Chapter 13: My Father's Son
Kings Landing 300 AC.
Melisandre.
Seeing Lyanax fly never failed to give her goosebumps, seeing her prince on the dragon's back, seeing people look upon him with the awe he deserved, never failed to make her feel proud to be serving him. As the dragon landed and he climbed down off her back he looked both surprised and happy to see her, Ser Davos and the others. She watched as he walked towards them before out of nowhere the white wolf ran past them, looking just like his name, a Ghost.
She laughed along with Thoros as the prince was basically knocked to the ground by the wolf, hearing him laugh as the wolf licked his face as he got back to his feet and walked towards them. She frowned when she saw he was unarmored though, he had gone to a dangerous place and his recklessness was not something she appreciated, still seeing him smile at them made her heart beat as fast as it always did.
"My prince." she said as he reached them.
"My lady it is good to see you well." he said kissing her hand.
"Ser Davos." Daemon said and she watched as the older man hugged the prince as he always did when they met.
"My prince."
"Grey Worm it's good to see you, my friend."
"This one is happy to see you too my prince."
"Asher Forrester, sober, at this hour of the day, what is the world coming to."
"Shut up you fucker." Asher said grinning and Daemon laughed.
"I'm sure there is a reason you're all here, but no doubt my grandmother will be….here she is, when she hits me don't react." he said and she looked to him confusedly.
"Daemon Targaryen." the slap was loud and she saw the prince's smile as his grandmother reached him.
"I knew she was there grandmother, besides it was only a small jump." Daemon said and Melisandre realized what it was that earned the prince the slap.
She smirked at that, if his grandmother only knew the half of it, had she been in Meereen she'd be beating him still. She looked on as Daemon spoke softly to his grandmother, she could barely make out what was said other than his grand uncle had passed. Daemon turned to Davos and Asher and asked to speak to them later, before coming over to talk to her and Thoros.
"I need you both to consult the flames, the wall, blue eyes, see what R'hllor will tell you." he said and she looked at him worriedly.
"Was it the same?" she asked and he nodded.
"Yes, though blue instead of red."
She nodded and she and the others walked back to the manse they were staying in, Daemon, his grandmother and the white wolf heading towards the Red Keep. She could tell that Thoros was as nervous as she had been, red eyes, blue eyes, white eyes, two of them they knew of now and she worried on the third. Reaching the manse she and Thoros left the others and walked to a room with a large fireplace, setting the fire they took their seats and waited.
The world was full of ice and shadow, darkness moving towards them in the distance, they heard the sounds, the movements around them though they could see no one, then the screams began, louder and louder. Light, blinding light and then a storm, he rode through it unaffected by it, while around him men, no, what used to be men, moved, blue eyes everywhere.
She saw men in furs fall, women too, a settlement by the river, the storm moving in towards them, then the dragon came and the storm retreated, the cold became warm, the darkness retreating from the light. She saw him his swords aflame, his armor brighter than the sun, the dragon's flames closing blue eyes too numerous to count as he landed. He stood facing the storm, daring it to come closer, calling for it and as night became day, day became night, the sword lit the way and all who stood behind it were safe.
"Thoros, Thoros what did you see?" she said as the visions faded away.
"I saw the prince, I saw the prince fight in the snow, I saw a man wearing a crown of ice holding a sword of blue fight the prince, ice against fire, light against dark. I saw the night Melisandre, I saw the night and the prince stood against it and brought the dawn." Thoros said his face full of wonder.
"I saw it too, though not the same, but there was something not right, something missing, I do not think R'hllor showed us it all."
"He did not, just like Meereen, he showed us what we need, only the prince can see it all."
Meereen 295 AC.
They had come to take the book, that was all, just to collect the book and leave, but these masters had as they always did, decided to annoy her prince. Seeing slaves mistreated had always been one of his problems, one of his issues, it brought the dragon out of him and today was no different.
"Leave them alone." Daemon said and she sighed though Thoros chuckled beside her.
" Who are you to speak to me boy." the master said.
" I'm the man who'll end you if you raise that whip one more time."
" You dare speak to Oznak zo Pahl, in such a manner."
" It has a name, good, at least people will know who I killed when you fall." Daemon said and she looked to him, her eyes begging him to just walk away, unfortunately, it was then the man decided to whip the slave yet again.
Seeing Spark fly through the air less than an instant later, she, the guards, but mostly the master all looked on surprised as before the whip could be raised back a third time the blade hit and the man fell to the ground, dead. The guards reacted and so did Daemon, though these he did not kill, she heard the words being spoken by her prince, the chant and then he was like the wind itself.
" You two, go outside the city, Lyanax is waiting, she'll bring you to me." Daemon said.
" We cannot leave you my prince." she replied and he smiled at her.
"You're not, just don't be alarmed when you fly by the pyramid."
With that, he was gone and so were they, the dragon was waiting just as the prince said and they climbed up taking their usual positions, well usual in the fact that she had been on the dragon more than once now. No sooner were they on Lyanax's back than she took off, it was strange and she felt unsafe without the prince guiding the dragon though Thoros it seemed did not.
The gasps he made not more than a few moments into their flight though showed that maybe he did, although when she looked at what caused it, it was clear that was why he was concerned. The prince was climbing up on the ledge with a long whip in his hand, men with spears throwing them and missing him as they chased after him, when the dragon swooped in and aimed its flames below them they soon retreated though.
" He can't mean to." she heard Thoros say.
She looked on as the whip coiled around the Harpy, the prince swinging from it as the dragon flew underneath and then she watched in horror as he let go, his hands grabbing a spike as he fell and Thoros quickly helping him onto the dragons back. They landed a few miles outside the city and she watched as Thoros lost his temper and shouted at the prince.
" Are you mad, crazy, you are too important to risk yourself so, if you fall we all fall Daemon." Thoros said angrily.
" I know, but we needed the book Thoros, besides what's the point of having a god's favor if you can't have some fun every now and then."
" Swinging from a fucking pyramid is not fun." Thoros said spittle coming from his mouth.
" It is though." Daemon said a little softly and she chuckled.
That night they had read some of the book and looked to the flames, red eyes, blue eyes, white eyes, they had seen the Horselords fall, the red eyes coming for them, the future had already been written it seemed.
Kings Landing now.
"What are you smiling about?" Thoros asked.
"The pyramid."
"Mad fucker, did he do anything like that when I was gone?"
"No Not like that, but you know what he's like Thoros."
"I do." Thoros said a smile on his face now.
"He missed you, badly."
"I missed him too, you were with him through it all?"
"I was, Davos too and Asher, Grey Worm, we were all there, but he missed you, my friend."
"These people, they want him dead you know this."
"Everyone wants him dead, our enemy has many agents, many people to do his bidding, even though they know not what they're doing." she said.
"Then we have to protect him do we not, even from himself."
"Even from himself." she said nodding in agreement.
Kings Landing 300 AC.
Rhaegar.
The news that Daemon had returned had been quick to spread, he was in a small council meeting at the time when Arthur arrived to speak to him. Having heard of Dorne's plans he had expected Oberyn to bring it up at the meeting, though he found he was surprised when he had not. Jon too seemed more subdued and in fact, it was Mace Tyrell who seemed the one most eager to speak about his son's marriage prospects.
"Your Grace, with Prince Daemon back perhaps it's time we discussed weddings?" Mace said and Rhaegar felt in the mood to humor the man so he played along.
"Indeed Lord Tyrell, have you any ideas?" he asked and saw Arthur's smirk.
"As you know your grace, Prince Aegon and my daughter are very fond of each other, should they be officially matched I know it would please the realm." Mace said and he nodded.
"Indeed, I shall speak to my wife today Lord Tyrell, perhaps by the morrow we'll have an announcement to make." he said and Mace almost rushed from the room given how excited he was.
"Prince Daemon your grace?" Lucerys asked and he was stunned to see it come from his master of ships.
"I do not know my son's mind on matches as of yet Lord Velaryon, perhaps after I've spoken to him I'll have an announcement on his future too."
He saw the look Jon gave to Oberyn, both of them clearly surprised that he was considering a match for Daemon this soon, but his mother's, his wife's, Arthur's words had taken hold, and he only needed to get the right undertaking from Tywin and Daemon.
"Now if there is nothing else, I'll call this…" he said before being interrupted.
"Your Grace, Prince Daemon has asked to address the council." the guard said and he looked on surprised as he had the guard let Daemon enter.
He watched on as his mother and son walked into the room, Daemon still wearing the clothes he had no doubt traveled in, he bid them take a seat and no sooner had they sat down than Aegon arrived, having clearly gotten over his reluctance to attend this meeting. Rhaegar glared at his oldest son as he sat down beside Jon Connington, knowing that were it not for Daemon's own appearance he'd not be here today.
"Your Grace, men of the small council, I've just flown from the wall where I said my farewells to my grand uncle, Aemon Targaryen, the man the realm and I, I'm shamed to say forgot about."
"He was a man of the watch was he not, then just like they, he did his duty and was remembered there." Oberyn said and Daemon nodded.
"That he did and did so well, for over seven and sixty years that man served this realm, served the watch as Maester, and this realm not only forgot about him, but it failed him, it failed the men of the Night's watch. Where are the taxes that are owed, where are the supplies the men need? Where is our faith in them?"."
"You do not understand Prince Daemon, the realm can't spare coin for an outpost in the North." Jon Connington said.
"Yet we can for tourney's and feasts can we not? I come to this council to ask for supplies to be sent, for the coin to be set aside, for us to support the men of the watch. To show that I'm not asking for anyone to do what I myself would not, I've given the Lord Commander access to some of my own funds." Daemon said and Rhaegar looked to him both with pride and shock.
"Your own fund's brother?" Aegon asked.
"I've set aside 50,000 gold dragons for the Night's Watch, I ask this council to match it, to match my support with men, with supplies, with coin, however we can, but to match it all the same." Daemon said and looked around the room.
Rhaegar was ashamed to see that no one spoke up, none offered to match it, none offered to help, before he got a chance to say anything though Daemon spoke again.
"I find myself once again shamed by the actions of men who care not for the realm, care not to support the realm lest it hurt their own comforts, their own prosperity. It seems that I alone here am the Watcher on the Wall."
His son stormed from the room, leaving his mother to glare at him, to look each of the men in the eye, before standing up.
"If you men won't do your duty, perhaps it's time to replace you with men who will." she looked at him and shook her head before leaving.
She was no sooner out the door when the voices raised up, when the shouting began, Aegon asking who did Daemon think he was and more than one of the others agreed with his son. He raised his hand, quietening them down, looking around the room before speaking.
"Lord Tyrell, I want it seen to immediately, the crown will match my son's support, each kingdom, each of them, will pay some of the amount needed in taxes, Dorne too Oberyn." he said as he got up and walked from the room.
He felt both proud and shamed by his son, he had done what Rhaegar himself had once promised to do, what he had once sworn to do, he had helped the Night's Watch. He also felt saddened by his uncle's death, both for the death itself and the many years he'd practically ignored the man. After Lyanna, when Daemon was born, when he saw the prophecy to be a lie, in his grief and anger he had cut all ties with Aemon, completely cut the man from his life.
His plans to release him from his vows, to bring him to Kings Landing and have him serve as their Grandmaester, all of it forgotten as he wallowed in despair. That now after almost ten and eight years, his uncle would have died alone had it not been for Daemon. He shook his head smiling as he walked, thankful once again that his son had returned. They needed to talk, needed to speak, he had put it off, both out of worry for the outcome and because of Daemon's own reluctance, but it could wait no longer.
"Arthur, find Daemon for me, I need to speak to him." he said to his closest friend and Arthur nodded and walked off.
Kings Landing 300 AC.
Rhaella.
When Daemon had told her about the events on the wall, of Aemon's death, of how the wall had suffered, she had begun to think of how they could change things. But her grandson surprised her, he had already begun to change things, he had spent his own coin to change things. Where he had gotten the coin to do so was a question she needed to be answered, but instead, Daemon had said he needed to speak to the council and so she had gone with him.
Watching him put those men in their place, shaming them, she had never felt prouder of him, after saying her own piece, she hurried after him finding him walking angrily towards the front of the Red Keep.
"Daemon stop." she called though he didn't hear her "Daemon." she said a little louder and he turned to look at her, his anger clear, though when he saw her face he calmed some.
"I'm sorry grandmother, I know I should hold my temper more."
"Daemon I'm not angry with you, I'm proud of you. What you did in there was right, now come back with me." she said and he nodded walking beside her, her arm linked with his and she felt him calm with each step.
"We must speak on your future Daemon." she said and he looked at her curiously and she chuckled when she saw the small grin on his face.
"What have you done grandmother?" he asked his voice far lighter than it had been.
"Come, we'll speak of it in my room."
Arriving back at her room, she was surprised to see the white wolf sitting there waiting for them. Daemon just reached down rubbed its fur and they walked inside. Taking a seat she got ready to tell him of her conversation with Tywin, of Dornes's plan and of her own conversation with Myrcella, but they were interrupted by Ser Arthur entering the room.
"Your grace, my prince." Ser Arthur said standing in front of them.
"Ser Arthur?" she said looking at him.
"His graces wishes to talk to his son." Arthur said and she looked to Daemon.
"Now is not a good time Arthur, my grandmother wishes to speak to me, and I'm not in the best place to speak to the king just now."
"He has ordered the funds to be readied, the help you requested will be sent to the Night's Watch my prince." Ser Arthur said surprising them both.
"Tell him he has my gratitude Arthur, I shall speak to him on the morrow, I'm both tired and my blood has not yet calmed, it would do us both badly to speak now." Daemon said and Arthur nodded.
"Indeed, your grace, my prince." Arthur said before leaving.
She watched as the wheels turned in her grandson's head, she knew this conversation was coming, she only hoped it wouldn't go as badly as she feared it would. As she looked at both the relief in Daemon's face as the Night's Watch would be helped, and the concern that was clearly there about speaking to his father. She resolved to give him something to take his mind off both, now and for the morrow too.
"I think you and Lady Myrcella should go on a ride on the morrow Daemon." she said and his head shot up to look at her.
"Grandmother?".
"Come now, how much time have you spent with the girl just the two of you, would it not be nice to get away from court with her just for a little time together?". she said and saw him smile as he thought of it.
"What's going on grandmother?"
"Whatever do you mean grandson?" she said as innocently as she could.
"Grandmother?" he said a half-smirk on his face.
"Daemon?" she said and he laughed.
"What have you done?" he said then and so she told him of her conversation with Tywin, of the Lion's own feelings on things, once again she watched as the wheels turned in her grandson's head.
"Maybe I don't like her that way, maybe I'm just looking for a conquest." he said his voice challenging.
"You are not my other grandson, I raised you better than that." she said and he smiled.
"Yes, you did. I would love to go riding with Myrcella grandmother." he said and she breathed a sigh of relief.
"Tomorrow, with your father Daemon, I'm here for you, you know that right?"
"Always." he said and she nodded "Dorne?"
"Apparently prince Doran thinks sending his daughter would bring you to his side, I believe she's coming both to push for a match and to get you into bed to help arrange that match."
"Arianne hates me." he said and she looked at him.
"Perhaps, but you know your position has changed, to get their hands on Lyanax, they'll do whatever they can." she said and he laughed.
"Lyanax, can't be controlled grandmother, she is her own mistress, she makes her own decisions, I ask her and she does, but I don't control her, only a god can do that." he said and she looked at him again.
"This thing Daemon, this thing with R'hllor, they will use it against you."
"I know, but I put my faith in him as he did me, I ask no one else to, I seek to convert no one, but I'll not forsake my god, not for anything." he said and the white wolf got to his feet and walked over placing his head on her grandson's lap.
"We need to talk Daemon, I need to know more, these men, these unsullied, Ser Davos, the red priests, I need to know, I need to know what happened to you." she said and the worry in her voice made him get up from his seat and kneel in front of her.
"I promise, tomorrow I'll tell you anything you wish to know, I swear it." he said and he kissed her cheek.
"I will hold you to that." he nodded and got up to leave.
"I need to go speak to them, and to arrange with Myrcella for the ride tomorrow, Tywin he will speak to father?" he asked and she nodded.
"He will, you are happy with the match?".
"Are you?"
"I am Daemon, she's a good girl, I like her."
"As do I grandmother, very much." his smile telling her just how true that was, he turned to walk from the room before turning back "Theon?"
"Paid for his crimes." she said and he just looked at her before leaving.
Kings Landing 300 AC.
Tywin.
He waited and waited until finally the meeting was granted, readying himself to leave, he told Tyrion to wait here, knowing the king wouldn't wish anyone but himself at the meeting. He was getting ready to mount his horse when the prince arrived, Daemon walking into the manse with Ser Barristan and the large white wolf. Seeing him, Tywin moved from his horse and went to greet the prince, pleased to see him look happy to see him also.
"My prince, I had not expected you today." he said with a small bow.
"My apologies my lord, I came to speak to Myrcella, with your permission of course."
"Of course, I wish I could stay and speak with you my prince, but I have a meeting with his grace to attend to." he said waiting to see what Daemon's reaction would be.
"My grandmother informed me of such my lord, I bid you good fortune and await news of your success." Daemon said and Tywin felt his heart race, the prince was on board, his granddaughter would be a princess, he would see to it.
"As do I my prince." he said mounting his horse.
He found himself riding even more proudly through the streets, Rhaella, Daemon both of them as eager for this match as he and Myrcella, that the children liked each other, that they got along was something he was glad of, as was his view on the prince's nature. Tywin had met good men, bad men, he'd known evil men and cowards, Daemon was a man he'd proudly call a goodgrandson, he was sure of it.
Upon seeing the Red Keep in front of him he dismounted and was led to the king's solar, he saw the eyes look to him as he walked, the spies scurrying off to tell their tales, to whisper their news. Reaching the door, he waited until he was bid to enter, finding the king, queen, and Ser Arthur inside, but most of all pleased to see Rhaella sitting there too.
"Your graces." he said with a bow.
"Lord Tywin, why don't you take a seat." Rhaegar said.
He sat down and looked at each of them, Rhaella smirking, Elia stone-faced and he couldn't quite make out what expression Rhaegar was showing him.
"What brings you to see us Lord Tywin?" Rhaegar asked though Rhaella's presence alone made it clear he already knew.
"I wished to speak on the future your grace, the future of House Lannister and House Targaryen. To speak on a match between our houses, one that the realm would prosper by, no doubt."
"A match my lord?" Elia said and he found himself irritated that they were making him go through the show, but he forced it down deep and continued.
"Between my granddaughter and Prince Daemon, your grace."
"My son has only just returned Lord Tywin, is it not to early to suggest a match for him, especially since Aegon is not betrothed yet?".
"While that is true you grace, it is clear that you would not consider a match for prince Aegon suggested by me, but even if the suggestion came from yourself for such a match I'd find myself unable to accept." Tywin said and Rhaegar raised an eyebrow at that, but Elia was the one who spoke.
"You'd turn down the chance of your granddaughter to be queen my lord? Even if such a match was offered?" Elia said.
"I would your grace. It is clear to me that my granddaughter's affections lie elsewhere and also that these affections are returned, while rare it may be that a match such as this is ever influenced by such things, I feel in this case it to be fortuitous."
"I concur with Lord Tywin, it's clear that my grandson cares greatly for the girl." Rhaella said and he smiled inwardly.
"The problem my lord is that should such a match be allowed then it could create seeds of discontent, should Daemon marry Myrcella then Aegon and Margaery Tyrell would be the only other logical match. Two princes, both with such large regions behind them could lead rise to problems." Rhaegar said and Tywin watched as the fury built up in Rhaella, she turned to look angrily at the king.
"I don't understand your grace." he lied.
"Perhaps if we're given an undertaking by you that you'll not raise arms against my son, no matter the circumstances…" Rhaegar began and Rhaella jumped to her feet.
"This is outrageous, Lord Tywin I ask you to follow me, the king is not the only one who can give permission for such a match, nor is his permission needed."
"Mother." Rhaegar said.
"No, I have heard enough Rhaegar. I and Daemon shall move our things from the Red Keep immediately, we will not stay here one moment longer, my lord." she said to him and he stood up and walked from the room with her.
As they strolled down the corridor they could hear the raised voices behind them, Elia's loudest of them.
"Fear not Tywin, the match will happen, my idiot son will come to his senses, very soon."
He rode back to the Manse, both angry and hopeful, Rhaella was on his side, Daemon was on his side, who cared if Rhaegar was not. As he dismounted his horse in the courtyard he saw Daemon and Myrcella walking towards him, both of them laughing until they saw his face. He didn't even get to speak, didn't even get to explain, Daemon bid Myrcella goodbye with a kiss to the cheek and was gone from the Manse in moments.
Calling for his family he walked with Myrcella into his solar, trying to remover her worried look with soft rubs to her elbow as they walked. Once inside he waited until Jaime and Cersei arrived, Tyrion having met them along the way, his son having noticed his expression wisely deciding not to ask what had happened.
"It seems the king or someone advising him is worried we mean to steal the throne." he said and Tyrion laughed before speaking.
"He should be, if Daemon wanted it he could take it in a heartbeat."
"Daemon doesn't want the throne." Myrcella said and he nodded.
"We know, but be it Aegon, or Oberyn, or whomever, someone wishes the king to be fearful that he does." Tywin said.
"They refused the betrothal?" Jaime asked his son's anger clear, but Tywin looked to the pained expression on Myrcella's face, motioning to Cersei who comforted her.
"It didn't get that far, Rhaella saw to that."
"What did the queen do?" Jaime asked and he knew it was Rhaella, not Elia he meant.
"She made it clear to them that Daemon and Myrcella would be wed, even without their permission." he said and Myrcella looked at him hopefully "Do you really think a prince with a dragon cares what his father says, granddaughter?" he said and saw the small smile appear on her face.
Kings Landing 300 AC.
Daemon.
Seeing her standing in front of him he felt something different, he was happy to see her, happy to be close to her once again, but now knowing what he now did, it felt different. He had been attracted to her when he saw her first in the Throne Room, had found her far more clever and far different than he had expected when he had lunch with her and Tyrion.
But the more time he spent with her, the more he felt it was deeper than that, he knew how things worked, how court worked and he knew his position was radically changed from what it once was. Had he never have left, had he not have found a god's favor then he would have been lucky to be allowed to wed, even had he been they'd have chosen his bride to make sure his power was limited.
But now, not only had his position been raised in court, now no one would decide his fate, no one, not a man, not a king, not even a god, he would decide what he would do, with this part of his life anyway. He had loved and lost, he would not do so again, and yet despite that, hearing his grandmother lay out her plans, hearing Tywin was on board, made it all so different.
"Are you not going to say anything?" she said and he laughed before leaning in to kiss her lips, catching her by surprise.
"Daemon?". Myrcella said a small blush on her face.
"Marry me?" he said and she looked at him her eyes glistening as she nodded.
"Is that a yes?"
"Yes." she said happily and he kissed her again.
They walked together, he telling her of his grandmother's wishes, she of her grandfathers, yet both of them it seemed while happy of the support cared more for their own feelings on the matter. When he told her Tywin was gone to speak to his father he saw her excitement build, so while he didn't need his father's permission, he knew she would like it.
"Look, grandfather's back." she said excitedly but when he saw Tywin's face, when he saw the scowl, he felt his anger rise.
"I will be back as soon as I can." he said kissing her cheek and walking from the manse.
He walked hurriedly to the Red Keep, Ghost walking beside him the wolf's expression somewhat matching his own. Ser Barristan walked silently behind him, the knight judging his mood and deciding not to speak, when they reached the Red Keep itself he headed straight for his father's rooms. Hearing the raised voices as he got there, he saw Ser Arthur was standing outside.
"Out of way Ser." he said and Arthur stood in front of him, Ghost snarling silently at the knight "Now Arthur." he said his voice raised loud enough that the ones inside the room quietened.
"No."
"Don't make me move you Arthur." he said and Barristan moved towards him placing his hand on his shoulder to calm him down.
Before anything could happen, before the situation went any worse, the door opened and Elia stepped out, walking over to him she placed her own hand on his shoulder, giving him a soft smile before walking away.
"Let him in Arthur." he heard his father say and he walked into the room, Ghost and Barristan taking up position beside Arthur at the door.
"Who do you think you are?" he said loudly as the door closed "What gives you the right to decide who I can or cannot marry."
"Daemon."
"No, you don't get to choose, my bride, you don't get to choose anything about me, you lost that right many years ago."
"I am your father."
"You stopped being my father the day I was born, the day I was brought here, or don't you remember turning away from me?"
"I was grieving for your mother."
"Were you, or were you grieving for your prophecy, was it my mother's death which pained you so or the fact that I wasn't a girl, that I was a Daemon not a Visenya?" he felt the slap a moment later.
"Don't you ever dare suggest I didn't love your mother, she was everything to me, everything," his father said angrily.
"She was my mother and yet you never allowed her to be mentioned to me, you never stopped the whispers, never stopped the taunts. Love, love is not just standing up for her when she's there, it's standing up for her when she's not, where were you then?" he said and his father looked at him.
"I.."
"You allowed them to treat me as if I was nothing, no one, as if I didn't matter, which was true was it not, for I didn't matter to you, did I?"
".."
"Did I?" his voice basically a shout now.
"You are my son. I may not have shown it but I've always loved you."
"What's the point of it if it's not shown? What's the point of it if you allowed people to treat me as lesser than, as nothing but a stain, a bastard. You say you loved my mother and yet you showed her son no love, were it not for my grandmother I'd have never known what it felt like, father, father, you're no father of mine, you never were."
"Daemon." his father said his pain clear.
"No, let us speak as men here today, you are not my father, my father is Thoros of Myr a man who cared for me, loved me, protected me, comforted me, that's what a father is, that's what a father does. Where were your searches for me? Where was your concern for me? If it's hidden then it may as well not exist, and you hid your's well."
"I am your king Daemon."
"Then be a fucking king, act a fucking king."
"I am and you'll not marry that girl, I'll not have you and your brother at each other's throats."
"Aegon has been as much a brother to me as you have a father, the only way you differ is that you haven't sent men to kill me."
"What are you saying?" his father said shocked.
"Theon fucking Greyjoy. Who's friend was he, the Darkstar who's friend is he? The melee, what do you think, that they meant to rough me up a little, to embarrass me, are you that fucking naïve?"
"Daemon, you cant think that, Aegon has his faults but he would never."
"Would he not? Can you say the same of Jon Connington, the same of Oberyn Martell?" Have you any idea why I really left all those years ago?"
"I… I thought it was to find your grandmother."
"It was, but have you never asked yourself why I didn't just wait? Why I felt the need to run away or is this love you said you had for me, is it just a recent thing?"
He shook his head incredulously as his father looked at him in confusion.
"After another delightful fucking day in this beautiful place, another day where I was scorned by my father, mistreated by the men who surrounded him, looked down upon by the women and ignored by everyone but the queen, I did what I always did, I went to hide in the tunnels."
"I never knew you did that."
"The list of the things you don't know about me could fill the fucking Citadel." he said dismissively "I went, I hid, and stumbled upon a plot to kill me, that's right here in your own keep people plotted to kill your son, great job in running the realm your grace." he said his contempt clear.
"Who?"
"I don't know, only that they engineered grandmother's visit to Dorne, so I left, I ran, I figured since he only person who cared whether I lived or died wasn't here, I should go to her."
"I'm sorry son, I'm so sorry."
"I may actually believe you, if you weren't showing just how much you actually care for me by refusing to allow me the one thing I actually want. Not that it matters, Myrcella and I will marry,"
"You cannot Daemon, Aegon…"
"Can go fuck himself for all I care." he said interrupting his father as he had no desire to hear more.
"I am your king."
"I already told you, I kneel only before a god and you, your grace, are no fucking god."
"You knelt in the North." his father said angrily and he laughed then, he laughed loudly and for a long time, before turning to his father.
"Who told you that?" he asked.
"Aegon." his father said and he nodded.
"Funny that don't you think? I mean the realm was completely unaware of what was happening in the North, unaware of the Iron Born attacking the North, of my aunt's kidnapping, yet my brother knew I knelt in the North, wonder how he knew that?."
"You're saying Aegon knew of the North?" his father asked his fury clear.
"I'm saying my grandmother thought me well, if you wish to expose a spy, then give them something to speak about, I wondered who would tell you I knelt, now I know."
He turned to walk from the room, before turning back to look at his father.
"Years ago a prince married a woman for love, he cared not for the consequences, cared not for what it would mean, doing so led the realm into war, you may not have ever been a father to me, but I am nothing if not my father's son."
Kings Landing 300 AC.
Arianne.
She arrived to a Red Keep in chaos, a jubilant Oberyn, a laughing Aegon, an angry Elia, and a broken Rhaegar. But it was Rhaenys who looked at her, Rhaenys who stared at her, and Rhaenys who looked furious with her. Arianne was surprised by this, she and her cousin had always gotten along, always enjoyed spending time together, even if Rhaenys was a bit of a prude.
"Cousin?" she asked.
"You should not have come." Rhaenys said and she looked to her wondering what she had done to annoy her.
"Why not?"
"Father and Daemon are not speaking, you shouldn't have come, I warn you do not go near my brother, I don't care what your plans are."
"I came to see you cousin, to see my uncle and Ellaria and my other cousins." she said a smile on her face.
"You are a terrible liar, Ari. If you cause any distress here, I won't be there to help you, neither will mother, I'm warning you."
She nodded and it took her the rest of the day to find out what had occurred, Oberyn took great pleasure in telling her, he was almost gleeful and had put off his own travel for a few days because of it.
"The bastard prince demanded his father allow him wed, he ranted and raved at him, at the king." Oberyn said and she looked at him shaking her head, if Daemon was demanding he wed, then this was not a good thing.
"I don't understand, if he marries the girl then how does this help us?"
"His father has forbid it, should he do so then he'll have no choice but to strip him of his title."
"The West won't stand for that uncle."
"They won't have a choice."
"I need to speak to Prince Daemon, to see him." she said.
"There is no need, he is out of the equation now, it's Aegon who needs to be dealt with, we are so close, so close."
"What if they make up uncle, what if they resolve their differences?"
"They won't, he told the king he was not his father, Rhaegar will not forgive that."
She found herself disagreeing, she had many fights with her own father, his plans always coming into conflict with her own. At one point he had wished her to wed Aegon, wished her to be queen, but it was not a consort she wished to be, it was a ruler and so she had made sure to dissuade Aegon from such a thing. The sex they had was terrible, she had deliberately made it so knowing her cousin lusted for her, now he no longer did.
Her father had been furious, had told her he would pass her over for Quentyn and she had told him she hated him, how she wished he was dead, how he was no father of hers. Within weeks they had made up and were closer than ever once again, so she disagreed and after finding out that Rhaella and Daemon were staying at a nearby manse, she arranged to be taken to it.
The manse wasn't that special, it was nothing really to look at and she was surprised that Rhaella would stay in such a place. It was well protected though, well guarded, and the men who did so looked fierce.
"My name is Princess Arianne Nymeros Martell, I've come to see Prince Daemon." she asked the guard, a dark-skinned man wearing brown leather armor and carrying a spear.
"No." the man said simply.
"I said I am Princess Arianne Martell and I demand to speak to the prince."
"No." the man said again.
"I shall have you flogged for this, where is your commander?"
The man turned to one of the other guards and he to another and finally after a few moments another man arrived, one slightly older than the others.
"Torgho Nudho, this one wishes to speak to prince." the first man said to the older one.
"No." the man said and turned to walk away.
She moved to walk in through the gate and the first man raised his hands to her, placing them on her he stopped her entering, her guards immediately raised their spears and moved forward. Within moments her men were surrounded, they were outnumbered, they were outmatched and Arianne actually felt fearful. Before a dark-haired man arrived walking with a red priest and a man slightly older than him, along with a white dog, no, a wolf, a giant wolf.
"Torgho Nudho?" the dark-haired man said.
"This one was refused entry, she tried anyway." the man called Torgho Nudho said.
"My apologies princess." the dark-haired man said and the spears were lowered.
"I wish to see Prince Daemon?" she said and the dark-haired man looked at her.
"He's not accepting any visitors." the dark-haired man said and she looked at his face, finding him to be very handsome even though she couldn't make him out clearly as he stood in the shadows.
"Surely he'll be happy to see me?". she said as sultrily as she could.
"Why would you wish to speak to A Bastard Wolf." the dark-haired man said and she faltered for a second, wondering how this man knew what she had named the prince.
"I'm sure if Prince Daemon knows I'm here he'll wish to speak to me."
"He knows Princess and he would not."
"I wish to speak to him." she said a little more annoyed now.
"You already have and I have no wish to speak to you, goodnight princess."
She looked on as the dark-haired man walked away, watching his lithe body as it moved, that was Daemon, that was the Dark Prince, she couldn't help but look at him, firm, athletic, and a challenge, just how she liked her men. She smiled as she walked away, this trip was going to be even more fun than she had hoped for.
Kings Landing 300 AC.
Rhaella.
She was packing her things when Bonifer arrived, Thoros and Ser Davos along with some of the unsullied with him.
"Where is my grandson?" she asked.
"He is at Lord Tywin's your grace." Thoros said.
"Very well, I need you to take his things, along your own and bring them to this manse your men are staying at." she said and was glad there was no talk, no questions the men just doing as she asked.
"My queen?" Bonifer said when they were gone.
"My fool of a son seems to think he can deny this betrothal, not content with ruining Daemon's life when he was a boy, he seeks to ruin it now. I'll not stand for it and I know Daemon will not either."
"Rhae, you know what this could mean?"
"I don't care, Bon, I'll not see him hurt, not even by mine own son, not again. Not when he could just jump on that dragon and leave, Daemon stays, no matter what needs to be done to make it so."
Her knight leaned in, hugged her tight and kissed her forehead.
"The hundred stands ready my queen."
"The Blackfish, he is still in the city?"
"He is, you wish to see him?"
"No, but don't let him leave, have your men grab our things, we need to go speak to Daemon."
She walked to Tywin's Manse worried in case she missed Daemon, something that she did, as she entered she saw Myrcella and walked over to the girl kissing her on her forehead affectionately.
"Daemon?" she asked.
"I thought he was with you, he went to the Red Keep." she looked to Bonifer, who nodded to one of the hundred, the man racing off in the direction they had just come from "You and my grandson will be wed Myrcella on this you have my promise and I look forward to welcoming you to my family." she said and the girl smiled.
"Daemon, asked me, when grandfather left he asked me to marry him." Myrcella said.
"And what did you say?"
"Yes." Myrcella's smile beaming as she kissed her forehead again.
"I need to speak with your grandfather." she said and Myrcella escorted her to the solar.
After discussing things with Tywin, making plans that had they been known would cost both of them their heads, she comforted herself with the knowledge they were worst-case scenarios. When they left the Manse she was told that Daemon had spoken angrily to the king and headed to the other Manse, so she and Bonifer made their way to it.
Daemon's men were everywhere, it would take a large number of men to take this place and she knew that while it was unlikely even Rhaegar would be that stupid, he was surrounded by idiots with their own agendas. He had already shown he could be swayed and so she was glad of the fact that should anyone try to take this place by force, they would find themselves in a fight they may not win.
"You want me to come in?"
"No Bon, find out what you can." she said and he kissed her softly before leaving as she entered the room.
She found Daemon standing looking at the flames, alone in the room other than the white wolf, he was just standing there staring at them, almost as if he was looking for answers in the fire itself.
"Are you alright?" she asked and he turned, his eyes red from where he had been crying no doubt.
"I am, I'm sorry grandmother, I never meant to cause you so much trouble." he said and she laughed softly.
"You were always trouble grandson, even when you were a babe on Dragonstone, my sweet curious little dragon always trying to go where he should not."
He took her hand and they sat down on the seat, sitting close together he never let her hand go once as they spoke, she of tales of his growing up and he filling in the parts she knew nothing about.
"You didn't know of the flour?"
"I did not, had I done, I'd have… I'd have…" she said laughing.
"What, told Ser Alliser there were no such things as ghosts." Daemon said and she laughed louder as the white wolf looked at them both.
She was enjoying having fun with him when Thoros knocked at the door and entered to tell Daemon they were about to eat. She actually felt hungry herself and was glad when Bonifer arrived back in time to eat with them, taking his place beside her he reassured her all was well. The dinner itself was one of the best she'd had in a long time, the easy camaraderie Daemon shared with those around the table enjoyable for her to see and be a part of.
Knowing he had spent time with these men, seeing how they interacted with him, how they deferred to him, and he them, how Ser Davos was like the wise old grandfather, occasionally chiding them and shaking his head. How Thoros and Melisandre were like the parents, both proud and protective, of how Asher and Dale and Grey Worm were like the brothers that Aegon should have been to him.
"How many times did he get you into scrapes with the Golden Company?" Dale asked Asher.
"Almost as many as he got Thoros into." Asher said laughing.
"They're idiots." Daemon said and Thoros stood up raising a mug.
"To the Golden Idiots,"
"The Golden Idiots." and she found herself both joining in and feeling left out, knowing this was a part of her grandson's past she knew nothing about.
After a visitor was announced at the gate she watched as first Grey Worm and then Daemon and Asher and Thoros went to deal with them. Daemon returning a few moments later, telling her it was Arianne and that he had sent her away. When the meal was over, when the drinking began, she looked to Daemon who escorted her back to the room she had met him in.
"Are you worried grandmother?"
"Yes, I don't want us to fight, I want your father to come to his senses, but should it come to it, I'll be with you, you know that?"
"I know, you always have been."
"Lord Tywin would be too if you needed him."
"I don't want to fight grandmother, I want him to be the king he's supposed to be, Aegon, Aegon, I don't know. I worry about him, we almost fell once, with him on the throne I worry, but I don't want to be king, it's not who I am."
"It may be who you need to be." she said and he nodded barely.
"Your friends, the past you shared, I need to know Daemon."
"I know, I..there's so much, so much I need to tell you, some of it is unbelievable, its… I lived it and even to me it's unbelievable, I could tell you, but it may be better to show you, to let you see for yourself."
"Show me?" she said confused.
"What do you know of Asshai, grandmother?"
"Not much, the shadow city, I've read some on it, but really not much at all."
"Asshai is more than just a city, it's a gateway, a realm onto itself, the rules we live by they don't apply there, the things we know to be true, the things we believe to be impossible, there in that place, everything you think you know, becomes a dream and everything you believe impossible becomes true."
"I don't understand."
"Don't be scared, you can't be harmed and remember I'm here with you, I am safe and well." he said and she nodded.
He led her to the fire, then she watched on in horror as he cut his hand, the drops of blood, dripping into the fire, the flames going from red to yellow to a bright blue. She felt his hand on hers and his head on her shoulder, his breath close to her ear as he whispered.
"Look into the flames and be not afraid, for I am with you always." she felt comforted by that, felt her heartbeat slow, then she looked on as the world was covered in shadow.