(Third Person POV)
[Sometime after Laenor's Velaryon's Funeral...]
It was not long after the Trial by Seven had ended; the Realm had received word of the events that took place in King's Landing and of Trevor's fate.
The Lords of the Realm were shaken up by the sudden betrayal of a member of the Kingsguard and the return of the accused traitor; Harwin Strong. Not only that, they were bewildered at the fact that three self-proclaimed descendants of Jaehaerys Targaryen came to aid Trevor in the Trial, declaring to kill the Heir, Baelon Targaryen.
While they had lost Ser Erryk Cargylle, Ser Yohn Royce, and Ser Laenor Velaryon, the Realm was in awe of the fact that Prince Baelon Targaryen came out victorious in the matter. They took this as a sign from above; he was truly chosen by the gods. The amount of respect and admiration that some lords suddenly got for the Heir was unspoken of and the newfound fear that others felt was something that had to be kept in mind for the future.
Not only does Baelon ride Balerion, he is capable of surviving a Trial By Seven without much injuries, something that not even Maegor The Cruel was capable of doing so.
This would set the stage for the future and the next era in Viserys I Targaryen's reign, the one that has the entire realm prepared for Baelon's ascension. No matter how they looked at it, everyone knew that the Iron Throne was meant for Viserys's son, which even the King himself had become aware of. All of the attention was on Baelon Targaryen, their hopes and doubts all depended on the Heir, the Prince, The Bold.
Despite this, Viserys had no ounce of jealousy or animosity towards his own son. He was proud, proud that he was able to live up to the expectations that were so high from the moment he was born.
Chosen by the gods, everyone called Baelon. His birth was indeed what brought Balerion's vigor back. No matter what path he took, Baelon would have the eyes of the Realm on his back. And it was up to him to ensure what kind of look they gave him.
Now, nothing else mattered. Whatever decision that was made would be taken with the assurance that Baelon would eventually make it right.
And only the gods knew if that were true.
********************
Shortly after Ser Laenor's funeral, the Royal Family returned to King's Landing. All of them partook in the ceremony, including Rhaenyra and Aemma, who were seen together for the first time in a long time. Nobody looked at the two with any hint of animosity, not a single finger was pointed at them whilst this happened, even if one would say that they would share Trevor's crimes. But they would not have any blame since the King himself would not have it.
There was nothing but a dreadful atmosphere in the Red Keep, all things considered. No matter how hard they tried to ignore it, the death of a close relative hit them quite hard.
Laenor was Rhaenys's son, who was Viserys's favorite cousin. To say that House Targaryen and House Velaryon were close due to this fact would be an understatement. Baelon himself had a very serious air to him. To him, it was his fault that Laenor died. He accepted the Trial by Seven on behalf of Viserys and even suggested it happen. When it could have been easier for him to draw his sword and kill him outright, Baelon made it so the Trial happened. He had wondered if Rhaenys actually blamed him for Laenor's death, but his Aunt showed no signs of that.
The Princess stayed in Driftmark, with Laena and her daughters to keep her company. Daemon would be in King's Landing to take part in the coming plans that Viserys had.
Alicent was still rather upset that Baelon went ahead and made the Trial happen, endangering not only himself but Aemond's plan. The Queen rarely spoke to the Prince as he anger was still visible. Her daughter tried to console her but Alicent could not speak much about it without breaking into tears, angrily shouting that both Baelon and Aemond could have died.
It was not just Aemond and Baelon who almost died, but her own brother as well. She may not have shown it, but she worried sick for her older brother, Gwayne Hightower. Even if the Knight was okay with dying for the Crown, Alicent did not accept it.
Baelon was told by Otto and Viserys that Alicent's demeanor would pass but the prince still blamed himself for her current mood and would not try to rile her up any further.
It was a tense and dreadful atmosphere in the Red Keep, Aegon had tried to lighten the mood by offering to throw a large dinner party, but almost everyone refused, saying they would rather stay in their chambers that night.
Both Aegon and Daeron were currently in the main hall, in front of the Iron Throne as Queen Alicent slowly walked out with Helaena following her.
Aegon watched as his mother and sister left the hall, "Man...." He blew raspberries, "I know we had just dealt with some mad situations, but things are a bit too tense, brother..."
Daeron nodded, "You are correct...." he said as he stood there, "Not even some food nor drinks would lighten things up."
"What would you expect of them?" Viserys said as he walked up to them, "Your brothers could have died....your Mother takes that very serious."
"I understand, Father..." He said
"If you do, then you would not try to be insensitive." The King said
"That was Aegon, not me...." Daeron frowned
Viserys smiled and patted his shoulder, "I jest." He said, "My sons...it fills me with joy seeing all of us together, as a Family..."
Aegon nodded, "Nothing would drive us apart, not even some mad cunt who wanted our blood for his ambition." He said, "You can rest assured, Father, House Targaryen will not budge."
"I am glad you think that." Viserys said with a chuckle
"Where is Baelon, Father?" Daeron asked, "I asked Helaena but she said she did not know."
"Oh." Viserys said, "I do wonder that myself...."
"Yea, he's probably somewhere in the Keep." Aegon said dismissively, "What is to be done with the bastards? I heard they are still prisoners."
"Oh them." Viserys said as he walked past them, "They were let go. A Velaryon ship escorted them to Essos."
Daeron and Aegon looked at each other with baffled faces, "What?" The both said in unison
Viserys chuckled, "Indeed."
"That is mad!" Aegon exclaimed, "Why would you do that?!"
"You are smart, are you not?" Viserys said, "Ask yourself, where would Baelon be?"
Daeron widened his eyes, "You can't mean....!!"
Viserys said nothing and left them to their shocked silence.
Both Princes processed what was just said and they could only stare at each other with awe.
They knew what that meant.
*****************
[On The Coast of Essos, Near Pentos....]
A large fleet of ships was gathered as men were rallied on the coast, boarding the ship with haste. Their flags bore a strange insignia: that of a white dragon in front of a black heart with red flames in the background. This was not a flag that was widely recognized, and it belonged to a recently formed group of mercenaries that had gained notoriety in the majority of Essos.
In the distance, a Velaryon ship was seen sailing away in the opposite direction of the large fleet. It was to be assumed that this was the same ship that Viserys spoke about, the one that was escorting the Bastards back to Essos.
On one of the ships, a tall man walked up to who appeared to be Daron, the bastard who fought in the Trial by Seven. Daron was sitting atop a crate, rubbing his wrists as Lynn stood next to him, chugging down from a leather canteen, water dripping down his chin and mouth.
"So the two of you are alive, huh?" The Man asked, "I take it that Eryn did not make it?"
"No." Daron said with a scowl, "He was killed, the fucking Heir got him."
Lynn finished drinking and let out a gasp, "They have done a mistake." He said, "He should have killed us both instead of letting us go."
"Why did he let you go?" the man asked, "What did you offer them?"
"Nothing." Daron said, "I didn't offer them shit."
"They must have let you go for a reason, why would they do this?" The man asked, "It makes no sense. You should be dead by now or rotting in their dungeons. When we heard of this, we gathered as much men and ships as possible."
"Good..." Daron said, "Then we set sail then. We'll raid their coasts and murder their people. They'll regret ever letting us live."
"That is correct." Lynn said, "They were weak, that is why they let us go."
"I still do not understand..." The Man said, "But Our Lady said that the two of you are in charge of this, so lead away."
"We attack their islands first, take Claw Isle and Driftmark." Daron said, "I know those islands like the back of my hand, I know their weaknesses."
"Afterwards, we'll take Dragonstone and invade King's Landing." Lynn said
"Well, there is one problem." The Man said, "Dragons."
"What about them?" Daron said, "We'll be done before they fly them out to wa-"
They were cut off by the sound of a bellowing roar that shook the air itself. Every single man on every single ship on the fleet froze, their eyes widening as they slowly looked up to the sky.
Off into the distance, high above the Velaryon ship that slowly disappearing into the horizon, a massive winged shadow was seen in the clouds.
"You have to be joking...." Lynn widened his eyes, "T-That cannot be.....!"
Daron gritted his teeth, "N-No, I did not think he was capable of that!"
The man narrowed his eyes, "Fuck's sake, Daron!!!" He shouted, "You brought him straight to us!!!"
"The Black Dread!!!!"