Kings Landing 300 AC.
Tyrion.
Rarely had Tyrion seen his father upset, and certainly not this upset, not since his mother had died, it wasn't that he loved Joffrey, the reason for Cersei's upset, it was that he had fallen, that someone had killed him. Ever since Cersei and he were sent to King's Landing with Myrcella and Joffrey his father had been updated on the boy's shortcomings, on his failings, and the lengths Tyrion had gone to cover them up.
He had tried and while Cersei coddled her children she too could be firm but there was something off in Joffrey, something bad, and nothing anyone could do seemed to be able to reign it in. In the end, he was glad his father had arrived when he had, glad he'd been the one to deal with the incidents at Chataya's and had taken over dealing with Joffrey himself. Though it would seem even his efforts had failed and the boy had been too far gone, too clear in what it was he wished to do for anyone to stop him.
As he paced around the room he wondered as to his father's course of action, Joffrey dead, Daemon in a grave condition, not only did this change their plans but this was an attack on the Lannister's themselves. Something his father didn't usually let slide, sure he'd accepted being slighted by the crown but then he'd had to, Tyrion knew though he wouldn't accept it from anyone else.
"Uncle." he heard Tommen call from behind him as he stood looking out the window of the manse.
"Nephew, I'm sorry I didn't hear you come in."
"I..Mother, uncle, I can't get through to her." the boy said worriedly.
"Where is she?"
"In Joff's room."
He nodded and then placed his hand on the boy's side when he left, a reassuring hand on the shoulder was something his size didn't allow him to offer. Walking down the corridor he ignored the guards who followed him, even here in their own home his father now insisted they be protected at all times. He heard the sobbing when he got to the room and opening the door he walked inside and saw her.
She was crying on the bed, her body shaking with the intensity of her sobs, his sister held her son's pillow in her hand and he felt unequipped to deal with her, unable to offer her the comfort his brother could. But Jaime was still with Myrcella and until he came back it was left to him, so he moved closer to the bed and climbed up beside her, his arm going around her as she leaned into him.
"He could have been so good, we could have helped him more." she said as he tried his best to be there for her.
"We could, he was sister, when he was a boy, remember how he, Cella and Tommen would play together?" he said and she nodded "Days on the beach by the cove, swimming, and eating while we sat out in the sun."
"I want them found Tyrion, whoever it was I want them found and brought to me." she said angrily.
"They will, father will search the world for them you know that. He'll leave no stone unturned, there is no place they can hide, no place they'll be safe."
"My boy, my sweet little boy, I want to see him." she said and he shook his head.
"We can't, not yet, but I'll get on to it, I'll make them bring him to us, I swear it."
"Jaime, Myrcella?" she asked looking to him.
"Still with the prince." he said and she nodded before leaning in closer.
He held her silently then, no thoughts of time or no attempt to move, just sitting there with her in his arms. At some point he knew the urge for vengeance would take her over, the feelings of grief would be overwhelmed and he pitied the men who did this. His sister could be sweet and kind, she could be funny and charming but she was a lioness and someone had taken her cub from her, they should fear her retribution, fear a mother's anger, they should fear her roar.
"You need to eat." he said after a while and she shook her head "Please for me?" and he was glad when she nodded.
By the time the food arrived though she was asleep and after covering her with the sheet he walked from the room and informed her guards to stay with her. Seeing his nephew outside he walked over and whispered in his ear, telling him to go inside, to lay down beside her as she'd appreciate it when she woke. Then he headed to his father's solar to try and find out his plans, to try to figure out his mind, and where they would go from here.
"What do we know?" he asked when he took his seat, his father standing looking over the table.
"How is your sister?"
"Upset, angry, tired, she needs Myrcella back, Jaime too."
"They are better where they are, safer too, we're in the dark here, the city is on lockdown, and apart from the messages I assume are from the hundred, we're lost."
"What do they say?"
"That Prince Daemon took two arrows saving his sister, that Prince Aegon has been kidnapped or presumed kidnapped since he's missing and that along with all his guards, some men of the hundred, Prince Lewyn Martell. Joffrey, Harold Hardyng and the Darkstar were all murdered in the brothel off the Street of Silk,
"Not Chataya's?" he asked.
"No."
"Which brothel?" he asked curiously.
"What does it matter?" his father said abruptly.
"It may not, but maybe the owner played a role?"
"And allowed for four of his girls to be killed?" his father said looking at him.
"For the right incentive."
"We can't find out from here and gods knows when this lockdown will be lifted." his father said sitting down.
"The Hound?" he asked and his father looked at him.
"The man did his job, he was here Tyrion, he snuck out from here. It's our own guards who are at fault, not Clegane."
He nodded though seemed surprised his father was letting this go so easily, something he found himself to be completely wrong on no more than a moment later upon hearing the words from his father's mouth.
"The king may concern himself with his fool of a son and while he may have been the target it was my grandson who lost his life. His mother wishes for vengeance, then we'll give it to her, no matter the cost I want these men found. I want them brought to me and I swear it they will suffer." his father said and he knew far better than to argue or doubt him.
Kings Landing 300 AC.
Elia.
While her husband both wallowed in self-pity and in anger, she found her own way to deal with things, she began to question, starting first with her nieces and Ellaria. She made her way to where they were kept, they were prisoners in all but name, and no sooner had she entered than Arianne and Obara began to complain.
"He can't do this to us." Obara said angrily.
"Father will not accept this, aunt." Arianne said a moment later.
"Sit down both of you, sit down now and keep your mouths closed until I tell you otherwise." she said and her tone brooked no argument "My son is missing, someone tried to kill my daughter and Daemon lies dying, so don't whine to me about your treatment, not when you're suspect."
"What?" Ellaria said her shock genuine.
"Quentyn was the only one who walked from that brothel, Rhaenys may well have been nothing but a distraction, who benefits if both princes fall?"
"We would never." Nymeria said.
"What, plot the death of a prince, you forget who I am niece, I was unbowed, unbent, unbroken long before you, I've played the game of thrones longer than any in this room, you think me a fool?"
"No aunt." Tyene said.
"Then stop treating me like one, where were you?"
"We were here Elia, this was not us, this was not Dorne." Ellaria said.
"You speak for my other brother now too Ellaria, Arianne?"
"Father would not do this, not only is it too blatant it's stupid, it's not him. The fact I'm here, that all my cousins are here, it's not him. It's not uncle Oberyn either, he'd not risk us so." Arianne said.
"Maybe he thinks you protected, thinks I would step in." she said and Arianne looked almost scared when she looked at her.
"You would not?"
"If I thought you had anything to do with this, no."
"If not Dorne then who?" Obara asked.
"The Reach, they are the ones who benefit should Dorne fall into disfavour." Arianne said and she didn't bother to reply just moved to the door.
"Aunt, Rhaenys, she is safe?" Tyene asked.
"She is, you should pray for her brother, niece, if Daemon falls then we have a riderless dragon to deal with."
As she left it was Ser Barristan who came to her to tell her of the prisoner in the cells, how he'd found out before her she had no idea and she felt her annoyance at her husband grow. It was one thing to be upset about Aegon, about Daemon, and she felt it keenly too, so keenly that she'd sent Ashara to the manse to see he and Rhaenys. It was however quite another to allow it to interfere with what they needed to do.
She was glad they'd not put him in the Black Cells, while she was not completely sure of his involvement she doubted it, and so she along with Ser Barristan walked into the cell to find the man sitting on a bed.
"Ser Brynden."
"Your grace." he replied curtly.
"Perhaps you can tell me your story Ser and we can get to the bottom of this."
"I was drinking in a tavern your grace when I heard the bells. When I left I came across the bodies and so I called for the guard, then before I knew it I was at the end of a half dozen blades and brought here." he said bitterly.
"You played no part in the events?"
"Check my sword, I may have my issues with your family your grace, but why would I take them out on the prince, on his friends, on Lewyn, he was a man I respected." he said.
"Ser Barristan?"
"I vouch for Ser Brynden your grace, if he says he played no part then I would accept it on his honor."
"Do you swear it on your honor Ser?" she said turning to the knight.
"I swear it your grace, whatever happened in that alley happened before I arrived and I played no part in it."
"I believe you Ser. I shall see to your release immediately though it'll no doubt take some time still, you may be here one more night if so forgive me."
"You have my condolences on your loss, your grace, your uncle was a good man."
"I thank you, he was."
Walking from the room she couldn't help but think there was far more going on here than any of them knew. Dorne and the Reach wouldn't be so blatant, even in attempting to shift the blame on each other this wouldn't be how it would be done, this was far too blunt, far too direct for Olenna or Doran. Oberyn may try something like this, but not with his children here, not with Ellaria here, meaning his own absence was just coincidental.
Who though? Who gained? Who had the means? And what was their objective, what were they seeking? She found she couldn't think straight, couldn't understand the events or make sense of why they had tried to kill her daughter and not her son, why then switch to Daemon, it didn't make sense.
"Ser Barristan see to it he's freed, I'll get the king's order later but see to it he's let go unharmed."
"I will your grace."
"I find myself at a loss Ser Barristan, this all makes no sense, am I missing something, is there a plan here at work I cannot see?"
"If there is then you're not alone your grace as I find myself confused also, if this is an attack on the royal family then why not all of you? Forgive me, your grace."
"No, please continue Ser."
"Princess Daenerys was in a tavern your grace, why not go for her? True yourself, his grace and Prince Viserys were here, but why was it Prince Daemon, Princess Rhaenys and Prince Aegon, why not Daenerys or even Viserys or yourselves?."
"Those three are first in the line of succession Ser."
"They are your grace, but this doesn't feel to me like a succession issue."
"Nor me either Ser Barristan." she said.
The knight walked her to her husband's solar and she arrived just in time to see Jon Connington basically be dragged in, she could smell the ale from where she stood and she bid the knight goodbye as she entered the room. Rarely had she seen her husband so furious and as she listened to him she soon found out why. It wasn't just he'd been lax in his duty, it was the note her husband held in his hand and once again she felt they were being played for fools.
Kings Landing 300 AC.
Jon Connington.
The boy dressed and Jon took another swallow of his drink, he had come to drown in his sorrows, come to wallow in his failure. He felt ashamed that he hadn't just done that, that he hadn't just gone to a corner and drank away his misery, but had instead come here and gave in to his baser urges. The boy's hair was blond not silver, but as it always did it sufficed, and as he had taken him in his arms, as he had called him Aegon over and over, it didn't matter much to him in the end.
As he watched the boy put on his breeches they came and for the briefest moment he felt happy, he felt relief, they had taken his prince and come to offer him the relief of eternal sleep and he welcomed it. When they had dragged him from the room barely dressed he had even hoped they were taking him to his prince, that no matter the danger, the fear, he'd be with Aegon and at least see him before he went to his gods.
It was out on the street he began to realize these men weren't who he thought, it wasn't Aegon they were taking him to, it was his other silver prince, his former silver prince. He was confused and a little angry by the time they reached the Red Keep, telling them who he was had no effect on how he was treated, demanding they let him go even less. Pretty soon he found himself in front of the king, his purple eyes full of fury, his hand's white from where he gripped a table. What he was shouting at him he couldn't make out and he barely noticed when the queen entered the room.
"Have you nothing to say in your defense?" Rhaegar said and finally, he began to hear things clearly once again.
"Defense?"
"This Jon, read this." Rhaegar said throwing the note to him.
He picked it up from the ground and felt the color drain from his face when he read it, it couldn't be, this was a joke, a plot, he hadn't, he wouldn't, he didn't, he thought while reading the note.
It is done, we missed the girl but the boy got two in the chest, you owe me double as you never told me about the wolf and my brother's children need coin now they have no father. I'll meet you in the usual place at the hour of the wolf.
"This is a lie." he said shaking his head.
"Is it, Jon?" Rhaegar said dismissively.
He tried to think, Who? Why? That he was being set up was clear but who would do so, Dorne? yes he and they had different agendas and different people they wished on the throne, but would they go this far? No, it didn't make sense, it didn't add up, this wasn't Dorne, but if not them then who?. There could only be one logical explanation, one person devious enough and clever enough to not only carry this out but to seek to lay the blame at his feet.
"Rhaella." he whispered.
"What? "Rhaegar said glaring at him.
"It has to be, this is a plot to make Daemon king, don't you see, Aegon, Rhaenys, this is all to make that bastard king." he said and the punch he was caught with had him spitting blood and loosened his tooth.
"I warned you already, Jon, you will never speak of my son like that, never."
"You have to believe me, my king, this has to be her, to be them, no one else makes sense."
"You think my mother would harm Daemon? You think she'd risk her grandchildren, are you that far gone Jon or are you still drunk."
"Daemon was an accident, Rhaenys was the target, Aegon was taken and now she's trying to lay it at my door, this was her my king." he pleaded
"Enough Jon, speak of my mother this way and it'll be more than your pin I take." Rhaegar said vehemently.
He felt his chest constrict, it couldn't be, he couldn't, he needed him, Aegon needed him, this was playing into her hands, into her gameplan.
"She's a witch, your grace, she and the bastard, they both, ever since they came back, can't you see?" and seeing the angry disgusted look Rhaegar gave him it was clear he could not.
"Guards." Rhaegar shouted and Ser Oswell and Ser Jonathor entered.
"Your grace."
"See this man gone from this city Ser Oswell, gone before night falls."
"My king please."
"No Jon, for too long I've been blinded by who you used to be and not seen who you've become, you've insulted my son ever since he returned, you've plotted against him and I can no longer trust you, no longer look at you. Go, go back to Griffin's Roost, but go and go now, next time I see you, Jon, I'll take your head."
Elia stood there watching and saying nothing while Oswell stood with him and after the pin was taken he was marched to his rooms, no not his rooms any longer, marched to the Tower of the Hand. The Knight and some guards stood while he grabbed his belongings, those he could carry anyway, the rest to be sent to him in the future, though they could burn them if they liked.
He was walked to the front of the Red Keep and found a horse already saddled and waiting, Ser Oswell said nothing as he mounted and just looked at him with disgust as he rode out. He had almost made it to the gates when he stopped, when he turned back and rode close to the Manse. It was quiet and he couldn't see any guards and so he climbed over the wall and took out his knife.
It was her, him, they were the cause for this, they were the reason for his banishment, they had taken it from him, all he had worked for, all he had hoped for. His king's respect, his position, and his pin, but more than that, worse than that, they'd taken Aegon from him. Even if he died here tonight he'd ensure he took one or both of them with him and as he turned the corner he almost fell to his knees when he saw the dragon before he could move though it was the darkness of unconsciousness that welcomed him.
" Found him outside."
" Knife in hand."
" Yes, we let him enter, we wished to take him on our grounds."
The voices were distant, low, and yet when he opened his eyes they were in the same room as he was, the same place and standing not more than a few feet from him. As his eyes focussed and the mist cleared he looked and saw a man he recognized talking to them and then Ser Bonifer turned to him.
"You were always a fool Jon and this day was always coming." Ser Bonifer said.
"Aegon, let me see him, please?"
"A fool." Ser Bonifer said shaking his head and he then saw Rhaella walk into the room.
"You've taken me from my grandson's bedside Griffin, taken me from where I wish to be, but I suppose our day of reckoning was always inevitable." Rhaella said.
"Aegon?"
"I will find my grandson Griffin, in your last moments take comfort in that as it's all the comfort you'll enjoy. I will find my grandson and those who did this will pay though their suffering will pale in comparison to yours."
"He'll never sit the throne, he'll die, you'll die." he spat.
"My grandson's men have a phrase myself and Ser Bonifer have come to like, Valar Morghulis. Do you know what it means Griffin?"
"No."
"It means all men must die, the response is Valar Dohaeris, which means all men must serve. For far too long you've served yourself, Griffin, served yourself and your lust for my grandson at the cost of the realm, at the cost of Daemon, you've served yourself. You plotted to see my grandson dead."
"It wasn't me, I played no role in this." he said shaking his head.
"No not this, but it was you who asked for me to go to Dorne, you who wished my grandson dead, you that he overheard in the tunnels the night he ran away."
"I..he was a threat."
"Fuck you, Griffin, fuck you, to each of the seven hells I'll send you. Valar Morghulis Griffin." she said moving away before she turned back "But then you are not a man." Rhaella said as she left the room.
Pain was a new experience to him and these men knew it better than most, the unsullied knew how to follow orders and they followed them explicitly and so when he passed out they woke him. He was awake when the knives cut into him, awake when they gelded him, awake when they peeled his skin, his cries and screams muffled by the gag he wore.
How long they spent with him he knew not, only that it felt eternal, but all things must end, and when the end came he closed his eyes. He pictured the silver hair of his prince and into his gag he muffled his last word.
"Aegon."
Kings Landing 300 AC.
Ashara.
Elia had asked her to come and so she and Allyria had made their way under guard to the Manse that Daemon and Rhaella were staying in. She had tried to get Allyria to stay behind but her daughter had no desire to do so, nothing she could say could change her mind and she reminded her so much of her father then. Now though they stood facing an unmovable wall and were being refused entry, left waiting while a man went to speak to Rhaella.
Allyria tried to be charming, to be nice, but these men, these unsullied, just stood and guarded and answered in monosyllables to any question asked of them. No being their favorite word it would seem, it wasn't Rhaella who came but an older Westerosi man she didn't know. He was grey-haired and plainly dressed yet the expressions on the guard's faces changed and it seemed he was well-liked by them at least.
"Forgive me my lady but we're not accepting visitors as you see." the man said.
"Ser?"
"Davos my lady, Davos Seaworth."
"Ser Davos do you know who I am?"
"I do Lady Ashara, but the facts remain the same I'm afraid." he said and while he was denying her entry she welcomed he was at least using words to do so.
"Her grace has asked me to come to check up on her daughter, on Daemon, and I and my daughter have our own reasons to wish to see the prince, I promise you Ser we are friends of the prince."
Ser Davos looked her up and down and then she saw the white wolf come out, it's size and the quietness of the movement startling Allyria until he walked over and licked her hand making her daughter giggle.
"Very well, just you and your daughter my lady, the guards wait outside." he said and she nodded turning to the guards to bid them stay.
He walked her and Allyria into the manse, the white wolf walking beside her daughter who kept rubbing her hand in its fur, she saw a bandage on its shoulder though it's movements weren't impaired in any way.
"Was the wolf injured in the attack Ser Davos?"
"He was my lady, he caught the attacker though he took an arrow to the shoulder for his trouble."
"How bad is the prince Ser?"
"His condition is grave my lady." the knight said his sadness clear.
"Mother look." Allyria said taking her hand and bringing her to the window "She's so beautiful, but she looks sad."
She looked out where her daughter was pointing and saw the black dragon laying down, she'd seen it in flight and seen it when landed, but seeing it here truly showed its sheer size. She knew she should be frightened especially having heard what Daemon and the dragon had done to the Iron Fleet, and yet just like her daughter all she could see was the dragon's eyes and Allyria was right she looked sad.
"She's not eating, she won't until he recovers." Davos said softly.
"He will recover though won't he?" Allyria asked biting her lip.
"I have faith in my prince, my lady." Davos said a soft smile on his face.
When they reached the room the prince was in she saw just how well guarded it was, they were taking no chances at all with his safety and she felt some relief at that. Not that anyone would get past the guards, the wolf, and the dragon anyway, but sill this seemed to her much more reassuring. On entering the room she was surprised by how many people were there, Rhaella, Rhaenys, Myrcella Lannister, Arthur and Ser Jaime, the room was full.
"Ash?" Arthur said seeing her and walking to kiss Allyria's cheek before doing the same to hers.
"Elia asked me to come, I wanted to anyway but she asked me also, how is he?"
"No change, it's bad Ash, very bad." Arthur said and she reached out to touch his arm.
"Allyria?" Rhaenys said getting up and hugging her daughter.
"Your grace." she said when Rhaella walked over to her.
"I take it my gooddaughter asked you to come?" Rhaella said and she nodded while looking to see Myrcella hold Daemon's hand.
"She did your grace."
There was some awkward silence before Arthur, Jaime, Rhaenys and her daughter were all brought to another room, and Rhaella led her to the bed. The bandage covered the wounds and Myrcella barely acknowledged her presence, even when a man came for Rhaella and she left them alone the girl didn't move or speak. Ashara watched as she held his hand, as her fingers occasionally brushed his hair from his face and the girl completely ignored the rest of the world.
If there were any doubt of how she felt about the prince this would clear that up, Myrcella wasn't doing this for show, she wasn't feigning concern so people would see it. She was oblivious to how she looked, to what image she was presenting. This was genuine on the girl's part and Ashara hoped Daemon recovered soon as it was clear it was taking a heavy toll on the young woman.
"When he was a boy he was the cutest thing, all serious and stiff thinking that was how a little prince should act." she said as she reached out and took his other hand in her own.
"Not that anyone cared." Myrcella said bitingly.
"No, he had it rough, I tried, Arthur, Ser Barristan and Elia when she was able, but it was his grandmother who did what we all failed to do."
"Why did he treat him so, allow him to be treated so, he's the sweetest boy you could ever meet, why was he not loved by those closest to him?" Myrcella asked genuine curiosity in her voice.
"He was, just not by his father and his siblings as they knew no better."
"Rhaenys does." Myrcella said.
"Rhaenys was always more clever than Aegon, she was never jealous, never angry really. She knew though that her family were, that Oberyn was, that Doran was, and she idolized her uncles, both of them."
"They're fools." Myrcella said and she couldn't help but agree.
"He will recover." Ashara said trying to give the girl something to focus on.
"We're to be married, I..I've… I never felt the way he makes me feel, never thought I could or would, but he… he… I love him." Myrcella said and then she lay her head down on his chest.
How long they sat there she couldn't tell but when she heard the gasps and heard the strangled breaths it woke her from her daze.
"The Maester, we need the Maester." Myrcella said her voice full of panic, a panic that Ashara was now also feeling as Daemon began to shake in the bed.
"Guards, guards." she called and as one came in the room she shouted at him "The Maester, Rhaella, get them, get them now."
Thankfully there was no argument, the man just going and doing as she asked, they arrived back with them quickly. Rhaella leading the way but the others were with her and Ashara jumped to go to Allyria, trying to get her daughter from the room.
"Daemon, Daemon." Rhaella shouted and pushed past her, Arthur moving to the bed with her.
On the bed Daemon was in some sort of convulsions, his body was practically shaking itself loose from the bed covers. By the time Marwyn arrived, it was too late, it had stopped and the sounds she heard would stay with her forever.
"Nooo, Nooo, Daemon…" Myrcella shouted her voice so full of pain that she felt her heart break for the girl.
"No, no, no, it can't be, it can't be." Rhaenys cried while trying to get to her brother only for Ser Arys to stand in her way.
Rhaella was silent, almost violent in shaking him in trying to get him to move, to breathe, to make some noise and Ser Bonifer did his best to both comfort her and to move her from the bed, failing with both. She looked around the room, Arthur had tears in his eyes, as did Ser Davos, even the stoic unsullied looked lost. When the two red priests arrived though she felt herself begin to lose it.
The woman looked broken but it was the expression on the man's face which would haunt her for weeks to come, that and the sound they heard coming from the garden. The dragon didn't roar, it didn't bellow, it didn't take to the sky or let loose it's flame. instead, the noise was low and deep, yet the pitch was high and it was beautiful, haunting and one she had thought she'd heard before, one she thought she herself had made when she heard of Brandon's death.
Kings Landing 300 AC.
Rhaegar.
He felt it deep in his soul, he felt her fingers close around his heart, felt her squeeze and knew then he'd never be forgiven for what he'd done. When he heard the sound of the dragon he knew, even if it took them hours to actually tell him, hours for Arthur to come and speak to him, for Elia to come and see how he was doing. He had failed his son from the moment he was born right up to the moment he died.
Arthur didn't say anything, didn't offer him any comforting words or platitudes and he welcomed that, for he didn't deserve them. For ten and seven years he'd had the chance to be a father to Daemon, a chance to honor her memory and he'd wasted it, even when Daemon returned he'd wasted it. Even now he was wasting it, as instead of thinking solely on the son he'd just lost, he was thinking on the one who was missing and it shamed him to do so.
One day he would go to meet his god, go to meet his demons, and on that day she'd be waiting for him, and for the rest of eternity he'd have to live with her anger, her disdain, and disgust and he knew he would deserve everything that came to him. But today he was a king and the world wouldn't stop just because he'd lost a son, he needed a new Hand, he needed help and he needed to find Aegon.
"Arthur, I need you to bring me Tywin Lannister."
"No."
"Arthur?"
"Fuck off Rhaegar, fuck you if you think I'll allow you dishonor him so."
"Arthur.."
"No." he said walking from the room and leaving him alone as he deserved to be.
It took him the rest of the day to arrange the meeting and by the time the man arrived, he was fighting with his wife also. He had tried to tell her that they needed to do this, they needed a Hand, needed help, and if they were to find Aegon they needed to do so now. But she had shouted and then she had struck him and he knew that it wasn't the only slap he'd receive in the next few days.
"Your grace, Lord Tywin." Ser Oswell said and he led the man inside.
His father had always warned him about Tywin and about letting him too close to the throne, but his father was a paranoid fool and in listening to him he'd alienated the man. At least now in the midst of shared tragedy he could right that wrong.
"You asked to see me, your grace?"
"I did, my condolences on your grandson Lord Tywin."
"I thank you, your grace, you have mine own on Prince Daemon, a great loss."
"He is, to both of us." he said and Tywin nodded "You may have heard I've removed Jon Connington from his position."
"I have your grace."
"I find myself in need of a Hand, Lord Tywin, a Hand who's capable, and given what the realm has gone through these last few days I can think of no man better suited or perhaps better motivated than yourself."
"An interesting proposal your grace, but I'm not willing to be a figurehead."
"I'm not asking you to be, we both have lost someone dear to us to these people Lord Tywin, my son is dead as is your grandson, my other son is out there somewhere I hope. This was just the opening shot and I find myself wondering who to trust."
"You think you can trust me?" Tywin asked surprised.
"I think you want these people found as much as I do, I think you'll do as much as I would to bring them to justice, am I wrong?"
"No." Tywin said.
"Then Tywin Lannister, I would name you Hand of the King." he said and handed him the pin.
"I am honored your grace, as a first duty we must give Prince Daemon the send-off he deserves. The people will demand it and while I'd like to invite the realm, we cannot wait, there is too much to be done."
"I leave it in your hands Lord Tywin."
"Your grace."
With that done he organized the guards for the visit to the Manse, Elia wished to see Daemon as did he and he could only hope his mother was accommodating. It took some time to get ready, Daenerys and Viserys would both be coming too and Rhaenys, while she'd only returned was not going to allow them to go without here. The escort was large and riding through the streets it was clear news had spread, people standing and bowing, some nodding in respect.
The dragon had taken off earlier that morning and he knew people had panicked, the issue of a riderless dragon, not something any knew how to deal with. It seemed though that the dragon too was in mourning and it was sadness, not anger it felt. He wondered if the dragon knew who was responsible, if it was true they really were more intelligent than men, he hoped so, he hoped that right now wherever Lyanax was she was bringing fire to those who had taken his son from him.
"You can't do that Rhaegar." Elia said and he looked at her confused "You can't get lost in your head, not now."
"I'm not, gods I want to but I'm not."
"Our daughter needs you, should we not..should we not find Aegon than she'll need us both."
"I know, we'll find him, I promise." he said and felt a fool for it, yet another promise he felt he'd not be able to live up to.
They were stopped at the gate once again and once again it took his mother's permission for them to enter, Daemon's men looking at him with what he hoped was just annoyance and not what he felt it was. Ser Bonifer met them and the knight said barely a word to him, speaking instead to Elia and Rhaenys but mostly to Daenerys and Viserys.
Walking through the corridor he could tell how much his son had meant to these people, these men who knew no pain, no fear, men who felt nothing, and yet he could see it in their eyes that it wasn't true. They felt it, they felt it deeply and he once again could only feel shame that he didn't feel it as they did, that still he had not been able to mourn the son he'd lost.
"Her grace has asked not to be disturbed, I ask you to respect that." Bonifer said to them before he whispered in Daenerys's ear and he knew it was just he who was not welcome to disturb her.
They walked into the room and he heard Elia's sob, heard the intake of breath Daenerys took, even Viserys seemed taken aback. Rhaenys who had seen it, who had been there when it happened was focussed on the wounds themselves, her hand touching where the arrows had hit. Daemon looked to be asleep, as if he'd just drifted off and would wake at any moment, but the wounds in his chest showed that to be a lie.
"He saved me, he saved my life." Rhaenys said as her tears fell and her mother held her, while he could only look on and see the hole where his son's heart had been pierced.
Daenerys and Viserys left after a while to speak to their mother and Elia and Rhaenys said their goodbyes to his son and allowed him to say his own in private. He looked down on him, on his face and he saw her as he had always done when he looked at him. His features were always more him though even more so than Aegon, but for Rhaegar each day he'd looked to Daemon it had been Lyanna he saw.
"I'm sorry son, I'm sorry." he said as he leaned forward and kissed his forehead his tears falling on Daemon's face.
It was just he and Elia who rode back to the Red Keep, his mother hadn't come to speak to him and he was not allowed to go to her which probably was for the best. When they arrived back it was to find the High Septon waiting for him and he invited the fat man into his solar, though he had no wish to deal with him on this of all days.
"Your grace."
"High Septon."
"I've come about Prince Daemon's arrangements your grace, Lord Tywin is being unreasonable."
"In what way?" he asked surprised Tywin had moved so quickly.
"There is to be no ceremony in the Sept of Baelor your grace, no prayers said over Prince Daemon." the High Septon said his exasperation clear.
"My son didn't follow the faith High Septon, I'm sure my Hand has seen to it that his wishes are to be respected."
"This cannot be allowed your grace." the fat man said before he caught the look on Rhaegar's face "Forgive me your grace, but we cannot allow false priests speak over a Prince of the Realm, the faith will suffer because of it."
"As I said High Septon my son didn't follow the faith. I may have failed him in life but in death I'll allow him his gods."
"Your grace I must protest."
"Then do so, but do so elsewhere, My son will have the funeral he would wish, let that be an end to it." he said angrily.
The High Septon left and he knew he'd not heard the end of it, that the man would come back later, that the faith would complain and that he'd hear of unrest because of it, surprisingly he found he cared not. He sat at the desk and reached into his drawer and took out the drawing, the picture he had kept all these years, the tower stood tall and the boy held the woman's hand in front of it and crude though it was he knew it well. Daemon had been six namedays old when he drew it and as he looked at it he cried, how could he have not loved his boy, how could he have not loved her son.
Kings Landing 300 AC.
Rhaella.
A few moons and that interrupted, a few moons and she'd had to share him with others, a few moons and he'd been taken from her forever. The world was cruel and the god's crueler she thought, had Jon Connington came today then she may have killed the man with her own hands and now she wondered what had been the point.
She had been so sure he'd recover, she like his men had faith in him, they believed him to be invincible almost and so she had not been as concerned as she'd have been had he not shown her his past. She had believed someone who had come through what he had come through to get here, could surely come through this. Daemon had told her he had a god's favor and she wondered now if that was true then why had he lost it?.
What had he done to make his god abandon him? He had saved his sister, protected his country, he was good and sweet and he was what the realm needed and he had been taken from her, from it, why? When Bonifer came and told her that her son was here, that Elia was she had told him to keep them from her, when he told her that her granddaughter, her daughter, and her other son were here too she had welcomed them, needed them.
"Mother, I'm so sorry." Dany said grabbing her tight as soon as she entered the room.
"Dany, Dany, you are well, you are unharmed?" She asked and though she knew it to be so, she still needed to be sure."
"I am."
"Viserys, my boy, you are safe?" she said and he too embraced her and she felt like never letting either of them go again lest she lose one or both of them.
"Yes, mother."
After letting her children free from her embrace she moved to do the same to her granddaughter, possibly now her only grandchild. She felt the girl sag against her and held her tight until she straightened up, Rhaenys happy for the comfort she felt. Her children and granddaughter took a seat and all four of them spoke, none really addressing the reason they were all together and mainly making plans from here on in.
It was far too early to speak of the future of the realm and neither she nor Rhaenys was in any condition to do so, which meant the conversation revolved around what she would do now, and whether she would return to Dragonstone. As soon as she said she would she saw Dany stiffen, her daughter looked sad rather than angry and so she did her best to fix that as quickly as possible.
"I will be heading home, but I'll be returning, I think I've spent too long away from here, from you all." she said looking to her daughter "So while I may need some time it won't be permanent and I intend for you to visit, all of you." she said looking to each of them.
"I could come with you mother, me, and Missandei, I'd like to stay with you for a while." her daughter said nervously.
"I'd love to have you both there." she said her smile true.
"I don't know if I'll be allowed, for a while at least." Rhaenys said and she nodded, no her granddaughter would not be let out of her parent's sight for a long time to come.
"I understand, but as I said it won't be for long Rhaenys, I will be here for you, I swear it."
"I could come with Dany mother, I mean if that's alright?" Viserys asked.
"More than aright son."
"Mother the arrangements, I.." Dany said.
"They're being taken care of, the funeral will be in the Dragonpit and will be open to any who wish to come."
"The Dragonpit?" Rhaenys asked.
"It's what Daemon would have wished I'll not have him in the Sept of Baelor, it's not what he believed, let his red priests and his men give him the send-off he deserves, they knew him truly at least." she said and tried not to sound bitter about it.
She had fought with Thoros and Melisandre, well Melisandre mainly as Thoros was walking around in a daze. She wasn't against Daemon being placed on a pyre, it was their way too, more that it was that the red priests who would perform the service as she was still feeling angry that their god had allowed this. But she had consented and had Jaime inform Tywin, who her son had named his Hand much to her surprise, to make the arrangements.
But those thoughts were for a different day and she'd face them then, for now, she just enjoyed being in the company of her children and her granddaughter. Dany decided to stay in the Manse that night asking Viserys to have Missandei come to her, and Rhaella had left word the girl was to be allowed in, though it would not be needed. She didn't eat, and after going to see her grandson's body once more she was surprised to hear the sounds of chanting coming from the room.
Entering she saw both Thoros and Melisandre and the unsullied leader along with Ser Davos, his sons, and Asher, all of them looking at her grandson. Melisandre was washing him while cutting a piece of his hair and she stood there unsure of what this was. Was it a ritual the priests did before the burning? A way to pay their final respects, she didn't have to wait long to find out.
"Will it work?" she heard Davos ask?
"I don't know Ser Davos, for now, we wait." Melisandre said.
"Wait for what?" she asked.
"R'hllor to show his will." Thoros said and she looked on shocked as first Melisandre and then Thoros seemed to fill their mouth with fire and then lean forward and blow the flame into Daemon's mouth.
"What are you doing?" she said angrily.
"We're giving our prince The Last Kiss." Thoros said as if that explained it all.
"What?"
"Fire cleanses, giving the flame is a bright gift, our Lord has asked us to give it to the prince and should he deem it so then the prince shall rise again." Melisandre said.
"You can't be serious?" she said and both priests faces left her in no doubt they were.
Normally she'd have thought them crazy, thought them to be fools, but given what Daemon had told her, what he had shown her, a part of her, a large part of her wanted so desperately to believe. To have her grandson back with her she could almost believe it but it was not to be.
"My love, speak to me." Bonifer said as he lay behind her that night.
"He should never have come back, I wish he never came back." she said through tear-stained eyes and wracking sobs.
"You don't my love."
"Had he not he'd live still, this country never wanted him, his father, the crown, those who surround it, none of them ever wanted him, only.., only…."
"You wanted him, you loved him and he loved you, he came back for you my love, to spend time with you. Did you not enjoy that time, is that not better than never having seen him again?" Bonifer said softly.
"He'd be alive, Bon."
"He always will be my love, in here." he said touching her chest "In here." he said touching her head "You'll carry him with you always, just as he did you."
"Oh, Bon I….."
"Hush, my love, sleep" he said as she turned around and cuddled against him, his arms holding her tightly to him just as they always had, just as she hoped they always would.
Kings Landing 300 AC.
Davos.
He didn't sleep for the last few nights, and so he was up early and ready to see to the preparations for Daemon's funeral that day. For Davos, it felt like he had lost one of his own sons and he knew that Thoros felt it just as keenly, Melisandre too. Asher and his boys were devastated though trying to put a brave face on it, something Grey Worm was managing far better than most.
He and they had been pleased to see Missandei again, to see her happy and content and after the girl went to pay her own respects to the boy who'd freed her and her brothers, Davos had held her while she cried. But today they had a larger job to do, he watched as Melisandre dressed the prince in his finest clothing, his house's colors. His armor and swords would go back to the temple in Volantis, no one thinking that it wouldn't be what he wished for.
"He is ready Davos." Melisandre said.
"I'll see you outside Melisandre." he said and she barely acknowledged him as she walked away so lost in her grief was she.
He, Grey, Asher, Dale, and Mathos lifted the prince and carried him to the cart, it was open and he'd be laid so people could see, the procession to go from here to the Dragonpit. When they placed him on it the white wolf jumped up beside him resting its head on the prince's chest, and Davos felt that a fitting way for the wolf to say it's own goodbyes.
Asher had suggested he'd bring it back to the North, that he'd go and live the life Daemon had provided for him, something that he and his sons were also going to do. They would part after this, he'd take them all back to Essos, the unsullied now under Grey's command, Thoros and Melisandre going back to Volantis and he and his boys to Cape Wrath.
"Your grace, it's time." he said when he saw Rhaella walk out from the Manse the carriage ready and waiting for her.
"I thank you Ser Davos, for everything." she said.
Outside the gates the king sat on his own horse, Viserys too, they'd lead then the carriages with the queen and her daughter would follow, then Rhaella with hers and the prince's cart following and escorted by the unsullied. They were all lined up, all their armor polished to a shine, spears, helmets, shields, one hundred men lined up on either side of the cart, and at a nod from the king they began.
He, Thoros and Melisandre walked in front of the cart, his boys and Asher behind it and he was glad to see the people line the streets. When they reached the end of the street they were joined by others, by the Dornish who it seemed were on their best behavior and by the Reach who looked resplendent in their green.
But it was to the lions he looked and he smiled to see her sitting a horse, she was wearing black with a hint of red rather than crimson and gold and trying her best to keep her composure as she saw the body in the cart. Myrcella had made his prince happy for far longer than he had ever seen him, for that she had made a friend in him and he nodded at her uncle and brother as they moved once again.
"Goodnight, Sweet Prince." he heard someone say and looked to see some people throw flowers onto the cart.
"Farewell, Dragonrider."
"We'll miss you Prince Daemon."
It filled him with pride to hear the men and women of King's Landing speak up, to hear them call Daemon's name. So he walked a little taller and saw the Dragonpit in the distance and was surprised as were the others to see Lyanax fly over it. He saw some worried looks exchanged but hey had nothing to fear from the dragon this day, he could sense it even from here, she had come to pay her respects and nothing else.
Others it seemed soon felt the same and by the time they got to the Dragonpit, it was more relaxed. He was stunned how full it was, he had never seen so many people in it before but then again he'd never seen people come to say goodbye to a prince. The pyre was ready and so when the royal family, when the Lords and Ladies took their seats, he moved along with the others to carry Daemon to it.
"A moment Ser." he heard Rhaella's voice and he watched as first she, then Rhaenys and Daenerys placed a kiss on Daemon's forehead. Myrcella placing hers on his lips and whispering softly to him.
They carefully placed him on the pyre and he looked on as the unsullied surrounded it, each man standing facing it with their backs turned to the crowd. Hearing the spears rattle against the shields, hearing the echo of it through the Dragonpit was eerie as they said their own goodbyes and then Thoros nodded to Melisandre.
"We have come here to say goodbye to our prince, some of you were lucky to know him well, some only knew of him, some had their lives changed because of him, their lives touched because of him. Each of us today though are here because he is no more. I ask you all now to bow your heads, pray to your gods whomever they may be." Melisandre said.
"Valar Morghulis." Thoros said loudly.
"Valar Dohaeris." The unsullied replied smacking their spears against the shield once more, he too had replied, all men must die and all men must serve and he had been more than proud to serve his prince.
When Thoros moved to the torches Lyanax landed her tail knocking the flames down and Davos, Thoros and the rest of those present watched as the dragon's head moved towards the prince, as it gently, more gently than anything that size had a right to be brushed up against him and began to make a sound. The noise was unlike anything he had heard before, it was joyful, happy and before he had a chance to look around the flames came from the dragon's mouth and the pyre was covered in fire.
Lyanax didn't move, she like the rest of the people in the Dragonpit just watched as the pyre burned, as it collapsed and then the gasps began, the shouts began, and he looked on as the figure moved from the fire, as the shape of a man moved through the flames and before he knew it he too was on his knees.
"Azor Ahai." Melisandre shouted joyfully.
"The prince that was promised." Thoros said and Davos looked up to see Daemon move forward and all he could think was, how hadn't he been burned?.