Before The Petition

(Aerion's POV)

"Brother!" Rhaena said as she ran up to me

I smiled, "Ah, my sisters." I said as I caught her in a hug, "I've missed you." 

Baela walked up to me as Rhaena pulled away, giving me a smile. The two of them had grown so much, I hardly recognized them. The first time I saw them, they were mere girls. And now, they've grown to be beautiful maidens. 

"Hello, Brother." Baela smiled

I leaned in and kissed her on the cheek, "Sister, are you well?" I asked

"Yes." She replied

"I'm glad to hear that." I said as I stepped back

"Can we see her?" Rhaena asked, "Our niece?" 

I nodded, "Of course." I said, "Your Grandmother is speaking to Rhaenyra at the moment. You'll be able to see Rhea shortly. Preferably before the petition, which is in a few hours." 

"Okay. I heard Grandmother gave you an egg, is it true?" Rhaena asked me

I nodded, "Yes." I said, "An obsidian black one. I think Viserys would like it. Say, there are a couple more eggs that are available. You can have your choice from them." 

"W-What?" She said, taken aback, "Really?" 

I patted her cheek, "Of course, my beloved sister." I said with a smile, "Anything for you." 

Baela gave me a frown, "Uhm, Brother...." She said, "There is something I wish to tell you....do not get mad...." 

I looked at her, "What is it?" I asked

"Well the thing is-" She started

"I am here." I heard a voice

I looked past them and saw Daemon walking up to us, a sly smirk on his face. The mere sight of him irritated me and I couldn't help but roll my eyes. 

"Oh. You." I said as he reached us

"Now now, son." He said as he patted Rhaena's shoulder, "I am here on good graces. I must say, Ser Vaemond is quite adamant about this whole succession business." 

I gave him a scowl, "Surely, you don't support him." I said

"He made quite the great points, I have to say." He said with a chuckle

"Daemon." I started

"Ah." He lifted his finger, "That's 'father', for you." 

"Oh, shut up." I said as I sighed, "What do you want?" 

"Let's go and have something to eat, the four of us." He said, "Catch up." 

"You're not seeing my daughter." I told him

He had a slight look of disappointment in his face, his scar twitching. 

"Brother." Baela said, "Don't be like that." 

"Rhaenyra forbids it." I said, "And I surely don't want him near my children. Not after what he did." 

"It's okay, daughter." Daemon said, "May I at least know her name?" 

"Rhea." I told him

"Oh." He said, taken aback, "Okay...tha'ts....that's a good name." 

"I'm sure it is." I said

"You named your sword that and now your daughter." He said, "Don't you think it's a bit too much?" 

"I didn't know that I'll want to have more daughters when I named my sword." I said seriously, "Anyways, what's it to you?" 

"Well-" He started

"Enough." Rhaena said as she grabbed my hand, "Let's not be divided. We need to stay united, as a Family." 

"Hm." I said as I looked at her, "For you, yes. For him? Well, you know." 

"You promised us you wouldn't fight anymore, Brother." Baela said

"Ah, let him be. This isn't fighting." Daemon chuckled, "Some bickering won't hurt." 

I pulled away from Rhaena and smiled at my sisters, "There are some news for you sisters soon." I told them, "Just wait, okay? I have to go check on the children." 

As I turned around, I saw a figure standing in the hallway, catching a flash of white. 

I stopped, narrowing my eyes, seeing a tall young man with a sharp jawline standing before me. I wouldn't have recognized him if it weren't for the eyepatch. 

"Aemond!" I said with surprise, "Is that you?" 

"Mm." Aemond said with no reaction, "Cousins." 

I glanced back at the girls, they looked unsettled by Aemond's presence. I wouldn't blame them, considering what had happened back then. I noticed Daemon was merely standing there, smiling slyly. 

"Aemond." I said as I looked back at him, "How have you been?" 

"Better." He said simply, "I heard you were back, with more offspring." 

I frowned, "Well, they're your nieces and nephews." I said, "More than just offspring." 

"Mm, I guess that's right." He said coldly, his gaze piercing me with an inhuman glint, "You're still taller than me." 

"Yea, I guess so." I said, "Why?" 

"Are you better than me in the sword, though?" He asked out of nowhere, "I heard you've been a pacifist as of late." 

"I haven't fought in a while, that's true." I said while crossing my arm, "But that doesn't make me weaker." 

"When was the last time your sword drew blood?" He asked

I pointed back at Daemon without looking, "Him."

"You're rusty." Aemond said

"And you're making assumptions." I said, "What's your deal? Are you here seeking for blood? Take it easy, cousin. I didn't come here to fight, you know." 

Aemond looked past me and at who I assume was Daemon, "I assume he's not here to fight either, unless...." He said before his eye darted back to me, "Mm." 

"What?" I asked as I glanced back at Daemon who was merely smiling slyly

"Nothing." He said before turning around and walking away, "I wish you good fortune on the petition later." 

As he walked away, I heard Daemon scoff, "What a cunt." He said, "He definitely came out of that Queen." 

I looked at him with a frown, "That's your nephew." 

He shrugged, "I don't give a shit."

"What are you up to, Daemon?" I asked, "What's your business here?" 

"I'm here to see what Vaemond is going to do, my son." He said with a chuckle, "All this is very amusing to me." 

"Is that so?" I said, "You spoke with him, didn't you? What did you plan with him?" 

"Nothing, right Father?" Rhaena said

"Nothing indeed, Aerion." He told me with a smirk, "I'll see you lot later." 

He turned around and walked away. 

I gritted my teeth, feeling completely irritated by this. 

"That...." I said under my breath, "Whatever...." 

"Brother, forget all that for now." Baela walked up to me and grabbed my hand while smiling, "Take us to our newborn niece, yes? I would love to see her." 

I chuckled, my mood getting better all of the sudden, "Okay then." I said with a smile, "Fine, let's go, sisters." 

"Let's take you to Rhea."