Chapter 8: King's Landing
(Rhaegon's POV)
As I leaned back on the saddle and took a bite of the dried meat from my satchel, I felt the breeze of the open air hit me in the face. Morghul and I were high above the blackwater, approaching the Capital after a long flight. I could see the Red Keep, a tiny figure in the distance.
"Ah, the reek of the Capital." I whiffed the air, "I don't know what makes it smell like this, either the crime or the dragon shit. What say you, Morghul?"
I saw as he quickly glanced at me, letting out a deep rumble, his usual response to my conversations. This one lasted a bit longer, almost as if he was giving a long response to my remarks. Probably something about how it isn't the Dragon's fault that the capital has an awful stench.
"Hm." I nodded as I placed the last of my dried meat in my mouth, "You make a good point. I wonder if the Dragonkeepers will have some food ready for you, you did eat some shark earlier in the morrow so I doubt if you're hungry."
This was in fact the day after my little talk with Uncle Stannis and his newfound Cult. I had stopped by one of the outposts on the Stormlands in the middle of the night, telling the captain to deliver a quickly written letter to my father and explain the situation.
In the letter, I suggested we keep the Cult in our sights and not do anything too drastic. If Stannis desires to lunge for power with his zealots, I will deal with it. My Lord Uncle has been quite distant from us in the late years, I wonder if he can keep his wits about.
This priestess of his will become a problem, someone with the influence to sway others' hearts is definitely an issue. I have heard rumors that it was a red woman who convinced Balon Greyjoy to take arms and assault the North.
Morghul let out a screech, shaking his head as we drew closer to the city.
"Ah, yes." I said with a smile and patted his hide, "The excitement to see Arraxes, huh? The Silver Wyrm definitely loves playing with you."
"Let us go forward then."
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"Rybas, Morghul, Umbas"
The Dragonkeepers raised their wooden staves as I dismounted my Dragon who was shaking his head and shifting around, vocalizing loudly and looking around.
One of the keepers walked up to me, "Ser Rhaegon." He said as he gave me a nod, "As always, The Black Lord is a sight to behold."
I nodded, "Yes, he is." I said as I removed my gloves, "Do treat him kindly, he's been in a mood. Father hasn't let me take him to flight in weeks so him going back to the pit might annoy him."
He bowed slightly, "But of course." He said, "We have supper for him and the rest ready, fat goats this week."
I chuckled, "Of course, the King's Landing special." I said as I walked past him, "I leave him in your care."
I saw as Morghul was escorted back to the entrance of the Dragonpit, being surrounded by a couple of keepers.
"Ser Rhaegon." I heard a voice say
I turned to see a large man clad in red and golden armor, the Targaryen Sigil on his breastplate. He was a Drakeknight, leader of the Dragonguard in charge of protecting the Dragons and Keepers. He had red hair and blue eyes, a massive scar on his cheek.
I stopped and straightened up, placing my gloves in my satchel, "And you are....Ser..." I squinted, "Forgive me, I do not recognize you."
"Ser Ryan Rivers." He nodded slightly
I raised an eyebrow, "Rivers?" I said, "Down south? Where's Ser Tristan?"
A Bastard of the Riverlands, huh? He must've worked or fought his way up to Knighthood if he was made a Drakeknight. My Uncle does not choose just anyone for a prestigious and important role.
"Ser Tristan was transferred." He said, "I am the new Drakeknight in charge of the Dragonpit here, Ser."
"Transferred?" I said, "Where to?"
"Winterfell." He said, "The Dragonpit commissioned to be built there is nearly complete. Several keepers have made the journey safely."
"Ah yes, for my Aunt's Dragon." I said, "Well met Ser Ryan."
He nodded as I walked past him, "Ser Rhaegon, a bit of a warning." He said as I stopped and glanced at him, "The....Prince is also here."
I narrowed my eyes, "Viserys?"
He nodded, "He's also....in a foul mood...." He said, "He has thrown your name out a couple of times.....the things he said....well, I rather not repeat them."
I nodded, "Thank you for this, Ser Ryan." I told him, "Good man."
I then walked away.
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"I don't recommend going on further." I heard a voice say as I walked through the hall of the Red Keep
I stopped and turned, seeing a man clad in golden armor and a white-cloak, he had shining blonde hair and a chiseled jawline. He had an air of authority around him, something not all Kingsguard had. It was tough to keep your focus when around such a man, his mere presence was enough to discourage anyone...save for myself.
He was him, the famous Golden Lion, Ser Jaime Lannister. A man of legend, whose swordsmanship was so great that it rivaled both Ser Barristan and Ser Arthur.
"Ser Jaime." I said as I gave him a nod, "What's your reason for saying that?"
"His Grace expected you to arrive before the Prince." Ser Jaime said as he walked forward, "You didn't get here in time."
He had a slight smug smile, a unique trait to the Lannisters. They were all so full of audacity and arrogance.
"I had business to attend to, my Mother sent a Raven." I told him, "Why? What did the Prince do?"
He sighed, "As we speak, King Rhaegar and Prince Viserys are locked in a tense argument in the Throne Room." He said, "The topic of argument? You."
I frowned, "And why must I be the topic of said argument?"
He shook his head, "I do not know." He said, "But that is the truth, Ser Rhaegon. Prince Viserys has grown....quite.....what's the word? Well, he's being a cunt."
"Hm." I said, "What a word to describe the Prince, Ser Jaime. The only reason I don't have your tongue for that is because your father is The Hand."
"That and you are my good friend, are you not?" He said with a smile
"Hardly." I said, "You share blood with my cousins, the Princesses. And of course, my Aunt, The Queen. You can abuse such....privileges at times."
"Well, my privileges allow me to relay this information to you." He said patting my shoulder, "Go and see what your uncle wishes to speak with you. I have to meet the young Heleana in the library."
He then proceeded to walk away.
As I heard the light clanking of his armor get further and further, I smacked my gums, "Fucking cunt." I said with annoyance, "Always up to something, is he?"
I then turned around and began to make my way towards the Throne Room.
Several minutes later, I reached the closed doors and saw two guards stationed in front of them. I could hear loud yelling coming from inside the room, Viserys's obnoxious voice resounded even out here.
As they saw me, they nodded, "Ser Rhaegon." one of them said
I nodded back, "How long has he been at it?"
"A few minutes." he said as he shifted, "Uhm, King Rhaegar hasn't responded."
"Oh boy...." I blew raspberries, "This is gonna be rough. Let me through."
They nodded and opened the doors.
As they did so, one of them announced my arrival, "Ser Rhaegon, Son of Princess Shaena, and rider of Morghul, Your Grace." He said as I walked through
Sitting on the Iron Throne, I saw Uncle Rhaegar, leaning his bored face on his hand, looking at Viserys who was standing not too far from the steps leading to the throne. His tired eyes immediately lit up when he looked at me.
"Oh." He said, "Rhaegon."
Next to him, standing patiently, was Tywin Lannister who was giving Viserys a serious look as the Prince was wailing his arms around yelling nonsensically about something I was not even aware of.
Behind the Throne, Ser Barristan stood, his hand on the handle of his sword as Ser Arthur Dayne, merely had his arms behind his back. The two legendary swordsmen, the greatest fighters that Westeros has ever seen, being forced to listen to whatever my Uncle was crying about.
"-and all for what, huh? Rhaegar, you haven't once treated me like you did to Rhaegon-" Viserys said as he turned around and looked at me, "Oh! Well look who decided to finally show up! Ser Rhaegon fucking Baratheon!"
Uncle Rhaegar frowned, "Viserys!" He said, "Hold your tongue!"
Viserys chuckled as he walked over to me, "Hold my tongue, he says." He said as he gave me an angry look, "Why? Because it's your precious Rhaegon whom I speak to?"
"My Prince." I said nodding respectfully and then bowing to Uncle Rhaegar, "Your Grace, I apologize for not arriving earlier than you expected me to. I had an issue to attend to."
"It is fine, Rhaegon." Uncle said, "What was this issue? Is it something of concern?"
I shook my head, "No, Your Grace." I said, "Nothing at the moment."
"Ha! Well, it should be something if you made the King wait, Rhaegon!" Viserys said
"Enough, Prince Viserys." Tywin's commanding voice made him falter, "With Ser Rhaegon here, His Grace can finally speak to the two of you."
Uncle straightened up, and I noticed his scruff returned, he usually tried to keep his face clean-shaven but the stress and loss of sleep these days prevented him from doing so.
"Ahem." He cleared his throat, "Yes, Tywin is right. Viserys, now that he's here, you can cease your senseless crying. There's a reason I called the two of you here."
Viserys nodded, "Well, do pray-tell." He said, "What could you have possibly need to speak about if you need the two of us here."
"Ah, Viserys." Uncle said as he looked down, "I've had enough of this. Why can't you and your Nephew just get along?"
I cleared my throat, "With respect, Your Grace." I said as I looked at Viserys, "I do try to get along with him. But The Prince can be quite...well, you know."
"Say it." Viserys chuckled, "Say it, Nephew. I shall have your tongue removed."
I gave him a bored look, "If you want to have a duel to settle things, Uncle." I said, "By all means."
"Enough." Tywin said, "His Grace is speaking, You will listen."
I nodded, "My apologies, Lord Hand." I said, "Your Grace, I am all ears."
Uncle Rhaegar sighed and stood up, "Viserys, Rhaegon, the two of you are the current active Dragonriders." He said as he walked down the steps, "Whether you like it or not, you are a symbol of the Crown's strength."
"The two of us?" I said, "Is that so? Aren't my Mother and Aunt Daenerys considered ones as well?"
He reached us, standing in front of us as he nodded, "Yes, well, what I meant was the two Dragonriders active in combat." He said, "My sisters are riders, yes, so am I. But they're not experienced in actual combat while the two of you are. I mean, yes, my dear sister Shaena has seen her fair share of battles, but she's Lady of Storm's End, she cannot be deployed at a moment's notice. And as for myself, I am King, as much as I like to, I cannot just take Arraxes to battle."
Viserys nodded, "Okay and your point is?" He said
Rhaegar jabbed his finger on his shoulder, "Be respectful, Brother." He said, "My point is.....I cannot have the two most important military powers be at odds with each other. Your recent.....disagreements are causing stirs in the Realm. Viserys, your lady-wife from the Reach has powerful allies through her family, and Rhaegon, well, he has support from all over. If you two are to go at it, they will respond in full."
Viserys looked at me, confused at what he meant.
"Civil War." Tywin chimed in, "You two fools can inadvertently start something we will not recover from if your ceaseless fighting doesn't end. It is a wonder you haven't clashed your dragons against each other."
I sighed, "My apologies, Your Grace." I said, "I'll try to restrain myself when my Uncle decides to be...well, you know."
"Oh please, little golden child." Viserys scoffed, "You can be a cunt yourself."
"Ho!" Uncle Rhaegon smacked him in the head, "What did I just say?!"
"Brother!" He said as he rubbed his head, "What was that for?"
"For crying out loud, the two of you are grown men." He said, "I have had enough of this, get along!"
It's true, Uncle Viserys and I have had our disagreements, and countless of squabbles between us. I mean, he's the idiot that tempted me into going to Essos and fight the Dothraki. I mean, I was more of a fool for falling for his goading.
Uncle Rhaegar began to walk back towards the throne, "I'll make an announcement before the lords soon." He said, "I expect the two of you to be present and in good terms."
I raised an eyebrow, "What announcement is that?"
He sat down on the throne, "It is time." He said with a slight smile, "My dearest and beloved sister Daenerys...."
"She is to officially wed the Young Lord Robb."
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