Scions of the Cruel King

Prince Aemon Targaryen

The bells of the Forest Sept tolled, the bells in the Red Keep tolled and the dragons howled a mournful cry. Prince Aemon Targaryen second born son of King Jacaerys Targaryen the first of his name, and twin to the new King of Westeros Lucerys Targaryen shivered slightly though it was warm, or as warm as an autumn in King's Landing could be. His father's body had just been given to the flames, in accordance with true Targaryen tradition, and where there had once been grief there was but a hole in his heart. Aemon still did not truly understand how his father, who had always been so fit and healthy, could suddenly just up and die, he had not seemed ill or unwell when Aemon had seen him just the three days ago and yet now he was dead. Aemon looked across the flames to where Ser Otto Hightower and Grand Maester Orwyle stood, both seemed to be deep in conversation and Aemon felt something within him begin to burn in a fierce rage, he and his brother both suspected Hightower of foul play, the man had never liked their father and now would undoubtedly try and make a play for power.

Once the ceremony is finished and the fire has been extinguished, Aemon makes his way back into the keep alongside his brother Lucerys and his mother the Queen Dowager Rhaenrya. They walk briskly and do not talk all that much for the first few metres, and then Aemon's mother speaks. "I shall be heading for Dragonstone soon my sweetlings. There are things that must be attended to on the island." Aemon turns his head and looks down at his mother, like his brothers Lucerys and Valarr he is quite a tall and bulky lad.

Lucerys speaks then. "But why mother. Surely father should be interred in the crypts here in King's Landing, just as grandfather Orys and all the other Targaryen kings before him have been. It is only right and would help to stop Ser Otto and those nitwits at court who tarry to him, speaking ill of father."

Aemon sees his mother's face curve downward into a frown. "Your father always wished to be buried in Dragonstone Lucerys, and I shall respect his last wish, and keep him away from the possible desecration that his remains could face should he remain here where the Greens could get to him." At those last words, his mother's face contorts into a snarl, and Aemon fears for one brief moment that another of her rants his about to happen. But then they enter the Red Keep and she speaks lowly now. "Besides you must organise your coronation with Lord Daven and you must wed Visenya and soon, and make moves to remove the Green influence from the council."

Aemon sees his twin puff his chest out then at their mother's words. "I will do just that mother, but who will go with you to Dragonstone? If I am to wed Visenya then she must remain here, for the council will want the wedding to happen soon enough as well as both of our coronations."

Rhaenrya does not look at Lucerys but says softly. "Valarr, Aegon and Visenya must come with me back to Dragonstone. All must be secure here before the two of you wed, Lord Daven knows that, and has agreed to it. Besides there are things that myself and your great uncle Daemon must speak of."

At that Aemon speaks, for the first time. "And where is uncle Daemon mother? Why did he leave so suddenly last night? Did he not think to stay for father's funeral?"

His mother looks at him then and says softly. "He is working hard to ensure that Lucerys' crown is secure before the coronation happens, there are still those who believe those vile rumours Ser Harwin Strong started."

Aemon grimaces at that, he knows which rumours his mother speaks of, the rumours that he and his siblings are the bastards of a knight from Harrenhal and his lady mother, not the sons and daughters of the king. Such rumours angered both Aemon and Lucerys, and they would have flown to Harrenhal itself to cut down Ser Harwin had their father not warned them of what that would cost, and that soon after the rumours started Ser Harwin died. Still the rumours still appear occasionally in the winesinks that Aemon visits, his brother is betrothed to their sister and as such has always been under much more scrutiny than he, but Aemon has been betrothed to a girl he has never met before, and feels no attachment to whatsoever, and so he takes his pleasure where he can.

Once inside the Reds Keep Aemon watches as his mother disappears to her rooms, leaving Aemon and Lucerys alone to themselves. They walk towards the throne room in silence for a moment until they stop at the sound of someone calling Lucerys name. Turning round they see themselves looking at Ser Otto Hightower who it appears is most out of breath. "Your Graces," he says bowing. "My condolences for your loss. King Jacaerys was a honourable and just king." The brothers nod at that and wait for what the man has to say next. "I am sorry to have to bring this up now when I am sure you would rather be spending time with your family, but I was wondering when the small council will meet to discuss the coronation and the issue of your late father's dragon Vermithor."

At that, both Aemon and Lucerys have to hide grins, Vermithor had been causing all kinds of problems for his handlers since father's death, not surprising since the handlers were men from Oldtown, and Vermithor likely knew what part they had played in father's death. What the man did not know though was that Valarr, their younger brother had bonded with the Bronze Fury only two days ago, apparently in the same way their grandsire King Orys had once bonded with the Black Dread. And so Aemon took great pleasure in the look that crossed Ser Otto's face when Lucerys said. "There is no need to worry about Vermithor my lord, for he shall be travelling with his new rider Prince Valarr when my brother goes to Dragonstone with my mother to intern my father's ashes. As for the small council meeting we shall meet later in the week once all has been relatively settled."

At that they both walk of leaving Ser Otto with a gaping mouth and laughing all the while. Once they have entered the throne room though they both turn serious, and Lucerys turns to Aemon and says "Do you think it is true what mother says? Do you think Ser Otto had Grand Maester Orwyle poison father?"

Aemon is silent for a long moment before he says. "I know not Luke. Mother has always been paranoid about Ser Otto and Lady Alicent, ever since she overheard grandfather Viserys speaking to uncle Daven about what the man tried to do. It is possible though, and if it is true, we must speak to Lord Larys he will know."

Lucerys nods and then says. "Will you be joining me for a drink tonight then brother, or will you be going to visit Daisy?" Aemon blushes and Lucerys laughs. "Oh come now brother, you didn't think I would not know where you disappear of to at night? I'm your twin we know these things."

Aemon says nothing and then quickly changes the subject. "I'm still surprised Valarr managed to bond with Vermithor, after he for so long refused to bond with any dragon or even take a hatchling."

Lucerys thankfully does not continue their earlier conversation and instead says. "Aye I know, but then again King Maegor bonded with the Dread when he was a man grown, and he too was somewhat like Valarr. It seems the younger sons always have some sort of stubborn luck about them when it comes to the bigger dragons."

Aemon nods and they leave the conversation at that. The next day early in the morning, Aemon stands at the entrance to the Dragonpit as he watches his mother riding her dragon Syrax, his brother Valarr riding Vermithor, and their younger brother Aegon riding for the first time his dragon Stormcloud, Visenya riding her dragon Orros, Viserys and Aleana are already at Dragonstone under the watchful eye of their uncle Daemon. As Aemon watches the dragons take off, he can't but help wish he was going with them, there are times he wishes he could simply mount his dragon Arrax and fly away from all the intrigue of the court and all the worries of the world, but then he would not be doing his duty, and if there is one thing his father taught him it was the importance of duty.

Later that day, Aemon finds himself sat in the small council chamber, listening as his uncle Lord Daven Blackrush reads out the appointments to his brother's small council. Uncle Daven is of course retaining his position as hand. "Lord Lyman Beesbury shall remain as master of coin, Lord Larys Strong as Master of Whispers, Ser Otto Hightower shall become master of the order, Prince Aemon Targaryen shall become master of laws and when he returns from his trip home, Lord Gerion Lannister shall retain his position as master of ships. Is that to your wishes Your Grace?"

"It is," Lucerys replies formally. "Now that that has been taken care of, there is the issue of the coronation to plan. How long will the planning take, and how much will it cost us?"

Lord Lyman speaks then. "It should cost no more than 200 dragons unless Your Grace is wishing for an elaborate ceremony in the Sept here, and many courses to be served?"

Aemon snorts, and Lucerys grins when he says. "No my lord, I do not wish to have too much of an elaborate ceremony. And I have been raised to believe in the Old Gods, I do not think I shall be having the ceremony in the Sept. Lord Daven I want you to speak to the Order of the Green Men and have they be here for two weeks time, that is when the coronation shall be. Now are there any other pressing issues?"

Aemon sees Lord Larys swallow before he begins to speak. "There is Your Grace. My sources tell me that Prince Aegon has been sending ravens out from Oldstones to all corners to the kingdom, proclaiming himself the rightful king."

There is a deathly silence at that, and Aemon can see his brother's rage beginning to grow, he can feel it building up inside of him as well. "By what right does my uncle do this? Is he a fool?" Lucerys asks, struggling to keep the anger from his voice.

Lord Larys swallows again and then says. "He claims that he is the rightful king by right of being the oldest living male directly descended from Prince Jaehaerys and King Aenys, and as such claims that his great grandfather should have been the rightful king not King Vaegyl. He also states that you and your siblings are not the trueborn children of King Jacaerys and Queen Rhaenrya, but rather are the bastards produced of an affair between Queen Rhaenrya and Ser Harwin Strong."

Aemon feels the fire building up inside of him, the anger that this godsforsaken rumour has come to rear its ugly head once again. Lucerys is too angry to speak and so is Aemon, it falls to Lord Daven to speak. "And what proof does Prince Aegon have for his accusations? Similar accusations were levelled before during King Jacaerys reign and they were proved to be unfounded."

Lord Larys is left silent, it seems even the master of whispers does not how the man has proof for his claims. It is Ser Otto who speaks. "When these rumours last came to light, Ser Harwin came to Oldtown to speak with the High Septon. My brother Lord Gormund wrote to me to tell me that Ser Harwin had left a stack of letters with both the High Septon and himself, which he claimed were proof of his affair with Queen Rhaenrya."

Aemon stares straight at the man the fury building up inside of him, that the man could think to have kept this a secret for so long. Lord Daven speaks then, his tone sharp and cold. "And did Lord Gormund ever read the letters that Ser Harwin gave him, did the High Septon? Why did you not speak of this before Ser Otto?"

Ser Otto shrugs and says. "I know not, I merely wrote to my brother telling him to burn the letters, whether he has done so or not I know not."

Lucerys bursts then, his anger over powering his will to remain calm. "I shall have his head, and if anyone is fool enough to join him, they shall die. Maester Orwyle send the ravens out to the Lords of the Crownlands, we shall march for Oldstones at once."

Aemon rushes to agree with his brother, feeling his anger taking control of him. "Aye our uncle speaks nonsense, it is time we put him to the sword, and his cunt of a brother Aemond." That is a more personal rivalry, Aemond had always been harsh to Aemon when they were younger growing up in the Red Keep, until Aemon grew up and managed to take out the cunt's eye during a sparring practice that got out of hand.

As ever it is Lord Daven who is the voice of reason. "Your Graces, that is not the most appropriate course." Both the brothers are about to protest when Lord Daven goes on. "It would be better if we remained silent on the accusations. If we call an army together it would seem to the wider public as if we have something to hide, that there is some truth to the accusations that Prince Aegon levels at yourselves and your mother. Remain silent, and you give no credence to the accusations, Prince Aegon is not well like in the kingdoms, and you two are. Remain quiet and Prince Aegon will look like a fool."

Reluctantly the two brothers agree to keep quiet, and they go about planning Lucerys coronation, until a week before the coronation is supposed to happen a raven arrives in King's Landing and a council meeting is called. "He has the gall to write here. Demanding I give myself up, that I give mother up for treason, he has even sent a copy of the letter Ser Harwin supposedly gave to Lord Gormund." Lucerys fumes. Aemon looks at the letter, and makes no sense of it, it seems like rubbish to him, talk of a dragon coupling with a Strong, and how a dynasty would be made and the King would be fooled. It seems as if Strong had gone mad when he wrote these letters, though there is no denying that some of them do come from his mother, her handwriting is unmistakable, though often these letters are more friendly, enquiring about his health and such.

Lucerys speaks again, this time his voice choked with anger. "Send the ravens, Maester Orwyle. To all of the Lords of the Crownlands and to the Riverlords, we shall smash Oldstones to the ground." And so the ravens are sent out and within a week preparations are made for ending their uncle, and the Lords of the Crownlands come en masse, numbering some 15,000 men, led by Lords Darklyn, Hollard, Hayford, Rosby and of course Lord Daven. Lord Larys reports that some of the Riverlords have amassed at Oldstones under Aegon's banner, Lords Darry, Goodbrook, Mooton, Bracken, Smallwood, all houses that never converted to the faith of the Old Gods.

Aemon is preparing to mount his dragon Arrax on the day they agreed to ride forth for Oldstones, when he hears a high pitched scream coming from somewhere further on in the Dragonpit, confused he stops saddling his dragon and walks toward the sound of the noise and what he finds worries him. His brother's dragon Vermax, often peaceful unless Lucerys is riding him, is thrashing about struggling to break out of his chains, breathing jets of fire and howling like he's been mortally wounded. Aemon tries to calm him down and only just avoids becoming burnt meat. He hastens back to Arrax, and his about to mount his beast when he sees Lord Larys running towards him. "Your Grace!" Lord Larys shouts above the noise. Aemon stops and looks at the man. "Your Grace please wait a moment, you must know something has happened."

Aemon waits for the man to come to him and for him to have gotten his breath back before he asks what has happened. "Where is Lucerys Lord Larys, he was supposed to be here by now. Why is Vermax acting so strangely?"

Lord Larys breathes heavily and then says the words that turn Aemon's insides cold. "King Lucerys has been slain Your Grace. Killed by the Kingslayer Ser Criston Cole as he tried to make his way to the Dragonpit."

"No that cannot be right my lord. I would have known, I would know!" Aemon nearly shouts, causing Arrax to begin moving restlessly.

"I do not lie Your Grace, Ser Criston stopped King Lucerys from leaving and plunged his sword into the King's heart. You must leave now Your Grace, leave for Dragonstone. Ser Criston and Ser Otto will open the gates for Prince Aegon and Prince Aemond, they are coming down now with an army 20,000 strong."

Aemon feels cold, and then he says. "Very well Lord Larys I shall leave, but first you must promise me you will do all you can to undermine my uncle's reign in the city. I shall be back."

"I promise." Lord Larys says, and Aemon mounts Arrax and then digging his heels in flies away from King's Landing toward Dragonstone, revenge in his heart.

When he arrives in Dragonstone, it seems as if the Island Fortress reflects his own mood. Arrax struggles to land through the fierce storm that has been following them for the past few days, and the seas are choppy and violent. As he lands, Aemon spots the banners of House Velaryon, House Celtigar, House Massey and House Blackrush present as well as several tents set up around the grounds for the Lords' men to rest and sit and practice. There is no one there to greet him, but it bothers him not for in the mood he currently is in he would likely feed the person to Arrax as listen to them.

Eventually he enters the castle and enters the Great Hall to find it filled with only a few scraps of people, including Ser Lorent Marbrand who had gone with Viserys and Aleana when they had gone to the Driftmark. He walks up to the man and wasting no time asks. "Where are my mother and brother?"

Ser Lorent speaks rather hastily, "They are in the room of the Painted Table Your Grace." So it seems that news of Lucerys death has reached Dragonstone then.

Aemon nods his head in thanks and then stalks of to the Room of the Painted Table where he finds, Ser Matthis Blackrush and Ser Steffon Darklyn standing guard. He merely nods at them and enters the room. He finds his great uncle Prince Daemon standing over a map, whilst his mother and brother argue about something or the other. They all go silent when they hear the door close behind him. "What has been happening here then?" Aemon asks softly.

His mother rushes up to him and hugs him tightly, and he can feel her body shaking with tears. His great uncle Daemon says. "We have been planning for war Your Grace. We knew not whether you would have survived the storms during the journey here. Lord Larys letter informing us of King Lucerys death arrived some weeks ago."

Aemon merely nods and then says. "And how many lords have bent the knee to their rightful king?"

It is then that Aemon notes Lord Corlys Velaryon is also in the room when he hears him cough and then say. "House Velaryon, House Celtigar, House Massey, House Blackrush, House Bar Emmon, House Baratheon Your Grace."

Aemon nods and then asks. "And what of the houses who answered my brother's call to arms when Aegon the false declared himself king."

Prince Daemon speaks then and says. "They bent the knee to Aegon Your Grace. Ser Criston Cole the Kingslayer and Ser Otto Hightower were there to open the gates to the army from the Riverlands that came, and Prince Aegon and Prince Aemond arrived on their dragons. A few days later they were followed by Princess Heleana, and her children Prince Jaehaerys, Princess Jaehara and Prince Maelor."

Aemon nods and then asks. "And what of Lord Tully, does he live? How could he allow his lords to march south with the traitors?"

It is his mother who speaks then, she has moved from his embrace and is now sitting down next to Valarr, her voice shakes as she says. "Lord Garett was killed Aemon. Ser Otho Rivers led some 2,000 men to siege Riverrun and the battle that followed Lord Garett was killed and his heir Ser Simon taken hostage. Ser Boremund held out for sometime but then the usurper sent Ser Aelix Rivers and Ser Aenar Rivers on their dragons to take Riverrun, and Ser Boremund opened the gates and bent the knee. Aegon holds the Riverlands."

Aemon cursed aloud at that, his two uncles were bastards the progeny of his great uncle Maegon's incurable appetite, but since Aemon's grandfather had been king and even his own father, they had never caused the sort of trouble they could have, heck even Aemon's grandfather had been the ones to knight them. Their betrayal stung and it hurt as well. "Very well then," he said trying to keep his voice calm even though he was raging inside. "We shall need to relieve Riverrun from the two traitors before we can set our sights on anywhere else in the Riverlands. Uncle Daemon I want you to draw up plans for taking Riverrun, I shall give you whatever men we can spare to take the castle. Lady Rhaenys shall go with you as well."

"There has been more news Your Grace." Lord Corlys said. Aemon looked at him and bid him continue. "There has been a battle in the Westerlands. Lord Gerion and the Lannisters have managed to defeat the Ironborn fleet, Lord Dalton has been slain, his ships put to the torch."

Aemon nodded that was good news but then he remembered. "What of the fleet at the Arbor, did they not set sail when Lord Dalton called his banners for the Greens?"

It was Valarr who replied then surprising Aemon, his brother often was very quiet and withdrawn. "Lord Blacktyde decided to remain neutral it would appear, the 200 warships he has did not set sail and remain in port. What do you wish for us to do with him Your Grace?'

Aemon looked at his brother and knew what he was suggesting, either bring Lord Blacktyde onboard and they would have 200 warships and enough to take King's Landing or if the man would not bend burn his ships and kill him and his. Aemon sighed ruffling his hair through his fingers and said. "Nothing now, we must fight land battles first before we worry about sea battles. Though Lord Corlys, I want the Velaryon fleet to blockade the Gullet and prevent any sort of trade or back up reaching the capital."

All of that was discussed and then two days later, Aemon was crowned king in front of the Lords who had assembled on Dragonstone, Ser Ryam Redwyne and Ser Tom Costayne of the Kingsguard had managed to escape from King's Landing but not before taking Lucerys crown and the sword Blackfyre from where they were being kept in White Sword Tower. Lord Baratheon sent a raven the day of the coronation stating he had called his banners and would be ready to march soon enough, and that when the war was over he wished for their two families to be closely tied together in marriage. Aemon named Lord Corlys Velaryon as his hand, and the two began plotting how to take King's Landing back, the Velaryon fleet numbering some 100 war galleys blocked off the Gullet and prevented any trade or aid coming to assist King's Landing.

Prince Daemon flew off three days after Aemon's coronation for Riverrun bringing with him went his cousin Lady Rhaenys Velaryon on her dragon Meleys the Red Queen. Lord Larys continued to send reports through of what the usurper and his traitorous kin were doing, and that was how they learnt of Lord Daven Blackrush's death, fed to Sunfyre, thus making Orys Blackrush the new Lord of Castle Blackrush, though he was a lord without a castle for forces loyal to Prince Aegon, now King Aegon had taken the castle and put its inhabitants to the sword including Orys daughter and son Daenaerys and Aeron. Aemon knowing that the time had come for a march, sent Orys along with Lords Celtigar and Massey to Storm's End where they were to march with Lord Borros Baratheon and take back Castle Blackrush. Aemon decided to fly off on Arrax to take back Rook's Rest and sent his brother Valarr to take back Duskendale. He left his mother and Ser Addam Velaryon in charge on Dragonstone stating. "I will not leave my family undefended nor shall I leave our island bereft of dragons."

And so he flew forth with great haste towards Rook's Rest expecting to find the town empty or bereft of defenders, instead he found his uncle and the usurper King Aegon waiting for him, a defiant glow on his face, and an army at his back. "Uncle." Aemon greeted the usurper as he landed some way away from the town. "I see you have brought an army with you, is it because you know defeat is imminent?"

His uncle laughed, a bitter laugh. "Oh you green boy. I do not need the army, I brought it with me to show you what happens when Usurpers try and take my throne."

Aemon snarls at that. "Usurpers? You would dare call me and my family usurpers. We have sat the throne rightly since King Maegor ascended it in 42 A.L. and when his first born son came to power Prince Jaehaerys defended his right to it. And those letters you claim prove our illegitimacy make no sense."

Aegon laughs once more. "They make sense to those who know what to look for. But enough of this mindless chatter, you have come and now you shall die." With that Aegon and Aemon mounted their dragons and flew into the sky.

They met high in the air above Rook's Rest, claw and tooth and nail and fire. Dragons dance and their riders swung their swords, Blackfyre against normal castle steel, the battle raged on and on, through the rain and continued. One slash was met with a roar, one cut a belch of fire. The dance continued until it seemed as if Aemon had won when Aegon's sword broke, only for Aegon to laugh manically and swerve away from a blow that surely have killed him. Aemon was rooted to the spot as Ser Baelon Waters another bastard son of Prince Maegon Targaryen arrived on the fierce dragon the Cannibal and engulfed Aemon and his dragon Arrax in black flame. Prince Aemon died the second royal casualty of the dance. Aegon's hold over the crownlands was secure for now.