Arianne sat at the head chair in the small council room chewing the inside of her cheek as she listen to Lord Beesbury speak, Arianne had taken the duties of king along side her father as Viserys had fallen even iller and could not move out of bed, she also took to caring for him along with the maesters as she felt guilty because she was relived that Viserys is sick.

" We have continued to enjoy improved customs duties, since the settling of the Stepstones. And the extent to which, we exploit those is contingent on the harbour master's receipts of which septons have requested half that again for a bronze bust, they wish to commission for the festival of the mother, which I would not recommend—".

" Thank you for that exhaustive accounting, Lord Beesbury " Arianne interrupted " I remind you—".

Arianne stopped walking when she saw Ser Harrold walking in.

" your guests have arrived, Your Grace " Ser Harrold announced.

Arianne looked up, she was worried about seeing her sister and her ex-lovers again, her children had not been happy when they heard that they were returning.

" I trust, they've been welcomed as befits their station " Otto asked as Arianne looked at her father.

" As you instructed, Lord Hand " Ser Harrold said before leaving the room.

" It was my understanding Lord Corlys wished for his grandson Lucerys to succeed him as Lord of the tides" the maester said.

" The boy has been raised most of his life away from Driftmark " Tyland Lannister said " He can fly a dragon, yes but can he command a fleet? ".

" Ability does not alter his claim " Lord Beesbury added.

" The sea snake never formally named him as heir, if it comes to that.......the crown must choose what is best for the realm ".

Otto nodded.

" He is Laenor's son, what grounds could there be—-" Lord Beesbury started.

" What indeed, Lord Beesbury.......what indeed ".

" We shall here Princess Rhaenyra's petition, along with the other claimants on the morrow " Arianne said as she stood up as the men in the room also stood " I do beg your pardon, my lords......I must greet our guests ".

Arianne then walked out of the room.

" Your grace " Ser Erryk said as he walked with her " A matter has arisen that requires your attention ".

" Whatever it is, Ser Erryk. It'll need to wait " Arianne said.

" It's about the prince Aegon...........he requires your presence in his apartments " Ser Erryk said as Arianne stopped walking.

" What happen....is he hurt? " Arianne asked frantically.

" No.....well yes........it appears he got in to a fight with some commoners of the streets of silk " Ser Erryk said as Arianne quickly walked away to her eldest sons room in worry all thoughts of Rhaenyra and Daemon were forgotten.

—

Arianne stormed into Aegon's apartments and saw he sat on his bed with bruises on his face.

" Aegon " Arianne called as she rushed over to him lifting her skirt so she could sit on his bed " Let me see " Arianne said softly as she grasped his face softly.

" Mother, I'm fine " Aegon said as he leaned into her hands.

" What happened? " Arianne asked as she lets go of Aegon's face and Aegon remained silent " Tell me ".

" Some people were calling you a whore " Aegon admitted with a frown.

" Ohh....sweet boy, you just have to ignore them.......you needn't defend me all the time " Arianne soothed stroking his hair.

" But I do.........." Aegon yelled " I do........I won't let anyone hurt you........I couldn't do anything when Viserys was hurting you or when Daemon and Rhaenyra did........I won't let you go through that again ".

Arianne looked at him shocked, she didn't think any of her children knew about that " Your father loves you " Arianne reassured kissing his cheek before she starts to walk away but stopped when she heard her son cry.

" He doesn't.........because nothing I or anyone of us do, will ever be enough for him " Aegon cried as he got to his feet " But I don't care.....All I will ever need is you......mama ".

Arianne looked down as a tear went down her cheek, she then looked at Aegon and she rushed over to him and embraced him, stroking his hair as her arms wrapped around Aegon's neck. The boy's arms wrapped around Arianne's waist. Tears ran down both of there faces.

Arianne then felt a head rest on her as another pair of arms rested on her waist, Arianne tuned her head slightly and saw Halaena.

" It's alright, mama " Halaena said as she and Aegon held onto there mother who broke down in her children's arms.

—

Arianne walked into Viserys's apartments with Aegon and Ser Criston behind her, Aegon had demanded to go with her. He refused to leave her alone with them.

" Princess Rhaenyra " Arianne said as she walked into the room with Aegon and Ser Criston behind her " Daemon........Alicent...........".

" It has been so long since we were graced with the joy of your presence " Arianne continued as she stared at Rhaenyra's scar, Rhaenyra noticed and hid her arm.

" Indeed, your grace " Rhaenyra said as Daemon rubbed his forehead in annoyance and Alicent looked at Arianne bitterly, Aegon noticed and glared at his aunt, who backed down her stare and Maena grabbed her wife's hand.

" Though not long enough to merit a greeting upon our arrival " Daemon said.

" I've had more pressing matters to attend to " Arianne said causing Daemon and Alicent to scoff.

" Right....what can any of us know of ruling a kingdom? " Alicent scoffed.

" I do not rule as you well know " Arianne replied " My father and I are mere stewards of the king's will and wisdom ".

" And how exactly is that wisdom expressed? Hmm " Daemon scoffed " In blinks and wheezes? I'd be surprised, if he could remember his own name or if you could ".

" King Viserys's condition has worsened, since you saw him last....... " Arianne said causing Daemon to laugh bitterly and Aegon and Ser Criston glared "........It subjects him to considerable pain on the advice of the maesters—".

" Ahh, the maesters " Rhaenyra laughed bitterly as she walked over to Arianne but Aegon stepped in front of his mother glaring at his half-sister " Of course, it is they who keep him...........addled on milk of the poppy, while the Hightower's warm his throne ".

Arianne grabbed Aegon's hand squeezing it reassuringly as she stepped next to him.

" Rhaenyra, if you could see him with out it " Arianne said " Almost blind with suffering ".

" Arianne, I have no doubt it was an act of the purest mercy, but tell me.........." Daemon groaned in annoyance before getting up as Aegon placed his hand on Arianne's back " For the king's suffering, did the maester's also prescribe the removal of Targaryen heraldry and the installation in it's stead of various statues and stars? ".

" The emblems of the seven serve only to guide us on an uncertain path " Arianne replied " To remind us of a higher authority ".

" And on the morrow.........." Rhaenyra asked " which authority will sit in judgment of my son's claim on his own inheritance? ".

" That would be mine.......and the hand's " Arianne sighed " But be assured, the father is just and commands me to forget, the accusations you have hurled me in this room today ".

Arianne smiled before walking out with Ser Criston behind her.

" If you even think of hurting my mother........" Aegon glared at Rhaenyra, Daemon, Alicent and Maena before walking out of the room " I swear.....I will kill all of you and rest assured my bothers will join me ".