Bringing the Dawn

LXXIV

Aegon Targaryen

The Kingswood, 301 AC

It was only once they were leaving the clearing that something hit him. Looking around at everyone to see his wife still seething at the information that had been conveyed their way only the night before, Ser Roland remaining tight lipped as always but he did notice he was clearly biting his lip and one of his cheeks on the inside too. Whether that was due to stress, anger, or a feeling of defeat was difficult to say. It wasn't them he was worried most about, it was the fact that he only realised then that Lord Jon had not so much as spoken a word over the last two days.

It was...strange.

For someone who was so opinionated and often spoke out against him bending because it wasn't right in the eyes of the law, the fact he hadn't so much as uttered a whisper did not sit right with him. No one else seemed to notice either as they made camp for the night after riding for hours straight. It was tense, the air surrounding him feeling like a cloud of thick fog that he was struggling to see ahead of. Had he done the right thing? He'd handed over Ser Kevan to his brother, and given him a hint that may potentially give him the opening to invade the Westerland's and put an end to the Lannister's for good, but in doing so he'd just given one of his remaining bargaining pieces away.

So why didn't it seem to bother him?

That was something he'd also come to notice. He was set on taking back what was his by right, and now so much of it had been ripped out from under his feet and yet he didn't seem affected by it? Was it just he was struggling to come to terms with everything? Or was it something else? Questions. Too many damned questions. Yet it wasn't those ones that was bothering him the most. Hence when Arianne finally fell asleep after ranting over her traitorous brother that night he sought out the man who had helped raise him. It took him a long time to find him, but he eventually did beside a stream seated on a nearby rock in the soil. Clearly noticing him from the sound of his footsteps and eyes meeting his own before looking away. No greetings, no honourifics, and it further told Aegon that he did not approve of what had happened.

"You do not agree with the decision to halt."

Lord Jon said nothing in response, leaning against a tree and waiting on him to speak. When it became clear he was not going to do so, Aegon huffed in annoyance.

"My Lord, you will answer your King."

His voice had a bite in it, being cautious in the very small possibility there was someone listening in. The Kingswood wasn't visited often, mostly used by people wishing to go on hunts but nothing more than that. Watching as the mans lips curled in which further confirmed his disdain.

"You shouldn't have fallen into the trap."

Trap? What did he mean by that? There was no trap in place. Considering everything, it was surprising the talk had been as amicable as it had been. He knew now he wasn't going to beat his brother, one look at the silver dragon when it flew overhead was enough proof of that considering Vēzos was only the size of a small pony currently and had an incredibly lanky body whereas his brothers were more broad. Clearly not having come from the same clutch of eggs. He'd read on it when he was young with Septa Lemore, of how Valyrian's of old specifically bred their dragons to have different traits much alike someone bred dogs to do the same.

"Pray tell me how I fell into a trap, my Lord?"

Lord Jon looked at him incredulously like it was obvious. Mayhaps it was obvious to others but it wasn't to him.

"Your Grace, whilst it is wise to hear from your sister first on the matter the wolf has ensnared you. How do you know that what he says is happening in Dorne is indeed the truth? How do you know it isn't a plot to keep you away whilst he further secures his position? How could you give something like a hostage up like he were simply a sack of meat? How did you not counter with anything when by rights you are the King! Not him. The law is clear the eldest sibling is the rightful- "