The Prince and His Flower

S I X T Y - S I X

Daeron arrived shortly after the break of dawn, his usual crooked smile replaced with a look of disdain as he listened to the recap from the small council.

"Princess Aemma quickly laid waste to nearly the entire Bracken army." Otto glanced at Aemma with what almost looked like a smile. "The Brackens quickly retreated to Stone Hedge, where Daemon Targaryen awaited atop Caraxes. Stone Hedge has been burned and sacked."

"Are you certain I should be the one terrorizing the Riverlands? Aemma has the bigger dragon, and I'm sure she would inspire fear into the hearts of our enemies." Daeron broke his stony demeanor to smile at Aemma, who tried to return the gesture, but stopped after she looked like she was pained. 

"The Prince does have a point, my lord." Ser Criston added. 

"Aemma has only just returned; surely we are not in such dire need that we will send her out again so soon," Alicent interjected. 

"The Prince has a point, Your Grace." Tyland hated to admit it, but Terrax was the second-largest living dragon. Even if the Princess was a traitorous bitch, she could at least burn some of their enemies first. "Prince Daeron will remain here for a fortnight; that is sufficient time for the Princess to recover."

"Perhaps we should ask the Princess what she thinks." Aegon looked at Aemma, who was looking at Aemond. 

"I am sworn to you. I shall perform whatever task you may ask of me." Aemma pulled her eyes away from Aemond to Aegon, who nodded.

"Yes, but do you want to?" He asked.

"I was pondering that myself." Aemma shrugged. "I am of no use here, walking the halls of the Keep like a ghost."

"Very well." Aegon pinched the bridge of his nose. "In a fortnight, you and Daeron will depart on Terrax and Tessarion. Ser Criston, you will lead a host on the ground while they take to the skies. Lord Ormound is already gathering the power of the Reach."

"What if Vhagar and I joined as well?" Aemond spoke. "We could surround the riverlords from three sides, work our way in. Perhaps those in the middle will see what has befallen our foes, and find inspiration to join our cause." 

"That would leave us with Dreamfyre to protect us, and Helaena is no fighter." Otto frowned.

"Shrykos remains in the Dragonpit, Morghul is there as well." Aemma pointed out. 

"Shrykos is unclaimed after Jaehaerys, and Jaehaera is a girl of six," Alicent said.

"They will take to the skies if necessary." Aemond looked to Aegon. "Allow me to join them for peace of mind if anything, brother."

Aegon frowned, knowing both Aemond and Otto had a point. 

"I want one of you three flying back to Kings Landing every other week to update on our progress. If a lord bends the knee, spare him and have him travel here to swear fealty. If he does not, burn his entire holding to the ground and force him to watch." Aegon paused. "Should Rhaenyra decide to attack, I will leave that to your discretion."

The rest of the meeting went by dreadfully slowly. Aegon could not tear his eyes away from Aemma, who simply stared at a scratch in the table, absorbing everything that was being said. Daeron was watching Aegon watch Aemma, and took note of the way Aemond glared at Aegon. He concluded he had missed many important things while he was away. 

"We will reconvene in a few days once our host is properly gathered." Aegon sank in his chair as everyone stood to leave. "Aemma." 

Aemma paused and turned around, feeling Aemond's hand tighten his grip on hers.