Endless Meetings and Daemon's Sudden Entrance

Red Keep.

Viserys I looked wearily at the ministers as they took their seats once more. Queen Alicent was absent this time, having gone to care for the children.

"Has anyone reached a conclusion?"

The king swept his gaze over the ministers, all with their heads lowered, and rubbed his forehead. He and Grand Maester Mellos had spent a long time reviewing information on the royal demesnes, yet they truly could not find suitable land. There was one tract in the Borderlands of Dorne, several scattered plots in the Crownlands, a few parcels tucked between mountain crevices on the Crab Claw Peninsula, and several small holdings in the Riverlands. None were suitable for settling such a vast host, one with two dragons and tens of thousands of people.

They could hardly grant Dragonstone away as a fief.

Nor could they offer a prize weighty enough to bear the task.

"Your Grace, winning over the Valaerys family is indeed our only course at present." Hand of the King Ser Otto Hightower was the first to speak. "But we must carefully consider the terms. Your Grace, the Lonzell brothers carry royal blood. Though Princess Senira was expelled by the late king, her royal status was never revoked. I therefore suggest restoring the Lonzell brothers' royal status and granting them the title of Royal Prince."

"It can be done." Viserys nodded. It was merely a title; it would change nothing.

"Your Grace, if the Lonzell brothers also use the title 'Prince,' then there is the matter of succession..." Lord Jasper said hurriedly.

"The succession rights of Princess Senira's line have already been stripped away." Lord Lyman coughed before continuing. "Lord Wylde, there is no need to dwell on this matter."

"What other terms are there?" Ser Tyland turned the jeweled orb before him. "According to our intelligence, the gold and silver the Lonzell brothers brought aboard their ships are no less than the treasures Lord Corlys, the Sea Snake, brought back from his nine great voyages. Gold may not buy them. A title alone cannot serve as a bargaining chip."

"Your Grace, we can establish a marriage alliance with the Valaerys family," Otto Hightower added. "There are currently no royal girls of suitable age to wed, but we can arrange marriages for the next generation. The descendants of Prince Aegon, Princess Helaena, Prince Aemond, and Prince Daeron may all be included."

"And Princess Rhaenyra's descendants as well," Lord Lyman added. "If the queen and the princess bear daughters, they may also be wed to the youngest brother among the three."

Otto ignored Lyman and continued, "The Valaerys family also possesses pure Dragonlord blood. If we can gradually merge their bloodline into the royal family through marriage, it will be greatly beneficial."

"I understand, but that concerns matters many years from now," the king said. "Things so far in the future are difficult to regard as an effective bargaining chip in the present."

"Land," Larys Strong said. "That is the most valuable bargaining chip for winning them over. Your Grace can create a position for him in King's Landing, one with an impressive title but little real authority." The clubfooted Strong swept his gaze around the table. "And promise that landless second sons or younger sons of the Valaerys family will be given priority for future selection into the white knights."

"Lord Larys Strong, mind your words." Captain Criston Cole, who had not yet had a chance to speak, tapped the table with his iron-gloved hand. "The honor and purity of the Kingsguard's white knights must never be used for such a transaction."

Larys Strong secretly rolled his eyes at him. The Kingsguard's white knights had to swear never to marry or father children; he was reducing the future number of Valaerys men. Besides, honor and purity?

"The Lonzell brothers have come from afar. They are not followers of the Seven and naturally will not understand the significance of the Kingsguard," Lord Lyman hurriedly smoothed things over. "Land remains the most urgent matter."

"The royal demesnes are all rather small and scattered far apart," Grand Maester Mellos said regretfully. "None is enough to be granted as a fief to a royal prince who brings tens of thousands of people and astonishing wealth."

Prince Daemon never received such treatment either, Lord Lyman thought. Perhaps Daemon was simply not as unusual as the Lonzell brothers.

"The Reach has broad and fertile lands." Otto Hightower took out a map and spread it across the long table. "There is a sizable territory between Greylock Mountain and the Honeywine. It once belonged to dozens of vassals of the Hightower family, but some sold their lands and left their homeland, while others died without heirs. These lands are currently administered by the family. The family is willing to contribute them as royal demesnes for the Crown's use."

The king looked expressionlessly at Otto but did not answer.

"The North is vast and sparsely populated," Lord Jasper suggested. "Why not discuss it with the Stark duke and set aside uninhabited northern lands for them?"

"Are you trying to make them think we have exiled them?" Lord Lyman shot back without courtesy. "Besides, the Stark duke in the North is still a child. He cannot possibly make sense of such complicated matters."

"Then where do you think is suitable?" Lord Jasper replied angrily. "Harrenhal, which Lord Larys cannot control? Or Dorne?"

Then he saw everyone looking at him at once.

"I was only making a suggestion."

Lord Jasper gave an awkward smile and leaned back in his chair.

"The Crown has a royal demesne at the end of the Boneway," Grand Maester Mellos said. "South of it lie Balance Vale, at the border between the Dondarrion family and the Grandison family; Choice March and Risk March, at the border between the Dondarrion family and the Swann family. Though the land is not especially fertile, the Red Mountains possess abundant mineral deposits and a scorching climate, making them well suited for dragons. The Vail family of Dorne has crossed the sea countless times to raid this territory, so the three families have had no leisure to attend to these lands. The Crown can fund their consolidation and use them as a reward."

"And the title," Lord Lyman reminded them. "Since ancient times, the Borderlands have had two hereditary titles. The title of Warden of the Borderlands is hereditary to the Tyrell family, allowing them to command the nobles of the western Borderlands. The title of Commander of the Borderlands belongs to the Caron family of Nightsong, but House Caron has sworn fealty to the Baratheon duke of the Stormlands."

"I understand," the king said. "The king has no authority to strip or transfer hereditary noble titles. Therefore, I have decided to establish a separate title: Governor of the Borderlands. With this title, the Lonzell brothers need not swear fealty to the Baratheon duke."

"But Duke Borremund..." Lord Jasper said uncertainly.

"I have already exchanged letters with Duke Borremund." The king smiled. "The duke has no objections. So I would like to ask for your opinions. Do you agree with the proposal just made?"

"I agree." Lord Lyman was the first to raise his hand.

"I agree." Ser Tyland raised his hand second. He had not yet voiced his own opinion. He had hoped to assign the land to islands outside Lannisport, but unfortunately, the others had spoken before he could.

"I agree," Lord Jasper said.

Larys looked at the ministers beside him and raised his hand as well. "I agree."

Criston Cole raised his hand. "Your will is my will."

Otto sighed. "I agree."

"Very well. Then the task of negotiation—" The king looked toward Otto. Otto was just about to accept when the doors of the council chamber suddenly opened.

"Only a dragonrider can negotiate with dragonriders, my brother." Daemon, filthy with dust and clad in armor, strode in with Princess Rhaenys behind him, equally covered in smoke and dust.

"Your Grace." The two walked to the long table, and the ministers all rose to greet them. A flicker of a smile crossed the king's face, but he swiftly concealed it beneath a stern expression.

"I hope the wisdom of the Small Council has given you sufficient terms to support our negotiations, Your Grace."

Daemon lowered his head, one hand resting on Dark Sister.

"Of course." The king rose without hesitation.

"May the Seven bless you with victory."

First update check-in. I have a painful boil under my arm. The next chapter will be updated around 11:45.