Visiting Cousins II

(Aerion's POV)

"Alright listen to me, you little runt." I said as I walked up to Aegon

He backed up against the wall as he raised his arms, his breath reeking of wine, "W-What? Aerion? When did you get here?" 

It was the following day, I had checked in on Viserys, he had been bed-ridden. He told me he was happy to see me and I informed him about the news of Rhaenyra's pregnancy. To say he was overjoyed was an understatement. 

"Does not matter." I said as I jabbed my finger at his shoulder, "Let us make something clear, Cousin. You and I, we're total opposites, but I've cared for you as you are my kin. But make no mistake, I despise the things you do." 

Aegon frowned, "W-What?" He said, "What..." 

I leaned closer to him, "If you as so much as hurt Helaena in any way, Aegon. So the gods help you..." I said seriously, "Nothing, not even your Dragon, will save you from what I do to you." 

He cleared his throat, "Is this about my betrothal to her?" He said, "I don't want it either, don't think I do!" 

"You will do your duty." I said seriously as I backed up, "But you will treat her as she is to be, your Wife. And remind yourself that she is a good girl, a sweet and gentle soul, do NOT defile her." 

"Relax, Aerion..." He said as he frowned again, "I....I won't...I promise you....I never thought of doing anything to her, I'm serious." 

"Good." I said as I patted his shoulder, "That's good. But know, I will not forgive you." 

"Fuck, man..." He said, "You don't have to be such a t-" 

"Shut up." I said as I patted his head and ruffled his hair, "You stupid little shit." 

I turned around and walked away. 

"Sorry if we weren't at your wedding." He called after me, "Mother did not want us to go....she worried that Aemond would lose his shit." 

I stopped and glanced at him, "Hm..." I said, "It is fine." 

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

After my brief encounter with Aegon, I made my way to the training yard where I saw Criston Cole training with Aemond, who wore an eye-patch. They were swinging practice swords at each other, the little prince dodging and weaving Cole's attacks. 

I stopped several meters as I saw Aemond parried one of Cole's swings and suddenly got pushed down to the ground as he grunted loudly. 

"Guuhh!" He exclaimed

"That was better than last time, my Prince." Cole said as he circled around him, "Stand up. Again." 

Aemond stood up and was about to say something to him before he saw me, "Cousin." He said as he patted his shirt

"Aemond." I nodded

"What are you doing here?" He said as Cole stood behind him

"Watching you train, I suppose." I said while shrugging

"In King's Landing, I mean." He said with a serious look

I smiled slightly, "I would not be here unless summoned." I said, "You know that. And here I am, so I assume that I was summoned. Did Cole not tell you?" 

Aemond looked at Cole, "No, he did not." 

"Apologies, My Prince, your Mother did not wish for me to say anything." Criston said

"How have you been, cousin?" I asked

"Good." He said as he looked back to me, "No thanks to you." 

"Ah." I said, "I imagined so." 

"Came here to apologize for not defending me back at Driftmark." He said angrily, "You could've spoken in my favor...instead of what you did." 

I walked up to him as I looked down at the little white-haired and one-eyed prince, "You called those boys bastards." I whispered, "What did you expect for me to do? Side with you?" 

"A bit of support would have been nice." He said

"You know why I did not do it, Aemond." I said, "Don't play stupid." 

He spat on the ground, "Is that all, Cousin?" He said, "I would like to resume my training." 

He then turned around and walked past Cole who merely looked at me. 

"I came here to invite you to fly with me with Oldtown." I said, "I want to go check on Daeron." 

"Go do that, then." He said as he began to rummage on the weapons table, "I have no interest." 

"You heard the prince, Aerion." Cole said

"Hm." I said, "I did, Cole. I did indeed hear him." 

"Oh boy!" I heard Aegon's annoying voice behind me, "Oldtown, here we go! Grandsire had already sent a raven to my Uncle Gwayne, the Hightower awaits us!" 

He patted my back as he chuckled. 

I rolled my eyes, "What?" I looked at him

"You told my mother you wanted to check on Daeron, right?" He said with a smile, "Good, I have been dying to leave the Capital, and get a strong whiff of Reach air once in a while." 

"And she told you to accompany me?" I said with annoyance

"No, I asked if I could come. Father said it was okay." He said with a smile, "Come on, it'll be fun! Sunfyre and Vermithor flying next to each other as Vhagar so sluggishly follows behind! The Reach will cower in fear of such terrors in the sky! Jesting, of course, we're not burning anything down." 

"Ugh..." I groaned, "Fine. Behave yourself, however." 

"Yes, of course." He said with a chuckle as he looked at Aemond, "You coming or what? Aemond?" 

"No." Aemond said

"Is it wise for the Prince to leave the Capital without any guards?" Criston said, "Can I be so sure you will not do anything to him?" 

I frowned, "What do you take me for, Cole?" I said seriously

"Hey now, the two of you don't fight." Aegon said, "I will be fine, Ser Criston." 

"If you say so." He said

"Do not worry about Aegon." I said as I turned around, "I'll keep him safe, gods know he can't." 

"What does that mean?" He said, "Aerion..?" 

"You are an idiot." I told him before walking away

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

"You got here faster than I thought." I said as I pulled Willam into a hug

"My Lord...." He said as he patted my back, "It is good to see you." 

We were at the entrance of the Red Keep, I was going to the Dragonpit to make preparations for my trip to Oldtown and I had ran into Willam and a few of my other men. 

"We were in the area when we received word of this." Willam said, "You're not in trouble, I hope?" 

"No, thankfully." I said as my other cousins and uncles stood around us, "It is good to see you lot, I certainly missed you. I trust everything is good in Runestone." 

"Genna is holding the fort, you know how she is." Willam chuckled, "So...what news do you bring?" 

I sighed and handed him a rolled-up letter, "I apologize, Uncle. I may need you to sail to Dragonstone and personally deliver this to the Princess." I said, "If you require some gold, let me know." 

"No, we have it covered." He said, "What is the problem?" 

"Nothing." I said, "I am going to fly to Oldtown and check in on Daeron at the King's behest." 

"Ah, the young dragon, eh?" He said as he nodded, "Well, he has been warding there for a long time." 

I nodded as I looked at him with a smile, "Y-Yes..." I said before getting a bit of a nervous feeling

"What is it?" He asked, "Something is off, that smile....you never smile like that unless something happened...." 

I looked down and cleared my throat, "The Princess..." I started, "She's with child." 

I looked up to see him widening his eyes in shock, "WHAT?" He bellowed as he raised his arms

I heard the others laugh in joy as Willam pulled me into a hug, "Whoa!" I said

"You crazy boy!!" He yelled in joy, "You did it!!" 

He then pushed me away as I stumbled back, I felt the others went up to me and patted my shoulders and back to congratulate me. 

"Congratulations, Lord Aerion!" They said as they laughed

"Thank you..." I said as I composed myself, "Yes, It is true, she's confirmed it herself."

"That is amazing, Aerion.." Willam said with a smile

"Please, be respectful to her. She may be overwhelmed by your excitement." I told them, "I beg you." 

"Worry not." Willam said as he patted my arm, "Oh, man. Who would have thought, our Lord finally a father! Oh! Yohn! Make sure you carve some wooden knight toys on the ship when we go there!" 

I looked to see Yohn nod with a smile, "Yes yes, I had some ready for the Princes and a nice doll for the Lady Rhaena." He said as he patted his pouch, "But I will get some ready for the new child as well." 

"We will look for a proper gift...as congratulations, Aerion." Willam said, "Oh, Genna and Andrea will be overjoyed!! They have been chatting nonstop about how you never updated us if the Princess was pregnant or not! A great occasion to drink tonight, boys!!" 

They all cheered in unison, patting my shoulders and back yet again. 

"Alright alright." I said with a chuckle, "Have fun, I have to take off, alright? Have a safe travel. Hopefully, you will be at Runestone by the time I fly back, I'll meet with you guys back there. There is something I wish to discuss...." 

"A conflict is brewing."