64 Reflection

Later, during the evening.

The sky was covered by dark, menacing clouds. The moon itself had been dulled by the very same clouds, leading to a rather depressive mood among the residents of Volantis. It looked like it was going to rain cats and dogs soon... which certainly wasn't going to be pleasant.

Knowing that he had at least a week before Lord Stannis would reach King's Landing, Aerion didn't decide to fly straight to King's Landing. He used this spare time to reflect on the Trial of Valyria and how he would proceed moving forward which led to the subject of who he was becoming as a result of the journey.

Although it was no more than a trial, the actions that he committed would make the people who he considered despicable look like saints in comparison. With every excuse, he found himself falling deeper and deeper into a pit of darkness. It all began with the Mountain... and those who followed him around that time period. He killed for survival then. But now, he wouldn't even blink when burning a city of tens of thousands. Even if it was a trial... how long would it be until he did so outside of a trial?

Furthermore, he found himself becoming a prisoner of fate. Since the Night King's strength was far mightier than his own, he forced himself to go on the Journey to Valyria because he felt that it was his duty. It was not what he wanted to do but rather what he had to do for everyone else. In the end, he was pleased with the rewards that he had reaped... however, this feeling of gain did not last long.

'Why do I feel so empty... so unfulfilled...'

Aerion sighed as he opened his eyes and looked at the dark sky. Almost every day, he would put on a cheerful front and continue onwards. That way no one would realise and bother him with some lecture... he preferred to deal with matters by himself anyway.

Then it began to rain.

A few drops fell... which suddenly turned into an entire shower. The sky rumbled with lightning while the wind howled and roared, sounding like a fearsome wolf turned dragon. Aerion remained still on a bench in his garden, however, as the cold rain fell on his face. He was the one who asked to be undisturbed... and here he was. Undisturbed and alone.

A small three-headed black dragon descended from the skies with a whole charred rabbit between all three of its heads. It dropped the rabbit beside him like a dog who had fetched a ball and returned it to the master.

Aerion chuckled.

"You have started to hunt on your own, huh?"

The dragon nodded as if it understood what he said. It grabbed the rabbit by its teeth once more and placed into Aerion's hands.

'No way in seven hells I'm going to eat that...'

He threw it in the air, right above the dragon. It leapt into the air, catching the rabbit before it could fall onto the ground. Aerion was both amused and impressed by the dragon's growth. And his own attachment towards the dragon, as well. It was like his own child... but a dragon. He had given life to it and watched the dragon grow before his eyes, day by day. It was a strange yet unbreakable bond that they shared.

Once the dragon caught the rabbit, it started to feast.

"There are so many wonderful dragon names... hmm... what about Vermithor?"

He had given it some thought beforehand. Indeed, there were many wonderful dragon names but Aerion had always admired Jaehaerys I Targaryen, whom he considered the greatest Targaryen King, and the dragon by his side was none other than Vermithor the Bronze Fury. Also, in his opinion, Vermithor simply sounded mightier than the rest.

In terms of appearance, however, the name 'Blackfyre' was all too perfect. It was a three-headed black dragon, after all. But Aerion was not too fond of that name due to its connection to House Blackfyre.

Vermithor nodded as he continued to feast upon the rabbit.

'I'm feeling a little tired...'

...

After convincing the Kingsguard to let her through, Jocelyn paced across the garden and watched Aerion sleeping in peace with Vermithor beside him at a distance.

"What kind of person sleeps in the garden alone?" She muttered. "In this weather, no less..."

Although there was a barrier protecting him from the rain, Jocelyn thought that it was not the best place to sleep. So she ordered the Soul Knights to carry him to his chambers. They followed the order, realising that it was probably for his better good.

...

When Aerion drifted off into a long slumber, his mind wandered off into several dreams... until he encountered something unique. He saw his perfect reflection in a mirror. Perfect, albeit different.

"Do not hesitate any longer... embrace what you have become! Be free from all restraints... that is the only way that one achieves true power and fulfilment. The opinion of sheep does not matter... after all, what power do they have? In truth, they are more useful to us dead rather than alive... innocent or not... what does that even matter? All you have to do is embrace the truth and march onwards, Aerion Targaryen! By the end, this Night King you fear will be nothing to us."

Aerion frowned as he heard his own voice from the reflection. The reflection's eyes were emerald and as cold as the ice in the northernmost reaches of Westeros. Although the reflection seemed passionate, Aerion could see that it was empty on the inside. The opinion of the smallfolk were, indeed, not relevant... but what of those close to him? If he continued down this path, would there ever be redemption in the end?

"A suggestion before I grant my blessings... you should learn to be forgiving."

'...'

"At least, consider the feelings of those around you before you draw your blade. Some people can be redeemed... others less so. I'll let you think about that later."

'Forgiving... it will be difficult....'

Aerion opened his palm and burned away the mirror completely, turning it into ashes.

'But I refuse to become him.'

Having cleared his mind, Aerion felt much better as he slept. He was cheerful, even. It felt like a decisive step away from the path that he was growing worried off. As time passed, the terrible weather began to fade.

Aerion woke up at the break of dawn and looked at Vermithor who rested beside him. He was in a deep slumber, that was clear. Without wasting much time, he walked out of his chambers to start his day... beginning with a wonderful steaming-hot bath. Afterwards, he put on a new set of luxurious clothing and ate delicious food worthy of a King to break his fast.

'I wonder who moved me to my chambers...'

He sat in a small hall with all those who were close to him.

"Come on now... you can tell us where you really went." Arianne attempted to convince Aerion to spill the beans once more, after her attempt the previous day failed.

"Do you really want to know?" Aerion chuckled.

"Why else would Arrianne ask that question?" His mother interjected. "We all want to know, in truth."

"I don't see the issue with revealing the truth at all," Viserys added. "The Trials are behind us now, nephew... however, I believe that they would be most difficult to explain."

Aerion smiled. "I am capable, Viserys. But this story of ours would be better told in the night... with the clouds rumbling with thunder and the heavy rain crashing against the earth."

"How frightening," Jaime remarked, chuckling slightly.

"Aww..." Jocelyn pouted slightly.

"Hmm..." He turned to Jocelyn. "I'm afraid that a child so small will not come out unscathed after hearing this terrifying tale... perhaps it would be best if you sit this one out."

"Hmph, I'm no child!" Jocelyn refuted. "And I'm not small either."

Aerion laughed. "Sure..."

"Besides, I am a strong Baratheon princess who doesn't fear any story."

"And yet you fear the darkness." Aerion chuckled. "My tale? Oh, it would make you shake for years to come."

"I... I'm not like that anymore!"

Everyone in the hall chuckled at Jocelyn's priceless expression, who ended up storming out of the hall in embarrassment.

"That... was quite drastic," Aerion remarked as he finished his wine. "I did not expect such a result."

"Ours is the Fury!" Viserys made a jest out of House Baratheon's sacred words, raising his chalice of wine. "You should watch your step, nephew. She might stab you with a fork next time."

"... I'll go speak to her."

Aerion stood up from the head of the table and followed Jocelyn.

"Aerion seems to be enjoying this gathering more than the last. Did anything happen that I am unaware of?" Daenerys inquired.

"No, I don't believe so." Viserys shrugged. "He could have awakened on the right side of the bed..."

"It seems that you've changed as well, brother."

"I have?" Viserys stroked his chin in thought. The blessing that came with completing the trial did come to mind, making him wonder if he had truly changed.

"Appearances are not all that they seem, sweet sister."

"Perhaps not."

~

"Damn, you're quite fast." Aerion took a short breath as he caught up with Jocelyn who had sprinted all the way to his garden.

"Maybe I'm faster than you."

"Only in your dreams." Aerion chuckled as he walked closer to Jocelyn. "Did my statements from before upset you, Jocelyn?"

She mischievously smiled. "And what if they did?"

Aerion smiled as he began to realise that this entire 'storming out of the hall' was an act. "I did not expect a 'strong Baratheon princess' to be this emotional upon being teased. Do forgive me for being so inconsiderate."

"To think that the great Stormcaller would care so much about my wellbeing to chase after me... I truly am fortunate, am I not?"

"Indeed, you are." Aerion scratched his hair. "But you've embarrassed yourself in front of everyone to prove that."

"I believe it was a worthwhile trade." She chuckled. "Don't you?"

"I value my image." Aerion shrugged in response.

"It's difficult... to tarnish your perfect image."

"What?" Aerion frowned as Jocelyn's wording and tone were quite confusing. "I hear that some who follow the Faith label me as the Devil's spawn, or something close to that. I wouldn't define my image as perfect."

"... Nevermind. Forget what I said."

"Alright then." Aerion turned around. "Will you return to the hall or...?"

"I'll go to my chamber and study for a while... I've finished my food anyway."

He watched Jocelyn walk away with a Soul Knight guarding her before returning to the dining hall.

'Perfect image?'

Aerion did not give much further thought to that statement.