Of Bastards & Dragons || Aenar Targaryen

88 • THE LADY & THE QUEEN DOWAGER

"I should enlighten you, on the opening of conduct, our progression has been quite fruitful of late." Aenar began in a regal tone. "The Greens were preoccupied with Rook's Rest, ensuring Roach and I would have a clean pass. There was no chance of stumbling into the path of Laena's Vhagar...."

"Those bumbling fools that make up your council will surely be lost without you."

"Those bumbling fools, as you call them, are people I trust. Do you think Rhaenys will steer them wrong? Corlys? Even Rheanyra? Or Daenerys? They all show traits of a fine leader, even if Cersei take out that anger on me at times."

"You should have taught her what happens when she disrespects you like that. Perhaps those lessons have been lost during my absence."

"She's my wife.....Daemon....watch your tongue." Aenar shot him a glare.

"She's my mistress, brother. You watch your back." Daemon thought.

"You'd be surprised at the strengths we've gained since you left. Just imagine what we can accomplish by adding back your strength to the mix."

"Why are you here Your Grace?" Daemon asked, apparently tired of the way the conversation was going.

Aenar neared him, oozing confidence. "I need to know."

"Know what?"

"Why are you building an army? Or, at the very least, trying to."

For a moment, Daemon did nothing more than bite his lower lip in frustration. It was a better reaction than he'd been expecting, in truth, given his track record. He had greeted his questions with force and violence in the past, even though such examples were fleeting.

Instead, he turned on his heel, walking away so that he could come up against the round table and lean against it, his palms planted against the surface.

"Do you really not trust me.... Aenar? I am your brother, raising banners in your name! Yours!"

Aenar came up behind him, though left a slice of space between them. "It is not a matter of trust Daemon."

"Of course it is! Do you think I'm building a force to stand against you?" Daemon feigned innocence.

"Some of my councillors believe it's a possibility. I want to be able to tell them for sure that they're wrong. That when the time comes, you'll be by my side when we finally take King's Landing."

"You should be able to tell them that from instinct. I am your brother...the blood of the dragon flows deep in our roots, from the strength of your love for me." Daemon argued.

"Love is a powerful force, but it isn't concrete enough to convince the minds of men during war." Aenar remarks.

"Viserys' love for you was enough to convince him to name you as his heir. And it was enough to convince me that you were the right person for the job. I could rule the Seven Kingdoms. I've thought about it, I won't lie, especially since I've come here." Daemon defends his honour and pride.

Aenar held up a hand to stop him from speaking. "You've realized the realm needs a ruler who will unite it, not tear it apart. That was always the role i were destined to play."