Eve of The Tourney

(Aerion's POV)

"You truly remember him?" I asked Rhaenyra as we sat together in the couch, holding hands, "Grandfather?" 

We both sat there, it was already nightfall and I had Joffrey asleep in my arms as Rhaenyra sat there. Visenya was still asleep as well, both these young ones were constantly sleeping. I find it to be fine, if Joffrey did not have the energy that Luke did.

She nodded, "I do, actually." She said with a smile, "I remember he would sit me on my lap as Daemon and Father often fought for foolish reasons. I was just a child, younger than Luke...younger than well....It was a long time ago....Oh gods, Jaehaerys was still alive when that happened...I think he was about to die.." 

"I often forget that by the time I was born, the Conciliator was alive a decade prior...." I said softly

"I was a young girl when Father ascended....." She said, "I think back then....when Grandfather was alive and Jaehaerys was king....I think those were better times....." 

"Hm...." I said, "Did he ever take you on a ride? On Vhagar?" 

"Grandfather? Oh....yes, there was this one time." She said, "I was scared witless but he merely laughed.....Father and Daemon were so worried but Grandfather said that he wanted to do what Grandmother did with both their sons." 

"That's something...." I said as I patted Joffrey's back as he shifted, "Your Father had a dragon, right? It was Balerion." 

"Right." She said, "The Black Dread was too old to move and Father was content with flying him once." 

"Right..." I said, "The last memory of Old Valyria. He must have been something.....Aegon's Dragon.....I wish he were still alive, to see such a magnificent sight every day.....The Black Dread..." 

"Makes you sad, doesn't it? The last memory of Old Valyria, dead." She whispered, "It goes to show that everything is fated to fade away in history...Maybe we shall soon meet the same fate, our bloodline....our Family....our Dynasty...." 

"Perhaps." I said, "But something tells me we shouldn't worry about it. I am sure that more than 100 years from now, Dragons will still be alive...I am sure that another Balerion will soon be born and there will be a rider as mighty as Aegon The Conqueror. Our blood will not dwindle.." 

"Well, if we produce more children, we'll see to that to be the case." Rhaenyra chuckled, "Don't you think so?" 

"You want more kids?" I looked at her, "I am still baffled that the rebellious princess I vividly remember in my childhood would turn out to be this....eager mother...." 

She smiled at me, "Things will change..." She said softly, "I want to create a large family...our blood to extend throughout history...." 

I raised her hand and kissed it, "It will, worry not." I said, "Visenya will grow up to be an amazing dragonrider, should I die before she claims her dragon, she'll inherit Vermithor. The Realm's enemies will quiver in fear of her and the Old Grouch." 

She chuckled, "You better not think of taking her to fly without my leave." She said

I frowned, "Oh come on." I said, "She deserves to experience dragonriding at least once in her infancy!" 

"No." She said firmly as she leaned in and kissed me on the lips briefly, "You are such a fool.....I love you...." 

"Hm..." I said, "Am I?" 

"Say it back." She said as she gave me a serious gaze

"I love you, Rhaenyra...." I said softly

"Mm..." She said, "Good...I don't want this to be one-sided...." 

"Worry not..." I said, "I will always love you." 

"Now you are being too romantic." She said with a chuckle

"Do you not feel the same?" I asked her

"I do." She said softly, "Which is why I want more children." 

"Ah." I said with a chuckle, "Let's wait until Visenya is a bit older." 

"You told me the same when Joffrey was her age." She said

"And I kept that promise." I said, "Worry not, should we have a son, his name will be Aegon. Just like you wanted." 

"Mm..." She smiled, "Yes, I like that." 

"Well, yes, it was your idea." I said with a chuckle

"Do you intend to fight in the Melee?" She asked

"I do." I said, "I've fought battles with nothing but many men locked into each other, beating themselves senselessly." 

"They changed the rules for this one." She said, "Did you not know? Lord Beesbury so boringly told them to me while you were gone. Apparently, two men will step into the arena and will fight until one yields or.....well, dies...and then the winner advances. It goes on until the two final participants clash at the end and the winner is the champion." 

"Huh." I said, "That's more.....organized. Well, no wonder it was the singular focus. Typically, the melee is a side attraction when Tourneys are held." 

Yes, typically the Melee is just a big arena of mud and dirt and dozens of men are locked in combat inside and the last man standing is the victor. This is a bit more stretched out, I suppose.....I like it. 

"Be careful." She said softly

"It's blunt swords, Rhaenyra, I won't get hurt." I said

"That's not what I meant." She said as she leaned her head against my chest next to Joffrey, "Be careful not to kill anyone. You're strong, I know that much." 

"Hm." I said with a slight smile, "Yes...." 

"That's true." 

*******************************************

I woke up to the sound of light tapping. 

I opened my eyes and turned to my right, seeing Rhaenyra sleeping soundly next to me. I slowly sat and up and once again, I heard the light tapping. 

"What the.." I whispered

I slowly got off the bed and walked over to Visenya's cradle, seeing that she was asleep. She had woken up a few hours ago, a bit after Rhaenyra and I had that conversation, and I had held her for half an hour until she went back to sleep. I imagine that she'll wake with some energy in the morrow. 

I looked over to see Joffrey's small bed, he was also asleep soundly. They all looked to be okay, which was the first thing I had to check. 

I heard the light tapping once again. 

I looked to the far corner of the room, the sound was coming from behind the shelf. 

I looked at Rhaenyra, who still slept in bed. I did not want to wake her. 

"Hm..." I muttered as I grabbed Lamentation that was leaning against the chair, "What is this now?" 

I walked over to the shelf, inspecting the side of it, and saw a gap between the back and the wall.

"The hell?" I muttered as I looked over to Rhaenyra, "I have to be quiet..." 

I leaned Lamentation against the wall and slowly moved the shelf forward, feeling a draft of air as I moved it almost two feet away from the wall. 

I saw an opening that led into the wall, "Huh?" I said perplexed, "A secret passage?" 

I grabbed the sword and crouched down, passing through the opening and walking to what looked like a corridor. 

I followed the corridor and it led to a narrow set of stairs, it appeared that this was part of a large system of secret passages in the Red Keep. I didn't know that there was this many. I had heard that Maegor the Cruel had some passages built when he built the Red Keep and he killed the builders when it was done. I did not know those stories to be true. 

I heard a quick whistle, almost as if someone was calling for me. It came from the top of the stairs. 

I placed my hand on Lamentation's handle as I began to walk up the stairs, "What is this?" I muttered

The stairs led up to a small and dark room that was before a long and narrow corridor. In the corner of the room, I saw a figure wearing a cloak and holding a candle. 

"Who goes there?" I said as I slightly unsheathed my blade, "Answer me." 

"Now now." the familiar and grating voice of a man said, "Watch who you try to threaten with your blade, boy." 

"W-What?" I said with a scowl, "What are you doing here?" 

I saw as the man lowered his hood, showing his face. 

Daemon gave me a smile, "Hello, son." He said, 

"It's about time we talk."