Chapter Text
Rhaenyra hadn’t come back yet.
Aegon glanced nervously at the brewing storm gathering outside, lacing his fingers into the wine jug but making no move to fill his empty cup.
There was a storm brewing and Rhaenyra wasn’t back yet and Aegon was worried.
Movement in the corner of his eye caught his attention and the prince turned to see his younger brother watching him, the black and blue of his bruises a stark contrast against his pale skin. The ones that crawled up his cheek at least matched his eyes, Aegon thought mirthlessly as Aemond drew closer.
Lord Corlys and Princess Rhaenys had gathered their grandchildren close, sequestering themselves with their remaining child as they all mourned. Aegon knew that Prince Daemon had joined them. The earlier fight that had occurred when Baela and Rhaena realised that their mothers dragon had been claimed by another seemed to have awaken the Rogue Princes paternal instincts, for he was now seemingly unwilling to leave his daughter’s sides for more than a few moments.
Aegons own brotherly instincts had seemingly awakened these last months, for when he had noticed Vhagar flying by with a silver haired speck upon her back he had abandoned his wine and rushed to meet them.
He hadn’t expected to come upon his brother fighting with their little cousin. Had not expected to discover the younger children out of bed, nor to be somehow dragged into the chaos as he tried to prevent Jace from launching himself at Aemond.
Aegon had never been happier than in that moment for a guard to appear. Had never been so thankful that the guards present during the fight had been among those Rhaenyra had subjected to a lecture on how exactly to guard royal children. Aegon did not know if any of them would have had the courage to intervene otherwise and who knew what the consequences of that would have been?
“Mother will be angry if she catches you out of bed.” Aemonds words were scolding, but Aegon could hear the tinge of worry that undercut them. His brother could put on a brave front all he wanted but Aegon knew him and he knew what he was thinking.
It was the same thing he himself was thinking after all.
“Rhaenyra isn’t back yet.” Aemond folded into himself at his words, arms wrapping around himself as he too glanced towards the dark clouds outside. His gaze was searching, eyes darting back and forth as if in hope that Syrax would appear from above, bursting through the storm and roaring in offence at the bad weather she so hated.
“She’ll be back,” Aemond hesitated, looking small as he glanced at his older brother, “right?”
“I don’t know.” Aegon murmured, resisting the urge to pull Aemond into his arms as he had seen Rhaenyra do when Aemonds anxieties got to be too much.
He wouldn’t be able to provide the comfort she did.
“Well what if she doesn’t?” Aemond demanded, shuffling forward to close the gap between them. “What if she’s lost or hurt or somethings happened to her?”
“What’s happened to who?” Both boys whirled around, eyes widening at the sight of their youngest brother standing in the doorway, Helaena hovering behind them.
“Daeron! I… Rhaenyra is… you do not need to worry- “ Aegon stuttered, desperately grasping for some explanation to wipe the concern from his brothers face.
“Rhaenyra is what?” Daeron demanded, lurching towards his brothers as Helaena trailed behind him, her eyes wide in worry. “What’s happened? Where is she?”
“She went for a flight,” Aegon swallowed, struggling to meet his brothers eyes, “and she hasn’t returned.” His voice a mere whisper, he turned back to the window to scan the horizon once again.
Surely she would be fine. She was one of the most skilled dragon riders in existence, have been riding since she was just seven. Surely a little storm wouldn’t be enough to bring her or Syrax down?
“But theres a storm coming!” Daeron protested.
Aegon quirked a mirthless smile as Daeron glanced between his siblings, his eyes wide as Helaena also stepped past him to peer out the window. His sister’s normally wistful expression had twisted into one of concern and Aegon wasn’t surprised when her fingers twisted themselves into the fabric of his tunic.
“Yes we know.” Aemond sighed, crossing his arms and scowling.
“We have to go after her!” Daeron demanded, purple eyes settling on Aegon.
“We will not be doing anything.” Aegon determined, having made up his mind. “You and Aemond will be going to back to bed while Helaena and I sort this out.”
Both Aemond and Daeron broke out into loud protests at Aegon declaration and even Helaena looked startled at his words. Aegons head pounded and he ached to reach for the wine jug again, to fill his cup and down it again and again until his thoughts disappeared and the wine numbed his feelings.
Instead, he fisted his hands at his sides and turned to hush down his siblings.
“Aemond you claimed Vhagar barely three hours ago and you are in no fit state to fly, either physically or mentally.” Aegon rubbed his head, sighing as he regarded his stubborn younger brothers. “And Daeron your dragon is only just big enough to fly, it’s too risky for you to take Tessarion into a storm that strong when we don’t know where we are going or how long we will be flying for.”
It was a miracle that Tessarion had been able to take Daeron from Oldtown to the southern parts of the Wastelands. It was a long flight for Aegons own Sunfyre, let along a dragon who had only just grown enough to be able to take a rider into the air. It was lucky that Rhaenyra had stumbled upon the pair when she had or else both Tessarion and Daeron could have seriously injured themselves.
“It’s not like your dragon is much bigger!” Daeron protested. “Why don’t we just go tell Ser Laenor or Princess Rhaenys? Their dragons are bigger and they are more experienced.”
Aemond scowled, crossing his arms and shrinking into himself as both Helaena and Aegon winced. Daeron simply stared at them, confused as each of them avoided meeting his eyes.
“Uh- “ Aegon hesitated, eyes flicking to Aemond in question. Daeron hadn’t been present for the evenings earlier chaos and had only been briefly informed that Aemond had managed to bond with Vhagar.
“I- “ Aemond started, stopping before turning to look desperately at his older siblings. Aegon worried at his lip before turning to exchange glances with Helaena.
His younger sister hummed, stepping forward to gain their youngest brother’s attention. Daeron straightened under her gaze as he always did, their chivalrous little brother always so careful in his behaviour towards their sisters or any other lady.
His elder brothers he would badger and interrupt and make demands of to his hearts content. But he would not dare to do so to Helaena, nor to any other noble lady such as their eldest sister or mother.
“Aemond claiming Vhagar on the night of her last riders funeral caused some negative feelings on Baela and Rhaenas part.” Helaena explained. “Aemond responded… badly, when they and our nephews confronted him.”
Daeron paused, brow furrowing as he considered their sister’s words. Aegon saw the moment he got what she was saying and watched with great amusement as his youngest sibling whirled upon their rather sheepish brother.
“You got into a fight with two girls!” Daeron asked incredulously. “With our cousins? They’re younger than you and just lost their mother and you hit them!”
Aemond winced, opening his mouth to defend himself before a sharp look from Aegon cut him off. Scowling, he crossed his arms and stared at the ground as he muttered a confirmation to his brothers questions.
“I- “ Daeron stopped, staring at Aemonds bruises as if he had just noticed them for the first time. A slow smirk spread across his face and Aemond groaned at it, Aegon snickering slightly as Helaena ducked behind him to hide her own amusement.
“They’re the ones who gave you those bruises aren’t they?” Daeron asked, his face becoming gleeful as begrudgingly Aemond nodded. “Serves you right.” Daeron crowed. “Laying hands on noble ladies, our kin as well! I’m surprised mother hasn’t already dragged you to the Sept to reflect on your misdeeds.”
Aegon stepped in at that, well aware of what normally followed when Aemond went quiet and got that disconcerting look upon his face.
“Anyway, it’s safe to say that they are not feeling particularly well inclined towards us right now.” Aegon commented. “Plus they are holed up in Lord Corlys and Princess Rhaenys’ quarters right not and I do not want to disturb them in their mourning.”
“Well you can’t stop me from coming.” Daeron crossed his arms and Aegon shifted uncomfortably as the younger boy scowled at him.
“Exactly.” Aemond joined in, turning his own scowl upon his elder brother. “If you don’t let us go then I’m just going to go tell mother that you left and then they really will send Princess Rhaenys or worse Prince Daemon after you.”
“You cannot be serious.” Aegon gaped at his little brothers.
Twisting to look behind him, he sought out his sister and gestured towards their brothers in a plea for help. Helaena just looked at him apologetically, moving to stand beside Aemond and Daeron.
“Oh not you too!” Aegon moaned, throwing his hands up in the air. “Fine! We can all go! But when something happens I will be right here to say I told you so!”
“Then don’t let anything happen.” Aemond said snidely. “But.” He said suddenly, turning to smirk at Daeron. “Aegon’s right that Tessarion is too small to navigate such a powerful storm. Perhaps we should leave her behind and you can ride with me on Vhagar.”
“No!” Helaena was quick to step in between them, quelling both boys with a single look. “He can come with me on Dreamfyre, not with you on Vhagar. You said it yourself brother.” Aemond slumped slightly as Helaena turned to him. “Aegons right.”
“Ha!” Aegon crowed, smug that two of his siblings would admit to agreeing with him in one night. Helaena ignored him, continuing on as if he hadn’t spoken.
“You only just bonded with Vhagar, it’s not a good idea for you to take a passenger.” She sounded like their mother, Aegon thought vaguely. Except Helaena was quieter and not likely to then drag him to the Sept. “Dreamfyre is older and more experienced, both at taking a passenger and flying through a storm. It’s safer for us all this way.”
“This is the only way you’re coming Daeron, so don’t even bother trying to protest.” Aegon said firmly, trying his best to emulate their mother as he stared the boy down. “Either you go with Helaena on Dreamfyre or you can stay here. Its up to you.”
Daeron scowled, muttering insults under his breath that Aegon ignored as he ushered them out of his rooms. He quietly gave them instructions to get their rider clothes and meet him at the entrance to the caves where their dragons were nesting.
“What if we get stopped by the guards?” Aemond stopped to ask, Helaena and Daeron also turning towards him in askance.
“Tell them you’re going to see Mother.” Aegon shrugged before closing the door in his face.
As he quickly donned his riding leathers, he looked again out the window, searching the darkened sky for any sign of Syrax. But his search proved futile and Aegon quickly gave up and simply slipped out his door.
He didn’t even want to think about how Rhaenyra would react if - when, he corrected himself. When they found her.
They would find her and when they did Aegon was going to take every opportunity he had to remind her of how reckless she had been. Flying off into a storm as if she hadn’t given him several lectures on the subject! Once Aegons and his siblings had all returned safely to Driftmark, Aegon was going to make his displeasure at her actions well known.