The tragic love story of Prince Aerys of House Targaryen and Lady Alicent of House Hightower was a well known tale told by mothers to their children and to their grandchildren for centuries to come. The story had been heard from so many mouths that...
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Half a year had passed since Viserys had named Aerys heir and the Lords of the Noble houses had knelt before him swearing fealty. Since then not much had changed for Aerys, though now he supposed when he asked Otto for his daughter's hand he wouldn't have reason to say no.
Aerys was thinking of how he would ask when Lord Corlys came storming into the Small Council's meeting room.
"Four ships have now been lost. The last one was flying my banner. The Stepstones have now grown into a conflagration, yet you sit here and dither about court business."
"If you've something to discuss, Lord Corlys-" Otto began.
"I want to know what is to be done about my ships and my men."
"The crown will compensate you for your ship and crew and make an offering to the men's families."
"I don't want compensation." Lord Corlys growled, rage rolling off of him in waves. "I want to seize the Stepstones by force and burn out this Crabfeeder."
"I am not prepared to start a war with the Free Cities." Viserys dismissed.
"These pirates are not the Free Cities."
"Who do you think provides them with their ships and tender?"
"In all of its history, my lord, the Seven Kingdoms have never entered open war with the Free Cities." Lord Beesbury spoke. "Were that to happen the losses would be incalculable."
Lord Corlys rounded the table, looming over Lord Beesbury. "What reason does the Crabfeeder have to fear us? The King's own brother has been allowed to seize Dragonstone and fortify it with an army of his gold cloaks. Daemon has squatted there for over half a year without even a protest from the Crown."
"I'll caution you, Lord Corlys, a seat at the King's table does not make you his equal." Ser Otto spoke.
"I have acted, Lord Corlys. I've sent envoys to Pentos and Volantis to see if we might find common cause. Ships and men are at the ready. The Stepstones will be settled in time." Viserys explained.
"You have dragonriders, father." Princess Rhaenyra spoke to the surprise and annoyance of everyone in the room, though Aerys was impressed by the gall Rhaenyra had to speak up. "Send us."
"It isn't that simple, Rhaenyra." Viserys spoke, dismissing his daughter's opinion.
"She has a point, brother. It would prove how serious we are in the matter," Aerys spoke up defending his niece.
"It would be a show of force." Rhaenyra added on.
"At least the Princess has a plan." Lord Corlys chuckled, causing Aerys to glare at him.
"I only meant that we should at least-" The Princess tried to explain herself.
"Perhaps, there's some better use of the Princess's talents, Your Grace." Ser Otto spoke, interrupting Princess Rhaenyra.
"Why don't you take the Princess to see about the New Kingsgaurd, Lord Commander?"
"A fine idea, Your Grace." Ser Harrold agreed.
"This knight will protect you as well. You should choose." Viserys spoke in an effort to placate his daughter.
Rhaenyra sighted, exiting the room without even a glance at her father.
...
Later that day Aerys went looking for Alicent, hoping to speak to the young Hightower woman. The two had been quite busy since Aerys was named heir, both finding it difficult to find time for each other. Rounding the corner near his brother's chambers, Aerys almost ran into Alicent.
"Alicent," the man smiled down at the woman, pride filling him at the pendant around her neck. "I was just coming to find you."
A look of fear crossed her brown eyes as Alicent began to pick at the skin of her thumb. "Were you?"
"Yes, though it is strange to see you in the halls of the royal family's rooms, what were you doing up here?"
"I was- I was searching for Rhaenyra, I was meant to meet with her."
"Oh, I was hoping you might have some free time. But I shall not keep my niece waiting." Aerys took Alicent's hand in his own, pressing a kiss to the delicate skin on the back of her hand. Stepping to the side Aerys watched as Alicent scurried past him.
...
Stepping out of Maegor's Holdfast, Aerys entered the Godswood. A book in his hand in hopes to read under the white weirwood heart tree.Sitting against the trunk of the tree and looking up at the red leaves was Rhaenyra, much to Aerys' confusion.
"What are you doing here, Rhaenyra?" Aerys asked, causing his niece to turn to look at him.
"What do you mean, Kepas? Am I not allowed to visit the Godswood?"
"No, I was merely wondering why you weren't meeting with Lady Alicent."
"Lady Alicent is busy, she is helping her father with something."
Aerys ran through his earlier conversation with Alicent, the young woman had said she needed to meet with Rhaenyra, had she not? No, Aerys was sure of it. But here was Rhaenyra saying she had no plans with Alicent.
"Why do you ask Kepas?" Rhaenyra asked bringing Aerys back to the present.
"I am not used to seeing one of you without the other, is all."
Rhaenyra merely hummed in response, patting the ground beside her. "Care to join me Kepas."
"I would be delighted to, Nyra." Aerys sat beside his niece, his arm pressing against hers. "Tell me about picking a new Kingsguard, that must have been exciting."
A smile spread across Rhaenyra's face as she delved into the story describing each of the Knights.
"Tourney knights them all," Rhaenyra laughed. "But in questioning them, I discovered that Ser Criston was the only man among them with true battle experience."
"He was a fine competitor at the tourney." Aerys grinned at his niece, though his smile did not meet his eyes. "I'm sure you have chosen well, and he will make a fine knight of the Kingsgaurd."
"How are you feeling, Aerys? After being named Heir?"
"I truthfully did not want it. You could have been named heir and I would have been happy."
"If only I weren't born a girl." Rhaenyra's smile fell.
"Do not say that. You would make a wonderful Queen of the Seven realms." Aerys spoke, bumping his arm against Rhaenyra's smaller shoulder.
