Baelar was in his room, lying on his bed thinking about his father. He couldn't believe what he was trying to do. Bring his mistress and bastard into the same roof with him and his mother? He already has to deal with all the looks and whispers as he goes around the Red Keep but having to live with this indignity his father created. The young prince then looked at the medallion his father gave him. He gave it to him to remind him that he was coming back. Is that what is was for? He gives him a necklace and supposed to be okay with having his bastard close by. Is that what this necklace is? A bribe? His thoughts were interrupted when a Kingsguard knight came in the room. "Forgive me for this late hour my prince, but the king and your father requests your presence." the knight said.
Baelar got up from his bed and followed the guard to the king's chamber. If his father and uncle wants to see him than he knows it must be about his marriage. The guard announced Baelar as he went in and saw his father and uncle standing together.
"You summoned me, Your Grace." Baelar greeted the king, not looking at his father.
"Yes, Baelar, please sit." Viserys told his nephew as Baelar sat down at a nearby chair. "As you are aware there had been a marriage proposal between you and Rhaenyra." Viserys started.
"Yes. Me and Rhaenyra were speaking about today." Baelar said, although he knows from his father what the decision is.
"It is a good match for you and Rhaenyra to marry and strengthen her claim," Viserys began to say, "however, your father decided to have you marry Leah Lannister instead, and I support his decision."
Baelar looked briefly at his father and then to the king and replied, "Yes, my mother told me."
"She did? When?" Aegon asked, though not surprised that Claryssa told her son.
"A little while after you left for Dragonstone." Baelar replied, still not looking at his father.
"Alright then," Aegon smiled but finding his son's behavior strange, thinking that he would be happy by this news, "Of course we need to decide when to have the wedding since you are both too young at the moment, but as of now, you are now betrothed Leah."
Baelar, giving a smile, got up from his seat and said, "Thank uncle, and thank you father. I will go and tell Leah the news." He then got up and left the room quickly.
Aegon looked at his son leave and was confused. He thought his son would be happy by this news. He remembered Baelar telling him how much he cares for Leah and that she was the one he wants to marry. "I thought he would be more happy by the news."
"I suppose he already showed that when Claryssa told him." Viserys concluded, also curious of the prince's behavior.
"I suppose, unless she chastised him in some way." Aegon guessed.
"Well, nothing can be done now that it has been decided." Viserys said as he sat down on a chair in front of the fireplace.
"Good," Aegon said as he sat down the chair across from Viserys, "He should marry a girl he wishes if it's possible."
"Yes, I suppose," Viserys said in somewhat of an agreement, "Although being a king does not give you that luxury."
Aegon hummed, knowing that Viserys has to marry for duty, "Have you decided to marry Laena Velaryon?"
"I don't know yet, but I must marry again to secure our line which is vulnerable." Viserys said with reluctance, "despite my desires."
"What desires." Aegon asked as Viserys looked at Aegon and then to the fireplace. "Is there someone else in mind? May I ask who?" Aegon asked again as his brother did not give him an answer.
"I'd rather not say, for now anyways." Viserys answered, "All I could say is that she has been comforting me for the past few months, the only one who hasn't had any political motives for their own benefits."
"You could take her as a mistress." Aegon recommended as his brother looked at him in disbelief, "You wouldn't be the first king to do so."
"I do not believe that it would be prudent, for her anyway." Viserys replied.
"You would be surprised by women." Aegon said, remembering Melina.
"Are speaking of experience?" Viserys asked, specifically referring to Aegon's mistress in Braavos.
Aegon looked at his brother and said, "When I first met Melina, she was adamant on being with me, but after a while, as we grew closer in time, everything changed."
Viserys looked at his brother, seeing the look on his face while talking about his mistress, "You truly love her, don't you?"
Aegon didn't say anything, but his face gave the answer. "I was thinking of going to Braavos for a short time." Aegon admitted.
"Have you now?" Viserys asked with his eyebrows raised.
"It's been months Viserys," Aegon reminded, "Unless you have been considering my request? I haven't asked again due to…. Aemma…. but I was hoping we could discuss it again." Aegon saw his brother having a reluctant look on his face and decided to push more on the subject, "Viserys, I'm tired of going to Braavos to visit one son and back to court to visit another. I want to visit both of my sons together. Not only that but I want my sons to meet and grow up together as real brothers. To have the same relationship as we have."
Viserys looked down and sighed. He hasn't put any thought into Aegon's request of having his mistress and bastard in King's Landing. He knows this is what his brother wanted, but it wouldn't be appropriate. The small council has already shown their misgivings on the request. All Viserys could say at the time being was, "After I decide who I will marry, we will discuss it more."
"Alright then." Aegon nodded, "Well, I'll let you be." He got up and walked out of Viserys' room. He hopes the king would agree, or at least have Melina and Aeron somewhere closer so he can be with them and Baelar. He only needs to wait to see what Viserys' decision is.
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Baelar was in his room sitting on the couch, having Leah next to him as he told her the news, which made her happy.
"The king really betrothed us?" Leah asked to be sure as they were holding hands.
"Yes," Baelar answered with a smile, "They hadn't gone into specifics yet, but they will make the announcement tomorrow."
Leah smiled as she gave Baelar a quick kiss and then hugged him. Baelar was quick to hug her back as they were both happy that whey are going to be wed. Leah then let go of him and saw his face had an angry look in his eyes.
"Is something wrong?" Leah asked, thinking he would be happy with this.
Baelar opened his mouth to say he was fine, but that would be a lie. He got up from the couch, walked around the room a little and then faced Leah. "Do you remember the other day when I told you that my father wants to meet my half-brother?" Leah nodded her head, "Well, it seems my father had made a request to the king to have his bastard and mistress to live here in King's Landing."
Leah looked at Baelar with widen eyes, "What?" She remembered Baelar telling her about meeting his half-brother, but to have them in King's Landing permanently, that was another matter. "Why?"
"To have his favorite son with him." Baelar said bitterly, "I always thought that he would want to be with those people more than me and my mother, but I never thought that he was willing to put us through this. Doesn't he know how this will look? The looks and the whispers that goes around."
Leah stood up from the couch and took Baelar's arm to calm him down, "Maybe he just wants both of his sons with him."
"He wants the people he views as his real family here, not caring of the embarrassment me and my mother." Baelar countered as he sat back down on the couch with Leah doing the same. Baelar then looked at the floor as tears were starting to form, "I always had a feeling that he loved his bastard more, but I never knew of how much until now." Leah saw how sad Baelar was and hugged him as he hugged her back.
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It was morning as Viserys in the small council room, looking out the window as the members of the small council where entering and getting to their seats. Rhaenyra, Alicent, Leah, Baelar, Claryssa, and Aegon also entered the room because Viserys has decided to make the marriage announcements of Baelar and Leah as well as himself to the bride he chose to marry. The small council members took their seats as the Rhaenyra, Leah, Baelar, Claryssa, and Aegon stood on the left side of the table and Alicent stood on the right, next to her father. Viserys turned to his council as he started to make his announcement.
"Good morrow, my lords" Viserys greeted which gained the attention of everyone in the room, "Before we begin, I would like to make a few announcements. With the support of my brother Prince Aegon and his wife, I am happy to announce that prince Baelar is to be married to Leah Lannister and their marriage will take place when they are both age the age of six and ten."
Leah look at Baelar and took his hand smiling as he smiled back at her as the king made the announcement. Alicent and Rhaenyra smiled as well, happy that their friend was able to marry the boy she was infatuated with since childhood and that she would stay in the Red Keep instead of going to the Westerlands to marry some other lord and being away from them. Aegon and Claryssa smiled at their son, but when Aegon patted his son's shoulder he noticed that Baelar was not looking at him, which he found odd.
"As for myself, I have decided to take a new wife." Viserys continued as Lord Corlys leaned forward, expecting the king to announce his daughter as the new queen. Viserys saw Corlys' actions and looked nervously at Rhaenyra and Aegon who both gave supportive smiles at him.
Viserys then looked at his council and said, "I intend to marry," He started as he then looked at Alicent who began to fidget nervously as she saw Rhaenyra and Leah looking at her, slowly realizing the next words the king would say. "The Lady Alicent Hightower before spring's end." Viserys finished as all conflicted feelings filled the room. Aegon was aghast by this announcement, while Lord Corlys began to look at the king with outrage. Rhaenyra and Leah looked at their friend in shock that this happened, but it seems like she was expecting it. Soon they realized that she and her father were wanting Viserys to choose her as a wife.
"This is an absurdity." Corlys said angerly as he stood up with his hands still on the table, "My house is Valyrian, the greatest power in the realm."
"And I am your King." Viserys reminded the Sea Snake as he gave him a warning look.
Corlys then looked at Otto who stared back to him with a small victory smile as the Sea Snake stormed out of the room. Meanwhile, Rhaenyra stared at Alicent, who was looking down and picking at her nails again, with a betrayed look as Leah looked back between her friends, not knowing what to say. Despite her father calling her name, Rhaenyra quickly left the room with her Kingsguard knight as Leah, giving one last look to Alicent, followed after her. Aegon stared at Viserys, angered at his decision.
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Aegon charged straight into the king's chambers and opened the door to see Viserys sitting on his desk while having Otto Hightower standing next to him.
"We need speak alone." Aegon demanded as he slammed the door closed, "Now!"
Viserys looked at Otto and nodded at his Hand. Otto then walked to the door, but not before giving a small smile at Aegon who glared back at him. As the door closed, Aegon walked to Viserys desk and placed his hands on it.
"You think I am making a mistake." Viserys said, knowing Aegon advised him to marry Laena Velaryon.
"You were supposed to marry Laena Velaryon," Aegon exclaimed, "to secure support from House Velaryon."
Viserys sighed as he got up from his desk, "I said that there was a maiden who has comforted me for some time and that maiden was Alicent."
"Otto's daughter was the one you were talking about?" Aegon questioned loudly, "Can't you see what Otto is doing, he is trying to marry his daughter to you so he can have more power in court than he ever has to leech off of."
"Otto is a loyal Hand just as he was to Jaehaerys." Viserys defended as he walked to a nearby table preparing himself a cup of wine.
"Otto is a self-serving snake who has risen above himself to take what he wants," Aegon continued, "And if you can't see that then Daemon was wrong, you're not weak, you're just a fool!"
"Aegon!" Viserys exclaimed, "Choose your next words carefully. The matter has been decided and there is nothing left to say."
The brothers stared at each other in silence until Aegon said, "You are making a terrible mistake."
Viserys looked at his brother and said, "When you came back for the tourney all those months ago, you said you were staying to support me. Is this how you support me?"
"I stayed to help you during you're grief of Aemma's death." Aegon argued.
"Yes, and how well you did that," Viserys said, "Sneaking out of the Red Keep like a child, getting your son into tavern brawls, threatening the Hand of the King."
"What?" Aegon asked sternly.
"Otto has been giving me reports that you have been sneaking off of the Red Keep and going into King's Landing for the past few months since your return. He also told me that you threatened him with Nightwing." Viserys exclaimed.
"I was reminding him that no harm would be done on Daemon when we were leaving for Dragonstone." Aegon defended angerly.
"You threatened the Hand of the King. That is a threat to the crown." Viserys exclaimed.
"And threatening a prince is threatening the crown as well." Aegon argued back.
"Just another one of your actions." Viserys dismissed. "Ever since you have come to court, you have done what you desired without taking any caution of what effects they have on others. You have done nothing but brought discord."
"Discord," Aegon exclaimed, "I'm confused, I did not just lose the Velaryons as an ally, I did not send Daemon away, and I certainly did not make Aemma with child over and over until it send her to her death-"
"AEGON." Viserys yelled as he slammed his cup on the table spilling some wine.
"Now what did I do to bring discord?" Aegon yelled ignoring Viserys.
"Bring nothing but scandal to our House by going around like a child by flying around and do what you please. I have tried many times to have you be a part of the court. I tried to give you advantageous positions, but no matter what you always fled away from them."
"Oh, I apologize if I do not want to be like the dragons locked away in the Dragon Pit." Aegon said sarcastically.
"What else would I expect from you? You are irresponsible, wild, untamable, and unreliable. At least Daemon wanted to stay by my side while you just go out and do whatever you please. Never doing anything for the family!" Viserys exclaimed. "I always come back, do I not?" Aegon countered angerly. "Only for you to leave once more." Viserys countered, "That night you returned, you were already thinking about leaving again. You never shown any worth to this family, only when it suits your needs."
"My needs!" Aegon repeated, "Was I the one who was trying to help you keep the Velaryons as your allies? Was I the one who chose to stay at your side to help you and Rhaenyra? Was I not the one who went with that insufferable Hightower to make sure we got the dragon egg back from Daemon?"
"You were also the one who got your son into a tavern fight, threatened the Hand of the King, and gone for months on end only to leave again when you return." Viserys stated, "You even had the audacity to ask me to bring your mistress and her child to the realm."
It was then that Aegon now saw the truth, "You were never going to have them come here, were you?" he then asked.
Viserys looked down and then back up again, "Why should I? Why should I bring them here? To bring more scandal to your wife and son? Have you even thought about the slander they will face and for what, that Braavosi Whore?"
"Don't you dare call her that!" Aegon yelled as he raised his fist as if he was going to strike Viserys, who looked at him in disbelief. Aegon calmed down a bit as he then left the room, although he was still fuming.
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Aegon was in his room drinking wine in front of the fireplace as Claryssa walked in.
"I heard you made your feelings known of the king's marriage." She told him.
"He's making a mistake." Aegon replied.
"He is the king," Claryssa reminded, "And it's his duty to take a wife."
"He is being preyed on by that snake Otto," Aegon argued, "who has been spying me to bring about my ruined."
"Is he?" Claryssa asked sarcastically, "Is he also spreading lies about you trying to bring your mistress and bastard to court."
Aegon then looked at his wife, "I see another of Otto's work for slander is taking full affect."
"I'm fairly certain it is not slander when he said you made that request to the king." Claryssa explained angerly, "And I don't understand why."
"You want to know why," Aegon said as he stood up and stood face to face with her, "I am actually happy with her, and with my son that I have with her." Little did the parents know that their son was coming up to Aegon's room wanting to talk to his mother about his father's request. He then heard his parents arguing and stood at the door to listen to what they are saying. "When we first got married, I have tried to be a dutiful husband, but throughout that time I felt nothing but being trapped in a cage that is our marriage."
"Trapped? What do you know of being trapped? When have you ever been prevented from doing anything until now?" Claryssa questioned angerly, "or even restrain yourself for even a second? You have always left your responsibilities to wherever you desire for months on end. And when you come back, you go around doing whatever you want, like some wild child. Especially by having some bastard with your whore and trying to bring them here without having any consideration of the embarrassment or humiliation that you will bring on me, on our son, on your brother, and anyone else that has close ties to you."
Aegon stared at Claryssa and then got closer to her and say, "Maybe the reason I leave is because I am tired of staying in this life with you. Our son is the only reason why I come back."
Baelar listened to what his father said, and those words just made his heart stop. Everything he believed was now confirmed true. He and his mother were just a duty to his father just had to fulfill. Not wanting to listen anymore, he then ran away from the door and went straight to his room.
"Well then, if this life is such misery for you, why don't you just leave and be that whore you seem to like." Claryssa suggested, having had enough of Aegon's actions.
"Maybe I should." Aegon answered bitterly, "I was planning on leaving for Braavos temporarily, but now I think I should leave permanently."
"I don't care what you do." Claryssa shot back at him with anger.
"Maybe I'll ask our son to come with me," Aegon then threatened, "So he won't have to stay here with you."
Claryssa said nothing as Aegon left the room in a fury. She heard of Aegon's threat but based on the last conversation with her son, it doesn't seem like Baelar will be going with his father as Aegon believes.
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Baelar was in his room lying on his bed, having his father's words still ringing in his head. He didn't know what to feel. He felt angry, sad, confused, all the same. He always believed that his father was miserable in King's Landing, but the words he heard from his parents' argument proved them to be true. His father wants to go to Braavos with his whore and bastard. Seeing that as his real family and not him and his mother. His bedroom door opened as he saw his father come in. He did not look at him as Aegon sat down next to him.
"Baelar, I was thinking and in a couple days, I am planning to go back to Braavos and visit your brother and I was hoping you could come with me." Aegon said to Baelar.
"Come with you?" Baelar said while not looking at his father.
"Yes," Aegon replied, "And I was thinking we could stay there for a while. We can even bring Leah with us."
Baelar looked at his father in disbelief. Is he really expecting to just leave the life he has in King's Landing and abandon his mother. "Are you mad?" Baelar asked while Aegon looked at him with confusion. "You're expecting me to leave everything of this life behind. For what, to live with your bastard child and his mother who you prefer to be with. Because me and mother make you feel trapped?" Baelar explained bitterly as his father looked at him with surprise, "I heard what you said, that you would gladly go to that other woman and your other son."
Aegon looked at Baelar with wide eyes realizing his son heard every word he said, "You heard us."
"Yes," Baelar said angerly as he stood up from the couch, "And I know that being here with us is trapping you in a cage."
"Baelar, that's not what I meant." Aegon said quickly as he stood up to face his son.
"But it's what you believe, is it not." Baelar argued as he got up and faced his father, "Just admit it, your marriage is a cage and me and mother are forcing you to stay as a prisoner as you want to leave and never look back. Especially with that bastard, Your favorite child."
"Baelar that's not true," Aegon defended, "Yes, it is." Baelar shot back, "If you had a chance, you would leave us all and go to them and never come back. If you are so miserable here, then go to Braavos and never come back and take your medallion with you." He then took off his medallion and put it in his father's hands.
"Baelar," Aegon said as his voice began to shake, "Please don't do this, I love you."
"Really, you love me?" Baelar asked while his own voice began to shake, "Then why do you always leave. Even before your bastard was born, you would always leave and not come back for months. Remember the story I told you when Leah punched the boys who heckled and made japes about me? Where were you when that happened. I was 11 at that time, where were you?" Aegon opened his mouth, but no words came as he did not know. "You were somewhere in the northern part of Essos and didn't come back for months!" Baelar exclaimed, "And when you are at home, you just do what you want without any regard of the rumors that goes around about you. Even having your bastard child and whore to come live with us. In the same place with me and mother, without caring how everyone will think about us. And now you are expecting me to leave everything, my whole life behind, for you. It's embarrassing. Everything you do is embarrassing! Being your son is embarrassing!"
Aegon looked at his son, not knowing what to say. He opened his mouth but closed it again as tears start to form from what his son had said to him. Not being able to speak, Aegon then turned around and left the room quietly and softly closed the door. Baelar stayed where he was, shaking a little after hearing what he said, but he was still too angry to care.
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It was morning as Aegon woke up, got dressed, and left his room. He then went to his son's room, hoping to talk with Baelar some more. He opened the door carefully as he saw Baelar getting dressed.
"I was getting ready to go for a ride on Nightwing and was wondering if you want to come." Aegon said softly.
"I'm going to be late for my sword training." Baelar curtly said as he tied his shoes.
"I can practice with you." Aegon offered, wanting to be with his son.
"No thank you." Baelar denied harshly as he got up and started to walk past his father, until Aegon stopped him by putting his hand on his shoulder.
"I love you." Aegon said. Baelar did not look at Aegon or say anything. "Baelar, I love you" His father tried again with a more desperate tone in his voice as tears started to form in his eyes.
"I heard you." Baelar said as he walked away from his father, leaving Aegon in the room alone.
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It was the middle of the day and Melina Sorren was in her home library reading a book as a past time, until a servant came up to her.
"My lady," The servant said to gain her attention, "Prince Aegon is here."
"What?" Melina said with surprise, she didn't get a letter or any message from Aegon that he was coming. After asking where he is, the servant replied that he was upstairs in their son's nursery. Melina then left the library and went up the steps and came to her son's nursery and saw Aegon on the floor playing with their son. They both look up and saw her standing at the doorway. "Mama, look, papa is home." Aeron announced excitedly.
"Yes, I see that." Melina said in a surprised tone in her voice.
"I thought I would come and surprise everyone." Aegon said as he smiled at her as he patted his younger son's head.
"Well, it is a surprise." Melina commented as she got down and sat next to Aegon, "I thought you were staying in King's Landing to help your brother."
Aegon then softly said, "He no longer needed me." He then looked down at his son, Aeron, who was lost in his own world and played with his toys. "I'm needed here."
"What about your son, Baelar?" Melina reminded him. But when she said that name, she saw Aegon giving a sad face. Deciding not to push any further, Melina stayed with her child and his father as the three of them played as the day passed.
After the day ended, Aegon was on the floor of Melina's bedroom, leaning against the couch and looking at the fireplace, fiddling with the medallion his son gave back to him, contemplating on what happened at King's Landing. The words of his brother and son still rang in his head. Viserys' words saying that he brings nothing but scandal to the family and do nothing to contribute to it. His son's words, however, are what hurts the most. How his son was embarrassed by him and how he wasn't there for his son. He just couldn't understand how it all went so wrong. He loves his son and his family, but being a prince, the responsibilities of it, it wasn't the life he wanted. It wasn't who he was, but it seems like no one understands that. Melina then came to Aegon and sat down next to him. "Do you want to talk about it?" she asked softly although Aegon stayed silent. "Aegon, you can tell." She pressed him again by taking his hand into her, "What happened?"
"My son said he was embarrassed of me." Aegon said softly, "and my brother said I have shown no worth to our House unless it benefits me."
Melina looked at Aegon and saw how sad he was. By his own family, by his own son who said he was embarrassed. "Are you ok?"
"Are they right?" Aegon suddenly asked her, "Is everything they say true? I know I always leave and always come back, but-" he tried to finish his sentence, but he was too busy trying to fight the tears that were forming in his eyes,
"No, Aegon that's not true." Melina said as she wrapped her arm around his to comfort him.
"No, they're right," Aegon lamented as tears started to roll down from his eyes, "I abandon them and never thought about them and now they don't want me to come back. It's not that I don't want to be with them," he continued, "It's just that, whenever I am at court with all of the politics, I can barely breathe. Having to be there, where lords and ladies only ally themselves with you for their own purposes. Having a conceited wife you didn't want to marry treats you with indifference. To follow tradition and duty all the time. To have every decision made for you by others. Never be who you want to be and have life decide for you the moment you are born. It's…...it's intolerable. I just want freedom. Is that so wrong?"
"No, it's not Aegon." Melina told him. She then put her hands on both sides of his face to make him look at her and said, "When I first met you, I thought you were just an ordinary spoiled prince who just does what he wants. But then I got to know you, a man who just wants to forge his own path. A man who wants to explore the world and live and see all the wonders the world has to offer. That is who you are. The man that I love." As she finishes, Aegon began to cry, then buried his face into her embrace as she comforted him. His family may not understand him, but she does. She always does.
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It had been days since his return and Aegon has been spending all of them by spending time with his 3-year-old son. He was still sad, but his younger son seems to take his mind off of everything that happened from King's Landing. They were in the sitting room on the floor while Melina was sitting on a chair nearby. Aegon was starting to teach Aeron High Valyrian. He knows that his son was not legitimate, but he didn't see the harm of him learning. He is a Targaryen by blood and High Valyrian was still part of his heritage.
"Daenys the-" Aeron began to say until he was stuck on the valyrian word for Dreamer.
"Dreamer" Aegon said slowly as his younger son repeated slowly as well.
"Dreamer foresaw the-" Aeron tried again, "Doom" Aegon said with Aeron repeating again, "Doom of Valyria and told her father Aenar the Exile." Aeron said successfully.
"Good Aeron, you're learning." Aegon smiled at his happy son.
"Why do I need to learn this?" Aeron asked, being a little annoyed that his father is making him learn valyrian.
"Because it is my mother tongue and part of our valyrian culture." Aegon answered, "You have valyrian blood in your veins, no matter what." Aeron didn't really seem to care much but continued to learn anyways as Aegon and Melina smiled at their son. Just then Melina's father, Areqo Sorren, entered the room with a nervous look.
"Father, what is it?" Melina asked after noticing her father's look.
"Aegon, you have visitors." Areqo answered as he told the servants to bring out the visitors. They were Lord Corlys Velaryon and Prince Daemon Targaryen. Aegon, surprised, immediately got up from the floor as Melina did the same from her chair and went straight to her son and protectively wrapped her arms around him as she was taken aback from the visitors. She never saw them but judging by their appearances and from the stories Aegon told her, she could tell who they are.
"Daemon, Lord Corlys, what bring you to Braavos?" Aegon asked apprehensively as he moved forward in a protective stance in front of Melina and Aeron.
"We were hoping to speak with you brother." Daemon said with a smile while holding a bag that looked like he was carrying something. He then looked behind Aegon and saw his younger son and the boy's mother for the first time. He walked by Aegon who looked at his brother, wondering what he was going to do. Daemon slowly went to Melina and smiled at her. "It's a pleasure to finally meet the lovely Melina. My brother told me tales of your beauty, but they do not give you justice."
Melina gave a quick look at Aegon and then back to Daemon, not sure what to do but give a slight head bow. "It is an honor to meet you, Prince Daemon."
Daemon then looked down and saw his nephew. The little boy was hiding behind his mother's skirt and clutching her hand, having a nervous look since he found the man intimidating. Daemon crouched down to the boy's eye level and gave him a friendly smile. "And this must be my little nephew." Aeron gave the older man a small smile, not knowing what to do or say. "I brought you something." Daemon smiled as he reached for his bag and pulled out what seemed to be a small black dragon figurine with ruby eyes. Aeron immediately came out of hiding and took the figurine from Daemon's hand, causing the older man to chuckle, "It's made out of dragonglass. Straight out of the Dragonmont on Dragonstone and the eyes are made entirely out of rubies."
"Thank you." The boy says, not taking his eyes off of the figurine.
"Yes, Daemon, thank you. Aeron will be very happy with his new toy" Aegon said as he got closer to Daemon, "Aeron, why don't go you with your mother and play in your room so the adults can speak."
Aeron looked at his father and then ran from the sitting room as Corlys and Daemon couldn't help but smile from the boy's cuteness. Melina looked at Aegon who gave her an assured nod that everything was ok for her to leave. She then started to leave the room, giving small head bows to Daemon and Corlys, and then left the room. Areqo told the men that the servants will attend them if they need anything and left to his study to give the men some privacy.
"I see a lot of you in him, brother." Daemon commented. Aegon had his arms crossed as he looked at his brother. Daemon then looked around the sitting room that was a part of the manse that belongs to House Sorren, "Quite bigger then I excepted. She obviously came from a very prominent family."
"What do you want Daemon." Aegon asked curtly.
"I thought I would come to see how my brother was faring after what happened at court." Daemon answered.
Aegon looked slightly to the ground, "I take it everyone at court has heard by now."
"Gossip rules the Red Keep, I'm afraid." Corlys confirmed.
"Especially the argument you had with your son." Daemon added.
"If you're sole purpose for being here is to make me reminisce of a painful event, I suggest you both leave now." Aegon bitterly replied.
"Quite the contrary." Corlys then said as he stepped forward to the brothers, "We have a proposition for you."
"Proposition?" Aegon repeated, "And what would that be?"
Corlys stared at Aegon, "My house is old and ancient, and according to some text, it is older than House Targaryen. We were never dragonriders, but we ruled the seas with our ships. It was our ships that brought the Conqueror and his armies to Westeros to begin his conquest. When I came to the Driftwood throne, I seize what I wanted, and none had ever stopped me. That is what, I believe, we all have in common." Corlys said as he referred to himself and Daemon.
Aegon stared at his intently on Corlys's words, "Do we?"
"You always go out and seize what you want." Corlys continued, "And none had been able to stop you from exploring the world. Including the Stepstones."
"That was many years ago." Aegon replied with suspicion.
"But you said yourself that if we control the Stepstones, we control the Narrow Sea and all the trade with it." Corlys reminded Aegon.
"What exactly is your proposition Corlys?" Aegon asked, having enough of this dialogue.
"You know there is still trouble in the Stepstones." Corlys said as he stared at Aegon, "The Myrish Prince feeding our sailors to the crabs. We both tried to have the king see reason, but he denies them, and because of his actions, the crabfeeder has grown more powerful. If they continued to be left alone, our shipping lanes will fall, and my house will be crippled."
"You are asking me to go to a fight, that I have no part in." Aegon concluded, now seeing what Corlys wants, "it's not me you want, it's Nightwing."
"The Night's Terror would be a formidable asset. It is said that she can be seen during the day but rules the night. With her, we would have a great advantage over the enemy." Corlys said, trying to convince the Dragon of the East, "We are all men who cut our own way through the world. They call you the Dragon of the East, but even with that name, they overlook you."
"They see you as nothing more, but a man who flies around like a child with no worth to give to our House." Daemon added. "I am aware." Aegon gritted as those were the words Viserys used. Daemon then walked closer to Aegon. "They see us as nothing more than nuisances that need to be rid of, but maybe there is a way to rectify that."
"And you think war on the Stepstones is the way to do that." Aegon guessed, still having his arms crosses.
"This can be an opportunity for you to prove your worth to everyone who has doubted it." Corlys insisted, "Including your son."
Aegon then started to think about it. If he does do this, he could be celebrated at home as a hero for defeating the Crabfeeder. The savage that has been plaguing the Stepstone for months. His own son said that he was embarrassed by having him as a father. His own brother says he does nothing but bring slander to the family. Maybe this is how he can contribute. To prove that he has value and worth. He would prove to everyone, including his family, that he has his worth to give for House Targaryen.
"If you fight with us, you will return to court as a war hero." Daemon offered, seeing that his brother began to consider the idea of accepting.
"You are the third son Aegon. Just like us second sons, we are not given everything to us like the first-born sons. We have to take it for ourselves." Corlys added, "Our worth is not given. It must be made."
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After Daemon and Corlys made their offer, Aegon said he had to think about it. He, Melina, and her father Areqo were in the study to discuss what they believe he should do.
"You're actually planning on going to war?" Melina asked, not wanting him to do it.
"The Stepstone have been a problem lately." Aegon reasoned.
"Aegon, I won't lie. There had been some other magisters in the Free Cities that shared their suspicions of the Triarchy." Areqo started, "They even asked to speak with you about it and ask if you can contribute your dragon to a war if it comes to it. Even offered marriage proposals to Aeron for your support."
Aegon looked at Areqo and then to Melina who looked at her father, "So you believe he should go." She said.
"I am simply stating that we need to at least consider what we have before us." Areqo slowly said. "The Sea Snake is right. If the Crabfeeder is not dealt with, then the Triarchy will grow more bolder and will cripple not just the trading routes for the Seven Kingdoms, but for Braavos as well."
"Those men who are bringing marriage proposals are only using us for their own purposes because Aegon is a Targaryen," Melina countered as she then turned to Aegon, "just like the Sea Snake is doing with you."
"Lina, you know that if the Stepstones are not dealt with, then it could have affected not just House Velaryon, but yours as well." Aegon reasoned, "Your house stands on trade and the Stepstones are what allow most of the Free Cities to trade to the lands in the far East, especially Braavos."
Melina then stood up from her chair and faced Aegon, "But you are willing to risk your life just to prove something to your big brother."
Aegon wanted to say something, but before he could, Melina walked out of the study. Aegon then sighed as he then sat down on a chair. "I just want to show them that I care for my house and that I have worth to them."
"I can't tell you what to do Aegon," Areqo said, "But what I can say, is that a man, prince or not, must always put his family first."
Aegon looked at Areqo, then he got up and went after Melina. He walked upstairs and went into her room and saw her sitting on a balcony that gave her the view of the large statue that was known at the Titan of Braavos. "You always did have the most beautiful view of the Titan."
"Don't do that." Melina replied, not wanting him to make small talk.
"Lina." Aegon tried, knowing of her feelings of him going to the Stepstones.
She stood up from the balcony and said, "You are going to the Stepstones, are you?"
"I would have Nightwing to protect me." He reasoned.
"That doesn't guarantee your protection." Melina countered, "Your ancestor Aegon the Conqueror and his wives went to war with Dorne, and Queen Rhaenys died when a scorpion bolt pierced her dragon in the eye."
"It was a onetime shot, Lina," Aegon said, "That doesn't mean it will happen the exact same way."
"Doesn't mean it won't either." Melina argued, "If not on dragon back, then what about when you dismount Nightwing? What if you were attached on the ground?"
"Then I will cut them down with my blade." Aegon said as he looked at her, "Melina, I don't know how to make you understand. Right now, everyone at home just sees me as nothing but a problem, but if I do this, I could prove my worth to them."
"At who's expense Aegon," Melina asked to him, "Yours? Your son's? Our son's?"
"I just," Aegon started softly, "I just want my son to be proud of me."
Melina then put her hands on his chest and said, "I understand Aegon, I do, but you have another son who needs you. I need you. I need you here with me." Her voice began to shake, and tears started to form, "Don't do go. Please."
Aegon then hugged her as she fell into his embrace. He understands why she doesn't want him to go, but he feels like he should. "I'm going to Corlys and Daemon and tell them I accept." He then walks away, leaving Melina alone in the room as she watched him leave. It was clear now that he is going to war in the Stepstones. She understands that Aegon wants to prove his worth to his family. She just prays that it won't kill him.