A/N: This chapter is not in chronological order.
Kings Landing 300 AC.
Thoros.
Hearing the commotion outside he felt something inside him tell him he needed to get out there, looking to Melisandre he saw she had already begun to move and the expression on her face worried him. He ran past her, past the unsullied and as he heard the screams from outside he had only one thought 'Daemon'. Reaching the front of the manse he saw Daemon's sister being dragged inside, unsullied surrounding her, she was crying and shouting, trying to get back outside but the guards weren't allowing it.
"Daemon, I need to see my brother." he heard her call and as he reached her he saw it, saw his prince and the blood.
"What happened?"
Grey Worm didn't answer him and when Melisandre reached him she was not alone. As he heard the scream from the queen he turned to see her knight holding her as she fell to the ground.
He moved closer and saw the arrows in Daemon's chest, he saw the blood and reaching out he placed his hand over the prince's mouth relieved he was still breathing. They carried him into the manse, laid him down and both his sister and grandmother tried to get to him.
"We need to look at the wounds." Melisandre said though her voice was low.
"What happened, what did you do?" Rhaella said loudly turning to the princess.
"We were, someone, I don't, he pushed me down, he saved me." Rhaenys said though it was hard to make out her words.
Melisandre reached over to the arrows and seeing her grimace scared him as much as the blood did. He took out his knife and began to cut the clothing away, almost being pushed out of the way when Daemon moaned and thankful for the knight's help when he whispered in the queen's ear to calm her some. The more he uncovered the more worried he and Melisandre became, the arrows were deep, they were too close to the heart and the blood almost flowed like a river from their prince.
They heard it then, the roar, an anguished pained roar from above and they knew she was here, he looked to Melisandre and she nodded as she wiped the blood and he moved to the door, looking back over his shoulder at the prince before leaving. Racing outside he looked to the sky and saw the dragon flying in circles over the manse, her roars were constant and he'd never heard her make a noise this pained before.
Within moments Ghost was beside him, the wolf covered in blood, an arrow in its shoulder, he leaned forward and checked glad the arrow hadn't hit anything vital, and as he touched the wolf he saw him look upwards. The manse they had made their home wasn't large, inside it and given their numbers it was cramped, but outside it did have a garden and he watched on as almost on Ghost's instruction Lyanax landed there.
"The prince, he lives?" he heard Grey Worm ask as the men behind him carried a body.
"He does, what happened?"
"Princess left, wolf and prince ran and pushed her away and then the arrows."
"She was the target?" he asked surprised.
"At first yes."
"Who is the man?"
"Man who fired arrow, wolf got to him before this one could." Grey Worm said and in a way Thoros was disappointed by that, the wolf had been quick, Grey Worm would not have been.
"Bring the body inside Torgho Nudho."
"You?"
"I'm going to try and calm the dragon, take the wolf he's injured, bring him to Asher."
"This one will do as you ask Thoros of Myr."
He smiled at the leader of the unsullied and placed his hand on the man's shoulder, no further words were needed, both men feeling exactly the same. Ghost looked at him and he motioned to follow the unsullied, the wolf cocking his head before doing so. As they left he moved to the dragon and hoped her mood had calmed, Lyanax had allowed he and Melisandre ride him once without Daemon, he hoped she remembered it.
"He is hurt girl, but we'll make him better, he will recover, I swear it." he said as he reached his hand to the dragon.
He could feel her breathing beneath his hand, feel the heat of her and was amazed as always by fire made flesh, but it was her eyes and how they looked at him that gave him pause. There was great sadness in those eyes, a sadness he had seen before in Daemon's own, but it was the fire burning behind that sadness that frightened him, should Daemon fall this city may well burn.
Once he felt the dragon was settled, for now at least, he walked back hurriedly into the manse, making his way to the room he prayed to R'hllor, prayed to save his chosen, his prince, his son. Arriving at the room he saw Ser Davos walking his way both his sons with him, he stopped to talk to Onion Knight, shocked to see the worry on his face.
"The prince?"
"He's bad Thoros, I'm to fetch the Grandmaester, the queen says he can be trusted, the prince is beyond Melisandre's help."
"The arrows?"
"She won't remove them but says they're not poisoned."
"Then go my friend, make haste." he said and Davos nodded and hurried away.
Taking a moment outside he composed himself before walking in, closing his eyes and breathing deeply. When he entered he found Daemon laying there motionless, Melisandre had bandaged around the arrows which still protruded from his chest. On one side his sister sat holding his hand while on the other his grandmother was doing the same. The queen's knight stood at her shoulder and Melisandre stood at the end of the bed looking almost helpless.
"How is he?" he asked breaking the silence.
"The arrows, I dare not remove them, it is beyond my skill Thoros. But there was no poison and we've stopped the bleeding." Melisandre said.
"Marwyn, her grace has sent for Marwyn." Ser Bonifer said and he nodded.
"What happened to my grandson? Who did this?" Rhaella asked without taking her eyes from Daemon.
"Daemon saved his sister, I believe the person was trying to attack her, who he is doesn't matter he is dead, who sent him I do not know." he said and Rhaella looked to Rhaenys.
"He pushed me, he pushed me to the ground, Why? Why would he do that?" she asked her face still covered in tears.
"That is who he is." Thoros said and nodded to Melisandre to follow him.
Once they got outside he took her into his arms, neither were much for physical contact but he knew how she was feeling. When he felt her calm he looked to her and told her what to do.
"Look into the flames, see what purpose our God has for this, pray to him Melisandre, I will come when I can."
"The man, the man who did this where is he?"
"Torgho Nudho has him, worry not on him for now, go I'll come when I can."
He watched her walk sadly down the corridor, her movements less determined, less purposeful than they usually were and he knew it was not just worry which made them so. Daemon was their prince, their god's chosen, if he could fall, if he did fall, what did that mean for the world? Thoros had felt the despair of losing Daemon once before, he knew what it had done to him, as he walked back into the room he knew he couldn't face it again.
Kings Landing 300 AC.
Dany.
She and Missandei along with some of the other ladies had heard of the mummer's show in the tavern and so wearing some of their less fashionable clothing they had snuck out. Now as she sat there holding Missandei's hand and laughing at the show in front of them she was glad she'd done so. It wasn't that it was that funny or even that entertaining, but the anonymity of being here had made her enjoy herself tonight.
While people looked at her when she kissed Missandei, they did so with lust, they did so enjoying the spectacle of two women kissing, rather than knowing one was the princess and what that meant. She may have hated that they ogled her, but that it was what she was doing they ogled her for and not who she was, that for some reason to Dany that made it feel better.
"I told you, you'd enjoy it." Missandei whispered in her ear.
"I learned long ago that you're usually right." she said back and shuddered when she felt the small nip to her ear.
"Only usually?" Missandei said seductively.
She never got the chance to answer, in moments the tavern was almost full of guards, she looked to see some knights she knew, along with gold cloak she did not, and Ser Barristan, which soon had her wondering why her mother had sent her knight. Ser Barristan whispered something in Ser Jonathor's ear and she watched the expression change from her Kingsguard's face before he came over to her.
"We must leave now princess, you need to do exactly as I say, exactly." he said and she nodded.
She, Missandei and their friends were placed in the middle of a group of gold cloaks, they were walked from the tavern and suddenly the sky grew even darker. She looked up to see shields had been placed over their heads, between them and the men surrounding her it was almost in complete darkness that they walked. Missandei grabbed her hand and she was most grateful for it, her worry increasing with each step.
How long they moved for she didn't know, time losing all meaning in the darkness, she heard the sobbing of one of her friends from somewhere but couldn't tell if it was in front or behind her. Eventually, they must have reached their destination and she felt relief when the shields were removed and she could see the light once again. She was in the Red Keep, they'd taken her home and when she realized it she said it aloud.
"We're in the castle, we're safe." she said and while Missandei just squeezed her hand more she heard the relieved cries from behind her.
The knights moved, the gold cloaks moved and she found herself and Missandei being walked through the keep with Ser Jonathor and Ser Barristan on either side of them, both men fully concentrated on what they were doing. She fought the urge to speak, to ask what had happened or what was going on, knowing by the way the knights moved it was important and her safety had been at risk.
They were brought into the family rooms and she upon seeing Viserys immediately ran to her brother and took him in her arms. Viserys's crying on her shoulder as she held him, it took him a few moments to compose himself and when he did his first question was about her and she smiled despite the worry she felt.
"Are you unharmed, are you well?"
"I am, you?"
"I am, what's going on Dany, what's happened?"
"I don't know, where were you?"
"I was in my room, suddenly Ser Oswell was with me moving me here, have you seen Rhaegar? Mother?" he asked and she felt her hand go to her mouth.
"No, Rhaenys or Aegon either, I've seen no one, you don't… you don't."
"Your brother and mother are well princess." Ser Barristan said and Jonathor looked at him as if he was breaking some confidence.
"What happened Ser?"
"I think it's better if we wait for his grace." Jonathor said and Barristan shook his head.
"Someone tried to kill prince Daemon, he's been wounded very gravely." Barristan said and Dany gasped.
"Mother?"
"Your mother is with him, she sent me to find you princess."
Dany felt her heart swell at that, her mother had sent her knight to her, she would have if she'd been thinking more clearly ask how they knew where she was, but her mother knew more than most. She held Missandei's hand and could feel the girls worry both for her and for Daemon, something which Missandei had surprised her with after her dinner with her mother.
" Dany we need to talk."
" Really, if you're breaking up with me you could do better than to put some clothing on." she giggled as she looked at Missandei's naked body as she lay down on the bed.
" There is something I need to tell you, something about me, about my past."
" I don't care about the past, only our future." she said and kissed her cheek giggling when she smiled.
" I know, but I need to tell you this, my love."
" Fine, though there are so many more things we could do that are much more fun." she said as her finger brushed against Missandei's erect nipple and she felt the girl's breathing grow more hurried.
" Please Dany." Missandei said and she was taken aback by the earnestness of her voice.
" Missy, what is it?"
" Your nephew, prince Daemon, I knew him when I was in Essos. He was the one who freed me, me, and the unsullied from our former masters."
She looked at her confused, she knew she'd been a slave and that she'd been freed, though she'd never elaborated on it, but that it was Daemon, that he was the one, she felt her breath hitch .
" He sent you here?"
" He did."
" To spy on me, to worm your way into my bed, into my heart?" she said accusingly as she moved away from her.
" No, it was not like that, it was R'hllor's will that I come here, that I'd find my path here, Daemon sent me for that."
" I'm supposed to believe you, believe him?."
" I was taken from my home when I was seven namedays old. I was gifted and could learn and so they made me a translator, a scribe, my brothers were cut, they were trained and made unsullied. Moardas didn't survive but maybe he was the lucky one, Marselen and Mossador did and are with the prince's men.
For over eight years I was forced to bend to men's wills, I was a scribe, a translator, but do you think that saved me from a master's lusts,? Do you think I was not forced to share his bed against my will? Do you think I had a will of my own?."
" Missy." she said reaching her hand but Missandei brushed it away.
"I had resigned myself to my fate, to my life and t hen one day a man came with two Red Priests to buy the unsullied. To take them all, to swap them for the price of a dragon and I knew I'd never see my brother's again." Missandei said her tears falling.
" I thought they, he said they weren't slaves?."
" They are not, your nephew freed them, he gave them the choice of what to do with their lives, he gave me the choice, to be free, to decide my own fate."
" Why did you come here?"
" He showed me the flames, said his god had a plan for me, he promised me happiness, and just like my freedom he gave it to me."
" You and I?"
" I did not know of you when I came here, only that here, in this place I'd find my heart full, my life complete."
As she felt her loves worry for the man who saved her, the man who'd sent her to her she reached out and took Missandei in her arms, whispering in her ear that Daemon would live, that he would recover, and when she felt her love calm she smiled as she turned to see the doors open and her brother and goodsister walk into the room.
Kings Landing 300 AC.
Jaime.
He moved to the left from Tommen's attack, his son's blade almost catching him and he admired the feint he'd done that had forced him that way. He parried another blow and began to move his own blade faster, needing to just to keep up. He heard the excited cheers from the balcony above, his sister and daughter watching on, his brother and father standing and observing a lot more quietly.
He decided to end it though as Tommen was becoming too cocky, too self-assured and while a little was a good thing, a lot wasn't. As his son's sword fell to the ground, as he saw the shock on his face he heard it, the roar was deafening. He like everyone else in their manse looked up and though it was awe-inspiring to see the dragon fly, something didn't feel right.
"Inside now." he shouted to Tommen and saw his sister and father had done the same to Myrcella.
Once he got into the manse he felt more comfortable, he and his son headed to his father's solar knowing that's where they'd be. When he reached it he found them sitting around, his father though was standing with Tyrion at the window, he saw Myrcella's worried expression and rubbed her back reassuringly before he walked to his father.
"Where is it?" he asked and Tyrion pointed up "Is he riding it?" he asked and no one seemed to know before it began to fly lower.
Daemon wasn't flying on the dragon and where it landed he wasn't sure though it took Tyrion only a few moments to figure it out.
"That's the manse, the one where the prince is staying." Tyrion said.
"I need to go to him, I need to see if he's unharmed." Myrcella said jumping to her feet.
"Cella, you can't you need to stay here, we need to find out what's going on." Cersei said as she reached out for their daughter.
"No, he'll need me, he'll wish me there." his daughter said.
"I'll take her, I'll gather a guard and take her if it's too dangerous I'll return immediately." he said and Cersei shook her head but his father nodded.
"Only you Jaime." his father said and he looked to Tommen who seemed ready to protest.
"Only me." he agreed.
It took them some time to get the men ready, even more, to get the carriage, Myrcella arguing with him and he refusing her leave to ride to the manse.
"You go in the carriage or you don't go." he said and while she huffed she did as he told her.
As they rode to the manse it became clear something terrible had happened, they had to ride hard as Gold Cloaks swarmed the streets, as men and women were being forced indoors. He turned to one of his men and sent him riding back to his father as he needed to be informed the city was being locked down. When they reached the manse they were refused entry, even when he dismounted the unsullied guards were unmoving.
"We need to see the prince."
"No."
"My niece wishes to see her betrothed."
"No."
He was beginning to lose his temper with the man when Myrcella got out of the carriage and walked up to him.
"I wish to see Daemon, Red Flea." she said and the guard looked at her and nodded.
The man still stopped him and it was only when Myrcella intervened that he was allowed inside. Not one of his men were though and looking around he could see the manse was on full alert, the unsullied were everywhere, armed fully and watching everything. As he and Myrcella walked he heard her gasp and looked to see the white wolf run to her, he saw her rub its fur and frown at the bandage on its shoulder.
He himself found his attention though was drawn to the dragon, he had not been this close to it while it was stationary, and looking at it he could for the first time get a true sense of its scale. The dragon was enormous, the garden it lay in was practically demolished underneath it. He felt himself shiver as it looked at him, its eyes watching every step he took and he was glad when they reached the safety of the manse itself.
"Weapons." he heard a voice say.
"He is with me Grey Worm."
"Weapons." the man said and he heard the footsteps of the other men around him.
He took his sword and dagger off and even took out the hidden one he kept, whatever had happened here had these men on a war footing and he knew should they find him hiding arms, they'd not appreciate it. Something which was confirmed a few moments later when they searched him thoroughly before letting him and Myrcella walk on.
"I'm sorry uncle." Myrcella said and he just smiled and said it was of no concern and they made their way to the room.
Outside he saw more guards and surprisingly Ser Arys and when the man his daughter called Grey Worm spoke to the men they were let inside. His daughter's gasp, her scream, her movements, all of them caught him so unaware he stood there like a statue before he too moved.
On the bed in front of him lay Daemon, there were two arrows protruding from his chest, and on either side of the bed were his sister and grandmother. At the bed holding his daughter and not letting her any closer was Thoros and he admired the man his restraint given how Myrcella was pushing at him.
"Sit with me Myrcella." he heard Rhaella say and his daughter calmed as Thoros let her past.
"What happened? The maester? Where is the maester?" Myrcella asked her voice high pitched and worried.
"Marwyn has been sent for, sit Myrcella please," Rhaella said as Ser Bonifer moved a chair closer to the bed.
He watched as his daughter sat and as she reached out her hand and placed it on Daemon's face, she looked to him briefly and he saw the tears she'd already shed, so wrapped up had he been that he'd not even noticed she'd been crying.
"What happened?" he asked Thoros but the man didn't answer instead it was Ser Bonifer who did.
"There was an attack, we're not sure of the details other than the man who did it is dead."
It was brief and to the point and he appreciated that, though Myrcella did not.
"That's it? An attack, who attacked? Why? Who did this and where are they?" his daughter said anger replacing fear and concern.
"We will find out Myrcella and when we do they'll pay on that you have my vow, for now, though we must be here for him, for Daemon." Rhaella said and he watched his daughter almost go meek as she nodded, her tears flowing once again.
"He'll recover, he'll recover I know he will." Myrcella said and while he admired her optimism, he wasn't certain he shared it.
When Marwyn arrived with Ser Davos he made everyone leave, even the queen mother, though the red priest refused as did Grey Worm. Rhaella walked holding both his daughter's hand and her granddaughters and he, Ser Davos, and some other men he didn't know followed them to a room down the hall. They took their seats beside each other, Rhaella and both girls still holding each other's hands.
He stood almost as if he wasn't there such was his presence acknowledged, though Ser Arys walked in and stood beside him and he received a nod from ser Bonifer as he left. The knight returned a few moments later carrying a tray and handed Rhaella a glass, his queen making both Rhaenys and Myrcella take one too. How long he stood there for he didn't know but it was Ser Arys who broke the silence.
"Does his grace know what happened?" he asked and Jaime was glad it wasn't he who was faced with the look his queen gave him "He'll be worried about the princess's safety also your grace." the knight said and Rhaella nodded.
"Perhaps you should go inform my son, Ser." Rhaella said but Ser Arys didn't move, his charge still sitting in the room.
"Princess, we should be getting back, your father." Ser Arys said looking to the princess hopefully.
"It can wait Ser, I'm going nowhere, go back to him if you wish, I'm staying with my brother." Rhaenys said and he'd never heard her so determined, neither had Ser Arys by the looks of things.
"Ser Davos, did you inform anyone of what happened, of who was here? Rhaella asked.
"No your grace I went to the Maester and that was all."
"Bon."
"The hundred will take care of it, I'll return as quick as I can my queen." the knight said his hand touching her shoulder before he left.
The wait felt excruciatingly long, but finally Marwyn walked in, his hands still covered in blood though he was attempting to clean them.
"Forgive me, your grace, for not washing, but I thought the news more important."
"How is he?"
"The arrows have been removed and the damage is not as bad as I feared." Marwyn said and he felt the room breath a collected sigh of relief "But the prince's condition is grave your grace, there was a lot of blood and his breathing is shallow, I do not know for certain if he'll recover."
"No, he'll recover, he must recover, you have to help him, you must help him." Myrcella said and he moved to her but the queen was quicker grabbing his daughter and whispering in her ear.
"Do you need anything Grandmaester?"
"I have what I need your grace, he is resting now but should you wish to you can go see him, I'll stay here until we know more."
Rhaella nodded and stood up taking Myrcella and Rhaenys's hands as she began to move.
"Ser Jaime, Ser Davos, I ask we not be disturbed unless there is no other choice." Rhaella said and he nodded as did Davos.
When they left Ser Arys looked to him almost lost and Jaime took pity on the man, reaching out and touching his shoulder, forcing him to look at him.
"Stand guard Ser Arys, do your duty, protect the princess." he said and the knight nodded before he left the room.
"He blames himself." Ser Davos said and he turned to look at the onion knight.
"His charge is safe, he has done his duty."
"Yet he blames himself all the same."
"He does, but blame is for another day Ser Davos."
"You think her grace thinks that?"
He didn't answer, he didn't have to, he knew how his queen felt, should Daemon fall then it wouldn't just be the dragon outside who'd roar and burn, should he fall then Kings Landing would feel the wrath of a queen.
Kings Landing 300 AC.
Elia.
She had been sitting speaking with Ashara and Allyria when they heard the dragon's roar, they like most people she had no doubt, had moved inside when they saw it in the sky. The way it flew, the way it circled, its roars all of it combined to make her heart thump against her chest. When it stopped, when it landed she felt only a brief relief, only a momentary sense of quiet.
Soon though all that was gone, her uncle stood beside her looking on worried, the sounds around her were of men rushing and guards moving, Ashara and Allyria looked to her for answers she didn't have. When Arthur, Rhaegar, and Jon Connington arrived she saw their own lack of knowledge of the situation and that concerned her even more. It was only when Ser Barristan arrived that they found out what had happened, the knight looking for Viserys and Daenerys.
"Ser Barristan, what happened?" Arthur asked.
"Daemon, someone attacked the prince," he said "Daenerys, Viserys where are they?"
After finding out where Viserys was they sent for him only for Oswell to bring him to them first, he told Barristan that Daenerys had gone to a tavern and as the knight went to move she gasped.
"Rhaenys, Aegon." she said.
"The princess is with prince Daemon your grace, Ser Arys is with her and she's within the compound, it's best she doesn't leave until we're more sure of the situation."
"Aegon?" she asked and no one knew where he was.
"I'll find my grandnephew your grace." her uncle said and he and Barristan left quickly, Ser Arthur and Ser Oswell staying with them for their protection."
"Find Varys, Jon, we need to know what's happening." Rhaegar said but Jon Connington stood almost silent "JON." her husband said and the griffin nodded before leaving.
"Your grace we need to move you, and you too your grace." Arthur said and Rhaegar took her hand.
"The children?" she said her mind elsewhere.
"Will be brought to us, come my love, we must do as Arthur says."
He brought them to their rooms and had Viserys brought to a different set, she had thought Arthur would have wished the family together but the knight had other ideas and on this, she deferred to him. Rhaegar did his best to comfort her and so did Ashara but none of them could remove the feeling of dread that rose up inside her. Her children, all three of them were out there and in danger, Daemon had been attacked and the roars of the dragon had somehow been a signal of it.
She tried to take comfort in the fact that Barristan hadn't said he was injured, that Rhaenys was with those men, the ones who'd impressed Arthur so, that the dragon was close, her daughter, her son were safe. Which then led her to worry about her other son, Aegon, Where was he? Was he safe too?.
"Lewyn will find him Elia, he'll bring him home." Ashara said and she nodded.
When Barristan returned with Daenerys she breathed a sigh of relief, even more, when he stayed, but it was when Ser Bonifer arrived that despair began to take hold of not just her but of them all.
"Ser Bonifer has arrived your grace." Oswell said and Arthur looked to Rhaegar who nodded.
"Send him in Oz."
The knight looked pale when he walked inside, his face far more worried than she'd seen it in years, he looked to her and tried to smile before he looked to her husband.
"There was an attack, Prince Daemon was injured badly, they removed two arrows from him and Marwyn is with him as we speak." Bonifer said and she, Ashara and even Arthur gasped when hearing it.
"My daughter?" she asked worriedly.
"Is with her brother your grace, she is unharmed and the prince's men surround her."
"She is a prisoner?" Rhaegar asked and Bonifer scowled at her husband angrily.
"Her grandmother felt it best she is kept safe inside given we're in the dark here, and the princess wished to stay with her brother also."
"I'm sorry ser." Rhaegar said though she knew it had no effect on the knight at all.
"Who Ser Bonifer, who attacked Daemon?" she asked.
"I do not know your grace, the wolf took care of the man who did so, but on who's orders I do not know." he said and she could see how annoyed and angry he was about that.
"His injuries how bad are they Ser?" Ashara asked and she saw the knight look to the floor before looking back up.
"They are grave my lady."
Varys arrived a few moments later with an even more worried Jon Connington walking by his side. She thought Rhaegar may ask Ser Bonifer to leave but he didn't instead turning to the eunuch.
"My son has been attacked, again, once more in my city, someone has taken it upon themselves to attack a member of my family, the same member of my family. I want them found Varys, find them, find who's responsible, as of right now this city is closed, no one enters, no one leaves, no ship, no horse, call out the guard Jon, all of them."
"Your grace perhaps…" Jon said and Rhaegar's head turned to him so fast she thought he was going to break his own neck.
"DO IT." her husband shouted.
She had never seen Jon Connington move so fast, both he and the eunuch practically running from the room to see to her husband's orders.
"Ser Bonifer, I know you don't serve me and I have no right to ask, but my son is out there in the city somewhere, find him for me Ser, find my son."
"The hundred will do what we can your grace."
"I thank you Ser." her husband said and Ser Bonifer left.
"Arthur, bring Dany and Viserys here, our family must be together, they need to know what's going on."
Arthur as always did as he was told, leaving in the blink of an eye and she walked over to her husband each of them trying to reassure each other.
"They'll find Aegon, Rhaenys is safe, I, what am I to do?" Rhaegar asked his voice sounding as lost as the look he was giving her.
"We protect our family and then whoever did this, we find them and make them pay."
"I can't lose him, Elia, I can't lose any of them."
"He'll recover my love, we lost him once and he returned, he'll recover" she said though whether it was just to comfort her husband, blind hope, or worry she couldn't be sure, what she was sure of, what she knew, was that she doubted her own words.
Kings Landing 300 AC.
The Blackfish.
For over ten and seven years he'd been forced to endure the indignity of seeing his families fall from grace, he knew that his brother's ambition had caused it, his desire to see them rise had led to their fall. But still, they had gone from the Lord Paramount of the Trident to a lowly house ran by his nephew and beneath the Freys in terms of strength, wealth, and worst of all prestige.
He had seen his brother's death and failure knowing he had led his house to ruin, watched as his nephew's anger grew for year on year, and felt his own annoyance knowing his family deserved better. So when Ser Bonifer had reached out to him many years earlier, he had jumped at the chance, even though it had been made clear to him it was a long term solution and that it couldn't be Edmure.
Ten years ago.
Sitting in the inn of the crossroads a part of him considered not going back to the Vale, not going to visit Lysa and not taking up the offer he'd received from Jon. Knight of the Bloody Gate was prestigious and far better than what he had been doing but was it what he wished for?.
" Buy you an ale?" the voice asked and he looked up to see Ser Bonifer.
" You drinking now Bon?" he said with a chuckle.
" It's a far different world than it once was and I find drink not to be the great evil I thought it."
" Well since you're buying." he said and Bonifer ordered more ales.
They drank for some time, both of them reminiscing over tourney's they'd fought in, wars they fought in, over women they'd loved, though Bonifer at least was with the woman he chose.
" So what brings you to my part of the world Bon?"
" Maybe we should ride old friend, there are far too many little birds in these parts"
They rode for a number of hours and the place he chose to stop surprised him, it was open, had no cover to rest under, though they'd not be surprised here. After lighting a fire he waited until Bon sat down wondering what brought the man to him.
" Your brother was a foolish man Brynden, it cost your house everything, your nephew seems the same sort, though even less clever." had it been anyone else than Bonifer he may have defended his brother but he knew the knight far too well to take offense.
" Aye, but there's nowt to be done about the past."
" What of the future?"
" What of it?"
" Would you not like your name restored, your house restored?"
" Aye of course I would, not bloody likely to happen though is it?"
" You should never think that Brynden, we live in an ever-changing world. I thought myself doomed to be alone, my love and I to be forever parted, yet each morning I wake I know she is mine and I am hers, the world is full of wonder old friend."
" What's going on Bon?"
" Don't take the offer from Jon Arryn, you're needed more here in the Riverlands, your family is here, your duty is here and your honor can be restored here, in time."
" Bon?"
" Your nephew will never be Lord Paramount, but he is not your only kin, you should go visit your grandnephews, I heard you have another."
Now.
That's how it started, so easy, a conversation and a visit north, Bonifer met him over the years although when the prince disappeared the meetings became lesser, yet still Bonifer's ideas played in his head. So when Edmure messed up he was there to clean it up, when Darry failed he was there to offer a solution, pretty soon people began to notice, people began to speak.
Bonifer had been right, Edmure could never be Lord Paramount, but Brandon, Brandon could and so it was to that goal he worked, and to that goal he dedicated his life. Daemon's return was the opportunity he'd waited for and he felt it was so close now to being a reality. It had taken him some time to figure out Rhaella's plan, that it hinged on her grandson and so his own hopes hinged on Daemon too.
Hearing the bells toll, the roar of the dragon, seeing the gold cloaks spread through the streets, he wondered if now was the time, had it happened without him? Had the move been made while he drank the night away? He went looking for one of the men of the hundred, strolling through the streets the scene he came upon was carnage, the bodies littered the streets and the blood pooled on the ground.
"Guards, guards." he called and moved to the front of the alley "Guards." he shouted louder as men came running towards him.
"What is it?"
"Up here, bodies, there are bodies." he said and the gold cloak looked at him.
He showed him where to go, the street seemed almost eerily quiet, as they moved he placed his hand on his blade, and then he heard the gasp of the men in front of him.
"Arrest him." he heard one of the guards say and he looked on stunned "Arrest him."
He didn't put up any resistance, any fight, it was pointless and he had done nothing, as he was dragged away though he looked back and saw a man leaning against the wall, his white cloak splattered in blood and he wondered, was this their plan?.
Kings Landing 300 AC.
Rhaenys.
Sitting at her brother's bedside gave her a lot of time to think, to try and replay what had happened in her mind. Her brother had saved her, that much she knew, had he not pushed her away then the arrow would surely have hit her. But why? Why had Daemon saved her? He had told her he wanted a sister, that he would support her, but to save her, she couldn't understand it.
All she knew was that she was grateful for it and that he had to recover, she needed him to recover. She felt herself begin to doze off and before she did her grandmother was speaking to her.
"Rhaenys, you should go rest, you too Myrcella."
"No, I'll be all right, I'll stay." Myrcella said and she did likewise barely a moment later but Rhaella wasn't listening to either of them.
"Thoros can you have a room prepared for my granddaughter and future goodgrandaughter."
"I'll find somewhere for them." the red priest said and got up to leave the room.
"I'll call you both if there's any change, but you need to rest." her grandmother said as she forced a smile to try and reassure them.
She followed Thoros a few minutes later and she and Myrcella were taken to a large room with a few beds in it, surprisingly to her Myrcella took the bed next to hers and as she lay down, the girl began speaking to her.
"What happened princess?"
"I don't know, we spoke, we spoke for the first time I can ever remember, it was… it was, Daemon he….he." she said shaking her head and fighting the tears.
"Princess?"
"Call me Rhaenys please." she said after composing herself.
"Rhaenys, he, do you think, will he.."
Seeing Myrcella lose her own battle with tears she got up from the bed and walked over to her putting her arms around the girl and letting her sob against her. Once again she found herself fighting her own tears but she tried to be strong, tried to be there for her. Myrcella would be her goodsister, when Daemon recovered they would marry and she and the girl would be friends, she hoped they'd be friends.
Eventually they both went to sleep, they spoke a little more but her grandmother was right she needed to rest, Myrcella needed to rest and seeing how worried the girl was for her brother, she found herself liking the girl far more than she had. It wasn't that she didn't like her before, it was more that she never saw her as anything, not a friend, not an ally, she hated the thought but couldn't dismiss it but she saw her as irrelevant.
She woke up a few hours later, daylight streaming in and Myrcella shaking her, making her worry.
"Daemon, is he.."
"I don't know I just woke, I was going to go see him but I didn't wish to leave you on your own."
"Thank you." she said as she got up.
Both girls had slept in their dresses which were crumpled and both of them must no doubt look a mess, she looked to Myrcella and saw her hair was tussled and could only imagine how her own looked.
"Do you think there is a brush or comb anywhere?" she asked and Myrcella almost glared at her before she smiled when she saw her moving her fingers in her hair.
"Does mine look as bad as yours?" Myrcella asked getting a smile from her in return.
"It does."
Walking to the door she found Ser Arys and Ser Jaime outside and asked her knight to see if he could find her a comb, Ser Jaime asking after Myrcella as she did so. Telling him they'd both be out in a moment she asked was there any change, disappointed when he shook his head. It took Ser Arys a few moments to return and he carried a silver brush in his hand, it was beautiful and she wondered who owned it.
"Do you think this is Daemon's?" she said as she walked back to Myrcella and the girl giggled as she shook her head.
"He uses a comb."
"Why don't you sit and I'll fix yours and then you can fix mine."
Myrcella nodded as she took a seat, she slowly began to brush the girl's golden hair, finding it soothing as the brush smoothly took out the few tangles there were in it.
"I'm sorry Myrcella, for the lunch, I, what we planned, I'm sorry."
"Why did you plan it?"
"I don't know, I think I wished to frighten you off, scare you from being with my brother, but I'm not sure, I wasn't thinking straight."
"And now you are?"
"No, but I'm trying to."
"Then I accept your apology."
"Do you love him?" she asked after a few moments of silence.
"I do, he's different, what he cares for, you know he told me something about having a dragon, what it's like, that when you're up there in the sky everything down here is so small, so meaningless, the problems of the world below seem to just fade away."
"I don't understand?"
"Neither did I, when I asked he said, that despite that freedom, despite knowing when you're up there you can just fly away and leave those problems behind you, you learn who you truly are and so far each time he's been on Lyanax, he's always wanted to land."
She found herself smiling at that, even more so when she sat down and Myrcella brushed her hair, finding it even more soothing to be on the other end of it. Once they were done they left the room, Myrcella speaking to her uncle and then joining her as they walked down to Daemon's room.
Her grandmother was still inside, whether she had slept or not she couldn't tell but she knew she'd not left. Daemon looked so peaceful, as if he was resting comfortably, and was it not for the bandage wrapped around him there'd have been no sign he'd been attacked at all. Thoros, the red priestess, and Ser Davos also sat in the room and when she and Myrcella moved to the bed, the red priest and the knight gave up their seats.
"Have you eaten?" her grandmother said and she shook her head.
"I'm not hungry."
"Ser Davos, can you see something is brought for them?"
"At once your grace."
"How is he?" Myrcella asked before she could.
"He's resting, Marwyn says the blood loss, it could be some time, you should go see your parents, both of you, they'll be worried."
"I'd like to stay." Rhaenys said and Myrcella nodded in agreement.
Ser Davos arrived with some porridge and some fruit and despite herself, she ate it, Myrcella picking more at hers, but she too ate some. They were sitting there for some time when one of the unsullied came calling for Thoros, the red priest leaving the room and returning a few moments later. She watched as he walked over to her grandmother and whispered in her ear.
Her grandmother's face was hard to read before she looked to her and stood up, walking over to her and touching her shoulder.
"Your father and mother are outside, I need to go speak to them, do you wish to come with me?" she asked and she nodded, leaning forward to kiss her brother's forehead and reaching out to take Myrcella's hand and give it a squeeze before she left.
Kings Landing 300 AC.
Rhaegar.
He hated being in the dark, hated it more than almost anything in the world, and yet for years he had been in the dark about so much. Ever since Daemon's return he had found his eyes were opening, things he had ignored or left to the purview of others he now knew he'd been wrong to do so. Since his fight with his son, he had questioned what kind of a king, what kind of a father he had been and he had come to the realization that on both counts he had been terrible.
As a king he had allowed other's interests, other's biases to define his reign, some decisions he was beginning to think he'd have made either way, but others he had begun to question. The North being one of the areas where his son had shown him just how much he'd failed, just how far he'd fallen. As a father though it had been even worse, as he had with his reign he had allowed his children to be influenced by others, he had allowed their biases to become his children's own.
The son he had the least contact with, the son he'd not raised, being the one who'd grown up balanced and focussed and with the sense of duty he himself once had. He wondered what that said about him? What did that show about him? He had tried to be better than his father, to be everything he had not and in the end, he had become more like him than he ever would have imagined.
"My love, you must sleep." Elia said as she stood beside him at the window.
"I cannot, my mind won't allow it." he said and she leaned in and kissed his cheek.
"Nor can I, but we must try, Lewyn will find Aegon, Daemon will recover and Rhaenys is safe, sleep my love, try at least."
They lay down on the bed and he took her in his arm's his eyes heavy and despite his troubled mind he soon found himself asleep. Though the dreams he had soon made him wish he had stayed awake.
He lay beside her on the bed, the small bump on her belly only barely showing, her grey eyes looking into his. He kissed her stomach before he moved up and kissed her lips, feeling as complete as he ever had.
" She will rise to be queen my love?"
" He will be a prince, Rhaegar, it is a boy I carry, a mother knows these things."
" Visenya." he said and she shook her head.
" Daeron." she said and he laughed.
" Dorne would love that my love."
" Fuck Dorne, let them carry their own child." she said and he laughed.
He found himself riding to the capital, his army behind him, the lion banners in front, and when Tywin saw him he knelt and dipped them. He came to support him he said, to help remove his father and as he looked at the old lion he knew that was partly true, but there was more to it than what he said.
As he took his seat on the Throne, as he wore his crown, he looked to Elia, to his children, and thought of the one not here yet, his third head of the dragon, his Visenya. He pictured her silver hair, her deep purple eyes and he smiled, and looked forward to meeting her and his wife.
The crib was too close, much too close to his son, he wished it moved and so it had been, he walked to it and looked down, the babe's deep purple eyes staring back at him and yet in this light they were grey, they were hers and he found himself unable to stand it. This was not his child, this was not their babe, this was not what he had been promised. The prophecy had taken her from him and in return it had given him this, this boy who should not exist.
" I wish to take him to Dragonstone, to live with me." his mother said and he shook his head.
" He needs must stay here, this is where he belongs."
" In a place where he is hated, where he is scorned, this is what you wish for your child."
" He is not my child." the slap was quick and hard, the imprint clear on his face.
" I raised you better than this, give me the boy, it's clear you don't wish him to be here, that you don't care for him, give me the boy at least do something right for your blood."
" You cannot raise a princess and a prince, I'll not have it mother, if you wish him with you then my sister stays here."
" You would take my daughter from me?"
" I would have my family near."
She walked in past them all, striding straight to him, he sat on the throne, his crown resting and he could see the fury in her eyes, how she knew so soon he could only put down to the knight who walked with her, Ser Bonifer as always by her side.
" Where is my grandson?"
" I do not know."
" You don't know, where is my grandson Rhaegar?"
" Your grace you cannot address the king so."
" Quiet Griffin lest I clip your wings once and for all." his mother said loudly to gasps and turned to him once again "Where is my grandson?"
" I do not know, we've sent men to find him."
" Men, what men? Why is your Master of Whisperers standing there, your Kingsguard, why are they not tearing this city apart to find my grandson, a prince of the realm? If it were Rhaenys or Aegon no stone would be left unturned, what stones have you turned over for my grandson?"
" He is not Aegon or Rhaenys."
" No he is not, he is my blood, you may have ignored your son, I have not, find him Rhaegar and find him now, do not test me on this."
" I am the king, you do not order me, I order you." the slap was even louder this time, it hurt even more, though whether it was the force of it or the public nature of it he couldn't be sure."
" You are a fucking disappointment, your father's son, not mine. Until you bring me, my grandson, you'll not be in my presence again, never have I felt so ashamed by one of my children as I do this day."
He woke up shaking tossing and turning, his son, her son, he had failed him for far too long. Elia wasn't in the room and so he changed quickly and sent for Arthur, placing his armor on for the first time in years.
"Your grace? "Arthur said looking at him.
"We go to see my son, my wife where is she?"
"She's with her nieces and Ashara."
"Ask her to join me, tell her where we're going." he said and Arthur nodded "Aegon?"
"No sign as of yet, I've sent more men to search." Arthur said and he barely heard him as he left.
The ride to the manse took some time, Arthur having arranged a massive escort, Daenerys and Viserys were left behind much to their annoyance, but he needed them there. As it was there would be far too many of the royal family in one place, it just wasn't safe. Upon reaching the gates they were denied entry, the unsullied resolute, and to his shock backed up by Daemon's dragon.
"I've come to see my son, tell my mother I'm here."
"You wait." the man said and he almost laughed, he was king and yet it meant nothing to this man, he was glad he'd not brought Jon with him, the griffin was not one to accept such an insult.
It was Thoros who arrived first and he barely spoke to him, just looked to the carriage and saw his wife, and then nodded before leaving. His mother arrived a few moments later and he was relieved not just to see her safe and well but to see Rhaenys equally so though his daughter looked very shaken.
"Rhaegar." his mother said stiffly.
"Can I see him?" he asked and she nodded and then he embraced his daughter.
"You are unharmed?" he asked and she nodded.
"Mother." she said a moment later as her mother ran to her and took her in her arms.
They were brought inside and led down to a room that was heavily guarded, a half dozen of the unsullied, all of them within striking range, as they walked inside he saw the white wolf leaning on the bed. Myrcella Lannister also was sat there holding his son's hand as she stroked the wolf's fur, on the bed his son lay breathing, and he was thankful at least for that.
"How is he?" he asked when Marwyn walked in.
"He lost a lot of blood your grace, but the arrows weren't poisoned and didn't cause as much damage as I feared".
"Will he recover?"
"I cannot say, your grace."
He moved to the bed and looked down at his son, his face was paler than ever, his skin almost white and yet for Rhaegar, he had never seen him so clearly as he did right then. He was her son, her boy, more so than he had ever been his, and he had punished him for it, he had punished him, ignored him, hated him, all because he had lived while she had not. As he looked down he reached his hand out and felt his son's face, he had loved the mother, why couldn't he have loved the son just as much?.
The sound of running caught him by surprise and he moved his hand away, turning he saw Ser Bonifer come into the room, the knight looking flustered, almost panicked.
"Bon, what is it?" his mother asked.
"Prince Lewyn is dead, as are Aegon's guards, some of my men too." he said and Rhaegar felt his heart almost stop.
"My son, where is my son?" Elia asked moving quickly into the room.
"I do not know your grace, his friends are dead and the prince, I do not know where the prince is."