Chapter 3: Homecoming

Rhaenyra entered the chamber where Princess Rhaenys lay. The Queen's face was flushed, her expressions erratic, as if she were struggling to contain her fury. She was nearly mad with rage. Inside, she saw the maesters tending to Rhaenys's wounds. Severe burns marred her left side, arms, and abdomen. Her pain was evident, her teeth clenched in a constant grimace. As the Queen entered, Rhaenys glanced up briefly, then looked away.

"I should've died on that battlefield," Rhaenys said, her voice a strained whisper. "It was a miracle I'm still alive. If not for that... monster."

The Queen made no reply, merely humming in acknowledgment.

"I heard a commotion outside," Rhaenys continued. "What has happened?"

"What do you know about him?" Rhaenyra asked, sidestepping the question.

"Him?" Rhaenys looked confused. "I don't follow, Your Grace."

"The monster you mentioned," Rhaenyra clarified.

"A man… I see now there's more to it." Rhaenys replied. "I know nothing of him, only that he annihilated the entire army, commander included. Somehow, he transformed into a greater monster, unleashing an explosion unlike any I've seen. The Greens are weakened. Vhagar is no more. Aegon is dead with his dragon. You could march to King's Landing and reclaim your throne with little contest if you are quick enough, Your Grace."

"That... 'monster' took Aemond and fled to King's Landing. If not for Lord Simon's insistence that I do not leave, I would have pursued them," Rhaenyra said, her voice dripping with venom.

Rhaenys snapped her gaze to the Queen, surprised. "Then... this war will drag on if he switches sides. But Lord Simon is right to stop you, Vhagar was shot by him from far away in order to catch her attention, Syrax would not survive that shot. Though It's an enigma. He decimated the Greens' army, yet sided with them when the chance came. Does he not realize he'll be executed at the capital?"

"Do you think Aemond will kill his greatest asset now?" Rhaenyra retorted. "That monster killed Vhagar. He is far more dangerous than that old beast."

"True," Rhaenys murmured.

Rhaenyra chuckled bitterly, almost pitying her situation. She had believed he would side with her. How could he not? He had slaughtered an entire army, vanquishing the greatest threat in this war and killing the king she fought against. Yet, why had it come to this?

"Your Grace?" Rhaenys interrupted her thoughts.

"Can you still fly?" the Queen asked.

"I suppose I have no choice, do I?" Rhaenys replied. "I am well past my death."

"You are to follow me to Dragonstone," Rhaenyra commanded. "You are to describe what had happened here to the council. I would imagine it will be hard to make them believe the things that you saw."

"On that I agree." Rhaenys sighed. "Very well, your grace. But I ask that you give me time to recover. How of Lord Simon?"

"He's to stay here, to await Lord Mooton and defend this place in case of retaliation."

Rhaenys merely nodded.

"Then I pray for your recovery, princess." said the queen, turning away towards the door. "For we depend on it."

***

On the streets of King's Landing, a carriage is swiftly bringing Prince Aemond Targaryen and his 'traveling companion' towards the red keep. They were guarded by the kingsguard outside, surrounding the carriage itself using their own horses to keep the pace. Inside the carriage there were only those two, no one else. As the sound of hooves clanking against the stony road below, they were both having another conversation, privy to prying ears.

"What would you tell your kin about me?" Willam asked calmly, looking through the window. "I suspect they would not believe it."

"Is it really necessary to not tell them?" Aemond asked back. "The important thing is that I am alive, and you were the reason for it. I am bringing you to the keep as a way of paying debts."

"And you do not think they will question what has happened? Words travel fast, true, but truth often gets twisted as those words pass through ear to ear. People would want to hear it from the source." Willam stated. "I did not think I spared a single man in that battlefield, though I could be wrong, you survived, some might as well."

"Then it will be easier." Aemond answered. "I could tell a white lie to them. At least until your services are needed again. And by that time the feeling of vengeance is moot."

"And what made you think I will fight for you?"

"Because if you don't, we will not win this war, and you will not get your reward."

Willam merely smiled, and chuckled. "Do you trust me that strongly, my prince?"

"You are on the bottom of my list of the ones I should trust." the prince said. "I am not so blind to see that. Yet you are my only option."

"I do not think that is quite the case." Willam told him. "Many lords still support you, many more will if you convince them."

The prince scoffed. "Armies are moot in front of dragons, which they have many."

"You have dragons as well."

Aemond shook his head. "Dragon eggs, sure. Dragons that are rideable to war? There is none. Only my brother Daeron and my sister have them. And the gods know that Helaena is not going to go to the field of battle, while Daeron is far in Oldtown."

It was then that they arrived at the Red Keep. At the entrance of the keep, a crowd was already waiting, it was the small council, and the Queen Dowager Alicent. When the carriage stopped, Aemond glanced briefly at Willam, before standing up and exiting the transport. Meanwhile, Willam stayed for a moment, let Aemond bask in the attention first, and once he saw that no one was paying attention to the carriage, he exited as well.

He saw the family dynamics between Aemond, and his mother. It does not look like a family. Only small smiles were thrown between the three, with a pat on the back by Otto, and no more.

"It is a miracle that you are alive." Alicent said. "I am thankful for the gods."

"It is not the gods who helped me escape the clutches of that whore of a queen." Aemond stated, turning to Willam. "It is him."

Willam merely bowed his head slightly, and didn't say anything.

The Queen dowager didn't have any reaction towards the young man. "Come." she said to Aemond. "We have prepared a feast for your return."

***

As twilight descended, Aemond took his place at the dining table, surrounded by his family. The queen, draped in a black gown threaded with green, sat alongside the dowager queen. They all knew of Aegon's death, and sorrow hung thick in the air. Yet, his absence at the table was conspicuously unnoticed. When he arrived they hadn't asked Aemond to recount the fates of those close to him, and only heard the summary of the matter. He assumed the small council grasped the generalities of recent events, but no one had yet pressed him for the full truth.

Perceiving this, Aemond glanced around, then gently placed his silverware aside and spoke.

"Who is to be king now?" he inquired.

"It is not the time, Aemond," Alicent replied.

"If not now, then when?" Aemond pressed. "The war does not pause for mourning, Mother. The realm needs a king."

Alicent sighed. "Your nephew is to be king, who else?"

"A child?" Aemond retorted. "Can a child lead a war?"

"His regents shall manage."

"And who shall those be?" Aemond countered. "Vhagar is no more. Nothing deters Rhaenyra from striking now. She could come at any moment."

"Your brother is in Oldtown, we still have a dragon," Alicent said.

"And what of Dreamfyre?" Aemond turned to Helaena.

The queen did not meet the prince's eye; she stared intently at her food. She had lost much: her son, her 'husband', and now, perhaps, her life. Aemond watched her for a while, hoping for a response, but eventually turned back to his meal.

Then, Helaena spoke, though her words did not align with Aemond's question.

"I do not like him," she said simply. "I cannot see him."

"Him?" Aemond turned to her, puzzled.

"Your patron," Alicent clarified, echoing Helaena's words.

"What is it about him that you dislike?" Aemond asked. "He saved my life. I wouldn't be here if not for his bravery."

"And how did he save you?" Alicent interjected. "Was it one of Lord Staunton's dungeon keepers? Or perhaps a soldier? You brought a stranger to the keep."

"Almost everyone in this city is a stranger, are they not?" Aemond replied. "Besides, he is the only thing deterring Rhaenyra from attacking us now."

"And why is that?" Alicent inquired.

"Because he is the one who slaughtered our army," Aemond said, his single eye locking onto Otto's. The table fell silent. Otto leaned back, setting his silverware aside.

"The council heard whispers of what transpired at Rook's Rest," Alicent said. "They speak of a man who transformed into a seven-hundred-foot monstrosity and decimated our army—and your dragon. Are you saying you are hosting that very monstrosity within our walls?"

"Believe what you will," Aemond said. "But he saved me. I offered him lands and titles in gratitude."

Alicent sighed, massaging her temples. "You lost one eye, Aemond. How can you be so blind? If he is as you say, he is a criminal of the darkest kind. He must be executed immediately."

"And then what, mother?" Aemond challenged. "What path to victory remains? Armies are useless against dragons. But he managed to kill Vhagar. He can kill Caraxes, Syrax, and all the dragons belonging to that whore of a queen."

"And how can you trust him to aid you in this war?" Alicent added. "Again Aemond, he is but a stranger. How can you guarantee the loyalty of a man who has fought against you and harmed you?"

"Mother, I ask again: where is the path to victory if not through him?" Aemond insisted. "Rhaenyra could easily conquer our allies now. No dragons oppose her but Daeron's."

"You are gambling our lives," his mother said.

"Better to gamble than face certain defeat," Aemond spat, standing abruptly and causing Helaena to flinch. "I am done with this dinner. If any of you have ideas for surviving this war, let me hear them. From now on, I am prince regent. As for who is king, decide that in your cowardly discussions in your chambers."

With that, Aemond stormed out, leaving the table in silence.

***

On top of a table in the chamber where Willam was currently staying was some food, served by the servants. It was just stale bread and some sausage, nothing fancy. He grabbed the bread, his gaze lingering on it for a while. He was doubting to eat it, perhaps due to trust issues that came since all this started, but on a second thought, he dismissed the idea of it being dangerous, so he simply bit it, savoring the already tasteless nourishment.

He turned to the window, looking through it to see the scenery of King's Landing. At night, it was quite beautiful. He had never seen King's Landing before, he had stayed far away from it in order to get to that moment when he showed himself. In moments like this, he let his mind go free, freed from the burden of his overly unrealistic ambition.

He had seemingly done what he had planned, though not all went well and he had to improvise, but in the end perhaps the result would be more advantageous to him now. He looked upon the dragonpit from afar, and could only sigh. His only enemy now is time and luck, and whether or not the ones across the sea will do the things that he thought they would do. If not, he could still improvise, but if yes, then it will be smooth sailing from now on. Either way, he will come as the victor, the gift that had been bestowed on him ensures that.