(Aerion's POV)
I stood atop the Dragonmont, looking at the setting sun without saying a single word.
Everything felt surreal; I was a Father now....I had a daughter with Rhaenyra. I had no clue how to react to this. I did not know that I was ever going to be a Father, much less a Father to Rhaenyra's child. It was something that I needed to process, something I needed a bit of time to take in.
I was not unhappy about it.
I felt joy about this.
But it is strange.
I cannot express that emotion properly. Why?
Mother always told me I was a serious and blunt boy, hells, Rhaenyra herself has mentioned that. Is it because I am Daemon's son? Is it because of that?
That made Rhaenyra think something was wrong. Was something wrong?
I let out a sigh, "Hm....." I said, "I wonder what I should do....."
"Well, you should lighten up for once." I heard a voice say
I turned to see Father walking up to me, a slight smirk on his face. As he reached me, he stood next to me and looked in front of us, staring into the setting sun as well.
"Father...." I said as I placed my hands behind me, "Did you require to speak about something?"
"Viserys told me of your doubts." He said, "It is not something he could relate to, killing someone with your own hands."
I frowned, "W-What?"
"You see it, don't you?" He asked as he glanced at me, "The blood."
I looked down, "Hm....."
"Well, I saw it to, Aerion." he said, "All of that blood all over you.....it is not something a Father was expecting their son to do. But at the very least, you restrained yourself."
"Restrained, huh?" I said
"Everybody in the world has blood in their hands, Aerion. It is part of the natural order that is this world." He told me, "We are Dragonriders. Do you truly think that our predecessors went about their lives not killing men with fire and steel?"
I looked at him, "No."
"My Uncle, Prince Aemon, was Caraxes's first rider. He was a noble and gentle person as much as he was a great fighter." He said, "I once watched him spar with my Father, your Grandsire, he was magnificent and someone I wanted to model myself after. Father was a great fighter as well, he earned Dark Sister after all."
"He was King." I told him
"Aye, he was." He said, "But the point I am trying to make.....Aemon was a killer. He did not think twice about slaying men who opposed the Crown, who opposed his family. And your Dragon's first rider, oh boy.....do I have to go on about Jaehaerys?"
"He was also a killer?" I asked him
"Jaehaerys was King." He said, "He did things that were necessary. And Vermithor is the personification of his Fury, the Old Grouch. The point I am trying to make, Aerion, is that we all share a huge responsibility for the power we wield. Our beasts, as much as we are bonded to them, they have the power to decide the fates of all of the people that live in the Realm. You are bound to have blood in your hands, son."
"Hm....." I said
"It could bother you, yes, I understand....." He said, "But do not let it impede you from living your life. Blood or not, those arms are yours are not just for wielding your weapons or holding the reigns of your dragon.....they are for holding the little joy that your wife gave you. You are a Father now....and well, as surreal as it feels for myself to be a Grandsire....I am proud of you. I want you to be a better father to your daughter than I am to you."
I looked at him, "You....." I said, "Well, despite our current disagreements....you are a good Father."
"I try." He said as he patted my shoulder, "I try my best."
"But a good Husband?" I said bluntly, "I do not know."
He chuckled, "Well..." he said as he pulled his arm away, "We cannot always win, can we?"
"Father." I said, "Can I ask you a question?"
"Go ahead." He said
"Why....?" I started, "Did you only want a son?"
"What do you mean?" He asked me with a raised eyebrow
I sighed and closed my eyes, "Rhaena..." I said, "You did not visit her once.....for those few months she lived...."
"Hm...." He said, "It is not something I can speak about freely....but...I regret it....I regret it terribly...."
"Is that why you do not wish to give her another child?" I asked, "Because you feel guilt about what happened with her?"
"In a way....." He said, "I....well, you are alive and well....that is what matters..."
"If you say so." I said
"You do not speak often of her." He told me, "I thought maybe if I do not bring her up, you would not be angry at me for not seeing her."
"Hm." I said as I looked to the side
"That is a difficult topic to discuss, Aerion. I hope you can understand." He said softly
"What I understand is this: you are but a complicated man." I said, "And I do not know what you are thinking half of the time. Rhaena aside, what I saw back in the Stepstones.....that angered me....it angered me so much. And that anger has passed, but I have not forgotten.....and as difficult as it is to say....I do not think I will forgive you for doing that to Mother."
"I know." he said, "I do not expect you of all people to forgive me."
"But as an apology, it would be nice." I said, "For you to give Mother the Heir she needs."
"Heir? You are her heir." He told me
"I am to be King-Consort." I told him, "I am here in Dragonstone. Should Mother pass on in the future, she needs someone to succeed her. Although she would be fine with one of our cousins to do that."
"Hm..." He said, "Well...that is a good point..."
"I will think about it."