Led By Fiery Passion (currently being revised)

Part 71

Kings Landing

The streets of Flea Bottom were alive with unrest, the air thick with the sounds of shouting and the clashing of makeshift weapons. Overcrowded and forgotten by the elite of King's Landing, the people had reached their breaking point. Starvation had gripped them, and desperation turned to anger as the citizens vented their frustrations against the lavish excesses of the crown. At the heart of this insurrection was Hugh Hammer, a figure who had become a reluctant symbol of resistance against the oppressive rule of King Aegon II.

Hugh, a Targaryen bastard, had a unique perspective on the struggles of the common folk. His fiery speeches rallied the downtrodden, urging them to rise up and demand the dignity they deserved. "Why should we suffer while they feast?" he proclaimed atop a crumbling crate, his passionate words igniting sparks of rebellion among the crowd. As chaos erupted in Flea Bottom, the Kingsguard soon caught wind of his involvement. While scouring the streets, searching for the man stirring the masses, they spotted Hugh at the forefront of the riot, rallying support and throwing rocks at the castle guards. In a swift and brutal maneuver, they descended upon him.

Before long, Hugh found himself dragged before the council chambers, where he was flanked by the very guards he had defied moments before. The atmosphere was charged with tension as Aegon sat in judgment, scrutinizing the rebellious figure standing before him. Aegon's composed demeanor belied the storm brewing beneath the surface; he was struggling to maintain control over his crumbling realm. "You've made quite a name for yourself, Hugh Hammer." Aegon remarked, leaning forward, his voice a mix of curiosity and disdain. "I've had my eyes on you for some time. But now's the time to act."

"I don't understand, what do you want from me? To arrest me? For what? speaking the truth."Hugh said coolly through gritted teeth.

"No, quit the opposite. If you did not know already, you have Targaryen blood flowing through your veins. You may be a bastard but so are Rhaenyra's children. You could easily claim a dragon if the opportunity was prevented to you." The revelation hung in the air like a sword poised to fall. Aegon's gaze hardened but softened momentarily with the allure of possibility. "Join me in my fight against Rhaenyra," he proposed, tapping into the fervor that Hugh had harnessed among the people. "With your lineage, I can offer you wealth, power, and even a dragon to command. Together, we could solidify my claim and bring stability back to the realm."

A glimmer of temptation flickered in Hugh's eyes—a chance to wield influence or perhaps to further the cause of those suffering in Flea Bottom. But would he bend the knee to a king whose throne was stained with blood and betrayal? The choice loomed before him, fraught with danger and potential.

Hugh took a deep breath, weighing the gravity of Aegon's offer against his own ideals and the murmur of discontent that echoed in his heart. He had never sought power for its own sake; his fight had always been for the people, for the downtrodden of Flea Bottom who knew the weight of oppression far too well. The promises of wealth and a dragon danced tantalizingly in his mind, yet he could not shake the bitter taste  from the king's past poor decisions.

"I don't want your gold or your titles, king Aegon." Hugh replied, his voice steady despite the tumult raging within him. "What I want is justice for those who've suffered under your rule and the rule of your kin. You speak of stability, but how can I trust a man who stole a crown when it wasn't given to him in the first place, someone who inprisons his own brother?"

Aegon's brow furrowed, anger flickering in his eyes. "I'd watch your words if I were you." Aegon warned. "Plus you mistake necessity for malice, Hugh. Rhaenyra would see this realm sooner burn to achieve her goal,  she is the malice one. Together, we can forge a new path, one where Targaryens reign with strength and unity. You could finally have a place among in the red keep."