House Baratheon

(Rhaegon's POV)

As I stepped out into the courtyard, I heard the loud thuds of a practice sword hitting a wooden shield and a pain groan.

"Fucking hells, Renly." I heard Father say, "Get up!"

I saw as Father, Lord Robert Baratheon, stood over his youngest brother, my uncle Renly.

Renly got up and tossed the shield to the side, "Why must go so hard on me, Robert?" He said with annoyance, "This isn't what I came here for?"

Father scowled, "Then what did you come here for?" He asked, "Master of Law, foolish little man."

Before Uncle Renly could answer, I approached them, holding a wooden practice sword that I got from one of the racks.

"Good Morrow, Uncle Renly." I said with a smile, "Seems that King's Landing has done to soften you up."

Renly looked at me, "Ah, Rhaegon." He said, "Good, you're here."

I looked at him as I leaned on the sword while I held it to the ground, "You came to see me?" I asked

He nodded, "His Grace wanted me to personally come and fetch you." He said, "An important matter he wishes to discuss. I am to stay here and deal with some matters with Stannis as well, you can leave on Dragonback."

I raised an eyebrow and looked at father, "A royal command, given by His Grace, The King." I told him, "Surely Lord Baratheon would be willing to lift the ban placed on me."

Father scowled with annoyance, "Bah!" He waved me off, "Go and see what he wants. And you best not let Viserys goad you into crossing the Narrow Sea and burn Dothraki again."

I chuckled, "That was a good time."

Renly rubbed his hair, "Not for us, Nephew." He said, "Not for us…."

I walked over to him and swiftly smacked him on the knee with the broad of the wooden sword, "Is that so?"

"Ah!" He cried out, "Rhaegon!"

Father chuckled, "You're too slow, Renly!" He asked, " How will you allow your nephew to best you in combat?"

"We're not fighting…." he grumbled

I smiled, "Worry not, Father." I said, "Renly here doesn't need to learn to fight, he's taken well with the prodigal Knight of Roses, Loras Tyrell."

"Ser Loras, huh?" Father said, "You've befriended that one? More incentive to learn how to fight and not be left behind!"

Renly straightened up, "I have no need to listen to the two of you." He said, "I heard from the servants that you got yourselves plastered last night. What was the occasion?"

"Celebrating," I said as I twirled the wooden sword in my hand

"Indeed." Father said, "Rhaegon and I won a few serious bets, we raced several of our horses against Lord Dondarrion's. We won."

"Gambling?" Renly said, "Are you jesting?"

I shook my head, "No." I told him, "Harmless fun, uncle. It is literally the same as Jousting."

"Betting on Jousting is also not okay." Renly said, "Rhaegon, don't let your father rub his bad habits on you." 

"Bad habits?" I said, "You're mistaken, Uncle. Father is teaching me old traditions of House Baratheon; racing against the other lords of the Stormlands. Isn't that right, Father?" 

"Haha!" Father laughed, "You're bloody right about that. Anyways, what does the King want with my son?" 

Renly adjusted his collar, "I cannot say. It is between His Grace and Rhaegon." 

I looked at Father, "Oh, this sounds like it's a matter between a Knight and his King, Father." 

"I'm your Lord." He muttered with a frown, "Very well, before you go, go and wish your sister goodbye. Last time you left without a word to her, she wept. I will not have that again." 

I sighed, "Very well." I said as I quickly smacked Uncle's thigh, "I'll see you later, Uncle." 

"Ah!" He yelped, "How dare you do this to me!" 

*********************************************

I walked up to Monica, my dear sister, as she sat at the table. There was a large book in front of her, she was flipping the pages as I approached her, her purple eyes focused intently on its contents. Today, she had her black hair tied in a ponytail, which I found adorable. 

"Sister." I said as I reached the table

"Brother." She said without looking away from the book, "Good Morrow, have you eaten yet?" 

I nodded, "Yes, I have also greeted our Uncle." I said, "Have you done the same?" 

"Which one?" She asked

"Renly." I replied

"No, I have not seen him. I should, however." She said

I smiled slightly as I leaned closer to her, trying to see what she was reading, "Taking your studies seriously?" I asked

"I must." She said, "I am the Daughter of Princess Shaena Targaryen, I must learn the Old Ways." 

I noticed that the book's contents were sketches and several paragraphs around them. The sketches were that of Dragon skulls, with intricate details. 

"What are you reading on?" I asked

"The history of our Family's heritage; The Dragons." She said

"I thought this book was kept in King's Landing." I said as I crossed my arms

"Mother had a copy made." She replied, "Brother, did you know that Morghul is believed to be the reincarnation of Meleys, The Red Queen? According to the Masters' notes and several historians, their anatomy is quite similar, his skull's shape is an exact copy of the sketches on Princess Rhaenys's dragon." 

I raised an eyebrow, "You've read that much, huh?" I asked

"Yes." She said as she flipped the page, "Morghul's top spikes are larger and longer than Meleys's, though....and obviously, he is pitch black. His scales are that of an obsidian black, reflecting the sun's light.....truly, an amazing beast...." 

I straightened up, "Hm...." 

I was completely amazed at my sister's demeanor. I wasn't this scholarly, intellectual, and mature at her age. Well, then again, I ignored most of my Mother's wishes for me to study the books and focused on training the sword with Father and Ser Arthur Dayne whenever I had the chance to go to King's Landing. 

Well, mostly Ser Arthur because Father's sword skills are below average. His true strength relies on his Warhammer, which nobody in the Realm wishes to be on the receiving end. I still took studies on the Realm's history; its lands and lords. Mother also made sure I knew the history of my Targaryen blood. I wouldn't be on her good graces if I didn't.

Monica looked up at me, "Why have you come here, Brother?" She asked, "You rarely visit me while I study. Only when I am in my room or in the courtyards playing." 

I chuckled and patted her head, "Sorry, little one." I said, "I have to go to King's Landing. Our Uncle, The King, has summoned me." 

She frowned, "Oh." She said softly, "I wished to go see Morghul later this afternoon." 

"Mayhaps when I return." I told her, "I promise." 

"You are a Knight, Ser Rhaegon." She said with a smile, "Will you make that Oath? Take me to see your Dragon when you return from King's Landing?" 

I took a step back and bowed, "Of course, Lady Monica." I said with a chuckle, "I will not fail you. Keep at your studies, Sister, I shall say goodbye to Mother." 

"Very well." She said, "Safe travels." 

*******************************************************

"This isn't a good sign." I said as I approached Father and Mother sitting at the table

We were in one of the meeting rooms of Storm's End, Father had sent for me right before I was going to make my way to Morghul's Cave. 

Next to a window, Uncle Renly stood with a serious look on his face. 

"Rhaegon." Robert said as he stood up, "We just received word of something disturbing." 

I frowned, "What is it?" 

Renly cleared his throat, "Just when you went to see your sister, a soldier brought a report." He said, "About our brother, Stannis." 

Mother looked at me, "Dear, your Uncle Stannis appears to convert to a different religion." She said, "He apparently worships the deity known as the Lord of Light. He was seen beginning a fire-starting ritual in one of our coasts with the Cult." 

"Religious Zealots." Father grumbled, "A Red-Priestess must've seduced him, probably." 

I sighed, "Oh well, that's something." I said, "What of it? Surely, this won't warrant a trial, right?" 

"That's not the issue." Uncle Renly said, "When one of the soldiers that discovered this went to confront him, stating that the massive bonfire was similar to those you usually start when you go to the North, one of those Cultists cursed you out; saying 'Fuck Rhaegon'. Many joined in on that, stating you were a mere pretender and a....coward...." 

I narrowed my eyes, "Is that so?" I said gripping the handle of my sword, "Who?" 

"They dare say that about my son? My Heir?" Father said with anger, "Send word to Stannis; I want the tongues of those who said this." 

"My love, My Lord." Mother said, "It is Rhaegon who was insulted, his honor questioned. He should go and confront your Brother." 

Father looked at her, "Well, your Brother summoned him to King's Landing." He said, "What will we do about that?" 

Mother grabbed his hand, "I shall send a raven to King Rhaegar." She said with a smile, "His Grace will wait...for now." 

"Fine." Father said before looking at him, "Rhaegon, go and find out what's this is about." 

I nodded, "At once." I said turning around

"On horseback." He said as I took some steps, "Can't have you threatening the people with your beast, use your sword." 

I stopped and turned around, "You know, you can be a killer of joy sometimes." I said with a frown, "A little fire breathing to intimidate fire-worshiping zealots won't hurt."

"Killer of Joys, he says." He said looking at mother then at me, "Killer of Greyjoys, mayhaps. Just shut up and go get it over with. After that, you will take your Dragon and fly to King's Landing to see what His Grace wants." 

I nodded, "Sure sure." I waved him off, 

"I'll see what gives."