[a/n: Patreon is ahead by 10 chapters and we will keep a 1-1 uploading pace. So when I happen to do a chapter there, a chapter will be released here. And it is the minimum of 1 per week (very little, I know). ]
(Third Person POV)
[Dragonstone, Six Months Later.....]
Lady Rhea Royce sat on the table, a steaming cup of tea in front of her as she had bags under her eyes. It was quite clear that she had been under stress as of late. And that was an understatement; it had been a year after Aerion had left to the Stepstones and decided to partake in the war.
Despite her constant pleads to the Crown and to Daemon himself, nobody seemed to urge Aerion to return home. After several months of not hearing word from him, Rhea would often claim that she is to sail to the Stepstones to see if he was okay.
Viserys would order her to stay either in Runestone or King's Landing out of concern for her safety as he would not be thinking straight. The King understood that this was a concerned mother worried for her son but he would receive occasional reports that stated that both Daemon and Aerion were fine and fighting well.
Lord Vaemond Velaryon and Ser Laenor Velaryon had joined the war and with the assistance of Seasmoke, the fighting had shifted to the Crown's favor, the Velaryon forces taking several victories. Despite this, the Triarchy did not seem to relent, even if there were three dragons in the Stepstones.
Something was keeping them adamant about the situation.
Lady Rhea sighed, "I cannot believe this...." She said softly, "It has been an year, Rhaenyra.....I have not seen my son in a year....."
Rhaenyra sat across from her, "I know, My lady...." She said softly, "I am very sorry to hear that. But Father tells me that Aerion is doing fine...."
As she said this, Viserys had walked into the room, holding what seemed like a letter.
He had decided to visit his daughter and had asked Rhea to keep Rhaenyra company during the time that Aerion was in the Stepstones. The Lady of Runestone would occasionally return to her Seat and had sometimes had Rhaenyra tag along. She would oversee the Princess's surveillance which was still in effect, something that even Rhea did not approve of but the King's word was Law.
"Rhea." He said as he placed the letter on the table, "The newest report...."
Rhea looked at the letter, "Anything about my son?" She said
"Something, alright." Viserys sighed
Rhea read the letter, her eyes moving from side to side as she mumbled the words, "Red-Hair Aerion has taken several consecutive victories in Bloodstone, earning him a new title.....?" Rhea said, "What?"
"The Triarchy allegedly refer to him as Aerion of Bloodstone now.....or Red-Hair Aerion...." Viserys said as he sat down
"Red-Hair?" Rhaenyra said
Viserys cleared his throat, "After a battle, he apparently is covered in so much blood that his hair is stained red...." He said, "The Triarchy have referred to him as such....Even his comrades refer to him as that. Not only that, he is called The Bloody Dragon....it is quite unsettling...."
"Gods be good...." Rhea said as she closed her eyes, "What has that boy gotten himself into?"
"Is his uncle not with him?" Rhaenyra asked, "Ser Gerold?"
"Yes." Rhea said, "Gerold occasionally writes...but.....the fighting is too much for him to do that nowadays."
Viserys sighed, "I feel like I should send more men to end the conflict...." He said, "But three dragons should suffice.....it is only a matter of how they use him..."
"Daemon should do something." Rhaenyra said, "It has been a year....Aerion should be Ten and Three now.....how is he so young and going through so much.....violence....?"
"I agree..." Viserys said, "I have contemplated that Royal Command, Rhea...."
"Your Grace..." Rhea sighed, "That would be a great favor, forgive my selfishness....he is my son....I....I just worry for him....he is too young for this...."
"He is a Dragonrider...and a warrior....I will admit...." Viserys said, "But I worry for his mind the most other than his body. Daemon has written me.....he says that this entire time, Aerion has not suffered a single wound."
"That is...." Rhaenyra said softly, "That is impossible...."
"Mere word of this is creating quite the fuss with the Knights at King's Landing...." Viserys said, "Even my Kingsguard are impressed...."
Rhea nodded, "I will admit...as his Lady.....I am proud of him...." She said, "But as his mother, I am just too worried..."
"You should get some rest, Rhea." Viserys told her, "Soon, I will return to King's landing and I will discuss our next move with this fighting."
"Very well...." Rhea said softly
Suddenly, the door opened and the Maester walked in, "Your Grace, Princess....My Lady..." He said as he approached Viserys, "A letter for Princess Rhaenyra...and one for Lady Rhea...."
"From whom?" Viserys asked with a frown
"From Lord Aerion Targaryen in The Stepstones." the Maester said
Rhea quickly stood up and walked over to him, "May I have it?" She said
The Maester handed her the letter, "Of course."
Rhea took the letter and read it, her face softening after a few seconds, "T-That boy...." She said as tears formed in her eyes
"What does it say?" Viserys said
Rhea sniffed and wiped her tears, "That he is well.....and is eating plenty...." She said, "I have missed his handwriting...."
The Maester walked over to Rhaenyra and handed her the letter, "Princess..."
"Thank you..." She said as she took it
She then opened it and read it.
After a few seconds, a slight smile appeared on her face, "Oh...."
"What is it?" Viserys asked her
"Nothing, Father..." Rhaenyra said, "I suppose my betrothed has not forgotten about me...quite literally...."
The letter read:
"I have not forgotten about you."
****************
[Bloodstone, The Stepstones....]
"We are at our wit's end, Brother." Vaemond said as he approached Lord Corlys, "Our provisions have been compromised, our rations are thinning out....and their fleet have blocked out any incoming supplies. We must do something about this...!!"
"They have too much manpower to risk a foolish move, Vaemond." Corlys said, "We will have Seasmoke and Caraxes patrol our perimeters to ward away any incoming assaults and Vermithor will roost right on our encampment as a last resort should said perimeter be breached."
It had been several weeks since the last battle, The Triarchy had shifted to different tactics, attacking their supply and forcing the main forces on a region in Bloodstone. The Velaryon forces have been low on resources and are struggling to keep the men fed, much less the three dragons.
Morale was lower than they had expected and any attempt to move would be shut down by the overwhelming pressure by the Triarchy forces on land. If any dragon would even move, they would simply retreat to shelter, disappearing within minutes and any attempt to chase would mean certain death.
Laenor had taken two arrows in the last battle and was barely recovering. Corlys wanted him on Seasmoke as quickly as possible so he could resume the patrol on the skies above the waters.
"And where is Vermithor and his boy rider?" Vaemond asked, "It was foolish to keep that boy and his dragon in this fight, brother."
"Without him, we would probably have lost battles that mattered greatly." Corlys said, "While Daemon is busy crushing their vanguard, Aerion is dealing with those who attack our backlines. He is keeping the majority of our men alive, Vaemond. Show the boy some respect, he killed the Black Crab and forced the Crabfeeder to contemplate his moves."
"That was months ago!" Vaemond exclaimed, "This is now! And now, we have thousands of men nearly starving to death because of the predicament we got our-"
He was cut off by the sound of Vermithor roaring in the sky.
Everyone looked up to see the Bronze Fury approaching the encampment, holding what seemed like a massive crate between his legs.
As the dragon descended, several men dispersed as Vermithor dropped the crate onto the ground. The wooden box suddenly broke open and everyone saw as a myriad of food and supplies spilled out. Everyone there merely stared with shocked expressions, not believing their eyes.
Vermithor landed on the ground and lowered himself to the ground while Aerion quickly dismounted from his saddle.
"Aerion!" Daemon said as he approached them, "Where in the seven hells were you?!"
Aerion landed on the ground, "Away from here." He said as he approached, "Somewhere else where I did not have to hear the Lord of Complaints whine about how he is hungry."
Vaemond scowled, "You dare-"
"Aerion." Corlys cut him off, "What is this?"
Aerion nodded at the crate, "That?" He said, "Food and supplies. I was scouting the southern region of the island and came across a Triarchy supply ship. So I attacked it, there is a lot of burnt men on that part. There are a few more crates like this one, ripe for the taking. I say we gather a small force to go and retrieve it. I will escort them."
"And what makes you think-" Vaemond started
"For fuck's sake, shut up." Daemon said with a scowl, "We got food for the men, this is a good opportunity."
"Agreed." Corlys said, "Get all of this sorted, Vaemond. We will send men for the supplies, thank you Aerion. You have done us a great service."
Aerion nodded as Daemon walked up to him.
"You did good, son." Daemon said, "I do not know what would have happened without you."
"I am proud."