Dragons Fury (On Hold)

State Of Mind

Small council chambers

King Taeron arrived with his wife queen Alicent. All members of the small council rose up and waited for the king and queen to take their seats.

"Your grace." All the council members greeted.

"Be seated." Taeron said once he and Alicent sat down. Rhaegar then entered the room holding little Jaehaerys' hand.

"Good morrow, my Lords." Rhaegar happily greeted the lords. "Mother, father." He greeted his parents.

"Why is Jaehaerys here?" Alicent asked.

"I thought perhaps he could see what happens in the small council. Heleana told me he's already reading better than I did at his age." Rhaegar said.

"This is a small council meeting, my prince. I'm sure that young Jaehaerys won't want to hear what we old lords have to discuss." Otto said. Everyone, including Alicent, looked at Taeron, who was quiet the whole time.

"Come sit next to your grandsire, Jaehaerys. We'll see how you do today and after, we'll decide if you are fit to serve as a cupbearer." Taeron said, and this surprised everyone. Taeron always understood that when it came to the small council, there wasn't time to fool around. Otto looked at Alicent, and Alicent only looked at her husband with concern. The royal steward pulled a chair for Jaehaerys, and the 6 year old boy sat down. "What news?"

"Our letters to the Vale continue to go unanswered." Otto said.

"Well, then we must assume that lady Jeyne is either supporting Vaegon or she's choosing to remain neutral for now." Taeron said. He then noticed Jaehaerys get off his chair and walked off.

"The Stormlands should be ours after Prince Aemonds' marriage pact to the Lady Floris Baratheon." Otto said. "I anticipated her sworn declaration."

Taeron smirked as he saw Jaehaerys take the marble of Ser Tyland, the new master of coin out of it holder.

"My brother is raising the strength of the West to mass the Golden Tooth, but we-" Tyland was interrupted by young Jaehaerys again. "Thank you, my prince, that's very helpful." Tyland cautiously took the marble from Jaehaerys and Rhaegar chuckled.

"My nephew, Lord Ormund, musters his forces to sally forth from Oldtown." Otto said. "They expect to march quickly, meeting little resistance until they reach the Riverlands."

Alicent saw Taerons hand twitch at the mention of the Riverlands. She knew that he was thinking of the cabin that Aegon built for himself and Vaela.

"Daeron?" Taeron asked.

"He's received your letter and will stay in Oldtown until you have need of him, your grace." Otto said.

"Good." Taeron said.

"The king sent a letter to Rhaenyra. Has there been any answer?" Alicent asked.

"An apology for her dead son?" Jasper arrogantly asked.

"Yes, an apology, my lord." An apology for my brothers foolishness." Rhaegar said.

"No, your grace." Grandmaester Orwyle said. "Between that and their blockade of the Gullet, we must presume that the princess has refused the offered terms, and war is now inevitable."

"It was always inevitable, but Vaegon set it in stone when he killed my son." Taeron said. "There's no need to worry about the Gullet for now."

"What do you mean, father?" Rhaegar asked.

"I mean that there's no need to worry about the Gullet for now." Taeron said again. The room was silent, and Tyland mumbled something, trying to get Jaehaerys to stop playing with him.