How did this happen," Viserys demanded as he, Rhaenyra, Alicent, and the other council members, in their night clothes along with everyone else at present, were in the Small Council Chamber. Baelar was sitting at the table with his wife and mother as Grand Maester Mellos applied a solvent of some sort on his right arm and hand to treat his burns. Aeron was seated on a chair at the other side of the room, with Daemon and the Velaryons close to him in protective stances. "How is it that a six-year-old could enter the Dragonpit unnoticed?"
"We are still finding that out, Your Grace," Otto replied, trying to calm the king.
"The only ones with the boy were burned or consumed by The Night's Terror, Your Grace." The Head Dragonkeeper replied.
"Will Baelar recover, Grand Maester?" Claryssa begged fearfully for her son's condition while Leah held his left arm tightly.
"Prince Baelar will recover, my lady," Mellos answered as he continued to rub the solvent in Baelar's hand and arm as the prince moaned in pain, "however, I'm afraid the scars will never fade."
Claryssa trembled in horror after hearing the Maester's answer. Just then, the doors flew open as the other members of the Kingsguard escorted the Sorrens into the room.
"Aeron," Melina called out as she rushed to her son, who was covered in ash, and inspected him to see if he was hurt, "Are you ok? What happened?"
"Your bastard snuck into the Dragonpit and nearly cost my son his life," Claryssa raged as she glared at them.
"What?" Melina asked in confusion as she looked at everyone for a clearer answer.
"It seems Aeron went to the Dragonpit on his own to see Nightwing, who burned prince Baelar's right arm," Rhaenys gently explained to the mother, who widened her eyes in shock.
Melina looked at Baelar, who was being treated for his arm, and then stared at her son to confirm what she had just heard. "I just wanted to see Nightwing," he blubbered as he was on the brink of tears. After hearing those words, Melina stood up before him, fidgeting as she faced everyone staring at them.
Viserys then interjected himself into the scene, trying to calm the situation before it escalated, "I will have the truth of what happened."
"The truth is simple," Claryssa questioned angrily and pointed at Aeron, "That bastard committed treason. He must be punished."
"Aeron did no such thing," Melina desperately defended.
"No such thing," Claryssa seethed, "My son was almost burned alive by his actions. That is a crime of the highest treason that should be punished with execution."
After hearing Claryssa's demands for execution, the Sorrens, Velaryons, and Daemon began to surround Aeron, who was trembling with fear in protective stances. At the same time, Melina defended, "My son is only six years of age and just wanted to see his father's dragon. He couldn't have possibly known what would've happened."
"Couldn't have known," Claryssa questioned as she raged on, "And yet he was able to escape the Red Keep and find his way throughout the city to the Dragonpit on his own."
"There was a map on his person that leads from the Red Keep to the Dragonpit, Your Grace," Otto announced as he held the map that was singed from the flames. He handed the paper to the king, who examined it and saw it was indeed what his Hand said it was. "He must have retrieved it from the royal library and followed the roads," Otto explained, "Not only that, but there are reports from the other Dragonkeepers that Nightwing appeared to have stopped breathing fire after the boy commanded her to. The same way prince Baelar commanded his own dragon not to attack The Night's Terror."
Viserys looked at the Head Dragonkeeper and asked, "Has Aeron claimed Nightwing?"
"It seems so, Your Grace. The Night's Terror started to attack us when the boy seemed threatened," the Head Dragonkeeper answered as Viserys looked at Aeron, realizing that The Night's Terror has a new rider.
"The bastard has stolen the dragon," Claryssa exclaimed, "Now we know for certain he must be executed for his crimes."
"Who's to say that Aeron claimed Nightwing this very night," Melina quickly defended, "Your son took him to the Dragonpit the other day and brought him to Nightwing alone. So how do we know it wasn't then that my son claimed her?"
Everyone stared at the Braavosi woman after hearing her accusation. But, of course, it was common knowledge that Baelar took Aeron to the Dragonpit to see the she-dragon alone, so who's to say she wasn't right. Although this accusation caused Claryssa to seethe with rage, "You're implying my son is at fault for this?"
Meanwhile, Baelar, after hearing Melina's words, looked down and wondered if she was right. He remembers how intensely Nightwing was staring at Aeron when they were at her lair, thinking that maybe she was right. What if this was his fault?
"All I can say is that your son took him to the Pit alone," Melina replied, "and we don't know what happened while they were there, just like we don't know what happened tonight."
"That is true, Your Grace," Rhaenyra exclaimed, gaining everyone's attention, "I was there with Baelar, and he took Aeron deep in the Pit alone. So we may never truly know when Aeron claimed Nightwing."
"Regardless," Otto suddenly said, "There is still a question of how he entered the Dragonpit on his own."
Claryssa looked at the king and said, "He must be sharply questioned, Your Grace, so we can know how this was done." Everyone, especially Baelar, looked at her with shock, knowing that the phrase 'sharply questioned' was a euphemism for torture. Meaning she wanted a child to be tortured.
"Sharply questioned," Melina whispered in fear. Knowing what those words meant, "He's only a boy."
"A boy who has just stolen a dragon and nearly killed a prince of royal blood," Claryssa argued as she looked daggers at the woman, "He must be taken now."
As she said those words, Donoros wielded his slender sword, "Try to take him then," He threatened as he pointed it at the Kingsguard, who sheathed their own blades at him. Meanwhile, Daemon joined Donoros as he wielded his sword, Dark Sister.
"Enough," Viserys exclaimed, "There will be no more violence this night. Put down your swords. Now!"
The Kingsguard and Daemon sheathed their swords, but Donoros didn't move. "Put down your blade, Donoros," Areqo demanded of his son.
"Not when my nephew is threatened," Donoros said as he glared at the Kingsguard.
"The king demands no violence, Donoros," Areqo sharply reminded, knowing that his family was not in a position to threaten the royal family, "Put down your blade."
Donoros, after a few moments, sheathed his sword but stayed in a protective stance. Viserys looked at Aeron, who was staring at the floor, shaking while gripping his mother's hand. He can see Aeron did not intentionally cause all this, but it was important to find out what happened. So he approached the boy slowly, not wanting to frighten him more than he already was, and asked, "Aeron, how did you sneak out of the Keep and into the Dragonpit?"
"Father, I don't think he will be able to say after what happened," Rhaenyra reasoned, seeing that the poor boy was already traumatized by tonight's events.
"We must get an answer, Princess," Otto argued, causing the princess to glare at him.
Ignoring them, Viserys got closer to Aeron and asked, "Aeron, how did this happen?"
Aeron stared at the ground, not saying a word as tears started to fall from his face. Melina, knowing her son was terrified, then implored the king, "Your Grace, I beg you,"
"Brother, he needs time before answering any questions," Daemon implored, worrying how much of a toll this would take on the boy.
Viserys gave Melina with a regretful look, but he needed an answer now. He looked back at Aeron and said with more force, "Aeron, I won't ask you again. How did you leave the Red Keep and get in the Dragonpit?"
Aeron looked up at the king with fear in his teary eyes. He opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out as he shut it closed again. He then gave a quick glance at Daemon who was beside them, which caused Viserys to side-eye his brother suspiciously while the Rogue Prince stared back at the king. While this happened, Baelar didn't take his eyes off Aeron. He wondered how people were seeing him at the moment, but as far as he was concerned, he only saw a small child, traumatized by tonight's event, and terrified of what would happen next. He also began to think that he was at fault for what happened. He remembered all those times when Aeron begged to see Nightwing and when they were at the Dragonpit the other day and how insistent he was to pet her. No one can know how the process of claiming a dragon is, but from what the Dragonkeepers were saying, it was as if the boy and dragon were already bonded as one. If he hadn't taken Aeron to the Dragonpit to see Nightwing the other day, it might not have goaded the boy to go there alone. The burned prince rose from his chair and said, "It wasn't his fault, Your Grace. It was mine." Everyone stared at the prince with surprise and confusion as he continued, "I took him to the Dragonpit."
"Yes, Baelar," Viserys dismissed, "I know you took him there the other day."
"No, I mean, I was the reason he was able to sneak in tonight," Baelar lied as everyone stared at him in surprise.
"What?" Viserys asked in confusion. From what the reports said, Baelar wasn't in Nightwing's lair until she began setting everything ablaze.
"We were in our father's old bedroom before we went to sleep and started talking about Aeron leaving King's Landing," Baelar continued with his lie, "He went on to say how he wanted to see Nightwing one last time, and we knew you wouldn't approve that for a second time, so we devised a plan to sneak him out without anyone noticing."
Claryssa, shocked by this, went up to her son and asked, "What are you doing?"
"It was my fault, mother," Baelar told her before looking back to the king, "it was my plot. He had nothing to do with this."
"Your plot?" Viserys repeated as all listened intently to Baelar's tale. Especially the Sorrens, as they stayed close to Aeron, who stared at his older half-brother defending him.
"Yes," Baelar confirmed.
"Your Grace, my son obviously is exhausted and doesn't understand what he is saying," Claryssa said as she tried to dismiss her son, "If you allow him to rest,"
"I'm fine, mother," Baelar shot down his mother, "It was all my doing. I told him to get the map. I know which one we needed because we were looking at it this morning at the library."
"But how did you sneak him out of the Red Keep," Viserys asked for more details.
Baelar then remembered the rumors that were circling around the Red Keep as of late. They were about Aeron sneaking around the Red Keep the other night and how King Viserys caught him. He then remembered Aeron telling him about the conservation he had with Viserys and how he told the king that he snuck out of the room by tying covers and bed blankets together to climb out of the window from the room and used that as an excuse. "When we were talking, he told me about the other night when you saw him wandering the halls of the Red Keep, and he said he used blankets and covers from the bed and tied them together so he could climb down from the window like a rope. So I told him to do the same thing a few hours after I left then I told him which way to leave the Keep and how to get past the guards. Then to ward off any suspicion, I told him that I would be at the Dragonpit before him to make sure he could sneak in while the Dragonkeepers were distracted on getting Orvax ready for my flight."
"Baelar," Claryssa began to say as she grabbed his left arm.
Baelar turned to his mother and said, "It was my fault, mother. Now stand aside," he then commanded her as she stared at him in disbelief at what he was saying, "So you see, Your Grace, I am responsible for tonight's event, not Aeron."
Viserys stared at Baelar and then at Aeron. He didn't know what to say or believe, but one thing was clear. Aeron now has a dragon. Although he did want to see why the boy looked at Daemon the way he did while being questioned, believing that he had something to do with it. Deciding he had heard enough, the king commanded, "My council and I will discuss what actions to take next, but at the present time, take Aeron will go back to the room and make sure that he stays there until I say otherwise."
The Kingsguard opened the doors as everyone began to leave. Claryssa glared at Melina, who picked up her son and quickly went to the room as her family, Daemon, and the Velaryons followed her. Claryssa and Leah helped Baelar to his bed chambers as the Small Council room was empty. Once the doors closed, the king, his heir, and council members took their seats to discuss what needed to be done.
"What must be done," Viserys asked as he looked to his council for advice.
"Due to the circumstances, the bastard cannot be permitted to leave King's Landing, much less the Red Keep," Otto began to say, "For the time being, he must be kept in the confines of the Keep until a decision has been made on how he will be dealt with,"
"Dealt with," Rhaenyra repeated, as she interrupted Otto, "What do you mean dealt with?"
"The bastard has escaped the Red Keep and trespassed to the Dragonpit and in possession of one of the most dangerous weapons in the world, Princess," Otto explained, "Surely the boy cannot be allowed to roam free."
"But how do you believe he should be dealt with," Rhaenyra asked more forcefully to the Hand, "Send him to the Wall up in the North?"
"The Dragonkeepers have confirmed that the boy bonded with Nightwing, princess," Otto replied, "No matter where he goes, The Night's Terror will follow him as long as he lives."
"As long as he lives," Viserys repeated as he stared at Otto with widened eyes, realizing what he was suggesting, "You think I should execute him?" Otto looked back at the king, who then looked to the rest of his council, who avoided his stares, "Does everyone agree with this?"
"Forgive us, Your Grace," Mellos spoke, "However, bastards are wanton and treacherous by nature. There is no telling what threat he will pose now he has a dragon of his own."
"Threat," Rhaenyra repeated while Mellos made his argument, "He's only six. Just a small boy."
"He won't be a boy forever, princess," Otto grimly reminded, "He may be an innocent child now, but there is no telling what the bastard will become once he is a man fully grown or what his family might drive him to do."
"Why would we need to concern ourselves with his family," Viserys asked in confusion.
"They are foreigners with no ties to Westeros, Your Grace," Otto explained, "We do not know if they would use Nightwing to their advantage and there are other foreign powers we need to concern ourselves with. Once they see that House Sorren has a dragon, who's to say they won't try to bind themselves to them, including the Triarchy. This could result in our foreign enemies having a dragon to use against us. Unsavory as it is, Your Grace, the child must be dealt with quickly."
"The Velaryons will never stand for that," Lyonel interjected, "Neither will Daemon."
"It is not for them to decide, but this council, Lord Lyonel," Otto reminded, "As Master of Laws, you should know this."
"Surely members of this council would have some qualms about putting a six-year-old child to death," Rhaenyra objected fiercely.
"For the safety of House Targaryen and the realm, I'm afraid we have no choice, Princess," Otto answered.
"No," Rhaenyra denied the Hand before looking at her father, "This isn't what Aegon wouldn't have wanted, father."
"The prince Aegon has passed," Otto dismissed. However, it pinched a nerve in Viserys, who began to rub his face with distress, "Not only would this be for the safety of the realm, but also for prince Baelar who was permanently injured by the bastard's actions this night and for the child he will have. Who's to say that an event like this won't happen again, intentionally,"
"You are advising me to murder my brother's son," Viserys yelled, having enough of this conversation, knowing that his youngest brother Aegon would never allow this to happen, "He is still his blood, making him mine and Baelar's, Otto. You cannot deny that."
"And yet, Your Grace," Mellos began to say.
"Any more word of this, and I will cut you down with Blackfyre myself!" Viserys exclaimed as he slammed his fists on the table, causing the council to be quiet.
After silence, Lord Lyonel said, "Perhaps there is another merciful course of action, Your Grace."
Viserys looked at his Master of Laws for his alternative, not wishing to put the boy to the sword. Instead, he wanted to have Aeron in court to be closer to what was left of Aegon. But now he must protect him at all costs.
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Baelar was sitting in a chair at his room while maester Orwyle finished applying the solvent on his right arm and wrapped a bandage cloth to keep it from infection. Leah and Claryssa were close to him as the maester then handed Baelar a cup.
"A small drink of the milk of the poppy should relieve you of any pain at the moment," Orwyle recommended as he gathered his equipment to leave the room.
"Thank you maester Orwyle," Claryssa told him as he nodded before leaving the room. She then turned to her son and asked, "Did you really took the bastard to the Pit?"
Baelar, not looking at his mother, replied, "It was my fault."
Claryssa, not believing her son, replied, "That bastard is the reason why you got burned with dragonfire, and all you did was defend him. With a lie."
Baelar looked up to her, "I did take him there yesterday and he probably bonded with Nightwing at that time. So I could be at fault for what happened. I apologize that he won't be executed like you wanted."
"You are burned Baelar," Claryssa insisted, "Besides, do you understand how dangerous it is for that bastard to have a dragon," she was about to make her argument until her son cut her off.
"That bastard is just a child," Baelar corrected, having enough of her, "And he is not going to be punished for my mistakes." He saw his mother was about to say something else, he decided to end the conversation by saying, "As your prince, I command you to leave it at that."
Claryssa stared at her son in disbelief, never expecting her son to pull rank on her.
"Claryssa, Baelar is fine now," Leah told her as she had her arm wrapped around him, "That's all that matters."
Seeing that she had no choice but to obey, she then said, "I'll speak with Grand Maester Mellos to see if there is anything that can heal your wounds quicker." And with that she left the room, leaving the prince and his wife.
Leah rubbed Baelar's left arm and asked, "Are you sure you're ok."
"I'm fine," Baelar said as he drank the milk of the poppy.
"I'm glad Aeron is ok," Leah said, "If you weren't there, who knows what could have happened."
"Yes," Baelar replied and noticing his wife giving him a look, "What?"
"Baelar, I know when you're lying," Leah told him seriously, "You forget I know you better than you know yourself."
Baelar, knowing that Leah could tell he was lying, decided to tell her the truth, "Alright, I didn't tell him to sneak in the Dragonpit tonight. It's just, I didn't know what they were going to do to him. My mother wanted him sharply questioned and we all know what that means."
"Yes, I do," Leah agreed, as she herself was shocked that Claryssa had no qualms of torturing a small boy. Then again, her son did get burned badly.
"But this still happened because of me," Baelar insisted, confusing Leah.
"How is what happened because of you," she asked him.
"If I didn't take Aeron to the Dragonpit, he probably wouldn't have gone there himself," Baelar reasoned.
"We don't know that," Leah disagreed.
"Are you sure," Baelar asked her with his voice beginning to shake as he started to feel the guilt in him, "because he really wanted to see Nightwing, and I basically showed him where she was and how to get to the Dragonpit when we were at the library."
"Stop it," Leah demanded, "there's no way you could have known this would happen."
"No, but what if Melina was right," Baelar asked her, "What if Aeron bonded with Nightwing the minute I brought him to her."
Leah, taking a minute to think of an answer, decided to say, "All you can do now, is to be there for him, because we don't know what's going to happen now. Which means he needs someone to protect him now, more than ever. And he doesn't have a father to do that now."
Baelar nodded to that, agreeing that Leah was right. There is no telling how he will be treated or what the king and his council members decided, but what is certain is that Aeron is going to need someone to protect him now after all of this.
"I'm going to go see him," Baelar said as he slowly got up from the chair, still feeling pain from the burn as Leah started to follow him.
"Baelar, I don't blame Aeron for what happened, but when I heard what happened, I thought," Leah began to say as her voice started to shake and tears started to form before her husband stopped her.
"I know," Baelar said while wrapping his good arm around her for comfort, "I know. But I'm ok now."
Leah stayed close to his embrace as she tried to stop the tears from falling down. She didn't blame Aeron for what happened, but she couldn't say that she wasn't scared when the guards told her that her husband and father of their unborn child almost died tonight.
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Aeron was in his father's old room with his mother, her family, Daemon, and the Velaryons. Melina was on the bed with him, trying to understand what was happening.
"How did this happen," Melina asked sternly. While the others in the room believed she was too strong on the boy, they understood she was just scared for him.
"I just wanted to see her," Aeron lamented as he started to cry again.
"Aeron, it's too dangerous to go to the Dragonpit alone. You shouldn't have gone there in the first place," the mother began to yell as she held him tightly.
"Melina," Areqo tried to say, "try to calm down."
"Calm down," Melina repeated as she stared at her father, "he could have been killed."
"But he is safe now," Rhaenys gently interjected, "That is all that matters."
Melina sighed as she calmed herself, knowing they were right. She then looked at her son, gently caressed his face, and said, "I'm sorry. I don't know what to do if anything happened to you."
Aeron nodded as he buried his face as his mother hugged him. He was terrified by tonight's events. All he wanted to do was see Nightwing before he left King's Landing. He just wanted to pet her and couldn't understand how everything could've gotten so wrong. He was worried about what Baelar now thought of him. Was he mad at him? Did he hate him? He didn't know. All he wanted was for his father to be with him. He remembers whenever he got scared, his father would comfort him. He remembers his father's warm embrace, stroking his hair, saying everything will be ok. But now Aegon is gone, which makes Aeron miss him more, wishing his father was still here.
The doors opened as Ser Harrold Westerling entered the room and announced, "Lady Melina, the king requires your presence."
Melina looked at the knight and then back to her son, who gave her a pleading look to not leave him. "I have to go and see the king."
"Don't go," Aeron begged, "Please."
"I'll only be a few minutes," Melina promised him.
"We'll stay with him," Laena told her, "To make sure he's ok."
Melina gave her a grateful look as she kissed her son's head and followed Ser Harrold out of the room as the Sorrens and the Velaryons stayed at the boy's side.
"What's he going to say," Aeron trembled, knowing the king was unhappy with him.
Donoros looked to Daemon, Corlys, and Rhaenys and asked, "He won't do anything to harm him, will he?"
"My brother is many things," Daemon replied, "But he will never harm a hair on a child."
"And yet, Claryssa Hunter proved herself otherwise," Laenor argued.
"It seems the whole court agree with her," Draqeo interjected.
"Viserys is an understanding man," Corlys told them, "He'll remember that Aeron is just a child who didn't understand things."
"I'm sorry," Aeron said softly as everyone looked at him.
Laena then approached him and said, "Everything will be ok, Aeron. We won't let anything happen to you."
As Aeron listened to her words, the doors opened again, but they all saw it was Prince Baelar and his wife, Lady Leah. This caused Aeron to be more afraid as he did not know what Baelar would do or say, especially when he saw his whole right arm covered in bandage cloth.
"Nephew," Daemon greeted, although everyone, especially the Sorrens, was worried about why he was here, "I hope you are well, given the circumstances."
"I am for now," Baelar answered, "Although I'm sure the pain will return."
Areqo came forward and tried to say, "Prince Baelar, I am sorry for what happened, but you must understand,"
"There's no need for defense, my lord," Baelar assured him, "I just want to speak with Aeron."
Everyone looked back and forth to the brothers, not knowing what Baelar would say, who came forward to the trembling boy.
"I know you have your own thoughts on what I am going to say, so I am going to be clear," Baelar begins as Aeron stares at him, "I am happy that you are alive, well, and unharmed. And I know you didn't mean for this to happen." The prince looked at Aeron, who looked at his covered arm to the point of tears from his guilt, "What happened to my arm was an accident."
"It was, Baelar! It was!" Aeron lamented as tears rolled down his face causing Baelar to wrap his left arm around the boy to give him an embrace which Aeron responded by wrapping his arms tightly around his brother.
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Melina followed Ser Harrold Westerling with dread. Her heart was beating so fast and loudly, she wasn't sure how it hadn't burst out of her chest yet. When she was at the manse, and a Targaryen knight came to the door, telling her what happened to her son, her heart stopped. She had already lost Aegon; she couldn't bear losing Aeron. After it seemed like they were walking forever, they reached the Small Council chamber. The door opened, and Melina saw no one in the room except King Viserys standing at the front end of the table.
"Thank you, Ser Harrold," Viserys thanked the knight, "Make sure no one enters the room until we finish our discussion."
Ser Harrold nodded as he left the room and closed the door, leaving Melina and Viserys alone. Melina began to fidget her hands, fearing what the king would say.
"Please sit," Viserys offered a seat, trying to make Melina calm as possible, understanding why she was terrified. She slowly went to the table and sat next to the king, who sat on his chair.
"What happens now," Melina trembled.
Viserys sighed momentarily before the braavosi mother, "My council and I were debating on what to do, and we came to a conclusion." Melina stared at Viserys as she waited for the answer, "Melina, you must understand the gravity of the consequences of Aeron's actions."
"So you will execute him," Melina questioned in a trembling voice, "That's what your council wants, don't they?"
Viserys didn't speak with Claryssa yet, but no doubt she wants the boy dead after what happened to Baelar, but he doesn't want to do that. Aegon wouldn't want his youngest son to be put to death just because he didn't know what he was doing. After thinking, he said, "My council was speaking on execution, but Lord Lyonel Strong found another way." Melina stared at the king while holding her breath to hear this alternative. "Aeron will stay in the capital as prince Baelar's squire, but he must never leave the Red Keep unsupervised."
"Squire or prisoner," Melina asked, trying to grasp what was being said.
Viserys looked at the mother while giving her a sympathetic look, "Melina, forgive me for saying this, but Aeron is a bastard that has claimed a dragon," Viserys said gently, "This is the only option I can make."
"He's just a boy, Viserys," Melina pleaded. Normally she would've called him, 'Your Grace,' but now she didn't care, "Do you think Aegon would have wanted this to happen? Practically having him as a prisoner in all but name."
"No", Viserys answered, "But he wouldn't want him to be put to death either. Having him close to Baelar might give him some protection."
"So you will make him a hostage in the Red Keep," Melina concluded angrily, "What will happen when he's older? He can't be a squire forever."
"I don't know what will happen at the moment," Viserys argued, "But I see no other alternative."
"People will want him dead," Melina countered back, "They will kill him even if you are against it."
"What would you have me do?" Viserys implored, "Name it, and it shall be done."
Melina stayed quiet. She truly did not know what other option there was. No doubt Claryssa wants him to pay for what happened to Baelar, but if this was the only other way. She looked at the king and said, "I just want my son to be safe."
"As do I," Viserys said truthfully, "but this might be the only way to keep him safe."
Seeing that she had no other option, Melina demanded, "If he stays, then I will stay as well. I will not leave him here alone."
"I understand," Viserys nodded, "As a mother, that is your right. And I will ensure that you will have some sort of protection. Although there is another matter with your family." he then said, causing Melina to stare at him. "They have to go back to Driftmark."
"What," Melina replied, "Why?"
"My council fears that the Sorrens may be ambitious and believes that they may use Aeron and Nightwing for their own purposes," Viserys explained.
"That's what you think of us," Melina questioned angrily.
"No, but that is what they fear," Viserys told her, although he decided not to say that they were suggesting to put her and all the other Sorrens to the sword with Aeron, "They also believe that other foreigners who would want to have ties with the Sorrens just so they can get to Aeron and Nightwing. So, they insisted that he be kept far away from that."
Melina did see his point. No doubt, many people will be sniffing around her son and family now that he has a dragon. She remembers when Aeron was born, merchants and magisters from all over Braavos and other Free Cities came to their family like vultures to gain favor with Aegon before he died. It was one of the reasons why they moved to Driftmark.
"I'm sorry, Melina," Viserys said, "I wished there was another way."
"May I make one request," Melina asked carefully while Viserys waited for the request, "My older brother, Donoros, has been trained in water dancing since he was a boy. I asked if he could stay with Aeron and me. I can't trust anyone else to protect us but him."
After considering her request, Viserys decided to give in, "Very well."
"Thank you, Your Grace," Melina nodded to him as she got up from the chair and left the room.
"Melina," Viserys called out as she turned to him, "My brother was never a man of politics or war. He was a man of adventure and freedom. He never had that in court, and we have never been able to give him that. You, however, embraced who he was. You made him happy," Melina then started to have tears rolling down her face as Viserys continued, "He loved you, and I see that you loved him, and because of that, I make this vow. In Aegon's memory, no one will harm the hair on Aeron's head. Not while I live."
Melina took a deep breath and replied, "Thank you, Your Grace." She then left the room as Viserys rubbed his head from the ordeal that had happened tonight. As Melina left the room, she walked to the large flights of stairs to return to her son. First, however, she placed her hand on the railing and tried not to cry. She couldn't understand how these events could have happened. They were supposed to be in the capital for a few days for Aegon's funeral, and now she and her son will be separated from their family and be prisoners in all but name. Suddenly she begins to hear a slow clapping sound coming up to her. She turned and saw it was Claryssa Hunter, slowly approaching her.
"Bravo," Claryssa clapped as she approached Melina, "You outdid yourself."
"What are you talking about," Melina asked tiredly, not in the mood to deal with her.
"First, you whored yourself to my husband for your benefit," Claryssa begins to say, "then give out that performance at his funeral."
"Performance," Melina repeated in shock at what the noble lady was saying.
"Oh, yes, those tears of grief you shed," Claryssa said, "the pain you felt when your lover was gone, which caused King Viserys to feel sympathetic enough to give a place in court for your bastard and your family in the city. And now this? You are far more clever than I believed you to be. Well done."
Melina widened her eyes, realizing what Claryssa was insinuating, "Do you believe that I had my son go to the Dragonpit on his own to claim Nightwing?"
"As a way to secure a place in court by being the mother of a child who claimed a dragon that belongs to House Targaryen." Claryssa finished in anger, "Well played."
Melina looked at Claryssa with contempt and said, "I have no idea how Aegon was able to put up with you."
She began to walk away while Claryssa continued, "The king may not be able to see through your charade, but there are those who can. You can try no matter what, but they will always see you as the whore who seduced my husband to your bed."
Melina stopped where she was and began to laugh at what she heard. Then, she turned around to Claryssa, who gave her a questionable look.
"Seduced? You think I seduced him?" Melina giggled in mockery, "Claryssa, I can't even count the times I had to fend off your husband,"
"Don't you dare," Claryssa growled after hearing the emphasis on 'your husband.'
"…from my bed," Melina finished as she again emphasized the words 'my bed.'
"Say one more word, and I'll have your tongue ripped out," Claryssa snapped.
"Why? Are you afraid of the truth," Melina mocked as she got closer to Claryssa, "Because the truth is he came to me because he loved me. You think Aegon was just a prince who went on from one woman to another, but the truth is that he was desperate to get away from you."
Claryssa tried to say something, but for some reason, she couldn't. Melina noticed this and began to go further, saying, "And how could he when you were just his wife for politics? He did love Baelar, but you, he never could. People see me as his whore, but at least I knew he chose and loved me. All you were to him was a duty he had to fulfill. That's all you were, all you've ever been, and all you'll ever be. A duty he didn't want to fulfill. That's why he was with me because he loved me."
As soon as she said those words, Claryssa slapped Melina so hard the braavosi woman stumbled back a bit. She kept her composure, however, as she knew she got Claryssa, who started to tremble from her words. Melina gave a condescending smile to Claryssa and said, "I suppose the truth is hard for some people."
With that, Claryssa walked away from Melina, who, rubbing her cheek from the slap, smiled as she saw her walking away. Meanwhile, Daemon smiled atop the stairs as he witnessed the whole thing.
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Viserys was alone in his bed chambers, drinking wine and suffering from a massive headache. He couldn't comprehend everything that had recently happened. His brother dead, Baelar burned and had to bear the scars forever, and Aeron, Aegon's illegitimate bastard, claimed a dragon. Not just any dragon, but Nightwing. The Night's Terror. Then there was Claryssa Hunter, who wanted Aeron dead. Not to mention his Hand, Otto Hightower, thinking it is best for the realm to have Aeron dead. His thoughts were interrupted when his brother, Daemon, entered the room so they could speak.
"You summoned me, Your Grace," Daemon said as he stood before the king, "How's Aeron?"
"He's fine for the time being," Viserys answered.
"Melina told us what you told her," Daemon said as Viserys stared at him, "Keeping Aeron here as a prisoner, separating him from his family. I assume that's Otto's doing."
Viserys looked at Daemon intensely. Lyonel Strong suggested that Aeron has Baelar's squire and keep him in the Red Keep under constant watch, but Otto still had his way of not having House Sorren in King's Landing. However, that's not what he wanted to discuss with Daemon, "I spoke with the Dragonkeepers after I spoke with Melina. They told me that Aeron was at the Dragonpit before. He wasn't with Baelar then, nor was he alone." Daemon stared at Viserys as he realized what Viserys wanted to speak with him about. The king got up and said, "You took him there, didn't you? You took him there, and it was that moment that Aeron claimed Nightwing." Daemon remained silent as Viserys continued. "He could've been killed, Daemon!"
"I was with him the whole time," Daemon defended calmly.
"You know how temperamental Nightwing is," Viserys argued, "Our brother did not return unscathed when he claimed Nightwing, don't you remember? Instead, he flew back to the Keep covered with ash and singed with small burns."
"I was by Aeron's side to ensure he wouldn't be harmed." Daemon shot back.
Viserys then looked in disbelief at his brother, "You intentionally had him bond with Nightwing?"
"He wanted to see her," Daemon replied, "I simply took him there to see her. Whatever happened was out of my control."
"Out of your control," Viserys repeated angrily, "You never should've taken him there in the first place. Now, look what's happened. He went to the Pit alone and returned in tears of terror."
"He has his father's dragon. Like a true Targaryen," Daemon responded.
"He is not a true Targaryen," Viserys exclaimed, "Not by name."
"And yet his father gave him his medallion before he died," Daemon replied.
Viserys looked at him confused, "What? Baelar said that it was lost."
"It's not; Aegon gave it to Aeron before he left for the Stepstones," Daemon explained, "I told him to hide it because you or Baelar might take it away from him."
"You know Baelar will want it," Viserys told Daemon.
The Rogue Prince replied, "Who threw it away after Aegon gave it to him? It now belongs to Aeron."
Viserys glared at Daemon after hearing the truth about Aegon's medallion. They still remember their father, Prince Baelon, giving it to him on his tenth name day and how he never took it off since then. Now they know he passed it down to Aeron. How could Viserys take it away from the small boy after everything that happened? "Go back to the Stepstones, Daemon. I received a report that the Crabfeeder is regrouping his army." Viserys said as he sat back in his chair, "Go back to fight the wars you like so much and leave us in peace."
Daemon stared at Viserys before he left the room. As the door closed, Viserys buried his face in his hands. Aeron was in the Dragonpit because of Daemon. Meaning that the boy claimed Nightwing long before today. Meaning that Baelar lied about taking him to the Pit tonight. And now he has their father's medallion. He wonders what will happen when Baelar finds out about all of this. He decided not to say anything with everything going on so there wouldn't be more drama.
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A week after the events of the Dragonpit has passed. All seemed calmer, except the Sorrens, according to the agreement between Viserys and Melina, began to pack up and leave for Driftmark. The Velaryons would stay, but word has reached that the fighting in the Stepstone had begun again as the Crabfeeder got new men for his armies and started to attack the Velaryon fleet. All was packed and ready to leave as Areqo, Draqeo, and the Velaryons were in the Red Keep to say their goodbyes while Melina and Donoros were at the door frame.
"We will be exchanging letters by raven," Areqo told his grandson, "So we can still speak with each other."
"It won't be the same," Aeron sadly replied, "I want to go with you."
Areqo gently placed his arms on Aeron's shoulders and said, "It's for the best, Aeron. Remember that we love and will always be there for you." He reached for his pocket, revealed the ruby red medallion Aegon gave him, and handed it to the boy, "I was able to get this before anyone else knew about it."
Aeron immediately grabbed the medallion and hugged his grandfather tightly until releasing him. The boy hid it in his pocket, remembering Daemon telling him not to let anyone know about it, as Rhaenys and Laena then came up to say farewells.
"We can come on dragonback to visit you, Aeron," Laena promised as the little boy hugged her.
Meanwhile, Areqo came to his daughter, who said goodbye to her younger brother, Draqeo, "I wish this didn't have to happen," Melina said as she tried to fight the tears.
"I know," Areqo hugged his daughter before facing her again, "You need to be strong for your son because he needs his mother now, more than ever."
"I don't think I can do this," Melina whispered. She and her son must stay in what Aegon once described as the Red Keep, the vipers' nest. As far as she's concerned, everyone sees Aeron as a threat to House Targaryen since he now has a dragon, and she wasn't sure if she could protect him from that. Seeing his daughter was still scared, he grabbed her shoulders and said, "I know you can do this, Lina. When Aeron was born, I remembered everyone circling you and him like vultures, and you were able to fend them off and protect him. I know you can do it here because you are strong, Lina. You are so strong." Areqo finished as he wiped the tears from Melina's eyes and looked at Donoros, "And your brother will be here to protect you."
"I will," Donoros promised as he stayed with them since the king was kind enough to allow him as Melina's personal guard.
"Keep her and Aeron safe, brother," Draqeo told him as the two brothers hugged goodbye.
Melina gave a grateful smile at Donoros. She was happy she could still have her brother with her, but it didn't quell her fears of being in King's Landing. After a few goodbyes and farewells, Areqo and Draqeo Sorren were on a Velaryon ship sailing to Driftmark while leaving Melina, Aeron, and Donoros behind—prisoners in the Red Keep in all but name.
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Claryssa was on a balcony in the royal gardens as she saw Velaryon ships leaving the city. The ships carried the members of House Sorren, but Aegon's whore and bastard were still in the Red Keep. It infuriates her as she thinks about the words Melina said days ago. Her thoughts were interrupted as her son Baelar, who still had his right arm covered in bandage cloth, walked up to her.
"I suppose they are gone now," Baelar commented.
"Not all of them," Claryssa grumbled.
Baelar looked at his mother. He knows how much hate and anger she has for Melina and Aeron, although he can understand that she's angry about what happened to him.
"Mother, they have to stay because Nightwing will follow Aeron wherever he goes," Baelar reasoned.
"Then they should have executed him," Claryssa replied bitterly.
Baelar looked at his mother with shock and said, "Are you aware you want the death of a six-year-old child?"
Claryssa turned to her son and said, "And are you aware of the gravity of this situation? A bastard now has a dragon. As long as he lives, he will threaten you forever!"
"He's not a threat. He doesn't even fully understand what is going on, mother," Baelar exclaimed, "I understand why you are angry, and I am so sorry it had to be this way, but you can't expect me to support having my brother executed." And with that, he walked away, but not before his mother called out, "He's not your brother. He's just a product of your father's affairs."
Claryssa sighed in frustration as her son could not see how dangerous this was. The bastard may be a boy now, but there is no telling what will happen when he's a man fully grown. As she looked back at the ship sailing away, Otto Hightower approached her.
"Such a turn of events," Otto remarked, "What supposedly was a respectful funeral for you and your son now ended with him burned by his father's dragon, which was claimed by a bastard."
"The king should have executed him for it," Claryssa seethed.
"You're right," Otto agreed, "he should."
Claryssa looked at the Hand, surprised that someone agreed with her. Otto looked back at her and said, "As you know, bastards are wanton and treacherous by nature. They can never be trusted. Especially one with a dragon. Who's to say once he becomes a man, he won't set dragon fire on all of us and make the Red Keep another Harrenhal or turn his fury at your son."
"Exactly," Claryssa agreed. Although she usually wouldn't care about the bastard, she now sees him as a threat that needs to be crushed as soon as possible, "He may be a child now, but as long as that bastard lives and breathes, my son will never be safe." She then turned to the Hand and said, "I am glad I'm not the only one who sees this."
"Of course, my lady," Otto assured her.
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Aeron was in his father's old room. After some discussion, the king allowed Aeron to keep his father's bedroom as his own. Some would say that it is presumptuous to have a bastard take a room that belonged to a prince, but it was the king's will, so it was done. Aeron had his father's medallion in his hands. His grandfather got it for him before leaving the manse they stayed in. He rubbed his thumb on the ruby medallion, thinking of his father, and wondered what he would think about all of this. His mother explained why he could no longer leave the Red Keep. All because he wanted to see Nightwing, which he begins to regret. Wishing that all of this had never happened. His uncle was sitting next to him as he saw Aeron holding the medallion and asked, "Does anyone know you have this?"
"No, Daemon said they will take it," Aeron answered as he looked at his uncle, "Don't say anything, please. I don't want to lose it."
"I won't say a word," Donoros promised.
A sudden knock at the door was heard, causing Aeron to quickly hid the medallion underneath his pillow so no one could see it. Donoros opened the door and saw Prince Baelar holding a cyvasse board and the pieces that went with it.
"Prince Baelar," Donoros greeted.
"Donoros, I wanted to see Aeron wanted to have another round of cyvasse."
Donoros looked back to his nephew, still sitting on the bed, and nodded. Donoros let Baelar in and then proceeded out the door.
"I will be outside to give you both some private time," Donoros said as the two brothers nodded at him, "I'll be right out the door if you need me, Aeron."
The door closed as Baelar placed the board on the bed and began to set the pieces, "Try not to flip the board this time."
Aeron giggled a bit but then looked at Baelar's arm, feeling guilty again, "Baelar, I'm,"
"It's not your fault Aeron," Baelar cut him off, knowing what he would say, "It's in the past now. Besides, I'm glad you are staying so we can be real brothers. Just like father wanted."
Baelar smiled at Aeron, who smiled back at him. Then, after the pieces were in place, the two half-brothers began to play their game, but not before Baelar had a question to ask.
"I just want to know one thing," Baelar begins to say, "I know you were able to get out of this room by using the bed covers to climb out the window, but how did you sneak into the Dragonpit."
Aeron stared at Baelar, not knowing what to say. He should tell him about the secret door in the Dragonpit Daemon showed him, but he didn't want to get into more trouble than he already was, not to mention the truth about the secret door in this room, which was the portrait by the fireplace, and how he used that to sneak out of his room. So, he decided to lie again. Looking to the right, he said, "I was looking at the maps at the library, and I saw another map that showed me all the doors that go into the Pit."
"But how did you get past the gold cloaks," Baelar asked again, "Surely there are some of them guarding the entrance."
"I just waited until they left their posts," Aeron said, which was a truth mixed with a lie. He did that when he escaped the Red Keep as he watched until the guards left their posts while making their rounds.
Baelar seemed to believe the lie as he nodded and said, "Alright, let's not talk about it anymore." He smiled at Aeron, who smiled back, although he couldn't help but think about the lies he had just told him. First, about the medallion hidden under his bed and now about the Dragonpit.
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Melina was being escorted to the bed chambers she would be in since she was staying in the Red Keep. At that moment, Donoros was with Aeron since she didn't like him being alone for a second. As she entered the room, she saw it was modest. It wasn't like the manse was when she and her family first came to King's Landing, but it was grand like the ones she had at Driftmark or Braavos. However, it was suitable for her. After thanking the escort who left her alone, she looked around the room, trying to comprehend that it was hers now. However, her thoughts were interrupted as Daemon entered the room.
"I thought you would be on your way to the Stepstones," Melina questioned as she saw him.
"I wanted to see Aeron before I left," Daemon replied.
"How is he," Melina asked urgently.
"He seems better now," Daemon answered, "Your brother is with him now." Daemon looked around the room that would be Melina's bed chambers. "Quite modest. Much better than the one you had at the manse, I gather." Melina hummed in agreement as she sat on the bed.
"I wish we weren't forced to be here," Melina said softly.
"Understandable," Daemon remarked as he sat beside her, "This is a dangerous place for him right now."
"As long as he is bonded with Nightwing," Melina concluded, "he will never be safe. Anyone of those vipers will want him dead."
"Especially Claryssa," Daemon added.
Melina agreed with what he said. She was scared for Aeron's life at the moment. Being Baelar's squire might give him some protection, but it won't last forever. Undoubtedly, once he grows up, people will start going after him to see him dead.
"Then again, there are ways to protect him," Daemon suggested, causing Melina to look at him confused, "Certain people who can cut off the heads of some vipers."
"What people," Melina asked, not knowing where he was going with this.
Daemon looked at her and said, "You were born and raised in Braavos. I'm sure you know about some people there who specialize in dealing with vipers. Certain people who go by no one."
Melina widened her eyes when he said 'no one,' realizing what he was talking about. The Faceless Men. They were a religious society of assassins who worshiped the Many-Faced God, a god of death, specializing in various ways of assassinating people without getting caught. Unfortunately, Melina knew who those people were all too well since they were based in the House of Black and White in Braavos.
"Don't speak of those people, Daemon," Melina whispered in fear of someone hearing them, "Especially here."
"I'm simply stating that there are ways to ensure that any viper comes to strike at your son," Daemon explained, "there are those who would be able to strike first."
Melina looked at Daemon intensely and said, "Even so, the people of the realm will know that I was responsible for it the minute someone is found dead."
"The Faceless Men are capable of concealing their assassinations as if they were accidents," Daemon countered, "And if they still whisper that you are responsible for it, let them think it. That way, they will know not to cross you or your son again." Melina thought carefully about what he was telling her. Was Melina willing to assassinate people to protect her son? She would die for him, but would she go to such lengths to do so? She knows how the Faceless Men operate, and the cost of their services depends on the prominence and security of the target. She will protect her son, but how far is she willing to do it?