House Of The Dragon-For The Queen, Not The Prince

(Third Person POV)

"Curses!" Viserys said as he slammed his fist on the table, "Of all days for this to happen, it happened to be today! What in the seven hells happened?!" 

He was in the Small Council chambers, an emergency meeting had been called due to the news of Lady Rhea's death, effectively leaving Aerion orphaned. 

Otto looked at him, "Hunting accident, Your Grace." He said, "She fell off her horse and her head was smashed against a rock." 

"Terrible thing." Lord Lyonel said as he shook his head

Viserys rubbed his temple, "I cannot believe this...." he said, "What of the boy? Is he okay?" 

"Lord Aerion was in the castle when this happened." Otto continued, "He was studying the Valyrian texts you had sent him as gifts. According to what they say, his studies are performing well. Lady Rhea had told her cousin, Ser Gerold to oversee it. So nobody was there when it happened and Ser Gerold happened upon her body when he had gone out to look for her that night." 

Viserys closed his eyes, "That poor boy...." He said, "With Daemon absent and now his mother dead, he's practically orphaned." 

"Might we suggest he comes to King's Landing?" Lord Jasper said, "He is your Nephew and maybe Daemon can take him in now that he's motherless." 

Viserys nodded, "He can come to King's Landing, I'll take him in." He said

"Ser Gerold Royce had arrived this morning, Your Grace." He said, "He has the boy." 

Viserys stood up, "Is that so? And why was he not brought to me?" he said, "He is the King's Nephew and Ser Gerold intends to keep him from me?" 

"Ser Gerold states that Lord Aerion is mostly comfortable with the men of House Royce." Otto told him, "And he wishes to discuss matters about the boy." 

"What matters? He is to stay in King's Landing." He said, "Have him brought to me before the Wedding Ceremony, Rhaenyra would want to see him. That is all, dismissed." 

*************************************************************

"Your Grace." Ser Gerold said, "I apologize for not bringing him as soon as possible, I am aware that you are busy, as it is the Princess's wedding."

They were in the courtyard, Gerold Royce was standing with a few more of House Royce's soldiers as the young Lord Aerion stood in front of them. 

Viserys crouched down, "Is okay, Ser Gerold." He said as he patted Aerion's head, "How are you? My boy, I am sorry about what happened to your Mother." 

Aerion looked at him, "It's okay." He said as he was holding a wooden toy knight

Viserys smiled and gestured at the toy, "What is that?" He asked

"Toy..." He said, "Mother gave it to me." 

"I see...." Viserys said, "Why don't you go and play with Aegon, hm?" 

"Okay." Aerion said

Viserys straightened up and gestured at the handmaidens who walked up and held his hand, walking away as the King looked at Ser Gerold. 

"What is it you wanted to speak of?" He asked, "Matters about the boy." 

"Your Grace." Ser Gerold said, "Lord Aerion is Lady Rhea's heir. And Lady Rhea stood to inherit Runestone so when he comes of age, he will be our Lord." 

"That is true." Viserys said, "But Aerion will stay here in King's Landing with me, I will raise him to be a Dragonrider, as he is meant to be." 

"With respect." Ser Gerold said, "He is my kin. House Royce loved Lady Rhea and he is her son. He needs to be with his Family." 

"I am his Family." Viserys said, "His Father may neglect him, but I will not. Whether or not House Royce or House Arryn for that matter wants it or not, Aerion is a Targaryen." 

"We understand that and we will never take that away from him." Gerold said, "But he is to be our Lord and unless he is in line for the Iron Throne, which I know he won't, there is no reason for him to stay in King's Landing." 

Viserys frowned, "So what do you propose?" He said, "You want to keep him there, in Runestone?" 

"Runestone is and will always be his Home." Ser Gerold said, "He is our blood." 

"As he is mine." Viserys said

"We came here to ask for him to stay there. We will raise him as if he were our own." Ser Gerold said, "We also wish for him to be known as Aerion Royce when he becomes Lord of Runestone." 

"Royce? His father is Targaryen, he will have his Father's name, our Name." Viserys scoffed

"With respect, Princess Rhaenyra's children will bear the name Velaryon until they inherit the Throne." Ser Gerold said, "Word travels fast. We merely ask the same for our young lord." 

Viserys sighed, "I will consider it." He said, "For now, he will remain here." 

Ser Gerold bowed, "Thank you, Your Grace." 

**********************************************************

During Princess Rhaenyra's wedding ceremony, Daemon Targaryen as sitting down on the main table. He had a sly smirk on his face as he looked at the bride and groom dancing in the middle of the room. 

Ser Gerold stood up from his seat and walked up to the table, "Where I am from..." He started with an angry frown, "Men are made to answer for their crimes....Even Targaryens." 

Daemon looked at him, "Who are you?" He asked

"Ser Gerold Royce." He said, "I am a cousin of your late lady-wife." 

"Ah, yes. Terrible thing, I am bereft." Daemon said with a dismissive expression

Viserys looked at this with a frown, but said nothing. 

"We both know that it was no accident." Ser Gerold said

"Are you confessing some guilt, Ser Gerold?" Daemon asked

"I am making an accusation." he replied

"Well, here in King's Landing, we make men answer for their slander." Daemon said, "Even old bronze cunts like yourself." 

"Well, this old bronze cunt is currently taking care of your son, My Prince." Ser Gerold said as he added a bit of contempt to the last part, "Have you seen the young lord? He is in need of his father, despite my thoughts on him." 

"The boy will be fine." Daemon said as he waved him off, "He'll inherit Runestone, no? I guess everything is going to work out. I doubt he'll need me. He's what, Five?" 

"You will come to regret this." Ser Gerold said, "When he grows up enough to understand how the world works, how do you think he'll feel about you? You, the Father who wasn't there.....do you think he'll accept you?" 

"It doesn't matter." He said, "If he has his dragon...." 

"He'll know who to thank for that."