Bringing the Dawn

LXXI.

Jaeron Targaryen

Kings Landing, 301 AC

One day.

That was all that was left until he was to be wed. Something only a couple of years before he would've laughed at the idea of such a thing yet now it was happening. He'd said it before and he'd say it again and again, so much had changed in such a short amount of time it was dizzying. Guests were still arriving but currently he was waiting on two which were almost causing him to bounce on his feet in excitement. He did not do so though for that would not look good to the nobility currently within the Red Keep.

Shireen had arrived the day before and he wouldn't deny he was glad to see her, despite what had happened in Storm's End. When both herself and her father had found out, they'd been rightfully furious and demanded he take the castle back immediately. He would get Storm's End back, but hopefully should everything go well there would not be much bloodshed. Howland was corresponding with someone to arrange something with Aegon and they weren't yet close to a possible resolution.

Everyone agreed they had to meet, yet not many people agreed with some of the terms he was considering. He'd already named Shireen his Heir until a child was born to himself and Margaery, and they had loosely discussed wedding a child of theirs to a child of Aegon's and Arianne's. When the council had found that out there had been anger. No shouting had occurred, but the fury in people's eyes was obvious. The only one who wasn't was Arthur as he was in agreement to what was being considered. It was clear to him what they were hoping for, a betrothal with their own children and grandchildren. It was something that was going to come eventually but before any child was even conceived was strange to him.

Once Jaeron had took in their reactions he had made it a point not to tell them about the possibility of a second child being betrothed to a child of Willas. He himself wasn't pleased when his betrothed had brought it up yet the more days that went on, the more he was coming around to it. The Reach was the second richest Kingdom and it did have the most food, both things that would be nothing but a boon for when winter eventually did come.

And it would come. A raven arriving two days prior he had shared only with Howland and Arthur confirming things were escalating beyond the Wall. An army of Wildlings were gathering and the Lord Commander was certain they were planning a full scale assault on the Night's Watch. He'd given his word to help them when the time came and his response had been swift. Should they get any closer he would fly to Castle Black and should it be needed he would go beyond.

Yet that was not what was on his mind currently as he watched the ship come into the harbour. They'd been delayed due to a bad storm and had to reroute to get around it to arrive on time. Arthur looking to him and fighting back a grin at seeing the excitement in him. It had been nearing three years since he'd last saw Bran and Rickon. When he'd left Winterfell he was still the bastard brother, yet here he was now.

"You'd think you'd just ate the sweetest thing in existence."

He shot Arthur a look at that remark but took a deep breath to calm down somewhat as the ship got closer and closer to docking. Standing as straight as possible whilst watching and waiting. Margaery was stood a little farther back to his left hand side as was her youngest brother but other than that no one else was here. It was made abundantly clear this was to be totally private. It felt like hours had passed before the ship docked and he saw some silhouettes of people getting off but they were too far away to make out who was who exactly. Straightening and trying his best to keep his composure but given the way Arthur's lips were tightened he was failing miserably at the task. Shooting him another annoyed look before he spotted them.

Gods, Rickon had shot up like a weed. He was only of a height with his hip the last time he'd seen him, yet he was now easily a foot taller. His hair now in wild curls and a deeper auburn than was typical with Tully's. Bran was a little farther off being pulled in a cart from what he could see, only once the man was closer did he see it was Ser Rodrik which only brought another round of happiness his way at seeing the old man. He felt the tears beginning to sting in his eyes the closer they got yet it was when Rickon was close enough to make him out and start running directly his way that he let them fall. Kneeling down just in time for him to jump and wrap his arms tightly around his neck and catch his legs to stop him falling.