Chapter 74: Calm After The Dreamt Storm
[A/N: Wow, just wow. 1M reads in three weeks. That's amazing, really amazing. I think my record was a month and a half on one of my other stories on my main account, I'm not sure. But I think I had wayy more chapters than this.
A little fyi, this past arc was meant to be a bit...odd for the MC, it was supposed to erratic and chaotic, like a seriously bad dream that confused both the mc and us, the readers.
anyways, thank you all for your support, I greatly appreciate it.]
(Aerion's POV)
[King's Landing]
"It was like a bad dream." I said as I looked down, "Like a Nightmare that felt real....except it was real."
"So it's true." Viserys said, "Death...."
I was in the Red Keep, in the King's Chambers sitting on a chair as Viserys sat across from me. We were alone in here, he didn't want anyone else to be here when we discussed what happened. Willam had returned to Runestone, the others were there. He was going to tell them that Waymar was unjustly killed by the criminals outside of the Shadowtower and that Wildlings got to them before we could.
Despite not truly finding out the truth about why Waymar going over there; Willam wanted to forget the whole ordeal, as did I. But I couldn't forget. Everything was so vivid in my mind; every single detail that I could remember. The cold, the death, the terror. And what unsettled me the most was the Corpse in The Ice. What was that? Why was it there? Did we stumble upon it by accident? Or was it fate? Did the Gods want me to come across it?
It used some sort of Sorcery on me, despite being frozen in the ice. It nearly destroyed my mind, now that I think about it. It was odd, it was looking at me. Not anyone else; Me.
Why? I don't know. I don't think I'll ever know.
"Vermithor didn't cross the Wall." I looked up at him, "He couldn't. I don't know why. Maybe it's the magic in the Wall, maybe that's it. But....he sensed the danger, I know he did. Willam and I.....and the Ranger, we almost died. It was a different feeling, Uncle, not one we're used to. That's a whole different world, beyond the Wall. It's more dangerous than what we're accustomed to. There is nothing but Cold and Death.....those things.....they're dangerous."
Viserys sighed and stood up, "And there is nothing to prove it but your word, Aerion." He said as he walked towards the table next to me, picked up the jug of wine, and began pouring on a cup. "The only way we can soundly unite the realm is by using the Fear that is that which lies beyond the wall."
He handed me the cup as I looked at it.
I took it, "Y-Yea..." I said, "I would imagine so."
"I would like to order another expedition. Send word to the Night's Watch to bring me proof." He said, "Something. Something that'll convince all of these fools to stop their plotting and scheming and focus on the real threat. We must be united as one, to deal with the threat."
I looked down again, "Uncle." I said, "The Targaryen that sits on the throne to keep the Realm united, do you think it's Rhaenyra?"
He walked back to his seat and sat down, "I don't know, truly." He said, "But all I know is this, Aerion, between the two of us. She's my rightful Heir. And I know that her heir, whomever it may be, will be the proper candidate for that role. It matters not, all I know is that my blood will be that Targaryen who unites the Realm and defeats the threat."
I looked at him with a confused face, "What?" I said, "What do you mean? Whomever it may be? Rhaenyra's Heir is Jaecaerys."
He looked away, "Forget I said anything." He said
"Uncle, you do acknowledge him as the rightful heir, right?" I asked
"Yes, of course." He said as he gave me a look, "He is my Trueborn Grandson. But...."
"What?" I asked
He had a grim look on his face, "I had a dream....." He said, "It was more of a nightmare, really...."
"About Jace?" I asked
"About all of you." He said, "Fire and Blood, literally. My own blood, spilling on the floor.....death and ruin as the dragons dance in the sky....I....I don't know if it was just my paranoia...."
"Oh.." I said as I looked down, "I see...."
"Regardless, Aerion." He said, "Whether it is by fear or hope, the Realm must be united. To defeat that Threat."
"Yea..." I said
The Corpse in The Wall.....was there something more to it? It wore a crown.....
I should've asked Cregan Stark what he knew about it. I should've done a bit more research. I don't know. It all seems so hazy at this point. The warmth of King's Landing was thawing the ice in my blood, it was making me feel more cozy.
I never felt danger like I did when I was in that room, in front of that Corpse. Even when I fought the Walker, well as much as a fight that could've been, I felt okay. But the moment that Corpse opened its eyes, I felt hopeless.
Fear or Hope, huh?
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[Dragonstone]
"Aerion! You're back!" Jace said as he ran towards me, "Are you okay? You been gone a while!"
I had dismounted Vermithor on the Dragonmont, my gaze was on the stone platform as I took off my gloves.
"I'm fine." I said softly
"You sure?" He asked, "You look off."
I looked up at him, "Yeah, I am." I said as I patted his shoulder and walked past him
"W-What happened? Mother told me to fly to the North." He said, "Did you get Justice after all?"
"In a way." I said, "Wildlings got to the ones that killed Waymar."
As we walked, he looked at me, "Wildlings?" He said, "Those savages north of the Wall? You went North of The Wall? Wait, you were at the Wall???"
I nodded, "Yea..." I said as I walked like I was in a trance, "Waymar died near the Shadowtower, the westernmost castle of the Wall...Willam and I went a bit north to find out that they've been killed by the wildlings. We fought and killed them before going back, that's all."
That was the story that Willam and I agreed to tell everyone. We both agreed that nobody would believe the truth, not unless we had proof. Only Uncle, from what I understand, believed me since he's the one who saw it in his Dream.
"I should've been there with you." He said
"No." I replied almost instantly, "No, you would not have wanted to be there. Trust me, kid."
Several minutes later, after hearing Jace ramble about the things that happened here, I was making my way down the hallway while he walked next to me. He had flown several times to Driftmark by himself despite his Mother's protest and had acted as a courier for Baela and Rhaena who exchanged gifts, which was nice. Lucerys was also learning how to command his own Dragon and Arrax was soon to be large enough to be taken to flight. Joffrey hid for half a day in one of the cupboards in Rhaenyra's room which had everyone worried, if not for his loud giggling at the final hour, nobody would've found him.
Visenya apparently threw one of her toys at Jace's face which resulted in Luke and Joffrey laughing their asses off for a whole day straight, which was nice.
"Aerion." Jace said as he stopped next to me
I stopped and looked at him, "Yea?"
He had a frown, "What really happened over there?" He said, "You were not like this after Bloodstone and the Tourney. Something happened over there, didn't it?"
Jace was quite smart, I've always known it. He was an astute young man, a good kid. He would be a great King, should he succeed Rhaenyra. But aside from my time beyond the wall and Uncle's premonition, I keep getting a feeling of dread.
"Nothing happened." I said as I gave him a smile, "I'm just tired. The North is awfully cold."
I turned around and kept walking, reaching Rhaenyra's door and opening it.
As I walked through, I heard Visenya's laughter.
I then saw that my daughter was playing with one of her toys on the floor with Elinda and other maids as Rhaenyra sat on a couch, sewing on something.
I stood there, looking at them, blank-faced, taking in the warmth of their sight.
Rhaenyra looked up with surprise, "A-Aerion..." She said softly as she stood up slowly, "You're back...."
I nodded, "Y-Yea...." I said,
"I'm back.."
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