Castles Crumbling / Helaena Targaryen/ Taelon Targaryen

30. My Brother?

''Father?'' Rhaenyra asked approached his bed Viserys lay with wheezing breaths in his lungs.

" Who goes there?" Viserys questioned disoriented.

"Father. It's me, my King." Rhaenyra said sitting beside him on the bed. ''Rhaenyra.'' she clarified as he opened his eyes.  ''I'm here with Daemon.'' Rhaenyra went on

''Daemon? Daemon?'' Viserys said recognizing the name but finding it hard to place it. ''Daemon.'' He agreed his brother. Viserys wheezed again. 'Help me up.'' With a groan Rhaenyra got him sitting up in bed his pillows propped up behind him.

"You think he will see them?" Taelon questioned. 

"Your brother isnt himself. I dont think Daemon should be seeing him." Alicent countered. 

"He's not a bad guy, he's just..." 

"What?" Alicent mused. "Come now, you know them."

"I do but they are family." Taelon countered. "You dont turn your back on family. No matter how long it has been." 

''It has been so long.'' Viserys said with a heavy breath. ''The Sea Snake has taken a grave wound in battle in the Step stones."

''When?' Daemon questioned. ''We won that war years ago.' Daemon reminded him

''No.'' Viserys said confused.

''The Triarchy is resurgent. The fighting is anew. And there is a p... There is a petition to decide upon the succession of Driftmark and the heir to the Driftwood Throne." Rhaenyra informed him and Viserys sighed deeply.

"Petitions? Taelon and Otto... they see to all that business now." Viserys remarked.

'' No, brother, listen to me. You are to affirm your position for Jacaerys to be Corlys Velaryon's successor." Daemon told him as the door swung open.

''Has something happened to Lord Corlys?'' Viserys questioned and Rhaenyra turned at the sound of her babies babbling behind them.

"Stop!" Elio demanded putting up a hand. Alicent smiled kneeling before him. The twins were 8 now and without fail, they always made her smile. "Play with me, grandma." Elio grabbed her hand. 

"I'm sorry, Taelon I'm being summoned. can you handle Rhaenyra and your brother?"

"I can handle them." Taelon assured. "Have fun." 

''Father... there's someone we wish to introduce you to. '' Rhaenyra told him as he counited with his labored breathing before them. He didn't look like a king anymore. His face weathered his eye gone, he was weak and fading quickly.

''Daemon.''

''Brother.'' Daemon answered softly.

''Who is that?' Viserys questioned looking to the silver haired babe before him

''Father... this is Aegon."

"Aegon." Viserys said through an exhale

"And this... is Viserys."

"My brother? Really Rhaenyra?" Viserys wheezed back. Rhaenyra paled. "My brother? What of Taelon?"

"What of Taelon?" Rhaenyra rasped. 

"He allowed this?"

"Allowed this?" Daemon seethed. 

"You... him?" Viserys countered. "Oh Rhaenyra..." He tsked. 

X

"Brother!" Taelon declared. Daemon forced a smile, it wasnt Taelon's fault but it was his fault all the same. "I missed you, oh Rhaenyra! Look at you!"

"Hello uncle Taelon." Rhaenyra hugged him. 

"Are the boys here?" Taelon questioned. "I bet they have grown so much." 

"They have." Rhaenyra agreed. "They talk of you." 

"I bet. I'm sorry about all this, we will settle this matter quickly." Taelon assured. 

"You will sit the throne?" Daemon countered. 

"I planned on it unless our brother wants to." Taelon agreed. "He's... not himself as of late, the past few years. I think the last time I saw him truly happy was at my wedding to Helaena."  he recalled. "I hated the big celebration but you know Vis, he loves a party." Daemon nodded slowly. "He planned everything, made a fuss, he loved it." Rhaenyra smiled wishing she would have come. "Oh Rhaenyra you have to meet Daphne and Cyrus." 

"I can't wait." RHaenyra agreed. 

"Well I..." Taelon hesitated, he didnt realize how awkward this might be seeing them again. "Vis is... weak. The maesters do their best to help ease his pain but... I hate seeing him like this." Taelon admitted. "He's... he likes when we have family suppers, we should have a supper tonight." Taelon suggested. "Vis would like that." 

"I would like that." Rhaenyra agreed. "That sounds perfect, Taelon." She moved to him hugging him again. "I missed you."