Ashes In The Castle ||| Aemond Targaryen

seventeen

Naerys was relieved when, overnight, the ship carrying Corlys Velaryon arrived at Dragonstone. They'd gone a long period of time without hearing of his status. But he arrived alive. And he was sent to one of the rooms in the castle to recover.

There was another council meeting, though it was a bit less organized than the one they'd had previously. And Daemon was nowhere to be found. He was searching the Dragonmont.

Truthfully, they were waiting for Lord Corlys to wake. They needed to know, once and for all, if he would be supporting them.

Naerys wasn't focused on the fighting anymore. She had zoned herself out between her brothers at one end of the map, unwilling to listen to the men yearning for war. They bickered and bickered about fights and the right course of action.

But suddenly, Ser Erryk announced someone into the hall. "The Lord of the Tides! Lord Corlys Velaryon... and his wife, the Princess Rhaenys Targaryen."

Slowly, Corlys maneuvered down the stairs with his cane, his granddaughters following him. "My lords." Naerys smiled when she saw him up and walking. It had been too long.

"Lord Corlys. It brings much relief to see you hale and healthy again." Rhaenyra turned to speak to him as respectfully as possible.

"I'm very sorry about your father, Princess. He was a good man." Corlys was not convinced of his Queen. He didn't address her as such. Still, though, he looked around the room. "Where is Daemon?"

"There were other concerns which demanded the Prince's attention." Rhaenyra made an excuse for him. She knew there wasn't a more important matter than planning their next steps.

"Mm." Corlys wasn't convinced but walked towards the map. He first looked at his granddaughters as they stood next to their betrothed, then looked at the figurines on the table. "Your declared allies?"

"Yes."

"Too few to win a war for the throne," Corlys stated the obvious, challenging the Queen's ability to handle questions.

"Well, we would also hope to have the support of Houses Arryn, Baratheon, and Stark." Rhaenyra knew there were bound to be more allies than what they had at that moment. She was confident of it.

"Hope... is the fool's ally." Again, he challenged her. Everyone else in the room watched, letting it go on.

"Both Arryn and Baratheon share blood with my house. But all of them swore oaths to me."

"As did House Hightower... if I remember." Corlys never missed an opportunity to try and challenge her way of thinking, her way of leading.

But Rhaenyra was smart, she knew what words to use, and what limits to test. "As did you, Lord Corlys."

Corlys considered Rhaenyra for a moment before he turned to look at all of his grandchildren standing together. The future of the realm, of Driftmark. "Your father's realm... was one of justice and honor. Our houses are bound by common blood and common cause."

It was refreshing to finally hear someone admit, with ease, that the Velaryons and Targaryens were one through Naerys, Jace, Luke, and Joffrey.

"This Hightower treason cannot stand. You have the full support of our fleet and house." Corlys finally looked back at Rhaenyra. "Your Grace." He bowed his head.