What happened, Grandfather? You called us all together?" Elmo Tully's voice cut through the tense air, the weight of the moment palpable as he stood among the Lords of the Riverlands.
"The Crown has declared war on House Mooton, House Staunton, and the Ironborn. We are to keep our armies on high alert, ready to provide reinforcements to any kingdom in need," Grover said, his voice low and laden with grim determination.
"House Mooton? Why?" asked the Lord of House Darry, his face clouded with confusion.
Grover's gaze turned cold, his expression heavy. "Apparently, the daughter of Waly Mooton, the wife of Lord Staunton, poisoned Queen Aemma. That act led to Prince Aelyx's blindness."
The Lords in the room froze, their eyes widening in disbelief. Poisoning a member of the royal family—especially a queen—was a crime so vile that it shook the very foundations of the realm. This was the highest form of treason.
"We should march on House Mooton at once," the Lord of House Wode spoke with rising anger, his hand gripping his sword hilt.
Grover's tone was firm, unwavering. "We are to remain in the Riverlands, our forces ready. House Mooton will face the wrath of the Knights of the Vale and an army from the Crownlands under the Rogue Prince's command."
"Why not us?!" Lord Bracken's voice rose in frustration, his brow furrowed in disbelief.
Lord Blackwood's voice cut through the tension, dark and foreboding. "You fool… You don't understand. The King does not trust the Riverlands at the moment."
A heavy silence followed. All the Lords nodded, their faces grim. They understood the truth in Blackwood's words.
Grover, now with a renewed sense of purpose, stood up straight. "Call the banners. We march to Harrenhal. We wait there."
His voice was commanding, and yet, in his heart, he knew the battle ahead would not be one of simple victories. The Riverlands were in peril, as was the kingdom itself.
---
[Eyrie, Vale]
The Lords of the Vale stood before the throne of the Eyrie, where Lady Jeyne sat with quiet authority. The news of war had spread quickly, and with it, the order to strike House Mooton from the North.
"The Iron Throne is distrustful of the Riverlands after House Mooton's treason. That's why we are to strike from the Vale," Gerold Royce, newly appointed Lord of Runestone, explained in a low, steady voice.
Jeyne nodded, her gaze sharp as a blade. "Gather the Knights of the Vale. Under the leadership of Ser Adrian of House Redfort, we will march. The Mootons will feel the weight of our justice."
There was no opposition. The Lords of the Vale trusted Ser Adrian implicitly—his reputation as both a knight and a strategist was unmatched. His leadership was unquestioned.
---
[King's Landing]
The room was suffocating with tension. King Viserys had summoned those of Targaryen blood, alongside their spouses, to discuss the grim news. The very air seemed to thicken as the storm approached.
[Aelyx's POV]
This morning, the world felt different. The Gold Cloaks had doubled their patrols, and ravens flew incessantly—messages from every corner of the realm. Something big was coming
It was then that Daenerys and I realized our fatal flaw. We had no spies, no network of eyes and ears across the kingdoms. Without information, we were like sitting ducks, or worse—dragons without wings, grounded and vulnerable.
Father stood at the head of the room, his usual calm demeanor shattered. His face was twisted in fury, eyes burning with something darker than I had ever seen. In that moment, I knew the man before me was no longer the peaceful King Viserys I had known. He was now a dragonlord... Burning with fury and rage
"Alicent, take the children, Laena, and go to Dragonstone," he commanded, his voice firm but heavy with unspoken anguish.
Daenerys whispered in my mind, "Something's changed. Something terrible has happened."
Yes… This was not the peaceful House of the Dragon I had once read about. This was something else entirely.
"Ser Willas of the king's guard will accompany you. Take the dragon eggs and the young dragons with you," Viserys added, his voice barely containing his sorrow.
The tension in the room grew even heavier. War was no longer a distant threat—it was upon them. The once peaceful King Viserys, the man who cherished peace above all else, was now preparing for battle. But what had pushed him to this? What had caused him to abandon his ideals?
Alicent's face went pale, her eyes wide with shock. She hadn't known. Even Rhaenyra looked stunned, the weight of the situation dawning upon her.
"Aelyx and Daenerys, stay," Father commanded, his voice soft but firm.
---
[Daenerys's POV]
We remained in the room, but my mind raced. King Viserys had asked us to stay, but I couldn't shake the feeling that something was terribly wrong. This was no longer a simple political struggle—this was personal.
"Aelyx, your blindness... It wasn't natural," Viserys' voice broke through my thoughts, his tone somber. "Your mother was poisoned. The poison used could cause blindness in her offspring. And it has."
I turned to Aelyx, my heart aching for him. His face remained emotionless, but I could feel the deep sadness and the weight of his grief. He was a prince—yet the world had robbed him of so much.
Before I could approach him, Father was already there, embracing him tightly. "I will make them pay, my son. I promise you. Those traitors will burn."
The fire in his eyes was terrifying—he had been pushed to his breaking point. And in that moment, I knew: the King we had all known was gone. This man would stop at nothing to see justice done.
---
[Dragonstone]
We arrived at Dragonstone, where Rhyun, one of the Rhoenar, awaited us. The island was brimming with activity—troops patrolled the shores, and ships lined the coast, ready for battle.
"Let Sunfyre and Sundancer stay with their riders," Aelyx said, his voice cold and commanding.
Alicent's eyes flashed with concern. "No!" she protested, her protective instincts flaring. "They're too young."
Aelyx's gaze hardened as he met her defiance. "Your children want to stay with their dragons," he said firmly.
Aegon and little Aera nodded eagerly at his words. Alicent, though hesitant, sighed in resignation, and we made our way inside Dragonstone.
The atmosphere on the island was heavy with anticipation. The Rhoenar were ready for battle, their war gear gleaming in the twilight, and the ships anchored nearby stood ready to sail.
Aelyx and I made our way towards Windwyrm Tower, the tallest and most imposing structure on the island. The sea was eerily calm, but we both knew—peace would not last.
"If I hadn't been poisoned... would I have been able to see the sky? The sea? The world?" Aelyx's voice was soft, yet filled with such sorrow that it struck me like a dagger.
His question hung in the air, unanswered, as the distant sound of thunder rumbled in the skies above. The storm was coming—whether we were ready or not.