Aemon Targaryen

-Chapter 126-

-12th day of the 10th moon of the year 116 AC-

-POV ???-

Knock… Knock… Knock…

"Come in," I said, already knowing who was behind the door, as only one person dared disturb me so early in the morning.

Evelyn, who served as my lady-in-waiting, entered and bowed before declaring:

"Mistress, a courier has arrived with a letter."

'Who is it this time, the banker or the admiral?' I thought, slightly amused by how these men fought so fiercely for my favor, yet exasperated that they believed they could win me over by waging a war in which I would be the "prize."

'The days when men did as they pleased with me are long gone,' I thought.

"Give it to me," I ordered, motioning for her to hand me the message brought by the messenger.

"The messenger refused to give me the letter. He claimed it was for your eyes and ears only and would not hand it over to anyone else. He said that if you gave him a moment, you would surely change your mind," Evelyn explained.

I frowned, irritated by this sort of individual.

Since I had stepped back to allow more room for the newer courtesans working under me, some fools seemed to think I was an unattainable prize.

'Pathetic,' I thought.

"Tell him to leave," I said, dismissing this insignificant event and refocusing on improving my reflection.

"Yes, mistress," Evelyn replied as she exited.

A few moments later, Evelyn returned, visibly frightened.

"What is it?" I asked, seeing her in shock.

Evelyn replied hastily:

"The man refuses to leave. He's about to fight with the guards in the hall. If this continues, people will get hurt."

Furious, I stood up and declared:

"Let's see which one of these filthy old pigs is so desperate for my attention that they would spill blood in my own garden."

'Perhaps it's one of those foolish pimps trying to ruin my business,' I thought, trying to figure out who would dare challenge me like this.

'My suitors would be all too happy to do me… a favor,' I thought.

---

-POV Ser Willem-

I raised an eyebrow as the guards began to surround me. Raising my sword defensively, I declared:

"If you're looking for trouble, you've found it. I've trained with two of the best fighters I've ever seen, and, not to brag, I'm quite skilled myself."

"Skilled enough not to get captured by the 500 guards protecting me, as well as the countless Magisters who owe me favors?" intervened a woman through the cluster of guards, who quickly stepped aside to let her pass.

'It's her,' I thought, barely recognizing the young woman who had left the Red Keep in disgrace.

"Of course not, my lady," I quickly said, sheathing my sword and bowing deeply before her, as she remained a noblewoman.

'Regardless of her past or current activities,' I thought.

She seemed surprised to see a Westerosi bowing before her, but she did not ask me to rise.

"You claimed you could convince me. I hope you have more than empty words, for it's your head on the line right now," she said coldly.

"I have a message for you," I declared, still bowing my head.

"From whom?" she immediately asked.

"From my master," I replied without lifting my head.

"And who is your master?" she retorted, slightly mocking, thinking I had missed her question.

"Do you not recognize me?" I asked, choosing to raise my head at that moment.

"Should I recognize you, Ser…?" she asked, not even attempting to remember.

"Ser Willem," I supplied for her.

"Very well, Ser Willem. The message. My time is precious," she said, visibly impatient.

"I am the message," I replied, having been instructed by Prince Aemon to deliver this message only in private.

"Then what are you waiting for?" she retorted, unaware that we were in public.

I hesitated, considering the importance of confidentiality.

This was clearly not the ideal place to discuss the Prince's intrigues.

"In private," I insisted, unwilling to expose the Prince publicly.

She did not react immediately, so I played my last card and said:

"It concerns Bae…"

"Silence!" she ordered sharply, her tone authoritative.

Her glare struck me, and I could clearly see that she was considering having me executed on the spot.

But she restrained herself, eventually walking away briskly while gesturing for me to follow.

I followed her silently to her chambers. Once inside, she closed the door and declared icily:

"Who told you about Baelon, and what do you know about him?"

"Everything there is to know, I'm afraid," I replied calmly.

She frowned, scrutinizing me intently, then finally declared:

"I see you're still in the service of our mutual friend, Ser Willem."

'At last,' I thought, relieved that she recognized me, which would lend credibility to my words.

I nodded, refraining from revealing the nature of my relationship with the Prince or why I had taken such risks to come here.

"Tell me what you want and leave," she said, her tone slightly aggressive.

'She's uneasy,' I noticed.

Despite her tone, the warmth in her words was gone.

She seemed more like a kitten baring its claws than the lioness ready to pounce moments earlier.

'Probably because she knows who sent me,' I thought.

"I imagine you keep yourself informed of what's happening in the realm, despite the distance you maintain," I said, testing if she had guessed who had sent me.

"Hmm, enough to know that Aemon is in trouble," she replied, trying to gain the upper hand before negotiations began.

I smiled and declared:

"The Prince warned me that you'd try to take the upper hand before negotiations even started."

"What negotiations?" she asked, feigning innocence.

I smiled without responding directly, then continued:

"The Prince intends to take the Stepstones from his father. Given the ties you maint…"

"No!" she interrupted firmly, not letting me finish explaining the plan.

"No?" I repeated, surprised.

"If you were truly sent by Aemon, you must know there's a reason I cannot do this," she said firmly.

"I know, and the Prince has not forgotten either," I replied, pulling a letter from my clothing.

'This is the moment,' I thought, handing her the letter without saying more.

---

-POV ???-

"I thought you were the message," I said, raising an eyebrow as I took the letter.

'I should have had him searched; it would've been quicker,' I thought, momentarily regretting my decision to let my guard down to protect a secret as precious as my son's existence.

'Those pigs would have done anything to enslave me,' I thought with a shudder, recalling memories I preferred to forget.

Ser Willem remained silent, evidently waiting for me to read the letter to make his case.

---

Dear Johanna,

---

'Johanna,' I thought with a nostalgic smile upon seeing this name, forgotten for so long, resurface before my eyes.

'How long has it been since anyone called me that?' I wondered before continuing to read.

---

How are you?

I imagine Ser Willem has already explained my idea to you.

What else can I say except that I'm sorry, for with or without your help, I will proceed regardless.

Whether Daemon or Viserys knows will make no difference.

Those two fools tried to corner me, ringing the dinner bell for all the vipers and leeches in the realm.

I will make them pay, and what better way to inspire fear than to punish the most feared dragonrider on the continent as well as its sovereign?

It has been nearly three moons since I've waited for an opening, and I've finally found one.

Daemon has called his family back.

They will arrive by ship in the capital in three weeks.

Everyone, except Baelon, of course.

He likely thinks your son can defend the island from pirates alone.

The same son he disinherited in favor of his youngest child from his alliance with one of the Triarchs of Volantis.

Unfortunately, in addition to the pirates, I've hired mercenary fleets that will soon attack the Stepstones.

If Baelon is still on the island, he won't survive for long.

His bond with his dragon was forced; he doesn't control it properly, and though I don't wish to think about it, his dragon is far too small to withstand a scorpion bolt.

Should such a thing happen…

Let us simply hope it doesn't.

Under normal circumstances, I wouldn't concern myself with one of Daemon's offspring, but two reasons compel me to spare him:

The first is that I met him, and I can assure you, your son is a good boy.

The second is precisely because he is your son.

I have not forgotten your kindness toward my mother and me, despite your uncle's orders.

You were one of the few who genuinely sympathized with our plight and did not revel in it, even though the circumstances could have driven you to do so.

That may mean little today, but I am sincerely sorry for what happened to you.

Unfortunately, I had no army back then.

Now you know everything.

If you agree, give your answer to Ser Willem.

I will take care of Baelon, do not worry.

You can trust me on that.

Aemon Targaryen

---

I slowly folded the letter, letting out a small sigh before asking:

"What does he want, and what do I have to gain?"

"A great deal. You can be certain the Prince will show his generosity toward you," Ser Willem replied.

'Let's hope for his sake that's true… Otherwise…'

---

N.A: We finally have the revelation of Baelon's mother, who, if you haven't understood, is the Black Swan of Lys, Johanna Swann.

PS: Perhaps a possible reconciliation is in sight between Aemon and his mother.