"I promise to be faithful and loyal to House Targaryen of Dragonstone, to never bear arms against any of its heirs. I also promise fealty to House Belaerys, to never bear arms against any of its heirs, and to support the cause of the dragons from this day forth. May the gods help me uphold these oaths," pledged Edmyn of House Tully, Lord of Riverrun, as he knelt before their father, who had arrived from Dragonstone two weeks ago and was more than pleased with the changed circumstances. While Aegon, Rhaenys, and Visenya did all of the work in the past few months from the time they landed at the mouth of the Blackwater Rush, the fact remained that their father was still alive and still Lord of Dragonstone. So, it was only natural that the riverlords pledge fealty to the old dragon.
Despite their father stepping back to allow his children and good-son to run the campaign against Black Harren, Aegon was in some ways glad that his father had returned to assume his lordly position. The last few months made him more experienced as a warrior and commander of troops, but he knew that he was still not attuned to the political machinations that Westerosi lords regularly engaged in. There was a reason that Dragonstone remained outside of the control of the other rulers of Westeros, and that was because their father knew how to maneuver through the various plots coming from around the Blackwater Bay. It only made sense that he would be here in the riverlands, as he knew how to get the riverlords to submit peacefully to the dragons.
From what the riverlords revealed, Black Harren had forty thousand troops at his command to keep the region under control, the majority of whom were ironborn. However, Wailing Willows had eradicated the ironborn's main army and left only five thousand men for Black Harren. But his problems did not end there. Wailing Willows also prompted the riverlords to rise up and declare for the dragons. Many of the important lords such as the Tullys of Riverrun, the Blackwoods of Raventree Hall, the Brackens of Stone Hedge, the Mallisters of Seagard, and the Freys of the Twins had gathered at the Stoney Sept to discuss their move after Black Harren called the banners. With the victory at Wailing Willows, they switched sides and arrived as one to the southern shores of the Gods Eye to declare their allegiance.
If there was one thing that their father Lord Aerion had firsthand knowledge of, it was that the lords of Westeros were an untrustworthy bunch. Values such as loyalty, honor, and some others associated with knightly chivalry were only followed if convenient. While he could not deny that the riverlords had legitimate reasons to rise against Black Harren, their father also understood that they would have done nothing against him to protect what they had, the Tullys not rising up at the first opportunity being proof of that.
However, the same could not be said about Lord Colren Blackwood. Although not contributing all of his levies to Wailing Willows, the Blackwoods were the first riverlord house to give any tangible support to the dragons and were thus very favored in their father's eyes. He did not miss the fact that the relationship between Edmyn Tully and Colren Blackwood was strained due to the latter actually showing initiative, but also acknowledged that Edmyn Tully was the popular one out of the riverlords and was content to have him remain in charge of the river faction.
As Edmyn Tully rose from his knees after swearing his fealty, Lord Aerion grasped his hands tighter and stopped him before giving him a hard stare into his eyes. "Stay there, my lord. My good-son, Lord Jaenyx Belaerys, and my daughter, Lady Rhaenys Targaryen, offered you an opportunity to rise up against Black Harren, but you refused. While I cannot refute your reasons for not taking that chance, your friend Lord Blackwood did and he helped us win. Nevertheless, I heard you are an able lord and popular throughout the riverlands, so I hope that you will put your skills to great use while serving my house. Therefore, I welcome your pledge of fealty and accept you into our service."
Their father turned to Orys, who stood on his right side. "Is that all, son?"
"Yes, father," Orys nodded. They had spent half the day hearing the riverlords oaths of fealty, with the Freys of the Twins oddly being the first ones if their reputation said anything.
"Good," their father then turned his attention to the assembly of riverlords. "My lords of the riverlands, today you have each pledged fealty to my house and House Belaerys as your new rulers. Any lands confiscated during the reign of Black Harren will be returned to you and all of you shall receive recompense for the many decades you've suffered under him. I applaud all of your wisdom and I look forward to the many years of service you'll give to my house. Lord Edmyn Tully, Lord Colren Blackwood… step forward."
The red-haired Lord of Riverrun and the black-haired and grey-eyed Lord of the Raventree Hall took one step ahead of the riverlord assembly. "Lord Blackwood, I understand that your house has a strong claim on the rulership of the riverlands. But Lord Tully organized the assembly that has come here today and proven his house's usefulness. Therefore, neither of you can be favored in regards to the lord paramountcy of the Riverlands. Instead, my house and House Belaerys will continue to govern this region and receive its due in taxes and levies until otherwise decided. My good-son, Lord Jaenyx Belaerys," their father pointed to Jaenyx. "He has volunteered to supervise the riverlands on behalf of the dragons and Lords Tully and Blackwood will answer to him in regards to all matters concerning the good administration to this region. If he does send out a call for war, all of you shall respond and assemble your troops, as you should've done when we first came."
The riverlords winced at their father implying their cowardice. "You both will be proud to serve under us, and you will take that opportunity, if you are wise, to heal the differences between you that have arisen in these last few months. Offer your hands." Lord Blackwood and Lord Tully were still cordial with each other despite the former upstaging the latter caused tensions between them. As they were both watched by their father, they shook their hands and exchanged a warm smile.
Their father stood up from his chair, his arms outstretched. "Now let us be what we are now… friends!" He turned his attention to the servants in the tent. "Let's have the band play music! The rest of you, bring drinks and food for our new friends!"
And with that over, Aegon just saw their father secure the riverlords to the dragons' cause. Visenya was still at their citadel at the mouth of the Blackwater Bay to plan their advance against the Durrandons, but had heard about the victory at Wailing Willows. Jaenyx would soon return to the citadel with four thousand rivermen reinforcements as would Aegon, Orys, Rhaenys, and their father. However, at least for today, they had to remain in the riverlands to direct the final destruction of House Hoare.
Remarkably, the riverlords were able to muster a combined army of twelve thousand troops within two weeks. Aegon mused that they must have told their levies to be ready to march as soon as they made a final decision, either for or against Black Harren. Practically overnight, the whole region south of the Neck declared for the dragons and converged on Black Harren's vanity project at the northern shores of the Gods Eye. There were a few remaining holdouts in the eastern reaches of the riverlands, one of which was Saltpans. Aegon and Rhaenys flew over the town on Balerion and Meraxes, imploring the Lord Hawick to surrender. He initially refused, but Aegon gave him one more chance after telling him of the changing tides and having Balerion release his dragonfire directly in front of the town. Lord Hawick bent the knee soon after without further resistance.
Now with an army of eighteen thousand troops, including the veterans of Wailing Willows and Rook's Rest, the dragons surrounded Black Harren's fortress aptly called Harrenhal and formed a tight siege perimeter. Working against Black Harren was the fact that he envisioned his fortress to be the largest in Westeros, but did not consider how long construction would take. Therefore, the fortress looked half-complete, with only three of its five intended towers erected and only some of its walls rising to their intended heights.
Jaenyx recommended that they storm the fortress or use the dragons to smoke him out, as Black Harren had no real support or armies left to defend him anymore. However, Orys and the riverlords recommended starving him out with a prolonged siege, as they were not confident in taking a fortress of that size despite it being incomplete. Aegon knew that time was of the essence, as Black Harren had called for troops and ships to be sent from the Iron Islands. As long as the ironborn king was still alive, the ironborn threat would persist.
Their father insisted on a parley with Black Harren, which everyone advised against since they held the advantage. However, their father reassured them by saying that he merely wanted to exchange words with the Hoare king, as he fully understood that whatever approach they chose for Harrenhal, Black Harren would not leave the fortress alive. "I would like to see his face when he finds a simple lord occupying a stronger position than he does," their father declared. "What could be more humiliating to his pride than that?"
Aegon couldn't help but chuckle, which the rest of the riverlords and the family also did. Having enjoyed unhindered rule of his kingdom, all that would be left would be his corpse in a fortress whose resources and labor could have been put to better use elsewhere. Instead, his ego needed him to build a castle that would be his permanent mark on the landscape. It would indeed be permanent, with his ashes among the blackened stones of the fortress after the dragons were done.
Aegon, Jaenyx, Orys, and Rhaenys all stood with their father, who waited as the drawbridge to Harrenhal lowered and revealing a sizable ironborn entourage. He figured that the court of Black Harren were in the castle given how many came with him. However, his focus was on the old, grey man in black armor that was at the front of the group. This man had a slightly hunched posture, with wrinkles visible all over his face and his scalp balding. He also had one of his black eyes looking more towards the middle. With the driftwood crown placed on his head, itself barely staying on his bare scalp, Aegon knew instantly who this was.
I thought Black Harren was fearsome. He's just a frail old man , Aegon scoffed. I could easily take him on with either Blackfyre or Flame Screecher in his heart .
One of the ironborn walked in front of Black Harren. "My lord, I am Elden Hoare, Crown Prince of the Isles and the Rivers. You stand in the presence of the Harren of House Hoare, first of his name, King of the Isles and the Rivers, Lord of Harrenhal."
Their father remained indifferent to the fact that he was face to face with Black Harren, supposedly the most fearsome man in Westeros, as he also saw how weak and frail he really was.
"Before you stands Aerion of House Targaryen, the Elder Dragon, Lord of Dragonstone and ruler of the Blackwater Bay," Rhaenys announced. Their father let out a small grin, amused that he was called the Elder Dragon. "Standing with us is Jaenyx of House Belaerys, Lord of the Basilisk Isles and rider of the dragon Cloudwynd."
Black Harren stared at the family before him. He might have been frail and old, but Aegon saw that the lunacy characteristic of ironborn remained in him, if his widened eyes said anything.
"Quite a host you have, Lord Targaryen," Black Harren addressed their father. "It appears that I was right to keep the riverlords in line by having them work."
"And look where that got you, Black Harren," their father responded, not bothering to call him a king.
Black Harren took offense, as did his heir. "You are speaking to King Harren, dragonspawn. You will address him as 'Your Grace.'"
"He's no king of ours," Aegon spat. "A sentiment that is shared among the riverlords. Your father is the king of nothing."
"Watch your tongue, or you shall lose it," the ironborn prince warned. However, he seemed to not expect Aegon and Jaenyx to draw their swords, Orys to ready his axe, and Rhaenys to pull out her dagger. Only their father's raised hand prevented them from spilling blood.
Their father shook their head in disbelief. "Do you really not see reality? You're in no position to make threats or to demand anything of us. We have nearly twenty thousand men surrounding your castle. You have no armies nearby to help you and your fleet is too far off the coasts to be of any threat to us. The decades you spent oppressing your vassals to build this very castle has got you no allies left. More importantly, we have four dragons that can easily burn you where you stand."
"Our castle can withstand fire, Lord Targaryen," Black Harren attempted in vain to regain some control of the situation.
"Tell that to the ironborn you sent at Rook's Rest and at Wailing Willows, Black Harren," Jaenyx joined in. "Also, your son, Darvin Hoare, foolishly sent his fleet to attack us, all of whom are at the bottom of the Blackwater Bay."
That was when they saw Black Harren's face assume a more fearful expression. "Now, hold on a moment, Lord Belaerys. Prince Darvin was not sanctioned to attack you or your bannerman--"
"It doesn't matter now," Jaenyx interrupted him. "You failed to control your son and now that has cost you dearly. Speaking of which, where is Darvin Hoare? I don't see him here, unless he away like a coward?"
Black Harren did not answer, prompting their father to steer the parley back on topic. "The way I see it, Black Harren, you have two choices. Surrender yourself and your family to our custody and we shall show you mercy. Refuse to do so, we will burn you, your sons, and your castle where you are."
Aegon knew that their father's offer was insincere, since there was no way that he would let Black Harren leave this place alive.
"My castle is made of stone, not wood or flesh, Lord Targaryen," Black Harren answered.
"So, I take it you won't surrender then?"
"Never, especially to dragonspawn."
Their father sighed, but more in relief that Black Harren acted as expected. "So be it, Black Harren. Tonight, you and your sons will die."
"So, are all escape routes secured and cut, Rhaedar?"
" Yes, Lord Aegon ," Rhaedar Tarareon nodded. " We have Blackwood, Rosby, and our own horsemen covering every way out of the castle alongside Celtigar and Tully infantry. The ironborn cannot leave. "
"Good."
" I'm concerned that Darvin Hoare is not in Harrenhal, Egg ," Jaenyx stared at the castle. " After all, he's the one that started this mess ."
"We shall deal with him in time, Jae," Aegon responded. "We take the father and brothers, and we'll take what's left. With Black Harren gone, the ironborn will not be in a position to fight again for a long time."
" I would prefer that there be nothing left of them ."
"I agree, Jae," Rhaenys joined in. "But for now, our priority should be to secure the riverlands and prepare to move against the Arrogant king. We now have more troops and the lands west of the Blackwater Bay are secure."
"And in all honesty," Orys stated. "Sieges would take too long. Best just get it over with."
Aegon nodded. "All right then." He turned to their father. "We're ready."
Their father stood up from his seat and walked over to the riverlord assembly, who were still enjoying the feast and wine handed out to them. "Friends, join us! We have a spectacle." A trumpet herald sounded followed by the beat of drums. Their father led the riverlords to within full sight of Harrenhal, just ahead of the troops camped outside the walls but far enough out of range of any archers.
Aegon could hear Lord Tully converse with Lord Blackwood behind him. "Haven't the dragonspawn done enough damage, Colren?"
"Lord Targaryen never intended to spare Black Harren and his sons. We're just watching the final nail of ironborn's casket being put in," Lord Blackwood replied.
"He probably wants to be certain we get the message that nobody provokes the dragons," Aegon heard him sigh. This was especially concerning, as Lord Tully did not rise up against the ironborn until after Wailing Willows and he had the gall to say his thoughts aloud. We need to keep an eye on him.
"I understand that all of you wanted to starve him out with a siege," their father turned around to the riverlord assembly. "However, it will only be delaying the inevitable. It will be better to end Black Harren quickly. What you will see is the power of the dragons, which not even the strongest of fortresses could withstand. Let all of you remember this day."
Getting the cue, Aegon, Rhaenys, and Jaenyx mounted their dragons and took off into the air. Getting enough altitude, they circled above Harrenhal and their dragons gave off loud bellows. Jaenyx took the initiative, nudging Cloudwynd downward until they were both level with Harrenhal's towers. Aegon saw blue flames leave her mouth, a continuous stream engulfing the towers while Cloudwynd kept flapping her wings to keep herself level. Then, Aegon saw the towers collapse before Cloudwynd flew back to the main camp.
Rhaenys followed, Meraxes releasing her yellow flames onto the walls of Harrenhal. Aegon saw a circle of yellow form below before Meraxes followed Cloudwynd back to camp. Aegon then nudged Balerion downward, aiming towards the main keeps and structures.
"DRACARYS!" Aegon yelled. Balerion released his black flames onto the rest of Harrenhal, consuming the rest of the structures with fire and an inferno spreading to the entire castle. He flew back to the camp, and landed near Cloudwynd and Meraxes. Walking to where Orys, Jaenyx, and their father was, he stood next to Rhaenys and put his arm around her waist, which she returned with her arm around his. They all saw Harrenhal burned like a melting candle, the vanity project of Black Harren engulfed in flames and faint screams could be heard.
Aegon looked back to the riverlords, each of them looking upon the sight in rapture and fear. Regardless of how they personally felt towards his family, they could not deny what they were seeing at that moment. Despite its incompleteness, Harrenhal was still the largest castle in Westeros and it was burning before their very eyes. With it, the rule of the ironborn was over.
Eventually, they all retired to their tents while Harrenhal still burned. Aegon escorted Rhaenys to their tent. Once alone, he pulled her into a kiss, one full of passion. Running his hands along with slender back, he grunted when he felt Rhaenys run her hands to his cock and squeezed it.
"When did you become this audacious, Rhae?" Aegon kissed her neck.
"That's what happens when you are close to death, Egg," Rhaenys whispered in his ear. "Makes you want the things you love more."
"Anything else you can show me?"
Rhaenys pulled away from Aegon and offered her back. "Want to find out?"
Aegon got the hint, proceeding to untie her laces while not caring that some of them ripped. Yanking down, he paused as he stared upon the bare form of his wife. He felt amazed every time he looked at her, his sister-wife representing Valyrian gracefulness. He didn't move as she pulled his tunic over his head, undid his breeches, and leapt into his arms.
"Fuck me," Rhaenys purred. Aegon carried her to their bed and sheathed his cock into her entrance. Her jerking backward and hearing a moan escape her got Aegon to thrust at a fast and furious pace. Aegon sucked at her neck while he squeezed her breasts, but Rhaenys grabbed his chin and had him look into her eyes. Stormy pairs of amethysts gazed at each other, fire being seen by the other.
Aegon felt the walls around his cock tighten and his core burning, both from the pleasure that was consuming him and from how his muscles were straining from the furiousness of his thrusts. He leaned and put his mouth on Rhaenys', their tongues wrestling with one another for dominance. He felt her arms tighten around his shoulders, trying to keep him on her but feeling they were being squeezed.
Feeling him nearing the edge, Aegon shouted, "Rhae!"
"Egg!" Rhaenys screamed in response. Feeling his seend spill into her, Aegon fell onto her limp form. The pants tapered off, as the waves of calm flowed through both of them. Sliding off of her, Rhaenys turned to him and nuzzled into his side, one arm and one leg over his body. Running her hand over her chest, she snuggled into his neck. "You make me so alive, Egg."
Aegon pulled her closer to him. "You too. I've been so worried for you, Rhae."
"Me, too," Rhaenys looked at him. "But when I saw you fight, I realized that my worries were for naught. You really are a great warrior, Egg. Your sword and Balerion will always keep you safe."
"And Meraxes will to you, Rhae," Aegon kissed her forehead. "You have me, Jaenyx, Orys, and Vis to help you stay safe also."
Rhaenys pecked his jawline. "Egg, can I ask you something?"
"Sure."
"You remember the time when I killed that stag with my bow?"
"Of course I do. I couldn't be more proud that you could hunt with us." Aegon smiled at that memory, happy and relieved that his sister was not entirely squeamish at the sight of blood.
"Can you train me how to use it well?"
Aegon looked at her, surprised. "Why do you want to train with a bow?"
Rhaenys looked at him back. "I can never be as strong as you and Orys, or as fast as Jaenyx and Vis. The one time that I killed a man was just… I don't want to be worried about how I would defend myself and I wouldn't want you and the others to continually risk themselves for me all the time."
Aegon leaned his head down to his Rhaenys'. "That's fine, Rhae. You're my wife and you're family. That's what we should do."
Rhaenys shook her head. "I know, but I want to lighten the load on all of you. If I could fight, then I won't have to be afraid whenever we're in battle."
Aegon thought about her request. He loved how considerate she was being, but he was also worried about how the stresses of battle would weigh on her. He knew that with the right amount of time and attention, Rhaenys could become a great archer, as her killing the stag occurred only after two days on the bow. However, he was also worried that she would use every chance she had to enter battle with them. There was also the worry that she was only trying to learn the bow in order to not think so much of her near death experience and the stress that came from her first kill. However, he also remembered Jaenyx saying that the best thing for Rhaenys was to keep her mind occupied and to show support.
Taking a moment, Aegon made his decision. "If that's you want, we can start tomorrow."
Rhaenys smiled widely, giving him a deep kiss before she kissed his neck and all the way down his chest to his length. Aegon chuckled, pleased how his sister-wife responded. He let himself relax as he felt her tongue lick around his cock and pleasure reenter his body.
The next morning, Aegon, Jaenyx, Orys, and Rhaenys moved into the smoldering ruins of Harrenhal. Their troops had already entered and started taking possession of anything that still had value. Rhaedar Tarareon led them to the ruined great hall, where they found the charred remains of the ironborn court and what they saw was Black Harren's blackened body on his throne, taking his last seat as a king. Orys went over and snatched the driftmark crown off of his head.
"This will be a good addition to my collection," Orys remarked.
"The crown belongs to Dragonstone, Orys," Aegon stated. "But you can take anything else of value here."
Orys shrugged, honestly not caring about a now worthless crown. "So what do we do now?"
"We should collect the swords and take off their Drowned God amulets," Aegon replied. "We'll show all of them to anyone who doubts what happened here and as proof of what happens when you provoke the dragons."
" I would suggest we bring Aevor Rahitheon to his fortress ," Jaenyx looked around. " Harrenhal is on good lands and with enough effort, this could be a useful castle in the future. "
"I agree," Aegon nodded. "Harrenhal is strategically located between the Blackwater Bay and the riverlands. Together with Saltpans, Dragonstone and our citadel on the Blackwater Rush will be safe from enemy approach as long as we hold both."
"But wouldn't occupying this castle be a slight to the other riverlords, as this is a symbol of Black Harren's oppression of the region?" Rhaenys asked.
In all honesty, that was a legitimate concern. They had just secured the riverlords to their cause, but they were in a crucial first stage. Any misstep on their part would undo all of the progress they made to bring down the ironborn.
" I wouldn't worry about, Rhae ," Jaenyx answered. " They all seen the dragons burn this very castle. That should be enough for them to believe that things will be different with Black Harren gone. Besides, just as we burned this castle before, we can burn it again if we need to ."
Aegon again nodded. "What concerns me is that Darvin Hoare, the main culprit, was not here."
"He'll show up eventually, Egg," Orys continued to fish for the Drowned God amulets and swords, or what was left of them. "When he does, we can choose to separate his head from his body, or burn him like we did his father and brothers."
Jaenyx smiled. " As your family words say, fire and blood ."
"Jae, when will you move back to the citadel with the rivermen reinforcements?" Rhaenys asked.
" Today. I have to discuss certain matters with Lord Tully and Lord Blackwood. I will be taking three thousand Blackwood men and one thousand Tully men, who would be useful when we move on the Arrogant king. Vis told me that she had some words with Princess Argella, who's quite the character from her first impression ."
Aegon scoffed, who also knew about Argella Durrandon's visit to their citadel. "Just like her father, but she seems to have a much sounder mind than him."
" What about you? Will you come with me ?"
"After you, Jae," Aegon replied. "We'll fly back to Dragonstone to let our mother know we're all right. After that, we'll join you."
Jaenyx nodded in satisfaction. " Understood. I'll see you there. " With that, he left the great hall and Harrenhal. They all heard Cloudwynd roar and her wings flap.
After getting all of the amulets and swords that they could, they piled them onto carts and had Tarareon and Celtigar troops serve as escort. Aegon and Rhaenys then mounted their dragons and flew back to Dragonstone. They were able to make it back home by the day's end, with their mother waiting there.
"My babies!" their mother exclaimed as she hugged them tightly and causing both Rhaenys and Aegon to feel a little embarrassed. Orys was still with their father in the riverlands, to later escort him to their citadel. "I take it we won?"
"Yes, muña," Rhaenys smiled. "Black Harren is dead and the riverlands are ours."
Their mother nodded with pride. "I was worried for a little bit there, but when I heard about Rook's Rest and Wailing Willows, I realized that I had nothing to worry about. I'm so proud of you two. But where's Vis?"
"She's still at our citadel at the Blackwater Rush, muña," Aegon said. "Now that Black Harren is dead, we can start to move against Storm's End."
Their mother sighed. "And after that, everything will be over, I assume?"
"Hopefully, muña. But the dragons are now feared among the riverlands."
"As they should," their mother smiled. "Westeros should know what happens when they think too little of them, and us."
"Don't forget Jaenyx, muña," Rhaenys stated. Their mother still was a bit tense with her good-son despite softening to him after seeing how much Visenya loved him. As for Aegon, he might have understood the tension in the beginning, but couldn't comprehend it now.
Their mother nodded. "Yes, I shouldn't forget him. I hear that he personally led a scouting deep into the riverlands at great risk to himself and to Rhaenys. Very brave of him."
"Muña," Aegon looked at her. "Jaenyx has done much for us. At least show him the love that you show us."
"Eventually, I will." Their mother was being her honest self. "However, I have not forgotten how he married Vis in the first place--"
"Which was not his fault," Rhaenys pointed out.
"True," their mother admitted. "Your father is to blame for that. But, Jaenyx is not my child. I need more time before I can fully accept him."
Aegon sighed, relieved that his mother was ready to fully love Jaenyx like a son but sad that she needed more time before she could do that. Is a year not long enough, muña ?
"But, let's put that off for now," their mother clasped her hands. "You must be hungry. Come, I'll have the cooks prepare some supper for you."
Aegon and Rhaenys smiled, jumping at the chance to feel like their younger selves for a little bit. They looked forward to a day of rest and recuperation before going back to their citadel for the next part of their struggle. If the Arrogant king doesn't see sense, we shall burn Storm's End as we did Harrenhal .