(Baelon's POV)
"I don't want you to leave my side anymore." Helaena told me as she squeezed my hand, "Please, Baelon...."
We were in our quarters, alone. I had wanted to see my wife and spend some time with her before I got busy again. Ever since the Trial ended, I wanted to make sure that no more rats moved in the shadows against us. With Aemond and Uncle bedridden due to their injuries, I could only assume that the Filth's allies might make a move on them.
They have not, thank the gods.
I leaned in and kissed her cheek, "My love, my world...." I said with a gentle tone, "I don't want anything else other than to be by your side at this moment. It is over, my dear....he is gone....he won't hurt us anymore."
She looked down, "What happened to his remains?"
"I don't know." I said, "They either burned him.....or they threw him into the sea.....I don't know....but we'll get ready for Laenor's funeral....in Driftmark....he'll be returned to the Sea....the Velaryon way...."
"I see...." She said softly
I patted her cheek, "I want you....." I said, "I want you so badly.....but we will wait until later tonight, if that is fine with you."
She blushed, "If that is what you wish...." She said as she placed her hand on my thigh, "Because the truth is.....I want you too.....I cannot bear the thought of losing you....and the fact that I did not....it made me feel more alive.....I.....I feel something inside of me, Baelon...I want your warmth..."
I leaned in and kissed her briefly on her lips, "I know." I said, "I want yours.....but it must wait....that is a promise. At any second, Mother or Father could summon me. There is a lot to be dealt with.....you have to understand that."
"Even if I cannot wait...." She said softly as she patted my chest, "I will..."
"We will have a talk later, my beautiful Helaena....." I said as I kissed her cheek, "About us...."
"I know...." She said, "I expect it....but.....Baelon....."
I pulled back slightly, "What is it?"
"L-Lord Laenor...." She said, "His dragon....Seasmoke...."
"What of him?" I asked
"It is regrettable that he passed....he died fighting for you..." He said, "But I am worried about his dragon...."
I blinked, "What do you mean?"
She tucked her hair behind her ear, "Well...." she said, "I do not wish to speak about him any further.....but...was it not his plan to get Dragons on his side? Now with Laenor dead...do you not think that...."
I placed my hand on my chin, "I see...." I said, "Well....the dragonseeds that are here....are imprisoned so we don't have to worry about them.....and they are heavily guarded....I don't think they could escape and attempt to claim Seasmoke...even if they do, they have to enter the Pit...which means dealing with the other Dragons.....and the thing is....I don't know if there are other Dragonseeds here in Wes-"
I stopped, remembering that there was, in fact, one bastard with Targaryen blood who was not imprisoned.
Helaena frowned, "Baelon?"
"Shit...." I said with a scowl and, standing back up, "I have to go....."
"B-Baelon?" She asked
"Worry not, love." I said, "Criston is standing guard outside. You'll be alright."
"That is not my worry..." She said
"I won't take long." I said making my way to the door and opening, "I have to do something."
I walked out and looked at Criston who was standing guard.
"My Prince." He said with a nod
"Ser Criston." I started, "Where is Ada Waters?"
He frowned, "S-She was in custody not too long ago. Forgive me, I am not sure about her current whereabouts." He said, "Why? Is there an issue?"
"Have some men looking for her." I said, "Give the order to not let her out of anyone's sights."
He nodded, "At once." He said
I began to walk away, "And keep my Wife safe at all times."
"Of course." He said as I walked away
******************
"I didn't expect a meeting here.....of all places...." I said as I stood in front of Uncle's bed
"Well, the King wanted to discuss some things." Daemon said as he laid in bed, smirking slightly
Lady Laena sat next to him, holding his hand, "My husband needs rest, Your Grace..." she said softly, "How long would this take?"
"Not long." Father said as he paced back and forth in front of the wall
I looked to my side, seeing Princess Rhaenys standing in the corner of the room as Otto stood a few feet away from her. Father had called us to Daemon's room to discuss the matters about the Prisoners. I assume that Otto had relayed the information that Daron had given me; about their allies in the East.
"What is it, Brother?" Daemon asked, "My leg is a throbbing bitch right now."
"Daemon...." Lady Laena said
"The Prisoners claim that there are others in the East, Daemon." Father told him, "Bastard relatives of ours. Grandchildren of Jaehaerys."
"That is not possible." Daemon said, "The only grandchildren of King Jaehaerys left are in this room."
"That is what we think." I said
Daemon looked at me, "What is that supposed to mean?"
"Apparently, there is a lot of things that even you three do not know....or have not said anything about it....." I said, "Vaegon.....Viserra.....Daella.....Gael....what is that you know?"
"Vaegon was Archmaester..." Rhaenys spoke up, "He was celibate."
"So they say." I said
"What is your point?" Father asked
"One can claim Celibacy but can easily broken those vows." I said
"You're saying that he broke his oath?" Father asked me with a frown
"Possibly." I said as I rubbed my hair, "Daron claims he is Vaegon's son. I don't know if I should believe him. He does look younger than the both of you....so I assume he was born before Grandfather died."
"What of Viserra and Daella?" Daemon asked, "Viserra died when she was ten and five....an accident not too far away from here...."
"Daella was your Grandmother." Father told me, "She was married to Lord Rodrik Arryn."
"After Mother was born, Daella was locked inside the castle for more than two years and almost nobody saw her." I said, "I did some digging, that is apparently the case."
"Reports said that she was in a depressive state." Otto spoke up, "That is why Lord Arryn allowed her to stay to herself."
"Yes, but why?" I asked
"The fuck do we know, Baelon?" Daemon said, "We were children then."
"Well, you have to know something!" I scowled, "There is allegedly a bunch of bastard cousins of yours running around and trying to take what is ours; Dragons! There has to be a reason they are so adamant about killing me!"
"Saera Targaryen." Rhaenys said
"What?" I looked at her
"Saera Targaryen was exiled to Essos during Jaehaerys's reign." She said, "It is possible that all of these Dragonseeds are her grandchildren. She was a scandalous woman.....a sexual deviant from what was described of her.....our Aunt, Maegelle, told us that she was difficult to control and when she had the opportunity to return home, she refused. My guess is she had already had bastards in Essos and raised them there."
"I do recall telling you about her." Daemon said
"I can expect that to be the case." I said as I crossed my arms, "But why would Daron mention the others?"
"Who knows?" Father said, "To create discord."
"It doesn't matter the reason...." I told him, "They are trying to make a move. Trevor was one thing, these others are much more dangerous."
"How so?" Rhaenys asked
"I thought you were smart, Aunt." I said, "They are of dragon's blood....they can claim dragons...the only thing separating them from us is the fact that they are illegitimate. By right, the dragons are ours.....they belong to House Targaryen, but tell that to the dragons.....There is a high chance that Bastards could run up to one of the unclaimed ones and create trouble."
"S-Seasmoke...." Lady Laena spoke up
"That is right." I said
"Where is the girl?" Father spoke up, "The one who Trevor laid with?"
"I have men taking her into custody." Otto said, "I have also gone ahead and ordered her brothers to be detained."
"Smart." Daemon said
"We need to act carefully...." I said, "We can't risk our dragons to fall into the wrong hands...Daemon....have Rhaena try to claim Seasmoke...if she cannot.....well.....we'll have Aemma try."
"Aemma?" Father asked, "She could not claim Vermithor."
"Vermithor is Vermithor, Father." I said, "Seasmoke might be easier."
"He's not wrong." Laena said, "I will ask Rhaena to try....if she cannot....well, Aemma might be able to...."
"Would that be wise?" Daemon asked, "She's-"
"My granddaughter...." Father cut him off, "She does not deserve to be punished for something she did not commit."
"Fine then...." Daemon said
"What of the prisoners?" Otto spoke up
"Well...." Father said, "It is clear that they cannot be left alive....but I do not think if it is in good taste to let the-"
"Free them." I said
Daemon looked at me, "What?"
Father looked at me as well, "What do you mean?"
"Have a Velaryon ship escort them to Essos." I said, "And let them go."
"That is the most ridiculous thing you have ever said, Baelon!" Father scowled, "They are enemies of the Crown, you mean to let them go?!"
"You are the King, Father." I said, "It is your decision. However...I suggest you let them go."
"You do realize that if we let them go, My Prince, they will father forces to try and invade Westeros...." Otto spoke up, "Possibly all of the allies and the other Dragonse-....Oh.....Oh, I see....."
I noticed Rhaenys had a slight smirk on her face, "You are quite the ruthless one, Baelon...."
Daemon took a while to process what was implied but he ended up getting it, "Hehe....."
I nodded, "That is right." I said, "Balerion is need of stretching his wings.....after Laenor's funeral in Driftmark.....we let them go....make them get their allies....."
"They will all burn."