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House of The Dragon-For The Queen, Not The Prince: What Could Have Been: Chapter 19
🕑 Added 2025-04-07 23:40:58 +0000 UTC(Third Person POV)
"My sweet love, my beautiful boy." Rhea said with a smile as she approached Aerion, "How does your first day of being married feel like?"
Aerion was standing in front of the weapon's table in the training yard, fidgeting with the handle of a practice sword, tightening the leather strap.
He shrugged, "It is the same." He said, "Same as usual."
Rhea crossed her arms, "I am proud of you." She said as she reached for his cheek, patting it gently as his eyes were focused on the sword, "You are a man now....."
"I suppose I am." He said without reacting much, "Does this mean I will reside in Dragonstone now? Father mentioned that after a while, Rhaenyra will return to the island."
"I believe so." Rhea said as she pulled away, "Is that a problem?"
"Not necessarily." Aerion said, "But I would like to spend some time in Runestone before I move in."
"I will speak to Rhaenyra about that." Rhea said, "Mayhaps she could visit Runestone before you both go to Dragonstone."
"That would be appropriate." Aerion said as he placed the sword on the table, "She is my wife, after all."
"Hm..." Rhea said as she looked at Aerion, scanning his entire body carefully, "Aerion....how are you feeling?"
Aerion was not making eye contact with her, "Fine." He said, "Why do you ask?"
"No reason." She said as she looked at the sword that was gifted to him by his father, "Your sword, quite the beauty, is it not?"
Aerion nodded, "Yes."
"May you show me?" Rhea said
Aerion stepped back and unsheathed his sword, pointing it away from his mother as she stepped closer and inspected the blade.
"Beautifully crafted...." She said softly, "As every Valyrian Steel sword is.....and the handle....he put a lot of thought in....it is pure bronze.....the dragon resembles Vermithor, does it not?"
"Yes." Aerion said simply, "I admit, it is a beautiful blade."
"I intended to give you Lamentation." Rhea said with a smile as Aerion gently handed her the sword, "But your Father beat me to it."
As Rhea gently took the blade into her hands, Aerion frowned, "Why?" He said, "It is your sword, you are Lady of Runestone. Not only that, you know how to fight."
"I am nothing compared to you." Rhea said as she pointed the blade to the sky, "You are a prodigy, a true warrior.....my only achievement is giving birth to you."
"Do not say that." Aerion said
"It is the truth." Rhea said as the sunlight made the blade glow, "My son.....who earned various titles in the War...."
"I care not for names." Aerion said, "I am still your son."
Rhea gave him a smile, "I know." She said as she pointed the sword outwards with both hands, "It is a magnificent blade. A bastard sword.....perfect for someone your size."
"Lamentation is the same length." Aerion noted
"Perhaps...." Rhea started, "You could wield both of them?"
"Why should I?" Aerion tilted his head
"A thought." Rhea said, "Perhaps one day, when I die."
"You will not die so soon. You are still young." Aerion said seriously
"I know." She chuckled, "But would you be capable of wielding two blades? Gerold told me about the night you killed the infamous Black Crab."
"Oh." Aerion said, "Well, it was briefly."
"You should train with two swords." Rhea said as she handed him the sword back, "I know you will not cast your old one aside so easily, it means a lot to you."
Aerion took the blade, "I already trained with two swords." He said, "During the fighting, I did so to get used to it. When you're in the thick of it, the bloodshed, you never know when you will be attacked....so I needed two blades to fend off attackers from all directions."
"Hm..." Rhea said, noticing the look in his eye getting darker, "Is that so?"
"I have killed so many while using two blades." Aerion said as he looked at the edge of his valyrian steel blade, "So many..."
There was a pause and Aerion's eyes got the same disturbed look in them. Rhea understood very well it was his trauma that caused that look. She knew that Aerion was affected by the fighting but despite that, Aerion tried his best to be himself.
"What is the name?" Rhea cleared her throat
"Hm?" Aerion said with a raised eyebrow
"The sword needs a name." Rhea said, "Your Father looked rather disappointed that you did not name it when he brought it forth to you."
"I....." Aerion looked at the sword, "I do not know."
"You have not thought of it?" Rhea asked him
He shook his head, "Not really." He said, "I am not good with names. I did think of something like Bronzeclaw but it is very unoriginal."
Rhea chuckled, "Oh, Aerion." She said, "That sword will be your prized possession for years to come. You might be motivated to pass it down to your son, should Rhaenyra give you one. And that son will pass it down his. It is necessary that it has a meaningful name."
"I know." Aerion said, "But what is the rush?"
"Hm....." Rhea said, "Would you like me to name it?"
"Vehemence.....Exultation...." Aerion closed his eyes and thought real hard, "I.....I do not know.."
"Simple yet meaningful." Rhea said with a smile, "What would it be?"
Aerion then looked past her, seeing that Princess Rhaenyra was walking towards them with a slight smile on her face.
Rhea turned around and saw this, "Oh, Princess!" She said with a smile, "Good, you are here. Aerion was thinking of names for his sword."
"Oh." Rhaenyra said as she reached them, "Is that so? Well, I found it odd that he did not name it so quickly."
"My son is not good with these types of things." Rhea said as Rhaenyra stood next to Aerion, "He finds it difficult to be creative."
"A sword might outlive you, my husband, especially if it is Valyrian Steel. A good name is needed, especially if it is meant to pass down to your children." She said with a smile
Aerion stood there, in deep thought, his eyes wandering off and giving off a strange. But this was unlike that scary look that was common of him nowadays, this one was strangely warm.
"I do not speak of her...at all....." Aerion said suddenly, "She was but alive for a few months....and....when she left us.....I was devastated...."
Rhea looked down and gulped, knowing who he was referring to: Aerion's late sister and Daemon's daughter, who died from illness shortly after being born. It was a devastating moment for both Rhea and Daemon, and they were not prepared for how it would affect Aerion, who was but five years old when she was born.
The only times that Aerion ever smiled were when he would spend time next to his sister's cradle, and a warm love radiated from him. Those moments were so rare that nobody would dare bother him when it happened. They were so rare that even Daemon missed them and after the girl died, something in both Daemon and Aerion changed, leaving Rhea with a feeling of guilt.
It happened so long ago that despite "moving on", Rhea often thinks of her daughter, but the pain is so much she would rather tell herself it never happened. Which is not healthy.
"Aerion....." Rhaenyra said softly, "You...."
"I want her name to live on with me...." Aerion said seriously as he looked at his blade, "She may not have been with us for long, but the memory of her is but everlasting.....my beloved sister.....she will be by my side at all times...."
"Lady Rhaena...."
Comments
Luis
Niceeeeee
