Runestone

Daemon pulled on his cloak as it fluttered against the wind; the air was freezing but as he looked upon the valley and hills near Runestone, it's beauty more than made up for it. He took in a deep breath, the cold air coursing through his throat and into his lungs.

Nothing like going for a morning fly.

He patted Caraxes on the neck "Jātās!", turning the steering to the side; both he and Caraxes circled around Runestone, no doubt there were people watching on as the two dominated the skies above them.

Is Rhea watching?

It had been a couple days since their dinner date in the kitchen; since then all they had were smiles and stolen glances before the two of them went about their own business, he had offered to have dinner with her again but Rhea always turned him down. It wasn't for lack of want, or at least he thought so, there always seemed to be something else that caught her attention; letters from the Eyire, petitions or matters of state.

This lord business must be a pain.

In his old job he'd always see projects and plans hit dead ends or road blocks, much to the various people's frustration, truly he did not envy his line manager for having to mainly be the one to tell them that. Plenty of times he had to talk down some vexed politician or advisor. The memory brought him both stress and laughter as he shook his head in recollection.

We'd flip a coin on who'd have to tell them the bad news.

A chill, absent of the weather, crept up his back, as he wondered whether he would be the person people would have to calm down now, the politician whose ideas will not see the light of day.

I can't be that person… one of them even accused me of secretly hating the government!

"Wasn't a secret." He muttered to himself, he patted Caraxes on the neck again "Ninkiot!" he ordered, Caraxes began his descent towards the ground and back to his cave. Caraxes planted his claws into a mound and climbed down towards his home "Good, Caraxes!" Daemon unbuckled himself and climbed off his dragon, rubbing his jaw "Whose a good boy?" there was still a humour to treating this mythical creature as a large scaley dog.

Near a tree just a couple meters away, Cley waited for Daemon "Cley!" he said walking up to his escort "Hope it was not too dull waiting for me."

"Was not, my Prince." Cley said "It was interesting watching you fly around."

"Perhaps I can interest you in a ride on Caraxes? Don't worry I'll be flying." Daemon laughed.

Cley smirked "Afraid I must decline, I have a fear of high places."

"And yet you were born in the Vale of all places."

"The Gods have a strange sense of humour." Cley laughed as he handed him the reins of Daemon's horse and the two rode back to Runestone. As Daemon handed the reins of his horse to Mychel he quickly headed over to the castle forge.

"Gilwood!" he called out to the blacksmith "Horton! How are you two?" greeting the blacksmiths assistant.

"Prince Daemon." The apprentice bowed his head "We have the first batch of 'parchment clips' here." He handed Daemon a few paperclips; he visited the forge a few days ago and enquired about the wasted or useless bits of steel, planting the seeds in the first meeting of turning them into something else.

Daemon examined the clip in his hand, a faint smile coming to his mind as he remembered his irritation finding them all over his desk in his first life. He took out his journal and used it to seal together to pages, moving it about. "It's perfect." Daemon said placing his hand on the apprentice's shoulder "I'll need another small box full of these things if you can."

"It shall be done, my Prince." The apprentice bowed his head.

"I know you will not let me down, Horton." Daemon said, he turned to the blacksmith "Be well."

"My Prince." The blacksmith bowed his head and Daemon quickly headed away from the forge and then into a wooden house built into the wall of Runestone, Cley quickly following behind him, he knocked on the door and opened it slightly.

"Good morrow, Donnel." He said catching the carpenter at his work, over to his side he catches sight of his sons helping him with his work "Gyles, Humfrey how are you two?" the two boys quickly bowed their heads.

"Prince Daemon, it is always as pleasure to have you visit us." Donnel said.

"The pleasure is all mine, just wanted to know if you had gotten to work on the object I requested?"

"It is here, my Prince." Gyles, the older brother said, taking out a wooden box and then handing it to Daemon, bowing his head. Daemon gently took the box and opened it; a thin rectangle with forty two holes, seven rows of six with a stand and two small pouches. Daemon opened one to see circle tokens painted red.

"Perfect." He said, he turned his head to the father "as agreed, a silver stag for the work." He handed the boy the silver stag, who looked at the coin with wide eyes as his younger brother looked at the coin too. The father watched them, polishing a wooden pommel for a sword. "Take care!" he said to them before leaving the house.

Cley eyes the boxes in his had curiously "If I may ask, My Prince, what are those?"

Daemon quickly opened the box he had gotten from the carpenter family "This?" he said taking out the item "This is a game which I had thought of, I call it, connect four." Cley looked at him perplexed "Would you care for a game?"

"Perhaps another time, My Prince." He said, much to Daemon's disappointment.

"That's a shame." Daemon said as the two head back into the castle. "I wonder if Perra will appreciate this instead."

The younger sister of Rhea had sought to avoid Daemon no matter what when he arrived, it had taken a few pizza slices and answering a curious child's questions about Caraxes to go from 'evil good-brother' to 'cool brother who sneaks treats.' He searched through the memories of Daemon and found only the recollection of a young girl who hid from him and whom Daemon looked on with distain.

No wonder and no surprise.

He didn't recall Rhea having a sister in the book or show, only an unnamed nephew who had inherited Runestone after her death. Daemon could only assume why she never inherited it than her future son. The thought made him uncomfortable as the fate of Aemma circled his mind.

Yet as the young girl stared intensely at the connect-four board, it briefly escaped his mind; it was his turn and he could see her obvious move, he hid his smile in his hand as he intentionally misplaced his token allowing her to win. "Victory!" Perra proclaimed, placing her's down quickly.

Daemon raised his hands up "I am defeated, well played lady Perra."

"Are you not the creator of this game, my Prince?" Cley questioned with a smile "Defeated by a mere child."

"Well ser Cley, how about you test your metal against the genius of lady Perra." Daemon said with faux outrage. There was a knock on the door "Enter."

Rhea enters into the office; Cley stands at attention and Daemon shoots up from his seat. "Rhea!" Perra said, hopping off of her chair and towards her elder sister, hugging her waist. She was once more dressed in her chainmail and leather armour with a sword at her hip; Daemon had known and observed her enough to know that she was to meet with someone she disliked and wanted to show strength to would dress for battle.

But who though?

"Little Perra." Rhea rubbed the top of her head, she looked to Daemon; the bitterness that he had seen when he arrived was replaced with a softness "Husband, I hope you are well."

"I am, wife." Daemon replied, the two stared at each other for a few seconds before she broke her gaze.

"Rhea!" Perra exclaimed "Daemon had made a new game and I have bested him!" 

"Perra, what have I told you?"

"It is perfectly fine, lady-wife." He assured her "I had told her she can address me without the title."

"Perra, go get ready." Rhea said, she paused for a moment and took in a deep breath "Uncle Gunthor and Arnold Arryn have returned from their trip." There was an uncomfortable expression on her face.

"Must I?" Perra said, her face buried in Rhea's stomach.

"Go, I shall not ask again." Rhea commanded with the gentleness of an ask.

"I shall." Perra conceded defeat before skulking across the hallway.

From what he could remember 'Gunthor' had become lord of Runestone at some point, how he did was unknown; little was known about him and even with Daemon's memories he was more a passing figure. But what he did know was that this man may have more 'traditional' views of rulership and started a war for his former squire the Arryn boy.

I wonder if he believes himself the worthy heir to Runestone.

"Be ready too, husband." Rhea said.

"Cley, you are dismissed for now." Daemon said, the man bowed his head and left the office leaving only he and Rhea. "Is all well?"

Rhea grimaced "As well as it can be." She replied.

Daemon stepped towards her "You can tell me, consult with me if you desire." He almost reached out for her hand.

Rhea moved her hand away "You forget yourself, Daemon." She warned him "I have ordered the servants to make you a hot bath, have yourself ready within the hour to greet my uncle and his squire." She walked away from him "Stay quiet and do not seek to humiliate me as he had do so on our wedding day when they arrive." She ordered disappearing down the hallway.

Daemon stood on the spot, he could feel the indignation and sense of injustice from the old and true Daemon, yet all he could feel for himself was deflated.

One step forward… two steps back.

Within the hour Daemon presented himself at the Great hall; Rhea sat on the Bronze throne, her sword placed along her lap as she looked towards the entrance. Perra was stood next to her on her right side while Daemon took his place at her left while a line of guards dressed in the livery of House Royce lined the long carpet to the throne. Rhea looked to Daemon, her eyes less angered and more thoughtful.

You lead, I'll follow.

Daemon struck him in the chest as the thought passed his mind, Daemon placed his hand on his chest and forced the old one back into his cage for a moment as he stared at the large doors.

The doors to the castle were pulled open as two people marched towards them; Daemon spotted a middle aged man, if he had to guess possibly mid to late thirties with a young boy alongside him who must have been possibly around Perra's age.

"My sweet niece Rhea and lovely niece Perra." The man proclaimed as he stopped before the steps to the raised platform "It is wonderful to see you again." He then turned to Daemon, eyeing the him before speaking "Prince Daemon, a pretty as ever."

Oh it's like that huh? Big talk for a man in his mid-thirties looking like late-forties.

He had a large beard of dark chestnut hair and long slick back hair, both of which had signs of greying and, much like Rhea, wore leather armour with a sword tied to his hip and bronze braces and stylings.

"Uncle Gunthor, it pleases us to see you back from your trip." Rhea said "Young Lord Arnold, I am pleased to see that you are well too."

"Thank you, Lady Rhea." The young boy said, there was an air of smugness about him, as if he was a child who had never heard the word 'No' in their life.

I've known plenty who have never heard that word before.

"I hope your travels have not been too hard on you both, I know the roads of the Vale have experienced attacks by the wild clans as of late." Rhea spoke.

"Aye we are well, blessed be the Gods who guarded us from those unwashed barbarians who prey on the innocent and meek." Gunthor spoke, clearly trying to project his own voice "It is a terrible sign for the times ahead when the mountains clans feel brave enough to venture from their caves."

"Quite, rest assured my father is more than aware of this, proper action is taken-"

"Aye I know." Gunthor spoke, cutting Rhea short "My brother is a great regent of the Vale, though these times trouble me." He scratched his beard. "We should speak more of this in private." He turned to Daemon "The Prince is welcome to join, I would like this opinion on the matter."

Both Daemon and Rhea glanced at each other. "I will join you." Daemon agreed, Gunthor smiled.

"Thank you." Gunthor nodded his head.

"I'm sure this talk can wait though, yourself and lord Arnold must be tired from your travels." Rhea advised him.

"Aye, myself and young lord have grown tired during our travels, we shall discuss this afterwards." He said "I shall meet you in your father's solar."

"The rest of you dismissed." The troop of guards and servants dispersed from the Great hall, Rhea looked over to Perra "Sister, head to my apartments." Perra nodded as a guard escorted her away. Rhea stood up from her throne. "Follow me." She commanded.

She had led him through the halls, two guards behind them, before stopping before a large oak door, beyond it was a large office than must have been three time the size of his; a large orange gold and black carpet covered most of the stone floor, a large glass window allowed light to illuminate the room and give them a view of the vast chasm that the castle sat within. Stone columns were carved into the stone walls with runes etched into them, the banners to house Royce and paintings of an older man with his wife and two daughters hung on the walls and a large hearth built into one side with a large bear skin rug near it.

Daemon looked around the large room, eyes filled with amazement yet bothered by a chill in the room. He looked at the large portrait of the family; his memories recalling the man as Lord Yobert Royce, Rhea's father.

"Sit." Rhea commanded, pointing to one of the chairs opposite as she sat on the other side. 

Daemon sat down "Rhea, is something the matter?"

Rhea was silent "I wish you hadn't accepted his offer."

Daemon grimaced "My apologises." Rhea only glanced at him and sighed "Do you know why he has asked for me to join?" 

"I do not know why but it will likely serve his motive." Rhea said, she then took out some parchment from the desk "These have been letters by my father while he serves in the Eyrie; there have been mummers from other lords, discontent regarding Lady Jeyne." Daemon bit the inside of his cheek, remembering Aemma's words about her distant cousin.

Daemon recalled that Jeyne had faced two attempts to usurp her in favour of Arnold, with the later one being done by Arnold himself.

Gunthor may have lead the first one then…

"You believe that your uncle is attempting to seat his squire on the throne?" Daemon asked.

"I am almost certain that is the reason why he had been travelling the Vale, to shore up support among likeminded lords." She pinched the bridge of her nose.

"Undermining your father?"

"What my father's opinion on the matter I do not know, but he has said he is honour bound to protect Jeyne's rights as the lady of the Vale."

Daemon was silent considering this, he swallowed uncomfortably as a thought entered his mind "If Arnold was to usurp Jeyne as lord of the Eyrie, then many in the Vale may question our own standing as the heir to Runestone." Rhea stared at him, Daemon did not know if to acknowledge what he said or hate him for putting it out in the open.

"I know." She said. Suddenly there was a knock on the door. "Enter." She called out. The door opened, allowing Gunthor to step into the room and seat himself in the chair next to Daemon.

"Niece, Prince." He said, casting a quick glance at each of them. "Thank you for taking the time to speak to me."

"I always have time for family and matters of state, speak uncle." Rhea said. "Firstly, how are you sons?" 

He has children? Were there another members of the family I haven't met yet?

"They are well, Guncer has just become a squire to Lord Templeton." he said proudly. "Brandon and Selard are with my lady wife still visiting her family in the Three Sisters." 

"Congratulations on your son's squiring, you must be very proud." Daemon said. 

"Very proud, Prince Daemon." he replied, staring at him in the eyes, he turned to Rhea "But dear niece, sadly I am not here to bring news of my family, instead it is of matters of state; the clans grow bolder, as I have said before, with each passing day more and more travellers are being accosted each day." Gunthor said "The Vale grows unsafe by each hour."

"Do you doubt my father's leadership?" Rhea questioned.

"Never, he is not where I place the blame, the reason for this is our Lady of the Eyrie and Defender of the Vale." His tone almost became mocking as he spoke the last title. Daemon narrowed his eyes at him "The clans smell weakness and with a little girl sitting on the Eyrie's throne, this kingdom shows nothing but weakness. And if the mountain clans see us as weak then what is to say the Riverlords or Northmen will not try to seek territorial gains on disputed lands."

"And what is it you propose?"

"Jeyne may be the last child of Lord Eon after he and his sons passing but she need not be the inheritor of his titles." Gunthor said, before his eyes turned to Daemon for moment "As His Grace has shown, succession should pass through to the male line when available."

You son of a bitch.

Daemon bite his cheek as he fought back the urge to give Gunthor a dirty look.

He thought he could bully Rhea into accepting this idea.

"When your uncle Prince Aemon had been tragically taken in his prime, his Grace saw it best to name the brave and true Prince Baelon as his heir." Gunthor said "He knew that what the realm needed was a leader after him, a man who could take up the mantle of Protector of the Realm, and I am sure many lords across the realm are thankful to him for it, would you not agree, My Prince?"

Jog on mate.

Daemon kept quiet "Jeyne is already lady of the Eyrie and Warden of the East, this is not a matter of succession but of removing an already seated sovereign." Rhea said "To remove her would be to usurp her, there will be lords who will revolt at this, it would be seen as unlawful."

"But others who will see this as necessary or, at least, will not interfere when he happens."

He wants to know if she'll not stop them.

"What say you, Prince Daemon?"

Daemon kept quiet, his eyes looked to Rhea who looked back at him "This is a matter of the Vale, I do not think it would be appropriate for me to comment." He said "But when one mentions the House Targaryen, my house, then it is within my right to speak." Daemon said. "Who my grandfather names as his successor is his right, that is a matter outside of others consideration, as should the matter of succession in the Vale.

Gunthor almost sank into his chair; Daemon almost felt powerful, for a brief moment he knew that both he and Daemon ruining this lord's little plan.

"So you would believe the Realm would be well served by our cousin Rhaenys than your father?" he questioned. "I must have been mistaken by the stories of Prince's Baelon courage and tact then if his own son considers his cousin a better successor."

Keep his name out of your mouth.

"I said no such thing, other than that who my grandfather chooses as his heir is his choice, his word is law as law dictates that Jeyne succeeds her father." Daemon said sharply "And had my uncle lived that day, Rhaenys would be his heir and trust me when I tell you, my lord, you would not have gotten to this point of our conversation if she were here."

"Are you threatening me?" Gunthor growled.

"I am warning you." Daemon told him "Neither I nor my cousin would take kindly to those who speak ill of my family." 

Gunthor stood up from his seat and loomed over Daemon, in his past life he would have tried to calm him down, settle things down. Yet his own anger fed off of the burning rage. Daemon stood up meet him; Gunthor grabbed at his collar, he stood maybe a few inches taller than Daemon but it didn't deter the confidence and defiance he gorged himself on, smiling at him.

Go on, I dare you!

"You think you can return to these lands after dishonour and disrespect you've shown our house, you cur?"

"Is that truly the best you could think of?" Daemon didn't know where this was coming from, he felt as though his own frustrations and angry grew stronger as it roared as a flame inside his chest.

"Enough!" Rhea commanded, standing from her and slamming her fist on the table "Uncle, you are dismissed."

Gunthor pushed him back, this time Daemon resisted the urge of the old to strike at him and stood and watched silently. "You would choose side with him, over your own family? Perhaps he was right to name you the bronze bi-"

"Finish that sentence, and it will be the last word you ever utter." Daemon threatened, the smile falling from his face.

"I shall leave, it is clear neither I or Arnold are wanted here." Gunthor growled.

"That would be best." Rhea told him, they watched him march off, slamming the door behind him.

Daemon slumped against the desk as Rhea let out a loud sigh; the adrenaline that had fuelled him quickly dissipated and only regret remained. Rhea took out a jug of wine and poured some into two cups "Here." She said, handing one of them to Daemon. He took the cup and eagerly drank from it.

"He spoke of treason." Daemon said "We should inform your father-"

"He knows."

"Your father knows?"

"My father had been tracking his whereabouts, seeing which lord would sway to his side." Rhea explained. "We know, it is why he places his children outside of Runestone, my father would have used them against him and end these ambitions for his squire." 

"And he does nothing."

Rhea narrowed her eyes "Many in the Vale believe my father to be overly ambitious by marrying myself to you, some distrust him as regent and look for any reason to remove him, what would it show if the lord regent had to imprison his own brother? Weakness." Rhea drank deeply "Which is what Gunthor believes of me."

"It was because of me." Daemon said.

Rhea walked over to Daemon and stood by his side "After the wedding he urged my father to do something about it; letter of condemnation, annulment, and even removing myself from the line of succession so that your children would not inherit Runestone."

"Our children." Daemon spoke softly, Rhea turned to him "They would be your children too, they should not be punished for my insolence."

Rhea smiled weakly as she leaned back into the desk "I thank you, you did not have to argue for me."

"I want to argue for you" Daemon interjected. "I want to fight for you." 

"I do not need you to fight for me." 

Daemon shrugged "I would still like to." 

Rhea snickered "How long will you play this role as a 'new man?'" 

"I am still myself, lady-wife." Daemon told her, a soft grin on his face. "But that does not mean I am not a changed one." 

Rhea stared at him for a moment, Daemon gently took her hand. "Mayhaps…." She muttered, eyes focused on him.

Rhea finished her cup and placed it down, quickly grabbing Daemon by the back of his head and pulling him into a kiss. He was completely caught by surprise as she dug her fingers into his hair almost possessively. 

There was a knock on the door.

Rhea pulled back, breaking their kiss and looking at him for a moment as they caught their breath. "Enter." she commanded, The door opened and Maester Hugo stepped forward "Maester."

"Lady Rhea, Prince Daemon." He greeted them, bowing his head "Forgive me for intruding, I assume things did not go well."

"No they did not." Rhea looked to the floor for a moment.

"Should we inform your father? Shall I ready a raven?"

"Please do, I shall be with you momentarily." Hugo bowed his head and left quickly.

As the two talked, Daemon leaned back against the desk, hand clutching his chest as he fought back against a livid Daemon. while desperately trying to keep a calm demeanour; if not for the pain, he would have no doubt felt very flustered. 

What the hell was that? 

Rhea turned back to Daemon "I should leave, there is much to do." she admitted.

"I understand, Rhea." He smiled tenderly.

The two looked at each other for but a brief moment in total silence, wondering what the other was thinking "I am planning on going hunting in a week's time, you are welcome to join me."

Through the searing pain, Daemon smiled. "It would be my pleasure."