Chapter Text
1.
Ser Arryk was in his quarters when he was summoned by the lord commander. He put the wooden knight back in his trunk, deep with his possessions, before closing it. This has become a habit for him nowadays. Seeking the doll whenever he finds himself alone and away from his duties. Their father has gifted two identical wooden knights after he and his brother presented as betas. Both he and Erryk never parted from it. To be honest neither have they parted from each other. However, things are different now; they are both fighting a war. But unlike in the past, they are on the opposite sides…
He doesn’t understand Erryk; how could he follow the path of a woman? That too, an Omega? Omegas are not meant to rule. Their place is beside their Alpha, birthing children and caring for the household. How can anyone ever expect them to lead something? It is against faith and everything that is natural. Thank the sevens that King Viserys came to his senses, even if it was too late. Now Aegon the elder sits on the iron throne, the rightful heir and the lord of the seven kingdoms. If only Erryk could accept the truth and stop being delusional. He doesn’t have any qualms about the war. With Vhagar on their side, the green's strength is formidable. It is having to fight against his brother that is haunting him. He never imagined them ending up like this, and truth be told, he doesn’t know how he will raise his sword against his brother if they ever come face to face.
Ser Arryk sighed and walked towards the lord commander's office. Loud voices and shoutings welcomed him as he stepped into the corridor. He immediately recognized the voice to be of the queen dowager.
“How could you do this Aemond? Do you even have any idea what the repercussions of your actions will be? Rhaenyra will rain fire on our head.”
Arryk paused momentarily in front of the closed door. What could have made the Queen dowager lose her composure like this?
“That whore of a woman won’t do anything unless she wants to see her beloved child suffer for it. Can’t you see mother, I have brought the ultimate shield. As long as we have Lucerys she won’t dare to do anything against us.”
What? Did the prince just utter the name Lucerys? Did Prince Aemond manage to capture the omega son of Princess Rhaenyra? How and when? He was sent to the stormlands for negotiations. When did such a thing happen? If it is indeed true, then that changes the trajectory of this war. With such a precious hostage safe in their hand, a violent strike will be difficult for the blacks.
“Is that why you chased the boy in the storms and claimed him against his will like a brute??? Is that how I raised you Aemond? This act of violence won’t go unpunished by the sevens. I thought it was Aegon who had gone rotten, you seem eager to follow in your brother's path. A path which had disgusted you in the past.”
“Do not compare me to him mother. I TOOK what was owed to ME.” Prince Aemond’s rage echoed through his voice. The boy might have been a decade younger than he, yet something about that prince managed to scare even a war-hardened knight like himself.
“You and your obsession with that bastard will be the end of our family.”
Arryk decided it was time to announce his presence before he heard anything further that was not meant for his ears. He knocked on the door and announced his presence.
He could cut the tension inside the room with a knife. Prince Aemond and Queen Dowager were at the opposite end of the table. The lord commander in the middle as if to pacify the raging royals. What he didn’t expect was the presence of both the hand and lord Larys.
“Sir Arryk”
“Sir cole, your grace.”
There was a silence after the greeting. It is as if no one knows how to break open the conversation. It was the hand that decided to speak at last.
“The crown values your devotion and loyalty in great regard Sir Arryk. You have served us well. It is why the council has decided to entrust a very important duty to you.”
“It is my honor to serve the crown sir. I will fulfill my duty with utmost care.”
"Prince Aemond has taken Prince Lucerys into his custody, and he now resides within the Keep as a guest of great esteem. You shall be tasked with ensuring his protection, that no harm may befall him."
"Yes, my lord.”
"There is, however, a matter of utmost secrecy in this. Prince Aemond has claimed the omega and formed a bond with him. A joyous occasion, indeed. Our late King Viserys himself had once wished for this union, though Princess Rhaenyra spurned it in years past. We shall hold the wedding before the next moon's turn and celebrate this union in full. Until then, this matter must remain hidden, lest rumors speak ill of it. Choose a handful of trusted guards—men who know to hold their tongues. Ser Cole will see that discreet maids are assigned as well. Beyond these few, none shall be permitted to enter the chambers."
“I will see to that my lord.”
“Thankyou sir Arryk. Prince Lucerys is in Prince Aemond’s chambers. You may take your leave.”
Arryk bowed to them all and left the room immediately. Before he walked further away, he managed to hear the queen dowager's complaints. "A marriage? Lucerys will never consent to it. And what shall we say to Rhaenyra when word reaches her? It will not take a cunning mind to discern what has truly transpired."
Arryk couldn’t help but scoff. This is why we leave the ruling to men. A woman cannot simply see past her emotions. It is clear as sky that the claiming was not consensual. But Prince Aemond has acted wisely. If the news of their union spreads across the realm, Princess Rhaenyra will be put in a tight spot. With her own child on King Aegon’s side, what claim does she have? More than that, she will never be able to strike violently first. Princess Rhaenyra will sooner or later be forced into the negotiations table. War might not be as close as he anticipated. That is good. Once this entire ordeal comes to an end, he will not let Erryk live his shame down.
He turned the corner towards Prince Aemond’s chamber. He will have to do a good job in protecting Prince Lucerys so that he may gain favor from the hand and be able to plead the case of his brother. Idiot and traitorous as he may have been, he is still his brother. He can’t let Erryk’s stupidity be the death of him. Oh brother, the things I do for you…