NOVEL NEXT Chapter 2: Rhaegon Baratheon
(Third Person POV)
[King's Landing, Thirteen Years Into King Rhaegar's Reign]
"The Gods can be cruel, can they?" Tywin Lannister said as he took a seat at the table where King Rhaegar leaned his head against, "Your Grace."
Rhaegar straightened up, his slight white scruff showing on his unshaved face, bags on his eyes which displayed his lack of sleep.
"Hm...." He said simply as he leaned back on the chair, "What do you mean?"
Tywin, The Hand of The King, merely placed his hand on the table, "My Daughter, Cersei, The Queen..." He said adding emphasis to the last part, "Has unable to give you a son."
Rhaegar raised his eyebrow, "And that is a problem....how?" He said
"I need not to remind you....." Tywin said with a cautious tone, "You already had a son."
Rhaegar nodded, "Indeed." He said, "And he perished."
"Terrible thing, Your Grace." Tywin said, "After you took my daughter as your bride, she was only able to give you two daughters, well, three now."
Rhaegar combed his hair with his hand back, "Yes, my beautiful daughters, your Granddaughters, Lord Tywin." He said as he gave him a serious look, "What of it?"
"Do not misunderstand, I love them....but they are not sons." Tywin said seriously, "The realm is need of a Male Heir."
"I have a Male Heir." Rhaegar said
"Viserys...." Tywin said with a sigh, "That boy.....he is unruly, impatient, and chaotic. As your Hand, Your Grace, it is my duty to tell you that Viserys will be a terrible King."
"He is of age." Rhaegon ignored the comment, "I have to make sure that he is paired with an appropriate lady...Oh, why must the Gods give me such burdens?"
"Your youngest daughter was just born, Princess Helaena." Tywin changed the topic, "Aren't you expected at the Queen's side?"
Rhaegar sighed, "Not at the moment." He said, "Your daughter can be.....difficult at times."
"I know that more than anyone, Your Grace." Tywin chuckled
"And yet you betrothed her to me." Rhaegar joked as he stood up, "I have a Rebellion to quell, Tywin. You know that."
"Please, the Greyjoys...." Tywin scoffed, "You are not needed, Your Grace. Lords Baratheon and Stark will quickly see to it that those Iron-Born scum will be put in their place."
"Still, A King must make his appearance." Rhaegar said as he walked towards the window of the room, "They have a Dragon, Tywin."
"They do not." Tywin said, "Mere rumors. Yes, they might have someone with diluted Targaryen blood like the pretender from thirteen years ago, but according to the reports, it is a mere egg they have."
"That egg is still our property." Rhaegar said as he looked out the window
"Your Grace, this is what they want." Tywin said sternly, "To lure a Dragonrider out of their castle and slay them. It is important that all Dragons stay grounded at the moment."
"A Dragon will end this quickly." Rhaegar retorted
"Perhaps, but we must show the Realm that we aren't overly reliant on them." Tywin replied as he stood up, "Robert is currently marching towards the North, apparently some Iron-Born were able to turn a few lower Houses to their side."
"This could be the exact same as back then...." Rhaegar said
"Which is why we must play our hand wisely." Tywin said, "If we mobilize all of our troops hastily, we could be struck similarly to before. I will not allow such tragedies befall your family again. Ned Stark has declared that he'll dissolve this Rebellion with his and Robert's armies. It is the North that is suffering the most of their attacks. If there's any sign of movement on our fronts, we'll act quickly. For the time being, I suggest that His Grace stays."
Rhaegar nodded, "Very well...." He said, "Are my sisters Safe? Viserys?"
"Prince Viserys and Princess Daenerys are in Dragonstone, Ser Barristan and my son are currently there." Tywin said, "The weather is acceptable and your Father's Dragon is reportedly patrolling the skies as of late. I have reinforced the Castle with troops of mine and yours, Your Grace, they are safe."
"And Shaena?" Rhaegar said
"Princess Shaena is at Storm's Edge, I sent a raven to order her to stay there at all times." Tywin said, "That woman is as free-spirited as you, Your Grace. She will remain there for the time being, which is good."
Rhaegar turned around and raised his eyebrow, "And Rhaegon?"
"Your Grace?" Tywin said with a frown
"Did you give my Nephew the same order?" Rhaegar asked
"Your Grace, all respect, the boy is Ten and Three, he would not simply take the skies with his Dragon and fly to the North where the battle is happening." Tywin said placing his hands behind his back, "It is absurd."
"Tywin, you are the smartest man I know." Rhaegar said, "My Father's and mine Hand. Yet you believe that Rhaegon Baratheon, son of the Princess Shaena and Lord Robert, will simply stay put? You didn't give an order to him, he's probably half-way to the North as we speak."
Tywin smiled smugly, "If that's the case, I suppose I will host a Tourney for your Daughter." He said, "All Expenses covered."
"Well, start the Council Meeting then." Rhaegar chuckled,
"You're paying for that Tourney."
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[The North, near Greywater Watch]
In a nearly barren patch of land, a small town was being overrun by Iron-Born raiders that had suddenly sacked it, killing every soldier that was stationed there by order of Lord Stark.
The townsfolk were running for their lives as the soldiers attempted to fight back, failing to do so as the dozens of raiders were too much for them to handle.
It was happening all too quickly, especially since the townsfolk had heard word that the Iron-Born, commanded by Balon Greyjoy, was aiming at Moat Caillin. This attack was smart for them, taking as much territory to reach Greywater Watch and eventually joining other Raiding Parties in an assault against the Moat.
This party in particular, was met with some resistance, 20 soldiers were stationed to fight off any small parties, but this was no small party. The Iron-Born were at least 70 strong, swarming from all directions and forcing the townsfolk to run and abandon the town.
One of the Northern Soldiers was stabbed in the stomach as he clutched the arm of the Iron-Born, widening his eyes, "W-Why???" He gasped for air
The Iron-Born smirked, "Because we can..." He said with a vicious tone before stabbing his neck with another blade
As this transpired, the Iron-Born were giving off battle-cries, signaling their impending Victory.
There were townsfolk who were being pinned down and stabbed by the raiders as they all laughed maniacally, giving them nothing but feelings of despair.
"Kill the men!" one of the Raiders shouted, "Keep the women and girls, we're having them toni-"
His voice was suddenly interrupted by a loud roar, which froze everyone, including the Townsfolk. The Iron-Born looked up to the dark northern skies to see a massive black shadow burst through them, a two-winged beast roaring loudly as it flew towards the town.
"D-Dragon!!!!" one of the Iron-Born shouted in fear as they all began to scatter
The beast was large, pitch black, with golden amber eyes that pierced through the souls of everyone it set its gaze upon. Its wingspan was so massive, several horse's worth, that every flap of its wings were enough to send gusts down.
One of the defending soldiers merely looked in awe as the dragon soared down from the skies, "Black scales...." He said, "Golden eyes.....that's....."
"House Baratheon's Young Dragonlord!" one of the townsfolk cried out, "R-Rhaegon! The King's Nephew!"
Atop the massive dragon, a young boy looked down with a fierce look in his eyes. His hair was dark as the Dragon's scales, his eyes a certain shade of blue only a Baratheon would have.
He spoke two words;
"Dracarys, Morghul!!!"
The Dragon made three sweeps at the edge of the town, where the Iron-Born were, releasing a stream of hot dragonflames with each sweep, each larger than the previous. This burned the Iron-Born alive, scattering the rest of them.
With the final sweep, a wall of flames separate the bigger part of the Iron-Born raiding party from a couple that were near the center of the town. The ones that were cut off were running away in fear of being bathed in flames.
One of the Iron-Born, larger and taller than the rest, merely gritted his teeth as the Dragon made a landing on one of the small houses.
"Fucking shit....." He cursed as he readied his blade
The townsfolk, who were released by the raiders, were weeping tears of relief but were still cautious of the beast that was atop of the house.
The young boy casually jumped off his Dragon's saddle and slid down its wings, getting him down to the ground.
He looked around, trying to make sure he didn't burn any innocents.
One of the soldiers, who was wounded, dragged himself to the Boy Lord, "L-Lord Rhaegon...." He said, "Y-You are here.....how? I heard Lord Robert was marching up here and you beat him???"
Rhaegon shrugged, "Dragon is faster." He said
The dragon gave off a loud rumble, vocalizing in the background as it snorted and looked around.
The Iron-Born at the front of the group of raiders took a step forward, "Bah!" He shouted, "This.....boy...he's the one who saves you? Are we s'posed to be scared of ya, boy???? Without your dragon, yer nothing!"
Rhaegon raised his eyebrow, "Huh?" He said, "You either got balls of.....Iron....or you are plain stupid, Greyjoy, showing no fear in front of Morghul."
The Ironborn smirked as he raised his blade, "I'll teach ya who's got balls of iron...." he said, "You may ride a dragon, but I bet ya ain't good at swinging that sword of yers."
Rhaegon drew his blade as Morghul, the Black Dragon, growled deeply.
"Care to test me?" Rhaegon said with a serious look, "Come, scum traitor!!"
The Ironborn charged at Rhaegon, swinging his sword fiercely at the boy. Rhaegon easily parried the blade, following with a riposte and plunging his blade into the neck of the raider who widened his eyes in shock.
As blood poured out of the neck and down the blade of the Ironborn, Rhaegon stared deep into his eyes, "Your Traitor Lord's head will be mounted on a pike by my Lord Father." He said, "Ironborn scum."
He pulled his blade out and pushed the massive body of the dead Ironborn to the side, looking at the other raiders who stared at this with horror.
Rhaegon lifted his blade and pointed it at them.
"Anyone who dares threaten the reign of my Uncle, King Rhaegar, and shed the blood of innocent...." Rhaegon said as Morghul reared his head back and spat flames into the air,
"Shall meet Death."