Prince Aegon Targaryen

Prince of Dragonstone - 30 - He/Him - Married to Helaena Targaryen

[sweetmelodygraphics]

[goldaegontargaryen]

Heaven is a place on earth with you: with @helaenasdreamfyres

The past six months on Dragonstone had been some of the best of Aegon’s life.  Now that Rhaenyra had officially been crowned Queen, it was like a weight he’d been unaware he’d been carrying had been lifted off his shoulders.  He had a home with his family on Dragonstone and more often than not, he was surrounded by friends who he adored.  After taking in Jeyne Wylde and her children along with a few other people who had somehow ended up taking refuge in Dragonstone’s walls, the dreary and misty island had never felt more full of life.  

Dalton Greyjoy had also followed Aegon to Dragonstone, something that made him feel honored considering how much he knew Dalton hated the weather.  On the days where the weather cooperated, he and Dalton often went out sailing together, fighting the wind and the waves to travel wherever they wished.  Dalton made Aegon pull his own weight when they sailed, which was difficult but rewarding.  Aegon hadn’t been used to doing any kind of physical labor and whenever he returned from his trips sailing with Dalton, he would show Helaena the rope burns on his palms with a proud smile.

After a few months, Aegon had decided to have a ship of his own built.  Dalton had been speaking about sailing away from Dragonstone to get a break from the weather and Aegon felt decently confident he would be able to take short trips around Dragonstone alone.  He also wanted to have a ship of his own for Maelor and little Jack Wylde who had become inseparable best friends who both loved to sail.  Well, Jack enjoyed actually doing the work of sailing while Maelor enjoyed getting to watch the waves and spot animals from the bow, but he still wanted both boys to be able to sail with him while Dalton was away.  Once the ship was completed, Aegon hadn’t given much thought to naming it.  He had supposed the right name would come to him eventually, which had been a horrible mistake.  

When he was a toddler, Maelor had become extremely attached to a blue and gold dragon egg that he would hardly let out of his sight.  Once he’d become older and the egg still hadn’t hatched, Aegon had suggested maybe picking out a different egg or even waiting to try and claim Seasmoke or Vermithor when he was older.  Maelor had refused, insisting the egg was his dragon.  Ever since, Aegon had respected his wishes and Maelor took his adored dragon egg with him everywhere.

Aegon could only imagine it was his love for the egg and Maelor overhearing the nickname people sometimes used for Aegon that had ended up with both Maelor and Jack deciding to name his ship The Egg.  Aegon had insisted on the ship’s full name at least being The Dragon Egg, but either way, it was hardly a name that inspired terror, especially when both boys ran down to the dock chanting, “Egg!  Egg!  Egg!”

Still, Aegon loved The Egg and he enjoyed that he could sail it by himself.  Secretly, it made him proud to have something besides dragon riding he was finally actually good at.  Soon after Aegon and his family had arrived once again in King’s Landing, he’d had an idea.  Helaena hadn’t taken to sailing like he had, but it had never been only them on the boat before.  In the early days, Dalton had always been there to make sure Aegon didn’t crash them directly into the rocks around Dragonstone.  Now though, Aegon was confident he could sail him and Helaena through the relatively calm Blackwater Bay with no problem.  

Aegon glanced over to his wife, already smiling at the idea of spending the afternoon in Helaena’s company and he hoped he might impress her with his newfound skill.  He wasn’t like either Aemond and Daeron who excelled at swordplay and the other traditionally masculine activities men were supposed to be good at, but now he finally had something at least somewhat impressive that was all his own.  “Helaena?  Would you want to go sailing with me on The Egg?  Dalton and I planned a short sailing trip soon and I should probably practice beforehand.  We could pack some food and wine and have a picnic out on the deck.  I think it could be fun?”  Aegon understood if Helaena said no, but he couldn't deny that he was desperately hoping she would agree.

[helaenasdreamfyres]

The past six months had been confusing, to say the least, for Princess Helaena Targaryen. Her sister had become Queen, she had returned to Dragonstone with her family, others had decided to join them there as well, all was perfect it seemed.

But then why was there an awful feeling, deep down, resting in her heart that she could not ignore, no matter how good things were?

Not long ago, Helaena knew how to hide her feelings. Any bad situation that came her way was met with her happy, positive words, and a huge smile. Then she could convince herself the problem did not exist. But as of late, she had found this to be almost impossible.

What was a silly false rumor about her wanting to be Queen had made her so upset that she cried, got angry at her dearest friend, and felt a deep self loathing. When was the last time she had acted so out of sorts? When was the last time she had not been able to forget such harsh feelings? It was nonsensical.

The confusion was only worse when it came to her husband, Aegon. How happy it made to see him happier than normal. Her sullen boy was not so sullen anymore, it seemed. He was keeping her sane in these months, her sunlight. Yet at the same time, he was causing her head to spin.

He’d been spending a tremendous amount of time with someone who had followed them to Dragonstone. A man she could not figure out the motives of. She could not understand the interest he had in her husband. He was a Greyjoy, they were Targaryens. He was known as the Red Kraken, and Aegon was the Lord of Dragonstone with a reputation to be a partier. What did they possibly have in common?

Seeing Aegon so happy when he came back from sailing warmed Helaena’s heart, but when she remembered it was Dalton Greyjoy who kept him happier than ever, she felt… strange. Dalton was known for his ways in romance, his many wives, and he was sure keeping an eye on her husband. It made Helaena feel… jealous.

An emotion she had felt often before when thinking about Aegon, but it had never been this intense. Another negative feeling she could not shake, and it scared her horribly. This man who knew many romances and took many lovers was too fond of her husband, and she had come to the conclusion that he must want Aegon as well. Her husband.

She had kept her tongue about everything so far, she could at least say that. She had not had any outbursts to her husband so far, and planned on keeping it that way. But it felt exhausting to be silent. Had it always been this way? She could not remember. A confusing six months it had been.

Helaena now stood near Aegon, watching him approach her. She looked him in the eyes as he spoke, listening, and almost looking away when she heard the name Dalton mentioned. Even with her annoyance, she had to smile at the name of his ship. “The Egg” was so adorable, it made her grin every time.

She knew by the look on Aegon’s face that he was hoping for her to agree to this little outing. Sailing had made him so happy, and she of course wanted his happiness more than anything. She also wanted to spent time with him more than anything, and so she could not say no to this.

“Of course I would like to go, I must observe this new skill of yours.” Helaena sighed, taking one of his hands in her own. She had already forgotten what his plan for them was… just that they would be on his ship… and something about Dalton? She was so distracted in her own feelings she could not be sure what his exact words were.

“So… us and Lord Dalton? Must he be there? Will our children be there?” She looked around, a little guilty that she did not fully register his words the first time.

[goldaegontargaryen]

Aegon couldn’t stop the wide smile that spread across his face when Helaena agreed to his proposed outing, already looking forward to the salt air and Helaena’s company.  “Have I told you recently how dearly I love you?” Aegon asked with a teasing grin.  While Helaena wasn’t as enthusiastic about sailing as he was, it meant a lot to him that she was willing to accompany him in order to spend time with him.  Aegon was determined to make sure she had a good day and didn’t regret saying yes to his proposal.

“I suppose we could bring the kids, but I was hoping perhaps we could spend some time alone.”  While he and Helaena often spent time together on Dragonstone, it was difficult to find moments where the two of them could just relax together.  That was one drawback of Dragonstone now being filled with occupants.  It always seemed there was someone or something that needed his attention.  Helaena was often right by his side helping him attend to his duties or lending him her insightful advice, and while Aegon appreciated her support more than he could ever express to her, it was also nice to simply be themselves in each other’s company instead of the Prince and Princess of Dragonstone.

“I can sail on The Egg by myself now,” Aegon assured his wife.  “I would promise not to crash us into rocks, but there aren’t any in Blackwater Bay so it’s basically impossible for me to mess up, though if the wind doesn’t cooperate we might have to paddle back.” Aegon paused for a few moments to see the look on Helaena’s face before laughing softly. “I’m only joking.  Even if the wind dies down, the current will push us back to shore eventually.”  

Aegon paused, something about the tone of Helaena’s voice when she mentioned Dalton catching his attention.  While Aegon didn’t consider himself the most observant of people, he knew Helaena.  He often thought that solid basis of deep understanding was what had allowed their relationship to flourish over the years.  Aegon sometimes felt like he understood Helaena’s moods and habits just as well, if not better, than his own. He’d picked up on the fact Helaena didn’t seem to have a favorable view of Dalton, but he’d attributed it to a distaste for his violent reputation and her tendency to be wary around people she didn’t know well.  He’d expected her to relax around Dalton over time, won over by Dalton’s easy charm, but Aegon had noticed Helaena only seemed to have become more uncomfortable even if she tried to hide it behind strained smiles.

“Has Dalton said something to you?” Aegon asked, though he couldn’t imagine what his friend could have said.  Dalton knew how much Aegon adored Helaena and while Aegon wasn’t intimidating, especially when compared to Dalton, he knew there was very little Aegon wouldn’t do to protect Helaena and make her happy.  Aegon felt like there was something he was missing, but as much as he had turned the question over in his mind the past few days, he hadn’t been able to come up with anything.  “I know you don’t like him very much.  Has he done something to upset you?  If so, I’ll speak with him and have him apologize.” 

[goldaegontargaryen]

Some Sunny Day: with @alicenthightowerrp

Aegon could hardly believe his mother had agreed to this.  As they traveled together side by side through the grassy field, he resisted the urge to ask again if his mother was sure about this.  He’d already asked her the same question twice on their walk and she’d insisted on continuing both times. 

For his entire life, or at least as long as he could remember, his mother had hated dragons.  As a child, it had been a point of contention between them but as an older man with more experience in the world, he could better understand her point of view.  Dragons were only normal to Targaryens.  To most other people, they were a symbol of death.  Even Aegon had struggled with trusting his children to their dragons when they’d first started flying and he personally knew how strong the bond between dragon and rider could be.  It must have been scary for his mother to allow her children to fly into the clouds where she couldn’t possibly follow.  Though perhaps Aegon was only projecting his own feelings onto his mother, a habit from childhood that still popped up when Aegon wasn’t paying attention.  At least he was prone to more charitable projections these days.  

Sunfyre’s crooning call lilted across the field as he spotted Aegon walking towards him.  He had thought approaching Sunfyre in an open field instead of the cave he’d made his home in would be easier for his mother.  At least this way, she wouldn’t feel so claustrophobic, though it only now struck Aegon that this put them in a highly exposed position.  It didn’t bother Aegon, he trusted Sunfyre not only with his own life but the lives of his children, yet he knew his mother didn’t hold that same trust.  

“He’s very sweet for a dragon.  He likes people, though he can be a bit jealous.”  Sunfyre was notoriously bad-tempered around Aegon’s closest friends with the exception of Simon Piper for reasons Aegon could never fathom.  He quickly hurried to add, “But he’s completely fine around family.  He adores Helaena and the children.  I’m sure he’ll love you too!”  Aegon hoped his nerves weren’t showing on his face.  His words were a slight lie.  While he knew with certainty Sunfyre would never hurt his mother, he couldn’t be entirely sure he would like her.  Sunfyre had once growled at her years ago when she’d tried to pull Aegon away from him.  He was sure both his mother and his dragon remembered that incident well.

Aegon jogged the last few steps to ensure he reached Sunfyre first, unable to stop the wide grin that spread across his face as his dragon whipped his tail in clear excitement at Aegon’s approach.  He rested his hand on Sunfyre’s snout, telegraphing a feeling of calm towards his dragon.  Just as he was starting to hope things might go well, Sunfyre suddenly lifted his head, eyes focused on his mother.  Sunfyre took a step forward and Aegon could recognize the beginnings of a protective stance.  “Lykiri.  Ynot.  All is well,” Aegon said, the Valyrian and Common commands mixing together as they always had for him.  He wasn’t even technically using the word Ynot correctly, an accidental mistranslation he’d started when he’d first bonded with Sunfyre.  The actual translation was, to Aegon’s understanding, come here.  It was supposed to be the word one used when their dragon was far away in the physical sense, but Aegon used it to mean come here in more of an emotional sense.  

Come to me, trust me, Ynot.  I won’t ask you to serve, but please go where I go.  

To his relief, Sunfyre seemed to settle down, though he kept his eyes firmly fixed on Alicent and his posture tense.  He figured, or perhaps hoped, his mother wouldn’t be able to read a dragon’s body language as easily as Aegon could.  “You can touch him if you want.  He’s dramatic, but he won’t hurt you if he decides he doesn’t like it.  He’ll probably just toss his head and whine about it.  He’s talkative for a dragon, which is probably why we get along.”  It was rare to get a noise out of some dragons, but Sunfyre was constantly communicating with whistles, calls, and clacks.  By now, Aegon knew the meaning behind almost all the sounds Sunfyre was fond of making.

[goldaegontargaryen]

Heaven is a place on earth with you: with @helaenasdreamfyres

The past six months on Dragonstone had been some of the best of Aegon’s life.  Now that Rhaenyra had officially been crowned Queen, it was like a weight he’d been unaware he’d been carrying had been lifted off his shoulders.  He had a home with his family on Dragonstone and more often than not, he was surrounded by friends who he adored.  After taking in Jeyne Wylde and her children along with a few other people who had somehow ended up taking refuge in Dragonstone’s walls, the dreary and misty island had never felt more full of life.  

Dalton Greyjoy had also followed Aegon to Dragonstone, something that made him feel honored considering how much he knew Dalton hated the weather.  On the days where the weather cooperated, he and Dalton often went out sailing together, fighting the wind and the waves to travel wherever they wished.  Dalton made Aegon pull his own weight when they sailed, which was difficult but rewarding.  Aegon hadn’t been used to doing any kind of physical labor and whenever he returned from his trips sailing with Dalton, he would show Helaena the rope burns on his palms with a proud smile.

After a few months, Aegon had decided to have a ship of his own built.  Dalton had been speaking about sailing away from Dragonstone to get a break from the weather and Aegon felt decently confident he would be able to take short trips around Dragonstone alone.  He also wanted to have a ship of his own for Maelor and little Jack Wylde who had become inseparable best friends who both loved to sail.  Well, Jack enjoyed actually doing the work of sailing while Maelor enjoyed getting to watch the waves and spot animals from the bow, but he still wanted both boys to be able to sail with him while Dalton was away.  Once the ship was completed, Aegon hadn’t given much thought to naming it.  He had supposed the right name would come to him eventually, which had been a horrible mistake.  

When he was a toddler, Maelor had become extremely attached to a blue and gold dragon egg that he would hardly let out of his sight.  Once he’d become older and the egg still hadn’t hatched, Aegon had suggested maybe picking out a different egg or even waiting to try and claim Seasmoke or Vermithor when he was older.  Maelor had refused, insisting the egg was his dragon.  Ever since, Aegon had respected his wishes and Maelor took his adored dragon egg with him everywhere.

Aegon could only imagine it was his love for the egg and Maelor overhearing the nickname people sometimes used for Aegon that had ended up with both Maelor and Jack deciding to name his ship The Egg.  Aegon had insisted on the ship’s full name at least being The Dragon Egg, but either way, it was hardly a name that inspired terror, especially when both boys ran down to the dock chanting, “Egg!  Egg!  Egg!”

Still, Aegon loved The Egg and he enjoyed that he could sail it by himself.  Secretly, it made him proud to have something besides dragon riding he was finally actually good at.  Soon after Aegon and his family had arrived once again in King’s Landing, he’d had an idea.  Helaena hadn’t taken to sailing like he had, but it had never been only them on the boat before.  In the early days, Dalton had always been there to make sure Aegon didn’t crash them directly into the rocks around Dragonstone.  Now though, Aegon was confident he could sail him and Helaena through the relatively calm Blackwater Bay with no problem.  

Aegon glanced over to his wife, already smiling at the idea of spending the afternoon in Helaena’s company and he hoped he might impress her with his newfound skill.  He wasn’t like either Aemond and Daeron who excelled at swordplay and the other traditionally masculine activities men were supposed to be good at, but now he finally had something at least somewhat impressive that was all his own.  “Helaena?  Would you want to go sailing with me on The Egg?  Dalton and I planned a short sailing trip soon and I should probably practice beforehand.  We could pack some food and wine and have a picnic out on the deck.  I think it could be fun?”  Aegon understood if Helaena said no, but he couldn't deny that he was desperately hoping she would agree.

[goldaegontargaryen]

Wanted Character Connection Leo Florent

Aegon Targaryen is looking for his best friend Leo Florent for @asongofgoldenfireandblackblood

Leo is 30 years old and the current lord of House Florent. Known for his intense and dramatic nature, Leo is seen as a bit of an outlier to his often more sensible and dutiful family members. As Prince Aegon’s second cousin through the dowager Queen Alicent, Leo was assigned as one of Aegon’s childhood companions where the two became fast friends continually causing mischief side by side. Even as adults, Prince Aegon remains Leo’s best friend and Leo can frequently be found at Dragonstone more often than his own seat. With a strong interest in ghosts, curses, and storytelling, Leo is known for the dark and supernatural themes of the plays he writes and has performed either at his own home or on Dragonstone. People come from miles around to watch the performances, which is how Leo met his wife Lady Emma who traveled with her family to see one of his plays performed. After her departure, the two exchanged letters back and forth where Leo fell completely head over heels in love. He proposed at the end of that year and still asserts there is no woman in the world more perfect than Emma.

(Suggested Faceclaim is Jaime Campbell-Bower in Will)

Leo is also wanted by @helaenasdreamfyres, @payapreciouspenny, @daltongreyjoy-rp, @goldenclarice, and @stunningladysam

To learn more about the Florents, click here!

We are a No-Dance!AU and politics, family, and court-drama focused RP. To join, check out our main site, DM us with any questions, then send us a raven app, and join our Discord!

Feel free to DM this blog if you have any additional questions or if you want to talk about the RP!

Note: Character traits and faceclaim are suggestions and can be reworked to a certain extent if discussed with the current members of the RP!

[goldaegontargaryen]

Six Moons of Protection: a challenge for @asongofgoldenfireandblackblood

“My prince, could I discuss something with you before you depart?”

Aegon turned towards the voice, stifling his annoyance at being interrupted.  He’d been moments away from climbing onto Sunfyre’s back and departing from Blackhaven to return to Dragonstone.  Sensing his annoyance, Sunfyre let out a low growl directed towards the approaching figure.

Lady Jeyne Wylde regarded the unhappy dragon with wary eyes, but she continued to walk until she was standing in front of Aegon.  

“What is it that you would want to discuss, Lady Jeyne?” Aegon asked.  She seemed tired and if Aegon remembered correctly, she might have only just given birth to her sixth child two moons prior.  It had been recently enough that he was surprised her husband had her to travel to Lord Dondarrion’s seat instead of allowing her to stay home.

“I wanted to ask if you would take my eldest son Jack as your ward.  He’s 9 and I’m sure he’ll get along wonderfully with your twins.  He would love to live by the sea on Dragonstone and I have heard from Lord Dondarrion that Lord Greyjoy is there often.  Jack loves ships,” Jeyne replied, her words tumbling out quickly, but smoothly enough that they were clearly well rehearsed.  

Aegon was completely taken off guard.  While children being given as wards to different families was a common practice, it was almost unheard of for someone to directly approach a member of the royal family and ask for such a prestigious position.  At best, it would be considered tactless and at worst, slightly insulting.  But Aegon didn’t feel insulted.  He had heard the rumors surrounding Lord Jasper and the way he treated his wives.  The lack of etiquette in her request and the clear desire to get her oldest son away from home held a hint of foreboding.

“Why would you want Jack to ward on Dragonstone?  Is this Lord Jasper’s suggestion?”

Jeyne’s lips thinned as she glanced away from him, her hands smoothing down the skirts of her dress.  “My lord husband is not fond of the idea of Jack going away, but I think it will be good for him.  He does not get much attention with the amount of older siblings he has.”  

Jeyne attempted a smile, but it was so strained that it might as well have been a grimace.

“I wouldn’t mind allowing your son to live on Dragonstone, but…”

“But what?” Jeyne asked, a desperate hope entering her voice.

Aegon knew what he was about to suggest was reckless.  It was certain to make Lord Jasper and a few of the other lords furious with him on principle.  But Rhaenyra had given him Dragonstone with the belief he would be a good lord and not only that, but a good man.  He wanted Dragonstone to be a place that reflected his values and what he believed.  Its stone walls had protected his ancestors from the Doom and it had become his own refuge.  Aegon felt at peace there and maybe others could find peace and protection there too.

Also, annoying Lord Jasper was certainly an undeniable bonus.  

“I wouldn’t mind if you and all your children came to stay on Dragonstone.  We have the room and the eldest three of your children are of a similar age to mine.  It would be a nice arrangement for everyone.”  Aegon gave her a pointed look.  “I’m afraid your lord husband would have to stay in the Stormlands to oversee the running of his lands.”

“He wouldn’t like the idea…”

Aegon shrugged, giving her a conspiratorial grin.  “Lords often don’t like what Targaryens do, but my namesake conquered Westeros with only three dragons.  When my youngest siblings are on Dragonstone, we have four adult dragons at our disposal.  I find that fact quells most discontent.”  

Aegon ran his hand along Sunfyre’s neck and Jeyne looked the dragon over with a hesitant smile instead of fear.  “I suppose that’s true.  Would you mind escorting me back to The Rain House so I can gather mine and the children’s things?”

“It would be my honor, Lady Jeyne,” Aegon replied.  It was clear he would be arriving back at Dragonstone later than he had planned, but he had a feeling Helaena would forgive him once she learned the reason why.

—

After Lady Jeyne and her children’s arrival, more and more people started to arrive on Dragonstone.  The children of strict lords arrived, lured by the promise of safety within Dragonstone’s walls.  Aegon accepted them all, unsurprised to one day find Lord Jasper’s heir Arstan Wylde on his shores with his wife and the two siblings he’d basically raised as his own.

The lords of the realm could grumble and make up rumors about Aegon stealing wives and creating a court filled with debauchery.  He refused to regret providing a home to the people of the Realm who felt just as trapped as Aegon had once felt before he himself had found a home on the rocky island of Dragonstone.

[goldaegontargaryen]

The Dreams of a Family: with @jaeheratargaryen

Aegon had expected to feel anxious once the twins were old enough to fly.  Parenthood had been a study in fear, observing everything around him that could bring his children harm.  Aegon had insisted both twins be taught to swim early in life, consumed by a fear of them somehow becoming victims to the ocean’s fury.  Nevermind the fact that the ocean had been miles away at Blackwater Bay and his children only toddlers with no way to cross the city on their own.  The fear had still stayed and his children were taught how to swim.  As their dragons had grown larger, Aegon had spent nights staring up at the canopy of his bed imagining horrible disasters such as one of the twins falling to their deaths or their dragons being hit by a scorpion like what had happened to the Conqueror’s wife Rhaenys and her dragon Meraxes.  However, the moment he’d watched both of his children take off into the air, all his fear had suddenly ceased.  He trusted them and he trusted their dragons to protect them.  As much as he feared for them, he’d realized in that moment chaining them to the ground would harm them more than letting them fly ever could.  

All of these thoughts had crossed his mind as he and his daughter Jaehaera had flown through the skies together.  Though she hadn’t been a dragonrider for very long, Aegon could already tell his daughter was a natural.  She took to the skies with a confidence that reminded him of himself and Helaena at that age.  They’d landed together on an isolated stretch of beach outside of King’s Landing.  It was a place Aegon had often flown to in his own childhood to get away from the chaos of the Red Keep and he was happy to share it now with his children for the same purpose.  He often flew out here with either one or both of them to play in the waves or look for shells along the beach.  “Are you looking forward to returning to Dragonstone?” Aegon asked, brushing his hand over Sunfyre’s snout as the dragon eagerly stuck his head out to be petted.  “I know it’s not as exciting as King’s Landing, but now that Morghul is large enough to ride it’ll be easier to visit more often.”  

Aegon scanned the beach, watching the waves crash roughly against the shore.  There had been something on his mind he had wanted to ask Jaehaera about, but he’d held back, wondering if it was a discussion better had between Helaena and Jaehaera instead.  There was little Aegon understood about the dreams his wife and daughter had beyond that they were often frightening and confusing, but he hated to think Jaehaera might not come to him if she was struggling simply because she thought he didn’t want to speak with her about it.  “How have your dreams been lately?  Not too scary, I hope?  When I was your age I kept having a nightmare about Sunfyre and I getting injured in a dragon battle.  I know it’s not the same, but I spent many nights afraid to sleep in case that dream came back to me.”  Aegon was downplaying the stress the dream had brought him, but it had truly been horrific.  Even now, Aegon could distinctly remember Sunfyre’s screams of pain and the fear he’d felt as they had both hurtled to the ground, his own body screaming in pain from dragonflame.  Thankfully the dream had dwindled in frequency when he was a teenager and had stopped almost entirely around the time Rhaenyra had become Hand.

[goldaegontargaryen]

Fear and Accusation: with @alicenthightowerrp

Barging into his mother’s chambers was a move that lacked subtly, but Aegon was desperate.  Once the shock from realizing his elder sister had been poisoned dissipated, the first thing his mind had turned to, as had many others he assumed, had been to who the perpetrator had been.  Aegon’s personal list of suspects was short and his mother’s name was at the top of the list.  He’d thought she had been acting oddly during the conversation they’d had in the Sept.  She’d been speaking of her own imminent death and had seemed evasive to some of his questions.  He had assumed it was simply his father’s death that had made her seem introspective and nervous, but it could have been something more sinister occupying her thoughts.  Hells, Aegon had even offered her wine.  Had she thought up the plan as Aegon handed over the wine goblet?

Aegon knew he did not look well.  The funeral had taken its toll on him and the stress after the poisoning had already compounded his strained emotions.  He slammed the door shut behind him, already speaking before his mother could say a word.  “Tell me it was not you.  Because if it was, nobody will believe I knew nothing of the plan.  Please mother,” Aegon practically begged.  Deep down, he didn’t truly believe his mother could have done such a thing, but he feared that was a remnant of childhood naivety, the part of himself that would forever be a small boy thinking his mother was the most perfect person in the world.  

Aegon started to pace the floors of his mother’s chambers, thoughts racing and speaking almost as quickly as they came into his head.  “If you did it, they will find out soon enough.  You were a fool not to try and poison Daemon as well.  He will tear this castle apart to find the culprit.  You’ve doomed us all.”  Aegon knew there was no mercy where Daemon was concerned.  If he believed there was even a chance Aegon had known and allowed Rhaenyra to be poisoned, the best he could hope for was to be sent to the Wall.  The reality was likely to be much less pleasant.  Gods and if Rhaenyra died?  Aegon was fairly sure the last bit of Daemon’s humanity would die with her.    Aegon resisted the urge to shudder and forced his mind away from the topic.  It would do him no good to think about right now.  

“I can get all of us out through the tunnels.  You’ll have to ride with either Helaena and I, which I know you won’t like but it’s our only option.  We’ll have to get to Dragonstone as quickly as possible.  Hells, I do not even know where all of my siblings are.”  Rhaenya was likely to be in her chambers, but Daeron and Aemond could be anywhere.  His siblings were less likely to be targets than his own family, but Aegon didn’t plan to leave them to Daemon’s mercy.  Getting their support also helped to guarantee their safety.  Between Vhagar, Dreamfyre, Tessarion, and Sunfyre they would be able to adequately defend Dragonstone until they could perhaps organize an escape attempt to Essos.  

Finally, Aegon paused to take a breath only realizing as he did so that his hands were shaking.  It was like his worst nightmare was coming true.  Even though he was far from next in line to the throne and Rhaenyra’s entire army of children stood between him and kingship, it wouldn’t matter.  Everyone would judge him guilty before he could even open his mouth and defend himself.  There was every chance that the poisoner, if it wasn’t his own mother, was someone who desired his ascension over Rhaenyra’s, which would only make things worse for him when they were caught.  Aegon’s very existence would be causing trouble as it always had.  Though anyone who knew him should have known he wasn’t guilty because Aegon would have never only poisoned Rhaenyra and left Daemon alive and well.  Anyone with a bit of sense would have attempted to assassinate them both instead of leaving Daemon alive to seek vengeance. 

[alicenthightowerrp]

It was so incredibly quiet, Alicent thought to herself as she stared outside of the window; the grey sky greeted her whilst her thoughts ran wild as they always did. Not so gently did the Dowager Queen begin to pick at her fingers; a habit she thought dead but alas, she was wrong. Her delicate hand brushed over her bare neck; flashes of the interaction with Larys raced towards her as she gulped. It would be another high neck dress today. It seemed he had become more forward now her husband was dead. A scoff escaped Alicent, men, she cursed. It seemed nowhere was safe - but was it ever? Even her own handmaidens were someone else spies. It was all she deserved; Alicent knew that. All she cared for was her children's safety. Her head snapped to the side as the door to her chambers slammed open; her guards were seemingly useless. The sight of her son had a calming affect as a smile began to show.

"My son --- " Alicent began; confusion flashing across her face as she gracefully stepped forward. Her arms fell to her side as the teal green robe moved with her. It took her far too long to digest his words and soon that smile faded completely. Even as the insulting accusations were thrown her way, Alicent could not help but worry about her son's appearance. Her fingers twitched as if to reach him before she stopped herself as she always did. "Where have you heard such things?" The Queen's voice was just above a whisper as she fought against the shock. The stares from the court she had become accustomed to, but to think her children would think her capable with their own thoughts felt like a dagger to the heart. Not that she would show such a reaction.

Alicent only watched on; it seemed to be of little use to try and speak and defend herself, well, had she ever done such a thing? She silently agreed with her son and if indeed she was behind such a plot; Daemon would have been dead and not lingering in the veil regaining strength. Those doe eyes of hers twitched at her sons words as she fought back her usual bite. No, you doomed us the day you were born, she thought of her precious first born. Exhaustion easily came over Alicent. Gods, was this her becoming old, she thought to herself with a new fear settling in her stomach. Still, there was no denial from the Dowager. She would not respond to such a farce in a deep hope that her son knew her better than this - but it seemed nobody did.

The Queen stepped forward once more but still kept a distance from the caged animal her son was acting like with his pacing that only made her more dizzy. His words shocked her nearly as much as the words of accusation. He would still help her? Even though he thought her guilty. "There is no need for such actions," Alicent hoped to calm his mind. It seemed their anxieties fed off each other as she stepped closer once more. Gods, they were the most similar, it seemed. "I will get everything under control, there is nothing to worry about." She continued even as her fingers began to nearly destroy each other. A spark of pain rushed through her body in near relief as she collected her thoughts.

"My love, you should sit." Alicent whispered; eyes trailing over her son's body with hardly concealed worry and this time she finally stepped closer. Her hands reached for his own before she could stop herself; gently keeping him still before squeezing them. Silence passed between the two of them as she brushed the bright locks from his face before realising what she was doing. Her touches removed themselves from Aegon as she turned around. The composure returned to her as she began to fill the goblet with only water this time. There was no need to feed into her son's habit. "Here." Alicent gently ordered and placed the goblet in his hand; her fingers brushing the scales of the sketched dragons as a flash of disgust came over at the mere sight of them. "When did you last eat?" Alicent broke the silence as she moved towards her table; the not eaten food still there.

[goldaegontargaryen]

Once he stopped speaking, he expected reprimands or at least annoyance from his mother.  Whether she had done it or not, he’d expected her to become angry at his accusations.  Instead, she simply seemed to be tired.  He wasn’t sure how to interpret that reaction.  Was she tired because her dangerous plan had failed or was she upset by Aegon’s accusations?  He couldn’t tell.  Even his mother’s response was vague.  Was there nothing to worry about because she was innocent or because she believed she’d covered her tracks well enough to not need immediate escape?  Aegon wanted to believe she had nothing to do with this, but objectively, his mother was the closest person to Rhaenyra who openly disliked her.  He was sure his elder sister had plenty of enemies, but none had been obvious in their dislike in front of him.  

He looked up quickly in surprise when his mother grabbed his hands, the action slightly calming his nerves despite the situation.  He didn’t want to sit.  What he wanted to do was run before anything terrible could happen.  But wearing himself out wouldn’t help anybody and he was quickly realizing his plan to escape had been foolish anyway.  There was no evidence against any of his family, at least not yet.  Running would make them all look guilty and there would be no coming back from an action as drastic as that.  He forced himself to sit in the closest chair, his body still thrumming with nervous energy.  “I’m afraid,” he admitted into the silence between them.  “There will be those who think I had a hand in this.  I’d be easy to frame or maybe whoever did this would rather I be King than Rhaenyra.  What if she decides keeping me alive isn’t worth the cost?”  He wanted to think such a thing was a ridiculous suggestion, but his sister did not love or care for him like she did Helaena.  They’d argued the moment Aegon had arrived at the Red Keep.  For a split second, he’d thought they might have connected when Rhaenyra had let her perfect mask slip, but that was a tenuous thread that wouldn’t be able to uphold against an assassination attempt weeks before her coronation.  

“I already ate,” he lied.  In truth, he felt too anxious to eat.  He reached out to take the goblet of water from his mother, but froze when his eyes landed on the damage surrounding her fingernails.  It was a sight he hadn’t seen for many years, but one he still remembered from back when he’d been young and his mother more anxious and uncertain.  It pained him suddenly to have accused her in the way he’d just done.  Clearly, whether she was involved or not, she was distressed about the entire situation, enough that she had resorted to an old painful habit.  

Aegon took the goblet and set it down, grabbing his mother’s hands in his own examining the damage.  “I’m sorry,” he finally whispered.  “I’ve done to you what I’m afraid they’ll do to me and accused you over nothing.  We should stand united.”  Aegon wasn’t entirely convinced his mother was innocent, but ultimately it didn’t matter to him.  She was his mother and he would protect her either way.  In the end, it might be better for him to be ignorant to the truth.

[alicenthightowerrp]

Gracefully, Alicent joined her son at the table; the skirts of her dress falling around her as she rested her hands on the wooden, dragon carved furniture. She had seen the eye rolls when the religious art had gone up; as if they were any better, the Queen thought to herself. But it was the sight of her son once more that brought her out of those thoughts as those doe eyes of hers filled with worry. She had seen her son in many states - but this was not one of them. A part of her began to see how unfit he would be to rule, but he was her boy; she would do anything for him to stay alive as the whispers of many Lords that could not see a woman on the throne returned to her. The calm silence allowed her to calm herself as she locked eyes with her son once more; a near sad smile coming over her.

Alicent watched her son; his every movement so familiar it only added to the peace even after such allegations he flew at her. She could not help but forgive him. "My darling - " The Dowager Queen began at her son's confession of fear. She could not possibly say how much she agreed. No, Alicent would not allow her children to know her own fears. "Do you think I would allow such a thing?" Alicent frowned slightly as if she could not believe Aegon thought himself unsafe. Another motherhood failure she was sure. She knew Rhaenyra's children would not feel such fear. Alas, having the favour of a King would do that, she thought with spite. "I ---. " Alicent nearly whispered her love before the words seemingly choked her as they always did.

Alicent hummed in near amusement. It had always been easy for the Queen to notice her son's lies. It seemed that had not changed. "For me." She whispered gently; pushing the plate of fresh, juicy slices of fruit. "I remember you never wanted to eat your fruits." Alicent began; hoping to ease some tension as she thought of simpler times; or were they, had they ever been simple? She was unsure now. Still, she smiled at the memories as she thought back to her young son having thrown an apple at his father's head. It was one of the last meals they had as a family before Viserys' attention seemingly left one day. Alicent would never truly know why.

The Queen fought against a gasp escaping her at Aegon's touch. So unfamiliar and familiar at the same time. It was only her sons that their touches did not bring her disgust or fear. But it seemed any such relationship was in the past. Aemond did not come to her now..and she did not go to him. Gods, she was pathetic; Alicent as ever scolded herself. She was supposed to be comforting her son. "We are united. Always." Alicent whispered her promise as one of her hands reached for his locks again; placing it out of his face. She had always struggled to look at Aegon and see anything else but his father. It was only now that she saw herself in him. She did not know which one was worse.

[goldaegontargaryen]

Aegon frowned at his mother’s words, though he knew they were meant to comfort him.  As a young child, he’d thought his mother would be able to stand against anything and anyone to keep him safe, but he was old enough now to know that wasn’t true.  The world was harsh and cruel.  “Mother…” Aegon started, trailing off.  He wasn’t sure how to word what he wanted to say without coming off as harsh.  He had never been good at putting things delicately.  “I know you would do anything to keep us safe, but some things are out of your control.  You don’t have to pretend you can protect me from everything or that you don’t get scared.  Everyone does.”  Though to be honest, Aegon had barely seen that emotion on his mother’s face.  Whenever she was frightened, she hid it well.  He could sense it now though, hidden beneath her firm words and reassuring smile.  

He pushed the plate of fruit towards his mother, taking a slice of an apple between his fingers.  “I’ll eat if you do as well.”  It was an adage he used with his children who could sometimes be encouraged into eating something they didn’t want to if Aegon ate it alongside them.  He doubted his mother had eaten much more than him, considering the untouched plate in front of them.  For much of his life, Aegon hadn’t been good at taking care of other people, but perhaps he was learning.  He’d always understood the rough kind of love shown through violence.  He’d expressed his love in the way he’d fought to defend both of his siblings from unkind comments or through promising to protect anyone who dared do them harm.  The kinder aspects of love, the care shown through gentleness, had not come naturally in his relationship with his mother, but he could suddenly see that maybe one day it could.  

Aegon felt the tension in his body lessen as his mother brushed his hair back, a gesture that had been consistently familiar when he was younger.  He also felt relief at his mother’s words.  He knew them on some level, but he still felt a faint hint of surprise that his mother had never decided to simply wash her hands of him.  He’d been a terror and she’d still protected and loved him, even when she hadn’t particularly liked him.  Even still, he was not sure if his mother liked him, but she did love him.  That could be enough.  “We’ll need each other more than ever.  We both know what it’s like to be on the outside of the family.”  Aegon smiled, trying to add a bit of humor to his words but they stung him anyway.  “I’m not good at being lovable, so I doubt many people will rush to my defense.”  It was a truth he’d known since he was a young teenager, but it was difficult to admit it to himself at times.  He’d told himself it didn’t bother him, but truly it was his deepest fear.  There was nothing he feared more than being alone.  “The court will look at us with suspicion, at least until the real culprit is caught.  Even then…rumors have a way of sticking.”  Aegon had more than a few terrible ones attached to his name, some true and some not.  The difference didn’t matter to most and this newest potential rumor weighed the heaviest of all.

[alicenthightowerrp]

Everyone does not have such liberty to feel afraid, Alicent desired to say but as ever stayed silent. It seemed her son had grown in her absence; he had outgrown her years ago but this...this was different. Alicent imagined all her children needed was to be away from her to become better versions of themselves. It had her wondering if only for a moment; did she have such a version? "Dragonstone has been good for you." She could finally admit aloud as she whispered with a near permanent sad smile.

Still, she chuckled at his words but she was soon picking up a third piece of apple to delicately bite on. For a moment, she could believe it was a peaceful one. But Alicent was her own worst enemy ; or rather her mind was. "Do you truly believe I did this?" Alicent gently asked, the words escaping her without thought as weakness dripped in her tone. Her fingers itched once more to take his hand as a soft gulp escaped her and she wished she could take the question back.

His words rung true but that did not mean they stung any less, she thought to herself whilst looking at the changed man in front of her. No, she had never been a part of any family but her children were hers - and that was all that mattered. "I am not lovable either, my sweet boy but you have a wife who loves you and your children...your children adore you." For a moment, she allowed Aegon to see another side of her; usually reserved for his siblings but she knew he did not truly understand her reasoning. She had feared for him the moment he first drew breath. Alicent tried to give him a smile. "Rumours are soon discarded for newer ones." She could not help but remember the ones that had followed her - the ones that called her a seductress at twelve as she read to the Old King and then once again, warming the bed of another King just as he burned his wife.

Sometimes, Alicent did not think her body was her own.

She tried to gift Aegon comfort as her mind raced before settling on Larys; he could safe guard her children. It was those thoughts that had her pausing the faux investigation of the stolen money and at least Rhaenyra and her court were too occupied now. Her delicate hand reached for her neck as she looked towards the window.

"Do you wish for me to have an audience with Rhaenyra? I can see what is happening and her thoughts on who did this?"

[goldaegontargaryen]

Aegon contemplated how to answer his mother’s question, certain his face plainly showed his internal conflict.  There were so many ways to answer her question and he wanted to be truthful without hurting her if she truly was innocent.  He was afraid she would take what he had to say as an insult, though he didn’t mean what he thought to be one.  It was simply the truth as he saw it with no moral weight attached to it.  “I think you’re capable of having done it if you thought there was a need.  I know you’ve been anxious about my potential threat to Rhaenyra’s succession.”  Anxious was probably an understatement when it came to the amount of worry his mother had felt.  “I think you would do anything to protect your children.”  Now that he was a father himself, Aegon could understand that motivation with ease.  There was no one he himself wouldn’t poison if he felt his children’s lives were at stake.  “But I don’t know if you’ve had a hand in this.  I don’t know what it is you fear.”  

Aegon didn’t feel any fear that Rhaenyra would want to harm either him or his children for her own succession.  If his mother felt the same, then he was certain she would have had nothing to do with the poisoning.  But who knew what whispers his mother had heard and what fears she’d cultivated over the years?  Even if the threat was simply a shadow projected onto the wall with no true substance, that didn’t mean it hadn’t seemed real to his mother’s mind.  Yet, Aegon wanted to think she would have spoken to him if she had felt desperate enough to carry out a plan like this.  He knew their relationship was a difficult one, but he hated the thought that his mother had been carrying such intense fear all alone.  For that reason, he hoped she believed in his safety from Rhaenyra as assuredly as he did and therefore had nothing to do with what had happened.  “I don’t believe you would have done it out of hate, only fear,” Aegon finally settled on saying.  “Though I hope you had no part in this because Rhaenyra is…well, my elder sister and I have a complicated relationship but I’ve never wished her harm and I’ve often wished our relationship could have been better if our situations had been different.  As it is, I care enough for my nephews that I wouldn’t want them to go through the pain of losing their mother.”  All of Rhaenyra’s children adored her.  He did not want to imagine the devastation the entire family would go through at her untimely loss, along with the grief of both Rhaenya and Helaena who loved Rhaenyra dearly as well.  Ultimately, Rhaenyra was his family and Aegon respected that deeply despite whatever other emotions lay in between them.  

Aegon forced himself to eat some more fruit, though he quickly glanced up at his mother’s next statement.  He supposed some found his mother cold and unapproachable, even Aegon had found that to be true himself at times, but he’d never found her difficult to love.  In fact, he’d always loved her deeply but found a hard time feeling deserving of her love in return.  He wanted to relate that to her, but he found the words escaped him.  It was too raw of a confession, even for the confessional air they were currently sharing with each other.  “Rumors come and go, but they’re never truly gone.  At this point, I’ve lost any hope of being truly respectable.”  At times he resented himself for that fact, but at others he railed against the unfairness of it all.  He had not asked to be a leader or to be given the responsibility he had, but it had been thrust upon him all the same.  If it had not been for Rhaenyra, his life would be under even more scrutiny and derision than it already was if it had been him about to ascend the Iron Throne.

“No, please don’t seek out Rhaenyra, at least not for my sake.  She should be resting.”  As far as Aegon was concerned, he hoped Rhaenyra didn’t think of him at all while she was in her sick bed.  He wanted her to be focused on recovering as quickly as possible and on figuring out who the true culprit of her poisoning was.  “If you wish to speak to her, then you should but don’t bring my name up.”  It seemed impossible that Aegon’s potential as a suspect hadn’t at least flitted across either Rhaenyra or Daemon’s mind, but if they had already dismissed the idea he certainly didn’t want to seem guilty by his mother approaching Rhaenyra and asking questions that made it seem like Aegon was attempting to probe into the investigation.

[alicenthightowerrp]

Aegon's words were not as stinging as she feared, the Dowager Queen thought to herself whilst picking at the fruit in front of her. It was either that or the nails, it would seem. The habit from children eagerly following her now - if it ever left her. "I am sure you now know such feeling." Alicent whispered as she thought of her own grandchildren. They were incredibly precious, just as her own children had been. It seemed a different life then; so many years had passed. She often wondered late at night; after hours before the seven, where had it all gone and to what end had the suffering amounted to? Sometimes, Alicent herself did not know what she feared - there were too many individuals fears running wild in her mind. Her mind had not been a quiet place for years now; if ever at all.

Those doe eyes of hers did twitch at his following words; the idea of any of her children having such a relationship with Rhaenyra brought a shiver down her spine. "Yes, I wonder if things would be different if.." Alicent began to trail off. If what? She thought to herself. If Rhaenyra had been a better sister? If Viserys, a better father? Or herself..an actual mother instead of this facade of nothingness that threatened to overwhelm her sometimes. Or did it all come down to the King Viserys should have been? "It does not matter now." Alicent did not know if she was speaking to herself or her first born. Did anything matter in this limbo state they found themselves in? It was worrying the amount of indifference Alicent was slowly falling into. "When did you become so clever, hmm?" She whispered and her soft hand cupped his cheek without thought. Her thumb gently stroking his soft skin like she had done once when he was a babe..she thought she did that was. It would have been expected of a young mother to adore her boy. He had hardly changed in these years that had passed but in some ways, maybe the most important ways - he had done.

"You have much time left, my sweet." Alicent whispered softly; it had only ever broke her heart each time her son would allow his insecurities to rise and threaten the happiness he had. "Do not concern yourself with such things. Everyone that matters, knows the truth." The Dowager Queen continued before her arm gracefully returned to her side. "Your grandsire will return in a couple of hours, it may be best for you to make yourself scarce." Alicent only stared down at the fruit; the juices ruining her fingers as the slight pain moved through her spine as her marked nails were drenched in the acidic feel. It was the first time Alicent had been so blunt about the shortcomings of her father, but it seemed the day continued with child accusing parent. Alicent wondered first what she would accuse him of, if only she was as brave as Aegon.

"I will not cause you such distress." Alicent promised and maybe for the first time of his life; she would keep it. A soft smile tugged on her lips as she reached for the goblet of wine once more; she sipped calmly as her fingers traced the etched dragons without a mere thought. "I hope the lockdown is not too harsh on you? The children and Helaena are well?" Alicent had wished to spend more time with that but it seemed she was pulled in many directions. Sometimes it was hard to have a clear mind to realise how much time had passed. Subtly, she pushed the plate closer to Aegon having refilled with more fruits as if he was a mere babe once more.

[goldaegontargaryen]

Aegon had spent so many years of his childhood wishing he were a different person.  Someone stronger, more capable, and with a bit more of an inclination to natural kindness.  He suddenly wondered if his mother had ever felt the same.  Perhaps not wishing to be a different person, but wishing things in her life had gone differently.  Deep down, Aegon had a feeling that if she was offered a chance to go back and relive her life, she would run away from Viserys as quickly as she could.  It was something he couldn’t blame her for, but now that he was gone, maybe that was almost as good as a completely new start.  His mother could leave the castle, get remarried to someone she actually loved if she ever found someone she cherished, and maybe could one day leave her worries behind.  Aegon so suddenly wanted that future for her that he decided he would keep urging her her to continue thinking about moving to Dragonstone over the next couple of weeks.  

Granted, all of those plans hinged on him not being accused of trying to poison the new queen.  

Aegon blinked as his mother cupped his cheek, moved by the caring gesture and the compliment that had accompanied it.  He wanted so desperately to believe it, even though he’d never once thought of himself as particularly clever in most matters.  He automatically slightly flinched at the mention of his grandfather, an action his mother had almost certainly felt.  He and Otto Hightower had never had a decent relationship.  “Did you know one of the only times father stood up for me was to grandfather?  I had been drinking and grandfather was scolding me for it, you know how he is.  But father saw and he told grandfather that before I was his grandson I was a prince of the realm and should be treated as such.  I always used to think that meant a lot.  Now…I’m less sure.”  He had thought it was a shining moment that solidified the fact that his father did care about him in some capacity, but now he couldn’t help but think his father hadn’t really done enough.  His comment had simply made Otto save his scoldings for when they were in private instead of the hallways.  Aegon had yet to leave his children with his grandfather unsupervised, though he was relieved to see that he treated them with the same gentleness he showed to Helaena.

Aegon smiled when he noticed his mother pushing the plate of fruit closer, but he obediently grabbed another piece and ate it.  “It’s been alright,” he lied.  He didn’t want to worry his mother with talk of him hiding in bed and fearing to step outside his room in case he was accused of wrongdoing the moment he showed his face.  “The children are bored, but Helaena is good with them.  I think Jaehaerys goes through an entire book every day and Jaehaera keeps complaining about not being able to see Morghul.”  His children’s antics had helped to ease some of the dark cloud that surrounded him, though even they hadn't been able to dissipate it entirely.  “I’m sure they would appreciate your company.  Helaena would too.”

[alicenthightowerrp]

Alicent did not realise how much she enjoyed listening to her children talk; she knew in the past it was something she had tried to leave to the nurses as the demands of the Kingdom came down on her. She remembered how clingy Aegon had been once upon a time and the Dowager Queen could not remember when that had stopped. His mannerisms were so similar to her own, or what she had been like at his age. She fought against the flinch coming over her body at the thought of her father's interactions with his oldest grandchild. Alicent sometimes wished he would treat them both like he did with her sweet girl. An apology was on the tip of Alicent's tongue as she listened to her son but as ever, she struggled with such words. "Your father cared for you, sweet boy." Alicent spoke the words she so desperately wanted to believe were true.

If you were born to another, you would have been the most adored, Alicent thought to herself. It was only her that would never be loved.

"In his own way," it was what Alicent had told herself in the decades of marriage to the King. The fruit that had captured her attention moments ago was now forgotten about. Her interest now on the goblet of wine in front of her. "It does not do you any good to think of the past." Alicent whispered what she hoped was advice; if only she herself would take it. "Your future is so much brighter." She would make sure of it. For him and his own children, the Queen vowed. Alas, it seemed they had forged their own light away from her. Alicent often wondered if she would have thrived out from under her father's thumb. She doubted such a thing was possible; Alicent needed her father. She would not be this powerful Queen without him and that power was what she needed in these changing times.

The words of her grandchildren brought a smile on her face as it always did. "It seems she has got her love of a dragon from yourself," Alicent hummed softly. The Queen could not give anything of herself to her children; it was all tainted but she could leave something. "I have something," she reached for her neck; the soft bruises coming on display if only for a moment. The gold chain was a loose fit and a small, jewelled key sat on her chest.

"For you..for when I have gone." Alicent admitted as she clutched the key as if it was a life line. Her days were growing slim and if she was honest; they had been for a while now. Gently, the Dowager Queen placed the key onto Aegon's hand before moving his fingers to keep it safe. To keep it hidden.

[goldaegontargaryen]

Aegon shrugged at his mother’s words, though he’d told himself the same thing many times over.  “Maybe he did love me in his own way.  But does that really change anything?” Aegon asked, spinning his sun ring on his finger.  “He didn’t make me feel loved or happy.  I doubt he made you feel that way either.  He loved Aemma Arryn and then after that, whatever love he was capable of was a ghost of actual love.  That wasn’t fair.”  Aegon glanced away from his mother, forcing himself to take a deep breath to dispel the anger that had started to grow in his chest.  His mother had always been wiser than him and while Aegon resented his father for many things, she was correct about how focusing on the past did him no good.  “I can only hope you’re right.  If we can escape this investigation unscathed, I think there are brighter days ahead.  There are days that will be more free at the very least, for you and for me.”  They both had a chance to forge new identities out from underneath the long shadow that had been cast by Viserys when he was alive.  

Aegon smiled at his mother’s comment about Jaehaera gaining her love of dragons from him, but his smile quickly turned to a look of shock as he noticed the bruises on his mother’s neck.  They were only visible for a moment, but they were unmistakable.  In a daze, he allowed his mother to press the key attached to the gold chain she’d just removed from her neck into his hand.  “Mother who–” Aegon started, hand automatically clenching tighter around the key so tightly he could feel the grooves of it biting into his skin.  “Who did that to you?” he finally asked, his voice coming out weirdly calm, almost flat.  Not because he didn’t care, but because the fury building inside of him at the idea of someone putting their hands on his mother was like nothing he had ever felt before.  He couldn’t give into the emotion until he knew exactly what was going on.  “You’ve been acting strange.  I know you’ve been anxious, you’re giving me keys and talking about how you won’t be here for long, and now you’re bruised.  Is someone threatening you?  Hurting you?”  

Before Aegon could stop himself he had pushed himself to his feet, hands braced against the table.  “I swear by the Seven if someone has been hurting you I’ll feed them to Sunfyre and if they have lands, I’ll burn them to the ground.  I won’t allow anyone to hurt my family.”  Very rarely did Aegon ever feel like a true Targaryen, but he could feel the anger in his blood called to the forefront now, the blazing fury that House Targaryen was so well known for.  “I understand that you want to protect me, but I’m not a child anymore.  I’m a Prince of House Targaryen, ruler of Dragonstone, and I won’t stand to see you harmed by anyone, no matter their station.”  A dark part of him wondered if the bruises had been caused by his grandfather, but that changed nothing.  Aegon meant his words, family or not.  He wouldn’t allow anyone to hurt his mother.

[alicenthightowerrp]

A slight flinch came over Alicent at the mention of her husband's late wife. Aemma had been something that had haunted her marriage for the decades she nursed Viserys and was at his beck and call, whilst co ruling with his daughter, well, at the best of times that was. The love the late King had for his wife was admirable if Alicent was one to feel such positive feelings. Still, surely it was time to move away from those thoughts, the Queen thought to herself. Oh, who was she lying to, Alicent doubted much would ever leave her from those years married to the King. It was not for a woman to complain, she knew that. It did not stop her from seeking out her daughter's complaints and seeking to resolve them in a way she had hoped her mother would have been here to do. A scoff nearly escaped her - it seemed she was not desired in most roles the Gods had pushed onto her.

Her lips began to part to continue her conversation with Aegon; it seemed to be the longest they had spoken. A soft look of confusion came over her face as her hand instantly reached for her throat; those doe eyes of hers widened even more. "It is nothing.." the words escaped her with ease; the lie always slipped from her lips. Alicent could not stop her heart from pounding in her ears as she stared at Aegon. Their eyes so similar, it nearly dis-armed her. "Aegon---" Alicent moves to begin again but the words are lost to her. She goes to only repeat the words she spoke moments prior but finds that she cannot. Instinctively, Alicent reached for his hand; Aegon's touch bringing her much comfort in the past days, which only continued to surprise her. "It is nothing for you to worry about, I promise.." She whispered out her lies once more. Alicent squeezed his hand once more before allowing her arms to fall to her sides.

"Now is not the time, sweet boy." She whispered as if their conversation could be heard and in the Dowager Queen's mind; that fear was real. She could not help but recall the many conversations with Larys and the information he had that he should not be able to retrieve. The thought alone brought a gulp to her throat that she tried to fight off. "I will tell you all when I can, I promise." Alicent whispered as her other hand clasped his. Both of her hands are now on him as she rests her head on his own in a moment of weakness. Gently, the Dowager Queen pressed a soft kiss to his cheek. The amount of touch she had given him in this moment alone was more than in his entire lifetime, she knew that and it broke her heart. "Please, do not speak of this to anyone." Alicent whispered; those doe eyes of hers burrowed into him. She fought back the scoff desiring to be released - as if anyone else would care, she thought to herself.

[goldaegontargaryen]

“Nothing?  Mother, it cannot be nothing.  You’re bruised,” Aegon’s mind was racing, trying to figure out who would have the nerve to do such a thing and why.  Attacking the dowager queen so harshly that she bruised afterward was no small thing, though clearly they had been certain his mother wouldn’t tell anyone.  Even now, she was clearly trying to brush off his concerns, but Aegon couldn’t imagine letting something like this go.  Once again, he berated himself for his careless attitude as a child and teenager.  He was sure his mother rightly didn’t see him as a strong political player and didn’t trust him to handle the situation delicately.  He held his mother’s hand tightly, hoping that by doing so he would bring her some comfort.  At least one mystery was solved.  His mother was afraid of someone or an entire group of people, but he’d hardly ever seen his mother appear to be afraid of anything or anyone.  It was hard to imagine her being afraid now, but she had spent so much time alone in this castle and it wasn’t like his father would have supported her, especially once his health worsened.  She would have been vulnerable.  Aegon felt guilt settle in his chest.  He’d escaped as fast as he possibly could to Dragonstone and hadn’t once thought about leaving his mother behind.  

Aegon didn’t want to agree with any of his mother’s excuses, but he could acknowledge that the timing for addressing a situation as serious as this wasn’t great.  Rhaenyra had just been poisoned and the entire castle’s attention was focused there.  An unrelated situation where his mother had gotten seriously injured would seem unlikely, perhaps it even was true that his mother’s injuries and the poisoning were related to each other.  Ultimately though, it didn’t particularly matter if they were.  No matter what the situation was, questions would be raised about his mother’s guilt and involvement, especially if she continued to refuse to name who had done this to her. 

 Aegon forced himself to take a deep breath and hugged his mother, almost hesitantly.  He hadn’t done so since he was a child, figuring his mother didn’t want that kind of affection from him.  “I won’t force you to do anything you don’t want to do and as loath as I am to admit it, the timing isn’t great.  But I can’t stand by and allow you to be harmed.  I can wait to bring this person to justice for what he’s done, but not if it means you get hurt in that time period.”  Aegon stepped back, studying his mother’s face.  As much as he wanted to be the hero and protect his mother, he knew things were never that simple.  He could do more harm than good if he tried to force things to move in the direction he wanted.  At the same time, he couldn’t also stand by and allow his mother to endure this.  “I can have your guards switched with some of my household guards from Dragonstone, men I trust and who have less investment in the politics here.  I’ll instruct them not to allow anyone alone with you, besides your ladies and family.  It’ll be easy to play the change off as my paranoia after the poisoning.”  Even that small suggestion didn’t feel like enough.  

Aegon didn’t want to promise he wouldn’t tell anyone.  The idea of it made him feel almost lightheaded with panic.  He couldn’t imagine being forced to carry a secret this important alone, relying on only his judgment for what the best path forward would be.  “We should tell Aemond.  He’s more cunning than I am and he’ll know what to do.”  Truthfully, the last thing he wanted was for his mother to become stuck with only him on her side.  He would fail her just like he had failed her so many times before.

[goldaegontargaryen]

Finding Reconciliation: with @aemond-one-eyed

Aegon wasn’t good at holding grudges against any of his siblings.  Throughout the years he’d gotten into arguments of various severity with all of them, but they were almost always as quick to blow over as they had been to start.  Aegon had almost expected the sting of Blackfyre’s theft to fade with time, but even now, he found himself still feeling upset and betrayed.  Part of the problem was that he had hardly spoken to Aemond since that night and the anger had been allowed to fester in his chest.  Usually circumstance threw Aegon and Aemond back together whether he wanted his brother’s company or not, but his brother had been oddly busy lately, preoccupied with something Aegon had no knowledge about.  Perhaps he was busy setting up a black market for stolen Valyrian swords.  

He didn’t care enough to be the one to approach Aemond first.  He figured if his brother wanted to speak to him, Aemond was more than smart enough to figure out where he was at and come to him.  Despite holding that belief, he was surprised to find Aemond in the sitting room of his chambers after he had finally managed to get Maelor to lay down for bed.  “Brother,” he acknowledged, resisting the urge to cross to the side table where he’d stored a goblet of wine.  He yearned to have a glass in hand for any sort of conversation Aemond might want to have, but he’d been attempting to rely on drink less to help cope with his problems.  Now that his father was dead, Aegon found himself wanting to be a better man than Viserys had been and while his father hadn’t had trouble with drink, he’d been a man either too afraid or too indifferent to acknowledge and fix his flaws.  Aegon didn’t want to be like that.  “What do I owe for the honor of your presence?  Have you come to steal my stone dragon figurine that father made for my first nameday?  I believe that’s the only other gift he gave me that actually means something to me.”  He collapsed into the chair across from Aemond, crossing his arms over his chest almost petulantly.  

As expected though, now that Aemond was in front of him, Aegon felt some of his anger lessen.  At the very least, he wanted to ensure his brother was alright and that he wasn’t here to speak about anything serious.  “Have you been alright the last few weeks?  I haven’t seen you in the normal places you like to haunt around the Red Keep as often as usual.  If you need something, I can help you.”  His anger was still simmering in his chest, but Aegon meant what he said.  He would always do everything he could to help his younger brother.

[sercorwyn]

King's Wood Blues

with @goldaegontargaryen

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Corwyn let the crisp air fill his lungs and clear his mind as he turned to his hounds. You needed a clear mind for a hunt, no matter the quarry. Today was not a grand hunt, with tents and servants and ladies following behind; this was a more informal affair - young lords and noble sons jockeying to see who could score the most game and who had better mastery over their bitches (the double meaning was lost on no one).

Right now, they were not so deep in the King's Wood. Later, everyone would splinter off in twos and threes, off to various corners of the forest to hunt without restraint. His two old girls, Pip and Jackey, stalked along as he trailed behind most of the other men on horseback. Pip and Jackey stood out from the other dogs. Their fur was black as ink, shining even in the low light of the forest. They were perhaps not the best suited for the smaller game they were after today, too big and too slow for a hare, though they were just right for a stag hunt.

It was mostly green youths that hung at the back of the pack, lads of sixteen and seventeen, less experienced in the art of the chase. The only other person nearby who was close to his age was the Prince of Dragonstone, Aegon Targaryen, and it was clear to see why. He was struggling with his dogs - they were straining at their leashes, nipping at Aegon's heels, barking at squirrels.

If he could not get those hounds under control, it would reflect badly on Aegon; the hunt was just as much an exercise of power as it was a fun pastime. His ineptitude hurt to look at, but Corwyn couldn't help but feel some sympathy. Poorly trained dogs aside, the Prince was making quite the effort. Perhaps, perhaps, he could help the poor man.

Corwyn rode up to the Prince's side. “If it is not too presumptuous to ask, You Grace, may I accompany you into the forest?” he asked quietly. “It seems your dogs are giving you trouble.”

[goldaegontargaryen]

Aegon was not great with animals.  That was to say, Aegon loved animals but when it came to training them or controlling them he was absolutely hopeless.  He’d simply become too used to the bond that existed between him and Sunfyre where it almost seemed like they shared thoughts with one another.  He’d also put forth much more effort into learning how to train and communicate with a dragon than he ever had for training dogs.  Aegon was wonderful at petting dogs and throwing sticks for them to chase, but that was where his knowledge ended.  Technically, the three dogs whose leashes he currently held belonged to him, but Aegon almost never hunted with them.  He didn’t really have the stomach for it.  When he’d been only a boy of four or five, he’d cried when he’d been taken on a stag hunt and avoided hunting events afterwards well into his teenage years.  He would have avoided today’s event as well, but now that he was the proper lord of Dragonstone he’d decided he should socialize with the other lords in an area separated from the parties he was too well known for.  But as the dog on his right lunged forward and almost pulled him over so that she could bark at a squirrel, he was starting to realize his decision might do more to diminish his reputation than it would to bolster it.  

Hearing a voice beside him, Aegon quickly turned his head and met the eyes of Ser Corwyn Corbray, the head of Lady Arryn’s household guard.  They’d briefly been introduced to each other when Aegon had accompanied his sister Rhaenyra to welcome Lady Arryn’s household to the capitol, but as far as Aegon could remember they hadn’t spoken since then.  “Yes please,” Aegon said, a wave of relief washing over him.  He supposed he should have felt embarrassed about needing help, but frankly he was too desperate and out of his element to care.  

“They’re good dogs, but I haven’t taken them hunting in over a year.  I know some of the other men take them, but I think they know I have no clue what I’m doing.  The white one in the middle is Lari and the two gray ones are Vey and Mery.”  The names were a play on Balerion, Vhagar, and Merexes, which was not terribly original but Aegon had been immediately reminded of Aegon and his sisters when he’d seen the dogs together for the first time.  “I’ve never been much of a hunter.  I’m afraid my skills lie elsewhere, but I thought I could get further into this event before making a fool of myself.  Alas, I think the gods quite enjoy laughing at me.”  Aegon chuckled, already feeling a bit lighter now that he had someone to commiserate with. 

[sercorwyn]

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“Don't worry, Your Grace. The gods make fools of us all, in one way or another.”

Corwyn handed Aegon Pip and Jackey's leashes and took Lari, Vey, and Mery's in hand. Pip sniffed at the prince's fingers before rubbing her head on his hand, sneakily asking for pets, with Jackey doing the same soon after. It was heartening to see his dogs warm to the new Lord of Dragonstone. It meant one less thing to deal with, at least, and anyone his dogs trusted, he trusted. Vey and Mery seemed to be following Lari's lead. If he got Lari under control, it would be much easier to do the same with the other two.

“No shame in preferring less… sanguine activities. I don't quite know what compelled me to come along myself, obligation perhaps.” And though that was not quite the truth, it was true enough that he hoped Aegon would take consolation. Corwyn loved to hunt, sure, loved the way the tension in the air tasted when the quarry was loose and the chase was on, loved the feeling of total victory when the horns blew and the kill was home. Even so, to take a life was no easy thing, even if that life belonged to a hare or a fox or a stag.

“You've conducted yourself rather admirably, I think, despite the hounds. Might I suggest that when the day's done, we might drink together. A tankard of ale will do us both some good after a long day's work.”

[goldaegontargaryen]

Aegon took the leashes handed to him with a slight amount of caution.  The dogs had been well behaved with Corwyn, but he was worried the second he grabbed onto them they would attempt to dash into the forest, taking him along with them.  Thankfully, the dogs continued to behave and bumped into his hand asking for pets that Aegon was more than happy to give out.  “Your dogs are well trained,” Aegon praised, knowing that was a point of pride for many men even if they hadn’t been the ones to train their dogs themselves.  Even after just knowing Corwyn for a few minutes though, Aegon got the impression he was the type of man to train his own dogs.  “And very sweet.”  Aegon just barely managed to restrain himself from breaking out the soft cooing voice he usually only used whenever he and Sunfyre were alone as he continued to pet the two dogs who were eagerly looking up at him.  He didn’t need to add babytalking to animals onto the list of ways he didn’t act like a proper lord.  

“Ah yes, obligation.  The insurmountable mountain all lords face.  I had the right idea of it when I was a teenager to know that ignoring obligation is often more pleasant, but unfortunately becoming an adult has made me more responsible.”  Another bad part about ignoring obligation for so long was that he was running to catch up with people who had been fulfilling these obligations for their entire lives.  “At least we’ll be able to work together to bring back a hopefully respectable amount of dead animals.”  Even saying the words made Aegon want to wrinkle his nose in distaste, but he managed to refrain.  He also wondered why a man who didn’t enjoy hunting would own a pair of hunting dogs who were clearly exceptionally trained, but Aegon kept that to himself as well.  Whether the other man had simply been trying to be kind or lying to soothe Aegon’s ego didn’t really matter, Aegon appreciated it all the same.  

The mention of a drink made Aegon smile and he clapped Corwyn on the shoulder.  “That sounds more like my kind of activity.  There’s an amazing little tavern that’s holding a party tonight.  We can go there and drink to our hunting accomplishments.”  Well, they hadn’t achieved any yet, but surely they would.  “You can also tell me about The Vale.  Have you ever seen a sky cell?  I’ve heard they’re quite terrifying, though it would be hard to keep a dragonrider in a sky cell unless you chained their dragon too.  Maybe if they left their dragon behind…”  Aegon quickly pulled himself out of his thoughts, realizing he was stalling.  “My apologies.  Would you mind leading the way?”

[sercorwyn]

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The sky cells of The Eyrie - what was it about those blasted things that fascinated everyone so morbidly? Corwyn supposed to some they were rather dramatic, their residents teetering between imprisonment and freedom through oblivion. Overtaking the prince, he broke off from the main group, leading them slightly west. In the relative isolation, he felt freer to answer Aegon’s questions. Gathering his memories of the Vale, he began to speak.

“Most men say their homes are the most beautiful place on earth, and I will be no exception. Heart's Home sits by the mouth of a river, and when the sun is high in the sky it shines like the clearest glass, still as cold as the moment it left the glacier it melted from. Red-purple heathers blanket the hills in the summer, and they make the air so sweet it could trick you into believing you've died and gone to the highest heaven. We're not of the Vale proper, the lands south of the Mountains of The Moon; we Corbrays are to the north, so when winter comes, we feel it bitterly - but even then… it is truly a sight to behold.” Speaking of the place sent a twinge of homesickness through him, but he carried on.

“And I have put a man in a sky cell, once. Pitiable fellow, he tried to raise a rebellion against Lady Arryn. They are terrifying things, those cells. When you're that high upon the mountain, the wind screams, even through thick stone, so the men left in the cells hear those screams day and night.”

They were now deep in the woods, and Pip signaled that she caught a scent. It had boosted his ego when the prince complimented their training, and now he could see them in action. Now was the time to act. Corwyn quickly loosed Pip and Jackey from their leads, and they bolted, swift as black lightning. Laughing, he said to Aegon, “Ah, this what we're here for!”

[goldaegontargaryen]

Aegon was happy to follow behind Corwyn, uncaring of what direction they ended up going in.  Once they had separated from the main party and had become enveloped by trees and the sounds of nature, Aegon felt himself relax.  Finally he was free from the judgemental eyes of the men of the court and Corwyn’s dogs and his own walked along happily in front of them.  Birds sang above their heads and sunlight streamed through the canopy to dapple the ground beneath his feet.  It was an almost serene picture, though not as serene and beautiful as the one Corwyn painted with his words when he spoke about his home in the Vale.  

“Your home sounds beautiful.  I grew up in King’s Landing, which I don’t think anyone could make the mistake of calling beautiful.  Even the Red Keep is haunted by grudges and old ghosts, but I do find myself missing Dragonstone.  In the morning, there’s often a silvery mist that hangs over the water and around the Dragonmont.  As the sun rises, it often hits the earth just right and you can see rainbows in the air.  It’s better that my children are growing up there instead of in the city.  There’s less…noise.”  That was true in a physical sense, but Aegon supposed he also meant the constant background noise of expectations and backstabbing that he’d heard every day as a child growing up in King’s Landing.  Everyone in court had an opinion about him as did everyone in the city itself, from the richest man to the poorest.  Rumors and whispers existed on Dragonstone too, but in a far less numerous supply.  

Aegon shuddered at Corwyn’s description, doing his best not to imagine what it would be like to be stuck in an open cell with the wind screaming around him.  Having grown up as a dragon rider, he wasn’t scared of heights, but he could see how the experience could easily drive a man mad.  “Down in the dungeons of the Red Keep, there are cells kept in complete darkness.  I snuck down there once and I couldn’t even see my own hand in front of my face.  Perhaps if your man had taken a trip to the sky cells, he would have thought twice about what the consequences to a rebellion would be.”  Aegon didn’t understand men who risked everything they held dear just to get one inch closer to power.  Lady Jeyne was a good and fair ruler, and closely related to Rhaenyra.  Even if someone managed to overthrow her, Aegon couldn’t understand how they didn’t see that the crown would answer in kind.  Aegon was relieved he at least hadn’t been born with the sort of carelessness that made men believe power was their divine right.  A belief like that would drive a man mad faster than any sky cell or pitch black dungeon.  

Aegon froze, watching as Corwyn’s two black dogs darted off into the undergrowth.  He looked at Corwyn uncertainly.  “Are we supposed to run after them?”  Aegon knew the answer was yes, but he was getting a bit old for running these days, much less darting through the woods after dogs who could run twice as fast as him.  But he had already committed himself to hunting, so he took a deep breath and ran after the dogs into the depths of the forest, desperately hoping he wouldn’t be forced to kill a rabbit or something else similarly furry and cute.

[goldaegontargaryen]

Your Name is Your Legacy: with @aegontheyoungprince

Aegon knew the streets of Flea Bottom like the back of his own hand, which he thought was quite an accomplishment.  The streets and buildings weren’t built in nice lines and rows like the nicer parts of the city.  Instead, they snaked and weaved back in on themselves, buildings having been built wherever they were needed most, which left behind dark alleys and confusing side streets that were easy for a person to get lost in.  Aegon had made his way here to Flea Bottom for a celebratory drink.  His elder sister had assured him he wasn’t being suspected of her poisoning, which meant Aegon could finally relax for the first time in weeks.  Knowing that he wasn’t going to be thrown into a cell or fed to Syrax or Caraxes had brightened his mood considerably.  

He stopped outside his favorite tavern in the area and pulled the hood off his head.  He was well known inside and he had no worries about letting anyone know his identity once he was inside its doors.  As he was about to step in, he felt a person slam into him.  Aegon quickly whirled around, hand flying to his Valyrian steel dagger, gripping it in his hand exactly how Dalton had shown him only a few days before.  Once he saw who had run into him though, Aegon quickly relaxed.  It was a boy who was quite a bit shorter than him, clearly a child.  Not that children couldn’t be viscous little creatures, but even Aegon could defend himself against one.  “It’s alright,” he started, figuring the boy might be nervous if he had recognized he’d run into a prince of the kingdom.  Except as the boy slightly shifted, Aegon caught a glimpse of his face and stared.  “Aegon?  What are you doing here?”  

Rhaenyra surely didn’t know he was here.  In fact, Aegon had a sneaking suspicion his small namesake hadn’t told anyone.  Aegon certainly hadn’t when he’d started to make his trips here around Aeg’s own age.  “This is a lucky coincidence!  I was just longing for a drinking buddy and here you are!  Well, perhaps not drinking but I can teach you how to play dice inside.”  Aegon had started his heavy drinking at Aeg’s age, but as a parent himself, he could acknowledge that probably wasn’t the best habit to instill in children.  “Don’t worry, I think being curious about Flea Bottom is a right of passage for any prince.  I actually brought your brother Lucerys down here the other day, so you’re in his and my wonderful company when it comes to visiting this fine establishment.”  Of course, the tavern before them was anything but nice.  It was certainly fun though, which was the most important thing for a tavern to be.

[aegontheyoungprince]

The adrenaline coursed through Aegon's body as he raced from the local Tavern. It seemed his mother's ability to scare people had even moved onto the small folk. It seemed the red cloak that had helped hide his identity for the months prior was now no use as the call of his name was sounded out. The Prince ignored it completely as he ran into the streets; stepping into the puddles as it splashed against his leather boots his father had gifted him only recently. "Fuck," He muttered to himself; such language he had heard in passing and knew his mother would never allow - which was partly why he did so. A groan escaped him at the too familiar looking buildings as Aegon turned a corner; his head looking over his shoulder instead of in front of him.

A grunt escaped him at the harsh feel of a body in front of him. His annoyance now only grows as he looks up; the size difference is bothering him more than it should. "Uncle?" Aegon's eyes widened at the older Prince before him; his heart pounding at the idea of being caught. "I--I was just," his words could not escape him as he began to stutter. A flicker of confusion was quickly followed by annoyance at the idea of his brother also doing this. Was there anything left for him? "Dice?" Aegon asked; cocking his head to the side in complete confusion. The interest in learning something new pushes the annoyance to one side; for now. His older uncle had always been someone he never truly looked for. His father's words of the Hightower children echoing in his mind but in this moment, he found himself not caring.

Still, the young Prince followed in his uncle's steps as those curious eyes of his moved over the Tavern. It seemed that the many patrons knew the older Prince and Aegon found himself stepping that much closer to him. A part of him worried that his father would soon know about his steps into Flea Bottom. "Helaena does not care that you come here?" Aegon couldn't stop himself from asking as his eyes still moved around the Tavern. The soft music moved over both Princes' as they stepped further into the room. There were many more questions on the tip of Aegon's tongue as he followed his elder. Still, he kept as quiet as he usually was ..well, for a moment that kept. "What does my brother do when he is here?" Aegon could not help but ask.

[goldaegontargaryen]

Aegon nodded, feeling pleased Aeg had taken an interest in what he’d said.  “There are all kinds of dice games you can learn, the majority of which involve gambling.  Well, they’ll involve gambling if you want the game to be actually interesting.  I can teach you some simple ones inside.  They all involve more chance than strategy, but that’s a good thing when you’re drunk.”  Aegon put his hand on Aeg’s shoulder, guiding him inside the tavern.  A few of the patrons glanced over and waved, recognizing Aegon.  Some stares lingered on Aeg, no doubt recognizing him too, but thankfully everyone knew better than to say anything to the two princes about Aeg’s presence.  Aegon knew he was probably supposed to be escorting Aeg home instead of inside the tavern, but he’d been Aeg’s age once.  It was hard to resist the allure of Flea Bottom after having grown up in the restrictive atmosphere that permeated the Red Keep.  Even if Aegon escorted him back today, Aeg would simply come back tomorrow.  At least this way, he was safe at Aegon’s side.  

Aegon settled them at a table and tilted his head slightly to the side as he studied Aeg.  “Have you started drinking wine yet?  I honestly don’t know when the normal age to start drinking is.”  He thought Aeg’s age was around the time boys were allowed to have a glass of wine at dinner, but still be fairly restricted recreationally.  At least, that was what he assumed.  “I don’t think Helaena really minds.  She knows it's in my nature.  I was coming to places like this long before we were married.  She needs time alone sometimes and I need time around other people.  We understand that about each other.”  The mention of Helaena had him smiling.  He wasn’t surprised that Aeg found their relationship hard to understand, but Aegon was glad it was one that worked for them.  “The only thing she doesn’t like is when I don’t come back home before morning.  She likes to know I’m okay and not passed out somewhere.”  Aegon paused, realizing this was probably supposed to be a teaching moment.  “Which you should never do, by the way.  Drink responsibly.”  Gods, he was the worst person to give that lecture.  

“When Lucerys was here, he spent the whole time on edge.  You’re already ten times calmer than he was.”  While it had been amusing to watch Lucerys, he had also felt a bit bad about dragging the other boy into the situation in the first place.  At least with Aeg, while he seemed a bit nervous, he didn’t outright seem uncomfortable.  “How is Stormcloud?  Does he like the saddle I sent for your nameday?  I had one made exactly like mine that allows for better agility in the air, at least in my opinion.”  Aegon knew it was probably silly to assume having the same name gave them some sort of connection, but he couldn’t help but have a soft spot for Aegon.  He figured it had been awkward for the younger boy to have grown up without a name that was completely his own.  Aegon also felt like their name was a bit cursed, and in a huge family like Aeg’s, he figured the other boy could use a bit of favoritism.  

[thefallenprincesss]

a starter for @goldaegontargaryen

“Why do I always have to struggle and you have to come and save me?”

Of course there was another party, it’s all they do. It’s all royals ever did. She forced herself to come to this one party. She always forced herself to come to at least one party every new moon.

This was the party of this moon, then she was not going to attend a party for the rest of the weeks. A lady of hers delivered her a goblet. Rhaenya looked at the goblet in fear.

She watched as her entire family had faces of joy… drinking together and she sat there still at the table. She wasn’t going to drink, not that she wanted to. The princess’s hand trembled as she picked up the goblet and she just didn’t lift it up any longer.

Always something about things, loud talking, crowds of people overwhelmed her to the core. She reached over to grab Elaena’s hand.

The lady looked up at the Princess, realizing how much she was shaking, and immediately interlocked their fingers.

Rhaenya wanted to dance… she loved dancing… but her body was frozen was not going to move out of her chair.

She faced Elaena, “I want to dance…”

The lady in waiting looked at the princess, “Then dance… your royal highness,”

The girl smiled, shaking her head, “No there’s too many people, what if it happens again…”

Elaena knew exactly what the princess meant. She held her friends hand tightly and kissed her hand. “We are here, we can dance with you,”

The princess thought but she still refused, her leg gently still bouncing. She tried to make it stop, but it wouldn’t. She wanted to make it look like notbing was happening, as she made eye contact with Aegon.

Her eyes looked afar at his, with panic and fear. She knew that… he knew what her eyes were telling him. Living with him for so long, she knew he knew.

The princess continued to squeeze Elaena’s hand she looked at her. “I can’t be here…”

Elaena saw the fear and panic in her eyes, she looked at her friend gently making her face away from the crowd of people. “Close your eyes, and breathe,”

And that’s exactly what she did, she closed her eyes… Rhaenya tried to block out everything next to her and around her. She took the deepest breath… and exhaled.

She kept her eyes closed… when she felt another person approach her and felt his hands on hers. Her elder brother. She knew immediately who was. She took another deep breath and then a sigh of relief.

As she opened her eyes… the same crowd still there, but only Aegon now next to her. “I- how do you do this? I can’t even get up without feeling overwhelmed in seconds and wanting to go back to my chambers…” Her words started to jumble out like leaves.

“And how do you get so comfortable in crowds… I wanted to start a dancing circle but I couldn’t” she continued.

The jumble of words that could only spill to her brother. She didn’t even care if he was listening or not. She just wanted to speak…

[thefallenprincesss]

She listened to Aegon respond to all her questions… she listened, another thing that she liked to do. Listening to other people talk.

The young princess listened to how her brother’s head was like chaos and never at peace. She felt sorry for him… she held his hand tighter gently playing with his rings.

She held is hand tighter, her head slowly leaning onto his shoulder. Rhaenya had never felt this much comfort around Aegon, she was always more closer to her twin of course.

“You find peace… when you are with your family,” she whispered looking at her brother. There was something with a smile in her face. “No matter, how much chaos goes in your head… you will always find peace with us,”

It was a calming smile she gave him, then she looked at the crowd. Still filled with people talking and drinking. She shook her head, “I Don’t want you to do something stupid either, just to get the attention away from me,”

She looked at Aegon… “Can we can go? I have a place, I want to show you,”

Her eyes went from Aegon to her lady in waiting Elaena. She smiled knowing the cue to call in all the ladies. Rhaenya looked at her brother, “I know i’m the biggest fan of parties, but I do throw my own parties… sometimes,”

She tilted her head as she got up and grabbed Aegon’s hand and dragged him out of the room. She sprinted as she went towards her chambers and the room beside it. An empty ballroom.

“This I call… the Rhaenya Targaryen Ballroom… me and my ladies dance, sing… perform! But you must have a special invitation from me only!” She giggled as she let her hands out and twirled.

[goldaegontargaryen]

Aegon smiled as Rhaenya played with his rings, remembering she had often done the same thing as a toddler.  She’d once slipped a ring off his finger and sprinted away with it, the piece of jewelry never to be seen again.  She was much older now, but Aegon was happy to know she still felt comfortable enough to play with his rings even after all this time.  Her words about finding comfort with family shocked him, but they were true.  “There’s nobody I trust more in the world,” he admitted.  “I can be my real self around all of you and that does bring me peace.”  His experience with family wasn’t always positive, but that had never extended to his younger siblings.  Aegon loved them fiercely, even Aemond who he was still currently annoyed with.  His desire for them to be safe and happy was half the reason he ran his court on Dragonstone the way he did.

“Of course we can go,” Aegon quickly agreed, wondering what it could be that Rhaenya wanted to show him.  Whatever it was, he was more than happy to go if it would help her feel calmer than she did at this crowded gathering.  “Truly?  You throw your own parties?”  The admission was something Aegon hadn’t expected.  He knew Rhaenya probably didn’t mean anything particularly extravagant, but he’d never known his younger sister to like any kind of gathering at all.  

Curiosity at the forefront of his mind, he allowed his sister to pull him down the hall surrounded by her ladies.  Aegon didn’t personally know many of them.  The one that had been comforting his sister was named Elaena he thought and then of course there was the girl Ellyn that Daeron had declared his love for.  Aegon wracked his brain to think of the names of the others, but came up with nothing.  He only realized they were going to one of the Keep’s smaller ballrooms moments before Rhaenya pulled him inside the cavernous space, her voice echoing around them.  

Aegon laughed happily, already enjoying this gathering of Rhaenya’s more than the one they’d just left by the sheer happiness on his sister’s face.  “Well then, I feel very honored to have been invited.  I’m more than happy to be an honorary member of Lady Rhaenya Targaryen’s court for the night.”  Aegon didn’t think he’d ever really seen this side of his sister before.  It was rare to see her looking so lighthearted and free, but he was happy she felt that way and even more happy that she was willing to share it with him.  “This is already more fun than the other party.  The company here is much better.”

[thefallenprincesss]

All of her ladies were here and she giggled laughing... as she saw Lady Maris bring in the paper crowns.

Rhaenya giggled even more as she clapped her hands. There were something more exciting than metal crowns. Paper crowns. She grabbed one of them and immediately put it to her head laughing as she saw the stupid design on them. Rhaenya reached one for her brother, a yellow one, for Sunfyre. "As a lady at my even, you must take a paper crown!" she giggled as she put it onto his head. There was much more different things, not alcohol but there was juices. Just as she liked. She took an apple juice giggling and laughing as took a sip of it.

"Maris will you gladly ask the musicians to start playing?" Rhaenya asked with a smile, Lady Maris nodded as the musicians started to place peaceful music. It was just how she liked it and she smiled as she closed her eyes just knowing how peaceful it was. She grabbed a little cookie off the table and started to eat it.

With her other hand she grabbed a cupcake and then she started to eat it. She was like a little girl at a fancy tea party being immature. This was her party, who was going to stop her. She ate her cookie then licked the frosting. Then she went back to the cookie back and forth, Aegon probably never saw her like this. Rhaenya watched as her girls danced and she clapped giggling at her girls. Then she looked at Aegon... "Would you like a cupcake..?"

There was something behind those eyes.. she had a smirk on her lips as she watched her brother grab a cupcake. Then right as he was about to eat it he smashed the cupcake into his nose. the Happy princess giggled as she ran into her circle of friends which she was enveloped as they were dancing. She put her hand on her flower crown as she sprinted around the empty room running away from Aegon.

[goldaegontargaryen]

Aegon accepted his paper crown with grace, thinking that, like Rhaenya, he also preferred the paper version to the real thing.  He was touched that his sister had specifically given him a golden one to reflect Aegon’s favorite chosen color.  He watched with a soft smile as Rhaenya directed her ladies around the room, wishing she could always feel this confident and comfortable.  Despite her hatred of normal parties, he thought she had the makings of a fine lady one day, especially if she married into a house where she could keep the majority of the needed gatherings small and intimate like this one.  She was easily able to naturally take charge and create an atmosphere that allowed others to have fun.  Aegon knew from experience that creating a good party was a much more difficult task than it initially sounded like.  

“A cupcake sounds good,” Aegon said, eyeing the swirls of pink frosting on the cupcake Rhaenya had picked up for him.  He had a fondness for sweets and cupcakes were no exception to that.  He was so used to Rhaenya’s normally calm and sweet nature that he missed the mischievous glint in her eyes until it was too late.  He gasped in surprise and mock offense as the cupcake was pushed into his face.  “Oh, I’ll get you back for that!” he promised in an over dramatic tone of anger.  He did his best to wipe the frosting off his face as Rhaenya ran off before chasing after her across the dance floor.  

Rhaenya’s ladies had enveloped her into the middle of their dance circle, which Aegon thought was cheating.  It had been a long time since Aegon had allowed himself to be so childish, but he found he was having more fun than he’d had in a long time.  Deciding not to overthink the propriety of such an action, Aegon ducked down and darted between the linked arms of two of Rhaenya’s ladies, grabbing his sister’s hand to spin her around in triumph.  “Caught you!”

[crimson-kraken]

The Red Keep, 129 AC. With: @goldaegontargaryen

The only good thing about being forced to stay inside the Red Keep was that Dalton could sleep as much as he wanted. He didn't have much to do in the first place, so he stayed in his chambers and slept at any moment for as long as he wanted and no one would bat an eye. Dalton's sleep was obviously interrupted anyways.

The door of his chambers opened, but Dalton stayed unbothered. He was cuddling with Lysa; his body behind her, head hiding on her neck. So oddly peaceful that it became suspicious. Until someone started touching his face.

—I know you are awake. —Tess' familiar voice made him hide even harder in Lysa's hair. She noticed he heard her and continued. — I punched Genna.

—Deserved —Lysa murmured.

—Why? —Dalton knew Genna Lannister wasn't in good terms with most if not all of his wives, but Dalton enjoyed her honesty and Genna always had good gossip.

—She was being a bitch, like always, so I punched her. —Tess made a pause and Dalton thought she would leave him alone. —Her father saw the black eye and now thinks you did it. He's coming here and he looked really mad. He kept screaming he was going to murder you... You should probably leave.

Usually Dalton would laugh at the idea of one of his in-laws wanting to kill him. Today he knew Lord Lannister meant it. He got up and put on a long black coat to hide the fact he was wearing his nightgown. He hid two knives under his belt just in case and kissed Lysa goodbye before leaving her in the room.

—You should find Genna, apologize and ask her to clear the situation. —Tess rolled her eyes, but Dalton knew she would do it.

Three weeks trapped inside the Red Keep meant Dalton was running out of places to hide. He wished he could find one of King Maegor's secret tunnels, he definitely needed it right now. « Any Targaryen would know them. » Luckily, Dalton knew one.

—Where is prince Aegon? —He asked one of the Red Keep's servants and soon enough he was guided to his chambers.

Dalton knocked on the door and opened it. He turned around to make sure no one followed him and closed the door shut. He let out a sigh of relief and finally acknowledged Aegon. Dalton wasn't sure how to explain the situation. He wasn't sure if he wanted to explain it in the first place. The man's sister almost died. If any of his sisters were poisoned, Dalton would have gone crazy. So he tried to appear calm and collected while leaning against the wall.

—You never told me if you got to insult your father one last time.

[goldaegontargaryen]

For once, Aegon’s day had actually been calm.  The meeting he’d had scheduled with the heir of House Sunglass had been canceled due to his lord father having to deal with a sudden dispute on his land.  The heir to House Sunglass had been one of Aegon’s drinking buddies and Aegon was slightly sad not to have the chance to meet with him.  His afternoon was free though, and Aegon intended to take advantage of that by getting in a midday nap.  He’d always found it easier to sleep during the day than he did at night, another one of his quirks that had endlessly frustrated his mother when he’d been young.  

He’d just settled back in his chair and closed his eyes when he heard the doors to his room be pushed open.  There were few people who would stride into his chambers without announcing themselves and Aegon wasn’t expecting any of them to be back for at least a few hours.  He opened his eyes to see Dalton Greyjoy and things quickly made sense.  Dalton wouldn’t care to formally introduce himself.  Aegon slowly sat up, taking in the slight shiftiness of Dalton’s eyes and the unexpected nature of the visit.  They’d had a nice day sailing together, but in the chaos after the funeral they’d yet been able to seek each other out.  “Hmm yes and no.  I decided not to see him in the end, but I suppose that’s an insult in itself.  I think it would have made things worse for me if I had.  He wasn’t very lucid in the end and there’s no telling what he would have said.”  Aegon had almost expected to regret that final decision, but so far he hadn’t.  He didn’t think very fondly of his father, but he was happy that his last memories of him were from before he’d been on death’s door, hardly knowing where or who he was.  

“Is there something you need?  You seem a bit tense.”  Aegon didn’t know Dalton particularly well, but he did seem a bit unsettled about something.  He had a feeling that Dalton’s unsettled was another person’s panic.  “Is everyone treating you and your wives decently at court?  I can step in if there’s a problem.”  Aegon was not the most diplomatic person so him stepping in would be anything but subtle, but he’d already taken a liking to Dalton and he didn’t like the idea of the other man having to deal with the derision of the court.  He doubted it mattered much to him, but his wives and children were possibly more vulnerable to the opinions of others.  Aegon knew rumors were constantly flying about the Greyjoy lord for various reasons, but if anyone had gotten particularly nasty Aegon would find a way to handle it if that’s what Dalton wished.

[crimson-kraken]

Dalton walked towards Aegon and rested his arms on one chair's top rall that was left in front of Aegon. Literally no one would think to search for Dalton inside Aegon's chambers, so the paranoia slowly left his body. He stared at Aegon, his children called it his planning murder face, but it was actually his focused face, because Dalton himself wasn't even sure what was happening.

—No, I mean... yes, but not —Dalton inhaled and exhaled. He hadn't even started talking and he was already tripping on his words. He sucked at asking for help. Dalton loathed having to ask for help. All his attempts ended up ignored or answered with terrible advice. « He said he never had to deal with in-laws, fucking weird. Would he understand? »

—I have a wife named Tess. She's my first wife, redhead, freckles, insults and punches like a sailor... I mean she is a sailor. She punched my other wife, Genna, who I haven't seen in a while now... Because it's Genna. She has the best gossip but always insults people so everyone hates Genna and Genna hates everyone.

He made a small pause, hopefully his marriages weren't so confusing that Aegon would get lost.

—Apparently, Genna now has a black eye and I'm getting the blame. I didn't do it. I was sleeping with Lysa until fifteen, twenty? minutes ago. And I mean actual sleeping, not a metaphor for sex or something like that. I'm still wearing my nightgown and everything. I'm getting sidetracked. Genna's father saw the black eye and started threatening to kill me or at least that's what Tess told me because I'm not finding out on my own.

Dalton decided to finally sit and leaned into the chair. Saying it aloud made it feel absurd. It probably was. He was now staring at the ceiling. Maybe he was so used to the chaos that it didn't surprise him. Being used to the chaos didn't make him immune to getting so exhausted afterwards. « Am I getting old? »

—It hopefully gets cleared on its own today, but until it happens I was planning on hiding and you seem like someone who knows how to disappear from the Keep. Also, I could use some drinks and something to eat.

[goldaegontargaryen]

Aegon waited patiently for Dalton to speak.  His expression was severe, but Aegon figured the expression wasn’t aimed at him.  Dalton’s mind seemed to be occupied, mulling over whatever problem had bothered him enough to send him to Aegon’s chambers for help.  He watched quietly as the other man stumbled over his words, wondering what could have unsettled someone as competent at fighting as Dalton.  Not every problem could be solved with a sword or a punch to the face, but the threat of them helped most situations.  

When the explanation did come, Aegon felt sympathy for his friend.  He couldn’t imagine having to mediate drama between twenty-two different people all with different personalities and among those who loved him to some degree.  Aegon doubted every single one of Dalton’s wives was in love with him, but some of them had to be and he could only imagine the drama that came with having to share his attention.  The fact that there were fights between his wives was hardly unsurprising.  Even before they had been married and Aegon had been unsure if he even wanted to marry Helaena, he hadn’t taken it well when other men showed interest in her.  Aegon couldn’t imagine sharing his partner with anyone else.  He would be too intimidated that his partner loved the other person more than him.  “I suppose he won’t believe you if you explain that it wasn’t you, given your reputation.”  Frankly, Aegon thought the whole situation warranted a conversation before moving directly to murder, but after thinking about what he would do if he thought someone had harmed Jaehaera, he quickly decided Dalton’s situation was deadly serious.  A Lannister may not have access to a dragon, but they had access to copious amounts of gold and that was almost as dangerous.  

“Don’t worry, I can keep you out of sight from the nobility for a few hours.  If things don’t resolve themselves on their own, I can speak to Genna’s father myself.”  Aegon stood from his chair and strode towards his armoire, digging towards the back before triumphantly pulling out a dark black cloak.  Dalton was a larger man than him, but he’d once accidentally mixed up his cloak with that of a visiting knight at a tavern who was around Dalton’s size.  He gave Dalton the cloak with a smile.  “Here.  I doubt you’ll be recognized where we’re going, but just in case you should wear this.”  

Aegon grabbed his own cloak and stashed his trusty knife underneath it.  Luckily, Dalton’s large presence should ward off any thieves, but he felt more comfortable having the weapon close by, especially in case Dalton needed back up if Genna’s father’s men found them.  It was unlikely, but Aegon wanted to be prepared.  “Follow me.  There’s an entrance to the tunnels behind this panel over here.”  Aegon had specifically chosen this room because of its access to the tunnels in case he and his family ever needed to make a quick escape from the Red Keep undetected. 

[crimson-kraken]

—I really doubt Lord Lannisport can be calmed simply by talking to him. I've been stealing his gold for two decades now, he has enough reasons to hate me. Honestly I think he sucks at protecting his castle. With so much gold under his name, he should have gotten better guards by now.

Dalton enjoyed raiding Lannisport way more than he should. The Lannister's gold had paid for the Iron Islands' food during the last winter and for once no family had to starve together. His wife Rohanne knew the city's defenses better than anyone and was often next to him when he planned his attacks. Dalton didn't hate the Lannister, he just happened to own the closest and richest port. Rohanne on the other hand loathed her father and was always eagerly waiting for the next raid. « We bonded over our hate for our fathers. »

He took the cloak with curious eyes. « It's been years since I hid under a cloak. » He used to do it almost daily after he inherited his lordship; hoping to hide from everything and everyone. « I met Lysa under a cloak like this one. » The memory made him smile as he put on the fabric.

Dalton heard about the Red Keep's secret tunnels but never imagined he would use one of them himself. The idea of a hidden entrance to his own chambers that he had no knowledge of was a little stressful, hopefully there were no tunnels leading to Dalton's room. If they existed, he didn't want to know... yet. He followed Aegon, questioning how long it took him to learn the correct paths and turns. Time seemed to stop on the silent, dark and dusty hallways. Dalton got lost immediately, but Aegon walked with confidence and somehow guided both of them towards an exit.

King's Landing was mostly unknown to Dalton. He only knew the city's port. He knew the wonders the place had to offer, but he wasn't interested in visiting the Silk street nor the Dragon Pit and instead stayed inside the Red Keep.

—Everyone always says the city smells terrible and for some reason I found it odd that it's true. Somehow it managed to make me miss Pyke. It stinks like fish on Lordsport but over the Sea tower it smells like the ocean. Finally I have one thing that's better on the Iron Islands than in King's Landing. I'm gonna be so annoying about it.

His brother Veron always said that Dalton could stand to be on Pyke for longer than a week and he was right. He hated the memories trapped inside the walls. The Raven was his home. His true home. « If my home could sail around the world, why wouldn't I do it? » Once he was sure his lords wouldn't kill each other if Dalton left, he set his eyes on the east and traveled all the way to Asshai. « The food is terrible. I thought it couldn't get worse than Slaver's Bay, but it did. » He decided to sail only around Westeros after that.

—Where are we going, exactly?

[goldaegontargaryen]

Aegon supposed as a prince of the realm he should have cared that one of the lords from the Great Houses was consistently getting money stolen from him.  While Aegon wasn’t King, he supposed the protector of the realm title was probably supposed to apply to princes as well.  But frankly, Aegon didn’t care.  The feud between the Lannisters and Greyjoys was no business of his and Dalton had been a far better friend to him than the lord of house Lannister.  Aegon was more than happy to turn the other way when it came to any mention of his friends raiding practices as long as they didn’t affect his allies or anyone he cared about.  

The tunnels he and Dalton traveled through were deeply familiar to Aegon, though even he hadn’t explored every single one.  It was easy to get lost and there were additional hidden tunnels branching off from the main ones whose entrances were exceptionally well concealed.  As Maegor had intended, Aegon doubted there was anyone alive today who knew about every single tunnel the Red Keep held.  Luckily, Aegon had used this particular tunnel to take him down near the main market square enough times that he could have walked it with his eyes closed.  Once they reached the end of the tunnel, Aegon roughly shoved open the iron gate that covered the exit before shutting it behind them both.  The tunnel opened up into a dark, slightly grimy dead end alley.  He smiled up at Dalton, mind already turning on where the best place to spend the day and lay low would be.  

“The market is only a few streets over and you can trade or buy almost anything there.  Merchants come from all over to sell their wares in King’s Landing.  It’s easy to disappear into the crowd.  There are the taverns of course, and a few dance halls though some are more respectable than others.”  All the establishments had dancing, but many were essentially brothels that used the dancing as a precursor for other activities.  Aegon had frequented many of those places in his youth, but more often to simply dance than he was sure many people would have expected of him.  “There’s a great place to gamble near the harbor, but we should probably stay away from the water.”  

As Aegon continued to think over their options, he noticed a slight bit of movement at the end of the alley.  He slightly turned his head to take in the sight of three men who had been walking past the alley but had suddenly stopped at the end of it after spotting Aegon and Dalton.  They had started talking in hushed tones to each other, eyes darting towards Aegon and Dalton every few moments.  A sense of unease slowly washed over him and Aegon reached beneath his cloak to tap his knife for reassurance.  “I say we go to the market first,” he decided, though he couldn’t help but think about the fact that to leave the alley they would have to move past the three men at the end of it.  

He pasted on his brightest smile and strode to the end of the alley.  “It’s nice weather today, isn’t it?  If you could just excuse me, my friend and I need to get by.”  

The man in the center of the group, broad shouldered with messy dark hair and dirty fingernails, looked at Aegon unimpressed.  “We got every right to stand here, but maybe we could be convinced to move for a price.  I’m sure no pretty noble boy like you wants any trouble.”  

Aegon resisted the urge to roll his eyes, but he figured paying them off would end the dispute and get him and Dalton on their way faster.  Just as he reached for a few extra coins, the man to his right reached out and yanked the hood of Aegon’s cloak down, revealing his white blonde hair.  The expression on the group leader's face instantly turned from one of disinterested boredom to sharp greed.  “Well, will you look at that.  Looks like we’ve caught ourselves a prince.”  

[crimson-kraken]

Dalton followed Aegon in silence, nodding to the Prince's words. He had seen a fair share of ports and therefore; markets. He knew the world's wonders could be found anywhere if one actually cared enough to search. For a second he considered looking for any interesting weapons; maybe a dothraki arakh, Dalton wanted to learn how to use one.

—I don't have spare money to spend gambling.

Suddenly, Dalton realized he didn't bring any money at all. « Aegon has enough to pay for both of us? » Dalton didn't mind sharing the same meal if they were short on money but he doubted that was in Aegon's plans. Dalton thought of a good way to tell Aegon that any plan they had should be on the cheaper side until he saw the alley they were about to cross.

The alleyway with three men, looked like a very obvious robbery about to happen. Maybe even a kidnapping if they were smart enough. Dalton always was the one to guess how much to ask for ramson, but never the one on the other side. « How much would Amarys pay for me? Would she even pay? » He started to have a little crisis over how much his siblings would pay for him, the Iron Islands weren't exactly known for having spare gold. Dalton knew if he ever got kidnapped his siblings would laugh at the fact for years. « Veron would make me pay back my own ramson. » As he started to make the math of how wild one could go for a prince's ramson, poor naive Aegon tried to cross the alleyway with words and Dalton contained the need to laugh. He missed not having an archer watching his back. He grew a little reckless while fighting because he knew someone was vigilant. Maybe Aegon felt that reckless way Dalton had on the Raven now that he had his own intimidating protector. « I miss when Esgred was the Raven's archer, she could shoot them from the farthest corner and somehow it would always hit. »

Aegon's technique for knives was terrible. How was he planning to stab with such a bad grasp. « Even Rodrick can hold a knife properly. » But Dalton knew it wasn't the moment to correct stabbing methods. The men had shown their true intentions and Dalton decided he could really use their money. Aegon got unhooded, revealing his silver hair and canceling any explanation, negotiation or lie Dalton could come up with.

He sighed and took out his knife. It wouldn't be as effective as his scythe but Dalton could manage. Three people against two. It gave the strangers the advantage. Aegon seemed like someone who never had to fight in his life, so Dalton thought how to turn a three versus one into a victory. The one to the center was probably the leader, but that meant the other two would protect him the most. « How close a group of thieves truly can be? » Dalton knew the life of crimes could end with the weakest or the strongest bonds between people.

A shame for them, men die so easily. The guy didn't notice the knife cutting his throat. If they thought they could rob them easily, they were so wrong. The body slowly dropped to the floor and the pair of men looked at each other, bewildered. One has long blonde hair and the other has no hair at all. Dalton raised his knife, aimed at the closest man at his left, the bald one.

—Hopefully the pair of you has better last words prepared.

Seeking vengeance or maybe victory, the one blond one, closest to Aegon, reached for his own blade. Dalton trusted the Prince knew how to dodge before punching the bald man into the wall. The man's head hits the wall as he drops to the floor, but Dalton knows his own strength enough to guess the man was still alive. He grabs the blonde man mid-attack from behind and trusts Aegon to notice his signal to punch him.

When their fight was over, the pair decided to escape instead of dying with their partner. Dalton sees them run away before returning his attention to the corpse on the floor. His clothing was stained with blood but Dalton looted his pockets and found a decent amount of silver and a new knife for his collection. Finally he looked at Aegon, trying to analyze his face before asking.

—First time seeing someone die? So directly, I mean.

His question was genuine, Dalton didn't meditate on how a sudden death would affect the Prince. If it would affect him in the first place. He tried to reason; attacking a Prince would be treason, the robbers would end dead one way or another. The gold cloaks wouldn't defend them, so Dalton acted. After a lifetime of growing up around murder, Dalton grew desensitized to death. He looked at Aegon's purple eyes hoping he didn't accidentally traumatize him.

[goldaegontargaryen]

The Gods truly hated him, though perhaps that was only fair since Aegon didn’t really believe in them.  He’d been trying to get Dalton to safety and instead dragged him into a fight simply because of the dangers of being in his company.  Aegon yanked his knife out, pointing it towards the leader.  It was a small, almost delicate looking thing made out of Valyrian steel.  At the sight of it, the man laughed.  “Stay away!” Aegon snarled, hoping his bravado made up for the lack of intimidation his small weapon and princely background gave him.  To his surprise, the man’s look suddenly turned to one of terror.  Aegon blinked in astonishment feeling a bit of pride flow through him.  He really must have been quite fearsome looking if–

Before he could finish the thought, a knife flashed over his head and across the throat of the criminal in front of him.  Aegon leaped back in a panic, though a quick glance to the side confirmed it had been Dalton who had come to his defense.  Aegon was just as bewildered as the criminals.  Not because Dalton could fight, that was a fact everyone knew about the Greyjoy lord, but that he had jumped so readily to Aegon’s defense.  The blonde man to his right recovered first, yanking out a knife of his own as the bald man attempted to attack Dalton.  Aegon had never been a fighter, but he’d been running from his problems, both physically and emotionally, his entire life.  As the blond man swung towards him, Aegon feinted as if he was going to counter with a strike of his own before changing direction at the last second to duck underneath the blade heading towards him and to move past the man.  

Normally, this would have been the moment Aegon desperately ran off and hoped he either bumped into a gold cloak or managed to lose the thieves in a crowd.  But Dalton was still here and Aegon didn’t want to abandon him.  To his relief, Dalton had already turned his attention to Aegon and his attacker, somehow having completely incapacitated the bald man in the few seconds Aegon had been engaged with the other man.  In a sudden movement Aegon could hardly track, Dalton already had the other man caught in his arms and Aegon responded to his signal with a sense of deep satisfaction as he punched the man in front of him.  

He watched in a sort of awe as the two men sprinted away from them.  He’d never won a fight thoroughly enough to have his opponent run in the other direction away from him.  He felt his stomach turn slightly as he turned his gaze towards the man on the ground in front of them.  Aegon had seen a few men killed in his time, mostly in the depths of Flea Bottom over unpaid debts and altercations that escalated too far.  He certainly didn’t begrudge Dalton for going through the man’s pockets, it was the Ironborn way, but Aegon couldn’t force himself to look for more than a few seconds.  Deep down, he knew the other man would have killed him and left him in the same position if he’d thought it would have benefited him, but Aegon still took no joy in seeing him dead.  “It’s the first time I’ve been involved…well, not that I really did anything of note.  I’ve seen executions before and bar fights where someone died.”  He wondered how sheltered of a life that seemed to Dalton, who had been raiding shores and killing men ever since he was Aegon’s son’s age.  Violent death wasn’t a true part of Aegon’s world and he felt that was a blessing.  

He glanced up to meet Dalton’s eyes, tucking his knife back underneath his cloak.  “Thank you for stepping in.  You didn’t have to do that for me.”  A part of him insisted that Dalton would have fought for anyone with a decent enough excuse, but deep down, another part of him insisted that him and Dalton fighting side by side had instead been a mark of friendship.  Besides his brothers, Aegon couldn’t imagine who else would fight for him beyond doing so out of their obligation to protect a prince of the realm.  “I owe you a drink for protecting me and a nice one too.” 

[crimson-kraken]

Aegon didn't look absolutely terrified of Dalton after just seeing him murder someone in front of him and Dalton could already feel the relief over his whole body. With the knowledge he didn't accidentally traumatize the Prince for the rest of their lives, he finally let a sigh out.

—Good, because I actually left all my money on the Keep. I was about to tell you before... —He vaguely pointed out the surrounding alleyway— all this.

Dalton stepped away from the corpse, a little proud of himself because he didn't get any drop of blood on his clothes. He stored his new belongings in his pockets before leaving the bloody smell on the street behind. He loved the adrenaline during battle and never got tired of it, but killing a man today wasn't on his plans.

—Now, I don't know who taught you how to hold a knife, but it sucked. Technically, it wasn't wrong but there's a more efficient way to grab a knife. Look.

Dalton used his newly acquired knife to show a few different grips while they left the alleyway.

When they arrived at the market, they were surrounded by dozens of street sellers; all screaming prices and offers for their merchandise. They were selling from basic foods to the strangest of spices; silks from the free cities; blades a man swore were made of valyrian steel —Dalton didn't believe him at all. A few women had freshly made pie and Dalton bought a piece using his stolen money and ate it as he kept walking.

« Holly shit. »

Dalton couldn't believe his own eyes. He had visited a lot of ports in his life and walked through enough markets to know how rare the object in front of him was. His beloved dothraki arakh existed. « Everything a man could wish on a weapon. » It was in front of him. Real and tangible. Stupidly expensive, too.

—Does it have gold or something? That price isn't fair for steel. —He demanded an explanation. The sellman spoke the braavosi trade language and Dalton started to negotiate in the foreign language with him. He went from annoyance to pleading faster than he would have wished.

The man wouldn't take his coat as payment, even when Dalton proved it was decorated with Myrish lace and in perfect condition. « What's the point of stealing Myrish ships if I can sell their things? » Defeated, he looked at Aegon and put his hands on the Prince's shoulders.

—How much gold do you have? I'll pay you back... or it could be a gift for saving you. I won't complain. I offer you my ever lasting friendship and love, you could go out sailing with the rest of us; my brother Veron will tell you to not bring your wife because it's a men's night out... but the unspoken rule between Cerrick and me is to always bring our wives and lastly the threat of randomly braiding your hair to seal this deal.

Dalton was really close to start begging, but he stopped himself before it happened. In case Aegon didn't accept, Dalton was already planning his robbery. There were no gold cloaks around and he thrived at escaping chaos. Aegon would probably know how to return to the Red Keep faster than a foreign or in the worst case, they could simply hide.

—I swear to not murder anyone else if you buy it. —Dalton wasn't sure if the promise helped, but he did it anyway.

[goldaegontargaryen]

“I’ll have you know that I was trained to hold a knife by some of the best knights in the Kingdom,” Aegon protested.  “Though to be honest, I think the main point I got out of all of their teaching was that the important part was to stab someone else and not yourself.”  Aegon had been a more dedicated fighter when he was younger, but he’d lost interest in the activity in his later teen years.  Drinking and partying had come to the forefront of his interests and his frustration at his younger brother’s skill steadily surpassing his own hadn’t made the activity any more enjoyable when he was continually being shoved into the dirt.  Still, he mimicked the way Dalton gripped the stolen knife with his own, easily able to feel the difference in the security of the hold.  “Okay, maybe there actually is something to this after all,” he conceded, putting the knife back under his cloak.

Despite what they’d just endured, Aegon couldn’t keep the bounce out of his step as he entered the market.  He had never taken great joy in shopping as some did, but he loved the chaos of the different merchants yelling out advertisements for their wares, the bright colors from imported silks and items from around the world, and the press of people around him as they moved throughout the square.  Aegon loved to watch people go past, imagining what life might be like for each person who caught his eye.  Today though, he was more than happy to follow Dalton to wherever he wanted to go, chuckling softly when their first stop was at a vendor selling fresh pie.  Aegon grabbed and paid for a slice for himself after Dalton, following his friend’s gaze as it zeroed in on a man selling weapons, many that appeared to be from Essos.  

He watched as Dalton haggled with the man over the price, though he didn’t understand what the two were saying.  The only thing he could gather was that the man’s price was exorbitantly high from the frustrated expression on Dalton’s face as he argued.  He was slightly surprised when Dalton suddenly spun around and grabbed his shoulders, begging him to buy the curved sword for him.  Secretly, Aegon probably would have gotten the sword for Dalton if he had simply asked. He already considered Dalton a friend and there was very little Aegon wouldn't do for his friends, especially for a request as small as this. However, the additional promises had certainly helped. “You saved my life.  The least I can do is buy this weird curved sword for you.  How is that even used properly anyway?”  Aegon didn’t recognize it at first glance, but to be fair, he didn’t know much about the lands across the Narrow Sea.  “But I’m holding you to the promise of another sailing trip.  I’m not sure if Helaena would want to sail, but I’ll ask her.”

The vendor was eyeing him closely as Aegon approached, clearly having witnessed Dalton’s conversation with him.  Aegon pointed to the strange curved sword.  “How much?”

As expected, the price he received was ridiculously high.  Aegon pointed back towards Dalton.  “That’s Dalton Greyjoy, lord of the Iron Islands.  He’s here for the Queen’s coronation along with his entire family.  That means all 22 wives and the majority of his children and the crews of their ships.  Do you know what Greyjoys and Iron Islanders love more than anything else in the world?  Weapons.  Do us a favor and give us that at a discounted price as a sign of good faith and your shop will be overrun with Iron Islanders stocking up for their next raid.  You sell out of weapons that I’m fairly certain the average Westerosi citizen has no interest in and we get a decent price on this.  I’ll even throw in a prince’s favor from me.”  Aegon gave the man his most charming smile.

Moments later, Aegon was returning to Dalton with the weird sword in hand having paid a slightly ridiculous, but more fair sum than had been originally proposed. He passed it over to Dalton.  “Here you are.  You might have to send a few of your children and wives to get weapons from him, but I think he’ll be willing to be more lenient when he sees how much business you can bring in.” 

[crimson-kraken]

—The Dothraki arakh, it has a crescent moon-shaped, curved blade and a thick handle, making it half-sword and half-scythe. So to use it you have to know both weapons. I'm very confident fighting with both weapons. You had to see men's faces when I pull a scythe into the battlefield. They never know how to counter attack. I know my blade Nightfall has a reputation of its own, but I'm planning to gift it to my son Toron on his next nameday. So I'll need something to replace it. Any name suggestions? Maybe something ocean themed... I love Nightfall as a name though. The Fallen... The Deepbreath. Oh, I like that one, but it's not the most intimidating name... The Omen. How does it sound?

Dalton wasn't actively looking for a replacement, but he loved to name weapons. When his kids grew enough to name their own steel, Dalton was a little mad he no longer had the excuse to name all of Alannys' knives and Toron's swords. The thing he enjoyed the most as master of ships was naming the boats, it wasn't the same.

—If your wife doesn't come, we could bring the kids. My youngest has similar age as your eldest. I'm sure they'll have fun together. — « Damn, now I feel old. » Convincing Penny to not bite anyone would be a problem, but Dalton decided not to worry for things he couldn't control.

He saw Aegon talked to the merchant and got a little mad he actually understood common tongue. « I suppose it makes sense, we are in Westeros. » If anything, he preferred to remember it as Dalton having descent Braavosi, so good he didn't need common tongue.

—Honestly, no one had throw my title and wives so they could get something. So I'm impressed it worked. It worked. —The revelation hit Dalton a little bit late. Until Aegon placed the weapon into Dalton's hands. He jumped and danced a little. He was existed. —My uncle used to tell us stories about how the Dothraki were the most efficient warriors on Essos, only bested by the Unsullied. When I was two-and-ten they sounded like the role model for my life. Warriors who never knew defeat. I traveled all across Essos hoping to see one. Unfortunately for me, dothraki never go close to the sea, but in my journey I met four of my wives and Ravella gave me a daughter a few years later, so I'm not complaining.

Promising weapons for ironborn could go wrong in a lot of ways, really fast. Dalton had the feeling everyone in his family was already packed to the teeth with weapons already, but they'd buy more anyways if given the chance.

—My daughter Alannys wants even more knives, I'll tell her to come later. —Dalton hope his daughter wouldn't murder anyone after getting her blades. But if Alannys killed someone, she probably had a reason.— I'm sure your market has even more things to show, but the ladies' pie left me more hungry than before. Do you know a place with warm food? I'm not picky, but it would be nice to enjoy food next to the fire.

[goldaegontargaryen]

Aegon couldn’t help but feel proud of himself as he saw the look of awe spread across his friend’s face.  He still didn’t get what appealed to Dalton about the strange weapon, but it made him glad the other man was happy.  At the very least, he could understand how the weapon would confuse anyone fighting with a simple sword.  Aegon couldn’t begin to imagine how to fight against the strange, curved blade Dalton held in his hands.  “Of course using your title worked.  The one thing you can’t escape in this life is your family name, so you might as well use it for whatever advantages it holds.  Besides, you’re my sister’s Master of Ships now.  That’s a position that commands respect in both the court and from the smallfolk.  You ensure their safety by taking care of our fleet and naval defenses.  You’re not a simple pirate any more.  You’re a man of the court.”  Aegon hoped his words didn’t offend the other man, though he certainly didn’t mean for them to be insulting.  They were simply true.  The Greyjoys had a certain reputation in Westeros, one that could be used to Dalton’s advantage, but even now that reputation was changing and morphing into something new with Dalton’s appointment to the Small Council.  As someone who had felt trapped by the legacy of his last name for his entire life, Aegon was easily able to see the weight a name lent to others.  

“I didn’t admire the Dothraki much, but I did love tales about the Ironborn as a child.  I liked the idea of their freedom.  For a long time, I wished desperately for the chance to sail away to Essos.  I’m glad you were able to visit.  You’ll have to tell me stories about what it’s like some day.”  One day, maybe he and Dalton could go together.  The political climate was too tumultuous at the moment for either of them to be able to leave for such an extended period of time, but maybe in a few years Aegon could satisfy his childhood self who had yearned to travel the world and maybe they could meet the famous Dothraki that a young Dalton had once hoped to meet.  

“There’s a tavern near here that has decent food.  One of their cooks makes the best sweets in King’s Landing.”  Most of the food in King’s Landing was worse than the fare offered in the castle, which made sense.  The best cooks from all over Westeros flocked to the Red Keep to work in its kitchens, but Aegon had yet to taste sweets at the castle that were better than the ones made at this tavern.  He took off through the crowd, leading Dalton through a maze of streets towards the slightly nicer part of town where the tavern was located.

[goldaegontargaryen]

Wanted Character Connection

Jaehaerys Targaryen

Aegon Targaryen is searching for his son Jaehaerys Targaryen for @asongofgoldenfireandblackblood

The eldest child of Prince Aegon and Princess Helaena, Jaehaerys is 10 years old, the twin of Jaehaera, and a prince of the realm. As Prince Aegon's heir, now expected to inherit Dragonstone, his upbringing is under close scrutiny by the court, and indeed all of Westeros. Jaehaerys is bonded to the dragon Shrykos, who hatched in his cradle, though his mount is not large enough to ride yet. He is known for his shy nature and intelligence, but has a tendency to become rude and emotional in stressful situations.

(Suggested faceclaim is Dean Charles-Chapman in Game of Thrones)

Jaehaerys is also wanted by @helaenasdreamfyres

His twin Jaehaera Targaryen is also open to apply for as well!

To learn more about the Targaryens of Dragonstone, click here!

We are a No-Dance!AU and politics, family, and court-drama focused RP. To join, check out our main site, DM us with any questions, then send us a raven app, and join our Discord!

Feel free to DM this blog if you have any additional questions or if you want to talk about the RP!

Note: Character traits, and faceclaim are suggestions and can be reworked to a certain extent if discussed with the current members of the RP!

[goldaegontargaryen]

Safe Harbor: with @thedaringprince

It had taken some time, but celebrations had slowly crept their way back into the Red Keep.  There were namedays to be celebrated and many lords felt it was a blow to their egos to let the day go by uncelebrated.  Many of the events had been made smaller than usual in “concession to the Queen’s recovering health,” but that had seemed to simply mean there would be two cakes served instead of three.  In truth, once the castle had recovered from the shock of the poisoning and the other lords had decided they weren’t in harm’s way, many of the Red Keep’s daily activities had gone back to normal.  

For once, Aegon wasn’t in the mood for a party.  He didn’t want to pretend to care that some random lord was a year older or resist the urge to tell said lord another nameday simply meant he was a year closer to being dead.  But already, his absence to the returning events at the Red Keep had been noticed.  Some chalked it up to simple anxiety because of his sister’s poisoning, but others whispered it was a sign of guilt.  As baseless as the rumors were, Aegon didn’t want to continue to feed them so he forced himself to dress up and make an appearance.  

The moment he stepped into the room, however, the lights and the people seemed to make his head spin.  He did not want to be here.  He had not been feeling well.  Ever since the poisoning, he’d been carrying around the weight of unceasing stress on his shoulders that only seemed to get worse the longer the poisoner evaded capture.  Aegon didn’t feel particularly charitable to any of these people and didn’t want to spend time socializing with them.  What he wanted was to be curled up under the covers of his bed with a glass of wine close at hand to help him think and worry about nothing at all.  

Just as he was about to truly despair over his situation, he spotted Daeron across the room.  Aegon let out a sigh of relief, quickly pushing through the crowd so he could reach his brother.  “Daeron,” he said, his voice holding a tinge of desperation, uncaring that he had interrupted whatever conversation his brother had previously been having.  “I need something to drink.  Desperately.”  He quickly looped his arm through his brother’s, tugging him in a random direction with the hope that was where the refreshments table was located.

[thejacaerys]

Daeron had been sitting alongside the side of the party. He was already drinking alongside with having ladies wrapped around his finger. It wasn’t his fault he was pretty… and women approached him.

“Darling,” He looked up at the lady Elinor… his own twin sister’s lady in waiting. “My sister wouldn’t like seeing you all wrapped around my finger…”

Her arms were wrapped around his neck… as she rested her head on his neck… “She doesn’t care, she would rather see her lady happy than be upset..”

Daeron sighed as he kissed her hand, he drank from his goblet. She ran her fingers through his hair… trying to somewhat comfort him. It was always like that… she loved him… but she was just one of his favorites.

Elinor looked down, as she sat next to him, “What’s on your mind?”

“Nothing…” He lied… knowing he would see right through her. Elinor touched his hands, looking into his eyes.

He kissed her cheek trying to get her mind off of him. He saw his brother walking through the door. Lady Elinor stood up… realizing the prince would celebrate with his brother…. So she got up… kissed Daeron’s cheek before excusing herself.

Daeron touched her arm as she left and he looked at Aegon.

“Already need a drink?” he got up as he was dragged away by his brother. Daeron grabbed his goblet needing a refill of his wine.

Daeron saw Elinor approaching other men and he sighed… before he cursed under his breath. Though he knew there was no point, of being jealous.

He had a lot of women… and men… fawn over him… but something about Elinor was different. When they approached the drink table, he took the pitcher and refilled his cup.

“Why is love so complicated?” He tilted his head slightly drunkly at his brother. He took one big gulp of his drink, and one shotted it down.

He made a sour face, as he wrapped his arms around his brother’s neck for support from falling. “I love you…”

He was already slurring his words… already… his alcohol tolerance being absolutely too weak. He was giggling looking at the crowd from afar.

[goldaegontargaryen]

Aegon let out a sigh of relief as they reached the refreshments table, grabbing a filled cup and desperately taking a long sip.  The relief he felt was instant, even though he knew he was far from reaching the point where he would be drunk enough to actually come close to enjoying the gathering.  Simply having a drink in his hand made him feel more confident and calm.  He knew that was probably a flaw and that he shouldn’t rely on drinking so much as a social crutch, but at times he couldn’t help himself.  The world around him and his own emotions often felt sharp enough to cut right through him.  One of the only things that dulled the edges was the sweet indifference alcohol brought to his mind.  

Feeling more settled, Aegon followed the line of his brother’s gaze to a woman who was standing across the room chatting with a few of the other party guests.  She was pretty in an understated way and once he caught sight of her face, he distantly recognized her as being Rhaenya’s lady in waiting named Elinor.  He supposed she was the woman Daeron had chosen to bestow his attention on tonight.  Aegon didn’t bother keeping up with his brother’s romantic life, though he did think seducing their sister’s lady had the potential to get messy but Aegon certainly wasn’t going to insert himself into that mess.  “Love isn’t complicated.  It’s everything that surrounds love that is complicated.  Besides, I don’t think you love her.  You’re just drunk and trust me, I know the difference.”  Aegon smiled, amused by his brother’s drunken antics.  He truly couldn’t hold his liquor which brought endless amusement to Aegon whenever Daeron drank at parties.  

Aegon stumbled under the unexpected weight of his brother stumbling against him, though he managed to catch himself before they could both go tumbling.  The earnest words from Daeron surprised him, but they warmed his heart all the same.  Out of all his other siblings besides Helaena, Aegon had always found it easiest to talk to Daeron.  His bright and kind personality was easily able to drown out Aegon’s darker thoughts and he never made it a secret that he cared about Aegon.  “I love you too, brother.  But I think you should probably slow down on the drinking before you declare your love to Elinor in the middle of the dance floor.  She seems the type to take such a drunken confession quite seriously.”  Aegon didn’t actually know if that was true, he hardly knew Elinor at all, but he knew many ladies and quite a few men were quite infatuated with Daeron and would be overjoyed to take any sign of affection as a declaration of unending love.  It was the curse his brother had to bear for his charm.  

“You’re doing well?” Aegon couldn’t help but ask.  He hoped none of his other siblings carried the same worries and anxieties that he did.  Daeron seemed happy enough, but that was an easy thing to fake.  Then again, people liked Daeron a great deal more than they liked him.  He doubted the rumors of betrayal were as likely to reach his ears as they were Aegon’s.

[thejacaerys]

He listened to his brother yap about the way love worked. The alcohol was already buzzing in his head just all of Aegon’s words slipping one ear out the other.

This wasn’t common, well he partied a lot, he was more like Aegon than he realized. Daeron was quite the mess already, and it was driving him insane.

There was a clear different between him and his twin… and it was strange. He turned to face Aegon again, who seemed calm. He drank another goblet full of wine.

The taste of wine was getting to be normal once again, that taste. Something about being out in the wild had him in an enjoyment. He turned to Aegon, “* won’t confess my lov- ELINOR!” he yelled.

The prince was getting drunk enough and he felt his brother’s hands over his face. Daeron was usually this crazy… and probably sank into his reputation.

He liked the freedom, the parties… the ladies… the men. He liked all of it. He turned to Aegon… “I’m doing… well, I think… I’m drunk, but I cannot tell,”

It was clear the wine difference was insane, the cheap wine compared to the expensive. It was something that he could tell made him drunk even more. “How are you? How are the kids?”

He remembered, he had something along the lines of twin niece and nephew like Him and Rhaenya… and Aegon had another son. Daeron’s head was pounding like crazy, he slightly put his head down as he tilted his head to still look at Aegon.

Daeron’s hair was looking messy and his charisma looked washed out. “How do you constantly drink…?”

His slurring words with his constantly questions… everyone knew. He was drunker than he should’ve. He looked at Aegon again,

“i love you,”

[goldaegontargaryen]

Aegon could tell Daeron was much too far gone to listen in closely to his words.  It was honestly a relief to see his brother looking so relaxed and free.  Clearly he didn’t carry any of the burdens Aegon did, which was good.  Out of all his siblings, Daeron had always been the brightest spot of sunshine, the most untouched by the darkness and anxiety that had somehow crept into all of their hearts.  Aegon grabbed a goblet of water off the table, flinching as his brother yelled out his paramour’s name into his ear.  The lady in question turned to look at them with questioning eyes, but Aegon waved her away as subtly as he was able to with a goblet in one hand and his other arm supporting the majority of his brother’s weight.  

“Brother, you are very drunk.  There’s no question about that,” Aegon confirmed, scanning the room for a quieter corner where he could sit with Daeron until he sobered up a bit.  He might have taken Daeron out of the room, but he had a feeling he would protest leaving the party entirely.  Aegon had copious experience handling drunk people, both others and himself.  “The lockdown was difficult for me,” he admitted.  “But now that it’s over I’m doing better and your company tonight has cheered me as well.  I had been afraid I would be forced to face this event alone.”  He would take his drunk brother’s company over that of anyone else tonight.  

Aegon guided Daeron towards a corner of the room towards a chair one of the servants had quickly pulled out for them when they noticed the pair of brothers approaching.  “I’ve had considerable practice and a high tolerance to alcohol of all kinds.  I’m also well aware of my limits.”  He often chose to go past them, but he certainly knew where they were and how much he could drink before he got to the point Daeron was currently at.  “Believe me, it’s better that it affects you so much.  You don’t want to be like me.”  

He held out the goblet of water he had grabbed to Daeron with an encouraging smile.  “Here, drink this.  It’ll help you feel better.”  He smiled at his brother’s second profession of love and couldn’t stop himself from ruffling his brother’s hair like he had once done when he was younger.  He tried not to do it often, respecting that Daeron was no longer the little kid Aegon sometimes still saw him as, but sometimes he couldn’t help himself.  “I love you too.  I’m glad you’re my brother even if you are terribly drunk right now.  It’ll be a miracle if you remember any of this in the morning.”  Aegon made a mental note to gather up the things he always needed to nurse a particularly bad hangover to leave in his brother’s chambers for the morning.

[thejacaerys]

Daeron was slurring his words and he was talking more and more and more. He was tiring himself out. He already was drunk and made an embarrassment of himself. The prince was quite never this drunk in front of Aegon, but he was so drunk.

The prince was took another sip before Aegon had replaced his cup with water. He sighed as he leaned on his shoulder. Daeron listened to Aegon, somehow he understood him, but wasn’t sure that he was going to remember what he said the next day.

Daeron slowly getting up, as he remembered sitting down in comfier spot, and he leaned against the wall and he sighed feeling the pain pounding his head.

He heard something about Aegon drinking, about something and something. He lifted his finger up, and put it against his lips, “Hush, too much talking and you are so loud,”

The drunk prince drank another cup of water and he was sighing as his head was pounding from all the alcohol. He loved his brother and he loved having his company just having Aegon here. Aegon was the one who was exciting fun and he liked partying and having fun. Then there was Aemond, quiet, interesting, just not his vibe. And there was him. Just a perfect mix of both of them. “my Favorite, brother,” he slurred as he leaned his head back onto Aegon’s shoulder.

[goldaegontargaryen]

Aegon was starting to realize Daeron was probably done with partying for tonight.  He could only hope he would be open to leaving now that he was completely out of it, instead of fighting to stay as Aegon probably would have done when he was Daeron’s age.  Luckily for him, Daeron tended to be more reasonable than Aegon had been.  “Daeron, I think it's time to–” he was cut off by his brother placing a finger over his lips to silence him.  

Aegon couldn’t help but laugh softly at the overexaggerated admonishing look on his brother’s face.  He dropped his voice to a loud whisper to apologize, “Sorry, but I think it’s time we take you back to your chambers so you can rest.  You look tired.”  If he wasn’t careful, he was worried Daeron would fall asleep in this chair and be passed out for the night.  Aemond may have been able to support Daeron’s weight in order to get him back to his room, but such a feat of strength was out of the question for Aegon who was also at least two inches shorter than his younger brother.  

He was about to gently suggest Daeron get up again, when he heard Daeron’s slurred words calling him his favorite brother.  Aegon was so caught off guard that he could only stare at Daeron in shock for a few moments.  “Now I really know you’re drunk if you’re declaring me your favorite brother.”  Aegon knew not to put much faith into what people revealed when they were dreadfully drunk, especially since Aegon happened to be the one by Daeron’s side at this very moment.  If it had been Aemond, he was sure Daeron would have said the same thing to him.  Still, Aegon had spent so many years feeling like he was no one’s favorite anything that to be called Daeron’s favorite brother, even while he was terribly drunk, warmed his chest and before he could stop himself he hugged Daeron tightly.  “You’re a better brother than I deserve, but I’m glad to have you.  Let me help you back to your room, okay?  I want to get you there before you pass out somewhere uncomfortable.  I’ve had way too much experience waking up in the worst places after passing out and it's never a good feeling.”  Thankfully, the last time Aegon had passed out in a place that wasn’t his room was when he’d accidentally stumbled into Rhaenya’s chambers on Dragonstone, but in the past he’d woken up in a random field, in the dragonpit curled up beside Sunfyre, and once in the back of a moving cart bound for Oldtown.  

[goldaegontargaryen]

Your Name is Your Legacy: with @aegontheyoungprince

Aegon knew the streets of Flea Bottom like the back of his own hand, which he thought was quite an accomplishment.  The streets and buildings weren’t built in nice lines and rows like the nicer parts of the city.  Instead, they snaked and weaved back in on themselves, buildings having been built wherever they were needed most, which left behind dark alleys and confusing side streets that were easy for a person to get lost in.  Aegon had made his way here to Flea Bottom for a celebratory drink.  His elder sister had assured him he wasn’t being suspected of her poisoning, which meant Aegon could finally relax for the first time in weeks.  Knowing that he wasn’t going to be thrown into a cell or fed to Syrax or Caraxes had brightened his mood considerably.  

He stopped outside his favorite tavern in the area and pulled the hood off his head.  He was well known inside and he had no worries about letting anyone know his identity once he was inside its doors.  As he was about to step in, he felt a person slam into him.  Aegon quickly whirled around, hand flying to his Valyrian steel dagger, gripping it in his hand exactly how Dalton had shown him only a few days before.  Once he saw who had run into him though, Aegon quickly relaxed.  It was a boy who was quite a bit shorter than him, clearly a child.  Not that children couldn’t be viscous little creatures, but even Aegon could defend himself against one.  “It’s alright,” he started, figuring the boy might be nervous if he had recognized he’d run into a prince of the kingdom.  Except as the boy slightly shifted, Aegon caught a glimpse of his face and stared.  “Aegon?  What are you doing here?”  

Rhaenyra surely didn’t know he was here.  In fact, Aegon had a sneaking suspicion his small namesake hadn’t told anyone.  Aegon certainly hadn’t when he’d started to make his trips here around Aeg’s own age.  “This is a lucky coincidence!  I was just longing for a drinking buddy and here you are!  Well, perhaps not drinking but I can teach you how to play dice inside.”  Aegon had started his heavy drinking at Aeg’s age, but as a parent himself, he could acknowledge that probably wasn’t the best habit to instill in children.  “Don’t worry, I think being curious about Flea Bottom is a right of passage for any prince.  I actually brought your brother Lucerys down here the other day, so you’re in his and my wonderful company when it comes to visiting this fine establishment.”  Of course, the tavern before them was anything but nice.  It was certainly fun though, which was the most important thing for a tavern to be.

[goldaegontargaryen]

A Family Meeting: with @stunningladysam

Aegon had hoped grief over his father’s passing would have soothed his grandfather’s edges, but he was quickly proved wrong when he’d been cornered outside his chambers.  His grandfather had been annoyed to learn during his time in Oldtown that it had been years since Aegon had seen Lord Ormund.  Aegon had wanted to point out that even if he had visited Lord Ormund in the last few years, the old man was liable to have forgotten it due to his old age.  Wanting to avoid the anger that comment would have caused, Aegon managed to hold his tongue.  After being scolded for neglecting his familial relationships for several minutes, he was tasked with going to visit the Hightowers who had made the trip to King’s Landing.  Whether that included the elusive Lord Ormund was unknown, but due to his ill health Aegon figured the old man hadn’t made the trip and he was unlikely to see the man before his imminent death.  

Before heading to the area of the Red Keep where the Hightowers were staying, Aegon snagged a goblet of wine to take with him.  If the other HIghtowers were anything like his grandfather, Aegon wanted to have a drink in hand when he met them.  Aegon had faint memories of his great uncle and his second wife, though he was fairly sure the old man had remarried some time ago.  Daeron had always spoken highly of the members of the Hightower family, but Daeron tended to think positively of everyone.  Considering the fact the Hightowers had close ties to the Starry Sept, he doubted they would like him or his reputation all that much.  

Reluctantly, Aegon started to go up the stairs that would lead him to the right corridor when he was distracted from his thoughts by a woman up ahead of him.  He was supposed to be heading straight to meet with the Hightowers, but he’d barely had any of his wine and honestly, he would take any excuse to delay the awkwardness of the meeting for a few moments longer.  Besides, surely it would be rude to pass by her without comment.  He didn’t recognize her, but the elaborate nature of her dress signaled she was some member of the nobility.  He wondered if she was a wife to one of Ormund’s many children, though it wasn’t only the Hightowers in this section of the Keep either. 

 Aegon smiled at her, taking a sip of wine from his goblet.  “Your dress is stunning, my lady.”  He didn’t know anything about fashion, but it was a pretty dress.  “I owe many of my more fashionable moments at court to my wife Helaena and her embroidery skills.  She’s exceptional at the art, especially when she’s able to embroider bugs onto something.  I tried once a few months into our marriage, but I kept stabbing myself with the needle.  Do you embroider?”  It was a subject he could easily speak about since he often listened while Helaena explained her most recent project.

[stunningladysam]

Otto Hightower was on the warpath, Samantha could feel it seeping through the walls, like some sort of pestilence come to ruin the atmosphere of this entire castle. She knew it even before the confirmation reached her ears, that he’d already begun to take his frustrations out on both the new Dowager Queen and at least one of her sons, passed off the lips of one ladies maid into the ear of another in return for an extra silver moon slipped into their weekly wages. Because when Otto Hightower saw fit to unleash his grievances, she could tell by the slight change the stone floor made underfoot and the faint rattle of slammed doors from several dozen feet above. Samantha’s Good-Brother found himself special in his authority, but she’d always found his assurance in the matter uninspiring; she’d learned every play in a violent man’s deck before she hit seven, and in the end, they all play the same hand.

Good brother…brother-in-law: The phrase entered Samantha’s thoughts frequently, but she had only ever spoken it in regard to that man once, the first time they had ever met. Thirteen years ago now…she was already far enough along in her pregnancy with her eldest, the little girl she’d come to call Joy, and Otto Hightower had returned to his family home from wherever he was causing headaches at the time, bringing the older Princes to see their brother Daeron…come to think of it, that may have been the only time the oldest one ever did. She had done as her older sister, Sansara had told her was courtesy, and curtsied for him until he put her at ease, before embracing him and addressing him as her brother.

She could still feel his breath against her ear as he told her, “I would never hear that word from you again.”

And he never did.

Samantha left the chambers set aside for House Hightower to head Otto off before Lyonel could return from his meeting with the Lord of Maidenpool. There was no doubt in her mind he could handle trade deals, audiences, and negotiations, around other Lords and heirs he could handle anything, but he would crumple if faced with the late-King’s former Hand as readily as he did around his father. She glanced at the doors to the other apartments in this tower, rooms for all five of House Hightower’s vassals, and two more, for the Caswells and Peakes, attempting to predict if she may be waylaid by any of the other ladies who’d come to congregate around her like moths to a flame whenever they were in need of advice, support, or an ally. No such interruption came this time around, however, and the ladies maids and chamberlains all gave the lady of House Hightower a wide berth as her pale yellow and peach colored skirts swirled around her as she walked; the flowers and vines embroidered into the fabric signaling their sharp edges may slice at whoever interrupted her purpose today.

However, as Samantha approached the staircase that would lead her back to the castle's main thoroughfare, a figure popped out from the other side of it, and as they drew closer she realized he must be the eldest of the late King's sons; Aegon, wasn't it? Half their names all looked the same when spelled out to her and they hardly sounded anymore distinct. Once they were face to face, she dropped into a low curtsy, but did not hold it, quickly meeting his eyes once more. "My Prince, it is a pleasure and a privilege." Samantha grinned sincerely at the compliment, at first glance he did not quite seem all a prince should be, slightly more casual, slightly less well put together, with a posture she would scold her son Warryn for allowing himself to fall into; and her boy was only nine. Nevertheless he charmed like one, and all the worry and annoyance she had felt at having to converse with Otto Hightower all at once dissipated at the prospect of treating with his grandson instead.

"You flatter me, Your Grace, though I'm afraid I cannot boast this talent as my own. It would be ego, I think, to claim myself as anything more than a dedicated hobbyist, but I appreciate the craft immensely. It is one of my great joys that I'm blessed to live in the region of our kingdom most acclaimed in textiles, and of course, that I'm blessed enough to afford the work of the most renowned amongst them." The clear affection in Aegon's tone as he spoke about his wife only made her smile more, what a lovely thing, Samantha thought to herself as he expounded about bugs and butterflies and his failed attempt to learn the Princess's hobby, to see that once moody, unmotivated boy glowing with love from the inside out.

"Princess Helaena is quite fortunate to have a husband so quick to draw attention her talents," She responded brightly, "It is an honor I fear most Lords do not take near as much time as they ought to raise the women whose responsibility lies first and foremost in supporting them. And you honor your own heart with such sincere appreciation, Your Grace. You may call me Lady Sam, if it pleases, while scaling some steps with your first drink of the day does seem like quite a pleasant way to get in one's exercise with all this rain we've been having, if it's not too bold, do you mind me asking if I might help you find something...or perhaps, someone?"

[goldaegontargaryen]

Aegon took a sip from his wine as he leaned against the railing of the staircase.  Internally, he debated how angry Otto would be if he didn’t show up at all to see the Hightowers.  He could always excuse himself by saying he had been stopped by a noble woman who wished to have his attention, even though the truth had been the other way around.  Surely his grandfather wouldn’t begrudge him for being courteous to a noble lady.  

Who was he kidding?  Otto Hightower would begrudge Aegon for whatever he did, so he might as well do what he wished, at least for now.  

“You’ve traveled here from the Reach, then?  Don’t tell anyone I said this, but I believe it to be the most lovely region in Westeros.  It’s the place I visit most on dragonback outside of the Crownlands.”  Aegon knew well from Helaena and many of the other people who inhabited the Red Keep’s court that the Reach was at the forefront of fashion trends and the art of embroidery.  Aegon didn’t have an interest in the Reach for that reason, but he did love the beauty and peace the area seemed to exude from every bit of nature.  The cities were clean, the people were often kind, and the views of its nature were beautiful.  There was very little about the region not to like, especially when summer still had its hold on the land.  Even now, Aegon often thought fondly back on the trip he’d taken to visit Oldtown.  He’d often asked to visit again afterwards, but his grandfather had been insistent that spending too much time with his Hightower side of the family would only highlight his lack of Targaryen blood and ancestry on his mother’s side, which would somehow make him look less legitimate than Rhaenyra.  Now of course, his grandfather was angry Aegon had hardly visited or knew the Hightower side of his family, but that was hardly surprising.  Such was the logic Aegon had come to expect from his grandfather.  

“It’s wonderful to meet you, Lady Sa–” Aegon rapidly cut himself off, staring at the woman in front of him as scattered pieces of his knowledge rapidly clicked into place.  His great uncle had remarried some time ago to a woman much younger than him, a Lady Samantha Tarly, who Aegon had heard many people refer to as Lady Sam.  He was in the Hightower section of the castle and he’d found this woman exiting its corridors.  He wasn’t simply talking to one of the Hightower sons' wives, but instead to the Lady of House Hightower who had to have realized by now Aegon hadn’t recognized her at all.  If word of that got back to his grandfather, he was never going to hear the end of it.

“I greatly apologize for not recognizing you, Lady Hightower.  I haven’t been able to visit Oldtown in years and while I’ve heard of you, I haven’t had the opportunity to meet you before.”  As he said the words, Aegon attempted to do the math in his head, coming to the horrifying conclusion that perhaps it hadn’t been Lord Ormund’s second wife he had met but instead Lady Sam after all.  “Or perhaps we have met and I can’t recall.  Forgive me the insult, my lady.  I suppose I just forgot about you in the chaos of visiting Oldtown for the first time, not that you’re forgettable of course!”

Internally, Aegon groaned realizing he had already ruined the situation beyond repair.  At this point, what did it hurt to be honest?  It certainly couldn’t make things worse.  “Actually, I was coming here on my grandfather’s orders to reconnect with my Hightower family.  As you’ve just witnessed, it’s been quite a while since I’ve met or spoken with any of you.  But my brother Daeron always had high praise for your family and you especially.  He said you were always courteous and kind to him.  Again I apologize for not recognizing you, I suppose you weren’t who I expected when I imagined what my great uncle’s wife would look like.”  He also hadn’t conjured up someone like Lady Sam in his mind when he imagined the woman who was often called a guardian of the Faith.  She seemed fun, lighthearted, and nonjudgmental which were all traits Aegon didn’t often associate with the Faith.  “I would be forever in your debt if you didn’t mention my forgetting of you to my grandfather.  He is a…difficult man at times.”  That was putting it mildly, but Aegon didn’t dare say more until he knew how Lady Sam felt about his grandfather.