𝑨 𝑪𝒍𝒂𝒔𝒉 𝑶𝒇 𝑫𝒓𝒂𝒈𝒐𝒏𝒔 // 𝑨𝒆𝒈𝒐𝒏 𝑰𝑰 𝑻𝒂𝒓𝒈𝒂𝒓𝒚𝒆𝒏

5. Sick Old Friend

The room was a stark contrast to the storm outside, a storm raging, surely a display of anger from the gods over the most hateful act that had been done. Otto was pacing back and forth, he had not said anything yet but the anger was written all over his face.

Aemond observed his grandfather and his dear mother from where he stood, rain still dripping from his clothes and hair. He watched his mother who sat in a chair, her face pale without any readable emotion. He knew what he had done had changed the board in the game completely, things would be harder now, things would be bloodier.

He could feel the weight of his actions, the knowledge of what he had done sitting heavy on his shoulders. But he didn't let it show, his face remaining neutral as he observed his mother and grandfather.

He did not even flinch when Otto turned to him in visible anger that he could barely contain. "You blind bloody fool!" he exclaimed. "You have ruined everything! Our plans, our hopes... all because of a childhood quarrel!" The accusation hung in the air, heavy as a funeral pyre.

Aemond stood there, still not meeting his grandfather's or mother's gaze. The words were a dagger to his heart, but he refused to show it. He could feel the anger radiating off of Otto, the disappointment visible in his mother's face.

"You acted without thought, without regard for the consequences. You have single-handedly thrown us into a war." The room seemed to shrink with each word that Otto uttered, the air heavy with tension. "Just my fucking luck."

Aemond clenched his jaw just as his hands clenched into fists behind his back. Every insult his family threw at him were each like a whip against his skin. But he knew they were true. He had acted on impulse, allowed his anger to get the best of him and now... now everything was hanging on a thread.

"You lost an eye! That should have taught you caution, wisdom! And yet you remain as blind as ever!"

The reference to his lost eye touched a nerve, a reminder of the past and the price he had paid for his dragon. The jab was deliberate, a reminder of not only his recklessness but his perceived immaturity as well. It was a blow aimed not just at his actions but at his character, his ability, his worth.

Alicent spoke up now, her voice quiet but shaking with emotion. "Piece can we only pray for now," she said, her eyes fixed on Aemond as he stood there, listening to the verbal lashings. "Rhaenyra will never agree to it now. Not after what you have done."

Not even five seconds after his mother had finished her sentence, the door slammed open and Aegon's angry shout echoed through the room. "What the fuck did you do?!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with shock and anger.

Aemond didn't move, his eye fixed on Aegon but it did not give away anything of what he felt on the inside. The room felt even more heavy now, the air thick with tension. Aemond knew he had to face the music now, and he also knew there was going to be hell to pay.

Before Aemond could speak, Otto answered for him. "He has single-handedly ignited a war!" he exclaimed, his voice booming through the room. "By attacking Rhaenyra's son, he has ensured that this conflict will escalate further than we planned! He acted without thought, without regard for the consequences!" he exclaimed. "This is not the way we wanted things to go, not the path we had laid out. We needed to bide our time, to pick our battles. But you..." he pointed his finger at Aemond, "you have thrown us all to the wolves!"

He could see the anger, the fury on Otto's and Aegon's faces. Even his mother's face was twisted with disappointment, her eyes filled with tears. He felt small, insignificant, crushed under the weight of their expectations.

But he knew that he also had two choises. Ether he could admit that he lost control of Vhagar and that it was an accident. Or, he just had to own it, his pride wouldn't let him admit that a dragonrider can't control his own dragon. And so, he went with the second option.