Capítulo 113: The Usurper King and The King-Consort
[A/N: Alright so here's the plan. We're in the final stretch and I plan to end the story soon . My hope is that I solely focus on this story while working on My Novel, getting out as much chapters as possible. I'm going to try to end this story and The Black Lord by January. Then see if I can work on my other fic by the end of February.
Now, I don't know if it'll happen but that's the plan. The plan is to end this one by 150 chapters but if it isn't possible then so be it.]
(Third Person POV)
[The Red Keep, King's Landing]
"How is the Queen doing?" Otto asked Alicent as the Queen-Dowager sat across from him, "Is she eating?"
Alicent was fidgeting with her fingers, "N-No." she said as she held back tears, "It's still hard....."
"I see." Otto said, "We pray for her recovery...."
Everyone in the Small Council Room were silent for a few moments, not wanting to speak on that topic, knowing full well that it will only start an argument. The King, however, was not present which wasn't surprising as he would mostly sulk in his chambers, drowning his sorrows.
There were a lot of changes that had happened since the riots; The Lord-Commander of The Kingsguard, Ser Harold defected after a certain incident that many consider it was part of a conspiracy. There was a quick skirmish between him and Ser Criston Cole which was broken up by the Cargyll Twins, leaving Ser Harold a chance to leave King's Landing. The two of them were equally matched when the other members of the Kingsguard intervened, Cole was able to wound the veteran Knight.
Shortly after this and the assault on the Hightower-affiliated Knights, Ser Arryk and Ser Erryk clashed in a dispute over the fate of the White Worm, who had been recognized as Mysaria, Prince Daemon's former lover. Due to her connection to the Rogue Prince, she was to be taken into the Red Keep for interrogation but Ser Erryk didn't see a reason to do so, as he had deemed her innocent.
It is safe to say that despite the Greens' declaration of War, things hadn't gone as they expected. Because of this, Ser Criston Cole, now Lord-Commander of the Kingsguard, has marched to gather a Host in the Crownlands, taking the initiative as the Westerlands and Stormlands have began to march their armies as well. Prince Aemond Targaryen has remained in the capital, guarding it with Vhagar as any attack would happen.
Even with their armies marching, The Greens were rather skeptical about the movement, considering that the Reach and The Vale would gather their own forces and with Daemon in the Riverlands, a massive Host would be gathered to match them. There was also the fact that Aerion Targaryen had not made a move.
This bothered Otto greatly as Aerion was one to always take initiative. This was shown clearly during the conflict with the Stepstones, the Lord of Runestone flew to War without the Crown's leave and ended the war with the Triarchy, pushing them back and making Dorne cautious. This is one of the reasons House Martell had refused to aid the Crown, because of Aerion and Vermithor.
"Where is His Grace?" Otto asked the council
"We don't know. He wasn't in his Chambers." Lord Jasper said, "My guess is that he's probably in the Keep, finding a distraction...."
"Very well." Otto said, "It is imperative that we make a move. In the Riverlands, the Brackens and the Blackwoods have engaged in a bloody battle. House Blackwood has declared for Rhaenyra as House Bracken has declared for Aegon. This is merely the start of a dire conflict that will be unavoidable."
"You declared that conflict, Father." Alicent said, "How is it avoidable now? Many more battles will follow, and it will be even bloodier with a hint of smoke and flames if Aerion gets involved. And Daemon is gathering a force as well, with him, nothing good can follow."
"It would be against our interests if Daemon and Aerion work together." Lord Tyland said, "That said, so long as Daemon stays occupied in Harrenhal trying to force the Riverlords to serve him, we can make our movements, force those who declared for Rhaenyra to bend the knee to His Grace."
"Agreed." Lord Jasper said, "Even if Aerion is a capable warrior and dragonrider, we have Aemond and Vhagar. Even he won't be foolish to challenge him directly."
Alicent scowled, "Do you even know who you're talking about?" She asked, "Aerion Targaryen, Lord Jasper. He's the same person who dismounted his Dragon to walk up a hill and cut down a hundred men just to get the man he was looking for. Do you truly think a dragon twice the size of his would even faze him?"
"With all due respect, Queen Dowager." Lord Jasper said, "He is but one man. Those stories can be exaggerated."
"There is no exaggeration when it comes to Aerion Targaryen." Otto said, "The Queen-Dowager is correct to voice her concern."
"Then how do you suppose we deal with him?" Lord Tyland said, "He isn't exactly someone any of us could fathom beating in single combat."
"I'll devise a plan to dispose of him if needed." Otto said, "For now, we focus on gathering our forces. If we drive Rhaenyra to a corner, she'll consider surrendering. But so long as Aerion is by her side, her confidence and conviction will not waver."
The doors opened and Ser Arryk walked in, "My Lords, Queen-Dowager, this is urgent!" He called, "The Dragon-Keepers spotted Sunfyre taking flight! His Grace has left!"
Otto stood up, "What did you say?!" He exclaimed, "Where?!"
"I do not know! But The Grand Maester, who is currently attending Queen Helaena, has informed me that a letter had been sent to Dragonstone by His Grace." He said,
"It was directed at Aerion Targaryen!"
*************
[The Blackwater Gulf, Between King's Landing and Driftmark]
In one of the small islands that littered the Blackwater Gulf, so tiny and insignificant, Aegon Targaryen stood atop the rocks in front of his Dragon, Sunfyre. He was wearing his dark green attire, The Conqueror's Crown on his head. The Crown was something that forced on him but despite that, he still wore it. Blackfyre was strapped to his side as he placed his hand on its handle, signifying his Kingly status.
As the tides crashed against the rocks he stood on, the wind hitting him and causing his hair to flow in the air, he looked up to the sky as dark bags were under his eyes. He watched as a massive winged beast broke through the clouds, a loud roar being followed.
It was Vermithor with Aerion Targaryen atop him.
"You've come..." He said softly, "Aerion..."
Vermithor swooped down and landed on the rocks, several dozen meters from Aegon and Sunfyre as he let out a warning roar. Sunfyre returned the roar but Aegon lifted his hand, silently telling his dragon to calm down.
"Easy...." he said
Aegon squinted his eyes to see Aerion sitting on his saddle, wearing his usual black and bronze outfit.
Aerion was staring at Aegon, scanning the King with his eyes, trying to make something out of this. He then looked around and saw that the sky above the black water was rather empty, no clouds in the direction of where Aegon came from. If any Dragon was nearby, he'd be able to see it.
"Aerion!" Aegon said, "Y-You got my letter!"
Aerion silently dismounted Vermithor, the Bronze Fury lowering himself as he growled at Sunfyre who was hunched down defensively.
Aerion then slowly walked in front of Vermithor, stopping just a few meters from his dragon. He rest his hand on the handle of his sword, giving Aegon a grim look.
"Aegon." He said as the sound of the waves crashing was heard, "You have my condolences, cousin....I am sorry....about your children..."
A tear ran down Aegon's cheek, "I didn't ask for this, Aerion!" He said, "I didn't fucking ask for this!"
"I know." Aerion said, "But look at what your Grandsire has done. He usurped your Sister's throne and is pitting you and your brother against her, against me. That is unforgivable, Aegon."
"M-My Father is dead, Aerion...." Aegon said, "My children are dead...my wife....s-she's hurt....she won't leave her bed....Everything....everything is crashing down atop me and War is inevitable....Why has it come to this?"
Aerion sighed, "I do not know." He said as he looked down, "I don't want this either. But you and I both know that if things keep going as they are, blood will spill and fire will burn. So do the right thing, Aegon, stop this. Call off your armies, You are their leader, they'll listen to you."
Aegon shook their head, "They won't listen, Aerion, you know that." He said, "So long as I breathe, as long as Aemond or Daeron breathe, they will revolt against Rhaenyra. It doesn't fucking matter if I bend the knee or declare for her, they won't. You know that."
"It's not too late, cousin." Aerion said, "Bend the knee to Rhaenyra. Convince Aemond to do the same, I will do anything to quench his ire. Fly Daeron over to do the same, conflict can still be avoided. I will convince her to spare all of your lives, your titles will not be changed, you will still be Princes You have my word, Aegon, no harm will come to Helaena or your Mother."
Aegon looked at him, "And my Grandsire?"
"Someone has to pay for this treachery." Aerion said seriously, "It is only right that he does."
"A-Aerion..." Aegon looked down as more tears came down his cheeks, "Was it you?"
"What?" Aerion said with a confused look
"Was it you who sent Sterling to do this to my Helaena? To my children?" Aegon said as he looked up
"N-No!" Aerion frowned, "Why would you ever think that of me, Aegon?"
Aegon shook his head as his shoulders trembled, "Y-You never liked me...." He sobbed as he wiped the tears away as they came out, "You never did, you always preferred Aemond over me. You preferred Helaena too....."
Aerion was able to immediately tell that there was nothing but grief and sorrow in his voice, he was only speaking on negative emotions.
"Aegon, no, that's not what this is about." He said as he stepped forth, "What are you even saying?"
"Is that it? Is this about Helaena?" Aegon said as he looked at Aerion, "Father had always wanted you to marry her instead.....but Mother refused....was this your payback for that, Aerion?"
Aerion shook his head, "No, this...you're not thinking straight, Aegon." He said, "Calm down, compose yourself, breathe."
Aerion was not wrong, Aegon was overcome with grief. The pain of losing his children and seeing his wife hurt had broken him emotionally and all the negative experiences he's had with Aerion in the past were resurfacing in his mind. He was aware that the two of them did not have the best of relationship at the start, but Aerion eventually accepted him. But because of this, he began to believe that the rumors were true, that Aerion and Rhaenyra were in fact responsible of Sterling's attack on his wife and children, and that they were behind the riots that led to the declaration of war.
Aegon's face hardened as tears ran down his face, "You wanted her....didn't you?" He said seriously as he clutched the handle on Blackfyre, "If you couldn't have her, then you couldn't stand the thought of her being my Queen...is that right, Aerion?"
Aerion scowled, "Aegon, what the fuck are you even saying? This isn't the time for some bullshit like this!" He exclaimed, "War is on the horizon and you're the only one-"
"My children are dead!!!!!" Aegon screamed, "Dead!!! And yours are alive!!! Is this what you wanted, Aerion?! You see me with no children and you laugh at me?! Just because of my past mistakes?! Just because you didn't like me when we were younger?!"
"I would never fucking harm your wife and children. Those children were my blood, Aegon! My fucking blood! I would've never done anything of the sort!" Aerion said with an angry face, "Why would I ever think of doing something like that? Why would Rhaenyra? Helaena is her sister, her only sister!! The brief moments we shared together, all of us, the twins...my children.....Do you really think I would have them killed?!"
Aegon looked down, "You want to end this war so badly...Here I am!!" Aegon said as his demeanor changed, "Kill me now! I am the Usurper King, aren't I? Come on, King-Consort! Kill me now! Show me that you're just like your Father!!"
Aerion glared at him, "You fucking dare?" He said, "You would even assume something like that? I am not going to sit around and entertain this, cousin. This is not you. I have give you my warning, Aegon. Call it off and you will be spared, I give you my word. However, if you don't....."
"The lives lost will be on you."
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