Burn Together ❖ Daemon Targaryen

Chapter 46

With the Lannister's army gone, Aemond Targaryen had grown more vicious and angry than ever before. He wanted to reclaim the throne he believed was rightfully his before Rhaenyra could end the war, or his crippled brother could return and steal it back, which meant that he was officially the most dangerous he had ever been. He and Vhagar burned and sacked every town near Harrenhal and still that wasn't enough for Aemond. He had half a mind to go and burn King's Landing to the ground now, but the Blacks still had 12 dragons protecting them there and he only had 2.

Meanwhile, keeping a hold on King's Landing was proving to be a harder task to manage than initially presumed.

After the blockade they had imposed when Aegon sat the throne, and with all of the destruction happening across Westeros it was nearly impossible to supply enough food and necessities to the small folk and royalty alike, which was making everyone in the city uncomfortable.

Over the last fortnight Rhaenyra had been doing her best to improve the city's circumstances, but it was challenging when Aemond and Vhagar still terrorised the river lands, and the Hightower army marched East. Consequently many Lords were afraid to help her or bear her sigil still.

To try and combat this issue every day two dragon riders would go and patrol the river lands in the hope they could find Aemond and Vhagar and put an end to the fear he was creating, but they had had no success thus far.

Rhaellanne and Daemon wanted to go straight to Harrenhal and kill him where he lay, but if they did so then they would lose the support of the river lords who they had promised the castle to upon the end of the war.

The only good news the Blacks had was that the arrow wound in Vaelon's arm had healed enough to take it out of a brace, and Jacaerys was also making improvements in his recovery, albeit slower. He could walk again but only barely and for short amounts of time and he was using a cane to aid him.

His family were pleased, but Jacaerys could barely bring a smile to his face any longer.

He was supposed to be the future of Westeros, and with a war raging outside the walls still he needed to show the small folk that one day he would be strong and able enough to give them a peaceful future but he felt weak. His siblings and cousins were fighting battles while he was practicing walking like a small child, and he could no longer bear to see the pitiful expressions on their faces, making him hide himself away.

Baela was worried about him because of how quiet and distant he was becoming. He had exercise sessions daily to improve his strength and agility, but she knew that afterwards when he was supposed to be resting he was normally sneaking out to go and be alone in the gardens of the Red Keep, so she went to see him and found him sitting in the bodega by the shore.

"There you are" she said to her betrothed.

Jace grinned at her sheepishly "Have you come to scold me for being out of bed?"

She shook her head "No. I came because I was worried about you. You have not been yourself lately"

He scoffed "I am supposed to be the Prince of the Realm. Heir to the Iron Throne and eldest of my brothers. I feel so useless sitting in my mother's small council meetings when everyone looks at me with nothing but sadness and they treat me as if I am some sort of sickly creature who cannot even think on his own anymore. The Maesters rush to my side when I move in the slightest and it is difficult to know that Joffrey considers me a role model, when I am one who can barely move. My job is to be strong and protect my family and the future of Westeros, but now I have no dragon and can barely walk without this bloody stick"

He huffed and threw the cane to the ground with a clatter, and Baela sighed. "Jace, I know this is hard for you but-"

"-but what? It'll all be okay? I'll get through it? I've heard my mother tell me that more times than I can count and yet it does nothing to change the fact that I am useless as a Prince. How can I protect the realm and be a good King when I am unable to do anything by myself?" he cried