Chapter Text
The dark echos of Harrenhal seem to sicken Daemon the longer he remains, food seems to turn to ashes in his mouth, wine soured, his mind a mess of his own failings and falls.
"I'm surrounded, by witches, and idiots." He sighed to himself,
Suddenly a familiar sound echoes through Harrenhal's half-melted halls, the sound of a dragon's triumphant cry. Which caused Daemon to perk up and move quickly for the first time in months. He headed out to the courtyard part of him hopeful to see Syrax across the sky, or perhaps even MoonDancer.
But a deep blue dragon with shimmering white scales fluttered down onto the grass,
"Iēdar lilagon..." he sighed, He approached the dragon glaring down at its rider, "Why did she send you?"
"Because you're causing chaos on your own," Jaerra answered as she climbed down from her dragon, wearing her tall boots and grey washed-out leather trousers, a deep blue jacket with a high low skirt and dragon clasps down her chest, her long Targaryen blonde hair with a single dark brown streak by her face knotted up into a tight braid.
"I already have enough to deal with," He sighed,
"Hence why I'm here." She said pulling off her leather gloves and walking past him, "You've been causing enough problems around here, so she thought I'd be best to come. Plus everyone else is far too busy to be your babysitter."
"Busy!" He said as he followed her,
"Her grace is busy, planning wars and alliances,"
"And what does she think I've been doing!"
She rolled her eyes and continued, "Jacaerys is defending his claim at her side -"
"Baela and Rheana?"
"Baela is beside her betrothal, as she should be. Rheana is with Aegon and Viserys in the Vale."
He sighed, "I'd have taken Corlys before you."
"He is of far to high priority." She glared, "You get me. If you'd have been more careful I wouldn't be needed and I could be patrolling."
"So that's what she's got you doing? Patrolling?"
"Ravens are slow, men even slower. Dragonback is the best way to get sights of our lands and the movements on them." She explained, "Speaking of which, the riverlords are here."
"They haven't-"
"They haven't arrived yet but they will in an hour, I flew over them." She answered before she went inside,
"...Fucking-" He sighed following her, "We have an hour, time to change into a gown for the Riverland lords."
"Alright," She shrugged, "Off you go, to get dressed." She glared,
"I meant you."
"Seems a waste of my time." she sighed, "We are at war, gowns seem pointless at this point,"
"You are ... so much of your mother," He barked,
She chuckled, "Is that meant to insult me?" She smiled, "I'd rather be a spitting image of my mother... than anything like you." she spat, "Now let's get this sorted out before we all end up on spikes in Kings Landing."
Daemon sat at the head of the table in Harrenhalls Grand chamber, Jaerra to his side with two seats between them, as in walked the Lord of the river lands. Jaerra raised an eyebrow given this was not the man from the many lords she saw from Dragonback whom she expected to be the lord. Lord Oscar Tully made his way in dressed in his fine amour, curls messy from his helmet. He simply nodded as a greeting to Daemon and his eyes flicked to Jaerra, he did a double take but focused his eyes forward.
"My condolences on the passing of your grandser." Daemon spoke, "But the crown congratulates you on your ascension to the head of your house. And Lord Paramount of the Riverlands" He explained, "Truly Glorious well done,"
"I did nothing," Oscar answered,
"Nevertheless, you are here which is the important thing." Daemon nodded,
"You were quick enough to dismiss me before."
"You were of no significance to me then."
Jaerra sighed, rolling her eyes a little.
"Now. I shall have my great host you have a decision to make." Daemon stood from his chair mostly to avoid the eyes of Jaerra, "Presume it is clear to you which is the right one."
"You will forgive me, your grace... I am green. In this sort of matter. As you so kindly point out, but it does seem to me that you've made rather a mess here." Oscar explained making sure to meet Daemon's eyes as he walked around him, "Countenancing barbarities in the queen's name."
Jaerra choked back a small laugh but made no secret of her smile, as she rested her feet on the table,
"Who's side are you on?" Daemon glared the boy down,
"... The river lands are held together by oaths." Oscar nodded, "House Tully swore on oath to King Viserys Targaryen, We recognize the authority of the named heir Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen... And your own as her king consort."
"Good." Daemon nodded, "Then we should go to face your vassals and you shall call your banners to war,"
"That might be difficult my king,"
"Well... I was told they would come to heal When house tully declared it's allegiance."
"That... may be the case," Oscar nodded, "But it is yet to be seen that they will heed my authority, as young as it is."
"You are no older than my daughter." Daemon chuckled as his eyes met Jaerra,
"... I'd further follow her than you."
"Power and control don't have an age. Merely a mindset." Jaerra smiled,
Oscar nodded to her, "And there is another problem... they all hate you." he turned back to Daemon,
"Everyone hates him." Jaerra spoke up again, "Never stopped him before."
"I don't need their love, I need their swords." Daemon glared,
The two in a deep moment of staring before the door opened,
"You're grace, My lord, the river lords await. I fear we cannot delay them any longer."
"Of course," Daemon nodded, "Come along lord Oscar,"
Oscar nodded and walked out hand on his sword,
"You too." He demanded to Jaerra,
She sighed setting her feet down on the stone floor and made her way out the door, but turned around as she passed Daemon walking backwards out the door, "I like him."
"You would." he glared, forcing her out with him.