The king's command was undeniable. Aemon sent a raven back to the Vale, telling his wives to prepare for a trip to Harrenhal. The news arrived within two days. As expected, his mother, Lady Rhea, declined, writing back that she was perfectly happy hunting in the Vale. Jeyne and Jainsfer both responded, agreeing to travel together from Gulltown.
Aemon wasn't going to waste time and give the plotters in King's Landing an opportunity to change their minds. He rode Vermithor back to the Vale and brought his two less-traveled wives to the capital.
It was the seventh day of the seventh month. The weather was clear, the air crisp after a heavy rain. Aemon and his family rode in a great wheelhouse, making their way along the kingsroad toward Harrenhal. The wheels creaked over the wet dirt.
"Great-grandfather built the kingsroad well. The quality is excellent," Aemon said, lowering the window curtain and smiling over his shoulder.
"Of course. The stretch between King's Landing and the Neck was the most expensive," Laena, sitting across from him, smiled and chatted. She cradled the chubby twins in her arms, one on each side, and recounted history to them earnestly. The twins' spirits soared, and they listened to the lesson with eager attention.
The wheelhouse, resembling a small palace on wheels, was now filled with Aemon's family. Rhaenyra was with their eldest son, Jaehaerys, while Jainsfer held her young son, Aegon, by the hand. Next to them sat the taciturn Jeyne. Aside from his mother, Lady Rhea, the only one absent was his infant son, Viserion, who was still nursing.
"Ser, how long until we arrive?" Aemon asked cheerfully, pushing open the carriage door. Ser Steffon and Ser Lorent of the Kingsguard were accompanying them, both familiar old friends.
Ser Steffon, still with his prematurely aged face, replied earnestly, "Barring any mishaps, the journey will take about three days."
"You've done well," Aemon said with a smile. King's Landing was not far from Harrenhal, only a half-day's ride by dragon. But since they were traveling for pleasure, flying was pointless. The dragons soared high above while the family traveled in comfort below.
"Father suddenly sent us away. Is there something he is planning?" Rhaenyra pondered, coming to a conclusion.
Aemon admired her wisdom. "Yes," he agreed. "Uncle wants to arrange a marriage tour for Aegon and Helaena, and I am a nuisance."
"I think your judgment in these matters is better than his," Rhaenyra complained.
"I thought so too," Aemon chuckled, surveying his wives in the wheelhouse, each with her own unique charm. He was emulating the dragonlords of old Valyria. Damn Andal traditions, damn the Faith of the Seven.
"Speaking of marriage tours brings back difficult memories," Jeyne suddenly said, looking at Rhaenyra with a playful smile.
"Hmmph," Rhaenyra shrugged nonchalantly.
"I hope the King will act within his means and not push Aegon and the others too far," Laena said with a gentle smile. After all, every Targaryen king, wise or not, had been deeply concerned with the marriages of their children.
Creak, creak... The wheelhouse slowly moved on, leaving King's Landing far behind.
King's Landing
Viserys had risen early, sipping the aperitif brought by his servants.
Knock, knock. There was a knock on the door, and a commotion outside.
"Come in." Viserys took a sip of his wine, feeling pleased with himself. Finally, his meddling nephew was gone. With no one around to bother him, he could finally get things done.
Creak. Ser Harrold pushed the door open, his large hand tugging at Aegon's collar. A reluctant Aemond followed behind.
"What is going on?" Viserys asked, stunned.
"Prince Aegon does not seem to wish to see you," Ser Harrold said, releasing his hand with a look of resignation. As the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, facing a prince who refused to live up to his station left him at a complete loss. If it were his own nephew, he would have kicked him long ago.
"Let me go!" Aegon shook his shoulders and walked in angrily, leaning on his cane. His injured right leg was still splinted, and he hopped as he walked.
"Ah..." Viserys was speechless. He suddenly doubted whether it was a good idea to send Aegon to the Reach in this state.
"Father," Aemond said, greeting him honestly with his shoulders drooped.
"Lift your head. Don't look so dejected," Viserys said, dissatisfied.
Aemond had no choice but to straighten his back. He wanted to hold his head high, as he had when he first trained with his dragon in the Vale. But after returning to King's Landing, with pressure from all sides and the shame of the "Dragonpit Riot," he no longer had the face to pretend.
"You two, really," Viserys frowned. One was overconfident; if he were to eat shit, he'd boast that he ate it faster and took bigger bites than anyone else. The other had low self-esteem; even after taming a wild dragon, he still couldn't shake his sensitive nature. Then, he thought of the dragons the brothers had claimed. One, Sunfyre, was hailed by maesters as the most magnificent golden dragon in the world. The other, the wild Sheepstealer, was universally acknowledged to be ugly. A striking contrast.
"Father, Rhaenyra and the others went on a trip to the Riverlands. Why didn't they take us?" Aegon grumbled. Aemond nodded from the side.
Under the intimidation of their cousin Aemon and the kindness of their sister Rhaenyra, the palace rumors of a Black and Green conflict seemed less important. Between the bond of siblings and their friendship with their nephew, Jaehaerys, they felt a pull. But Aemond couldn't forget his duty. He had fought for Aegon's birthright, a birthright Aegon himself wouldn't lift a finger to defend.
"Aemon isn't like you. You have business to attend to. Forget about sightseeing," Viserys said sternly. The brothers exchanged glances and asked what was going on.
Viserys gave them clear instructions: go to Dragonstone, ride their dragons, and then head to the Reach.
"No, what for?" Aegon was vehemently unhappy. "I've heard Lord Tyrell of Highgarden is over fifty years old. Am I supposed to go and pay him a visit?"
"Not Highgarden," Viserys said, his eyes threatening. "You two are going to visit the castles of the lords of the Reach and showcase your royal dignity."
"I..." Aegon opened his mouth to refuse, but Viserys glared, choking back the words.
"Alright," Aegon and Aemond had to agree.
Viserys nodded in satisfaction. "Go to Honeyholt first and see Lord Lyman. Remember to be polite. He will take you to visit the other lords."
"Yes..." the reply was weak. After his two sons left, the door slammed shut. Viserys frowned as he drank. Why wasn't my youngest daughter Helaena here? he wondered. Could she be feeling unwell, or was she having strange visions again? "Alas," Viserys sighed softly. The Dreamer's ability he longed for had appeared in his youngest daughter, and it had become her "disease."
The Dragonpit
A slender figure in a green dress stealthily climbed Rhaenys's Hill.
"This hill is so huge," Helaena said, a little confused. Since the "Dragonpit Riot," the great dome had been closed for renovation, its bronze gates sealed. But there wasn't a dragon inside.
"Hoo!" A high, cold dragon roar suddenly echoed from the hills behind the pit. Helaena looked up and ran towards the sound. It was Dreamfyre's roar, sensing her approach.
A moment later, a pale blue dragon soared into the air, its broad, magnificent wings sweeping across the sky above the dome before flying towards the Dragon Gate of King's Landing. A green skirt fluttered from the dragon's back as Helaena, her face tense, sat astride it. Rider and dragon soared towards the Riverlands.
From a window in the Red Keep, Alicent watched as the pale blue dragon flew out of King's Landing. Her expression tensed, her hands unconsciously clasped together. Her deal with Aemon was that he would help her children choose their own marriages, and she, in return, would help him keep Viserys at bay. She wasn't worried about Aegon and Aemond for now, but Helaena's impulsiveness was a concern. Fortunately, Helaena was a dragonrider. Even if she sneaked out, she wouldn't be in danger.
"Father," Alicent's voice was heavy, a cloud of resentment welling up within her. He had actually chosen two marriage partners for Helaena: Lord Rowan, who was older than Viserys himself, and her cousin, Ormund Hightower. It was simply unforgivable. She turned and took out a pen and paper to write a letter to her brother, Ser Gwayne. He was often unremarkable, but he was a good uncle. Aegon and Aemond, heading to the Reach, needed him more than the city guards in King's Landing.
Three days later, at Harrenhal
The largest castle in the Seven Kingdoms had been built by Harren the Black, draining the wealth and blood of the Riverlands. Arriving at Harrenhal, Aemon was immediately captivated by its five towering, twisted towers, blackened as if by smoke.
"Balerion's dragonfire was so strong, the soot from the towers won't wash away for a century," Aemon sighed.
Rumble— The tall, heavy gates slowly opened, and out stepped the members of House Strong. The leader was a broad, amiable old man with the distinctive brown hair and snub nose of his family.
"Prince, Princess, distinguished guests, on behalf of House Strong, I welcome you," Simon Strong bowed humbly, his belly bouncing.
"The pleasure is all ours, Ser Simon," Aemon said with a smile. After a brief greeting, everyone was ushered in.
Aemon pointed to the tallest tower. "Kingspyre Tower has a strong burnt smell. Has House Strong considered repairing it?"
Ser Simon's face froze, and he looked a little embarrassed. For Lord Lyonel's sake, Aemon thought, he could sell them a batch of lime at a low price.
"Not really," Ser Simon stammered. "The roof of Kingspyre was once a bat's nest, but it was... burned by dragonfire a few days ago."
Aemon was stunned.
As if on cue, a chaotic noise emanated from the ruined roof of the tower, and a magnificent, light blue dragon climbed out. Dreamfyre, as aloof as ever, glanced at the people below with her vertical pupils, then turned and used her long tail to sweep away the dust and debris. Her posture was that of a mistress returned home.
"Aunt Helaena is here too!" Jaehaerys exclaimed in surprise.
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