There was nothing like riding on a dragon's back, Aegon thought. He always loved flying on Nightwing for hours on end. With the air blowing in his face and seeing the view from below, he felt like there was no limit and freedom from everything that tied him down. It was a long way from Braavos back to King's Landing. First, he stopped by Gulltown; since the city was in the Kingdom of the Vale, he only stayed briefly, knowing his wife's family's seat, Longbow Hall, was close. Due to the current situation of his marriage, he tried to avoid House Hunter, knowing of their feelings for him and, more importantly, that he has a paramour and bastard. They might show respect to him because he was a prince of House Targaryen, but he could see past their false smiles. The smiles he had seen his whole life at the royal court. After his short stay, he flew to Maidenpool, close to the capital, where he stayed longer to recuperate. After sending a raven to the capital, saying he would arrive in the morning, he left and flew to King's Landing.
The sun had risen, and Nightwing approached the city. It was just as the prince left it. He flew over the city gates seeing the city watch soldiers below. No doubt, they signaled to their commander that The Dragon of the East had returned to court. After flying through the city, Nightwing made her way to the Dragon Pit. As she landed in the back entrance of the building, the acolytes, known as the dragon keepers, approached the dragon as she growled at them. They came much more slowly and cautiously to Nightwing than they did with the other dragons. Nightwing was a temperamental beast. Some dragons were deadly, especially Vhagar, the biggest dragon of her time. However, none of them could match Nightwing's maliciousness when threatened. Her roar is so fierce it almost sounds unearthly; some even said it pierces terror and fear into the hearts of the bravest men, another reason why she was called The Night's Terror—a moniker given by her foes and victims who survived her wrath.
Aegon saw the dragon keepers approaching slowly as he got off his saddle and tried to soothe his dragon so that she wouldn't attack anyone. Aegon was the only one who could keep Nightwing calm due to their deep bond. Some say their bond grows deeper than any other rider and dragon. Soon when Nightwing was calmed and subdued, the dragon keepers came closer to her, although still cautiously.
"Welcome back to King's Landing, my prince." One of the dragon keepers greeted him.
"I thank you," Aegon greeted back.
"Glad to have you back, dear brother." A man with silver-gold hair, purple eyes in armor, and a gold cloak, who was not far from them on his horse, said, "I suppose the festival in Braavos was entertaining."
"Yes, it was," Aegon said to his brother as he took his riding gloves and began walking over to him, "Although I don't think it would be entertaining to Daemon Targaryen."
Daemon snorted as his younger brother got up to his horse. Before they left, Aegon took one last look at Nightwing as she was begrudgingly lured to the Pit to be placed in her nest. Aegon did not like the idea of dragons being caged like dogs and should be free to fly as they wished. Soon the brothers began to ride through the city of King's Landing. Aegon had been through the streets hundreds of times when he was younger and knew every inch of the city. The two brothers soon made their way to the Red Keep. They got off their horses and went inside.
"I see your time as commander of the city watch did the city well," Aegon commented.
"I'm glad one has seen it when others don't," Daemon said, causing Aegon to raise a brow.
The court was as busy as Aegon remembered; the courtiers greeted the prince as he walked by. The brothers continued walking as they ran into a lord with dark skin and silver-gold hair and his wife with fair skin, long silver-gold hair, and lilac eyes.
They were Lord Corlys and Princess Rhaenys, who was a first cousin to the princes. Lord Corlys was a seafaring lord of House Velaryon, one of Westeros's richest and most powerful houses, with the biggest ship navy. He was known for his ambitions as he sailed nine great voyages across Essos and brought back many riches, inspiring Aegon to do the same and explore the world. He also sat on the king's small council as master of the ship. His wife was Princess Rhaenys, the only child of Old King Jaehaerys eldest son, and was thought to take the throne after her father until she was passed on due to her being a woman. She also rides a scarlet dragon with pink membranes named Meleys, the swiftest dragon in the realm.
"Prince Aegon," Corlys said as the prince approached him, "It is good to see you at court again." Out of all the Targaryen brothers, Corlys liked Aegon the most.
"It is good to see you as well, Lord Corlys," Aegon replied, "And you as well, dear cousin." He faced his cousin Rhaenys as he grabbed her hand and kissed it as she smiled.
"We are all glad to have you back, cousin." The princess smiled
"And the Dragon of the East graces us with his presence." A voice said behind them. As Corlys and Rhaenys bowed to the man, Aegon and Daemon turned around and saw their older brother, King Viserys Targaryen, with his daughter Princess Rhaenyra.
"My king, you grace us with your presence," Aegon said to his brother with a smile as the king laughed as the two brothers hugged.
"I'm glad you returned, uncle," Rhaenyra said with a smile.
"As am I," Aegon replied to his niece as he hugged her while pecking her head. "It seems you've grown taller while I was gone." The princess laughed
Soon he saw his son Prince Baelar and his mother, Lady Claryssa, walking down the tall stairs. Aegon walked up, eager to greet his son.
"I'm glad you've come home, Father," Baelar said with a smile as he embraced his father.
"Of course," Aegon said, embracing his son, "I wouldn't dare miss my son participating in the tourney."
"He has been practicing since he entered the lists," Viserys commented.
Aegon smiled and then saw his wife. It was no secret that their marriage was a strained one. However, for appearances, Aegon decided to keep it civil, specifically for his son. However, everyone could feel the tension between the two.
"My dear wife," Aegon said politely as he kissed her cheek, "You are looking well."
"As are you, dear husband," Claryssa said respectfully as she wrapped her arm around his.
"I thought it best to have dinner tonight with the family to celebrate your return, brother," Viserys said, thinking that a meal with the family together might ease the tension between the husband and wife that was plain to see. Meanwhile, Daemon looked at his brother, wondering why he would think that. His marriage was strained, and he doubted a dinner would help him, his wife, Rhea Royce, much less Aegon, and Claryssa.
"That would be wonderful, your grace," Claryssa said as she, her husband, and their son began to walk up the stairs.
"I hope your travels did you well," Claryssa said, trying to keep it cordial.
"They did." Aegon replied as he continued the act, "I hoped you enjoyed your time at court."
"I always have." His wife answered, "I'm glad you are here to see our son in the tourney."
"Of course I would," Aegon said as he narrowed his eyes at her as they made their way to his room. It was just as he remembered it, as nothing had changed.
"Father," Baelar started, "Will you be able to practice with me for the tourney?"
"We could do that now." Aegon smiled, "Go get ready; I'll be at the training yard in a moment."
Baelar smiled back and left the room to get ready. As the door closed, Aegon and Claryssa then dropped smiles and stared at each other in silence for a moment.
"I suppose the Uncloaking festival was far more entertaining than usual," Claryssa said with a disdainful tone.
"Far more entertaining than here at the moment." Aegon shot back, and Claryssa rolled her eyes.
"I'm surprised you came to see our son in the tourney." Then, Claryssa began to say, "I figured you would be too busy with her and her son."
"My son." Aegon corrected as he walked to a table and poured himself some wine. "I thought you did not care for my personal affairs."
"I don't," Claryssa assured, "until it affects our son."
"How exactly does it affect our son," Aegon asks with his hand at his hip and holding a cup of wine with the other.
"The gossip, the looks he gets." Claryssa said severely, "Not to mention the example you give him by flittering around like a child with your whore."
"I'm setting a bad example," Aegon argues. "What about you, forcing him to act as others expected him to be, not being himself? I doubt he entered the tourney list on his own."
"He is a prince." Claryssa stated, "He is supposed to act like one. Your family, the ruling house of the realm, must set an example and uphold the standards given by birth. Privileges that are given that others are not able to have. I wouldn't expect you to understand the meaning of duty, such as I have." She finished as she left the room.
Aegon sighed, not wishing to deal with her any further, and put his cup down and changed from his riding clothes to clothes he wears at court as he made his way from his room to the training yard where his son awaited him.
"What did you and mother talk about," Baelar asked nervously. His parents tried to hide the truth about their marriage, but he knew all too well the true nature of it.
"Nothing you need to concern yourself with," Aegon assured him.
Father and son get into a fighting stance. Baelar was doing well as he dodged and reflected as his father made his moves on him. The trade blows slashed and avoided each other until Baelar seemed tired, as Aegon noticed and decided to end it.
"Try to remember this," Aegon lectured, "When you face an opponent, keep defending yourself as they bring their blows."
"Why would I do that?" Baelar asked
"They will tire themselves out," Aegon answered, "and when they are, you deliver the final blows and subdue them. And most importantly, never turn you back on them until you know they won't strike back."
Aegon saw how nervous Baelar was. So many important people will be coming to see the King's tourney, and they will be looking at Prince Baelar and seeing if he succeeds or fails. Aegon thought 13 was too young to enter, but his mother had her way, as usual.
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It was night, and the royal family was at the dinner table dining on the food. King Viserys was in the middle of the table with his wife, Queen Aemma Arryn, Rhaenyra on his right, and Daemon on his left. On the other side of the table, Baelar was in the middle, with his father on the right and mother on the left.
"What kind of adventure did you have this time, brother," Daemon asked as the family ate.
"I went to Sothoryos," Aegon replied as the others were surprised. Sothoryos is a large continent covered mostly by jungles and riddled with plagues. There were some maps, but the southern part of the continent needed to be mapped out.
"Have you now?" Viserys asked, "The maesters said it is a perilous place to go to."
"Which gives me the reason to go," Aegon said with a playful smile as some laughed.
"You must have seen many things there," Rhaenyra asked curiously. She sometimes envied her younger uncle as he went about as he wished.
"Oh, I have. There was a peninsula there named Wyvern Point." Aegon began, "It was named after the wyverns that hunt above its jungles and swamps. It also has a ruined penal colony. I believe it was part of the old Ghiscari Empire."
"Always had an adventurous spirit Aegon," Aemma said.
"I'd call it brave," Viserys added.
"Also, dangerous." Claryssa inserted, "Sothoryos is a deadly place. Easily understandable why all of it cannot be explored.
"I always believe that the unexplored is worth exploring," Aegon said firmly.
"I suppose, but there are always the possibilities of death with exploring." Claryssa countered.
"Unless you have a dragon with you," Aegon argued back.
"Any plans after the tourney?" Viserys interjected, trying to defuse the argument that was about to start.
"Well, I would be staying at court for a month or two," Aegon replied, "then I would be preparing myself to see where to go next. Probably Asshai."
The royal family then looked at Aegon, surprised that he was already planning on leaving again even though he had just returned.
"You're leaving again?" Baelar asked sadly, wishing for his father to stay.
"Yes," Aegon replied as he draped his arm over his son's chair, "And I was thinking you could come with me."
Baelar looked at his father, surprised at what his father was asking. He always wondered why his father loved going across the Narrow Sea. But, then remembered that he took him to some of the Free Cities when he was younger until his mother started to make him focus more on his duties.
"You wish to take our son to Asshai?" Claryssa asked sharply at her husband.
"Asshai is a mysterious place." Aegon said, "Corlys Velaryon went there in one of his nine voyages. I intend to see what they offer, and I believe Baelar would also like to come."
"Asshai is rumored to have spellsingers, aeromancers, and warlocks who practice their arts openly." Claryssa stated, "They also are open to all sorts of practitioners of the "higher mysteries" such as bloodmages, as well as inquisitors, torturers, and poisoners, and even worshippers of queer gods where no practice is forbidden in the city, no matter how depraved."
"Our dragons would protect us, Claryssa," Aegon assured her annoyedly.
"A dragon might not always be with you when it is needed," Claryssa said as she stared at her husband, staring back at her as their son was in the middle of them, clearly getting uncomfortable.
"It's alright, mother," Baelar said, trying to calm his parents, "Thank you for the invitation, father, and I will consider it." He looked at his father, who gave him an understanding smile and then turned to his mother, who had a stern look. He then looked down at his food and played with it, not wishing to deal with the tension. Everyone could sense the tension, especially between the husband and wife.
"Baelar, are you excited about the tourney?" Aemma said as she smiled at him, trying to change the subject.
"Yes, your grace." Baelar answered abruptly, looking at the queen, "I have been practicing for a while now."
"I'm sure you will do well, nephew," Viserys said.
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After dinner, Baelar walked to his chambers, comprehending what his father asked of him. He would not mind going with his father to Asshai, but he was not sure what his mother might say. As he walked, he smiled when he saw Leah Lannister walking to her chambers.
"Hello, Leah." Baelar greeted her.
"Hello, my prince." Leah greeted him back with her smile. "How was the royal dinner?"
"As good as it can be," Baelar said sadly.
"I'm sorry," Leah said, knowing the relationship between Baelar's parents. "But you must be happy to have your father back t see you at the tourney." She then said, trying to make him smile.
"He said he's leaving again after a couple of months." Baelar replied, " He asked me to come with him."
Leah looked at him surprisingly. "Are you going with him?" she then asked him.
"I don't know." But, Baelar said, "I would not mind going, but I don't think my mother would be pleased."
Leah saw he was conflicted. She knows his mother constantly pressured him to act like a prince, and his father kept encouraging him to act otherwise. She wishes she could help but needs to learn how. But, unfortunately, she could only say, "You do what you what are you desire, not what others desire for you."
"What I desire?" Baelar looked at her as she looked at him back. What Baelar wanted was to be with Lady Leah Lannister. The person who has always been there for him and understood him. That is all he wanted now.
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The rest of the dinner was awkward and tense until it ended. When it was over, Viserys, Daemon, and Aegon soon entered the king's chambers. Viserys and Daemon sat in chairs facing each other while Aegon was in front of the fireplace with cups of wine in their hands.
"I suppose dinner went all as expected," Viserys asked.
"As well as it could be," Aegon mumbled.
"Although, I must say I was taken aback when you explained your plans," Viserys said as his brothers looked at him, "Asshai is known to be a queer place."
"Well, what's the point of living if you don't face the dangers of it?" Aegon reasoned, not wanting to hear any more arguments.
"I agree with our dear brother." Daemon stated, "Dragons always did fly high and low. He got it from our mother, who flew both of us on her dragon days after our births."
"Yes, she did for you both," Aegon said sadly. Their mother, Alyssa Targaryen, died shortly after giving birth to him. His brothers and father never blamed him for it, yet it was still a sad memory to revisit.
"Besides, it was not the first time Aegon did something dangerous." Daemon changed the subject after seeing his brother's sadness.
Viserys laughed as his brothers did know it was true.
"I remember when you left for Dragonstone at five and ten," Daemon remembered.
"Remember how furious father was when the guards brought me back." Aegon chuckled, "Although I went back with them willingly when Nightwing was ready to consume them."
"I still don't understand how you could claim a dragon as wild as Nightwing," Viserys said.
"I suppose I was living while facing the dangers." Aegon smiled proudly as he drank his wine.
"I suppose so." Viserys chuckled as he and Daemon smiled at their brother, seeing he had never changed since childhood. While their mother died, and their father was Hand of the King to their grandfather, Viserys and Daemon were always with him when they could. Viserys taught him High Valyrian and the history of Westeros if he paid attention, which was rarely. Meanwhile, Daemon taught him how to fight with a sword and how to drink, and introduced him to women, although he was not interested in those either. Most of the time, Aegon would escape from their eyes and go out to do as he pleases, always looking for the next adventure. For example, he would go to Flea Bottom, although there were times when he was caught in a fight in the alleys with some common folk who didn't recognize him as he disguised himself as one of them. The brothers and their father never knew how Aegon could sneak out of their sight, and he never said how.
"Tell me how everything was in King's Landing when I left." Aegon asked, "I see Daemon was commander of the city watch."
"Yes, unfortunately, Otto Hightower did not appreciate my methods." Daemon snidely said.
"Oh." Aegon asked, "why is that?"
"His methods of punishments were too extreme on the accused," Viserys said.
"Should we be crying out justice for those who go against it?" Aegon asked, not seeing what the problem was.
"No, but I don't see why we should maim half the city for it." Viserys reasoned while eyeing Daemon.
"If Daemon's methods are effective, why should it matter how he does it," Aegon asked as Viserys only sighed.
"Otto Hightower brought the complaints," Daemon said as Aegon nodded in understanding. He knew all too well of the long feud between Otto and Daemon. Aegon can't deny that Otto is a good hand, but there were times when Aegon considered him a man who kept trying to rise above himself.
"But Daemon does his duty quite well," Aegon said as he refilled his cup of wine.
"Yes, he does." Viserys agreed. "I wish both brothers would understand the importance of duty."
Aegon stopped pouring and slowly turned his head to his brother, knowing what he meant.
"May I speak plainly, your grace?" Aegon asked formally.
"You may," Viserys said, getting ready for the same argument they had multiple times.
"If you're going to make a point, say it directly." Said an annoyed Aegon as Daemon leaned in his chair, enjoying what was happening.
"I understand one must travel the world and have adventures," the king began to say, "But you have responsibilities here at home. With your family."
"I am with my family." Aegon reasoned, "Yes, I leave, but I always return, do I not?"
"Yes, you do, but-" Viserys began to say.
"Then I do not understand why I must have this same argument," Aegon said.
"I'm simply stating the responsibilities to yourself, your son, your wife-" Viserys began to say
"My wife seems happy about my neglect, but I always prioritize my son. As one of my priorities is making sure my son does as he wishes, not what others say he should do. Does he even want to be in the tourney?" Aegon asked.
"Claryssa wanted it. That's more than enough," Daemon answered as Viserys glared at him for not helping.
"Regardless, you still have responsibilities here." Viserys insisted. "And you can't fulfill them by spending time around the known world or in Braavos. "
"I have responsibilities at Braavos." Aegon reminded Viserys, who looked down, knowing what he was talking about. "I have another son, Viserys. In Braavos. Although I could be here more if you made certain arrangements."
Viserys then looked at him curiously, "Arrangements?"
"If you could let my younger son and his mother come to Westeros, I probably have reasons to stay longer," Aegon answered. He had thought of this for a while now. He could no longer divide his time from one son to another when he could have them both with him. He does not care if one son is legitimate, but both are close to him. They could even share adventures with them or be together when they are older.
"Aegon," Viserys started, "You are fully aware of the rumors spreading about you as of late. There are talks of you trying to take a second wife."
"And that's exactly what they are. Rumors." Aegon assured his brother. "I am perfectly aware that I cannot take a second wife. It is not unusual for children of illegitimate birth to be raised in their father's household."
Viserys sighed, turning his head to the fireplace.
"If not in the Red Keep, then in another lord's household, then," Aegon countered, "But close to the Red Keep so I could see and visit him and his mother frequently, and maybe Baelar could visit half-brother as well."
"She must be a rare wench to keep The Dragon of the East tied to her," Daemon commented. He knew about Aegon's paramour, Melina Sorren, but he thought his brother was having another one of his flings just as he has, although they do have a son together.
"She's not a wench," Aegon immediately shot back, which took Daemon and Viserys by surprise. "She's not some common whore as everyone else says. She comes from a prominent family in Essos. And the mother of my son."
"Apologies," Daemon said, still surprised by Aegon's tone.
Viserys looked at his youngest brother, seeing that he wanted this to happen. However, his small council, including his Hand of the King, Otto Hightower, might not accept this as appropriate for his brother's mistress and bastard son so close to the court. Especially since they are not Westeros, the court would see them as foreigners trying to gain power which would not be pleasant for his natural-born nephew he had never met. He still sees his brother staring at him, waiting for an answer, and all he can say is, "I will consider it."
"Thank you, your grace." Aegon concluded, not quite believing his brother, "I will retire for the night for the tourney tomorrow."
"Very well. We should all rest." Viserys said as he bid his brother goodnight.
Aegon locked the door from the king's chambers to his own. He was curious if his brother would consider his request about Melina and Aeron coming to Westeros. However, he did speak to her about it, and she told him that the king would never allow a paramour and their son to be in the same place as his wife and her son. Although Aegon still had hopes, wanting his sons to meet and be real brothers. Not wanting to sit in his room all night, he went under his bed and pulled out a bag full of rags that ordinary people would wear. As he put them on, he put on a hat to conceal his Targaryen hair, went to the fireplace, and stood before a portrait of a dragon on the right. He then grabbed the frame and pulled it open as a doorway with stairs goes through the Red Keep. Aegon discovered this secret passageway when he was a child. He used it to escape court life and go to the city dressed as a commoner so no one could recognize him.
He closed the portrait behind him, descended the stairs, and kept going until he entered a chamber where a giant dragon skull was placed. It was the skull of Balerion, the Black Dread. The amount of prince's ancestor and namesake, Aegon the Conqueror, used the dragon in his War of Conquest to unite the Seven Kingdoms. Balerion was the enormous dragon of House Targaryen, said to have engulfed entire towns under his shadow as he flew by them. The Black Dread used his fires to melt the swords of the Conquerors' fallen foes and melt them together to create the Iron Throne. Aegon stared at the dragon skull, wondering what riding a dragon of that size would have been like. Before he left, he got down to the ground and rubbed dirt on his face to make his disguise more believable. Then, he went through the tunnel, which led to another stairwell outside the Red Keep, and made his way to the city. He always liked going through the town and seeing what the citizens were doing. He passed by many people, some laughing and drinking as they had fun in the city. Aegon understood that he was a prince and had responsibilities, but he was a dragon who liked to go as he pleased and enjoy what life had to offer. That is who he is, but it seemed like his paramour Melina Sorren was the only one who understood that.