Bringing the Dawn

LXVIII.

Jaeron Targaryen

Kings Landing, 301 AC

He had a lot of work to do that day, yet somehow after the bout of chaos that had occurred he found he cared nought for any of it. Outside whilst amongst everyone he had kept the mask on as best he could despite finding it harder to do so as the days carried on and more was happening, wondering how long it would be before the mask cracked and revealed just how terrified he was currently.

Of course, Jaeron knew it would not be easy to hold a crown. The Stark's of Winter were more than enough proof of such a thing, even having to kill their own kin on a handful of occasions and on one occasion completely wipe out one of their branches from existence. He'd been naïve by treading as carefully as he had been, and due to doing so things were starting to go completely out of control and he was struggling to keep hold of the ropes everyone was tied to on the other side.

Too close. That had been too close. The words spinning as he made his way towards his own chambers within Maegor's Holdfast. Ser Arthur noticing he wished to be alone this minute but giving his shoulder the tiniest squeeze before leaving said chambers to guard the door as always. He needed to get more Kingsguard. Three was not enough and one was gods know where currently. At least Ser Brynden had escaped what had happened and there was no doubt in his head that he would make his way back here as soon as he possibly could. It would likely be at least a month though as Jaeron wholly expected the Lannister's to be bolder than before now they had leverage. Leverage they'd once had with Ser Jaime. Speaking of the Kingslayer no one had seen or heard from him in weeks either- or was it months?

Time was difficult to keep track of. With the amount of shit currently happening especially. Sitting down at the table in the room and reaching for a wineskin left from the day prior. Not even pouring himself a glass and instead drinking directly from it. At least one traitor was dealt with, and it had been done so publicly. They'd been discussing ways to remove Pycelle from his position but they couldn't think of any that would not be taken as an insult by the Faith which was the last thing needed right now. The man's slip up doing it all for him although he felt terrible it had almost cost his uncle his life. An uncle he had taken away from the Wall so he did not spend the remainder of his days alone and yet a whole day later he'd almost had a knife wedged in his throat.

It was a cesspit. The entire fucking city of Kings Landing was. Cursing his ancestors for naming this spot their capital and building the city in question. There was significance to the spot because it was where Aegon and his sisters had first stepped foot on Westerosi soil to begin their campaign, yet positionally it was far from ideal. The walls surrounding the city were a massive boon, but walls could be stormed and destroyed with the correct supplies. A river that opened into the Narrow Sea leaving them open there too. When the first tear fell he could not say, completely lost in his thoughts for gods know how long but he was broken out of it by a knock on the door.

"The Lady Margaery is here, your Grace."

He sighed deeply and for a moment he was about to tell her to leave. Pausing for a few seconds before deciding she should know what he was feeling currently alongside Arthur. One was to be his wife by the end of the month and the other had willingly exiled himself to wait for him to come forward and seek him out.

"Enter."

Both did just that but Arthur remained close to the door as if he were about to leave after escorting his betrothed within the room.

"Stay, Arthur. I find I am in need of counsel and I know you will say it straight to my face as all Dornish do. Never mind a Dornish man who lived in the North for as long as you did."

The quip was clearly picked up on as his Kingsguard shot him an unimpressed look, Margaery catching on to it too and seeing the way her lips pulled apart ever so slightly. Wishing for once she would have a true smile and not a forced smile. Both taking a seat at the table too. It was clear Margaery was uncomfortable and it didn't take a genius to realise she had hoped to speak to him alone for whatever reason. He liked her enough, and he believed she liked him too, but her family loved the crown and all positions they could get from him more. It wasn't a secret they wished for Willas to be named to his small council, something he wasn't willing to do. As he'd said before; they were getting a Queen and a Kingsguard position from him, they were not getting anything else. No matter how far their roots and thorns would spread, that was a certainty.