Chapter 23: Tour IV
[A/N: Crucial Edits for continuity of this story and the other Fanfic I have.]
[Runestone, The Vale]
(Rhaegon's POV)
"Is that all of them, Ser Yohn?" I asked the Rhoyce Knight
He nodded as I leaned back on the chair, "Yes, Ser Rhaegon." He said, "My apologies if the Vale did not live up to your expectations."
We were in a hall inside Runestone, home of House Rhoyce. Ser Yohn Rhoyce, a loyal vassal to House Arryn, was kind enough to host me in his home. Lord Jon Arryn was bedridden at the moment and did not want the sounds of swooning ladies to disrupt his sleep. I don't mind that, I would like for there to be quiet if I have to deal with the young Robyn all day.
"It's fine." I said as I looked at my nails, "I am starting to feel the exhaustion now, Ser. Even Morghul is beginning to get moody. Nobody wants a moody dragon, do they?"
He stood before the table, "Well, you and your dragon can stay in Runestone for a few days, for rest." He said, "I would not mind one bit. We have a nice assortment of sheep that are sheared already, to feed the Black Lord."
"You're too kind, Ser." I said, "I will accept the sheep as feed for Morghul, but I am afraid I must keep going on this Tour. I sent many letters to all the listed ladies for consideration."
"If I may speak freely, Ser Rhaegon." He said with a serious look on his face
"Yes?" I looked at him
"I speak for many of the lords of the realm when I say this; I rather you take Prince Oberyn's daughters as mistresses than Lord Frey's daughter." He said with a rather serious tone, "What he's been acting like since you wrote Lady Roslin's name down is naught but an insult to his Lord Paramount. He's acting like he owns the Riverlands now."
I raised an eyebrow, "Is that so?"
"At the very least with the Dornish girls, you'll receive the full support of an entire kingdom." He said, "But with Roslin Frey, you'll get nothing.....save for Walder Frey as your children's Grandsire."
I sighed, "But Roslin's pretty." I said, "You should've seen her, Ser Yohn. She's prettier than the rest of the River Ladies I saw. And well, no offense, prettier than the ones The Vale offered.."
He nodded past me, "That sword, adorned in the wall." He said, "It is quite something."
I turned around, seeing that mounted on a wall, a valyrian steel sword. I didn't recognize it, but I assumed it was House Rhoyce's Heirloom. I heard from Uncle Rhaegar that it had some history intertwined with House Targaryen but I never bothered to fully listen to the story. There are many things that I don't know solely because I don't pay attention to either Uncle or Mother's lessons. I was always outside, training with the sword, sparring with Father and Ser Arthur.
"Hm." I said, "It quite is."
"It first belonged to a member of our House." He said, "He lived during the reigns of Viserys I and Aegon II."
I frowned, "You mean Queen Rhaenyra?" I said
"Rhaenyra didn't reign for that long, Ser." He said
"She was still Queen." I said
"She was." He said, "That blade was her husband's."
I looked back to the Valyrian steel blade. It had a brown handle with a bronze dragon adorned at the butt of the handle.
I raised an eyebrow, "Husband's?"
"Aerion Targaryen." Ser Yohn said, "Son of Daemon Targaryen and our Lady Rhea Royce. The story of Lord Aerion is quite sad. Lost his mother at a young age to a hunting accident and his father was never there for him. After the Rogue Prince consummated the marriage, drunkenly and forcefully, he abandoned his wife and later on neglected his son."
I turned back to face him, "I see." I said, "I never knew that about Daemon Targaryen. Maybe I was told, but I didn't pay much attention. Aegon III and Viserys II were Rhaenyra's boys, I do remember reading that. I just know that we come from her line. Daemon had two daughters, that's all I recall. I didn't know he had a son."
"Well, the Crown likes to ignore that fact about House Royce." Ser Yohn said, "My point is, Ser Rhaegon...that to us, it matters not what choice you make for marriage. House Royce already had the blood of the dragon once.....that one time is more than sufficient to satisfy us. Especially considering it was Aerion Targaryen of all people, a fierce and honorable man."
"And House Royce descends from him?" I asked, "The current one, I mean."
"No, Ser." He said, "The current line of House Royce descends from Lady Rhea's nephew, Lord Aerion's cousin. Aerion's line.....well, I am looking at it. In a way, strange as it may sound, we are kin so to say, you and I."
Aerion, huh? I ought to learn more about him. I just focused on stuff after the Dance of The Dragons, like Aegon III's sons Daeron and Baelor....Viserys II's boys, Aegon IV and Aemon The Dragonknight. Why didn't I focus on the man they come from? I heard that we descend from Daemon, The Rogue Prince and I guess we do, via Aerion.
I looked around the hall, "Yes....Runestone has some Targaryen history, hm?" I said, "My Grandfather's Uncle....he died here, no?"
He nodded, "Prince Jaeherys, son of Aegon V.....he died of illness at a very young age here..." He said, "Terrible thing."
"Hm...." I said as I glanced back at the valyrian steel longsword, "Aerion, huh?"
"Ser?" He said
"How did he die?" I asked, "Lord Aerion.....he was Consort of the Queen, no?"
"In Dragonfire, Ser." He said, "Or at least that's what the stories say. Nobody truly knows what happened to him after Queen Rhaenyra died. Many commoners in the Vale claim that he outlived the Dance....some say he fled to Essos.... some conspiracies claim that he went on to have bastard children and whose line went to aid the Blackfyre rebellions.....baseless theories, that is all. Aerion had always been a quiet one. He didn't care for the spotlight and was always by his Queen's side but fight fiercely for her, no matter what."
I crossed my arms, "Is that so?" I said, "That is interesting....."
"He was considered the strongest man during that time. The pride and joy of The Vale." He said with a slight smile, "That sword is a symbol. To remind us that a Dragon fought for us."
I nodded, "Hm...." I said, "He must've been quite a man..."
"Interesting."
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