Yes a few hundred witnesses, it's clear this is a false statement, retract it now Rooster or I'll demand you be tried for your crime."
"My apologies your grace, I was not accusing the prince merely stating how it could look." Jon said and she glared at him.
"Next time you speak of my grandson badly, Rooster, I'll have your tongue, you can keep your damn pin as long as my son wishes it, but speak of Daemon again in such a way and it'll be the last words you ever crow." she said storming from the room.
Bonifer followed after her and they bypassed her rooms, walking straight from the family quarters to the main gate. She walked on with her knight behind her, Bonifer not saying a word and allowing her to calm herself down in her own time. She was torn over what to do with Connington, he had proved he was so far against Daemon that not only was he annoying her, he was becoming a danger to her grandson.
She had wanted to destroy the man, to tear down his reputation, to see him wallow in self pity, before then and only then, she'd send him to meet whatever god he believed in. But it was getting to the point where she didn't know if she could, didn't know if she should wait that long.
"Where is he?" she asked.
"You know where my queen." Bonifer said and she smiled, glad they had him.
"Was it difficult?"
"It may have been, except for, well you'll see when we get there." he said smiling which intrigued her.
The building was large and well protected, the home of the hundred had once been a Sept, but the High Septon's preferred far more luxury and so Bonifer had bought it for barely any coin. He and his men had turned it into both a refuge and their own place, men who had nothing left after the war had come and been looked after, some had gone on to work and lead good lives, others had passed here.
Entering she saw Ser Jareth and Ser Ivar, Ser Laurence and Ser Mark, more and more of the hundred as she passed, all in all over half the knights were here, where the others were only Bonifer knew. They lined the hall leading to the room and sitting outside she saw it and knew what Bonifer meant, the white wolf laying on the floor in front of the doorway.
"Ghost." she said and the wolf looked to her rising to his feet and walking over to lick her hand, she saw it then, the blood on his snout, the drops of it in his fur.
"Theon ran, it seems the wolf is even faster than my men, and twice as quiet." Bonifer said to laughs.
"How did the wolf know?" she said rubbing his fur and Bonifer just shrugged.
She entered the room to find the Iron Born tied to the wall, his leg bandaged and still bloody, he smirked at them until Ghost bared his teeth and then he tried to shrink back into his bonds.
"You tried to kill my grandson." she said.
"He killed my father, my brothers, he destroyed my people"
"Your people destroyed themselves, your father could have been brought here, he could have pleaded his case, but your brother's broke parley, your father wouldn't surrender and what is it you call it, oh yes the Iron price, well it's no match for the Dragon's now is it." she said and he looked at her.
"I demand trial by combat." he said and she laughed.
"Fine, I name Ghost as my champion." she said as rubbed the wolf's head and he bared his teeth again making Theon shrink back even more.
"You can't just kill me, I'm a Lord Paramount."
"You are nothing, not even as important as the dirt on my shoe, you tried to kill my grandson, you dared try to harm a dragon. We don't forgive Greyjoy, we don't forget, Fire and Blood are what you've reaped this night. Cut him, then burn him, make it last Bon, make it hurt."
She heard the screams as she walked from the room, felt the wolf lean up against her, she smiled though, no one would ever hurt her family without paying the price, no one.