Chapter 40
Daemon wasn't the greatest when it came to feeling, a fact he knew and accepted. The only way he could help when situations were dire was to kill the perpetrators and give awkward hugs. In this particular case it was even harder to find the right way to approach such a delicate subject so he didn't. He helped Viserys take a bath and redress in fresh clothing, keeping silent all the way waiting for his brother to start talking. And he will start talking. Daemon knew Viserys, he saw the reticence on his face when Maenera broached the subject. He also had a vague impression that he wanted to talk just not with Maenera. So he waited, and waited, and waited some more and when they sat down to have something to eat Viserys finally broke the silence.
"I don't drink wine anymore." Said Viserys blocking the goblet in front of him with his hand when Daemon tried to pour him some wine. Jug still in hand Daemon observed Viserys. He was quite serious in his statement. Daemon nodded and put the jug down on the farthest part of the table choosing not to drink wine as well.
"Viserys..." He began hesitantly." You know I am not good at this. I do not know what to do and what to tell you, but I can listen." He practically begged his brother to start saying what is on his mind.
"I know." Viserys responded with a wary smile. "There is not much to tell. I told you, I don't remember anything."
"Your state says otherwise."
"I am not like this because of the act in question. I mean I am but I am not." His brother seemed to stumble over his words.
"Take your time."
"I thought I was going to die." Viserys said quietly.
That brought Daemon to a pause.
"When whatever the fuck was in that wine began taking effect, I thought I was going to die. It blackened my vision, I stumbled around trying to call for help, unable to make my mouth work, unable to scream."
Daemon was listening with rapt attention.
"My only thought was that I was going to die alone. None of you at my side. I thought I was going to die and none of you were there." His tears started pouring on his cheeks." And then I woke up. I woke up feeling sick. Head hurting and vomiting, and still alone! Then Vaegon told me what happen and I felt..."
"How did you feel?"
"Wrathful." He whispered. The quiet admission made Daemon think that something was wrong. Something was wrong in the way his brother said it.
"Wrathful at whom?" His brother looked at him but refused to answer." At me?" He asked.
"No." He responded sharply.
"At Maenera." Daemon concluded.
"Yes."
"Why?" Daemon asked incomprehendly.
"BECAUSE SHE IS NEVER THERE!" his brother roared getting up from his chair. "She is always too late! Too late to warn Father, too late to save her mother, too late to save Aemma and Baelon, too late to save me!"
Daemon didn't say anything, just listen to his brother rage. He knew Viserys was wrong. He was hurt and chose to blame the wrong person. Accusing their sister for things out of her control was wrong and Daemon could barely contain himself not to explode and do or say something he would regret. Viserys was not rational now, he tried to repeat himself. He is hurt and scared and doesn't know what he is talking about. None of the events that Viserys had listed were Maenera's fault. Their father had died because of a burst belly, nothing a child could do. Her mother could arguably be her fault but she tried to save her. Aemma and Baelon were definitely not her fault, if he dares to say it out loud he could say that it was actually Viserys'.
The events that happened to his brother were tragic, but Maenera had no hand in it. To say as such was blasphemy. An insult for all his sister has done to his brother. She flew to his side as soon as she could, looking up the capitol and the Red Keep, puting guards and maesters and assistants to cater to his every need. She faced Vhagar, stopping her from destroying Kingslanding and killing everyone in the process at the risk of her own life. She flew to an active war zone an in a truly suicidal mission she ended a war in a night. Until after it was set and done did Daemon realized the dangers she put herself in to do so. Four days with barely any sleep, flying and fighting, keeping the great beast at bay, while kipping the order in Kingslanding and in the Stepstones, was a lot. It was no surprise that she broke down when they finished with the Hightowers. The Hightowers were another point. She razed them from the face of the earth from what they did to Viserys, the only member alive was the whore that was imprisoned. Even now she let her brothers talk and rest while she was dealing with the kingdom.
So yes, Daemon was angry at his brother for his words. He was angry that Viserys was shutting on all Maenera has done for him, for them. He tried to contain himself. Repeating in his head over and over again that Viserys was hurt and sad and angry. Unfortunately for Viserys he didn't have a lot a self-control. Not like their sister.
"Sit down and shut up!" He screamed at Viserys. His brother was so surprised that he complied without word. "Listen to me carefully Viserys. What happened to you was a tragedy. I cannot even attempt to try and understand what was done to you. I understand that you are hurt, I truly do. But Maenera is not at fault. She and I are the only true allies that you have. We have burned an ancient and noble house to the ground for you. We cannot undo what it was done. But we are here for you. We are here to help you through your grief. But do not throw away our help because of some displaced anger. You are our brother and we would burn the world for you if you asked. Never doubt that."
His brother was looking at him wide eyed. Like he was shocked that Daemon managed to say so many words. Daemon was surprised himself.
"Now. You are fed and clean. You need to sleep. You will go into my chambers and get some sleep, while Maenera and I will attend the council meeting and tray to put to rights this fucking cluster fuck. When we are done we are going to join you as we always have done. Do you understand?" His brother nodded.
" Good."
With that he turned on his heels and left the room. He told Viserys to sleep in his room, it was impulsive really. The thought just buzzed through his head. Maybe Viserys did not sleep well because it was his bedchamber where he was attacked. Daemon only hoped that his brother would go to sleep and rest peacefully until they came.
His reactions wasn't great he knew. His brother was entitled at some irrational anger, but the thought of his brother and sister at odds with each other in a time like this made him sick to his stomach. The dragon must have three heads. They were those heads. United.
If she found out, his sister would definitely chew him out about his impromptu speech. No matter. He would take her anger every day if it meant that Viserys and Maenera were not at each other's throats.
Speaking of the little she dragon, he had to find Maenera and attend the damned Council meeting.
***
He found his sister in the council meeting room. It was clear that they were early arrivals as no one else was currently in the chambers. She was looking out the window, a small breeze moving her hair as it passed.
"Thank you." His sister said.
"For what?" Daemon asked sprawling on his chair.
"For defending me. For what you said to Viserys." She responded.
He should have known she would see it. It still baffled him the inconsistency of her visions. To see something that happened only moments ago as well as something that will happen years from now. It must be disorienting.
"Viserys loves you, never doubt that. He is just hurt." He said getting up from his chair and placing his arms around her from behind, his cheek resting on the top of her head.
"Viserys and I will always have a tumultus relationship."
"He is just hurt. Don't take it to heart. He tries to blame everyone and everything to make himself feel better. He always did that."
"I am not going to say anything, do not worry. We both know it is not the first time Viserys has blamed me for the plight of our family and I am sure will not be the last." She said still looking out of the window in the distance. " He is also right. I grew complacent. Didn't force myself anymore to see. I asumed with the Hightowers out of Kingslanding we will not have any problems with them anymore. I made a mistake."
"You are not to blame. Nobody could have known that they would stoop so low."
"That's the thing, Daemon. I saw in my vision the things they were capable of. O just thought with the little whore being sent to the silent sisters and with her father humbled, they would not try anything again. I asumed that they would go peacefully and they hurt Viserys. "
Daemon again found himself in a position where he had to console one of his siblings and he was at a loss. From his point of view nobody was at fault but the Hightowers. Not Viserys. Not Maenera.
"It is not your fault." He said strongly turning her head and making her look him in the eyes. She seemed to search for something in his gaze. When she found what she was looking for she nodded.
***
They didn't have to wait long for the council members to come in. One by one they came bowed and took their seats. Once again Daemon was occupying his brothers seat and Maenera was occupying Daemon's.
"I declare this meeting started." Daemon said.
"Shouldn't we wait for the King?" Asked Lannister.
"The King, my brother will attend when he wants and not a moment sooner." He responded.
"Is the King's condition so dire?" Asked Tyrell.
"The King health is in good condition. He decided that he would not attend to this particular meeting however. "
"And how are we to know that what you say is true? That the King is truly well?" Asked Lannister. He could see from the corner of his eye that his sister began almost shaking in her rage.
"Well my Lords. Let ME assure you that my brother is perfectly fine. And may I remind you that you are speaking with the heir of the Iron Throne not some peasant boy in Fleabottom." Said Maenera looking murderously at the Lords around the table.
" Now tell me my Lords, what did you found out about my brother's attack?" Daemon asked." From my understanding the Princess Maenera tasked you with finding out the culprits."
The lords with the exception of Lord Strong began blustering around. Talking all over each other. Non of them giving a concret answer.
" The Hightowers!" Lannister exclaimed loudly.
He sat back in his chair taking Maenera hand in his. They were still talking still floundering around for an answer. They probably realized that neither he nor his sister were talking. Just looking at them with distaste. Hard eyes scanning each and every one of them. Once again Daemon felt like a predator ready to strike. Not an untrue comparison. If they did not stop taking soon he would start burning people.
"So what you are trying to tell me is. That the Master of Laws, the Master of Ships, Master of Coin, the Captain of the City Watch and the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, almost all the small council really, were unable to find anything about the perpetrators that attacked their king right under their nose?" He said calmly and he could see beads of perspiration began appearing on the foreheads of the men in front of him. Nobody responded.
"Not to worry my Lords. I did found the perpetrators." Said Maenera when nobody said anything." They will be executed shortly and they are now in the black cells."
"May I ask Princess, who are they?" Asked Westerling.
"I asumed by now you would've realized that the Grand Maester is no longer amongst us. He and one of the Cargyll twins are imprisoned, as well as their little helpers. "
He could see that the men let out a relieved breath thinking that this was over with. Fools.
"I will be informing my brother about the incompetence of his council." Daemon said. " I would expect that some changes would be made soon."
The lords didn't seem overly concerned. Probably believing that Viserys would not take any measures. They thought that with Viserys awake, Daemon's and Maenera's wings were clipped. They could no longer make them pay for their stupidity. A bold assumption to make.
"If that is resolved, we should be taking about marriages my Prince." Intervened Martell.
"Oh?" He asked.
"You, my Prince, are widowed after the tragic death of Lady Rhea. Both Princesses are at the age to be betrothed if not married. As the King has expressed his wishes not to marry again it would be better if the rest of the royal members would find a spouse and start reproducing." He continued. The disbelief on the Lord Hands face was hard to hide.
"Really?" He asked sarcastically." And I assume you have already the perfect candidates for the roles."
"Well your Grace, my sister is currently unmarried. And Lord Lannister has expressed his desire to marry the Princess."
A sister with a bastard. Not that he held it against her. The woman was beautiful and a good fighter. Intelligent and reliable. Her child was a good little boy from what he remembered, but still, the audacity. None of them were his sister. As they could compare.
"Mhmm... And which Princess would the Lord Lannister would like to take to wife?" Asked Daemon.
"Doesn't matter." The man in question responded quickly.
Good Gods these men were imbeciles. He looked incredulously at them. Even Lord Beesbury, the man staying neutral since the outing of the Hightowers from the capitol, was looking at the men like they had extra heads.
He was too tired to deal with this shit and by the looks of it so was his sister.
"Open up the city again. Give the people an abbreviated story if what happened. Let the Gold Cloaks patrol the city and the Red Keep still. We will reconvene when the King is able to attend. This meeting is closed." Daemon ordered.
He got up form his seat, thing his sister with him and left the room without so much of by your leave. He was done dealing with idiots today. He wanted to snuggle between Viserys and Maenera and sleep for a month.