Chapter 3
The small council was in chaos. Daemon had retreated to his chambers within Maegor’s Holdfast and had selected his own men from the city guard to bar anyone from seeing him or the young prince who hadn't been approved by him. Only Princess Rhaenyra and her children had been allowed to see the young prince, and only with Daemon himself keeping a close eye nearby.
“Your Grace, we must act now,” insisted Otto as Viserys sat silent in thought. “Prince Daemon's threat must be taken seriously.”
“What would you have me do?” Viserys asked, his mind racing. The prince that was promised, Aegon’s prophecy played in his mind. Could Baelon be the promised prince? Or was he just blessed by the gods, as all the maesters and septons said?
“Act now, remove the boy from Prince Daemon’s grasp before he can corrupt him against you. Take the boy into your household and raise him along with your children.” Otto had seen the power of Prince Baelon and saw the threat clearly. With Daemon in the boy’s ear, how long before the boy began to emulate his accursed father?
The boy didn’t even have a dragon, yet he was one of the most dangerous players on the Cyvasse board. If his small display of power was anything to go by, he’d grow to be incredibly powerful. Otto could not allow such a powerful player to slip from his grasp, not if he wanted Aegon to become king.
“And what of Daemon? He will never allow his son to be separated from him?”
“Your Grace,” said Lord Tyland, leaning forward. “Prince Daemon has publicly committed treason against the crown. With his defiance, by refusing your summons for months and his threats in the throne room. You must punish him, as he is in open rebellion.”
“I will not become a kinslayer,” growled Viserys.
“Of course not,” said Otto, “we would never dare suggest you soil your hands with your own brother's blood. Spare him and send him to the Wall. Now while he is separated from his dragon. At the Wall, he will be bound by sacred vows.” Of course, Otto had no intention of actually letting Daemon make it to the Wall alive. Surely, a group of bandits would attack the rogue prince on his way there, eliminating the threat once and for all.
“There is another option,” said Lord Beesbury, and Viserys turned to him curiously. “You have a daughter, Princess Haelena. A betrothal between the young prince and your daughter will bind the young prince to your children even more.”
“I agree,” said Otto, fighting the smirk threatening to grow on his face. With Baelon’s magic on their side, surely the greens would be victorious when the true war began once Viserys was dead.
“I will take your advice under advisement,” said Viserys. “Now leave me.” The small council departed, and Viserys was left alone with his own thoughts.
***
“You want Helaena to marry that demon!” Alicent screeched as her father told her his plans. She clutched the Seven-Pointed Star tightly within her hand and felt the sharp points dig into her skin. She had been in the throne room when the boy had made his stuffed dragon fly around the room at will. She had screamed in terror when he had flung Ser Criston Cole across the room at Daemon’s command.
“You saw his power,” said Otto calmly as Alicent began to pace across the room. “I am working to remove the boy from Daemon’s grasp.”
“He’s Daemon’s son,” said Alicent with a scowl.
“The boy is too young to be a threat. He will only become one once Daemon has poured enough poison in his ears. Once Daemon is out of the picture, the boy will be ours; you can raise loyal to our cause.”
“The Seven denounce the magical,” said Alicent.
“The boy is a Targaryen. Magic is in his blood; how else do Targaryens bind dragons to their will?” Otto grabbed his daughter’s shoulders tightly. “Think, daughter, what will that boy become if he is allowed to remain with Daemon at his side.”
Her eyes widened in fear. The boy was no threat now, but once he became a man with his father at his side, he could rise up and use his powers to harm her children.
“You must insist to your husband that Helaena be betrothed to Daemon’s son. For their future safety, you must make it so. Once the boy is within our grasp, victory will be all but assured.”
She nodded, and a smile formed on his lips.
***
“The boys seem to like each other,” Daemon watched as Baelon played with Rhaenyra’s two oldest sons, Jacaerys and Lucerys. They sat on the floor giggling as Baelon made his stuffed dragon fly above their heads happily.
“If only I had a daughter,” said Rhaenyra, putting her hand on her stomach. She was pregnant once more, and Daemon looked at her two children. They shared a look, but neither said what they knew to be true.
None of her sons were Leanor’s.
“You made a grave mistake, uncle,” Rhaenyra sighed as she sipped on her tea. “The Hand will use that display in the throne room to turn my father further against you.”
“Fuck the Hand,” growled Daemon, standing up angrily. “It was his own words that caused my banishment from court. He is a disease that Viserys allows to run unchecked. I see him for what he truly is.”
“I know, uncle,” said Rhaenyra with a sigh. “But you must think with a cool head. Now that he knows what your son is capable of, the danger only grows.”
“No one would dare hurt Baelon,” said Daemon, walking towards his yawning son and picking him up in his arms. Jacaerys and Lucerys were blinking sleepily, and soon a pair of wet nurses arrived to put them to bed.
“Daemon, he is too valuable to kill. I have no doubts Otto will try to bind Baelon to his cause. Surely he will suggest a marriage between Helaena.” Rhaenyra put a hand to her stomach; she was pregnant for the third time. If she were to give birth to a girl, could she perhaps offer her daughter for Daemon’s son?
“I will never let that happen,” sneered Daemon, clinging to Baelon, who rested his head on Daemon's shoulder as he nodded off to sleep.
“I offered a betrothal between my sister, Helaena, and my son, Jacaerys, and was rebuffed,” said Rhaenyra. “Alicent had planned to marry her to my younger brother, Aegon. But with Baelon in the picture, I’m sure Otto will make her reconsider.”
Daemon fought the urge to grab the first thing within his grasp and fling it at the wall. How could Viserys be so blind to what that green whore and her father were planning?
“You must be ready when the offer is made,” said Rhaenyra, putting a hand on Daemon’s shoulder.
“If I give birth to a girl perhaps—” her voice trailed off as he took her hand in his.
“Leana is pregnant; perhaps she will have a girl,” said Daemon, his mind racing for alternatives.
“There is also another option; if you want a bride with Valyrian blood, Borros Baratheon has only daughters. They have Valyrian blood even if distant. He is a cousin to Rheanys, but you must not let your son fall into Hightower's hands.”
“Never.”
***
Daemon broke his fast the next morning with Rhaenyra and her husband, Leanor. Despite their children’s obvious bastardry, Leanor played the part of the devoted father. Next to Daemon, Baelon was munching on a piece of fruit when a maid made her way towards them.
“The king has sent word, my prince. He wishes to speak to you before the small council.” Daemon looked up from his plate and reached for Baelon.
“Uncle, let Baelon finish his meal,” said Rhaenyra. “I promise no harm will come to him while he is with us.” Daemon sighed before putting a kiss to Baelon’s head.
"Be good, Baelon, I’ll be right back.”
***
The small council waited, and Viserys looked up as his brother strolled into the chambers with an icy look on his face.
“You summoned me, Your Grace,” he said in his most sarcastic tone of voice.
“Daemon, please take a seat.” Daemon plopped himself on his chair, placing Dark Sister on the table, and Harrold Westerling tensed, as did the rest of the people in the room.
“I am leaving for Runestone today, so make this quick,” said Daemon, leaning back in his chair.
“Daemon, I wish for us to move past our differences-“
“Is that so,” sneered Daemon, crossing his arms on his chest.
“I was too rash with your banishment, and I am sorry,” continued Viserys. “There is a place for you at my court; you are family after all.”
“No,” Daemon said coldly. Tyland flinched at the tone in the prince's voice. Lord Beesbury looked like he might faint, and Otto’s jaw clenched. “I have no wish to return to King's Landing. After all, it was you who sent me away, remember? I find I like the Vale just fine.”
Otto scoffed, and Daemon’s eyes met his.
“Otto, do you have anything to say? I would have thought you’d be happy to be rid of me?”
“I don’t know what you mean, my prince,” said Otto coldly.
“Sure you don’t. Weren’t you the one who informed Viserys of my drunken toast? I’m sure you were jumping for joy when Viserys disinherited me-“
“Enough!” yelled Viserys, making everyone in the room jump, everyone except Daemon, who turned to his brother with a roll of his eyes. “Daemon, we are family. We should be united, as we always were. I am here to offer you peace.”
“What offer?”
“A betrothal,” said Otto. “The hand of Princess Helaena for Prince Baelon, a great honor.”
“Daemon, please let us be united as we once were. Let us join together as a family.” Viserys watched Daemon’s face go red with rage.
“No,” the room went silent. “I would rather feed my son to the dragons than have him marry your half-breed Hightower spawn.”
“How dare you-“ Otto stood up angrily.
Daemon stood up to glare at Otto, and Harrold moved and put a hand on Daemon’s shoulder to keep him from doing anything rash.
“Daemon, this wasn’t a request. Your son will marry my daughter,” said Viserys angrily.
“I’m afraid that’s not possible; my son is already betrothed to another,” said Daemon.
“Who?” demanded Otto angrily.
“Princess Rhaenyra; she is pregnant right now, is she not?” Daemon smiled at the way Otto’s face went red with rage. “When she gives birth to a daughter, my son will marry her.”
“Daemon, you do not understand your son's importance. His powers, these gifts, they must not fall into the wrong hands. Allow the boy to stay, I promise-“
“You took my inheritance,” said Daemon angrily. “You took my freedom when you forced me to stay married to my bronze bitch, but you will not take my son.”
“No one is trying to take your son,” said Viserys. “We are trying to keep him safe! Safe from you!”
“You dare!” Daemon grabbed the goblet in front of him and flung it across the room in a rage. All eyes watched as it smashed through a window.
“You prove my point with this display, Daemon. You lack the self-control to teach him how to control his gifts. Your rash actions will bring only chaos, and what will your son become should he follow in your footsteps?”
“What my son becomes is none of your concern,” sneered Daemon, with such rage in his eyes that Commander Westerling feared the prince might attack his brother. “I am his father; I will decide who he marries, not you. Do you think me a fool? That I wouldn’t see this for what it truly is? Your generous offer is nothing but a farce to keep my son under your control.” Daemon glared at Otto.
“A Princess for your son,” said Viserys. “Must you find fault with all I try to give you?”
“Your gifts are poisoned, brother,” said Daemon with a bitter laugh. “I have no wish to return to your court, and my son will NEVER marry Helaena, I can guarantee you that.”
“Then you leave me with no choice. Your son is stripped of his lordship to Runestone, and he will not be allowed to claim a dragon.”
“You would punish my son? He is innocent.”
“Daemon, be glad I do not send you to the Wall for your threats against the crown,” Otto fought to keep the smirk off his face.
“The choice is yours, either your son marries Helaena and remains as heir of Runestone. He will be given the chance to claim a dragon when he grows older, or you decline my offer, and he loses his claim to Runestone and his chance to become a dragonrider.”
“Who cares about Runestone,” snapped Daemon petulantly. “My son deserves a greater keep than that. Your entire court just saw what my son can do. Do you think my son will lack for betrothals once word spreads of what he can do? Soon the entire realm will flock to my son; he'll have his pick of any maiden in the Seven Kingdoms.”
“you're Son's prospects are not as secure as you believe, my prince,” said Otto smugly, and Daemon turned to him enraged.
“I have already drafted letters to all the great houses. Any lord that accepts or offers a betrothal to your son will be declared an enemy to the crown.”
Daemon reached for Dark Sister, only for Ser Westerling to grab his hand before he could do something terrible.
“Daemon, please,” said Viserys as he leaned forward. “Baelon is innocent; he doesn’t deserve to suffer for your mistakes. Do what is best for your son, marry him to Helaena, and all will be forgiven.”
“Get off me, fool!” Daemon wrenched himself free from Ser Westerling’s grasp.
“I don’t want your forgiveness,” said Daemon with such hatred in his eyes Viserys felt a chill down his spine. “A dragon never forgets,” said Daemon calmly. “I will not move against you for we are blood. But the day will come when you need me, brother. When you come to me asking for help when you beg me, and I will remember this moment. Then you will know the debt is paid.”
Grabbing his sword, Daemon turned and stormed out of the room, leaving the council in shocked silence.
“Your Grace,” said Otto, “your brother will see his resistance is futile in time. No father would purposely allow his son to be stripped of his birthright all for his pride. He will see that his cause is pointless, I assure you.”
Viserys almost scoffed at that. Otto had no idea what he was talking about. Daemon had the blood of the dragon, and he was proud and quick to anger, as all true dragons were. Viserys only hoped Daemon's love for his son would make him see reason.