"He dares to summon me!" Aegon says crumpling the message in his hand. "'With haste'?" He quotes. "Are the Lannisters so diminished that they cannot march from the Tooth to Harrenhal without an escort?" Aegon asks and I glance at Aemond who nods at me as we talked about what should be done last night.
"There is a large dragon in the Riverlands, Your Grace." The Lannister speaks up."My brother's army is strong, but it does seem..."
"I am the king, not a dog to be called to heel." Aegon speaks up. "Tell your brother that if he does not deliver his host to Harrenhal, "with haste," Daemon's dragon will become the least of his worries."
"Your irritations are justified, Aegon, but it does seem..." Aegon interrupts his mother.
"I have a task for you as well, Ser Tyland." Aegon speaks and glances at me and I nod, as our plan goes into motion, last night we made up a plan on what to do next without his small council around, Just Aegon, Aemond, and I.
"We will make an alliance with the Triarchy. I've had enough of this cursed blockade." Aegon speaks
"My prince... you cannot mean to treat with the Free Cities.The captains of their ships are dangerous mercenaries, little more than pirates..."
"They are a stone's throw away across the Narrow Sea." Aemond interrupts Tyland. "Lannister and Hightower ships will take months to arrive. The Triarchy will delight in the chance to terrorize the Sea Snake again."
" Let them weaken his blockade while our true allies make their long journey east." Aegon speaks up once more.
"The Triarchy may play at accepting terms, but they are not to be trusted. Your father knew this." Alicent speaks up, glancing between Aegon and Aemond. "What has come of our letters to the Greyjoys?" Alicent asks the maester.
"They have been to no avail."
"The Red Kraken waits, seeking his best advantage. Though we may draw him in with honey if it comes to it. An offer of marriage, perhaps, to the dowager queen?" Lord Jasper speaks up.
"Out of the question." Alicent speaks up for herself.
"Alas." The Lord says.
"The dowager queen speaks wisely, Your Grace." The hand speaks up. "Even if the blockade could be broken, are we to invite these alien raiders into our waters, so close to King's Landing?"
"Your grace, if I may." I speak up and Aegon turns to me.
"Speak." he tells me and I nod.
"It's time Sir Cole, set out for Harrenhal." I speak up.
"Your Grace, if Daemon prevails in the Riverlands, I no longer have the numbers to challenge him. We lost much at Rook's Rest, as you well know." The hand rebuttals.
"The longer we wait, the more chance he will prevail." I speak up again." The Lannister will march from the west. Take what strength we have and force Daemon and his Riverlords to fight on two fronts." I speak up.
"The Prince, speaks wisely." Larrys says and I all but send him a glance.
"We would do better to await the Hightower host and set out in good time." The hand speaks.
"There is no time." I snap as I stand up and look to Aegon who watches me and I lean against his chair as I look down at him.
"It's a fortnight's march to Harrenhal. We must strike before his army is raised." I tell him.
" And you?" The hand speaks and I send him a side glare.
"I will fly out to meet you when the time is ripe if the king allows." I say looking down at Aegon.
"My stepfather is a challenge I welcome... if he dares face me." I speak up. The room is silent and Aegon nods.
"Yes, I agree." He speaks up.
The meeting ends and Aemond and I stay.
"Mother... a word." Aegon speaks before his mother leaves and she walks back over.
"I caution you, Aemond, boldness is one thing, but overconfidence..." Aegon interrupts her.
"Remind me of your place on the small council."
"You know very well I represented your father during the last years of his life, and I have been a counselor to you."
"Capably so." Aegon says."But my father's dead, you served the realm well... at a time of need. That need is ended. You are no longer obliged." Aegon tells her and her face is filled with shock.
"It's not a matter of obligation. This council has need of a tempering voice." Alicent says and I sit on the table's edge as I speak up.
"We have more than enough of those, if you ask me." Alicent snaps her head to me and frowns.
"You have the impetuousness of youth... and its arrogance, neither of which is to be desired in a king." Alicent tells him.
"I release you of your seat, such as it was. I'm sure you'll be much pleased to return to more... domestic pursuits. You have the gratitude of the crown." Aegon tells her, leaving her no room to argue.
Alicent leaves and I stand up.
"I am going to check on Helena." I speak up before leaving.
I walk into Helena's chambers to see her sat rubbing her stomach, she smiles when she sees me.
"I had a vision that should interest you." She tells me and I frown.
"What is it?" I ask her as I come to sit next to her and take her hand kissing the back of it.
"I saw plain hair folk on top of dragons." She tells me and I sigh with a frown.
"Did you recognize any of them?" I ask and she nods.
"Seasmoke, Vermithor, and Silverwing." Helena says and I stand with a frown.
"Dragons from DragonStone, what is my mother planning?" I ask out loud.
I was in the courtyard training with Aemond, I had my shirt off as our blades cling together over and over again. We stay silent, Aemond trying to catch a pattern in my moves as I try to figure out what my mother is planning.
I throw Aemonds sword away from him and look up at the balcony to see Aegon and his friends watching us as Helena sits with them sowing something.
"Aemond, I must ask for your opinion on a matter." I tell him quietly. He hums as he collects his sword.
"What's bothering you, brother?" He asks as we circle each other.
"Helena had a vision, plain-haired folk, riding the unclaimed dragons of DragonStone." I tell him." I wonder what my mother plans." he hums as our swords cling together.
"Plain hair folk? Or bastards?" He asks and I freeze letting him get the upper hand and I fall to my knees, only to swipe my leg out making Aemond fall, giving me enough to stand and hold my sword to his neck.
"You're right." I say as I pull my sword away and sheath it." If she's desperate, which she may be or will be, it would be smart to put bastards on dragons if the dragons accept them." I speak up.
"Can I leave it to you, to find bastards?" I ask Aemond as I help him up and he nods, I pat his back.
"Go then."
YOU ARE READING
The Bastard Prince
FanfictionMaelor is Rhaenyra first bastard child from Sir Harwin Strong, He grew up along side of Alicents children feeling more at home with them than his own mother. What happens when Aegon usurps his mother's throne will he side with the people he grew up...
