Who's Afraid of Little Old Me? / Aemond Targaryen / House of the Dragon

49. Lord of Tides

" Joffrey." Corlys scoffed. "A boy of six who knows nothing of the sea and yet somehow..."

"It would displease neither Rhaenyra nor the gods if Rhaena were named heir to Driftmark." Rhaenys reminded him.

"Rhaena? Lord of the Tides?" Corlys scoffed. "The girl knows nothing of ships, nor even of dragons."

"There is Rhaena or there is Joffrey. Both soon to be far from the creak of ships and the ocean's roar." Rhaenys countered.

"Then we must hope to... see our way forward, in time." Corlys agreed.

"And if there is no time?" Rhaenys begged. "We are at war, Corlys."

"I dont love him but i dont want him dead." Maeve admitted. "Convince him," larys nodded.

"I shall try my best my queen." Larys agreed.

"You are a smart man. Try better than your best. The children dont need to lose him too."

"If you wished to leave..." larys offered cautiously

"This is my home." Maeve countered she wouldnt meet his gaze

"To see your mother-"

"My mother is a traitor. Im of traitor blood." Maeve said on command. "Im happy to be alive."

"My queen you are more than a prisoner." Larys assured. "Anything you might want or need especially in ser coles absence summon me." Larys requested "and i shall make it happen."

"Just convince aegon to stay." Maeve begged.

" Suits you, Your Grace." Leon remarked. "Valyrian steel. Worth more than a castle."

"A sight to stir the passions. Aegon the Conqueror reborn."

"Just get on with it." Aegon murmured.

" At once, Your Grace." The squire agreed.

"A third option?" Rupert suggested. He was furious he was supposed to win either way but otto the fool got himself sacked and now he needed avalon to win. Aegon was an idiot. Avalon was easily manipulated and davina would listen to him.

"Im listening." Rhaenys agreed resting her chin against his shoulder as meleys gorged herself before them. 

"Avalon targaryen is gathering her troops. Small in number of course but the people love her-"

"Rupert. To suggest is treason." Rhaenys countered

"We live in a place breath you breathe the wrong word and it could get your head removed." Rupert countered. "Avalon would listen and take what you and corlys habe to say into account. A bastard wouldnt rule driftmark but you. Avalon is all for women in power. Just think about it. Her council is more than half women. I think there is only two men actually."

"Really?" Rhaenys questioned impressed.

"Davina is one of them. Her unofficial hand i believe."

"What is your business?" a man stopped larys at the door.

"There are rumors that the King readies himself to fly to war."

"And what is it to you?" Knight Ned waters countered.

"Only that I think it would benefit all of us to prevent our king from being brutally slain by our enemies, and his body parts scattered to beasts, and his court come to ruin." Larys answered. "Would you not agree?" moving past. "What exquisite armor."

"Daddy what are- oh hello."

"Vaera!" Daemon declared rushing to her.

"You came to claim harrenhal what do you know me too!" Vaera declared

"For rhaenyra?"

"For... whoever." She shrugged hugging him.

"Lord simon strong declared for rhaenyra." Daemon warned

"Okey dokey." Vaera agreed

"Thats it?" Daemon challenged

"I want to spend time with you, you idiot." Vaera agreed. "We are in the middle of a war. A war and i dont like my parents on opposite ends of it."

"I was given the Conqueror's name and his crown, so I shall wear his armor to war." Aegon agreed. "I fly to meet Ser Criston."

"Small imposition before you depart then, Your Grace." Larys offered glancing around. Aegon dismissed his men silently.

"There are diverse rumors whispered on the streets of your city. One such is that Your Grace sends his forces to battle, and, in his courage and wisdom, flies with them." Larys offered. "Another is that His Grace was outwitted by his counselors and persuaded to fly to war with Ser Criston, so that Queen Alicent may reign in his absence with Prince Aemond at her side." Larys informed him. "Absurd, of course." Larys lied.

"Who spreads these lies?"

"It matters little." Larys countered. "Tales take on a life of their own... like weeds. Unless they are tended." Larys added.

"Well, tend to them then." Aegon spat. Larys nodded heading out. "Lord Larys. My father always said he had no use for a master of whisperers. And yet... I find myself wanting for one." Aegon told him. "I should be glad of your talents."

"You honor me, Your Grace."

"I got word from Larys." Avalon remarked. Tyler groaned. "He is my friend." Avalon corrected.

"And he is telling you of the ins of the capital." Morgana agreed. "Thats useful. What does the man of whispers have to say?"

"They are going to try and take each other down, they dont suspect our armies growing. Criston is on the move to harrenhal-"

"Vaera is there." Davina cut in. Petyr smiled up at her grabbing her hand. "Will cole strike down a child as rhaenyra and daemon did so carelessly?"

"If daemon is there-" tyler cut in "he wouldnt let harm come to his daughter."

Daemon followed the knocking and the footsteps among the water droplets before coming across a room with a girl he once knew. A rhaenyra that held so much passion and life.

"Always coming and going, aren't you?" a young rhaneyra questioned, sewing up Jaehaerys neck back to his head. "And I have to clean up afterwards."

He dropped his sword it clattered to the ground and suddenly he was in the woods, a woman stared back at him.

"You will die in this place." She informed him before heading off. The witch of Harrenhal.

Vaera found him shaking. She grabbed his arm and he spun at her his fist on her neck

"Daddy its me." She begged. Daemon stared at her as she clawed at his hand. "Daddy!" She begged. "Cant... breathe—"