A Targaryen Game - Aemond x Reader Fanfiction

V

''It's not fair! You have the bigger opponent! Can we swap?'' Yaemon protests, waving his sword around.

Jacaerys looks at him, with a bemused look. ''Well, I'm more advanced than you. You need to train if you want stronger opponents.''

Yaemon frowns. ''Let's fight it out, then! That is, if you're not afraid.'' 

Jacaerys smiles, taking his fighting stance. Aerys, who stood in a corner with Viserys and Aegon, Rhaenyra's sons, along with Lucerys, stopped what they were doing, watching the battle that had just begun. Less interested were the girls, however. Yaehaera and Visenya were playing in another corner, near the castle entrance, while Baela, Rhaena and Helaena chatted.

Upstairs on an outside balcony sat four of us: me, Aemond, Rhaenyra and Daemon. Rhaenyra and I sat on solid wooden thrones, and on either side of us were Aemond and Daemon. Both of them with their hands on the swords that lay in the scabbards, lazily watching those below.

''How much the girls have grown.'' Daemon remarked, looking at Yaehaera and Visenya. We follow his gaze, but I hasten to look away, breathing heavily. Aemond looks at them for a long moment, then glances at me, tightening his grip on his sword.

''Daemon-'' Rhaenyra murmurs, seeming to sense the discomfort I was feeling as well.

''Daemera was telling me about a proposal that came from Daemon.'' Aemond begins, looking at his uncle.

Rhaenyra hesitated to answer at first, but answered, finally. ''Yes, I thought I would be the one you would hear from...That aside, I need your help.''

Daemon measured us with his eyes. It wouldn't have been exactly in the words he would have preferred, but he didn't say anything. Both Aemond and I remain silent, letting her continue.

''I have not forgotten the injustice done to me when Aegon was proclaimed ruler of the Seven Kingdoms in my stead. And now, I want my place on the throne back. I've also noticed your displeasure since Aegon was crowned. Furthermore, the fact that your daughter was captured by him has undoubtedly fueled your anger.''

She paused once two pairs of wings flew over the castle. One pair was white with a pale shade of blue, the other darker. They were Viselor and Vhagar, my and Aemond's dragons. Since Rhaenyra and her family were visiting, they were allowed to fly free, along with their dragons.

''You can get straight to the point. Can you guarantee we'll get Aerena back?''

I rest my elbow on the throne, forearm and hand up, and Aemond takes it in his. Again, Rhaenyra doesn't answer right away, but then, she answers convincingly. ''If I ascend the throne, you will not go unpaid. Aerena will surely remain in your custody and grow up with you and us, as she should.''

''If you will deign to fly to Dragonstone with us when we leave, we will also prepare the plan of attack. And you... are the most important part of the whole game.'' Daemon adds.

I look, unsure, at my sons and daughter. They looked so carefree. Maybe war wasn't what we needed. But I had to remember; I had another daughter, a daughter I hadn't seen since she was born. I love my children equally, and the culprit for Aerena's capture is Aegon.

Aemond clasped my hand in his, looking Daemon from head to toe.

''You don't have to worry about them.'' Rhaenyra assured me, looking at me the whole time. ''Yaemon, Aerys and Yaehaera will be safe at Dragonstone. They will not be exposed to any danger.''

''Hm.'' Aemond hums. ''Then it's settled.'' He says, looking down at me, as if asking a question.

''Also, at Dragonstone there are powerful dragons without masters. And I mean Vermithor, Silverwing, The Cannibal, Sheepstealer and Greyghost. And as far as I know, your children don't mount any dragons.''

Aemond stares silently at Daemon. From the look on his face, he didn't dislike the idea of allying with Rhaenyra and Daemon. Moreover; ever since we were children, he had admired Daemon. Our uncle's bravery, perhaps even his nerve and dose of psychopathy fed his admiration and adoration.

''But they're not tame.'' Rhaenyra says, a little uncertain.

''They're not. But that's why we're Targaryens. We know how to tame them. We're their masters. We can win wars with them.''

Daemon was convincing enough. I looked at him again, after a long pause, then at Aemond. He was already looking at me. Then he drops to one knee to reach my height, whispering:

''We can dethrone Aegon. This is the revenge we've been waiting for. We get Aerena back. And then, if we can, we can go even further. We must accept it.''

Now, Aemond seemed to forget all the rivalry he'd had with Lucerys for years as if it didn't even exist. Of course, he saw his own purpose, too.

 How much they were alike. Aemond and Daemon. It lingers a few more moments by my ear as I think about it. After all, we both saw our higher purpose: To get our daughter back. And even if we begged Aegon to give her to us, he wouldn't. He'd get a kick out of seeing us suffer. I didn't know I had such an evil brother.

So, rather than sit on my hands and wait, I'd rather pay him in kind. After all, he started it all.

''Very well. We'll do that. I pray to the Seven Gods that we get out of this alive.'' I say, looking at the children again. Apparently, Yaemon has apparently won the 'battle'.

''You didn't even try.'' Yaemon spits at his half-cousin. ''You think that if I am younger I can't fight against you.''

Jacaerys rolls his eyes. ''Come on, if I fought properly, you wouldn't have a head on your shoulders. It would be there.'' He said, pointing the tip of his sword at the head of a soldier made of hay and feathers. Yaemon followed his gaze, then sighed.

''You could have tried harder, though. I won too easily.''

''And you brag too much.'' Aerys muttered further. Yaemon gave him a sour look, which Aerys rolled his eyes at, then went about his business.

-

Alicent watched them all from the window of a castle tower. She sighed softly, playing with the rings on her fingers. Then she turned to her youngest.

Daeron sat on his mother's bed, his head in his hands. He was clutching his hair, kicking the metal helmet of his armor with his foot. ''I can't believe I did that...I don't want it to be me...'' He murmurs in a shaky voice. Alicent's gaze became blurry.

''Why did I listen to him? I knew I wasn't doing the right thing. Daemera and Aemond would hate me. Why didn't you warn me? Why didn't you tell him he was doing something unforgivable?'' He sneers at Alicent, making her wince.

''He's not a child anymore, I can't control him. His choices will have consequences.''

''But he kidnapped your children's daughter. How could you not say anything? Are you afraid of him? Say something!''

''I'm not! I didn't stop him and I'll pay for what's to come.''

''If you weren't conscious, you could at least tell me I'm doing the wrong thing. I'll, I'll... I'll tell them and-''

''You tell them nothing.'' Alicent says in a surprisingly sharp tone. ''Do you hear me? You're going to keep your mouth shut and let destiny carry them on. You did what your king commanded you to do. Are you loyal to him?''

He didn't answer.

"Daeron!'' She said aggressively, grabbing his chin and forcing him to look at her.

''I am! I'm loyal to Aegon." He growled, looking into his mother's eyes.

''Then you did the right thing. And remember. Don't talk to anyone else about this.'' She says, leaving him alone and stomping out of the room.