A Hand, A Head and an Arm

Haemon POV 121 The day of the Trial

When Rhaenyra left with the news of Laenor's death to Driftmark. I hadn't expected almost all of the Velaryon family to come. Even Lord Corlys was here sitting next to his wife at the usual seat for the hand. I had told father that if I should die, I would want the pin to go to Corlys. Father didn't seem happy stating that Otto would be the better choice of the two, eventually he came around. Laena and Princess Rhaenys wore all black. Their hands held together with Rhaena and Aemon sitting to the left of Laena. Baelon was in the hands of Corlys slowly being rocked. Infront of them sat Rhaenyra along with her children Jace and Luke. Both brown of hair. Rhaenys was constantly looking between my children and Rhaenyra's, seemingly having come to the same conclusion that court had. Even now, when they are boys, I hear whispers of bastards. Behind their backs. Father sat to the left of Rhaenyra, dressed in a bright red garb, doing his best to keep his weak arm from shaking. Alicent sat to his left and following her was her brood. All in Perfect grass green. Aegon having already starting his first cup of wine, helaena looking at the clouds whispering something. Aemond was by side as he was squire. He was holding Darksister in his arms. Ser Criston was across from me with one of the boy servants from the yards holding his morning star. He wore fresh plain plate, not being allowed to wear the white plate or he white cloak of the Kingsguard. I wore Blackened steel on my body. An engraving of the three headed Dragon of House Targaryen on my chest. The sun and moon on each shoulder. Studs of gold were filling my armor to mimic the stars. My helmet had spikes coming at unnatural angles and seeming to top them off were rough emeralds. A gift form father to mimic Galelithox's eyes. There was a loud cracking of a cane as father stood up.

"Today, Ser Criston Cole stands accused of murdering the future Prince Consort." There were loud boos that followed this.

"He has demanded a trial by combat, as is his right as a knight of the Seven Kingdoms." The crowd hushed at that. He seemed ready to fall into his cane before Rhaenyra stood up holding him and rubbing his arm. He smiled at her, and it was returned.

"Prince Haemon of Bloodstone, conqueror of The Stepstones, Lord Hand of the Seven Kingdoms, stand here in defense of the Crown." The crowd cheered and I grabbed Darksister form Aemond, before pushing him to the royal box.

"Today the gods shall determine the victor by guiding their arms. May the Warrior grant both fighting, his blessing." I met eyes with Laena who seemed ready to cry at any second. I only nodding to her, and she did the same before braiding Rhaena's hair sobbing. I faced Ser Criston and raised my guard, him following me.

"Begin!!!". Despite his yell we still stood there, waiting for the first to make the move.

"It's a pity that one of us must die here" I began slowing moving in a circle him following me.

"On either of our deaths, one side loses their champion. One could say this is the real battle for the throne" He only moved a little closer.

"Aegon is the rightful heir. Rhaenyra and her bastards have the lesser claim." A delusional man

"You speak treasonous words for a man on trial." He moved his morning star lower.

"Yet I speak the truth, look at them and tell me you don't see what I see." I only pointed my sword higher.

"Yet I still follow the King's wishes, if he says they are his grandchildren then they are. To think, you a man from a steward's house to go so far. To scorn a princess who would not run away from you. Or maybe you were jealous of her? I hear Ser Harwin was a strapping man, I am not one to judge if that is the only sword you'd like use..." I was interrupted by a Morningstar crashing towards my head. I deftly deflected it and pushed Criston away from me with my body.

"I fear I might have struck a nerve. I shall stop talking of your former lover now" He was as mad as a bull, swinging wildly with me blocking each strike for the most part.

"Come on Ser Criton. You'll have to do much better than that. You beat my uncle remember? Many, many years ago." I went on the attack then. Trying to stab him with Darksister and he either stopped out of the was or blocked it with the metal rod of his morning star.

"Even the men at the Stepstones were better than this..." I was interrupted by his morning star smashing into my stomach. My armor groaning in protest and leaving a slight dent. He stayed there for a second to long and I wrapped my arm around his weapon pulling it from him. I threw it away and held Darksister at his throat. The crowd seemed stunned at my display.

"You would kill an unarmed man?" He asked his head held high.

"You have a point good ser. My king, I beg of you the use of Blackfyre in this trial." I yelled out to my father. Everyone in the royal box seemed confused at my request. Aemond stood up waiting to be given the blade. Father looked conflicted before looking to Rhaenyra who had a look of shock in her eyes. She seemed ready to refuse before Laena grabbed her shoulder nodding to her. She looked back at father and gave a slight nod. He took out Blackfyre from its sheath. The metal seeming to glow in the light, the ripples looked like they were moving across the blade. He gently handed the sword to Aemond, who looked like he was shaking in his boots. He walked carefully down to the arena; every eye was on him. As he got closer to me, he tripped and dropped the sword to the ground. I grabbed it first, feeling the handle and admiring it. It felt right, in my hands. Like it belonged. I told Aemond to quickly return to the stands.

"I shall loan you Darksister, Ser Criston. So that all the gods can see that it is a fair match." I threw Darksister to his feet and he only looked at it and back at me before carefully picking it up. It wasn't a fair match. I wanted to make an example out of him. Yes, Valyrian steel is lighter and sharper than normal blades. That will cause a problem for anyone who has never wielded a weapon of its making. It's as if you are swinging air, careful to not use to much strength less you overextend yourself. Ser Criston made this problem when he charged with an overhead heavy and stumbled a bit before I cut through his hands like butter removing them from Darksister, then parting head from body. There was a cry in the stands, and I could see Helaena staring at Ser Criston's body covering her ears. I moved towards the royal box and stopped with a kneel.

"It seems the Crown spoke the truths towards Ser Criston and the allegations charged against him." Rhaenyra started, standing up.

"Though I mourn my husband, it is through this trial that he can find peace in the halls of the seven. May this trial be seen as a blessing on my father's reign, my reign, then my son's reign."

"The Lord Hand has fought valiantly in defense to the crown. If it is a boon the King can give. Say it and it will be so." Father was standing up at that, being supported by Rhaenyra.

What could I wish for? I had everything I needed. Everything I could ever want. Three children, a beautiful wife who loved me and I her, a place to call home in Bloodstone. I wanted to go back home. To be free of the Red Keep. It is not my destiny, however.

"I only wish to continue to serve as Hand of the King. Then as Hand of the Queen for you, Princess." Father and Rhaenyra smiled, and father gave a bright smile.

"A simple and humble request. One I am happy to accept." The crowd gave a cheer, and everyone was soon departing. I was in a tent with Aemond helping me unstrap my armor. Darksister leaning against a post.

"That was a good showing, good-son." Corlys walked in, slowly. He appeared to be slightly hunched over and all of his silver hair had turned to white. Aemond stopped for a moment before continuing.

"I simply gave the man a fair fight."

"Far more than what he deserved!" Corlys said sharply

"It was a part of a plan, Corlys. I make him look weak to show that the Greens are weak." I said as Corlys looked at Aemond than at me.

"Aemond has sworn secrecy. He shall tell his mother nothing of us, and he shall tell us nothing of her. It was a private compromise to keep him out of any conflict." Corlys still seemed weary.

"I trust my brother with my life Corlys. I trust all of my siblings equally."

"It does not matter. I simply wished to tell you thank you for giving Laenor justice. We leave in four days' time to give him a proper Velaryon burial. I wish for you along with your family to attend." Aemond had finally gotten my chest piece off.

"The entire royal family will go." Lord Corlys looked ready to argue.

"He was to be prince-consort to my sister. King to her queen. We shall go and pay our respects. His sons deserve closer as much as my children do. This is not up for discussion, Lord Corlys." He only bowed his head and left.

"Aemond I fear for you when you are given command. It is not an easy position to be in." Aemond only looked at me and smiled.

"With you training me, I'll be a Kingsguard before I take lordship over some minor keep." I only shook my head.

"If you take the white cloak than you cannot take a dragon. Nor wife, nor a family of your own. I will not allow to miss out on happiness because you feel out of place in this world." He only shrugged.

"But I am, aren't I? I am one and ten namedays old and I still don't have a dragon. None at the dragon pit will allow me to claim them. If I cannot have a dragon than its best to have the cloak. Atleast I'll gain some honor." I grabbed him by his shoulders.

"None at the Dragonpit have allowed you to claim them. We have not tried Dragonstone yet. You will get a dragon, I promise you that brother." He looked ready to say something else before Laena walked in.

"Aemond, could my Husband and I be alone." He was looking at my armor.

"All that's left are the small bits. I'm sure my wife can help me with them. Your free for the day Aemond. I'll have some servants send you the armor so it can be polished" He groaned out loud only bowing his head to Lane who courted in response and left.

"I'm afraid you torture the boy Haemon." I only chuckled pulling at straps on my gauntlets, Laena having come to help me.

"Your father was much the same having me scrub the deck of the Seasnake when I first arrived." She looked to be thinking for a moment before laughing.

"I remember. Father kept spilling fish guts on the floor to see if you would quit." I nodded my head.

"He taught me to never get up, and how bad fish guts smell when you're knee deep in them." She moved down to my greaves.

"Mother wouldn't allow you inside of Hightide until you were cleaned up" I chuckled

"I don't think I got the smell off until a moon after that. That's when Corlys stopped scrunching his face when I walked with him." I sighed.

"Things were simpler than. I was just a bastard and you were just a lady." She looked at me than.

"Then what am I now Lord Husband?" I smiled bringing her to sit on my lap.

"A mother, a wife, a true beauty. Need I go on my love?" She only hummed and wrapped her arms around my neck.

"Yet I am no longer a sister." Silence followed that comment. I only hugged her tighter as she cried into my shoulder, rubbing her back and whispering to her. We we're interrupted by Ser Darklyn holding the ten flaps open for Rhaena and Aemon. One rushing in while the other taking their time. Rhaena noticed the look on her face.

"Muña why are you sad?" she didn't understand yet.

"Im not little dragon. Why would you think that?" she said wiping the tears from her face and giving Rhaena a smile. Aemon spoke this time.

"Whenever Kepa doesn't talk and holds you. You always seem sad." Clever boy.

"Nothing will get past you will it Aemon?" he only gave a little smile and shook his head. Rhaena only grabbed his hand. Dragging him along.

"Come on, we have to tell Grandmother that Muña is fine." Ser Darklyn followed them with a smile. He had been charged with their protection instead of mine for today.

"I fear for our future good-children" I said, and she gave a laugh, sniffling after.

"I do as well my love. We should speak of fostering them." I looked at her confused.

"Have them foster for other lords. Maybe send Baelon to Hightide when he is old enough."

"And what brought this on?" She bit her lip.

"There is talk, Lord Husband." I didn't like this.

"Talk about what, exactly?"

"You know what I speak of Haemon. Don't play the fool." She said sharply.

"They are Rhaenyra's children and her named heirs." She only scoffed.

"But they are not Laenor's. Just look at them, and then look at our own." I shook my head.

"The Driftwood throne should seat a Velaryon, not a Strong. Just as the Iron throne, a Targaryen."

"Enough Laena. It is not I who you should be talking to. I am not the head of House Velaryon. Nor Targaryen for that matter."

"Yet you are the only one who has provided lawful heirs. Not only to Bloodstone to Driftmark as well." She continued to plea.

"There is nothing I can do. It is your father's decision. Should he want to disinherit Luke and place Baelon as his heir, that is not up to me"

"Speaking of fathers. Your father wants to speak with you." I nodded.

"Take me to Baelon. Seeing him makes my father happy".

Haemon Pov later that day.

"He has your nose." Father said as I was holding him to look at him.

"I hope he has more of his mother in him. If that is the case, then. I have nothing to worry about." Viserys was noticeably looking over the marks.

"May I hold him?"

"I don't know think that is wise. With your arm, father." I said holding Baelon a little tighter.

"Then help me. If I cannot hold my grandchild in my arms, then I shall cut off this useless stump. It has caused me nothing but pain." I only looked down at his arm, it was ugly. It looked like it was wilting away and leaving behind a husk.

"I still have some feeling and can move it some. I want this to be the last thing I do with it." I stared at him.

"Are you sure father?"

"Yes, yes, I'm sure." I only nodded it, and gently laid Baelon in his right arm to be more secure. Father looked like he was struggling to lift his other arm, with making faces. I gently grabbed it and held it under his other arm keeping a hand hovering over Baelon, less he falls.

"Thank you Haemon. Truly." He had tears in his eyes before he gave a firm nod.

"Send for the Grandmaester." I nodded and left with Baelon in my arms. Coming back with the Grandmaester. A minute later the halls were filled with the scream of the King.