The Return of the Rogue Prince

Kings Landing 300 AC.

Rhaegar.

Impressive as it was seeing a dragon fly or seeing it land in the dragon pit, seeing one fly to the Red Keep, seeing one that close was even more so. When Daemon jumped from the balcony, for one moment he had felt so worried, so terrified. But then watching as he landed on the dragon's back, watching as he flew off, he felt both proud and a little jealous of his son.

After Daemon had gone though and after he had smiled inside at how people were looking to the sky and to him and his mother, once he'd left, he knew he had work to do. Theon Greyjoy had tried to kill his son, that he had then just disappeared was something he couldn't allow, he needed to be brought to justice, so he sent Arthur to handle it, to direct the gold cloaks in their duties.

"Mother a word." Rhaegar said as his mother spoke in whispers to Ser Bonifer "Alone Ser." he said and the knight looked to his mother who nodded before he did so himself.

"What is this about your grace?" his mother said as they walked to his solar, he looked around to see who was paying attention, knowing his mother's formality meant someone was.

The old lion and his kin, the queen of thorns and her own, his own family, Jon and members of the council, all were watching them and he wondered what was going through their minds. When Daemon had mentioned Aemon he had heard someone speak about his uncle, some it seemed had forgotten about him, forgotten about the dragon at the wall.

Rhaegar too in his own way had forgotten or perhaps worse ignored his uncle, once they had been close, they had shared letters, spoke of prophecy and dragons, but after Lyanna, they had drifted or more honestly he had. He sighed thinking of yet another member of his family he'd failed and they walked into the small room, Barristan standing at the door while they spoke.

"Theon Greyjoy mother?"

"What of him?"

"Do the hundred have him?"

"No." she said and he looked at her, unable to tell whether she was lying or being truthful.

"He must be seen to face justice mother, he must be tried."

"I'm sure wherever he is Rhaegar he will face justice." his mother said and he knew it then, Greyjoy was no more.

"Mother we can't be seen to be above the laws, we must stand for them."

"We are dragons, the laws you speak of are laws we brought to this land, a man who dares put my family at risk, who dares attack my grandson, there is only one law he needs to face, only one justice and no one, not even a king is protected from that." she said emphatically.

He looked at her and while he disagreed, while he knew this would cause complications, Greyjoy's disappearance would mean questions, even were he not the new lord of the Iron Islands. While he knew this, he also knew there was nothing he could do, there was no evidence of the hundred's part in this, nor his mother's, nor would any ever be found.

"Aemon, mother." he said changing the subject.

"I know it's most strange, Daemon never knew much of him but he knew of him, I had actually expected him to travel to the wall when in the North." his mother said and he agreed.

"Why didn't he?" he asked and saw a brief smile on his mother's face.

"He wished to return as quickly as he could." she said before looking at him "You need to explain to those people in there where he's gone and offer some excuse."

"What am I to say?" he asked trying to think of how to explain not just the visit to the wall to see a long lost uncle, but how Daemon had gone about it and this time he smiled thinking of the jump from the balcony.

"Some truth, some lies, you know what to say."

"I do, that jump mother, did you see it?" he said smiling more broadly now.

"I did and he'll receive a clip round the ear from me for it when he returns." she said as she turned to walk from the room "On Greyjoy, put the Rooster in charge of finding him." she said and before he had a chance to say anything else she was gone.

He waited for a few more minutes, composed himself and then walked out into the ballroom, not surprised in the least to find that none of the guests had decided to leave yet. Walking to the high table he stood in front of it, raised his hand and began to speak.

"My lords and ladies, most of you are no doubt wondering about the dragon's appearance and where my son has gone. Prince Daemon has flown to the wall to see my grand uncle Aemon who is the Maester of Castle Black. Why he felt the need to be so dramatic about his departure, is well, he has a dragon, why not be dramatic." Rhaegar said with a laugh as others in the room joined him.

Though his own was perhaps faker than most of the others, as through it he once again looked to each of those still remaining. Oberyn was speaking to Rhaenys and Jon to Aegon, the alliances clear, while Tywin looked at him with the same look in his eyes as Olenna did, both like him pretending to laugh.

"Given the events of the night, perhaps it's best if we wind down these celebrations, my lords, my ladies, I shall take my leave of you for now." he said and then turned to Elia and his children motioning for them to follow him.

After explaining where Daemon had gone, he and Elia went back to their rooms, he found himself, tired, exhausted, there were way too many things going on at once, Greyjoy, Daemon, all of it adding to the daily grind of court. Sleeping that night he hoped the next day would bring no further issues, a nice quiet day with his family, for once anyway, was all he wished for.

Kings Landing 294 AC.

Bonifer.

After escorting his queen back to their room, he kissed her goodnight and went to deal with the problems that were piling up. Returning back to their building, Greyjoy was still being dealt with, still being hurt as his queen had ordered, the man's screams were muffled, but he could hear them. Calling for Jareth he waited until the man arrived and then together they finished the job.

Later that night after dealing with Gryejoy's body as his queen had ordered he spoke to Jareth and the hundred about the men who'd arrived. The unsullied's reputation was well known to him, slave soldiers, formidable, in a straight-up fight these men were legendary, they knew no fear, gave no ground, refused no order. But they were slaves and the fact they were now connected to their prince would cause issues.

"Did you speak any more to Ser Davos, Jareth?"

"A little Bon, man doesn't like me, never did, so he wouldn't tell me much."

"Why doesn't he like you?" he asked curiously.

"Stannis." Jareth said and he nodded "Anyway, what he did tell me is they aren't slaves, they're free men, our prince freed them." Jareth said and Bonifer felt relieved, that at least took care of some of their problems.

"How long are they staying? Where?"

"Not sure on the first, though I'd imagine it'd be longer now that the Prince has flown off, as for where, Davos wouldn't say, though I'd imagine they'll stay on the ship, and look for somewhere to rent."

"The Rosby Manse is empty is it not?"

"It is, but is it big enough?" Jareth said.

"I think so, I'll speak to Davos on the morrow, it'd be best if we helped them settle, there's going to be enough problems with them here as it is."

"That there is, go get some rest Bon, I get the feeling you're going to need it." Jareth said chuckling.

It was still relatively early when he arrived back at their room, his queen still awake though he was glad to see her in bed at least. Taking off his clothes he climbed into the bed beside her, feeling her move to lay in his arms. He told her then of the ship's arrival, of Ser Davos and the unsullied, told her he was on top of things, would find out the rest of it, and felt her relax some.

"What in the seven hells was my grandson doing over there." she said though it was not a question and he knew she would soon get to the bottom of it.

They woke early the next morning, he as he usually did, but Rhaella was normally a deeper sleeper than that, he made no comment though, could see she didn't wish to speak on it and so they dressed and broke their fast. While he went off to find out more from Ser Davos he was pleased when Daenerys arrived to see her mother, the smile on Rhaella's face sending him off with one of his own.

The walk to the ship was peaceful and quiet, the city not fully alive as of yet, when he reached it he saw the two unsullied standing sentry on the docks, two more at the top of the gangplank. Behind them another dozen, all standing to attention, all sending out the message, try if you dare. He walked up to the two on the dock their spears crossing as he got there, stopping him from going any further.

"I'd like to see Ser Davos, tell him Ser Bonifer wishes to speak to him."

"You wait here." one of them said and he watched as one of the two at the gangplank went to fetch or inform Davos, as he did so one of the dozen on deck took his place.

It took a few moments and it wasn't an unsullied who came back, but a young man who seemed almost to have been taken straight from his bed to see him. The man motioned to the unsullied and called him onto the deck, before looking at him.

"Ser Bonifer. My name is Dale, Davos is my father, he asked me to escort you to him."

"Well met Dale." he said and the young man nodded leading the way.

The cabin he brought him to wasn't very large, but it was clear from how it was laid out and by the man sitting at the table that this was the captain's quarters. Davos smiled at him and offered him some wine which he refused and then some water which he accepted, before nodding for his son to leave.

"I told you he attracts trouble." Davos said and Bonifer laughed.

"That he does, luckily he does have a dragon though."

"Aye that it is, now enough with the small talk, what's it you want to know?" Davos asked and Bonifer found himself once again appreciating dealing with an honest and straightforward man.

"The unsullied, how did they come to be in Prince Daemon's service?"

"He didn't tell you of them I take it?"

"He's not spoken much of what happened while he was in Essos."

"He can be like that Bon, I wouldn't worry since I've known him I've found he'll speak when he wishes."

"You've known him long?"

"A few years."

"Where did you meet him?" he asked and Davos looked at him and seemed about to answer only for the knocking on the door and Dale and another man entering to stop him.

"Dale, Asher, what is it?" Davos asked rising to his feet.

"Gold Cloaks and a white one, twenty of them at least, they're demanding to come on board."

"Grey Worm?" Davos asked and Bonifer looked to him and then the two men seeing Asher smirk.

"Is making sure they don't." Asher said and Bonifer saw Davos's face crease.

"For fuck's sake." Davos said before almost racing from the room.

He turned and ran after him, finding now all the unsullied were up on the deck, only that he was with Dale and Asher, he doubted they'd have allowed him to pass, but they did and as he got to the gangplank he saw Davos speak to Ser Arthur.

"Ser Arthur." he called and the knight looked from Davos to him as he walked down the gangplank.

"Ser Bonifer I did not expect to find you here."

"What brings you here Ser Arthur?"

"His grace wishes to speak to Ser Davos and I've been asked to check this ship."

"The guards Ser Arthur?"

"A precaution Ser." Arthur said looking to the unsullied.

"Would his grace be satisfied if it was just yourself who checked Ser Arthur?"

"I believe so Ser." Arthur said and Davos nodded his agreement.

He stood there for a few moments waiting on Arthur and Davos to come back, once he did Davos agreed to come speak to the king on the condition he was allowed to bring an escort for his own safety. Arthur reluctantly agreed when he nodded to him and said it was safe to do so. As they walked he turned to Arthur and leaned in close so no one else could hear.

"They're with Daemon, Arthur." he whispered softly and saw the knight relax even more.

Kings Landing 300 AC.

Ser Arthur Dayne.

After organizing the gold cloaks to try what he knew would be a fruitless search for Theon Greyjoy, he made his way back to the Red Keep. Greyjoy was dead or soon to be so, he knew it and he knew Rhaegar knew it, Rhaella's lack of concern for the search showed that much. Arthur found though he cared not about the man, had he been close enough when the man had attempted to kill Daemon, then he'd have killed him anyway.

Still, he carried out the king's orders and went back to White Sword Tower once he'd heard Rhaegar had retired for the night. Laying down in his bed he couldn't help but chuckle thinking back to Daemon's jump from the balcony. The God's Eye it may not have been, but still that he could do so was impressive enough, though he was far happier to see him fly away and not share his namesake's fate.

"Arthur, Arthur. The king wishes to see you." he heard the voice as it shook him awake.

He wasn't usually a deep sleeper and wasn't even overly tired, but White Sword Tower was one of the few places he felt comfortable enough to actually get some sleep in, so he had taken full advantage. Jumping up, he washed and quickly dressed, heading to the king's rooms as fast as he could. When he got there he found Rhaegar, Elia, Jon Connington and Varys, all of them bar the eunuch seemingly distressed.

"My king?" he said entering the room.

"Arthur, good, Lord Varys tell him what you've told us." Rhaegar said looking to the eunuch.

"Ser Arthur, a ship arrived last night from Essos under the captaincy of Ser Davos Seaworth, this in of itself would not be news, however, the one hundred unsullied it had on board sparked my attention."

"Unsullied, here in Westeros." Jon Connington said shaking his head.

"Slaves Arthur, slave soldiers here, we need to find out why, given that they are with Ser Davos especially." Rhaegar said and he didn't follow.

"Why do they being with the Onion Knight make more of a difference than should they just be here with another captain?" he asked.

"Baratheon, Stannis Baratheon." Jon said bitterly.

"Stannis has never shown even the slightest hint of disloyalty, that man lives for his oaths, he would never rise up." Elia said and Arthur couldn't help but agree.

"He may have been biding his time, waiting for the chance to strike." Jon said and Elia shook her head.

Arthur did too, Stannis had suffered, Lord Paramount but not completely in charge, he had more restrictions on him than anyone else, even down to the wife he and his brother could marry. His standing forces at Storm's End limited, his bannermen made to swear to the crown first and then to him. Yet the man had taken all of this in his stride, he had done his duty and lived up to his oaths, he didn't doubt he would continue to do so.

"Arthur, board the ship, find out what's going on and bring me Ser Davos." Rhaegar said and he nodded and turned to walk from the room "Arthur bring more men, protect yourself."

He had actually raised the gold cloaks himself, handpicked which ones he'd bring with him for all intents and purposes, then marched to the ship. Seeing the two men at the dock, the other two on the gangplank, the men behind them, he knew should this come to violence, many men would lose their lives today.

When the men on board saw his own, it was both impressive and a little worrying how quickly the rest of the unsullied were able to called upon, they were assembled on the deck in moments. He looked on as they too took up position, the formation solid, impenetrable, and he knew he'd not get on this ship with simply threats.

"Which of you are in charge?" he asked to no reply "Who is your leader?" he asked and a man stepped forward.

"This one is in charge." the man said and he looked at him, his leather armor glistening, his spear in his hand.

"I am Ser Arthur Dayne, Kingsguard to his grace Rhaegar Targaryen." he said and noticed some of the eyes turn to look at him at the king's name "I have orders to board and to bring Ser Davos Seaworth to see the king."

"No." the man said.

"No?" he said back disbelievingly.

"No." the man said simply in reply.

"You refuse an order from the king."

"Not my king." the man said.

Arthur glared at the man angrily and was about to say more when Ser Davos and surprisingly Ser Bonifer arrived, after such a tense standoff, he was glad of Ser Bonifer's help, even more so when he was allowed to check the ship. Though he'd have appreciated it more without the dour brown-haired man's company, no attempt he'd made to speak to the man worked it seemed, he just followed beside him watching him constantly.

After checking the ship they walked back to the deck and after some words, headed back to the Red Keep, he walked stiffly, on edge until Bonifer told him these men were with Daemon, only then did he find he could relax. Why the prince had the unsullied or Ser Davos in his company he knew not, that these men were slave soldiers concerned him though, but he knew Daemon, trusted him, he knew there would be a good explanation for it.

Rhaella.

After Bonifer left she and Dany spent most of the morning together, she was happy, delighted even, to spend time with her daughter. Ever since the dinner it seemed that the rift between them had been lessened. Dany seemed more at ease with her, more comfortable around her and she knew it was because of her easy acceptance of her relationship.

She did however worry about Daemon's connection to the girl, about what it would mean when Dany found out, how she would take it. Would she believe Daemon had simply sent the girl onto her own path? Or think what seemed more likely that he was spying on her? She hoped it was the former, Dany really did seem to care genuinely about the girl and she'd prefer her to be happy.

"Mother you're not listening." Dany said giggling.

"What was that my dear?"

"I was saying perhaps when Daemon returns we can all have a dinner together, you, me, Daemon, Bonifer and Missandei, Vis too."

"That would be wonderful my dear?" she said half-heartedly and saw her daughter frown "Dany, I'm sorry, it really would." she said smiling.

"What's wrong mother?"

"What, it's nothing, I was just thinking, I've… this is how it should have been." she said and she saw the angry glint in her daughter's eyes before she calmed somewhat.

"Well it is now." Dany said and she couldn't help it, she grabbed her daughter and hugged her tight.

"I'm sorry Dany, I'm sorry I left you here, I'm sorry I didn't take you with me, I'm sorry, can you forgive me? Can you ever forgive me." she said and was relieved both by her daughter hugging her as tightly as she was and by the words she spoke.

"I can, I do, I'm just glad you're here now mother." Dany said and while she believed she may actually feel that way, she knew it was time to tell her the truth.

"I want to tell you why Dany, why I did what I did."

"There's no need."

"No there is, I need to tell you."

"As you say mother." Dany said and she nodded.

She told her then, of Daemon and how he was treated, of Rhaegar and what he felt for his son, she told him of how it broke her heart to see her grandson suffer. How she then resolved to take him from this place, when she told her that Rhaegar made her make a choice, she saw both the anger and sadness in Dany's face.

"Why, why would he make you do that?"

"Politics, he couldn't just give me Daemon, Dorne, some of the other loyalists, they didn't see Daemon as a prince they saw him as a hostage." she said and Dany gasped.

"So you exchanged one hostage for another?"

"No, it wasn't like that, you were never a hostage, more, I don't know. I knew you'd be safe here, treated as the princess you were, while Daemon to them, he was, he was always…."

"A Bastard." Dany said and she for a moment glared angrily at her only to see it was more a realization her daughter had just come too.

"Yes, but after Dany, when he had gone, I should have, I should have. I'm sorry."

Dany hugged her tightly again, whispering in her ear she had no reason to be, that she understood and Rhaella found the weight she'd carried in her heart for so long, somewhat releasing. She still felt bad for what she'd done, both for the decision she made early on and the one she didn't later, but the past was the past, she couldn't change it.

"Vis needs to know mother." Dany said as she let her go.

"He'll not understand Dany, he won't even listen to me.

"I'll speak to him, he listens when I speak." Dany said determinedly and Rhaella chuckled, her daughter looking to her before she laughed too.

"My sweet strong daughter, I'm so proud of you." she said and this time it was Dany's turn to cry, she held her once again in her arms, this time not letting her go for quite some time.

Partly she knew she was making up for all those years she'd not been there to hold her, all those years when she knew her daughter may have wished for or needed a mother's embrace. But mostly she did it to prove to herself this wasn't a dream, that this was really happening. They were sitting there like that when Barristan walked in carrying a note and handed it to her, opening it she read it and rose to her feet.

"It seems we're needed in the Throne Room." she said and Dany looked at her questioningly.

"What's going on mother?"

"Apparently Daemon has slaves with him." she said the disgust clear in her voice.

Walking to the Throne Room she could see both Ser Barristan and her daughter looking at her with worried looks on their faces, no doubt matching her own. Of all the things she'd have expected of Daemon this was not one of them, this was so far beyond the boy she raised. Seeing Bonifer walking towards her, seeing him notice her worried expression, she did her best to smile.

"My queen?" he said and she shook her head but her knight was having none of it "Rhaella?" he asked and she knew then how she must look.

"These men are slaves Bon?" she said and he shook his head giving her pause.

"Freemen Rhaella, I know not the details but they are free men, come we'll find out soon enough."

She breathed a sigh of relief and followed Bonifer into the Throne Room, once again annoyed by the amount of people here. This is not something her son should be handling this publicly, what if it had proved out that these men were slaves, why would you allow that information out?. Looking around the room she could see the reasons why, Connington and his smug grin, Aegon, Oberyn with their eyes everywhere.

Rhaenys though looked surprisingly concerned, as did Elia, around the hall the Lannisters, Tyrells, Redwynes and Velaryons, loyal houses, and those she would never trust. She and Dany walked and took their places while the man standing in the middle of the floor and the five men with him drew most of the attention.

The Onion Knight she knew, though not well, the man beside him and the other four were dressed identically, so must be the unsullied, she along with the rest of the room, waited for the king or the knight to speak.

Kings Landing 300 AC.

The Onion Knight.

Had he not been so fond of the lad he'd curse him for leaving him to face this, as it was though he couldn't help but grin. Though the looks Grey Worm was getting were annoying him, he, himself, was far more used to being looked down upon by those who considered themselves above him. He had been in the Throne Room only once before, when his lord asked him to accompany him to Kings Landing and like then, he wondered how this visit will go.

"Ser Davos, would you care to explain why you brought foreign soldiers to my kingdom?" Rhaegar asked and Davos looked to the king and queen who was sitting beside him.

"They and I are here for our prince, your grace." he said resolutely.

"Your prince?" Rhaegar asked.

"Prince Daemon, your grace, our prince." he said to gasps and hushed whispering.

"My son owns slaves?" the king asked and Davos saw the looks the prince and hand gave each other.

"No, your grace, the unsullied are free men, they follow the prince by their own choice."

"That man beside you, what is he called?" Rhaegar asked.

"This is Grey Worm, your grace, the leader of the unsullied."

"Have him step forward, I wish to hear it from his own lips."

"As you say, your grace."

Grey Worm took a step forward and Davos looked around the room, the prince and Hand were looking on far differently now, as was Oberyn, Daemon's sister and aunt seemed almost relieved, as did his grandmother. Around the room though the whispers continued, people huddled together, some looking at him, others the king, but most stared at Grey Worm.

"You are with my son by your own choice?"

"This one follows Prince Daemon." Grey Worm said.

"Why?"

"Prince Daemon gave me freedom, as he did all unsullied."

"All?"

"All." Grey Worm said and there was even more talking going on now.

"Ser Davos how many unsullied follow my son?" the king said looking to him.

"All of them, your grace."

"How many exactly." Rhaegar's voice frustrated now.

"I do not know exactly, your grace." he said looking to Grey Worm about to ask him, though he knew the man would say 'All' yet again "About 8,000 I believe." Davos said and this time both the gasps and whispers were far louder.

He saw the king look to his mother, while behind him other members of the royal family seemed both shocked and in the case of the prince worried. He stood there waiting to see if more questions would be asked, but none were forthcoming for a few moments until the king looked at him and spoke.

"Are the others on their way here too?"

"No, your grace, Grey Worm and those on my ship are the only unsullied here or will be as far as I'm aware."

This at least seemed to calm some people down, though others it seemed it raised more questions in, Oberyn looking at him eagerly.

"Ser Davos, I thank you for your honesty, I wish to speak to you later so keep yourself available."

"Of course, your grace." he said with a bow.

He turned to leave and almost made it out of the keep before Ser Bonifer caught up with him and asked him to meet with Daemon's grandmother. He nodded to Grey Worm and he and a couple of unsullied went with the knight while Grey Worm and the others walked back to the ship. Being brought down to the royal wing was never something he'd have expected in his life, he was a smuggler from Flea Bottom, yet here he was strolling through the dragon's lair.

"I take it she wishes to talk to me about Daemon, Bon?"

"She does, are you going to keep silent like the others?" the knight asked.

"Others?"

"Thoros and the other priest, the woman?"

"Melisandre, you've seen her?" he asked.

"You know her?"

"Aye, I know them both." he said, Melisandre was the reason he was here after all, but knowing Thoros was here was the biggest surprise.

He knew how close Daemon was to Thoros and was glad of it, knowing he was here would mean a lot to Daemon, though he wondered how long the priest had been here. For three years Daemon had searched for the man, for three years he'd asked his people to find him, Davos too had looked and yet, in all his visits here, not once had he found him, he'd need to speak to the priest later to find out why for himself.

"In here." Bonifer said.

Taking a seat he waited with Bon for what seemed to be an age, though he was sure it was merely a few moments. He rose to his feet when Rhaella walked in, though she bid him to sit and offered him wine which he declined. Looking at him directly in his eyes, he found her gaze both penetrating and friendly, though he knew she may not stay that way for long.

"Tell me of my grandson Ser." she said and he nodded.

"I met prince Daemon five years ago, when I was let go from Lord Stannis's service."

Pentos 295 AC.

Ser Davos Seaworth.

He had hoped never to have to do this again, never to have to smuggle, never to have to deal with people who while he got on with, he had never actually liked, but given what had happened, he really had no choice. So pulling into the docks The Black Betha her holds empty, her crew needing paying, Davos prepared to do what was needed, prepared to earn the coin he so desperately lacked.

He made his way through the streets, hoping Saan or someone else was here, but having not seen their ships, not seen any he recognized, he feared who he may have to deal with. His sons were on the ship, it was just him and a couple of his men, not really much protection, but the numbers alone should do him for now. Entering the tavern he looked around, it was practically empty, so he walked to the owner and ordered a drink, then took a seat and waited.

"You're Ser Davos?" a voice asked taking him from his daydream.

"I am." he said looking up at a dark-haired boy who was standing beside a red priest.

"I hear you have a ship?" the boy said taking a seat.

"I do, The Black Betha, she's docked here."

"I find myself in need of one Ser, are you looking to earn some coin?"

He looked from the boy to the priest who it seemed was deferring to the boy, then he studied the boy more closely. He was dark-haired, his eyes almost black though not quite, slim though he looked far more muscled than a boy of that age usually did, he could be no more than two and ten surely he thought.

"How do I know you have the coin?" he asked practicality beating curiosity for now.

The boy placed some coins on the table, he looked, there were Essosi and Westerosi coins among them, everything from some coppers and a silver stag, to a golden dragon, even square coins from Braavos and the ovals of Lys were among them. There were coins from the slave cities, from Volantis, almost every city in Essos represented, just with the coins on the table in front of him a man could drink and eat for a moon.

"Which is your preference Ser?" the boy said and Davos picked up the dragon looked at it and nodded.

"Very well, I'll see you well paid, now are you interested?"

"Aye." he said.

Heading back to his ship that night, he wondered what God had sent the boy to him, that he was Westerosi was clear, that he had coin was clear, where he wished him to sail too though, a part of him wanted to just sail away and let him find another ship. But just on this one journey alone, he'd earn more than he had in the last three years, it would help him, his family, his men greatly and so he would take him where he wished to go and be well rewarded for it.

' Should you survive' the voice said at the back of his head.

The next morning when he woke, the boy, Daemon he said his name was, the red priest, Thoros of Myr and another one this one a woman, Melisandre walked up the Betha's gangplank. The boy carried nothing more than a small sack that held his clothing he suspected and two swords on his back, one which looked far too big for him. Giving the orders, he watched as they readied to set sail, his son escorting his guests to their cabin.

They had no sooner set off and Daemon was back on deck, standing looking out into the sea, Davos walked over to the boy and stood beside him, wanting to see if the boy seemed fearful at all.

"You have doubts?" Daemon said as he walked towards him.

"I do, Asshai, I thought I'd have a mutiny on my hands when I told the lads."

"You have no need to dock there yourself Ser Davos, I'd not put your life nor your men's at risk?" Daemon said and once again he looked to the boy thinking him somewhat older than he was.

"But you would your own?" he asked curiously.

"My life's been at risk from the day I was born Ser Davos, why should today be any different." Daemon said with a laugh.

Kings Landing 300 AC.

Rhaenys.

She walked with her mother rather than her uncle which she knew annoyed Oberyn, but she wasn't in the mood for a rant about her brother, not right now. Instead she'd like to have a conversation without one, a sensible conversation for once, besides her mother had a guest waiting she'd like to speak to. So she walked behind her to her mother's solar and the woman was waiting inside. Rhaenys had to admit the woman was striking, her red hair, her dress, even the necklace with the red ruby, all of it presented a very imposing image.

Which was a stark contrast to the man sitting with her, Thoros though cleaned up, was still not a handsome nor a well-presented man, not that he cared she thought. Both of them looked surprised to see her with her mother, but as her mother sat, she joined her and almost smirked proudly at her mother's foresight. When news came of the ship, while her father sent for Davos, her mother had Thoros and the woman brought here.

"Your grace." the woman said and Thoros did likewise.

"Thoros, I wish to thank you for looking after Daemon while he was away, it means a lot to me and I am in your debt." her mother said.

"I served my prince, your grace, there is no need for thanks."

"Still, you have them."

"My lady, I take it you too serve Prince Daemon?" her mother asked.

"I do, your grace."

"I have tried and failed to gain any insight into what he may have endured while away, my husband and I are most keen on anything you may be able to tell us?" her mother said her voice soft and almost pleading.

"We cannot break our prince's confidence, your grace, however we can tell you some." the woman said.

"I thank you, my lady."

"Melisandre." the woman said and her mother smiled at her and repeated the name.

She told them then of Daemon arriving in Volantis, of being brought to the temple, of him winning the Red Priests to his side. When she spoke of him as the Prince that was Promised, she saw her mother lean forward, though she herself focussed more on the fact it seemed, that her brother now prayed to the red god. She didn't tell them much if anything really about the adventures Daemon may have had there, other than to hint they were many.

"A ship arrived last night, the captain Ser Davos Seaworth had a very interesting accompaniment on board, a century of unsullied, is this to do with Daemon?" her mother asked and Rhaenys once again smirked proudly at how her mother's voice seemed so caring, so worried.

"I arrived myself on that ship, your grace, those men are Prince Daemon's personal guard, they are here for his protection and nothing more."

"Why would Daemon need protecting?" Rhaenys asked.

"There are many people who wish to harm my prince, here already people have tried to have they not." Thoros said and Melisandre nodded in agreement.

"Indeed, far better he is protected by those who've sworn to him, than by those who have perhaps, complicated loyalties." Melisandre added.

"You think there are some here who would not protect him?" Rhaenys asked and her mother looked surprised at her concern.

"I think there have always been those here who would not protect him." Melisandre said cryptically.

They spoke for another hour and yet again apart from vague answers, they told them basically nothing, no mention of how he gained his dragon, nor his armor or swords. No real information on what he did in Essos, other than things which in hindsight they already knew, the only real certainties she now knew that she had not already, was that in some way Daemon was important to the Red Priests as a whole, and not just Thoros and Melisandre.

When they left she stayed with her mother, waiting to see what insight she may have to offer, but her mother stood at the window looking out, almost lost in her own world. It seemed she would receive no answers here, so after bidding her goodbye, she instead went to listen to the rants of her uncle and cousins knowing they'd be speaking both on this and her absence.

She found them just as she suspected, Oberyn in his rooms, her cousins with him and Ellaria, their voices could be heard loudly enough that Varys needed no whispers here, no little birds would need to sing their songs to know how Dorne felt. It actually annoyed her, all those years Doran and Oberyn told her to show one face, yet here her uncle couldn't keep to the same advice.

"Quiet." she said walking into the room.

"Where have you been?" Oberyn asked.

"Doing what you should be doing, trying to find out more about the fact that apparently my brother now controls all the unsullied." she said and her uncle looked abashed.

"Did you?"

"No, only that the Red Priests are somehow far more involved than we thought."

"So what if he has unsullied, our spears are stronger than theirs." Obara said and she was pleased to see even her uncle roll his eyes.

"Are they, even when those spears are backed by a dragon?" she said and Obara quietened down.

"I will go to Volantis." Oberyn said and she looked at him ready to shake her head and say no, but she knew it was really the only way she'd find out what happened over there.

"When?"

"I shall sail back to Dorne on Ari's ship, then from there to Volantis."

"Ari's ship?" she asked.

"Your cousin is on her way here." Oberyn said with a smile.

"How, we've only just sent the ravens?"

"It seems my brother was already aware."

While a part of her was glad to see Arianne again, another wished she would stay in Dorne, this would not end well and given how Dorne already saw Daemon, seeing him snub their princess would only add to their grievances.

The wall 300 AC.

Daemon.

The room he was in was no place for a man of the stature of Aemon Targaryen to die in, it was no place for him to have lived in either he felt, but certainly this was not where he should die. The man laying on the bed was over a hundred name days old, he was grey, blind, weak, but worse than all of that, he'd been forgotten. Daemon felt the shame of it as he looked at him, deep inside he knew he was not the biggest culprit, but still, he felt shame because of it.

"Uncle." he said softly as he knelt down.

"Egg, Egg is that you." And for the briefest moment, he was almost going to pretend he was his brother before he realized it was Aemon's own he was calling for.

"No uncle, it's Daemon, Daemon Targaryen."

"No it can't be, you were lost." the old man's voice said.

"I've returned uncle." he said reaching his hand out and placing it on Aemon's own.

"Daemon, you came, thank you, thank you nephew, I feared I would die alone, die without….without.." Aemon began to cough.

He grabbed the mug and filled it with water, holding it to his uncle's mouth he watched as he sipped and drank what he could, once he was done, he placed the mug back on the table. After turning to his uncle and seeing his eyes were focussed intently on him, it took him a few moments to realize the man was blind and not seeing him, the gaze seemed that intense.

"May I?" his uncle said his hands out and Daemon moved closer to allow him touch his face "You have Egg's nose, though your chin is my mothers, do you have much of your father in you Daemon?"

"I've been told apart from the coloring that I look like him, we have the same eyes, he, I and my grandmother."

"Rhaella, a fine woman, you lived with her did you not?"

"I did uncle, she raised me." he said proudly.

"Good, though you disappeared, where did you go nephew?"

"Essos." Daemon said.

"No, not there, it's too dangerous, you should not be there, we should not be there." Aemon said worriedly.

"I am fine uncle, no other member of our family has gone there, nor will they, R'hllor won't allow it."

"You speak of the Red God, you are aware of him?" Aemon said excitedly.

"I am his chosen, uncle, he shows me favor." Daemon said and Aemon smiled.

"The prophecy, you are the Prince that was Promised, dragons, you will bring back the dragons." Aemon said.

"I already have uncle, Lyanax, she's outside." Daemon said and Aemon almost got up from his bed.

"There is much we must discuss nephew, much you must do, you know what's coming, what we need to face?"

"I know some uncle, R'hllor keeps some from me."

"He is a god nephew, they are allowed such things are they not." Aemon chuckled.

"But if he wishes me to be his chosen, to do his will, to fight as his champion, I need to know do I not?"

"He has guided you thus far nephew, has he not protected you, has he not gifted you his greatest weapon, should you not keep faith in him as he does in you?" Aemon said and Daemon nodded, before saying the word out when he realized he couldn't be seen.

"Over there under the table in the corner, there is a loose board, underneath, bring me what is underneath."

He got up and walked to the table, moving it he removed the floorboard and found a small chest, he fixed the board and table back into place and carried the chest to Aemon. Handing it to him he watched as he opened it, inside was a small book, some letters and a single ruby identical to the one he wore on his chain.

"This book, all I've gathered, all I know is in here, you must have it Daemon." Aemon said handing him the book, he was tempted to just read it then and there, to see just what it was his uncle had written, but his uncle's hands held the ruby now.

"Uncle, where did you get that?"

"This was given to me by Shiera the last time I saw her, it is one of the five and part of a set of two Shiera found."

"The other?"

"Was given to the man who loved her." Aemon said.

"Bloodraven." he said and Aemon smiled.

"It is good that you know your history, there are three more out there, one belonged to the conqueror himself, and another to your namesake the Rogue prince, as for the last that one that is unknown to me.

"I have one uncle, I found it in the Red Temple, covered in flame and fire." Daemon said.

"Then you know the power that lies in these gems?" Aemon said.

"I do uncle, I've used it." he said and this time not only did Aemon smile but he hugged him.

"You have come further than I could ever have hoped Daemon, but your journey is not yet at an end. You must gather the other three, you and only you can, the book, the book will help." Aemon said weakly as he almost fell back to the bed.

Daemon looked on as Aemon lay down, he went so still that for a moment he believed he had lost his fight, but while it was rest he sought, he was not yet ready for the eternal sleep that his death would bring. He sat there at the bed and began to read through the journal, placing the ruby back inside the chest for now.

The dreams come to me at night, the shadows dancing, the light fading as they too began to dim. I see them then, the eyes of blue, the eyes of red, the eyes of white, they call to me, they seek me out, but I am hidden here among the ice, hidden and afraid.

He is alive out there, he must be, for if he is not, then we are lost, the song of ice and fire must be sung, it must be.

I dreamt of a man in a tree, a bird with three eyes, children who were older than I, I saw it, the ruby, he has it still, holds it tight as if it were her hand. Will he give it up? Will it need to be taken from him? I do not know, only that we need it more than he.

A dragon roared today, I heard it in my dreams, saw it though I cannot see.

Daemon was taken from the book by the coughing beside him, putting it down he helped Aemon sit and gave him more water, when he was ready Aemon reached over to the chest and took out the letters.

"These letters, they were written to me by your father, I tried Daemon, I tried to set him on the right path, but prophecy can be misinterpreted, people make mistakes, for mine own I beg your forgiveness, as I fear I am somewhat responsible you see."

"Responsible?"

"I believed you had to be a girl Daemon, a princess not a prince, the prophecy being in our mother tongue, I read it wrong, believed it wrong and your father believed in me."

Daemon looked at him, he had always known what his father thought of him, while they never spoke of it and his father kept his thoughts to himself he had known. He was three name days old when it was made clear to him, wishing to even receive a goodbye from his father he had snuck into his solar before leaving with his grandmother.

" What are you doing here."

" I…"

" Go, you are not wanted here.

" Why."

" Visenya, I asked for a Visenya and I got you instead."

Maybe he should feel some bitterness to his uncle for putting that thought in his father's head, but it wasn't he who told him to ignore him, nor he who told him he was not wanted, nor he who allowed others mistreat him. No, for Daemon there was only one man to blame and it wasn't the dying one in front of him.

"Uncle, there is nothing to forgive, our path is not always known to us, perhaps this too was R'hllor's will." he said and Aemon smiled.

"Thank you, I can rest now, I am ready to see my family once again, ready to see Egg and the children, to see my mother."

"Uncle, I… I… would you like to meet a dragon?" Daemon said and Aemon nodded eagerly.

"Yes, yes, before I go, more than anything nephew." Aemon said.

Daemon called for his uncle's stewards and the men helped him dress his uncle even warmer, when the Lord Commander heard he wished to take him outside he refused, only Aemon's intervention allowing it to happen. Lyanax landed close to the gate so they didn't have to walk far, when they reached her, he moved his uncle's hand to the dragon and smiled when his uncle did.

"What color is he?"

"She, she's black uncle, as dark as the night, as black as a shadow." he said and Lyanax purred as they stroked her neck

"She's magnificent nephew, magnificent." Aemon said and Daemon felt the question from her in his mind, could he?

"Uncle, would you like to fly?" he said and Aemon seemed speechless before he nodded vigorously.

He helped him up onto the dragon's back, tied him securely to himself and then they took off. He felt the intake of air his uncle breathed deeply as Lyanax took to the sky, felt the excitement of him as they began to fly. Closing his eyes, Daemon placed his hand on the ruby, feeling it pulse beneath him he reached out for his god, reached out to ask him, to beg him a favor.

" Please." he said softly.

"The wall, I can see it, so small, it's so small below us." he heard his uncle's voice say the wonder clear.

"What else can you see?" Daemon said as Lyanax turned and flew further along the wall.

The forts of the Night's Watch lay mainly empty and like Castle Black they were badly maintained, his uncle pointed them out, The Nightfort, Icemark, Queensgate, and Greyguard, before they flew over Eastwatch. His uncle laughed upon seeing the sea and so Daemon had Lyanax fly lower, had her play and his uncle's laughter grew as the dragon splashed them both.

He wished for nothing more than to fly him back to the south, fly him to the Red Keep, fly him somewhere warm, but he knew it was not what Aemon wanted and so he flew him back to Castle Black.

Laying him down in the bed that night, his uncle's eyesight had left him once again and though he was sad about it, he was glad he had seen what the world looked like high from a dragon's back at least.

"The Wildings Daemon, at some point you must seek them out, help them."

"They're beyond the wall uncle?"

"I know, but you must bring them with you, they will be needed, promise me, nephew, promise me you'll do so when the time is right?"

"I promise uncle."

"That watch too, help them Daemon, they need it."

"I will do what I can."

"My time is at an end, I thank you for what you've given me."

"I've given nothing uncle."

"You've given me hope Daemon, hope rests in my heart where before was only despair, never underestimate it, never abandon it, for without it we are lost. Hope is a powerful thing Daemon, second only to love in its power."

Hin uncle reached out and grabbed his hand, his body stiffening as he held onto him. Daemon looked down on his uncle and then Aemon smiled broadly at something.

"Egg, Egg, I dreamed I was old." Aemon Targaryen said as he breathed his last breath.