Lull

(Aerion's POV)

"Aerion!" I turned to see Rhaenyra running up to me, "A-Are you okay?" 

She ran into my arms, hugging me as she immediately pulled me down for a kiss. I was taken aback by this; feeling the sensation of our lips as she pressed her body against mine. 

She pulled away after a few moments of kissing, holding my face as she gave me a worried look, "You idiot..." She whispered

"I'm fine." I told her

"Rhaenyra." I heard The King speak

"Father..." She said as she looked at Viserys who was standing a few feet away

Rhaenyra and the children were escorted by the Runestone Knights shortly I after I left. It took them a while to sail back to Dragonstone and by the time she got here, everything was already resolved. The King had Daemon fly over to King's Landing and he obeyed without much resistance. He was about to begin his "imprisonment". 

To think that Viserys would be that lenient. 

Viserys walked up to us, "My girl." He said, "I did not want it to come to this. This....display....." 

She nodded as I held her by the waist, "I-It's fine, Your Grace..." She said as she looked up at me, "As long as my husband is well." 

"Where are the children?" I asked her

"In their chambers. Jace and Luke are with them." She said as she patted my chest

Viserys looked at me and sighed, "Aerion..." He said, "I cannot believe it came to this. I am glad it didn't escalate further. You displayed self-restraint, my boy, I am proud of you." 

I nodded, "Thank you, Your Grace." 

"Father." Rhaenyra said, "I....I don't want Daemon to get close to Dragonstone.....He is to be forbidden to see my Husband and my children."

Viserys looked at her, "He is the boy's father, Rhaenyra." He said, "And he is Visenya and Aegon's grandfather." 

"I don't care, Your Grace." Rhaenyra said firmly, "I am your Heir, this is my Seat, he attempted to take it, for what? For ambition? I cannot let that stand." 

"Rhaenyra." Viserys took a step forward

"Your Grace." I spoke up, "I agree with my Wife." 

He looked at me, "He's to be imprisoned and isolated in the Red Keep for half a year." He started, "I think-" 

"Half a year is not enough." Rhaenyra said, "He ought to be sent to the Wall or exiled to Essos. Father, I love you with all my heart, but this? You're being too soft on him." 

"Pardon me?" Viserys said, "What did you say?" 

"You're being soft on him." Rhaenyra repeated

I looked down, saying nothing.

She wasn't wrong. What Daemon did was not something to be taken lightly. He meant to usurp the Heir's Seat and steal my children away from me. But something bothered me; why did he give up so easily? 

Who were the men that he had with him? What was their deal? They wore armor and wielded weapons I didn't recognize. Why was Daemon Targaryen involved with such strange men.

"What say you, Aerion?" His Grace asked me, "Do you think I'm being too soft on my own Brother, your Father?" 

I looked at him, "I already told you what my feelings on this matter were." I said, "I am satisfied. He'll live out the rest of his life with that scar. What you do is up to you. But Rhaenyra is right, Your Grace. You're being soft. But I understand, he is your Brother, your Blood." 

He scoffed as he walked past us, "You children." He said, "Always with something to say." 

I nodded silently as he walked away, leaving Rhaenyra and I alone. 

Rhaenyra then grabbed me by my chin, "You..." She said softly, "You're a fool.....You almost killed him....You were so close to being branded a Kinslayer, Aerion!" 

I nodded, "I'm sorry." 

She shook her head, "Do not ever scare me like that." She said, "Ever." 

I wrapped my arm around her waist, "It's going to be okay." I said as I leaned into her and kissed her on the lips briefly, "I promise I won't do something this stupid..." 

She smiled, "I know you, Aerion Targaryen.." She said softly, 

"You will break that promise." 

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

[A Few Weeks Later]

"Ah!" Jace said as he released the bowstring

I looked over to see that he had hit the target, but on the far edges. 

"Hm." I said with a raised eyebrow, "Not bad. For you." 

He scowled, "Oh? You can do better?" He said

I nodded, "I can." 

"Well show me." He said as he stepped to the side

I walked over, took his bow, and grabbed an arrow from the quiver next to him, nocked the arrow, drew it as I took aim, and released it. 

The arrow flew directly at the target, hitting the bullseye. 

I looked at Jace who was merely standing there and staring with his lips curled. 

"Another one?" I asked as I grabbed another arrow, "Watch." 

I did the same thing, firing an arrow right next to the first one in the middle of the target. 

He merely crossed his arms as he was getting flustered. 

"I can do a third one." I said with a smirk, "Here, watch." 

I did the same thing once again, this time, I didn't look away from Jace, releasing the arrow and hearing the thud. 

I looked to see that it was nicely tucked next to the first to. 

"Show-off." He muttered

I chuckled as I gave him the bow, "You need better practice." I told him, "Or maybe a crossbow will do you good." 

"Crossbows are so easy...." He told me, "I can easily dodge a bolt." 

"I doubt that." I said, "But whatever you say." 

"What are the odds I die by crossbow bolt?" Jace chuckled as I walked over to the weapons rack, "Eh? Wanna make a bet?" 

I frowned, "Don't be a fool." I told him, "Quit talking like that." 

"If war were to break out, I know you'd be on the frontlines." He said, "You won't die easily, because you're so strong and have that Valyrian Steel armor and all. What are the odds you die by a crossbow bolt?" 

"Low." I said as I looked back at the rack, "What's your point?" 

"If you don't die, I guess I won't either." He said with a chuckle, "I can't die, I want to fight with you until we both die dragonrider deaths." 

"What's with the talk of death all of the sudden?" I said as I turned to look at him

"You ever wonder how you'd die?" He asked me

I shook my head, "Not really." 

"How so? Everyone dies at some point, whether it be of old age or illness." He said as he walked over to me, "How would you like to die?"

I looked at him, "What?" 

"It's a simple question." He said, "Me? I'd say I want to go out in battle, I guess. To die valiantly. Don't you want the same?" 

"A glorious death?" I asked before shaking my head again, "Not really." 

He frowned, "Then what?" 

"I don't know. I don't think about that." I said as I looked up at the sky and sighed, "Why'd you ask me this anyways?" 

"I don't know, making conversation." He said

"A bit too young for these grim talks." I told him

"Just answer the question." He said with a smile

"I'm being serious, I never thought about things like that." I said, "But....if you're going to be so insistent on knowing.....I guess.....I suppose...." 

"I'd rather it be in your Mother's Arms."