'Humble' Valyrian Traveller

While Aerion had wondered where Jocelyn and Bellona had gone, he soon discovered that they weren't anywhere close to him. However, he was confident in their abilities to fend for themselves. They would eventually stand out and he'd find them that way. As for the Aegonfort… it was right before him.

It was a wooden motte and bailey fort… small and lowly, certainly unfit for a great king that Aegon was. No wonder he burned the fort down after thirty-five years of reign and returned to Dragonstone, leaving space for the construction of the Red Keep.

Before entering, he burned his cloak.

Aerion first explored the lower part of the fort, right under the hill. There were quite a few buildings there, resembling a fortified village. He had certainly seen better… leaving him to presume that this was before Aegon completed his conquest.

The first gates were open to him so Aerion went inside. If they happened to be closed, he was quite the gate-destroyer himself. As for the garrison... there seemed to be a few hundred or so. The main force clearly had gone somewhere.

"Who are you? I've never seen a valyrian that looks like you."

As Aerion wished to enter the core of the fort, the wonderful wooden and smoky longhall, he was questioned by a few guards.

"I am Aerion, a humble valyrian traveller." Aerion straightened himself, staring into the soul of the guard. "You would be wise to show me to the leader of this fine establishment. I am quite a capable swordsman, you see."

"Hmm..."

"I will not repeat myself." Aerion looked down on the smaller guard, using a little bit of magic when he spoke again. "You will let me in."

"Fine... I'll let Lord Aegon handle you when he returns." The guard sighed, turning around. "Go on, enter."

Aerion nodded and entered the longhall. It was quite tall and had enough roof space for the Iron Throne. Although, when he looked towards its end, he didn't see the lofty throne. In its stead, was a more humble chair. A temporary seat, so it seemed.

'Aegon didn't finish his conquest yet... good, I'll have some fun.'

Although, he didn't see Aegon anywhere. The castellan in Aegon's place allowed him to enjoy the guest right, providing him with food and shelter. Aegon took his bread and wine with a smile... even though he had tasted far more satisfying meals before. Namely, blood.

As time passed, Aerion asked around and found out where Aegon had gone off to battle. After adding up the details, he realised that he lived at the time of 'Aegon's first test'. A battle that ended in an overwhelming Targaryen victory against House Darklyn and House Moonton. He made himself well acquainted with the people at the longhall, taking the spotlight on his first day. He entertained the people with his songs, jests, a few dances and wild tales he had made up.

"You are quite the fellow, Aerion! Lady Rhaenys does love a good singer... but that sword. Can you fight as well as you can sing?"

"Send seven of your best fighters against me and I'll gladly show you."

"Ah... I like your confidence. But seven?"

"I mean what I said, my friend."

Aerion went on to humiliate all seven guards, moving at a blinding speed. Each strike was like that of an elegant painter... a painter that only used red, much like Ser Barristan. His defence resembled Ser Arthur's but more than half of it was his own style. A confident style that taunted his opponents into making rash decisions which more often than not led to a devastating counter.

He did not spill blood, however, as he used Ambition like a stick. The sword was quite unbreakable and could cut through anything... if it was enhanced by magic. Without it, the sword couldn't cut a thing but its weight was still there. That made it a fitting sparring sword.

"I've never seen such a fighter... hahaha, Lord Aegon would be glad to have you under him. If you would join his cause, that is. There is plenty gold, lands and glory to be earned in this age of conquest, I assure you."

"Sounds like a fun time." Aerion smiled, shrugging his shoulders. "Sure, I'll dedicate my sword to Lord Aegon for the time being."

'Not that Aegon needs it... except for Dorne. He never got around to conquering it.'

"For the time being?"

"I am a free spirit, my good lord. Quite like a dragon... I cannot stay chained to one place for too long."

"Truly... you must be my lord's long lost brother, hahaha. He will find you a suitable position, I am certain."

"I have no doubts regarding Lord Aegon." Aerion smiled.

He spent the night in the longhall, sleeping in a rather small guest room. He had slept in worse places, certainly... but for a so-called valyrian God, it wasn't the most fitting of bedchambers.

~

Aerion woke to Aegon Targaryen's glorious return as he walked up the Aegonfort with a dozen lords at his back. Men and women alike gathered, crowding the entire longhall and leaving the sleepy Aerion at the back. He was slightly irritated by the gesture but let it slide. Eventually, pushing aside a few people by using his superior strength, he got a proper view of the front.

All of the lords kneeled before Aegon and his chair, where his two sisters stood behind him. Aerion was caught off-guard by their ravishing beauty and scent. His fangs started to emerge but he restrained himself, focusing on his male ancestor.

Aegon Targaryen looked like the epitome of glory, everything Aerion had imagined and more. He carried himself with authority and strength... and his face... they looked awfully alike! Perhaps, the jests of him looking like Aegon's lost son were not unfounded.

For a moment, Aerion felt like a dreaming boy again. A boy who idolized kings, knights and heroes... but that feeling dissipated as he remembered who he was and what he had accomplished. In no way was he inferior to Aegon the Conqueror. As a matter of truth, his name stood above all in history.

'To make me forget myself... Aegon is quite the presence.' Aerion admitted in his thoughts, smiling. 'Truly, what man more worthy to name my ancestor?'

While Visenya placed the valyrian steel circlet on a kneeling Aegon's head while Rhaenys smiled and proclaimed loudly;

"From henceforth, let it be known that Aegon of House Targaryen is the true King of Westeros and the Shield of His People!"

"All hail the King of Westeros!" Orys added with his booming voice.

"The King of Westeros!"

Many joined the chant as Aegon rose as King. Aerion simply smiled, watching from the side. After a while, Aegon raised his hand and the chants ended. He turned to one of his subjects who brought him a sealed banner.

"On this occasion, it is only fitting that I reveal the new sigil of House Targaryen," Aegon announced, his authoritative voice ringing loud and clear. He unsealed it and rolled the banner out in all its majesty. Out came the red three-headed dragon symbol with the prominent words 'Fire and Blood' that Aerion knew all too well.

"From this day onward, this will be the banner that will be carried into battle by the men of House Targaryen. It will be the banner that I carry, it will be the banner my sisters will carry and it shall be the banner that all of my direct descendants will carry until the end of my line."

More applause erupted while Aegon returned the banner and the servant placed it on the wall.

"While this conquest is far from complete, a short yet proper celebration should be in order for the crowning of the one true King." Rhaenys Targaryen stated. "I believe a warm feast full of song would be fitting with all the new lords in service."

Visenya Targaryen seemed indifferent to the suggestion while Aegon smiled and nodded. "I agree. It will only last a short few days, however, and no more."

As the feast was prepared, Aegon gestured towards Aerion who approached in turn. "I've heard that you are a man of many talents, Aerion."

"You know my name?" Aerion smiled, acting in a humble manner.

"You stand out rather easily." Aegon Targaryen nodded. "You have the appearance of a true high valyrian which is quite rare. Some have even jested that..."

"I didn't know we had a handsome baby brother." Rhaenys chuckled as she joined Aegon's side. "He looks just like you when you were younger."

'Baby-brother? I'm twenty-two... you're like twenty-three or four.'

"The similarities are rather striking." Visenya agreed. "Where do you come from?"

'I didn't come here to be questioned...'

"I am just a valyrian traveller looking for opportunities. I do not come from any great families or houses... or so I think. I might very well be a distant cousin, hahaha..." Aerion acted out a nervous laugh, scratching his hair. "It all must be a coincidence, I suppose."

"Hmm... no matter, I'll gladly have your sword if you would pledge it to me," Aegon replied. "There will be many opportunities under me. An opportunity for wealth, titles and lands. You need only prove yourself worthy of them."

'When your great great great great great great... great-grandsire recruits you. What a time to be alive.'

"You may find me to be one of your more capable men." Aerion nodded. "You have my sword, King Aegon... on one condition. The freedom to act mostly as I wish. I'm not the type of person you'd make guard the door, you know?"

"You would do as your King asks of you." Visenya countered, frowning slightly. "Whether that is to guard the door, scrub the floors or sharpen blades-"

"... Ignore Visenya." Aegon interrupted. "I see no issue with your proposal, you look like a man capable of greater duties."

"Thank you." Aerion smiled.

He felt his stomach rumble with the urge for blood. "I shall excuse myself."

"Enjoy the feast, Aerion." Rhaenys smiled. "I heard you were a capable singer... perhaps you could sing for me at a later time?"

"Well... I don't see why not." Aerion hastily replied, walking away.

It was true, Aegon Targaryen was not one to make friends easily as he presented himself as a decisive and serious leader. As a matter of fact, it was well documented that he only ever had one true friend; Orys Baratheon.

...

Hungry as he ever could be, Aerion seduced one of the ladies and took her to bed. However, he wasn't interested in bedding her. Instead, he took his fill of her blood and made the lady forget about the experience entirely.

'Unlike the trials of Valyria, there are no clear objectives.' Aerion observed. 'And the system has decided to ignore me. How troublesome... it seems that I will have to find my own way.'

~

After sending out undead ravens to the ruined city that had brought him into the past, he found that the portal was completely gone. This troubled him slightly but he decided to dismiss the matter temporarily. Knowing himself, the opportunity to return would present itself after the conquest. That was the great ambition of House Targaryen at this point in time, after all.

Before the Targaryens would set out, Aerion had made himself a prominent figure at the small court despite not having much status. He found himself getting along with Queen Rhaenys Targaryen rather well, their playful natures complimenting each other. She was a curious queen with a mischievous edge to her... reminding him of his own sister and Jocelyn.

As for Visenya, she was stern and serious. Suffice to say, she did not take his cheerful front quite as well. Meanwhile Aegon... he was a surprisingly solitary person which didn't give Aerion much opportunity to befriend him. Charismatic yet the man preferred his own company. It was a strange combination. Indeed, he was an enigma as many books had documented.

Aerion understood that feeling himself... although not to the same degree.

Knowing how the Battle in the waters off Gulltown would turn out (Targaryen defeat), Aerion volunteered to join the royal fleet and his request was granted. Although, given his lack of status and men, he was somewhat of a freelancer who simply joined one of the crews. This fleet was commanded by Daemon Velaryon, the Lord of House Velaryon and a good friend of the Targaryens. Meanwhile, Visenya rode in the skies with her dragon Vhagar watching over the fleet.

The Arryns would hastily assemble a fleet to counter the incoming threat, even calling upon a dozen Braavosi warships.

...

"To the deck!" The captain shouted from above, waking Aerion.

Aerion stood up, observing the expressions of his crewmates. Some were hesitant, fearful... while others were confident. Probably because of the dragon in the skies, no doubt. He walked up to the deck and saw the Arryn fleet blocking the path. Naturally, the Targaryen fleet proceeded forwards and engaged them in battle.

'Why doesn't Visenya burn the fleet first with her dragon and then allow the Targaryen fleet to take Gulltown? Why does she wait for the Targaryen fleet to collapse to use Vhagar...'

Aerion thought as the battle loomed. Being a person of great power who valued his living men, he usually avoided throwing them into a battle he didn't need to.

'Tsk... no matter. I'll take on this little fleet on my own.'

Aerion drew Ambition and its runes lit up emerald.