111AC
King's Landing, The Red Keep
Viserys Targaryen
XXX
I entered my chambers quickly spotting Aemma lying on a blood-red sofa. Today's small council had gone by fast almost too fast. Still, my conversations with Corlys and then Rhaenyra stalled me for a while. Otto had overstepped his bounds slightly which is unfortunate as well. I know my old friend just wanted what was best for the realm and this city but still.
I stepped over to my darling wife and wrapped my arms around her. She gently relaxed into my embrace as I kissed the crown of her head. She reached up a hand to caress my arm and I moved to sit next to her.
"You're back quickly."
"Yes well, the meeting didn't run long. Though we did have a surprise there today." I said reaching over to graze her leg. She smiled that expression that seemed to always ease my worries.
"And what might that have been?" She said shifting to look at me more comfortably. I smiled and shook my head recalling the meeting. Daemon always had his flair for theatrics but I didn't realize that he'd even drag young Aemon into it.
"My brother was there along with his son still in their armor." I decided to omit any mention of blood or the executions that occurred no need to tell her before the babe is born.
"Aemon was there too?" I nod at her question, the poor bot getting pulled into his father's antics although Otto was a little right about their actions being a tad bit extreme but it wasn't his place to accuse them like that.
"Yes, it surprised me too," I said sliding her feet into my lap and massaging them lightly. She hums and shoots me a grateful smile. Still the thought of the dangers of the night and the matter brought up by Corlys after the meeting. I frown slightly at the thought of the Triarchy.
"What happened?" She says surprding me a little. Even though there's no need to worry her, I return to the previous topic.
"Well, Daemon has finally returned to his duties. It turns out he never ran off to Vale to pout at Runestone as we thought." I said chuckling slightly at first it's forced before fading into actual mirth.
"Well he was rather upset by his change in appointment but it's good he didn't bother Lady Rhea I suppose. Have those two been getting on any better?"
"No still cats and dogs. I swear Aemon must be the Seven Kingdom's greatest peacekeeper." I saw a genuine smile returning to my face the boy truly had it rough with those two as parents. Daemon had his own problems but he's always been like that and Rhea has never liked us Targaryens thanks to his antics.
"Yes, the true warden of the Vale indeed haha." She chuckled. "I suppose he won't be getting any siblings soon." She says rubbing her swollen belly. My mind wanders to my dream of that child who I'm sure will be our boy. A child with Targaryen golden hair, and purple eyes, born with the conqueror's crown atop his head. Then my mind wanders to my elder child and a sigh escapes my lips.
"Hows Rhaenyra doing? I ran into her on the way out of the council chamber she was running ratherlate this morning and the session was quick soo she didn't arrive on time and well, our talk didn't go well."
"Where did she go?" She asks when suddenly a dragon roar interrupts my answer looking out the window two dragons soar through the air giving me my answer.
I sigh as I see a black dragon swirling in the air. It's just Aemon and Ancalagon for a second I was worried it would be my daughter and Syrax.
XXX
111 AC
The Crownlands, The King's Wood
First Person POV
Aemon Targaryen
XXX
In my opinion, the sun and sky always looked most beautiful at sunset. Sure I'd seen the beauty of the infinite stars in the sky when I was camping in the mountains of the Vale or atop the Eyrie. But this was somehow just something different.
I soared through the air on the back of Ancalagon. My dragon had grown rapidly over the last few years he now rivaled Caraxes in size and grace however his strongest traits were his speed and flames.
I glance over my left shoulder to see Syrax glinting in the sunlight. Atop her back, I can see Rhaenyra in her saddle golden hair waiving behind her in the wind. She swoops down through the orange clouds and I turn to look back at the glowing sunset in front of me.
At first, I planned to ask Laena if she wanted to join us but ultimately I couldn't find her and Laenor in a timely manner. Besides she doesn't have riding leathers anyway. Instead, I found Rhaenyra talking to Alicent about some nonsense.
I was polite about it of course and I even invited Alicent as well who politely declined. The two had exchanged a look that felt like they were having a whole conversation with just a glance. Of course, I had to wait for her to change and I even bothered escorting her to the dragon pit myself along with my men and her assigned king's guard Ser Harold.
Of course, Ancalagon never went into the pit never even went near it by my own order so it took me a while longer to get to my own dragon when I called for him.
'Side note something about that outfit really does it for me. Like alters my brain chemistry I don't know why.'
I shook my head and focused back on the clouds and the with a smile. It was a nice peaceful evening and the sunset was beautiful. I searched for her rising through the clouds but I couldn't find her until suddenly Syrax and Rhaenyra flew back up over on my other side.
I could hear her laughter light and bright cascading down as she soared up higher and higher into the air.
"Issi īlon jāre naejot ivestragī zirȳ hen perform īlva valonqar?"
(Are we going to let them outperform us, little brother?)
"𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐨𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞!" Ancalagon roared swooping down swiftly before rising, beating his wings with booming strength. Catching up to her we swearles around her in a vertical barrel roll.
"𝑺𝒉𝒐𝒘 𝒐𝒇𝒇!" Syrax cried out with joy flapping her wings faster to keep up with me. Meanwhile, Rhaenyra laughed again and said something to Syrac that I couldn't hear.
For hours we danced in the sky in and out of the clouds above the king's wood forest. Eventually, I shifted directions as the sky got darker and headed near the coastline of the black water. Ancalogon's wings beat harder kicking up a storm of sand as we landed.
I grab a case inside a compartment attached to Ancalagon's saddle and leap off the dragon's back since I seldom bother with the chain. I action roll to divert the force, not that I need to, but it makes me feel cool. Standing up and dusting myself off I look up at the approaching Rhaenyra. Leaning back against Ancalagon's wing I ignore Syrax's grumbling as she lands whipping up the beach winds.
"Why did we land?" Rhaenyra shouts from atop the back of her dragon. When I don't answer she quickly dismounts and walks over to me. I try not to stare but that outfit still distracts me. I honestly can't place it's just something about it.
"We landed because we need to set dinner," I said smirking as I lifted the case into the air.
"Dinner?"
"Just watch," I said setting the case down and opening it up. Taking out the blanket and flapping it out and started setting up. After a few minutes of setup, we had a nice blanket and umbrella with a short folding table and candles.
Dusting off my hands I gestured for them to sit. For a while, Rhaenyra had been staring at me in mild confusion but hadn't said a word. Instead, she walked over slowly and sat cross-legged on the blanket.
By this time our dragons had settled nearby and walking back over to them I grabbed another case this time a rune-covered lunch box. This one was meant to be warm rather than cold and next to it was another useful invention but mundane. A simple lighter is used to light the candles. Then I set the lunch box down on the mini folding table which only rose about a foot off the floor.
After that, I sat down cross-legged and opened the box. Hot steam spread out from the box and I pulled out two wrapped sandwiches. Handing her one she slowly took it studying it as I handed her some alien relic.
"Ok, what is all this?"
"It's a sandwich," I said unwrapping my meatball sub.
"Not the stupid sandwich! This!" She gestured to the blanket, candles, and umbrella she even waved her hand at the lighter.
"Oh invented most of this stuff over the last few years. I plan to start selling most of it when the rest of my house arrives in King's Landing." I say casually lifting the sub to my lips and taking the first delectable bite. I enjoy the crunch of the toasted bread and the flavors of the sauce and cheese. I hummed and nodded in affirmation of the sandwich's amazing taste.
"I mean why are we here by the beach eating a candlelit dinner?" She says again with a slight bit of outrage. I chuckle at her expression which changes into a pout when I take another bite of my food and swallow.
"Relax Nyra, take a bite of your food and relax. Were just two cousins having a nice dinner by the beach that's all. I go through all this all the time in Vale you see."
"Right, you have candlelit dinners by the beach all the time." She says dragging out the last few words in the most unconvincing tone I've ever heard. I laughed taking a napkin out of the lunch box to wipe my face.
"Well, when you put it like that it sounds rather sad." I chuckled as she finally unwrapped her sandwich. She stared at it strangely and looked back up to me for an explanation.
"Its called a meatball sub sandwich. Go on try it." I said trying my best to sound encouraging.
"Meatball?" She questioned lifting her brow again and in that moment the combination of candlelight and setting sun seemed perfect on her.
"Yes, meatball, and no it is not the festivals of something if that's what you're thinking." I joked a smirk slashing my face.
"Ugh no why would I think that?" She said moving back from the sandwich in mild disgust.
"Hey your the one who keeps asking questions instead of eating," I said brining my sandwich back up to my face. She brought hers back to her mouth. She sniffed it and seemed to like the smell. Then with the delicate manner of a princess, she took her first bite.
The moment the flavor hit her younger is a memory that will always make me laugh. Her eyes widened with shock or maybe realization. She moaned slightly with delight at the taste of the sandwich. Slowly she chewed until she looked back at me nearly barely holding in my laughter. He face fuldhed before she glared at me and finished chewing.
"Well, what did you think? Pretty good right?" I asked half-teasingly. She sighed and answered. "Yes, it was quite good I suppose."
"You suppose huh?" I chuckled lifting my own to my lips for another bite.
"Yes, I suppose! I also have several more questions however." She said mildly indignant at my sarcasm.
"Like what are we doing here?" She asked relaxing her posture slightly on the blanket.
"Well." I stood up setting down my food and walking back over to Ancalagon. At this point, he and Syrax sat oddly close together which I tried not to question as I pulled out one last case from the dragon's custom saddle. I had time to modify it to my liking over the years so there could be things attached and detached from it. In this case, I had extra storage attached to it. In others, I could have a flag billowing behind me or something else. In the flags case I at one point tried attaching it to his tail but the pole made it kind of awkward and uncomfortable so I decided to come back to it later. In another case, I had stored a lance there and threw it surprisingly accurately at my target. Today however I had something much simpler stored in the case I took out from the added storage.
"Were just two cousins enjoying a nice family dinner on the beach is that so odd. Besides it's not like we have to be all proper around each other." I said climbing down Ancalagon's warm black hide his scales irradiating a slight heat with each breath. I stepped back over to Rhae openedthe case and revealed two bottles of Dornish wine and a cork opener. I didn't need one but I figured she might so I brought it.
"Aemon we shouldn't dri~" Rhaenyra's eyes widened slightly at the two glass bottles of wine. But before she could finish her protest I opened my bottle with a loud pop and cut her off.
"It's just us here Rhae, and besides most of the things here will start being sold in kings landing soon when the rest of my house arrives," I said handing over the bottle of Dornish red with one hand and the opener with the other. It wasn't uncommon for kids our age to drink in this world however not much more than a few cups. Even so, I wasn't worried because of our enhanced physiques which would filter out the vast majority of the negative effects. To be fair we were poison-resistant not immune so it would still affect us slightly. But now something like the stranger wasn't instant death and between the two of us, it would have an even lesser effect on me.
She took both objects quietly but looked at the opener in mild puzzlement. I told her how to use it and soon enough she popped hers open as well. Then we clicked our bottles together and continued our evening. We settled into relaxed chatting and we spent a few more hours messing about on the beach for a little while. We didn't go into the water or anything but we laughed and had fun in our own way. However, as the sky grew darker I made it a point to leave before it got too dark for us to find our way back.
So happy and mildly drunk the two of us managed to make our way back to the city. We landed just on the outskirts of town and I told her I'd see her tomorrow. She nodded waved and with another call out to Syrax whoqickly lifted off into the air and flew toward the pit.
I climbed off my dragon's back reaching into Ancalogon's saddle compartment for one last item I had stored. I reached the ground landing with a huff. Then not bothering with words I communicated with him telepathically.
'Here eat this then meet up with Vermithor and Silverwing. I'll call you back when I need you. Until then eat ni men and no sheep only fish and other sea life if you can catch it.' I thought of walking over to my dragon's and pulling out a fire dragon fruit.
'𝐘𝐞𝐬 𝐞𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐈 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐝𝐨 𝐚𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐬𝐤.' He thought back pulling back his mouth's scales slightly to lick his reviled gums. Then opening his mouth wide he revealed a mouth full of black teeth as long as the largest daggers in the world, and even sharper. His teeth much like all of his bones were black by nature rather than poor care in fact by almost any standard Ancalagon was th healthiest most heigenic dragon in the world.
He was far more muscular than most dragons and had the definition to prove it. Despite that, he remained lean enough to fly through the air like a living missile. Plus he was never chained a day in his life and has a consistent diet of sheep and fish. His scales shone like black obsidian reflection filming ever so slightly in the moonlight and his purple eyes were almost the same bright purple as mine.
His long black talons dug up the earth and flexed with joy and anticipation of approaching treat. Unlike most dragons, Ancalagon didn't have a single large thumb at the bend of his wing. Instead, he has three long fingers Smaug style.
Frankly, I could not be more proud to call Ancalagon my own partner dragon. And as I tossed the dragon fruit up and into his mouth he clamped down and chewed on it with a force and relish most other food could never get out of him.
'𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞' He rumbled aloud chomping and chewing the small fruit. I caressed his chin giving small scratches and parts to his scales every once in a while. Soon he would start shedding scales and I would have to sneak out and collect them later. Soon Ancalagon would join his parents in an Area not too far in the king's wood for me to reach so I could get them quickly and Vhermithor and Silverwing could guard the freshly dropped scales.
It doesn't matter now though. Tonight was the fun little distraction I needed just as I planned it to be but I still have business in the city tonight. My little night of raids was only the beginning of my plan. Soon enough I'll be sure that not only my legitimate business plans are ready for their grand opening but also my more… covert endeavors are ready to begin as well.
I stared out at the grand city walls as Ancalagon flew away into the dark woods of the young night sky. I walked towards the city gates not sure which but in truth it didn't matter. One thing I appreciate about this time period is that King's Landing won't start smelling like shit until after the Dance of Dragons. Approaching the guards seeing my eyes and hair it wasn't difficult to convince them of my identity and get those gates open. After that, I once again slipped into the shadows of the capital city.
[Chapter Image]
XXX
God this chapter took so long to write I kinda just gave up halfway through. Writer's block is a hell of a thing. Honestly, I had more ideas for my MHA fic than anything. Maybe I should start writing both at the same time instead of one until it's finished then the other. Anyway, I was going to do a few more chapters before we got to the joust but if I can't think of anything first I'll just start writing it. Plus watching a knight of the seven kingdoms gave me a few ideas. Also, I need to do a little jousting research myself. Did you know it's apparently about points or something?
Also, I just realized something that I didn't realize I needed to say but if it wasn't clear. Aemon's and other characters' perspectives of things are just their perspective. That is to say just because we see an event through one character's eyes doesn't mean that's objectively what happened. Speaking which I wonder what Rhaenyra thought about today's chapter 🤔😂🫠anyway I'm tired to bye.