Rhaegon and Myrcella III

(Rhaegon's POV)

"Do you remember when we'll play above the Dragonmont?" Myrcella said with a smile, "With our Aunt and Uncle..." 

We were under a gazebo in the gardens, I was looking out to the sea as she said this, I caught a glimpse of her smile out of the corner of my eye and I looked at her. 

"Well, us three played...Uncle merely watched with a scowl on his face." I said, "Viserys was never a fan of playing with us." 

She chuckled, "He cares for us. He always has." She said, "You've been avoiding him." 

"Why wouldn't I be avoiding him? He can be too much." I told her

"He has love for you, Rhaegon. You are his only Nephew, closer to him in age than his own brother." She said as she reached for my hand, "We are family." 

As I felt the touch of her hands, I looked down at them, they were so smooth and pale. 

"Hm, tell him that." I said

"Out of all the exploits that the great Rhaegon has done, Viserys Targaryen is the cause of them." She said, "Whether the two of you like it or not, every adventure you so much enjoy...he's there." 

"Yea, my adventure in the Dothraki Sea is the reason we've added more power to our enemies." I grumbled, "The mere fact that a Dragon sits at the head of the Great Khalasar gives me anxiety." 

"They were bound to set their sights west, don't you think?" She said

I looked away, "Maybe." 

"Don't blame yourself." She said softly, "Don't think about that. Think about us, our future. We're to be married soon, do you wish to speak of it?" 

I have been thinking more about that letter she showed me, written by the Legendary Aerion Targaryen. I mean, why in every single moment in my recent life, is his name involved? What kind of a man has such an impact on history like him? I get Aegon, The Conqueror and all, but Aerion wasn't King. He was merely a consort, that's all. 

I get that his sons were Kings and his grandsons as well, but he himself was simply a warrior, renowned for his skill. 

I understand that Knights eventually get immortalized in songs but I've heard no songs of Aerion Targaryen, only his Grandson, Aemon The Dragonknight. 

"I don't know, Myrcella." I said

"I want to." She said with a smile

I sighed, "Okay." I said, "What do you wish to speak of?" 

"I'll move in with you to Summerhall, right?" She asked

"I...I don't know, I think." I said, "I would imagine so." 

"So I'll live under the same roof as the Sand Snakes? I would like to meet them..." She said with a look of wonder on her face, "Can I?" 

"Of course." I nodded

"Say..." She said, "Have you bedded them?" 

I looked away, "I....uhm...." I started, "Well, the thing is...." 

"I thought as much." She said, "Worry not, I have saved myself for you." 

I looked at her, "Myrcella." I started, "Look, I never once meant to lead you on nor hurt you in any way. You know that, right?" 

She nodded with a slight smile, "Yes." She said, "I've always loved you, Rhaegon. I really have. From the time we were children, I have always wanted you." 

"You know I didn't share those feelings back then." I told her

"Do you share them now?" She asked

"I..." I stopped myself, "Well, I don't know....." 

"Your mind is clouded, I understand." She said with a gentle tone, "The impending conflict is giving you so much stress, isn't it? I want you to know, Rhaegon, that I am here for you. Whatever you need to open up about, I am here...." 

I've always known that Myrcella was a gentle and sweet soul, I really don't deserve her. I knew she was fond of me, but I was blind to her true feelings, all this time. Why do I feel....wrong for this? Am I feeling guilty? Guilty that while this girl was madly in love with me, I was out there sleeping with three different women who I decided to choose to court? 

She doesn't deserve this from me....but....

I've grown fond of the Sand Snakes, I....

I care for them. 

And I care for Myrcella as well. What should I do? How will this even work? The last thing I want is a hostile environment in Summerhall if I do take Myrcella there. Those three are quite jealous women, they fight each other for me, I can't imagine what will happen if I add Myrcella to the mix.

What a precarious situation I've gotten myself in.

"Thank you, Myrcella." I said, "But it is inevitable, us marrying and all. Whatever obstacles we'll face, we'll worry when we get to them." 

"Okay then." She said softly, "Rhaenyra." 

I frowned, "What about her?" 

"No, the name." She said with a chuckle

I raised an eyebrow, "The name....?" She said

"If we have a daughter, which I know we'll have children, I want her to be named Rhaenyra." She said with a smile, "After the Dragon Queen, wife of the Great Aerion Targaryen." 

She was already thinking ahead, huh?

I sighed, "Fine." I said with a slight smile, "If that's your wish, then so be it." 

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

"The Wedding will be in a few months, I want your Mother to give birth to your sibling." King Rhaegar said as we walked on the coast, "That way she can be in condition to travel without issue." 

We were taking a walk, taking in the breeze of the sea as Ser Arthur and Ser Barristan walked behind us, on guard. 

I nodded, "Fine." I said, "That makes sense." 

"Our spies are working effectively, there is little to no movement on the Pretender's side that suggests an advancement. The Golden Company's presence in the Stepstones is nonexistent now." He suddenly said, "Hopefully nothing bad happens by the time you marry my Daughter." 

"Yes, hopefully." I said

"I leave her in your care, Rhaegon." He said

I stopped and looked at him, "I won't let any harm come to her, you have my word." I said seriously, "When have I broken a vow?" 

"These specific vows will be special for you." He chuckled, "The Hight Septons do not agree with this, but I care not. You will be wed in a traditional Valyrian Wedding, well modified that is. And it will be done at Summerhall, where the Rebirth of our Dragons occured." 

I nodded, "I see." I said, "Quite the symbolic meaning." 

"Indeed." He said, "I've always thought of you as a son, Rhaegon. Now with this, you'll essentially be my son, eh?" 

I chuckled, "I guess so." I said, "You honor me, Your Grace." 

He patted my shoulder, "I want you ready, my boy." He said with a serious face, "There is something big coming." 

"I can feel it."