red keep, House Targaryen
the crownlands

daemon

Daemon stared at the letter in his hands. Alara had written to him, claiming their support for his house.

God's sake, he thought. He never wanted Alara in this mess. Daemon had sworn to her that they would see each other again. However, Daemon was not sure how they were going to win this Rebellion.

Robert Baratheon had the most men fighting for him. He also had a reason to want House Targaryen to burn.

These past decades of breaking sworn betrothals and his Mad father of a King did not help for that matter. The Targaryens had never been so weak as they were now.

If only they had those goddammed dragons. They would've come to great help. I curse you Aegon the Dragonbane.

He shook his head and threw Alara's letter into the fire.

A knock on the doors made Daemon realize that he had been staring at the fire for quite some time.

"Come in."

"My Prince, the King summons you to the Council meeting at once."

Daemon sighed and only nodded in response.

The war had finally been set.

✧ ✧ ✧

"I want the fucking heads of the traitors Eddard Stark and Robert Baratheon!" The king spat out.

"We cannot simply rely on the order of their heads, father. They have declared war and they continue to have more men rallying behind him as we speak." Daemon pointed out.

The King sneered at him. "Shut your mouth boy! Do you think me stupid?"

Daemon looked at him emotionless. "No, your Grace."

The King was about to speak to him again but Lord Varys cut him to it.

"Prince Daemon. The King has the plan to gather more soldiers to our side. As we speak, Dorne is set to arrive with their 10,000 soldiers." Varys said giving Daemon a slight stare.

"I command you to go to Dragonstone and gather the soldiers and bring them to King's Landing," Aerys said grinning like that Mad King he was. "And then we shall see how the traitorous stag will win this stupid rebellion."

Daemon stared at him and blinked. "You want me to gather the soldiers at Dragonstone?"

"That's what I said wasn't it boy?" Aerys said sneering at him. "Now leave. You best get there as quickly as possible. Gods know I can stand this pathetic fucking war any moment longer."

Daemon bowed before his father. "Yes, Your Grace. At once."

Daemon cursed as he left the council. He had wanted to fight on the battlefield or at least protect Elia and the children. How could Rhaegar leave his wife and children unprotected in King's Landing? His brother had always been a wonder to him. A person who would not open up to his brother. In truth, Daemon never knew his brother. Alas, he did not want to find out now. Those childish thoughts were long gone.

"Elia," Daemon said as she watched his good sister turn around with baby Aegon on her lap.

Elia smiled at him, but Daemon could see right through it.

"Daemon. I have missed you," Elia said with a painful smile. "Yet this is the first time you have visited me since Harrenhal."

Daemon looked to the ground with guilt pouring through him. "Yes. Forgive me, Elia. I had duties to attend to and it seemed I forgot myself when it came to you."

Elia looked at Aegon who had begun grabbing her dark hair. "Yes. It seems everyone forgets about me and my children when the matter of the Lady Stark is more important."

Daemon shook his head and sat beside her. He took her hand and placed a kiss on it. "Never. I would burn the world for you Elia," he said as he tucked a strand of hair behind her ears. "Never doubt it. Not of me."

Elia stared at him fondly. "Yes, forgive me. I did not mean you," her expression turned sour. "Yet my noble husband leaves me for a child and has left me undefended in a pit of vipers waiting to strike."

"Rhaegar is a cunt." Daemon said simply. "He has run and taken a child against her will and left a rebellion behind for us to sort out."

Elia snorted. "Rhaegar was never one to listen to everyone but Jon Connington," she laughed bitterly. "Lord Connington has never liked me. Whether it was the matter of me being dornish or for any other reason. I wouldn't know."

Daemon rolled his eyes and playfully pushed Elia's shoulder with his. "Jon Connington only wanted to stick his prick into Rhaegar's ass."

Elia giggled as she positioned Aegon better in her lap. "Stop it Daemon. You're making it hard for me to feel pity for him."

"Why would you feel pity for Lord Connington? He has only ever insulted you."

Elia sighted. "Well, it must be hard to be in love with a man that does not notice you."

"Well, Jon Connington needs to get over it. I don't know Rhaegar as well as him I suppose, but I can tell you that he was no sword swallower. Jon Connington fell for Rhaegar's silver looks as every other maiden in this realm."

Elia only smiled at him sadly. "When are you to leave?"

Daemon stared at her. "How did you know?"

Elia only grabbed Aegon and sat him in his cradle. "I had a feeling."

"I leave after we are done. I suspect my horse and saddle are already readied for Dragonstone."

"Well, you must leave them. I do not want to cause you to feel your father's ire."

Daemon smiled grimly. "No. I guess not." He stared at Elia and went to hug her. He pressed his lips on her forehead and whispered gently. "I promise I will protect you, Elia. I will protect you, Rhaenys, and little Aegon. You have my word."

Elia stroked his cheek adoringly. "Yes, I know. I never doubted it."

Daemon took a few steps and went to Aegon and placed a kiss on his head.

He went to the doors but before he went to leave, he turned around.

"Goodbye Elia. See you soon."

Elia smiled as she watched him leave. "Goodbye Daemon." She whispered sadly as he went.

✧ ✧ ✧

"I fucking hate Dragonstone," Daemon grumbled under his breath. How Rhaegar could stand being here, he had no idea.

Dragonstone was a sight to behold truth be said. The first time Daemon had set his eyes upon Dragonstone he had gaped like a fish until his father told him to shut his mouth. However, Dragonstone was cold, dark, and simply not pleasant.

Walking through the dark walls, Daemon made it through his brother's chambers.

No one knows where Rhaegar was and where he took Lyanna Stark. He had simply perished. Daemon had hoped to find something in his chambers, something had would help him find out where they were.

He walked over to the enormous bed that lay in the middle of the room and walked towards his desk. There was not much on it but Daemon began opening drawers. His eyes raked over the small items until he found opened letters.

He grabbed them and raked his eyes over the words written. What was contained made him fucking angry. God's be good if he could break anything he would break Rhaegar into a thousand pieces.

Fuck. This changes everything.

He needed to go to Robert and stop this rebellion. Thousands were dying for a lie.

No. He would stop this. But he would do it the right way.

He scoops up a fresh letter and began writing. He called a loyal servant and bid them send it to Robert Baratheon to know that he was arriving at their camp. With the thousands of soldiers that originally were going to King's Landing.

Daemon had promised himself to protect Elia and her children as well as his mother. But he could not do that until his father was dead.

His father needed to die. No Lord would ever support Rhaegar after what he did. But in truth, they didn't need Rhaegar. Rhaegar had an heir already. Daemon swore to Elia. And he would uphold the promise.

He would overthrow his father and name Aegon the King. At least that was what he hoped he would achieve in the end.

Days later, he and his thousands of soldiers sailed toward Robert Baratheon's camp.

✧ ✧ ✧