Capítulo 104: The King-Consort
(Aerion's POV)
"What's our move?" I asked Rhaenyra as she sat on a chair in front of the Painted Table, "Aegon was crowned King, your Throne was usurped. What do you want to do? What do you want me to do?"
She looked at me with a serious expression, "For now....stay by my side."
I nodded, "Fine."
She reached for my hand and grabbed it, squeezing it tightly. I stood next to her as she sat there, processing everything that had happened; Viserys is dead and Aegon was crowned King. All of this happened so fast that none of us had time to prepare.
Right now, there were Lords who have sworn their fealty to Rhaenyra standing around the Painted Table, discussing on what the next move should be. They were already so sure, preparing for war that they were barking orders at each other. It was loud, annoying, and chaotic that the only thing that could keep me focused was just looking at Rhaenyra.
"It is quite clear that the Hightowers are behind this Usurpation!" Lord Celtigar said, "A clear declaration of War! The late King Viserys had named his eldest daughter, Queen Rhaenyra, as his rightful Heir and for years after the fact, did not once change his mind. And we're supposed to believe that in his deathbed, he changed his mind? This is clear rubbish! Something must be done!"
"We must act now." Ser Alfred Boone said, "Mobilize our forces and reach out to our allied Houses, to those that are in clear opposition to the Greens. The Stormlands, The Riverlands, and The North are still unaccounted for. We can expect the Vale to be on our side, that much is certain, but the rest? We have to remind them who the Queen is."
"Agreed." Lord Celtigar, "Of course, we must ensure the safety of our Queen, reinforce the Island's defenses. Send letters to our allies and raise the banners, if we allow them to move their armies first, they'll be at an advantage. It is with great importance that we must-"
"I don't recall you lot being in charge." I spoke up as I looked at the Painted Table, "You are merely Vassals, that is all."
They all looked at me, from the Knights to the Lord in front of us.
"M-My Lord, something must be done." Ser Alfred said, "Prince Daemon has acted. He left without saying a word, making his way to Harrenhall as we speak. At the very least, your Father has taken initiative. We must not stay here and let-"
"Daemon acted without Her Grace's leave." I cut him off as I gave him a serious look, "And if what he says is true...then I suppose I'll overlook it. He'll convince the Riverlords to join our side, I suppose. But Daemon Targaryen is Daemon Targaryen, while you lot aren't."
"Well, no disrespect is intended, Lord Aerion...." Lord Celtigar said, "But.....we are arguably the most experienced when it comes to co-"
"How many Wars have you fought in, Lord Celtigar?" I asked him, "How many men have you cut down? Has your armor been bathed in enough blood to stain it red?"
He shifted and looked around the table, "W-Well....."
"Daemon is a seasoned General." I said, "Harrenhal is the key to the Riverlands, that much is true. And while he intends to raise a Host to march to King's Landing, it is unsure what his true goals are. Leave Daemon to do what he intends to do."
"Lord Aerion. You can't expect us to just ignore that..." Ser Alfred said, "It is good that Prince Daemon is doing this for the Queen's cause. He can raise the Host and march to KIng's Landing, joining with our forces in the process. Doing this as quickly as possible is for the better as we can-"
"War is unavoidable if either side makes the first move." I cut them off, "Daemon is acting of his own accord. If he does something foolish, it won't be our fault. That being said, Caraxes would easily be spotted. The Greens will act, Vhagar will take flight. They'll raise their own Host and will reach out for the unattended Kingdoms; the Stormlands and The North. We cannot act so impulsively."
"Again, no disrespect....b-but...." Lord Celtigar stammered, "We could need Prince Daemon.....and Caraxes....the Greens have Vhagar.....and well....."
"We need Dragons." Ser Alfred Boone stated, "They have their Dragons, yes. But we have more. If we can act before them, our enemies will be vanquished. Prince Daemon is in fact on our side, I know it. If we can just rely on him, victory can be secured."
I felt Rhaenyra's eyes me. She was unusually quiet. I understand that after she was crowned the Queen, she was still processing everything that had happened. Her Father has just died and her brother was crowned, her Throne usurped. She needed to speak, but it was fine if no words could come out. As her husband and consort, it was my Duty to do it for her.
Jace and Luke were standing on the other side of the table, silently looking at me, waiting for a response. I saw Baela and Rhaena standing behind them, worried looks on their faces. All of this....it was a tense situation. I understand it completely, why everyone was on edge. Everything could change on a whim, lives could be lost, and blood will be shed.
But if anyone had to remain calm, it had to be me.
I began to walk around the table, staring at each of them with a serious look as they shifted with nervousness.
"I understand that this sudden Usurpation is a threat..." I said as I looked at them, "But as I said before, any wrong move, it could lead to War. And when dragons fly to war, everything burns. Everything. A single Dragon laid waste to the Dornish fleet, smashed the Triarchy, and ended a conflict. Tell me, Lords and Sers.....what do you think more than one Dragon could do? Especially against each other?"
"Well...." Ser Alfred started
"I'll tell you what." I said as I had my hands behind my back, "While two dragons clash against each other in the sky, everything and everyone around them is insignificant. An army of men? Mere ants. The trees? Just weeds. A fort? A castle? Just a little pile of dirt. Everything burns. Everything. So think about that. Oh. Another thing."
I stood behind Ser Alfred who straightened up and gulped.
I leaned in closer to him, "You are nobody." I said to him, "Nobody to decide what to do with our Dragons."
I then stepped back and walked over to Rhaenyra who began to stand up and looked at the lords.
"My Husband, The King-Consort, is right." She spoke up finally, everyone looking at her, "Nothing is should be done without my leave, any wrong move could lead to ruin, and our Dragons don't fly without my say-so."
"Of course." Lord Celtigar said, "Your Grace, what do you suggest we do? We are at your service, always."
Rhaenyra sighed, "Aerion mentioned that the main priority is a violence-less act." She said, "A blockade. Cut their supply chain via sea off. It's a bit.....brutal, to the smallfolk but it's better than pointless bloodshed."
"We can expect House Velaryon to be in charge of that. Their fleet will patrol the Gullet and ensure nothing gets to King's Landing." I said
"How fares Lord Corlys?" Ser Alfred said, "We haven't heard a word from the Princess Rhaenys. If the Sea Snake dies, wh-"
"We have his Heir here." I said gesturing at Luke, "House Velaryon will follow Lucerys, especially if Rhaena is his wife."
All eyes went to Luke, who was taken aback.
"M-Me?" He said with a gulp
I nodded, "Yes. You."
"Of course, Prince Lucerys is the Heir, but Lord Corlys is a seasoned Fleet-Admiral." Ser Alfred said, "No disrespect to the young prince, but someone has to lead the Fleet, am I wrong?"
"You're not." I said, "We'll find someone suitable to step up and take that role. But that's if Lord Corlys dies. No confirmation of his passing has happened, let us pray that he makes a recovery."
"Of course." Rhaenyra said
"Your Grace." Lord Celtigar said, "I know that Lord Aerion's words are true, we mustn't send the dragons to war so recklessly, but what if we need to? When will we know that we must use them?"
"When that happens, Lord Celtigar." Rhaenyra said, "We'll know, all of us. In the meantime, we are stuck in a stalemate."
"The blockade might incite them to act." He replied
"Or it could persuade them to rethink their choices." I told him
"Whatever the case, we step back and approach this carefully." Rhaenyra said, "If we have more allies on the ready, they could surrender peacefully. Without the need of the Dragons."
"We have the Vale's support through Lady Arryn, whom my House has been a loyal vassal to." I said as I looked at the Painted Table, "I've sent word to Runestone to prepare for War in necessary. House Arryn and House Royce are with us."
"We'll wait and see what Daemon resolves with the Riverlords." Rhaenyra said, "That leaves the North and The Stormlands."
"Lord Borros is a proud man." I said, "He'll need a little convincing, but it might be done. As for House Stark, I have a feeling they'll join our cause. However, Winter is near. I doubt Lord Stark will spare that much men considering he has to prepare his people for that. That being said, he won't act and the Greens won't try to venture that far out, so there are no worries there. I'll send a letter to reaffirm Lord Cregan's alliance."
"And what of Lord Borros?" Lord Celtigar asked
"One of us could go." Jace spoke up, "Dragons are faster than Ravens and we need to make this quick."
"No." I said
Rhaenyra looked at me, "No?"
"The Princes stay here." I said as I straightened up, "I'll go."
"W-What?" Jace frowned, "Why?"
"The Lords in this room are right to worry about Dragons. The Greens have Vhagar." I said, "Aemond is an unpredictable factor in this war, as much as Daemon. I cannot risk putting you two in danger. He'll think twice if he sees Vermithor."
"By that logic, he'll come here instead." Jace said
"He won't." I said, "He's not stupid. Ambushing in uncharted territory is much easier than a full frontal assault. And as far as they know, Meleys is on our side. Speaking of, send a letter to Driftmark, we need the Princess Rhaenys here."
Rhaenyra looked at me, "Are you sure?" She asked me, "What if it's a bad idea?"
"It's a quick flight to Storm's End." I said, "And I'm a quick speaker. I'll go as an envoy. As much of a stubborn man Borros is, he won't anger the gods by harming me."
"Don't worry."
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