The Heir // King Viserys Targaryen // Daemon Targaryen

38. Betroth

'Princess, wait!' Cole shouted chasing after her as he jumped on her horse. 'Princess, slow down!' he jumped on a horse following her out. 'Hyah, hyah, hyah! Princess! No!' Cole shouted slowing her down. 'Whoa, whoa, now!' the horses neighed and kicked up as they got to the lake. 'What happened back there?'

'My father... trying to sell me off to Jason Lannister.' Rhaenyra told him miserably. 'Was... was I named heir to the Iron Throne so that I might only further raise the standing of a Lord of Casterly Rock?'

'Do you want me to kill him?' Cole offered and Rhaenyra chuckled debating it 'We should return to camp, Princess.'

'It's a beautiful day. We should take in the Kings wood.' Rhaenyra countered as the birds chirped in the distance. They walked their horses along the trail as they talked, rhaenyras misery fading. 'Were you ever betrothed, Ser Criston?'

'I had an adventurous youth when my father served at Blackhaven, to be sure. But my station was never high enough for a formal betrothal. Before I spoke my vows as a knight of the Kings guard, I could've married a common-born girl had I wished.' Cole remarked

'How lucky you are to have a say in your own life.' Rhaenyra muttered. "Avalon didn't have a say, father didn't even tell her, he just picked her! She didn't want to marry him or be his queen," Rhaenyra muttered. "Women don't get a say."

"The queen seems to be happy." Criston countered.

"She is." Rhaenyra agreed. "Which makes everything worse because if she were miserable- not that I want her miserable but then she would be against an arranged marriage for me... she did veto all lannister's though." Rhaenyra added

'Many in the realm would gladly trade positions with you, Princess.'

'Only because none of them has ever held my position. I may be the Princess of Dragons tone, but I am toothless.' Rhaenyra informed him

'One day... not so long ago, you held enough power to write my name into the White Book. And when your father named me to his Kings guard, it was the highest honor any Cole have ever known. All that I have, I owe to you.' Cole told her honestly. 'Now I'd hardly call that toothless, Princess.'

+

' Your Grace.' Howland sharp remarked, noting the tracks.

''How far?' Viserys questioned.

'Her droppings were found half a league to the east.' He smelled the air. 'Still fresh. Between two and three hours, Your Grace. My best scouts spied him.'

'The beast is upward of 35 stone. And we now have his trail.'

'Aye. Before the dragons ruled over Westeros, the white hart was a symbol of royalty in these lands. And on this day of all days. I've never been one for signs and portents, Your Grace, but if the gods did wish to show their favor.' His advisor suggested.

+

'Your Grace... I had this forged in the Golden Gallery in honor of Prince Aegon.' Jason said coming up to Viserys.

'It's quite a thing.' Viserys said as Jason handed off the spear.

'I hope it might provide the killing stroke against your white hart. The King of the Kings wood. It's as if the Seven themselves have blessed this day.'

'Thank you... for your generosity.' Viserys told him stiffly but Jason was not done.

'I would be honored to take the Princess Rhaenyra to wife, Your Grace. What I offer you, The crown and your daughter, is strength.' Jason told him.

'Do you think that House Targaryen wants for strength?'

'If someone offered you more dragons, would you not take them?'

'Do you have dragons to offer?' Viserys countered

'Casterly Rock is a splendid seat. Rhaenyra may take her place there by my side without shame, and feel herself well-compensated for her loss in station.' Jason offered

'What loss of station?' Viserys sneered liking the lannisters less and less

'If you were to name young Aegon heir, Your Grace'. Jason remarked.

'And when would I be doing that?' Viserys questioned incredulously.

'I had assumed... as he's your firstborn son... Many of us had assumed...' Jason said awkwardly.

'Many of us, you say? Have your bannermen questioned my choice of heir?'

'Of course not, Your Grace.'

'It is your sworn duty to report rebellion stirring in my kingdom.' Viserys spat.

'Rebellion? There's been nothing of the sort, Your Grace. I, I...' Jason stuttered nervously.

'I did not decide to name Rhaenyra my heir on a whim. All the lords of the kingdom would do well to remember that. Thank you... for the gift.' Viserys said stiffly.

'Your Grace.' Jason said nervously stepping back

'Wine.' Viserys requested. "Avalon love, I thought you were resting." Viserys remarked leaving his cup abandoned.

"Aegon wouldn't stop giggling." Avalon remarked, "I think him and his sister-''

'Brother." Viserys corrected wrapping his arms around her.

"-are going to get along great." Avalon finished. "He was kissing my stomach babbling at it, I'm sure he was having a very intellectual conversation but I didn't understand a word of it."

"Lets get a seat and something to drink." Viserys offered leading her to his chair.

"Oh, do I get the kings seat?" Avalon mused sitting down as Aegon clung to her legs.

'The huntsman has the trail, Your Grace, and has sent out the hounds. It won't be long now until the white hart is cornered. Your prize is within reach.' Otto said coming to sit down at Viserys side. 'What do you make of Lord Jason's proposal?'

"What proposal?" Avalon questioned

"Jason Lannister made a proposal for Rhaen-'

'No." Avalon said immediately. "No." she repeated shaking her head.

'That man's pride has pride.'

'You're not only Rhaenyra's father, you're the King. She'll do as you command.' Otto reminded him ignoring Avalon.

'It is not my wish to command her, Otto.' Viserys told him 'I want her to be happy.'

"Like any good father." Avalon agreed grabbing his hand.

'There is another choice beyond Casterly Rock. One, perhaps, you might be more comfortable with. One... closer to home.' Otto suggested slowly he had to win over favor with Avalon but it was seeming a useless feat.

'Who do you have in mind?'

'Prince Aegon.' Viserys looked to his son just turned two Aegon was babbling in Avalon's arms.

'The boy just turned two, Otto.' Viserys reminded him.

"What are you going on about?" Avalon questioned confused. "Marrying Aegon?" she asked appalled.

'Yes he is two,," Otto agreed. "but with a union," Avalon shook her head immediately.

"No, I don't want him to be king." Avalon declared holding Aegon closer to her. "I see the stress it takes on Viserys, I don't want him to be subjected to that. He is also two, Otto, Two! Rhaenyra is a woman she needs a man, grown and mature."

"but it would cease the endless proposals for Rhaenyra's hand.' Otto told him hoping that Aegon and Avalon would be easier manipulated than Rhaenyra. His plans for Alicent had failed and now the princess Rhaenyra avoided Alicent like the plague. Viserys started to laugh. 'Betroth them.'

'I came here to hunt... not to be suffocated by all this fսcking politicking.' Viserys spat

'Let us speak no more of it.' Otto agreed leaving his side.

"Otto is a nuisance at times." Avalon murmured.