(Third Person POV)
[Near Runestone, The Vale]
Daemon Targaryen sat on a log in front of a campfire, sharpening his knife as a young white-haired boy sat next to him, looking at the flames.
"Listen, Aerion." Daemon said as he looked at his knife, "Your Mother and I.....we have our issues.....and I understand that I do not come often....but know that I am slightly fond of her.....but only slightly...."
The young boy looked at his father, his eyes full of a solemn seriousness, "It is fine, Father." He said as as he had his hands on his lap, "I understand."
"At the very least, you are being good to her, right?" Daemon said as he chuckled, "You behave well, I hear. Your Bronze Kin are quite fond of you. They ignore your valyrian traits and think of you as a Royce, not a Targaryen."
Aerion looked down, "Aren't I a Royce?"
"Well..." Daemon planted his knife on the ground, "Yes, technically."
"I care about my kin, they are kind to me." Aerion said, "Mother loves me....."
"Yes, that she does." Daemon said as he stood up, "Your Mother is many things but a bad mother is not one of them. She and I have our differences, but we both care deeply about you. When you grow up....you will understand why I act the way I act....."
"Mother says that the only reason you come and see me is because you don't want Uncle to constantly nagging you." Aerion said softly
"That is true." Daemon said with a chuckle, "But....sometimes....I just want to see my son."
"I am learning how to fight. Uncle Gerold is teaching me." Aerion suddenly said, "I wish to spar with you one day, Father....and wield a valyrian sword like yours."
Daemon looked at his son, "Oh?" He said with a smile, "Like my Dark Sister? Well...one day you will inherit Lamentation, would you not?"
"Mother is Lady of Runestone." Aerion said, "If I inherit that...it would mean that she is dead.....I do not want it if that is the case."
"Hm...." Daemon said with a slight smile, "Let's forget all of that drivel."
Aerion looked at him, "Huh?"
"Get up." Daemon said, "Your mother taught you how to hunt, right? You are about to turn Ten. How about you show me how much you've grown?"
Aerion smiled, "Sure."
*************
"You are leaving again?" Lady Rhea Royce asked Daemon Targaryen
The Rogue Prince was standing in front of Runestone, looking off into the rocky hills where his dragon, Caraxes, roosted. His wife, Lady Rhea Royce, had walked out of the castle after taking their son, Aerion, in for the night. She walked up next to Daemon, standing a few feet away, and looked at the Blood Wyrm, taking in the surreal sight of the dragon.
"Yes." Daemon said
"Stay longer." Rhea said without looking at him, "The boy needs his father."
"He has his father." Daemon said, "He can always come join me in King's Landing."
"And watch you bed as many women as you wish in the Street of Silk?" Rhea asked with a frown
"Don't pretend like you haven't done the same here." Daemon scoffed
"Do not insult my honor, Daemon." Rhea said, "You know the last time that I...Hm...."
"I'm not abandoning him yet again. I just spoke with Aerion, he knows that my brother had summoned me from the Stepstones again. You know the conflict that is happening over there...." Daemon said, "I ignored him and came straight here. The King will be rather unpleased if I ignore him any further."
Rhea nodded, "Very well."
"I would like to take him." Daemon said
"No." Rhea said
"The boy is a Targaryen, Rhea." Daemon said seriously, "He is to turn ten. Soon, he'll claim a dragon, it is his birthright. He was once a Prince, and he still is."
"I do not care." Rhea said seriously, "He will not leave my side and I don't go to King's Landing unless the King himself summons me."
Daemon looked at her and smirked slightly, "That defiant attitude of yours." He chuckled, "The only thing that I liked about you. That's why I was capable of consummating our marriage and well, the other few times we fucked."
"How blunt of you." Rhea said as she turned around, "He is not going with you, that is all."
She walked away and left the Rogue Prince by himself.
Daemon sighed and shook his head, "He is my son..."
*********
"My precious boy..." Rhea said as she leaned in and kissed Aerion on the forehead, "Look at you, ready for your Hunt...."
Aerion frowned, "I am Nine, Mother. I do not need you to pamper me." He said seriously, "I am a warrior. Soon, I will be a Knight. I intend to be the mightiest in the Realm."
Rhea gave him a serious look, "I am your Mother." She said, "I pamper as much as I desire."
She patted his shirt down. Aerion was wearing hunting gear which consisted of a shirt with leather straps that held his quiver alongside gloves that were suited for archery.
"Look at him." Gerold Royce said with a chuckle, "Our young lord."
Aerion nodded, "Uncle. Are we ready?"
"You have to be careful, the bear is quite huge." Rhea told her cousin
"It is fine, My Lady." Gerold said, "Willem and the others would be with us."
Rhea crouched down and patted Aerion's head, "My greatest joy..." She gave him a smile, "I am so proud of how much you've grown...."
Aerion frowned again, "Hm....."
"Did you want to go with your Father? To King's Landing?" Rhea asked
Aerion nodded, "Yes...."
"I am sorry..." She said, "I do not like you being there alone."
Aerion shrugged, "It does not matter. If you do not wish for me to go, I am fine with it." He said, "But it is good that Father came to spend time with me. I told him I wanted a Valyrian Steel sword."
"Such things must be earned, my boy." Rhea kissed him on the cheek, "But you are my son...."
"You will be the mightiest in the Realm."