The White Dragon

THE POWER SHIFTS

THE WHITE DRAGON CHAPTER 32 : THE POWER SHIFTS

A FANFICTION OF HBO'S HOUSE OF THE DRAGON

AERYS TARGARYEN

Aerys enters the throne room choosing to ignore the stares he receives from Rhaenyra and her sons from one side of the room while Vaemond waits patiently on the other as Otto decrees "Though it is the great hope of this court that Lord Corlys Velaryon survive his wounds, we gather here with the grim task of dealing with the succession of Driftmark." Otto then steps down whilst continuing his speech "The crown has seen fit to allow Prince Aerys Targaryen the right to speak with both the King's voice and wisdom on this and all other matters."

Aerys nods his head stiffly as he passes Otto and ascends the steps to the throne and takes a seat taking a moment to adjust to a more comfortable position and places one hand on the armrest of the throne while the other grips the pommel of Darksister, almost letting out a smirk as Daemon's eyes go dark with envy while gripping the pommel of his new blade an almost exact replica of darksister save for the steel being castle forged and not Valyrian. Aerys keeps his voice calm and cold as he orders "The crown will now hear the petitions. Ser Vaemond, seeing as you are the senior claimant and the one who brought this petition forward, I will allow you to speak first."

Vaemond the ever cocky and angry bows his head low and steps forward "My Prince. The history of both your and my noble houses extends beyond the Seven Kingdoms to the days of Old Valyria. For as long as House Targaryen has ruled the skies, House Velaryon has ruled the seas. When the Doom fell on Valyria, our houses became some of the last of their kind. Our forbearers came to this new land knowing that were they to fail, it would mean the end to their bloodlines and their name." Vaemond then takes time to look every person in the room as he continues "I have spent my entire life on my brothers ships and his seat at Driftmark defending my him in every sense of the word. I am Lord Corlys's closest kin his own blood. The true, unimpeachable blood of House Velaryon runs through my veins as does it in my children and grandchildren."

"As does it pass through the offspring of Laenor Velaryon." Rhaenyra says with a blank face clearly not wanting anyone to see how Vaemond's words sting and she shakes her head " If you cared so much about your house's blood, Ser Vaemond, you would not be so bold as to supplant its rightful heir. No, you only speak for yourself and for your own ambition."

"You will have chance to make your own petition, Princess Rhaenyra. Do Ser Vaemond the courtesy of allowing his to be heard." Queen Ellyn says with a smirk and Aerys bitterly remarks not wanting to hear the two women squabble and warns loudly, his voice booming through the hall "I will have silence in this court or I will have no choice but to call all those who need not be in this room to be escorted out."

"What do you know of Velaryon blood, Princess? I could cut my veins and show it to you and you still wouldn't recognize it. This is about the future and survival of my house, not yours." Vaemond says smugly while glaring at Rhaenyra before turning his attention back to  Aerys who grips the armrest tighter "My Prince. This is a matter of blood, not ambition. I place the continuation of the survival of my house and my line above all. I humbly put myself before you as my brother's successor... the Lord of Driftmark and master of the Tides."

"Thank you, Ser Vaemond." Aerys says tensely and sighs 'Vaemond's words are true and while he is right to defend his house and name, it is still clear to see that beyond loyalty to Corlys and house Velaryon, there is still the stench of ambition on Vaemond's body and mind like how rot reeks and clings itself to a dying man.' 

Aerys then clears his throat and readjusts in the seat of the throne "Prince Lucerys, you will now defend your claim to Driftmark." As Vaemond returns to his position Aerys raises a brow as Rhaenyra steps forward yet before she can speak Aerys raises his gloved fist from the armrest "I asked that the boy speak for himself."