Gunthor

Daemon tried to sit quietly, patient and still. Yet he found himself tapping his finger against the large desk in the Eyrie's main solar; a part of him just wishing he could get it over with already and for Gunthor for walking through that door.

This is worse than waiting for any interview, supervision or high profile meeting, just get on with it so I can go.

Light poured in through the windows, the sky was clear and blue as the banners that flapped against the high breeze of the mountains. Even now he could feel the chill.

The faster I'm out of this place and back home the better.

His mind drifted to Runestone; his cosy office, the fire in the hearth in their apartment and warm bed. He had never appreciated the colour bronze more than ever; Daemon would be relieved to be in a place that did not instil a chill through his body with each step, the blue banners and walls drawing in him the urge to pull his cloak tighter to him.

Yet above that all were the thoughts and memories of Baelor and Rhea; he saw Rhea sitting at her desk, looking over her papers at him, even from her eyes he could tell she was smiling at him, how Daemon would try and make her laugh even when she wanted to be serious… she'd playful slap his arm and he would catch her, holding Rhea in his arms. He missed his son; he pictured Baelor near the hearth playing with his toys with Perra, how he wanted to just pick him up and hold him close. A part of him still couldn't believe he had a child.

When he first woke into this world he prayed that everyday he'd wake up back in that hospital bed, relieved it was all a dream…

If I wake up now… I would not know what to do with myself…

Now he could not imagine a nightmare as worse as that; he pained him now to be apart from them, he could not imagine never seeing them again.

I just wish… you had got to meet you cousins and grandparents, they would have loved you so much.

"He should be here soon." Yorbert said as he took another sip from his cup, his voice disturbing Daemon from his thoughts.

"I imagine he is making us wait?" Daemon asked "Likely he may already be in the Crescent chamber."

"There is that." Yorbert tilted his head, as if to acknowledge the thought. "Making us way as recompense for not greeting him when he first arrived to deliver his terms to us."

"Pettiness, sadly a big part of negotiating." Daemon picked up his cup, swirling the contents around before taking a sip, the memory of their encounter in the Hall playing in his mind.

How long ago was that now? Like more than a few days?

It had taken both he and Yorbert probably two days to agree with certain terms of their own they wish to send to Gunthor; with Daemon's biggest red line that Jeyne remain as Lady of the Eyrie and Warden of the East over her cousin Arnold.

I'll swallow anything else, but she stays.

The door to the solar opened, a servant sticking their head in. "Lord Protector, Prince Daemon, Lord Gunthor is here." He said. Both men stood up from their seats, Yorbert nodding his head to the servant who bowed his and quickly left.

The door remained opened as Gunthor, still dressed in the mimic bronze Royce armour marched into the room like a man going into battle, before the door was shut by one of the guards at the entrance.

Well he certainly looks dressed for a fight.

Daemon rested his hand on the pommel of Dark sister, already he could feel the urge within him to just wail on the guy with his sword from Daemon. Instead he bit the inside of his cheek, bore the pain and watched as Gunthor stood opposite to them.

The man turned his eyes from his brother to Daemon "Lord Protector." He said, greeting his brother. He turned his head to Daemon "Prince." There was a certain menace to his tone "I have come to discuss your terms." He pulled back the chair and took his seat as both sat down next to him.

In his first life and even in this one, he was no stranger to negotiations; he's had to deal with upset people, angry people, livid people and even the occasional one who might have wanted to punch him be it at work or in private. In the end compromises were always reached even if it took a while, life had to go on and someone had to leave happier or upset.

This however this was a new kettle of fish… from telling advisors and politicians to reassess their plans due to circumstances or issues to haggling with merchants who wanted more than what was reasonable, to now the fate of an entire kingdom resting on what is being said here.

He clenched his jaw and fought back the urge to fidget.

"I have read your terms and I find them unacceptable." Gunthor spoke, handing them back the parchment they had written and signed.

"Let me be the first to say the feeling is mutual among us." Daemon replied "We had found your terms to be… less than favourable too."

"My terms would have the young lady Jeyne retain her title as Lady of the Eyrie, was that not what you both had wanted." Gunthor said.

"With her as the wife of the Arnold who would be Lord of this castle and the Vale." Yorbert spoke "What should remain is Jeyne retains her title as Warden of the East as it was inherited from her father as well as this castle."

Gunthor scoffed "This girl can not serve as Warden of the East or rule over the lordship of this castle and it's lands. At least this way she maintains her status and one day her blood will rule again."

"A future as a broodmare, I am sure she will be delighted with such a prospect." Daemon replied, his voice dripping in sarcasm.

"Well you certainly seem to take taken well to it, Prince." Gunthor threw back at him.

Shit he's got me there…

"Enough." Yorbert said. "She is Gerold's child, by rights and Andal law, the Vale goes to her." Yorbert glanced over to Daemon before turning back Gunthor "As Rhea shall have Runestone when I pass."

"We can not just hope against the world that this girl who hides behind the skirts of those around her will be as Rhea." Gunthor argued "Did Lord Gerold's death not shake you to your core? The clans grow bolder, they see weakness-"

"What they see is division, what they see is a kingdom torn in two and lords squabbling over who sits the chair when it has already been decided." Daemon asserted. "Needless division might I add."

So you're fine with Rhea ruling over Runestone but not Jeyne with the Vale?

"I assure you, Prince Daemon, my action are necessary." Gunthor replied, a real gravel to his voice this time "Anyone from the Vale will find themselves agreeing with me, I would not expect a Prince from the capital to understand."

"Brother, Prince Daemon, can we please keep this civil." Yorbert looked over to Daemon, nodding his head ever so slightly.

Daemon took his cue and rolled his eyes, unsubtly while sighing "Of course, Lord Protector, forgive my outburst."

Good cop, bad cop.

When the raven had been sent both Daemon and Yorbert agreed they couldn't try and force Gunthor to agree to their terms, he was a stubborn man even if Yorbert believed he will be pragmatic enough to compromise on certain things. But they needed to sell it as Daemon not being pleased with this; he had to act that Yorbert was the one in total control and that Daemon was the one massively losing out in this.

The role of a petulant Prince.

I've got a best source of inspiration there is.

His chest ached when the thought crossed his mind, though this ache was more dull than anything; the equivalent of a light and irritated slap on the arm.

Though Daemon did not like Gunthor, so it was not entirely an act.

"We will allow Arnold to remain as Jeyne's heir should anything befall on her or she decides to abdicate her throne to him." Yorbert said "He shall have an honoured position in the Eyrie and titles when suitable and ready."

"Do not take me as a fool brother." Gunthor said, more calmly but not without authority and impatience "Arnold is a boy of eleven name days and Jeyne is of seven, any man with even a lowly grasp of numbers will see that she may outlive her cousin and that is without mentioning her having children of her own to inherit the title. Tell me brother what sort of terms are those, am I to accept Arnold being tormented by having what should rightfully be his hanging just out of reach?"

It was never his to begin with!

"The issue of marriage is something far into the future." Yorbert pointed out "At present suitors have not be considered for her hand."

"Aye it is for the future, but soon one year will be tomorrow, five years a week and a month a decade." Gunthor argued "And each passing day Arnold will not get closer to the Lordship."

Daemon sighed "We are getting nowhere with this." He said tapping his finger on the table "Let us move towards something we can agree then, yes?"

Gunthor was silent for a moment "That would be best."

"While we can not give you the position of justiciar, we can offer you and two other lords who support Arnold's cause seats on the council." Yorbert offered.

Gunthor looked to mulling over it "That can be… acceptable." He spoke. "I am assuming that, should Jeyne be kept as the Lady of the Eyrie, the other seats will be filled by supporters of hers."

"It is only natural that it should be."

"So be it, should Arnold be placed on the weirwood throne then the same can apply for you, three supporters of Jeyne on the council." Daemon nodded his head and wrote down on an empty piece of parchment their first point.

"In terms of the seats it shall be the treasurer, steward and seneschal."

"Is the position of Castellan not open to the other side?" Gunthor questioned. "Would it not make better sense if that position was held by one who supported the other as to better protect them from future retribution?"

"I would rather the Vale not be rife with indecision because tensions between the Warden and their chief advisor." Yorbert stated calmly. "Else would you desire Arnold contending with Castellans who go against him when the Mountain clans seek to act upon weakness."

"You have a point." Gunthor conceded. "There is one other thing that should be simple to agree upon."

"What is it?"

"Pardons." Gunthor said simply "Should Jeyne remain Lady of the Vale then I want pardons for myself and those lords and knights who have come to Arnold's cause."

"You wish face no repercussions should you fail?" Daemon questioned, putting on his best 'you dare' kind of tone and face.

"And I want a guarantee that no future reprisals shall come to us." Gunthor added on, much to Daemon's false annoyance.

Daemon opened his mouth when Yorbert 'interrupted' him "That can be done, pardons can be written and promises of protection to you and those who joined Arnold's cause." Gunthor smirked, his eyes looking to Daemon.

Fool.

Daemon wrote down the next point on the parchment.

"Now with that out of the way, there is still the issue of who becomes lord of the Eyrie and Warden of the East." Gunthor said "I will have Arnold sit upon that throne, at the very least if he is promised to be the heir to the Eyrie than I would I know you shall not go back on your word?"

"Do you doubt my honour, brother?" Yorbert spoke.

"I do not question your honour, do you believe I think so lowly of you?" Gunthor looked to Daemon "I question his honour and the honour of those who may take up Jeyne's cause?"

Daemon was stumped; what could they offer in terms of an actual guarantee that he would remain Jeyne's heir?

"I shall betroth Perra to Arnold." Yorbert spoke.

What.

"What?" Daemon exclaimed "Yorbert-"

This wasn't what we agreed!

"That is Lord Protector to you, Prince." Gunthor interrupted him, a wide smirk on his face, in that moment he did not now if he or Daemon or both of them wanted to jump over the table and punch him in the face.

"I would never forsake the birthright of my grandsons, if that is what you and Arnold's supporters require as a guarantee that Arnold will not be passed over as heir to the Eyrie than so be it."

"That is acceptable."

"Yorbert-"

"What have you got to say?" Gunthor questioned "Did this perhaps ruin your plans of betrothing Jeyne to your son Baelor? Did you perhaps hope that your blood would rule as Warden, seeing as you cannot be King, now thrown to the wind?"

Now Daemon really wanted to punch him, he wanted to punch both of them!

"No!" he exclaimed "That is not-"

"Then why do you object?"

Because Perra might die…

The thought of it was almost enough to send him into a panic, who could not bear the idea of it; had he not suddenly gorged himself on the fury and determination of the true Daemon within he might have pleaded and begged Yorbert to reconsider.

How can I tell someone their daughter might die from this? that they might die from childbirth?

Daemon managed to compose himself, he looked back at Yorbert who silently stared at him, as if trying to tell him 'Go along with it.'

Does your ambition know no bounds?

Daemon placed his pen to the parchment and wrote down the term, it felt as those he was putting ink to paper Perra's fate, her tragic demise and he felt powerless to stop it.

"There is still the issue of inheritance." Gunthor spoke "Putting aside that we will share blood with Arnold's children and that of future lords of the Vale, the question remains, what if Jeyne is to take a husband and produce heirs of her own? The Arnold's right of inheritance will be forgone."

She won't marry… she doesn't want to marry any suitor!

He wanted to yell this at Gunthor, at both of them, he felt the temptation; the idea that maybe if he told them then they wouldn't have to worry about it, that they'll just leave her alone.

No… they won't, he would only use it as a pretext to further push for Arnold…

Daemon instead held back, shut his eyes and breathed in deeply.

It is not mine to say to begin with…

"Perhaps we should leave it at that, my lords." Daemon suggested "We can reconvene tomorrow morning, Gods willing we shall have a solution to this problem."

"Now that… I can agree with, Prince Daemon." Gunthor spoke, getting up from his seat, leaving through the door and closing it behind him.

Before Yorbert could stand from his seat, Daemon grabbed him by his shoulder; holding him in place "You can't help yourself can you?" he accused him "You saw an opportunity to rise above your station and took it when our priority should have been keeping Jeyne on that throne."

Yorbert brushed his hand off "I am doing what is needed, good-son." Yorbert shot back "I will not be lectured about overstepping or ambition by someone who took the dragon of his dead uncle when the opportunity arisen." Yorbert stood up and marched towards the door, leaving Daemon alone in the room.

Daemon lowered his head into his hands.

I can't let her die… I can't-

He looked above himself, the moonlight pouring over him and tiredness seeping into his bones. He finally stood up from his seat and walked over to the door, the guard opening it for him. He walked back into the inner courtyard. He felt the need to sleep, the need to eat and rest but his own weariness and worries consumed him.

Is this the moment? The moment I must choose between those I love and other people? There has to be another way…

In his head he thought of a hundred different ways he could change it; each one seemingly a longshot and just a prayer of changing fate.

If I fail… I will never forget myself…

If I never showed up then none of this would have happened, it wouldn't be either Perra or Jeyne… both of them could have been saved…

His eyes fell upon the statute of Alyssa Arryn.

Must I condemn one to their fate or the other to a horrible tragedy?

He thought of Gael, how he failed to reach her in time because he felt he could not offend a powerful lord… he thought of Baelon, who he knew will die soon and how but knew he could not do anything to stop it. 

I'm a Prince and fucking dragon rider, Why am I so damn powerless?

Under the howling of the wind, he froze hearing what sounding like crying coming from the statute. He stepped back, puzzled for a moment and believing himself to be going mad. He stepped forward; there was someone crying and it was coming from the statute. He walked towards it, sticking his head forward, the crying was weak yet clearly audible.

It sounded familiar.

"Lady Jeyne?" Daemon called out. The young lady peered her head from one side of the statute; in the moonlight he could see her red eyes as she sat on the ground. "It's fine, you can sit down, I shall sit down here." Daemon sat down on one side of the stone podium that Alyssa stood on.

"Forgive me, Prince Daemon." Jeyne said between sniffles "I know you said to be brave but I do not know how, I am… scared."

"The only times we can be brave is when we are scared." Daemon said.

"But how? I do not know of any Ladies of the Vale like myself or others like me." She said "Everyone looks at me and see me as weak and frail."

"Then everyone is stupid." Daemon said, earning a stifled giggle from her. "There has to be a first somewhere, you can be that."

"Can someone like me be great?" Jeyne asked "I am not like my fathers, or my brothers, or my cousins or Lord Royce or you."

"Then don't be like them or me; be like Jonquil Darke, be like Visenya, or Rhaenys, or Alysanne Targeryen or even like Sharra Arryn." Daemon urged her "You don't have to be like Alyssa Arryn; our lives need not be tragic if we are brave enough to change them."

Jeyne was silent for a moment "I don't want to marry my cousin Arnold." She said, Daemon could tell she was pouting from her voice "He is gross, boys are gross."

Daemon laughed "Yes, my lady, they most certainly are." He rested his head against the corner of edge of the dais, looking up upon the stars.

"I don't want to marry them, they're gross and stupid." Daemon smiled and shook his head at her comments, he had needed that.

"I will try to make sure you don't have to marry one if you don't want to." Daemon said "How would that make you feel, Lady Jeyne."

"That would be great, Prince Daemon."

But how? How do I do that? How do I-

Then it hit him, like the wind against his face as he flew on Caraxes, it hit him.

The answer were in that fucking book the whole time! Aegon's council of regents, what if we just create a condition that Jeyne can only marry when there is a majority agreement on her council?

Daemon reached into his pocked and pulled out his journal, taking out his pen and quickly scribbling down his thoughts; a two-thirds majority to approve any suitor, in theory 'empowering' each faction and uniting them to agree but in practice constantly shooting down suitors and sparing Jeyne from marrying anyone.

She can be with that Redfort girl… if Arnold supporters can just keep shutting down betrothals then Arnold remains heir and Jeyne stays as Lady and Warden.

"Prince Daemon?" Jeyne called out "Are you still there?"

"I'm still here, my lady." Daemon said "Forgive me for being silent there, I believe I may have come up with a way so that you will never have to marry anyone."

Jeyne got up from her side, walked over to Daemon and hugged him "You have my thanks, Daemon."

Daemon patted her back "Do not thank me just yet, I still need to convince Lord Royce and Lord Gunthor about this first… but hopefully they will see sense." Jeyne sat down next to him, the two of them looking up into the stars "Would you like to hear a story, my lady?"

"Yes please." Jeyne said. "What is it about?"

"I think you will like this one, it's set in some far off kingdom called France, about a peasant girl who lead armies against an invading army who wanted to take over the kingdom she lived in."

"Was she brave?"

"Oh yes, she was very brave; she wore armour, inspired many, waved a white banner and rallied others to it winning great victories to free her people."

"What was her name?"

"Joan of Arc." Daemon replied "You know what she said to her followers?" Jeyne looked at him, the stars in the sky reflecting in her eyes. 

"Go Forward bravely, Fear nothing."