บท 79: Runestone III
(Aerion's POV)
"You alright?" I sat on the bed next to Luke
"Yea..." He said
"You sure?" I asked
It was an hour after Genna and Rhaenyra calmed down; Willam and the others were still out patrolling and making sure no tribesmen were near the Castle. They were going to be gone a while, this something quite common.
I wanted to check on Luke, see how he was holding up. I understand that an event like this could be impactful for someone like him. I wanted to see where his mind was at.
He looked down at the book he was reading, "No...." He said softly
I nodded, "I get it." I said looking away, "It's not easy, accepting the fact you've hurt someone."
"I killed him." Luke said
"No." I said, "I took that burden from you."
"But..." He started
"Your arrow would've killed him, yes." I said, "But I drove my blade through his throat."
"How....?" He asked
I looked at him, "Hm?"
"How do you do it?" He asked, "Kill....so easily?"
"Hm." I said as I smiled slightly, "One could say that it comes naturally to me. Another could say that after many trials, I've gotten used to it...but the truth is, I don't know. I just do what has to be done."
"And killing is that what has to be done?" He asked
"If it can be avoided, then there's no need to kill." I told him, "Showing Mercy is not below me. But, in cases like these, I know that showing mercy is not an option. Sometimes, Luke, you have to make a choice. And when making that choice, you have to accept the consequences of said choices. When you wield a blade, to protect yourself or others, you have to know that blood will be shed."
He looked at me with, "I see....."
"Just like what you did with Aemond." I said
"B-But....he was going to hurt Jace." He said with a surprised look
I chuckled, "Unfortunate, but that's what I mean." I said, "You acted in defense of someone, you swung that blade, without knowing the true repercussions. You were children, Luke. I understand. It's good that it was all that it was, Aemond getting injured. Even now, I won't want you to feel the burden of taking a life. It's not something a person like you can handle."
"A person like me?" He asked
I nodded, "A Gentle soul." I said
"And you're not gentle?" He asked me
"I'm anything but." I said as I looked around the room, "I am a born fighter. I was raised in these walls, taught to fight, hunt, and survive. Some people are just different than others. In situations like these, you should allow others to handle the dirty work for you."
"What do you mean?" He asked me, "Dirty work?"
"Ah, forget it." I said with a chuckle, "It's.....I don't know, get some sleep."
"Is mother angry?" He asked me, "She won't let us hunt anymore, right?"
I stood up as I sighed, "You mother is just worried for you." I said, "I would never forgive myself if something happened to you. So I understand her concern."
He looked down, "I'm sorry...." He said
I frowned, "What for?"
"I got you in trouble...." He said
"You saved my life." I said, "I don't care about any trouble other than that."
"I doubt you'd die from him....I just acted...." He said, "To defend you...."
I smiled, "You're a good kid, Luke." I said as I leaned in and ruffled his hair, "Sleep, kiddo. Tomorrow, we'll train on the courtyard if you want. We can show Jace how to properly shoot the bow, eh?"
He forced a smile, "Fine...."
I turned around and walked away, exiting the room.
****************************************
"Not everyone is like you, Aerion..." Rhaenyra said as we sat in chairs in front of the fireplace, "So...used to blood and death...."
I nodded, "I agree." I said as I rubbed my neck, "I'm sorry, Rhaenyra...."
It was nightfall already, we were in our chambers in Runestone, in front of the fireplace. On the Cradle next to our bed, Aegon slept peacefully. Visenya was laying on our bed, herself, wanting to sleep with her parents tonight. It's not like Rhaenyra and I would do our usual activities, we were planning on sleeping tonight but she couldn't sleep, and merely sit in front of the fireplace.
"It's okay..." She said, "I just get so worried when it comes to you..."
"I know." I said as I looked at her, "I'll try to be more careful."
She smiled at me, "I don't want to lose any of you." She said softly, "I don't know what I'll do....."
"You won't lose me." I said reassuringly, "I promise you."
"Yet..." She sighed, "You always go out to danger."
"And I come back, don't I?" I said
"What if you don't?" She said, "What if one day you don't come back?"
"I'll always come back." I said as I leaned over to he and grabbed her hand, "To you, to my children....nothing will stop me.....Nothing."
"You're a foolish man, Aerion Targaryen..." She said as she pulled my hand up and kissed it, "Why did I fall in love with such a foolish man?"
I chuckled, "I don't know." I said, "I-"
I was cut off by a knock on the door, "P-Princess? Lord Aerion??" I heard Andrea's voice on the other side
I looked to the door, "Yes, come in." I said
The door opened and my cousin came in, holding a letter in her hand, "I...." She said, "We just received this letter, Princess.....a rider in the night came in, saying it was for both your eyes only....it must be important...."
She walked up to us and handed the letter to Rhaenyra, I noticed it was still sealed.
"What could this be?" Rhaenyra said as she opened it and began to read it
"Where did it come from?" I asked Andrea
"Dragonstone." She said
"Hm...." I replied
Rhaenyra's eyes widened, "N-No...." She said as she scowled, "T-That...Why is He there???"
I frowned, "What?"
She handed me the letter and I took it, reading its contents:
"Princess Rhaenyra, Lord Aerion,
Urgent News from Dragonstone, Prince Daemon Targaryen has just arrived with several strange armed men, sitting on the throne with a smile on his face. He has demanded that Visenya and Aegon Targaryen be handed over to him so he can take them to Essos. That is all that we know of the situation, please return immediately, I do not know how long I can stall him. I sent this letter through courier as any raven would've been shot down by archer.
Maester Gerardys"
"That son of a....." I said with anger, "He takes your seat and demands for our children? And to take them to Essos?! Who the fuck does he think he is?!"
I stood up, clenching my hands and crumpling the letter in the process.
"A-Aerion..." Rhaenyra said, "What could he possibly want with our children?"
"I don't know..." I said as I paced on the room, "I...."
"L-Lord Aerion, what do I do?" Andrea asked
I stopped and looked at her, "Call for Willam." I said, "Tell him to gather half of our Knights to sail to Dragonstone. The others stay here and deal with the Tribesmen problems. I'm flying to Dragonstone right now, have them escort Rhaenyra and the kids."
"Aerion, you're going now?" Rhaenyra said, "But what if this is some sort of trap?"
"I'll fucking gut them like the wretched animals they are!" I exclaimed, "They dare come into our home, Your home, and act like they own the fucking place??? I'm gonna cut him down, I'm gonna do it!"
"Cousin, please calm down!" Andrea said, "I'll go get Willam!"
"Yes, go get him!" I said as I grabbed my swords, "I'm going now."
"Aerion!" Rhaenyra said, "Wait!"
"No!" I said, "This has gone long enough, Rhaenyra!"
"I'm going to settle things with him once and for all!"
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