ALL NOVEL Chapter 19: Rumors
(Baelon's POV)
"Alright!" I said with a smile as I dropped down from the rope ladder, "All set!"
I heard Balerion let out a deep rumbling as he set his entire head down, snorting loudly.
I chuckled as I walked towards a group of soldiers, the saddlemaker in front of them, they were all nearly fifty meters away from the Black Dread. I understand that they would be wary of him, but Balerion is in one of his lazy moods today and he doesn't seem to care for anyone.
As I reached them, "All set, they fitted him perfectly." I said, "Definitely took longer than Vhagar, I'll tell you that. Aemond was quick and nimble."
The Saddle Maker chuckled nervously, "I-I am glad you like it, My Prince." he said, "Will you test it out in flight?"
"Of course." I said as I patted my hands, "But I was called over by my Mother, so I'll go and see what she wants before that. I am confident that the saddle will hold, I fastened it myself after all."
"Of course." He said, "Does it feel comfortable? I worked extra hard on making it for your own comfort after all. I even added extra room for a passenger."
I patted his shoulder, "I appreciate that. Your work is done, I shall give you your final payment this afternoon." I told him with a smile, "Go and get some rest, this entire process stressed you out."
He smiled weakly, "Well, My Prince. Making Saddles for the other Dragons is one thing, yes. They're dangerous creatures and yes, I am in the presence of the Keepers..." He said as he turned around while I walked past him, "But these are Balerion and Vhagar....any wrong move and I could've been crushed.....they're simply too large...."
"Ah, but it was alright." I said as he walked alongside me, "Balerion wants to take a nap today."
"I have heard that his returned Vigor should've given him more energy." He said as we walked down the path, being followed by the soldiers
"He does have a lot of energy. But since I am rarely allowed to take flight, all he does is lay around. That makes him accustomed to laying around, eating, and sleeping." I said, "That's why I always say it's good to take him for a lap around the Realm every once in a while."
"Ah, I see." He said with a smile, "T-That's good."
I nodded, "Yes." I said, "Now, if you excuse me...."
"I have to see my Mother."
************
"There you are." Mother said as I approached her in her chambers, "You've been gone from the Red Keep too long, what happened to your hair?"
I frowned and moved some of my bangs out of the way, "I was putting Balerion's saddle on and helping Aemond with Vhagar, I told you that." I said, "And what's wrong with my hair?"
She walked up to me and began to adjust my hair with a sigh, "Oh, Baelon. You rarely care for it." She said as she patted my shoulders and chest, "Hm...."
"What is it?" I asked, "You called for me? I was going to take Balerion for a lap, test the saddle out. I'll have Aemond try Vhagar's out on the morrow, so nobody gets all worried and all."
She took a step back, "I have been doing some thinking." She said, "It's about your Sister."
"Helaena?" I asked
"No, Rhaenyra." She said as she walked over to her couch, sitting down and patting the spot next to her, "Come, sit."
I shrugged, "Okay...." I said walking over and sitting down next to her, "What is it?"
"You're about to turn ten and eight soon, it's around the corner." She said seriously, "The realm expects you, as Heir, to take your seat as Prince of Dragonstone. Rhaenyra has been merely acting as it's caretaker as the Princess, your eldest Sister."
I nodded, "Yes."
"It pains me to say this, my dear." She said with a concerned look, "But once you take that Seat, many would start to speak....if Rhaenyra stays there, that is."
I frowned, "What do you mean?" I asked, "She's my sister, she can stay there as long as she desires."
"Baelon. You will marry Helaena, you will give me and your Father a grandchild with them. The two of you will start a family of your own, the Royal Line will continue with you." She said firmly, "You will be King, She will be your Queen, and your children will inherit what you leave behind when all is said and done."
"Yea, and?" I asked
She sighed and looked down, "People talk, Baelon." She said seriously, "And they think we don't listen, but we do. Rumors....whispers....have surfaced...."
"What are you saying?" I said, knowing what was about to come
"Baelon." She said as she looked at me seriously, "I don't believe them. I know Rhaenyra, I know you. But people speak and will come at you two with accusations that will harm not only you but Helaena as well."
"Mother." I said seriously, "Say what you're going to say."
"Your Uncle brought it up weeks ago, when Lady Laena brought forth her concerns about her father." She said, "When you and Rhaenyra flew to the North alone, there was a moment that was witnessed by some commoners. It was after you beheaded the man from Skagos. People are starting to believe that Rhaenyra committed adu-"
"Fuck's sake." I said standing up as I scowled, "Who dares speak this nonsense?! Bring me the culprits behind these lies and I shall place them before Balerion, see if they're speaking the truth or not."
"Baelon." She said
"No!" I said turning around and pointing at her, "I will not have insults be thrown at my Sister! Nothing happened between Rhaenyra and I, I merely defended her dignity and honor! Yes, I killed that Skagosi, but it was because he thought he could lay his hands on her. It's not beneath me to do so, do you remember what I did to the Ratcatchers?"
She stood up, "Baelon, I know.....but...."
"That is unacceptable, Mother." I said, "And to even suggest that I would leave my Sister homeless? Why would you even say that? She and I shared the same womb, Mother! I am her blood, the last living memory of our Mother!"
"B-Baelon...." She said while gulping, hesitating a bit, "I know...I know that....."
"And you have to take into account how Helaena would feel about these pathetic rumors." I said with an annoyed tone, "I would never hurt her, Never! I am not going to kick Rhaenyra out of Dragonstone simply to save myself from some stupid rumors that some person started. She deserves more than that, she's been through enough, you know that. She...."
She looked at me, crossing her arms, "I understand completely, my dear." She said, "But...sometimes we have to do things we don't agree with. I am sorry."
"You're not going to kick her out, are you?" I asked with a frown, "Why? Mother, she's.....she's your friend."
"We'll grant her land, here in the Crownlands." She said as she looked away, "She can build a Keep, however she desires. She will still be the Princess, that won't change. She-"
"She will feel like a Stray." I said, "Ever since I was born, she's been overlooked by everyone. Even more when Aegon and Aemond were born. It's difficult for her to even be under the same roof as us because of how out of place she feels. We're her blood and she feels like we forget it. Well, I won't forget it. I am not going to run her out of her home simply because the Realm will spread lies about us. If they even dare to do so, I will remind them of who I am. I am not just some Lord's son, with gold and a little bit of influence....No, I am The Dragon's Blood...."
She walked up to me, "Oh, Baelon." She said as she patted my cheek, "Hm, you're so strong, is that what you think? Well, perhaps you are.....perhaps you are as strong as you believe you are. And I love the man you're becoming, it makes me happy. But there are things even you can't change or deny, no matter how much power you have. Do you have any idea how many Wars have been started over things like these? You have to think about it from that perspective, my boy."
"Fuck perspective." I said with a scowl, "I care about Truth. The Truth is that Rhaenyra is my blood. And I love my siblings, all of them. I will not forsake any of them for my benefit. If it bothers anyone that she stays in her home when Helaena and I go there, well that's too bad."
"They can go and complain it to my face if they wish."