Chapter Text
The maesters came out some time later and beckoned them in. They entered. He took a spot at the base of the bed while they got closer.
“Tell us the news.” His father demanded.
“The simplest matter is his leg. The weight of the horse broke it, but it appears to have been a clean break. We are of the opinion it should heal with time and proper care. The concern is that the prince took a significant hit to the right side of his head. We cleaned and dressed the injuries, but they are quite severe. There is some concern about his right eye. He may be blind in that eye. As for his mind, injuries of this nature are quite delicate. It is too soon to know what the outcome might be.” The Maester explained.
“So you know nothing.” His father said plainly.
“Forgive him,” Prince Baelor. “You are dismissed.”
The maester bowed and left.
“Maekar,” his uncle sighed. “You must find it in you to be patient despite the circumstances.”
His father didn’t dignify that with a reply.
“Would you give us some time to speak alone Aegon?” Prince Baelor asked.
He did as he was bade. He wandered, until he came across guards at a door. He had a feeling he knew what was behind the door. He entered. He was right. He found Aerion in the bed. He gripped a dagger tight and climbed on top of Aerion. He put the dagger to his brother’s throat.
“Wake up.” Egg hissed.
When that wasn’t enough to wake him up all the way, he slapped Aerion.
“What the fuck?” Aerion put a hand to his cheek.
“Shut up. You disgraced the family. You endangered the heir to the throne. It is by the grace of the gods that Uncle wasn’t killed. Father being unharmed is another miracle.”
“Get off!” Aerion’s demanded.
“They can not say if Daeron will live. They can not say if he will see out of his right eye. You may be incapable of basic sentiment for others, but I love him. Father does too, whatever he may think of Daeron’s drinking. Father’s love for you overrides all reason, but it will no longer be enough. He has seen your true face.”
Egg looked down at Aerion, at the scowl on his swollen face. He seemed pathetic.
“The next time you dare to step out of line,” He raised the dagger so Aerion could see it clearly. “I will use this dagger to carve your eye out.”
He left with that.
There were days of chaos as people entered and left Daeron’s room, pouring things down his throat, changing bandages, and making it known they were praying for Daeron’s recovery. Prince Baelor entered the room. He took stock of what he saw before he gestured like he wanted Aegon to approach.
“Uncle?” He asked when the door closed behind them.
“However much I may wish to stay, I must return to King’s Landing. The king will want to hear about what has occurred and I can not perform my duties as hand here.”
“I understand.” Aegon would miss Prince Baelor, but he realized his uncle had obligations to the realm. If he must go there was nothing to be done about it.
“Ser Duncan intends to travel before he joins me. You should see him before he takes his leave.”
He hurried to do just that. He found Ser Duncan talking to some of servants.
“Ser Duncan!”
Everyone else bowed and left.
“Yes, Egg?” Dunk replied. "What is it?"
“Uncle told me you are leaving.” He frowned and made his eyes look sad.
"Ah." Dunk softened. “He is correct. I mean to leave for Dorne in the coming days.”
“But I can not go with you, not when Daeron is still recovering.” He whined.
Dunk pinched his cheek. “Then you must be a good brother and make sure he recovers quickly so your father will permit you to join me the next time we meet.”
He threw his arms around Dunk’s legs. Dunk knelt to hug him back properly.
“You will come back?” He asked.
“I swear.” Dunk replied solemnly. “Prince Baelor is a good man. He will make a better king. It will be an honor to serve him.”
As they waited for the maesters to declare Daeron fit enough to make the journey home Aegon made a habit of talking to Daeron about the goings on he was unaware of.
“My hair has begun to grow again. It will be a while longer yet before it returns to the length it was before you cut it.”
“Aemon writes. He says he will be joining us in Summerhall. He will be among the group the Citadel send to care for you.”
“I have grown weary of these sights. They were pleasant enough at the beginning, but they have become plain with familiarity.” Egg crawled into bed with Daeron and put a hand to his chest. He breathed deep and exhaled with Daeron. The steady beat of Daeron’s heart was the comfort he needed during these hard times.
“You must wake soon.” He spoke softly, as if being too loud could severe whatever delicate thread was tethering Daeron to life. “Ser Duncan has left for Dorne. Who am I meant to squire for if neither of you are here?”
He felt his eyes well up with tears, so he took a moment to swallow down the emotions before he continued. “Father is beside himself with worry. Uncle has left for King’s Landing. Aerion has gone with him to face the King’s judgement.”
It was quiet for some time, but the sound of footsteps eventually approached. He stayed where he was. The door creaked open to reveal his father. Neither spoke. His father took a seat in the chair at the opposite side of the bed.
His father broke the silence. “Your brother has always been a sensitive boy.”
“Has he?” He replied, confused by both the topic and the uncharacteristic openness.
“He was his mother’s child from the start. He hated the dragon egg we placed in his cradle. I thought the blue and purple suited him, but he wailed whenever it was in his sight.” His father paused.
“I should have seen it then, but I was blinded by my desire to see my children rise above me. I love my brothers, but I envy them all the same. I wanted you to live up to the heritage of this family as dragon lords and rulers where I could not. It made me a failure of a father.”
“Father...” His mind raced to find the right words. “I do not blame you.”
“That does not mean I should not change.” His father said. “Come. There are preparations that must be done for the journey home.”
They packed and said their farewells to their hosts. They made their way home slowly, stopping regularly. It extended the trip, but it was worth it for Daeron’s sake. Eventually they reached home. They settled into the same routine of sitting by Daeron’s bedside and wandering when it became too much in a new place. The delegation from the citadel arrived a short while after them. His father talked to the Maester while servants took bags inside.
“Aemon!” Egg yelled as he threw himself at his brother for a massive hug.
“Egg!” Aemon pulled back, laughing. “Where has your hair gone?”
“Daeron.” He sighed. “He wished to be less conspicuous so we could avoid the tourney.”
Aemon frowned. “I heard something about a trial by seven and Daeron being injured.”
“A lot has happened-” Egg began, but he was interrupted.
“Boys.” Their father called from the top of the steps.
“We should head in.” Egg took Aemon’s hand and they walked together.
They entered Daemon’s room. The maester examined Daeron.
When he finished he said “Let me confer with the other Maester. I shall return so we can discuss properly.”
When they were alone their father turned to Aemon.
“Let me look at you.” He took Aemon’s face in his hands. “Have they been taking care of you?”
“Yes, father.” Aemon nodded. "It is not as luxurious as royal life, but I have everything I need. Everyone treats me well.”
“Good,” Father patted him on the cheek and stood up.
The addition of Aemon provided some much needed light to Summerhall. Even his father seemed a bit lighter for having Aemon back. They spent a lot of time in the corner of Daeron’s room pretending.
They laid on either side of Daeron. Their father sat in the chair reading a book
“Brother, you would not believe the number of books.” Aemon spoke with all the confidence of a Maester still unaware his student had fallen asleep. “You could spend your whole life reading and never finish.”
“He told me about this lake. We must go spend an afternoon out there the next time we visit.” Egg added.
Their father glanced up to interrupt. “You had better prepare for any visits we make by getting ahead in your studies in that case, I will not have you wasting the good work you have been doing by letting your brothers distract you.”
“Yes, father.” Aemon groaned.
Aegon giggled.
“You are missing out on the two of them making up for the time they spent apart.” He pretended to whisper to Daeron.
“Take care, Aegon.” Father replied, tone betraying his amusement. “I have no doubt that you will do the same. I can already see you dragging him out to climb trees.”
“Aemon would enjoy it.” He grumbled.
He felt a twitch against his hand. He looked down at the hand only to feel it again. Daeron had moved his fingers.
“Father.” Egg said slowly. “I think he’s waking up.”
“What?” His father jumped up. He tossed the book aside carelessly. He ran to the doors and shouted at the guards to summon the maesters.
He met Aemon’s gaze. The two of them jumped off the bed to give Daeron some space. Their father returned and the three of them stared. Time slowed to a stand still. The maesters joined them. The room was silent. Slowly Daeron’s eyes opened.
“Daeron? My boy?” Father said softly.
“What?” Daeron sounded as thought he had lost his voice to an illness. Daeron’s eyebrows furrowed with confusion as he looked at the faces hovering around him.
A maester approached them with water. “If I may, your highness.”
Father looked over and nodded. The two of them helped Daeron into a sitting position and helped him drink.
“I dreamt mother and I were watching the stars together.” Daeron said.
“That sounds lovely.” Father brushed Daeron’s hair back and wiped water off Daeron’s mouth.
Daeron looked back and forth between the hovering observers. He frowned. “What happened to my sight? I can’t see you unless I turn.”
“Nothing you must concern yourself with right now.” Father said calmly. He helped Daeron lie back down and pulled the blankets back up around him. “Rest. I have you.”