Chapter 115: Vestiges of The Past
(Third Person POV)
[Dragonstone, Over A Hundred Years Ago....]
On the beach of the island, a man walked along the sand, seeing the waves slowly reaching him, hitting him on his feet.
He was wearing casual clothing, a set of pants that were rolled up to his knees, and a single loose white shirt. He was tall and very muscular, so tall that he would tower over anyone that would be near him. His mere presence was so imposing that any person who would see him was immediately intimidated by the sight of this white-haired man who had his hair combed back to a slick-back.
His purple eyes were a dark and deep shade, filled with intensity. There was a slight scar on his forehead, clearly visible due to the manner his hair was combed, on his harm was another scar. These scars were prominent, caused by a certain incident in the man's youth, claiming a very important dragon on that very island.
The Man walked, his bare feet sinking into the wet sand as the cool water hit his shins. He stopped and looked up at the sky, seeing that it was somewhat clear and the sun shone on him. For a few seconds, the man's face was softened, full of serenity as he took in the ambiance around him; the sounds of the waves, the distant roaring and vocalizing of the dragons near the castle.
"Hm.." He said
"Am I interrupting something?" a voice said
The man looked to his left, seeing a white-haired woman holding a little girl in her arms.
He smiled, "Hey."
The woman was beautiful, wearing a simple white linen dress that reached all the way to her knees. Her hair was let loose, reaching to her waist as it flowed in the wind.
"What does the mighty Aerion Targaryen have on his mind?" She said as she walked up to him, handing the girl over to him
"Father..." the girl said
Aerion chuckled as he reached for her hand, "Not much...." He said, "Appreciating the beauty of the world. And right now? Appreciating yours."
"You have a way with words, love." She said as she gently squeezed her hand, "The boys will join us soon."
"Good." Aerion said as he held the girl in one hand and the woman's hand in the other, "Hey...."
"Yes?" She asked
"I don't ever want to forget this." He said softly
She leaned in closer to him and pressed herself against Aerion as she wrapped his arm around her, "I hope you do not." She said, "I care not for what the future holds for, regarding the state of the realm, the Throne...I just want you by my side. I wish for us to grow old together.....well...I am already old...."
"Do not say that." Aerion said as he leaned in and kissed her on the forehead, "I will grow old with you, my love. We will watch our children have children of their own."
"Good." She said softly
"Thank you." He said as she gazed into her eyes, falling in love with her all over again, "For giving me happiness."
She patted his cheek, "Of course."
The girl leaned into her Father's chest, "Father..." She said, "I feel tired..."
"Oh, my girl." He said with a chuckle, "We'll return soon, alright? Your brothers will be here and we will play for a bit."
"My precious loves...." The woman said with a smile, "I love you with all my heart...."
Aerion smiled even more, "Yes...." He said as he looked at her,
"I know you do..."
*********
[The Present, Somewhere In The Sea]
There was a loud roar that filled the air, waking up the lone man who sat on the stone chair inside a massive galleon ship.
"Hm....." Zaldrizes Jaes opened his green dragon eye, "A dream....."
He looked up as he heard the loud flapping of wings, deducing that a dragon was above them.
"They grow restless." He said as he raised his left arm, "I wonder if Valerion has proceeded with the plans...."
He looked at his arm, the obsidian black scales reflecting the candlelight. It was a somewhat grotesque sight, the jagged scales protruding from the humanoid arm, the fingers were thick and had sharp claws from the tips, akin to a dragon's.
He let out an exhale as his black hair got in the way of his hair, "When the embers of the Old Flames fade...." He said as he moved the hair out of the way, "A new wildfire will take its place, the Dragon's Dynasty shall be born anew. But before that, I must secure the safety of this world. The Others....it is my duty to destroy them all.....even if I have to vanquish the Realm in the process. So long as Men survive, it matters not."
He looked to the door, and the sound of dragons roaring was heard through the wooden walls. The door then opened, and the High Priestess walked through it.
"Great One...." She said softly as she walked inside, "I have sedated Meleys. It appears she is inconsolable."
Zaldrizes Jaes nodded, "Very well." He said, "As a mother, she will find it difficult to accept that her child will be discarded."
"Is it wise?" The High Priestess said
"There is a reason Khal Daegon is riding a dragon." He said seriously, "He is not a Dothraki that happened to be of my blood. He is Aegon Targaryen, son of Rhaegar Targaryen. You know this as much as I do."
"Of course." She said, "But we can use him as leverage. Rhaegar is known for loving his children unconditionally."
"I do not wish to complicate things for Rhaegar." He said, "It is simpler if he does not even know of this until after Daegon's death, should he not survive. If he does survive and the Great Khalassar pushes into the Stormlands or the Reach, then so be it. More bodies are welcomed. But if he does not and Rhaegon defeats him, killing him in the process, then there is not much to do. As for Syras, I hope she takes care of herself."
"If Daegon was not your child, you would not care for him." She said, "He is Meleys's son, raised by her."
"When some things are set into motion, you cannot stop them." He said as he placed his left hand within his robes, "You should know that."
"I do." She said as she bowed slightly, "Forgive me for doubting you, Great One."
"Make sure that Vaelor is in the city when we arrive. When Valerion arrives." Zaldrizes Jaes said, "And have Cannibal quiet down."
"Vaelor is awaiting Valerion's arrivals. He is the lurking serpent after all." She said with a slight smile, "He did prove his worth."
"That boy always had worth." he said as he leaned back
She nodded and turned around, "When the Old Flames die...." She said softly
"The Wildfire takes its place." Zaldrizes Jaes said,
"Let us see the New Age come forth."