บท 19: Ceremony
(Third Person POV)
[Dragonstone]
Outside of the castle, near some cliffs that had a bit of volcanic steam emitting from there, a small crowd were gathered in front of Rhaenyra and Aerion as they held hands, looking at each other as a priest chanted in High Valyrian.
It was the wedding, the union of Rhaenyra and Aerion, something that was held in private in Dragonstone.
King Viserys sat in a chair as Ser Harold Westerling stood by his side, coughing into a napkin as he looked at this with a slight smile. Rhaenyra's sons, Jace and Luke stood next to the King as Lord Corlys and Princess Rhaenys stood behind them, holding their shoulders. Baela and Rhaena stood next to their grandparents as they looked at their brother, with smiles on their faces.
Willam Royce and several other Knights of Runestone silently stood there with slight smiles on their faces as Lady Jeyne stood a few feet away, surrounded by her personal guard. This was an event that Aerion was adamant about having them there, something which Rhaenyra agreed wholeheartedly with.
Vermithor and Syrax roosted atop the hill, the sight of the dragons overlooking this ceremony was one that everyone was entranced by as they let out slight rumblings.
Aside from Viserys's family, there was one person who was not present; Daemon Targaryen. This angered Viserys, saying it was an insult to his son that Daemon did not attend the wedding. The Rogue Prince, however, merely spent time with his daughters shortly before leaving Westeros and spending time in Pentos for a long time before returning.
Viserys coughed as Jace looked at him, "Ah...." He wheezed
"Are you well, Grandfather?" Jace asked
"I'm okay, my boy." Viserys smiled, "I regret my children were not here to witness this."
"It's okay." Jace said
Of course, Alicent's children were not present, not after the incident at Driftmark. Viserys was lenient with Alicent and due to the Queen attacking and wounding Rhaenyra, Viserys said that there was no need for his eldest Daughter to give away the dragon eggs. It was his way of making sure people did not ignore his commands.
Viserys looked ahead as the priest was finishing up his chanting, seeing as how Rhaenyra and Aerion's hands were locked together and wrapped in clothing, a traditional Valyrian marriage; their lips were slightly cut as the blood from there was used to make a mark on each other's forehead. Their palms were also cut with dragonglass as they locked them together; signifying that they would now be one with each other.
Rhaenyra then smiled at Aerion who merely nodded, "It's going to be okay..." She whispered
"Yes, it will be." Aerion said as he looked at her with a calm face
"I will be good to you." Rhaenyra said as she patted his cheek with her free hand
"And I, you." Aerion said as she pulled him down for a kiss
Viserys let out a gasp of what seemed like relief, as he smiled, seeing the two of them kiss. Tears were forming in his eyes but he immediately wiped them away.
As the Princess and the Young Lord kissed, everyone watched, filled with joy and relief as well. Atop the cliff, Vermithor let out a rumble as he shook his head and reared it out, letting out a roar as Syrax did the same. They were merely reacting to the strong emotions being felt by their riders.
Rhaenyra pulled away as she smiled, "Thank you." She whispered
Aerion nodded slowly, "Worry not." He said,
"I am yours now."
**********************************************
"My girl, my boy..." Viserys said as he slowly made his way to them, "I am overjoyed this very day."
They were inside the main hall of Dragonstone now, they were doing a small celebratory feast for all the ones in attendance to relax.
Aerion stood next to Rhaenyra, his hands behind his back as he looked down, "Yes, Your Grace. Thank you for being here." He said as he shifted nervously
"Ah, my boy." Viserys said, "Loosen up, will you? From here on out, you are my son. I hope that you will treat my dear girl right."
"I will." Aerion said looking at him
"Father, I'm happy that you are here." Rhaenyra said with a smile
"Of course." Viserys said, "I regret that at the very least, Helaena did not attend. I know how much you care for your sister, my dear. And as for you, Aerion, I apologize if the incident in Driftmark caused a rift between you and Aemond."
Aerion cleared his throat, "It's fine, Your Grace." He said
"I have tried to reconcile with the boy." Viserys continued, "Losing an eye comes with great pain. He and I....we share that in common, the loss of a crucial limb."
He referred to the fact that he no longer had a left arm.
"Of course, Your Grace." Aerion said
"Well, let me not prevent the consummation of your marriage." Viserys chuckled as Ser Harold stood behind him, "I expect another grandchild from Rhaenyra, Aerion."
As he turned around to walk away, Rhaenyra cleared her throat, "Yes, of course, Father..." She said
Aerion looked ahead, seeing Lady Jeyne conversing with Willam Royce. He then looked to see Baela and Rhaena talking to Jace and Luke as Corlys and Rhaenys stood before them. One person was missing but he was not surprised that he was not present, nor did he care.
"Hm...." He said simply
"Something the matter, Aerion?" Rhaenyra asked him
"No." Aerion said, "All is well."
Rhaenyra nodded, "Very well then." She said, "I hope nightfall comes quicker, I am exhausted."
"As am I." Aerion said, "I hope the beds in Dragonstone are as comfortable as the ones in Runestone. I know The Red Keep did not have that luxury."
"I know mine is." Rhaenyra said with a smile
Aerion looked at her, "Oh." He said, "Is that so?"
"Well, you are my Husband now, there is no reason you shouldn't spend the night there." She said as she held his hand
"Hm." Aerion said, "That is true."
*******************************************************
As Aerion sat in the chair, looking out the window and into the night sky, he ran his hand on the handle of his blade, Lady Rhea.
He was wearing nightwear, save for a shirt, which revealed his muscular and toned upper body. He had a serious look on his face, a bit of sweat running down his forehead. He heard the fluttering of the candles that were on the cupboards next to him which illuminated the part of the room he was in.
It was the Hour of The Nightingale, he had still not found sleep as he looked outside, listening to the faint rumbling of the dragons that nest in Dragonstone. He recalls Viserys telling him that aside from Vermithor, several Dragons made the island their home; including Silverwing and other Wild Dragons that nest there. Currently, Seasmoke has taken a liking to staying there since King's Landing is not up to the dragon's standards; he had flown all the way back there after Laenor's death and has stayed there ever since.
From across the room, on her bed, Rhaenyra slowly sat up, her eyes filled with drowsiness and face full of what looked like sweat as well.
"Aerion?" She said as she moved her hair out of her face as she covered her chest with the sheets, "Is everything okay?"
Aerion nodded, "Yes, Princess." He said, "There is nothing to worry about."
"You haven't slept yet." Rhaenyra said
"No." Aerion said
"Come." Rhaenyra patted the bed, "You need rest."
"As do you." Aerion said, "I'll be fine."
"Hm.." Rhaenyra said as she laid back down, "Very well...I am tired....especially after your performance..."
Aerion nodded and stood up from the chair, holding his sword as he walked over to the bed, sitting next to Rhaenyra and leaning the sword next to the bed.
"Hm..." He said as he looked at her, "With your leave, I would like to fly for a bit."
Rhaenyra frowned, "Now? It's late." She said softly
"I need to clear my head, if that's okay." Aerion told her
"Alright." Rhaenyra said, "Just for a bit."
Aerion nodded and leaned in to her, kissing her slightly on the forehead, "Thank you." He said before standing up and grabbing his sword
************************************************
"Brother?" Rhaena said as she ran into Aerion who was walking down the hall
Aerion frowned, "What is it, Rhaena?" He asked as he walked up to her, "Are you okay?"
He placed her hand on her shoulder as he gave her a concerned look. He was wearing a white shirt as he had one of his swords strapped to his side. It was just a bit after he had taken to flight on Vermithor, flying a few laps around the island as he cleared his head.
Rhaena looked at him, "I heard your dragon's roaring..." She said, "I thought something might've happened."
"It's alright, sister." Aerion said with an assuring smile, "I just decided to go for a few laps, nothing to worry about."
Rhaena nodded, "I see..." She said, "What will become of us? Baela and I?"
"What do you mean?" Aerion asked
"Father has left...." She said softly, "And he didn't take us...Mother is gone....and I don't know where we'll stay...."
Aerion crouched down and held her shoulder, "My dearest sister...." He said, "You have a home in Driftmark with your grandparents who love you dearly. You have a place by my side as I am your Brother, I will not abandon you so. Rhaenyra accepts you as her kin, she will not deny you a home here."
"I don't have a dragon..." She whispered as a tear ran down her face
"Dragons do not mean anything, you are my blood." Aerion said reassuringly, "You are still young. Your Mother was fifteen when she claimed Vhagar, your Grandmother was thirteen when she claimed Meleys, there is time still. I did not have an egg hatch at my cradle, because our Father did not give me one. I took the right to be a dragonrider, right below these halls. Let these thoughts leave your mind, dragon or no, I still love you."
He pulled her into a hug and Rhaena hugged him back, "O-Okay..." she said softly
"It's going to be alright, Rhaena." Aerion said, "So long as I breathe, nothing will happen to you two."
****************************************************************
"Father." Rhaenyra said as she stood up at the table, "Did you sleep well?"
It was the following morrow, the table was filled with breakfast as Rhaenyra, Aerion, and the children were seated there, awaiting Viserys.
Viserys slowly walked towards the table, "Y-Yes." He said, "Although, I think I heard Vermithor in the dead of the night."
Aerion had stood up as well as the King made his way to his seat, "Apologies." He said, "I could not find sleep and flying clears my mind."
"Of course." Viserys said as he sat down, "Of course.....please, my children, sit down."
The children sat back down as Rhaenyra and Aerion reluctantly did the same.
Luke looked at Viserys, "Is Aerion my new Father?" He asked suddenly
Viserys chuckled, "O-Oh..in a way, yes." He said with a smile, "But it doesn't change anything else."
Jace awkwardly looked at Aerion who merely sat next to Rhaenyra, who sat at the head of the table, "I don't like it..." He said
Rhaenyra looked at him, "Jace...." She said
"It's fine." Aerion said, "I don't expect him to."
Baela and Rhaena sat there silently, eating from their plates. Viserys saw them and smiled.
"Ah." He said, "My dear Nieces. It pains me that you have to see me in this state, but alas, I am ill."
Rhaena nodded slowly, "It's okay, Your Grace." She said softly
"Any word of when your Father will return?" Viserys said, "I know he spent a day with the two of you before departing."
"No..." Baela said as Aerion looked at them
Viserys looked at Aerion, "Aerion, my boy?" He said, "Have you spoken to him?"
"Not after Driftmark, Your Grace." Aerion said
"Driftmark?" Viserys said, "You spoke to him there?"
Aerion nodded, "Before the incident." He said, "He brought Caraxes to me. He said he wanted to show me the Blood Wyrm."
Viserys leaned forward, "Ah, so he remembers the child words of Aerion Targaryen, hm?" He said with a chuckle as he looked at the twins, "He said these words 'Caraxes or Vermithor' when I asked him which dragon he would like to claim from the Dragonpit. Neither were in King's Landing so it was quite disappointing for him."
"Hm..." Aerion looked down
"Is that all you spoke about?" Viserys asked
Aerion cleared his throat, "Not much aside from that." He said as he shifted in his seat, "Just that I was aware of what he did."
Viserys frowned, "A-Aware of what?"
Rhaenyra looked down as she gulped, recalling the moment between Aerion and his Father.
"You know, Your Grace." Aerion looked at him seriously,
"My Mother's face."
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