The King's Health

(Aerion's POV)

"That is enough." Viserys said, "Back down, Aerion. Now." 

Daemon looked at me with a serious face, "Back away, boy." He said seriously

I picked Lady Rhea up, sheathed and all and backed away, "That's what I thought." I said as I looked at Uncle, "We are done here." 

"Aerion." Alicent started, "You-" 

"No, we are done." I cut her off, "Let's go, Rhaenyra." 

"I..." Rhaenyra started as I gently turned her around moved her forward

"Aerion." Viserys called, "Wait." 

I stopped and looked at him, "Yes." 

"You cannot keep this up, I am trying here." Viserys said as he looked at me, "I am trying to keep my Family together." 

I approached him and placed my hand on his shoulder, "Uncle...." I said softly, "I know.....for that, I will always have love for you. But for him? Never." 

Viserys nodded and looked down, coughing slightly, "You cannot ignore him for much longer. No matter how much you want to..." He said as he looked back up at me, "The Blood of The Dragon runs thick. We must always remain together." 

"Hm." I said as I turned around, "You are a good man, Your Grace. Better than him at least." 

I placed my hand on Rhaenyra's waist as she looked at her Father, "Father...." She said softly, "I have to go with my boys, I am sorry...." 

Viserys smiled, "It is fine, my girl." He said, "Your leave for Dragonstone is not granted, Lord Aerion. You and my daughter will stay here for the Night. I wish to spend more time with my grandsons." 

I nodded without looking at him, "If that's your desire, Your Grace." I said as I looked at Rhaenyra, "Let's go, love." 

She nodded, "Okay..." 

We then walked out of the room as Ser Steffon, who happened to be outside, closed the door behind us. 

************************************

"Here, make sure she's clean and fed, okay?" Rhaenyra said as she handed Visenya to Elinda

"Of course, Princess." She said as she looked at me, "I apologize, My Lord.....for this...I should have not taken the Princess to her aunt's chambers." 

I was twirling a gold coin in my fingers as I sat in a seat, "Don't apologize, Elinda..." I said, "Helaena deserves to see her if she wishes, I will not deny anyone that right.....just him..." 

Rhaenyra stood next to me as she patted my shoulder, "Leave us alone, okay?" She told Elinda, "Make sure Ser Lorent escorts you." 

"Of course, Princess." She said as she walked away

I watched as she left the room, going to where she usually bathes the children, in a much more appropriate room, the temperature and atmosphere I suppose. 

"I am sorry this had to happen." Rhaenyra said softly as she rubbed my shoulder

I shook my head, "It's fine..." I said, "I didn't think he would go to your father to do this.....the snake...." 

She sighed, "Knowing how Daemon is..." She said as she walked around the chair and sat on my lap, "This was probably the best route....not that I agree with it...." 

I held her waist as she wrapped her arms around my neck, "I hate it..." I said

She leaned in and patted my cheek, "Aerion...." She said softly, "Forget about him....You hold so much anger in your heart....it will twist you and warp you into something I won't recognize...I don't want to see that...." 

I looked ahead, frowning seriously, "What else am I supposed to feel, Rhaenyra?" I said, "You know why I am angry...." 

"What will satiate that anger, Aerion?" She asked as she moved my face to look at her, "Tell me. Do you want to kill him? Is that it?" 

"No." I said softly, "That's.....I will not be a Kinslayer...Only those who have no honor will stoop so low, they will be cursed for life.....they will no longer be their old self and nobody will look at them the same...." 

"Then what?" She asked

"I just don't want him around me...." I said as I placed my hand on her leg, "I...I want to forget about him...just by being with you....with the boys....with my precious girl....I want to live my life without him, that's all....." 

"But you want him to cut himself....to even the odds?" She asked

"That's the other option." I said truthfully, "If he wants my anger to be satiated, that's what it'll take.....Rhaenyra, what he did to my Mother...." 

"I know, my love...." She said as she leaned into my face and kissed my forehead, "I know....But for you to do that will take you closer to the edge where Daemon Targaryen thrives....I know the kind of man he is...a manipulative monster who only does things for his own gain...." 

"For him to touch our daughter..." I said softly, "It is an insult to you....I cannot forgive that. I never will....Rhaenyra, anyone who insults you....I will strike them down...." 

She placed her hand on my chest, "My Champion...." She said while chuckling, "My Love...every time I look at you, my heart beats faster and my stomach sinks.....I feel nothing but adoration for you, Aerion....and guilt....what did I do to deserve such a man? Someone who goes through such lengths for me....I..." 

I placed my finger on her lips, "Shh..." I said, "Let's finish what we started, no?" 

She blushed, "O-Okay...." She said, "Of course...." 

************************************************

(Third Person POV)

In the King's chambers, Grand Maester Orwyle was preparing an ointment in his mortar pestle as Otto stood next to him. 

Viserys sat on a seat, shirtless with his back turned to the other Maesters who were removing some bandages and exposing his infected wounds from the leprosy he suffered from. 

"Hm..." Otto said as he had his hands in front of him, "Grand Maester, is it me or do they look...better?" 

Orwyle turned around and approached the King, "Hm, let's see..." He said as he gently tapped the wounds with a small iron rod, "The flesh is no longer rotted....that is odd...." 

"Is that a good thing?" Viserys asked

"Your Grace, how are you feeling? Your body, your mind, pretty much anything you can describe to me." Orwyle asked

"I feel.....better..." Viserys said, "I still have that cough, but other than that....my bones feel sturdier and I don't have much pain in those cuts in my back." 

"I have the treatment for your coughing ready, Your Grace, You are not in pain?" Orwyle asked as he reached for the ointment on the table

"N-No...." Viserys said, "Discomfort, more than anything." 

"Interesting." Orwyle said, "It's like the condition is regressing....it started in discomfort and then into pain...and it would've gone into excruciating pain if left untreated. It appears out treatment is improving your health." 

"Have you made any changes, Grand Maester?" Otto asked

"Well, just switched out some herbs on the ointments, that is all." Orwyle said, "But I didn't think it would cause drastic improvements. Nevertheless, It will go into my notes and we shall continue his treatment. I have good hopes that His Grace will become healthier." 

"That's good...." Viserys said

"Hm..." Otto said, "Indeed...." 

Orwyle began to apply the ointment on his back as the other maesters lifted his arm and began to wrap his recently opened wounds, which were seemingly healing. 

Viserys looked at Otto, "What do make of this Daemon situation?" 

"If he's content with meeting his granddaughter, then I hope that it is something we shouldn't worry about." Otto said

"Daemon..." Viserys said as a maester had him drink a tea, gulping the hot liquid as he let out a slight gasp, "Ah.....his time with Laena Velaryon changed him....her death must have crushed him...his poor girls...they will understand..and he will reconcile with them....." 

"Yes." Otto said, "I imagine they would..." 

"But Aerion...." Viserys sighed, "That boy....." 

"There is so much anger in him."