The White Dragon

THE CUSP OF WAR

THE WHITE DRAGON CHAPTER 34 : THE CUSP OF WAR

A FANFICTION ON HBO'S HOUSE OF THE DRAGON

AERYS TARGARYEN

There was a foul stench that filled the air. Bypassing the aromas of the lavender incense that his mother was fond of lay the stench of death. Aerys had seen death many times in his life. By the time he was nine years old he witnessed the death of his grandmother Queen Alysanne due to a lump the Septon on Dragonstone found in her breast, his aunt Gael died after bringing his sister into the world and his Grandfather King Jaehaerys died of old age and it did not stop there. A raven brought news to Winterfell upon Aerys' ten and forth nameday carrying the news of his father's death from a heart attack while climbing the steps to his whore's apartments. Gwayne had died before Aerys had turned twenty and eleven years after that Visenya died. Yet the constant pillar of strength Aerys could rely on was his mother.

Daenerys Targaryen was ferocious, wild and dangerous yet now all that remained was a husk of the former princess. Aerys pinches the bridge of his nose and scoffs 'How ironic that the last children of King Jaehaerys who saw and experienced almost a century of events died blind and without knowledge'

When Aerys returned from Kings Landing he was informed from Maester Beocca that she would pass soon and had not left his mother's side but as her breaths became more shallow and her eyes remained shut even longer Aerys silently pleads 'Please don't leave mother. I need you still.'

Almost hoping his silent prayer worked Aerys stares at his mother but her eyes did not open and a knock sounds at the door and he yells "Go away!" Rymun enters the room taking a moment to pant "My Prince... Jaehaerys and Helaena have returned with Ser Rickard Thorne and are waiting for you in the great hall."

"Very well I shall see them later." Aerys says absentmindedly taking his mother's frail hand in his own and the Mallister knight places his gloved hand on Aerys' shoulder "Jaehaerys says it is urgent and involves the king Viserys."

Aerys scoffs and stands from his seat "Fine I'll be there shortly." Rymun nods and rushes out from the room and Aerys kisses his mother's hand before placing it gently on her chest and walks towards the door, stopping momentarily as she gasps loudly her eyes opening weakly and her hand rises shakily and her voice was as soft as a whisper "Kepa! I dreamed... that I was old." Aerys watches as his mother's hand falls limp and her eyes close a final time, her breaths stilling and her chest remaining still.

 Aerys stills his shaking hands and takes a shallow breath before stepping out from the room closing the door before turning to a guard "Send for the silent sisters. Ensure they treat my mother gently." The guard nods and Aerys walks away from his mother's room and down towards the great hall the guards and servants bowing their heads as he makes his way into the room "What is it that could not wait until after my mother passed?"

Alicent's eyes turn sad and she places a hand on Aerys' cheek but Jaehaerys speaks up "Viserys is dead." Aerys' eyes squint slightly and he nods "Ah that is serious. Yet I do not understand why Ser Rickard is here." His gaze turns onto the knight who seemed to discard his armor "Are you making sure I bend a knee for Rhaenyra?"

"No your grace. Grand Maester Orwyle sent me on behalf of Otto Hightower." The knight explains and Alicent scoffs and stands beside Aerys with her hand began to trace patterns on Aerys' own "Then why could my father not write or come himself." Ser Rickard opens his mouth to answer but hesitates making Jaehaerys scoff "Grandfather is dead as well. Murdered by the Reynes along with Lord Beesbury and Lord Commander Westerling in order to usurp the throne for Aegon. They held us hostage, father hoping that you would swear fealty to Aegon."