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GOT : Chapter 142
🕑 Added 2024-10-03 09:00:03 +0000 UTC"Protest all you like, but your family was confirmed in its position by the grace of my ancestor, Aegon the Conqueror. It has only repaid itself in treachery.
By putting you into the chair your ancestors have occupied, I am only rewarding the fact that you did not personally raise your banners against me. However, your house has abused of mine's friendship. Let that be a reminder of who the dragons are."
...
Ser Davos Seaworth then shook his head.
"The Marchers will not stand for this."
"That is not your problem to resolve." Daenerys looked him down with a determined eye. "Now, Dorne will also be granted the Stepstones…"
Suddenly, Aegon stood up.
"Aunt, I think we need a break. My men are famished, and we have yet to eat or drink on this day."
Daenerys was surprised, but a few nods came around the table. With a heavy heart, she relented.
As men and women left the table, Aegon stayed, instead moving towards her.
"May I speak with you?"
Daenerys looked him up and down, and nodded. "Come."
The two of them made their way to a small room in a house along the market which could accommodate the both of them comfortably.
"What are you doing?" Aegon asked her.
"Rewarding our allies and consolidating our power." Daenerys frowned.
"Without consulting me!" her nephew angrily replied. "We are to be wed, to be King and Queen, to rule together, and yet you take such a decision without even consulting me?"
"I did not find it fit to inform you." Daenerys shrugged.
"Daenerys, we are to rule as equals." Aegon sat on a chair, looking at her in the eye, "you cannot make decisions as if I was a mere consort. I will not be treated as such."
"And you will not, you have my word."
"Then start by not treating me as a stranger!" Aegon stood back up, approaching her.
Slowly, he moved his body towards her, looking into her eyes, taking her hands with his.
"We are the last Targaryens, Aunt. We have to be united, in blood and in spirit. We cannot let ourselves be distracted by others. Nothing matters but us."
Daenerys looked into his eyes. They were glimmering. What with? Hope, sadness, regret? All three?
Nothing matters but us.
It's Viserys who had the same words, when they were on the run.
We are the last Targaryens.
The words resonated within her. How long did she feel alone? How long has she been wanting a family? Had Aegon not done enough by proving himself worthy of bonding with Rhaegal?
"You're right." Daenerys nodded. "Forgive me, Aegon. The past moons have been trying for me, and you are absolutely right. We are the last Targaryens. We are the blood of the dragon and we need to be closer than ever if we ever want to stand a chance of reclaiming our birthright. However, you speak of being close. Where were you, Aegon? Where were you when I needed you?"
"You have no idea how much I wished to be with you. I did not learn of your existence until recently and when I met you…" Aegon stopped for a moment, "I struggled to even get close to you. And then, Rhaegal…it all happened so fast, Daenerys, I did not have a moment to breathe or even get to know you. And when I did, you escaped me every time."
Aegon drew closer to her, his body was almost touching hers entirely.
"We will rule together, we will thrive together and we will make our family and ancestors proud, I swear to you, Daenerys."
Daenerys looked up at him, with a frown.
"Volantis must not happen again, Aegon."
"I swear it won't. I'll give the order to cut down Strickland for you if you wish."
"No need for that…yet."
Aegon stayed silent, as if something weighed heavily upon him. Finally, his cheeks turned slightly red, and he barely managed to blurt out a couple of words.
"May…may I kiss you?" Aegon wondered, awkwardly chuckling. "It's just, we are to be married…"
Daenerys curved a slight smile. Poor boy was greener than grass.
She leaned in and placed a small kiss on his lips, enough to make him blush.
"Will you leave the Dayne boy?" Aegon asked when their lips parted.
Daenerys made a face, but nodded. She knew that she would have to abandon Ned, as hard as it would be on her. Ser Barristan and Prince Quentyn had already made that point clear: if she wanted a paramour, Queen of the Seven Kingdoms was not the position she had to aim for.
"Yes. When we are married, I shall take no one else to bed but you."
"That's…reassuring." Aegon let out, quickly realizing his foolishness. "I am sorry…"
"I am not a whore, Aegon. I know where my duty lies."
"I did not say such."
"But you thought it."
Aegon bit his lip. "I didn't. I swear I did not have such vile thoughts of you, Daenerys."
Daenerys waved him off.
"Nevertheless, Aunt, may I offer you advice?"
"Of course."
"I think you are making a huge mistake."
"With whom?"
"Dorne."
"How so?"
"You are giving them too much."
"You would go against your kin?" Daenerys asked, surprised.
"They are my kin, but I also am a Targaryen. If we allow Dorne to get too much, then we might well be jeopardizing our position."
"Prince Quentyn has been nothing but loyal to me and House Targaryen. It is only logical that I reward him and consolidate our power."
Aegon took a deep breath.
"Strangely enough, I do not care much for the Marches. Prince Quentyn can have all the fun pacifying the area if he wishes to, and a few islands are not the main concern, however…" Aegon raised a finger in the air. "Prince Quentyn is smart. He knows what you want. What we want. And he knows that our window is closing if we are to reach Westeros. He is pushing his advantage by taking meaningless things for himself while distracting us with the Stormlands or the Reach."
"Then what are you concerned about?" Daenerys asked.
"The Stepstones, Aunt. I am worried about the Stepstones." Aegon sighed. "Prince Quentyn would have us conquer them for him."
"As he helped conquer our throne for us." Daenerys shrugged.
"Yes, Aunt, but the Stepstones command the access to the Narrow Sea. With them in his possession, Dorne would control all the trade coming from Lys, the Summer Isles, even as far as Yi-Ti, with places such as Braavos, Gulltown or…King's Landing," Aegon pointed out. "Giving the Stepstones may not sound like much, but it is massive. And Prince Quentyn knows it. This is why he distracted us with the possibility of annexing the Stormlands. Why would we care about a few rocks when we have Storm's End and Ashford?"
"Yes, why would we care so much? We will have the wealth of the Stormlands and even pieces of the Westerlands. Enough to consolidate our power for generations."
"But the trade routes are even more important. Especially after a pacification of the Stepstones, the area will be covered in trading ships!" Aegon pointed out, "We cannot let Dorne have a monopoly on that trade."
"I gave Prince Quentyn my word, Aegon. Breaking it will anger our only ally."
"Perhaps, but he also knows that he cannot afford to be too greedy, either. Dorne has only so much manpower it can put in to pacify the Stepstones."
"What do you propose?"
"Give him a few islands, but not all. He can hardly afford much more."
Daenerys nodded, Aegon's reasoning made sense.
"Very well then, let us do as you said. Together."
She flung her arm forward. Aegon was not long in taking it.
"Together."
Both of them reappeared at the table, but this time, Aegon sat next to Daenerys, instead of next to Jon Connington.
"Let us get rid of the last pesky obstacles before finally setting sail." Daenerys smiled slightly. "Aegon?"
"The Crown will confirm the Dornish claims over Nightsong, Starpike, Blackhaven and Fawnton. Harvest Hall will be granted depending on the attitude of Lord Selmy. Greenstone is likewise to be determined on the attitude of Lord Estermont," Aegon's voice rose. "As for the Stepstones, House Targaryen will give all of the islands west of the Grey Gallows to Dorne. All other islands will fall under the rule of the Crown."
Prince Quentyn's gaze darkened slightly, as his smile fell.
"Furthermore," Daenerys cleared her throat, "the islands shall only be granted to Dorne should they exempt Royal ships from any tariffs the prince would like to put on a right of passage or protection through the passes they now control."
The Prince's face fell almost completely, but he still tried to regain the advantage.
"That's…generous, but if we are to admonish tariffs on Royal Ships, we should get a larger piece of the islands."
"You get all the islands west of the Grey Gallows, and we shall confirm your claim on Greenstone, how does that sound?" Aegon cut in.
"That sounds…amenable, Your Grace." Prince Quentyn nodded.
"Good. Now I trust our fleet will sail on the morrow to Sunspear?" Daenerys asked with enthusiasm.
"By your command, Your Grace."
"Then we can close this meeting. Our current disputes are over, there is only the fate of our enemies to discuss, and it can wait till they have been destroyed or have bent the knee." Daenerys rose up, holding hands with Aegon.
"House Targaryen will reward its friends, and prove merciful to its enemies. But do not wake the dragons."
While leaving, Daenerys could not repress a smile. Aegon was right. The last Targaryens would have to stand together to face the obstacles ahead. And with her children, who could stand in their way?
However, before she left, she could not help but lock eyes with Ned, who looked at her with a twinge of sadness and…betrayal?
