Sunset by the river

Rhaenyra had secured the promise that she could choose her own husband, but the matter did not end there.

Over the next few days, she discovered that she had merely won a battle. The war was far from over.

Viserys did indeed stop mentioning the Oakheart, Lannister, and Dorne proposals, but in their place came a string of "gentle suggestions" and "fatherly concerns"-all of which ultimately pointed in the same direction: restrictions.

"You may choose your own route," Viserys told her over breakfast the next morning, his tone suggesting he was granting a generous reward, "but you must take guards and attendants. You are the heir to the realm. You cannot run around like some wild girl."

Rhaenyra bit into her bread and glanced at Aegon in her lap. The three-year-old boy was scooping up honey porridge with a spoon, a golden ring smeared around his mouth.

The Master of Coin, Lyman Beesbury, had sent it from his lands at Honeyholt. She had to admit that, amiable old fellow though the Earl of Honeyholt was, his family's honey truly was exceptional.

"Aegon must come with me," Rhaenyra said, looking away from the corners of his mouth.

Viserys glanced at his son. Aegon raised his head, gazing at him with pleading purple eyes, his little face practically shouting, Take me, take me, take me.

He knew that expression all too well-it was exactly how Rhaenyra had looked whenever she wanted something as a child.

Still, now that he thought about it, Aegon had rarely asked him for anything...

"...Very well." Viserys nodded.

"And we want to ride a dragon," Rhaenyra added, striking while the iron was hot.

Viserys frowned and was about to refuse when his daughter and son both turned to look at him.

Two pairs of purple eyes, one older and one younger, gazed at him with the same expression-expectation, pleading, and a trace of stubbornness that would brook no refusal.

He sighed. "You may ride Syrax. But you must keep pace with your escort, not fly too fast. And you must have someone with you to look after you."

Rhaenyra's lips curved upward. Before she could say yes, Aegon leaned out of her lap and wrapped both arms around Viserys's neck.

"You're the best, Father!" The boy kissed his cheek, smearing honey porridge all over his neck.

Viserys did not know whether to laugh or cry, but he could not suppress his smile.

He patted his son's back. "Enough, enough. You're filthy. Take Sunfyre too. Happy now?"

Aegon immediately nestled back into Rhaenyra's lap and winked at his sister.

Sunfyre lay beside the dining table. Hearing his name, he raised his head, glanced around in bewilderment with his golden eyes, then buried his head between his forelegs again. He was long accustomed to his "scheming" rider and his rider's sister using him as a bargaining chip.

Alicent sat on Viserys's other side, watching the scene. Her fork prodded the fried egg on her plate without breaking the yolk.

Her gaze moved between Aegon and Rhaenyra before finally returning to her plate.

Helaena sat beside her, quietly eating her own breakfast with a maid's assistance. Though barely over a year old, the little girl ate with remarkable delicacy, a stark contrast to the already three-year-old Aegon.

Aemond was still in the nursery with his wet nurse, too young to join them at the table.

"What about your guards?" Alicent set down her fork, her voice even. "Rhaenyra, which member of the Kingsguard do you want to take?"

Rhaenyra almost blurted out, "Criston Cole-"

"Sister." Aegon tugged at her clothes, drawing her attention down. He lowered his voice beside her ear so that only the two of them could hear. "Choose the Cargyll brothers."

Rhaenyra paused and looked down at him. Aegon's expression was far too serious for a three-year-old.

"Why?"

"They didn't stop us yesterday," Aegon whispered even more quietly. "If we don't choose them, they'll definitely be punished."

Rhaenyra blinked, her lips slowly curving into a smile. How did this little fellow understand everything when he was only three?

She raised her head and cleared her throat. "Ser Alec Cargyll and Ser Arryk Cargyll. There are two of us, Aegon and me, so we need two Kingsguard knights. The brothers work well together. They're perfect."

Alicent frowned slightly, clearly surprised by the choice. Viserys, however, nodded. "The Cargyll brothers are indeed good men. Loyal and dependable."

"And the attendants?" Alicent asked again. "Someone must look after your daily needs."

Rhaenyra glanced at Aegon. The boy leaned close to her ear again. "Floris."

This time, Rhaenyra did not hesitate. "Floris Strong. She's always looked after me and knows my habits."

Viserys nodded and was about to speak, but Aegon poked his head out of his lap and called to Larys Strong, who sat at the far end of the table among the Hand of the King's family, invited to join them for breakfast. "Ser Larys, you should come too!"

The table fell silent for a moment.

Larys Strong sat beside his father, Lyonel, quietly eating. At Aegon's call, he set down his fork, his gray eyes narrowing slightly. Only Aegon, seated opposite him, caught that swift, almost imperceptible flicker.

"My prince," Larys said evenly, with just the right touch of humility, "my difficulty walking might slow your journey-"

"It won't." Aegon shook his head, his tone certain. He was repaying the man's help yesterday, yet here Larys was, being modest. "You're clever."

Silence fell over the table once more.

Then Viserys laughed. "This lad is quite a judge of character." He looked at Larys. "Go, then. Look after the prince and princess."

Larys bowed slightly. "As you command, Your Grace."

Lyonel Strong sat nearby, watching his second son and second daughter both chosen for the traveling party. A complicated expression flickered across his face.

He hesitated, then spoke. "Your Grace, my eldest son, Harwin, is reasonably skilled at arms. If he might guard them alongside the Cargyll brothers-"

"No."

It was Aegon who interrupted him.

Everyone turned toward the three-year-old prince. Sitting in Rhaenyra's lap, his little face utterly serious, the boy spoke in a tone quite unlike a young child's. "Ser Harwin is commander of the City Watch. He should remain in King's Landing and fulfill his duties with the Gold Cloaks, ensuring Father's and Mother's safety."

He paused, seemingly arranging his words, then continued. "My sister and I have already taken two of the seven Kingsguard knights. As children, we must not place our own safety above our parents'. As members of the royal family, we must not place ourselves above the lords of the Small Council. As the prince and princess of the realm-"

He glanced at Rhaenyra, who was watching him with a mixture of astonishment and pride.

"Still less may we place ourselves above the realm."

The table was utterly silent.

Then the nobles and ministers invited to the royal breakfast began praising Aegon's "deeds" to date: "born at midsummer," "a golden dragon at his birth," "Blessed by the Seven," "favored by the White Hart"...

Viserys's wine cup stopped halfway to his lips. He stared at his son for a long moment, then burst out laughing. "Good! Well said! That's my son!"

Alicent smiled as well. There was pride in that smile, and relief, and something else Aegon could not understand. She looked at her son as though truly seeing him for the first time.

Lyonel Strong paused in surprise, then nodded. "The prince is right. I failed to consider the matter fully."

He glanced at Harwin-his powerfully built eldest son was on duty at the dining hall entrance and had plainly heard Aegon's words.

Harwin gave a slight nod. There was no displeasure on his face, only a measure of respect.

The Cargyll brothers stood by the door. Having seen the prince suggest them in the princess's ear earlier, they exchanged a glance.

Yesterday, they had failed to stop the princess from barging into the Small Council meeting. They had expected punishment, never imagining that the prince would save them this way.

Erryk murmured to Alec, "We owe the prince a favor."

Alec nodded slightly.

Larys Strong stood quietly nearby, leaning on his cane. His gaze rested on Aegon for a moment before moving away, a barely perceptible smile at the corners of his mouth.

Watching Aegon, Alicent felt that tangled knot of emotions surge within her again. She parted her lips. "Since you're going away, why not take Helaena? She can already join her brother-"

"Helaena is still young," Viserys said, shaking his head. "The journey will be rough. She wouldn't bear it well. Wait until she's older."

Alicent's fingers tightened against the tablecloth, but she said nothing more.

After a brief silence, she tried another approach. "What about Garwin, then? He's always wanted to see more of the world. Let him go along. He can help look after Aegon."

Viserys glanced at his wife, hearing a certain insistence in her voice. He considered it, then nodded. "Very well. Garwin can go too. It will do a young man good to see more of the world."

Alicent relaxed a little. Garwin was her full brother. Though he lacked their father Otto's foresight, he was at least a Hightower. Having him beside Aegon would give her some peace of mind.

Viserys turned toward Tyland Lannister at the other end of the table. "Ser Tyland, you know the sea routes best. You should go as well. I entrust the princess's and prince's safety to you."

Tyland rose and bowed. "As you command." His voice was steady, but Aegon noticed a slight flush around his ears-

Ever since Rhaenyra had caught him making that "joke" at the Small Council meeting, Tyland had always seemed a little uncomfortable around her.

Rhaenyra, however, looked perfectly composed. She stood with Aegon in her arms and surveyed everyone dining in the hall like a victor. "Then it's settled. We leave in a few days."

She glanced down at Aegon in her arms. The boy was giving her a triumphant smile.

She smiled.

Aegon smiled too.

Everything was going according to Aegon's plan.

Cole had not been chosen, nor had Harwin.

The two men most likely to become entangled with Rhaenyra had both been deftly excluded by Aegon.

Meanwhile, Rhaenyra wondered whether this little fellow was truly clever or had merely stumbled upon the right answers.

Looking into Aegon's sparkling purple eyes, she decided not to examine it too closely.

A few days later, at the ferry landing on the Blackwater Rush outside King's Landing.

The setting sun stained the entire river gold and red. A crowd had gathered at the landing to see them off-

Viserys and Alicent stood at the front, with the ministers of the Small Council behind them, followed by guards and servants.

A large three-masted sailing ship lay on the river, a dragon with spread wings carved into its prow. It was a vessel reserved for the royal family. Sailors were carrying out their final checks, and the rigging softly tapped against the masts in the evening breeze.

Aegon stood beside Rhaenyra-or, more precisely, between her and Sunfyre-with one hand clutching his sister's skirt and the other resting on Sunfyre's wing.

He wore a little black coat. The wind had tousled his silver hair, but he was in high spirits.

Rhaenyra wore riding clothes, her long hair woven into a braid that hung behind her shoulder-just like her idol, Queen Visenya.

Yet she kept glancing toward the city, as though waiting for something.

The farewell party gradually fell quiet. Viserys approached his daughter and reached out to straighten her collar.

"Stay safe," he said, his voice a little lower than usual. "Don't fly too fast, don't take risks, don't-"

"Father," Rhaenyra interrupted, "you've already said it three times."

Viserys smiled, a little embarrassed. He turned to Aegon and crouched until their eyes were level.

"Look after your sister," he said seriously.

Aegon nodded, patting the dagger at his waist with his little hand-a gift from Rhaenyra, just the right size for him. "I will, Father."

Viserys smiled, ruffled his hair, and stood.

Alicent stepped forward. First she glanced at Rhaenyra, looking as though she wished to speak, but in the end she merely nodded. Then she crouched and gathered Aegon into her arms.

"Listen to your sister," she whispered into his ear, her voice a little tight. "Don't run off, and don't take risks."

Aegon wrapped his arms around her neck and kissed her cheek. "I'll miss you, Mother."

Alicent's eyes reddened for a moment, but she quickly stood and stepped back beside Viserys. Garwin Hightower came forward, bowed to his sister and brother-in-law, then boarded the ship.

Floris and Larys Strong were already aboard. Floris was directing the attendants as they carried the princess's luggage, while Larys leaned against the rail, watching the crowd at the landing, his gray eyes looking particularly deep in the sunset.

The Cargyll brothers stood at the stern, their white cloaks snapping in the evening breeze. Alec was checking the weapons, while Erryk confirmed the route with the captain. Now and then, they looked toward the landing, searching the crowd for something.

Tyland Lannister was the last to board. Standing at the end of the gangplank, he bowed to Viserys. "Your Grace, I will ensure that the princess and prince return safely."

Viserys nodded. "Go."

Tyland turned and boarded.

Rhaenyra picked up Aegon and looked at her father one last time. Viserys gave her a slight nod, saying nothing more.

She turned and walked toward the ship.

Sunfyre followed her, his golden scales like flowing flame in the sunset.

He paused before the gangplank, looking at the ship, then at Rhaenyra, a trace of hesitation in his eyes.

"Get aboard," Rhaenyra said.

Sunfyre stepped gingerly onto the gangplank. The wood creaked under his weight.

He hurried across it and rushed onto the deck, then crouched at the stern, his golden eyes watching the river warily.

Rhaenyra smiled and carried Aegon aboard.

Horns sounded at the landing, and the sails slowly rose. The sailors cast off the ropes, and the ship began to move away from shore.

Viserys stood at the landing, raising a hand in a gentle wave. Alicent stood beside him, her eyes following the little silver-haired figure aboard.

The ship moved farther away, and the figures at the landing gradually grew smaller.

Just as the vessel reached midriver and prepared to turn toward the river mouth, a dragon's cry rang out from the direction of King's Landing.

Everyone looked up.

Rhaenyra's Syrax flew out of the city, her golden scales stained gold and red by the sunset.

She spread her wings and swept over the walls of King's Landing, then over the landing on the Blackwater Rush, stirring a fierce gust that made those seeing them off cover their faces.

Viserys looked up as his daughter's dragon passed overhead, the corners of his mouth twitching. He had repeatedly stressed that she must keep pace with her escort. That girl...

Syrax circled once above the ship, then descended, flying almost level with the masts.

Rhaenyra rode on her back, already changed into riding clothes, with Aegon secured in front of her by leather straps. Sunfyre was now flying beside Syrax, his smaller golden form equally dazzling in the sunset.

"Father-" Rhaenyra's voice came from above, blurred by the wind. "We'll bring back some local specialties-"

Viserys shook his head with a helpless laugh and waved in reply.

Syrax beat her wings and soared higher, Sunfyre close behind. The two dragons spiraled upward in the sunset, golden light shining through their wings as they cast enormous shadows on the ground.

Rhaenyra sat on dragonback with Aegon in her arms, looking down at King's Landing as it dwindled beneath them. The Red Keep's towers, the sept's crystal dome, the crowded rooftops of Flea Bottom-everything grew hazy and distant in the dusk.

"Sister," Aegon said suddenly, "we'll come back."

Rhaenyra looked down at him. The sunset was reflected in the boy's purple eyes.

"Of course we'll come back." She tightened her arms around him. "But first, we're going to have all the fun we can."

Aegon smiled.

Syrax gave a long cry and accelerated, Sunfyre following close behind. The two dragons' golden scales resembled a flowing river of stars in the dusk.

The ship sailed slowly along the river. Tyland stood at the bow, watching the two figures shrink in the sky, and said to Larys beside him, "Do you think the princess and prince will wait for us?"

Leaning on his cane, Larys gazed up with his gray eyes. "Probably not."

Tyland sighed.

At the landing, the crowd began to disperse. Viserys and Alicent were the last to leave, standing side by side on the empty dock and looking at the last golden glow at the far end of the river.

"They'll be all right," Alicent said softly.

Viserys did not answer. He merely tightened his hold on her hand.

The river breeze swept past, carrying away the last warmth.

And in the sky, the two dragons' silhouettes had already vanished into the depths of the sunset.