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House of The Dragon-For The Queen, Not The Prince: What Could Have Been: Chapter 11
🕑 Added 2025-03-31 18:38:22 +0000 UTC(Third Person POV)
[King's Landing, A Year Later....]
"To think that with three dragons, the Triarchy still put up a fight...." Lord Jasper said, "What does that say about the Crown?"
They were all sitting down in the Small Council room, discussing the conflict in the stepstones.
Otto sighed, "According to reports, the Triarchy forces greatly outnumbered the Velaryon forces. And when Prince Daemon engaged them, they retreated into the caves in the island, having a stalemate that lasted for days or weeks at a time." He said, "And Ser Laenor did not join the fighting until much later."
"Still, we have wasted many resources on sending dragons to war there." Queen Alicent said, "Sending shipments of feed for three dragons who did not overwhelm the enemy. What was the point? We should have had Vermithor retreat if that were to be the case."
"Aerion was pivotal in several battles, minimizing the Velaryon casualties." Viserys said, "He helped keep Morale up. He defeated a top commander in single combat, giving their men a chance to get momentum on their side."
"Yes, my love, but did that end the war?" Alicent said, "It did not."
"I hear Vermithor was rarely used." Lord Tyland said, "It was mostly Caraxes that engaged in battle, burning ships and men while Vermithor stayed in the backlines."
"That was by order of both Daemon and Lord Corlys." Viserys explained, "They were his commanders, he will listen to orders given by them."
"But why have the fiercest dragon if you are not going to use him?" Queen Alicent said, "The boy should have been brought back after a year. There was no point in refusing Lady Rhea when she first brought the concerns to us."
"If I recall, it was you who wanted him to have presence there." Viserys said with a chuckle, "Why the change of hearts."
"It has been two years, Viserys. The boy was there for two years, I figured by letting him stay at least a few months there, the war would end."
"That just proves how troublesome the Triarchy is." Otto said, "But it was merely House Velaryon that was clashing with their full-might. If we had sent more troops, there would be more incentive to crush them."
"We did not have the coin for that." Alicent said
"Her Grace is correct." Lord Beesbury said, "It would have been costly."
"Regardless, the conflict is apparently dying down." Otto continued, "Aerion has already garnered a terrifying reputation."
"Aerion of Bloodstone, Red-Hair Aerion, The Bloody Dragon, and the Hundred-Man Slayer....." Lord Jasper, "Pretty unsettling for a boy about to turn ten and four, no?"
Viserys sighed, "That is a mere understatement." He said, "Lady Rhea is here, about to petition for another Royal Command to bring him back home."
"This time, we shall do just that." Otto said, "Ser Laenor and Prince Daemon can manage without him."
"Yes, I could not agree with you more, Otto." Viserys said
As they said that, the doors opened and a guard walked in, "Your Grace!" He called, "We had just received urgent news!"
Viserys frowned, "What is it?"
"A new report has come in from the Stepstones." the Guard said as everyone looked up at him with surprise, "The Triarchy has been defeated and forced to retreat back to Essos! The Velaryon forces are victorious! The War is over!"
"Prince Daemon and his son, Lord Aerion are returning!"
***************
"Is that...?" some ladies of the court said as Prince Daemon walked inside the Throne room, "Prince Daemon....."
Everyone murmured amongst each other as Daemon walked up to where Ser Harold stood, in front of the steps to the Iron Throne. Sitting on the throne, Viserys looked at his brother with a somewhat serious look on his face.
"Your Grace." Daemon said
Viserys looked past Daemon, "Where is Aerion?" Was the first thing to come out of his mouth, "You take the boy away for two years and he is not with you?"
Daemon chuckled, "Good to see you too, Brother." He said with a slight smirk, "Aerion is a bit late. He was escorting part of a returning force of Velaryon ships back to Driftmark. He should be here soon."
"Is it true then?" Viserys said, "Is the conflict truly over?"
"I would assume so." Daemon said, "After smashing the Triarchy, Lord Corlys had some of his forces to remain in the outposts. Ser Laenor will remain for a few months to maintain a presence. It was quite the spectacle, the final battle of Bloodstone."
Viserys narrowed his eyes, "Is that so?"
"Oh yes." Daemon said, "I would love to sit here and tell the story if you all will not mind."
Viserys sighed and stood up from the throne, "You will do no such thing." he said as he walked down the steps, "Not here at least."
Ser Harold moved to the side as Viserys walked up to Daemon, who was giving him a slight smirk.
"He is ready." Daemon said
Viserys nodded, "Is that so?"
"That is why I am here." Daemon said, "I need you to do it now."
"Let me see him first, then we will discuss that." Viserys said as he patted his shoulder, "I will have you tell me your war-stories over some drinks later. Welcome home, brother."
"It does feel good to be back after so long." Daemon said, "War can be quite brutal, you see."
"I know." Viserys said as he stepped to the side and gestured his hands outwars, "Now.....let us celebrate! The War in the Stepstones is over. We shall invite House Velaryon for this celebration!"
****************
"Where is he?" Lady Rhea said as she approached Ser Gerold, "Gerold!"
"Good to see you, My Lady." Ser Gerold said with a smile, "We had just returned, he was waiting for me to reach the pier on the ship."
They were in the training yard, most of the Royce Knights had gathered in anticipation of their young lord's return. Lady Rhea had come to King's Landing to petition another Royal Command; she had spent too long without seeing Aerion. She was hit with the surprise of the news that the War was over and had anxiously waited for his return.
She saw Daemon had returned but paid no mind to him as he ignored her as well. The Rogue Prince knew that she would solely think of Aerion.
Ser Gerold turned around and gestured to the far side of the yard, "There he is."
Over by a weapon's rack, Aerion was seen standing.
Lady Rhea widened her eyes in surprise; her son was finally back. She took a step forward but stopped, noticing a major difference in Aerion.
He was taller. Much taller than before. He stood over Six feet and two inches, towering most of the Royce Knights at this point. He was wearing his colors; black and bronze as he had his left hand resting on his sword's handle. From the side, Lady Rhea saw that Aerion had a fierce look in his eye, which was gazing upon the weapon's rack for whatever reason.
Rhea looked at his hair, which was slicked back as usual; Aerion's preferred hair style. It was still his color; pure white. It was not the stained red that she had heard so much about; although those stories were not untrue. She noticed that there were not noticeable scars on his face, which brought her relief.
"Aerion...." She said softly as she slowly walked over
She had heard stories of her son's exploits and the brutal battles he had taken part in. The reputation Aerion had gotten at such a young age was not something Rhea had hoped for him. Deep down, she believed that it was possible that her son would return a completely different person. War can change even the strongest of wills, no matter the age, and Aerion was very young when he first left. Even now, Rhea considered him a boy.
As she reached him, Aerion looked at her, a calm yet serious look on his face.
"Oh." He said simply, "Mother."
His face softened a few seconds after laying his eyes upon his Mother, who stopped in front of him. Rhea could not help but feel overwhelming emotions. Tears filled her eyes as she tried to compose herself.
"Aerion..." She said as she hesitated to reach for him, "You are back...."
She may be the Lady of Runestone, an honorable woman as she was a fighter, but Rhea Royce was a Mother first. Currently, the mother is trying her best not to lose her composure and not to break down in front of her family.
Rhea reached for his cheek, patting it, sniffing hardly, "You stupid fool of a boy...." she said shakily, "You had me worried.....do not ever do that again....gods, I wanted to smack you and give you an earful when you returned....."
Aerion had not reacted to the touch of his mother's hand, "Hm..." He said simply, "I am fine, Mother. I have finally returned. The fighting is over, I am here now."
"Yes." She said softly, "I know. It feels surreal....my beautiful boy is back...."
"I love you so much, Aerion."
