The Loveless Marriage

Aegon's rule was a little… disappointing. He was known for conquest but not exactly for being a great king, that much was true. It took him many years to make even the simplest of changes such as scrapping the Aegonfort for the Red Keep. Even as a conqueror he spent the better part of a decade trying to conquer Dorne and left with one less dragon, sister-wife and a less prosperous Realm. As for laws, he let every kingdom have their own without making many changes to truly intertwine the Seven Kingdoms into one. The thought of being Hand of the King did cross Aerion's mind… but that position was held by Orys Baratheon who was Aegon's best friend and a warrior. It was like making a whoremonger-less Robert Baratheon your hand which, to be fair, wasn't the best decision.

As for day-to-day rule… it was Rhaenys and Visenya who sat on the Iron Throne more than he did. Meanwhile, Aegon read books on his lonesome. It was at these times that Aerion would join him and share his wisdom.

Months would go by as Aerion continued to reign as master of ships and Lord admiral, using his fleet at King's Landing for trade in the Narrow Sea. He also aimed to improve foreign relations with the Free Cities to dissipate the fear that they might be conquered. Meanwhile… Jocelyn asked him to bring the best smiths to teach her their ways. Aerion found it bizarre that a princess would take up smithing, of all things, but she seemed so adamant about it. And so, he flew over to the Free Cities with his new dragon wings and hunted down the best smiths around, calling upon them in King's Landing.

He had grown rather close with Visenya Targaryen, occasionally training at arms with her. On some lonely nights when Aegon was with Rhaenys (which was most nights), he would jest and sometimes drink with the queen. He gained a lot of insight from their time together. For instance, she once told him in jest that she'd beat Aegon at arms more than he would've liked in their youth. She also was more vocal about her position…

~

The middle of 2 AC, a cold evening in the Aegonfort's courtyard.

The resounding sounds of Dark Sister clashing against Ambition could be heard far and wide for over an hour. While Aerion was still more skilled, Visenya had improved under his tutelage and proved to be a more worthy combatant. They were alone together on this occassion.

"It is true what they say..." Visenya lunged at Aerion, causing him to deflect her blow to the side.

"What do 'they' say?" Aerion smiled, blocking as she struck once more.

"That Aegon married me for... duty." Visenya forced him a step back, swiftly swatting Dark Sister at his side. "And my sister for love. Given the choice, he would have never married me at all. Neither would I..."

Aerion frowned slightly, feeling conflicted. He truly didn't know how to reply to that.

"If my sister and I have a son, Aegon would favour Rhaenys' line even though I am the eldest. Why is it that he can have a second spouse that he loves more... and I cannot? If I was a man... or if he was a woman, it would all be different."

"You think you're Aegon's better...." Aerion observed, taking a step backwards. "Is there truly no love between you?"

Visenya paused for a moment before nodding. They exchanged violet stares... but Aerion withdrew, sheathing Ambition.

"I believe that's enough practice for the day."

"..." Visenya Targaryen grabbed his hand, dropping Dark Sister.

"What?"

"... Nothing."

She let go, turning back to grab Dark Sister and sheathing it. Meanwhile, Aerion had a rather good view of her backside... intentional or not.

"Well then, I'll be going."

Aerion did have a good look before turning away.

...

"You are so cruel, you know that?" Bellona remarked as Aerion passed her in his bedchamber. "That poor woman is 𝒔𝒐 very lonely because her terrible husband much prefers her younger sister..."

"How does that have anything to do with me?"

"You have all the power. So what if Aegon takes it as a slight... what's he going to do? Slap your wrist?" Bellona smiled, observing him sit down. "If Aegon suffers a 'natural' heart attack, will you change your mind?"

"... Don't."

"I find it tempting." Bellona chuckled."You know what I find amusing? Your way of thinking. You always warp it to match what you have to do. For instance, when you brought the doom to Old Valyria yourself, you simply thought 'this isn't my world so it doesn't matter'... or something along those lines. In any case, you could apply that same logic here but you 𝒹𝑜𝓃'𝓉 𝓌𝒶𝓃𝓉 𝓉𝑜."

"She wants you... you want her... where's the issue?" Bellona laughed. "Your father did it with Lyanna so why can't you, the great Holy Valyrian Emperor, steal away Visenya?"

"Speak no more of this matter."

"Fine..." Bellona chuckled. "But, despite her stern nature, Visenya knows how to incite a man's lust with that voluptuous body of hers... and yours just needs a little spark to ignite into a raging fire."

"... She wouldn't." Aerion shook his head. "Despite everything, she is faithful to Aegon."

"How about a bet?" Bellona grinned. "If she tries to seduce you within a year, you'll have to fuck her and do it good. If she does not... you can have your way with me."

"You? Hardly worthwhile." Aerion scoffed.

"Oh, I know you want to fill my sweet mouth with something vulgar. You want to grab my smooth scarlet hair with those rough hands of yours and mount me from behind. You want... oh, you want so many things. You're thinking all about it right now, you pervert."

"Shut up already or I'll fill your mouth with my blade."

"I'll take that as a yes. Don't worry, I'll count the days."

Bellona chuckled, condensing into her tome and leaving Aerion on his own. He looked towards his table and, after a deep breath, continued to write his books.

~

"Negotiations with Dorne have been... mostly unsuccessful," Aegon announced to the small council. "Although, I still believe that a conclusion can be met. Regarding that... I will need you, Aerion."

"Eh?" Aerion stopped drinking from his goblet. "You want me to treat with House Martell?"

"Indeed." Aegon nodded. "I believe that your presence may sway the tides in our favour."

"And... if the Dornishmen decide to remove my head?" Aerion inquired, shaking his head. "Aye, I am capable of swaying people to my side but you do not understand how much Dorne's independence matters to them. You don't understand how stubborn they can be... and how much of a fight they're willing to put up."

"Are you calling our King a fool?" Crispian Celtigar, the master of coin, questioned.

"No... I am simply advising that we skip negotiations and move straight to conquering." Aerion shook his head, looking at Aegon. "They call you Aegon the Conqueror, with all due respect. If they refuse to bend... then conquer them as you did with the other kingdoms."

Aegon turned to Orys who nodded and backed Aerion. "We shouldn't waste more time trying to parlay with those sand people."

'Sand people...' Aerion frowned a little.

"I promised we would return with Fire and Blood," Rhaenys added. "They have tried our patience for too long..."

"Agreed." Visenya nodded.

In the end, everyone agreed with Aerion's sentiment and the First Dornish War began earlier than it would have. With that said, the three dragons set out once again... this time south as Westeros goes. Meanwhile, Aerion took flight to Braavos alongside Jocelyn Baratheon to remove Hosue Martell's trump card if all else fails.

~

A warm night, Braavos.

"Did you just set up Egg-on to fail?" Jocelyn Baratheon made him land beneath one of the Titan's feet, where they shared one of their most precious moments. "You could have hunted down the Martells on your own."

"Did I?" Aerion smiled a little.

"You're a terrible great great great... well, terrible successor."

"Can't I have some pride in my other ancestors for a little while?" Aerion replied. "Lannisters, Starks, Arryns, Tyrells, Greyjoys, Tullys... they all bent to dragons. The world ought to know that the Martells did not."

"Mhm... stupid Egg-on didn't know how to conquer properly. Or well, doesn't know. He thinks he can just fly up with his dragons and make the world kneel to him." Jocelyn scoffed. "Daeron the Young Dragon had no dragons but he was much closer."

"The older I get, the more I admire King Daeron, the second of his name over the first. He brought Dorne into the fold by marrying away his sister to the Prince of Dorne. True, it is not as glorious as a completed conquest but he truly united the Seven Kingdoms. Meanwhile... Daeron the Young lost half a hundred thousand men for essentially nothing."

Aerion stated, watching the rather unique Braavos from a distance.

"And that marriage sprang up the Blackfyre Rebellion," Jocelyn replied. "Daenerys and Daemon Blackfyre quite liked each other, so I've read."

"If Daemon rebelled for his beloved, it would not be eight years after the marriage." Aerion shook his head.

"I guess... but we might one day find out the truth for ourselves." Jocelyn stepped forward, smiling rather cheerfully as she turned back to him.

"Do you remember this place?"

"How could I ever forget it? I gave you that necklace here." Aerion replied, smiling himself. "You were a third as large and thrice as annoying back then."

"Annoying? I was not." Jocelyn shook her head. "You were just uptight."

"Oh, was I?"

"Mhm."

"That's not how I remember it." Aerion chuckled.

"Even then, I was starstruck," Jocelyn stated, glancing at Aerion. "You were so courageous, so powerful, so ambitious... like a myth come into life. Every passing day you took breath, the world further shook with your every step. When you gave me the wings to fly away... I still chose you without another thought."

"Did you want to marry me even then?"

"That thought was my guilty pleasure... the exiled Targaryen prince and his Baratheon princess." Jocelyn chuckled. "Could you imagine your marriage prospects being men like... Theon Greyjoy, Willas Tyrell, Loras Tyrell, Quentyn Martell?"

"Gods... hahaha..." Aerion laughed. "I didn't know it was that bleak for you. You would scare away Theon and Loras the sword swallower, break Willas' good leg and Quentyn... oh, the frog face would die from discomfort the moment you touched him."

Jocelyn chuckled. "I would have dedicated myself to the Faith if I had been proposed to any one of them."

"I would understand why..." Aerion smiled, pulling her closer. They looked at each other for a moment of intimacy, a moment that seemed to last longer than it was.

"Instead of that... I found the love of my life, my magnificent dragon." Jocelyn placed her hand against his chest. "Aerion The Man With Too Many Titles... and the only man I'd ever imagine myself with..."

"Here, on the grass?" Aerion's eyes widened slightly.

"Mhm... right here. And if anyone does see us, they won't see anything again..."

"You wild woman..." Aerion smiled as his hand moved to remove her gown. "Let's dance, then."

~

Braavos, The House of Black and White... the seat of the Faceless Men.

The entrance burst open from ferocious flames, leading to an entourage of undead storming the temple... led by Aerion Targaryen himself.

"Leave no man living."