You may not control all the events that happen to you nor get to make decisions for yourself. However, sometimes you can make the decision right by doing it on your own. Growing up Aegon and his cousin Celeste had a very different life in many ways...
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Rhaenyra and her attendant lords gather around the Painted Table; "How can you know you can trust Aegon bending the knee to you?" One of the men asks her.
"He might use you, Your Grace." Another speaks.
"I trust my brother's word." She tells them, "He told me what he wants and it's not the crown or throne." A few of the men scoff not believing it, "You doubting my decisions and trust?"
Celeste sees the looks on a few of the faces so she steps forward clearing her throat, "You can trust, Your Grace." She looks over at Rhaenyra, who looked surprised.
"Celeste, you don't have to." Rhaenyra grabs her hand.
"It's okay." She tells her before looking at the other's, "Aegon, is the father to my daughters. I know he doesn't want to be King. He has always told me that growing up and he still doesn't want that." She tells them. "I love him but he's not smart enough to think about crossing Rhaenyra. He wouldn't risk losing me and his girls."
"Now that is clear... What is our standing?" Rhaenyra asks changing the topic.
Daemon informs her that Dragonstone's garrison stands at 30 knights, 100 crossbowmen, and 300 men-at-arms; sufficient to defend the island, but not to conquer Westeros. Daemon adds that he has sent word to men in the City Watch whose loyalty he can count on, but he cannot say how many will answer, while Gerardys confirms that Houses Celtigar, Massey, Darklyn, Staunton, and Bar Emmon have affirmed their loyalty.
Rhaenyra asserts that House Arryn and the Vale will support her on account of their kinship through her late mother Aemma Arryn. Gerardys adds that he has also sent a raven to Lord Grover Tully, an old friend of her father's, to sway his support, though Rhaenyra insists that the fickle Grover will need to be convinced of the blacks' strength and assurance of support should war break out; Daemon insists that he will treat with Grover personally.
Ser Steffon mentions Storm's End and Winterfell; Lord Celtigar reminds them of House Stark's reputation as honorable oathkeepers and asserts that the other Northern houses will follow where the Starks lead, while Rhaenyra remarks that Lord Borros Baratheon will need to be reminded of his late father Boremund's oath.
Rhaenyra then turns her attention to Rhaenys, asking for news from Driftmark; Rhaenys remarks that Corlys is sailing to Dragonstone, though she demurs when Daemon assumes that he intends to declare for Rhaenyra. Daemon asserts that House Lannister will back the Greens, as Tyland has been a loyal supporter of Otto's on the Small Council for years, and the Greens will need the Lannister fleet if the Velaryons choose to back Rhaenyra.
Given that House Lannister's allegiance will ensure that the Westerlands support the Greens, Daemon asserts that the support of the Riverlands to the black cause will be essential.
Lord Celtigar interrupts, arguing that talk of fighting men is irrelevant when Rhaenyra's forces command dragons in numbers not wielded in war since the Valyrian Freehold. Rhaenyra points out that the Greens command dragons too, but Daemon adds that they only have three adult dragons, while in addition to Caraxes, Syrax, and Meleys, the blacks possess Vermax, Arrax, and Tyraxes with Rhaenyra's sons and Tanis, Moondancer with Celeste and Baela. He also notes there are several unclaimed dragons in need of riders; Seasmoke, Vermithor and Silverwing, as well as three feral dragons living wild on Dragonstone.
