Deep__Aureate
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Chapter 46 Ahead
🕑 Added 2025-07-19 07:28:19 +0000 UTCMorning, The Vale
The road twisted through the hills, pale sunlight spilling across the cliffs and scattered pines. A line of carriages moved steadily toward the Eyrie, flanked by knights in Arryn colors and vassals riding close behind.
Inside one of the carriages, Aemma Arryn sat stiffly by the window, her face turned toward the passing cliffs. Her posture was rigid, hands clenched in her lap. She hadn’t spoken much since they’d left the Kingswood.
Across from her sat Lady Elena. The older woman glanced at her in silence for a long moment, then sighed. Her voice was steady but firm.
“Don’t blame your father,” she said. “Everything he says and does is for the good of our house.”
Aemma’s brow creased. She turned from the window, eyes sharp.
“How is stopping me from speaking to a friend…someone I haven’t seen in years, supposed to help House Arryn?”
Lady Elena kept her gaze level. “It wouldn’t be a problem if your ‘friend’ wasn’t a dragonrider. And now, a pyromancer.”
She let the words hang, then added more quietly, “Your betrothal to Prince Viserys will be announced within weeks. You’d be wise to focus on that.”
The name made Aemma’s jaw tighten. Her fingers curled. She stared at her stepmother, anger flashing behind her eyes but finally she looked away, down at her boots, silent.
Lady Elena’s voice softened just slightly.
“Like I’ve told you before… people of our station don’t always get to act as they please. We all serve the realm in one way or another.”
Aemma’s reply was quiet, almost a whisper.
“I just don’t understand why.”
Elena watched her for a moment. A flicker of empathy touched her face, but it faded quickly.
“You will. When you’re older.”
Neither spoke after that. Aemma returned her gaze to the window, lips pressed in a tight line. Lady Elena looked away as well, her eyes drifting toward the sloping peaks outside.
The carriage rocked gently onward, toward the high paths of the Vale, and the Eyrie above.
The Red Keep
The garden lay still under the gentle sun, awash in golden light. Flowers trembled in the breeze. Crocuses, daffodils, and violets blooming in tangled harmony. Butterflies danced over blossoms. A honeybee buzzed past, fat and content. Somewhere in the hedges, a thrush began to sing.
King Jaehaerys Targaryen walked slowly down the path, his pace unhurried. He let his fingers trail across a rose petal, soft as silk. Behind him came Prince Baelon, walking with quiet tread. He stopped a step behind his father.
“Beautiful, aren’t they?” Jaehaerys said without turning.
Baelon looked over the garden, the butterflies hovering, the flowers swaying gently. “Yes, they are.”
The King exhaled slowly. “I wonder how many more springs I’ll see like this.”
Baelon blinked. “You’re still in your prime,” he said. But his voice didn’t quite carry conviction.
Jaehaerys chuckled softly. “Prime? Hah. My beard’s silvering. My joints ache after long council days. And my grandchildren are nearing the age to wed. You’ll forgive me if I begin to feel old.”
Baelon fell silent. The thought of his father’s eventual passing felt uncomfortable.
Seeing his son’s discomfort, Jaehaerys smiled faintly. “Don’t scowl. I’m not dying just yet. Are the letters sent?”
Baelon blinked back into the present. “Yes. I’ve spoken with the maesters. They’ll go out over the next few days.”
The King nodded. “Good.” His gaze lingered on a lilac bush blooming near the foot of a marble bench.
After a pause, Baelon cleared his throat.
“And… what of Corlys’s proposal?” His voice lowered. “The betrothal?”
Jaehaerys turned, brow lifting. “Laena and Aegon, you mean?”
Baelon gave a small nod. “Did you speak with Mother?”
“I did.” Jaehaerys’s voice took on a faint edge. “It seems Corlys had the foresight to speak to her first.”
Baelon’s eyes widened. “He did what?”
“Yes. And no, she didn’t accept it. But she didn’t reject it either.” The King glanced over the garden again, as though arranging thoughts. “Your mother and I are aligned in this.”
Baelon raised a brow. “And what is that alignment?”
Jaehaerys’s tone grew firm. “Aegon’s blood must not leave House Targaryen.”
Baelon nodded slowly. He understood what was unspoken: Aegon was not just another grandson. The fire in him, the gift of Valyria, was too precious to give away.
Even through a match with a Velaryon.
Still, he hesitated. “Corlys offers more than a name. He promised us a fleet. A true fleet. We’ve long relied on House Velaryon’s ships for royal business, but now—”
“And you’d give your son away for ships?”
The words were quiet. But they struck hard.
Baelon stumbled. “I—I didn’t mean it like that.”
Jaehaerys watched him for a long moment, then raised a hand. “Bring a chair,” he told a waiting maid.
She returned quickly, and the King lowered himself into it with care. He sat still for a moment, feeling the sun on his skin.
“A fleet can win battles,” he said. “But Aegon’s power… it means more than mere strength.”
Baelon bowed his head.
Jaehaerys continued, his voice more thoughtful than hard. “Corlys will have his answer. Tell him the Crown will consider it seriously. But not before Laena and Aegon come of age.”
Baelon nodded. “We’ll focus on Viserys and Aemma in the meantime.”
The King waved a hand. “Yes. That is the pairing the realm expects.”
They sat in silence for a moment, broken only by the chirping of sparrows nearby.
Jaehaerys leaned back slightly. “What of Daemon?”
Baelon blinked. “What of him?”
“He’s twelve. I hear he’s been training with the City Watch for nearly a year now.”
“He has. Ser Rickard says he’s bold. Too bold, at times.”
“Sounds like someone else I knew at that age,” the King said dryly.
Baelon chuckled.
Jaehaerys looked thoughtful again. “He hasn’t claimed a dragon yet, has he?”
“No. Not for lack of trying,” Baelon said. “He snuck to Dragonstone not long ago.”
Jaehaerys smiled faintly. “The boy has fire. Not like Aegon’s. But something burning all the same.”
Baelon said nothing, but he looked distant.
The King noticed. “You worry for them.”
“I do,” Baelon admitted. “Viserys is gentle. Daemon is too wild. And Aegon… he’s changing so quickly. Faster than I can keep pace.”
“Then run faster,” Jaehaerys said simply.
Baelon blinked, surprised by the sudden sharpness of the tone. But the King’s face was kind, not cold.
“You are their father,” Jaehaerys said. “And one day, you’ll wear the crown. These choices—who they marry, where they’re guided, what burdens they’re given—they begin with us.”
Baelon straightened. “Yes, Father.”
After a moment, he bowed again and took his leave.
Jaehaerys sat in the chair a while longer, letting the breeze pass gently across his face. The sun was warm. The day was beautiful.
Aegon was nine.
Viserys, nearly a man.
Daemon, already seeking dragons.
And suddenly, Jaehaerys felt very old.
Nightfall, Blackwater Bay
The fog rolled in low and thick along the shore, swirling between moored ships like the breath of something vast and silent. Lanterns swung from mastheads, their orange glow dimmed by mist. The scent of salt, tar, and old wood clung to the night.
A lone man walked briskly along the pier.
He wore a servant’s cloak, the hood drawn low. A satchel hung at his side. He moved with quiet purpose, weaving between crates and barrels, careful not to draw notice.
Near the edge of the wharf, two men in black-and-gold halted him. City Watch.
“What’s in the satchel?” one asked, already reaching for it.
“Clothing. Bread. Dried figs.” His voice was calm.
The guard opened the flap, rummaged through quickly. “Heading somewhere?”
“Pentos,” the man replied, gesturing to the small cog behind him. “Ship Cook’s assistant. They lost a hand to a fishhook. I’m to replace him.”
The guards exchanged a glance, then waved him through.
The man gave a polite nod and moved on.
The ship waiting for him was modest, hull scraped by years of trade. It would be gone by first light, bound east with salted cod, Dornish wine, and one extra passenger.
He gave a light knock on the hull. Three quick raps, then one slow. A sailor appeared from the shadows and waved him up the gangplank without a word.
Once aboard, he moved toward the rear deck, settling near a coil of rope where shadows pooled thick.
He waited.
The sea lapped gently against the hull. Somewhere behind, distant bells tolled from the Red Keep, muffled by fog.
He reached into his satchel and drew out a small, narrow scroll case from the hidden pocket. Brass, with a wax seal stamped in deep red. The emblem pressed into the wax was foreign, two beasts flanking a torch.
He turned the tube in his hand once.
Then slid it back into the depths of his cloak.
He had seen the boy with his own eyes. No illusions. No tricks. Just a flame, held aloft as if it belonged there.
He had felt the heat while standing at the edge of the royal pavilion, dressed like the other servants.
The King’s voice had rung through the tent. A proclamation. A name declared as a proof. Proof of something older.
Footsteps scraped behind him. A sailor passed, gave him a quick look. The man answered a muttered question with a few quiet words, nothing out of place.
The sailor moved on.
The man turned toward the rail. The wind was shifting now, pulling eastward, tugging at the ropes and sails with eager fingers.
By sunrise, they would be gone from the bay.
And soon, the word would reach the right ears.
The flame had returned.
Comments
Michael Plank
First of all I have not watched the movie or read any of the original Novel or Book(whatever it is) so everything I am going to write is based on this Novel and this Novel only (well exception by possible wifes where I took a look at possible ones in the wiki). Regarding Aemma I don't care if she marrys Viserys because of Family or runs away from it, we just don't have much from her. The only real Scene was on the Wedding which while it is possible that she fell in love is seriously not realistisch at all, especially if we think of their ages even in this World where people get married very very early. Then lets talk about his marriage a little more , I looked through his possible marriage Partners that are possible and if possible also helpful for mc. We currently have 4 Possible ones if I include one from the Wiki. First and also the one that would bring him the most Laena Velaryon, Even though she is younger this is not really a problem for their age and since he is a man his 'blood' won't leave the family, they will all be targaryen, if anything it reduces the amount of targaryen bloodlines outside which can be considered helpful and I think I don't need to talk about the benefits of it. It is also very mc like since even though he said he is fine with it if he marries her or not, since he alerady has a crush on her mother and she most likely will inherit her looks it is very realistic that mc will like her. Then we have Gael who brings nearly no Benefit whatsoever and Aemma who would be the same since she would need to run away from Home if she doesn't want to marry Viserys. Then lastly we have someone who is not yet born which would be Rhaenyra, Aemmas daughter with Viserys which would give the benefit of having a better Connection with Viserys and no worrys about mc stealing his throne. Lastly lets talk about the possibility of mc becoming King, I would give this 3 possible Routes. The first being that mc won't be becoming King, which would also make the most sense since he never Showed any longing for the throne and is more intersted in Living a good and safe Life (I guess with one more multiple wifes though not eactly said, it can be infered from his love for his Sister) and Magic. So this is the Route that mc most likely will be walking if we go by his Personality. The other 2 Both make him King but different Kindes. The first is the forced type where the 'author' and while unlikely maybe the King will push him to the throne and become King while not really intersted in it besides the opportunity to Produce more exp (I sadly guess this will be the direction of this Novel) The Last one is one which is also very Possible since becoming King and giving Influence grants him exp becoming one would be more or less a possible goal if he is not going the first Route and relying on Research to bring him attention and influence which he uses for exp. Here the best way forward though would not be Taking over the targaryen Dynasty since he already has influece in it and it will not bring him as much exp as if he would charter new grounds. We have a few possibilitys like essos or other continents (if they exist) but even better the stepstones, especially since there is the possibility of marrying laena, we can have her help with conquering and proclaiming himself king of the stepstones. Why exactly this would be best in exp is because the stepstones would rely mainly on trade and locationwise it has influnce on both essos and westeros, so we have a Constant Stream of exp through trade and also have some massive amounts of exp from Lords of essos and westeros while also giving a Chance for his researches to have the most possible influence and exp gaines for him. So Extertal King would be my third Route. I am happy with either the first or third since the second doesn't suit mcs personality, especially since he also likes his Brothers, though we see more of Daemon, but with what we say of Viserys until now if mc snatches his throne they would have a life and death relationship most likely. So I really hope author doesn't want to drive it in this direction. Btw Thank you Author for all the highquality Chapters and Content.
Slicktrick
I really hope that Aemma doesn’t marry Viserys
TyrTheFallen
At this point if Jaehaerys doesn't make Aegon king he is just asking for the Targaryen's to fight.
BladeTytan
So, is Aegon going to take the next step in his rune research and combine it with his Valyrian Steel forging capabilities; taking a line of Blacksmith Classes to improve his technique and start imbuing them with additional magic and eventual enchantments, akin to his spells.
swordmaster savage
These chapters are too short
troptop
This.
Pedro Eugenio de Lima
Time for a 2-4 year time skip, in my opinion. The foundations are laid out, now its time to begin to see some real action. Maybe make a few flashback to key moments that happened during the timeskip (aegon confronting vaegon, etc.).
Sean
I hope we get to see Aegon making choices soon. I get that he's still a kid and he'd rather farm exp but it's starting to feel like a hurry up and wait situation. I think I'm mainly upset because he sort of knew his uncle would be killed and didn't change that. It felt like he chose to be a passenger in the story to stay safe for a little while longer.
Mr Casual
Tftc
Mariusz Zonk
Jaehaerys’s tone grew firm. “Aegon’s blood must not leave House Targaryen.”. He's a man. Whoever he marries, "his blood" won't leave the family. And the next generation will face a dilemma, regardless of their mother's maiden name.
Silly Lil'Duck
Thank for the chapter. Really like Jaehaerys talk with Baelon. Things seem to get more and more interesting.
Gopard
Damn getting ever more serious now... doubt the free city's would ever entertain a direct open attack against the Iron Throne as it is even to "snuff out (or claim) the dragon's flame" It's much more troubling again... What money and influence can do to spread rumors sturr resentment and nudge usually rather "relatively calm" Nobles into ever more scheming...
TyrTheFallen
I wonder how things will change since I don't see Viserys becoming easyly a king with Argon there.
Gilgamesh
Tftc!
Kyle Pemberton
Probably Volantis. The Red Priests would want to know about this sort of thing.
Avid_reader
The free cities are moving already? Volantis or Braavos?
