The White Dragon

THE SHADOW OF A TOURNEY

THE WHITE DRAGON CHAPTER 1 : A SHADOW OF A TOURNEY

A FANFICTION OF HOUSE OF THE DRAGON

112 AC: KINGS LANDING : AERYS

Standing at the edge of the Godswood, Aerys watches the Princess Rhaenyra depart and Alicent slam her book shut before standing from her seat. Aerys enters the Godswood and walks up to Alicent and covers her eyes making her laugh slightly.

"You must release me, or else my betrothed shall end you." Alicent says and Aerys smiles slightly before releasing her and spins her around "You used to love my jokes."

Alicent runs her hand over Aerys' silver leather tunic, her fingers running delicately over the engraved dragon patterns and smiles "It was funnier when I was twelve namedays old." 

"Oh, and you're a grown woman now?" Aerys asks with a sarcastic tone in his voice. "I am nearly fifteen namedays old, almost of age to marry you." Aerys strokes Alicent's cheek softly, and the younger girl leans into his touch "I take it that you are too busy to take a walk with me?"

Alicent sighs sadly "Unfortunately I must depart. I am to leave with Rhaenyra for the Dragonpit." Aerys rolls his eyes "Are you to fly on Syrax as well?" Alicent smacks Aerys' shoulder "Of course not."

"Then why do you follow her like a lost puppy?" Aerys asks and Alicent sighs "I know that you are not fond of Rhaenyra, but if you took the effort to get to know her, you would see that she.."

"She uses her name and title to get whatever she pleases." Aerys interrupts and Alicent sighs sadly, her eyes turn downcast "I wish that my betrothed and my best friend could get along." Aerys says nothing leaving Alicent to step on the tips of her toes and places a quick kiss on Aerys' cheek before departing the Godswood, her arm wrapped around her book securely.

Aerys sighs through his nose before walking over to stare out over the balcony and down into Blackwater Bay, his shoulders tense and his mind sharp. His long shoulder length silver platinum hair flutters softly with the wind as his haunting violet eyes glare down at the letter in his hands ready to be sent to his council at Dragon's maw.

He can almost hear his teeth grinding, and they have been doing so for the better part of a month. His cousin had asked him to host the King's family and the royal tourney for his hopeful son and heir, and Aerys could not refuse. Viserys had once again taken advantage of Dragon's Maw's wealth and decided to host his 'heir's' nameday celebration.

Dragon's Maw, a city of ruin gifted to Aerys mother and father on the day of King Jaehaerys son, Prince Aemon being named as heir to the Iron throne. Yet now it stands as the pinnacle of true Targaryen beauty.

"My boy." Aerys turns at his mothers voice and smiles before pressing her in a hug and takes her hand and the pair walk through the gardens. "Aerys, my son when do you plan to marry the poor girl, I'm not getting any younger, and I want to see grandchildren before I die." she says as she holds onto Aerys' arm as they walk through the gardens.

"Mother, please try to remember that Alicent is only just turning fifteen, The same age as Aunt Gael was when she ran off with father." Aerys says with fear for his betrothed remembering the screams of pain his aunt went through birthing his baby sister Alyssa.

Daenerys merely nods, knowing full well what that life meant and changes the subject. "So, you would allow yourself to host Viserys' Tourney and what I have heard rumors, that you almost planned to put yourself into the lists. I thought I raised you better than that."

Aerys simply lets out a sigh and his hand tenses as he had known that this conversation was coming "Mother you know that I do not give a damn about tourney's, and I thought you were better than to trust rumors, at least the one's that had no factual evidence."