Aegon was stumbling around the camp with his hand in his stomach as blood was dripping to the ground. Donoros Sorren was sharpening his blade when he saw Aegon coming up and saw that he was gravely injured. Dropping everything, Donoros ran straight to Aegon.
"Aegon, what happened," Donoros asked frantically.
"A guard outside my tent," Aegon breathed, starting to pass out from the blood loss, "He…... He stabbed me." He then collapsed on the ground as Donoros caught him.
"The prince was attacked," Donoros exclaimed as the other soldiers swarmed around them to help the prince. They carried him to the infirmary tent with maesters caring for the wounded. Donoros led the men carrying Aegon to a nearby cot as they placed him there.
"He was attacked and received a stab wound in the stomach," Donoros explained quickly as the maesters began their work. He then looked at the soldiers and ordered them, "Find Prince Daemon and Lord Corlys and tell them what happened."
The soldiers then left to tell the prince and lord, as Donoros stayed behind to see how the maesters could help his friend. Moments later, the Sea Snake and the Rogue Prince entered the tent to see Aegon's condition.
"What happened?" Corlys asked, astonished by what he heard from the messengers.
"The guard outside of Aegon's tent was an assassin from the Triarchy or the Crabfeeder, I don't know, but Aegon killed him." Donoros explained rapidly, "But not before the assassin stabbed him in the stomach."
"When was this?" Daemon demanded, worried for his brother.
"Just now," Donoros answered.
After the maester said he needed space and privacy, everyone went outside the tent, waiting for the maesters to report Aegon's condition. Less than an hour later, the maester came out as Donoros, and Corlys went straight to him while Daemon stayed where he was.
"How is he?" Corlys asked.
"We manage to stop the bleeding and bind the wound," The maester reported, "although we had to give him much milk of the poppy to relieve the pain."
"Can we see him?" Donoros asked.
"Yes, but he is still weak from the ordeal, and his mind might be clouded by the poppy." The maester said as Daemon went straight inside the tent as Corlys and Donoros followed him.
Aegon was in his cot shirtless as they saw cloth wrapped around his body, stained with blood. Aegon had a woozy look that must have been from the milk of the poppy. Not used to seeing his brother in such a condition, Daemon stayed still as Corlys and Donoros got closer to Aegon. Donoros slowly sat down on the cot beside Aegon. "Aegon, are you ok?" He asked.
Aegon gave him a dreamy smile and said, "Yes, I'm okay. What about that guard who tried to kill me?"
"You killed him," Donoros gently told him.
"I did?" Aegon asked before remembering what happened at his tent, "Oh yes, I choked him."
"You did well, my prince," Corlys replied.
"I'm glad you are ok, brother," Daemon said softly, still uncomfortable about his brother being stabbed.
"Did Viserys send any aid yet?" Aegon asked him.
Daemon decided to play along, knowing his brother's mind was still cloudy, and said, "We just got his letter. He said he's sending ten ships with two thousand swords to give us victory."
"Really?" Aegon asked with a smile.
"We might win this war yet, because of you." Corlys smiled at the poppy-addled prince.
"Great." Aegon smiled as he then fell asleep.
Deciding to let him sleep, Corlys, Daemon, and Donoros left the tent. After reporting that Aegon had gone to sleep, the soldiers then went about their business.
"Should we send a message to the king?" Donoros asked, "To report what happened?"
"There's no need." Daemon replied, "Not yet, anyways. There's not much he can do from King's Landing, so what's the point in it?" He then walked away without saying a word, leaving Corlys and Donoros behind.
"We'll send a messenger on the morrow when Aegon feel better." Corlys assured him, placing his hand on Donoros' shoulder. He then left with his brother and son, Vaemond and Laenor while Donoros stayed close to the tent. He just prays that Aegon will survive this ordeal.
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It was early morning when Donoros woke up and started to hear a loud moaning and shrieking that was heard all throughout the camp, as if a great beast was in pain. He went out to see what the noise was and asked one of the soldiers passing by who told him it was Nightwing. The soldier went on to say that she has been moaning and wailing as if she was in pain. Then remembering what Aegon told him about the bond between the dragon and rider, he then realized if Nightwing was in pain, then Aegon was too. Donoros then went straight into the infirmary and saw him drenched in sweat and breathing heavily in pain as the maesters were tending to his wound.
"What happened?" Donoros demanded.
"It seems the wound has been infected overnight," the maester said as he tried to treat it. Donoros went over and saw the punctured wound had become swollen and red as the maester was draining infectious fluid that was dripping out, causing the tent to stink from the smell.
Donoros went to a nearby servant and ordered him, "Go tell prince Daemon and Lord Corlys what's happening. Now!"
The servant ran off to tell the prince and lord, coming back moments later as they rushed in, seeing the state Aegon was in.
"How did this happen!" Daemon demanded.
"It seems the wound has led to an infection to the stomach, my prince," the maester said as he continued his work.
"Well treat him!" Daemon ordered furiously.
"Daemon," Aegon called out, reaching for his hand, "Daemon."
Daemon, right away knelt down and took his brother's hand, "I'm here brother."
"I don't want to die," Aegon moaned in pain, "I don't want to die."
"You're not going to die brother. I'm here at your side," Daemon promised as he caressed Aegon's head, not caring that his brother's hair was drenched in sweat.
Corlys then demanded, "is there anything that can be done?"
"I am trying my lord, but I'm afraid I am reaching my limit." the maester said as he tried to clean the wound.
Then having a thought, Daemon said, "We need to get to Driftmark. There are more sufficient medicine there. I'll fly him there myself."
"Daemon, it's too dangerous for Aegon to fly in his condition." Donoros told him.
"We'll take a ship there," Corlys offered, "If we leave now, we just might make it."
"That will take days to get there." Daemon countered.
"But it's the safest way to get there Daemon." Donoros pleaded.
After thinking about it, Daemon decided to agree and said, "Then be quick about it", Corlys left the tent quickly to get everything ready as Donoros and Daemon stayed at Aegon's side, "Everything is going to be ok brother."
"My sons," Aegon cried in pain, "I need my sons, both of them."
"You will," Daemon promised him, "I'll make sure of it."
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It was sunset at High Tide, Aeron was in the Hall of Nine, looking at the Driftwood Throne. It was originally at the castle known as Driftmark, the same name as the island, where the Velaryons originally lived before Lord Corlys built High Tide. It was often damp and flooded, not being a suitable stronghold for the Velaryons, Corlys believed. After he finished building his new castle, The Sea Snake then moved the Driftwood throne to where the Velaryons made permanent residence to the new castle. Aeron, always adventurous and bold, walked up the stairs and began to sit on the throne, pretending it was his.
Rhaenys Targaryen then entered the room from a nearby hallway and saw Aeron on the throne. Smiling at the boy, she came up and said, "According to legend, the throne was given by the Merling King," Aeron, startled by Rhaenys' presence, quickly got up and moved away from the Driftwood Throne as she continued, "as part of a pact with the Velaryons, before they came to Westeros. Since then, pureblooded Velaryons sat on the throne uncontested to this day."
"I'm sorry." Aeron quickly said, afraid that she was angry.
Smiling at his innocence, Rhaenys wrapped her arm around his shoulders and said, "Nothing to be sorry about. You have your father's spirit. Once, he snuck from his room and sat on the Iron Throne itself when he was your age."
"Isn't it made of knives?" Aeron asked her, wondering how anyone could sit on a throne like that..
"That didn't stop him from sitting on it." Rhaenys smiled as she then looked at him "Your father always believed on living life while facing the dangers of it."
Just then, Melina entered the Hall, "Aeron, I was looking all over for you. It's almost time for bed."
"But I'm not tired," Aeron complained as Rhaenys chuckled.
"You say that now and then you will be sleeping not long after." Melina said as she picked up her son in her arms.
"Listen to your mother Aeron. Mothers tend to know best." Rhaenys smiled as she walked away when the main door opened.
Melina, having her back turned, looked at her son, "Promise me that you are not going to sneak off tonight, and don't lie to me."
"Ok, I promise." Aeron sighed. He didn't look to the right, showing his mother that he was telling the truth this time. She smiled as she turned around to take him to his room, but then she saw Lord Corlys and her brother speaking with Rhaenys who seems to have heard shocking news as she had a hand covering her mouth.
"Donoros, you're here," Melina exclaimed, she then looked around and didn't see Aegon, "Where's Aegon?"
As soon as she asked those words Donoros slowly walked up to here with a sad look on his face. Melina didn't know why he was giving her that look, but she had a feeling of dread that is was about Aegon.
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It was morning in the Red Keep as Grand Maester Mellos was with the royal family in Leah's chambers examining her and her child. Leah told Baelar about the pain she received after they returned from the royal hunt. When she told him, Baelar went straight to the maester to check her condition. Mellos did not have the answer, but decided to monitor Leah's symptoms for a week. Baelar, Claryssa, Rhaenyra, Alicent and Viserys were all with her so they could see what the maesters report was.
"The heartbeat is still quite strong," Mellos announced, "So, at the present moment, there is no concern for the child's well-being."
"Thank you, Grand Maester," Leah said as she placed her hand on her swollen belly.
"Did you find the cause of her pain?" Baelar asked urgently.
"I'm afraid not my prince," Mellos answered, "I am sending inquires to the Citadel to see if there has been any cases in the past with these types of symptoms."
"Thank you, Mellos." Viserys replied to the old man.
"Yes, we are grateful for your help Grand Maester." Claryssa added as she put her hands on Leah's shoulders, while Alicent and Rhaenyra were each sitting by her side.
"Thank you, both of you, for being here with me." Leah thanked her friends.
"Of course, we're sisters, and we will always be there for each other." Alicent said as the both looked at Rhaenyra to support her words.
"Yes, always." Rhaenyra nodded while squeezing Leah's hand causing her to smile, happy that her friends where together again. Rhaenyra and Alicent might not be on speaking terms, but both girls agreed that they would be at their friend's side for the rest of her pregnancy. Especially Alicent since she was still pregnant as well and only a month away from her birth. Just then a servant came in. "It is the Hand of the King, Your Grace, with urgent news." As the servant made his announcement, Otto came into the room with an apprehensive look on his face.
"What is it, Otto? Viserys asked noticing the Lord Hand's face.
"It concerns your brother Prince Aegon, Your Grace." Otto lowly said.
"Has he received my message that I would send aid to the Stepstone?" Viserys asked, while everyone else in the room waited for the answer.
"Your Grace," Otto began to say. He paused for a minute and then said, "There was an assassination attempt on prince Aegon's life."
The whole room looked at Otto with shock from the news, especially Baelar and Viserys.
"What?" Baelar said softly, trying to comprehend what the Hand said, "Is he alright?"
"He was able to kill the assassin, but," Otto tried to explain, "he received at fatal stab wound in his abdomen."
"Aegon is injured?" Rhaenyra asked, wanting a clear answer.
Otto looked down for a moment to prepare himself of the last part of the news that he dreads to share, "The wound began to fester the next morning. Prince Daemon and Lord Corlys believed that he should be moved to High Tide to give him better treatment but," He paused, not wishing to say the last sentence.
"But what, Otto," Viserys demanded him, wanting to know if his brother was alive or not, "But what!"
Otto took one last breath and said, "Prince Aegon, succumbed to his wound during the journey to Driftmark."
Those last words rocked everyone in that room. The Dragon of the East is dead. Viserys, shaken by the news, grabbed a nearby chair to keep his balance. Alicent and Leah were in silence as Rhaenyra started to shed tears. Claryssa stood there in shock. Her husband and the father of her son was dead. Baelar started to tremble from what he just heard. His father was dead. The father that he hasn't spoken to for three years, the father was thinking of reaching out to, was dead.
"That's not possible." Baelar blurted out, "There has to be some mistake."
"There was no mistake my prince," Otto replied to him, "I am sorry, but your father has passed."
Baelar, not knowing what to do, then walked quickly out of the room while everyone else stayed in the room.
"This…...This can't be," Viserys uttered and then yelled, "How did this happen! Where was Lord Corlys! Where was Daemon!"
"The attack was in the cover of night at the hour of the wolf." Otto reported from the message he got from Driftmark, "No one knew of it until prince Aegon was struck." After hearing this, all Viserys could do was try to fight back the tears, but he was failing. His youngest brother was dead.
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Baelar went to his room and slammed the door behind him. He had his hand covering his mouth to stop himself from crying out loud, as he slid down to the floor. He hugged his knees to his chest as tears poured from his eyes. His father was dead. He didn't know what to feel. He was angry of the way he and his father last spoke to each other. He was angry that his father left for war. He always had been angry that his father left for adventure and only come back for a short time, but this time, he left and is never coming back. He keeps remembering those words he told his father. How his father was embarrassing, how everything he does and being his son was embarrassing. He just decided to reach out to reconcile with his father, but now he would never get the chance, and those words were the last he ever spoke to him.
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Aeron was in his room, sitting on his bed as he hugged his pillow tightly. It's been days since he received the news that his father was dead. Lord Corlys sent a message to King's Landing to give the report of what happened, which was a weeklong sail to the capital. Laena was with him, trying to comfort him, but to no avail. He cried for many hours after receiving the news, but now he doesn't come out of his room and just sits on his bed, not saying a word. His mother, Melina, entered the room as Laena got up and went to her.
"Anything?" Melina asked, as she was worried for her son.
"No," Laena replied, "he hasn't spoken a word all day."
Melina looked at her son, heartbroken by what happened. When her brother told her that Aegon was attacked and died overseas, it was like her whole world collapsed. She wanted nothing more but to cry for the loss of the men she loved. However, she needs to be strong for her child who she knew needed her. She asked Laena to give them some time alone, which the noble lady obliged as she left the room. Melina then went slowly to her son and sat next to him.
"He said he was going to come back." Aeron said softly.
"I know." Melina replied to her son. It pained her to see her son like this.
"What's going to happen to us now?" Aeron then asked.
"What do you mean?" Melina asked, confused by his question.
"We came here because Father was helping Daemon and Lord Corlys with the fighting at the Stepstones." Aeron explained, "Now that Father is gone, what's going to happen to us?"
Melina, heart broken by her son's words, hugged him and said, "We are going to be ok. We still have family members who we can depend on."
After a while of consoling her son, she left the room and made it to the Hall of Nine where Corlys and Rhaenys were speaking with her father and brothers Donoros and Draqeo. "Lina," Areqo exclaimed, "How is he?"
"Not saying much, just sitting on the bed." Melina replied to her father, who came straight to her and hugged her, who hugged him back. "Where is Daemon?" she then asked, wondering where Aegon's brother is.
"We don't know," Corlys answered.
"Probably off brooding somewhere like a child." Draqeo said dismissively.
"Daemon always grieved in his own way." Rhaenys glared directly to Draqeo who rolled his eyes.
"How are you, my dear girl?" Areqo asked his daughter, haven't seen her cry since he heard the news.
"I don't know," Melina admitted while trying to stop the tears from forming, "I'm just trying to stay strong for Aeron."
"The maesters said that Aegon's remains are being made ready to transport to King's Landing," Rhaenys announced, "If you would wish to see him-"
"No," Melina sharply declined, "Thank you, but I don't want my last memory of him to be lying on a table."
Rhaenys nodded, understanding Melina's reasons. She then looked to Corlys and told him, "We must tell Daemon, so he knows when to-"
"I already know," Daemon announced as he entered the Hall of Nine. Daemon was at Aegon's side until the end. He was there when Aegon drew his last breath and was the first one who discovered that he was dead. When they landed at High Tide and brought the body out Daemon went into seclusion, wanting to be alone. The littler brother of his childhood, the boy that longed for adventure was now gone. Although some would say that Aegon's dragon, Nightwing was suffering most of all. She followed them as Aegon was on the ship that was sailing to Driftmark, However, when they landed and she saw he was dead, she led out a cry so great, it could have been heard throughout the entire island.
Daemon, looking at Melina, asked, "How's the boy?"
"He's not speaking to anyone at the moment." She answered.
Hearing Melina's answer, Daemon passed by everyone, and went straight up to the stairs and entered Aeron's room. He stopped at the doorway and saw the little boy, holding the dragon figurine he gave him years ago. However, he also saw Aeron wearing his fathers' ruby medallion, realizing that Aegon must have given it to him before he left for the Stepstones. Daemon walked to the bed and sat down next to the boy.
"Your father love you," Daemon told him.
"I know," Aeron said softly, "What's going to happen now?"
"They are going to bring him to King's Landing for the funeral," Daemon answered.
"What happens at a funeral?" Aeron asked.
Daemon looked at him and said, "Everyone at the royal court comes together and put him in a pyre where we will burn him."
"Why burn him?" Aeron asked in confusion.
"It is an ancient Valyrian custom to burn our dead," Daemon answered, "Then we interred his ashes to wherever we deemed fit for it."
"Do I get to go?" Aeron asked.
Daemon looked at his nephew. He wasn't sure if he was allowed to come. Aeron is an illegitimate child. Children born out of wedlock are looked down upon in Westeros. Believing that they are born from lust and lies and are deceitful by nature. Also, Aeron's mother and her family are from Braavos and the Westerosi lords do not treat foreigners kindly. He knows that these factors of Aeron, a foreign illegitimate bastard, would not be welcome to the funeral of a prince of House Targaryen. He knows for a fact that Claryssa would never allow that. However, Aeron was Aegon's son as much as Baelar was and before they left the Stepstones, Aegon said that he wanted both of his sons to be with him.
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Melina was still at the Hall of Nine, sitting in front of the fireplace as her father was with her. Lord Corlys and Rhaenys where with them as they were all waiting to see what Daemon was doing with Aeron. An hour later, Daemon walked down the stairs as Melina stood up from her chair. He walked up to her and asked, "Do you believe that Aeron should be at the funeral."
Melina looked at him with surprise and asked, "What?"
"His father is dead," Daemon answered, "And at the moment, the body is going to be shipped to King's Landing for the funeral pyre. Do you believe that he should be there?"
"Daemon, the royal court might not be pleased for him to be there," Corlys reminded him, surprised by what he was saying.
"It does not matter what the court desires." Daemon shot back.
"But it does matter what the king desires." Rhaenys replied, fearing on what would happen to the little boy if he were to be at court for the first time.
"Aeron is just as much and Aegon's son as Baelar is," Daemon urged as he looked back to Melina, who then replied, "The king would never allow it."
"It doesn't matter what he allows," Daemon responded, "Do you believe that Aegon should have both of his sons to put him to rest?"
Melina looked down and thought of Daemon's question. She does believe that Aeron should be at the funeral, but she wasn't sure how they will be treated there. Lord Corlys Velaryon and Princess Rhaenys Targaryen may treat Aeron kindly, but she can't speak for everyone else, especially the king. Aegon told her many stories about King Viserys. She never met him personally, but from the stories he sound like a very understanding man. However, she also heard tales of his council of leeches who probably will sway him to deny the notion of having, as far as there concerned, Aegon's whore and bastard at the royal court. And there were two people whom she is afraid of. Prince Baelar Targaryen and Lady Claryssa Hunter. No doubt that they will take offense to her and Aeron's presence. She was aware of how noble wives and trueborn children can be resentful to mistresses and their bastards.
"Whatever you decide Melina," Areqo said, "We will support you."
Not wishing to make the decision, Melina then looked at Daemon and said, "Only if the king allows it."