The Great Council Part 1

It's a hard life as a bastard, especially when you're the now future king's bastard. The Great King Viserys I. What a cunt. It would have been an easier life if Rhaenys was made queen instead, she was the better choice. Raised to rule at a young age, the daughter of the first-born heir to the old king. All because she lacked a sword in-between her legs, she was passed over for a man who drank as much as he smiled.

I was there during the great council at Harrenhall, The Old King thought it prompt that every Targaryen be there, even the Bastards. My father for all his worth could never refuse The Old King, No one could. I had a chance to meet him before the council meeting. This is how those days went.

(Haemon pov). Year 101 AC

The walls are huge, knights everywhere, and more importantly are the dragons in the sky. The only one that really caught my eye was the Red Queen Meleys. It was the same ruby red as the ring my father gave my mother to prove of my blood. I carried it with me everywhere I went. Today it seemed my efforts were worth it. My mother died when I was young, well younger than I am. She died when I was 7, I can hardly remember her face or her voice. Her last words are still fresh in my mind however.

"Always remember. You are the blood of the dragon. My boy, my sweet boy. Promise me you'll never forget that. Take this ring and go to your father. I can'y watch over you anymore in this life. But I will always be with you".

I never noticed where I was going until I bumped into a tall man with a white clock. It was Ser Ryam Redwyne. Better known as the Lord Commander of King Jaehaerys' Kingsguard. Which only means the king is here himself. As soon as I thought that I saw him. He was frail looking, with a long beard reaching his waste. He looked sad, very sad. Like he saw a ghost.

"Its custom to bow before your king boy". Ser Ryam said harshly.

I was caught between looking at him and the king like a fish out of water.

"I'll only warn you once, bow before I make you".

"Now, now Ser Ryam, no need to be harsh on the boy. It's not every day you meet the king or bump into his kingsguard". His voice even sounded old, barely above a whisper.

"I'm sorry your grace, I wasn't looking. I didn't mean too. I... I..." I said with a blush while quickly kneeling. I held the ring up to him so he could look at it. He didn't say anything, simply looked at me. With a remembrance I couldn't understand. Like he was trying to stare through me while looking at everything I've already done at the same time.

"What's your name boy?". The Old King asked with his kingly voice. At least that's what I imagined.

"Your grace surely we should move on, you need your rest after such a journey". Ser Ryam said with a hint of annoyance that I was still bothering the king.

"I asked a question boy, answer me." Jaehaerys continued ignoring his guard.

"My name is... My name is Haemon. Haemon Waters your grace". I said rising and wiping the mud from my knee.

He continued to stare at me, felt like minutes of just him staring at me. Going from my eyes, and hair, and nose. I felt weirded out by it.

"Could you stop staring at me like that. Just say something already!" I yelled. I remembered who I was talking to and immediately tried to apologize. While Ser Ryam gripped my shoulder and yelling that he'd geld me for such disrespect.

The Old King seem to find all of this amusing as a smirk graced his wrinkled face. "Who is your father boy?" That seemed to stop my struggle with the Kingsguard. He looked at me truly then, at my eyes. The same color as his. Pure lilac, or so I've been told.

"Prince Viserys. Your grace. My father is Prince Viserys and my mother was a whore." My bluntness seemed to stun him for a moment. I can imagine why. Not every ten and one boy would openly admit that his mother was a whore among royalty, no less the king. "Prince Viserys felt bad for my mother so he gave her the ring so that I could have a place among your house when I had nowhere else to go."

He seemed to be thinking for a moment. " And where is your mother now?".

"Dead. Died of a sickness, she found work at a farm outside of Kingslanding when she had me. After she died, the farmer who hired her. Put me to work feeding the horses and taking care of the house when he worked in the fields. He took me here when he found out about the great council then wished me luck and left." I went off on a tangent forgetting on who I was talking to. Again. "Your grace".

"Well you came all this way, my grandson promised you a place among our house. A bastard you may be, but you'll be a clean one with better clothes." He said while looking off in the distance. "Ser Clement"

"Yes Your grace" A plain looking man with a grey beard came up, with the same white clock as Ser Ryam.

"Take young Haemon to some servants and have them bathe and clothe him. Then bring him to me." He said with a shadow of his former strength. Starting to hunch over more and look even more frail. He then looked at me with a smile. "You look like my Baelon when he was your age" Then he left with his white cloaks escorting him.

"Come along boy, best not keep the King waiting." Ser Clement said with what seemed like annoyance. I would be annoyed too if I had to escort a ten and one nameday boy to get bathed.

"Yes Ser". We walked in silence, with me looking at everything with wonder and awe. I even saw some large creatures with what looked to be a long snout. Ser Clement seemed to catch what I was staring at and said.

"Elephants, monstrous animals, easy to break enemy lines in a war, hard to maintain and care for though." He said while nudging me to keep moving.

"Ser Clement. How's it like guarding the King?" I ask after a few steps.

"It's a great honor to guard the King. Honor upon myself and to my family." He said with a strength I thought he was talking about his own blood. he takes his vows to heart. That's good.

"My mother told me that the words we say makes a man. That if he tells someone he'll do it and he doesn't do it. Then everyone would always second guess him and they'll thinks he's weak".

Ser Clement looked down at me for a few seconds with some sadness in his eyes. "Your mother seemed a smart woman, but it's not so simple. Many lords can do as they please with no punishment, just because they have the army or the gold to make no man question them".

"Not even the king?" He didn't answer me and we walked in silence.

The rest of the day blurred and before I knew it Ser Clement Was escorting me to a large door and I heard talking behind it, as I got closer it got louder and it seemed people were arguing. I heard a few shouts of bastard here and there. Ser Clement seemed to notice as well and told me to wait while he told the king that I was there. The shouting seemed to stop when he opened the door and I have never been more nervous than I was at this moment. When Ser Clement came out of the room he told me that I could come in, he grabbed my shoulder and told me to "be brave, respect the royal blood, and remember to bow". He walked in the room and I was left alone for a few moments before I gained the courage to open the door and change my life forever.

(Viserys POV) 101 AC, half an hour after Haemon left Jaehaerys

When Grandfather told me of a bastard who claimed to be my son. I refused this saying that bastards were turning up left and right. He then told me of the ring he had with him.

It was before I married Aemma. I went to the brothels for the first time so that I wouldn't embarrass myself the night we had to consummate our marriage.

I saw her then, a beauty among the commoners, who had a certain spark in her eyes. She laughed at the drunk men and joked with them as she served them drinks. Her smile was a gift a any. When I told her it would only be for a night, she simply laughed and said.

"I'm not a fool to think I could steal a prince from a princess. Let's just enjoy tonight". We did. I may have been just a boy then but gods did I enjoy that night. I gave her my ring so that if she was with my child and promised her a knight to squire under if it was a boy and a lady to wait for if it was a girl. She simply smiled and thanked me. I never saw her again.

I smiled as the memories faded away. Grandfather seemed to notice.

"So, It's true then, he's your bastard." It seemed more of a statement then a question and he didn't wait for me to answer. "He looks like your father when he was his age. The same nose. It was a surprise to see him. I even got lost in memories after hearing his name that he had to yell at me to snap out of it. Just like my little Baelon. Always brave. How I miss him..." His voice fading as he kept whispering about my father.

"Grandfather what would you have me do? What would Aemma say? Or even Rhaenyra? Surely this will affect how the lords vote." I seeked his wisdom, I was nervous, and he seemed to snap out of his memories.

"I would have you do your duty. You promised his mother a place among us did you not? He seems a smart child, have him squire for Daemon perhaps. The gods know that he needs some responsibility. Of course, you'll have to tell Sweet Aemma and little Rhea. It's your duty. Just like being king will be. This just a small feeling of kingship. You'll do fine my boy. Now come lets go. I'm quite tired and want to eat before I sleep." When he spoke to me, I still felt like the little boy and he seemed the king he once was, speaking with wisdom and strength. Leaving no room for any other outcome to come out of it.

"Come my boy, escort this old man to where we will be eating" he said and all of his strength seemed to fade away again.

"Of course, grandfather" I said helping him up and to the room where my family was waiting. Gods save me from Aemma's wrath.

(Aemma POV) 101 AC, minutes before Haemon opens the door

"What do you mean you have a bastard!". I yelled; I was stunned. I never would have expected Viserys to father a bastard. I knew he would go to brothels when he was younger even when we were married before Jaehaerys put a stop to it. Hearing him tell me he had a bastard was too much to hear now. It was against the faith. They were vile and traitors to all. Their greed and ambition for power would leave everything in ruin. He would surely try to usurp my little Rhea should she become heir. It was too much.

"Please Aemma listen to me..." He started.

"Listen to you! How dare you! You who has a bastard, when we have a daughter together. Have a failed you so? That you seek the company of other women to produce your heirs! Gods above. A bastard. What have I done to deserve such disrespect husband? Please help me understand." I was angry. My face was hot with rage and my ears were starting to burn as well. Rhae seemed confused and Daemon seemed angry as well. Good, at least I'm not the only one here that has found some offense in this.

"Now Aemma, you will listen to what Viserys has to say." Grandfather said softly. I wanted to yell at him too. I wanted to scream. I could never do such a thing toward him though. Although he was old, his kingliness would come back out and again and this was one of those times. His voice held no room for arguments. I waited a few moments before nodding.

"Now I may have a bastard, but I have made no plans to see you or our little Rhae replaced" Rhae seemed to smile at her name and continue to eat her peas. "But I made a promise to his mother, for him to squire under a good knight so that he may find his own glory in this world. He is my blood, and I will see him treated as such." He spoke with such confidence that I thought I was talking to a different man.

"Who would you have him squire under brother" Daemon asked. Curious of his brother plans.

"Well grandfather offered you, for him to squire under" I can see Daemon look dreaded then he had a smirk on his face. "But if I'm made heir to the throne, then I'll try to have squire under Lord Corlys." He said with some thought.

"A sound plan my boy." Grandfather whispered with a smile. As much as I hate to admit it. It was. If he became heir then he could use his bastard to make peace with the Velaryons.

"But only after a few years in the Red Keep would he be permitted to leave to attend his duties, should Lord Corlys leave. He is my son, and I would like to at least know him, and teach him our history. With your permission grandfather." Viserys said with less confidence than before. It seemed he didn't know if he wanted to do it or not.

"A good plan" Viserys only gave a bright smile at that.

Rhae in all her innocence didn't seem to notice the mood shift. " I have a brother?".

"A bastard brother" I quickly corrected. Viserys seemed to sour at the correction while Daemon smile. His same smile like he knew what everyone was thinking before they thought it. A fool really.

"That's what he is my love. A bastard. Your father's mistake". I said sweetly, wiping some food form her lips.

"A bastard I had no knowledge of until now Aemma!" Viserys said in rage.

"But he still is that, A bastard. No matter what your plans for the boy. He will always remain a bastard a stain on your honor and our house's honor! A bastard should have no place near your daughter!" I screamed and Viserys seemed like he had something to say but stopped when he heard the door open. Ser Clement walked in head held high and stopped with a bow.

"Your grace the boy is waiting outside the room." We all stopped and looked around at each other. Viserys seemed nervous with him fidgeting with his rings on his fingers. They seemed to be getting tighter when his father passed. Daemon wiped away his smirk and looked to grandfather who looked like the king he had been in the past. Sitting straight and speaking with a loud and clear voice.

"Well, tell him to come in Ser Clement". He bowed and left. Coming back to stand with his brothers in white a minute later. Then the door opened and a silver haired boy who looked no older than ten and one namedays walked in.

Author's note.

I have never written anything before. Like at all. Besides school stuff, but nothing original. Well as original as a fanfiction can be.

The dance of the Dragons Timeline seems so interesting and isn't written about enough. So, I'm trying my hand at it.

Please forgive me for any mistakes I make and please comment about those mistake so I can fix them.