Aemon Targaryen

-Chapter 101-

-6th day of the 1st moon of the year 116 AC-

-POV Aegon Targaryen-

"You need to maintain more stability when you perform this move, Your Highness," said Ser Steffon, trying to advise me as he saw I was executing a sword movement poorly.

'According to him,' I thought, as my cousin Aemon had taught me differently.

'As solid as a rock but as fluid as water,' I repeated in my mind, not changing my way of striking the training dummy my cousin had given me.

ROAR OF URRAX

'Finally,' I thought as I heard Urrax's distant roar. It had been six full moons that I had spent away from the Vale.

'Away from Cregan and from Mark,' I thought, remembering the foolish apprentice butcher who had managed to land an apprentice cook position at the castle.

'But who hopes for more,' I thought, recalling our afternoons spent fighting one another.

'He's the only one who isn't afraid to hurt me and with whom I really make progress.'

The sunlight was suddenly blocked by the enormous dragon of my cousin, who had finally surpassed Vermithor, the dragon of our great-grandfather, in size.

'Whom I never knew,' I thought, slightly sad.

'Would he have also wanted me to be father's heir, like mother and grandfather?' I wondered, having often overheard their conversations when they thought I wasn't listening.

"That's Prince Aemon's dragon," said my father's Royal Guard commander.

I rolled my eyes at his "expert" observation, then said:

"Let's not keep my cousin waiting."

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-POV Aemon Targaryen-

Despite Urrax's ever-growing size, he landed effortlessly in the vast courtyard of the Red Keep.

The knights quickly arrived and surrounded us, without any threatening intent, more as a formality. But Urrax, whose temperament had grown bolder and more provocative, let out a powerful roar while slightly shaking his neck, making his roar even more impressive.

Sensing Urrax's joy and amusement at the swift retreat of my uncle's men, I smiled and patted his scales, saying, "Don't be a little bastard."

Urrax roared a second time into the air, then exhaled sharply and rested his head on the ground so I could dismount.

I quickly unbuckled the chains that held me to my saddle, then began to untie the cloth bag I had brought with me, as I was planning to spend a few days with my uncle to strengthen the bond that time apart may have weakened.

'Not to mention the civil war in the Vale; he must be starting to have doubts, and people must also be beginning to question him about me,' I thought as I spread my arms wide, seeing my young cousin running towards me, his face bright with a big smile.

"Aegon, skoriot issa?" I said, happy to see him again. (Aegon, how are you?)

"Rytsas, drīvose iksan. Vāedas sȳndror iksis iā tubissa naejot ānogar," he replied in very fluent High Valyrian. (I'm fine, I was tired of staying with all those sycophants.)

I raised my eyebrows and said:

"You speak our language very well; I see you've taken your lessons seriously."

He smiled shyly, and I took the opportunity to ruffle his hair, stopping only when he pushed my hand away, smiling.

"Aegon!" Viserys called, completely lacking in decorum as he walked quickly toward us.

'Almost running,' I noted, seeing him descend the steps of the Red Keep quickly.

'It seems the healer I sent from Yi Ti to Viserys is working miracles,' I thought, looking at my uncle, visibly rejuvenated.

Aegon stepped aside so I could embrace my uncle, who had even gained a bit of weight since last time.

'The theory that the maesters poison Targaryen kings, especially kings like Aerys II, called the Mad King, and Viserys, seems increasingly plausible,' I thought, seeing firsthand that my uncle was in good health under my healer's care.

"My uncle, I'm so happy to see you in better health," I said, as the last time I had visited the capital, his condition had worsened, and the maesters were making him drink all sorts of concoctions and covering him in leeches all day long.

'And as if by chance, it had all intensified since his return,' I thought, observing the Hand of the King, who was arriving in the distance with his daughter, Queen Alicent, and her two children.

"It's only thanks to your healer that I'm feeling better. The alchemist Lin Zhi has been a great help," he said, putting an arm around my shoulders.

"That fills me with joy, my uncle," I said before extending my right hand to the Hand of the King, with whom I had had the "pleasure" of exchanging a few words during my last visit to the Red Keep.

"Congratulations on the birth of your son, Prince Aemon," said Otto Hightower.

"Thank you," I replied, smiling freely.

'No more need for a fake smile or to hide my emotions now that I possess the largest personal military force in the Seven Kingdoms,' I thought, appreciating the shift I felt more and more with time.

'The days when that little worm Cole could humiliate me freely at my cousin's whim are long gone,' I thought, noting that she still hadn't arrived.

"Laena gave birth, and you didn't even tell me," said Viserys, surprised.

I smiled and replied, "I wanted to tell you in person."

"Sorry for spoiling the surprise," said the Hand of the King, not looking sorry at all, even a bit smug.

"Prince Aemon, congratulations on the birth of your son," said Alicent Hightower, adding with a feigned smile to her husband, "Maybe we can find a worthy suitor for our daughter."

Uncle Viserys smiled, although he said nothing, likely because Rhaenyra, with a prominent belly, had just arrived accompanied by Laenor.

I smiled at the two of them, and Rhaenyra, having clearly heard her former best friend, declared with a smile, "Perhaps it's Alysanne who will find happiness with Viserys."

'Glad to see the mood is still as cheerful as ever,' I thought as I kissed her, being careful of her belly, before greeting my brother-in-law, whom I had saved from an unnecessary death, with a warm hug.

"You named him Viserys?" my uncle asked, surprised.

I nodded, then joked, "I chose the name of a man I admire. You might know him; some say he's a king."

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N.A : Sorry folks, I was really knocked out yesterday, I finished writing and then I went to sleep without even updating the chapters.