Small council chambers
Maekar hated the small council meetings. Not because of the business that was conducted, but because his father didn't take it seriously enough. For the last three hours, the only thing he cared about was the new baby to be born, while the Stepstones could be infested with pirates. Once the councilors left, Maekar stayed behind.
"You understand that war could hit our shores at any moment?" Maekar asked.
"I do, but a wise king doesn't seek out war, but his always prepared for it." Viserys told his son.
Maekar sighed. "And are you? Preparing?"
"Of course I am. I'm to have letters sent to see if we could find common cause.: Viserys said.
Maekar furiously rose from his chair. "We have dragons. I could fly to the Stepstones now and slaughter them all."
"Mayhaps you and your cousin should go?" Viserys suggested.
"I wouldn't let that jester clean my shoes." Maekar spat.
"Why do you hate Heron so much? All he did was defeat you in the tourney last year." Viserys held a feast and a tourney a year ago to announce his wife's pregnancy. His son and nephew competed, and Heron defeated Maekar. While Heron showed sportsmanship, Maekar wanted to fight, and unfortunately for the crown prince, Heron defeated him in a contest of arms as well.
"His arrogant and prideless. You give him and his father too much free reign." Maekar spat.
"I don't know what you speak of. Viserys said.
Making Daemon the commander of the city watch was foolish, father." Maekar said. "And Heron is just a fool. He eats our food and breathes our air."
"Should I send them away? Exile them?" Viserys asked. "I don't understand your anger, but you are the crown prince of Dragonstone and heir to the Iron Throne. What more could you want?"
"To become stronger." Maekar said and left the small council chambers.
Herons chambers
Heron loved King's Landing. He enjoyed the time he had here as a child. He enjoyed the space for training. He also liked spending time with his cousins, even though Maekar didn't like him.
"You seem adjusted." Heron turned to face Rhaenyra.
"Yes, well. While I love my home in Runestone, I never could stray from the capital." Heron smirked.
Rhaenyra smiled. "I had just come from talking to your father. He was seated on the throne."
"I never could understand why everyone wants that ugly chair." Heron said.
"You don't see yourself seated on the Iron Throne?" Rhaenyra asked.
"No." Heron said. "It's a curse to sit the entire day and listen to lords bickering about... well everything."
Rhaenyra laughed. "What were you reading?"
"Oh, uh. When I was 14 years old, I asked my father if he remembered my mother's face, and I wanted him to draw it for me on this paper. He couldn't draw to save his life, but my mother's cousin, Ser Gerold, could." Heron showed Rhaenyra the drawing.
"I'm sorry, Heron. I didn't mean to bring up bad memories." Rhaenyra said.
"It's alright, princess. If I'm being honest, it's not the drawing that makes me smile, but the letter behind the drawing. My mother, lady Rhea, wrote it months before she gave birth to me. Heron said. I'll read to you sometime." Heron said.
