Hello Everyone!
To read early
Chapter 14: 'The Scheming Mind of a Targaryen Prince'
Chapter 15: 'The Patriarch of House Targaryen'
Chapter 16: 'Silver Hair'
Chapter 17: 'The Boy who loved his family'
Chapter 18: 'Dragons, Dreams and Children'
Chapter 19: 'Lovely loving sisters."
Chapter 20: 'The Duty of a Prince'
Chapter 21: 'Tormented Dragons'
Chapter 22: 'A Dragon has many desires'
Chapter 23: 'Powerless'
Chapter 24: 'Drowning'
Chapter 25: 'A Dragon's Dream'
Chapter 26: 'A Sweet Time'
Chapter 27: 'The Heart of a Little Girl'
Chapter 28: 'Between four walls'
Chapter 29: 'Joffrey'
support me on
w w w . p a t r(e)on (slash) MonsieurLAH
Enjoy reading !
Chapter XIII : Bastard
"In all my years, I have never seen a child behave so stupidly!" Lord Corlys Velaryon roared in anger. "Do you have any idea of the massive damage you could have caused by bringing that monster here? What madness went through your head, for you to even imagine that the Cannibal would stop chasing you if you were to take refuge in Driftmark?!"
Sitting on a chair while the Sea Snake circled around him calling him names for incompetence and stupidity, Jon only half-listened to the legendary sailor's reprimands. Lady Rhaenys and Prince Daemon were also present, Daemon was leaning against the door of Corlys' solar, his arms crossed and a smirk on his face, Rhaenys stood at his side, her face impassive. Despite his concern, Ser Criston had not been allowed entry and was staying at the door.
Despite his exhaustion, Jon had been led to the maester of High-tide so that he could take care of the wounds that Ghosts' spikes had opened on his palms. Then he had been dragged directly to Corlys Velaryon's solar, and despite the latter's anger, he was far too hungry to be interested in the Lord's words.
"I haven't really thought about it." He admitted. "I just wanted to survive, I thought the presence of other dragons might make it reconsider hunting in the area. I was wrong."
"You were foolish!" Lord Corlys lost his temper. "You almost caused a catastrophe that would have destabilized the entire Realm!"
Jon snorted, he couldn't help it, and a silence worthy of the great Sept followed his reaction.
Lord Corlys had stopped ranting, he was glaring with his deep purple eyes.
"What amuses you so much, Prince Jonothor?"
His voice was cold, impassive, more than one man would have lost control of their bladder hearing it, Jon had heard the furious roars of the Cannibal just a few hours ago, he had no fear of the fury of the Sea Snake.
He raised his head to meet the cold gaze of the Lord of the Tides.
"If I am so incompetent and stupid, please, Lord Corlys, tell me what was the best thing to do. I am sure you in your great wisdom must know."
Daemon chuckled loudly at his words, which enraged the Lord of the Tides even more. Rhaenys elbowed her cousin but failed to erase his smirk.
Corlys went back to Jon.
But the Prince did not give him time to resume, he had had enough, he was exhausted, hungry, and dismayed by the empty remonstrances of the Sea Snake.
"If you can show me that I have indeed been as foolish as you say, I will bend the knee and serve House Velaryon until I die." He declared in a tone that left no room for doubt. Corlys, Rhaenys and Daemon widened their eyes. "But if all you're doing is venting to me, let me tell you that you won't succeed, because you'll never be able to be as terrifying as the Cannibal. So... Please Lord Corlys, show me how stupid I have been, tell me what this obvious solution was that would have allowed me to easily escape the Cannibal."
He never got that response, instead he saw the Sea Snake's hand shook in fury.
"You insolent brat."
"I'm not usually insolent." Jon replied, pouring out the emotional contents of his heart onto the Lord of the Tides. "My mother would probably object to my behavior, but I refuse to be judged by someone who simply can't do so."
"Corlys!" Princess Rhaenys suddenly intervened. "Don't hit him, he's not your ward and he's still your Prince."
"That didn't stop you from slapping me."Jon thought, but Rhaenys was his aunt by blood, that made her actions more acceptable.
"I'm not going to hit him." Corlys declared without taking his eyes off Jonothor. "On the other hand, I don't want to see him in my castle anymore, he will leave... immediately."
Jon didn't add anything, he got up and headed towards the exit without a glance at his aunt or uncle. The latter had not stopped smiling.
"What's so funny, son-in-law?" Lord Corlys asked with a rigid face once Jon was gone.
"I was just wondering if I had an affair with his mother." Daemon replied before walking out as well.
"That would explain a lot of things." Rhaenys muttered, but her husband had heard her.
Corlys snorted angrily and sat down.
"That brat is a nuisance."
"This brat should not be underestimated." Rhaenys said, looking her husband straight in the eyes. "He doesn't have his tongue in his pocket and won't let himself be stomped on."
"And who does he think he is to speak to me like that?"
"He is your Prince. And he is not like any children his age, if you want to scold him, you have to be smarter than he is."
Corlys didn't seem to believe his wife's words.
"What are you saying?" He whispered, his face confused. "Was I supposed to bow to a nine year old?"
"You should not have reprimanded him for an event over which he had no control, it would have been better to console him and take care of him rather than prolong his torture. He will not forget, and does not hold us in high esteem."
Corlys raised his hand, sighed deeply and poured two cups of wine before motioning for his wife to sit down.
"What did you do?"
Corlys' tone was more worried and curious than scolding.
"I used him." She admitted as she drank her wine. "And even if I think I have succeeded, I have no doubt that he will find a way to get back at me."
"Are you afraid of a nine-year-old?" Her husband was surprised.
Rhaenys remained silent for a short moment to remember her nephew's threats.
"He knows what he's doing." She finally said. "And he is the pretender of the Hightowers, of the Faith, and of all the Lords who will refuse to see a woman on the Iron Throne. The good news is that he loves Rhaenyra and does not want the crown, but if we keep pushing him like we're doing...we might end up creating our worst enemy."
Corlys snorted at that.
"He's a boy."
"He won't be a boy forever." Rhaenys replied. "It's the man he could become that I fear, not the child he is."
(-)(-)(-)
Jon and Ghost were far too tired to fly back to Dragonstone, so, on Ser Criston's advice, they went to the Driftmark Dragon Keepers Barracks and ate and slept among them. The next day, Jon was still not very tempted to fly towards Dragonstone. The Cannibal was perhaps still around, and he didn't feel like hoping for a second miracle if he were to take such a risk. So he chose to return to Dragonstone by sea, with Ghost on board, it would take longer, but it'd be much safer.
However, this plan was foiled when his uncle Daemon came to Driftmark's Dragonpit to retrieve Caraxes. The Rogue Prince found Jonothor removing Ghost's saddle and approached him while casting a mocking glance at Ser Criston.
"Well, nephew, do you like being a Dragonkeeper?"
"I do." Jon admitted, nodding to his uncle. "I enjoy taking care of Dragons, it's a difficult task but an honorable one."
Daemon stopped in front of him and looked at him from his full height, Jon barely reached his stomach level.
"I don't think I introduced you to Caraxes."
"I met him this morning when I brought him something to break his fast with."
Daemon looked surprised.
"Really? And what did he do?"
"He doesn't like me if that's what you want to know, but he still ate the bull I brought him."
Daemon raised an eyebrow and chuckled.
"I guess after your experience with the Cannibal, the Bloodwyrm wasn't going to scare you."
"Dragons have the right not to like me." Jon responded with a shrug. "I've never been afraid of a dragon before yesterday."
Daemon tilted his head to the side.
"You really are a strange little boy." He commented. "A child your age would react more... emotionally to his surroundings. You are too logical for a child."
Jon shook his head and focused back on Ghost's saddle.
"I have a temper, it's because I lost control of my emotions that I am here working with the Dragonkeepers, I am only logical when I am calm."
Daemon crossed his arms and narrowed his eyes under Ser Criston's worried gaze. Around them, dragonkeepers herded livestock, polished eggs, and tended to the building's various fires.
"And what have you done, nephew, to make my brother the King send you away from your dear mother?"
Jon hesitated, he had no reason to hide the truth from his uncle, who would end up learning it from someone else sooner or later. What he could do, however, was make sure that Daemon learned of the events from a reliable source like himself, and not from a biased source who would tell him what he wanted to hear.
Jon told him everything, about Aegon and his jealousy, about Aemond who was nicknamed 'Smalljon' at court, about the beating Aegon had given Aemond out of pure spite. And the very disproportionate punishment he had administered to his twin.
Daemon had listened attentively, his index finger caressing his lips thoughtfully. Jon couldn't tell what his uncle felt because the latter kept an impassive face, all he could conclude was that Daemon was not disappointed.
"Your grandfather must be furious." The Rogue Prince remarked.
Jon frowned.
"I've never met him, I don't care about his opinions."
"Good lad." Daemon smiled. "But maybe you should care, after all, it's because he sent your mother to Viserys' bed that you exist."
Jonothor Targaryen's eyes widened in outrage while Ser Criston stood between his prince and his rival.
"How dare you say such things?!" The stormlander thundered, glaring at the Rogue Prince.
The latter waved him aside without ever stopping smiling.
"Move aside Ser Crispin, I am still a Prince and you are still a Kingsguard, your opinion has no value."
"Stand aside, Ser Criston, my uncle wants answers and he will get them."
Cole still looked furious, but his loyalty to Jon outweighed his anger. He took a step to the side but kept his hand on his sword.
Jon stared Daemon straight in the eyes.
"My grandfather should have chosen a better husband for my mother, and a better father for my brothers and sister."
Daemon narrowed his eyes dangerously.
"He's still your father and your King, brat, show some respect."
"Like you did?" Jon quipped. "That's rich coming from you. Do you believe that a crown makes you a good father and a good husband? Or perhaps you believe that you are so perfect that you are beyond all criticism, and that you are the only man able to criticize my father. If that is the case, I am sorry to tell you this way, uncle, but all your beliefs are wrong."
Daemon knelt down to his nephew's level, and grabbed his ear to pull it and thus raise the young Prince's face to his own.
"Lord Corlys is right, you arean insolent little brat, it's about time someone disciplined you."
"That someone won't be you." Jon replied, ignoring his pain. "You cannot teach what you have never mastered."
Daemon snorted as he raised his eyebrows in amusement, he released his ear and ruffled his hair.
"Yeah, I probably fucked your mother while I was drunk." He declared with a laugh. "You can't be Viserys's. You're too much of a dragon."
Ulcerated, Jon punched his uncle to the face, but the latter grabbed his little hand and pushed him to the ground.
"And you're a real little bastard dressed as a prince, mybastard. Well, one of many, but I think you'd be my favorite by far."
"That's enough!" Ser Criston roared as he grabbed Daemon by the shoulders and pulled him backwards, sending him sprawling onto his back.
The Rogue Prince immediately drew Darksister, Ser Criston drew his own blade in return, unfortunately he did not have his morning star on him.
"You may be a Prince, Daemon, but I am the swornshield of her Grace, Queen Alicent, and she ordered me to protect Prince Jonothor. I will not stand by and do nothing while you brutalize and insult him."
Daemon smirked, amused by Cole's anger.
"You protect my bastard, Ser, I hope you at least do a good job. He took almost everything from me, but I should have chosen a better mother for him. A more Valyrian one."
"I'm not your bastard!" Jon stormed as he got up. "And I'm not your son!"
"Oh yes, you are!" Daemon sneered. "Viserys simply can't father a child like you. You can only be mine."
"Fuck you!" Jon roared, tears in his eyes.
Daemon laughed harder.
"Oh yes, you definitely are mine." He said sheathing Darksister. "Know that my wife recently gave me two daughters. Twins. I hope that the son she gives me will be as gifted and strong-willed as you, but he will be a true full-blooded and well-born Valyrian, not a bastard half-blood."
"Fuck… you!" Jon repeated, feeling helpless.
"Maybe I'll go fuck your mother first." Daemon said lightly. "Without wine this time."
Without waiting for a response from his nephew or Ser Criston, the Rogue Prince turned on his heels, but stopped before leaving the High-tide Dragonpit.
"One last thing, it's time to get rid of the pitiful name your mother gave you. From now on, I'll call you Aemon, never Jonothor."
Jon opened his mouth to yell insults and refusals at him, but his uncle had already disappeared from his sight. In rage, Jon frantically hit the ground with his small fists, Ser Criston stopped him before he started to bleed.
"My name is Jon! I am the son of Alicent Hightower and Eddard Stark! I am not the son of any Targaryen, I am not a bastard! The Gods have taken this dishonor away from me! The only dishonor comes from them, mad Targaryen men like Rhaegar, Aerys, Viserys and Daemon who find pleasure in the suffering they inflict! My name is Jon! My name is Jon!"
These words swirled through his head like a mantra, even when they set sail for Dragonstone, Jon didn't stop, he screamed into his pillow as his mind forced him to hear Daemon's laughter and words over and over again.
"The blood of the Dragon runs through these veins!" He wanted to roar. "But I'll never be a Targaryen! I'll never be like them!"
(-)(-)(-)
Alicent Hightower looked at the capital of the Seven Kingdoms with a thoughtful look, she was tired, her fourth pregnancy had recently started and the weight of all her responsibilities was beginning to weigh heavily on her shoulders. Her children, her greatest pride, her only reason for being, her entire life rested on them. Why did the Seven have to be so cruel? Why did they consume Aegon in jealousy? Why did they cause Jonothor to lose his sanity, leading him to horribly injure his own twin. Alicent knew she preferred her first born to her second born, for she knew Jon was too good to intentionally hurt his brother that much. But the Maester's words still echoed in her mind. Aegon's wrist may never fully heal, and her son suffered so much from his injury and the humiliation Jon had subjected him to, that he now drowned his pain in the milk of the poppy the maester gave him. He was only nine years old...
Although she knew the cruelty of children, she could never have imagined the pain she would feel seeing her precious offspring tear each other apart. Aemond had shown great cruelty by taking revenge on Aegon after the elder had tried to resume training. Aemond, who had recovered from the wound inflicted by Aegon weeks ago, had made it his duty to humiliate his brother in revenge. A revenge which had absolutely not been necessary given that Jon had already more than punished his twin. With Jonothor's absence, Aemond felt it was his duty to live up to his nickname 'Smalljon', he followed entirely in the footsteps of his eldest brother, to the point where he had asked Rhaenyra for permission to spend some time with her bastard, much to Alicent's dismay. Fortunately, Rhaenyra did not trust this half-brother enough to entrust him with her only son.
The pregnancy of the heiress to the Iron Throne was an unforeseen event to say the least. The Princess had not taken on a new champion since Ser Harwin Strong, many wondered who the child's father was. After the birth of Jacaerys and the more than confirmed rumors of Ser Laenor's preferences, no one imagined for a single second that the child would be anything other than a second bastard... And things were going to get even worse with the birth of this child.
Alicent shook her head and passed a hand over the belly that had conceived her own children. Helaena, her adorable and only daughter, the one who had always been so full of life, especially in Jonothor's presence, had remained silent since he left. She spoke very little, during her lessons and eventually with Aemond who made the effort to regularly go and talk with her. She had discovered a horrible passion for insects, her handmaidens had frequently found her in the royal gardens, capturing spiders, ants and grasshoppers in glass jars which still contained a few traces of jam.
When Alicent tried to reprimand her, she was disarmed by a single, simple question:
"When is Jon coming back?"
Alicent had no answer for her, because she too wanted to know the answer to this question. Helaena had begged her to let her continue studying insects, and her mother, desperate to see her smile and terrified of the consequences of depriving her from her new hobby, however disgusting it might be, had let it go. Helaena was only six years old, she should be thriving, spending her days laughing and dancing and singing. But since Jon had left, they had all changed, and not for the better. Alicent let a tear fall down her cheek, oh, how she missed her first born too. He was the pillar of their family, the only one capable of maintaining their fragile balance. She wholeheartedly hoped that Viserys would end up putting an end to his punishment in the coming weeks, because the Queen could not imagine things to stay like this for more than one more month. They needed Jonothor, and Alicent prayed every day that the baby growing in her womb would be as brave and strong as his big brother. She would take care of Aegon herself, her twins had suffered enough, it was now necessary to bury the past and focus on the future, they were a family. Even if Viserys didn't care.
Hello Everyone!
To read early
Chapter 14: 'The Scheming Mind of a Targaryen Prince'
Chapter 15: 'The Patriarch of House Targaryen'
Chapter 16: 'Silver Hair'
Chapter 17: 'The Boy who loved his family'
Chapter 18: 'Dragons, Dreams and Children'
Chapter 19: 'Lovely loving sisters."
Chapter 20: 'The Duty of a Prince'
Chapter 21: 'Tormented Dragons'
Chapter 22: 'A Dragon has many desires'
Chapter 23: 'Powerless'
Chapter 24: 'Drowning'
Chapter 25: 'A Dragon's Dream'
Chapter 26: 'A Sweet Time'
Chapter 27: 'The Heart of a Little Girl'
Chapter 28: 'Between four walls'
Chapter 29: 'Joffrey'
support me on
w w w . p a t r(e)on (slash) MonsieurLAH
Enjoy reading !