Silverwing

(Aerion's POV)

"Where is Rhaena?" I asked the Queensguard

"The Lady Rhaena is in her chambers, with the Princess Visenya." Ser Lorent said

I nodded, "Okay." I said as I took a step forth

"Lord Aerion." I heard a voice call upon me

I turned to see Lord Celtigar and Ser Alfred Boone walking up to me, "Yes?" 

"What is this we hear about you meeting with the Usurper, Aegon?" Ser Alfred said, "You have this opportunity to end this conflict once and for all and you just let him go? What madness is that?" 

"Not to mention that this could've been a clear trap that would've taken out our best hope against the Hightowers in a time of need like this one." Lord Celtigar said

"Hm." I said as I looked at Ser Alfred who looked like he was about to follow something up

"With Prince Daemon in Harrenhal, the best course of action is to wait for him to gather the Host and join up with him." He said, "He has more experience in combat and leading, I say we wait for your Father and see where we could take the battles." 

"Not only were you able to meet with the Usurper, you were all alone. I know that you do not wish to be a kinslayer, but at the very least you could've captured him." Lord Celtigar followed up, "You must think of the consequences that follow this, Lord Aerion!" 

"You must understand. We have lived longer than you, My Lord. We have served your Uncle as King and some of us his Grandsire, so we might know a thing or two about situations like these. We are aware that you are our dragonrider and you're no stranger to combat but I implore that you take our advice to heart." Ser Alfred said

I nodded, "What audacity the two of you have." I said as I looked at him, "You walk up to me, thinking that seniority will make me listen to your words. Listen here, My Lord, Ser, any and all counsel is welcomed and appreciated....but you do not command me nor speak to me as if I were a fucking child." 

Ser Alfred frowned, "My Lord-" 

"Quiet." I stepped closer to him, "I am the King-Consort. I do not listen to anyone that isn't the Queen. And just because I may not listen to her or even contradict anything that she may say in the future, it does not give you any right to do the same." 

"Y-Yes well the thing is..." Lord Celtigar stammered

"Silence." I said, "The next time you speak out of line, I will have you punished. Do I make myself clear? And I will not tolerate any signs of treason, either. All this talk about Daemon...it makes me rather suspicious. Daemon Targaryen may say he's acting on behalf of the Queen, but we did not give any orders to him. The right course of action is indeed to meet with his forces, should he gather them, but if we do, I will be taking command, not him." 

"R-Right...." Ser Alfred said as he hung his head

"The two of you may have lived during the time of my Uncle and his predecessor, but you do well to remember that Jaehaerys and Viserys had their oversights. So do not use their names or their reigns to undermine whatever accomplishments I have had." I continued, "I am not some child you can just lecture, I am a Targaryen, I am of the Dragons' Blood. And if you wish to invoke my ire, I will gladly place you before the Bronze Fury. Now, you will do as I command and if you wish to offer counsel that isn't just plain buffoonery and mere undermining, you are free to do so. Just know that your counsel will be only considered and whether Her Grace acts upon it, it depends entirely on her. Do I make myself clear? Hm?" 

Lord Celtigar looked down, "Y-Yes, My Lord." 

"Of course." Ser Alfred said

"I am no fool." I told them, "This War could be avoided, but you did not see what I saw. Even if Aegon was taken care of, Aemond would take his place. He has no Heirs, the next in line are his brothers. So long as those two are alive, the Hightowers will not stop this War. The only thing we are left to do is go through with the conflict and hit them hard enough for them to rethink their choices. But before we do that...." 

I walked past them. 

"M-My Lord....?" Lord Celtigar called

"There is something that must be done." I said

***********

"Sister." I said as I walked inside Rhaena's chambers

Inside, I saw both Visenya and Rhaena sitting on the floor, playing with a doll. I noticed one of the handmaidens sitting on the chair next to them, seeing the two of them play. 

They both looked up as I walked up to me, "Brother." Rhaena said, "O-Or should I say King-Consort?" 

"It's fine." I smiled at her

Visenya stood up, "Father!" She said as she ran to me and hugged my leg, "You flew earlier, did you not?" 

I nodded, "Y-Yea." I said with a smile, "I had to take care of something..." 

"Can I fly with you?" She asked with a smile, "I want to ride on Vermithor....." 

I crouched down and patted her head, "My sweet and beautiful girl...." I said softly, "Not now, alright? The old grouch needs his rest for what's about to come." 

She frowned, "What is?" 

"I will fly away soon and won't come back for a while." I said as I patted her cheek, "But worry not, I will come back to see my beautiful girls...and my amazing boys....Okay?" 

"O-Okay..." She said softly

I looked at the maid, "Can you take her to Her Grace?" I said, "I need a word with my sister." 

"Y-Yes, My Lord." She said as she stood up and walked over, "Come, Princess, let us go see your Mother, The Queen." 

I straightened up and watched as the maid grabbed her hand and walked out of the room with her. 

"Brother...?" Rhaena said, "Is everything alright?" 

I gestured over to the couch, "Come, I need to speak with you." I said as I walked over

She stood up and walked over as I sat down, "Is something the matter? Did I do something?" She asked as she sat down and placed her hand on her lap, "You are worrying me...." 

I reached for her hand and gave her a gentle smile, "Look at you, my beloved sister...." I said, "All grown and beautiful....you will be wed soon, with Lucerys. I only wish the best for the two of you...." 

She nodded, "R-Right..." She said, "Is that what you wanted to speak about? About Lucerys?" 

I shook my head, "No." I said as I looked away and sighed, "This won't be easy, what I'm about to ask of you....but it's the only thing I can think of. We're at War, Rhaena, that much I know. I cannot trust anyone else to fight my battles for me, Rhaenyra's battles.....so i know what I must do...for the sake of my family, for her sake." 

"A-Aerion..." She grabbed my hand, "You intend to fly to war?" 

I nodded and looked at her, "When I confronted Borros Baratheon, I told him that my dragon would be the only one I would fly to War." I said, "I meant what I said. When I don my Armor and mount my Dragon, I don't intend to come back until Rhaenyra's enemies are vanquished and her brothers surrender. I do not wish for a war between our family tear our House apart. I refuse that." 

"O-Okay..." Rhaena said

"But that means that Dragonstone will be defenseless against Vhagar should Aemond attack." He said, "While I doubt that happens, there is that possibility. Syrax is the Queen's dragon but the Queen should not be fighting her battles. Jace and Baela will be doing their duties in The Vale and Luke will be in Driftmark..." 

"I...." Rhaena said, "I am sorry, If I had a dragon, I would be more of use...Instead, you're stuck with this useless sister." 

I patted her cheek, "Do not say that." I told her, "Rhaena, I trust nobody else here with Rhaenyra. Only you. I want you to be what you were meant to be; a Dragonrider. Which is why I came here...I know that you tried once and nearly died..." 

She widened her eyes, "Y-You mean...." 

"Yes." I said, "I need you to claim Silverwing." 

She pulled away, "B-But...." 

I grabbed her hand and squeezed it, "I know this is much to ask. But I know that you are capable of doing so." I said, "Your Mother claimed Vhagar, an impressive feat. I know that you are capable of doing so. Silverwing is the most docile of the dragons here in Dragonstone and the last time you tried, she was in a foul mood, unheard of even for her. I know that if you try this one and steel your resolve, much more than before, you will finally achieve what you always wanted to..." 

"Brother, I... " She said as she looked down, "A-Are you sure? Are you sure you want me to? You're asking me to be the one responsible for Her Grace should an attack come to dragonstone....are you certain of this....?" 

"Sister, I've known all along that you felt like an outcast, not having a dragon of your own. You felt like we didn't love you because of that. You were wrong, Rhaena, you always were....I never once cared if you had a Dragon or not. You are my blood, the only good thing Daemon has done...." I said softly, "You and Baela...I love you with all my heart....and it breaks it that I even have to ask something so.....large of you...." 

I noticed tears forming in her eyes, "Y-You trust me with this?" She said with a shaky voice

I nodded, "Of course..." I said as I lifted her hand and kissed it, "Of course, Sister. I need someone that i can trust here...someone that will defend my family while I'm away. Baela and Jace...they're defiant, they would find any excuse to take to the skies. Luke's dragon is too small for combat of that level....and you? You're perfect for this. You listen and never go against my wishes....sweet and gentle....but you're Laena's daughter....and dragonriding is in your blood....Silverwing is much needed." 

She nodded and wiped tears from her eyes, "O-Okay..." she said softly, "I will do it..." 

I smiled, 

"Thank you."